Thank God For Movies

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A Complete Unknown – Film Review Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton dive deep into A Complete Unknown, the latest biopic from director James Mangold (Logan, Walk the Line). The film, starring Timothée Chalamet as the iconic Bob Dylan, chronicles the enigmatic artist’s rise to fame during the transformative folk scene of the 1960s. With Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro rounding out the cast, and a runtime of 140 minutes, the movie captures Dylan’s transition from a folk music darling to a rock 'n' roll revolutionary.

Jon and Will discuss Mangold’s directorial approach, Chalamet’s performance as the elusive Dylan, and the narrative’s attempt to balance the artist’s enigmatic persona with a traditional biopic structure. They also highlight the supporting cast, including Norton’s standout role and Boyd Holbrook’s intriguing portrayal of Johnny Cash. Is A Complete Unknowna respectful ode to Dylan’s artistry, or does it play it too safe? Tune in as the hosts break it all down, from the film’s subtle nods to Dylan’s legacy to its reception among fans and critics alike.

Searchlight Pictures released A Complete Unknown in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2024.

Links:

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Nosferatu – Spoiler-free Instant Take Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

In this special instant take, Will Ashton dives into Robert Eggers' latest film, Nosferatu, unpacking its deep ties to the 1922 horror classic and its fresh take on the Dracula mythos. He breaks down Eggers' distinct artistic style, highlights standout performances from Willem Dafoe and Bill Skarsgård, and praises the film's jaw-dropping production design and cinematography. Will also reflects on how Nosferatu fits into the modern horror landscape, sharing why it’s such an exciting year-end release that horror fans won’t want to miss.

Nosferatu opened in theaters on December 25 through Focus Features and has a runtime of 132 minutes. The rest of the cast includes Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, and Simon McBurney.

More about Nosferatu:

Set in 19th-century Europe, Nosferatu follows Thomas Hutter, a real estate agent who heads to the eerie, isolated estate of Count Orlok to close a business deal. Sounds straightforward, right? Not quite. Things take a dark and sinister turn when Hutter realizes Orlok is no ordinary recluse: he’s a full-on vampire with a thirst for blood and an unsettling interest in Hutter’s wife, Ellen. As the danger escalates and Orlok’s shadow creeps closer to the village, the story unfolds into a chilling mix of gothic horror, psychological tension, and devastating stakes. Robert Eggers brings his trademark grit and authenticity to this retelling, delivering a film that feels both classic and refreshingly new.

Links:

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A Complete Unknown – Spoiler-Free Instant Take Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Today on Cinemaholics, Will Ashton gives his spoiler-free instant take of A Complete Unknown, the latest biographical drama from director James Mangold. Starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Bob Dylan, the film chronicles Dylan's rise in the New York folk scene of the early 1960s, culminating in his revolutionary performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. With a screenplay co-written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, and a stellar supporting cast including Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown is already earning high praise as one of the best films of 2024. Tune in for Will’s thoughts on Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan, the film’s nostalgic vibe, and if it'll be a must-watch this holiday season.

Searchlight Pictures will release A Complete Unknown in select U.S. theaters on December 25, 2024.

More about A Complete Unknown:

New York, 1961. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota named Bob Dylan arrives with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance that reverberates worldwide. Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history.

The film also stars Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash and Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie.

Links:

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'September 5' is a newsworthy thriller Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

Breaking news! This week on Cinemaholics, Special guest Ema Sasic joins me (Jon Negroni) to dissect September 5, a gripping new thriller from director Tim Fehlbaum (The Colony). The film takes us back to the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, where sports coverage took an unprecedented turn into live, global news reporting during one of the most tragic and pivotal events in history. Together, we break down the film’s high-tension pacing and commentary on media ethics. Plus, we talk awards potential and about the standout performances from John Magaro, Peter Sarsgaard, Leonie Benesch, and more.

You can also read an edited transcript of our conversation right here.

Links:

Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com
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'Conclave' is a heavenly whodunnit Dec 07, 2024

Show notes

Holy smokes! This week on Cinemaholics, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton enter the sacred halls of Conclave, the latest thriller from Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front). Set against the backdrop of a Vatican papal election, the film dives into the labyrinth of faith, power, and political intrigue. We discuss Ralph Fiennes’ captivating performance as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the high-stakes drama of electing a new pope, and the surprising humor that keeps the tension from boiling over. Plus, we unpack the film’s visual grandeur, that audacious ending twist, and where it fits in the awards season race…You can read an edited transcript of our conversation right here.

