Movie Trailer Reviews

  It's just better for everyone involved here if you listen to our review above.  Enjoy! Mickey 17 opens in US theaters March 7, 2025 ♦♦   Director: Bong Joon-ho Writers: Bong Joon-ho Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, Anamaria Vartolomei, Patsy Ferran, Holliday Grainger  Runtime:  1 Hour 23 Minutes Synopsis: A poor sap takes a job on a space voyage as an Expendable, a person designated as the sacrificial lamb for deadly jobs and deadly scientific experimentations only to be reprinted back out to do it all over again.  But when the death of his 17th iteration doesn't go as planned, he has to face himself and hide the truth.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  It's just better for everyone involved here if you listen to our review above.  Enjoy! Love Hurts opened in theaters February 7, 2025 ♦♦   Director: Jonathan Eusebio Writers: Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard, Luke Passmore Starring: Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Marshawn Lynch, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, André Eriksen, Sean Astin Runtime:  1 Hour 23 Minutes Synopsis: A realtor named Marvin finds himself kicked, punched, tossed, and body slammed back into the hit-man and crime mob family life he thought he'd finally left behind, all in the name of love.     Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

The story of two black boys who form a bound after being sent to a 1960's abusive reform school.    Director:  RaMell Ross Writers:  RaMell Ross Starring: Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Daveed Diggs, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Runtime:  140 Minutes Synopsis:    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Robert Eggers' passion project, a remake of the infamous cinematic Dracula film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror. Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Robert Eggers Writers: Robert Eggers Starring: Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgard, Nicholas Holt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Williem Dafoe Runtime:  132 Minutes Synopsis: A Remake of Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  What is this Movie? A musical, set in an apocalyptic world covered in snow and ice, where a small collective has been surviving very well off in a luxurious bunker.  While attempting to live out the rest of their days with silver-spoon syndrome an outsider separated from her family stumbles into their home and begs them to let her stay.  They reluctantly allow her to stay where-in she and their only son develop a romantic relationship.  But for everyone else, this outsider is a living reflection of their own shame and the atrocities they've committed and buried deep down in hopes to never resurface.   What is this Film? It's an apocalyptic musical.  It's whimsical Silo.  It's Blast from the Past if Adam never actually went back to the surface but instead contracted a strong case of jungle fever.  And then finds out his pompous parents are cowards and liars.  The End is a story about a group of people who delusionally parade about their aristocracy to distract themselves from the fact that the world has ended, and they might be responsible for it.  And this they were fine with, this disgrace all their own they had come to accept even maybe forgotten until one of the offspring of the last living survivors they abandoned decades ago forces them to wake up and remember who they really are and the horrible things they did for their own self-preservation.  Billions of people died, and these people all just buried their guilt and survivor's remorse in walls of snow and ice surrounding themselves with meaningless privilege.  In a world with no poor, how can there be any rich.  What is power if there is nothing left to rule?  If you leave humanity to die, are you still human? I couldn't get enough of Moses Ingram as Girl, yes that's her name, in this movie.  I had no idea the woman could sing.  Her duet “Catch Fire” with romantic co-star George MacKay has been living rent free in my head for days now.  Her conviction on screen is palpable as she struggles with her own survivor's remorse after growing up in the cold is heart-wrenching.  Every time she sings I think I started melting away into a big ball of man tears.  Your boy is not a big musical fan but in an interview, George MacKay said something to the tune of “this was made for the big screen” and I have to agree.  This film deserves your full attention from the moment MacKay as Boy reveals his desire to experience anything of the world he never got to know.  He longs for the outside, longs to feel the sun, longs to express his emotions and talk about his feelings with his family, in hopes they reciprocate.  But this is just not to be.  Dad, played by Michael Shannon, has an established order.  He treats Boy as if he's preparing him for the world, a world where you work on manifestos and read them aloud in your study, because this bunker has a damn study.  Mom, Tilda Swinton, floats about from room to room nitpicking in the name of perfection.  You never know when guest might be coming over.  We must make sure there's enough soup spoons for everyone.  And yet, you can see she's unstable and full of contempt.  Everyone else in the house is just playing the role that keeps them sheltered. A Doctor, a Butler, a Friend, and Mary in addition to are all that makes up of what's left of humanity in this world.  They even put on performances for entertainment where you can clearly see these people used to be people.  They used to have real worth but now have been reduced to props.  Beautifully, the real story here is told through the music.  All of the emotions come out through song, which took me a while to pick up on.  At first I thought they would just randomly sing short snippets of songs depending on where they were standing in the house.  These aren't long ballads but instead short melodies, where the vocalist through subtle metaphors reveal their internal conflicts.  They don't really sing and then cut to the next season as a way of transitioning through the plot poin...

  What is this Movie? After the death of her mother, 17-year-old Gretchen moves from America to the German Alps with her father Luis, stepmother Beth, and mute half-sister Alma.  Gretchen isn't very thrilled at her current situation feeling like the 3rd wheel in her new family, butting heads with her stepmother, harboring jealousy towards her younger half-sister, and feeling ignored and resented by her own father.  She's offered a job by the local hotel manager Herr Konig, where things start to get a bit loopy.  Half-dressed women randomly showing up in the hotel lobby drinking sprite and vomiting, a beady, red-eyed hooded woman chasing her through the night dressed like she fell out of a Hitchcock film, and Alma randomly having seizures all give Gretchen the impression that Herr Konig isn't just a hotel manager, and she might need to get the hell out of town before it literally kills her.   What is this Film? Cuckoo is absolutely cuckoo.  From the moment this family shows up in the Bavarian Alps, you get why Gretchen looks like she's being dragged here against her will.  Hunter Schafer pretty much carries this film until Dan Stevens fully shows up in the 3rd act, outside of a few creepy moments shared between he and Hunter earlier in the film.  You have this young girl who's now forced to live in this foreign land, where one minute people are speaking German, and the next they're speaking French.  The hotel she works at closes at 10PM for reasons no one wants to explain.  She's constantly passing out in one place, then waking up in a totally different place.  This part could just be the editing and not necessarily indicative of her circumstance.  Aside from hotel guests, nobody in this town feels trustworthy.  Then there's the old woman from Birds in a raincoat with the hood up and not a drop of rain in site that keeps chasing Gretchen all over town.  Multiple times she's nearly killed, and her father could careless, even going as far as telling her go on ahead and get if she's not happy there and wants to leave so damn bad.  Then the late-night screeching starts.  Is that a banshee?  There's a damn banshee in this movie!  This wild feral sound causes the audience to experience déjà vu in reverberation hell.  I thought my screener was fried or bootlegged.  It took 3 of these scenes before I realized the editing was done this way on purpose to disassociate the audience from time and reality.  The beauty here is while you're experiencing these loops along with the characters on screen, you see them start to realize the déjà vu around the same time you've realized it and some of them know what this means.  Others aren't so lucky.  The monster here is so menacing you just can't turn your eyes away from the screen.  Add to that this was shot in 35mm film giving you that nostalgic late 70's horror cinema where creepy things are way creepier and loud noises feel way louder, and you've got one of those horror films you start to resent watching alone.  This is definitely some bring a friend horror. The story isn't overbearing or too complex once you get deep into the 3rd act and Herr Konig is given more exposition.  But That still won't keep you from either needing to watch this multiple times or at best rewinding it over and over again creating your own loops to help put the dark pieces together.  Not being able to figure out what the hell was going on is what made this movie so good to me.  I found myself at the climax of this film stumbling over the sense I couldn't make of any of it and asking things like, “Wait that creature thing is a what?”, “These scientists are trying to do what with it?”, and my favorite “So is that person dead now??  Another film about women being sacrificed in the name of science and experimentation, I'm kind of starting to hate being a man.  And this one has a such a weird twist.  I finished it and started thinking we just might need to ban men from doing science stuff.

