A Lost Plot: Recent Episodes
Maverick Dickson
A Lost Plot: where cinematic plots are taken apart piece by piece to determine what makes that movie great, or why it has been forgotten today.
With AI everywhere, it's appropriate to explore the dangers of AI. What better movie to look at than Ex Machina? In this episode, Maverick and Avalon discuss the Turing test, and Caleb's exploration of AI's birth, and the question of robotic sentience.
DC is punching back at Marvel's extended universe with a new addition: Blue Beetle. But does Jaime Reyes have what it takes to take on Kord Industries... or more importantly, a great movie worth rewatching? In this episode, Maverick and Avalon have an animated discussion on this new movie, and how Joseph Campbell's roadmap to a great story can be followed TOO closely.
Is Darth Vader conflicted and saving his son? Or is he a slave to the will of the Emperor? We all know this old tale, but in this episode Maverick and Andrew nerd out trying to get inside the masked man's head, and determine once and for all if Star Wars episode 6, Return of the Jedi, is a great movie in the Star Wars franchise.
Whether it's set in the real world, or in a completely fictional universe, every story has some level of world building, to create a believable world. In this episode, Maverick and Avalon discuss how a great world is built, and how that affects a great plot line.
There's never been a more artistic blend of comedy and horror. In this episode, Maverick and Avalon discuss the unique piece known as The Menu. Is it a movie with a good plot? How do the themes and values stand up with its strong societal message? Find out in this episode.
Everyone knows the classic line "I see dead people". But few movies have plot twists as monumental as Malcolm's. In this episode, Maverick and his guest Patrick discuss the strengths and shortcomings of The Sixth Sense, and how good movie plots like the sixth sense are remembered even today. But be careful, can you trust what your protagonist is showing you?
The power of the sun in the palm of my hand... No this isn't Spiderman, this is actual history. In this episode of a lost plot, Maverick and Andrew discuss the creation of the atomic bomb by its father J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's latest release. Does one great work absolve you of a multitude of sins? Find out in this episode, and consider if Oppenheimer is a movie worth watching.
Ethan Hunt comes back with dark secrets and an elusive enemy. In this episode, Maverick and his guest Avalon discuss the values presented and the tension created. A classic tension-ratcheting movie, Mission Impossible is back with Tom Cruise's seventh installment in the series. But is adding tension worth sacrificing compelling, believable characters?
Conflict is the basis for every story. Sometimes it's worth it to go back to the basics. In this episode, Maverick and Avalon discuss the seven types of conflict, and the different ways those conflicts are manifested, to make a movie truly worth watching.
Is a cliffhanger really a sign of a great plot? Are all cameos equal, or do some give fans a bad taste? In this episode, Maverick and Andrew discuss the benefits and drawbacks of Spiderman, Across the Spiderverse, and the purpose of a movie's climax.
Spiderman has been a beloved icon of the superhero genre for decades. But is Peter Parker the one, true Spiderman? In this episode, Maverick and Andrew take the first dive into the animated universe, and observe if Miles Morales has what it takes to create a compelling story, and give you a movie worth watching.
The absolute classic everyone points back to is on the chopping block. In this episode, Maverick and Avalon review Casablanca, and see if this is movie deserves a good review, or is it simply an overrated piece of World War II propaganda?
No one anticipates a good movie quite like a good plot twist. In this episode, Maverick and Avalon discuss how plot twists - though not necessary - can make a movie rise to great heights... or fall from memory.
Some people want nonstop, full action movies. In this episode, Maverick and Avalon discuss how pauses are not a bad addition, and can in fact really build a movie and the audience's investment in the characters.
Thor has a love interest with a woman and a hammer. A guy gets a sword and steals kids. In this episode, Maverick is joined by two guests, Andrew and Juan, who together analyze what Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman bring to this fourth installment of the Thor franchise.
T'Challa is dead, leaving Wakanda without decisive leadership on the international stage. In this episode, Maverick and Avalon discuss the internal struggles of Shuri, Ramonda, Okoye, and the rest as they mourn and move forward in the face of a new enemy.
T'Challa strives to be a noble ruler, but doesn't know how to lead Wakanda after his father's death. But when the sins of the father come to haunt him and heirlooms of the kingdom are stolen, T'Challa is forced to become more than the Black Panther. He must understand true leadership as king of Wakanda. In this episode, Maverick and Malachi discuss the issues of leadership and growth as this fascinating superhero is played out on the big screen.
