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!

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 — 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.

Why Back To The Future Is A Perfect Movie

Back to the Future

What is the perfect movie? Citizen Kane, Casablanca, or The Godfather are among the greatest movies of all time, but they are far from perfect. I doubt everyone is interested in a gangster epic or the story of a publishing tycoon. However, the adventures of a charming and charismatic teenager who travels back in time via a DeLorean in Back to the Future can be fun for everyone.

Today, July 3, marks the 35th anniversary of Back to the Future. 35 years ago, Marty McFly went to the year 1955, made his parents fall in love, repaired the DeLorean with Doc Brown, and traveled back to the year 1985 to save the space-time continuum. In other words, it’s a perfect movie.

To be perfect, there are certain criteria that a film must meet.

What Elements Make Up A Perfect Movie?

  • Appeals to almost every age range and every type of person
  • Elite protagonist
  • Easy-to-explain story with minimal plot holes
  • Critically and financially successful
  • Great beginning, great middle, and a great ending

Does Back to the Future appeal to almost every age range and every type of person? Absolutely. I saw Back to the Future for the first time when I was about 10 or 11 and it blew my mind. It’s so damn enjoyable from start to finish. An 11-year-old boy and a 53-year-old woman can sit down, watch Back to the Future, and accumulate the same levels of enjoyment. It’s as fun for the whole family as it gets.

Does Back to the Future have an elite protagonist? 100%. Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly is one of the most iconic protagonists in movie history. Fox is a charming, witty, and most importantly, likable protagonist. People can relate to Marty in so many ways. He’s not tall or buff and he doesn’t fight crime like a superhero. He’s a regular guy who gives off a larger-than-life vibe. Fox perfectly balances the humor with the drama, which is something Eric Stolz failed to do and it’s why Fox replaced him after five weeks of filming. It’s one of the biggest sliding doors moment ever.

Is Back to the Future easy to explain? Does it have minimal plot holes? Yes and yes. The science of time travel is confusing, but the film is able to explain it in such a way that even a kid could understand. It’s like Doc Brown is a walking “Time Travel for Dummies” book. Plus, I personally believe there are little to no plot holes. A few weeks ago, James Gunn called Back to the Future perfect, but he questioned why Lorraine and George did not remember Marty in the year 1985. Bob Gale, one of the film’s screenwriters, answered Gunn’s question by saying, “Bear in mind that George and Lorraine only knew Marty/Calvin for eight days when they were 17, and they did not even see him every one of those eight days.” Without pictures, it would be very difficult to remember what someone looks like from 30 years prior.

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1252721892466716672?s=20

Was Back to the Future both critically and financially successful? Are three Academy Award nominations (1 win) and $389 million at the box office enough proof? It’s hard to comprehend an original concept dominating the box office in 2020 with Marvel and Star Wars at every turn. However, Back to the Future, which is based on an original idea and script, was the highest-grossing film of 1985.

Does Back to the Future have a great beginning, great middle, and a great ending? That’s an easy yes to all the above. The beginning scene sets the stage that the film will revolve around time thanks to all of the ticking clocks. The middle follows Marty’s attempt to set George up with Lorraine while simultaneously helping Doc repair the DeLorean and create a plan to return to 1985. The ending is perfect in its own right. From the Enchantment Under The Sea dance to Doc, Marty, and Jennifer flying away, it’s as entertaining of 20+ minute stretch as you’ll ever see.

So I encourage you all to sit down with your families, fire up Back to the Future on Netflix, and bask in its perfection. Remember, where we’re going, we don’t need roads.

Is Back to the Future a perfect movie? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Jaws 45th Anniversary: The Most Important Summer Blockbuster

Jaws

What is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Jaws? Here’s mine: Duunnn dunnn… duuuunnnn duun… duuunnnnnnnn dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnn dunnnn.

