Episode 124: Saving Mr. Banks

Wind's in the east...mist comin' in. Like something is brewin' and 'bout to begin. Can't put me finger on what lies in store, but I feel what's to happen, all happened before. Oh, excuse us, we were just reciting one of our favorite underrated lines from Mary Poppins, the Disney musical classic that happens to be the subject of this week's new Mousterpiece Cinema. What's that, you say? Oh, sure, Gabe and Josh have already profiled that film on the podcast, but this week, they're talking about the new Disney film Saving Mr. Banks, which is focused squarely on the making of Mary Poppins, from the perspective of the character's creator, P.L. Travers, as played here by Emma Thompson. Were Gabe and Josh as charmed by this film as they were by Mary Poppins? Did Tom Hanks' portrayal of Walt Disney himself win them over? Or are they swearing off the Disney myth entirely, throwing it to the curb like so many pears in a fruit basket? The answer is more complicated than you think, so check out the new show to find out!

Episode 123: Babes in Toyland

"Toyland, Toyland, little girl and boy land..." Hey, why aren't you singing along? Don't you know the lyrics to Victor Herbert's operetta Babes in Toyland? Well, you'd better brush up, because the Walt Disney Pictures adaptation (in Technicolor, no less) of that operetta is in the spotlight on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Gabe are guest-free once again as they explore Mother Goose Land and Toyland, which are adjoined by the Forest of No Return. (Don't worry, that forest isn't as terrifying as it sounds.) And after only a few minutes, your intrepid co-hosts answer a very pertinent and timely question: is this actually a Christmas movie? The answer isn't as easy as you might think, and neither is this surprisingly bifurcated film. So, in the words of the dastardly Barnaby (seriously), come. Let's pussyfoot. And check out the new show!

Episode 122: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Friends, as we approach another Christmas, it's time to limp across the finish line, gasping for air. In 2011, by himself, Josh took a look at the 1994 holiday comedy The Santa Clause. In 2012, Josh and Gabe, along with guest Marc Vibbert, did the same with the 2002 sequel, The Santa Clause 2. And now, it's just Josh and Gabe, gaping in awe at the terror and foul horror of the 2006 end of the trilogy, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. On the one hand, sure, this movie has Tim Allen, Martin Short as Jack Frost, Alan Arkin, Ann-Margret, and more. But on the other hand, it has Martin Short singing a poor parody of "New York, New York," and Alan Arkin doing some of the worst acting of his life. Put it this way, there are plenty of tangents in this episode because it just got too painful to talk about this film after a while. But stay to the end, and you'll hear Josh and Gabe get more delight out of saying the name "Smaug" than they did in watching this movie. It's a painful film, but the episode inspired by it is, promise, a lot of fun. So check it out!

Episode 121: Frozen

OK, we know that we kept you waiting for an extra week, but finally, it's time for Mousterpiece Cinema to get cold. In fact, we're so cold, we're...wait for it...Frozen! Yes, this week, Josh and Gabe take a look at Walt Disney Animation Studios' newest film, a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen featuring the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, and more, and music from the composers of The Book of Mormon and Avenue Q. With such high expectations and hopes, were Josh and Gabe thrilled with this frigid fairy tale? And what about their guest, returning favorite Corey Atad? Did this tale of sisterly love work magic on the trio? And what of the attached Mickey Mouse short, Get a Horse!? One of these stories inspired Gabe to say he wanted to vomit--no joke. The only way to find out what inspired such intense hyperbole (we hope it's hyperbole), though, is to listen to the show, so check it out!

Episode 120: Delivery Man

We've all gathered here today not to mock him, but to express our concern and worry for Vince Vaughn. Yes, friends, you might well consider the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema as a kind of career intervention, even if Mr. Vaughn may not be...you know, listening to the show. But he should be, because the topic of discussion is his new film, the Touchstone/DreamWorks comedy Delivery Man, a remake of the French-Canadian comedy Starbuck. The story is about a slacker whose sperm donations in the early 1990s were used to sire over 500 children, many of whom want to know the identity of their biological father, but that only inspired Josh, Gabe, and their guest, Tim Grierson of Deadspin, Paste Magazine, Screen International, and Playboy, to wonder when the Vince Vaughn they loved a decade ago is coming back. Take our word for it: even if you didn't see Delivery Man (and you probably didn't, based on the box office), you want to listen to this episode. It's a must!

Episode 119: The Jungle Book 2

Only a few days after the apparently-real, not-fake International Men's Day, it's time for your podcast co-hosts to have another one of their typical bro-hangs. And is there a better movie to bro out to than the 2003 film The Jungle Book 2? Possibly! But this movie is the subject of the new Mousterpiece Cinema, and you may not be shocked to learn that Josh and Gabe weren't too impressed with yet another entry from DisneyToon Studios. That's in spite of John Goodman and Haley Joel Osment stepping in to voice Baloo and Mowgli, too. But even though the movie's not too great, the discussion inspired by it is a ton of fun, and yes, because it's just Josh and Gabe, a bit tangential. You know what they say, though: the tangents are the best part of any discussion! (OK, we just made that up right now. But still. Check out the new show.)