  The Wild Robot is a master class in blending ground breaking technology with animation to give us a gorgeously, heartwarming film that understood the assignment.  Lupita (Roz)  and Pedro Pascal (Fink) are a sensationally addictive duo surrounded by an amazing ensemble of voice actors who bring to life a wild tale of finding strength in family, protecting the things you love, and embracing heroism. Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Chris Sanders Writers:  Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Stephanie Hsu, Ving Rhames, Mark Hamill, Bill Nighy,  Runtime:  1 Hour 42 Minutes Synopsis:  A Robot abandoned on earth who is initially treated like an outcast until she adopts a duckling who mistakes her for it's mother, fights to protect her forrest family when her makers return and wage war in an attempt to retrieve her.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  A film that lives and dies by it's leading cast made up of a Mother, her daughter, and a magic Macaw, Tuesday is a dark fantastical tale about how people cope with terminal illness and impending Death.  Lola Petticrew really gives an amazing performance here that will charm the audience audience even more than Tuesday is able to charm Death.  Arinze Kene voices Death and does some very captivating motion capture with his portrayal of the stuttering Macaw.  The film really hits the ground running especially when you toss in the unhinged performance from Julia Louis-Dreyfus switching gears and turning this into a dark comedy.  But ultimately the film falls flat when it doesn't fully capitalize on the real world ramifications of Zora's actions, and instead lulls it's audience to very anticlimactic ending.  It's almost like the director knew exactly where he was going but didn't fully grasp where things were headed.  Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Daina O. Pusić Writers: Daina O. Pusić Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lola Petticrew, Arinze Kene, Leah Harvey Runtime:  1 Hour 50 Minutes Synopsis:  When Death comes knocking at the door of a terminally ill teenager named Tuesday, she uses her quick wit and insatiable charm to befriend the creature.  But when her Mother discovers the Macaw, she takes matters into her own hands and makes an unhinged decision that puts the entire world in dire straits.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  Rachel Morrison and Barry Jenkins come together beautifully here to craft a big screen polished adaptation of the 2016 PBS Documentary, "T-Rex: Her Fight For gold".  The chemistry between Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry portraying Claressa Shields and Coach Jason Crutchfield is so palpable.  A lot of heart and care went into this project.  So, while it may feel like the film doesn't tell enough of Claressa's story,  which continued far beyond her Olympic years, the gritty biographical story of a naturally gifted boxing phenom we do get here is unapologetically as inspirational as the real life boxing champion herself.  This is the story of T-Rex. Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Rachel Morrison Writers: Barry Jenkins Starring: Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree Henry Runtime:  1 Hour 49 Minutes Synopsis: Based on the PBS Documentary "T-Rex: Her Fight For Gold", The Fire Inside tells the story of Claressa Shields, a young black female boxer from Flint, Michigan who's will and determination take her all the way to the Olympics yet somehow not far enough away from the dangers of her home life.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  If Disney is going to take a made for streaming series project and whip it up into a last minute theatrical release, they could at least give us Return of Jafar instead of Bambi 2.  Moana does a poor job of catching the audience up on what some of our favorite characters have been up too since we last saw them through an adventure in such a superficial way.  And once the film reveals itself to actually not be one-dimensional we're sailing midway through the 3rd act of a story that hopefully James Cameron won't feel the need to be inspired by since he's already made a billion dollars doing it with less heart.  The songs aren't really memorable.  The new characters aside from one we only get in the 2nd act aren't very memorable.  The story we now know is actually part of a trilogy that might actually be going back to streaming after these box office numbers drop is also not memorable.  And the Rock sings.  There's still a lot of people's favorite things about Moana here, but this film deserved to be better and just doesn't feel like it was treated as such by the House of Mouse.  Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Dana Ledoux Miller, Jason Hand, David Derrick Jr. Writers: Jared Bush, Dana Ledoux Mille Starring: Auliʻi Cravalho,Dwayne Johnson, Awhimai Fraser, David Fane, Rose Matafe, Hualālai Chung Runtime:  1 Hour 40 Minutes Synopsis: Moana returns as a young adult encouraged by the water spirits to set sail on a new adventure to find the other lost tribes of the sea beyond her side of the reef.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  Francis Ford Coppola has definitively proven that no amount of wine country monies can be thrown at a 30 year passion project to justify wasting two extra long hours of your life aging away in an IMAX theater struggling to watch it.  Megalopolis is so bad it couldn't make it's money back in a game of tic tac toe against a blind man.  A Megalodon of a mess, Coppola beats his audience over the head with his shallow progressive messaging literally carved in stone connecting some beautiful cinematography and provocative performances with some of the ugliest CGI and convoluted story progression I've ever experieneced.  Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Francis Ford Coppola Writers: Francis Ford Coppola Starring: Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Laurence Fishburne, Shia LeBeouf, Aubrey Plaza, Jon Voight, Giancarlo Esposito, Dustin Hoffman Runtime:  2 Hours 18 Minutes Synopsis: Set in New New Rome, an idealistically driven, widowed scientific genius with the power to control time pushes back against the regressive regime in an attempt to create a golden utopia causing a violent social and political uproar.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  MaXXXine is the ending to a trilogoy we welcomed but didn't ask for, and it almost took the director from Ti West to You Tried West.   Luckily, Pearl and X are just so strong that it pretty much makes MaXXXine the 3rd Back to the Future film.  A film that's just as far from worthless as it is from worth it, mainly due to a nothing new here story, an unearned reveal, but still somehow a variety of perfectly casted supporting role performances.  MaXXXine gets so many things right yet still does nothing to push the genre forward.  Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director:  Ti West Writers:  Ti West Starring: Mia Goth, Kevin Bacon, Sophie Thatcher, Moses Sumney Runtime:  1 Hour 44 Minutes Synopsis: A porn star lands her first big Hollywood break while being black mailed by a dirtbag PI who knows her dark X past, and stalked by an L.A. serial killer murdering everyone close to her.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  Alien Romulus is proof that anything with a Xenomorph in it should only allow Ridley Scott on set as a Producer.  It's a much needed return to the Xenomorph-verse that gives the audience nonstop nerve-wrecking action, just enough sci to fi, nostalgic easter eggs, and fun elements adapted directly from the more recent Aliens videos game like Alien: Isolation.  This film does an amazing job if amping up the anticipation for the upcoming FX TV Series, Alien: Earth. Cailee Spaeny fills the shoes of Ripley very well and David Jonsson deserves all the praise for his performance as Andy, an android who gets an upgrade in autonomy.  Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Fede Alvarez Writers: Fede Alvarez, Rado Sayagues Starring: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Aileen Wu, Archie Renaux Runtime:  1 Hour 59 Minutes Synopsis: Rain and her android Andy join a group of young workers and attempt to escape their indefinite indentured servitude by boarding an abandoned Weyland-Yutani  space station only to discover the station is the home of a Xenomorph with some new toys to impregnate.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  Sebastian Stan gives us a complex and riveting performance in this psychological, dark comedy character study, A Different Man, directed by Aaron Schimberg and also staring an arguably Best Supporting Actor performance from Adam Pearson.  A Different Man is the Uglies we deserve. Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Aaron Schimberg Writers: Aaron Schimberg Starring: Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson, Renate Reinsve, Michael Shannon Runtime:  1 Hour 52 Minutes Synopsis: A disfigured, struggling actor goes through an experimental procedure that gives him a Hollywood face and with it the attention he always wanted.  Or so he thought.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

