Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) Vs. Synchronic (2019)

Another battle episode is upon us and the category is “Time Travel”. Your hosts Mike and Kendell did their best to bring you two movies you might not be familiar with. It’s an interesting conversation on the pitfalls of genre filmmaking tropes, what both films could have done better, and whether or not the time travel genre has much to offer in the way of 2000’s classics. Kendell’s pick was Safety Not Guaranteed a forgotten 2012 comedy starring Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, and Jake Johnson. Mike went with Synchronic from 2019. A gritty sci-fi drama starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan. Neither host holds back on critique which lead to some very choice words for each movie. Despite it all the question remains; will either movie make the Greatest Films of the 21st Century List? You’ll need to listen to find out. So take a pill, get on your multi-dimensional motorboats and take a ride through with the Modern Classics Podcast. Remember to Rate, Review, and Follow the show! 

Hosted By Mike Evans and Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Safety Not Guaranteed (Pluto TV)

Synchronic (Tubi, Peacock, Prime, Pluto TV) 

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Today Mike and Kendell break some ties on the Greatest Films of the 21st Century List. Then it's a discussion on the latest Ryan Coogler release Sinners (2025). Of course a prequel episode wouldn't be complete with out a game so the fellas round things out with a lesser played segment A24 Questions. Give the show a subscribe and if you really want to help out please rate, review and follow on social media.

Hosted By Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009) vs. El Infierno "Aka Hell" (2010) 

It’s battle time again and the category is “Films With A Location in The Title”. There were a lot of 2000’s movies to choose from but Mike and Kendell opted for two deep cuts. First up is Mike’s pick “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” from 2009. A drug fueled ride into the dark side of dirty cops, reptiles and an unhinged Nicholas Cage. Kendell went with the 2010 narcos crime caper “El Infierno” or “Hell” for English speakers. This pick turned out to be another hidden gem full of gore; plus some charming performances by Damian Alcázar, Joaquin Cosio and more. Tune in to see which host wins. Better yet, find out if either film will score 8 or more stars and be inducted to the Greatest Films of the 21st Century List. Don’t miss out on a rousing new episode just be sure not to run over any alligators on your way. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe. 

Watch Along: 

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (Tubi)

El Infierno (Pluto Tv - en español / YouTube- rental with english subs) 

Hosted By Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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It's a prequel episode and there's some dirty dirty business to attend to. First it's time to break some ties on the Modern Classics Greatest Films of the 21st Century List. Your hosts Mike and Kendell will have to rank 13 Assassins, Perfect Day, Little Miss Sunshine and Queen & Slim to decide the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th rankings on the coveted list. Then a discussion about the role of politics in the filmography of Christopher Nolan. To round things out is a returning segment called Kendell's Questions where Kendell Sweeney- Thomas himself delves into some scenarios based on past films covered like; Do You believe in ghost? What records from your collection would you be willing to toss at zombie heads? When was the last time you ordered a big bucket of chicken? Remember to Rate, Review and Subscribe.

Hosted by Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Little Miss Sunshine (2006) vs. Queen and Slim (2019)

Welcome to the show! It’s time to battle in the category of “Road Movies”. Kendell’s pick “Little Miss Sunshine” is an early aughts time capsule with legendary performances by Abigail Breslin and Alan Arkin. A much loved family dramedy that launched Breslin and Steve Carell into movie star status for years to come. On the other hand Mike’s pick “Queen & Slim” is a hidden gem making righteous statements on race, love, police brutality and society at large. But it’s the power house performances by Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith that make this a must watch movie. The biggest question remains: Will either picture make the Greatest Films of the 21st Century list? Tune in to find out. This episode is a smooth ride on the highway of 2000s cinema so strap and feel free enjoy the show with a side of “A la Mode”. Please rate, review and subscribe! 

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Little Miss Sunshine (Hulu)

Queen & Slim (Netflix) 

Hosted By Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas 

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50th Episode Extravaganza

It’s a very special episode of the Modern Classics Podcast as your hosts Mike and Kendell celebrate their 50th Episode milestone. Join the fun as the guys share some special messages from big names like Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson and Tracy Morgan. Plus an appearance by friend of the show Billiam (host of Future Flicks with Billiam). Then stick around for discussions of Mickey 17 (2025), Wicked (2024), Stopmotion (2023) and more. Also included is a round of the Modern Classics original film release year trivia game Making The Cut. It’s the 50th Episode Extravaganza! Don’t miss out! Remember to rate, follow and review. 

Hosted by Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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Listen to “Future Flicks With Billiam” & Follow @biliamthenerd on Tik Tok 

The Village (2004) vs. Incendies (2010)

Welcome to another exciting battle episode where two films will duke it out for a chance at being inducted to the Modern Classics Greatest Films of The 21st Century List. The category is “Movies With a Twist” with two very different films going head to head. First is M. Night Shyamalan’s period piece that’s not really a period piece The Village and boy do your hosts have some opinions. Then its Denis Villeneuve’s war set mystery thriller Incendies. A wild ride through the unknown of an extremely fraught family history. There are some major ups and downs in this episode with perhaps the most interesting double feature covered yet. Will either film score 8 or more stars and be included in the Modern Classics Podcast pantheon? Tune to find out but please don’t tell “The ones we do not speak of”. Remember if you like the episode to rate it, review it and give us a follow on Instagram and Tik Tok @modernclasicspodcast. 

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The Village (rent anywhere)

Incendies(Tubi)

Hosted By: Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas 

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3rd Biannual Past Tens Awards

Welcome to the Modern Classics Podcast the only podcast strictly covering films released from the year 2000 to the present with the ultimate goal of compiling the Greatest Films of the 21st Century List. This is achieved by the results of our battle episodes where two films face off to determine a winner of the given category. At the end of said episode we give out awards. These awards are tallied and added to the star score of each film which determines their place on the Greatest Films of the 21st Century List. Today we will review the past 10 films' award results and determine an overall winner for; Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Favorite Scene, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Director. If you lIke the show please rate it, review it and follow. It helps the show tremendously!

Hosted by Mike Evans & Kendell-Sweeney Thomas

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Mystery Team (2009) vs. Knives Out (2019)

It's a "Mystery Movie" themed battle episode as Mike and Kendell compete to add yet another picture to the Greatest Films of the 21st Century List. First it's a breakdown of 2009's Mystery Team. A raucous and raunchy comedy that gave us the feature film debut of Donald Glover. It also includes early performances and first time introductions to stars like Aubrey Plaza , Bobby Moynihan, Ben Schwartz and others. Then it's time to tackle Knives Out. The smash hit whodunit inspired by the works of Agatha Christie brought to us by modern auteur Rian Johnson. With an ensemble cast and a twisty story that does not let up it may very well be his best work. Will either film score eight or more stars and be included in Modern Classics Podcast history? Tune in to find out but please try not to vomit from the cold hard truth of their cinema insights. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to help out the pod.

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Mystery Team (Tubi)

Knives Out (Amazon Prime)

Hosted by Mike Evans & Kendell Sweeney-Thomas

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2009 was a very interesting year in cinema. Join us as we breakdown some favorites and some big hits. Films discussed include ; District 9, Up in the Air, Enter the Void, Avatar, Inglorious Basterds, Bad Lieutenant Port of Call New Orleans, I Love You Man and many others. Then we round things out with a Trivia Game 2000 or More . If you Enjoy the show give us a follow and leave a review!

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Hosted by Mike Evans and Kendell Sweeney Thomas