Episode 229: Summer Magic

It's the end of 2015, friends, and to stave off the cold weather (as well as a cold that has besieged Josh's sinuses), Josh and Gabe want to flip the old Christmas-in-July concept and talk about summer in December. Specifically, they're talking about the 1963 Disney musical Summer Magic on this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. You know Summer Magic, right? The one with songs from Richard and Robert Sherman? Songs like, uh, "Femininity"? (Bad news: the song is as bad as you might think based on its title.) Did Josh and Gabe enjoy another Hayley Mills-led live-action film from the 1960s, or is this not a Pollyanna-esque situation? And what does "The Music Man" have to do with this? (It does figure into the show.) Find out now!

Episode 228: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Friends, the time has finally come. Anticipation has hit a fever pitch. Crowds are lining up around the block just to see the result of years of buildup. Yes, friends, you know what we're talking about. It's the battle to end all 2015 battles: is Gabe about to eat a heaping pile of crow, or did he hate the new Star Wars movie? That's right, as we approach the end of 2015, it's time for Josh and Gabe to face the biggest movie of the year, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. As you may know, Josh has been looking forward to this one for a while, but Gabe's been obstinately against it. But now that the movie's out, did the movie surprise them? Did it win them over? They're joined by friend of the show Anthony Breznican of Entertainment Weekly to talk the big issues: are the new characters fun? Did the movie do well by our old friends Han Solo, Leia Organa, and...R2-D2? Spoilers abound here, so be warned, but if you're ready and if the Force is with you, then check out the new show!

Episode 227: Miracle

All you hosers, eh, listen up! We got a real corker of an episode of Mousterpiece Cinema coming your way, and this week, Gabe and Josh are facing off in a colder climate than usual: the ice rink. Yep, they're back in skates again, metaphorically speaking, because this episode's all about an underdog hockey team overcoming insurmountable odds to beat a European foe. No, it's not D2: The Mighty Ducks! We're talking about the 2004 film Miracle, starring Kurt Russell as the coach who would bring the U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the dreaded Soviet Union hockey team. But at least one of your hosts dares to prefer a Mighty Ducks movie to a Kurt Russell-led sports drama; hear who's bold enough to say so, plus impressions of Katharine Hepburn so good, we're going to get Cate Blanchett to hand over her Oscar. (Well, maybe not yet.) Check out the show now!

Episode 226: Bad Santa

'Tis the season to be jolly, to make merry, to welcome friends into your home to celebrate the holidays. And on Mousterpiece Cinema, 'tis the season for holiday-themed episodes of the podcast! And now that we're all Santa Clause-d out on the show, it's time get a bit naughty. A bit...bad, you might say. So what better film to discuss this week than Bad Santa? Yes, this 2003 comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton as a low-down-and-dirty thief who dresses up as a mall Santa is from the Walt Disney Company, so it's on the docket this week. Josh and Gabe welcome Scott Tobias back to the program to debate...well, not that much! Spoiler alert: we're all big fans of this movie, just as we're not very big fans of the idea of the impending sequel. But hey, even when we're all agreeing, the spirit of the season demands that you listen. So...you know what to do!

Episode 225: The Good Dinosaur

It's a first this week on Mousterpiece Cinema, as Gabe and Josh talk about yet another Pixar movie; what's so special is that this is the first time in a single year when there have been two new Pixar movies. This summer, of course, we had the wonderful Inside Out; for the holidays, Pixar has given us The Good Dinosaur, wherein the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs...didn't wipe them out. In fact, the dinosaurs and humans coexist in this film, but does that lead to a good story? Josh and Gabe are joined by friend of the show Scott Renshaw of Salt Lake City Weekly to answer this burning question, as well as do our due diligence and insert at least one reference to The Big Lebowski into this discussion of a movie co-starring Sam Elliott. Plus, one of us calls the movie "disappointing"! A lot! It's not who you think! Check out the show to find out who said it!

Episode 224: Race to Witch Mountain

Friends, we've got no time for preamble on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. We're off to the races, heading to...which mountain? Which one? Which--we have to figure that mystery out soon, because Josh and Gabe are talking about the last film in the infamous Witch Mountain franchise, the 2009 remake Race to Witch Mountain. Once more, they're joined by IGN TV editor Eric Goldman to talk about the important questions, such as...seriously, which mountain? OK, aside from that, there's time to debate the presence of a smaller-than-expected version of The Rock, a depiction of convention culture that's not terribly friendly, and the random appearance of Garry Marshall. (Please, call him Mr. Marshall!) If you're ready for a race, then check this episode out!

Episode 223: Pocahontas

Friends, if you take a look just around the riverbend, it's possible that you'll be able to discover a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, Josh and Gabe are taking another trip back to the historical period when English settlers "discovered" the New World that would become the United States of America. Last month, they discussed Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, but now, they're looking back at one of the more controversial Disney Renaissance films: Pocahontas. And they're joined by Buzzfeed's Louis Peitzman to debate the serious issues: is this film racist? Should Disney ever have made an animated version of the Pocahontas myth? Is the new Broadway show "Hamilton" any good? OK, only two of those are serious issues (unless you love "Hamilton," probably), but they're all up for discussion on this week's show. Check it out now!

