Mousterpiece Cinema

Episode 435: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Well, friends, this is it. They say all good things come to an end, and so too is it true for the Skywalker Saga from Lucasfilm. Oh, and also Mousterpiece Cinema, the podcast whose description you're reading right now. Yes, this really is the very last episode of the podcast, and Scott and Josh are here to close it down by looking at the latest and purportedly final episode of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. They're joined by the very first guest this podcast ever had, and one of the first co-hosts Josh ever had, Gabe Bucsko, to talk about this final chapter of the franchise and the podcast. Kind of a shame that The Rise of Skywalker ended up being...well, put it this way, your three hosts are all on board with not liking this movie very much at all. But make sure you check out the show anyway! So long and thanks for all the fish, friends.

Episode 434: The Santa Clause

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! There are just four shopping days until Christmas Day 2019, and there are just two more episodes left of Mousterpiece Cinema before we go away for good! On our very last Revisited episode, Scott and Josh are talking about a modern Christmas favorite, the 1994 comedy The Santa Clause starring Tim Allen as a guy named Scott who turns into everyone's favorite gift-giver. Josh hasn't talked about this film for eight whole years -- has he become even more of a fan? And it turns out that Scott (from real life, not the film) hadn't even seen this before -- is this the kind of film that makes him feel jolly or just ill? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 433: Noelle

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time to get ready for the holiday season, if you haven't already gotten in the Christmas spirit. With just three episodes left of Mousterpiece Cinema, two of the last three are going to be all about the most wonderful time of year. This week, Scott and Josh are joined by longtime friend of the show Scott Meslow, who becomes our final inductee into the Five-Timers' Club as we all sit down to discuss Noelle. You remember Noelle, right? The movie that came out last month with the arrival of Disney+? It stars Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader! It's a real movie! ...Kind of! What did your hosts and guest think of the new film? Is the movie an utter waste of its talent? Why did the filmmakers go to the trouble of getting Phoenix locations right if they didn't film there? And what do your hosts think of Disney+? Find out now!

Episode 432: Frozen II

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 7 Dec 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and even though Scott and Josh are getting close to the end of the podcast's run, they've still got some big titles to talk about. On this episode -- our first of December, and fourth-to-last overall -- Scott and Josh are talking about what's surely going to be the biggest animated film of the year, Frozen II. They're joined by return guest Kristy Puchko of Pajiba to talk about the massive hit in which we learn even more...kind of...about Queen Elsa of Arendelle. Is this film a solid follow-up to the 2013 phenom? Does the mythology make sense? And does this film do right by fans who see Elsa as a queer-coded character? We've got a lot to talk about this week, so get to listening right now!

Episode 431: Lady and the Tramp (2019)

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and as we get ready to sunset this podcast, it's high time that we discussed one of the big new offerings from the new streaming service Disney+. That film, of course, is the remake of Lady and the Tramp, featuring the voices of Justin Theroux and Tessa Thompson, and actors like Yvette Nicole Brown, Ken Jeong, and ... F. Murray Abraham? Yes, really, this has a very eclectic cast in service of a story you've probably seen before in one way or another. Scott and Josh are joined today on the podcast by longtime friend of the show and Eight-Timers' Club inductee Monica Castillo to discuss this streaming feature. Is it as good as the original, or better? What are this film's charms? Does Josh hate rescue dogs? Listen to find out!

Episode 430: Ford v Ferrari

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! We're revving up on this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Scott head to the pit and start getting into it like gearheads. Because, you see, today's episode is all about fast cars and the men who ride and build them. Specifically, we're talking about the new James Mangold film Ford v Ferrari on today's show, a 20th Century Fox film starring Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, and more. It's the story of how Americans and a prickly English race-car driver came together to take down the Ferrari machine at a 24-hour race in France in the mid-1960s. Does the film have a sleek body? Are its wheels shiny enough? Is it...y'know, any good? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 429: The Aristocats

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and the first of the post-Disney+ era. This week on the show, Scott and Josh are doing their penultimate Revisited episode as they look back at the 1970 Disney animated film The Aristocats, featuring the voices of Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, and more. Josh has already gone on record, time and again, as not remotely having liked this film in the past. Has he finally changed his mind, or is he still staunchly against this laid-back story of a prim domesticated animal who falls for a fellow from the wrong side of the tracks? And does Scott's nostalgia for the film mean he'll be fighting in favor of The Aristocats? Naturallement, you'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 428: Quiz Show

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 9 Nov 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and the best way for you to listen to it is just by heading into this soundproof booth here, placing these old-school headphones on and waiting to be given a question. Just one question and you could win a lot of money! OK, don't mid that you were given the answer a day ago, just do your best to make it seem exciting. That, in a way, is the premise of the movie we're talking about this week, the 1994 drama Quiz Show, directed by Robert Redford, starring Ralph Fiennes, John Turturro, Rob Morrow, and many more. Josh and Scott are joined today by Five-Timers' Club inductee Noel Murray to talk about the Best Picture nominee, Robert Redford's career as a director, and which of the three actors listed above is giving a real clunker of a performance. Listen to the show to find out who!

Episode 427: Pretty Woman

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 2 Nov 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, friends! As we say goodbye to Halloween and hello to the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, Mousterpiece Cinema is getting closer and closer to saying goodbye for good. Today on the show, we're finally talking about one of the biggest films from the Walt Disney Company filmography, one of the most popular comedies of all time: Pretty Woman. Josh and Scott are joined by longtime friend of the show Emma Stefansky of Thrillist to discuss this 1990 classic starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, directed by Mr. Marshall (please, call him Garry). So does Pretty Woman stand the test of time after nearly 30 years? And what is it like to watch this movie...for the first time? Because one of the people on this episode a) had never seen this before and b) ...uh, did not like it. You'll probably guess who! But listen to the show to find out!

Episode 426: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Josh and Scott are headed straight to the Moops this week. Uh...sorry, the Moors, not the Moops. That location is, as we are sure you all know, the setting for a lot of the action in the new Disney movie Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, our movie du jour. Is this sequel to the 2014 live-action revival of Sleeping Beauty enjoyable? Does it make sense for this film to even exist? Is it possible for a new movie to waste a perfectly delightful and campy performance from Michelle Pfeiffer? Check out the new show now to find out!

Episode 425: Something Wicked This Way Comes

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a spooktacular new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Scott and Josh are revisiting a scare-ifying adaptation of Ray Bradbury's novel Something Wicked This Way Comes. The 1983 film inspired by the book, starring Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce, is all about what happens when a mysterious new carnival comes to a small town and the havoc that it wreaks. Is the movie still worth talking about? Considering that it wasn't included in the massive announcement from Disney+ (and unfortunately, we recorded this episode before that reveal, so don't expect any chatter from us), is this a film that's worth forgetting? And how is it possible that a spooky movie like this could waste Pam Grier? Find out now!

Episode 424: Cradle Will Rock

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 12 Oct 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a big new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, because Josh and Scott are talking about an important piece of American history this week. Their subject this week is the Great Depression, circa the mid-1930s in New York City as anti-Communist sympathies were on the rise even as Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency was aimed at putting people back to work in every walk of life, including the theater. So, really, our subject this week is the 1999 film Cradle Will Rock, with an ensemble cast including everyone from Paul Giamatti to Jack Black to Bill Murray to Vanessa Redgrave to Hank Azaria to Emily Watson. Does this little-seen, remarkably political film from Touchstone Pictures deserve a second life? Before you find out, Josh has some important news about the future of the podcast, so you won't want to miss this episode.

Episode 423: Ruthless People

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 5 Oct 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and on this week's episode, we're feeling tough and rough. Specifically, Josh and Scott are feeling like talking about Ruthless People, the 1986 comedy starring Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold, Bill Pullman, and more. They're joined by longtime friend of the show Danny Bowes, who joins the Five-Timers' Club as he discusses this 80s-era comedy from three very distinctive comedy sources, the filmmaking team behind Top Secret and Airplane!. Does this movie belong next to those two as a comic gem of the decade, or is it utterly baffling that the men behind Airplane! also made this story of what happens when a rich man tries to get his wife to be murdered via kidnapping? Find out now!

Episode 422: Ad Astra

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we hope that you're prepared for a very long journey through the deepest reaches of outer space. That's where we're headed for this episode, as Scott and Josh talk about the new Brad Pitt-starring science-fiction film Ad Astra. Your hosts are joined by friend of the show and Five-Timers' Club inductee Fran Hoepfner to talk about this new James Gray film, the notable action sequences in this new film, and whether or not this features the best Brad Pitt performance of 2019. Is Ad Astra worth your time? Should Disney keep making movies like this through the Fox studio? Can Scott ever scoff at Josh's bad jokes ever again? Find out now!

Episode 421: Ransom

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're getting very dark and intense this week on the show. Because, you see, things are getting serious for Josh and Scott, or at least for the characters in the film that your hosts are discussing. That film is Ron Howard's 1996 thriller Ransom starring Rene Russo, Delroy Lindo, Gary Sinise, and, uh, all-around cool dude Mel Gibson. (Yes, we do acknowledge his...uh...all-around coolness. How could you not?) Has this movie stood the test of time over nearly 25 years? Is it as entertaining as it might have been all those years ago? Does Josh remember having seen this movie at all? Find out now!

Episode 420: Muppet Treasure Island

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, friends! We hope you're prepared to go out on the high seas for some big adventure, because that's where we're headed this week on a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Scott and Josh are headed back to a film most piratical as they revisit the 1996 comedy Muppet Treasure Island, featuring the Muppets, Tim Curry, and more in this take on Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Your hosts are joined by longtime friend of the show and Seven-Timers' Club inductee Griffin Newman for an exciting, unexpectedly contentious conversation about this film and all of its intricacies. Is Muppet Treasure Island one of the great Muppet films, or just a mildly charming one? Is the music worth its salt? Are the Muppets used well? And how did this movie fare in the box office? You'll want to stick around to find out the answer to that last question, because boy, do we have a doozy of a Box Office Game. Check out the new show now!

Episode 419: Step Up 3

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 7 Sep 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're closing out our mini-series on the films of the Step Up franchise today with Step Up 3. Or, if you like, Step Up 3D, because, yes, Virginia, this 2010 threequel was released in the 3D format. Scott and Josh are joined once more by friend of the show, and Five-Timer Club member Kate Erbland of Indiewire to talk about the series, this film's many dance sequences, and how utterly ridiculous it gets when the characters stop hoofing it up and start talking to each other. Is this the best film in the series? Is it a good movie? Can it be one and not the other? Check out the new show to find out!

Episode 418: Corky Romano

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're wrapping up the dog days of summer with a real howler. This time around, Scott and Josh are talking about the 2001 comedy Corky Romano, all about a veterinarian who is tasked by his mobster family to break into the FBI and get evidence to clear his dad's name. Oh, and it stars Chris Kattan as the title character. Yes, the SNL alum and his style of humor doesn't really work for your hosts, but boy, oh boy, does it work for our guest this week, the podcast's former co-host Gabe Bucsko. Have you ever wanted to hear a legitimate fit of the giggles from Gabe? You are in luck this week, even as Scott and Josh look on in dismay. Check out the new show now!

Episode 417: Keeping the Faith

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! We hope that you're respecting the Shabbos, or preparing yourself for church tomorrow, because this is a very religious episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. In fact, we're talking about both Judaism and Catholicism this week, because those religions are somewhat the subject of the 2000 romantic comedy Keeping the Faith. Starring Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, and Jenna Elfman, Keeping the Faith is all about what happens when a priest and a rabbi...fall in love with the same woman! Wackiness ensues, and Scott and Josh are here to talk about all of it, from this movie's very 2000-era storytelling, its weird references, the strangeness of the fact that this is the only movie Edward Norton directed for nearly 20 years, and more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 416: Step Up 2 The Streets

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! Get on your dancin' shoes, because it's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. And you know what, you might not even need shoes for this one, because if you're a real dancer, you can dance anywhere, anytime. On a subway car! In the rain! Those are just two of the many locations in which dance sequences occur during Step Up 2 The Streets, the focus of this week's show. Scott and Josh are joined once again by Kate Erbland from Indiewire to talk about this 2008 sequel and its mostly entirely new cast. Plus, of course, there's discussion about movies with killer tigers, the actress Kaya Scodelario, Netflix shows, Disney earnings, and much, much more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 415: The Help

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! We hope you've got some cornbread and a sweet tea at hand, because Scott and Josh are headed to the Deep South for the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Specifically, they're headed back to the halcyon days of the 1960s in the Mississippi as they discuss the period drama The Help, starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, and an Academy-Award winning Octavia Spencer. Remember The Help? It's been eight years since this film came out and became a huge hit at the box office, before getting multiple Oscar nominations. How does the film hold up after just eight years? Is this entertaining, or just a lazy history lesson? Is the film doing poorly by its characters or by racial and gender stereotypes? Find out now!

