Month: March 2024

Articles, Review

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 86, Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!!!***

86. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) Directed by Robert Zemeckis

The Movie: Hollywood, 1947. In a world where ‘toons and people co-exist. Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) is a private eye. Eddie has slipped into an alcohol induced depression after the murder of his brother from an unknown ‘toon.

Eddie is hired by R.K. Maroon (Alan Tilvern) head of Maroon Cartoons, to see if the rumors are true that his once bankable star, Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer) is depressed because his wife Jessica Rabbit (the incredible and uncredited Kathleen Turner) is having an affair.

Eddie catches a sultry performance by Jessica at the nightclub The Ink and Paint Club. After she seduces the crowd, Eddie secretly takes photos of her playing patty-cake with Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye). Eddie shows the photos to Roger, who is distraught and refuses to believe that Jessica would cheat on him.

The next morning Acme is found murdered. Evidence seems to point at Roger as the suspect. Eddie isn’t so sure, but Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd) is certain that it is Roger. Doom tells Eddie that there is only one way to deal with rogue ‘toons, and that is to kill them by placing them into “Dip”. A mixture of acetone, benzene and turpentine, that causes the ‘toons to melt away to nothing. Doom is helped by his five henchmen, or rather henchweasels.

Eddie returns to his office where he is stopped by Baby Herman (Lou Hirsch) who tells Eddie that Acme’s will is missing and the true motive of the murder might be that he was going to leave ToonTown to the ‘toons.

Eddie enters his office and finds Roger there. Roger pleads with Eddie to help him and tells Eddie he’s been framed. Eddie reluctantly agrees. Eddie takes Roger to a bar that his owned by his girlfriend Dolores (Joanna Cassidy) and she agrees to hid him in her back room.

Back at his office, Eddie is confronted by Jessica. She tells him that Maroon threatened Roger’s career unless she posed for the photos he took. Dolores has also uncovered that Cloverleaf Industries bought the Pacific Electric railway system and will purchase ToonTown at midnight unless Acme’s will is found.

At Dolores’ bar Doom arrives with The Weasels. They lure Roger out of hiding and nearly dunk him in “Dip”. Eddie and Roger escape and hide in a theater. There, Eddie watches a newsreel that shows Maroon selling his studio to Cloverleaf Industries.

With new information, Eddie confronts Maroon at his studio office. Maroon tells Eddie that he did not kill Acme but was trying to blackmail him into selling his company, otherwise Cloverleaf would not buy his studio. Maroon is killed while he is talking to Eddie and Eddie sees Jessica fleeing the scene. Eddie follows Jessica to the edge of ToonTown, where Eddie doesn’t want to go. Eddie eventually finds the courage to enter ToonTown.

While in ToonTown, Eddie is saved from being shot by Doom, Jessica tells Eddie that everything she has done is to save Roger. Jessica tells Eddie that it was Doom who killed Acme and Maroon. Jessica says that Acme gave her his will but when she looked at it, it was nothing more than a blank piece of paper.

The Toon Patrol and Doom capture Eddie and Jessica and take them to Acme’s factory. There, Doom explains that he is Cloverleaf Industries and he is going to sell ToonTown and the railway system to make way for a new interstate highway. His plan to get rid of ToonTown is to use a machine that will spray Dip that will erase ToonTown.

Roger attempts to save Jessica but instead is captured and tied to a chain. They are placed in the path of the Dip Machine and are about to be killed by the Weasels. Eddie realizing that if the Weasels can’t stop laughing, they will die. So he performs a vaudeville act causing them to die. Doom is unable to escape. He is run over by a steamroller, killing him, or so it seems.

Doom reveals himself to be a ‘toon. Nit just any ‘toon, but the ‘toon that killed Eddie’s brother. Eddie is able to subdue Doom by spraying him with Dip, causing him to melt away. As the police and all the ‘toons arrive, Eddie realizes that Acme wrote his will with invisible ink. They are able to reveal the will, and the ‘toons will indeed inherit ToonTown.

Why I Love Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988): As a kid I loved cartoons. I was particularly found of Looney Tunes and the Disney shorts of the 1930’s and 40’s. By putting all of my favorite cartoon characters in one movie made Who Framed Roger Rabbit a childhood favorite.

As I got older, I fell in love with it more. As my love for film noirs of the 1940’s grew it made Who Framed Roger Rabbit that much better. It is funny, it has a wicked sense of adult humor and it is a technological marvel. It is one of the first movies that I remember watching falling in love with the process of movie making. What Zemeckis and his extraordinary team did to achieve the movie magic of Who Framed Roger Rabbit is nothing short of mind blowing.

