Spoilerpiece Theatre Episode 168: American Made

“Spoilerpiece Theatre” is a weekly movie podcast where I talk about new releases with fellow BOFCA critics Dave Riedel and Kris Jenson. We don’t give a shit about spoilers. We just want to talk about the movies.

In Episode #168 below, we review The Dark Crystal, Rain Man, Days of Thunder, American Made, Victoria & Abdul, and Battle of the Sexes. The episode begins with a discussion of bad movies, and why video game adaptations are particularly egregious. I then kick things off with a recap of my experience at Somerville Theatre’s 70mm Festival, featuring The Dark Crystal (4:47). The Crewind continues with my “Triple Cruise” where I watched two classics — Rain Man (11:30) and the under-recognized Days of Thunder (15:17), before being joined by Dave to dissect American Made (21:55). The short version: it’s awesome. Dave then Spoilerpieces no one into wanting to see Victoria & Abdul (37:35), the latest example that director Stephen Frears should take it easy on the aristocracy for a while. It’s finely made with a great turn by Eddie Izzard, but totally familiar. Last up, Dave and Kris are excited to talk about the many victories of Battle of the Sexes (42:02), both in the narrative and the filmmaking. It’s good, funny, thoughtful, and entirely necessary.