Supergirl

[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.

[00:00:36] Hello everyone and welcome to Footcandle Films here on the MESH.TV Podcast Network. My name is Alan Jackson. With me is Chris Fry and we are with the Footcandle Film Society, the annual Footcandle Film Festival, and this podcast, Footcandle Films. Chris, how's it going? How was your weekend? Everything good? Everything's good. I am happy to be indoors in air conditioning because it's hot outside.

[00:01:04] But it is summertime. It is supposed to be hot outside and it is fulfilling that obligation. But I don't dig the heat, so I'm glad to be in the air conditioning. With you as well. Unfortunately, I spent a little too much time outside looking this weekend. So I feel my energy is a little zapped today from that long weekend. But happy to be indoors as well. Air conditioning is running nicely in here. The studio is good.

[00:01:28] So it's a perfect mood for us to talk some movies, which is what we're going to do here on Footcandle Films. We have a primary review of a new film that we try to do every week. This week will be the review of the film Supergirl, the latest entry in the DCU. That is the official title I think they're going with, with the James Gunn-produced universe, the DC Comics, DC Universe.

[00:01:54] Supergirl is the latest entry directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Millie Alcock. We'll be talking about that film here in just a moment. After that review of the film, we'll be sharing some news, some news and some trailers to talk about with upcoming productions or things in the movie world that we want to explore and talk about a little bit. And then we'll end up the show, as always, with Chris giving one of his world-famous patented recommendations of a film.

[00:02:24] Chris, you know I travel a lot. Build up the anticipation. As I'm all around my travels, people are always coming up and talking about this podcast, but they don't really talk about anything except asking, how does Chris get all these great recommendations of films? People have built their watch cues for the last several years off of your recommendations. So you've got quite a tradition to uphold here. A lot of people counting on your recommendations. So I hope you're not going to let them down today.

[00:02:52] One day that should result in a kickback from like Netflix and Hulu, maybe. Yeah, right. I'll keep waiting for that to happen. But in the meantime, we've got plenty of other things to get into, starting with our primary film review, which is the movie Supergirl. Hey, I was just touching base to see when you think you might be coming back. You know, I'm just worried that you're not going to find your stride here if you keep going off-world all the time, Kara.

[00:03:21] I'm worried you're not going to find your people. Yeah, well, that's the thing, Clark. I have no people. I'll miss wherever you are, buddy. Crypto and I at least had each other.

[00:03:52] Honestly, I thought we were lucky. But luck almost by definition runs out. What can I do? The Brickens carry the antidote on that person. He has three days. You cannot. Tom King is a favorite comic book writer of mine.

[00:04:22] In 2022, he wrote a short run of Supergirl comics. Knowing nothing of the background of Supergirl, I was unsure that I wanted to read them. But trusting Mr. King, I forged ahead. I was so glad I did. I love the storyline. And when I'd heard that it was going to be the basis for a Supergirl film to follow in the footsteps of last year's James Gunn's Superman, I was excited. Reading source material prior to seeing a film can be a blessing.

[00:04:49] Fun to see how ideas and passages in the book play out on screen. I'm thinking of something like the Harry Potter films or a curse. Admissions, additions can cause whiplash. Project Hail Mary, recent example. Alan, I believe you are aware of the source material but have not read it. Is that correct? That is correct. Okay. So you were, in a sense, able to come to the film clean and avoid the peril of expectations. True.

[00:05:15] What did you make of director Craig Gillespie who did I, Tonya, Lars and the Real Girl? What did you make of his Supergirl? I thought it was fine. I thought it was fine. Okay. I know normally when I get on here and I use the fine, the label of fine, I can normally say it's down to the script that fails the film.

[00:05:45] Okay. I'm going to say with this film, I don't think it was a script. Yeah, it was a script. It was a pretty pedestrian. I've got to imagine the Tom King series probably had a lot more depth to it than this film did. That is an understatement. Yes. So this is simple. It was a simple movie. I'm okay with the simple movie. I kept feeling like the whole time watching it, there could be a lot more going on here, but they're choosing not to do that. And so be it. I get it.

[00:06:14] This is a mass marketed movie that you want to just try to have be some good entertainment for everybody. So I'm not going to fault the script. I think, you know, it was simple and a little derivative, but at least I don't think it was horribly written for what it was trying to do. And I'm also going to say, I think the performances in the film are, are good. I like Millie Alcock as Supergirl. I think she's really good.

[00:06:42] I always liked David Cornswit as Superman. I liked him in last year. Superman. He does have a cameo here. I think he's still good. I will say, I even like, uh, what's his name? Uh, Lobo. Um, who was that? What's his accent? Jason Momoa. Chris is grumbling. Probably not going to be Chris's choice, but that's right. I like, I like him better than Aquaman. I'll give him that much. So I think he's better in this role than he was there. Anyway, all that other thing said,

[00:07:12] the reason I think this movie is just fine. Honestly, it just kind of has to come down to the, to me, it's the direction and it's the just creating a film. That's fun to watch. And I don't think this film was fun to watch. I didn't, you know, I think part of it is there's nothing really extraordinary in the way it was made or put together or presented. I just found it kind of lackluster in most places.

[00:07:40] I thought the action sequences were all very similar and they were all very dark and muddy. Yes. That would be a good way to do it. The overall look of the film was just not enjoyable. And I get it. You're supposed to be on a foreign planet and you know, all this, I get it. I mean, it doesn't need to be bright colors and all, but man, it's like this whole film was just kind of blah to watch. And just, you know, the moments where the film, I think needed to hit some higher emotional points.

[00:08:09] And there were a couple where they could have explored that. I don't think directorially, they really did a lot to make those moments work. I thought they were pretty flat, pretty lackluster in all the places they needed to be a little more heightened. So all that to say, I didn't have a terrible time, but then again, I didn't read the original source material and I'm sure I would have a much different opinion if I did. That being said, for what it was on the surface, I thought it was a passable,

[00:08:37] serviceable superhero film that just wasn't a whole lot of fun to watch and, and, and, and appreciate. So anyway, with that, Chris, I do want to hear your opinion. You've got some more background knowledge to bring into this screening. So tell me what you thought of Supergirl. So what should I do first? Should I do, obviously I'm not really a fan of this film. I am lower than you are. Should I do negatives or positives first? Go ahead.

