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!