The MoosePack Podcast: Recent Episodes
MoosePack
The random thoughts, insights and opinions of Rich and Mike on Movies, TV Shows, Documentaries, Pop Culture, and how these played an important role in their friendship. The guys reflect on growing up in the 80's and 90's and how a common love for movies helped form the group of friends they still have to this day. Full of tangents and randomness and movies quotes we bring you the MoosePack Podcast.
We are back at it after almost 2 months away!
A (Virtual) discussion on life during the Covid-19 pandemic and what it may look life after. A focus on the future of human interaction and what a society coming out of a state of solitude and self-quarantine may look like going forward. Fear, paranoia and uncertainty as we bounce back. What are the changes to media, work and social gatherings?
With talks of a new virus outbreak in China Mike wants to talk virus movies and the end of civilization as we know it. How will it play out and what will the next movie about an apocalyptic biological disaster look like? After a 'few drinks' Mike talks about his concerns and thoughts on the topic, and his nearly incoherent movie pitch to Rich. Do films imitate life, or do film-makers have the foresight to predict our end. Full of errors, misquotes and alcohol fueled dialogue here is our next episode! Please review and subscribe!
The guys discuss the recently released Documentary series Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer. The series focuses on mysterious videos posted of the torture and killing of kittens and the social media and internet detectives (Deanna Thompson and John Green leading the pack) who take action to use their web detective skills to find the source and creator of these disturbing videos, leading down a much darker path.
Rich and Mike talk about some unanswered questions, odd characters and some gaps in the telling of this almost unbelievable story that often made them (mostly Mike) think this series was a hoax like the Blair Witch Project was to audiences prior to its release in 1999. They talk about details that weren't further explored, Interviews and Characters that seemed odd, and some other things overlooked or left unanswered by the film-makers and behaviors that didn't seem to line up with the picture painted of the infamous, Luka Magnotta.
The guys talk about the "final" Star Wars film in the Skywalker saga, The Rise of Skywalker. Rich and Mike talk about how this film fixed some issues and challenges of The Last Jedi, which was not well received by audiences and had some major problems, in their opinions. Having J.J. Abrams back at the helm made a big difference and closing some gaps and plot holes helped make for a satisfactory and overall enjoyable film.
Warning - Spoilers!
The guys talk about first impressions of DisneyPlus and take a deep look at the first two episodes of the new series The Mandalorian from Jon Favreau. They discuss some potential challenges with explaining some connections and answering some pending questions in future episodes like how the "Yoda Baby" has not been detected in the past 50 years even with some very powerful characters in play during Episodes 4-6, his origins and importance to what remains of the Empire, his age and power as well as some questions about Boba Fett's legacy and of course the shadowy rise of the First Order.
The MoosePack guys talk about some upcoming movies (A Quiet Place 2, Godzilla vs King Kong, Wonder Woman 1984, Legally Blond 3, Top Gun 2) and whether of not they are excited about each and why. Generally indifferent and somewhat unimpressed with the look forward at 2020 films the guys decide to help Hollywood and pitch each other their ideas for movies/series.
The guys review the Anti-Hero categories and definitions as well as talking about their favorite films centered around a main character falling into one of the categories. They discuss some main-stream characters that make most lists, but also bring up some they feel belong on the list but may not be as clear-cut.
Special thanks to TvTropes for the categories.
Mike pitches his idea for the sequel to David Fincher's Se7en (1995). Bringing back the iconic characters Detectives Sumerset and Mills to solve a copycat serial killer of the infamous John Doe. Rich isn't as excited about the idea and we discuss some other sequel options.
Min-Cast 3/3
The episode focuses on a discussion of the new Netflix show "Unnatural Selection" focused on gene-editing, biohacking and CRISPR to treat and potentially eradicate diseases, edit a child's traits and hack our genetics. We talk about our views on the subject and the potential harm and positive impact to society and humanity.
2/3 Mini-Cast series of quick conversations.
On this episode Rich and Mike talk about some of their favorite horror movies. Rich takes the conversation in a different direction and brings up Chances Are (1989) a RomCom about reincarnation and incest; Mike uses that as a segue to introduce Rich to one of his favorite reincarnation/purgatory themed films Defending Your Life (1991). The episode ends with Peanut Butter (doesn't it always).
Rich and Mike talk about their recent screening of the documentary Wolfman's Got Nards, directed by Andre Gower (Who played Sean in Fred Dekker's iconic The Monster Squad). A great documentary about the influence and impact the movie The Monster Squad has had since its release in 1987, the delayed success and ultimate categorization of a true classic in the Kids vs Evil film genre.
We also discuss other Kids vs Evil films and other films that fall into the 'underappreciated' category. And if we ever solved a major problem as kids (we didn't)
Special thanks to: Andre Gower and Henry McComas for making a great Documentary.
Rich and Mike jump right into the episode and talk about Stephen King books turned into movies and some bad and good results. They talk about the senses in movies specifically sight used in recent films like Bird Box and the upcoming Jason Momoa series SEE. A slow drift into M. Night Shyamalan character dialogue issues and his film quality after early success in his career.
My Dad joins the podcast in this episode. We talk about movies and TV shows he watched growing up, how film and TV has changed over time and even discuss ideas for our own movies. He lends some advice about the podcast and what I should be doing with my life.
The guys talk about sequels, three-quels and actors reprising roles in films after a long time has past between films. They discuss how actors can take on a character they haven't played in years and how audiences may feel about these films and characters based on the passage of time, a new generation of viewers and interest/relevance of aging characters. Rich and Mike use examples like Terminator Dark Fate with the return of Linda Hamilton, Arnold (again) and Edward Furlong, Keanu in Bill and Ted and The Matrix 4 and others.
Rich and Mike discuss and review the new Joker film by Todd Phillips which stars Joaquin Phoenix as the main character Arthur Fleck. They discuss the journey of Arthur's transformation into the Joker told through a beautifully directed and well-paced film. The guys comment on the strong performance by Phoenix to bring this iconic character's origin story to life as well the use of imagery, violence and music to help tell this story of a damaged man pushed towards the edge of sanity. Bonus feature, Rich decides to tap the microphone with a Batman coaster for the last few minutes of the podcast.
These two mid 30's man/child hybrids talk about what this podcast will be and provide a quick introduction into why this might be your next addiction.
Mike and Rich talk about the popular trend of turning animated classics into 'Live-Action Movies". Mike isn't happy with his childhood favorites like Aladdin and The Lion King being re-booted into live action films. Rich tries to take the more pragmatic approach of capitalism and greed. Things move to X-Men, Chris Evans on fire, Michael Keaton and Batman, and the return of Invader Zim.