Companion

[00:00:02] What you want, when you want it, where you want it. This is The MESH. Footcandle Films. Film news and reviews from two guys who really like movies. This episode is brought to you by the Footcandle Film Society. For a schedule of upcoming screenings and membership information, visit the Society's website at www.footcandle.org.

[00:00:37] Hello and welcome to Footcandle Films here on the MESH.TV Podcast Network. My name is Alan Jackson. With me is Chris Fry. We are with the Footcandle Film Society and directors of the annual Footcandle Film Festival. And today we're here to talk about other movies. Movies you might be able to see in theaters. Can see in theaters. Maybe you should see. We're going to talk about all that. Chris, how are you doing? I'm rambling. Sorry.

[00:01:05] I'm doing well. I thought we were going to just talk about the Grammys. Just for some reason take a complete left turn and talk about music awards. I'm happy to do that. I'm all for a genre change in the podcast. I think after however many hundreds of episodes we've done, let's just do a hard right turn. They're like, nope, we're just all about the music now. No more movies. Movies are stupid. We're all about music now. I don't know. Were the Grammys last night? They were this weekend. All I know is... I think they were last night.

[00:01:34] An album that I like from last year won, so I was really happy. I mean, I didn't watch the Grammys, but I found out about it on social media. Cowboy Carter, Beyonce's latest album won, and I was happy about that. Okay. All right. Other than that, yes, I know nothing about the ceremony or anything like that. So that's all I can talk about. Yeah. No, so we just tune all that out. We're just doing our countdown to the Academy Awards, our version of the Super Bowl coming up in a few weeks.

[00:02:02] So kind of impressed by that. I don't think... Well, I mean, nothing we talk about today is really going to have any bearing on the Academy Awards, obviously, this year. Will it be for next year? We'll see. We're going to be reviewing the film Companion, which came out this weekend. And that's a new... I don't know. I'll let you describe it here when you give us the setup intro of it, Chris. But the movie Companion, we'll be reviewing that film.

[00:02:27] And then after that, we have a couple of trailers of some new movies that are going to be coming out soon that we want to talk about. I've got one little news item I just found interesting over the weekend that I wanted to share with Chris as well. So we'll talk about that. And then we'll finish up today's episode with Chris giving a recommendation of a film he thinks we should try to check out if we're looking for something to watch. So, Chris, I think we've got a full plate. I think we just need to go ahead and jump right into it.

[00:02:56] I'm still open to the Grammy talk if you'd rather do that. My knowledge of it is that Beyonce won for Country Album of the Year. I didn't even know that. So you are automatically educating me. But that's it. That's all I know. So we might as well talk about movies. Okay. Let's go back to our original plan then. And let's start off with our review of the film Companion. There have been two moments in my life when I was happiest.

[00:03:24] The first was the day I met Josh. I'm Josh. I'm Iris. And the second, the day I killed him. Just relax. Remember to smile and act happy. Iris, wake up. Uh, what are you doing?

[00:03:53] Shut her down already. What is she talking about, Josh? Writer-director Drew Hancock assembles an indie cast of Hey! I Know Them From, insert the meme of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood with DiCaprio's Jack Dalton gesturing at the screen for his debut feature of Companion. A film with the simple synopsis from IMDb of A Billionaire's Death sets off a chain of events for Iris and her friends during a weekend trip to his lakeside estate.

[00:04:21] The aforementioned cast consists of Jack Quaid from The Boys, Sophie Thatcher from the recently discussed thriller Heretic, Harvey, I'm not exactly sure how you say his last name, Guillain? I think it's Guillain. Guillain. Okay. From What We Do in the Shadows series. And Megan Suri from the Foot Candle Festival winner, The Miseducation of Bindu. Or, yes, you might more likely know her from her three-year run on the Netflix comedy series, Never Have I Ever.

[00:04:48] So, with this cast, I was curious because I was not aware. I knew Jack Quaid was in it. That was the main... And then recently, you know, I know who Sophie Thatcher is because of Heretic. But the plot, as the brief description in IMDb sets out, and you were saying, like, how would I define it? You kind of, you know, teased that. Basically, maybe a Black Mirror episode.

[00:05:15] But, unfortunately, if I would have gone into the film with just that IMDb summary and nothing else, I'm tipping my hat here, tipping my hand. I probably would have enjoyed the film a little bit more than I ended up enjoying it. But I think, did we... Did you and I just discuss this film or did we actually do the trailer on a previous show? I cannot recall. I don't think we did either. Okay. But I think Chris... I've unfortunately seen the trailer in front of another movie.

[00:05:44] Chris, this was a film that you and I discussed briefly because we saw a movie poster for it. And then we saw a trailer when we were the doomed Wolfman screening from several weeks ago. Gotcha. The one that had the fire alarm pulled and we had to exit the theater. And then as we're standing in the lobby, there's a poster up for this film.

[00:06:11] And it just so happened, I think there was a trailer that might have played before Wolfman for it. Gotcha. At least the first time we tried to see Wolfman, not the second time they played it wrong. Anyway, long story. Go back to a previous episode if you don't know what we're talking about with all that. Right. So, yeah. Here's the thing, Chris, is that, yeah, you just read the IMDb description, which I think is... I wish the way the film had been marketed. Yeah. But unfortunately, you got a movie poster that kind of tips its hand a little bit of what's going on. Oh, sure.

