Four Play
Four Play is a film podcast that picks four iconic movies around a theme or genre and analyzes them in their historical context. The show is hosted by veteran esports commentators Richard Lewis, Duncan "Thorin" Shields, and Christopher "MonteCristo" Mykles. It covers both well-known Hollywood films and hidden gems, inviting listeners to watch along with the hosts each week.
Episodes
Tom Cruise's Best Performance... But No One Talks About It! (Edge of Tomorrow)
Edge of Tomorrow cost $178 million, made $381 million, and stars two of the most famous actors alive. It arrived in 2014 alongside Guardians of the Galaxy, Interstellar and Gone Girl, and vanished. Everybody who has seen it loves it. Almost nobody has seen it.Huel: Limited Time Offer – Make healthy eating simple. Get Huel today with our exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with our code LFN at huel.c
Everyone FORGOT About This Time Travel Movie With Bruce Willis & Brad Pitt (12 Monkeys)
12 Monkeys made $170 million in 1995. It stars Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt got an Oscar nomination for it. Almost nobody talks about it anymore, and there is no good reason why.Hims: Access to FDA approved GLP-1 weight loss treatments online, including the first ever GLP-1 pill, with no insurance needed and 24/7 messaging with your care team. Get a personalized plan at https://hims.com/f
Back to the Future Is More Weird Than You Think...
A beloved family film opens with a main character machine-gunned by Libyan terrorists in a mall car park, and spends its second act on a teenager talking his own mother out of being attracted to him. Back to the Future is much stranger than its reputation, and it is still close to a perfect movie.
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20 Years Later, The Prestige Is Nolan's Best Film
Thorin has been teasing The Prestige on Four Play for over a hundred episodes. It is his favorite film of all time. MonteCristo and Richard Lewis think it is Nolan's best. Twenty years after it came out and quietly underperformed, the critics ranking his catalog after The Odyssey are arriving at the same place. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our
Tenet Is the Only Film You Can't Watch Once
Richard Lewis turned Tenet off three times. On the fourth attempt he finally made it to the end, and he came out calling it an unfairly maligned film.
That is the story of this episode. Thorin picked Tenet expecting a bloodbath, hoping to be the lone defender of Christopher Nolan's most divisive movie. Instead Richard converted, MonteCristo landed somewhere in the middle, and the argument turned
Nobody Attacking The Odyssey Has Actually Read The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey spent a year being called woke by people who never opened the poem. Then it opened to $264 million worldwide and a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Richard Lewis, MonteCristo, and Thorin recorded this one last, after filming an entire Nolan arc worrying on camera about what he would do to Homer. All three landed between a seven and an eight, and all three reached the same
Inception's Biggest Flaw Reveals Everything About Christopher Nolan
Inception is a nearly perfect film. It reinvented the summer blockbuster, proved a two-and-a-half-hour original movie about dream architecture could nearly make a billion dollars, and it's the reason Christopher Nolan gets to do whatever he wants in Hollywood. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo kick off the Christopher Nolan arc with his best original film, the Hans Zimmer score that might be
Satoshi Kon Predicted the Internet and Nobody Was Ready | PARANOIA AGENT
Thorin thinks Paranoia Agent sucks. MonteCristo and Richard think it's an 8 out of 10 and one of the most prescient pieces of media ever made about the internet. This is not a polite disagreement. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo spend 90 minutes arguing over whether Satoshi Kon's only TV series is a masterpiece of social commentary or everything wrong with anime condensed into 13 episodes.
