Power Ballad

[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.

[00:00:34] Hello everyone and welcome to Footcandle Films here on The MESH.TV Podcast Network. My name is Alan Jackson. Across the table from me is Chris Fry. And we are with the Footcandle Film Society, the annual Footcandle Film Festival. And this here, a little... Chris, how's it going? Things going okay? Yes. How was your birthday weekend, Alan? My birthday weekend was very nice. Awesome.

[00:01:01] I did what every good person on their birthday should do. You watched the entire Lord of the Rings series? No. I did watch a movie and had other people come watch it with me. So, thank you, Chris, for coming to see the movie. It was a good time. Yeah, yeah. I think that needs to be my annual tradition. I just want to shock. I support that decision. Yeah. No, it was really good. It was a good weekend, a good birthday. So, thanks for that.

[00:01:31] Um, actually, it's kind of interesting. The film I watched, or we watched, for my birthday, actually has a little bit of a weird connection to the film we're about to review on this here episode of Footcandle Films.

[00:01:44] Uh, we're going to be reviewing the film Power Ballad, which is the latest by writer-director John Carney, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, which has got some interesting connective tissues to one of my favorite films, the said birthday film from this weekend, The Commitments, back from 1991. I'll maybe dig into that a little bit in the review. Okay. And, uh, just to know it's kind of interesting timing how that all kind of worked out this weekend. Sure. So, but that is what we're going to be doing, is reviewing the film Power Ballad.

[00:02:12] After we go through that review, Chris and I have a few trailers of, uh, some films that will be coming in the upcoming months that we'd like to discuss and watch some of them for the first time. Get some immediate feedback on. And then we're going to wrap up the show, as always. Chris is going to have a recommendation of a film he'd like to recommend to us, uh, to possibly consider checking out. If we will, if anybody else is having a birthday weekend, like, hey, I need a good film to watch for a birthday weekend. Here we go. This may, maybe. Chris is saying, maybe not this one.

[00:02:42] It would make an interesting, uh. Interesting birthday weekend. Watch for a birthday weekend. All right. Yeah. Well, we'll see if it fits the category or not, or just, uh. Sure. Just one maybe to watch on your own private time. Possibly. All right. All right, Chris. But first up, we do have our main review. It is the film Power Ballad. Did you look or see? Yeah, thanks.

[00:03:17] What? You don't recognize it? Should I? Of course, yes, you should. That's my chorus and verse. I wrote that song. When? Wow. Danny Wilson. You were great up there. Come with me. I could tell within two minutes of meeting you. You are not just some boy band guy. And you are too good for that wedding band.

[00:03:49] I've been toying with this one for years. Because every song I ever wrote in my life is about you. Power Ballad, the latest movie from our director John Carney, stars Paul Rudd as Rick, a washed-up wedding singer. One night after a gig, he bonds over music with Danny, a fading boy band star played by Nick Jonas.

[00:04:14] When Danny reignites his career after turning one of Rick's songs into a pit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. John Carney's previous film, Flora and Son, was a disappointment and inferior work, Alan, that you and I felt to his previous offerings of Sing Street, Begin Again, and Once. With Power Ballad, do you feel Carney has found a hit with which to rebound, much like Danny? No.

[00:04:44] Okay. Why don't we move on? There we go. No, I don't think this is going to be it. Although I will say this is better, I thought, than Flora and Son. Okay. But I still think it was kind of problematic. We're definitely, in my mind, looking at lesser Carney at this point, for sure, in these last couple films. Okay. There are parts of this film that really, really work. There are some parts of the elements of this film that really, really work.

[00:05:13] I think as a complete film picture, it really breaks down. It's the writing of this film, I think, is really bad. And I think I figured out what the problem is with it, as far as what I feel like the problem is, thinking about it.

[00:05:29] But this is a film that I feel like probably was meant to be a little longer and have some very, I think, needed scenes and needed exposition and needed background of some characters to make this thing work. And I felt like this is something that got cobbled down in post-production and maybe with studio input. I don't know. To where there's just, there are moments of this film that work. And the framework of the film is right.

[00:05:58] And the story behind the film is right. But it's just, we're supposed to be buying into these relationships between these characters. And I don't think the film really does anything to develop the relationships that we're supposed to be paying attention to. Notably, I'm going to say the Paul Rudd character and his family, which I think is an important thing that doesn't, it's hard for me to talk about without like spoiling it. So I'm not going to do that.

[00:06:25] But I'm just going to say, I felt like there were some real gaps in the storytelling side of this film. Relationships, characters, how they, any history that they have with one another that helps us feel the way we're meant to be feeling when things happen. I just, I felt like it was really, it felt a little shoddily put together. And it felt like a film that was kind of playing for the moments, not playing as a complete film. It's like, we want to have this moment and to make this moment happen, we got to have this, this, and this get to that point.

[00:06:55] So let's just figure out some way to do it. And now let's have our big moment that we're all excited about. We want to do. And that, it just doesn't work as a film for me, but I will say it was better than Floor and Son. I still don't think it was as good as his previous three films before that, but that did fall into the number four slot in the five ranking of, of John Carney films for me anyway, personally. So no fault of Paul Rudd. I think he was given it his best.

[00:07:23] I think Nick Jonas was giving his best. I thought their performances were good. And there is a scene, a, a, a, a really great scene in this film. That's a little evocative of even once where it's two people talking music and talking, writing music and kind of being natural with it. And I'm like, Oh, this is what I want. This is good. This is really good. And then I just felt like the film just kind of got very cliched after that point.

[00:07:50] So anyway, yeah, I'm still disappointed, but compared to Floor and Son, it's an improvement and I'm happier with it than that. So I'm a little on the upswing, but that's, uh, that's my take on it. Chris, I want to hear your thoughts. So what did you think of power ballad? Before I get to my thoughts, I want you to name me the memorable song from Begin Again. Um, it's something with stars. There's something stars. Well, you can do something that I can't. I don't remember anything about that movie. Yeah.

[00:08:19] Other than Mark Ruffalo's in it and Keira Knightley. Um, but I thought all stars or something, something stars. Okay. So, um, this movie worked for me, uh, much better than Floor and Son. Yeah. And I hadn't thought about ranking it. Um, but I can definitely say it is better than Floor and Son. And my, for me, it was definitely better than Begin Again as well. Okay.

[00:08:43] Um, one of the things that when you have a movie that deals with music right off the bat, I'm like, okay, is there a song in there? Because, I mean, you know, these are focused on music. So I have to leave the theater singing a song or thinking about a song and want to go to Apple Music or whatever and look up that song or play a song because I really like it. This film had that of the title, the power ballad in question, how to write a song without you. I like the song.

