Feature Underground

Hunter Lanier
  • 5.0 (4)
  • FILM REVIEWS

The Feature Underground is a place for good-faith discussions about movies. All persons and viewpoints are welcome in the Underground. Adopt a little FU energy and join the community today! Hunter Lanier, the host of Feature Underground, has written for the Houston Chronicle and Film Threat, and is a member of the Houston Film Critics Society. He used to be a baby, so think of him as a recovering idiot.

  1. 07/31/2025

    The Naked Gun Review • Calm Yourselves Up

    And here's my review of The Naked Gun, starring Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, and Danny Huston. It's directed by Akiva Schaffer and written by Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, and Akiva Schaffer. Hunter addresses the simple question of "is it funny," what makes its stupidity funnier than Adam Sandler's straight-to-Netflix stupidity, and the UFC's growing influence on film. 0:00 Intro0:29 Is it Funny?1:15 Jokes are Back2:26 Good Stupid and Bad Stupid3:51 Low on Celebrities and Modern SNL4:34 Liam Neeson4:51 UFC in CinemaTo support the Feature Underground, consider donating by hitting the Super Thanks button below the video.Follow this-a-way: X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#nakedgun #comedy #moviereview

    8 min

  2. 07/23/2025

    Fantastic Four: First Steps Review • All Sharp Turns, No Straightaways

    And here's my review of Fanastic Four: First Steps. The film is directed by Matt Shakman and written by way too many people. Who held the pencil, who held the paper, and whose back did they use? It stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ralph Ineson. Hunter discusses the film's embracing of Jack Kirby's art, what the film means to a lapsed MCU fan, and why its fast pace is an issue. 0:00 Intro0:24 F4 to the Lapsed MCU Fan1:53 What is a Starnold?3:58 Embracing Jack Kirby6:09 Too Fast-Paced8:05 Overcorrecting for Origin Story Fatigue9:49 Missing the MCU Magic#fantasticfour #mcu #moviereview

    13 min

  3. 07/18/2025

    Eddington Review • A Comedy of Posturing

    And here's my review of Eddington, written and directed by Ari Aster, produced and distributed by A24. It stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone.Hunter discusses how the film satirizes our posturing and signaling in the digital era, which side the film comes down on, Aster's ear for culture war nuances, Death Stranding 2, and much more. 0:00 Intro0:59 A Comedy of Posturing2:12 Which Side is the Film On?3:10 Hypocrisy & Absurdities4:14 Bringing Out the Worst in Us6:39 Tonally Amoral8:56 Aster & Kojima10:21 How Will Eddington Age?To support the Feature Underground, consider donating by hitting the Super Thanks button below the video.Walk this way [limps with a hump]...X: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#eddington #a24 #moviereview

    13 min

  4. 06/24/2025

    F1 Review • Stale Popcorn Movie

    And here's my review of F1 The Movie, written by Ehren Kruger and Joseph Kosinski, directed by Joseph Kosinkski. It stars Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem.Hunter discusses how film's lack of guts, how it compares to Steve McQueen's Le Mans, and the impressive racing sequences. 0:00 Intro0:44 Risk-Averse Film About the Value of Risk1:55 Steve McQueen's Le Mans3:45 Am I Overthinking It?4:50 Symphonic Racing Scenes6:01 Themes and Cool Dude Pitt7:49 Frankenheimer's Grand Prix8:20 What's NextTo support the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/) #f1 #bradpitt #moviereviews

    9 min

  5. 05/19/2025

    Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning Review • A Nothing Impossible Burger

    And here's my non-spoiler review of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, directed by Christopher McQuarrie. It stars Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Angela Bassett. The film follows secret spy guy, Ethan Hunt, as he jumps, swings, falls, and dives. There are plot machinations that aren't important. Hunter discusses how the film loses its campy '60s roots, continuing the franchise's reputation for great set pieces, and its terrible opening hour. 0:00 Intro0:37 The Good Stuff1:52 Losing the '60s Roots2:25 Horrible First Hour5:22 Three-Hour Blockbusters6:18 Old Man Cruise6:50 Summary + The Phoenician SchemeTo support the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#missionimpossible #moviereview #tomcruise

    7 min

  6. 05/11/2025

    High and Low Review • Kurosawa's Best Movie

    And here's my review of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 character-thriller, High and Low, starring Toshirō Mifune. This is the first entry in the Feature Pantheon series, which will have me revisiting the greatest movies ever made. The film follows a wealthy executive suddenly face with a dilemma: his hard-earned wealth or the life of someone else's child? What follows is a clever police procedural that's less of a whodunit and more of a whatsitdun. Hunter discusses the blocking of the opening hour, why the kidnapper wears sunglasses, and intellectual rug-pull of the film's final moments. 0:00 Preface1:45 Thoughts on Kurosawa3:12 The Opening Hour9:35 Elevating the Procedural 14:15 The Man in the Sunglasses16:25 The Final Scene19:15 The Remake: Bad Idea?To support the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#kurosawa #classicfilm #moviereview

    21 min

  7. 05/04/2025

    Henry Johnson Review • New David Mamet Film

    And here's my review of Henry Johnson, written and directed by legendary playwright, David Mamet. It stars Evan Jonigkeit, Shia LaBeouf, Chris Bauer, and Dominic Hoffman.Link to the movie: https://henryjohnsonmovie.com/Based on the play of the same name, the film follows the impressionable Henry Johnson -- a walking opportunity in a world of running opportunists. Hunter discusses how the whether or not Mamet's ear of dialogue is still intact, Shia LaBeouf's attention-grabbing performance, and the truly pathetic protagonist. 0:00 How to Watch It1:54 Mamet Dialogue + Theater2:35 First Impression4:46 Shia LaBeouf6:22 What the Movie's About7:13 Truly Pathetic Protagonist8:22 Lean Storytelling9:02 No More "Like and Subscribe"10:14 The Next Review10:29 Feature PantheonTo support the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#davidmamet #shialabeouf #moviereview

    11 min

  8. 03/28/2025

    Warfare Review • First Great Film of 2025

    And here's my non-spoiler review of Warfare, directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza. It stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandolfini, Joseph Quinn, and Charles Melton.The film follows a platoon of Navy SEALs trying to escape a home while under fire by Iraqi insurgents. Hunter discusses how the film backs up its tagline, the focus on errors, and its unique place among post-9/11 war films. 0:00 Preface1:09 Memories as Source Material2:11 A Tragedy of Errors5:57 Physicality of Combat7:57 True Ensemble Piece10:03 Hands-Off Storytelling11:32 What's NextTo join the Feature Underground, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxAK5S4R3vrfJQ7jySGDog/joinX: (https://twitter.com/Lanierhunt64)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hunterlaniermoviereviews/)Tik Tok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@featureundergroun)Letterboxd: (https://letterboxd.com/HunterLanier/)#warfare #a24 #moviereview

    12 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Feature Underground is a place for good-faith discussions about movies. All persons and viewpoints are welcome in the Underground. Adopt a little FU energy and join the community today! Hunter Lanier, the host of Feature Underground, has written for the Houston Chronicle and Film Threat, and is a member of the Houston Film Critics Society. He used to be a baby, so think of him as a recovering idiot.

Information

  • Creator
    Hunter Lanier
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hunter Lanier
  • Show Website
    Feature Underground