In all six episodes preceding this one we planned the spoiler/in depth discussion in advance, but this conversation was so heated we naturally got into it right in the middle of our standard review. The internet is split on Charlie McDowell’s metaphysical/spiritual journey, and so are we. Join us as we go for each other’s throats over our views of what makes a compelling movie.
Tag: film criticism
Dollar Reviews 035: The Discovery
Netflix releases are hit or miss with people, and that is exactly what Charlie McDowell’s The Discovery is for us, undoubtedly culminating in one of our most heated clashes – which is fitting for a film regarding explorations of the afterlife (check the AFDM for uncensored dialogue). Steve also caught Malick’s Song to Song (27:50) and Gremlins 2 (36:00), while I experienced Ubisoft’s social VR game Werewolves Within (43:20), Sly Cooper 2: Band of Thieves (52:08), and binged on Kendrick Lamar, while sharing my latest Goodwill and LEGO hauls.
Debt to Cinema 081: The Fly (1958)
Winding up our remake series is the original Fox adaptation of last week’s Cronenberg masterpiece. Despite the Cinemascope, nice color, and general likeness between the two flicks, we found ourselves mostly unkind to this first outing starring Vincent Price. There’s a lot to be said about the power a remake can have and even more about the nature of sequels here, but this version is sadly, proof re-imaginings can be a good thing.
Dollar Reviews 034: Power Rangers
Mighty morphing tentpole franchises invade your ears this week as we open with Saban’s Power Rangers before I jump ship to Kong: Skull Island (45:55). I also give my first impressions of Rocket League’s Dropshot mode (53:35) and brag about my latest thrift store finds (57:47); while Steve caught Jeff Nichols’s Loving (59:03) and the forgotten Paul Walker thriller, Into the Blue (1:04:00).
Debt to Cinema 080: The Fly (1986)
After hearing me mention it so many times in passing, Steve finally got around to catching one of my favorite non-romcoms, which just so happens to be one of the best remakes ever made. Many chalk it up as Cronenberg body horror, or a sci-fi creature feature, but come hear me tell how its truly a flawless tragic romance in disguise #IdBuyThatForADollar
Dollar Reviews 033: Cameraperson
After several weeks of self reflection, and the realization that Two Cents can’t exist in its bloated format forever, Steve and I decided to revive our original show with recent streaming titles. Its only fitting that we would return in this way with Kristen Johnson’s docu-memoir, a Criterion Collection addition from last year available on Amazon Prime about how a life of filming documentaries influences the people involved/the inherent manipulation of reality at play. Also, in Penny Thought’s return to DR I caught Father’s Little Dividend (37:45) and some good magazine articles.
Debt to Cinema 079: Father of the Bride (1950)
Spring is in the air, weddings are on the rise, and seeing as how my selection was sandwiched between two by Steve related to remakes, I decided to make the best of it and finally watch the original for one of the better updated classics. Tune in to find out if Spencer Tracy is as bankable in the role I’ve always pictured Steve Martin in the second installment of our remake streak.
Debt to Cinema 077: A Simple Plan
There are so many filmmakers out there, both talented and not, that never leave their comfort zone and basically make the same movie over and over again. Sam Raimi is luckily not one of them, capable of filming any type of story, bringing us the perfect Hitchcockian thriller here. This selection was made initially to honor Bill Paxton, but now its a reminder that the zany guy behind The Evil Dead and Spider-Man has plenty more to offer us than genre flicks #IdBuyThatForADollar
Dollar Reviews 032: Logan
Before every comic book fanboy and pretender had a favorite entity in the ever expanding list of shared cinematic universes, Hugh Jackman landed the role of a lifetime as Wolverine. Capes and tights come and go, but the iconic badass with mutton chops and an ever present cigar found a soft spot in every movie goers heart. Nearly 20 years later, Fox gives his fans the due they deserve by honoring their favorite X-Man one last time in the latest evolution of the superhero genre #IdBuyThatForADollar
Debt to Cinema 076: Wings
With the Oscars just happening and award season finally coming to a close, Steve thought it would be the perfect time for both of us to watch the first film to win Best Picture. That’s not an entirely accurate description of 1927’s Wings, the silent epic which clung to the majestic camera work afforded to films mid out sound, at the precipice of talkies, but it might be just enough to get you to tune in #IdBuyThatForADollar
Dollar Reviews 