Bill and Ted Watch Movies

Episode 68 – Idiocracy Oct 09, 2024

Bill and Ted discuss Mike Judge’s 2006 film “Idiocracy,” the Rip Van Winkle style comedy about an exceptionally average man, Corporal Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson), left to awaken to a future so stupid and idiotic that it boggles the mind five hundred years after a botched one year top-secret military hibernation experiment. The average Joe and his fellow experimental subject Rita (Maya Rudolph) are stunned to discover that he’s easily become the smartest man in America. This alarmingly cutting and prescient cautionary thought experiment satirically delves into the dangers of unchecked consumerism and coperatocracy, the degradation of medicine and law and order, and the dumbing down of politics, popular culture and reportage; Judge provides a politically incorrect, weird, crass, over the top, painfully funny and horrifying film which has now become something of a cult hit.

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: Sleeper (1973), Encino Man (1992), Don’t Look Up (2021)

Episode 67 – Black Narcissus Sep 18, 2024

Bill and Ted discuss Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s 1947 film adaptation of Margaret Rumer Godden’s 1939 novel “Black Narcissus.” Set in the Himalayas a newly minted mother superior, Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr), is sent to the palatial yet rundown former mountaintop harem house of Mo- Poo to establish a convent and open a combination school for girls and pharmacy for local minor medical needs. Both beautiful and brimming with dark obsessions the film delves into physiological and spiritual themes of arrogance and humility against a backdrop of mission-field-culture-shock and extreme isolation with all the temptations and the struggles accompanying a life in which vows of self-sacrifice and poverty have been made and luxury and sensuality is actively denied.

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: The Red Shoes (1948), The King and I (1956), Silence (2016)

Episode 66 – GoldenEye (1995) Aug 28, 2024

Bill and Ted discuss Martin Campbell’s 1995 James Bond film “GoldenEye” staring Pierce Brosnan as 007. Set after the fall of the Iron Curtain Bond finds himself racing against the Janus Syndicate, a cadre of self-interested villains, to retrieve the access codes for a satellite space weapon named “GoldenEye” that can fire a devastating electromagnetic pulse toward Earth. The very 1990’s “GoldenEye” rounds out Bill and Ted’s ‘golden’ pre-Daniel Craig, pre-modern era James Bond hat trick survey of the franchise. They had previously watched Guy Hamilton’s iconic 1964 film “Goldfinger” and his oddball and juvenile 1974 film “The Man with the Golden Gun.”

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: Red Dawn (1984), Until the End of the World (1991), The Sum of All Fears (2002)

Public Service Announcement Oct 24, 2021

A quick update about some upcoming changes at Bill and Ted Watch Movies. Hiatus and a big move, plus some technical stuff: if you’re wondering where the film clip is from in the announcement it’s from Alan Metter’s 1988 Richard Pryor comedy “Moving.”

Episode 65 – TRON: Legacy (2010) Oct 02, 2021

Bill and Ted discuss Joseph Kosinski’s 2010 “TRON Legacy” the action packed follow up to Steven Lisberger’s 1982 groundbreaking sci-fi cult classic TRON. Computer programmer, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), long trapped within his own digital creation is forced into action when his son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) surprisingly arrives within The Grid. Together father and son must assist the “isomorphic algorithm” Quorra (Olivia Wilde) as Kevin Flynn’s fallen programme Clu (Jeff Bridges) plots to gain complete control of The Grid and access to the biological world. Less futurist manifesto and more of a contemplative reassessment of digital life Kosinski’s TRON finds its focus digging into relationships both broken and restored. Religious themes of incarnation and forgiveness abound alongside stunning visuals and a pulsing inventive score by the award winning French Electric Dance Music duo Daft Punk.

