For their 149th episode, two space pirate film critics, two mutated dads, and two earthbound teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, continue piloting through the sequel star system of their Alien series rewatch with an episode on 1997's Alien: Resurrection, bringing a cloned Sigourney Weaver two centuries into the future. Is the movie subversive, kinky, weird, fun, all of the above, or none of the above. This one is high on Will's ranks while Don is pondering.
Read MoreFor their 148th episode, two shaved film critics, two preaching dads, and two imprisoned teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, returned to the sequel galaxy of their Alien series rewatch with an episode on 1992's hotly contested and often-panned Alien 3 directed by a baby David Fincher. Has the movie improved with time? The two share a quizzical discussion on what is normally ranked as the lowest or worst film of the series. You may be surprised how they feel.
Read MoreFor their 139th episode, two roughneck film critics, two corporate dads, and two status-kept teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, returned to the deep space of the Alien series for their second rewatch stop with an episode on 1986's Aliens sequel by James Cameron. The two enjoyed a comparative discussion on where they rank this one with the first one and the rest of the series.
Read MoreFor their 138th episode, two voyeuristic film critics, two myth-fearing dads, and two well-tested teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, both knocked out a long-held blindspot recently by giving an audience to Drew Goddard's 2011 breakout horror movie The Cabin in the Woods. Mostly remembered for early Chris Hemsworth flick, the guys talk about the big ideas of the movie that bit off more than they could chew.
Read MoreFor our 54th episode, 25YL film critics, cerebrally-seductive dads, and mentally-capable school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan embark on another "Deep Cut" discussion on the legacy of another celebrated performer. Suggested by Will, the hosts shared their love/hate takes and viewing recommendations for Sigourney Weaver, a pillar of strong female characterization. They work around the easy and obvious to peer further down the career resume.
Read MoreDesigned by H.R. Giger and manifested by Oscar-winning special effects puppetry, the unforgettable xenomorph creature that debuted in 1979’s Alien lunged with more menace than suddenness. The acid-dripping extraterrestrial was an overpowering stalker. Fast-forward 38 years to Alien: Covenant, and the CGI-boosted effects capable today have accelerated the monster’s lethal velocity to an unhinged and downright bonkers level. Let me tell you, that’s a dandy of a jolt.
Read MoreJ.A. Bayona’s film, based on the 2011 novel of the same name and adapted for the screen by the author himself, Patrick Hess, operates with a similar dichotomy and balancing act with its genre. “Fantasy” and “genuine” are two words that do not normally mix together. “A Monster Calls” creates an engrossing tale of allegory and myth and still roots it in a setting of stark reality filled with family and flaws.
Read MoreUnless the title begins with "Toy Story," Disney/Pixar has not had very good luck with effective sequels. "Cars 2" aimed too high for a bigger international stage and "Monsters University" failed as a bonding origin story prequel. Thirteen years after the original, "Finding Dory" changes that weak trend with a winning flourish. Teeming with plenty of vibrant energy and anchored by Pixar's signature punch of finely tuned emotional storytelling, this sequel will delight audiences young and old and earns its mature place as a companion piece to the classic "Finding Nemo."
Read MoreFor this writer, "Mad Max: Fury Road" is a daunting challenge for this website's definition of mindless action as a movie genre. Mindless action has its range from the trash of Michael Bay to the treasure of the "Fast and Furious" franchise. However, what separates the trash from the treasure is quality and impact. The quality speaks to the action and the impact speaks to the story being sewn along the way, even if it's secondary. The really good mindless action movies offer just enough heft of a compelling story to make the action matter and resonate beyond just superficial coolness. As incredible in stunt work and thrills as "Mad Max: Fury Road" is, it is missing too much of that heft to matter beyond being really cool to watch.
Read MoreThe title robot at the center of "Chappie," the latest science fiction film from Neill Blomkamp ("District 9" and "Elysium") lacks the qualities to become anywhere close to one of the best movie robots of all time. Both the film and the robot lack impact, presence, purpose, distinction, and, worst of all, uniqueness. It's a shame too because there were some intriguing "big ideas" floating around in "Chappie" that could have developed into something that had the chance to be impactful, purposeful, distinct, unique, and resonating.
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