The Most BIZARRE Anime Film That Will BLOW Your Mind
Christopher Nolan has never mentioned Paprika. Not once. The dream heist machine, the corridor where people fall through shifting gravity, the entering of dreams to steal information, the characters who are shockingly similar. Inception came out in 2010, the same year Satoshi Kon died of pancreatic cancer at 46. He never got to respond. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo break down why Paprika
The Miyazaki Movie You Haven't Seen Is His Best One
Everyone's seen Spirited Away. Everyone's seen Princess Mononoke. Almost nobody has seen the 1984 Miyazaki film that's better than both of them. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo break down Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the pre-Studio Ghibli masterpiece that handles environmentalism with more intelligence and nuance than anything Miyazaki made after it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz
The Matrix Stole Everything and Understood Nothing
The Wachowskis walked into a studio with a copy of Ghost in the Shell and said "we want to do that, but for real." Four years later, The Matrix made a billion dollars. Ghost in the Shell made nothing on release. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo break down why the 80-minute anime the Wachowskis ripped off is deeper, smarter, and more relevant in the age of AI than the franchise it spawned. Ho
Why The Internet Is WRONG About Akira
There is a sentiment going around that Akira is mid. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo are here to tell you that the internet is wrong, but also that the people who told you it was a flawless 10 out of 10 masterpiece were wrong too. The truth is more interesting than either side.
Akira's animation is a genuine 10 out of 10. Nothing from 1988 looks like this. Almost nothing from 2026 looks lik
Robert Duvall's STANDOUT Performance In A Feel-Good Western | OPEN RANGE
Open Range (2003) proves Robert Duvall can carry a western on his back — even when Kevin Costner is standing right next to him.
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Robert Duvall Is the Smartest Person in Every Room | A CIVIL ACTION
A Civil Action has the most stacked cast of any movie you've never seen. Robert Duvall, John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Tony Shalhoub, John Lithgow, William H. Macy, and Stephen Fry. It's a 6.5 out of 10 film elevated to must-watch by performances alone. Richard Lewis, MonteCristo, and Thorin break down why Duvall's Harvard defense attorney is the best thing in the movie and why the movie itself
Is This Robert Duvall's Best Performance? | The Apostle
Robert Duvall wrote it, directed it, and delivered his career-best performance in it. The Apostle is a $5 million Southern Gothic character study about a charismatic Pentecostal preacher who murders a man with a baseball bat at his own children's Little League game, flees to small-town Louisiana, and builds an entirely new congregation from scratch. He is a wife-beater, a womanizer, a killer, and
The Most Realistic Gang Film Ever Made Was In 1988 | COLORS
Colors came out in 1988 and was the first film to put the Bloods and Crips on screen by name. It feels cheesy now. It would have felt raw as hell then. Richard Lewis, MonteCristo, and Thorin open the Robert Duvall arc with the movie that crawled so Training Day, The Wire, and End of Watch could run.
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Oscars 2026: What They Got Wrong...
Marty Supreme should have won Best Picture, One Battle After Another is a career Oscar that might age like milk, and Michael B. Jordan playing two characters in Sinners is basically Mario and Luigi in different colored hats. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo break down every major film of the 2026 Academy Awards in a sprawling and contentious Oscars special.
Manta Sleep — the Manta Pro slee
Inglourious Basterds Has Two Perfect Scenes. The Rest Is the Problem.
After Kill Bill nearly broke them, Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo close the Tarantino arc with the film that was supposed to prove he still had it. The verdict: Inglourious Basterds contains two of the finest scenes Tarantino has ever directed (the farmhouse interrogation and the basement bar), but the rest of the movie can't sustain the altitude those scenes reach. What could have been a
Kill Bill 20 Years Later... It Did Not Age Well... | Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
Kill Bill held a special place in a lot of hearts. The Whole Bloody Affair was supposed to be the definitive version: Tarantino's original vision restored as a single four-and-a-half-hour film. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo sat through all of it, and what they found was the precise moment Quentin Tarantino disappeared up his own references. Everything that made Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fic
Is Pulp Fiction Still Good 30 Years Later?
Pulp Fiction is one of the most hyped films in cinema history and Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo are here to confirm that even after 30 years the hype is entirely earned. What shocked them most wasn't the violence or the nonlinear structure, but how slow the film actually is. Strip away the iconic moments seared into cultural memory and what you find is a movie dominated by two people talk
The Tarantino Film That Was Too Dangerous For The UK... | Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Before Pulp Fiction made Quentin Tarantino a household name, there was Reservoir Dogs — a film so raw and transgressive it was banned in the UK for years, circulated on pirate VHS tapes, and became the blueprint for an entire generation of filmmaking. A guy who worked in a video store in LA wrote and directed this. Wrap your head around that.
