Sing Sing
Sing Sing
Scorecard, actors with the most range, Sebastian's best role yet? New pod drop
The box office has been rough the last two weeks (why doesn’t anyone want to see a remake of The Crow? 🤔) but we are going to come right out and say it - if anyone deserves to win at the box office, it’s the cast & crew of Sing Sing. Read our end credit thoughts to find out why we just gave our first 100% for “Worth seeing on the big screen”.
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: Sing Sing
Temp These Takes: Who has raaaangggeeee
Watchlist Worthy: Sebastian Stan plays himself in this new twisted comedy
New Pod Drop: New Mexico Drew is back on the pod with his full watch.
This week’s movie - “Sing Sing”
Letterboxd Description:
Trust the process.
Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.
Best Watched With
Your best guy friends, your dad, your brother.
End credit thoughts
Sing Sing tells a story of people digging deep for the dignity stripped away from them, and how art can be subversive to the systems that ensure dignity stays unfound. It’s set almost entirely inside prison walls, which is fitting because it’s a small, raw movie. All of the action that takes place is in the hearts and minds of the men on screen. Just because there isn't much that takes place by way of plot doesn't mean this story of masculinity, friendship, acceptance and redemption doesn't pack a punch.
The movie is based on a true story, so we appreciated that was shot like a documentary with a 16mm hand held camera. The photography was soft, and almost a touch out of focus at times, visualizing a silent commentary on the soft tenderness of the theater group.
Most of the cast were the actual inmates who started the Rehabilitation Through Arts program that produced numerous plays in the 90s. Each performance was special, but Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin moved us the most. There are already talks of Coleman Domingo being the front runner for an Oscar, and we are in the line to give him his flowers.
Watching a group of men who have been in maximum security prison for decades wrestle with their pasts, encourage one another, take chances, and play like children had us wiping tears from our chins most of the movie. In a world assumed to be populated by tough thugs and society's low lives, the power of play cuts through the machismo of prison revealing personhood.
We've never given a solid 100% recommendation for seeing a movie on the big screen until now. The entire cast and crew was paid the same amount to make this movie, and everyone involved has a percentage of equity in the ownership of the film.* The money from ticket sales more directly go to the people who made it and not just a huge Hollywood studio. And as a reward you get an incredible movie.
Go watch it on the big screen, hell, rent out the theater if you can.
*read the full article here
Actor with the most range
Kelly
Charlize Theron was not my first thought but after looking at all the movies she’s done, my mind is made up that she IS a ✨chameleon✨ A lethal monster who may or may not want to eat your soul? DONE. From her transformation in Monster, where she’s a serial killer to her iconic character in Mad Max: Fury Road, she makes these roles look like they’re made for her. Not the other way around. Her movie Trapped, was one of the first thrillers I ever watched. My girl has taken on drama, action, comedy, thriller, romance, and even a splash of horror. A queen amongst jesters if you will. 🧎🏻♀️➡️
Eric
I had to pick two. Sorry y'all! My picks are Natalie Portman and of course the cliche - Leonardo DiCaprio.
Let's start with Natalie. I know she is a sleeper pick, but come on. After playing a major role in a controversial set of mixed-review blockbusters (Star Wars), she crossed into (SUCCESSFULLY, I might add) every single genre. Horror? Check. Sci-fi? Check. Thriller? Check. Rom-com? Check. Critically acclaimed drama? Check. She even has herself a handful of Oscar noms AND one win! Don't sleep on NP, folks. (If you haven't seen Annihilation, Black Swan, Garden State, V for Vendetta, Jackie, OR even HEAT - get on it)
Now, with Leo, I wrestled with this. Was this a cop-out? Is it too cliche? Then I said - NO! This man is the definition of range. He has crossed every genre and has himself 6 Oscar noms with one win spanning across three decades of work - his first nom coming at 20 years old! He is a legend of the game and has some unforgettable movies and performances, with I'm sure many more to come. Whether it be his battle cries or devilish charm, everything he touches turns to gold.
Sarah
Zendaya. From Disney’s Shake It Up to Euphoria’s Rue…Tashi Duncan, Chani…Marie from Malcolm & Marie…MJ from Spider-Man?! She’s done it all and done it all so well. She’s an icon.
Josh
Tilda Swinton. She doesn't just act. She transforms. She becomes the character, and it's hard for me to even say character. I watched Problemista (2023) and saw her name in the beginning credits but waited the whole movie for her to show up. Swinton never did because it wasn't Tilda. It was Elizabeth.
Also, Robin Williams. No explanation is needed. RW is the G.O.A.T. of range.
New Mexico Drew
My guy hasn’t done anything in a long time (besides sit court side at Lakers games) but Jack Nicholson did it all. From the original Joker in Batman to screaming “You can’t handle the truth!” in A Few Good Men. I mean, the dude played two characters in Mars Attacks! - The President of the United States and Art Land (a sleazy hotel tycoon in Las Vegas).
What’s your take? Hit Reply or leave a comment below and let us know!
A Different Man (2024) directed by Aaron Schimberg
When I first saw this project announced, I thought it was going to be straight drama, and I wasn’t too excited. Last night I saw the trailer before Sing Sing and it looks whacky and fun as hell.
I’m excited to see Adam Pearson (haven’t seen in anything yet) but I love Sebastian and the trailer had a pull quote from a critic (you can always trust those) that said it’s his best role yet.
-NMD
Letterboxd Description:
Aspiring actor Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance. But his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he loses out on the role he was born to play and becomes obsessed with reclaiming what was lost.
Movies directed by Adam Schimberg:
Chained for Life (2018)
Go Down Death (2013)
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent: A Living A Stream Episode #034
🎧 Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🎥 Watch the video of the latest podcast on Spotify
In this episode, Eric, Josh, and New Mexico Drew discuss the movie The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022) that is streaming on Peacock.
They use the Jimmy V 1993 ESPY Speech rubric—did it hold them in thought, make them laugh, and move their emotions to tears—while interweaving the movie's narratives with their life narratives.
In this episode, Eric, Josh, and New Mexico Drew dive into The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, starring Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal, exploring its emotional and comedic undertones. They share personal reflections on friendship, family, career, and the impact of films on their lives.
Additionally, one host reveals the unusual discovery of being born with a single tonsil and provides a compelling movie recommendation on Peacock.
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