Ep. 308 - Star Wars The Last Jedi (The Matrix Reloaded vs. mother!)

We return from exile, rested and with far too much blue milk for our episode on STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. Critically applauded as a return to the peak of this franchise, a vocal minority of fans feel otherwise. Since we are aware that you waited for this podcast to advise you on a possible ticket purchase, WEB BIST of DARN THAT DREAM answers the call and tries out some new material. This is a hint to please keep listening after the cold open.

Please.

If you do make that choice, you will hear us debate the expectations we place on characters decisions depending on the type of film being sold. Previous sci-fi favorite THE MATRIX RELOADED arguably doomed the series with a hero agonizing over his options, and yet a rallying cry of defense came Jennifer Lawrence's fate in mother! What gives? We do. You're welcome.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

 

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

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Ep. 307 - The Big Sick (I Love You, Man vs. Away We Go)

And we're back. We wake up this podcast to discover that we are in love with Kumail Nanjiani in THE BIG SICK. Unfortunately Jairo of THE TRUE BROMANCE FILM PODCAST is also with us at his weepiest as he raves about this new film, while expressing some displeasure with our two older film selections on love stories on the external influences surrounding our onscreen couples. In AWAY WE GO Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski travel across country to find the perfect place and the perfect people to raise their unborn child with, while in I LOVE YOU, MAN Rashida Jones is happy with her upcoming marriage to Paul Rudd but has slight concerns about the groomsmen or lack thereof. We also get a bit meta as we talk about the outside influences of film discussion and how it impacts our own experiences with this medium, which leads to the creation of a brand new podcast: MARK AS PLAYED.

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Ep. 306 - The Beguiled (In the Company of Men vs. Jackie Brown)

Back for her second straight episode Amanda Iman from Amanda Picture Show A Go Go and Culture Pop A Go Go discusses the highs and lows of seeing con men get conned in our episode inspired by Sofia Coppola's latest film THE BEGUILED. For the double feature we travel back to the more innocent (?) times of Neil Labute's IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, which without a single murder is more unpleasant than the surprisingly sweet JACKIE BROWN from Quentin Tarantino. Join us as we plot a happily ever after for Pam Grier and Robert Forster and not-so-much for Aaron Eckhart's character of Chad.

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Ep. 305 - Rough Night (Bridesmaids vs. Bachelorette)

On this episode we welcome two first time guests. Amanda Iman of Amanda's Picture Show A Go Go and Culture Pop A Go Go joins the podcast for a very late ROUGH NIGHT discussion on women behaving badly in comedy. This inspires a conversation on two older films that share this premise with co-host Chris of Following Films and our second guest Christine Schiefer from And That's Why We Drink on BRIDESMAIDS and BACHELORETTE.

ALSO: We apologize to Adam Scott for the content of this podcast, but not Adam Sandler.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

 

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

 

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Ep. 304 - The Wedding Plan (Muriel's Wedding vs. The Wedding Singer)

On this episode we plan to podcast through technical difficulties to promote our favorite film and performance of the year (so far) with THE WEDDING PLAN. This 2016 Israeli film makes its way to the States by tackling a lot of rom-com conventions we have grown accustomed to with a female lead's worth being determined by their romantic partner or lack thereof. Two previous films have also explored this idea in comedic fashion. One from our Australian friends (we promise this ends the streak of films from that penal colony) in MURIEL'S WEDDING, and the other from a gentler time when America didn't hate Adam Sandler in THE WEDDING SINGER. Join us for what is our first and last wedding season episode!

ALSO: Congratulations to friend and contributor to the show Derek Stewart for getting married this past weekend!

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Ep. 303 - Hounds of Love (Chopper vs. Animal Kingdom)

On this episode Andrew of AB Film Review and The Last New Wave put his Patreon dollars to use by programming a triple feature of Australian crime films. New release HOUNDS OF LOVE starts off this podcast abduction as Chris and Mike debate the merits of enjoying a film that isn't designed to be enjoyed. Thankfully we turn to the more gregarious nature of crime with Eric Bana's breakout performance in CHOPPER going up against more established Aussies in Joel Edgerton and Guy Pearce in ANIMAL KINGDOM.