Lucasfilm Bonus Episode Six: The Star Wars Holiday Special

Gather 'round, everyone. Step up close, and get close to all your friends and family. There's no better time than now to celebrate the greatest holiday of all. No, not Christmas. Not Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or Ramadan. No, it's time to celebrate Life Day! You know Life Day, right? Life Day! The Wookiee national holiday! Why, it's the centerpiece of this week's topic of discussion on a very special b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema: The Star Wars Holiday Special! That's right, Josh and Gabe are finally talking about this infamous TV special, which celebrates its 37th anniversary on the date of this episode's publication. And as you might expect, this is a wild, woolly, weird episode of the show, replete with Chewbacca impressions, singing, and even a dramatic reading from Gabe that will make your jaw drop. Now, grab your closest family members a handful of those famous Wookiee ookies and get to listening to this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 222: The Prestige

Are you listening closely? You should really be listening closely to this week's Mousterpiece Cinema, because in this episode of the podcast, Gabe and Josh reveal that there are three parts to any true podcast. The first part is the introduction, wherein they welcome you to the show and lure you into their trap. The second part is the discussion, wherein they invite a guest to the proceedings to debate the merits of a movie from the Walt Disney Company. This is where you pretend that you're trying to figure out their game. But you really aren't. And then there's the third part: The Prestige. Specifically, Christopher Nolan's 2006 film about rival magicians, starring Hugh Jackman and Christian "Gooooooooood for you!" Bale, as well as Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine. Gabe and Josh are joined this week by friend of the show Tim Grierson, film critic and author of the new book "Martin Scorsese in 10 Scenes." Is The Prestige Christopher Nolan's best film? Has Hugh Jackman ever been better? Hell, has he even been in anything aside from superhero movies lately? (Pan doesn't count, it's not a real movie.) And does Josh impersonate Michael Caine? Only one way to know for sure: check out the new show!

Episode 221: The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men

All for one, and one for all! Oh, wait, no, wrong swashbuckling epic. No, no, we mean...let's rob the rich to give back to the poor! (That's more like it.) This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are headed back to the Middle Ages in England to talk about the quintessential legend of Robin Hood. What's that? You didn't know that Disney made more than one Robin Hood movie? It's true, they didn't just make the 1973 animated film! See, this episode is about the 1952 live-action film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, starring such actors as almost-but-not-quite-James Bond Richard Todd and mad-as-hell Peter Finch. This was Disney's second fully live-action film, but was it as good as their Treasure Island? Is it a step down? Have any of Josh's celebrity impersonations improved? Find out now!

Episode 220: Return From Witch Mountain

It's almost Halloween, and so Josh and Gabe are embracing the spooky spirit of the season by facing something truly scary on Mousterpiece Cinema: a sequel. Only weeks after they watched the 1975 live-action adventure Escape to Witch Mountain, your intrepid hosts are heading back. Or...returning from. Yes, that sounds better, because this week's movie is Return From Witch Mountain, with Tony and Tia going head-to-head, courtesy of the new film's baddies, Bette Davis and Christopher Lee. Could a movie with these iconic figures as the villains be bad? The answer is a big, fat, resounding "Yuuuuuuuuuup," sadly. But there's still plenty of time for Josh and Gabe to debate the important topics, such as who's going to win the World Series, and more importantly...which mountain? Which...which one? Which mountain? (Yes, get ready for puns.) Check out the new episode now!

Episode 219: Bridge of Spies

Do you love films? I mean, really love films? I'm talking classic movies like The Conversation and The Godfather. You do? Good, because it's time for a special episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, but it might as well be called I Love Films. Why? We're talking about U2 this week! That's right, we are talkin' U2 to you. OK, fine, so we're actually talking about the U-2 plane incident at the onset of the Cold War, as this event takes major precedence in Steven Spielberg's new film Bridge of Spies. (But still, we love films. Love 'em!) This week, Josh and Gabe are indeed discussing Spielberg's newest film, with friend of the show/host of The Cinephiliacs, Peter Labuza. Is Bridge of Spies another great collaboration between Spielberg and Tom Hanks? Has Hanks embraced his inner Jimmy Stewart? Is there an easy way to connect this to Saving Private Ryan? And, most importantly, what does Benghazi have to do with this movie? The truth is out there! In this episode of the show! Listen now.

Episode 218: Squanto: A Warrior's Tale

With the holidays right around the corner, Josh and Gabe couldn't think of a better way to bring on another Thanksgiving by starting early, and going back. Way back. Further than that. No, not quite that far, just--yes, that's it. Right there, to the beginning of the period when Pilgrims attempted to coexist peacefully with Native Americans. At least, in film form, and from Walt Disney Pictures. On this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, we're talking about Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, the 1994 film that asks the age-old question, "What would Mandy Patinkin look like if he had a bald spot on his head?" There's plenty of debate over whether or not the lead character's anguish or the Native Americans' plight is dramatized or not. And, once more, the demons of Skype strike again--noise issues plague us once more, but not next week. Promise! Now go listen to the show!

Episode 217: The Haunted Mansion

The walls are closing in on you. There's a mysterious creaking sound from the door to the spooky basement you never like to visit. You're in a room with no doors or windows. Yes, that's right, you're trapped. Welcome, foolish mortals, to a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, where Josh and Gabe are in a spooky mood as they talk about the 2003 comedy The Haunted Mansion, based on the famous theme-park attraction. Getting in on the fun is International Business Times writer Monica Castillo. How terrifying will this episode get? Is there anything scarier on this episode than the prospect of watching the Eddie Murphy comedy? Is it possible that prankish spirits got in on the fun by mucking up the sound of the conversation with spooky background noise? (That one's a definite yes, so consider yourself warned.) Check out the show now, and find out what terrors lie in store!

