2 For The Matinee

The Snyder Cut of The Justice League is definitely not the worst movie, but it is absolutely the longest. We take a long look at it in this episode.

This week we're checking out "The Little Things" and discussing the big things that could make this movie better. Starring Denzel Washington, Jared Leto and Rami Malek, this star studded thriller should've been better than it was. 

This week it's business, not personal as we dive into the Godfather Trilogy, specifically THE GODFATHER PART III. We'll try to figure out ways to fix some of the plot and character problems that plague the final installment of an otherwise spectacular series. After all, it's not the worst movie. 

We are back with an all new season and this year we are taking a look at the best of the mediocre. These movies aren't terrible and they aren't masterpieces, they are just the best of the "it could've been better" crowd.  Join us as we dissect what's wrong and make an effort to rewrite these movies, for the better, on the spot.  In this episode, we tackle the mess that is WONDER WOMEN 1984. 

Better late than never. It's the 2020 year end wrap up. Jake and Sydney talk about the best and the worst movies featured in last year's episodes.

From "Meet Me In St. Louis" and "It's Wonderful Life" to "Bad Santa" and "Black Christmas," Jake and Sydney run down their list of favorite holiday movies. 

This week it's a deep dive into two visually stunning films. First up, Jake is mystified and mesmerized by one of Sydney's all time favorites, Peter Weir's enigmatic 1975 film, "Picnic at Hanging Rock." Next up, is the trippy and brutal 1967 classic, "Point Blank," starring Lee Marvin. Based on the novel "The Hunter," by Richard stark, this is the first film version of the story. It was later remade as "Payback," (1999) starring Mel Gibson. (Check out the previous episode Payback vs. Payback for a discussion of that film)

This week it's a battle of the Paybacks. Jake and Sydney watch the theatrical version of Mel Gibson's "Payback" (1999) and Writer/Director Brian Helgeland's 2006 Director's Cut. 

This week, Sydney and Jake discuss Peter Weir's 1980 epic war drama, Gallipoli. Starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, Gallipoli (one of Sydney's favorites) stuns Jake with its story and cinematography. 

In Part Two of this special series, Jake and Sydney share their favorite Neo-Noirs from the 1980s.        

In honor of Halloween week, Jake and Sydney talk a little about "Black Christmas" (1972) and a lot about "Don't Look Now" (1973). 

It's Halloween and in this episode Sydney and Jake discuss some of their favorite films that make for perfect October viewing. First up is Doctor Sleep (2019), followed by The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020), then two cult classics, 1976's The Little Girl That Loves Down the Lane and Session 9 (2001).

This week Jake and Sydney take in two films set in Japan, one is a hit and one is a miss. First up, is Ridley Scott's "Black Rain" (1989), starring Michael Douglas, Ken Takakura and Andy Garcia. Then, it's another Mitchum movie, "The Yakuza" directed Sydney Pollack and starring Robert Mitchum and Ken Takakura.  

In Part One of this special series, Jake and Sydney share their favorite Neo-Noirs from the 1970s.  

This week it's one hit and one miss. First up is Shine (1996), the uplifting biopic starring Geoffrey Rush in a performance that put him on the map. Directed by Scott Hicks, and also featuring Noah Taylor and Armin Mueller-Stahl, the film's uniquely Australian charm offers some much needed feel good vibes.  Next up is "The Black Dahlia" (2006), Brian De Palma's train wreck  adaptation of James Ellroy's classic crime novel. Sydney and Jake have some opinions on this one. 

It's our favorite time of the year, Fall, so here's our picks for the movies we think best capture that autumnal feeling. 

This week, Jake watches "Greenbook" (2018) and he and Sydney discuss the 2018 Academy Awards and the release of the Snyder cut of "Justice League" (2017). Jake finally watches "The Haunting of Hill House" (2018). He didn't love it.  "Romancing the Stone" (1984) solidifies all the love for Kathleen Turner. Sydney watches "Red Dust" (1932), "The Call of the Wild" (1935) and "Mogambo" (1953) and gets why Clark Gable was crowned the "King of Hollywood".    

This week Sydney and Jake watch the one Michael Mann film Jake has never seen, "The Last of the Mohicans" (1992), and they lament the lack of truly adventurous adventure films.  Then it's a time travel trip with "Peggy Sue Got Married" (1986), directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Kathleen Turner and Nicolas Cage. 

First up Jake and Sydney talk Robert Pattinson as Batman, Rome, and Ted Lasso. Then, it's on to this week's Welles Mann redux. First, is the HBO movie "RKO 281" (1999), about Welles' struggle to get his movie "Citizen Kane" made. Then, they give Orson Welles' masterpiece, "Chimes at Midnight" (1965), the old college try. Finally, to round the Orson Welles experience, Jake watches "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1942), for the first time. Then, it's time for Michael Mann's stunning directorial debut, "Thief" (1981), featuring a powerhouse performance from James Caan as the titular thief who wants to go straight.    