Episode 118: Thor: The Dark World

Friends, it's hammer time. (Listen, someone was going to make that joke, so it might as well be made right here.) Yes, once more, your intrepid hosts of Mousterpiece Cinema jump into the ever-expanding pool known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This week, Josh and Gabe have their sights set on Marvel's newest, Thor: The Dark World. Joining them is return guest Keith Phipps, editorial director of The Dissolve. And it turns out that, at least in one of your hosts' perspectives, this film is the deep end of the MCU. Is this sequel better than the 2011 original? How much did Josh, Gabe, and Keith love Tom Hiddleston as Loki? And what the hell was going on with the post-credits scene? Answers lie within, so grab your nearest cape and hammer and get listening!

Episode 117: The Little Mermaid

There's music galore in the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and why shouldn't there be? On this week's podcast, Josh and Gabe put on their diving gear and went under the sea to swim and frolic and generally be merry with the starfish, bass, crabs, and even more sea life. Yes, it's time to talk about one of Disney's biggest, brightest, and most beloved animated classics: The Little Mermaid. Josh and Gabe were joined this week by Salt Lake City Weekly film critic Scott Renshaw to discuss the 1989 classic's influence, its animation, its character work and, of course, its many memorable songs. Do all three of your hosts love The Little Mermaid as much now as they did before? Does the film hold up to repeat viewing? And does Gabe's irrational hatred of dogs rear its ugly head once again? Only one way to find out: check out the new show!

Episode 116: Remember the Titans

The autumn has arrived, and with it, the grand sport of football, in which burly dudes suit up to run into each other's bodies with blunt force. Ah, football. And it's the topic of this week's Mousterpiece Cinema, as Gabe and Josh talk about the 2000 Disney sports drama Remember the Titans. They're joined by RogerEbert.com contributor Danny Bowes, who, in an interesting wrinkle, wasn't able to rewatch Remember the Titans in time for the podcast. But fear not! One of your hosts would argue that's not a bad thing, as the movie, Denzel Washington's inherent Denzel-ness aside, may not be up to snuff. There's talk of Flutie Flakes, Caleb Carr, Hayden Panettiere, Stephen King, and...well, also the movie in question. It's a grab bag this week, so take a listen to see if you too remember...well, you know.

Episode 115: Up

Hi there! On this tearjerking episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Gabe and Josh are going on a trek into the darkest reaches of the Venezuelan jungles to discover a lost species of animal to bring back to civilization, and have traveled in an old house lifted up via balloons and--squirrel! OK, fine, the truth is slightly less adventurous: they're talking about Pixar's 2009 film Up, and are joined in doing so by Slate film critic Dana Stevens. Is Up as emotional and romantic now as it was a few years ago? More importantly, are the relationships that grouchy old Carl has with the living as interesting as the one he has with his recently deceased wife? And what's this whole business about one of your hosts not...liking...dogs? (And it may not be who you think.) You can't know if you don't listen, so get some hankies ready and listen to the new show!

Episode 114: Escape from Tomorrow

Today's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is a bit different, a bit crazy, maybe even a bit surreal. Josh and Gabe decided to break from tradition even more than in the past. Yes, this episode is a first, because the film up for discussion isn't technically...a Disney movie. But Escape from Tomorrow was shot and set in the Disney theme parks, so that kind of counts, right? Right? OK, good. To join them in talking about this highly controversial new drama, Josh and Gabe are joined by Jacob S. Hall of Movies.com, ScreenCrush.Com, and OneOfUs.Net. And if you were hoping to hear a fierce debate over the moral and legal issues surrounding this movie, well, you are in luck. But if you think Josh was the most negative on the film, think again. You may hear Gabe in a whole new light. But you'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 113: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

Who's ready for a ghost story? If you're excited to get spooked a bit, to get a fright or two...well, you'll have to fast-forward to the final 15 minutes of this week's movie of choice on Mousterpiece Cinema, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. Sure, the Headless Horseman makes a stunning and scare-ifying appearance in this package film, but not until the very end, a source of distress in this week's conversation. Josh and Gabe are joined by Geoffrey Denson, a Mousterpiece Cinema fan who's also a recent big donor to Sound on Sight. Is one half of this two-part movie better than the other? Is the animation too cartoonish, as Walt Disney feared? Is Gabe's Bing Crosby impression up to snuff? Check out the new show to find out!

