Episode 435: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Well, friends, this is it. They say all good things come to an end, and so too is it true for the Skywalker Saga from Lucasfilm. Oh, and also Mousterpiece Cinema, the podcast whose description you're reading right now. Yes, this really is the very last episode of the podcast, and Scott and Josh are here to close it down by looking at the latest and purportedly final episode of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. They're joined by the very first guest this podcast ever had, and one of the first co-hosts Josh ever had, Gabe Bucsko, to talk about this final chapter of the franchise and the podcast. Kind of a shame that The Rise of Skywalker ended up being...well, put it this way, your three hosts are all on board with not liking this movie very much at all. But make sure you check out the show anyway! So long and thanks for all the fish, friends.

Episode 434: The Santa Clause

Hey, folks! There are just four shopping days until Christmas Day 2019, and there are just two more episodes left of Mousterpiece Cinema before we go away for good! On our very last Revisited episode, Scott and Josh are talking about a modern Christmas favorite, the 1994 comedy The Santa Clause starring Tim Allen as a guy named Scott who turns into everyone's favorite gift-giver. Josh hasn't talked about this film for eight whole years -- has he become even more of a fan? And it turns out that Scott (from real life, not the film) hadn't even seen this before -- is this the kind of film that makes him feel jolly or just ill? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 433: Noelle

Hey, folks! It's time to get ready for the holiday season, if you haven't already gotten in the Christmas spirit. With just three episodes left of Mousterpiece Cinema, two of the last three are going to be all about the most wonderful time of year. This week, Scott and Josh are joined by longtime friend of the show Scott Meslow, who becomes our final inductee into the Five-Timers' Club as we all sit down to discuss Noelle. You remember Noelle, right? The movie that came out last month with the arrival of Disney+? It stars Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader! It's a real movie! ...Kind of! What did your hosts and guest think of the new film? Is the movie an utter waste of its talent? Why did the filmmakers go to the trouble of getting Phoenix locations right if they didn't film there? And what do your hosts think of Disney+? Find out now!

Episode 432: Frozen II

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and even though Scott and Josh are getting close to the end of the podcast's run, they've still got some big titles to talk about. On this episode -- our first of December, and fourth-to-last overall -- Scott and Josh are talking about what's surely going to be the biggest animated film of the year, Frozen II. They're joined by return guest Kristy Puchko of Pajiba to talk about the massive hit in which we learn even more...kind of...about Queen Elsa of Arendelle. Is this film a solid follow-up to the 2013 phenom? Does the mythology make sense? And does this film do right by fans who see Elsa as a queer-coded character? We've got a lot to talk about this week, so get to listening right now!

Episode 431: Lady and the Tramp (2019)

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and as we get ready to sunset this podcast, it's high time that we discussed one of the big new offerings from the new streaming service Disney+. That film, of course, is the remake of Lady and the Tramp, featuring the voices of Justin Theroux and Tessa Thompson, and actors like Yvette Nicole Brown, Ken Jeong, and ... F. Murray Abraham? Yes, really, this has a very eclectic cast in service of a story you've probably seen before in one way or another. Scott and Josh are joined today on the podcast by longtime friend of the show and Eight-Timers' Club inductee Monica Castillo to discuss this streaming feature. Is it as good as the original, or better? What are this film's charms? Does Josh hate rescue dogs? Listen to find out!

Episode 430: Ford v Ferrari

Hey, folks! We're revving up on this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Scott head to the pit and start getting into it like gearheads. Because, you see, today's episode is all about fast cars and the men who ride and build them. Specifically, we're talking about the new James Mangold film Ford v Ferrari on today's show, a 20th Century Fox film starring Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, and more. It's the story of how Americans and a prickly English race-car driver came together to take down the Ferrari machine at a 24-hour race in France in the mid-1960s. Does the film have a sleek body? Are its wheels shiny enough? Is it...y'know, any good? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 429: The Aristocats

