Episode 77: The Rescuers

Grab the closest jug of moonshine, sit back, and relax as Josh, Mike and Gabe close out 2012 with their little friends Bernard and Bianca from the Rescue Aid Society. Yes, this week, the trio discusses the 1977 Disney animated film The Rescuers, from its many songs to its Cruella De Vil-like villain Madame Medusa. Would it surprise you to learn that Josh contradicts a recent opinion regarding bleakness? Would it surprise you to learn that Mike calls Josh out for this very thing? (Only if you're a new listener!) Oh, and would you like to know what it sounds like when Gabe impersonates the sound of sad horns you might hear in a Burt Bacharach song? Of course you would! All this and more in the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 76: Mickey's Christmas Carol

There are only a few shopping days until Christmas, and what better way to ring in the holiday than by warming up by the fire, sipping on some hot cocoa, and listening to a holiday-centric episode of Mousterpiece Cinema? Don't even try to think of one! Instead, listen as Josh, Mike, and Gabe discuss the 1983 short Mickey's Christmas Carol, where Mickey Mouse plays Bob Cratchit, Goofy plays Marley's ghost, and Scrooge McDuck plays...well, who else? This week, your intrepid hosts also discuss their favorite adaptations of Charles Dickens' famous tale, along with their least favorites, and there are plenty of strange movies dropped along their path. Only here can you find out what Rich Little, Henry Winkler, and Vanessa Williams have in common. So check out the new show before the bell on the clock strikes twelve!

Episode 75: One Magic Christmas

Is the Christmas season one tinged with bleakness? Do all the great holiday movies--It's A Wonderful Life or A Christmas Carol, for example--begin at a place of immense sadness? Is that what makes them great? And how does religion factor into our enjoyment of holiday films? Lots of heady topics to unwrap on this week's new Mousterpiece Cinema, where Josh and Mike tackle the 1985 Disney film One Magic Christmas, starring Harry Dean Stanton and Mary Steenburgen. And yes, in between all of this craziness, Mike was able to turn the show into a brand-new Ducksterpiece Theatre. Plus, at the end, a bit of chatter about the new Hobbit film, which Josh reviewed at Sound on Sight. Your early Christmas present is here--you just have to listen to it!

Episode 74: The Santa Clause 2

The most wonderful time of year is upon us once again, folks. Yes, it's the holiday season, and Josh is returning to the North Pole just like he did last December. A year ago, he reviewed 1994's The Santa Clause all by himself, but this year, he's got Gabe and special guest Marc Vibbert of the Animation Fascination podcast to discuss the 2002 sequel The Santa Clause 2. Does this sequel, where Santa Claus finds a wife in the form of Elizabeth Mitchel (also known as Juliet from Lost), deliver the goods? Is the first film still better? Has the boy playing Charlie, the son of the Tim Allen version of Santa, gotten any better? And what's with the way David Krumholtz runs? These and other questions are pondered and put to bed a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 73: Enchanted

How do you know...if a movie is good? How do you know...it's for you? (I hope you're singing those questions out loud.) This week, Josh, Mike, and Gabe convene in Mousterpiece Cinema HQ with special guest (and our first returning guest, to boot) Kate Kulzick of The Televerse to review the 2007 Walt Disney Pictures live-action/animation hybrid Enchanted. Everyone agreed that Amy Adams, in her breakout starring role as the fairy-tale denizen Giselle, is excellent, but what about the rest of the film? Was everyone as enamored with Patrick Dempsey, aka McDreamy? What of the music? And would Enchanted have been better if Paul Schrader had written it? (Of course.) Plenty of spirited debates within, so check out the new show!

Episode 72: Lincoln

Yes, friends, there is no typo in the episode title. (And don't let the first few minutes of the show fool you!) Though Josh had planned, many months ago, to discuss the 1996 live-action remake of 101 Dalmatians this week, Mike pulled a fast one, a good old-fashioned bait-and-switch. So, instead of spotted dogs, the topic this week is the greatest president America has ever known: Abraham Lincoln, the subject of a new film from Steven Spielberg, appropriately titled Lincoln. Though Gabe couldn't join us for this impromptu review, Mike and Josh did welcome into the show Peter Labuza of the excellent Cinephiliacs podcast to discuss Pierre Trudeau, John Ford, Woodrow Wilson, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Were Josh, Mike, and Peter all as ecstatic about Lincoln as most critics and audiences are? You'll have to listen to find out!