[00:09:11] Did they, so they did play that song during the film? I can't remember if it was played. I think I maybe heard it once, twice. It was like, maybe it was like 12 times. I think it was somewhere in that range. So you don't like the song? No, I do like the song. And you don't like how much it was played? I do like the song. I have a hang up with the way the song was handled in the film, but I'll get to that in a little bit. I don't because I think it was necessary for the whole point was like, you know, it's done one way, it's stolen. And then like, yeah, I, I don't know. I, I didn't have an issue with it.

[00:09:41] And I guess, um, yeah, I, I'm curious about the, you know, for me, one of the other achievements of the film is this was an hour and 38 minutes. I don't, I, for what it was trying to do now, if it was just not a comedy and had been like once where it's, you know, more of a drama that talks about songwriting and everything.

[00:10:03] Then yeah, I would have wanted some more fleshing out with his family and all that, but considering Paul Rudd is the star, I mean, Nick Jonas, he's fun. No, I thought he was really good in this, but you know, I was excited to see Paul Rudd in a film that John Carney was trying. I was like, okay, yes, I want to say, so I was going expecting funny things and Paul Rudd delivered that for me.

[00:10:27] I wasn't really wanting, nor did I end up getting, um, which I was happy about a lot of like weighty family drama or trying to really make a point. And actually I appreciate the way the film, you know, as I alluded to in the setup, there's this whole thing. Is he going to get justice or not? Um, and seeing that it's a Carney film, you kind of expect it's not going to be a huge downer. Okay.

[00:10:57] Yeah. And this film is not, but I liked the way it handled. It could have handled the happy ending a lot worse. Sure. And based on Flora, based on like Flora and Son, I expected it to be a lot worse. Oh yeah. It was definitely less cringy than Flora and Son in the way it ended. Yeah. And I didn't feel, uh, cringy about it at all. And there was actually a scene early on that caught me by surprise that has nothing to do.

[00:11:24] And there, again, it alludes to a relationship between the co-writer of this film, which I wasn't aware that he was a co-writer until I was researching the film. Um, Peter McDonald, who plays the best friend of Paul Rudd's character, Sandy, he co-wrote the film. Um, he gets in a fight with his wedding band and then comes back because he's gotten in a fight with his wife. Mm-hmm.

[00:11:49] And he goes to Sandy, who he's kind of like, you know, thrown under the bus and says like, hey, I need a place to stay. And the way they kind of meet back up and he like, you know, shows up at his doorstep like, hey, that actually, there's a moment where it's kind of like, yeah, I know I treated you like crap, but I'm sorry, but I really need you to be my friend again. Yeah. And like, I don't know, maybe it's the power of Paul Rudd. No, that was a good scene. Maybe it's because Peter McDonald helped write it. I don't know, but like, I was not expecting that. Yeah.

[00:12:17] And that was kind of like a little bit of a tearjerker thing. And I was like, whoa. And I actually, you know, honestly, I don't know that I've ever seen Paul Rudd. And I love, I like Paul Rudd, like him and all that stuff. I don't know that I've ever seen him kind of turn on the emotional beat quite like that. And I was like, whoa, okay. That's a good scene. So that gave me enough emotional weight. And I see what you're saying.

[00:12:42] There's some establishing with his wife and he kind of brushes over that when he's talking with Nick Jones, like, yeah, this is how I met her. My musical career kind of took a backseat and then I never survived. And he just gives like brushstrokes of that. And that's, and like his relationship with his daughter. But then in the end, that kind of comes back and I can see how you think it was rushed or hurried. But for me, it worked.

[00:13:06] And there again, I guess the hour 38 minute running time for me worked. And I was appreciative that it didn't kind of stay. And this isn't, this isn't for me a matter of pure running time because there's also sequences and parts in this film I thought didn't need to be there. It actually were, were elongated and, uh, you know, could have shortened the film even more, but then given us time to add back in the scenes that I think it really needed. Hmm.

[00:13:33] I felt like the emotional pull of this film. And, and, and, and I do argue a bit on the comedy versus drama side because I think it's trying to play both and it, it moderates that. Okay. I think the humor and the comedy is good at times when it's used. Um, the only scene I kind of can remember and I thought was funny. Oh, wow.

[00:14:01] Was a, uh, trying to get backstage, um, at, at a, at a concert and using said friend, uh, that Rory Keenan's, uh, Benzer character. Oh no, I'm sorry. Not Benzer, uh, Sandy. Yeah. Using Sandy over a telephone. I thought that was funny. And that was a scene I remember thinking, oh yeah, that's funny. Beyond that. I, I didn't really have a lot. I thought was funny. No.

[00:14:27] I mean, none, this is not a Will Theroux comedy. Right. Don't misunderstand me. This is not, you know, Paul Rudd working with Will Theroux. But if it's not something I'm. This is very like subtle. If it's not something I'm finding funny all the time, then I'm going, okay, then this is a drama. Then this is a. And it's like, and I'm like, well, I don't really find the drama very compelling most of the time either. Where we're supposed to have drama. Okay. Where, where the, where the capability for drama was, was with Paul Rudd, his character, Rick, Rick's family.

[00:14:57] Okay. That needed to be the emotional core of this film because that actually plays an important role in the latter half of the film. And, you know, and I'm really torn on the reveal. I guess you could say again, I'm not going to spoil things, but kind of a, a moment that was kind of, it's really treated as like a throwaway moment at the end, which I'm good with.

[00:15:25] It didn't become this big thing where it's like a revolution, but it's supposed to be an emotional moment of father daughter type of situation. There had to have been a reason why this daughter was doing the things that she was doing at that moment to make that work. And it's like all the elements were there. It was all sitting on there ready to play with. And it's just, I felt like there were like one or two scenes missing to help me understand the relationship with Rick and his family.

[00:15:52] Because Chris, the whole plot of this movie, and this isn't actually in the trailer, so I'm not spoiling anything. Yes. It kicks off when Rick is at a shopping mall, which is a great, great scene. Oh, I love that scene. It's a good scene. It's in the trailer. And I found it funny. Yeah. It's good. It's in the trailer. Okay. But, but, but it's in, in the mall scene. I'm not saying we pointed it out already that yes, it's a good scene. And it's, he hears the song over the loudspeaker. Yes. He goes home and he plays it for his family. Yes.

[00:16:21] And he's like, Hey, look, I wrote this song. A, his family doesn't believe him, which A, that's the problem. Number one for me right there. Like, this is your wife and daughter. You are a songwriter. You have written songs for decades. They know this about you. And they know that you spent this weekend with a star at a castle, like at a party months ago. And they're like not believing him that he could have written this song that this guy's taken from him. That's problem. Number one.

