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The Filmlosophers

The gentleman's post-credits discourse. Enthusiastic and tactful, hosts Eddie Villanueva and Spencer Williams offer candid observations about current events in the movie industry, film reviews and various other movie buff sundries. When the lights come up, the conversations goes down.
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Now displaying: 2018
Jul 4, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, embark on a subatomic rescue mission in this week’s review of Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). Directed by Peyton Reed, this is the first Marvel Cinematic Universe film to drop since Avengers: Infinity War (2018). Fittingly, it explains what the size-shifting protagonists (played by Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly) were doing as the rest of the MCU heroes chased down the Infinity Stones and battled against Thanos. The film also provides audiences with our longest look yet at the quantum realm, a layer of reality that Kevin Feige admits will be a key factor in future films.

The film also stars Michael Peña, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Tip "T.I." Harris, Randall Park, Michelle Pfeiffer, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Douglas and Hannah John-Kamen. And yes, it will answer the long-brewing questions of what happens to these characters when Thanos snaps his fingers.

Jun 27, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, try to come alive inside again after this week’s viewing of Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018). Brutal and emotionally taxing, the sequel to Sicario (2015) sees the return of Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro as two members of a government-supported black ops group that is sent to tangle with the Mexican cartels and initiate a gang war to stop terrorists from entering the United States through the border with Mexico.

Directed by Stefano Sollima, the film also stars Isabela Moner, Jeffrey Donovan, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Catherine Keener. Fans of the Denis Villeneuve-directed original will find several parallels in terms of tonality, themes, visuals and sound editing. Whether or not that makes the sequel as memorable as its predecessor is worth questioning.

Jun 20, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, brave the volcano of uncertainty with this week’s review of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. Now that the franchise has reached its fifth installment and expectations are high, how unique and thrilling can a theme park full of formerly extinct creatures truly be? Listen in and see if we’re ready for another trip to the genetic wonderland anytime soon...or think the franchise should call it quits.

Featuring performances from Rafe Spall, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda, James Cromwell, BD Wong, Toby Jones and Jeff Goldblum, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is the first film in the Jurassic Park franchise to be directed by J.A. Bayona. A protege of Guillermo del Toro, Bayona recently directed the adaptation of A Monster Calls (2017).

Jun 13, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, exercise a few new superpowers with this week’s review of Incredibles 2 (2018) from Disney Studios and Pixar Animation. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and many have been wondering if this long-awaited sequel would live up to the stature of the original film released in 2004. We’re happy to report that Mr. Incredible, Elasti-Girl, Violet, Dash, Jack Jack and Frozone are all back in action as if nary a moment has passed...and it’s an absolute delight.

Incredibles 2 features returning vocal cast members Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner and director Brad Bird who also voices the enigmatic Edna Mode. Joining the family for this installment are new characters voiced by Bob Odenkirk, Catherine Keener, Sophia Bush and Bill Wise.

Jun 6, 2018

In this bonus episode, we discuss whether or not Ocean's 8 (2018) actually needs to be associated with the Ocean's franchise. What do you think? Listen in to hear our thoughts!

Stick around and join the conversation as we are barely able to contain ourselves! So pull up a chair, and prepare for some bonus hilarity in "Extra Credit!"

If you're wanting a bit more context, head over to our main episode, Lesson 116, where this bonus episode steals its most prized possession from!

Jun 6, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, hatch a plot to make a lot of money with this week’s review of Ocean’s 8 (2018). The fourth installment in Steven Soderbergh’s revitalized Ocean’s franchise, the film features an all-female take on the heisty storyline and stars Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean, the estranged sister of George Clooney’s Danny Ocean, who served as the ringleader in the previous three films. Directed by Gary Ross, the film also stars Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Richard Armitage and James Corden.

Ocean’s 8 is most recognizably cut from the same cloth as the prior films thanks to its cool soundtrack and ensemble-focused plot. Its ensemble, though, is where the film breaks from its predecessors and offers a more tightly balanced team where each member shines in her own way. Will it woo the crowds on opening weekend? We’re pretty sure it “con.”

May 30, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, attempt the second-fastest Kessel Run ever recorded with guest host Travis Cook in this week’s review of Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). The film was embroiled in controversy as it completed principal photography, with Ron Howard taking over directorial duties from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller after a series of alleged creative differences, and many worried that the final product wasn’t going to be good. Listen in to find out if those concerns proved valid on opening weekend.

Starring Alden Ehrenreich as a young Han Solo alongside a supporting cast that includes Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke and Paul Bettany, the film contains glimpses of how a pair of famous friendships began within the Star Wars universe: see how Han meets Chewbacca and, together, they encounter Lando Calrissian.

