Spoilerpiece Theatre

This week starts with a critique of how this year’s Oscar nominations (2:25) shamefully overlook women and people of color. Then Megan reviews three movies. First, LITTLE JOE (11:15), a sci-fi film with gorgeous cinematography. Second, UNDERWATER (21:25), a fantastic monster movie starring Kristen Stewart. Third, THE GRUDGE (32:45), a reboot that left her wanting more. Lastly, Dave and Evan take on THE WAVE (41:34), a convoluted sci-fi flick with Justin Long that never adds up.

It’s January, normally a moviegoing dead zone, but this week sees the wide releases of JUST MERCY (3:02), an anti-capital punishment picture starring Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson, and Jamie Foxx. Yay for prestige flicks opening for the masses! Then it’s 1917 (22:53), the much-written-about Sam Mendes pseudo one-shot movie sort-of based on his grandfather’s experiences fighting for England in WWI. And please check out our Patreon! (patreon.com/spoilerpiece) The exclusive audio content this week is on the much-beloved ROBOCOP, which one of our Selectpiece patrons chose for us.

Happy New Year! What better way to start 2020 than by reflecting on our favorite 2019 films? Evan kicks off (6:07) by focusing on movies he didn’t think got enough attention like LUCE, THE FAREWELL, and HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U. Next Megan discusses films (21:44) she thought were overlooked: HIGH LIFE, MICKEY AND THE BEAR, and THE MUSTANG. Finally, Dave raves (38:44) about BOOKSMART, 1917, and HONEYLAND. Love our picks? Hate em? Let us know by email (spoilerpiece@gmail.com) or by phone (862-21-PIECE)!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, joyous Festivus for the rest of youse, and all the other holidays! It’s the final Spoilerpiece of the year with three movies to check out after you've opened presents…or three movies you can see to hide out from the peeps you don’t want to see. We make no judgments; live your life. First, it’s HONEY BOY (2:34) starring (and written by!) Shia LaBeouf. He plays a version of his own abusive father! WHAT! Next it’s A HIDDEN LIFE (14:17), Terrence Malick’s latest, and his first movie with something resembling a story since THE NEW WORLD in 2005 (or THE TREE OF LIFE in 2011 depending on your point of view). Finally, everyone saw Great Gerwig’s adaptation of LITTLE WOMEN (28:05), and it’s a wonderful way to end the year - a sort-of Christmas movie on a sort-of Christmas episode. See you in 2020, everyone!

After an extensive discussion over whether soggy cereal is yay or nay proposition, Megan talks about the latest remake of BLACK CHRISTMAS (4:39). This one has a feminist bent that Megan welcomed. Then it’s CATS (19:54). No descriptions here - just listen. Finally, it’s STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (29:37), about which the gang has lots and lots and LOTS of things to say about the story and how it stacks up against THE LAST JEDI and the movies that came before it.

This week Evan briefly revisits QUEEN & SLIM (3:13) to share his reaction, as well other perspectives that got him thinking about it differently. Next he and Megan cover DARK WATERS (9:52), a legal drama with a story more interesting its acting and dialogue. Then it’s on to BOMBSHELL (23:37), a movie about sexual harassment that fails to treat its subject matter seriously enough. Everyone closes with UNCUT GEMS (39:29), a haunting, examination of addiction with a compelling performance by Adam Sandler.

Before we get into tha main flix this week, we get into the various mispronunciations of each co-host’s last name. You know what never stops frosting your ass? GETTING YOUR NAME SAID INCORRECTLY YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. Anyspray, after that series of gripes, Megan breaks down ATLANTICS (6:03), and QUEEN & SLIM (15:04). Finally, everyone saw KNIVES AND SKIN (33:00)…or, rather, two-thirds of the gang saw it. And one-third saw most it. Is KNIVES AND SKIN a shit show? What’s that saying about the pope and the woods?

Evan leads off this week with reviews of documentaries he saw at the Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM). First, it’s SPACE DOGS (4:15) and LOS REYES (6:10). Then IN THE NAME OF THE SCHEHERAZADE OR THE FIRST BEERGARDEN IN TEHRAN (8:15), AMUSSU (10:20), and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MY MOTHER (12:30). He wraps up with NOMAD: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BRUCE CHATWIN (17:35), and nîpawistamâsowin: WE WILL STAND UP (21:51). For the main event, everyone digs into Noah Baumbach’s beautiful and heartbreaking film MARRIAGE STORY.