[00:06:40] And then you got a trailer that I remember seeing... I didn't really pay the most attention to the trailer, but I remember it gave away enough to spoil what could have been a really interesting surprise. A certain amount of... Yeah. One of many surprises in this film. That could have been a nice surprise. So, it's a shame. Damn you marketing of movies and your need to tell us more about the film. Because I kept thinking as I walked out of this, I'm like, man, how fun would that have been to not know?

[00:07:10] Not know anything. Not know anything and go in and just really be like, oh, wow, that was okay. That was surprising. Since we've said how the trailer kind of lets you know, and within the first five seconds or five minutes of the movie, you kind of know the deal where... I'll go ahead and say Sophie Thatcher is the title or embodies the title of the film, Companion. She is a companion to Jack Quaid's character, and basically she's a robot. Yeah, she is a robot.

[00:07:38] So, the poster definitely gives that away and so does the trailer. And I think I alluded to Black Mirror because it seems like it's the type of thing where Black Mirror episodes frequently, which I'm a fan of the series. I haven't seen the whole series, but I'm a fan of the episodes. But they put forward a, like, okay, here's a thing of technology and here's how it can go wrong or something like, you know, be kind of dark.

[00:08:03] And because said android or said robot in the film does kind of, you know, that is her kind of rebelling. And that's the whole premise of the movie basically. And I guess I kind of, maybe because I've seen too many Dark Mirror episodes or Black Mirror episodes, I knew where it was going. And so, for that point, I was kind of like, well, what else is there in the film? The performances, I thought, were good.

[00:08:28] I thought, you know, Jack Quaid, he kind of has this nice guy, but he has a little bit of an edge in here. And he turns out to maybe not be so nice. And I thought the look of the film was okay. But ultimately, there just wasn't a lot left for me. And I guess you can blame it, maybe leave it at the feet of the marketing, how it was marketed. Yeah. I'm going to go higher on this film, Chris. Okay.

[00:08:54] Because I like the fact that, yes, did I pretty much know where it was going most of the time? Sure. Did it devolve by the third act to kind of a routine thriller that didn't really have a lot interesting going on? I felt it was very, yeah, I wish the ending, I wish the last third of the film had figured out something more interesting to do. Like, I felt like the first two parts of the film did. Overall, I liked this a lot.

[00:09:22] I thought it was a good, fun movie. Yeah, I knew where it was going, but that still didn't prevent me from at least having a good time along the ride. I think it's propelled by some really good, fun performances. I think everybody's having a good time with these parts. Sophie Thatcher as Iris I thought was really good, really engaging.

[00:09:44] I thought she was really fun to watch and just, again, how much better would it have been if I had not known the setup and premise of her character going into it? I think I would have enjoyed it even more. It would have, like, want me to go back and watch the first 10, 15, 20 minutes to see what I could pick up from it. But they didn't do that, and that's fine.

[00:10:05] As it was, though, I think her performance was interesting because it also broke a little bit from what I thought was going to be the character type of, yep, she's a robot, and now she's getting caught in a dangerous situation, and she has to kind of work her way out of it in a way. I'm like, okay, I kind of know where this character is going to be.

[00:10:29] And I actually think Sophie Thatcher surprised me a little bit with some of the choices that she made in portraying this character. And, you know, whether it was the writing, whether it was the acting choices, I just, I liked her performance a lot. Jack Quaid, you mentioned as Josh. Yeah, getting to play a little different against type as the film goes on, which I liked as well, because the first half of the film, I'm like, okay, I've seen Jack Quaid in like three or four different things, and this is him. This is what he does.

[00:10:58] He has an upcoming film, Novocaine, where it seems like. Yeah, it looks, again, I looked like interchangeable characters. But I did like the fact they gave him a little bit more to flex with as the film went on. And, you know, the thing is the film had enough still subtle surprises to keep me engaged. I will just say the film turns from one type of plot film to another about halfway through that I'll admit was a little surprising to me.

[00:11:27] A really small surprise, I thought a very fun one dealing with the characters of, I'll just say, Eli and Patrick, another couple we have on the trip. Yeah, I'm sure other people probably expected it. I didn't, but so I enjoyed it. It was a nice surprise to me. So, you know, overall, I had a good time with the film. It was just the right balance of, I mean, it had a lot of violence and gore, but it also had some funny moments, too.

[00:11:57] I mean, it was just, it was a good balance. It was a good, fun time at the movies, and I enjoyed myself with it. It's predictable, and I do think the third act kind of really just limped along and just was a little disappointing. But overall, it was still, it was a good hour and four, 30 to seven minutes at the movie time that I enjoyed. And I would have enjoyed it even more with less knowledge going in. Sure. I think it's interesting that we have this review right after we reviewed Presence from last week.

[00:12:25] Both films, you know, we were on the record saying, oh, enjoyed, and I was higher on it than you were. And with this film, I think our reactions are completely flip-flop. Sure. Because for me, I think, you know, the little bylines, I guess, in IMDb, it says dark comedy, psychological thriller, sci-fi, and then thriller. Those are kind of like the little tags they have for it.

[00:12:48] Something about not really doing any of them well, I think, is what holds me back. Like the comedy, yes, there were some funny moments in it, but if they, I feel like they needed to kind of trim down what they were trying. Either have it be a comedy, and actually, I think, have it be an outright comedy, and not have it be a thriller, but just kind of be a comedy, might have worked better for me. Because Black Mirrors are not comedy. I mean, they may have a little darkly comedy. But like something about maybe if they'd just done that, it would have seemed more original and entertaining.