Richard Lewis, MonteCristo, and Thorin kick off Four
This Forgotten 1995 Film Predicted Our Entire Dystopia | STRANGE DAYS
In 1995, a film predicted POV recording technology, VR experiences you can buy on the black market, deepfake manipulation, police brutality caught on camera, and a society addicted to experiencing other people's lives through a screen. It starred Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, and was written by James Cameron. Almost nobody saw it.
Strange Days bombed at the box office, nearly destroyed Kathryn
The Matrix Has a TERRIBLE Script (But We Still Love It)
Four film lovers revisit The Matrix (1999) for the first time in years.
The action still holds up. The philosophical ideas still land. But the script? That's where things get complicated. We break down the Hong Kong cinema influences Hollywood never credited, the Dark City and Invisibles connections, what Keanu Reeves actually brings to Neo, and whether the Wachowskis wrote a cyberpunk masterpie
The Movie That Predicted The Matrix | DARK CITY (1998)
Was The Matrix the first film to ask whether our reality is manufactured? No! There are huge parallels between Dark City and The Matrix, with both films using some of the same themes, visuals, and even sets. In this episode of Four Play, we dive into Dark City (1998): Alex Proyas’ noir-drenched sci-fi cult classic that arrived one year before The Matrix and explored memory, identity, and control i
Who Cares if Deckard is a Replicant? (The REAL Themes of Blade Runner)
Four Play begins a brand-new Cyberpunk Arc with a deep dive into Blade Runner: one of the most influential science-fiction films ever made. Released in 1982, Blade Runner didn’t just define cyberpunk aesthetics, it also reshaped how cinema explores identity, consciousness, artificial intelligence, capitalism, and what it means to be human. Decades later, its themes feel more relevant than ever. V
Naked Lunch Explained: Cronenberg, Burroughs, and the Most Unfilmable Novel Ever
David Cronenberg’s Naked Lunch is not an adaptation: it’s a psychological autopsy. In this episode of Four Play, we dive deep into one of the most challenging films ever released by a major director: Cronenberg’s surreal, disturbing, and deeply personal interpretation of William S. Burroughs’ life and work. Rather than translating Burroughs’ famously “unfilmable” novel to the screen, Naked Lunch f
Quirky Crime Caper or Bad Tarantino Clone? | THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE DEAD
THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU’RE DEAD (1995) is a time capsule of 1990s crime cinema: strange characters with even stranger nicknames who speak in impossibly slick slang. Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code FOURPLAY at https://shopmando.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use
The Most Misunderstood Fantasy Film of the 2020s | THE GREEN KNIGHT
THE GREEN KNIGHT (2021) is often described as abstract, slow, or confusing, but those labels miss what the film is actually doing. Directed by David Lowery, this Arthurian adaptation isn’t a puzzle to be solved, but a moral fable about avoidance and the cost of refusing to grow up. In this episode of Four Play, Richard Lewis, MonteCristo, and Thorin break down why The Green Knight is less concerne
Pretentious or Profound? Why THE FOUNTAIN Endures
THE FOUNTAIN (2006) is one of the most ambitious, polarizing, and misunderstood films of the 21st century. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film weaves together three timelines: a conquistador’s quest for eternal life, a modern scientist racing against death, and a cosmic traveler drifting toward transcendence, which all bound by love, grief, and humanity’s refusal to accept mortality. Visit htt
Why Robert Redford's Final Film Is Perfect | THE OLD MAN & THE GUN
THE OLD MAN & THE GUN (2018) feels less like a typical crime movie and more like a gentle farewell not just to a character, but to an entire Hollywood era. Directed by David Lowery, the film stars Robert Redford as Forrest Tucker, a lifelong bank robber whose crimes are defined not by violence, but by charm, politeness, and an irresistible love of the game. As the final entry in our Robert Redf
The Spy Movie That Gets Spycraft Right | SPY GAME (2001)
SPY GAME (2001) looks like a slick, early-2000s spy thriller, but beneath Tony Scott’s kinetic style is a surprisingly thoughtful film about loyalty, institutional cynicism, and the quiet mechanics of real espionage. Rather than gadgets or superhuman assassins, SPY GAME is about phone calls, favors, leverage, and knowing the system well enough to bend it without breaking it. Robert Redford plays
The TV Scandal That Changed America Forever | QUIZ SHOW (1994)
QUIZ SHOW (1994) shouldn’t work on paper: a quiet film about a 1950s game-show scandal, congressional hearings, and a rigged trivia show with no violence, no twist ending, and no flashy hook. And yet Robert Redford turns it into one of the most compelling American dramas of the decade: a deceptively sharp story about class, ambition, performance, and the birth of mass media. Raycon audio products
The Perfect Con Movie You’ve Never Seen | THE STING (1973)
Robert Redford and Paul Newman reunite for one of the greatest con-artist films ever made and one of the most purely entertaining movies Hollywood has ever produced. In the first episode of our Robert Redford Arc, Four Play dives into The Sting (1973), a film that blends slick plotting, old-school charm, and razor-sharp chemistry between two of cinema’s most charismatic stars. Control Body Odor A
Is Frankenstein Over-Hyped or a Masterpiece?
