Phil and Emily continue their miniseries on Oscar winning Best Director follow ups from the 2000s with Road to Perdition, Sam Mendes’ ambitious second feature after American Beauty. Joining them is film journalist and podcaster Blake Howard (One Heat Minute Productions), who helps unpack the film’s technical brilliance, subdued emotional core, and unique place in early 2000s cinema.

Together, they dive into Mendes’ leap from stage to screen, the film’s striking cinematography from Conrad Hall, and how Tom Hanks’ against type performance reshaped audience expectations. The conversation explores Paul Newman’s final live action role, Jude Law’s scene stealing menace, and Daniel Craig’s early career turn as one of cinema’s most dangerous nepo babies. They also debate Thomas Newman’s Oscar nominated score, the film’s release strategy, and how it stands among Mendes’ eclectic career from Jarhead to Skyfall and beyond.

With insights ranging from Jude Law’s underrated presence to the legacy of Paul Newman and Tom Hanks’ evolving star persona, this episode is both a reconsideration of a Depression era gangster story and a reflection on the pressures of following up an Oscar winning debut.

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Phil and Emily continue their miniseries on Oscar-winning Best Director follow-ups from the 2000s with Steven Soderbergh’s effortlessly cool Ocean’s 11. Joined by screenwriter Liz Hannah and producer Brian Millikin, they unpack how this slick, stylish remake redefined the modern heist film. From its razor-sharp script and effortless ensemble chemistry to Soderbergh’s precision, tonal balance, and inventive production choices, the discussion explores how Ocean’s 11 rose above formula to become a timeless crowd-pleaser. Along the way, they dive into character dynamics, behind-the-scenes decisions, and the film’s lasting place in early 2000s cinema—all while celebrating the undeniable charm of Clooney, Pitt, and company.

If you enjoy this episode and want even more deep-dive film discussions, exclusive mini-series, and bonus content, join our Patreon community at patreon.com/PodcastLikeIts.

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We are kicking off a brand new miniseries on Oscar-winning Best Director follow-up films from the 2000s, starting with Steven Spielberg’s bold and deeply divisive “A.I. Artificial Intelligence.” TV critic and Vulture writer Roxana Hadadi joins Phil and Emily for a wide-ranging conversation that digs into the movie’s legacy, Kubrick’s influence, and how the film hit differently post-Oscars and post-9/11.

They dive into the unique collaboration and friendship between Kubrick and Spielberg, how “A.I.” bridges fairy tale and sci-fi, and what it means for love, grief, and humanity to be filtered through the eyes of a robot boy. The group explores how the film’s themes of artificial intelligence, the uncanny valley, and the pursuit of parental love feel even more relevant today in a world grappling with AI and rapid technological change.

Other topics include Haley Joel Osment’s incredible performance, Jude Law’s scene-stealing Gigolo Joe, the eerie brilliance of Teddy, and why this film has remained both underappreciated and deeply beloved by fans. They also talk about the Oscars’ resistance to science fiction, the film’s release in a world still haunted by 9/11, and the surprising emotional impact the film has had on different audiences, including its resonance with the trans community.

It is a deep dive into one of Spielberg’s most complex and haunting films, a movie that still raises questions about love, loss, technology, and what it means to be human.

Follow Roxana Hadadi on Instagram: @roxana.z.hadadi

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#PodcastLikeIts2000s #AIArtificialIntelligence #StevenSpielberg #RoxanaHadadi #FilmPodcast #MoviePodcast #PodcastRecommendation #SpotifyPodcasts #SciFiMovies #Kubrick #OscarWinners #HaleyJoelOsment #JudeLaw #Vulture #FilmDiscussion #Cinephile #BehindTheScenes #PatreonExclusive #MovieCommunity #FilmHistory #PodcastSpotlight

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Emily and Phil close out their “Films of the Todds” mini series, spotlighting the distinct visions of Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field, with a thoughtful conversation about Todd Solondz’s darkly comic Life During Wartime (2009). Joining them is film critic and podcaster Chris Feil, who brings sharp insight to this follow-up to Happiness and its meditation on forgiveness, trauma, and the ways the past lingers in the present.

They explore Solondz’s unique approach to recasting characters, the film’s blend of biting humor and discomfort, and how Life During Wartime stands apart in the landscape of late-2000s indie cinema. The episode also reflects on what this film reveals about Solondz’s legacy, and why the “Todds” mini series is such a fascinating journey through some of the boldest voices in American film.

Thank you for joining Emily and Phil on this mini series ride.

#PodcastLikeIts2000s #LifeDuringWartime #ToddSolondz #ChrisFeil #FilmPodcast #IndieFilm #2000sMovies #FilmDiscussion

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Emily and Phil continue their “Films of the Todds” mini series, exploring the work of Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field. This week, they take a look at Todd Phillips’ culture-shifting comedy The Hangover. Joining them is writer and cultural critic Jude Ellison Doyle, who brings a sharp, thoughtful perspective to one of the 2000s most talked-about comedies.

