What Movies Do You Love That People Hate?

Fear and John Carter

The “Good-Bad Movie” is a special piece of art. Sometimes, a movie can be so bad that it’s actually good. Other times, it feels as if you’re the only person in the world who loves and appreciates the true meaning of the film. In fact, these movies may not bad at all and receive unnecessary hate.

Not every movie can be The Godfather and that’s okay. I love plenty of movies that people hate. I call these my guilty pleasures. There’s no better feeling than flipping through the channels and picking up one of these movies during a great scene. This is exactly why I love cable and haven’t cut the cord. Loving certain movies that most people hate makes me feel part of an exclusive club. It’s like wearing a badge of honor, or from the opposite viewpoint, a badge of dishonor.

It’s more fun to embrace hatred than join the crowd. Here are some of the movies I love that people hate.

We Are Your Friends

I will go to battle for We Are Your Friends. In fact, I’m going to write an entire article on this film for its five-year anniversary next week. I’ll only touch on the “Zac Efron DJ movie.” I rewatched this movie for the first time the other night and I had an absolute blast. The first hour is so funny and enjoyable. From the soundtrack to the core group of friends, this film made me want to book a flight to California and eat sushi in the San Fernando Valley. Efron is such a charismatic guy. We know he’s A-list but still seems like an approachable and relatable guy. I’m arguably one of the only humans to see We Are Your Friends, one biggest box office bombs ever, in theaters. I had the same reaction in the theater as I did last Friday night. Once this movie decided to take itself seriously, it lost its magic. Killing Squirrel was the film’s downfall. Take out Squirrel’s death and the film becomes a staple in every college house in America.

Fear

Before Mark Wahlberg became the guy who does his job, he was an up-and-coming actor trying to distance himself from a rap career. After playing the bad boy in Basketball Diaries, Wahlberg went full stalker and pyscho in Fear, one of my guilty pleasures. Wahlberg plays David McCall, the mysterious older boy who dates Nicole Walker, played by a young Reese Witherspoon. Fear is a teenage erotic thriller that steals a few pages from Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct. As evidenced by the gif, the film gets pretty ridiculous at times. However, Wahlberg’s over-the-top performance is why I keep coming back. At the very least, you can watch a film with two actors, Wahlberg and Witherspoon, who would dominate Hollywood in the future. My only advice: Do NOT watch this movie with your parents. If they stick around, tell them to walk out of the room when David and Nicole go on the roller coaster. You’ll never hear “Wild Horses” the same way again.

John Carter

Disney

Do you remember John Carter from 2012? It was supposed to be the next big franchise from Disney. It was supposed to be Taylor Kitsch’s entry into movie stardom as the Friday Night Lights alum traded a helmet and case of beer for superhuman strength and jumping. If the main character in Avatar stayed in his human form while receiving alien powers, the result would be John Carter. Not only did John Carter become one of the biggest box office bombs ever, but it nearly killed Kitsch due to the strenuous filming schedule. The only similarity John Carter has to Avatar is its price tag with a rumored cost of $350 million. The plot is flimsy, and frankly, loses its way especially in the second act. John Carter is not Citizen Kane, but it’s not as bad as its reputation makes it seem. Kitsch unfairly received the majority of the blame for the movie’s failure when in actuality, he gives a believable performance as a grieving war veteran who accidentally becomes a hero to a new world. Our guy Tim Riggins deserves better from us. Next time you have a chance to watch Kitsch save the kingdoms of Barsoom, give it a shot.

Dances with Wolves

Hear me out. If Dances with Wolves doesn’t beat Goodfellas for Best Picture, fewer people hate it. Goodfellas is the defining moment of Martin Scorsese’s illustrious career. It’s my favorite mafia/gangster movie ever and Scorsese should have walked away from the Oscars with Best Director and Best Picture. Instead, Kevin Costner’s directorial debut took home the top prizes of the night. Dances with Wolves is very long. There are multiple scenes that showcase Costner’s ability to shave and tidy up around the house. But, it’s an astounding epic western with beautiful cinematography. The plot is simple, but Costner’s attention to detail and visual direction elevates the film to grand heights. At a time when westerns were nowhere to be found, Dances with Wolves helped revitalize the genre. If you’ll excuse me, I have some buffalo to catch.

What movies do you love that people hate? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Casting The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Reboot

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there. I’ll tell you how there’s a drama reboot involving The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Corny puns aside, a drama reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is in the works. However, the show will take a dramatic twist as the series will have a more serious tone. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the reimagined series will “dive deeper into the inherent conflicts, emotions, and biases of what it means to be a Black man in America today.”

The series will draw inspiration from Bel-Air, a four-minute viral clip from director Morgan Cooper that showcases what the show might look like in 2020. Will Smith will team with Cooper to adapt the series.

Remakes and reboots can be superb like the Ocean‘s series or problematic like the newest Robocop. However, Bel-Air could be interesting since the show is switching from a comedy to a drama. This got me thinking. Who will be cast in these iconic roles?

Here are a few rules I implemented.

