Month: April 2024

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 84, Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

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!!!***

84. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) Directed by Jon Watts

The Movie: Five years have passed since “The Blip”. Where half of the world’s population ceased to exist due to the Mad Titan Thanos. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is also grappling with the lost of his mentor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) who died fighting and defeating Thanos.

In Mexico, Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) are investigating an unnatural phenomenon. Once there they encounter a creature made of Earth. They also meet Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal), a superhero from a different universe, who is able to repel the monster.

Back in New York, Peter as Spider-Man is helping his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) at her non-profit FEAST. He also learns that Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) might be dating his Aunt. Happy arrives at FEAST to tell Peter that Nick Fury is going to be calling him. Peter refuses to take the call, telling Happy that he is going to be a teenager and go on a class field trip to Europe.

Before they leave for Europe, Peter tells his best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) that he is going to finally make a move on his crush, MJ (Zendaya). The class arrives in Venice, Italy and spend the day taking in the sites. Their trip is interrupted by a huge water elemental, which Peter starts to fight and is soon overpowered by. Peter gets help from Quentin Beck, who is able to fend off the water elemental.

Later that night, the press dubs Beck, Mysterio. And Peter is confronted by Nick Fury in his hotel room. Fury gives Peter Tony Stark’s eyeglasses, which are code named E.D.I.T.H., which gives Peter the ability to access Stark’s A.I. and the weapons associated with it.

Peter is introduced to Beck. Beck tells Peter that he entered this universe to save it from the four elemental’s responsible for killing his family and his world. Beck predicts that the last elemental, Fire will attack in Prague. Fury asks for Spider-Man’s help, Peter declines stating that Beck is best equipped to handle the elemental.

Fury has other plans however, and changes Peter’s itinerary, in essence forcing Peter and Spider-Man to help. Peter is nervous that if people see Spider-Man in Prague they might be able to suspect that he is Spider-Man, Fury arranges a new stealth suit for Peter.

The fire elemental does attack in Prague and Spider-Man in his new suit is called “Night Monkey” . Beck and Spider-Man are able to defeat the elemental. With the last elemental defeated, Peter declines Fury’s invitation to join a new superhero team in Berlin. Peter and Beck go to a pub and Peter decides that he should not be in control of E.D.I.T.H. and decides to give the glasses to Beck. Peter leaves Beck, thinking that he did the right thing and can finally just be a teenager.

Beck has other plans. When Peter leaves, the pub is just an illusion, and Mysertio’s plan is revealed. Beck worked for Tony Stark as an holographic expert and was humiliated and fired by Stark. Beck’s “powers” were nothing more than drones that projected the Elementals and his powers. It was a parlor trick. Beck’s true intention was to gain control of Stark’s weapons, and trick the world into thinking that he is an Avengers level hero with his illusions.

Back at his hotel, Peter and MJ go for a walk. She reveals to Peter that she knows that he is Spider-Man, and at first he denies it. He quickly tells her he is Spider-Man when she shows him a damaged drone from his fight with the Fire Elemental. Peter comes to the shocking realization that he just gave the worlds most advanced weapons system to a criminal.

Peter travels to Berlin to warn Fury and Hill about what has happened and who Mysterio really is. When Peter meets Fury, he soon is inside an elaborate illusion from Beck. Peter accidentally reveals the names of his friends, who Beck says he will attack. Peter trapped in the illusion, appears to be hit by a very real train.

Peter ends up in jail in the Netherlands and calls Happy for help. Happy arrives in one of Stark’s jets. Happy is able to get Peter to pick himself up and design a new suit for his fight with Mysterio, in London.

Beck decides to attack Peter’s classmates, because they know his true plans. Beck’s plans involve a fusion of all the Elementals using E.D.I.T.H. Peter is able to fight through Beck’s illusions this time and defeats Beck and regains control of E.D.I.T.H. Beck has one more tick up his sleeve, but Peter uses his Spider-Sense and Beck is killed by the very drones he used to try and kill Spider-Man.

In New York, breaking news is all over the digital billboards. The Daily Bugle and J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons) airs footage of Beck telling the whole world that Peter Parker is Spider-Man!

Why I Love Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019): The most obvious answer is I love all things Spider-Man. But, what is truly amazing (wink) is that his movies are usually spectacular (wink, wink).

In Far From Home, Holland again shines as the best, most accurate version of Peter Parker. Although his “origin” and some of his comic elements have been tweaked the character is spot on. Pete always wants a normal life, and although we are not told his mantra (for a few years) in this film, Peter always learns that “with great power, comes great responsibility”.

Holland’s pining over Zendaya’s lovable and sarcastic MJ, is fun and relatable. Their scene on the bridge where MJ tells Peter that she’s known he is Spider-Man for a long time is smile inducing cuteness.

I also love that director Jon Watts and his team kept Mysterio’s awesome comic book costume. The fishbowl head works, and Gyllenhaal is pitch perfect as the wronged Stark employee. And hats off too for the reveal of Mysterio, as a comic book fan, I knew that Mysterio was playing a game, but the movie pulls off the illusion superbly.