Episode 216: Escape to Witch Mountain

We're on the move this week, friends, and we're headed to a mysterious place full of wild and inexplicable happenings. (No, Burning Man was earlier this summer.) That's right, we're headed to Witch Mountain. Specifically, Josh and Gabe are watching and discussing the 1975 film Escape to Witch Mountain on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. And they're joined by friend of the show Eric Goldman of IGN to talk about this very odd, languorously paced chase film from the director of a grindhouse classic. (Yes, it's a Disney movie.) Is this too cheesy to work? Does the film hold up after 40 years? We're telepathically communicating the answers to you, but if that doesn't work, just listen to the episode!

Episode 215: Signs

Grab as many glasses of water as you can, a baseball bat, and your inhaler, because it's time for a very special, spook-tacular episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. (What? If Starbucks can start the Pumpkin Spice Latte in September, we can start our October theme now too.) Gabe and Josh are headed to the cornfield this week to talk about yet another film from writer-producer-director M. Night Shyamalan, the 2002 sci-fi drama Signs, starring everyone's favorite person, Mel Gibson. Plus a young, pre-beard Joaquin Phoenix! Ah, they were simpler times, the early 2000s. Joining Gabe and Josh again is longtime friend of the show and five-time guest Alexander Huls. Is Signs M. Night Shyamalan's best film? His worst? Does it portend of bad things to come? And will Josh make good on his promise from last week and sing in this episode? All...signs point to yes (sorry)! Check out the show now!

Episode 214: Cars

Keep a weather eye open, friends. It sounds like thunder is approaching. And you know what comes after thunder, don't you? That would be...lightning! Ka-chow! And also dad-gum! Yes, the day is finally here. We're sure you've been waiting with bated breath and/or on tenterhooks for this one: Gabe and Josh are going to talk about the Pixar film Cars. They're not alone this week, either, as friend of the show Griffin Newman joins them to talk about all things vehicular. Does Cars get a bad rap? Is it better than its reputation? Does it deserve to be the basis for its own theme-park land? Or is it pretentious to dislike this movie? All these questions and a few references to a certain fan theory await you. Now get in your car, take a slow drive, and check out the show!

Episode 213: Fun and Fancy Free

Gabe and Josh are feeling lighthearted and laid-back today, so what better film to discuss on Mousterpiece Cinema than the 1947 package film Fun and Fancy Free? Your hosts tackle the two short films, about a circus bear in nature and Mickey and friends facing off against a giant, respectively, as best they can. But package film discussions almost always come with a tangent or two, and the duo don't disappoint this week. Is this one of Disney's most forgettable package films? Is Kermit the Frog a two-timing cad for leaving Miss Piggy? And what more can Josh say about his surprisingly popular essay on fan theories? Find out now!

Marvel Bonus Episode: The Iron Man Films

Happy Labor Day, everyone! While you take a load off on this holiday, Josh and Gabe have been hard at work on a new bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. As they pause their exploration of the Lucasfilm canon, Josh and Gabe turn their eye to some of the early Marvel Cinematic Universe movies they didn't cover on the regular show, specifically the Iron Man movies. Yes, it's time to take a look at the story of one Tony Stark, AKA Robert Downey, Jr., along with his friends Pepper Potts and Col. James Rhodes. Now that we've had more than a couple handfuls of MCU movies, do Josh and Gabe enjoy the exploits of Iron Man? Has he really learned anything or is he still an arrogant jackass? And is Iron Man 3 the best MCU movie to date? Find out in this bonus show right now!

Episode 212: The Rookie

The crack of the bat, the smell of freshly mown grass, the sound of an umpire calling a strike on a pitch that is so far outside, how could that be a strike, you bum? HOW? Oh, sorry, just got into the heat of the moment, because it's the tail end of a very good baseball season for Josh and Gabe's teams of choice. (At least, for now.) So what better way to start off a new September on Mousterpiece Cinema than by talking about a Disney baseball movie? Yes, it's time to talk about the 2002 based-on-a-true-story sports film The Rookie. (No, not the one starring Charlie Sheen.) With Dennis Quaid at the helm, as a high school teacher whose long-dormant throwing power as a pitcher turns out to get him a tryout with an MLB team, The Rookie has at least one foot in the right direction, but does it avoid the pitfalls of the sports drama? Does Rachel Griffiths get more to do than just be the henpecking wife? And will the Mets win the game that happened during this recording? Find out now!

Episode 211: Porco Rosso

As we fight off the summer blues, it's time for another episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! And what better way to fight off the blues than by taking to the air? This week, Josh and Gabe tackle yet another film from the Studio Ghibli filmography, Hayao Miyazaki's Porco Rosso. You know the film, right? It's the one about the Italian World War I flying ace who has the face of a pig and gets himself in a ton of trouble with a dashing and arrogant American flyer. Josh and Gabe don't come to blows like these two characters, but they have a nice debate over whether the film's a comedy or drama (or neither), and whether Michael Keaton's style of acting meant each of his performances were immensely similar. Strap in and get ready for a new podcast now!

