What the hell is happening to Michael Mann? After directing films like Collateral, Ali, The Insider, and Heat—one of my personal favorites—his last few movies haven’t been all that great. Miami Vice was a dud and Public Enemies was decent, but nothing spectacular, and now he brings us Blackhat, a film that strands a great cast in one of the most boring thrillers I’ve ever seen. What the hell is happening to Michael Mann? Continue reading
Doug Reviews: American Sniper
Director Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper is a tale of two movies. One is tense, thrilling, and expertly made, while the other is simply glossed over. Continue reading
EPISODE 61: INHERENT VICE WITH THE KINGSMAN IN SELMA
In Episode 61, Doug and Dirty A talk about Paul Thomas Anderson’s twisty Thomas Pynchon adaptation, Inherent Vice as well as Selma, a film that is MUCH better than the Oscar love it did NOT receive when the nominations were announced. First, though, they kick things off with an early look at Matthew Vaughn’s latest, Kingsman: the Secret Service. Take a listen! Continue reading
Doug Reviews: Selma
Selma made me angry. Seeing the willful ignorance from the white South in the 1960s and the disgusting horrors they inflicted on the African-American citizens there made me angry. It wasn’t just loathing of the perpetrators, but the fact that these events really happened and they’re still happening today. Yes, Selma made me angry, and it’s one of the best films of the year. Continue reading
Doug Reviews: Inherent Vice
Based on the novel by Thomas Pynchon, Inherent Vice is Writer-Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s strangest film yet. Like Anderson’s other films, it’s a spectacular piece of work, but damned if I can figure out what the hell it’s about. Continue reading
EPISODE 60: 2015 PREVIEW!
With the first episode of 2015 – or at least the first recorded this year – Doug and Dirty A discuss what’s in store for 2015. They talk about the winter’s new shows as well as some returning favorites before turning their attention to some upcoming films that they’re interested in seeing. Take a listen! Continue reading
EPISODE 59: INTERVIEWING THE IMITATION GAME’S TOP FIVE UNBROKEN BIG EYES
In the last episode recorded in 2014, Doug and Dirty A discuss a slew of films released around Christmas including The Interview, The Imitation Game, Unbroken, Top Five, and Big Eyes. Then Dirty A regales Doug with tales of a film that will not be making his Top Ten of the year: The Gambler. Take a listen! Continue reading
Doug Reviews: The Imitation Game
During World War II, the Nazis had an unbreakable code system called Enigma. If the Allies had any hope of winning the war, they had to crack the code. In his latest film, The Imitation Game, Director Morten Tyldum introduces us to the man chiefly responsible for breaking Enigma: Alan Turing. His story is fascinating and quite possibly the best film of the year. Continue reading
Doug Reviews: Top Five
I am an ardent fan of Chris Rock the stand-up comedian, but I have never been as high on him as an actor. With Top Five, a film that he has written, directed, and starred in, Rock finally made me a fan of Chris Rock the movie star. Continue reading
EPISODE 58: MR. HOBBIT’S WILD FOXCATCHER
First off: apologies for this episode being so late. Hoping to have Episode 59 out by the end of the week to catch up. Anyway, in Episode 58, Doug and Dirty A tackle three films before the Christmas Day glut of releases. Take a listen to see: if The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is any better than the last two; if Wild is a journey worth taking; and just how creepy Steve Carell gets in Foxcatcher.
The Hodgepodge Podcast 