A24 On The Rocks

As Kevin would say: mind f*ck ahoy! Continuing our A24 vibe discussions: Black Mirror Season 6 came out last month, and these indie movie fans are here to give you a spoiler-free review of the famed Netflix Sci-Fi show. We discuss the themes of each episode and debate which one was our favorite, and the differences between this season and season's past. What were some of the best performances this season? Did Charlie Brooker's choice to delve into historical fiction pay off? Many avid Black Mirror fans have already said they do not like how this season departed from the normal Black Mirror formula, but what do these film reviewers think?

26 Heinä 202352min

In 2016, A24 produced their first full length film in "Moonlight," and it ended up winning three Oscars including Best Picture. Almost no film studio’s win Best Picture with the first movie they produce, but many knew Moonlight was special the day it was released. Written and directed by Barry Jenkins and based off a play by Tarell Alvin McCraney: Moonlight brings us into the world of Little, Chiron, and Black. Little is growing up in poverty in Liberty City, Miami with a single mom (played by Naomie Harris) and a peer group that does not accept him. Juan (played by Mahershala Ali) finds him in an abandoned apartment complex running away from bullies, and quickly becomes the father figure he never had. Many say this beautifully photographed and phenomenally acted arthouse piece was one of the best film's of the last 25 years. Do these ragtag group of Midwestern film reviewers agree? Caution: movie spoilers.

19 Heinä 202358min

We're premiering a new segment today called "A24 Vibe Discussions." These will be shorter 30-45 minute podcasts where we discuss films that are related/adjacent to A24. It'll be our way of having more general film discussions while also looping in A24 while we can. This week's topic: Kevin, Cole, and Eric give their Top 10 favorite 80s films and discuss what cinematic masterpieces from the 80s may have inspired A24 films. We will be back to weekly releases with A24 Vibe Discussions one week, and our chronological movie reviews in the A24 catalogue the next.

12 Heinä 202331min

Just in time for July 4th week: today these A24 fans review the 2016 film "American Honey" written and directed by Andrea Arnold. Starring Sasha Lane and Shia LeBeuof: American Honey is about a woman named Star. We drop into her life as she takes care of her half brother and half sister. When Star is getting food at a supermarket: she meets a man named Jake (played by Shia Lebouf) who offers her a job making “$300 a day.” After one rough day at home with her sexually abusive father, Star decides to drop her half brother and sister off with their biological mom at the local Frogwild Saloon before she joins Jake on the road as part of a magazine sales crew. Andrea Arnold was inspired to make this film after reading a 2007 New York Times article written by Ian Urbina about the brutally unregulated industry of door-to-door magazine sales. How will the fleeting scent of patriotism make the A24 Rocks crew discuss this American film? Caution: movie spoilers. Next 4 A24 films we're reviewing before the 2016 A24 Oscars: 42. Moonlight 43. Oasis: Supersonic 44. The Monster 45. 20th Century Women

5 Heinä 20231h 14min

The Sea Of Trees is a 2016 A24 film starring Matthew McConaughey and Naomi Watts. Directed by Gus Van Sant (Director of Good Will Hunting and Milk), The Sea of Trees is about a man named Arthur who goes to Japan’s infamous Aokigahara Suicide Forest to kill himself, before a similarly troubled Japanese man named Takumi crosses his path. Arthur decides to help Takumi find his way out of the forest, but will Arthur help himself too? These A24 nerds discuss and debate if The Sea of Trees deserves to be a part of the era of film known as "The McConnaisance." Alright, alright, alright. Caution: movie spoilers. Next 5 A24 films we're reviewing: 41. American Honey 42. Moonlight 43. Oasis: Supersonic 44. The Monster 45. 20th Century Women

28 Kesä 20231h 2min

Morris From America is a 2016 coming-of-age comedy starring Markees Christmas and Craig Robinson (The Office, This Is The End) about an African-American father and son living in a small town in Germany, while the father coaches soccer. Morris deals with being a fish out of water by holding onto his American roots as an avid hip-hop lover, but it isn't before long that he meets a teenage girl named Katrin who pushes him out of his shell. Although the film wasn't commercially successful, it screened at Sundance Film Festival winning a special jury prize, and garnered much critical praise following its release. These A24 fans bring along guest Christopher Para to discuss the comedic and dramatic beats of the movie, while also discussing their own unique stories of partying in strange places inspired by a scene from the film. What will they rate Morris From America? Caution: movie spoilers. Our next five films we're reviewing: 40. The Sea of Trees 41. American Honey 42. Moonlight 43. Oasis: Supersonic 44. The Monster

14 Kesä 202359min

What will you do when all the lights go out? That is what this 2016 A24 film starring Elliot Page and Evan Rachel Wood asks. Directed and written by Canadian New Wave Director Patricia Rozema and based on a 1996 book by Jean Hagland: Into The Forest explores the bonds of family when all the electricity goes out and you're living in a cabin in the woods. Is it a Sci-Fi or is it a indie drama? How do these two prolific actors pair together? The A24 Rocks crew discusses the believability of this film vs the character studies it tries to achieve. We discuss and debate the 38th film in the A24 catalogue. Caution: movie spoilers. Next five A24 films we'll be reviewing: 39. Morris from America 40. The Sea of Trees 41. American Honey 42. Moonlight 43. Oasis: Supersonic

31 Touko 20231h 16min

Equals is a A24 Dystopian Sci-Fi film starring Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart (who was only a few years removed from the Twilight saga) about a post-apocalyptic world where emotions are essentially outlawed. Directed by Drake Doremus and written by Nathan Parker, this film is filled with brutalist architecture and bland tones while asking the question: if we could have no war and have fantastic scientific advances in medicine, would it be worth it to have no emotion? Equals premiered at the Venice International Film Festival before A24 picked it up for distribution. These A24 nerds debate and review Equals while delving into the deep philosophical questions the film asks. Does this introspection lead them to giving it a favorable review? Caution: movie spoilers. Next five A24 films we're reviewing: 38. Into the Forrest 39. Morris from America 40. The Sea of Trees 41. American Honey 42. Moonlight

17 Touko 20231h 21min