2021 Oscars Discussion, Vol. 3: Man(k) On A Mission

Mank / Netflix

One word is about to stir up the 2021 Oscars. Say it with me: Mank.

Mank Set To Be An Oscars Juggernaut

With the Oscar eligibility window pushed back to February 28, 2021, it’s safe to say we’re in the middle rounds in this fight for Academy Awards. If this is Round 5 or 6, then Mank just scored a knockdown.

The first round of reviews arrived this afternoon for Mank and to say they were anything but positive would be an understatement. I’m struggling to find a negative word, let alone an entirely negative review. Type “Mank Review” in your search engine and it will flood with adjectives for “great.”

Mank revolves around Herman J. Mankiewicz, played by Gary Oldman, and his battle with Orson Welles over the screenwriting credit for Citizen Kane. Mank was directed by David Fincher, who directs his first feature film since 2014’s Gone Girl, from a script written by Fincher’s father, the late Jack Fincher. Oldman stars alongside Amanda Seyfried, Charles Dance, Lily Collins, Arliss Howard, and Tom Burke.

Mank hits all the right notes in terms of films that are typically rewarded by the Academy. It’s a black and white movie about the film industry in Old Hollywood from a well-respected director and accomplished cast. If the Academy Awards were a game of Texas Hold’Em and Mank came to the table, Mank would be sitting on a pair of Kings. Frankly, all you had to tell me was “David Fincher’s first movie since Gone Girl” and I was in.

Without guessing winners, the best bet you can make for the 2021 Oscars is that Mank will lead the field with the most nominations. I’m counting at least eight automatic nominations and honestly, that’s on the low side.

Mank Nomination Predictions

  • Best Picture
  • Best Director (Fincher)
  • Best Actor (Oldman)
  • Best Supporting Actress (Seyfried)
  • Best Supporting Actor (Dance)
  • Best Orginal Screenplay
  • Best Cinematography
  • Best Costume Design
  • Best Film Editing
  • Best Original Score
  • Best Production Design
  • Best Sound

If you can’t count, that’s 12 nominations, which would easily make it the nomination leader. Thankfully, consumers won’t have to wait much longer as Mank will stream on Netflix on December 4.

One Night In Miami Oscar Campaign

Mank may have made a statement in the middle rounds, but One Night In Miami will look to come on strong in the 11th round. Regina King’s directorial debut portrays the fictionalized meeting between Malcom X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), and Leslie Odom Jr. (Sam Cooke). One Night In Miami premiered to strong reviews at TIFF and King will be in the running for a Best Directing nomination.

With four actors positioning for acting nominations, Amazon Studios confirmed where they will campaign all four men. Kingsley Ben-Adir and Eli Goree will be entered as lead actors while Aldis Hodge and Leslie Odom Jr. will run in supporting. Out of the four actors, Odom should have the best chance for a nomination thanks to his previous accomplishments in the Emmys, Grammys, and Tonys.

One Night In Miami opens in theaters on Christmas and streams on Amazon Prime Video on January 15, 2021.

Other News And Notes

– I still haven’t seen Tenet. However, there is good news on the horizon.

Previous Discussions:

Are you excited for Mank? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

2021 Oscars Discussion, Vol. 2: Chadwick Boseman, Glenn Close Emerge As Early Frontrunners

Chadwick Boseman in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Glenn Close in Hillbilly Elegy

It’s early in the race, but two frontrunners have already emerged in Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress for the 2021 Oscars.

Chadwick Boseman And Glenn Close Jump Out To Early Leads

Here is my first of many predictions about the 2021 Oscars.

Both Chadwick Boseman and Glenn Close will win Oscars at the 2021 ceremony.

First, there’s the late Boseman, who tragically passed away this past August after a long battle with colon cancer. The actor was a king, both on and off the screen. Imagine working long and excruciating days on films like Black Panther, The Avenger sequels, and Da 5 Bloods while undergoing chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. How many of us would give up? Frankly, a lot of us would including myself, but not Boseman. He was a special breed and truly a selfless individual. May he rest in power.

