On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we revisit 2020 as we present the 2021 Awards for the best we witnessed in film and television over the past year. From the continued explosion of quality content on TV and streaming services (Mandalorian, Ozark, The Boys, Schitt's Creek), to the implosion of mediocrity scattered about, to an overload of film greatness (Tenet, Promising Young Woman, The Trial of the Chicago 7) both at home and in theaters (though this year home theaters became an absolute must-have) – THESE are the only podcast awards you need to listen to!

* Be wary of potential mild spoilers for 2020 films and TV series

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 12:59) Opening
  • (13:00 – 48:56) Television Awards
  • (48:57 – 1:23:55) Film Awards
  • (1:23:56 – 1:28:19) Listener Top 10 | HO Streaming Network, TV Series, and Movie of the Year
  • (1:28:20 – 1:35:15) HO Teachable Moments of 2020
  • Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to feedback@thehollywoodoutsider.com
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to  exclusive bonus content, including a BONUS monthly episode and Bad Movie  Night, by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!

Categories:

TV

• Best Special Effects and/or Stunts

• Favorite Supporting Character

• Favorite Villain or Badass

• Favorite Actor

• Best Specific Moment

• The Coherence Award – Best Little-Seen TV Series

• Top 5 TV Shows of 2020

Movies

• Delayed Release That Impacted You the Most

• Best Use of a Worn Out Cliche or Plot

• Best Physical Effect or Stunt

• Best Use of CGI

• Best Villain or Badass

• Best Supporting Character

• Favorite Actor

• The Coherence Award – Best Little Seen Film

• Best Specific Moment

• Top 10 Movies of 2020

Direct download: HO421_2021_HO_Awards.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:36pm PDT
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An irreverent weekly podcast where we put our own spin on all things film & TV related. Critically acclaimed, The Hollywood Outsider has been nominated for numerous awards, including winning for the nationally recognized Podcast Awards in the category of TV & Film.
 
A new episode releases every week and is available at our site, www.TheHollywoodOutsider.com, iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. 
Direct download: Hollywood_Outsider_Trailer.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT
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Cobra Kai is back at the dojo kicking off season 3 following the “karate riots” at the end of the last season. Immediately, we get to observe the effects of the fight on Sam, who is basically now mortal enemies with Tory, and is suffering from PTSD. Daniel and Johnny are also in emotional turmoil, as they struggle with guilt, anger, and accountability for the fight. Kreese rebuilds Cobra Kai in his own image, poisoning his students in the process. While Robby is running from law enforcement for the kick to Miguel, a horribly injured Miguel fights for his life in the ICU.
 
Consequences abound this season, Daniel makes a visit to his past via Okinawa, Johnny faces his own struggles with his son Robby and Miguel's injuries, and loyalties are tested throughout the season with both the younger and older characters of the show. This is our detailed and thorough examination of all the happenings of Netflix's Cobra Kai Season 3, good or bad.
 
***Audio courtesy of Netflix, Cobra Kai Season 3 official trailer
 
Also, here is the Cobra Kai panel Aaron moderated that is discussed in the episode.
 
Direct download: HO420_Cobra_Kai_S3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:51am PDT
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What did you think of Wonder Woman 1984?

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we dive head first into the pastel-colored waters of the 80s with an in-depth discussion on DC's return to the world of Gal Gadot's Diana Prince, Wonder Woman 1984. This time, Diana is forced to grapple with the power of wish fulfillment as she tangles with Kristen Wiig's Barbara Minerva / Cheetah and Pedro Pascal's Maxwell Lord. From the 80s fashion to bombastic homages to malls and Raiders of the Lost Ark to the problematic return of Chris Pine, everything is on deck as we debate 2020's most anticipated film.

Also, Troy Heinritz from The Blacklist Exposed joins Aaron to review the Disney+ release SOUL, as well as our review of director Emerald Fennell's nuanced take on a revenge thriller in Promising Young Woman. 

Discussed on this episode

Direct download: HO419_WW84_Soul.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am PDT
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In TENET, The Protagonist (John David Washington) is an agent who takes a cyanide capsule – which turns out to be a ruse – after an operation goes south, rather than turn on his government, which wins him favor with a secret organization in need of such fierce loyalty.

This is where The Protagonist learns about inversion; the ability to essentially rewind time and possibly save the world from destroying itself in the past, or from the future to the past, or is the past the future? The concept is fascinating and hilariously convoluted – brace yourself for exposition as clear as a Yoda TED Talk – yet ultimately clicks as we wade into the final act. Inversion is time travel for people who love to pine on about the complications and philosophies of the topic. Like Christopher Nolan, we imagine.

Now that Tenet is on home video, enjoy our review and spoilercast for Nolan's latest film.

Also, Aaron reviews the new On Demand thriller, Hunter Hunter, about a family living remotely who come to fear they are being targeted by a lone wolf in the wild. 

Direct download: Tenet_review_and_spoilercast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:11am PDT
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It’s the 2020 HOliday Special!

Every year, we love to celebrate the holiday season with our listeners, and there is no better way to do that than with our 7th Annual Holiday Special!

It all started with a random idea, we were big fans of holiday specials, yet podcasts seemed to skip over the idea completely. Therefore, we decided we can do whatever we want here at The Hollywood Outsider, so let’s create our own tradition and the Annual Holiday Special was born!

