Episode 331: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Hey, folks! It's time for your hosts to close out 2017 on Mousterpiece Cinema, and what better way to do it than by returning to a land of fantasy and wonder, only to find that its denizens have been hardened and hollowed out to the point of losing their humanity? Yes, maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but that premise is kind of part of the focus of our film this week, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, in which the four Pevensie siblings return to the land of Narnia after a year away in real-world time and 1300 years away in Narnia time. The world they find is radically different, and Josh and Scott talk a lot about those differences, from a lack of Mr. Tumnus and Aslan, to the lifeless performances, and more. Also, stick around to hear your hosts talk about what the Disney/Fox merger means for the show (if it will impact the show at all). Check out the new show and have a happy new year!

Episode 330: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Hey, friends! We hope that as the Christmas holiday approaches, the Force is with you because we've got a big new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema coming your way. And yes, we're talking about the biggest movie of the end of the year this week, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the eighth episode in the Lucasfilm franchise. Josh and Scott are joined by return guest Emma Stefansky of Vanity Fair and ScreenCrush to talk about the new adventures of Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, Kylo Ren, and Luke Skywalker on the new podcast. Does The Last Jedi feel like a Rian Johnson movie as much as it feels like a Lucasfilm brand deposit? Is the movie too long? Does it feel like a true Star Wars film? (Spoiler alert: all three people on the podcast liked this movie, so...y'know.) Listen to the new episode now to get into a Force-ful mood!

Episode 329: The Muppet Christmas Carol

Hey, friends! We hope you're in the Christmas spirit, because this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema will go nicely with the holiday season. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Scott and Josh are revisiting an old favorite, the 1992 film The Muppet Christmas Carol. After a quarter-century, how does this take on the iconic story of Ebenezer Scrooge hold up? Does it hold up that well at all? Is it possible that Scott and Josh have not-nice things to say about the Muppets? Yes, it is possible, so prepare yourself to hear a couple of slightly Scrooge-y hosts this week, even though they do take out time to talk about a certain moment in the film that Josh loves so dearly that he's used it in GIF form maybe a thousand times. You know which moment. Anyway, check out the episode now!

Episode 328: There Will Be Blood

Hey, friends! It may be December, but we're not exactly getting in the spirit of the holiday with this big new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Instead, Scott and Josh are headed back to the early part of the 20th century to talk about the 2007 epic There Will Be Blood, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as an ambitious oil man in California. Your hosts are joined by two guests this week: returning favorite Tim Grierson of Paste Magazine and Screen International, and Vadim Rizov of Filmmaker Magazine. This quartet digs deep into Paul Thomas Anderson's singular character study, the memorably iconic Daniel Day-Lewis performance, that instantly discordant Jonny Greenwood score, and more. We hope you've got your milkshakes handy, so get ready to drink them and listen to the new show!

Episode 327: Coco

Hey, friends! It's time for a big new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, so strap yourself in (preferably with a guitar strap) and start listening! Josh and Scott are ready to talk about Pixar Animation Studios' new film Coco, all about a little boy who travels to the Land of the Dead during the Mexican celebration of Dia de los Muertos. They're joined by longtime friend of the show Griffin Newman, who enters the Five-Timers' Club on this episode, and boy, is it a doozy. Fair warning: before digging into Coco, Josh, Scott, and Griffin talk about the recent allegations surrounding Disney/Pixar leader John Lasseter. After that discussion, they talk about Pixar's new film, the value of original filmmaking, the beauty of Coco's animation, music, Olaf's Frozen Adventure, and more! Don't wait any longer--start listening now!

Bonus Episode: The Florida Project

Hey, friends! We're closing out November 2017 with another of our patented b-b-b-b-b-b-bonus episodes here at Mousterpiece Cinema HQ! As we did hit the 800-Like threshold on Facebook this month, Scott and Josh are getting together to talk about one of this year's most acclaimed new films: The Florida Project, from director Sean Baker. Don't let that title fool you, though: this movie isn't about the making of Walt Disney World. Instead, The Florida Project focuses on a group of little kids growing up in relative poverty a few miles away from the Happiest Place on Earth, and how they try to have fun one crazy summer. Scott and Josh are joined by return guest Monica Castillo of The New York Times to discuss The Florida Project, getting the local details right, child performers, Willem Dafoe's performance as a kindly hotel manager, and more. If you haven't seen this movie yet, there may be spoilers in the final section of the episode, but otherwise, dig in!

