Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004) vs. The Savages (2007)

It's a battle of words as the category for this week's episode is "Best Original Screenplay Nominees". Out of all the possible contenders we settled on two very different films. Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind is an irreverent sci-fi dramedy starring a very subdued Jim Carey along with a very animated Kate Winslet. Director Michel Gondry and writer Charlie Kaufman prove to be a very complimentary duo with a surreal story to match Gondry's avant-garde imagery. The Savages on the other hand is a grounded comedy written and directed by Tamara Jenkins. The low key script is brought to life by outstanding performances from Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It's a strong pair of movies. Neither of which are to be missed. This episode is so long it might be hard to remember where it even started. We suggest getting comfy. With an Urban Outfitters pillow perhaps? Tune in to find out if either movie scores 8 or more stars to make the "Greatest Films Of The 21st Century List". Rate, Review, and enjoy the show!

Hosted By Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (rent anywhere)

The Savages (rent anywhere)

Today leading up to our Best Original Screenplay Nominees battle episode we discuss every film nominated for Best Original Screenplay since the year 2001. The prompt lead to many great ideas on what films to cover next and some solid bits as usual. Films discussed include; Banshees Of Inisherin, Up, Get Out, The Squid and The Whale, Gosford Park, Manchester By The Sea, Amelie, Gangs of New York, Lars and The Real Girl, Inception and many more. So tune in to hear our thoughts and to hear us make fun of John Travolta. Remember to rate, review and subscribe.

Hosted By ; Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Inside Man (2006) vs. Thunivu (2023)

The category is "Heist Movies". Join us as two films go head to head and possibly earn a spot on our Greatest Films of the 21 Century List. First we tackle 'Inside Man' the Spike Lee joint from 2006. With Denzel Washington , Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer and Willem Dafoe going toe to toe in a taut thrill ride. Then it's 'Thunivu' from 2023. A Bollywood style action film with plenty of twists and turns. So break on in to this episode and make sure you bring the get away car. Both movies are currently available on Netflix. Remember to Rate, Review, Subscribe and Follow!

Hosted by; Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney - Thomas

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Inside Man (Netflix)

Thunivu (Netflix)

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Join us as we determine the scariest movie we have covered in our battle episodes. We have put together a bracket of all 12 horror films from Modern Classics history and judged them based on what we like to call the "Scream Scale". Movies discussed include The Host, The Village, Shaun of the Dead, Another, I Am Mother, Possessor, Escape Room, Nope, Pulse, A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, and Battle Royale. Makes sure to rate the show and leave us a review!

Hosted by Mike Evans and Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Arrival (2016) vs. Landscape With Invisible Hand (2023)

The category for today's Battle Episode is "Alien Invasions". It's time to explore a robust genre of 2000's film. We had the tough task of choosing two films to go head to for a chance of placing a spot on the Greatest Films 21st Century List. First up is 2016's "Arrival" a sweeping epic on the linguistic barriers of first contact. Then it's "Landscape with Invisible Hand" from 2023. This pick brought us a family comedy with a heavy dose of social commentary the likes of which he hadn't quite seen before. Tune in and make sure you don't get beamed up before the end of the episode. If you enjoy the show give us a 5 star rating and a review. Thanks for listening!

Hosted by Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Arrival (Paramount +)

Landscape with Invisible Hand (Rent Anywhere)

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Today's episode is all about villains as we explore the subject in our segment Keep It 2000. We also play a round of 2000 or More where Mike's knowledge of Ang Lee's filmography will be put to the test. Movies discussed in this episode include No Country For Old Men, XMen, Whiplash, Lord of The Rings, Us, Whiplash, Finding Nemo, Gangs of New York, There Will Be Blood, Training Day, Gangs of New York, The Dark Knight, and more. Remember to rate, review and follow the show!

Hosted by: Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Whale Rider (2003) vs Kontroll (2003)

The Category is “Movies From 2003” and your hosts are bringing two lesser known films to the battle arena. First up is “Whale Rider”. A coming of age tale out of New Zealand with a stunning performance from Keisha Castle-Hughes. Next up is the Hungarian indie thriller “Kontroll”. A wild ride into the depths of Budapest’s underground metro system. Mike and Kendell will discuss both films ending with a star score for each pick. If the combined star score of either movie total 8 or more then that film will be inducted onto the Greatest Films of The 21st Century List! Tune in to find out what movie and what host scores the most to win this week’s battle episode. If you enjoy the show make sure you rate, review and follow so we can grow the show! 

Hosted By: Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Whale Rider (Tubi)

Kontroll (Tubi)

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Welcome to another Prequel Episode. Mike and Kendell tackle movies in 2003. Do you remember some of your favorites from that year? Tune in to see if any are discussed. Movies covered include Head of State, Big Fish, Lost In Translation, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Master and Commander plus a lot more. Your Hosts also had some time to catch up on some films they recently got the chance to see including Weapons (2025) and Toxic Avenger (2025). If you enjoy the show make sure to follow, rate and review!

Hosted by Mike Evans And Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Seven Psychopaths (2012) vs. Under The Silver Lake (2018)

The category for today's battle is "Encore Performances". Both hosts chose a film starring an actor that was covered in a previous battle episode. Kendell's actor was Christopher Walken who was previously discussed in "The Rundown". His encore performance is in the Martin McDonagh's "Seven Psychopaths" a meta action/comedy with some unexpected twists. Mike went with "Under The Silver Lake". His encore performer being Andrew Garfield who was previously discussed in "The Social Network" and "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnasus". This one follows a hapless loser through the deep dark mysteries of LA sub-cultures. Today's episode is one you don't want to miss. Just try not to get lost deciphering all the hidden message below.

Hidden Message:

🕆︎■︎♎︎♏︎❒︎❄︎♒︎♏︎⬧︎♓︎●︎❖︎♏︎❒︎●︎♋︎🙵♏︎

⬧︎♏︎❖︎♏︎■︎◻︎⬧︎♒︎⍓︎♍︎♒︎□︎◻︎♋︎⧫︎♒︎⬧︎

Hosted by; Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Seven Psychopaths (Pluto)

Under The Silver Lake (Tubi, Pluto)

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This week your hosts discuss some recent viewings of Superman, Eddington, and Sing Sing. Then it's a breakdown of the Movies of 2010. From Oscar winners/nominees to lesser known foreign films Mike and Kendell cover a wide range of movies including Inception, The Book of Eli, Black Swan, Kick Ass, Due Date, I Saw The Devil, Macgruber, The King's Speech and more.

Hosted By Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney Thomas

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@modernclassicspodcast

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@ChadMichaelMann