Critique-Opolis

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Strength is measured in a number of different ways. Some think it's a question of how much you think you can lift. Others think it's a question of how many times you can get up after being beaten. We tripped across a documentary about a quirky, lazy eyed, bearded, smoking runner who developed the most brutal endurance race known to man, known as the Barkley Marathon. 

Funded by a kickstarter campaign by Annika Iltis and Timothy James Kane, we take a look at the 2012 annual cross country foot race inspired by a...

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We did two shorts and as a result the description is going to be even shorter. Just Start is an exploration of a woman who overcomes trauma seen through the lens of a guy who could make New Balance commercials. Don't write it off, it might impress you.

Stranger's Pawn - a Chess pro with an attitude couldn't see this Chess move coming from five feet away. Directed by Christian Jaramillo. This was a five minute movie that should teach you the importance of keeping your mouth shut. 

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William Friedkin tested himself in 1977 with the production of Sorcerer. Employing a seasoned cast including Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer, Francisco Rabal and Amidou. He retells the story of the 1953 The Wages of Fear, (film created from the French novel Le Salaire de La Peur). Four principle characters from different parts of the globe engage in activities that necessitate their departure from their homeland (each story is more fantastic than that next as to how these men became fugitives). They assume fact identities and take up residence somewhere in a remote village in Central...

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And you thought prior to 1993 all Clint Eastwood could do was Westerns and Shoot-em ups. Heartfelt, character driven themes set in the not too distant past would at first glance to be outside of his wheelhouse especially in that time period. Now what if I told you old Clint picked up the helm of a Steven Spielberg project that Steve-a-reeno just couldn't find the time for. Now, throw in some additional star fodder like Kevin Costner to move the story forward. Set it in early 1960s west Texas, throw in a dash of...

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Welcome back to another exciting episode of Critique-Opolis! Today, your favorite hosts, Jay and Louisa are discussing the movie "Fandango" (starring, yes a young Kevin Costner). Director Kevin Reynolds made "Fandango" in 1985. But before making a feature length film, "Fandango" had its roots in a short film also by Kevin Reynolds called "Proof."

Director Steven Spielberg saw a "Proof" and agreed to help fund a full movie version of "Proof." "Fandango" is a sort of coming of age story about 5 friends who have recently graduated from college - The University of...

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In our latest episode of your favorite movie critique podcast, Jay (mostly Jay) and Louisa discuss the movie "Now You See Me." Louisa is particularly excited because the "Now You See Me" movies have become a franchise. There will eventually be at least 4 movies, with the third one set to come out in November 2025. 

"Now You See Me" was a fun and exciting "Popcorn movie." We usually don't do these types of movies on our Critique-o-polis podcast, but again it was a fun movie to watch and I know that we b...

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This movie should have been titled "Titan: The Stockton Rush Disaster." We watched this Netflix account of the most narcissistic and self centered deep submersible pseudo diving professional the universe saw fit to create. Join us on this analysis of how entitlement and monstrous ego led to a half baked submersible company, years of corporate intimidation, a legacy of ignoring and persecuting subject matter experts, and ultimately the death of five people (spoiler alert: this egomaniacal square headed life ruiner also died, so that's good). 

Louisa never would have written that, b...

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In his latest summer tentpole for Apple, Brad Pitt plays race car driver Sonny Hayes, whose race car career is probably over, but then Sonny's friend Ruben Cervantes played by Javier Bardem, finds Sonny doing his laundry at a local laundromat and convinces Sonny to think about coming back to the APXGP team for their next race. Just when Ruben thinks that Sonny will be a no show, Sonny graces the Screen walking down the race track looking like an average guy, but ready to race! This is where the first argument happens...

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We're back! Today, we chat about a documentary - Pee Wee as Himself directed by Matt Wolf. Jay has been a big fan of Pee Wee since childhood. He has introduced Louisa to Pee Wee in recent years, including the viewing of Pee Wee's Big Adventure which Louisa enjoyed! : ) You should check it out if you have never seen it before. 

In this two part series we learn about Paul Reubens's early life, where his alter ego Pee Wee came from, Pee Wee's success as well as the sad and unexpected p...