Episode 326: Candleshoe

Hey, friends! We hope you all had a fun Thanksgiving, which means only one thing: Christmas is right around the corner! While Scott and Josh hold off on their Coco discussion until next week, they're getting in the holiday mood appropriately! Because what better way to start off the Christmas season than with a movie adapted from a book with the word "Christmas" in the title, right? There's no way that movie...wouldn't have anything to do with Christmas, right? Well, it turns out that's the case, as Scott and Josh head back to the 1970s with Candleshoe, starring a young Jodie Foster, David Niven, and Helen Hayes. Though it's based on a book called Christmas at Candleshoe, this British-set scavenger hunt adventure has nothing to do with the holiday. But is it one of the rare Disney live-action films of the 1970s that isn't horrendous? Does this movie have a more tender heart than either Scott or Josh would have thought? Would kids from the 1970s ever have referenced Rudolph Valentino when they spoke? Find out now!

Episode 325: Enchanted

Hey, friends! We hope you're in the mood for a happy working podcast, because that's exactly what we're giving you this week on a new Mousterpiece Cinema! As you might be able to tell, Scott and Josh are revisiting a decade-old Disney live-action/animated film, Enchanted, starring Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, and Timothy Spall. OK, yes, fine, Patrick Dempsey is also in this film, but his performance as the fairly unexciting love interest is one of the key points on which Josh and Scott agree, even if Scott's a bit warmer on the film overall. Does this movie, though, hold up after a decade? Has Josh softened towards what he saw as its flaws before? Do either of your co-hosts have interest in a purported sequel to the world of Princess Giselle and Andalasia? Find out now!

Episode 324: Thor: Ragnarok

Hey, friends! It's time for the main event, as Mousterpiece Cinema travels to a whole new world to talk about the latest adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor: Ragnarok. On this episode, Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Angie Han of Mashable to talk about the latest entry in the world of the God of Thunder, specifically because it's so extremely different from the two previous Thor films. Does Chris Hemsworth have the comic chops to pull the shift off? Do we want to see a new Hulk film? Could this movie stand to have more Jeff Goldblum? (That's a trick question: the answer is always yes.) Check out the new show to find out the answers to some of these questions! (And stick around to the end to hear a fun tease for next week's episode.)

Episode 323: No Country for Old Men

Hey, friend-o! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and listening to it will be as simple as calling a coin toss. Just call it. You have to call it. OK, we're in a mood this week, because Scott and Josh are celebrating the 10th anniversary of one of the great American neo-noirs, No Country for Old Men, written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, adapted from the iconic Cormac McCarthy novel. They're joined by author and editor Adam Sternbergh to talk about the 2007 thriller, the instantly memorable performance from Javier Bardem, the meaning of the implacable final scene, and whether or not Llewellyn Moss hooked up with the mysterious lady by the pool near the finale or not. Does No Country hold up after a decade? Is it the Coens' best film? Does the Mike Yanagita scene in Fargo make sense? (You know it does.) Find out the answers to these questions and more in the new episode!

Episode 322: Ed Wood

Hey, friends! It's time for another spooktacular episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! Josh and Scott are getting in the Halloween mood once again by looking back at what may be Tim Burton's best film, the 1994 biopic Ed Wood, starring Johnny Depp, Patricia Arquette, Martin Landau, and more. Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Danny Bowes to talk about all things Ed Wood, from his angora sweaters to Plan 9 From Outer Space. Plus, you might well be wondering why we changed our minds and aren't talking about Scream 2 this week. Good news: we answer that question in great detail, and with...uh...a lot of profanity. Seriously: this episode has enough language in it that Josh recorded a brief intro to make sure you're not taken off-guard. But now that you know, if you dare, check out the new show!

Episode 321: Fright Night (2011)

Hey, friends! It's time for a spooktacular new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are headed to the Las Vegas Strip for a scarifying discussion all about the 2011 remake of Fright Night, starring Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Imogen Poots, David Tennant, and more. They're joined by friend of the show Louis Peitzman of Buzzfeed to talk all about the remake's presentation of toxic masculinity, why the movie struggled at the box office in the summer of 2011, the legacy of the late Anton Yelchin, and more! Is this better than the original? Is its faux-Children of Men car chase a successful stylistic choice? And what's so fun about Imogen Poots' name? Find out on the new episode!

Episode 320: Good Morning, Vietnam

Gooooooooooooooooood morning, podcast listeners! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Josh and Scott are in the mood for some wacky comedy and rock 'n' roll. So it's a good thing they're discussing the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam on the new podcast. Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Kate Kulzick of The Televerse to talk about the Barry Levinson film, and its seminal Robin Williams performance. Does this movie still hold up after 30 years? Is it surprisingly tone-deaf? Can Barry Levinson actually direct worth a damn? Find out now!

