Best Picture This

When news broke that Robert Pattinson, the sparkly vampire from the "Twilight" franchise, was cast to play Bruce Wayne in the latest Batman film, some fanboys were in a tizzy. What those fans might not have realized, however, is that, post-"Twilight," Pattinson broke away from the mainstream to make a series of art films (like "Good Time" and "The Lighthouse"), many of which explored the darker side of the human psyche.

That experience is part of what made him a perfect fit for this version of the caped crusader.

In this episode, Mike and Brian explore how this darker, more damaged version of Bruce Wayne worked for them, dig into the world of Gotham created by director Matt Reeves and his special effects team, and then rank where "The Batman" fits in their favorite Dark Knight films.

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

Dame Helen Mirren won the Oscar for Best Actress in playing Queen Elizabeth II in director Stephen Frears' "The Queen," which was also nominated for Best Picture in 2006. 

But how does the film stand up to other biopics released in the early 2000s?

In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into how the film dialogues with grief, public relations, leadership and cultural change, before deciding if it belongs in the top five of the year.

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

A remake of the 1947 film by the same name starring Tyrone Power, director Guillermo del Toro's "Nightmare Alley" earned four Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture. 

In this episode, Mike and Brian analyze the movie's film noir roots and art direction, break down Bradley Cooper's character's motivations and dark past, and then decide if the film belongs in the top five of the 2021.

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

Director Adam McKay's star-studded "Don't Look Up" (Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchet, Jonah Hill) earned four Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture.

But is the Netflix original feature a legitimate contender for the best film of 2021?

In this episode, Mike and Brian examine the fine line between satire and smugness, debate McKay's intentions, and then decide if the film belongs in the top five of the year.

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

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

Director Jane Campion's first feature in 12 years, "The Power of the Dog," based on the book by Thomas Savage, is shaping up to the be the darling of Oscar season, boasting a total of 12 nominations, including one for Best Picture.

But does it really live up to the hype?

In this SPOILER-FILLED episode, Mike and Brian analyze the performances by Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee. They dig into the movie's visuals, debate its unsettling ending and implications, then decide if the film belongs in the top five of 2021.

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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.

In spite of releasing simultaneously in theaters and streaming on HBO Max, director Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic DUNE performed well enough with audiences for a sequel to already be confirmed. The film also impressed critics, earning a slew of Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture.

In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the film's dense mythology, compare it to David Lynch's version, released in 1984, and decide if the movie belongs in the top five of 20021.

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

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

What was the best movie of 2005?

The Academy awarded that title to director Paul Haggis' "Crash," but in this series finale episode, Mike and Brian shake things 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. Plus, trivia, Golden Takes and more.

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

Before "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," before "Looper," Rian Johnson broke onto the scene with a micro-budget neo-noir starring Joseph Gordon Levitt. BRICK put the young director on the map.

In this episode, Mike and Brian analyze the movie's gritty style and debate if and how its genre subversion serves greater thematic purposes, they nerd out to the script's snappy dialogue and decide if the movie belongs in the top five of 2005.

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

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

What was it about director Paul Haggis' CRASH that resonated with the Academy in 2005?  In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the film that won the Oscar for Best Picture, dissect its twisting narratives, and then decide whether it holds up as a top-five film of the year.

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

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

In focusing on broad political issues, Steven Spielberg's "Munich" (2005) feels like an outlier in his filmography -- but it's not without its stylistic flourishes.

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk what makes a film "classy" or "difficult," they dig into the movie's themes of cognitive dissonance and narratives, then decide whether "Munich" will make their top fives of 2005.

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

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

And for 15 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.