We’re just over a year into the Watch This podcast and what better way to mark this than with our first foray into the world of Paul Thomas Anderson? This movie’s got it all: a lush period setting/look, snappy dialogue, a bangin’ soundtrack, a pair of talented newcomers for lead actors, an unhinged Bradley Cooper, and a very brief cameo from John C. Reilly. Just the right ingredients to make this fabulous Licorice Pizza! Also, apologies to RYANcomedy, whose Kidz Bop video (or, rather, one of a few) I played the entirety of during this episode.

Intro song: Pointy Features x Kanisan x Softy - Nightcall

Outro song: Oatmello - Minimal

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/licorice-pizza (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Note: This was gonna be out on Monday, but I kept forgetting about it and ended up releasing it two days later. My apologies, but at least it gave me the opportunity to give a tip of the hat to Earth Wind and Fire and their epic ballad about the 21st night of September.

As a prelude to our forthcoming commentary for Licorice Pizza, and as part one of our first anniversary special, we take a look at Paul Thomas Anderson’s previous project from about two years previously: a mini-visual album set to three songs from Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke’s solo project Anima. Rock of Ages' (Andrew's podcast) resident Radiohead stan Izaiah joins us for this experience that’s been referred to as a “one-reeler” even though no one specifically mentioned it in this episode but that doesn’t matter. Let’s watch Anima!

Intro music: prima - june gloom

Outro music: SiIvaGunner - File Select (OST Version) (Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story)

Watch Anima here: https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/81110498 (Netflix subscription required)

What happens when you get the guy who directed Adaptation and Being John Malkovich to helm an adaptation of a beloved children's book? You get this bittersweet fable with a stacked cast and one of the most impressive fusions of full-body puppets and CGI ever crafted. Despite initial complaints that it was too dark for a family film, it’s proven to be a favorite among viewers looking for unorthodox family fare. Let’s watch Where the Wild Things Are!

Intro song: VΛN - love on hold

Outro song: Cassidy Godwin - Home

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/where-the-wild-things-are (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

So it’s come to this. I didn’t even think we’d be doing Morbius this early in the game, but Nick picked it for his first birthday episode (a bit late). Anyway, four months of Morbius jokes and memes on Watch This (and even spilling into Rock of Ages) have led up to this moment of crazy Morbin’ action. Long live the #MorbiusSweep.

Intro song: Spencer Hunt -  dreamscape

Outro song: Trent Ivor. - moths and their love for street lamps (w/ jüle.)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/morbius (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

In the Heights is the musical that propelled Lin-Manuel Miranda to the Broadway elites. Just over a decade later, it became this movie. It’s our last show before our first planned hiatus, and it’s a fitting temporary sendoff, filled with boos, Dall-e shenanigans, and all-around general camaraderie - with all four of us for once. See you in September!

Intro song: Ambulo - Serene

Outro song: HOME - Atlas

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/in-the-heights (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Everything is Awesome! This week we’re watching The LEGO Movie, which has got to be one of the most potent combinations of visual creativity, hilarity and genuine heart in all of 21st century animation. It also set the stage for other stylized animated films like Into the Spider-Verse and The Mitchells vs. the Machines - both of which, surprise surprise, Phil Lord and Chris Miller also had a hand in. But does it hold up in 2022? Of course it does.

Intro song: through & through - every summer

Outro song: GentleBeatz - Playground

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/lego-the-piece-of-resistance (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

It’s Andrew’s first birthday episode and his gift to the Watch This crew is the first entry in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series. This slice of life middle school movie was mostly dismissed by critics but has gradually become a cult classic, fondly remembered by the Millennial and Gen Z crowds (ourselves included). And we hope you get some mileage out of it too. Zoo-Wee Mama!

Intro song: Dr. Dundiff - Through the Woods

Outro song: HOME - Flood

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Sorry for the delay… to paraphrase Gabe Newell, after several weeks in development, we hope this episode was worth the wait.

This week we get acquainted with French auteur Jacques Audiard, one of the best and most eclectic filmmakers you’ve probably never heard of. He won the Palme D’or, the highest prize at Cannes, with this masterful portrait of three Sri Lankans escaping war by posing as a family. Fire-forged family - just the kind of thing we enjoy! Because deep down, we ARE one. Anyway, enjoy our commentary for Dheepan! (And watch it go completely off the rails as per usual.)

Intro song: Ellr - Azure

Outro song: Jnmarseille13 - sleepy all day long

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/dheepan (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Note: Apologies for there not being a "real" episode this week, due to an unforeseen personal event (i.e. testing positive for COVID) and the absence of key WT personnel on the desired recording dates, our commentary for Dheepan has been delayed to sometime after next weekend (i.e. Monday or a bit later). In the meantime, I had this special bonus episode recorded last week, before getting sick, and decided "Why not bring it out now?" So here it is.

So recently my buddy Andrew’s podcast Rock of Ages did an episode on Beastie Boys’ seminal album Paul’s Boutique and it inspired me to do a mini-episode on their Fight For Your Right Revisited music video. Picking up where their debut video left off, the Beasties (here consisting of Seth Rogen, Danny McBride, and Elijah Wood) set off on a destruction spree. Hilarity ensues - and we’re here to witness every second of it.

Intro music: utsush - i guess it's ok

Outro music: SiIvaGunner - A Proper Story (Bastion)

Watch Fight For Your Right Revisited here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evA-R9OS-Vo

And hear Rock of Ages' episode on Paul's Boutique: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nDyo7wwpHNMnz23HyBFsD