Movie Wars

Movie Wars is back, and in the lead-up to our official relaunch this October, host Kyle is celebrating Friday the 13th with a special episode! Joined by stand-up comedian and film critic Matthew Blevins, they dive deep into the question: Why does the Friday the 13th franchise have such lasting power? With 12 films, over 10 directors, and more than $460 million at the box office, this iconic horror series has left an indelible mark on pop culture. From its rise in horror history to the enduring themes that keep Jason Voorhees alive in the cultural zeitgeist, this episode explores it all. Tune in for a killer discussion that every horror fan will love!

Speaking of wars, Kyle revisits one of his all-time favorite Hollywood stories. If you weren't aware, the release of Stanley Kurbrick's The Shining started a kerfuffle with the novel's beloved author, Stephen King. The Shining was King's most autobiographical work that brought him into the limelight. He saw Kubrick's interpretation as an insult to his prized work. Kyle analyzes and retells the story and concludes with who he believes came out the other side victorious, albeit, decades later. Don't forget to join our newsletter and follow us on TikTok and Instagram! We love hearing from our listeners.

The MWP crew is excited to get to a matchup that's been on the list for a while. Silver Linings Playbook Vs As Good As It Gets is an Oscar-nomination-laden matchup, both bringing home best actress for Helen Hunt and Jennifer Lawrence. Unconventional and offbeat romance films, both movies do a decent job of portraying the act of finding love through the lens of mental illness. Jack Nicholson delivered yet another groundbreaking performance as Melvin while Silver Linings Playbook brought Jennifer Lawrence into the spotlight. Find unconventional love with the Movie Wars crew and step over the cracks. And oh…. You make us want to be a better podcast. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates!

Kyle and Drew dive headfirst into their obsession with Arnold and Sly movies. This is no surprise to long-term MWP fans. We discuss whether or not it's possible for the environment and circumstances to create a similar era of dominance for action stars. Arnold and Sly's multi-decade runs, muscles, and over-the-top action were ushered in by the 80s, and elongated throughout the 90's(and a little 2000s in there too). Was this a case of the perfect stars for the perfect time, or could we see another star take the mantle of dominance? Please weigh in on our social media platforms: Instagram and TikTok.

We're pulling this one from the ancient Patreon archives for our main feed listeners. It was such an honor to meet and interview legendary screenwriter Peter Iliff. We spent most of our time talking about how his career which started with him waiting tables until he sold the early draft of Point Break to Ridley Scott. The story is truly incredible, including James Cameron buying the property from Scott and polishing the final version of the script. Iliff would go on to write more fantastic films including Varsity Blues, and Patriot Games. He's also come into his own as a director.Lastly, if you've ever has aspirations to write a screenplay, this is the podcast for you. Peter goes through what it's like to write in today's Hollywood and provides tips for future screenwriters. What a great convo!

Kyle is incensed after his first viewing of the long-awaited The Crow remake trailer, starring Bill Skarsgård as Eric Draven. The original is not only one of Kyle's all-time favorite films and comfort movies, he believes 1994's The Crow possesses a high level of cultural significance. Can any iteration or remake of this classic justify attempts to infringe on Brandon Lee's tragic legacy, a film that led to his on-set death? Even though the Movie Wars crew aren't typically "trailer reaction" guys, Kyle thoroughly discusses Hollywood's latest attempt at retreading beloved IP. Head to our socials and drop your thoughts!

Throughout film history, directors have identified their go-to collaborators and gone back to the well several times. Scorsese and De Niro have collaborated 11 times. John Wayne and John Ford worked together 21 times. Kyle and Drew go off-topic and analyze the all-time best Actor/Director duos, why they work, and what directors see in their frequent collaborators. They also go through some of their favorites duos.

Welcome to one of the most low-hanging fruit, on-the-nose matchups we've ever done. The same director. The same author of the source material. Both take place in prisons where plenty of free men are locked up for crimes they didn't commit. By many lists, The Shawshank Redemption is considered the greatest film of all time. Although The Green Mile doesn't share the same status, it carries plenty of cache on its own. Walk the Green Mile toward freedom with the Movie Wars crew!

A movie podcast walks into town... The Western may be the most flexible and dynamic film genre. It's survived over a century while experiencing new forms and shapes, all built on its undeniably effective tested-by-time formula. Not only is Tombstone one of the most beloved versions of that formula but it is also considered the best Western of all time by a large contingency of six-shooter-loving move-goers. And then you have Wyatt Earp...a film that, on paper, had all the makings of a masterpiece. Suffering the critical success of Tombstone, which was released just months pryer, the film was slammed by critics and flopped financially. That being said, it seemed fitting to seize the opportunity to compare two films that tell the same exact story from different perspectives. Get your mustaches on and draw...it's Movie Wars. TOMBSTONE See all photosMOVIE INFOWyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his brothers, Morgan (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Sam Elliott), have left their gunslinger ways behind them to settle down and start a business in the town of Tombstone, Ariz. While they aren't looking to find trouble, trouble soon finds them when they become targets of the ruthless Cowboy gang. Now, together with Wyatt's best friend, Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), the brothers pick up their guns once more to restore order to a lawless land.Rating: RGenre: Western, ActionOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: George P. CosmatosProducer: Sean Daniel, James Jacks, Bob MisiorowskiWriter: Kevin JarreRelease Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1993 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2014Box Office (Gross USA): $55.9MRuntime: 2h 7mWYATT EARPThe epic biography of western lawman Wyatt Earp, who at an early age, is taught that nothing matters more than family and the law. He becomes a respected sheriff in Dodge City and Tombstone. Joined by his brothers and Doc Holliday, Earp wages war on the dreaded Clanton and McLaury gangs.Rating: PG-13Genre: BiographyOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Lawrence KasdanProducer: Jim Wilson, Kevin Costner, Lawrence KasdanRelease Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 1994 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008Box Office (Gross USA): $24.6MRuntime: 3h 11mDistributor: Warner Bros. PicturesProduction Co: Warner Bros., Tig ProductionsThank you Rotten Tomatoes!

The Movie Wars crew was exhilarated to tackle two buddy cop classics in 1989's Lethal Weapon 2 and 1995's Bad Boys. Similar to Westerns, the Buddy Cop genre has been transformed and retooled, all while paying homage to a timeless formula. The chemistry between the lead actors drives both of these films. LW2 reveals that Riggs and Murtaugh are more like family than when they were introduced in the franchise's first entry, where they were beleaguered and struggled to reconcile their opposing policing methods. Bad Boys hinges more on Mike and Marcus' friction and bickering, leading to the ultimate payoff when their highly effective partnership is put on full display. Both films are anchored by comedic third wheels played by a pair of legendary Joes(Pesci and Pantoliano). How will the war score fair for these two genre titans? Give it a listen because you're never too old for this Movie Wars sh*t. Film SummariesLethal Weapon 2South African smugglers find themselves being hounded and harassed by Riggs and Murtaugh, two mismatched Los Angeles police officers. However, the South Africans are protected by diplomatic immunity, and so the two are assigned to witness-protection duty in an attempt by their captain to keep his job. It is only when this witness reveals to them that he has already dealt with the smugglers that the trouble really starts.Rating: RGenre: Action, Mystery & thrillerOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Richard DonnerProducer: Richard Donner, Joel SilverWriter: Jeffrey BoamRelease Date (Theaters): Jul 7, 1989 OriginalRelease Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008Box Office (Gross USA): $144.9MRuntime: 1h 53mDistributor: Warner Bros. PicturesProduction Co: Warner Bros., Silver PicturesBad BoysMiami-Dade detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) blow a fuse when $100 million worth of heroin they recently confiscated is heisted from station headquarters. Suspecting it was an inside job, Internal Affairs gives them five days to track down the drugs before they shut down the narcotics division. Action meets farce when Marcus is compelled to masquerade as his partner in order to gain the trust of a call girl (Tea Leoni), a key witness in their investigation.Rating: RGenre: Action, ComedyOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Michael BayProducer: Don Simpson, Jerry BruckheimerWriter: George Gallo,

Watching "The Boondock Saints" was considered a dorm room initiation during Kyle, Drew, and Phil's college years. Highly requested by our listeners, "The Boondock Saints" possesses one of the most prolific cult followings in history. Its success was bolstered primarily by Blockbuster rentals. Although critics bashed the film, a lauded documentary titled "Overnight" received high marks for its portrayal of Troy Duffy; the highly volatile, rags-to-riches director who eventually found himself blacklisted for his uncouth approach to directing Harvey Weinstein's Diamond in the Rough. As for "Snatch," Guy Ritchie is the most requested director we've yet to cover. With his unique blend of violence, humor, and rapid-fire pacing, Guy Ritchie's style shines in "Snatch." With God on our side, the MWP crew slays the wicked war card, bare knuckles and all. Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon!Film SummariesThe Boondock SaintsTired of the crime overrunning the streets of Boston, Irish Catholic twin brothers Conner (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Murphy (Norman Reedus) are inspired by their faith to cleanse their hometown of evil with their own brand of zealous vigilante justice. As they hunt down and kill one notorious gangster after another, they become controversial folk heroes in the community. But Paul Smecker (Willem Dafoe), an eccentric FBI agent, is fast closing in on their blood-soaked trail.Rating: RGenre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & thrillerOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Troy DuffyProducer: Chris Brinker, Robert N. Fried, Elie Samaha, Lloyd SeganWriter: Troy DuffyRelease Date (Theaters): Aug 4, 1999 OriginalRelease Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015Box Office (Gross USA): $19.9KRuntime: 1h 50mDistributor: New City Releasing [us], Indican Pictures(Thank you Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/boondock_saints)SnatchIllegal boxing promoter Turkish (Jason Statham) convinces gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford) to offer bets on bare-knuckle boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) at his bookie business. When Mickey does not throw his first fight as agreed, an infuriated Brick Top demands another match. Meanwhile, gangster Frankie Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro) comes to place a bet for a friend with Brick Top's bookies, as multiple criminals converge on a stolen diamond that Frankie has come to London to sell.Rating: R (Some Nudity|Language|Strong Violence)Genre: Comedy, DramaOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Guy RitchieProducer: Matthew VaughnWriter: Guy RitchieRelease Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 2001 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2011Box Office (Gross USA): $30.1MRuntime: 1h 38mDistributor: Screen GemsProduction Co: Columbia Pictures, SKA FilmsSound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, SDDSAspect Ratio: Flat...

