The Guinness Book of World Records anoints Sherlock Holmes as the most portrayed movie character in history. When that many people have played a character, it’s unlikely one could rise to a most iconic status. Basil Rathbone defined Sherlock on the radio, stage, and screen for many years, so much so that when Disney made a Sherlock-based cartoon film, The Great Mouse Detective, they named their protagonist in his honor. Holmes has been portrayed by Orson Welles, Leonard Nimoy, Peter O’Toole, Charlton Heston, Robert Downey Jr., Ian McKellen, and, most recently, Will Ferrell. And yet there is one actor who has managed to make the role his own. Steven Moffat’s 2010 BBC One modernized update of the Holmes stories, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, now occupies the top spot in the collective consciousness when it comes to our Sherlock Holmes rankings. It’s the first and best version we tend to think of. What about the 3-episode arc of Series 1 made Sherlock such a runaway hit?
Continue reading “Sherlock (Series 1)”Author: Brent Blackwell
Aquaman (2018)
When it comes to reviewing movies, I tend to try to wrap up my thoughts about a film in a particular, easy to explain way. They range from bad to good, along a typically linear spectrum. I’m certainly not alone in this regard. Whether it was Siskel and Ebert awarding thumbs up, a local writer awarding stars, or modern internet ratings on things like Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, IMDB, or Letterboxd, we tend to think about things on that sort of scale. We have a mental slider, an internal speedometer of sorts, that lets us know exactly how we’re feeling about a movie, TV series, video game, hotel stay, meal, board game, or, well, anything. You can rate anything these days. When things rub us the wrong way, the slider moves to the left, toward zero. When we’re impressed, it slides right. It’s a scale that we’re all comfortable with.
Aquaman put a three-pronged hole right through my scale.
Continue reading “Aquaman (2018)”Talkie Talk #144: First Reformed (2018)
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TJ, David, Chris, and Brent discuss Paul Schraeder’s 2018 film First Reformed, starring Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried. There’s a lot to unpack on this movie, so there was no need for a secondary topic!
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Warning: Some mild language. Some language is picante.
> Intro theme courtesy of The Willow Walkers
> Outro song “Extemporaneous Birth” courtesy of Boo Reefa
Talkie Talk #136: No Country For Old Men
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TJ, Brent, and Chris debate the merits of the Coens’ 2007 film, No Country For Old Men, and whether or not it belongs in the Talk of Fame. At the episode’s conclusion, when the movie stands to win everything, they call it.
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Warning: Some mild language. Some language is picante.
> Intro theme courtesy of The Willow Walkers
> Outro song “Extemporaneous Birth” courtesy of Boo Reefa
Duel (1971)
Available for rent ($2.99) or purchase ($8.99) through various sites.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Dennis Weaver
Talkie Talk #127: Watchlist / Breezy / The Package / 8th Grade
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TJ, David, Chris, and Brent talk about what they’ve been watching and then discuss recent news!
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David: Bojack Horseman (1:30), To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (5:00), The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (5:55), Persona (7:45), Game Night (10:37)
Chris: The Package (13:38), Blockers (18:10), Tag (22:40), 8th Grade (25:05)
TJ: Life of the Party (29:30), Jack Ryan (33:22), American Vandal, Season 2 (35:30)
Breezy on the Streets: (38:35)
What to watch: (55:14)
Warning: Some mild language. Some language is picante.
> Intro theme courtesy of The Willow Walkers
> Outro song “Extemporaneous Birth” courtesy of Boo Reefa
Talkie Talk #123: The Long Goodbye / Detective Draft
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TJ, David , and Brent review last week’s homework, the 1973 Robert Altman film The Long Goodbye. They follow this review up by drafting fictional detective squads!
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Warning: Some mild language. Some language is picante.
> Intro theme courtesy of The Willow Walkers
> Outro song “Extemporaneous Birth” courtesy of Boo Reefa
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Currently streaming on FilmStruck
Director: Robert Aldrich
Starring: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono
Lola (1961)
Now streaming on FilmStruck
Director: Jacques Demy
Starring: Anouk Aimee, Marc Michel
Talkie Talk #118: Talk of Fame / Mulholland Dr. (2001)
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David, TJ, and Brent discuss David Lynch’s 2001 film Mulholland Dr., putting it through The Gauntlet® to see if it deserves inclusion into the hallowed halls of the Talk of Fame. What do you think? Do the mindbending plot turns, ominous moods, and trademark Lynchian weirdness work? Or does this movie have too much going on for its own good?
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Warning: Some mild language. Some language is picante.
> Intro theme courtesy of The Willow Walkers
> Outro song “Extemporaneous Birth” courtesy of Boo Reefa
Boo Reefa and The Willow Walkers have two exciting, upcoming shows! 8/17 (Friday) @ 9pm at the Tin Roof Cantina for Boo Reefa and September 11 at Smith’s Old Bar for The Willow Walkers! Come see some great bands and hang with your local Talkie Talkers!