Better Movie...Maybe?

What's up Better Movie Maybe fans! We been outside this summer, so haven't done a movie review in a while.  However, we did have fun answering some of the questions that came in on our IG page. In this episode we recast white movies with black actors, talk about some of the hottest summer flicks, and share our personal Mt. Rushmore of favorite film. Special thanks to krystleclear09, ivoman,  walldav & valnalog. We love hearing from ya'll!  Spend us a message on Instagram if you agree, disagree, or have your own hot takes on any of these topics.

We review the latest (and hopefully last) attempt at a Terminator sequel. Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) brought back the original characters albeit about 15 years too late. It also introduced new players that failed to connect with audiences. In this episode, we suggest better movies including making Sarah Conner the central focus and a reboot/spinoff of the concept in a different time period. 

Today we discuss Men In Black: International (2019). Even though they had previously shared screentime in Thor Ragnorok, the chemistry between Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson did not shine in this movie. In this episode, we analyze the main characters' motivation for being MIB, break down the predictable twist, and share why Beyonce should have been in this film.

Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters! (2016) This female comedy ensemble was not a hit with the general public and in this episode, we break down the funny and not so funny moments. Plus one of us accidentally watched the director's cut and we decide if the added scenes were worth it

We're onto a new theme and kicking things off watching Independence Day Resurgence (2016), the anticipated sequel to the iconic film that cemented Will Smith as an movie star. While Smith is noticeably missing from this movie, they brought back almost everyone else from the classic, and introduced us to random new characters that we care little about. In this episode we discuss the futuristic look of the world (and space) 20 years later, the queen alien's design, and suggest an alternate plot that should have been explored.  

We're doing something a bit different for today's episode and are discussing some of the comments & questions submitted to us on Instagram. Thanks for being such amazing followers and listeners of the podcast!  We'll be back next week with another movie review, but for now enjoy this candid talk on the topics of Avatar, The Blackening, Tyler Perry, and Oscar movie snubs.

Today we're reviewing a strong contender for the worst movie of 2024, Madame Web.  Some are saying it's even better than Morbius. With amazing dialogue like “When you take on the responsibility great power will come,”  blatant product placement in the big showdown at the end, and *Spoiler* no cameo from Spiderman, this movie is a must-watch! In this episode we also discuss the  2000s soundtrack choices that are certified bangers and why Dakota Johnson's portrayal of Cassandra Webb was perfection.   

We brought in a fresh guest host, Erica Singh, to review The Marvels (2023). While we recently learned Captain Marvel will not be getting a third movie, honestly the Marvels doesn't deserve all the hate. It has some genuinely funny moments and is less than 2 hours long. Sure Captain Marvel/Brie Larson has some character development issues and the villain was weak, but it's not the worst film in the MCU.  In fact in this episode we go on a few fun tangents discussing other Marvel movies that rank below this one and whether we still are hyped for the future of the MCU.

We're back with a new episode on The Flash (2023). And of course we had to bring back the DC Defender Bradford Wise for the show, although he probably wouldn't endorse this film. The potential was there with the nostalgic cameos and hints at a story similar to the beloved animated feature Flashpoint Paradox. Unfortunately, we got a convoluted plot with horrendous CGI renderings. Gotta wonder what James Gunn has planned for the DCU with the bar currently set so low...

Today we're exploring the quantum realm in our review of Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania (2023). With a brand new world filled with a load of new characters, this film had a lot happening, yet was pretty boring. And everything being 90 percent CGI didn't help it's case. In this episode,  we have a good time determining who the real star of the movie is and reimagining who should have been the main villain. Plus we discuss Kang the Conqueror and his future in the MCU given recent events.

Today we are joined by Will Smith expert Davis Wallace to review After Earth (2013). This film lacked charisma, direction, and entertainment, but if you can look past all of the flaws you get a movie about family, resilience and overcoming adversity.  In this episode we discuss the ridiculous tech used in the movie, the laughable dialogue and accents,  and a surprising bond formed by our hero and a bird. Plus, prepare to have your mind blown for what could have been next if this movie wasn't a box office blunder.

Today we dive into the Book of Eli (2010) starring Denzel Washington. While the distinct visuals and action sequences are fun to look at,  the heavy-handed religious undertones and bizarre plot twist may leave viewers disappointed by the end of the movie. We offer our better movie suggestion on one of the character styling choices and try to gauge how long it really should take someone to travel across the country by foot. 