It was only a matter of time before the Movie Wars crew released an Arnold Vs. Arnold episode. Drew and Phil treated Kyle to cigars and Thai food for his birthday while we watched "Arnold" on Netflix. Needless to say, it was inspiring for us. We ditched "Mr. And Mrs. Smith" (which is a good match plotwise) for the ultimate Arnold fan matchup. By many standards and opinions, "True Lies" is considered to be Arnold's finest work, while "Eraser" marks the end of what film scholars believe to be Arnold's golden era which started with "Conan the Barbarian" in 1982. Often maligned, the MWP crew found a lot of joy in "Eraser" and the throughlines were too hard to ignore. Get erased and lie to your spouse about your career. Check out "True Lies" Vs. "Eraser." Help the crew make more shows and keep this operation going by supporting us on Patreon! Also, the easiest way to help MWP is sharing with your friends and on social media. Film SummariesEraserJohn "The Eraser" Kruger is the top gun in the US Marshall Witness Protection scheme; he erases their past and deals with their future. His latest assignment is whistle-blower Dr. Lee Cullen, who has evidence against a major arms corporation that's selling weapons to terrorists with the collusion of rogue enemy agents within, but there is danger nearer home for Kruger, from within his own department.Rating: RGenre: ActionOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Chuck RussellProducer: Arnold Kopelson, Anne KopelsonWriter: Walon Green, Walon Green, Tony PuryearRelease Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 1996 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008Box Office (Gross USA): $101.3MRuntime: 1h 55mDistributor: Warner Bros. PicturesTrue LiesSecretly a spy but thought by his family to be a dull salesman, Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is tracking down nuclear missiles in the possession of Islamic jihadist Aziz (Art Malik). Harry's mission is complicated when he realizes his neglected wife, Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), is contemplating an affair with Simon (Bill Paxton), a used-car salesman who claims he's a spy. When Aziz kidnaps Harry and Helen, the secret agent must save the world and patch up his marriage at the same time.Rating: RGenre: Action, ComedyOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: James CameronProducer: Stephanie Austin,

We're thinking we're back! Nothing summarizes this matchup like the words "sweet revenge." John Wick and Taken are two fantastic action films revolving around uniquely skilled protagonists avenging the loss of dogs and people near and dear to them. Kyle loved the opportunity to re-introduce the "Keanu Lifer" back to the podcast. We also discussed how John Wick captures the essence of the classic action films we love while developing its own style. Enjoy John Wick Vs. Taken with guns blazing, or if you don't, we will look for you and we will find you. John WickLegendary assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) retired from his violent career after marrying the love of his life. Her sudden death leaves John in deep mourning. When sadistic mobster Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) and his thugs steal John's prized car and kill the puppy that was a last gift from his wife, John unleashes the remorseless killing machine within and seeks vengeance. Meanwhile, Iosef's father (Michael Nyqvist) -- John's former colleague -- puts a huge bounty on John's head.Rating: R (Language|Brief Drug Use|Strong Bloody Violence)Genre: Action, Mystery & thrillerOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Chad StahelskiProducer: Basil Iwanyk, David Leitch, Eva LongoriaWriter: Derek KolstadRelease Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 2014 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Feb 3, 2015Box Office (Gross USA): $43.0MRuntime: 1h 41mDistributor: Lionsgate FilmsTakenBryan Mills (Liam Neeson), a former government operative, is trying to reconnect with his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace). Then his worst fears become real when sex slavers abduct Kim and her friend shortly after they arrive in Paris for vacation. With just four days until Kim will be auctioned off, Bryan must call on every skill he learned in black ops to rescue her.Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Violence|Disturbing Thematic Material|Language|Sexual Content|Some Drug References)Genre: Action, Mystery & thrillerOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Pierre MorelProducer: Luc BessonWriter: Luc Besson, Robert Mark KamenRelease Date (Theaters): Jan 30, 2009 WideRelease Date (Streaming): May 12, 2009Box Office (Gross...

The video game movie genre is experiencing a renaissance. Traditionally, cinema has heavily influenced the production of video games. Games like Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid are evidence of this. As video games have become more cinematic on their own, the sentiment around video game-influenced movies has increased. Shows like The Last Of Us and the upcoming Super Mario Brothers movie are garnering more interest from the masses than any game-inspired IP before them. Today, the guys are covering two female-led video game films: Resident Evil and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Kyle, Drew, and Phile had a mighty fine time drawing from their love of video games for this matchup. FILM SUMMARIESResident EvilBased on the popular video game, Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez star as the leaders of a commando team who must break into "the hive," a vast underground genetics laboratory operated by the powerful Umbrella Corporation. There, a deadly virus has been unleashed, killing the lab's personnel and resurrecting them as the evil Un-dead. The team has just three hours to shut down the lab's supercomputer and close the facility before the virus threatens to overrun the Earth.Genre: Horror, ActionOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Paul W.S. AndersonProducer: Jeremy Bolt, Bernd Eichinger, Samuel Hadida, Paul W.S. AndersonWriter: Alan B. McElroyRelease Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 2002 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Sep 7, 2004Box Office (Gross USA): $39.5MRuntime: 1h 40mDistributor: Columbia PicturesSound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SRThis live action feature is inspired by the most successful interactive video-game character in history -- Lara Croft. Beautiful and brainy, Lara (Angelina Jolie) is the heroine of Eidos Interactive's phenomenally successful "Tomb Raider" game series. It is one woman's fearless quest criss-crossing the globe, in an amazing attempt to save the world.Rating: PG-13 (Some Sensuality|Action/Violence)Genre: Adventure, Action, FantasyOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Simon WestProducer: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Colin WilsonWriter: Patrick Massett, John Zinman, Simon West, Sara B. Cooper, Mike Werb, Michael CollearyRelease Date (Theaters): Jun 15, 2001 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Nov 13, 2001Box Office (Gross USA): $131.1MRuntime: 1h 40mDistributor: Paramount PicturesSound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround, Dolby StereoInfo courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes!

Batman films serve as a time-stamped looking glass into the temperament of society. The stark difference in tone is evident when you watch 2005's Batman Begins after watching Tim Burton's Batman (1989). The inherent silliness that endears 1989's Batman seems like a spectacle when compared to Nolan's entries which embody the post-9/11 nihilism that we've discussed on the podcast many times. Yet somehow, 2022's The Batman takes the cake when it comes to channeling darkness. When you pair the truly noir detective roots of Batman with Matt Reeve's pandemic-born, post-election-inspired grunge opus, you get The Batman. Join Kyle, Drew, and Phil in the Movie Wars cave as we pit two celebrated Batmen against one another. Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.Film SummariesTHE BATMANBatman ventures into Gotham City's underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator's plans become clear, he must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued the metropolis.Rating: PG-13 (Some Suggestive Material|Drug Content|Strong Disturbing Content|Strong Language|Strong Violent Content)Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, DramaOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: Matt ReevesProducer: Dylan Clark, Matt ReevesWriter: Matt Reeves, Peter CraigRelease Date (Theaters): Mar 4, 2022 WideRelease Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2022Box Office (Gross USA): $369.3MRuntime: 2h 56mDistributor: Warner Bros. PicturesSound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, SDDSAspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)View the collection: BatmanInfo Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_batmanBATMAN BEGINSA young Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels to the Far East, where he's trained in the martial arts by Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the mysterious League of Shadows. When Ducard reveals the League's true purpose -- the complete destruction of Gotham City -- Wayne returns to Gotham intent on cleaning up the city without resorting to murder. With the help of Alfred (Michael Caine), his loyal butler, and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), a tech expert at Wayne Enterprises, Batman is born.Rating: PG-13 (Some Thematic Elements|Disturbing Images|Intense Action Violence)Genre: Action, Fantasy,...