[00:16:51] Then the, there's an inciting incident that involves a car wreck. That's supposed to be the kind of breaking point where the family's kind of now fractured because, uh, brick has just become difficult to be around because of situations. I'm like, and that all was stemmed because the daughter wants to hear that freaking song on the radio that she knows her dad is like mentally tormented by because he wrote the song. She still doesn't.

[00:17:19] It's like all this stuff is like the drama is building up and we're supposed to believe that Rick's going to leave, like take absence from his family for a while because he's distraught about this. And that the family is supposed to be the thing that's bringing them back in. But yet I did not buy any of that dynamics at all. So it's just, all right. If you're going to make a film that it's just there for, for a light bit of laughs and

[00:17:45] kind of to have a nice message behind it, I will then make it, make it a little funnier. Don't, don't try to weave the heavier drama in, but if you're going to bring the drama in, give me something that makes sense. Give me something that like works and resonates. Cause then there's a resolution towards the end on the family side. And I'm like, okay, well, I don't buy any of this at all. Like this, this makes no sense to me. I don't understand. Again, I felt like there were like two or three scenes missing to help me understand the dynamics.

[00:18:12] And then we get a final scene with the daughter doing something that should have been a really heavily kind of like cathartic emotional moment. And it just kind of fell flat. Cause I'm like, I don't know who these people are. I don't know what this dynamic is like, so I don't buy it. So anyway, that's, that's my, my biggest hangup. I think the song is really good. Agreed. I do agree with that. I think it's a little overplayed in the film because I think that takes away from the specialness of it a little bit. I think it should have been a more, wow.

[00:18:42] When you really hear it, it's like, oh my gosh, yeah, that's a great song. It's got a great core. It's got a great, it's really good. But my hang up on, on the music side is we're told early on that Rick doesn't like the kind of music that the Danny Wilson character used to perform. And when they were about to meet and he's kind of disparaging it and talking about how drat. He's bitter. He's bitter. Yeah, I know. But, but you hear Rick's music and like Rick's music is just like the kind of music.

[00:19:11] Which is why he's bitter. Which is why he's bitter, Alan. That's why he's bitter. I didn't buy it. And why he's bitter that he's a wedding singer. I just didn't buy it. So anyway. I totally bought it. I totally bought it. And I also will say a scene that is important to me that you left out when you were reading it, the riot act, the script, which I understand. I mean, you know, it worked for me. It didn't work for you. Something that helped it work for me is he has written more songs than he knows.

[00:19:38] Like just can't even keep track of cataloging them. And he's constantly writing new songs and he constantly wants validation. I don't know that he even, I don't know that his wife, because they want to have a happy marriage, even bothers listening to his songs anymore. Right. And his daughter, he pulls her into the, his studio at one point. He's like, hey, listen to this. And she's like, okay. And like, she starts playing her song. She's like, okay. And then she's like, okay. And I want to go. He's like, no, no, no, no. You haven't. And she's like, no, I'm, I'm done.

[00:20:08] They love each other. But she's like, I don't, I don't dig your music. Sure. I'm not in touch with your music. I don't like it. Whatever. Yes. And that for me said, all I need to know, which is why for, yeah. When they had that song and they're playing it, she wants to listen to it. And she's, you know, joking with her father because they have a good relationship. She loves him and everything, but he like lets it go too, wave too far. And I feel like I did a disservice to our list.

[00:20:35] I mean, I, I summarize the summaries that are given on Letterboxd or given on IMDb. An important part. An important part. Maybe I should have included was, you know, I told about how he tries to reclaim the recognition he deserves. But then a little part that I left out kind of the last little bit of the tagline was even if it means risking everything he cares about. So that is an important part of that, which there again, it worked just enough for me. He does flip the van, which he does feel bad about.

[00:21:05] Thankfully, people are injured, not seriously. And that's when he's like, I've got a, you know, he gets, he does get angry and he's like, you don't believe me. He says to his wife, you know, she doesn't believe nobody believes me. And then he goes off and does what he does and tries to confront. And that still, yeah, it, it worked enough for me. I guess it just, it, it worked enough for me. And I, I guess if it, if it had been billed more in my mind as a serious drama and had somebody

[00:21:34] different than Paul Rudd playing the lead, um, which I liked him a lot, um, then I probably would have had maybe different expectations or something for it. I'll say too, which I don't know how well of a singer Paul Rudd really is. Um, he's credited on some of the soundtrack, like in Apple music has his name, but, and there again, you know, with the magic of making movies, you can do whatever you want. I am surprised in a way.

[00:22:02] And I felt like it was probably just enough, but the fan in me could have used a little bit more of him being a wedding singer. Cause I thought it was really fun seeing him do these like, kind of like when Adam Sandler was doing the wedding singer, like, you know, Paul, I can totally see Paul Rudd being a very popular wedding gig singer because he just, you know, seems very affable and all that kind of stuff.

[00:22:25] So, um, plays to the moment too, which I think, I think it is prior to flipping the car when he is at a wedding and is asked to play that song and like loses it. Is it after that, that then he flips the car? Yeah. Yeah. So it's like there again, didn't work for you. There was just enough buildup for me or just enough, like just enough steps towards the

[00:22:54] resolution that ends up taking the end that, that it, that it worked for me. So yeah. Yeah. I was thinking that this may be more of a liked movie by you than it is. So it's, it's interesting. I think the problem is that I wanted to like it so much more than I did. Ah. And because all the elements are there, every element's there. I mean, like I, I, I, you draw this film out on paper. It's like, no, yeah, this should totally work.

[00:23:22] I just, I just couldn't get past some of the contrivances I think the film had to play and not being able to figure out the tone that worked best for the film just was a hang up for me. But I expect, I guess, honestly, since, since Sing Street, which I've recommended it recently. I like Sing Street a lot, but I felt like there were maybe slight contrivances in that film.

[00:23:51] And I think to make the type of film, the feel good, you know, with music kind of films that he makes, Flora and Son, too many contrivances, too many things that didn't work. Like the Zoom call that suddenly he's in the room and like doing some like magical realism things didn't work for me. That's that, I think. But the contrivances in this film, I expect Carney to have contrivances that you just have to accept and you don't have to accept. Yeah. But if you don't accept them, that's fine.

[00:24:20] But like, I go in knowing they're going to be there. And so therefore, and they either work or don't work. And they work for me. See, but the thing is, I've seen Once. And Once is a film that does not. Oh, and I love the, no, no, no. That's a different film. There's no contrivances there. See, and that's the problem is I know that film. And I love that film. I would say there are contrivances. One of the biggest ones, which I can forgive. I wish I was a talented musician and a songwriter. I'm not. Mm-hmm.

