Afleveringen
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Speaking of wars, Kyle revisits one of his all-time favorite Hollywood stories. If you weren't aware, the release of Stanley Kurbrick's The Shining started a kerfuffle with the novel's beloved author, Stephen King. The Shining was King's most autobiographical work that brought him into the limelight. He saw Kubrick's interpretation as an insult to his prized work. Kyle analyzes and retells the story and concludes with who he believes came out the other side victorious, albeit, decades later.
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The MWP crew is excited to get to a matchup that’s been on the list for a while. Silver Linings Playbook Vs As Good As It Gets is an Oscar-nomination-laden matchup, both bringing home best actress for Helen Hunt and Jennifer Lawrence. Unconventional and offbeat romance films, both movies do a decent job of portraying the act of finding love through the lens of mental illness. Jack Nicholson delivered yet another groundbreaking performance as Melvin while Silver Linings Playbook brought Jennifer Lawrence into the spotlight. Find unconventional love with the Movie Wars crew and step over the cracks.
And oh…. You make us want to be a better podcast.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Kyle and Drew dive headfirst into their obsession with Arnold and Sly movies. This is no surprise to long-term MWP fans. We discuss whether or not it's possible for the environment and circumstances to create a similar era of dominance for action stars. Arnold and Sly's multi-decade runs, muscles, and over-the-top action were ushered in by the 80s, and elongated throughout the 90's(and a little 2000s in there too). Was this a case of the perfect stars for the perfect time, or could we see another star take the mantle of dominance?
Please weigh in on our social media platforms: Instagram and TikTok.
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We're pulling this one from the ancient Patreon archives for our main feed listeners. It was such an honor to meet and interview legendary screenwriter Peter Iliff. We spent most of our time talking about how his career which started with him waiting tables until he sold the early draft of Point Break to Ridley Scott. The story is truly incredible, including James Cameron buying the property from Scott and polishing the final version of the script. Iliff would go on to write more fantastic films including Varsity Blues, and Patriot Games. He's also come into his own as a director.
Lastly, if you've ever has aspirations to write a screenplay, this is the podcast for you. Peter goes through what it's like to write in today's Hollywood and provides tips for future screenwriters.
What a great convo!
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Kyle is incensed after his first viewing of the long-awaited The Crow remake trailer, starring Bill Skarsgård as Eric Draven. The original is not only one of Kyle's all-time favorite films and comfort movies, he believes 1994's The Crow possesses a high level of cultural significance. Can any iteration or remake of this classic justify attempts to infringe on Brandon Lee's tragic legacy, a film that led to his on-set death?
Even though the Movie Wars crew aren't typically "trailer reaction" guys, Kyle thoroughly discusses Hollywood's latest attempt at retreading beloved IP.
Head to our socials and drop your thoughts!
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Throughout film history, directors have identified their go-to collaborators and gone back to the well several times. Scorsese and De Niro have collaborated 11 times. John Wayne and John Ford worked together 21 times. Kyle and Drew go off-topic and analyze the all-time best Actor/Director duos, why they work, and what directors see in their frequent collaborators. They also go through some of their favorites duos.
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Welcome to one of the most low-hanging fruit, on-the-nose matchups we've ever done. The same director. The same author of the source material. Both take place in prisons where plenty of free men are locked up for crimes they didn't commit. By many lists, The Shawshank Redemption is considered the greatest film of all time. Although The Green Mile doesn't share the same status, it carries plenty of cache on its own. Walk the Green Mile toward freedom with the Movie Wars crew!
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A movie podcast walks into town... The Western may be the most flexible and dynamic film genre. It's survived over a century while experiencing new forms and shapes, all built on its undeniably effective tested-by-time formula. Not only is Tombstone one of the most beloved versions of that formula but it is also considered the best Western of all time by a large contingency of six-shooter-loving move-goers. And then you have Wyatt Earp...a film that, on paper, had all the makings of a masterpiece. Suffering the critical success of Tombstone, which was released just months pryer, the film was slammed by critics and flopped financially. That being said, it seemed fitting to seize the opportunity to compare two films that tell the same exact story from different perspectives. Get your mustaches on and draw...it's Movie Wars.
