Legit Cool - Film Talk

099 - Twisters - Review & Recap

Set in the world of storm chasers facing unprecedented weather phenomena. The story focuses on Kate Cooper, a storm researcher haunted by a past tornado, and Tyler Owens, a daring social media star who thrives on chasing extreme weather. As storm systems converge in Oklahoma, both characters, along with their teams, must navigate life-threatening conditions as they battle nature’s fury.

In this episode, we dive into Twisters, the 2024 sequel to the classic Twister. We break down the film’s whirlwind plot, the intense storm-chasing action, and how it stands up to the original. Despite a weaker screenplay, Twisters brings solid performances—particularly Glen Powell's standout role—and showcases some incredible visual effects.

 

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098 - Deadpool & Wolverine - Review & Recap

Deadpool's peaceful existence is abruptly disrupted when the Time Variance Authority (TVA) recruits him to help safeguard the multiverse. Faced with an unprecedented crisis, Deadpool teams up with his would-be friend, Wolverine, to tackle the mission. Together, they must navigate through various dimensions and confront formidable foes to save their world from an existential threat.

Deadpool's peaceful existence is disrupted when the TVA recruits him to safeguard the multiverse. He teams up with Wolverine and navigates through dimensions to save their world. The episode discusses the 100th episode celebration, the MCU, and the film's details. The opening scene is praised for its humor and meta commentary. The chemistry between Deadpool and Wolverine is highlighted. The plot is criticized for feeling detached and relying too much on fourth wall breaking. The film is described as a blast with fun cameos and heartfelt moments. Deadpool and Wolverine is an entertaining film that blends the Fox and Disney Marvel universes. It features meta commentary on the state of the superhero genre and the multiverse concept. The film includes references to various Marvel characters and fan casting decisions. The plot can be convoluted at times, but the humor and chemistry between Deadpool and Wolverine make it enjoyable. The meta jokes about the Disney-Fox merger and the critique of the multiverse add depth to the film. Overall, it's a fun and entertaining watch.

 

• Deadpool's peaceful existence is disrupted when he is recruited by the TVA to safeguard the multiverse.
• The chemistry between Deadpool and Wolverine is a highlight of the film.
• The plot is criticized for feeling detached and relying too much on fourth wall breaking.
• The film is praised for its humor, fun cameos, and heartfelt moments.
• The opening scene is considered one of the best in any superhero film. The film blends the Fox and Disney Marvel universes, providing meta commentary on the state of the superhero genre and the multiverse concept.
• The plot can be convoluted at times, but the humor and chemistry between Deadpool and Wolverine make it an enjoyable watch.
• The film includes references to various Marvel characters and fan casting decisions, adding depth and nostalgia for fans.
• The meta jokes about the Disney-Fox merger and the critique of the multiverse concept provide a self-awareness that sets the film apart.
• Overall, Deadpool and Wolverine is a fun and entertaining film that offers a unique perspective on the Marvel universe.

 

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097 - Longlegs - Review & Recap

"Longlegs" is a 2024 horror thriller directed by Osgood Perkins. The story follows FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) as she delves into a series of gruesome family murders. These seemingly isolated incidents are linked by cryptic, Zodiac-like notes, pointing to a Satan-worshipping serial killer known as Longlegs (Nicolas Cage). As Harker unravels the dark mystery, she discovers unsettling connections to occult rituals and faces a terrifying showdown with the killer, revealing deeper themes of faith, evil, and generational trauma.

 

In this episode, we dive into "Longlegs," a 2024 horror thriller directed by Osgood Perkins. The film follows FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) as she investigates a series of brutal family murders linked by cryptic notes. Nicolas Cage delivers a chilling performance as a Satan-worshipping serial killer, orchestrating these murders as part of a dark, supernatural plan. Join us as we explore the film’s atmospheric tension, psychological depth, and haunting themes of faith and generational trauma.

The cinematography thrusts viewers into the story with its evocative use of tone and color, while Osgood Perkins' direction perfectly suits the film's horror elements. Reminiscent of classics like "The Exorcist," "The Amityville Horror," and "Se7en," "Longlegs" delivers a compelling blend of psychological and supernatural horror.

 

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096 - A Quiet Place: Day 1 - Review & Recap

Set in New York City, the movie follows a group of survivors, including Lupita Nyong'o's character, as they navigate the chaos and destruction brought on by mysterious creatures. These creatures are extraordinarily sensitive to sound, attacking anything that makes noise. To stay alive, the survivors must adapt quickly to a world where silence is their only shield.

As the invasion escalates, the film explores the immediate impact on urban life and the desperate attempts of individuals to find safety. The narrative combines intense action with the franchise's hallmark tension, providing a fresh perspective on the silent apocalypse that fans have come to know.

