Are You Not Entertained?

Are You Not Entertained!?

Well it has only been a year and a half since I started my actor/actress per month movie watching. Clearly I didn’t keep the pace. Last was Emma Stone during January of 2018… before that was Jim Carrey during December 2017…

I spent the end of 2018 and beginning of 2019 watching 20 of Russell Crowe’s movies. I decided to watch most of them in chronological order of their release. Here we gooooooo

Did you know Russell Crowe is a New Zealander? His net worth as of 2019 is $95 million. Not too shabby.

I started off this Crowe movie marathon with a 1991 Australian flick called Proof. It was actually a pretty good film about a blind photographer making a friend (Crowe). He received best supporting actor award for Proof from the Australian Film Institute.

Romper Stomper in 1992 (Australian film) is basically about racist skinhead Nazi’s. It reminds me of American History X. Crowe won best actor from the Australian Film Institute for this role.

Silver Brumby in 1993 is a movie about a particular horse and about a man (Crowe) trying to catch the Silver Brumby (horse). If you really like horses, this one is for you.

In 1995, his first role as a FBI detective came in the American movie No Way Back.

Outside of these smaller films, as far as I’m concerned, Russell Crowe launched his career in 1997 with the release of LA Confidential. Sure he actually started acting as a child in 1972, but he didn’t have many well known releases up to this point. Had you heard of the four movies above? Anyways, in LA Confidential he plays police detective Bud White looking to solve some high level crime.

He followed up LA Confidential with another ‘97 release, Breaking Up, which also starred a young and beautiful Selma Hayek. Breaking Up is a rom-com with some okay parts, think ‘97 romcom that brought in only $12k in the box office....yikes! Following these movies in 1997, Crowe then had two big 1999 releases: Mystery, Alaska which is about a hockey team based out of Alaska that plays the New York Rangers, and The Insider which is based on the true story of whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand (Crowe) breaking the news that cigarettes are bad for you through reporter Al Pacino. Both solid movies. Then I would say he performed his greatest role in Gladiator, which was released in 2000. If you haven’t seen this movie based on life in Ancient Rome, you need to do that ASAP. Crowe plays Maximus, who is a Roman General turned Gladiator. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Gladiator. I remember watching this movie over and over as a kid with my brother. We would pause the DVD on scenes where gladiators got chopped in half at the waist by chariots and when there was a futuristic Co2 tank in the back of that same chariot. Good times.

In 2001 he plays the famous, and schizophrenic mathematician, John Nash, in A Beautiful Mind, which is my second favorite Crowe movie next to Gladiator.

This was followed up by Cinderella Man in 2005 in which he plays boxer James J. Braddock during the Great Depression. Crowe then plays an outlaw in the western 3:10 to Yuma in 2007. American Gangster also came out in 2007 in which Russell Crowe plays police officer Richie Roberts as he tries to take down drug dealer played by Denzel Washington. Political thriller State of Play was then released in 2009, followed by Robin Hood in 2010.

Also in 2010, Crowe stars in The Next Three Days with Elizabeth Banks. Crowe has to get his wife (Banks) out of jail, in you guessed it, 3 days. Highly suggest this movie for an action thriller. Winter’s Tale came out in 2014, which Crowe plays a demon chasing a thief down who rides a magic horse, woah! Noah, the story of biblical Noah and his ark with Emma Watson, also came out in 2014, Russell plays Noah. The action/comedy, The Nice Guys where Crowe and Ryan Gosling play detectives was released in 2016. Another detective film for him.

The last and latest movie of Russell Crowe’s I watched was The Mummy, the 2017 version. Although it was more of a Tom Cruise movie, but Crowe plays Dr. Henry Jekyll. I still prefer the Brendan Fraiser Mummy though...

At the end of the day, if you want to be entertained, load up Gladiator or A Beautiful Mind, maybe even The Next Three Days.