TOMBSTONESee all photos
MOVIE INFO
Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his brothers, Morgan (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Sam Elliott), have left their gunslinger ways behind them to settle down and start a business in the town of Tombstone, Ariz. While they aren't looking to find trouble, trouble soon finds them when they become targets of the ruthless Cowboy gang. Now, together with Wyatt's best friend, Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), the brothers pick up their guns once more to restore order to a lawless land.
Rating: R
Genre: Western, ActionOriginal Language: EnglishDirector:George P. Cosmatos
Producer:
Sean Daniel
,
James Jacks
,
Bob MisiorowskiWriter:
Kevin Jarre
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1993 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2014Box Office (Gross USA): $55.9MRuntime: 2h 7m
WYATT EARPThe epic biography of western lawman Wyatt Earp, who at an early age, is taught that nothing matters more than family and the law. He becomes a respected sheriff in Dodge City and Tombstone. Joined by his brothers and Doc Holliday, Earp wages war on the dreaded Clanton and McLaury gangs.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: BiographyOriginal Language: EnglishDirector:Lawrence Kasdan
Producer:
Jim Wilson
,
Kevin Costner
,
Lawrence Kasdan
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 1994 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008Box Office (Gross USA): $24.6MRuntime: 3h 11mDistributor: Warner Bros. PicturesProduction Co: Warner Bros., Tig ProductionsThank you Rotten Tomatoes!
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The Movie Wars crew was exhilarated to tackle two buddy cop classics in 1989's Lethal Weapon 2 and 1995's Bad Boys. Similar to Westerns, the Buddy Cop genre has been transformed and retooled, all while paying homage to a timeless formula. The chemistry between the lead actors drives both of these films. LW2 reveals that Riggs and Murtaugh are more like family than when they were introduced in the franchise's first entry, where they were beleaguered and struggled to reconcile their opposing policing methods. Bad Boys hinges more on Mike and Marcus' friction and bickering, leading to the ultimate payoff when their highly effective partnership is put on full display. Both films are anchored by comedic third wheels played by a pair of legendary Joes(Pesci and Pantoliano). How will the war score fair for these two genre titans? Give it a listen because you're never too old for this Movie Wars sh*t.
Film Summaries
Lethal Weapon 2
South African smugglers find themselves being hounded and harassed by Riggs and Murtaugh, two mismatched Los Angeles police officers. However, the South Africans are protected by diplomatic immunity, and so the two are assigned to witness-protection duty in an attempt by their captain to keep his job. It is only when this witness reveals to them that he has already dealt with the smugglers that the trouble really starts.
Rating: RGenre: Action, Mystery & thrillerOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Richard DonnerProducer: Richard Donner, Joel SilverWriter: Jeffrey BoamRelease Date (Theaters): Jul 7, 1989 OriginalRelease Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008Box Office (Gross USA): $144.9MRuntime: 1h 53mDistributor: Warner Bros. PicturesProduction Co: Warner Bros., Silver PicturesBad Boys
Miami-Dade detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) blow a fuse when $100 million worth of heroin they recently confiscated is heisted from station headquarters. Suspecting it was an inside job, Internal Affairs gives them five days to track down the drugs before they shut down the narcotics division. Action meets farce when Marcus is compelled to masquerade as his partner in order to gain the trust of a call girl (Tea Leoni), a key witness in their investigation.
Rating: RGenre: Action, ComedyOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Michael BayProducer: Don Simpson, Jerry BruckheimerWriter: George Gallo, -
Watching "The Boondock Saints" was considered a dorm room initiation during Kyle, Drew, and Phil's college years. Highly requested by our listeners, "The Boondock Saints" possesses one of the most prolific cult followings in history. Its success was bolstered primarily by Blockbuster rentals. Although critics bashed the film, a lauded documentary titled "Overnight" received high marks for its portrayal of Troy Duffy; the highly volatile, rags-to-riches director who eventually found himself blacklisted for his uncouth approach to directing Harvey Weinstein's Diamond in the Rough. As for "Snatch," Guy Ritchie is the most requested director we've yet to cover. With his unique blend of violence, humor, and rapid-fire pacing, Guy Ritchie's style shines in "Snatch."
With God on our side, the MWP crew slays the wicked war card, bare knuckles and all.
Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon!
Film Summaries
The Boondock Saints
Tired of the crime overrunning the streets of Boston, Irish Catholic twin brothers Conner (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Murphy (Norman Reedus) are inspired by their faith to cleanse their hometown of evil with their own brand of zealous vigilante justice. As they hunt down and kill one notorious gangster after another, they become controversial folk heroes in the community. But Paul Smecker (Willem Dafoe), an eccentric FBI agent, is fast closing in on their blood-soaked trail.