Episode 112: The Sixth Sense

Wouldn't it be awful if this episode description invoked that most famous line from the 1999 psychological thriller The Sixth Sense? Wouldn't that be the hackiest thing ever? Of course it would be, which is why we see new podcasts! They're walking around like regular podcasts, but they don't know they're new. All right, it's out of our system, but can you blame us? Yes, the new Mousterpiece Cinema is all about M. Night Shyamalan's star-making film, catapulting him into the Hollywood stratosphere only a few years before he'd begin descending into something of a public joke. And someone who's having none of that joke is Gabe, who's a no-show this week, for reasons Josh divulges in the episode. In Gabe's place, Josh got three excellent guests: Scott Meslow of The Week, Alexander Huls of Film School Rejects and Movies.com, and Mark Pfeiffer of Reel Times. Goofy jokes aside, all four are pretty big fans of The Sixth Sense, so there will be less ragging on Shyamalan than you might think. But plenty of Dreamcatcher references. (OK, one Dreamcatcher reference.) But enough talk: take a listen to this scare-ifying new show!

Episode 111: Ghosts of the Abyss

It's Josh's birthday, and his wish has come true: to travel to the depths of the ocean to explore the wreck of the infamous Titanic. OK, maybe that wasn't exactly his birthday wish, but that is the topic of this week's Mousterpiece Cinema: the 2003 documentary Ghosts of the Abyss, starring and directed by Oscar-winner/cinematic titan James Cameron. Josh and Gabe are joined by Sound on Sight's very own Josh Slater-Williams to tackle this documentary, in both its theatrical hourlong version and extended DVD version. Is one better than the other? Are the scenes in the expanded version crucial enough that the hourlong version may suffer in comparison? And what does Bill Paxton peeing have to do with any of this? All these topics and more are dealt with in the new podcast, so check it out today!

Episode 110: Peter Pan

All you need is faith and trust, friends. Don't you want to fly to Neverland? It's just past the second star to the right, straight on till morning! OK, maybe Josh and Gabe aren't exactly Peter Pan and Tinker Bell (or vice versa, though they haven't decided just yet which role suits each of them best), but Disney's 1953 version of J.M. Barrie's classic children's story Peter Pan is the topic of discussion on today's all-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! Once more, the dynamic duo are guest-free, but they found plenty to talk about regarding the film's presentation of Native Americans and women, as well as the crocodile with a clock in its stomach, and even more. And you just might hear Gabe admit to--gasp!--agreeing with Josh! Wholeheartedly! No fooling! Just listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 109: The Three Musketeers

It's all for one, one for all, all for love, and more for you. (Some of that may have been written by Alexandre Dumas. But probably not all of it.) Yes, this week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are talking about the 1993 adaptation of the classic story The Three Musketeers, starring Kiefer Sutherland, Chris O'Donnell, Charlie Sheen, and Tim Curry. And this week, it's just Josh and Gabe--they're guest-free and debating whether they're Athos and Porthos, Athos and Aramis, or some combination in between. They debate the 90s-era stardom of Chris O'Donnell, Kiefer Sutherland's young-Jack-Bauer-like line readings, and exactly who needed to die in this movie. And yes, according to at least one of your hosts, someone did need to die. Find out who in the new podcast!

Episode 108: The Muppet Movie

Are you confused? Feeling lost, perhaps? Well, you should try Hare Krishna. But if you have and found that religion to be more of a myth (myth! myth!), then maybe it's time to move right along and discover the fabled rainbow connection on the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. If you haven't figured out yet what movie's on the docket today, then you really are in for an education. (And you have no excuse for not having seen it yet!) We're talking about the 1979 family classic The Muppet Movie, of course, and Josh and Gabe are raring to go in reviewing this iconic film. They're joined by Estelle Hallick of This Happy Place in debating the villains who get away, the best and worst cameos and songs in this great Muppet story, and more. Don't hope that something better will come along--it has, and it's this show! So take a listen!

Episode 107: My Neighbor Totoro

It's that time of year again, as Gabe and Josh go back into the Studio Ghibli coffers to take a look at one of their Disney-distributed animated movies. This time, they tackle one of the most beloved films from director Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbor Totoro, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. To join them in discussing this story of the imaginative spirit of childhood, Gabe and Josh brought back self-described "super-hipster" Zack Handlen of The AV Club. They discuss the difference between the film's English and Japanese-language dubs, the film's very unique connection to Troma Films (yes, really), and there's maybe a bit of singing in between. So grab your Totoro doll, hop on the catbus, and get ready for a wild ride of a show!

