Wednesday, May 25, 2016

F This Movie! - Gripehouse

Patrick and Adam Riske complain about things that bother them in movies and report back from the 2016 Chicago Critics Film Festival.



Download this episode here. (52 MB)

Subscribe to F This Movie! in iTunes.

Listen to F This Movie! on Stitcher.

Also discussed this episode: Morris from America (2016), Joshy (2016), War on Everyone (2016), Into the Forest (2016), Money Monster (2016)

43 comments:

  1. I need to see Life, Animated as soon as possible. It sounds incredible based on your description. Furthermore, as someone who has struggled with a disability my whole life and who also works for and has been surrounded by Disney my whole life, I think it would speak to me in a special way. I hope to see it soon!

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    1. I can recommend it too. Saw it at the Full Frame Documentary Festival at an encore. I wish all kids with disabilities had this kind of support structure.

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  2. I love that you're doing more episodes that aren't specific to one movie. They've been really good!

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  3. Another great episode. As for gripes...don't even get me started. #FBuckyBarnes
    - J. Blake

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    1. J. Blake! I started listening to SNMS recently because of SWM, and I love your podcast! I'm of the same age, so all the nostalgia talk really hits home, and you two do a great job of breaking down the movies.

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    2. Ditto. SNMS is really great! I love the episodes on Batman, and Willy Wonka.

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    3. Wow thanks guys! We're grateful to Patrick and the F This Movie crew for the support and of course thank you so much for listening and taking the time to comment. It means a lot to us and we're thrilled that so many FTM listeners have been willing to check us out and let us know they are liking what we are doing. It really is great and appreciated. - Blake and Dion

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  4. Great episode guys! Thank you for calling out First Look for being the pain in the ass that it is. The only thing worse than First Look in general is going to multiple movies in a week and having to sit through the same First Look that you've already seen.

    Also, great discussion on the YouTube critic issue. I could listen to a whole episode of you guys talking about that and the gender topic. I'm also tired of the big YouTube channels (you know who they are, and you mentioned one of them) that do nothing but nitpick movies and tell you why you shouldn't like something.

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  5. I am a little confused why everyone dislikes Money Monster so much? A lot of the arguments against the movie I've heard were about the predispositions people had with their feelings about "hostage" movies and less about the movie itself. Thoughts?

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    1. I can't speak for everyone but I thought Money Monster had a lot of logic problems that drove me kind of crazy. For example, (SPOILERS) why wouldn't Kyle accept the money offered to him to recoup his losses to at least help him pay for his soon to be born child? Why would he never notice that the George Clooney character was talking to Julia Roberts character through his earpiece until near the end of the movie? Why would the NYPD allow Kyle out of the building with a bomb instead of containing him to the television studio? I can handle imperfections in a movie if I don't notice them until after I watch it but when it's right there while I'm watching it, that's when it bothers me.

      That said, if you like the movie I'm not going to tell you you're wrong for liking it.

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    2. Yeah logic isn't something that bothers me too much in film. Especially plot holes, they rarely detach me from what I'm watching. Was it mostly the logic though? I thought the commentary and execution of the actual script were really good.

      Also I love your guys' podcast so much. Always a treat when Adam is on the cast. I don't always agree with what you both say but it I always find myself listening to the podcast. I think its because you all are very refreshing to hear. I've been an avid listener for 2 years now!

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    3. I just saw Money Monster two days ago. I think it´s a lightweight thriller with good performances and an interesting premise, but it doesn´t dig deep enough to be more than a kind of first class TV movie of the week. Still, I had a good time, it was pretty entertaining and well paced.

      POSSIBLE SPOILER
      I found the last scene spot on, where a few hours after the hostage there´s already another event taking over the news. Seems to be an accurate comment on how long any thing is relevant in today´s media.

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  6. This is exactly the podcast I was hoping for. Patrick and Riske F Everything for 2 hours. Yes!

    My gripe is people in movies who hang up phone calls before saying goodbye. Good grief it happens almost everytime. What's the deal with that?

    Morris Cheasnut IS the man.

    The Bourne Identity is the best one, and the relationship is what makes it work. The next two are so devoid of humanity and I hate that they kill the girl off. UGH.

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    1. Oh my gosh you're right - they never say "goodbye"....

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    2. I hate that too! BUT, I love it when Holly Generro does it to Paulina in Die Hard cause it's so blatant and abrasive -

      "Si Mrs. Holly, I do that already."

      "What would I do without out, Paulina?" CLICK!