[00:24:50] I have friends who I feel like are talented singer and songwriters. And I have heard them. I mean, they understand a movie's a movie. But people sit down and they say a couple of clever things. Then suddenly they have a hit song. So Once, I like the movie, don't get me wrong. But compression of time and things like, but you just, and like the one night that ends up in getting this song that's, you know, going to work and going to be this big hit.

[00:25:17] I feel like that's a bit of a, it's a bit of a, but it's like, I, I, I don't know. It's a movie. I expect it. It's a dramatic comedy or, you know, comedy drama. So I expect it. So I guess I, I, I forgive it easier. I also feel like, I feel like Carney's films, each one has a visual showcase piece that is, it's, it's just wanting to play for and it's wanting to like highlight and go towards and I can almost spot it in just about every film.

[00:25:48] You mentioned it in Florida and son and I didn't like it, but it was the whole, Oh, well, what if these two people are playing over zoom? And then we kind of like visually we're seeing them in the same room. That's the, that's the, that's the Carney touch. He wanted to add to that film. And I think the film is like built around that shot, that scene. It's like, that's where I want to start with. I'm going to build a story out of, around that. That's almost how it comes across. I'm not saying it did, but that's what it feels like.

[00:26:16] I think, um, in Sing Street, which I love unabashedly. I like it a lot. And I think the visual scene in that one, there's a scene where they play a song. Yeah. But it's a dream sequence. It's a dream sequence scene. And he's imagining everybody in his life is like happy and things are great. Parents are great. Families are great. You used to drive it like you stole a sequence. That's right. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. And it works, but yeah.

[00:26:44] I already imagined and like, Oh, this is what we. But I can totally see. Once, honestly, I think, you know. It's the performance of falling slowly. It's the performance of the two in the guitar shop or the music shop. Yes. Which again, I have musician friends that would take issue with that. I understand. But it's fine. It's fine. It's fine. But it's magic. It's movie magic. It's storytelling magic. It's okay. I'm not saying you can't give a little bit into that to make it work. Okay. In this film, I think. What do you say the moment was?

[00:27:14] I think it's the final song. I think it's the final song that is performed by two people at the same time. Disagreed. It's the voice. Strong disagree. Strong disagree. I think that's the moment where they're like, we're going to have the two key pair of people playing the song at the same time. Both of them, according to the movie, which I did not buy, having gone through some self-realization or a belief system.

[00:27:41] And now they're both singing the same song that they, quote, have now created together in a way, which again, I take issue with. I don't buy that. And that's the centerpiece visually. I think they were playing for there. I agree that it is half of what his visual centerpiece, the callback part to that, which I really liked. Was it the dream? Yes. Okay. Which I agree. I don't want to say anything more about that. That was close. Because I thought that was awesome. That was close.

[00:28:10] Because it sets you up that something is happening. You're like, oh, now, maybe this movie is only 35 minutes long. Because that's the moment that at the end of the film, in a lower quality film, and maybe a more stereotypical cookie cutter Hollywood film, that is how it would end. And instead, they use it as more of a dream. And I'll just leave that there. But in the end, it is a callback to that.

[00:28:38] But it's like people are in their happy places. Again, I don't want to say anything. I thought it was really well done. It really worked for me. I did not. No, it's just... I got you. Chris, my hang up at the end of the day with this, and I'm trying to be very delicate with this again, because this is spoilery. So I think I can get to it. Okay. But on that last song, on this ending, on this resolution of this film... Yes.

[00:29:07] I am a champion for films that don't have to feel like they don't have to put somebody as good guy, bad guy. I believe in multitudes of gray, and I love multitudes of gray and in characters. However, you cannot convince me that one of these two characters... I guess I can say which.

[00:29:33] I think the resolution of one of these two characters by the end is completely unwarranted and makes me angry. Wow. So I'll just say that I think the film had something to say about one character, and it did an okay job of saying that.

[00:29:58] Although I feel like there's a lot it missed with regards to family and relationships that it really needed to do a lot with. I felt the other character gets off completely scot-free, and I feel like is actually an insult to everything that the film's trying to say. Let me agree with you for a change, for a little bit. All right. I, you know, on record, like the film a lot more than you. However, I will say that... Okay, I'll just go ahead.

[00:30:27] It's not going to spoil anything. Okay, fine. Let's just do it. No, no. I'll just say, because I'm going to try to... I'm going to hit a different... Chris, I was the only person in my movie theater last night. I don't think tons of people are flocking out to see this movie. No, no, no. It's probably okay if we spoil it. You know, I do like the movies. I don't want to spoil things. But I will say, I think you're referring to a little bit of the Danny character. Okay. Yeah. I feel like, yes, and maybe it's because contractually Nick Jennings is like, nope, you can't demonize me too much. No, I'm just kidding. I don't think that was there.

[00:30:58] But he is in a relationship, and when he's a failing or faded star, and then things change, and they mention the relationship has now dissolved. And I was like, interesting, because his girlfriend at the time seemed to really be a fan of how to write a song without you. And I was like, huh. And I feel like they could have... That's a scene that could have been there. They could have investigated a little bit more of that.

[00:31:24] And that helps for when there is a confrontation between Danny and Rick. Is that his name? I've already forgotten his name. Rick, when they do finally have a confrontation after the... Somebody that we've left out of this conversation. And I feel like that would have nuanced that a little bit more. I guess some of the things that Paul Rudd's character could have said would have hit Danny a little. And Danny knows, but instead they kind of leave it a little bit of unspoken.

[00:31:53] I think there's a way you make that final song duet work. Right. Where I feel like both characters are where they need to be at the end of the film. I did not feel like they did that at all, especially with... I mean, with either of them, honestly, but I felt like with Danny's... Danny was horrible. Let me bring in somebody else. So I've mentioned a lot of other things, but I'll mention a positive that I like, but it could contribute to the weakness that you're calling out. Yeah.

[00:32:20] Somebody else's performance in this that I really liked, Jack Rayner. Jack Rayner. And he plays the agent manager of Mac. And I liked him. And they are the one who it's easier to kind of demonize him. Sure. And I think if you're looking for good guy, bad guy, that's the bad guy. However, I think he is... I think he's a little more nuanced than just mustache twirling bad guy. Yeah. And I think... About that.

[00:32:49] I think the resolution that happens at the very end of the film, you can buy... Because basically, I feel like he has Danny a little bit under his thumb. Danny is struggling. He does want to come back. He does want fame again. And the manager's like, well, look, this is how we're going to do it. You have to just put all your trust in me and whatever I say, good. And he's like, nope, I got this. And then he handles it a certain brass or brusque way and everything.