45 years ago, Jaws hit theaters, and little did it know, it would change the film industry forever. There’s a case to be made that in terms of blockbusters, Jaws is the defining blockbuster of the modern era. There are films before it and after. Let’s start with the film itself. In layman’s terms, Jaws is about three dudes (Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw) who hunt down a killer great white shark that’s been terrorizing a local beach town. Except it’s so much more than that. It’s an edge-of-your-seat thriller that requires a Xanax after the end credits. A killer, man-eating shark makes it a horror, but Jaws also highlights masculinity and the power struggle between men. The political decisions in Jaws mirror the political choices during the coronavirus pandemic as local governments battle unruly residents on how to reopen the economy. Should we listen to the experts or hit the beaches for the Fourth of July?

Jaws is a masterclass in how to create suspense without revealing your villain too early. It’s fucking terrifying especially the first time you see it. Think about this. The shark doesn’t fully appear onscreen for one hour and 21 minutes into the film. A lot of that had to do with mechanical problems with the shark so director Steven Spielberg had to find ways to shoot around these deficiencies. The anticipation and ominous presence only heighten because of John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score.

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to talk about Spielberg. At the time of its release, Spielberg was an unknown 27-year-old kid with little studio experience. Part of what makes Jaws so legendary is the behind-the-scenes drama. There are so many documentaries about how the production of Jaws was like hell on earth. The shoot was supposed to last 55 days, but it ended up being 159 days. With mechanical shark malfunctions, a budget that ballooned from $4 million to $9 million, and onset drama between Dreyfuss and Shaw, Spielberg believed Jaws would be the end of his career.

Well, Mr. Spielberg, Jaws did not ruin your career. In fact, Jaws turned Spielberg from an unknown to a superstar in one summer. “Jawsmania” was a real thing during the summer of 1975. Jaws made over $490 million at the box office, which was a record at the time until Star Wars passed it two years later. My parents, who both saw the film in theaters, talked about how people were afraid to go into the ocean that entire summer. Speaking from experience, before I dive into the water, I check the horizon to see if a shark fin is on the horizon. I can thank Jaws for that.

Jaws poster

More importantly, Jaws set the precedent for summer blockbusters. Up until then, studios would release films of lesser quality in the summer because they were of the thought that only teenagers went to the movies during those months. Winter was seen as a more profitable month for big studio releases. However, Jaws made the summer the most important time for blockbusters. Jaws spent more than $2 million on marketing in the lead up to the release. Network television spots created a sense of familiarity with audiences because they knew the premise and heard William’s suspenseful score before going to theaters. Plus, Jaws opened in over 400 theaters on the first weekend, which was unheard of at the time. Spending huge money on marketing and opening in hundreds of theaters is the blueprint that studios still follow to this day.

Despite poorly-received sequels, Jaws has still survived the test of time. It was selected by the Library of Congress I’ve rewatched parts from Jaws dozens of times and the fear in the pit of my stomach still remains as if it’s my first viewing experience. No matter what happens, always remember that Hooper drives the boat, chief.

Will you watch this classic on the 45th anniversary? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Oscars 2021: Predictions For Da 5 Bloods And The King of Staten Island

Da 5 Bloods and The King of Staten Island

It’s never too early to start thinking about the Oscars even if the ceremony’s date was pushed back to the Spring. Last week, the Academy decided to push back the Oscar ceremony to April 25, 2021. More importantly, the eligibility requirements moved from Dec. 31, 2020, to the end Feb. 28, 2021. Due to COVID-19, delaying the ceremony was expected, but still surprising. This change will likely set off a domino effect for the dates of other awards shows like the Golden Globes, which usually convenes at the beginning of January.

Despite being 10 months away, there are two films from the last week that should Oscar aspirations with one being a serious contender for multiple awards. The two movies are Da 5 Bloods and The King of Staten Island. Da 5 Bloods jumps off the page as an Oscar contender because of its subject matter, stellar performances, and direction from Spike Lee. In turn, The King of Staten Island is the type of film that’s typically not represented at the Oscars, but in a perfect world, there should be Oscars’ consideration for one performance in particular.

