Two of the biggest movie stars in the world come together to tell the true story of how Ford took on Ferrari as The Popcorn Diet looks at Ford v Ferrari. Special guest Good Movie Buddy Matt Theodosis joins us this week to talk about movie star performances, analogies in storytelling, and to go down the side path of Josh Lucas history. Rick connects racing, boxing, and fighter jets. Matt invokes Pixar's Cars. All that and more!
Come with me if you want to live! The Terminator saga tries for another relaunch and The Popcorn Diet is here to talk all about it. We spend some time focusing on our history with the franchise, how escalating villains can be done right, and where the films all parallel each other through their many time travel loopholes. David's machine origins are discussed. Rick saw too many violent movies as a kid. All that and more!
The boys get a little real this week as we talk about Taika Waititi's newest film, the anti-hate satire Jojo Rabbit. Join Rick and David as we discuss the history and purpose of satirical films, our love for Taika, and the deep societal and political analogies explored in his latest flick. Hopefully this movie will spurn conversation about treating people with love. Rick invokes Starship Troopers. David takes offense to Rick's assumptions. All that and more!
One Will Smith isn't enough, so we're doubling up the Will Smiths and talking all about his new movie: Gemini Man! Join us as we discuss the long history of the production of the film, Ang Lee and Jerry Bruckheimer teaming up, as well as when story fails technology. David has issues with the travel shortcuts. Rick wants justice for Baron. All that and more!
The Popcorn Diet celebrates its 100th episode by taking on one of the most difficult and controversial films they've perhaps ever covered: JOKER. Join us for this episode as we struggle to find the meaning in the madness, heap praises on Joaquin Phoenix, and talk about the controversies surrounding the dark DC adaptation. David has an AH-HA moment. Rick wonders if it's all real or not. All that and more!
As the Fall arrives, so does the talk of film festivals, awards, and studio politics. It's only natural that this week gives us the first Oscar Predictions episode from The Popcorn Diet! Join us as we discuss the festival season thus far, who's losing and gaining momentum, and our predictions for all the over-the-line categories. Rick does a whole lot of talking, shocker. David has questions about Oscar bait. All that and more!
The Popcorn Diet journeys through space with Brad Pitt as we discuss his new film written and direct by James Gray: Ad Astra. The boys dive deep into the thematic storytelling of the new space epic, realistic production design, and what makes Gray and Pitt such dynamic forces in filmmaking. Rick makes comparisons to Odysseus. David wants to know more about moon pirates. All that and more!
The Popcorn Diet returns to the town of Derry, Maine as we come face-to-face with Pennywise himself and It: Chapter Two. Looking at the sequel to the film we discussed on Episode 15, the boys talk about blockbuster horror filmmaking, the differences between the kids and the adults, and why Derry and its inhabitants are so messed up. Rick loves the reference to his favorite horror movie. David is looking for the authorities. All that and more!
The boys shift gears this week as we take a look at the Fox Searchlight thriller Ready or Not! Join us as we talk about how thrillers separate themselves from horror films, if this movie could spin off into a franchise, and how Ready or Not is in the same league as films like Cabin in the Woods and You're Next. David surprises with an out-of-the-box comparison. Rick thinks this movie is telling him not to get married. All that and more!
An ice cold can of whoop ass meets a champagne problem as Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham try to coexist and save the world in Hobbs & Shaw. Join us for our latest episode as we discuss the newest spinoff of the Fast and Furious world as well as dumb fun, crazy action, and numerous easter eggs. David has an interesting bad guy theory. Rick compares the film to chill cheese fries. All that and more!
Director Quentin Tarantino takes us on a journey back to the golden age of television and film with his newest film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. With a superstar cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, does QT's latest match up with his highest highs or his lowest lows? Join us as we discuss his history and why the film is his love letter more than others. David feels the character of Hollywood. Rick is burned by the spoilers. All that and more!
Did you love the 1994 animated version of The Lion King? Well they remade it almost shot for shot! Our latest episode focuses on the latest gigantic Disney release and talk about the reasons why movies exist, Favreau's mission statement, and if it's good or bad to just remake the original with a really fancy new coat of paint. David has issues about feeling the love tonight or in the afternoon. Rick risks the wrath of the Beyhive. All that and more!
We're halfway through the 2019 film year and it's time for The Popcorn Diet to take stock of where we've been and what's coming up! Join us for our halfway year in review as we talk about our favorite movies, the biggest surprises, the state of movie going, and what we're excited about for the rest of the year. David gives us his box office history lesson. Rick stays positive about all the different ways to see movies. All that and more!
Phase Three comes to a close for the MCU, and we're celebrating the end of The Infinity Saga with its final entry, Spider-Man: Far From Home. We break down what makes this version of the wall crawler so unique in the MCU, discuss characters, performances, this series' habit for a good twist, and what we think might happen in the future of Spidey and the MCU. Rick blanks on a famous cameo name. David leaves Rick hanging out to dry. All that and more!
The toys are back as David and Rick take a trip down nostalgia lane before discussing Pixar's newest film, Toy Story 4! We look back on what we think is one of the best franchises ever and discuss the evolution of themes, the emotion of Pixar, and life lessons that can be learned. David finally feels represented by Canada's greatest stuntman. Rick wonders how anyone could doubt Toy Story. Together we stand up for Cars 2. All that and more!
Every once in a while, evolution leaps forward. The X-Men franchise as we know it has reached its end, and The Popcorn Diet is here to send it off. Join us as we give our reaction to the last entry from Fox into the X-Men saga, Dark Phoenix. We then spend the rest of the episode in all of our spoiler-filled glory talking about the X-series as a whole, including Dark Phoenix spoilers. Rick remembers Darkholme but forgets Lawrence. David gets another reason to hate Rotten Tomatoes. All that and more!
Long Live the King! David and Rick are back in action as we talk all about the latest film in Legendary's Monsterverse - Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Come with us as we talk about our history with the big green lizard, as well as nitpicking the science of science fiction, humans vs. the monsters, and where we draw the line of believability. David admits that '98 is his entry point to the series. Rick gets wrapped up in symbolism and metaphors. All that and more!
The Popcorn Diet welcomes Special Guest Good Movie Buddy Lindsey Friend to the podcast to talk all about Disney and Aladdin! After apologies for the wonky audio, we talk all about the remake trend, various Disney villains, and being pleasantly surprised by this newest Disney live-action tale. Rick introduces his guest to the Venom thirst. Lindsey has some hot takes about Disney villains. All that and more!
Our latest episode dives headfirst into the world of John Wick, first discussing the franchise as a whole and then focusing our sights on the newest entry. Join us as we break down everything about John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, including our favorite fights, the surprising depth, and the ever-expanding world of assassins and the rules they abide by. David might have Catwoman PTSD. Rick thinks the key is incremental expansion. All that and more!
One of the most popular games in the world finally gets the live-action big screen treatment with the release of Pokémon Detective Pikachu! Join David, Rick, and special guest good movie buddy Jeremy Nakano as we discuss Pokémon origins, ratings limitations, and world building. Rick thinks Danny DeVito would've made a great Pikachu . David questions the existence of Angels with Filthy Souls. Jeremy gives us few 'um, actually's. All that and more!