Episode 319: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Hey, folks! It's another October, which means it's time for a scare-ifying new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! Josh and Scott are getting into the seasonal mood as they revisit the 1993 stop-motion animated film The Nightmare Before Christmas this week. It's been six years since Josh discussed the Henry Selick film on the podcast, and his opinion has indeed changed a little bit. Is this a film deserving of its cult status? Is it mystifying that a movie so slight never got turned into a Broadway show? Is Jack Skellington just kind of a whiner? All the answers to those questions, plus a little Blade Runner 2049 talk, in the new show!

Episode 318: The Lizzie McGuire Movie

Hey, folks! It's time for a very special new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Scott and Josh are closing out the month of September with a first: our first episode title requested by one of our Patreon pledges! And yes, you read the title correct: we're talking about the 2003 feature film The Lizzie McGuire Movie, based on the Disney Channel show starring Hilary Duff. Would you believe that this movie inspires some of the more spirited debate between Scott and Josh? Who's on the side that argues this is a charming and light depiction of a tweenage girl falling in love with the experience of traveling to Rome? Who thinks the film's too light to even be a theatrical feature? And who thinks Skype is the true trickster here for the various audio issues at play during the episode? (Sorry, but fair warning.) Listen to the new show to find out the answers to these and more questions!

Episode 317: The Shaggy Dog (2006)

Hey, friends! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are headed, once again, for the dogs. Well, for a dog. A shaggy one, specifically. Yes, on the new episode of the podcast, Scott and Josh wrap up their discussion on the series of feature films all about The Shaggy Dog. This time, they're discussing the 2006 remake starring Tim Allen, Kristin Davis, Robert Downey, Jr., and...wait, Robert Downey, Jr.? Yes, really, before he was Tony Stark, RDJ was...barking like a dog at one point in this movie. Is it an improvement on the original? Dumber than the sequel? Overly conventional? Or is this one...a real howler? Find out on the new show!

Episode 316: Aladdin

It's time once more to fly to a whole new world, friends. On this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Scott are revisiting one of the most beloved modern Disney animated films, Aladdin. The 1992 film celebrates its 25th anniversary this fall, and is now being remade as a live-action/computer-animated hybrid starring Will Smith. So what better time than now to discuss the film, and whether it works as well as other Disney Renaissance films after all these years? Are the lead characters too dull for this film to work? Do the villains stand out as much as the Genie does? Does the plot make enough sense, or is Josh too focused on the nuts and bolts to be swept up off his feet? Find out on the new show!

Episode 315: Three Men and a Little Lady

Hey, friends! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Josh and Scott are going old school. Well, Josh is, at least, because he busts out at least one rap during this week's discussion of the 1990 sequel Three Men and a Little Lady. Despite Scott's horror at this turn of events, there's sadly good reason to invoke old-school rapping in this discussion of the sequel to Three Men and a Baby. Though they're guest-free this week, Josh and Scott are both able to dig into this sequel and its many, many problems. Yes, even though Scott was higher on the original than Josh was, both of your hosts found lots of faults with this follow-up. Should the film have focused more on the 5-year old Mary? Is the Nancy Travis character too stupid to function? And how does Scott's Michael Caine impression measure up to anyone else's? Find out on the new show!

Episode 314: Jackie Brown

Hey, friends! Head on over across 110th Street, because it's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week on the show, Josh and Scott invite friend of the show Jason Bailey of Flavorwire to help commemorate the 20th anniversary of Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, based on the Elmore Leonard novel Rum Punch. This story of a flight attendant playing a con on ATF agents as well as a menacing gun-runner didn't get quite the fanfare of Pulp Fiction (also a Miramax release in the 1990s, back when Disney owned that studio, in case you're wondering why this movie counts!), but is it secretly Tarantino's best film? Should people give it more of a chance in 2017? Or is it more sluggish than expected? (Maybe Josh is the only one who thinks that.) Find out now!

Episode 313: The Shaggy D.A.

Hey, folks! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one's for the dogs. Well, it's for a dog, at least. A shaggy one! In this episode, Scott and Josh are talking all about the 1976 film The Shaggy D.A., the sequel to the 1959 film The Shaggy Dog. What took Disney more than 15 years to return to the story of Wilby Daniels, the boy (now man) who can turn into a sheep dog? Was it a smart move to have Wilby run for office while also being a dog? And giving just as much time to Tim Conway the Ice Cream Salesman? Your hosts are joined by return guest Anthony Strand of Tough Pigs to answer these hard questions, along with a more general: what the hell is going on in this movie? Find out by listening to the new show!

