Sitting Around Talking Movies: Recent Episodes
Neil Rosen
Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy love to disagree about what they see in pop culture and they see hundreds of movies every year, so there's plenty for them to yell about. The New York based duo are seen nationally on Time Warner Cable's weekly series "Talking Pictures On Demand". They're joined each week Entertainment Correspondent for CBS Radio News Bill Bregoli. These guys hobnob at movie premieres, parties and industry panels. They'll recommend the movies you can watch right away at home as they sift through the myriad of VOD offerings. Join them and learn what to Demand and what to miss. "We watch the bad movies so you don't have to."
Download to find out if these three movie, tv and pop culture critics ever agree on anything other than “Neil's the smart one."
It's thinking-person's blockbuster time at the movies. That means Christopher Nolan , who loves opening movies when people are all sweaty, has a new movie out. This time it's "The Odyssey" starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, the kid who plays Spiderman and that kid's girlfriend, maybe wife. Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy both went to see it and they'll both tell you what they think in less than 2 hours and 50 minutes which is how long the movie is. Neil Rosen tells us about a musical he saw called "Cagney" which is, surpise, about James Cagney. We've also got some streaming shows to tell you about incclusing "Widow's Bay," "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed" and "Witness." So give us a listen before standing in line at the movies.
It's what Matthew Broderick once called "Africa Hot" out there. And there's nothing better on a hot holiday weekend than OPAC - aka Other People's Air Conditioning. And there's no place better than your local movie theater. And we'll tell you what's worth seeking out in the heat - and what isn't. We start with the new "Supergirl." There's been a little controversy about it. Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll let you know what he thinks. "Toy Story 5" is also in theaters and it's a lot less controversial. Neil Rosen even took his daughter along to see it and he'll let you know what he thinks. Bill McCuddy's air conditioning is apparently working just fine so he's been streaming movies including "Tuner" and "The Sheep Detectives." We'll also update you on some streaming series we've been catching up with and Neil has some book reports. So Listen in.
If the World Cup games have been boring you to tears we have just the thing for you. There are still some summer movies out there for you to check out. We start with Stephen Spielberg's first science fiction movie in a long time called "Disclosure Day." It stars Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor and it's about aliens. Not the kind that Fox News is always talking about, these come from outer space. Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli saw and and they'll certainly let you know what they thought. Then we've got a wild Hong Kong action movie called "The Furious" and everyone is Kung Fu fighting. Neil Rosen tells us about his interview with actor/filmmaker Ed Burns whose new film "Finnegan's Foursome" is now streaming. And Neil will tell you how you can even watch the interview. We also take on some streaming series such as "Margot's Got Money Troubles" and "The Four Seasons." So listen in!
The calendar my say other wise but Hollywood says it's summer so here come the blockbesters. Well, a new Star Wars movie, sort of. It's "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu." Bill Bregoli had been haunting actual movie theaters so he checked it out and his verdict is...Neil Rosen has his eyes glued on streaming channels and he tells us about "Marty: Life is Short" which is about, you guessed it, Martin Short. Bill McCuddy watched a movie, albeit on Amazon Prime called "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War" which he fills us in on. And speaking of streaming, we also have "Beef," "Love Story," "Beef," "Just in Time" and a real doozy called "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed." If you're still venturing out to movie theaters there's one Bill B really liked called "Tuner" with Dustin Hoffman. So listen in!
The ofiicial start of Summer is weeks away according to the calendar but as far as Hollywood is concerned it's time to bring on the blockbusters. Or blockbuster hopefuls anyay. We start with a sequel we've been waiting 20 years for - "The Devi Wears Prada 2." Stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt have all returned. Will audiences? Bill Bregoli has seen it and has the same question. Then we have "Michael" starring Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, the king of pop. Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy weigh in at length on what they thought of it. We've also got "A Spoonful of Chocolate" written and directed by RZA. And for you streaming folks there's "Apex" which as Charlize Theron on the rocks so to speak. Plus "DTF: St Louis" and "Margot's Got Money troubles" starring Elle Fanning. If yuou want to start off your summer with documentaries we've got "Lorne," "Breakdown: 1975" and "Naked Ambition." So put off buying sun block for a while and listen to us.
Now that it's Spring and there's pollen in the air so you may want to hunker down indoors. And we've been doing just that. If you're into streaming series we've got a whle lot of new shows to tell you about as well as established shows that are starting new seasons. There's the "Handmaids Tale" sequel called "The Testaments" and "Rooster" which stars Steve Carrell as a college professor. And we look at the new (and final) season of "Hacks" plus "Your Friends and Neighbors." As for movies, we'll tell you about "Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice" which stars Vince Vaughn as well as "Pizza Movie" which has one of the "Stranger Things" kids in it and "Fantasy Life" which is a little Indie movie with a surprisingly great cast. Then Neil Rosen fills us in on some Broadway and Off-Broadways shows he's seen like "Death of a Salesman," "Dog Day Afternoon" and "Gotta Dance." We've got a whole lot of other stuff too like Taylor Tomlinson's new Netflix special "Prodigal Daughter" and what the hell CBS is doing to its late night lineup. So listen in!
The award season has finally ended and it went out with a bang with the 2026 Oscars. Big stars, a few surprises and some bittersweet moments. We'll give you our quick take on how the show went down and we want to know what you think too. So listen in and let us know. It won't take long, we promise.
The endless movie award season is about to come to an end (finally!). But before it does, there's still the Oscars on March 15th. Yes, it's all led up to this. But first you'll want to hear our Oscar predictions! We're not always right and we almost never agree but before you go to bet anything at your office Oscar pool you may want to hear what we have to say. A lot has changed during the lengthy (oh so lengthy) award season and what may have been a sure bet back in December may not be now. So listen in and get the latest take.
It seems the groundhog was right. Winter is dagging on. But even though the big movie companies aren't sending their usual franchises and sequels out to the theaters, there's still plenty to take your mind off that sidewalk that needs to be shoveled. We start with the latest version of "Wuthering Hights." This one stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi and it's directed by Emerald Fennell. Bill McCuddy saw it and he'll tell you what he thinks of it. Then there's the dark comedy "How to Make a Killing" starring Glen Powell and Margaret Qualley. Bill Bregoli checked that one out. And Neil Rosen finally caught up with "Nuremberg" now that it's streaming. It's got Nazis and Russell Crowe. Neil also got out to Broadway where he saw "Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York." Does it feel as long as its title? For you streaming fans we've got "How to Get to Heaven From Belfast" from the creator of "Derry Girls." and the Italian crime series "My Name is Venetta." There's more too, including "In the Blink of an Eye" and "Nivanna the Band the Show the Movie." so listen in.
There hasn't been a winter like this in years. Most of the country is dealing with bitter cold conditions. Of course, your local theater is prettty warm, and there's probably a cozy spot in front of your TV at home. So if your looking for entertainment options we've got lots to tell you about. We start with "Send Help" starring Rachel McAdams and directed by Sam Raimi. It's about an employee and her insufferable boss who become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. Here, they must overcome past grievances and work together to make it out alive.It's pretty intense. Then there's the thriller "Crime 101" starring Chris Hemsworth as an elusive thief, eyeing his final score. Speaking of crime, there's also "Dead Man's Wire" starring Bill Skarsgard and directed by Gus Van Sant. And there's also "The Rip" which reunites Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and puts them in Miami. Neil Rosen tells about his time on Broadway and Bill McCuddy has the streaming series "Steal" to tell you about. And oh yeah, there's "Melania" which we haven't seen but that doesn't stop us from talking about. So listen in.
In this special episode Neil Rosen has a fascinating conversation with Brigit Grant who wrote a movie about Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Often referred to as "the fifth Beatle," Epstein was instrumental in rocketing the four unknown lads from Liverpool to worldwide fame. "Mdias Man" reveals Epstein's complicated personal life and the toll it took on him. Brigit gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how this unique film was put together.
The Critics Choice Awards and the GOlden GLobe Awards have come and gone. You've probably forgotten the monologues already. But what about the winners and losers? Are there any sure bets as to who will win or even get nominated for the Oscars. Listen in and we'll let you know
The Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globe Awards are behind us now. But there are plenty ahead on the road to the Oscars. Are there any sure bets yet? We've taken a look at what's transpired yet so listen in and you'll here what we think may happen in the future. Award-wise that is.
Judging from what's already happened so far in 2026 we may look back on 2025 as the good old days. So we decided to take a look back and tell you our best and worst movies of 2025. Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy both take a different approach while Bill Bregoli demurred because he thinks the entire year's offerings were pretty much "meh," But we also have some new movies to talk about. We start with "The Housemaid" starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, who contractually has to be in every other movie being filmed these days. We all saw it and we actually all agreed on it. And speaking of Amanda Seyfried, we also have "The Testament of Ann Lee" which is giving her some Oscar buzz. Plus we have "Song Sung Blue" with Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudon singing more Neil Diamond songs than doctors would recommend. Then there's "The Choral" starring Ralph Fiennes as a choir master. Just what audiences are craving for these days. Plus there's "We Bury the Dead" because someone thought we should start 2026 with a zombie movie. Then again, why not? So listen in and put off all those New Year's resolutions you're probably not going to keep anyway.
Award season is nigh, so is the holiday movie season. All the movies are heavily advertised and publicized now. But not all of them are worth your good money, In fact, we may save you a lot of money this time around. We start with "Marty Supreme." It's this year's award bait movie starring Timothee Chalamet. There was one last year too but this one is about a ping pong player. Really. We all saw it and let's just say we pretty much agree on it. We've also all seen "Jay Kelly." "It stars George Clooney as a movie star named Jay Kelly. It's got Adam Sandler in it too. Our thumbs all pretty much pointed in the same direction on this one too. But which way? Then there's "Is This Thing On?" starring Will Arnet as a standup comedian going through a divorce. "Aren't they all? You ask. Yes, but they're not all directed by Bradley Cooper. We've also got a quirky fable called "100 Nights a Hero" which probably won't play in a theater near you but should you watch it when it inevitably streams? And there's "Merrily We Roll Along" which is a filmed version of a Broadway musical which people payed big money to see. But even crappy Broadwaymusicals cost big money to see. Is this worth paying a movie price to watch? There's more. There's the streaming series "Pluribus" and tales of film company parties too. Plus we'll fill you in on who got snubbed by the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards. And by our count we may save you over $100 bucks you would have wasted at the movies so you owe us a listen.
We get it. You've had way too much to eat and now you want to sit back and watch something. Something that's not football. And with all the movies to talk about this podcast is overstuffed as well. First there's "Wicked: For Good." You've seen the first one, but how is this one? We'll let you know. For action fans there's "Sisu: Road to Revenge" and "The Running Man." And for those who like movies in exotic locations there's "Lefthanded Girl" and "Rental Family." We've got buzz-worthy movies too like "Hamnet" and "After the Hunt." Into streaming series? We've got "Pluribus" and "Down Cemetery Road." And there's even "Nouvelle Vague" for those of you who like black and white movies. And we haven't told you everything so listen in!
In this very special episode our very own Neil Rosen and Roger Friedman of Showbiz411.com sit down with Woody Allen in his New York townhouse for a wide ranging and eye opening discussion. Woody has been doing publicity for his first novel "What's With Baum," but the conversation goes far beyond that. He talks about his many triumphs. Included in those are the 50 movies he’s made, winning the Oscar for “Annie Hall,” and the many actors he’s worked with. And speaking of "Annie Hall," Woody also expresses his feelings over the passing of his co-star and muse Diane Keaton. It's a fascinating discussion so listen in!
Award Season is looming and so far there are no clear favorites. And there may never be, Some years are like that. BUT there are some pictures coming soon that have been getting some buzz and lucky us,we've seen them. And lucky you because we'll tell you which movies are worthy of buzz. Neil Rosen starts us off with "Bugonia" which is the latest from director Yorgos Lanthimos who seems to find new ways to torture Emma Stone in every movie he makes. Bill Bregoli tells us about the Netflix movie "Ballad of a Small Player" in which Colin Farrell sweats a lot and gambles in far-off Macau. Is it a safe bet? And Bill McCuddy tells us about "Christy" starring Sydney Sweeney as boxer Christy Martin. We've also got Bill M's interview with Jodie Foster about her latest movie "A Private Life." You can hear it right here. We've also got the Springsteen sort of biopic "Deliver Me From Nowhere" as well as "Nuremberg" starring Russell Crowe as a Nazi! Plus we've got the nuclear thriller from Kathryn Bigelow "A House of Dynamite" and the documentary Ben Stiller made about his parents called "Stiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost." Geez, there's even more including the spicy "Hedda" and the buzzy foreign film "Sentimental Value." There's even more but your humble scribe is tired from all this typing and has just enough energy left to tell you Neil teases something special that's coming soon.
Not only is Fall in the air but you can tell it's also time for the serious movies. The award show bait, the film festival films. The films you heard someone talk about at a party. We've seen some of them and we're going to let you know which are worth your time and money. We start with "Kiss of the Spider Woman." It's been on film before and even on Broadway. But now it's a movie musical. Neil Rosen kind of went nuts on this one. Then there's the latest from Paul Thomas Anderson called "One Battle After Another: which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. Bill McCuddy will let you know what he thought of that one. Neil then fires back with "Blue Moon" which stars Ethan Hawke and it tells the story of ells the story of Lorenz Hart's struggles with alcoholism and mental health as he tries to save face during the opening of "Oklahoma!". Not to be outdaone, Bill Bregoli tells us about the long awaited sequel "Spinal Tap: The End Continues" about everyone's favorite fictional heavy metal band. He also saw "Roofman" which stars Channing Tatum as a charismatic criminal, who on the run from the police, hides in a hidden space of a toy store. We've also got "The Smashing Machine" which stars Duane Johnson as you've never seen before, the Paul Greengrass action film "The Lost Bus," and a little gem of an action movie called "Dead of Winter" which stars, beleive it or not, Emma Thomson. And since you may need a drink after listening to us we've got the new streaming series "House of Guinness." So listen in.
We'll be honest, none of these movies or streaming shows have anything to do with pumpkin spice. The title is simply there to get your attention, which all these shows could use. They're not awards bait (though there's a slight chance they may get some) and they're not heavily promoted. But still, they're worth cheking out. We start with "Highest 2 Lowest" which is a Spike Lee remake of a Kurosawa film your obnoxious friends may brag that they've seen. They're probably lying. Anyway, it stars Denzel Washington as a music mogul who is faced with a dliemma when a teenager is kidnapped. Bill McCuddy and Bill McCuddy both saw it and they'll let you know what they think. Then there's "Honey Don't" starring Margaret Qualley as a lebian private eye. Of course Bill Bregoli saw it. He also saw "Caught Stealing" starring Austin Butler as ex-baseball player Hank Thompson who unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival amidst the criminal underbelly of 1990s New York City. Neil Rosen streamed "My Mom Jayne" which explores the life and legacy of Mariska Hargitay's mother, Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield, who died tragically in a car accident at age 34 when Mariska was only three years old. Bill Mccuddy's been straming too and he tells us about "The Paper" which in which a documentary crew searches for new subject, finding a dying Midwestern newspaper and its publisher's efforts to revive it using volunteer reporters. Think "the Office" with newsprint all over its hands. He also watched the series "Blood" which IMDB tells us is about "old secrets, older betrayals, mind games, and the lies family tell each other." And not getting out of his chair. Mr. McCuddy also watched "Rebus" about a hardboiled Edinburgh cop with a tendency to bend rules. Meanwhile, Bill Bregoli keeps going to movie theaters where he saw a bizarre Ron Howard movie called "Eden," about a group of outsiders who settle on a remote island only to discover their greatest threat isn't the brutal climate or deadly wildlife, but each other. And if you want a movie to watch on Netflix with yur parents there's "The Thursday Murder Club." Oh, and Neil read a book about Elaine May. Plenty here, so listen in.
The Summer Clearance Sale at your local theater continues but we've done our best to find some interesting selections for you. First we have "Weapons," the box-office surprise horror movie. It tells what happens when all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. It's got Julia Garner and Josh Brolin. Both Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy have different opinions on it. Then there's the long awaited (for some people anyway) sequel "Happy Gilmore2" which NeilRosen will fill us in on. We also have the thriller "Relay" starring Lily James and Riz Ahmed in which a broker of lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten them breaks his own rules when a new client seeks his protection to stay alive. For documentary fans there's "Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan" which tells how Ed Sullivan broke barriers by booking Black artists on his Sunday night variety show. Plus Neil fills us in on a book about Woody Allen and Bill McCuddy poses an interesting question. So listen in!