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and the first of the post-Disney+ era. This week on the show, Scott and Josh are doing their penultimate Revisited episode as they look back at the 1970 Disney animated film The Aristocats, featuring the voices of Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, and more. Josh has already gone on record, time and again, as not remotely having liked this film in the past. Has he finally changed his mind, or is he still staunchly against this laid-back story of a prim domesticated animal who falls for a fellow from the wrong side of the tracks? And does Scott's nostalgia for the film mean he'll be fighting in favor of The Aristocats? Naturallement, you'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 428: Quiz Show

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and the best way for you to listen to it is just by heading into this soundproof booth here, placing these old-school headphones on and waiting to be given a question. Just one question and you could win a lot of money! OK, don't mid that you were given the answer a day ago, just do your best to make it seem exciting. That, in a way, is the premise of the movie we're talking about this week, the 1994 drama Quiz Show, directed by Robert Redford, starring Ralph Fiennes, John Turturro, Rob Morrow, and many more. Josh and Scott are joined today by Five-Timers' Club inductee Noel Murray to talk about the Best Picture nominee, Robert Redford's career as a director, and which of the three actors listed above is giving a real clunker of a performance. Listen to the show to find out who!

Episode 427: Pretty Woman

Hey, friends! As we say goodbye to Halloween and hello to the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, Mousterpiece Cinema is getting closer and closer to saying goodbye for good. Today on the show, we're finally talking about one of the biggest films from the Walt Disney Company filmography, one of the most popular comedies of all time: Pretty Woman. Josh and Scott are joined by longtime friend of the show Emma Stefansky of Thrillist to discuss this 1990 classic starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, directed by Mr. Marshall (please, call him Garry). So does Pretty Woman stand the test of time after nearly 30 years? And what is it like to watch this movie...for the first time? Because one of the people on this episode a) had never seen this before and b) ...uh, did not like it. You'll probably guess who! But listen to the show to find out!

Episode 426: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Josh and Scott are headed straight to the Moops this week. Uh...sorry, the Moors, not the Moops. That location is, as we are sure you all know, the setting for a lot of the action in the new Disney movie Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, our movie du jour. Is this sequel to the 2014 live-action revival of Sleeping Beauty enjoyable? Does it make sense for this film to even exist? Is it possible for a new movie to waste a perfectly delightful and campy performance from Michelle Pfeiffer? Check out the new show now to find out!

Episode 425: Something Wicked This Way Comes

Hey, folks! It's time for a spooktacular new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Scott and Josh are revisiting a scare-ifying adaptation of Ray Bradbury's novel Something Wicked This Way Comes. The 1983 film inspired by the book, starring Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce, is all about what happens when a mysterious new carnival comes to a small town and the havoc that it wreaks. Is the movie still worth talking about? Considering that it wasn't included in the massive announcement from Disney+ (and unfortunately, we recorded this episode before that reveal, so don't expect any chatter from us), is this a film that's worth forgetting? And how is it possible that a spooky movie like this could waste Pam Grier? Find out now!

Episode 424: Cradle Will Rock

Hey, folks! It's time for a big new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, because Josh and Scott are talking about an important piece of American history this week. Their subject this week is the Great Depression, circa the mid-1930s in New York City as anti-Communist sympathies were on the rise even as Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency was aimed at putting people back to work in every walk of life, including the theater. So, really, our subject this week is the 1999 film Cradle Will Rock, with an ensemble cast including everyone from Paul Giamatti to Jack Black to Bill Murray to Vanessa Redgrave to Hank Azaria to Emily Watson. Does this little-seen, remarkably political film from Touchstone Pictures deserve a second life? Before you find out, Josh has some important news about the future of the podcast, so you won't want to miss this episode.

Episode 423: Ruthless People

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and on this week's episode, we're feeling tough and rough. Specifically, Josh and Scott are feeling like talking about Ruthless People, the 1986 comedy starring Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold, Bill Pullman, and more. They're joined by longtime friend of the show Danny Bowes, who joins the Five-Timers' Club as he discusses this 80s-era comedy from three very distinctive comedy sources, the filmmaking team behind Top Secret and Airplane!. Does this movie belong next to those two as a comic gem of the decade, or is it utterly baffling that the men behind Airplane! also made this story of what happens when a rich man tries to get his wife to be murdered via kidnapping? Find out now!