[00:09:07] Is it better to end on a positive note? No, no. Give me the positives first because I feel like the negatives are going to be more weighty and are going to ultimately steer where your opinion falls on this. Okay. Um, I would like to, then I'll talk about three positives that I have and there are different moments in the film. Um, and I won't, you know, go into space. I normally try, I don't, I both try to do, I won't go into spoiler. I'll just kind of briefly say what they are. So not to spoil anything. Uh, there is a, in space,

[00:09:36] no one can hear you scream moment that I really liked. And if you've seen the film, you know what I'm talking about. I thought that was really well done. Effective. Like, yeah, just great. Um, there is some filling in of Kara who Kara Zor-El, Supergirl, filling in of her background, specifically the difference between her and Superman's exit from the planet Krypton. Um,

[00:10:02] I appreciated that because it helps you understand the difference between maybe Superman's outlook and Kara's or our Supergirl's outlook. So it's like, okay, get it. You know, they're related supposedly, but they, but there's, they definitely have different outlooks on life. So, and how she came around to be like so late after he was already on earth. Like, but I feel like that was done well, expediently done. They don't spend a lot of time on it, but it, it worked. I thought it felt, you know, that was an example of,

[00:10:32] I thought the script was working, the direction was working and it great. Um, then I'll say a showdown with Supergirl, uh, a new character that we meet called Ruthie and, uh, the big bad guy in this film, Krim. There's a showdown between the three of them that I liked. Now here we transition into negatives. Okay. So you're done with the positives. Positives are done. That's it. Unfortunately,

[00:11:01] but those are, those are good moments. And I will not say, I'm not saying this is a terrible film. It's horrible. Nobody should go see it or anything like that. Like, but for me, it is, it is a disappointment. Um, and I will say kind of the, to use something from the MCU, Spider-Man's line with great power comes great responsibility. I guess that was uncle Ben's line, not necessarily. Yes. Spider-Man's, but that idea, which is, you know, people cite that all the time with the great,

[00:11:31] with great source material comes great responsibility. And it just really, it didn't totally squander it. Like some of the, the moments that I mentioned specifically, the final, or sorry, the showdown with the three care, crim and Ruthie handled better in source material, but still there was enough there that I was like, okay, you're, you're trying for something here. Now here we get to my biggest shrug.

[00:12:00] I roll every time this was, this character was on screen. I just wanted to bang my head against the seat. In front of me, which I would not do. Cause I don't want to disturb the theater patron in front of me. Um, Lobo, nothing against Jason Momoa. I liked Jason Momoa. Um, he was just, it was like record scratch, needle scratch, whatever you want to call it in this film. Every time he was on screen, I hated him. Now I don't know enough about the, I don't know anything other than it looks like a kiss character.

[00:12:30] It looks like Gene Simmons running around, which maybe that's originally when Lobo was like, come up. It was like, Oh, let's spin on. I don't know. I don't know why that, but anyway, just the way, and actually their characterization of him didn't really work for me either. Cause I'm like, okay, am I supposed to take him seriously as an all powerful type person? Who's basically mean or no, he's supposed to be like an Arnold towards today or making quips all the time. Like, I don't, I could not get it.

[00:12:58] And he kept flip flopping back and forth. Like the tone with him just so profoundly irritating. And he almost ruined the showdown moment with Kara, Krim and Ruthie because of a Schwarzenegger like comment or like sneering. And I'm like, seriously, you couldn't just let this moment breathe. And kind of a,

[00:13:24] you mentioned last week when I did my recommendation of princess and the frog, which you said I liked, I just wish they would have let the princess half her film instead of it. Okay. This film Lobo, which I'm not in the boardroom when James Gunn and Craig Gillespie are talking about how they're going to make this movie. And Tom King's probably sitting there and saying, yeah, change whatever you want. I don't care. Um, cause he's happy to have a paycheck and make a living as a writer. Um,

[00:13:52] I don't know why Lobo was included, but because I see a lot of films and yes, I can be jaded a little bit. But my thing is they want boys to come see this movie. And so they stick, they ram Lobo in here. So you can see a motorcycle route riding cigar chomping. And I'm like, he just, I, I disliked it so much. And it was really, really distracting for me that every time he was on screen. And like I say,

[00:14:21] nothing against Jason Momoa. I like him as an actor. It just didn't, that character did, there was nothing he could have done to make that character work in this. I just really don't understand other than, which makes even more of an egregious thing for me. If all they're doing is setting up for two films down the road where maybe he's part of the justice league with Superman and Supergirl or whatever. Don't know. Don't care. Like just so irritating. Um, so yes, that was my biggest,

[00:14:51] that was my biggest heard. Understood. Appreciate it. Um, but you liked it. So that's fair. He's an annoying character. Yes, he's an annoying character. That's, that's kind of his thing. So I at least came in with the understanding. That was it. Was it egregious that he's there? Absolutely. Did it need, did he need to be there? Not a bit. I think part of it is, yes, it's corporate synergy. It's like, okay, we would just like every other franchise.

[00:15:20] We got a built in character so we can spin them off, whatever. And I do think there's probably something to your point about, yeah, we got to get young boys in here too. And teenagers, which is, is dumb, but that's a business decision. Business decision because based it on some of the missteps that the MCU, or not missteps, but just how people didn't receive the Captain Marvel movie or the Marvels or like Wonder Woman. People liked the first one, really didn't like the second one. And so it's like, anytime they're going to give a female superhero the role,

[00:15:50] they're just like, oh, what are we going to do to fix this? And they just don't trust it. And I'm not going to get on a soapbox with this. I think studios are very misguided in why audiences have not connected with superhero films that star females. Because when they're good, people go to see them, right? People talk about them, people spread the word and people come out to see them. The first Wonder Woman was a great example of that. Gal Gadot, that was a good movie.