It's the story of Mufasa and Scar before they scarred us for life as kids over a few catchy bops. Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Barry Jenkins Writers:  Jeff Nathanson Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Donald Glover, Beyonce, Blu Ivy Carter, Mads Mikkelsen Runtime:  118 Minutes Synopsis:  The origin story of Mufasa and Scar   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

A young teen becomes addicted to an eerie children's show that opens him up to a deeper internal struggle he spends his whole life running away from.  Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Jane Shoenbrun Writers: Jane Shoenbrun Starring: Bridgette Lundy-Paine, Justice Smith, Phoebe Bridgers,  Fred Durst, Snail Mail, Helena Howard Runtime:  1 Hour 40 Minutes Synopsis:    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

If you're unfamiliar with the plot of Broadway stunner, Wicked, fear not, director Jon M. Chu's (Crazy Rich Asians) big screen adaptation is a splashy note-for-note faithful interpretation of the acclaimed musical. If your gateway is Gregory Macguire's book by the same name, expect more committment to the musical's book than his source material. Wicked, a prequel to the Wizard of Oz, tells the story of the classic's central villian Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West and it's symbol of goodness, Glinda the Good Witch of the South. It's story opens with a Glinda arriving in Munchkinland in a glimmering bubble. To confirms for the citzenry that the witch is dead. It's a majestic start complete with a spectacular ensemble number.  Under Chu's stewardship OZ comes to sparkling life. There are recognizable set pieces as well as a more expansive look at the land of OZ.  The film adaptation retains the "PG" light touch by inferring much more than showing the darkness decending upon the land. Cynthia Erivio and Arian Grande-Butera are hands down a triumph as the film's Elphaba and Glinda. Both their vocals and dramatic interpretation of the leads distinguish their performances from any that've come before. In this meticulously built world the duo lead their talent-packed ensemble to create one of the best film-adaptation of a stage production ever. Wicked offers plenty for those longing for bright and colorful escapism. You'll laugh, gasp, and be amazed at each cinematic success (enough to forgive its varied visual effects shortfalls).  The narrative leans heavily on its cast for its emotional peaks and valleys and they more ably respond. Christopher Scott's propulsive choreography delivers again and again. Erivo's blend of stoicism and defensive boldness aid a growing necessary edge. While Grande's pitch perfect switches between self-absorbsion, ambitious, perky benevolence adds the bounce and flair. Each balancing out the other in a delightful chemistry. But Holzman and Fox' decision to add only hints of the novel's deeper themes expose a script that fails to fully serve the narrative underpining all the visual pizzazz. Every shallow plot point and thin (secondary) character development between musical numbers turns into glaring oversight in the spotlight of Wicked's exhaustive runtime. So. if you were hoping that the extended (2 hours 40 minute) runtime - and cutting the story into two films - meant more (extremely important) parts of Macguire's Wicked would find its way into the screenplay, well then you'll likely come away disappointed. Perhaps the second half of this story coming November of 2025 will fill in those gaps. But despite this missed opportunity hindering Wicked from truly defiying gravity, its technical prowess behind and in front of the camera are worth a watch. Chu's sprawling production brings this origin story to life such verve and vibrancy your inner song-and-dance loving kid will not leave dissatisfied. Listen as Ro and Phenom discuss Wicked and somehow manage to keep it spoiler-free Wicked opens in theaters Friday, November 22. ♦♦ Director: Jon M. Chu Writers: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum Runtime: 2 Hour 40 Minutes Synopsis: Misunderstood because of her green skin, a young woman named Elphaba forges an unlikely but profound friendship with Glinda, a student with an unflinching desire for popularity. Following an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, their relationship soon reaches a crossroad as their lives begin to take very different paths. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

It's What's Inside is a visual and visceral psychological rollercoaster playing out on screen over 103 minutes of just wacky cinematography and mind games.  With a goofy ensemble of untrustworthy friends, playing an insanely dangerous game this story goes every which way but right.     Director:  Greg Jardin Writers:  Greg Jardin Starring:  Brittany O'Grady, James Morosini, Gavin Leatherwood, Nina Bloomgarden, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Madison Davenport, Devon Terrell, David Thompson Runtime:  1 Hour 43 Minutes Synopsis: When a group of mismatched friends meet up the night before a wedding for one last hoo-rah, an estranged friend from their past randomly shows up to help them celebrate with a freaky out of body mind game he's invented.  Things quickly spiral out of control when his true intentions are revealed, while animosity and old grudge amongst members of the group erupt and nobody is who they claim to be.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Our new favorite demonic jester is back and has found itself a new host to torture.  Naomi Scott displays an amazingly horrified performance as Skye Riley, a pop star struggling to keep her grasp on reality in the face of grinning figures who do anything but give her something to smile about.  Smile 2 picks up right where we left off in the last film, with bigger set pieces, interesting cinematography choices, and many creepy performances all set to a bop of a soundtrack.  Listen as Ro and Phenom discuss Smile 2 and somehow manage to keep it spoiler-free Smile 2 opens in theaters Friday, October 18th. ♦♦ Director: Parker Finn Writers: Parker Finn Starring: C Noami Scott, Rosemari DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Peter Jacobson, Raul Castillo Runtime: 2 Hours 9 Minutes Synopsis: While preparing for a new tour after a tragic accident, fresh out of rehab, a young pop star witnesses a horrific event putting in motion a cycle of hallucinations brought on by a Smiling demonic entity that can take the form of anyone.  As her time and grasp on reality is running out, Skye Riley desperately tries to regain control of her life as it terrifyingly spirals out of control. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director Josh Cooley's (Toy Story 4, Inside Out) Transformers One weaves the vast (and varied) backstorys and lore into a top-tier re-introduction that sweeps away all previous attempts to repackage this longstanding property. And the best part? This orign story blends unique characters and set peices into a engrossing friends-to-enemies journey into exciting, yet familiar, galaxy-spanning territory. Live-action could never. Seriously, Transformers One follows best friends, a low-ranking minors, Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Bryain Tyree Henry) as they uncover their society's hidden history and the real reasons for its class divisons. Each revelation sets the duo on collision course with their enemies, and each other.  Whether you're steeped in the lore, a fan of the live-action franchise, or a coming in with zero knowledge, Transformers One is a vivid adventure certain to capture - and keep - your attention until the credits roll. Listen and Ro and DPalm discuss how Cooley - and this suprisinging fitting A-list voice cast - perfectly threads the action-comedy needle turning an epic bromance gone wrong into an incredibly immersive parable about liberation, friendship, and the cost of losing faith.  Transformers One released in theaters September 20, 2024 and arrives on VOD and digital Tuesday, October 22, 2024.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow us on Twitter: @TheMTRNetwork Our shirts are now on TeePublic:  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!

