On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we debate which is scarier: psychological horror or gore? When you think of TV or movie scenes that terrify you, what stands out as the most horrifying? Is it a casual conversation by Hannibal to Clarice that raises the hair on the back of your neck, or is a flesh wound more jarring to you as an audience member? It's a dissection of the mind and body this week.

Also on this episode, our news roundup includes discussions on Netflix's move into game streaming and the Walking Dead lawsuit, spoiler-free reviews of Space Jam 2, Gunpowder Milkshake, and the Fear Street Trilogy, as well as the use of drones in filmmaking these days.

Direct download: HO448_Psychological_horror_vs_gore.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:21am PDT
Comments[0]

On this episode, Aaron sits down for an interview with Nicholas Simon, the founder and Managing Partner of Indochina Productions. His company has worked on such projects as Da 5 Bloods, Extraction, Kong Skull Island, Avengers Infinity War and Avengers Endgame. During their discussion, they discuss line producing, filming on location, the Beloit International Film Festival, and much more.

Nicholas Simon via IndochinaProductions.com:

After graduating from Columbia University, Nicholas Simon re-located to Vietnam to pursue a career in journalism. Through networking and serendipity, Nicholas found himself producing Matt Dillon’s City of Ghosts and Act of Valor in Thailand and Cambodia.  Through his passion for storytelling and entrepreneurship, Nicholas founded Indochina Productions and now serves as a hands-on Executive Producer connecting international filmmakers throughout our South East Asian territories.

Direct download: Nicholas_Simon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30pm PDT
Comments[0]

How do you feel when TV shows or movies bring back characters from the dead?

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, before we debate Marvel's Black Widow, we discuss ratings being reevaluated decades after release in Britain, then dive into this week's topic of bringing characters back from the dead. And we mean actually, truly, verified dead characters on a TV series or a movie that later comes back from the dead. Is this cliche? Is it a copout? Does this concept EVER work without lowering the stakes in whatever the property is? 

Then we hop into Marvel's latest superhero opus of Black Widow, which brings back Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff before her eventual death in Avengers: Endgame as she takes on a maniacal villain in the form of Ray Winstone's Dreykov. Throughout the film we learn more about Natasha's past, what happened in Budapest, and more about her estranged family including Yelena (Florence Pugh), Alexei (David Harbour), and Melina (Rachel Weisz).

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 28:05) Should ratings be reevaluated decades after release
  • (28:06 – 1:04:25) From the Outside In: Bringing Back Dead Characters
  • (1:04:26 – 1:10:40) Upcoming Releases | Recommendations
  • (1:10:41 - 2:04:08) Black Widow Spoiler Discussion
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO447_Black_Widow_Dead_Characters.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am PDT
Comments[0]

On this compilation episode, we discuss great movie plots gone wrong, our fascination with serial killers, defunct TV shows in need of a movie reboot, and Amazon Prime's The Tomorrow War.

First up are those defunct TV shows that are completely off-air and that we believe deserve a movie reboot. We’ve all seen this done a bazillion times – Baywatch, Spencer Confidential, countless others – what is it about long dead television shows that make feature films so appealing to reboot them?

After our review of Chris Pratt's The Tomorrow War, we discuss our fascination with serial killers. True crime has exploded over the last few years between podcasts, Netflix series and documentaries, and films, but the societal obsession has always been there. What is it that makes us all so intrigued? Do we have a different response to fictional killers than we do to documentaries on real killers?

Finally, we debate great movie plots that went wrong. These are ones we thought were great in concept, but the execution – whether it be in production or performances – made us a sad panda. We’re looking at you,  Star Wars prequels, X-Men: The Last Stand,  and Lady in the Water to name a few.

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 39:35) Defunct TV Shows Needing A Movie Reboot
  • (39:36 – 55:43) The Tomorrow War Review
  • (55:44 – 1:30:35) Our Fascination With Serial Killers
  • (1:30:36 - 2:01:00) Great Movie Plots Gone Wrong
  • Troy Heinritz can also be heard on The Blacklist Exposed
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO_Best_of_2021_Vol_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am PDT
Comments[0]

Remember all of those times we joked about the Fast and Furious franchise needing to do only one thing, head into space? Well, for the 9th film and director Justin Lin's return to the franchise, they finally did just that. Dom, Letty, Mia, Roman, Tej, Ramsey, and even Han are back for more insane car stunts that defy the law of physics and even gravity in F9: The Fast Saga! Listen as we dissect and discuss the latest film in the seemingly never-ending Fast and Furious franchise.

This latest installment finds Dom and his loved ones facing the dilemma of whether that means all family or just the family you’ve chosen. F9 finds the core “family” group – Dom (Vin Diesel), Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), and more – back together once again to battle imminent worldwide danger in the form of Dom’s estranged younger brother, Jakob (John Cena).

Direct download: HO446_Fast_9.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:14am PDT
Comments[0]

What movies have stood up to the test of time? 

Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park. These are some of the first films you think of when you debate movies that have stood up to the trials of time. On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are discussing timeless movies. Those films that still hold up decades later, against modern effects and scrutiny. These aren't based on greatness or classic status, these are decided on by their ability to almost look and feel the same to you now as they did when you first saw them. 

Also on this episode, we reflect on the recent news that Steven Spielberg and Amblin Pictures have signed a deal with Netflix, spoiler-free reviews of Werewolves Within and Luca, upcoming releases, our weekly streaming recommendation, and a new revolving segment: I Know It's Weird, But It Bugs Me.

Discussed on this episode

Direct download: HO445_Timeless_Movies.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:35am PDT
Comments[0]

Amazing Race, Judge Judy, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Survivor, The Great British Bake Off - all of these reality tv shows have garnered wild popularity. Yet, reality TV tends to be a love it or hate it endeavor. On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are diving into the various pockets of this genre of television, talking about what we like, dislike, and how it was a saving grace in the days of the writers strike. 

Also on this episode, spoiler-free reviews of The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard and Infinite, news roundup including Megan Boone leaving The Blacklist, upcoming releases, our weekly streaming recommendation, and our HO Teachable Minute.

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 21:18) News Round-up
  • (21:19 – 35:06) Spoiler-free Reviews: The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, Infinite
  • (35:07 – 1:13:12) From the Outside In: Reality TV
  • (1:13:13 - 1:25:54) Upcoming Releases | Recommendations | HO Teachable Minute
  • Troy Heinritz can also be heard on The Blacklist Exposed
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO444_Reality_TV.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:43am PDT
Comments[0]

Which TV cancellation hit you the hardest?

Do you remember a TV show you were such a fan of (Firefly, Prodigal Son, etc.), that when word came that it was cancelled far too early in its run, it affected you on a deeply personal level? On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are diving into the well of those beloved TV cancellations that took us completely off-guard and harshly impacted us. As well as, why do we still get affected by this random cancellations where there are so many options available?

Also on this episode, we take an in-depth look at Lin-Manuel Miranda's latest screen adaptation, the hotly anticipated musical production of Miranda's In the Heights, a celebration of Hispanic culture. As well as a review of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, upcoming releases, and a brief lesson on Movie Manners.

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 15:59) News Round-up 
  • (16:00 – 35:27) In the Heights Review and Discussion
  • (35:28 – 51:11) The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It Review
  • (51:12 – 1:32:26) From the Outside In: Unexpected TV Cancellations
  • (1:32:27 - 1:43:38) Upcoming Releases | Recommendations | Movie Manners: Phones in the Theater
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO443_TV_Cancellations_In_The_Heights.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:08am PDT
Comments[0]

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are discussing A Quiet Place Part II and Cruella. A Quiet Place Part 2 in particular has revitalized movie theaters with a monstrous opening weekend, while Cruella showcased Emma Stone as an actress capable of reinventing the most iconic of Disney villains into her own, specific character. Two films with drastically different audiences, yet both more than deserving of your time back in movie theaters.  

Troy Heinritz of The Blacklist Exposed podcast joins Aaron to first review Cruella, spoiler free. Emma Stone takes on the mantle of Cruella de Vil, the renowned skinner of puppies and masterful fashion designer gets her own origin story as she seeks a bit of revenge on Emma Thompson's Baroness for...reasons you will have to watch the film for. Does the film live up to the history of the famed animated film? 

Then, we shift to Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy in John Krasinski's return to the Abbott family with A Quiet Place Part II. The film kicks off with a "Day 1" explanation of what occurred when the sound-induced monsters first arrived, from the point-of-view of the Abbott’s, while also serving as a perfunctory introduction of a new character in Emmett (Cillian Murphy). After this brief prologue, the sequel picks up immediately following the events of the first film.

First, our spoiler-free thoughts on the film overall. Then we dive into the details on the film, production, cast, and where we want to see this franchise go next.

Discussed on this episode

Direct download: HO442_A_Quiet_Place_2_Cruella.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:25am PDT
Comments[0]

What is your favorite movie trailer?

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we're discussing the art of the movie trailer. All of us have preferences when it comes to movie trailers, but there's no denying that when they are done right, they sell tickets and create the ultimate hype and intrigue. We discuss what makes them good, bad, and examples of our favorites.

Also on this episode: upcoming releases, weekly streaming recommendation, our weekly game where this time we venture through the scenarios of A Quiet Place and Army of the Dead to determine "How Do You Survive?".

Lastly, our in-depth review and spoilercast of Zack Snyder's foray into Netflix territory with Army of the Dead, including a discussion on WHAT WAS KATE THINKING in the final act.

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 21:39) News Round-up
  • (21:40 – 1:18:01) From The Outside In: The Art of the Movie Trailer
  • (1:18:02 – 1:32:10) Upcoming Releases | Weekly Streaming Recommendation | How Do You Survive?
  • (1:32:11 - 2:07:56) Army of the Dead review and spoilercast
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO441_Movie_Trailer_Army_of_the_Dead.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:54am PDT
Comments[0]