A Lost Plot

Maverick Dickson

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FILM REVIEWS
UPDATED WEEKLY

A Lost Plot: where cinematic plots are taken apart piece by piece to determine what makes that movie great, or why it has been forgotten today.

4 DAYS AGO

Decoding the Art of Storytelling: How We Review Films

The new 9 Points Rating System is coming soon! In this episode, Maverick and his co-hosts Avalon and Andrew discuss the Nine Point Rating System for reviewing films, focusing on the importance of storytelling and character development. They explore the significance of the opening scene, the necessity of character flaws for growth, and the role of side characters in enhancing the narrative. The conversation emphasizes the need for a critical approach to film analysis while acknowledging the diversity of storytelling across genres. In this segment of the conversation, the participants delve into the intricacies of storytelling, focusing on the roles of protagonists, supporting characters, and villains. They discuss how character motivation is essential for audience engagement and how the presence or absence of supporting characters can shift the weight of the narrative onto the protagonist. The conversation also explores the importance of themes and messages in storytelling, emphasizing that a well-crafted story should leave the audience with something to reflect upon. The participants agree that while multiple themes can exist, a cohesive message enhances the overall impact of the narrative. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of film analysis, focusing on themes, character development, and the impact of plot twists. They discuss the importance of heightened tension in storytelling, the significance of world-shattering loss, and how revelations can shape audience engagement. The dialogue emphasizes the need for character transformation and the nuances of how characters respond to challenges, ultimately shaping the viewer's experience and understanding of the narrative. In this final segment of the podcast, the hosts discuss the closure and denouement of films, focusing on the overall satisfaction of the story's ending and the final image's reflection on character journeys. They delve into the nine points system used for film reviews, debating its applicability across different genres, including romance and horror. The conversation emphasizes the importance of narrative structure and audience engagement, while also considering the need for clarity in the review questions. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 Introduction 8:28 Do Film Openings Matter? 21:14 Main Character Flaws 30:21 Side Characters 43:43 Main Character's Motive 57:32 The Villain 1:00:52 Themes in Film 1:06:12 Themes Building into a Message 1:10:41 Heightened Tension 1:14:37 Great Loss for the Hero 1:25:26 Transformation of the Hero 1:37:51 Transformation & Character Development 1:44:40 Closure 1:55:31 Purpose of the Rating System 2:08:16 Final Thoughts #storytelling #alostplot #filmreview #ratingsystem #filmthoughts #cinema #villains #hero #josephcampbell #psychology

2h 11m
1 JAN

WarGames: AI Lessons from the Dial Up Age

Find the 9 Points Rating System here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ In this episode, Maverick and Nick delve into the 1983 film WarGames, exploring its themes of technology, youth, and the ethical implications of automation. They analyze the protagonist, David, and the antagonist, WOPR, discussing how the film reflects on the dangers of technology without human oversight. The conversation highlights the film's relevance in today's discussions about AI and the human experience, making it a thought-provoking review of a classic 80s film. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 ‘WarGames’ Introduction 4:40 Opening Scene 11:24 David the Protagonist 15:20 WOPR, Joshua, and the Machine 21:53 Tension & Stakes 29:03 The Climax 33:51 Themes & Messages 36:38 Side Characters 40:20 Lasting Impact #wargames #matthewbroderick #warfilm #alostplot #podcast #film #filmthoughts #dialup #ai #coldwar #sovietunion #1980scinema #1980s

43 min
24/12/2025

Avatar: Fire & Ash: A Fantastic Arc with Dizzying Subplots

Find the 9 Points Rating system here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ Find our review of Avatar: The Way of Water here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2022-12-29T20_39_12-08_00 In this episode, hosts Maverick and Avalon delve into the third installment of the Avatar series, Fire and Ash. They discuss their initial impressions, character developments, and the overarching themes of grief, family, and environmentalism. The conversation highlights the film's strengths and weaknesses, particularly in storytelling and character arcs, while also addressing the portrayal of villains and the visual spectacle that James Cameron is known for. They discuss the significance of family loyalty, environmentalism, and the complexities of characters like Spider, who struggles with identity and consistency. The conversation highlights the film's exploration of faith and the overarching themes of human greed versus nature, while also critiquing character arcs and emotional engagement. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 ‘Avatar: Fire & Ash’ Review 10:46 Opening Scene 16:21 Jake Sully 27:53 Miles Quaritch & Other Villains 37:57 Tension & Stakes 43:49 Themes & Messages 48:30 Miles 'Spider' Socorro 55:33 Neytiri 59:26 Lo'ak 1:04:28 Kiri 1:09:18 Lasting Impact #avatar #fireandash #jakesully #milesquaritch #spider #neytiri #loak #kiri #tuk #film #filmreview #pandora #alostplot #avatarfireandash #fantasy

1h 15m
20/12/2025

Back to the Future Part 3: Satisfying an Unsatisfying Series?