[00:16:19] And people saw that it was a good movie. I think the first Captain Marvel on the Marvel was a good movie. And it did really well box office wise. Other ones, it's just if it doesn't get the positive word of mouth and people don't like the movie, then people don't go. And unfortunately, I see the studios kind of saying it more of, oh, well, that one had a female lead. So that one's, we've got to, we now have to couch our future efforts with female leads, which I don't think is, is right. I think, you know, the quality of the movie makes the movie,

[00:16:48] not the lead character, in my belief. And I think audiences are sophisticated enough to agree with that. So anyway, that being said, so I, yeah, if, if Lobo's there just to get the boy audience, that is whatever. It's an unfortunate business. It's unfortunate. Whatever. I, I just thought, you know, I, I guess I was just really happy to see Jason Momoa playing a character that was more fitting than what I saw him try to be Aquaman in the previous version of the DC universe.

[00:17:17] Cause that was horrible. I just thought he was miscast. You want to talk about a character that's just like throwing out one liners and trying to be funny all the time that did not need to be that way. That was Aquaman by Jason Momoa, at least with Lobo. I'm like, all right, you got it. This is the character. This is what I remember reading as a, as a teenager and you know, all that. Cool. I get it. And yes, he's annoying. He's kind of trying to be a DC's equivalent of like a Deadpool. That's kind of the mode they go for.

[00:17:47] It's like this very sarcastic kind of a gruff guy, you know? And again, I think Momoa did it, but I can see how the character is annoying because he's annoying. And also, yes, it's a, it's, it's a shame they had to weave them in when I think the film could have stood fine without them. Agreed. So all that being said, I agree with everything else you said, Chris. I mean, not knowing the source material, I just assumed while watching this, it was like, I'm sure the source material is so much better,

[00:18:16] so much more depth to it, so much more intrigue and emotion going on than what I'm seeing here. But I'm like, you know, if you, if you had to give the elementary dumbed down version of great source material and put it on screen and make something serviceable entertainment out of it. I mean, I don't know. I guess they did it and they got it. So, and it was, it was,

[00:18:41] if it was just falling short of my cursed expectations of the source material, that'd be one thing, but coupling it with Lobo, that was just like, that was, it was a double whammy for you. You were done. I'll say to, but what'd you think of the performances at least? Can you, can you separate the performances? I think, especially from what you've said about the character of Lobo. No, I think Momoa did, a good job. The, I, the performances I thought across the board were great.

[00:19:09] I'm also say to maybe, but there again, like compared to the offense of having Lobo in the film, I thought maybe they leaned a little bit too heavily on Superman. It's fine. Yeah. But it was like, okay, yes, I get it. They're related. They're cut. So it's fine for him to be there, but it's like, okay, but let's really background him. That to me was a little more egregious where it's like, all right, you know, that felt like to me a, oh, Hey, everybody's Superman in this one too. So it's all good. And yeah,

[00:19:38] that one actually was even more egregious of like, just not having confidence in your main characters to kind of carry this themselves. But performances across the board, like you mentioned, I thought were great. Eve Ridley, who plays Ruthie, who doesn't, again, doesn't get as much as she did, obviously in the source material, but I thought she did a good job of playing that character whose family meets a tragic end at the very beginning of the movie and sets her on this path of revenge. Matthew Schoenartz, who plays Krem,

[00:20:08] I think it was just fun for me. I remember him as being in a period piece. I think it was far from that in crowd, I think is what he was in. And you know, he's Mr. Handsome and everything. Haven't seen him in a while. For him to show up as this, it's like, yeah, he's like the gross, disgusting villain with like piercings all over his face and everything. I thought that was kind of amusing. Unfortunately, I just felt like, I mean, no, his performance is great. I just thought the character itself was on in the film, very, just one dimensional. There's nothing to it.

[00:20:37] It was very throwaway villain, which unfortunately that's, that's also another reason. Unfortunately, that's another reason people don't remember these superhero movies is when the villain is just so disposable. And I felt like that was the case here. So just to the fact that there's a bigger climactic battle, which looks a whole lot like the first, second and third big battles that happened in the movie. I mean, they're all very similar looking and tone and just, yeah, anyway,

[00:21:05] but in that climactic battle, it took me a while to figure out which one is the big bad guy, like the big villain, the crim, you know, because they all kind of look the same and they're all fighting the same and they're all doing the same. It's like, all right, well, that right away is a sign that you didn't really build a character that I really kind of want to look for and seek out and follow in this film. And so that, that's a challenge. But anyway, yeah. Something else to say that I would say,

[00:21:32] I think you would probably agree with this is a superpower of James Gunn and is not of Craig Gillespie. Oh, is it music? Yes. Now, you know, James Gunn brings with him the Guardians of the Galaxy movies that have, you know, very famously had music sings in them. And, you know, he's made the Peacemaker series for DC, which, you know, has music. So it's just like this guy, he's really into music. And for me, and I understand for some people that could be irritating,

[00:22:02] but for me, it, it works. This film, it was like, oh yeah, we're going to do that too. And it's like, no, you're not. You just really don't. And they had music drops and maybe you could say, oh Chris, it's because you don't care for the songs. I'm like, well, no, just something about the way they're integrated in. That's what's not the problem was. I like all the songs. Actually, they kick in the first time we hear, and she's in a bar. Girl from Me Panina. Well, there's that, but even before that,

[00:22:31] like in the opening bit, there's a song by wet leg that I love. It's like a great song, but it just felt like, yeah, we added this in post and it just kind of felt like we needed to have this needle drop moment. And it just didn't feel like it really worked for the film. And that's the way I think all the music was the rest of the way. It's like, it's not that the music was bad. It's that it just felt requirement to tack on at these moments. And it was very haphazard too. It was like,

[00:23:00] there were some moments where it was like orchestral score, all this stuff. And then all of a sudden, randomly they would start a pop song and I'm like, okay, I don't really understand what the change in the tone of the film was to, to, to make this musical cue happen. So anyway, no, Craig Gillespie doesn't quite have that same gift. Honestly, I just don't think I like Craig Gillespie. I like a lot of his stuff. I don't think this is his bag.

