The Movie Breakdown

For the third straight week, we've got a King Kong review and this time it is Peter Jackson's 2005 version, which is a clear love letter to the original but also elevates the beloved creature feature subgenre to blockbuster epic status. We also review a picture that fuses hidden camera gags with a buddy road-trip comedy in Bad Trip. We continue our streak of looking at documentaries with Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal. After the reviews, we wrap things up with a look at fan entitlement and how studios should handle the toxicity that is polluting social media. As always, we had a blast recording this episode. If you love listening to it, then please help us out by spreading the word on social media. We can become a bigger and better podcast if even more great movie fans can discover us. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts, CastBox, and Amazon Music. The Movies' Four-Star RatingKing Kong (2005) **** (CS) & *** (SM)Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal. **½ (CS) & *** (SM)Bad Trip **½ (CS & SM) 

  You are going to go ape for this week's episode of The Movie Breakdown, because it is a gigantic show that we have for you. Not only am I apparently in the mood for really bad puns, but we are reviewing the grand daddy of the creature features and the movie that birthed a pop culture icon in 1933's King Kong. We dig really deep into this movie as we look at its impact and legacy. As well we review two 2021 coming-of-age movies in the Amy Poehler directed Moxie and yet another stuck in the same day movie, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things. As well, the Oscar announced their nominations for this year's awards show, and we have lots of thoughts on them. We also discuss why this is one of the flattest awards show nominations and why this is the largest slate of movies that we haven't yet seen. This is rare for someone that other years usually has seen most of the Oscar movies before nomination time. As always, we had a great time talking movies and we really hope you love the show. If you do, please help us out by spreading the word on social media, so other movie fans can find us. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. The Movies' Four-Star RatingKing Kong. **** (CS & SM)Moxie ***½ (CS) & *** (SM) The Map of Tiny Perfect Things ***½ (CS) & *** (SM) 

Do you like Eddie Murphy? Then this is the episode of The Movie Breakdown you've been waiting to hear, as we review his first ever and his most recent picture. We go all the way back 1982 where Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte team-up in what is one of the first buddy-cop action comedies in the Walter Hill directed, 48 Hrs. Then we jump all the way to 2021 for the brand-new release and the sequel to a film from way back in the 1980s in Coming 2 America. We also review a non-Eddie Murphy movie in the Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes starring period drama, The Dig.  From there we discuss how streaming services should handle older movies and shows that either have problematic stars or material that hasn't aged well. As always, we had a great time discussing movies and really hope you love listening to it. If you do enjoy it, please help us out by sharing us on social media, so other movie fans can find us. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. The Movies' Four-Star Rating48 Hrs. ***½ (CS & SM)Coming 2 America *** (CS) & **½ (SM) The Dig ** (CS) & *** (SM) 

It's a Monday, so your ears must just be begging for some movie review chatter. We discuss three pictures this week, including Sam Raimi's 1998 psychological thriller, A Simple Plan. One of the goals of the podcast is to explore and celebrate movies from the past, especially some that may not be as remembered or talked about today. This picture was one of the big break-out moments for Raimi as it showed his diversity as a director, and we talk about the importance of this movie. We also discuss two 2021 releases, and both are from Amazon Prime. We have a trippy sci-fi romance in Bliss and what is being marketed as a black comedy in I Care a Lot. After the movie reviews, we discuss the news that there are plans for a Black Superman movie, and we analyze what type of impact that will have. We always have a blast recording this show, and we really hope you love listening to it. If you do, please help us out by spreading the word on social media, so other movie fans can find us. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. The Movies' Four-Star RatingA Simple Plan **** (CS & SM)Bliss **½ (CS) & ** (SM) I Care a Lot *½ (CS) & ** (SM) 

  The Movie Breakdown is coming at you with three movie reviews this week including the final movie in the teen romcom trilogy with To All the Boys: Always and Forever. You may remember we were fans of the first two movies, and so find out if it can keep its charm, energy and appeal. We also look at a very different kind of romance movie in the John David Washington and Zendaya starring Malcolm & Marie. Then it is a thriller that been hiding on Netflix for a few years now in the underseen, Calibre. After the movie reviews, we look at the fact the four major movie studios all have their own streaming service now and what that means for the future of movies. As always, it was a great time recording the episode, and we hope you have a great time listening to it too. If you do, please help us out by spreading the word on social media to other movie fans. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. The Movies' Four-Star RatingTo All the Boys: Always and Forever *** (CS & SM)Malcolm & Marie ** (CS & SM) Calibre ***½ (CS & SM) 

For the last decade, I've read and heard many people bemoan that they don't make movies like they used to. Or I hear about how the original idea in entertainment is dying. Well, when I hear those things, I am motivated to point them towards A24, which is a distribution and production company that has released some of the most interesting and provocative wide release features of the last several years. This is the company responsible for engaging pictures like Uncut Gems, Moonlight, Hereditary, Under the Skin, A Ghost Story, The Witch, Eighth Grade, Ex Machina and Room. If I was just listing all the movies that are worth watching, then I could have made the list five times longer. A24 has made some of the most fascinating pictures in the last several years and often many of the movies end up on The Movie Breakdown's Best of lists. It is time to discuss and celebrate this bold company. We look at what makes A24 stand out and what we think will be their legacy in our latest episode. We had a great time talking almost 90 minutes about A24 and we really hope you love it as well. If you do, then please share us on social media so other movie fans can find us. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast.