  • No A-list stars: As much as I would love to cast John David Washington and Zendaya in every project under the sun, their schedules would make it impossible.
  • Can’t be tied up as a lead on another show: The Caleb McLaughlin Rule. I think Caleb McLaughlin will be in the running for the role of Will, but that all depends on his schedule for Stranger Things. For now, I’m keeping actors with commitments to big shows off the list. Smaller commitments on shows will be allowed.
  • Age range similar to character: We’re not making Will a 32-year-old who looks like a 21-year-old. Each actor has to be in the ballpark of when the original actor played the role, especially for the children. The adult roles will get more leeway.

Remember, this will be a dramatic reboot, not a comedic reboot. So I’ll be zeroing in on actors who would fare better in a drama.

Jharrel Jerome as Will Smith

John Lamparski/Getty Images

I’m calling my shot now. If Caleb McLaughlin is unavailable, Jharrel Jerome will play Will. Jerome first made waves for his role as Kevin in the Oscar-winning Moonlight, but his biggest role came as Korey Wise in Netflix’s When They See Us. Jerome has the dramatic chops to carry a show as evidenced by his Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. Will Smith was a rising star with a ton of potential when the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air debuted. Jerome could be on a Will Smith-like trajectory if things break right for him.

Mekhi Phifer as Uncle Philip Banks

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Philip Banks is the tough, fair, and loving Uncle that shapes Will into the man he becomes. Uncle Phil is Will’s voice of reason and advisor. In this reboot, I’m expecting Uncle Phil to implement even more tough love. My pick is Mehki Phifer. Two words: Greg Pratt. Mehki should channel Dr. Pratt from ER as his inspiration for the role. Pratt was a natural leader but went against the grain at times, which ruffled some feathers with the higher-ups. He eventually became a mentor to many residents and practiced tough love throughout his tenure. The same rules can apply to Uncle Phil’s relationship with Will. Phifer is about the same age as Avery when he played the role so it makes for a believable Uncle.

Ruth Negga as Aunt Viv

The Irish Times

My cast can A-C-T Act. Ruth Negga is one of those actors that improves after every performance. Negga had small roles in World War Z and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but she showcased her true potential in Loving, which garnered her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Lo and behold, Negga’s schedule just opened up after the end of Preacher. Negga will have no problem being the matriarch of the Banks family.

Asante Blackk as Carlton Banks

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

The chemistry between Will and Carlton is one of the reasons why The Fresh Prince worked. It’s the second biggest relationship in the show behind Will and Uncle Phil. If Jerome plays Will, it would be beneficial to have an actor with an established rapport to play Carlton. Enter Asante Blackk, who played Kevin Richardson in When They See Us. Blackk currently has a pivotal role in This Is Us, but he’s not in the main ensemble just yet, which is good for this reboot. Just like Smith was Alfonso Ribeiro’s senior by three years, Jerome is Black’s senior by four years so there is already an older brother/younger brother dynamic.

Jordin Sparks as Hilary Banks

Yahoo!

In order to play Hilary, one must be beautiful, charming, and unintentionally funny. In the trailer, even though it’s a drama, Hilary still slips in a joke about shopping on Rodeo Drive. I have no idea if this actress loves to shop, but for some reason, Jordin Sparks reminds me of Hilary and I mean that in the nicest way. Sparks is probably too famous for this role, but if she wants to get back into television, she could be the perfect Hilary. Hilary may be unintelligent at times, but she’s so innocent and likable that it’s hard to find anything wrong with her. Who doesn’t like Jordin Sparks? That’s my point.

Quvenzhané Wallis as Ashley Banks

Black-ish

Is Quvenzhané Wallis too established for this role? It’s possible due to the fact she’s the youngest actress to ever be nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. Wallis was nine-years-old when she received an acting nomination for Beasts of the Southern Wild. Besides this performance, Wallis has been in less than 10 productions since 2012. Wallis would be perfect for the fiery and musically gifted Banks’ sister. Wallis was recently cast in Swagger, which chronicles basketball on the AAU circuit, but has no other roles in pre-production so her schedule theoretically checks out.

Clarke Peters as Geoffrey

HBO

Witty and reliable, Geoffrey was the loyal butler to the Banks family. He was also brutally honest and sprinkled in some wisdom to the Banks’ children. Who’s better at giving advice than Clarke Peters aka Lester Freamon from The Wire? After watching Da 5 Bloods, I realized I need more Clarke Peters in my life. Although Peters is about 20 years older than when Joseph Marcell portrayed the character, I’ll make an exception for the smooth, likable Peters, who will mold Will into a man just like he did with Pres on The Wire.

Who would you cast for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

17 Years Later, I Still Miss The O.C.

The O.C.

On August 5, 2003, Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), an intelligent but troubled teenager from Chino, gets arrested after trying to steal a car with his older brother in the pilot episode of The O.C. Ryan’s public defender, Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher), understands that Ryan’s had a tough life and offers his business card if Ryan ever needs to call him. After getting kicked out of his own house, Ryan has no other options but to call Sandy, who lives in an extravagent house in Newport Beach with his wife, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), and teenage son, Seth (Adam Brody). Cue the music.

17 years later, I miss The O.C. In the pantheon of shows, The O.C. is never going to be compared to The Sopranos, The Wire, or Breaking Bad. However, it’s one of the most influential television shows of the 21st century. Without The O.C. popularizing the lifestyle of Southern California teenagers and their families, there’s no Gossip Girl, Laguna Beach, The Hills, Real Housewives. Without The O.C. creating a teen drama that also focused on adults, there’s no Friday Night Lights, Riverdale, or Desperate Housewives.

