One Battle After Another (what to expect)
Scorecard, Watchlist Worthy, ICYMI Pod Drop
Denis Villeneuve (of Dune and Arrival fame) is set to direct the upcoming 26th James Bond film. Since Daniel Craig announced his departure from the franchise, there have been wild rumors circulating about who the next Bond will be. While we don’t know who the next 007 will be just yet, we know they are looking for a “fresh face” which means Timothée Chalamet is out (please allow Josh time to mourn accordingly). Who is an up-and-comer you’d love to see don the iconic tuxedo next? Hit reply and let us know!
Happy Birthday to our Sweet Friends! 🎂
R.D. 09/30 - Favorite Movie: Onward
Tell us your birthday & favorite movie here: Sweet Friends: Birthday and Fav Movie
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: One Battle After Another
Watchlist Worthy: Another book to movie thriller adaptation
ICYMI Pod: Anticipated Fall movies
This week’s movie - One Battle After Another
Letterboxd Description:
Some search for battle, others are born into it.
When their evil nemesis resurfaces after 16 years, a band of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue the daughter of one of their own.
Best Watched With
Friends who aren’t afraid of a little indecent exposure
End Credit Thoughts
One Battle After Another is Paul Thomas Anderson (PTA) at his best and most unhinged—and that’s saying something. One minute you’re out of your seat via jump scare (what we call “pulling a Josh”) from the most realistic gunfire to hit the big screen in years, the next you’re doubled over with belly laughs you didn’t see coming, thanks to the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio Del Toro.
The revolutionary need in a world that fights to be oppressive creates a tension that Leo sloppily (complementary) cuts with humor as a washed-up revolutionary hero trying to save his daughter. Leo and Benicio bring a nice chemistry that’s hilarious, while Teanna Taylor delivers electricity every time she’s on screen.
Sean Penn is feral (derogatory) in his role as Colonel Lockjaw, a white supremacist so unhinged you can’t look away (except for a few scenes where you just might want to). Penn’s monstrous portrayal of this vile character puts Colonel Lockjaw as one of the most significant silver screen villains of the 2020s.
But the revelation here for our crew is Chase Infiniti. Only her second time in front of a camera (after Presumed Innocent, which was AWESOME), and she proves she’s the real deal. She commanded the screen with a presence that marks her as a star-in-the-making.
PTA directs the hell out of this one. The actors are on point, the score and soundtrack evolve and develop just like the characters themselves, and there are scenes we may have seen before, like a car chase, but they feel totally original and fresh because of the camera work and editing choices; the magic of PTA.
It’s loud. It’s brash. It’s indecent, and oh so funny.
Our final thought is that this is a movie best shared in a packed theater, where the collective gasps and cackles become part of the experience. You’ll leave loving Leo more than you did before, entertained, and hoping you don’t end up walking like Colonel Lockjaw when you get older.
See it on the biggest screen possible.
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The Housemaid by Paul Feig
Yes, hey hi hello, it’s me again, forcing everyone to read another book that’s being made into a movie 🤓 and it probably won’t be the last because we all know Verity is coming soon. But for now…THE HOUSEMAID.
Reading this book for me was like a fever dream. Your girl was STRESSED. I read it in 8 hours and have no ragrets. Once it was announced that it was being made into a movie, I felt pretty good because Amanda and Sydney were posting videos of themselves ACTUALLY reading the book while working on it so that gave me hope the movie was in good hands. (unlike It Ends With Us where Blake didn’t want to read the book boooooooooooo) BUT after the trailer dropped it’s safe to say…feelings are MIXED, you guys!
Some people love the casting, others say it’s totally wrong. Honestly, I feel like when a book gets adapted, there’s always going to be some casting heartbreak. We all just really have high expectations OKAY?!
Personally, I am so excited to see Amanda Seyfried devour this role. I also love that the trailer says SO much without saying much at all. I think one thing we can all agree on is the so-called “attic 5-star hotel bougie room” was not what any of us pictured. AND can we PLEASE get the horror version of Sabrina Carpenters “Please Please Please” released ASAP?! 👏 But seriously… girl to girl, girl to guy, girl to human…READ. THE. BOOK.
-Kelly✨
Letterboxd Description:
Discover what lies behind closed doors.
Millie is a struggling woman who is relieved to get a fresh start as a housemaid to Nina and Andrew, an upscale, wealthy couple. She soon learns that the family’s secrets are far more dangerous than her own.
Also Directed by Paul Feig:
Bridesmaids (2011)
Spy (2015)
A Simple Favor (2018)
Our Most Anticipated Movies of Fall 2025 #62
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube
Before diving into a massive preview of the movies set to define Fall 2025, Josh and Eric get sidetracked by the important questions in life: soft vs. crunchy beef jerky, the ethics of eating a $9 pint of protein ice cream by yourself, and the polarizing characters of Shrinking.
Once the snacks are settled, the guys unpack a stacked season of upcoming films. They discuss Jennifer Lawrence’s return to form in Die My Love, Daniel Day-Lewis’s shocking return from retirement for Anemone, and whether Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson can finally prove his acting chops in The Smashing Machine. Get ready for a passionate, hilarious, and exhaustive guide to your new favorite films.
Tune in next week for | The Smashing Machine
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