Film Fury

Alan and Jonathan discuss the loss of Gene Hackman and why he was such a great actor.  *Since the time of the recording an official cause of death has been released. They discuss Hackman, who was known for playing Lex Luther in "Superman" a stubborn submarine commander in "Crimson Tide" opposite Denzel Washington, as well as a tough as nails FBI official in "Mississippi Burning" looking to find out who killed James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman. They discuss how he was able to be so consistently good in many different films and many roles. 

Can "Anora" upset "The Brutalist?" Can Demi Moore take home the Oscar for Best Picture? Alan goes through the major nominations and goes through his predictions, and wonders if there will be any upsets. Timothy Chalamet is in two Oscar nominated films-"A Complete Unknown" and "Dune II." How much value will voters place on his great singing impersonating Bob Dylan. He also goes over some odd choices and laments that there is only one good song nominated for Bes Original Song-and will not win.

We take a look at a dark film that asks if we are wrong to place so much value on physical beauty as Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, who injects herself with a substance so that a youynger, more beautiful version of herself will emerge. Part Black Mirror, part The Twilight Zone, The Substance is one of the best films of the year. We also take a look at Anora in which Mikey Madison stars as a sex worker who thinks she might have met her husband but is in for a nasty surprise. Both are nominated for Best Picture and Moore or Madison should win Best Actress. 

"Emilia Perez" has 13 Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture. It is a musical, in a manner of speaking and stars Zoe Saldana as a lawyer and a male drug lord Manitas who becomes a woman-Emilia Perez. Alan gives his thoughts on the widely divisive film that also stars Selena Gomez and Karla Sofia Gascon. Alan doesn't mince words. 

Alan talks about the new film "A Real Pain" starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as Jewish cousins who reconnect on a trip to Poland where they will visit a death camp as well as the house in which a grandmother lived. Alan explains why the movie worked so well and is joined by Nike Silberstein, who talks about her own "March of the Living" trip when she was in high school. They discuss whether or not it is ethical to take selfies and certain places where tragedy took place and they examine the dynamic between the two characters who are jealous of each other. Alan asks Nike if she feels more pressure to live a meaningful life because she is the grandchild of survivors. They also discuss Jennifer Gray, of "Dirty Dancing" fame and whether or not something about her character is implied. They also discuss how this may be a Holocaust movie that is not a Holocaust movie as it instead focuses on how the next generation processes the past.  

The Oakland A's faced having to compete with the likes of the New York Yankees with the lowest payroll in the majors. Based on the book by Michael Lewis 'Moneyball" features Brad Pitt as General Manager Billy Bean, who failed as a player but had a success if going against old school scouts and focusing on on base percentage.   Beane meets someone he likes in analytics (Jonah Hll) and hires him away. Alan discusses the film with comedian Eli Lebowicz, who once worked as a vendor in Chicago's Wrigley Field. Eli explains what he likes about Pitt and Hill's performance while Alan asks if Lebowicz minds that the film does not include such starts as Miguel Tejada, and ace pitcher Barry Zito. Alan asks why there aren't more good baseball movies and whether or not it's a good thing that "Moneyball" is one of the few films in which Pitt has no love interest.

Alan speaks with Music Editor Micha Liberman who was nominated for two Emmy's for his work on the Hulu hit "Only Murderers In The Building" and Netflix's "Avatar: The Last Airbender." Liberman, who won an Emmy for his work on the pilot of HBO's Deadwood explains what it's like to have his work involve such stars at Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. He explains how he plays numerous instruments, how he went to Austria where an 80-piece orchestra and choir that had to go with action sequences in "Avatar: The Last Airbender."  With great humor and humility, Liberman talks about what it's like to be a music editor on such prestigious projects. Alan asks Micha if he would rather hire a talented person with an attitude or a slightly less talented person who is easier to work with. Micha shares one time he had a disagreement with someone. Stick around as he closes with a funny story about Martin Short.

Based on a Stephen King novella, "The Shawshank Redemption" starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman is on most people's top 25 list of best movies. It tells the story of a man falsely convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Alan and Sruli Brooker discuss a number of intriguing questions. Is hope always a good thing? What does the film say about justice and the nature of the parole system? Sruli points out some moments that many miss-how the warden nearly caught Andy's means of escape but narrowly missed it. Alan also discusses several metaphors in the film and wonders why Morgan Freeman was in the Best Actor category instead of the Supporting Actor Category.  Brooker also gives advice on how to get through difficult situations. 

