Spoilerpiece Theatre

Evan is off this week, so it's Dave and Megan as a duo. First, Megan discusses THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS (1:42), Fawzia Mirza's comedy-drama about a Bollywood-loving queer Pakistani-Canadian woman (Amrit Kaur) navigating her complicated relationship with her mother (Nimra Bucha) after a tragedy. It's a lovely film with great performances, vibrant costumes and production design, and a clever narrative structure. Then, Dave delves into 28 YEARS LATER (12:27), the long-awaited third film in the post-apocalyptic zombie horror series. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, it stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes. Following a group of survivors on an island, does it live up to the iconic first film? Dave has lots of intense feelings about this one. Finally, Dave and Megan talk about ELIO (38:20), Pixar's animated sci-fi adventure written and directed by Adrian Molina, Domee Shi, and Madeline Sharafian. It follows Elio (Yonas Kibreab), a space-loving boy living with his aunt Olga (Zoe Saldaña), who gets his wish when aliens abduct him. One of us was delighted by the adorably sweet, wonderfully weird film. But it just didn't work for one of us. And on our Patreon bonus episode, we dive into 28 DAYS LATER (2002) and 28 WEEKS LATER (2007)!

This week, Megan took in MATERIALISTS, written and directed by Celine Song. Don't be fooled by the poster: It's not a romcom (though it does have some of those elements); it's much more than that. Megan really loved it. Then Evan and Dave joined her for BEST WISHES TO ALL, a bizarro Japanese horror film about what one family does to maintain it happiness, and whether one of the family members will accept the horrifying realities of that choice or reject them. Then they watched ECHO VALLEY, a thriller in which widowed horsewoman Julianne Moore's junkie daughter Sydney Sweeney makes Moore's already difficult life much, much worse when she shows up with a dead body in her car. Over on Patreon, we watched the 1985 this-kid-is-a-robot! comedy-drama D.A.R.Y.L.

This week Dave braved writer-director Mike Flanagan's adaption of Stephen King's THE LIFE OF CHUCK (3:19) and deems it strangely affecting despite not being in love, generally, with the weird maudlin nostalgia of King's non-horror work. Then Megan, Evan, and Dave weigh in on (this is actually its full title) FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA (20:47). It largely works for Evan, kind of works for Dave, and Megan didn't like it much at all, though they all agree it has some great action set pieces and it's always good to see the late Lance Reddick. Over on Patreon, we discuss the 1985 slasher-legal thriller JAGGED EDGE.

Megan is off this week, so Evan and Dave tackle LOST IN STARLIGHT (2:14), an animated romantic sci-fi drama about a dedicated scientist determined to go to space - but she meets the love of her life just before her departure. Then it's TORNADO (19:13). Set in the 1860s Scottish highlands, it's part western, part Samurai film, part heist flick, and all killin'. Over on Patreon, our second May poll movie is FRACTURE (2007) starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling.

This week, Dave and Megan talk about FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH (2:47), Guy Ritchie's incredibly derivative and frustrating adventure film, starring John Krasinski and Natalie Portman as siblings on a globe-trotting trek for (you guessed it) the mythical Fountain of Youth. Then, we all (Evan, Dave, and Megan) discuss FEAR STREET: PROM QUEEN (29:21), a slasher horror film and the latest entry in the franchise based on the R.L. Stine novel. Directed by Matt Palmer and starring India Fowler, Suzanna Son, and Fina Strazza, it follows high school prom queen finalists dying one by one. One of us had a lot of fun, but two of us were disappointed. Yet we all agree on some of the good performances and the excellent 80s soundtrack. And on this week's Patreon bonus episode, we cover the winner of our sci-fi horror poll: James Ward Byrkit's 2013 film, COHERENCE!

This week, we review two international films featuring unconventional women protagonists. First, Evan and Megan talk about SISTER MIDNIGHT (1:56), Karan Kandhari's "genre-bending" dark comedy (from the UK and India) about a woman in India (Radhika Apte) in an arranged marriage who experiences strange events. One of us loved the weird and bold film for Radhika Apte's excellent performance as the defiant protagonist, Kandhari's assured direction, the film's vivid cinematography and soundtrack, its irreverent humor, and horror genre subversion. But one of us initially liked it but found it too strange and ultimately tedious. Next, we all (Dave, Evan, and Megan) discuss THE OLD WOMAN WITH THE KNIFE (21:16), Min Kyu-dong's South Korean action film (based on the novel) about an iconic woman assassin in her sixties (Lee Hye-young) following a moral code clashing with a young hitman (Kim Sung-cheol). One of us really enjoyed the film for the film's exciting action sequences and Lee Hye-young's excellent lead performance. We all agreed she's fantastic and that the film offers a great premise. But two of us couldn't get onboard with the film due to its convoluted yet predictable narrative and tedious pacing. And on this week's Patreon exclusive bonus episode, we talk about WITNESS, Peter Weir's 1985 thriller, starring Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis!

This week, the whole gang is back together! Yay! Evan and Megan start out by reviewing Paul Feig's whodunnit dark comedy, ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR (2:33), a sequel to you guessed it, A SIMPLE FAVOR. While it retains the crackling chemistry between its leads, Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, the movie doesn't have much going for it other than its gorgeous location and fashions; its writing and dialogue are abysmal, and it's glacially paced. Next, we all discuss Eli Craig's horror film CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD (19:43), which is set in a small midwestern town that's terrorized by a killer clown in a cornfield. There's a lot more to this slasher than it seems from the title; it's well-paced, funny, features memorable kills, and has smart social commentary. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Drew Hancock's sci-fi thriller COMPANION, starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid!