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is one of the most influential works of horror, science fiction, and gothic literature, but does Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited 2025 adaptation succeed in its representation of the novel? In this episode of Four Play, MonteCristo, Thorin, and Richard Lewis dig into why this debate the merits of the films visuals, story, and faithfulness to the original themes. While
The 4 MOST Terrifying Episodes Of The Twilight Zone
Before Black Mirror, before Love, Death & Robots, there was The Twilight Zone: television’s original nightmare machine. For this special Four Play: One Night Stand episode, MonteCristo, Thorin, and Richard Lewis step into another dimension to revisit four of the most terrifying Twilight Zone stories ever made: tales of paranoia, existential dread, and cosmic irony that still haunt audiences more
The Most BEAUTIFUL Horror Film Ever Made - Revisited 50 Years Later | SUSPIRIA (1977)
Suspiria is one of the most beautiful and unsettling horror films ever made. Dario Argento’s 1977 masterpiece drenches witchcraft in light and color, turning a simple story about a dance academy into a surreal nightmare of sound, architecture, and occult energy. In this episode, MonteCristo, Thorin, and Richard Lewis close out Four Play’s Occult Horror Arc by examining how Suspiria reshaped the la
Korea's Most Successful Horror Film Ever | Exhuma
When a wealthy family hires shamans to exhume a cursed grave, they awaken something far older and far more dangerous than they imagined. Exhuma (파묘) blends Korean shamanism, feng shui geomancy, and postwar trauma into one of the most striking horror hits of the decade. In this episode of Four Play, MonteCristo, Thorin, and Richard Lewis explore how Exhuma became Korea’s highest-grossing film of 20
The Film That Redefined Modern Horror | HEREDITARY (2018)
Hereditary marks the rebirth of modern horror with a story where fate, family, and madness collide under the control of unseen forces. Ari Aster’s directorial debut turns grief into tragedy and domestic life into ritual, where every characters fate is inescapable and preordained. With Toni Collette’s raw, unforgettable performance at its center, this film doesn’t ask if evil exists, it simply show
The Film That Changed Horror Forever | ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968)
Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby (1968) didn’t just invent occult horror: it cursed Hollywood itself. A young couple moves into New York’s Dakota building, only to find their new neighbors are part of an ancient Satanic conspiracy. What begins as domestic paranoia becomes a slow descent into psychological terror and a film that redefined horror forever. Richard Lewis, MonteCristo, and Thorin open
The Forgotten Oliver Stone Film That Exposed U.S. Hypocrisy | SALVADOR (1986)
What happens when journalism isn’t about uncovering corruption in boardrooms, but surviving on the front lines of a civil war? Oliver Stone’s Salvador (1986) throws James Woods into the chaos of Central America’s brutal conflict, where photojournalism becomes both a weapon and a death sentence. The hosts dissect how Salvador critiques America’s political interests abroad, captures the moral decay
Hollywood's Accurate Portrayal On The Dangers Of Journalism
Michael Mann’s The Insider (1999) is one of the great modern journalism films: Al Pacino and Russell Crowe bring the true story of CBS, 60 Minutes, and the tobacco whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand to the screen. Thorin, Richard, and MonteCristo break down how the film depicts whistleblowing, corporate malfeasance, and the brutal costs of telling the truth, while also examining Mann’s visual style, Al
The Film That Predicted the Media Apocalypse
Is NETWORK (1976) the most prophetic film ever made about television and journalism?Directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Paddy Chayefsky, Network follows news anchor Howard Beale (Peter Finch) as he unravels live on air and creates one of cinema’s most famous speeches: “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take this anymore!” This satirical black comedy, starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden,
ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (1976): How Watergate Changed Journalism Forever
Watergate, the scandal that toppled Nixon. All the President’s Men (1976) tells the story of Woodward and Bernstein, the two Washington Post journalists who “followed the money” and uncovered corruption at the highest level. But does the film hold up today or has it become a mythologized version of journalism that no longer exists? Richard, Thorin, and MonteCristo dig into Robert Redford & Dustin
ADAPTATION (2002): Nicolas Cage’s Strangest (And Best?) Role
Nicolas Cage playing twin brothers in the same film should have been a disaster, but in Adaptation (2002), it became one of his greatest performances. Charlie Kaufman’s meta-masterpiece about writer’s block, Hollywood compromise, and the agony of the creative process pushes Cage to deliver both the funniest and most heartbreaking roles of his career. Richard, Thorin, and Monte break down why Adap
8MM (1999): What Made it Too Dark for the 90s?
Critics called Joel Schumacher’s 8MM (1999) “sleazy, appalling, and exploitative.” With Nicolas Cage as a private investigator dragged into the world of underground snuff films, James Gandolfini at his sleaziest, and a young Joaquin Phoenix in one of his earliest breakout roles, the movie was condemned as too dark and disturbing for the 1990s. But does 8MM deserve its reputation as sleaze cinema,
LEAVING LAS VEGAS (1995): Nicolas Cage’s Greatest Role... or His Most Tragic?
Leaving Las Vegas (1995) is Nicolas Cage at his most raw and devastating and he delivers a performance that won him an Oscar and became one of the bleakest love stories ever put on film. Cage plays Ben Sanderson, a man who moves to Las Vegas to drink himself to death, where he meets Elisabeth Shue in a career-defining role as a sex worker who chooses to love him anyway. In this episode, Richard Le
THE ROCK (1996): How GOOD is Michael Bay's Action Classic 30 Years Later?
We dive into Michael Bay's 1996 action film 'The Rock' starring Nicholas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo explore the film's iconic moments, characters, and unique blend of comedy, action, and drama. They discuss why 'The Rock' stands out as a classic in the action genre, Michael Bay's directorial choices, and the unforgettable performances from the stellar
MANDY (2018): The Most HEAVY METAL Film of All-Time?
To conclude our Psychedelic Horror arc on Four Play, we delve deep into the film Mandy starring Nicolas Cage. We explore why this visually stunning and emotionally intense film has become a cult classic. From its incredible use of color and sound to its compelling performances and gripping storyline, Mandy is not just a movie but an experience. We also discuss the career of director Panos Cosmatos
ALTERED STATES: What Happens In Sensory Deprivation?
Join us as we delve into director Ken Russell's 1980 film 'Altered States.' This episode covers the film's psychedelic themes, its visionary yet controversial direction, and its mixed reception from critics like Roger Ebert. We discuss the film's exploration of hallucinogenic drugs, sensory deprivation tanks, and its complex narrative about a scientist's quest for absolute truth. Whether you're a
ENTER THE VOID: The Psychedelic-Fueled Trip You Can NEVER Be Prepared For
In this episode, our hosts delve into 'Enter the Void,' a 2009 psychedelic horror film directed by Gaspar Noé. They explore its intense thematic elements, discussing the challenges and impact of Noé's unique visual and narrative style. The discussion covers the film's portrayal of the expat experience in Asia, its uncompromising approach to trauma and drug use, and its groundbreaking cinematograph
JACOB'S LADDER: A Psychedelic Horror That Defined A Genre With Phenomenal Effects
Welcome back to 'Four Play' as we dive into our new arc on psychedelic horror! In this episode, we dissect the 1990 psychological masterpiece 'Jacob's Ladder.' We explore the film’s layered narrative, iconic practical effects, and its profound themes of trauma, war, and the afterlife. Drawing connections to Buddhist philosophy, Christian mysticism, and classic literature, we provide an in-depth an
THE HUSTLER: What is the Price of Personal Growth?
