Episode 279: Father of the Bride, Part II

Hey, friends! It's time for a very momentous episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, so you'd best start listening ASAP. It's not just the final episode of 2016, but this is Gabe's last episode as co-host of the podcast. As Gabe's swan song, we're talking about the 1995 Nancy Meyers-Charles Shyer comedy Father of the Bride, Part II, starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short. But leaving aside the inevitable final argument between Josh and Gabe about the quality of this film, there's a much more important question on everyone's minds: who is going to be the new co-host of Mousterpiece Cinema? The answer is in this episode, and it just might have something to do with our guest this week, Scott Renshaw of Salt Lake City Weekly and the new book Happy Place: Living the Disney Parks Life. But we don't want to tell you anything else just yet--check out the show to find out more!

Episode 278: Rogue One

There has been an awakening, friends. Can you feel it? It's--wait, that was last year's movie from the Star Wars franchise, The Force Awakens. We already discussed that on Mousterpiece Cinema! This time around, Josh and Gabe (in his penultimate episode of the show) are talking about the first stand-alone film in the SW franchise, Rogue One. They're joined by return guest and critic for The New Republic, Tim Grierson, for a mammoth-size episode all about Rogue One, the diverse cast, the bleak ending of the film, and, of course, That Special Effect. (If you've seen the movie, you know what we mean.) Is this the best Star Wars movie in over 30 years? Is it just the best one in a year? Is it OK for Tim to bad-mouth The Rocketeer in any form or on any podcast? And can you handle a 2-hour episode of the show? Find out now!

Episode 277: The Royal Tenenbaums

Hey, friends! Christmas is almost here, and this year, that can only mean one thing: we are one episode closer to Gabe's last as co-host of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, Josh and Gabe are talking about a now-15-year old film that set the standard for countless indie films along with a very well-known TV show: The Royal Tenenbaums, from director Wes Anderson and featuring Gene Hackman, Luke Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, and more. Josh and Gabe are joined by Keith Phipps of Uproxx (and now a member of the podcast's Five-Timers' Club) to talk about Tenenbaums, its cast, its style, and more. Is it possible that this is one of your hosts' favorite movies ever? Is it possible that your other host thinks it's...not nearly that good? (But pretty good, still.) Find out now!

Episode 276: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

Hey, folks! It's time for a very important episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, so you'd best prepare yourself. This week, as we approach the holidays, Josh and Gabe are traveling to the magical land of Narnia to celebrate the season with Father Christmas, the White Witch, Mr. Tumnus, and the Pevensies (also Aslan), as they discuss Disney's 2005 adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. But hold on: there is big news in the early going here that you're going to need to listen to. (No joke.) Once the big news is out of the way, and once you all get to wonder what it means for the show in 2017, it's time for Josh and Gabe to discuss this version of Narnia, and whether or not it works outside of Tilda Swinton and James McAvoy's performances. Plus, there's a nice, long takedown of recent comments on female directors in the Star Wars universe, and more. Check out the new show right now!

Episode 275: Moana

Hey, friends! It's time for our first episode of December, and we're celebrating by talking about Walt Disney Animation Studios' second film of 2016, Moana. While Zootopia was a big hit back in the spring, hopes are pretty high for Moana, because...well, how could they not be? A new movie from the directors of The Princess and the Frog and The Little Mermaid? Songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda? Co-starring The Rock? The question for Josh and Gabe may not be whether or not this is any good, but how good it is. Josh and Gabe are joined by Angie J. Han, managing editor of Slashfilm, to talk about Moana, the new short Inner Workings, the new songs in this big new movie, diversity, and more. Hop on the nearest boat--you're gonna get hop-ons, you know--and check out the new podcast!

Episode 274: 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure

Hey, folks! The holidays are upon us, and Black Friday is in the rearview mirror; with that comes a festive new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! This week, Josh and Gabe are ringing in Thanksgiving Weekend with...a direct-to-DVD sequel. OK, it's not a very holiday-specific episode of the podcast, but if you listen closely enough, it may well sound like both of your hosts have had some of that classic spiked eggnog in discussing 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure. Is this adventure deserving of its own film? Do Douglas Sirk references make a movie good? Should voice acting be treated as seriously as live-action acting? Find out the answers to these questions and more on the new podcast!