Today we check out the sci-fi film Oblivion (2013). Starring Tom Cruise, this film automatically is classified as good movie because “he don't miss. ” We discuss the major plot twists, which apparently all hit better upon a rewatch. Plus we suggest a few areas that could have made it a better movie such as showing some scenes instead of only including it as a narration and clearing up some loose plot points. Also--can anyone answer what these “aliens” needed all that water for?  

Aye We're Back! To kickoff this season with our 65th episode, we are reviewing the movie 65 starring Adam Driver. It has dinosaurs, guns, and space travel so you would expect the movie to be an fun, action-packed film. We discuss how this movie should have increased the suspense for the viewers and suggest some better plot points that could have been explored. Listen to the end of the episode for a new segment where you have to guess the movie in next week's show based on a real IMBD movie review.

We review the 2019 horror film Brightburn, which asked the question, what if Superman was evil?… And then they proceeded to not develop anything further than that plot wise. But hey, at least we got some pretty epic scenes of people being taken out—undeservedly we might add. In this episode, we critique several of the parents' decisions and the main character's rapid descent to the dark side.  Stay tuned to the end of the episode for an important announcement about the podcast! 

Today's episode is Cocaine Bear (2023) available on Peacock. It's hard to pinpoint what genre it is- it's not scary or gory enough to be a horror thriller and there weren't enough funny moments to be a comedy. We discuss which characters should have been killed or cut from the movie altogether and a great scene that was unfortunately left on the editing room floor. Special thanks to Brit Sigh for coming on as a guest. Check out his art IG page: midnightrunstudio 

We're joined by guest host regular Julianna Giordana to discuss Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022), which surprisingly may be the best expansion to the SCU- the Shrek Cinematic Universe. This film did almost everything perfectly—multiple well-developed character arcs, beautiful animation style, genuinely funny moments, and a villain that was downright scary. We do, however, point out one glaring omission from the movie.

We brought back guest Chris Vazquez to discuss the 2017 reboot film Power Rangers, which flopped at the box office and resulted in the talks of any sequel being axed. Somehow Transformers gets five movies, but Hollywood didn't want to revisit the Mighty Morphing Power Rangers?  We discuss everywhere this movie went wrong and give our ideas of what could have made it a better movie. Plus, we lean into the nerd nostalgia so get ready for some TV/movie references you haven't heard in years.

Today's movie is a first watch for all except our guest host. The Hunting Party (2007) is a war drama starring Richard Gere, Terrance Howard, and Jesse Eisenberg as journalists who unintentionally pose as CIA agents and the chaos that ensues. Special thanks to Jose Duran for bringing this "inspired by true events" film to our attention and breaking down the nuance of comedy in dark situations.

Today we're reviewing Edge of Tomorrow (2014) starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. Our guest Brit Sigh (ig: @midnightrunstudio) came on the show to remind us how excellent this movie is with its stunning practical effects and charismatic characters. And we have to give an extra spoiler warning for this episode--we heavily compare this movie to the book "All You Need Is Kill" that it's adapted from. So if you were planning to read that and don't want the ending ruined, you may wanna check out this episode later.

Today we review the cult classic Donnie Darko (2001) starring Jake Gyllenhaal. This movie was suggested by a fan, and he was gracious enough to hop on as a guest. Thanks Ayitey Aryee for breaking down what was going on in this bizarre psychological-time travel thriller. Hit us up on Instagram @bettermoviemaybe if you have movie recs or want to be a guest on the pod. Note: We apologize for some audio issues at the beginning. It clears up about 20 minutes in.

The Menu (2022) is unlike anything we've seen. It's equally mysterious, shocking, and genuinely funny. And if you're a foodie, there are some really beautiful shots of exotic cuisines. The majority of the hosts claim it's as close as you can get to a perfect film, but of course there had to be one who didn't like it.

We review 2022's NOPE starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer & Steven Yeun. We agreed the visuals and sound mixing for this movie are amazing but couldn't place our finger on the exact tone and genre Jordan Peele was going for—Is it suppose to be a horror or a fantasy adventure? Also, we weigh in on the monster's final form and which character we felt needed more screentime.

Shazaam! We're kicking Season 5 off with the DC Blockbuster Black Adam (2022) starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. We're joined by Special Guest Brad Wise and he lets us know exactly how he feels about this movie. In this episode, we breakdown some of our favorite action scenes, rate how the Justice Society compares to the Avengers, and predict what's in store for the future of DC movies.

