Episode 177: Into the Woods

As we say goodbye to 2014, friends, it's time to venture into the world of musicals on Mousterpiece Cinema once more. In fact, you might say Josh and Gabe are headed into the woods/it's time to go/we hate to leave/ we have to, though/Into the woods/it's time to go/we must begin/our journey. Whoa, sorry about that. Sondheim shows have this effect on the podcast. Seriously, though, for their last show of 2014, Josh and Gabe tackle Into the Woods, the long-awaited adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's fairy-tale musical, starring Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, and--because he is contractually obligated to appear in Disney movies once a year or something--Johnny Depp. Joining them is longtime friend of the show Chris Dole; does this trio embrace Rob Marshall's take on the material? Are they fans of soon-to-be CBS late-night host James Corden? Does it help matters that Marshall is from Pittsburgh? You'll have to go into the woods and listen to find out! (Then out of the woods, and home before dark.)

Episode 176: The Reluctant Dragon

With but one shopping day until Christmas, it's time for Josh and Gabe to open up their own gifts on this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as they travel back in time to the era when the Walt Disney Company was merely the Walt Disney Studios, back when live-action and animation didn't co-exist nearly as freely as they do today. On this new episode of the show, Josh and Gabe are joined by Noel Murray of The Dissolve to talk about The Reluctant Dragon, the 1941 hybrid of live-action and animation, of fiction and documentary, wherein Robert Benchley walks around the Disney studios to see how the animation process is completed, from sound effects to storyboards all the way to the finished product. Is this more than just a quaint relic? Is it a compelling look into the past? Is Robert Benchley annoying or hilarious? Or both? You can only find out by listening to the new show! (A warning/apology: due to issues on Josh's side of the recording, there is an echo that persists throughout the episode. It will sound like Josh is cutting in on either Noel or Gabe at various points, but he wasn't. Just a nasty echo/delay issue. Again, apologies!)

Episode 175: Inspector Gadget

Are you feeling brainy? We hope so, because matters of the mind are on tap for this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Gabe are ready to tackle the 1999 adaptation of the 1980s cartoon Inspector Gadget, starring Matthew Broderick and Rupert Everett as our intrepid hero and his nefarious nemesis Dr. Claw, respectively. And it turns out that their memories of the live-action take have held up pretty much entirely--which isn't a good thing. Everything under the sun comes up on this week's show, from Smash Mouth to Anthony Perkins to old American Express ads to...Playboy. Yes. Really. (Or, one might say, "Wowsers.") How do all of these things connect to Inspector Gadget? Go-go-download/listen to find out!

Episode 174: Rushmore

Hey, folks! We hope you've been preparing all of your extracurricular activities, from fencing to beekeeping to everything in between, because this week, we're going back to prep school. More specifically, Josh and Gabe are headed to Rushmore, the 1998 film from writer-director Wes Anderson, starring Jason Schwartzman, Olivia Williams and Garfield himself, Bill Murray. They're joined by return guest Dana Stevens of Slate.com to discuss the Anderson filmography, his signature aesthetic choices, the careers of this film's two leading men, and whether or not Rushmore was Anderson's first sign of greatness, or his only sign of greatness. Yes, it's not a huge love-in today, but there's plenty of spirited debate to listen to, so check it out!

Episode 173: Make Mine Music

With the holidays right around the corner, we hope you're in a musical mood this week, because that's ostensibly the theme of the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Gabe get in rhythm to talk about the 1946 package film Make Mine Music, which offers the viewer everything from Benny Goodman to opera to the Andrews Sisters. So, y'know, it's something for everyone. But is this package film any good? Does it hold up as a whole or are there merely parts that end up succeeding? Your hosts go all over the map this week, just like the movie in question, talking about everything from the new Star Wars trailer to the recent announcement that Disney is teaming up with Turner Classic Movies for programming and theme-park updates. So get in tune and start listening to the show!

Episode 172: Dead Poets Society

Happy early Thanksgiving, folks. On this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, we're thankfully not talking about a cinematic turkey; we;re going back to school with the 1989 film Dead Poets Society, starring the late Robin Williams. Gabe and Josh are joined by friend of the show, big-boy-who-was-once-a-little-boy, and Flavorwire film editor Jason Bailey to talk about Peter Weir, date-rape scenarios, Woody Allen and, obviously, the 1998 film Holy Man. (It all makes sense, we promise.) Is Dead Poets Society still a classic inspirational film? Is it secretly the cause of the eroding educational system in the U.S.? We decide for good on the new show, so check it out!

Episode 171: The Incredibles

We hope you're bursting with confidence this week, listeners. You should be brimming with courage and energy and flexibility! In short, you better be feeling incredible because that's the tone of this week's Mousterpiece Cinema, wherein Josh and Gabe talk about the 2004 Pixar film The Incredibles. They're joined by comedian and actor Griffin Newman to discuss Brad Bird's debut at the Emeryville, California animation studio, a fast-paced superhero movie featuring the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and every child's favorite actor, Wallace Shawn. (You know kids love My Dinner with Andre.) There's lots to discuss this week, from Ayn Rand to Breaking Bad all the way to the recently announced Toy Story 4. If you're feeling...flexible to such tangents, then start listening!

