Bird Box podcast movie review. The Mule movie review. Happy New Year 2019

Bird Box on Netflix ends 2018 in the meme hall of fame 

Did we watch this movie because you the fact that it dominated the “meme” scene on instagram between Christmas and New Year’s

Did we like a Sandra Bullock’s performance? What’d we like about it. 

What happened to the Police academy recruit and her Tall blond junkie paramour? Where’d they go? why? did they make it? why no closure? And here’s why I ask, “The OB/Gyn lady from the beginning of the movie came back at the end, so if we’re randomly closing that loop, i feel like we should’ve closed the one of the police girl and her junkie BF.”

Why were certain people “immune to the mass suicides”? The only quasi-explanation we got was “people who aren’t right mentally” are totally fine. But they also think that 1) whatever they’re seeing is beautiful, and they're compelled to show everybody "the beauty”. But, they are somehow cunning enough to fein victimhood even though they know they are making people kill themselves, and seem lustfully determined to let them kill themselves. 

They never really explained “what the evil spirits were”. They essentially used “sound, wind effects, and creepy music” in place of a true villain or monster (which is creative). 

The spirits not being able to “come inside the houses” also seemed a little flimsy… but I get it. 

John Malkovich was being John Malkovich 

using the car to go to the grocery store — the most far fetched thing — that “GPS NAVIGATION” works well enough to drive you to your destination while you’re blinded. 

The Birds “knowing people were good ad bad” i guess we needed that part. Since it’s the name of the movie 

Was this movie short on explanations because it was haphazardly created, or were they “crazy like a fox” in knowing that they’ll likely make a sequel? 

The Mule review: Had an interesting premise, had a strong cast, and somehow it never quite became the movie we hoped.

Seemed heavy handed in the plot twist movements. Clint missed his daughters wedding for a flower convention. wouldn’t you choose a wedding day that is mutually agreeable for the parents of the bride? Wouldn’t you do so out of “season” especially since they lived in Peoria, Illinois and therefore have a winter/ no growing season. 

The relationship between Clint and Bradley Cooper was really “Chummy” and his relationship with the Cartel prior to Andy Garcia’s character getting murdered was really chummy. 

The grand daughter’s relationship with Clint’s character was way too manufactured and the way in which she called him to say that his ex-wfie was sick and her acting in that scene, not strong. Felt like a Lifetime TV movie in terms of quality. But, somehow Clint and Bradley Cooper and Lawrence Fishburn and Andy Garcia are in the cast. 

I’m not sure I buy the whole “started muling” in 2017 after he lost his business… would have been more interesting if he’d been  mule the whole time and that’s why his family life was garbage. The fact that he put family over business and somehow was still Broke at between 2005 and 2017 because the “Internet” killed the mom and pop flower business… that took my interest level down a few pegs for sure 

Clint confessing to everything at the end - seems like the right move to save his family. If he gets off on probation that Cartel definitely comes after him.

The overly stereotyped messaging in this film was basically, if old white men wanted to be mules and the Cartel would just let them meander around at their own pace, then they’d be #1, also seems like wild hyperbole. 


Rank the places listening in terms of where you’d like to visit next: Ashburn, VA / Atlanta/ Toronto / London / Angeles City Philippines/ Willemstad Curacao / Athens / Cape Town / Christchurch NZ / Orebro Sweden / Schwabisch Hall Germany / Sao Paulo  

The best and most frustrating christmas traditions of all time

The 5 Best and 5 Most Frustrating Christmas Traditions of all-time

Places listening - US wins - but an emphatic Silver medal to the nation of Spain followed by a bronze medal performance from the Philippines

Top 5 cities listening this week - NYC, Los Angeles, Barcelona, & Walpole, MA - but Ashburn, VA listened a lot again — thoughts on this Anne? fans? 

So we put out a vote/ poll to the Filibuster Freestyle pundits / guests/ experts

The question was, “what are your least favorite Christmas traditions?” We through a few out there and others were allowed to add their own and vote.

Creepy Claymation Christmas Kids’ movies - zero votes

People who literally still try to kiss you under the mistletoe - zero votes

Fruit Cake!!!   3% of the vote

Yams! Why do we still east Yams at Xmas dinner!?!?!?  5.3% of the vote

Radio Stations that only play xmas songs for the 6 weeks between xmas and t’giving - 8% of the vote  (there was one affirmative vote in defense of this)

People who have outlandish Xmas setups in their yards - 3 votes including Anne8% of the vote— and to the people who leave their lights and yard displays up until January 27th - I dislike your actions the most. Let it go!

The Build up to New Year’s Eve, that ultimately ends in a crescendo of whiskey, junk food and watching the ball drop by yourself on your couch - 3 vote 8% of the vote

Buying presents for people solely because you’re afraid they’re going to get you something 5 votes 13% of the vote (Anne and I both voted for this one)

Anyone who uses the phrase “Tis the season” - 5 votes 13% of the vote

People who bring their pets to the pet stores for a picture with Santa 5 votes 13% of the vote

This one was the winner - but its’ written ambiguously - People who talk about how saying “Merry Christmas” isn’t politically correct like they’re a complete renegade - 10 votes26% of the vote

Favorite traditions - 

Pic at the top of the stairs. pets have come and gone, a couple of lady friends have come and gone, but we always do it, and then my dad makes some CASH MONEY OMLETS. We also may or may not still be using the original pink advent wreathe candle from when we made advent wreathes in kindergarten in like 1984

We’ve got a bottle of peach schnapps in our family “yankee swap” that keep making appearances as the “official booby prize” — i think it’s showed up for 8-10 years in a row at this point

I tend to not “get into Christmas carols until about 2pm on the afternoon of Christmas — so I tend to reach peak Christmas song mode in my head, on New Year’s eve

New Traditions - I’m going to a New Year’s eve wedding this year - and this might be an awesome way to spend new years. Friends, Free booze, don’t have to drive, music, and a high probability of either shrimp cocktail or scallops wrapped in bacon at the cocktail hour. In fact, Freestyle listeners, if you’re getting married next year, if you book it for New Year’s eve and invite me, I will not only come and get you a sweet present, I will podcast live from your wedding. 

in fact, to any listeners getting married, I’m fascinated with the idea of podcasting someone’s wedding - if you’re up for being my test subjects — holler at me