Episode 106: Oliver and Company

Which Oliver Twist-related pun should we start this description off with? There are just so many to choose from, even if this week's new Mousterpiece Cinema focuses on an Oliver Twist adaptation, Oliver & Company. So maybe we could say that this is a podcast...podcast for sale. Or we could ask, shocked, if you want...MORE? And so on. Kidding aside, this week's episode is no joke. Gabe and Josh are joined by Anthony Breznican of Entertainment Weekly to revisit this 1988 Disney animated film that represents a transitional period right before Disney's Renaissance period, to sing a few bars of a Billy Joel song or two, and to discuss the state of hand-drawn animation at Walt Disney Feature Animation. If you're a hand-drawn animation advocate--and who isn't?--you'll want to stay around for the whole show, as Anthony describes in detail his recent interview with the head honcho himself, John Lasseter. Now, if you've got just enough street savoir faire, take a listen to this week's show!

Episode 105: Planes

Are you ready to soar to new heights? Have you checked your mental baggage? Are your tray tables in their fully locked and upright positions? Oh, sure, you're rolling your eyes at this aviation-based puns, but if you think similar jokes aren't littered all over the new movie Planes, you've got another think coming. Yes, this week on Mousterpiece Cinema, it's time to face off against this new not-Pixar movie inspired by the Cars films from Disney/Pixar honcho John Lasseter. And once again, Gabe's nowhere to be found (though he might've made the right decision). So Josh is joined by Noel Kirkpatrick of This Was TV and Mark Pfeiffer of Reel Times to ask the hard questions: is Planes as bad as the chatter would lead you to believe? Does Dane Cook remind anyone else of Alex Rodriguez? And what kind of vehicle would Hitler be if Hitler was a vehicle in the world of Cars? (And...oh, yeah, why is World War II invoked in a kids' movie without humans? That too.) It's time to answer those burning queries and depart on the Boeing 747 known as Mousterpiece Cinema, so get on board!

Episode 104: Song of the South

You read the title right, friends. This week, Josh and Gabe tackle one of the most controversial films in American cinema, and arguably the most challenging in Disney's filmography: the 1946 live-action/animated hybrid Song of the South, which tells the tale of white and black characters living in harmony in the Reconstruction-era Deep South. To unwrap all of its complications, Josh and Gabe are joined by Noel Murray of The Dissolve, and they ask the big questions: should this movie be shown publicly? Should Disney profit as much as they do on its theme-park inspiration, Splash Mountain? And is Gabe a racist? (For liking this movie, that is.) If the bluebird is on your shoulder and you're whistling a very specific tune, tuck in and listen to the new show for the answers!

Episode 103: The Straight Story

Everything's topsy-turvy on Mousterpiece Cinema this week, from top to bottom. For the first time in a while, Gabe's not on the show due to scheduling issues; in his stead, Josh got two esteemed guests--Peter Labuza of The Cinephiliacs and Jake Cole of MovieMezzanine.com--to join him to review, of all things, a David Lynch movie. Yes, David Lynch does have a Disney connection: his 1999 film The Straight Story, which is rated G, features no terrifying nightmare sequences, and is, on the surface, as un-Lynchian as it gets. But maybe not. Maybe The Straight Story is David Lynch's most centered film, his most emotional, and his heaviest. You'll have to listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 102: The Great Mouse Detective

Before Robert Downey, Jr. donned the cap and pipe, before Benedict Cumberbatch deduced in the modern world, there was another revival of Sherlock Holmes back in the 1980s. And yes, it was a Disney movie. Sure, the lead characters were...mice, and sure, they weren't...called Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. But no matter! This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe take a look at The Great Mouse Detective, one of Disney's last animated features before the vaunted Renaissance period kicked in. They're joined by Doug Tilley of DailyGrindhouse.com to discuss the majesty of Vincent Price, the old-school bumbling nature of Watson (or, as he's known here, Dr. Dawson), Basil of Baker Street, and erotic fan fiction. (No joke! And if you're listening with kids, be warned: we do discuss said fan fiction in a bit of PG-13 detail around 40 minutes in.)

Episode 101: Pixar Short Films Collection, Volume One

Take a walk back in the past with us, friends, on the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, Josh and Gabe look back to the humble beginnings of Pixar Animation Studios, specifically its animated short films. Yes, it's time to look at the Pixar Short Films Collection, Volume One DVD set on the podcast. Josh and Gabe are joined this week by Sound on Sight contributor and Sordid Cinema co-host Edgar Chaput to discuss the awfulness of Mater the tow truck, the sadness of a lonely unicycle, and exactly how much they all kind of hate Boundin'. But there's plenty of positivity to go around in spite of those few stumbles, so make sure to check out the new show!