Episode 414: The Black Cauldron

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 3 Aug 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're getting...well, very murky on this episode. Josh and Scott are revisiting one of the low points of Disney animation in this episode. In fact, they're talking about a film that just about ruined Disney feature animation for good, the 1985 summer release The Black Cauldron. Scott and Josh are joined by Vox critic-at-large and friend of the show Emily VanDerWerff to discuss the strange Welsh-inspired film that nearly sunk Disney because of its high budget, its dark story, and its violence. Is this a misunderstood masterpiece? Should there have been songs? Or, is it possible that there's already a song in this movie, sung by Ray Parker, Jr. himself?!? You'll have to listen to the show to find out!

Episode 413: The Lion King (2019)

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! Are you ready for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema? Because Scott and Josh are headed back to the jungle for this one, as they're talking about the beloved animated film The Lion King, featuring the voices of James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, and--wait, hold on, sorry. Scott and Josh are talking about the...animated remake of The Lion King today, featuring the voices of...still James Earl Jones, and also Donald Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Yes, it's the biggest movie in the country right now, but your hosts and their guest -- the delightful Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times -- are not remotely impressed with the photorealism, the limp story, and the lifeless songs. Why does this remake fail to get why the original works so much? Sit back and relax -- we've got a lot to say on this one!

Episode 412: Step Up

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! We hope you're feeling fresh and loosened up for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, because we're going to be putting on our ballet shoes and tutus for this one. Or maybe we should just put on a fresh beat and get to a more aggressive form of dance. That's because Josh and Scott are talking about the 2006 dance drama Step Up this week, with friend of the show Kate Erbland of Indiewire joining them to talk about the big breakout film for Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan. Does this old-fashioned throwback stand up in the year of our Lord 2019? Is it the kind of movie studios should be making more often? Or should films like this just be all about the dance sequences? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 411: Tron

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hello, programs! We hope you've prepared yourself appropriately, that you're jacked in, that you're blasting your biodigital jazz, and whatever else you need to prepare, because it's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, Scott and Josh are going into the computer...OK, they're just going into the world of computers as they revisit the 1982 cult film Tron. Yes, you remember Tron, right? You've seen it? Well, if you haven't, you're in for quite a treat as your hosts talk about the film's impact, its effects, and whether or not its writing and direction are salvageable enough over 35 years later. Check out the new show now!

Episode 410: Summer of Sam

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 6 Jul 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's that time of year -- the summer. The heat is rising, baseball is in full swing, and people are getting murdered left and right. OK, well, to be fair, we're talking about a very specific summer on this brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. The summer of 1977 in New York City, to be particular, and what an eventful summer it was. It's the subject of the Spike Lee film Summer of Sam from 1999, featuring John Leguizamo, Mira Sorvino, Adrien Brody, and more. This week on the show, Scott and Josh are joined by Roger Ebert contributor Odie Henderson to talk about this hot mess of a movie, from its extreme profanity to its orgy scene. (This is maybe the most R-rated film we've ever discussed on the show!) But is it an enjoyable hot mess or just a hot mess? Check out the new episode to find out!

Episode 409: Toy Story 4

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey howdy hey, everybody! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and the toys are back in town once more as we get set to talk about Pixar's latest film, Toy Story 4. Scott and Josh are raring to go as they sit down with friend of the show Kristen Lopez to discuss the fourth entry in the now 25-year old series, and talk about whether this movie could ever possibly hope to live up to our expectations. Is the new Toy Story movie as good as its predecessors? Is it better? Is it possible that Josh is the most positive person on this episode? Does this feel like a feature or a series of shorts strung together? These are all questions we answer in the episode, so you might as well listen -- right now!

Episode 408: Toy Story 2

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and to listen to this one, you better make sure you've gathered the whole Roundup gang, from Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl to that trusty horse Bullseye to even Stinky Pete the Prospector. You probably already guessed, but we're talking about the Pixar Animation Studios film Toy Story 2 on the podcast this week, as yet another of our Revisited shows. Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show and freelance writer Noel Murray to talk about the now-20-year old film, and whether or not it truly is the best Toy Story film. (One of the three of them would say not!) In advance of our Toy Story 4 podcast next week, we're looking back at the first sequel in the franchise, talking about everything from parental metaphors to the inevitable Woody prequel. Check out the show now!

Episode 407: Dark Phoenix

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this time, Scott and Josh are forging a new frontier of the podcast as they talk about their first film during the Disney/Fox era. And what better film to start with than the latest X-Men movie? You know...Dark Phoenix? Dark Phoenix, you guys! The new X-Men movie! With Sophie Turner from Game of Thrones! It's totally a thing, a real movie that just opened last week. And we are pretty sure we saw it! Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show and recent guest Alan Zilberman of Washington City Paper to talk about what is likely the last X-Men movie of this era, and why it's pretty damn forgettable. Plus, Josh reveals how this movie inspired him to do something he hasn't done in years in theaters! It just might shock you. Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 406: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 8 Jun 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, friends! Get yourself a nearby spell book and some brooms and mops, because it's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. On this episode of the show, Josh and Scott keep up the trend of talking about live-action remakes of Disney animated classics, by discussing the 2010 action film The Sorcerer's Apprentice, starring Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel as the sorcerer and his apprentice, respectively. Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Steve Greene of Indiewire to talk about the film, its connections to Fantasia, the work of Alfred Molina, Nicolas Cage and his automotive loves, and whether or not this is the rare live-action remake to be so different from its inspiration to be enjoyable. Listen to the new show now!

Episode 405: Aladdin (2019)

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 1 Jun 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for you to grab a magic carpet and fly down to Agrabah so you can start listening to a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. You might have already guessed it, but just in case you didn't, Scott and Josh are headed back to this mysterious, fictional Middle Eastern city to talk about a story that..well, they've already talked about. You know, the one about the street rat who finds a lamp and gets three wishes from a big blue genie. Of course, it's Aladdin, the 2019 live-action/CGI remake of the animated classic, this time starring Will Smith as the Genie. Scott and Josh are joined by longtime friend of the show Tim Grierson to talk about the new film, and why it either only barely works or doesn't work at all. And if you've wanted to hear Josh go off about these remakes, well, you are in luck. This one's a long episode, so sit back and get comfy and start listening!

Episode 404: The Strongest Man in the World

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 25 May 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's that time of year again -- time to celebrate dads and grads! Since school's letting out, Scott and Josh figured it was the right time to close out the Dexter Riley trilogy on this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Your hosts come together -- sadly sans guest -- to talk about the 1975 film The Strongest Man in the World, starring Kurt Russell, Joe Flynn, Cesar Romero, and more. But who is the strongest man in the world, at least within this film? Why is Kurt Russell in so little of a movie that is ostensibly...about his character? More to the point, who is even the main character of this film and possibly the entire trilogy itself? All of these questions, plus at least one or two references to Arnold Schwarzenegger, can be resolved by listening to the new episode!

Episode 403: The Muppet Movie

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 18 May 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new, inspirational, Muppetational episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Scott get ready to revisit one of the great all-ages movies, The Muppet Movie. No reason to hide our feelings here -- your hosts are both big fans of the 1979 classic that introduced Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and other Muppets to the big screen with their ruminations on the rainbow connection, movin' right along, and more. Your hosts are joined by friend of the show Odie Henderson of RogerEbert.com to talk about the film, its cameo performers, its timelessness, its all-killer-no-filler songs, and more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 402: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 11 May 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! Head with us under the sea for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Scott have matching wetsuits and beanies at the ready, and there's plenty more where that came from, as they talk about the 2004 Wes Anderson comedy-drama The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. They're joined by friend of the show Alan Zilberman of the Washington City Paper to talk about all things Zissou, from the potentially off-putting lead performance from Bill Murray, the film's use of David Bowie covers, its pristine production design and cinematography, its use of stop-motion animation, and more. Does this film hold up as well now as it did in '04? Is it best left forgotten? Find out now!

Episode 401: Avengers: Endgame

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 4 May 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Scott and Josh are talking about...well, you know which movie we're talking about this week. It's only the biggest film of the year so far, Avengers: Endgame. Scott and Josh are joined by freelance writer Aaron Pruner on this week's episode as they assemble to discuss the culmination of the Infinity Saga in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yes, fine, it's a movie we've all seen at least once by now -- and if you haven't, this whole episode is a spoiler -- but is Avengers: Endgame as good as its biggest fans have said? Does it all work in the end? How does this film handle its heroic women? And anyone not named Tony Stark or Steve Rogers? Listen to the new episode to find out!

Episode 400: Penguins

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a very special new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. What's so special about this one? Well, first of all, Scott and Josh are joined by their old friend and the podcast's former co-host Gabe Bucsko for this one! And even better, it's the 400th episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! So what movie are we talking about? It's the one on everyone's mind during this last weekend of April: ...Disneynature's Penguins. (We'll talk about that other movie next week.) Scott, Josh, and Gabe tackle everything under the sun about this documentary, from the treacly narration and score to its IMAX-shot photography to the Notre Dame fire and Abigail Disney's criticism of wage inequity at Disney. (Everything under the sun, we promised.) Sit back and relax: this one's a lot of fun so check it out!

Episode 399: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and on this one, Scott and Josh are headed underwater. We're, in fact, headed under the sea. 20,000 leagues, that is, because we're talking about the 1954 sci-fi classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, starring Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre, Paul Lukas, and James Mason as the mercurial and mysterious Captain Nemo of the superpowered submarine Nautilus in this adaptation of Jules Verne's iconic novel. Josh hasn't talked about this movie since the sixth episode of the podcast -- has his mind changed over nearly 8 years? What does Scott think about this early live-action hit? Is it more or less impressive in 2019? Is it truly a whale of a tale? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 398: Adventureland

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, friends! Grab your 8-track, prepare to win a chintzy prize, and drive moodily down the roads of New Jersey with us on this brand new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! This week on the show, Josh and Scott are headed back to the 1980s, and the life of young Scott, as they discuss the 2009 coming-of-age romantic dramedy Adventureland starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, and more. This blast from the past causes Scott to reminisce a bit about his own version of this coming-of-age story, of a guy lusting after a girl who might be out of his league, and also wonder if the whole film is just about a kid no longer being a virgin. Is the film as charming as it was a decade ago? Does this movie need to be...canceled? Find out now!

Episode 397: Dumbo (2019)

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 6 Apr 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! Take a look up there in the sky. Is that a bird? A plane? A superhero? No, it's just a flying elephant, the kind of thing you might see in the new version of Disney's animated classic Dumbo, the topic of discussion on a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Scott sit down with longtime friend of the show and Eight-Timers' Club inductee Keith Phipps to talk about the live-action/CG remake of Dumbo from director Tim Burton, and pinpoint exactly why it doesn't work. They discuss everything from the film's unexpected cameos, reference points to the animated film, and science. Science is great! Let's science some science, like the characters in recent Disney live-action fare do! Learn more about science, and also Dumbo on the new show now!

Episode 396: Saludos Amigos

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're talking about an historic film this week. In fact, Josh and Scott are revisiting another older animated film, the 1942 feature Saludos Amigos. This predecessor to The Three Caballeros is, it should be noted, barely a feature film as it runs just over 42 minutes long. This episode, though, is a little bit longer, as Josh and Scott are joined by longtime friend of the show and new Eight-Timers' Club member Monica Castillo to talk about Saludos Amigos, cultural tourism, the position of this film at the time of its release, and just a little bit of talk about a certain new Disney movie that remakes an animated classic. Check out the new show now!

