Best Picture This

Mickey Rourke's return to stardom (you know -- the "Rourkessaince") began with him playing the title role in director Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler," also starring Marisa Tomei. But this feature marked a major turning point for Aronofsky, as well -- away from the big, showy spectacles of his two prior releases ("Requiem for a Dream" and "The Fountain") and demonstrating that he can also do intimate and self-contained. 

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk understated masterclass moments and stylistic shifts, they debate if the ending of "The Wrestler" hinges on hope or irony, play Keep It or Kick It and more.

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Guess how much money Best Picture nominee "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" made at the box office when it released in 2008. 

Whatever you guessed, go higher! This thing raked in over $335 million, more than doubling its hefty $150M budget. That's called critical and commercial darling, ladies and gentlemen. 

But how does this crowd-pleaser, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton, hold up 14 years later? 

Mike and Brian get into it in an episode that kicks off their series on the films of 2008. They talk director David Fincher, debate what makes a good fable, argue whether "Benny Butts" is full of wisdom or empty platitudes then play Keep It or Kick It.

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And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.

What was the best movie of 2007?

The Academy awarded that title to the Joel and Ethan Coen's "No Country for Old Men," but in this series finale episode, Mike and Brian wade through the many (many) titles that made this an all-time great year for film to re-evaluate if that selection holds up. They recap the year that was, rank the nominees for Best Picture, kick the ones that don't belong and discuss their personal top fives.

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And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.

The Coen brothers' "No Country for Old Men" beat out Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" for the Best Picture Oscar of 2007. How do the two movies compare and differ? And what does a shift in how you remember a movie compared to how you experience it on rewatch say about the film itself?

In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into all those questions, exploring the art behind creating an iconic villain and the power of film scoring (and the lack thereof). They argue over the movie's philosophical leanings and challenge how the Coens use genre to lend a light touch to heavy material. Then, keep it or kick it (AKA: "Is this a contender for your film of the year?").

www.bestpicturethis.com

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Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL [email protected]

And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.

Mike and Brian ditch the script this week to dive into not one, not two but three (OK, more like 10 ... ish) titles from 2007 that they love. 

Then, so many. "REC." Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's "Grindhouse." Edgar Wright's "Hot Fuzz." Did you know Philip Seymour Hoffman was in three movies this year? Oh, and Judd Apatow released "Knocked Up" and "Superbad" within two months of each other! Insane year. Listen up!

www.bestpicturethis.com

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And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.

Horror movies changed after director Oren Peli's "Paranormal Activity" hit the festival circuit in 2007. Suddently, found-footage was king, which is easy to understand, considering Peli's film was shot for just $15,000 then went on to make over $193 million at the box office.

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk creaky house sounds, ominous footsteps, the Wife Test, and the effect of a movie being so ubiquitous that many viewers see the parodies before the real thing. Then, they decide whether or not this film deserves a place in their top fives of the year.

www.bestpicturethis.com

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Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL [email protected]

And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.

Sensory spectacle -- bravura editing, Old Hollywood glamour, inventive scoring -- works as the foundation of director Joe Wright's "Atonement," which stars James McAvoy, Keira Knightley and Keira Knightley's silken green dress.

In this episode, Mike and Brian explore the line separating "showy" from substantive high style, they talk metafiction, melodrama, misunderstandings and when those things intersect in this film to deliver powerful emotional moments. Then, they decide whether or not this film deserves a place in their top fives of the year.

www.bestpicturethis.com

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And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" lost the Best Picture Oscar to "No Country for Old Men" in 2007, but its legend has only grown since its release, and now it's easy to find the title topping critics' best-of-the-decade lists. Why?

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk antiheroes and Daniel Day-Lewis' iconic performance as Daniel Plainview, they gush over the movie's unsettling score, wrestle with its themes of greed, capitalism and religion, and discuss what makes a movie a "grower." Then, as always, keep it or kick it.

www.bestpicturethis.com

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And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.

Before "The Walking Dead," director Frank Darabont took an unconventional route into the horror genre by turning two of Stephen King's more feel-good stories ("The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile") into uber-successful films. After that, he was ready to go dark -- which is exactly what he did with his third King adaption, this one based off of the supernatural novella "The Mist."

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk hopelessness, special effects and how they age, camp, God's wrath, the art of dialogue-less scenes, and if "The Mist" deserves a spot in the top five of 2007.

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And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.

Director Jason Reitman teamed with first-time screenwriter Diablo Cody to release one of 2007's most surprising smash hits: "Juno," starring Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jason Batemon, Jennifer Garner, J.K. Simmons and (breath) Allison Janney.

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk iconic characters, when "quirkiness" became cool, what makes a film a "message movie" and if "Juno" fits that bill and, finally, if this indie darling deserves a place in the top five of 2007.

www.bestpicturethis.com

Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON.

Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL [email protected]

And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.