[00:33:18] So I think... Yeah. I can see that. I'll tell you. I'll just skip to... Because we're nowhere. We've spent a lot of time on this review. I'm going to wrap up with something I've been glowing saying I liked. But there was a scene in this film that gave me outcome vibes. The Keanu Reeves film that you and I both did not like. Oh, hold on. What scene is that? Yeah. I think I know what it is.

[00:33:49] I... And I remember even seeing this scene on the screen. And I'm thinking to myself, either Chris Fry is going to hate this or he's going to love it. And I don't know which angle he's going to take. So anyway, tell me if I'm right. Can you... Well, it's the hot tub scene. Oh, no, that wasn't... Okay. No, see, here's the thing. No, you probably liked the once call out, didn't you? Oh, I loved it. Yeah. I loved that. That was... See, that was the one. Is that also the director who's there busking? I think it is. It might be. I think it's Carney singing. I think. But I tried to see... I was okay with that. Oh, I loved it.

[00:34:18] I thought it was funny. Loved it. Loved it. All right. Hot tub scene. Hot tub scene. It's confrontation between, you know, Rudd and Jonas. And it was funny, but then the way it was shot, reverse shot, I was like, something feels very odd about this. And I think it's because I don't know if it was a situation outcome where they only had Rudd and Jonas together for so long and they green screened it or they... Could be.

[00:34:44] Something about it just like the water looked fake and it bothered me. Yeah. Well, I mean, I feel like the scene. I think that scene was horrible. And I saw somebody else call it out too that they said like it was... My issue was just the writing of that scene. Again, it's like, where are you going with this? Is this meant to be comical? Because Paul Rudd's getting in a hot tub and he's got his clothes on. He's all kind of frantic and acting and all that. But then the Danny character, I did not understand by...

[00:35:14] I understood why they tried to have him act a certain way and the lines he said, but nothing rang true about it. You know what I almost wondered? Nothing rang true about it. Okay, so I was thrown off because something about it, shot reverse shot looked weird. Like, are they in the same room? Honestly, I have to wonder too. Paul Rudd, we all, I think would agree, great comic actor. I think because he's been in things like the Anchorman films, he can also improv.

[00:35:41] I wonder if he was improv-ing some of that and Nick Jonas couldn't handle it. And not because he couldn't, but he couldn't, and I think he was laughing because some of the scenes, it's like the eye lines don't match up. Those scenes, the hot tub scene, it's like he's looking above... It's like he can't look at Paul Rudd because if he does, he's going to laugh. I kind of want to watch it now again, just from a technical standpoint. Right. Because I wasn't...

[00:36:06] I was so getting frustrated by the dialogue and writing that I wasn't paying attention to the technical aspects of the scene, but I should have. The technical aspects were making me maybe ignore some of the dialogue. It could be. So it was like reverse. I'll just... Let me just... That's my one thing on the sound. I need to wrap...

[00:36:30] The hero moment that Danny Wilson gets at the end of this film on stage made me so angry. Because, again, I don't want him to be a villain. I want him to be a nuanced character. And you cannot give him an equal hero moment on stage like Rick does in this finale. Nothing about that makes me feel like anybody learned anything from this movie. Okay?

[00:37:00] It's like, I don't need it to be a Danny all of a sudden goes out on the microphone and is like, I didn't write this song. This guy in this crowd did. I didn't want that. I didn't want that. Yeah. A lesser film would have done that. And a lesser film would have done that. But I mean, some sort of self-awareness to be like, oh, man, I screwed this up. I've got to do something to make this right. I'm not going to go out and jeopardize my career. I'm not going to bomb myself. But, man, there's something I could do. Now, it's implied in an epilogue that something was done.

[00:37:30] But I'm like, all right, too late, though. You gave Danny the hero moment. Danny's singing to thousands of fans. And it's like, and you've got them in the same lighting and the same framing as you've got Rick singing in the same song. I'm like, no. There is no comparison between these two at this point. There has to be some discrepancy in how they're treated. Anyway, so, yeah, that's what I think. Honestly, Chris, I think I was probably, if the movie had ended before that last sequence, I would have come out much better review than I'm giving.

[00:38:00] But when it got to that final song, I think it started to illustrate everything about the film that I felt like was unearned and didn't work in the writing. That it just pissed me off by that point. So, I'm like, all right, well, now I'm done. So, that's why I'm negative on it. Look, it's better than Floor and Son. Okay? And I could say it's close to, for me, Begin Again. There's actually a lot more similarities with this film than Begin Again because it's about the music business. There's, like, executives. It's like, you know, all this stuff.

[00:38:29] I get it. To me, I still like Begin Again a little bit better than this. Overall, it's good. But this is nowhere near Once or Sing Street at all. But better than Floor and Son. So, we'll leave it at that. But it just, the capability for it to be better is there. So, just like Danny, it could be the beginning of Carney's comeback for you. No, look, I'd be happy if this is kind of a little bit more of an upswing where it's like, all right, let's keep on this pattern. Let's go. Sure.

[00:38:56] Just tidy up some of these little, for me, these little writing nuances and give me a little more character development. Let me understand these characters a little bit more. And don't just play for the scenes that you're going for. Actually build it up and make it worth it. So, anyway. Gotcha. Good. That's a good, healthy conversation. I actually, you know, I actually maybe even walk away feeling a little bit better about the film here and you talk about it than I did coming in. But still, I'm still overly disappointed overall. But it's still an improvement. And let's keep it going, John.

[00:39:26] Let's keep moving upward. Upward and onward here, okay? Are we done? Sure. Okay. Good deal. That is Power Ballad. And I would say playing in movie theaters right now, but by the time you hear this, I don't know if it'll still be there. Well, I think that's part of my thing, too. I'll say, like, maybe I'm being overly positive, but it's like I had heard some grinding of teeth and some dissing of this film prior to go. And I saw it and I was like, oh, this is pretty good.

[00:39:55] And like you, I saw this theater in a big theater and I was maybe the third or fourth person in there. And I was like, oh, I feel like this is better than that. I had nobody. Okay. But I did go at 1040 p.m. on a Sunday night. Okay. So, like, I actually, Chris, I walked out of the theater after the movie was over. I startled one of the employees of the theater. They did not realize that anybody was still in the theater. They, like, honestly jumped. They're like, oh, my God, I didn't know somebody was still here.

[00:40:25] I'm like, yeah. Yeah, I was the guy that was in Power Down. I was the one guy watching the one movie here. Wow. Anyway, it was funny. All right. Let's take a quick break. When we come back, we have some trailers to watch and a recommendation for you of a film you think you ought to check out. You're listening to Foot Candle Films. We'll be right back in a moment. Want to discover great podcasts or maybe even start one of your own? Welcome to The Mesh, Western North Carolina's podcast network built for creators and listeners alike.

