Tag Archives: Neil Burger

FilmWonk Podcast – Episode #182 – “Voyagers” (dir. Neil Burger), “Short Term 12” (dir. Destin Daniel Cretton)

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Poster for "Voyagers" (2021 film)

CW: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, physical and sexual abuse, self-harm, and suicide.

This week, Glenn and Daniel see how the young people are doing, starting with Neil Burger‘s half-baked Lord of the Flies non-adaptation, Voyagers, whose cast is let down by material that seems unwilling to commit to its most interesting ideas. And then we check out director Destin Daniel Cretton‘s film Short Term 12, whose cast – including Brie Larson, Lakeith Stanfield and Rami Malek, could fill an entire shelf with all the awards they’ve earned in the 8 years since this film was released. It is also a film whose dark and harrowing subject matter doesn’t preclude a persistent feeling of sweetness and warmth that says to its audience: Look how well we can take care of each other when we try (01:22:22).

Still from "Short Term 12"

May contain NSFW language.

FilmWonk rating (Voyagers): 4.5 out of 10
FilmWonk rating (Short Term 12): 8/10 (Daniel), 9/10 (Glenn)

Show notes:

  • [02:28] Review: Voyagers
  • [18:26] Spoilers: Voyagers
  • [38:05] Review: Short Term 12
  • [01:03:20] Spoilers: Short Term 12
  • See Glenn’s review of Passengers, which we referenced during our discussion of Voyagers.

Listen above, or download: Voyagers, Short Term 12 (right-click, save as, or click/tap to play)

FilmWonk Podcast – Episode #44 – “Divergent” (dir. Neil Burger)

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Poster for "Divergent"

This week on the podcast, Glenn and Daniel take another angry departure from their original screening plans to check out the latest pretender to the Hunger Games throne, Divergent. Will Shailene Woodley prove a worthy contender, or will she be taken out with slings and arrows in the first round? Find out below (37:40).

May contain some NSFW language.

FilmWonk rating: 5 out of 10

Show notes:

  • Music for tonight’s episode is “Beating Heart” by Ellie Goulding

    • and “I Won’t Let You Go” by Snow Patrol, both from the film’s soundtrack.

  • CORRECTION: It is Lake Michigan, but the Chicago pier in question is called “Navy Pier”, not “Fisherman’s Wharf” (the latter of which is in San Francisco).
  • Yep, there will be a Divergent sequel. It was greenlit after one day in theaters.

Listen above, or download: Divergent (right-click, save as, or click/tap to play on a non-flash browser)