Ranking My Favorite Movie Twists From Christopher Nolan

Tenet

There is no such thing as a Christopher Nolan movie without a twist. It’s his signature staple in every movie. As an audience, we sit in our chairs, waiting in anticipation for a moment that will both shock and dumbfound us. To quote a line from Nolan’s upcoming movie, Tenet, “Don’t try to understand it. Feel it.” Don’t try to understand the twists. Feel it, enjoy it, and then run home to Reddit to look at fan theories that attempt to explain it.

Here are my five favorite movie twists from Christopher Nolan.

5. Interstellar – Cooper Is Murph’s Ghost

After Interstellar, Nolan went back to the drawing board and thought to himself, “How can I create another mind fuck about time? I got it! The movie’s about time… but it’s in space!” What dreams are to Inception is what wormholes are to Interstellar. Frankly, Nolan could have just marketed this movie as “Matthew McConaughey goes to space,” and I was sold. Instead, Interstellar was a fun adventure that made me question the existence of time. In terms of the twist, it was more rewarding than surprising especially since we got a scene with McConaughey and Ellen Burstyn. Love you, Murph.

Warner Bros.

4. Memento – Leonard Is The Killer

I’m assuming people will take issue with this ranking because many believe it’s not only one of Nolan’s best twists but it’s his best movie. For me, the final scene still leaves me confused to this day so it’s not as satisfying since I can’t explain it. Memento‘s twist is still shocking to this day. I just rewatched the clip and I’m still in awe. For those who don’t know, Leonard is actually the real killer in Memento. Leonard accidentally killed his wife with an insulin overdose. He continues to hunt a “killer” because he can’t face the grief of his deadly mistake and devises plans to hun for a killer that doesn’t exist. Although most of us haven’t committed murder, we all make up our own truths in order to ignore reality. It’s a harsh, but scary truth.

3. Batman Begins – Ra’s al Ghoul Is Liam Neeson

When the guy you least expect turns out to be the villain, that’s when you know the twist worked. In Batman Begins, Liam Neeson was first introduced as Henri Ducard, Bruce Wayne’s mentor, and introduction to the League of Shadows. When Bruce saved his life and left him to heal, I knew he would be back in some way. However, when Ducard revealed himself as Ra’s al Ghoul, my jaw hit the ground. Neeson’s bad guy was the perfect appetizer for the iconic villain that would follow in The Dark Knight, the Joker.

2. The Prestige – Christian Bale Has A Twin

I always believe that two Christian Bales are better than one. The Prestige is one of Nolan’s best scripts, but it gets lost in the shuffle because of its location in Nolan’s filmography. The film that comes before The Prestige is Batman Begins and the film that comes after is The Dark Knight, with the latter universally recognized as one of the best superhero movies ever made. In other words, The Prestige gets sandwiched in between the first two chapters in one of the most important trilogies of the 21st century. The though the film gets lost in the shuffle, the twist is top-tier Nolan. Bale revealing himself to be a twin is the shocking twist, but the entire movie is a game of one-upmanship. From Tesla’s machine to the water tank reveal, The Prestige is full of surprising twists every 15 minutes, just the way Nolan likes it.

1.The Dark Knight Rises – Talia Stabs Batman

WHERE’S THE TRIGGER? I’m going to receive a lot of backlash for this pick, but hey, it’s my list and I can do what I want. Out of the five Nolan movies I’ve seen in theaters Nolan, Talia stabbing Batman was by far the loudest reaction from the crowd. Once Talia said, “But he’s not the child of Ra’s al Ghoul,” and punctured Batman’s suit, the sound of gasps filled the theater so much that you could barely he the next couple of lines. It may not be Nolan’s best twist, but it will always hold a special place in my memory.

What is your favorite movie twist from Christopher Nolan? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

In Defense Of We Are Your Friends Aka The Zac Efron DJ Movie

We Are Your Friends

Let’s go back to August 2015, shall we? Apple stock was teetering at $100, the Knicks still sucked, and I was unemployed. Oh, there was no global pandemic. More importantly, on August 28, 2015, Zac Efron shouted, “Are we ever gonna be better than this?” Five years ago, We Are Your Friends entered my life.

