Mousterpiece Cinema

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Episode 187: Mr. Holland's Opus Mar 11, 2015

Show notes

OK, friends, sit up straight. Backs up. Instruments high. And a-two, and a-three, and a-...OK, fine, no actual performing required today, but we are in a musical mood thanks to the movie of the week on Mousterpiece Cinema: Mr. Holland's Opus, starring Richard Dreyfuss as a music teacher in Oregon trying to improve the lives of his students over a three-decade period through an appreciation of the Terpsichorean muse. But is his Glenn Holland actually a good and/or inspirational teacher? Or just kind of a self-involved jackass? The answer isn't quite so simple, as Gabe and Josh are joined by Kyle Turner of The Balcony to debate the lead character and the film he occupies. Is it more than dramatic irony to have his son be deaf? Is Holland's off-key performance of "Beautiful Boy" sweet or painful? And how skeevy is the subplot about a student of his harboring a crush on him? Answers to these and more lie within. Check it out!

Episode 186: Pixar Shorts Collection, Vol. 2 Mar 03, 2015

Show notes

We'd like to tell you that this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is short in keeping with the tone and scope of our topic of discussion, but does "short" sound like it fits with our podcast? Of course not. That aside, Gabe and Josh tackle the second volume of Pixar shorts this week, covering everything from Your Friend The Rat to Time Travel Mater, because...well, someone has to, right? There's only six years' worth of shorts to cover, and only four wholly original ones; is this volume nearly as exciting and entertaining, if not revealing, as the first? Are there hidden gems within this group? Or are there too many franchise extensions? And will Gabe get yet another chance to reveal his general distaste for dogs/his inability to feel joy and love? Listen to find out!

Lucasfilm Bonus Episode Four: The Star Wars Prequels Feb 28, 2015

Show notes

Grab your cloaks and lightsabers, folks, because the Force is strong with this special bonus episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. After months of waiting and hoping and plugging our Facebook page, we've finally reached the point where we can talk about--yes, really--all three Star Wars prequels! The Phantom Menace! Attack of the Clones! Revenge of the Shi--Sith! Yes, Josh and Gabe talk about all three of them on this supersized episode of the podcast. Plus, Gabe reveals his so-called "dark secret" about the future of the franchise, and Josh unveils two different impersonations! As you can tell, things get kind of silly, almost from the get-go, but there's only one person to blame for that: George Lucas! Why, he's so bad he might even have nefarious designs on Gabe! Find out what that could mean by listening to the new show!

Episode 185: McFarland, USA Feb 24, 2015

Show notes

The best way to listen to this episode of Mousterpiece Cinema is to do so while running, so get thee to a treadmill, listener. This week, Josh and Gabe are racing to the finish line to debate the new based-on-a-true-story Disney sports drama, McFarland, U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S..sorry about that. They're joined in this intrepid endeavor by Alan Scherstuhl of The Village Voice. Who better than three white dudes to talk about the latest White Savior movie? (Starring Kevin Costner, because of course it is!) And there's no skimping on the tangential references this week either, as everything from Batman's origin to porkpie hats to Cape Fear is up for grabs. So head on over to the local taqueria, try NOT to order a burger while you're there, then start jogging home with this episode as your soundtrack!

Episode 184: DuckTales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp Feb 18, 2015

Show notes

It's time for an episode of Mousterpiece Cinema that's 25 years in the making! That's right: this week, Josh and Gabe are going back to the beginning...of DisneyToon Studios, at least, as they review the 1990 film DuckTales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp. They're joined by past guest Andrew Daar to talk all things DuckTales (woo-oo!), but also the film's not-so-shocking similarities to Disney's future adaptation of Aladdin as well as how famed comedian Rip Taylor might, in this film, be closer to half-Joe Camel and a third-Fonzarelli in playing a particularly...loud genie. (Yes, Poochie will be invoked a lot this week. A LOT.) Does DuckTales The Movie hold up after a quarter-century? Is there still quality to be mined from the original Scrooge McDuck stories? And will one of us sing this week? Find out now!

