In this episode of the podcast, we pose the question: is Mission Impossible II a work of art or a flaming dumpster fire? M:I-2 certainly is the most divisive of all the 'Mission' movies. Audiovisual professionals Karri and Henrik present their contrasting views on the movie, and engage in a lively discussion. The arguments for and against the film are explored in depth from the perspective of Karri and Henrik, who dissect the film's strengths and weaknesses, from the directorial choices of John ...
Apr 15, 2023•59 min•Ep. 167
In this episode of the podcast, Karri and Henrik dive into the charms of Mission Impossible and examine the first film in the franchise. Karri questions the greatness of the 1996 classic. Both hosts also explore the idea whether or not the first film contains a foundational formula for the franchise to follow, and if not, what then is the blueprint of the Mission Impossible franchise, and what are the elements that have lasted to this day. The Flick Lab dissects the origins of this Tom Cruise bl...
Apr 01, 2023•57 min
Why are the Jurassic Park / World Sequels so bad? Karri and Henrik tackle this question, the entire franchise, and discuss the latest entry, Jurassic World: Dominion. Talking points include Spielberg and his family plots, tactile dimensions, the feeling of first time awe, self-awareness of The Lost World, character build issues and legacy characters, whether Jurassic movies are franchise compatible or not, Dominion's identity, and other topics. Films covered in this episode: Jurassic Park (1993)...
Mar 18, 2023•1 hr 25 min
In this episode of the podcast, the Finnish media mavens Karri and Henrik present the part 2 of their captivating cinematic exploration. In this exciting installment, the hosts delve deep into their cinematic experiences from the past year, featuring a selection of films from 2022 and beyond. Join Karri and Henrik on a journey through the dark and foreboding Finnish horror genre, meditative and introspective Japanese pieces, and high-octane American action thrillers. Along the way, our intrepid ...
Mar 03, 2023•59 min•Ep. 164
In this episode of the podcast, get ready for a cinematic adventure as media pros Karri and Henrik dive into their movies watched in the past year - including films from 2022 and beyond. From Hollywood blockbusters to international and indie gems, this is an inside look at the films that they simply couldn't get enough of and the ones that left them feeling disappointed. Along the way, they'll share their unique insights and perspectives, providing you with an entertaining and informative guide ...
Feb 24, 2023•58 min•Ep. 163
On December 6th every year, during Finnish Independence Day, hundreds of thousands of Finns gather around the telly to catch the movie they've seen countless times - The Unknown Soldier - in one of its three incarnations. The Winter War, however, is the lesser known Finnish war film, crushed under the fame of the aforementioned giants. Does The Winter War deserve its share of the limelight, however? Films covered in this episode: The Winter War (1989) (Talvisota) Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik...
Dec 17, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 162
Cancer. It's a universal concept that we all have heard about or know about. Despite all of our differences, there's more in life that connects us than divides us, and sometimes those shared experiences may veer to the unpleasant, such as cancer and death. Does even cinema fear cancer? Do any films about cancer exist, or is the concept being actively avoided, even in movies that are supposedly cancer movies? Also, can cancer be funny? Join The Flick Lab for another round of movies as we delve on...
Dec 03, 2022•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 161
In this episode of the podcast, the two Finns Karri and Henrik discuss Paraguayan cinema. The film industry in this beautiful and proud South American land-locked nation has remained tiny, but it has finally garnered some due attention. The duo comes across elements of creative film-making, American influences, themes of poverty, affluence and integrity. Karri and Henrik analyse the Top 3 films from Paraguay, as determined by IMDb with the following formula: must be (mainly) filmed and produced ...
Nov 19, 2022•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 160
Geoffrey Firmin is a British consul in Mexico in the 1930's. He is drunk. Is that it, or is there more under the hood here? Karri and Henrik look into a movie that Karri hated as a kid. Now as highly sophisticated and intelligent adults, the duo tries to find out if there's anything worthwhile to be found here. What does the film want to say and can it communicate it effectively? Is following an intoxicated man interesting? Can it be interesting? Are we to feel empathy for the character? Is it h...
