Feature Underground

And here's my review of The Naked Gun, starring Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, and Danny Huston. It's directed by Akiva Schaffer and written by Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, and Akiva Schaffer. Hunter addresses the simple question of "is it funny," what makes its stupidity funnier than Adam Sandler's straight-to-Netflix stupidity, and the UFC's growing influence on film. 0:00 Intro0:29 Is it Funny?1:15 Jokes are Back2:26 Good Stupid and Bad Stupid3:51 Low on Celebrities and Modern SNL4:34 Liam Neeson4:51 UFC in CinemaTo support the Feature Underground, consider donating by hitting the Super Thanks button below the video.Follow this-a-way: X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#nakedgun #comedy #moviereview

And here's my review of Fanastic Four: First Steps. The film is directed by Matt Shakman and written by way too many people. Who held the pencil, who held the paper, and whose back did they use? It stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ralph Ineson. Hunter discusses the film's embracing of Jack Kirby's art, what the film means to a lapsed MCU fan, and why its fast pace is an issue. 0:00 Intro0:24 F4 to the Lapsed MCU Fan1:53 What is a Starnold?3:58 Embracing Jack Kirby6:09 Too Fast-Paced8:05 Overcorrecting for Origin Story Fatigue9:49 Missing the MCU Magic#fantasticfour #mcu #moviereview

And here's my review of Eddington, written and directed by Ari Aster, produced and distributed by A24. It stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone.Hunter discusses how the film satirizes our posturing and signaling in the digital era, which side the film comes down on, Aster's ear for culture war nuances, Death Stranding 2, and much more. 0:00 Intro0:59 A Comedy of Posturing2:12 Which Side is the Film On?3:10 Hypocrisy & Absurdities4:14 Bringing Out the Worst in Us6:39 Tonally Amoral8:56 Aster & Kojima10:21 How Will Eddington Age?To support the Feature Underground, consider donating by hitting the Super Thanks button below the video.Walk this way [limps with a hump]...X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#eddington #a24 #moviereview

And here's my review of F1 The Movie, written by Ehren Kruger and Joseph Kosinski, directed by Joseph Kosinkski. It stars Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem.Hunter discusses how film's lack of guts, how it compares to Steve McQueen's Le Mans, and the impressive racing sequences. 0:00 Intro0:44 Risk-Averse Film About the Value of Risk1:55 Steve McQueen's Le Mans3:45 Am I Overthinking It?4:50 Symphonic Racing Scenes6:01 Themes and Cool Dude Pitt7:49 Frankenheimer's Grand Prix8:20 What's NextTo support the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/) #f1 #bradpitt #moviereviews

And here's my non-spoiler review of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, directed by Christopher McQuarrie. It stars Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Angela Bassett. The film follows secret spy guy, Ethan Hunt, as he jumps, swings, falls, and dives. There are plot machinations that aren't important. Hunter discusses how the film loses its campy '60s roots, continuing the franchise's reputation for great set pieces, and its terrible opening hour. 0:00 Intro0:37 The Good Stuff1:52 Losing the '60s Roots2:25 Horrible First Hour5:22 Three-Hour Blockbusters6:18 Old Man Cruise6:50 Summary + The Phoenician SchemeTo support the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#missionimpossible #moviereview #tomcruise

And here's my review of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 character-thriller, High and Low, starring Toshirō Mifune. This is the first entry in the Feature Pantheon series, which will have me revisiting the greatest movies ever made. The film follows a wealthy executive suddenly face with a dilemma: his hard-earned wealth or the life of someone else's child? What follows is a clever police procedural that's less of a whodunit and more of a whatsitdun. Hunter discusses the blocking of the opening hour, why the kidnapper wears sunglasses, and intellectual rug-pull of the film's final moments. 0:00 Preface1:45 Thoughts on Kurosawa3:12 The Opening Hour9:35 Elevating the Procedural 14:15 The Man in the Sunglasses16:25 The Final Scene19:15 The Remake: Bad Idea?To support the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#kurosawa #classicfilm #moviereview

And here's my review of Henry Johnson, written and directed by legendary playwright, David Mamet. It stars Evan Jonigkeit, Shia LaBeouf, Chris Bauer, and Dominic Hoffman.Link to the movie: https://henryjohnsonmovie.com/Based on the play of the same name, the film follows the impressionable Henry Johnson -- a walking opportunity in a world of running opportunists. Hunter discusses how the whether or not Mamet's ear of dialogue is still intact, Shia LaBeouf's attention-grabbing performance, and the truly pathetic protagonist. 0:00 How to Watch It1:54 Mamet Dialogue + Theater2:35 First Impression4:46 Shia LaBeouf6:22 What the Movie's About7:13 Truly Pathetic Protagonist8:22 Lean Storytelling9:02 No More "Like and Subscribe"10:14 The Next Review10:29 Feature PantheonTo support the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#davidmamet #shialabeouf #moviereview

