Episode 383: Mary Poppins Returns

Hey, folks! Get out your kites and balloons, and keep an eye out on the lovely London sky, where you just may see a proper English nanny fly down with an umbrella! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and to end 2018, we're talking about one of Disney's biggest gambits of the year, Mary Poppins Returns. This sequel to the 1964 classic that made a star out of Julie Andrews stars Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, two Paddington Bears, and a whole lot of BMX bikes. (Because why else do you make a sequel to an old movie if not to have extreeeeeeeme stunts?) Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show Kristen Lopez to talk about this new film, and while we wish we could tell you that we think this film is practically perfect, we...uh...don't. Instead, we're digging in deep into why the film struggles, whether or not it's an impossible task to improve upon the original, and why it's not a good thing that Ben Whishaw gives the film's best performance. Check out the new show now!

Episode 382: Beaches

Did you ever know that you're my hero? That, in fact, you're everything I would like to be? Oh, and I--well, I can fly higher than an eagle! Because you're listening to the brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, of course! And in case the song lyrics aren't enough of a hint, then you should know that Josh and Scott are guest-free this week as they commemorate the 30th anniversary of Garry Marshall's melodrama Beaches, starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey as friends whose relationship spans decades, romances, and more. Does Beaches stand the test of time? Is this film the wind beneath our wings? Or is it another very strange film from Mr. Marshall (please, call him Garry)? Find out now!

Episode 381: Bedtime Stories

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're getting ready to head off to sleepy-town. It's just so late, you know? So what we need is nothing short of a bedtime story...maybe more than one, so let's skip the actual storytelling and watch a movie all about them. Yes, on today's show, Josh and Scott are talking about your favorite Disney film from 2008, Bedtime Stories. With none other than the Sandman as the lead, you know? Adam Sandler! He really did make a Disney movie! But is it any good? Is this more than just a lazy Happy Madison production? Does the fact that Scott and Josh spend the last 15 minutes of the show talking about their end-of-year lists give you a hint? Check out the new show now!

Episode 380: Mary Poppins

Hey, folks! Scott and Josh are excited to welcome you into a very special episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. In fact, you might even say that this episode is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! That's because, as you have already guessed, we're revisiting the 1964 classic Mary Poppins on this week's show. Scott and Josh are joined by special return guest Kristy Puchko of Pajiba to talk about all things Poppins, from the beloved music (and some of its darker elements) to the performances from Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, to which of the segments is equivalent to a scene from Singin' In The Rain, to whether or not the idea of a sequel 50-plus years later is a good idea considering how charming this movie is. Check out the new show now!

Episode 379: Ralph Breaks the Internet

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are diving into the world that's housed their podcast all these years. That's right, we're going into the Internet, just before it gets broken by everyone's favorite 80s-era arcade-game bad guy, Wreck-It Ralph as we discuss the new Walt Disney Animation Studios film Ralph Breaks the Internet. Scott and Josh are joined by Sean P. Means of the Salt Lake Tribune to discuss the new movie, its very timely jokes, whether or not a movie like this needs to be universal, how much of the clever humor works, whether the movie should be a little less clever, and...well, just lots of talk about this very clever--too clever by half, you might say--new film. Check out the new episode now!

Episode 378: Dan in Real Life

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this time, we got the whole family together after so many years apart. And we're going to make sure to get all sorts of fun activities in before the big celebration is over at the lake house. We'll have a talent show, a crossword competition, some Jazzercising, and hey, wait, where are you going? We're just talking about the family at the center of this week's movie, Dan in Real Life. Yes, the 2007 dramedy with the most unlikely love triangle (Dane Cook, Steve Carell, and Juliette Binoche) is our focus this week, as Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Steve Greene of Indiewire to discuss whether or not this movie is charming or cloying, or somewhere in between. Does this movie suffer from having too many characters? Is the love triangle believable? And what is Emily Blunt doing in this film? Find out now!

Episode 377: Wreck-It Ralph

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Scott and Josh are headed to the arcade for this one. In fact, they're diving into a movie that Josh discussed way back in 2012 all about video games. That's right, they're revisiting Wreck-It Ralph, the Walt Disney Animation Studios film featuring a bad guy who wants to be a good guy, a good guy who wants to control a video game, and more. Has Josh finally found a kindred spirit when it comes to this movie? Or is he once again out on a limb about this film, which he might still not like? And how much does the new film--which both of your hosts have seen--influence their experience of the original? Find out now!