Uglies doesn't really land anywhere and should be left to float through space in timeout for eternity.    Director:  McG Writers: Jacob Forman Starring:  Joey King, Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, Brianne Tju Runtime:  Too Damn Long Synopsis: In a world wear your un-botched face is deemed ugly, a child awaits her celebrated body dysmorphia glow-up.  But, when a friend goes missing and she's tasked to help find her, she embarks on a meaningless journey to misunderstand what beauty really is or isn't or could be.  Maybe.  Or maybe this whole movie is just dumb and we are all now dumber for watching it.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

This review is for people who think they might want to give Platform 2 a chance after seeing the first film, or even if they have never seen the first film.  Listen as Ro and Phenom discuss The Platform 2 and somehow manage to keep it spoiler-free The Platform 2 streaming now on Netflix. ♦♦ Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia Writers:  David Desola, Pedro Rivero, Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia Starring: Hovik Keuchkerian, Milena Smit Runtime:  1 Hour 41Minutes Synopsis: In a dystopian vertical prison with 333 floors, a women voluntarily commits herself after a tragic accident.  Insanity corrupts as a group of zionist enforcers called Loyalists descend through the prison holding court and enacting brutal, inhumane justice on Barbarian who violate the food rules.     Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

If a random couple you met on vacation invited you to their rural area farm to stay with them, would you accept and also bring your kids?  Speak no Stupid asks this of it's audience and shows you exactly why it's a diabolically idiotic idea. McAvoy gives the audience an amazing performance as the host from hell, in this The Shinning inspired psychological cat and mice escape thriller.  If you enjoy playing with you food, you'll enjoy this dish.  Listen as Ro and Phenom discuss Speak No Evil and somehow manage to keep it spoiler-free Speak No Evil opens in theaters Friday, November 22. ♦♦ Director: James Watkins Writers: James Watkins Starring: C James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, Scoot McNairy Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes Synopsis: An American couple suffering from marital issues is invited to vacation at a rural farmhome of a world renowned British Doctor and his wife in Devon, England.  The family quickly realizes after meeting the couple's mute son, things are not what they seem with this Doctor. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Quick Take: Deadpool and Wolverine is the unlikely team-up that makes all Deadpool's most fervent wishes come true. From the irreverent fourth-wall break that sets the stage for both the rather straightfoward quest to come and hyper-meta poke at the superhero character's past as prologue.  Longtime collaborators Ryan and Reynolds and director Shawn Levy enter the MCU with a song in their hearts and sway in their hips. If you're expecting being under the Disney mantel to tone down the violence, raunchiness, or Deadpool's sexpest ways, go on ahead and put that notion aside. Reynolds and the rest of the writing team cagily stare the Disney "no-no" list in the face then kick it in the shin. Despite some pacing issues, unfortunate visual ticks, and more than a few songs that stay past far past their usefulness, Deadpool and Wolverine tells a slippery story that underutilizes its original ensemble choosing instead to traverse the multi-verse as only Deadpool can. The narrative holding this buddy comedy being suprisingly straightforward it refuses to abandon the cheekiness what this franchise is best known for. So, if you're looking for a Deadpool adventure that's unabashedly madcap and makes the most of its leads then you're in the right place.  ♦♦♦ Director: Shawn Levy Writers: Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, Shawn Levy Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew MacFadyen,  Runtime:  2 Hour 7 Minutes Synopsis: Deadpool's peaceful existence comes crashing down when the Time Variance Authority recruits him to help safeguard the multiverse.   Deadpool & Wolverine opeans nationswide (US) theaters July 26, 2024 Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Quick Take: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is both the origin story Citdal renegade, Furiosa, and volatile trek across the wasteland.  The fifth installment revolves around laying the ground work to how, the Furiosa of Mad Max: Fury Road came to be and the unveiling of the major settlements across the wasteland. Furiosa throttles down the action, just a notch, to make room to understand the true dysfunction of this dystopian hellscape. In typical George Miller fashion, chronology matters less than the homeretic journey through the world of Max. It's bold, violent, and emotionally complex. The trails and tribulations of Furiosa are equally matched by the havoc and upheaval between the wasteland factions. Buckle up because Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga's one hell of a ride.  Director: George Miller Writers: George Miller, Nick Lathouris Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Alyla Browne Runtime: 2h 28m Synopsis: Snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers, young Furiosa falls into the hands of a great biker horde led by the warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel, presided over by the Immortan Joe. As the two tyrants fight for dominance, Furiosa soon finds herself in a nonstop battle to make her way home.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  Richard Donner's The Omen (1976) follows American diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) as he investigates his adopted son's, Damien, background once tragedy befalls those close to him. Thorn's quest for answers ultimately leads him to Italy and the unsettling revelation that his son may be the Antichrist. Sadly the subsequent installments never quite duplicated the impact of the first chapter in this genre-disrupting religious horror saga. So he idea of a compelling legacy-prequel seems like a non-starter. Well, director and co-writer Arkasha Stevenson would like a word. Because, The First Omen is an absolute master class on how to create a stunning in-canon prequel to a horror classic. Fresh Eyes Brings Fresh Perspective on the Horrific Stevenson's feature debut follows Margaret (Nell Tiger Free), a young American novitiate, as she arrives in Rome, Italy (1971) to complete her probationary period at a Roman orphanage before taking vows. For those new to the Omen universe, this prequel is a fresh-eyed, gnarly lure into the dark and twisted world of religious horror and one of the foundational storylines in the genre. Margaret encounters Carlita (Nicole Sorace), a troubled orphan, living in practical isolation. Reminded of her own turbulent childhood, she befriends the young girl in the hopes of acting as her champion. As increasingly disturbing happenings swirl around Carlita, Margaret stumbles into a dark and gruesome unfolding conspiracy. Just as Margaret connects with Carlita, a rogue priest (Ralph Ineson) approaches, demanding her help. He's on the hunt for proof of a plot by a corrupt sect within the Church. Margaret soon second-guessing herself. Nowhere is safe. Unlike in The Omen, the women carry the bulk of the plot development. Tiger Free's Margaret is a convicing mix of ingénue and fervent acolyte. Shifting the story progression to her point of view adds layers to the terror of being in a new city, trying to integrate into an established social dynamic and feeling unsettled by a sense of danger dogging your every step. Stevenson relies less on the obvious jumpscares and more on discomfort, paranoia and the pay off is utterly next level.  The First Omen breathes menacing new life into religious horror  Under Stevenson's direction The First Omen comfortably resides at the intersection of fanatical secret societies and unholy dark arts. From the period-accurate production design and costuming, to the religious iconography and symbolism deftly sets the stage for a harrowing spiral into the heart of darkness with precision. Cinematographer Aaron Morton employs an earthy color palette and savvy use of light, shadow, and scene staging ably assisting Stevenon's unabashed commitment to blending its paranoid-thriller and supernatural horror roots into a trauma-inducing story. Through a combination of awkward physicality, unworldliness, and bouts of inexplicable agitation Tiger Free creates a captivating picture of a woman pushed to the absolute brink.  There's an increasingly demented energy of danger driven by the score and sound desighn that, alongside her character development, that acts as razor then thin tether to realty and a visually entralling fever dream.  Listen as Ro and special guest Richard Newby discuss (spoiler-free) the thematically rich and incisive allegories baked into The First Omen.  The First Omen opens in theaters, April 5, 2024 Director: Arkasha Stevenson Writers: Tim Smith, Arkasha Stevenson, Keith Thomas Starring: Nell Tiger Free, Tawfeek Barhom, Sonia Braga, Ralph Ineson, Bill Nighy Runtime:  2 Hours Synopsis: A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, where she encounters a darkness that outs her own faith in jepardy,  Like what you hear? Don't miss an episode. Subscribe today. Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.