Da 5 Bloods

It’s June 18 and Netflix’s Da 5 Bloods is the leader in the clubhouse for Best Picture. In Da 5 Bloods, four African American veterans (Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr.) return to Vietnam to find the remains of their heroic squad leader, Stormin’ Norman (Chadwick Boseman) and collect a treasure they buried during the war. Da 5 Bloods is half war drama/half crime thriller that frames the Vietnam War entirely through the eyes of black veterans, which is a first for films about that specific war. Like many of Lee’s films, it’s equally compelling as it is informational as the film references historical moments such as the assassination of Martin Luther King, the resignation of President Richard Nixon, and the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1960s. It’s a film that presents a war on two fronts: the war in Vietnam and the fight against oppression in the United States. At its core, Da 5 Bloods depicts how the traumas of our past stay with us today.

Lee’s passionate storytelling and careful direction are on full display in Da 5 Bloods, but will it lead to Oscar nominations? It’s hard to believe that up until 2019, Lee received only two individual nominations*: a screenplay nomination for the iconic, Do the Right Thing, and a documentary nomination for 4 Little Girls. It wasn’t until 2018’s BlacKkKlansman when Lee finally received his long-awaited competitive Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

*Lee received an honorary Oscar in 2016.

With what’s going on in this country, from the Black Lives Matters movement to protests over police brutality, it will be hard to find a more culturally relevant film in 2020 than Da 5 Bloods. Now that Lee won an Oscar, momentum is on his side with the Academy. It’s clearly at the top of the shortlist for best film of the year up to this point. Plus, the fact that it’s on Netflix could help the film remain on the public’s radar for the rest of the year. All of these components could make up the perfect storm for Lee to win Best Director, which has never been won by a black man or black woman. In addition to Lee, don’t sleep on Lindo, who gives an emotional tour-de-force of performance that’s so raw and moving. It’s still early, but Da 5 Bloods could be in for a historic night next April.

Oscars 2021: Nomination Predictions For Da 5 Bloods

  • Best Picture
  • Best Director, Spike Lee
  • Best Actor, Delroy Lindo
  • Best Supporting Actor, Clarke Peters
  • Best Orginal Screenplay, Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo, Spike Lee, and Kevin Willmott
  • Best Cinematography, Newton Thomas Sigel
  • Best Score, Terence Oliver Blanchard

The King of Staten Island

Time and time again, Judd Apatow finds a rising talent and turns them into a superstar. Add with Pete Davidson to the long list of Apatow’s muses thanks to The King of Staten Island, Apatow’s first non-documentary since 2015’s Trainwreck. In The King of Staten Island, Davidson stars as Scott, an unmotivated stoner that failed to move on from his firefighter father’s passing as a child. When his mother (Marisa Tomei) begins to date another fireman (Bill Burr), Scott must get his life together and figure out his future before it’s too late.

Like many of Apatow’s previous films, The King of Staten Island‘s strength is a well-balanced combination of hilarity with sincerity. It’s an unofficial autobiography of Davidson’s life, from his Staten Island roots to the passing of his real firefighter father on 9/11. Davidson’s heartfelt, nuanced, and somewhat dark performance is the complete opposite of the comedian he plays on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update. Frankly, Davidson, the actor, is my favorite version of the 26-year-old. I rarely tune into SNL and standup specials from comedians not named Dave Chappelle so my opinions on Davidson before 2020 were limited. After his performances in Big Time Adolescence and The King of Staten Island, I hope that Davidson continues to go down this road of complicated, comedic characters. If he teams with the right directors, there’s no reason why Davidson can’t be the next Seth Rogen or Jonah Hill.

The King of Staten Island benefits from its supporting cast with standout performances from Bel Powley, Marisa Tomei, and most notably, Bill Burr. All three characters call Scott out on his bullshit not because they don’t love him. In fact, all three challenge Scott to start a new life because they do care. Powley and Tomei are more tender with their approach while Burr shows Scott tough love in the firehouse and forces Scott to face the demons that have haunted him since his father’s passing. Burr’s Ray Bishop is hard-nosed, caring, and the perfect counterpoint to Davidson’s Scott. The interactions between those two characters are the strongest points in the film with Burr stealing most of those scenes.