"Titanic" starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, is one of the highest grossing films of all-time. It won the Oscar for Best Picture with James Cameron winning Best Director. Alan, a fan of the blockbuster, talks about the famous film with Irina Tsukerman, a human rights and national security attorney, who has become known for astute political analysis. Irina critiques the love story of Jack and Rose.  So why was "Titanic" one of the highest grossing films of all time? Is it possible to fall in love in one or two days? Should owner J. Bruce Ismay be blamed for getting on a lifeboat when only women and children were supposed to? Irina answers whether or not she had a crush on Leonardo Dicaprio when the movie came out and she was 12. They discuss whether or not the movie would be as big a hit if it came out today, Celine Dion's theme song, and whether or not the film influenced anyone to date someone of a lower socioeconomic class. Would Jack have been able to fit on the door? They also discuss whether society places too much emphasis on clothing, noting the scene where Jack is seemingly more respected when he is dressed in a tuxedo. Lastly, the discuss if people are simply obsessed with tragedy, or if there is some other appeal.   

Alan discusses the famous film with comic Talia Reese. Why was this film such a hit? Carell is handsome enough so why was his character so unsuccessful with women? Are guys who work at TV stores not appealing? they discuss the humor of the film, what it says about attraction and human nature!

Alan discusses "Deadpool vs. Wolverine" starring Ryan Reynolds and Hug Jackman. David Merel, a technology and superhero expert answers whether or not Jackman is too old, whether or not superhero films will save movie theaters, and whether he'd rather be Deadpool or Wolverine. Was the opening scene too gory? Was the villain badass enough? Did anyone notice that Matthew Macfadyen, who plays a corporate villain, is somewhat similar to his character in the HBO hit "Succession."    David gives some great insights on the power of MCU and why he thinks the upcoming Captain America film will be great and hits there could be an unbelievable twist in how Robert Downey Jr. is used "Avengers: Doomsday" and how he thinks the Russo brothers know what they're doing. Some wonder if it is a risky move to put Downey Jr. so well-known as the iconic Iron-Man as it might seem counterintuitive to have the greatest hero play one of the greatest villains. Or maybe there is a method to the madness. take a listen. 

Host Alan Zeitlin welcomes special guest Aaron Herman, a marketing consultant and video journalist, to dive into the comedic brilliance of Mel Brooks' 'Spaceballs.' In this episode, they explore why 'Spaceballs' remains a beloved classic, breaking down its clever parody of the Star Wars franchise and its unique brand of humor that has stood the test of time. Alan and Aaron discuss the film's journey from its release in the 1980s to its status as a cult classic, sharing personal anecdotes and favorite moments. They also provide an exciting preview of what fans can expect from the upcoming sequel, delving into how Mel Brooks, at 97, continues to influence the world of comedy. Tune in for a fun and insightful conversation that celebrates the enduring legacy of 'Spaceballs' and looks forward to its next chapter. Don't miss this engaging episode of Film Fury!

Robert Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio starred as Jay Gatsby in different film version of based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic. Alan speaks with Gatsby expert and New York City high school instructor David Giunta. Alan and David discuss the good and the bad elements of the films, what the story says about justice and obsession, and why Dasie picks Tom over Gatsby. David shares some insights from his many years of teaching the novels and elements of the films to his students. What does the story say about materialism and riches versus love and fulfillment? David explains what he thinks is a major flaw of both films.

Alicia Silverstone is best known for depicting Cher Horowitz in the classic "Clueless" co-starring Paul Rudd as her step-brother, Josh. Alan discusses why the film is simple, yet grand. Writer and communications expert Shira Weiss explains what's so good about the film and the two debate some issues and Weiss answers if she ever had a grade changed in high school, as Cher had a teacher change a C+ to an A-. 

Alan explains why "The Shining" is so scary and so mesmerizing with great performances by Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duval. From the creepy opening to the famous "redrum" scene, there's a lot to give you nightmares. Professor Nathan Abrams, author of "Kubrick: An Odyssey" discusses some theories of what the film is about from the Holocaust to the attacks against Native Americans. They speak about the Delbert Grady vs. Charles Grady question, why the original ending was anticlimactic, and Abrams shares some other nuggets of his expertise.

Alan discusses Ari Aster's "Midsommar" about a young woman named Dani(Florence Pugh) who in the wake of a family tragedy clings to a boyfriend, Christian (Jack Reynor) who doesn't appreciate her. When they go on vacation with some friends to Sweeden, all Hell breaks loose and things that make no sense take place. Christian's friend is creepily flirting with her. Is he trying to make a move? Alan talks about how the film, though gruesome is wildly underappreciated and the movie is a duality of a failed relationship and a failed people.