In this episode, Jake gives Sydney some of the historical backstory to one his all time favorites and last week's pick, "Heat" (1995). Sydney gives Jake some of the historical backstory of Orson Welles' time at RKO studios. Then they discuss "Gilda" (1946), the picture that made Rita Hayworth an iconic sex symbol. Directed by Charles Vidor, the film is an interesting exploration of the destructive power of hate and obsessions with some nazi's and tungsten cartels thrown in for seasoning.  Possible Spoilers for: The Umbrella Academy, The Boys, Song to Song (2017), The Other Guys (2010), Junior (1994) and Top Gun (1986).

This week, Jake watches "Citizen Kane" (1941) for the first time and finally discovers the genius that is Orson Welles. Then, they discuss "Heat" (1995), Michael Mann's genius crime drama that is in Jake's personal top five favorite movies. 

This week, Sydney and Jake take a look at two films that make director Spike Lee's list of all time favorites. Elia Kazan's remarkable 1957 drama, "A Face in the Crowd". A first watch for both and it does not disappoint. Then, "The Night of the Hunter" (1955), a film that finds one of their favorites, Robert Mitchum, at his most menacing. Sydney is all in on Elisabeth Moss and her new film "Shirley" (2020), but "Lady Bird" (2017) gets no love. Jake recommends the documentary "The Last Action Heros" (2019).

This week, Jake and Sydney take a look at two very different biopics. First, it's Frances (1982), starring Jessica Lange in a knock out performance as the titular troubled 1930s Hollywood actress. Then, it's on to Spike Lee's masterpiece Malcolm X (1992). An epic film that tackles the epic life of one of America's greatest and most controversial civil rights leaders.   

This week it's all about The Thing 1 (1951) and The Thing 2 (1982) and to a lesser extent The Thing 3 (2011). Sydney and Jake take a look at all versions of the classic Sci-Fi tale.   Then, it's on to Pedro Almodovar's 1989 dark romantic comedy "Tie Me Up Tie Me Down."    Finally, the two can't agree when it comes to Tom Ford's 2016 controversial film "Nocturnal Animals".    Also discussed "Uncorked" (2020), "The Little Stranger" (2018) and "Opening Night" 2017.

Jake and Sydney have a difference of opinion about "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga"(2020). Sydney gushes over the Netflix's "Babysitter's Club" (2020) because it's just that good. Jake recommends everything from Paulo Sorrentino, including "The Young Pope" and "Youth" (2015) Next, they discuss Todd Haynes new classic "Carol" (2015), starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. It's a film that gives Sydney goosebumps. Then, it's on to "Bedrooms and Hallways" (1998) a surprisingly endearing movie with some unexpected twists. The film features a who's who of British actors, including Kevin McKidd, Tom Hollander, Simon Callow, Hugo Weaving, Jennifer Ehle and James Purefoy.

This week is all about Philip Marlowe. Jake and Sydney watch two completely different takes on the hardboiled sleuth. "Farewell, My Lovely" (1975), starring Robert Mitchum in a classic and hard boiled version of the Raymond Chandler character. Then they move into the swingin' sixties, with a more hip and updated look at the private dick played by James Garner in "Marlowe" (1969). Spoilers warnings for discussions about "True Detective", "The Bling Ring", "Fun with Dick and Jane", "Baby Boom" and "Out of Sight".   

This week, Sydney and Jake discover "The Late Show" (1977),  starring Lily Tomlin and Art Carney. Produced by Robert Altman, "The Late Show" conversation lets Sydney and Jake revisit one of their all time favorites, "The Long Goodbye" (1972). Sydney finally watches the French action classic, "The Brotherhood of the Wolf" (2001).  The two get into movies with a twist, "Voyager" (1992) and "The Good Liar" (2019). Jake succumbs to the charm that is "Cain River" (1982) and Sydney makes a strong case for "Baby Boom" (1987).    

This week Sydney introduces Jake to the sexual subtext of Neil Jordan's 1984 horror/fantasy tale "The Company of Wolves".  They both have a lot of feelings about "Downhill" (2020). The American remake of "Force Majeure" (2014), starring Julia Louis Dreyfus and Will Farrell. Then, it's a fun and freewheeling movie talk with topics ranging from coal mining movies to Colin Farrell's filmography. Spoiler warnings for "The Vast of Night" (2020), "Cain River" (1982), The Outsider" (2020), "Matewan" (1987), "True Detective" (All Seasons).

