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!