Charming Charlize Theron lights up the screen in her new collaboration with writer Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman.  Theron gained (then lost) fifty pounds to play the unglamorous mother of three at the center of this film.  Mackenzie Davis is the effervescent night nanny who comes to rescue Marlo (Theron) and remind her she still has everything she needs to roll with the punches.  SPOILER ALERT: Andrew and Phil divulge some key plot points in this episode. Check out this episode! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player attached to this post.

This is a comedy.  Andrew found it hilarious, Phil didn't.  A disagreement!  Listen as the two hosts attempt to defend their positions.  Many a talented actor in this film (Steve Buscemi, Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Palin, Andrea Riseborough) but the style of humor may leave something to be desired.  Fun fact: the original title of the film was not "Stalin For Time." Check out this episode! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player attached to this post.

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei gets a definitive portrait in this documentary. The controversial figure singehandedly takes on his oppressive government in an attempt to freely express himself.  He tackles political subjects and secures important exhibitions in London and Munich, yet at home he is treated as a criminal.  Returning guest Eric joins us on the podcast to discuss this film, which is available to stream on Netflix. Check out this episode! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player attached to this post.

Wes Anderson does stop motion again, and technically speaking, it's astounding.  But the film is emotionally remote and...yikes, have you been following the controversy? Andrew and Phil praise the animation and then have an unpretentious discussion about how this film is cultural appropriation.  It's a complicated time for a movie like this.  The hosts reminisce about past Wes films and pinpoint The Life Aquatic as the moment when he changed for the worse.  How do you feel about this iconoclastic filmmaker? Check out this episode! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player attached to this post.

Who would've thought Vince Vaughn was a one-man wrecking crew?  Watching him singlehandedly demolish a car with his bare hands is one of the highlights of this film.  But overall, none of us thought BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99 worked as a film.  It's kind of a genre exercise...that genre being "Tarantino rip-off."  Returning guest Aaron admitted that he requested this film sight unseen (he's a big Vince Vaughn fan).  But nevertheless, we try to have a productive conversation about this very recent crime movie. Check out this episode! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player attached to this post.

Shhhh.  Wait, what?  Oh, it's just that new horror sensation, A QUIET PLACE.  Directed by John Krasinski, better known for comedic acting roles, the film is taut and tense.  In fact, it's masterfully directed.  One of the best scary movies to come to theaters.  Krasinski has a strong sense of visual storytelling, and the tiny cast turn in captivating performances.  Overall, Andrew and Phil both thought this film was great. Check out this episode! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player attached to this post.

Entertaining?  Sure.  Spielberg's best?  Nope.  Andrew and Phil both had fun watching READY PLAYER ONE, but only one of them left the theater satisfied.  Can you guess which one?  Andrew's central point of dissatisfaction is that the world of the Oasis does not feel like enough of an escape from the dreary world the characters inhabit in the film.  A return to form for Spielberg, in terms of the level of excitement, but was it worth it? Check out this episode! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player attached to this post.

Andrew brings his brother Calvin on the show to reminisce about their carefree childhood days watching Jim Henson's THE DARK CRYSTAL.  A consummate fantasy if ever we saw one, it's also damn scary!  But as the three of them agree, kids do like to be scared.  And they can learn lessons about death and loss, and not trusting scary bird-trolls with rotting faces.  Henson considered this film his ultimate achievement, and we are not ones to disagree.  Nostalgia, wonder and awe are all appropriate states of being for this episode. Check out this episode! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player attached to this post.

Groundbreaking director Steven Soderbergh uncovers a new classification in the DSM-V: unsane!  This iPhone-shot psych horror was an enjoyable trip, despite there being some crrrrazy plot holes!  Claire Foy wrestles admirably with an inconsistent North Atlantic accent while Andrew's buddy Zach Cherry digs deep to play a no-nonsense nurse.  What is real and what is imaginary?  To learn more about this topic, watch Phil's series of video essays: I'll Believe It When I See It!    Check out this episode! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player attached to this post.

Garbage movie alert!  All three of us hated this movie.  Then why are we talking about it?  Because we are gluttons for punishment.  If you know REPO: THE GENETIC OPERA, chances are you love it.  For that, we are sorry.  Not because we've offended you, but because of the harm you are doing to your own brain and eyeballs.  This horror-musical is unlike anything else - THANK GOD!  But it really is a terrible film.  Listen to our discussion about it! Check out this episode! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player attached to this post.