Sitting Around Talking Movies

Your shopping is done, the errands are finished and now you can put a bow on the holiday season. That means it's time to go to the movies dammit! While you've been busy Hollywood has been prepping all sorts of movies to vie for your attention. We start with "Bumblebee." But while you may be thinking "not another Transformers movie" this one was not directed by Michael Bay but by Travis Knight who helmed the much lauded animated movie "Kubo and the Two Strings. And it's got a female lead played by Hailee Steinfeld. Then we look at "Aquaman." It's the latest DC comics based movie starring Jason Momoa, Amber Heard and Patrick Wilson. DC movies have struggled until "Wonder Woman" came along. Is it as good as that? Then we take on "Vice." It stars Christian Bale as Vice President Dick Cheney and it's directed by Adam McKay who did "The Big Short." Plus there's "On the Basis of Sex" which stars Felicity Jones as a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It's not just a podcast - it's your cinematic stocking stuffer!

We're well into December now and that means it's time for The Very Important Movies. Or as we call 'em: Awards Bait. And one of the biggest is "Roma." It's the latest from ground-breaking director Alfonso Cuarón and it's making critics' Ten-Best lists like crazy. But is it actually any good? Let's just say we big to differ with some of our colleagues. Then there's "The Mule," directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Is it up to Clint's best? And for families there's "Mary Poppins Returns" with Emily Blunt stepping into the title role. Does it live up to the original you remeber so fondly? And finally Neil and Bill McCuddy have some opinions on the second season of "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." Let's just say there's some kvetching involved. Take some time out from your shopping and listen in! 

So here we go. The stores are mobbed, the TV is showing commercials featuring cars with giant bows (where do you get them anyway?) and the movie theaters are full of movies. So we asked Mike Sargent along to help us sort them all out. First there's "Ben is Back" which marks the return (from her mansion no doubt) of Julia Roberts as well as Luca Hedges and is about a drug addicted son. We also talk about "Beautiful Boy" which is also about a drug addicted son. Are they the same movie? Then there's "If Beale Street Could Talk," it's a romance. And we get Mike's perspective on "Green Book" and "Widows." And if that's not enough, there's "Roma" which is getting all sorts of Oscar buzz. So listen on in and make sense of the multiplex.

You're stuffed to the gills now and thinking that you'd better move or you'll be stuck in the chair listening to strange family members for the rest of the weekend. So why not go to the movies? This week we've got a virtual feast, starting with a new take on "Robin Hood." It stars Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx. It's not your grandfather's Robin Hood. Then there's "Green Book" which is getting so much Oscar buzz that you're probably thinking you've gotten a case of tinitus. Is it worth all the praise? We've also got the heist movie "Widows" which stars Viola Davis. Then there's "The Favourite." It's a costume drama but with a twist. In fact, it's downright twisted. And we finish with "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs." It's from the Coen brothers and you don't even have to drive to your theater to see it. That's because it's on Netflix. Is that because it's not a movie theater type movie? We'll let you know.

It's our 150th episode and the Broadcast Film Critics Association (we're all dues-paying members) is giving out its documentary awards this weekend. So we called in Jeffrey Wells of Hollywood-Elsewhere.com to help us look at this year's bumper crop of documentaries - some of which were nominated by the BFCA and some of which weren't. They're all awesome and you may have heard of some of them including "RGB" about Ruth Bader Ginsburg and "Won't You Be My Neighbor" about Mr. Rogers. But there are plenty you maight not have heard of and definitely should. Docs about Elvis, Jane Fonda, Gary Shandling, young scientists and insane rock climbers. We tell you everything you need to know about them so listen in!

The big movies are coming fast and furious now. So we start wthis week with "Boy Erased" which stars Lucas Hedges, NIcole Kidman and Russell Crowe. It's based on a true story of a boy sent to a "gay conversion" facility in the 1990's. It's written and directed by Joel Edgerton and getting all sorts of buzz. Can a bunch of Aussies pull off this very American story? Listen in. Then we've got "Front Runner" which is also based on a true story. Hugh Jackman (what is it with Australians this week?) plays American presidential hopeful Gary Hart. Remember Gary Hart? Remember a boat called "Monkey Business"? Now you do. And then we take on Disney's "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" which stars Mackenzie Foy, Keira Knightley and Morgan Freeman. It's a fantasy alright. Is it another "Alice in Wonderland" or Disney's biggest bomb since "Solo." We'll let you know!