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    3. Well, let's face it. Die Hard makes everything better.

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  7. This was a really fun episode! When Riske was talking about all the fancy screening options and said, "I just want to see a movie, its not my anniversary!" I literally laughed out loud in my quiet office and received several concerned looks from coworkers.

    Also, the Ghostbusters talk just made me realize something: this remake is like the Donald Trump of movies. It has brought out the worst in people and shown us just how many despicable individuals are actually out there. Scary times...

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  8. One of my major gripes is early fan screenings of big movies that won't be released for a few months, the most annoying one being Batman V Superman. Fans come out of these screenings with hyperbolic opinions and then the media gets ahold of them and the overhype begins. Then like with Batman V Superman if the critics don't like it when it finally comes out it becomes a fans vs critics battle. If you want to do an early screening that's fine fine, but keep your opinions to yourself until we can all see the movie so we don't have all these unformed opinions floating around in our heads for months. I'm excited to see Suicide Squad, I hope it's amazing, but I just cant trust these early fan reactions saying how great it is. It's a good way to get burned. Great podcast guys.

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  9. Re: the “media frenzy” thing. You’re looking at a no-win situation there. When there’s a big action scene or outrageous comedy antics, it’s a given that the media would pick up on it. If there’s no media frenzy after a big car chase through downtown that ended with a bunch of explosions, people in the audience will wonder “Why isn’t this is on the news?” and then they make YouTube videos calling the screenwriter an idiot.

    Re: Strip clubs in action movies. When the heroes go to a club, it’s super casual with them wearing jeans because they’re blue collar everymen. But when the villains go to a club, it’s all classy with them wearing sleek black suits because they are men of wealth and power.

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    1. I don't love the media frenzy thing, but I totally get a kick whenever I see the version with the spinning newspapers.

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  10. Happy birthday, Adam Riske! I was just thinking that you haven't been on the podcast as much recently, so I was happy to that you were the co-host on this one.

    This was a fun podcast. You've mentioned a lot of mine, but one that really bothers me is when they open a movie with a big flashy sequence, fade out, and then do the "2 days previously" thing. We've already paid to watch this movie-- we're not going to walk out because it starts out kind of slowly.

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  11. The trailer for Gods of Egypt noted that it was from "The visionary director of I, Robot and The Crow".

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    1. Seems like today every second movie comes from some visionary director...

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  12. I've expressed most of the stuff that drives me nuts before - The three Horror movie sins, obvious, shitty ADR and non-comedic Tom Hanks. But seriously, I fucking hate when every joke is some dumb-ass "they'll never expect this!, let's see how far we can take it" type of thing. "Hey, have him fuck the pie! No one does that, it's hilarious!" "Hey, let's have zombies being killed by dildo's!" or the bullshit "funny" cameo - "Then - Susan Lucci shows up and says "suck my dick!" UGH.

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    1. What movie is that Susan Lucci one in? Lol

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    2. The one I concocted in my head when writing this. Sorry to disappoint.

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    3. Well points for casting her in your imagination

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  13. I was stuck in traffic listening to this episode which was great as always. Adam, your story about the husband's comment to his wife during Brooklyn had me laughing like some Michael Douglas falling down psycho.

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  14. Wonderful episode! I didn't realize just how much I disliked First Look until I started going to a theater that is part of a little chain that wants to replicate a hybrid of new and old theater-going. They just play parts of film scores before the previews start, and there is no better way to get ready for a movie than listening to a bit of Raiders of the Lost Ark or Titanic beforehand.

    Also, I appreciated your discussion of gender and race in casting. It felt like y'all were working through thoughts and opinions instead of the normal avalanche of blanket statements.

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  15. Elizabeth McGovern was the older Jennifer Connelly in Once Upon A Time in America! It was a casting fail I just can't forgive. But I guess it wasn't her fault personally... so I didn't get to finish the podcast yet but you know what your gripe about the plots based on misunderstandings reminded me of...Asian soap operas are huge where I'm from and like every one is based on some misunderstanding or unexpressed emotion.
    But for a lot of people in cultures that are emotional suppressive...misunderstanding is a REAL thing. So, I roll my eyes at those plots a lot BUT...I just realized I could see a misunderstanding in film that may be just as ludicrous to *me* but also more meaningful...? Anyway I haven't thought that out yet. Misunderstandings have different places in different cultures or something.

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  16. Kelly's Heroes, in my top 10.

