For their 100th episode, Nate and Ryan name the movies that have defined them as people and as movie-watchers. After a century of episodes over 8 years, Nate and Ryan haven’t really talked about how certain movies have shaped them over the course of their lives. With the help from some listeners who share their own lists, Nate and Ryan talk about the many ways that movies can be definitive and how it’s possible that some of their favorite directors didn’t even make the list.

What are the definitive movies in your life? What are your thoughts on our lists? Let us know!

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As Nate and Ryan prepare to share the five movies that define them in their 100th episode, they check in to share a few of their favorites from 2021. We also invite you to share the movies that define you (however you define that). Give us all 5 or just name a few definitive movies and you might find yourself featured in our 100th episode!

Call and leave a voicemail (847)306-9532

Send an email or voice message to [email protected].

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For this year’s holiday celebration, Nate and Ryan watch a staple from their childhood, Home Alone, the 1990 smash hit directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes. An annual tradition for many people, is Home Alone a movie people can even talk about objectively? Listen in as they discuss what  has made Home Alone endure for more than 30 years.

Where does Home Alone fit in your holiday movie rotation? Where does it rank among the holiday movie greats? Let us know!

For this year’s T. Hanksgiving, Nate and Ryan watch Tom Hanks’ writing and directing debut That Thing You Do! Dripping in ’60s nostalgia, That Thing You Do! tells the story of The Wonders a fictional rock band who rise to the top of the charts with the titular song.

Even though That Thing You Do! isn’t necessarily one of his major hits, it’s quintessential Hanks, packed with nostalgia and charm. Nate and Ryan talk about why That Thing You Do! deserves more radio play 25 years later. Where does That Thing You Do! rank among T. Hanks movies for you? Let us know!

Read The Ringer’s Pure Nostalgia: The Oral History of “That Thing You Do!”

It’s our 8th annual Holiday Spooktacular and this year, Nate and Ryan are talking about a true horror classic: The Silence of the Lambs, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. One of the rare horror movies to be nominated for Best Picture, The Silence of the Lambs is in even rarer company as one of only three movies to win “the big 5” of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay (adapted).

Listen in as Nate and Ryan talk about Anthony Hopkins’ and Jodie Foster’s iconic performances and Jonathan Demme’s often underappreciated direction. Not to mention the fact that it’s a genuinely scary movie.

Where does The Silence of the Lambs rank for you among scary movies? How are you and yours celebrating the Holiday Spooktacular?

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Nate and Ryan welcome Watson Jones III to discuss The King’s Speech, 2010 winner of the Best Picture Oscar directed by Tom Hooper. The King’s Speech was a somewhat improbable winner in an especially strong movie year. It was in that backlash-filled atmosphere that many people watched Colin Firth act his way to a long-deserved Oscar. But what is it like to watch The King’s Speech without the noise? Watson joins Nate and Ryan in a wide-ranging discussion that covers way more ground than we thought possible.

What are your thoughts on The King’s Speech? If Colin Firth hadn’t won for this, what did he deserve to win for? If not The King’s Speech, what 2010 movie should have won Best Picture? Let us know!

Nate and Ryan are back with a brief update for the next episode and a response to a listener question about our 2014 episode about The Avengers. Listen in as they revisit their predictions and reactions from 7 years ago and reflect on how their ideas hold up now that the initial phases of Marvel’s grand plan have come to pass.

Join us for our September movie, and keep the questions coming!

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Nate and Ryan welcome Ryan’s long-time friend Dr. Bradley Rettler to discuss Hamilton, the 2015 Broadway hit that made its film debut on Disney+ in 2020. Listen in as they discuss what there is to love about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s complex musical, what is different about watching the show 6 years later, and what the show’s legacy might be.

So how big a Hamilton fan are you? Has watching or listening to Hamilton changed since its early days? What’s your favorite song? Are you going to throw away your shot? Let us know!

For more context on the “Cancel Hamilton” controversy and other Hamilton criticisms we recommend this summary from the San Francisco Chronicle and this look at the historical record from the New York Times.

View the infographic Brad mentioned on the interconnectedness of Hamilton’s songs.

Hamilton Cast Reflect on Backlash and Criticism of Musical by David Crow. Den of Geek.

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Nate and Ryan welcome Phil Vickers back to talk about Labyrinth, one of Phil’s favorite childhood movies, that also happens to be a Jim Henson classic that is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.  Nate and Ryan don’t have the long history with the movie that Phil does, so they discuss what the movie has to offer to people of all ages. Of course there’s also a ton of talk about Muppets and music and David Bowie’s pants.

What’s your history with Labyrinth? Where does Labyrinth rank among other Jim Henson creature movies? What’s your favorite song from Labyrinth? Let us know!

Nina Darnton’s original New York Times Labyrinth review

Labyrinth: the Unsettling Second Character Played by David Bowie by Louisa Mellor

Photo by Sai Kiran Anagani on Unsplash

Nate and Ryan share that they took a small break and discuss what they’ve been watching so far this summer. Don’t forget to watch Labyrinth with us as we prepare for our next episode with special guest Phil Vickers! Labyrinth is available to stream on HBOMax or check your local library.