ARC (Arts Review & Commentary): Recent Episodes
OMAR LATIRI
The podcast is a literate and passionate look at how popular entertainment affects our lives, with a focus on television and movies.
On this episode of ARC, I chat with my good friend Gary Sullivan about our time together in local community theatre, and how working from home during the pandemic allowed us to watch stuff that we'd never seen. For Gary, it was old B-movies. Gary gives me a good history lesson on what the movie-going habits were like for audiences almost a century ago, and what hidden gems one could find. We also talk about our shared experiences playing the same role in the play "12 Angry Men."
On the third part of our annual Oscar picks show, Jordan and I pick who will win, who should win, and who should have been nominated in the 96th Oscars.
On the first part of our annual Oscar picks show, Jordan and I go over our favorite movies of 2023. Part 2 will be our least favorite, and Part 3 will be our picks in all of the categories.
On the second part of our annual Oscar picks show, Jordan and I go over what we didn't like in 2023. Apologies to fans of "Saltburn," but I was not impressed.
Originally recorded two years ago, this episode discusses how Frank Herbert's "Dune" and its subsequent sequels, prequels, and adaptations have shaped my love of science fiction, and how the franchise has helped inform my judgments on adapting literature to different media.
On the second part of our annual Oscar picks show, Jordan and I pick all who will win, who should win, and who should have been nominated in the 95th Academy Awards.
(NOTE: Apologies for the less-than-stellar audio quality; I was unable to set my levels to reduce echo and reverb.)
On the first part of our annual Oscar picks show, Jordan and I go over our favorite and least-favorite movies of 2022, our future Oscar hopefuls, and that infamous slap.
This is the ninth (!) time that my good friend Jordan Rose and I have done this, and we had so much to talk about this year, that I had to split this episode into two parts! In this first part, before we make our Oscar picks, we go over the movies we liked and didn't like in 2021.
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Jordan's Letterboxd page: https://letterboxd.com/jordanlrose/
This is the ninth (!) time that my good friend Jordan Rose and I have done this, and we had so much to talk about this year, that I had to split this episode into two parts! In this second part, we make our Oscar picks for all the categories of the 94th Annual Academy Awards.
Follow the show on social media @arcreviews
Become a Patreon at patreon.com/arcreviews
Omar's Letterboxd page: https://letterboxd.com/arcreviews/
Jordan's Letterboxd page: https://letterboxd.com/jordanlrose/
In this episode, I break down how my core values influence what I like and what I don't like.
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Read my past movie reviews at letterboxd.com/arcreviews/
Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @arcreviews
In this (almost totally) unscripted episode, I speak from the heart about what I've watched and learned over the 8 years I've done this podcast.
Jordan Rose of thejordanblog.com and I give our picks for the winners of the 93rd Annual Academy Awards airing on April 25, 2021. We also go over how 2020 affected our movie watching experience.
In this third part of a three-part series on video games, Jenn, Neal, Adam, and I discuss what's needed to adapt a video game to a good movie or tv show. Also, we discuss our most emotional moments while playing a video game.
In this second part of a three-part series on video games, Jenn, Neal, Adam, and I go over what makes a good video game, and how context plays a key role in what makes acts of violence in video games acceptable or not.
In this first part of a three-part episode on video games, my friends Jenn, Neal, and I chat with Adam Sharrock of The Gaming Marathon about how video games have impacted our lives.
In this appropriately-lengthy episode, I rank the 23 movies of Marvel Studios' Infinity Saga from my least favorite to my most favorite. Let me know your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @arcreviews!
Listen as I chat with tv, film, and theatre actor Elizabeth Dennehy about Star Trek, Shelby, Shakespeare and the stage!
This isn't your usual retrospective! Here, Jordan Rose of thejordanblog.com and I go over what artists, films, and movements we consider to have helped shape cinema the most from the past decade.
Jordan Rose of thejordanblog.com and I give our picks for the winners of the 92nd Annual Academy Awards airing on February 9, 2020. We also go over our favorite and least favorite movies of 2019, and I go over why "Avengers: Endgame" was unprecedented in the history of art.
In this third of a three-part series on art and the Presidents of the United States, I go how fictional U.S. Presidents have shaped our perception of what makes a good or bad President. Part 1 was about art dedicated to real U.S. Presidents, and Part 2 was about fictional U.S. Presidents.
ARC 55: POTUS 2: Stories about Fictional American Presidents In this second of a three-part series on art and the Presidents of the United States, I go how fictional U.S. Presidents have shaped our perception of what makes a good or bad President. Part 1 was about art dedicated to real U.S. Presidents, and Part 3 will be about how the Presidents themselves contributed to the artistic world.
Jordan Rose of thejordanblog.com and I give our picks for the winners of the 91st Annual Academy Awards airing on February 24, 2019. We also go over our favorite movies of 2018.
