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SF Radio 8.23: Bearing THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT

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In THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT, Nicolas Cage takes on his greatest enemy… Nicolas Cage. After his mounting debt forces him to take on an appearance a birthday party offering a $1M paycheque, Cage somehow becomes embroiled in a CIA investigation, political kidnapping and, most challenging of all, reconciling with his family. This week, Dave Voigt (InTheSeats.ca) and newcomer Adam Kline drop by the podcast to talk about the legacy of Nic Cage, our obsession with celebrities and what makes a ‘good’ film.

You can stream on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify, iHeart Radio or Amazon Podcasts! Or, you can downoad the ep on Apple Podcasts!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

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The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent: Nicolas Cage Deconstructs Nicolas Cage

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In recent years, it has become increasingly popular for films to wink at the camera with an eye of self-awareness. But I don’t know if there will ever be a film that takes a more meta-approach to its filmmaking than The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

With Massive Talent, star Nicolas Cage has created a story that is fantastical, autobiographical and action-packed all rolled up into one. 

It’s also an utter delight from start to finish. 

Directed by Tommy Gorcan, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent follows Hollywood icon Nicolas Cage (playing himself) as he struggles to balance his career and personal problems. Crushed under the weight of his enormous debt and divorce settlement, Cage finds himself taking on roles that are not up to his self-imposed standards in order to pay the bills. When he gets an offer to make an appearance at a rich fan’s birthday party for a hefty $1 million pay check, his ego is insulted by the request but his debt forces him to take the gig. When he arrives, he is drawn to his charismatic benefactor, Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal) who wishes nothing more than to write a screenplay with his idol. However, Cage soon discovers that his wealthy host may not be as innocent as he believes and the actor becomes embroiled in in a CIA plot that requires the real-life Cage to step into action. 

Pedro Pascal as Javi and Nicholas Cage as “fictionalized version of himself” in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

Featuring a wonderful cast that includes Neil Patrick Harris, Ike Barinholtz and Tiffany Haddish, the majority of the cast are working to set Cage up to steal the scenes. Even so, it’s also worth noting that the best performance may lie with Pedro Pascal. Playing Cage’s potential best friend (or super-villain) throughout the film, the relationship between these two characters holds the film together and provides one of the best onscreen bromances we’ve seen in recent years. With energy and enthusiasm, Pascal is easily as gleefully over-the-top as Cage here (and that is not an easy task to manage). Simply put, they are absolutely wonderful to watch on screen. 

For fans of Cage though, Massive Talent will feel like the culmination of the last three decades of his career. Once considered a massive box office draw due to classic action films like Con Air and Face-Off, Cage’s own real-life financial issues caused him to take a step back from the limelight in order to pay off his own colossal debt. As a result, Cage chose to take on endless streams of straight-to-video films that began to veer into increasingly stranger and stranger projects. For many, this could be a career death sentence but, for Cage, it has had the opposite effect. Starring in titles that included the brutal Chuck-E-Cheese satire Willy’s Wonderland, the wild horror Mandy, the faith-based Left Behind and many, many more have made him somewhat of a legend on the indie market. 

What’s more, Massive Talent feels as though it’s being written for the fans while it unfolds in front of them. As Cage and Javi piece together their dream project, so too do we understand that the film is doing the same. Debates about how the third act should unfold affect the storytelling in hilarious ways. Is it a character-driven drama? An action film? With hilarious results, Massive Talent attempts to figure this out yet never loses itself along the way. (‘You have to have something for everyone if you want people to go to the theatre’, the film laughs.)

Although the fictional Cage may not have stopped working (much to the chagrin of his estranged family), the projects he has chosen are smaller in scale, leaving him with a certain sense of anonymity. Fans have begun to wonder where he has gone, even if he repeatedly reminds them “that he [never] went anywhere“. In this way, Cage’s willingness to self-parody his own experience as a megastar gives Massive Talent an added layer of reality that truly gives it life. While we know the film is fiction, it almost feels like a glimpse inside his Hollywood diary.

We know that this isn’t really Cage… but is it? 