Episode 273: Father of the Bride

Hey, friends! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Josh and Gabe are in a festive mood! Well, honestly, it's more accurate to say that Josh and Gabe are in a particularly punchy mood as they discuss the 1991 remake of Father of the Bride, starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Martin Short, and more. Why so punchy? In spite of this being our second post-election podcast, it's the first one we recorded after the 8th, and if you were hoping that meant we'd avoid talking about non-upbeat stuff...well, just skip ahead to 10 minutes into the podcast. (You've been warned.) But don't worry: Josh and Gabe found plenty to argue about regarding Father of the Bride, as well as Diane Keaton. And also Barbra Streisand. What does Babs have to do with this movie? Is this movie actually funny? Does it make sense to sell more hot dog buns than hot dogs? Find out the answers to all these questions on the new episode!

Episode 272: Doctor Strange

Well, friends, it's time to dust ourselves off after a very long, strange, and painful week and get back to the important business of talking about Marvel movies. Yes, that's right: this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is all about the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Strange, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, and more. It's the story of a cocksure white guy with quirky facial hair who gains special abilities after he's disabled in an intense accident. But no, it's not the story of Tony Stark this time, even though it might feel that way. Josh and Gabe are joined by freelance writer Angelica Jade Bastién to talk about this film's character arcs, whitewashing, the notable cast members being misused, and more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 271: Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco

We hope you're ready for an exciting episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, friends. With the election bearing down us, what better film to discuss than Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, featuring one of the presidential candidates himself in a very prominent cameo! Why, many people are saying that--wait, hold on a second. Oops, we're actually discussing Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco on this week's podcast, which is a fairly easy mistake to make, seeing as both of these movies are pretty similar. In fact, Josh and Gabe spend a great deal of time on this week's show debating whether or not a repeat of the first film's premise could possibly work, especially with the late Don Ameche replaced here by Ralph Waite as the elderly Shadow. Plus, they debate pop-culture references, big-name cameos, friend-zoning, and yes, there's an earnest plea regarding the election at the very end of the episode. Check the whole thing out now!

Episode 270: Hocus Pocus

We've put a spell on you, listeners, and now, you're ours. That's right, it's time for another scare-ifying episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're closing out Shocktober with a bang and a half. After many long years, Josh and Gabe are finally facing off over a Disney cult favorite, the 1993 film Hocus Pocus, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as three sisters who are also witches looking to take over the lovely New England hamlet of Salem. But you already know the story, because this is a true classic for many Millennials...so is it actually any good? Josh and Gabe are joined by Louis Peitzman of Buzzfeed to debate the film's quality, the teeth of Bette Midler, and whether the Garry/Penny Marshall cameo is weird or funny. Check out the new show now!

Episode 269: Scream

You didn't read that title wrong, friends. This week, on a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Gabe and Josh are going back in time to 1996 to talk about one of the most iconic horror films of modern history, Scream. (In case you're wondering, yes, Scream does count for a Disney movie podcast. It does! Promise.) Your hosts are joined by friend of the show Eric Goldman of IGN, who gets into the spooky mood by having a particularly booming, echo-y voice throughout the episode. (Or, Skype was being ornery. That might be it too.) Josh, Gabe, and Eric debate the major issues: is Scream still a potent horror film? Where does it land in Wes Craven's legacy? And what is the deal with Matthew Lillard's performance in this film? Find out the answers now!

Episode 268: The Color of Money

Do you have what it takes? Can you pick up the cue and knock in the nine-ball at the right time? It's time to head into the pool hall for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Gabe are joined by friend of the show Noel Murray to talk about The Color of Money, from some dude named Martin Scorsese. Yes, really, we can talk about a Scorsese movie on the show, and you'll find out why here. As The Color of Money celebrates its 30th anniversary, it's high time to ask if this movie gets an unfair shake from cinephiles and Scorsese fans, or if its status as a good-but-not-great film remains correct. The question is answered on the episode, so listen to find out!

Episode 267: Queen of Katwe

Make sure to keep a weather eye for the next five or ten moves in front of you before you begin listening to this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. What are you going to do while listening? Exercise? Eat? Do laundry? What about what comes after that? It's thinking like this that lends itself to the game of chess, which is at the heart of this week's film for discussion, Queen of Katwe, Disney's latest true-story film. This one's directed by Mira Nair, and stars Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo; it's set and shot in Uganda and focuses on a girl living in the slums who can make her way out thanks to her gift of playing chess. Gabe and Josh are joined by friend of the show Jason Bailey of Flavorwire to discuss Queen of Katwe, though maybe it's better to say the trio debate the film, and you might be surprised where the dissent comes from. Is this movie worth your time? Is it time for Disney to focus solely on brand deposits? Check out the show to find out!