Episode 395: Now You See Him, Now You Don't

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this time around, Josh and Scott are preparing themselves for some wacky hijinks. That's because we're talking about another comedy from the era of Disney's live-action films of the 1960s and 1970s, Now You See Him, Now You Don't. The title may not suggest it, but this is the second entry in the famous Dexter Riley trilogy starring Kurt Russell, so that means that your hosts are joined today by friend of the show and Five-Timers' Club inductee Rob Hunter of Film School Rejects! Is this movie an improvement on its predecessor? Is it weird for Kurt Russell to visibly not be in as much of this movie? Is Josh being too hard on movies of the era? Listen to find out!

Episode 394: Captain Marvel

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're going to the stars with this one. Just like most of the world, Scott and Josh have seen the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain Marvel, and they're going to talk about this week. They're joined by friend of the show and Five-Timers' Club inductee Emma Stefansky of Thrillist to discuss the Brie Larson-fronted superhero film, the burden of expectations for the first female-led superhero film in the MCU, the worst of the online trolls and their terminology, and more. Is this as good a film as other recent entries of the MCU? Is it fair for a film that's not about white guys to be the most amazing thing ever? Is Josh going to gag over terms like "incel"? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 393: 10 Things I Hate About You

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 9 Mar 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this is a very special and unexpected one. If it was a normal week, Josh and Scott would be sitting down to talk about a film, but oh no! Scott came down with a nasty cold that destroyed his voice, so what is Josh to do? Instead of soldiering on by himself, Josh invites friends of the show Kristy Puchko of Pajiba and Bilge Ebiri of Vulture to talk with him about the 1999 teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You. As this film hits its 20th anniversary, how well does it hold up? Does the Shakespearean adaptation work well in 2019? Are Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles as charming now as they were back in the day? And what the hell is the failed sequel 10 Things I Hate About Life? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 392: The Game Plan

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 2 Mar 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're ready for the big game on this one. Josh and Scott are headed to the football field for this episode, tossing around the ol' pigskin as they talk about the 2007 family comedy The Game Plan, starring a younger, somehow less incredibly buff Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as a star football player whose life is upended when he learns that he has an eight-year old daughter he never knew existed. This comedy is all about formula, and this episode is no different! References to the Mousterpiece Cinema Bingo Card? Check. Tangents? Check. A rant about the recent recipient of the Best Picture Oscar? Check and a half, and bring your earmuffs for that one. Plus, of course, we talk about why The Game Plan's formula doesn't quite pan out, so check out the new show now!

Episode 391: The Three Caballeros

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are going on a ride through Latin America. They've got their magic carpet ready, they've brought their swim suits, and now it's time to travel from Paraguay through Brazil right back to Mexico with their friends and yours, The Three Caballeros. That's right, we're revisiting this 1944 animated package film from Walt Disney Pictures, starring Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles! Your hosts are joined by longtime friend of the show, and Seven-Timers' Club inductee, Monica Castillo to talk about all things Caballeros, from their presence in the Disney theme parks, their hidden new TV show, the surprising diversity on screen in a period where Disney animation wasn't known for its diverse characters, the animation quality, and much, much more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 390: King Arthur

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and for this show, we've drawn swords and are prepared to do battle on any field, be it grassy or icy. That's going to come in handy, because we're talking about a very unique take on one of the most memorable English-language myths of the last handful of centuries: Antoine Fuqua's 2004 action film King Arthur, starring Clive Owen, Keira Knightley, Ioan Gruffudd, Ray Winston, Mads Mikkelsen, and more. Scott and Josh are joined by Bright Wall/Dark Room editor-at-large and friend of the show Fran Hoepfner to talk about this turgid, joyless film, why it failed back in the summer of 2004, the creepiness of the key romance, misogynistic marketing, and more!

Episode 389: Doug's 1st Movie

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 9 Feb 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this is an episode all about firsts. Such as, say, the first time one of the people on the podcast has to be reminded that they've seen a film before! But let's not spoil things too much, as Scott and Josh sit down post-Sundance to talk about a very deep film about coming-of-age angst, romance, Big Chemical, lake monsters, and Herman Melville. That's right, we're talking about Doug's 1st Movie on today's podcast, and your hosts are joined by friend of the show Brad Oman (AKA Ethan Anderton) from Slashfilm to discuss this adaptation of the show from Nickelodeon and ABC, and why this one feels too much like the later version than would be preferable. Are the non sequiturs worth the rest of the movie? Is this movie truly forgettable? Find out on the new show!

Episode 388: Eight Below

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 2 Feb 2019 01:00:00 -0800

OK, campers, rise and shine! And don't forget your booties because it's cold out there today. Of course, it's cold out there every day! But just because this episode is releasing on Groundhog Day doesn't mean we're talking about that movie today. However, Josh and Scott are talking about a movie full of cold weather in this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. In fact, they're discussing Eight Below, the inspired-by-a-true-story tale of eight dogs in the Antarctic struggling to survive on their own for a few months. Co-starring Paul Walker, Moon Bloodgood, Bruce Greenwood, and lots and lots of good dogs, does Eight Below still entertain your hosts? Are they good dogs, Brent? Or is this movie a real howler? Find out on the new show!

Episode 387: The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time to go back to school -- Medfield College, that is. Josh and Scott are headed back to the era of wacky Disney live-action comedies for this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as they talk about the first of three Dexter Reilly movies, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. Josh and Scott are joined by longtime friend (or frenemy?) of the show, Rob Hunter of Film School Rejects, to talk about this early entry in the MCU (Medfield College Universe, duh), why Josh may be mean to this film (!), and whether or not it's fair to judge movies like this on how funny they are in the year 2019. Sit back and relax, because this one's a wild ride!

Episode 386: Lady and the Tramp

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're once again going to the dogs this week. Scott and Josh are headed into the Wayback Machine for another Revisited episode as they discuss the 1955 widescreen animated film Lady and the Tramp. Josh wasn't too hot on the film back in Episode 36, but has his perspective changed? Is Scott a fan of the film? Or is the movie too pro-dog for either of their tastes? Your hosts delve into the animation, the songs, and yes, of course, the racial and ethnic stereotypes that are impossible to avoid, and even a little discussion of The Aristocats, so check out the new show!

Episode 385: Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Volume Two

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 12 Jan 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and the first podcast that we recorded in 2019! (Not the first episode of the year, to be fair.) It's time for one of our sporadic deep-dives into the Walt Disney Treasures collections of DVDs, this time talking about Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Volume Two. These shorts, which premiered between 1928 and 1935, span everything from the days when Mickey Mouse and his sweetheart Minnie played music and danced around in synchronized movement to...the days when Mickey and Minnie...played music...and danced around...in synchronized movement. Yes, Josh and Scott find out the hard way that a lot of the Disney shorts of the early 1930s tread similar ground, but how many of them stand out nearly 90 years later? Are there any awkward depictions of racial stereotypes? And speaking of racial stereotypes, keep an ear out for some time-specific references to the Golden Globes and how excited your hosts are when a certain film about old-fashioned race relations wins big!

Episode 384: Cabin Boy

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 5 Jan 2019 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, friends! Happy 2019, and welcome to another year of Mousterpiece Cinema! We're kicking off the new year by commemorating the 25th anniversary of a film that opened on the first Friday in January to almost entirely harsh, very negative reviews. But is it possible that this film was unfairly maligned by critics back in early 1994? The film in question is the cult comedy Cabin Boy, starring Chris Elliott as one of the infamous fancy lads who has to go on a unique quest to become a man, encountering talk-show hosts who sell monkeys, six-armed women, giants, iceberg monsters, and, of course, Andy Richter. Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show Charles Bramesco for the first episode of the new year to talk about whether or not this film is as good as its cult reputation suggests, if critics had it right the first time, deepfakes, and, of course, a healthy amount of U Talkin' U2 To Me? references. Check out the new show now!

Episode 383: Mary Poppins Returns

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! Get out your kites and balloons, and keep an eye out on the lovely London sky, where you just may see a proper English nanny fly down with an umbrella! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and to end 2018, we're talking about one of Disney's biggest gambits of the year, Mary Poppins Returns. This sequel to the 1964 classic that made a star out of Julie Andrews stars Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, two Paddington Bears, and a whole lot of BMX bikes. (Because why else do you make a sequel to an old movie if not to have extreeeeeeeme stunts?) Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show Kristen Lopez to talk about this new film, and while we wish we could tell you that we think this film is practically perfect, we...uh...don't. Instead, we're digging in deep into why the film struggles, whether or not it's an impossible task to improve upon the original, and why it's not a good thing that Ben Whishaw gives the film's best performance. Check out the new show now!

Episode 382: Beaches

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Did you ever know that you're my hero? That, in fact, you're everything I would like to be? Oh, and I--well, I can fly higher than an eagle! Because you're listening to the brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, of course! And in case the song lyrics aren't enough of a hint, then you should know that Josh and Scott are guest-free this week as they commemorate the 30th anniversary of Garry Marshall's melodrama Beaches, starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey as friends whose relationship spans decades, romances, and more. Does Beaches stand the test of time? Is this film the wind beneath our wings? Or is it another very strange film from Mr. Marshall (please, call him Garry)? Find out now!

Episode 381: Bedtime Stories

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're getting ready to head off to sleepy-town. It's just so late, you know? So what we need is nothing short of a bedtime story...maybe more than one, so let's skip the actual storytelling and watch a movie all about them. Yes, on today's show, Josh and Scott are talking about your favorite Disney film from 2008, Bedtime Stories. With none other than the Sandman as the lead, you know? Adam Sandler! He really did make a Disney movie! But is it any good? Is this more than just a lazy Happy Madison production? Does the fact that Scott and Josh spend the last 15 minutes of the show talking about their end-of-year lists give you a hint? Check out the new show now!

Episode 380: Mary Poppins

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 8 Dec 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! Scott and Josh are excited to welcome you into a very special episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. In fact, you might even say that this episode is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! That's because, as you have already guessed, we're revisiting the 1964 classic Mary Poppins on this week's show. Scott and Josh are joined by special return guest Kristy Puchko of Pajiba to talk about all things Poppins, from the beloved music (and some of its darker elements) to the performances from Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, to which of the segments is equivalent to a scene from Singin' In The Rain, to whether or not the idea of a sequel 50-plus years later is a good idea considering how charming this movie is. Check out the new show now!

Episode 379: Ralph Breaks the Internet

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 1 Dec 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are diving into the world that's housed their podcast all these years. That's right, we're going into the Internet, just before it gets broken by everyone's favorite 80s-era arcade-game bad guy, Wreck-It Ralph as we discuss the new Walt Disney Animation Studios film Ralph Breaks the Internet. Scott and Josh are joined by Sean P. Means of the Salt Lake Tribune to discuss the new movie, its very timely jokes, whether or not a movie like this needs to be universal, how much of the clever humor works, whether the movie should be a little less clever, and...well, just lots of talk about this very clever--too clever by half, you might say--new film. Check out the new episode now!

Episode 378: Dan in Real Life

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this time, we got the whole family together after so many years apart. And we're going to make sure to get all sorts of fun activities in before the big celebration is over at the lake house. We'll have a talent show, a crossword competition, some Jazzercising, and hey, wait, where are you going? We're just talking about the family at the center of this week's movie, Dan in Real Life. Yes, the 2007 dramedy with the most unlikely love triangle (Dane Cook, Steve Carell, and Juliette Binoche) is our focus this week, as Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Steve Greene of Indiewire to discuss whether or not this movie is charming or cloying, or somewhere in between. Does this movie suffer from having too many characters? Is the love triangle believable? And what is Emily Blunt doing in this film? Find out now!

Episode 377: Wreck-It Ralph

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Scott and Josh are headed to the arcade for this one. In fact, they're diving into a movie that Josh discussed way back in 2012 all about video games. That's right, they're revisiting Wreck-It Ralph, the Walt Disney Animation Studios film featuring a bad guy who wants to be a good guy, a good guy who wants to control a video game, and more. Has Josh finally found a kindred spirit when it comes to this movie? Or is he once again out on a limb about this film, which he might still not like? And how much does the new film--which both of your hosts have seen--influence their experience of the original? Find out now!

