Everything a Movie Should Be - Everything Everywhere All at Once Review 

If the effects seemed slightly ameturish at points, that's because the VFX team was ONLY 5 PEOPLE. Absolutely insane what they pulled off.

The film very heavily implies that it is Chinese American and there is a lot of implied backstory in the opening laundromat sequence: * The family speaks a mix of English, Standard Mandarin, and Cantonese * Gong Gong speaks primarily Cantonese. That, in combination with his age and Evelyn's backstory implies that he's either from Hong Kong or Guangdong. * Waymond speaks Standard Mandarin and English, but not Cantonese. This implies that he's from mainland China, but not from Hong Kong or Guangdong. * Joy speaks English and broken-ass Chinese, which means she's an American-born Chinese and probably only ever speaks Chinese at home. * Evelyn speaks all three, which makes sense since she's the nexus of the family unit * There are probably a whole bunch of other Chinese cultural signifiers (lucky cats, good luck charms, etc.) that I can't recall.

Ke Huy Quan (Waymond) doing most of his own stunts for this movie makes his performance that much more impressive

They had 5 vfx artists. 5 people did the vfx on their laptops from their bedrooms over covid. A lot of the effects were done in camera too, they did a breakdown, it’s somewhere on youtube.

You didn't even mention that when they first go to the IRS Waymond sees an old couple kiss and he longs for that connection and happiness. Then at the end when they return to the IRS, Evelyn kisses him and he smiles. A very nice full circle book end

I'm with David 9.8 out of 10 this movie made me laugh, cry, go what the hell, and most importantly it made me think. Its the most original movie I've seen in a long time.

I was so excited when David quoted “your clothes never fit as well the next day, and your hair never falls in quite the same way..” cause I thought they were going to touch on the recurring theme of (and use of) Absolutely by Nine Days. After I saw the movie, I immediately googled it and found a interview where they said they accidentally wrote those two lines, got the rights to the song, and then Nine Days wrote a couple of different versions that fit the different time lines. There is even one about the chef and the raccoon! Has to be my FAVOURITE thing about this whole movie.

39:15 I was with a guy that really loves lyrics and he just started laughing and pointed out, "Your clothes never wear as well the next day . Your hair never falls in quite the same way." is from "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" by Nine Days. Later when the BDSM door first opens you can hear the tune "when she smiles" from that song, but they've replaced it with "safe word's smile" in the instance. Honestly, one of the best films I've seen in a decade.

It's rare that I completely agree with David on this podcast, but I am now. The black bagel, btw, is a direct inverse of the googly eye. White surrounded by black, and black surrounded by white. Make of that what you will :)

This is a movie that everyone should support. Such an original, creative, funny, and emotional rollercoaster. I give it a 9.5/10.

Michelle actually did her own stunts, so did Ke. She is known for that, she rarely had stunt doubles throughout her entire career, and most of her roles involve fight scene, and some of them are just plain crazy, that was just how Hong Kong did movies back in the day, she was hanging off driving trucks, and driving motorcycle onto a moving train, and so much more. She is a badass and a legend, so happy she's getting the global recognition with such a fantastic film where she can show all her acting chops and not JUST a martial arts actor.

There are so many easter eggs and homages in this film. One example is that all the jobs that she reports on her taxes are the occupations or skills of her alternate versions that we visit. Also there are repeated references to the song “Absolutely” by Nine Days with the directors even contacting the band and the band wrote different versions of the song.

By pixelating, they actually played with people's imagination. Everyone imagined what it was, which is more impactful that just showing the image.

As a gay Chinese-Canadian and first generation immigrant. This movie spoke so much to me. I think the glue that holds this movie together is the inter-generational trauma, immigrant family dynamics and dealing with new culture. The third act just had me in tears because it feels like I went through something similar with my mother having a hard time accepting my sexuality. I'm very happy that movies like this exist where it focuses on middle class Chinese immigrants. I feel like before The Farewell, Minari and Turning Red, most asian representations you see were comedies or some small side characters. It's nice that this part of the community is getting more representations. The code switching between Chinese and English is just really nice to see being depicted on a big screen. Especially for first or second generation immigrants where your parents speak their mother tongue very well, but you can only kind of understand it, but barely able to speak it yourself.

