Dan's Reality

Road House is probably one of the most entertaining terrible movies ever made. It's hard to say which is worse, the dialogue, the performances, or the mullets. We talk about all the outrageous ridiculousness of this best-worst gem. You get boobs, brawls, and badass Swayze with this one. So join us as we discuss what it was like watching this movie again for the podcast. Enjoy!

On this episode we talk about the 8 movies nominated for best picture. We managed to watch all the movies nominated except for the Father. We discuss the moments of each movie that stood out to us as well as ultimately which movie we thought deserved the Best Picture title. Enjoy!

On this episode we talk about the movie Gladiator starring thin Russell Crowe from 2000. Gladiator also stars Connie Nielsen and Joaquin Phoenix.    Gladiator is set at the height of the Roman Empire and is a non-historical look at what would happen if Joaquin Phoenix was in charge of a brutal society of warriors. Naturally he would kill his father to become emperor and bring back the ultra-violent Gladiator games of the Roman Coliseum. Russell Crow plays Maximus the general who turns against Phoenix after he murders the emperor and becomes a Gladiator trying to win his freedom and chance to meet Phoenix in person to kill him.    This movie changed "sandals and sand" movies forever. The battle scenes and graphic violence moved gladiator movies from the dramatization and boring battles to high-octane elaborate action packed scenes. The dialogue and acting still leave a few things to be desired but Gladiator still holds up and hits all the right notes for a very entertaining movie. 

This week we talk about Moneyball starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Starlord. Moneyball is based on a book and written by several people you don't know AND Aaron Sorkin. It was directed by Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher and Capote).    Brad Pitt plays Oakland A's General Manager Billy Beane tries to find a way to find the most talented baseball players possible on the limited budget of his organization. Jonah Hill plays Peter Brand, economics whiz who develops a player algorithm to find low paid players' overlooked talents.    This is a smart and entertaining film primarily due to the engaging story of the behind the scenes workings of baseball organizations and Aaron Sorkin's screenplay. As with any great screenplay it is difficult for even mediocre actors like Brad Pitt and Chris Pratt to screw it up. Luckily this movie also has Hoffman who is phenomal and surprisingly solid actor Jonah Hill. Enjoy!

This week we are talking about the movie Bridesmaids starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Rose Byrne. Bridesmaids was written partly by Kristen Wiig (SNL) and directed by Paul Feig (The Office, Parks and Rec). It was one of the best comedies of 2011 and broke major ground for female led casts.  Annie and Lillian are childhood friends who's relationship begins to unravel after Lillian gets engaged and meets Helen. Helen immediately begins to undermine Annie and Lillian's friendship by throwing lavish parties and get togethers. Annie who has already lost her business loses her current job and begins losing her best friend.  The pure gold of Bridesmaids is the comedy writing and performances by the main cast including Rose Byrne, Wendy McClendon-Covey (Goldbergs), Ellie Kemper (The Office), and Melissa McCarthy as well as smaller roles by Rebel Wilson and Jon Hamm. Although there exists a dramatic-tinge to the story, it is overshadowed by the comedy, in a good way. Enjoy!    

It's the week of Easter and what better way to honor the concept of coming back from the dead than with Zack Snyder's and James Gunn's remake Dawn of the Dead from 2004. This zombie survival film may not star any big names but it's still better than a lot of zombie movies that came after and arguably managed to resurrect the zombie genre from the dead and bring zombies into the main stream.  Groups of survivors wake up to find the world in the middle of full-blown zombie apocalypse. In their fight to survive the deadly chaos one group after another seeks refuge in a local mall as a sea of zombies surround them.  The movie takes George Romero's original screenplay and amps up the action and special effects making this movie highly entertaining. Plus the early genius of both Zack Snyder and James Gunn's writing can be seen in several very poignant moments and action sequences in the film. After almost two decades Dawn of the Dead 2004 remains one of the best zombie genre films ever made. Enjoy!  

On this episode we are talking about the sci-fi-romance film The Fountain starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz. The Fountain is written and directed by Darren Aronofsky of Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler, and Black Swan. So it's a real feel good movie. Tomas is a single-mindedly driven doctor on the relentless search for a cure for his wife Isabel's terminal cancer. Their story flows between a 1500's Spanish search for the Tree of Life and a futuristic space journey to a dying star. I know, but wait it gets even better. The movie is a soul churning, mind bending exploration of the concepts of death, attachment, and acceptance.  Tee and I discuss which storyline is the truth and which are meant to be allegories. We also the discuss the beautiful imagery that holds up and powerful musical score. We also discuss the possibility that this movie is either a complete mess or pure genius. Enjoy!

On this episode we are talking about the 1979 sci-fi horror movie Alien starring Sigourney Weaver and a cat. Yes, a cat. Why a cat? We have no idea.  In the year 2122 the crew of a mining ship, and a cat, are on a journey back to Earth when they are awakened from hyper-sleep by the ship's computer after it picks up a strange signal from a nearby planet. The crew is tasked to investigate the signal but find themselves in a fight their lives against a nightmarish organism. Don't worry, the cat survives.  Listen as we talk about why 20 minutes of this movie could have been cut out without consequence but that this was a great start for the Alien franchise and had one of the most creative and scary movie monsters. We never figure out what there's a cat in space either. Enjoy!

This week we talk about the 1984 movie Beverly Hills Cop starring Eddie Murphy.   Police officer Axel Foley heads to Beverly Hills to find out who killed his childhood friend who came to visit him in Detroit. His investigation leads him to discover a prominent Beverly Hills art dealer who just may be responsible for crimes than the murder of his friend. Axel has to solve the case before his boss in Detroit, the Beverly Hills police department, and the crooked art dealer can stop him. Listen as we talk about why this classic 80's movie holds up unlike many other movies the from 80's. Beverly Hills Cop still delivers lots of laughs, good action, and a solid story. So don't fall for a banana in your tailpipe by missing this episode. Enjoy!

This week we talk about the 2016 independent film starring Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges Hell or High Water. In remote West Texas, Brothers Toby and Tanner Howard devise a all or nothing plan to save their family's ranch. The brothers draw the attention of Marcus Hamilton a close to retirement wiley veteran and Alberto Parker an earnest rookie of Native American descent, two Texas Rangers who begin closing in fast. This modern day western delivers a powerful, superbly written story and excellent acting performances. We break down the story and struggle to find things we didn't like about this movie. Enjoy!

On the very first episode of We're Talking Movies, we talk about the 2014 film Hidden Figures. Enjoy!

I am fully "elect" on this episode. I talk about what more people voting really means, whiny third-party voters., and what might happen next in the election. This episode sponsored by mom and pop Tex-Mex restaurants. Enjoy!

On this episode I talk about getting back to podcasting more regularly. I also talk about Trump getting the Rona, how I'm dealing with this news and what we should expect. Enjoy!

On this episode I discuss dumb skepticism as it relates to the pandemic. Also, I discuss my luck with jobs I didn't get and my reaction to the pandemic response of local businesses plus much more. Enjoy!

On this episode I discuss the recent passing of a few celebrities and public figures, as well as  RBG. I also talk about the current pandemic kicking the country and the state of Texas in the nuts. Plus much more, enjoy!

On this episode I talk about the colossal disaster of 3 million COVID cases, how the increased infection rate  has effected San Antonio, as well as other current events. Enjoy!

On this episode I talk about the problem with thinking it's safe just because they are reopening non-essential businesses. I also talk about the real problem with quarantining and explain what defunding the police actually means. Enjoy!

Greetings! This week I discuss the past week's activities including Easter, the mayor visiting at work, and triple work duties at home. Plus I talk about celebrity quarantine videos, president total power, stimulus checks, and much more. Enjoy!

On this episode I discuss the CDC's newest recommendation for everyone to get COVID by using cloth face masks. I also talk about the current situation here in San Antonio, religious aspects of the pandemic, and the laughable poor quality of talk shows now being made from people's homes. Plus much more, enjoy!

On this episode I talk about what it's been like since the pandemic has taken over, how I was made for staying home, and why people complaining they have to work from home are straight bitches, plus much more. Enjoy!

This episode is my full conversation with musical artist Ila Minori. The conversation took place pre-pandemic so you won't hear any COVID-19 talk. We do talk about what it's like trying to make it as a musician in the San Antonio music scene. We also talk about what it was like touring in Europe and making music for a living. Enjoy!

On this episode I talk about my viewing experience of NBA All-Star Weekend and last visit to the local pancake brunch hot spot, the Magnolia Haus. Plus much more, enjoy!