Alan discusses the greatest films of Leonardo DiCaprio. Wheer does "Titanic" rank? How about his scenes with Daniel Day Lewis in "Gangs of New York?" Where does "The Wolf of Wall Street" stack up against "Catch Me If You Can?" Which of his films directed by Martin Scorsese make the list and what's the one time he plays a calculating villain? Take a listen and find out! 

"The Karate Kid" is an iconic film about a teen who falls in love, gets bullied and wants to show he isn't someone to be messed with. Alan discusses why the film is of of his favorites and discusses whether or not the crane kick was illegal and whether Johnny would beat Daniel in a real life fight with Jason Schulman.

Alan analyzes the hit Netflix show "Reindeer Baby" featuring Richard Gadd's series that is said to be based on his real experiences of being stalked by a woman who showed up to the bar he worked at. He goes over some of the symbolism and some of the reasons the show is impactful. Tour guide and journalist Robby Berman joins the show to discuss how he thought the acting was powerful, but he didn't think every episode was great. They discuss some dramatic scenes in several episodes, as well as whether or not a popular show like this can change people's behavior. 

Alan breaks down the new film "The First Omen" and how it perfectly sets up "The Omen" that ran in the 70's. Alan discusses how the new film is well done and how the original was iconic despite one hokey moment and how the new film perhaps pays homage to it. He also discusses why child actors who are good can be so scary.  

Alan breaks down the good and the very bad in the new film "Civil War" and how some elements are completely implausible. He looks at why people's reactions to the film are highly political, why the president's character did not get enough screen time and how one scene in the film was excellent. Alan praises some of the acting but bemoans the major flaw of the film, which involves lazy writing. He also discusses whether or not he thinks there can be a real civil war.    

"The Iron Claw" was the second best movie of 2023 but didn't earn a single Oscar nomination. Why not? Was it because there were dark themes like suicide? Was there something against the WWE? Was there a fear of promoting toxic masculinity even though it was actually a cautionary tale? Were Zac Effron's abs CGI? Alan discusses these questions with wrestling afficionado Jeff Wirtheim, as they theorize as to why Effron, the other actors and the film got body slammed by Oscar voters. 

Alan marvels at how Austin Butler could go from playing Elvis to the main baddie in "Dune Part 2" as well as Dave Bautista of WWE fame and how Florence Pugh is great here and always needs more screen time. He goes over why Timothee Chalamet is great in the lead as Paul, Zendeya is on point and why the gladiator arena scene is awesome. He also explains why many may look at the film and point to a certain war, country or people as being represented by the film based on different languages being used. He also goes over one of the spookier lines you'll see in a movie and how while director Denis Vlleneuva is not a master of dialogue, he is a master of jaw-dropping visuals and cool fight scenes.

Not a lot happens in "Past Lives." And yet it is a small and beautiful film. How was tension created by Celine Song with only one kiss in which the camera pans away and it is dark. Alan speaks with actress, writer and director Leah Gottfried, who crated and starred in the series "Soon By You" about Orthodox Jews on Manhattan's Upper West Side. They discuss similarities between the show and the film-having to show tension with modesty (the characters on her show could not touch members of the opposite sex before marriage due to religious adherence) and "Past Lives" does much of its charm with dialogue. Alan questions Leah about the big scene at the end when Nora (Greta Lee) cries and they disagree in their interpretations of the scene. Leah speaks about how the film is different and shows that while it's harder not to take the easy route in a romantic film, the result can be more rewarding. Alan asks Leah if she think the film may encourage men to behave differently in their dating habits.

Alan again speaks with Saul Sudin and while they agree that "The Zone of Interest" was a failure Alan believes Jonathan Glazer was out to try to use a gimmick to win awards and questions why he focused on building a replica of a Nazi house rather than showing Jews-as the book by Martin Amis does. Saul questions whether or not this is correct, and things get heated at one point.

Alan speaks with filmmaker Saul Sudin about why he was touched by the film and thought it was the best of the 10 nominated for an Oscar. Saul gives an interesting interpretation about family and brings up something most viewers didn't catch about the beginning and the ending. Saul shows he really knows his stuff. Alan questions if Pual Giamatti's role was difficult enough and they also discuss the power of Da'Vine Joy Randolph's powerful role. (Recorded before the Oscars)

Did Jimmy Kimmel go too far with a joke about Robert Downey Jr? Will his jokes about former President Trump come back to haunt him? Some of his jokes were on target and the Oscars had some great moments and some strange ones. Did John Cena want to have that "costume?" Alan goes over how he was right on all of his predictions but one and how it was a good idea to have past winners say something nice about each of the nominees. He also goes over two musical performances that hit the spot. He briefly mentions some screw ups and recommendations for the future.