[00:23:28] I don't think the superhero CGI big action sequences, that's just, it's just not his thing. And I mean, he did it. Okay. But there's nothing out of this that, that makes me say, Oh yeah, I want to see him do more of these movies. Not that. So, yeah. Yeah. Okay. But Chris is, yeah, that's telling. Yeah. I really, you know, it's, yeah. It like you summing out, it was, it's double-edged sword.

[00:23:55] It was Lobo and leaving a lot of the source material behind, which, you know, I know you're going to leave some, but just, you know, just squandering it. Yeah. Well, I, so it was frustrating. I'm kind of glad I hadn't read the source material before seeing this. Cause I probably would have felt, I'm sure much of the same way with it. Um, yeah, I always get very nervous about when something is clearly trying to adapt something or using that as an inspiration for it.

[00:24:21] I kind of like it if you don't fully adapt something, because then that just sets that expectation that it has to hit every note and it has to hit these moments. It's, I kind of like it when a creator can take that as source material as inspiration and say, all right, we're going to build something in this, in this world with this tone. But when it sounds like there's so many moments here where, you know, this is based off of this comic series. And they've even said on the press,

[00:24:50] we are kind of using that as our adaptation point. And the plot line is the basic plot line from that series. It's like, okay, well then you kind of have a responsibility to use the good material you've gotten, do something interesting with it. So it sounds like that was not done here. So none in my opinion. All right. Good deal. Well, I, you know, I had a slightly better time than you, but only because I didn't come in with those expectations or preconceived knowledge of the source material.

[00:25:20] So I'll take that as a little bit of a positive there with that. Again, I just do want to highlight. I thought Millie Alcock really good. I like her interpretation of Supergirl. I like the character they defined for her in this film. I just wish when there are some moments late in the film where this character is supposed to have some deeper introspection and deeper arcs to follow.

[00:25:48] I felt like the film took the easiest, quickest shortcut route to get there. It could. And I felt like there could have been a lot more depth in the characters development, but I'm not going to blame that on Millie Alcock because I thought she's really good. And again, I think they got the right people in this thing. Just didn't give it anything worth remembering or thinking back on or wanting to go back and see again. And I will say too, I recently,

[00:26:18] which probably again, probably hurt my interpretation of this film. I went back and rewatched last year's Superman before watching this film. Okay. And I liked it before and I really liked it. It plays well on repeat viewings. And so I was just like, you know, so then I was like, Oh, so there again, kind of maybe unfortunately hyping myself up for this. So quick point of note. Yes. If crypto did not exist,

[00:26:47] I don't think either of these two movies exist. Right. I mean, it's like how much is crypto integral to both of these films? It's got it crazy. Well, that, that, that was kind of a, it was a grown up for you. James Gunn. Yeah. Well, yes and no, definitely not the second time around. It wasn't first time around. Yeah. I'd have to revisit like comments and stuff, but, um, James Gunn was like, that was a big thing is he wanted to put crypto on screen. Right.

[00:27:16] So again, absolutely did. And I credit, I think, you know, that, that part works for me, especially on. It was just kind of funny when, you know, in super girl. Yeah. It's cryptos in the first shot of the film. He's there early on. I'm just like, okay, boy, are we just, it's all going to be crypto for the rest of the movie. They did something where crypto was kind of off the board for a while, which I think was probably good. And based on the source material. Okay, good. So that was good. That worked for me. I mean, you know, it gave me, yes,

[00:27:46] that worked, but there was a little bit of a fear. Cause I do remember with Superman. One of my criticism was crypto seemed to be, be the catch all. I, we need to be saved. We need something to be fixed. Okay. Well we got crypto. So we're going to use him. So it was like at least two, if not three instances of that in Superman. And I'm like, please don't let that be the case in super girl where it's just crypto is going to come in and save everything all the time. Nope. We're going to take crypto off the board for a little bit. But within instead we'll put Lobo in and Lobo will be the saving grace.

[00:28:15] And Kristen was rejoicing. I'll say I hear complaints and I hear your Christmas. This is invalid about Krim kind of being a paper thin villain, you know, because and disposal and especially with character design, there's a, there's somebody that Lobo is after, which in theory is the whole reason he's in this movie. Yes. And I never caught really which person he was like, there's a, what do they call them? They're not raiders. That's not what they call them. Bandits,

[00:28:45] not bandits. It's something, there was another, it's like a term for this group that goes around, not Marauders, but you get, you get what I'm saying. It's like this group, the bad, the bad group. Yes. And so Krim is a member of the, he's the leader of this bad group. And then this other dude that Lobo is after is in this group. But it was hard for me to tell like who, who is Lobo after? Cause it didn't matter. But one thing that I will say, you could consider it a strength, but I hear it. It's not. But in the source material, Krim,

[00:29:14] he is just mean and he is cruel for no reason. Like he just enjoys it. He is just, he has no soul, no humanity. He just enjoys being cruel. And so grand, if every other villain of a lesser thing is like that, you're like, yeah, but he's no different. So I will say at least they, they don't bother trying to give him any redeeming quality, which is true to this. So that's a good point. Yeah. That adds a little bit to it. I will say,

[00:29:44] which again, they handled it. Okay. Enough in a movie where you're trying to cram everything in the showdown moment. Like, you know, you're thinking, okay, this person has no redeeming qualities. And so that, that plays into how that is handled. So they did an okay job, but I wish better. Does that make sense? No, yeah, I do. I get it. I will say it's just a side note. Yeah. But the film was a tad more violent than I kind of expected.

[00:30:13] Not that I had a problem with it. It's just, I do think it's a little bit of a, a cautionary thing too. I mean, you know, just a tad. I mean, grand Superman, we just had last year and yes, Superman, obviously it's brighter colors. It was a more optimistic tone film. And it's like this film, you know, definitely it's darker. It's grimier. It's, it's on these foreign worlds. I mean, it is a lot of violence with, well, but I mean, even early on there's violence with it. Yeah.