Note: at one point in the show, Peter references an independent filmmaker and critic named Dan Sallitt. Though Peter said Mr. Sallitt was a former writer of LA Weekly, he meant the LA Reader.

Episode 71: The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

Yes, friends, it's that time again: time for Gabe and Josh to dip into the direct-to-DVD well and see if they get oil, water, or...something in between. This week, they take a look at the highly anticipated return to Pride Rock with Simba, Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, and all our jungle friends with 1998's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. Could any sequel to the immensely popular Lion King live up to expectations? Did the people at DisneyToon Studios even try to live up to expectations? Which accents did Gabe bust out this week? And what the hell do Nikki and Paolo from Lost--yes, the dearly departed TV series--have to do with Simba and the lioness villain of this new film? You'll have to find out by checking out the new episode!

Episode 70: Wreck-It Ralph

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to break some hearts. Or, depending on who you believe, it's time to re-evaluate Josh's sanity. This week, Josh, Mike, and Gabe delve deep into Walt Disney Pictures' newest animated feature, the video-game-set Wreck-It Ralph, featuring the voices of John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch, Sarah Silverman, and Jack McBrayer. Two of your hosts loved the movie. One of your hosts...did not. Two of your hosts found the movie endearing, moving, exciting, and purely entertaining. One of your hosts...did not. This one's packed with contentious discussion, plus you can find out exactly how far down the road Josh has the show planned out. By then, you're sure to be questioning his sanity, too, but you can only do that if you listen to the new episode!

Episode 69: The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again

Is ​The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again​ one of the greatest and most underrated sequels of all time? Is it a cinematic classic? Or is it a movie so bad that even Mike said it's "terrible"? You can, of course, take a wild guess, but we bet you know the answer. After discussing the 1975 original at the end of September, it's time for Mike and Josh to tackle this 1979 follow-up, placing Don Knotts and Tim Conway as leading men as well as comic relief. They don't exactly pull it off, sadly, partly because Knotts and Conway are only so funny, and partly because this movie is so packed with Western-movie cliches, it gave your hosts whiplash. But don't let that scare you away--take a listen to the new episode, to listen to, among other topics, exactly how unfortunate it is that ​Muppet Treasure Island​ made less than, of all things, ​The Apple Dumpling ​Gang Rides Again​.

Episode 68: Something Wicked This Way Comes

By the pricking of my thumbs...oh, how does that line end? I'm sure the answer couldn't be found in the title of this week's movie on Mousterpiece Cinema, the 1983 horror movie Something Wicked This Way Comes starring Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce. (Forgive me, William Shakespeare's vengeful ghost. FORGIVE ME.) Yes, it's true, Walt Disney Pictures did make a few forays into the world of horror back in the 1980s, and this week, Josh, Mike and special guest Zack Handlen from The AV Club take a backwards ride on a magical carousel to the past to analyze this film. Were Robards and Pryce awesome enough to disguise the movie's flaws? What truly makes a Disney movie? And how much are Josh and Mike dreading discussing, of all things, The Haunted Mansion? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 67: The Sword in the Stone

The legend of King Arthur has seen many iterations in popular culture. The greatest bit of knowledge, for example, we've all learned through the British king's story is that the Earth is banana-shaped. Though we won't be discussing Monty Python and the Holy Grail in depth this week, Mike and Josh do tackle Disney's 1963 version of King Arthur's origins, The Sword in the Stone. And they're helped out by very special guest Marjorie Jensen of DoorQ.com to analyze Arthur's place in literature, his dynamism as a young character, how grim his life would be after pulling Excalibur from the stone, and how exactly Ducksterpiece Theater applies to a surprisingly duck-free movie. Check out the new show to find out!

Episode 66: Frankenweenie

On this week's all-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, something truly frightening happened. Oh, sure, we talked about Tim Burton's newest film, the stop-motion-animated, black-and-white, 3D expansion of his short film Frankenweenie. And sure, we welcomed onto the show a very special guest to review the film: Anthony Breznican of Entertainment Weekly. But discussing this scary kids' movie was nothing compared to finding out what it sounds like when Josh likes something, and both Mike and Gabe do not. Yes, friends, if you thought it was crazy enough to hear Mike get critical, just wait until you hear he and Gabe face off against Josh and Anthony. Is Frankenweenie a sweet, charming piece of nostalgia, or is it a lazy and soulless attempt from Tim Burton to recapture his youth? You'll have to listen to the show to find out the verdict!

