Sweet & Condensed: The Fall Guy
Scorecard, Most Underrated Actors, Biker Gangs Are Cool Again, New Pod Drop
We read this week that the average American only goes to the movie theater three times a year. Is that true? We need to know, so we are turning to you, the people, to settle this.
How many times have you been to the theater this year? We promise we won’t judge you or cry based on your answer (typed while holding back tears).
Here is what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: The Fall Guy
Temp These Takes: Actors who deserve way more love
Watchlist Worthy: Who doesn’t want more hot people riding around on motorcycles?
New Pod Drop - Eric and Josh talk The Sound of Metal in a new Living A Stream podcast.
This week’s movie - “The Fall Guy”
Letterboxd Description:
Fresh off an almost career-ending accident, stuntman Colt Seavers has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life while still doing his day job.
Best Watched With
Outside of young kids, this is a movie for everyone. You’ve got a romcom, action, whodunnit mash up almost anyone can enjoy. Especially people who love looking at beautiful people for extended periods of time (and fans of the band KISS).
End credit thought
This is Ryan Gosling doing what Ryan Gosling does best – being a funny, charming movie star in each and every scene. Emily Blunt matches his charisma and adds a depth to both her character and Gosling’s that makes the whole thing work. We hated Aaron Taylor-Johnson, but that’s only because he was such a believable douche.
The love between Ryan and Emily on the screen was so believable we almost forgot they are married to other people off the screen. The romance was done with such care it didn't seem forced and didn't take itself too seriously, giving us the young at heart love we journaled about.
From big gags to subtle one-liners, the whole audience was laughing for a majority of the movie. Right when we thought the tone of the movie was about to drag, an action scene was broken up by laughter, a funny scene was interrupted by genuine emotion, and the story would take a fun twist.
The Fall Guy was made by people who love stunts and love movies and is about people who love stunts and love movies. Any movie this fun, made with this much heart, we are going to recommend you see it on the big screen.
This is a definite movie theater watch (unless you’re that guy in seat K17 – just stay home).
The most underrated actors in Hollywood
Eric - Jonathan Groff. My man NEEDS MORE WORK. Give him ALL the leading roles. Have you seen Mindhunter? Have you seen Knock at the Cabin? Have you SEEN FROZEN I and FROZEN II and HEARD ABOUT FROZEN III? Jon-Jon can do it all.
Josh - John Very Very Sneaky Turturro, maybe too sneaky because he flies too much under casting directors’ radars and deserves to be in MORE. He's the kind of actor that pops on screen and I turn into that Rick Dalton gif pointing at the TV.
New Mexico Drew - There are too many great unsung actor heroes (FWIW, this is one of the few times I'll ever agree with Eric–give my guy Groff all the love!)
The first underrated actor that came to mind was John Goodman. You can make an argument that he's been in some bad movies, but has Goodman himself ever done a bad job? Absolutely not. Whether he's in Monsters Inc, The Big Lebowski, or (my personal favorite role) Arachnophobia, he makes every single scene better. Am I wrong, Dude?
What’s your take? Hit Reply or leave a comment below and let us know!
The Bikeriders (2024) directed by Jeff Nichols
I like a movie inspired by true events, and I love a movie inspired by true events staring Tom Hardy (Lawless, The Revenant, Dunkirk, Black Hawk Down, Bronson). Hardy is flanked by the madly talented Austin Butler (Dune Part 2, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood) and Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, The Last Duel) who I am sure are going to match Hardy’s give no fucks energy.
This movie shows promise, even beyond the top billing with Michael Shannon also making an appearance. I usually dislike his characters but only because he is so good at playing a shitty person (Shape of Water, 8 Mile, Bullet Train). Shannon has also been in every single Jeff Nichols movie so, clearly, there’s synergy between the two.
If you need another reason, if you want to see more of Mike Faist on the silver screen in 2024 after Challengers, here is your chance.
Letterboxd Description:
Kathy, a strong-willed member of the Vandals who’s married to a wild, reckless bikerider named Benny, recounts the Vandals’ evolution over the course of a decade, beginning as a local club of outsiders united by good times, rumbling bikes and respect for their strong, steady leader Johnny. As life in the Vandals gets more dangerous, and the club threatens to become a more sinister gang, Kathy, Benny and Johnny are forced to make choices about their loyalty to the club and to each other
Other movies directed by Jeff Nichols (with Michael Shannon):
Mud (2012)
Sound of Metal: Seeking Stillness #023
🎧 Listen to this podcast at Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🎥 Watch the video of this podcast on Spotify
In the episode, Eric and Josh missed Kelly too. They tried to step up the humor but, instead, ended up breaking a lamp, sharing about their relationship with change, and substance abuse.
This was Eric’s first watch and Josh’s second of Sound of Metal, tune in to find out if this movie was a full watch based on Jimmy V’s 1993 ESPY speech — did it hold them in thought, make them laugh, and move their emotions to tears.
Three Milk Media Podcasts:
🎙️ Living A Stream: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
🎙️ The Medium Project: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
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I used to go at least twice/week, especially when I was in L.A. But now I maybe go 3 times/year? Maybe...I feel as though a lot of my favorite directors (sans PTA, QT, etc.) get to make their movies for streaming now, the way they want to, so most of them come out on that platform. Additionally, it's expensive to go to the theatre, previews are almost 40 minutes at AMC theatres, and I'm not sure the quality of movies is as good as it was in the past. Am I an old man? Maybe...
We did just go and see CIVIL WAR in theatres, and that was a good experience...although, it was sad, because it was the second weekend it was out and we were two of five people in attendance, on a Saturday afternoon, and it was a Boulder theatre, which is a college town. So...I feel as though the "three movies/year" is pretty spot on, for the average viewer.
Lastly, did you watch the interview Jerry Seinfeld gave? Indiewire blew it up and took things he said out of context, in my opinion, but I understand why they would be harsh about it. He sounds cynical, but he's not wrong...his main points were that movies are not in the everyday conversation that they once were, and I agree with that. I read the trades every single morning, so I'm biased...even if I don't go to a lot of movies, I will still know what's going on. He also said there's so much content coming out from everywhere -- podcasts, standup, YouTube, streamers, etc. -- that movies are now just another niche market in entertainment, as opposed to THE main stay. I don't think it's bad, it's just different.
Okay, one for thing for fun...the Oscars are a good barometer for how much people care these days. At its height, when Titanic was up for everything in 1998, 60 million people watched the Oscars...now it hovers around 20 million, but 2020 and 2021 were both less than 12 million...which is a mega drop in ratings. I think the advent of social media, along with all of the other forms of new media, have made the "event" of movies much more compact. The Oscars are just an easy sample source to use.
Anyway, film history nerd here just talking out loud. But just like books and plays...there will always be a place for going to the movies, it's just going to be smaller and more niche.
-G
p.s. - I'm curious if the fall out of the Marvel/DC onslought of subpar content of the last 15 years has anything to do with this, as well?