Rob

Killers of the Flower Moon · Feb 2024

"You feel the style is more subdued—there are striking images but not showy ‘bingo card’ flourishes."

Killers of the Flower Moon · Feb 2024

"You mention the framing devices and radio-show epilogue but note it’s not constant voiceover."

Killers of the Flower Moon · Feb 2024

"You highlight Osage spiritual life and the way white Christianity and greed masquerade as respectability."

Killers of the Flower Moon · Feb 2024

"You frame Hale’s network of bankers, doctors and lawmen as a small-town cabal with massive power."

Killers of the Flower Moon · Feb 2024

"You describe Ernest as weak and easily led yet convinced he’s taking care of his family."

The Irishman · Feb 2024

"You notice fewer show-off shots; it feels more restrained and elegiac than Goodfellas-style fireworks."

The Irishman · Feb 2024

"Frank’s first-person recollection structure dominates; you talk about it as him telling his own eulogy."

The Irishman · Feb 2024

"You talk about loyalty, sin, forgiveness and how he chooses work for the mob over his family’s souls."

The Irishman · Feb 2024

"You unpack the marriage of mob, union and political power as an overlapping set of cabals."

The Irishman · Feb 2024

"Frank sees himself as just doing a job, loyal to his bosses and convinced that’s the right code."

The Aviator · Feb 2024

"You note some showy shots and montages, but it feels less stylistically wild than Goodfellas."

The Aviator · Feb 2024

"You don’t recall the wall-to-wall narration style here the way you do in the crime movies."

The Aviator · Feb 2024

"You mostly reframe this as seduction by fame, money and power instead of explicit spiritual struggle."

The Aviator · Feb 2024

"You highlight the boardrooms, senators and studio heads as old-boys’ clubs trying to crush or control him."

The Aviator · Feb 2024

"You describe Hughes as a charismatic, obsessive visionary utterly convinced his way is the right way."

Goodfellas · Feb 2024

"You literally call out Scorsese bingo—freeze frames, Copacabana shot, closeups and stylistic flourishes."

Goodfellas · Feb 2024

"You say the dual narration works and that Henry’s and Karen’s voices add texture rather than hand-holding."

Goodfellas · Feb 2024

"You say the real religion here is being Italian and loyal to Paulie rather than explicit faith."

Goodfellas · Feb 2024

"You describe Paulie and the higher-ups as a small deity-like cabal everyone orbits around."

Goodfellas · Feb 2024

"Henry sees the mob as the right path for someone like him and lives the code proudly—until it collapses."

King of Comedy · Feb 2024

"You specifically note that the usual flashy ‘Scorsese bingo’ shots aren’t really present here."

King of Comedy · Feb 2024

"You’re happy there’s no voiceover and that we just live inside Rupert’s perspective."

King of Comedy · Feb 2024

"You reframe it as seduction of fame rather than anything overtly religious."

King of Comedy · Feb 2024

"The network and its gatekeepers exist, but you mostly stay with Rupert rather than inside the system."

King of Comedy · Feb 2024

"You describe Rupert as delusional but completely convinced he deserves the spotlight."

First Love · Feb 2023

"Still violent but more ‘cinematic fun’ than grotesque like Visitor Q or Ichi."

First Love · Feb 2023

"Characters seek vengeance and redemption through action-heavy confrontations."

Ichi the Killer · Feb 2023

"One of the most violent films you’ve ever covered—tongue scenes, gore, sadism."

Ichi the Killer · Feb 2023

"Revenge, cycles of abuse, and violent righteousness dominate the entire plot."

Visitor Q · Feb 2023

"You repeatedly call scenes ‘insane’, ‘one-of-one’, and ‘Miike at his wildest’."

Visitor Q · Feb 2023

"Violence becomes the grotesque solution to bullying, addiction, and repression."

Audition · Feb 2023

"Asami’s torture sequence is described as almost unbearable, precise, and iconic."