ALSO we pitch future TNT television series based on Australian cinema.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

 

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

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Ep. 302 - Baby Driver (Speed vs. The Fast and the Furious)

We get back behind the podcast wheel for the much anticipated BABY DRIVER, Edgar Wright's latest dork-fest which takes a look at the much used trope of the stoic getaway driver. To celebrate its release we look back at other films using a character's experience or lack thereof against veteran criminals in the two action films classics SPEED and THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS. For that conversation we welcome one of our earliest podcast supporters in Jeremy from the Movie Madness Podcast, but first we consult on the perfect driving playlist with returning guest and fellow hater, Alice Bishop.

ALSO, a shoutout to Emilie Zarnow for the kick in the podcast ass!

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Ep. 301 - To Steal from a Thief (The Silent Partner vs. Inside Man)

After producing three hundred episodes we decided to dig into our archives for a "lost" episode. Originally scheduled for August 2016 this show on TO STEAL FROM A THIEF is revived for two reasons: 1) we are incredibly lazy and 2) this Spanish film which was unable to get a theatrical release in the U.S. has now hit Netflix where it will presumably be ignored for more hate-watching of FULLER HOUSE. But we couldn't ignore it as it gives us a chance to look back at two great heist films set in banks and more specifically the content of safety deposit boxes in THE SILENT PARTNER and INSIDE MAN.

And if that isn't enough Jodie Foster for you, we also are the only podcast (hopefully) to celebrate the one year anniversary of MONEY MONSTER! All of this and a bit less on the latest episode of War Machine vs. War Horse!

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

 

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

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Ep. 300 - The Circle (Brazil vs. A Scanner Darkly)

For episode 300 we did not select that particular Zack Snyder "classic" but we do have a number of guests doing their best readings from that film. Dwight of The Broken Brain, Dave of Pop Culture Case Study, Jairo of The True Bromance Film Podcast, Jason of Atlantic Screen Connection, Kevin of Cinema Geeks, Daniel of Get Reel Movies, and Jess & Non of Joy Sandwich are all here to blot out the podcast sun as we debate Our Future Identity as seen in new release THE CIRCLE. This disappointment leads us to look back at alternate futures in Terry Gilliam's BRAZIL and Richard Linklater's A SCANNER DARKLY. All of this and a debate on the future of cinema, Netflix, Marvel, podcasting, and the very nature of good and evil as seen in our hosts Chris and Mike.

A breezy podcast listen all around. Thanks supporting any of the first 300 episodes, we promise at least two more.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

 

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

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Ep. 299 - Unforgettable (27 Dresses vs. Home Sweet Hell)

We had to do it before we reached episode 300, otherwise we just wouldn't have the respect of our listeners if we didn't tackle the greatest question every filmgoer has these days... just why does everyone hate Katherine Heigl? To answer that question, Dave of Pop Culture Case Study discusses the arc of this leading lady's career from a budding romcom star trying to finally be the bride 27 DRESSES to the cold, controlling wife in HOME SWEET HELL. All of this and the new release UNFORGETTABLE which is here to keep Hollywood in business in between the latest FAST & THE FURIOUS and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

 

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

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Ep. 298 - Brimstone (The Night of the Hunter vs. Footloose)

On this episode we do what we've been doing for damn near 300 episodes: preach against children. To do so we bring in a couple of our favorite men of faith who share this ideology in Robert Mitchum's Father of the Year from THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER and John Lithgow's life of the party pastor from FOOTLOOSE. This is of course for the video release of BRIMSTONE starring our favorite Australian Guy Pearce as a man who just can't stand Dakota Fanning and THAT of course means we bring in as a guest our second favorite Australian who also hates Dakota Fanning, Andrew of AB Film Review and The Last New Wave. This leads to a fun conversation (but still no dancing) and also Andrew exercises some of his Patreon support by bringing back a co-creator of this podcast, Old Bald Dotson, for some words of wisdom.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

 

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

 

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Ep. 297 - Song to Song (All the Boys Love Mandy Lane vs. Ain't Them Bodies Saints)

On this episode we talk about our passion for the look of Terrence Malick films with William Lindus of the Movie Bears Podcast and Jairo of The True Bromance Film Podcast. This is something we share with two of the filmmakers featured on this podcast as we discuss the merits of the Malick influence on Jonathan Levine's ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE and David Lowery's AIN'T THEM BODIES SAINTS. But before we get into those troubled love stories, we see if the man himself continues to trouble former fans as Mr. Malick continues to lose the narrative in his latest, SONG TO SONG.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