Episode 65: 101 Dalmatians

Puppies, puppies everywhere, and not a drop to drink! OK, we may have that wrong, but on this week's all-new Mousterpiece Cinema, we're swimming in a sea full of adorable pooches as we cover the 1961 animated classic 101 Dalmatians. And it's a full house this week, as Josh, Mike, and Gabe are joined by the editor of The AV Club, Keith Phipps to take a trip down memory lane. You may know that Josh is an avowed cat person, but did Pongo, Perdita, Lucky and the other 98 Dalmatians warm his blackened heart? That's a hot topic in the episode, along with the xerography process that would define Disney animation during the 1960s and 1970s. Does this movie look as lazy and copied-over as The Jungle Book or The Aristocats? Is Cruella De Vil the best Disney villain of all time? And what does Calvin and Hobbes have to do with a baby Dalmatian surviving its birth? The answers to these burning questions are within--check out the new show to find out!

Episode 64: The Apple Dumpling Gang

Don Knotts is well-known and beloved for his role as Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, but was he really just a pervy old uncle in disguise? Well, if you listen to Mike talk about him, you might think so too! Somehow--yes, really--this is a point of discussion in the brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, where Josh and Mike tackle the 1975 Disney family film The Apple Dumpling Gang. Did this story of kids finding gold in an Old West town charm and delight both of your hosts? Or have the planets aligned once more, leaving Josh to be more negative about a movie than Mike? And what, pray tell, does John Wayne have to do with this goofball family comedy? The only way to know is to listen to the new podcast!

Episode 63: Finding Nemo

On this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, hell has frozen over. To quote the great Bill Murray, cats and dogs living together--mass hysteria! Yes, it's true: Josh liked a movie more than Mike. And that movie is this week's focus: the Pixar film Finding Nemo, which has been re-released in theaters thanks to a 3D post-conversion. Is the 3D essential? Do you need to revisit the film with a new set of eyes, or should you just revisit it at all? Josh and Mike tackle this and a lot of other topics, all the way to the true meaning of what cinema is. Heady times this week, plus we make fun of Larry the Cable Guy. Check out the new show to find out what Opposite Day truly sounds like!

Episode 62: Mars Needs Moms

Today is a very special day at Mousterpiece Cinema HQ, because it's finally happened. After months of searching, after hours of discussion, we have found a film that Mike doesn't love. In fact, this is a film that Mike had an easier time nitpicking. Yes, that's right, folks, Mike can nitpick, too! In this epic episode, Josh and Mike get right into the nitty-gritty of what is currently the biggest box-office flop in film history: Mars Needs Moms, a motion-capture animated movie based on the Berkeley Breathed book of the same name. Is the movie as bad as you might think? Do cats like broccoli? Did Mike dislike a movie more than Josh for once? Could it be possible? Check out the new show to find out!

Episode 61: The Aristocats

Who's your favorite member of the A-Team? Don't look so shocked! You may well be surprised how the answer to that question connects to this week's discussion of the 1970 Disney animated feature The Aristocats. Josh, Gabe, and Mike dig deep into the film, analyzing its music, its story, and its characters, including the raffish Thomas O'Malley and fancy Duchess. Does everybody truly want to be a cat? Or is Josh's love for cats in the real world not enough to translate into cats in the world of fiction? And, most important of all, what comment from Josh sends Gabe over the edge so that he finally calls Josh a "meanie"? You'll have to listen to the new Mousterpiece Cinema to find out!