[00:30:41] It was definitely a more violent film than I kind of expected for this entry in the universe, this quick into it. So anyway, that being said, didn't detract from my, any, any little enjoyment I got, but just was something of note. So yeah. All right. Well, that is super girl playing right now in theaters. Did not have a good first weekend. So we'll see. Let me just say, because of the comments you and I, we know we're not going to climb back on the soapbox,

[00:31:10] but just because it was because of the legacy of female driven superhero movies, I wanted this to be amazing. I wanted it to be a captain Marvel or first wonder woman. I really wanted it. I really wanted it to be a success. And I had heard early rumblings before I walked into the screening and I was like, well, you know, I'm sure it's not, I'm sure it's just the generic, you know, fanboys going crazy. And I was like, well, no, it really is. See? And unfortunately what's going to happen,

[00:31:40] Chris, is this has a bad opening weekend. Doesn't do well. Again, the rumbling will be, oh, it's a female led superhero movie. Can't do it. You just can't pull it off. And it's like, no, that wasn't the problem. Not true. No, this movie could have worked and it could have been better. It could have been more enjoyable, had nothing to do with the lead, uh, the lead character early performance in it. I think that was actually the strongest suit of the film is her performance in general, uh, her character. So anyway, yep.

[00:32:09] It's the world we live in though, Chris, it is the world we live in. All right. Well, that is super girl again. It's a playing in theaters right now, but I would encourage you to go out and see it quicker, sooner than later, because, probably won't be around too, too, too long, uh, based on first weekend performance. But Chris and I are saying, go out and support it and see it because we need more films to be made like this. Just this film needed to be better. And it had such good source material to work from.

[00:32:39] There's really, unfortunately, there's very few reasons why it should not have been better. And I just say, I just think it was unremarkable and almost every sense I can think of just very blah. Yeah. Decent, basic entertainment for me, but nothing to write home about, nothing to like think back on, nothing to recall, nothing to like want to see again. And then you were really let down with the, the, the misuse of the source material. Okay. So that is super girl. All right, Chris,

[00:33:09] we're going to take a quick break. And when we come back, we've got three trailers to show. Oh my gosh, we stacked it in. And I have one quick news item. Okay. That I think you will find entertaining because it harkens back to a, a notorious review. We did a few months ago. Yes. Well, I'll, I'll set it all up in a little bit, keeping you on pins and needles waiting. Okay. But with that, you're listening to foot candle films. We'll be right back in just a moment. Want to discover great podcasts or maybe even start one of your own.

[00:33:38] Welcome to the mesh Western North Carolina's podcast, network built for creators and listeners alike from local sports and business to comedy and culture. The mesh is home to unique voices and fresh perspectives. Do you have something you want to say? The mesh can help you bring your podcast to life with the tools, support and platform. You need to be heard. Check us out at the mesh.tv where great podcasts live and new ones are born.

[00:34:07] Welcome back to foot candle films here on the mesh.tv podcast network. Chris, I teased before we broke that, uh, I did have a news item that was going to reference an old, old review from a couple months ago that we did. And so let me go and start us off with that before we hit a few trailers and talk about some, some films that are going to be coming out because this is a news item about a film that sounds like it might not come out. Or if it does, it's going to need some more work. Um,

[00:34:37] uh, this is from the Hollywood reporter is saying that Jonah Hill actor and recent director, uh, we reviewed his latest film outcome that he directed. Did he write it also? I think he did. But any else just started in it. Definitely started in it. Uh, that we hated, uh, as a movie. Uh, so anyway, Jonah Hill's latest movie is a new one called cutoff. It's a comedy with Kristen Wiig.

[00:35:06] Is it all about like Daisy Duke shorts? That's correct. You are, you're absolutely Chris. You are on the pulse of what is all about pop culture these days. That's right. Uh, no, this film, uh, called cutoff. Uh, I'll just give you a quick description of the film. Uh, is a film that he'll Jonah Hill directed, produced and co-wrote with Ezra Woods. It follows two siblings played by Jonah Hill and Kristen Wiig, whose wealthy parents stopped financially supporting them.

[00:35:36] It's been described by Mr. Hill himself as a classic comedy, which right away, I'm sorry, Mr. Jonah Hill. And I can say this to you now because we reviewed your film. We spent an hour and a half with your film a couple months ago and we did not have a good time with it. And we found a lot of problems with it. So don't come out to the press and say your next film is a quote, classic comedy, comparing it to trading places, clueless and stepbrothers. I'm like, Oh boy. Um,

[00:36:06] and he says it's called cutoff, uh, rich kids in their mid forties who get cut off by their rich parents played by Bette Midler and Nathan Lane. I'm like, Oh, all right. Look, the premise works. The premise works. Yeah. I am on board for this. You would think this is going to be hard to mess up. And honestly, Jonah Hill acting in this. Yes, absolutely. Again, Jonah Hill and Kristen Wiig as siblings, spoiled siblings trying to, Oh, yes. Keep it under 90 minutes. I don't see how I get wrong, but here's the problem.

[00:36:36] Uh, the studio, uh, decided they're not going to release it in July. Like they had planned, uh, the film wrap production in January, Warner brothers decided it needs more time in the run up to its release. And now the rumors are floating. A quote came out and I'm trying to remember who gave the quote. Somebody close to the production said that basically, uh, the film is quote unreleasable in its current form and is now not being

[00:37:06] scheduled right now. So I just, uh, I read this and I, I, I hate to see any production. I hate to see the idea of making a film and not releasing it is just despicable to me. However, when somebody says this film's unreleasable and I saw, based on your experience, I saw Johnny Hill's last film. I'm like, yeah, yeah, I,

[00:37:34] I could see that being the case and I'm not surprised. So anyway, Chris, you had heard this news as well. So I had a similar reaction. Yeah. And I was like, well, yeah, anytime it's, it's a work, it's a work of art. It's something, you know, whether or not it's good or not, that's, you know, everybody's subjective opinion, but I was surprised at like, wow, they're coming out and saying we're not going to do it. So unfortunate, but yeah, based on my prior experience, well, I, you know, it'll probably,

[00:38:01] I assume at some point be released on streaming somewhere, but, uh, yeah, too bad because it sounds like there was a lot of potential there. Yeah. A representative for Mr. Hills told the Hollywood reporter that the film remains in post-production and that its release date was pushed because it quote, wasn't ready. Hmm. So take that as you will. Okay. Um, I want every film to be good. I want every film to be successful. So I'm, you know,

[00:38:32] I'm pulling for this to get retooled, refix because the premise and the two leads I'm on board with. Well, the four, four leads, but, uh, but boy, Jonah Hill, man. Um, yeah, just, uh, not, not a fan of any directorial efforts. Or I guess even like a lead writer efforts on his films at the moment. And I believe the fellow you mentioned that was co-writer for cutoff was also a co-writer on outcome.

