Episode 20 - Star Wars: A New Hope
This week, we’re doing something we haven’t done before! Since Return of the Jedi is number 73 on the list, and TC hasn’t seen any of the original Star Wars trilogy, we are going through these movies in the order they are meant to be watched, starting with the original film. Its time to do Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), written and directed by George Lucas.
BONUS EPISODE - Hotel Mumbai
This week, we watch one of the scariest movies we've ever seen. This film depicts the real life tragedy of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, and does it almost too convincingly. A very well made movie that we'd be hard pressed to recommend due to how upsetting it is, but if you can tolerate violence (or you think you can), this one is worth a watch. Hotel Mumbai (2018), directed by Anthony Maras.
Episode 74 - M
This week, we watch one of the oldest movies on the list. This movie stands out from the early ‘talkies’ for its incredible dark subject matter and very naturalistic acting. Peter Lorre does something here that none of us have seen before, and its amazing that he did it nearly 100 years ago. M (1931), directed by Fritz Lang.
BONUS EPISODE - Moana
This week, we watch a feel good animated movie, because why not? This movie is not on the top 250 (it should be), but we need a break from the string of downer movies on the list, and taking a trip to the world Disney and its animators have created is something everyone should take time and enjoy. Moana (2016), directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.
Episode 75 - Reservoir Dogs
This week, we watch Tarantino’s first film. Cool music, cool suits, over the top violence, and non-linear story telling - this movie created a genre with a tiny budget, defined a decade of film and inspired independent artists across the world to this day. Reservoir Dogs (1992), directed by Quentin Tarantino.
BONUS EPISODE - Portrait of a Lady on Fire
This week, we watch a painting of a movie. This movie portrays a realistic love affair at a house in 1770, and its paced as such - slow and powerful. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019), directed by Celine Sciamma.
Episode 76 - Braveheart Part 2
This week, we continue talking about Braveheart, and dive into the commentary track with Mel Gibson himself. Is it worth listening to? Only if you’d like to imagine what Mel looks like while he quietly watches himself in a kilt. Braveheart (1995), directed by Mel Gibson.
Episode 76 - Braveheart
This week, we watch Mel Gibson’s first foray into period-piece gore. He wins best picture / director as he massacres history alongside fictional Scotsmen. Is the story true? Who cares! Lets watch some horses eat ****!! Braveheart (1995), directed by Mel Gibson.
BONUS EPISODE - 1917
The best best picture loser of 2019, 1917. 1917 (2019), directed by Sam Mendes.
Episode 77 - Amelie
This week, we watch the life affirming French film that resonated around the world. Audrey Tautou is Amelie (2001), directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet .
BONUS EPISODE - Knives Out
This week, we watch the murder mystery that took the writer/director/cinematographer team from Star Wars: The Last Jedi, added in a fantastic cast, and became for the most fun film of 2019. If you live and breath, you will enjoy this one. Knives Out (2019), directed by Rian Johnson.
Episode 78 - Requiem For A Dream
This week, we watch the movie that embodies addiction. Aronofsky has created a portrayal of destructive behaviors that is unmatched in the film world, and it is absolutely painful to watch. Requiem For A Dream (2000), directed by Darren Aronofsky.
BONUS EPISODE - Hamilton
This week, we watch the smash Broadway hit which is now available on Disney+. Winner of multiple Tony awards and star maker of the writer/main actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, this film version of the play captures the original cast back in 2016, and for the first time ever you can watch it from your couch. Hamilton, directed by Thomas Kail.
BONUS EPISODE - Your Name.
This week, we watch the highest grossing anime movie of all time, surpassing the 2001 classic Spirited Away. A body-swap movie like you’ve never seen, describing too much of this movies plot would be giving away some of the fun twists along the way. We will say that this movie is beautiful and is worth watching for the animation alone. Your Name., directed by Makoto Shinkai.
Episode 79 - A Clockwork Orange (Part 2)
This week, we continue discussing the controversial masterpiece by Stanley Kubrick. This film has been banned in many places since its release, and wasn’t able to be purchased in England until the year of Kubrick’s death. To this day, it hasn’t lost an ounce of its impact. Lock the living room door so the kids don’t accidentally wander in. A Clockwork Orange (1971), directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Episode 79 - A Clockwork Orange (Part 1)
This week, watch the controversial masterpiece by Stanley Kubrick. This film has been banned in many places since its release, and wasn’t able to be purchased in England until the year of Kubrick’s death. To this day, it hasn’t lost an ounce of its impact. Lock the living room door so the kids don’t accidentally wander in. A Clockwork Orange (1971), directed by Stanley Kubrick.
BONUS EPISODE - PK
This week, we watch the 2014 smash hit (in India/China) that broke all the records for Indian Cinema at the time. Aamir Khan is as comedic as he’s ever been in this hilarious tale of an alien getting stuck on earth. Even if in the last 30 minutes the film becomes a little too preachy for our tastes, this film is totally worth a watch if you’re looking for a good 2 hours of laughs, and can be found on Netflix. PK (2014), directed by Rajkumar Hirani.