Episode 60: The Parent Trap

Has it only been 14 years since Lindsay Lohan was a respectable child actor? Yes, friends, this week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe move past the 1961 version of The Parent Trap all the way to its 1998 remake, directed by Nancy Meyers and featuring the first major role from Ms. Lohan. In this episode, you may well hear the most nitpicky things Josh has ever taken issue with, but even Gabe gets in on the fun of picking apart this film and its perhaps-questionable premise. Exactly how frustrated was Josh with this modern take on the story of identical twins conspiring to reunite their parents? And what accents does Gabe regale us with this week? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 59: Princess Mononoke

It's a moment of truth on Mousterpiece Cinema this week, as Josh and Mike are joined by special guest Simon Howell from The Televerse and Sound on Sight's flagship podcast. The trio team up to tackle the 1997 Studio Ghibli release Princess Mononoke. Along with Spirited Away, it's one of writer-director Hayao Miyazaki's most beloved films. And long-time listeners know exactly how much Josh wasn't swayed by Spirited Away. Will the experience of Princess Mononoke be any different? Do Mike and Simon need to convince him of the film's epic allure, its striking animation, and its complex characters? Find out whether or not Josh once again goes to bat for the out-there minority opinion, or if he finally succumbed to Ghibli's charms on this week's Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 58: National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets

On this week's Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Mike are joined by special guest Casey Ryan to tackle not one, but two movies. Yes, they shoved a discussion of the 2004 adventure film National Treasure along with its 2007 sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets into one jam-packed episode. The double-movie package may be a blessing in disguise, as the three quickly agree that both movies are cut from the same cloth, as it were. But what of Nicolas Cage and his penchant for nutty performances? Which film is your hosts' favorite? Who's the better villain--Sean Bean or Ed Harris? And who has the crazier haircut: Nicolas Cage or Tom Hanks? You'll have to listen to find out the answers to all of these burning questions!

Episode 57: The Three Caballeros

Ole! This week, we're in a celebratory mood at Mousterpiece Cinema HQ as Josh, Gabe, and Mike talk all about The Three Caballeros, the 1944 package film from Walt Disney Pictures that brought together Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles for the first time. Your three hosts are joined by perhaps the movie's biggest fan, Jeff Heimbuch, MiceChat.com columnist and co-host of the Disney theme-park video podcast Communicore Weekly. And even though he was only able to appear for the first 30 minutes, Mike manages to sneak in a drive-by Ducksterpiece Theater in honor of Disney's number-one duck. There are discussions of nostalgia, sex drives, and even The Goonies in store--check out the new episode now!

Episode 56: The Parent Trap

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe head back into the past, all the way to the 1960s to discuss the original long-lost-identical-twin story, The Parent Trap, starring Hayley Mills AND Hayley Mills as twins who discover each other at summer camp and conspire to get their parents back together. There's plenty to discuss, as Gabe and Josh debate accents, gold-diggers, and try to nail down exactly how great an actress Maureen O'Hara really was. Did the split-screen effect work that well in 1961? Do your hosts put on any English accents? Or are they ready for a podcast-style divorce? Check out this week's show to find out!

Episode 55: The Fox and the Hound 2

Once more into the fray, dear friends. Yes, this week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe return to the regular schedule by ripping off another painful bandage known as the 2006 direct-to-DVD midquel The Fox and the Hound 2. But it features the voices of Reba McEntire and Patrick Swayze! What could go wrong? Well, the unfortunate answer is quite a lot. Josh and Gabe are joined by special guest Corey Atad to talk about exactly what did go wrong with this uninvolving and dull story, to discuss whether or not these types of movies destroyed Disney's reputation, and to reveal which of them worked on The Dark Knight Rises. No, the last point doesn't have much to do with The Fox and the Hound 2, but you may be surprised by the answer. You'll have to check out the new Mousterpiece Cinema to find out!

Herbie Challenge Episode One: The Love Bug

Well, folks, there's some good news and bad news. Let's rip the bandage off first: because of some unforeseen scheduling and family issues, our National Treasure discussion has been postponed until next month. But fear not! In its place, we do have a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema for you, and it's extra-special! A month ago, Mike extended a challenge to Josh: get 100 Likes on Facebook, and discuss the 1997 TV-movie version of The Love Bug on the show. Over 100 of you have Liked us on Facebook, so your wishes have come true! This week, in our first (and hopefully not last) Herbie Challenge episode, Mike and Josh analyze The Love Bug, from Bruce Campbell to Herbie's past to Jim Douglas and his many, many wives. Check it out--and make sure to keep Liking us to keep the challenge alive!