What made The O.C. special is the fact that they focused on relationships between both the kids and the adults. It wasn’t just a show for kids, about kids. The show was able to incorporate issues of alcoholism, wealth, and class seen through the eyes of both teenagers and adults. Creator Josh Schwartz created a primetime television, major network drama with soap opera elements that centered around teenagers. I’m on the record saying the first season of The O.C. is one of my favorite television seasons ever. I’ll go one step further by saying it’s as close to a perfect season as you can get. The show’s pilot is also one of my 10 favorite pilots of all time and I know I’m not the only one who shares that opinion.

Due to its overwhelming popularity, The O.C. became part of the cultural zeitgeist. The O.C. embraced pop culture and included these references throughout the series. From baggy jeans to flip phones and puka shells, The O.C. had a pulse on teenagers during that timeframe. The audience felt like they were growing up with Ryan, Seth, Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton), and Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson). The show also provided iconic scenes and moments that were odes to popular moments in pop culture. Who could forget the upside-down spiderman kiss between Summer and Seth?

To all my girls and guys out there, I’m sure we all wished that “Fix You” would play at our high school dances. Am I right?

Speaking of songs, the music drops is as elite as you can get for a show. Schwartz and musical supervisor Alexandra Patsavas had an impeccable taste (and still does cc: Looking for Alaska) for pop, indie, and alternative music. The O.C. helped popularize bands like The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, Rooney, Imogen Heap, and The All American Rejects. As I write this piece, I’m listening to Dice by Finley Quaye, which was featured on the New Year’s Eve episode where Ryan shared a kiss with Marissa just after midnight. Suck it, Oliver.

Like many shows, The O.C. ran into problems, especially during the third season. It pains me to bring up bad memories, but the third season is such a departure from what worked in all of the first season and most of the second season. Killing Marissa Cooper because Mischa Barton wanted to leave the show wasn’t a great decision, but their hand was forced. However, the fourth season channeled some magic from the earlier seasons and made Taylor Townsend into a formidable fourth character to Ryan, Seth, and Summer. This comment is out of place, but I have to honor the wonderful holiday that is Chrismukkah.

Teen dramas have tried to recapture the magic of The O.C. and some shows like Euphoria and Riverdale have found some success, but nothing will beat the teenagers of Newport Beach. “They don’t make them like this anymore,” is an overused phrase, but in regards to The O.C., it’s an appropriate response.

Welcome to the O.C., bitch.

Do you miss The O.C.? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

23 Thoughts About The 2020 Emmy Nominations

Better call saul

Who’s ready to argue and become “#madonline?” Whenever any list or nominations hit the Internet, in classic Internet fashion, we go right to Twitter to vent. Today was no different after the 2020 Emmy nominations were announced this morning. Below is my thread from this morning.

After taking the day to think, I came up with 23 thoughts.

1. I love that the nominations were announced at 11:30 AM EDT. I never understand why the Oscars announce their nominees at 8:20 AM EDT/5:20 AM PDT. I can’t process information that early. Frankly, the network that hosts the ceremony should have a primetime special to announce the nominations. I expect my check in the mail when a major organization steals that idea.

2. No Rhea Seehorn? I want to puke.

3. Watchmen deserved to lead the field with the most nominees with 26. Watchmen was a fantastic show from start to finish that eerily predicted what’s going on in the world in 2020. As I stated in my Emmy preview, “Watchmen should bring a broom for the clean sweep.”

4. Ramy Youssef is a rising star. I’m very happy he received an individual nomination, but I’m sad the show was not nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series.

5. No Bob Odenkirk? I want to vomit.

6. Speaking of rising stars, I’m elated Paul Mescal received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie. Normal People is at the top of my list for favorite shows in 2020. It’s a heartbreaking depiction of first love between Millenials. Mescal was excellent and has a bright future ahead of him.

7. As happy as I am that Mescal received recognition, I’m disappointed his costar, Daisy Edgar-Jones, was left out of the Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie category. It’s hard for me to reward one of the actors over the other because of their strong chemistry and connection. This won’t be the last we hear from Edgar-Jones.

8. No Normal People in the Outstanding Limited Series category hurts. If you haven’t heard by now, I loved Normal People.

9. ZENDAYA IS MEECHEE!

10. I, too, also share Laverne Cox’s excitement for Zendaya’s lead acting nomination for Euphoria. Zendaya is the standout on Euphoria. The sky is the limit for this insanely talented actress.

https://twitter.com/bywagnermoura/status/1288160201682620417?s=20

11. No Jonathan Banks? I want to gag.

12. HBO has their new Game of Thrones in the form of Succession. The Roy Family won’t dominate as Thrones did in the technical categories, but 18 nominations including one for Outstanding Drama Series position Succession to become HBO’s new staple program.

13. I’m still catching up on Succession and Ozark so I apologize for my lack of comments about both programs. However, Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy is throwing 98mph fastballs every time he’s onscreen. He deserves his Emmy nomination.