It's the time of the yearwhen the weirder stuff comes out. And there's nothing wrong with that after a summer of over hyped high budget extravaganzas. So we start with "The Naked Gun." Like the 80's original, this reboot spoofs police procedurals and more. Plus it's got Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. Bill Bregoli had a beer and watched it and he'll tell you what he thought. Neil Rosen fills us in on the latest "Fantastic Four" movie. There have been others that haven't fared so well. Is the 4th time the charm? We've also got documentaries such as "Sally" which tells how Sally Ride's groundbreaking journey as the first American woman in space concealed a deeply personal story. And "Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Story" which is (ba-dum,ba-dum, ba-dum) all about making "Jaws." Bill McCuddy talks about his golf junket and catching up with "The Devil All The Time" which stars Bill Skarsgard and Tom Holland. And for streaming series we've got "Untamed" in which Eric Bana tries to solve a murder mystery in Yosemite National Park" and then there's the trashy fun sometimes sapphic murder mystery "The Hunting Wives. Both are on Netflix. So take off a few layers and listen in.
It's our 4th of July episode and boy do we have short fuses! We start with "Jurassic World Rebirth" which an expedition braves isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough. Never mind all that - it's Scarlett Johansson wearing a sweaty tank top in jungle full of dinosaurs. We'll let you know if it's extinct or not. Then we all went and saw "F1: The Movie" (as opposed to "F1: The Broadway Musical) which stars Brad Pitt as a Formula One driver who comes out of retirement to mentor and team up with a younger driver. Does he put his pedal to the metal? And then there's the streaming series "Dept Q" starring Matthew Goode as a former top-rated detective wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralyzed and another policeman dead. We've also got a slew of documentaries starting with "Cold Case: The Tylenol Muders" which explains why you need a chainsaw to open a bottle of pills these days. And there's "Pee-wee As Himself" which traces the life of the reclusive Paul Reubens. Then Neil Rosen tells us about "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" and he tells us a story that's almost as long as the movie itself. Neil and Bill McCuddy will fill you in on "Materialists" in which Dakota Johnson plays a young, ambitious New York City matchmaker who finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. And finally Bill Bregoli brings us to a fitting conclusion with the Netflix documentary "Trainwreck: Poop Cruise" We're a classy bunch.
The Summer movie season is upon us and your entertainment options are flooding in. We start with "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina" in which Ana De Armas plays an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization who sets out to seek revenge after her father's death. Is it any good? Does Keanu Reeves show up? Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll let you know. Then we've got "The Life of Chuck" which is based on a Stephen King novella and goes backwards in time. Not weird enough for you? How about the stage musical Neil Rosen saw called "Maby Happy Ending." Neil Rosen raves about it. Neil also raves about "The Four Seasons" series on Netflix though Bill McCuddy disagrees. The two of them do rave about the documentary "Ron Delsner Presents." Neil and Bill M talk about the summer movies they're looking forward to this year. Bill Bregoli on the other hand has been out watching them and will fill you in "Karate Kid: Legends" and "The Fountain of Youth." There's more too, so listen in.
We do all our own stunts on our podcasts and so does Tom Cruise. That's why we're starting with "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning." It's something to do with AI run amok, plus Tom walks on an airplane wing and takes his shirt off a lot. We watched all 2 hours and 49 minutes of it. Did we like it? You'll have to listen. We've also got the latest Marvel movie "Thunderbolts" which may very well help reinvigorate a franchise. Neil (finally) caught up with "Your Friends and Neighbors" and Bill McCuddy tells us about holding on to something belonging to Gary Cooper. What, pray tell, could that be? Bill M also aught up with a Tom Hardy movie and Bill Bregoli (of course) tells us about a teen sex comedy starring SNL's Chloe Fineman (it's on Hulu) called "Summer of 69." Notice the lack of apostrophe - it's very telling. Somehow Neil was let back onto Broadway again and he swears he saw "this year's 'Hamilton.'" He also watched a Mathew Perry documentary and read a book about Nora Epron. Where does he find the time? And for those who like real crime documentaries we've go "Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer" on Netflix. There's a lot here so listen in!
The good weather is here but so is pollen, and mosquitos. So you're better off staying indoors and watching something and boy do we have a lot of options for you. First we've got the long awaited sequel "The Accountant 2" in which Ben Affleck returns as Christian Wolff, who applies his brilliant mind and illegal methods to reconstruct the unsolved puzzle of a Treasury chief's murder. We've also got "Queen of the Ring" inspired by the true story of Mldlred Burke, a small town single mother embraces the danger as she dominates America's most masculine sport and becomes the first million dollar female athlete in history. And for those who like quirky movies there's "The Legend of Ochi" in which a shy girl is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as ochi. But when she discovers a wounded baby ochi has been left behind, she escapes on a quest to bring him home. And for you gentle humor fans there's "The Ballad of Wallis Island." It's about an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island tries to make his fantasies come true by getting his favorite musicians to perform at his home. But if you like Jason Staham action movies there's "A Working Man" which shows off his very special skills as he hunts for a missing girl. And ther's the truly weird "The Ugly Stepsister" which follows Elvira as she battles against her gorgeous stepsister in a realm where beauty reigns supreme. We'v also got a literally "uplifting" documentary on the Palace Theatre in NYC. Plus "The Diamond Heist" which tells how in 2000, a group of London criminals plan an audacious heist: ram-raid the Millennium Dome, steal a diamond and escape by boat on the Thames, but the police are surveilling them. Interested in streaming series?"''Etoile" which which examines life as a dancer. And there's "Dying for Sex" which is the story of a woman diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, who abandons her husband of 15 years and begins to fully explore her sexuality. Or how about "Your Friends & Neighbors whch stars Joohn Hamm as a hedge fund manager who resorts to burglary after losing his job. And we check out the news seasons of "Hack," "The Last of Us" and "Black Mirror." Put the sunscreen away and give us a listen.
You probably think of a hammock as that flimsy sheet of cloth you string between two trees. The thing that when you get in it you either look lazy and pretentious or you simply flip over and fall to the ground losing what little dignity you have. Well, this is hammock season in show business. It's the time between the big holiday blockbusters and the big summer action movie blockbusters. Judging by the most recent box-office results people are wise to this and very few people are venturing out to the theaters right now. Maybe they're streaming, who really knows? Nonetheless, we've had a look at some of your entertainment options. We start with "The Studio" which follows a legacy Hollywood movie studio striving to survive in a world where it is increasingly difficult for art and business to live together.So it goes and hires someone played by Seth Rogen. We've all seen it and we'll let you know if it's worth your time, Then there's the controversial live action version of "Snow White" starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. Way too much has been written about it but Bill Bregoli actually ventured out to see it. He's the only one of us brave enough. Bill McCuddy tells us about "Thank You Very Much," which is a documentary about performance artist and "song and dance man" Andy Kaufman. Neil Rosen, who likes to follow around people who wear tuxedos, tells us about "The Penguin Lessons" and his conversation with star Steve Coogan. For spy movie fans we have "Black Bag" from director Stephen Soderbergh which stars Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett. For streaming folks there's "Toxic Town" which is based on a true story and stars Jodie Whittaker and Aime Lou Wood. Aimee is also in the current season of "White Lotus" so naturally we drift off into a conversation about that. We also talk about a controversy surrounding Johnny Carson's couch and Bill M tells us about his conversation with Alec Baldwin. So even if none of what Hollywood is offering right now interests you at least you've got us to listen to.
We are now in Daylight SavingsTime and if you're like us, you're missing that hour of sleep you lost last weekend. Some say it's worth it because of the extra sunlight at the end of the day. But most folks would rather watch something entertaining than stare at the sun.So we've got the latest alternatives. We start with "Novocaine" starring Jack Quaid as a mild-mannered bank employee. He's has a rare conition that makes him incapable of feeling physical pain But when the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, he turns his rare condition into an unexpected advantage in the fight to rescue her. Bill Bregoli will let you know if he liked it. Then there's "I Love You Forever" which is billed as a subversive romantic comedy gone wrong that follows a young woman into and out of an emotionally abusive relationship. Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy both report what they thought of it. For streaming fans we have The Åre Murders" which is a Swedish mystery series on Netflix we saw. There's also "A Thousand Blows" which comes from the creator of "Peaky Blinders." It's based on a real life female gang in 1880s London. "Neil tells us about watching "House of Telegraph Hill" which starred Richard Basehart and Bill McCuddy fills us all in on the reality series :The Baldwins" and the action movie "Den of Theives 2." Oh, and you may have already forgotten about the Oscars but we'll tell you what we thought of them. Now that you've read all this the sun has already gone down, so go find something to watch!
Our long national nightmare is almost over - The Oscars are finally happening this weekend. They said they were going to happen come hell or high water and Hollywood has had both. As for us, we've boiled entrails and read tea leaves and here is who we think will win what. So go ahead and bet the farm on your Oscar pool at work. Just don't come running to us...
It's cold and you don't want to venture outside. And if you do, you want it to be worth the trip. Luckily we've checked out all your entertainment options. If you're staying inside and streaming we've got "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy." In this one Bridget Jones navigates life as a widow and single mum with the help of her family, friends, and former lover, Daniel. It's on Peacock. On Apple TV+ there's "The Gorge" starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. They play two highly-trained operatives who become close after being sent to protect opposite sides of a mysterious gorge. When an evil emerges, they must work together to survive what lies within. For theater goers there's "Millers in Marriage. Wirter/director Ed Burns tells a tale of three middle-aged married couples coming to grips with universal questions about marriage and fidelity, professional success and failure, and the challenge of finding a second act. For documentary fans we've got "Sly Lives (aka The Burden of Black Genius) which focuses on the life and legacy of Sly and the Family Stone, telling the story behind the rise, reign and fadeout of one of pop music's most influential artists. If you're into TV series we'll give you a preview of the new season of "White Lotus." Plus we've got "Nobody Wants This" and "Have I Got News For You." And if you like hearing us go on and on you can listen to us discuss the SNL 50th Anniversary specials. There's more, too. So listen in.
If you've been paying any attention to the Oscar race you've no doubt heard the controversy surrounding "Emilia Perez" and its nominated star Karla Sofia Gascon. Something to do with tweets, or whatever you call them now that they're on X. It's a fluid situation but we'll add our two cents. Meanwhile Bill Bregoli still insists on watching movies in theaters and he fills us in on "Companion" which stars Sophie Thatcher of "Yellowjackets." It's hard to describe without giving away too much but let's just say it's edgy. Neil Rosen tells a story about going to see Woody Allen play the clarinet and he also caught up with a documentary called "When Jews Were Funny" which was apparently a while ago, but it's on YouTube. Bill McCuddy has also been busy streaming and he fills us in on "Catch Me a Killer" which tells the harrowing story of South Africa's first serial killer profiler. And he's also seen "The Agency" which stars Michel Fassbender as, you guessed it, a spy. But that's not all. We've also got the Apple TV+ thriller "Prime Target" and the animated satire of Big Pharma called "Common Side Effects."
It's the time of year when you can let yourself go a little bit since the parties are over and no one will notice if you need a haircut or your roots touched up. That's why our first film is "Wolf Man." It's the latest attempt by Universal Pictures to bring their monster franchises back from the dead. This one stars Julia Garner and Christopher Abbot as a family at a remote farmhouse attacked by an unseen animal, but as the night stretches on, the father begins to transform into something unrecognizable. Then we've got "September 5" which takes place during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, as an American sports broadcasting team must adapt to live coverage the Israeli athletes being held hostage by a terrorist group.We've also got "The Last Showgirl" starring none other than Pamela Anderson as a seasoned showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. And we've got "Joy" which is about 3 trailblazers: a young nurse, a visionary scientist and an innovative surgeon face opposition from the church, state, media, and medical establishment in their pursuit of the world's first 'test tube baby,' Louise Joy Brown. Need more? How about "American Primeval" which follows the gritty and adventurous exploration of the birth of the American West, the violent collisions of cults, religion, and men and women fighting for control of the new world. Still looking? Well then we have "Carry-On" which is a thriller about mysterious traveler who blackmails a young TSA agent into letting a dangerous package slip through security and onto a Christmas Eve flight. But that's not all. We'll also tell you about documetaries like "Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action" and "Mr. McMahon," a six-part series about the now infamous founder of the WWE. So comb through our offerings and listen in.
Go ahead, sing along:
"The Order" and "Conclave," "My Old Ass" and WIcked."
"The Bikers" and "Skywalkers," plus "Nosferatu."
"Coup de Chance" also and "A Complete Unknown"
These are a few of our favorite films.
Okay, please stop singing. We just thought we'd wrap up 2024 without a formal "Best Of" list. And we also talk about some new releases such as "Babygirl" and "The Fire Inside."
So before you start getting causght up in the 2025 films - listen in!
Movies are like canned cranberry sauce. Definitely manufactured but capable of being sweet or tart, and able to make at least one day a little better. Plus the jiggling is always fun. And now we have this year's crop of Thanksgiving movies. They're quite the seasonal bounty. First we have "Gladiator 2" which stars Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Connie Neilson. It's been a long time since the first one - how's the sequel? We all saw it and we'll let you know.Then Neil tells us about "Wicked" which is the much anticipated movie version of the Broadway musical which seems destined to last longer than Broadway itself. And for something a bit more adult, Bill Bregoli tells us about "Anora," which is about a young sex worker from Brooklyn, who meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as his parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. Also for grownups is "September 5" which takes place during the 1972 Munich Olympics, as an American sports broadcasting crew finds itself thrust into covering the hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes. And for you streaming fans there's "Blitz" which is the stories of a group of Londoners during the German bombing campaign of the British capital during World War II. We've also got amodern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of West Texas oil rigs called "Landman" starring Billy Bob Thornton and "The Day of the Jackal" which is about an elusive assassin who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. And for music documentary fans there's "Beatles '64" which captures the band's electrifying 1964 US debut amid fan frenzy. So put that can opener down and listen in.
Daylight Savings Time is coming to an end and darkness will be upon us even sooner. But that's OK since there are lots of movies and shows to watch.We start with "Woman of the Hour." It's the directorial debut of Anna Kendrick who also stars in the film as Sheryl Bradshaw, a single woman looking for a suitor on a hit 1970s TV show, chooses charming bachelor Rodney Alcala, unaware that, behind the man's gentle facade, he hides a deadly secret.It's based on a true story! Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy both saw it and they'll tell you what they think. Neil Rosen, on the other hand, went to some Broadway plays. The first is "Hold on to Me Darling" starring Adam Driver. And he also saw "Left on Tenth" starring Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher. For streaming folks there's the Seth Meyers comedy special "Dad Man Walking" which is about, you guessed it - being a dad. Plus there's the intense drama "Disclaimer" which stars Cate Blanchett as a television documentary journalist whose work has been built on revealing the transgressions of long-respected institutions. And for something less intense there's "It's Florida, Man" which is an irreverent late-night series bringing to life unbelievable tales from Florida. Safer than actually going there. We've also got the Netflix documentary "Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare" and even more. Time's a wastin' so listen in!
Summer's creature features and superheroes have faded away and now it's time for the award show bait to show up. We start with "Conclave" which stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini (wow!). Ralph stars as Cardinal Lawrence, who is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, and he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church. It's got lots of Oscar buzz plus an amazing cast. We'll let you know what we think! Then there's "The Apprentice."" which is the story of how a young Donald Trump started his real-estate business in 1970s and '80s New York with the helping hand of infamous lawyer Roy Cohn. And speaking of controversial folks, we've also got the new Netflix documentary "Martha" which covers the breadth of an extraordinary life through intimate interviews with Martha Stewart herself, who opened up her personal archives to share never-before-seen photos, letters, and diary entries. For comedy buffs there's "Saturday Night" which tells how on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live way back in1975. There's a whole lot more, so lsten in!
It's officially Fall now. And like your neighbor's zucchinis, we have lots of movies. Some big, some small. First up we've got "Wolfs." It's about two rival fixers who cross paths when they're both called in to help cover up a prominent New York official's misstep. Oh, George Clooney and Brad Pitt are in it. Then there's "My Old Ass." It's a comong of age comedy about how a mushroom trip brings free-spirited Elliott (the up andcoming Maisy Stella) face-to-face with her 39-year-old self - played by no less than Aubrey Plaza. If it's creepy you want we've got "The Substance" in which a fading celebrity played by Demi Moore decides to use a black-market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. If you're one of the few unfortunates who hasn't seen "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice" we'll fill you in on that and it you're into documentaries we'll tell you about "Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos" which is full of firsthand accounts and revelations from the people who brought the groundbreaking series to life. And for animation fans there "The Wild Robot" in which an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island's animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose. Oh and there's more including "Rebel Ridge," "The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg" and "In the Land of Saints and Sinners." We talk a lot in this one so fry up some zucchini and listen in.