Alan raises hell and is mystified at how the New York Times could correctly call the film a failure, yet the movie received numerous nominations. He mentions that he has interviewed numerous Holocaust survivors, and one said the film was boring and had no educational value. He also rasies the question: "How has the film been nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay when the script throws out the majoirty of the book, including a Jewish character who narrates chapters?" He hypothesizes that for so many critics to be so way off, there was likely a desire to look intellectual - or possibly, a feeling of pressure to give it a good review. 

Alan speaks with Heather Robinson, a contributor for the New York Post and JNS about different ways "Poor Things" is being perceived with Emma Stone as Bell Baxter, who for a time in the film becomes a prostitute. They discuss the controversy about several scenes of the film and the impressive nature of Emma Stone's acting in a role that was quite difficult. Alan says he thinks Willem Dafoe should have gotten the Best Supporting Actor Nomination and they both discuss whether or not the film is trying to show that money isn't the only thing that matters.

The Native Americans were often treated badly. But the Osage found oil under their land and by 1907, in Oklahoma, they were raking in the big bucks. How did a guy named William Hale orchestrate a diabolical plot to murder between 9 and 30 people and have white men marry Osage women only to have them killed? Shootings, explosions and other unexplained deaths left the Osage reeling and furious and only after several years did J. Edgar Hoover look into it. Hale is played by Robert DeNiro-you'll be shocked to learn what happened to Hale in real life. Lily Gladstone has a good shot to win the Oscar for Best Actress as Molly, but Alan wonders if the subtly of the role will cost her. Molly's husband, Ernest, is played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Was DiCaprio too old for the role? DeNiro is widely seen as having given the second best performance in the Best Supproting Actor category after Robert Downey Jr. This is a horrific film of greed where evil men made people bleed.

Who's gonna win? Can Lily Gladstone beat out Emma Stone? Will "Oppenheimer" win numerous awards? Does Paul Giamatti have a chance to upset Cillian Murphy? Will Robert Downey Jr. win Best Supporting Actor? Alan also goes over some Oscar snubs, including one film that he thinks was the second best of the year but was shut out in all nominations. He also talks about a talented director who gets no love from the Academy, perhaps because his films are dark and have to do with death.

Projected to win numerous awards, Christopher Nolan's film stars Irish actor Cillian Murphy as J.Robert Oppenheimer as a man tasked with fathering the nuclear bomb. We go over the performances of Murphy and his unreal eyes, Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, whose admiration for Oppenheimer turns to jealousy and anger and we talk about how this film had one notable flaw but was both memorable and explosive? Oppenheimer felt pride and guilt-did Murphy navigate it well. What's the deal with the poison apple story?

Alan speaks with Cantor Dan Singer, of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue about Bradley Cooper's powerful performance as Leonard Bernstein in "Maestro" which included intense preparation over several years. They discuss the Bernstein's legacy, and the controversy of how a picture of Cooper's prosthetic nose months before the film's release had been deemed by some to be antisemitic, but those critics fell silent upon the film's release. Dan speaks about some inside information and they discuss whether or not including the making of "West Side Story" could have made the film more popular.

Alan speaks to Nava Silton, developmental psychologist and professor at Manhattan Marymount College about her impressions on "Barbie" and why it was such a success. Are there similarities between hatred toward Barbie and if there is hatred toward Barbie and Taylor Swift. She also talks about the power of having multiple Kens and Barbies and why she felt the film was powerful. They discuss if Margot Robbie might have been overlooked because of reasons not relating to acting.

Welcome to the Film Fury podcast. It's time to analyze movies and get mad or get glad. I'm Alan Zeitlin, an entertainment writer and film critic for more than two decades, and I'm going to take you on a deep dive into the sea of movies. What actors rose to the occasion and who fell flat? From Oppenheimer to Barbie, what film should win Oscar Gold and which should be left in the cold? Who got loved and who got snubbed? What moments will make you feel like you're watching something magical? And which will make you feel like they've been cursed? What are some film gems you haven't seen? Hop along for the ride as I break it down like Charlie Brown. Follow us now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your shows.