‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ and the Will Smith Resurgence. Plus, Viggo Mortensen!
Jun 11, 2024
01:41:59
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Actor and director Viggo Mortensen discusses his Western film 'The Dead Don’t Hurt,' casting Vicky Krieps, favorite Westerns, and creative process. Hosts explore Will Smith's 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' success and 'The Watchers' by Ishana Night Shyamalan. Banter about QR codes, privacy concerns, fairies in movies, and the resurgence of Western films.
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Quick takeaways
Bad Boys: Ride or Die blends absurdity and nostalgia in a fun action-comedy mix with character depth and pacing issues.
'The Watchers' falls short with poor character development and pacing, missing opportunities to explore intriguing plot points.
Viggo Mortensen's 'The Dead Don't Hurt' subverts traditional Western tropes with a collaborative and detailed storytelling approach.
Deep dives
Summary of Bad Boys Ride or Die
Bad Boys Ride or Die, the fourth film in the Bad Boys saga, directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, continues the story of Mike and Marcus returning to clear a friend's name. The film blends absurdity and nostalgia, with action sequences and comedic bits. Despite some fun moments, the movie struggles with a lack of depth in character development and pacing issues.
Summary of The Watchers
The Watchers follows a young woman, Nina, in Western Ireland, encountering mysterious creatures known as the Watchers. The film's focus on rules and revelations falls short due to poor character development and problematic pacing. The story unveils a fairy tale world where humans clash with shape-shifting fairies, leading to a grand plan of transforming humans. However, the movie lacks a strong narrative depth and fails to capitalize on intriguing plot points like the twin sister concept.
The Dead Don't Hurt: Immigrant Story Set in the Wild West
Explore a unique Western film called 'The Dead Don't Hurt,' depicting an immigrant story in the Wild West. The film centers on Vivienne, a strong and independent woman who faces challenges on the frontier when her partner enlists in the Civil War. The storytelling unfolds in a non-linear structure, offering insights into diverse societal elements and characters. The film's approach subverts traditional Western tropes while honoring classic Western cinematography and themes.
Influences From Experienced Directors and Attention to Detail
Viggo Mortensen, the director of 'The Dead Don't Hurt,' highlights the influences of renowned filmmakers like Cronenberg, Campion, and others on his directing style. Mortensen emphasizes meticulous preparation and a collaborative approach, allowing space for creative contributions from the team. He values the engagement of the crew and cast members in shaping the film, fostering a sense of shared storytelling. This inclusive and detailed-oriented method enhances the authenticity and depth of the narrative.
Revisiting Western Classics and Film Recommendations
Mortensen shares his appreciation for Western classics like 'The Furies,' '40 Guns,' and 'McCabe and Mrs. Miller,' noting their distinct storytelling styles and character dynamics. He admires the music choices in 'McCabe and Mrs. Miller' for their seamless integration into the film's ambiance. Additionally, he offers thoughtful movie recommendations, encouraging exploration of diverse cinematic approaches within the Western genre.
Sean and Amanda talk about the successes and shortcomings of the two biggest movies at this week’s box office: Will Smith’s return to franchise moviemaking in ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ (1:00), and ‘The Watchers,’ Ishana Night Shyamalan’s directorial debut (43:00). Then, they briefly discuss ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’ (1:03:00), Viggo Mortensen’s second directorial feature, a Western starring Mortensen and podcast favorite Vicky Krieps (0:00). Finally, Sean is joined by Mortensen to discuss the project, where it came from for him creatively, the importance of casting Krieps, his favorite Westerns, and more (1:08:00).