If you've been going to movies for a few years you;ve probably realized that August is usually the End of Season Clearance Sale at the movies. Horror flicks, lame comedies, really, they should mark these films down. But this year is very different. Not only are pictures making more money this August than a year ago, but they're making more money than in August 2019 - the year before the pandemic. So we'll start with "It Ends With Us." It's based on a popular novel and stars Blake Lively as Lily, who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life. A chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her parents' relationship. Bill Bregoli watched it in a theater full of women and he'll tell you how they liked it. Then there's "Deadpool & Wolverine" which just about everyone has seen but once again Bill B was the one of us who ventured out to the theater and he'll tell you how that went. Bill B also saw "Twisters" and he explains how it;s different from "Twister" (the one with the cow). Neil went to a theater too, and he caught up with "Fly Me to the Moon." Bill McCuddy went the streaming route and watched the new version of "Presumed Innocent" Starring Jake Gylllenhaal and he'll let you know what he thought. Plus Neil and Bill M talk about the new "Saturday Night Live" movie trailer for longer than the actual trailer, but hey, that's what we do. So listen in!
One thing about staying home in the air conditioning is that you wind up seeing a lot of commercials. And boy have they been advertising our first movie, "Fly Me to the Moon." It stars (in case you've been asleep or in a coma) Scarlett Johanson and Channing Tatum. They're selling it as a "fake the moon mission" movie but it's more than that...and less. Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy both saw it and they'll explain. Then there's "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" in which Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter's life is threatened, and works with old pals John Taggart and Billy Rosewood to uncover a conspiracy. It's the fourth film in the franchise. Should it be the last? We'll let you know. Neil Rosen lets us know what he thought of the third season of "The Bear" and for you documentary fans there's "Faye" which covers the career of Faye Dunaway. Plus we've got the reality real estate show "Owning Manhattan" and the true crime limited series "Hollywood Con Queen." So listen in!
Even the calendar says it's officially summer now. And in Hollywood that means it's time for sequels and remakes. And before you say "oh please, no more sequels," keep in mind that one of them - "Inside Out 2" is making money like crazy. So obviously people are coming out to see it even though it's a sequel. And even though the original came out nine years ago in 2015, this one follows Riley, now in her teenage years, encountering new emotions. And speaking of animated sequels, here comes "Despicable Me 4" in which Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina, and the family is forced to go on the run. And now there's a TV serial remake of "Presumed Innocent," this time starring Jake Gyllenhaal. It tells the story of a horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorneys' office when one of its own is suspected of the crime.But if you want something that's not a sequel or a remake we have "Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini" which is a true-crime documentary. It tells how Keith and Sherri Papini's seemingly idyllic life was shattered when Sherri vanishes from their rural California neighborhood, triggering a frenzied search that becomes news around the world. But once Sherri is found, a new nightmare begins. then we've got the drama "Treasure" starring Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry as a father and daughter who go to visit Poland. And speaking of Poland, we also have "The Thaw" which is a crime series on Max. And then we've got "Brats" which centers on 1980s films starring the 'Brat Pack' and their profound impact on the young stars' lives. That's a lot for one podcast - so listen in!
Summer is pretty much here and so is the season of reconstructing Will Smith's reputation. That's why our first movie is "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" in wwhich Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami's finest are now on the run. Does somebody get slapped? Why yes. Then we looked at the new Max doucmentary "Moviepass, Moviecrash" which explores the company founding and the implosion of the business by outside investors who took over the company, left it bankrupt and under investigation. There's also the second season of "Tokyo Vice" in which a Western journalist working for a publication in Tokyo takes on one of the city's most powerful crime bosses.For those of you looking for an inspirational family film we've got "Young Woman and the Sea" which is the story of competitive swimmer Trudy Ederle, who, in 1926, was the first woman to ever swim across the English Channel.And we look at a filmed version of Chaz Palminteri's one-man play version of "A Bronx Tale" which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. And if it's gritty you're after we've got "The Bikeriders" which features an amazing cast including Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Michael Shannon. So listen in!
So this is the summer movie season, huh? Okay, it seems last year's strikes cut back on how many big "tentpole" (somebody explain that term to me, please) movies or big summer blockbusters. But Hollywood is still putting out some movies they hope will slack our summer movie thirst. First up is
"Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga." And you probably know that it's the origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and teamup with Mad Max.Does it live up to the hype? Will it break the Memorial Day weekend box-office record? Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli will let you know what they thought of it. There's also "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" which is the latest epic from the storied franchise. If you're into little movies without explosions or special effects there's "Ezra" which stars Bobby Cannavale as comedian Max, who co-parents autistic son Ezra with ex-wife Jenna, played by the ever lovely Rose Byrne. And then there's "Thelma" which stars June Squib as 93-year-old Thelma Post, who gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson,so she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. Plus there's "Hit Man," coming soon to Netflix, in which a professor moonlighting as a hit man of sorts for his city police department, descends into dangerous, dubious territory when he finds himself attracted to a woman who enlists his services.And speaking of Netflix, there's a new series called "Bodkin" which is about a group of podcasters who set out to investigate the mysterious disappearance of three strangers in an idyllic Irish town.Then Neil Rosen tells us about seeing the Broadway play "Stereophonic" for a second time. There must be a reason. So listen in!
The calender tells us it's still Spring" but in Hollywood Summer is just getting started. That's why our first film is the big budget action film "The Fall Guy" starring Ryan Gosling as a down-and-out stuntman whi must find the missing star of his ex-girlfriend's blockbuster film. Is it too much too soon, or is it not enough? We'll let you know. Then there's Jerry Seinfeld's directorial debut "Unfrosted" which tells how in 1963 Michigan, business rivals Kellogg's and Post competed to create a cake that could change breakfast forever. And for you romance fans there's "The Idea of You" on Amazon. It stars Anne Hathaway as a 40-year-old single mom, who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. Yup, Anne Hathaway is playing moms now. And there's also the controversial "Baby Reindeer" which follows follows writer and performer Richard Gadd's warped relationship with a female stalker and the impact it has on him as he is ultimately forced to face a deep, dark buried trauma. For you "based on a true story types there's "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare from direct Guy Ritchie in which British military recruits a small group of highly skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during World War II. And for mystery buffs there's "Under the Bridge" which stars Lily Gladston and Riley Keough who try and solve the mystery of a murdered teen. Plus, for those of you thinking of coming to New York to see a play or musical on Broadway, we've got a rundown of what's hot and what's not as we head toward the Tony Awards. So listen in!
The good weather is finally here - almost anyway. And that means you won't be didging raindrops on your way to the local cinema. Or, if you're more of a homebody, that you'll have something to watch once you've finished your daily errands. And we've got plenty of options. First there's the very controversial action movie "Civil" War." It stars Kirsten Dunst and it talkes place in dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House. We've also got "Monkey Man" which is the directorial debut of Dev Patel. He also plays an anonymous young man who unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless. We've also got "the Long Game." Which takes place in 1955 as five young Mexican-American caddies, out of the love for the game, were determined to learn how to play, so they created their own golf course in the middle of the South Texas desert. As for you streaming people, we've got "Ripley" It's based on Patricia Highsmith's novel about a grifter named Ripley living in New York during the 1960s who is hired by a wealthy man to bring his vagabond son home from Italy. Then there's "Sugar" in which Private investigator John Sugar (Colin Farrell) examines the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the granddaughter of a legendary Hollywood producer. There's plenty more too. So listen in!
Spring is getting off to a fast start entertainment wise. First we've got "Steve! (Martin): A Documentary In Two Pieces" and if you thought that title was long wait until you watch this Apple TV+ documentary which follows the life and career of actor Steve Martin. And if this whets your appetite for documentaries about comedians we've also got "Remembering Gene Wilder" which does exactly that. If your into fiction there's the Woody Allen film you probably haven't heard about called "Coup de Chance" in which wo young people's bond leads to marital infidelity and ultimately crime.Want something more mainstream? There's "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" and the remake of "Road House" starring Jake Gyllenhaal. We'l also tell you about Michael Keaton's directorial debut titled "Knox Goes Away" in which he plays a contract killer with dementia. Really. Then there's the lesbian noir thriller starring Kristen Stewart "Love Lies Bleeding" and the lewd but funny British comedy "Wicked Little Letters" starring Oscar winner Olivia Colman. And there's more, so put off planting string beans another day and listen in.
Spring has sprung and by now you should be over your seasonal affective disorder and developing allergies instead. And the cure for that is staying indoors and watching stuff. Luckily we've checked out the most recent crop of movies and streaming shows for you. We start with "Arthur the King" which stars Mark Wahlberg as an adventure racer who adopts a stray dog named Arthur to join him in an epic endurance race.Obiviously it's not blockbuster season yet. Then we've got the Netflix fantasy adventure film "Damsel" starring Millie Bobbie Brown as a dutiful damsel whi agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt. Oh, and there's a dragon. Then there's the Amazon comedy "Nicky Stanicky" which stars Zac Efron and John Cena and is director by Peter Farrelly. For you streamer fans there's "The Gentlemen"which is the first series created by Guy Ritchie now on Netflix. And in case you're starting to forget it already, we give you our perspective on the Oscars. Listen in!
Are you suddenly aware of how time is passing? Of course you are! The Oscars are less than a week away and so is Daylight Savings Time. And "Dune Part 2," which was supposed to come out last summer is finally in theaters. Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli both saw it and they'll tell you if it's worth spending 2 hours and 46 minutes of your precious time on. Then we've got "Drive-Away Dolls" directed by one of the Coen brothers and "Ordinary Angels" which stars Hilary Swank. Neil tells us about 2 plays he saw and we also remember comedian and actor Richard Lewis who passed away last week. And then there's our Oscar Predictions to help you fill out your office pool. Time continues to pass by so we'll end this so you can listen in.
Word is that there's a big football game this weekend. In fact, Hollywood is so afraid no one will go to the movies this weekend that they're not putting many new ones in theaters. "Lisa Frankenstein" is sort of a sacrifical lamb. It's directed by Zelda Williams and written by Diablo Cody and it's about about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. Bill Bregoli doesn't watch football anyway, so he checked it out. Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy saw a french film called "Driving Madeleine" and they were both surprised by how much they liked it. We've also got "Argylle" which is about a reclusive author who writes espionage novels about a secret agent and a global spy syndicate and realizes the plot of the new book she's writing starts to mirror real-world events, in real time.It didn't make a lot of money when it opened last weeekend and Bill Bregoli explains why. Bill McCuddy tells us about "Feud: Capote vs the Swans" which is an anthology series centering on famous feuds, including Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and Truman Capote and the New York elite.For documentary fans we've got "The Greatest Night in Pop" which tells how on January 25th 1985, dozens of the era's most popular musicians gathered in Los Angeles to record a charity single for African famine relief. Setting egos aside, they collaborated on a song that would make history. It's on Netflix, and also on Netflix is the animated tale "Orion and the Dark" which is about a boy with an active imagination faces his fears on an unforgettable journey through the night with his new friend: a giant, smiling creature named Dark.It's got some big names involved.And for you streaming fans there's "Masters of the Air," which is the latest from the people who brought you "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific." And we've also got "Griselda" which stars Sofia Vergara as a woman who creates one of the most ruthless cartels in history. Plus we'll tell you about the new season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and what we thought of the Grammy Awards. Listen in!
To quote someone who got canceled - "baby, it's cold outside." Luckily we've been able to sample the latest movies and streaming shows to keep you warm. First there's "Origin" directed by Ava DuVernay. It tells the story of a real life journalist who investigated the unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. If it sound heavy - it is. Niel Rosen caught up with the documentary "It Ain't Over" which chronicles the illustrious life and career of the baseball great, Yogi Berra. I'm told he played for the Yankees. For you streaming fans Bill McCuddy fills us in on "Fool Me Once" in which widowed mum Maya is disturbed by an image of her late husband captured on her toddler's nanny cam. It's based on a novel by Harlan Coben. Also streaming is the third season of "True Detective which stars Jodi Fosterand takes place in freezing Alaska.Then we've got "Lift" which is the latest Netflix action movie starring Kevin Hart. And Bill Bregoli tells us about the latest Jason Statham thriller "The Beekeeper" which is in theaters. Plus Neil and Bill M fill us in on the most revent award show which they take very seriously. So top off your window cleaner resevoir in the car and then throw a log on the fire and listen to us.
It's a strange time of year. People have taken down their holiday decorations and tossed their Christmas trees out to the curb. But there are some new movies, and there are some kind of old movies that are getting awards. Let's start with "Mean Girls." It was a new movie 20 years ago but this time they've added some songs and made it into a movie musical. Bill Bregoli was the only one of us brave enough to go see it and he'll tell what he thought. Then there's "Society of the Snow" based on the true story of what happened in 1972 when an airplane carrying a rugby team crashed on a glacier in the Andes. The few passengers who survive the crash find themselves in one of the world's toughest environments to survive."Wait a second," you're saying, "Wasn't there a movie about that same subject years ago. The one where they ate their dead." Yes, there were two in fact, but this new one is much different. Then Bill McCuddy and Neil Rosen tell you what they thought of the Golden Globe Awards last weekend and the recently announced SAG Award nominations. Bill M also fills us in on two new documentaries. There's "Sly" which is about Sylvester Stallone, and "Arnold," which follows the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger. And few you monster movie fans, Bill M tells us about "Monarch" on Apple TV+. So make sure you've picked up that tinsel that's on the floor and listen in,
nIt's that time of year when we look back and figure out if we actually liked any of the movies and shows we saw. Turns out there were a few. Hint: None of them invoved superheroes. But first, we've got some new movies and shows to tell you about and we start with "The Color Purple." First it was a book, then a movie, then it was a Broadway musical and now there's a movie musical. Bill Bregoli saw it and (eventually) he'll tell you what he thought of it. Bill McCuddy fills us in on "The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" which is now streaming. And Neal watched a streaming series called "Jury Duty" which follows the workings of an American jury trial through the eyes of Ronald Gladden, a juror who is unaware the entire case is fake. Everyone except him is an actor, and everything that happens is carefully planned. And no, it's not the movie of the same name starring Paully Shore. Then there's "Dream Scenario" which stars Nicolas Cage as a hapless family man who finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams. Oh and there's "The Boys in the Boat" which is a 1930s-set story centered on the University of Washington's rowing team, from their Depression-era beginnings to winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Plus for streaming fans there's "The Family Plan" starring Mark Wahlberg and "The Retirement Plan" starring Nicolas Cage and they're both oddly similar in a certain way. And yes, we do look back at our favorite films of 2023. So why not think of your own favorite films and compare them with ours. Listen in!.
It's that time of year. You're busy shopping and you haven't had much time to sit down and enjoy a movie or TV show. Plus Hollywood's flood gates are about to open right around Christmas and there will be even more choices to make. Luckily we've got some films worth checking out before they get lost in the Christmas shuffle. First there's "Eileen" which stars Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie. It's what happens when a woman's friendship with a new co-worker at the prison facility where she works takes a sinister turn.Then there's "The Zone of Interest" which is getting all sorts of critical praise. It depicts how the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.And for those who like family dramas there's "Th Iron Claw." It's the true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.There's even a Julia Roberts move - on Netflix no less. It's about how a family's getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices, and two strangers appear at their door.And there's the British drama "All of Us Strangers."It's about a screenwriter who is drawn back to his childhood home enters into a fledgling relationship with a mysterious neighbor as he then discovers his parents appear to be living just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before.Wnat some lighter stuff? we''' tell you about "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, a sequel 20 years in the making from Aardman Animation which specializes in stop-motion clay animation. And "Migration" in which a family of ducks try to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime. So before you hang the stockings by the chimney with care check us out!
One encounters all sorts of things during the holiday season. Office parties, strange food, strange people. And your entertainment options are just as varied. Luckily we managed to put down our cocktails and watched some stuff to help you figure out just how to spend your precious time. We start with "Poor Things" which starsEmma Stone as Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter. It's one of the stragest movies to ever grace the silver screen. So do listen to what we have to say about it. Then there's "Maestro" which chronicles the lifelong relationship of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.He's played by Bradley Cooper and she's played by Carey Mulligan and it'll soon be on Netflix. we'll also tell you about "American Fiction." It stars Jeffrey Wright as a novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from "Black" entertainment uses a pen name to write a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain. And for you mystery fans there's "Anatomy of a Fall" in which a woman is suspected of her husband's murder, and their blind son faces a moral dilemma as the main witness. Surely that's enough for a normal podcast but we've also got "Wonka," the prequel in which a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the candy industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers. Then there's "Saltburn." It's about a student at Oxford University whio finds himself drawn into the world of a charming and aristocratic classmate, who invites him to his eccentric family's sprawling estate for a summer never to be forgotten. That's just the big screen stuff. For you streaming folks there's "The Fall of the House of Usher" about two ruthless siblings who build a family dynasty that begins to crumble when their heirs mysteriously die, one by one. And then there's "A Murder at the End of the World" in which Darby Hart, a Gen Z amateur sleuth, attempts to solve a murder at a secluded retreat. So here's your excuse to blow off that company holiday party and listen in.