Dave can't make it this week, so Megan and Evan review this week's very different films as a duo. First, Megan covers the Ami Canaan Mann's biopic AUDREY'S CHILDREN (2:32), which chronicles a period in the life of world-renowned children's doctor Dr. Audrey Evans (Natalie Dormer), as she works to revolutionize treatment of childhood cancer during the late 1960s and helps co-found the first Ronald McDonald House. Come for Natalie Dormer's excellent performance. Next, they discuss Jon Kasbe and Crystal Moselle's disappointing documentary MY ROBOT SOPHIA (17:41), which follows inventor David Hanson's attempts to build life-like AI. The film features a fascinating topic, but fails to delve deep enough into it to be worthwhile. Lastly, Evan reviews Jake Schreier's THUNDERBOLTS* (37:08) the latest Marvel film, which follows a ragtag group of anti-heroes led by Florence Pugh who must confront a powerful force: their traumas and darkest secrets. It's not your typical Marvel movie, and that's a very good thing because it has a lot of heart and soul. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the Coen Brothers' 1984 directorial debut, BLOOD SIMPLE!

Dave returns! But Evan can't make it this week. So Dave and Megan discuss FREWAKA (2:31), Aislinn Clarke's Irish folk horror film about a home care aide (Clare Monnelly) dealing with haunting disorientation after taking a job caring for an agoraphobic older woman (Bríd Ní Neachtain). One of us really liked the film for the performances and eerie, unsettling atmosphere. But it was too slow for one of us.   Then, we talk about ON SWIFT HORSES (27:33), Daniel Minahan's queer romantic drama adapted from Shannon Pufahl's novel, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, and Will Poulter. Set in the 1950s, a woman and her husband's lives are changed by the arrival of his brother. One of us enjoyed the film for the great performances, beautiful cinematography, and queer themes. But it didn't work for one of us.   And on this week's Patreon bonus episode, we talk about THE KEEP, Michael Mann's strange and ethereal 1983 supernatural horror film!

Megan is flying solo this week, as Dave and Evan couldn't make it (I miss you two!). First, Megan reviews THE UGLY STEPSISTER (1:54), Emilie Blichfeldt's Norwegian fairy-tale horror film starring Lea Myren and Thea Sofie Loch Næss, which played at this year's Boston Underground Film Festival. With lush costumes and production design, it's a compelling and gruesome Cinderella retelling that critiques beauty standards.   Then, Megan talks about THE WEDDING BANQUET (19:25), Andrew Ahn's queer rom-com (a remake of Ang Lee's 1993 film) starring Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone, Bowen Yang, and Han Gi-chan, about a gay man who offers to marry his lesbian friend to pay for her partner's IVF treatments and so he can get a green card. It's a sweet and tender film with an excellent cast.   Lastly, Megan discusses SINNERS (33:41), Ryan Coogler's vampire horror film, starring Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton, Hailee Steinfeld, and Wunmi Mosaku. Set in the 1930s, it follows two twin brothers opening a juke joint and the evil that follows them. With gorgeous cinematography and a hypnotic score, it's a visceral, moody, and captivating film.   And on this week's Patreon bonus episode, Megan talks about two newly streaming 2024 genre movies, one set in the 1980s and one in the 1990s: Kyle Mooney's sci-fi horror comedy Y2K and Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy's horror film DEAD MAIL!

Unfortunately, Dave can't make it this week (we miss you), but we (Evan and Megan) carry on in his stead. First we cover Michael Angarano's dramedy SACREMENTO (2:14), where a free-spirited guy (Angarano) cons his anxiety-ridden best friend (Michael Cera) into taking a road trip to, you guessed it, Sacramento. The movie, which co-stars the vastly underused Maya Erskine and Kristen Stewart, has the occasional poignant moment or funny line but is too scattershot for our taste. Next, we review Christopher Landon's thriller DROP (23:02), which stars Meghann Fahy as a widowed, domestic abuse survivor and mother who is terrorized by anonymous threatening messages on her first date in years. We really dig its central mystery, lead performance, intense atmosphere, and sharp commentary on abuse. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Martha Coolidge's 1985 comedy REAL GENIUS in honor of the late Val Kilmer!

This week Evan and Megan watched (and Dave partly watched) the micro budget thriller GAZER (2:22), directed by Ryan J. Sloan, and written by Sloan and star Ariella Mastroianni. Frankie (Mastroianni) has dyschronometria, a neurological condition where an individual struggles to perceive and track the duration of time. So when Frankie accepts a high-risk job for a decent chunk of money, it's safe to say things don't work out like she expects. Then everyone watched FREAKY TALES (21:20), one movie made up of four sci-fi/action/martial arts anthology bloodfests that features lots of characters killing neo Nazis. Oh, and it takes place in 1987, which makes everyone (especially Evan) very happy. And we're all extremely happy that it has a whole lot of Pedro Pascal. Over on Patreon, we watched PRINCESS MONONOKE in honor of its 4K restoration.

