Action

True Lies: Jamie Lee Curtis, Part 3

True Lies is a nostalgic favorite and the first film with a budget over $100 million, but how does it hold up today? Ned and Caroline spend this entire episode debating that very question! From its great action scenes to its troubling racism and sexism to that infamous striptease, the co-hosts try to weigh the good against the bad in this action-comedy classic. Plus they psychoanalyze James Cameron, praise the range of Jamie Lee Curtis, and deliver some terrible Arnold Schwarzenegger impressions.
As discussed in this episode, you can read more about Eliza Dushku's experience of abuse on the set of True Lies (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/eliza-dushku-says-true-lies-stunt-coordinator-sexually-assaulted-her-she-was-12-1074594/) and read Jamie Lee Curtis' statement of support (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jamie-lee-curtis-eliza-dushku-true-lies-abuse_b_5a5ba76de4b03c418966b2e2).
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

The Last Airbender: Dev Patel, Part 2

How did Dev Patel follow up his one-in-a-million breakthrough debut in Slumdog Millionaire? By starring in one of the most hated movies of all time! This week, Caroline and Ned reluctantly dive into the world of M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender, and try to figure out what went wrong with this disastrous adaption of a beloved animated series.
You can watch Dev talk about his experience on The Last Airbender as part of a 2016 Hollywood Reporter roundtable (youtu.be/YyQGKSzYqBg). Also check out this guide to why you should watch the animated series (instagram.com/p/CAehPPFDsYv) and Xiran Jay Zhao's impressive thread on the show's cultural influences (twitter.com/XiranJayZhao/status/1340444180837855232?s=20).
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Edge of Tomorrow: Emily Blunt, Part 5

Whether you call it Edge of Tomorrow or Live Die Repeat, either way this sci-fi action flick rules! And Ned and Caroline are thrilled to be joined by special guest Emily Marso to breakdown why. The trio chat time loops, Tom Cruise, and the throwback feminism of 2014. Plus they wrap up Role Calling's Emily Blunt retrospective series with some final thoughts on her curiously hard-to-pin-down career.
You can follow Emily Marso on Instagram (instagram.com/missmarso) and Twitter (twitter.com/missmarso), and watch her short film "Swipe Up, Vivian" (omeleto.com/255586/)
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Sicario: Emily Blunt, Part 3

Things take a turn for the morally ambiguous this week, as Ned and Caroline wade into the dark waters of Sicario. The 2015 Denis Villeneuve thriller stars Emily Blunt as a principled FBI agent who gets roped into some shady dealings for the U.S. government. It's easily the heaviest film the podcast has covered yet, and Ned and Caroline parse what to make of its suspenseful look at the Mexican drug war. Plus they sing the praises of Blunt's impressively restrained performance, and debate what makes a B-movie a B-movie.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Batman Begins: Christian Bale, Part 3

This week, Caroline and Ned tackle the movie that made Christian Bale a household name: His starring turn as Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan's 2005 dark and gritty reboot, Batman Begins. The hosts explore the long history of the Batman franchise, try to figure out why Nolan's re-imagining hit so big, and dig into what Bale brings to the role. How does his Bruce Wayne stack up to previous incarnations? What do the hosts think of Bale's infamous Batman voice? And just where were the other drugs going? All that plus some general chat about Christian's strange early aughts career, from fighting dragons with Matthew McConaughey to losing 60 pounds for The Machinist. Also, Caroline accidentally spoils the most dramatic scene in Equilibrium, but she figures no one will really care.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.