Well as we transition into 2018 and we look ahead at some of the bigger films to come out this year, it could be a great year if you’re a Marvel fan. While I’m sure we are all eager for Ant-Man and the Wasp (no, seriously, I kind of am), there’s probably more anticipation and excitement for Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War. So with that in mind, we thought it would be fun to pin those films up against one another for our poll this week. Which one are you most excited to see?
Vote now!
This week on the InSession Film Podcast, we featured our 5th annual InSession Film Awards! During Part 1, we discussed the very best that 2017 had to offer in terms of film. We dove into everything from movie surprises, to movie trailers, to the best acting performances and so much more!
For every category, we each listed our own nominations and winners. Winners are highlighted in bold.
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Best Individual Score Track
Best Documentary
Best Foreign Language Film
Best “Wow” Moments
Ridley Scott Gets My Full Respect Despite His Attempts To Destroy The Alien Franchise
Best Directorial Debut
Best Film Directed by a Woman
Best Documentary
Well that’s it for our 2017 InSession Film Awards! Hopefully you all enjoyed our nominations and winners. If you agree or disagree with us, let us know in the comment section below. We would love to hear how your nominations and winners would vary from our picks above. You can also email your selections to us at [email protected] or follow us on social media.
To hear our Top 10 Movies of 2017, listen to Part 2 of Episode 257!
This week on the InSession Film Podcast, for Part 2 of our InSession Film Awards, we discuss our Top 10 Movies of 2017! We had a really fun discussion as we countdown the very best that 2017 had to offer at the movies this last year. Mainstream Hollywood saw an upswing in mainstream filmmaking, while offering progressive qualities in many instances that reflected much of the change we saw last year. The indie and awards circuits had a lot to do with that as well, making it a very memorable year overall.
Click here to listen to Part 1 of our 5th annual InSession Film Awards!
– Top 10 Movies of 2017 (4:22)
JD’s full list here
See Brendan’s full list here
Special thanks to all of our friends who called in and gave us their top movies of 2017!
Adam Kempenaar / Josh Larson – Filmspotting
Adnan Virk – Cinephile: The Adnan Virk Movie Podcast
Dave Hart – Pop Culture Case Study
Matt Oakes – Silver Screen Riot
Do you agree or disagree with our list? Let us know in the comment section below or contact us on social media.
– Music
PBNJ – Patti Cake$
Visions of Gideon – Sufjan Stevens
The Return of the Eagle – Atli Örvarsson
Subscribe to our Podcasts RSS
Subscribe to our Podcasts on iTunes
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InSession Film Podcast – Episode 257 (Part 2)
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If you want to help support us, there are several ways you can help us and we’d absolutely appreciate it. Every penny goes directly back into supporting the show and we are truly honored and grateful. Thanks for your support and for listening to the InSession Film Podcast!
VISIT OUR DONATE PAGE HERE
This week on the InSession Film Podcast, we feature our 5th annual InSession Film Awards! During Part 1, we discuss the very best that 2017 had to offer in terms of film. We discuss surprises, trailers, posters, screenplays, the best acting performances and so much more!
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we discuss our Top 10 Movies of 2017.
Want to participate with our Awards show? Go to our Preview page and download the Awards Category sheet, fill it out with your nominees, and winners and as you listen to the show, see how your picks stack up against ours!
– InSession Film Awards 2017 (4:13)
Best Overlooked Movie
Best Movie Discovery
Individual Special Awards
Best Movie Poster
Best Movie Trailer
Best Opening/Closing Credits Sequence or Scene
Best Surprise Actor/Actress
Best Surprise Movie
Biggest Disappointment
Best Use of Soundtrack Music (Doesn’t have to be original. Closing and Opening credits count)
Best Original Score
Best Animated Movie
Best Cinematography
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Original Screenplay
Best Director
Best Actress Supporting Role
Best Actor Supporting Role
Best Actress
Best Actor
*See a list of all of our nominees and winners here!
Special thanks to all of our friends who called in and gave us their top movies of 2017!
Arcturus – MGCTv
Dan Clarke – CinemaGeekCast
Fox Troilo / Chris Reynolds – Geekscholars Movie News
DJ Valentine – Simplistic Reviews
Tim Costa – First Time Watchers
Jason Michael / Lee Brady – Atlantic Screen Connection
Matt Neglia – Next Best Picture
DeAnn Chiazzese – Next Best Picture
Sarah Buddery – Sarah Saw A Movie
Mark Hurne – CriterionCast.com
Richard Newby – AudiencesEverywhere.com
Cody Villafana – Cinesnob
Jairo Benavidas – True Bromance Podcast
Nate Parsons – Former InSession Film Co-Host
Scott Pollard – Former InSession Film Co-Host
Nguyen Le – InSession Film Writer
Chris Martinez – InSession Film Writer
2017 was a really good year for film, in the back half of the year in particular. Films such as The Shape of Water, Call Me By Your Name and Lady Bird (and I guess we shouldn’t ignore Three Billboards either) especially took the world by storm. We also saw great little indies like Columbus and The Florida Project stamp home their greatness. Let’s not forget about the beginning of the year either, with greatness such as Get Out, Logan and Personal Shopper. And say what you will about the year’s summer films, but it did give us War for the Planet of the Apes, Wonder Woman, Dunkirk, Baby Driver and Spider-Man: Homecoming. If you ask me, that’s a pretty good lineup and it had more to offer beyond those listed. Understandably, many people have been angry about certain issues in our political and social landscape – something that was mirrored in the films we saw this last year and how people reacted to them. No doubt that 2017 will be a defining year when it comes to film and the industry in Hollywood. That said, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
Do you agree or disagree with any of our picks? Let us know in the comment section below.