Sometimes we accidentally stumble into a theme at Spoilerpiece, and this week's theme is movies that make us dissolve into choking sobs. First, Megan and Dave weigh in on THE PENGUIN LESSONS, a movie that should be slight; a high school English teacher in politically fraught 1972 Argentina (Steve Coogan) rescues a pengiun and then everyone learns something. Megan and Dave agree: This movie should not work. It should be treacly and stupid...but it made us weep. Legit tears, not tears cheaply jerked from us. Kudos to Coogan for navigating the screenplay's potential pitfalls - he is excellent - and director Peter Cattaneo for laying off the sentiment. Next, Evan joins Megan and Dave to dicuss BOB TREVINO LIKES IT, featuring superb turns by Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizmo as two lonely people who strike up an unlikely and deep friendship that helps shepherd them through emotional trauma. This movie made us sob real tears. (Again, not jerked, but earned.) And then over on Patreon our Women's History Month poll winner is the disaster that is ANGIE, directed by Martha Coolidge and starring Geena Davis; this movie is head-scratchingly bad.

Evan, Megan, and Dave take in two derivative films this week: ASH (2:37), a horror/sci-fi hodgepodge headed up by Eiza González and Aaron Paul about an astronaut who wakes up to find her crew killed, features just about every horror/sci-fi trope since ALIEN hit screens in 1979. Then there's LOCKED (25:17), a thriller starring Bill Skarsgård as a petty criminal trapped and tortured in an impenetrable SUV owned by bad-dude Anthony Hopkins. Over on Patreon, we watched the 1975 noir NIGHT MOVES, starring Gene Hackman, who left us in February.

This week Evan, Megan, and Dave watched one dud and one banger. The dud: THE ELECTRIC STATE (1:55), the latest crap-fest from the Russo brothers. This unfunny sci-fi comedy stars Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, and Ke Huy Quan. The banger: NOVOCAINE (26:00), in which assistant bank manager Jack Quaid has a genetic condition in which he can't feel pain. So when bank robbers kidnap his would-be girlfriend (Amber Midthunder), he uses the condition to his advantage to try to save her. Over on Patreon, we talk about the 2006 Spike Lee heist film INSIDE MAN.

It's a week for horror on Spoilerpiece. Megan and Dave talk about THE RULE OF JENNY PEN (2:10), featuring Geoffrey Rush as a judge recovering from a stroke, John Lithgow as a sadist, and Jenny Pen as Lithgow's evil puppet cohort. Then Evan joins in for STARVE ACRE (20:59), in which two grieving parents find a mummified oak tree and tend to a reanimated rabbit that may or may not be malevolent. Yeah, it's weird. Over on Patreon, we talk about the 2025 Oscars.

This week we catch up on two current releases and a new film. Megan and Evan talk about CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD (2:28), and Megan and Dave discuss THE MONKEY (26:02). Then we all talk about the new film MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE (41:03), a dark comedy/drama about an Afghanistan war veteran (Sonequa Martin-Green) dealing with the trauma of losing her friend and fellow vet Zoe (Natalie Morales), who keeps popping up in her day-to-day life as a ghost. Over on Patreon, we talk about FINAL DESTINATION because it's 25 years old (yikes!).

This week Dave is under the weather, so Megan and Evan tackle the two films as a duo. First, we review Frederik Louis Hviid's true crime heist film, THE QUIET ONES (2:59), which recounts the largest robbery in Denmark's history. Next, we discuss Martin Campbell's action thriller CLEANER (28:09), which features Daisy Ridley as an ex-soldier turned window cleaner who must save a building full of people after they're taken hostage by eco-terrorists. Over on Patreon, we talk about Jeremy Saulnier's 2024 Netflix crime thriller REBEL RIDGE.

This week Megan, Evan, and Dave discuss ROUNDING (1:59), about an ambitious medical resident who relocates to a rural hospital after an elderly patient dies in his care. He soon becomes obsessed with saving a young asthma patient while suffering from horrific visions brought on by sleep deprivation and his previous trauma. Then we talk about THE GORGE (27:48), an action-rom-com-horror-thriller starring Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sigourney Weaver. Over on Patreon, we watched RETURN TO OZ, the bizarro sort-of sequel to THE WIZARD OF OZ.

This week Dave spoils director Josh Ruben's latest, the horror comedy HEART EYES (2:11), about a serial killer who targets couples on and around Valentine's Day. Then Evan and Megan join him to discuss LOVE HURTS (18:09), which stars Ke Huy Quan in his first leading role. Over on Patreon, we talk about Billy Wilder's SUNSET BOULEVARD in honor of its 75th anniversary.

Evan and Dave are a duo this week. Dave took his children to see the ridiculous animated movie DOG MAN, which he - surprisingly? - liked. And both Evan and Dave took in LOVE ME, a romantic drama in which Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun play a buoy and a satellite falling in love long after every lifeform on Earth has gone extinct. Over on Patreon, we discuss the 2006 Tony Scott film DÉJÀ VU with Denzel Washington.

This week we watch two films, the indie comedy-drama ROCKY'S (2:26), about five friends in their mid-20s who come together for a funeral, but first regroup in the parking lot of the 24-hour deli they loitered around in high school. Then it's INHERITANCE (23:11), a spy thriller with Phoebe Dynevor and Rhys Ifans as an estranged daughter and father caught in a conspiracy. (Please excuse Dave's room noise when the podcast begins; his space heater ran for a few minutes.) Over on Patreon, we talk about the 1989 Nicole Kidman thriller DEAD CALM.