Sydney and Jake talk "Force Majeure" (2014) and the difficulty in remaking foreign films for American audiences.  Sydney took Jake's recommendation and watched "The Italian Job" (1969) and loved the cliffhanger of a cliffhanger. Jake doesn't think it gets enough credit as a one of the grandfathers of the modern heist film. This week's films include two different takes on relationships in distress. First, it's the dark and vicious 1989 black comedy, "The War of the Roses" directed by Danny Devito and starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Devito. Then, it's the 1995 French sex comedy "French Twist" starring Victoria Abril and Josiane Balasco.    

Jake finishes up his look at his favorite films from 2014. Sydney takes a look at some of her favorites from 1970. The conversation turns to Marvel and the two get into a little tiff about the importance of actual super powers. 

This week Sydney falls asleep to murder in the English countryside, Jake is all in on "The Italian Job" (1969) and "The Stranger" (NETFLIX). Sydney enjoys "The Death of Stalin" (2018) and they watch a movie they've never seen before "My Favorite Year" (1982).  Also this week, "Shame" (2011), directed by Steve McQueen and starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, is the subject of a thoughtful discussion.  

Jake continues his journey through some of his favorite movies of 2014 with part two of a three part series. Sydney rewinds the clock one year to 2013 for a look back at some of her favorites from that year. 

Sydney and Jake talk the "The Great Escape" (1963), epic 1960s World War II movies, Michael Bay and Michael Fassbender.  Jake gives "The Great" (HULU) a try and develops some villain theory. This weeks movies, HUD (1963), another Paul Newman movie (because who doesn't love Paul Newman) and Terrance Malick's sophomore effort, Days of Heaven (1978), offer a study in contrast with two very different takes on the American west. SERIOUS SPOILER WARNING for "Sorry To Bother You" (2018) 

Jake can't get enough of the movies released in 2014. 2014 was so great for movies that we've got 3 mini episodes coming at you with all the best from that year. Sydney offers counter programming on the classic side with some of the best from 1946. Including Humoresque, a great Joan Crawford picture that she enthusiastically describes but forgets to name, and some classic noir selections that everyone should check out.   

This week Jake forgets to hit record and it's an Elliot Gould double feature. Jake and Sydney discuss Robert Altman's 1974 classic "California Split" co-starring George Segal and "The Silent Partner" (1978) co-starring an almost unrecognizable Christopher Plummer. 

This week the focus in on music with the films "Whiplash" (2014) and "The Commitments" (1991). Jake finally gets Sydney's take on the classic "The Long Goodbye" (1973) starring Elliot Gould and directed by Robert Altman. Possible Spoilers for "Three Days of the Condor" (1975) and "Twilight" the one with Paul Newman and James Garner (1998) 

A day off for Mother's Day means a special episode featuring the second part of the conversation on "Portrait of A Lady on Fire" and a discussion of Francis Ford Coppola, Sophia Coppola, Bob and Carole and Ted and Alice, auteur theory and a lot more. It's good old fashioned movie talk. 

This week Jake does all the picking with a list that includes a few of his all time favorites. Bridget and Eamon (Prime), Ronin (TUBI), ACOD (TUBI), Danny Deckchair (TUBI), Driven (Crackle), Swingers (HULU), Airplane (Showtime), 12 Monkeys (Showtime), Dances With Wolves (Starz), Luther (Starz)

This week Sydney deals with some mic issues. First up is La La Land (2016), starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Both Sydney and Jake ask the question, "Why La La Land?" and discuss Damian Chazelle, jazz and what makes a movie a successful musical. Next, is Paris Blues (1961), a jazz drama/musical staring Paul Newman, Sydney Poitier, Joanne Woodward and Diahann Carroll. A movie that surprises Jake with its themes, dialogue and acting.  Possible spoiler warnings for: Whiplash (2014), The Long Goodbye (1973), The Town (2010)

This week, Sydney and Jake offer up some more suggestions for lock down viewing. Jake's picks include a nice selection of action and comedy, and Sydney's pick include some fine television offerings from across the pond. Jake's Picks: John Carter (Netflix), Young Adult (Netflix), The Naked Gun 1 &2 (Netflix), Melancholia (Crackle), The Illusionists (Vudu/Tubi/Crackle/Sling), The Whaling (Crackle), Bloodsport (Netflix), Community (Netflix), ALL the James Bond Films (Amazon Prime), Dr. T and the Women (Hulu)   Sydney's Picks W1A (Netflix), Five Flights Up (Netflix), Line of Duty (Amazon Prime), Badlands (It's a renter on Prime), A Single Man (Netflix), And Then There Were None (Prime - no longer free but totally worth the rent) Into the Spider-Verse (Netflix), Ordeal By Innocence (Prime), Lovesick (Netflix), The Best Worst Thing That Could Happen (Netflix) 

This week Sydney's pick is "Strange Days" (1995) a sci-fi action noir directed by Kathryn Bigelow starring Ralph Fiennes and Angela Basset. Jake's pick features Will Smith in his first starring role, "Six Degrees of Separation" (1993).  Spoiler Warnings: Jake watched some movies about relationships in crisis, "She's Having a Baby" (1988) and Revolutionary Road (2008) as well as the surprisingly hilarious "Stuber" (2019). Sydney rewatched every episode of HBO's "Carnivale" (2003-2005). 