Episode 376: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are headed to a magical land full of strange creatures, exciting stories, and plenty of adventure. No, not Narnia. No, not Wonderland. No, not Oz. Why, it's...the land of the Four Realms, of course! Specifically, your hosts are talking about the new Disney film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms on the podcast, and they're joined by friend of the show Karen Han of Polygon to discuss this new movie and why, exactly, it is so damn strange. What's with the sexy baby voice Keira Knightley's sporting in this film? Is John Lithgow a classic Karen's Boy? And which famous meme does Karen learn about for the first time in this episode? It's a wild one, so check out the new show now!

Episode 375: Enemy of the State

Hey, folks! Are you ready for a raucous, wild episode of Mousterpiece Cinema? Well, dive into your nearest off-the-grid cage after downloading the show so you can dive right in! This week, we're celebrating the 20th anniversary of a film featuring Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina King, Seth Green, Jack Black, Jamie Kennedy, Scott Caan, Jason Robards, and we could keep listing actors, but we'd be here all day. The movie, of course, is Enemy of the State, from director Tony Scott, and your hosts are joined by two old friends of the show: Danny Bowes and Jason "Five-Timers' Club" Bailey! Fair warning: not only is this a raucous episode, but it is peak Earmuffs. (So...y'know: lots of swearing.) But this one's a lot of fun, as we talk about all sorts of important things, like whether or not we love films like The Conversation, and, of course, the names of characters in the film. So check the new show out!

Episode 374: The Insider

Hey, friends! It's that time again--time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! This week, as the merger between the dual monoliths of Disney and Fox grows ever closer, Scott and Josh are nostalgic for a period barely 20 years ago when the Walt Disney Company released a film that was all about how corporate greed nearly toppled the publication of the honest, unvarnished truth about cigarettes. Remember Michael Mann's 1999 film The Insider? You should! It's our film of the week, and Scott and Josh are joined by freelance film writer and critic Bilge Ebiri to discuss all things Insider, from Russell Crowe's remarkably intense performance to the state of journalism in the 1990s, and with just a smidgen or two of Josh's very, very bad impression of Al Pacino. (But no "Hoo-ah!" reference. Except in this description.) Listen to the new show now!

Episode 373: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

If you had to be honest with yourself, would you be able to provide the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything? Do you even know the question of Life, the Universe, and Everything? Well, if you need a place to start, consider this brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! In this week's show, Josh and Scott are hanging out, just a couple of super chill bros, talking about the 2005 adaptation of Douglas Adams' iconic piece of science-fiction comedy, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, starring Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, and more. Does this film hold up to the beloved novel, and to the BBC radio series that Scott loved when he was a little boy who wanted to be a big boy? Is it possible that there's such a thing as too much Sam Rockwell? How adorkable is Zooey Deschanel in this film, anyway? Find out now!

Episode 372: The Black Hole

Hey, folks! It's time for Scott and Josh to head into their special spaceship and approach another Revisited episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, they're in deep space with their special guest, freelance writer and podcaster Keith Phipps (now a member of the Seven-Timers' Club!), as they discuss the 1979 cult favorite The Black Hole. Remember? The big-budget film that served as Disney's first PG-rated film that Josh discussed in Episode 10 of this show! Yes indeed, and boy, is this a special movie. But not in the right way. For Keith and Scott, who grew up with this film in ways Josh didn't, does The Black Hole resonate? And what of the amazing dialogue that is in no way exposition-heavy? And what the hell happens in the ending? You'll have to find out on the new show!

Episode 371: Beloved

Hey, folks! It's time for another brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, we're talking about a very big movie, even if it's one that got ignored by audiences back in 1998. Scott and Josh are headed back to the Reconstruction era of the United States to talk about a film depicting the aftermath of slavery among African-Americans of the 1870s, Jonathan Demme's adaptation of Beloved starring Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, and more. Scott and Josh are joined by longtime friend of the show and Six-Timers' Club inductee Monica Castillo to discuss the weighty impact of Beloved, the film's epic and unique qualities, exactly how terrible of a person Josh is, and also...bingo! (It'll all make sense, promise.) Check out the new show now!

