This Is Us Season 4 Fall Finale: What Just Happened?

This Is Us

If you’re not watching This Is Us or you left the bandwagon after Season 2, it’s time to turn the channel to NBC at 9 PM EST on Tuesday nights. This Is Us is a television rollercoaster for both good and bad reasons. Season 1 was phenomenal. Season 2 was solid. Season 3 was a step in the wrong direction. Season 4 is back to creating the magic formed in Season 1.

If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you watched the midseason finale last night. First of all, it was another solid episode, but the ending was great thanks to a flash forward that revealed some major storylines. What do they mean? What does the future hold for the Big Three? Let’s break down all of the clues revealed in the final scene.

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

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Kevin’s 40 With An Engaged Fiancée

Without a doubt, the MVP of Season 4 has been Kevin. The first member of the Big 3 is having his best season of the series. Between his chemistry with Uncle Nicky and the storyline with Cassidy, Kevin’s character arc is the one I’m invested in the most. Sterling K. Brown gets most of the love from critics (and rightfully so), but Justin Hartley is closing in fast. Hartley’s not just the comedic presence anymore. His performance is emotionally gripping, carefully nuanced, and when the smoke clears, he should be rewarded with an Emmy nomination.

In the episode, after becoming a better person thanks to his time Nicky, Kevin wants to marry a woman and start a family by age 40, which is nine months away. In typical This Is Us fashion, the flash forward revealed that Kevin has a pregnant fiancee on his 40th birthday. Who is the lucky lady? Many fans are saying that it’s Cassidy because the timeline of when they spent the night together matches up with Kevin’s 40th birthday. Could it be a past love such as Sophie or Zoe?

Prediction: Kevin’s fiancee is a new character that we’ll meet sometime in the second half of the season. However, I’m Team Sophie for life.

Are Kate And Toby Separated?

Kate and Toby are on the rocks and I, for one, am SHOCKED! Ok, I’m really not shocked because they fight every episode. Some type of separation has been brewing for a while now. Only time will tell if it leads to a divorce. Back in Season 3, fans (myself included) went wild when Toby was seen without a wedding ring in a flash forward. In last night’s midseason finale, This Is Us revealed a few more breadcrumbs. When Kate picked up Toby’s phone, he received a text from “LadyKryptonite” in the Crossfit Crew that implies Toby revealed his marital problems to his group. Is this woman Toby’s actual “kryptonite?”

Then, in the flash forward, Kate signed the police report as “Kate Pearson,” not “Kate Damon” or “Kate Pearson-Damon.” However, Kate is still wearing her wedding ring.

https://twitter.com/l_janele/status/1196990084639272966?s=20

Prediction: Toby is not having an affair with Lady Kryptonite. However, Kate will accuse Toby of cheating on her, which Toby will deny because it never happened. However, the damage will be done. This accusation will lead to another fight and temporary separation. However, they won’t get divorced.

Rebecca’s Memory

For a show about memory, this storyline hurts the most. For the past few episodes, Rebecca has been in a battle with memory loss. Losing her phone, forgetting the movie during the trailer, and constantly taking pictures on her phone hint that Rebecca’s memory is deteriorating. But how much is it deteriorating? It’s important to note that only Randall and Miguel know about Rebecca’s memory struggles. In the flash forward, Rebecca’s memory has gotten significantly worse, so much so that the police had to drive her to the cabin to meet up with the rest of the family. These aren’t what Miguel called “senior moments.” We know that Rebecca’s health will eventually lead to a hospital bed in Kevin’s house with Nicky at her side, but how will the show get there?

Prediction: Rebecca has Alzheimer’s and by the end of Season 4, that will be the official diagnosis.

Randall And Kevin’s Falling Out

Just when you think all is well with the Pearson brothers, think again. While the flash forward revealed Kevin’s future as a father, it also showed that Kevin is no longer speaking to Randall. Considering the two were on great terms during Thanksgiving means a huge fight is on the horizon.

Prediction: Kevin and Randall have a falling out over Rebecca’s mental health. Randall finds out about the diagnosis, but Rebecca swears him to secrecy so he doesn’t tell Kevin and Kate. Kevin eventually finds out months later and chastizes Randall for keeping this huge secret that leads to their split.

What are your predictions after the midseason finale of Season 4? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow, or email us at immad@unafraidshow.com.

Christmas Movie Debate: Home Alone Vs. Home Alone 2: Lost In New York

When I think of the perfect Christmas movie, one franchise comes to mind and that’s Home Alone. What’s not to like about the Home Alone franchise? The first two movies are hilarious, heart-warming, and most importantly, the most quotable Christmas movies of all-time. It’s rare to have two classic movies in the same franchise, but I’ll put Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York up with any Christmas movie out there.