To some, We Are Your Friends is known as the “Zac Efron DJ Movie.” To me, We Are Your Friends is the one that got away. The film had the right ingredients to become a box office hit and cult classic. First, the film had Efron, who is aa likable of A-list star as you can get. At the time, Efron had moved on from his High School Musical days entered into millennial comedies. 2014 was a huge year for Efron as the actor starred in That Awkward Moment and Neighbors with the latter being a smash hit, earning over $270 million at the box office. Both of these movies successfully capitalized on Efron’s likability, good looks, and charismatic personality.

*Zac Efron Side Rant: Why isn’t Zac Efron the biggest star on the planet? He can do it all. He can sing, dance, and charm you to death. Plus, he’s a good looking dude (no shame). Girls love him and guys want to be home. His documentary series, Down to Earth with Zac Efron, was the second most popular show on Netflix in July. People like Efron. Many of his critics will sight his acting ability as the reason for what’s holding him back. Is Efron the next Daniel Day-Lewis? Absolutely not. However, when he’s put into movies that utilize his likability and charm like Neighbors and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, good things happen. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile proved he has some dramatic chops. I’ve always said that Efron is an A-list star that’s cast in the wrong movies. There’s no reason why Efron shouldn’t be the lead in a Netflix rom-com or buddy cop movie. We as a society have failed Efron. It’s time to do better.

The premise of We Are Your Friends was promising. Four friends from the San Fernando Valley trying to make it in the world isn’t an idea that reinvents the wheel, but I’m always intrigued by coming-of-age stories. However, following a DJ (Efron’s Cole Carter) as he navigates the EDM-scene in Los Angeles is an idea I haven’t’ seen before so We Are Your Friends had my interest from the start.

The film also surrounded Efron with successful character actors and cultural stars. Wes Bentley and Jon Berenthal are interesting character actors that have been in huge movies like The Wolf of Wall Street, American Beauty, Interstellar, and Ford v Ferrari. Though she had little acting experience, Emily Ratajkowski was a red-hot cultural figure thanks to appearances in the music video for “Blurred Lines” and the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues. Plus, in a film about house music, the soundtrack has a few songs that are worthy of a spot on everyone’s pregame playlist.

What I’m trying to say is We Are Your Friends had the right formula in place. It had an A-list star, a promising idea, and a supporting cast of good actors and famous figures. I rewatched We Are Your Friends a few weeks ago on Netflix. I had a blast. The first hour was enjoyable and flat out fun. Between the four friends spitting jokes at one another to Efron’s PCP trip, the film didn’t take itself too seriously, which was its strength. It was a free-flowing coming-of-age comedy that made you want to party, get drunk, and dance. I’m not alone when I say that Efron’s performance is underrated. Watching him electrify the crowd and sway Ratajkowski reminded me of all the things I love about Efron. Frankly, Efron really tried to make this work and for me, his performance is the highlight of the film. In fact, the Hollywood Reporter named Efron’s performance as one of their favorites from 2015.

Unfortunately, not everyone shares my praise for Efron’s DJ movie. To say that We Are Your Friends did not connect with audiences is an understatement. In fact, I may have been the only person in America to see it in theaters. The film had one of the worst box office openings of all time with $1.8 million. I didn’t expect the film to bomb that badly, but I wasn’t expecting a huge box office success because of its release date. For a film geared toward the millennial audience, the end of August release date was a death sentence. Why would you release a movie geared toward high school and college students on a weekend where many of them were going back to school? If a college kid has the choice between drinking on the beach or going to the movie theater, they’re going to choose the beach ten out of ten times. I have no doubt in my mind that if this film comes out in 2020, it debuts on Netflix and becomes a massive hit.

Though the release date did the film no favors, my biggest problem with We Are Your Friends is its shift in tone three-quarters of the way in. We’re all having a good time until Squirrel died. I will never understand why the film decided to kill Squirrel. There was absolutely no reason for the movie to shift from a fun-loving comedy to a serious drama. It was an unnecessary decision that killed the film’s momentum. If the film wanted to shake things up, why not just have Squirrel overdose and go to the hospital? Then, you could have had the dinner scene between Squirrel and Cole take place in a hospital room. You still get your redemption arc without using an unnecessary death to motivate Cole in the last scene.

