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!