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Ep. 296 - The Discovery (Heaven Can Wait vs. Defending Your Life)

Our countdown to episode 300 begins with fellow Following Films podcast host Peter of Original Remake. Inspired by the new Netflix original film THE DISCOVERY we take a look at accidents in the afterlife in Warren Beatty's HEAVEN CAN WAIT and Albert Brooks' DEFENDING YOUR LIFE. Alyssa from the Hindsight Movie Podcast joins us to debate which film you should give a second chance. The one with the confidence  of the ultimate movie star, or the neurotic everyman facing his fears? Face your fears and download this episode... we promise it's better than the last 295.

ALSO: Our host defends the life of Charles Grodin every chance he gets.

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Ep. 295 - The Blackcoat's Daughter (Diabolique vs. Suspiria)

On this episode we don't take off for spring break as we hang back with the creepy girls of new release THE BLACKCOAT'S DAUGHTER. This much delayed but well worth it film inspires a look back at other anti-SPRING BREAKERS films in the very influential cinematic classics DIABOLIQUE and SUSPIRIA. But even with this great material we still manage to get away from our film studies to take shots at Tim Allen, David Spade, and GHOST IN THE SHELL.

ALSO: This podcast is labeled explicit for a necessary reference to BOOGIE NIGHTS and the unnecessary reference to the Jeremy Piven starring PCU. You have been warned.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

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Ep. 294 - T2 Tainspotting (Shallow Grave vs. A Life Less Ordinary)

On this episode we celebrate (?) the release of T2: TRAINSPOTTING by traveling across the Atlantic to take a tour of Danny Boyle and Ewan McGregor's collaboration of crime in cinema. As our tour guide we have a local in Alice Bishop take this podcast through Boyle and McGregor's first work together in 1994's SHALLOW GRAVE up to these filmmakers attempt to go Hollywood in 1997's A LIFE LESS ORDINARY. Are we Americans to blame? Or did Danny Boyle and Ewan McGregor just get old? Tune in and find out the only Cameron Diaz role we approve of, and also how distasteful we find Heaven's policies to be when it comes to playing Cupid.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

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Ep. 293 - Tower (Elephant vs. Dark Night)

On this episode we try to respectfully discuss films focused on mass shootings. Because we are incapable of this, we bring on our resident political correspondent Dwight Hurst of The Broken Brain for new to video TOWER. This critically acclaimed film has us looking at two more controversial "day of" films in Gus Van Sant's ELEPHANT and Tim Sutton's DARK NIGHT. All three movies approach the subject matter with interesting stylistic choices though the subject matter remains a hard sale. And all three people on this podcast seem to recommend a different film. So in the end... no conclusions are made, as usual. Thanks for the download!

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

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Ep. 292 - Suntan (Election vs. Greenberg)

On this episode one of our hosts is out of the country, so this podcast does the same. SUNTAN, a Greek film that our listeners have demanded, makes it ways to the U.S. and to your ears alongside two other films about middle aged men dabbling in the affairs of young women. First is Alexander Payne's ELECTION where Matthew Broderick attempts to stop Reese Witherspoon from adding one more victory to her young life by becoming her high school class president. As if that wasn't unlikeable enough, Noah Baumbach introduces us to GREENBERG played by Ben Stiller, who while dog sitting for his brother meets Greta Gerwig who thwarts his attempt to "do nothing."

Guest: Austin Shinn of The Film Room talks with us about the generational appeal of these films that pit generations against one another.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

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Ep. 291 - I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore (Hello I Must Be Going vs. Happy Christmas)

On this episode we participate in a cinematic home invasion with Melanie Lynskey to celebrate her new film, the 2017 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner I DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE. To make sure we're comfortable in our selected double feature on homes, we bring back a favorite guest in Karly from the Core Temp Arts network podcasts That Pop This Life and Talking Shondaland. We discuss Lynskey having her home invaded by sister-in-law Anna Kendrick in the improvised HAPPY CHRISTMAS, and then Lynskey herself being the home invader as a divorcee returning back to her parents home in HELLO I MUST BE GOING.

Also an appreciation of the Kiwi accent, as always.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

You can also support this show with a donation on Patreon to get extra episodes or to program an episode with a film of your choosing.