Episode 422: Ad Astra

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we hope that you're prepared for a very long journey through the deepest reaches of outer space. That's where we're headed for this episode, as Scott and Josh talk about the new Brad Pitt-starring science-fiction film Ad Astra. Your hosts are joined by friend of the show and Five-Timers' Club inductee Fran Hoepfner to talk about this new James Gray film, the notable action sequences in this new film, and whether or not this features the best Brad Pitt performance of 2019. Is Ad Astra worth your time? Should Disney keep making movies like this through the Fox studio? Can Scott ever scoff at Josh's bad jokes ever again? Find out now!

Episode 421: Ransom

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're getting very dark and intense this week on the show. Because, you see, things are getting serious for Josh and Scott, or at least for the characters in the film that your hosts are discussing. That film is Ron Howard's 1996 thriller Ransom starring Rene Russo, Delroy Lindo, Gary Sinise, and, uh, all-around cool dude Mel Gibson. (Yes, we do acknowledge his...uh...all-around coolness. How could you not?) Has this movie stood the test of time over nearly 25 years? Is it as entertaining as it might have been all those years ago? Does Josh remember having seen this movie at all? Find out now!

Episode 420: Muppet Treasure Island

Hey, friends! We hope you're prepared to go out on the high seas for some big adventure, because that's where we're headed this week on a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Scott and Josh are headed back to a film most piratical as they revisit the 1996 comedy Muppet Treasure Island, featuring the Muppets, Tim Curry, and more in this take on Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Your hosts are joined by longtime friend of the show and Seven-Timers' Club inductee Griffin Newman for an exciting, unexpectedly contentious conversation about this film and all of its intricacies. Is Muppet Treasure Island one of the great Muppet films, or just a mildly charming one? Is the music worth its salt? Are the Muppets used well? And how did this movie fare in the box office? You'll want to stick around to find out the answer to that last question, because boy, do we have a doozy of a Box Office Game. Check out the new show now!

Episode 419: Step Up 3

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're closing out our mini-series on the films of the Step Up franchise today with Step Up 3. Or, if you like, Step Up 3D, because, yes, Virginia, this 2010 threequel was released in the 3D format. Scott and Josh are joined once more by friend of the show, and Five-Timer Club member Kate Erbland of Indiewire to talk about the series, this film's many dance sequences, and how utterly ridiculous it gets when the characters stop hoofing it up and start talking to each other. Is this the best film in the series? Is it a good movie? Can it be one and not the other? Check out the new show to find out!

Episode 418: Corky Romano

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're wrapping up the dog days of summer with a real howler. This time around, Scott and Josh are talking about the 2001 comedy Corky Romano, all about a veterinarian who is tasked by his mobster family to break into the FBI and get evidence to clear his dad's name. Oh, and it stars Chris Kattan as the title character. Yes, the SNL alum and his style of humor doesn't really work for your hosts, but boy, oh boy, does it work for our guest this week, the podcast's former co-host Gabe Bucsko. Have you ever wanted to hear a legitimate fit of the giggles from Gabe? You are in luck this week, even as Scott and Josh look on in dismay. Check out the new show now!

Episode 417: Keeping the Faith

Hey, folks! We hope that you're respecting the Shabbos, or preparing yourself for church tomorrow, because this is a very religious episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. In fact, we're talking about both Judaism and Catholicism this week, because those religions are somewhat the subject of the 2000 romantic comedy Keeping the Faith. Starring Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, and Jenna Elfman, Keeping the Faith is all about what happens when a priest and a rabbi...fall in love with the same woman! Wackiness ensues, and Scott and Josh are here to talk about all of it, from this movie's very 2000-era storytelling, its weird references, the strangeness of the fact that this is the only movie Edward Norton directed for nearly 20 years, and more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 416: Step Up 2 The Streets