Episode 183: The Princess and the Frog Feb 11, 2015

Show notes

Ladies and gentlemen, we are almost there! Actually, for longtime listeners, scratch that, we ARE there--we're finally able to talk about the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog on today's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. If you're new to the show, you might not know, but Josh has long hinted at being a big fan of this hand-drawn animated story of a young African-American woman who kisses a frog only to turn into one herself in 1920s-era New Orleans. After all that build-up, he's able to go on and on about how much he loves this film; he loves it so much, he sings once again! (Not a song from this movie. Not a song from any Disney movie, actually.) Is Gabe on board the love train this week? Or does Josh have to invoke the infamous disapproving-dog meme to respond to his co-host? And will Gabe impersonate Tom Waits, for once and for all? Find out now!

Episode 182: Bedknobs and Broomsticks Feb 03, 2015

Show notes

This week on Mousterpiece Cinema, Josh and Gabe are getting ready for a trip all the way to London, circa 1940. It's the Age of Not Believing, but they've got open minds, or they're trying to. Yes, it's time for us to have some fun with Bedknobs and Broomsticks, the 1971 film starring Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson that may owe a debt or two or twelve to Mary Poppins, from its Sherman Brothers songs to its animated sequence to everything in between. Is this movie nothing more than a knockoff, or does it have hidden charms beneath all the tomfoolery? Are we in...a tight spot? (And what does a Coen Brothers reference have to do with this film?) Find out today!

Episode 181: Strange Magic Jan 26, 2015

Show notes

Wise men say only fools rush in. But I gotta feelin' that tonight's gonna be a good night. So come on, Marianne! OK, enough singing (for now). Time to get down to business, and on this week's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, business equals talking about the brand-new film from the Walt Disney Company. Yes, they just released a new animated film! From George Lucas! It's got tons of songs! You may have skipped out on Strange Magic, but Josh and Gabe can definitely attest to the fact that it exists, because they both paid to see it. And so did their guest, friend of the show Keith Phipps of The Dissolve. And now, they're here to commiserate over the film, which is unique! (Uniquely bad, that is.) From the current state of computer animation to the novels of James Ellroy to Beyonce's recent surprise album, everything--really--is up for discussion this week, as these three try to wash the taste of Strange Magic away. The movie might've been a pain, but this episode's (thankfully) not. Check it out!

Episode 180: Treasure Planet Jan 20, 2015

Show notes

Avast, buckoes! It's time for Mousterpiece Cinema to start plundering some booty on this week's episode, but we're not going to be traveling for some island in the middle of the sea. Instead, we're heading for outer...space! (No more Inside Llewyn Davis references, sorry.) Josh and Gabe are traveling straight to Treasure Planet this week, discussing the 2002 effort from John Musker and Ron Clements, the same men who directed Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. But they also directed this film, arguably the biggest flop in Walt Disney Animation Studios history. What happened? Was this film worthy of such an unfortunate plight? Is it better than people might assume? And, in the words of The Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik, "can you help me be a man?" CAN YOU? First step: listen to the new episode!

Episode 179: Kiki's Delivery Service Jan 13, 2015

Show notes

Are you feeling flighty today? Perhaps a bit witchy? Well, at the very least, if you're ready to have an open mind and a bit of interest, you're the perfect audience for today's episode of Mousterpiece Cinema. Josh and Gabe take flight with the Hayao Miyazaki film Kiki's Delivery Service, and they're joined by friend of the show Dan Schindel to talk about this 1989 story of a girl spending a year in the city and practicing the craft and trade of being a witch. With the recent Blu-ray release in mind, Josh, Gabe, and Dan talk about the "dubtitle" controversy plaguing Disney's Studio Ghibli home media, episodic filmmaking, the beauty of Miyazaki's animation, and Phil Hartman. (We know. You're sad now. So are we. Sorry.) Get your broomsticks ready and check out the new show!

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