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!