Lucasfilm Bonus Episode: Howard the Duck and Raiders of the Lost Ark

Hey, friends! It's time for another b-b-b-bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, going along with the show having recently hit 300 Likes on Facebook. And per an old challenge laid out by our good friend Michael Ryan, Gabe and Josh are tackling the high and low of the Lucasfilm enterprise, now owned by Disney. First up, it's the 1986 disaster known as Howard the Duck; Gabe's seen it before, but Josh has not. Would you be surprised to learn that neither of the hosts was impressed with the misguided story of an anthropomorphic talking duck in 80s-era Cleveland? They were, of course, thrilled as usual by the other movie on the docket this week: Steven Spielberg's adventure classic Raiders of the Lost Ark. Come for the Lucasfilm discussion, stay for Josh's dramatic reading from the Star Wars Holiday Special!

Episode 100: The Lone Ranger

Yes, you read that title right, friends, it's our 100th episode. The first episode of Mousterpiece Cinema focused on Cars 2, not the most auspicious film to kick off any podcast. So perhaps it's fitting that our first major milestone episode focuses on the fine old mess known as The Lone Ranger. Gabe and Josh are joined by Battleship Pretension and CriterionCast writer Scott Nye to sift through all of Johnny Depp's quirks, Gore Verbinski's excess, and William Fichtner's cannibalistic nature to discuss whether this movie is actually as bad as so many people feared, if it's halfway decent, or if it's actually a hidden gem. Plus, Gabe pulls out his patent-pending Dumb Guy Voice! Celebrate 100 episodes by giving this one a listen.

Episode 99: Meet the Robinsons

If you've had a bad day, or a bad week, or simply made a few too many bad decisions lately, follow this simple advice: keep moving forward. No, seriously, say it to yourself: keep moving forward! You feel a bit better now, don't you? You especially will if you're a fan of Disney's 2007 animated film Meet the Robinsons, as those three little words are the film's mantra. And that film is this week's topic on Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Gabe are joined by Scott Mendelson of Forbes.com to discuss B-movies in Disney's animated canon, time travel, emotion, and, at the very end, Despicable Me 2. (Because why not?) Check it out!

Episode 98: Monsters University

Attention, students! The summer session has just begun at your beloved and monstrous educational institution, and now it's time for class to commence. Apologies for the academic build-up, but this week, Josh and Gabe are going back to school with Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan, those lovable monsters from Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley, though, are a bit younger this time around, of course. Yes, it's time to talk Monsters University, Pixar's newest computer-animated feature. To do so, Josh and Gabe are joined by past guest Adam Kempenaar, from the Filmspotting podcast, to discuss prequels, Pitch Perfect, and...wait, Pitch Perfect? Yes, really. And you may be surprised by which member of this motley crew is most positive about a Pixar prequel. But you'll have to tune into this scare-ifying episode to find out!

Episode 97: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Anniversaries aplenty this week, friends. First up, we're at the two-year point of Mousterpiece Cinema's history! (Two years is a mix of silver and gold, right? We'll take all gifts of both kinds.) But more importantly, we're celebrating another anniversary on today's podcast, in which Josh and Gabe discuss the 1988 animated/live-action hybrid Who Framed Roger Rabbit with Walt Disney Imagineering intern and friend of the show Morgan Ditta. Yes, this episode is going up on the 25th anniversary of this classic, and you'd better believe that Josh, Gabe, and Morgan spent the entire show figuring out new ways in which to explain how great this movie is. Does it hold up? Is the Pope Catholic? Will we stop asking questions without answering them? Yes. (See?) Check out the new show today, and raise a glass to one of the all-time classics celebrating its birthday. (Also, make sure to honor Who Framed Roger Rabbit.)

Episode 96: Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume Two

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new, recurring DVD feature on Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Gabe begin their long, slow wade through the world of the Walt Disney Treasures box set DVDs. This week, they start with the Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume Two set, covering Mickey's shorts from 1939 onward. (Had it not been for Josh's poor memory, they wouldn't be going backwards with poor Mickey in living color.) They're joined on the show by This Was TV contributor Anthony Strand, as the trio discuss Mickey's shift from being a character to being an icon, Pluto's prominence in the shorts, and how sacrilegious it is to show Mickey Mouse playing a Mortal Kombat-style video game about Dopey the Dwarf. Check it out!

Episode 95: James and the Giant Peach

What would you do if one day, you woke up, and saw a peach as big as your house in the front yard? Would you go inside of that peach? Would you make friends with whatever was inside? Would you travel to New York while fighting robotic sharks and skeletal pirates? Of course you would! Well, that is, if you were the lead character of James and the Giant Peach, the Walt Disney live-action/stop-motion-animated hybrid film based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name, the topic of this week's all-new Mousterpiece Cinema. In this new show, Josh and Gabe are joined by Andreas Stoehr of the Pussy Goes Grr film blog to discuss this follow-up to The Nightmare Before Christmas, also produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick. Did they find it soporific? Slight? Splendid? Other words that begin with "s"? Listen to find out!