This month, Home Alone will celebrate its 29th anniversary (Nov. 16) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York will celebrate its 27th anniversary (Nov. 20). Almost three decades later and these films are still extremely rewatchable. That being said, which one is better, the original or the sequel? Which movie has the better young Macaulay Culkin performance? There are no right answers, but then again, I have the right answer. Let’s break it down, shall we?

Better Plot

If you have never seen either movie, first of all, are you a normal human? Secondly, what basic plotline would grab your attention more?

  • “An eight-year-old troublemaker must protect his house from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation.”
  • “A nine-year-old troublemaker accidentally boards a plane to New York instead of Florida and must defeat a pair of criminals who seek revenge in an NYC apartment.”

The first plot doesn’t make a lot of sense. Why would a kid have to defend his house from burglars? Why would burglars attempt to fight a kid? The second plot has more storylines built-in. A kid misses his plane to Florida, ends up in NYC, and has to fend off revenge-seeking criminals. I’ll take the second plot, which belongs to Home Alone 2.

Winner – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Better House

Home Alone
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

New York City brownstones are cool, but the McCallister’s Chicago residence is my dream home.

Winner – Home Alone

Better Proof That Peter And Kate McCallister Are The Worst Parents Ever

One of the underlying themes of the Home Alone series revolves around parenting. Peter and Kate McCallister SUCK as parents. How the hell do you leave your child behind not once, but twice? When/If I become a parent, my routine for leaving the house will be as followed: phone, keys, wallet, and child. The selfish McCallisters only care about arriving at the airport in order to enjoy Christmas in a foreign climate. How about you check to make sure you have your children before saying “bon voyage” to Chicago?

What makes you a worse parent, forgetting about your child before a flight the first time or the second time? Some may argue it’s the second time, but in Home Alone 2, getting lost in an airport and boarding the wrong flight is possible. You’re still a shitty parent, but I can throw you the tiniest of bones. In Home Alone, there are no excuses. Forgetting about your child who slept in the ATTIC is the more egregious offense.

Winner – Home Alone

Better Use Of The Angels With Filthy Souls Series

https://youtu.be/GcOsVzSOqoQ

“Keep the change, you filthy animal,” or “Merry Christmas, you filthy animal?” I’ll preface this argument by saying Home Alone 2 has the funnier scene. Between Tim Curry’s “I love you,” to Cliff’s “It’s a lie,” the scene is comedic genius. However, the better use of the Angels With Filthy Souls happens in Home Alone. Not only does Kevin use the movie to purchase a pizza (Kevin left a shitty tip, but no 8-year-old knows how to tip), but he successfully scares off Marv from burglarizing his house during the afternoon. It was the first of many wins for Kevin.

Winner – Home Alone

Better Old Person Who Saves The Day

Full disclosure, Old Man Marley and Pigeon Lady still scare me to this day. Both Old Man Marley and Pigeon Lady are old, social outcasts who provide Kevin with sage wisdom and loving advice. I think of them as Kevin’s grandpa and grandma. Old Man Marley saved Kevin from having his fingers eaten by Joe Pesci, but his “talent” is shoveling salt onto the sidewalk. Whoop-de-doo, Basil! Pigeon Lady was a badass who could control the minds of pigeons and manipulate them to attack her enemies. Ok, so not all of that is true, but Pigeon Lady and her bird friends saved Kevin from being shot to death. Pigeon Lady gets the nod.

Winner – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Better Performance From The Wet Bandits

https://youtu.be/-Xe0AzKBLzA

This is by far the toughest category. Kevin may be the heart of the Home Alone series, but Harry and Marv aka the Wet Bandits are the backbones. Without the stupidity and the charm of the Wet Bandits, this movie doesn’t work. Between their iconic one-liners to their near-death experiences, Harry and Marv are the worst criminals known to man and we love them for it. This category is a wash.

Winner – Tie

Better Traps

The Wet Bandits would have had a hall of fame career as criminals had it not been for a boy genius with a thrill for the dramatics and love for torture. In both films, Kevin created deathly traps that would kill most people. The first movie has the iconic paint bucket trap as well as the tarantula scene. But, Kevin took his mischevious mind to the tenth power in the sequel. The electrocution, the hat explosion, the staple gun, and the rope-burn still make cringe. However, my favorite is still the brick throw. Suck brick, kid!

Winner – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Better Ending

Waking up on a white, snowy Christmas to your mom and family is a pretty good ending. However, just like Kevin, I’m a sucker for Christmas trees and New York City has the crème de la crème of Christmas trees at Rockefeller Center. Kevin could have gone anywhere in New York City, but he chose one of the most magical (and touristy) places to go and for that, I salute him.

Winner – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

In the end, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York narrowly beats Home Alone. However, you truly can’t go wrong with either film. It’s one of the few times that both the original and sequel are top-notch. If I don’t see you over the holiday season, Merry Christmas, you filthy animals.

