The Five Best And Five Worst Characters In Titanic

Titanic

Titanic is a masterpiece. That is an undeniable fact. There are only two sides of this coin. You love Titanic or you hate Titanic. There’s no middle ground. I’ve never heard someone say they “like” Titanic. You’re all in or all out, no grey area. For me, I’m as far in as you can possibly be. To be honest, when I first saw Titanic as a kid, I didn’t care for it. It was long, sad, and dark, but keep in mind, I was seven years old. However, as I grew older and watched the film more and more, I came to appreciate its brilliance. It’s a disaster film of epic proportions from arguably the greatest director of blockbusters, James Cameron. Titanic is full of romance, action, adventure, sadness, and hope. What more could you want in a movie?

April 15 was the 108th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Although tragic, the anniversary made me revisit the film that I have come to love and appreciate. Having seen the dozens of times, I decided to dip my pen and determine the five best and five worst characters in Titanic. Enjoy.

Also, Rose and Jack could NOT have shared the door together. I don’t want to hear your childish take on the matter. However, if you believe Rose should have switched off with Jack every 10 minutes on the door or Jack should have recovered lifejackets off of floating bodies or search for debris to lean on so his legs were out of the water, then I’m ready to listen to your argument.

Five Best Characters In Titanic

5. Tommy Ryan

Tommy Ryan is a first-round selection of people I’d want to hang out with. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with a cheerful Irish lad that loves to pound beers? Tommy is the type of guy who would own season tickets to the Cleveland Browns. He probably drinks way too much at the tailgate and by the time he gets into the stadium, he’s ready to fight the first person that cuts him off in line for the urinals. Unfortunately, Tommy also makes the top five for saddest deaths in the movie.

4.  Wallace Hartley And His Fellow Musicians

Gentlemen, it’s been a privilege playing with you tonight. When everyone panicked, Wallace and the boys brought out their violins and provided some sweet, soothing sounds on a ship going to hell. If I was on the Titanic in real life, I’m not sure if I would want “Nearer, My God, to Thee” playing in the background before I freeze in the Atlantic Ocean. That being said, it’s a bittersweet scene in the film.

https://youtu.be/tCS7ReJphu4

3. Chief Baker Charles Joughin

When in doubt, get a drink. That’s exactly what Chief Baker Charles Joughin did when things turned to shit. The baker provides a few laughs in the movie because he’s always seen with a flask in his hand, but it turns out, the real Charles Joughin was an absolute legend. Joughin actually survived and if you don’t know his story, I encourage you to read it here. Contrary to popular belief, Joughin did not survive because the alcohol kept his body warm. He survived because he stayed out of the water as long as humanly possible before the sinking. When Titanic finally sank, the alcohol in Joughin’s system gave him the “liquid courage” to tread water for more than 2 hours before finding an overturned lifeboat, which he stayed on before his eventual rescue. Next time you go out to sea, bring a flask.

2. Jack Dawson

Oh, Young Leo. The man needs no introduction. I could list all of the reasons why Jack Dawson is so great, but I have a deadline. Jack was charming, funny, and so damn handsome. He might have been a petty thief, but I wouldn’t mind starting a life in America with Jack. However, if he continued to paint nude women, I’d leave him in a heartbeat.

1. Molly Brown

Do you know those charts that rate if someone’s good or evil?

Molly Brown is one of the few characters to be in the “good” section. She’s the only member of the wealthy class to treat Jack with the respect and dignity he deserves. More importantly, Molly is the only person on her lifeboat to urge the crew to go back for survivors. Frankly, she’s the only rich person that’s likable in the movie! Molly is one, tough S.O.B. and gets my vote for the best character in Titanic.

Five Worst Characters In Titanic

5. Captain Edward John Smith

To quote Lewis Bodine aka the guy with the beard in Brock’s crew, “There’s Smith and he’s standing there and he’s got the iceberg warning in his ****ing hand, excuse me, his hand, and he ordering more speed.” Once the Captain says the ship is speeding up after receiving an iceberg warning, I scream. I understand that Captain Smith was under a lot of pressure from outside forces to reach America as fast as possible strictly for publicity. However, he’s the captain of the ship. When NFL teams lose games, the quarterback always takes the blame. The same can be said about Titanic. Even if it ultimately wasn’t his decision to speed up, I have to pin the majority of the blame on Captain Smith for the sinking ship.

4. Cal Hockley

This fucking guy. Cal is a bad dude, but he’s not as bad as you think. There is a small minority of fans who believe Cal is not the bad guy in Titanic. I agree to an extent. Cal is funding Rose and her mother’s trip to America with first-class tickets. Despite Rose’s brattiness, Cal still loved her. Jack tried to be “Mr. Steal Your Girl” and Cal fought back. I think most guys would do the same. Plus, when Cal ended up on the Carpathia, he went looking for Rose to see if she’s alive. Cal does have a heart, but it doesn’t make up for the fact that he’s the biggest asshole on the ship. He tried to kill Jack multiple times and if he ended up marrying Rose, there’s zero doubt in my mind that Cal would abuse his wife both physically and mentally. However, Cal can’t be the worst character in the film because of the hilarious “I have a child” speech.

