Mixing drama with documentary, and live-action with animation, "American Splendor" (2003), directed by Shari Springer and Robert Pulcini, feels much more inspired by the art and attitude of comic book writer Harvey Pekar than by his actual life. And that's a good thing.

In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the biopic subgenre, talk Paul Giamatti, creativity as a form of coping and if "American Splendor" is a top-five film of 2003. 

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The Wachowski's sequel to "The Matrix" was a box office smash, but reactions were decidedly mixed. Even many critics who reviewed the film positively included qualifiers about its geekiness, special effects and religious iconography.

So what do we think nearly 20 years later? 

In this episode, Mike and Brian set out on a hero's journey of their own to find out, digging into the movie's big ambitions to decide if it deserves a place among the best of 2003. 

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A horror movie being nominated for Best Picture? Yeah, right. In spite of the Academy's long-running resentment of the genre, however, director Danny Boyle's don't-call-it-a-zombie movie is undoubtably one of the most important films of 2003, making way for a wave of low-budget horror films and reinvigorating the zombie subgenre.

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk horror metaphors, when and how small budgets can be used as a strength, and whether or not this London-set genre flick deserves a spot in the top five of 2003. 

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Everyone is turning colors in this week's Patron's Choice bonus episode, on 1998's "Pleasantville," directed by Gary Ross. 

Mike and Brian talk repression and opression, best moments, trivia, and then compare "Pleasantville" to Ross' follow-up, the Best Picture-nominated "Seabiscuit."

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Thanks to Maddie for putting this movie on our schedule! Want to curate a future episode? BECOME A PATRON.

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Charlize Theron won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Aileen Wuornos in director Patty Jenkins "Monster." But maybe most interesting about the movie is how Jenkins manipulates our sympathies, constantly threading the needle between compassion and condemnation. 

In this episode, Mike and Brian explore how Jenkins uses contradictions to create conflict, they talk trivia, best moments and the place of "Monster" among the best films of 2003. 

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Tobey Maguire was riding high after starring in 1999 Best Picture nominee "The Cider House Rules" and playing Peter Parker in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man," and now he's jockeying for another Oscar in director Gary Ross's horse racing drama, "Seabiscuit."

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk underdog movies, the power of efficient editing, trivia and whether or not this Academy Award nominee deserves a spot in the top five of 2003. 

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Welcome to another episode of The Morality Hour, with Mike and Brian!

Director Clint Eastwood's complex exploration of violence and justice in 2003's "Mystic River" invites the viewer down a rabbit hole of moral gray area, and Mike and Brian take the bait. They debate the "message" behind this six-time Academy Award nominee, which won Sean Penn and Tim Robbins Best Actor/Supporting Actor nods. They talk conscience, vengeance, rationalization and, finally, whether or not this film deserves a spot in the year's top five.

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Like most genre movies, comedies tend to get little love during award season, and the subject of this week's Patron's Choice bonus episode -- "Drowning Mona" (2000) -- is no different, boasting 0 nominations and a measly 29% on Rotten Tomatoes.

But what does that really mean for these movies, especially when a negative critical consensus clashes with a positive audience response?

Mike and Brian dive into the proverbial deep end in this one, recapping the biggest laughs in director Nick Gomez's whodunnit and discussing how our expectations impact our experiences in the cinema.

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Thanks to Spencer from Melbourne, Florida, for putting this movie on our schedule! Want to curate a future episode of your own? BECOME A PATRON.

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Director Sophia Coppola's sophomore release, the moody "Lost in Translation," starring Bill Murray, is a rumination on ennui. But it's funny. And it's romantic.

So it's a rom-com ... right?

In this episode, Mike and Brian explore the choices that make this movie so hard to categorize. They question what can be learned from the empathy we extend to characters in film vs. real people in real life, talk best moments and trivia, then decide whether to keep or kick this title from the top five of 2003. 

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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.

Critics loved director Richard Linklater's "The School of Rock," showering it and its star, Jack Black, with praise. It scored a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic called it "uncut bliss."

Yet, it was nominated for 0 Oscars.

In this episode, Mike and Brian question whether a "light" comedy could ever win an Academy Award and debate the value of fun. They revisit the movie's best moments, talk trivia and argue where "The School of Rock" ranks among the best of 2003.

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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.