Underneath the goofiness, this is very much a film about what it takes to be a man in a world of hyper-reality. Massive Talent serves as a reminder of the humanness of celebrities as they battle personal issues that lie beyond the weirdness of Hollywood and expectations of fans. Shown here as a self-centered narcissist that’s constantly distracted by his phone, Cage’s determination to get back on top is destroying his family. His commitment to validate ‘Cage the Star’ is eating away at the relationships that matter most. (In fact, in some of the film’s most hilarious moments, Cage argues with his younger self about whether or not he is satisfied with his role as a consistently working actor or whether he deserves to be a megastar.)  Fictional Cage has become lost within his own ambition and his world is falling apart as a result. As celebrity culture and rabid fandom can take stars like Cage to the highest of heights, it can also cause you to lose your soul in the process. 

How can you know who you really are when you are trying so hard to be the one that everyone expects? 

Fueled by a world of image obsession, Cage’s self-satirical coming-of-age in this film is that he begins to re-discover the relationships that are most important to him and the sacrifices that may need to be made in order to restore them. This emotional journey gives Massive Talent a much-needed soul that grounds the film, even in its silliest of moments.

Hilarious, heartwarming and self-effacing, it goes without saying that The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is one of Cage’s best roles in years. In a love letter to his fans, Cage’s willingness to poke fun at his own Hollywood image feels genuine as he explores the toxicity of Hollywood on the male ego. What’s more, it’s also a reminder that (maybe) Nicolas Cage is back. 

Not that he ever really went anywhere at all.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is available in theatres on Friday, April 22nd, 2022.

The Matrix Resurrections: Rebooting the Old Code (MINOR SPOILERS)

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“Why use old code to make something new?”

Asked in the opening scene of The Matrix Resurrections, there’s little doubt that this question is meant as a meta-look at the franchise. And it’s a fair question. After 18 years, The Matrix films have long lay dormant in pop culture. So why bother revisiting the ‘old code’? 

The answer is simple: Redemption.

Resurrections is an apt title for a film seeking to bring life to a franchise that has been dead for almost 20 years. After sequels failed to live up to expectations, the Matrix franchise has been a series long overdue for a proper follow-up. Filled with nostalgia, action and the franchise’s trademark innovative special effects, Resurrections is a return to form for the Wachowskis’ legacy. While it may not reach the heights of the original film, it is easily the most entertaining of the sequels and serves as a solid refresh for the series.

In The Matrix Resurrections, Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is man who feels like his life is somewhat stable. The founder of a lucrative video game company, Anderson has achieved success yet still struggles with his mental health. Meeting regularly with his therapist, Anderson is working hard to process his repeated nightmares and flashbacks that plague him. However, when a visitor from his past appears, Anderson must once again decide whether or not to follow the white rabbit into the digital construct of the Matrix and rediscover his persona as the ever-powerful Neo.

Unlike other recent cinematic revivals, Resurrections doesn’t ‘ignore’ the events that happened in lesser films but chooses to build upon them. Old characters and new faces (and some old characters with new faces) help bring the reboot the world without betraying what came before. Anchored by fun performances by Reeves and Moss, the film’s cast seem genuinely engaged with the new direction and show that they still have the necessary chemistry to keep the franchise moving forward. Often stealing the film though is newcomer Neil Patrick Harris who proves to be an incredibly welcome addition to the cast. Although he’s not exactly an action star, Harris is an absolute joy to watch as the mysterious Analyst who twists Neo’s mind with his boyish but maniacal grin.

There’s little question that Resurrections is acutely self-aware of the assignment at hand: help the audience to feel the chills they once did without becoming slavish to the nostalgia. While it sounds simple, this is a very delicate line to walk. Other franchises have attempted to do so yet have been less successful. The Force Awakens essentially rewrote the entire first Star Wars film in order to please the fans. Indiana Jones, Jurassic World, Ghostbusters and more have all attempted to revive stale properties by leaning into the past. (Even the latest Spider-Man film earns much of its marks based on the nostalgic use of its older characters.) 

Certainly, Resurrections leans heavily into its history, however it does so in a very different manner than the aforementioned properties. Whereas some of these other reboots try to hide their similarities to the original, Resurrections fully leans into the moments that are intentionally retreaded. Using film clips as memories and engaging meta-conversations about the importance of the Matrix itself, Wachowski uses the film’s legacy as a launch point for its latest chapter. (After all, Morpheus states, ‘what brings more comfort than a little nostalgia’?) Conversations about fate, duality and purpose fit very neatly into the franchise’s vernacular. Action sequences recognize the need to update the famed ‘bullet time’ style which left its cultural mark. To her credit, Wachowski knows that the fans have certain expectations and she’s more than willing to offer them yet still manages to remain self-aware.