  Quick Take: Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, is a full-throttle, heartbreaking, brutal quest for vengeance. Patel and his co-writers weave ancestral lore and a biting challenge to the socio-political status quo into a underdog tale that wears its cinematic influences and cultural aesthetic on its sleeve. What starts as tale of a street-smart grief-striken man living only for revenge slow morphs into the journey of a man who learns to stand for something greater than himself. Monkey Man pulls no punches and takes no prisoners. Although far from technically flawless and clearly not attempting to reinvent the revenge tropes, in Monkey Man Patel firmly establishes his ability to straddle the line of action star and beguiling leading man with an almost supernatual grace.  Come for the fights and stay for the intense character arc.  Listen as Phenom and Ro discuss (spoiler-free) just how brash Monkey Man is from start to finish.  Monkey Man opens (wide) in theaters, April 5, 2024 Director: Dev Patel Writers: Dev Patel, Paul Angunawela, John Collee Starring: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, Makarand Deshpande Runtime:  1 Hour 53 Minutes Synopsis: After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city's sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him. Note for podcast episode: Monkeypaw Productions and Jordan Peele came on board towards the end of shooting.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!

Director: Denis Villeneuve Writers:  Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts, Frank Herbert Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler Runtime:  2 Hour 46 Minutes Synopsis: Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Kriss, Ro, Brandon review Dune Part 2. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Quick Take: Madame Web should've been a fun and fantastical origin story for a dynamic comic character with real spin-off potential. Instead it's a mishmash of barely interesting plot points, disjointed visual trickery, and underwhelming performances. More than anything else, Madame Web proves it's not enough to throw all the “expected” set pieces in a movie, you actually need to know what to do with them. ** Official Synopsis: Cassandra Webb develops the power to see the future. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women bound for powerful destinies, if they can all survive a deadly present. Director: S.J. Clarkson Writers: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Claire Parker, S.J. Clarkson Starring: Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O'Connor, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott ** Madame Web, Sony's third standalone spin-off of a Marvel comic character, opened the door for the studio to fully reimagine the origins of its titular character and set the stage for robust worldbuilding in its Spider-Man Universe. The Cassandara Webb of the comics is an elderly woman, with a neuromuscular disease, connected to a life support system that resembles a spider web. She's fully in control of her clairvoyance and precognition.  Webb's an exceptionally powerful mutant and infrequent supporting character in the Spider-Man comic book series. There's very little known of her beginnings. When carving a lane for future stories, it doesn't get much better than having firm grounding in source material but an otherwise clear field to play.  There's something to be said for nostalgia in movie styling (we won't talk about those reshoot blunders). Setting a story in the recent past opens the way for the sleight-of-hand of soft revisionist storytelling often beneficial when telling a story with supernatural elements. For audiences, everything feels familiar and contemporary but the edges are just blurry enough to make way for a world full of magic, mystery, and untold danger existing alongside the mundane. What Madame Web gets right(ish) is blending an intentionally pulp-esque vibe into a recognizable version of the contemporary New York City circa 2003. The story moves at a digestible (and thankfully relatively quick) pace of a thriller. So it's a shame that absolutely nothing else; not direction, editing, character arcs, visual effects, cast performances, or story direction, amounts to more than a “comic movie” checklist neither the screenwriters nor the director knew how to navigate. The movie opens with a flashback, because of course it does, of a pregnant Constance Webb (Kerry Bishé) deep in the Peruvian Amazon in 1973. She's on the hunt for a spider said to have miraculous healing properties. She's whip smart, driven, and desperate. So desperate she misses all the glaring red flags that her impatient head of security, Ezekiel Sims (Tahar Rahim), isn't really there to protect her waving in her face. Through hamfisted dialogue, a lore info-dump about a secretive indigenous people with powers, known as Las Aranas, (that would've carried more weight as naturally occurring revelations), and scenes of a furtive tent search practically lifted from Tomb Raider, it's obvious Sims' intends to acquire the spider for his own ends. The action sequences that follow shortly after the expected doublecross are a reminder that staging and filming action and stunts is a skill not all directors possess. Director S.J. Clarkson relies on quick cuts, odd camera angles, and bouncing shots of rustling foliage and blurred glimpses of people leaping from great heights to simulate action and fast-moving “spider people” traveling through the trees coming to the rescue. It's the first sign, of many, that Madame Webb's practical and visual effects are a detriment to an already poorly conceived storyline. And although the flashback is a smart entry point for Webb's origin story,