And here's my non-spoiler review of Warfare, directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza. It stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandolfini, Joseph Quinn, and Charles Melton.The film follows a platoon of Navy SEALs trying to escape a home while under fire by Iraqi insurgents. Hunter discusses how the film backs up its tagline, the focus on errors, and its unique place among post-9/11 war films. 0:00 Preface1:09 Memories as Source Material2:11 A Tragedy of Errors5:57 Physicality of Combat7:57 True Ensemble Piece10:03 Hands-Off Storytelling11:32 What's NextTo join the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#warfare #a24 #moviereview

And here's my non-spoiler review of Black Bag, the newest movie from Steven Soderbergh. It stars Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchette, Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, Tom Burke, and Pierce Brosnan.A little bit Mr. and Mrs. Smith and a little bit Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Black Bag ends up being an espionage whodunit. The detective is legendary spy, George Woodhouse, and his suspects are not only his coworkers, but his own wife. Hunter discusses the enigma that is Steven Soderbergh, Black Bag's quirky structure, the slight undercurrent of political satire, and Tom Burke's alleged heritage. 0:00 Intro0:45 Throwback Soderbergh3:12 What is Black Bag?5:32 Satirical Undercurrent7:14 Tom Burke's Parents7:44 Summary + What's NextTo join the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#blackbag #moviereview #filmreview

And here's my non-spoiler review of Daredevil: Born Again's first season. The show stars Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Wilson Bethel, Michael Gandolfini, and Jon Bernthal. Daredevil is back, and now with an all-new supporting cast. Does the show survive the move from Netflix to Disney Plus? What's been gained and what's been lost?Hunter discusses all of this and more, including what made the Netflix series great, how the action has changed, the failure of the new cast, the cinematography, and much more. 0:00 Intro1:09 What Made the Netflix Series Great3:45 The Disney Effect5:56 Charlie Cox6:53 The Action8:20 The Cinematography 9:34 Reboot Woes10:55 Best Episodes12:27 What's NextTo join the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#daredevilbornagain #daredevil #marvel

And here's my non-spoiler review of The Monkey, written and directed by Osgood Perkins, but based on a short story by Stephen King. When we first meet the titular toy, it’s a generational albatross tight around the necks of the Shelburn family (Adam Scott, Tatiana Maslany, and Theo James), though we later get the impression it has nothing personal against the Shelburns. The monkey just has a devilish affinity for taking up residence in the dark, empty spaces left by absentee fathers, and the Shelburns happen to have more than one. Elijah Wood is here, too. Hunter discusses the film's emphasis on childhood, the Jerry Lewis approach to horror, and well-reviewed movies that don't leave an impression. 0:00 Not a Horror Film0:57 Orwell & King3:37 What's the Plot?5:35 America's Funniest Home Demises6:21 Problems9:36 What's NextTo join the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#themonkey #horrorfilm #moviereview

Three Russ Meyer classics have been restored in 4K and an impending Blu-Ray release is upon us. January 28th, to be precise. These films include Vixen! (1968), Supervixens (1975), and Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens (1979, co-written by Roger Ebert). Severin Films, responsible for the upcoming release and two of the restorations, was kind enough to send me early copies. One thing led to another, and now I'm here with this video review. 0:00 Intro 1:21 Nudies in Living Color 3:51 Artistic Value & Vixen! 7:15 Ebert's Impish Side 9:07 Supervixens & Ultravixens 12:07 Special Features 14:30 Closing Thoughts & What's Next To join the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/join X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/) Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun) Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/) #RussMeyer #Bluray #moviereview

To celebrate making it out of 2024 alive, I wanted to do something truly unprecedented: create a list of my favorite movies from the past year. Bear with me, as something like this has never been attempted. 0:00 Intro 1:40 Anora 2:52 The Beast 4:02 The Brutalist 5:10 Coup De Chance 6:06 A Different Man 8:18 Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World 9:50 Drive-Away Dolls 10:42 Furiosa 11:50 Hundreds of Beavers 12:59 The Substance 14:29 Other 2024 Favorites & What's Next To join the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/join X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/) Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun) Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/) #top10movies #oscars2025 #film

And here's my non-spoiler review of Nosferatu, the latest movie from Robert Eggers, which stars Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Willem Dafoe. After a mysterious Count purchases some land in 19th-century Germany, a deeply evil presence casts its shadow on the city. Call him Dracula. Call him Orlok. Just don't call him collect. Transylvania's far. Hunter discusses how this version of the Count leaves much to be desired, the potent atmosphere and immersive environments, and why in an insane movie, it is the sane actors who fail. 0:00 Intro 1:17 A Retelling, Not a Reimagining 2:26 The Count 5:50 Plotty 7:18 Potent Imagery 9:27 Lily-Rose Depp is Very Good 10:54 Closing Thoughts & What's Next To join the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/join X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/) Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun) Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/) #nosferatu #horrormovies #roberteggers

And here's my review of A Complete Unknown, the upcoming Bob Dylan movie starring Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, and Scoot McNairy. The film chronicles Bob Dylan's early days as an artist, from the moment he arrived in New York City to his tumultuous performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. As he evolves as an artist, the public--and those closest to him--try to simplify, classify, deny, defy, and crucify him. Hunter discusses how the the film's monotonous approach is antithetical to the Dylan persona, where it gets Dylan right, its emphasis on Woody Guthrie, and a clever trick it does with its screenplay. 0:00 How My Opinions Changed 1:42 At Odds with the Dylan Persona 4:26 Respects the Music 5:37 Script Faults 7:33 Importance of Woody Guthrie 9:31 Dylan as Protagonist 14:49 Dialogue & Supporting Characters 16:34 Timothée Chalamet 19:06 Fame, No Direction Home, Dylan's Involvement 21:49 Closing Thoughts & What's Next To join the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/join X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/) Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun) Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/) #ACompleteUnknown #bobdylan #folkmusic

And here's my review of Juror #2, the latest and quite possibly last movie from the legendary Clint Eastwood. It stars Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons, Zoey Deutch, and Kiefer Sutherland. After a small theatrical release, it will come out on MAX on December 29th. Juror #2 is a high-concept story, as it centers around a juror in a murder trial who not only knows the defendant to be innocent, but is himself guilty of the crime. Hunter discusses how unsentimental the movie is compared to Eastwood's recent work, the casual dread at its core, and why we should respect the masters while they're alive. 0:00 Intro 1:38 Solid Late-Eastwood 3:08 The Screenplay 5:24 Casual Dread 8:55 Unsentimental Eastwood 10:17 Respect the Masters 12:41 Housekeeping & What's Next X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/) Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun) Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/) #film #clinteastwood #filmcritic

And here's my spoiler free review of Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott. It stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pescal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Connie Nielsen. The film finds slave-turned-gladiator, Lucius (Mescal), on a Death Wish campaign to avenge the killing of his wife by Roman general, Acacius (Pescal). He ends up purchased by a former slave, Macrinus (Washington), who has ambitions of his own. If I tell you any more, Ridley Scott will fire a cannon into my gut. Hunter discusses the movie's infectious fun, how it improves on the first film, and why its averseness to risk hinders its potential. 0:00 Intro 1:14 Ridley Scott in Good Form 3:10 Everyone's Having Fun 5:02 Restraint and Reverence 5:55 Improvement on the Original 9:29 Handicaps 11:03 Sword and Sandal Movies 12:19 Q&A and What's Next X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/) Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun) Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/) #film #gladiator #ridleyscott

And here's my review of Heretic, the latest A24 production. It stars Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East. It's directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. We meet two Mormon girls (Thatcher and East) on their uphill assignment of converting complete strangers to an entirely new religion. They're naive, but smart, and easy targets for mockery. When Mr. Reed (Grant) opens the door with a humble smile, it's a radical contrast to the cruel bullies from earlier in the day. But their pleasant visit quickly turns into a sinister lecture on religion. Hunter discusses how Hugh Grant carries the movie's heavy load, how it doesn't follow through on its excellent first act, and its tendency to overplay its hand. 0:00 Intro and Pie 1:34 The Hugh Grant Show 4:19 First Act Sets a High Bar 6:13 Second and Third Act Disappoint 7:50 Rolling My Eyes 10:17 Closing Thoughts & What's Next X Instagram Tik Tok Letterboxd #film #a24 #heretic

And here's my review of Anora, the festival sweetheart directed by Sean Baker and starring Mikey Madison. The ending of Anora is discussed at the end of the video in a spoiler section. If you're not already aware, Anora is about a stripper whose ability to speak Russian gets her an admirer in the ambiguously rich Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn). Dressed in her finest pair of jean shorts, Anora marries Vanya and kicks off a highly unpredictable honeymoon phase. Trust me: the less you know about the movie, the better. Hunter discusses the movie's uncommon structure, how it evolves Baker's primary motif, and the curious ending (spoiler section). 0:00 Intro 2:11 Sean Baker Evolved 5:29 Three Movies in One 8:45 Standout Performances 10:18 The Ending (SPOILERS) 14:13 Closing Thoughts + What's Next X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/) Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun) Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/) #film #anora #moviereview

And here's my review of Memoir of a Snail, one of my favorite movies of the year so far. It features the voice talents of Sarah Snook, Eric Bana, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jacki Weaver, and Nick Cave. It's directed by Adam Elliott, who hasn't directed a movie since 2009's critically acclaimed, Mary and Max. The life of Grace Pudel (Snook) is not a charmed one, but it's not an unusual one either. It's a volatile wave of bad decisions, strokes of luck, thunderbolts from God, and beautiful epiphanies. If the film has a hero, it's Grace's octogenarian friend, Pinky, who returns books by putting them in the trash can. Hunter discusses the movie's nuanced perspective of life, its Dickensian influence, and how perfectly it weaves together comedy and pathos. 0:00 Intro 2:07 Visuals & Tone 3:40 Life Sucks, and Also Doesn't 6:43 Nuanced Character Arch 8:19 Expert Writing & Dickens 9:57 Genuinely Funny 12:08 What's Up Next X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/) Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun) Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/) #film #animation #foreignfilm