14. THE MANDALORIAN IS UP FOR OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES! I’m still in shock, but it’s a great surprise. I can’t wait for Season 2.

The Mandalorian / Disney

15. No Tony Dalton? I want to heave.

16. I need to watch What We Do in the Shadows.

17. I miss Fleabag.

18. Unbelievable is a classic case of an excellent show coming out too early in the season. Unbelievable, a harrowing and emotional tale about sexual assault and the search for justice, premiered in September 2019 to rave reviews. Unbelievable nabbed nominations for Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Toni Collette, but the show’s two leads, Kaitlyn Dever and Merritt Wever, were snubbed from the lead acting category. If the show premiered in 2020, I bet Dever and Wever receive their well-deserved nominations.

19. I would have loved an Emmy nomination for Justin Hartley of This Is Us. However, Sterling K. Brown, Ron Cephas Jones, and Phylicia Rashad all received nominations so it’s a good consolation prize.

20. No Giancarlo Esposito? Oh wait, they did nominate Gus Fring! That’s cool, although Gus really hasn’t been “Gus” yet.

21. In a perfect world, Devs and Dave take home hardware. Maybe we’re in a simulation and need to find another outcome.

22. I can’t stop thinking about how Better Call Saul was snubbed so badly. I wrote about what would happen if the cast didn’t win any awards. However, I assumed most of the cast would receive nominations. Boy, was I wrong!

On one hand, the show scored a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. However, in the show’s best season, none of the major stars besides Esposito received acting nominations. What am I missing? I understand snubs happen every year, but Odenkirk was one of the favorites heading into nominations. Search “Rhee Seahorn” and you’ll find 20 articles about how she’s the MVP of the show and needs to receive an Emmy nomination. Jonathan Banks is a six-time nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor, and yet he won’t hear his name called at the podium. Tony Dalton is the Breaking Bad universe’s best villain since Gus Fring, and he couldn’t even sniff the nominations. I should not be this mad about television when the world is in a pandemic, but here I am screaming at the Internet like Bob Odenkirk.

Better Call Saul didn’t even receive any directing or cinematography nominations. What is going on?

“Bagman,” Better Call Saul / Sony Pictures Television
Better Call Saul / Sony Pictures Television

There is a lot to celebrate about the nominations, but I can’t erase the sour taste in my mouth due to the lack of recognition for Better Call Saul.

23. We don’t deserve Rhea Seehorn. If I ever win an Emmy, I’m going to thank Rhea Seehorn.

For the complete list of nominations, click here.

Do you have any thoughts about the 2020 Emmy nominations? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

The Top Five Summer Movies Of All Time

Dazed and Confused, Jaws, and The Sandlot

The summer box office may be on hold, but summer movies can still be enjoyed in the comfort of our own homes. What makes a good summer movie? For starters, the plot has to take place during the summer months. The summer should be its own theme and play an integral part in the plot. Camp and the last day of school are two popular settings for summer movies.

This is not a list of movies that are typically released during the summer. So blockbusters and sequels that are released during the summer months are disqualified unless the story revolves around the summer. Avengers: Endgame is a great summer blockbuster, but the film doesn’t specify it takes place during the summer so it’s off the list.

With that being said, here are my top five summer movies of all time.

5. Heavyweights

Oh, look! A deli meat! Sleepaway camp is a good setting for a summer movie. Good luck finding a funnier kids movie than Heavyweights. I will go to bat for Heavyweights. Critics hate it, but fans including myself love it. It features an all-time, over-the-top performance from Ben Stiller as Tony Perkis, the fitness guru who takes over the weight loss camp. Everything Stiller does is laugh out loud hilarious. From his one-liners (“Tonight’s lecture: liposuction, option or obsession?”) to his obsessive mannerisms (“Come on you devil log!”), Tony Perkis walked so Tugg Speedman could run. If you don’t agree, then lunch is canceled due to a lack of hustle.

4. Wet Hot American Summer

Wet Hot American Summer is a cult classic that’s frankly not for everyone. For example, there’s a storyline that revolves around a chef, who’s a Vietnam vet, that gets advice from a talking-can of mixed vegetables. Once again, it’s not for everyone, but it successfully spoofs the teen sex comedy genre. More importantly, the cast is stacked and includes a lot of little-known actors at the time who went on to become huge stars. Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, and Bradley Cooper are the standouts, but the cast also includes Christopher Meloni, Janeane Garofalo, Molly Shannon, Michael Showalter, Marguerite Moreau, Ken Marino, Michael Ian Black, David Hyde Pierce, Joe Lo Truglio, and H. Jon Benjamin. Wet Hot American Summer is the 2011-2012 Oklahoma City Thunder. The cast just needed some more time before reaching their max potential.

3. The Sandlot

Play ball! Where do I even begin? The Sandlot is one of the rare movies where you don’t have to love the sport in order to enjoy the movie. The Sandlot is a film about friendship and childhood just as much as it is a love letter to baseball. The Sandlot’s characters all represent a specific stereotype in each person’s friend group. Every group, both male and female, has some version of the following people: the new kid, the loudmouth, the annoying one, the sibling, the trash talker, the little guy, and the hotshot. Finally, every group has the alpha aka their Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez. The best part of The Sandlot is nostalgia. The film takes you back to when you were 12 and only cared about playing with your friends every summer. The film also has Wendy Peffercorn so there’s that, too.