Director: Todd Haynes Writers: Samy Burch, Alex Mechanik Starring: Natalie Portman, Charles Melton, Julianne Moore, Gabriel Chung, Andrea Frankle Runtime:  1 Hour 57 Minutes Synopsis: Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, a married couple buckles under pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their past. 2023 was really the year of the terrible parent when it comes to movie. In May December, Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman have a "terrible off" to see which one plays the worst person. Charles Melton's character unfortunately is the one taking the brunt of just how terrible those other characters are. This is a very solid film that's bound to make your skin crawl because of just how realistic it is. The gaslighting and victimization that Julianne Moore's character Gracie does in this film is top notch. You're definitely going to need to take a shower after this one. Listen as the crew review May December. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director: William Oldroyd Writers: Luke Goebel, Ottessa Moshfegh Starring: Thomasin McKenzie, Shea Whigham, Anne Hathaway, Sam Nivola Runtime:  1 Hour 37 Minutes Synopsis: A woman's friendship with a new co-worker at the prison facility where she works takes a sinister turn. Who doesn't love a "leave them crazy white women alone" film? Eileen is a great film that uses the alway fantastic Anne Hathaway perfectly by pairing her up with Thomasin McKenzie who does a great dead-face, on the cusp of crazy (right about to head over the deep end) young woman looking to impress. Eileen is short, simple and hits all the right notes. Listen as the crew review this film.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director: Ava DuVernay Writers: Ava DuVernay, Isabel Wilkerson Starring: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash, Emily Yancy, Finn Wittrock, Victoria Pedretti Runtime:  2 Hour 15 Minutes Synopsis: The unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. The review crew discuss the latest film from Ava DuVernay, Origins.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director: Paul King Writers: Simon Farnaby, Paul King, Roald Dahl Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Gustave Die, Murray McArthur Runtime:  Hour Minutes Synopsis: With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers. The crew review their second musical of the year, Wonka.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director: Takashi Yamazaki Writers: Takashi Yamazaki Starring: Minami Hamabe, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Sakura Ando Runtime:  2 Hour 4 Minutes Synopsis: Post war Japan is at its lowest point when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant monster, baptized in the horrific power of the atomic bomb. The Crew reviews Godzilla Minus One. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director: Sean Durkin Writers: Sean Durkin Starring: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany Runtime:  2 Hour 12 Minutes Synopsis: The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. The Iron Claw has an absolutely fantastic cast and set of performances and tells the very tragic tale of the Von Erich family. This is definitely a heartbreaking story but it's also a script that doesn't do the full story justice. There's a lot of focus on the tragedy that seems to follow this family around but does so by sacrificing a lot of the context and story. To be fair that context would probably make the story even more heartbreaking but it would have taken the Iron Claw from a good movie with great performances, to a great movie with even greater performances. This is the difference between a film that gets award season buzz for an actor (e.g. Zac Efron) and a movie that gets the full award season push for being an all around great film.  Listen as Ro, Brandon and Kriss dive in more about The Iron Claw. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Writers: Tony McNamara, Alasdair Gray Starring: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef Runtime:  2 Hour 21 Minutes Synopsis: The incredible tale about the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter; a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist, Dr. Godwin Baxter. Kriss, Ro & Brandon discuss and review the film Poor Things. There's a lot to really enjoy about this film, chief among them is Emma Stone once again showing what an outstanding actress and performer she is. It's not a slight to the other performers in this film to say that Emma Stone carries this film because the story truly revolves around her character, Bella Baxter. But what Emma Stone is asked to do and is able to do is what makes this film. Not too many actresses could have pulled this off and she does it in a brilliant way. This film isn't perfect but is definitely a great modern telling of the story of Frankenstein (or rather the aftermath of the Frankenstein story) that is worth checking out.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director: Bishal Dutta Writers: Bishal Dutta, Ashish Mehta Starring: Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan, Betty Gabriel Runtime:  1 Hour 39 Minutes Synopsis: An Indian-American teenager struggling with her cultural identity has a falling out with her former best friend and, in the process, unwittingly releases a demonic entity that grows stronger by feeding on her loneliness. Kriss, Ro and Brandon discuss the film It Lives Inside. While 2023 has been a good year for horror films, It Lives Inside represents the rare miss of a film that should have been and could have been so much more.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director: Michael Mann Writers: Troy Kennedy Martin, Brock Yates Starring: Adam Driver, Shailene Woodley, Giuseppe Festinese Runtime:  2 Hour 4 Minutes Synopsis: Set in the summer of 1957, with Enzo Ferrari's auto empire in crisis, the ex-racer turned entrepreneur pushes himself and his drivers to the edge as they launch into the Mille Miglia, a treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy. Once you realize that Michael Mann was a producer on Ford v Ferrari, the "I can do it too" mentality that oozes out of Ferrari makes sense. The problem is, all the charm and intrigue that Ford v Ferrari had is completely missing from Ferrari. Adam Driver is a great actor who is routinely misused by directors and scripts and Ferrari is no exception. Christian Bale and Matt Damon played well off of each other in Ford v Ferrari and made for a compelling story. In Ferrari, Driver is not only boring but Penélope Cruz is criminally underused, leaving Driver without a strong second to play off of. That then leads to the second issue which is there are about 3 different direction this film could have gone which would have made for a great movie and instead it attempts all three directions half heartedly. The best direction this film could have stuck with would have been to follow Cruz's Laura Ferrari and made a much more interesting movie. Instead she's presented as a bitter woman who just can't understand why her great man of a husband is in love with another woman and fathered another child. There j The other surprising thing about this film is how bad it looks in some action scenes. The crashes in this film are supposed to be big and draw you in. Instead, they're almost comical in how poorly they're shot. Even without looking hard, you can see where stunt drivers have been replaced with crash test dummies or poorly used effects to show gruesome after effects. It's all just very poorly done. Ferrari is a forgettable film. Honestly, in the end just go rewatch Ford v Ferrari if you want this type of film. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director: Blitz Bazawule Writers: Marcus Gardley, Alice Walker, Marsha Norman Starring: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins Runtime: 2 Hour 20 Minutes Synopsis: A woman faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. Ro, Kriss and Brandon review the 2023 adaptation of The Color Purple. There is a wild  swing in opinions and views on this film. It's definitely a "your mileage may vary". Listen as the crew gives their opinions (and jokes) on this film.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Director: Hayao Miyazaki Writers: Hayao Miyazaki Starring:  Runtime:  2 Hour 4 Minutes Synopsis:  Already acclaimed as a masterpiece in Japan, Hayao Miyazaki's new film begins as a simple story of loss and love, and rises to become a staggering work of imagination. Already acclaimed as a masterpiece in Japan, Hayao Miyazaki's new film begins as a simple story of loss and love, and rises to a staggering work of imagination. Coming after the maker of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke announced his retirement, The Boy and the Heron is an especially precious gift, and possibly the final film we will see from one of cinema's greatest artists. As a boy, Miyazaki read Genzaburo Yoshino's novel How Do You Live? and embraced it as his favourite. This film was initially announced as an adaptation of that book, but Miyazaki uses it instead as one of many layers in a dazzling tapestry that draws even more upon his own youth. During the Second World War, young Mahito Maki (Soma Santoki) suffers a heartbreaking family tragedy and must move immediately to the countryside, where his father (Takuya Kimura) works for a family making planes for Japan's military, as Miyazaki's own father did. Isolated, Mahito begins exploring the mysterious landscapes and encounters a grey heron, persistent in its presence. The boy also happens upon an abandoned tower. Curious, he enters. From there, The Boy and the Heron expands into a wondrous, often-startling phantasmagoria. Visually, the film shows Miyazaki at the height of his powers, filling the frame with gorgeous compositions, vibrant colour, and arresting movement. As it draws you deeper into its mysteries, The Boy and the Heron becomes richer, stranger, and more profoundly beautiful. This is a singular, transformative experience in film, and not to be missed.   Everyone knows that Kriss doesn't watch anime but thanks to the Toronto Film Festival and the pre-festival buzz that Hayao Miyazaki's latest Studio Ghibili film was receiving, Kriss added The Boy and the Heron to his TIFF coverage list. And the film did not disappoint. Even for those that do not typically gravitate to anime or Studio Ghibili films, this film will definitely be relatable in its themes around grief, finding oneself and what it means to be a "good person". Another thing that works very well for this film is the time period around when this film takes place. Set during the Pacific War during World War 2, there are a lot of subtle (or not so subtle depending on one's understanding of history) that set a much darker and grim tone for this film. That understanding of some of the background action and characters only serves to make The Boy and the Heron even more of an intriguing and engaging films. Image credit: Courtesy of TIFF There have been a lot of great animated films this year but The Boy and the Heron might be one of the best looking films of the year. Audiences should definitely seek out IMAX showings of this film where possible. Even without IMAX, the film is absolutely stunning and pushes the bar higher for what audiences should demand from animated film visuals. The Boy and the Heron has received a lot of pre-festival buzz and it's all well worth it. Listen as Kriss, Ro and Brandon discuss The Boy and the Heron and dive deeper into the film and what makes it so good. The Boy and the Heron is now playing in US theaters. Follow more of our Toronto Film Festival 2023 Reviews and Coverage on our Press Page Page: https://press.mtrnetwork.net Follow us on Social Media: MTRNetwork MTRNetwork @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork

Director: Alexander Payne Writers: David Hemingson Starring: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da'Vine Joy Randolph Runtime:  2 Hour 13 Minutes Synopsis:  Paul Giamatti stars in Alexander Payne's latest about the bond that forms between a strict professor and a belligerent student he's stuck supervising over the winter holiday at an elite boarding school. Barton men don't lie. This is just one of the many rules Professor Hunham (Paul Giamatti) takes much too seriously as he hands out poor grades at an elite boarding school in 1971. As he dismisses the politics that come along with educating the children of people in high places, he's punished by the headmaster who gives him a most undesirable assignment for the winter break: to stay at the school and supervise the students who are unable to go home. Hunham resolves to have the students suffer with him, forcing them to start studying next semester's curriculum ahead of time. Among them, 15-year-old Angus (Dominic Sessa), bright but belligerent, makes a ruckus. Teacher and student become foes, antagonizing one another and tiring themselves out, as Mary (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), the school cafeteria manager, observes from the sidelines, herself alone after recently losing her son in the Vietnam War. As the petulant pair succumb to the depressing truth that they've got little else but each other this holiday season, Professor Hunham starts to soften up and they begin to see themselves in one another. Giamatti gives a career-high performance as the risible teacher who delights in doling out punishment, while newcomer Sessa makes an immediate name for himself, revealing layers of complexity to his character's rebellious nature. With The Holdovers, director Alexander Payne (Downsizing, TIFF '17) makes a delicate point about how a first impression never tells the whole truth and shows that the pains and tragedies that feel specific to us actually make us a lot more alike than unalike. The Holdovers is one of those fun, throwback films that manages to remind us of one of those Christmas films from the 80's (set in the 70's) but still has more modern sensibilities. On the surface, it would look like your typical "Teacher stuck with a rebellious teenage and they bond and learn more about each other as their misadventures go on" but there's a lot more to The Holdovers. This is really a film about the masks people wear to prevent people from getting too close. The way that people sometimes retreat into their own heads in order to not confront those things that really trouble and scare them. The three main actors/actresses of The Holdovers also form a really great ensemble that plays extremely well off of each other. This is an example of the classic "Don't judge a book by its cover". None of the characters behave how you would think after first meeting them and that also adds to how enjoyable this film is. Paul Giamatti continues to show how he is such a versatile actor who can take on any challenge presented to him. Initially he comes off as just your stereotypical hardass of a teacher that believes in following the rules over everything but as the film goes on you start seeing there's much more to who he is and why he is the way he is. Dominic Sessa plays the spoiled, asshole kid to perfection but also the audience realizes fairly quickly there's a lot more to what is behind his behavior. It's not revealed until much later in the film and when it does, it's absolutely heartbreaking. The true glue that brings this film together is Da'Vine Joy Randolph. Lesser films would have made Mary's character an afterthought and not given her a solid arc. Instead, The Holdovers recognizes her importance to bridging the gap between Hunham and Agnus but also allows her to go on her own journey with grief and loss.  The Holdovers is an enjoyable surprise that will definitely hit the right emotional buttons for the holidays. Listen as Kriss and the crew talk about The Holdovers.