We've got a lot of time to watch a lot of shows and movies, so here's some of our favorite picks across various viewing platforms.  Jake's Picks: National Treasure (Netflix), Billy Elliot (Showtime), Smokey and the Bandit (Starz), Permanent Midnight (Tubi), V/H/S (Crackle), Headhunters (Crackle), Rounders (Netflix), Club Paradise (Starz), Solitary Man (Tubi), Rita (Netflix) Sydney's Picks: Paris Blues (Criterion Channel), Sorry To Bother You (HULU), Alias Grace (Netflix), Legend (Netflix), Sunset Boulevard (Amazon Prime), 1922 (Netflix), Gerald's Game (Netflix), Who Killed Malcolm X? (Netflix), Girls Just Want To Have Fun (Amazon Prime/HULU/Tubi), Watchmen (HBO)

Sydney's pick, the bleak "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" (1969) introduces Jake to the unbelievable world of depression era endurance dance marathons and the people who compete and dance for their lives. Jake's pick is the surprisingly prescient dystopian action film, "The Running Man," (1987) where the 80s vision of 2017 includes a sadistic game show where unlucky competitors must run for their lives. 

We've got a lot of time to watch a lot of shows and movies, so here's some of our favorite picks across various viewing platforms.  Sydney's Picks: Enemy At The Gates(HBO), Apollo 11, 28 Days Later, Feud: Bette and Joan, The Furies (HULU), Howard's End, John Mulaney's Sack Lunch Bunch(NETFLIX), 30 Days of Night(CRACKLE), 21 Jump Street(TUBI) Jake's Picks: My Best Friend's Wedding, National Lampoon's Vacation Series(HULU), Strictly Ballroom(NETFLIX), A Most Wanted Man(AMAZON),Parallax View(HBO), Prelude to a Kid(STARZ), The Ninth Gate(TUBI), Meet the Patels(CRACKLE)    

The discussion of movies that feature Students vs. Teachers continues with a look at the action thriller "Class of 1984" (1982), and it's sci-fi sequel "Class of 1999" (1990) and their influence on the movie "187". Jake voices his opinions on "Half Nelson". Sydney's pick, "The Nice Guys" (2016) leads to an analysis of Shane Black's style. Jake's pick, "Diva" (1981) proves sometimes style trumps substance. 

In this episode, Jake and Sydney discuss some of the best and worst of Ryan Gosling's filmography. Jake's pick, "187" (1997) highlights a great performance by Samuel L. Jackson. Sydney's pick, "The Faculty" (1998) is a nostalgia trip back to the late 1990's and its teen horror film cycle. 

This week we dive deep into the beautiful and sublime "Portrait of a Lady on Fire". Then, we change lanes to discuss Jake's pick, the only film directed by writer Stephen King, "Maximum Overdrive" (1986).  Finally, Sydney's pick, 1959's French New Wave classic "Hiroshima, Mon Amour", leads to a thoughtful discussion on memory and love. 

This week we let you know how much we love the 1969 classic "Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice". We also talk about Sydney's pick, the Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cummings directed "The Anniversary Party" (2001) and Jake's pick, the classic comic book film "Flash Gordon" (1980).

This week we talk about what we are currently watching (possible spoilers for the following: Castle Rock, Babylon Berlin, Carnivale, Taboo, Bob Carole Ted and Alice). We also do a deep dive into Sydney's pick, Guy Ritchie's 2015 stylish spy flick, "The Man From UNCLE"  and Jake's pick, the 1991 indie comedy/drama "Hangin' With The Homeboys."

This week we talk about what we are currently watching (possible spoilers for the following shows: Castle Rock, Babylon Berlin, Jean Claude Van Johnson). We also do a deep dive into Sydney's pick, Alfred Hitchcock's 1941 film "Suspicion" and Jake's pick, the 1991 Kid n' Play comedy "Class Act".    

Each week Jake gives Sydney a movie to watch and Sydney gives Jake a movie to watch. Sometimes the movies are good, sometimes they're bad, and sometimes they are in-between but they are always movies that they love. So, join Sydney and Jake each week on 2 For The Matinee as they share with listeners and each other the movies that they are passionate about.