At the same time though, Resurrections also takes the franchise in a new direction. In every aspect of the film, the rules have been changed. For example, while the machine world still remains a threat, the lines of that threat have been blurred. Rather than fighting for human survival, this generation’s war has more to do with individual freedom than it does about freedom from one particular entity. Despite the war that raged in the original trilogy, this film never spits in the face of technology but suggests that there’s a necessary relationship between the two forces so long as both sides feel validated. Whereas once this was a battle between man and machine, Resurrections is much more about man versus control. 

However, the greatest change lies in the story’s use of Neo himself. Once fueled by learning what’s ‘real’, Neo has found a certain complacency within the Matrix that makes it more difficult for him to leave. He is comfortable in his new life and (almost) appears to care little about such things. Although he absolutely still asks bigger questions, he is more willing to accept his dream world as truth because it feels authentic.

In Resurrections, truth has been replaced by feelings.

When he finally does ‘take the red pill’, the true terror of the Matrix is being separated from the one he loves. Community and relationships have become the most valuable commodity in a world of digital separation. As a result, instead of ‘being the One’, Neo appears more interested in ‘saving one’. In doing so, Wachowski refocuses the film’s understanding of hope away from one man sacrificing himself for the world. Instead, Resurrections is about finding hope in rebuilding the world together. 

Although there will undoubtedly be those who won’t be interested in revisiting this version of the Matrix, Resurrections remains a welcome return for the franchise. Featuring the series’ trademark wild special effects and action, Wachowski has managed to reboot the old code into something new that’s still enjoyable and engaging. However, most amazingly, she also has created a film that feels like a necessary next chapter of our relationship to our evolving digital world. 

So, pass the red pill. I’m ready to go back to The Matrix.

The Matrix: Resurrections landed in theatres on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021.

Dads: A Love Letter to Fathers

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Dads don’t always get a lot of good press these days.

At a time when important conversations about toxic masculinity dominate the news and absentee and abusive fathers have become common, men have become better known for their sins than their strengths. From acts of violence to abuse of their authority, the nightly news features the latest examples of how men have lost sight of what it means to be a positive influence.

Thankfully, Dads, the new documentary by Bryce Dallas Howard, wants to tell us another story.

In her directorial debut, Howard takes the opportunity to explore modern fatherhood and celebrate those men who want to leave a positive mark on the lives of their children. Beginning with personal stories about her own famous father, Howard clearly wants Dads to be a love letter to fathers who remain dedicated to their families. Juxtaposing the testimonials of such celebrity parents as Will Smith, Neil Patrick Harris, Kim Jeong, Hasan Minhaj and many others with the stories of everyday families around the world, Howard recognizes the successes, challenges and failures that dads experience as they attempt to navigate the world of contemporary parenting.

Charming and engaging, Howard’s doc balances its voice effectively by showcasing men of different races, sexualities and social status in order to offer a variety of perspectives on fatherhood and the male experience. In doing so, Howard brings to light many of the common experiences of these men who want their children to be healthy and feel loved. Though their circumstances differ, each of the men featured in Howard’s doc hold the responsibility of parenthood firmly in view as they struggle to navigate the challenges of raising children. Whether they are breaking stereotypes as stay-at-home fathers or looking to maintain a work-life balance, each testimonial speaks to the sacrifices that these men are willing to make for the sake of their child’s emotional or physical health. While none of these men suggest their own perfection, each one speaks to the depth of their commitment to their families, despite their anxieties about their role as parents.

In fact, it’s the film’s openness about paternal insecurities that gives Dads its emotional weight. While the film offers numerous success stories about what it means to be a committed parent, the openness of her subjects and interviews serves as a reminder that fatherhood is often riddled with feelings of inadequacy. Regardless of their situation, each man openly expresses the fears and frustrations of attempting to navigate the trials of raising children ‘without a manual’. Though every father featured adores their family, they all confess to feeling insufficient in their role, unsure of whether or not they actually measure up as a parent. (In fact, in one particularly honest moment, Minhaj even points out that his greatest question is whether it’s actually he or his children that are the ones that truly decide the quality of his parenting.) 