– Music
PBNJ – Patti Cake$
Visions of Gideon – Sufjan Stevens
The Return of the Eagle – Atli Örvarsson
Subscribe to our Podcasts RSS
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InSession Film Podcast – Episode 257 (Part 1)
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Main Review: Phantom Thread
Top 5: Most Anticipated 2018
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If you want to help support us, there are several ways you can help us and we’d absolutely appreciate it. Every penny goes directly back into supporting the show and we are truly honored and grateful. Thanks for your support and for listening to the InSession Film Podcast!
VISIT OUR DONATE PAGE HERE
This week on the InSession Film Podcast: Extra Film segment, we discuss the Polish mermaid horror musical The Lure, a film we still can’t believe actually exists. We also review the documentary Human Flow from artist Ai Weiwei about the global (yes, global) refugee crisis, one of the most pertinent films you’ll likely see from 2017.
We also open up with a bittersweet announcement regarding our good friend and Extra Film co-host Vince Leo; Vince joins us to discuss the upcoming and exciting changes to his life and how that will impact his involvement with InSession Film going forward, so don’t miss out on that!
With that said, have fun listening to this week’s Extra Film segment and let us know what you think in the comment section below. Thanks for listening!
– Movie Review: The Lure (11:06)
Grades
Brendan: B
JD: A-
– Movie Review: Human Flow (39:09)
Grades
Brendan: B+
JD: A-
This week’s episode is brought to you by our great friends at Who Spiked the Puns? and Next Best Picture.
– Music
You Were the Beat of My Heart – Maria Mazurek
Cities of Glass – Efterklang
The Return of the Eagle – Atli Örvarsson
We try to make this the best movie podcast we possibly can and we hope you enjoy them. Subscribe today on iTunes and Stitcher and please leave us a review on iTunes. You can also find us on Soundcloud, PlayerFM and TuneIn Radio as well. We really appreciate all your support of the InSession Film Podcast.
Subscribe to our Podcasts RSS
Subscribe to our Podcasts on iTunes
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Stitcher
The Lure / Human Flow – Extra Film
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To hear this Extra Film episode and everything else we do, download our apps on the Amazon Market for Android and the Podcast Box app on IOS devices. The mobile app covers all of our main shows, bonus podcast’s and everything else relating to the InSession Film Podcast. Thanks for your wonderful support and listening to our show. It means the world to us!
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If you want to help support us, we would greatly appreciate it! For more info, CLICK HERE.
Director: Nicolai Fuglsig
Writers: Ted Tally, Peter Craig, Doug Stanton (novel)
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña, Trevante Rhodes
Synopsis: In the wake of Sept. 11, Capt. Mitch Nelson leads a U.S. Special Forces team into Afghanistan for an extremely dangerous mission. Once there, the soldiers develop an uneasy partnership with the Northern Alliance to take down the Taliban and its al-Qaeda allies. Outgunned and outnumbered, Nelson and his forces face overwhelming odds in a fight against a ruthless enemy that takes no prisoners.
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12 Strong is something that feels extremely meticulous with its aspirations. For a film being so heavily indulgent in the idealization of self-patriotism, a substantial number of pivotal components abide from such flavorless adequacy. First-time director Nicolai Fuglsig—who is incredibly admirable for an evident yearning of attempting to compose this cohesive piece of an American reflection so prematurely on in his directorial career—reprehensibly feels marginalized from the distraction of the event and those being portrayed.
After an expedited news and media compilation extending across the U.S’ war on terror circa early 2000s, our first character introduction is commended to Capt. Mitch Nelson. He’s played quite sternly and austere by Chris Hemsworth who diminishes his trademark Australian roots in to a rugged encapsulation of this ‘macho’ American facade. Even with the indirect emotional arc being established mere minutes in to the film amidst Nelson and his family in relation to that catastrophic day – once it’s tenuous presence has been renovated into the narrative, that ploy remains fairly distant until the resolution becomes afloat. Despite Fuglsig’s inexperience, make no mistake that he wastes zero time with getting the film on track. In a sense it’s invigorating to see something with such a willingness to burn up its screen-time wisely. But contradictory to that, perhaps it wasn’t the most plausible move for the emotional augmentation of its characters. In such case that once our protagonists reach the battlefield, the threat level is so eminently low because of the minimal backstory and growth we’ve been handed.