3.  First Officer William Murdoch

When I first saw Titanic, the scene that gave me nightmares was the death of Tommy Ryan followed by the suicide of First Officer William Murdoch. I will never be able to comprehend what happened on that ship when it was sinking. I picture it would be worse than Judgement Day. I have to cut some slack to the heroic officers aboard Titanic for doing their best to save the most amount of lives. Still, I’ll never be able to forgive Mr. Murdoch for shooting Tommy. It’s something I’ll never forget.

2. Rose DeWitt Bukate aka Young Rose

Where do I begin? If you like Rose more than Jack, square up and after that, get your head checked out. In Rose’s first scene, her entitled and bratty persona shined when she commented on the size of the Titanic and questioned what “all the fuss was about.” Oh, I’m sorry Rose, do you need a bigger ship to hold your thirty suitcases of clothing? From there, it was all downhill for Rose’s likability. Putting Jack’s life in danger by stepping over the railing, cheating on Cal, and jumping off the lifeboat (!!!) to go back onto the Titanic easily makes Rose one of the worst characters in the film.

1. Rose Dawson Calvert aka Old Rose

Let me preface this by saying Old Rose seemed like a delightful lady. Rose loved telling stories, making pots, and spending time with her granddaughter. When Rose shared her riveting tale about Jack Dawson and the Titanic, she had the entire room in the palm of her hand. With all that being said, nothing makes my blood boil more than the scene where Rose threw the Heart of the Ocean into the sea. How selfish can you be? I don’t care how attached you are to the necklace or how much you believe that the diamond belongs to the sea. Rose could have set up her family for generations to come. In the film, the necklace was valued well over $300 million. Why make sure your family never has to worry about money again when you can just throw it all away and leave them with nothing before you pass? If you want to become even angrier, watch the alternate ending.

Who is the best and worst character in Titanic? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

(All images are taken from Titanic / Paramount Pictures)

Greatest Sequels Of All Time: You Can Only Pick 3

movies sequels

When I think of a movie sequel, I automatically think of a film that’s bigger and raised the stakes from its predecessor. That doesn’t mean it works. In fact, I’d argue that most sequels fail because it can’t recreate the magic that made the first film successful. In turn, failed sequels usually don’t bring anything new to offer so the film can’t stand on its own. When a sequel is done right, it’s special. When a sequel outdoes the original, it’s legendary.

On the Unafraid Show’s Twitter, we asked which three sequels would you pick from a list of nine films.

The Choices

  • The Dark Knight
  • The Godfather Part II
  • Terminator 2: Judgment Day (T2)
  • Toy Story 2
  • Aliens
  • Star Wars Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  • Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
  • Before Sunset

This lineup is the 1927 Yankees aka Murderers’ Row. Not only are they some of the best sequels ever made, but these movies are some of the most important films ever made. It’s like choosing between children (that I don’t have). One is by far your favorite, but all the others make compelling cases for spots two and three. You truly can’t make a bad decision when it comes to narrowing it down to three films, or can you?

By definition, a sequel is any movie that continues the story or expands upon the previous entry so, therefore, you could make a case that the third, fourth, and fifth films from a series are sequels. However, when I think of sequels, it’s the second movie that comes out after the original or the second film in a series of movies. It’s why films like Toy Story 3 or Mad Max: Fury Road were not included on the list.

Here are my picks.

The Dark Knight – This is my favorite child out of the nine. The Dark Knight is one of my top five films of all time. I hold it near and dear to my heart. It changed how I thought critically about films. A superhero premise disguised as a neo-noir blew my mind. Christopher Nolan, one of my favorite filmmakers ever, opened up new doors for comic book adaptations and how these films could be massive events on a global scale. I haven’t even mentioned Heath Ledger yet, who gave the most memorable performance by any actor in the last forty years. Whenever The Dark Knight is on television, whatever I planned to do takes a backseat to the cat-and-mouse game between Batman and The Joker.

Aliens – Imagine looking at Alien and The Terminator (which Cameron wrote and directed) and thinking not only could you make a sequel, but you could make it better than the original? There’s a reason why James Cameron has two films on this list. T2 is a great movie, but Aliens kicks so much ass. It’s one of the greatest action films ever. Alien is more of a slow burn as the Xenomorph plays “hide and seek” as it takes out the crew one by one. On the other hand, Aliens is in-your-face, nonstop action as soon as Ellen Ripley and the crew land on LV-426. Aliens changed genre filmmaking forever. Aliens include edge-of-your-seat thrills along with being downright terrifying especially when the marines invade the nesting ground of the creatures. This movie was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Actress for Sigourney Weaver. A female action star receiving a Best Actress nomination in a sci-fi epic is something that doesn’t happen today. That’s how important Aliens is to the history of moviemaking.

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – When making this list, I did not expect The Two Towers to crack the top 3 with the likes of Empire Strikes Back, Godfather Part II, and T2 still on the board. However, when I started to compare The Two Towers to its competitors in terms of rewatchability and enjoyment, The Two Towers stood taller than the rest. It starts and ends with The Battle of Helm’s Deep. Battle scenes were not a new thing in 2002. Just look at the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan and the fighting scenes in Braveheart. However, Helm’s Deep became the new standard for battle scenes thanks to its use of CGI. Before the Battle of Winterfell in Game of Thrones, The Two Towers had the title of the longest consecutive battle scene in movie and television history. The Battle of Helm’s Deep is a spectacular feat of filmmaking. However, the quieter moments behind the city walls and the scene-stealing Gollum are what make The Two Towers one of the best fantasy films ever made.