Episode 210: Pollyanna

Hey, friends! It's time to play the glad game on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Gabe and Josh harken back to a simpler time in America. It's a time when kids could climb trees without a worry in the world, when the entire town attended a local bazaar, and when grouchy old men taught people about what prisms were. Yes, it's time to review the 1960 film Pollyanna, starring Hayley Mills, Jane Wyman, and Karl Malden, among others. Were Gabe and Josh won over by the boundless optimism of this film and its title character? Or were they left as cold as mean old Mr. Pendergast? This is a super-packed episode, with impersonations of Elvis and Kirk Douglas as well as Gabe recounting his experience at last weekend's D23 Expo. Check it out!

Episode 209: Dick Tracy

Freeze, flatfoot! That's right, we're talkin' to you, ya stick in the mud. C'mere. Yeah, c'mere. We got a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema here, right here for the taking. Yeah, sure, it's free. 'Course it's free! Ain't no coppers here to stop you from taking it. OK, fine, enough of the goofy talk, but we do have a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema for your edification and entertainment. This time, Josh and Gabe are in the big city, facing down some of the biggest criminals as they discuss the 1990 comic-book adaptation of Dick Tracy. Warren Beatty! Al Pacino! Madonna! Mandy Patinkin! Dick Van Dyke! And more! Josh and Gabe are joined by the managing editor of Indiewire, Kate Erbland, to talk about Dick Tracy as well as its continued legacy. Will there be a new one? Will Warren Beatty wear the fedora and trenchcoat again? Did he...already? On TV? In a special filmed by Academy Award winner Emmanuel Lubezki? He...well, just listen to find out!

Episode 208: The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea

Have you ever watched The Little Mermaid and thought to yourself, "Yeah, but what if the stern, taskmaster parent was Ariel, and the rebellious kid was her daughter? I'd like to see that movie!" No? Too bad! Because it absolutely exists, and it's this week's movie on Mousterpiece Cinema. Gabe and Josh are headed back to the ocean blue to talk about The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, featuring all of your favorite characters: Ariel! Sebastian! Flounder! Scuttle! Morgana! Oh, you know who Morgana is: she's Ursula's crazy sister! If none of this sounds palatable to you, how about special guest Alan Scherstuhl of The Village Voice? (We should hope so.) Get ready for a wild, strange episode that invokes everything from Milhouse van Houten to Sarah Palin. (Really.) Check it out!

Episode 207: Dinosaur

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are going back. Way back. Further than they've gone before. Yes, further than you're thinking. They're going all the way back to the Cretaceous period to talk about the 2000 animated film Dinosaur. This hybrid of live-action and computer animation was notable upon its release in the summer of 2000, but has it held up after 15 years? Do people remember this film? Do they remember "Evening Shade"? You know "Evening Shade," right? The CBS sitcom with Burt Reynolds and Ossie Davis? Ossie Davis, from "Dinosaur"? Yes, if that wasn't clear, here's a fair warning: there are tangents aplenty in this one, mostly dinosaur-related. Plus Gabe sings. Unprompted! It's a wild one, so get ready and check it out!

Episode 206: Ant-Man

Hey, friends! This week's podcast is a little smaller than usual, so you may need to keep a sharp eye out for it. Actually, this podcast is extremely small, as small as an...insect of some kind. Maybe a bee? Yes, this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is all about the newest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ant-Man. That's right, Josh and Gabe are all about Ant-Man this week, and they're joined by friend of the show Jacob Hall of Screen Crush to debate whether or not this movie is a fitting capper to Phase Two of the MCU, and if Paul Rudd is the right kind of charming to play an ex-con-turned-superhero, and why the movie has a final scene lifted straight from Mac and Me. Do the post-credits scenes work? Is it enough for a superhero movie to pay lip service to a female superhero without having one? Will Gabe drown us all in puns? Find out now!

Episode 205: Heavyweights

You better be listening to this episode while taking part in a solid workout, buster. Feel the burn! Push yourself! Etc.! Sorry, we're just in a very exercise-friendly mood after discussing the 1995 comedy Heavyweights on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Gabe and Josh didn't have to go back to fat camp to prepare for this podcast, thankfully, but they did get to have a flashback to the time when Ben Stiller wasn't on top of the world of film. And they're joined in their discussion by Rob Hunter of Film School Rejects, ready to debate the important topics: is Heavyweights the best of the Disney live-action output of the 1990s? Is this an early case of co-writer Judd Apatow (yes, really, Judd Apatow) making a script too long even with a 100-minute runtime? And which host does voices this week? Find out now!

Episode 204: Third Man on the Mountain

Mousterpiece Cinema. Forbidding. Aloof. Terrifying. The podcast with the biggest goofballs in the world. OK, we are referencing a classic Monty Python sketch with this opening, but for the movie of the week, it makes sense. Today, Josh and Gabe are scaling new heights as they discuss the 1959 film Third Man on the Mountain. And, as Josh warned his co-host, he is full of dumb, dumb jokes this week, as well as a few impressions. (One of those impressions is inadvertently yet exquisitely timed to the recent revival of the Bill Cosby scandal! Seriously!) Did this live-action film about mountain climbing in Switzerland thaw your hosts' hearts, or were they left cold? Or, did they stay neutral like the country in which the film is set? Or, are they too busy dancing to zither music to care? Find out now!

