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CIVIL WAR MOVIE REVIEW
Director/Writer Alex Garland is known for his not exactly optimistic but deeply intelligent sci-fi films, like Ex-Machina and Annihilation. It seemed surprising for him to veer so distinctly political with his latest, Civil War, and very near future at that. Needless to say, there has been no small amount of ‘why in hell would I want to see this movie?’ sentiments loudly expressed online. Many feel that the film appears to be taking advantage of the current heightened tensions in the US and is irresponsible. As it turns out, Chris, Wright, Eric, and Mike thought that nothing could be further from the truth, although one certainly can’t be blamed for feeling that way from the marketing. Civil War takes place in the final days of a war to depose a sitting President (Nick Offerman) now entering his third term. Nothing is really made clear about the specifics of the politics on either side. What is clear is that there’s nothing romantic or good about war and especially a civil war. A renowned photojournalist Lee (Kirsten Dunst) is traveling across the country to try to get an interview with the President before his inevitable deposition, as the troops close in. She is joined by her colleague Joel (Wagner Moura), her mentor and friend Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), and a young photographer named Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) who idolizes Lee. The danger of their voyage only increases the closer they get to DC and Civil War attempts to make as clear as possible: there has GOT to be another way.
DIRECTED BY: Alex Garland
STARRING: Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Nick Offerman, Nelson Lee, Evan Lai, Sonoya Mizuno, Jefferson White, Juani Feliz, Edmund Donovan, Karl Glusman, Jin Ha, Jojo T. Gibbs, Jesse Plemons, Jess Matney
YOUR REVIEWERS
Christopher Lawrence Cox (Founder, Da Boss)
Born in the wilds of northern Virginia, Chris managed to put all of his survival skills to use and barely escaped with his life to Austin Texas in 1992 where ever since he’s dabbled in everything from plumber’s assistant to sandwich maker, from band to bar management. An opportunity to see theatrical release films for free by becoming a critic on a local public access show called “The Reel Deal” turned into a full-time job when Chris and his friends decided to take it to the internet. They built the site Spill.com, adding multiple podcasts and animated features, to no small amount of success. During this time, a fortuitous friendship sprung up between Chris and young Brian Salisbury, who was also a local film critic, and they merged their forces of will, and their laundry list of ideas for shows, to eventually build this community of critics. While Brian eventually followed his heart to a new family, Chris continues on with a cast of colorful folks from all over the country (and a few others). You can also check out Chris in his videocast, along with Martin Thomas and Danni Danger, that One Of Us does with our friends at Bell of Lost Souls: Crossover Event. He also regularly guests on the video game website Rage Select. Follow Chris on Twitter and Facebook and check out his Amazon Wish List.
Mike J. McAllister (Screener Squad, Staff Writer, Head Video Editor)
Mike J. McAllister is a filmmaker, editor, writer and animator. He is also a film junkie, dog lover and Surge-aholic (Hi, Mike). He grew up in a small town in Western Pennsylvania, where he earned the reputation as the “human IMDb” and was on a first-name basis with every video store clerk in town. He later studied film in Pittsburgh. He has since written several unproduced screenplays and TV pilots. He has also produced a number of short films, some of which have appeared in festivals across the country. He is a ninja with Final Cut Pro and is armed with a mind full of mostly useless pop-culture trivia. He also enjoys animation, MST3K, classic video games and being the “music geek” among his friends (which really just means he buys vinyl and listens to music that doesn’t come from an anime soundtrack). He resides in Austin, Texas, and can be followed on the Instamagrams at @ohheyitsmikejm.
Eric Samaniego (Trash in the Can, Highly Suspect Reviews)
Eric is a multi-award show watching, sometimes comedian, sometimes writer that began life as a Muppet and 1930’s screwball comedy obsessed goon and continues to carry a torch for all things felt and funny. With a passion for genre films, poor taste, and whiskey, he and co-conspirator, Wright Sulek, indulge in the best/worst films the world has to offer with One of Us’s podcast, ‘Trash in the Can’. When not podding, Eric works as an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797.
Wright Sulek (Screener Squad, Digital Noise, Highly Suspect Reviews, Trash in the Can, Audio Editor)
Wright hails from the northern suburbs of Dallas, Texas. His passion for filmmaking brought him to Austin to study and make movies. Since then he’s had his hand in acting, writing, and directing his own short films with numerous like-minded film geeks he’s met along his journey. His newest interest has brought him into the podcasting world. He co-hosted a few different movie related podcasts such as ‘And Now This’ and ‘The Match Cut’. He currently co-hosts with longtime friend, Eric Samaniego, where they talk shop about the grimiest, trashiest, lost gems of movies on their show, ‘Trash in the Can’. Wright also guests and hosts reviews on Screener Squad and Highly Suspect Reviews as well as co-hosts Digital Noise with Chris Cox.
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