 

A Quiet Place Day One is a prequel to the Quiet Place franchise, set in New York City during the silent apocalypse. The film follows the journey of survivors as they navigate the chaos and destruction caused by sound-sensitive creatures. While the audience reception has been positive, the host finds the film lacking compared to its predecessors. The characters and their development are underwhelming, and the story fails to explore the origins of the sound-sensitive apocalypse in a compelling way. The action set pieces and visual effects are well-executed, but the overall experience is boring and lacks the tension and suspense of the first two films. In this conversation recap, River discusses his thoughts on the movie 'A Quiet Place Part II'. He highlights missed opportunities in the storytelling, inconsistencies with the rules established in the previous films, and the lack of emotional connection with the characters. River also mentions the strong performance by Lupita Nyong'o and the few moments that stood out in the film. Overall, he rates the movie 5 out of 10.

 

Key Takeaways

• A Quiet Place Day One is a prequel to the Quiet Place franchise set in New York City during the silent apocalypse.
• The film follows survivors as they navigate the chaos caused by sound-sensitive creatures.
• The audience reception has been positive, but the host finds the film lacking compared to its predecessors.
• The characters and their development are underwhelming, and the story fails to explore the origins of the sound-sensitive apocalypse in a compelling way.
• The action set pieces and visual effects are well-executed, but the overall experience is boring and lacks the tension and suspense of the first two films. The film missed opportunities to explore the world and characters in a more meaningful way
• Inconsistencies with the established rules of the previous films were noticeable
• Lupita Nyong'o delivered a strong performance despite the limitations of the script
• The lack of emotional connection with the characters made it difficult to feel invested in their journey
• The movie received a rating of 5 out of 10

 

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095 - The Watchers - Review & Recap

Mina (Dakota Fanning), an artist, finds herself stranded in a dense, eerie forest in Ireland after her car breaks down. Seeking refuge, she stumbles upon a remote cabin where she joins three other trapped strangers: Madeline, Ciara, and Daniel. As night falls, they must contend with mysterious and terrifying creatures known as The Watchers, who observe them from the shadows and mimic their appearances.

 

"The Watchers," Ishana Night Shyamalan's directorial debut, delves into profound themes such as grief, identity, and the tenuous line separating humanity from monstrosity. The film’s ambitious narrative aims to explore how these elements intertwine within the claustrophobic confines of a haunted forest in western Ireland. The evocative visual landscape and the eerie depiction of the forest creatures are certainly promising, offering glimpses of Shyamalan's potential as a burgeoning director. However, the execution stumbles due to a convoluted plot and characters that lack depth and development, which ultimately undermines the film’s thematic aspirations.

 

Key Takeaways

The Watches explores the themes of grief, identity, and the blurred line between humanity and monstrosity.
The film has a promising concept and visually stunning cinematography.
However, the storytelling is convoluted and the characters are underdeveloped.
The film received mixed reviews and has a low box office intake.

 

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094 - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga - Review & Recap

Snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers, young Furiosa falls into the hands of a great biker horde led by the warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel, presided over by the Immortan Joe. As the two tyrants fight for dominance, Furiosa soon finds herself in a nonstop battle to make her way home.

In this episode of the Legit Cool Podcast, River reviews and recaps the latest installment of the Mad Max saga, Furiosa. He discusses the film's origins as a prequel to Mad Max Fury Road and shares his thoughts on the direction, cinematography, and action sequences. River praises Anya Taylor-Joy's performance as the standout in the film and critiques the lack of character development and emotional depth in participating principal cast. He also explores the world-building and visual aesthetics of the film, noting that it didn't quite fit the gritty and dirty nature of the Mad Max universe. Overall, River gives the film a rating of 6 out of 10.

 

Key takeaways

Anya Taylor-Joy's performance as Furiosa is the standout in the film
The film lacks character development and emotional depth
The world-building and visual aesthetics don't quite fit the gritty nature of the Mad Max universe
The action sequences are not as impressive as in Mad Max Fury Road
Overall, the film receives a rating of 6 out of 10

This is the review and recap for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

 

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093 - Fall Guy (2024)

"The Fall Guy" centers on Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), a veteran stuntman who has stepped away from the industry to recover from physical and mental strain. He is lured back into the action-packed world when his ex-girlfriend, Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), now a first-time director, needs his expertise for her latest film. However, complications arise when the film’s star, Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), goes missing under mysterious circumstances.

