The LAMBcast

This is a housekeeping episode of the Lambcast. There were a couple of important and controversial film releases that got moved around on our schedule to make way for another project. We catch up with both of them this week as the Vern, from Cinema Recall, joins the show. You can expect a debate on the Tom Cruise Movie, because one of us loved it and the other loathed it. The Social Reckoning provokes more discussion of political issues than you will usually hear on the show, but not enough to keep anyone away. Divisive opinions are also the subject of the exit question this week. Opinions differ but tempers don't flare as we talk about all of these topics.

We have an epic showdown of movie franchises this week on the LAMBcast. Five LAMBs battle over Movie Franchises that they want to add to their slates. Everyone has to choose a film franchise in seven different categories. This means that this episode may well contain the greatest number of films ever attempted in a single episode. Four Time Draft Champion Aaron Neuwirth will be challenged by Tony Cogan, Justin Gott and Jay Cluitt (the former Shepard of the Lamb) as well as your current host and Shepard. Aaron's slate of films alone contains sixty eight films. This is a jam packed episode which will keep you rooting for your favorites to be remembered. You will also be surprised by some franchises that get overlooked. It's a long show, but you can pause to go pee if you need to, the guests did. 

September this year brings us a Biopic as the genre for the MOTM episode. The community chose a film that is fifty-six years old and won the Best Picture Award from the Motion Picture Academy, the wartime biography of General George S. Patton. Famously, actor George C. Scott declined the award for Best Actor, becoming the first to do so.  The film is made on an epic scale and we have an epic guest list to discuss it. Matthew Simpson, Howard Casner, and James Wilson, take turns finding important points to make about the movie. So Be Seated, and listen, because no listener wasted their time listening to the LAMBcast, the LAMBcast makes your time something that is not wasted. 

Our five member jury renders a verdict on the nearly shelved film which escaped into theaters this week. Warner Bros. does not seem to trust their own IP and tried to take it as a tax write-off three years ago. Aggressive fan backlash encouraged them to find a buyer and Ketchup Films provides the distribution that this seemingly unwanted film needed. We reached na unanimous decision on the movie, and you will want to listen as to why. James Wilson is blessedly back and lends some gravitas to the deliberations. Jury Foreman Todd Liebenow was probably in the bag three years ago. Howard Casner and The Vern are also on the panel and they justify their verdicts pretty convincingly. Put on your rocket skates and get ready to take off with the LAMBcast. 

Our resident Horror maven will tell you that 2026 has been a banner year for the Horror genre. We are not going to wait till October to start talking about Horror films, we are diving in now. Piker Richard had only a handful of fright films to bring to the show, but Aaron Neuwirth and Lisa Leaheey more then compensated with their lists of films. Lots of recommendations but also a fair amount of warnings, and some disagreements to go along with both. There is also a chilling conversation that tries to define the genre, so be sure to stick around for the Exit Question. 

It's hard to go wrong with an Alfred Hitchcock film as the subject of your movie conversation, and this week's episode proves that. Howard Casner, Matt Simpson, and Dave Anderson tie themselves into knots trying to explain the attraction of this film. Is it the Approach that Hitchcock took in filming the movie? Maybe it is the creepy philosophy the antagonists use to justify their depravity. We had a big difference of opinion on whether the performances might account for the merits of the film, did one actor reveal the frays in the film?. We go down a few rabbit holes in search of movies that use similar approaches and of course we talk about a few other movies made by the actors and director. It's a compelling conversation, there is subtext and drama a plenty. 

We take a break from new movies this week and talk about the subjects the guests themselves created. This turns out to be a Philadelphia heavy conversation with two guests from the area and several films set there. Nicole Ayers has reservations about films that were hyped up to her and you may be surprised at a couple of them. Matthew Poirier sticks close to the Direct to Video content he loves but embraces one of the great action stars of an earlier era. You are also going to get some Brian DePalma talk and opinions. Your movie buddies are having a conversation and you don't want to be left out. 

The biggest movie of the year draws the smallest cast of Lambs possible. Fortunately, our guest Jeanette Ward is passionate about "Spider-Man" so you are going to get an inciteful conversation and evaluation of the newest Marvel Film. Tom Holland and Company return to the "Spider-Verse" and attempt to rectify the personal crisis that Peter Parker faces. At the same time a dangerous new threat to NYC appears and it's time to do some "Spider-Manning" with a little outside help from some other MCU characters. This two hander episode of the LAMBcast, will have plenty to hold you attention for an hour, so get going.

We have five LAMBs and Twenty-five films from 1977, and we deliberately left out Star Wars. Get ready for a deep dive into the Cinema of this great decade . Howard Casner trots out his Five Best Films, but Dave Anderson, Todd Liebenow, and David Brook, choose some random films that are simply their favorites' of that year.  There are at least five science fiction films on the list as well as, four horror films, six comedies, and several action movies, thrillers and some animated faire. We even have a documentary to show we are not complete philistines. 
You will not want to miss this fun episode of the Lambcast featuring one of the formats most loved by the community. So put on you dancing shoes, polyester shirts, and bell bottoms and find some films you are going to love. 

The most highly anticipated film of the year gets a thorough going over by the cast of this week's episode. The movie, which has received widespread praise from other sources, gets some unexpected opinions on this show. Lisa Leaheey, who teaches the literature in her freshman English classes, has insights into what is left out, moved around and changed from Homer's work. Nicole Ayers overcomes the lack of an IMAX theater in her city to still have some strong opinions of the film. Speaking of strong opinions, iconoclast Howard Casner will have the most controversial things to say about Christopher Nolan and his storytelling skills. There is plenty to talk about and not everyone shares the same opinions about the 2026 version of "The Odyssey".