Hey, folks! Get on your dancin' shoes, because it's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. And you know what, you might not even need shoes for this one, because if you're a real dancer, you can dance anywhere, anytime. On a subway car! In the rain! Those are just two of the many locations in which dance sequences occur during Step Up 2 The Streets, the focus of this week's show. Scott and Josh are joined once again by Kate Erbland from Indiewire to talk about this 2008 sequel and its mostly entirely new cast. Plus, of course, there's discussion about movies with killer tigers, the actress Kaya Scodelario, Netflix shows, Disney earnings, and much, much more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 415: The Help

Hey, folks! We hope you've got some cornbread and a sweet tea at hand, because Scott and Josh are headed to the Deep South for the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Specifically, they're headed back to the halcyon days of the 1960s in the Mississippi as they discuss the period drama The Help, starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, and an Academy-Award winning Octavia Spencer. Remember The Help? It's been eight years since this film came out and became a huge hit at the box office, before getting multiple Oscar nominations. How does the film hold up after just eight years? Is this entertaining, or just a lazy history lesson? Is the film doing poorly by its characters or by racial and gender stereotypes? Find out now!

Episode 414: The Black Cauldron

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're getting...well, very murky on this episode. Josh and Scott are revisiting one of the low points of Disney animation in this episode. In fact, they're talking about a film that just about ruined Disney feature animation for good, the 1985 summer release The Black Cauldron. Scott and Josh are joined by Vox critic-at-large and friend of the show Emily VanDerWerff to discuss the strange Welsh-inspired film that nearly sunk Disney because of its high budget, its dark story, and its violence. Is this a misunderstood masterpiece? Should there have been songs? Or, is it possible that there's already a song in this movie, sung by Ray Parker, Jr. himself?!? You'll have to listen to the show to find out!

Episode 413: The Lion King (2019)

Hey, folks! Are you ready for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema? Because Scott and Josh are headed back to the jungle for this one, as they're talking about the beloved animated film The Lion King, featuring the voices of James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, and--wait, hold on, sorry. Scott and Josh are talking about the...animated remake of The Lion King today, featuring the voices of...still James Earl Jones, and also Donald Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Yes, it's the biggest movie in the country right now, but your hosts and their guest -- the delightful Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times -- are not remotely impressed with the photorealism, the limp story, and the lifeless songs. Why does this remake fail to get why the original works so much? Sit back and relax -- we've got a lot to say on this one!

Episode 412: Step Up

Hey, folks! We hope you're feeling fresh and loosened up for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, because we're going to be putting on our ballet shoes and tutus for this one. Or maybe we should just put on a fresh beat and get to a more aggressive form of dance. That's because Josh and Scott are talking about the 2006 dance drama Step Up this week, with friend of the show Kate Erbland of Indiewire joining them to talk about the big breakout film for Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan. Does this old-fashioned throwback stand up in the year of our Lord 2019? Is it the kind of movie studios should be making more often? Or should films like this just be all about the dance sequences? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 411: Tron

Hello, programs! We hope you've prepared yourself appropriately, that you're jacked in, that you're blasting your biodigital jazz, and whatever else you need to prepare, because it's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, Scott and Josh are going into the computer...OK, they're just going into the world of computers as they revisit the 1982 cult film Tron. Yes, you remember Tron, right? You've seen it? Well, if you haven't, you're in for quite a treat as your hosts talk about the film's impact, its effects, and whether or not its writing and direction are salvageable enough over 35 years later. Check out the new show now!

Episode 410: Summer of Sam

Hey, folks! It's that time of year -- the summer. The heat is rising, baseball is in full swing, and people are getting murdered left and right. OK, well, to be fair, we're talking about a very specific summer on this brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. The summer of 1977 in New York City, to be particular, and what an eventful summer it was. It's the subject of the Spike Lee film Summer of Sam from 1999, featuring John Leguizamo, Mira Sorvino, Adrien Brody, and more. This week on the show, Scott and Josh are joined by Roger Ebert contributor Odie Henderson to talk about this hot mess of a movie, from its extreme profanity to its orgy scene. (This is maybe the most R-rated film we've ever discussed on the show!) But is it an enjoyable hot mess or just a hot mess? Check out the new episode to find out!