Episode 170: Big Hero 6

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are suiting up with their best scientific superpowers to fight head-on about the new film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Big Hero 6. This collaboration between Disney and Marvel (though the latter's involvement is fairly hidden to the regular viewer) may be garnering general acclaim from audiences and critics, but we are divided on today's show. Josh and Gabe are joined by John Gholson of Movies.com, Gutters and Panels, and the Giant Size podcast, and you might be surprised to find out which way he leans. (And, for that matter, where Josh and Gabe land on the film.) Is this film too derivative of other animated films and TV shows? Does its deliberate mixing of Asian and American cultural landmarks work in its favor? And should we rename this podcast to My Life as a Dog: The Gabe Bucsko Story? Find out in today's new show!

Episode 169: Aladdin and the King of Thieves

Today at Mousterpiece Cinema HQ, there's singing, laughing, and references to movies as disparate as Arbitrage, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Top Gun, which can only mean one thing: it's time for another freewheeling discussion of a Disney direct-to-video sequel. This time, Gabe and Josh are talking about what they consider to be the best of a meager bunch, Aladdin and the King of Thieves. And how could anything go that badly anyway with the return of Robin Williams as the Genie? Or was the true victory simply that Williams returned to voice the character, instead of giving the film a new lease on life? Is this really an improvement on The Return of Jafar? And, seriously, what the hell does Top Gun have to do with any of this? Find out if Gabe has lost that lovin' feeling by checking out the new show!

Episode 168: Ella Enchanted

We're closing out the month of October here at Mousterpiece Cinema with a truly terrifying cinematic experience, a film that could chill your bones and send your teeth shivering with fear. What film could it be? Why, it's the 2004 fairy tale Ella Enchanted, starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Eric Idle, Cary Elwes, Minnie Driver, and more! While it may not sound like a scary movie for you, two of the folks on this episode would disagree. Josh and Gabe are joined by longtime friend of the show Kate Kulzick of Sound on Sight and The AV Club to debate this riff on the story of a girl named Cinderella and her evil stepsisters and stepmother. So, which one of these three didn't hate Ella Enchanted? And which one sings during the show? (Hint: it's the same person who swears a few times, and by the way...earmuffs.) Only one way to find out: check out the new show!

Episode 167: Tarzan

Who's ready for some vine-swinging action, friends? (Not the six-second videos, please note.) Josh and Gabe are ready for some high-flying fun this week as they talk about the 1999 animated film Tarzan, the so-called end of the Disney Renaissance. Some may say that, but at least one person on today's podcast would disagree! Is it Josh or Gabe, or their guest Anthony Strand of ToughPigs.com? One of these three would place Tarzan as among Disney's best animated films, but the others...would take issue with that. Plenty of debate this week, as well as a tangent or four, and a couple different renditions of the infamous Tarzan yell. So prepare yourselves and your precious ears. Seriously. Now get to listening to the new episode!

Episode 166: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

We said hey, hey, hey, hey, hey...what's going on? What IS going on, friends? And what the hell does a 4 Non-Blondes song have to do with today's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema? Turns out more than you might think, as Josh and Gabe prepare to discuss Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, the new Disney live-action family film co-starring Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, Megan Mullaly, Donald Glover, and...Dick Van Dyke. Yes. Really. There's a lot for Josh and Gabe to scratch their heads over, and they're joined in befuddlement by longtime friend of the show, Entertainment Weekly senior writer, and author of the new novel Brutal Youth Anthony Breznican. Would this film have been better if it was more mature? Did it need more penis talk? Are penises really that funny? (Please, don't be shy.) Somehow, all of this really will be resolved on this week's show, so check it out!

Episode 165: Arachnophobia

We hope you're carefully bundled up for this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, because we wouldn't want any creepy-crawlies to make their way across your arm or foot or hand, skittering up your body before it's too late OH NO. Whew, false alarm. Anyway, eight-legged creepy-crawlies are the matter of the day on this week's show, as Gabe and Josh talk about the first film from Hollywood Pictures, 1990's Arachnophobia, starring Jeff Daniels, John Goodman, and a whole lot of spiders. There's plenty to talk about this week, though of course, your two hosts found their way into a discussion of all things Ernest P. Worrell and Ron Howard. (Not at the same time.) Is Arachnophobia a fittingly spooktacular film for the month of October? Is Jeff Daniels' laugh scarifying? The only way to find out is to face your fears and listen to the show!

Episode 164: Unbreakable

Friends, it's that time of year again: time for some scarifying movie talk on Mousterpiece Cinema! Yes, it's Shock-tober, so you better boo-lieve that Josh and Gabe are back at it with some Halloween-appropriate movies. First up, it's M. Night Shyamalan's follow-up to his iconic ghost story The Sixth Sense, the 2000 thriller Unbreakable. (It's Bill Cosby's favorite film! Kind of! Not really! Josh will explain what that means.) And who else could talk about this film than our old friend Alexander Huls? He's back, and so's Gabe, who was willing to talk Shyamalan this time. It's another wide-ranging discussion, as everything from the Dardennes brothers to Werckmeister Harmonies to a delightfully profane Audible recommendation comes up this week. That's right: earmuffs, kids. Now, wrap yourself up tight so your bones don't break, and check out the new show!

