Mousterpiece Cinema

Latest Episodes:

Episode 214: Cars Sep 15, 2015

Show notes

Keep a weather eye open, friends. It sounds like thunder is approaching. And you know what comes after thunder, don't you? That would be...lightning! Ka-chow! And also dad-gum! Yes, the day is finally here. We're sure you've been waiting with bated breath and/or on tenterhooks for this one: Gabe and Josh are going to talk about the Pixar film Cars. They're not alone this week, either, as friend of the show Griffin Newman joins them to talk about all things vehicular. Does Cars get a bad rap? Is it better than its reputation? Does it deserve to be the basis for its own theme-park land? Or is it pretentious to dislike this movie? All these questions and a few references to a certain fan theory await you. Now get in your car, take a slow drive, and check out the show!

Episode 213: Fun and Fancy Free Sep 08, 2015

Show notes

Gabe and Josh are feeling lighthearted and laid-back today, so what better film to discuss on Mousterpiece Cinema than the 1947 package film Fun and Fancy Free? Your hosts tackle the two short films, about a circus bear in nature and Mickey and friends facing off against a giant, respectively, as best they can. But package film discussions almost always come with a tangent or two, and the duo don't disappoint this week. Is this one of Disney's most forgettable package films? Is Kermit the Frog a two-timing cad for leaving Miss Piggy? And what more can Josh say about his surprisingly popular essay on fan theories? Find out now!

Marvel Bonus Episode: The Iron Man Films Sep 04, 2015

Show notes

Happy Labor Day, everyone! While you take a load off on this holiday, Josh and Gabe have been hard at work on a new bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. As they pause their exploration of the Lucasfilm canon, Josh and Gabe turn their eye to some of the early Marvel Cinematic Universe movies they didn't cover on the regular show, specifically the Iron Man movies. Yes, it's time to take a look at the story of one Tony Stark, AKA Robert Downey, Jr., along with his friends Pepper Potts and Col. James Rhodes. Now that we've had more than a couple handfuls of MCU movies, do Josh and Gabe enjoy the exploits of Iron Man? Has he really learned anything or is he still an arrogant jackass? And is Iron Man 3 the best MCU movie to date? Find out in this bonus show right now!

Episode 212: The Rookie Sep 02, 2015

Show notes

The crack of the bat, the smell of freshly mown grass, the sound of an umpire calling a strike on a pitch that is so far outside, how could that be a strike, you bum? HOW? Oh, sorry, just got into the heat of the moment, because it's the tail end of a very good baseball season for Josh and Gabe's teams of choice. (At least, for now.) So what better way to start off a new September on Mousterpiece Cinema than by talking about a Disney baseball movie? Yes, it's time to talk about the 2002 based-on-a-true-story sports film The Rookie. (No, not the one starring Charlie Sheen.) With Dennis Quaid at the helm, as a high school teacher whose long-dormant throwing power as a pitcher turns out to get him a tryout with an MLB team, The Rookie has at least one foot in the right direction, but does it avoid the pitfalls of the sports drama? Does Rachel Griffiths get more to do than just be the henpecking wife? And will the Mets win the game that happened during this recording? Find out now!

Episode 211: Porco Rosso Aug 25, 2015

Show notes

As we fight off the summer blues, it's time for another episode of Mousterpiece Cinema! And what better way to fight off the blues than by taking to the air? This week, Josh and Gabe tackle yet another film from the Studio Ghibli filmography, Hayao Miyazaki's Porco Rosso. You know the film, right? It's the one about the Italian World War I flying ace who has the face of a pig and gets himself in a ton of trouble with a dashing and arrogant American flyer. Josh and Gabe don't come to blows like these two characters, but they have a nice debate over whether the film's a comedy or drama (or neither), and whether Michael Keaton's style of acting meant each of his performances were immensely similar. Strap in and get ready for a new podcast now!

Episode One: Cars 2 Aug 24, 2015

Show notes

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome one and all to Mousterpiece Cinema! This blog and podcast are all about analyzing the Disney movies of the past, present, and future. I'm your host and guide, Josh, and for this inaugural episode, I'll take a look at Disney-Pixar's latest film, Cars 2. If you're concerned that this show will be a constant Disney lovefest, this episode will allay your fears. But if you're a Disney fanatic, don't fear--I love the Mouse and always have!

Episode 210: Pollyanna Aug 19, 2015

Show notes

Hey, friends! It's time to play the glad game on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Gabe and Josh harken back to a simpler time in America. It's a time when kids could climb trees without a worry in the world, when the entire town attended a local bazaar, and when grouchy old men taught people about what prisms were. Yes, it's time to review the 1960 film Pollyanna, starring Hayley Mills, Jane Wyman, and Karl Malden, among others. Were Gabe and Josh won over by the boundless optimism of this film and its title character? Or were they left as cold as mean old Mr. Pendergast? This is a super-packed episode, with impersonations of Elvis and Kirk Douglas as well as Gabe recounting his experience at last weekend's D23 Expo. Check it out!

Episode 209: Dick Tracy Aug 08, 2015

Show notes

Freeze, flatfoot! That's right, we're talkin' to you, ya stick in the mud. C'mere. Yeah, c'mere. We got a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema here, right here for the taking. Yeah, sure, it's free. 'Course it's free! Ain't no coppers here to stop you from taking it. OK, fine, enough of the goofy talk, but we do have a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema for your edification and entertainment. This time, Josh and Gabe are in the big city, facing down some of the biggest criminals as they discuss the 1990 comic-book adaptation of Dick Tracy. Warren Beatty! Al Pacino! Madonna! Mandy Patinkin! Dick Van Dyke! And more! Josh and Gabe are joined by the managing editor of Indiewire, Kate Erbland, to talk about Dick Tracy as well as its continued legacy. Will there be a new one? Will Warren Beatty wear the fedora and trenchcoat again? Did he...already? On TV? In a special filmed by Academy Award winner Emmanuel Lubezki? He...well, just listen to find out!

Episode 208: The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea Aug 04, 2015

Show notes

Have you ever watched The Little Mermaid and thought to yourself, "Yeah, but what if the stern, taskmaster parent was Ariel, and the rebellious kid was her daughter? I'd like to see that movie!" No? Too bad! Because it absolutely exists, and it's this week's movie on Mousterpiece Cinema. Gabe and Josh are headed back to the ocean blue to talk about The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, featuring all of your favorite characters: Ariel! Sebastian! Flounder! Scuttle! Morgana! Oh, you know who Morgana is: she's Ursula's crazy sister! If none of this sounds palatable to you, how about special guest Alan Scherstuhl of The Village Voice? (We should hope so.) Get ready for a wild, strange episode that invokes everything from Milhouse van Houten to Sarah Palin. (Really.) Check it out!

Episode 207: Dinosaur Jul 27, 2015

Show notes

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are going back. Way back. Further than they've gone before. Yes, further than you're thinking. They're going all the way back to the Cretaceous period to talk about the 2000 animated film Dinosaur. This hybrid of live-action and computer animation was notable upon its release in the summer of 2000, but has it held up after 15 years? Do people remember this film? Do they remember "Evening Shade"? You know "Evening Shade," right? The CBS sitcom with Burt Reynolds and Ossie Davis? Ossie Davis, from "Dinosaur"? Yes, if that wasn't clear, here's a fair warning: there are tangents aplenty in this one, mostly dinosaur-related. Plus Gabe sings. Unprompted! It's a wild one, so get ready and check it out!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected