Mousterpiece Cinema

Hey, friends! This week's podcast is a little smaller than usual, so you may need to keep a sharp eye out for it. Actually, this podcast is extremely small, as small as an...insect of some kind. Maybe a bee? Yes, this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is all about the newest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ant-Man. That's right, Josh and Gabe are all about Ant-Man this week, and they're joined by friend of the show Jacob Hall of Screen Crush to debate whether or not this movie is a fitting capper to Phase Two of the MCU, and if Paul Rudd is the right kind of charming to play an ex-con-turned-superhero, and why the movie has a final scene lifted straight from Mac and Me. Do the post-credits scenes work? Is it enough for a superhero movie to pay lip service to a female superhero without having one? Will Gabe drown us all in puns? Find out now!

You better be listening to this episode while taking part in a solid workout, buster. Feel the burn! Push yourself! Etc.! Sorry, we're just in a very exercise-friendly mood after discussing the 1995 comedy Heavyweights on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Gabe and Josh didn't have to go back to fat camp to prepare for this podcast, thankfully, but they did get to have a flashback to the time when Ben Stiller wasn't on top of the world of film. And they're joined in their discussion by Rob Hunter of Film School Rejects, ready to debate the important topics: is Heavyweights the best of the Disney live-action output of the 1990s? Is this an early case of co-writer Judd Apatow (yes, really, Judd Apatow) making a script too long even with a 100-minute runtime? And which host does voices this week? Find out now!

Mousterpiece Cinema. Forbidding. Aloof. Terrifying. The podcast with the biggest goofballs in the world. OK, we are referencing a classic Monty Python sketch with this opening, but for the movie of the week, it makes sense. Today, Josh and Gabe are scaling new heights as they discuss the 1959 film Third Man on the Mountain. And, as Josh warned his co-host, he is full of dumb, dumb jokes this week, as well as a few impressions. (One of those impressions is inadvertently yet exquisitely timed to the recent revival of the Bill Cosby scandal! Seriously!) Did this live-action film about mountain climbing in Switzerland thaw your hosts' hearts, or were they left cold? Or, did they stay neutral like the country in which the film is set? Or, are they too busy dancing to zither music to care? Find out now!

Grab the nearest can of spinach, friends, and get ready for this week's (sound-issue-free) episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! On this episode, Josh and Gabe are headed to the lakeside village of Sweethaven to tangle with Wimpy, the Oyl family, Bluto, and everyone's favorite sailor man, Popeye, in discussing the 1980 film Popeye, starring the late Robin Williams as the title character. And, of course, this one's directed by...the auteur Robert Altman? Yes, really, the same man behind Nashville and McCabe and Mrs. Miller directed this film, just as Robert Evans produced it. Did Josh and Gabe talk about Altman's career on this episode? You bet your ass they did. (Promise: no Robert Evans impressions on the podcast itself.) Are Josh and Gabe fans of this quirky family film, or did they find themselves unable to get on its wavelength? Short answer: they yam what they yam. Long answer: listen to find out!

Friends, with this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, we have good news and bad news. The good news is that Josh and Gabe are joined by longtime friend of the show and Forbes.com film critic Scott Mendelson to talk about the latest film from Pixar Animation Studios, "Inside Out." What's more, all three of your hosts loved the film with pretty much no reservation. Unfortunately, the bad news--and it is actual bad news, not just a joke--is that the audio quality on this week's show is going to be...well, a roller-coaster ride. Due to some technical difficulties on Josh's recording, the audio on his and Scott's side of the conversation is going to be...iffy. (You may wonder if they've fallen down a well. They did not! But...yeah.) So, we encourage you to check out the show! And we warn you in advance. So...enjoy! Maybe! And sorry!

Friends, we're heading to the farm this week on Mousterpiece Cinema. Sure, you know the one, don't you? That farm where your favorite dog or cat got sent to after it was sick when you were a kid. They could run and jump and play and be happy without a care in the world at that darn farm. See, that's where all of our dogs and cats and other pets have to go when...well, when things get a bit rough. And things are getting a bit rough this week, as Gabe and Josh talk about one of the most memorable Disney movies of all time, Old Yeller. You know how Old Yeller ends, of course, and you don't even need to have seen the film. In fact, it's possible that this movie is mostly just known for its tragic ending, not the story around it. Maybe that's a good thing? Maybe Gabe and Josh didn't cry at this film? Maybe we're Ron Burgundy? (That last one may just be a teleprompter error.) Anyway, grab a box of tissues, your favorite pet, and listen to the new show!

We did it, friends! This week, we reach a podcasting plateau--200 episodes! Why, barely any other podcast has ever hit that peak before! (Don't verify our math.) And what better way to celebrate the 200th episode of Mousterpiece Cinema than with a direct-to-DVD sequel? Yes, really, thanks to issues of timing and ripping the band-aid off once and for all, Josh and Gabe are facing off with the DisneyToon Studios canon once more as they discuss the 2004 DTV release The Lion King 1 1/2. And guess what? Of all things, this one's a debate! Yes, it's true, one of your hosts didn't outright loathe this story about the budding bromance between Simba's friends Timon and Pumbaa; as they say on the Interwebs, the Answer Might Surprise You. Plus, a spirited revival of the old plea to Disney to release their old material on Blu-ray and on streaming turns into a great idea for a heist film. No fooling! Now, go listen to the show and celebrate in style!

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, we're singing loud and proud! Or, Josh is singing loud and proud, and Gabe is trying not to cower in embarrassment at his co-host's voice. But you can't really blame Josh for feeling musical on this episode, seeing as the film up for discussion is the 1996 adaptation of the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical Evita. Finally, Josh has a reason to playfully mock Madonna to superfan Gabe! But you might be surprised at how much of this discussion revolves less around music, or Madonna and co-star Antonio Banderas, or even director Alan Parker; instead, it's all about the debate between ambiguity and vagueness, between complexity and laziness, and where Evita fits. Arguments ahead, so get to listening to see which side you're on!

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, we're going to the future! Or an alternate dimension! Or another planet! Or...listen, we're just going to where the jet packs are, OK? On this episode, Josh and Gabe talk about Disney's big-budget blockbuster epic from director and co-writer Brad Bird called Tomorrowland. And they're joined by friend of the show Eric Goldman of IGN TV to discuss the important questions, such as: do you remember that CBS show "Swingtown"? You know, the one about swingers in the 1970s? It matters more than you might think to this discussion! Plus, the trio will also debate if this movie, with its George Clooney-centric kinda/sorta love story, is creepy, if its message surpasses the quality of the film, and what the hell Judy Greer's even doing in this movie for all of one second. No unique pins required--just check out the new show!

To quote a line from Rainier Wolfcastle's McBain (two weeks in a row referencing that character!), this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is Josh and Gabe: Let's Get Silly. In discussing the final monkey-themed movie of the year (for now), Josh and Gabe got very weird in this episode of the podcast. But you can't blame them for indulging in French accents, laughing fits, and more, because Monkeys, Go Home! is a very, very weird movie. Or it's a bad movie. Or it's so bad, it's good. WHICH IS IT? Find out now!

For this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, we're requiring all listeners to get their space gear in check, test their oxygen tanks, and prepare for a trip beyond Earth, beyond space, and maybe even beyond our solar system! But in case you're not ready for space travel just yet, you can still listen to the episode. This week, Josh and Gabe dig into another of the two-disc Walt Disney Treasures DVD sets, specifically the Tomorrow Land set, focusing on the way our 1950s society portrayed the future of space travel and science. Are Josh and Gabe able to embrace the optimistic futurism of this set or do they find it too quaint and dated? In short, are they ready to travel up (and at them/atom)? Or do they want to ponder their place in the dirt instead? Find out now!

It's time to assemble your team, friends, because this week, Gabe and Josh are facing off against a terrifying prospect, something more fearsome than what they've faced before: another big-budget superhero movie. Yes, of course, like everyone else in the Western world, we're discussing Avengers: Age of Ultron today. Gabe and Josh are joined in this titanic quest by friend of the show Tim Grierson, author of Public Enemy: Inside the Terrordome. The trio answer some important questions this week: is superhero-movie fatigue real? Does this movie improve on the 2012 Joss Whedon film? Are the female characters multi-dimensional and complex, or are they closer to a certain s-word Jeremy Renner's been using lately? And how is Ant-Man like Cars 2? Find out on the new show!

May the Third be with you! No, wait, hang on, that's not right. May the Fifth be with you! Hmm...still sounds funky. Oh, right, May the Fourth be with you! And what better way to celebrate this day than a two-hour discussion of the trilogy that started it all? There is no better way, trust us. Yes, for this bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe spend entirely too much time talking about Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. Plus, because of our recording date, Gabe and Josh are able to dredge up the debate they tabled in the last bonus show: are they excited for The Force Awakens? Did the new teaser rouse them with interest or bore them? Or is it just Gabe who's a Debbie Downer? And, of course, what of the original trilogy? Did George Lucas make good films or did he just fool our childhood selves? And will there be cursing? (Yes. Earmuffs, children.) Fuzzballs, get ready to laugh it up--and listen!

Hey, bros! Get ready for a full-on Brodown Hoedown on this week's Bro-sterpiece--OK, fine, Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, your top bros Josh and Gabe are getting ready to go back to college to talk about the important things about higher learning: beer, football, frat parties, and--and--AND TWINS! Maybe we're exaggerating a wee bit, but boy oh boy, does this week's movie, the 1965 film The Monkey's Uncle, feel super bro-y and misogynistic. It's so hard to avoid that Josh and Gabe go deep on this one, musing on the conservative streak in old-school Disney films, the way Walt Disney and his executives treated lead actor Tommy Kirk after his homosexuality became a flashpoint of controversy, and whether NCAA football players should be paid. Plus, Gabe brings back his Serial-esque cold-case podcast! And a bit of swearing! And Josh does a Beach Boys impression! No more talk--get to listening!

