The Critical and the Curious: Recent Episodes
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The final chapter in the Fast and Furious story has begun. Directed by Justin Lin, Fast X features the return of family from the past (#spoileralert), new family like Lil B and Abuelita, and Dante, a new villain that mirrors Dom in a myriad of ways. We talk about what Jason Momoa brings to the narrative, the dramaturgical integrity across nearly a dozen films, and the increasing absurdity of stunts and dialogue that have become a hallmark of the franchise.
Watch the Fast X trailer here!
In the third and final installment of Season 2 Episode 13, we discuss John Wick: Chapter 4. Although the film is the longest (169 minutes), John Wick only utters 380 words, a strategy by Keanu’s own design revealing his vision for the character. We describe how – by removing himself from the dialogue and in some cases the screen all together – the audience is encouraged to question the simplistic discourse of media violence in some of the most historic Parisian locales. John, along with Ted and Neo, are clearly Keanu passion projects, and we should all be so lucky.
In the second installment of Season 2 Episode 13, we discuss Keanu’s reprisal of Neo in Matrix Resurrections (2021). We debate the goals of the film, both from the perspective of the audience as well as from the perspective of Lana Wachowski and Keanu Reeves. Although the film was widely considered the “worst” in , … Continue reading Episode 13: Franchise Keanu; Part 2: Neo
We discuss the originality and gravitas of Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of MacBeth (2021) in this outtake from Season 3 Episode 13 starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. Coen’s approach to Shakespeare is an exciting blend of the best stage plays and films have to offer. We also marvel at Denzel’s evolving presence, both on … Continue reading The Mack of Macbeth
In the first supplemental episode of Season 3, we return to where we began: West Side Story (2021) directed by Stephen Spielberg, starring Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose, and Rita Moreno. We discuss the evolution of mainstream social awareness over the past 60 years and how this impacts the production and meaning of the … Continue reading Episode 13: West Side Story (2021)
We return to season 1 of our podcast to discuss The Fast Saga (AKA F9), which features the return of director Justin Lin along with Han and other characters from films past including Sean and Twinkie (F3), Stasiak (F4, F6), The Shaws (F6, F7, F8), and Cypher (F8) as well as John Cena as Dom’s … Continue reading Episode 10: The Fast Saga
Let's be real. @Netflix's #RedNotice is a #fastandfurious knockoff, a fun romp but not comparable to the original, despite featuring 3 actors from the franchise family.
The Matrix Resurrections is here! Check out Charisse on @KCBSRadio talking about the legacy of the #TheMatrix. Jump to minute :32 for my segment. https://go.audacy.com/xNUJuclkcmb
In Part 1 of Season 2’s Episode 13, we discuss the revival of Theodore “Ted” Logan in Bill and Ted Face the Music (2020). Bill and Ted continue to struggle as musicians, husbands, and now fathers, but it’s clear that Ted’s experiences have diverged from Bill’s somewhere in the 30 years since their bogus journey, … Continue reading Episode 13: Franchise Keanu; Part 1: Ted
For those of us old enough to have seen The Matrix in the theater last millennium, the fourth Matrix film offers the opportunity to connect with an old friend or - as is made evident in the title - resurrect a savior.
In this Season 2 supplemental episode, we return to our star study of Keanu Reeves with a focus on his cameos in Always Be My Maybe and Toy Story 4. Released within weeks of each other in 2019, Keanu’s characters are deeply flawed yet delightfully unaware in both films, continuing his embrace of the beta … Continue reading Episode 12: Cameo Keanu
Bob and Charisse went to see F9: The Fast Saga in the theater together this weekend, breaking an almost 18-month long quarantine from the theater. In a quick post-movie debriefing after the movie, we discuss why we think people need to see F9 and what excites us most. Charisse also made tote bags to celebrate … Continue reading F9 Post Movie Debrief
The hilarious antagonism, the existential villains, and the conflict between the family you have and the family you make.
Our final episode discusses Aleta Chappelle’s Romeo and Juliet in Harlem (2017). Crowdsourced and shot on site, it is the first and only version to feature a cast composed entirely of people of color. As our only female director this season, Chappelle brings an innovative approach to the story by featuring Harlem as a character … Continue reading Episode 12: Romeo and Juliet in Harlem (2017)
In this season’s penultimate episode, we discuss Carlo Carlei’s Romeo & Juliet (2013) written by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey). Fashioned as the millennial Romeo and Juliet, it features teen stars Hailee Steinfeld, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Ed Westwick alongside Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti. Despite the A-list cast, the beautiful scenery, sets, and costumes, and some … Continue reading Episode 11: Romeo & Juliet (2013)