Episode 370: Tuck Everlasting

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are drinking from this very special well of water they found while wandering in the forest, and you can't tell anyone! It's very secret water, and if you let anyone know about it, you'll....be in trouble! Or we will! One of those! OK, we might have just seen a movie about people who have had a sip or two from a fountain of youth. In fact, it's our movie of the week, Tuck Everlasting, the 2002 adaptation of the Natalie Babbitt novel starring Alexis Bledel, Jonathan Jackson, a very weird Ben Kingsley and more. Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show Fran Hoepfner of Bright Wall/Dark Room to talk about the story, the film's brief running time, the heat or lack thereof between Bledel and Jackson, Kingsley being a real creeper, and lots more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 369: The Joy Luck Club

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and for this episode, Scott and Josh are getting ready to sit down and play some mah-jong, and listen to some epic stories about the Chinese-American experience in the 20th century. Yes, this week, we're celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Joy Luck Club, the film adaptation of the iconic Amy Tan novel, featuring Ming-Na Wen, Rosalind Chao, Tamlyn Tomita, and...Andrew McCarthy. Josh and Scott are joined by Inkoo Kang of Slate to talk about the impact this film has had on modern culture, its depiction of very different mothers and daughters, and whether or not there's such a thing as too much narration. Does The Joy Luck Club still hold up, especially in light of the recent phenomenon Crazy Rich Asians? Find out now!

Episode 368: Dumbo

Hey, folks! We're taking to the skies this week for a very special episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Scott are revisiting one of the vaunted classics of the Golden Age of Disney Animation, the short but memorable 1941 film Dumbo. They're joined by National Catholic Register film critic Steven Greydanus for this Revisited episode of the show, as Josh looks back on a film he hasn't discussed in full in seven years. Is Dumbo one of the true classics of Disney lore? Does "Baby Mine" still have the same emotional power for adults as it did for all of us as little boys who wanted to be big boys? Or does Dumbo feel like the weak link in the Golden Age? Find out more on the new show!

Episode 367: Super Mario Bros.

Hey, folks! It's-a us, the hosts of Mousterpiece Cinema! We're getting into character this week as we talk about one of the truly memorable video-game adaptations, the 1993 film Super Mario Bros. starring Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, Dennis Hopper, Samantha Mathis, and more. Yes, to commemorate the 25th anniversary, we're talking about a movie with a truly awful reputation, and are joined by longtime friend of the show Scott Meslow of GQ to talk about whether Super Mario Bros. deserves its bad reputation. Is this film really as bad as everyone, including its very lead actors, say it is? Do you need to know the game to like the film, or does that make it worse? Can your hosts do a serviceable Brooklyn accent? Find out now!

Episode 366: Kronk's New Groove

Hey, folks! It's that time once more, time for another new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! And this episodes marks yet another special occasion, as it's time for Scott and Josh to delve into another of the direct-to-DVD sequels made by DisneyToon Studios. They're heading back to the valley to get into the groove, or trying to get into the groove, with Kronk's New Groove. (Sorry, all you hopeful fans of Bambi II. We know we had it scheduled, but you'll just have to wait.) Longtime listeners will remember that Scott's a big fan of The Emperor's New Groove, while Josh was a bit cooler on the 2000 original. But what did they think of the 2005 sequel? Is it as funny as the original? Is it better for Kronk to be a sidekick? Does anyone care about his daddy issues? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 365: Disney's The Kid

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and it's another episode all about little boys who want to become big boys, and big boys who come into contact with their little-boy selves. OK, that last part might be unique to today's movie, Disney's The Kid (not to be confused with the Charlie Chaplin classic, which you all were going to do, DON'T LIE). Josh and Scott talk in-depth about the 2000 comedy featuring a very young Spencer Breslin playing the young version of a very grouchy Bruce Willis. This one's got a very overqualified cast, including Jean Smart, Chi McBride, and Lily Tomlin, and is from longtime Disney journeyman director and recent The Meg filmmaker Jon Turteltaub. But is it any good? Should The Kid be remembered as an underrated gem, or has it been rightly forgotten? And how hard does this movie's score need to chill out? Find out on the new episode!

Episode 364: Spirited Away

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Scott and Josh are headed to the truly magical world of spirits this week. We're revisiting a film that many critics and fans might call one of the very best of the 2000s, Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away. Scott and Josh are joined by freelance writer and still the most frequent guest on the show, Alexander Huls, to talk about this 2001 animated film and whether or not it's as wonderful as everyone else says. If you've never heard Josh talk about the film--and since it was the topic of the fifth episode of the show, way back in 2011, you may not have!--you may not be shocked to hear his grumpy side rear its ugly head. Do Scott and Alex love the film? Are they less warm to its charms? Find out now!