The Sandlot / 20th Century Fox

2. Jaws

I recently called Jaws the “most important summer blockbuster ever.” 45 years since its release, the film still holds up. It’s a masterpiece from start to finish. Not much more to say about a film that changed the film industry forever.

1.Dazed and Confused

Dazed and Confused / Universal Pictures

That’s the thing about these high school girls. As I get… Nope, we’re not going to finish that line even though we ALL know someone from our hometown who lives in the past and still thinks he’s in high school. Regardless of how you feel about Dave Wooderson’s taste in women, the fact is the Dazed and Confused remains the greatest summer movie of all time. It also happens to be the greatest hangout movie of all time. Every single person who went to school can relate to the last day of school and the first day of summer. It’s what kids live for and continue to live for even as we age. Cruising around with your friends, looking for parties, and pondering the future are all tasks that every teenager undertakes as they grow up. As soon as “Sweet Emotion” hits, it takes me back to a time where all I cared about was hanging out with my friends and finding dumb shit to do. In the words of Wooderson, “Just keep livin’ man.”

What are your top summer movies? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Johnny Bananas Cemented Himself As The Greatest Player In Challenge History

Johnny Bananas

In basketball, the GOAT debate is between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. In movies, Citizen Kane and The Godfather typically duke it out for the top spot. In MTV’s The Challenge, there is only one GOAT and his name is Johnny Bananas.

Last night, Johnny Bananas and Jenny West won Total Madness, the 35th season of The Challenge. The duo split the $1 million prize down the middle so $500 thousand a piece is a nice chunk of change. The final challenge was all about endurance as the 9 competitors hiked up a snow-covered mountain in freezing cold temperatures, completing tasks along the way. If I’m being honest, this wasn’t my favorite final challenge. I enjoy it when the final challenge consists of solving puzzles, eating disgusting animals, and puking at every corner. The mountain is tough for competitors, but the entertainment value suffers to a degree. Despite the disappointing final, the season as a whole was a return to prominence for the MTV reality show.

Finals are hard to win and what Jenny and Bananas did was beyond impressive. Jenny is my favorite female competitor and Bananas is my favorite male competitor so it was a good night in the Girolamo household. Jenny will be a beast for seasons to come and I look forward to her evolution as a competitor. However, last night was about a king cementing himself as the greatest player in Challenge history.

There is no argument as to who the top dog is anymore. Johnny Bananas is the greatest competitor in the show’s history. In 20 seasons, Bananas has won 7 times, which is the most for an individual player in the show’s history. After last night’s 500K purse, Bananas is now the all-time money earner on the show with $1,184,720.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Bananas early on. Before Johnny Bananas became a star, he was simply “John Devenanzio.” In his first season of The Challenge, The Duel, Devenanzio was embarrassed as the first contestant eliminated and sent home. After The Duel, John Devenanzio evolved into Johnny Bananas and unleashed his dominance. In his next nine appearances, Bananas reached seven finals, winning five of them.

How did Bananas become the greatest competitor in the show’s history? In simplest terms, Bananas “gets it.” The Challenge is not just about being the most physically gifted athlete. CT, Landon, Laurel, and Alton would have won every challenge if it was all about physicality. The smartest players do not always win as well. Sarah Rice and Mark Long played great political and social games, but that didn’t always lead to victory. In order to win The Challenge, you need a combination of brains, brawn, and strategy. You need to pick your battles, stay out of early eliminations, and make sure the majority of the house vote is on your side. No one plays a better game than Bananas. He’s the strongest political force in the game, flipping votes in the house at the drop of a hat and brokering side deals with players to ensure his victory. When it comes to physical eliminations, Bananas can keep up with the best of them. Just ask Jordan.

Bananas did suffer a few hiccups on the road to greatness in the form of the CT Backpack, which is a top-five moment in the show’s history.

Sarah Rice also turned on Bananas before the final of Battle of the Exes II.

However, Bananas had the last laugh when he pulled the biggest villain move in the show’s history by keeping all of the prize money instead of splitting it with Sarah.

Some, including Bananas himself, cited that moment as a curse since Bananas hadn’t been to a final since that moment. It’s safe to say that the curse is over. This season was no walk in the park. Bananas had to defeat both Wes and Rogan in eliminations as well as come from behind to win the final.

Johnny Bananas is the GOAT of The Challenge, but there is a case to be made that he’s the GOAT competitor throughout all of reality game shows. I’m not a huge Survivor fan, but I know only two competitors won the game twice: Sandra Diaz-Twine and Tony Vlachos. American Ninja Warrior and The Amazing Race are similar in nature to The Challenge, but no one has ever won seven times. Singing competitions like American Idol and food competitions like Top Chef are almost in their own section of reality game shows. If Bananas is not the GOAT of reality game shows, he’s at least on Mount Rushmore.

Bananas hinted at taking a break, although it’s not an official retirement. Bananas will be back in the future at some point. However, if this was the last time we see Bananas, then let’s toast to the king.

MTV’s The Challenge

P.S. I don’t think it was rigged.