Episode 376: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are headed to a magical land full of strange creatures, exciting stories, and plenty of adventure. No, not Narnia. No, not Wonderland. No, not Oz. Why, it's...the land of the Four Realms, of course! Specifically, your hosts are talking about the new Disney film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms on the podcast, and they're joined by friend of the show Karen Han of Polygon to discuss this new movie and why, exactly, it is so damn strange. What's with the sexy baby voice Keira Knightley's sporting in this film? Is John Lithgow a classic Karen's Boy? And which famous meme does Karen learn about for the first time in this episode? It's a wild one, so check out the new show now!

Episode 375: Enemy of the State

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 3 Nov 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! Are you ready for a raucous, wild episode of Mousterpiece Cinema? Well, dive into your nearest off-the-grid cage after downloading the show so you can dive right in! This week, we're celebrating the 20th anniversary of a film featuring Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina King, Seth Green, Jack Black, Jamie Kennedy, Scott Caan, Jason Robards, and we could keep listing actors, but we'd be here all day. The movie, of course, is Enemy of the State, from director Tony Scott, and your hosts are joined by two old friends of the show: Danny Bowes and Jason "Five-Timers' Club" Bailey! Fair warning: not only is this a raucous episode, but it is peak Earmuffs. (So...y'know: lots of swearing.) But this one's a lot of fun, as we talk about all sorts of important things, like whether or not we love films like The Conversation, and, of course, the names of characters in the film. So check the new show out!

Episode 374: The Insider

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's that time again--time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! This week, as the merger between the dual monoliths of Disney and Fox grows ever closer, Scott and Josh are nostalgic for a period barely 20 years ago when the Walt Disney Company released a film that was all about how corporate greed nearly toppled the publication of the honest, unvarnished truth about cigarettes. Remember Michael Mann's 1999 film The Insider? You should! It's our film of the week, and Scott and Josh are joined by freelance film writer and critic Bilge Ebiri to discuss all things Insider, from Russell Crowe's remarkably intense performance to the state of journalism in the 1990s, and with just a smidgen or two of Josh's very, very bad impression of Al Pacino. (But no "Hoo-ah!" reference. Except in this description.) Listen to the new show now!

Episode 373: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 01:00:00 -0700

If you had to be honest with yourself, would you be able to provide the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything? Do you even know the question of Life, the Universe, and Everything? Well, if you need a place to start, consider this brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! In this week's show, Josh and Scott are hanging out, just a couple of super chill bros, talking about the 2005 adaptation of Douglas Adams' iconic piece of science-fiction comedy, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, starring Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, and more. Does this film hold up to the beloved novel, and to the BBC radio series that Scott loved when he was a little boy who wanted to be a big boy? Is it possible that there's such a thing as too much Sam Rockwell? How adorkable is Zooey Deschanel in this film, anyway? Find out now!

Episode 372: The Black Hole

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for Scott and Josh to head into their special spaceship and approach another Revisited episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, they're in deep space with their special guest, freelance writer and podcaster Keith Phipps (now a member of the Seven-Timers' Club!), as they discuss the 1979 cult favorite The Black Hole. Remember? The big-budget film that served as Disney's first PG-rated film that Josh discussed in Episode 10 of this show! Yes indeed, and boy, is this a special movie. But not in the right way. For Keith and Scott, who grew up with this film in ways Josh didn't, does The Black Hole resonate? And what of the amazing dialogue that is in no way exposition-heavy? And what the hell happens in the ending? You'll have to find out on the new show!

Episode 371: Beloved

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 6 Oct 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for another brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, we're talking about a very big movie, even if it's one that got ignored by audiences back in 1998. Scott and Josh are headed back to the Reconstruction era of the United States to talk about a film depicting the aftermath of slavery among African-Americans of the 1870s, Jonathan Demme's adaptation of Beloved starring Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, and more. Scott and Josh are joined by longtime friend of the show and Six-Timers' Club inductee Monica Castillo to discuss the weighty impact of Beloved, the film's epic and unique qualities, exactly how terrible of a person Josh is, and also...bingo! (It'll all make sense, promise.) Check out the new show now!

Episode 370: Tuck Everlasting

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are drinking from this very special well of water they found while wandering in the forest, and you can't tell anyone! It's very secret water, and if you let anyone know about it, you'll....be in trouble! Or we will! One of those! OK, we might have just seen a movie about people who have had a sip or two from a fountain of youth. In fact, it's our movie of the week, Tuck Everlasting, the 2002 adaptation of the Natalie Babbitt novel starring Alexis Bledel, Jonathan Jackson, a very weird Ben Kingsley and more. Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show Fran Hoepfner of Bright Wall/Dark Room to talk about the story, the film's brief running time, the heat or lack thereof between Bledel and Jackson, Kingsley being a real creeper, and lots more. Check out the new show now!

Episode 369: The Joy Luck Club

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and for this episode, Scott and Josh are getting ready to sit down and play some mah-jong, and listen to some epic stories about the Chinese-American experience in the 20th century. Yes, this week, we're celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Joy Luck Club, the film adaptation of the iconic Amy Tan novel, featuring Ming-Na Wen, Rosalind Chao, Tamlyn Tomita, and...Andrew McCarthy. Josh and Scott are joined by Inkoo Kang of Slate to talk about the impact this film has had on modern culture, its depiction of very different mothers and daughters, and whether or not there's such a thing as too much narration. Does The Joy Luck Club still hold up, especially in light of the recent phenomenon Crazy Rich Asians? Find out now!

Episode 368: Dumbo

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! We're taking to the skies this week for a very special episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Scott are revisiting one of the vaunted classics of the Golden Age of Disney Animation, the short but memorable 1941 film Dumbo. They're joined by National Catholic Register film critic Steven Greydanus for this Revisited episode of the show, as Josh looks back on a film he hasn't discussed in full in seven years. Is Dumbo one of the true classics of Disney lore? Does "Baby Mine" still have the same emotional power for adults as it did for all of us as little boys who wanted to be big boys? Or does Dumbo feel like the weak link in the Golden Age? Find out more on the new show!

Episode 367: Super Mario Bros.

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 8 Sep 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's-a us, the hosts of Mousterpiece Cinema! We're getting into character this week as we talk about one of the truly memorable video-game adaptations, the 1993 film Super Mario Bros. starring Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, Dennis Hopper, Samantha Mathis, and more. Yes, to commemorate the 25th anniversary, we're talking about a movie with a truly awful reputation, and are joined by longtime friend of the show Scott Meslow of GQ to talk about whether Super Mario Bros. deserves its bad reputation. Is this film really as bad as everyone, including its very lead actors, say it is? Do you need to know the game to like the film, or does that make it worse? Can your hosts do a serviceable Brooklyn accent? Find out now!

Episode 366: Kronk's New Groove

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 1 Sep 2018 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's that time once more, time for another new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! And this episodes marks yet another special occasion, as it's time for Scott and Josh to delve into another of the direct-to-DVD sequels made by DisneyToon Studios. They're heading back to the valley to get into the groove, or trying to get into the groove, with Kronk's New Groove. (Sorry, all you hopeful fans of Bambi II. We know we had it scheduled, but you'll just have to wait.) Longtime listeners will remember that Scott's a big fan of The Emperor's New Groove, while Josh was a bit cooler on the 2000 original. But what did they think of the 2005 sequel? Is it as funny as the original? Is it better for Kronk to be a sidekick? Does anyone care about his daddy issues? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 365: Disney's The Kid

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and it's another episode all about little boys who want to become big boys, and big boys who come into contact with their little-boy selves. OK, that last part might be unique to today's movie, Disney's The Kid (not to be confused with the Charlie Chaplin classic, which you all were going to do, DON'T LIE). Josh and Scott talk in-depth about the 2000 comedy featuring a very young Spencer Breslin playing the young version of a very grouchy Bruce Willis. This one's got a very overqualified cast, including Jean Smart, Chi McBride, and Lily Tomlin, and is from longtime Disney journeyman director and recent The Meg filmmaker Jon Turteltaub. But is it any good? Should The Kid be remembered as an underrated gem, or has it been rightly forgotten? And how hard does this movie's score need to chill out? Find out on the new episode!

Episode 364: Spirited Away

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Scott and Josh are headed to the truly magical world of spirits this week. We're revisiting a film that many critics and fans might call one of the very best of the 2000s, Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away. Scott and Josh are joined by freelance writer and still the most frequent guest on the show, Alexander Huls, to talk about this 2001 animated film and whether or not it's as wonderful as everyone else says. If you've never heard Josh talk about the film--and since it was the topic of the fifth episode of the show, way back in 2011, you may not have!--you may not be shocked to hear his grumpy side rear its ugly head. Do Scott and Alex love the film? Are they less warm to its charms? Find out now!

Episode 363: Christopher Robin

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and for this show, we're headed deep in the Hundred Acre Wood, where a little boy who wants to be a big boy plays with his stuffed animals. Specifically, Scott and Josh are talking about a new Disney film about what happens when that little boy a) becomes a big boy and b) has to act like a little boy all over again! Yes, we're talking about Christopher Robin, the new film starring Ewan McGregor and lots of CGI stuffed animals, all about an adult version of everyone's...uh...favorite Winnie the Pooh character. Scott and Josh are joined by Hoai-Tran Bui of Slashfilm to talk about the new film, the way that Winnie the Pooh and his friends inhabit Taoist tendencies, and why the hell everyone in the world hasn't fallen completely in love with Paddington 2. Check out the new show now!

Episode 362: He Got Game

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 4 Aug 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's the dog days of summer, and we're mixing things up on this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Sure, it's about to be the NFL preseason, and America's true pastime, baseball, is in full swing. But this week, we're talking about a movie that's all about another big American sport, basketball. Specifically, Scott and Josh are talking about the 1998 Spike Lee sports drama He Got Game, starring Denzel Washington and a young Ray Allen as a man let out of prison and the frustrated but talented son he tries to convince to go to college, respectively. After twenty years, how well does He Got Game hold up? How shocking is it, especially in light of recent events at Disney, for a movie as adult as this one and a director as fiery as Spike Lee to have found at home at the Walt Disney Company? And which sport is truly America's greatest? Find out the answers to these questions and more on the new episode!

Episode 361: Armageddon

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Well, folks, it's time to rip off a particularly painful Band-Aid on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Scott are headed back in time about 20 years to talk about one of Michael Bay's earliest, and possibly worst, films, the sci-fi action film Armageddon. Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Emma Stefansky of GQ and Vanity Fair to talk about this Baysterpiece, its massive ensemble cast, and its utter disregard for all logic, common sense, or joy. (It's possible that one of your two hosts really hated this movie.) What good is there in this film? Is it secretly enjoyable in spite of its bad scriptwriting? Does Michael Bay even deserve all of the blame? And do your hosts and guest indulge in a fair bit of profanity this week? The answer to that last one is yes, so...earmuffs, children! Now, go listen to the new show!

Episode 360: WALL-E

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's that time of the month again, as Scott and Josh head back into the annals of Mousterpiece Cinema episodes to do a Revisited show! This week, Scott and Josh are headed into the reaches of deep space and hundreds of years into the future to spend time on a luxury space cruise liner with lots of overweight humans and a couple of plucky robots. Yes, that's right, we're talking about the 2008 Pixar film WALL-E on this episode, and your hosts are joined by friend of the show Angie Han of Mashable to talk about the now-decade-old film. Is WALL-E still an adorable masterpiece? Is this Pixar's boldest film to date? Does it make a lot of sense how and why human babies are still getting churned out in the 2800s? You'll have to listen to the show to find out!