We took the discussion to Twitter and let’s just say people had some thoughts.

@JagsApologist, Spider-Man 2 barely missed the cut. It’s in the Top 15.

Which three sequels are you picking? Let us know on Twitter, @unafraidshow.

Devs: Prepare For Your Mind To Be Blown

Devs FX on Hulu

Have you ever struggled to explain something you like that’s considered weird? No matter how you try, there’s no way to put together a coherent series of thoughts to strengthen your position. For example, I enjoy watching pimple popping videos. I’m fully aware it’s super weird and I can’t describe why I continue to watch, but I like seeing blackheads removed from someone’s face. It’s satisfying and entertaining. Apply the same logic of “weird and enjoyable” to a television show and the result is Devs.

Welcome to the weird and compelling world of Alex Garland, the creator, writer, and director of Devs, which streams on Hulu. Garland, the genius mind behind Ex Machina and Annihilation, has once again created another sci-fi thriller that will blow your mind for all the right reasons. In typical Garland fashion, there are more questions than answers. It’s a show that not only challenges the viewer to think critically but to suspend disbelief in the process.

The initial premise of Devs revolves around Lily, played by Sonoya Mizuno, a computer programmer at the giant tech company, Amaya. When Lily’s coworker and boyfriend, Sergei (Karl Glusman), dies at the facility, she believes that Amaya and its CEO, Forrest (Nick Offerman), are responsible for his death. Lily begins to investigate Amaya and quickly learns that both Sergei and the Devs team are full of secrets. After the first episode, the show’s murder mystery premise acts as a launchpad for debates over free will, predestination, and determinism.

Much like the characters in the show, I, too, struggle to explain what Amaya does with the Devs team and how they do it. Quantum computing isn’t exactly my cup of tea. Don’t freak out. Devs isn’t a Harvard bar with equations and shit on the walls. It’s more interested in questioning powerful technology and what people will do to acquire and protect it. Can a group of computer programmers play God? Set in San Francisco, Devs is fucking beautiful to watch. With its funky style and emphasis on light, episodes are like watching the video to “Space Oddity” by David Bowie. The spectacular drone shots of San Francisco, the warm, illuminating lights at the Devs lab, and the giant statue of a little girl in a redwood forest at Amaya are just some of the fantastic images that make Devs so visually appealing.

Though Garland is the concertmaster, he’s nothing without his performers. Mizuno’s inquisitive performance perfectly represents the ideas of the audience, who look for answers after every turn. Offerman’s deadpan comedy on Parks and Recreation skyrocketed his popularity, but his dramatic turn as a powerful, godlike entrepreneur grieving the loss of his daughter is a revelation. However, Zach Grenier’s performance as Kenton, the head of security at Amaya, is one of the many reasons why I keep coming back to the show. Kenton is a cold-blooded and ruthless fixer that would make Mike Ehrmantraut from Breaking Bad nervous if the two ended up in the same room. Kenton’s monologue to open the show’s fourth episode was so damn evil and scary that it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

Devs may be on the of the wilder shows out right now, but it’s by far one of the best on television. The confusion only adds to the suspense and amplifies the action. It’s fully ok to admit that Devs can be weird and still acknowledge it’s greatness. Embrace the unknown in Devs.

What are your thoughts on Devs? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Devs streams on Hulu as part of FX on Hulu. As of 4/8/2020, six of eight episodes have been released. New episodes arrive every Thursday at midnight.

Revisiting Brink: Andy Brinker Did The Right Thing By Joining Team X-Bladz

Brink!

When you woke up this morning, did you say to yourself, “Today I’m gonna talk or today I’m gonna skate?” That question is at the very heart of the Disney Channel Orginal Movie, Brink! Disney+ is not just for kids. It’s not only saving parents thanks to Frozen 2, but it’s saving young adults like me who want to relive their favorite movies of their childhood since Disney+ carries Disney Channel Orginal Movies.

The Luck of the Irish, Smart House, Zenon, and Johnny Tsunami are all towards the top for me, but Brink! will always be in the number one spot. I’m assuming if you’re reading this (it’s too late) article, you’ve seen Brink! before, but just in case, here’s a simple summary. Erik Von Detten is Andy “Brink” Brinker, a high school inline skater whose system of beliefs revolves around “soul skating.” Brink and his three friends (Jordy, Peter, and Gabriella) believe in soul skating, which means they skate for enjoyment and for fun, not for money. When Brink’s family runs into financial trouble, Brink betrays his friends and joins their rivals, Team X-Bladz, a sponsored skating team where skaters receive payment for their performance. The team is led by Val, an egotistical, cheating douchebag who is a GREAT villain.

Last weekend, I revisited Brink! for the first time in years thanks to Disney+. Don’t worry, the movie still holds up over 20 years later. However, I had one huge takeaway and it’s something that 8-year-old me would hate.

My Take: Brink made the right move when he joined Team X-Bladz.