P.S. We don’t talk about Home Alone 3, 4, and 5. However, we can talk about how a young Scarlett Johansson was in Home Alone 3. Save that fact for a snowy day.

Which is better, Home Alone or Home Alone 2: Lost in New York? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow, or email us at immad@unafraidshow.com.

2020 Oscars Best Picture Predictions: Is There A Frontrunner?

Marriage Story

The race for Best Picture at the 2020 Oscars is heating up, or is it? Back in July, these were my early Best Picture predictions.

These predictions aren’t bad, but there are a few misfires. Your honor, please remove A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Ad Astra, Cats (LOL), and Toy Story 4 from the list. Now, let’s go with the locks of the group. The Irishman and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are guaranteed to be nominated for Best Picture. From there, I’m confident in keeping Ford v. Ferrari and Little Women on this list because of their positive reviews and well-respected directors (James Mangold for Ford v. Ferrari and Greta Gerwig for Little Women). I’m also going to keep Bombshell (previously titled Fair and Balanced) for now because of strong buzz after its initial screening last week. Plus, it’s a reflection on the political climate (think Vice from last year) and that should play well with voters.

So who rounds out the list? For argument’s sake, let’s say that the Academy will choose ten films to receive Best Picture nominations, which means there are five spots remaining. (Best Picture has not included 10 nominations since 2010. It’s usually been eight or nine.) One of those spots is going to Marriage Story, which has a chance to win the top prize. Because it won the Golden Lion at Venice and its box office success, Joker should get a nomination as well.

Now comes the hard part. With three spots remaining, the Academy can go in one of many directions. Parasite, the South Korean thriller from Bong Joon-ho, has been met with universal acclaim and should win Best International Feature Film. That being said, will it also be nominated for Best Picture? Remember that last year, Roma won International Film, but lost in Best Picture. Jojo Rabbit, Taika Waititi’s satirical black comedy about Hitler youth, won the People’s Choice Award at TIFF. Why is that significant? The last seven winners of that award went on to be nominated for Best Picture. The Farewell won critics over earlier this Summer, but the film’s best chance at a nomination may be in Best Actress for Awkwafina. The Two Popes has not been seen by most people but it received a warm reception on the festival circuit. Finally, watch out for 1917, a WWI film about two young British soldiers racing to deliver a message to save their troops against the Germans. WWI epic with an Academy Award-winning director (Sam Mendes for American Beauty) has a Best Picture nomination written all over it.

We’re still over a month away from Golden Globes‘ nominations, which will be a good barometer for the Oscars. That being said, here are my Best Picture nominations as of Oct. 25.

Best Picture Predictions

  • 1917
  • Bombshell
  • Ford v. Ferrari
  • The Irishman
  • Jojo Rabbit
  • Joker
  • Little Women
  • Marriage Story
  • Parasite
  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

As for the answer I posed in the headline, there is no true frontrunner, but the three films near the top are The Irishman, Marriage Story, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

What are your Best Picture predictions? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Like Dominos, States are Falling into the College Athlete NIL Movement

compensate College Athletes

Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom set a trend when he signed the Fair Pay to Play Act into law on LeBron James’ hit show The Shop. The new law will take effect in 2023. The Fair Pay to Play Act will give college athletes in California the ability to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Specifically, college athletes will be allowed to garner endorsement deals and otherwise monetize their NIL without losing eligibility. The law also allows college athletes to sign with agents. The Fair Pay to Play Act is proving to be a trendsetter. Several states have announced plans to join the college athlete NIL movement.

Prior to the Fair Pay to Play Act being signed into law, a few other states had plans to introduce similar legislation to comp. Since the Fair Pay to Play Act became law states in almost every region of the country have announced plans to create similar legislation. The NCAA’s threats to ban California colleges from post-season play has been no match for legislators who are determined to do what is right for college athletes. These legislators are determined to create a more equitable college athletics system.

Currently, college athletes propel a billion-dollar college sports industry and are limited to a cost-of-attendance scholarship for their efforts. Meanwhile, coaches’ salaries continue to grow and the non-profit NCAA generates a billion-dollars per year. Several state and federal lawmakers are determined to give college athletes a bigger piece of the pie. Let’s take a look at the states that have joined the college athlete NIL movement since the passage of the Fair Pay to Play Act.

States With Plans to Introduce College Athlete NIL Legislation

In the midwest, Illinois and Minnesota state lawmakers have announced plans to introduce a college athlete NIL bills. Pennsylvania and Maryland are both considering introducing legislation similar to the Fair Pay to Play Act. Several lawmakers in Nevada have stated that they would consider introducing similar legislation. A lawmaker in Kentucky is reportedly drafting a bill addressing college athlete compensation. Perhaps the most notable state to join the college athlete NIL movement is the state of Florida.

