#48: Fight Club: Terrorism, Nihilism, and Masculinity

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“People ask me if I know about Tyler Durden.” So begins the film Fight Club, a movie that is about fighting and a few other things. Those other things include masculinity, corporations, and Meat Loaf. And of course Leto. Jared Leto, that is. If you haven’t seen Fight Club, then you haven’t seen Jared Leto get his face pummeled by the fists of Ed Norton. If you really hated him as the Joker in Suicide Squad, then you might enjoy that scene. But that would also probably make you a psychopath. But as long as it does not make you a “bro”, then you’re fine in our book. Just don’t blow up any buildings. 

Fight Club came out in the year 1999, the same year at The Matrix, American Beauty, and Office Space, all of which investigate the emptiness of the consumer lifestyle perpetuated by the American Dream. The Mummy also came out in 1999, which is of course referring to the B. Fraser (clap) version, and not the 2017 mistake starring Tom “Chilly T” Cruise. (#NotMyMummy). The Mummy did not investigate these themes. But it’s still great. 

Anywho, Fight Club has been quite the cultural milestone, a film that ranks #10 on the great IMDb.com’s top rated movies. Wow! That’s higher than Forrest Gump, and that movie has Hanx! This is a movie about a psycho. His name is Tyler Durden. His name is not Robert Paulson. Meat Loaf’s name is Robert Paulson. Tyler Durden is a guy who thinks that society needs to be obliterated so that humanity can revert to its primal state and start anew. The problem is, lots of bros think this is a great idea, because it means they get to blow shit up and punch people in the face. These bros are called “Space Monkeys” in the film. Leto is one of them. 

So this Snob travels many directions through this labyrinthine, incredible film that will be analyzed for centuries. Analyze away, fellow filmgoers, as long as you don’t think this guy is awesome and a savior of the world. Even Marla didn’t think that, and she actually cared for him. But do see this movie, and think about it. You can even talk about it. We think. 

Finally, we offer thanks to our three listeners, Dave, Angela, and Josh, for offering up such great questions whose consideration started this episode with such a righteous bang. We cherish all of you! And we cherish you too, good listener, as we move into the second year of this Snobbing Journey. 

#47: The Matrix

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Are you a virus? A disease? Then that means you're a human being, at least according to Agent (Weaving) Smith. 

Today, dear Snobfriend, join us for revelry and laughs as we Snob deep into the rabbit hole that is, The Matrix. Directed by the Wachowskis, The Matrix is much better than than bad movie, Inception. Perhaps the movie referenced the most on General Snobbery, The Matrix addresses deep questions of knowledge and being, including how the hell we know who the hell we are. And, there's Kung Fu. 

Sean and Matt are joined by guest and fellow Snob, Aidan, whose vast knowledge of The Matrix guides the conversation like Morpheus guiding Neo during that cool as fuck fighting sequence and that dope ass jumping test.

What can truly be said about The Matrix? What can be said about knowledge? What can be said about the world in which we live? Remarkably, less than we think. And that's a good thing. After all, Cypher thought he knew a lot and he got blown away by a ray gun. What a dick! 

Please, join Sean, Matt, Aidan, Neo, Trinity, Morpheus, Tank, and most of all, Mouse as we seek to battle the Agent Smiths that exist in the world and seek to keep our minds hardwired to those things which stifle our humanity. Snob on!

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

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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? 

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? 

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.