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George Clooney heads another quality ensemble cast as Matt King, in this 2011 Oscar winner for Best Adapted Screenplay.  Matt is a real estate and trust attorney attorney in Hawaii charged with shepherding the sale of 25,000 acres of prime Hawaiian oceanfront property that has been in his family for centuries.  All while dealing with his wife who is slowly dying after a boating accident, managing the issues to 2 daughters trying to make sense of their situation, and coming to grips with infidelity. 

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The Cinetopia Film Festival has hit Ann Arbor and our Saturday pick was 'How To Build a Library'.  2025 Kenyan-American documentary film, directed and produced by Maia Lekow and Christopher King. It follows Shiro Koinange and Angela Wachuka, as they restore McMillan Memorial Library, Nairobi.  Kenyan publisher Angela Wachuka and writer Shiro (Wanjiku) Koinange quit their jobs to start a non-profit organisation named "Book Bunk" and, as their third project, to restore the famous, neo-classical McMillian Library. Along the way, they navigate local politics and confront Kenya's colonial past.

This led to a...

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This 1997 action/romance starring Val Kilmer and Elizabeth Shue is one of Jay's personal favorites!  This flic has it all!  Espionage, disguises, cool tech gear (for the 1990's), chases, and a love story that works between 2 characters who actually have palpable on-screen chemistry. With an absolutely kick-ass soundtrack that reflects the time it was made - heavy on the electronic rock, ambient, alternative flare.

Buckle up as Val takes on a thrill ride across countries from England to Russia where he becomes a multi-persona chameleon to steal technology, highjack a formula fo...

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Rami Melek and Lawrence Fishburn take on the espionage genre in this new spy thriller.  Here's the twist, Rami's just a big nerd who happens to work at the CIA.  But when his wife is killed, can he leverage his keyboard crypto-jockey talents into a cold-blooded, protein-eating, super assassin to avenge his wife?  Especially with  both the killers and Langley hot on his trail. Holt McCallany and Rachel Brosnahan support.

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Jobs for writers in L.A. for TV shows and original projects took a steep decline.  We get into it.  

Also, Jay has 'feelings' to say the least about the all-ladies Blue Origin trip.  Yes, it's been covered but not yet by the bald honey guy and he has a bit of a meltdown.  Worth a listen.

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Wes Anderson is back with his latest joint. Benicio del Toro takes center stage as an ailing arms dealer who has to navigate the transition of his empire to his only daughter who just happens to be a holy rolling woman of the cloth (that's a nun for the uninitiated). An all star cast rounds out this ensemble including Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson and Mia Threapleton (as Sister Liesl). All the things that you love about a Wes Anderson movie promise to take centerstage. Unlike prior episodes, we have...

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A heartfelt goodbye to one of our favorite Hollywood heartthrobs, Val Kilmer with his recent passing we thought that we would take a moment to recap his illustrious career. From Real Genius to Willow to Top Gun to The Doors. Val was a consummate professional and an actor's actor who handled everything from humor to drama. He always left the audience wanting more and left the audience looking forward to his next role. 

We started using Notebook LM to give ourselves an edge with creating this show, so part of the e...

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Quick viewing for anyone who is sick of paying for content!  We checked out three short films available on YouTube for free!

Cautionary Tales - Aaron attends a support group for people with afflictions of urban legends popularized by children and finds out there is someone for everyone.

Room 8 - A prison inmate meets his new bunkmate and his curiosity gets the better of him as it relates to things that don't belong to him.

Exit Strategy - A man stuck in a time loop seeks out h...

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In a somewhat rare occurrence, Louisa takes charge of this episode discussing some of her opinions on some of the current 2025 Oscar nominations. As Jay and Louisa are recording their latest Podcast episode the 2025 Academy Awards are underway in Hollywood, California. Louisa asks the question, what exactly does it mean to be a Best Picture?? How can "you" pick just one movie to win Best Picture each year?? Louisa also discusses her love for the Oscar nominated Shorts categories: animated, live action and documentaries. 

Jay is feeling a bit under the w...

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Today, Jay and Louisa discuss several different topics, ranging from studio related discussions to the very passionate subjects of what is happening within the James Bond Franchise and Jay's favorite Heat 2 ... Sequel, acting/casting speculations. 

We discuss a few in development projects as well. Thank you, J.K. Simmons and Plan B. 

