The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, fight to stay comfortable in their own skin this week with a review of Jorden Peele’s sophomore film, Us (2019). Written and directed by Peele, who crafted the massively successful and thought-provoking Get Out (2017), Us provides a unique look at into human psychology and plays on the timeless fear of the shadow self by showing characters in active conflict against their own doppelgänger.
Starring Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Elisabeth Moss, and Tim Heidecker, Us cements Peele’s status as one of the 21st century’s masters of suspense and emphasizes just how versatile and compelling Nyong’o has become as one of today’s leading performers.
In this bonus episode, we discuss the current state of where the Marvel Cinematic Universe is, and what are some of our theories for the future of the 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! Pull up a chair, check in with the teacher and prepare for some bonus hilarity in "Extra Credit!"
You can also catch all of our previous episodes at Filmlosophers.com!
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, get a bit sneaky with this week’s review of Captive State (2019). Written and directed by Rupert Wyatt, the film stars John Goodman, Ashton Sanders, Jonathan Majors, Machine Gun Kelly, and Vera Farmiga. Its depiction of a world held captive by aggressive, insect-like aliens hews closely to other films within the genre while also attempting to differentiate itself as a think-piece on social stratification and themes of insurgency against an oppressive government.
In a landscape full of enemies both foreign and domestic, what chance does one have to rise up and effect change? And can the audience hang in long enough to care about the outcome? Listen in to find out what we thought of the film...
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, power up for this week’s review of Captain Marvel (2019). With a record-shattering global opening, the last Marvel Cinematic Universe film before Avengers: Endgame (2019) provides an enormous launchpad for the MCU’s new standard-bearer, Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel features one of cinema’s most enjoyable new “buddy cop” duos between Larson and Samuel L. Jackson, while also integrating a star-spanning subplot of warmongering, propaganda and prejudice.
The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, rally together to deliver this week’s review of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). This franchise-finishing film reunites a voice cast that includes Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett, Craig Ferguson, and a new villain played by F. Murray Abraham. As Toothless works out a few new dance moves for the Light Fury he’s suddenly sweet on, his human companion, Hiccup, wrestles with the mantle of leadership...and where does that leave the human-dragon utopia by the final frame? You’ll have to listen to find out.