As we say goodbye to 2018, I take a look back at some of the disappointing entries of 2018 in film. I also give the ratings of all the new releases I saw this calendar year.
In this first of a three-part series on art and the Presidents of the United States, I go over the all types of art created about real U.S. Presidents. Part 2 will be about fictional U.S. Presidents, and Part 3 will be about how the men themselves contributed to the artistic world.
In this episode, I discuss how my unique ethnic mix as a biracial American has shaped my perspective on absorbing different forms of art, especially in terms of identity. Later on in this episode, I discuss the only biracial character that I've ever related to in fiction: Elisa Maza from "Gargoyles."
In this episode, my guests Karen Elle (@actrizkarenelle) and Josh Thomas (@thyrteen) share their opinions with me regarding Black representation in popular entertainment. Later on, we give our reviews and commentaries on Black Panther.
In this episode, my friends Meg Williams (@somm_bitch), Phil Watkins (@phildatrainer) and I discuss mental illness and its depictions in popular entertainment. We also discuss our affection for a television series with a mentally-ill character: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Talk to someone now: Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or on Twitter @800273TALK.
Jordan Rose of thejordanblog.com and I give our picks for the winners of the 90th Annual Academy Awards. We also go over our favorite and least favorite movies of 2017.
In this episode, my friends Kim, Karrin, and Jordan of thejordanblog.com join me as we go over our feelings about the movie "Call Me By Your Name."
My wonderful daughter Helena and I go over all the movies that we saw in 2017 and discuss what we both enjoyed and didn't enjoy.
In this episode, my theatre friends Wendy Baird and Leigh Rawls discuss the imbalance in power dynamics that has led to the #metoo movement, and how that imbalance affects men and women, gay and straight, in the world of the performing arts. For more information about The Actors Fund, visit them at www.actorsfund.org or follow them on Twitter @TheActorsFund.
In this episode, Marc Ronick of The Marc and Lowell Show discuss our experience as fans and how fandoms can cause stress in interests that are supposed to be enjoyable. We also provide a review and commentary on "Star Wars: The Last Jedi." SPOILER ALERT
ARC #46: The Room and The Disaster Artist In this episode, Adam Sharrock of The Gaming Marathon and I discuss our love of The Room as well as provide a review and commentary of The Disaster Artist.
Fourth Annual ARCademy Awards Show In this episode, my friend Jordan Rose of thejordanblog.com and I predict who will win and who should win at the 89th Academy Awards. We also discuss our favorite movies of 2016 and our least favorite Best Picture Winners from Oscars past.
In this episode, I give my opinion on how and why the celebrity deaths of 2016 have caused society to be angry at the calendar. Also, I give my ratings of all the movies I saw in 2016.
In this episode, I give my reviews and commentaries of all the 2016 superhero movie releases: Deadpool, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Captain America: Civil War, Batman: The Killing Joke, Suicide Squad, and Doctor Strange. Also, as a special treat, I am including the unaired demo that started this podcast three years ago!
In this episode, I go over the history of The Lonely Island, their stylistic influences, and their impact on modern pop culture. Also I give my review and commentary on their latest film, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.
In this episode, in celebration of Star Trek's 50th anniversary, I answer questions from listeners about Star Trek.
In this episode, I go over how the U.S. Air Force has (or hasn't) been portrayed in popular entertainment using my own experiences as an airman. Also, I give my review and commentary on "Sully."
In this episode, my friend Jordan Rose of thejordanblog.com and I predict who will win and who should win at the 88th Academy Awards. We discuss the snubs (#OscarsSoWhite) and our mutual hatred of Carol.
In this episode, I express some frustrations with 2015, and I give my ratings of all the 2015 new releases that I got to see.
In this episode, I examine the struggles we go through to appreciate the works of art created by monsters and how Bill Cosby's crimes are especially hard to accept. Also, I give my review and commentary of "Spotlight."
On a special RELM Crossover episode, Marc Ronick (The Marc and Lowell Show) and Omar Latiri (Arts Review and Commentary) discuss their impressions of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens and their memories of Star Wars growing up.
In this extra-long episode, I chat with SNL historian Dave Ricklin about the highlights, lowlights, and legacy of Saturday Night Live.
In this episode, my good friend Jordan Rose of TheJordanBlog.com and I discuss the ups and downs of the movies of M. Night Shyamalan from "The Sixth Sense" to "The Visit." Stay tuned for a twist ending! Brought to you by Harrys.com.
In this episode, I go over some of the more unorthodox lessons taught by the films of Pixar Animation Studios. Also, I give my review and commentary of Inside Out.
In this episode, my friend Jen and I discuss our feelings on the cultural phenomenon that was Mad Men. Also, I give my analysis on what Don Draper means to me.