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Anthony Hopkins drives this one forward, literally, in a biographical story of New Zealander Burt Munro and his modified 1920s Indian Scout Motorcycle. Directed by Roger Donaldson, Hopkins takes us on a journey from Burt's native New Zealand all the way to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Armed with a burning desire to set a land speed record, Munro's chipper personality allows him to etch is way into the hearts of everyone he comes across, thereby, bringing more believers to the cause. It's a lighthearted, albeit mildly harrowing journey that tells the...

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This afternoon, Jay and Louisa discuss the latest Dailies email with a focus from Louisa on WICKED! Namely, the heavy marketing that came before the release of WICKED as well as the continued merchandise filled marketing for the promotion of Part 1. Louisa tries to give a good detailed review, but really she just thinks that you should go see it and be totally amazed. 

We discuss some other "items" too. The pre-Thanksgiving Box Office results ... WICKED taking the top spot. Gladiator II holding some space and a few other films, some t...

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In today's episode we discuss the 1984 film Romancing the Stone. Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito star in this action packed, adventure filled movie, romance novelist, Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) travels to Colombia to help rescue her sister, Elaine (Mary Ellen Trainor) who has been kidnapped. Joan soon finds herself in the middle of several "bad guys" all hunting for the same lost treasure that only Joan has the map for. The map has been mailed to Joan in the States and she has to get it Elaine in Colombia or else...

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Two unlikely neighbors bond over their everyday routine. They invent an outdoor sports game that they enjoy playing together after work to let off everyday stress and just to hang out in general. One day, Michael and Andy go to Michael's doctor's visit together and get some sad news. Michael decides to go through with assisted suicide, but to get the medication, Michael and Andy will have to drive to a town/pharmacy 6 hours away. We watch Michael and Andy go on their trip, purchase the medicine and come back home. 

L...

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Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) vs Matthew Mcconaughey.  We squeezed in two flics for fun.  I know we said we were going to cover 'Paris, Texas' but we are having trouble tracking down a digital download that doesn't require a subscription.

For this go around we cover the excess portrayed in Entourage while Vince, Ari, and the boys navigate Hollywood in Vince's opus effort to direct and star in his own picture while Billy Bob Thornton and his pain in the a$$ son, Haley Jole Osment, try to derail it.  As usual, Ari...

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Robert Redford and Brad Pitt are paired as a pro C.I.A. station chief and his protege as their career timeline is dissected while one races against the clock to rescue the other from foreign captivity.  This was a fast paced espionage adventure by Tony Scott.  Considering the careers of all the players involved, you can bet this one does not disappoint.

I gave my honey recipe listeners a bonus this episode.  This go around you're getting 2 recipes!

P.S. I messed up Cher's height on the last pod...

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Jake (Robert DeNiro) is a bounty hunter working to get John (Charles Grodin) an accountant for the Las Vegas mob, back to L.A. to stand trial and testify against Jimmy Serrano (Dennis Farina). Very much a buddy comedy in the vein of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.  Quite a throwback on this one.  If you grew up watching movies in the 80's, this one will hit you with a fair does of nostalgia.  If you are younger, you will be stunned to see how things operated back before laptops and cell phones.

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You know how we do it!  This week: 

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So, this is what IMDB says:

"Inspired by a true story; an enchanting adventure about a lost penguin rescued from an oil spill, who transforms the life of a heartbroken fisherman. They soon become unlikely friends, so bonded that even the vast ocean cannot divide them."

That's pretty much the movie. Good Sunday afternoon movie, a tad flat but definitely a good watch for kids about to hit adolescence.

Plus, I have a tropical fruit salad honey medley recipe for you.

We cap it off...

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Dailies Hollywood news episode!  The Olympics, Snoop Dog, D23, LA Mayor Karen Bass's plan to keep Hollywood from leaving LA, and Huey Lewis returns to acting! All this and more on this episode of Critique-Opolis!

Plus - Honey Mango leather recipe!  (It's like a mango and honey fruit roll-up)!

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This 2018 Canadian sports drama film, directed by Miranda de Pencier was based on a true story. The film depicts a youth lacrosse team that was set up to help combat an onslaught of youth suicide in the community of Kugluktuk, Nunavut. 