[00:13:19] Or you mentioned there was a, I mentioned The Billionaire's Death, which I will say, another little cameo. Could not figure out, actually, I'm not going to say who the actor is, because I could not figure out who the actor is. I'm like, I know this person. Who is that? And I couldn't, but then the reveal, I was just in the car, I was like, oh, totally, that's who that was. But it was kind of a fun, so that, I will say, I had fun with that, because I'm like, who is this billionaire? I know I know who he is.

[00:13:48] Anyways, but if they had done, or so, you know, turn it more of a comedy, that might have worked better for me. Or there is a, how the billionaire, you know, he dies. And then there's a reveal of like some of the mechanics of like why he died. And then like that could have taken on like, oh, there was kind of an underlying plot, an underlying scheme. And like somehow have that be more of a thriller or more of a through line.

[00:14:17] But it's just kind of dropped. Maybe the development of that would have kept me more engaged. But instead, like you said, it just turns into a, you know, a bloodbath, kind of like kill, kill, kill, kill. And I don't know, I just wasn't, it just didn't keep me going. So maybe it would have trimmed down. I was perfectly fine with the mix of genres. Actually, I think that in this situation worked for me because it didn't lean too far into one direction or another.

[00:14:43] It's like, all right, here's a moment where we could have gone much darker or we could have gone much more ridiculous or we could have gone more comedy. And they don't. And I'm actually, I was happy with the blend because I didn't quite know where it was going to go in general. I mean, I knew where it was going to end up. And that's unfortunate. That's the thing is that I didn't want it to end the way it ended. It did. I mean, in general, I did want it to end with the overall concept of the ending that it got to.

[00:15:11] The way it got to the ending or at least the mechanics. I'll just say there's a lot of tropes used in the whole last third of the film. It's kind of the comeuppance sequences that you typically have in a horror thriller film like this. Especially if there's like a domestic relationship thriller involved. I mean, it's very played out. And it's just kind of, it was disappointing. But up to that point, I do think the mix of genres.

[00:15:39] I love the fact that I couldn't tell, am I supposed to, are we supposed to be having just total fun with this? Or were there some more serious things being brought in? And the fact that it kept it mixed from that standpoint worked really well for me. And I might have gone in this film with maybe a little less knowledge than you. I don't know. I think we've seen the same trailer. I honestly don't think I paid attention to the trailer. I mean, really. I think I remember the trailer. Yeah, she's a robot. That's about all I got from it.

[00:16:07] I don't know if I remembered what the tone of the film was supposed to be, like style of the film or anything. So I may be winning with even less knowledge or expectation. And I think that benefited me. But I think enough of it worked. I think enough of it worked to give it a thumbs up, a good attaboy from me, whatever. Whatever our positive feedback is on the film. It worked enough for me. I will say I thought Harvey Gillian as Eli.

[00:16:37] I have not seen him, I don't think, in a movie. I mean, I've seen him in what we do in the Shadows TV show, of course. I don't think I've seen him in a feature film before. I don't think I have either. And he was just a lot of fun. He was good. He was a lot of fun in the film. Again, he has a relationship with Lucas Gage playing Patrick that I found surprising. I found some choices they made with Lucas Gage's character as the film progressed were fun and interesting.

[00:17:07] And I liked what they did there. It's just, yeah, there's enough here I found enjoyable and entertaining and fun. So I'm fairly positive on the film. And with, you know, I think overall, too, looking at this film and kind of the subject matter it deals with, of domestic relationships and the male-female dynamic in said relationships.

[00:17:33] And had I not seen films that I thought, and even, you know, the whole concept of robot and, you know, like Step for Wives, Ex Machina. Not that she was a robot, but Don't Worry, Darling, that film. So it's like these films all kind of touch on similar themes. I, you know, I think it's, like you say, I'm not upset with the way the film turned out that, you know, a comeuppance because it's like, yeah, I mean, there can't be enough films about tables being turned. It needs to be, yeah.

[00:18:02] So that, but just, I guess, more of a supplier creatively done would have helped me watch more. Well, you mentioned Don't Worry, Darling. That was actually a film that I thought about a lot watching this because there are some similarities. Right. There's intentional twist of your perception of what's going on, and it ultimately is an indictment of kind of a incel, lonely guy culture type of thing. And there's a little bit. Right. I think this film hits that a whole lot better than Don't Worry, Darling did.

[00:18:29] Because I thought Don't Worry, Darling was overtly just by the end, it was really kind of forced and didn't feel logical in the way it was trying to roll it out. And it was just way too over the top for me. This one, I thought, was a much, much more subtle take on that kind of that toxic male culture. You know, I think this handles it better because it doesn't come out with a, I don't think it comes out with a hammer and just knocks you over the head with it.

[00:18:57] But it's like, as you start learning more about this relationship, you're like, oh, okay. I see. I see what's going on in his head. I see where his mentality is on this. And obviously I'm unlearning more as we go along. And it made more sense. I think it handled it a lot better in my mind. Not better than like the Stepford Wives and some others you mentioned, because those are all classics and they do really well at talking about the culture.

[00:19:25] They're not trying to be comedies, whereas this is working with the comedic stars. Don't Worry, Darling, to me, yes, was a definite comparison here. And I think this film works better than that. So, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Anyway, I just had fun with it. I just had fun. You know, I like going to the movies and having a good time. And I'll say there's a couple. I think there's some moments that are clever. I'll admit, you know, by the end, it kind of lost its notion of cleverness, I feel like.