Two Florida lawmakers have already filed bills. On October 4, Chip LaMarca filed HB 287. This bill seeks to allow college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. If signed into law, it will become effective on July 1, 2020. Prior to HB 287, Florida representative Kionee McGhee filed HB 251. That bill is also set to become effective on July 1, 2020. HB 251seeks to allow college athletes to receive “specified compensation.” The bill will also create a Florida College System Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Task Force. With these two bills, Florida is bound to give college athletes the ability to profit from their NIL.

Download the Podcast Detailing CA and the Other States Legislation

The College Athlete NIL Movement has a Potential Newcomer on the Federal Level

The current collegiate model is not only being challenged on the state level. The collegiate model is being challenged at the federal level as well. Earlier this year, U.S. Congressman Mark Walker introduced the Student-Athlete Equity Act. The NCAA is exempt from federal taxation as an organization that organizes amateur sports and national championships. The Student-Athlete Equity Act seeks to remove that exemption if the NCAA continues to enforce rules that prohibit college athletes from profiting from their NIL. In addition to this fight at the federal level, the NCAA is about to face another one.

A U.S. Congressman from Ohio is planning to introduce a federal bill similar to the Fair Pay to Play Act. Representative Anthony Gonzalez, a former Ohio State wide receiver, plans to introduce a federal bill that will allow college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. Gonzalez would like to see NIL compensation become a reality before 2020. However, he may wait until the NCAA’s NIL working group releases its’ findings before introducing legislation.

Paying College Athletes has Bipartisan Support

As more state and federal lawmakers announce plans to introduce college athlete legislation, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the issue has bipartisan support. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been vocal in support of the legislation. Perhaps this is because they all can see the blatant inequities in the current collegiate sports system. In a capitalist society, no one can reasonably support the notion that college athletes should be prohibited from profiting from their NIL. The bipartisan support will continue to grow. The NCAA will be forced to enact a meaningful change on the issue or sit back and watch lawmakers do it for them.

What Worked And What Didn’t Work In El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

Aaron Paul El Camino

The wait is over. Jesse Pinkman, welcome back to our lives. After six long years, Jesse Pinkman has returned to our television screens in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. After taking the weekend to process my thoughts, I’m ready to talk. Here’s what worked and what didn’t work in El Camino.

This post will contain major spoilers for El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. If you have not watched the film yet, stop reading now.

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Seriously, spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned.

What Worked: Jesse’s Ending

Out of all the major characters in Breaking Bad, Jesse was the biggest name to have an open-ended future. In the series finale, Jesse escaped in Todd’s El Camino and his future was up to the audience to decide. Part of me believes that Gilligan created El Camino because of his unsatisfaction and guilt with how Jesse’s story ended and felt like he needed to properly close his saga. In 2013, Gilligan stated that he hoped Jesse moved to “Alaska to live a peaceful life.” Then, in the first scene, Mike mentioned that he would go to Alaska if he were Jesse. Right then and there, I knew Jesse was making it to Alaska. Did that ruin the film for me knowing that Jesse would stay alive the entire time? No, it did not. After being tortured for the last season and a half of Breaking Bad, Jesse deserved a peaceful resolution.

What Didn’t Work: The Entire Film Being Set In Albuquerque

I have no problem with Jesse getting to Alaska successfully. However, I wish the film spent more time in Alaska and less time in Albuquerque. Between Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, we spend so much time in Albuquerque. It would’ve been awesome to see a Breaking Bad movie in Alaska. Imagine if we saw Jesse adjusting to life in his Alaskan cabin and had to interact with the townspeople. If El Camino spent the first half of the film in Albuquerque and the second half in Alaska, then I’d sign up for that film in a heartbeat. Setting the film in Alaska would have been a risk, but these Gilligan could have pulled it off.

What Worked: Todd

TODD! My biggest takeaway from the film revolves around Todd and how amazing he was as a villain. Breaking Bad highlighted on a few of Todd’s evil tendencies (most notably, shooting Drew in “Dead Freight” and Andrea in “Granite State“), but the show never fully displayed how Todd broke Jesse, both physically and mentally. The scene where Todd convinced Jesse to give him the gun in the desert while persuading him with a pepperoni pizza and some beer is equally horrifying as it is impressive. This scene is why Jesse exacting his revenge on Todd in “Felina” is so satisfying. Jesse Plemons is a fantastic villain as evidenced in Breaking Bad, Fargo, and Black Mirror. If Breaking Bad ever wanted to do a spinoff on Todd’s life and how he got mixed up with Uncle Jack and the drug universe, I’m all in for “Breaking Todd.”