Episode 312: Con Air

Hey, friends! It's time to fly the unfriendly skies with a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Scott and Josh strap in to talk about another of the mid-1990s Jerry Bruckheimer productions from the Walt Disney Company, Con Air. This Die Hard-esque action film starring Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, and John Malkovich is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and has gotten some pretty strong praise around the Internet as of late, but is it as good as its recent reputation? Zack Handlen of the A.V. Club returns to the show to help talk about the film, the racial politics on display, the Trisha Yearwood song, and of course, all things Cage. Check out the show now!

Episode 311: The Jungle Book (1967)

Hey, friends! It's time to mosey on down to the darkest parts of your nearby jungle and make sure that have all the bare necessities in life to begin your journey. In other words, on this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Scott and Josh are talking about the 1967 animated film The Jungle Book, based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling. And if that title sounds familiar, it's because this is another Revisited episode of the podcast! This time around, Josh is watching the film with the Jon Favreau movie from last year in his head, and Scott's comments are new overall. So what do they think of the film? Is it one of Disney's best? A standout from the Xerographic Era? Does it read as racist 50 years later? Find out the answers to these and other questions on the new podcast!

Episode 310: 25th Hour

Hey, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Josh and Scott are once again talking about a film celebrating a big anniversary this year. This time around, they're discussing the Spike Lee joint 25th Hour, starring Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, and more. The intense drama celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, and in spite of the film being widely lauded online as one of the best films of the new century, it's the source of some spirited debate this week! Josh and Scott are joined by return guest Scott Tobias of NPR and the New York Times to talk about Lee's career, the film's connection to Martin Scorsese, its liberal usage of 9/11 imagery, the infamously profane monologue in the early going (earmuffs, folks), and more. So don't wait--listen to the new show now!

Episode 309: Three Men and a Baby

Hey, friends! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one is a doozy. Josh and Scott are gearing up to discuss another film celebrating a big milestone in 2017: the warm-hearted comedy Three Men and a Baby, turning 30 this year. But is it actually fair, or even accurate, to call Three Men and a Baby a comedy when a good chunk is dedicated to a subplot about smuggling heroin? (You did not read that question wrong.) Josh and Scott are joined by not one, but two guests to discuss the film: Todd VanDerWerff of Vox and Libby Hill of the Los Angeles Times. Is Three Men and a Baby an actor's film? Should Leonard Nimoy (y'know, Spock) have gotten a bigger boost from directing this film? Can you believe it was the highest-grossing film of 1987? Prepare yourself for all these and other surprises, and listen to the show!

Episode 308: The Shaggy Dog (1959)

Friends, as we wade slowly through the dog days of summer, there's really no better time to talk about Disney's first live-action comedy feature on a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. That, of course, would be the 1959 mix-'em-up comedy The Shaggy Dog! Josh and Scott hunker down to talk about a movie that looks like it's going to be all about a grumpy mailman and his grudge against canines right before it turns into a wacky story about two rival teenagers fighting over a pretty foreign exchange student. Is The Shaggy Dog as crazy as the live-action comedies of the 1960s and 1970s from Disney? Was it a mistake to focus on Tommy Kirk's character? Are Josh and Scott "feelin' sore"? Listen to the show to find out!

Episode 307: Bambi

Hey, friends! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week on the show, Josh and Scott are headed into the beautiful but terrifying forest to revisit one of Disney's most beloved and heartbreaking classics of all, Bambi. After discussing this movie on the show five years ago, Josh is ready once again to see if this story of a little deer who wants to become a big deer still tugs on his heartstrings. And Scott is ready to reveal where this places among the first Golden Age of Disney Animation. Is the film's light plot enough to make it memorable? Should there be more dialogue? Less? What's the deal with Ronno? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 306: Adventures in Babysitting

Do you have a full backpack? Have you remembered to bring your Mighty Thor action figure? Do you have a spare tire handy? If so, you might be ready to listen to this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. On this episode, Josh and Scott are heading back to the heady days of 1987 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Chris Columbus' debut feature film Adventures in Babysitting, starring a young Elisabeth Shue, a young Anthony Rapp, a young Vincent D'Onofrio, a young Bradley Whitford, and...well, lots of young versions of well-known actors. Josh and Scott are joined by longtime friend of the show Eric Goldman of IGN TV to talk about this 80s teen comedy, and whether or not it holds up after three decades. Plus: stick around until the very end to hear what you can do to get Josh and Scott to talk about Spider-Man: Homecoming on a future episode!