Episode 203: Popeye

Grab the nearest can of spinach, friends, and get ready for this week's (sound-issue-free) episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! On this episode, Josh and Gabe are headed to the lakeside village of Sweethaven to tangle with Wimpy, the Oyl family, Bluto, and everyone's favorite sailor man, Popeye, in discussing the 1980 film Popeye, starring the late Robin Williams as the title character. And, of course, this one's directed by...the auteur Robert Altman? Yes, really, the same man behind Nashville and McCabe and Mrs. Miller directed this film, just as Robert Evans produced it. Did Josh and Gabe talk about Altman's career on this episode? You bet your ass they did. (Promise: no Robert Evans impressions on the podcast itself.) Are Josh and Gabe fans of this quirky family film, or did they find themselves unable to get on its wavelength? Short answer: they yam what they yam. Long answer: listen to find out!

Episode 202: Inside Out

Friends, with this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, we have good news and bad news. The good news is that Josh and Gabe are joined by longtime friend of the show and Forbes.com film critic Scott Mendelson to talk about the latest film from Pixar Animation Studios, "Inside Out." What's more, all three of your hosts loved the film with pretty much no reservation. Unfortunately, the bad news--and it is actual bad news, not just a joke--is that the audio quality on this week's show is going to be...well, a roller-coaster ride. Due to some technical difficulties on Josh's recording, the audio on his and Scott's side of the conversation is going to be...iffy. (You may wonder if they've fallen down a well. They did not! But...yeah.) So, we encourage you to check out the show! And we warn you in advance. So...enjoy! Maybe! And sorry!

Episode 201: Old Yeller

Friends, we're heading to the farm this week on Mousterpiece Cinema. Sure, you know the one, don't you? That farm where your favorite dog or cat got sent to after it was sick when you were a kid. They could run and jump and play and be happy without a care in the world at that darn farm. See, that's where all of our dogs and cats and other pets have to go when...well, when things get a bit rough. And things are getting a bit rough this week, as Gabe and Josh talk about one of the most memorable Disney movies of all time, Old Yeller. You know how Old Yeller ends, of course, and you don't even need to have seen the film. In fact, it's possible that this movie is mostly just known for its tragic ending, not the story around it. Maybe that's a good thing? Maybe Gabe and Josh didn't cry at this film? Maybe we're Ron Burgundy? (That last one may just be a teleprompter error.) Anyway, grab a box of tissues, your favorite pet, and listen to the new show!

Episode 200: The Lion King 1 1/2

We did it, friends! This week, we reach a podcasting plateau--200 episodes! Why, barely any other podcast has ever hit that peak before! (Don't verify our math.) And what better way to celebrate the 200th episode of Mousterpiece Cinema than with a direct-to-DVD sequel? Yes, really, thanks to issues of timing and ripping the band-aid off once and for all, Josh and Gabe are facing off with the DisneyToon Studios canon once more as they discuss the 2004 DTV release The Lion King 1 1/2. And guess what? Of all things, this one's a debate! Yes, it's true, one of your hosts didn't outright loathe this story about the budding bromance between Simba's friends Timon and Pumbaa; as they say on the Interwebs, the Answer Might Surprise You. Plus, a spirited revival of the old plea to Disney to release their old material on Blu-ray and on streaming turns into a great idea for a heist film. No fooling! Now, go listen to the show and celebrate in style!

Episode 199: Evita

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, we're singing loud and proud! Or, Josh is singing loud and proud, and Gabe is trying not to cower in embarrassment at his co-host's voice. But you can't really blame Josh for feeling musical on this episode, seeing as the film up for discussion is the 1996 adaptation of the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical Evita. Finally, Josh has a reason to playfully mock Madonna to superfan Gabe! But you might be surprised at how much of this discussion revolves less around music, or Madonna and co-star Antonio Banderas, or even director Alan Parker; instead, it's all about the debate between ambiguity and vagueness, between complexity and laziness, and where Evita fits. Arguments ahead, so get to listening to see which side you're on!

Episode 198: Tomorrowland

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, we're going to the future! Or an alternate dimension! Or another planet! Or...listen, we're just going to where the jet packs are, OK? On this episode, Josh and Gabe talk about Disney's big-budget blockbuster epic from director and co-writer Brad Bird called Tomorrowland. And they're joined by friend of the show Eric Goldman of IGN TV to discuss the important questions, such as: do you remember that CBS show "Swingtown"? You know, the one about swingers in the 1970s? It matters more than you might think to this discussion! Plus, the trio will also debate if this movie, with its George Clooney-centric kinda/sorta love story, is creepy, if its message surpasses the quality of the film, and what the hell Judy Greer's even doing in this movie for all of one second. No unique pins required--just check out the new show!

Episode 197: Monkeys, Go Home!

To quote a line from Rainier Wolfcastle's McBain (two weeks in a row referencing that character!), this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is Josh and Gabe: Let's Get Silly. In discussing the final monkey-themed movie of the year (for now), Josh and Gabe got very weird in this episode of the podcast. But you can't blame them for indulging in French accents, laughing fits, and more, because Monkeys, Go Home! is a very, very weird movie. Or it's a bad movie. Or it's so bad, it's good. WHICH IS IT? Find out now!

