2 True Stories, 1 Good Movie.

This week on FoF: my new home cinema setup refuses to woof, and hope for the 5-star masterpiece "One Battle After Another". PLUE I review "The Lost Bus" and "The Smashing Machine" - both true stories. One is a claustrophobic thriller and the other stars The Rock. And yes, I do decide if he’s winning the Oscar. And MORE!Explore the FoF socials/YT via my creepy website HERE.TIMESTAMPS(00:00) TikTok/Insta @fredasquithonfilm - THANKS FOR 10k!(01:14) My new Dolby Atmos subwoofer isn’t allowed to woof (02:15) One Battle After Another response / box office (06:40) Sip of my juice merch (07:35) Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer, why (11:14) Avatar 2 re-release, don’t bother (12:40) Sip of my juice merch – THE LOST BUS REVIEW (13:35) Synopsis / Intro (15:36) Paul Greengrass qualities with escalating real-time chaos (17:25) He pioneered the “shaky cam” dialogue/action style (18:19) The intimacy of The Lost Bus suits him, but… (18:49) …fewer practical effects (20:03) I could sense the budget constraints and cutting around the seams (23:30) The nature of the story itself possibly too claustrophobic (25:10) Good performances, cliché dialogue and themes (25:55) The “shaky cam” feels dated (28:18) Summary and LETTERBOXD RATING. See that rating HERE. – THE SMASHING MACHINE REVIEW – SPOILERS! (28:40) Synopsis / Intro – SPOILERS (29:21) Spoilers incoming! (29:45) I’m not sure what the core driver of this movie is. (34:45) My biggest ick with sporting movies (35:45) Is the real life story good enough to adapt? (38:04) There were positives, such as this allegory for addiction (39:49) I felt like I was immersed in the era (40:49) Some transcendent moments (42:35) Will The Rock win the Oscar? It’s now or never (44:13) The fighting scenes lacked punch – pun intended (46:16) Summary and LETTERBOXD RATING. See that rating HERE.  – (46:48) Coming up!!!