Nov 04, 2022•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 159
In this episode of the podcast, Halloween Ends - ostensibly, anyway. In this oddball and radically different Halloween franchise entry, director David Gordon Green ventures into the experimental. In principle, injecting new blood into the exhausted franchise may be welcome, but does this attempt deliver? Karri and Henrik are joined by the returning Halloween guests. Allison Kilkenny is an American comedy writer and performer, former journalist, and host of the political podcast Light Treason New...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 158
Bedtime Stories is a Youtube channel that tells spooky tales of the paranormal and supernatural - popular and unknown stories. Their videos consists of beautiful and haunting hand-drawn artwork, accompanied by a wonderful narrator. But how true are the stories, or more importantly, are there some concerns with dramatization of real-life-based events? Or are these simply fun stories which ought to be treated as quality entertainment? Bedtime Stories episodes covered in this episode: The Mysteriou...
Oct 08, 2022•2 hr 16 min•Ep. 157
In this episode of the podcast, we look into what really happened at Camp 14 in North Korea to prisoner Shin Dong-Hyuk. Camp 14 is the hermit nation’s most notorious concentration camp. We have a documentary (Camp 14: Total Control Zone by Marc Wiese) and a book (Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden) to tell the story of his escape into freedom, but Shin later changed some details of his story, surely much to the chagrin of the book’s author, Blaine Harden, and to Shin’s fellow North Korean esca...
Sep 24, 2022•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 156
In this episode of the podcast, Karri and Henrik analyze 8 creepy stories of the horror anthology film The Field Guide to Evil. Each film is from a different country and is supposed to tell a tale of dark folklore. Is that true though and how well do the films gel together in this anthology? Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell .
Sep 09, 2022•2 hr 27 min•Ep. 155
The title 'Robocop' may sound cheesy, but is descriptive. The first movie is often celebrated by critics and mortals alike, but the sequels are in a downward spiral. Here's why. Films covered in this episode: Robocop (1987) Robocop 2 (1990) Robocop 3 (1993) Robocop (2014) Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell ....
Aug 26, 2022•2 hr 22 min•Ep. 154
Wong Kar-wai, the pivotal Hong Kong -based film director is known around the world for his distinct non-linear storytelling, gangster films and artistic love stories. We now venture into his love trilogy, a film recommendation by podcast listener Kimmo. We have previously looked at the director's other work Chunking Express (1994) with guest Mitch Tam, which can be listened here . Films covered in this episode: Days of Being Wild (1990) In the Mood for Love (2000) 2046 (2004) Hosted by Karri Oja...
Aug 12, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 153
What went wrong with the Terminator sequels after the two original James Cameron movies? Karri and Henrik touch on the constant changes of studios, the revolving doors of actors, repeating story lines, poor dialogue, the difficulties of playing a terminator, the excess nature of modern action film-making, and other topics. Films covered in this episode: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) Terminator: Salvation (2009) Terminator Genisys (2015) Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) Hosted by Karri Oj...
Aug 03, 2022•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 152
Béla Tarr's over 7-hour film is one of the longest movies in the world. The Hungarian director's work is based on the novel by László Krasznahorkai. Karri and Henrik are investigating the footsteps of Chinese director Hu Bo's "godfather". Why is the film so long and is the length justified? Is it one of the greatest films ever seen? Is the film seen merely as a challenge not so much for its artistic merits but for its runtime? Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The F...
Jul 15, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 151
It's episode #150 and it's time for some celebration with mostly non-movie topics. Zachary Pen joins us to discuss mass shootings in the US, NATO and Finland, social media, paper vs. digital, language quirks, the future of The Lab, all kinds of indecent things, and more. Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell .
Jul 01, 2022•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 150
What have Karri and Henrik been watching for the last years? What to recommend, what to avoid? We've never stopped to discuss the films we've watched on our 'own time', outside the podcast analyses. Here's our recommendations and grievances. Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell .
Jun 21, 2022•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 149
Better late than never. Here’s our long overdue recap of the 94th Academy Awards. Who won? Does it matter? Did Will Smith inadvertently slap the Oscars back into relevancy? Is there any value in even discussing the Oscars? Was the Jada Pinkett Smith joke a step too far? Is the Ukraine War detrimental to trans people specifically? Is Jennifer Lawrence fat? To be brutally honest with you, we can assure you we don’t give a damn. Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Fl...
Jun 04, 2022•40 min•Ep. 148
What is real? Is the film depicting reality? Is it all about perspective? Is even fantasy involved? Is in fact anything burning in 'Burning'? Is the protagonist a 'serial masturbator'? Films covered in this episode: Burning (버닝, 2018) , directed by Lee Chang-dong. Starring Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo. Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell ....
