Mission 250 Podcast

This week, we watch the most polarizing science fiction film of all time. Famous for it's slow pacing, heady ideas, and mind-bending visuals, this film has not aged since it's release over 50 years ago. It inspired all visually based movies after it, from Star Wars to Interstellar, and other art forms as well (David Bowie owes his career to a viewing of this film). 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), directed by Stanley Kubrick.

This week, we watch the Italian Neorealism film classic that is named by many to be the single greatest film ever made. We don't get it. Bicycle Thieves (1948), directed by Vittorio De Sica.

This week, we watch the classic musical about the movie industry's shift to 'talkies'. While there are stories of Gene Kelly being hard to deal with on set, there's no question that he brings the best out of the whole cast. And despite the films age, its still hilarious. Singin' in the Rain (1952), directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen.

This week, we watch the film that just won Best Picture at the Oscar's (as well as Best Director, Best Writing, and best Foreign Picture). It is also currently very high on the IMDB top 250 list. We couldn't recommend this movie enough, and we highly recommend watching it without watching a trailer or reading about it. Parasite (2019), directed by Bong Joon-ho.

This week, we watch the first full length computer animated movie ever made. Woody And Buzz Lightyear have an epic adventure of tiny proportions in this landmark film that remains entertaining, and even though the technology since its release has improved leaps and bounds, those improvements wouldn't have been possible without this classic. Toy Story (1995), directed by John Lasseter.

This week, we watch the Lock, Stock……and Two Smoking Barrels: Part 2. This time with Brad Pitt. It's probably a good time to make sure your subtitles button works. Snatch (2000), directed by Guy Richie.

This week, Tarantino rewrites history for the first time in his action/fantasy tale about Nazi's screening a film in a movie theater, and the surrounding plans to kill Hitler and his top advisers. Utilizing his powers of dialogue and quick, brutal violence, Quentin weaves together five chapters of tense and hilarious character interactions. And you know something, Utivich? I think this just might be his masterpiece. Inglourious Basterds (2009), directed by Quentin Tarantino.

This week, Monty Python's classic film clops its way onto our screens, coconuts in hand. This low budget comedy stands the test of time and remains one of the funniest films from start to finish ever made, no matter how many times we watch it. Monty Python and The Holy Grail, directed by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam.

This week, we watch the oldest film on the list! Charlie Chaplin's big screen debut. He writes, directs, acts, and composes music for this timeless comedy, which somehow still made us laugh throughout the short run time, despite being nearly 100 years old. The Kid (1921), directed by Charles Chaplin.

This week, we watch Russell Crowe and Guy Pierce in their first Hollywood roles. Both actors drop their Australian accents for this modern take on the Noir genre. Gone are the hard shadows and silly voices of the genre's classics, but the numerous locations and plot twists remain. LA Confidential (1997), directed by Curtis Hanson.