Join us on this episode of Foreplay as we conclude our sports film arc with a deep dive into the 1961 classic, The Hustler. Starring Paul Newman and George C. Scott, this film is about much more than just pool—it's a compelling character study and a story about obsession, personal growth, and the human cost of achieving greatness. We discuss the powerful performances, especially Paul Newman’s and
RUDY: Obsession and Cliché Collide In The Purest American Sports Story
In this episode of 'Four Play,' we delve into the inspirational sports film 'Rudy.' Join us as we discuss key themes, memorable moments, and the unbelievable true story behind the movie. From Rudy's persistence and hard work to the cinematography and remarkable performances by Sean Astin and the supporting cast, we cover it all. We also touch upon how the movie compares to other sports films like
FIELD OF DREAMS: Nobody Knows the Rules of Ghost Baseball
In this episode of Four Play, the hosts dissect the 1989 film 'Field of Dreams.' They delve into the peculiar rules of 'ghost baseball,' critique the film's sentimentality, and analyze its deeper themes of American tradition, intergenerational relationships, and personal regret. The discussion explores the broader impact of sports films in American culture, the significance of baseball in connecti
HOOSIERS: A Sports Cliché or the Ultimate Sports Film?
Join us as Richard Lewis, Thorin, and Monte discuss the classic sports film 'Hoosiers.' In this episode, we explore the film's timeless appeal, Gene Hackman's nuanced performance, and why this movie, despite its predictable plot and sentimental moments, remains a beloved staple in sports cinema. From the cultural significance of small-town basketball to the profound human stories told through spor
NIGHT MOVES: Gene Hackman's Forgotten Performance? It's Better Than You Think!
In this episode of Foreplay, the hosts explore one of Gene Hackman's most enigmatic and forgotten performances in the 1975 film 'Night Moves.' As the final film in their Gene Hackman Arc, they analyze the movie's subtle brilliance, its portrayal of middle-aged malaise, and its deconstruction of film noir tropes. From discussing Hackman's character, Harry Moseby, and his personal struggles to addre
UNFORGIVEN: An Uncensored Reimagination Of The Wild West
Welcome back to Foreplay! In this episode, we explore the third film in our Gene Hackman Arc: 'Unforgiven' (1992), directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Join us as we discuss the intricate details, character portrayals, and thematic elements of this legendary Western. We'll delve into Gene Hackman's award-winning performance as Little Bill, the slow-burn storytelling, and the cinematic parallel
THE CONVERSATION: Is This Gene Hackman's Best Performance?
In this episode, we delve deep into Francis Ford Coppola's 1974 classic, 'The Conversation,' starring Gene Hackman. We explore Hackman's exceptional performance as Harry Caul, the film's intricate narrative structure, and the thematic elements of surveillance, privacy, and paranoia. Our discussion also touches on the movie's compelling soundtrack, its connection (or lack thereof) to the Watergate
THE FRENCH CONNECTION: Is This An Accurate Depiction Of New York In The 70s?
Dive deep into the critically acclaimed 1971 classic, 'The French Connection,' directed by William Friedkin. Join us as we explore Gene Hackman's Oscar-winning portrayal of the gritty, obsessed NYPD detective Popeye Doyle, and the film's groundbreaking car chase that set new standards in cinema. We discuss the film's raw depiction of 1970s New York, Hackman's method acting, and the influences this
NOSFERATU (2024): Where Does it Stand in the Vampire Movie Pantheon?