Did I miss any Russell Crowe classics? Any suggestions on who I should watch next? Might be back to an actress for the next round…

Josh

10 of My Favorite Singular Story Podcasts (#5)

Podcasts. You know the drill. If you drive, run, cook, work, or have extra time and are tired of listening to music or silence, you’ve probably loaded up a podcast. Now before we jump into it, I’ve already done this four other times, so feel free to check out my other 40 podcasts I listen to:

Up (4) Another 10 Podcasts To Check Out In 2018 - October 2018
10 Podcasts (X3) To Listen To In 2018 - February 2018
10 More Podcasts You Should Listen to Today - October 2017
Top 10 Podcasts To Listen To Today - April 2017

Update: Check out the newest 10 at Let’s Talk Podcasts #6

Okay, ready to go? All of the podcasts this time are singular stories told within each pod. Most are true crime stories and all are pretty addicting. If you are up for it, let’s jump on in to another 10 podcasts I listen to.

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10. The Wonderland Murders by Hollywood & Crime

“In 1981 four people were brutally murdered in their home in the Hollywood Hills. The Wonderland Murders is the tale of a violent home invasion robbery and the revenge rampage that followed. It involves a drug-fueled gang of criminals, a crazed crime kingpin– and the world’s most famous porn star on a downward and deadly spiral.”

Too many ads, not enough background information. It probably would be good if I already knew the story behind this, but then again, there were so many ads, it was hard to keep going. But only seven, 45 minute episodes, so give it a whirl, but maybe research it up first.

9. Homecoming

“Homecoming centers on a caseworker at an experimental facility, her ambitious supervisor, and a soldier eager to rejoin civilian life — presented in an enigmatic collage of telephone calls, therapy sessions, and overheard conversations. The result is an innovative, immersive audio experience — a mystery unfolding across the twelve episodes of Seasons One and Two.”

The TV show is pretty dope! I watched it before the podcast, so have a little different perspective. But the podcast moves along well and features David Schwimmer (Ross from Friends), Oscar Isaac, Catherine Keener, Amy Sedaris, and David Cross. This scripted series consists of 2, six part seasons and is pretty thrilling. Highly recommend the TV series on Amazon Prime as well!

8. Empire on Blood

"In the Bronx, in the early 90s, two young drug dealers ruled an intersection known as “The Corner on Blood.” They lived large, wearing mink, drinking champagne, getting rich. Then their fraught relationship fell apart, dead bodies piled up, and one accused the other of a double homicide he didn’t commit. Or did he? We hear from the cops, the DA, the terrified eyewitnesses, the dealer doing life, and the dealer who put him there."

Empire on Blood is a well told podcast of wrongful conviction. It keeps the details a one time thing, no repeating of facts/details over and over like a lot of other podcasts, so be sure to listen to the story of how Cal tries to get this life sentenced overturned. Journalist Steve Fishman presents seven years of work into just 7 episodes.

7. A Killing on the Cape

"It was a crime that rocked an idyllic seaside town in Cape Cod – the 2002 murder of Christa Worthington, found stabbed to death with her 2-year-old daughter, unharmed at her side. What came next was a three-year search for her killer that would involve unorthodox steps by police, a lengthy list of potential suspects, and an entire town under suspicion. Christa’s trash collector, Christopher McCowen, would eventually be convicted of the crime, but his trial would raise questions about the evidence, investigative methods, and whether racial prejudice played a role.”

A Killing on the Cape, which is presented by ABC Radio and 20/20, follows the twisted tale of the murder of Christa Worhtington in Cape Cod in 2002. It is only a six part series that you will get through quick. After listening, let me know who you think did it. Shout out to Nikki for telling me about this one!

6. The Teacher’s Pet

"A star footballer. His school girl lover.  A wife who vanishes. Chris and Lyn appear to have the perfect marriage. But when Lyn goes missing, dark secrets are buried. This is no fairytale, but a sordid story of strangely close twin brothers, teenage student lovers, and probable murder.”

The Teacher’s Pet is an Australian based true crime podcast about the story of Lyn Dawson who goes missing without a trace in 1982. Her husband Chris Dawson is a star Aussie rules football player and starts dating his former student, and babysitter of his children immediately after. Crazy 16 episode story. To be honest, some of the episodes drag on too long, repeating the same facts over and over again. But who doesn’t love an Australian accent? Worth the listen and still somewhat ongoing as the case has been reopened!