Cue the house music beats and the getaway cars. Kyle, Drew, and Phil find themselves in the middle of the ultimate heist film battle. Both Ocean's Eleven and The Italian Job are remakes that attempt to sever ties with their source material. Ocean's Eleven boasts a veteran ensemble cast, including Julia Roberts, who is fresh off of her 2001 Oscar win for Best Actress for Erin Brockovich, which is also directed by Steven Soderbergh. The Italian Job's is more of an ensemble in the making, showing off a rookie class effort for burgeoning greats Charlize Theron and Mark Wahlberg. It's hard to argue that The Italian Job borrows mightily from Oceian's Eleven, which was released two years earlier. Strap yourself into your Mini Cooper and grab your finest suit as Movie Wars attempts to determine which heist film steals all the marbles. Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 20-minute film retrospectives, which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.FILM SUMMARIESOCEAN'S ELEVENDapper Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is a man of action. Less than 24 hours into his parole from a New Jersey penitentiary, the wry, charismatic thief is already rolling out his next plan. Following three rules: Don't hurt anybody, don't steal from anyone who doesn't deserve it, and play the game like you've got nothing to lose. Danny orchestrates the most sophisticated, elaborate casino heist in history.Rating:PG-13 (Some Language|Sexual Content)Genre:Comedy, Drama, CrimeOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Steven SoderberghProducer:Jerry WeintraubWriter:Ted GriffinRelease Date (Theaters):Dec 7, 2001 WideRelease Date (Streaming):May 7, 2002Box Office (Gross USA):$183.4MRuntime:1h 56mDistributor:Warner Bros. Pictures(Thank you Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/oceans_eleven)THE ITALIAN JOBAfter a heist in Venice, Steve (Edward Norton) turns on his partners in crime, killing safecracker John Bridger (Donald Sutherland) and keeping all the gold for himself. The rest of the team, including leader Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg), driver Handsome Rob (Jason Statham), explosives man Left Ear (Mos Def) and tech geek Lyle (Seth Green), vows revenge. They enlist the help of Bridger's daughter, Stella (Charlize Theron), and plot to recover the gold from Steve's Los Angeles mansion.Rating:PG-13 (Violence|Some Language)Genre:Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller, ActionOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:F. Gary GrayProducer:Donald De...

You'll be hard-pressed to find real-life subject matter more exaggerated and glamorized in film than the courtroom. Hollywood has taken lots of liberty representing the legal system over the years. 1992 was arguably the most significant year for courtroom films. Widely regarded as two of the best courtroom films ever made, we analyze A Few Good Men and My Cousin Vinny. Although they represent two different genres, they have a long list of commonalities. We also get to explore the performances of two prolific actors in Tom Cruise and Joe Pesci. Although they don't necessarily possess the same range as other greats, they have seen their talents utilized in various genres. Help the Movie Wars crew determine a verdict for these amazing courtroom films. Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.About A Few Good Men(courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes)Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is a military lawyer defending two U.S. Marines charged with killing a fellow Marine at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Although Kaffee is known for seeking plea bargains, a fellow lawyer, Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore), convinces him that the accused marines were most likely carrying out an order from a commanding officer. Kaffee takes a risk by calling Col. Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson) to the stand in an effort to uncover the conspiracy.Rating:RGenre:DramaOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Rob ReinerProducer:Rob Reiner, Andrew Scheinman, David BrownWriter:Aaron SorkinRelease Date (Theaters):Dec 11, 1992 WideRelease Date (Streaming):May 6, 2003Box Office (Gross USA):$141.3MRuntime:2h 18mDistributor:Columbia Pictures, Columbia TristarAbout My Cousin Vinny(Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes)New York lawyer Vinny has never won a case. When his teenage cousin Bill and his friend Stan are accused of murder in a backwater Alabama town, it's up to the nervous Vinny to save him from jail, even though he's only ever tried personal injury cases before, and none of them successfully.Rating:RGenre:ComedyOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Jonathan LynnProducer:Dale Launer, Paul SchiffWriter:Dale LaunerRelease Date (Theaters):Mar 13, 1992 WideRelease Date (Streaming):Jan 30, 2007Box Office (Gross USA):$50.9MRuntime:1h 59mDistributor:20th Century Fox

Is there a better way to kick off the New Year than another epic Arnold Vs. Sly battle? At the time of their release, 1986's Cobra and Raw Deal were considered regressions for the 80's action kings. However, Cobra has amassed a large cult following that has solidified it as a fan favorite. The story behind the funding of Raw Deal gave Arnold all the ammunition he needed to parlay a deal leading to his leading role in Total Recall. You can't miss this episode if you enjoy fraught productions, disgruntled actors, misplaced directors, and prime 80's action. Crime is the disease, and Movie Wars is the cure. Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.Film Summaries: CobraLos Angeles policeman Lt. Marion "Cobra" Cobretti (Sylvester Stallone) finds himself at the center of a spate of murders carried out by a secret society called New Order: killers who select "weak" members of society for extermination. As the murder rate rises, Cobra takes model Ingrid (Brigitte Nielsen) into protective custody after she witnesses New Order's leader in action. As Cobra falls for Ingrid, they find shelter in a small town, but must soon fight for survival.Rating: RGenre: action, Mystery & Thriller, Crime, DramaOriginal Language:EnglishDirector: George P. CosmatosProducer:Menahem Golan, Yoram GlobusWriter: Sylvester StalloneRelease Date (Streaming):Jul 3, 2001Box Office (Gross USA):$47.5MRuntime:1h 23m(Compliments of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cobra)Raw DealWhen efforts to prosecute mob boss Luigi Patrovita (Sam Wanamaker) are repeatedly derailed thanks to a mole in the FBI, the only choice is to bring in an outsider -- specifically, Mark Kaminsky (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a disgraced agent who leaps at a chance for reinstatement. After FBI chief Shannon (Darren McGavin) gives him his orders, Kaminsky fakes his death and reemerges as an ex-con named Brenner. Undercover and accountable to no one, the former Fed tears up the mob from the inside.Rating: RGenre: ActionOriginal Language: EnglishDirector: John IrvinProducer: Martha De LaurentiisWriter:Gary DeVore, Norman WexlerRelease Date (Theaters): Jun 6, 1986 OriginalRelease Date (Streaming): Nov 7, 2006Box Office (Gross USA): $14.8MRuntime: 1h 45m(Complements of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1017226-raw_deal)

One of the problematic aspects of Movie Wars is picking matchups for iconic films like Raiders Of The Lost Ark. One of the best ways to find a matchup is by picking a film that is a representative descendant of that iconic film. National Treasure expounds on the Indiana Jones blueprint in new ways and with a modern twist. Escape from the boulder with the Movie Wars crew as we tackle two adventure film giants. Share our pod with your movie-loving friends or support us on Patreon! Film SummariesRaiders Of The Lost ArkDr. Indiana Jones, a renowned archeologist and expert in the occult, is hired by the U.S. Government to find the ark of the covenant, which is believed to still hold the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately, Hitler's agents are also after the ark. Indy and his ex-flame Marion escape from various close scrapes in a quest that takes them from Nepal to Cairo.Rating:PGGenre:Adventure, ActionOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Steven SpielbergProducer:Frank MarshallWriter:Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas, Philip KaufmanRelease Date (Theaters):Jun 12, 1981 WideRelease Date (Streaming):May 13, 2008Box Office (Gross USA):$248.2MRuntime:1h 55mDistributor:Paramount PicturesNational TreasureHistorian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been searching his whole life for a rumored treasure dating back to the creation of the United States. Joining an expedition led by fellow treasure hunter Ian Howe (Sean Bean), Gates finds an ice-locked Colonial ship in the Arctic Circle that contains a clue linking the treasure to the Declaration of Independence. But when Howe betrays him, Gates has to race to get to the document ahead of his so-called colleague.Rating:PG (Some Scary Images|Action/Violence)Genre:Adventure, ActionOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Jon TurteltaubProducer:Oren Aviv, Jerry BruckheimerWriter:Ted Elliott, E. Max FryeRelease Date (Theaters):Nov 19, 2004 WideRelease Date (Streaming):May 3, 2005Box Office (Gross USA):$173.0MRuntime:2h 10m

Let's just call this the ultimate "Cage" match. Nicholas Cage had an incredible run of films starting in the early 90's and tapering off in the early 2000's. His popularity landed him roles that were tailored to his eccentric persona. If you've listened to Movie Wars before, we love talking about the evolution of action from how it was sprinkled into Westerns and Bond films, to the macho muscle era, and to the Average Joe Bruce Willis era. Face/Off and Con Air represent the era of absurdity that could only occur in the 90's. Swap faces with the Movie Wars crew for the ultimate "Cage" match. The easiest way to help Movie Wars is free! If you love Movie Wars, hit that share button in your podcast app. Post it to social or text it to a friend. If you reaeeeellllly love Movie wars, become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content. Con AirJust-paroled army ranger Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) is headed back to his wife (Monica Potter), but must fly home aboard a prison transport flight dubbed "Jailbird" with some of the worst criminals living. Along with Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames) and Baby-O (Mykelti Williamson), genius serial killer Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom (John Malkovich) unleashes a violent escape plot in mid-flight. Secretly working with U.S. Marshall Vince Larkin (John Cusack), Poe tries to foil Grissom's plan.Rating:RGenre:ActionOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:Simon WestProducer:Jerry BruckheimerWriter:Scott RosenbergRelease Date (Theaters):Jun 6, 1997 OriginalRelease Date (Streaming):May 16, 2006Box Office (Gross USA):$101.1MRuntime:1h 55mDistributor:Buena Vista Pictures(info courtesy of https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/con_air)Face/OffObsessed with bringing terrorist Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) to justice, FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) tracks down Troy, who has boarded a plane in Los Angeles. After the plane crashes and Troy is severely injured, possibly dead, Archer undergoes surgery to remove his face and replace it with Troy's. As Archer tries to use his disguise to elicit information about a bomb from Troy's brother, Troy awakes from a coma and forces the doctor who performed the surgery to give him Archer's face.Rating:RGenre:ActionOriginal Language:EnglishDirector:John WooProducer:David Permut, Barrie M. Osborne,