Episode 409: Toy Story 4

Hey howdy hey, everybody! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and the toys are back in town once more as we get set to talk about Pixar's latest film, Toy Story 4. Scott and Josh are raring to go as they sit down with friend of the show Kristen Lopez to discuss the fourth entry in the now 25-year old series, and talk about whether this movie could ever possibly hope to live up to our expectations. Is the new Toy Story movie as good as its predecessors? Is it better? Is it possible that Josh is the most positive person on this episode? Does this feel like a feature or a series of shorts strung together? These are all questions we answer in the episode, so you might as well listen -- right now!

Episode 408: Toy Story 2

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and to listen to this one, you better make sure you've gathered the whole Roundup gang, from Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl to that trusty horse Bullseye to even Stinky Pete the Prospector. You probably already guessed, but we're talking about the Pixar Animation Studios film Toy Story 2 on the podcast this week, as yet another of our Revisited shows. Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show and freelance writer Noel Murray to talk about the now-20-year old film, and whether or not it truly is the best Toy Story film. (One of the three of them would say not!) In advance of our Toy Story 4 podcast next week, we're looking back at the first sequel in the franchise, talking about everything from parental metaphors to the inevitable Woody prequel. Check out the show now!

Episode 407: Dark Phoenix

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this time, Scott and Josh are forging a new frontier of the podcast as they talk about their first film during the Disney/Fox era. And what better film to start with than the latest X-Men movie? You know...Dark Phoenix? Dark Phoenix, you guys! The new X-Men movie! With Sophie Turner from Game of Thrones! It's totally a thing, a real movie that just opened last week. And we are pretty sure we saw it! Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show and recent guest Alan Zilberman of Washington City Paper to talk about what is likely the last X-Men movie of this era, and why it's pretty damn forgettable. Plus, Josh reveals how this movie inspired him to do something he hasn't done in years in theaters! It just might shock you. Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 406: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Hey, friends! Get yourself a nearby spell book and some brooms and mops, because it's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. On this episode of the show, Josh and Scott keep up the trend of talking about live-action remakes of Disney animated classics, by discussing the 2010 action film The Sorcerer's Apprentice, starring Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel as the sorcerer and his apprentice, respectively. Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Steve Greene of Indiewire to talk about the film, its connections to Fantasia, the work of Alfred Molina, Nicolas Cage and his automotive loves, and whether or not this is the rare live-action remake to be so different from its inspiration to be enjoyable. Listen to the new show now!

Episode 405: Aladdin (2019)

Hey, folks! It's time for you to grab a magic carpet and fly down to Agrabah so you can start listening to a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. You might have already guessed it, but just in case you didn't, Scott and Josh are headed back to this mysterious, fictional Middle Eastern city to talk about a story that..well, they've already talked about. You know, the one about the street rat who finds a lamp and gets three wishes from a big blue genie. Of course, it's Aladdin, the 2019 live-action/CGI remake of the animated classic, this time starring Will Smith as the Genie. Scott and Josh are joined by longtime friend of the show Tim Grierson to talk about the new film, and why it either only barely works or doesn't work at all. And if you've wanted to hear Josh go off about these remakes, well, you are in luck. This one's a long episode, so sit back and get comfy and start listening!

Episode 404: The Strongest Man in the World

Hey, folks! It's that time of year again -- time to celebrate dads and grads! Since school's letting out, Scott and Josh figured it was the right time to close out the Dexter Riley trilogy on this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Your hosts come together -- sadly sans guest -- to talk about the 1975 film The Strongest Man in the World, starring Kurt Russell, Joe Flynn, Cesar Romero, and more. But who is the strongest man in the world, at least within this film? Why is Kurt Russell in so little of a movie that is ostensibly...about his character? More to the point, who is even the main character of this film and possibly the entire trilogy itself? All of these questions, plus at least one or two references to Arnold Schwarzenegger, can be resolved by listening to the new episode!

