The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, take a fresh tour of Oakland, California, with this week’s review of Blindspotting (2018). Filmed in 2017 in the rapidly-gentrifying neighborhoods of West Oakland, Blindspotting stars Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal as lifelong friends who wrestle with personal challenges and societal ills as they try to come to grips with the changes that are transforming their home turf. Bursting with angst at a variety of levels, the film manages to blend timeless themes and traditional pacing with contemporary spurts of spoken word verse, rap and vivid cinematography.

Directed by Carlos López Estrada, the film delivers a series of emotional moments by synthesizing “ripped from the headlines” elements of racially motivated police brutality with a beautifully balanced, almost Shakespearean plot progression. The film also stars Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Ethan Embry.

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, stick to the shallows for this week’s review of The Meg (2018). The Meg stars Jason Statham as a deep sea rescue diver who tangles with a prehistoric super-shark called the megalodon more than 200 miles off the coast of China. Billed as a modern-day thriller in the same vein as Jaws (1975), the film features an international cast and borrows heavily from some of its predecessor’s most beloved moments. The question remains, however, whether it will stand the test of time or sink quickly.

Directed by Jon Turteltaub, the film is based off a series of adventure novels by Steve Alten. Some liberties have been taken in converting the story from page to screen, although it’s difficult to say whether the final product is stronger or weaker for the changes. The film also stars Ruby Rose, Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Cliff Curtis, Robert Taylor, Page Kennedy, Masi Oka, Winston Chao, and Jessica McNamee.

It's been awhile, but we're back! In this bonus episode, we discuss whether or not B-movies are actually worth watching, and why Spencer loves them so much. 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 125, where this bonus episode steals its most prized possession from!

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, get a little sentimental with this week’s review of Christopher Robin (2018), the latest in a series of live action adaptations of famous Disney cartoons. Starring Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell and a slew of famous voices including Jim Cummings, who has voiced Winnie the Pooh and Tigger for more than 30 years. Whether you’ve followed the ongoing adventures of Pooh and his friends for years or you’re just now getting to know the characters, there’s a lot to appreciate in this tale of friendship and family.

Directed by Marc Forster, the film features all of the classic characters including Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo. It’s also bound to inspire a whole new generation of fans with some adorable stuffed animals for Christmas.

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, race against time to face a series of challenges head-on with this week’s review of Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018). Tom Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt in the film franchise’s sixth installment, alongside a slew of returning performers including Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan, Sean Harris and Alec Baldwin. The action thriller is filled to the brim with breathtaking stunt sequences and features only a few new faces - Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, Vanessa Kirby, and Henry Cavill’s mustache - but it may just be too full with a runtime of nearly two and a half hours.

How does Fallout fare in comparison with the previous five films, and does it succeed in extending the narrative of the franchise in a meaningful way? Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to listen in and find out. This message will self-destruct in five seconds...

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, face the towering inferno and come out the other side for this week’s review of Skyscraper (2018). Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Chin Han and Neve Campbell, the story centers on a private security contractor hired to certify the safety of the world’s tallest building, the fictional Pearl in Hong Kong, and its suitability to house new residents. Featuring numerous death-defying moments for Johnson’s character, the story pushes the boundaries of logic and challenges even the most gullible audience member’s ability to suspend disbelief.

A raging inferno, kidnapped loved ones, crime syndicates, wind turbines and henchmen - this movie does absolutely the most. We smelled what The Rock was cookin’ - and not even his trademark charisma was enough to hold our interest beyond the inciting incident.

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, hop on the Neighborhood Trolley for a trip down memory lane with this week’s review of the feature length documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018). Directed by Academy Award winner Morgan Neville, the film chronicles the career of Fred Rogers, creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on PBS. Utilizing a collection of archival footage and in-depth interviews with family and friends, Neville weaves a winsome tapestry of the motivation and mission of one of American television’s pioneering voices.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? offers a heartfelt glimpse of the behind-the-scenes humor, sincerity and passion that went into Rogers’ often-countercultural phenomenon, including insights into his critical view of most entertainment programming. The film takes a candid look at how Mister Rogers Neighborhood tackled heavy subjects and serious psychological topics with curiosity and dignity, and it may come as some surprise to hear that some members of the audience may appreciate having tissues handy.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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!

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.”

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.

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?

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.