Episode 266: The Village

Hey, friends! It's time for another spooktacular episode of Mousterpiece Cinema as we enter the scare-ifying month of Shock-tober! Boooooo! Anyway, we're kicking the month off appropriately, with another film from once-popular and beloved filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. This time, we're talking about his 2004 film The Village, well-known now for being the beginning of Shyamalan's fall from grace after a trio of successes. But is that a fair estimation 12 years after the fact, or did people treat the film too harshly? Gabe and Josh are joined once again by Alexander Huls to debate another Shyamalan film, as well as important things like the J. Geils Band, Jurassic World, and the career of Judy Greer. So make sure to avoid the woods and Those We Don't Speak Of, and listen to the new show!

Episode 265: Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Josh rules, and Gabe drools! Or, if you like, Gabe rules and Josh drools! If that means anything to you, friends, then you are in for an incredible journey on this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, your hosts talk about the 1993 film Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, the remake of the 1963 film all about two domesticated dogs and a domesticated cat who traverse the wilderness of North America to return to their loving owners. Only this time, those animals have voices, provided by Don Ameche, Michael J. Fox, and Sally Field. So that must mean this movie is a huge leap above the original with its excessive narration, right? Or is Homeward Bound losing something by having performances, and also by not being about Simon and Garfunkel? And how did Gabe spend last weekend? How wild was he? Find out now!

Episode 264: Tangled

Hey, friends! Time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, after a few weeks off. (Yes, really, we're back!) Josh and Gabe are reunited after Josh's unexpected stay in the hospital--don't worry, he's fine--to talk about one of the biggest films they've managed to never cover on the show: the 2010 Disney animated film Tangled. Yes, the story of Flynn Rider, the daring rogue who one day meets a beautiful girl with a lot of hair! OK, fine, this is Disney's long-awaited adaptation of the "Rapunzel" fairy tale, and it sets Josh and Gabe on opposite sides almost immediately. Is this one of Disney's best new animated films? Is it one of their more forgettable? Take a listen to find out which side you're on!

Episode 263: The Incredible Journey

Friends, we hope that you're prepared. We hope you're mentally ready. We hope you are set to embark upon a journey. An exciting journey. A trepidatious and perilous journey. Perhaps even...an incredible journey. If that wasn't enough of a hint, this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is all about the 1963 film The Incredible Journey, featuring a heroic Siamese cat, a heroic Labrador Retriever, and a heroic English Bull terrier, and very little else. What happens when these three domesticated animals are on their own in the Canadian wilderness? Is it exciting? Is it fascinating? Do Gabe and Josh even care? This one might be more of a howler for them than they'd hoped. Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 262: Pete's Dragon

Friends, your eyes don't deceive you--this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is indeed focused on the Disney film about a boy and his dragon in the forest, Pete's Dragon. Of course, there's an important distinction to make--this is the 2016 remake of the 1977 film! (Josh talked about the 1977 film all on his lonesome way back in 2011.) On the bad-news front, Gabe was under the weather and unable to unleash his typical #hottakes for this episode; on the good-news front, Josh was joined by friend of the show Adam Kempenaar of the prolific Filmspotting podcast! Josh and Adam talk about the surprising quality of the 2016 film, the emotionally visceral friendship between Pete and his CGI dragon Elliot, the work of David Lowery (and whether them bodies really are saints), and more! Check it out now.

Lucasfilm Bonus Episode Seven: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Hey, friends! Are you ready for another very special b-b-b-b-b-b-bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema? It's been a little while since Gabe and Josh got together for a bonus recording, but they did so last month--in fact, they recorded this episode in the same place for the first time in the show's history. And this Lucasfilm-centric bonus episode is all about the last film that George Lucas had any direct say over in the Star Wars franchise, the 2008 animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Christopher Lee, among others. (Really!) But even though the TV show of the same name has garnered praise, this movie that kickstarted the Cartoon Network program isn't so hot, at least to Josh and Gabe. Listen for more details on just how surprising this movie is!

Episode 261: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, friends! This week, Josh and Gabe are going back to the beginning of the era of Studio Ghibli. In fact, they're going back before the beginning, to the film that led to the creation of Studio Ghibli, from director Hayao Miyazaki: it's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Josh and Gabe are joined by Justine Smith of Vague Visages to talk about this early Miyazaki effort, and whether or not it might be his very best film. Or is this movie not as emotionally engaging as films like Princess Mononoke or Kiki's Delivery Service? Did this movie set the foundation or raise the bar so high nothing else could clear it? Only one way to find out now--listen to the show!

Episode 260: Jack

Hey, friends! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and boy, do we have a corker for you this week. There's good news and bad news, too. Good news: this episode is all about a film from Francis Ford Coppola, director of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now! Bad news: those movies aren't from Disney, but his 1996 film Jack...is. And this Robin Williams-led film about a boy who looks like he's 40 is the subject of this week's podcast. Josh and Gabe are joined by friend of the show and soon-to-be co-star of the Amazon revival of The Tick, Griffin Newman. Josh, Gabe, and Griffin debate the important issues, like: how bad is this movie? No, really...how bad is this movie? Plus, Griffin talks a bit about working on the pilot for The Tick, and reveals one of the all-time great stories of working with a peer of Coppola. This is a long episode, so strap in and check it out now!