This week Megan saw WOLF MAN (2:20), director and co-writer Leigh Whannell's latest trip down the horror highway, starring Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner. Megan likes this new take on Universal's legendary Wolf Man…until she doesn't. A good start, a meh finish. Then Evan and Dave join in when the conversation turns to NIGHT CALL (16:17), Michiel Blanchart's tense and nimble French-language thriller about a locksmith (Jonathan Feltre) who has the misfortune of opening a door…TO CRIME! (See what we did there?) A seemingly innocent call makes a normal shift turn nightmarish as lead character Mady is conned into opening the door, is chased by criminals, chased by more criminals, chased by cops…you get the idea. We all enjoyed this clever, fast-paced, and frenetic thriller. Then we all weigh in on Cameron Diaz's first screen role since 2014, the Netflix spy thriller BACK IN ACTION (44:21), directed by Seth Gordon. Don't let the lazy title fool you: The screenplay is just as lazy as the title! Ho ho! Not for nothing, this movie throws in just about every action trope known to humankind, but it doesn't do anything particularly well. Good thing Diaz cranks the charm to 100, and she has an easy chemistry with her equally charming co-star Jamie Foxx. But otherwise…bleh. Over on Patreon, we talk about Max Eggers and Sam Eggers's 2024 horror flick THE FRONT ROOM, starring Brandy.

This week Evan, Megan, and Dave take in the new Nick Frost-written-and-starring horror comedy GET AWAY (2:50), about a family that goes to a remote Swedish island for a holiday weekend, only to be trapped as a killer is on the loose. Zoinks! Blood and guts ensue! But do the laughs follow? DO THEY?!! Two-thirds of us felt one way, and one-third of us felt another way. Then we watch RED ROOMS (26:02), the French-Canadian drama about obsession (among other things) about the trial of a man accused of absolutely horrifying, grisley murders - all captured on video as snuff films (thankfully, the visuals of said snuff films make limited appearances, though the audio doesn't leave much mystery). However, the lead character, Kelly-Anne (Juliette Gariépy) goes down the rabbit hole during the trial, and writer-director Pascal Plante doesn't lay out easy answers for the questions he poses. We were all fascinated, and this made Megan's Top 10 of 2024 list. Over on Patreon, we're joined by Jimmy Stewart to talk about the 1956 Alfred Hitchcock film THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH.

Welcome to 2025! Evan is off this week, but Megan and Dave are here to talk about I SAW THE TV GLOW (2:26), writer-director Jane Schoenbrun's horror-fantasy about Owen (Justice Smith) and Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine), two teens obsessed with a TV show called “The Pink Opaque,” with airs on Saturday nights past Owen's bedtime. This was Megan's top movie of 2024, so she has lots to say, as does Dave, who found its performances excellent, its look great, and its steeped-in'-90s-culture vibe spot-on. But despite picking up on its trans allegory, Dave was pretty confounded, so he and Megan have a lively talk about it. Then they get to THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG (24:47), Mohammad Rasoulof's thriller set in Iran in 2022 amid the anti-theocracy protests and the violence that came with them. Iman (Missagh Zareh), a recently-promoted investigating judge, is given a gun - to protect himself and his family - along with his new position. His wife Najmeh (Soheila Golestani) and daughters are actually the main characters, and this family drama turns thriller when the gun goes missing. There's more to it than that (it's two hours and 47 minutes, after all), and it's compelling as hell, and we had a great talk about it. Over on Patreon, we talk about the 1995 comedy PARTY GIRL starring Parker Posey.

It's the end of the year, and that means it's time for our top 10 lists. As members of the Boston Online Film Critics Association, we vote for what we consider the best films of the year (ya know, like critics do). Megan (4:28) goes first, followed by Dave (28:45), and finally Evan (51:51). We have some overlap, but not much! And we have a good time breaking down our reasons for liking the films we do. There are some curveballs, too, which is always fun. Over on Patreon, the results of our Hitchcock for the Holidays poll is a discussion of the 1943 thriller SHADOW OF A DOUBT. It you're a patron, listen to it here.

Ladies and gentleman, pray forgive Dave in his capacity as host this week: His rhythm was off, as he was interrupted during the Patreon segment by a restless 9-year-old. (Speaking of Patreon, we cover the Shane Black-written, Geena Davis-starring THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT. It's a fun conversation!) This week we all watched THE BRUTALIST (3:44), Brady Corbet's post-WWII epic featuring Adrien Brody as a talented architect trying to thrive in the United States while dealing with rampant antisemitism (he's a Hungarian Jew), the process of getting his wife and niece to the United States (they're stuck in Budapest), and designing and building a giant multiuse project for garbage human Guy Pearce (his character, not Guy Pearce the person, whom we've heard is lovely). We have lots to say about this complex, multilayered, truly epic film, including whether it's the best picture of the year, like many critics contend.  Then we move onto Robert Eggers' latest: His version of NOSFERATU (40:14), inspired by F.W. Murnau's 1922 classic (which was lifted from Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula"). It looks good. Its actors are committed. Lily-Rose Depp is fantastic. But is the horror movie worth watching? Does Dave want to throw Nicholas Hoult into a windowless room and toss away the key? We had three very different opinions. 