There, I said it. Brink had to do what was best for his family. The fact that Jordy, Peter, and Gabriella kicked Brink off his own team was mind-boggling. They never let him truly explain his actions. Brink could have committed murder and the trio would have stuck with him, but Brink decides to make some money for his family and he’s Benedict Arnold.

Did Brink betray his friends’ trust? Yes. Should Brink have been honest with his friends from the beginning? Of course. Did he make the wrong decision by joining Team X-Bladz? Absolutely not. Brink’s family was in financial trouble. His mom, a real estate agent, was struggling to sell houses and his dad, a construction worker, was on disability and there’s no guarantee he’d get his job back. Brink did not join Team X-Bladz to bond with Val. He joined because he wanted to make some money for his family. If you ask me, that’s very admirable for a high school student.

Brink didn’t join Team X-Bladz for free. He was making $200 a week. TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS A WEEK. Find me a better paying job for a high schooler who inline skates. I don’t even think inline skaters make that much in 2020. Who the hell was sponsoring Team X-Bladz? Bill Gates? Who thought it was a good idea to pay teenagers money to skate for a living? Regardless, $200 a week is not going to pay the mortgage, but it can supply Brink’s family with groceries and other small purchases. $200 a week leads to $800 a month, which leads to $2400 every three months and $9,600 per year. That’s pretty damn good for a teenager in 1998.

A lot of kids want to be professional athletes when they grow up. What’s better than getting paid to play a sport? Using that mindset, wouldn’t Brink want to be paid to continue his inline skating career? I doubt that he was going to study biology in college. What Peter and the gang didn’t understand was when Brink went to Team X-Bladz, it opened the door for their entry as well. Brink would eventually become the leader since Val sucks and would have run into trouble with the law. I’d bet my life savings that Val would get lost in a pyramid scheme or a pump-and-dump security fraud. Once that happened, Andy could have made an ultimatum to Team X-Bladz. His friends are allowed to join or Brink walks away. Do you think X-Bladx would let the Tony Hawk of inline skating walk away from their team? Not a chance. Imagine Team Pup n Suds joined Team X-Bladz to form one super team. They would never lose a competition. In this scenario, everyone in Brink’s crew would get paid to skate. The soul skating mantra would still be alive, but they’d be making money doing what they love.

Brink made the right decision to join Team X-Bladz. However, he didn’t execute his plan properly. Once Peter, Jordy, and Gabriella joined Team X-Bladz, all would have been well with the world. Don’t hate Andy for making money. Soul skating doesn’t pay the bills.

Did Andy Brinker make the right decision by joining Team X-Bladz? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @danny_giro.

What Is The Greatest Television Theme Song Of All Time?

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air television theme song

What is the greatest television theme song of all time? Christopher Gates posted this question on Twitter.

I was born in the early 1990s so I apologize in advance to the older crowd for missing theme songs from the 1950s-1990s. I respect Happy Days, The Jeffersons, The Brady Bunch, M*A*S*H, and Cheers (which could be #1 on a lot of lists), but I rarely watched those shows so therefore, I never made a connection to their theme songs.

With so many theme songs, I’m going to forget many of the great themes so please take hit me up on Twitter, @danny_giro, and let me know what song should be added to the list.

Honorable Mention

Full House

Whatever happened to predictability?

Law & Order

DUN DUN.

One Tree Hill

Gavin DeGraw has a sneaky-good discography and this anthem will live on in the lives of many teenagers.

Gilmore Girls

Whenever I think of the Gilmore Girls theme song, the word, “delightful,” comes to mind.

The Wire

This might ruffle some feathers. The Wire is one of the greatest television shows of all time. However, I view the theme as an experience, not as a song. Most of the songs on this list were made to be catchy. The Wire‘s theme was made to tell a story about what to expect in the upcoming season. It served a purpose and didn’t care about making the Billboard Hot 100. Every season has a different recording of “Way Down in the Hole.” My rankings for each recording by Season: 1, 4, 2, 5, 3.

Friends

Even if the opening theme for Friends is allowed on the list, it misses my top 5 by a hair. It’s still a jam at any ’90s bar.

The Golden Girls

An instant smile on my face whenever I hear “Thank You for Being a Friend.”

My Top 5

5a/5b. Game Of Thrones/The Office

I wanted to include at least one instrumental theme song on the list, but I cheated and named two. The Game of Thrones theme opening song is a long, intricate masterpiece. The graphics are superb, highlighting the regions that would be covered in the episode. When that cello hit on a Sunday night at 9 PM, you knew it was time to visit Westeros. On the flip side, The Office theme is a short, uplifting tune that’s a head-bopper. When a theme is good enough to be remixed by Lil Wayne, then it’s a flat out winner.

4. The O.C.

I fully expect to be in the minority on this one. First of all, The O.C. Season 1 is as close to perfection as you can get. The pilot is top 10 in my book. Without The O.C., there are no MTV reality shows like Laguna Beach. There’s no Real Housewives of any city, and “The Californians” on SNL ceases to exits. When the drums start to build and you’re about to belt out “California” as loud as you can, that’s when you know it’s special.

3. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Finish the lyric: “Now this is a story all about how…” I’m a betting man by nature so I’d venture to say that if you walked up to 10 strangers under the age of 50, seven of them would be able to finish the lyric with “my life got flipped-turned upside down.” You’re a true Fresh Prince fan if you can rap the longer version with “First class, yo this is bad, drinking orange juice out of a champagne glass.”

