The Playlist Podcast Network

People seem to enjoy the latest reboot-quel, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” which takes the beloved franchise, adds some younger actors, brings back the originals, and tells a slightly remixed story. So, in honor of that film, why not figure out what other franchises are gathering dust on the shelf and should be looked at for potential revivals? That’s exactly what happens in this episode of The Playlist Podcast.

For years, George MacKay has been one of the most fascinating and versatile actors working out of the U.K. Having made his acting debut in 2003, in P. J. Hogan's magnificent adaptation of "Peter Pan," MacKay quickly went on to give diverse, but invariably gripping performances in films such as "Defiance," "The Thief Lord," "The Boys are Back," and "Private Peaceful," all before he turned 20. More recently, MacKay electrified the screen with two top-tier performances in 2019 and 2020, first as Lance Corporal Schofield in Sam Mendes' groundbreaking "1917," and then as Ned Kelly in Justin Kurzel's Australian Western "True History of the Kelly Gang."

MacKay's latest project, Nathalie Biancheri’s "Wolf," sees the actor play Jacob, a boy who believes himself to be the titular animal, contending with his own visions and beliefs at the same time that he receives psychiatric treatment for his condition. "Wolf" is a stunning, deeply unique film with a central performance from MacKay that allows him to dive deep into his craft, as he howls and prowls around while being torn back and forth between his fantasy wilderness and the cold reality of the clinic that is treating him.

MacKay sat down with us to talk about “Wolf” and the ways in which he inhabited Jacob. "Over the last few years, so much socially and personally is being redefined by us questioning how we've been in the past as a species, to each other, and how we speak about that," said MacKay. "We look to animals because I think, at the end of the day, so much of what we're kind of discussing at the minute are articulations of very primal wants and needs to survive, very human versions of those primal desires or requirements."

MacKay also discussed the artistic intent of the film, including its bold style and unconventional sensibilities, and why it was important that they be played straight. Finally, upon reflecting how "Wolf" aided his growth as a performer, MacKay added, "I realized [before] how much I'm in my head, how I've almost revered thoughts. I stand by that in certain times. I think everything needs a lot of thought and discussion, but sometimes the noise in your brain can get in the way. The calm of being in your body, being a little less in your thoughts, is something I'll definitely take away from [making 'Wolf']."

During our conversation with George MacKay, we dive deep into all things "Wolf," including the moment MacKay found the physical cadence of Jacob, his experience working with movement coach Terry Notary, and more!

"Wolf" hits theaters on December 3, 2021.

Interview conducted by Kaleena Steakle (@ShutUpKaleena)

Hawkeye has a bit of a stigma in comics and in the MCU. He’s the dude that shoots arrows. He’s not a god. He’s not a super-soldier. And he doesn’t have a billion-dollar suit of armor protecting him. He has three kids, a wife, and a quiver of trick arrows. That’s all. Well, he also has a new Disney+ TV series, aptly titled, “Hawkeye.” And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, we got a chance to speak with Rhys Thomas, one of the directors of “Hawkeye,” to talk about what makes the archer such a great MCU character.

After many Thanksgivings spent recording supersized podcast episodes, Noah and Chance finally do the sensible thing and just cover films about Turkey Day itself. The trio of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987), “Home For The Holidays” (1995) and “The Ice Storm” (1997) explores the great lengths to which families go to gather, despite cornucopias of evidence that perhaps they shouldn’t. To all those surviving delayed flights and cooking for too many people this year, this one’s for you.

Benedict Cumberbatch has a real knack for playing unique, oftentimes misunderstood egomaniacs. Whether it’s Doctor Strange, Sherlock Holmes, Patrick Melrose, Julian Assange, or Khan, the actor finds a way to ground his oftentimes sociopathic characters in a real emotional truth. Enter, Phil Burbank, Cumberbatch's character from the upcoming Netflixfilm, “The Power of the Dog” – and a whole new level of depraved bully that the actor had to find a way to humanize. In this episode of The Discourse, Benedict Cumberbatch talks all about bringing his latest Oscar-worthy performance to life, and by going “method,” no less.