Episode 359: Ant-Man and the Wasp

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! No, we haven't gone invisible on you--we've just shrunk this brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema down to a miniscule size for your entertainment. Yes, you might have already guessed it, but this week on the show, Scott and Josh are headed to the quantum realm of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to discuss the MCU's 20th movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp. They're joined by longtime friend of the show and new member of the Six-Timers' Club, film critic and podcaster Tim Grierson, to talk about whether this sequel measures up to the 2015 original, how well the movie handles making Evangeline Lilly a bigger part of the story, and whether or not this movie has enough Michelle Pfeiffer. Should more MCU movies be low-stakes? Should Scott Lang hang out with the Avengers more often? Do the post-credits scenes live up to their promise? You'll have to find out on the new show!

Episode 358: What's Love Got To Do With It

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 7 Jul 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for yet another brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are taking the spotlight for a musically themed movie. Specifically, they're talking about the 1993 biopic of Tina Turner, What's Love Got To Do With It, which depicts the rise of young Anna Mae Bullock into one of the biggest rock stars in the world, but only after surviving an intensely abusive relationship with songwriter/guitarist Ike Turner. Scott and Josh are joined by Craig Lindsey of Nashville Scene and The Village Voice to talk about the blend of musical performances and harrowing display of spousal abuse, and why Scott dislikes how biopics end with the real person showing up at the end. Does this movie hold up after 25 years? Is it remotely fair that Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne have only ever been nominated for Oscars for just this film? Will Proud Mary keep on turnin'? You'll have to check out the show to find out!

Note: Apologies in advance for the fact that you're going to hear some outside background noise in this episode--as much as possible has been removed (without making it impossible to hear the conversation), but you can blame Skype for this one.

Episode 357: Tombstone

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a rootin', tootin', brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, so git your six-shooters, rustle up some grub, and shoo away any nearby varmints so you can enjoy this episode. As you may have guessed, this is a Western-themed episode, because Scott and Josh are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Western drama Tombstone, featuring Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Bill Paxton, Sam Elliott, and a whole lot more actors. Scott and Josh are joined by return guest Libby Hill of the Los Angeles Times to talk about this film, its shaky production history, and whether or not that production history translated into an equally shaky film or if the movie has earned its mild cult status in the late-2010s. Does this movie hold up? Is it too earnest for its own good? Does it do poorly by the women folk? Are we your huckleberry? You'll have to listen to the show to find out!

Episode 356: Incredibles 2

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! Get suited up, because it's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one is going to be particularly...super. That's right, Scott and Josh are headed back to Municiberg to talk about Pixar's new film Incredibles 2. (Why, Brad Bird? Why have you forsaken the "The" in the title of this sequel?) Your hosts are joined by Kristy Puchko of Pajiba to talk about the biggest movie from Pixar (at least at the box office). It's been 14 years since the original film--does this movie pay off on the promise of the 2004 film? Has it been too long? Is this a case where, like Finding Dory, Pixar should have left well enough alone, or is this more like Toy Story 2 or Toy Story 3? Only one way to find out--check out the new show!

Episode 355: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and p-p-p-p-p-p-p-please believe us, you'll want to check it out. Yes, this week, Scott and Josh are revisiting the 1988 classic hybrid of live-action and animation, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, from director Robert Zemeckis and featuring Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd and more. Scott and Josh are joined by not one, but two return guests this week: Todd Van Der Werff of Vox and Monica Castilo of The Lily (the latter of whom joins the Five-Timers' Club!). All four of them struggle to find a whole lot to criticize about this wonderful film, instead talking about the unique acting on display, the visual effects, the message about civil rights embedded in the story, and more. It's a fun-filled episode, so check it out now!

Episode 354: Sky High

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 9 Jun 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time to suit up for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one is a corker. This week, even though it's summer time, Scott and Josh are headed back to school. To a superheroic school, that is: they're discussing the 2005 superhero comedy Sky High on the show this week, with a bona fide superhero himself! They're joined by longtime friend of the show Griffin Newman of Amazon's The Tick to talk about how Sky High stands out amidst the epic-size Marvel Cinematic Universe and other self-serious superhero films of the 2010s. Does Sky High still hold up in spite of being a bit goofy and low-rent? Is the quirkier film at the periphery better than the actual story? And can Griffin ace a special Box Office Game (for all you Blank Check fans)? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 353: Solo: A Star Wars Story

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 2 Jun 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we just want you to punch it! Because we've got a good feeling about this! See? We're making references to the movie we're discussing this week, the new Lucasfilm entry Solo: A Star Wars Story. This week, Scott and Josh are headed back to that galaxy far, far away to discuss whether or not this prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy works at all, especially after all of the upheaval behind the scenes over the last year. They're joined by friend of the show Karen Han to talk all things Solo, Alden Ehrenreich (would that it were so simple), the supporting cast, the grim visual palette, and more! Check out the new show now!

Episode 352: Brother Bear

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 26 May 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this time around, Josh and Scott are headed to the woods to explore the long-ago past when man and bear...weren't able to co-exist very peacefully without the help of a few Phil Collins songs and a magical spell or two. Yes, this week, your hosts are talking about the animated film in which a character is surprisingly transformed into a bear only to learn some valuable life lessons from someone younger than them. No, not Brave. You know, the movie where a character wants to put their mark on a family wall, and is forced to join up with someone radically different from them who's lost their own family, against the backdrop of the post-Ice Age world. No, not The Good Dinosaur. For real: we're talking about Brother Bear this week with special guest Kristen Lopez, and spoiler alert: we could bearly stand it. What redeeming value does this film have? Was Patton Oswalt right when he mocked the film in his stand-up? Find out now!

Episode 351: Finding Nemo

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 19 May 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, one that's swimming your way. Because, you see, you have to keep swimming. That's what our good friend Dory tells us, or so we think. We think that's what she said, but we already forgot. Anyway, you may have guessed that this week's movie is another Revisited title, the 2003 Pixar film Finding Nemo. Josh and Scott are joined by freelance writer Alan Zilberman to talk all things Nemo, from the aquarium fish to Albert Brooks' performance to the inexplicable success of the Will and Grace reboot on NBC. (It does tie in somehow, promise.) Does Finding Nemo hold up in the aftermath of the Finding Dory phenomenon? Should there have been flashbacks? Is this one of Pixar's very best films? Find out the answers to these and other questions on the new episode now!

Episode 350: The Horse Whisperer

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 12 May 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are back on the ranch as they celebrate another milestone: 350 episodes! To celebrate, what better film than The Horse Whisperer, which may feel like it's roughly 350 hours long? Scott and Josh are joined by a truly special return guest: Josh's old co-host Gabe Bucsko! These three dive right into a true bro-down hoedown to debate the merits of Robert Redford's adaptation of the popular romance novel, from whether or not the aspect ratio shift was a good idea, whether the movie should be so long, if the romance works, and how staring at a person through ropes can or cannot be super-sexy. Check out the new show now!

Episode 349: Avengers: Infinity War

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 5 May 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one's a doozy. As promised, Scott and Josh have come together to talk about the film kicking off the summer movie season, Avengers: Infinity War. They're joined by return guest Jacob Hall of Slashfilm to talk all things Marvel, the Avengers, and yes, that big, crazy ending. (If you haven't seen the movie yet, be warned; spoilers start coming fast and furious in the episode early on.) Does the latest MCU movie pay off on years of build-up? Could it possibly work if there are other MCU movies in the works? Does this even feel like a whole film versus the first half of a larger two-parter? It's a spirited debate this week, so sit down, relax, and enjoy the show!

Episode 348: Blackbeard's Ghost

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're closing out April talking about the movie everyone's discussing online: the 1968 comedy Blackbeard's Ghost! (Yes, we know, the new Avengers movie is out. We'll be discussing it on next week's episode.) This week, Scott and Josh are headed back to the 60s to talk about yet another Robert Stevenson comedy set in the world of college sports, but this time, the twist is that the college-bound hero is helped along by...well, just look at the title of the movie. And it turns out that one of your hosts was more charmed by this film than he would have expected, or at least by the boisterous performance from Peter Ustinov. Is this movie better than you might think? Is it more atmospherically satisfying? Or are the aesthetic choices not enough to save the movie from walking the plank? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 347: The Avengers

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are teaming up to revisit a pinnacle of superhero cinema, Marvel's 2012 film The Avengers. Your hosts are joined by return guest Emma Stefansky to talk all things Avengers, like, for instance, that one hero in the group. You know, the guy who fires arrows really fast? Green Arrow? Something like that. Anyway, they talk a bit more about Iron Man, Captain America, and whether or not this Hulk really did smash. And does rewatching this movie so soon before Infinity War raise their interest in the next team-up, or make them dread the experience? Find out now!

Episode 346: Holes

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we are changing things up. Sure, we told you last week that we'd be talking about Super Mario Bros., but things have shifted since then, so Scott and Josh are calling an audible and talking about a totally different film instead: Holes. You know, the 2003 family film starring a young Shia LaBeouf, pre-crazy Jon Voight, and Sigourney Weaver! This film celebrates its 15th anniversary this month, and features a pretty impressive cast even beyond those three names, but does it hold up? Is this movie unexpectedly overstuffed? Is there too much going on in a film from the director of one of Josh's favorite movies of all time? Or should your two hosts get to digging holes of their own? Check out the new show to find out!

Episode 345: High Fidelity

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 7 Apr 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a very special brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we hope you've prepared by putting together a series of Top Five lists regarding your favorite and least favorite episodes of the podcast. See, the concept of the Top Five is a big part of this week's movie the 2000 comedy High Fidelity, starring John Cusack, Jack Black, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and many, many more. Josh and Scott are joined this week by friend of the show Rob Hunter of Film School Rejects to talk about another Rob, the lead character of High Fidelity, whose sexploits might not be quite as charming to at least one of your hosts as it may have been in 2000. Does this movie sour in the year 2018? Is there enough liveliness and humor to balance out anything overtly toxic? And what happened to John Cusack's career? Find out now!

Episode 344: Valiant

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one's strictly for the birds. This week, Scott and Josh are heading back to the well of Patreon requests, as one of their listeners has literally paid for the privilege of making them talk about Valiant. You remember Valiant, right? The 2005 animated film featuring the voices of Ewan McGregor, Ricky Gervais, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent, and John Cleese? The one about homing pigeons in World War II? The one that looks real gross? Yes, that one. Our Patreon donor wanted to torture us, and Valiant may well do the trick. Which other movies do Scott and Josh talk about so they can avoid this movie? Do the pigeons look at all natural? Is this movie reminiscent of Finding Nemo? Find out now!

Episode 343: Fantasia 2000

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and it's yet another one of our Revisited titles. This time, Josh and Scott are headed to the big orchestra in outer space to enjoy the long-awaited follow-up to one of Disney's most ambitious films, Fantasia 2000. Josh and Scott are joined by two very special guests, Fran Hoepfner of The Onion and Steve Greene of Indiewire, to talk about this briefer return to the world of Fantasia, the wonder of that Quincy Jones interview, the ambition or lack thereof of this new film, and what we'd want to see out of a third Fantasia if one ever materialized. Check out the new show now!

Episode 342: A Wrinkle in Time

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're headed on a big journey this time around. Josh and Scott are talking about Disney's latest big-budget venture, A Wrinkle in Time. It's got everything: Oprah Winfrey! Zach Galifianakis! Reese Witherspoon! Oprah Winfrey! The Best Chris! Oprah Winfrey! Josh and Scott are joined by freelance writer Esther Zuckerman to talk about Ava DuVernay's big adaptation of the classic Madeleine L'Engle novel, the performances from the big-name actors, the importance of diversity and representation, and more. It's big movie, so this is a big episode, too! Get ready to tesser into the new episode now!

Episode 341: Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! We hope you're prepared to go back to school, because that's exactly where Josh and Scott are headed on this brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. OK, technically, they're going back to high school for a reunion, and not even their own. This week on the show, your hosts are talking about the 1997 comedy Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, starring Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo, and more. With more than 20 years since this 10-year-reunion movie opened, has Romy and Michele grown over time? Does its mild cult status feel deserved? Does the film's candy-colored version of the real world resonate, or did your hosts find themselves a bit un-charmed by its goofy personality? Listen now to find out!