Every last detail even mentioned in the same breath of such subject matter is indeed going to be delicate. Adapting a film recollecting on the aftermath of one of the nation’s most harrowingly sensitive events deserves to be accompanied with a heed of reverence. Fortunately the entirety of those circumstances are brought upon with a correct amount of earnest proportions. I suppose one could say it maintains a smidge of a root of blockbuster grit, yet even then nothing of such nature is glorified in any way. The significance remains increasingly consistent but alternatively the knack on the other side of the camera is too inferior to further the momentous weight. For the majority of the time in the barren war landscape, it contains an entertainment level mild enough to leave most audiences riveted. In which the pacing begins to assay off to try and keep its head above the water once we’ve reached the second act of the film, which is undoubtedly the most shoddily and hastily produced out of the three.
The eventual war sequences aren’t legitimately choreographed by some action maestro nor are they part of extravagant, mindless moments of enjoyment thus actually being a makeshift of the two. They’re sufficient enough as stepping stones towards the true climax which is oddly the saving grace for the remaining few combat segments that aren’t as stouthearted as the massive formulaic finale. I’d say that’s fairly applicable for the director of photography likewise. In terms of a war film along with its action characters and set pieces, it’s fairly sturdy in its own right. But then again, does a movie like this need the most avant-garde cinematography? Perhaps this might possibly be a personal observation, but it’s still worth noting that the color correction and final palette for this film is bluntly, abhorrent. This isn’t an attempt to make this out as an over-exaggeration, but every incessant frame is so blatantly yielded with this un-enthused, lifeless green/black tint. It initiates this foul look and feeling so chaotically fabricated, that the shade of muck is persistent on seeping through a broad stack of shots. Beside this however, its biggest ramification can be narrowed down to its boisterous infatuation of individual feats rather than an examination of the universal success of the order being carried out by these authentic heroes. In association with that, it feels as though not enough time and attentiveness is being brought upon the other facets that need it. I’m sure the assimilation between all of these elements is the vision the producers were imagining, but it doesn’t necessarily triumph.
The one aspect that remains virtually flawless throughout the increasing runtime is this companionship amongst our characters, or as these distinguished “horse soldiers”. Their chemistry and the evident palpability of topics such as valor and brotherhood are exhibited rather exceptionally. They’re rarely ever over-saturated yet serve to stabilize the atmospheric sensibility, which is something you can’t really ask for much more of. I do personally wish that Trevante Rhodes could’ve played a more notable role. His aptitude as an actor reaches far beyond the depths of 2016’s Moonlight which left 12 Strong feeling like a bit of nonevent regarding his screen-time. Michael Shannon and Michael Peña also continue to be as crafty as ever. Shannon is a natural virtuoso and Peña has always been able to provide the most premier comedic relief in a project when needed.
12 Strong carries its fair amount of flaws, as that’s quite apparent from what’s been stated above, but the good certainly outweighs the bad. War brings out a character in all of us, whether that be for better or worse. And this feature ethically shows the most foremost here. It’s a huge morale lift, providing a somewhat humane reassurance for the country’s society. Whether or not it’s venturing for those intentions, some might find gratification in a film of this caliber and genre in such a waterlogged political climate we currently reside in.
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This weekend we see the expansion of 2017 films Phantom Thread and Hostiles, with a few 2018 newcomers in 12 Strong and Den of Thieves. So while you want something more artful, something brooding or perhaps you’re in the mood for a conventional action film, there are some options out there if you’re in the mood for a trip to the theaters.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Stars: Vicky Krieps, Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville
Synopsis: Set in 1950’s London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.
Quick Take: It’s Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis, what’s not to love here?
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Director: Nicolai Fuglsig
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, William Fichtner
Synopsis: 12 Strong tells the story of the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11; under the leadership of a new captain, the team must work with an Afghan warlord to take down the Taliban.
Quick Take: I love this cast, and the idea of modern soldiers on horses is interesting, but the trailers were mundane. I’m hoping for the best, but expecting mediocrity.
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Director: Christian Gudegast
Stars: Gerard Butler, Jordan Bridges, Pablo Schreiber
Synopsis: A gritty crime saga which follows the lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff’s Dept. and the state’s most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank.
Quick Take: I could take it or leave it. I like Gerard Butler overall though, so I’ll maybe give this a shot at some point.
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What will you be seeing this weekend?
This week for our Episode 256 InSession Film Podcast: Bonus Content, DJ Valentine from Simplistic Reviews joins us as we discuss Star Wars: The Last Jedi a little bit further, in particular how it handles Luke Skywalker. We also discuss Marvel’s The Punisher series out on Netflix and their upcoming film Black Panther!
Listen to Episode 256 by clicking here.
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We offer our bonus content for free, but we do encourage and appreciate a small donation of $0.99 as a way to help support the show. Click on the PayPal button below to donate and thanks so much for your support. You can also hear all of our Bonus Content via our mobile apps. See the information at the bottom of the post for more details.