This week Evan shares some of his favorite French film titles seen in Montreal before Megan reviews FROZEN 2 (4:30), a sequel with meaningful themes. Next Dave covers 21 BRIDGES (14:35) a predictable film far beneath its talented lead Chadwick Boseman. After that Megan discusses A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD (23:55), the poignant movie about Mr. Rogers starring Tom Hanks. She and Evan have disagreements about the following film AFTER CLASS aka SAFE SPACES (37:58), although they still appreciate a lot of the same scenes. To wrap up, everyone chats about KNIVES OUT (49:02), a hilarious whodunit that could have been tighter and more loaded with twists.

It’s a bountifully loaded week at Spoilerpiece! First, Megan talks about THE GOOD LIAR (3:00), starring Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen as two olds locked in a battle of rapidly aging wits. Is it good? Or is it just that Mirren and McKellen are good in an otherwise lackluster flick? Moving on to the Boston Jewish Film Festival, Evan talks briefly about the Tovah Feldshuh-starring GOLDA’S BALCONY (11:59). Then he and Megan share thoughts on MY POLISH HONEYMOON (14:40) and FLAWLESS (21:52). Finally, Megan and Dave deconstruct Elizabeth Banks’ CHARLIE’S ANGELS (29:29) reboot before getting into the Martin Scorsese opus THE IRISHMAN (41:03).

In this bonus episode recorded at the Boston Jewish Film Festival, Evan chats with writer/director Dan Schechter about SAFE SPACES (now called AFTER CLASS), the festival’s opening night film. They discuss how the movie, which stars Justin Long, mines quasi-autobiographical material to deftly tackle emotionally complicated subject matter. They also cover Jewish themes in the story, his casting process, what he hopes viewers will take away from the movie, and most importantly, his bagel order.  

This week we start off Catching up with Crean (TM) as he tells Megan and Dave about his experience watching PARASITE (2:52). Then Megan talks about several films IFFBoston’s Fall Focus, including WAVES (7:10), THE TRUTH  (9:48), CLEMENCY (11:29), and PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE (13:50). Then Megan talks about LAST CHRISTMAS (16:09) and Dave fills everyone in on Stephen King’s DOCTOR SLEEP (29:00). Finally, everyone talks about MAKING WAVES: THE ART OF CINEMATIC SOUND (44:55), a documentary about - wait for it - how sound in movies is painstakingly put together.

Before the movies this week Megan and Dave have some questions about an unusual item on Evan’s desk. With their curiosity satisfied, Megan reviews HARRIET (3:58), the epic Harriet Tubman biopic starring the very talented, yet slightly controversial Cynthia Erivo. Next she and Dave cover MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN (20:36), the Edward Norton noir with modern parallels that deserves a better director. Then they all have a blast discussing TERMINATOR: DARK FATE (40:02), the best film in the franchise since T2, because it finally gets what the others were missing: Linda Hamilton.

Evan takes Megan and Dave down Thriller Lane (TM) this week to talk about FRACTURED (2:44), a Netflix movie starring Sam Worthington as a man whose family goes missing at a hospital, and BLACK AND BLUE (10:39), a cop flick about a rookie with conflicting loyalties. One Evan thinks was good, the other…not so good. Then Megan and Dave talk KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE (26:11), a Netflix documentary about the 2018 U.S. elections, featuring four politicians, one of whom happens to be Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Megan follows that up with another political doc, WHERE’S MY ROY COHN? (40:10), about guess who? Finally, Megan and Dave end on Bong Joon-ho's PARASITE (45:30), a movie that begins in one place and then goes to a very different (and dark!) place. Don’t forget to visit our Patreon page! This week’s exclusive audio is about THE OMEN!

