This week, Christopher Nolan demonstrates that you can take a comic book character seriously: with some big Hollywood names, a big budget, and an emphasis on visual effects (as opposed to Computer Generated Imagery). Join us as we watch 2005's Batman Begins: the movie that arguably paved the way for modern super hero movies.

This week, Humphrey Bogart plays the bad guy in an American classic. This is one of the first Hollywood films to be shot mostly on location, and the beautiful California and Mexican landscapes justify the record breaking budget. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), directed by John Huston.

Quentin Tarantino has a new movie out, so naturally we all ran to the theater to see it opening week. Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio are an on-screen duo for the ages, and are all but guaranteed to receive lots of love come awards season for their portrayals of a stuntman/actor buddy duo in 1969 Los Angeles. Once upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), directed by Quentin Tarantino.

This week, we watch Matt Damon and Ben Affleck become stars. They act the hell out of the script they co-wrote together, and Mini Driver and Robin Williams each give one of their best performances as well. The Boston movie that put Southie on the map. Good Will Hunting (1997), directed by Gus Van Sant.

This week, we watch what many consider to be the best comedy of all time. Two men witness a mob hit, and to survive being rubbed out themselves, they have to dress up like woman, join an all female band, and accompany them on their trip to Florida. Silliness ensues. Some Like It Hot (1959), directed by Billy Wilder.

This week, we watch one of the best films in Pixar's catalogue. Dogs talk, a house floats from balloons, giant birds avoid extinction. No words can describe the quality of this film. Up (2009), directed by Pete Doctor.

This week, we watch Clint Eastwood's last Western, and the one that landed him the Oscar for Best Picture. Clint does his usual (and great) scowl and gravel-y whispering, but instead of the violence playing out like in an action movie, it is given a weight that almost flips all his previous genre movies on end. Gene Hackman steals the show, eating up the scenery as Little Bill. Unforgiven (1992), directed by Clint Eastwood.

This week, we watch the classic Noir that takes place in a post World War II Vienna. A man was hit by a car and killed under mysterious circumstances, and his friend won't stop doing his own detective work until he finds out what really happened. Filmed on location in 1948, the bombed out buildings against cobble stone and cavernous sewer tunnels make for an outstanding setting for this classic story type. The Third Man (1949), directed by Carol Reed.

Bonus Episode Time! To welcome the film onto Netflix (starting June 26th) and to attempt to give it all the praise it deserves, we watch Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse. This movie blows away all recent animated and superhero films alike. It drips originality and brims with jokes, action, and lovable characters. The creators and animators swing for the fences and succeed throughout.

This week, we watch the first Iranian film to be nominated for Best Foreign Picture at the Academy Awards. The quietest children's movie we've ever seen, it's focus on the simply story of a lost pair of shoes turns out to be a full of lessons on family, poverty, and sacrifice, even in the smallest of things. Children of Heaven (1997), directed by Majid Majidi.