Episode 196: Walt Disney Treasures: Tomorrow Land

For this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, we're requiring all listeners to get their space gear in check, test their oxygen tanks, and prepare for a trip beyond Earth, beyond space, and maybe even beyond our solar system! But in case you're not ready for space travel just yet, you can still listen to the episode. This week, Josh and Gabe dig into another of the two-disc Walt Disney Treasures DVD sets, specifically the Tomorrow Land set, focusing on the way our 1950s society portrayed the future of space travel and science. Are Josh and Gabe able to embrace the optimistic futurism of this set or do they find it too quaint and dated? In short, are they ready to travel up (and at them/atom)? Or do they want to ponder their place in the dirt instead? Find out now!

Episode 195: Avengers: Age of Ultron

It's time to assemble your team, friends, because this week, Gabe and Josh are facing off against a terrifying prospect, something more fearsome than what they've faced before: another big-budget superhero movie. Yes, of course, like everyone else in the Western world, we're discussing Avengers: Age of Ultron today. Gabe and Josh are joined in this titanic quest by friend of the show Tim Grierson, author of Public Enemy: Inside the Terrordome. The trio answer some important questions this week: is superhero-movie fatigue real? Does this movie improve on the 2012 Joss Whedon film? Are the female characters multi-dimensional and complex, or are they closer to a certain s-word Jeremy Renner's been using lately? And how is Ant-Man like Cars 2? Find out on the new show!

Lucasfilm Bonus Episode Five: The Original Star Wars Trilogy

May the Third be with you! No, wait, hang on, that's not right. May the Fifth be with you! Hmm...still sounds funky. Oh, right, May the Fourth be with you! And what better way to celebrate this day than a two-hour discussion of the trilogy that started it all? There is no better way, trust us. Yes, for this bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe spend entirely too much time talking about Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. Plus, because of our recording date, Gabe and Josh are able to dredge up the debate they tabled in the last bonus show: are they excited for The Force Awakens? Did the new teaser rouse them with interest or bore them? Or is it just Gabe who's a Debbie Downer? And, of course, what of the original trilogy? Did George Lucas make good films or did he just fool our childhood selves? And will there be cursing? (Yes. Earmuffs, children.) Fuzzballs, get ready to laugh it up--and listen!

Episode 194: The Monkey's Uncle

Hey, bros! Get ready for a full-on Brodown Hoedown on this week's Bro-sterpiece--OK, fine, Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, your top bros Josh and Gabe are getting ready to go back to college to talk about the important things about higher learning: beer, football, frat parties, and--and--AND TWINS! Maybe we're exaggerating a wee bit, but boy oh boy, does this week's movie, the 1965 film The Monkey's Uncle, feel super bro-y and misogynistic. It's so hard to avoid that Josh and Gabe go deep on this one, musing on the conservative streak in old-school Disney films, the way Walt Disney and his executives treated lead actor Tommy Kirk after his homosexuality became a flashpoint of controversy, and whether NCAA football players should be paid. Plus, Gabe brings back his Serial-esque cold-case podcast! And a bit of swearing! And Josh does a Beach Boys impression! No more talk--get to listening!

Episode 193: Monkey Kingdom

In the face of the brand-new Disneynature documentary Monkey Kingdom, here's a painful admission: I hate every ape I see, from Chimpan-A to Chimpan-Z. No, you'll never make a monkey out of me. OK, fine, this may not be that specifically related to Planet of the Apes (the movie, not the planet), or any musicals about said environment, but can you resist a good Simpsons reference. Neither can we! Anyway, on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe go up against this new, Tina Fey-narrated nature film, along with their guest, Genevieve Koski of The Dissolve. Does Monkey Kingdom play fast and loose with the facts? Is it unethical to have monkeys destroy a child's birthday party? Basically, is it actually about ethics in documentary journalism? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 192: Castle in the Sky

On today's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, we're making specific and loud declarations. Such as "I DON'T WANT YOUR LIFE." Yes, that's right, you're going to get to hear Josh's impression of James van der Beek in the true classic Varsity Blues. Why, you may ask? Well, this week's movie is the Hayao Miyazaki film Castle in the Sky! (van der Beek provides a voice in the English dub, of course. But you knew that.) One of your hosts, in fact, loves the movie so much that it might be their favorite Studio Ghibli film overall. And the other host...well, he DON'T WANT YOUR LIFE. (That might spoil which of us loved the movie more.) Take a listen for more Ghibli/Dawson-cry-face talk!

Episode 191: Angels in the Outfield

The smell of the grass, the sound of a ball being hit by a wooden bat, the cries of "Get your popcorn and Cracker Jack!," and, of course, the unavoidable use of steroids. Yes, that's right, friends, it's baseball season once again! And this week, to celebrate the return of their beloved Mets and Pirates, Josh and Gabe step into the batter's box with one of Disney's modern baseball movies, the 1994 remake of Angels in the Outfield. (If only the Mets or Pirates made appearances in this one!) It's been over 20 years since this film came out, and many of its performers have gone on to massive careers, from child lead Joseph Gordon-Levitt to supporting players Matthew McConaughey and Adrian Brody. But does the movie hold up as more than a curio of expert casting? Do Josh and Gabe believe after revisiting this somewhat religiously-themed film? And how the hell did Gabe not hear about the Netflix revival of Full House yet? Find out now!