We start with CHASING CHASING AMY (1:44), trans filmmaker Sav Rodgers' documentary about his relationship with Kevin Smith's CHASING AMY, and an exploration of Rodgers' reverence for Kevin Smith's at-the-time groundbreaking but now much-more-questioned-about-its-narrative-ideas lesbian-falls-for-a-straight-man rom-com. Over the course of six years, Rodgers' feelings change as he transitions, and interviews Smith, queer filmmakers and critics, academics, his own fiancée Riley (whom we all love), and Joey Lauren Adams, CHASING AMY's star, who has *very* different feelings about it than writer-director Smith. It's a fascinating watch. Next, there's CONCLAVE (25:31), director Edward Berger's film about a papal conclave, run by Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), choosing a new pontiff, and the political and religious machinations that go along with it. Dave had resisted seeing this, but finally relented. And…did he like it the way Evan and Megan do? Finally, there's NICKEL BOYS (45:41), director and co-writer RaMell Ross' adaptation of Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. We have differing opinions about it, in particular the style in which it's filmed, but we all found things we like about it, Megan in particular. Over on Patreon, we talk about Clint Eastwood's final film (we're told) as director, the courtroom drama JUROR NO. 2.

This week Megan and Dave talk about director Luca Guadagnino's QUEER (2:28), an adaptation of William S. Burroughs 1985 novel (with a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes). Starring Daniel Craig as William Lee (a Burroughs stand-in), this movie left both Megan and Dave a little bewildered, as there were things they liked (the shooting-up scene, the color palette), and things they didn't like (Drew Starkey's performance as Lee's love interest). Then Evan joins in for FLOW (22:38) an excellent animated film featuring a very cat-like cat and other animals as they survive a catastrophic flood. Finally there's NIGHTBITCH (39:53). Amy Adams becomes a dog (though there's more to it than that) and Scoot McNairy becomes a dope (he's played this part before). What did we think of writer-director Marielle Heller's adaptation of Rachel Yoder's novel? Over on Patreon, we talk about the Christmas horror flick BETTER WATCH OUT.

Evan is off this week (doubtless watching PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES), so Megan and Dave take on KNOW YOUR PLACE (2:19) and THE BLACK SEA (35:29) as a duo. And as with many weeks, the movies we choose are linked thematically (often accidentally). In this case, both films tackle characters with feelings of being outsiders. In KNOW YOUR PLACE, Robel (Joseph Smith) balances being a typical American teenager with the familial demands of being the child of Eritrean immigrants, and he navigates the emotional and physical fallout that comes with feeling stuck between two competing sets of demands. And in THE BLACK SEA, Khalid (co-director Derrick B. Harden) travels to Bulgaria from Brooklyn and finds himself completely out of place - until he discovers he makes the locals happy by opening a cafe that serves Matcha tea. (It's more dramatic - and comedic - than that, and we cover all the ins and outs in our conversation.) Over on Patreon, we watched ON DANGEROUS GROUND, a classic noir film from 1951, to celebrate Noirvember.

This week, we start things off at Shiz University, as Megan saw WICKED (2:22), the film adaptation of the stage musical, which is an adaptation of the novel by Gregory Maguire. Does Jon M. Chu's film hold up under scrutiny? And how are Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as, respectively, Elphaba and Glinda? Next, Dave joins Megan to talk about GLADIATOR II (6:18), Ridley Scott's sequel to Ridley Scott's (ha) GLADIATOR, starring Paul Mescal. Megan and Dave's opinions diverge, but they agree on one thing: Denzel Washington's performance is absolutely unreal (in the best way). Then Evan joins in for a lively discussion of Steve McQueen's BLITZ (28:01), starring Saoirse Ronan as a single mother who puts her son on a train to safety during the early days of the German Blitz campaign over England. But her son (Elliott Heffernan) has other ideas that lead to peril, again and again and again. There's a compelling racial element to the story, but otherwise all three of us had different views of the film's success or failure. Over on Patreon, we talk about the zany 1987 Japanese comedy A TAXING WOMAN.

This week, we took a gander at two films in current release: Megan and Evan watched BLINK TWICE (2:32), Zoë Kravitz's directorial debut starring Naomi Ackie as a woman who goes to a private island with a tech-bro (Channing Tatum) and parties with his friends, but things aren't what they seem to be. We were divided on this thriller. Then Dave joined them for MY OLD ASS (24:35), which is NOT about an aged donkey. It's writer-director Megan Park's sweet and charming coming-of-age tale of Elliot (Maisy Stella), a woman preparing to leave her small town for college in the big city, taking some mushrooms and meeting her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza). There's more to it than that, but here's the real question: Which Spoilerpiece members cried during this one? Place your bets! Over on Patreon, we talk about the 1946 noir classic GILDA, starring Rita Hayworth.

This week Megan talks about the psychological horror thriller HERETIC (2:18), starring a possibly career-best Hugh Grant. Then Evan, Megan, and Dave discuss the Nick Frost-starring horror flick BLACK CAB (11:34), and the excellent SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE (28:56), with Cillian Murphy as an empathetic man slowly uncovering the ugly secrets of a local convent. Over on Patreon, we talk about JOHN WICK in honor of its tenth anniversary.