Episode 54: Newsies

Carry the banner! Do it for Crutchie! Dare to dream to go to Santa Fe! Some of you will recognize these as references to the 1992 flop-turned-Broadway smash hit Newsies, a cult favorite from Walt Disney Pictures. Some of you have fond memories of Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, and a cast of lovable imps and orphans singing and dancing their way through the Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. So, some of you are like Gabe and Mike, ardent fans of the film. But the rest of you, those who don't recognize the film or hold it dear to your heart, may be more like Josh, who struggled to find anything to like about the movie. In what is arguably the silliest Mousterpiece Cinema yet, your three hosts delve into singing, dancing, New York accents, and yes, maybe even another hostile takeover into Ducksterpiece Theatre. Check it out!

Episode 53: The Jungle Book

Baloo the bear always told his friend Mowgli the man-cub to look for the bare necessities in life. Does that principle apply to movies, too? This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are joined by the editor-in-chief of Sound on Sight, Ricky D, to take an in-depth look at the 1967 Disney classic The Jungle Book. Among other things, The Jungle Book is notable for being the last film Walt Disney had a strong producing hand in before he passed away. Does his influence show? Do Josh, Gabe, and Ricky think as fondly of The Jungle Book as adults as they did as children? And which member of the Rat Pack is the voice of Baloo, Phil Harris, most like? The answers to these burning questions and more are revealed on this week's Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 52: Brave

Do you have what it takes to change your fate? Can you possibly know the costs of damaging the bond among familial allies? This week, Josh, Gabe, and Michael go head-to-head with Disney-Pixar's newest movie, Brave, set in the Scottish Highlands and featuring the voices of Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, and more. There's little complete agreement this week, but it may shock you to learn that the sole voice of dissent isn't Josh! (He's sure to remind you of his black, black heart in the weeks to come.) So, with talk of heaving bosoms, archery, bumbling men, and a few Scottish accents thrown in for good measure, the new Mousterpiece Cinema is a must-listen!

Episode 51: Victory Through Air Power

With Independence Day right around the corner, the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema celebrates a part of the Walt Disney Company's history all about protecting America. Though you may not be as familiar with the period when Walt Disney and his animators worked on wartime propaganda, there was a time when Disney focused more on convincing America to get involved in the World War II effort instead of entertaining mass audiences with fairy tales. This week, Josh and Gabe are joined by Michael Crawford from Progress City, U.S.A. to discuss the pinnacle of Disney's propaganda, the full-length feature Victory Through Air Power. This hybrid of live-action and animation features a dry Russian narrator, an animated history of aviation, and an eagle pounding the life out of an octopus! Even if you haven't seen the film, this episode is a can't-miss affair, with discussions of Disney history, keeping historical context in mind in the modern day, and a few Edward G. Robinson impressions. So check out the new Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 50: Herbie: Fully Loaded

What better way to celebrate Mousterpiece Cinema's 50th episode than with another milestone? Yes, after what feels like years but has really only been a few months, Josh and Mike have reached the end of the Herbie, the Love Bug franchise. (Or have they?) This week, they're thrilled that Herbie has finally joined the 21st century in the 2005 reboot/sequel Herbie: Fully Loaded, starring Lindsay Lohan, Michael Keaton, and Matt Dillon. Josh and Mike get loose and silly almost immediately, ping-ponging from a mini-discussion of John Carter to looking at two of the writers of Herbie: Fully Loaded, Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant, to the piece de resistance: Mike throwing down a challenge to all of you listeners! Find out about the challenge and more on the new Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 49: Bambi

Almost everyone can remember the moment when their childhood innocence was shattered: it's when Bambi's mom got shot by a hunter, right? (I assume you're all nodding in agreement.) This week, Josh, Gabe, and Mike honor the 70th anniversary of Walt Disney Pictures' fifth full-length animated film, Bambi, by discussing its animation style, its overall realism, and by invoking movies like Monty Python and the Meaning of Life and Speed. How do those movies relate in any way to this one? Which of your hosts loves the film more than any other Disney animated feature? And what of the malevolent Ronno? (The right answer to that is, "Who?") Discover the answers by listening to the latest Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 48: WALL-E

Through the magic of the Internet, we're managing to bring you a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema despite Josh currently being on vacation in the happiest place on Earth. And what better way to celebrate than by discussing one of the most magical and entertaining romantic comedies of the past decade? Yes, this week, Josh and Michael discuss Pixar's 2008 film WALL-E, which may be set in a dystopian future but is also a sweet and lovely story of two lonely robots who find love as humanity struggles to survive. They're joined by special guest Rowan Kaiser of The AV Club and Joystiq Magazine to talk about the fabled "Pixar moment," showtunes, gender coding in nonhuman characters and fascism! Heady stuff, and it's all part of another great Mousterpiece Cinema you won't want to miss!

