In this relatively spoiler-free episode, we look at the classic juggernaut that is 1967's The Graduate! Thoughts on the dialogue and camerawork, the 1963 book and its followup (yes, there was one!), the film's iconic Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack, the characters and actors who played them, and the story of my first viewing as only a Generation X-er would have it - on a VHS rented from that relic of retail, the neighborhood video store.

Writer-director Nicole Holofcener (2013's Enough Said , 2018's Can You Ever Forgive Me? ): "What's the trick to writing a great female character? Make her human." In this episode, we have a Mother's Day tribute to memorable maternal movie characters!

In this premiere episode, take a trip back to 1926, a time when the film industry was on the verge of drastic changes: "talking pictures," censorship concerns, and a growing trend toward unionism. Yes, these and more were contributing factors to the creation of Hollywood's 'highest honor.' Plus, take a crack at guessing which 1963 movie's theme plays at the beginning!