Sunset Boulevard

Paul has just watched Billy Wilder's Oscar-winning 1950 film for the first time and we talk about it.  Is the Norma Desmond character too over-the-top, or just enough?  How about that cool cigarette holder of hers?  William Holden and Eric von Stroheim are along for the ride in this movie about movies and what they can do to the people who make them.  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

This is the sequel that we have been waiting for.  James Gunn writes and directs the second chapter in the Guardian's story and tells us more about the established characters while introducing new and enigmatic characters.  Kurt Russell plays a planet and the new classic rock tunes fit right in (especially when Baby Groot is dancing to them).  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

The Discovery

This week we talk about the new pseudo-sci fi film from the minds of Charlie McDowell and Justin Lader.  This thought provoking and discussion starting movie is acted well (by Robert Redford, Rooney Mara, Jason Segel and Jesse Plemons) and shot beautifully.  Now let's try to unpack it!  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

This week we look back at an Oscar-winning film (Costume Design) that we didn't get to in the Oscar season rush.  J.K. Rowling's first screenplay brings a book referenced in the Harry Potter books to life.  Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell and more doing magic in 1920's New York City...with weird magical animals!  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Silence

This week we talk about Martin Scorcese's most recent passion project.  Made for less money that he is used to in treacherous conditions, this interpretation of a true situation shows us the struggles of Portuguese Jesuit Priests in a hostile 17th-century Japan.  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Passengers and Hacksaw Ridge

This week we talk about the sci fi love story (?) with questionable morals that had audiences scratching their heads.  Was it actually bad?  We then catch up on Mel Gibson's 2016 Best Picture nominee that was based on a true story.  We start the discussion of Hacksaw Ridge at the 47 minute mark (for people who don't want to hear spoilers for Passengers).  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Jackie and Allied

This week we talk about two period pieces that came out in 2016.  The first is a Pablo Larrain film starring Natalie Portman that garnered her an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Jaqueline Kennedy with an amazing (also Oscar-nomitated) score by Micachu.  We then try to figure out if the second film (Allied) is a spy movie or a love story or a visual effects showcase...  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Logan

This week we talk about the final chapter in Hugh Jackman's portrayal of the Wolverine spanning 17 years.  How does the film's grittier and bloodier take on the Logan character compare to the other films and was the R-rating necessary to the telling of this story?  We also talk about the pre-film Deadpool 2 trailer (now with Cherry Garcia!!)  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Oscarcast 2016

Here are our predictions for how it will go down on Oscar night.  We not only try to glean how the Academy will vote, but we also pick who we would vote for in each of the major categories if we actually had a vote.  Check back for a minisode right before the Oscars to see if our minds have changed after seeing even more of the nominated movies.  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Top 10 Films of 2016 Part 1

This is our "end of the year" countdown of our favorite movies that came out in 2016.  This episode is the first part of the list.  We both count down our lists from 10 to 6 and explain why we want to single out these particular movies.  Next week is 5 through 1!  Josh also mentions a website that has dvd commentary tracks available as mp3s so you can listen to them like podcasts!  Here is the link: criterioncommentaries.com.  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Hidden Figures and Captain Fantastic

This week we talk about two Oscar contenders.  Hidden Figures focuses on three African-American women in early 1960's Virginia that fight against racial and gender barriers and help our country to safely put men in space at the height of the space race.  The picture and screenplay were nominated as well as Octavia Spencer for her supporting performance.  Captain Fantastic looks at a family that is completely off the grid and all of the benefits and difficulties that come with that.  Viggo Mortensen was nominated for his leading performance.  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Manchester By The Sea

This week we experience Kenneth Lonergan's vision of a man who is forced to return to his small hometown and face his past while dealing with his nephew's future.  Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams and Lucas Hedges each give Oscar-nominated performances that have to be seen, even if just once.  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Moonlight

This is a film in three parts about an African-American boy struggling with how society is telling him how to be a man.  Barry Jenkins (writer/director) brings us an Oscar-nominated coming of age film told in a unique way with great acting and a pitch perfect score.  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Fences

This week we talk about the film adaptation of August Wilson's Tony Award-Winning play (that also won the two leads Tonys).  For the most part, the actors from the 2010 revival are the same and we get a third directorial effort from Denzel Washington.  Last week wet talked about our theater experiences, but this week we really get into the film as an adaptation, Denzel's emotional wobble and why Viola Davis may (should) get an Oscar.  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.

Recent Movies and Theater Experiences

This episode is kind of a catch-up episode where we talk about what we have been watching as we get ready to reveal our top 10 films of the year for 2016.  We also begin our blood feud over the merits of Hell or High Water, specifically the screenplay.  We also talk about our experiences in our respective theaters while seeing Fences (which we will review in our next episode!)  Subscribe on iTunes:  https://itun.es/i6gB67Y  Check out our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/actorandengineer and follow us on twitter @actorengineer.