[00:19:54] But midway through the movie, there's a whole sequence or dealing have to do with the fact that this robot can speak different languages. And I think there's a whole little thing that was kind of played with on that. That was fun. You know, having to interact. The fact that it's kind of balancing out the fact that this robot couldn't lie versus tell language. It's just it's clever little bit. You know, it's like, all right, that was funny. That was cool. That was a good little moment. Yeah. So I in the car, the car that they're driving.

[00:20:25] It's my car. It's the car I currently own. And the car features has a pretty prominent role in this movie. So I'm automatically a fan of that because I really like my car. And I like to see that my car actually had a part in this film. Although the car in this film could do things that my car cannot do. So I think there might have been some Hollywood magic involved in there. But anyway, no, it was a I thought companion was fun. I thought companion was a good time. You got anything else to comment on that?

[00:20:52] No, I think if I'd, yeah, if I hadn't had it spoiled enough or I just, yeah, some. Yeah, I wish I had had a better time. But I won't say it's a terrible movie. I think it would be more of like, you know, a streaming type thing. You know, like, hey, if you like sci-fi. But yeah, we'll let down. But I'm glad you I'm glad you were more positive on it. So, yeah, that's good.

[00:21:18] I am definitely on board with Miss Sophie Thatcher as an actress. I think she's great. Now, having seen her both in Heretic and in this, I'm like, yep, she's got the goods. She knows what she's doing. I hope I get to see her in something that's not a horror thriller tinge thing, you know. But no, she's she's definitely good, though. She's good. And Jack Quaid, I think, again, is good.

[00:21:43] I was happy to see him get to play something a little a little against type as the film progresses a little bit. Didn't go too far, but it went far enough to at least make it interesting. So overall, fun performances. I think it's a fun, interesting premise with just enough twists and turns and surprises to keep me engaged. Although I'll admit I was probably a little slow to the take and not picking up on a lot of them. So as maybe some audience members are, but, you know, whatever.

[00:22:12] I like going into a movie theater and just kind of getting to play dumb for an hour and a half. I'm like, all right, surprise me. Do something fun. Do something interesting. And this film did it. So it was good. Yeah. All right. Well, that is companion. That is out in movie theaters right now. And I'm just making my little box office mentions just because, you know, I did. Sure. Start or I'm trying to start a podcast for anybody who's interested or curious along with me to talk about box office performance every weekend.

[00:22:42] And, you know, companion didn't do great. You know, it was one of two new releases this past weekend. I'm assuming the budget. Well, I don't know what that may like up and coming cast members. But I still think the budget was pretty nominal. I don't know the budget numbers on it yet. Got you. Yeah. Yeah. This movie was dwarfed by the other new release of the weekend. Dog Man. Dog Man made a lot of money. So like, well, I mean, for it's for what I expected. It made like 36 million, which is definitely more than I expected for it. Got you.

[00:23:11] Campaign, I think, made less than I think less than 10 million for the weekend. Anyway, didn't do great. But, you know, these are these films, you're right, are lower budgeted, normally easier to produce. Not tons of special effects. Not tons of, you know, this is all shot in one general location for the most part. So, yeah. Right. It was kept, could be kept a little budget. And none of these actors are like A-list actors, like, you know, commanding top dollars either. So, I don't know. I don't know.

[00:23:41] This could come out working out okay for the studio. We'll see. Yeah. All right, Chris, let's take a quick little break. When we come back, we've got a couple of trailers to play and talk about for films coming up later in the year. And then also I've got a quick news item to throw in. And then you've got a recommendation to share as well. So we've got still plenty more to do here on Foot Candle Films. We'll be right back.

[00:24:04] This podcast is sponsored by Jackson Creative, a custom communication agency located in downtown Hickory, North Carolina, specializing in online content creation. To learn more, visit thejacksoncreative.com. Jackson Creative, we tell your story. Welcome back to Foot Candle Films here on the Mesh.TV podcast network. We had our review of the film Companion at the beginning of the show.

[00:24:32] But now we're moving on to talk about some upcoming films or productions that we want to make you aware of or just share with each other and get our reactions to what's going on in the movie business. Chris, we've got a couple of trailers to play. But before we do that, I just want to drop in a quick little note. This honestly came through. I just saw it in the last couple of days. Okay. And I know we have talked about this director's work pretty much for the duration of our podcast.

[00:25:00] I mean, I think we've reviewed just about every film he's put out. Okay. With differing results and differing opinions. And he's been a topic of a lot of conversation on our podcast. And that is a Mr. M. Night Shyamalan. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Just recently did the film Trap. Yes. That we... How did we end up on Trap? Were we okay on Trap? No, I thought it was stupid. So... I had a lot of problems with the Trap. I think we were frustrated by it. Frustrated. That was the word for it, yeah.

[00:25:29] Some of the aspects of it we thought were interesting. Yeah. Yeah, it was frustrating. That was the word I think we needed to kind of come down to. Disappointing, frustrating, somewhere in that ballpark. Yeah. Anyway, here's a quick news announcement about his next feature film. Okay. Okay. Which is a little interesting. Is going to be starring. The news item that kind of kicked this all off is that Jake Gyllenhaal has signed on to lead M. Night Shyamalan's new movie.

