Trilogy in Theory

On this episode we answer the call of A MONSTER CALLS... and based on its box office earnings, we were the only ones. Thankfully you can listen to our advice as the hosts of the podcast Joy Sandwich, Jess and Non, join the show to steer you and your children to better monsters to befriend in LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.

ALSO: Co-host Ben Zuk briefly educates the listeners on the possibilities of procreation for the character of Ripley in the ALIEN franchise.

Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd: @warmachinehorse

On this episode we sing, dance, and dream about Hollywood making films about the dream of being able to sing and dance in Hollywood. Thankfully new release LA LA LAND is here to claim that prize and many more. But will it claim the heart of both hosts on this podcast? And can this film compete with two genuine classics in SWINGERS and MULHOLLAND DRIVE? In one film we find creative and romantic failures being cushioned by a support system of friends, and in the other a cautionary tale of putting all your dreams and love into one safety net.

More importantly, both films teach us that eating out in L.A. can get loud and scary very quickly.

For new release JACKIE we take the power of looking at how the powerful respond to death in Robert Altman's COOKIE'S FORTUNE and Stephen Frears THE QUEEN. In the former, Glenn Close covers up a family suicide to protect her perceived honor in small town Mississippi, while Helen Mirren debates the appropriate response from the British monarchy in the wake of Princess Diana's death. All of this and a thirty second review of WHY HIM? Which is what's really important currently in cinema.

Inspired by one of this year's Best Picture frontrunners MANCHESTER BY THE SEA we track down the other brothers in HUD and RAIN MAN for perhaps the biggest battle in War Machine vs. War Horse history: Paul Newman vs. Tom Cruise. From the podcast Pop Culture Case Study, Dave Hart helps us diagnose the black sheep of these respective film families while hosts Ben Zuk and Michael Denniston debate the likeability of gingers on screen.

Inspired by new release MISS SLOANE we attempt to control gun control cinema as seen in the Michael Moore documentary BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE and the John Grisham film adaptation of RUNAWAY JURY. To take on such heavy hitters as Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman we need Dwight Hurst of The Broken Brain podcast, and a huge fan of The West Wing in Ben Zuk to walk and talk with Jessica Chastain.

ALSO: We propose MySpace as a place for former jury fixers to find their next gig.

In preparing for new release NOCTURNAL ANIMALS we take the threats of authors very seriously by looking back at Jack Nicholson terrorizing his family in THE SHINING and Emma Thompson picking on Will Ferrell for being a dork who needs to die in STRANGER THAN FICTION. To do that we welcome back returning guest Margo from the podcast Book vs. Movie, and the world's biggest Tom Ford fan, Ben Zuk.

On this episode we discuss vulnerability in male sexuality with David Hart of Pop Culture Case Study. To do so, we reveal our own hopes, dreams, and desires such as the goal line stand of Jack Nicholson's hairline in CARNAL KNOWLEDGE. Or our innermost fears such as an inability to speak Spanish on a road trip with friends in Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN. All of that and a look at a frontrunner in 2016's Best Picture race with MOONLIGHT.

Also: Our Oscars expert Ben Zuk blindly predicts the Academy Awards, and our host Mike struggles to name ten good movies.

New release LOVING has us IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, albeit of a particular scandalous variety. For that we of course turn to Judi Dench in NOTES ON A SCANDAL as that relatively forgotten Oscar contender goes up against Wong Kar-wai's modern classic. But first, is the latest from Jeff Nichols going to be perceived as a new classic come Oscar time? All of that and a battle between MIDNIGHT SPECIAL and ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES in our latest episode.

On this episode we present an anthology of New York anthology films. Starting with new documentary TRUE NEW YORK, listen as your favorite Arizona and Kentucky residents explore this city of numerous romantic comedies through the eyes of Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen (NEW YORK STORIES) and Brett Ratner (NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU).

Also: we concoct a new electoral path to the Presidency with friend of the show Michael Shannon, by drawing a big red dildo over the country.

Returning guest Ben Zuk joins the show to help us translate the glowing critical response to new release ARRIVAL. Being less than enthusiastic on that film we hang out with the jaded and bored Scarlett Johansson & Bill Murray in Sofia Coppola's LOST IN TRANSLATION. That modern classic battles it out with Brad Pitt and the rest of the INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS in Quentin Tarantino's tribute to international cooperation.

Also: Ben refuses to come back to discuss Sofia Coppola's SOMEWHERE, even with the promise of WE BOUGHT A ZOO.