Rating: RGenre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & thrillerOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Troy DuffyProducer: Chris Brinker, Robert N. Fried, Elie Samaha, Lloyd SeganWriter: Troy DuffyRelease Date (Theaters): Aug 4, 1999 OriginalRelease Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015Box Office (Gross USA): $19.9KRuntime: 1h 50mDistributor: New City Releasing [us], Indican Pictures(Thank you Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/boondock_saints)
Snatch
Illegal boxing promoter Turkish (Jason Statham) convinces gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford) to offer bets on bare-knuckle boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) at his bookie business. When Mickey does not throw his first fight as agreed, an infuriated Brick Top demands another match. Meanwhile, gangster Frankie Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro) comes to place a bet for a friend with Brick Top's bookies, as multiple criminals converge on a stolen diamond that Frankie has come to London to sell.
Rating: R (Some Nudity|Language|Strong Violence)Genre: Comedy, DramaOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Guy RitchieProducer: Matthew VaughnWriter: Guy RitchieRelease Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 2001 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2011Box Office (Gross USA): $30.1MRuntime: 1h 38mDistributor: Screen GemsProduction Co: Columbia Pictures, SKA FilmsSound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, SDDSAspect Ratio: Flat... -
It was only a matter of time before the Movie Wars crew released an Arnold Vs. Arnold episode. Drew and Phil treated Kyle to cigars and Thai food for his birthday while we watched "Arnold" on Netflix. Needless to say, it was inspiring for us. We ditched "Mr. And Mrs. Smith" (which is a good match plotwise) for the ultimate Arnold fan matchup. By many standards and opinions, "True Lies" is considered to be Arnold's finest work, while "Eraser" marks the end of what film scholars believe to be Arnold's golden era which started with "Conan the Barbarian" in 1982. Often maligned, the MWP crew found a lot of joy in "Eraser" and the throughlines were too hard to ignore. Get erased and lie to your spouse about your career. Check out "True Lies" Vs. "Eraser."
Help the crew make more shows and keep this operation going by supporting us on Patreon! Also, the easiest way to help MWP is sharing with your friends and on social media.
Film Summaries
Eraser
John "The Eraser" Kruger is the top gun in the US Marshall Witness Protection scheme; he erases their past and deals with their future. His latest assignment is whistle-blower Dr. Lee Cullen, who has evidence against a major arms corporation that's selling weapons to terrorists with the collusion of rogue enemy agents within, but there is danger nearer home for Kruger, from within his own department.
Rating: RGenre: ActionOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Chuck RussellProducer: Arnold Kopelson, Anne KopelsonWriter: Walon Green, Walon Green, Tony PuryearRelease Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 1996 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008Box Office (Gross USA): $101.3MRuntime: 1h 55mDistributor: Warner Bros. PicturesTrue Lies
Secretly a spy but thought by his family to be a dull salesman, Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is tracking down nuclear missiles in the possession of Islamic jihadist Aziz (Art Malik). Harry's mission is complicated when he realizes his neglected wife, Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), is contemplating an affair with Simon (Bill Paxton), a used-car salesman who claims he's a spy. When Aziz kidnaps Harry and Helen, the secret agent must save the world and patch up his marriage at the same time.
Rating: RGenre: Action, ComedyOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: James CameronProducer: -
We're thinking we're back! Nothing summarizes this matchup like the words "sweet revenge." John Wick and Taken are two fantastic action films revolving around uniquely skilled protagonists avenging the loss of dogs and people near and dear to them. Kyle loved the opportunity to re-introduce the "Keanu Lifer" back to the podcast. We also discussed how John Wick captures the essence of the classic action films we love while developing its own style. Enjoy John Wick Vs. Taken with guns blazing, or if you don't, we will look for you and we will find you.
John Wick
Legendary assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) retired from his violent career after marrying the love of his life. Her sudden death leaves John in deep mourning. When sadistic mobster Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) and his thugs steal John's prized car and kill the puppy that was a last gift from his wife, John unleashes the remorseless killing machine within and seeks vengeance. Meanwhile, Iosef's father (Michael Nyqvist) -- John's former colleague -- puts a huge bounty on John's head.