2. Family Matters

https://youtu.be/kYvNiKwWvhk

This is my favorite piano opening to a television theme. It makes me want to pull out my keyboard and tickle some keys. (I’m not good at playing the piano.) Fun fact: Steve Urkel was not featured in the original opening credits. Urkel appeared midway through the first season as a one-time appearance. However, Urkel was so beloved that he eventually became a main cast member and the show’s most memorable character.

1. Growing Pains

The reigning, defending, undisputed television theme song champion of the world is Growing Pains. Once “show me that smile again” hits my ears, without hesitation, I reply with “show me that smile.” Everything about this theme song is perfect. The show’s premise revolves around growing up so adding pictures of the cast at various stages of their lives was a genius move. “As Long As We Got Each Other” is a beautiful duet that will always hold a special place in my heart.

What is the greatest television theme song? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us your answers, @unafraidshow.

This Is Us Season 4 Finale: Three Predictions For Season 5

This Is Us

The story of the Pearson family came one step closer to the ending after the Season 4 finale. Overall, this was probably my second favorite season in the entire series (behind Season 1). Kevin, the MVP of Season 4, went from the dumb, good-looking brother to a smart, charismatic character that’s layered with emotion and depth. That’s character growth at its finest. Randall still did his thing, Kate grew as a mother, and Jack and Rebecca remain perfect.

Going into last night’s episode, I made four predictions.

1) Kevin will wish Randall was never adopted.
2) Rebecca knew about her future memory issues early on. (Dr. K told her)
3) Jack D will name his daughter, Rebecca.
4) Kevin’s fiancée is a complete stranger that will be introduced tonight.

One out of four isn’t bad, but it’s not good. I would’ve bet my life savings that the baby’s name would be Rebecca. Since more babies are on the way (more on that later), there’s still time to name one of them Rebecca. To recap, these were the major components revealed in last night’s episode.

  • Kevin said the worst day of his life was when Randall came home for the first time, causing the schism in the family.
  • Madison is pregnant with twins and Kevin is the father.
  • Kate and Toby decide to adopt a daughter, Hailey.
  • Jack’s daughter is named Hope.
  • Both Nicky and Kevin wear a wedding ring in the flash-forward.
  • Rebecca is going to St. Louis for the clinical trial with Miguel.

It’s time to look ahead to Season 5. If you haven’t done so already, read Dan Fogelman’s interview where he discusses the Season 4 finale and gives some hints for future seasons. There are two seasons left, but a lot of unanswered questions. Here are three predictions for Season 5 of This Is Us.

*This post will contain major spoilers from the Season 4 finale of This Is Us. You’ve been warned.

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This Is US / NBC

Kevin Will Name His Daughter After His Mother

Someone is going to name their child, Rebecca, in honor of the matriarch of the Pearson family. It has to happen. Kate honored her father by naming her son, Jack. Randall has no more kids so Kevin is one of the last lines of defense. We know that Kevin will have a son and a daughter. This is his chance to name his daughter, Rebecca. It’s only fitting that Jack and Rebecca’s legacies live on through their grandchildren. Also, don’t be surprised if Kevin names his son, Nicky, after his uncle.

Miguel Will Die

This may not happen in Season 5, but this is coming. Miguel is going to die before Rebecca eventually passes. With Rebecca going to St. Louis for the trial, Fogelman mentioned that the writers have planned a big storyline for Rebecca which includes a deeper look into her relationship with Miguel over the decades.

Bonus Note: Is Kate going to die? The Internet seems to believe she’s dead due to her lack of involvement in the flash-forwards. There are only three options: Kate dies, she divorces Toby, or she’s still married to Toby. I came out swinging from the beginning of Season 3, saying that Kateis doomed. My tune has changed a bit because if Rebecca dies at the end of the show, I don’t see that moment happening without all members of the Big Three. For reference, this is what I wrote in September 2018.

The Birth Of Twins Will End The Fight Between Kevin And Randall

Fogelman also stated that the theme of Season 5 was “rebirth” and a lot of new beginnings are on the horizon. In the flash-forward from the Season 4 finale, Kevin and Randall embrace, which means their feud most likely ended years ago. If that’s the case, when did the Pearson brothers bury the hatchet? My money is at the birth of Kevin’s children. Major events seem to happen at the hospital. Randall was adopted when Kevin and Kate were born and Kevin stopped drinking when Jack Damon arrived. I can’t think of a better place for Kevin and Randall to forgive each other than at the hospital after the birth of Kevin’s children.

What are your predictions for Season 5 of This Is Us? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @unafraidshow.

The Unafraid Show’s Quarantine Binge Guide: Movies

Movies unafraidshow

Now that you’ve watched all of our television recommendations, it’s time to focus on movies. With thousands of films to choose from, I tried to stick to films that came out within the past three years. From action thrillers to romantic comedies, this list has it all. Stay inside and watch movies. It’s that easy.

The Unafraid Show Quarantine Binge Guide: Movies

The Pound For Pound Streaming Champ – Mission Impossible: Fallout

Mission Impossible: Fallout: 147 minutes. Watch on Hulu or Amazon Prime.

