Wednesday, November 26, 2014

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!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

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!

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

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!