Rating: R (Language|Brief Drug Use|Strong Bloody Violence)Genre: Action, Mystery & thrillerOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Chad StahelskiProducer: Basil Iwanyk, David Leitch, Eva LongoriaWriter: Derek KolstadRelease Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 2014 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Feb 3, 2015Box Office (Gross USA): $43.0MRuntime: 1h 41mDistributor: Lionsgate FilmsTaken
Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), a former government operative, is trying to reconnect with his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace). Then his worst fears become real when sex slavers abduct Kim and her friend shortly after they arrive in Paris for vacation. With just four days until Kim will be auctioned off, Bryan must call on every skill he learned in black ops to rescue her.
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Violence|Disturbing Thematic Material|Language|Sexual Content|Some Drug References)Genre: Action, Mystery & thrillerOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Pierre MorelProducer: Luc BessonWriter: Luc Besson, Robert Mark... -
The video game movie genre is experiencing a renaissance. Traditionally, cinema has heavily influenced the production of video games. Games like Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid are evidence of this. As video games have become more cinematic on their own, the sentiment around video game-influenced movies has increased. Shows like The Last Of Us and the upcoming Super Mario Brothers movie are garnering more interest from the masses than any game-inspired IP before them. Today, the guys are covering two female-led video game films: Resident Evil and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Kyle, Drew, and Phile had a mighty fine time drawing from their love of video games for this matchup.
FILM SUMMARIES
Resident Evil
Based on the popular video game, Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez star as the leaders of a commando team who must break into "the hive," a vast underground genetics laboratory operated by the powerful Umbrella Corporation. There, a deadly virus has been unleashed, killing the lab's personnel and resurrecting them as the evil Un-dead. The team has just three hours to shut down the lab's supercomputer and close the facility before the virus threatens to overrun the Earth.
Genre: Horror, ActionOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Paul W.S. AndersonProducer: Jeremy Bolt, Bernd Eichinger, Samuel Hadida, Paul W.S. AndersonWriter: Alan B. McElroyRelease Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 2002 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Sep 7, 2004Box Office (Gross USA): $39.5MRuntime: 1h 40mDistributor: Columbia PicturesSound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SRThis live action feature is inspired by the most successful interactive video-game character in history -- Lara Croft. Beautiful and brainy, Lara (Angelina Jolie) is the heroine of Eidos Interactive's phenomenally successful "Tomb Raider" game series. It is one woman's fearless quest criss-crossing the globe, in an amazing attempt to save the world.
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sensuality|Action/Violence)Genre: Adventure, Action, FantasyOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Simon WestProducer: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Colin WilsonWriter: Patrick Massett, John Zinman, Simon West, Sara B. Cooper, Mike Werb, Michael CollearyRelease Date (Theaters): Jun 15, 2001 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Nov 13, 2001Box Office (Gross USA): $131.1MRuntime: 1h 40mDistributor: Paramount PicturesSound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround, Dolby StereoInfo courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes!
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Batman films serve as a time-stamped looking glass into the temperament of society. The stark difference in tone is evident when you watch 2005's Batman Begins after watching Tim Burton's Batman (1989). The inherent silliness that endears 1989's Batman seems like a spectacle when compared to Nolan's entries which embody the post-9/11 nihilism that we've discussed on the podcast many times. Yet somehow, 2022's The Batman takes the cake when it comes to channeling darkness. When you pair the truly noir detective roots of Batman with Matt Reeve's pandemic-born, post-election-inspired grunge opus, you get The Batman. Join Kyle, Drew, and Phil in the Movie Wars cave as we pit two celebrated Batmen against one another.
Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle’s new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.
Film Summaries
THE BATMAN
Batman ventures into Gotham City's underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator's plans become clear, he must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued the metropolis.
Rating: PG-13 (Some Suggestive Material|Drug Content|Strong Disturbing Content|Strong Language|Strong Violent Content)Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, DramaOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Matt ReevesProducer: Dylan Clark, Matt ReevesWriter: Matt Reeves, Peter CraigRelease Date (Theaters): Mar 4, 2022 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2022Box Office (Gross USA): $369.3MRuntime: 2h 56mDistributor: Warner Bros. PicturesSound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, SDDSAspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)View the collection: BatmanInfo Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_batman
BATMAN BEGINS
A young Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels to the Far East, where he's trained in the martial arts by Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the mysterious League of Shadows. When Ducard reveals the League's true purpose -- the complete destruction of Gotham City -- Wayne returns to Gotham intent on cleaning up the city without resorting to murder. With the help of Alfred (Michael Caine), his loyal butler, and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), a tech expert at Wayne Enterprises, Batman is born.