A movie that plays to not only adults but children as well is not easy. But all the actors and voice actors pull it off with ease. The world that is built is incredible. When I was younger, I wished Mickey Mouse was real and I could go watch Donald and Daffy Duck play dueling pianos.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a funny, beautiful and innovative film that not only is brilliant but must be seen multiple times to get all the jokes and catch all the characters.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 87, Wayne’s World (1992)

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!!!***

87. Wayne’s World (1992) Directed by Penelope Spheeris

The Movie: Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) is the host of Wayne’s World a popular show on public access TV in Aurora, Illinois. His co-host/best friend Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) broadcast from Wayne’s parents basement. One night TV executive Benjamin Kane (Rob Lowe) watches the episode, and while he doesn’t understand the appeal, he thinks he has the perfect show to pair with Noah’s Arcade.

Wayne and Garth decide to go out in Garth’s Mirthmobile. Around town Wayne stops to admire a 1964 Fender Stratocaster, that he declares “it will be mine, oh yes it will be mine.” The guys also stop by Mikita Donuts, where we meet the manager, Glen (Ed O’Neil) and Garth’s dream woman (Donna Dixon). And Wayne’s crazy ex-girlfriend Stacy (Lara Flynn Boyle) who gifts Wayne a gun rack.

The guys next hit up the nightclub Gasworks and meet Cassandra (Tia Carrere). Bass player and lead singer of the band Crucial Taunt. Wayne immediately is attracted to her and decides to see her the following week.

Benjamin meets with Wayne and Garth and offers them $5,000 each to bring Wayne’s World to a network. Wayne and Garth agree and it’s on to the big time. Wayne meets Cassandra and she too likes him. She is impressed that Wayne has taken the time to learn Cantonese. Benjamin also meets Cassandra through Wayne and begins to try and move in on her.

In a ploy to spend time alone with Cassandra, Benjamin secures tickets and backstage passes to Alice Cooper for Wayne and Garth in Milwaukee and finances Crucial Taunt’s music video. In Milwaukee Wayne and Garth meet Alice Cooper and a security guard (Chris Farley) who knows a lot about the itinerary of Frankie Sharp (Frank DiLeo) head of Sharp Records and music producer.

At their new studio setup, Wayne dislikes that he has to have a sponsor. Noah Vanderhoff (Brian Murray) is required to be on the show, much to his chagrin. Wayne, has ideas of his own and writes jokes on the back of the cards Benjamin asked him to read. This infuriates Benjamin who fires Wayne in the middle of the show, leaving Garth all alone.

Later that night, Garth tells Wayne that he is being selfish and tells Wayne off, leaving Wayne alone. The next morning at Cassandra’s, Wayne is still pissed and belittles Cassandra who tells Wayne to leave as well. Wayne, realizing that he has not been a good friend or boyfriend devises a plan to show Crucial Taunt to Frankie Sharp in his limo.

Garth’s plan is to infiltrate the satellite systems and Wayne goes to Cassandra in an attempt to expose Benjamin and confess his love for her. Wayne is able to get Cassandra to appear on his show, and she and Crucial Taunt perform. Frankie Sharp arrives at Wayne’s home and…

Sharp refuses to give Crucial Taunt a record contract. Cassandra breaks up with him and leaves with Benjamin to paradise. Stacy also reveals that she is pregnant with Wayne’s baby. An electrical fire breaks out in the basement and it kills Garth.

At that moment, Wayne and Garth tell the viewers that they dislike that ending and change it to the Scooby-Doo ending. In this ending, Wayne unmasks Benjamin and reveals him to be “Old Man Withers” the guy who runs the haunted amusement park! Although they like that ending more, they decide to do the “Mega Happy Ending”.

Cassandra is offered a contract and kisses Wayne. Dream woman and Garth get together and Benjamin learns that money can’t buy everything.

Why I Love Wayne’s World (1992): Insanely quotable, I fell in love with Wayne’s World the moment I begged my mom to take me to see it in theaters. And when my mom asked what I wanted for Christmas that year, it was the VHS of Wayne’s World.

I must have watched it a hundred times and I still laugh every time I watch it. The film is incredibly silly, but it also has a lot of heart. By not taking itself seriously, and with every actor buying into the world make it comedy gold.