Despite the film’s problems, I will go to bat for We Are Your Friends. Give it another try and watch it with some friends. Laugh, don’t cry and enjoy Efron in his glory.

Do you like We Are Your Friends? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

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.

Quvenzhanรฉ Wallis as Ashley Banks

Black-ish

Is Quvenzhanรฉ 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.

The One Problem I Have With Inception

Inception

In the 2010 blockbuster, Inception, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this week, Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Dom Cobb, says, “Dreams feel real while we’re in them. It’s only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange.” I’d like to believe that 2020 is a dream.

We may not be able to plant ideas in our minds for a better year, but we can reminisce about Inception. The Dark Knight may be Christopher Nolan’s best movie, but Inception is his most important movie. After the success of The Dark Knight, Nolan could literally (say ‘literally’ with the voice of a 15-year-old teenager) do anything he wanted. Not only did Nolan write and direct the greatest superhero film ever made, but helped create the most memorable character of the 21st century, Heath Ledger’s Joker. The Dark Knight was so influential that the Academy increased their number of Best Picture nominees from five to ten because the film was noticeably absent in that category.

Nolan had all the juice in the world. He could have completed the trilogy with The Dark Knight Rises as his next move. In 2020, where Marvel, Disney, and well-known IP like Mission Impossible dominate the box office, producing an original blockbuster is not only risky, but it’s a death sentence. Instead, Nolan decided to create a summer blockbuster from an original concept. I’m not an expert, but I think Nolan made the right decision since the film grossed $825 million-plus worldwide and received 8 Academy Award nominations (4 wins) including Best Picture.

Warner Bros. Pictures

In simplest terms, Inception is a mind-fuck. It’s straight out of the Christopher Nolan playbook. The film is a high-concept idea with huge set pieces, visually-stunning action sequences, and a signature twist to keep the audience guessing. Everyone recognizes Nolan’s talent as a filmmaker. However, with many of his films, there are some fans that will go to the ends of the Earth to defend Inception and then there are those who will do whatever it takes to prove that Inception is a terrible movie. For a director that consistently grosses hundreds of millions at the box office, Nolan is extremely polarizing.

Now would be a good time to say that I’m a huge Nolan fan who believes Inception was one of the ten best films of the decade. I don’t need everything in Inception to make sense. I don’t always need the science to match up. I’m ok with suspending reality for two and a half hours to watch Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, and the rest of the gang travel through dream levels. Was Leo still stuck inside his dream at the end? The answer is no. Move on, Internet.

Despite my love for Inception, I’ve always had one major problem with the film. It has nothing to do with the logistics of dreams and the moral effects it can have on the world. It also has nothing to do with any technical aspects of the film. My one problem with Inception is the scene with Mal’s death.

For reasons I can’t fully comprehend, this scene makes me laugh every time. This is not the time for a laugh whatsoever. It’s actually pretty tragic. Cobb’s wife, Mal, could not face reality after 50 years in the dream world. Mal thought she was still dreaming so in order to wake up, she decided to commit suicide by jumping out of her hotel room. Mal also framed Cobb for her death with the hopes that Cobb would commit suicide, too. Mal’s death tortures Cobb throughout the entire movie because he’s responsible for her introduction to the dream world. Cobb achieved inception with Mal, which ruined her life. This guilt and failure to move on are why Mal shows up to thwart every one of Cobb’s plans on each level. And yet, I’m the asshole who laughs when Cobb screams, “Mal no!”

In a movie about traveling within dreams and ideas that go against the laws of nature, Mal’s tragic death is the storyline I found to be the most ridiculousness. It’s heartbreaking that Mal died, but I find it hard to believe that Cobb, a criminal mastermind and innovative thinker, could be so easily outsmarted and framed for a death he did not commit. However, the real reason for my laughter is Leo’s reaction. Leo is on my Mount Rushmore of actors I love and adore, but there’s something about a dramatic and over-the-top Leo scream that makes me smile.

This problem is truly a “me problem,” but thankfully, it does not ruin the movie. Inception hive, stand up!

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.