Episode 340: Tales from Earthsea

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 3 Mar 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Josh and Scott are headed to a world of fantasy, wizards, and dragons: Earthsea. Specifically, we're talking about the 2006 Studio Ghibli film Tales from Earthsea on this episode, and we're trying to figure out how the heck a movie with dragons fighting each other and one of the lead characters killing his father in the opening section could be this boring. Your hosts are joined by Daniel Thomas MacInnes of Ghibli Blog to talk about the intense family drama that fueled the making of this not-so-loved Ghibli film, whether or not the movie has some secret or hidden charms, and more. Hop on your nearest dragon and head over to Earthsea with us!

Episode 339: Black Panther

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Josh and Scott are headed to a land shrouded in mystery and myth, the country of Wakanda. That's right, we're talking about the cinematic cultural event known as Black Panther on this week's show. Your hosts are joined by Kameron Collins of The Ringer to talk about this big new entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the state of the MCU, the story of T'Challa and Killmonger, and the various ways in which this film really does feel like a major event unlike most other blockbusters. Grab some vibranium, avoid that arms dealer's SoundCloud page, and listen to the new show!

Episode 338: Fantasia

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, friends! It's time for another episode of Mousterpiece Cinema in which Josh and Scott go back and revisit a title that was already discussed on the podcast. This time, they're going back to a movie that Josh talked about in 2012, the 1940 animated classic Fantasia. They're joined on the new show by Charles Bramesco of Vulture, The Guardian, and the New York Times, to talk all things Fantasia, from the film's ambition to its animation style, Deems Taylor, and yes, the problematic elements of the "Pastoral Symphony" sequence. Has Josh's take on the film changed in 6 years? Is he once again the most critical of the film? Does it even matter to be critical of a film as remarkably daring as this one? Find out now!

Episode 337: Bringing Down the House

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and boy, is this one something special. Scott and Josh are headed back to the halcyon days of 2003, when mainstream movies featuring Steve Martin and Queen Latifah felt a lot more comfortable in dropping racial and homophobic epithets with aplomb! Yes, it's time to talk about the supposed comedy Bringing Down the House, and Scott and Josh are joined by RogerEbert.com contributor Odie Henderson to debate exactly how embarrassing and unfunny this movie is. In spite of some unfortunate late-episode Skype audio issues (apologies!), this episode's full of Scott, Josh, and Odie laughing through the pain of this wince-inducing movie that was inexplicably popular 15 years ago. Check out the new show now!

Episode 336: Napoleon and Samantha

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 3 Feb 2018 06:38:00 -0800

Hey, friends! It's time for a very...uh...unique episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Josh and Scott head out to the wilderness of Oregon to watch the exploits of two young runaways and the circus lion they keep as a pet. Yes, they're talking about the 1972 film Napoleon and Samantha on this week's show, and if you haven't seen this movie before, trust us: you are in for a doozy this week. Napoleon and Samantha is notable for a few reasons: it's the feature-film debut of Jodie Foster, it features one of the earliest lead performances from Michael Douglas, and it also asks the age-old question: "What do you do when you realize that the hippie/sheep-herder who you paid to help bury your grandfather has inadvertently left you alone in his shack in the woods with only an escaped patient from a mental institution as your babysitter?" ...Yeah. This is a weird one. Sit back, relax, and let Josh and Scott try to explain how Napoleon and Samantha reaches this strange point on the new show!

Episode 335: The Ladykillers

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and we're heading down South for this one. The good news is that Josh and Scott are tackling another one of Joel and Ethan Coen's movies on this episode! The bad news is that they're discussing...The Ladykillers, the 2004 remake of the British dark comedy, this one featuring Tom Hanks, Irma P. Hall, J.K. Simmons, and more. Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show (and Five-Timers' Club inductee!) Keith Phipps of Uproxx to talk about this oft-derided Coen film, to discuss whether or not it's getting a fair shake or if this might be a diamond in the rough. (Or, perhaps, a diamond in the floating trash island.) Have people inadvertently missed out on The Ladykillers or is this truly the worst film from Joel and Ethan Coen? Listen now to find out!

Episode 334: The Emperor's New Groove

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for Mousterpiece Cinema to have its first Revisited episode of 2018, and this one is a doozy. Josh and Scott are also opening up the doors to guests for the Revisited shows this year, so it's even bigger than before! To kick off the year, they're talking about the 2000 animated film The Emperor's New Groove, the underrated movie that has a lot of passionate fans, including our return guest Alexander Huls. But not all three of the people on today's episode are all fans of this movie, especially in light of recent real-world events. Is Josh going to be able to embrace the film with his heart? Or is he going to be "desperately wrong"? Does it matter if the lead character is annoying if the supporting cast is so much fun? Find out now!

Episode 333: War Horse

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Scott and Josh are headed back, way back, a hundred years for this week's movie. In fact, they're heading to World War I to talk about Steven Spielberg's 2011 epic War Horse, all about the relationship between a boy and his horse in the United Kingdom as the war begins. It's only been six-plus years, but most people would say this is not one of Spielberg's finer films. And yet! Josh and Scott, along with our returning guest Corey Atad, might disagree! Does this movie get its fair shake, or does it have too many...naysayers? (#sorrynotsorry). We dive into all the important questions here, plus make at least one comparison to Equus, because how could we not. So check out the new show now!

Episode 332: The Island at the Top of the World

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 6 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Hey, friends! Happy New Year to everyone from the bottom to the top of the world! We're diving into a brand-new year of Mousterpiece Cinema this week by shaking things up with one of our Patreon donor request episodes. This time, Scott and Josh are on the hunt for a mysterious place of myth where whales supposedly travel to die after their long lives. Yes, that's right, we're discovering The Island at the Top of the World on this new episode of the show, the 1974 film directed by Disney stalwart Robert Stevenson, about a motley crew of explorers who go searching for a lost young man north of the Arctic. Does this 70s-era film remind your hosts of the cruddy Disney live-action films of the era? Would the movie have led to a great theme-park attraction? Does it matter that the movie doesn't know who it's about, or who the ideal audience is? Find out on the new episode!

Episode 331: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, folks! It's time for your hosts to close out 2017 on Mousterpiece Cinema, and what better way to do it than by returning to a land of fantasy and wonder, only to find that its denizens have been hardened and hollowed out to the point of losing their humanity? Yes, maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but that premise is kind of part of the focus of our film this week, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, in which the four Pevensie siblings return to the land of Narnia after a year away in real-world time and 1300 years away in Narnia time. The world they find is radically different, and Josh and Scott talk a lot about those differences, from a lack of Mr. Tumnus and Aslan, to the lifeless performances, and more. Also, stick around to hear your hosts talk about what the Disney/Fox merger means for the show (if it will impact the show at all). Check out the new show and have a happy new year!

Episode 330: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, friends! We hope that as the Christmas holiday approaches, the Force is with you because we've got a big new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema coming your way. And yes, we're talking about the biggest movie of the end of the year this week, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the eighth episode in the Lucasfilm franchise. Josh and Scott are joined by return guest Emma Stefansky of Vanity Fair and ScreenCrush to talk about the new adventures of Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, Kylo Ren, and Luke Skywalker on the new podcast. Does The Last Jedi feel like a Rian Johnson movie as much as it feels like a Lucasfilm brand deposit? Is the movie too long? Does it feel like a true Star Wars film? (Spoiler alert: all three people on the podcast liked this movie, so...y'know.) Listen to the new episode now to get into a Force-ful mood!

Episode 329: The Muppet Christmas Carol

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, friends! We hope you're in the Christmas spirit, because this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema will go nicely with the holiday season. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Scott and Josh are revisiting an old favorite, the 1992 film The Muppet Christmas Carol. After a quarter-century, how does this take on the iconic story of Ebenezer Scrooge hold up? Does it hold up that well at all? Is it possible that Scott and Josh have not-nice things to say about the Muppets? Yes, it is possible, so prepare yourself to hear a couple of slightly Scrooge-y hosts this week, even though they do take out time to talk about a certain moment in the film that Josh loves so dearly that he's used it in GIF form maybe a thousand times. You know which moment. Anyway, check out the episode now!

Episode 328: There Will Be Blood

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 9 Dec 2017 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, friends! It may be December, but we're not exactly getting in the spirit of the holiday with this big new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Instead, Scott and Josh are headed back to the early part of the 20th century to talk about the 2007 epic There Will Be Blood, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as an ambitious oil man in California. Your hosts are joined by two guests this week: returning favorite Tim Grierson of Paste Magazine and Screen International, and Vadim Rizov of Filmmaker Magazine. This quartet digs deep into Paul Thomas Anderson's singular character study, the memorably iconic Daniel Day-Lewis performance, that instantly discordant Jonny Greenwood score, and more. We hope you've got your milkshakes handy, so get ready to drink them and listen to the new show!

Episode 327: Coco

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 2 Dec 2017 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, friends! It's time for a big new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, so strap yourself in (preferably with a guitar strap) and start listening! Josh and Scott are ready to talk about Pixar Animation Studios' new film Coco, all about a little boy who travels to the Land of the Dead during the Mexican celebration of Dia de los Muertos. They're joined by longtime friend of the show Griffin Newman, who enters the Five-Timers' Club on this episode, and boy, is it a doozy. Fair warning: before digging into Coco, Josh, Scott, and Griffin talk about the recent allegations surrounding Disney/Pixar leader John Lasseter. After that discussion, they talk about Pixar's new film, the value of original filmmaking, the beauty of Coco's animation, music, Olaf's Frozen Adventure, and more! Don't wait any longer--start listening now!

Bonus Episode: The Florida Project

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, friends! We're closing out November 2017 with another of our patented b-b-b-b-b-b-bonus episodes here at Mousterpiece Cinema HQ! As we did hit the 800-Like threshold on Facebook this month, Scott and Josh are getting together to talk about one of this year's most acclaimed new films: The Florida Project, from director Sean Baker. Don't let that title fool you, though: this movie isn't about the making of Walt Disney World. Instead, The Florida Project focuses on a group of little kids growing up in relative poverty a few miles away from the Happiest Place on Earth, and how they try to have fun one crazy summer. Scott and Josh are joined by return guest Monica Castillo of The New York Times to discuss The Florida Project, getting the local details right, child performers, Willem Dafoe's performance as a kindly hotel manager, and more. If you haven't seen this movie yet, there may be spoilers in the final section of the episode, but otherwise, dig in!

Episode 326: Candleshoe

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, friends! We hope you all had a fun Thanksgiving, which means only one thing: Christmas is right around the corner! While Scott and Josh hold off on their Coco discussion until next week, they're getting in the holiday mood appropriately! Because what better way to start off the Christmas season than with a movie adapted from a book with the word "Christmas" in the title, right? There's no way that movie...wouldn't have anything to do with Christmas, right? Well, it turns out that's the case, as Scott and Josh head back to the 1970s with Candleshoe, starring a young Jodie Foster, David Niven, and Helen Hayes. Though it's based on a book called Christmas at Candleshoe, this British-set scavenger hunt adventure has nothing to do with the holiday. But is it one of the rare Disney live-action films of the 1970s that isn't horrendous? Does this movie have a more tender heart than either Scott or Josh would have thought? Would kids from the 1970s ever have referenced Rudolph Valentino when they spoke? Find out now!

Episode 325: Enchanted

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, friends! We hope you're in the mood for a happy working podcast, because that's exactly what we're giving you this week on a new Mousterpiece Cinema! As you might be able to tell, Scott and Josh are revisiting a decade-old Disney live-action/animated film, Enchanted, starring Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, and Timothy Spall. OK, yes, fine, Patrick Dempsey is also in this film, but his performance as the fairly unexciting love interest is one of the key points on which Josh and Scott agree, even if Scott's a bit warmer on the film overall. Does this movie, though, hold up after a decade? Has Josh softened towards what he saw as its flaws before? Do either of your co-hosts have interest in a purported sequel to the world of Princess Giselle and Andalasia? Find out now!

