Saturday Night
Scorecard, last ones standing, Paul Rudd's new friend, return of the Medium Project
Correction: The producers noticed a factual error in last week’s newsletter. A member of the crew (it was New Mexico Drew) erroneously credited Sean Baker as the director of Joker: Folie à Deux, but the director is, in fact, Todd Phillips. Sean, if you’re reading, we couldn’t be more sorry. We (NMD) will do better.
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: Saturday night
Temp These Takes: Spooky Season Week 2 - Zombie Apocalypse Dream Team
Watchlist Worthy: Tim Robinson jumps to the big screen
New Pod Drop: The Medium Project is back
This week’s movie - “Saturday Night”
Letterboxd Description:
The revolution begins at 11:30.
At 11:30pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. This is the story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live.
Best Watched With
Anyone who was a high schooler in the 70s, and a best friend like Chando.
End credit thoughts
Saturday Night starts with 250 volts of electricity and maintains that energy until the closing credits. Coming in at an hour and a half, the movie chronicles the ninety minutes right before the first episode aired, which is an entertaining, original take on the biopic/origin story genre.
The movie looks like it was shot on film straight from 1975. The indoor cigarettes and open drug use aided in the time travel. The camera frantically follows whoever is talking like a wide-eyed production assistant in their first day on the job. The music is memorable, it enhances the adrenaline and punctuates the jokes.
Just like the original cast of SNL, this ensemble doesn't have a weak link. The camera darts from one actor to the next, giving us an endless supply of humor, narcissism, self-doubt, arrogance, and honesty. These roles called for impressions of real people, and we are blown away by how they nailed each one. We hope every member of this cast becomes a star in the same way the original comedians did.
This doesn't follow the normal conventions of a retelling of a true story. It feels more like we as the audience were allowed to be a fly on the wall right before television changed forever.
Saturday Night is an accessible, fun movie. It's some of the best acting by an ensemble we've seen all year, with a handful of laugh out loud moments. As good as the movie is, it didn't feel like the type of movie that you have to see on the big screen to truly enjoy. Definitely go out of your way to see it, but you can wait to stream this one at home.
Watch the trailer here
Last Ones Standing: Who is your zombie apocalypse dream team?
Sarah
My horror survival trio absolutely does not include myself. But the last standing would definitely be Aragorn (a zombie would scare him zero percent after battling Nazgûl); Katniss Everdeen (she tries to die multiple times and can’t, and she would basically always have seen worse); and Rebecca Ferguson because either Juliette Nichols (from Silo on Apple TV…WATCH IMMEDIATELY) or Lady Jessica from Dune prove she has what it takes. 💪🏼
Eric
My crew is a mixed bag. It contains real life people along with fictional characters because there are no rules to this spooky season game we are playing. FIRST UP - Sang-Hwa, from Train to Busan. This man was a hero in his movie, and sacrifices himself for a group of strangers. You need a guy like this on your team at all times. SECOND UP - Barack Obama. This man feels like a true yapper. I might be wrong, because well, we never really truly know celebrities - but I feel like he would keep me entertained throughout our quest for survival. Distracted with his PR training. He's also pretty proficient with drone strikes, I'm told. THIRD and finally - Tony Montana. As long as he and his lil friend are around, I think we are A-OK. If all else fails, we consume every drug he has and go out with a bang (and we wouldn't feel a thing).
Josh
I called Tallahassee from Zombieland but it looks like he’s a popular first round pick. So I’ll have to go with Alice from Resident Evil, Shaun from Shaun of the Dead, and Abraham Lincoln from Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Slayer.
Alice is a badass and unstoppable, so we wouldn’t have to worry about dying ever. But just in case because I’m terrified of all things horror, Abraham Lincoln. He cut down a 7 foot radius tree (idk, it was thick thick) in a single swing so he’ll be able to cut through a bunch of dumb zombies like room temp salted butter. Lastly, Shaun because I think it would be fun, and he’s British. I hear their food can be bland so he won’t be picky in a apocalyptic situation where the food might be scarce. With this team, I think we’re going to be alright. Maybe even flourish.
Kelly
All I have to say, is that my trio and I will have a 100% survival rate. 💅 I obviously had to be true to my current obsession and choose June Osborn from The Handmaid’s Tale. Seriously, this woman has been through hell and back…plus, her ability to improvise under pressure? Gold. Next up is Grace from Ready or Not. My girl is the ULTIMATE hide and seek player. Will the serial killer/zombie/ghost find us? I think NOT. And third I’m not proud of okay. But I am thinking purely with my survival instincts. My last choice would be Hei Hei, the Rooster from Moana. He is an excellent source of protein.
New Mexico Drew
Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) from Zombieland, Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) from World War Z, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) from Halloween (specifically the 2018 film).
Tallahassee and Laurie are going to be the muscle that have no shits to give and a proven track record of violence and survival. Laurie will be a little weird and prickly, but Tallahassee will provide comic relief (which I assume will be important in an apocalypse). Gerry will provide the brains to our operation and make sure we stay cool, calm, and collected. I will relieve Tallahassee of his noble task of seeking out the last remaining edible food and tasty little treats. What a team.
What’s your take? Hit Reply or leave a comment below and let us know!
Friendship (2024) Directed by Andrew DeYoung
Starring Tim Robinson, who is best known for his show I Think You Should Leave and it’s cringey humor, and Paul Rudd, who is best known for being Paul Rudd.
This is DeYoung’s directorial debut and Robinson’s first time staring in a movie, but the movie magic was clearly there since it was purchased by A24 following it’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
There are 0 trailers out for this one as of right now but that is okay. I am confident that the man who gave us “Laters on the menjay” and the man who gave us the insanity of sloppy steaks will come together for some awkward cinema gold.
I am putting my full trust in the early, positive buzz around this one.
-Jp :)
Letterboxd Description:
When an errant delivery pulls suburban dad Craig Waterman into the orbit of his mysterious and charismatic new neighbour Austin Carmichael, a sweet bromance seems to blossom over an innocent evening of urban exploration, punk rock, and a mutual appreciation for paleolithic antiquities. But what should have been the start of a beautiful friendship is soon waylaid as Craig’s obsessive personality begins to alienate his new pal.
Movies Directed by Andrew DeYoung:
None movies (yet).
The Medium Project: What it is & Why #037
🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
This episode is a re-release from our other podcast, The Medium Project— a podcast that looks at different mediums that were adapted to the screen. Short stories, books, poems, comics, or even TV shows adapted to movies and vice versa. Discussed through conversation and categories.
We are merging that podcast with this one. We will be releasing Medium Project episodes on the Sweet & Condensed Podcast feed.
In this episode, Sarah and Josh discuss why they started The Medium Project and why it took so damn long to launch it. They share personal insights into the process of creating the podcast, their academic backgrounds, and their passion for storytelling. They highlight the significance of meaningful discussions around art and its ability to connect people.
Listen in to hear Sarah and Josh share about what The Medium Project is all about and why it had a longer gestation period than the African elephant (and what, in turn, taught them about art and creativity).
They said the first episodes are on the Harry Potter episodes but those will be re-released at a later date. The next Medium Project episode will be: It Ends With Us (2024)
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Legolas. Thor. And Michonne. I almost picked Captain America but I dig that we could leave the planet because of Thor.
And I would probably die first (from dysentery) but they would be a dream team.