BFG Podcast #126: Neal and Stephen At The Movies: 'Priscilla,' 'The Killer,' 'Anatomy of a Fall,' and 'Fair Play'

On this week's special episode of the BFG Podcast, host Neal Pollack indulges his nerdy childhood fantasy of hosting a Siskel and Ebert-like movie review show. Frequent contributor Stephen Garrett joins Neal to review four new, or relatively new, movies. The only thing that's missing from the equation is disagreement and mutually despising each other, but that will come in time!

First up, Neal and Stephen review 'Priscilla,' the excellent new film from director Sofia Coppola about the young woman who found herself trapped in a strange marriage to Elvis Presley. They both found it a little sleepy, but also quite affecting, and they both praise Jacob Elordi, who steals the show as The King even though the movie isn't really about him. Another excellent dissection of celebrity from Coppola, who knows her way around the topic.

Their next movie is The Killer, a gorgeously-crafted, pretentious bore from director David Fincher. Stephen found the story unrealistic and ridiculous. Neal hated the screenplay and the overbearingly pretentious narration. There are some great set pieces and meticulously crafted images, but nothing can save the movie's "scriptboner," as Neal calls it. A minor work from a director who seems to be descending a little bit into self-parody.

After that comes this year's Cannes-award-winning film Anatomy of a Fall. Stephen admires the subtlety and ambiguity of the murder-mystery script. Neal likes the child and dog performances. Neither of them think "she did it" but neither of them is exactly sure. It's the perfect art film for the NPR-tote-bag-loving person in your life, 'Gone Girl' for subscribers to The New Yorker. Our critics say go have a sophisticated night at the cinema.

Or watch Fair Play on Netflix. This nasty, wicked, fun erotic Wall Street thriller from Chloe Domont won raves at the festivals and is kind of sitting around on the back of the platform, not doing much. But it's an effective David Mamet-style morality play about sex and violence and hedge funds, and a perfect capper to a perfect episode.

Neal has fulfilled his Siskel and Ebert dreams! Give them a listen.