Episode 305: Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Hey, friends! It's time for another new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are entering the confessional chamber to reveal a dark, dirty secret: they might not be the biggest fans of Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. The 1993 sequel to the wildly popular 1992 film is our topic of discussion this week, and while we might have found some of the first movie, where Whoopi Goldberg dons a nun's habit to hide from her gangster boyfriend, enjoyable, second time wasn't exactly the charm. Josh and Scott are joined by Marc Snetiker of Entertainment Weekly to discuss the film's illogical structure, the musical performances, the work of a young Lauryn Hill, and more. Check out the show now!

Episode 304: Cars 3

If you've positioned yourself in the fast lane, and you know how to turn left to go right, then you might just be ready to listen to the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week on thte podcast, Josh and Scott are talking about the newest film from Pixar Animation Studios, Cars 3, the third film in the trilogy that's been Josh's favorite for nigh on....well, OK, longtime listeners know he's no fan. But did the newest adventures of Lightning McQueen win him over? Your hosts are joined by ScreenCrush editor-in-chief/Filmspotting SVU co-host Matt Singer to talk all things Cars 3, from the rip-roaring racing, the meditation on death, and whether or not the world of these cars makes any more sense now than it did before. If you want to know the answers to these deep questions, and even if you don't, check out the new show now!

Episode 303: Johnny Tremain

If you're a true Son or Daughter of Liberty, friend, you're going to want to listen to this week's new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, On the new show, Josh and Scott are headed back to the American Revolution to discuss the trials and tribulations of the eponymous young hero Johnny Tremain. This film is celebrating its 60th anniversary in June, and has partially inspired a land in the Magic Kingdom, plus it even has a clean-shaven Sebastian Cabot and pre-West Side Story/Twin Peaks Richard Beymer. And it's the Disney debut of Mary Poppins director Robert Stevenson! But is it any good? Does the film hold up like early Disney live-action classics, or is it utterly forgettable? And you should be smithing on the Sabbath? Listen to find out!

Episode 302: Ratatouille

Hey, friends! It's a new month, which means it's time for a new title for Josh and Scott to revisit on an episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This month, Josh is looking back at a film he first discussed in Episode 17, the Brad Bird film Ratatouille. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Ratatouille is widely seen as one of Pixar's masterpieces, but does Josh still think that's true? And more importantly, does Scott feel that way? Or could this be one of the first times since he joined the podcast that Scott disagrees with Josh? There might be a drag-down brawl impending on the podcast! (Or just a polite but firm disagreement. ONE OF THOSE.) You'll have to listen to find out the details!

Episode 17: Ratatouille

NOTE: In advance of our upcoming Revisited episode, Josh has opened up the podcast vault to unleash his original, solo episode from 2011 on Ratatouille. Enjoy!

What kind of ingredients does it take to make a great podcast episode? For starters, make sure you have a great topic. This week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema has just the movie to create a great episode: 2007's Ratatouille from Pixar Animation Studios. Next, put in two dashes of honesty, a pinch of analysis, and a sprinkle of cinematic pretension. (Hey, it's just a sprinkle.) The final ingredient is for you to listen and let the chef know what you think of this new episode! Bon appetit!

Episode 301: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Avast, mateys! It's time for you to make a choice: walk the plank or watch the newest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, Dead Men Tell No Tales. OK, here's the compromise: just listen to the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, where Josh and Scott forced themselves to get through the latest adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow, played as ever by Mr. Fun-Time Family Guy himself, Johnny Depp. Yes, there's no bones about it: neither of your hosts were big fans of this movie, but maybe their guest, Emma Stefansky of Vanity Fair and ScreenCrush, enjoyed it more! Is this really as bad as Josh says? Are there bright spots within? Does it make any sense for there to be a sea witch in this movie? And what is going on with that post-credits scene? Find out the answers in the new episode!

Episode 300: Sister Act

Hey, friends! It's time to celebrate because Mousterpiece Cinema has reached a big milestone: this is our 300th episode, and we're singing to the rafters with joy. Specifically, Josh and Scott are talking about a movie all about music of joy this week, Sister Act, which is about to celebrate a milestone of its own, its 25th anniversary. Josh and Scott are joined by culture writer/author Nathan Rabin to discuss Sister Act, its writing, its ensemble, and, of course, all things Whoopi. Does Sister Act stand the test of time after a quarter-century? Is there not enough singing? Is this the finest film of 1992 for Harvey Keitel? Find out the answers to those and more questions on this episode of the podcast!