In this episode of Four Play, we conclude our Robert Eggers arc by diving into his 2024 film, 'Nosferatu.' Before discussing this modern take on the classic vampire tale, we announce our next arc focusing on Gene Hackman's impressive acting career in homage to his recent passing. We explore Nosferatu's compelling cinematography, its thematic exploration of romantic and period elements, and critiqu
THE NORTHMAN: Understanding Masculinity and Norse Mythology in Eggers' Viking Epic
We continue our Robert Eggers' Arc on Four Play with his third film, 2022's 'The Northman.' Thorin, Richard Lewis, and MonteCristo break down the film's rich Viking mythology, stunning cinematography by Jarin Blaschke, and intense performances, especially highlighting Alexander Skarsgård's transformative role as Amleth. Explore how Eggers' dedication to historical accuracy and mythological realis
THE LIGHTHOUSE: Analyzing the Mysteries, Mythology, and Madness
Four Play dives deep into Robert Eggers' enigmatic film 'The Lighthouse'. Richard Lewis, MonteCristo, and Thorin analyze the intricate storytelling, impeccable cinematography, and the remarkable performances by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson. We explore the film's Lovecraftian themes, Greek mythological references, and its unique ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from horror to comedy.
THE VVITCH: Why is Eggers' Puritanical Horror an Immersive Classic?
We kick off a new arc with the works of director Robert Eggers, focusing on his debut feature film 'The Witch.' We explore the psychological and supernatural elements of this chilling 2015 horror film, set in 17th-century Puritan New England, that has since become a modern classic. Join us as we analyze the cultural impact, historical accuracy, religious undertones, and cinematographic artistry th
MULHOLLAND DRIVE: Masterpiece or Mess? Explaining Lynch's Enigma
In this final episode of our David Lynch arc, we delve into one of his most acclaimed and complex films, 'Mulholland Drive' from 2001. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo offer contrasting views, discussing the film's plot, themes, and surrealistic elements. They debate whether the film is a profound commentary on Hollywood and the nature of reality or an overly pretentious piece. Our hosts exp
LOST HIGHWAY: Explaining Lynch's Surreal Landscape
In this episode of Four Play, the hosts delve into David Lynch's 1997 film 'Lost Highway.' They discuss the film's visual and auditory splendor, its star-studded cast, the complexities of its narrative, the concept of the dissociative fugue, and explain the role of the Mystery Man. Comparing it to Lynch's other works, the hosts explore themes of psychological trauma, identity, and surrealism. Thor
WILD AT HEART: A Violent, Erotic, and Optimistic Young Love Story
We continue our David Lynch arc with his 1990 film 'Wild at Heart.' This episode dissects the film's frenetic energy, its blend of surrealism and conventional storytelling, and its status as a Southern Gothic road movie. We examine standout performances by Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern, discuss the film's controversial scenes and critical reception, specifically Roger Ebert's divisive review, and ex
BLUE VELVET: Contrasting "Picture-Perfect" America With Dark Truths
With the unfortunate passing of David Lynch, the Four Play hosts decided to dedicate this arc to the director and his unique vision in cinema. The 1986 film Blue Velvet still stands as an all-time classic with memorable performances by Dennis Hopper and Isabella Rossellini and a signature touch of Lynch's surrealism. The film mixes Lynch's love of Americana with a shocking exploration of sexual vi
GLADIATOR 1 & 2: Why make a BAD sequel to this legendary film?