Episode 190: The Misadventures of Merlin Jones

Thanks to a unique case of electromagnetism (or some such), we've been gifted temporarily with the ability to read your thoughts, friend. And so we promise, this episode is completely April Fools Day prank-free. Pinky swear! Unfortunately, in some ways, Gabe and Josh got pranked this week by their choice of film, the 1964 comedy The Misadventures of Merlin Jones, which is all about a nerdy college kid being able to read people's thoughts! Until...he can't. Yes, this movie is surprising, but in a lot of the wrong ways. Even more so, Gabe's presumption that this movie would be monkey-heavy may have been equally misguided! What mysteries await? What happened in this movie that bothered Gabe so much that he cracked open his Sherlock Holmes costume to solve a cold case? Find out in the new show!

Episode 189: The Country Bears

It's bear-ly spring, friends, but for some of us, the weather has become truly unbearable! Oh, come on, you're not really that surprised that it took bear-ly two words for some choice bear puns in this podcast description, are you? And why would you be, with our film of the week, The Country Bears from 2002? Yes, Mousterpiece Cinema has gone for the easy pun this week, as Josh and Gabe are joined by return guest Mark Pfeiffer to talk about all things Country Bears, from the famous Jamboree at Walt Disney World to Don Henley. (Yes, that Don Henley.) Does Mark still appreciate this oddball film as much as he did originally? Was Josh able to resist bear puns, or did he stand above his co-host? And what opinion of Josh's is likely to infuriate a subset of fans? Listen to find out!

Episode 188: Cinderella

Make sure you're dressed to the nines, dear listeners, because we've got quite the high-class tale to talk about on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Did you ever see the film about the beautiful, kind, and silently suffering young woman who, with the help of a fairy godmother, falls in love with a handsome prince and gets to go to a fancy royal ball in a pumpkin-cum-coach? No, silly, we don't mean the 1950 animated film Cinderella; we mean the all-new, live-action Disney film Cinderella, from director Kenneth Branagh! Yes, the 2015 remake is on the docket today, and Josh and Gabe are joined by friend of the show Tasha Robinson of The Dissolve to talk about saying yes to the dress (and goodbye to swallowing food), how Robb Stark looks like Michael Fassbender clean-shaven, talking mice, and the gloriousness of Cate Blanchett. But did they like the new Cinderella? Did it prove its worth as more than a brand deposit? Or is this just another sign of the poor quality of live-action reboots? Put on both of your shiny glass slippers and find out now!

Episode 187: Mr. Holland's Opus

OK, friends, sit up straight. Backs up. Instruments high. And a-two, and a-three, and a-...OK, fine, no actual performing required today, but we are in a musical mood thanks to the movie of the week on Mousterpiece Cinema: Mr. Holland's Opus, starring Richard Dreyfuss as a music teacher in Oregon trying to improve the lives of his students over a three-decade period through an appreciation of the Terpsichorean muse. But is his Glenn Holland actually a good and/or inspirational teacher? Or just kind of a self-involved jackass? The answer isn't quite so simple, as Gabe and Josh are joined by Kyle Turner of The Balcony to debate the lead character and the film he occupies. Is it more than dramatic irony to have his son be deaf? Is Holland's off-key performance of "Beautiful Boy" sweet or painful? And how skeevy is the subplot about a student of his harboring a crush on him? Answers to these and more lie within. Check it out!

Episode 186: Pixar Shorts Collection, Vol. 2

We'd like to tell you that this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is short in keeping with the tone and scope of our topic of discussion, but does "short" sound like it fits with our podcast? Of course not. That aside, Gabe and Josh tackle the second volume of Pixar shorts this week, covering everything from Your Friend The Rat to Time Travel Mater, because...well, someone has to, right? There's only six years' worth of shorts to cover, and only four wholly original ones; is this volume nearly as exciting and entertaining, if not revealing, as the first? Are there hidden gems within this group? Or are there too many franchise extensions? And will Gabe get yet another chance to reveal his general distaste for dogs/his inability to feel joy and love? Listen to find out!

Lucasfilm Bonus Episode Four: The Star Wars Prequels

Grab your cloaks and lightsabers, folks, because the Force is strong with this special bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. After months of waiting and hoping and plugging our Facebook page, we've finally reached the point where we can talk about--yes, really--all three Star Wars prequels! The Phantom Menace! Attack of the Clones! Revenge of the Shi--Sith! Yes, Josh and Gabe talk about all three of them on this supersized episode of the podcast. Plus, Gabe reveals his so-called "dark secret" about the future of the franchise, and Josh unveils two different impersonations! As you can tell, things get kind of silly, almost from the get-go, but there's only one person to blame for that: George Lucas! Why, he's so bad he might even have nefarious designs on Gabe! Find out what that could mean by listening to the new show!

Episode 185: McFarland, USA

The best way to listen to this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is to do so while running, so get thee to a treadmill, listener. This week, Josh and Gabe are racing to the finish line to debate the new based-on-a-true-story Disney sports drama, McFarland, U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S..sorry about that. They're joined in this intrepid endeavor by Alan Scherstuhl of The Village Voice. Who better than three white dudes to talk about the latest White Savior movie? (Starring Kevin Costner, because of course it is!) And there's no skimping on the tangential references this week either, as everything from Batman's origin to porkpie hats to Cape Fear is up for grabs. So head on over to the local taqueria, try NOT to order a burger while you're there, then start jogging home with this episode as your soundtrack!