Right now, the pound for pound champ on the streaming services is Mission Impossible: Fallout. It’s rare to find a franchise that continues to improve with each new addition, but that’s exactly what Mission Impossible has done. No actor or actress understands how to physically and emotionally channel a specific role more than Tom Cruise and his portrayal of Ethan Hunt. Don’t let the death dying stunts distract you from the film’s brilliant and suspenseful story. Watching Fallout will be the best two and a half hours you spend today.

A Star Is Born That’s Not Named Gaga – Wild Rose

Wild Rose: 101 minutes. Watch on Hulu.

“Shallow” was the best musical moment of 2018. In 2019, Lady Gaga passed the torch to Jessie Buckley with her performance of “Glasgow (No Place Like Home)” in Wild Rose. Why didn’t we pay attention to this film more upon its release in April 2019? Unfortunately, I’m guilty as well since I didn’t see the film until January 2020. However, I’m atoning for my mistake by shouting about the brilliance of Buckley from every rooftop in New York City. Unlike most stocks on the DOW, Buckley’s stock is trending upwards thanks to stellar performances in Wild Rose and Chernobyl. Don’t believe me? Listen to her sing “Glasgow” at the 2020 BAFTAs. I dare you to tell me she’s not a star. Go ahead. Try me.

Humans Are Awesome – Free Solo

Free Solo: 100 minutes. Watch on Hulu or Disney+.

Every so often, a movie comes along that leaves you speechless. Your mind can’t comprehend what occurred onscreen and it fills you with the belief that anything is truly possible. For me, that movie is Free Solo. The film profiles Alex Honnold on his journey to perform a free solo climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. For those that don’t know, a free solo climb occurs when climbers don’t use any ropes, harnesses, or protective equipment. It’s you, a bag of chalk, and the rock. The visuals in Free Solo may be magnificent, but they can make you sick to your stomach. In a time where inspiration is hard to find, Free Solo will inject you with hope and optimism.

A Delightful Movie – Long Shot

Long Shot: 125 minutes. Watch on HBO Go.

The surprise couple of 2019 was Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron. Who knew they had so much chemistry? I’m not trying to belittle the film by describing it as delightful. Long Shot is delightful because I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing throughout the movie. Maybe that’s because I was so surprised by how well it worked. Theron could turn water into wine, which is why she’s one of the best working actresses in Hollywood. However, I did not expect such a sweet and thoughtful performance from Rogen. The actor still made me laugh with his stoner persona, but it was his believable performance as a man in love with his crush that won me over.

Don’t Chew Your Popcorn Loudly – A Quiet Place

A Quiet Place: 90 minutes. Watch on Hulu or Amazon Prime.

The tagline should have been “A Quiet Place: You Will Need A Xanax To Watch.” It’s difficult to describe A Quiet Place without revealing any spoilers. Essentially, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, and their two children live in a world where blind creatures attack when they hear a sound hence why they need to be quiet. It’s a quick, entertaining horror film that’s a damn good time. Keep your chewing sounds to a minimum.

Maya Erskine Fan Club – Plus One

Plus One: 98 minutes. Watch on Hulu.

Welcome to the Maya Erskine Fan Club. Please take your seat as the meeting will begin shortly. As I wrote in this piece about rising actresses, Erskine had a great 2019. First, Erskine and her creative partner, Anna Konkle, released the charming and hilarious show, Pen15, on Hulu. Then, Erskine built on that momentum with Plus One, a romantic comedy about two friends that agree to be one another’s plus ones to future weddings. Erskine’s excellent comedic timing and strong chemistry with Jack Quaid made Plus One a contender for most underrated movie of the year. It’s one of the better rom-coms of the past five years. Go watch Plus One, and I’ll see you at the next meeting.

Rapid Fire

Let’s Blow Some Shit Up – 6 Underground. 128 minutes. Watch on Netflix. Ryan Reynolds plays Deadpool without a mask in a Michael Bay film with more explosions than Saving Private Ryan‘s opening scene. Sign me up.

You Need To See This Movie To Believe It – Midsommar. 148 minutes. Watch on Amazon Prime. Lol. That’s really all I have to say about Midsommar.

The Movie That Reignited Rom-Coms – Set It Up. 105 minutes. Watch on Netflix. Rom-coms didn’t die in the 2010s. They just took a break. Set It Up reignited the genre.

Pete Davidson Can Act – Big Time Adolescence. 90 minutes. Watch on Hulu. I really, really enjoyed this version of Pete Davidson.

Lizzo’s Lyrics As A Movie – Booksmart. 105 minutes. Watch on Hulu. I just took a DNA test turns out… You know the rest. Booksmart rules.

Watch Parasite Before You Watch Anything Else – Parasite. 132 minutes. Rent on VOD or wait until April 8 when it streams on Hulu. Nothing else matters until you watch Parasite. It will change your life.

What movie will you be watching? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Astros, Cheating, And Baseball: Do We Actually Care?

Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman

I’m sure you’ve heard the popular phrase, “If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying.” Everyone cheats. We cheat on our diets when we sneak in some late-night ice cream. Your drunk uncle cheats in Uno when he stashes some extra wild cards in his hand. Hell, men and women cheat on their significant others all the time. If we’re so used to cheating, do we actually care about the Astros’ cheating scandal in baseball?