[00:39:01] Is that right? Ezra Woods. Yeah. Okay. So that could be troubling right there. Could be as well. Yeah. All right. Well, I just wanted to kind of pass that along news a little bit of, a little bit of supporting our, our negative opinion of his last film. It does kind of, we weren't the outliers. That's right. It does validate a bit. All right. Let's move on to some trailers. We'd like to talk about trailers, movies that are upcoming that we're curious about. We want to see, or at least we want to see information about to see if it's something we're

[00:39:30] going to want to see when it shows up in the theaters or not. And we've got three. We're going to kind of hit through here real quick. First off is going to be the film werewolf. And I'm intentionally pronouncing it as werewolf. Is that correct? I know that's like an old type spelling of it. Sure. Uh, it's W E R W. Is it U L F or O L F? I think it's U L F U L F. Yeah.

[00:39:58] I think that's the difference is instead of W E R E W O L F. It's the U instead of the O. So I think that's the, which, you know, it's like, I mean, you know, these unique takes that, uh, Mr. Eggers does on this for a two, you know? So, yeah. Well, and speaking of, so this is Robert Eggers, who last film was and those for a two that Chris just mentioned, uh, he's kind of all been traipsing through a lot of horror films, a lot of, uh, let's see, let's rattle off.

[00:40:28] What were the ones he did before he did? Um, he did the witch, the witch. He followed up with the lighthouse, right? Um, the Northman, the Northman, which was his one time. Well, I don't know if the, the, the lighthouse I would consider a horror. It was just more of a psychological, psychological deal. Sure. Uh, but then I think was it those three and then he did Nosferatu. I believe so. Okay. So this is the second film in a row where it's kind of taking a classic story,

[00:40:55] kind of classic monster horror, you know, story and translating and trying to keep it a little more period accurate and kind of of the time. So we've got werewolf. This film is starring, uh, it is, his name is, I do remember his name. Aaron Taylor Johnson, Aaron Taylor Johnson, who was in, uh, Nosferatu. Right. As a supporting role. Is it a kid? Is it the same character he plays in this one or a different character? I don't know. I don't think so.

[00:41:26] Um, that would be kind of interesting. It would be, but yeah. Uh, so let's take a look at the trailer. This is coming out in Christmas at Christmas time. Just, you know, that's what he does. Yeah. It's like the Prince of darkness, Nisratu coming Christmas day. So it's like, okay. Yeah. So, and I'm sure this film will be totally family friendly. It'd be great for counter programming. It is. Counter programming is what it is. Absolutely. All right. Let's watch the trailer and see for ourselves. Just released. I agree. I think it was just this morning. We released,

[00:41:55] uh, the trailer for werewolf. Child of God.

[00:42:27] It's dread. Darkness. I heard of a raving beast. That rubbish is country.

[00:42:57] Give my husband to save from his cursedness. So that was the trailer for werewolf. I mean, it looks like a Robert Eggers joint. It does. It does. Yeah. Uh, no surprises there. So initial thoughts on it,

[00:43:26] just on first blush here. Yeah. It, I think for audiences, I'm including myself in this, it may be a little challenging because the color palette looks kind of, kind of like Nisratu was. Uh, washed out very like, well, it was using a notice two or three different palettes. Like it had a stark black and white for some, I think maybe things that might be more flashback based seem to be more sepia toned, but yeah, it was definitely,

[00:43:55] it looks like the spiritual sequel to Nisratu style wise and visually. yeah, I think, um, I may not be alone. I don't know. I have to have people tell us, but Dracula as a character for whatever, reason has always been more interesting to me. And if I look back at different films that have been made, it seems like I've always swayed more towards Dracula than I have to like Wolfman or Frankenstein. Um,

[00:44:25] we discussed Wolfman, which was done a couple of years ago. Yeah. That was, um, I'll shoot. Yeah. I can't remember who directed that, but it was more of like a family drama, modern day type thing. That was okay. Um, but this just, um, I'm not sure that there are going to be any surprises for me. Although I will say that it's going to be extremely high production value, huge sets, costumes, like, you know, it'll be the hallmark of a Robert Eggers film.

[00:44:54] I didn't end up liking Nisratu more than I thought I would. I think because I was just like, I've seen this story a hundred million times. It'll be interesting to see if he can bring something kind of a unique take on the werewolf story to make me more engaged. I will make my guess and say, yes, I think he will. I mean, I think there's, I think there's some interesting stuff to mine here and definitely at least from the teaser trailer, it appears that he's going in some interesting directions with it. So I'm curious to see. Uh, the Wolfman was, uh,

[00:45:24] 2025 actually just early last year. Okay. And it was directed by Lee Wannel. Oh yeah. Right. It's starting Julia Gardner and Christopher Abbott. Gotcha. So, yeah. Um, yeah, I didn't care for that as much. I thought that was a little disappointing that version, but I'm kind of seeing this as its own thing, kind of like where Nosferatu, I felt like was its own thing against a Dracula. Sure. This one to me is very much seems like a different thing than the traditional universal monsters,

[00:45:53] werewolf or Wolfman type of thing. Hence the different spelling. Right. Well, it is werewolf instead of Wolfman. So that's something I'm trying to key in as well. Anyway, we will see Christmas day. Open your presents, pick some, uh, hot chocolate and stroll out to the movie theater for werewolf with the family. It'd be great. Okay. So that, uh, that is that. Let me, uh, let me change the mood a little bit here, Chris. Okay. Uh, that was a pretty heavy, dark trailer. Um, so let's,

[00:46:23] let's pivot. And I want to bring up a comedy. Okay. That is coming to Apple TV. Oh, okay. And it is called the dink. Okay. And I just go ahead to preface this. I have a very personal connection to this, this movie trailer. Well, the movie it's, it's showing. Okay. Um, there are some opinions voiced in this film that I 100% currently have. And I agree with.