50:00 Waymond eats the cream cheese on an everything bagel. I think they did that mainly to elude to his future monologue where he talks about seeing the bright side and being nice

About Ke Huy Quan: He added: ‘I’m very grateful for the Asian representation that we have seen the last few years. I made that difficult opportunities for Asian actors, and if so, they were very stereotypical.

I'm a pov david brain boi. Im crazy into hot fuzz and liked scott pilgrim and this movie scrached that itch while making be cry my eyes out. Love how this showcases a mature outlook of nihilism. Can't wait to see it at home.

This is definitely a movie that people might need to watch twice if they didn’t feel like they felt much the first time. Where they can let themselves feel instead of learning about the multiverse. I was crying the entire second half bc as a child of immigrants, a person who is married, & at a point where I haven’t felt like I’ve done enough- this movie hit all the spots. I want this on streaming asap

This is one of the best movie making I’ve seen in a long long time. It doesn’t take itself seriously, but it is serious filmmaking at the same time.

The first time I saw this was one of the best theatre experiences I've ever had, and was super strong emotionally in both the comedic and dramatic moments. The second time wasn't as emotional, but man there are so many clever details to pick out

9.8 means a lot coming from David given he gives just 0.3 higher to Black Dynamite with a 10.1, and that movie is an unrivalled cinematic masterpiece

Hit pick: during the foot piano scene. She had the wrist brace on her ankle instead 😂

53:48 I think it is also getting back to like theater roots. And realizing that this pursuit of super realism is actually incredibly constraining. In a theater, if I point my sword out over the audience and say "once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more" ... We all know there isn't an army there, and that the procenium arch is above and beside the actors. But we aren't there for that. We are there for a story. I was just in a play that we moved into a smaller stage than the first time we put it on. And we had to get very creative with props. Basically, two bookcases on wheels, and three trunks, were: an apartment, a train, a farm house, an auditorium... And the audience loved it. And those who saw both productions, loved this one even more. It's almost like... The more you just commit to the theatricality of it, and just inform the audience immediately to suspend their disbelief high. The audience stops caring about the small details, and they pay attention to the story again.

Movie cost $25 mil whilst featuring more creativity than big budget blockbusters.....this one was one of the best of the past 10 years

Taking David's advice Pausing the podcast now gonna watch it tmr and finish the pod. Hearing a 9.8 from David made me realise I don't want this spoiled I gotta see it for myself!

I think in 5 years Riley and James will change their scores to 9.5

I saw this movie opening day and I’m still processing what I saw. Favorite movie of the year so far. Edit: still processing..

man when you guys started talking about drinking half+half, I did the same thing as a kid! At those restaurants with my parents/siblings, the baby sized plastic cups of milk. Would stack them all up into a tower before we left.

YESSSSS Now one of my fav movies of all time, if not the best one I can remember

this is one of those movies that makes you reevaluate everything in your life and god damn is it good.

Your clothes never wear as well the next day And your hair never falls in quite the same way You never seem to run out of things to say..... ...This is the story of a girl Who cried a river and drowned the whole world

Went into the movie having heard it was amazing and came out agreeing with that sentiment.

Just finished Severance…..great show

Michelle Yeoh's ancestry is Chinese, even though she was born in Malaysia. She speaks Cantonese fluently. Though I was told she spoke Mandarin with an accent. Aside from English, she can also speak Malay.

*cue Dos Equis guy* I'm not always home on Friday nights. But when I am, I refresh the TJM feed until that week's video is posted. Unfortunately it wasn't posted on Friday night lol. Loved this movie, seen it twice, excited to listen to this video

28:04 Riley, the Visual Effects were done by like 7 people during the pandemic, that's why it feels a bit rough compared to other higher budget films, which would have dozens if not hundreds of VFX artists.

The toe piano playing where right. She was playing Clare de lune, it was even in the right key (Db). Impressive little detail in the giant mosaic of the movie.

