Strap on your moonboots and shine up your mohawk, because The FP is the Greatest Movie EVER!
Click on the Drafthouse-exclusive poster or the movie title above to download our review of the film, featuring Daryl and Gerald of AnimeWorldOrder and Guy of ‘the Internet’.
Review in a Nutshell: A high concept, low budget comedy masquerading as an Eighties genre film, The FP is great. Let the haters hate; we love this film, yo.
The Greatest Movie EVER! Podcast 
Oh yeah, The FP! So many movies I’m interested in. Luckily this podcast reminds me of some.
Speaking of “80’s as f@ck films,” Premium Rush, which stars Jordan Gordan Levit and Michael Shannon, fits the bill. It might have NYC hipsters in it, but, unlike Scott Pilgrim, it is a sincere film.
Also, I call b.s. on Gerald’s enerational elitism/snobbery; get of you high horse, Gerald! I am a Millennial and I still consume art that was made before I was born, including literature, music, films, comics, and paintings. If it is good stuff, and I am interested in it, I will consume the art, regardless of its time-period.
Thanks Paul, now I have to go watch the FP again through the lens that it’s an allegory for Dune.
I wasn’t consciously making a Dune reference. The liquor must flow, yo.
I got a Streets of Fire vibe from the setting, where the viewer really isn’t sure what time period this is supposed to take place in. Since there are elements of 70s cult films, 80s sport films, and early 2000s extreme films it is a homage to all three film eras. However I can see why this would confuse people. Great review as always.
I watched the movie as per your recommendation. While I understand what The FP was going for, fuck this movie. Yes, I get that it’s a comedy played straight but the problem is that is simply isn’t funny.
I think that your nostalgia has blinded you. Or at least temporarily allowed you to have shit taste in movies.
I’m sorry you didn’t like it, but there’s no need to make it personal.
Paul, The Ducks must flow. The ducks, man. Think about it.
Although I have many problems with Scott Pilgrim, mainly stemming from the source material (and the film’s devotion to it), I do think there is some sincerity in the film. Yes, it wallows in irony, but the film at least strives for some emotional resonance when it comes to relationships between pathetic people. It is more than just self-referential/pop culture, “look at my brand new car” product.
I do think the film makes the mistake of not putting more emphasis on the pathetic state of being of the characters. I think it still there, but not as much as it should be. For example, Ramona Flowers is viewed as an interesting person by the other characters simply for having dyed hair and being from New York City. A very subtle critique.
In fact, I view Scott Pilgrim as a critique against the hipster subculture. But Scott Pilgrim is no Fight Club.
I stand by my comment that this movie can’t possibly beat Solar Babies. But. I have ordered it from Drafthouse Films’ website. I trust the people on that podcast and they have never steered me wrong.
In regards to the film, I would say that it’s probably correct in its assertion that it’s set in the post-apocalypse. All depends on your definition of what a post-apocalypse is.
Without having seen the film, I would say that the Streets of Fire angle makes these kinds of films good candidates for cult classic status. You’re so confused by the setting that standard questioning practises don’t work any more. Why are they there in the FP? Why are they playing a crappy dance game? Who the hell cares, it’s fun!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not making it personal. I meant to address the my previous comment to the collective you. But mostly to Daryl because he was being a jerk about people that don’t like The FP.
Great podcast Paul. Always great to hear Daryl and Gerald back. I’m clearly the oddity in that I did enjoy the movie, but I also didn’t just love it. I just thought it could be a bit more (and I’m not talking about budget. That’s definitely part of it’s charm.) I think really I just wanted more BBR action.
Honestly I hadn’t even noticed the sports movie correlation. I’m going to have to re-watch it with that in mind.
I have to comment that this podcast gives me the impression of snobbery and ressentiment over this film’s tepid reaction, especialy over the idea that people don’t get the humour.
I feel like spending so much time railing against people who didn’t like The FP is a meaningless exercise because it takes too much away from saying why it’s a good film.