The Five Best Things In Palm Springs

Palm Springs

In the film Palm Springs, Andy Samberg’s character, Nyles, says, “This is today. Today is yesterday. And tomorrow is also today. Today, yesterday, tomorrow โ€” they’re all the same.” Had you not watched Palm Springs, you would think that Samberg’s quote was used in reference to the quarantine and living situation in the United States.

That being said, Palm Springs may end up being one of the best movies of summer. Samberg plays Nyles, a laid-back slacker who gets stuck in a time loop at a Palm Springs wedding. When Nyles accidentally brings Sarah, played by Cristin Milioti, into the time loop, the two must learn to embrace the harsh reality that they’re stuck in the same day forever. When Sarah decides she wants to try and leave the loop, both Sarah and Nyles must face their worst fears and decide if they want to return to a world full of imperfections and responsibilities.

In a year where movies continue to be pushed back and delayed indefinitely, Palm Springs could not have premiered at a better time. It’s a fresh, fun rom-com with two likable stars in Samberg and Milioti. It’s the perfect 90-minute movie to fire up on Hulu this weekend while you’re stuck inside.

Here are the five best things from Palm Springs.

5. Pool Beers

Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg in Palm Springs / Hulu

It’s a known fact that beers taste better in certain situations. The Friday after-work beer, the golf course beer, the stadium beer, and the tailgate beer are all in the upper echelon of beers. However, Samberg made a strong case for the pool beer in Palm Springs. There’s nothing better than cracking open a nice cold one while lounging in the pool. It’s beyond relaxing. As someone who has been doing a lot of floating in the pool this summer, a beer only elevates the overall experience. Plus, if you have a float with a cup holder, you don’t have to worry about holding onto your beer the entire time. Pool beers for the win.

4. Andy Samberg Dancing In A Hawaiian Shirt

Honestly, I could see myself wearing this shirt and dancing exactly like Samberg.

3. Andy Samberg

Speak of the devil, Samberg is great, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Samberg is an insanely talented actor, writer, and producer. He’s always great in roles where he’s the most likable guy in the room. Samberg’s comedic wit, natural charisma, and charming personality make him the perfect leading man in a rom-com. Not every leading man has to look like Tom Cruise or Leonardo DiCaprio. Some can be sarcastic, hilarious, and have great taste when it comes to Hawaiin shirts. I look forward to Samberg headlining more movies in the future.

2. The Time Loop

https://twitter.com/Danny_Giro/status/1281682592631267328?s=20

Are we in the Golden Age of time loops? Obviously, the most famous time loop movie is Groundhog Day, which is a genius work of comedy. Within the last three years, The Happy Death Day franchise, Before I Fall, and Russian Doll all carved out their version of Groundhog Day and found some success. Now, add Palm Springs to the list, which carved out its own niche in the genre by perfectly balancing romantic, comedic humor with dark, depressing realizations. Everything is great when Nyles and Sarah can share a few beers, dance at the wedding, and not suffer from daily responsibilities or consequences. However, Palm Springs also examines the darker side of the time loop. No matter how many times you die, you can’t escape the time loop. In Sarah’s case, relieving the worst mistake of her life is her version of hell. Nyles has lost his sense of reality and his carefree lifestyle is incapable of feeling emotions, which turns out to be a major problem in his relationship with Sarah. Palm Springs is a film about two people falling in love just as much as it is about two people suffering from an existential crisis.

1. Cristin Milioti 

Palm Springs / Hulu

Samberg may have top billing, but Palm Springs is Milioti’s movie to shine. She ends up stealing the show as Sarah. Milioti will make you laugh when she shows up to the wedding with an eyepatch, pirate’s hook, and wacky accent as well as her choreographed dance routine with Samberg in the bar. However, she’ll make you cry when she comes to the devastating realization that she’s an emotional wreck who can’t put her past mistakes behind her in order to move on. Milioti is probably best known for her role as The Mother in How I Met Your Mother. For all of the problems that the final season had including its ending, Milioti was so likable and soothing that her presence was one of the lone bright spots of Barney’s and Robin’s wedding. I’m excited to see Milioti in more roles where she can balance comedy with being a badass who studies quantum physics.

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