    It is a VERY underestimated film. In my opinion, the original Big Lebowski, set in WWII. Yeah it's dated, but with all those amazing actors in there messing around, it only gets funnier with repeated viewings. Hilarious in fact, and very quotable.
    (And it ended up getting remade and brought into modern times, called Three Kings with George Clooney and Ice T.)

    And, great podcast guys- goes without saying. You're awesome. Thanks so much.

    -Dion, Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers

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  17. And like an a@#h$le, I posted this in the wrong thread. Last time I try to comment from my phone! Sorry guys. Lol

    -Dion, SNMS

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  18. Having just watched all 3 Captain America movies this week I gotta say, when Adam brought up Bucky Barnes I had to laugh. Prior to my viewings this week I hadn't even seen Winter Soldier yet, so I wasn't aware how much Barnes is in these movies and my god...it is insane. I couldn't believe when Civil War opened and we were treated to more Bucky Barnes getting shit done to him in a lab somewhere. I literally cringed, but then the movie settled in a bit, I settled down and really enjoyed it. Still, you guys are totally right about the fact that they did not establish Cap and Barnes relationship enough for Cap to go to such lengths to save him.

    The Ghostbusters issue has been a troubling one to me lately, there's a YouTuber known as the Angry Video Game Nerd (James Rolfe) who's been getting a bunch of shit thrown at him these past few weeks because he said that he wasn't going to review the new Ghostbusters movie. Everyone is jumping on him saying that he's out of touch and can't handle that women are the leads. I think the whole thing was blown out of proportion. Not to continue on his specific case, but just in general, can't someone dislike something simply based on the fact that the trailers have made the movie unappealing. The humor is so slapstick and gag-like. I'm not dismissing it just yet because I've been wrong when judging movies on their trailers. I know there are people out there who are dismissing it based on the female leads, but can't some people just have an opinion? Or is everyone who says the movie doesn't look very good just simply sexist? Cuz that seems to be the go to move for a lot of people involved with this film. I'm willing to give it a chance, cuz I do enjoy the cast in most of their other work, except Leslie Jones, call me crazy but she just doesn't make me laugh, guess I'm racist, jk. I dunno guys, is it just me or does the tone of the film seem way off in the trailers? Ok I'm done.

    Great show as always, love these free for all episodes, could listen to you guys gripe all day.

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  19. "Grape Nuts is like eating a bowl of teeth" made my morning. Patrick Bromley is my spirit animal.

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  20. I'm gonna look at that rainbow Adam...I'm gonna look at that rainbow. Something more current that was fun and entertaining.

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  21. Good show guys!!! Hey Adam the podcast you were referring to didnt happen to be Deadpit was it? I was just wondering I use to love that show back in the day it was a fun listen.

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  22. I listened to this one again basically because I like when you can play off each other. It's good shit. I have to agree that childbirth in movies is generally pointless and cliched. I'm sure there are good reasons in a bunch of movies to have the birthing scene. However, only Star Trek 2009 jumps to my mind. She was sweaty and screaming but it did kick up the drama and add something to that scene. Granted maybe a little too on the nose but that shit worked for me. You'd think in the future they could make that shit less painful. I guess not till a later star date.

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  23. I'm late to this episode, but enjoyed it a lot. I like this type of Hollywood State of the Union discussion. Do more.

    About misunderstandings as plot device. First a confession: My favorite sitcom of all time is Three's Company. In middle school I watched it every day after school. Today, I'll put it on if I come across it while channel surfing. To some extent the show influenced my comedic sensibilities, and that show is nothing if not in love with misunderstandings.

    So, for comedies, I dig it. I like Meet The Parents because of it. A movie that piles on the misunderstandings is right up my alley, and if they actually make that Three's Company movie, I can only hope it is chock full o' crazy misunderstandings. I'll be first in line.

    However! A movie that uses one (just one) misunderstanding and bases the entire story or plot around it usually does not work well, for exactly the reasons you stated. It's too easy to clear it up in 5 seconds, it's too flimsy to carry your movie's weight. You need a pile of misunderstandings for it to work effectively.

    It's like a horror movie with only one scare, and the movie tries to key off it for the entire story. No, you need at least 3 scares, right? And the more ramped up the better? The crazier it gets as you near the end, the more anxiety you feel on that roller coaster, the better it is, right? Same with misunderstandings! Movies needs to ramp them up, get crazy, bring them to a crescendo and let them wash over the viewer!

    [note to self: episode is 6 months old, nobody will see this comment]

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