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Listen to all of our bonus content on our apps for just a one-time fee! Whether you have an iPhone, Android or Windows phone, our apps are available in many different ways that is convenient for you. With our mobile app, not only can you listen to all of our bonus content, but our main shows and our Extra Film podcasts as well. Click here for more info!
If you don’t want to purchase our bonus content, but still want to support us, there are other you can help us out. Click here for more info.
Our poll this week is simply inspired by our fifth annual InSession Film Awards, which we’ll be diving into this weekend on Episode 257. 2017 was a year where mainstream blockbusters improved mightily from the previous year and the indie circuit hit major strides in the fall. With films such as The Florida Project, Call Me By Your Name and Lady Bird talking the film world by storm, the latter half of the year was great. But even early on we saw the likes of Logan, Get Out and Personal Shopper, which made for a full and great year. Say what you want about 2017, but film had some great experiences to offer that we hope you enjoyed as much as we did.
On that note, what was the best film of 2017? Vote now!
We are less than two weeks away from our 5th annual InSession Film Awards show as we discuss the very best that film had to offer in 2017. This is an exciting time of year and our awards show is one our favorite things we get to do. As we’ve done in previous years, we will have a list of categories, individually nominating five candidates and then presenting our winner for that category. We will also present our Top 10 movies of 2017 in Part 2 of the awards ceremonies.
So to help you prepare for the show, we’ve laid out below all of the categories we’ll be discussing. To play along with us, select five nominees and a winner for each category. Then stay tuned for Episode 257 as we discuss each category and we’ll see how your selections compare with ours. Click on the link below if you would like a print out version.
Remember, treat each category as your own. Select your own nominees and winner based on your own experience with film this last year. If you’d like, email, Facebook or tweet us your ballot. We would love to see how your awards sheet turns out!
InSession Film Awards Categories:
Individual Special Awards
– For this category, make up your own special awards that you want to give away. This can be anything from film in 2017 that isn’t related to any category below.
Best Movie Poster
Best Movie Trailer
Best Opening/Closing Credits Sequence or Scene
Best Surprise Actor/Actress
Best Surprise Movie
Biggest Movie Disappointment
Best Use of Soundtrack Music
– Any song (non-score) used in the film, either original or pre-recorded. Opening and Closing credits count.
Best Original Score
Best Animated Movie
Best Cinematography
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Original Screenplay
Best Director
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Picture
– Hear our Top 10 films of 2017 on Part 2 of Episode 257.
This week on Episode 256 of the InSession Film Podcast, we discussed our the best movie scenes of 2017. Of all the year end Top 3’s we do, this one is arguably the most difficult, but it’s also the most rewarding. These are the moments that moved us the most, were the most thought-provoking and will come to define 2017 in film. There are countless individual scenes that could qualify for this list, but that’s what makes this list exciting in the end. Given that there are so many to choose from, the scenes that do make our list carry a lot of weight with us. On that note, what scenes would make your list? Here are the one’s that made ours:
**Please keep in mind that we each had different criteria for our selections**
JD
1) Mr. Perlman’s Monologue / Elio’s Reflection by Fireplace – Call Me By Your Name
2) Airport Drop-Off – Lady Bird
3) Ending Sequence – The Florida Project
4) Farrier Lands Spitfire – Dunkirk
5) No Man’s Land – Wonder Woman
Brendan
1) Mr. Perlman’s Monologue / Elio’s Reflection by Fireplace – Call Me By Your Name
2) Hotel Breakfast – The Florida Project
3) Pen Drop – Your Name
4) An Act of Nature Intervenes – War for the Planet of the Apes
5) Drunken Dress-ware – Phantom Thread
Honorable Mentions (Combined)
Final Scene – Get Out
Rod’s Phone Calls – Get Out
Pie Scene / I Get Overwhelmed – Ghost Story
Throne Room – The Last Jedi
Ending – The Red Turtle
Creeper on Property – The Florida Project
Statue – Call Me By Your Name
Fight – Phantom Thread
Casey Explaining Architecture – Columbus
Bid Farwell – Columbus
Flint’s Tragedy – Jane
One-shot Action Scene – Atomic Blonde
Georgie’s Death – It
Kitchen Revelation – Band Aid
Hospital Emotion – Book of Henry
Decision to Publish – The Post
Bathroom Sex Scene – The Shape of Water
Sign Language “F*** You” – The Shape of Water
Mirror – I, Tonya
K finding out who he is / Tears in the Rain – Blade Runner 2049
Caesar’s Liberation – War for the Planet of the Apes
Barn – Mudbound
Brother’s Fight on Lawn – The Meyerowitz Stories
Logan / Laura Revelation – Logan
The Play – Wonder
Texting – Personal Shopper
Haunted House – Personal Shopper
Remember Me – Coco
Final Shot of Milne + Christopher – Goodbye Christopher Robin
Terry Notary – The Square
Baby Sequence – mother!