Episode 163: The Return of Jafar

Autumn may be upon us, but at Mousterpiece Cinema HQ, Gabe and Josh are still a bit hot under the collar. If you were satisfied with last week's heated debate of the career of cinematographer-turned-director Dean Cundey, then you are in for a treat with the new episode of the show. Your dynamic duo enter the world of direct-to-DVD sequels once again, but back in animation with The Return of Jafar, the Patient Zero of the Disney direct-to-DVD sequel. Is this return to the world of Aladdin not as bad as people presume it is? Is it worse? Does Gilbert Gottfried sing in this movie? And how heated must the discussion be if Josh wonders if it's time for a new co-host? (Don't worry, Gabe's job is safe. FOR NOW.) Get ready for a thrilla in...Agrabah, folks. Check out the new show now!

Episode 162: Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves

The summer's just about over, and one of our unintentional summer mini-series is about to come to close. This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe wade into the world of direct-to-video sequels once more, but with a twist: this one's a live-action DTV sequel. Yes, they're closing out the Rick Moranis-led trilogy of wacky sci-fi comedies about shrinking and enlargening people, with a discussion of Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves. (Don't you just hate it when that happens?) But seeing as the film was directed by the prolific cinematographer Dean Cundey, Josh and Gabe go on quite the tangent about his career with Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, and John Carpenter, among others. If you've wanted to hear a good old-fashioned argument between your hosts, then, friend, this one's the episode for you!

Episode 161: Frank and Ollie

We're going back in time once again on Mousterpiece Cinema, so get set. This week, Josh and Gabe take on one of the most dynamic duos in Disney history: Frank and Ollie. That's Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, two of the venerated Nine Old Men, to all of you who might be unfamiliar. They're the focus of this 1995 documentary about their four-plus decades at the Walt Disney Company, covering films as diverse as Bambi and Robin Hood, and everything in between. Does this documentary rise above the simple, in spite of being directed by Frank's son? What kind of detail might be missing from the final product? And how does Ken Burns ("Kenny baby" to his friends, of course) figure into all of this? Find out on the new show!

Episode 160: Tron Legacy

It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema; this week, Josh and Gabe are getting their Zen thing back on track and gearing up to groove on some biodigital jazz, man! That's right, they're talking about the 2010 holiday blockbuster Tron Legacy this week. It's a fascinating journey into the recent past, as your hosts answer questions like: Is Jeff Bridges' Lebowski-as-Obi-Wan take on a hero worthwhile? What's with James Frain's American accent? And what the hell IS biodigital jazz? (Man.) Plenty of fun within, so get ready to hook in, program, or else it's the end of line. Or, in non techie-speak, check out the new show! (Man.)

Lucasfilm Bonus Episode Three: Three Indiana Jones Films

Well, friends, it's that time again. You've brought the podcast to another threshold on Facebook, and so it's up to Josh and Gabe to deliver another bonus episode. As promised, once the show passed 400 Likes, your heroic co-hosts would tackle three more films from the now-Disney-owned Lucasfilm empire: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Radioland Murders. ...OK, fine, the last one is really Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. And so, in this extra-special, extra-long podcast, Josh and Gabe debate the big questions: is Willie Scott the most obnoxious character in film history? Are the sequels too heavy on fan service? Will Josh reveal more painful vocal impressions? (Of course.) And finally: what's on the slate for the next bonus show? Well, you'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 159: Honey, I Blew Up The Kid

Don't you just hate it when one of your experiments at the high-tech laboratory near Las Vegas goes horribly wrong and your 2-year old son grows to a hundred feet tall? Right? It's the worst! OK, so maybe not all of us can share Wayne Szalinski's pain, but it's there to see in the 1992 sequel Honey, I Blew Up The Kid starring Rick Moranis, Lloyd Bridges, and Keri Russell. Yes, really, the pre-Felicity Russell plays the romantic interest of Wayne's son, which is why he ends up tying her up at one point in this movie, bound and gagged. (Maybe that's not exactly why. But still.) Gabe and Josh are taking on this big baby for the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and as you might expect, there's a bit of disagreement about what kind of sequel this is: not bad or all bad. Plus, another round of Gabe's Celebrity Crushes, which is distressingly becoming a thing on the show. Check it out now!

Episode 158: Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure

Get ready for a real ruff episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, friends. This week, Josh and Gabe are dog-paddling back into the waters of the direct-to-video sequels from the Walt Disney Company. What's on the dog-cket? Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure, featuring the dulcet tones of Scott Wolf, Alyssa Milano, Chazz Palminteri, Bronson Pinchot, Cathy Moriarty, and Mickey Rooney. (Because of course.) Is this the rare direct-to-video sequel to warm Josh and Gabe's hearts, or is it barking up the wrong tree? How squicky is it that an adult dog is alluding to hooking up with what amounts to a pre-adolescent pooch? And how quickly can Gabe gross Josh out when talking about that iconic moment from the 1955 original romance? (Very.) Get out of the junkyard and download the new show to find out!