Episode 299: Ponyo

Hey, folks! Get as much ham as you have nearby, stuff it into your mouth, and start listening to the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as quickly as you can! On today's show, Scott and Josh are talking about Hayao Miyazaki's 2008 film Ponyo, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale The Little Mermaid. Your hosts are joined by David Sims of The Atlantic to discuss the Studio Ghibli film, the stentorian tones of one Liam Neeson, and yes, of course, ham. (And also things like the English-language dub of the film.) Is Ponyo secretly one of Miyazaki's great works? Has it been properly rated? Are the ham jokes coming off too...hammy? Gotta listen to find out!

Episode 298: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

OK, folks, strap in and get ready for a wild ride, because on this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Scott are headed to the far reaches of the galaxy to get into some scrapes and messes. This week on the show, they're headed back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to discuss Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, the new film starring Chris Pratt, Kurt Russell, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper as a talking raccoon, and Vin Diesel as Baby Groot. Josh and Scott are joined by Brad Oman (aka Ethan Anderton) of Slashfilm to talk about Marvel's new hit, and whether it surpasses the 2014 original. Is it still as fresh as the first film? Are the characters as lovable? And are babies jerks? Answers to these and other burning questions await you!

Episode 297: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Avast, ye landlubbers! Now that we have your attention, it's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, Josh and Scott are doing another Revisited episode of the podcast, wherein they discuss the 2003 blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. This smash hit launched the movie-star career of one Johnny Depp, best known as Captain Jack Sparrow, but after 15 years and countless sequels, does the iconic character and the film in which he first appeared hold up? Are Josh and Scott able to separate art from the artist? Will we offend the Orlando Bloom fans out there? (Or, as they're best known, the Or-fan-dos?) Find out now!

Episode 296: Born in China

Hey, friends! Earth Day was a week ago, but we're still celebrating on a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. On last week's show, Scott and Josh talked about the first feature-length nature documentary from Disney, so it's only fitting that on this week's show, they talk about the newest Disney nature documentary, Born in China. The film, narrated by everyone's go-to person on Chinese culture, John Krasinski, tells four different stories and might even include some drama, but is it any good? Scott and Josh are joined by freelance writer Karen Han to talk about the film, its accuracy, its narrator, and kids' favorite, Amazon's Jack Ryan. (It'll all make sense in the end.) Check out the show now!

Episode 295: The Living Desert

Happy Earth Day, friends! Scott and Josh are celebrating this important day in style by talking about a nature documentary on a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. It's not just any documentary, either: it's the first feature-length documentary from Walt Disney Pictures, The Living Desert, from 1953. Though Josh has discussed a few new DisneyNature films on the program in the past, this is the first time we're going back to the era of the original True-Life Adventures, which had everything: bitter battles among insects, delicate mating rituals, and...square dancing. Yes, this old documentary may have some familiar tricks up its sleeve, as your hosts find out. But does it hold up to 60-plus years of scrutiny? Find out on the new show!

Studio Ghibli Bonus Episode: Grave of the Fireflies

Hey, friends! As Easter recedes into the rearview, there's no better time for a very special b-b-b-b-b-b-bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! This time, Josh and Scott are celebrating the 29th anniversary of one of the greatest and saddest films of all time, the Studio Ghibli classic Grave of the Fireflies, one of the rare Ghibli films that Disney doesn't own. Fair warning, friends: this movie, which begins with its protagonist, a Japanese boy, dying destitute and alone, is a big ol' downer. Here's how much of a downer it is: just talking about this movie on the show made Josh get teary-eyed! Really. Does Scott join him in collapsing in a puddle of tears? Is the film's sadness enough to make the film worth watching? Should you ever watched a dubbed Ghibli film? Find out the answers on this special supplemental episode!

Episode 294: The Happiest Millionaire

Well, it took until April, but this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema represents something of a rite of passage for Josh's still-new-ish co-host Scott. This week on the podcast, they're discussing the 1967 film The Happiest Millionaire, which some people may know best as the last film in which Walt Disney had any serious involvement before he passed away. But for this episode, it represents something of slightly less importance: it's Scott's first time talking about one of the batty live-action films from the Disney studios in the 1960s and 1970s. Because, make no mistake: this is a weird, weird movie. Even if you haven't seen the film--especially if you haven't--make time for this episode: there's alligators and cars and jiu jitsu. And more! Check it out now.

Episode 293: The Rocketeer

Friends, we encourage you to look to the skies for this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Scott are going to be flying high because they're revisiting a cult classic from the Walt Disney Company: The Rocketeer, the Joe Johnston adaptation of the Dave Stevens graphic novel, starring Bill Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Timothy Dalton, and more. The real question this week is not if the movie holds up for either Josh or Scott. The real question is: which of them is a bigger super-fan of this movie? The 1991 film may have been unjustly forgotten by some, but both of your hosts are huge fans, so this is a top-to-bottom gushfest. But what of the future for The Rocketeer? Does this movie stand out even more in an era of grimdark superhero films? Only one way to find out: listen to the new show!