[00:25:59] Okay. So Jake Gyllenhaal is going to be starring in it. Interesting. Which that was the headline. And I'm like, okay, I'll read this little article on Variety. But the thing I thought was more interesting is what the film is going to be based on. So Jake Gyllenhaal is making the visit to M. Night Shyamalan for the writer-director's next feature, which will share a story with a new original romance novel by Nicholas Sparks. Nicholas Sparks is the whole notebook.

[00:26:28] The notebook and a bunch of other novels he's written. But, you know, kind of known as a more romance novelist. And supposedly it's going to be an original narrative is going to be a collaboration between Sparks and Shyamalan with the former writing a book and the latter writing a screenplay independently. Okay. So Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan are going to be collaborating on this film.

[00:26:53] It's going to share a story with a new novel that Nicholas Sparks is putting out. But Shyamalan is writing a screenplay independently at the same time around the same story. So really, I'm like, I'm still kind of wrecking my brain around this. So they said, so it is a romance though? That's what they're saying. They say it's going to be, I mean, the least the, that's what's confusing is that they're

[00:27:18] saying that the novel, the novel that Nicholas Sparks is writing on this story is a new original romance novel. Okay. Which is in his wheelhouse. Correct. Right. But so it might take it to mean though, that does that mean Shyamalan is going to be taking the same story, but doing a screenplay independently that might be in a completely different genre. Okay. Okay. Maybe. I don't know. A, I don't see Shyamalan doing just a straight romance movie.

[00:27:47] I mean, no, I mean, it'd be interesting to see it done, but I don't think that's where he's going. Yeah. That, that is odd. And you know what you're right. And what makes it that much more surprising is that Jake Gyllenhaal is like, yep, I want to, I want to do that. Yeah. Sign me up. Whatever you're doing. I'm in. I'm in. So yeah, that, that is, uh, that is very interesting. Really interesting. I wonder, because I'm thinking this is how it could work. Um, not being that familiar.

[00:28:15] I, I finally saw the notebook like this past year. Okay. Um, because I'd never seen it and I was like, you know, I'm going to watch this. Um, not really that into what you would be surprised. Not really that into, um, Nicholas Sparks books. Um, or I wasn't that into the notebook, which probably isn't surprised anybody listening. But, um, I wonder if Shyamalan's film will kind of be like a, almost like a prequel to the novel.

[00:28:43] Like basically like I can imagine like him doing some story of like this guy who has some tragic thing happened or like, or like a mystery around it. And then where the film ends, Nicholas Sparks movie kind of like picks up and it's like this romance of the guy reuniting. Does that make sense? Like I could see like, oh, okay. That would make sense. It's the same story. So the idea is that they're taking a story that they have collectively kind of said, this is a story we're going to tell. Nicholas Sparks is going to write a romance novel.

[00:29:11] Shyamalan is going to direct a movie centered around this story, but not an adaptation of each other's work. Right. Yeah. That was not like Shyamalan's adapting Nicholas Sparks' novel or that Nicholas Sparks is writing a novelization of the film that Shyamalan's going to make. Right. They're just using a story as like a central point and saying, all right, we're going to build something off of this. So, I mean. That now look, I'm all for, and I'm, I'm all for the corporate synergy. There's obviously some good marketing angles here.

[00:29:41] It's like, okay, well, you know, you go see the movie and then you read the book or you read the book and you go see the movie and it's not an adaptation of each other. It is they're building off each other somehow or they're complimentary to each other on the same story. So, yeah, that's, that's interesting too. It's an interesting approach. I am intrigued at the approach. So this is the second time that Shyamalan has made a movie from a book. He adapted the horror novel, The Cabin at the End of the World into Knock at the Cabin.

[00:30:10] It was a film he did. So that was based off of a book. Got you. But that's the only literary adaptation he's ever done. I think everything else has been original with the exception, I think, Last Airbender. But that was based off of television show and another property. So, yeah, no, I thought, I thought it was interesting. So I wanted to bring it up. And because we are, we may, we may gripe about his movies, but we still ultimately are fascinated by what, by what Shyamalan is doing.

[00:30:40] At least he's doing interesting stuff. Yeah. And, you know, ideas are his strong suit. Sometimes like the execution, like him kind of taking the Alfred Hitchcock approach of trap, which was like, okay, single location. Well, we thought it was going to be, how are you going to get out? Like something like rope is what Hitchcock did. And this was like, okay, a guy is stuck at a stadium and you're like, okay. And some of the things were good, but then it just kind of, you know, execution.

[00:31:07] We were then frustrated, but he does get some interesting ideas for this. This, this sounds like another one. So yeah, be interesting to see what happens. Agreed. Agreed. All right. Well, that is, I don't have a date. That's still way early. Sure. Still like they're still working on stuff, but be anxious to follow that along as it goes. Yeah. All right, Chris, let's jump over and talk about a couple of trailers. Okay. A film that you had on your list of anticipated films for 2025, I believe.

[00:31:37] Yes. It's a film called Sinners and it stars Michael B. Jordan and it's directed by Ryan Krugler. And Michael B. Jordan, no spoilers here. This is in the trailer. It's pretty clear. Plays identical twins. So it plays two parts in the film. Right. Um, I'll admit when I first heard like the, that this was happening, I'm like, okay, Michael B. Jordan's doing another Ryan Krugler film. All right, cool. That I'm sure it'll be great. It'll be good.

[00:32:04] But I didn't expect it to be a, a bit of a, uh, anyway, I didn't expect it to be the type of film that the trailer has now led me to believe it is. And that has become very, very interesting to me at this point. So with that being said, let's watch the trailer and then we can kind of dialogue a little bit about it afterwards. Okay. Sure. Here's the trailer for Sinners. We've been gone a long time. We back now.