By now, you probably know about the Houston Astros and their sign-stealing scandal that dates back to 2016. The year is noteworthy because the Astros won the World Series in 2017 and fell one game short of winning it all in 2019. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred conducted an investigation and handed out punishments: manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow received one-year suspensions, loss of 1st and 2nd round draft picks in 2020 and 2021, and a $5 million fine.

Clearly, the majority of baseball fans including myself viewed this as a slap on the wrist and the outcry for harsher punishments were evident. To avoid the PR nightmare, the Astros fired Hinch and Luhnow. From there, two of the ring leaders in the scandal, Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran, also lost their managerial jobs with the Red Sox and Mets, respectively.

The main lesson from all of this may end up being to not fuck with the Internet. And, don’t bang trash cans to steal signs.

And don’t piss off Trevor Bauer and Mike Clevinger.

And don’t wear buzzers on your chests (?).

Now that you’ve read my Wikipedia entry above, let’s get down to business. Do we actually care about the Astros’ cheating scandal? Yes, I care, but it’s not black and white and there is a level of hypocrisy.

Full disclosure, I am a Yankees fan. The Astros have been a thorn in my side for the past three seasons. From Altuve’s multiple home runs to Verlander’s endless strikeouts, the Astros contributed to my seasonal depression over the winter. Therefore, I’m fully invested in this scandal.

Before I’m accused of throwing stones in glass houses, I’m fully aware the Yankees have cheated before. If you’re anti-steroids, then you can have a field day on Yankees in the late 90s and early 00s. I’m aware that Yankees violated a rule that deals with the use of the dugout phone. I’m also aware the Yankees used their video room to try and decode signs from 2015-2017 before rules were put into place during the 2018 season. If you want to attack the Yankees for all of that, have a field day. However, it’s not like the Yankees were the only team using steroids and trying to decode signs in the replay room.

Now, I feel that I can now speak on what the Astros did, which is bullshit. I’m fully aware every team tries to cheat including my own, but what the Astros did took what we view as cheating and raised it to the tenth power. If you can decode signs without the help of electronics, by all means, go for it. It’s like when Mike D discovered Teddy KGB’s tell in Rounders. That’s gamesmanship. I’m all for it.

However, the Astros used a center field camera to spy on the catcher’s signs, decode them in the replay room, and bang trash cans to relay the message to the batter. That’s cheating. Plus, imagine if there’s concrete evidence that the players were wearing buzzers on their chests. The Astros are very talented, but if the buzzer rumor is true, is their World Series title legit? I’m not giving it an asterisk, but it’s clouded in controversy.

So here I am as a conflicted baseball fan. In a game that has had countless instances of cheating, does this cheating scandal matter? It does matter. What the Astros did was bullshit and they should be punished. I’m not one to take away a World Series, but after Altuve and Bregman’s unapologetic comments, I’m willing to consider suspensions for the players involved. The players do not receive the benefit of the doubt, anymore. The coaches should not be the only ones who fall on the sword.

I’d like to believe the majority of fans care about this scandal, but as baseball has taught us, some other scandal will come in a few years and the Astros sign-stealing will be in the rearview mirror. Until then, I’m going to care and I hope you (pretend to) care, too.

Do you care about the cheating scandal? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

2021 Oscars: Way-Too-Early Predictions

2021 Oscars

2021 Oscars? It’s never too early! Going into the 2020 Oscars, I expected all of the favorites to win. 1917 and Sam Mendes would win Best Picture and Best Director, respectively. Joaquin Phoenix, Renée Zellweger, Brad Pitt, and Laura Dern would win in their respective acting categories. I would have been fine with all of those decisions.

Then, the unthinkable happened.

Hearing “Parasite” still gives me goosebumps. Parasite not only won Best Picture, Best Orginal Screenplay, and Best International Feature, but Bong Joon-ho shocked the world when he won Best Director. I’m here to firmly state that Parasite is the real deal. It was my favorite movie of 2019 and it deserved every major award and then some.

That being said, it’s time to look ahead to the 2021 Oscars. It may be considered “downtime” for award season movies, but I’m always looking towards what’s on the horizon. I did this same article last year and my predictions were rocky, to say the least. It’s bad, but I’ve definitely seen worse. Here were my predictions in Feb. 2019.

*Did not pick supporting categories

After I clean my mouth of vomit from those predictions, I’ll move on. So what’s on tap for 2020 that we could see at the 2021 Oscars? Three heavy hitters come right to mind: Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite as writers for the first time since Good Will Hunting in The Last Duel. Guillermo del Toro should be releasing his followup to the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water. Sofia Coppola, Wes Anderson, Spike Lee, David Fincher, and Aaron Sorkin all have films coming out in 2021. A lot can change from now until next February. However, here are my way-too-early (and reckless) predictions for the 2021 Oscars.