The Slasher film is easily one of the most popular subgenres in all of cinema. The genre's roots begin with Hitchcock's desire to modernize the horror genre by taking it out of European castles and removing werewolves and vampires. 1960's Psycho and Peeping Tom are true predecessors to 1978's Halloween. That being said, Halloween is seen as the first film to solidify what would become the slasher formula. Just six years later, A Nightmare On Elm Street shows the evolution of the genre featuring a comedic and vocal antagonist which departed from the silent stalkers embodied by Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees. It doesn't matter how fast you run, Episode 0034 of Movie Wars will find you.  Film Summaries A Nightmare On Elm Street In Wes Craven's classic slasher film, several Midwestern teenagers fall prey to Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on the teenagers in their dreams -- which, in turn, kills them in reality. After investigating the phenomenon, Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) begins to suspect that a dark secret kept by her and her friends' parents may be the key to unraveling the mystery, but can Nancy and her boyfriend Glen (Johnny Depp) solve the puzzle before it's too late? A Nightmare On Elm Street(1984) Rating: R Genre: Horror Original Language: English Director: Wes Craven Producer: Robert Shaye Writer: Wes Craven Release Date (Theaters): Nov 9, 1984 Original Release Date (Streaming): Oct 25, 2005 Box Office (Gross USA): $57.3M Runtime: 1h 31m Distributor: Media Home Entertainment, Image Entertainment Inc., Anchor Bay Entertainment, New Line Home Video [us], New Line Cinema https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nightmare_on_elm_street Halloween(1978) On a cold Halloween night in 1963, six-year-old Michael Myers brutally murdered his 17-year-old sister, Judith. He was sentenced and locked away for 15 years. But on October 30, 1978, while being transferred for a court date, a 21-year-old Michael Myers steals a car and escapes Smith's Grove. He returns to his quiet hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he looks for his next victims. Rating: R Genre: Holiday, Horror, Mystery & Thriller Original Language: English Director: John Carpenter Producer: Debra Hill, John Carpenter Writer: Debra Hill, John Carpenter Release Date (Theaters): Oct 25, 1978 Wide Release Date (Streaming): Sep 28, 1999 Box Office (Gross USA): $47.5M Runtime: 1h 31m Distributor: Compass International Pictures https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1009113-halloween

The Fugitive and Enemy Of The State are great examples of innocent protagonists on the run due to false accusations and mistaken identities. Will Smith Versus Harrison Ford is one of our most intriguing leading men battles to date. We also discuss how the NSA technology of Enemy Of The State holds up in today's technological landscape. Plan your escape and claim your identity with the Movie Wars crew as we compare The Fugitive and Enemy Of The State.  https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Click here) to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Patreon)! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 20-minute film retrospectives, which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content. Enemy Of The State Corrupt National Security Agency official Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight) has a congressman assassinated to assure the passage of expansive new surveillance legislation. When a videotape of the murder ends up in the hands of Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith), a labor lawyer and dedicated family man, he is framed for murder. With the help of ex-intelligence agent Edward "Brill" Lyle (Gene Hackman), Dean attempts to throw Reynolds off his trail and prove his innocence. Rating: R Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action Original Language: English Director: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/tony_scott (Tony Scott) Producer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jerry_bruckheimer (Jerry Bruckheimer) Writer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/david_marconi (David Marconi) Release Date (Theaters): Nov 20, 1998 Wide Release Date (Streaming): May 9, 2001 Box Office (Gross USA): $111.5M Runtime: 2h 7m (Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/enemy_of_the_state) The Fugitive Wrongfully accused of murdering his wife, Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) escapes from the law in an attempt to find her killer and clear his name. Pursuing him is a team of U.S. marshals led by Deputy Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), a determined detective who will not rest until Richard is captured. As Richard leads the team through a series of intricate chases, he discovers the secrets behind his wife's death and struggles to expose the killer before it is too late. Rating: PG-13 Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller Original Language: English Director: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/1022918-andrew_davis (Andrew Davis) Producer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/arnold_kopelson (Arnold Kopelson) Writer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jeb_stuart (Jeb Stuart), https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/david_twohy (David Twohy) Release Date (Theaters): Aug 6, 1993 Wide Release Date (Streaming): Mar 25, 1997 Box Office (Gross USA): $183.8M Runtime: 2h 7m Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures (Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1046129-fugitive)

Head to the bottom of the sea with the Movie Wars crew as they compare two of the greatest submarine warfare movies ever made. Both films feature incredible acting duos and center around the submarine tactics of the cold war. Listen with Kyle, Drew, and Phil as they start a mutiny between The Hunt For Red October and Crimson Tide.  https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Click here) to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Patreon)! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content. FIlm Summaries The Hunt For Red October Based on the popular Tom Clancy novel, this suspenseful movie tracks Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) as he abandons his orders and heads for the east coast of the United States. Equipped with innovative stealth technology, Ramius' submarine, "Red October," is virtually invisible. However, when an American sub briefly detects the Russians' presence, CIA agent Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) sets out to determine Ramius' motives, fearing he may launch an attack on the U.S. Rating: PG Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action, Adventure Original Language: English Director: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/john_mctiernan (John McTiernan) Producer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mace_neufeld (Mace Neufeld) Writer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/larry_ferguson (Larry Ferguson), https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/donald_e_stewart (Donald Stewart) Release Date (Theaters): Feb 2, 1990 Original Release Date (Streaming): May 6, 2003 Box Office (Gross USA): $119.1M Runtime: 2h 17m Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hunt_for_red_october Crimson Tide After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington) to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsay insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him. Rating: R Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama Original Language: English Director: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/tony_scott (Tony Scott) Producer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/donald_c_simpson (Don Simpson), https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jerry_bruckheimer (Jerry Bruckheimer) Writer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/richard_p_henrick (Richard P. Henrick), https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/michael_schiffer (Michael Schiffer) Release Date (Theaters): May 12, 1995 Original Release Date (Streaming): May 16, 2006 Box Office (Gross USA): $91.4M Runtime: 1h 55m Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc. Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/crimson_tide

Absurd premises are the bread and butter of so many great action films. Air Force One and The Rock are no exception. Both films replicate the containerized action formula made famous by Die Hard. Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage make an unforgettable duo while Harrison Ford kicks tail Commander-In-Chief style. Get off the plane with the Movie Wars crew and save San Francisco as they compare two action classics. https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Click here) to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Patreon)! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content. Film Summaries The Rock FBI chemical warfare expert Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) is sent on an urgent mission with a former British spy, John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery), to stop Gen. Francis X. Hummel (Ed Harris) from launching chemical weapons on Alcatraz Island into San Francisco. Gen. Hummel demands $100 million in war reparations to be paid to the families of slain servicemen who died on covert operations. After their SEAL team is wiped out, Stanley and John deal with the soldiers on their own. Rating: R Genre: Action Original Language: English Director: Michael Bay Producer: Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer Writer: Douglas S. Cook, David Weisberg, Mark Rosner Release Date (Theaters): Jun 7, 1996 Wide Release Date (Streaming): Mar 13, 2001 Box Office (Gross USA): $134.1M Runtime: 2h 16m Air Force One After making a speech in Moscow vowing to never negotiate with terrorists, President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) boards Air Force One with his family (Wendy Crewson, Liesel Matthews) and advisers. When a group of terrorists led by Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman) hijacks the flight, the President's principles are put to the test. Feigning escape, ex-solider Marshall stows away in the aircraft and must race against time to rescue his family and everyone else on board. Rating: R Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action Original Language: English Director: Wolfgang Petersen Producer: Jonathan Shestack, Gail Katz Writer: Andrew W. Marlowe Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 1997 Original Release Date (Streaming): Dec 26, 2000 Box Office (Gross USA): $172.7M Runtime: 2h 4m (Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/air_force_one and https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1072011-rock)

The Movie Wars crew takes a gamble on episode 0030 where we compare Casino and Rounders. These films show gambling and high-stakes poker from different perspectives. Scorsese described Casino as a grandiose, indirect sequel to his Masterpiece Good Fellas. Rounders shows the seedy underground of high-stakes poker with a 90's flare. Roll the dice and enjoy Casino Vs. Rounders. https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Click here) to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Patreon)! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 15-minute show “Filmosophy”, interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content. Film Summaries (info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes) Casino In early-1970s Las Vegas, low-level mobster Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) gets tapped by his bosses to head the Tangiers Casino. At first, he's a great success in the job, but over the years, problems with his loose-cannon enforcer Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), his ex-hustler wife Ginger (Sharon Stone), her con-artist ex Lester Diamond (James Woods) and a handful of corrupt politicians put Sam in ever-increasing danger. Martin Scorsese directs this adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi's book. Rating: R Genre: Crime, Drama Original Language: English Director: Martin Scorsese Producer: Barbara De Fina Writer: Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese Release Date (Theaters): Nov 22, 1995  Original Release Date (Streaming): Feb 26, 2002 Box Office (Gross USA): $42.4M Runtime: 2h 57m Distributor: MCA/Universal Pictures [us] Rounders Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) loses his money in a poker game against Russian gangster Teddy "KGB" (John Malkovich). Under pressure from his girlfriend, Jo (Gretchen Mol), he promises to quit gambling. This lasts until his friend, Lester "Worm" Murphy (Edward Norton), gets out of prison and needs to pay off an old debt. The pair come close to earning the money back but are caught cheating. Then Mike finds out the debt is owed to Teddy and makes one last-ditch effort to beat the Russian. Rating: R Genre: Drama Original Language: English Director: John Dahl Producer: Joel Stillerman, Ted Demme Writer: David Levien, Brian Koppelman Release Date (Theaters): Sep 8, 1998  Original Release Date (Streaming): Mar 10, 2009 Box Office (Gross USA): $22.9M Runtime: 2h 0m Distributor: Miramax Films