Is Johnny Bananas the GOAT? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

2020 Emmy Predictions: Storylines To Monitor Ahead Of Nominations

Better call saul

The quarantine has made us all stay inside. Instead of focusing on the negatives, let’s talk about the positives, which include more time to stream new shows. It may be July, but the 2020 Emmys are on the horizon and scheduled for the end of September. Whether the ceremony moves back a few weeks or goes virtual, what won’t change is the voting period for nominations, which began on July 2.

2020 will usher in new contenders in both drama and comedy as HBO’s stalwarts, Game of Thrones and Veep, are no longer on television. Can Succession be the new HBO juggernaut, or will Ozark and Better Call Saul breakthrough with huge victories in drama? Fleabag finished as well so The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Good Place, and Schitt’s Creek will all be vying for comedic victories.

Ahead of the nominations announcement on July 28, here are a few storylines to follow.

Can Succession Carry The HBO Torch With Game Of Thrones Gone?

Game of Thrones may have disappointed fans with its final season, but that sadness did not affect Emmy voters when fantasy series won Outstanding Drama Series last year. After its fourth win in five years in the drama series category, Game of Thrones is no longer with us nor in the drama category. Now, HBO is looking for another show to exert dominance once again. Enter Succession, which is coming off of a “near-perfect” second season. HBO’s drama about the Roy family is the favorite to take home the top prize on Goldderby. The last drama series to win in this category for its second season was Mad Men in 2009. However, the last show to win in this category for its second season without winning for its first season was The Practice in 1998. If Succession wins, Kendall Roy must perform “L to the OG” onstage as the acceptance speech.

Full disclosure, I have yet to finish the first season of Succession so I have some catching up to do before the ceremony airs in September. I’ll catch up with the Roy family, don’t worry.

Will Better Call Saul FINALLY Win A Primetime Emmy?

I understand that there are a lot of television shows eligible for awards every year. There are a lot of great shows that will never win Emmys in the big categories. The prime example is The Wire, which is regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time with zero Emmys wins. With all that being said, it will be a CRIME if Better Call Saul goes home empty-handed this year. The show’s fifth season was by far its best season as Saul inches closer to the Breaking Bad universe. Let’s assume Saul receives nominations for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Bob Odenkirk, Outstanding Supporting Actress for Rhea Seehorn, and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Jonathan Banks. How could any voter sit down and cite a better performance in all four categories? There are arguments to be made for stronger performances in a few of those categories, but all four? That’s impossible. If Better Call Saul does not win an Emmy in at least one of those four categories, I’m starting the following hashtag: #The2020EmmysAreOverParty

Should Watchmen Bring A Broom?

Watchmen should bring a broom because they’re going to sweep away their competition in the limited series categories. Get it? Brooms sweep so if the show brings a broom, it symbolizes a clean sweep in their categories. Isn’t it funny?

All (bad) jokes aside, Watchmen was phenomenal. It’s one of the most powerful comic book adaptations ever brought to screen. Between masked cops, white supremacy, and the Tulsa Race Massacre, Watchmen scarily became a reflection on certain aspects of our society. Yes, this is also the same show with a naked blue man.

In terms of categories, Watchmen will be a big favorite to win Outstanding Limited Series. From there, Regina King should be a favorite Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series/Movie but will face tough competition from Cate Blanchett for Mrs. America. Tim Blake Nelson and Jean Smart will be towards the top in their respective supporting categories. It’s important to note that Smart’s name holds weight within the television academy, having won three Emmys prior. The only longshot from Watchmen will be Jeremy Irons, who if nominated, will be a heavy underdog to Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Jackman in the lead acting category.

Will Any Of My Favorite Shows Of The Year Receive A Nomination?

Hulu Netflix shows

If I’m a fan of your show, your Emmy chances dramatically decrease. I apologize for being a kiss of death. Devs, Dave, and Normal People are three of my favorite shows of the year and all three can be streamed on Hulu. Devs made me question life, Dave made me laugh, and Normal People brought me to tears. All three are in my top 10 shows of the year. However, all three may be shut out entirely from the Primetime Emmys. After looking at the odds, my best hope for a nomination lies with Paul Mescal, who gave a star-making performance in Normal People. In a perfect world, Mescal, Daisy-Edgar Jones, and the entire series receive nominations in their respective categories. Unfortunately, the world is far-from-perfect so if Paul is the only nomination, then we will stan our king.

What storylines are you following ahead of the nominations? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

To Tenet Or Not To Tenet: Would You See The Film On July 17?

Tenet

Will you see it on July 17? The biggest mystery around Tenet has nothing to do with espionage, reverse-time-travel, or inversion. The enigma lies with its release date. COVID-19 has shut down theaters for almost two full months now. Blockbusters such as No Time To Die, Black Widow, and Fast 9 pushed back their release dates to the end of the year and in Fast 9‘s case, 2021. However, the one film that’s stood its ground is Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, which is scheduled to open on July 17.

But will it really open on July 17? Nolan has been adamant about keeping the film in theaters and some view Tenet as the movie to reopen the box office. With an estimated budget of $200 million, Tenet will not go directly to VOD. The latest trailer made that clear when the words “Coming To Theaters” flashed across the screen. For Tenet to even open, it will need a domestic release of at least 3.5k theaters.