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: TRON (1982), Dark City (1998), Oblivion (2013)

Episode 64 – Metropolis (1927) Sep 07, 2021

Bill and Ted discuss Fritz Lang’s 1927 landmark silent science-fiction drama “Metropolis” where utopia collides with dystopia and the head of the planner desperately needs a mediator for the hand of the worker. Gustav Fröhlich stars as Freder, the privileged son of Johann Fredersen (Alfred Abel), the technocratic designer and overlord of the futuristic city Metropolis who falls in the love with Maria (Brigitte Helm), a kind-hearted woman and the spiritual leader of the workers. Maria and Freder’s dream of a better tomorrow for the whole of Metropolis meets resistance in the face of a mad-scientist bent on revenge. Metropolis is a kind of masterclass blueprint for nearly a century of epic world-building cinema. At every turn there is some archetypical concept, theme, character, visual image, or moment that viewers will recognize from a multitude of films. With its mix of politics, religion, science-fiction, action, futurism, and romance, Lang’s Metropolis is a highly influential film that has left an indelible imprint on generations of film makers.

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: Blade Runner (1982), Batman (1989), The Matrix (1999)

Episode 63 – TRON (1982) Aug 06, 2021

Bill and Ted discuss Steven Lisberger’s 1982 boundary pushing Sci-Fi film “TRON,” a futurist film made at the dawn of the personal computer and the explosion of the video game market. Lisberger envisions a world where analogue collides with digital in a struggle over what is real and what is programmed. Jeff Bridges stars as computer programmer Kevin Flynn, who finds himself “incarnated” inside a computer in a struggle against the Master Control Program and his formidable minion Sark (David Warner) as they plot to dominate the real world. Flynn joins the security programme TRON (Bruce Boxleitner) in the fight against the MCP’s tyranny and expanding dystopia. Filled with eye-popping images, this innovative, ambitious, and stylish film took tremendous technical risks unlocking new avenues for the filmmakers that followed.

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: Metropolis (1927), The Wizard of Oz (1939), The Last Starfighter (1984)

Episode 62 – Early Silent Short Films Jul 14, 2021

Bill & Ted discuss early silent short films from the dawn of film making: Thomas Edison’s “The Kiss,” (1896); Louis Lumière’s proto cinéma vérité film “The Arrival of the Train,” (1896); Georges Méliès’ iconic Jules-Verne’s-esque sci-fi film “A Trip to the Moon,” (1902); Edwin S. Porter’s Western “The Great Train Robbery,” (1903); D.W. Griffith’s Rom-Com Tragedy “The Making of a Man,” (1911); Charlie Chaplin’s Action Comedy “The Tramp,” (1915); Man Ray’s Experimental film “The Return to Reason,” (1923); and Luis Buñuel’s Surrealist film with painter Salvador Dali, “Un Chien Andalou,” (1929).

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: Robert J. Flaherty’s “Nanook of the North” (1922), Harold Lloyd’s “Safety Last” (1923), Luis Buñuel’s “L’Age D’Or” (1930)

Episode 61 – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) Mar 31, 2021

Bill & Ted discuss “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” – John Hughes’ 1986 classic teen comedy. Fast-talking high school senior Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick), his neurotic best friend Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck), and carefree girlfriend Sloane Peterson (Mia Sara) put Ferris’ “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it” philosophy into action, ditching school for a whirlwind fun-filled tour of their hometown of Chicago. Narrowly evading Ferris’ kind but clueless parents and suspicious sister Jeanie (Jennifer Grey) the trio do their best to help the morose Cameron gain some much needed perspective. Peppering his film with poignant moments, Hughes also gives audiences plenty of pratfall slapstick humour as high school principle, Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), attempting to catch Ferris, walks into an escalating series of comeuppances.

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), Don’t You Forget About Me (2009)

Episode 60 – The Wizard of Oz (1939) Mar 02, 2021

Bill & Ted discuss “The Wizard of Oz,” Victor Fleming’s 1939 adaptation of Frank L. Baum’s 1900 children’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), a young Kansas farm girl, finds herself in the magical Land of Oz pitted against the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) over a pair of magical Ruby Red Slippers Dorothy obtained after accidentally killing the witch’s sister upon arriving in Oz. Joined by a seemingly brainless Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), heartless Tin Woodman (Jack Haley) and cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), the foursome dance and sing their way down the yellow brick road to see the Wizard (Frank Morgan) in the Emerald City hopeful that he can give each of them what they desire most in life.