Episode 259: Follow Me, Boys!

Hey, folks! We've got a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema available for your listening pleasure today, but there's a very important way for you to access it. Do you know the Oath of the Boy Scouts? What's their motto? Are you prepared to...be prepared? Yes, this week on the show, Gabe and Josh are talking about the Boy-Scout-centric 1966 live-action film Follow Me, Boys!, starring Fred MacMurray, Lillian Gish, Vera Miles, and a little boy who would grow into the big boy Kurt Russell. And for once, Gabe hasn't seen an old-school Disney live-action film before; was he sufficiently inspired by this would-be Goodbye, Mr. Chips? Were Gabe and Josh both ready to become Scoutmasters in real life? Or was this a colossal letdown? Only one way to find out: check out the show now! Scout's honor.

Episode 258: Trainspotting

After last week's discussion of Chicken Little, Josh and Gabe are in the mood for a palate cleanser on this week's new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. And there may be no better choice for palate cleanser--no more wildly different film, really--than the 1996 film from Danny Boyle, Trainspotting. (If you're wondering how on Earth that counts for this podcast: Miramax distributed Trainspotting, and guess who owned Miramax in 1996? Disney!) Josh and Gabe are joined by another Danny B., Danny Bowes of Film School Rejects, to discuss whether or not Trainspotting holds up 20 years after its U.S. release, whether or not its main character is nothing more than a cipher, and, of course, whether or not The Social Network is a better film than Steve Jobs. (One of your hosts thinks so. The other is crazy--er, thinks otherwise.) Check out the new show now!

Episode 257: Chicken Little

It's time for a big, monumental episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, friends. Finally, after months of teasing, Gabe and Josh are talking about the 2005 film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Chicken Little. You remember this adaptation of Chicken Little, don't you? The adaptation from the director of The Emperor's New Groove? Disney's first fully computer animated feature film? Possibly the very worst movie that Disney's animation studio has made in nearly 80 years? Yes, it's true: this movie might be the pits for Disney, at least as Gabe and Josh see it. Is it the actual worst, though? And how many Earwolf references can Josh squeeze into the show to confound Gabe? Find out now!

Episode 256: The BFG

Welcome to all human beans, near and far, to this scrum-diddly-umptious poddin' cast of Mousterpiece Cinema. OK, talking like a giant is kind of difficult for more than one sentence, so let's get back to human-style talk. On this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe talk about the newest movie from Walt Disney Pictures, a Steven Spielberg adaptation of Roald Dahl's The BFG, with Mark Rylance as the Big Friendly Giant himself. Josh and Gabe are joined by friend of the show Alex Dowd of The A.V. Club to discuss the film, its placement in Spielberg's career, and why on Earth it performed so weakly at the box office over the Fourth of July weekend. And they face an important question: is this Spielberg's weakest film in decades? It just might be! You'll have to listen to find out.

Episode 255: Phenomenon

Hey, folks! It's time for Josh and Gabe to begin a sixth year of podcasting as the hosts of Mousterpiece Cinema, and they're starting with one of their punchiest, goofiest episodes yet. It starts with the longest housekeeping segment to date, centered around a very exciting development: Mousterpiece Cinema is now on Patreon! Become a patron of the podcast and you might even get to tell us what to discuss on a future episode!

The current episode is another patented entry of Mousterpiece Cinema After Dark--make sure to say that in your deepest voice possible--as your hosts talk about the 1996 drama Phenomenon, starring John Travolta, Forest Whitaker, Kyra Sedgwick, and Robert Duvall. Remember Phenomenon? A film that made more money than either Space Jam or Scream in 1996! It's true, but does the movie hold up as we approach its 20th anniversary? Or is it super-duper creepy? Find out now!

Episode 254: Finding Dory

It's a banner day for Mousterpiece Cinema, friends. Why's that? This episode marks the fifth anniversary of the podcast! Back in June 2011, Josh sat down to record the first show solo, talking about Pixar's then-new sequel Cars 2. So it's only fitting that the best way to ring in five years of podcasting is Josh and Gabe sitting down to talk about Pixar's latest sequel: the monster hit Finding Dory, a follow-up to 2003's Finding Nemo. Has absence made our hearts grow fonder? Or was it an unwise decision for Pixar to take another sidekick and turn them into the lead character? Josh and Gabe are joined by friend of the show Monica Castillo of The New York Times to discuss our new lead character, the new world and characters of the sequel, the meta-narrative regarding director Andrew Stanton, how meta-narratives are NOT the same as fan theories, and more! Check it out, and remember to just keep listening, just keep listening, just keep listening, listening, listening...