The special effects are incredible, with nods and winks to John Romita’s incredible comic work.

Spider-Man: Far From Home is another winning film with everyone’s favorite wall-crawler.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 85, Superbad (2007)

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!!!***

85. Superbad (2007) Directed by Greg Mottola

The Movie: Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) are entering the final stretch of the senior year of high school. They are best friends and both are virgins and going to different schools. Seth tells Evan that they must lose their virginity before they go to college, or the women there will think they are losers.

When Seth learns that his crush Jules (Emma Stone) is throwing a party while her parents are out of town, she invites him because he promises he will be able to supply the liquor for the party, thanks to his “friend” Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) acquiring a fake ID after school. Evan’s crush, Becca (Martha Maclsaac) will also be there, and Evan promises her he will get her favorite vodka.

After school, Evan and Seth are stressing out because Fogell is late meeting them. When Fogell does arrive, the guys are more annoyed that his age is “25” on his fake ID and more pissed that his name on the ID is “McLovin”.

Worried that it won’t work, the guys realize that there is no turning back if they are to be the heroes of Jules’ party. Fogell enters the liquor store and surprisingly, his ID works. Just before he is about to buy the liquor and leave, Fogell is punched in the face by a robber. Police Officers Michaels (Seth Roger) and Slater (Bill Hader) arrive on scene to question what happened. When Seth and Evan see this, they believe Fogell is being arrested. They freak out and walk in the parking lot, where Seth is hit by a car. The driver Francis (Joe Lo Truglio) offers to bring them to a party where they can get some alcohol for their party.

Fogell is not being arrested, in fact Michaels and Slater tell him they will give him a ride to the party. Slater and Michaels bond with “McLovin” They shot stop signs, drink at a bar and use the sirens in the police vehicle to run red lights.

At the party that Francis brings Seth and Evan to they realize they are in over their heads, but they still go looking for alcohol. Seth decides to dance with a drunk girl and Evan gets trapped in a room full of a bunch of guys doing drugs. They coerce Evan into singing to them, because one thinks he knows Evan and claims that Evan has the voice of an angel. Evan launches into “These Eyes” and brings tears to the intoxicated men’s eyes.

Seth learns that the woman he was dancing with bled on him, from menstruating blood and stains his pants. He also learns that she is the fiancée of the man who owns the house. Seth tries to tell him that they are “blood brothers” due to them having matching stains on their pants. This infuriates him and brawl breaks out. Evan and Seth are able to run away with a laundry detergent bottle full of liquor.

After Seth and Evan get away, Seth tells Evan that he is bailing on him for going to Dartmouth and he is not. Evan tells Seth that it is not his fault that he got into a good college and that Seth is holding him back. At that moment Seth is hit by another car. This time it is a police vehicle, happened to be driven by Michaels and Slater. Once Fogell realizes this, he Seth and Evan run away.

A wedge is further driven into Seth and Evan’s relationship when Fogell lets slip that he is rooming with Evan at Dartmouth. This causes the boys to go their separate ways at the party. Seth becomes popular at the party when he tells everyone what he went through to get there. Evan learns that Becca wants to have sex with him and they go to their own room. Fogell is able to get Nicola (Aviva Baumann) upstairs for sex.

Jules talks to Seth who kisses her. Jules rejects Seth’s advances as he is drunk and she is not. Seth passes out and hits Jules in the face. Evan turns down Becca as she is drunk and does not want to take advantage of her. Fogell scores with Nicola, just as Slater and Michaels break up the party. Slater busts open the door to the room Fogell and Nicola are in causing her to run away. Slater yells at “McLovin” for ditching them. Michaels points out that they interrupted him having sex. Both cops apologize to “McLovin” and tell him they always knew he was underage, but they played along so he would think that cops can be cool too. Fogell asks them if they can handcuff him in front of everyone to make him look badass. They do and they leave the party and trash the patrol car so it looks like it was stolen. Fogell signs a witness statement stating that the vehicle was stolen to save Michaels and Slater’s jobs.

Seth and Evan make it to Evan’s house were the reconcile and apologize to each other.

The next day they go to the mall and run into Jules and Becca. Becca and Seth apologize for their behavior the night before. Seth offers to buy concealer for Jules after she sustained a black eye and Becca asks Evan to go with her to buy a new comforter to replace the one she threw up on. The guys go their separate ways.

Why I Love Superbad (2007): I remember going to see this movie with Brad and we could not stop laughing. The film is non-stop funny and it reminds me of my friends and how stupid we were in high school.

The chemistry between the three leads is so great that you see yourself and your friends in each of them. Just like the film, my friends and I were foul mouthed and nowhere near as cool as we through we were.

Superbad is endlessly quotable. I mean, everyone knows exactly what and who you mean when you say, “I am McLovin.”

What makes a movie transcend, I believe from just a comedy, is every time I watch I still laugh and I notice something new. I can’t tell you how many times I have watched Superbad, but every time I do it feels like a home cooked meal. A movie that conjures up wonderful memories of seeing the film with Brad and the shenanigans he and our other friends got into in high school.

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