This week, Dave gets boomerific yapping about the new Robert Zemeckis film HERE (3:14), starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, and a bunch of other actors who should have known better, as they tackle Zemeckis' latest blundered technology cry-fest. Gah. Then Megan and Evan talk about HIGH TIDE (13:54), Marco Calvani's queer love story, set in Provincetown, Mass., between a heartbroken undocumented Brazilian immigrant and a man leaving the country in a week. Finally, Dave and Megan discuss MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS (34:36), which is a documentary about the storming of the Bastille. Weird that a documentary about the Bastille would be called MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS, right? (Just kidding, it's a documentary about legendary film composer and jazz pianist John Williams. Dave has been sacked. - ed.) Over on Patreon, we loooooved the 1995 Denzel Washington-starring, Carl Franklin-directed DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS.

This week we watched THE LINE (2:41), a drama (sometimes called a thriller, but eh) about a fraternity brother who gets mixed up in his frat's shady pledge shenanigans. Does it result in someone's death? Does the Pope shit in the woods? Then we watched MAGPIE (27:12), an atmospheric thriller starring Daisy Ridley (from an idea she had) about a woman dealing with her absolutely reprehensible husband's emotional affair. But is he really having an emotional affair? Are things even what they seem? As Evan says, does it all add up? And over on Patreon, we watched CARRIE, the winner of our October poll.

This week, Megan reviews SMILE 2 (2:06), Parker Finn's grisly sequel to his great horror film SMILE, about a pop star (Naomi Scott) contending with addiction recovery and a new tour amidst sinister occurrences. The sequel is much more nerve-wracking and gory! Then, we all (Dave, Evan, and Megan) talk about MADS (16:09), David Moreau's unique and intense French horror film about a trio of teens dealing with a potentially bad drug trip and gnarly bodily issues. Lastly, we discuss WOMAN OF THE HOUR (40:39), Anna Kendrick's sharp, tense, and compelling directorial debut about the true-crime story of an aspiring actress (Anna Kendrick also stars) in 1970s Los Angeles on the TV show "The Dating Game," where one of the bachelor contestants is a serial killer. And on our Patreon bonus episode, we dive into the 2024 horror film IMMACULATE, directed by Michael Mohan and starring Sydney Sweeney!

This week Evan and Dave kick things off with THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN (3:07) (after Dave forgets to do his own intro at the top; whoops), a documentary about the haenyeo, a declining and aging community of women in Jeju, South Korea, who dive for seafood as a job - or, as Evan more accurately describes it, a calling - while dealing with climate change, over-fishing, and crucially, wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Then Megan joins Evan and Dave for THE OUTRUN (17:17), director Nora Fingscheidt's adaptation of Amy Liptrot's memoir (with a screenplay by Liptrot, the director, and Daisy Lewis). Saoirse Ronan stars as Nora, an alcoholic whose struggle to stay sober takes her from rehab, to an outpatient facility, to her family farm, to one of the most remote isles in Scotland's Orkney Islands. We were all fascinated by it, but how much did we all like it? Over on Patreon, we talk about the ROSEMARY'S BABY prequel APARTMENT 7A.

Hey, gang! There were some delivery problems this week, so we only have one new movie on the docket: MONKEY MAN! (Just kidding. That's on Patreon. Patrons can listen to that episode here.) No, this week we cover the new Dust Bowl psychological drama/horror flick HOLD YOUR BREATH (2:22), starring Sarah Paulson as a woman living through the Dust Bowl (natch) and kind of losing her mind because of some maybe-it's-real-maybe-not-tee-hee specter called The Grey Man who lives in the dust. Sound like a concept ripe for horror? No? Ya ain't wrong! We're not going to lie: We didn't like this one and we go off the rails talking about it because why not? Also making an appearance this week: The Bikini Inspector! (We weren't kidding about going off the rails, or as the Monkey Man whould say, going bananas.) Enjoy! We did!

With Megan on vacation this week, Evan and Dave take on WILL & HARPER (2:42), the documentary about the friendship between Will Ferrell and writer Harper Steele post-Harper's transition. This funny and tender (and occasionally sad) documentary about long friendships (Ferrell and Steele met at "Saturday Night Live") and the ways they change is the anti-MEGALOLOPIS (22:56), writer-director Francis Ford Coppola's bizarro take on whatever-the-fuck-it-is, with each actor performing in a different movie, a production design from Hades, and a story - or many stories - that add up to absolutely fuck-all. (It's not entirely fair that Dave is doing the write-up this week, as he thought MEGALOPOLIS works in precisely zero ways, whereas Evan found a few things to like about it). In any event, take a listen before you watch. Spoilers in no way actually spoil something that has to be seen to be believed. Trust us. Over on Patreon, we talk about Hitchcock's THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY.

This week on the show Megan and Dave talk about REZ BALL (2:20), director Sydney Freedland's drama about a Navajo high school basketball team. After a series of tragedies forces the coach and players to rethink the way they play ball, they adopt a technique they dub “rez ball,” which includes fast play and getting the ball to the hoop as quickly as possible - preferably within seven seconds of possession. Then Evan, Megan and Dave talk about writer-director Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio's IN THE SUMMERS (22:29), which follows two sisters from adolescence to adulthood as they navigate their loving but volatile father during yearly summer visits to his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. And over on Patreon, we talk about this month's poll winner, the 1987 comedy BABY BOOM, starring Diane Keaton.