Episode 253: The Rock

San Francisco. A beautiful city, but with a criminal element as well, who are led to Alcatraz. Listen to the bell from the trolley--it's alerting them that prisoners are coming. "Prisoners coming. Prisoners coming. Coming, coming--"

OK, not really. (Apologies to Eddie Izzard.) But though no prisoners are coming your way, there is a new Mousterpiece Cinema headed your way, and it's all about Alcatraz. Yes, this week, Gabe and Josh are talking about the 1996 action film The Rock, starring Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, and more. And your hosts are joined by return guest Mark Harris of New York Magazine to talk about all things The Rock and, of course, all things Michael Bay, AKA King of the Vulgar Auteurs, seeing as he directed the film. It's been 20 years, so does The Rock maintain its status as his best-ever film? Does that even mean it's...a good movie? Is Nicolas Cage hamming it up in this one? Find out now!

Episode 252: Gus

Hey, friends! We hope you're in a sporting mood, because we have a perfect summer movie to talk about on this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. It's the 1976 comedy Gus, all about a Yugoslavian mule who plays on an NFL team! OK, fine, so maybe it's not the right time of year to talk about an NFL movie, but then, Gus is as much an accurate portrayal of NFL as it is of how to manage a supermarket in the 1970s. (If you've seen this movie, you will probably get that reference.) Gabe and Josh are joined by return guest Mark Pfeiffer of Reel Times to talk about Gus, Don Knotts, unending slapstick scenes, and, of course, our #openthedisneyvault hashtag this week, so check it out now!

Episode 251: Alice Through the Looking Glass

Oh, frabjous day, dear friends. Callooh. Callay. Yes, there's only one reason for us to bust out the Lewis Carroll-ese, and that's because we are going back to Wonderland on this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! Oooh, sorry, hang on, we're going to Underland, because that's what it's called in the live-action films from Walt Disney Pictures. And yes, that word is plural now, because the 2010 Alice in Wonderland now has a sequel: Alice Through the Looking Glass. It's got the whole gang back: Mia Wasikowska! Anne Hathaway! Alleged garbage fire Johnny Depp! (Were you wondering if we'd talk about Johnny Depp being an alleged piece of wife-beating trash? WONDER NO MORE.) So Gabe and Josh brought back Scott Meslow of GQ to talk about this sequel and its many, many problems. But maybe this movie's an improvement on its predecessor? Is it possible? Find out now!

Episode 250: Melody Time

Hey, folks! It's a banner day here at Mousterpiece Cinema HQ, as Gabe and Josh are celebrating their 250th episode today. And there's no better film to discuss than the 1948 package film Melody Time, featuring Donald Duck, Roy Rogers, the Andrews Sisters, and more. Don't take that as sarcasm, either: this really is an ideal movie to discuss for such a notable milestone episode, because it gives Josh and Gabe time once again to talk about the "Open the Disney Vault" hashtag and why a movie like Melody Time is unjustly ignored by the higher-ups at Disney. But whether or not it's ignored, is Melody Time an underrated package film? Is it #problematic? Could it be both? Check out the new show to find out!

Episode 249: Gnomeo and Juliet

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are ripping off yet another Band-Aid. Yes, because they talked about a gnome-centric movie earlier this year, it's time to head back to the forest to deal with some more gnomes. (Because, of course, there's no place like gnome.) OK, being fair, Josh and Gabe are actually just headed to the garden, because the movie of the week--Gnomeo and Juliet--is all about garden gnomes who might be re-enacting one of the most famous dramatic tales of all time for our pleasure. Well, that's the idea. But Josh and Gabe are both pretty...displeased with this one, even in spite of its stacked cast including Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, and Hulk Hogan. (That is not a typo.) Does the film have any redeeming value? Find out now!

Episode 248: Captain America: Civil War

Listeners, it's time to choose a side in the great battle of the year. Are you on the side of goodness and light? Or are you on the side of hatred and injustice? Are you Team Batman or Team Superman? Oh, wait, sorry, wrong comic-book movie. This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, we're talking about the big battle between Marvel superheroes, in the new film Captain America: Civil War. Josh and Gabe are joined by Alyssa Rosenberg of The Washington Post to talk about all things Cap, from whether or not this is a decent Captain America movie or just The Avengers 2.5, to Bucky Barnes' utility as a character, to whether or not shaky-cam action needs to die in a fire. (Spoiler: yes. Yes, it does.) Put up your dukes, join a side, and check out the new episode!