Episode 47: Herbie Goes Bananas

Listeners, it's finally come to this. After four films starring the rascally Love Bug himself, Herbie, your hosts Josh and Michael have begun to question each other's sanity. The real culprit is the topic of this week's podcast, the 1980 film Herbie Goes Bananas, where the supposedly lovable VW Beetle faces off against scheming thieves, an outrageously horny older woman, a stuffy cruise-ship captain, and a fuming bull. (Absolutely none of that is a lie or a joke. We promise.) For anyone hoping that Michael would, for once, succumb to the Dark Side, you may be disappointed, but you'll get to hear Josh rage and rant like never before. This one's an episode for the pantheon, so check out the new Mousterpiece Cinema today!

Episode 46: Fantasia 2000

Though it took sixty years for Disney to make a follow-up to the 1940 classic Fantasia, it's only taken Josh, Gabe, and Michael a month to discuss it on the podcast. This week, your three intrepid hosts join forces for the first time without guests to take a look at Fantasia 2000. What are their favorite segments? What are their least favorite segments? What do they think of the celebrity emcees? And how big of an axe does Gabe have to grind against the diva herself, Bette Midler? Check it all out with your very own Three Caballeros this week on Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 45: The Avengers

Head-to-head battles, a massive cast, snappy wit. Yes, this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema has it all. And what better way to discuss Marvel's The Avengers, one of the biggest, most popular films of the year? This week, it's a packed, epic-length show, as Josh, Gabe, and Michael are joined by special guest Adam Kempenaar, co-host of the essential Filmspotting podcast, to discuss the latest superhero film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Do they all love this new film from cult god Joss Whedon? Or will they have to lay waste to each other? And which one of your intrepid hosts Hulks out during the show? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 44: Chimpanzee

Grunt grunt grunt! Grunt--*cough, cough*--excuse me, I had a piece of hacky old shtick in my throat. Now, where was I? Ah yes, it's time for a new Mousterpiece Cinema! This week, Josh and Michael go to the jungles of Africa with the new DisneyNature documentary Chimpanzee, which is replete with beautiful imagery, a compelling day-in-the-life story about lovable chimps, and truly horrendous, movie-killing narration from Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor himself, Tim Allen. Would this movie be better if you could mute the dialogue? Does only one of your hosts indulge in a Home Improvement-style grunting impression, or both? And what would British documentarian David Attenborough sound like if he had read Allen's narration? Answers to these and other burning questions on the latest Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 43: Cinderella II: Dreams Come True

For any fan of Disney films, discussing their many direct-to-video sequels is truly going, to quote the line, where no man has gone before. This is the final frontier, and on the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe begin to explore it with 2002's follow-up to a movie that didn't seem to need one, Cinderella II: Dreams Come True. Listen to them discuss a movie that fellow co-host Michael dubbed a "cinematic atrocity," one so bad he refused to watch it even for the podcast. Does Cinderella II live up (or down) to such hype? Is it perhaps a diamond in the rough? Or is it as bad as Josh feared? Check out the new episode to find out!

Episode 42: Cool Runnings

It's the middle of April, the heart of spring, so there's no better time to talk about a movie set at the Winter Olympics, right? If that sounds crazy, here's something crazier: bobsledders...from Jamaica! Yes, this week on the podcast, Josh and Michael take a look at the 1993 sports comedy Cool Runnings, based on the crazy-but-true story of four men from Jamaica who went to the 1988 Winter Olympics to be the first bobsledders from that country. Finally, with such a wild combination, Josh and Michael are on the same page about a Disney sports movie! There are some typically nutty tangents this week, with German accents and Bad Boys II coming into play. Check out the new Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 41: Fantasia

It's a momentous week at Mousterpiece Cinema headquarters, as your three hosts--Josh, Mike, and Gabe--come together for the first time! And they're joined by a very special guest, Kate Kulzick from The Televerse podcast at Sound on Sight. What's the special occasion? This week, your hosts and their guest tackle one of the biggest classics in the Walt Disney Pictures filmography: Fantasia, the 1940 classic filled with animated segments set to pieces of classical music. With such a big movie to discuss, it's no surprise that the guys and Kate had a long, expansive discussion. You'll definitely want to listen as Josh commits another act of heresy, Kate educates us on the film's musical elements, and much, much more. Check out the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema now!