Rating: PG-13 (Some Thematic Elements|Disturbing Images|Intense Action Violence)Genre: Action, Fantasy,... -
Cue the house music beats and the getaway cars. Kyle, Drew, and Phil find themselves in the middle of the ultimate heist film battle. Both Ocean's Eleven and The Italian Job are remakes that attempt to sever ties with their source material. Ocean's Eleven boasts a veteran ensemble cast, including Julia Roberts, who is fresh off of her 2001 Oscar win for Best Actress for Erin Brockovich, which is also directed by Steven Soderbergh. The Italian Job's is more of an ensemble in the making, showing off a rookie class effort for burgeoning greats Charlize Theron and Mark Wahlberg. It's hard to argue that The Italian Job borrows mightily from Oceian's Eleven, which was released two years earlier. Strap yourself into your Mini Cooper and grab your finest suit as Movie Wars attempts to determine which heist film steals all the marbles.
Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle’s new 20-minute film retrospectives, which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.
FILM SUMMARIES
OCEAN'S ELEVEN
Dapper Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is a man of action. Less than 24 hours into his parole from a New Jersey penitentiary, the wry, charismatic thief is already rolling out his next plan. Following three rules: Don't hurt anybody, don't steal from anyone who doesn't deserve it, and play the game like you've got nothing to lose. Danny orchestrates the most sophisticated, elaborate casino heist in history.
Rating:PG-13 (Some Language|Sexual Content)Genre:Comedy, Drama, CrimeOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Steven SoderberghProducer:Jerry WeintraubWriter:Ted GriffinRelease Date (Theaters):Dec 7, 2001 WideRelease Date (Streaming):May 7, 2002Box Office (Gross USA):$183.4MRuntime:1h 56mDistributor:Warner Bros. Pictures(Thank you Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/oceans_eleven)
THE ITALIAN JOB
After a heist in Venice, Steve (Edward Norton) turns on his partners in crime, killing safecracker John Bridger (Donald Sutherland) and keeping all the gold for himself. The rest of the team, including leader Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg), driver Handsome Rob (Jason Statham), explosives man Left Ear (Mos Def) and tech geek Lyle (Seth Green), vows revenge. They enlist the help of Bridger's daughter, Stella (Charlize Theron), and plot to recover the gold from Steve's Los Angeles mansion.
Rating:PG-13 (Violence|Some Language)Genre:Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller, ActionOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:F. Gary GrayProducer:Donald De... -
You'll be hard-pressed to find real-life subject matter more exaggerated and glamorized in film than the courtroom. Hollywood has taken lots of liberty representing the legal system over the years. 1992 was arguably the most significant year for courtroom films. Widely regarded as two of the best courtroom films ever made, we analyze A Few Good Men and My Cousin Vinny. Although they represent two different genres, they have a long list of commonalities. We also get to explore the performances of two prolific actors in Tom Cruise and Joe Pesci. Although they don't necessarily possess the same range as other greats, they have seen their talents utilized in various genres. Help the Movie Wars crew determine a verdict for these amazing courtroom films.
Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle’s new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.
About A Few Good Men(courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes)
Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is a military lawyer defending two U.S. Marines charged with killing a fellow Marine at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Although Kaffee is known for seeking plea bargains, a fellow lawyer, Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore), convinces him that the accused marines were most likely carrying out an order from a commanding officer. Kaffee takes a risk by calling Col. Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson) to the stand in an effort to uncover the conspiracy.
Rating:RGenre:DramaOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Rob ReinerProducer:Rob Reiner, Andrew Scheinman, David BrownWriter:Aaron SorkinRelease Date (Theaters):Dec 11, 1992 WideRelease Date (Streaming):May 6, 2003Box Office (Gross USA):$141.3MRuntime:2h 18mDistributor:Columbia Pictures, Columbia TristarAbout My Cousin Vinny(Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes)
New York lawyer Vinny has never won a case. When his teenage cousin Bill and his friend Stan are accused of murder in a backwater Alabama town, it's up to the nervous Vinny to save him from jail, even though he's only ever tried personal injury cases before, and none of them successfully.