Chances are you've got a lot on your plate (metaphorically speaking) this week and you don't have time to figure out what to watch after the big meal is over. Luckily we've predigested all sorts of entertainment options for you. We start with a big one - "Napoleon" Ridley Scott's epic that details the checkered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine.Joaquin Phoenix has the title role. All three of us saw it and we all kind of agreed on it. Then there's "May December" which takes place twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, as a married couple buckles under pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their past. It''s got Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in it. Bill McCuddy tells us what he thought of David Fincher's Netflix movie "The Killer" which stars Michael fassbender as an assassin. Neil Rosen fills us in on the new miniseiries "Lessons in Chemistry" starring Brie Larson, and he also talks about the documentary "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life" which is about, you guessed it, Albert Brooks. And Bill Bregoli gives us the skinny on Taika Waititi's sports comedy "Next Goal Wins." It's the perfect podcast to listen to while you're on hold with the Butterball Turkey Hotline.
Okay folks. Here come the serious movies! Maybe you'd prefer another "Barbie" but now we've got the "buzz worthy" award-bait movies. It happens this time of year and there's no avoiding it. Still, if you listen to us at least you'll know which of these films are worth your time. We start with "Nyad" which is based on the true story of athlete Diana Nyad who, at the age of 60 and with the help of her best friend and coach, commits to achieving her life-long dream: a 110-mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida. It even stars Anette bening and Jodie Foster. It also happens to be one of the films shown recently at the Hamptons International Film Festival which Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy attended. And they even got interviews from the filmmakers of films such as "Nyad," "The Zone of Interest," "Radical" and the documentary "In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon." But that's not all. We also cover "The Holdovers" in which Paul Giamatti plays a cranky history teacher at a remote prep school who is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a troubled student who has no place to go. And then we've got a biggie - "Killers of the Flower Moon." It's Martin Scorcese's epic about how when oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one. Neil goes on at length about how he thought it was too long. Which is kind of ironic. Neil also tells how much he likes the 2nd season of "The Guilded Age." Plus we've got "Pain Hustlers" which is about a fictional pharmaceutical company and stars Emily Blunt. So set some of your precious time aside and listen in.If nothing else, this podcast is shorter than Martin Scorcese's movie.
Now that everyone on the planet has seen "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" it's time to sample of of the new movies coming out. We've got quite a varied sample to tell you about. We start with "Flora & Son" starring Eve Hewson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt and it follows Flora, a single mom who is at war with her son, Max. Trying to find a hobby for Max, she rescues a guitar from a dumpster and finds that one person's trash can be a family's salvation. Then there's "Dumb Money" which is based on the insane true story of everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (the video game store) into the world's hottest company.Then there's the hard-boiled detective story "Reptile" starring Benecio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake and Eric Bogosian. If you're a sci-fi fan there's "The Creator" which takes place against the backdrop of a war between humans and robots with artificial intelligence,as a former soldier finds the secret weapon, a robot in the form of a young child. But wait, there's more. We've got "Foe" which also takes place in the future and stars Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal as farmers whose quiet life is thrown into turmoil when an uninvited stranger shows up at their door with a startling proposal.Still not enough? How about "Cat Person" which is a razor-sharp exploration of the horrors of dating.And then there's "Fair Play" which tells what happens when an unexpected promotion at a cutthroat hedge fund pushes a young couple's relationship to the brink, threatening to unravel far more than their recent engagement. So there's all that PLUS we preview The Hamptons International Film Festival which always features films we'll be talking about for some time.
Okay so it's been a little while. But here we are again, and boy have things gotten interesting. Writers and actors have gone on strike and now movie releases have been pushed back and most talk shows have been on hiatus until the writers come back and hosts can be funny again. Well sort of. Neil tells us about "Strike Force Five" which is a podcast put together by several late night talk show hosts in order to support their striking writers, Neil's also read a book about show writers called "End Credits" which he'll talk about. And there's also some scandals and mysteries surrounding Jimmy Fallon and Jamie Foxx which we'll get into.Bill McCuddy fills us in on the popular Netflix series "Who Is Erin Carter" as well as the Adam Sandler Netflix movie "You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah. And if you like to see movies in thears don't worry. Bill Bregoli has managed to see six of them: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3," "The Equalizer 3" (with Denzel Washington), the dirty talking dog comedy "Strays," the Liam Neeson action movie "Retribution," the lesbian comedy "Bottoms" and the sort of true story based on a video game called "Gran Turismo." Plenty to keep you going on these waning days of summer. So listen in!
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It's too darn hot - but luckily seeing movies or watching shows can be a great way to cool down. Bill Bregoli, who actually goes to theaters, went and saw "Meg 2: The Trench." Bill's a big proponent of OPAC (Other Peoples' Air Conditioning). And he'll let you know what he thought of the movie. Neil Rosen, on the other hand, stayed indoors to binge both seasons of "The Bear" and he also read "The Church of Baseball" which is all about the making of "Bull Durham." Bill McCuddy also curled up with his air conditioner to re-watch "Tre Detective." He also checked out "The River Wild" on Netflix which follows a pair of siblings who love but distrust each other as they embark on a white-water rafting trip with a small group. One of their friends from childhood turns out to be more dangerous than he appears. Bill M also watched a French mystery called "The Night of the 12th." And for you streaming series fans we've got the thrid season of "Reservation Dogs," the fourth season of the "Harley Quinn" animated series and the third season of "How To with John Wilson." So pour yourself a cold one and listen in!
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History was made last weekend. Well, box-office history. Both "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" opened bigger than anyone expected. People got dressed up as their favorite physicist. Everyone wore pink. It was nuts. A run of the mill July weekend of movies got turned into an event. Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy saw both pictures and naturally Neil Rosen has questions. Lots of questions. Also, the past few weeks have seen writers, and now actors go out on strike. So we have some perspective on that mishegas. And in sympathy with the writers,your humble scribe is going to stop right here (lest he get picketed) and leave it to you to listen to the podcast.
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It's summer time and time to take part in that American tradition - go to a movie theater for the free air conditioning! It's also the time when the movie studios hedge their bets by releasing the latest versions of their old franchises. And we've seen two of the biggest. We start with "Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One." It stars all your favorite (welll most of them) MI regulars including Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Furguson and Simon Pegg along with newcomer Hayley Atwell. There's a one line plot - "Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands." But then there are the stunts. Two hours and forty three minutes worth.of stunts. Is it fun? Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll let you know. Then there's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" starring that lovable curmudgeon Harrison Ford along with Phoebe Waller-Bridge. It too has a one line plot - "Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary artifact that can change the course of history." But there's more to it than that - there are Nazis! Then Bill Mccuddy tells us about "Are You There God It's Me, Margaret" which is now streaming and Neil tells us about two books he's been reading - "All About Me" by Mel Brooks and "Apropo of Nothing" by Woody Allen. So pour yourself a cold one and listen in.
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It's a busy time of year - you're out buying extra packages of hot dogs as well as sunscreen and bug spray and it's almost enough to get you tired of summer already even though it just started. So we suggested that you take a little "me time" and sit down and watch something.And we've got all sorts of entertainment optioons for you. First there's "Maggie Moore(s)." It's got Jon Hamm and Tina Fey in it. Bill Mccuddy and Neil Rosen took a look at it and they'll tell you what they think. Meanwhile Bill Bregoli will fill you in on "No Hard Feelings" which is an R-rated comedy starring Jennifer Lawrence. And Bill Mccuddy was lucky enough to interview Jacqueline Bisset and Judy Greer about their new projects and he'll tell you how that went. Neil Rosen caught up with "For All Mankind" and he also read a book by Quentin Tarantino. And for you documentary fans we've got "Jared From Subway: Catching a Monster" as well as "Clean" which is about people whoe clean up crime scenes. Oh, and we've also watched the "Ted Lasso" finale as well as season two of "And Just Like That" and "The Bear." So take a break, pour some ided tea and listen in.
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Despite the fact that it's summertime, there are plenty of reasons to stay indoors and watch stuff. The skies are hazy and the wole world smells like a barbeque. That's why w've been staying in our bunkers and watching stuff. We start with "Daliland." It's Iset n 1973, when a young gallery assistant goes on a wild adventure behind the scenes as he helps the aging genius Salvador Dali prepare for a big show in New York. Ben Kingsley plays Salvatore Dali and Neil Rosen will tell you all about. It. Next, Bill Bregoli attemps to tell you about "Flamin' Hot." It's the story of Flamin' Hot Cheetos" and Bill Bregoli attempts to tell you about it. For you documentary buffs there's "Being Mary Taylor Moore" which Bill McCuddy checked out. If you like streaming comedies we've got "Platonic" which stars Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen. and "Fubar" starring Arnold Schwarzegger. And if you like going to theaters to watch comedies there's "About My Father" starring the ever paternal Robert DeNiro and "You Hurt My feelings" starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Plenty of reasons to stay indoors and listen in.
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Sure, your calendar says summer doesn't start for a few weeks, but Hollywood thinks otherwise. Which is why the latest in the "Fast and Furious" franchise is racing to your local multipex. It's called "Fast X." It's the tenth (Roman numerals - get it?) of these motorized epics and it's also the first of the final trilogy. Bill Bregoli buckled up his seatbelt and saw it and he'll let you know what he thought of it. Neil Rosen, on the other hand, watched something on the small screen and he'll tell you about "Love & Death" whic stars Elizabeth Olsen and is about two churchgoing couples who enjoy small town family life in Texas - until somebody picks up an axe. Bill McCuddy tells us what he thinks about what "Succession: is ending its run on the small screen. And he fills us in on "Barry" as well. He and Neil will fill you in on the latest standup special from John Mulaney. we also have "The Artifice Girl" which asks probing questions about A.I. And for streaming fans we've got "The Last Thing He Told Me" which stars Jennifer Garner as a woman who forms an unexpected relationship with her 16-year-old stepdaughter while searching for the truth about why her husband has mysteriously disappeared. And then there's "Drops of God" which is about a woman who discovers the world's greatest wine collection that's left by her estranged father and competes against a Japanese man to claim her inheritance. So slather on some sunscreen and listen in!.
You know those mixed nuts people serve at parties? There are several varieties in there and although you may think the hosts aren't being very original you appreciate that there's something else to eat other than devilled eggs. And the nuts go very well with whatever you're drinking. Well this week's movies and shows are also a very wide variety and there's something for everyone. And much like the nuts, we can be very salty at times. First we've got "Guy Ritchie's The Covenant" It stars Jake Gyllenhaal and takes place during the war in Afghanistan, when a local interpreter risks his own life to carry an injured sergeant across miles of grueling terrain.Then we have the horror/comedy "Renfield." It stars Nicholas Hoult as Dracula's henchman and inmate at the lunatic asylum for decades who longs for a life away from the Count, his various demands, and all of the bloodshed that comes with them.And Nicolas Cage plays Dracula - c'mon! There's also the historical drama "Chevalier" which is based on the true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, who rises to heights in French society as a composer before an ill-fated love affair. For you streaming show fans we look at the second seasons of "Barry," "Single Drunk Female" as well as "Obsession." And for history buffs we've got "War Sailor." There's a lot to feast on, so listen in!
Documentary fans will have plenty to shout about with this wee's episode. We start with "Little Richard: I Am Everything" which is a revealing look at a kind rock 'n' roll icon who shaped the world of music.Then We've got "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields" which follows actor, model, and icon Brooke Shields as she becomes a woman who discovers her power after being a sexualized young girl. And there's there's "Imagaining the Indian" which explores the exploitation of Native American culture in sports. And for you "based on a true story but with actors" fans we've got "Air" which stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and follows the history of shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan. And we've also got "Tetris" which is the story of how one of the world's most popular video games found its way to players around the globe. Plus we look at "Paint" which stars Owen Wilson as Carl Nargle, Vermont's #1 public television painter, who is convinced he has it all: a signature perm, custom van, and fans hanging on his every stroke - until a younger, better artist steals everything (and everyone) Carl loves. And of course, Neil Rosen has an exclusive look at the final season of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." So turn your earphones up to 11 and listen in!
Spring is upon us. The flowers are blooming, the lawn needs cutting and your allergies are depriving you of oxygen. That's why we took a look at the season's entertainment options so you'll have something to watch while you stay indoors away from the pollen. First we've got the fantasy adventure "Dungeons and Dragon: Honor Among Thieves" which stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Hugh Grant. It's based on the role-playing game, but is it fun? We'll let you know. Then there's "Moving On" starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two old friends who reconnect at a funeral and decide to get revenge on the widower who messed with them decades before. And for real film buffs there's the documentary "Kubrick by Kubrick" which features a treasure trove of unearthed interview recordings from the master himself. Plus there's "Spinning Gold" which is a musical journey of Neil Bogart and how his Casablanca Records created the greatest soundtrack of our lives. For Streaming buffs we have "The Night Agent" which is a new Netflix series about low-level FBI agent, Peter Sutherland, who works in the basement of the White House manning a phone that never rings--until the night it does--propelling him into a conspiracy that leads all the way to the Oval Office. And we've got "The Lost King" which is based on the true story about an amateur historian who defied the stodgy academic establishment in her efforts to find King Richard III's remains, which were lost for over 500 years. And there's even more, so take another dose of Benadryl and listen in!
That big awards show that cast a long shadow over the whole movie business has come and finally gone. And yes, we'll talk about the Oscar telecast. We watched it. You might not have. Maybe you did. But now there are finally some new movies to talk about. Neil Rosen starts us off with "Wildflower." It's a coming-of-age film that follows Bea Johnson from birth to graduation as she navigates life with an intellectually disabled parent and an extended family who can't quite agree on the best way to help. That segues nicely into "Campions" in which a former minor-league basketball coach (Woody Harrelson) is ordered by the court to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities.Bill Bregoli has something completely different - "65"which stars Adam Driver as an astronaut who crash lands on a mysterious planet only to discover he's not alone. And Bill McCuddy fills us in on "The Ritual Killer" which stars Morgan Freeman and its about a detective on the verge of retirement who teams with a professor of African Studies to track down a serial killer who is performing the ancient black magic practice of Muti. We've also got "The Quiet Girl." It's an Irish film about a quiet,neglected girl who is sent away from her dysfunctional family to live with foster parents for the summer. And we also look at Th New York Times Presents: Sin Eater: The Crimes of Anthony Pellicano." It's a two-part series on Hollywood's dirtiest P.I. Anthony Pellicano who is out of prison--and he's talking. Previously unseen evidence raises questions about why so few Hollywood stars faced consequences when Pellicano was exposed. It's time to forget about all those movies and shows you've been hearing about for the past 6 months and find something new. So listen in.
The past year's movies have all built up to this - the 95th Annual Academy Awards. And believe it or not there's a lot riding on this glitzy and overlong ceremony. Hundreds of actors, publicists, filmmakers and moguls are hoping their efforts will be recognized this year. Of course, we have our opinions of which nominees will win and which should win. Neil Rosen tells you who the nominees are and then he and Bill McCuddy parse the chances of everyone involved. And when Bill Bregoli is allowed to speak he manages to make some interesting points. It's all in good fun. We also discuss Chris Rock's recent Netflix special which, if you got through it all, also mentioned what happened at last year's Oscars. Uh, yeah; Well, anyway, this year is bound to be different. So listen in!
The weather's been weird and the new has been even weirder. We're all a little crazy so it's time to settle down to a movie or show. Luckily, we've been able to check out which ones you should spend your time on. We start with "Creed III." It's the latest in the "Rock / Creed" franchise and it's the directorial debut of star Michael B Jordan. Then we'll tell you about a movie you no doubt have heard of - "Cocaine Bear." With a title like that how can you not be curious. Plus we've got the faith-based movie "Jesus revolution" which stars Kelsey Grammer. And for you streaming fans there's "Dom" which follows Victor, a police officer who dedicated his life to fight the narcotraffic war and to help his son Pedro, a drug addict who became one of the most wanted criminals in Brazil. And there's the new season of "Picard" plus the ripped from the heads documentary "The Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal." It's enough to take your mind off of things, so listen in!
Hollywood would have you believe everyone in the world was 18 to 35 years old. You know that's not true and we've got some rare movies that prove it. There's "Your Place or Mine" which stars the no longer all that young Reese Withserspoon and Ashton Kutcher as a pair of 40-soemthings who change each other's lives when she decides to pursue a lifelong dream and he volunteers to keep an eye on her teenage son. Then there's "80 for Brady" which stars Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Rita Moreno and Lily Tomlin as a group of friends made it their life-long mission to go to the Super Bowl and meet NFL superstar Tom Brady. Then we've got "Alice, Darling which stars Anna Kendrick as a woman trapped in an abusive relationship who becomes the unwitting participant in an intervention staged by her two closest friends. Grown up stuff. For true crime fans we've got the documentary series "Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence" which tells how a group of Sarah Lawrence College students fell under the influence of a friend's father, Larry Ray.And yes, we tell which of all those Super Bowl commericals we liked. There's lots more so before you get any older - listen in!
