Episode 822: Spartan (2004)
Shownotes
David Mamet strips the political thriller down until almost nothing is left, and the gaps are the point. Spartan (2004) sends Val Kilmer's Robert Scott after the president's missing daughter, through a cover-up told in clipped, half-finished sentences.
Mike White, Jedidiah Ayres and Andrew Nette wrap up Valhalla, spoilers included. Is this the backstory of a long-running series hero in the Jack Reacher mold? Does Mamet's compression make the film or leave holes? They trace its pulp men's-adventure DNA, its post-9/11 Dubai slavers, and a president whose worst problem now looks quaint. Then comes Kilmer's no-nonsense performance, the lines they quote, the clunkers, and where it stands beside Heist (2001) and Ronin (1998).
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Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionbooth
The Projection Booth is part of the Weirding Way Media podcast network. Explore more of our shows at http://weirdingwaymedia.com.
Mike White, Jedidiah Ayres and Andrew Nette wrap up Valhalla, spoilers included. Is this the backstory of a long-running series hero in the Jack Reacher mold? Does Mamet's compression make the film or leave holes? They trace its pulp men's-adventure DNA, its post-9/11 Dubai slavers, and a president whose worst problem now looks quaint. Then comes Kilmer's no-nonsense performance, the lines they quote, the clunkers, and where it stands beside Heist (2001) and Ronin (1998).
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth--5513239/support.
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionbooth
The Projection Booth is part of the Weirding Way Media podcast network. Explore more of our shows at http://weirdingwaymedia.com.