Myers’ breaking of the fourth wall lets us the viewers into his world and immediately part of his group. He and Carvey want us to be a member of his crew and by constantly talking to “you” as if you are the one filming the movie lets us join in the fun. The cameos are great, with my favorite being Ed O’Neil as the disgruntled manager of Mikita Donuts. “Why is it, when a man kills another man in battle, it’s called heroic, yet if he kills a man in the heat of passion, it’s called murder?”

Articles, Review, Show Time

Movie Madness 2024: Selection Sunday Announcement

It’s hard to believe this will be our FIFTH Movie Madness tournament. Didn’t we just start this thing, like, yesterday?

In case you missed it, in 2020, because the post-season college basketball tournaments were canceled, I thought, “What better way to keep the crazy competitiveness of March alive than with a movie tournament?”

So, I introduced Corinne’s Movie Madness.

Just like the basketball tournaments, we had a field of competitors facing off in one-on-one competitions. You, the Reel Nerds fans, decided which of the two movies in a given matchup advanced to the next round.

Our past four winners are:

  • The Princess Bride, 2020 (Corinne’s Random Movies Bracket)
  • Beauty & The Beast, 2021 (The Nerds’ Favorite Disney/Pixar Movies Bracket)
  • Logan, 2022 (DC vs. Marvel Bracket)
  • Remember The Titans, 2023 (Post-1990 Sports Movie Bracket)

This March, we’re celebrating the Reel Nerds’ favorite movies of the 2020s (so far)!

The competitors and bracket mechanics

A special thank you to Brad for the excellent graphic!

Unlike the NCAA basketball tournaments, this one is very selective. Only 16 films qualify for a coveted spot on the bracket.

Once I decided to do 2020s movies, I reviewed all the Nerds’ Filmsplosion lists from the last four years. Each year would have its own ‘region’ complete with four films — one for each Nerd. My initial thought was to pick each Nerd’s No. 1 film from each year, but I thought we’d get better matchups by expanding it to other films on our lists.

So, I picked one movie from each Nerd’s list from 2020-2023. The movie was either the Nerd’s No. 1 movie of the year OR they were the only person who had it on their list OR they were the Nerd who had it the highest on their list. (I acknowledge that many of these movies ended up on multiple Nerds’ lists in their given Filmsplosion year, for the record.)

Then, I matched everyone up round-robin style based on what I felt would be the best matchups in a given year. I think you’ll understand better once you see the bracket.

Subsequently, we’re not doing “seeds” or rankings for each movie this year. It would’ve complicated things much more than necessary.

How you participate

Just like the college basketball tournament, Movie Madness will start Thursday, March 21!

That day, we will post the first matchup on the Reel Nerds’ Twitter page so you can cast your vote! Simple as that.

For instance, March 21 will feature our first 2020 matchup; whichever movie receives more votes by the time the poll ends will advance to the next round. (If there happens to be a tie, I’ll cast the deciding vote.)

On March 29, we will start the quarterfinals, and the procedure will be the same until a movie is crowned the winner. If I’m counting right, our championship matchup should be on April 4.

Announcing the field

Here is your full field:

  • Thursday, March 21: Let Him Go vs. The Invisible Man. So, we have Ryan’s No. 1 from Filmsplosion 2020 vs. Zach’s No. 1. I haven’t seen either of these films, but according to Ryan, both are very dark and depressing.
  • Friday, March 22: Soul vs. Onward. My No. 2 from Filmsplosion 2020 vs. Brad’s No. 2. A Pixar head-to-head, as both movies got the shaft due to theaters being closed during the pandemic. So, I thought now would be the time to give them some extra love.
  • Saturday, March 23: Dune vs. Spider-Man: No Way Home. My No. 3 from Filmsplosion 2021 vs. Ryan’s No. 1 (and my No. 1 as well, TBF). With Dune: Part 2 in theaters right now, and with Ryan never shutting up about Spider-Man, I thought this would be a fun matchup. Also, Zendaya is in both of these, so that’s neat.
  • Sunday, March 24: The Suicide Squad vs. Last Night in Soho. Brad’s No. 1 from Filmsplosion 2021 vs. Zach’s No. 2. I was tempted to put TSS up against Zach’s No. 1 Belfast, but considering that both James Finger Gunn and Edgar Allan Wright have very active (read: annoying) fanbases, I thought it’d be fun to pit these films against each other.
  • Monday, March 25: The Batman vs. Top Gun: Maverick. Brad’s No. 1 from Filmsplosion 2022 vs. Ryan’s No. 1. These were two of the biggest movies of the year, at least among us Nerds. So, it seemed like a no-brainer to pit them against each other.
  • Tuesday, March 26: Everything Everywhere All At Once vs. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Zach’s No. 1 from Filmsplosion 2022 vs. my No. 3. Glass Onion made like 3-4 Nerds’ lists that year, but I think EEAAO only made mine and Zach’s. However, the latter ended up going on to win a bunch of awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture. And, with the Oscars just being recently, I know several people were revisiting last year’s speeches amid the EEAAO sweep. So, this felt like an interesting matchup.
  • Wednesday, March 27: Barbie vs. Oppenheimer. My No. 2 from Filmsplosion 2023 vs. Zach’s No. 3. I mean, this is a no-brainer. I wanted to see a Barbenheimer rematch on the Movie Madness stage!!
  • Thursday, March 28: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse vs. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Ryan’s No. 1 from Filmsplosion 2023 vs. Brad’s 3. Another superhero head-to-head to round out the first-round matchups.