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: The NeverEnding Story (1984), Labyrinth (1986) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Episode 59 – The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King (2003) Jan 18, 2021

Bill & Ted discuss the Extended Edition of Peter Jackson’s 2003 adaptation of the JRR Tolkien’s 1955 Lord of the Rings Book “The Return of the King.” This is the inspirational epic conclusion where everything comes to a head and all obstacles both internal and external are overcome one way or another: the fate of […]

Episode 58 – The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Dec 18, 2020

Bill & Ted discuss the extended edition of Peter Jackson’s 2002 adaptation of the JRR Tolkien’s 1954 Lord of the Rings Book “The Two Towers.” On the hunt for Hobbit-nappingOrcs, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli meet an unexpected old friend and become embroiled in the defense of Rohan at Helm’s Deep against the tower of Orthanc […]

Episode 57 – The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Part II Dec 04, 2020

Bill & Ted continue their discussion of the Extended Edition of Peter Jackson’s 2001 adaptation of the JRR Tolkien’s 1954 The Fellowship of the Ring, as they dig into the themes and theological underpinnings of the film asking, “What is the nature of the Ring that Frodo Baggins carries and its impact on the characters in […]

Episode 56 – The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Part I Nov 09, 2020

Bill & Ted discuss the Extended Edition of Peter Jackson’s 2001 adaptation of the JRR Tolkien’s 1954 Lord of the Rings Book “The Fellowship of the Ring” a sprawling fantasy epic staring Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, the Hobbit, setting out on an adventure beyond his expectations. “The Fellowship of the Ring” is the first […]

Episode 55 – The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) Oct 16, 2020

Bill & Ted discuss Guy Hamilton’s 1974 Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun.” Amidst the international energy crisis of the early 1970’s, Bond (Roger Moore) must find and liquidate the million dollar hit man Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee). Hamilton’s last venture as a Bond director has many of the 007 staples audiences come […]

Episode 54 – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) & Get Out (2017) Sep 18, 2020

Bill and Ted discuss Stanley Kramer’s social problem film “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1967) and Jordan Peele’s social thriller/horror film “Get Out” (2017). Released fifty years apart, Kramer’s film is about encouraging changing attitudes regarding racism in America where Peele’s film is about investigating how slow that progress actually has been. One film is […]

Episode 53 – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) Aug 14, 2020

Bill and Ted discuss Milos Forman’s 1975 adaptation of 60’s drug culture author Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” R.P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), a violent offender, is sent to receive a psychiatric evaluation, and while institutionalized, befriends a group of residents as he struggles against the domineering Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) […]

Episode 52 – Time Bandits (1981) Jul 21, 2020

Bill and Ted discuss Terry Gilliam’s 1981 Python-esque “Time Bandits” which focuses on a ten-year old boy, Kevin, who goes on an adventure through time with a band of would-be bandits on the lam having absconded with the Supreme Beings’ map of all the holes in the fabric of time. Filled with fun cameos from […]

Episode 51 – Dr. Strangelove (1964) Jun 23, 2020

Bill and Ted discuss Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 darkly satirical “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” a film that invites viewers to question their general safety and sanity, and maybe even their precious bodily fluids. It’s a movie about geopolitics, atomic bombs, loyalty, patriotism, fluoridation, and fear … not […]

Episode 50 – Conan the Barbarian (1982) Jun 10, 2020

Bill and Ted discuss John Milius’ 1982 film “Conan the Barbarian” drawn from the sword-and-sorcery pulp fiction writings of Robert E. Howard featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan, a gladiator bent on finding the warlord wizard Thalsu Doom (James Earl Jones) who killed his family. With a phenomenal score by composer Basil Poledouris, Milius brings to […]

Episode 49 – Stranger Than Fiction (2006) May 08, 2020

Bill and Ted discuss Marc Forster’s 2006 film “Stranger Than Fiction” featuring Will Ferrell as Harold Crick an IRS agent who becomes concerned after hearing the voice narrating his life say, “Little did he know that this simple, seemingly innocuous act would result in his imminent death.” With the help of literary professor Jules Hilbert […]