Together, they discuss how The Hangover redefined studio comedy, the film’s wild storytelling and breakout performances, and how its humor and reputation have aged in the years since its release. They dig into the movie’s massive box office impact, the rise of the “wolf pack,” and how Todd Phillips’ sensibilities changed the direction of mainstream comedy.

Whether you love or cringe at its legacy, this conversation breaks down what made The Hangover such a phenomenon and what it tells us about the era it came from.

#PodcastLikeIts2000s #TheHangover #ToddPhillips #JudeEllisonDoyle #ComedyMovies #FilmPodcast #2000sMovies #FilmDiscussion

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Emily and Phil continue their “Films of the Todds” mini series as they take on Todd Haynes’s ambitious and unconventional biopic I’m Not There. They are joined by film critic and podcaster Ryan Marker for a conversation about this multi-layered portrait of Bob Dylan, identity, and the myth of American celebrity.

Together, they break down the film’s innovative structure, discuss Cate Blanchett’s acclaimed performance and the daring decision to cast six actors as different facets of Dylan, and examine how Haynes’s storytelling approach turns biography into a surreal and poetic experience. The episode also explores the film’s music, visual style, and its place in both Haynes’s career and the larger tradition of rock and roll cinema.

#PodcastLikeIts2000s #ImNotThere #ToddHaynes #RyanMarker #BobDylan #CateBlanchett #FilmPodcast #2000sMovies #MusicFilms #MovieDiscussion

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Emily and Phil continue their “Films of the Todds” mini series, spotlighting the work of Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field, with a deep dive into Todd Field’s haunting suburban drama Little Children (2006). Joining them is writer and producer Libby Hill, who brings sharp insight into the film’s complex characters, morally murky relationships, and the atmosphere of quiet desperation that runs through Field’s vision of American suburbia.

Together, they explore the unforgettable performances by Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, and Jackie Earle Haley, the film’s commentary on judgment and repression, and how Little Children solidified Field’s reputation as one of the most nuanced directors of the 2000s. Whether you’re revisiting the film or watching for the first time, this conversation sheds light on why Little Children remains one of the decade’s most quietly powerful films.

#PodcastLikeIts2000s #LittleChildren #ToddField #LibbyHill #2000sMovies #FilmPodcast #DramaMovies #MovieDiscussion

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Emily and Phil continue their “Films of the Todds” mini series—highlighting the work of Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field—by revisiting Todd Phillips’ under-the-radar 2006 comedy School for Scoundrels.

They break down the film’s blend of mean-spirited humor and underdog charm, its place in the landscape of mid-2000s comedies, and how Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder play off each other as mismatched teacher and student. Phil and Emily also explore what this film says about the Todd Phillips formula and how it fits alongside the more famous hits of his career.

Whether you’re a die-hard Phillips fan or discovering School for Scoundrels for the first time, this episode offers a fresh look at a forgotten entry in the 2000s comedy canon.

#PodcastLikeIts2000s #SchoolForScoundrels #ToddPhillips #EmilyAndPhil #2000sMovies #ComedyFilms #FilmPodcast #MovieDiscussion

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Emily and Phil continue their mini series on the films of "The Todds" Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field with a deep dive into Todd Solondz’s challenging and provocative Palindromes (2004). Joining them is filmmaker and returning guest Simon Ennis, who brings thoughtful insight into one of Solondz’s most controversial and layered films.

They explore the film’s shifting lead actors, its exploration of identity, morality, and adolescence, and how Solondz pushes the boundaries of discomfort in his storytelling. They also discuss how Palindromes fits within Solondz’s larger body of work and the early 2000s indie film landscape.

Available now wherever you get your podcasts.

#PodcastLikeIts2000s #Palindromes #ToddSolondz #SimonEnnis #FilmPodcast #IndieFilm #2000sMovies #EmilyAndPhil #FilmDiscussion

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This week on Podcast Like It's the 2000s, Emily and Phil are joined by screenwriter and podcast host Clay Keller (@claykeller) to revisit Todd Phillips’ Starsky & Hutch (2004), the action comedy that helped cement early 2000s buddy cop nostalgia.

As they continue their deep dive into the films of "The Todd’s" Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field they examine how Starsky & Hutch fits into the era’s obsession with 70s throwbacks, the comedic chemistry of Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, and whether Snoop Dogg’s Huggy Bear is the most chill informant in cinematic history.

Is this just a goofy relic of its time or a lowkey blueprint for the modern comedy franchise? Let’s find out.

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts!

#StarskyAndHutch #ToddPhillips #PodcastLikeIts #2000sMovies #BenStiller #OwenWilson #FilmPodcast #ComedyMovies #ClayKeller #MovieNostalgia

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