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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.

Wonder Woman 1984: Be Careful What You Wish For

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What’s your greatest wish?

Whether it’s world peace, romance or even just ‘more wishes’, everyone has something that they would ask for if given the chance. But what are you willing to sacrifice to get it? 

This is the primary question behind Wonder Woman 1984 (or WW84), the follow-up to Patty Jenkin’s 2017 blockbuster that revived a flagging DC cinematic universe. Once again directed and co-written by Jenkins, WW84 is bombastic blast of colour that never loses the character moments that gives this franchise its heart. While it isn’t as ground-breaking as its predecessor, WW84 is still a thoroughly enjoyable follow-up that continues the journey of the Amazonian princess and solidifies her as one of the great cinematic superheroes of the modern age.

Set amidst the vibrant and sleek 1980s, Wonder Woman 1984 finds Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) keeping a low profile amongst the mortals that she loves so dearly. Working as a museum curator, she only steps into the heroic limelight if she can do so without public acclaim. However, when an ancient artifact with magical abilities draws the attention of the smarmy businessman Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal), Diana must not only face off against a growing evil but her own battle with temptation as well.

Though this is a film that truly does deserve the big screen treatment, it is significant that WW84 followed through with its 2020 release date, even if it must be on demand instead of its planned theatrical rollout. (Honestly, who could’ve expected that this would be the only superhero epic that we got to see this year?) With its bright colours, infectious energy and positive messages, it’s fair to say that this may be the blockbuster that we have been waiting for in 2020. (No offense, Tenet.) While one would be hard pressed to say that this film were gritty or self-reflective in any way (again, read: Nolan, Christopher), WW84 still proves poignant as it emphasizes the importance of living in the truth of the moment as opposed to clinging to false dreams or ‘what-if’ scenarios.

For her second time leading the franchise, Jenkins’ work in WW84 continues to impress. As only her third feature (!!), she understands the sort of character development required to engage the audience without losing the impact of the action sequences. Given the setting, this is a film that leans heavily into nostalgia, even in its set pieces. (In fact, even an early fight scene in the mall feels like a campy throwback to the very earliest of superhero films like Superman: The Movie) Keeping the tone light throughout the film, Jenkins allows the fun to shine brightly yet still manages to give the drama some real emotional stakes. (Heck, she even manages to bring back the deceased Steve Trevor in a way that feels justified within the film.)

With every turn as the character, Gadot grows more confident and comfortable in the role of Diana Prince. What’s more, her onscreen chemistry with co-star Chris Pine continues to ground their characters, as they support and challenge one another in various moments. (In fact, in an interesting twist, WW84 actually flips the dynamic between the two characters from the first film, with Pine’s Trevor as the somewhat naïve soul learning from the more confident and self-aware Diana.) However, the real surprise of the film is Wiig who clearly relishes the opportunity to take on the role of villain. Known for her comedic work, Wiig’s performance feels familiar at the film’s outset as the awkward and self-conscious Barbara Minerva. However, as the film progresses, Wiig truly settles into the role, imbuing Barbara with a dark ambition that makes her a suitable foil for Gadot’s Diana.

Whereas the film’s ‘period setting’ admittedly felt gimmicky when details of the sequel were first announced, it’s extremely appropriate for the film. Set at the height of the ‘Me Generation’, WW84 makes good use of the psychology of self-improvement and selfishness that defined the 80s. Drenching the film in golden colours throughout much of the film, Jenkins leans into this notion of self-indulgence by creating a visual world of luxury that would make King Midas jealous. At a time of financial excess and an obsession with the ‘image’, this was an era that sought to teach us that who we were was never enough and to always reach for more. (“Life is good, but it could be better,” Lord repeats.) 

However, without giving away any spoilers, it’s worth noting that WW84 recognizes the damage of this greediness and its effect on others. For every wish that’s fulfilled, there comes a cost to be paid by the person who makes the request. The more one leans into their own selfishness, the greater the impact on those around them. As such, the film calls for global humility in order to survive and serves as a reminder that self-sacrifice is required by all in order to heal the world. (Again, a much-needed commentary during the current pandemic.)