Episode 40: D3: The Mighty Ducks

You've been waiting for weeks, and finally, we've reached the thrilling, exciting, unexpected conclusion of the epic Mighty Ducks trilogy. The mysteries of the franchise will be answered on this special episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Did Gordon Bombay abandon his beloved Ducks? What's Charlie's favorite musical group? Did your mischievous co-host Michael once again pull off a sneaky coup d'etat of the podcast's regular format from Josh? And what are your hosts' alcoholic drinks of choice? Pull up a seat--preferably a high-backed leatherbound chair--and check out a brand-new episode of Ducksterpiece--I mean, Mousterpiece Cinema.

Episode 39: The Wild

You have been waiting for this moment for days, weeks, even months. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is a very important, landmark episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. For the first time, you will hear the magic words that make Michael blow a gasket, virtually. Actually, let's up the ante. You will hear TWO different sentences that get Michael's blood boiling. Either way, this week's episode is a spirited debate, as Josh and Michael discuss the merits (or lack thereof) of the 2006 animated film The Wild, which may or may not be a shameless rip-off of Finding Nemo and Madagascar depending on which point of view you agree with. Check out this--wait for it--wild episode of Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 38: Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo

On this very special episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Michael rejoin the many exploits and misadventures of Herbie, the Volkswagen with a mind of its own, as he finally goes racing with Jim Douglas in Europe, in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo. But this is no average podcast; you'll find out, just as Josh did, some important information about his co-host. What torture did Michael suffer at the hand of his three sisters? How does anime or manga relate to Herbie the Love Bug? Plus, you'll also hear about the hideous fashion faux pas on display in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo. Yes, it's another silly, wild episode of the show; when Herbie's involved, this podcast comes alive! Check out the new episode right now--you won't regret it!

Episode 37: John Carter

Travel with Josh and Michael this week to the mysterious red planet that we call Mars, as they discuss the latest film from Walt Disney Pictures, John Carter. This science-fiction epic has been talked about for a lot of reasons--its bad marketing, its 3D post-conversion, its title change--but Josh and Michael are here to resolve the most important question of all to any moviegoer: is this movie any good? Is it worth your time? What does Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol have to do with this movie? Those questions and many more are answered on this life-changing trip to Barsoom on the new Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 36: Lady and the Tramp

Do you have to be a dog person to like a Disney classic such as 1955's Lady and the Tramp? Do you hate dogs if you don't? These are just a couple of the questions that Josh and co-host Gabe Bucsko asked and answered while discussing the iconic film on this week's episode. And sure, we've all seen that famous moment where the two dogs eat the same strand of spaghetti and end up kissing, but how does this key romance work when the dogs are talking to each other? What does the time-travel comedy Back to the Future have to do with this relationship? And will Gabe's mother ever think Josh is nothing but a heartless fiend? Find out on the latest Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 35: D2: The Mighty Ducks

It's time to return to the ice again, as Josh and Michael delve back into the world of Gordon Bombay and his ragtag team of lovable underdogs, the Mighty Ducks. Yes, friends, we're talking about 1994's D2: The Mighty Ducks this week and make no mistake: if you are expecting a normal episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, you are in for a wild ride. This episode is so crazy, breaking the rules of past episodes left and right, that Skype could barely handle our discussion. (Don't be shocked if there are a few sound glitches!) Within the madness, you'll find out about knucklepuck, short actors, how good of a hockey team Iceland would really have, and what Josh's impression of cartoony special effects sound like. Take a listen to this duckstra-special episode of Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 34: The Secret World of Arrietty

Over the four-day Presidents' Day weekend in the United States, Walt Disney Pictures unveiled the latest release from the beloved Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli, 2012's The Secret World of Arrietty. Now that a week has past, Josh and Michael can delve deep into this secret world, adapted from the well-known British kids' novel The Borrowers. Does The Secret World of Arrietty stand up to other Ghibli releases such as Ponyo and Spirited Away? What does the old Disney live-action movie Rascal, about a boy and his pet raccoon, have to do with the movie? And who do Josh and Michael think are the four animators worthy of a Mount Rushmore-like shrine? Find out the answers to these and other questions in the new Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 33: Herbie Rides Again