On this week's show, Megan and Dave watched SPEAK NO EVIL (2:29), writer-director James Watkins' remake of the Danish film from 2022. As with many non-American horror films remade for American audiences, the new SPEAK NO EVIL leaves the original's first two-thirds relatively unchanged and then kicks the last third in the ass, replacing it with a watered down ending that, while not entirely stupid, ain't exactly aces. (That being said, the Danish original is extreme. Take a listen to our reactions to it here.) So while we weren't enamored of this new version, we think leads Mackenzie Davis and James McAvoy (at 100 percent) do excellent work, and the changes do have a few good moments sprinkled in. (And Megan likes Aisling Franciosi's performance, too.) Then we talk about SEEKING MAVIS BEACON, a documentary by director Jazmin Jones about her attempts, along with producer Olivia McKayla Ross, to find Renée L'Esperance, the Haitian (and original) model for the software program Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. We had varied reactions, with Dave being more forgiving (!!) than Megan and Evan, who feel the film is dragged down by its pacing and all the problems that can come with uneven editing. Over on Patreon, we watched another movie that has a big twist: PRIMAL FEAR with Richard Gere, Laura Linney, and Edward Norton. It was a first-time watch for Evan, and we have fun talking about how the ending and wheether it holds up 28 years later.

It's a big week! Tim Burton's long-awaited BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (2:08) finally arrives after its thirty-six-year gestation — Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara reprise their roles, and Jenna Ortega co-stars — and does it live up to the praise being heaped upon it? Megan lets you know! Next, we all saw HIS THREE DAUGHTERS (18:42), Azazel Jacobs' family drama about three sisters (Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne) grappling with their father's imminent demise. This flick is getting raves, but not from us. Finally, Megan and Dave watched MERCHANT IVORY (39:31), Stephen Soucy's documentary about the legendary director-producer team of James Ivory, Ismail Merchant, partners in filmmaking and life, and all the people who moved in and out of Merchant/Ivory family in front of the camera (Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant, for two) and behind it (in particular, novelist and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala). We liked it, with reservations (some of them big). And over on Patreon, we Spoilerpiece a movie that needs a spoiler warning: The 1987 Kevin Costner thriller NO WAY OUT!

It's a 50-50 week on Spoilerpiece, as one of the movies we watch is crap, and one is a joy from start to finish. First, the crap, because we didn't want to end on a sour note: Lee Daniels' THE DELIVERANCE (2:12), a derivative dumpster fire of a possession story cribbed from better possession stories. What makes it so awful, though? Glad you asked! Every character but one in this movie is an asshole. Like, a serious asshole. Andra Day's Ebony? Asshole. Glenn Close as her mother, Alberta? Asshole. Mo'Nique as the world's meanest social worker? Total asshole. We at Spoilerpiece don't usually need to root for a character, but when you're watching a movie and hope the demon wins, something is amiss. But then there's the salve: MOUNTAINS (26:10), director and co-writer Monica Sorelle's drama about a Haitian immigrant demolition worker living in Miami (Atibon Nazaire), his wife (Sheila Anozier), and their very American son (Chris Renois). All the bad vibes from THE DELIVERANCE are instantly erased! Praise Jesus! (If you have the misfortune of seeing THE DELIVERANCE, you'll understand.) And over on Patreon, our August poll winner is NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, the non-Eon Bond film featuring Sean Connery's return as 007.

This week, Evan talks about BETWEEN THE TEMPLES (2:14), Nathan Silver's Jewish comedy starring Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane about a man's grade-school music teacher who becomes his adult Bat Mitzvah student. Unfortunately, he wasn't a fan of the humor or awkward scenarios. Then, we (Dave and Megan) review HELL HOLE (13:24), John Adams and Toby Poser's (aka the Adams family) horror film about a fracking crew encountering an 1800s soldier, who's still alive with a parasite inside him. We had mixed reviews: One of us liked it, one hated it. Finally, we all discuss SMOKING TIGERS (34:19), So Young Shelly Yo's moving, sensitive, and insightful coming-of-age drama about a Korean-American teen (Ji-young Yoo) as she navigates attending an elite college prep school amidst her parents' separation. We loved it. And on our Patreon exclusive bonus episode, we cover Jim Jarmusch's NIGHT ON EARTH, in honor of Gena Rowlands, who recently passed away and stars in one of the global anthology's segments.

This week, Megan fills Evan and Dave in on CLOSE TO YOU (1:31), starring Elliot Page (who also co-wrote the story) in Dominic Savage's tender and emotional indie drama as Sam, who journeys home for his father's birthday, his first trip to his hometown since his transition. We follow that up with SKINCARE (9:18), Austin Peters's thriller starring Elizabeth Banks as Hope, an esthetician with a line of products about to hit the marketplace. Unfortunately, another esthetician opens a location directly across from her, and wouldn't you know? Someone steals Hope's identity and messes with her in a way that could tank her product launch. We wish we could say we loved it. (We didn't.) Finally, Megan and Dave talk about ALIEN: ROMULUS (32:23), the Fede Álvarez-directed sci-fi horror interquel starring Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson. It takes the ALIEN series in a different direction, sorta, if not for all the derivative plot conventions and it lifts from just about every other ALIEN film. It has its moments (and it's better than Ridley Scott's last two hack jobs), but it's a mixed bag. Over on Patreon, we talk about the 1989 teen satire HEATHERS, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, in honor of co-star Shannen Doherty.

