Episode 43: Dollman (1991)

In this episode of Fifth Opinion, we discuss the Full Moon Feature Dollman. We talk about the importance of not feeling superior to any type of film, how Dollman succeeds despite its budgetary limitations, and the unexpected ways through which it explores social issues and challenges genre tropes.

Available on iTunes, Libsyn, and YouTube.

COMING NEXT WEEK: AS ABOVE, SO BELOW (2014)

BONUS! While it’s not actually about Dollman, Jordan wrote an analysis of Kung Fury and Demonic Toys, which is another Full Moon Feature.

Episode 42: Honeymoon (2014)

In this episode of Fifth Opinion, we examine Leigh Janiak’s low-budget horror movie Honeymoon. We discuss how the film defamiliarizes marital anxieties, the film’s cinematography, and, eventually, hot alien sex. Oh yeah.

Available on iTunes, Libsyn, YouTube, and Vimeo.

COMING NEXT WEEK: DOLLMAN (1991)

Episode 41: Ex Machina (2015)

In this episode of Fifth Opinion, we dissect Alex Garland’s sci-fi mind-game Ex Machina. We discuss the film’s exploration of artificial intelligence and gender politics, debate its intentions and depth, and touch on Oscar Isaac’s performance and the script’s original ending.

Available on iTunes, Libsyn, YouTube, and Vimeo.

COMING NEXT WEEK: HONEYMOON (2014)

Episode 27: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

In this episode, we discuss the franchise blockbuster Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. We talk about the directorial choices of Matt Reeves and the film’s sexism, and we go on some weird tangents about Let Me In, the Planet of the Apes franchise as a whole, and, eventually, monkey sex.
Available on iTunes or through one of the services below:

Libsyn: http://fifthopinion.libsyn.com/ep-27-dawn-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-2014
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHmaDYOf368
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/binaryproductions/fifthopinionep27

Original Episode Release Date: 2/23/15

Episode 21: Galaxy Quest (1999)

In our first-ever listener-requested episode, we take a look at the sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest. We debate its dramatic strengths, how well the visuals and effects hold up after 15 years, and we analyze the film’s themes.

Available on iTunes or through one of the services below:

Libsyn: http://fifthopinion.libsyn.com/ep-21-galaxy-quest-1999
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4UNfLFIhhs
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/binaryproductions/fifthopinionep21

Original Episode Release Date: 1/12/15

Episode 16: Godzilla (2014)

In this episode, we get into a debate about the most recent incarnation of Godzilla. We analyze the film’s thematic subtext, discuss Gareth Edwards’s style, and address those pesky not-enough-Godzilla complaints.

Available on iTunes or through one of the services below:

Libsyn: http://fifthopinion.libsyn.com/ep-18-godzilla-2014
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5676Sn0G3Og
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/binaryproductions/fifthopinionep16

Original Episode Release Date: 11/15/14

Episode 15: The Rover (2014)

In this installment, we debate the merits of David Michod’s post-apocalyptic drama The Rover. Among other topics, we break down the themes and style, and discuss graphic violence in modern films.

Available on iTunes or through one of the services below:

Libsyn: http://fifthopinion.libsyn.com/ep-17-the-rover-2014
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4iWF5YPHGI
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/binaryproductions/fifthopinionep15

Original Episode Release Date: 11/8/14

Episode 8: Godzilla (1998)

We finally devoted an episode to defending a universally panned movie. In this installment, we reevaluate Roland Emmerich’s maligned interpretation of Godzilla. We discuss the merits of nostalgia and how it relates to film criticism, the humor in the film, and how the themes of the film compare to other versions of Godzilla.

Available on iTunes or through one of the services below:

Libsyn: http://fifthopinion.libsyn.com/episode-8-godzilla-1998
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R84KLmty_pE
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/binaryproductions/fifthopinionep8

Original Episode Release Date: 9/27/14

Episode 6: The Matrix Reloaded & The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

In last week’s episode, we dove into the massively popular special-effects milestone The Matrix. The discussion continues in this episode, in which we tackle its not-so-popular sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. We discuss Neo’s arc, how the themes and action compare to the original, and we ask the most important question of all: what happened?!

Available on iTunes or through one of the services below:

Libsyn: http://fifthopinion.libsyn.com/episode-6-the-matrix-reloaded-the-matrix-revolutions-2003-0
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCF1flclQRs
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/binaryproductions/fifthopinionep6

Original Episode Release Date: 9/13/14

Episode 5: The Matrix (1999)

In this episode, we dive into the massively popular special-effects milestone The Matrix. We discuss pacing and exposition in blockbusters, the themes and subtext of the film, and how the film compares to Guardians of the Galaxy, Inception, and The Lord of the Rings.

Check back next week for our follow-up episode on The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions!

Available on iTunes or through one of the services below:

Libsyn: http://fifthopinion.libsyn.com/episode-5-the-matrix-1999-0
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErHmeO5NB7Y
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/binaryproductions/fifthopinionep5

Original Episode Release Date: 9/16/14