Brian and Dan celebrate TWO HUNDRED FIFTY episodes of The Goods with a big-time double-whammy of two oft-mentioned but never-reviewed films: Armageddon, the Michael Bay space-disaster blockbuster, and Amadeus, the Best Picture-winning story of competing classical music composers. Join as they discuss The Criterion Collection, laser discs, the critical merits of “Bayhem,” the goofy charms and demerits of Armageddon, the long shadow of Amadeus, Opera Saturday, sexual frustration, obsession, God, and what comes next on The Goods’ hazy, winding path forward.
Link to Podbean episode
Episode Number
250
Films Reviewed
- Armageddon (1998)
- Amadeus (1985)
Is It Good?
- Armageddon – Good-ish (4/8)
- Amadeus – Masterpiece: Tour De Good (8/8)
- Armageddon – Good (5/8)
- Amadeus – Masterpiece: Tour De Good (8/8)
Supplemental Media
Some of the quoted articles on Armageddon:
- Jeanine Basinger in the Criterion DVD liner pamphlet – https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/48-armageddon
- “Michael Bay, Seriously” from Variety – https://variety.com/2011/film/features/michael-bay-seriously-1118039082/
- Not quoted, but a very thorough and provocative article with an academic bent crediting Bay with creating a “cinema of excess” – https://www.sensesofcinema.com/2015/michael-bay-dossier/cinema-of-michael-bay/
- The Criterion Contraption blog (I incorrectly said it was just called “The Criterion Collection” blog) on Armageddon – https://criterioncollection.blogspot.com/2005/09/40-armageddon.html
- Lena Dunham interview quote on Criterion including unconventional selections – https://nonamemovieblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/criterion-cuts-tiny-furniture-and-selection-controversy/
The very funny Ben Affleck DVD commentary bit:
all-timer line reading from Keith David:
Allegri’s “Miserere” that legend says Mozart maanged to transcribe in its entirety after hearing it once at age 14 (which wikipedia has sadly disproven… sometimes the truth doesn’t set you free, it makes you sad):
More on Wernher von Braun’s manned spaceflight ideas:
Ben Affleck talking about Armageddon (both its inclusion and his commentary) when he “visited the closet”(4:54 is armageddon timestamp)
Torino scale:
Lost Cosmonaut conspiracy theory:
Brian Terrill is a filmmaker and horror host.
Dan Stalcup writes reviews for The Goods and is a member of OFCS. Follow Dan on Letterboxd.