Ending Tragedy – The Lost City of Z
Ending Sacrifice – Brawl in Cell Block 99
Hotel – Detroit
Bench Conversation – Molly’s Game
Russian Roulette – The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Museum – Wonderstruck
Opening Getaway – Baby Driver
Hopefully you guys enjoyed our lists and if you agree or disagree with us, let us know in the comment section below. There are so many other scenes that we wanted to mentioned, but let alone others that were more on your radar. That is to say, your list could look very different than ours given the amount of great scenes we saw in 2017. That being said, what would be your Top 5? Leave a comment in the comment section or email us at [email protected].
For the entire podcast, click here or listen below.
For more lists done by the InSession Film crew and other guests, be sure see our Top 3 Movie Lists page.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Gamefly. Sign up today and get your first month free!
This week on the InSession Film Podcast, we review/debate Scott Cooper’s new film Hostiles starring Christian Bale, and we discuss our Top 5 best scenes of 2017!
Well, this is it, our last show of our 2017 campaign. Next week is our Awards Show and Top 10, and we are super excited. We end on an interesting note too, as we heavily disagree on Hostiles before raving in agreement about our favorite moments that film had to offer this last year. We also give some reactions to the Golden Globes and we talk about the best western films in the 2000’s so far for our poll.
On that note, check out this week’s show and let us know what you think in the comment section. Thanks for listening and for supporting the InSession Film Podcast!
– Movie Review: Hostiles (4:32)
Grades
Brendan: C
JD: A-
– Top 5 Best Scenes of 2017 – Part 1 (40:06)
Of all the year end Top lists we do, this one is arguably the most difficult, but it’s also the most rewarding. These are the moments that moved us the most, were the most thought-provoking and will come to define 2017 in film. There are countless individual scenes that could qualify for this list, but that’s what makes this list exciting in the end. Given that there are so many to choose from, the scenes that do make our list carry a lot of weight with us. That said, what would be your top 5?
Top 5 Sponsor: First Time Watchers Podcast
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– Top 5 Best Scenes of 2017 – Part 2 (1:15:08)
To finish off the show this week, we round out our conversation of Best Scenes by giving our #2 and #1 picks – the very best moments of the year for us.
– Music
Rosalee Theme – Max Richter
Mystery of Love – Sufjan Stevens
Home – Hans Zimmer
The Return of the Eagle – Atli Örvarsson
Subscribe to our Podcasts RSS
Subscribe to our Podcasts on iTunes
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Stitcher
InSession Film Podcast – Episode 256
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2017 Awards / Top 10 Movies of 2017
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If you want to help support us, there are several ways you can help us and we’d absolutely appreciate it. Every penny goes directly back into supporting the show and we are truly honored and grateful. Thanks for your support and for listening to the InSession Film Podcast!
VISIT OUR DONATE PAGE HERE
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Writers: Byron Willinger, Philip de Blasi and Ryan Engle
Stars: Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson
Synopsis: A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.
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What makes taking public transport tenser than usual? The stats on the news, flashbacks to Final Destination or Liam Neeson as a passenger? It’s the latter in the closer to director Jaume Collet-Serra’s Planes, Trains and Automobiles “trilogy,” and here the information is fashioned into a mindlessness-allowed exhibition of Irish-glazed badassery. Out of the three “installments,” The Commuter is the most elevated — and a win’s a win no matter how easy it is to overtake the competition.
The day has been grim for former NYPD detective turned insurance salesman Michael MacCauley (Neeson). With just one (cheese-rich) declaration from the boss, “poof” go his job, ability to pay bills and, possibly, peace at home if he stays mum about events transpired. After a few beers with his best pal, officer Alex Murphy (Patrick Wilson), Michael goes home, catching the train he’s no stranger to. Midway through John Steinbeck’s tale about angry berries, he is interrupted by a too-charming passenger, Joanna (Vera Farmiga, screen time bordering cameo), who says $100,000 will be his if he completes “one little thing” — find a passenger. The task isn’t as harmless as it sounds; failure will result in the deaths of Michael’s wife and son along with all other commuters.
The Commuter doesn’t run on the cerebral track that the teaser seems to suggest — Joanna’s literally distracting fashion and her mellow locution scream hypnosis — but that’s OK. The script from Byron Willinger, Philip de Blasi and Ryan Engle loves the ‘90s, so much so it goes IDGAF on the mind’s “(insert title of any actioner of the ‘90s) did it first” cries and makes everything feels at home. The supporting ensemble is, notably, most sold on the fact; everybody’s delivery has a prevalent “I’ll be damned if I can’t act like this” essence that it’s rather amusing to witness.
Taking a page from Non-Stop, The Commuter knows how to keep viewers distracted, tossing in a plausibility-straining scenario here, a wild framing trick there, and a burst of silliness right here. Does that ruin the matinee-worthy conspiracy-thriller guise the film sets out with? Hell yes, but there won’t be time to mind. As an aggressively visual filmmaker, no way does Collet-Serra let those acts of (needless) stylization out the door in a half-baked state despite being more fitting in a different film. Director Guy Ritchie will like those one-takes, or that shot where the camera glides through a ticket’s punched hole. And those sequences where the train is part of the action can definitely be inserts for Super 8: Chapter Two.