After "A Star is Born" you'd think Hollywood would cool it on movies about musicians but here comes the much awaited Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody." So we got a hold of special guest Grace Randolph to see what she thinks. The film was labled a "troubled production" because its original director was fired during filming. Nonetheless, two members of Queen were executive producers on the film. Willit rock your world? Give a listen. Then Bill Bregoli tells us about "London Fields" another "troubled production" and Bill McCuddy has "Pick of the Litter." It's a heartwarming documentary about service dogs. And Neil has our DVD releases of the week. As Queen would say - it's "a killer." 

It's the time of the year when kids demand candy and scary movies come out. This year there's a new "Halloween" movie featuring the return of original star Jamie Lee Curtis. John Carpenter is executive producer and it's got everything you look for in a scary movie. But is it? We've got guet Mike Sargent along to take a look at it. Plus there's a very different kind of movie for Melissa McCarthy coming out called "Can You Forgive Me" which is getting award buzz for Ms. McCarthy. Bill McCuddy tells us about a movie he saw at the New York Film Festival that he says will end up on a lot of critics' top ten lists. And Neil tells us about seeing Jimmy Kimmel do his show in Brooklyn. Nothing to be scared of here...c'mon in.

Here's a podcast that takes you (and us) on a real trip. We start with "A Star is Born." It's the blockbuster starring Bardley Cooper and Lady Gaga. It's about the 4th time this story has been told by Hollywood but what makes this one different? Can Lady Gaga act? Can Bradley Cooper direct? We'll tell you what we think. There's also "First Man" starring Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong and Claire Foy ("The Crown") as his wife, Janet. It's directed by Damien Chazelle, who did "LaLa Land." Does it get off the ground or is it a failure to launch? And all of this happens while we're at the Hamptons International Film Festival. We talk to all sorts of interesting filmmakers about their very varied and interesting movies, all of which were impressive enough to be chosen for this prestigious film festival. Somehow they let us in too. So climb aboard, it's quite a ride!

Fall is here and there's a fresh harvest of new movies to talk about. This week we're joined by author Aaron Sigmond - he's also an editor and publisher, which is good because we could use some literary license. First up is "All About Nina" which stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as blisteringly provocative stand-up comedian whose career is taking off, but whose personal life is a near-complete disaster. Neil fell in love with it...and her. Then Bill Bregoli talks about "The Hate U Give" starring Amandla Steberg which is based on the popular YA novel. There's lots of buzz on this one and Bill B tells why. Bill McCuddy talks about an amazing documentary called "Free Solo." If you're afraid of heights be warned. And Aaron Sigmond lets us in on the world of celebrities and their watches. It's very much worth you time so give us a listen!

Here that buzz? No, it's not locusts.It's all the new award-worthy movies just over the horizon. They've been screening at film festivals all over the world and they're headed this way. So we got our friend Peri Nemiroff from Collider.com to tell us what she saw at the recent Toronto Film Festival. And if you know Peri like we do you'll guess that one of her favorites was a horror movie. Oh, but that's not all. We take a look at "Life Itself" from "This is Us" creator Dan Fogelman. Is it as good as his TV show or as bad as Rotten Tomatoes says it is? We'll let you know in no uncertain terms. Plus there's "Colette" starring Keira Knightley based on a true story about the famous French writer and her husband. Neil tells us what he thought about the Emmy Awards broadcast and Bill McCuddy has some video picks of the week. It's all right here so listen in.

"The Predator" is in theaters this weekend. No, not some horrible entertainment executive but the latest in the classic sci-fi series. The original starred Arnold Schwarzenegger but this one's got Boyd Holbrook, Olivia Munn and Jacob Tremblay (the kid from "Room"). We also take on "White Boy Rick" which is based on a true story about a 15-year-old FBI informant.. The incredible cast features Matthew McConaughey, Bel Powley, Jennifer Jason Lee and impressive newcomer Matthew Merritt. Bill McCuddy tells us about the Nat Geo documenatry "Science Fair" and he makes some bold award predictions for it. And speaking of predictions - Neil gives us his picks for the upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards. As for us, we just want to win your attention, so listen in!

Chances are you're still sweating but according to Hollywood summer is over. Done. Finished. The superhero movies are taking a breather (for the most part) and now come the award-worthy made-for-grownup movies. Well, there's "Pepermint," a Jennifer Garner action movie coming out this week. But THEN things get serious. So we've put our heads together to talk about the movies we're really looking forward to. Such as Robert Redford's final acting performance, "The Old Man and a Gun." And there's the eagerly awaited Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," and the Neil Armstrong movie "First Man" starring Ryan Gosling. And a movie many say will get Melissa McCarthy an Oscar (yes, THAT Melissa McCarthy). Curious? Give us a listen.