Rating:RGenre:ComedyOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Jonathan LynnProducer:Dale Launer, Paul SchiffWriter:Dale LaunerRelease Date (Theaters):Mar 13, 1992 WideRelease Date (Streaming):Jan 30, 2007Box Office (Gross USA):$50.9MRuntime:1h 59mDistributor:20th Century Fox
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Is there a better way to kick off the New Year than another epic Arnold Vs. Sly battle? At the time of their release, 1986's Cobra and Raw Deal were considered regressions for the 80's action kings. However, Cobra has amassed a large cult following that has solidified it as a fan favorite. The story behind the funding of Raw Deal gave Arnold all the ammunition he needed to parlay a deal leading to his leading role in Total Recall. You can't miss this episode if you enjoy fraught productions, disgruntled actors, misplaced directors, and prime 80's action. Crime is the disease, and Movie Wars is the cure.
Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle’s new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.
Film Summaries:
Cobra
Los Angeles policeman Lt. Marion "Cobra" Cobretti (Sylvester Stallone) finds himself at the center of a spate of murders carried out by a secret society called New Order: killers who select "weak" members of society for extermination. As the murder rate rises, Cobra takes model Ingrid (Brigitte Nielsen) into protective custody after she witnesses New Order's leader in action. As Cobra falls for Ingrid, they find shelter in a small town, but must soon fight for survival.
Rating: RGenre: action, Mystery & Thriller, Crime, DramaOriginal Language:EnglishDirector: George P. CosmatosProducer:Menahem Golan, Yoram GlobusWriter: Sylvester StalloneRelease Date (Streaming):Jul 3, 2001Box Office (Gross USA):$47.5MRuntime:1h 23m(Compliments of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cobra)
Raw Deal
When efforts to prosecute mob boss Luigi Patrovita (Sam Wanamaker) are repeatedly derailed thanks to a mole in the FBI, the only choice is to bring in an outsider -- specifically, Mark Kaminsky (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a disgraced agent who leaps at a chance for reinstatement. After FBI chief Shannon (Darren McGavin) gives him his orders, Kaminsky fakes his death and reemerges as an ex-con named Brenner. Undercover and accountable to no one, the former Fed tears up the mob from the inside.
Rating: RGenre: ActionOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: John IrvinProducer: Martha De LaurentiisWriter:Gary DeVore, Norman WexlerRelease Date (Theaters): Jun 6, 1986 OriginalRelease Date (Streaming): Nov 7, 2006Box Office (Gross USA): $14.8MRuntime: 1h 45m(Complements of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1017226-raw_deal)
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One of the problematic aspects of Movie Wars is picking matchups for iconic films like Raiders Of The Lost Ark. One of the best ways to find a matchup is by picking a film that is a representative descendant of that iconic film. National Treasure expounds on the Indiana Jones blueprint in new ways and with a modern twist. Escape from the boulder with the Movie Wars crew as we tackle two adventure film giants.
Share our pod with your movie-loving friends or support us on Patreon!
Film Summaries
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Dr. Indiana Jones, a renowned archeologist and expert in the occult, is hired by the U.S. Government to find the ark of the covenant, which is believed to still hold the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately, Hitler's agents are also after the ark. Indy and his ex-flame Marion escape from various close scrapes in a quest that takes them from Nepal to Cairo.
Rating:PGGenre:Adventure, ActionOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Steven SpielbergProducer:Frank MarshallWriter:Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas, Philip KaufmanRelease Date (Theaters):Jun 12, 1981 WideRelease Date (Streaming):May 13, 2008Box Office (Gross USA):$248.2MRuntime:1h 55mDistributor:Paramount PicturesNational Treasure
Historian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been searching his whole life for a rumored treasure dating back to the creation of the United States. Joining an expedition led by fellow treasure hunter Ian Howe (Sean Bean), Gates finds an ice-locked Colonial ship in the Arctic Circle that contains a clue linking the treasure to the Declaration of Independence. But when Howe betrays him, Gates has to race to get to the document ahead of his so-called colleague.