I am so excited for this movie and your review. But unfortunately it hasn't released yet where I live. I'll listen to this one after seeing it. And yes to Severance!! It was the most engaging and well executed fresh new concept I've seen in ages. Simply breathtaking imo. Looking forward to the review.

I was expecting Sarah, she's a A24 fan.

So its explained in the film that once you verse jump somewhere you open up a path that you can retread or access at any time. But you have to learn how to close those paths off once you don’t need them because if you open up too many at once without closing them your mind fractures like a clay pot with too many cracks.

It's one of the best movies ever. Guys did you cover Mr.Nobody??

This movie is 10/10 for me personally. Because of how it felt. For me it doesn’t matter how many issues a movie has, how many flaws, how high or low of a budget it has, or how many A-list actors are in it. If a movie makes me feel (this unexplainable feeling), I’m going to love it. If this same movie had -$5M less budget, but the fundamental value was the same, I’d still love it. This movie is better than any marvel movie that came out in the last two years and up until this point, I only got excited for marvel movies because they were the only ones who done such extravagant and brilliant stuff. But this movie took it to 11. That’s my score actually, 11/10. Give Michelle Yeoh an Oscar please.

I needed a pee 30 minutes in and just couldn't bring myself to go to the toilet. No other movie has had the power to tame my bladder like that.

I've been waiting for this discussion on this amazing film. Absolutely loved it end to end!

10/10! God damn fucking fantastic movie. FINALLY a good fucking movie comes out. Absolutely loved it. I was laughing the entire time, and even during the last twenty minutes when I was crying, I was still laughing. Emotionally effective and technically masterful. It lands in my upper echelon media ranks along with Scott Pilgrim and Fooly Cooly. If you liked this movie, and haven't seen either of those two, please watch them. I'm sure you'll love them too.

Actually excited af for the Severance podcast from you guys

I left the theater stunned today. And maybe a little empty or just drained. It was an absolutely phenomenal experience. I did feel for a while that they were pulling their punches by inserting the overly silly scenes into the montage/flash scenes right after emotional beats, but at the end they tied those scenes in so that they were also heartfelt. It was a bit jarring before that though.

Holy shit. I had a lot of plans that fell through because of the pandemic and when David repeated the "You've been feeling it too" lines and James said that he realized this was a pandemic movie, it hit me like a ton of bricks and I got major goosebumps. Holy shit. I didn't quite get the line the first time since I was trying to keep up with the movie's pace.... Let me go cry in the bathroom for a while again.

Man, as an Asian American myself, and growing up watching temple of doom/The Goonies religiously because of Ke. This movie hit me on several different levels due to the family dynamic. This movie was beautiful and hit a lot of notes that brought tears to my eyes. i love this movie and its easily jumped into my top.

This just came out in the UK today. Omg it was amazing. Probably my favourite movie ever.

A small tiny film crew can create a full film movie almost as visually good as Scott pilgrim

I agree with David 9.8/10

Btw gong gong means grandpa.

Is JoBu Tobaki short for Joy But Totally Badass Killer?

I really want to watch this but its not in japan yet

The rock scenes made me laugh and genuinely cry it's so perfect

would you guys ever do kung fu hustle ?

Wasn't Sarah supposed to join in on this one?

i honestly dont know how could you NOT cry watching this movie. i guess if you're completely unable to relate or lack empathy?

"Scott Pilgrim, but Better" - Dieter Rams

Please review "the martian"

what else they can be if they speak chinese? it sounds nothing like japanese or korean

Umm... BRB.. Heard the synopsis... Gonna watch the movie and come back.. Otherwise I never watch the movies after listening to tjm

Just watched it and this movie is my most relatable, new favourite movie of mine. 10/10 for me. Riley and James you're crazy to give it 8 point whatever

Piano with Toes is a thing. Found man examples, amazing.