Don’t expect hearts to pound as much as they should have either regardless of how many symphonic bombs Roque Baños is setting off and how elaborate the action choreography can get. Similar to the rest of the director’s filmography, most of points of impact in the set-pieces have a touch of the artificial that, while adds beauty, sanitizes them. Usually, the touch comes in the form of wonky CGI. Full marks, however, should be given for keeping the trilogy’s aesthetics consistent; d.o.p. Paul Cameron lenses The Commuter, yet no kittens shall perish if Collet-Serra’s frequent collaborator, Flavio Labiano, is credited instead.
Shockingly, the film does have a solid emotional throughline. No, not because of the expositions about the oft-sidelined blue-collar society, but rather Neeson — a (meta-aware) sexagenarian, gray-templed and evidently creakier physicality Neeson. Though the Irish actor won’t hang his acting coat soon, it seems his “Bryan Mills Moment” has already passed. And history stuff is history stuff, even if it’s only minutes ago. That said, for someone who has the rare “age raises grace” gene, Neeson makes Michael a more sympathetic and clickable soul than the script demands, a warrior still worth rooting for when he stumbles into the Hudson Line’s fight club.
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This week on the InSession Film Podcast: Extra Film segment, we discuss Lucky starring the late-great Harry Dean Stanton and also the little indie Una starring the always wonderful Rooney Mara.
Additionally to those two great actors, we also see the great David Lynch (yes, that David Lynch) in a wonderful role in Lucky and the always thrilling Ben Mendelsohn in Una. Talk about great acting. The acting in these two films are on another level good, and it was fun to discuss them on this week’s show.
With that said, have fun listening to this week’s Extra Film segment and let us know what you think in the comment section below. Thanks for listening!
– Movie Review: Lucky (6:39)
Grades
Brendan: B+
JD: A-
– Movie Review: Una (34:54)
Grades
Brendan: C+
JD: B
This week’s episode is brought to you by our great friends at More Gooder Than and Next Best Picture.
– Music
I See A Darkness – Johnny Cash
Una – Jed Kurzel
The Return of the Eagle – Atli Örvarsson
We try to make this the best movie podcast we possibly can and we hope you enjoy them. Subscribe today on iTunes and Stitcher and please leave us a review on iTunes. You can also find us on Soundcloud, PlayerFM and TuneIn Radio as well. We really appreciate all your support of the InSession Film Podcast.
Subscribe to our Podcasts RSS
Subscribe to our Podcasts on iTunes
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Stitcher
Lucky / Una – Extra Film
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To hear this Extra Film episode and everything else we do, download our apps on the Amazon Market for Android and the Podcast Box app on IOS devices. The mobile app covers all of our main shows, bonus podcast’s and everything else relating to the InSession Film Podcast. Thanks for your wonderful support and listening to our show. It means the world to us!
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Director: Paul King
Writers: Paul King, Simon Farnaby
Stars: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville
Synopsis: Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.
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Paddington, the furry illegal immigrant with a disturbing marmalade habit, returns with a joyous, life-affirming bear hug of a sequel that is perfect family viewing and an immediate classic.
Paddington 2 sees us return to the whimsical fantasy London of the first film and finds Paddington firmly part of the Brown family, and the wider community, and looking for a birthday present for his Aunt Lucy, who is currently residing in the home for Retired Bears in Peru. Our ursine hero decides upon an expensive old book for his aunt, without realizing that nefarious fallen actor Phoenix Buchanan is also interested in the book for essay innocent reasons.
Cue a burglary, a bicycle chase and case of mistaken identity that sees our furry innocent sent to prison where he is put in charge of the laundry and immediately falls foul of the prison’s resident hard man, Nuckles McGinty. Naturally the Brown family refuse to believe Paddington’s guilt and start a furious campaign to uncover the thief, who is busy solving his own puzzle and following clues from his stolen book in order to uncover a fabulous hidden treasure.
This is all very silly, but delivered with such verve and such skill that it is nothing other than utterly charming. It is helped by another terrific script from director Paul King and his collaborators and that is packed with sight gags and brief character moments that seem throwaway, but all come into play later on. From Mr. Brown’s midlife crisis, to Mrs Brown’s swimming challenge, to Phoenix Buchanan’s conversations with costumed dummies signifying his greatest roles, every thread is neatly tied up at the end.
At its heart though is Paddington himself. A CGI character so well realized that he utterly blends into the film, at no point do you think that’s a special effect. Helped by a winning voice work from Ben Whishaw and peerless, flawless animation, Paddington is brought to vivid, wonderful life. In this reviewer’s opinion, Paddington could be the most accomplished CGI character yet seen on screen, easily the equal of other celebrated characters such as Cesar or Gollum. He blends into every scene, interacts with the live cast perfectly, and seamlessly delivers the various slapstick gags.