 

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Ep. 290 - Collide (Taxi Driver vs. Drive)

On this episode we drive to save the girl with Robert De Niro in TAXI DRIVER and Ryan Gosling in DRIVE. These two film classics are the favorites of many so we bring back one of our favorite guests in Margo D. from the Book Vs Movie podcast to debate if either film glorifies extreme violence and vigilantism in pursuit of saving Jodie Foster or Carey Mulligan. We also seek to answer the ever important question of why Cybill Shepherd ever went on a date with Travis Bickle to begin with. All of this, and hosts Ben and Mike put new release COLLIDE and Nicholas Hoult in the unfortunate position of trying to out drive two of the best in this genre.

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Ep. 289 - The Girl with All the Gifts (Matilda vs. Frozen)

For new release THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS we found the easiest theme ever for this podcast with MORE films about girls with all the gifts in MATILDA (1996) and FROZEN (2013). Unfortunately what we did not find was a lot of films starring and marketed to young girls like in the mid-90s, so we discuss this with Jessi Lauren of Search to Find You. Is FROZEN receiving credit for being one of the few films featuring a girl with all the gifts? And how come we have to mention the film CHUCK & BUCK every time we attempt to do a family friendly episode? All of these questions and more, such as "Why am I listening to this podcast?" will be answered on this episode.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

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Ep. 288 - John Wick: Chapter 2 (Assassins vs. The Assassin)

On this episode we browse the Tall, Dark and Assassin section of the cinema to celebrate Keanu Reeves as our favorite dog owner in JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO. This sequel to one of the great surprises of 2014 has us looking at the differences in style between films on assassins. The critically loved 2015 film THE ASSASSIN puts little action on display but stunning imagery, whereas the 1995 movie ASSASSINS has little in the way of surprises (the great Julianne Moore paying her dues with this material being one of them) but contains characters who are driven insane by inaction. Thankfully guest Jason Michael of The Film Faculty and Atlantic Screen Connection is here to talk us off the assassins ledge and help us decide on a new #1.

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Ep. 287 - War on Everyone (Observe and Report vs. End of Watch)

On this episode we partner up with the world's biggest Michael Pena fan, Jairo from the True Bromance Film Podcast, for an episode on this great actor's films as one half of a law enforcement duo. In new release WAR ON EVERYONE, Pena rampages through New Mexico with Alexander Skarsgard as two cops who spend their days sharing a philosophy of hating any and everyone. This divisive film from John Michael McDonagh has us taking a look back at another film seeking to offend in OBSERVE AND REPORT. In Jody Hill's take on TAXI DRIVER, Pena and Seth Rogen are mall cops on the pursuit of a thief and a perverted flasher. Something we wish we could say that Jake Gyllenhaal does as Pena's final partner on this podcast in David Ayer's END OF WATCH. Which of these actors earns the right to ride along with the great Michael Pena? Find out on this episode of War Machine vs. War Horse.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

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Ep. 286 - Silence (Mean Streets vs. Bringing Out the Dead)

On this episode Martin Scorsese once again puts his faith in film with new release SILENCE but we look at how that faith may have changed during his career by going back to his earlier work in MEAN STREETS and BRINGING OUT THE DEAD. In the former, Harvey Keitel tries to carry himself as a man of honor and reconcile his life between the church and the streets, while in the latter Nicolas Cage finds himself burned out and questioning himself professionally and personally as a paramedic who can not truly save anyone. All of this and our Top Ten Films of 2016 which may see SILENCE honored once again in this podcast, or it will have to settle for our attempt to match its exhausting runtime with our longest episode ever.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

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Ep. 285 - 20th Century Women (The Grifters vs. The Kids Are All Right)

For new release 20th CENTURY WOMEN we take a closer look at Annette Bening's career (something the Academy should have done) by discussing a double feature where this great actress takes on the challenges of motherhood. In Stephen Frears' THE GRIFTERS Bening must deal with Anjelica Huston blocking her con artist plans for Huston's son played by John Cusack. And in THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT Bening herself finds her relationship with Julianne Moore challenged when Mark Ruffalo becomes a complicated third party to their non-traditional family. For these films on two people battling for the love of others I invite on returning guests Dave Hart of Pop Culture Case Study and Dwight Hurst of The Broken Brain to battle for mine.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