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[00:41:24] All right. I've cooled down a little bit after being a little hot about Power Ballad. Sure. But we finished that review. We're both still on speaking terms, so that's good. So anyway, let's move on to some shared things and maybe we can find some solidarity back on. And that would be some trailers of films that are scheduled to come out in the next few months. We try to do this every episode if we can, at least bring up a trailer or two.

[00:41:49] And just to see what's coming down the line and if anything looks interesting and what our initial thoughts are. So we've got three trailers lined up here, Chris. And how about let's do them in this order? How about let's hit the Onslaught first? Oh, okay. And do you know anything about Onslaught you can say to set this up or can we just play it? It is from director Adam Wingard, which he did The Guest, Godzilla vs. Kong. So you have kind of a smaller thriller movie there.

[00:42:19] And then you have obviously a big budget Godzilla vs. Kong movie. So he's kind of, you know, he's done a little bit of both. I know that it stars Adria Arjona, who she was in The Hitman, the movie that we reviewed a while ago. Yeah, that was the... Yeah, Linklater comedy. Richard Linklater. Yeah. Which we really liked. Yes. Yeah, we thought it was good. And then also... I remember pointing out, I thought she was especially good in that film.

[00:42:46] And Dan Stevens, who was also played in The Guest. And he was also in Godzilla Kong. Oh, okay. Yep. Yeah. So he's kind of a Wingard. He's a Wingard wingman. So there you go. Nice. That's good. I'll trademark that. But anyway, that's... And it's kind of like an action movie. That's what I kind of know about Onslaught. Onslaught. I'll just kind of say what the little YouTube little description says, if it says anything for us.

[00:43:17] All right. Well, it just says exactly what you just said. Oh, okay. It does not tell us anything plot-wise about the film. Does it use the Wingard wingman? It did not. Dan Stevens. Okay. Because you have that copyright. It doesn't want to get sued. Sure. All right. Let's take a look, Dan, at the trailer here for Onslaught. How long has it been here, Celeste? You need to get over your shit, soldier. I like it here. It's safe. Look, I got an emergency meeting.

[00:43:47] You're up, Mom. No, no, no, no, no. It's a burrito. Eat a burrito with your hands. Like this. Quiet. Big bite. That's my girl. It's the second time that Black Hawk has gone over us today. They're up to something in the desert north of here. Kind of secret base or some shit.

[00:44:17] What you are witnessing here is a human equivalent of a heat-seeking missile. It's a perfect soldier. So that was the trailer for Onslaught. It turns out it's an A24 film. Which... Did not know that. Yeah. Yes. I'm curious.

[00:44:41] You know, to me, if I had to give people an idea, it's like a Terminator film in a way. Yeah. But done by A24. It took a turn I did not expect. Yes. Yeah. So it seems to be the use of some super soldiers. Kind of jacked up super soldiers that... End up invading a town and this woman has to defend herself and her child. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:45:12] I mean, nothing about this really looked interesting to me. But again, it is a... I like the lead. I like it as an A24 film. But I've got to hear that there's more to it than just women's defending her daughter from a murdering group of super soldiers. Right. I mean, I need more than that. Yeah.

[00:45:40] It intrigues me just because it's Adam Wingard, which I think I've liked. He also made a... I think before The Guest, he made a horror film called You're Next. I think he did You're Next. And I liked that one. So, yeah. I'm just kind of curious what he's up to. If this just is a straight out just action exploitation film and that's it. Yeah. Not as interesting to me.

[00:46:05] But I just wonder because it's A24, because it's Adam Wingard, and because Dan Stevens is... I just wonder if... Which is not unusual. The trailer may be a little misleading on the action side, maybe. I don't know. I just... It has me curious. But yeah, like you, hesitant because is that all it is? It's just like, you know, hacky exploitation violent flick. Not as into that. Right. And again, just played out.

[00:46:34] Mother protecting daughter. You know... Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. Yeah. I'm with you. And I got to hear something more about this. So... I understand. Okay. Well, that's Onslaught. I think September is the date it came up. It showed. I think so. Whoop. And this is the first I'd heard about the film is when... With the teaser. It just recently popped up. So... Yeah. Somewhere. I think September. Okay.

[00:47:03] Let's say September. Sounds good. We're going to go with that. All right, Chris. Let's hit another one here. How about let's do... This is what I pulled up and brought up right before we started recording that I'm curious about. This is a film called By Any Means. Okay. And the reason I wanted to bring up this trailer, I have not seen this yet. I know very little about the film other than it does star... Oh, gosh.

[00:47:32] Always having a hard time with the name. Mark Wahlberg. Yes. Yes. That's the name I have a problem with. Mark Wahlberg is in it. Gotcha. You're right. But it's actually Yaha Abdul-Mateen. I guess I could be better about that. Yeah. Yaha Abdul-Mateen is the star of this. It doesn't feature Mark Wahlberg as well. They're both on the poster. And it's from director Elegance Bratton, who I'm not familiar with at all.

[00:47:59] He has done films, a film called My House. He did one called Peer Kids, The Inspection. A lot of films he's worked on and produced and made. I'm not familiar with any of his work. But this is a film. It stars the two leads, as I mentioned, as a notorious mafia hitman and a young black FBI agent teamed up to investigate the murders of civil rights leaders in 1966 Mississippi. Based on a true story.

[00:48:29] Okay. So, I'm curious about this. Just because I really like Abdul-Mateen a lot. I really... You still haven't seen the Wonder Man TV series, the Marvel that he stars in. I'm familiar with him from Watchmen when he played Manhattan. Right. He was very good there as well, too. But so I'm a big fan of his. So I'm anxious to see how this plays out. But again, I have not seen the trailer. So we will watch this together and see if there's anything to this.

[00:48:58] So hold on as I get this queued up. This is from VVS Films, which is a production studio I'm not familiar with. I'm not familiar with either. We'll see what that means for us as well. Agent Strider, why did you join the Bureau? I believe in justice. And I believe that Negroes have to be a part in getting it. Case after case, unsolved. Unsolved.

[00:49:27] Unsolved. I can do more than sit behind a desk. No one's talking to the FBI. Not willingly, that is. So what do you want to do? Something unorthodox. You will be partnered with someone tied to organized crime. What about is that, Eddie? I ain't telling you nothing.

[00:50:01] All right. Well, that is the trailer for By Any Means. Also coming out in September. What do you think, Chris? Violent Green Book? Mm-hmm. Yeah. Concerns me. Concerns me. Green Book, also based on a true story. But the handling of that film and kind of the white savior thing that kind of came throughout that was a little problematic for me. And I don't stand alone. I'm not saying anything new.

