Episode 36 - Review: Ferrari (2023)

After 20 years of trying to get "Ferrari" made (including several actors being attached to the film only to depart shortly after), Mann got his lead cast together with Adam Driver playing Enzo Ferrari (2nd time playing a famous Italian entrepreneur after leading in "House of Gucci") and Penélope Cruz as Laura Ferrari, a standout in this movie. Challenges this movie faced included casting as mentioned, COVID-related production challenges, and challenges with distribution in the States because the original distributor STX Films shut down their distribution and marketing operations, so the film was eventually sold to the distributor Neon for US theatrical release on Christmas Day (awful placement considering other films that would be competing with it around that holiday time).

However, after all of these challenges, this movie shows that Mann has not lost his magic touch at all. He directs a tight, tense, and emotional story about Enzo, Laura, and their legendary company Ferrari. The movie focuses on the year 1957 (just 10 years after the launch of the company). The company is on the verge of bankruptcy and needs to make a big splash if it is to continue. The 1,000-mile race, the Mille Miglia, is the perfect opportunity for Ferrari to win and make said splash. Everything has to go just right. No pressure.

Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz are captivating as the leads. The pacing is perfect. The music by Daniel Pemberton injects the right thrills. Pemberton only had one week to score the movie! He does an incredible job with it. Erik Messerschmidt is the cinematographer who beautifully shoots the movie. He also shot the amazing David Fincher movie "The Killer" that was also released in 2023. For negatives, Shailene Woodley was underutilized in the movie, and that arc was maybe unnecessary. On the other hand, it only seems unnecessary because her character and story seemed rushed and a little underdeveloped, but maybe if it was made as a TV series (watch Mann’s brilliant HBO series "Tokyo Vice") that might be a better format for a longer form story where roles like Woodley’s character could be properly shown.

"Ferrari" is still a very powerful story. It is one of my favorite movies of 2023 and is available to rent and/or purchase on all platforms. Enjoy the movie and thank you for listening.

Episode 35 - SPOILER Review: Oppenheimer (2023)

Two special guests, Papa Hozour and Kathy Garber, join me today to talk about the latest Christopher Nolan epic which seems to be on a clear path to sweep at the upcoming Oscars.

After years of success at Warner Bros, his major minor tantrum over the disaster that was the movie “Tenet” and Warner Bros and its irresponsible rollout, Nolan seems to have found his stride at Universal Pictures taking up this “lower budget” ($100 million) feature and within that budget Universal giving him carte blanche on how to deliver that film. I don’t hide that I don’t exactly see this Director in the best light and yet it is what it is - I absolutely loved the film “Oppenheimer”. Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt (doesn’t get talked about enough for this movie) and so many others that make up this amazing cast. No actor (no matter how big or small their scene is) has their screen time wasted in this film. Ludwig Göransson (Composer), Jennifer Lame (Editor), Hoyte Van Hoytema (Cinematographer), Christopher Nolan (Writer/Producer/Director) - the entire team behind the camera also played key roles in catapulting this movie to being a brilliant epic that has endless rewatchability.

“Oppenheimer” is available to stream on Peacock and is available to rent and or purchase on all platforms.

Episode 34 - Hype: Sneakers (1992)

There are so many great movies that came from the 90’s, but “Sneakers” is one that not only stands out but is one that I either return from time to watch again and again or stop and watch some (or all of) whenever I find it playing anywhere. 

While I can appreciate dark, twisted espionage thrillers, 'Sneakers' takes a different path. It steers away from what we have more recently been accustomed to with the usual gritty tones for a blend of light-hearted mischief, humor, and suspense, making it a uniquely enjoyable experience.. You have a one of a kind cast with Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Mary McDonnell, River Phoenix, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley, David Strathairn, Donal Logue, Stephen Tobolowsky, Timothy Busfield and more. It kind of (I am reaching here a little bit) feels like the precursor to the Ocean’s 11 reboot with its group of goofy characters facing real threats. This movie is written by the team behind “WarGames” and is directed by the always entertaining Phil Alden Robinson (“Field of Dreams”, “The Sum of All Fears”, and the series “The Good Fight”). The movie’s crown jewel, however, is its music. Composer James Horner, known for 'Avatar', 'Braveheart', and 'Titanic', delivers one of my all-time favorite scores. Everyone behind and in front of the camera brings their A-game to this movie. Yes at times its a little cheesy and feels a little dated, but none of that gets in the way of this movie being pure fun. 

The only frustration I have with this movie is its bad title. As you will hear in this episode, there were other great title options that were included in the movie! 

Other than that one (but important) frustration this early 90’s hit is one that if you have not seen it that I highly recommend you check out. 

“Sneakers” is available to rent and or purchase on all platforms. Enjoy the movie and thanks for listening.