Director: Justine Triet Writers: Justine Triet, Arthur Harari Starring: Sandra Hüller, Samuel Theis, Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado Graner Runtime:  2 Hour 31 Minutes Synopsis:  The much-lauded winner of this year's Palme d'Or, Justine Triet's fourth feature has cemented her status as one of today's great filmmaking talents. Unfolding over two-and-a-half hours like a compulsively readable novel, the riveting Anatomy of a Fall is both a dissection of an intimate relationship and of the judiciary process. Sandra (a ferocious, magnetic, and edgy Sandra Hüller, also at the Festival in Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest) is a successful German writer who lives in the French Alps with her husband Samuel (Samuel Theis) and their visually impaired son Daniel (Milo Machado Graner). A brilliant, decibel-bursting opening scene suggests tensions in their isolated chalet, so when Samuel is discovered dead in the snow beneath one of their windows, suspicion is quickly aroused. Did he take his own life, or was he pushed to his death? When the investigation proves to be inconclusive — its varying angles hinting at the microscopic examination to come — Sandra is ultimately indicted and put on trial. A captivating and sharply directed, written, and acted courtroom procedural, Anatomy of a Fall also functions like a trenchant autopsy of confirmation bias and ambiguity itself, with the court an operatic arena in which every gesture, word, and past interaction are ripe for judgment. As scrutiny turns to Sandra's complex character and her tumultuous relationship with Samuel — their artistic rivalries, romantic jealousies, and contempt — the couple's young son becomes the key witness. Taut, suspenseful, and thrilling until the final moment, Anatomy of a Fall progresses like a heady puzzle that tackles the messiness of existence and the often-elusive nature of truth itself. Anatomy of a Fall is one of those International films that actually feels even better if you watch it  as a foreigner. There's something about watching a court room drama from another country from the perspective of a foreigner with no sense of the criminal justice system in that country. In this film in particular, its jarring to see how the prosecutors and judge hound Sandra (Sandra Hüller) as the accused. What makes a good court room dramas work is its ability to pull the audience into the situation. Anatomy of a Fall takes it a step further and even adds in whodunit elements to have the audience completely guessing as to if Sandra is guilty or not. It's as if the film treats the audience as the traditional jury and each scene is laid out as a way for either the defense or prosecution to present their case in order to sway the jury. Where Anatomy of a Fall succeeds where other films fail is that at no point does it take the audience for granted and what's presented never feels like an empty red heron. Witnesses make mistakes. Scenarios seem implausible but not impossible, leaving room for doubt. Director Justine Triet does a brilliant job of pulling the audience into the situation of this movie and making them FEEL the tension and environment. If you already didn't have strong negative feelings about rapper 50 Cent's song P.I.M.P, then you will probably dread/hate the song after. The obnoxious use of the song by the victim (Sandra's husband) is enough to drive the audience crazy. It's not really a downside though as it's clearly done on purpose. The whole point is to pull the audience into the moment and start thinking things like "Maybe Sandra did it because of how annoying he is" and "She has to be lying when she says the song didn't annoy her because it's annoying me".  Anatomy of a Fall is definitely well worth the watch. The drama and tension leads right up through the end of the film and will leave audiences engaged the entire time. Listen as Kriss is joined by the Review Crew to talk about this film. Anatomy of a Fall showed at the Toronto Film Festival 20...

Director: George C. Wolfe Writers: Julian Breece, Dustin Lance Black Starring: Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Amel Ameen, Gus Halper, Johnny Ramey, CCH Pounder Runtime:  1 Hour 46 Minutes Synopsis: Activist Bayard Rustin faces racism and homophobia as he helps change the course of Civil Rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington. If there's one thing to take away from Rustin it's that Colman Domingo was the perfect casting choice to play Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin. For all the flaws of the movie and script (and there are many), Domingo is not one of them. If anything, his performance only serves to be a reminder of how frustrating this movie is. To have a performance like the one that Domingo puts in and then have a script that is uneven and wastes the talents of not only the lead but many of the other outstanding performers in the film is just a cardinal sin of film making. The biggest problem with Rustin is that there is a fundamental identity crisis in terms of what the focus of this movie should be. Should it be more of a biopic of Bayard Rustin or should it be more about the overall Civil Rights movement, specifically how the March on Washington came about? One can feel the struggle for this film to find its purpose and the worst part is, by not picking an identity, it fails to provide enough substance on either front. Rustin falls into the same trap that a lot of films about Black Civil Rights icons fall into in that it provides a safe, watered down, white-critic friendly view of a subject that is not safe, is complex and in reality should make an audience feel uncomfortable. Every time it seems that Rustin is about to go into a subject that might be a bit more edgy, the film rushes by it in order to get to the next scene. It's as if this film is on rails and does not want the audience to stray too far from the approved movie narrative. This not only does Colman Domingo a disservice but also great performers like Glynn Turman and CCH Pounder who do the best with the script they were given but could have done so much more. It also does a disservice to the real life heroes they are portraying.  Rustin is worth checking out for Domingo's performance. But its flaws also make it easily forgettable. Listen as Kriss & Ro talk about Rustin and what worked/didn't work for them.   Watch Rustin on Netflix on November 3rd.  Follow more of our Toronto Film Festival 2023 Reviews and Coverage on our Press Page Page: https://press.mtrnetwork.net Follow us on Social Media: MTRNetwork MTRNetwork @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork

Director: Cord Jefferson Writers: Cord Jefferson, Percival Everett Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K Brown Runtime:  1 Hour 57 Minutes Synopsis: Starring Jeffrey Wright in one of his most beautifully nuanced performances, American Fiction is both a wickedly smart satire about the commodification of marginalized voices and a bittersweet portrait of an artist forced to re-examine the terms of his integrity. Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright) is a respected author and professor of English literature. But his impatience with his students' cultural sensitivities is threatening his academic standing, while his latest novel is failing to attract publishers; they claim Monk's writing “isn't Black enough.” He travels to his hometown of Boston to participate in a literary festival where all eyes are on the first-time author of a bestseller titled We's Lives In Da Ghetto, a book Monk dismisses as pandering to readers seeking stereotypical stories of Black misery. Meanwhile, Monk's family experiences tragedy, and his ailing mother requires a level of care neither he nor his trainwreck of a brother (Sterling K. Brown) can afford. One night, in a fit of spite, Monk concocts a pseudonymous novel embodying every Black cliché he can imagine. His agent submits it to a major publisher who immediately offers the biggest advance Monk's ever seen. As the novel is rushed to the printers and Hollywood comes courting, Monk must reckon with a monster of his own making. Adapted from Percival Everett's novel Erasure, Cord Jefferson's directorial debut is a wildly entertaining send-up of our hunger for so-called authenticity. Featuring stellar supporting turns from Issa Rae and Erika Alexander, and a string of cheeky cameos, American Fiction is a timely reflection on the fictions we tell ourselves about race, progress, and community. Out of all the films at the Toronto Film Festival, American Fiction seemed like the one that would be a setup for disappointment.      Several big name actors (Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K Brown, Issa Rae, etc). It just reeks of the type of film to draw an audience in but disappoint them. Thankfully, Cord Jefferson does not fall into the trap and makes a very smart, nuanced film that is both funny, serious and insightful all at the same time.  American Fiction succeeds where other films like it have failed because it does not try to run away from the point it's trying to make by trying to over-explain its point or cater to the wrong audience. It's a very refreshing take on black art and black family. While some will look at the obvious, over-the-top and quite frankly, funny plot of the film, there is a very nuanced, subtle plot that revolves around the complexities of a black family. American Fiction tackles topics like: Black families and acceptance (or not) of homosexuality in their family Black male anger that is directed inward instead of expressed safely How the "Black experience" can be the same regardless of income and social status Respectability politics in Black Art and so many more issues This is the film that so many think they're making when they want to tackle some of these concepts but fail. American Fiction manages to sneak in a lot of complex issues while masking it under superficial which is very meta for the plot of this film. This is definitely a must see film. Follow more of our Toronto Film Festival 2023 Reviews and Coverage on our Press Page Page: https://press.mtrnetwork.net Follow us on Social Media: MTRNetwork MTRNetwork @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork