This week on FoF: my new home cinema setup refuses to woof, and hope for the 5-star masterpiece "One Battle After Another". PLUE I review "The Lost Bus" and "The Smashing Machine" - both true stories. One is a claustrophobic thriller and the other stars The Rock. And yes, I do decide if he’s winning the Oscar. And MORE!

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TIMESTAMPS
(00:00 ) TikTok/Insta @fredasquithonfilm - THANKS FOR 10k!
(01:14 ) My new Dolby Atmos subwoofer isn’t allowed to woof
(02:15 ) One Battle After Another response / box office
(06:40 ) Sip of my juice merch
(07:35 ) Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer, why
(11:14 ) Avatar 2 re-release, don’t bother
(12:40 ) Sip of my juice merch
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THE LOST BUS REVIEW
(13:35 ) Synopsis / Intro
(15:36 ) Paul Greengrass qualities with escalating real-time chaos
(17:25 ) He pioneered the “shaky cam” dialogue/action style
(18:19 ) The intimacy of The Lost Bus suits him, but…
(18:49 ) …fewer practical effects
(20:03 ) I could sense the budget constraints and cutting around the seams
(23:30 ) The nature of the story itself possibly too claustrophobic
(25:10 ) Good performances, cliché dialogue and themes
(25:55 ) The “shaky cam” feels dated
(28:18 ) Summary and LETTERBOXD RATING. See that rating HERE.
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THE SMASHING MACHINE REVIEW – SPOILERS!
(28:40 ) Synopsis / Intro – SPOILERS
(29:21 ) Spoilers incoming!
(29:45 ) I’m not sure what the core driver of this movie is.
(34:45 ) My biggest ick with sporting movies
(35:45 ) Is the real life story good enough to adapt?
(38:04 ) There were positives, such as this allegory for addiction
(39:49 ) I felt like I was immersed in the era
(40:49 ) Some transcendent moments
(42:35 ) Will The Rock win the Oscar? It’s now or never
(44:13 ) The fighting scenes lacked punch – pun intended
(46:16 ) Summary and LETTERBOXD RATING. See that rating HERE. 
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(46:48 ) Coming up!!!