Fun and enthusiastic, Wonder Woman 1984 sparkles with joy. Rather than use the sequel to create a ‘darker’ entry into the franchise, Jenkins continues to allows heart, love and reason to win the day. In essence, WW84 is a film about finding contentment in the moment despite our circumstances and working together to build a brighter future.

And, in 2020, what more could you want?

“Wonder Woman 1984” 4K UHD Combo Pack and Blu-ray includes special features “The Making of Wonder Woman 1984: Expanding the Wonder,” “Gal & Kristen: Friends Forever” and “Gal & Krissy Having Fun” about its two stars; “Small But Mighty,” two scene studies, “Meet the Amazons,” the “Black Gold” commercial; a gag reel; and the WW1984 retro remix.

7.10 The Truth about WONDER WOMAN 1984

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Widely regarded as one of WB’s greatest achievements, 2017’s Wonder Woman was a landmark film that broke records and was celebrated throughout Hollywood. Now, with the release of Wonder Woman 1984, the Amazonian princess returns with… less fanfare. Divisive from the moment of its release, WW84 sees Diana in the heart of the ‘Me Generation’ of the 1980s as she attempts to defeat the villainous Max Lord and Cheetah. This week, returnees Deb ‘Wonder’ Whalen and Gary Blaze stop by to talk about the film’s depiction of greed, its understanding of truth and why it has struggled to connect with audiences.

You can stream the episode on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify or Amazon Podcasts! Or, you can download 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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7.08 Behind the Mask of THE MANDALORIAN

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When the Star Wars universe made the transition to the small screen, no one could have predicted the cultural impact that The Mandalorian would have. Featuring a sympathetic hero in Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), a wild-west atmosphere and, of course, Baby Yod… er… the Child, Mando has become a pop culture phenomenon, reviving a flagging franchise and rebuilding trust with its fans. This week, we welcome back pastor Jedi Greg Banik and ScreenFish padawan Gary Blaze to talk about the magic of the series and identifying with the man behind the mask.

(NOTE: This episode features spoilers up to episode 5 of Season 2.)

You can stream the episode on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify or Amazon Podcasts! Or, you can download 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 Mandalorian: This is The Way

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Last week, I had the honor and privilege of attending the red carpet premiere of The Mandalorian. It was a fan event that had a Q&A in the beginning, and then a screening of the first three episodes.

First, a little backstory as to how this came about. I love Star Wars, and I also love giving back. Two years ago, I decided to merge those two loves together and started my journey out of my comfort zone into costuming. Fast forward to a year ago, and I became an official member of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club. I’ve had the privilege to do many charity works from hospitals, orphanages, charity walks, etc. The smile on the children’s faces is the only reward or perk that I need. Last week, however, the reward was an invitation by Disney/Lucasfilm to attend the premiere. Along with many fellow Mandos, we descended upon Hollywood Blvd at the El Capitan Theatre where we stood along the red carpet as stars and those who worked on the show arrived. It was an experience that can’t be described.

The Mandalorian isn’t like any Star Wars film before it (of course, it’s not a film but a series). Werner Herzog said it best at the premiere when he stated that, “This is the birth of a new mythos within the already established mythology.” As a fan of what the Mandalorian culture has been in Star Wars lore, having a live action series centered around that (and no longer be referred to as Boba Fett, who isn’t even a Mandalorian) had me filled with excitement and fear. Will it be done right? How will a series work? Will there be more and simply focus on just one? Of course, most of those fears were quelled when I heard Jon Favreau was working alongside George Lucas’ padawan himself, Dave Filoni (The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels, Star Wars: Resistance). For Dave to move from animation to live action, taking all he learned from George and pass it on to this show, gave me peace about it.