 

This is the review and recap for Fall Guy

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092 - Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar's reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

 

In this conversation, River and Rick review the movie 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'. They discuss the director, writers, and composer of the film, as well as the overall quality and reception. They express disappointment with the storyline and pacing, and feel that the movie falls short compared to the previous films in the franchise. They also discuss the potential for a fourth film and the need for a strong story to justify its continuation. The conversation in this part of the recording focuses on the hosts' review of the movie 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'. They discuss their overall impressions, the visuals, the characters, and the storytelling. They express frustration with the lack of clarity in the story and the underdeveloped characters. They also highlight the confusion surrounding the passage of time and the motivations of certain characters. The hosts discuss the slow start of the movie and the lack of connection they felt with the characters. They also mention the wasted potential of certain characters and the missed opportunities for deeper storytelling. In this conversation, River and Rick review the movie 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' and discuss its flaws and missed opportunities. They critique the lack of world-building and character development, particularly with the villain Proximus. They also express disappointment with the portrayal of the character Nova and the inconsistent storytelling. The conversation covers various themes, including the importance of establishing characters, the role of exposition in storytelling, and the impact of cinematography on the overall film experience.

They conclude with a rating of 5.5 out of 10 for the movie.

 

Key Takeaways 

The movie 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' falls short compared to the previous films in the franchise
The storyline and pacing are disappointing
The film needed a strong story to justify its continuation
The director, writers, and composer of the film are discussed
There is potential for a fourth film in the franchise The hosts were frustrated with the lack of clarity and underdeveloped characters in the movie.
They felt that the slow start and lack of connection with the characters hindered their enjoyment of the film.
The passage of time and motivations of certain characters were confusing and poorly explained.
The hosts felt that there were missed opportunities for deeper storytelling and character development. The movie lacks proper world-building and character development
The portrayal of the villain Proximus is rushed and lacks depth
The character Nova is poorly developed and her motivations are unclear
The cinematography and color palette do not enhance the storytelling
The movie missed opportunities for better storytelling and character arcs

 

 

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091 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Review & Recap

In "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," Frodo, Sam, and Gollum journey to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, while Aragorn leads the armies of Middle-earth against Sauron's forces in the Battle of Pelennor Fields. As Frodo and Sam face betrayal and temptation, Aragorn embraces his destiny as the true king of Gondor. With the Ring destroyed and Sauron defeated, Aragorn is crowned king, and peace is restored to Middle-earth. The film concludes with the fellowship's bittersweet farewells and the hobbits' return to the Shire, marking the end of their epic journey.

 

In this episode, River, Tony, and special guest Brendan dive deep into the epic conclusion of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy with their analysis of "The Return of the King." Join them as they explore the highs and lows of Frodo and Sam's journey to Mount Doom, Aragorn's epic battle for Middle-earth, and the emotional farewells that mark the end of an era.

And hey, if you haven't already, make sure to check out our episodes on "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers" for even more in-depth discussions on this iconic trilogy. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just dipping your toes into Middle-earth, there's something for everyone on the Legit Cool podcast. 🎉

 

In their spoiler-heavy analysis, River, Tony, and Brendan, a first-time guest on their Legit Cool podcast, meticulously explore every aspect of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."

They dissect the film's monumental battles, from the awe-inspiring siege of Minas Tirith to the heart-pounding showdown at the Black Gate, marveling at the seamless blend of practical effects and CGI. Emotions run high as they discuss the character arcs, delving into Frodo's burden, Aragorn's journey to kingship, and the unwavering loyalty of Samwise Gamgee. The trio lauds Peter Jackson's visionary direction, which brings Tolkien's world to life with breathtaking detail, and Howard Shore's sweeping score, which elevates every moment to epic proportions.

However, they don't shy away from acknowledging the film's flaws, from its occasionally sluggish pacing to the divisive nature of its multiple endings. Yet, even amidst these criticisms, River, Tony, and Brendan find themselves wholly captivated by the film's sheer scale and ambition. For them, "The Return of the King" stands as a towering achievement in cinematic storytelling, a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring legacy of Tolkien's masterpiece.

Their unanimous recommendation is clear: whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this epic conclusion is not to be missed. 🌋

 

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090 - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Review & Recap

In "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," the Fellowship faces its greatest challenges yet. Frodo and Sam press on towards Mordor, navigating the treacherous paths of Emyn Muil and the eerie depths of the Dead Marshes. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli forge an alliance with the people of Rohan, led by King Théoden, against the relentless onslaught of Saruman's army. The epic Battle of Helm's Deep becomes the focal point of their struggle, where hope hangs by a thread amidst the overwhelming forces of darkness. Amidst the chaos, Gandalf returns from death as Gandalf the White, guiding the forces of good in their desperate defense. As friendships are tested and new alliances formed, the stage is set for an epic showdown that will determine the fate of Middle-earth.