[00:32:35] You twins? Nah, we cousins. There are legends of people with the gift of making music so true. It can conjure spirits from the past and the future. This gift can bring fame and fortune. Well, somebody take me. But it also can pierce the veil between life and death.

[00:33:08] All right. So that was the trailer for Sinners. Uh, that is, uh, coming out April 18th. Ryan Krugler directing in writing, I believe. I think so. Yeah. And, uh, Michael B. Jordan playing double roles in it. Chris, you had this on your list of most anticipated films. You put it on your list before you saw a trailer. Is that correct? Yeah. Now you've seen the trailer. Still there. Uh, I'm, I still am interested in seeing it. Uh, with the trailer, I'm worried that maybe now I know too much or think, think I know too much.

[00:33:37] I don't want to know any more about this film than the trailer already gave. And I will be going to see it immediately when it hits the theater so that I don't hear any reviews of it or like, you know, it's like I'll be running to the theaters. So I'm still very much interested in seeing it. Why, you know, why was it on my list? Well, it's because it's Ryan Coogler as Michael B. Jordan. That alone excites me. Um, it appears, you know, they had done, you know, Creed, Black Panther, um, completely

[00:34:07] different type of films. This one seems to be a period type piece. Um, but also delving into the supernatural horror type thing. Um, it reminds me, and this is probably an unfair bar because I don't know if that's what Mr. Coogler is going for, but something like if Jordan Peele were to do a period piece because it looks like it's kind of, you know, Jordan Peele's films have been horror or supernatural

[00:34:36] or like, you know, odd type films, but then they've always had like a social commentary aspect and that's what this appears to be. Um, yeah, I, I don't know. I'm a little, I think I'm a little worried just cause I feel like I know too much after watching the trailer, but I'm still very much interested. I'm very interested, but I also, I'll say this is the kind of film that does walk, walk a tight line in that it could be really good or it could, it could be a mess.

[00:35:04] And I think that that's just, that's just inherent to any film. It doesn't matter who the filmmaker is or whatever you start to play in a genre bending, you know, you're bringing a supernatural, you're trying to go, there seem to be some visual elements to the film that are a little unique. You know, you're having to get my lead actor, play two roles. It's just, there's a lot here that could go wrong and I hope it doesn't. I hope it's good. And, uh, I'm, I'm more interested now because I actually like the fact that it's, uh,

[00:35:35] integrating this idea of music and supernatural elements. And I don't know, it just, the trailer's working for me, but I also see that there are didn't scare you quite as much as it scared me. No, no, not quite as much because yeah, it is definitely going for more of a, uh, Jordan Peel vibe seemingly, which I'm all for that. You know, I, I'm, I think we need more of that and I'll take any more supernatural or mysterious

[00:36:02] elements in films and great character studies, tying in supernatural elements. All that works for me. So let's see what, we'll see what happens with this. You know, um, yeah, I think what also makes me leery of, I cannot recall the title. Maybe you will be able to, I think we reviewed it on the show, but, uh, Janelle Monáe was in a film. Ah, yes. And I cannot remember that. That was, uh, it was a one word title, but it, it was similar in that it dealt with, you

[00:36:31] know, the aspect of, uh, slavery and, um, some super seemingly anti-bellum. Anti-bellum. Yeah. And, um, it looks, some of the shots are and everything looked really cool. We saw the trailer and we, you know, Janelle Monáe, you know, we're like, okay, cool. And then it just didn't quite, I don't recall what all didn't like end up working out with it, but it just wasn't quite there. Yeah. Um, I think because when I saw this trailer, it reminded me of that.

[00:36:58] I was like, oh, well, so that's why I say it's fraught with danger. Right. Because I mean, these things could, may not work. It's very easy for these kinds of films to not work. So we will certainly see how this shapes up. I'm all for, uh, Ryan Coogler kind of going, pushing against his boundaries a little bit of what we've seen him do in his past three or four directorial films. So this will be interesting. Agreed. Yeah. I'm curious to see it. All right. That is April 14th coming out or April 18th. Sorry. The movie centers.

[00:37:29] All right, Chris. And then we had one other trailer that I know nothing about. And honestly, I only know the name and I had to have you recite the name of the film for me so I could at least search for it and find the trailer to play. Um, you want me to, I'm just going to, you want me just to play the trailer or do you have anything you want to do as a setup or are we just going to play it and then we can discuss it? So I'll, I'll, how my awareness came into like about this trailer, I'll say, um, I got

[00:37:57] an email about it and I was like, huh, John Logosamo is one of the stars in the film. And I was like, okay, you know, he's an interesting fellow. I, you know, follow on social media and things. Haven't heard anything about this film. Um, so I was like, I was just curious cause I read the kind of synopsis. I was like, okay, interesting, but I don't want to give away a snout. We'll just put, and then I played the trailer. I was like, you know, that could be the film, you know, small indie type film, but that could

[00:38:26] be a film that like, maybe we really need in 2025 and I'll kind of leave it at that. So, uh, let's, let's watch it. The film's name is Bob Trevino likes it. Correct. Did I get that right? Yes. Bob Trevino likes it. All right. Here's the trailer for Bob Trevino likes it. I've been doing some thinking and I got some stuff that I wanted to share with you.