Canada has been the home of several great actors but one of the true legends was Christopher Plummer. We pay tribute to the icon on the latest episode of The Movie Breakdown with reviews for four of his movies. His most well-known picture is probably the smash-hit musical filled with some of the most memorable songs in The Sound of Music. He also has a major supporting role in the Terry Gilliam directed trippy sci-fi thriller, 12 Monkeys. We also discuss two movies where he landed Oscar nominations in the Ridley Scott directed based on true events All the Money in the World and the picture about the last year in the life of Leo Tolstoy in The Last Station.  Plummer had a long and successful career, and we are only giving you a small snapshot. It was great being able to celebrate a movie legend and we had a blast talking about his movies. We really hope you love listening to it, and if you do, please help us out by spreading the word about us on social media.  Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. The Movies' Four-Star RatingThe Sound of Music **** (CS) & ***½ (SM)12 Monkeys ***½ (CS & SM) All the Money in the World *** (CS & SM) The Last Station *** (CS & SM)

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and we're going to celebrate it with an episode we've called The Breakdown of Love where we will review four romance pictures. We are going all the way back to 1940 for the Howard Hawks directed and Carey Grant and Rosalind Russell starring screwball comedy, His Girl Friday. We also have an independent romantic comedy that turned into a big hit at both the box office and Oscars that helped elevate the careers of Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook. We also have a coming-of-age teen drama that also tackles issues like alcoholism in the Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller starring The Spectacular Now. Then we look at the tropical set coming of age romance that was a huge box office hit at the time but has aged horribly but maybe shouldn't have been condoned then in the Brooke Shields starring The Blue Lagoon. It is a pretty diverse slate of romance pictures. We had a great time digging deep on all four in our 90 minutes plus episode. We really hope you love it as well. If you do, then please spread the word on social media so other movie fans can check us out. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. The Movies' Four-Star RatingHis Girl Friday ***½ (CS & SM)Silver Linings Playbook ***½ (CS) & **** (SM) The Spectacular Now ***½ (CS & SM) The Blue Lagoon ½* (CS & SM)

It is a really big episode this week as we look at one of the lesser-known movies of Martin Scorsese that was a flop at the time of its release but has gone on to be one of his most influential movies that inspired works like The Joker. It is the Robert De Niro starring deep-dive into the dangers of obsession and fandom in 1982's dark drama with comedic elements in The King of Comedy. We also review the first 2021 release in the sci-fi actioner starring Anthony Mackie in Outside the Wire. As well, we have Dave Franco\s directorial debut in the horror thriller, The Rental. We also have a drama about an underdog rising to success story, The White Tiger. It is a diverse collection of movies and we have lots to say about each, We have a great time talking movies and we hope you really love the episode too. If you do, it would be awesome if you could spread the word on social media so other movie fans can find us. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. The Movies' Four-Star RatingThe King of Comedy **** (CS & SM)The White Tiger **½ (CS) & *** (SM) Outside the Wire * (CS & SM) The Rental ** (CS) & **½ (SM)

It is our first traditional review show of 2021 on The Movie Breakdown. We kick off with some big streaming exclusives like Regina King's directorial debut in One Night in Miami and a heavy drama looking at grief and loss in Pieces of a Woman. Then we get far less serious with the campy fantasy adventure The Beastmaster, where we also talk a little about the career of Tanya Roberts. We keep up the fantasy and fun with an Aardman studios stop motion adventure in Pirates! Band of Misfits. It is a wide selection of movies we are discussing this week. We had a great time talking movies and we do some deep dives on them too. If you like that kind of thing then please give it listen and we really hope you love it. If you do, then please help us out by spreading the word on social media. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. The Movies' Four-Star RatingOne Night in Miami ***½ (CS & SM)Pieces of a Woman *** (CS) & **½ (SM) The Beastmaster *** (CS & SM) Pirates! Band of Misfits *** (CS & SM)

It is another special episode this week and we're calling it, The Breakdown of the Future Success of Movies. The movie industry took a huge blow in 2020 with the pandemic, and there is hope that they can start recovering once the vaccines have significant rollout. Whenever in history there has been a significant shake-up to society like a global war or a pandemic, parts of our life are changed forever as we need to adapt and innovate.  The movie industry can't just return to how things were done if they hope to succeed and stay healthy in the future. This week we offer up some strategies of we believe studios and streaming services need to do in order to thrive for decades to come. We will discuss such things like the need to create more filmmaker driven original stories like Knives Out or to make prestige picture far more accessible during awards season to the average movie fan. We've been talking and writing about movies for almost a decade, so we use some of that experience and insight to really look at the state of movies and what needs to change. As always, we had a great time talking movies, and we really hope you love it too. If you do, then the best way you can show your support is sharing us on social media, so more listeners can find us. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast.