Episode 324: Thor: Ragnarok

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 01:30:00 -0800

Hey, friends! It's time for the main event, as Mousterpiece Cinema travels to a whole new world to talk about the latest adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor: Ragnarok. On this episode, Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Angie Han of Mashable to talk about the latest entry in the world of the God of Thunder, specifically because it's so extremely different from the two previous Thor films. Does Chris Hemsworth have the comic chops to pull the shift off? Do we want to see a new Hulk film? Could this movie stand to have more Jeff Goldblum? (That's a trick question: the answer is always yes.) Check out the new show to find out the answers to some of these questions! (And stick around to the end to hear a fun tease for next week's episode.)

Episode 323: No Country for Old Men

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 4 Nov 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friend-o! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and listening to it will be as simple as calling a coin toss. Just call it. You have to call it. OK, we're in a mood this week, because Scott and Josh are celebrating the 10th anniversary of one of the great American neo-noirs, No Country for Old Men, written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, adapted from the iconic Cormac McCarthy novel. They're joined by author and editor Adam Sternbergh to talk about the 2007 thriller, the instantly memorable performance from Javier Bardem, the meaning of the implacable final scene, and whether or not Llewellyn Moss hooked up with the mysterious lady by the pool near the finale or not. Does No Country hold up after a decade? Is it the Coens' best film? Does the Mike Yanagita scene in Fargo make sense? (You know it does.) Find out the answers to these questions and more in the new episode!

Episode 322: Ed Wood

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time for another spooktacular episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! Josh and Scott are getting in the Halloween mood once again by looking back at what may be Tim Burton's best film, the 1994 biopic Ed Wood, starring Johnny Depp, Patricia Arquette, Martin Landau, and more. Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Danny Bowes to talk about all things Ed Wood, from his angora sweaters to Plan 9 From Outer Space. Plus, you might well be wondering why we changed our minds and aren't talking about Scream 2 this week. Good news: we answer that question in great detail, and with...uh...a lot of profanity. Seriously: this episode has enough language in it that Josh recorded a brief intro to make sure you're not taken off-guard. But now that you know, if you dare, check out the new show!

Episode 321: Fright Night (2011)

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time for a spooktacular new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are headed to the Las Vegas Strip for a scarifying discussion all about the 2011 remake of Fright Night, starring Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Imogen Poots, David Tennant, and more. They're joined by friend of the show Louis Peitzman of Buzzfeed to talk all about the remake's presentation of toxic masculinity, why the movie struggled at the box office in the summer of 2011, the legacy of the late Anton Yelchin, and more! Is this better than the original? Is its faux-Children of Men car chase a successful stylistic choice? And what's so fun about Imogen Poots' name? Find out on the new episode!

Episode 320: Good Morning, Vietnam

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Gooooooooooooooooood morning, podcast listeners! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Josh and Scott are in the mood for some wacky comedy and rock 'n' roll. So it's a good thing they're discussing the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam on the new podcast. Josh and Scott are joined by friend of the show Kate Kulzick of The Televerse to talk about the Barry Levinson film, and its seminal Robin Williams performance. Does this movie still hold up after 30 years? Is it surprisingly tone-deaf? Can Barry Levinson actually direct worth a damn? Find out now!

Episode 319: The Nightmare Before Christmas

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 7 Oct 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's another October, which means it's time for a scare-ifying new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! Josh and Scott are getting into the seasonal mood as they revisit the 1993 stop-motion animated film The Nightmare Before Christmas this week. It's been six years since Josh discussed the Henry Selick film on the podcast, and his opinion has indeed changed a little bit. Is this a film deserving of its cult status? Is it mystifying that a movie so slight never got turned into a Broadway show? Is Jack Skellington just kind of a whiner? All the answers to those questions, plus a little Blade Runner 2049 talk, in the new show!

Episode 318: The Lizzie McGuire Movie

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a very special new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Scott and Josh are closing out the month of September with a first: our first episode title requested by one of our Patreon pledges! And yes, you read the title correct: we're talking about the 2003 feature film The Lizzie McGuire Movie, based on the Disney Channel show starring Hilary Duff. Would you believe that this movie inspires some of the more spirited debate between Scott and Josh? Who's on the side that argues this is a charming and light depiction of a tweenage girl falling in love with the experience of traveling to Rome? Who thinks the film's too light to even be a theatrical feature? And who thinks Skype is the true trickster here for the various audio issues at play during the episode? (Sorry, but fair warning.) Listen to the new show to find out the answers to these and more questions!

Episode 317: The Shaggy Dog (2006)

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are headed, once again, for the dogs. Well, for a dog. A shaggy one, specifically. Yes, on the new episode of the podcast, Scott and Josh wrap up their discussion on the series of feature films all about The Shaggy Dog. This time, they're discussing the 2006 remake starring Tim Allen, Kristin Davis, Robert Downey, Jr., and...wait, Robert Downey, Jr.? Yes, really, before he was Tony Stark, RDJ was...barking like a dog at one point in this movie. Is it an improvement on the original? Dumber than the sequel? Overly conventional? Or is this one...a real howler? Find out on the new show!

Episode 316: Aladdin

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 01:30:00 -0700

It's time once more to fly to a whole new world, friends. On this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Scott are revisiting one of the most beloved modern Disney animated films, Aladdin. The 1992 film celebrates its 25th anniversary this fall, and is now being remade as a live-action/computer-animated hybrid starring Will Smith. So what better time than now to discuss the film, and whether it works as well as other Disney Renaissance films after all these years? Are the lead characters too dull for this film to work? Do the villains stand out as much as the Genie does? Does the plot make enough sense, or is Josh too focused on the nuts and bolts to be swept up off his feet? Find out on the new show!

Episode 315: Three Men and a Little Lady

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 9 Sep 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Josh and Scott are going old school. Well, Josh is, at least, because he busts out at least one rap during this week's discussion of the 1990 sequel Three Men and a Little Lady. Despite Scott's horror at this turn of events, there's sadly good reason to invoke old-school rapping in this discussion of the sequel to Three Men and a Baby. Though they're guest-free this week, Josh and Scott are both able to dig into this sequel and its many, many problems. Yes, even though Scott was higher on the original than Josh was, both of your hosts found lots of faults with this follow-up. Should the film have focused more on the 5-year old Mary? Is the Nancy Travis character too stupid to function? And how does Scott's Michael Caine impression measure up to anyone else's? Find out on the new show!

Episode 314: Jackie Brown

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 2 Sep 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! Head on over across 110th Street, because it's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week on the show, Josh and Scott invite friend of the show Jason Bailey of Flavorwire to help commemorate the 20th anniversary of Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, based on the Elmore Leonard novel Rum Punch. This story of a flight attendant playing a con on ATF agents as well as a menacing gun-runner didn't get quite the fanfare of Pulp Fiction (also a Miramax release in the 1990s, back when Disney owned that studio, in case you're wondering why this movie counts!), but is it secretly Tarantino's best film? Should people give it more of a chance in 2017? Or is it more sluggish than expected? (Maybe Josh is the only one who thinks that.) Find out now!

Episode 313: The Shaggy D.A.

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 01:00:00 -0700

Hey, folks! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one's for the dogs. Well, it's for a dog, at least. A shaggy one! In this episode, Scott and Josh are talking all about the 1976 film The Shaggy D.A., the sequel to the 1959 film The Shaggy Dog. What took Disney more than 15 years to return to the story of Wilby Daniels, the boy (now man) who can turn into a sheep dog? Was it a smart move to have Wilby run for office while also being a dog? And giving just as much time to Tim Conway the Ice Cream Salesman? Your hosts are joined by return guest Anthony Strand of Tough Pigs to answer these hard questions, along with a more general: what the hell is going on in this movie? Find out by listening to the new show!

Episode 312: Con Air

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time to fly the unfriendly skies with a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Scott and Josh strap in to talk about another of the mid-1990s Jerry Bruckheimer productions from the Walt Disney Company, Con Air. This Die Hard-esque action film starring Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, and John Malkovich is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and has gotten some pretty strong praise around the Internet as of late, but is it as good as its recent reputation? Zack Handlen of the A.V. Club returns to the show to help talk about the film, the racial politics on display, the Trisha Yearwood song, and of course, all things Cage. Check out the show now!

Episode 311: The Jungle Book (1967)

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time to mosey on down to the darkest parts of your nearby jungle and make sure that have all the bare necessities in life to begin your journey. In other words, on this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Scott and Josh are talking about the 1967 animated film The Jungle Book, based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling. And if that title sounds familiar, it's because this is another Revisited episode of the podcast! This time around, Josh is watching the film with the Jon Favreau movie from last year in his head, and Scott's comments are new overall. So what do they think of the film? Is it one of Disney's best? A standout from the Xerographic Era? Does it read as racist 50 years later? Find out the answers to these and other questions on the new podcast!

Episode 310: 25th Hour

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 5 Aug 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and Josh and Scott are once again talking about a film celebrating a big anniversary this year. This time around, they're discussing the Spike Lee joint 25th Hour, starring Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, and more. The intense drama celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, and in spite of the film being widely lauded online as one of the best films of the new century, it's the source of some spirited debate this week! Josh and Scott are joined by return guest Scott Tobias of NPR and the New York Times to talk about Lee's career, the film's connection to Martin Scorsese, its liberal usage of 9/11 imagery, the infamously profane monologue in the early going (earmuffs, folks), and more. So don't wait--listen to the new show now!

Episode 309: Three Men and a Baby

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this one is a doozy. Josh and Scott are gearing up to discuss another film celebrating a big milestone in 2017: the warm-hearted comedy Three Men and a Baby, turning 30 this year. But is it actually fair, or even accurate, to call Three Men and a Baby a comedy when a good chunk is dedicated to a subplot about smuggling heroin? (You did not read that question wrong.) Josh and Scott are joined by not one, but two guests to discuss the film: Todd VanDerWerff of Vox and Libby Hill of the Los Angeles Times. Is Three Men and a Baby an actor's film? Should Leonard Nimoy (y'know, Spock) have gotten a bigger boost from directing this film? Can you believe it was the highest-grossing film of 1987? Prepare yourself for all these and other surprises, and listen to the show!

Episode 308: The Shaggy Dog (1959)

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Friends, as we wade slowly through the dog days of summer, there's really no better time to talk about Disney's first live-action comedy feature on a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. That, of course, would be the 1959 mix-'em-up comedy The Shaggy Dog! Josh and Scott hunker down to talk about a movie that looks like it's going to be all about a grumpy mailman and his grudge against canines right before it turns into a wacky story about two rival teenagers fighting over a pretty foreign exchange student. Is The Shaggy Dog as crazy as the live-action comedies of the 1960s and 1970s from Disney? Was it a mistake to focus on Tommy Kirk's character? Are Josh and Scott "feelin' sore"? Listen to the show to find out!

Episode 307: Bambi

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week on the show, Josh and Scott are headed into the beautiful but terrifying forest to revisit one of Disney's most beloved and heartbreaking classics of all, Bambi. After discussing this movie on the show five years ago, Josh is ready once again to see if this story of a little deer who wants to become a big deer still tugs on his heartstrings. And Scott is ready to reveal where this places among the first Golden Age of Disney Animation. Is the film's light plot enough to make it memorable? Should there be more dialogue? Less? What's the deal with Ronno? Listen to the new show to find out!

Episode 306: Adventures in Babysitting

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 8 Jul 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Do you have a full backpack? Have you remembered to bring your Mighty Thor action figure? Do you have a spare tire handy? If so, you might be ready to listen to this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. On this episode, Josh and Scott are heading back to the heady days of 1987 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Chris Columbus' debut feature film Adventures in Babysitting, starring a young Elisabeth Shue, a young Anthony Rapp, a young Vincent D'Onofrio, a young Bradley Whitford, and...well, lots of young versions of well-known actors. Josh and Scott are joined by longtime friend of the show Eric Goldman of IGN TV to talk about this 80s teen comedy, and whether or not it holds up after three decades. Plus: stick around until the very end to hear what you can do to get Josh and Scott to talk about Spider-Man: Homecoming on a future episode!