Of course, this isn’t a rambling fan boy article. So, what about the show itself? Well, all those fears were erased within the first episode. The Mandalorian has arrived and is everything that it should be. Herzog wasn’t wrong in the notion that this is essentially creating a new mythos within the mythology that already exists.

And that’s what makes it even greater.

The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN. Photograph by Francois Duhamel/Lucasfilm Ltd

There is no question that the fandom can’t come to agreement with how Star Wars should expand (or if it should at all). The reality is that it should expand but it shouldn’t be based on what many fans wanted from it: the expanded universe (now known as ‘legends’). The Mandalorian, though giving fan service, feels fresh and new. The only knock against it that I feel is the run time…. I need more! It’s amazing that, for a character that never takes his “bucket” off, one can really see his emotions through his body language. Pedro Pascal works the camera in a way where you can tell if he’s frustrated, relieved, curious, angry and more. You get a glimpse into Mandalorian culture, how they are the best warriors in the galaxy and the most feared. As one of my favorite Marvel heroes say, ‘they are the best at what they do.’

WARNING SPOILERS

By now, the first two episodes have aired and, as I said, I saw the first three. I won’t focus too much on the first two episodes but be warned. This is about Episode 3 and how it eclipsed all of my expectations by signifying what makes Mandalorians the best. In Episode 1, we see The Mandalorian get an advance payment of Beskar, the metal that Mandalorians forge their armor from. It is unique to them and is part of a war-filled history. Some can be centuries old as it is past down form generation to generation. When the Great Purge took place, the Empire stole the Beskar. So, it makes sense for a former Imperial to have some in his possession after the fall of the Empire. Beskar is as rare as the Mandalorians themselves in this time period. It’s what made the first episode so significant to me. Yes, the rescue and the baby Yoda (no, it’s not Yoda) sequence was amazing and the Jawas in Episode 2 were hilarious. But it’s the moment after The Mandalorian gets the Beskar that really drew my attention. It took me three times watching it to realize, as The Mandalorian makes his way to The Armorer, that this hidden alley is filled with other Mandalorians.

That brief viewing and brief encounter brings us to Episode 3. The one thing about Star Wars is that it reveals the heart of a character. With Han, we see a scoundrel and smuggler who’s heart was good, noble, hero and a friend. We see that the good can be tempted and sometimes fall to the dark side, but they can be redeemed. The Mandalorian captures just that in this third episode. You see the real heart of a man who’s face you never see. You see how much the tribe means to him. Most importantly though, we learn how much his past makes his present and future important. Mandalorians are in hiding because the tribe is more important than the individual. But, sometimes, you have to make a choice that risks that very thing. For The Mandalorian, he could have easily went about his business. But that is neither his way, nor his tribe’s way. To do good, and to protect the foundlings (I have my own theories on that but won’t get into it now) stands above all. To him, a foundling isn’t just those around him, hidden from view. Knowing that they would be willing to kill the child for whatever devious plot they had, he saw himself and his fellow foundlings in the child that he brought in. His decision to go back and (quite awesomely) rescue him put all he had accomplished at risk. In fact, through his actions, he basically threw it all away.

But here’s what family is really about. What sets Mandalorians apart and has always appealed to me, is that it isn’t just the warrior spirit. It is that sense of community and family. When all hope seemed to be fading and effort lost, his family arrived, throwing all they had worked to protect away. Jetpacks, missile launchers, and a Heavy Weapons Gatling gun firing while hovering in the air warrior showed off all that is amazing about Mandalorians.

This episode felt like a season finale, yet we still have 5 more episodes to go. I’m not sure how they are going to top it but one thing is for certain: The Mandalorian is proving to be worth all the hype that it was made out to be. To see that pay off in theatre with some of my Aliit (family in Mando’a) is an experience one can never forget. The Mandalorian isn’t just about a lone warrior making his way through the galaxy with a youngling in tow (some of the great old Samurai film tropes). It is about family, loyalty, duty, and fighting evil even if it costs everything. This is the way!

The Mandalorian airs on Disney+ and releases new episodes every Friday.