Episode 157: The Hundred-Foot Journey

Are you hungry for a serious discussion of the new Helen Mirren film? Have you been starving for a debate about the merits of how excitable Oprah Winfrey gets? Have you cleared your plate of big-budget superhero movies in the hopes of something lighter and easier to digest? Are you overstuffed with food puns in this post? Well, loosen your belt a bit, because there may be at least one more before it's over. This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe travel to the villages of France to talk about Lasse Hallstrom's new film The Hundred-Foot Journey, all about an extra-talented young man from India who gets a chance to prove himself to a stuffy French restaurateur played by Dame Mirren herself. Joining the duo is Kate Erbland of Film School Rejects, who made a hundred-foot journey of her own to accept this film, even if its romantic storyline is somewhat curdled. But no more spoilers here! Dive right into this new episode (but don't talk while your mouth is full)!

Episode 156: Guardians of the Galaxy

We hope you've got an awesome mix tape at hand, and your weapon of choice at the ready, because it's time for an action-packed new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, Josh and Gabe go guest-free to get ready...for a dance-off, bro! Once more, they dive into the Marvel fray to talk about Rise of the Guardians of the Galaxy Quest: The Owls of Ga'Hoole. (Or just Guardians of the Galaxy.) Were your dynamic duo wowed by this space opera starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper the Raccoon, Vin Diesel the Tree, Glenn Close's hairdo, and Benicio Del Toro's fright wig? Could it be that one of your hosts found nits to pick? Could it be that...Josh is NOT the nitpicky one this week? Lots of fun to be had this week as Josh and Gabe debate the important topics like mythology, character development, and, of course, John Stamos. Don't wait any longer--check it out!

Episode 155: Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, we're getting straight down to the bare necessities. Yep, that's right, Josh and Gabe are headed to the jungle to talk about The Jungle Book, the 1967 animated classic with a jazz-loving bear, a stuffy panther, and a proper English tig--what's that? We did an episode on The Jungle Book 2 years ago? Then what is...oh, right, this episode's about the 1994 live-action adaptation directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Jason Scott Lee, Cary Elwes, a young Lena Headey, and John Cleese! You remember that, don't you? Well, it turns out you should. There's notalking animals, no cheap CGI, and a good old-fashioned sense of adventure, as Josh and Gabe find out. Of course, since they're guest-less this week, there are tangents aplenty, including one in which Gabe reveals his true passion for the films of James Cameron. (Yes, really.) So get ready for another wild episode! Check it out now.

Episode 154: Planes: Fire and Rescue

Please sit back, with your tray tables in their upright and locked positions and your seat belts fastened. This episode of Mousterpiece Cinema will be a wild flight indeed. What's that? You think it's super-creepy to imagine yourself, a human, taking a ride in an anthropomorphic plane? OK, fine, it's weird, but is it weirder than one plane fearing that he'll suffocate? Or the possibility of a Trail of Tears in a world of planes? How about birds that are apparently made of wood? Yes, it's that time again: time for Josh to scratch his head in befuddlement over the "world of Cars." And this time, Gabe is back to join him in a discussion of the new DisneyToon Studios film Planes: Fire and Rescue. Along with return guest Scott Mendelson of Forbes, Josh and Gabe set out to answer the important questions. Is Planes: Fire and Rescue better than its predecessor? Is it a good movie? Is "George Lexus" a good pun-style version of George Lucas? Lots of laughs in this discussion--so it's funnier than the movie, you might say. Take a listen!

Episode 153: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Hold on to your hats (and other necessary items), folks. We're getting small on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema as we tackle a genre classic from June of 1989. No, it's not Batman; it's Disney's try at B-movie science-fiction, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Remember? The days when Rick Moranis could headline a movie of his own? Ah, those were the good times. Anyway, on this episode, Josh and Gabe debate whether Moranis is enough to make this hold up after a quarter-century. Are the effects any good? Were they ever? (The answer, as Buzzfeed would say, may surprise you.) And will Gabe reveal another Disney-related crush in this week's show? What's more, how the hell does a series of chintzy dinosaur movies called Prehysteria! figure into this discussion? Things get crazy pretty quickly on this one, so get ready for a wild and weird episode of Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 152: Aladdin

It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, friends. And this week, we can open your eyes and show you a whole new world. Scratch that, we will open your eyes regarding a little film called Aladdin. Josh and Gabe are joined on the show this week by past guest Marc Vibbert of the Animation Fascination podcast to discuss the 1992 film that one of these three folks considers the best Disney animated film ever made. That's high praise, and someone else in the discussion doesn't think it's merited. But more to the point: is Robin Williams still funny? ...In this movie, that is. From Williams to Howard Ashman to the depiction of Middle Eastern culture all the way to watching a movie on VHS in 2014, this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema careens from one topic to another, almost like a comedian's endless, improv-heavy riffs. So jump on your magic carpet and take a listen!

Episode 151: Pulp Fiction

Don't worry, friends, you haven't broken your concentration. Yes, this is a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. And yes, this week, Josh and Gabe are talking about one of the most influential and iconic films of the 1990s, the decidedly family-unfriendly Quentin Tarantino epic Pulp Fiction. Why does Pulp Fiction count for this podcast? Well, Josh will explain everything in due time. And who better to join your very own Jules and Vincent on the show this week than Jason Bailey, film editor of Flavorwire and author of a book on a certain film called Pulp Fiction? And in case you're concerned that a few guys talking about how much they love Pulp Fiction would get boring, you might be happy to learn that one of the participants...well, he's not so enamored anymore. Who doesn't love Pulp Fiction? You'll have to listen to the show to find out!