Episode 305: Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 1 Jul 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time for another new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, and this week, Scott and Josh are entering the confessional chamber to reveal a dark, dirty secret: they might not be the biggest fans of Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. The 1993 sequel to the wildly popular 1992 film is our topic of discussion this week, and while we might have found some of the first movie, where Whoopi Goldberg dons a nun's habit to hide from her gangster boyfriend, enjoyable, second time wasn't exactly the charm. Josh and Scott are joined by Marc Snetiker of Entertainment Weekly to discuss the film's illogical structure, the musical performances, the work of a young Lauryn Hill, and more. Check out the show now!

Episode 304: Cars 3

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 01:30:00 -0700

If you've positioned yourself in the fast lane, and you know how to turn left to go right, then you might just be ready to listen to the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week on thte podcast, Josh and Scott are talking about the newest film from Pixar Animation Studios, Cars 3, the third film in the trilogy that's been Josh's favorite for nigh on....well, OK, longtime listeners know he's no fan. But did the newest adventures of Lightning McQueen win him over? Your hosts are joined by ScreenCrush editor-in-chief/Filmspotting SVU co-host Matt Singer to talk all things Cars 3, from the rip-roaring racing, the meditation on death, and whether or not the world of these cars makes any more sense now than it did before. If you want to know the answers to these deep questions, and even if you don't, check out the new show now!

Episode 303: Johnny Tremain

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 01:30:00 -0700

If you're a true Son or Daughter of Liberty, friend, you're going to want to listen to this week's new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, On the new show, Josh and Scott are headed back to the American Revolution to discuss the trials and tribulations of the eponymous young hero Johnny Tremain. This film is celebrating its 60th anniversary in June, and has partially inspired a land in the Magic Kingdom, plus it even has a clean-shaven Sebastian Cabot and pre-West Side Story/Twin Peaks Richard Beymer. And it's the Disney debut of Mary Poppins director Robert Stevenson! But is it any good? Does the film hold up like early Disney live-action classics, or is it utterly forgettable? And you should be smithing on the Sabbath? Listen to find out!

Episode 302: Ratatouille

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's a new month, which means it's time for a new title for Josh and Scott to revisit on an episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This month, Josh is looking back at a film he first discussed in Episode 17, the Brad Bird film Ratatouille. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Ratatouille is widely seen as one of Pixar's masterpieces, but does Josh still think that's true? And more importantly, does Scott feel that way? Or could this be one of the first times since he joined the podcast that Scott disagrees with Josh? There might be a drag-down brawl impending on the podcast! (Or just a polite but firm disagreement. ONE OF THOSE.) You'll have to listen to find out the details!

Episode 17: Ratatouille

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Mon, 5 Jun 2017 01:00:00 -0700

NOTE: In advance of our upcoming Revisited episode, Josh has opened up the podcast vault to unleash his original, solo episode from 2011 on Ratatouille. Enjoy!

What kind of ingredients does it take to make a great podcast episode? For starters, make sure you have a great topic. This week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema has just the movie to create a great episode: 2007's Ratatouille from Pixar Animation Studios. Next, put in two dashes of honesty, a pinch of analysis, and a sprinkle of cinematic pretension. (Hey, it's just a sprinkle.) The final ingredient is for you to listen and let the chef know what you think of this new episode! Bon appetit!

Episode 301: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 3 Jun 2017 01:00:00 -0700

Avast, mateys! It's time for you to make a choice: walk the plank or watch the newest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, Dead Men Tell No Tales. OK, here's the compromise: just listen to the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, where Josh and Scott forced themselves to get through the latest adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow, played as ever by Mr. Fun-Time Family Guy himself, Johnny Depp. Yes, there's no bones about it: neither of your hosts were big fans of this movie, but maybe their guest, Emma Stefansky of Vanity Fair and ScreenCrush, enjoyed it more! Is this really as bad as Josh says? Are there bright spots within? Does it make any sense for there to be a sea witch in this movie? And what is going on with that post-credits scene? Find out the answers in the new episode!

Episode 300: Sister Act

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 27 May 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! It's time to celebrate because Mousterpiece Cinema has reached a big milestone: this is our 300th episode, and we're singing to the rafters with joy. Specifically, Josh and Scott are talking about a movie all about music of joy this week, Sister Act, which is about to celebrate a milestone of its own, its 25th anniversary. Josh and Scott are joined by culture writer/author Nathan Rabin to discuss Sister Act, its writing, its ensemble, and, of course, all things Whoopi. Does Sister Act stand the test of time after a quarter-century? Is there not enough singing? Is this the finest film of 1992 for Harvey Keitel? Find out the answers to those and more questions on this episode of the podcast!

Episode 299: Ponyo

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 20 May 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, folks! Get as much ham as you have nearby, stuff it into your mouth, and start listening to the new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as quickly as you can! On today's show, Scott and Josh are talking about Hayao Miyazaki's 2008 film Ponyo, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale The Little Mermaid. Your hosts are joined by David Sims of The Atlantic to discuss the Studio Ghibli film, the stentorian tones of one Liam Neeson, and yes, of course, ham. (And also things like the English-language dub of the film.) Is Ponyo secretly one of Miyazaki's great works? Has it been properly rated? Are the ham jokes coming off too...hammy? Gotta listen to find out!

Episode 298: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 13 May 2017 01:30:00 -0700

OK, folks, strap in and get ready for a wild ride, because on this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Scott are headed to the far reaches of the galaxy to get into some scrapes and messes. This week on the show, they're headed back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to discuss Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, the new film starring Chris Pratt, Kurt Russell, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper as a talking raccoon, and Vin Diesel as Baby Groot. Josh and Scott are joined by Brad Oman (aka Ethan Anderton) of Slashfilm to talk about Marvel's new hit, and whether it surpasses the 2014 original. Is it still as fresh as the first film? Are the characters as lovable? And are babies jerks? Answers to these and other burning questions await you!

Episode 297: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 6 May 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Avast, ye landlubbers! Now that we have your attention, it's time for a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, Josh and Scott are doing another Revisited episode of the podcast, wherein they discuss the 2003 blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. This smash hit launched the movie-star career of one Johnny Depp, best known as Captain Jack Sparrow, but after 15 years and countless sequels, does the iconic character and the film in which he first appeared hold up? Are Josh and Scott able to separate art from the artist? Will we offend the Orlando Bloom fans out there? (Or, as they're best known, the Or-fan-dos?) Find out now!

Episode 296: Born in China

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! Earth Day was a week ago, but we're still celebrating on a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. On last week's show, Scott and Josh talked about the first feature-length nature documentary from Disney, so it's only fitting that on this week's show, they talk about the newest Disney nature documentary, Born in China. The film, narrated by everyone's go-to person on Chinese culture, John Krasinski, tells four different stories and might even include some drama, but is it any good? Scott and Josh are joined by freelance writer Karen Han to talk about the film, its accuracy, its narrator, and kids' favorite, Amazon's Jack Ryan. (It'll all make sense in the end.) Check out the show now!

Episode 295: The Living Desert

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Happy Earth Day, friends! Scott and Josh are celebrating this important day in style by talking about a nature documentary on a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. It's not just any documentary, either: it's the first feature-length documentary from Walt Disney Pictures, The Living Desert, from 1953. Though Josh has discussed a few new DisneyNature films on the program in the past, this is the first time we're going back to the era of the original True-Life Adventures, which had everything: bitter battles among insects, delicate mating rituals, and...square dancing. Yes, this old documentary may have some familiar tricks up its sleeve, as your hosts find out. But does it hold up to 60-plus years of scrutiny? Find out on the new show!

Studio Ghibli Bonus Episode: Grave of the Fireflies

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hey, friends! As Easter recedes into the rearview, there's no better time for a very special b-b-b-b-b-b-bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! This time, Josh and Scott are celebrating the 29th anniversary of one of the greatest and saddest films of all time, the Studio Ghibli classic Grave of the Fireflies, one of the rare Ghibli films that Disney doesn't own. Fair warning, friends: this movie, which begins with its protagonist, a Japanese boy, dying destitute and alone, is a big ol' downer. Here's how much of a downer it is: just talking about this movie on the show made Josh get teary-eyed! Really. Does Scott join him in collapsing in a puddle of tears? Is the film's sadness enough to make the film worth watching? Should you ever watched a dubbed Ghibli film? Find out the answers on this special supplemental episode!

Episode 294: The Happiest Millionaire

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Well, it took until April, but this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema represents something of a rite of passage for Josh's still-new-ish co-host Scott. This week on the podcast, they're discussing the 1967 film The Happiest Millionaire, which some people may know best as the last film in which Walt Disney had any serious involvement before he passed away. But for this episode, it represents something of slightly less importance: it's Scott's first time talking about one of the batty live-action films from the Disney studios in the 1960s and 1970s. Because, make no mistake: this is a weird, weird movie. Even if you haven't seen the film--especially if you haven't--make time for this episode: there's alligators and cars and jiu jitsu. And more! Check it out now.

Episode 293: The Rocketeer

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 8 Apr 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Friends, we encourage you to look to the skies for this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Scott are going to be flying high because they're revisiting a cult classic from the Walt Disney Company: The Rocketeer, the Joe Johnston adaptation of the Dave Stevens graphic novel, starring Bill Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Timothy Dalton, and more. The real question this week is not if the movie holds up for either Josh or Scott. The real question is: which of them is a bigger super-fan of this movie? The 1991 film may have been unjustly forgotten by some, but both of your hosts are huge fans, so this is a top-to-bottom gushfest. But what of the future for The Rocketeer? Does this movie stand out even more in an era of grimdark superhero films? Only one way to find out: listen to the new show!

Episode 292: Grosse Pointe Blank

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 1 Apr 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Get your tuxes ready, prep your hair in the right kind of wave, and polish off your gun, too: we're going to a high school reunion! That's right, folks: on this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, Scott and Josh are heading back to the 'burbs for a reunion as they discuss the 1997 hitman comedy Grosse Pointe Blank, starring John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd, and more. They're joined by Mike D'Angelo of Las Vegas Weekly and The A.V. Club to talk about this cult favorite that helped push Cusack a little further towards the always beloved High Fidelity. Does Grosse Pointe Blank still hold up after 20 years? Is John Cusack still better suited to characters like Martin Blank or did his paycheck-heavy work in later years fit him better? And are all three of the gentlemen on today's show madly in love with Minnie Driver? Find out now!

Episode 291: Beauty and the Beast (2017)

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Hello, friends! It's time for Scott and Josh to discuss a tale as old as time...a song as old as rhyme! ...Again! Yes, this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema talks about Beauty and the Beast for the second time in two straight weeks, but this one's all about the new live-action film starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, and more. Scott and Josh are joined by friend of the show Monica Castillo of the New York Times to review this monster box-office hit; money aside, does it live up to our expectations? Could it ever hope to compete? Is this a surprise success or surprisingly painful? There's a lot to discuss in this one, so get ready and start listening!

Episode 290: Beauty and the Beast (1991)

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 01:30:00 -0700

Gather 'round, friends, as Scott and Josh revisit a tale as old as time on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. You know, some say it's even a song...well, as old as rhyme. Yes, that's right, we're discussing one of Disney's finest animated films on this week's show, the 1991 adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, featuring some of the studio's most memorable songs, characters, and sequences. Longtime listeners won't be surprised to know that Josh remains an ardent fan of the story, but is Scott also on board? Is this Disney's best animated film? Does LeFou seem like he was written as gay from the very beginning? And, related to that last question, does Scott's opinion of the live-action remake (which he, unlike Josh, had seen by the time of this recording) color his view of the animated film? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 289: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

mousterpiececinema@gmail.com (Josh Spiegel and Scott Renshaw) — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 01:30:00 -0800

For six long years, we've been in trouble, friends. No pleasure here on Earth we've found! We are truly men of constant sorrow. OK, not really, but the lyrics to "Man of Constant Sorrow" are rattling around Josh and Scott's brains this week as they discuss the Joel and Ethan Coen Depression-era comedy O Brother, Where Art Thou? on this new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. They're joined by Sam Adams of Slate to discuss George Clooney's first major foray into film comedy as the wordy escaped convict Ulysses Everett McGill, the Coens' relationship with non-white characters, the soundtrack, and the unexpected resonance of the film's political subplot. Lucky for you, you're not in a tight spot--just dive into the new show!