This episode traces the history of my affection for comic book superheroes and why I think knowing more about them actually matters in the grand scheme of things. Also, I give my review and commentary of Avengers: Age of Ultron.
In honor of Spock, a character who learned the balance of logic and emotion, this episode features 30 sound clips from 30 different motion pictures that evoke 30 different emotions from me. Do these make you feel the same way? What other movies do you remember that make you feel these emotions? (Special Guest Voice: Buzz Burbank!)
It's that time of year again! Listen as my good friend Jordan Rose of thejordanblog.com and I go over our favorite movies of 2014, who we think SHOULD win, and who we think WILL win at the 87th Academy Awards!
This episode features reviews and commentaries on three movies that featured science and scientists as the heroes: Big Hero 6, The Theory of Everything, and Interstellar. Also included in this episode are my ratings of all the new releases that I saw in 2014.
This episode talks about how "Bayhem" can be interpreted as the film equivalent to modern art.
On this music episode of ARC, we travel through 50 years of music represented by the theme songs of the James Bond movie franchise. I talk about my most and least favorites of these songs, and I go over the changing styles of popular music.
In this episode, I explore the various ways the six Star Wars movies have been interpreted by their fans, and I share new insights after introducing them (in a very specific order) to my young daughter for the first time.
This episode discusses how time travel has been used in entertainment to achieve victory with reviews and commentaries on "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and "Edge of Tomorrow."
This episode discusses the different ways the US and Japan have handled nuclear power in entertainment. Also included is my review and commentary on the latest "Godzilla"
This episode features commentary on the audience reaction of a recent episode of Game of Thrones. Due to explicit content, listener discretion is advised.
This episode goes over the similarities between the story of Roland Emmerich's "The Day After Tomorrow" and Darren Aronofsky's "Noah."
This episode discusses several characters who were frozen in time and have woken up in present day. I also give my review and commentary on "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
This episode summarizes the history of the ever-changing format of the movie trailer, and examines common themes in memorable previews.
This episode describes how gender bias in entertainment is gauged by using The Bechdel Test. Featuring guest Audrey Cefaly.
Listen to my picks to win the Oscar at the 86th Academy Awards. This bonus episode features special guest Jordan Rose of TheJordanBlog.com
With special guest Jordan Rose of TheJordanBlog.com, this episode discusses how we critique different genres of movies, using "Philomena," "Nebraska," and the new "Robocop" as examples.
This episode describes how brand name toys and games have been featured in popular entertainment. Also, I give my review and commentary of "The LEGO Movie."
This episode briefly discusses how Hollywood ad campaigns affect Academy Award nominations. Also in this episode is my review and commentary of "Dallas Buyers Club."
This episode goes over movies that make horrible things look awesome. Also included is my review and commentary of "The Wolf of Wall Street."
This episode examines the appeal of the films of Spike Jonze. Also included is my review and commentary of his latest movie, "Her."
An overview of my favorite voice actors growing up, and my review and commentary on "American Hustle."
My review and commentary on the Anchorman movies and my ratings of the 2013 releases that I got to see this year.
This episode goes over my favorite aspects of The Lord of the Rings movies. Also in this episode is my review and commentary on The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
With special guest Jordan Rose of TheJordanBlog.com, we both talk about our favorite movies and moments from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
This episode explores how feminism has shaped the Disney Princess Franchise and the criticisms that come with it. Also, I give my review and commentary on the latest Disney animated movie: Frozen.
This episode discusses the hits and misses of bringing a Broadway musical to the screen. Also, I give my commentary on the outrage over the casting of Carrie Underwood in the upcoming airing of "The Sound of Music on NBC."
This episode analyzes the portrayal of robots in pop culture. Also included is my review and commentary on the new Fox tv series Almost Human.
This episode discusses how the gods of myth have been portrayed in movies. Also included is my review and commentary on Thor: The Dark World.
This episode discusses the formula of fear in supernatural horror movies. Also discussed are movies that have scared me, and what I fear most.
This episode discusses works in American culture that have depicted slaves and slavery. Also included is my review and commentary on 12 Years a Slave.
This episode analyzes how and why original stories are retold and how well they can succeed. Also included is my commentary on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
This episode discusses the contributions of Tom Clancy to the world of literature, film, and video games, with special commentary from The Gaming Marathon. Also included are reviews of the movies Captain Phillips and Gravity.
This episode discusses the various ways terrorism has been depicted over the past couple of decades.
This episode analyzes the critically-successful endeavors of writer and director Joss Whedon, with a brief review and commentary on his new show, "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
This episode focuses on Netflix original programs and how their success reflects on how people have changed in the way they consume entertainment. Also, a commentary on some problems in Star Trek Into Darkness.