Episode 403: The Muppet Movie

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new, inspirational, Muppetational episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Scott get ready to revisit one of the great all-ages movies, The Muppet Movie. No reason to hide our feelings here -- your hosts are both big fans of the 1979 classic that introduced Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and other Muppets to the big screen with their ruminations on the rainbow connection, movin' right along, and more. Your hosts are joined by friend of the show Odie Henderson of RogerEbert.com to talk about the film, its cameo performers, its timelessness, its all-killer-no-filler songs, and more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 402: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Hey, folks! Head with us under the sea for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Scott have matching wetsuits and beanies at the ready, and there's plenty more where that came from, as they talk about the 2004 Wes Anderson comedy-drama The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. They're joined by friend of the show Alan Zilberman of the Washington City Paper to talk about all things Zissou, from the potentially off-putting lead performance from Bill Murray, the film's use of David Bowie covers, its pristine production design and cinematography, its use of stop-motion animation, and more. Does this film hold up as well now as it did in '04? Is it best left forgotten? Find out now!

Episode 401: Avengers: Endgame

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Scott and Josh are talking about...well, you know which movie we're talking about this week. It's only the biggest film of the year so far, Avengers: Endgame. Scott and Josh are joined by freelance writer Aaron Pruner on this week's episode as they assemble to discuss the culmination of the Infinity Saga in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yes, fine, it's a movie we've all seen at least once by now -- and if you haven't, this whole episode is a spoiler -- but is Avengers: Endgame as good as its biggest fans have said? Does it all work in the end? How does this film handle its heroic women? And anyone not named Tony Stark or Steve Rogers? Listen to the new episode to find out!

Episode 400: Penguins

Hey, folks! It's time for a very special new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. What's so special about this one? Well, first of all, Scott and Josh are joined by their old friend and the podcast's former co-host Gabe Bucsko for this one! And even better, it's the 400th episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! So what movie are we talking about? It's the one on everyone's mind during this last weekend of April: ...Disneynature's Penguins. (We'll talk about that other movie next week.) Scott, Josh, and Gabe tackle everything under the sun about this documentary, from the treacly narration and score to its IMAX-shot photography to the Notre Dame fire and Abigail Disney's criticism of wage inequity at Disney. (Everything under the sun, we promised.) Sit back and relax: this one's a lot of fun so check it out!

Episode 399: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and on this one, Scott and Josh are headed underwater. We're, in fact, headed under the sea. 20,000 leagues, that is, because we're talking about the 1954 sci-fi classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, starring Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre, Paul Lukas, and James Mason as the mercurial and mysterious Captain Nemo of the superpowered submarine Nautilus in this adaptation of Jules Verne's iconic novel. Josh hasn't talked about this movie since the sixth episode of the podcast -- has his mind changed over nearly 8 years? What does Scott think about this early live-action hit? Is it more or less impressive in 2019? Is it truly a whale of a tale? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 398: Adventureland

Hey, friends! Grab your 8-track, prepare to win a chintzy prize, and drive moodily down the roads of New Jersey with us on this brand new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! This week on the show, Josh and Scott are headed back to the 1980s, and the life of young Scott, as they discuss the 2009 coming-of-age romantic dramedy Adventureland starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, and more. This blast from the past causes Scott to reminisce a bit about his own version of this coming-of-age story, of a guy lusting after a girl who might be out of his league, and also wonder if the whole film is just about a kid no longer being a virgin. Is the film as charming as it was a decade ago? Does this movie need to be...canceled? Find out now!

Episode 397: Dumbo (2019)

Hey, folks! Take a look up there in the sky. Is that a bird? A plane? A superhero? No, it's just a flying elephant, the kind of thing you might see in the new version of Disney's animated classic Dumbo, the topic of discussion on a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Scott sit down with longtime friend of the show and Eight-Timers' Club inductee Keith Phipps to talk about the live-action/CG remake of Dumbo from director Tim Burton, and pinpoint exactly why it doesn't work. They discuss everything from the film's unexpected cameos, reference points to the animated film, and science. Science is great! Let's science some science, like the characters in recent Disney live-action fare do! Learn more about science, and also Dumbo on the new show now!