Of the rest of the ensemble cast, Hugh Grant just about steals the show, deploying his natural charm and charisma in the service of a rather unlikable villain. It is a role requiring some complex acting and Grant is more than up to the challenge. His is a humble performance of a huge narcissist and played with an admirable lack of vanity – for example all the glamour shots dotted around Phoenix’s house are actual Grant headshots from back in the day. Rumpled, frustrated, smug and convinced of his own ability, it is a great character and lovingly brought to life. Also a hilarious, and utterly ridiculous, post-credits sequence is a Grant highlight and should not be missed.
Hugh Bonneville does a great Hugh Bonneville impression as Mr. Brown, but it is of the actor’s usually high standard. Julie Walters brings a lot of character to Mrs. Bird, even though the character has very little to do in this film. Brendan Gleason excels as the terrifying Nuckles McGinty, growling out lines and barking orders, but unable to withstand Paddington’s primary weapon: the hard stare. The rest of the cast, a veritable who’s who of British comedy actors, are all superb in their small roles, underlining the sense of community, warmth, and love surrounding a small bear in a big city.
If there is a small gripe it is the fact that the film’s plot necessitates the sidelining of the Brown family and reducing many of the local community faces to mere cameos which is a bit of a shame, but this is a minor gripe. Grant’s character is less boo-hiss than Nicole Kidman’s in the first film, but this is ultimately to the film’s benefit.
Paddington 2 is a life-affirming slice of cinematic joy. This is not a kids film with a few jokes thrown in to keep the adults interested, but sweet, thrilling, funny film for everyone. This author (childless, watching with two friends, also childless) was in a matinee show full of kids of all ages but by the end, where there is a moment of high peril that should raise a sob from the hardest of hearts, the cinema was utterly silent. Everyone, from grandparents to the tiniest tots, was completely absorbed in the drama on screen. King, his cast and his crew make it look so effortless to pull off this kind of film, but it really isn’t.
The original Paddington was a genuine five star family classic, instantly taking its place alongside giants such as Mary Poppins and the Jungle Book. Paddington 2, while slightly weaker in some areas, yet stronger in others, can sit proudly alongside the original. It is also, fantastically, not an exact re-tread of the first film, but instead tells a different story with the same characters and just as well. It also cleverly, and carefully, tells the story as a child may imagine it – from the bringing to life of a pop-up picture book, to the innocent vision of how a prison works – it is an entrancing, beguiling and absurdly colorful view of the world, ntainted by adult cynicism. It is a visual return to innocence. This alone should be applauded, but the rate of jokes, the standard of writing, the flawless animation and the sheer heart of the film raise this head and shoulders above most other children’s films.
Not just the best family film I’ve seen this year, it could be one of the best films I’ve seen this year. Perfect family entertainment.
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Hear our podcast review on an upcoming episode.
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You’ve heard about The Post and its awards buzz so far this season, well now is your chance to see it if you haven’t had the chance already as it’s expanding wide this weekend. Also coming to theaters is Paddington 2 and Liam Neeson’s The Commuter. It should make for an interesting weekend at the box office.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk
Synopsis: A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country’s first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between journalist and government.
Quick Take: It’s not top-tier Spielberg, but it’s still good.
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Director: Paul King
Stars: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins
Synopsis: Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.
Quick Take: I quite enjoyed the first Paddington, and this looks charming as heck, so I’m 100% on board to see this one.
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Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Stars: Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Jonathan Banks
Synopsis: A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.
Quick Take: Non Stop on a train? Eh, I guess I could see Liam Neeson do one more of these.
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What will you be seeing this weekend?
For our poll this week, inspired by Scott Cooper’s new film Hostiles that we’ll be reviewing on Episode 256, we are asking about the best westerns (film, not the hotels) since 2000. It’s a genre that has been mostly quiet since superheroes took over, but we’ve still seen some great westerns the last 17 years.
That said, we want to know which film you think best represents the genre in this century so far. Vote now!