I really want these guys to watch “The One“ from 2001

8:06 please I need to listen to the reference :D

I think the bagel to me was a HA moment because people try to put everything in bagels, and that kind of like hipster girl vibes that would be really in to bagels so naturally an uppity version of Joy would totally make an everything bagel as like a bit of a stereotypical thing

The day after I watched this movie (after David's recommendation on Twitter) I couldn't resist testing the multiverse theory, but I just wound up with a window AC covered in soggy Honey Bunches of Oats... very disappointing.

Do Shallow Hal

34:12 OK, I have to see this movie. The butt plug thing is so WTF that I have to see this movie :D.

I am shocked Sarah wasn't in this one

Ambulance was dumb and fun The Adam Project was just dumb

"I luv tennis"

Adam project was great

Fucking watch Ambulance, it’s so much fun.

I agree with Riley. I felt the emotion, but it didn't hit me hard. great movie either way

Riley grow a pair.

"Broken joy"

Bruh Deirdre is an Irish name

I have to say, this was a really interesting watch for me in that I kind of had a hard swing on my feelings about the movie toward the end. I was honestly very close to just pressing the home button on my Fire TV remote not quite an hour into the movie and not bothering to watch the rest of it, but I persisted in watching it because I just think Michelle Yeoh is awesome. I'm glad I stuck with it, though I'm still kind of conflicted about the movie. I think a lot of it is stupid in a bad way (e.g. the bagel stuff), but the movie does manage to make most of the stupid stuff really make sense with some context. I think I'd feel better about the movie if it wasn't so freaking long, but I think I'd sum up my feelings about the movie right now as it being a movie that's overly long and that I wouldn't watch it again, but I'd really recommend that people watch it just once because of the really good messages it has. There's just a lot of really touching stuff in this movie. I like the perception of being nice as being Waymond's way of fighting, and the idea of accepting the choices you made in life despite your perceived overall failure because that's the life you wanted for yourself (and that those are the people you wanted to surround yourself) is really powerful. Also, Raccacoonie is just Winchestertonfieldville, Iowa (from Mr. Deeds) levels of hilarious to me.

I feel like "Everything Everywhere All At Once," while indeed a good and fun movie, is a bit overhyped because it's riding the current sociopolitical waves as well as the current multiverse fad. I feel like the movie will eventually be often described as "a product of its time."

The guy saying this movie didn't do anything for him emotionally should have just stated 'I can't empathise with female POC' instead of trying to hide behind there being 'too much'.

It made me laugh while crying

Finally

The Northman the week after, perhaps? Just saw it yesterday, and it was just spectacular.

I respect James' and Riley' opinion but they did not really justify their scores under 9. If this film wasn't at least a 9, then what is?

Parents couldnt watch it, because it was too over the top for them

There is nothing cheesy, simple, or obvious about Waymond's 'be kind' monologue. When we are truly afraid, responding with deliberate kindness, hope, generosity, and love instead of selfishness, hate, violence, or fatalism is f---ing courageous.

do moon knight ffs

It's always so disheartening to see Riley's lack of confidence in his own opinion. If you're reading this Riley, there's no right or wrong. You opinion is just as valid as anyone's. Instead of backtracking and trying to realign your scoring with theirs, stand by it and just explain how you got there. The audience's opinions will always vary widely, and having a panel that reflects those differences is beneficial to all of us

Watched this last night very enhanced and it was mind blowing, gonn go again and have a "dry run" lol

Watch it more times until you all rate it 10/10. You're embarrassing yourselves right now.

First because i am fast as F boy

Riley sounded so weird and dismissive in this one ... "how do you pronounce it? huhshs ... whatever" ...Learn how to pronounce an actor's name when you review them, dude. And when you can not articulate something don't just say "WHATEVER". I keep disliking him more and more, feels more arrogant by the second. 9.5 Movie for me.

In 2080, this movie will be brought up in conversations about how movies went mental.

I give it 2/10

For the first time, I totally agree with Riley. It was just exhausting and felt shallow to me, emotionally.

Wow that synopsis makes the story sound like the stupidest shit I've ever heard, and I don't fault Riley for that.

Really did not enjoy this movie. Shouldn't have believed the hype, waste of money.