The Yellowstoners have returned to get high on that sweet Montana ranchin’ drama! This week Mike DeAngelo and Rodrigo Perez check in on the latest episode of "Yellowstone" entitled, “All I See Is You,” which follows our beloved Dutton crew still reeling from the aftermath of the attempted hit that was placed on the family at the end of last season.

Will John Dutton get to the bottom of who gave the order for the hit? Will Jimmy become a man? Will Jamie even show up? Will Beth and Rip mess their newly semi-adopted kid up so badly that he murders the entire cast? Episode 3 does nothing but deepen those questions – and perhaps raise more questions.

When you log into Disney+, you’re typically greeted by huge banners and ads for the latest, greatest releases from popular brands like Marvel Studios, “Star Wars,” Pixar, and whatever is coming out of Disney Animation. But what you might not see are the films and TV shows that lurk in the bowels of the streaming platform—hidden gems ready to be found and enjoyed. In this episode of The Playlist Podcast, we grab our gear and go spelunking through the depths of Disney+.

Netflix has decided to step into the blockbuster business, and it's spending all the money. Well, $200 million to be more exact. The film it's spending it on is a globe-trotting action comedy titled, “Red Notice,” which stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds. In this episode of The Discourse, writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber joins the podcast to discuss helming the streamer’s latest foray into blockbuster moviemaking.

The names Kaz Firpo and Ryan Firpo are probably not names you recognize right off the bat. But somehow, these relatively unknown screenwriters were able to land one of most sought-after gigs scripting one of the biggest films of 2021, Marvel Studios' “Eternals.” And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, the writing duo talks about their incredible “Hollywood dream story” and some spoiler-y tidbits about the creation of “Eternals.”

Welcome to "Yellowstoners," a new podcast from The Playlist Podcast Network dedicated to the one and only "Yellowstone," Paramount Network's most-watched show and the most popular drama series on cable TV. Surprised we watch, and care enough to do a whole podcast dedicated to "Yellowstone?" Well, so were we. But the cowboy ranchers in Montana show is pretty damn addictive, y'all. 

Created by macho Mid-Westerner writer/director/showrunner Taylor Sheridan ("Sicario," "Hell Or High Water"), the appeal of "Yellowstone" feels head-scratching until you figure out the gist of it. It's essentially "The Godfather" set in Montana or a Mid-Western version of "Succession." So that means, family empires, dynasty, greed, money, struggle for power and control within the moral milieu of trying to navigate family while you also cross criminal lines you can't uncross. There's a cost on the soul and a cost on the family. "Yellowstone" is also a little bit of "Breaking Bad" in that sense (the cross between family and crime and how the two never mix) and "Game Of Thrones," (everyone trying to claim the throne of power). Only on this show, like "Succession," Kevin Costner and the Dutton family already sit on the throne, but every single day, there is some kind of contender trying to get their main prize title: the precious and lucrative land they own. Sheridan's films and TV series are always about men in their environments and how the environments shape the men who live in them. In "Wind River," set in Wyoming, it's a cruel and merciless environment of freezing temperatures and hostile weather that makes for a milieu of cruel humanity around it. In Sheridan's upcoming series, "The Mayor of Kingstown," it's the prison industrial complex of Michigan, and the limitations it places on a town with no other hope, that informs the men there. And in "Yellowstone," it's nostalgic men and family trying to hold onto the legacy of what they own and trying to fight against the progress around them that wants to dismantle that old cowboy way of life. 

"Yellowstone" ain't perfect, but it's got a terrific cast and it's super watchable and intriguing. From here on out, we should be plodding about every episode. But in this debut episode, we break down what "Yellowstone" is for newbs, what the appeal is,  and dig a little deeper into the season four premiere that debuted recently on Paramount Network.