Episode 48 – Fight Club (1999) Apr 22, 2020

Bill and Ted discuss David Fincher’s 1999 film “Fight Club” featuring Edward Norton as an insomniac accountant resentfully living a consumer- driven apathetic life devoid of happiness whose chance meeting with the devil-may-care, philosophizing traveling soap salesman Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) turns his whole world upside down. Adapted from Chuck Palahniuk’s raw nerve of a […]

Episode 47 – My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) Mar 21, 2020

Bill and Ted discuss Joel Zwick’s 2002 film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” written by and starring Nia Vardalos as Toula a Greek woman who falls in love with a non-Greek man, Ian played by John Corbett, prompting her to come to terms her Greek heritage and identity while integrating him into her family. With […]

Episode 46 – DUNE (1984) Feb 14, 2020

Bill and Ted discuss David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Hugo and Nebula award winning novel “DUNE” first published in 1965. A complex, epic, science-fiction, surreal, eye-popping, auditory, extravaganza puzzle of a film that comes across like a dream, and, like a dream when awake, all the pieces of the puzzle don’t exactly fit. […]

Episode 45 – O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) Jan 31, 2020

Bill and Ted discuss Joel and Ethan Coen’s 2000 film “O Brother, Where Art Thou” featuring George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson as escaped convicts Ulysses Everett McGill, Pete Hogwallop, and Delmar O’Donnell. Roaming rural 1930’s Mississippi, the trio embark on a search for a time-sensitive, hidden treasure while pursued by a relentless, […]

Episode 44 – A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Dec 25, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Bill Melendez’s 1965 film “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the beloved TV holiday special written by Charles M. Schulz and starring the Peanuts gang featuring the sweetly melancholic jazz score by Vince Guaraldi. Charlie Brown simply wants to know what Christmas is all about. In his search, he encounters pop psychology, sociology, […]

Episode 43 – The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) Dec 21, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Wes Anderson’s 2004 film “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.” Set against a quirky backdrop populated with colourful characters, the film features Bill Murray as a Jacque Cousteau-esque oceanographer contemplating fatherhood and failure following the death of his long time partner and friend Esteban (Seymour Cassel), who was eaten by the […]

Episode 42 – The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) Dec 11, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss John Huston’s 1948 film “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” featuring Humphrey Bogart as an out of work American Fred C. Dobbs who convinces an old prospector (Walter Huston) to help him and a buddy (Tim Holt) mine for gold in the Sierra Madre Mountains of 1920’s Mexico. Huston provides a […]

Episode 41 – Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) Nov 01, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Frank Capra’s 1944 film “Arsenic and Old Lace” featuring Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster, a theatre critic who finds unexpected drama of his own tucked away in his aunts’ window seat on Oct 31st in Brooklyn New York when he and his bride come to tell the family the good news […]

Episode 40 – Napoleon Dynamite (2004) Oct 10, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Jared Hess’ 2004 film “Napoleon Dynamite” featuring Jon Heder as the idiosyncratic, yet endearing, Napoleon Dynamite a high school student navigating friendship and family life in rural small town Idaho. A film that’s as much about being awkward as it is about being honest, a slow burn comedy that is extraordinarily […]

Episode 39 – Cape Fear (1991) Sep 18, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Martin Scorsese’s 1991 film “Cape Fear,” featuring Robert De Niro as Max Cady, a hardened convict who, after 14 years of incarceration, obsessively seeks revenge on his former defense attorney Sam Bowden, played by Nick Nolte, who failed to keep Cady out of prison. Scorsese ramps up the tension in this […]

Episode 38 – Cape Fear (1962) Aug 22, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Lee Thompson’s 1962 suspense thriller “Cape Fear,” featuring Robert Mitchum as Max Cady a hardened convict seeking revenge on prosecutor Sam Bowden, played by Gregory Peck, who helped send him away to prison for 8 eight years. Tension in this black and white film noir inspired pulp-fiction thriller mounts as Cady […]

Episode 37 – Interstellar (2014) Aug 07, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Christopher Nolan’s 2014 film “Interstellar,” featuring Matthew McConaughey as Joe Cooper a former NASA test pilot and engineer venturing into space to save the world and his family from a worldwide blight-induced famine: Cooper’s odyssey sees him brave relativity, wormholes, a gargantuan black hole and the best and worst aspects of […]