What Didn’t Work: Walt

It truly pains me to type this, but Walt’s flashback scene did nothing for me. In El Camino, the flashback takes place during a season two episode titled, “4 Days Out,” where Walt and Jesse go on a meth-cooking bender in order to try and secure enough money for Walt’s family. The scene takes place sometime between leaving the desert and dropping off Walt at the airport. The significance is that it takes place a few episodes before meeting Gus Fring and Jane’s death. In other words, it’s a few episodes before Walt breaks bad. The scene at the cafe is purely fan service, which is both good and bad. If Walt was not featured in some capacity, fans would have rioted. It was a light, semi-fun scene that highlighted the initial friendship between Walt and Jesse. But that friendship was so long ago that it’s hard to remember Walt as a “good guy.” I preferred Heisenberg Walt in a flashback over “I’m selling drugs for my family” Walt.

What Worked: Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad / Sony Pictures Television

Jesse might have been Walt’s sidekick, but Aaron Paul was equally as good as Bryan Cranston. Just like his character, it took some time for Paul to find his own as Jesse, but when he got it right, it was magic. Walt might have been the brains behind the show, but Jesse was the heart. Walt may have broken bad, but Jesse tried to hold onto his morality throughout the entire show. El Camino gave Paul a chance to shine as the true lead, and he made the most of this opportunity. Paul’s Jesse is the perfect mix of a criminal trying to make up for previous mistakes. Paul’s performance is full of heartbreak, compassion, and finally, satisfaction as the book of Jesse Pinkman came to an end.

What Didn’t Work: It Felt Like A Long Episode of Breaking Bad, Not A Film

To some, this is a positive. A long episode of Breaking Bad is better than no Breaking Bad at all. El Camino was a fan service at its finest. The montage in Todd’s apartment, the return of memorable characters, and the aerial camera shots were all familiar elements from the series. However, I wouldn’t consider El Camino a film. El Camino felt like an episode during the middle of a season. Spending time at Skinny Pete’s house and searching for money at Todd’s dragged out and could have been shorter. I expected the film to be more action-packed and to the point. The film didn’t really “get going” until Jesse interacted with the Kandy Welding Company at Todd’s apartment. As I said earlier, a long episode of Breaking Bad is better than no Breaking Bad at all, but that doesn’t necessarily work for something billed as a film.

Final Takeaway

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie was a satisfying film that provided a lot of fan service thanks to cameos from memorable characters. Will it be ranked towards the top of the Breaking Bad universe? No. Will it be ranked towards the bottom? No. It will stand on its own as a tribute to a phenomenal show, which is where it should be.

Did you enjoy El Camino? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Joker Review: Joaquin Phoenix Goes All In And Shines

Joker Movie Joaquin Phoenix

While speaking with his mother, Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck turns to his mother and says, “I used to think that my life was a tragedy. But now, I realize it’s a comedy.” Arthur may be smiling, but the audience cowers in fear as they watch a man embrace his inner demons and become one of the world’s most famous villains, the Joker.

*This article will have light spoilers. However, it will not discuss major plot points.

Phoenix stars as Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill man who has been humiliated and disregarded by society in Gotham City circa 1981. Arthur, who has little to no money, is a clown for hire who dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. Arthur cares for and lives with his mother Penny (Frances Conroy), who is both mentally and physically ill. The duo both share a love and obsession for acclaimed late-night host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro), who they watch every night on television. Franklin inadvertently becomes a catalyst for Arthur’s violent turn after the late-night comedian poked fun at Arthur’s standup. When Arthur and Murray finally meet, it’s suspenseful and downright terrifying because Arthur finally goes off the deep end. However, not all things are bad for Fleck as he’s able to strike up a relationship with Sophie (Zazie Beetz), who lives down the hall.

The entire film rests on the protruding backbone of Phoenix, who lost 52 pounds for the role. There’s going “all in” for a role, and then there’s what Phoenix did. Phoenix completely immersed himself into the mind of a mentally ill and deranged man who turns to unspeakable actions of violence. The way Phoenix contorts his body and maniacally laughs is both disturbing and unsettling, but also spellbinding. Phoenix expertly toes the line between a sympathetic and hopeful Arthur to a twisted and demented Joker. Phoenix, a three-time Academy Award nominee, terrifies and dazzles in a performance that will most certainly be nominated for Best Actor.

At the very beginning, there is some sympathy for Arthur after witnessing how society made him feel inconsequential and inferior. All of that sympathy is a credit to Phoenix’s ability to connect with the audience. That being said, the sympathy disappears as Joker reminds the audience that it’s a character study into the mind of a monster. Arthur is a murderous psychopath who commits heinous crimes that are unforgivable. Joker is a look into how a man could break bad and turn into a nihilistic outlaw who shows no remorse for his actions.

For the first time, the Joker is not the calculated criminal that Jack Nicholson and the late Heath Ledger, whose legendary performance earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, portrayed. In fact, Batman is not even here to save the day. Joker is the origin story about how the villainous clown became a murderous criminal. This version of the Joker is not a mastermind. There’s never a moment where the Joker becomes the strategic genius that will rule Gotham. From the start, Arthur is suffering from a severe mental illness and the film never strays away from that fact.

