BFG Podcast #136: 'The Zone of Interest,' 'Echo,' and AI George Carlin

As the Internet explodes with Barbie Oscars debate (a subject we will cover in full soon), our podcast has other interests right now. Host Neal Pollack welcomes in Rebecca Kurson to discuss 'The Zone of Interest,' a chilling and masterful Holocaust picture from director Jonathan Glazer. Both Neal and Rebecca are just amazed at the cold, documentary-style filmmaking, of the matter-of-fact script and performances, and, most importantly, of the film's eerie soundscape. The best, most morally-uncompromising movie you'll see all year, discussed on the best, most morally-uncompromising podcast.

Scott Gold appears to talk about 'Echo,' the new Disney+ Marvel show that is part street-level violence, part warm-and-fuzzy Disney lady-powers show. Both he and Neal love Vincent D'Onofrio as the Kingpin, amazing as always, and have good things to say about the supporting cast. But they both agree that the lead actor, Alaqua Cox, could be a little better, the tone a little more consistent, and the ending action sequence a little sharper. Echo pays nice tribute to the Choctaw culture of Oklahoma, but as a superhero show, it's a little schizo.

Robert Dean stops in to lambaste the new George Carlin AI special now available on YouTube. Neal plays devil's advocate, or maybe just the devil, and says he doesn't think that the AI is a bad imitation of George Carlin, and actually discusses contemporary topics in a relevant way. Robert wants nothing to do with AI, except for maybe to help him check his grammar, and says it's "destroying the middle class." Hard to argue with him. Support your local standups, and enjoy our podcast.