Episode 363: Christopher Robin

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and for this show, we're headed deep in the Hundred Acre Wood, where a little boy who wants to be a big boy plays with his stuffed animals. Specifically, Scott and Josh are talking about a new Disney film about what happens when that little boy a) becomes a big boy and b) has to act like a little boy all over again! Yes, we're talking about Christopher Robin, the new film starring Ewan McGregor and lots of CGI stuffed animals, all about an adult version of everyone's...uh...favorite Winnie the Pooh character. Scott and Josh are joined by Hoai-Tran Bui of Slashfilm to talk about the new film, the way that Winnie the Pooh and his friends inhabit Taoist tendencies, and why the hell everyone in the world hasn't fallen completely in love with Paddington 2. Check out the new show now!

Episode 362: He Got Game

Hey, folks! It's the dog days of summer, and we're mixing things up on this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Sure, it's about to be the NFL preseason, and America's true pastime, baseball, is in full swing. But this week, we're talking about a movie that's all about another big American sport, basketball. Specifically, Scott and Josh are talking about the 1998 Spike Lee sports drama He Got Game, starring Denzel Washington and a young Ray Allen as a man let out of prison and the frustrated but talented son he tries to convince to go to college, respectively. After twenty years, how well does He Got Game hold up? How shocking is it, especially in light of recent events at Disney, for a movie as adult as this one and a director as fiery as Spike Lee to have found at home at the Walt Disney Company? And which sport is truly America's greatest? Find out the answers to these questions and more on the new episode!

Episode 361: Armageddon

Well, folks, it's time to rip off a particularly painful Band-Aid on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Scott are headed back in time about 20 years to talk about one of Michael Bay's earliest, and possibly worst, films, the sci-fi action film Armageddon. Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Emma Stefansky of GQ and Vanity Fair to talk about this Baysterpiece, its massive ensemble cast, and its utter disregard for all logic, common sense, or joy. (It's possible that one of your two hosts really hated this movie.) What good is there in this film? Is it secretly enjoyable in spite of its bad scriptwriting? Does Michael Bay even deserve all of the blame? And do your hosts and guest indulge in a fair bit of profanity this week? The answer to that last one is yes, so...earmuffs, children! Now, go listen to the new show!

Episode 360: WALL-E

Hey, folks! It's that time of the month again, as Scott and Josh head back into the annals of Mousterpiece Cinema episodes to do a Revisited show! This week, Scott and Josh are headed into the reaches of deep space and hundreds of years into the future to spend time on a luxury space cruise liner with lots of overweight humans and a couple of plucky robots. Yes, that's right, we're talking about the 2008 Pixar film WALL-E on this episode, and your hosts are joined by friend of the show Angie Han of Mashable to talk about the now-decade-old film. Is WALL-E still an adorable masterpiece? Is this Pixar's boldest film to date? Does it make a lot of sense how and why human babies are still getting churned out in the 2800s? You'll have to listen to the show to find out!

Episode 359: Ant-Man and the Wasp

Hey, folks! No, we haven't gone invisible on you--we've just shrunk this brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema down to a miniscule size for your entertainment. Yes, you might have already guessed it, but this week on the show, Scott and Josh are headed to the quantum realm of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to discuss the MCU's 20th movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp. They're joined by longtime friend of the show and new member of the Six-Timers' Club, film critic and podcaster Tim Grierson, to talk about whether this sequel measures up to the 2015 original, how well the movie handles making Evangeline Lilly a bigger part of the story, and whether or not this movie has enough Michelle Pfeiffer. Should more MCU movies be low-stakes? Should Scott Lang hang out with the Avengers more often? Do the post-credits scenes live up to their promise? You'll have to find out on the new show!

Episode 358: What's Love Got To Do With It

Hey, folks! It's time for yet another brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are taking the spotlight for a musically themed movie. Specifically, they're talking about the 1993 biopic of Tina Turner, What's Love Got To Do With It, which depicts the rise of young Anna Mae Bullock into one of the biggest rock stars in the world, but only after surviving an intensely abusive relationship with songwriter/guitarist Ike Turner. Scott and Josh are joined by Craig Lindsey of Nashville Scene and The Village Voice to talk about the blend of musical performances and harrowing display of spousal abuse, and why Scott dislikes how biopics end with the real person showing up at the end. Does this movie hold up after 25 years? Is it remotely fair that Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne have only ever been nominated for Oscars for just this film? Will Proud Mary keep on turnin'? You'll have to check out the show to find out!