Episode 247: An Extremely Goofy Movie

Friends, your eyes do not deceive you. Nor do your ears! As you'll hear when you begin listening to the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, the plan was for Josh and Gabe to talk about the new Disney-distributed IMAX documentary A Beautiful Planet on this week's show. But then, as it turned out, life got in the way (much to Josh's surprise) and so your hosts went to a backup plan. That Plan B is none other than An Extremely Goofy Movie, a title that may be a little misleading, at least to one of your hosts. And though the debate is strong in this episode, don't you worry: this is an extremely goofy episode of the podcast, with everything from a discussion of the College X Games to a recitation of an Oscar Wilde poem. Check out the new show now!

Episode 246: Tom and Huck

Hey, folks! If you were hoping we'd be discussing the Disneynature film Born in China this week on Mousterpiece Cinema, we're sorry to let you down. (It's hard to review movies that haven't opened yet and were inexplicably delayed for a year.) Instead, Josh and Gabe are going back to Hannibal, Missouri to talk about the 1995 film Tom and Huck, starring Brad Renfro and...JTT! Remember JTT? Sure you do, you're a 90s kid. Yes, Jonathan Taylor Thomas plays Tom Sawyer here, but is it possible that his acting style is too...well, 1990s to work for an old-fashioned character? Does his haircut meet the smell test? And how sturdy are the female performers? Get ready for answers to these and many more questions on the new Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 245: The Jungle Book

Don't worry, folks, you're not having a flashback. We're not talking about the 1967 animated film The Jungle Book on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema; instead, Josh and Gabe are talking about the live-action remake of the same name, featuring the voices of Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Ben Kingsley, Scarlett Johansson, Christopher Walken, and more! And they're joined by friend of the show Genevieve Koski of The Next Picture Show to talk all things Kipling. Or, all things Disneyfied Kipling. Does this film improve upon its animated predecessor? Are its effects as impressive as promised? Is Gabe going to continue his streak of being super-negative? Find out now!

Episode 244: Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend

Hey, folks! On this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are traveling to the African continent to explore a strange new society that may indeed hold a surprising link to the Jurassic period of Planet Earth. Just think: what if there were still dinosaurs walking among humanity? Wouldn't that be crazy? Wouldn't that change our perception of science? Wouldn't...you want to be the first person to reveal this discovery, damn the consequences? That's one of the lessons our lead characters learn in this week's film, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, which we discussed with guest Tom Nix. And guess what? This movie is...uh...well, put it this way, one of your hosts is convinced this might be one half of the worst double feature we've ever discussed on the podcast. And that's even including a crazy performance from "Downtown Abbey"'s own Julian Fellowes. ("Downtown Abbey," right? Not "Downton"?) Check out why this movie might be so bad now!

Episode 243: Benji the Hunted

Hey, folks! This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, we have truly gone to the dogs. Forgive the obvious pun, but Josh and Gabe's discussion of the 1987 film Benji the Hunted will arguably go down as one of our oddest episodes. It's safe to say that Gabe has--spoiler alert--never hated a movie as much as this story of the famously scrappy dog surviving in the forest after a disaster at sea. And it's safe to say that Josh hasn't had quite as much joy as in going through Benji's history as the lead of a live-action kids' TV show with cheesy aliens in a long time either. So...yeah, this is a strange, strange episode. Check it out now!

Episode 242: Walt Disney Treasures: Disneyland, USA

Hey, friends! On this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are going back in history with one of the Walt Disney Treasures box sets. Specifically, Josh and Gabe are going to learn about the early history of the first Disney theme park with their discussion of the 2-disc Disneyland, USA DVD set, covering four different episodes of the Walt Disney anthology TV show from the 1950s and 1960s. Just as you might expect with an anthology TV show, there's plenty of grab-bag topics to discuss here, from the placement of Song of the South in the first episode to how white audiences contrast with black performers and employees to...a rendition from "Bye Bye Birdie." But most importantly: Josh and Gabe talk more about the idea for Disney to have a streaming service encompassing its decades of films, shorts, and TV shows, and they need your help to get Disney's attention! Find out how in this episode!

Episode 241: Shipwrecked

Avast, buckoes! This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are headed to the high seas with a discussion of the 1991 Norwegian-American production of Shipwrecked, a kinda/sorta adaptation of Daniel Defoe's iconic novel Robinson Crusoe, starring Gabriel Byrne as an avaricious pirate and...lots of Norwegian people. Did we mention this was a Norwegian film? Yet it was released by Disney in the spring of 1991, and soon became one of Gabe's favorite movies of all time. Does it impress Josh? Was Gabe able to look at the film as an adult without wearing rose-colored glasses? Will an Irish accent be unveiled? (You know the answer is yes.) Listen to find out the answers to these and many more questions.