5. A Murder on Orchard Street

“Follow the breakneck twists and turns of a strange, unsolved 2003 homicide where our reporter delves into her original recordings in an attempt to change the course of the case completely. Experience the case from every angle — from the perspectives of the initial suspect, detectives, witnesses and the determined family of the victim, Burke O’Brien.”

Could you imagine seeing your best friend get murdered and then being blamed for the crime? Another true crime podcast you will fly through as it is only seven episodes that range from 15-20 minutes long.

4. Bear Brook

“Two barrels. Four bodies. And the decades-long mystery that led to a serial killer. A podcast about a cold case that's changing how murders will be investigated forever.”

Again, a true crime podcast that is only 7 episodes long! The trend continues! Sad story about four unidentified murdered girls who’s bodies are found in the woods. Despite the topic, it is very interesting to see how websites like Ancestry.com and 23andMe can give additional information and clues to murder investigations.

3. Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football

“Football star Aaron Hernandez went from the bright lights of the Super Bowl to a convicted murderer in a few years. The Boston Globe’s Spotlight Team, takes a hard look at the crisis facing football through the lens of Aaron Hernandez’s life and terrible crimes. Spotlight uncovered new documents, audio, and interviews to go deep into the story of what happened to Aaron Hernandez, and what it means for those of us who cheer on a violent game. ”

If you are into football or murder, this podcast is the one for you. Gladiator covers once New England Patriot tight end Aaron Hernandez and his rise and fall. Again, only seven episodes, this podcast does a great job giving background on Aaron Hernandez’s upbringing, football life, personal habits, and more. It will leave you questioning if football is safe, among other things (no spoilers). Highly recommend this podcast made by Wondery.

2. Believed

“How did Larry Nassar, an Olympic gymnastics doctor, get away with abusing hundreds of women and girls for two decades? Believed is an inside look at how a team of women won a conviction in one of the largest serial sexual abuse cases in U.S. history. It's a story of survivors finding their power in a cultural moment when people are coming to understand how important that is. It's also an unnerving exploration of how even well-meaning adults can fail to believe.”

NPR podcast produced through Michigan Radio, this 9 part series will make you sick to your stomach as convicted sex offender Larry Nassar gets away with his brutal crimes for decades. The title, "Believed”, is perfect because that is exactly what nobody did for these poor innocent girls. It will make you think twice about who you believe, especially when women and children, who have been pushed behind the scenes for so long, stand up and speak out. It even features a girl who goes to my alma mater, Adrian College, who was abused by Larry growing up. The dude is a sicko and this story should be heard by all so it doesn’t happen again.

1. Dr. Death

"We’re at our most vulnerable when we go to our doctors. We trust the person at the other end of that scalpel. We trust the hospital. We trust the system. Dr. Christopher Duntsch was a neurosurgeon who radiated confidence. He claimed he was the best in Dallas. If you had back pain, and had tried everything else, Dr. Duntsch could give you the spine surgery that would take your pain away. But soon his patients started to experience complications. And all they had to protect them was a system ill equipped to stop the madness."

Dr. Death is a Wondery Podcast, who has made previous podcasts I’ve listened to like Sword & Scale, Dirty John, American History Tellers, and a handful of other podcasts in this blog. They seem to be constantly kicking out great material! Dr. Death is a twisted true story about a Doctor who had no idea what he was doing in Texas from 2011 to 2013. The 6 part series details gruesome descriptions of what this guy did and how the medical system failed to protect it’s patients. One of the worst parts is that he first operated on his best friend… Not sure if he is clinically insane or just a terrible human. This will make you question any doctor, if you don’t already!

Bonus Podcast: A Very Fatal Murder (Bonus)

“David Pascall is in search of the perfect murder — a murder so beautiful, so moving that it could be the subject of his new podcast for OPR.”

Think American Vandal (netflix), but in podcast form. The seven episodes are only 10 minutes each and will give you a good laugh. So if you want a break from these heavy, true crime podcasts, give this parody one by Onion Public Radio a try.

And that’s that. As a reminder, this brings us to 50 (+1) total podcasts. Check out the other 40 podcasts I have suggested in the past (linked above).

And as always, feel free to suggest any podcasts you are listening to.

Josh