This wasn't 'Miracle' with Kurt Russell but it did have a good message and a healthy redemption element. Strong performances by a largely Native American cast.  Ever been faced with bleek circumstances that appeared uncorrectable? This project highlights the importance and value of team building to create solutions to shared str...

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This actually a Dailies episode and while we never do podcasts about movies that just came out, we literally just walked in the door from seeing Twisters. Not to worry, the bulk of this one is dedicated to the latest and greatest from the entertainment business including, but not limited too, Apple TV+ being a tightwad, Warner Bros. going hat in hand to the bank asking for extra money to try to save NBA content, Maura Tierney becoming a cop on Law & Order #Season 24 and Brendan Fraser as Ike (Dwight D. Eisenhower). 

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New Blacklist entry!!!
The Swimsuit Issue

Written by Randall Green in 2014.  A nerdy high schooler, who fancies himself as an amatuer photographer, attempts to create a "swimsuit issue" featuring his high school classmates.

Plus - I finally got back to giving you guys a honey based recipe.  This time, an iced espresso honey cinnamon latte. 

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A little change of pace for this week's episode. We attended the Ann Arbor Art Fairs this weekend and with the shear volume of artists in front of our eyes, we would be doing the creative community a disservice by not discussing our favorite creators. This week, Matthew Rucker. This color blind artist produces near photo realistic paintings of single animals on a colored vacant background that are purely captivating and have to be seen to be fully appreciated. His paintings have brought many spectators to tears. We chat a little bit about...

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This is a new personal favorite!   If you combined Davy Crockett, The Three Stooges, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, the most original cut-out animation you've seen in forever, and Looney Tunes style sensibility, you would end up with 'Hundreds of Beavers'. (not a euphemism)

If you want a synopsis, check Wikipedia because this movie is too involved and I'm too lazy.  However, we will say that you should see the trailer BEFORE you watch the movie - just to get primed as to wh...

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There is to much going on in Hollywood on our nation's birthday to just cover a movie.  So what's all the hub-bub?
We'll tell you:

Richard Gere and Michael Fassbender do espionage in "The Agency"

Mary-Louise Parker has a black hole in her stomach and there is not enough Pepto-Bismol to fix her in "Omni Loop".

Lionsgate remakes Indian super violent ass-kicking on a train flick "Kill" for Western audiences.

Ray Liotta's final movie "1992" get's a release date and Snoop Dog joins the production t...

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Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon is sent to Los Angeles for what should have been a quick evidence-gathering assignment. Instead, he becomes embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorizing the city.

P.S. I ripped this synopsis straight from IMDB because I am falling asleep. Do not judge me.

As always there is a honey-based recipe.  This one is for a Greek pastry I can't pronounce.

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Alfre Woodard plays Juanita, a discontent mother of three adult children with questionable futures and no life goals.  One day she decides to leave her current life behind and embark on a personal trip with no itinerary.  Driven by a desire to experience her own reality, unencumbered by the day-to-day demands of her regimented existence. Even her imaginary relationship with Blair Underwood falls flat (due to Blair's underlying motives to bilk money from Juanita to start a food truck).

Will she find fulfillment in the exotic and faraway land known as Bu...

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Mandalay Pictures has producing rights for this yet-unshot poke at Wall Street and American greed.  There is ONLY ONE ACTOR who should get this role. Pay attention, Hollywierd. 

My mustard is better than yours.

The unthinkable may be on the horizon.  Paramount Pictures - a PRIVATE company 9under Sony/Apollo )? Well, the boys from Japan came to play - with 26 BILLION dollars!

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Javier Bardem stars as an attorney turned detective tasked with investigating, tracking down, and stopping a Marxist revolutionary and terrorist of an unnamed Latin country.
Just FYI - this was John Malkovich's directorial debut.  

The Ricotta toast uses prosciutto. The movie and the snack have nothing to do with each other aside from the fact that you would be a damn fool to miss out on either one.

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Ilker Catak delivers this gripping story of a German teacher embattled by her own school, fellow faculty members, students, and parents when 'someone' steals money out of her wallet.  Frustrating and engaging. 

Oh, I forgot to give you guys a recipe last time - so we lead off this episode with one to make up for it.  

P.S.
It's very German.  There is a scene where a lady is riding her bike in the rain while wearing him heeled boots.

#germanschool #leoniebenesch #ilkercatak #parents #students #teac...