Episode 292: Grosse Pointe Blank

Get your tuxes ready, prep your hair in the right kind of wave, and polish off your gun, too: we're going to a high school reunion! That's right, folks: on this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Scott and Josh are heading back to the 'burbs for a reunion as they discuss the 1997 hitman comedy Grosse Pointe Blank, starring John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd, and more. They're joined by Mike D'Angelo of Las Vegas Weekly and The A.V. Club to talk about this cult favorite that helped push Cusack a little further towards the always beloved High Fidelity. Does Grosse Pointe Blank still hold up after 20 years? Is John Cusack still better suited to characters like Martin Blank or did his paycheck-heavy work in later years fit him better? And are all three of the gentlemen on today's show madly in love with Minnie Driver? Find out now!

Episode 291: Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Hello, friends! It's time for Scott and Josh to discuss a tale as old as time...a song as old as rhyme! ...Again! Yes, this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema talks about Beauty and the Beast for the second time in two straight weeks, but this one's all about the new live-action film starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, and more. Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show Monica Castillo of the New York Times to review this monster box-office hit; money aside, does it live up to our expectations? Could it ever hope to compete? Is this a surprise success or surprisingly painful? There's a lot to discuss in this one, so get ready and start listening!

Episode 290: Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Gather 'round, friends, as Scott and Josh revisit a tale as old as time on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. You know, some say it's even a song...well, as old as rhyme. Yes, that's right, we're discussing one of Disney's finest animated films on this week's show, the 1991 adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, featuring some of the studio's most memorable songs, characters, and sequences. Longtime listeners won't be surprised to know that Josh remains an ardent fan of the story, but is Scott also on board? Is this Disney's best animated film? Does LeFou seem like he was written as gay from the very beginning? And, related to that last question, does Scott's opinion of the live-action remake (which he, unlike Josh, had seen by the time of this recording) color his view of the animated film? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 289: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

For six long years, we've been in trouble, friends. No pleasure here on Earth we've found! We are truly men of constant sorrow. OK, not really, but the lyrics to "Man of Constant Sorrow" are rattling around Josh and Scott's brains this week as they discuss the Joel and Ethan Coen Depression-era comedy O Brother, Where Art Thou? on this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. They're joined by Sam Adams of Slate to discuss George Clooney's first major foray into film comedy as the wordy escaped convict Ulysses Everett McGill, the Coens' relationship with non-white characters, the soundtrack, and the unexpected resonance of the film's political subplot. Lucky for you, you're not in a tight spot--just dive into the new show!

Episode 288: Mission to Mars

Hey, friends! It's time to get your trusty space helmets on and suit yourself up, because this week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Scott are on a mission. A mission...to Mars. (Sadly, not one from God, because the Blues Brothers aren't a Disney property. Oh well.) In fact, Josh and Scott are talking about the 2000 sci-fi epic Mission to Mars, starring Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, and Don Cheadle, directed by Brian De Palma. (Yes, the Brian De Palma.) They're joined by longtime friend of the show Peter Labuza of The Cinephiliacs to discuss the important questions. Is Mission to Mars an underrated De Palma film? Is it better than the other 2000s-era Mars movie, Red Planet? Are the allusions to 2001: A Space Odyssey earned? And what would cause Peter to say "I want to die"? Gotta listen all the way to the end to find out!

Episode 287: Kundun

Hello, friends! It's time for another new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Scott dive back into the extensive career of one of America's finest filmmakers, Martin Scorsese. Though it was little-seen originally, Scorsese's story of the young Dalai Lama, Kundun, is our topic for this week's show. Josh and Scott are joined by Bilge Ebiri of The Village Voice to talk about this artful, gorgeous, yet potentially emotionally distant story and its place in Scorsese's filmography. Is this movie too unlike the rest of his career, or does it fit right in? And what's more, is it really necessary that Disney's executives had to literally apologize to the Chinese Prime Minister for this film? Only one way to know for sure: check out the new show!

Episode 286: Pinocchio

Hey, friends! We're going back in time for this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, because Josh and Scott are revisiting yet another Disney classic for the show. This time around, to tie into its recent Blu-ray re-release, your hosts are talking about the 1940 animated classic Pinocchio, all the way from Jiminy Cricket to Monstro and all the other animals and characters in between. Plus, Josh is rectifying a grievous error he made last month so that all of you listeners know for sure that Revisited episodes are a little bit different from all the rest. (It involves Albert Brooks.) But the more important question: is Pinocchio still as good as people say? Does Scott think this is a leap forward from Snow White? Which of your co-hosts is dubbed a living Wikipedia? And how did it take six episodes for Scott to wonder if Josh must hate him? Find out now!