[00:38:52] Dad, is this an itemized list of all the expenses of being my father? Yeah. Dad, there's baby food on here. Do you know where you would be without me? We're over. I'm here to see a counselor. It's my first time. Why don't you give me your history in your own words and we can go from there. Maybe my home is out of place. My dad stopped talking to me. Hello? Hey dad, it's me. Gotcha. Leave a message. Hi. The mailbox is full. If I'm not the same, is that okay?

[00:39:22] So I went searching for him. Dad? And I accidentally found another Bob Trevino. Bob Trevino likes your comment. All right. So that was the trailer for Lee Trevino likes it. It mentions kind of in the, which people could not see listening to the podcast because we are not a video podcast, but, uh. We're not? Dang.

[00:39:49] All this time I've been doing my hair. You've been wearing a tuxedo. I know. I've been smiling at what I thought was a camera over in the corner, but I take it it's not. I was wondering why you were always looking over my shoulder. After that. Smiling and kind of looking. Yeah. Now I know. Now I know. Oh, geez. But they had all these accolades from various festivals that this film's been at. And one of them was Sundance and South by Southwest.

[00:40:12] I can see people being like, ah, yes, that sounds like a Sundance or a South by Southwest film that gets a lot of buzz or can get buzz. And then you never hear of it or never hear from it again. Mm-hmm. Um, and it, because it has the aspects of, you know, based on a true story, it has some comedy to it, but also has a lot of heartfelt things.

[00:40:35] And, you know, granted, I agree to all that, but not having seen the film, I think what comes down to it is, you know what? If John Leguizamo is giving this a chance, I, I, I want to try to give it a chance. So you're all in on this for the Leguizamo. I think so. And just because it's just like, I don't know, it's supposedly based on true story.

[00:40:56] I just want to think it's one of those things that's nice to be reminded that, and hopefully, hopefully this is a nice, tidy 85 minute or something like film. They don't stretch it to be two hours. They don't, hopefully it is nothing more than just something to be like, Oh, you kind of walk out like kind of feeling good. Yeah. It, you know, plucks the heartstrings and everything, but at least it's based on something that really happened. So that way it's okay to like feel manipulative or something. I don't know. It just, I don't know.

[00:41:23] And I feel like there, and the trailer definitely is like crafted to, uh, you know, move you. Well, I'll tell you how jaded a movie going person. I am now or not jaded just more how Hollywood has acclimated me. Okay. Watching this trailer. I'm just waiting. I'm like, all right, what's the catch? What's the twist? Is it going to go? Is something's going to happen? And then now this is actually going to be a dark or over the top or whatever film.

[00:41:53] Sure. And it's like, no, it wasn't. It was actually just, uh, seems to be a good hearted film. Right. And, you know, and I feel bad even saying that like the whole time I'm waiting, I'm like, all right, drop the ball on me. What is it? Uh, something's messed up here. Something's going to be wrong. Something's going to be weird. Right. And it wasn't. So, uh, you know, look, do we need more good feel good movies that hopefully, uh, you know, uh, impact us emotionally? Sure. Absolutely. Well, here's something else.

[00:42:21] I'm kind of like, you know, it's nice to see something we all can admit. We're probably online way more than we need to be. Um, and we've seen documentaries and feature films that talk about that, you know, the evils of Facebook, Instagram, you know, all this kind of stuff. But it's nice to see that, Hey, sometimes maybe the internet can be a good thing.

[00:42:45] So do we think Mark Zuckerberg, executive producer, he probably put all the money in this film and like back. Yeah. This is the best movie that's ever been made. This should be win Oscars. Yeah. I don't know. Everybody should be on Facebook trying to find an alternative for others. Right. So, uh, yeah, I don't know. Yeah. But we'll see. I'm interested to, and it's interesting too that, um, I didn't notice it the first time I watched the trailer, but, um, the production company is roadside attractions, which I

[00:43:14] don't, I have seen some of their films in theaters, but usually it's the type of thing that I'll see streaming or on like, um, yeah, just streaming usually. Um, but they have the, the byline of only in theaters. I'm like, okay, so this is getting a theatrical release. It's coming out March 21st. Um, interesting seeing as how we're now in February. Oh, so this is coming out in like six weeks. Apparently. Okay. All right. Um, but you know, I, I'm, I'm interested. All right. Good.

[00:43:42] Well, uh, what was the name again? I want to say Lee Trevino, but it's not Lee Trevino. That's the golf, uh, famous golf pro. And you know that because of the Simpsons. I do. The Lee Trevino video game. Fair enough. It's Bob Trevino likes it. Okay. Bob Trevino likes it. Got it. All right. Well, two very different films coming out over the next 60 to 90 days, but we're, uh, anxious to see how both of them turn out.

[00:44:12] For your recommendation. I think that's the last thing we've got. So Chris likes to, uh, here at the end of the show on most weeks, not every week. You know, we can't, he's not a machine. We can't turn out a recommendation every single week, but we are very happy and fortunate when Chris is able to share with us a film that he's either recently caught up with or revisited and wants to share with us in case we're looking for something to add to our watch list, uh, this coming weekend. So Chris, what do you got for us?

[00:44:39] So I have the Academy award nominated Wallace and Gromit vengeance most foul from 2024. I caught up with it in my rush to try to watch things that had been nominated for Oscars. I'm a fan of Nick parks, Wallace and Gromit. I've seen all their, uh, some of them start out more as like shorts and this is like a, you know, an actual feature feature film. Um, but it's, you know, stop motion. And, uh, I'd always been a fan. I love the characters.