Crooked-cop films are the ultimate twist on the cops and robbers genre. Denzel Washington put on one of the most memorable performances of his career while Sylvester Stallone transformed from his usual musclebound action hero to an overweight cop steeped in naivety. The protagonists are tasked with traversing the moral complexity of taking down their corrupt counterparts who don't operate with a rulebook. Enjoy your training day with Kyle, Drew, and Phil. https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Click here) to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Patreon)! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 15-minute show “Filmosophy”, interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content. FIlm Summaries Training Day Police drama about a veteran officer who escorts a rookie on his first day with the LAPD's tough inner-city narcotics unit. "Training Day" is a blistering action drama that asks the audience to decide what is necessary, what is heroic and what crosses the line in the harrowing gray zone of fighting urban crime. Does law-abiding law enforcement come at the expense of justice and public safety? If so, do we demand safe streets at any cost? Rating: R (Drug Content|Brief Nudity|Pervasive Language|Strong Brutal Violence) Genre: Crime, Mystery & Thriller, Drama Original Language: English Director: Antoine Fuqua Producer: Jeffrey Silver, Bobby Newmyer Writer: David Ayer Release Date (Theaters): Oct 5, 2001  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Mar 19, 2002 Box Office (Gross USA): $76.3M (courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/training_day)  Cop Land  When hotheaded Superboy (Michael Rapaport) accidentally gets involved in an ugly racially-motivated incident, his uncle Ray Donlan (Harvey Keitel), a corrupt New York City cop, attempts to sweep it under the rug by helping fake his nephew's death. The bungled cover-up leads to investigations by idealistic Internal Affairs officer Moe Tilden (Robert De Niro) and Freddy Heflin (Sylvester Stallone), sheriff of the suburban New Jersey town where Donlan and his fellow crooked policemen live. Rating: R (Strong Language|Brief Nudity|Violence) Genre: Crime, Mystery & Thriller, Drama Original Language: English Director: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/james_mangold (James Mangold) Producer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/cary_woods (Cary Woods), https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/ezra_swerdlow (Ezra Swerdlow), https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/cathy_konrad (Cathy Konrad) Writer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/james_mangold (James Mangold) Release Date (Theaters): Aug 15, 1997  Original Release Date (Streaming): Jul 2, 2002 Box Office (Gross USA): $44.9M Runtime: 1h 45m (info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cop_land)  

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and American Beauty are part of a distinguished group of films nominated for "The Big 5" Oscars (Best Film, Screenplay, Director, Actor and Actress). One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is in even rarer company being one of 3 films to win all 5 of those categories. On a deeper level, they share strong philosophical themes such as imprisonment and freedom, juxtaposed against how society defines "sanity". Get ready to enter the dark depths of society as the guys dive deep and explore these two incredible films alongside one of the most prolific leading man battles to date. https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Click here) to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on https://www.patreon.com/moviewarspodcast?fan_landing=true (Patreon)! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle's new 15-minute show “Filmosophy”, interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content. 

The Game and The Firm pull back the curtain on what happens when the pursuit of wealth, status, and power is turned on its head. Michael Douglas and Tom Cruise enter worlds where nothing is what it seems. Join the Movie Wars crew as they dissect the breakneck twists and turns of these masterfully made thrillers. Film Summaries (courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes)  The Game Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) is a successful banker who keeps mostly to himself. When his estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn) returns on his birthday with an odd gift -- participation in a personalized, real-life game -- Nicholas reluctantly accepts. Initially harmless, the game grows increasingly personal, and Orton begins to fear for his life as he eludes agents from the mysterious game's organizers. With no one left to trust and his money gone, Orton must find answers for himself. Rating: R Genre: Mystery & Thriller Original Language: English Director: David Fincher Producer: Steve Golin, Ceán Chaffin Writer: Michael Ferris, John D. Brancato Release Date (Streaming): Apr 26, 2011 Box Office (Gross USA): $48.3M Runtime: 2h 8m (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_game) The Firm A young lawyer joins a small but prestigious law firm only to find out that most of their clients are on the wrong side of the law. The company is helping to launder mob money, get clients off charges and even murder partners who threaten to blow their cover, but when the FBI come calling to gather evidence on the lawyer's colleagues, he is caught between a rock and a hard place, juggling his life and his liberty. Rating: R Genre:Mystery & Thriller, Drama Original Language: English Director: Sydney Pollack Producer: Scott Rudin, John Davis, Sydney Pollack Writer: David Rabe, Robert Towne, David Rayfiel Release Date (Theaters): Jun 30, 1993  Wide Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2000 Box Office (Gross USA): $157.0M Runtime: 2h 34m (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1044522-firm)

Kyle, Drew, and Phil celebrate the one-year anniversary of Movie Wars. It's been a great first year and we've managed to cover 50 incredible films. The guys reflect on a year of laughs, randos, and war cards. Tune in for Q&A's from the cohosts and the listeners, as well as a surprise host-themed war card from Kyle. Thanks for making our first year so memorable!

The idea of the isolated man resonates differently in 2022 than it did in 2000 when Cast Away was released. As society's dependence on technology has come into prominence, the idea of losing access to people, technology, and modern comforts seems implausible. Cast Away and The Martian analyze this concept from two unique perspectives. Get stranded with the Movie Wars crew for this battle of loneliness.  Film Summaries Cast Away Obsessively punctual FedEx executive Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) is en route to an assignment in Malaysia when his plane crashes over the Pacific Ocean during a storm. The sole survivor of the flight, Chuck washes ashore on a deserted island. When his efforts to sail away and contact help fail, Chuck learns how to survive on the island, where he remains for years, accompanied by only his handmade volleyball friend, Wilson. Will Chuck ever return to civilization and reunite with his loved ones? Rating: PG-13  Genre: Adventure, Drama Original Language: English Director: Robert Zemeckis Producer: Steven Boyd, Jack Rapke, Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis, Tom Hanks Writer: William Broyles Jr. Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 2000  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Nov 6, 2001 Box Office (Gross USA): $233.6M Runtime: 2h 23m Distributor: DreamWorks SKG The Martian When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney (Matt Damon), presumed dead after a fierce storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crewmates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission. Rating: PG-13  Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama Original Language: English Director: Ridley Scott Producer: Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Aditya Sood, Mark Huffam Writer: Drew Goddard Release Date (Theaters): Oct 2, 2015  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2016 Box Office (Gross USA): $228.4M Runtime: 2h 22m Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Sports have often been utilized as a vehicle for intricate storytelling in film. Jerry Maguire and Moneyball tell the stories of two men seeking reform while challenging the status quo. The parallel rebirth experienced by both characters, however, may be the ultimate triumph in these two incredible stories. "Help Movie Wars help you" as we navigate one of our most prolific leading man battles to date.   Film Summaries Jerry Maguire When slick sports agent Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) has a crisis of conscience, he pens a heartfelt company-wide memo that promptly gets him fired. Desperate to hang on to the athletes that he represents, Jerry starts his own management firm, with only single mother Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger) joining him in his new venture. Banking on their sole client, football player Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), Jerry and Dorothy begin to fall in love as they struggle to make their business work.   Rating: R Genre: Romance, Comedy Original Language: English Director: Cameron Crowe Producer: Richard Sakai, Laurence Mark, Cameron Crowe, James L. Brooks Writer: Cameron Crowe Release Date (Theaters): Dec 11, 1996  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Jul 29, 2003 Box Office (Gross USA): $153.6M Runtime: 2h 18m Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Tristar (Info Courtesy of https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jerry_maguire) Moneyball Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), general manager of the Oakland A's, one day has an epiphany: Baseball's conventional wisdom is all wrong. Faced with a tight budget, Beane must reinvent his team by outsmarting the richer ball clubs. Joining forces with Ivy League graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), Beane prepares to challenge old-school traditions. He recruits bargain-bin players whom the scouts have labeled as flawed, but have game-winning potential. Based on the book by Michael Lewis. Rating: PG-13 Genre: Drama Original Language: English Director: Bennett Miller Producer: Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz, Brad Pitt Writer: Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin Release Date (Theaters): Sep 23, 2011  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Jan 10, 2012 Box Office (Gross USA): $75.6M Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/moneyball

The moral ambiguity of the Vietnam War attracted prolific filmmakers such as Stanley Kubrick, Oliver Stone, and Francis Ford Coppola. Although different, Apocalypse Now and Platoon are two iconic interpretations of one of the most divisive periods in history. Hop in the riverboat with Kyle, Drew, and Phil as we try to determine who “...smells like victory” Apocalypse Now  In Vietnam in 1970, Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) takes a perilous and increasingly hallucinatory journey upriver to find and terminate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a once-promising officer who has reportedly gone completely mad. In the company of a Navy patrol boat filled with street-smart kids, a surfing-obsessed Air Cavalry officer (Robert Duvall), and a crazed freelance photographer (Dennis Hopper), Willard travels further and further into the heart of darkness.   Rating: R Genre: War, Drama Original Language: English Director: Francis Ford Coppola Producer: Kim Aubry, Francis Ford Coppola Writer: Joseph Conrad, John Milius, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Herr Release Date (Theaters): Aug 15, 1979  Original Release Date (Streaming): May 18, 2010 Box Office (Gross USA): $78.8M Runtime: 2h 33m Distributor: Paramount Pictures, Miramax Films, United Artists (Information courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/apocalypse_now (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/apocalypse_now))  Platoon  Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) leaves his university studies to enlist in combat duty in Vietnam in 1967. Once he's on the ground in the middle of battle, his idealism fades. Infighting in his unit between Staff Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), who believes nearby villagers are harboring Viet Cong soldiers, and Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), who has a more sympathetic view of the locals, ends up pitting the soldiers against each other as well as against the enemy. Rating: R Genre: War, Drama Original Language: English Director: Oliver Stone Producer: Arnold Kopelson Writer: Oliver Stone Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1986  Original Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2000 Box Office (Gross USA): $138.5M Runtime: 2h 0m Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Orion Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (Information courtesy of https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/platoon)

