Red One (what to expect)
Scorecard, Work personalities, Nicole's a good girl, HP pod
As we prepare for the holiday season, you will inevitably need to bail on your family to see some of the great movies coming out. Here are a few excuses you can use with family/friends to dip out of dinner plans to catch that flick on your watchlist:
Tell them you just started a new podcast (you’ll be uninvited immediately).
You’re still emotionally recovering from the ending of Anora.
You just self-diagnosed 6 new food allergies from a TikTok video.
Look your granny in the eyes and say: “I love you, but you’re not Paul Mescal”.
No birthdays this week. If you haven’t told us your bday yet - you can do that here!
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: Red One
Temp These Takes: What movie/show character best describes you at work
Watchlist Worthy: Nicole Kidman still has it.
Pod Drop: The Chamber of Secrets⚡️
This week’s movie - “Red One”
Letterboxd Description:
The mission to save Christmas is on.
After Santa Claus (codename: Red One) is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.
Best Watched With
Friends who have Big Krampus Energy.
End credit thoughts
The opening sequence in Red One nails the holiday movie vibe so well that you might be tempted to add it to your Xmas lineup alongside Christmas Vacation to get you in the spirit. That vibe doesn't last long as this movies dives head first into a cheesy, CGI-filled goofy movie. If you can handle that cheese, then there is some fun "I've never thought of that" Christmas world building.
The less-than-great CGI is propped up by a few really fun, and well executed action sequences. When the characters weren't rolling around in front of a green screen, the set designs were immersive and fun.
The Rock delivers a vanilla performance we've come to expect from the superstar, JK Simmons pulls off making a thousand year old entity a hoot, but Chris Evans surprised us by being the steady presence of solid acting throughout. Kristofer Hivju (of GoT fame) was downright extraordinary as Krampus.
We are confused as to who Red One is for. The "See the good in everyone." and "Being good is a choice." messages seemed packaged for a young audience, but the tone of the movie felt like it wanted to be for adults. The story feels lost in PG13 purgatory, and we wish they would have just gone full rated R Santa.
Red One feels like a tall glass of eggnog, if you can stomach how rich it gets a times, you'll probably enjoy it. This was a fun spin on Christmas folklore packaged as a Dwayne The Rock Johnson action flick. The fact remains that this movie asks us to treat Christmas as a matter of life and death, and it's too much of an ask.
Wait to stream this one at home with a yule log.
Watch the trailer here
What movie/show character best describes your work personality?
Sarah
I am a combo of two characters. First, is Thanos, at the end of Age of Ultron: “Fine, I’ll do it myself.” And second is Beth, from Little Women, because I am tired, frail, and sickly in my work life. The only thing that can revive me is a respite at the seashore and my sister’s company. I am a GREAT coworker LOL.
Kelly
I have a sign on my desk that says “Do not talk to her, she has no self control and will talk to you for 2 hours.” I actually asked my coworkers what movie best describes my personality when I’m around them and the answer was Barbie. *gasps in Spanish* but not the whole movie, just the opening scene where all of the Barbies are saying hi to each other and subtly ignoring all the kens. Then you know, Barbie is like floating all around happy. Yeah that’s me.
Eric
Holland March - The Nice Guys
Lets get things straight before I dive in. I am not picking this RG character because I think I am as handsome as Mr. G.
I selected this incredibly memorable character for a few reasons. One - he is a horrific detective that is incompetent throughout most of the movie, however he still gets shit done. That is the story of my life - not super qualified professionally but I eke by and make it happen.
SECOND - he resorts to comedy during tragic or perilous times because that is his trauma response. He doesn't actually know how to handle things like an adult during his detective work. BUT yet he presses on and achieves his goals (even if the path is unethical).
AND THIRD (not part of the take but suck it, Drew) - his relationship with his daughter. He loves her so much but again has no clue how to be a father, yet still manages to seemingly raise a bad ass, wholesome kid. That is my goal - I have NO clue how to raise kids but we are 7.5 years deep on one and 4.5 years deep on the other. We are making it happen, baby. Shoutout Holland March and The Nice Guys - top 10 move of the 2010s.
Josh
The one and only Nick Miller from New Girl embodies who I am clocked in, and if we are being honest, and clocked out of work. Constantly stressed out, smart, sometimes unmotivated, but yet gets the job done. A lot of self-deprecation and dark humor. A messy vibe, both mentally and physically, but messy in the make-yourself-at-home kind of way. A highly conflicted, loyal person who has potential despite a chaotic nature. Mixing humor and professionalism frequently. And underneath the self-deprecation, the inability to deal with adult responsibilities and unconventional ways of being an adult is someone with depth, charisma, and a high capacity to keep on keeping on.
New Mexico Drew
I would love to believe that I'm like Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood). Quiet, confident, mysterious, cool and someone who doesn't ask questions and just gets shit done.
In reality, I'm a lot more like Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio). Loud, insecure, and constantly overthinking things and wondering if people like me, hate me, or even know who I am. I've also cried alone at work, and enjoyed one or eight whiskey sours.
What’s your take? Hit Reply or leave a comment below and let us know!
Babygirl (2024) Directed by Halina Reijn
The first time I watched this trailer, I was not entirely sure about it. Then, they kept playing it each week before every movie. I must have seen it at least a dozen times. Now, every time I hear that bell, I’m conditioned to be sold and seated.
Halina Reijn is not new to blending genres and making A24 hits. In 2022, she directed the Horror/Dark Comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies about a bunch of young, rich 20-something-year-olds partying at a mansion when shit turns south and deadly that is currently sitting at 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now, Reijn is at the helm of this erotic/thriller. Babygirl has already received the attention of the good people at the Gotham Awards, receiving nominations for Best Picture and Outstanding Lead Performance (Nicole Kidman).
Nicole Kidman is no stranger to the big screen, and it’s not surprising she’s already getting praised for her performance. Antonio Banderas also makes an appearance, but it’s Harris Dickinson who should get our attention. He’s only been shining bright since I first saw him in Triangle of Sadness (2022), and he absolutely crushes (alongside everyone else) in The Iron Claw (2023).
Add this one to your watchlist.
- JP :)
Letterboxd Description:
Get exactly what you want.
A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.
Also Directed by Halina Reijn
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: The Medium Project #040
🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Re-releasing the Harry Potter Medium Project series we originally released on our other channel onto this one.
In this episode, Sarah and Josh discuss the adaptation of Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets.
Listen in to hear Sarah and Josh wonder about why Fawkes in the movie looks so bad, consider whether or not Gollum would have won best cast for Dobby, and rave about the wholesomeness of Arthur Weasley. You don’t want to miss it!
The episode highlights the book's significance in the Harry Potter series, casting the introduction of horcruxes, Dobby, and societal issues within the Wizarding World. Additionally, they debate best and worst castings, favorite magical items, and specific changes from book to movie adaptations. The hosts also share personal insights and humorous takes on various aspects of the story.
Tune in next week for | Gladiator II & Wicked
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