Note: Apologies in advance for the fact that you're going to hear some outside background noise in this episode--as much as possible has been removed (without making it impossible to hear the conversation), but you can blame Skype for this one.

Episode 357: Tombstone

Hey, folks! It's time for a rootin', tootin', brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, so git your six-shooters, rustle up some grub, and shoo away any nearby varmints so you can enjoy this episode. As you may have guessed, this is a Western-themed episode, because Scott and Josh are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Western drama Tombstone, featuring Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Bill Paxton, Sam Elliott, and a whole lot more actors. Scott and Josh are joined by return guest Libby Hill of the Los Angeles Times to talk about this film, its shaky production history, and whether or not that production history translated into an equally shaky film or if the movie has earned its mild cult status in the late-2010s. Does this movie hold up? Is it too earnest for its own good? Does it do poorly by the women folk? Are we your huckleberry? You'll have to listen to the show to find out!

Episode 356: Incredibles 2

Hey, folks! Get suited up, because it's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one is going to be particularly...super. That's right, Scott and Josh are headed back to Municiberg to talk about Pixar's new film Incredibles 2. (Why, Brad Bird? Why have you forsaken the "The" in the title of this sequel?) Your hosts are joined by Kristy Puchko of Pajiba to talk about the biggest movie from Pixar (at least at the box office). It's been 14 years since the original film--does this movie pay off on the promise of the 2004 film? Has it been too long? Is this a case where, like Finding Dory, Pixar should have left well enough alone, or is this more like Toy Story 2 or Toy Story 3? Only one way to find out--check out the new show!

Episode 355: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and p-p-p-p-p-p-p-please believe us, you'll want to check it out. Yes, this week, Scott and Josh are revisiting the 1988 classic hybrid of live-action and animation, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, from director Robert Zemeckis and featuring Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd and more. Scott and Josh are joined by not one, but two return guests this week: Todd Van Der Werff of Vox and Monica Castilo of The Lily (the latter of whom joins the Five-Timers' Club!). All four of them struggle to find a whole lot to criticize about this wonderful film, instead talking about the unique acting on display, the visual effects, the message about civil rights embedded in the story, and more. It's a fun-filled episode, so check it out now!

Episode 354: Sky High

Hey, folks! It's time to suit up for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one is a corker. This week, even though it's summer time, Scott and Josh are headed back to school. To a superheroic school, that is: they're discussing the 2005 superhero comedy Sky High on the show this week, with a bona fide superhero himself! They're joined by longtime friend of the show Griffin Newman of Amazon's The Tick to talk about how Sky High stands out amidst the epic-size Marvel Cinematic Universe and other self-serious superhero films of the 2010s. Does Sky High still hold up in spite of being a bit goofy and low-rent? Is the quirkier film at the periphery better than the actual story? And can Griffin ace a special Box Office Game (for all you Blank Check fans)? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 353: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we just want you to punch it! Because we've got a good feeling about this! See? We're making references to the movie we're discussing this week, the new Lucasfilm entry Solo: A Star Wars Story. This week, Scott and Josh are headed back to that galaxy far, far away to discuss whether or not this prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy works at all, especially after all of the upheaval behind the scenes over the last year. They're joined by friend of the show Karen Han to talk all things Solo, Alden Ehrenreich (would that it were so simple), the supporting cast, the grim visual palette, and more! Check out the new show now!

Episode 352: Brother Bear

Hey, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this time around, Josh and Scott are headed to the woods to explore the long-ago past when man and bear...weren't able to co-exist very peacefully without the help of a few Phil Collins songs and a magical spell or two. Yes, this week, your hosts are talking about the animated film in which a character is surprisingly transformed into a bear only to learn some valuable life lessons from someone younger than them. No, not Brave. You know, the movie where a character wants to put their mark on a family wall, and is forced to join up with someone radically different from them who's lost their own family, against the backdrop of the post-Ice Age world. No, not The Good Dinosaur. For real: we're talking about Brother Bear this week with special guest Kristen Lopez, and spoiler alert: we could bearly stand it. What redeeming value does this film have? Was Patton Oswalt right when he mocked the film in his stand-up? Find out now!