We're in the middle of winter and it seems like a good time to snuggle up with a movie. We've sampled some of the season's offerings and we start with "Knock at the Cabin" starrring Dave Bautista. It's about a girl and her parents who are taken hostage by armed strangers who demand that the family make a choice to avert the apocalypse. And it's directed by M Night Shyamalan who has a fondness for twists in his movies. Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll tell you what he can without spoling anything. Neil Rosen tells us about "You People" starring Jonah Hill and Lauren London as an interracial couple whose parents just can't get along. And Bill McCuddy fills us in on "The Snow Girl" which is a Netflix series about, you guessed it, a missing girl. We also discuss "to Leslie" which is about aWest Texas single mother who wins the lottery and squanders it just as fast, leaving behind a world of heartbreak. It's star, Andrea Riseborough got herself a controversial Oscar nomination for her work in it. There's more, so grab a hot toddy and listen in!
First it was Peak Flu Season and now it's Peak Awards Season. And there's no shot you can take to make you immune from all the hype. The Academy Award nominations came out and you're going to keep hearing about the nominated films and people from now until late March so you may as well hear about it now from us and block out everyone else. Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy discuss the snubs and surprises and things get a little heated. Bill Bregoli gets a word or two in edgewise but he went out and saw a new movie - "Infinity Pool" which is a horror movie directed by Brandon Cronenberg staring Alexander Skarsgard and Mia Goth and oh boy is it weird. Just hide the little ones when Bill describes the plot. We also talk about the new post apocalyptic series "The Last of Us" which is already a big hit for HBO. And Neil tells us about what's going on over at "The Daily Show" as it seraches for a new host. It's a dose of fun, so listen in!
If you were channel surfing last Sunday night instead of watching foootball, you may have come across the Critic's Choice Awards on the CW. You know, the network that got sold and canceled all its good shows. All three of us are voting members of the Critic's Choice Association which puts on the shindig every year. We even pay dues. So we talk about how this year it actually had a pretty good host as well as who won what. Then we talk about some new movies. Bill Bregoli saw "M3gan" (just say "Megan"). It stars nepobaby Allison Williams as a robotics engineer at a toy company who builds a life-like doll that begins to take on a life of its own.Bill McCuddy tells us about "The Pale Blue Eye. It stars Christian Bale as a world-weary detective who is hired to investigate the murder of a West Point cadet.Oh, and then Edgar Allen Poe shows up. Really! And Neil Rosen has "A Man Called Otto" which stars Tom Hanks as a grump who's given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all.But it's Tom Hanks for crying out loud so you know it's going end nicely. So if you want to hear about which old movies are winning awards or which new movies you should actually go see, listen in!
There have been worse years than 2022. Like, whenever the Black Plague happened. But it wasn't the year most of us had hoped for. That said, there were some pretty good movies and shows and we'll tell you you what our favorites were. But if you're wondering what's new out there we have that too. Bill Bregoli spent good money on "Avatar: The Way of Water" ($22.50 even with a senior discount) and he'll let you know what he thought of that. Neil Rosen didn't spend anythng to see "Armageddon Time" but he certainly has some thoughts on the film which stars Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong and Anthony Hopkins. And Bill McCuddy watched "The Nanny" which is about a woman caring for the child of an Upper East Side family. Could be scary. I mean, have you ever been to the Upper East Side? Plus we've got "Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical" and the two Bills try to get Neil to watch "Slow Horses" There's lots of crazy stuff, so listen in!
Not only are the holidays here, so are the much talked about movies. And we've seen a lot of them. We start with "Babylon" which has some big stars and traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood. We definitely reacted to this one. Then we've got "Living" which stars Bill Nighy as a humorless civil servant in 1950s London who decides to take time off work to experience life after receiving a grim diagnosis. On the lighter side, we've got the animated "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish." There's also "White Noise" from filmmaker Noah Baumbach, based on a book by Don DeLillo. And for you costume epic fans there's "Corsage" which is a fictional account of one year in the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. And for you Broadway fans we have the new stage version of "Some Like It Hot." plus some other things as well. So listen in!
The very low box-office seems to indicate you're very busy shopping right now. But that doesn't mean there aren't movies and shows worth your attention. That's where we come in! We've been sampling the season's offerings to let you know what to make time for. We start with "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" which is the latest big screen version of Carlo Collidi's classic story about how a father's wish magically brings a wooden boy to life in Italy, giving him a chance to care for the child. Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll let you know all about it. Neil Rosen, on the other had, went to a Broadway play called "Leopoldstadt" written by Tom Stoppard. Bill McCuddy let's us in on "RRR)\" which is a fictitious story about two legendary revolutionaries and their journey away from home before they started fighting for their country in the 1920s. If you fondly remember "A Christmas Story" you'll want to hear what we think of its sequel, "A Christmas Story Christmas." We also discuss Trevor Noah leaving "The Daily Show" as well as his new Netflix comedy special. And of course we weigh in on the second season finale of "The White Lotus." There are some spoiler alerts for that on, but listen in!
The buzz is starting. Can you feel it? It happens every Awards Season. And while not every "serious" film gets buzz, we've got a bunch you can watch right now! We start with "The Banshees of Inisherin." It stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson and it's about two lifelong friends who find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. It's definitely getting buzz and we'll tell you what we think of it. Then we've got "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" which mad a brief appearance in theaters but coming soon on Netflix. It's the much awaited sequel to "Knives Out" in which famed Southern detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece for his latest case. Bill McCuddy tells us about "The Wonder" which stars buzz worthy actress Florence Pugh and he also has "The Swimmers" which is based on a true story. Neil Rosen fills us in on "Empire of Light" which is the latest from director Sam Mendes. And Bill Bregoli has the steamy Netflix adaptation of "Lady Chatterley's Lover." For you streaming fans we've got "Fleischman is in Trouble" which is a divorce dramedy staring Claire Danes and Jesse Eisenberg. And "Wednesday" which follows Wednesday Addams' years as a student, when she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents. So take a break from putting up the Christmas tree and give us a listen.
You've no doubt got plenty on your plate this Thanksgiving, and so do we. And our offerings don't have any calories. First we've got "Devotion." It's about a pair of U.S. Navy fighter pilots who risk their lives during the Korean War and become some of the Navy's most celebrated wingmen. It's based on a true story. We've also got several films which were nominated at the recent Critics Choice Documentary Awards - first there's "Goodnight Oppy" which follows Opportunity, the Mars Exploration Rover affectionately dubbed Oppy by her creators and scientists at NASA. Then there's "The Automat" which centers on the vending machine popularized in the 20th century that offered fresh cooked meals in a commissary-style eatery. And finally, "Three Minutes: A Lengthening" in which snippet of 16mm film offers an emotionally charged, meditative glimpse into the lives of the unsuspecting Jewish citizens of a small Polish village at the precipice of World War II. For horror fans there's "Barbarian" which is about a woman staying at an Airbnb who discovers that the house she has rented is not what it seems. If you're a drama fan there's "The Son" starring Hugh Jackman. And for you Disney musical sequel fans out there (you know who are are) we've got "Disenchanted" which stars Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. So put off that food coma and listen in!
Despite what the commercials on TV tell you, the holidays aren't quite here yet. Which means you have time to enjoy watching something without feeling guilty that you're not shopping or cooking. In fact you might even have time to learn something. Which is why we start with "The Fabelmans." It's Steven Spielberg's life story - sort of. It's got lots of buzz. We all saw it. And we'll let you know what we think of it. Then we've got "Till." It takes place in 1955, after Emmett Till is murdered in a brutal lynching. His mother vows to expose the racism behind the attack while working to have those involved brought to justice. It's got buzz too and Bill MCuddy will tell you all about it. Neil Rosen has the Ken Burns documentary "The U.s. and the Holocaust" which examines America's response to one of the greatest humanitarian crises of the twentieth century by delving deeply into the tragic human consequences of public indifference, bureaucratic red tape and restrictive quota laws. And to lighten things up Bill Bregoli has "Enola Holmes 2" which stars Millie Bobby Brown as Sherlock's younger sister. It's based on some historical based events so there's something to learn there too. Oh, but that's not all. We've got wicked satires such as "The Menu" starring Anya Taylor-Joy and "Triangle of Sadness" and "Triangle of Sadness" in which a fashion model celebrity couple join an eventful cruise for the super-rich. Plus there's "She Said" which is based on the true and sad story of New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor who break one of the most important stories in a generation — a story that helped launch the #MeToo movement. And for streaming fans there's "Causeway" starring Jennifer Lawrence and "See How They Run" with Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan. There's all that and more. So listen in!
Daylight Savings Time is over and now you're trying to figure out what to do with what feels like a whole extra hour in your day. Luckily we've already figured out your entertainment options. Fist we've got "Tár," starring Cate Blanchett as one of the greatest living composer-conductors and first-ever female music director of a major German orchestra. But her life is not as melodious as it may seem. It's gotten Oscar buzz for Cate Blanchett but is it worth watching? Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll let you know. Then we've got "The Good Nurse" which stars Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain. It's based on the true story of an infamous caregiver who is implicated in the deaths of hundreds of hospital patients. We've also got the newest version of the WWI epic "All Quiet on the Western Front." And for you fans of streaming series Neil Rosen will fill you in on the new season of "The White Lotus" and "The Handmaid's Tale." Plus Bill McCuddy caught up with "The Serpent Queen." Also there's the Stephen King story "Mr. Harrigan's Phone" and the drama "Raymond & Ray." And we've got "The Territory" and "Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities." We've got lots of ways to fill any free time you could possibly have - so listen in!
It suddenly became grownup season at your local theater. That's because, despite the usual horror and superhero movies there's actually a film for and about people who are older than teenagers. It's "Ticket to Paradise" which stars George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Two veteran actors who play divorced parents trying to stop their daughter's marriage. Then we've got the very grownup Netflix drama "Luckiest Girl Alive." It's stars Mila Kunis as a woman who seems to have things under control, but is faced with a trauma that makes her life unravel. Chills! And we've also got part two of our interviews conducted with filmmakers and stars at the Hamptons International Film Festival. Lots to ruminate on, so listen in!
This year's Hamptons International Film Festival was so chock-full of filmmakers and excitement that we've actually had to make our podcast about it into two episodes. ANd in this first one we've got interviews with people such as director Martin McDonagh, whose film "The Banshees of Inisherin" has earned some early Oscar buzz as well as acclaimed documentary director Rory Kennedy. Plus we talked to a director who made her film while in the nude. Oh, and we even got a brief word with Dick Cavett. And for those of you who want us to review a movie, we've got Lena Dunham's latest - "Catherine Called Birdy." We've squeezed a lot into this episode and there's even more next week. So start listening now!
The movie hype machine has shaken off the doldrums and is revving at full speed. The much hyped movies and shows are on their way and we've been checking them out for you. First we've got "Blonde." It's a fictionalized chronicle of the inner life of Marilyn Monroe starring Ana de Armas. It's on Netflix and you've probably heard about it. Well, all three of us have seen it and you should probably listen to what we think before you watch it. You'll thank us later. Then we've got "Don't Worry Darling" which also has gotten a ton of press. Bill Bregoli checked it out and he'll tell you all about it. Neil Rosen has "Titans: The Rise of Hollywood" which is available on a free streaming channel and Bill McCuddy has the documentary "McEnroe" in which John McEnroe as he finally tells his side of his storied career and performances on the court. But wait, there's more! We'll all tell you about the new comedy series "Reboot" which follows an early 2000s family sitcom that Hulu has rebooted and their dysfunctional cast. And there's the Netflix teen comedy "Do Revenge," the Netflix thriller "Lou" and a documentary on Joan Collins. It's all pretty cool, so listen in!
The movie hype machine has shaken off the doldrums and is revving at full speed. The much hyped movies and shows are on their way and we've been checking them out for you. First we've got "Blonde." It's a fictionalized chronicle of the inner life of Marilyn Monroe starring Ana de Armas. It's on Netflix and you've probably heard about it. Well, all three of us have seen it and you should probably listen to what we think before you watch it. You'll thank us later. Then we've got "Don't Worry Darling" which also has gotten a ton of press. Bill Bregoli checked it out and he'll tell you all about it. Neil Rosen has "Titans: The Rise of Hollywood" which is available on a free streaming channel and Bill McCuddy has the documentary "McEnroe" in which John McEnroe as he finally tells his side of his storied career and performances on the court. But wait, there's more! We'll all tell you about the new comedy series "Reboot" which follows an early 2000s family sitcom that Hulu has rebooted and their dysfunctional cast. And there's the Netflix teen comedy "Do Revenge," the Netflix thriller "Lou" and a documentary on Joan Collins. It's all pretty cool, so listen in!
Fall doesn't officially begin for another week but we're already seeing a bumper crop of entertainment options. This week we begin with "The Woman King" starring Viola Davis and it's the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll tell you all about it. Neil Rosen fills us in on the new season of "A Handmaid's Tale" and then he and Bill McCuddy have "The Resurrection," a thriller starring Rebecca Hall. We've also got the David Bowie documentary (sort of) "Moonage Daydream" and Neil finally catches up with "Elvis." And if you're into things Welsh we've got "Welcome to Wrexham" and "The Letdown." Oh, and and Neil lets us know what he thought of the Emmy Awards, Lots to feast on, so listen in!
Fall doesn't officially begin for another week but we're already seeing a bumper crop of entertainment options. This week we begin with "The Woman King" starring Viola Davis and it's the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll tell you all about it. Neil Rosen fills us in on the new season of "A Handmaid's Tale" and then he and Bill McCuddy have "The Resurrection," a thriller starring Rebecca Hall. We've also got the David Bowie documentary (sort of) "Moonage Daydream" and Neil finally catches up with "Elvis." And if you're into things Welsh we've got "Welcome to Wrexham" and "The Letdown." Oh, and and Neil lets us know what he thought of the Emmy Awards, Lots to feast on, so listen in!
It's the end of August and lots of people are on vacation - but not us! We've been sifting through the end of summer's entertainment options for you. And there are quite a few - starting with "Day Shift." It's a Netflix comedy starring Jamie Foxx and Dave Franco. It's about a hard-working, blue-collar dad who just wants to provide a good life for his quick-witted 10-year-old daughter. His mundane San Fernando Valley pool cleaning job is a front for his real source of income: hunting and killing vampires. Then we've got "Bad Sisters" on Apple TV. It's a really dark Irish comedy about 5 Irish sisters who really support each other. Bill Bregoli tells us about it. Bill McCuddy fills us in on the Netflix series "Echoes" starring Michelle Monaghan as identical twins who have secretly swapped their lives since they were children. Neil Rosen has a book report and talks one last time (he promises) about "Better Call Saul." There's also the low-budget thriller "Fall" about two BFFs who find themselves at the top of a 2,000-foot transmitter tower. Plus we've got the HBO Max documentary "The Princess" in which Princess Diana's story is told exclusively through contemporaneous archive creating a bold and immersive narrative of her life and death. And there's "The Immaculate Room" starring Kate Bosworth and Emile Hirsch as a seemingly perfect young couple who competes for a 5 million dollar prize by isolating themselves in an empty white room for 50 days. See, while the rest of the world has been sunning themselves and drinking pina coladas, we've been busy - so listen in!
The heat wave has broken, tomatoes are ripe and we're in the final weeks of summer. Summer at the box-office to be precise. And we've got lots of entertainment options for you to check out. First we've got "Thirteen Lives." It's directed by Ron Howard and tells how rescue mission was assembled in Thailand where a group of young boys and their soccer coach were trapped in a system of underground caves. It's based on a true story and Bill McCuddy tells us all about it. Then we've got the new Netflix documentary "Trainwreck: Woodstock '99" which is all about the infamous concert. Plus there's Emily the Criminal" starring Aubrey Plaza as a young woman who gets involved in a credit card scam that pulls her into the criminal underworld of Los Angeles, ultimately leading to deadly consequences. Neil Rosen has a book report on an new book about TV director James Burrows and Bill Bregoli fills us in on the "Predator" prequel "Prey." He also tells us about the animated feature "Luck." We've also got the new Neil LaBute drama "House of Darkness" and the documentary "The Most Hated Man on the Internet." And if that's not enough we also try to figure out what's going on at Warner Brothers Discovery. So listen in!
The dog days of summer are upon us. But luckily, there are still lots of movies in theaters and streaming to take your mind off things. This week we've got the action adventure film "Bullet Train" starring Brad Pitt as an unlucky criminal determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug's latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe-all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives-on the world's fastest train. Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll tell you in no uncertain terms what he thought of it. Meanwhile Neil Rosen fills us in on "Resurrection," a thriller starring Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth. Bill McCuddy has "not Okay" starring Zoey Deutch as an ambitious young woman who finds followers and fame when she poses as the survivor of a deadly attack, but she soon learns that online notoriety comes with a terrible price. But that's not all. Neil tells us about an episode of "Better Call Saul" that he really liked and Bill B talks about the third season of the "Harley Quinn" animated series. Plus our famous digressions and actors who have passed away. So listen in!