Also, I find it funny to hear Daryl “Rape to Live” Surat mocking social justice. It just feels so appropriate.
Man, the website comments suck (especially mine).
It’s always illustrative to see what people choose to focus on in the review, especially when Daryl is involved. For example, I’ve gotten more static for saying I don’t like Scott Pilgrim than for anything else I said in this episode.
Funny thing is, I understand Paul’s dislike of Scott Pilgrim, even if I might not agree with it. Swings and roundabouts, I suppose.
I don’t think “ressentiment” means what you think it does. The word you are looking for is “resentment.” Example: “I still harbor resentment over the fact that years ago, Daryl said something mean about the cartoon I like.” But by all means, keep on truckin’ with trying to paint me as the kind of person who would post on Reddit.
Daryl, I did mean ressentiment, as in “the hosts feel ressentiment for the critics who don’t like this film, and blame their perceived lack of taste for their opinions.”
But you’re welcome to make up any reasons why I resent you, of course.
I don’t read snobbery into this podcast at all. I don’t recall them saying most people aren’t smart enough or were too lowbrow to understand the jokes. I think it was just that if you aren’t a part of that culture that watched a lot of 80’s movies you aren’t going to get very much out of the movie. Like Scott Pilgrim for example, regardless of that films quality (rather poor imo) if you don’t know anything about videogames you aren’t going to really get it. For The FP you just have love the 80s, experienced the DDR craze, and be familiar with really white trash communities. Aka be about 30 and live in Florida.
Speaking as the host, I can say that I don’t feel any ressentiment. I think it’s fair to say that if you don’t like the film, you probably also don’t get it. But if you do get it and still don’t like it, it’s not a matter of good taste or poor taste, but merely a matter of taste. Taste is subjective.
That sounds like a fair assessment. Most of my problems with this movie are some of the more objectionable gags regarding race and women, and I’m hoping that’s the makers lampooning white trash society than something that’s supposed to actually be acceptable.
I just listened to the film’s commentary track, and yeah, it’s solidly them lampooning white trash culture. All of the most offensive lines in the film are actually things the Trost brothers overheard while living in Frazier Park.
That is why I didn’t find many of those scenes actually in bad taste as it is an accurate portrayal of those sort of characters. On the podcast you guys mentioned the movie might be sexist, but while it is not a flattering portrayal of women it is an accurate portrayal of /that kind/ of women. Especially between the leading lady and her dad. Those arguments rang so true to me having grown up in those kind of trailer park towns. But I do think it gets real close to crossing the line in some parts.
Were you guys implying that Bubba Ho-tep is a bad movie?
Imply, nothing. I’ll flat-out say it: Bubba Ho-tep is not a good film. Bruce Campbell is fine as Elvis, but the film feels like it’s desperately trying for cult status, and it doesn’t work.
I’d never heard of this movie, but it sounds like a blast. I’ve been listening to your podcast for a while, and I watched Streets of Fire after listening after listening to your episode on it. I absolutely loved it, and have rewatched it twice since. Great movie. I hope I’ll find another fun gem in this one.
I was out walking and shopping for groceries while listening to this, and when you got to the part about Beat Beat Revelation not being a rip-off of Dance Dance Revolution I just burst out laughing. I had to hurry over to a remote corner, I just couldn’t stop. Then the same thing happened on my way home when you brought up the nickname “Sugah Niggah.” Luckily there was no one else around that time and I could laugh to my heart’s content.
Thanks for the great entertainment and unique movie suggestions. Definitely my go-to place for obscure cinema. (I felt vaguely proud when you finally reviewed two movies I’d actually already seen; Deathstalker and the Troll Hunter.)
I know the podcast strives to be clean and Paul, you said in this podcast that you avoid language that you really wouldn’t be using anyway, but I’m just going to say that “nigga” is not very disclaimer worthy to me. I could imagine more people finding fault with the Asian martial arts film reviews you have done.
Bring on the new Beat Wars bro.