Episode 351: Finding Nemo

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, one that's swimming your way. Because, you see, you have to keep swimming. That's what our good friend Dory tells us, or so we think. We think that's what she said, but we already forgot. Anyway, you may have guessed that this week's movie is another Revisited title, the 2003 Pixar film Finding Nemo. Josh and Scott are joined by freelance writer Alan Zilberman to talk all things Nemo, from the aquarium fish to Albert Brooks' performance to the inexplicable success of the Will and Grace reboot on NBC. (It does tie in somehow, promise.) Does Finding Nemo hold up in the aftermath of the Finding Dory phenomenon? Should there have been flashbacks? Is this one of Pixar's very best films? Find out the answers to these and other questions on the new episode now!

Episode 350: The Horse Whisperer

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are back on the ranch as they celebrate another milestone: 350 episodes! To celebrate, what better film than The Horse Whisperer, which may feel like it's roughly 350 hours long? Scott and Josh are joined by a truly special return guest: Josh's old co-host Gabe Bucsko! These three dive right into a true bro-down hoedown to debate the merits of Robert Redford's adaptation of the popular romance novel, from whether or not the aspect ratio shift was a good idea, whether the movie should be so long, if the romance works, and how staring at a person through ropes can or cannot be super-sexy. Check out the new show now!

Episode 349: Avengers: Infinity War

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one's a doozy. As promised, Scott and Josh have come together to talk about the film kicking off the summer movie season, Avengers: Infinity War. They're joined by return guest Jacob Hall of Slashfilm to talk all things Marvel, the Avengers, and yes, that big, crazy ending. (If you haven't seen the movie yet, be warned; spoilers start coming fast and furious in the episode early on.) Does the latest MCU movie pay off on years of build-up? Could it possibly work if there are other MCU movies in the works? Does this even feel like a whole film versus the first half of a larger two-parter? It's a spirited debate this week, so sit down, relax, and enjoy the show!

Episode 348: Blackbeard's Ghost

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're closing out April talking about the movie everyone's discussing online: the 1968 comedy Blackbeard's Ghost! (Yes, we know, the new Avengers movie is out. We'll be discussing it on next week's episode.) This week, Scott and Josh are headed back to the 60s to talk about yet another Robert Stevenson comedy set in the world of college sports, but this time, the twist is that the college-bound hero is helped along by...well, just look at the title of the movie. And it turns out that one of your hosts was more charmed by this film than he would have expected, or at least by the boisterous performance from Peter Ustinov. Is this movie better than you might think? Is it more atmospherically satisfying? Or are the aesthetic choices not enough to save the movie from walking the plank? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 347: The Avengers

Hey, folks! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are teaming up to revisit a pinnacle of superhero cinema, Marvel's 2012 film The Avengers. Your hosts are joined by return guest Emma Stefansky to talk all things Avengers, like, for instance, that one hero in the group. You know, the guy who fires arrows really fast? Green Arrow? Something like that. Anyway, they talk a bit more about Iron Man, Captain America, and whether or not this Hulk really did smash. And does rewatching this movie so soon before Infinity War raise their interest in the next team-up, or make them dread the experience? Find out now!

Episode 346: Holes

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we are changing things up. Sure, we told you last week that we'd be talking about Super Mario Bros., but things have shifted since then, so Scott and Josh are calling an audible and talking about a totally different film instead: Holes. You know, the 2003 family film starring a young Shia LaBeouf, pre-crazy Jon Voight, and Sigourney Weaver! This film celebrates its 15th anniversary this month, and features a pretty impressive cast even beyond those three names, but does it hold up? Is this movie unexpectedly overstuffed? Is there too much going on in a film from the director of one of Josh's favorite movies of all time? Or should your two hosts get to digging holes of their own? Check out the new show to find out!

Episode 345: High Fidelity

Hey, folks! It's time for a very special brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we hope you've prepared by putting together a series of Top Five lists regarding your favorite and least favorite episodes of the podcast. See, the concept of the Top Five is a big part of this week's movie the 2000 comedy High Fidelity, starring John Cusack, Jack Black, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and many, many more. Josh and Scott are joined this week by friend of the show Rob Hunter of Film School Rejects to talk about another Rob, the lead character of High Fidelity, whose sexploits might not be quite as charming to at least one of your hosts as it may have been in 2000. Does this movie sour in the year 2018? Is there enough liveliness and humor to balance out anything overtly toxic? And what happened to John Cusack's career? Find out now!