Let’s say everything goes according to plan and Tenet hits theaters in mid-July. Would you go to the theater to see Tenet? Not only are people contemplating this dilemma, but executives at Warner Bros. are debating that same question. Let’s make the case for and against going to the theater.

John David Washington in Tenet

Pros

It’s A Christopher Nolan Movie

Hundreds of directors release movies every year, but how many of those films become cultural phenomenons and box office sensations without famous IP attached like Marvel or Star Wars? Only two names come to mind: Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino. With all due respect to Tarantino, he’s a distant second behind Nolan in terms of box office gross from original ideas. You could argue for James Cameron as well, but he’s only released 1 film since 1997 so it’s hard to judge the Avatar director against Nolan, who’s released 10 features in that same time frame.

Nolan is arguably the only director who can “eventize” his movies. He’s a true blockbuster auteur. A Christopher Nolan film becomes a topic of cultural discussion for weeks on end. Cinephiles seek out Nolan’s films and show up to the theater in masses, which is rare in today’s streaming world. Think about this. Besides Memento, every other Nolan movie released in the 21st century has grossed over $100 million. Take away his Dark Knight trilogy. Inception, Interstellar, and Dunkirk all grossed over $500 million worldwide. That’s insane considering how hard it is to find success at the box office without involvement from superheroes, Dominic Toretto, or Disney characters.

The Mystique Of A Christopher Nolan Film

Gun to your head, could you successfully explain the basic synopsis of Tenet? Nolan’s latest film covers espionage and reverse-time-travel, right? Here’s a synopsis from Warner Brothers:

“John David Washington is the new Protagonist in Christopher Nolan’s original sci-fi action spectacle “Tenet.” Armed with only one word—Tenet—and fighting for the survival of the entire world, the Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time. Not time travel. Inversion.”

Does that even help? Part of the reason why Nolan’s films are so beloved revolves around the film’s mystique and mystery. To say Nolan keeps plot information, casting updates, and character details close to his chest would be an understatement. It’s easier to explain the ending of Inception than it is to learn about Nolan’s characters and plot pre-release. This secrecy gives his films a “must-see” aspect in order to discover the unknown and avoid spoilers on the Internet.

Cons

Coronavirus

Thank you, Captain Obvious. However, it can’t be understated that the world is in the middle of a global pandemic. There are still hundreds of safety concerns that frankly, won’t be answered between now and July 17. These are all questions that need to be asked as states gradually open their movie theaters. People want things to get back to normal, and slowly but surely, they will. However, the threat of contracting a virus should be at the bottom, not the top, viewers’ minds going into a theater. In 2020, it’s quite the opposite.

Theaters Are (Kind Of) Closed

It’s a scary time to own a movie theater. The rules and regulations inside movie theaters are about to change. Will theater attendees need to wear a mask? How many viewers will be allowed in each theater? Will the theaters be cleaned regularly? According to NBC, expect to wear a mask. Theaters will most likely open at 50% capacity to begin. How will ticketing and concessions be handled? Will online purchases be the only ticketing option? There seem to be more questions than answers. By the fall, theaters should have a solid plan in place, but in an unpredictable world, can they be fully ready to go by July 17?

Final Answer

Weighing all of the concerns, I would go to the theater to see Tenet. Nolan is one of my favorite filmmakers of all time. I see his movies on the opening weekend. I’m willing to take the risk and will carefully follow every rule imposed by the theater. However, fans are not going to have to make a decision anytime soon. Due to the concerns from the virus and the fact that many theaters may not be open in July, Tenet will most likely move back towards the latter half of 2020 or the summer of 2021. If theaters in Los Angeles or New York City, which have 30 of the top 100 grossing theaters in North America, remain closed for the near future, Warner Bros. is not going to release Tenet on July 17. Maybe Nolan can apply what he’s learned about time travel to the current world and make the world normal again.

Will you see Tenet if it open on July 17? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Quality, Not Quantity: How Hulu Became The Top Streaming Service In 2020

Hulu Netflix shows

What’s the best streaming service in 2020? I’m guessing that 80% of the answers would be Netflix. Frankly, I’m not surprised. In terms of the amount of content provided, Netflix is king. No one can match up with their giant library of movies and shows to go along with their original programming. However, if we’re judging quality instead of quantity, Hulu wears the crown.

Hulu is having a moment in 2020. Thanks to high-quality original and produced shows, Hulu’s original programming has been tremendous. Every week, a new critically acclaimed show debuts on the service. If some of these shows were seen by a wider audience on Netflix, Amazon, or Disney+, they’d be gigantic hits.

Speaking of Disney, Hulu received a giant boost to their programming with the addition of the FX. “FX on Hulu” includes FX produced shows that were originally scheduled to air on the network, but after the Disney acquisition, those shows premiered streamed on Hulu. In sports, it’s like when a smaller market team gets a star player. Pretend that the Toronto Raptors are Hulu and Kawhi Leonard is FX. That partnership ended with a championship in 2019.