Point Break presented a massive evolution in action films when it was released in 1991. Its flow of adrenalized action sequences became a benchmark for many films to come; one of those being 2001's The Fast And The Furious. Similar to Point Break, The Fast and the Furious embraced an obscure subculture and made it a societal focal point. But did it drive a little too closely to Point Break's plot? Hit the NOS with Kyle, Drew, and Phil as they ride the wave of Point Break Vs. The Fast And The Furious. Point Break After a string of bizarre bank robberies in Southern California, with the crooks donning masks of various former presidents, a federal agent, Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves), infiltrates the suspected gang. But this is no ordinary group of robbers. They're surfers -- led by the charismatic Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) -- who are addicted to the rush of thievery. But when Utah falls in love with a female surfer, Tyler (Lori Petty), who is close to the gang, it complicates his sense of duty. Rating: R Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller Original Language: English Director: Kathryn Bigelow Producer: Peter Abrams, Robert L. Levy Writer: Kurt Wimmer, W. Peter Iliff Release Date (Theaters): Jul 12, 1991  Original Release Date (Streaming): Oct 3, 2006 Box Office (Gross USA): $40.5M Runtime: 2h 2m Info courtesy of https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/point_break) The Fast And The Furious Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) enjoys the adrenaline of street car racing and his fans treat him like a rock star. After a blazing encounter with the ruthless Johnny Tran, Dom decides to take Brian (Paul Walker), a newcomer to street racing, under his wing. Dom's sister Mia sees something she likes in Brian, too. Trouble is, neither of them realize he's an undercover cop, and Dominic and his rival Johnny Tran are both the prime suspects in a case involving dirty money and big-rig hijacking. Rating: PG-13  Genre: Adventure, Action Original Language: English Director: Rob Cohen Producer: Neal H. Moritz Writer: Gary Scott Thompson, Erik Bergquist, David Ayer, Gary Scott Thompson Release Date (Theaters): Jun 22, 2001  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Jun 3, 2003 Box Office (Gross USA): $144.5M Runtime: 1h 47m Distributor: Universal Pictures (Info courtesy of https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1108372-fast_and_the_furious)

This is Movie War's interview with the Oscar-Winning VFX Director from Total Recall, Tim McGovern. Although we began our discussion with Total Recall, Tim is still working on amazing projects which recently included Dunkirk With Christopher Nolan, First Man starring Ryan Gosling, and The Ghost & The Darkness starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas. Tune in and hear the entire interview including stories about Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christopher Nolan, and how CGI was developed in Hollywood. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27742081 (Become a Patron ) For the price of a latte a month, you can support the show and help us grow. Highlights from Tim's amazing resume(just a few): Dunkirk (Nolan) First Man (Starring Ryan Gosling) Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation Tron Total Recall (Won Special Achievement award at the Oscars) Last Action Hero The Ghost & The Darkness (Starring Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer) Stigmata Equilibrium (starring Christian Bale) Sin City 2 Huntsman: Winter's War

The Western is one of the most fundamental building blocks of cinema. Heavily inspired by Westerns,  Quentin Tarantino and The Coen Brothers are Mount Rushmore American filmmakers who channeled that inspiration into The Hateful Eight and True Grit(2010). The Movie Wars crew puts these modern interpretations of a beloved genre to the test.  Film Summaries:  The Hateful Eight While racing toward the town of Red Rock in post-Civil War Wyoming, bounty hunter John "The Hangman" Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive prisoner (Jennifer Jason Leigh) encounter another bounty hunter (Samuel L. Jackson) and a man who claims to be a sheriff. Hoping to find shelter from a blizzard, the group travels to a stagecoach stopover located on a mountain pass. Greeted there by four strangers, the eight travelers soon learn that they may not make it to their destination after all. Rating: R  Genre: Western Original Language: English Director: Quentin Tarantino Producer: Richard N. Gladstein, Stacey Sher, Shannon McIntosh Writer: Quentin Tarantino Release Date (Theaters): Dec 30, 2015  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Mar 29, 2016 Box Office (Gross USA): $54.1M Runtime: 2h 48m Distributor: Weinstein Co. (Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hateful_eight (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hateful_eight))  True Grit(2010) After an outlaw named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) murders her father, feisty 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) hires Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a boozy, trigger-happy lawman, to help her find Chaney and avenge her father. The bickering duo are not alone in their quest, for a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) is also tracking Chaney for reasons of his own. Together the unlikely trio ventures into hostile territory to dispense some Old West justice. Rating: PG-13 (Int. Seq. of Western Violence|Disturbing Images) Genre: Drama, Western Original Language: English Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen Producer: Scott Rudin, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen Writer: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 2010  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Jun 7, 2011 Box Office (Gross USA): $171.0M Runtime: 1h 50m Distributor: Paramount Pictures (Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/true_grit_2010 (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/true_grit_2010))  

This is a preview of Movie War's interview with the Oscar-Winning VFX Director from Total Recall, Tim McGovern. In this clip, Tim talks about working with Christopher Nolan on Dunkirk. Although we began our discussion with Total Recall, Tim is still working on amazing projects which recently included Dunkirk With Christopher Nolan, First Man starring Ryan Gosling, and The Ghost & The Darkness which starred Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas. This is just a snippet. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27742081 (Become a Patron ) and hear the entire interview including stories about Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christopher Nolan, and how CGI was developed in Hollywood. For the price of a latte a month, you can hear this incredible interview with one of the most important movers and shakers in the history of movie effects. Highlights from Tim's amazing resume(just a few): Dunkirk (Nolan) First Man (Starring Ryan Gosling) Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation Tron Total Recall (Won Special Achievement award at the Oscars) Last Action Hero The Ghost & The Darkness (Starring Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer) Stigmata Equilibrium (starring Christian Bale) Sin City 2 Huntsman: Winter's War

First Blood and Commando - these two films became the blueprint for the modern action movie. While these films have completely different tones, they share the same core: they're built around the concept of the one-man-army while yielding two of the most recognizable and iconic action stars to ever grace the big screen. Film Summaries:  Commando Retired Special Forces soldier John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) lives with daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) in isolation, but his privacy is disturbed by former commander Franklin Kirby (James Olson), who warns him that his fellow soldiers are getting killed one by one. After Kirby leaves, Jenny is kidnapped by former Latin American dictator Arius (Dan Hedaya), who wants Matrix to restore him to power. Instead, Matrix sets out to take down the rogue leader and rescue his daughter. Rating: R Genre: Action Original Language: English Director: Mark L. Lester Producer: Joel Silver Writer: Matthew Weisman, Jeph Loeb, Steven E. de Souza, Steven E. de Souza Release Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 1985  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2005 Box Office (Gross USA): $34.9M Runtime: 1h 30m Distributor: 20th Century Fox (Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1004567-commando) First Blood Vietnam veteran and drifter John J. Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into a small Washington town in search of an old friend, but is met with intolerance and brutality by the local sheriff, Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy). When Teasle and his deputies restrain and shave Rambo, he flashes back to his time as a prisoner of war and unleashes his fury on the officers. He narrowly escapes the manhunt, but it will take his former commander (Richard Crenna) to save the hunters from the hunted. Rating: R Genre: Action, Adventure Original Language: English Director: Ted Kotcheff Producer: Buzz Feitshans, Herb Nanas Writer: Michael Kozoll, William Sackheim, Sylvester Stallone, David Morrell Release Date (Streaming): Nov 23, 2004 Runtime: 1h 35m (Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/first_blood)  

What started as the Movie Wars Christmas episode turned into a battle of deadbeat dads. Tune in as Kyle, Drew, and Phil determine who made Santa's naughty list. Or better yet, who gets the Turboman?  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27742081 (Click here to become a Movie Wars Patron!) Support Movie Wars for the price of a latte' a month. A $7 contribution helps us make more content(eventual bonus features), grow the show, and feed our children. And isn't that what it's about? The children.  Jingle All The Way Workaholic Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wants to make things up to his son, Jamie (Jake Lloyd), and wife, Liz (Rita Wilson). He promises to get Jamie the hottest toy of the season, Turbo-Man -- even though it's Christmas Eve and the toy is practically sold out. As Langston hunts down the elusive gift, he runs into mailman Myron (Sinbad), another father on the same quest. With the clock winding down, Langston's moral code is tested as he starts to learn the real meaning of Christmas. Rating: PG Genre: Comedy, Other, Kids & Family Original Language: English Director: Brian Levant Producer: Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe Writer: Randy Kornfield Release Date (Streaming): Nov 3, 1998 Box Office (Gross USA): $60.6M Runtime: 1h 28m (Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jingle_all_the_way (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jingle_all_the_way))  The Santa Clause Divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) has custody of his son (Eric Lloyd) on Christmas Eve. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa's place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he's dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn't a dream after all -- and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do. Rating: PG Genre: Other, Comedy, Kids & Family Original Language: English Director: John Pasquin Producer: Bobby Newmyer, Brian Reilly, Jeffrey Silver Writer: Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 1994  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Sep 7, 2004 Box Office (Gross USA): $145.5M Runtime: 1h 37m (Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/santa_clause)