Had it not been for a handful of references to the Wayne family and Gotham City, Joker would be a standalone film about a dark, damaged outcast from society. The film is actually better when it steers away from the comics and focuses on a man and his path towards evil. Joker was director Todd Phillips’ trojan horse as he used the famous clown to create an homage to dark, 70s crime movies. Phillips, who is known for directing comedic hits like Old School and The Hangover trilogy, crafted a film that’s the lovechild of Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. The grim setting and spine-tingling score become characters in their own right as it adds to the suspense and pure shock value of the film.

Ever since Joker won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, critics have been divided on whether the film is a masterpiece or a Taxi Driver ripoff. With the FBI monitoring mass shooting threats ahead of its premiere, some critics have even debated if this movie is dangerous, saying that it glorifies villains and could incite violence from the “kill the rich” scenes in the movie. That being said, Joker makes the audience aware that it’s an origin story about a villain. Villans are bad guys who do bad things and yes, sometimes those bad things are murder. It’s not a sympathy piece to glorify a murderer, but rather a look at the circumstances that fueled a chaotic man to commit brutal crimes. Plus, the references to the Wayne family and Gotham City instill that the film is based on a famous villain from a comic book, not real life.

Joker is going to stir up controversy, but that’s the Joker’s job. The Joker is not kind or good, but rather, sadistic and evil. The film reflects those dark themes of isolation and omission. Furthermore, Joker also will change the future of superhero films especially if Phoenix receives a Best Actor nomination and the film is up for Best Picture. Some will call Joker a triumph. Others will say it’s a letdown because of the insurmountable hype it created. What it really caused is chaos and for that, Joker gets the last laugh.

Emmys 2019: Who Should Win And Who Will Win?

Veep Emmys predictions

The 71st Emmy Awards air tonight at 8 PM EST on Fox. Who should win and who will win? Here are the top storylines as well as my predictions for the Emmys.

Top Storylines

Will Game Of Thrones dominate the night?

One of the most decorated shows on television says goodbye at tonight’s Emmys. HBO’s Game of Thrones set a record when it was nominated for 32 Emmys. At the Creative Arts Emmys, the show already won 10 Emmys, which means if it wins three tonight (which it should), it would break the record for most Emmys won by a single season. Despite a roller-coaster season that was met with mixed reviews, you don’t get nominated for 32 Emmys out of luck. Expect a big night for Thrones.

Can Julia Louis-Dreyfus make it seven for seven?

If there was a Mt. Rushmore for sitcom actors, Julia Louis-Dreyfus would be on it. Louis-Dreyfus is a dominant force at the Emmys. Before Veep, Louis-Dreyfus was nominated for 12 Emmys for her time on Seinfeld and The New Adventures of Old Christine, winning twice. What’s even more impressive is for her role as Selina Meyer in Veep, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has never lost Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Six seasons, six nominations, and six wins. Louis-Dreyfus will look to make it seven for seven.

Will Fleabag be rewarded for its brilliance?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag / Amazon Prime Video

Without a doubt, the best thing I saw on television this year was the second season of Fleabag. What Phoebe Waller-Bridge did with the Fleabag character is something that will never be replicated. It’s a true shame if Fleabag walks away empty-handed. If Veep or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel didn’t have previous Emmy experience, Fleabag would sweep all of the major awards. However, Veep just had its final season and Maisel is trying to repeat. That being said, Waller-Bridge is a lock to win comedy writing and both Olivia Colman and Sian Clifford are in the running for supporting actress. I’ll take what I can get.

Other Thoughts

  • If Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, or Rhea Seehorn never win an acting Emmy for Better Call Saul, we failed as a society.
  • They say tying is like kissing your sister, but Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh should split Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. It’s so difficult to pick one over the other.
  • I didn’t watch a lot of the Limited Series nominations so therefore, I don’t have any predictions. However, I did see Chernobyl so if I had to choose, that’s my pick.
  • Bill Hader and Henry Winkler should repeat in their respective acting categories for Barry.

Now, let’s get into the predictions.