For the 2021 Oscars, Boseman was drawing major buzz for Best Supporting Actor in Netflix’s upcoming film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which premieres on Dec. 18. After his death, the buzz skyrocketed as Boseman went straight to the top of the list in the supporting actor category. That all changed this week when Netflix announced their campaign to run Boseman for lead actor.

The strategist in me said, “Why would Netflix push Boseman in a tough best acting field instead of dominating the supporting category?” It took me less than a minute before the light bulb went off.

Two words: double nominee.

Boseman gave another performance in a Netflix movie that has gained awards buzz. I’m talking about Da 5 Bloods, where he played the undeniable “Stormin'” Norman. With the decision to run Boseman for Best Actor in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the door has opened for a supporting nomination for Da 5 Bloods.

It’s definitely an ambitious plan from Netflix and at the very least, Boseman will receive a nomination for one of his performances. Those who have seen Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom have raved over Boseman’s final outing.

I agree. Chadwick is going to win an Oscar.

Speaking of Oscar victories, you know who hasn’t won an Oscar yet? Glenn Close. Unfortunately, Close’s relationship with the Oscars can be explained with one phrase, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” 7 nominations, 0 wins.

It’s not like Close lost to scrubs every year. Jessica Lange, Jodie Foster, and Meryl Streep are three of the most accomplished actresses ever. However, if I had to switch up one result, it would be 1988 when Close should’ve won for Fatal Attraction. Before Cher and her fans hurt me, I will say that Cher should’ve been nominated and won for Mask.

It’s a shame Close is Oscar-less, but I believe she’s finally going to win gold in the supporting category for Hillbilly Elegy, a film about the American dream and societal problems through the eyes of an Appalachian family. Close will play Mamaw Vance, the grandmother of J.D. Vance, who wrote the memoir that served as the film’s inspiration. The Oscars typically honor films that are based on real-life events and reward actors who make complete physical transformations. Hillbilly Elegy and Close check off both boxes.

Glenn Close and Amy Adams in Hillbilly Elegy / Netflix

It’s ironic that the actress who beat Close in 2019, Olivia Colman, is also her toughest competition in 2021 as Colman will run in the supporting category for her role in The Father. Expect another close (I couldn’t help myself with this pun) race.

I really like both actresses, but I’d venture to say that Colman would be ok with Close winning this time around. I would be happy with this result, too.

Other News And Notes

-From what I’ve seen and read, the Best Picture frontrunner as of October 23 is Nomadland.

–Mank is coming. I don’t see a world where the Academy hates Mank. Nominations in Best Picture, Best Director for David Fincher, Best Actor for Gary Oldman seem inevitable.

-Netflix, Netflix, and more Netflix. This will be the year the streaming service receives the most nominations in their company’s history. Now, the pressure is on to win in the major categories.

-I still haven’t seen Tenet.

Which Chadwick Boseman and Glenn Close win Oscars? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Year In Film: 2020 Sucks, But 2021 Could Be Spectacular

Dune and No Time to Die

In the film industry, 2020 was supposed to be the “Year of Dan.” If there was a checklist of franchises and actors I liked, 2020 was set to hit all the boxes. From Daniel Craig and Vin Diesel to Steven Spielberg and Zendaya, 2020 was oozing with star power.

Then, as we all know, the pandemic happened.

The first real “Oh shit” moment in the film industry happened when No Time To Die, the 25th installment in the James Bond franchise and Craig’s final film as the iconic character, pushed back its release date to November. Not even Nostradamus himself could have predicted the shitstorm that’s still occurring to this day.

Were you excited to watch Dominic Torretto drive off a cliff and somehow cross the ocean while attached to a steel chain? Unrealistic and kickass action sequences will have to wait since Fast Nine won’t be released until May 2021. Were you prepared to rejoin the Jets or the Sharks in West Side Story this December? Unfortunately, Christmas is canceled due to the fact Spielberg’s iteration of West Side Story was moved to Dec. 2021. If Timothée Hal Chalamet and Zendaya in the seems like a dream, then you need to keep dreaming since Dune moved from Dec. 2020 to Oct. 2021.

