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Showing posts with the label War Machine vs. War Horse

War Machine vs. War Horse: The Blackcoat's Daughter (Diabolique vs. Suspiria)

On this episode we don't take off for spring break as we hang back with the creepy girls of new release THE BLACKCOAT'S DAUGHTER. This much delayed but well worth it film inspires a look back at other anti-SPRING BREAKERS films in the very influential cinematic classics DIABOLIQUE and SUSPIRIA. But even with this great material we still manage to get away from our film studies to take shots at Tim Allen, David Spade, and GHOST IN THE SHELL. ALSO: This podcast is labeled explicit for a necessary reference to BOOGIE NIGHTS and the unnecessary reference to the Jeremy Piven starring PCU. You have been warned. Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

War Machine vs. War Horse: T2 Trainspotting (Shallow Grave vs. A Life Less Ordinary)

On this episode we celebrate (?) the release of T2: TRAINSPOTTING by traveling across the Atlantic to take a tour of Danny Boyle and Ewan McGregor's collaboration of crime in cinema. As our tour guide  we have a local  in  Alice Bishop  take this podcast through Boyle and McGregor's first work together in 1994's SHALLOW GRAVE up to these filmmakers attempt to go Hollywood in 1997's A LIFE LESS ORDINARY. Are we Americans to blame? Or did Danny Boyle and Ewan McGregor just get old? Tune in and find out the only Cameron Diaz role we approve of, and also how distasteful we find Heaven's policies to be when it comes to playing Cupid. Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

War Machine vs. War Horse: Tower (Elephant vs. Dark Night)

On this episode we try to respectfully discuss films focused on mass shootings. Because we are incapable of this, we bring on our resident political correspondent  Dwight Hurst  of  The Broken Brain  for new to video TOWER. This critically acclaimed film has us looking at two more controversial "day of" films in Gus Van Sant's ELEPHANT and Tim Sutton's DARK NIGHT. All three movies approach the subject matter with interesting stylistic choices though the subject matter remains a hard sale. And all three people on this podcast seem to recommend a different film. So in the end... no conclusions are made, as usual. Thanks for the download! Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

War Machine vs. War Horse: Suntan (Election vs. Greenberg)

On this episode one of our hosts is out of the country, so this podcast does the same. SUNTAN, a Greek film that our listeners have demanded, makes it ways to the U.S. and to your ears alongside two other films about middle aged men dabbling in the affairs of young women. First is Alexander Payne's ELECTION where Matthew Broderick attempts to stop Reese Witherspoon from adding one more victory to her young life by becoming her high school class president. As if that wasn't unlikeable enough, Noah Baumbach introduces us to GREENBERG played by Ben Stiller, who while dog sitting for his brother meets Greta Gerwig who thwarts his attempt to "do nothing." Guest:  Austin Shinn  of  The Film Room  talks with us about the generational appeal of these films that pit generations against one another. Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a f...

War Machine vs. War Horse: I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore (Hello I Must Be Going vs. Happy Christmas)

On this episode we participate in a cinematic home invasion with Melanie Lynskey to celebrate her new film, the 2017 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner I DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE. To make sure we're comfortable in our selected double feature on homes, we bring back a favorite guest in Karly from the Core Temp Arts network podcasts That Pop This Life and Talking Shondaland . We discuss Lynskey having her home invaded by sister-in-law Anna Kendrick in the improvised HAPPY CHRISTMAS, and then Lynskey herself being the home invader as a divorcee returning back to her parents home in HELLO I MUST BE GOING. Also an appreciation of the Kiwi accent, as always. Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

War Machine vs. War Horse: Collide (Taxi Driver vs. Drive)

On this episode we drive to save the girl with Robert De Niro in TAXI DRIVER and Ryan Gosling in DRIVE. These two film classics are the favorites of many so we bring back one of our favorite guests in  Margo D.  from the  Book Vs Movie podcast  to debate if either film glorifies extreme violence and vigilantism in pursuit of saving Jodie Foster or Carey Mulligan. We also seek to answer the ever important question of why Cybill Shepherd ever went on a date with Travis Bickle to begin with. All of this, and hosts Ben and Mike put new release COLLIDE and Nicholas Hoult in the unfortunate position of trying to out drive two of the best in this genre. WMvWH Episode tags: Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

War Machine vs. War Horse: The Girl with All the Gifts (Matilda vs. Frozen)

For new release THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS we found the easiest theme ever for this podcast  with  MORE films about girls with all the gifts in MATILDA (1996) and FROZEN (2013). Unfortunately what we did not find was a lot of films starring and marketed to young girls like in the mid-90s, so we discuss this with  Jessi Lauren   of   Search to Find You . Is FROZEN receiving credit for being one of the few films featuring a girl with all the gifts? And how come we have to mention the film CHUCK & BUCK every time we attempt to do a family friendly episode? All of these questions and more, such as "Why am I listening to this podcast?" will be answered on this episode.