Episode 344: Valiant

Hey, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one's strictly for the birds. This week, Scott and Josh are heading back to the well of Patreon requests, as one of their listeners has literally paid for the privilege of making them talk about Valiant. You remember Valiant, right? The 2005 animated film featuring the voices of Ewan McGregor, Ricky Gervais, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent, and John Cleese? The one about homing pigeons in World War II? The one that looks real gross? Yes, that one. Our Patreon donor wanted to torture us, and Valiant may well do the trick. Which other movies do Scott and Josh talk about so they can avoid this movie? Do the pigeons look at all natural? Is this movie reminiscent of Finding Nemo? Find out now!

Episode 343: Fantasia 2000

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and it's yet another one of our Revisited titles. This time, Josh and Scott are headed to the big orchestra in outer space to enjoy the long-awaited follow-up to one of Disney's most ambitious films, Fantasia 2000. Josh and Scott are joined by two very special guests, Fran Hoepfner of The Onion and Steve Greene of Indiewire, to talk about this briefer return to the world of Fantasia, the wonder of that Quincy Jones interview, the ambition or lack thereof of this new film, and what we'd want to see out of a third Fantasia if one ever materialized. Check out the new show now!

Episode 342: A Wrinkle in Time

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're headed on a big journey this time around. Josh and Scott are talking about Disney's latest big-budget venture, A Wrinkle in Time. It's got everything: Oprah Winfrey! Zach Galifianakis! Reese Witherspoon! Oprah Winfrey! The Best Chris! Oprah Winfrey! Josh and Scott are joined by freelance writer Esther Zuckerman to talk about Ava DuVernay's big adaptation of the classic Madeleine L'Engle novel, the performances from the big-name actors, the importance of diversity and representation, and more. It's big movie, so this is a big episode, too! Get ready to tesser into the new episode now!

Episode 341: Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

Hey, folks! We hope you're prepared to go back to school, because that's exactly where Josh and Scott are headed on this brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. OK, technically, they're going back to high school for a reunion, and not even their own. This week on the show, your hosts are talking about the 1997 comedy Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, starring Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo, and more. With more than 20 years since this 10-year-reunion movie opened, has Romy and Michele grown over time? Does its mild cult status feel deserved? Does the film's candy-colored version of the real world resonate, or did your hosts find themselves a bit un-charmed by its goofy personality? Listen now to find out!

Episode 340: Tales from Earthsea

Hey, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Josh and Scott are headed to a world of fantasy, wizards, and dragons: Earthsea. Specifically, we're talking about the 2006 Studio Ghibli film Tales from Earthsea on this episode, and we're trying to figure out how the heck a movie with dragons fighting each other and one of the lead characters killing his father in the opening section could be this boring. Your hosts are joined by Daniel Thomas MacInnes of Ghibli Blog to talk about the intense family drama that fueled the making of this not-so-loved Ghibli film, whether or not the movie has some secret or hidden charms, and more. Hop on your nearest dragon and head over to Earthsea with us!

Episode 339: Black Panther

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Josh and Scott are headed to a land shrouded in mystery and myth, the country of Wakanda. That's right, we're talking about the cinematic cultural event known as Black Panther on this week's show. Your hosts are joined by Kameron Collins of The Ringer to talk about this big new entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the state of the MCU, the story of T'Challa and Killmonger, and the various ways in which this film really does feel like a major event unlike most other blockbusters. Grab some vibranium, avoid that arms dealer's SoundCloud page, and listen to the new show!

Episode 338: Fantasia

Hey, friends! It's time for another episode of Mousterpiece Cinema in which Josh and Scott go back and revisit a title that was already discussed on the podcast. This time, they're going back to a movie that Josh talked about in 2012, the 1940 animated classic Fantasia. They're joined on the new show by Charles Bramesco of Vulture, The Guardian, and the New York Times, to talk all things Fantasia, from the film's ambition to its animation style, Deems Taylor, and yes, the problematic elements of the "Pastoral Symphony" sequence. Has Josh's take on the film changed in 6 years? Is he once again the most critical of the film? Does it even matter to be critical of a film as remarkably daring as this one? Find out now!