Episode 36 – Rear Window (1954) Jul 19, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film “Rear Window,” featuring Jimmy Stewart as LB Jefferies a convalescing photo-journalist who can’t recuperate without spying on his neighbours with Grace Kelly as his socialite girlfriend Lisa who gets drawn into a world of intrigue. An intricately crafted claustrophobic mystery thriller about the ethics of surveillance and […]

Episode 35 – Director Alfred Hitchcock Jul 11, 2019

Bill and Ted are joined by Tom Caldwell from “Good Evening: An Alfred Hitchcock Podcast” for a conversation about Hitchcock director of The Birds (1963), North by Northwest (1959), Vertigo (1958) and his most famous work Psycho (1960). Often referred to as the father of horror flicks, his work is less about gore and more […]

Episode 34 – Beetlejuice (1988) Jun 27, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Tim Burton’s 1988 film “Beetlejuice,” featuring Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as the ghosts of newly deceased Adam and Barabra Maitlandas they try to spook the NYC high society Deetzes’ and their Goth daughter Lydia played by Winona Ryder who purchased their house in a sleepy New England town. Failing to […]

Episode 33 – Batman (1989) Jun 12, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Tim Burton’s 1989 film “Batman,” featuring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Jack Nicholson as the Joker. Dark and brooding Burton twists the campy qualities of the 1960’s Adam West version of Batman in into a dark freak show doubling down on Wayne’s introspection and the Joker’s psychosis. Brimming with memorable […]

Episode 32 – The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) May 22, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Wes Anderson’s 2001 film “The Royal Tenenbaums,” featuring Gene Hackman as the conniving patriarch Royal Tenenbaum with Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow as his adult children Richie, Chas and Margot and Anjelica Huston as their mother Etheline also featuring Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Danny Glover, Seymour Cassel and Kumar Pallana. […]

Episode 31 – Director Wes Anderson Part II / Themes and Characters May 03, 2019

Bill and Ted continue their two-part discussion of director Wes Anderson. The focus of this episode is themes and characters in Anderson’s films Bottle Rocket (1996), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Moonrise Kingdome (2012) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). Looking for other films with offbeat ensemble casts? Here are Ted’s Picks: The Princess […]

Episode 30 – Director Wes Anderson Part I / Style and Technique May 01, 2019

Bill and Ted launch a two-part discussion about auteur director Wes Anderson. The focus of this episode is Anderson’s direction, style and technique. This conversation includes but is not limited to Bottle Rocket (1996), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Moonrise Kingdome (2012) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). Looking for other deeply quirky […]

Episode 29 – Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) Apr 08, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Nicholas Meyer’s 1982 Sci-Fi film “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” The crew of the Star Ship Enterprise encounter a nemesis from their collective past, Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban), bent on revenge and desperate to use an experimental terraforming technology called Genesis. Themes of friendship, self-sacrifice and aging permeate […]

Episode 28 – El Cid (1961) Mar 22, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Anthony Mann’s 1961 epic “El Cid,” featuring Charlton Heston as the 11th Century Christian Spanish nobleman Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar. Branded a traitor for releasing captured Muslim Emirs after a clash between Muslims and Christians, Rodrigo fights to clear his name and becomes one of Spain’s enduring heroes – the legendary […]

Episode 27 – Witness (1985) Mar 02, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Peter Weir’s “Witness,” a thoroughly satisfying 80’s classic. Harrison Ford as police detective John Book protects an Amish boy (Lucas Haas) and his mother (Kelly McGillis) after the child witnesses a murder in the big city. It’s a crime thriller, romances, and a compelling fish out of water story set in […]

Episode 26 – Bill and Ted’s Excellent California Adventure Feb 15, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Ted’s 2019 visit to California. They cover everything from Ted attending screenings at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, visiting Disneyland and Universal Studios to checking out the Max Factor Hollywood Museum, Hollywood Boulevard, stars on the walk of fame and some of the legacy theaters on the strip. Bill even […]

