Stay ConnectedBecome a Paid Subscriber and get bonus podcasts: https://anchor.fm/nowplayingpodcast/subscribe
Three playful movie reviewers break down a variety of film franchises by dedicating a podcast to every single sequel, reboot, and spin-off in a series. In-depth conversations cover production history, literary sources, gossip, merchandising, and personal opinion with humor and critical insight. No cinematic universe is too obscure or sacred! Over 1,200 reviews at http://nowplayingpodcast.com
Copyright: © Venganza Media, Inc.
The rat symbolizes obviousness
Now Playing Podcast takes on The Departed, Martin Scorsese’s return to organized crime after Goodfellas. With an all-star lineup that includes Jack Nicholson, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, Matt Damon, and Leonardo DiCaprio, the film drops viewers into a tense game of cops and criminals trying to unmask each other in Boston’s underworld. Loaded with double crosses, bravado, and more than a few questionable Bah-stan accents, The Departed became the film that finally earned Scorsese his long-awaited Academy Award for Best Director. But was the Oscar recognition truly for this film, or did it feel like a career victory lap? Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart dissect the performances, the pacing, and whether this crime thriller stands tall on its own merits.
Including an interview with book editor and entertainment journalist Alex Ben Block!
Books & Nachos is now part of Now Playing Podcast.
Before our book reviews were branded as Now Playing Podcast Book Reviews, they were released under a separate show called Books & Nachos. That podcast focused on book discussions, most of which tied directly into films we were covering on Now Playing. We’ve now merged those episodes into the main Now Playing Podcast feed for easier access and a complete archive. But these older episodes still have the original Books & Nachos intro and credits on those older recordings.
George Lucas's Blockbusting may sound like a book chronicling George Lucas's rise to box office dominance, first through his Star Wars films, and then through Indiana Jones and the other movies he's been a part of; however, this book is actually a cultural and financial look at movies through history, including what Lucas and the editors deemed the 300 "Blockbuster" movies from 1913 through 2005. On this Now Playing Podcast Book Review, Arnie interviews Alex Ben Block to discuss how the included films were selected, and then reviews this book to see if it deserves a place on your bookshelf!
Howard Hughes–director, engineer, nut-job, AVIATOR. Martin Scorsese re-teamed with Leonardo DiCaprio for their second film, a biopic about eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes and the result is a stylistic, three hour opus. Is this film the Spruce Goose of Oscar Bait, or can it take flight? Listen to Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob’s review to find out!
{Martin Scorsese / Leonardo DiCaprio Series}
DON'T DRINK THAT! IT'S NOT LEMONADE!
Now Playing Podcast turns its attention to The Aviator, Martin Scorsese’s lavish biopic chronicling the rise and unraveling of aviation pioneer and Hollywood mogul Howard Hughes. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic) in a physically and emotionally demanding role, the film charts Hughes’ ambition, innovation, romance, and growing battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder. With sweeping production design, old-Hollywood glamour, and high-stakes business drama, The Aviator arrived as prestige filmmaking in full throttle. But does Scorsese’s grand scale storytelling soar, or does the film get lost circling its own excess? The hosts examine the performances, the technical tricks, and whether this biographical epic truly flies.
Only a year after the events of 9/11 Martin Scorsese released a film about the people who built New York–Gangs of New York. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis, this film had Oscar Bait written all over it, and with Cameron Diaz thrown in audience turnout was assured as well. But how well does the movie work, and does it help Leo recover from his post-Titanic career haze? Listen to find out!
{Martin Scorsese / Leonardo DiCaprio Series}
Lucky, this is Cameron Diaz. Cameron, this is Lucky. Now, Lucky, put down the cereal and teach Cameron an Irish accent, please.
Only a year after 9/11, Martin Scorsese released Gangs of New York, an epic about the violent birth of modern Manhattan. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War draft riots, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio (The Beach) as a young man seeking revenge and Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot) as the towering, mustachioed Bill the Butcher, with Cameron Diaz (Charlie's Angels) rounding out the central trio. With massive sets, period detail, and prestige ambitions, Gangs of New York arrived carrying serious awards expectations. But does the movie live up to its epic scope, or does it feel more impressive than compelling? And does DiCaprio manage to shake off the lingering shadow of Titanic, or is he outmatched by Day-Lewis at every turn? The hosts dig into the performances, the pacing, and whether this historical saga earns its reputation.
Listen, or we'll hunt you down like a duck.
Now Playing Podcast wraps up its Back to the Future retrospective with Part III. This time, the DeLorean heads to 1885, where Marty McFly must ride into the Old West to save Doc Brown from a date with destiny courtesy of Mad Dog Tannen. Leaning into western tropes while tying up long-running character arcs, the final chapter shifts tone, but can it keep the heart of the series intact? The hosts saddle up to decide whether this finale rides off into the sunset or stumbles before the credits roll.
Now Playing is taking a trip Back to the Future! Join us as Brock, Stuart and Arnie take a look back and discuss all three films in this beloved time-travelling comedy adventure series. We conclude our series with Back to the Future Part III, released in 1990, where Marty travels to the Old West to save Doc Brown from Mad Dog Tannen’s bullet in his back. Does this series end with a hootenanny, or does this movie have us wanting to stick our heads in a water trough? Listen in and find out!
{Back to the Future Series}
Great Scott! A Pair O' Docs!
Now Playing Podcast continues its Back to the Future retrospective with Part II. Picking up seconds after the original ends, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) blast forward to 2015, then backward to 1955, in a sequel that doubles down on time-travel logic and narrative ambition. With Fox juggling multiple roles and timelines colliding in clever ways, Part II expands the mythology while taking bigger creative risks. Does this darker, more intricate follow-up successfully build on the original’s magic, or does the added complexity tangle the fun? Listen now to find out!
Now Playing is taking a trip Back to the Future! Join us as Brock, Stuart and Arnie take a look back and discuss all three films in this beloved time-travelling comedy adventure series. We continue our series with the first sequel Back to the Future Part II, released in 1989, where Marty and Doc travel to the future, the past, and then further in the past, all to prevent Biff from using the time machine for his own gain. Does this sequel have 1.21 gigawatts of goodness, or does this movie leave us wanting less? Listen in and find out!
{Back to the Future Series}
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