Episode 150: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

It's a big day here at Mousterpiece Cinema HQ, as we're celebrating our third anniversary with our 150th episode! Yes, friends, it's really been three years since Josh started a podcast about Disney movies all on his own by ranting about Cars 2. Things have changed a ton, of course, since those halcyon days, and today, we've got a corker of a show for you. Josh and Gabe couldn't help but ring the bell for the 1996 animated adaptation of Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which might be the most underrated film of the Disney Renaissance. And they're joined in their conversation by Grantland/Entertainment Weekly writer Mark Harris, who's also the author of the new film history book Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and The Second World War. Come for the discussion about Quasimodo's struggle for acceptance as being an encoded gay story, and stay for Josh's mini-interview with Mark during the Audible section of the show. This episode's a big one, so check it out!

Episode 149: George of the Jungle

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are going back to the jungle with one of the most iconic vine-swingers of all. He's daring, he's brave, and he's...probably about to hit some tree that's in his way. Yes, we're not talking about Tarzan this week, but his goofier counterpart, George of the Jungle. Specifically, we're talking about the agreeably silly live-action adaptation of this Jay Ward creation from Walt Disney Pictures, starring a young Brendan Fraser, a young Leslie Mann, a young Thomas Haden Church, and a...well, not-young John Cleese, among others. And to add to the fun, Josh and Gabe are joined by IGN TV Executive Editor Eric Goldman in a typically free-form discussion that covers the ins and outs of proper physical comedy, the consistency of various poop jokes, widescreen vs. pan-and-scan DVDs, and, of course, the Cheers spin-off Wings. Don't worry, it all ties into George of the Jungle, so check it out! But...oh, no, watch out for that tree!

Episode 148: Flubber

We've finally reached our conclusion of the not-so-esteemed franchise all about an absent-minded professor, his bouncy green creation, and all of the sports games he rigs so he can secretly take home a ton of cash from gambling. (OK, maybe that last part isn't entirely true.) Yes, on this week's Mousterpiece Cinema, Gabe and Josh--sans guest--tackle the 1997 remake of The Absent-Minded Professor known as Flubber. (If you're a new listener, don't worry: we've already discussed the 1960s movies about Professor Brainerd. Just closing things out!) And, as you might expect, Flubber isn't exactly the best of the series. Josh uses this film as a chance to discuss his opinion of the John Hughes oeuvre/alienate pretty much everyone in the living world, and Gabe uses it as a way to figure out the logic of getting married on a college campus during the middle of the week. In short, it's a good, old-fashioned episode of the podcast, so check it out now!

Episode 147: Maleficent

Listen well, all of you! OK, maybe that's a bit of a rude welcome, but it does fit with the film in question on today's new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. For our first episode here at Movie Mezzanine, hosts Josh Spiegel and Gabe Bucsko traveled to a world of magic, fantasy, and extraordinary cheekbones by discussing the newest film from Walt Disney Pictures, Maleficent. Josh and Gabe invited two of The Dissolve's senior editors, Tasha Robinson and Genevieve Koski, onto the show to debate the merits of this reinvention of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale featuring Angelina Jolie as the self-proclaimed Mistress of All Evil. Were they impressed by the CGI backgrounds, the fantasy, and the romance? Or were they terrified by Jolie or the truest terror of all, Sharlto Copley and his Scottish accent? Don't wait any longer to find out--check out the show pronto!

Episode 146: The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story

It's a big week here on Mousterpiece Cinema, as Gabe and Josh take a look back at the shared and separate lives of Richard and Robert Sherman, the two men responsible for some of the most memorable pieces of music in the Walt Disney Company. If you've ever had "It's a Small World" stuck in your head (and you probably do now; sorry for that), you can thank the Shermans. If you love the music in Mary Poppins, that the Shermans, too. But you may not know that the two men had a fractious and contentious relationship as brothers from almost the very beginning. Gabe and Josh tackle their lives and the documentary, but leave with a song in their heart. And speaking of leaving, you'll want to stick around to the end of the episode to hear about where Mousterpiece Cinema is headed starting in June. Listen and find out!

Episode 145: Million Dollar Arm

There are few things more associated with summer in America than our national pastime of baseball. So there's no better time for Walt Disney Pictures to release a baseball drama based on a true story, right? Well, while that may be true in theory, in execution, their latest film, Million Dollar Arm, is missing the right stuff. At least, according to Josh and Gabe as well as this week's guest, Scott Tobias of The Dissolve. In fact, this trio spent far more time wondering what could have been. Would a story about the two young Indian men Jon Hamm's J.B. Bernstein finds to play American baseball have worked? Or what about a story featuring their coach, played here by Bill Paxton? How about a loose romantic comedy with Hamm and Lake Bell? Ah, perchance to dream. But even if you haven't seen Million Dollar Arm, you should check out this week's episode. Come for the Mad Men references and stay for the in-depth Jerry Maguire discussion!