Outstanding Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Better Call Saul 
  • Who Will Win: Game of Thrones 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
  • Who Will Win: Billy Porter, Pose

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

BBC tv show Killing Eve Best shows of 2019
Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh in Killing Eve / BBC America
  • Who Should Win: Jodie Comer or Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
  • Who Will Win: Jodie Comer or Sandra Oh, Killing Eve

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul
  • Who Will Win: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
  • Who Will Win: Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones

Outstanding Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Fleabag 
  • Who Will Win: Veep

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Bill Hader, Barry
  • Who Will Win: Bill Hader, Barry

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag
  • Who Will Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Anthony Carrigan, Barry 
  • Who Will Win: Henry Winkler, Barry

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Sian Clifford, Fleabag
  • Who Will Win: Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

What are you Emmy predictions? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

The NFL can’t stop Colin Kaepernick from winning off the field

Colin Kaepernick Nike Commercial

The NFL has not been able to beat him or shake him. Yet they won’t allow him to join them. Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, has somehow managed to maintain his relevance at the beginning of each NFL season despite not being on an NFL roster. And he did it again — with a little help from Nike — when it was announced that his commercial with Nike won the Emmy for outstanding commercial at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Last September, Nike launched the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of their “Just Do It” slogan with Colin Kaepernick as the face of the ad campaign. Nike, the official sponsor of the NFL, and Kaepernick released a very inspiring commercial as a part of the ad campaign. In the commercial, Kaepernick charges everyone to “believe in something even if it means sacrificing everything”.  

That is exactly what Kaepernick did. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback sacrificed everything when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality. As a result of his protest, he lost his job as he has yet to sign with another NFL team. Last year, the commercial sent the sports community into a frenzy. There were those who supported the commercial and praised Nike for acknowledging Kaepernick’s courage. There were those who were vehemently against it and burned their Nike products to show their disgust.

However, the majority of people clearly loved the commercial as it won the award. It is Nike’s first time winning an Emmy since 2002. The commercial is certainly a deserving recipient of the award. Nike and Kaepernick surely inspired many with the commercial. Kaepernick is the embodiment of standing up for your beliefs even it means sacrificing everything else. Colin Kaepernick has got another major win in the midst of the NFL season despite not being on an NFL roster. 

Unbelievable Review: Difficult Story Creates Powerful And Painful Drama

Merritt Wever and Toni Collette in Unbelievable

During one of the episodes in Netflix’s Unbelievable, Detective Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever), lashes out at a team member due to her frustration over a recent rape case. When describing how rape triggers more than a physical emotion, Duvall said, “This is not something people get over. This is something they carry with them forever like a bullet in the spine.”

Sexual assault is a tough subject matter to discuss, but what about witnessing a sexual assault and watching how the justice system failed an innocent victim? That notion is on full display in Unbelievable, which premiered on September 13. The pilot introduces Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever), an 18-year old Washington resident who in 2008, reports that she has been raped and assaulted by a man at her apartment. While reporting the crime to Detective Parker (Eric Lange) and Detective Pruitt (Bill Fagerbakke), the audience gets to see quick, spine-tingling flashbacks of the rape.

However, Marie’s calm demeanor and small inconsistencies in her stories lead both the police and her former foster mothers to question the validity of the assault. As Marie relives the horrific trauma through constant questioning and badgering from the police, her crippling anxiety wins out as she’s coerced to admitting the rape was a lie she had made up. This causes the police to charge Marie with filing a false report and they drop the case entirely.

Netflix’s Unbelievable Trailer

Tragically, Unbelievable is inspired by the ProPublica and The Marshall Project’s report, “An Unbelievable Story of Rape,” which chronicles the 2008-2011 Washington and Colorado serial rape cases. The Unbelievable pilot focuses on Marie’s story entirely as she tackles this awful situation practically alone. Marie has been in the foster-care system since she was 3 and struggles to trust those in power. Can you blame her? Dever’s performance is raw, emotional, and gut-wrenching. Dever is a star in the making after a tremendous year of performances in this series, which will lead to an Emmy nomination in 2020, as well as the film, Booksmart.

The pilot episode left me with tears in my eyes and I worried that seven more episodes of this would take a toll on my psyche. However, the series shifted to a parallel timeline in Colorado 2011, where we meet Detective Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and the aforementioned Detective Duvall. Rasmussen and Duvall are from neighboring towns but are brought together after both detectives find similarities in their respective rape cases. When Duvall interviews one of her rape victims, Amber (Danielle Macdonald), it’s clear from the details of the attack that Amber’s assaulter is most likely the same criminal who attacked Marie.

The brash veteran persona of Rasmussen and the meek, religious persona of Duvall mesh perfectly to create a much-needed break from the horrors of Marie’s tragedy. The chemistry between Collette and Wever is magnetic. Collette and Wever are both Emmy winners that have been admired for years so having two stars at the top of their games only adds to the greatness of Unbelievable.

Essentially, Unbelievable becomes two shows-in-one. One portion of the episode is an upsetting and horror-filled view into Marie’s conflict. The other portion is a buddy cop drama that follows the entertaining duo of Rasmussen and Duvall as they attempt to catch their serial rapist. I found myself dreading Marie’s timeline as the pit in my stomach increased every time Marie struggled to get the help she so desperately needed. On the other hand, I internally cheered whenever Rasmussen and Duvall gained a step closer to catching the criminal. Thanks to Collette and Wever, the buddy cop scenes are so fun that for a few minutes, your spirits increase and feel hopeful that justice will finally prevail, which makes Marie’s saga that much more uncomfortable and heart-breaking.

