Clue #2: This month's movie features an actor early in his career, who would go on to act in over 300 other projects, with some of his more iconic rolls coming later in life.
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July 2, 2019
July 1, 2019
So Many Star Wars Movies: Even Actual Star Wars Movies!
Before I get into it here, let me be clear: even when we don't like a movie ourselves, we will never judge you for liking a movie. We might joke about it or give you guff, but really, we just want you to enjoy what makes you happy! And that goes for everything (unless you're hurting someone else*): drink a pumpkin spice latte, eat a pizza with pineapple on it, go for a bike ride when it's 90 degrees out (stay hydrated please), go for a jog, ferment your own hot sauce, post pictures of your pets/kids/food/self to social media, wear a crop-top (on any body), paint your nails a fun/sparkly color. We are on this planet once, do the things you want to do (without hurting anyone else*). And just as importantly, let other people enjoy their own runs on this planet (as long as they're not hurting anyone else*). There's room for everyone to experience joy.
Even in the Star Wars movie franchise, there are a lot of Star Wars movies. Some are more wholly accepted than others, some are more wholly dismissed than others, some even shift where they fall on that scale over time. But the one that gets the most universally dragged, by far, is The Phantom Menace. This movie is so actively despised and ridiculed that some of the actors involved quit acting all together. I'm not sure people should have quit acting all together because of one character they played (Robert Pattinson for instance is a much better actor than his Twilight roles), but full disclosure: I've never seen The Phantom Menace.
Everything I know about this movie I learned from watching the Red Letter Media review, listening to people complain about it, and seeing it parodied in pop culture. It wasn't until I started asking people from a younger generation about the prequels that I got any positive feedback on this movie (or the next two really). People who saw Episodes I-III when they were younger have a genuine love for these films, and who's to say they should feel any other way? But when you hold them all together, there are some clear reasons that the prequels fall pretty far down the enjoyable-list for fans of the franchise.
When I watched the Red Letter Media reviews I learned a TON, not just about the films themselves, but about writing and film in general. And even if you enjoy The Phantom Menace, this is a pretty unflinching examination of why most people didn't, but it's also very constructive in it's criticism. (Also, they're hilarious!) So, if you've never watched these reviews, or haven't revisited them in a long time, watch these cultural gems and remind yourself that films can be enjoyed even when they are epically and unequivocally bad!
*Seriously, if you derive pleasure from hurting other people, stop what you're doing and allow yourself to get help. There are people who dedicate their lives and careers to helping people move past unhealthy expressions of anger and frustration. Here's a very good resource to start with, and remember that getting help is literally part of human nature, even though our dominant society is set up to keep us isolated and suffering: Walk In Counseling Center (Minneapolis and St Paul)
June 26, 2019
First Clue: July's Mystery Movie
Clue #1: This month's movie features an actor who would go on to play a fan-favorite Batman villain in three different Batman adaptations.
****Purchase advance ticket here****
June 4, 2019
Third Clue: June's Mystery Movie
Clue #3: This month's movie's casting director was also casting director for Ghostbusters, Action Jackson, Death Becomes Her, and Dr. Giggles.
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Space Alien Action: The Hidden
A detective movie starting Kyle MacLachlan and featuring body-jumping space alien? Yes please! This movie is full of weirdness, cameos, and chase scenes. (It's also a movie we love, as evidenced here.)
The plot unfolds something like this: A string of normal every day people are suddenly committing crimes with no apparent motivation. The only thing that connects them to one another are their brief proximity to one another at some point after each crime is committed. The only person who seems to think this is a connection worth following is FBI Special Agent Lloyd Gallagher. He's on the case and won't rest until he gets to the bottom of this strange case.
FBI Special Agent Kyle MacLachlan: This movie predates Twin Peaks by a few years, but in both this movie and Twin Peaks, MacLachlan's character is an FBI Special Agent.
The chases: This movie is basically one long chase scene, in a really good way! Each time Agent Gallagher gets close to the alien, it's switches bodies and gives him the slip and a new chase begins!
The fun people who pop up in this film: Lin Shaye, Danny Trejo, Ed O'Ross, Clu Gulager, Chris Mulkey, Claudia Christian, and so many more!
Fun people who worked behind the scenes: Katherine Kean worked as an animator on this film, and on films like Conan the Barbarian, The Thing, The Fly II, and unfortunately, Fear No Evil. The cinematographer, Jacques Haitkin, also shot A Nightmare on Elm Street, Bloodsport 2, Scanner Cop, The Ambulance, My Demon Lover and many more b-movie gems.
But did we like it: This movie is pretty fast paced, action packed, weird at most turns, has a fun soundtrack, and is dripping in 80s aesthetic; it's a fun watch for anyone who likes any of those elements!
The plot unfolds something like this: A string of normal every day people are suddenly committing crimes with no apparent motivation. The only thing that connects them to one another are their brief proximity to one another at some point after each crime is committed. The only person who seems to think this is a connection worth following is FBI Special Agent Lloyd Gallagher. He's on the case and won't rest until he gets to the bottom of this strange case.
FBI Special Agent Kyle MacLachlan: This movie predates Twin Peaks by a few years, but in both this movie and Twin Peaks, MacLachlan's character is an FBI Special Agent.The chases: This movie is basically one long chase scene, in a really good way! Each time Agent Gallagher gets close to the alien, it's switches bodies and gives him the slip and a new chase begins!
The fun people who pop up in this film: Lin Shaye, Danny Trejo, Ed O'Ross, Clu Gulager, Chris Mulkey, Claudia Christian, and so many more!
Fun people who worked behind the scenes: Katherine Kean worked as an animator on this film, and on films like Conan the Barbarian, The Thing, The Fly II, and unfortunately, Fear No Evil. The cinematographer, Jacques Haitkin, also shot A Nightmare on Elm Street, Bloodsport 2, Scanner Cop, The Ambulance, My Demon Lover and many more b-movie gems.But did we like it: This movie is pretty fast paced, action packed, weird at most turns, has a fun soundtrack, and is dripping in 80s aesthetic; it's a fun watch for anyone who likes any of those elements!
June 3, 2019
Second Clue: June's Mystery Movie
Clue #2: This month's movie was directed by a man who's responsible for some of our favorite film stunts of all time!
****Purchase advance ticket here****
May 24, 2019
First Clue: June's Mystery Movie
Clue #1: This month's movie features a stunt actor who is also a trailblazer for female stunt coordinators. (She is also credited with stunt work on one episode of Rizzoli & Isles, a show that has been relentlessly coming across our radar of late.)
****Purchase advance ticket here****
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