Episode 144: Teacher's Pet

Welcome, everyone, to a very important podcast-cum-intervention, wherein Josh finally gets Gabe to open up about why exactly he hates dogs. Sure, this episode is ostensibly about the 2004 Disney film Teacher's Pet, but it's all just a ruse to get Gabe to reveal his past childhood traumas. It turns out that neither Josh nor Gabe were terribly familiar with this film, based on a Disney animated TV series from the early 2000s. As such, Josh probes Gabe's psyche, and Gabe pushes back, especially when debating the merits of Hocus Pocus and Newsies. You can tell, clearly, that this is a loopy, tangential episode, but how could it not be? Strap in for a goofy episode; you just might hear a bit of singing from Gabe if you stick around long enough.

Episode 143: Robin Hood

A fine oo-de-lally to you, friends, as Robin Hood and Little John would say. Yes, those two scoundrels and some of their friends are at the center of this week's new Mousterpiece Cinema, which is all about the 1973 Disney animated film Robin Hood. Josh, in the past, hasn't made any bones about the fact that he's not too hot on this adventure, but Gabe and return guest Alexander Huls both have nostalgic love for this movie, even if they don't have nostalgic love for the song "Love," which is also from this movie. (In fact, Gabe chose to compare that scene to, of all things, Play Misty For Me.) Has Josh softened on the film or is he put off by a potential laziness in the storytelling and animation? Or have Gabe and Alex hardened a bit? And how early does Alex's pet peeve of whistling get brought up? Listen to the show to find out!

Episode 142: A Goofy Movie

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, we're feeling a bit silly. A bit wacky, you might say. Possibly even a bit...goofy. Yes, it's time for Josh and Gabe to goof off while talking about the 1995 film A Goofy Movie. And, as you might expect with a subject like Goofy as well as his son Max, Josh and Gabe go off topic quickly and frequently. From Prince to Space Jam to Pauly Shore, they're bouncing off the walls this week. (And, OK, fine, Pauly Shore is in A Goofy Movie, so that's technically on topic, but why in God's name is Pauly Shore in this movie? Why?) There's tons of tomfoolery and general goofiness this week, as you might expect, so start listening!

Episode 141: Bears

It's been one week since the last episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, but just barely. On this week's show, Josh and Gabe had to grin and bear it while discussing the new Disneynature documentary Bears. They're joined by Sound on Sight contributor Zach Lewis to debate some of the big questions: how much do documentarians owe to telling the truth in their films? Is it OK to tell a story of the real world, with animals, and have it not be a documentary? Should Werner Herzog direct the next Disneynature film? (The answer, at least to the last one, is a clear yes.) Bears may not have made a great showing at the box office, but your hosts spent a fair bit of time this week parsing through the John C. Reilly narration, twinkly score, and an interview that shattered some of our illusions of what in the film really happened. But all you need are the bare necessities: headphones, iTunes, and this episode. So get to it!

Episode 140: Son of Flubber

It's time for a first on Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Gabe discuss the first-ever live-action sequel in the Disney canon of films, Son of Flubber, the presumably anticipated sequel to The Absent-Minded Professor. Josh wasn't keen on the first film, but Gabe was, so the question is: did this sequel satisfy or was it a letdown like most sequels are? We won't answer the question here, but consider this much (and consider it a warning for families): it took Gabe only a few minutes to start using profanity in discussing Son of Flubber. Yes, that's right, it's an Earmuffs Special this week! (All thanks to Gabe. Send him your hate mail.) Also, stick around to the end to hear Gabe commit to appearing on another sequel-centric episode later this year. You may be shocked by which movie he's willing to pay to see!

Episode 139: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

News team...assemble! ...What's that? Oh, right, we're not talking about Ron Burgundy and his anchormen friend this week, we're talking about The Avengers! OK, just one of the Avengers in his latest solo picture: Captain America: The Winter Soldier. (Of course, as Josh found out, Captain America isn't actually the Winter Soldier. Oh well.) This week, Josh and Gabe are joined by Marvel aficionado and TV.com contributor Andy Daglas to talk about this new entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, and Robert Redford. So yes, it's a big episode full of discussions of dudebros, high-fiving at action movies, and co-star reunions. Oh, and there's talk of post-credits scenes, because Josh couldn't resist. And you shouldn't resist either....to download this episode. (Obviously.)

Episode 138: Mulan

It's Mousterpiece Cinema's 138th episode spectacular! Get ready for guest stars galore, clips, and surprises! ...OK, fine, we're not going to ape the style of that great clip show from The Simpsons, but it is our 138th episode anyway. This week, Josh and Gabe take a trip back in time to dynastic China to discuss one of the entries in the Disney Renaissance, Mulan. They brought back past guest Dan Schindel of Film School Rejects, Nonfics, and Movie Mezzanine to debate the important issues such as: what the hell is Harvey Fierstein doing in this movie about Asian culture? (Quick note: there are a couple of earmuff-worthy moments here, if the little ones are listening.) Will this movie make men out of the trio of hosts? Do they see their reflection staring back at them? Listen to the show to find out!