Summer 2018 is over (well, as far as the box-office is concerned) and what a hot summer it was! There were super hero movies and action movies and comedies and more superhero movies. Were any of then any good? Neil Roasen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli look at the summer's winners and losers. From "Mission Impossible: Fallout" to "Ant-Man and the Wasp" and "Avengers: Infinity Wars" and "Crazy Rich Asians." Did all the good ones make money? Did any of the crappy ones make money? We'll let you know. Plus Neil talks about the media's response to Aretha Franklin's passing and Bill McCuddy talks about what's going on with the next James Bond movie. So fire up the grill for the last time and give us a listen!

We're not Asian, or rich but we may be crazy, which is why we can't wait to talk about "Crazy Rich Asians." It's the first movie with an all-Asian cast since "The Joy Luck Club" came out in 1993 - before most of its audience was even born. It's also the first rom-com to come out in a very long while. Is it the old formula with a new twist? We also talk about "The Meg." That's the giant shark movie which stars Jason Statham? Is it the next "Jaws" or a fish out of water? Bill McCuddy talks about "The Wife" which has Oscar buzz for Glenn Close, and Neil talks about the new season of "Ozark." We also discuss the new Oscar category for "Best Achievement in Popular Film." Does it make the Oscars more relevant or does it cheapen the Academy Awards. It sparks some heated discussion so listen in! 

Spike Lee is back and his new film "BlackkKlansman," based on an amazing true story, is getting all sorts of buzz. So we asked Mike Sargent to join us and give his viewpoint. It's got Adam Driver, Topher Grace and Denzel Washington's son. And it also has a definite point of view. Then there's Disney's "Christopher Robin." It's a live-action, computer animated hybrid featuring some beloved characters. Is it another classic or just one of Disney's marketing ploys? We also look at the recent Comedy Central roast of Bruce Willis and Neil has news of a new Star Trek series built around one of the franchise's most popular characters. It may be warm outside but this is all very cool so give a listen.

First it was a Tv series and now "Mission Impossible" is a great big film franchise starring Tom Cruise. And the sixth - "Mission Impossible: Fallout" is now in theaters so we take a good look at it. Is it really the best MI movie yeat? Plus there's the animated satire "Teen Titans Go! to the Movies" which Bill Bregoli says isn't just for kids. Neil tells us about his sneak peek at the new season of "Better Call Saul" and Bill McCuddy details a new book about "Caddy Shack" which gives an inside view of the comedy classic. But wait, there's more, including a documentary on Billie Jean Kingand the lates movie from Timothy Chalamet. Give a listen and survive the dog days of summer.

The dog days of summer are almost upon us and it's time to take a look at some of what Hollywood has to offer. There's "Who is America" the latest from intrepid comedian Sacha Baron Cohen which is now on Showtime. Is it another "Borat" or a misstep? We'll hear what Cher has to say about "Mamma Mia Here We Go Again" and why Bill Bregoli couldn't see "The Equalizer 2." Then we take on "Skyscraper." What happened to it? Are people getting tired of Dwayne Johnson? Bill McCuddy looks at the drama "Soller's Point" and has the latest titles available on demand and now streaming. Grab a cool one and listen in.

It's been a couple of weeks since the last Dwayne Johnson movie so now it's time for "Skyscraper." This time Dwayne has to rescue his character's wife, played by Neve Campbell (!) and their kids from a burning super building in Hong Kong. There are villains and fire and duct tape. Yes, duct tape. But is it any good? Bill Bregoli, tells us all about it. Then Bill McCuddy talks about the new HBO limited series "Sharp Objects" starring Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson. Neil tells us what he thinks of the season finale of "A Handmaid's Tale" and Bill Bregoli talks about binge-watching the entire second season of "GLOW" on Netflix (he doesn't get out much). There's late-breaking Hollywood news and much more so listen in!

Hey, there's another "Sicario" movie coming out. "Sicario 2: Day of the Soldado" it's called. It's a mouthful alright.  Is it as intense as the first one? You probably heard Emily Blunt's not in this one but who is? We've invited Reg Brach, who's worked for a big Hollywood studio, to sort out just why we're always seeing sequels and remakes. He's got lots of inside knowledge to share. We also look at "Won't You Be My Neighbor," the Mr. Rogers documentary. And there's more, including Neil's video pick of the week - Paul McCartney on James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke." We also look at Jimmy Fallon's feud with Donald you-know-who. It's our very own pre-holiday firecracker!