[00:46:48] So I see this as almost like a little personal soapbox movie for me to champion and to let people see. So I'm just going to play the trailer and then I can comment on it afterwards. I feel like I'm setting it up too much. I know nothing about this, but I'm just going to guess. You don't have to say, you know, you can just say yes or no. Does this have anything to do with basketball? No. Okay. But we are close. Oh, it is a sport. Oh, sport related. Okay. Okay. Here we go. This is the dink. Just enjoy.

[00:47:17] And we'll talk afterwards. Okay. Tennis. Elegance. Aesthetic perfection. She needs our protection. An epidemic is sweeping across our once great nation. And its name is. Pickleball, bitch. Yeah. Here's your pickleball. It's in the garbage. This is a tennis club lady. Woo! Get your pickleball ass out of here. Yeah. My name is Dusty Boyd.

[00:47:47] You're crushing these old people, Dusty. But most people know me as the hammer. How come you work for your dad teaching nine-year-olds? He's the guy that almost beat Andy Rodden. Feel the vibration. Maybe you could, I don't know, hook me up with something for the pain. Take it easy to this, okay? Come on, come on. You wrote a prescription for pickleball? You didn't actually bring it to the pharmacy, did you? Oh,

[00:48:18] of course not. I'm not an idiot. So, that was the trailer for The Dink. Yes. It's about pickleball. It's starring, oh gosh, what's his name? Jake Johnson. Mm-hmm. And executive produced, and also has in it Ben Stiller. You got Ed Harris, Mary Steenburgen. So, Chris,

[00:48:45] this is like my personal philosophy film at this point. Sure. When pickleball started getting famous and popular a little while back, I was the one going to tennis courts, angry that people were playing pickleball on our tennis courts. Right. And I did not understand it. I did not like it. I did end up playing pickleball once, not too long ago. Got asked to play, and I, look, I get the appeal. It's fun. It's easier. It's, it's, it's, it's a, it's a good recreational pastime. Sure.

[00:49:14] But I totally understand what this movie is trying to say. The overall picture that tennis players have about pickleball. And so anyway, so that's what I say. It's like a pair of personal spirit animal for me in encapsulated in a film. Will this be any good? I don't know. It looks like it could be kind of funny, but I don't know. It may, mileage may vary. So anyway, this is your first take with it. Any just initial thoughts or. Yeah. I mean, I always up for a good comedy. So it looks like, and I,

[00:49:44] I feel like it's coming out at a good time because that, unlike kind of like some of my beefs with Toy Story five, it was like, Oh, technology can be bad for children. It's like, well, you're a little later on the bus. I feel like they are hitting the zeitgeist of tennis players being irritated at pickleball. They're there. It's coming out at the right time. Two years from now, people will be like, okay, whatever, but it's, it's coming out at the right time. Um, just like with any movie,

[00:50:12] when you hear it's coming direct to streaming and not hitting the theater, that makes me worry that they didn't think it was good enough to go to a theater. Yeah. but you know, Hey, I'm always up for a comedy. It looks funny. So, well, I'll, I'll tell you this too. One thing that does give me a little bit of, of hope on it as well. Uh, it is directed by Josh Greenbaum. Josh Greenbaum, uh, directed Barb and star go to Vista Del Rey, which I thought was really cool. Really fun. Okay. I did too. A very fun movie. Uh,

[00:50:41] he directed Will and Harper. Josh Greenbaum did. Oh, okay. So again, a documentary and a comedy, both had to do with comedy. So, okay. I overall liked those. Sure. He also directed the movie, uh, strays, which wasn't great, but I did enjoy it. I thought it was a good comedy. That's the one about the dogs and they're all talking. I don't know that I, did we ever see them? I don't think I did. I watched it. Okay. I liked it. Okay. He's got some good comedy background,

[00:51:11] uh, you know, that I think he can make things work. Um, so anyway, that's the dink coming to Apple TV on July 24th. So just a short three weeks from now, three, three and a half weeks from now. Um, see, I'm kind of, I'm, I'm excited. I'm looking forward to seeing it. And yes, that is actually Andy Roddick. That was in the film playing Andy Roddick, the famous tennis player. Um, so good to see. Oh, wow. Okay. Yes.

[00:51:39] I have seen strays that lets you know how much of a market left. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. No, I'm like, I'm not saying it's great, but I, you know, me with talking animals, I like talking animals, so I had a fun time with it, but anyway. All right. I think we reviewed it on the show. We, we did. Yes. I blocked it out, but yes. Yes. You didn't care for it. All right. Um, all right. Last trailer we're going to do. Uh, it is a film you brought to my attention. I have not seen the trailer yet. It's a film called sheep in a box. You got anything to set us up with this on it?

[00:52:09] I, I have actually not seen the trailer either. I just heard that it was coming out. It's the latest film for here. Cause you Kureta who also made monster and shoplifters and like father, like son, Japanese director. I've liked all three of those films. Um, this one looks interesting. I think it, they're good. I haven't seen the trailer, but I think it has a little bit of a technology bent to it. Um, so I can just read the one line, one line synopsis. And then we watched the trailer in the near future. Uh, a Tony and Kansuki,

[00:52:40] a grieving couple who have lost their son, take into their lives, a humanoid identical to their late child. Okay. That's it. So we're going to go with that. This is sheep in a box is coming up by, uh, it's released by neon pictures. It is also coming out July 24th. I think, was that the same date as the dink? Wow. Counter program, counter programming for sure. But anyway, this is sheep in a box. Let's watch the trailer for this film.