It is finally here. Our biggest show of the year and definitely one of our favourite episodes we do every year. We celebrate the best movies of the past year. I know 2020 was a really strange year, and how movies were distributed and discussed were very different from past years. But despite how it may feel and even though there were a lot less big studio movies, there actually were a lot of movies released this year, Even more importantly, there were a lot of great movies that came out this year. This week we spotlight some of those great pictures as we both reveal our top ten movies of the year. I stand by the idea that the more different our lists, the more it is an indication it was a great movie year. Even though 2020 may have crapped the bed like Capone in many ways, it shined when it came to delivering a diverse away of wonderful pictures. This is always a really fun show to record, and we really hope you love it too. It will hopefully give you a list if movies that you can track down and watch over the next several weeks. If you loved this show, then please help us out by spreading the word on social media to other movie fans. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. The links are provided for the movies with a review. Christopher's Top Ten Movies of 2020: 10. Palm Springs9. Let Him Go8. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom7. I'm Thinking of Ending Things6. Onward5. Da 5 Bloods4. The 40-Year-Old Version3. Dick Johnson is Dead2. Hamilton1. Soul Scott's Top Ten Worst Movies: 10. She Dies Tomorrow9. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey8. Palm Springs7. Blow the Man Down6. First Cow5. Enola Holmes4. The 40-Year-Old Version3. Another Round2. The Assistant1. Never Rarely Sometimes Always

This week is a show that has been a long time in coming and is planned to be our third annual 'year-end list' special along with our best of and worst of shows. I've always been a huge fan of our top ten best of the year shows, but there was a part of me n the recent years that was a little uncomfortable having a show where we spotlighted the worst. There were so many high-quality movies that weren't being talked about by the end of the year that we wanted to bring to our listener's attention. That is why we're introducing The Breakdown of the Most Underrated Movies of 2020. The goal of the episode is to spotlight either movies that are much better than their reputation or movies that most people seem to have missed or aren't talking about. This week we champion the underdog movies and give you some hidden gems to put on your must watch list. As always, we had a really great time recording this super-sized episode and we really hope you loved it. If you did, please help us out by sharing us on social media, so other movie fans can find us. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. The links are provided for the movies with a review. Christopher's Most Underrated Movies: 10. Shaun the Sheep: Farmageddon9. The Rhythm Section8. The Platform7. Troop Zero6. Horse Girl5. Let Him Go4. Underwater3. Vivarium2. I Used to Go Here1. Odd Man Rush Scott's Top Ten Worst Movies: 10. Little Monsters9. How to Build a Girl8. The Rhythm Section7. Blood Quantum6. Bad Education5. First Cow4. Possessor3. Sputnik2. The Assistant1. Never Rarely Sometimes Always

2020 was an odd year for movies. The big studios kept pushing all their stuff off the schedule for another year. It feels like there was a lot less movies, yet stuff quietly kept being released each week through streaming or VOD. It is the least movies I've seen in theatres since I started professionally reviewing movies in 2012. It is also the least amount of new release movie that I've seen as a movie critic. But that doesn't mean that there haven't been some great movies worth checking out, but that isn't what we are doing this week. In a year that some say has been churning out the horrible in life, it also had a lot of really bad movies. This week, we're going to pan some horrible movies one last time as we rip them apart for wasting over 90 minutes of our lives. This is one of our most popular annual shows of the year, as we take some joy ripping apart some joyless movies. We had a blast recording this week's show and we really hope you love it too. If you do, then please help us out by spreading the word to other movie fans. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast. Christopher's Top Ten Worst Movies: 10. Artemis Fowl9. Dolittle8. The Last Thing He Wanted7. Fantasy Island6. The Wrong Missy5. A Fall From Grace4. Force of Nature3. Brahms: The Boy 22. Capone1. The Last Days of American Crime Scott's Top Ten Worst Movies: 10. Dolittle9. The Last Thing He Wanted8. Bloodshot7. The Grudge6. Hubie Halloween5. Brahms: The Boy 24. Force of Nature3. Pets United2. Fantasy Island1. The Last Days of American Crime

Christmas is right around the corner and The Movie Breakdown is getting into the festive mood by making our own wish list. The week is The Breakdown of Our Wishes for 2021 and Beyond, where we discuss some things that we'd like to see in the movie industry including more original stories from studios and more classic movies from Netflix. We look at the state of the movie industry and acknowledge some of the things that we love while giving suggestions on how it can be even better. We had a great time recording this episode, and if you love it, then it may become another annual tradition. If you do love this episode, then please help us out by spreading the word on social media, so more movie fans can find us. Reminder that you can subscribe either to The Movie Breakdown feed (a subscription link is at the top right hand of this site), or subscribe on sites like Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, CastBox, Amazon Music and Apple Podcast.