Episode 94: Pinocchio

We've been away for a month, but Mousterpiece Cinema is back and ready to go! Gabe and Josh are raring to go, and start off a slew of all-new episodes by tackling one of the greatest of all animated movies--let alone Disney movies: 1940's Pinocchio. This week, they're joined by Alexander Huls, contributor to The Atlantic, Film School Rejects, The New York Times Magazine, and more, to discuss the little wooden marionette who dreamed of being a real boy and son to his father, Geppetto. More specifically, the trio discuss exactly how traumatic this movie was to them as children, and as adults, as well as the film's music, animation, and style. Plus, at the end, a digression into the world of The Fast and The Furious series, because...well, why not?

Michael Ryan: In Memoriam, Part Two

Welcome back, friends, to the second part of this special two-part show. As you saw from the first part of the podcast, Mousterpiece Cinema co-host and friend Michael Ryan passed away just over a week ago, so Josh and Gabe have been spending a bit of time reminiscing about their cohort. In the second part, Josh and Gabe highlight some memorable moments from having worked with Mike, both in another clip package, and in an extended discussion segment. Plus, you'll get to hear voicemails from some past guests and fellow listeners, as well as a conversation at the end of the show about the future of the podcast going forward. You don't want to miss it.

NOTE: As you'll hear, this episode eschews the typical Mousterpiece Cinema theme music, instead using snatches of familiar, fitting pieces of Disney music, all of which are owned by Disney, and are not meant to be used here for profit.

Michael Ryan: In Memoriam, Part One

Friends, by now you may have heard, but if not, Josh and Gabe recently got some tragic news from Montreal: their Mousterpiece Cinema co-host Michael Ryan passed away just over a week ago. As such, today doesn't bring a typical episode of the podcast. Instead, Josh and Gabe have a two-part memorial show in honor of Mike, with this being Part One. For the centerpiece segment, Josh and Gabe are joined by past guest and co-host of The Televerse, Kate Kulzick, to reminisce about Mike on a general level, discussing what he meant to them and how Mike first got involved with the show. This first of two parts also includes a clip package bursting with the best of our duck-loving friend. Make sure to listen to the whole show, and stick around for part two.

NOTE: As you'll hear, this episode eschews the typical Mousterpiece Cinema theme music, instead using snatches of familiar, fitting pieces of Disney music, all of which are owned by Disney, and are not meant to be used here for profit.

Episode 93: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Arr, mateys! D'you fancy a walk on the plank? Or...oh, let's drop the charade, shall we? We're at the end of the pirate world, finally, as Josh, Mike, and Gabe review the most recent Pirates of the Caribbean film, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. You remember On Stranger Tides, right? It came out two years ago! It had Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, and Ian McShane! Plus Penelope Cruz looking like...well, Penelope Cruz! Josh and Gabe had to have their memories jogged, but...well, we bet you know what Mike thought of this movie. But our three hosts also spent a good deal of time discussing the current state of affairs in Disney hand-drawn animation, because how could they not? These are choppy waters in this week's show, but don't hesitate to check it out!

Episode 92: Walt and El Grupo

No, friends, you haven't slept past the weekend, and your calendars aren't wrong. It's time for a brand-new Mousterpiece Cinema, during the week! Aren't you lucky? (Don't get used to this kind of multiple-episode manna from heaven.) And even better, this is a totally different episode, with a Mousterpiece Cinema first! Mike and Josh wanted to review the Disney documentary Walt and El Grupo, but there's one problem: it's not accessible in any way in Canada, so Mike hasn't seen it. As such, all he could do was interview the film's director, Ted Thomas, son of the late Frank Thomas. But he stuck around to hear Josh's thoughts on the film and its place in Disney's documentary universe. Was Josh a fan? Could Mike allay his concerns? And is Ted Thomas a duck person or a mouse person? Find out by listening to this all-new, extra-special bonus podcast!

Episode 91: Alice in Wonderland

Friends, we'd like to welcome you to a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, but we have to be honest. Nothing we say can prepare you for the terror and foul horror of what lies within this podcast. Oh, sure, you've got Josh, Mike, and special guest Scott Meslow of The Week and The Atlantic here to discuss the 2010 live-action version of Alice in Wonderland, but we're thinking of one thing specifically: the...shudder...Futterwacken. We had to discuss it--how could we avoid it? There's a lot we had to discuss this week, including how Alice in Wonderland is just like Batman and Robin, and why that's a good thing...to one of us. The movie may be terrible, but this episode is something special. Check it out!

Episode 90: Muppet Treasure Island

Yarr, mateys! We caught you with yer pants down, didn't we? Yes, just because your pirate crew took an unexpected vacation last week doesn't mean we're not back this week with cannons at the ready! Today, Josh, Mike, and Gabe head back to the high seas, but not with the Pirates of the Caribbean! No, this week, we join Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and more of the Muppets with the 1996 film Muppet Treasure Island! And prepare to be shocked--your fearsome Captain is the most positive one of all! How could Mike and Gabe not love the goofiness onboard the Hispaniola? How could the silly humor and Tim Curry's over-the-top performance as Long John Silver not be enough for them? Find out on the new show!