Episode 25 – The Tree of Life (2011) Part II / Son Feb 02, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life,” a film as experimental as it is poetic investigating the mysteries of grief and loss and the dynamics of family life and life in general. This second half of their two part conversation focuses more on the son Jack, Malick’s use of music and some […]

Episode 24 – The Tree of Life (2011) Part I / Mother Father Jan 03, 2019

Bill and Ted discuss Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life,” a film as experimental as it is poetic investigating the mysteries of grief and loss and the dynamics of family life and life in general. This half of their two part conversation focuses on mother and father and on the organic visual effects of the […]

Episode 23 – Name That Musical Dec 27, 2018

In a departure from their usual format, Bill and Ted engage in a game of “Name That Musical” with show tunes from twenty-one musical films. See if you can outscore Bill in identifying the movie and the singer. It won’t be difficult. How well do you know your musical cinema?

Episode 22 – It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) Dec 21, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a film that has become something of a holiday classic. Yet all is not Christmas carols and lighted trees as Capra’s film delves into some probing self-evaluation on the question “What is one life worth to others in a marriage, family, and community.” If you […]

Episode 21 – West Side Story (1961) Dec 13, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise’s 1961 film version of the Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim musical “West Side Story.” A film about the mean streets of the West Side of NYC: One part Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliette one part teenage social commentary wrapped up in the post WWII American immigrant experience […]

Episode 20 – Life Is Beautiful [La vita è bella] (1997) Nov 22, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Roberto Benigni’s film “La vita è bella,” “Life Is Beautiful,” a sometimes humorous sometimes poignant and touching film about love and family and the effect of the will and imagination in the face of great obstacles: one half romantic comedy, one half family WWII holocaust concentration camp drama. Looking for some […]

Episode 19 – The VVitch (2016) Oct 31, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Robert Eggers’ film “The Witch,” A New-England Folktale where a father accepts banishment from a 17th century Massachusetts puritan colonial plantation taking his family out into the wilderness to start a farm by the edge of the woods only to be tragically plagued by a Witch: A study in despair and […]

Episode 18 – Misery (1990) Oct 26, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Rob Reiner’s adaptation of the Stephen King novel “Misery,” a suspense-filled thriller where an injured romance novelist is held captive by an unhinged and deeply disturbed fan. This physiological horror film delves deeply into the nature of misery and what it can drive people to do. Here are Ted’s Picks for […]

Episode 17 – Deleted Scenes From the Cutting Room Floor Oct 21, 2018

A little something extra from our first 16 episodes. Deleted dialogues, bonus segments, and a few notorious outtakes from Bill & Ted Watch Movies. Enjoy.

Episode 16 – The Karate Kid Part II (1986) Oct 18, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss John G. Avildsen’s “The Karate Kid Part II,” another ‘fish-out-of-water’ story where Jersey boy Daniel Larusso goes from California sun to Mr. Miyagi’s Okinawa home town fishing village. The stakes are higher as Daniel hones his martial arts focus and Mr. Miyagi confronts the reasons he originally left for California. Here […]

Episode 15 – Goldfinger (1964) Oct 09, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Guy Hamilton’s film “Goldfinger,” the third Sean Connery James Bond film featuring the British spy with a licence to kill as he works to foil a plot to break into Fort Knox. Here are Ted’s Picks for other great Connery 007 films: Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Thunderball […]

Episode 14 – The Karate Kid (1984) Sep 15, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss John G. Avildsen’s “The Karate Kid,” a surprisingly touching ‘fish-out-of-water/zero-to-hero’ teen story with a nice balance of martial arts and California sun. If you enjoyed this film you may also like these; here are Ted’s Picks: The Power of One (1992), Lean on Me (1989), Rocky (1976)

Episode 13 – Sense and Sensibility (1995) Aug 28, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Ang Lee’s “Sense and Sensibility,” the 1995 adaption of Jane Austen’s 1811 commentary on the social mores of late 18th century England and the place of love, honour and romance alongside practicality concerns revolving around property, patronage and inheritance. The plot follows the widow Dashwood and her three daughters as the older two, Elinor and Marianne, […]