Episode 137: Muppets Most Wanted

Hi-lo, friends, time for a fun new Disney movie podcast episode! OK, OK, maybe Constantine won't take over the podcast anytime soon. But the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is all about the newest Muppet adventure, Muppets Most Wanted, with everyone's favorite frog, pig, bear, dog, and...whatever back in fine form. Josh and Gabe are joined by Muppet expert and past guest Estelle Hallick of This Happy Place to talk about this sequel and if, like the opening song says, it's not quite as good as the 2011 film. Turns out that maybe one or more of your hosts have soured, ever so slightly, on the Jason Segel-led nostalgia-fest. Is Muppets Most Wanted better than The Muppets? Is it worse? Could they do it all again? Is the entire episode spoken in question form? Will you find out by listening to this new episode?

Episode 136: Need for Speed

Friends, do you feel the need? The need for...a new video-game adaptation? Well, good! (You did say "Yes," right?) Because on the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Gabe and Josh are putting the pedal to the metal to discuss the new action film from Touchstone Pictures, Need for Speed. With Aaron Paul of Breaking Bad fame, as well as Michael Keaton, and Imogen Poots--whose name is so delightful to say, Josh can't help but say it a few extra times--how could this movie go wrong? Well...it turns out that the filmmakers found a few ways to screw up, at least according to Gabe. Josh's a little more willing to give the film leeway, but as you'll hear, it all comes down to what they think of The Fast and the Furious franchise. So sit back and enjoy the ride, because this episode's racing to the finish line! [Insert at least fourteen more racing puns here.]

Episode 135: Darby O'Gill and the Little People

Faith and begorrah! Time to grab your blarney stone or find a four-leaf clover, dearies, because just in time for St. Patrick's Day, Mousterpiece Cinema is celebrating in style. (Here, "style" means doing goofy Irish accents a fair bit.) Only two days before the holiday when everyone's Irish, Josh and Gabe look back at one of the earliest Disney live-action films, Darby O'Gill and the Little People. They're joined this week by Andrew Welch, co-founding editor of To Be (Cont'd.), to decide if this film has charm outside of being one of the first appearances from a pre-007 Sean Connery. And how, exactly, does this quaint little story about leprechauns and their pots of gold connect to...Buffy the Vampire Slayer? You'll have to get lucky and listen to the show to find out!

Episode 134: Toy Story 3

Get out a box or two of tissues, friends, because if you're like Gabe or Josh, you're probably going to need them as we discuss Toy Story 3 on the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Closing out their trilogy of discussions about what might very well be the best American cinematic trilogy ever, Gabe and Josh invite past guest Scott Renshaw of Salt Lake City Weekly on to discuss this final chapter in the saga of Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of their pals. Is this the greatest of all the Toy Story films? Does the ending hit on the same emotional level now as it did in 2010? Will Gabe drop any more crazy movie-related theories this week? You can only find out if you listen! (Note: There's a bit of wonky sound issues in this episode, thanks to the ever-fickle Skype. Apologies!)

Episode 133: The Wind Rises

This is what's called serendipitous timing, folks. If you're downloading this episode the day it drops on iTunes, then we're just one day away from the Academy Awards, and the film we're talking about on the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema may very well walk away with an Oscar this year. No, we're not going over Frozen again; instead, it's time to discuss Hayao Miyazaki's newest, and possibly final, film, The Wind Rises. Gabe and Josh are joined by Film School Rejects' Rob Hunter to debate Miyazaki's fictionalized biopic of Japanese airplane designer Jiro Horikoshi. Did Miyazaki need to be more strident in his criticism of the man who helped Japanese fighters fly in World War II? Is this film more than just a bunch of beautiful animation, or hollow aside from the visuals? And is the English-language dub going to be worth watching aside from hearing Werner Herzog as an animated character? Find out on the new episode!

Lucasfilm Bonus Episode Two: Willow, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, and Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure

Well, friends, as you can tell from the title, this episode's a mouthful. We hit the 350-Like threshold on Facebook a few weeks ago, and you know what that means: time for another b-b-b-b-b-b-b-bonus episode! This time, per Gabe's suggestion, your intrepid co-hosts tackle not one, not two, but three movies, all from the now-Disney-owned Lucasfilm: Willow, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, and Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure. Yes, really, these are movies that we sat down and watched willingly. (OK, some less willingly than others.) And, as you might expect from a bonus show, this one's full of goofy tangents as well as a few impersonations. Listen carefully, and you'll hear Josh impersonate Wilford Brimley, and Gabe may even impersonate...Taylor Lautner? Yup. Now go forth on your own caravan of courage and check out the new show!

Episode 132: The Absent-Minded Professor

Well, friends, it's about that time again: time for the sexism talk. Not the sex talk, mind you. That's...well, we're not going to have that talk with you ever. You're on your own. But the sexism talk, specifically sexism in Disney movies, is something we're a bit more prepared to tackle. And we do so in the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, focusing on the 1961 comedy The Absent-Minded Professor, starring Fred MacMurray, Keenan Wynn, and a whole lot of flubber. Between Gabe and Josh, one of your co-hosts enjoyed the film and laughed at its many slapstick sequences; the other one was turned off by the main character's treatment of his fiancee. Can you guess who's who? No? Well, then, get to downloading the new episode! Don't bounce off the walls, just listen to the new podcast. Get it? Bounce? Because flubber...never mind.