Best Picture

  • Dune
  • The French Dispatch
  • Hillbilly Elegy
  • Mank
  • Nightmare Alley
  • Nomadland
  • Tenet
  • The Trial of the Chicago 7
  • Untitled David O. Russell film
  • West Side Story

Best Actor

  • Adam Driver, The Last Duel
  • Anthony Hopkins, The Father
  • Christian Bale, Untitled David O. Russell film
  • Denzel Washington, Macbeth
  • Gary Oldman, Mank

Best Actress

  • Amy Adams, Hillbilly Elegy
  • Ana de Armas, Blonde
  • Cate Blanchet, Nightmare Alley
  • Frances McDormand, Macbeth
  • Jennifer Hudson, Respect

Best Supporting Actor

  • Bill Murray, On the Rocks
  • Chadwick Boseman, Da 5 Bloods
  • David Strathairn, Nomadland
  • Mark Rylance, The Trial of the Chicago 7
  • Willem Dafoe, Nightmare Alley

Best Supporting Actress

  • Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy (If this movie gets positive reviews, expect a HUGE campaign for Close for Best Supporting Actress. Once again, if the movie is well-received by critics, Close will finally win an Oscar.)
  • Jodie Comer, The Last Duel
  • Octavia Spencer, The Witches
  • Rita Moreno, West Side Story
  • Saoirse Ronan, Ammonite

Best Director

  • Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
  • David Fincher, Mank
  • David O. Russell, Untitled film
  • Steven Spielberg, West Side Story
  • Wes Anderson, The French Dispatch

If I get more than 5 of these predictions right, I’ll be happy. See you next February.

Do you agree or disagree with my predictions? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @danny_giro.

Betting The 2020 Oscars: Best Bets To Make

Ready for the 2020 Oscars? First, I gave you my picks. Now, I want to make you some money. Betting the Oscars is not a typical bet. It’s not like a sports bet where the result is determined live. Oscar bets are voted on by the Academy so essentially, we’re betting on how a group of people voted. It’s not easy, but there are some keys to look for while betting the 2020 Oscars.

  • Use Results From Other Award Shows As Guide – It’s very rare for an award winner to come out of nowhere. Usually, each category has one to three contenders. In most cases, these contenders won awards at major shows like the Golden Globes, SAGs, or BAFTAs. Furthermore, for technical awards, there are guild awards given out for crafts like writing, editing, and cinematography. The more awards won at the guilds, the better the chances of winning an Oscar.
  • Favorites Win A Lot – This doesn’t help when it comes to making money, but it does pay off to pick favorites if you are doing an Oscars pool where you have to pick winners without odds.
  • Look For Bets With The Best Value – The bets I’m suggesting to make are not “locks.” Most of them are underdogs and long shots. They may not win, but it’s your best chance of making money. Try to avoid categories where the favorite is significantly out of reach.
  • Bet At Your Own Risk – I’m not legally obligated to say this, but I’m going to say it anyway. Have fun, but be smart!

*Odds taken from Draftkings at 5:30 PM EST. Subject to change.

My picks do NOT reflect who I believe will win. They reflect the best bet you can make to win the most money.

Best Picture

DK Best Picture 2020

Great value here for the top three spots. 1917 is the favorite because of Best Picture wins at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and PGAs. Right on its tail is Parasite, which won the Best Ensemble Award at the SAGs and will win Best International Feature Film. My pick is 1917 because the PGA winner has won 8 of the last 10 Best Pictures at the Oscars. Plus, it has great odds for a frontrunner. I’d bet on both 1917 and Parasite. If you have extra money to blow, sprinkle a little cash on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The Academy loves Tarantino and they love movies about Hollywood. 10 to 1 odds make for a great payout.

Bets To Make: 1917 in Best Picture -125 and/or Parasite in Best Picture +150

Every Acting Category

Do you like lighting your money on fire? If so, then you’ll love betting on the acting categories. I’m trying to make a case for any actor not named Renée Zellweger, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, and Laura Dern, but I can’t do it with a straight face. All four actors are heavy favorites and have few losses on their resumes this season. Even though I don’t believe this will happen, if I had to pick one upset, it would be Scarlett Johansson in Best Actress. I can’t advise anyone to place a bet on an underdog in any of these categories, but Scar Jo in Marriage Story would be my play.

Bet To Make: Scarlett Johansson in Best Actress +1000

Best Original Screenplay And Best Adapted Screenplay

Two categories, two underdogs that have legitimate shots at winning. Let’s start with original screenplay. Parasite is the favorite because of wins at the WGAs and BAFTAs. However, right on Director Bong’s heels is Mr. Quentin Tarantino. You can never count out Tarantino in the original screenplay category because of his two previous wins for Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained. I would never blame someone for betting on Tarantino. In adapted screenplay, Jojo Rabbit also picked up wins at the WGA and BAFTAs. However, Greta Gerwig wrote the best adaptation of Little Women to date. Do not count her out, but Taika Waititi and Jojo is the best bet to make.

Bets To Make: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in Best Orginal Screenplay +150 // Jojo Rabbit in Best Adapted Screenplay -177

Best Sound Editing And Best Sound Mixing

DK sound editing mixing Oscars 2020

The 1917 domino starts in the technical categories. If it wins in both sound editing and sound mixing, then 1917 is due for a huge night. That’s a possibility that may end up happening. However, for betting, Ford v Ferrari as a slight underdog in both categories is juicy. Ford v Ferrari is a very loud and effective film. If I had to choose which category Ford v Ferrari will win, I’m going with sound mixing.

Bet To Make: Ford v Ferrari in Best Sound Mixing +125

What are your best bets for the 2020 Oscars? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.