This week it’s all about the joys of vegan dairy products before a zombie-heavy meal. First Megan describes LITTLE MONSTERS (2:36), a charming zombie flick that deftly balances cuteness with dark humor. Then she reviews THE LIGHTHOUSE (11:10), an atmospheric period piece with surprising queer undertones. Next, Evan and Dave cover GARY GULMAN: THE GREAT DEPRESH (16:47), a hilarious HBO comedy special that also bravely discusses mental health. Megan and Evan follow that up with EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE (26:28), a shockingly captivating and tense film based on the AMC show. After that Dave and Megan gripe about the incredibly disappointing MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (38:55). To wrap up, it’s back to the undead for ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP, a medium funny sequel that has opinions split between our fair co-hosts.

This week Megan blows Evan’s mind when she reveals some shocking new information to him about corn. Yes, corn. She and Dave kick off the show by reviewing the utterly disappointing MEMORY: THE ORIGINS OF ALIEN (3:35), a behind-the-scenes documentary that repeats all the same old stories about Ridley Scott’s beloved 1979 film. Then Evan and Dave cover Martin Scorsese’s often-overlooked gem THE KING OF COMEDY (14:38), detailing why JOKER is such an unsuccessful attempt to mimic it. Next Dave and Megan review LUCY IN THE SKY (23:42), a movie so frustrating they wish they didn’t have to talk about it. The one positive thing they can agree on though, is that Natalie Portman goes for broke with her performance. Lastly, all three of them delve into the Netflix mini-series UNBELIEVABLE (35:27), discussing why its first episode is so infuriating, while expounding upon why it’s such an important examination of trauma and a satisfying police procedural with tremendous performances by its leads Kaitlyn Dever, Merritt Wev

It’s a new era of Spoilerpiece Theatre as new co-host Megan Kearns joins Evan and Dave! Megan kicks things off this week, talking about five films from the BOSTON WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL (5:15). (Of note: There are John Candy, Kevin Bacon, DEAD SNOW, and LAST OF US tangents. That’s right! Tangents return!) Evan talks about the Paul Haggis-Dan Krauss documentary 5B (34:05), and then Evan and Dave team up to talk about JOKER (40:55), the Joaquin Phoenix-starring Joker origin story. Be sure to check out our Patreon page where we talk about some psycho stalker movies!

Yes, you read that correctly - after five years as cohost, Kris is leaving the show, but not before he shares some memories of his wedding with Dave and Evan. Then it's on to the movies! First up, Kris recaps AD ASTRA (17:51), the James Gray film featuring Brad Pitt as an astronaut wrestling with his identity after discovering the true fate of his father. It's worth a watch, even if it's not your kind of movie, and may win you over with its great lead performance, excellent visuals, and good intentions. Then it's ABOMINABLE (29:13), a family movie about a yeti. It's good, and you won't hate yourself if you bring your child/niece/nephew/babysittee to kill a few hours. Dave and Evan close things out with MONOS (39:40), a brutal film about child soldiers that is well made, but fails to resonate beyond its fine performances and excellent score.

Kris is out on his mini-moon this week so guest Charlie Nash joins Dave and Evan to share his results for the meme “Your Gender Studies Thesis.” After they each get a good chuckle sharing the titles of their fictional papers, Evan reviews TALL GIRL (6:57), a Netflix movie about vertically advantaged high schooler that barely scratches the emotional surface of its main character’s life. Then Dave and Evan recount their experience watching RAÚL JULIÁ: THE WORLD’S A STAGE (18:18), a PBS documentary about the late actor that celebrates his talent, his authenticity, and his inspirational status to Latinx performers everywhere. Next Charlie and Dave delve into HER SMELL (28:50), Alex Ross Perry drama starring Elisabeth Moss that explores the life of a rock star in the throes of addiction. Lastly, Evan and Dave cover LATE NIGHT (44:20), the Mindy Kaling comedy that’s funny and poignant without being preachy.

Joining Evan and Dave while Kris prepares for his wedding is friend-of-Spoilerpiece Megan Kearns! She starts things off with a review of VITA & VIRGINIA (3:59), a love story about Vita Sackville-West (Gemma Arterton) and Virginia Woolf (Elizabeth Debicki). Next up Dave and Megan tackle the new release THE GOLDFINCH (14:20), an adaptation of Donna Tartt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning long-ass novel. Then Megan and Evan get to the J. Lo/Constance Wu movie HUSTLERS (40:54), and all three wrap up with UNTOUCHABLE (57:45), the new Hulu documentary about Harvey Weinstein.