Episode 285: That Darn Cat

Time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, friends! This week, Josh and Scott are going it alone again as they return to the scene of a very dastardly crime. Last month, the crime was that of a defenseless woman being abducted by two nefarious bank robbers; this month, the crime is that of a defenseless woman being abducted by two nefarious...people whose identities are obscured. That's right, we're talking about the 1997 remake of That Darn Cat on this episode of the show, and both Josh and Scott are amazed at how different so much of the film is aside from the title and very basic premise. Sure, there's a teenager (Christina Ricci) and an FBI agent (Doug E. Doug), but the original film didn't have warring mechanics, two nagging parents, a pair of doofus security guards, a wig-wearing butcher, and references to the films of Budd Boetticher! How much can be attributed to the film's writers, who also wrote Ed Wood and last year's American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson? Is this film an improvement on the original? Is there a way for Josh to shoehorn in political references this week? Find out now!

Episode 284: The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

Hey, folks! It's time for a very exciting, fancy, bedazzled new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we hope you've gotten yourselves dressed up to the nines. See, it's time for a royal wedding! At least, that's the subject of the film up for discussion on this week's show, the 2004 sequel The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, starring Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, and Chris Pine in his feature film debut. Josh and Scott are prepared with their tuxes and tails to talk about a lighthearted film, especially after another week of such tumult and turmoil in the world, so what better film than a story of a strong, intelligent woman poised to take a seat of power who is threatened with overthrow by a fatheaded lout--um...OK. Well, even with that plot, Josh and Scott are ready to discuss this sequel, whether it improves on its predecessor, if its characterization of the heroine is consistent, and what the hell Stan Lee (yes, really) is doing in this movie. Check it out now!

Episode 283: Hercules

Hey, friends! It's time for another episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Josh and Scott are going all the way back to the beginning. We're not going back to the beginning of the Disney animated canon, but to just about the beginning of history to discuss Disney's take on the Greek myth of Hercules. The 1997 film is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, so maybe it's time to reconsider it as unfairly underrated, at least compared to the rest of the Disney Renaissance. Here to help review the film with Josh and Scott is Fran Hoepfner of The Onion, and discuss the important things: does this film feature one of James Woods' best performances? Is it truly an underrated gem? Is Hercules too dumb of a character to fall in love with? And how gross is this movie? Find out now!

Episode 282: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Hey, folks! It's time for an all-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and don't worry--you're not seeing things. We really are discussing the very first Disney film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, on today's podcast. This is the first in what will become a monthly mini-series within the overall podcast, wherein Josh revisits some big-name films from past episodes while new co-host Scott Renshaw talks about them for the first time. So what better way to kick off this Revisited mini-series than with the first Disney film? Longtime listeners may remember that Josh respects, but doesn't love, this film; is Scott more of a fan? Does he like it less? Is it insulting to single dimensions to call Snow White single-dimensional? Find out now!

Episode 281: That Darn Cat!

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and for this one, Josh and Scott are heading back to the 1960s for a momentous occasion in Disney live-action history. This week, they're talking about the original That Darn Cat!, starring Hayley Mills in her final Disney role and Dean Jones in his first Disney role, as a smart young woman and straight-arrow FBI agent, respectively, both of whom get entangled in a kidnapping plot thanks to her...well, darn cat. Josh and Scott are joined by return guest Alan Scherstuhl of The Village Voice to talk about all things feline, the presentation of women 50 years ago in Disney films, and why it might have made sense for Disney to ever remake this in the first place. Check out the show now!

Episode 280: The Princess Diaries

Happy New Year, friends! As we step into 2017, it's time for Mousterpiece Cinema (and Josh) to welcome its first new co-host in a long time, Scott Renshaw of Salt Lake City Weekly. This week on the show, Josh and Scott talk about the 2001 comedy from director Garry Marshall, The Princess Diaries. These days, The Princess Diaries, all about a dorky teenager who is shocked to discover that she's the heir of a European throne, is best known as the film that introduced Anne Hathaway to the world. Plus, Julie Andrews in a non-cringeworthy late-era performance! But is this lighthearted comedy funny enough? Is it too long, or not long enough? Josh and Scott are joined by Max Weiss of Baltimore Magazine to debate the film's qualities, as well as that true head-scratcher: why do people hate Anne Hathaway now? Only one way to find out the answer: listen to the show!