Episode 131: Return to Never Land

Who's ready to go back to Never Land? Well, if this new episode is any indication, the answer may not be your intrepid co-hosts Gabe and Josh. While they still believe in faith and trust and pixie dust, they're not totally on board with Return to Never Land, the theatrically released sequel to Peter Pan from 2002. In fact, they're so not on board that, eventually, the conversation turned to a ranking of the films of Steven Spielberg. (Blame Hook for that.) And so, what begins as a frustrated discussion about why this DisneyToon Studios release falls so flat--hint: don't set your whimsical story during World War II--ends as Josh wondering if Gabe's lost his mind by ranking Hook over Jurassic Park. Yes, really. Anyway, think happy thoughts and listen to the new podcast!

Episode 130: Howl's Moving Castle

As we quickly approach the American release of Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, The Wind Rises, it's time once more for Mousterpiece Cinema to wade into the past of Studio Ghibli. This week, Gabe and Josh focus their sights on Howl's Moving Castle, with two special guests: Simon Howell of The Televerse and Andrew Daar of This Was TV. Both guests are huge Miyazaki buffs, and Josh is well-known for not being an ecstatic fan of every Miyazaki film. BUT. If you think you know where this conversation is going, trust us, you don't. Unless you presume this conversation is heading down tangential avenues, talking about Jeff Daniels, Werner Herzog, and Poochie the rappin' dog. In that case, you're right. But still! Listen to the show, because you won't know for sure until you hear it, not just read it in a description.

Episode 129: Toy Story 2

Get the Roundup gang together and put on the record player, because it's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! (We're not making any promises about whether or not you can hear the episode on a record player.) Yes, it's time for Gabe and Josh to move on from the first adventures of Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear, and onto the sequel, Toy Story 2. This 1999 release was totally redone by Pixar's animators within just nine months, but is widely considered one of the best sequels ever made; in this episode, Gabe and Josh, along with guest Dan Schindel, debate whether that consensus still holds up. Is Toy Story 2 the best film in the trilogy? Are there too many pop-culture references? And, let's answer that age-old question: is Estelle Harris really a goddess? Find out on the new episode!

Episode 128: Snow Dogs

Yes, friends, as you can see from the title of this episode, it's time for a good old-fashioned "Pull off the bandage" episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Gabe and Josh, first-timers to the 2002 comedy Snow Dogs went in as open-minded as possible, but this dumb, goofy movie about an uptight dentist dealing with dogs in Alaska wore them down quickly. They're joined by Sound on Sight contributor Zach Lewis to discuss many important matters, such as the acting talents of Sisqo and James Coburn, a 1970s mystery co-written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins, 1980s pop stars making cameo appearances in new movies, Terrence Howard's reference to War Machine in the first Iron Man, and the qualitative merits of Jingle All The Way. Also, Snow Dogs. We promise, we did talk about Snow Dogs in this episode. But we also went on a few tangents. Can you blame us?

Episode 127: The Great Muppet Caper

It's time, again, to play the music and light the lights. OK, fine, we're not actually talking about The Muppet Show on this week's Mousterpiece Cinema, but one of the Jim Henson-era Muppet movies is close enough, right? With only a couple of months away from the brand-new Muppets movie, set in Europe and focusing on a heist, Gabe and Josh take on The Great Muppet Caper, which is...set in Europe and focuses on a heist. Joining them is return guest Anthony Strand of ToughPigs.com, and the real challenge this week is getting to the bottom of a difficult question: why doesn't Josh love this movie like everyone else? It's a sad state of affairs, indeed, but Anthony and Gabe do their best to figure it out, just like the rest of you. Check it out to see if Josh embraces his inner Anglophile!

Episode 126: Sleeping Beauty

Did you know that a dream is a wish your heart makes? And we knew you, once upon such a very dream. OK, OK, we're not actually confusing the topic of this week's Mousterpiece Cinema, the 1959 Disney classic Sleeping Beauty, with the 1950 Disney classic, Cinderella, but can you blame us? The two movies, as well as the old favorite Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, maybe share a few too many similarities, all of which are unearthed and uncovered on the new show. Gabe and Josh are joined by longtime friend of the show Kate Kulzick of The Televerse and Sound on Sight's TV section to tackle this lush and artistic standby of Disney's animated canon. But is the romance of two pretty people enough to trump a surprisingly high number of plot holes and a lack of character? Or will there only be one brave soul to stand in defense of this movie in the face of at least one dragon-like opponent? You can only find out by listening to the new show, so don't wait another minute!

Episode 125: Toy Story

Happy new year, friends! We're kicking things off in 2014 right by going back to the old bedroom and playing with some of our toys. That sounded a little weird, right? Well, the non-weird thing said in a weird way may be the secret theme of the first new Mousterpiece Cinema of 2014, as Gabe and Josh journey back to the very first fully computer-animated feature film, Toy Story. For this episode, Alex Dowd of The AV Club joined Gabe and Josh as they put on their nostalgia goggles, just a bit, and praised the antics of Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody, and the rest of Andy's lovable toys. BUT. It may turn out that one of these three gentlemen is a bit heartless, a bit cruel, and a bit unwilling to accept Buzz Lightyear as being a great guy. (Hint: it may be the same person who, in 2013, revealed that he doesn't like that dogs that much.) Because it's Toy Story, though, there's a happy ending. ...Again, that sounds weirder than it should. Anyway, take a listen to this episode and travel...wait for it...to infinity and beyond!