When it comes to the Oscars, why are comedies rarely recognized? It’s an age-old question with no clear answer. Comedies are one of the most popular genres in film, and yet, they barely breakthrough in the Best Picture category. Birdman in 2014 and The Artist in 2011 both have comedic moments, but both films are a far cry from a typical comedy. Before that, 1977’s Annie Hall is the last true comedy to win Best Picture. With acting, comedic wins happen more often, but like Best Picture, it’s a performance with comedic moments in a drama. Brad Pitt, Olivia Colman, and Frances McDormand played characters with humorous moments and all won acting Oscars within the last three years. However, Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood, The Favourite, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri do not have the same comedic undertones as The King of Staten Island.

The King of Staten Island may not have your typical Oscar performances, but Tomei and Burr should each receive consideration in the supporting categories. If there’s anyone who can win a surprise Oscar for a comedy, it’s Tomei, who won Best Supporting Actress for My Cousin Vinny. With all due respect, as good as Tomei is, it’s Burr’s performance that stood above the rest. Selfishly, I hope more studios hire Burr to star in more films because his raw, comedic persona is refreshing to see onscreen.

With all that being said, I can’t sit here with a straight face and predict any Oscar nominations for The King of Staten Island. Believe me, I’d love to be wrong about this! If there’s any consolation, Davidson could nab a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical.

What are your thoughts on Da 5 Bloods and The King of Staten Island? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Judd Apatow: Five Best Moments From His Legendary Filmography

Knocked Up Judd Apatow

Judd Apatow has a gift. He has a true eye for talent. Apatow can spot up-and-coming stars and underutilized talent better than anyone in the film industry. Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Steve Carrell, Linda Cardellini, and Amy Schumer are a few names that come to mind. Now, it’s time to add Pete Davidson to the list with The King of Staten Island.

Between writing, producing, and directing, Apatow’s filmography is beyond impressive because it includes some of the most important comedies of the 21st century. Apatow helped shaped influential films such as The 40-Year-Old-Virgin, Anchorman, Knocked Up, Superbad, Step Brothers, and Bridesmaids. That’s a hall of fame run for just one man.

With his return to directing non-documentaries, I broke down my favorite moments from Apatow’s films. This was an impossible task so I only went with what popped into my head right away. I know I missed a lot of important scenes so (please) forgive me. I also only used scenes from movies so that disqualified television shows like Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared.

Judd Apatow: Five Best Moments From His Legendary Filmography

“Josh Birnbaum, Step On The Scale, Son!” – Heavyweights

Imagine having Heavyweights as your first screenwriting credit for a feature film? Apatow came out swinging with Heavyweights, the story of a fat camp that’s taken over by a fitness junkie, Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller). There’s a real argument to be made that Heavyweights is my favorite Ben Stiller performance. It’s without a doubt his most underrated, but Tony Perkis is one of the greatest villains in a family movie ever. He’s so evil and conniving and expertly parodies the larger than life fitness guru. On Rotten Tomatoes, it’s has a score of 29% on the Tomatometer, but 77% with audiences. In this round of critics vs. the audience, the audience clearly wins. There are so many one-liners from this film, but I’ll go with Josh Birnbaum stepping on the scale. And remember, muscle weighs more than fat!

Family Health Clinic – The 40-Year-Old Virgin

https://youtu.be/eeA0aH11Smg

It’s hard to believe that Apatow’s first trip to the director’s chair in a feature film was for The 40-Year-Old-Virgin. Do I think it’s the funniest Apatow movie? No, but it’s pretty damn hilarious. However, in 2004-2005, Apatow helped turn Steve Carell into a household name. Between Anchorman and The 40-Year-Old-Virgin, Apatow showcased Carrell’s leading-man potential. Between those two movies, Carell debuted as Michael Scott on The Office, and the rest is history. Carrell’s awkward, confused, and somewhat charming portrayal of Andy helped The 40-Year-Old-Virgin become a comedic classic. I wanted to put the egg salad sandwich scene, but I couldn’t have people think I’m the 40-year-old-virgin in real life so I’ll go with sex-ed for a 40-year-old.