It's hard to argue that Star Wars and Star Trek have two of the most dedicated fan bases in film history. JJ Abrams took on the challenge of reviving these two beloved franchises with Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Trek (2009). Traverse the galaxies with the Movie Wars crew as they examine these intergalactic giants.  Support Movie Wars for the price of a latte a month! A $7 monthly contribution helps us make more content while growing the show. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27742081 (Click here to become a patron! ) Film Summaries:  Star Wars: The Force Awakens Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order. When a defector named Finn crash-lands on a desert planet, he meets Rey (Daisy Ridley), a tough scavenger whose droid contains a top-secret map. Together, the young duo joins forces with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to make sure the Resistance receives the intelligence concerning the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last of the Jedi Knights. Rating: PG-13 (Sci-Fi Action Violence) Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy Original Language: English Director: J.J. Abrams Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk Writer: Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams, Michael Arndt Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 2015  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Apr 5, 2016 Box Office (Gross USA): $123 Runtime: 2h 16m Distributor: Walt Disney (Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_vii_the_force_awakens) Star Trek (2009)  Aboard the USS Enterprise, the most-sophisticated starship ever built, a novice crew embarks on its maiden voyage. Their path takes them on a collision course with Nero (Eric Bana), a Romulan commander whose mission of vengeance threatens all mankind. If humanity would survive, a rebellious young officer named James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and a coolly logical Vulcan named Spock (Zachary Quinto) must move beyond their rivalry and find a way to defeat Nero before it is too late. Rating: PG-13 (Sci-Fi Action|Brief Sexual Content|Violence) Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy Original Language: English Director: J.J. Abrams Producer: J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof Writer: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman Release Date (Theaters): May 7, 2009  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Nov 17, 2009 Box Office (Gross USA): $257.7M (Info Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_trek_11)

Phillip K. Dick wrote two incredibly prophetic stories of technophobia with The Minority Report(1956) and We Can Remember it For You Wholesale(1966). It doesn't hurt that they also led to two Sci-Fi classics carried by leading men Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise. Get paranoid and get weird with the Movie Wars crew as we discuss Total Recall and Minority Report.  Support Movie Wars for the price of a latte a month! A $7 monthly contribution helps us make more content while growing the show. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27742081 (Click here to become a patron! ) Film Summaries: Total Recall Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a bored construction worker in the year 2084 who dreams of visiting the colonized Mars. He visits "Rekall," a company that plants false memories into people's brains, in order to experience the thrill of Mars without having to travel there. But something goes wrong during the procedure; Quaid discovers that his entire life is actually a false memory and that the people who implanted it in his head now want him dead. Rating: R Genre: Sci-Fi, Action Director: Paul Verhoeven Producer: Buzz Feitshans, Ronald Shusett Writer: Philip K. Dick, Jon Povill, Gary Goldman Release Date (Streaming): May 21, 2002 Box Office (Gross USA): $117.8M Runtime: 1h 49m (Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/total_recall (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/total_recall)) Minority Report Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, "Minority Report" is an action-detective thriller set in Washington D.C. in 2054, where police utilize a psychic technology to arrest and convict murderers before they commit their crime. Tom Cruise plays the head of this Precrime unit and is himself accused of the future murder of a man he hasn't even met. Rating: PG-13 (Drug Content|Brief Language|Some Sexuality|Violence) Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Action Original Language: English Director: Steven Spielberg Producer: Gerald R. Molen, Bonnie Curtis, Walter F. Parkes, Jan de Bont Writer: Philip K. Dick, Scott Frank, Jon Cohen Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 2002  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2002 Box Office (Gross USA): $132.0M Runtime: 2h 24m

Kyle, Drew, and Phil decided to take on two psychological icons for the scary October episode of Movie Wars. Hannibal Lector is a cinema-defining character while Se7en is considered one of the most innovative, creative, and daunting thrillers of all time. Get a break from the slashers and listen to the MWP as they get psychological.  SE7EN When retiring police Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) tackles a final case with the aid of newly transferred David Mills (Brad Pitt), they discover a number of elaborate and grizzly murders. They soon realize they are dealing with a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) who is targeting people he thinks represent one of the seven deadly sins. Somerset also befriends Mills' wife, Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow), who is pregnant and afraid to raise her child in the crime-riddled city.   Director: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/david_fincher (David Fincher) Producer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/arnold_kopelson (Arnold Kopelson), https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/phyllis_carlyle (Phyllis Carlyle) Writer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/andrew_kevin_walker (Andrew Kevin Walker) Release Date (Streaming): Dec 19, 2000 Box Office (Gross USA): $100.1M Runtime: 2h 5m (Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/seven (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/seven))   The Silence Of The Lambs Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.   Director: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jonathan_demme (Jonathan Demme) Producer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/ronald_m_bozman (Ronald M. Bozman), https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/edward_saxon (Edward Saxon), https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/kenneth_utt (Kenneth Utt) Writer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/thomas_harris (Thomas Harris), https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/ted_tally (Ted Tally) Release Date (Theaters): Feb 13, 1991  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 21, 2001 Box Office (Gross USA): $130.7M Runtime: 1h 59m Distributor: Orion Pictures (Courtesy  of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/silence_of_the_lambs)  

Only on Movie Wars can we go from discussing pimps and franchised anarchy one week and then Rom-Coms the next week. When you watch a good Rom-Com, you can taste it. The taste of Fall or Christmas against the backdrop of a romanticized New York, Chicago, or Seattle. Grab a latte, take a stroll with your soulmate, and laugh along with the Movie Wars crew as we Love and War. Film Summary Sleepless In Seattle  After the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah (Ross Mallinger). When Jonah calls in to a talk-radio program to find a new wife for his father, Sam grudgingly gets on the line to discuss his feelings. Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a reporter in Baltimore, hears Sam speak and falls for him, even though she is engaged. Unsure where it will lead, she writes Sam a letter asking him to meet her at the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day.   Genre: Romance Original Language: English Director: Nora Ephron Producer: Gary Foster Writer: Nora Ephron, David S. Ward, Jeff Arch Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 1993  Wide Runtime: 1h 44m Distributor: Columbia Tristar Production Co: TriStar Pictures (Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sleepless_in_seattle (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sleepless_in_seattle))  When Harry Met Sally  In 1977, college graduates Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) share a contentious car ride from Chicago to New York, during which they argue about whether men and women can ever truly be strictly platonic friends. Ten years later, Harry and Sally meet again at a bookstore, and in the company of their respective best friends, Jess (Bruno Kirby) and Marie (Carrie Fisher), attempt to stay friends without sex becoming an issue between them.   Genre: Romance Original Language: English Director: Rob Reiner Producer: Rob Reiner, Andrew Scheinman Writer: Nora Ephron Box Office (Gross USA): $90.4M Runtime: 1h 35m Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment (info provided by Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/when_harry_met_sally (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/when_harry_met_sally))   

Kyle, Drew, and Phil tackle two giants of cinema in episode 0014. Taxi Driver and Fight Club explore the depths of the mind and its impact on society as a whole. Both films show their respective directors and actors growing into their craft. Hail a cab with the Movie Wars crew as we dissect the layers of morality in Taxi Driver and Fight Club. Film Summaries:  Taxi Driver Suffering from insomnia, disturbed loner Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) takes a job as a New York City cabbie, haunting the streets nightly, growing increasingly detached from reality as he dreams of cleaning up the filthy city. When Travis meets pretty campaign worker Betsy (Cybill Shepherd), he becomes obsessed with the idea of saving the world, first plotting to assassinate a presidential candidate, then directing his attentions toward rescuing 12-year-old prostitute Iris (Jodie Foster).   Genre: Drama Original Language: English Director: Martin Scorsese Producer: Julia Phillips, Michael Phillips Writer: Paul Schrader Release Date (Theaters): Feb 8, 1976  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 14, 2007 Runtime: 1h 53m Distributor: Columbia Pictures (Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/taxi_driver (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/taxi_driver)) Fight Club  A depressed man (Edward Norton) suffering from insomnia meets a strange soap salesman named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and soon finds himself living in his squalid house after his perfect apartment is destroyed. The two bored men form an underground club with strict rules and fight other men who are fed up with their mundane lives. Their perfect partnership frays when Marla (Helena Bonham Carter), a fellow support group crasher, attracts Tyler's attention. Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama Director: David Fincher Producer: Ross Grayson Bell, Ceán Chaffin, Art Linson Writer: Chuck Palahniuk, Jim Uhls Release Date (Theaters): Oct 15, 1999  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2003 Box Office (Gross USA): $37.0M Runtime: 2h 19m Distributor: 20th Century Fox Production Co: Art Linson Productions, Fox 2000 Pictures, Taurus Film, New Regency Pictures (Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fight_club (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fight_club)) 