Episode 12 – The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) Aug 16, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss David Lean’s “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” the celebrated WWII war/anti-war film about the madness of war in a Japanese prisoner of war camp deep in the jungles of Ceylon (Sri Lanka); a film about leadership, gorilla engineering, pride in workmanship and sabotage. If you enjoyed this film you may […]

Episode 11 – Silverado (1985) Jul 28, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Lawrence Kasdan’s “Silverado,” an underrated western with stunning vistas, fun characters, and a gorgeous soundtrack filled with high adventure and touching moments. If you enjoyed this film you may also like these: Young Guns (1988), Tombstone (1993), 3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Episode 10 – Zombieland (2009) Jul 11, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Ruben Fleischer’s “Zombieland,” known for its practical Zombie apocalypse survival rules, humorous one-liners, Twinkies, and as might be expected zombies. If you enjoyed this film you may also like these: House (1985), Shaun of the Dead (2004), Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

Episode 9 – Chef (2014) Jun 21, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Jon Favreau’s “Chef,” known for its pairing of foodie glamour shots and Latin infused jazz and blues music! If you enjoyed this film for its father and son story of coming back from the brink of failure check out The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), or for its father/son food focus then Jiro Dreams […]

Episode 8 – The Big Chill (1983) Jun 05, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Lawrence Kasdan’s “The Big Chill,” known for its powerhouse cast and great soundtrack. If you enjoyed this film for its investigation into grief you may also like these: Manchester by the Sea (2016), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Ordinary People (1980). If you liked the hang-out story line you may […]

Episode 7 – Brazil (1985) May 31, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil,” known for its dystopian themes and film noir style, its cutting satirical humor and vivid dream/nightmare imagery. If you enjoyed this film you may also like these: Blade Runner (1982), Kafka (1991), Dark City (1998)

Episode 6 – The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) May 24, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Terry Gilliam’s “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen,” known for its inventive art direction, fantastic storytelling and extraordinarily warmhearted investigation of fantasy and reality. If you enjoyed this film you may also like these: Time Bandits (1981), Brazil (1985), The Fisher King (1991)

Episode 5 – Casablanca (1942) May 08, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss the Michael Curtiz classic WWII film “Casablanca,” known for its film noir cinematic style, iconic romantic performances by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and the classic song, “As Time Goes By.” If you enjoyed this film you may also like these; here are Ted’s Picks: The Maltese Falcon (1941), Notorious (1946), […]

Episode 4 – The Goonies (1985) Apr 24, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss the classic 80’s Richard Donner kid’s adventure film “The Goonies,” known for the truffle shuffle, One-Eyed Willy’s hidden treasure and a lot of quotable one-liners. If you enjoyed this film you may also like these; here are Ted’s Picks: Explorers (1985), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), The Monster […]

Episode 3 – Being John Malkovich (1999) Apr 10, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss music video and TV commercial director Spike Jonze’s first feature film “Being John Malkovich,” known for its darkly wry and humorous investigation of existential angst. If you enjoyed this film you may also like these; here are Ted’s Picks: Get Out (2017), Adaptation. (2002), Fight Club (1999)

Episode 2 – Rushmore (1998) Mar 27, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Wes Anderson’s second feature film “Rushmore,” known for its quirkiness, odd characters, and bitter-sweet comedic flair. If you enjoyed this film you may also like these; here are Ted’s Picks: Lady Bird (2017), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Election (1999)

Episode 1 – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966) Mar 14, 2018

Bill and Ted discuss Sergio Leone’s classic Spaghetti Western “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” known for its cinematography, prolonged tension, and unforgettable score. If you enjoyed this film you may also like these; here are Ted’s Picks: The Good the Bad the Weird (2008), Fistful of Dollars (1964), Once Upon a Time in the […]

Episode 0 – In the Beginning, Bill and Ted Created a Podcast. Mar 09, 2018

Bill (aka Bill Cwirla) and Ted (aka Ted Giese) launch their movie podcast discussing their movie memories and favorite films. The podcast is a conversation between an expert movie watcher (Ted) and a movie novice (Bill). The art of watching movies as well as the role of movies in culture will be the focus. Films […]

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