Black Bag (what to expect)
Scorecard, F1 Trailer, New Pod Drop
We celebrated a sweet friend’s birthday this past week (HBD, Glenn!), so of course we made a Key Lime pie with Sweet and Condensed milk 🎂
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: Black Bag
Watchlist Worthy: New F1 trailer? More like F-yeah.
New Pod Drop: Guest Brian Wight talks Musicals!
This week’s movie - Black Bag
Letterboxd Description:
It takes a spy to hunt a spy.
When his beloved wife is suspected of betraying the nation, an intelligence agent faces the ultimate test – loyalty to his marriage or his country.
Best Watched With
Someone worth dying (or killing) for.
End credit thoughts
Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag comes out at 200mph right from the start. It jumps right into the story—the nation has been betrayed and George (Michael Fassbender) is charged with finding the rat—wasting no time, using every minute to move the story forward. Like stepping onto a bullet train but only the conductor knows the destination, we took our seats and let the espionage ride begin.
With a tight 94-minute runtime, Black Bag leaves no room for handholding. We had to focus and lock in every scene. Our brains were put into sixth gear as we tried to piece the puzzle of the story together. The brief pauses, like trains relenting for a moment to open their doors at each stop, gave us a few breaths before taking off once again at high speed.
This spy thriller is dialogue-heavy, but that doesn’t detract from the action. Every word is well placed, and every sentence is lean and well-timed. It was an Olympic fencing conversation, with each character delivering strategic strikes to ensure they landed exactly where they intended.
Out of the highly capable ensemble, Michael Fassbender has the most screen time, and to no surprise, gives a great performance. And the rest of the cast—Cate Blanchett, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé Page—we’re punching well within their weight class. Pierce Brosnan's appearance immediately furthers the immersion into the world of British espionage. The crew stacked hands and said, “Let’s make a fucking movie.”
The music pays homage to the spy movies that came before, and helped us feel the tension as the agents’ loyalty to their country was tested. Black Bag is beautifully shot with a mix of long follow takes, fast cuts, and bold colors.
All things considered, this movie rips. It knows what it is and where it’s going. It does not deter. It does not meander. It’s a movie that aims to entertain, and entertain it does.
Go see this on the big screen.
Watch the trailer here
F1 Directed by Joseph Kosinski
I am fully aware that F1 was already a Watchlist Worthy movie here on the newsletter, but if you’re giving me Brad’s smirk, Javier’s voice, and a Fleetwood Mac needle drop, how can we not share it? This looks like it is the summer blockbuster we the people deserve.
-NMD
Letterboxd Description:
Racing legend Sonny Hayes is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentor a young hotshot driver—while chasing one more chance at glory.
Also Directed by Joseph Kosinski:
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
TRON: Legacy (2010)
Oblivion (2013)
La La Land & Les Misérables: Guest Brian Wight Talks Musicals #052
🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube
Josh sits down with Brian Wight, musician, songwriter, producer, and musical aficionado to catch up on life and dive deep into the world of musicals, focusing on La La Land and Les Misérables.
They use the Jimmy V 1993 ESPY Speech rubric—held in thought, laughed, and moved to tears—to argue that the movies are a full watch while interweaving the movie's narratives with their life narratives.
Brian shares his insights on the profound emotional expression in musicals, comparing elements of La La Land and Les Misérables. They explore the role of music in storytelling and the unique charm of integrating cinematic and musical elements.
The discussion covers character analysis, the importance of casting in La La Land, and Brian's musical journey, including his upcoming musical project.
Follow Brian Wight on Spotify! He is dropping a new album in May. Let’s give him a follow and support his musical gifts to this world.
Connect with Brian Wight on Instagram @BrianWight
Tune in next week for | Snow White
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