It's been a long, hot summer so far but Jordan Peele, who did "Get Out" and "Us" has a new movie simply called "Nope." The title certainly doesn't give the plot away but Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli have seen it and they'll tell you all about it. They also saw the new Netflix action thriller "The Gray Man" starring Ryan Gosliing and they'll fill you in on that as well. Neil Rosen remembers the late Paul Sorvino and he also fills us in on "Better Call Saul" and Ethan Hawke's new documentary "The Last Movie Stars." And speaking of documentaries, Bill McCuddy explains how he wound up in "Victoria's Secret: Angels and Demons" and he tells about seeing Amy Schumer perform recently. So don't succumb to the summer doldrums - listen in!
The big movies keep coming to your local theater and this week it's "Thor: Love and Thunder" with Chris Hemsworth reprising the title role with the welcome addition of Natalie Portman. Marvel fans have been salivating. Is it worth it? Bill Bregoli will let you know. Neil Rosen tells us about a WWII movie called "My Name is Sara" and Bill McCuddy fills us in on a gripping new Apple TV+ series called "Black Bird" starring Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser. For animation fans we've got "Minions: The Rise of Gru" and for those who like true crime documentaries there's "The Girl in the Picture." Neil fills us in on the TV adaptation of "A League of Their Own." Bill M caught up with "The Northman" which is streaming and Neil even has a book report. Bill B has the TV series "The Bear." Plus we talk about the late James Caan. So listen in!
There's a whole lotta shakin' going on in this week's podcast. First we've got "Elvis." It's the much anticipated biopic directed bu Baz Luhrmann starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks. Bill Bregoli saw it and he tells us all about it. Neil Rosen fills us in on "Press Play." It's about a young woman who has a chance to save the love of her life, when she discovers that the mix-tape they made together can transport her back in time. Yeah, that could happen. Bill McCuddy gives us the lowdown on "Spiderhead" which stars Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller and is directed by the same guy who did "Top Gun: Maverick," but very different. But there's more! There's the latest remake of "Father of the Bride," this time starring Andy Garcia an Gloria Estefan, plus "The Old Man" which stars Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow. Bill M teels us what he thought of "Hacks" and "The Offer" as well as the movies "The Watcher" and "Delicious" and Bill B has the documentary "The Janes." There's all that and more so listen in!
Big movies are taking over the theaters again but that doesn't mean the streamers are taking it easy. That's why we're starting with "Cha Cha Real Smooth which is on Apple TV+ and is written, directed and stars Cooper Raif as young man who works as a Bar Mitzvah party host strikes up a friendship with a mother, played by Dakota Johnson, and her autistic daughter. We've also got "Jurassic World: Dominion" which is gobbling up your local multiplex. But then it's back to streaming with "Hustle" which is on Netflix and stars Adam Sandler as a basketball scout who discovers a phenomenal street ball player while in Spain and sees the prospect as his opportunity to get back into the NBA. We've also got "Irma Vep" which stars Alicia Vikander as an American movie star disillusioned by her career and recent breakup, who comes to France to star as Irma Vep in a remake of the French silent film classic, "Les Vampires." There's all that and more, so listen in!
It must be Summer because there's a golf movie of all things. "The Phantom of the Opera" is based on a true story and stars Oscar winner Mark Rylance as Maurice Flitcroft, a dreamer and unrelenting optimist, managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship Qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process. Neil Rosen saw it and tells us all about it. Then, for some reason we talk about the oh so tawdry Amber Heard and Johnnie Depp trial outcome and whether either one of them will ever work again. Bill Bregoli tells us about the new Ricky Gervais Netflis comedy special and Bill McCuddy tells us about going to see "Top Gun: Maverick" after Bill Bregoli saw it two weeks ago. Neil's turn is next so stay tuned for that one. We also talk about "The Valet" in which a movie star enlists a parking valet at a Beverly Hills restaurant to pose as her lover to cover for her relationship with a married man. Hey, it could happen. And for you TV series fans we've got season two of "Hacks" and "The Lincoln Lawyer. So listen in!
The summer movie season is creeping along and this week there's actually a movie for grown ups. It's Downton Abbey: A New Era," a big screen version of the absurdly popular PBS series about rich people who live in a big house with (apparently) a leaky roof. Bill McCuddy saw it in the Hamptons (more rich people, more leaky roofs) and tells us what he thinks. Neil Rosen tells us about the remake of "Firestarter" which is in theaters and on Peacock and Bill Bregoli fills us in on "Operation Mincemeat" which is based on a true story about spies during WWII. But that's not all. We've also got the cheerleader in a coma comedy "Senior Year" starring Rebel Wilson and the new AppleTV+ series "the Essex Serpent starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston. Plus Neil explains what the TV Upfronts are again and digresses a bit. So listen in!
It's definitely May now and the first of the summer movie blockbusters is taxiing for takeoff. It's "Top Gun: Maverick" and Bil Bregoli stored his tray table in the upright position and saw it. Is it worth the 36 years it took to come together? He'll let you know. Neil Rosen fills us in on the new HBO documentary "George Carlin's American Dream" which is all about the legendary comedian and Bill Mccuddy tells us about the true crime drama "The Staircase" starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette. Bill M also tells us what he thinks of "Slow Horses" which Bill Bregoli recommended a few weeks ago. And while he's on a documentary spree Neil also watched the very creepy "Our Father" on Netflix. We've also got the searing French drama "Happening" and the Mike Myer's comedy series "The Pentaverate." There's all that plus our famous digressions and more. So listen in!
There are lots of new shows streaming all of a sudden. There are also old shows ending their run as well as shows starting their second season. So we're here to tell you what to catch up on and what you may want to stop watching. We start with the new Hulu series "Under the Banner of Heaven" starring Andrew Garfield as a devout detective whose faith is tested as he investigates a brutal murder seemingly connected to an esteemed Utah family's spiral into LDS fundamentalism and their distrust in the government. Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy will tell you about that, Then Neil fills us in of the series finale of "Ozark" as well as the long awaited new season of "Better Call Saul." Bill McCuddy tells us about his recent chat with actor Tony Lo Bianco on the fiftieth anniversary of "The French Connection." We've also got the sophomore seasons of "Made for Love" and "Hacks" to tell you about. Plus Neil tells us about his trip to a museum and we try to figure out what CBS should do to replace James Corden on "The Late Late Show." All that and more, so listen in!
We try and pack a lot into every episode but this week we've outdone ourselves. First up, Neil Rosen tells us about "The Offer" which is Oscar-winning producer Albert S. Ruddy's never-before-revealed experiences of making The Godfather. He's pretty excited about it. Bill Bregoli, who still goes to movie theaters, fills us in on "The Northman" which is an action-filled epic that follows a young Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father's murder. Bill McCuddy tells us about the new series "We This City" which tells the story of the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force and the corruption surrounding it. But we haven't even started. We've also got "The Survivor" which tells the story of Harry Haft, a boxer who fought against his peers in concentration camps. Based on a true story! Then there's the Netflix series "Anatomy of a Scandal" staring Sienna Miller. But wait, there's more. Neil saw the new Broadway production of "Mr. Saturday Night" starring Billy Crystal and he's hyperventilating about it. Bill Bregoli has a teen romance called "Metal Lords" and Bill McCuddy fills us in on the second season of "The Flight Attendant" as well as the new series "Tokyo Vice." There's even more but we're running out of time. Just go listen already!
This week's podcast didn't end up the way we intended. Normally we fill you in on your entertainment options be they films or streaming shows. But a dear friend of ours passed away all too suddenly last week: Gilbert Gottfried. You've no doubt heard all the tributes from famous comedians and justifiably so. He was a comic genius. But most of those famous people also said they never really got to know Gilbert. Well, it just so happens that Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy both got to work and or interview him. And Bill Bregoli had a close personal friendship with Gilbert for well over twenty years. So we got Bill B to fill everyone in on what Gilbert was really like offstage and as a friend. It's a take on Gilbert you won't hear anywhere else. We just couldn't stop talking about him. Oh, and we still managed to cover the new Nicolas Cage comedy "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent." So listen in!
The Oscars, bless 'em, are over! Now it's time to talk about some new stuff! We start with "The Bubble" from famed comedy director Judd Apatow and it's about a group of actors and actresses stuck inside a pandemic bubble at a hotel attempting to complete a film. Does it live up to his other comedies? We'll let you know in no uncertain terms. Bill Bregoli has "Slow Horses." It stars Gary Oldman and follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve as a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes. Bill McCuddy fills us in on "Julia," which is inspired by Julia Child's extraordinary life and her show The French Chef, which essentially invented food television. And if that's not enough, we've got "The Girl From Plainville" which stars Elle Fanning and is inspired by the true story of Michelle Carter's unprecedented "texting-suicide" case. And if you're eager for another Netflix true-crime show, how about "Turst No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King" which spotlights a group of investors turned sleuths as they try to unlock the suspicious death of cryptocurrency multimillionaire Gerry Cotten and the missing $250 million they believe he stole from them. And Neil Rosen tells us about "The Duke," based on the trues story of a 60 year old taxi driver, who stole Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. Yay, old dudes! There's all that and more - so listen in!
Even if you didn't watch the Oscars last Sunday you no doubt heard about it. History was made. Both good and bad. We try to make some sense of it all.But be warned, some of it will never make sense. But it's fun to talk about. That's for sure! And don't worry, we also managed to watch a few things. First, there's the new limited series "We Crashed" starring Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway. It's about the greed-filled rise and inevitable fall of WeWork, one of the world's most valuable startups, and the narcissists whose chaotic love made it all possible. Then there's "Turning Red." It's the latest from Pixar and it's a about 13-year-old girl named Meilin who turns into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited. It's a metaphor! There's also the Netflix comedy special "Taylor Tomlinson: Look at You." In it, the self assured young comedian talks about struggling with mental health, grief and dating. Did we mention it's a comedy special?. Plus the quirky British series "All My Friends Hate Me" and the new documentary directed by Amy Poehler "Lucy and Desi," which explores the rise of comedian icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz, and how their groundbreaking sitcom I Love Lucy forever changed Hollywood. If that isn't enough for one podcast, what is? Anyway, listen in!
Oh, it's been quite a week. Not only do we have some really crazy movies to talk about, the always nutty awards season is about reach its climax (or nadir, depending on what you think about showbiz) with the Academy Awards. And we managed to talk about both in one jam-packed podcast. Let's start with the movies First we've got "The Adam Project" starring Ryan Reynolds as a time-traveling jet pilot. It's from the same people who did "Free Guy" so is it any good? We'll let you know. Then we've got "Deep Water" starring Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas. Plus it's directed by Adrian Lyne, who did "Fatal Attraction." Is it just as scandalous? Uh, you should hear what we think. Neil Rosen tells us about the British drama "Mothering Sunday" and Bill McCuddy has the new Netflix documentary "Bad Vegan." The adventurous Bill Bregoli has two movies that are just too strange to describe in this small space "Everything Everywhere All At Once" and "Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn." Plus there's Amy Schumer's new series "Life & Beth." And speaking of Amy Schumer - she's one of the hosts of this week's Oscar telecast. And we'll have our very own picks of who'll be getting the Oscar. Handy if you're filling out your office pool. So listen in!
Spring must be coming because there's a new superhero movie waking up the movie theaters from their long winter's nap. It's "The Batman" with Robert Pattinson in the title role along with Zoe Kravitz. It's making money hand over gloved fist. Is it any good? Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli saw it and they'll let you know. Then there's "Fresh," a dark look at modern dating with Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan. And we've also got "Gold" starring Zac Efron as you've never seen him before. If you're looking for a series we'll tell you about "The Dropout." It stars Amanda Seyfried as embattled Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. Neil Rosen fills us in on "Butter," which is about a lonely obese boy. Bill Bregoli has the new comedy series "Our Flag Means Death" and Bill McCuddy has the new mystery adventure series "The Tourist." It's time to get yourself moving again so listen in!
Another month is upon us, full of promise. Luckily we're still here to fill you in on your entertainment options. First we have "No Exit." It's a low budget thriller from Hulu with a mostly no-name cast. Sometimes they can be fun. We'll let you know. Bill McCuddy fills us in on the documentary "Icahn: The Restless Billionaire, which is about a restless billionaire. Neil Rosen lets us know what he thinks of "Single Drunk Female," which Bill Bregoli recommended a few weeks ago, and speaking of Bill Bregoli, he tells us about the strange new workplace drama "Severance" starring Adam Scott. And speaking of workplace dramas, we've also got "Super Pumped" starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the founder of Uber. And there's lots more including "I Gotta Be Me," about Sammy Davis, Jr. and Neil tells us why he's so stuck on "The Gilded Age" even though no one else is. As always we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in.
You've sat through Olympic ceremonies and entire Super Bowl games but you don't want to waste any time figuring out your entertainment options. Well, that's where we come in. We'll tell which shows and movies you should spend your time watching. And (in this episode anyway)we do it in a very short amount of time. We start with "Uncharted" starring Tom "Spider-Man" Holland and Mark Wahlberg as two bickering treasure hunters who recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan. Bill Bregoli actually went to a theater to see it and he'll tell you all about it. Neil Rosen then has the new Netflix series "Inventing Anna" which dramatizes the true-life case of Anna Delvey, the Instagram-legendary German heiress who stole the hearts of New York's social scene - and stole their money as well. Is it worth watching nine episodes? Bill McCuddy then fills us in on the series "Secrets of Playboy which promises to uncover the hidden truths behind the Playboy empire. We've also got "Death on the Nile," the latest Agatha Christie-based movie in which Hercule Poirot must investigate the murder of a young heiress. Plus there's the provocative dramedy "Single Drunk Female," the award winning action drama "Catch the Fair One" and Stephen Soderbergh's thriller "KIMI." We cover a lot in a little time, so listen in!
February used to be a slow time of the year in the entertainment business. Not anymore! There are big time movies and series coming at you from every which way this year. So it's a good thing we've taken it upon our weary selves to sort it all out for you. We start with "Moonfall." It stars Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson and it's about a mysterious force which knocks the moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it. Bill Bregoli saw it, but is it worth venturing out to a theater to see it? We'll let you know. There's a new Woody Allen movie - Bill McCuddy and Neil Rosen saw "Rifkin's Festival" and they can't wait to fill you in on it. And of course we all watched "Pam & Tommy," the new miniseries that follows the story of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's relationship, going back to their whirlwind romance that started with them marrying after only knowing each other for 96 hours in 1995. And speaking of romance gone awry, we've got "The Tinder Swindler" it's the hot new Netflix true crime documentary about a real life weasel who wooed women online then conned them out of millions of dollars. We've also got updates on "The Gilded Age" as well as "And Just Like That." As always, we're brought to you by the Accutron Show, so listen in!
During the most recent blinding snowstorm on the East Coast, we stayed warm in front of our microphones and talked about your movie and TV options. The movie companies somehow knew the weather was going to suck and decided not to put any new movies in theaters anyway, so it was up to us to tell you what your entertainment choices are. Bill McCuddy starts us off with "Clean" starring Adrien Brody as a garbage man named Clean who attempts a quiet life of redemption. But, soon finds himself forced to reconcile with the violence of his past. Then we look at the new HBO series "The Gilded Age" which is the latest historical costume drama from Julian Fellowes of "Downton Abbey" fame. Is it as good as that? We'll let you know. And speaking of series, we've got one called "The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window." It stars Kristen Bell as a heartbroken woman for whom every day is the same, that is until she witnesses a gruesome murder - Or did she? We've also got a horror thriller called "Antlers" and the latest Kevin James comedy "The Home Team" based (very loosely) on a true story. Oh, and there's "The Afterparty," a murder mystery starring Tiffany Haddish. Plus an interesting film from Indonesia called "Photocopy." There's so much more so tell your kids to shovel the driveway and listen in!
In Boston, where Bill Bregoli is from, "wicked" can mean something that's awful, but it can also mean something that's really good. As in "wicked cool." Which leads us to "The Tragedy of Macbeth." It's from director Joel Coen and stars Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. But is it "wicked"? We'll let you know. Neil Rosen tells us about the new season of "Ozark" on Netflix (yes, it came back) as we;; as "The Super Dave Osborne Movie." It's a documentary about the writer/comedian you may or may not have heard of. Neil also caught up with the Netflix documentary "Filthy Rich: The Jeffrey Epstein Story." And speaking of sleazebags, there's the documentary "The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman" about a cruel conman masquerading as a British spy who manipulates and steals from his victims, leaving ruined families in his wake.Bill McCuddy tells us about his illuminating interview with Jared Leto. We also talk about the deaths of Meatloaf and Louis Anderson. That's a lot. So listen in!