[00:45:06] I had kind of thought after he did, I think it was curse of the way rabbit. It was a theatrical release. Cause most of them I think have just been like released on like television or something, but that one was actually released in us theaters and everything. I thought that was kind of like, he was kind of done with Wallace and Gromit. He was kind of putting them to bed. So this was a complete surprise when it popped up on Netflix, which is where you can see it. Um, I was, I was shocked. I was like, Oh, cool. I get another Wallace and Gromit feature. I hope, I hope it's good.

[00:45:34] I hope it's not like, you know, just returning to a cash cow. And it was, it was, it was good. Okay. Um, I really liked it and, uh, it brought back, uh, one of the characters from a previous film, uh, who's like, he's a villain and it brought him back. And that was, that was fun to see him, uh, return. So yeah, it's, it's good. Uh, you know, family can watch it. It's Wallace and Gromit, you know, it's appealing, has some clever jokes in it for adults, but it's still, it's, it's great.

[00:46:02] So, uh, it's, yeah, I won't say more about it to spoil anything. It does have, you know, some, uh, recency, uh, talking about AI or just like robots are kind of pairs in a way nice with our review of companion. Yeah. What can happen when robots go wrong? Um, so yeah, but, uh, Wallace and Gromit, vengeance, most foul. It's on Netflix. I say, check it out. Okay. On Netflix, able to check out now anybody with a Netflix subscription and you are giving it a recommendation. Yes.

[00:46:33] Wallace and Gromit, some of the most foul. Vengeance, most foul. Vengeance, most foul. Vengeance, most foul. Okay. Um, I don't think I've ever seen a Wallace and Gromit film. Okay. Oh, okay. And so should I watch this or will I, okay. I think you'd like it. Um, you know, especially to, you know, so you can have your ballot. I mean, I saw chicken run, which I know is by the same filmmaker, same team, animation team style and all that many years ago. Okay.

[00:47:01] But I never saw an actual Wallace and Gromit film. Okay. I mean, it's, I don't think you, it's not necessary. Okay. You can walk in and just Wallace is this inventor who is, he's a nice fellow, but maybe not always thinks things through. Okay. And his dog is Gromit. Um, and they, he, Gromit, of course he's a dog, so he does not speak, but he does. He's very smart and kind of keeps Wallace out of trouble a lot of times.

[00:47:28] So see what's going to happen, Chris, is that because we have such astute listeners and some listeners who've been with us since the beginning of this show, which we still haven't gone back and counted how many episodes we've done. It's a lot. Um, sure enough, we'll probably get, I'll get bombarded by emails from people saying, Oh, but Alan, you guys reviewed so-and-so Wallace and Gromit movie many, many years ago, whatever. And I'm like, I really don't think I've seen one. So, but I could be wrong. Maybe I did see it and I just, you know, yeah.

[00:47:56] Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I've seen one. Okay. Fair enough. Okay. Wallace and Gromit, Vengeance Most Foul on Netflix, able to be watched right now. Yes. All right, Chris. Well, that'll wrap us up for today. We had our review of the film Companion and a positive review from me. Hey, from Chris. Yep. That about sums it up. Is that a good one? Yeah. Okay. I was, I was happy with it. I enjoyed it. I had a good time with it.

[00:48:24] Uh, and then we talked about films coming up, the movie centers. We talked about the movie, Bob Trevino likes it. Yeah. Got it. Got it right. And also the new Shyamalan film. That's going to be a romance movie. Maybe. I don't know with Nicholas Sparks. We'll see. Uh, and then Chris's review, uh, recommendation of Wallace and Gromit. Okay. So Chris, if anybody has any thoughts, feedback, questions, ideas for us, or just wants to reach out and say, hi, how can they do that?

[00:48:54] You can send an email to info at foot candle.org. You can follow us on Twitter, foot candle film, Facebook, foot candle film society, Instagram threats, foot candle film. And we're also on blue sky. Alan and I are on letterbox where we try to track what we're seeing and leave quick takes. We also, uh, I have lists on there that actually mention every movie that's ever been reviewed on this podcast. So you can search and see if you can burn us on the fact that we have reviewed a Wallace and Gromit film.

[00:49:23] I also keep track of all the films that I have recommended. Um, so there's a chance that they, if you want to kind of, and also that could be a resource if you watch a movie from, let's say five years ago and you're dying to talk to somebody about it, or you want to hear our opinions about it. You can go and see if we reviewed it on letterboxd and then you can check out our episodes on the mesh.tv and you'll be able to find our review there. So that way you can kind of like have a dialogue with us and maybe tell us why we were wrong.

[00:49:53] So that is a way that you can like look into past episodes. Cause as Alan mentioned, we've been doing this for quite some time. Chris, you've done a lot of work on that. Well, good job. Good job on that. So, um, great. Well, that's a lot of ways to check out, uh, and connect with us and we appreciate everybody listening. We will look forward to talking to everybody next time we record. Uh, until then take care. Thanks. See you in the ticket line.

[00:51:00] Special thanks to Carpal Tuller for the show theme music. For more about Carpal Tuller, visit www.carpaltuller.com. You've been listening to The Mesh, an online media network of shows and programs ranging from business to arts, sports to entertainment, music to community. All programs are available on the website as well as through iTunes and YouTube.

[00:51:27] Check us out online at themesh.tv. Discover other network shows and give us feedback on what you just heard.