#45: Disney, Marvel, and the Seven Faces of John Boyega

In the image you see, John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) has seven faces. Each one is smaller than the one before. This is an image that Matt made, and ever since that moment, it has baffled both of us. It appears boundlessly significant, and yet, time and time again, we are left with the question: what does it mean? 

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In today's snob, we delve deeply into these many Boyega faces, contemplating possible meanings ranging a diverse spectrum. We consider the suggestions provided by some of our beloved listeners, such as Amanda Pumpkins' connection to René Magritte's classic painting The Son of Man. What does it mean when the apple becomes a tiny Boyega face? 

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In a shocking turn of events, Boyega's many faces ultimately leads us to a new chapter of this snobbing endeavor: the felt responsibility to watch every single film of the Marvel Universe, from beginning to end, and snob about them as we go. For we have grown suspicious of Empire Disney and Darth Marvel, and we must learn more of what mysterious signs they are providing. For perhaps only in so doing may we discover the truth behind the layers of Boyega and glimpse the appearance behind the apple. 

We intend to approach this mission with the concentration and patience of Tibetan monks creating sand mandalas, like those in the video below. We know that this endeavor will challenge us, and perhaps it will damage our psyches to an irreparable degree. But we must continue the search, and we must discover the truth of Boyega. He may be mankind's last hope. 

#39: Con Air Face Off: Being-Toward-Explosion

“I want to take his face… OFF!” screams Sean Archer acting as Caster Troy as portrayed by Nicolas Cage as portrayed by John Travolta. The fact that sentences like this accurately describe scenes from John Woo’s Face/Off indicate the truly special nature of this 1997 Hollywood action film. But do not take this for a standard Hollywood action film, listener. For as we discover in this snob, Face/Off is in fact one of the most Chinese films ever made. 

How does Con Air fit in? Well, it also stars Nicolas Cage, it’s also an action movie, and it also came out in 1997. While it may be a lot less Chinese than Face/Off, it still stars Steve Buscemi. This is a movie that is as Amurrikan as it gets. And that’s not just because Nicolas Cage has long flowing locks. It’s also because Jerry Bruckheimer has long flowing locks. (Keep in mind, listener, this film came out before Jerry B. was absorbed into his dominant personality, known now as “Michael Bay”.) It’s also because there’s a lot of explosions, strange/misplaced humor, John Malkovich, and a very angry Colm Meaney. What a meanie! 

So join us in this mashup of iconic 90s action movies, listener. Whether we are talking about Cameron Poe, Castor Troy, Cameron Troy, or Castor Poe, you can never be sure whether or not we are really talking about Sean Archer, ready to impale us with a Scientology harpoon at any second. In our Heideggarian mission, we are riding this 90s action movie ship in our inevitable Being-Toward-Explosion. What kind of explosion culminates it all? Well, that depends on how Chinese you are willing to get. 

May we all be receptive to the presence of the Tao. 

Episode Progression:
3:25: Shout-outs
8:20 : Con Air
46:00 : Face/Off

#37: The Patriot and Heidegger: Dasein in a Cinematic Universe

Cue a soft score by John Williams. And now, idyllic shots of the American South. And next comes, almost there, here it comes, Mel Gibson butchering men!

                                   Dasein Getting Angry

All men are created equal, according to the Declaration of Independence (Day). But some men have a Cherokee tomahawk.  Our man with the 'hawk is Benjamin Martin, widowed father of seven, rocking chair enthusiast. All he wants is to live the simple life of a non-slave owning plantation cropper. Sweet as Carolina tea! But whispers are afoot. The cantankerous whispers of revolution. 

Because of fucking dickheads like Colonel Tavington, Benjamin Martin is forced into war, where he becomes almost as full of rage as Mel Gibson. Out to avenge his son and usher in a new era of democracy, Martin goes on the warpath.

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   Early Footage Of William Wallace, Star Of The Patriot

Aided by his French buddy Jean, his son Heath Ledger, and Harvard graduate Donal Logue, Gibson turns a rag tag group of brothel patrons and church goers into such a ghostly platoon that Tom Wilkinson nearly shits his fancy British man dress.

The rustics in this movie might be inept, but guess what isn't? The filmmaking. Our personal friend, Roland Emmerich, once again proves he understands the American psyche as only one steeped in German philosophy could! With a brilliant score by John Will and a fun screenplay from a man who is not Randal Wallace, we get The Patriot.

 #Heidegger, Primary Influence Of The Patriot

Listener, open Sein ears, lend them to me. You will actually laugh at parts of this movie, and you might cry too (just as Gibson does so well (not a joke, the man can act-cry)).  So plug those earphones in and ready your bayonets, for many laughs are on the way!