What's old is new again - "Scream" is back, making money hand over blood covered fist. Even the original cast has returned Bill Bregoli saw it and tells all about it. Neil Rosen has a new TV documentary, "We Need to Talk About Cosby," which is writer/director W. Kamau Bell's exploration of Bill Cosby's descent from "America's Dad" to alleged sexual predator. Bill McCuddy talks about "Drive My Car," which is burning up the awards circuit. He also has "Petite Maman," by acclaimed director Celinie Sciamma. And speaking of things coming back, there's a newly restored version of "The Godfather" saga. Plus, "Secrets of Playboy," all about the hidden truths behind the Playboy empire. and the new DC Comics series "Peacemaker." As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in!
As someone once said "Baby, it's cold outside." Then he got in trouble. But we all know a great way to warm up is to just go and watch a nice warm movie. And we've got just what you need. First we've got "The 355." It's a spy movie with Jessica Chastain. Penelope Cruz, Lupita Nyong'o and Bingbing Fan. But can a spy movie with female spies be fun to watch? We'll let you know. We've also got "CODA" which has been hanging out on Apple TV+ for a while and deserves to be seen. It even has Marlee Matlin in it! Neil Rosen tells us about the latest documentary he's fallen in love with. It's called "The Automat" and it centers on the vending machine popularized in the 20th century that offered fresh cooked meals in a commissary-style eatery. Neil also catches up with "The Lost Daughter" and the classic film "Gilda" with Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. We also talk about the latest celebrities and filmmakers we've lost in recent days. As always, we're brought to you by the Accutron Show, so listen in!
A new year is upon us, and if you've made the resolution to keep up with the latest movies this is the podcast for you! First we've got "Cyrano." It stars Peter Dinklage in the title role as a wordsmith, too self-conscious to woo Roxanne himself,so he helps young Christian nab her heart through love letters. And it's a musical! We all saw it so we'll tell you what we think. Then there's Maggie Gyllenhaal's directorial debut "The Lost Daughter" starring Oscar winner Olivia Colman as woman whose beach vacation takes a dark turn when she begins to confront the troubles of her past. Neil Rosen catches up with Guillermo DelToro's "Nightmare Alley" starring Bradley Cooper. Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli already saw it and now we get to hear what Neil Thinks. Neil also tells us what he thinks of "Tick, Tick, Boom" which stars Andrew Garfield and is directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Bill Bregoli tells us about the "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts" special in which cast members from all "Harry Potter" films reunite in a retrospective special to celebrate the anniversary of the first film, including interviews and cast conversations. Then we've got "The Times Square Killer." It's a Netflix true crime docuseries which tells how in1970s NYC, the "Torso Killer" preyed on women to fulfill his grotesque fantasies while eluding police. It's quite a way to start the new year - so listen in!
We're in between big holidays and either that Christmas meal is making you nauseous, or you caught something while waiting in line for your Covid test. Nonetheless, you may be feeling too foggy to figure out what to watch. Don't worry, we've seen it all and we'll help you decide which megabucks production or shoestring budget indie you should see. First there's "The Matrix: resurrections." It brings back Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss but features some new people too. Is it any good? Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy saw it and will let you know. Neil tells us about "Mr. Saturday Night" which is the untold story of Robert Stigwood and how he produced "Saturday Night Fever" starring a young John Travolta. Then there's "The King's Man," an adventure and a prequel all at once. We've also got the second season of "Love Life" and the new apocalyptic series "Station eleven" starring Mackenzie Davis. Neil tells us about watching the classic "Meet John Doe " as well as all the movies and TV shows he's caught up on. Plus Bill McCuddy tells us about his Top 11 movies of the year. So pour yourself some hair of the dog and listen in!
Apparently a young man in spandex saved an entire industry over the weekend. "Spider Man: No Way Home" broke box office records and forced theater owners to dust off seats that hadn't been filled in over a year. They even had to make a fresh batch of popcorn. Bill Bregoli got to see a preview and he'll tell you as much as he can about it without any spoilers - which is almost impossible by the way. Bill McCuddy tells us about a much more grown up film - "Nightmare Alley" which is the latest from director Guillermo Del Toro and stars Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett. Neil Rosen then fills us in on "Parallel Mothers" from director Pedro Almodovar and stars Penelope Cruz. But wait, Bill Bregoli, who has been working overtime, tells us about the Netflix family film "Mixtape," the coming of age movie "The Tender Bar" starring Ben Affleck and the quirky HBO series "How To with John Wilson. We also talk about what happened to SNL last Saturday. As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in.
Films are getting nominated, publicists are publicizing, theaters are getting a little busier...holy crap! It's awards season. Oh and the holidays are here, Yikes! Luckily we've been watching a bunch of stuff to help you decide how to spend what little time you have this time of year. First there's "Don't Look Up" which not only has Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, it's got a comet too! Oh, and we try to figure out what's going on with the new version of "West Side Story." Plus Neil tells us about "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: 'The Facts of Life' and 'Diff'rent Strokes'." And speaking of TV, we've got "And Just Like That," which is the "Sex & The City" update. Plus "Santa, Inc.," and "The Landscaper." Back to movies - "The Worst Person in the World" and "I'm Your Man" and Neil catches up with "Licorice Pizza." Bill McCuddy has documentaries including "Friedkin: Uncut" plus one from Oliver Stone. All that more! We're brought to you by the Accutron show, so listen in!
It may be quiet right at this second but any minute now the movie season is going to explode. We've just had a look at some of this year's biggest and most anticipated movies. And that may explain why we sound even more excited than usual this week. We start with "Being the Ricardos" which is written and directed by Aaron Sorkin and follows Lucy and Desi as they face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage. All in one week! Then there's "The Power of the Dog" from acclaimed director Jane Campion which stars Benedict Cumberbatch as rancher Phil Burbank, who inspires fear and awe in those around him. of love. He also smells pretty bad. We'll explain. Then there's the big one - Steven Spielberg's version of "West Side Story." What has he done with it? We'll let you know. Plus there's Disney's latest animated musical "Encanto." But wait, there's more, including "Christmas at the Ranch" and Bill McCuddy will tell you what star Lindsay Wagner had to say about it. We've also got "The French Dispatch," which is the latest from director Wes Anderson and the very edgy indie "Red Rocket." No wonder we're so worked up this week. We're brought to you by Accutron so listen in!
Thanksgiving dinner is over and maybe you're feeling a little queasy. Well this week's podcast is formulated to cure whatever ails you. We start with "House of Gucci" starring Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, who marries into the Gucci family, and her unbridled ambition begins to unravel their legacy. We really split on this one. Neil Rosen then tells us about "The Beatles: Get Back" which is Peter Jackson's documentary about The Beatles featuring in-studio footage that was shot in early 1969 for the 1970 feature film 'Let It Be.' Neil and Bill McCuddy catch up with "Old," "Belfast" and "Not Time to Die." And Bill Bregoli talks about the documentary "The Curse of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die For" as well as the animated series "Hit Monkey" and the Netflix true crime doc "Catching Killers" which is about exactly that. Oh and Neil and Bill McCuddy talk about trying to watch "Tick, Tick, Boom." As always, we're brought to you by the Accutron Show" show listen in!
Thanksgiving is almost herewhen Hollywood serves up its holiday fare. And this week we've got the appetizers! We start with "King Richard" which has been generating Oscar buzz for it star, Will Smith. He plays Richard Smith, who coached daughters Venus and Serena to become tennis greats. Neil and Bill McCuddy talk about a controversial episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" while Bill Bregoli fills us in on "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" which passes the ghost busting torch to a new generation. He also tells us about "Licorice Pizza" which is the latest from director Paul Thomas Anderson - the guy who brought us "Boogie Nights." But we don't stop there. We've also got "Red Notice," the Netflix hit (well that's what they tell us) starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot. Plus we talk about the new bizarre Showtime series "Yellow Jackets" which seems to feature cannibalism. Obviously we've got something for every taste so put on your movie bib and listen in!
We're between big holidays right now (yes, Halloween is a holiday) and Hollywood is taking a tiny break between superhero and action films to bring us some serious grown up stuff for a change. It won't last, but until then it's time to enjoy films like our first choice, "Belfast." It's writer/director Kenneth Branagh's story of growing up in Northern Ireland during the tumultuous period known as "The Troubles." We've also got "Spencer." It stars Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, who, struggling with mental health problems, decides to end her decade-long marriage to Prince Charles. Or how about "Finch" which stars Tom Hanks and takes place on a post-apocalyptic earth, where a robot, built to protect the life of his creator's beloved dog, learns about life, love, friendship and what it means to be human. Neil Rosen tells us about "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," with Jessica Chastain as the infamous televangelist. On a more upbeat not, Bill McCuddy tells us about "Francesco," A documentary about Pope Francis. Oh, but there are more documentaries, including "Julia," about famed chef Julia Child and "Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road" about the famous Beach Boy. Then Bill Bregoli tells us the fascinating story of "Camp Confidential: America's Secret Nazis" As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in!
The big "tentpole" movies are here and theaters are finally making some money. "Dune" is trying to worm its way into your heart and Bill Bregoli tells us about watching it in an IMAX theater. Bill Mccuddy wasn't so lucky. Then Bill B has the new horror movie "Last Night in Soho" starring Anya Taylor-Joy from "The Queen's Gambit." It's a horror movie set in the swinging London of the 1960s. Neil Rosen has watched the entire new Netflix series "Maid" staring Margaret Qualley and her real life mom Andie MacDowell. Neil has been on a TV binge lately and also tells us about "Succession" and the new season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Bill McCuddy finally got a chance to watch "Black Widow" and tells us what he thought while Bill Bregoli has the animated satire "Ron's Gone Wrong" along "Army of Thieves" which is the prequel to "Army of the Dead." It's a lot to handle but, as always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in!
One of our favorite film festivals - The Hamptons International Film Festival - took place recently and our own Bill McCuddy covered the star studded event and brought us some great interviews you'll only hear on this very podcast. He's got Alec Baldwin talking about how the event often presents films that become Oscar winners. Bill also talked to Maggie Gyllenhaal about "The Lost Daughter" which is her directorial debut. He also chatted with Emmy winner Josh O'Connor ("The Crown") and Odessa Young about "Mothering Sunday." And then listen to Bill run down all the important films that had their premiere there too. As for films you can watch right now, Bill Bregoli has the documentary "What Happened, Brittany Murphy" about the mysterious and tragic death of the the young actress. Neil Rosen tells us about the third season of the smash cable hit "Succession." For movie buffs, we've got "Attack of the Hollywood Cliches" as well as Bill McCuddy's take on "No Time to Die," the latest and much delayed James Bond adventure. But wait, there's more, including the documentary "Becoming Cousteau" and the horror thriller "Last Night in Soho." As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show. So listen in!
The cicadas are gone but there's still a buzz out there. It could well be "The Many Saints of Newark." It's from David Chase, creator of "The Sopranos," and it's all about Tony Soprano's upbringing. Apparently he didn't have the greatest role models. It's been talked about for years, and it stars the late James Gandolfini's son, but is it worth your time? We'll let you know. We've also got "The Guilty" starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a demoted police officer assigned to a call dispatch desk who is conflicted when he receives an emergency phone call from a kidnapped woman. And if you're looking for something truly offbeat we've got "Benedetta" from director Paul Verhoeven. It's about a 17th-century nun in Italy who suffers from disturbing religious and erotic visions. Neil Rosen fills us in on "!5 Minutes of Shame" which is Monica Lewinsky's look at public shaming in modern day culture. Bill McCuddy has the Netflix sensation "Squid Game" and Bill Bregoli tells us about "The Rescue." That's a documentary which follows the story of the Wild Boars youth soccer team of Thailand who got trapped in in a cave and their dramatic 2018 rescue. Is that enough for you? How about "Cry Macho"? That's the one where Clint Eastwood plays a one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder who takes a job to bring a man's young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. Yee-haw! And we've got lot's more including the Tim Blake Nelson western "Old Henry" and the third season of "Sex Education." As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in!
Vacation is over. The kids are back at what passes for school these days and everyone is trying to get back to business. And Hollywood is too. This week it's taking a break from superhero movies and bringing you some grown-up fare. First, Bill McCuddy and Neil Rosen tell us about "Dear Evan Hanson." It's the big screen adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical about a high school senior with Social Anxiety disorder and his journey of self-discovery and acceptance following the suicide of a fellow classmate. Sounds like fun, huh. Bill and Neil have different opinions on this one. Then Bill Bregoli tells us about "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" which stars Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield as televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Then we've got the bookish drama "Best Sellers" which stars Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza. And for documentary fans there's "Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster." Normal podcasters would stop right there, but no one accused us of being normal. So Neil fills us in on "Impeachment" which is the latest installment of "American Crime Story." Bill McCuddy tells us what he thought of Neil's recommendation "Hacks" and Bill Bregoli has "Kate" which stars the fine actress and action star Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a killer for hire. Oh, and there's the docuseries "Gossip." As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in!
The hurricanes have come and gone and it's time to reap the summer's harvest. So if your neighbors haven't brought you tomatoes and zucchinis yet what's that matter with them? Hollywood has some offerings for you as well and luckily we'll tell you what's worth your time. First we have "Only Murders in the Building." It's a new Hulu series starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez as three strangers who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves caught up in one. It's very New Yorky, is it fun? Bill Bregoli (not a native New Yorker so you can trust him) will tell you. Neil tells us about the proliferation of TV game shows. We've also got Paul Schrader's new drama "The Card Counter." Starring Oscar Isaac and Willem Dafoe it's a revenge thriller that tells the story of an ex-military interrogator turned gambler haunted by the ghosts of his past. Bill Also watched "Vacation Friends." It's a raunchy comedy about a couple who meet up with another couple while on vacation in Mexico, but their friendship takes an awkward turn when they get back home. Bill McCuddy tells us about "Stillwater" which stars Matt Damon as a father who travels from Oklahoma to France to help his estranged daughter, who is in prison for a murder she claims she didn't commit. Bill M also fills us in on the series "Hit & Run." We also have stories to tell about the late legend Ed Asner. And as always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show" so listen in!
Summer is winding down and so are several TV shows. Including "The White Lotus." We all watched the season finale on HBO and, uh, well, listen in to hear what we thought. But there's lots more including "Bring Your Own Brigade" the must talked about in investigation into our landscape's hidden fire stories and on-the-ground experiences of firefighters and residents struggling through deadly fires. There's also the Netflix series "Hit and Run" in which happily married man's life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a mysterious hit-and-run accident in Tel Aviv. Neil talks about the "Field of Dreams" baseball game based on the baseball movie or something like that. There's also "The Lost Leonardo," a documentary about the mystery surrounding the Salvator Mundi, the first painting by Leonardo da Vinci to be discovered for more than a century, which has now seemingly gone missing. Bill Bregoli thinks he knows where it is and he'll tell you about it. He also tells us about the quirky new series "Reservation Dogs." Bill McCuddy fills us in on a radio program starring Lucille Ball as well as "The Final Purge," which he watched with his daughter...make of that what you will. As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in!
It's that time of summer when things are starting to look a little weird - the kids, the dog, your mother-in-law, etc. Well, movies are starting to get a little strange too. Luckily we've looked at enough stuff to help you keep your sanity as you review your entertainment choices. So we start off with "The Suicide Squad" - not to be confused with "Suicide Squad" which came out in 2019. This one was directed by James Gunn, who directed "Guardians of the Galaxy" and Bill McCuddy says that's enough to make a world of difference. Then we've got "Annette" which was a big hit at the recent Cannes Film Festival. It's got Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard but is it any good? Neil Rosen will tell you what he thinks in no uncertain terms. Then we've got "Pig" starring the always interesting Nicolas Cage. It's about a man and his truffle pig. You may not have a truffle pig (though you should) but will you still be able to relate? Bill Bregoli will tell you. We've also got documentaries including "Pray Away," about the religious movement trying to convert gay people to straight, and also "Val," which is about the 40-year career of the enigmatic and downright strange sometimes Val Kilmer. Plus the new Netflix doc series "Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean." It's a deep dive into the guy who made the stainless steel car and then got arrested. Neil has updates on "Ted Lasso" and "The White Lotus" which he's somehow still watching. And just to finish things off on a properly strange note Bill Bregoli tells us about "The Swarm" - a French horror film about grasshoppers gone wild! And as always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show. So listen in!