But wait, there’s more. The entire Marvel Cinematic Universe shifted, restructured, and besides WandaVision, punted entirely to 2021. Movies from Ridley Scott, Tom Cruise, Lin-Manuel Miranda were all delayed to 2021. Wonder Woman 1984 is holding out hope for Christmas 2020, but barring a miracle from Wonder Woman herself, it’s almost guaranteed to move. The only theatrical blockbuster that stuck around was Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, and I haven’t even seen it yet!

The only studio that’s thriving is Netflix. The streaming service has been a juggernaut, releasing new films every week including some critically acclaimed gems like Da 5 Bloods and The Trial of the Chicago 7. Unlike most studios, Netflix will have the strongest Oscar contenders with Mank, Hillbilly Elegy, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom coming later this year. Plus, streamers like Hulu had a strong year with Normal People, Devs, and Dave, three of my favorite shows of the year.

2020 has been terrible and frankly, we all need a break. However, as Bradley cooper said in Silver Linings Playbook, “You have to do everything you can, you have to work your hardest, and if you do, if you stay positive, you have a shot at a silver lining.”

Maybe finding a silver lining is a bunch of horse shit, but one can’t look at the film slate in 2021 and not be filled with excitement. From January to December, every week will provide a high profile release. Maybe MoviePass should make a comeback in 2021 because there’s a high chance I’m at the theater four times every month. This stretch from April through the beginning of June will make it tough to pay rent.

All of these dates could still change if cities like New York City and Los Angeles keep theaters closed. However, I’m choosing to stay positive for now.

If No Time to Die moves one more time, I’m out for blood.

What 2021 movie are you looking forward to the most? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

‘You Set Me Up’: How The Social Network Crafted A Perfect Scene

The Social Network / Sony Pictures

To call The Social Network a perfect movie may be an understatement, or an overstatement, depending on your admiration for David Fincher’s 2010 iconic film about Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of Facebook. The Social Network is arguably the best film from the year 2010, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences disagreed with this sentiment when it awarded Best Picture to The King’s Speech.

Regardless of your personal opinion, there’s one scene that’s as close to perfect as you can get and it includes lines like “Sorry, my Prada’s at the cleaners along with my hoodie and my fuck-you flip-flops, you pretentious douchebag,” and “You better lawyer up, asshole, ‘cause I’m not comin’ back, for my 30 percent, I’m comin’ back for everything!” The scene is known as the “You set me up” scene, where Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) confronts Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) about having his share of Facebook diluted from 34% to 0.03%.

Watching this scene again is like watching a football team flawlessly execute a 12-play, 90-yard scoring drive. Minute by minute, line by line, the scene builds in suspense and anticipation as Eduardo and Mark go back and forth at each other at both the deposition and party. Eduardo and Mark are the Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan of the scene, but Justin Timberlake, Aaron Sorkin, and David Fincher play the roles of Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, and Charles Barkley to round out the Dream Team starting lineup. All five guys are in complete control of the scene.

First, there’s David Fincher, who’s as intricate as it comes behind the camera. Fincher is a perfectionist in every sense of the word. In the opening scene of the movie, where Erica Albright dumps Mark, Fincher had Eisenberg and Rooney Mara do 99 takes of this six-minute scene. Try doing something 99 times over the course of two days for your job and see if you still love it after. Just ask Jake Gyllenhall about his time on Zodiac. But if you trust Fincher’s process, he’ll push you to great heights, which usually leads to terrific performances.

Fincher may be the perfectionist behind the camera, but Aaron Sorkin is the maestro behind the script. Sorkin is known for his fast, rhythmic, and over-lapping dialogue that makes the scene play like a musical. It’s why Sorkin is one of the most unique and successful screenwriters of the last 30 years. One would think a director as precise as Fincher and a writer as detailed as Sorkin would clash like oil and water. It turns out that Fincher and Sorkin perfectly balanced each other out, and Sorkin’s script won Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars.

As previously stated, if you trust Fincher’s process, he can bring the best out of you. In Justin Timberlake’s case, his turn as Sean Parker is the actor’s best performance. Everything about Parker screams snake-oil salesman. In the film, Sean is the cool senior who’s showing off to the freshman so he can eventually get the younger kid to do his homework in exchange for popularity. Timberlake is so cool in this movie, and yet you want to punch him in the face throughout the entire exchange between Eduardo and Mark.