Episode 396: Saludos Amigos

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're talking about an historic film this week. In fact, Josh and Scott are revisiting another older animated film, the 1942 feature Saludos Amigos. This predecessor to The Three Caballeros is, it should be noted, barely a feature film as it runs just over 42 minutes long. This episode, though, is a little bit longer, as Josh and Scott are joined by longtime friend of the show and new Eight-Timers' Club member Monica Castillo to talk about Saludos Amigos, cultural tourism, the position of this film at the time of its release, and just a little bit of talk about a certain new Disney movie that remakes an animated classic. Check out the new show now!

Episode 395: Now You See Him, Now You Don't

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this time around, Josh and Scott are preparing themselves for some wacky hijinks. That's because we're talking about another comedy from the era of Disney's live-action films of the 1960s and 1970s, Now You See Him, Now You Don't. The title may not suggest it, but this is the second entry in the famous Dexter Riley trilogy starring Kurt Russell, so that means that your hosts are joined today by friend of the show and Five-Timers' Club inductee Rob Hunter of Film School Rejects! Is this movie an improvement on its predecessor? Is it weird for Kurt Russell to visibly not be in as much of this movie? Is Josh being too hard on movies of the era? Listen to find out!

Episode 394: Captain Marvel

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're going to the stars with this one. Just like most of the world, Scott and Josh have seen the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain Marvel, and they're going to talk about this week. They're joined by friend of the show and Five-Timers' Club inductee Emma Stefansky of Thrillist to discuss the Brie Larson-fronted superhero film, the burden of expectations for the first female-led superhero film in the MCU, the worst of the online trolls and their terminology, and more. Is this as good a film as other recent entries of the MCU? Is it fair for a film that's not about white guys to be the most amazing thing ever? Is Josh going to gag over terms like "incel"? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 393: 10 Things I Hate About You

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this is a very special and unexpected one. If it was a normal week, Josh and Scott would be sitting down to talk about a film, but oh no! Scott came down with a nasty cold that destroyed his voice, so what is Josh to do? Instead of soldiering on by himself, Josh invites friends of the show Kristy Puchko of Pajiba and Bilge Ebiri of Vulture to talk with him about the 1999 teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You. As this film hits its 20th anniversary, how well does it hold up? Does the Shakespearean adaptation work well in 2019? Are Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles as charming now as they were back in the day? And what the hell is the failed sequel 10 Things I Hate About Life? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 392: The Game Plan

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're ready for the big game on this one. Josh and Scott are headed to the football field for this episode, tossing around the ol' pigskin as they talk about the 2007 family comedy The Game Plan, starring a younger, somehow less incredibly buff Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as a star football player whose life is upended when he learns that he has an eight-year old daughter he never knew existed. This comedy is all about formula, and this episode is no different! References to the Mousterpiece Cinema Bingo Card? Check. Tangents? Check. A rant about the recent recipient of the Best Picture Oscar? Check and a half, and bring your earmuffs for that one. Plus, of course, we talk about why The Game Plan's formula doesn't quite pan out, so check out the new show now!

Episode 391: The Three Caballeros

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are going on a ride through Latin America. They've got their magic carpet ready, they've brought their swim suits, and now it's time to travel from Paraguay through Brazil right back to Mexico with their friends and yours, The Three Caballeros. That's right, we're revisiting this 1944 animated package film from Walt Disney Pictures, starring Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles! Your hosts are joined by longtime friend of the show, and Seven-Timers' Club inductee, Monica Castillo to talk about all things Caballeros, from their presence in the Disney theme parks, their hidden new TV show, the surprising diversity on screen in a period where Disney animation wasn't known for its diverse characters, the animation quality, and much, much more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 390: King Arthur

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and for this show, we've drawn swords and are prepared to do battle on any field, be it grassy or icy. That's going to come in handy, because we're talking about a very unique take on one of the most memorable English-language myths of the last handful of centuries: Antoine Fuqua's 2004 action film King Arthur, starring Clive Owen, Keira Knightley, Ioan Gruffudd, Ray Winston, Mads Mikkelsen, and more. Scott and Josh are joined by Bright Wall/Dark Room editor-at-large and friend of the show Fran Hoepfner to talk about this turgid, joyless film, why it failed back in the summer of 2004, the creepiness of the key romance, misogynistic marketing, and more!