Episode 89: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Time to drink up, me hearties, because your beloved (hopefully beloved) crew members of the damned ship Mousterpiece are at it again. This week, they return to the fabled Caribbean to discuss the third film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. For this episode, Josh, Mike, and Gabe were joined by special guest Corey Atad of Movie Mezzanine, to have a hearty, spirited debate about this 2007 blockbuster. Is it a bloated, overly bombastic action movie that's tiresome, or is its bloat and bombast exactly why it's so great? Your crew and their guest were definitely divided on the film's quality, the romance, and even Chow-Yun Fat! Drop anchor and check out the new show! (And fair warning, me buckoes: there's a bit of salty language in this episode, so be warned!)

Episode 88: Oz the Great and Powerful

You're...off to see the wizard! The powerful wizard of Oz! We hear he is a bit of a jerk, if ever a jerk there was! If ever, oh, ever a sleaze there was, the wizard of Oz is one because...because, because, because, because, because...because of the slimy old things he does! You're off to see the wizard! The powerful wizard of Oz! Yes, Josh and Mike are facing off against Disney's big new movie Oz the Great and Powerful. Did they find it lacking a heart, a brain, or courage? Were they sold by James Franco's turn as Oz himself? (Take a guess from the parody lyrics. You might have an idea.) You'll have to check out the new show to find out!

NOTE: There is one bad word uttered during this episode--Josh takes the blame, but he also gives a bit of warning, so if you've got kids around, just fast-forward a couple of seconds after he mentions "blue" language. (The phrase he utters, sans profanity, is "Give me a break," for the curious.)

Episode 87: Alice in Wonderland

This week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, about the 1951 animated version of Alice in Wonderland, will be a normal, humdrum sh--well, how do you like that? It's a white rabbbit! And he's talking! Let's follow him down that rabbit hole, along with Josh, Mike, and Gabe! And look what wonderful things there are down here! A discussion of music in Disney films! A comparison of this version of Alice in Wonderland to the many others, including a TV-movie with Ringo Starr as the Mock Turtle, and Telly Savalas as the Cheshire Cat! Oh, and some singing flowers, playing-card guards, and a pothead caterpillar. But those are so boring. Check out the new show today!

Episode 86: The Emperor's New Groove

Is the regret at what could have been enough to discolor what remains? Bit heavy, we know, but hold on, because we're still talking about a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! This week, Josh, Mike, and Gabe are joined by Myles McNutt of the AV Club to discuss the 2000 animated feature The Emperor's New Groove, as well as the controversial documentary of its making, The Sweatbox. The light, fast-paced buddy comedy with David Spade and John Goodman was once a Prince and the Pauper-style, ambitious film with Spade and Owen Wilson, as crazy as that may sound. Josh, Mike, Gabe, and Myles debate the film, its placement in Disney's canon, and exactly what kind of voice Lou Diamond Phillips (yes, really) has for animation this week, so make sure to check it out!

Herbie Challenge Episode Two: Herbie, The Love Bug

As a great man once said, all good things must come to an end. And today, that also applies to bad things, specifically the topic of discussion on a brand-new b-b-b-b-bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema: the Herbie, the Love Bug franchise. Josh and Mike have discussed the six movies and the 1997 TV-movie. But finally, because the show's Facebook page hit 200 Likes a couple months ago, they go to the VW-shaped well one more time, to look at the failed 1982 TV series Herbie, the Love Bug. Wait, you...you're not familiar with the five hourlong episodes starring Dean Jones where he fell in love with a divorced mother of three, and also had a driving school, and also had Herbie to be his best friend/needy lover? Let the exhausted Josh and giddy Mike clue you in on this all-new supplemental podcast!

Episode 85: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Drink up, me hearties, because on this week's all-new Mousterpiece Cinema, you're going to need it. Last month, your feared captain, Josh, along with his first mate Mike and bosun Gabe, took a look at the 2003 adventure Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. That only means one thing: time to head to Davy Jones' locker in more ways than one. This week, your trio of hosts review the first sequel in the franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. You'll hear some crazy ideas and pirate voices this week, but brace yourself: this week, Josh isn't the most negative person on the podcast! Don't believe me? Grab a flagon of rum, your nearest wench, and dive into the depths with new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 84: Return to Oz

What child doesn't have the distinct memory of sitting down with their family at the holidays to watch that old perennial favorite about Dorothy Gale traveling with an animal friend to the magical land of Oz? And what child doesn't remember how that film began, with Dorothy sent to a mental institution to get electroshock therapy? Wait, what? Yes, that's really the set-up to a film about Dorothy and Oz, but not the Judy Garland film. No, this week on Mousterpiece Cinema, your intrepid trio of hosts are talking about the 1985 film Return to Oz, starring a young Fairuza Balk. They're joined by The AV Club's Zack Handlen to revel in the glorious weirdness of Dorothy interacting with a person made of branches and a pumpkin, a talking chicken, a mechanical man, and a witch who exchanges her head at will. And, believe it or not, Gabe out-crazies Mike for the first time on the podcast! You'll have to wait a bit, but it's true! So check out the new show to find out what magic lurks in Oz!