In the face of the brand-new Disneynature documentary Monkey Kingdom, here's a painful admission: I hate every ape I see, from Chimpan-A to Chimpan-Z. No, you'll never make a monkey out of me. OK, fine, this may not be that specifically related to Planet of the Apes (the movie, not the planet), or any musicals about said environment, but can you resist a good Simpsons reference. Neither can we! Anyway, on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe go up against this new, Tina Fey-narrated nature film, along with their guest, Genevieve Koski of The Dissolve. Does Monkey Kingdom play fast and loose with the facts? Is it unethical to have monkeys destroy a child's birthday party? Basically, is it actually about ethics in documentary journalism? You'll have to listen to find out!

On today's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, we're making specific and loud declarations. Such as "I DON'T WANT YOUR LIFE." Yes, that's right, you're going to get to hear Josh's impression of James van der Beek in the true classic Varsity Blues. Why, you may ask? Well, this week's movie is the Hayao Miyazaki film Castle in the Sky! (van der Beek provides a voice in the English dub, of course. But you knew that.) One of your hosts, in fact, loves the movie so much that it might be their favorite Studio Ghibli film overall. And the other host...well, he DON'T WANT YOUR LIFE. (That might spoil which of us loved the movie more.) Take a listen for more Ghibli/Dawson-cry-face talk!

The smell of the grass, the sound of a ball being hit by a wooden bat, the cries of "Get your popcorn and Cracker Jack!," and, of course, the unavoidable use of steroids. Yes, that's right, friends, it's baseball season once again! And this week, to celebrate the return of their beloved Mets and Pirates, Josh and Gabe step into the batter's box with one of Disney's modern baseball movies, the 1994 remake of Angels in the Outfield. (If only the Mets or Pirates made appearances in this one!) It's been over 20 years since this film came out, and many of its performers have gone on to massive careers, from child lead Joseph Gordon-Levitt to supporting players Matthew McConaughey and Adrian Brody. But does the movie hold up as more than a curio of expert casting? Do Josh and Gabe believe after revisiting this somewhat religiously-themed film? And how the hell did Gabe not hear about the Netflix revival of Full House yet? Find out now!

Thanks to a unique case of electromagnetism (or some such), we've been gifted temporarily with the ability to read your thoughts, friend. And so we promise, this episode is completely April Fools Day prank-free. Pinky swear! Unfortunately, in some ways, Gabe and Josh got pranked this week by their choice of film, the 1964 comedy The Misadventures of Merlin Jones, which is all about a nerdy college kid being able to read people's thoughts! Until...he can't. Yes, this movie is surprising, but in a lot of the wrong ways. Even more so, Gabe's presumption that this movie would be monkey-heavy may have been equally misguided! What mysteries await? What happened in this movie that bothered Gabe so much that he cracked open his Sherlock Holmes costume to solve a cold case? Find out in the new show!

It's bear-ly spring, friends, but for some of us, the weather has become truly unbearable! Oh, come on, you're not really that surprised that it took bear-ly two words for some choice bear puns in this podcast description, are you? And why would you be, with our film of the week, The Country Bears from 2002? Yes, Mousterpiece Cinema has gone for the easy pun this week, as Josh and Gabe are joined by return guest Mark Pfeiffer to talk about all things Country Bears, from the famous Jamboree at Walt Disney World to Don Henley. (Yes, that Don Henley.) Does Mark still appreciate this oddball film as much as he did originally? Was Josh able to resist bear puns, or did he stand above his co-host? And what opinion of Josh's is likely to infuriate a subset of fans? Listen to find out!

Make sure you're dressed to the nines, dear listeners, because we've got quite the high-class tale to talk about on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Did you ever see the film about the beautiful, kind, and silently suffering young woman who, with the help of a fairy godmother, falls in love with a handsome prince and gets to go to a fancy royal ball in a pumpkin-cum-coach? No, silly, we don't mean the 1950 animated film Cinderella; we mean the all-new, live-action Disney film Cinderella, from director Kenneth Branagh! Yes, the 2015 remake is on the docket today, and Josh and Gabe are joined by friend of the show Tasha Robinson of The Dissolve to talk about saying yes to the dress (and goodbye to swallowing food), how Robb Stark looks like Michael Fassbender clean-shaven, talking mice, and the gloriousness of Cate Blanchett. But did they like the new Cinderella? Did it prove its worth as more than a brand deposit? Or is this just another sign of the poor quality of live-action reboots? Put on both o