Hulu has produced some of my favorite programs of the year. Devs, the sci-fi murder mystery from Alex Garland, was as beautiful as it was addicting. Normal People, which was co-produced with BBC Three, moved me to tears and depicted one of the most accurate portrayals of millennial first love. Dave*, the surprise show of 2020 from the rapper, Lil Dicky, was fun, charming, and surprisingly full of depth as it balanced penis jokes with mental health depictions. Other noteworthy shows from Hulu that debuted in 2020 are Mrs. America, High Fidelity, Little Fires Everywhere, and The Great. All of the aforementioned shows have a score of 70 or greater on Metacritic besides Dave, which has a score of 64.

*Dave airs weekly on FX. However, Dave has benefited from streaming on Hulu, becoming FX’s highest-ranked comedy series ever.

Before the past year or so, when I personally thought of Hulu, two things came to mind: The Handmaid’s Tale and ads. “The show with the red capes and white caps?” Yes, that show. What The Handmaid’s Tale has on its side is history since it’s the only drama series from a streaming service to win Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. Plus, the show stars Elisabeth Moss, who could very well be the pound-for-pound best television actress of the 21st century thanks to roles on The West Wing, Mad Men, Top of the Lake, and The Handmaid’s Tale.

Despite the success and popularity of The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu is known as the streaming service with ads, which unfortunately scares people from subscribing. Hulu has a live tv service, but setting that aside, there are two options: Hulu with ads at $5.99 per month and Hulu with no ads for $11.99. I’m not here to tell you to choose one over the other. I personally subscribe to Hulu with ads and it really doesn’t distract from my viewing experience. For someone with a small bladder, the ads serve as built-in bathroom breaks during my binge sessions. However, I could see the ads being a minor disruption for those used to other services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+. Don’t let the minor disruption hinder you from accessing some of television’s best shows.

If you can look past a dystopian show about procreation and a streaming service with ads, then you’ll see that Hulu’s quality, not quantity, shine, making it the top streaming service in 2020.

What’s your top streaming service in 2020? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

The Challenge: How I Reunited With One Of My Favorite Shows On MTV

I think we can all agree the pandemic sucks. I’m trying to be a glass half full type of person during this time in order to make the best out of the situation. I’m using this time to stream endless amounts of movies and television shows. Furthermore, I’m excited to announce that I’ve reunited with an old friend from MTV. It’s a show from my childhood that I grew up with and it happens to be the unofficial “fifth major sport of America.”. The show I’m referring to is The Challenge. We took a break for a few years, but just I’m back just like Al Pacino in The Godfather Part III.

For those that have never watched, The Challenge is a reality tv game show that pits contestants from reality shows like The Real World, Ex on the Beach, and Big Brother up against each other in a series of physical and mental tasks. In simpler terms, MTV sticks a bunch of drunk idiots into a house and forces them to compete for money. It’s one of the “OG” competition reality shows. It even debuted before Survivor, which is a fun fact you can share at your next trivia night if we’re ever let out of the house again.

I started getting into The Challenge around 2005 with The Inferno II and The Gauntlet 2. These shows featured stars on the tail end of their reality careers like The Miz, Theo Von, and Jamie Chung while Johnny Bananas, Derrick Kosinski, and Evelyn Smith were just getting their first taste of the competition. The Challenge used to be the perfect mix of physical and mental competitions to go along with house drama and hookups. However, as the years went on, the show started to focus more on the latter instead of the former, so I stopped watching after Rivals III in 2016 aka when Bananas became the most legendary Challenge player of all time.

Fast forward to last month. With sports off the air, I needed some athletic programming back in my life. Enter The Challenge: Total Madness. I’m happy to report that Total Madness has been pretty good so far. If I had to describe a perfect episode of The Challenge, it would include four components: A challenge, house drama, spicy hookups, and an elimination. Besides one or two episodes, this season has stuck to that format.

Total Madness has given us a few noteworthy moments with the biggest occurring when Jay beat the iconic CT in an elimination. Jay defeating CT in an elimination is a bigger upset than the “Miracle on Ice.” Unfortunately, “Dad CT” was out of shape and couldn’t correctly tie a knot so that sent him packing.

The key twist to this season involves the elimination itself. In order to qualify for the final, contestants must win an elimination. There have been seasons where contestants can avoid eliminations, make the final, and win the prize money. Just look at Rogan last year, who won never went into an elimination before winning the final. In my opinion, that’s bullshit so I’m happy this stipulation was put into place.

The only downside to this season is the cast. In terms of storylines, this cast has a flair for the dramatic, which can be both good and bad. Bear trying to win over Kailah while plotting to ruin her relationship is hysterical. Bananas and Wes are secretly teaming up, which is a nice wrinkle. Nany throwing a cup of noodles at Aneesa was equally funny as it was disrespectful.

That being said, it’s hard to root for the majority of these people. Maybe it’s a “me problem,” but I dislike 50% of the cast. Plus, I’m indifferent about 35% of the remaining members so that doesn’t leave a lot of room for my rooting interest. If I had to narrow it down to my top 3, it’s Bananas, Jenny, and the nicest person in the house, Big T.

I can’t wait for our first “This Changes Everything” moment. It’s the highlight of every season. For those interested, my Top 5 Favorite Challenge Contestants:

  • Alton
  • Johnny Bananas
  • Derrick
  • Laurel
  • Paula

It pains me to leave CT off the list, but he would be my sixth man.

Enjoy watching America’s fifth major sport!

What’s your top 5? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.