We all want an ideal to live up to. In this episode, Maverick and Malachi discuss how William Wallace inspired many as he pursued what he knew was right: freedom for his country.
Continuing the Star Wars series, Maverick and his co-host Andrew discuss the Rebellion as they flee from the clutches of Darth Vader. The infamous showdown between Luke and the dark lord lives in infamy, as Andrew and Maverick discuss Vader's development and the truth behind Anakin Skywalker.
Moving into a darker superhero world, Batman emerges with a vengeance to take on the riddler in this new take on a classic superhero. In this episode, Maverick and his co-host Jennaline discuss the dark knight's re-emergence on the big screen, the grit that comes with him, and the similarities between him and his foes.
Venturing into the disturbing side of cinema, 10 Cloverfield Lane travels the paths of truth and lies in this small cast. In this episode, Maverick and Nicholas discuss the values of three characters locked in a bunker together, trying to determine if the apocalypse truly rages outside.
Comedy and action are back as James Gunn brings home a bloody DC movie. In this episode, Maverick and Avalon discuss what James Gunn did in his brief departure from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and if the comedy and gore are worth the watch.
An epic which has been critically acclaimed for generations. In this episode, Maverick Dickson and his co-host Avalon delve into why this is the case. Full of tropes and plot points used over and again today, Seven Samurai is known to be one of the first movies to showcase these pieces. But does the movie need to be over three hours long?
A fascinating movie dealing with interweaving themes, No Country For Old Men is an award winning piece of cinema for a reason. In this episode, Maverick Dickson and his co-host Avalon Dickson delve into why this is the case, as we explore Llewelyn Moss's frantic scramble from death together.
Every hero has a struggle to become who they must be. In this episode, Maverick and his co-host Avalon discuss the merits of the original superhero movie, Iron Man, and his struggle to turn weapons of war into methods of peace. Full of unique points rarely seen in Marvel superhero movies today, Iron Man has elements which began a long franchise of superhero movies.
A movie of questions, feints, and lies, The Game is an absolute mind turner. Maverick Dickson and Nicholas O'Donnell go through this movie piece by piece and uncover the different elements that make this movie great.
Maverick Dickson and Avalon Dickson delve into this classic masterpiece and discover what George Lucas did to make this movie memorable. Filled with tropes, bad dialogue, and predictability, A New Hope continues to beat the odds and prove its timelessness as it tightens the tension.
Maverick and his co-host Avalon uncover the plot's strengths and weaknesses as they analyze the third installment in Tom Holland's Spiderman series. Though strong in its appeal to fans of the previous movies, the movie storyline falls short of standing strong on its own merit. This, and deeper problems Marvel consistently faces are uncovered in this episode of A Lost Plot.
Red Dawn is a remake of a 1984 classic of the same name. In this episode, Maverick Dickson and his co-host Avalon Dickson detail the problems surrounding the remake, and outlining what made this movie such a failure.
In this episode, Maverick Dickson and his co-host Ares Gonzales analyze Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Released in 2004, this science fiction-romance crossover is a mind bending exploration of two lovers choosing to erase their memories. Maverick and Ares touch on the themes of love, lies, and running away from pain as they take this movie apart scene by scene.
Maverick Dickson and his co-host Avalon Dickson review Cyrano (2022, with a brief release in 2021). Following the plot line of a dashing young lieutenant in the army with a physical defect, this musical follows the dramatic tension between love, chivalry, and pride. The hosts examined the movie's themes and characters, and how the music plays into or detracts from your engagement in the story.
Maverick Dickson and his co-host Martin Hosang take apart the award winning foreign film Parasite. Released in 2019, the movie goes from comedy to dark and contemplative as Kevin and his family's reuse unravels. Our discussion included significant plot points, discussions of themes and imagery as well as a deep dive into the cultural commentary this movie contemplates.
Maverick Dickson, with his co-host Avalon Dickson, take apart the plot line of Arrival, released in 2019 with Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. An alien movie with unique twists and turns, Maverick and Avalon deal with the issues surrounding time, visions, aliens, linguistics, and more as they discuss the merit of this academy award nominated movie.
A Lost Plot: Every other week we will be releasing new content reviewing a cinematic masterpiece, where we analyze and critique the greatest plot lines in cinema from the past and present.