[00:53:10] So, so, so, so, can, yeah,

[00:53:50] Good night. I think I may have mispronounced the title leading up to it and said sheep in a box. It's sheep in the box. Chris, you know, sounds like the one line synopsis I gave for it kind of gave the overall big picture of the film. Sure. What did you think after seeing the trailer? Any other thoughts?

[00:54:13] Yeah, sure. Sure. So it looks like kind of a combination through this Japanese director's lens of AI and after Yang, kind of like a combination of those two films. Last week we did in our trailer top of section, we did the new film by Taika Waititi, which some somebody in the sun. I can't remember the name. Clara. There we go. Clara in the sun.

[00:54:35] And that was, you know, a comedy that was also going to touch on this whole notion of technology and AI. And, you know, so this looks like kind of touching on some similar themes, but also what makes something have consciousness, what making a freedom of thought of ideas of expression.

[00:54:52] So, but yeah, his films just always look so great. So the trailer looks really like amazing with all the shots and everything. And I think one of the quotes that's put up on the screen, which you can't see because it's an audio podcast is like, you know, breathtaking and all, you know, just like stunning. And you're like, yeah, I see that. So looking forward to it.

[00:55:15] Um, his films for me, also the emotional beats that he's usually able to hit in his films. I'm thinking the most recent one I've seen was monster. Um, just, he's really well at bringing those out, um, and just kind of weaving them all together. So, and usually also can kind of take you in some unexpected places. So I'm wondering how this film, even though it's not a comedy like Claire in the sun, but how it will kind of maybe lead in some unexpected places.

[00:55:44] Right. So ditto looks good. Everything you just said, I agree with, no, I am. I am excited to see this. I think it looks great. And, uh, yes, very curious how it's going to play out. So, um, thanks to see July 24th and I'm sure select theaters that'll have it on a limited release. Uh, want to see, uh, how we can get ahold of it to see it, uh, here in July or August. So, all right. Well, that is our trailers.

[00:56:13] We wanted to share that was a werewolf, the dink and sheep in the box. That's our three and all three. I'm excited to see for different reasons. So that was a nice collection of trailers to share with people. So, all right, Chris, we are now at the final phase, the final step of our show.

[00:56:32] This is where you like to regale us with a recommendation of a film that you easily either recently just caught up with, or maybe, uh, called backup with after some time, whatever it may be. But we always look forward to hearing your recommendation. What do you have for us today? Chris Fry. So, you might be aware of this unless you've been living under a rock, but the New York Knicks won the world championship title with the NBA. That's crazy. I haven't heard anything about that.

[00:57:02] And one person who is super excited, if you know anything about this person, you know that he was super excited, Spike Lee. Oh, yeah. Um, yeah, he, you know, he doesn't, he wears his fandom for the Knicks on his sleeve on a hat that he often wears. Like, he's a big fan. He seems a little excited. Right. Right. Um, he made a basketball movie called He Got Game in 1998 starring a Mr. Denzel Washington. I had somehow never seen this movie. No. Okay. Yeah.

[00:57:31] Um, after the Knicks won, I was reminded of, yes, Spike Lee's a fan of the Knicks and he's made a basketball movie. Yes. And I've never seen it. So I was like, um, you know, I think it's high time I checked this thing out. Uh, I did. I liked it. Denzel Washington, of course, good. Um, what it really reminded me, Spike Lee's use of music. I guess it never really was brought home to me until highest to lowest that we saw that opening sequence that he does in New York and how he used the music there.

[00:57:59] I was like, I mean, he's always been good, but that really just struck me. Yeah. Well, the basketball sequences in this film, specifically some of the opening shots of like slow motion on a basketball court of people making shots, passing the ball. Just, it's so beautiful. It is really beautiful. There is the film. Yeah, it's good. But those moments in the film, and there's some spread throughout to just, I mean, great, great filmmaking.

[00:58:24] So if you like basketball, you've never seen, he got game or you like Spike Lee or you liked Denzel Washington, do yourself a favor. Check out. He got game. I was streaming right now on to be, which I don't know if that's the first time I've ever recommended that or not. To be downside is with to be, you do have ads or you could just rent it somewhere. Cause I'm sure it's available.

[00:58:45] Yeah. I'm sure you could probably rent it for just a couple bucks and not have that. So, all right, good. No, great recommendation. It's been a really long time since I've seen that movie, but I remember really enjoying it when I did see it. He got game by Spike Lee with Denzel Washington. So yeah, one of their, how many films they do together? Four or five? Many. Yeah, I'm not sure. Quite a number of collaborations. So, all right, good deal. All right. Well, that wraps us up for today. That was everything we promised at the front. Our review of Supergirl.

[00:59:15] We had a news item about Mr. Jonah Hill and his latest film that we may or may not ever see. Then we also had trailers for Werewolf, The Dink, and Sheep in the Box. And then Chris's recommendation of He Got Game. So Chris, as always, if anybody would like to chime in to some conversations about any of these films, are you excited about The Dink? Do you have the same preconceived notions about Pickleball that I did not just a year ago? So how do you get a hold of us to talk about any of this stuff?

[00:59:45] You can contact us via sending an email to info at footcandle.org or leave us a voicemail at the mesh.tv website. We 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. 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.

[01:00:14] And we'd appreciate that. All right. And that wraps us up for today. Yep. Just the Footcandle Film Festival. The Obligatory September 18th through the 27th. It's going to be a nice one. It'll be our 12th festival. Is that this year? It is. It is this year. Yes. September of 2026. I'm behind. I got some stuff to do. So if you're going to be in Western North Carolina, check it out. We'll be putting the lineup up shortly sometime within the month of July. So be looking for that.

[01:00:43] Yes. All you're doing is just stressing me out, reminding me of the things that still need to be done. So, okay. Sure. We'll get it. We'll make it work. We always do. All right. Sounds great. Well, thanks everybody for listening. We'll look forward to talking to you next time. See you in the ticket line.

[01:01:37] 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.

[01:02:04] Check us out online at themesh.tv. Discover other network shows and give us feedback on what you just heard. We'll be right back.