Every year we do a little something different, so this year we’re celebrating going into our 10th year as a podcast by looking back at previous holiday specials and assembling some of the best moments from every host - Aaron, John, Amanda, Brian, Scott, and Justin - for the most fantastic holiday special ever! Debating what constitutes a Christmas movie - including a little Die Hard - and specials we love, taking our Movie Battle Royale and sprinkling some Christmas magic on it for a Santa Battle Royale, Christmas cliches we love, and so much more. 

That’s not all, oh no. The Christmas spirit kicks into overdrive as we open up and share our personal memories of the holiday season, stories that remind us of Christmas. And no holiday special would be complete without a visit from the big man himself, so get ready for as much St. Nick as legally allowed as Santa Claus drops by the studio to tell us just how naughty or nice we are, all throughout the episode!

With a special game from Amanda, Santa in his sleigh, Scott’s annual Christmas Poem, and a lot of fun for everyone – This is the one podcast you don’t want to miss this holiday season!

Direct download: 2020_Holiday_Special.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:48am PDT
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What do you think is the future of movie theaters?

Originally, HBO Max made a deal with a handful of theater chains to simultaneously release Wonder Woman 1984 in theaters and on HBO Max the same day and date. Both parties agreed to it, because of the circumstances of theaters currently during the Covid-19 crisis. Last week, Warner Brothers dropped the further news that they will be debuting ALL of their 2021 releases – Matrix 4, Conjuring 3, Godzilla vs. Kong, In the Heights, and more – on HBO Max and in theaters on the exact same day and date. Thing is, theaters haven’t – as of this recording – agreed to that. Also, the creatives and talent behind those films had no idea it was coming either. Christopher Nolan even lashed out and called HBO Max "the worst streaming service". Now, currently HBO Max is stating this is only for one year due to COVID, but the internet is already reacting as if this is the future of movies. Settle in and get your ears ready, because on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we're discussing the entirety of this debate.

Also on this episode: Aaron's interview with a movie theater general manager on coping with the constant struggles that 2020 produced as well as his thoughts on the HBO Max news, recommendations and discussion on MANK, and our HO Teachable Minute!

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 07:21) Opening | Spider-Man 3 Update
  • (07:21 – 51:33)Warner Brothers, HBO Max, and the Future of Movie Theaters
  • (51:34 – 1:06:47) Interview: Movie Theater General Manager
  • (1:06:48 – 1:22:23) Recommendations | HO Teachable Minute | Outtakes
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content, by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO417_Warner_Brothers_Future_of_Theaters.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:20am PDT
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FATMAN, newly available on demand, is a modern, gritty, almost realistic take on the Santa Claus legend, starring Mel Gibson and Marianne Jean-Babtiste as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

While Santa - aka Fatman - deals with shrinking sales due to a noticeable lack of NICE in the world, little Billy (Chance Hurstfield) is obsessed with getting everything he wants. When Santa gives Billy a lump of coal because he’s been extremely naughty this year, Billy decides to hire Walton Goggins’ contract killer Skinny Man to hunt down the Fatman and take him out, once and for all.

It's darkly comedic, twistedly violent, extremely clever holiday thriller that features strong performances across the board.  Enjoy this interview with the writers and directors of Fatman, Ian and Eshom Nelms!

Direct download: Fatman_Directors_Ian_and_Eshom_Nelms.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT
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Who are your favorite typecast actors that took a chance?

This week, we talk about our favorite typecast actors that branched outside their norm. A typecast actor is one who becomes strongly identified with a specific character, one or more particular roles, or characters having the same traits or coming from the same social or ethnic groups. For example, if you think of Jason Statham's acting career, you'd probably think of him as the straight-faced action-movie killer. However, he took a chance in the movie Spy where he played a humorous character. Adam Sandler is famously known for his man-child characters, yet with Uncut Gems, he proved yet again there are many layers wrapped into the Sandman. Others might include Robin Williams, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, etc.

Also on this episode: our HOT TAKE game where a host takes a movie that is universally loathed but that host loves it, spoiler-free reviews of The Christmas Chronicles 2, Buddy Games, The Hillbilly Elegy, and Fatman; a news roundup, new releases, and our HO Teachable Minute!

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 28:40) Opening | News Roundup | HOT TAKE! Christmas Edition
  • (28:41 – 55:22) Reviews: The Christmas Chronicles 2, Buddy Games, The Hillbilly Elegy, and Fatman | New Releases
  • (55:23 – 1:25:12) From The Outside In: Typecast Actors Who Took A Chance
  • (1:25:13 – 1:29:51) Recommendations | HO Teachable Minute | Outtakes
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content, by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO416_Typecast_Actors.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:58am PDT
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What are some of your favorite childhood TV memories?

This week, we talk about some of our most memorable or impactful childhood TV memories, meaning those moments that you still reflect on even still many years later. Many of us enjoyed morning cartoons, some of us remember when MTV actually had music videos, and the many different experiences of watching with our families and alone.

Also this week: spoiler-free review of Freaky, Happiest Season, Dreamland, a news roundup including Cinemark's deal with Universal, WandaVision premiere date and what that means for the MCU and the Short Circuit remake, new releases, and dropping all negativity to share what we're thankful for in 2020!

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 40:48) Opening | News Roundup | Being Thankful in 2020
  • (40:49 – 103:18) Review: Freaky, Dreamland, Happiest Season | New Releases
  • (103:19 – 1:33:52) From The Outside In: Childhood TV Memories
  • (1:33:53 – 1:43:28) Recommendations | HO Teachable Minute | Outtakes
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content, by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO415_Childhood_TV_Memories.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:22am PDT
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