Two Ridley Scott films close out our Sword-and-Sandal Arc, the legendary Gladiator from 2000 and the repetitively terrible Gladiator 2 from 2024. While iconic performances from Russell Crowe, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, and Joaquin PhControl Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code FOURPLAY at https://www.shopmando.com Learn more abo
TROY: A flawed gem reviewed 20 years later
We return to Wolfgang Petersen's Troy: Director's Cut 20 years after its initial release and discover a film that's aged surprisingly well. Featuring an incredible cast including Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Peter O'Toole, Sean Bean, Brian Cox, Brendan Gleeson, and Orlando Bloom, Troy is carried by the actors' strong performances. While not strictly true to the Iliad, Troy's daring attempt to place the T
SPARTACUS: Kubrick's Hollywood Epic that Inspired Gladiator
We follow up Ben-Hur with another Hollywood epic, 1960's Spartacus directed by Stanley Kubrick. While set in the era of the Roman Republic, the film obliquely tackles many subjects of its era including McCarthyism, communist revolution, and the legacy of slavery. With stand-out performances by Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, and Peter Ustinov, Spartacus delivers an entertaining spectacle whose leg
BEN-HUR: The 1950s Hollywood Blockbuster That Defined a Genre
Four Play's new Sword-and-Sandal arc takes us back to the age of Hollywood epics with 1959's legendary Ben-Hur. The film weaves in the birth of Christianity into the background of the heartbreaking story of the titular character Judah Ben-Hur, played by the legendary Charlton Heston. The most expensive movie ever made when it released, Ben-Hur achieves a scope of sets, costumes, extras, and an ico
KILL LIST: The Slow Burn Horror You NEED to Watch Several Times
Ben Wheatley's 2011 Kill List is an obscure film, but one with surprisingly deep themes of class conflict, PTSD, the pressure of everyday life, and the oppressive nature of society. The movie is cloaked in a veneer of hitman action and occult activity, but can be confusing or unsatisfying if purely viewed and interpreted at face value. Richard, Thorin, and Monte discuss why they love Kill List esp
GONJIAM HAUNTED ASYLUM: Modern Spin to Found Footage Horror
This week, Four Play watches our first Korean film: Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum directed by Jung Bum-shik in 2018. The film is part of the found footage horror genre, popularized by other movies like the Blair Witch Project, but takes an extremely modern approach using YouTube and livestreaming to make the premise seem fresh and relevant today. While the storyline may be a weak point, Gonjiam delivers
CURE: The Most Influential Horror Film You've Never Heard About
Kiyoshi Kurosawa's breakout film Cure released in 1997 and, over the years, has become both a cult classic and darling of modern directors. Uniquely disturbing and brilliant, Cure begins as a police procedural and then dives into a totally unique atmosphere of dread as the mesmerist Mamiya confounds his rival, the detective Takabe. The film uses visuals and background sound to hypnotize the audien
SESSION 9: The Best Psychological Horror that Few Have Seen
Four Play's Scary Deep Cuts arc begins with a brooding, psychological horror film that few have seen: Session 9 by director Brad Anderson. Filmed at the derelict Danvers State Medical Hospital in Massachusetts using props left in the building, the movie tells the story of an asbestos removal team losing their sanity in an apparently haunted building. Anchored by solid performances by Peter Mullan
CASABLANCA: Iconic quotes and anti-heroes in WWII Morocco
The timeless classic Casablanca from 1942 closes our Money Shot arc with one of Roger Ebert's top films of all time. Featuring iconic performances from Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Rains, the film deftly portrays the confusion and chaos of World War II even in a seemingly far-flung Moroccan city. Thorin, Richard, and Monte discuss the themes of self-sacrifice, lost love, and duty to
GOODFELLAS: Why this Masterpiece flaunts Horrible characters and themes
Our Money Shot Arc continues with Richard's pick of Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas. While this film borrows some ideas from The Godfather, it instead focuses on the lower-level underbelly of organized crime, showing the brutal and unglamorous side of organized crime. We also explore the connections between this film and HBO's The Sopranos, Joe Pesci's terrifically terrifying performance, and the fil
THE GODFATHER: Why this is the most influential film of all time
The Godfather, an American epic gangster film which debuted in 1972, is Thorin's selection for the Money Shot arc. Hailed as one of the greatest films of all time, director Francis Ford Coppola weaves an engaging story centered around the transformation of Al Pacino's Michael Corleone into a hardened mafia boss. Marlon Brando stands out in his role as the titular "Godfather," but the rest of the e
JURASSIC PARK: Most Divisive Movie, Good or Trash?
Our "Money Shot" arc features each of our hosts selecting a film that they believe the rest of the group will enjoy. We begin with MonteCristo's pick: Steven Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park. Based on the Michael Crichton novel of the same name, this film opened to rave reviews and box office success. It also remains culturally relevant and memeable to this day. However, the film is not
(500) Days of Summer: Psychological Poison in Movie Form
We conclude our Four Play Spit Roast arc with a film that Roger Ebert inexplicably gave four stars, director Marc Webb's (500) Days of Summer from 2009. Richard, Thorin, and Monte all loathe this film for its poor writing, acting, and non-existent character arcs. A relic of hipster culture from the late 2000s, the hosts discuss the subculture from which this movie emerged and how it ends up as ant
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