These Eyes Are Crying/Blood Brothers – Superbad

This is my pick for the reigning, defending, and undisputed champion of the world. Superbad is not only my favorite Apatow film but my favorite comedy of all time. The entire sequence from Seth getting hit by the car to leaving the party after the brawl is absolutely perfect. Superbad is probably the most quotable comedy of all time. Go to any party and if someone is singing, drop “you’re Jimmy’s brother, the singer” and you’ll get a reaction. Always remember that these eyes are crying.

First Dinner Scene, Step Brothers

Your honor, objection to “Superbad is probably the most quotable comedy of all time. The real answer is Step Brothers.” Step Brothers is not as good as Superbad, but it’s so ridiculousness in nature that it’s hilarious to watch Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly in their element. Most people will point to the nutsack on the drumset or the final song as their favorite scene, but this four-minute dinner makes me laugh the hardest. It’s so passive-aggressive and cringeworthy. I say, “I like it,” the way Dale does all the time. My brother and I hug like Brendan and Robert whenever we see each other. I remember my first beer.

Red’s House, Pineapple Express

If you’re looking to play a comedic asshole down the road, study Danny McBride’s character, Red. From his physical comedy to his sarcastic tone, McBride rules in this scene. Pineapple Express had no business becoming this funny. A weed movie combined with an action movie should not work on paper, but Apatow, Rogen, and Evan Goldberg turned it into a cult classic. I mean James Franco received a best acting nomination at the Golden Globes for this performance, which is almost unfathomable. Here’s to the cross joint.

What is your favorite moment from a Judd Apatow movie? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

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

Tenet

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

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

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

John David Washington in Tenet

Pros

It’s A Christopher Nolan Movie

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

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

The Mystique Of A Christopher Nolan Film

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

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

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

Cons

Coronavirus

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

Theaters Are (Kind Of) Closed

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

Final Answer

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

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

One Tweet Reviews: Extraction And Love Wedding Repeat

I live on Twitter, or as I like to call it, “The Tweeter.” Do you know what I also love? Watching movies, which is what I did the other weekend when I streamed Extraction and Love Wedding Repeat. Put those two together and you have my next segment, One Tweet Reviews.

I once heard that if you can describe the plot of a movie or television show in one sentence, then that movie has a better chance to succeed. It’s not the be-all and end-all, but there’s some truth in it. In today’s age, people tend to gravitate to short, quick bits of information so if you can win the audience over with a one-sentence logline, that’s a good start.

I wanted to take that mindset and apply it to my reviews. Sometimes, I wish I had more words and more time to describe shows like Normal People and Devs. On the other hand, for these two Netflix movies, a simple tweet will suffice. So that’s what I did. I reviewed these movies in 240 characters or less.

Without further ado, here are my One Tweet Reviews for Extraction and Love Wedding Repeat.

Extraction

Synopsis from Netflix: Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth) is a fearless black market mercenary who embarks on the deadliest mission of his career when he’s enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an international crime lord. Directed by Sam Hargrave, this action-packed, edge-of-your-seat thriller is produced by Joe and Anthony Russo, the visionary directors of Avengers: Endgame.

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Randeep Hooda, Golshifteh Farahani, Pankaj Tripathi, and David Harbour 

One Tweet Review: Extraction

I don’t have the exact numbers, but Chris Hemsworth shot and killed approximately 50,000 bad guys. The 12-minute tracking shot was an adrenaline rush. The perfect “Netflix movie.” I loved every second of it.

Love Wedding Repeat

Synopsis from Netflix: While trying to make his sister’s wedding day go smoothly, Jack (Sam Claflin) finds himself juggling an angry ex-girlfriend (Freida Pinto), an uninvited guest with a secret, a misplaced sleep sedative, and the girl that got away (Olivia Munn) in alternate versions of the same day.