Episode 83: 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians

Well, you're really in the doghouse this week, folks. Get ready for a howling good time as Josh and Mike cover not one, but two films on the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! You can probably spot the trend in this description, but in case you can't, your hosts are reviewing the live-action version of 101 Dalmatians and its 2000 sequel, 102 Dalmatians! Don't turn your tail and run, because this is bound to be a very special episode, in which Josh and Mike debate bad rap music, Hugh Laurie's career, Glenn Close, the value of animation, and whether or not a movie can get away with copying a scene from a better film. It gets pretty rough this week, but don't be scared--the movies might've been real dogs, but this episode isn't!

Episode 82: Saludos Amigos

Ole! You better be ready for some south-of-the-border discussion this week, because Josh, Mike, and Gabe are bringing it! (The discussion, that is.) In the new Mousterpiece Cinema, the trio tackle the 1942 film that preceded The Three Caballeros, Saludos Amigos! And once again, they're joined by Jeff Heimbuch of Communicore Weekly and MiceChat.com to delve into this truly short feature film. They discuss race, identity, and what The Birds would look like with Jose Carioca and Donald Duck as the attackers, among many other salient, insightful, and silly topics. Check out the new show!

Episode 81: The Rescuers Down Under

In this week's all-new Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh, Gabe, and Mike not only return to the land of the little, but they do some surprising box-office fact-hunting. All in the name of two little mice from the Rescue Aid Society, too! Yes, it's time to discuss the 1990 sequel to The Rescuers, better known as The Rescuers Down Under. Does this forgotten film deserve a second chance? And why did it do so poorly at the box office back at the beginning of the Disney Renaissance? Your hosts delve into these issues and find some time to rant about Disney's questionable decision to remove the Little Mermaid 3D re-release from their schedule in this brand new show. Check it out, mate! And have a g'day! (It was just too silly to pass up, sorry.)

Episode 80: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Yarr, mateys! If ye dare, climb aboard the damned ship Mousterpiece as your captain Josh, first mate Mike, and bosun Gabe raid the shores of Tortuga on a new episode of this here podcast, reviewing the 2003 blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The motley Mousterpiece crew tackle the most fearsome, feared pirate of all: Cap'n Jack Sparrow! (Some of ye buckos may know him as Johnny Depp.) Yer beloved captain and 'is fellow buccaneers debate, in this week's show, which of the Pirates films be the greatest, and how much they dread revisiting some of the sequels. They dread it even more than Davy Jones' locker, but no challenge be too great for this trio of pirates! Make sure to download this new episode to hear all the fun, and decide which of yer pirate podcasters' voices be most believable! (Or least!)

Episode 79: The Odd Life of Timothy Green

On this week's new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Gabe and Josh are joined once again by prolific pop-culture critic Keith Phipps to talk about a film focused on a boy whose life you might call quirky. You might call it strange. In fact, you could even call it...odd. (On that pun, we have no regrets.) Yes, this week, the show rights a wrong and finally discusses the late-summer family drama The Odd Life of Timothy Green, starring Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Garner, CJ Adams, and a slew of exceptionally talented character actors such as Dianne Wiest and James Rebhorn. Cast aside, did Gabe, Josh, and Keith actually enjoy this whimsical tale of how a married couple learns life lessons through their magical new son, or were they left cold by its attempted charms? And which of the three guys actually makes the "odd"-based pun on the show? (It's not who you might think!) Check out the new podcast today to find out!

Episode 78: Monsters, Inc.

It's time to ring in a happy new year at Mousterpiece Cinema HQ! To kick off 2013, Josh and Mike travel to a whole new world: Monstropolis, where monsters work hard at scaring the bejeezus out of children. Yes, let's all travel to Monsters, Inc., the 2001 film from Pixar Animation Studios that was re-released in 3D into theaters over the 2012 holiday season. Did Mike and Josh like the 3D upconversion? Are they excited for the upcoming prequel, Monsters University? And hey, what about the movie itself? All of these questions are answered, plus a debate about the quality of The Flintstones, of all things, on the first new Mousterpiece Cinema of 2013!