It's a Valentine's Day Bonus Episode! Shotgun Wedding (2023) on Prime Video stars J.Lo and Josh Duhamel as a couple whose island wedding is interrupted with Die Hard type antics. The movie has all the cliche rom com bits with an added bonus of pirates, pineapple, and projectile grenades. We brought back guest hosts Monic & Jenelle of "Is Marriage Worth It" podcast to talk through this action comedy gem.

It's the season four finale! In this episode, we have our signature royal rumble debate of movies from this season based on random categories chosen by you our listeners. You don't need to listen to the other episodes to enjoy (although there's some fun callbacks if you do), but you do need to follow us on Instagram at Better Movie Maybe Podcast so you can vote for the winner on Tuesday 1/3. Special thanks to @cnvazquez @ivoman @aero_evans @midnightrunstudio & @pop.lock.and.chalk.it for our categories.

We couldn't call ourselves a black film podcast if we didn't review Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). The movie highlights strong female leads including Angela Bassett with an incredible performance that is well-deserving of the Golden Globe nomination. The movie also serves as a beautiful tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman's portrayal of T'challa. In this episode, we discuss a main character that we don't care for and whether recasting the role of T'challa would have made for a better movie.

We brought back Will Smith expert Davis Wallace to guest host I Am Legend (2007). This sci-fi movie hits a little different post Covid-19. We delve into some of the behind the scene changes that affected the outcome of the film and discuss what was missing from Will's portrayal of Robert Neville in order to make this a breakout performance.

Today's episode is on the movie Takers (2010) starring Idris Elba, Chris Brown and a bunch of other attractive men. We discuss the odd music and fashion choices of the main characters, everything they got wrong about LA life, and the silly heist that they clearly were never going to pull off.

Today we're reviewing the movie Old (2021) directed by M. Night Shyamalan. His movies never fail to disappoint, but you gotta to give the man props for his signature twist ending. The film's title gives away too much of the plot at times. However, we still manage to be shocked by a very bizarre scene that he chose to include.

We're talking Day Shift (2022) starring Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, & James Franco. This Netflix original had one of the coldest opening sequences for a vamp-action flick, but quickly fell flat with the inclusion of a MIB-like agency for vampire hunting. We suggest an alternate final fight, the lead character we wished had more screen time and a certain running gag joke that just wasn't funny.

We discuss the Pixar movie Lightyear (2022) starring Chris Evans, KeKe Palmer and Taika Waititi available now on Disney+. While most of us agreed that this is great movie with loveable characters and great visuals, one of the hosts can't get past the fact that it barely ties into the Toy Story franchise. Would this have better as a stand-alone sci-fi adventure film?

We took a break from new releases to revisit In Time (2011), starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. Streaming currently on Amazon Prime, this sci-fi film explores the concept of time replacing money as currency in the near future. While intriguing, the concept falls apart with basic questioning. Instead of attempting to answer these plot holes, the movie writers attempt to distract us with low-stake action sequences and at least a dozen time puns. But alas, we had a good TIME on this episode (Sorry).

We discuss the film The Gray Man (2022) starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, & Ana De Armas and a host of other beautiful-looking people. This Netflix original has everything you need for a great action movie, but one of the hosts debates the rest of the group to try to convince them that the story & motivation of the characters are lacking.

TW: The movie includes sensitive material including rape, child abuse, domestic violence, and abortion. In today's episode we discuss Netflix's Blonde, the controversial NC-17 biopic on Marilyn Monroe. None of us were expecting the rapid-fire traumatic turn of events in this movie. With this film we ask the question: Is this cinema?

It's Morbin' Time! We had a hilarious time on this fan requested review of Morbius (2022). Seems like this movie was made for our podcast because pretty much everything about it could have been better. But all the meme-worthy moments make for a great watch. If you missed seeing Morbius one of the TWO times it went to theaters, it's now available for streaming on Netflix.

We're back for Season 4! We are kicking things off by discussing Prey (2022), the newest installment in the Predator Franchise. This film takes a different approach as a period prequel following a female Comanche protagonist. In this episode, we compare it to the original, highlight the Predator's looks and gadgets and debate a particular bit of dialogue that was used incorrectly. Available now on Hulu

The season 3 finale is here! We brought back the debate-style discussion with new categories like what movie instantly gets better with Ryan Reynolds and movie genre swap. You don't need to listen to the other episodes to enjoy (although there's some funny callbacks if you do), but you do need to follow us on Instagram at Better Movie Maybe Podcast so you can vote for the winner.