Finally, the heart of this scene is the friendship and betrayal between Eduardo and Mark. As Eduardo tells Mark in the deposition, “I was your only friend.” Eduardo’s teary-eyed and emphatic plea is so raw and full of emotion that the audience has to side with the former CFO of Facebook. In turn, Mark starts off as his usual cocky self, blaming Eduardo for his mistake, but Eduardo’s passionate speech eventually shakes Mark to his core. Behind the billionaire-genius is still a guy who wants to be liked. Eisenberg received a well-deserved nomination for Best Actor, but the fact that Garfield did not find himself in the supporting category is still a mistake 10 years later.

If you’ve never seen The Social Network, watch this one scene because it tells you everything you need to know about each character. Sean is manipulative and arrogant, but at the other end of his Facebook mug is an insecure coward. Eduardo is a deer in headlights whose pride gets the best of him, but he’s the film’s most sympathetic character. Then, there’s Mark, who was best described by Marylin Delpy, played by Rashida Jones. At the end of the deposition, Marylin said, “You’re not an asshole Mark. You’re just trying so hard to be.”

It’s up for debate as to whether Mark is a good guy or not, but what’s not up for discussion is the perfection of this scene.

What is your favorite scene from The Social Network? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

2021 Oscars Discussion, Vol. 1: The Year Of Netflix

The Trial of the Chicago 7 / Netflix

Say goodbye to the Emmys and say hello to the Oscars! Even though the Oscars won’t air until April 2021, the last quarter of 2020 signals the start of the Oscar season. Even in a year full of delays, postponements, and a pandemic, studios are still looking to acquire films at major festivals to bolster their awards’ chances. There’s one major studio that has stood above the rest and we all know who it is. Is This The Year Netflix Wins Best Picture?

Is This The Year Netflix Wins Best Picture?

2020 has been the year from hell for most major studios. Giant tentople franchises like Wonder Woman and James Bond have moved their release dates to the end of the year. Marvel and The Fast and Furious punted in 2020 and moved their major releases to 2021. If there’s one major studio that could survive a pandemic, it’s Netflix. Not only has Netflix survived, but it’s thrived beyond belief.

This past week, two major dominoes fell in the Best Picture race. First, West Side Story, one of the most anticipated films of 2020, was pushed back an entire year from Dec. 2020 to Dec. 2021. The iconic musical from Steven Spielberg, which was set to be a frontrunner for Best Picture, now moves to the 2022 Oscars.

When one door closes, another door opens, and in comes Aaron Sorkin. The second major domino revolves around Sorkin’s new film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, which released its first trailer this past week. Originally scheduled for a theatrical release from Paramount, the Chicago 7 was sold to Netflix for over $50 million and now, will be released in select theaters on September 25 before debuting on the streaming service on October 16. The film centers around the famous Chicago Seven, who led protests during the 1968 Democratic Convention. The cast is stacked and includes Oscar-winners Eddie Redmayne and Mark Rylance as well as recent Emmy-winners Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Jeremy Strong.

All you have to say is “Aaron Sorkin wrote a courtroom drama” and this film would be up for awards. From A Few Good Men to The West Wing, the film and television academies love Sorkin in the courtroom. Critics agree as the first wave of reviews has been overwhelmingly positive with Richard Roeper calling it an “instant classic.” In terms of 2021 Oscars, nominations in Best Picture and Best Orginal Screenplay are automatic. Best Director for Sorkin also seems likely. In the acting categories, depending on how Netflix possessions each actor, Sacha Baron Cohen, Redmayne, Rylance, Abdul-Mateen II, and Strong will be considered in either Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor.

The Trial of the Chicago Seven is only one of the Oscar-hopeful films that Netflix has at its disposal. There is a world where Netflix could receive five Best Picture nominations with five established and well-respected directors behind each film. Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloodswill be in the mix due to its critical acclaim. Later this year, Netflix will release Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom from George C. Wolfe, Hillbilly Elegy from Ron Howard, and Mank from David Fincher, who hasn’t made a feature film since 2014’s Gone Girl. If there’s ever a time for Netlfix to win Best Picture, it’s this year.

