Project Hail Mary" has been a hit movie this spring, and so HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano consider the reasons why in this podcast episode. In this sci fi adventure, Ryan Gosling gives a fine performance as a middle school science teacher whose academic background prompts government officials to send him on an outer space mission to study a mysterious alien force that likes to eat stars. Hey, our sun is a star and so we have reason to worry back here on planet earth! It's a tense story that is leavened with a lot of comedy. Marie loved this movie and Mike not so much, because he found it too cutesy for his curmudgeonly taste. Marie and Mike also discuss "Sirāt," a powerful Spanish drama about a father's journey to find a daughter who went missing in Morocco. This film deliberately does not explain every plot point, leaving viewers with much to contemplate during an existential trip through a beautifully bleak landscape.

Emily Bronte's 1847 novel "Wuthering Heights" has inspired various film versions over the years, and now the latest iteration stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the ill-fated lovers on the Yorkshire Moors. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano get all academic with their page-to-screen analysis. Although Marie and Mike have their share of negative observations to make about this screen adaptation, they acknowledge that it's the sort of boisterous, lavishly produced film that's sure to get people talking about it.  As they keep talking, Marie and Mike go on to discuss "Midwinter Break." This modestly scaled character study features Lesley Manville and Ciaran Hinds as a long-married couple who take a vacation trip to Amsterdam. Our critics carp about a number of things in the script, but agree that the actors are really fine.

The South Korean director Park Chan-wook made an international name for himself with "Oldboy," and he has continued to tackle edgy material. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano talk about his new film, "No Other Choice." It's about a longtime paper company employee who is suddenly downsized and embarks on an extreme form of revenge. Marie and Mike agree that this dark comedy meanders and has an excessive running time, but it's disturbingly entertaining. Marie and Mike also talk about "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple." The fourth installment in this postapocalyptic zombie franchise, it's technically well-crafted and yet our critics are bothered by its relentlessly sadistic violence and think that much of what should be scary instead comes across as borderline camp. But Marie and Mike are enthusiastic about Ralph Fiennes' terrific performance as a doctor seeking a cure for whatever it is that has turned so many people into zombies. The good doctor sure has his work cut out for him.

The Broadway musical "Wicked" spawned a two-part movie version. Part I was a box office hit in 2024 and now "Wicked: For Good" is a box office hit in 2025. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano take a long walk on that Yellow Brick Road as they discuss the things they like and the things they do not like about this colorful spectacle. They're in strong agreement that Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba and Ariana Grande's Glinda/Galinda are a dynamic vocal duo.

Marie and Mike also talk about "Rental Family," in which Brendan Fraser portrays an American actor in Japan who is hired to impersonate participants in real-life family situations. This is an actual cultural practice there, so the film is sociologically fascinating. Although our critics think there are some missed scripted opportunities, this film has definite sentimental appeal.

"Bugonia" is the fourth collaboration between director Yorgos Lanthimos and actor Emma Stone. If you've seen any of their earlier films, such as "Poor Things," you know that strange is the norm for this duo. HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano share their mixed reaction to the sci fi-themed "Bugonia" in this podcast episode. They're careful to avoid any plot spoilers, but it's safe to assume that weird things lie ahead. Marie and Mike also discuss "The Baltimorons," whose co-writer and star, Michael Strassner, grew up in Baltimore and returned there with director Jay Duplass to make this comedy about an alcoholic improv comedian looking to sober up and maybe even find romance. Marie loves this film and Mike does not, so tune in and listen to them spar.

In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano acknowledge that director Paul Thomas Anderson lives up to his reputation for making audacious films with "One Battle After Another," in which Leonardo DiCaprio plays a middle-aged former revolutionary who now lives as a recluse in the northern California woods. Loosely inspired by a Thomas Pynchon novel, this lengthy, densely plotted movie constantly jumps between the present and events from 16 years earlier. Although Marie and Mike have various reservations about the film, they admire every performance and especially Sean Penn as a military guy who has to be seen to be believed (or disbelieved). Look for this film to clean up with year-end awards recognition.

Marie and Mike also talk about "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey," a magical realism clunker in which Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell discover doorways that serve as portals to the past. The terrible script gives us flat characters and will have you looking for the doorway out of the theater.

As self-professed film nerds, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano were primed to see "Highest 2 Lowest," director Spike Lee's reworking of the classic 1963 Akira Kurosawa film "High and Low." In this podcast episode, Marie and Mike talk about what's the same and what's different in the two versions. Although they often agree to disagree on the merits of the new version, they agree that Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright give strong performances in the central roles. Marie and Mike also talk about director Ethan Coen's "Honey Don't," a hectic film noir-ish comedy in which Margaret Qualley plays a detective with plenty to investigate. Our critics think the busy storyline mostly falls flat, but the lead performance is entertaining.

Genre-related questions link the two films discussed by HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano in this podcast episode. Writer-director Ari Aster, best known for the 2019 horror hit Midsommar, blends multiple genres in Eddington, where Joaquin Phoenix portrays a small-town New Mexico sheriff during May 2020. This contemporary Western, pandemic-era story, and political satire explores dark comedy, suspense, and dramatic storytelling—all in a 148-minute cinematic experience.

Writer-director Mike Flanagan’s The Life of Chuck, adapted from a Stephen King novella, stars Tom Hiddleston as a 39-year-old accountant facing a brain tumor. Told in three acts in reverse chronological order, with Nick Offerman as narrator, the film challenges conventional storytelling techniques while exploring drama, emotional storytelling, and psychological themes.

Professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano offer higher education perspectives on film analysis, genre conventions, and narrative structure. Although they share some reservations about both films, they agree these are unconventional, compelling, and often very funny films worth discussing.

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Brad Pitt is a 61-year-old movie star who is still a winner, as he proves in his formulaic Formula 1 star vehicle F1. Although this movie's 2-hour 35-minute run time has more Pitt stops than it really needs, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree in this podcast episode that Brad Pitt has lost none of his movie star appeal, and the movie itself really immerses you in the high-speed world of Formula 1 racing.

Marie and Mike also discuss Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme, a film packed with visual flair, exquisite production design, whimsical storytelling, and an abundance of celebrity cameos. However, the dense plot centered on a powerful media mogul played by Benicio del Toro ultimately falls short. The hosts wonder whether Anderson might one day apply his considerable stylistic talent to a story with more thematic depth.

This episode of At The Movies with Mike & Marie features thoughtful film analysis, behind-the-scenes insight, and discussion on two of 2025’s most talked-about releases.

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Dragon Media Podcasts is produced by Howard Community College.

Hosted by Marie Westhaver and Michael Giuliano