This week on Episode 255 of the InSession Film Podcast, continuing our 2017-themed lists we talked about the funniest scenes of 2017. This year was full of great humor and films that featured some hysterical moments. Pure comedies like The Big Sick and The Disaster Artist provided some great moments, but others like Get Out and Thor: Ragnarok also gave us some of the best scenes of the entire year. Either way, no matter your cup of tea, there were plenty of times to laugh in the cinema throughout the year. On that note, what scenes would make your list? Here are the one’s that made ours:
**Please keep in mind that we each had different criteria for our selections**
JD
1) 9/11 – The Big Sick
2) Rod Williams – Get Out
3) Korg – Thor: Ragnarok
Brendan
1) Rod’s call with Rose – Get Out
2) Opening Car Ride – Lady Bird
3) I AM Smiling – A Quiet Passion
Jon
1) 9/11 – The Big Sick
2) Opening Car Ride – Lady Bird
3) Police Station – Brigsby Bear
Honorable Mentions (Combined)
Coach Scene – Lady Bird
Dad Playing Solitaire – Lady Bird
Eating of Communion Wafers – Lady Bird
Lollipop – Lucky
“I’m Overwhelmed By You” – The Big Sick
“My Storyline” – I, Tonya
Dinner Scene – The Beguiled
Boat Scene – Wonder Woman
“I’m Mary Poppins y’all” – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
Hulk Jumps Onto Bridge – Thor: Ragnarok
Michael Meyers Mask – Baby Driver
James Bond – The Trip to Spain
Marlon Brando – The Trip to Spain
Consequences – The Little Hours
“Does Your Mother do Meth?” – Columbus
Destroying the Kitchen – The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Posing for Sketch – The Bad Batch
What’s My Line – The Disaster Artist
Overdoing the Climax of The Room – The Disaster Artist
Playing Songs Together – Band Aid
Going Off on Priest – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Dick Grayson – The Lego Batman Movie
Opening – The Lego Batman Movie
Hopefully you guys enjoyed our lists and if you agree or disagree with us, let us know in the comment section below. Comedy is very subjective, and there’s a very good chance that we skipped over the scenes that you found hilarious in 2017. That being said, what would be your Top 3? Leave a comment in the comment section or email us at [email protected].
For the entire podcast, click here or listen below.
For more lists done by the InSession Film crew and other guests, be sure see our Top 3 Movie Lists page.
This week’s episode is brought to you by Casper. Get $50 toward your purchase today!
This week on the InSession Film Podcast, friend of the show Jon Asher drops by to discuss Call Me By Your Name starring Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer. We also talk about the funniest scenes of 2017 and we discuss The Golden Globes for a short bit.
Big thanks to Jon for joining us once again. The last time he was on the show was for our Awards/Top 10 episode all the way back in 2013, so it was long overdue. And boy did we have a lot of fun on this show. We laughed. We cried. It was a joyous experience. On this show we also talk about the funniest film of the year and we talk about JD’s great victory on the latest Episode for So I Married A Movie Geek.
On that note, check out this week’s show and let us know what you think in the comment section. Thanks for listening and for supporting the InSession Film Podcast!
– Movie Review: Call Me By Your Name (6:37)
Grades
Brendan: A
JD: A
Jon: B+
– Top 3 Funniest Scenes of 2017 (48:22)
This year was full of great humor and films that featured some hysterical moments. Pure comedies like The Big Sick and The Disaster Artist provided some great moments, but others like Get Out and Thor: Ragnarok also gave us some of the best scenes of the entire year. Either way, no matter your cup of tea, there were plenty of times to laugh in the cinema throughout the year. That said, what would be your top 3?
Top 3 Sponsor: First Time Watchers Podcast
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– Golden Globes Predictions (1:29:38)
Since the 2018 Golden Globes were airing the day we recorded this show, we thought it would be fun to talk about the Globes a little bit and give some predictions in the process. How did we fare? You’ll have to listen and see.
– Music
Mystery of Love – Sufjan Stevens
Love and Lies – Zoe Lister-Jones, Adam Pally
The Shape of Water – Alexander Desplat
The Return of the Eagle – Atli Örvarsson
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InSession Film Podcast – Episode 255
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Main Review: Hostiles
Top 3: Best Scenes of 2017
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If you want to help support us, there are several ways you can help us and we’d absolutely appreciate it. Every penny goes directly back into supporting the show and we are truly honored and grateful. Thanks for your support and for listening to the InSession Film Podcast!
VISIT OUR DONATE PAGE HERE
This week on the InSession Film Podcast: Extra Film segment, we discuss the Japanese animated film In This Corner of the World and the Georgian Netflix film My Happy Family!
As we start to finalize our 2017 campaign, we hope you enjoy these foreign language films that are getting pretty great reviews. Despite our thoughts on them, you may want to check them out for yourself given the overall praise they’ve received.
With that said, have fun listening to this week’s Extra Film segment and let us know what you think in the comment section below. Thanks for listening!
– Movie Review: In This Corner of the World (4:27)
Grades
Brendan: B-
JD: B
– Movie Review: My Happy Family (30:11)
Grades
Brendan: C+
JD: C+
This week’s episode is brought to you by our great friends at Next Best Picture.
– Music
I Can’t Bear How Sad It Is – Kanashikute Yarikirenai
Tbilisi- Georgian Folk Orchestra
The Return of the Eagle – Atli Örvarsson
We try to make this the best movie podcast we possibly can and we hope you enjoy them. Subscribe today on iTunes and Stitcher and please leave us a review on iTunes. You can also find us on Soundcloud, PlayerFM and TuneIn Radio as well. We really appreciate all your support of the InSession Film Podcast.
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In This Corner of the World / My Happy Family – Extra Film
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To hear this Extra Film episode and everything else we do, download our apps on the Amazon Market for Android and the Podcast Box app on IOS devices. The mobile app covers all of our main shows, bonus podcast’s and everything else relating to the InSession Film Podcast. Thanks for your wonderful support and listening to our show. It means the world to us!
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