War Machine vs. War Horse: John Wick Chapter 2 (Assassins vs. The Assassin)

On this episode we browse the Tall, Dark and Assassin section of the cinema  to celebrate  Keanu Reeves  as our favorite dog owner in  JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO. This sequel to one of the great surprises of 2014 has us looking at the differences in style between films on assassins. The critically loved 2015 film THE ASSASSIN puts little action on display but stunning imagery, whereas the 1995 movie ASSASSINS has little in the way of surprises (the great Julianne

War Machine vs. War Horse: John Wick (Hachi vs. Frankenweenie)

In this episode of War Machine vs. War Horse... the dog dies. This also is the premise for Keanu Reeves to go on a rampage of revenge in the modern classic JOHN WICK. And we go on a rampage against cinema that portrays this act that is known to produce tears the world over. The two dog hating films we take to task are 2009's HACHI and 2012's FRANKENWEENIE. Thanfully the former has the very handsome Richard Gere, and the

War Machine vs. War Horse: War on Everyone (Observe and Report vs. End of Watch)

On this episode we partner up with the world's biggest Michael Pena fan,  Jairo   from the  True Bromance Film Podcast , for an episode on this great actor's films as one half of a law enforcement duo. In new release WAR ON EVERYONE, Pena rampages through New Mexico with Alexander Skarsgard as two cops who spend their days sharing a philosophy of hating any and everyone. This divisive film from John Michael McDonagh has us taking a look back at another film seeking to offend in OBSERVE AND REPORT. In Jody Hill's take on TAXI DRIVER, Pena and Seth Rogen are mall cops on the pursuit of a thief and a perverted flasher.  Something we wish we could say that Jake Gyllenhaal does as Pena's final partner on this podcast in David Ayer's END OF WATCH.   Which of these actors earns the right to ride along with the great Michael Pena? Find out on this episode of War Machine vs. War Horse. Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse

War Machine vs. War Horse: Silence (Mean Streets vs. Bringing Out the Dead)

On this episode Martin Scorsese once again puts his faith in film with new release SILENCE but we look at how that faith may have changed during his career by going back to his earlier work in MEAN STREETS and BRINGING OUT THE DEAD. In the former, Harvey Keitel tries to carry himself as a man of honor and reconcile his life between the church and the streets, while in the latter Nicolas Cage finds himself burned out and questioning himself professionally and personally as a paramedic who can not truly save anyone. All of this and our Top Ten Films of 2016 which may see SILENCE honored once again in this podcast, or it will have to settle for our attempt to match its exhausting runtime with our longest episode ever. Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse

War Machine vs. War Horse: 20th Century Women (The Grifters vs. The Kids Are All Right)

For new release 20th CENTURY WOMEN we take a closer look at Annette Bening's career (something the Academy should have done) by discussing a double feature where this great actress takes on the challenges of motherhood. In Stephen Frears' THE GRIFTERS Bening must deal with Anjelica Huston blocking her con artist plans for Huston's son played by John Cusack. And in THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT Bening herself finds her relationship with Julianne Moore challenged when Mark Ruffalo becomes a complicated third party to their non-traditional family. For these films on two people battling for the love of others I invite on returning guests  Dave Hart  of  Pop Culture Case Study  and  Dwight Hurst  of  The Broken Brain  to battle for mine. Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse

War Machine vs. War Horse: The Handmaiden (Bound vs. Chloe)

The episode the Internet demanded: Hot lesbian action! Other than cynically abusing search engines with this description, we are inspired by a very good film from 2016, which is new to Amazon streaming, THE HANDMAIDEN from director Park Chan-Wook. Avoiding being simply simple pleasures for simple podcasters, this great film provides a fun and thrilling caper, much like The Wachowskis debut film from 1996 BOUND and not so much like Atom Egoyan's CHLOE. Yes, this is the episode where returning guest and fellow Julianne Moore fan club member  Dwight Hurst  of  The Broken Brain podcast  may actually vote against one of her films. ALSO  our Australian correspondent Andrew  of  AB Film Review and The Last New Wave  talks of his excitement for being tickled and latest entry in the soon-to-be classic film trilogy FIFTY SHADES DARKER. Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse

War Machine vs. War Horse: Hidden Figures (The Remains of the Day vs. Fences)

On this episode we celebrate the Best Picture Oscar nomination for HIDDEN FIGURES and more importantly the power of cinema to bring attention to people cast aside by history. In our selected double feature we look at two other characters who stand beside history through choices they make and choices that they are not given. In THE REMAINS OF THE DAY Anthony Hopkins gives himself completely to his role as a butler to a man conspiring with Nazis, removing any trace of personal belief in politics or the pursuit of love for Emma Thompson. And in another 2016 Best Picture nominee, FENCES, Denzel Washington takes out the limited options of his professional life in 1950s Pittsburgh on his son and wife. ALSO:  Kristen Lopez  of  Journeys In Classic Film  joins the podcast to discuss the changing audience reaction to melodrama. Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse

War Machine vs. War Horse: Detour (Run Lola Run vs. Go)

On this episode we take a DETOUR from the season's Oscar bait for a genre film reminiscent of 90s films such as RUN LOLA RUN and GO. In all three films the narrative is split among different choices the characters make. Lola must decide between violence or gambling to solve her boyfriend's financial problem, while the actors of GO clearly decided this was the best PULP FICTION-like script to come their way in 1998. ALSO we make the choice to rebrand this podcast as a DAWSON'S CREEK recap show. Enjoy! Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse

War Machine vs. War Horse: A Monster Calls (Let the Right One In vs. Where the Wild Things Are)

On this episode we answer the call of A MONSTER CALLS... and based on its box office earnings, we were the only ones. Thankfully you can listen to our advice as the  hosts of the podcast Joy Sandwich, Jess and Non , join the show to steer you and your children to better monsters to befriend in LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. ALSO:  Co-host Ben Zuk  briefly educates the listeners on the possibilities of procreation for the character of Ripley in the ALIEN franchise. Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd : @warmachinehorse

War Machine vs. War Horse: La La Land (Swingers vs. Mulholland Drive)

On this episode we sing, dance, and dream about Hollywood making films about the dream of being able to sing and dance in Hollywood. Thankfully new release LA LA LAND is here to claim that prize and many more. But will it claim the heart of both hosts on this podcast? And can this film compete with two genuine classics in SWINGERS and MULHOLLAND DRIVE? In one film we find creative and romantic failures being cushioned by a support system of friends, and in the other a cautionary tale of putting all your dreams and love into one safety net. More importantly, both films teach us that eating out in L.A. can get loud and scary very quickly.

War Machine vs. War Horse: Jackie (Cookie's Fortune vs. The Queen)

For new release JACKIE we take the power of looking at how the powerful respond to death in Robert Altman's COOKIE'S FORTUNE and Stephen Frears THE QUEEN. In the former, Glenn Close covers up a family suicide to protect her perceived honor in small town Mississippi, while Helen Mirren debates the appropriate response from the British monarchy in the wake of Princess Diana's death. All of this and a thirty second review of WHY HIM? Which is what's really important currently in cinema.

War Machine vs. War Horse: Manchester by the Sea (Hud vs. Rain Man)

Inspired by one of this year's Best Picture frontrunners MANCHESTER BY THE SEA  we track down the other brothers in  HUD and RAIN MAN for perhaps the biggest battle in War Machine vs. War Horse history: Paul Newman vs. Tom Cruise. From  the podcast Pop Culture Case Study, Dave Hart   helps us diagnose the black sheep of these respective film families while hosts  Ben Zuk   and  Michael Denniston   debate the likeability of gingers on screen.

War Machine vs. War Horse: Miss Sloane (Bowling for Columbine vs. Runaway Jury)

Inspired by new release MISS SLOANE we attempt to control gun control cinema as seen in the Michael Moore documentary BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE and the John Grisham film adaptation of RUNAWAY JURY. To take on such heavy hitters as Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman we need  Dwight Hurst of The Broken Brain podcast , and  a huge fan of The West Wing in Ben Zuk  to walk and talk with Jessica Chastain. ALSO: We propose MySpace as a place for former jury fixers to find their next gig.