It's a very special day here on Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Michael cover their very first live-action sequel to a Disney movie. The honor goes to Herbie Rides Again, one of the strangest, quirkiest, and messiest movies from Walt Disney Pictures. This 1974 sequel is something of a lemon--yes, we went there--but even in a baffling misfire, there's always some joy to unearth. Even if you haven't seen Herbie Rides Again, you'll want to check out this episode, full of silliness, an appreciation of Stefanie Powers, and the answer to the question: what is the unified film theory of Walt Disney Pictures? Check out the latest Mousterpiece Cinema now!

Episode 32: The Black Cauldron

In the history of Walt Disney Pictures, few films have as well-known a reputation as 1985's The Black Cauldron. Unfortunately, The Black Cauldron has a...well, black mark on its record; it's known as one of the biggest flops for the studio and the animation department's lowest point. But is The Black Cauldron as bad as its reputation? On the latest episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and co-host Michael Ryan dig deep into this film's history, talking about the source material by Lloyd Alexander, the score, the characters, and a whole lot of sacrifice. Is the Horned King the best Disney villain? Is the music a carbon copy of a certain 80s-era comedy classic? And what exactly is that pesky character Gurgi? Find out the answers on the new Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 31: Mary Poppins

Just as we kicked off 2012 with the first-ever full-length animated film on Mousterpiece Cinema, is there any better way to kick off the month of February with what's possibly the most quintessential film from Walt Disney Pictures? Of course not, so with Michael Ryan taking the week off, Josh and co-host Gabe Bucsko dive straight into the movie that introduced us all to Julie Andrews: 1964's Mary Poppins. With a slew of classic songs, a mix of live action and animation, and plenty of laughs (some unintentionally inspired by a certain performer's accent), did Gabe and Josh need a spoonful of sugar to sit through this movie? Do they think it's practically perfect in every way? Are there other movie-related puns in the episode itself? Only one way to find out: check out the latest Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 30: The Brave Little Toaster

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Michael ask the important question: who plays with appliances as a child? This and other burning questions arise as they discuss The Brave Little Toaster, an indie animated film Walt Disney Pictures snatched up after its 1987 release. Both of your hosts were shocked by this cult favorite, mostly because of how much it reminded them of a certain trilogy of computer-animated films about toys, but why ruin all the fun now? You should check out the latest episode of the podcast, and give the show a rating and review on iTunes while you're at it!

Episode 29: The Love Bug

Even though it's been over 40 years since he first drove onto the silver screen and captured America's heart, there are a lot of questions you can ask about Herbie, that famous Volkswagen Beetle. Why does he act like a human? Where did he come from? Most importantly, why is he called The Love Bug? On this week's Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh is joined by co-host (yes, friends, you read that right!) Michael Ryan, from Sound on Sight, to debate and discuss these burning questions as well as look back on the careers of leading man Dean Jones and sidekick Buddy Hackett. But don't you worry, Herbie, Josh and Michael talked plenty about you, too. Just take a listen to the show to find out!

Episode 28: The Mighty Ducks

Quack! Quack! Quack! Yes, friends, it's time to show some team spirit and get into a Flying V, because this week's new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema takes a look at where it all began for one of Walt Disney Pictures' most popular modern franchises, The Mighty Ducks. Josh is joined by Sound on Sight contributor Michael Ryan to discuss this 1992 underdog sports movie, and gets a crash course in hockey history in the process! Does The Mighty Ducks hold up after 20 years? Is it as entertaining as The Rocketeer or as disposable as The Black Hole or Tron? You'll have to take a listen and find out for yourself!

Episode 27: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Happy New Year, everyone! 2012 is a banner year for Mousterpiece Cinema, because the Disney movie podcast you know and love is now being presented to you by the amazing movie website Sound On Sight! Why not start off this new year than with a look back at where it all began for Walt Disney Pictures? Yes, this week, Josh commemorates the 75th anniversary of the first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but don't hold your breath if you're waiting for him to gush about the American Film Institute's choice for the best animated film ever. It may be first, but Josh wasn't as charmed as you may think. Now that he's got your attention, check out the first Mousterpiece Cinema of 2012, from Sound on Sight!