When the two stories finally intersect towards the end, it’s impossible to not immediately think about how the police botched their initial assessment in Marie’s case. If Marie received the same care and dedication towards her case that Rasmussen and Duvall showed towards their victims, then maybe they would have caught Marie’s attacker and given her the justice she deserved.

Sexual assault is a difficult topic to portray onscreen. Instead of just focusing on the assault itself, Netflix’s Unbelievable successfully crafted a harrowing look into how sexual assault not only affects the victim but everyone around it. Collette, Wever, and most notably, Dever, all give superb performances that treat this subject matter with respect and professionalism. It may be tough to watch, but Unbelievable is an eye-opening experience and a masterclass in storytelling.

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

Five Burning Questions For El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

Yeah, bitch! Those two words made famous by Jesse Pinkman perfectly describes the feelings of countless Breaking Bad fans knowing that on October 11, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie premieres on Netflix.

When we last saw Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), he was working like a slave for Todd (Jesse Plemons) and Todd’s Uncle, Jack (Michael Bowen), as the duo attempted to build a drug empire. However, in the season finale of Breaking Bad, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) infiltrated the hideout, killed all of Jack’s gang, and allowed Jesse to escape in Todd’s El Camino.

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie is set to take place after Jesse’s escape. The official synopsis states, “After escaping Jack and his gang, Jesse Pinkman goes on the run from the police and tries to escape his own inner turmoil.” As of now, the only characters officially scheduled to appear in the film are Jesse and Skinny Pete (Charles Baker).

Our heads, including mine, are about to explode. I have so many thoughts on El Camino, but I was able to narrow those down to five burning questions.

Is Walter White dead or alive?

Without a doubt, this is the number one question on the minds of every fan. Is Walter White dead or alive? This thought has been driving me crazy for over six years. At first, I believed Walt was dead because his death would be a fitting end to the series. However, as Bryan Cranston said in an interview in 2014, “I never saw bags zip up.” Screw you and your ambiguous ways, Cranston! Maybe Cranston knew in 2014 that creator Vince Gilligan wanted to make a film in a few years and asked Cranston to give mysterious answers to agonize fans. Well, it worked. Even if he’s dead, it’s hard to imagine a movie without Walt in some capacity. Whether it be through flashbacks or present-day scenes, Walt should make an appearance in some capacity.

Will Saul make an appearance?

One of the most memorable characters in Breaking Bad was the entertaining and corrupt lawyer, Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk). Saul was so entertaining that he got his own show, Better Call Saul, which happens to be one of the best television shows on right now. When we last saw Saul in Breaking Bad, he was moving to Nebraska to start a new life. Will Saul somehow cross paths with Jesse in the film? I’m leaning towards no because Better Call Saul is still on the air. That show has not wrapped so Saul’s story is still being told. If Saul ever crosses paths with Jesse again, it should be in Better Call Saul, not El Camino.

What is Skinny Pete’s role?

Besides Jesse, the only other character confirmed for El Camino is Skinny Pete. When we last saw him, Skinny Pete helped Walt force Gretchen (Jessica Hecht) and Elliot (Adam Godley) to accept Walt’s money and give it to Walt Jr. and Holly. In the teaser for El Camino, Skinny Pete is questioned by the authorities about the whereabouts of Jesse. Skinny Pete does not comply, which leads me to believe that he met up with Jesse before speaking with the cops. Will Skinny play an integral supporting role? Regardless, Skinny Pete needs to have Badger (Matt L. Jones) by his side.

Will Jesse go back to cooking meth?

When it came to building a meth empire, Jesse was just as important as Walt. Jesse knew the exact specifications needed to make the perfect meth. Before his relationship with Walt went sour, Jesse made a lot of money. I’m assuming that after speeding away in the El Camino, Jesse has no money and will need some in order to survive. Perhaps he goes to Skinny Pete for money. However, there’s always the possibility he cooks up a batch of meth to make some quick cash. It’s the Breaking Bad universe. Anything is possible.

Will Walt Jr. get to eat breakfast?

If Walt Jr. (RJ Mitte) makes an appearance and he’s not eating breakfast, we riot.

Breaking Bad is a rare series that concludes perfectly. Why risk ruining that with a movie? The same mindset was applied to Better Call Saul. Why create a spinoff to a perfect show? As we’ve seen, Better Call Saul is fantastic. If there’s anyone who deserves our trust, it’s Vince Gilligan. The man hasn’t missed once when it comes to the developing the Breaking Bad universe. There’s no doubt in my mind that El Camino will be amazing.

Until then, yeah bitch!

Are you excited for El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @unafraidshow.