May 14, 2022•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 147
[!! NOTE: THIS EPISODE IS APRIL FOOLS FOR THE FIRST 40 MINS.] The Academy Awards 2022, part 3 of 3: A Political Car Crash. Two male writers write a movie about a promiscuous young woman adrift in life, with heavy drug use presented in a positive light. Hey, what could go wrong? Apparently nothing, you get nominated for an Oscar for it. The Norwegian Oscar contender ‘The Worst Person in the World’ is the most bizarre cinematic experience of the last few years. It is a slacker-inspired dramedy whi...
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 146
The Academy Awards 2022 International Feature Film Nominees Part 2 of 3: Change. The Japanese Oscar contender Drive My Car appears to be the audience favorite for winning the Oscars. What’s the fuss about? We also look at Bhutan’s first Oscar nominee ever – Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, the heart-warming story of a remote community and its school. Films covered in this episode: Drive My Car (2021) Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019) Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Pictures from impr...
Mar 26, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 145
The Academy Awards 2022 International Feature Film Nominees Part 1 of 3: Searching for Home. Karri and Henrik break down the hand-drawn Danish documentary ‘Flee’ about a refugee called Amin and Italy’s coming-of-age Netflix contender ‘The Hand of God’. Both films tackle the theme of looking for home, both literally and spiritually. Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘The Hand of God’ splits opinions strongly. Films about refugees are no longer novel, but does the hand-drawn animation and heart of ‘Flee’ win peo...
Mar 11, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 144
In this episode of the podcast, Karri and Henrik join forces with director Nick Vaky and photographer Luke Liu from the Youtube channel Mint Volcano to discuss Taiwanese New Wave cinema. The quartet takes a close look at four distinct films across the timeline of the New Wave 'movement' from two key directors - Hou Hsiao-hsien and Edward Yang. The themes of history, sociopolitical issues, heartfelt memories and dark humor coalesce into an engaging long-form discussion. Films covered in this epis...
Feb 25, 2022•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 143
In this episode of the podcast, Karri, Henrik, and Zach watch several short films utilizing the Blender 3D animation software. Some are playful, some serious, and one involves murderous Smurf-like creatures. Which are worthy of our recommendation? You can watch ALL of the films for free on Youtube using our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhWc3b3KhnY&list=PLcjR0oe-fPN587T3WL82w4oyzVt7nLBKu Sadly, this is also Zachary Byrd's last episode with The Flick Lab. More about his departure ...
Feb 09, 2022•2 hr 11 min•Ep. 142
In this episode of the podcast, Karri, Henrik, and Zach explore The Exorcist film franchise including the original trilogy and the two prequel films. Demonic possession, vomiting pea soup, and CGI cows eating CGI hyenas - this episode has it all. In nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti. Films covered in this episode: The Exorcist (1973) The Exorcist II: Heretic (1977) The Exorcist III (1990) Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) Dominion (2005) Hear new episodes several days in advance and access ...
Jan 26, 2022•2 hr 33 min•Ep. 141
In this episode of the podcast, hosts Karri, Henrik and Zach chose to discuss their favorite Christmas movies. What could possibly go wrong? Films covered in this episode: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (USA, 1989) Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (Finland, 2010) Bunny the Killer Thing (Finland, 2015) Hosted by Zachary Byrd, Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell.
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 140
In this episode of the podcast, our American host Zach will share his thoughts with the Finnish hosts Karri and Henrik on the Finnish film 'The Unknown Soldier' from 2017. Why is the film so important to Finns? What is the identity of Aku Louhimies' version of 'The Unknown'? Which version is 'the best' - 1955, 1985 or the 2017 film? Is the question impossible to answer? Henrik has some gargantuan thoughts on this one. Karri gets the non-Finns up to speed with his super quick and simplified overv...
Dec 06, 2021•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 139
In this episode of the podcast, Karri, Henrik, and Zach discuss the portrayal of cannibalism in film and the ethical boundaries of filmmaking - specifically the animal cruelty performed while making the film, "Cannibal Holocaust." There's also a splash of discussion on the ethics of eating meat. Films covered in this episode: Cannibal Holocaust (Italy, 1980) Delicatessen (France, 1991) Dumplings ( 餃子 , Hong Kong 2004) Raw ( Grave , France/Belgium 2016) Hosted by Karri Ojala, Henrik Telkki and Za...
Nov 23, 2021•2 hr 22 min•Ep. 138
