Trilogy in Theory

For an episode that confronts the domestic terror that is Dakota Fanning we need three guests. Ben Zuk and David Hart of Pop Culture Case Study discuss new release AMERICAN PASTORAL which inspires a look back at Steven Spielberg's WAR OF THE WORLDS and Kelly Reichardt's NIGHT MOVES with Andrew Pierce of AB Film Review and The Last New Wave. Do we prefer Dakota young, innocent, and running from an alien invasion with expert runner Tom Cruise OR plotting with Jesse Eisenberg on nefarious uses for fertilizer? Find out in this episode and also...

Andrew speaks with great authority on the DVD black market in Thailand.

For new release CERTAIN WOMEN guest Ben Zuk helps us present our own anthology of Kelly Reichardt and Michelle Williams film collaborations. In WENDY AND LUCY a young woman becomes financially stranded in Oregon during a trip cross country with her dog, while in MEEK'S CUTOFF a group of settlers' wives are unable to participate in the decision making when their guide gets them lost on the Oregon Trail. Which place from these films proves the biggest roadblock for their respective characters? For that we bring in Andrew from AB Film Review and The Last New Wave as he is the self-proclaimed most isolated podcaster on Earth.

Also: two of the three voices on this show verify that they did not record naked.

Twitter/Instagram: @warmachinehorse

We continue to reflect back on the presidential election, though this time we do so with the help of Philip Baker Hall as Richard Nixon in SECRET HONOR. That 1984 Robert Altman film is up against J.C. Chandor's 2013 movie ALL IS LOST. This episode has been inspired by the election of Donald Trump which has hosts Chris and Mike considering a life of isolation with new release PETER AND THE FARM.

Also in this darkest timeline episode: Alfred Hitchcock is accused of being the James Cameron of his time, Hugh Jackman is anointed the hero of CHAPPIE, and James Cromwell's character from L.A. CONFIDENTIAL shoots BABE.

The episode that everyone has been waiting for, our Holocaust Denial Super Fun Happy Hour inspired by the new film starring Rachel Weisz, DENIAL. Listen to the insane ramblings of your two hosts Chris and Mike, along with some other far more harmful ramblers found in the 1999 Errol Morris documentary MR. DEATH: THE RISE AND FALL OF FRED A. LEUCHTER, JR. and the 2014 German film LABYRINTH OF LIES.

Also: we discuss the merits of moving to Canada post 2016 Presidential Election and decide that America is the It from IT FOLLOWS.

We go off the grid with guest Ben Zuk and Viggo Mortensen for new to video CAPTAIN FANTASTIC. Our travels and limited supplies do include copies of previous situation this actor has found himself in with A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE and THE ROAD. Along the way we discuss David Cronenberg's portrayal of baseball and sex (one of which bothers our host a great deal more) and eating canned fruit with Robert Duvall as the best way to spend the end days.

Join us for Mike and Ben's murder-suicide pact in our latest episode!

On this episode we account for the cinematic crimes of Ben Affleck in his new film THE ACCOUNTANT. This inspires guest Ben Zuk to join in a MIDNIGHT RUN of assessing the merits of that film starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin against De Niro and Kevin Costner in THE UNTOUCHABLES. All of this and some compliments to the beauty of Andy Garcia in an episode produced from the set of MIDNIGHT RUN!

On this episode Ben Zuk returns to program another Woody Allen film INTERIORS, which is combined with HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG for the biggest downer double feature after seeing the new popcorn thriller THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN. Though not similar in style or tone, all three films feature women who long to go home but doing so results in tragedy.

We also discuss the literary merits of beach reads and AMERICAN PASTORAL as a $14.99 paperweight.

On this episode we get all dressed up with Jairo from The True Bromance Film Podcast for an Australian film making its way to the States in THE DRESSMAKER. The fashionable feud fought by Kate Winslet inspires us to battle it out between ZOOLANDER and THE NEON DEMON.

Also Jairo gives advice on the appropriate attire for an evening at the bondage club.

On this episode we take a trip to the states of Kevin Smith. First we travel True North with guest Kristen Lopez of Journey in Classic Film and the podcast Ticklish Business for the second part of that trilogy in YOGA HOSERS. Then it's back to the States with co-host Chris Maynard and one of his guilty pleasures in JERSEY GIRL going up against the extreme and horrific politics of middle America in RED STATE.

We also make time (as we do every episode) to objectify the glorious onscreen nudity of Jeff Goldblum and Patrick Swayze.

We take a trip SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU with Cinemabun podcast host Tonja to discuss the city of Chicago and challenging first dates. Tonja also talks about her new web series WINGCHICK. Then returning guest Dwight from The Broken Brain and the Amygdala Magazine podcast dives into THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT's policy on gun control, DAVE's overthrow of the government, and the troubles of dating when the likes of Michael J. Fox and Martin Sheen are on your back about running the country.