Episode 337: Bringing Down the House

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and boy, is this one something special. Scott and Josh are headed back to the halcyon days of 2003, when mainstream movies featuring Steve Martin and Queen Latifah felt a lot more comfortable in dropping racial and homophobic epithets with aplomb! Yes, it's time to talk about the supposed comedy Bringing Down the House, and Scott and Josh are joined by RogerEbert.com contributor Odie Henderson to debate exactly how embarrassing and unfunny this movie is. In spite of some unfortunate late-episode Skype audio issues (apologies!), this episode's full of Scott, Josh, and Odie laughing through the pain of this wince-inducing movie that was inexplicably popular 15 years ago. Check out the new show now!

Episode 336: Napoleon and Samantha

Hey, friends! It's time for a very...uh...unique episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Scott head out to the wilderness of Oregon to watch the exploits of two young runaways and the circus lion they keep as a pet. Yes, they're talking about the 1972 film Napoleon and Samantha on this week's show, and if you haven't seen this movie before, trust us: you are in for a doozy this week. Napoleon and Samantha is notable for a few reasons: it's the feature-film debut of Jodie Foster, it features one of the earliest lead performances from Michael Douglas, and it also asks the age-old question: "What do you do when you realize that the hippie/sheep-herder who you paid to help bury your grandfather has inadvertently left you alone in his shack in the woods with only an escaped patient from a mental institution as your babysitter?" ...Yeah. This is a weird one. Sit back, relax, and let Josh and Scott try to explain how Napoleon and Samantha reaches this strange point on the new show!

Episode 335: The Ladykillers

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're heading down South for this one. The good news is that Josh and Scott are tackling another one of Joel and Ethan Coen's movies on this episode! The bad news is that they're discussing...The Ladykillers, the 2004 remake of the British dark comedy, this one featuring Tom Hanks, Irma P. Hall, J.K. Simmons, and more. Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show (and Five-Timers' Club inductee!) Keith Phipps of Uproxx to talk about this oft-derided Coen film, to discuss whether or not it's getting a fair shake or if this might be a diamond in the rough. (Or, perhaps, a diamond in the floating trash island.) Have people inadvertently missed out on The Ladykillers or is this truly the worst film from Joel and Ethan Coen? Listen now to find out!

Episode 334: The Emperor's New Groove

Hey, folks! It's time for Mousterpiece Cinema to have its first Revisited episode of 2018, and this one is a doozy. Josh and Scott are also opening up the doors to guests for the Revisited shows this year, so it's even bigger than before! To kick off the year, they're talking about the 2000 animated film The Emperor's New Groove, the underrated movie that has a lot of passionate fans, including our return guest Alexander Huls. But not all three of the people on today's episode are all fans of this movie, especially in light of recent real-world events. Is Josh going to be able to embrace the film with his heart? Or is he going to be "desperately wrong"? Does it matter if the lead character is annoying if the supporting cast is so much fun? Find out now!

Episode 333: War Horse

Hey, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Scott and Josh are headed back, way back, a hundred years for this week's movie. In fact, they're heading to World War I to talk about Steven Spielberg's 2011 epic War Horse, all about the relationship between a boy and his horse in the United Kingdom as the war begins. It's only been six-plus years, but most people would say this is not one of Spielberg's finer films. And yet! Josh and Scott, along with our returning guest Corey Atad, might disagree! Does this movie get its fair shake, or does it have too many...naysayers? (#sorrynotsorry). We dive into all the important questions here, plus make at least one comparison to Equus, because how could we not. So check out the new show now!

Episode 332: The Island at the Top of the World

Hey, friends! Happy New Year to everyone from the bottom to the top of the world! We're diving into a brand-new year of Mousterpiece Cinema this week by shaking things up with one of our Patreon donor request episodes. This time, Scott and Josh are on the hunt for a mysterious place of myth where whales supposedly travel to die after their long lives. Yes, that's right, we're discovering The Island at the Top of the World on this new episode of the show, the 1974 film directed by Disney stalwart Robert Stevenson, about a motley crew of explorers who go searching for a lost young man north of the Arctic. Does this 70s-era film remind your hosts of the cruddy Disney live-action films of the era? Would the movie have led to a great theme-park attraction? Does it matter that the movie doesn't know who it's about, or who the ideal audience is? Find out on the new episode!