May 23, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, assembles a stronger team with guest host Corey Hunt in this week’s review of Deadpool 2 (2018). Ryan Reynolds returns in the title role as the crew from Fox and Marvel Studios rounds out the evolving cast with Thanos performer Josh Brolin as the time-hopping mutant named Cable, Zazie Beetz as lucky number Domino and numerous celebrity cameos. Keep in mind that this episode includes SPOILERS, so don’t listen until you’re ready to know all the secrets about who’s in the film and what happens.

How does it stack up against the uber-popular original film, and what might the future hold now that its first weekend in the box office has gone well?

May 16, 2018

In this bonus episode, we unveil a special giveaway we have planned, but you have to listen to find out what it is! And we promise, it's not a half eaten chimichanga.

Stick around and join the conversation as we are barely able to contain ourselves! So pull up a chair, and prepare for some bonus hilarity in "Extra Credit!"

If you're wanting a bit more context, head over to our main episode, Lesson 113, where this bonus episode breaks the fourth wall from!

May 16, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, wear their red shirts and brown pants for this week’s review of Deadpool (2016). The long-in-development action comedy stars Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson, the titular “Merc with a Mouth,” in an unapologetically crass performance that makes good on the film’s R rating. With a sequel right around the corner, there’s no better time than now to revisit this crudely entertaining spectacle of violence, vulgarity and fourth-wall-breaking humor.

Directed by Tim Miller, the film also stars Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand, and Stefan Kapičić. The sequel, Deadpool 2 (2018), bows in theaters this weekend.

May 9, 2018

In this bonus episode, we weigh the options -and recent experience- towards the conversation of whether or not reboots should be made.

Stick around and join the conversation as we are barely able to contain ourselves! So pull up a chair, and prepare for some bonus hilarity in "Extra Credit!"

If you're wanting a bit more context, head over to our main episode, Lesson 112, where this bonus episode washes in from!

May 9, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, get rich for a few days with this week’s review of Overboard (2018). This retelling of the classic Kurt Russell-Goldie Hawn comedy reverses the dynamic between its leading man, Eugenio Derbez, and leading lady, Anna Faris, by having Kate (Faris) take advantage of privileged Leonardo’s (Derbez) amnesia to teach him a lesson about the values of hard work and family, albeit deviously and for selfish reasons.

Directed by Rob Greenberg, the film also stars Eva Longoria, John Hannah, Swoosie Kurtz and several others. And yes, it will make you want to spend an extended amount of time on a multimillion dollar yacht.

May 2, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, open the floodgates with this week’s unsalted, spoiler-filled recap of Avengers: Infinity War (2018). In the aftermath of Earth’s highest-grossing opening weekend of all time, the body count is high and the emotions run deep...so now it’s finally time to rip off the band-aid and share our takeaways from the film while setting our gaze on the future of the MCU.

Who’s coming back? Who’s gone for good? And what should we expect from Avengers 4? It’s all here - and you have been warned!

Apr 28, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, try to process all the emotions left behind in the wake of Avengers: Infinity War (2018) with this SPOILER-FREE review. While you won’t find a laundry list of who lives and who dies, you will get a sense of some of the film’s standout characters and who to watch. Of course, a movie with this many characters and the highest stakes we’ve yet seen from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is going to generate a lot of commentary... and leave you with all the feels.

Apr 25, 2018

In this bonus episode, we discuss how much of a jerk move is it to spoil a movie for people, and whether or not Spencer really knows what "Rosebud" actually is.

Stick around and join the conversation as we are barely able to contain ourselves! So pull up a chair, and prepare for some bonus hilarity in "Extra Credit!"

If you're wanting a bit more context, head over to our main episode, Lesson 110, where this bonus episode invades from!

Apr 25, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, let their geek flag fly with this week’s preview of Avengers: Infinity War (2018). Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo and starring every major A-list performer in the world - or at least the Marvel Cinematic Universe - the film marks the culmination of a decade of storytelling and offers viewers with their first in-depth look at the MCU’s “big bad,” Thanos. To prep for this weekend’s extravaganza, we’re taking a sweeping look at what’s worked thus far for Marvel Studios, what we think we should expect from this film and how many theaters we’re planning to visit over the weekend.

Who lives? Who dies? What could possibly turn the MCU on its head and set up a whole new framework for new stories to come? We have your first look!

Apr 18, 2018

In this week's bonus episode, the guys attempt to find better video games to adapt to film, and, ultimately, fight against the almighty power on the show: The Soundboard!

Stick around and join the conversation as we are barely able to contain ourselves! So pull up a chair, and prepare for some bonus hilarity in "Extra Credit!"

If you're wanting a bit more context, head over to our main episode, Lesson 109, where this bonus episode stomps in from!