Audition · Feb 2023

"You read Asami’s actions as vengeance against predatory men who used their power."

Django Unchained – Nuts & Schultz · Feb 2022

"KT admits she has become the film bro she mocked during Kill Bill, linking Paula Schultz's gravestone to Christoph Waltz's Dr. Schultz here, before steering the talk to Samuel L. Jackson and Tarantino."

Django Unchained – Nuts & Schultz · Feb 2022

"KT says Rob's California, Hollywood and genre theme does not fit this film, and you move on without discussing it further."

Django Unchained – Nuts & Schultz · Feb 2022

"You agree there is no real reluctant hero: Django is on a mission for his wife and Schultz is a stretch; KT blames the thin screenwriting and contrasts Rufus Buck in The Harder They Fall."

Inglourious Basterds – Miniature Strudel · Feb 2022

"You keep it light: KT says the film feels insular like Jackie Brown, and you joke about which Samuel L. Jackson character turns up here, with Oti settling on his Jackie Brown role."

Inglourious Basterds – Miniature Strudel · Feb 2022

"You both say the film doesn't meet this one: the story leaves California and Hollywood alone this time."

Inglourious Basterds – Miniature Strudel · Feb 2022

"KT argues Hans Landa is the reluctant hero because the ending depends on his switch; Oti says Landa is too calculated and puts up Bridget, then Marcel; you agree to disagree."

Kill Bill – All Bride Out · Feb 2022

"KT calls Fox Force Five the biggest film within a film and Oti links Bill to the Kung Fu nod in Pulp Fiction; KT spots the Paula Schultz tombstone but has no time for that granular detail."

Kill Bill – All Bride Out · Feb 2022

"KT says this one doesn't meet it and Oti agrees; it takes you all around the world, which KT allows might be range, but it struggles to build substance."

Kill Bill – All Bride Out · Feb 2022

"Oti says Beatrix doesn't fit, she is just taking revenge, and offers Hanzo; KT comes round because he broke his vow to make her sword, and calls you the reluctant watchers."

Jackie Brown – Top Grier · Feb 2022

"Oti sees no link to Tarantino's other films beyond echoes of Pam Grier's Coffy and Foxy Brown, and KT wants Jackie Brown to stand alone, unconnected to any universe."

Jackie Brown – Top Grier · Feb 2022

"KT says it satisfies the theme: you move across California with a focus on Compton and Ordell's Hollywood line, and Oti hears Across 110th Street painting the Black community's situation."

Jackie Brown – Top Grier · Feb 2022

"You both name Max Cherry; KT says he was absolutely the reluctant hero, though 'reluctant' is a liberal word because he was smitten with Jackie from the start."

Pulp Fiction – Big Gimpin’ · Feb 2022

"Oti points to the Vega connection and KT to Fox Force Five pointing towards Kill Bill, but KT says it's cool if you notice it, then go outside; Oti puts the forum digging down to fandom."

Pulp Fiction – Big Gimpin’ · Feb 2022

"KT ticks it outright, pointing to the grittiness and playfulness through violence that the styling follows. Oti says he checks out once he stops caring about the characters, which sparks your roller coaster argument."

Pulp Fiction – Big Gimpin’ · Feb 2022

"You both agree on Jules, whose spiritual awakening spares the diner, though KT wanted him to go on a rampage; Oti adds Butch for going back to save Marcellus when he could have walked out."

Reservoir Dogs – Just the Tip · Feb 2022

"Oti points to Mr. Blonde and Vincent Vega and the callbacks that build his own world, but it does little for either of you; KT tells the super fans to go watch something else."

Reservoir Dogs – Just the Tip · Feb 2022

"KT calls Rob's theme super relevant, says you have already covered it, and doubts you'll ever reach a film that doesn't satisfy his criteria."

Reservoir Dogs – Just the Tip · Feb 2022

"You don't find a reluctant hero here: Oti says only Mr. Orange could count as a hero, and you both mock Mr. White's instant, unfounded loyalty to a stranger."