Mousterpiece Cinema

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Episode 223: Pocahontas Nov 17, 2015

Show notes

Friends, if you take a look just around the riverbend, it's possible that you'll be able to discover a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. This week, Josh and Gabe are taking another trip back to the historical period when English settlers "discovered" the New World that would become the United States of America. Last month, they discussed Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, but now, they're looking back at one of the more controversial Disney Renaissance films: Pocahontas. And they're joined by Buzzfeed's Louis Peitzman to debate the serious issues: is this film racist? Should Disney ever have made an animated version of the Pocahontas myth? Is the new Broadway show "Hamilton" any good? OK, only two of those are serious issues (unless you love "Hamilton," probably), but they're all up for discussion on this week's show. Check it out now!

Lucasfilm Bonus Episode Six: The Star Wars Holiday Special Nov 16, 2015

Show notes

Gather 'round, everyone. Step up close, and get close to all your friends and family. There's no better time than now to celebrate the greatest holiday of all. No, not Christmas. Not Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or Ramadan. No, it's time to celebrate Life Day! You know Life Day, right? Life Day! The Wookiee national holiday! Why, it's the centerpiece of this week's topic of discussion on a very special b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema: The Star Wars Holiday Special! That's right, Josh and Gabe are finally talking about this infamous TV special, which celebrates its 37th anniversary on the date of this episode's publication. And as you might expect, this is a wild, woolly, weird episode of the show, replete with Chewbacca impressions, singing, and even a dramatic reading from Gabe that will make your jaw drop. Now, grab your closest family members a handful of those famous Wookiee ookies and get to listening to this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema!

Episode 222: The Prestige Nov 11, 2015

Show notes

Are you listening closely? You should really be listening closely to this week's Mousterpiece Cinema, because in this episode of the podcast, Gabe and Josh reveal that there are three parts to any true podcast. The first part is the introduction, wherein they welcome you to the show and lure you into their trap. The second part is the discussion, wherein they invite a guest to the proceedings to debate the merits of a movie from the Walt Disney Company. This is where you pretend that you're trying to figure out their game. But you really aren't. And then there's the third part: The Prestige. Specifically, Christopher Nolan's 2006 film about rival magicians, starring Hugh Jackman and Christian "Gooooooooood for you!" Bale, as well as Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine. Gabe and Josh are joined this week by friend of the show Tim Grierson, film critic and author of the new book "Martin Scorsese in 10 Scenes." Is The Prestige Christopher Nolan's best film? Has Hugh Jackman ever been better? Hell, has he even been in anything aside from superhero movies lately? (Pan doesn't count, it's not a real movie.) And does Josh impersonate Michael Caine? Only one way to know for sure: check out the new show!

Episode 221: The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men Nov 02, 2015

Show notes

All for one, and one for all! Oh, wait, no, wrong swashbuckling epic. No, no, we mean...let's rob the rich to give back to the poor! (That's more like it.) This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are headed back to the Middle Ages in England to talk about the quintessential legend of Robin Hood. What's that? You didn't know that Disney made more than one Robin Hood movie? It's true, they didn't just make the 1973 animated film! See, this episode is about the 1952 live-action film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, starring such actors as almost-but-not-quite-James Bond Richard Todd and mad-as-hell Peter Finch. This was Disney's second fully live-action film, but was it as good as their Treasure Island? Is it a step down? Have any of Josh's celebrity impersonations improved? Find out now!

Episode 220: Return From Witch Mountain Oct 27, 2015

Show notes

It's almost Halloween, and so Josh and Gabe are embracing the spooky spirit of the season by facing something truly scary on Mousterpiece Cinema: a sequel. Only weeks after they watched the 1975 live-action adventure Escape to Witch Mountain, your intrepid hosts are heading back. Or...returning from. Yes, that sounds better, because this week's movie is Return From Witch Mountain, with Tony and Tia going head-to-head, courtesy of the new film's baddies, Bette Davis and Christopher Lee. Could a movie with these iconic figures as the villains be bad? The answer is a big, fat, resounding "Yuuuuuuuuuup," sadly. But there's still plenty of time for Josh and Gabe to debate the important topics, such as who's going to win the World Series, and more importantly...which mountain? Which...which one? Which mountain? (Yes, get ready for puns.) Check out the new episode now!