[00:50:31] Lots of people disagreed with how that found, like the Academy Awards, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. This film, also based on a true story, as you said, just the, it looks like it's going to be a hard R. It looks like pretty intense violence. The trailer was a hard R. Yes. So, but also Mark Wahlberg's character just really leaning into stereotypes and getting the funny, you know, politically incorrect line type thing.

[00:51:00] I just, it concerned me. It could end up, it could end up being good, but it concerns me how you were concerned with the first trailer having reservations. I was like, oh, I'm interested. This one concerns outweigh interest a little bit, but we'll, we'll see. I do like Mateen just like you do. The actor. So, yeah, I don't know. I don't know. Well, it's kind of- I am, I am more hopeful on this. Okay. Than the last movie.

[00:51:30] Only because I think there's more, there's more something interesting to mine here. Because it's based on a true story. It's a true story. And I think obviously there's, you know, race relations and the crimes that were committed back in the 60s based on race. I mean, I think this is a little bit of an interesting story take on that, the kind of going back for a little, you know, getting some justice for some of that. So here's the thing, I guess, not just violent Green Book was a cop out.

[00:52:00] It's Black Klansman mixed with Green Book. Yes. Because Black Klansman also- Which one of those two movies, very good. Right. One of them, not so good. Not so good. Black Klansman liked, it was a Spike Lee movie, but it was a story about the time period and something that was done that I was not familiar with. And I found it very interesting, the Black Klansman idea. This also did not know that they used a mob person to help.

[00:52:26] So potential, but I'm concerned about the handling, but I don't know. Well, I'm encouraged looking over Elegance Bratton, who's, I think, not only the, he's the director. He did not write it. Okay. Looking over his past work, I think he's going to have something more to say in this than- Got you. Than just shoot him up action and, oh, hey, look, the white mob boss comes in and gets to be a hero. I don't think that's going to be the deal. Okay. So I'm hopeful anyway.

[00:52:56] I'm, I'm, I'm interestingly optimistic on this. Okay. We'll see how this plays out. So, all right. Well, that is by any means September 4th is the date on that one. All right. Last film we're going to do is a trailer we've got for us here. And let me pull back up my handy dandy list where it was. Cause I'm missing that. It is a film called, oh, how to rob a bank. That's it, Chris.

[00:53:26] You are correct. Uh, how to rob a bank. Uh, where did I see? Oh yeah, here it is. It's in my YouTube app. Okay. Uh, how to rob a bank. This is one, uh, I'm just, technology is not working with me. Uh, how to rob a bank. This is with Nicholas Holt, Zoe Kravitz and John C. Riley, which I'm on board. Sounds good. I like all three of those. Interesting little pair. A crew of social media savvy bank robbers broadcast their daring heist.

[00:53:56] Unaware that they're growing viral fame has put them in the crosshairs of a veteran FBI agent and a brilliant software engineer. Okay. Okay. I think this sounds interesting. Uh, let's see, it's directed by David Leitch, who I think last did The Fall Guy with, uh, Ryan Gosling. Yes. Uh, he also did. I was a huge fan of that. He did one of the John Wick movies. Some of the John Wick movies. I don't know whether he just helped write it because I know his background was, I believe David Leitch was a stunt person.

[00:54:26] And I think maybe he helped write some of the John Wick's or maybe he did direct. And that's why The Fall Guy was kind of like a labor of love because it like brought all attention to the stunt people. He also did Bullet Train, didn't he? Uh, maybe. And I think he might have done one of the Deadpool movies. Oh, okay. Yeah. And he so. Okay. So action, stunt work, you know, so, but yeah, he's directing this. We know. I'm curious.

[00:54:54] Uh, hold on before we play the trailer. Just, we're going to verify here. Okay. Uh, just because this is important, we need to make sure we get our credits right on people and not just, uh, assume everything. Last film he did was The Fall Guy. Before that, he did Bullet Train. Okay. Uh, Fast and the Furious presents Hobbes and Shaw. Okay. He directed. Uh, he directed Deadpool 2. Okay. He directed Atomic Blonde. Okay. So he did direct a horror movie. Yes. That was his first movie directing. Okay. So he must have just.

[00:55:23] So I think he was a. Or was he just a stunt coordinator on. He had something to do with John Wick. I feel pretty sure. I don't remember what, but I feel like he had something to do with John Wick, but maybe not. Maybe that is. No, no. I think you're right. I just don't know what it is. All right. We'll get back to that. He was doing the catering. He was, he was the catering. He was the caterer. On, uh, the John Wick movie. That was his claim to fame beforehand. No, I'm sure there was something more involved. I just don't know what it was.

[00:55:53] Anyway, let's watch the movie, uh, the trailer for How to Rob. A bank. You know, what's more powerful than money? An audience. Rolling. Let me break some numbers down for you. Odds of owning your home. Four out of 10. Odds of earning a six figure salary. Two out of 10. But the success rate of armed robberies. Is nine out of 10.

[00:56:27] This makes some content. Blue is for blanks. No one has to get hurt. All right. Go, go, go. Oh, shit. Oh, golden girls. All right. Okay. That was the trailer for How to Rob a Bank by director David Leitch with, uh, all the cast members we mentioned before. Nicholas Holt. Uh, Zoe Kravitz. John C. Reilly. I saw Pete Davidson in there popping in. I saw Christian Slater. Oh, yeah.

[00:56:56] Christian Slater's in there too. Yeah. All right. So what'd you think, Chris? Uh, you know, possibly my second favorite use of a Radiohead song ever in a trailer. They used Karma Police for this one. The first would, of course, be, um. Social Network. Social Network. Yeah. For Creep. But, um, yeah, I was interested in the movie already, you know, just watching the trailer. And then they, you know, Karma Police. I'm like, okay. They got the Chris Fry vote right there.

[00:57:25] That needle drops like, okay, too far. Studio executives are cutting the trailer. They're like, how do we get us connected? How do we, yeah. How do we connect with the Chris Fry demographic? We need that. I hope I didn't see too much in the trailer. That's my first concern. Um, I, I, I think it looks great. It, it does, although I feel like it maybe should too much. It did satisfy one concern that I immediately had.

