This week, director Craig Gillespie discusses his film 'Dumb Money', based on the GameStop phenomenon. Mark reviews 'The Creator' where humans battle AI robots and 'Saw X' which takes John to Mexico in search of a cancer cure. The hosts also cover Box Office Top 10 and share what's on.
Dumb Money explores the exhilarating GameStop short squeeze and its impact on wealth disparity and COVID-19.
The film captures the tensions and emotions of everyday people rallying against Wall Street's traditional power dynamics.
Dumb Money incorporates real-time events and the journey of influential figure Keith Gill, creating an authentic portrayal of the GameStop phenomenon.
Deep dives
Overview of Dumb Money
Dumb Money is a film that dives into the GameStop short squeeze, where Redditors and day traders rally together to disrupt the stock market. The movie explores the exhilarating and intense two-week period when GameStop stock soared from $20 to $400. The story follows various characters who find themselves caught up in the frenzy, riding the roller coaster of emotions as they witness their investments skyrocket in value. The film also touches on the societal frustrations and anger that played a role in the movement, including the wealth disparity and the impact of COVID-19. With elements of comedy and profound insights into the financial world, Dumb Money offers a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of an unprecedented stock market event.
The Impact of COVID-19 and GameStop on the Characters
Dumb Money highlights the unique time in history when the stock market was booming amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic. The characters in the film experience the highs and lows of the GameStop short squeeze, seeing their investments rapidly increase in value and grappling with the decision of when to cash out. The story also underscores the stark contrast between the wealthy and the everyday people engaging in the stock market, highlighting the frustrations and aspirations of those who rallied against Wall Street's traditional power dynamics. The movie captures the tensions and emotions surrounding the unprecedented event, painting a vivid picture of a societal movement fueled by the desire to stick it to the financial giants.
The Character of Keith Gill and the Portrayal by Paul Dano
One of the central characters in Dumb Money is Keith Gill, also known as Roaring Kitty and Deep Value. Gill is a real person who championed GameStop stocks on Reddit and YouTube, becoming an influential figure in the movement. The film showcases Gill's journey as he rallies thousands of small investors around the cause, placing his own life savings of $55,000 into the stock. Actor Paul Dano brings Gill to life on screen, perfectly capturing his endearing and charismatic personality. Dano's thoughtful portrayal and his ability to embody Gill's intelligence and determination add depth to the character, highlighting the emotional roller coaster Gill and many others experienced during the GameStop short squeeze.
The Fast-Paced Production and Real-Time Adjustments
Dumb Money had a relatively fast-paced production timeline, as the story was still unfolding during the filmmaking process. The script had to be adjusted to incorporate real-time events, such as congressional hearings and lawsuits surrounding the GameStop short squeeze. Director Craig Gillespie and his team worked diligently to capture the accuracy and timeliness of the story, making adjustments on the fly to ensure the film reflected the rapidly evolving circumstances. Despite the quick pace, Gillespie's collaborators and the dedicated crew allowed the production to move swiftly, creating an authentic and engaging portrayal of the GameStop phenomenon.
Saw X: A Gory and Nasty Addition to the Saw Franchise
Saw X, also known as Saw 10, is a recent addition to the infamous Saw franchise. Directed by Kevin Groeter, who previously worked on Saw 6 and 7, the film takes place between the first and second movies as a prequel to the second installment. The plot revolves around John Kramer, the mastermind behind the series, as he reflects on his terminal illness and dreams up Jigsaw traps. The film delivers the familiar sadistic and gory mutilation sequences that fans expect, and also features the usual plot twists and reversals. While the Saw franchise may not be for everyone, this particular installment is considered one of the better films in the series, striking a balance between visceral excess and a more developed plot.
Down Under Berlin Film Festival and Other Film Events
The Down Under Berlin Film Festival, Europe's leading festival for Australian and New Zealand films, is set to return for its 11th edition. The festival will showcase a range of feature films, shorts, and documentaries that highlight unique stories rarely seen on German cinema screens. Running from October 11th to 14th, the festival will take place at Moviemento Kino in Berlin. In addition, other film events worth mentioning include the Pender Island Film Club in British Columbia, Canada, which will screen classic Hitchcock films such as Rebecca, The 39 Steps, and North by Northwest, and the Ramasquae Film Festival in Norway, which offers a selection of about 30 horror films for those seeking a scare this Halloween season. Lastly, the Forbidden Worlds Film Festival in Bristol, UK, will present a spin-off event called The Big Scream, featuring screenings of horror films at the Bristol former IMAX. Tickets and passes for these events are available online, so film enthusiasts are encouraged to check the respective websites for more information and bookings.
This week’s episode sees Simon interview director Craig Gillespie, to discuss his film 'Dumb Money’, which is based on the true story of everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop(!) into the world's hottest company. Mark reviewed this in full last week.
Other films Mark reviews include ‘The Creator’ - set against the backdrop of a war between humans and robots with AI, a former soldier finds a secret weapon, which turns out to be a robot in the form of a child. Plus ‘Saw X’, where John is back; he travels to Mexico for a risky, experimental medical procedure in the hopes of a miracle cure for cancer... only to discover the entire operation is a scam.
Obviously they also cover the Box Office Top 10, plus it’s a bumper episode for What’s On.
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