Thus, on Friday, March 29, we will start the quarterfinals and on April 4, we will host our championship showdown with the final two films.

Which sports movie will take home the 2024 Movie Madness Trophy? Which Cinderella story will take the crown? Which set of underdogs will triumph in the end?

You decide!

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 88, The Eagle and The Hawk (1933)

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!!!***

89. The Eagle and The Hawk (1933) Directed by Stuart Walker and Mitchell Leisen

The Movie:The Great War in Europe rages on and two American pilots Lieutenant Jerry Young (Fredrick March) and Mike Richards (Jackie Oakie) join Britain’s Royal Flying Corps. Their missions are the most dangerous ones, they must fly reconnaissance missions over enemy lines. Lt. Young struggles with the deaths of many of his gunners.

In walks in the cocky Henry Crocker (Cary Grant) who is the only one left to fly with Lt. Young. Young despises Crocker as they have fought before. During a mission, Young’s hatred for Crocker grows as he kills a defenseless German observer who was parachuting to safety after his airship was shot down.

Crocker soon realizes that Young is struggling with his role in the war, and the two slowly become friends. The German’s attack the base, Crocker lets his commanding officer, Major Dunham (Guy Standling) that Young needs a leave. Dunham agrees, and orders Young to take a leave to London.

In London, Young meets a beautiful young woman (Carole Lombard), whom he confides to. After a brief stay in London, Young is called back to the front lines. Young is devastated to learn that Richards was killed in battle. He is further enraged when he learns that Crocker forced him to return to the enemy lines, leading to his death. Young refuses to fly with Crocker and is given a young observer, the new recruit Lt. John Stevens (Kenneth Howell).

On their first flight together, Stevens is killed when he falls out of the plane during a dogfight with the famous German Ace, Voss. Young chases down Voss and shoots him down. Young lands his plane near Voss’ downed plane. Young is shocked to learn that Voss is also just a young man.

At a party later that night, the company celebrates Young’s triumph, Young however is distraught and does not want the accolades. Young retires to his room and shoots himself in the head.

Crocker discovers Young’s body and although they had their differences, he doesn’t want Young’s death to tarnish his heroism. Crocker takes Young’s body out onto a his airplane and flies into enemy territory. Crocker makes it appear that Young died in battle, preserving his reputation.

Why I Love The Eagle and the Hawk (1933): A few years ago, I decided to watch all of Cary Grant’s movies. It was a magical journey. Grant is the epitome of a movie star. He is incredibly handsome and has charisma to spare. But my favorite part of that journey was finding hidden gems.

The biggest surprise was The Eagle and the Hawk. A film that explores not only the romanticism of war but also the heartbreak. Also, the more you explore early Hollywood you realize how many films were ahead of their time. The Eagle and the Hawk is such a film. Removing the rose colored glasses of what it means to be a hero, the film explores the weight of such a journey.

Fredric March is in top form as the conflicted and depressed hero. His realization that the “bad guys” are just kids and that he is responsible for their deaths is heartbreaking.

Carole Lombard has a very small part, but she is stunning in it. Lombard is beautiful and sympathetic, magnetizing you as soon as she is on screen.

Cary Grant is the antagonist of the film. With his cocky, sure handed approach he commands the screen whenever he is on.

The ending is devastating, and it is a gut punch. I was speechless. I was heartbroken. And a tear rolled down my eye.

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