Episode 389: Doug's 1st Movie

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this is an episode all about firsts. Such as, say, the first time one of the people on the podcast has to be reminded that they've seen a film before! But let's not spoil things too much, as Scott and Josh sit down post-Sundance to talk about a very deep film about coming-of-age angst, romance, Big Chemical, lake monsters, and Herman Melville. That's right, we're talking about Doug's 1st Movie on today's podcast, and your hosts are joined by friend of the show Brad Oman (AKA Ethan Anderton) from Slashfilm to discuss this adaptation of the show from Nickelodeon and ABC, and why this one feels too much like the later version than would be preferable. Are the non sequiturs worth the rest of the movie? Is this movie truly forgettable? Find out on the new show!

Episode 388: Eight Below

OK, campers, rise and shine! And don't forget your booties because it's cold out there today. Of course, it's cold out there every day! But just because this episode is releasing on Groundhog Day doesn't mean we're talking about that movie today. However, Josh and Scott are talking about a movie full of cold weather in this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. In fact, they're discussing Eight Below, the inspired-by-a-true-story tale of eight dogs in the Antarctic struggling to survive on their own for a few months. Co-starring Paul Walker, Moon Bloodgood, Bruce Greenwood, and lots and lots of good dogs, does Eight Below still entertain your hosts? Are they good dogs, Brent? Or is this movie a real howler? Find out on the new show!

Episode 387: The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

Hey, folks! It's time to go back to school -- Medfield College, that is. Josh and Scott are headed back to the era of wacky Disney live-action comedies for this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as they talk about the first of three Dexter Reilly movies, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. Josh and Scott are joined by longtime friend (or frenemy?) of the show, Rob Hunter of Film School Rejects, to talk about this early entry in the MCU (Medfield College Universe, duh), why Josh may be mean to this film (!), and whether or not it's fair to judge movies like this on how funny they are in the year 2019. Sit back and relax, because this one's a wild ride!

Episode 386: Lady and the Tramp

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're once again going to the dogs this week. Scott and Josh are headed into the Wayback Machine for another Revisited episode as they discuss the 1955 widescreen animated film Lady and the Tramp. Josh wasn't too hot on the film back in Episode 36, but has his perspective changed? Is Scott a fan of the film? Or is the movie too pro-dog for either of their tastes? Your hosts delve into the animation, the songs, and yes, of course, the racial and ethnic stereotypes that are impossible to avoid, and even a little discussion of The Aristocats, so check out the new show!

Episode 385: Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Volume Two

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and the first podcast that we recorded in 2019! (Not the first episode of the year, to be fair.) It's time for one of our sporadic deep-dives into the Walt Disney Treasures collections of DVDs, this time talking about Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Volume Two. These shorts, which premiered between 1928 and 1935, span everything from the days when Mickey Mouse and his sweetheart Minnie played music and danced around in synchronized movement to...the days when Mickey and Minnie...played music...and danced around...in synchronized movement. Yes, Josh and Scott find out the hard way that a lot of the Disney shorts of the early 1930s tread similar ground, but how many of them stand out nearly 90 years later? Are there any awkward depictions of racial stereotypes? And speaking of racial stereotypes, keep an ear out for some time-specific references to the Golden Globes and how excited your hosts are when a certain film about old-fashioned race relations wins big!

Episode 384: Cabin Boy

Hey, friends! Happy 2019, and welcome to another year of Mousterpiece Cinema! We're kicking off the new year by commemorating the 25th anniversary of a film that opened on the first Friday in January to almost entirely harsh, very negative reviews. But is it possible that this film was unfairly maligned by critics back in early 1994? The film in question is the cult comedy Cabin Boy, starring Chris Elliott as one of the infamous fancy lads who has to go on a unique quest to become a man, encountering talk-show hosts who sell monkeys, six-armed women, giants, iceberg monsters, and, of course, Andy Richter. Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show Charles Bramesco for the first episode of the new year to talk about whether or not this film is as good as its cult reputation suggests, if critics had it right the first time, deepfakes, and, of course, a healthy amount of U Talkin' U2 To Me? references. Check out the new show now!