Despite being over 3000 years old, Homer's 'The Odyssey' has remained an enduring work of fiction. It's hard to conceive how many times this story has been told and retold. For this reason it's all the more compelling to have one of our generations greatest visual storytellers reinterpret this foundational work for modern audiences. In fact, you could argue this may be the richest interpretations, while understanding the limitations of the filmic medium, given the wonders of modern technology (imagine what the ancient Greeks would think of this!). That's without even mentioning that this film was shot entirely on 70 mm IMAX film (a first of it's kind), and while it may very well be a dying medium, it remains one of the grandest forms of visual storytelling available still today. A beautiful marriage of subject and medium. That is all to say that Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' is a remarkable film. The job of pulling an ancient text into the modern world in way that still captures the imagination is no easy task, but I can safely say accomplished with style by Nolan. While certainly not perfect, the film's ability to leverage the story of Odysseus to deliver a message profoundly relevant to our current time speaks both to the timeless nature of the story but also to Nolan's craftsmanship to shape his telling in such a way as to be pointed in the parable. Which may end up being the film's enduring legacy.
Read MoreEpisode 158 - Fincher Unleashed
As the pandemic rages on, and we adjust to the new normal, so does Hollywood. With news that Wonder Woman 1984 will be coming to HBO Max on Christmas, the future of the theatre going experience becomes even more clouded. Meanwhile, David Fincher is in the press, promoting his latest streaming endeavor ‘Mank’, (and dropping some spicy takes!) fresh off signing a 4-year exclusive deal with Netflix of his own. We watch as the Hollywood landscape is remapped on the fly. But it’s not all doom and gloom! I mean, there’s a ‘Wedding Crashers’ sequel in the works, and a new Predator film coming from Dan Trachtenberg. So there’s SOME hope is all I’m saying. Julian, Dan, and Jeremy also touch on the latest from the Snyder Cut, and weigh in on the pressing subject of whether streaming services should let credits play uninterrupted (you know, the important stuff). All that, and so much more, on this week’s Tower of Babble Podcast.
Read MoreToB Interlude - 2001: A Space Odyssey
This week the guys take a brief detour and discuss one of the most highly regarded films of all time. 2001: A Space Odyssey is celebrating it's 50th anniversary and was screened in IMAX for the occasion. Being able to watch Kubrick's masterpiece on the biggest screen with the best sound would be worth the price of admission alone, but imagine if that was your first time ever seeing it? This was the unlikely experience Julian was treated to when he went to the theatre. He sits down with Daniel to discuss everything from the technical wizardry of the 60's, and the merits of an "intermission" in modern cinema, all the way to the deeper meaning of the film, and it's impact on today's movies.
Read MoreEpisode 87 - Wii U-logy
After a week off the ToB Crew returns refreshed and ready to break down all the latest geek news. They jump right in by discussing the latest movie trailers, including the highly anticipated Scarlett Johansson film Ghost in the Shell. Every week brings new comic book movie news so Julian Meush, Daniel D'Souza and Jeremy Kozier examine the rumour of Green Lantern possibly making an appearance in next years Justice League film, David Leitch taking over Deadpool 2 and why we may never see the X-Men in the same movie as the Avengers. Over with Star Wars, it was revealed that Josh Trank's Star Wars anthology film was going to centre around Boba Fett, Emilia Clark joins the cast of the Han Solo film and early tracking numbers are looking good for Rogue One. Before moving onto the news of the big Inhumans TV/IMAX deal the guys discuss the potential future of "variable ticket pricing" at the movie theatre and why it might not be the worst thing in the world. In terms of gaming news, the Wii U has reached the end of its life so its time for its eulogy and then to look forward to the Switch and a possible price point for the hybrid handheld/home console. A brief spoiler review of Arrival wraps up the show along with a brief discussion on The Master, The Theory of Everything, The Edge and The Accountant.
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