We're rounding out season 3 with Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022), a movie that's fun for the whole family. This movie takes a Roger Rabbit-style approach to Disney and other animated characters. We share our favorite easter eggs and cameos from the film, and one of us would have preferred the high-pitched chipmunk talking over the voiceovers from John Mulaney and Andy Samberg.

We review Death On The Nile (2022), currently streaming on HBO Max. This murder mystery lacks suspense and has a predictable reveal of whodunnit, however, the detective in the film makes up for it with an over-the-top French accent and an outlandish mustache. And, there is one particular scene in this movie that we couldn't stop talking about.

We are entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time with Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness (2022), aka WandaVision the sequel. This isn't a bad movie, but we've seen the multiverse done better. Marvel has a proven formula for masterfully weaving the story of several movies--and now TV shows--together, but are they doing too much now and alienating more casual viewers?

TW: The movie deals with sensitive subjects including molestation, rape, and suicide. In today's episode, we revisit The Butterfly Effect (2004) starring Ashton Kutcher. As Markis so accurately describes it, it's a time travel movie where every timeline is the darkest timeline. We all agree that the rapid-fire intense trauma experienced by the main characters could have been dialed back. Plus, we learn of a director's cut that manages to push the envelope even further.

It's long overdue, but we review The Batman (2022) available on HBO Max. If you liked our Justice League two-parter back in S1, you're in for a treat as we have the DC Defender Bradford Wise back as a combative guest bringing all the smoke. We get into some heavy debates regarding who's the best batman and whether this movie deserve to be included in the conversation for being iconic.

We talk through Mother/Android (2021), a Hulu Original that follows a pregnant couple's journey during a robot-apocalypse. While there are many movies out there with a similar setting (Terminator, I, Robot, and The Mitchells vs. The Machines to name a few), this film takes a bold approach to barely including any robots and skip most of the action sequences with time jumps. However, the payoff comes at the ending, which is unintentionally hilarious.

We are joined by returning guests Monic & Jenelle from the Is Marriage Worth It? Podcast to discuss the HBOMax Original, Moonshot (2022). Not to be confused with Moonfall, this RomCom features a quirky pair of students who travel to Mars for love. We discuss the leads romantic chemistry and how it is as complementary as apple sauce and hotdogs. We also try to determine where the sweet spot is between creepy and cute for following someone you like to another planet. For more insight on relationships, Check out Is Marriage Worth it? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-marriage-worth-it/id1559649091

Deep Water (2022) is an erotic psychological thriller on Hulu starring Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas. The mood of this film, as one of us describes it, is like you're stuck at an awkward dinner party and want to look away but can't. The chemistry between the sexy Ana de Armas and the sad Ben Affleck is believable, yet questionable. The movie features a number of adult situations, so consider this your warning for inappropriate jokes. Didn't we just review a family movie last week?—-talk about range.

Today's episode is on the latest Pixar movie Turning Red (2022), available on Disney+. This film addresses the topic of puberty from the perspective a teenage girl using a clever metaphor. We discuss the nostalgic elements that we all could relate to and show appreciation for the diverse representation. Special thanks to Julianna Giordana for coming back as a special guest to keep the guys from going off track with mansplaining.

Today we discuss the Netflix original film The Adam Project (2022). This movie deals with the tricky concept of time travel and features some surprisingly touching emotional moments. It stars Ryan Reynold, who we'll readily admit is not our favorite actor. So to balance our bias, we brought on special guest Chris Vazquez who is a huge fan of the Reynold's sarcastic charm. Will he be able to convince us that Ryan Reynolds is a better movie star than, say, Tom Cruise?

We're back for Season 3! And to kick things off, we're reviewing the sequel to one our most listened episodes, GI Joe: Rise of Cobra. Is Retaliation better than the original? Most of us would say no, however Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is in it, so that's definitely something.

BONUS EPISODE! We've referenced the Matrix on our podcast many times. So even though we're on break prepping for S3, we had to talk about Matrix Resurrections (2021), the sequel to the trilogy that no one asked for. Remember all the dope fight choreography and groundbreaking-concepts from the original Matrix? Well, this movie had none of that, but we did get a radically different take on Morpheus and a lot of cringeworthy meta dialogue. We brought on special guest, lifelong Matrix fan Julianna Giordana, to help us try and make sense of this film.

It's the season two finale! And just like the first season, we're ending it with a debate-style discussion on off the wall categories like 2000 cast remake and movie multiverse crossovers. You don't need to listen to the other episodes to enjoy (although there's some funny callbacks if you do), but you do need to follow us on Instagram at Better Movie Maybe Podcast so you can vote for the winner.