 

In this episode of the Legit Cool Podcast, River and Tony discuss the film 'The Two Towers' from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. They talk about the production, budget, and box office success of the film. They also share their thoughts on the battle scenes, emotional moments, and the performances of the cast. Tony expresses his love for the Helm's Deep battle and highlights the strong emotional journeys in the film. They also discuss the extended edition of the film and the impact of the Lord of the Rings franchise. In this part of the conversation, Tony and River discuss the epic battle of Helm's Deep and the character development of Frodo and Sam. They also talk about the introduction of King Theoden and the chemistry between Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli. They mention the sacrifice of Gandalf and the stunning opening shots of New Zealand. Overall, they express their love for the film and its ability to establish a vast and immersive world. In this part of the conversation, River and Tony discuss Frodo and Sam's journey, the introduction of Gollum, the pursuit of Merry and Pippin, and Gandalf's return as Gandalf the White. They highlight the world-building in the books and the differences between the books and the films. They also discuss the character development of Gollum and the chemistry between Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. The chapter titles include Frodo and Sam's Journey, The Pursuit of Merry and Pippin, and Gandalf's Return. In this part of the conversation, River and Tony discuss various scenes and characters in The Two Towers. They talk about Gandalf's reveal as Gandalf the White, Theoden's awakening and transformation, the decision to go to Helm's Deep, Arwen's choice to leave Middle-earth, Faramir's decision to take the ring to Gondor, and the arrival of the elves at Helm's Deep. They also mention the Ents' decision in Fangorn Forest. The conversation highlights the character development and plot progression in the film. In this part of the conversation, Tony and River discuss the power of hopelessness and the bravery of ordinary people. They highlight the contrast between the hobbits and the elves, and the significance of the Battle of Helm's Deep. They also discuss the epic scenes of the battle and the destruction of Isengard by the Ents. The chapter ends with a heartfelt conversation between Frodo and Sam about the importance of holding onto hope and fighting for what is good. The conversation methodically reviewed the principal themes of the film. The main themes discussed were Sam's heroism and character development, the parallel between Faramir and Boromir, the weight of the Battle of Helm's Deep, and Gollum's betrayal. The hosts praised the emotional impact and storytelling of the film, particularly the build-up to Helm's Deep. They both gave the film a 10 out of 10 rating.

 

Key Takeaways

 

The Two Towers is the second film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and is known for its spectacular action and emotional storytelling.
The film had a budget of $94 million and grossed nearly $950 million at the box office.
The Helm's Deep battle is considered one of the best large-scale battles in film.
The film features strong emotional moments, such as Gandalf's return and the Ents deciding to go to battle.
Some viewers may find the Frodo, Sam, and Gollum scenes to be a drag, but they are necessary for the overall story.
The extended edition of the film provides additional content and is popular among fans of the franchise. The battle of Helm's Deep is a highlight of the film, showcasing epic action and a well-developed plot.
The character development of Frodo and Sam is a standout aspect, with their friendship growing stronger amidst the challenges they face.
The introduction of King Theoden and the chemistry between Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli add depth to the story.
Gandalf's sacrifice and the stunning opening shots of New Zealand contribute to the immersive and expansive world of the film.
Overall, 'The Two Towers' is praised for its ability to establish a vast and engaging world. The world-building in the Lord of the Rings books is extensive, with detailed descriptions of locations and names that are not always mentioned in the films.
Gollum is a standout character with excellent development, and his conversations with himself provide valuable exposition.
The chemistry between Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli is well-established, and their banter adds depth to their characters.
The introduction of Gandalf as Gandalf the White surprises and delights viewers who were not familiar with the books.
The differences between the books and the films, such as the portrayal of the Nazgul and the character of Aragorn, spark interesting discussions. The character development in The Two Towers is well-executed, with notable moments including Gandalf's reveal as Gandalf the White and Theoden's transformation.
The decision to go to Helm's Deep is a pivotal moment in the film, leading to a battle against the Uruk-hai.
Arwen's choice to leave Middle-earth and Faramir's decision to take the ring to Gondor add depth to their characters.
The arrival of the elves at Helm's Deep brings hope and showcases their military prowess.
The Ents' decision in Fangorn Forest highlights the importance of unity and the role of different races in the war against Saruman. Hopelessness can sometimes be a driving force for ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
The Battle of Helm's Deep showcases the bravery and resilience of the characters.
The destruction of Isengard by the Ents is a powerful moment of retribution.
The conversation between Frodo and Sam highlights the importance of hope and fighting for what is good. Sam's character embodies heroism and bravery
The parallel between Faramir and Boromir adds depth to the story
The Battle of Helm's Deep is a standout moment in the film
Gollum's betrayal sets up the next chapter of the story

 

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