By giving voice to their parental insecurities, Howard recognizes the humanity of the men that have influenced our lives. Highlighting their brokenness, the true beauty of Dads is that it paints these men with a loving brush of grace as a reminder that their role matters in the lives of their children. For Howard, the point is not to depict these men as faultless but rather serve as a reminder of the love that drives so many fathers, despite their imperfections. (After all, doesn’t love cover a multitude of sins?) In this way, Howards portrays her subjects as examples of commitment and courage, regardless of their situations or flaws.

While Dads contains very few ‘revelations’ about parenting, it’s clear from the outset that this is never the intent of the film. Instead, Howard’s debut is meant to be ‘thank you card’ to fathers of all types that reveals what goes on in their minds, whether it be their reactions when they first meet their child to dealing with feelings of failure. As a result, Dads is an emotionally powerful celebration of the imperfect men in our lives and their impact upon us all.

Dads is available to stream on Apple TV+ now.

Justice League Unlimited: The Complete Series On Blu-ray – Heroes United!

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justiceleaguemainFrom the Warner Archive Collection, Justice League Unlimited bursts onto televisions everywhere in this fantastic, high definition version. For the first time, the entire series is now available on Blu-ray, featuring the episodes from July 2004 to May 2006 in the series that immediately succeeded Justice League. With more heroes, more villains, and more team-ups, this is stellar DC entertainment for old and new fans of every age!

Originally, the Justice League was ‘simply’ the seven best known heroes (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, J’onn J’onzz, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl) but after the results of the previous season of Justice League, the JL expands to include lesser known (or at least, under appreciated) heroes like Green Arrow, Black Canary, Hawk & Dove, Booster Gold, The Question, Jonah Hex, and others. It also means that these stories can use galactic enemies of the league like Mongul, Ares, or Darkseid, as well as more individualized characters like Solomon Grundy or Gorilla Grodd.

justiceleagueunlimitedAstute pop culture fans will recognize dozens of voices who coast through the show. Of course, at the core are still essential voices like Kevin Conroy as Batman, George Newbern as Superman, Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Michael Rosenbaum as Flash, and Phil LaMarr as Green Lantern. But isn’t it fun to hear from Mark Hamill, Neil Patrick Harris, J.K. Simmons, Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Robert Englund, Fred Savage, Ioan Gruffudd, or Rob Zombie as a hero – 0r a villain?

While it’s great fun to watch an animated series featuring your favorite superhero (various Batman cartoons, Green Lantern, or Superman ones come to mind), the purpose here allows for a much wider spectrum of stories featuring science, space, magic, and more. But it also raises more questions about how the League – I almost said, Society, but that would be another thing entirely – relate to each other.

We would like to believe that all good guys (and gals) get along, right? But it doesn’t actually work that way. We don’t actually necessarily enjoy every other ‘good’ person’s company – we don’t actually necessarily like everyone else who goes to our church. The thing is, the Kingdom of Heaven isn’t about ‘liking’ everyone else, but it’s about loving everyone as best you can, about loving them as if they were yourself. While the Justice League Unlimited team doesn’t always get along, they do realize how important it is to work together on their common vision – ending evil and tyranny everywhere!

While the bulk of the content is these decade-old episodes (with their seriousness, their silliness, their cartoonish animation), fans may also enjoy other features like the creator commentary on “This Little Piggy” or “The Return,” made by well-known artists, Paul Dini and J.M. DeMatteis. Given that the series was taken in a different direction between the end of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, the series special features include “And Justice For All” about using the same characters in a different way. One of the two major story arcs, Project Cadmus, gets the superstar treatment as well, with the insights from Hamill and others in “Cadmus Exposed.” Various writers, producers, and directors also share their thoughts on the wrap-up of the series in “Justice League Chronicles.”

Again, the beauty of Justice League Unlimited is seeing your favorite, well-worn characters in a new way (as kids in “Kids Stuff” – based on JLA: World without Grownups and Young Justice: Sins of Youth) and meeting new ones for the first time. No matter what combination you experience, there are moments of humor and adventure that will leave you cheering – in this case, you could watch all day!