Bonus! - Pt. 2 - The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (RT)

So how did we really feel about The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and do our feelings match those of patron Ryan, who demanded this episode AND sent us a heartfelt email to be read in it? Will the Contrarians finally find common ground with Australian cinema, or is this accidental feud doomed to continue forever? And yes, we do muse about the American remake…

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Bonus! - Pt. 1 - The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (CC)

Is there a word for “woke humble bragging” in Australia? Or do people just point to old VHS tapes of THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT? Director Stephan Elliot goes above and beyond to tell the world how open-minded the Land of Oz truly is when it comes to charismatic drag queens, but anyone with an internet connection knows reality is much harsher than what this movie’s peddling. Listen to Alex & Julio as they explore the early careers of Agent Smith, General Zod, and Ed Exley!

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152 - Pt. 2 - Moneyball (RT)

So how true is this true story exactly? And did Alex & Julio experience it differently because one is a sports fan and the other one isn’t? (guess who’s who) Listen as The Contrarians level with each other about the points MONEYBALL makes, the ones it doesn’t, and whether this is Jonah Hill’s best performance.

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152 - Pt. 1 - Moneyball (CC)

How many times is Brad Pitt going to fail at portraying a Regular Joe before he realizes it’s just not within his reach anymore? He’s Hollywood MegaStar Brad Pitt! And even if you could get past that bit of fake news in MONEYBALL, you’d still have to deal with Serious Actor Jonah Hill (successfully) grabbing for an Academy Awards nomination. All this while poor Phillip Seymour Hoffman is ignored on the sidelines, and the plot does its best to suck the fun out of sports. Listen to Alex & Julio give this acclaimed Miller/Zaillian/Sorkin collaboration The Contrarians Treatment!

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151 - Pt. 2 - Semi-Pro (RT)

Boy, you thought we were positive in Contrarians Corner? Wait until you hear Alex during Real Talk. Sit back and enjoy the most enthusiastic discussion about Semi-Pro that’s been had… probably since the movie was pitched to studio execs. But can we figure out why it didn’t succeed in the way other Will Ferrell comedies did around that time?

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151 - Pt. 1 - Semi-Pro (CC)

It turns out that basketball isn’t really appreciated in America. How else would you explain SEMI-PRO’s rotten standing among critics? The Will Ferrell vehicle is a perfect celebration of American can-do attitude, loaded with comedic all-stars at the top of their game, and yet… it’s somehow seen as a lesser Ferrell film. Well, Alex & Julio won’t stand for it! Listen to The Contrarians go to bat (or shoot a hoop) for Jackie, Monix, Clarence, and the rest of the gang!

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Bonus! - Pt. 1 - Pan's Labyrinth (CC)

When it comes to Guillermo Del Toro’s career, it’s peaks and valleys. And there’s no higher peak than his over the top “adult fairy tale” PAN’S LABYRINTH. Listen to Alex & Julio as they poke holes all throughout the movie’s flimsy plot, from Captain Vidal’s inconsistent street-smarts to the ludicrous waste of the most powerful piece of chalk in the universe. You can thank patron Chas Fisher for this one!

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150 - Can't Hardly Wait

Our fifteenth Gray Area Episode also happens to be our 150th episode - which is kind of a big deal. So we needed to tackle an appropriately epic movie for the latest Contrarians battle. Doesn’t get any more epic than CAN’T HARDLY WAIT, a bonafide Ethan Embry vehicle, and you know how we feel about Ethan Embry on this show. Alex will be attacking, Julio will be defending, and they’ll both discuss what’s really going on in this classic teen comedy! Did America peak in 1998?

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149 - Muppets Most Wanted

The Muppathon has reached its international finale! MUPPETS MOST WANTED may be fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, but there’s a reason there hasn’t been a Muppet movie in the seven years since it landed in theaters, isn’t there? Listen to Alex & Julio as they wonder what hurt the final Muppet film the most: Ricky Gervais’ reputation or the lack of Jason Segel’s star power? Also, can anyone untangle the contradictory mess that is Muppets Continuity? And why does the franchise suddenly hate Rizzo?

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