The Playlist Podcast Network

The Marvel Cinematic Universe makes its triumphant return to the public with “WandaVision.” And not only does the new streaming series mark the return of the MCU after being gone for over a year, but it also establishes itself as the beginning of Marvel Studios’ run on Disney+. On this episode of The Playlist Podcast, Charles, Mike, and Brian breakdown the new series and whether it lives up the hype, and then they look ahead to the other offerings from Marvel in 2021.

The most exciting filmmakers are those who meticulously curate the tone and craft of their work. Directing every episode of a television season, as “WandaVision” executive producer Matt Shakman recently did, enables an artist to have a level of control over their work that television rarely provides. “WandaVision” is the first project in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Marvel Studios’ first plunge into the world of streaming. Taking place after “Avengers: Endgame,” Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) attempt to live a normal life, only to find themselves traveling through the decades in various sitcom-esque scenarios.

It’s fitting that Shakman should find his way back to the world of sitcoms given his days on the “Growing Pains” spinoff, “Just the Ten of Us,” but an added advantage is his accomplished career as both a stage and television director for nearly 20 years. From “Mad Men” to “Succession” to “Game of Thrones,” Shakman has directed some of the most acclaimed episodes of several of television’s greatest shows across multiple genres, most notably “Spoils of War” from “Game of Thrones” Season 7. His collaboration with Kevin Feige and screenwriter Jac Schaeffer on “WandaVision” perfectly align with his desire to utilize and experiment with the genre-blurring nature of the stage in combination with complex tonal material.

“WandaVision’s” modulating tone isn’t only what makes it such a unique venture. The craftsmanship behind its loving recreation of the classic sitcoms that inspired it, including “I Love Lucy,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” and “Bewitched” is also a remarkable accomplishment. Shakman spoke about the research that went into doing this.

Our conversation with Shakman goes even deeper into the way “WandaVision” was constructed, as well as what it was like to work with Olsen and Bettany portraying familiar characters in a wildly unfamiliar setting, and an important lesson Dick Van Dyke taught him about getting authentic reactions from a live sitcom audience. Have a listen to hear from one of the key creative voices behind “WandaVision”, Matt Shakman.

"WandaVision" hits Disney+ January 15

On this episode of The Playlist podcast, we have an in-depth conversation with Rolando Rodriguez, the CEO and President of Marcus Theatres. Marcus Theatres is the fourth-largest cinema chain in the US and fifth-largest in North America with more than 1,100 screens. And with 2021 upon us, we thought this would be the perfect time to speak with an expert on the theatrical release business about the struggles of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as what the exhibition industry is going to do to make sure it survives and thrives in 2021, especially with the rise of streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max.

To remember the recently passed John le Carré and his 60-year writing career, Be Reel starts 2021 with a super-sized episode revisiting six film adaptations of the master spy novelist, including "The Spy Who Came In From the Cold" (1965), "The Constant Gardener" (2005), "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (2011) and more. Happy new year. And rest easy, Mr. Cornwell.

With 2020 finally coming to a close, The Playlist Podcast adds one more Best Of list to the pile. Well, not so much a Best Of, but instead, Charles, Mike, and Brian talk about the only list that “New Mutants” might find itself on this year, the Most Disappointing Films of 2020.

It’s finally here! After months of delays and the announcement that it would be arriving on HBO Max the same day as in theaters, “Wonder Woman 1984” is upon us. And this week’s episode of The Playlist Podcast features Charles Barfield, Mike DeAngelo, and Sharronda Williams are here to discuss the good, the bad, and the campy in one of the most anticipated films of the year. 

If you thought Pixar’s resume couldn't get any more impressive, “Soul”—the studio’s upcoming release about passion, music, and a soul-in-training—will prove you wrong. That’s no small task. After all, Pixar already boasts a repertoire of celebrated works. “Toy Story”, “Monster’s Inc.”, “Finding Nemo”, “The Incredibles”, “Cars”, and the list goes on. The team at Pixar has shown beyond doubt their ability to tell great stories and to do so year in and year out.

Pixar’s diverse blend of creative minds produces an authenticity that rings true to real life. Kemp Powers, the co-director of "Soul" and a New York City native, emphasized this authenticity in the context of the animated cityscape.

To ensure a life-like portrayal of the city—which would have to pass the scrutiny of a long-time New York City commuter in Kemp Powers—the Pixar team brought in cinematographer Bradford Young as a lighting consultant.

Beyond authenticity, it is these deeper statements that make "Soul" the movie Pixar has been building toward. By inspecting a struggling musician’s life-purpose and connection to his true self—his soul—Pixar’s latest aspires to a depth not often seen in animation. It takes chances in the same way "Inside Out" did in dealing with taboo emotion. It’s daring in the same way "Coco" was in confronting death. So sure, in watching "Soul" when it’s released on Christmas Day, you’ll be engrossed in a story worthy of Pixar’s record. But you’ll also be challenged. You’ll be made to think and feel, and you’ll leave the film with a new perspective and, maybe, a new purpose.

"Soul" hits Disney+ December 25.

As we end a truly bizarre movie year, Chance and Noah dive back into the work of seven directors who made their marks and cemented their voices in 2020. Happy holidays, one and all.

3:00- Leigh Whannell (“The Invisible Man”)

9:45 - Kitty Green (“The Assistant”)

17:20 - Jason Hehir (“The Last Dance”)

25:15 - Garrett Bradley (“Time”)

36:40 - Sean Durkin (“The Nest”)

44:30 - Eliza Hittman (“Never Rarely Sometimes Always”)

57:20 - Josephine Decker (“Shirley”)

In this episode of The Playlist Podcast, Charles Barfield, Mike DeAngelo, and Brian Farvour tackle "The Stand," the new CBS All Access streaming series that is co-created by Benjamin Cavell. The hosts actually speak to Cavell about the process of adapting a 1,200-page epic and some of the major changes that had to be made. In addition, the hosts are joined by writer/King expert Warren Cantrell, who lends his knowledge in explaining all things "The Stand." 

0:00 - 40:00 - Warren Cantell joins to breakdown "The Stand"

40:01 - 69:00 - Showrunner Bejanmin Cavell Interview

"Mad Men" star Jon Hamm seeks creative fulfillment in more places than the alpha-male, womanizing life of Don Draper. Whether he’s in budget giants like the upcoming "Top Gun: Maverick" or festival titles like "Lucy in the Sky," he gravitates toward projects he’s passionate about. In the world of television, too, he prioritizes creative alignment over adherence to a consistent personal brand, landing recurring roles in shows like "30 Rock," "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," and "Saturday Night Live." As the distinction between TV and film has grown more and more blurred, Hamm’s versatility has been an important asset.

The new landscape of entertainment has freed Hamm to pursue a variety of roles. More importantly, however, it has freed him to work with people he admires, like John Patrick Shanley, director of Hamm’s latest film, "Wild Mountain Thyme."

Of his and Shanley’s creation, Hamm says: "It's got all of the elements that make Shanley, Shanley. It's got this beautiful, magical realism. Ireland is a fanciful place. It takes place out of time. It doesn't need to be in the 60s, or the 40s, or the 20s. It has no cynicism. It has no snark. It's the perfect antidote to 2020."

In addition to exploring rural Ireland’s natural romanticism in Hamm’s newest film, our conversation ranged from being the unofficial mascot of the St. Louis Blues, to the exciting "volleyball scene 2.0" in "Top Gun: Maverick," and more. Have a listen to hear from the Mad Man himself, Jon Hamm.