Hold Up

In 2009, James Cameron brought us the first of what is to be 5 movies about greedy humans and nature loving Na’Vi as they battle for unobtanium on the planet Pandora.  To call Avatar a passion project for Cameron might be an understatement, as he began development in 1994, pre-production on the beings and language in 2005, a script in 2006, and finally releasing the film after 15 years of thought and planning.  Avatar broke every box office record there was, hitting $1 Billion in only 19 days of international release, and $2 Billion after 72 days.  While you let that sink in, Avatar also received fairly positive reviews and several Oscar nominations as well, winning three for art direction, cinematography and visual effects.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent visit Pandora and hang out with the Na’Vi and see if they can assimilate themselves into the tribe and peacefully enjoy all that nature has to offer, or if the urge for unobtanium and working legs is too strong and the world is torn ap

In 2001, the world was blessed with Director Rob Cohen’s vision of a world full of street racing, undercover police work, and heists.  The Fast and the Furious was in fact a dream project of Paul Walker, and by all accounts was a mash-up of Days of Thunder and Donnie Brasco.  Vin Diesel was brought on to add another recognizable face, and a franchise was born.  With 8 movies currently in the library and two more expected by 2021, any lack of critical acclaim is more than made up for in profits, as the franchise is reported to have returned $5 Bil on a $1 Bil investment.  But does the first of many hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and guest Brent discuss this box office superpower and see if the fast cars, fast women, and risky heists are worth the price of admission, or if their cover is blown while imposter syndrome sets in and they cause a 10-car pileup of disastrous lines, acting, and stupidity.

In 1979, Ridley Scott introduced the world to Sigourney Weaver and the first in what was to be several movies centred around the creature simply known as Alien. While met with some critical skepticism initially, this Giger designed horror/sci-fi flick won the academy award for visual effects and has received more and more praise as time went on.  No less than 8 movies are attributed as sequels or spin-offs, and video games, merchandise, novels and comics speak to the Alien phenomenon and its success.  But does the film that started it all hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent wake from cryo-sleep and see if Alien is still a chest bursting suspenseful good time, or if this movie goes the way of the Nostromo and self-destructs with it’s overbearing mother and crew, leaving a crazy cat lady and her cat as the only survivors, drifting towards inevitable sequels.