[00:57:50] Um, and I, it's going to be a tightrope demonizing kind of the problem with Power Ballad demonizing one side or the other. Because when you hear the catch, you're like, okay, so John C. Reilly is doing what? Oh, he's the FBI. Okay. So is he just going to be a buffoon or nope? Yeah. It's, I hope it gets the nuance right. That's going to be a tough one because it's obviously also seemingly an action comedy maybe,

[00:58:17] but it has obviously some issues that it's going to try to deal with as far as wealth and greed. So it, it's a tightrope, but I hope it works. To me, it looks like, um, a sister film, a pairing could be, which you and I've talked about on the show before. I've recommended. It was a foot candle film festival, uh, film a long time ago. Um, we spotlight film American animals kind of interesting thing where people doing something I was getting for sure on it, but a much slicker. Oh yeah.

[00:58:47] Much slicker, bigger budget version of that. Yeah. Yeah. It'll be interesting to see. I, I, no, it looks like, it looks like fun if nothing else. Um, and in general, I like David Leitch's action, his approach towards action films. I mean, you see the flipping cards and you're like, oh yeah, I can tell this guy. I can tell him. Even though I still was the one that had a little more hangups with the fall guy than, than, than others. But I still can respect that it was a, it was a pretty good action movie.

[00:59:17] Um, so it could get the action right. And that may be all it is. It could have a little more to do and say, and that could be also kind of cool if it does. It looks like the actors involved are having a good time with it. So, you know, that's, it could be a good time at the movies. I think, um, I've, of course I'm excited about Zoe Kravitz pairing with John C. Reilly and playing all things, you know, cause that's an interesting pairing right there on the opposite side, the criminal side. Yeah. Pete Davidson question mark. However, Nicholas Holt.

[00:59:46] I'm like, okay, that's, that's going to be good. No, I like him a lot as well. So, all right. Well, that's, uh, what was the date on that one? It was September as well. It's all September films. All September films. I was going to say September 4th. Okay. So these are all being pushed right out of that range of the summer. Sure. Going into the new, the new year, new school year and the fall season. So, uh, we will see. Yeah. We'll see how those all turn out. We've got three trailers, three movies all coming out in September that we have very

[01:00:14] mixed opinions on and be anxious to see which of these, if any of these kind of hit with audiences or with critics or with us. And, uh, you can only, you can only see one of the three out, which is it going to be onslaught by any means or how to rob a bank. Oh, wow. I don't know. I'd say by any means, just because I'm just curious if they can do something interesting with that subject matter and with the story behind it.

[01:00:43] And I'm going to go for how to rob a bank. I blame radio. I blame radio head for that. Onslaught is the one I'm just like, I really got to, I got to know there's something more to this or something's interesting about this because I did not get my attention on the first blush there. Sorry, Adam Wingard. And wingman. And wingman. Was he even in the trailer? Was Dan Stevens in the trailer? I think I heard his voice.

[01:01:08] I think he might be the evil scientist that is behind forming up the, um, the soldiers. Maybe. There you go. Okay, Chris, we're at the end of the show. We have kind of gone a little long today. We talked a lot more about Power Ballad than maybe we should have. No, it was good. It was a good conversation, but we got to wrap up. I always want to make sure we have time for this. You have a recommendation for us, a film that you are going to recommend to our audience that you think is worth checking out. Uh, I made the comment earlier on that this could be fun.

[01:01:37] I was like a birthday party viewing thing, but you kind of wrinkled your nose a little bit saying, maybe not. So I'm going to leave it to you. Uh, what are you recommending and what type of, uh, environment or presence or audience do you think this is a place to, to see such film? I'm not sure, but if you do have this as a birthday screen, please write into the show and let us know how it goes. I'll give information about that whole contact thing later, but please, that would be amazing. Uh, what I'm going to recommend is a film from 2025 that kind of came and went.

[01:02:06] Um, people did call out the performance of Amanda Seyfried, but other than that, there were, I mean, it is the Testament of Anne Lee. Okay. I'll read you the little description here. The extraordinary true legend of Anne Lee, founder of the devotional sect known as the Shakers who preached gender and social equality and was revered by her followers as the female Christ.

[01:02:32] So interesting thing there, um, of note too, is it's directed by Mona Fastfold, who was part of the, um, team behind one of the minds behind the brutalist. She didn't direct that film, but she was kind of, you know, in, you know, I think she helped write it or any involved with the making of the realist, but this is a musical. And from what I understand, they took original Shaker hymns and then use them in the film. So the words they're singing are part of the hymns, but like the dancing and kind of

[01:03:01] the staging of it is just wild. Um, so I recommend the Testament of Anne Lee. It's kind of a completely different musical experience than the film we talked about earlier with power ballad, um, several good performances in it. It is now a streaming on Hulu. So the Testament of Anne Lee, probably not for everyone, but it is interesting. And just the, the cinematography in the film, it's just, it's a very well made film. Testament of Anne Lee. It's a streaming on Hulu.

[01:03:31] Excellent. Well, good. I was glad that was one that I had on my radar for a good while from last year. Just never had a chance to catch up with in advance. I wanted to see it before award season and just was able to squeeze it in or have a chance to do so. But, um, yeah. And it, it didn't get a lot of attention. Unfortunately, it kind of went pretty quick, but I know the people who have seen it really are championing it. It sounds like you are as well. So I'm, I'm very, very excited to see it now. So thank you for the recommendation as always, Chris.

[01:04:01] And with that, we're going to wrap up today's show. We had our review of power ballad. We had our trailers for onslaught, uh, by any means and how to rob a bank. And then Chris's recommendation of, um, the Testament of Ann Lee. So with that, Chris, uh, if anybody wants to chime in conversation, they want to jump in the power ballad discussion, which way, Hey, the more the merrier. Come on in and tell us what you thought. How can they, how can they do that on any topic that we talked about today?

[01:04:29] If you do hold a screening of the Testament of Ann Lee for your birthday, or want to tell us how power ballad is the best John Carney film. You may do that by sending us an email to info at footcandle.org or leave us a voicemail at the mesh.tv website, where you can also check out past footcandle film episodes, as well as other podcasts on various subjects from barbecue to comedy to mental health. We're also on Facebook at footcandle film society and other social platforms as just simply footcandle film.

[01:04:59] Do us a favor. If you like the show, consider leaving us a review on whatever platform you receive your favorite podcast on because it'll help us reach new listeners. And we'd appreciate that by the way, just a little note, footcandle film festival, the 2026 version is coming up September 18th through the 27th. We'll be holding, holding it here in Western North Carolina. If you're local or you feel the need to travel, uh, we'd love to have you join us. All right. Well, with that, we're going to go ahead and wrap up the show. Thanks everybody for listening.

[01:05:27] We will be back next week with another episode with more movie talk, trailers, reviews, recommendations, all that good stuff. So until then, take care. We'll see you. See you in the ticket line. Watch out.

[01:06:17] 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.

[01:06:44] Check us out online at themesh.tv. Discover other network shows and give us feedback on what you just heard.