Other News And Notes

-There have only been five female directors to receive a nomination for Best Director and only one, Kathryn Bigelow, has won the award. At the 2021 Oscars, there could be not one, but two women nominated for Best Director. They are Chloe Zhao for Nomadland and Regina King for One Night in Miami. Nomadland, based on the novel about a woman traveling as a modern-day nomad starring Frances McDormand, recently won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. The last three films to win that prize were Joker, Roma, and The Shape of Water. All three films were nominated for Best Picture and Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón and Guillermo del Toro won Best Director for Roma and The Shape of Water, respectively) so history is on Zhao’s side.

The other film, Regina King’s One Night in Miami, revolves around a fictional meeting between Jim Brown, Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, and Sam Cooke in a Miami hotel room in 1964. The film premiered to positive reviews, praising King’s directorial debut. King, an Oscar and Emmy winner, would be the first black female to be nominated for Best Director.

-Speaking of Netflix, the streaming service acquired Pieces of a Woman, a drama about a couple who must face their midwife after she loses their baby and faces criminal negligence. The performance that drew the most buzz was from Vanessa Kirby, who plays the grieving mother that must navigate fractured relationships with her husband, mother, and midwife. Kirby’s performances have been hailed the “performance of her career” by Variety. Expect a huge campaign from Netflix to elevate Kirby into the Best Actress category.

-Will I ever see Tenet?

Which film from Netflix has the best chance of winning Best Picture? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Dune Trailer Promises A Revolutionary, Beautiful Sci-Fi Adventure

Timothée Chalamet in Dune

2020 may be the year of epic trailers. Thanks to the pandemic, many blockbusters such as No Time to Die and Fast 9 pushed back their release dates to late 2020 or 2021. Most of the country still hasn’t seen Tenet, but trailers for Christopher Nolan’s movie and Wonder Woman 1984 are keeping the excitement alive. After today, add Dune to 2020’s epic year of trailers.

Without knowing anything about Dune, it’s tough to watch that trailer and not be excited about a sci-fi adventure. Based on the 1965 book from Frank Herbert, Dune is known as the “grandfather of science fiction.” It inspired popular franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. I have not read the book (I’m hoping to change that before the film comes out), but from the summaries I read, it’s a story about family, betrayal, and the most valuable resource in the world, “the spice.” Below is the official summary from Warner Bros.

A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

There are many reasons as to why I’m excited for Dune. First of all, who doesn’t love a giant sci-fi epic? However, the people involved, most notably the director and cast, are why my excitement is through the roof. Denis Villeneuve serves as director, which makes my confidence skyrocket. There’s a case to be made that Villeneuve was the greatest director of the 2010s. From Prisoners to Blade Runner 2049, that’s an unbelievable five movie stretch. Villeneuve is a master of beautiful visuals, high-octane action sequences, and tension-building scenes. You can count on all of those three aspects to be included in Dune.

Then, there’s the cast. To say this cast is stacked would be an understatement. Is loaded a better word? Whatever adjective you use, multiply it by ten.

To be honest, you had me at “Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.” But, if Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem play major roles in the film, I guess I’ll take that, too. Seriously, the 1994 Dream Team and Avengers have company in terms of the greatest cast of characters ever assembled.

Dune‘s text is considered sacred by fans, which is why it’s been such a difficult process adapting it to the screen. The most notable adaptation is 1984’s Dune from David Lynch. The film was a box office failure but has developed a cult following since. It’s a tough book to adapt because it’s hard to tell the entire story in one movie, which Villeneuve realized right away. In a panel with Stephen Colbert, Villeneuve said they will need to shoot two movies in order to cover the entire novel. The first Dune movie will only cover half of the novel.

Dune was scheduled to arrive in late December, but that’s up in the air since the trailer did not have a release date. In fact, Wonder Woman 1984 may move from its October release date to Dune‘s December date, which would push back the sci-fi epic to 2021. Whenever the film comes out, I’m all in. Take all of my Apple stock and convert it to Dune stock.

Are you excited about Dune? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

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.

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.