Film School Sucked

Welcome to a special episode of Film School Sucked. We were lucky enough to sit down and speak with the actor turned comic book writer David Dastmalchian. With the release of his first comic Count Crowley: Reluctant Monster Hunter, we spoke to him on his love of genre storytelling, his history as a character actor is some of Hollywood's biggest films, and his overall experience in the film industry.

"Haven't You Seen?" continues with Lea's selection – not to mention the potential subject of her future doctoral dissertation - "Mad Max: Fury Road." Recognized as one of the best films of the 21st century and ranked among the greatest action movies of all time, "Mad Max: Fury Road," is something of a phenomenon. One may wonder, what can be gained from the resurrection of a 1980's, post-apocalyptic action series about a madman on the road trip from the bowels of Hell itself? Evidently, a frightfully powerful feminist narrative, a blunt-force attack of capitalist ideals, and a harrowing reminder of how rapidly and absolutely we are killing the planet. Buckle up! No, seriously.

How different would the world be if we made movies like we used to: if neon lights illuminated the dusty nights of Los Angeles; if rising stars were left innocent and untouchable; if people risked their very lives for a stunt or a shot; and women kept their mouths shut... The ninth installment of Tarantino's directorial saga, "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood," curates an enraptured, and bloody, letter to the Hollywood of the 1960's. Through the cracking veneers of a fading Hollywood Superstar, Rick Dalton, and his long-time friend and employee Cliff Booth, Tarantino weaves a fantasy of his lost love: Hollywood, as he thinks it should be.

Hukuna Matata? Well... "The Lion King," is widely considered a cinematic masterpiece. So naturally, Disney's decision to remake the beloved classic in cutting-edge CGI was met with quite a bit of skepticism; and sadly, that skepticism was well placed. Aside from proving, yet again, Disney's animation prowess, the film played as an empty -- and at times unsettling -- imitation of the original. Perhaps Disney could do with following Mufasa's advice: remember who you are.

Thought our superhero days were behind us? Never! This week in "Coming Attractions," we tag along on our friendly neighborhood Spiderman's European vacation from Hell! But seriously, can we cut this kid a break? As the first film following Marvel's climactic opus, "Spiderman: Far From Home" carries both the logistic and emotional burdens Endgame left in its wake. As a result, the film - like Peter Parker himself - stumbles under the weight of newfound responsibility on the way to greatness.

Kicking off our new series, “Coming Attractions,” the Film School Sucked gang reviews the most recent — and hopefully last — installment of Pixar’s Toy Story franchise. As our beloved characters return with stunning animation, road trip shenanigans, and intense bouts of nostalgia, we share in Woody’s deeply emotional exploration of what it truly means to grow up. You know, just light kid’s stuff! Film School Sucked is hosted and produced by Matt Berger and Lea Kreck. Audio by Becca Howe, editing by Lea Kreck. Original artwork by Unah Denight. For those of us who have grown up alongside the franchise, Toy Story 4 offers one of the most poignant movie going experiences of 2019. Be warned, tissues are a requirement!

Are you a Tom Cruise fan? Love binging Narcos on Netflix? Happen to be a middle-aged father of two? If so, this one is for you. Welcome back to Film School Sucked! We are kicking off our second season with a little series we lovingly call "The Best Films the Other People in the Podcast Have Not Seen" –– official title pending. Film School Sucked is hosted and produced by Matt Berger and Lea Kreck. Audio by Becca Howe, editing by Lea Kreck. Original artwork by Unah Denight. This week we will be kicking off with Becca's selection, American Made!

Thanks for your patience folks. Our part 2 of Avengers: Endgame is finally here! In this half, we discuss the film's finale. But be wary folks, here there be spoilers...

It's been a long road, but we now live in a Post-Endgame world. Join Matt, Lea, and Becca as they discuss their reactions and thoughts on the new film, and to see how their brackets ended up! Be warned, this is a Spoiler-filled review, only listen if you've seen the film! Watch out for part II of our review out this Sunday.

Finally at the end, Matt, Lea, and now Becca are here to go through their theories for Avengers: Endgame. Going through their bracket, the crew theorizes on who will die, whether the X-Men will appear, and if Ant-Man will make a risky back-end move.

The end is nigh. Finally, near the end, Matt and Lea discuss the penultimate chapter of the 10-year journey of the MCU. Infinity War is here, and no one is safe.

Welcome back! After two god awful films, Thor finally has a solo movie he can be proud of. Matt and Lea discuss Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok. This wild space adventure finally makes Thor a dynamic character and is one of the most influential auteur visions in the entire MCU. THE REVOLUTION HAS BEGUN.

This episode we revisit a hidden MCU Gem: Ant-Man and the Wasp. This movie had the unfortunate task of following up the cumulation that was Avengers: Infinity War. This being the case, its reception was fairly lukewarm. Listen as Matt and Lea discuss the merits of movies outside of factors such as release date and franchises.