Cast: Sam Claflin, Olivia Munn, Eleanor Tomlinson, Joel Fry, Tim Key, and Aisling Bea 

One Tweet Review: Love Wedding Repeat

I’ll always make time for a Netflix rom-com. However, the storylines were confusing at times and a bit messy in the middle. However, a charming cast and strong ending were enough to keep me entertained. Main takeaway: If I don’t get married in Rome, I failed.

How’d we do? Agree or disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Build Your Own Avengers: Which Superheroes Will You Choose?

Avengers Endgame

Avengers, assemble. The year is 2020 and there have been zero movies released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That’s such a weird sentence to read considering the Marvel films have been a staple in pop culture since 2008.

Since we miss our superhero and making lists is the go-to activity during quarantine, Entertainment Weekly tweeted this out the other day.

I understand that these exercises are supposed to spawn thousands of different combinations, but I can only think of two combinations that make sense. Here’s mine.

$15 – Build Your Own Avengers

$5 Captain America – For me, selecting Captain America was a no-brainer. I mean he has the word “captain” in his title. Steve Rogers is the guy you want to be in a foxhole with when shit hits the fan. With Cap, giving up is not an option. Besides his leadership and positive attitude, Cap also happens to be the strongest “human” on this list. It takes a special type of person to lift Mjolnir and what Cap did in Endgame was beyond special. My team won’t lose with Captain America leading us into battle.

$5 Thor – Instead of dropping down a slot, I’m choosing to spend the five dollars in the first category again to select Thor. First of all, on Earth, Thor is a God. That’s a good start when building a team of Avengers. Superhuman strength, speed, injury resistance, and endurance would have been enough of a selling point for me, but thanks to Mjolnir, Thor can control thunder and lightning. He’s the God of Thunder who can fly. How are you going to stop him? You can’t. Welcome to the team, Thor.

https://youtu.be/Z68MRjRpwdo

$2 Scarlet Witch – With these next three picks, it’s like I’m stealing. Their value is insane. My first value pick is Scarlet Witch. In Infinity War, besides Thor, Scarlet Witch went toe-to-toe with Thanos and held her own. She walked away with minimal injuries, which is almost impossible. Scarlet Witch can generate force fields, fly, and manipulate energy. Plus, she can invade your thoughts and plant ideas in your mind. I want someone with the powers of telepathy and telekinesis on my side.

Marvel

$1 Vision – Vision should NOT be $1. He’s an android! That should bump him up to $3 at the very least. Vision has superhuman speed, strength, and reflexes to go along with his ability to compute large data quantities and equations. His love for Scarlet Witch may blur his motives, but if she’s in trouble, no one is going to fight harder than Vision.

Marvel

$1 Bucky – Everyone needs a friend to fight with and Captain America’s best friend is Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier. However, Bucky is making the team not only for his friendship with Steve but for his skills as an assassin. Besides the superhuman strength and stamina, Bucky is a stone-cold killer with elite skills as a marksman and spy. Winter Soldier, welcome to the squad.

https://youtu.be/4JcSmCSgi24

Look at that, I didn’t even need the full $15. I did mention that there was only one other combination I was considering. If you wanted to sub in Dr. Strange for Thor or Captain America, I don’t hate it. However, my squad of Avengers will dominate. Good luck my squad.

What would be your picks for your team of Avengers? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

The Five Best And Five Worst Characters In Titanic

Titanic

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

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

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

Five Best Characters In Titanic

5. Tommy Ryan

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

4.  Wallace Hartley And His Fellow Musicians

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

https://youtu.be/tCS7ReJphu4

3. Chief Baker Charles Joughin

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

2. Jack Dawson

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

1. Molly Brown

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

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

Five Worst Characters In Titanic

5. Captain Edward John Smith

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

4. Cal Hockley

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

3.  First Officer William Murdoch

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

2. Rose DeWitt Bukate aka Young Rose

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

1. Rose Dawson Calvert aka Old Rose

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

https://youtu.be/Y8cnPNC3NsE

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

(All images are taken from Titanic / Paramount Pictures)