Conclave was directed by Edward Berger and is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris. The cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, with cinematography by Stéphane Fontaine (Jackie). Premiering in limited release on October 25, 2024 through Focus Features and has a runtime of 120 minutes.

Links:

Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com
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Maria Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

Today on Cinemaholics, Will Ashton delivers a short, spoiler-free review of Maria, Angelina Jolie's latest lead performance in a new biographical drama from director Pablo Larraín about legendary opera singer Maria Callas in 1970s Paris.

More information about Maria:

Angelina Jolie stars as Maria Callas, the iconic soprano, in Pablo Larraín’s Maria. This moving drama reimagines the legendary singer’s final days in Paris as she reflects on her dazzling but turbulent life in the spotlight. Directed by the acclaimed Pablo Larraín (Jackie, Spencer), with a screenplay by Steven Knight, the film offers an intimate look at the diva’s identity, struggles, and overall legacy. The film also features Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, and Kodi Smit-McPhee and is the final entry in Larraín's trilogy about iconic 20th-century women, following Jackie and Spencer.

Premiering at the Venice Film Festival, where Jolie's performance earned acclaim, Maria debuted in select U.S. theaters on November 27, 2024, and will stream on Netflix from December 11, with theatrical releases in Italy and Germany to follow in early 2025.

Links:

Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com
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Check out our Cinemaholics Merch!
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A Real Pain Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

This week on Cinemaholics, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton take a real hard look at Jesse Eisenberg's A Real Pain, a film tackling generational trauma, identity crises, and the age-old question: are we in a Kieran Culkin Kierannaissance? We chat about its awards buzz, a Holocaust scene that's somehow pivotal and memorable, and the performances that make all the pain worth it. Plus, we break down the movie's balancing act between humor and heavy themes.

A Real Pain was directed, written, and produced by Jesse Eisenberg. The cast includes Eisenberg himself, alongside Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, and others, with Emma Stone and Dave McCary serving as producers under their Fruit Tree banner. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024, the film later saw a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 1 through Searchlight Pictures. It has a 90-minute runtime.

Links:

Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com
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Synopsis for A Real Pain:

Mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved

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Moana 2 has splashy visuals but lacks the heart of the original Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Cinemaholics. I'm Jon Negroni, and I've just seen Moana 2. Now, this isn't going to be an instant take review right out of the theater, mainly because I'm recording this the next day. So, this is going to be a little bit different. But I did want to put something out there before the movie comes out. It is Thanksgiving week, so I know a lot of you are maybe having some busier weeks, finding some time with family and everything, and maybe you're considering going to see Moana 2 in the theater. And if that's the case, you might be curious—what is the movie all about? Is it worth checking out and all of that?

Read the full transcript for this episode here.

Links:

Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com
Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here.
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Gladiator II Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

This week on the Cinemaholics podcast, we enter the arena to discuss Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel that brings back Ridley Scott as director along with some fresh talent. Including Paul Mescal in the lead role alongside Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen. We kick off the show with some preamble about Wicked and Scott's filmography before clashing swords on the film itself. We discuss the overall themes of the film and how the action pays off the messaging. Plus we dig into the critical reception thus far and what might come next in the Gladiator franchise.

Gladiator II opened in UK theaters on November 15 with a U.S. release through Paramount Pictures a week after on November 22. The film has a 148-minute runtime and the rest of the cast includes Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, and Derek Jacobi.

Links:

Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com
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Red One – Instant Take Nov 14, 2024

Show notes

Will Ashton gives his instant take review of Red One, directed by Jake Kasdan and starring Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Wesley Kimmel, and J.K. Simmons.

Synopsis:

After Santa Claus – Code Name: RED ONE – is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.

Directed by | Jake Kasdan
Story by | Hiram Garcia
Screenplay by | Chris Morgan
Produced by | Hiram Garcia, p.g.a., Dwayne Johnson, p.g.a., Dany Garcia, Chris Morgan, p.g.a., Jake Kasdan p.g.a, Melvin Mar
Starring | Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Wesley Kimmel and J.K. Simmons
Run Time | 2 hours 2 minutes
Rating | PG - 13

Links:

Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com
Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here.
Check out our Cinemaholics Merch!
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