Apr 18, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, are taking it to the streets of Chicago with this week’s review of Rampage (2018). Directed by Brad Peyton, the film marks his third collaboration with megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, after Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) and San Andreas (2015). Based loosely off the 1986 video game series of the same name, Rampage marks the second film this year to be adapted from a video game after March’s Tomb Raider adaptation.

Johnson stars as primatologist Davis Okoye, a man who keeps people at a distance and shares an unshakable bond with George, an extraordinarily intelligent, incredibly rare albino silverback gorilla. When a rogue genetic experiment causes George to mutate into a raging creature of enormous size, Okoye teams with discredited geneticist Kate Caldwell (played by Naomie Harris) to secure an antidote. Together, they fight their way through an ever-changing battlefield to halt a global catastrophe and save the fearsome creature that was once his friend.

Apr 11, 2018

Welcome back to our bonus episode, ready to dish out some "Extra Credit!" In this episode, we discuss some pertinent things to consider before deciding to go see the film, A Quiet Place (2018). Not every theater experience is the same, and interestingly enough, your theater actually plays a HUGE role in how you'll experience this film.

So join us as we have fun descending slowly into madness, as we pull ourselves up for some bonus hilarity in "Extra Credit!"

If you're wanting a bit more context, head over to our main episode, Lesson 108, where this bonus episode sneaks in from!

Apr 11, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, brush up on their sign language skills with this week’s review of A Quiet Place (2018). The film marks actor John Krasinski’s third time in the director’s chair and provides a captivating glimpse into the challenges of life in a world where humans have become prey to creatures from the great beyond that use sound to hunt for their victims. Also starring Krasinski’s wife, Emily Blunt, and featuring VFX from Industrial Light & Magic, you just might want to hold your breath during this family-centric survival tale.

Originally conceived as a potential component of the now-anthological Cloverfield universe franchise spawned by JJ Abrams, A Quiet Place instead stands alone on its own merits. Judging by initial audience reactions, which have been largely positive, this decision may be to its benefit even if it prevents the film from making more money during its theatrical run.

Apr 4, 2018

Welcome to our first episode of bonus content, as we are here to offer up some "Extra Credit!" In our first episode, we fall deeper into the rabbit hole of Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018), as Chad notes the geological issues he had with the film. All the while, Spencer and Eddie are pulling what's left of their hair still contemplating the results of this project.

So join us as we have fun descending slowly into madness, as we pull ourselves up for some bonus hilarity in "Extra Credit!"

If you're a little lost, head over and check out our main episode, Lesson 107, where this bonus episode stems from!

Apr 4, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, re-enter the drift - and lose a few brain cells in the process - with this week’s review of Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018). Set ten years after the Guillermo del Toro-directed first film, this installment stars John Boyega as the son of the late Stacker Pentecost (played by Idris Elba) and features only a few returning performers (Charlie Day, Burn Gorman and Rinko Kikuchi). The bulk of the film is devoted to a new group of Jaeger pilot recruits and a small fortune spent on digital effects.

With the breach beneath the Pacific Ocean sealed after the first film, one might ask what causes the massive kaiju monsters to return and battle Earth’s building-sized Jaegers once more? The answers might surprise you (or not).

Mar 28, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, head to the OASIS for this week’s review of Ready Player One (2018). Adapted from Ernest Cline’s popular novel by none other than Steven Spielberg, the film follows Wade Watts and his avatar, Parzival, on a quest to complete a series of challenges and keep the multi-world digital space out of the hands of IOI, an evil corporation looking to lock down and commodify the OASIS.

Starring Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg and more, the story indulges in a slew of 80s pop culture references and offers a look at what our world could look like in the very near future.

Mar 21, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, welcome VideoGameBANG host David Webb for a little wave riding and cave diving in this week’s review of the reinvented Tomb Raider (2018). Adapted from the most recent video game from which the franchise gets its name (and fame), the film stars Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins and Daniel Wu. Vikander reimagines the role originally brought to the silver screen by Angelina Jolie, prompting many skeptical fans to wonder whether this new interpretation will face the same creative challenges of the previous two films.

In movie news, we spend a few minutes discussing the new Avengers: Infinity War (2018) trailer.

Mar 14, 2018

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, journey across the multiverse with this week’s review of A Wrinkle in Time (2018), the first child-focused feature film from acclaimed director Ava DuVernay. Starring Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and newcomers Storm Reid, Levi Miller and Deric McCabe, the film is a live-action adaptation of the popular children’s novel of the same name. While much of the underlying storyline of the film remains faithful to the source material, a number of elements have been updated and reinterpreted for a modern audience.

In movie news, we discuss the Tomb Raider (2018) reboot starring Alicia Vikander.

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