Episode 184: DuckTales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp

It's time for an episode of Mousterpiece Cinema that's 25 years in the making! That's right: this week, Josh and Gabe are going back to the beginning...of DisneyToon Studios, at least, as they review the 1990 film DuckTales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp. They're joined by past guest Andrew Daar to talk all things DuckTales (woo-oo!), but also the film's not-so-shocking similarities to Disney's future adaptation of Aladdin as well as how famed comedian Rip Taylor might, in this film, be closer to half-Joe Camel and a third-Fonzarelli in playing a particularly...loud genie. (Yes, Poochie will be invoked a lot this week. A LOT.) Does DuckTales The Movie hold up after a quarter-century? Is there still quality to be mined from the original Scrooge McDuck stories? And will one of us sing this week? Find out now!

Episode 183: The Princess and the Frog

Ladies and gentlemen, we are almost there! Actually, for longtime listeners, scratch that, we ARE there--we're finally able to talk about the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog on today's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. If you're new to the show, you might not know, but Josh has long hinted at being a big fan of this hand-drawn animated story of a young African-American woman who kisses a frog only to turn into one herself in 1920s-era New Orleans. After all that build-up, he's able to go on and on about how much he loves this film; he loves it so much, he sings once again! (Not a song from this movie. Not a song from any Disney movie, actually.) Is Gabe on board the love train this week? Or does Josh have to invoke the infamous disapproving-dog meme to respond to his co-host? And will Gabe impersonate Tom Waits, for once and for all? Find out now!

Episode 182: Bedknobs and Broomsticks

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are getting ready for a trip all the way to London, circa 1940. It's the Age of Not Believing, but they've got open minds, or they're trying to. Yes, it's time for us to have some fun with Bedknobs and Broomsticks, the 1971 film starring Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson that may owe a debt or two or twelve to Mary Poppins, from its Sherman Brothers songs to its animated sequence to everything in between. Is this movie nothing more than a knockoff, or does it have hidden charms beneath all the tomfoolery? Are we in...a tight spot? (And what does a Coen Brothers reference have to do with this film?) Find out today!

Episode 181: Strange Magic

Wise men say only fools rush in. But I gotta feelin' that tonight's gonna be a good night. So come on, Marianne! OK, enough singing (for now). Time to get down to business, and on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, business equals talking about the brand-new film from the Walt Disney Company. Yes, they just released a new animated film! From George Lucas! It's got tons of songs! You may have skipped out on Strange Magic, but Josh and Gabe can definitely attest to the fact that it exists, because they both paid to see it. And so did their guest, friend of the show Keith Phipps of The Dissolve. And now, they're here to commiserate over the film, which is unique! (Uniquely bad, that is.) From the current state of computer animation to the novels of James Ellroy to Beyonce's recent surprise album, everything--really--is up for discussion this week, as these three try to wash the taste of Strange Magic away. The movie might've been a pain, but this episode's (thankfully) not. Check it out!

Episode 180: Treasure Planet

Avast, buckoes! It's time for Mousterpiece Cinema to start plundering some booty on this week's episode, but we're not going to be traveling for some island in the middle of the sea. Instead, we're heading for outer...space! (No more Inside Llewyn Davis references, sorry.) Josh and Gabe are traveling straight to Treasure Planet this week, discussing the 2002 effort from John Musker and Ron Clements, the same men who directed Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. But they also directed this film, arguably the biggest flop in Walt Disney Animation Studios history. What happened? Was this film worthy of such an unfortunate plight? Is it better than people might assume? And, in the words of The Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik, "can you help me be a man?" CAN YOU? First step: listen to the new episode!

Episode 179: Kiki's Delivery Service

Are you feeling flighty today? Perhaps a bit witchy? Well, at the very least, if you're ready to have an open mind and a bit of interest, you're the perfect audience for today's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Gabe take flight with the Hayao Miyazaki film Kiki's Delivery Service, and they're joined by friend of the show Dan Schindel to talk about this 1989 story of a girl spending a year in the city and practicing the craft and trade of being a witch. With the recent Blu-ray release in mind, Josh, Gabe, and Dan talk about the "dubtitle" controversy plaguing Disney's Studio Ghibli home media, episodic filmmaking, the beauty of Miyazaki's animation, and Phil Hartman. (We know. You're sad now. So are we. Sorry.) Get your broomsticks ready and check out the new show!

Episode 178: Aliens of the Deep

Happy New Year, folks! We're kicking things off at Mousterpiece Cinema right in 2015, with a film from the master himself, James Cameron. (Please, call him Jim.) Following up on our discussion of Ghosts of the Abyss last year, Gabe and Josh are going down below once more with the 2005 documentary Aliens of the Deep, in which Cameron explores the sea life burrowing miles below the surface of the planet. And, as anyone who's a longtime listener may know, this episode is a fine excuse for the dynamic duo to debate the legacy of James Cameron, as well as the future of the Avatar series. Does Aliens of the Deep hold the key to why Jim Cameron is so obsessed with the world of Pandora? Is Gabe one of those diehards who got so depressed that Pandora wasn't a real place? Should this movie have been longer? Shorter? So many questions and so little time to answer them! Find out on the new show!