Babylon

Rotten Rewind

2022 was a banner year for unexpected critical misfires. Critical darlings like David O'Russell, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Sam Mendes, Noah Baumbach, and Darren Aronofsky saw their latest films either crash and burn on arrival or quickly disappear after a tepid response. It's hard to say which outcome is worse! But the movie that's endured the most polarizing response yet is undoubtedly Academy Award winning director Damien Chazelle's 189 minute epic "Babylon." And as our listeners know, we love a good trainwreck! So an expensive vanity project from a beloved director who cashed in his Oscar winning ticket to show us how much he loves "Singing in the Rain" and "Boogie Nights" sounded like the perfect introduction to a brand new season.

While "Babylon" might be a financial failure, it's shelf life is uncertain. It's already found itself a sizable fanbase in corners of the critical world and the discourse has been buzzing on Twitter and Letterboxd since its first screening. So what is "Babylon?" An expensive misfire from a wunderkind director? An ambitious, but noble failure? A future misunderstood masterpiece? "Boogie Nights" for virgins? Find out what we thought on our shit-piss-puke-filled season premiere!

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