Ep 341: Aquaman & Bird Box Reviews

On this episode of The Harold & Maudecast hosts Sarah Mason and Jake Essoe review AQUAMAN in theaters and BIRD BOX, now streaming on Netflix. It's been a long time coming since we got our first glimpse of Jason Momoa as AQUAMAN to seeing James Wan's (THE CONJURING) vision play out on the big screen. This origin story is visually thrilling and manages to keep the cheese to a minimum -- let's face it, AQUAMAN was always cheesey. But James Wan does an amazing job world building and staying true to the protector of the deep's comic narratives. Best thing Zack Snyder did for the DCU was to cast Jason Momoa as Aquaman. Momoa was born to play this role and it just makes sense. Alongside him as mom, Nicole Kidman, Queen Atlanna shows her strength right out of the films credits kicking some underwater storm troopers asses. Amber Heard's Mera proves a worthy ass kicker as well though the chemistry between Momoa and Heard was missing. Patrick Wilson plays a mean Orm/Ocean Master and our favorite, who SPOILER alert, may prove the bigger foe in the sequel was Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta. Willem Dafoe as Vulko was Aquaman's Obi-Wan and Dolph Lundgren (yes please!) has a bigger role than we expected (thank you!) as Mera's father King Nereus. We unpack all this in more in the podcast. Bonus! BIRD BOX, now streaming on Netflix became the most watched ever when over 45 million accounts streamed the Sandra Bullock horror/thriller over the Christmas break, according to Netflix who never release their stats. Directed by Susan Bier (IN A BETTER WORLD), screenplay adapted by Eric Heisserer from Josh Malerman's novel, BIRD BOX joins A QUIET PLACE in this new niche of apocalyptic horror, this time sight challenged vs. sound. There are unknown creatures who have invaded the world and if you get a good look at them, you're F*CKED! Bullock's character, Malorie who happens to be 8.5 months pregnant, finds her way to a house occupied by a group of other survivors including another 8.5 month pregnant woman Olympia played by Danielle McDonald (PATTI CAKE$). The odd but impressive cast mash up includes, Sarah Paulsen, Trevantes Rhodes Lil Rel Howery, Tom Hollander, Machine Gun Kelly, Jacki Weaver and the always cool John Malkovich. BIRD BOX is suspenseful, sporadically really gory, and a bit tragic. It feels a little bit like Season 1 of The Walking Dead, and that ain't bad. Bullock proves she can concur any genre. Hopefully there is a sequel in the works. For more episodes and reviews visit www.thehmcnetwork.com