Because of some truly bizarre audio difficulties this week, Megan was unable to join us. Which is a bummer! Because she had things to say about both movies on the docket. First, Dave talks about DUCHESS (2:35), directed by Neil Marshall and written by Marshall and its star, Charlotte Kirk. And how is it? Well, it's dog shit! Like most of Marshall's movies! Ho ho! Then Evan and Dave talk THE INSTIGATORS (14:41), a Boston crime comedy that goes out of its way to be very Boston-crimey and Boston-funny, but doesn't quite do either well! Just how much charisma do Matt Damon and Casey Affleck have to exude in order to sell this farce? More than they do! More than they do, gang. (At least we get some good scenes with Hong Chau.) And because we had audio difficulties, the Patreon bonus episode didn't turn out (clicking, clacking, and buzzing; it was weird). But we'll figure out what's wrong with it so this kind of thing doesn't happen again. And we're so sorry! But please know we're taking care of it. Thanks for understanding, everyone!

Dave jokes that it's Megan's big week on Spoilerpiece: She saw all three movies on the docket! First, she fills Evan and Dave in on DOCTOR JEKYLL (2:27), a contemporary update of Robert Louis Stephenson's classic novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, with Eddie Izzard as Dr. Nina Jekyll (good) and Rachel Hyde (bad). Is it the gothic horror it's laid out to be in the press notes? Or something different? Then Megan talks about SING SING (14:14), a drama based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison. Megan loved Colman Domingo's and Paul Raci's performances, and has heaps of praise for the movie. Finally, everyone saw PEAK SEASON (24:48), a comic drama about the bond a burned out New Yorker makes with her fishing guide on a trip to Montana. We all loved it. Over on Patreon, Evan and Dave talk about Robert Altman's 3 WOMEN, which stars Shelley Duvall, who left us in early July.

Dave is under the weather this week (feel better soon, Dave!), so Megan and Evan cover the week's movies together. First, Megan reviews Agnieszka Holland's vital, yet harrowing drama GREEN BORDER (3:33), which follows a family of refugees from Syria, a border guard, and a group of activists providing aid to refugees, who converge on the Polish-Belarusian border during a humanitarian crisis. Then Evan and Megan dig into Shawn Levy's much-anticipated superhero film DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (26:26), which features Ryan Reynolds/Deadpool teaming up with Hugh Jackman as Wolverine! Thankfully we do a show where spoilers are the name of the game because otherwise, this one would be tough to talk about folks. We delve into the action, the comedy, the cameos, and the MCU at large in the context of the TV shows and the multiverse. Plus, in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we discuss the winner of our summer heatwave poll, Sidney Lumet's 1957 legal drama 12 ANGRY MEN! 

Evan is off this week, so Megan and Dave braved this week's releases. Actually, Dave didn't see TWISTERS (2:39) — Lee Isaac Chung's disaster movie legacy sequel starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos — so it's up to Megan to tell you, dear listeners, that it's kind of crap. She has some positive things say about it (Glen Powell, for example)…but not many. Both Megan and Dave saw WIDOW CLICQUOT (21:52), a period-piece biopic directed by Thomas Napper about Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot who took over her husband's champagne business after his death. French people, chateaus, business? Dave's all about it (and all about Haley Bennett!). Megan liked it but didn't love it. Finally, they both saw ODDITY (39:07), Damian Mc Carthy's eerie horror film about a psychic (Carolyn Bracken) investigating her twin sister's murder, and his follow-up to CAVEAT. And they loved it! No complaints! Four stars! This movie is one creepy bastard! Over on Patreon, Megan and Dave talked about TWISTER, Jan de Bont's 1996 film starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, because apparently the pain of TWISTERS wasn't enough. (We actually enjoy it!)

Well. It is a BANNER week on Spoilerpiece, gang. Megan and Dave discuss writer-director Nicole Riegel's DANDELION (2:54), about a struggling singer-songwriter from Cincinnati (KiKi Layne) taking a shot at winning an opening slot at a biker gathering in South Dakota while also falling into an intense relationship with a semi-retired Scottish guitarist (Thomas Doherty). Then we get to THE BLUE ROSE (26:56). We'll dispense with a description and leave it all in the audio, but please do buckle up. (And maybe get some popcorn and a burrito. Why the hell not?) Over on Patreon, we talk about CLUE in honor of Martin Mull, who left us in late June.

We just marked a national holiday in the United States, so you know what that means: It's cash grab season! Megan and Dave talk about said (possible) cash grab, BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F (1:53). Eddie Murphy and cohorts return in the legacy sequel that continues the legacy of shittiness that BEVERLY HILL COP III unleashed on the world 30 years earlier. Ugh. Then Evan joins Megan and Dave to talk about KILL (16:41), a terrifically bloody action film from India that features a commando on a train trying to save his fiancée from bandits. It's got loads of good killin', but it's not for the faint of heart. (It makes COMMANDO look fuggin' tame.) Finally, Dave and Megan talk MAXXXINE (40:39), the third and possibly not-final chapter in the Ti West/Mia Goth saga that began with X and continued with the X's prequel, PEARL. Over on Patreon, we talk about KLUTE to commemorate Donald Sutherland, who died on June 20, 2024.