Episode 219: Bridge of Spies Oct 20, 2015

Show notes

Do you love films? I mean, really love films? I'm talking classic movies like The Conversation and The Godfather. You do? Good, because it's time for a special episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, but it might as well be called I Love Films. Why? We're talking about U2 this week! That's right, we are talkin' U2 to you. OK, fine, so we're actually talking about the U-2 plane incident at the onset of the Cold War, as this event takes major precedence in Steven Spielberg's new film Bridge of Spies. (But still, we love films. Love 'em!) This week, Josh and Gabe are indeed discussing Spielberg's newest film, with friend of the show/host of The Cinephiliacs, Peter Labuza. Is Bridge of Spies another great collaboration between Spielberg and Tom Hanks? Has Hanks embraced his inner Jimmy Stewart? Is there an easy way to connect this to Saving Private Ryan? And, most importantly, what does Benghazi have to do with this movie? The truth is out there! In this episode of the show! Listen now.

Episode 218: Squanto: A Warrior's Tale Oct 14, 2015

Show notes

With the holidays right around the corner, Josh and Gabe couldn't think of a better way to bring on another Thanksgiving by starting early, and going back. Way back. Further than that. No, not quite that far, just--yes, that's it. Right there, to the beginning of the period when Pilgrims attempted to coexist peacefully with Native Americans. At least, in film form, and from Walt Disney Pictures. On this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, we're talking about Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, the 1994 film that asks the age-old question, "What would Mandy Patinkin look like if he had a bald spot on his head?" There's plenty of debate over whether or not the lead character's anguish or the Native Americans' plight is dramatized or not. And, once more, the demons of Skype strike again--noise issues plague us once more, but not next week. Promise! Now go listen to the show!

Episode 217: The Haunted Mansion Oct 06, 2015

Show notes

The walls are closing in on you. There's a mysterious creaking sound from the door to the spooky basement you never like to visit. You're in a room with no doors or windows. Yes, that's right, you're trapped. Welcome, foolish mortals, to a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, where Josh and Gabe are in a spooky mood as they talk about the 2003 comedy The Haunted Mansion, based on the famous theme-park attraction. Getting in on the fun is International Business Times writer Monica Castillo. How terrifying will this episode get? Is there anything scarier on this episode than the prospect of watching the Eddie Murphy comedy? Is it possible that prankish spirits got in on the fun by mucking up the sound of the conversation with spooky background noise? (That one's a definite yes, so consider yourself warned.) Check out the show now, and find out what terrors lie in store!

Episode 216: Escape to Witch Mountain Sep 30, 2015

Show notes

We're on the move this week, friends, and we're headed to a mysterious place full of wild and inexplicable happenings. (No, Burning Man was earlier this summer.) That's right, we're headed to Witch Mountain. Specifically, Josh and Gabe are watching and discussing the 1975 film Escape to Witch Mountain on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. And they're joined by friend of the show Eric Goldman of IGN to talk about this very odd, languorously paced chase film from the director of a grindhouse classic. (Yes, it's a Disney movie.) Is this too cheesy to work? Does the film hold up after 40 years? We're telepathically communicating the answers to you, but if that doesn't work, just listen to the episode!

Episode 215: Signs Sep 23, 2015

Show notes

Grab as many glasses of water as you can, a baseball bat, and your inhaler, because it's time for a very special, spook-tacular episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. (What? If Starbucks can start the Pumpkin Spice Latte in September, we can start our October theme now too.) Gabe and Josh are headed to the cornfield this week to talk about yet another film from writer-producer-director M. Night Shyamalan, the 2002 sci-fi drama Signs, starring everyone's favorite person, Mel Gibson. Plus a young, pre-beard Joaquin Phoenix! Ah, they were simpler times, the early 2000s. Joining Gabe and Josh again is longtime friend of the show and five-time guest Alexander Huls. Is Signs M. Night Shyamalan's best film? His worst? Does it portend of bad things to come? And will Josh make good on his promise from last week and sing in this episode? All...signs point to yes (sorry)! Check out the show now!

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