Episode 240: The Gnome-Mobile

Why, y'er sittin' on a gold-mine, folks! Hee-hee-hee-hee! Oh, come on now, why shouldn't we be unveiling our best impression of one of the iconic deliverers of frontier gibberish, Walter Brennan? He's only the star of this week's film on Mousterpiece Cinema, The Gnome-Mobile. Brennan's actually playing two characters here: an eccentric modern businessman as well as an irascible old gnome who the businessman's grandchildren (played by the same precocious kids from Mary Poppins) discover in the redwood forests of California. This 1967 film holds a special place in Gabe's heart--or, it did when he was a kid. Does it hold up to the test of time? Or is the whole film as painful as its faux-"Bachelor" finale? Listen to find out--and prepare yourself for maybe Josh's worst groaner of a pun in a very long time.

Episode 239: Zootopia

This week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema might get a bit hairy, folks. Josh and Gabe are settling in to talk about the newest film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Zootopia, featuring the voices of Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Jenny Slate, and more. Is this film truly like nothing we've ever seen be-fur? (Remember that pun from the teaser?) Your hosts are joined by friend of the show Scott Mendelson of Forbes to debate the merits of Zootopia--or, more accurately, to celebrate the film. (Like pretty much everyone else, we liked it! A lot!) We're covering a lot on this episode, from Zootopia's place in the WDAS canon to comparing it to Wreck-It Ralph (per Josh's recent essay at The A.V. Club on the topic) to the film's commentary on racial stereotyping. Check it out now!

Episode 238: The Adventures of Huck Finn

Last week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe had a lengthy discussion about race in Disney films, specifically thanks to the glaring racism in Savage Sam towards Native Americans. Can they keep up the streak on this week's episode? Well, considering the film of the week is the 1993 adaptation The Adventures of Huck Finn, based on the iconic novel by Mark Twain, you can rest assured that this episode does include another patent-pending segment of Gabe 'n' Josh: Two White Dudes Talkin' 'Bout Race! But does this film, starring a young Elijah Wood and a fairly-new-to-movies Courtney B. Vance as Huck and his friend Jim, step right where other Disney films step wrong? Is it the best film from director Stephen Sommers? And will Gabe and Josh go on a tangent about...shudder..."Fuller House"?  Find out now!

Episode 237: Savage Sam

Bust out the Kleenex once more, everyone, because it's time to prepare yourselves for a big ol' bawl-a-thon. That has to be the case, right? See, this week's Mousterpiece Cinema is all about the 1963 sequel to one of Disney's most famously tragic live-action films, Old Yeller. What's that? You didn't know there was a sequel to Old Yeller, called Savage Sam? Hmm, that's odd. You'd think a sequel to such a beloved and iconic film would be more commonly remembered and recognized. Well, maybe it's because, as Gabe and Josh discover this week, Savage Sam is not only outrageously racist, but legitimately one of the worst films they've ever seen for the podcast. We ain't lyin', folks: as much fun as it was to take this one down a peg, there's little doubt that the film of the week is...ahem...a real dog. (Get ready for more dad jokes.) Either way, you should check the show out now!

Episode 236: Splash

On today's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are going under the sea to spend time with a beautiful mermaid who falls in love with a dashing young man from the world above water. No, not the story of Ariel, the little mermaid. No, this week on the show, we're talking about Splash, the 1984 film starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah that has the distinct honor of being the first film from Touchstone Pictures. Now that it's been over 30 years, is it really the case that Splash was too adult to be released by Walt Disney Pictures proper? Or were they too gunshy? Or, on the flip side, is this movie too adult that Disney shouldn't have released it all? And does it remain charming and Oscar-worthy now? (Oh, yeah, this movie got a Best Original Screenplay Oscar nod. Really.) And how does Paul Lynde factor into the discussion? Find out now!

Bonus Episode: Walt Disney

Hey, friends! We hope you're having a good President's Day; what better way to celebrate than by listening to a bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema? There is none! So we hope you're excited to hear Josh and Gabe debate the ethics and expectations of documentary filmmaking. (Yes, really.) This time, the bonus show is all about the recent 4-hour documentary "Walt Disney: He Made Believe," which aired on PBS last fall as part of their "American Masters" program. Or..."American Experience"? (Yes, Josh confused them once again.) Does this documentary live up to your hosts' expectations? Could it ever have done so? Did Walt Disney really have conversations with Mickey Mouse? Or is it possible that some of the never-before-heard-of talking-heads in this documentary are talking...out of something aside from their mouths? You'd better listen to find out!