The Movie Wars crew has sports on the brain as the NFL, college football, and baseball are in full bloom. Sports films are the perfect vehicle for tackling heavy subject matter. It only felt right to tackle two juggernauts of the sports films sub-genre: Field Of Dreams and The Natural. Field Of Dreams When Iowa farmer Ray (Kevin Costner) hears a mysterious voice one night in his cornfield saying "If you build it, he will come," he feels the need to act. Despite taunts of lunacy, Ray builds a baseball diamond on his land, supported by his wife, Annie (Amy Madigan). Afterward, the ghosts of great players start emerging from the crops to play ball, led by "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. But, as Ray learns, this field of dreams is about much more than bringing former baseball greats out to play. Rating: PG Genre: Fantasy Original Language: English Director: Phil Alden Robinson Producer: Charles Gordon, Lawrence Gordon Writer: Phil Alden Robinson Release Date (Streaming): Dec 16, 2003 Box Office (Gross USA): $61.8M Runtime: 1h 46m Production Co: Gordon Company The Natural On the way to a tryout with the Chicago Cubs, young baseball phenom Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is shot by the unstable Harriet Bird (Barbara Hershey). After 16 years, Hobbs returns to pro baseball as a rookie for the last-place New York Knights. Despite early arguments with his manager, Pop Fisher (Wilford Brimley), Hobbs becomes one of the best players in the league, and the Knights start winning. But this upsets the Judge (Robert Prosky), their owner, who wants Hobbs to lose games, not win. Rating: PG Genre: Drama Original Language: English Director: Barry Levinson Producer: Mark Johnson Writer: Bernard Malamud, Phil Dusenberry Release Date (Streaming): Apr 3, 2007 Runtime: 2h 14m Production Co: TriStar Pictures Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes  https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/natural (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/natural) https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/field_of_dreams  

Great films are often the result of an evolution in narratives and storytelling. Die Hard and Speed were refreshing representations of a new wave in action films. Containerized environments, lovable and relatable action stars, and touches of comedy. Kyle, Drew, and Phil didn't let this podcast go below 50 MPH. SPEED FIlm Summary: Los Angeles police officer Jack (Keanu Reeves) angers retired bomb squad member Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) by foiling his attempt at taking hostages. In revenge, Payne arms a bus with a bomb that will explode if it drops below 50 miles per hour. With the help of spunky passenger Annie (Sandra Bullock), Jack and his partner Harry (Jeff Daniels) try to save the people on the bus before the bomb goes off, while also trying to figure out how Payne is monitoring them. Rating: R (Violence|Language) Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action Original Language: English Director: Jan de Bont Producer: Mark Gordon Writer: Graham Yost Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 1994  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015 Box Office (Gross USA): $121.2M Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/speed_1994 (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/speed_1994))   DIE HARD FIlm Summary: New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and two daughters on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realizes that there's no one to save the hostages -- but him. Rating: R Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action Original Language: English Director: John McTiernan Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Joel Silver Writer: Roderick Thorp, Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza Release Date (Theaters): Jul 15, 1988  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015 Box Office (Gross USA): $81.0M Info Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/die_hard)

Episode Summary:  One could argue that films like Gladiator and Braveheart are basic examples of why movies exist. To transport the audience to a different time and place. These two films do that in a huge way. Gladiator and Braveheart are larger-than-life epics that set new standards for scale and grandiosity in a movie. Join the guys as they break down these two historical epics.    Film Summaries Gladiator: Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the great stoical philosopher. Maximus is then relegated to fighting to the death in the gladiator arenas. Rating: R (Intense Graphic Combat) Genre: Action, Drama, History, Adventure Original Language: English Director: Ridley Scott Producer: David Franzoni, Branko Lustig, Douglas Wick Writer: John Logan, David Franzoni, David Franzoni, William Nicholson Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2000  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013 Box Office (Gross USA): $187.7M Runtime: 2h 34m -Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gladiator_   Braveheart: Tells the story of the legendary thirteenth-century Scottish hero named William Wallace (Mel Gibson). Wallace rallies the Scottish against the English monarch and Edward I (Peter Hanly) after he suffers a personal tragedy by English soldiers. Wallace gathers a group of amateur warriors that is stronger than any English army. Rating: R (Brutal Medieval Warfare) Genre: War, Drama, Biography, History Original Language: English Director: Mel Gibson Producer: Bruce Davey, Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd Jr. Writer: Randall Wallace Release Date (Theaters): May 24, 1995  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013 Box Office (Gross USA): $75.5M Runtime: 2h 57m -Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1065684-braveheart)  

Episode Summary:  You cannot assess the history of cinema without assessing the history of mob films. Filmmakers discovering that crime offered a new narrative form changed the direction of movies to come. Today, the guys discuss two of the most celebrated mob movies in history. The Godfather is in the constant rotation of films that are considered “Best Of All Time”. Goodfellas builds on the modern formula that The Godfather builds by giving the “Behind The Music” of running an organized crime organization. Also, these films don't lack star power. When we analyze the cast of each film, it reads like the yet-to-be-realized youth of The Godfather versus the tenured De Niro/Pesci cast that Scorsese had perfected chemistry with. Buckle up for our most detailed Movie Wars to date. And remember, "never rat on your friends and keep your mouth shut” as Jimmy Conway put it.   Movie Wars Scorecard    Best Top Bill Cast Best Supporting Cast Best dressed Best ending Which gang do you want to be in? Music Highest employer rating Scorsese Vs Coppola  Best mob portrayal  Horsehead in the bed or leave a dead man in a meat freezer truck? Worst beating? Henry Hill or Sonny Best Italian cooking   Film Summaries Goodfellas: A young man grows up in the mob and works very hard to advance himself through the ranks. He enjoys his life of money and luxury, but is oblivious to the horror that he causes. A drug addiction and a few mistakes ultimately unravel his climb to the top. Based on the book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi. Rating: R Genre: Drama, Crime Original Language: English Director: Martin Scorsese Producer: Irwin Winkler Writer: Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 1990  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008 Box Office (Gross USA): $42.6M -Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes, (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1032176-goodfellas)     The Godfather: Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, this mob drama, based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name, focuses on the powerful Italian-American crime family of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). When the don's youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), reluctantly joins the Mafia, he becomes involved in the inevitable cycle of violence and betrayal. Although Michael tries to maintain a normal relationship with his wife, Kay (Diane Keaton), he is drawn deeper into the family business. Rating: R Genre: Drama, Crime Original Language: English Director: Francis Ford Coppola Producer: Albert S. Ruddy Writer: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo, Mario Puzo Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 1972  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013 Box Office (Gross USA): $134.8M Runtime: 2h 57m -Summary courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godfather)

Episode Summary:  Cops and robbers are a sacrament of film. Once crime was introduced to cinema, filmmakers and writers uncovered its narrative power. Like any popular subject matter, it tends to get bland as films present watered-down versions and half-assed attempts at telling a compelling crime story. Fast forward to 1995's Heat. Heat is art meets action in the form of cops and robbers. Instead of your standard crime drama, Michael Mann serves up a delicious character study that focuses on the subtle variance in moral fibers that put good and bad on opposite sides. The movie breaks wide open when you realize that Vincent and McCauley are the same people. They just happen to fall on different sides of the law. The Departed seems like a Scorsese rerun on the outside. However, it doesn't take long to see that it's not his age-old formula of “3 hours of zooming in on the thing that makes a character unbearable.” Instead, he puts together a giant cast and shows his ability to tell a story across multiple points of view. In this episode, the guys discuss how simply having a giant, star-laden cast doesn't guarantee a good film. It takes a director and a vision. These two films are the ultimate example of how to balance star power and story. As for randos, the guys discuss the preparation that actors went through, Michael Mann's attention to character detail, and the artistic design of these powerhouse films.  Movie Wars Scorecard  Best Top Bill Cast Best Supporting Cast Least Bloated cast(best utilization of gigantic cast) Music Neil McCauley Vs. Frank Costello Gun Fight The award for best police work Best Criminal Enterprise Worse with relationships (all the men of both movies) Psycho Henchmen Wanegrow Vs. Mr. French Which gang do you want to join? Martin Scorsese vs. Michael Mann  Film Summaries Heat: Master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is trying to control the rogue actions of one of his men, while also planning one last big heist before retiring. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Hanna (Al Pacino) attempts to track down McCauley as he deals with the chaos in his own life, including the infidelity of his wife (Diane Venora) and the mental health of his stepdaughter (Natalie Portman). McCauley and Hanna discover a mutual respect, even as they try to thwart each other's plans. Director: Michael Mann Producer: Art Linson, Michael Mann Writer: Michael Mann Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 1995 Wide Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2015 Box Office (Gross USA): $66.2M Runtime: 2h 50m -Summary courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/heat_1995) The Departed South Boston cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes under cover to infiltrate the organization of gangland chief Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). As Billy gains the mobster's trust, a career criminal named Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) infiltrates the police department and reports on its activities to his syndicate bosses. When both organizations learn they have a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin must figure out each other's identities to save their own lives. Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Material|Some Strong Sexual Content|Strong Brutal Violence) Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Crime Original Language: English Director: Martin Scorsese Producer: Brad Pitt, Brad Grey, Graham King Writer: William Monahan Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 2006 Wide Release Date (Streaming): Oct 24, 2008 Box Office (Gross USA): $132.4M Runtime: 2h 32m -Summary courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/departed)

Kyle, Drew, and Phil take on their biggest challenge yet. No Country For Old Men barely edged out There Will Be Blood for best film in the 2008 Oscars. They were filmed in the same location and tackle similar themes. From performances to cinematography, these two films are absolute titans. Grab your milkshakes and bags of cash. Lets War.

The guys pit two of the most iconic films of all time against one another: Rocky and Raging Bull. Kyle explains why boxing isn't the only thing that connects these two films. Also, the guys laugh their way through the best War Card to date. Who is the underdog in this matchup? This episode is a knock out.

Kyle, Drew, and Phil take a much needed break from the existential and tackle two of the most iconic comedies ever made. Tommy Boy and Dumb And Dumber. Who will laugh their way into a victory? Subscribe on