Welcome back! This episode we revisit the mega-hit that was Black Panther. In a short period of time, Black Panther became a cultural phenomenon and has evolved into an icon both of the superhero genre and of pop culture in general. Join Matt and Lea as they discuss how this film succeeds beyond the confines of the MCU, and point you towards some excellent further reading by writers around the country. Further Reading as Discussed in the Episode: Why ‘Black Panther’ Is a Defining Moment for Black America - https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/12/magazine/why-black-panther-is-a-defining-moment-for-black-america.html I Took 7th Graders to See ‘Black Panther.’ Here’s What They Said. - https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/18/movies/black-panther-challenge-students.html?referer=https://www.google.com/ The Trouble With Hero Worship: Is #TeamKillmonger Also #TeamToxicMasculinity? - https://theglowup.theroot.com/the-trouble-with-hero-worship-is-teamkillmonger-also-1823147935 The Revolutionary Power Of Black Panther - http://time.com/black-panther/ ‘Black Panther’ Is Not the Movie We Deserve - http://bostonreview.net/race/christopher-lebron-black-panther It’s Our Time: The Women of Wakanda - https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/time-women-wakanda/#! “Black Panther” and the Invention of “Africa” - https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/black-panther-and-the-invention-of-africa Why Wakanda Matters - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/02/20/why-wakanda-matters/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ac52d7f20a27

Time to get weird. This episode, Matt and Lea revisit Doctor Strange, the first film to unapologetically introduce magic into the MCU... and that's it. The film has not aged well, so listen as Matt and Lea discuss the major shortcomings of what could have been a gamechanger for the MCU. Also, please be aware that we will be going on a mini-hiatus for some much needed R&R. We will be back April 10 with our episode on Black Panther. See you then!

We are in the middle of a Spider-Man Renaissance. What better time to revisit Spider-Man: Homecoming? The working man's hero, listen as Matt and Lea discuss why this iteration of the Webslinger is possibly the best live-action version to date.

This episode we watch the end of the Captain America Trilogy: Civil War. This penultimate chapter is the official start of Phase 3, and begins trends that have only improved the MCU moving forward. Someone pass the tissues, we're gonna need it.

This episode feels a bit smaller for some reason, and it's not just the runtime. This time Matt and Lea review Ant-Man, one of the weirdest origins in all of the MCU. Paul Rudd and ants, what could go wrong?

"Run from it, hide from it, destiny still arrives." These words spoken by the Mad Titan Thanos perfectly sum up our feelings on Avengers: Age of Ultron. It's here, and there's no turning back.

Taking a quick detour in movie order, this episode is our first reaction to the new release of Captain Marvel. Listen as we praise our new lord and savior Carol Danvers, wonder about the physics of Goose's stomach, and reminisce about Blockbuster Video. WARNING: this episode is NOT Spoiler-Free. Listen at your own risk.

This episode, we continue our trek with the Guardians of the Galaxy in their sequel: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Listen as we discuss the journies of our favorite space pirates, the toxic tendencies of Ego the Living Planet, and the tear-inducing use of Cat Steven's "Father and Son".

Is this the episode that finally destroys Matt and Lea's friendship? This time we tune into the first Guardians of the Galaxy. Both Matt and Lea have sharply different takes on the film, and each of them, as we know, are too stubborn to admit they're wrong. Listen as they discuss raccoons, a blue Lee Pace, and the role taste plays in film criticism.

This episode we analyze Lea's favorite MCU movie: The Winter Soldier. Listen as we discuss the lifelong trauma of Steve Rogers, the ever-changing characterization of Black Widow, and the complicated ways applying Queer theory changes our perspectives of superhero movies. Strap in kids, its gonna be a bumpy ride.

We knew this one was coming. This episode we finally face Thor: The Dark World. Is it as bad as we remember? Or is this an unrecognized gem? Spoiler: It's still really f*cking bad.

Finally, onto Phase 2, this episode we watch Iron Man 3. With a brand new director and a much larger world, how does this film stack up to the others in the Iron Man franchise? Also, can someone hug Tony already?

On this episode, Matt and Lea finally make it to 2012 The Avengers. Unfortunately, it's nowhere near as good as you'll remember. Strap in as we spend to much time complaining about Joss Whedon and not enough time admiring Mark Ruffalo's natural charm and charisma.

On this episode, we revisited 2011's Thor. This Shakespearean sci-fi epic has a serious identity crisis. Also, who's idea was it to bleach Chris Hemsworth's eyebrows?

On this episode, Matt and Lea take a look at two of the most hated movies in the MCU: The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man 2. Join them as they look into how not to make a Marvel movie. Where's Mark Ruffalo when you need him?

In this episode, we are watching the first Iron Man from 2008. Time to dig into some hardcore Iraq War allegory and Robert Downey Jr.'s likable arrogance. Disclaimer: The quality of this episode nowhere near as well executed as the following episodes. Please pardon our dust! Film School Sucked is hosted and written by Matt Berger and Lea Kreck. Produced and edited by Becca Howe with original artwork by Unah Denight. A Blockbuster Burger Production.

Welcome to Film School Sucked! In this episode, we are starting our Marvel Cinematic Universe Rewatch. Starting in chronological order, the first film on the slate is Captain America: The First Avenger. Join Matt and Lea as we discuss the pulpy tone and origins of Steve Rogers and the beginnings of the MCU. Disclaimer: This was the first episode we ever recorded. The quality of this and the next episode are nowhere near as well executed as the remaining episodes. Please pardon our dust! Film School Sucked is hosted and written by Matt Berger and Lea Kreck. Produced and edited by Becca Howe with original artwork by Unah Denight. A Blockbuster Burger Production.

Welcome to Film School Sucked! Matt and Lea both went to film school and now live and debt and can't stop overanalyzing movies. Please send help (or just subscribe and validate us) Film School Sucked is hosted and written by Matt Berger and Lea Kreck. Produced and edited by Becca Howe with original artwork by Unah Denight. A Blockbuster Burger Production.