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Ep. 284 - The Handmaiden (Bound vs. Chloe)

The episode the Internet demanded: Hot lesbian action! Other than cynically abusing search engines with this description, we are inspired by a very good film from 2016, which is new to Amazon streaming, THE HANDMAIDEN from director Park Chan-Wook. Avoiding being simply simple pleasures for simple podcasters, this great film provides a fun and thrilling caper, much like The Wachowskis debut film from 1996 BOUND and not so much like Atom Egoyan's CHLOE. Yes, this is the episode where returning guest and fellow Julianne Moore fan club member Dwight Hurst of The Broken Brain podcast may actually vote against one of her films.

ALSO our Australian correspondent Andrew of AB Film Review and The Last New Wave talks of his excitement for being tickled and latest entry in the soon-to-be classic film trilogy FIFTY SHADES DARKER.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

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Ep. 283 - Hidden Figures (The Remains of the Day vs. Fences)

On this episode we celebrate the Best Picture Oscar nomination for HIDDEN FIGURES and more importantly the power of cinema to bring attention to people cast aside by history. In our selected double feature we look at two other characters who stand beside history through choices they make and choices that they are not given. In THE REMAINS OF THE DAY Anthony Hopkins gives himself completely to his role as a butler to a man conspiring with Nazis, removing any trace of personal belief in politics or the pursuit of love for Emma Thompson. And in another 2016 Best Picture nominee, FENCES, Denzel Washington takes out the limited options of his professional life in 1950s Pittsburgh on his son and wife.

ALSO: Kristen Lopez of Journeys In Classic Film joins the podcast to discuss the changing audience reaction to melodrama.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

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Ep. 282 - Detour (Run Lola Run vs. Go)

On this episode we take a DETOUR from the season's Oscar bait for a genre film reminiscent of 90s films such as RUN LOLA RUN and GO. In all three films the narrative is split among different choices the characters make. Lola must decide between violence or gambling to solve her boyfriend's financial problem, while the actors of GO clearly decided this was the best PULP FICTION-like script to come their way in 1998.

ALSO we make the choice to rebrand this podcast as a DAWSON'S CREEK recap show. Enjoy!

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

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Ep. 281 - A Monster Calls (Let the Right One In vs. Where the Wild Things Are)

On this episode we answer the call of A MONSTER CALLS... and based on its box office earnings, we were the only ones. Thankfully you can listen to our advice as the hosts of the podcast Joy Sandwich, Jess and Non, join the show to steer you and your children to better monsters to befriend in LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.

ALSO: Co-host Ben Zuk briefly educates the listeners on the possibilities of procreation for the character of Ripley in the ALIEN franchise.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

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Ep. 280 - La La Land (Swingers vs. Mulholland Drive)

On this episode we sing, dance, and dream about Hollywood making films about the dream of being able to sing and dance in Hollywood. Thankfully new release LA LA LAND is here to claim that prize and many more. But will it claim the heart of both hosts on this podcast? And can this film compete with two genuine classics in SWINGERS and MULHOLLAND DRIVE? In one film we find creative and romantic failures being cushioned by a support system of friends, and in the other a cautionary tale of putting all your dreams and love into one safety net.

More importantly, both films teach us that eating out in L.A. can get loud and scary very quickly.

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Ep. 279 - Jackie (Cookie's Fortune vs. The Queen)

For new release JACKIE we take the power of looking at how the powerful respond to death in Robert Altman's COOKIE'S FORTUNE and Stephen Frears THE QUEEN. In the former, Glenn Close covers up a family suicide to protect her perceived honor in small town Mississippi, while Helen Mirren debates the appropriate response from the British monarchy in the wake of Princess Diana's death. All of this and a thirty second review of WHY HIM? Which is what's really important currently in cinema.

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Ep. 278 - Manchester by the Sea (Hud vs. Rain Man)

Inspired by one of this year's Best Picture frontrunners MANCHESTER BY THE SEA we track down the other brothers in HUD and RAIN MAN for perhaps the biggest battle in War Machine vs. War Horse history: Paul Newman vs. Tom Cruise. From the podcast Pop Culture Case Study, Dave Hart helps us diagnose the black sheep of these respective film families while hosts Ben Zuk and Michael Denniston debate the likeability of gingers on screen.

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