Rating:PG (Some Scary Images|Action/Violence)Genre:Adventure, ActionOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Jon TurteltaubProducer:Oren Aviv, Jerry BruckheimerWriter:Ted Elliott, E. Max FryeRelease Date (Theaters):Nov 19, 2004 WideRelease Date (Streaming):May 3, 2005Box Office (Gross USA):$173.0MRuntime:2h 10m
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Let's just call this the ultimate "Cage" match. Nicholas Cage had an incredible run of films starting in the early 90's and tapering off in the early 2000's. His popularity landed him roles that were tailored to his eccentric persona. If you've listened to Movie Wars before, we love talking about the evolution of action from how it was sprinkled into Westerns and Bond films, to the macho muscle era, and to the Average Joe Bruce Willis era. Face/Off and Con Air represent the era of absurdity that could only occur in the 90's. Swap faces with the Movie Wars crew for the ultimate "Cage" match.
The easiest way to help Movie Wars is free! If you love Movie Wars, hit that share button in your podcast app. Post it to social or text it to a friend.
If you reaeeeellllly love Movie wars, become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle’s new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.
Con Air
Just-paroled army ranger Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) is headed back to his wife (Monica Potter), but must fly home aboard a prison transport flight dubbed "Jailbird" with some of the worst criminals living. Along with Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames) and Baby-O (Mykelti Williamson), genius serial killer Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom (John Malkovich) unleashes a violent escape plot in mid-flight. Secretly working with U.S. Marshall Vince Larkin (John Cusack), Poe tries to foil Grissom's plan.
Rating:RGenre:ActionOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Simon WestProducer:Jerry BruckheimerWriter:Scott RosenbergRelease Date (Theaters):Jun 6, 1997 OriginalRelease Date (Streaming):May 16, 2006Box Office (Gross USA):$101.1MRuntime:1h 55mDistributor:Buena Vista Pictures(info courtesy of https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/con_air)
Face/Off
Obsessed with bringing terrorist Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) to justice, FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) tracks down Troy, who has boarded a plane in Los Angeles. After the plane crashes and Troy is severely injured, possibly dead, Archer undergoes surgery to remove his face and replace it with Troy's. As Archer tries to use his disguise to elicit information about a bomb from Troy's brother, Troy awakes from a coma and forces the doctor who performed the surgery to give him Archer's face.
Rating:RGenre:ActionOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:John WooProducer:David Permut, Barrie M. Osborne, -
The Slasher film is easily one of the most popular subgenres in all of cinema. The genre’s roots begin with Hitchcock's desire to modernize the horror genre by taking it out of European castles and removing werewolves and vampires. 1960's Psycho and Peeping Tom are true predecessors to 1978's Halloween. That being said, Halloween is seen as the first film to solidify what would become the slasher formula. Just six years later, A Nightmare On Elm Street shows the evolution of the genre featuring a comedic and vocal antagonist which departed from the silent stalkers embodied by Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees. It doesn't matter how fast you run, Episode 0034 of Movie Wars will find you.
Film Summaries
A Nightmare On Elm Street
In Wes Craven's classic slasher film, several Midwestern teenagers fall prey to Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on the teenagers in their dreams -- which, in turn, kills them in reality. After investigating the phenomenon, Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) begins to suspect that a dark secret kept by her and her friends' parents may be the key to unraveling the mystery, but can Nancy and her boyfriend Glen (Johnny Depp) solve the puzzle before it's too late?
A Nightmare On Elm Street(1984)
Rating:RGenre:HorrorOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Wes CravenProducer:Robert ShayeWriter:Wes CravenRelease Date (Theaters):Nov 9, 1984 OriginalRelease Date (Streaming):Oct 25, 2005Box Office (Gross USA):$57.3MRuntime:1h 31mDistributor:Media Home Entertainment, Image Entertainment Inc., Anchor Bay Entertainment, New Line Home Video [us], New Line Cinemahttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nightmare_on_elm_street
Halloween(1978)
On a cold Halloween night in 1963, six-year-old Michael Myers brutally murdered his 17-year-old sister, Judith. He was sentenced and locked away for 15 years. But on October 30, 1978, while being transferred for a court date, a 21-year-old Michael Myers steals a car and escapes Smith's Grove. He returns to his quiet hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he looks for his next victims.
Rating:RGenre:Holiday, Horror, Mystery & ThrillerOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:John CarpenterProducer:Debra Hill, John CarpenterWriter:Debra Hill, John CarpenterRelease Date (Theaters):Oct 25, 1978 WideRelease Date (Streaming):Sep 28, 1999Box Office (Gross USA):$47.5MRuntime:1h 31mDistributor:Compass International Pictureshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1009113-halloween
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