What movies or TV shows do you watch when you're feeling down?

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are discussing movies and television that pick us up when things are dire. With everything currently affecting the world, and millions of people across the globe enduring isolation or quarantine, we decided what better time to talk about the films or TV we turn to in order to turn our frowns upside down. We discuss the current entertainment predicament - theater closures, production shutdowns, release delays - and how we're coping with it.

Also this week, we elected to kick corona to the curb and bring back a little South By Southwest festival action! Despite the SXSW 2020 Film Festival being canceled due to the coronavirus, we reached out to many filmmakers with films that had been officially selected for the festival and reviewed them on this very episode. We would have loved to have had more, but with times the way they are, we did what we could. If you want to learn more about all of the films from the festival, be sure to visit SXSW.com, and make a plan to attend next year's event!

Discussed on this episode

Direct download: HO389_Pick_Me_Up_SXSW_2020_Movies.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:13am PDT
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FBI Profiler Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) has been called in to help hunt down an elusive serial killer known for taking the lives of his victims. When a witness to an attack arrives in James Costa (Ethan Hawke), Illeana finds herself caught up in a desperate game to stop the killer before he claims yet another victim. Or herself. 

A serial killer thriller that has grown in cult status over the years, we've been fans of the film for some time. Therefore it was perfect for this selection of a film critics might not appreciate, but we find to be a pretty good movie. And joining us to discuss a wealth of behind-the-scenes info, as well as his research into FBI profiling, serial killers, and how Illeana Scott connects to Liz Keen in The Blacklist, is the screenwriter of Taking Lives AND the creator of The Blacklist, Jon Bokenkamp!

You won't want to miss this episode!

Direct download: Taking_Lives_w_Jon_Bokenkamp.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:10pm PDT
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On this episode, we're discussing what YOU want us to! A wide range of submitted questions from what it takes for us to walk out of a movie to remakes, from foreign language film favorites to a hypothetical Kurt Russell experience. We've got a lot for you, including laughs and the craziest thing (or person) we've snuck into a theater.

Also this week: news roundup, including the unfortunate news that SXSW is canceled due to coronavirus concerns, spoiler-free reviews of Spenser Confidential, Onward, and The Way Back, upcoming releases, The HO Teachable Minute, and spoilery-goodness on HBO's The Outsider.

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 32:10) News Round-up | Coronavirus vs SXSW and Entertainment
  • (32:11 – 52:38) Spoiler-free reviews: Spenser Confidential, Onward, The Way Back | Upcoming Releases
  • (52:39 – 1:33:05) From The Outside In: Dealer's Choice - Listener Questions
  • (1:33:06 – 1:41:44) The HO Teachable Minute | Closing
  • (1:41:45 – 1:58:14) HBO's The Outsider Finale Discussion (spoilers!)
  • Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to feedback@thehollywoodoutsider.com
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content, by visiting Patreon.com/TheHollywoodOutsider.
  • This month's Patreon-exclusive Bad Movie Night is Space Jam
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  • Join our Fantasy Movie League! Find our league, then use the password ‘buypopcorn’
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO388_Dealers_Choice_Questions_Coronavirus_vs_Entertainment.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:12am PDT
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How Do You Feel About "Inspired By" In Film?

On this episode, we're discussing where we stand on "inspired by". Coming out this past week was Wendy, a film about a group of kids lost on an island that is “inspired by Peter Pan”. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and 1917 were inspired by true events, namely the Manson Murders and World War 1. Just Mercy was a film that recently was inspired by very true events.  So many films use this as a way to sell their movies, even when they play fast and loose with the original details they claim inspired them. We have numerous serious films that are “inspired by” works of fiction, as well as real life people and cases, but veer pretty far from the source material. So where do we stand on this: Necessary marketing tactic, or cheap gimmick to garner legitimacy, or something else? 

Also this week: spoiler-free reviews of The Invisible Man, Guns Akimbo, and All the Bright Places, a fun game called How Do You Survive?, upcoming releases, The HO Teachable Minute, and our coverage of the Beloit International Film Festival.

Discussed on this episode

Direct download: HO387_Inspired_By_and_BIFF.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:51am PDT
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