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!