Episode 235: Freaky Friday

"Hold on a second," you're thinking to yourself. "I swear Josh and Gabe already talked about Freaky Friday on an episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. What the hell's going on here?" You're not losing your mind, friend. Back in January, we discussed the 1976 original, but now it's time to talk about the 2003 remake starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. Last month, Josh guaranteed that the remake would be an improvement on the outdated original, but was he right? Gabe returns from a weeklong absence to answer this question with Josh, as well as talk about Stephen Tobolowsky, regale us all with his Boston accent, and much, much more. Get to listening! And prepare for some Veronica Mars references! (It'll make sense, promise.)

Episode 234: The Finest Hours

Get on your rain gear, folks, because this episode's about to get plenty wet. This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh is on his own for the first time in a while; with Gabe steering clear of dark water, he invites Todd VanDerWerff of Vox on the podcast to talk about Disney's first new film of 2016, The Finest Hours. You haven't forgotten about The Finest Hours already, have you? You know the film--it stars Chris Pine and Casey Affleck as dual heroes of a daring Coast Guard rescue in Massachusetts in the early 1950s. And it's in 3D for some reason! Josh and Todd talk about the woeful 3D postconversion, the surprising performances from Pine and Affleck, and you better believe they bust out an accent or two. (Listen closely, and you'll even hear some Australian, mate.) Head over the bar--sorry, the "baaaah"--and get ready to listen to the new show!

Episode 233: Bolt

How much do you loathe the evil Dr. Calico? Are you a friend of canines, or are you a deceptive feline-like minion? It's these questions that are up for debate in the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Gabe talk about the 2008 animated film Bolt, starring John Travolta and a pre-close-cropped/Woody-Allen-ingenue Miley Cyrus, about a superheroic dog and his person. Except, of course, the lead character of Bolt doesn't realize that he's actually an actor playing a superheroic dog, which makes things pretty crazy when he's let loose on the real world. Josh and Gabe are joined by past guest Tasha Robinson of The Verge to talk about all things Bolt, from its rocky production to its voice cast to its rabid loathing of cats. Plus, a tease of next week's all-Boston-accented episode! Get excited, and get listening!

Episode 232: A Bug's Life

We're getting small on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Tiny, you might say. As tiny as the size of an ant or some other kind of insect. Yes, we're talking about bugs this week because our movie is Pixar's A Bug's Life from 1998. Gabe and Josh are joined by friend of the show (and this week, thanks to Skype issues, a fairly echo-y friend) Griffin Newman to talk about all things ants...and Antz. You remember Antz, don't you? The first of two 1998 computer-animated films about quirky male ants who fall in love with the princesses of their respective colonies? The rivalry between Pixar and DreamWorks Animation is a hot topic in this episode, as are outtakes, voice work, and Gabe's daring suggestion that A Bug's Life may not even be as good as the first Cars. Prepare to be shocked throughout--check out the show now!

Episode 231: Cinderella III: A Twist in Time

Are you ready to go back? Back...to the future? Well, OK, it's more like back...to the end of the beginning in this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. That's because Josh and Gabe are talking about yet another direct-to-DVD sequel, Cinderella III: A Twist in Time. As you might expect from the subtitle, this Cinderella story isn't your average, run-of-the-mill princess movie, but it's got a dash of science fiction. See, when one of Cinderella's evil old stepsisters gets her hands on the Fairy Godmother's magic wand, she and her eviller stepmother are able to turn back the clock so Cinderella never had her happily ever after. Can good triumph over evil? Does Prince Charming need to be leeched? Is this movie better than the original? Are any direct-to-DVD sequels better than the original? Someone from Slate actually made that argument, and you best believe we're citing it this week. Now check out the show!

Episode 230: Freaky Friday

Welcome to 2016, everyone! Movie Mezzanine's got itself a new look for the whole site, and that has even affected Mousterpiece Cinema. Once upon a time, a long while ago, Josh and Gabe aired new episodes every Saturday; for the last year and a half, we've been releasing episodes on Wednesdays. Now, as you can see, we're back to our Saturday schedule! Maybe it's fitting--kind of--that the schedule shift begins as Josh and Gabe talk about a different day of the week, and a particularly odd one. In fact, it's Freaky Friday, the 1976 film starring Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris as a daughter and mother who inadvertently switch bodies with each other on one fine Friday and get into all sorts of madcap misadventures. Could it be that this film leans too hard on old-fashioned gender norms? Is its madcap style not something that's particularly funny? Is the 2003 remake better than this one? Find out now!