Are You Screening? Podcast

What They Had & Wildlife Reviews

It's a strange mix of films as we head into the mad rush that will soon take over our podcast, and What They Had and Wildlife could hardly be more different undertakings. Still, as we will let you know, there is a certainly similarity to the films, though it isn't a positive.
As we get closer to the end of the year, and the dash to catch things that will be nominated for awards, are these two worth your time?
We'll let you know, and we will talk a little about the Golden Globe nominations.

First Man & El Royale Reviews

First Man caused a stir in Toronto, though not on its merits exactly. But, people did seem to like it, for the most part. Bad Times at the El Royale somehow flew under most people's radar, despite an impressive cast. 
Are either of these worth your time? We'll let you know, and we'll update you on industry ramblings that catch our fancy.

Venom Review

It's time to once again ask if a Comic movie can pull in viewers who aren't familiar with the subject, and while that effort has seen success, it's a tricky game. Without even a hint of Spider-Man, Venom hopes that people will show up based off its cast and the basic fact that there is a comic out there somewhere... and we like comic movies.
This one is especially tricky, because Venom isn't really a good guy... exactly. Does this one manage to be worth your time? We'll let you know.

The House with a Clock in its Walls Review

You have to love a year with some family-friendly creepiness hitting around Halloween, and Jack Black is taking another swing at the genre, but does The House with the Clock in its Walls deliver?
We'll let you know, and we'll give you a dose of industry news, sneak peeks, and general ramblings.

Mission Impossible Fallout Review

It's an odd world when Mission Impossible can't take over the box office in a meaningful way... or at all, and it may be that a score of years into a franchise it's hard to find people who care anymore. Unfortunately, there's probably a good reason that potential audiences aren't that excited for another trip down Tom Cruise's action vehicle, though it surprisingly isn't the aging star.
We'll let you know why you should catch or avoid this one.

The Equalizer 2 Review

It was a week that was slow in movies, rocketing with news, and if it wasn't Comic-Con or Guardians of the Galaxy, it was a dozen other things... all of them pulling attention away from The Equalizer 2.  You want to hope for great things from Denzel, because you don't expect vanity projects, or money grabs from him, but the first installment didn't exactly scream that we needed more.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom & Ant-man and the Wasp Reviews

The summer caught up with us a bit, which means we've had to put Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Ant-Man and the Wasp together, with The Incredibles 2 thrown into the mix as well.
Oddly enough, our own predictions didn't exactly work out for us for either movie (to one degree or another), and of course that means that our hopes for the future were lifted up, but then quickly dashed.
It's a week of giant creatures and tiny people, and it ought to mean more summer fun that you can handle... but, does it?

Ocean's 8 Review

The arena of female-focus continuations is a small subset of films, and one that is as riddled with problems as it is championed as a general effort. Ghostbusters, for example, managed little to recommend, despite the fact that many hoped for a film that create a foothold for the future.
Ocean's 8 has a lot going for it on paper, but seems mostly like a movie that is an excuse to capitalize on a franchise. The cast will bring a lot of people in, as will the title, but we'll let you know if this one is worth your time.

Solo Review

Solo is the start of a brand new world for the Star Wars franchise, and its performance is going to potentially result in a lot of long-term decisions. Though making money at the box office isn't necessarily all Disney is looking at, the film's lack of ability to capitalize on its character isn't going to go over well.
Beyond simply being a specific character title, there's only so much Star Wars in this attempt at Star Wars, because it's largely just a heist movie. Without even the draw of Star Wars staple Jedi, the film has a serious uphill battle.
But, is it worth your time, and does it offer up the thrill ride you might be hoping for? Or, does development hell leave a film in a state that is just too hard to get out of?

Deadpool 2 Review

Expectations were high for the return of Deadpool, even if we had a lot of problems with the first one. Love it or hate it, it's hard to deny that the most politically incorrect superhero has wedged himself into the cultural consciousness, and you had to hope for big things from the second installment.
At this point, the film, and/or its virtues is somewhat irrelevant, because Ryan Reynolds has managed to take the character everywhere and has made for himself a persona that will live long past the potential of the films.
But, is this one worth your time? Tune in and we'll let you know.