Find the 9 Points Rating System here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ Find the Back to the Future Part 2 review here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2025-12-11T19_02_25-08_00 In this episode, Maverick and Andrew review 'Back to the Future Part 3', discussing their initial impressions, character developments, and the film's plot. They analyze the opening scene, the transformation of Marty McFly, and the romantic arc of Doc Brown. The conversation delves into the escalating stakes and conflicts, culminating in the showdown with Buford Tannen. The hosts reflect on the film's nostalgic elements and its place within the trilogy. In this conversation, Maverick and Andrew delve into the themes, character development, and lasting impact of 'Back to the Future III'. They discuss the film's exploration of conflict and consequences in time travel, the evolution of Doc Brown's character, and the overall messages conveyed through the trilogy. The discussion also touches on the film's reception and its place in pop culture, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses in character portrayals and thematic depth. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 ‘Back to the Future Part 3’ Introduction 4:02 Opening Scene 6:57 Marty McFly 12:36 Escalating Stakes 20:38 Buford Tannen 22:45 The Climax 28:36 Themes and Messages 34:29 Doc Brown 48:40 Lasting Impact #backtothefuture #backtothefuturepart3 #heymcfly #docbrown #emmettbrown #alostplot #martymcfly #michaeljfox #film #filmthoughts #podcast #timetravel #western #themes #storytelling

55 min
12/12/2025

Back to the Future 2: A Speed Bump On The Path to 3?

Find the 9 Points Rating System here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ Find the first Back to the Future review here:https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2024-08-08T15_26_59-07_00 In this episode, Maverick and Andrew review 'Back to the Future II', discussing their initial impressions, character development, and the overarching themes of consequences and growth. They explore the film's opening scene, the portrayal of Marty McFly, and how the narrative sets up for the third installment. They explore the nuances of Biff as a villain, the character arcs of Marty and Doc, and the film's climactic moments. The discussion also touches on the lasting legacy of the film and its place within the 'Back to the Future' franchise, ultimately questioning its depth and storytelling effectiveness. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 'Back to the Future II' Introduction 4:24 Opening Scene 10:11 Marty McFly 30:44 Biff x3 45:26 The Climax & Side Characters 50:16 Lasting Impact #backtothefuture #martymcfly #heymcfly #alostplot #filmthoughts #film #heydoc #emmettbrown #thefuture #2015 #biff #themes #characterdevelopment #sequels #timetravel

55 min
06/12/2025

Dead Men Tell No Tales: Disney Violates Storytelling

Find the 9 Points Rating System here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ Find our review of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides here:https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2025-11-26T15_45_38-08_00 In this episode, hosts Maverick and Andrew review 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,' discussing its reliance on nostalgia, character development issues, and the overall decline of Disney's storytelling quality. They analyze the film's plot, opening scenes, and the characters of Henry Turner and Caryna Smith, ultimately concluding that the film fails to deliver a compelling narrative or engaging characters. They discuss the lack of depth in the new characters, the forced romance, and the flat villain, Salazar. The conversation also touches on the themes of identity and redemption, questioning the film's lasting impact and the future of the franchise. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ Introduction 8:55 Opening Scene 16:37 Jack Sparrow 23:09 Henry Turner 29:29 Caryna Smith 48:47 Captain Armando Salazar 55:02 Themes 59:17 Lasting Impact 1:06:18 Final Critiques #pirates #piratesofthecaribbean #deadmentellnotales #jacksparrow #johnnydepp #pirates5 #piratesofthecaribbean5 #alostplot #willturner #henryturner #carynasmith #amandosalazar #film #filmthoughts

1h 13m
26/11/2025

On Stranger Tides: Cheap Rip Offs & Remaking Characters

Find the 9 Points Rating System here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ Find the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End review here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2025-11-05T04_00_00-08_00 The review of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides delves into a critical analysis of character development in a film, highlighting how certain characters are perceived as inferior versions of their predecessors. The discussion emphasizes the lack of originality and depth in the new characters compared to the established ones, leading to a weaker narrative overall. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' Introduction 4:08 Opening Scene 8:52 Jack Sparrow 20:38 Themes & Messages 28:15 Blackbeard & The Mermaids 41:03 Angelica 48:36 Lasting Impact #pirates #piratesofthecaribbean #piratesofthecaribbean5 #onstrangertides #jacksparrow #blackbeard #edwardteach #alostplot #film #filmthoughts #johnnydepp #characterarc #characterdevelopment #review #podcast

53 min
21/11/2025

Frankenstein: Strong Themes, Gory Bodies, & Questioning Mary Shelley

Find the 9 Points Rating System here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ In this episode of the Lost Plot Podcast, hosts Maverick and Avalon, along with guest Patrick, delve into the recent Netflix release of Frankenstein directed by Guillermo del Toro. They discuss their initial impressions, the film's faithfulness to Mary Shelley's original work, and the character development of Victor Frankenstein and the creature. The conversation explores themes of fatherhood, the consequences of obsession, and the duality of the characters, ultimately questioning who the true monster is in the story. The discussion also highlights the themes of forgiveness and redemption, questioning the lasting impact of the adaptation compared to the original text. Overall, the speakers express differing opinions on the effectiveness of the storytelling and the thematic depth of the film. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 ‘Frankenstein’ Introduction 16:11 Opening Scene 30:25 The Monster & Victor Frankenstein 37:14 Side Characters 50:13 The Creature 54:42 Themes & Messages 1:11:43 Lasting Impact #frankenstein #netflix #frankenstein2025 #netflixfrankenstein #guillermodeltoro #alostplot #podcast #film #filmthoughts #thecreature

1h 21m

TRAILER

Welcome to A Lost Plot

A Lost Plot: Every other week we will be releasing new content reviewing a cinematic masterpiece, where we analyze and critique the greatest plot lines in cinema from the past and present.

E1

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2 min

A Lost Plot: where cinematic plots are taken apart piece by piece to determine what makes that movie great, or why it has been forgotten today.

Creator

Maverick Dickson
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

177
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Copyright 2026 Maverick Dickson
Show Website

A Lost Plot