It's August! The time of the year when Hollywood releases some of it's sketchiest movies and TV shows. This year is no exception which is why we're really performing a public service with this week's podcast - helping you save your entertainment dollars as well as cluing you in on some of the rare gems that come out this time of year. We start with "Jungle Cruise," the big budget Disney extravaganza starring Dwayne Johnson and the industry's go-to Englishwoman, Emily Blunt. Is it up to all the hype? Bill Bregoli will let you know. Neil Rosen then tells us what he thinks of the second season of Amazon Prime's "Modern Love" as well as the second season of the much ballyhooed "Ted Lasso." We've also got the indie crime drama "The Evening Hour" as well as the the return of the Muscles From Brussels - Jean Claude VanDamme in "The Last Mercenary" on Netflix. Then we've got a terrific documentary about a terrible concert - "Woodstock 99: Peace Love and Rage" which you can check out on HBO Max. Then Neil and Bill McCuddy discuss Matt Damon's latest theory on the state of the movie business. As always, we're brought to you by "The Accutron SHow" - now on YouTube. So listen in!
Summer is the season of plenty - from your backyard barbecues with Uncle Tony's homemade sausages to Aunt Mary's potato salad made with her famous mystery mayonnaise. And the showbiz world has varied offerings as well. Luckily we've checked them out so you don't get the entertainment version of food poisoning. First Bill McCuddy tells us about the much lauded art-house film "Zola" in which a stripper named Zola embarks on a wild road trip to Florida. It's not based on an idea scribbled on a napkin, it's based on tweets. Yes, it's come to that. Meanwhile Neil tells us about "McCartney 3,2,1" in which producer Rick Rubin interviews Paul McCartney on his work with the Beatles, Wings, and as a solo artist. Neil also watched "1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything." Meanwhile, Bill Bregoli tells us about the new Disney+ documentary "Playing With Sharks" which is different than all those other shark documentaries out there. He also tells us about the new Netflix true crime documentary series "Heist." We also discussed the storied career of the late Jackie Mason. And we also welcome back our sponsor: The Accutron Show which you can now check out on YouTube. There are probably a few things we've forgotten too, so listen in!
How hot is it? It's so hot that we've braved the melting sidewalks and watched a plethora of movie and TV offerings just so you can stay cool while you figure out what to watch this summer. First off, of course, we've got the big summer smash "Black Widow" starring Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh. Bill Bregoli was brave enough to go to his local 14-plex and check it out. Then Neil tells us about "The White Lotus." It's a new HBO limited series about rich people - not to be confused with all the other HBO series about rich people. This one was created by Mike White, who's pretty strange. We've also got the music documentary "Summer of Soul" and the sardonic new Netflix documentary series "How to Become a Tyrant." And speaking of documentaries we've also got "The One and Only Dick Gregory." Bill McCuddy guides us through the strange morass of this year's Emmy Nominations as well what's happening at the Cannes film festival. But wait, we also got a look at "Fear Street Part 1: 1994" and Fear Street Part 2: 1978." So put a nice cold compress on your head and listen in!
So it's Fourth of July weekend and you came back wet from your local fireworks display or you had to move your barbecue indoors because it was too rainy or too hot and now your kids are sadly trying to toast marshmallows over the kitchen stove. Don't worry - we've got a whole bunch of entertainment alternatives to help you salvage what's left of the holiday. First Bill McCuddy has "No Sudden Move" from director Steven Soderbergh. It's a caper film starring Don Cheadle and Benicio Del Toro and it takes place in 1950's Detroit. Then Neil has yet another series about an aspiring stand up comic (where does he find them all?) called "Hacks" starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. The fearless Bill Bregoli tells us about the animated sequel "Boss Baby: Family Business" which has the voices of Alec Baldwin and Jeff Goldblum as well as "F9." No, it's not about your favorite key on your computer - it's yet another "Fast and Furious" movie. And this one goes into outer space! Oh, but there's so much more including "Till Death" which stars Megan Fox as a woman is left handcuffed to her dead husband as part of a sick revenge plot. Plus there's the true crime documentary "Sophie: A Murder in West Cork." So light that sparkler and give us a listen!
It's finally officially summer and now you can just relax without felling guilty. And what better way to relaxing than just watching something? "Ah, but what to watch?" you say. "I don't want to waste my precious time on just anything Hollywood throws at me." Well, that why we gave up some of our own precious time to watch a whole bunch of things available right now, so you can make an informed choice. First, Neil tells us about "Lanksy." It stars veteran actor Harvey Keitel as the aging Meyer Lansky, who is investigated one last time by the Feds who suspect he has stashed away millions of dollars over half a century. Bill Bregoli tells us about "Fatherhood." It's a Kevin Hart movie with a semi-serious twist that's now on Netflix. Bill McCuddy has the French Canadian film "Les Notres." It's a social suspense about Magalie, a teenager who will have no choice but to take back the reins of her own life. Neil fills us in on the third season of "The Kaminsky Method" as well as the Iliza Schlesinger comedy "Good on Paper" about a stand-up comic who meets a guy who seems perfect: smart, nice, successful and possibly too good to be true. We've also got "Physical," the new series starring Rose Byrne as a quietly tortured housewife who finds an unconventional path to power through an unlikely source: the world of aerobics. You say "That's all well and good but I want more." Well there's the documentary "An Unknown Compelling Force" which purports to tell the truth of Russia's greatest unsolved mystery, the Dyatlov Pass Incident. We've also got "The Misfits," the latest Renny Harlin action film starring Pierce Brosnan and Tim Roth. Plus the second season of the urban female skateboarding series "Betty." And Bill McCuddy has the new season of "Million Dollar Listing." We know that's a lot to digest, so listen to us and wait a half hour before diving in.
Summer actually begins on Sunday, 6/20, but hey, we've already had a heat wave and chances are you've burned a burger or two on the barbecue. But that hasn't stopped Hollywood from serving up a feast of new offerings and we're here to let you know what's worth your time. First we've got "In the Heights." It's from the guy who brought you "Hamilton" (the show you couldn't afford to see on Broadway) but this is the film version of the musical in which Usnavi, a sympathetic New York bodega owner, saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life. Oh what fun. Maybe. Then we've got "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" which is a scary movie that cost less than "In the Heights" but has made more money. Figure that out. Neil tells us about the latest offering from Disney-Pixar which takes place on the Italian Riviera, where an unlikely but strong friendship grows between a human being and a sea monster disguised as a human. And if any company could make that premise work it's Pixar. We've also watched Part two of the Netflix" smash "Lupin." Bill Bregoli has seen all of it and he tries really hard not give any spoilers. Bill McCuddy tells us about the Bravo series "Queen of the South" and a new comedy special shot and performed by Bo Burnham, alone, over the course of the past year called "Inside." There's a lot to take in so listen in!
This summer has gotten very warm very fast. So this week we gathered during the cool of the evening to tell you about Hollywood's latest offerings on big and small screens. First Bill Bregoli, a man who's not afraid of movies with two female leads, tells us about "Plan B." Directed by Natalie Morales, it follows a straight-laced high school student and her slacker best friend who, after a regrettable first sexual encounter, have 24 hours to hunt down a Plan B pill in America's heartland. It's a comedy! Then Neil tells us about "The Sparks Brothers." It's a documentary about Los Angeles brothers Ron and Russell who, growing up in the 60s, got by on a heavy diet of popcorn matinees and pop music until the spotlight of school talent shows illuminated their way on a musical journey as the Sparks and spawned 25 studio albums. Bill McCuddy fills us in on "The Dry." It stars Eric Bana as a federal agent who returns to his home town after an absence of over twenty years to attend the funeral of his childhood friend, Luke, who allegedly killed his wife and child before taking his own life - a victim of the madness that has ravaged this community after more than a decade of drought. Oh, but there's more including Neil's updates on "The Handmaid's Tale" and "The Story of Late Night." And speaking of late night shows, Bill McCuddy tells us about his ill-fated appearance on "The Late Show with Conan O'Brien." It's all worth staying up for so listen in!
Well here we are. The "Unofficial Start of Summer" and the entertainment industry has cooked up a virtual feast for your holiday weekend. First there's "Cruella." Disney's live-action origin story of the villain from "101 Dalmations" with Emma Stone in the title role along with Emma Thompson. It's got dogs, it's got scenery, it's got a 70s soundtrack, but is it worth traveling to a theater to see on a busy weekend? We'll let you know. Then there's the "Friends" reunion show on HBO Max. That's the one where the once incredibly cute cast is lured from their mansions (and maybe rehab) to talk about their golden days on their once must-see sitcom. There are celebrity guests, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and James Corden on hand to ask softball questions. Neil, a big "Friends" fan, will tell you all about it. And it wouldn't be a weekend without a zombie movie, so we'll tell you about Zack Snyder's "Army of the Dead" now streaming on Netflix." It takes place in Las Vegas. Think "Ocean's 11" but with zombies. Bill McCuddy will fill you in on the Netflix series "Halston" starring Ewan McGregor as the iconic fashion designer. And Bill Bregoli will try to warn you off watching the family film "Blue Miracle" starring Dennis Quaid." The truth is, the weather is always crummy on Memorial Day weekend, so why not stay indoors and listen in!
Things are loosening up out there! In fact, we've even been able to see movies in an actual theater. And so can you! Ah, but is it worth having a stranger point a thermometer at your head while you hold your popcorn? Well, we can tell you it is for the right movie. And Bill Bregoli tells us that may very well be "A Quiet Place Part 2" which is finally about to open in theaters after being held back for an entire year due to, well, you know. Bill saw it in a theater with other people and he's alive to tell you what it was like. Neil tells us about "Those Who Would See Me Dead" starring Angelina Jolie as the best looking firefighter you've ever see. It's available on HBO Max as well as in theaters. Bill McCuddy fills us in on "The Woman in the Window" which was supposed to be in theaters but is now on Netflix so you could just stay home and see it - but listen to what he has to say first. We've also got the indie thriller "Goodbye Honey" as well as "Four Good Days" which stars Mila Kunis and Glenn Close. And while we're on the subject of indies, we've also got there's "The Killing of Two Lovers." Plus we talk about the passing of Charles Grodin. So before you dust off your car keys and head to your local Bijou give us a listen!
Spring 2021 is turning out to be a wet one. But that means you can stay indoors and watch something. And boy do we have some interesting options for you. First there's "Wrath of Man" which stars Jason Statham as H, a cold and mysterious character working at a cash truck company responsible for moving hundreds of millions of dollars around Los Angeles each week. He's just started working there and he's already way too good at it. What gives? It's directed by Guy Ritchie. Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli both saw it and they'll tell you what they think of it. And as an added bonus, Bill Bregoli will tell you what it was like to see it in an actual movie theater (remember those?). Neil Rosen will fill you in on "Here Today" which stars Neil's favorite old man Bill Crystal as a veteran comedy writer named Charlie Burnz who meets New York street singer Emma Payge (Tiffany Haddish), and they form an unlikely yet hilarious and touching friendship. Awww. Then there's the HBO documentary "The Crime of the Century." It's a searing indictment of Big Pharma and the political operatives and government regulations that enable over-production, reckless distribution and abuse of synthetic opiates. On the lighter side, Neil talks about watching "The Story of Late Night" on CNN which tracks the history of late-night TV from its inception, featuring stories about hosts such as Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, David Letterman, O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Kimmel, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. So many overpaid men, so little time. We also probe the latest controversy involving those crazy cut-ups at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. So keep your powder dry this Spring and listen in!
While the rest of the country was losing their shirts at the Kentucky Derby we gathered together and put out money where are mouths are - the movies. First Bill Bregoli tells us about the animated Netflix family adventure "The Mitchel;s vs the Machines" with the voices of Abbi Jacobsen, Danny McBride and Maya Rudolph which was produced by the guys who did "The Lego Movie." Neil tells us about the fourth season of "The Handmaid's Tale" which he seems to be liking again and Bill McCuddy tells us about "Tom Clancy's Without Remorse" with Micheal B. Jordan. And then we move on to "Mortal Kombat" which is making money hand over fist at the box-office. There's also the dramedy "Together Together" starring Ed Helms as well as the documentary "Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street." And if that's not enough there's the Amanda Seyfried horror flick "Things Heard & Seen" and Bill M looks back at "Headhunters." We also look at the career of the late Olympia Dukakis. So get yourself in the starting gate and listen in!
Alright, you watched them just like we did. Well, maybe you gave up after a while. A short while probably. But we watched the whole thing. From the fancy steadycam sort of political beginning, through the embarrassing Glenn Close dance number, all the way to the worst ending since the Vietnam war. Sure, it was nice that no one got played off - even the winners for Best Sound. But what was all that stuff about it "going to be like a movie"? And why was it so dull? When a Korean grandmother is the funniest person on the show... Anyway, listen in and you'll hear what we think went wrong. And if you agree, or even if you don't, let us know what you think! But first, listen in!
This year's bizarre awards season is (finally) coming to end. The Oscars are coming! Who's going to win? Who really should win? Does anybody care? We'll answer the first two questions in our usual smartypants fashion. And speaking of actual Oscar nominated movies we start with "Another Round" which stars Mads Mikkelsen as a slightly inebriated teacher. It's up for Best Director and Best International Film. Then we've got "Trigger Point" which stars Barry Pepper as a former secret operative on the run. Then there's the nature documentary "The Year Earth Changed." We've talked about "Call My Agent" before but Neil has actually finished watching all of it so he'll tell you what he thinks of it and has some news about the series as well. And Bill McCuddy caught the original "Westworld." How does it age after all these years? He'll let you know. So listen in!
It's Spring! Birds are flying, bees are buzzing, flowers are making you sneeze and Melisa McCarthy has a new movie on Netflix. It's called "Thunder Force" and it's written and director by her husband Ben Falcone. Is it a good idea to make a movie with your spouse? We'll let you know. Neil has the futuristic sci-fi flick "Voyagers" in which a very good looking crew of astronauts on a multi-generational mission descend into paranoia and madness, not knowing what is real or not. Sound like your cup of tea? How about the HBO Max series "Frayed"? Bill McCuddy tells us about this series in which a wealthy London housewife is forced to return to her hometown in Australia, where she's forced to confront her past and the reasons that caused her to leave years ago. And speaking of HBO Max, Bill Bregoli has been watching their new series "Made For Love" which stars the talented Cristin Milioti as a young woman, on the run after 10 years in a suffocating marriage to a tech billionaire, who suddenly realizes that her husband has implanted a revolutionary monitoring device in her brain that allows him to track her every move. Sound like your life? If it's reality you're seeking we've got the new documentary "Tina" which gives you an inside look at the tumultuous life and career of the legendary Tina Turner. Plus we've got "This is a Robbery: The World's Greatest Art Heist" which tells how on March 18, 1990, 13 works of art were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Guards admitted two men posing as police officers responding to a disturbance call, and the thieves tied the guards up and looted the museum. So put down that antihistamine, stay indoors and give us a listen
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! There's a monster movie opening. Just what you want to see in a newly reopened theater after all those weeks sitting at home. "Godzilla vs Kong" not only has a star studded cast including Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobbie Brown and Rebecca Hall, it's got two of the biggest monsters in movie history - Godzilla and King Kong. The last time these two titans tussled was 1962 and you probably weren't even born then. Is it worth the wait? We'll let you know. Then we've got the latest middle-aged action film "Nobody" starring Bob Odenkirk as a mild mannered bystander who intervenes to help a woman being harassed by a group of men and becomes the target of a vengeful drug lord. And for fans of "quirky" movies there's "French Exit" starring Michelle Pfeiffer as an aging Manhattan socialite living on what's barely left of her inheritance who moves to a small apartment in Paris with her son and cat. Sound like fun? We've also got the WWII thriller "Six Minutes to Midnight" which stars Judi Dench and Eddie Izzard. And for you TV fans Neil tells us about the Law & Order SVU" crossover show with "Law & Order: Organized Crime" which features the return of Christopher Meloni. Plus Bill McCuddy tells us about "assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl. Two comedy specials starring the acerbic Robert Wuhl which are finally available for you to stream. It's more than one podcast should be allowed to have. So listen in!
That strange sound you hear is superhero movie fans rejoicing because "Zack Snyder's Justice League is now streaming on HBO Max. It's the director's original vision for the movie that was released in truncated form back in 2017. It's also 4 hours and 2 minutes long. Is it worth the wait? We;ll let you know. Then there's the Netflix documentary "Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal" which tells how rich people got their not always deserving kids into elite colleges - and then went to jail for it. Neil Rosen tells us about watching all of "Ted Lasso" and Bill McCuddy tells us about the reopening of the fabled "Friar's Club." Bill Bregoli introduces us to the new Netflix action series "Sky Rojo." It's a lot for one podcast unlike the Zack Snyder movie you won't have to wait years for so listen in!
You may not have been to the movies in over a year but that doesn't stop Hollywood. The 2021 Oscar nominations are out. While you may not think awards are a big deal (Rosamund Pike buries hers in her yard) the studios do. So listen in to what we think of this years crop. Are they truly more diverse this year? Who got snubbed? Will anybody even watch? Meanwhile there are things to watch. Bill Bregoli tells us about "Sound of Metal" which got several Oscar nominations including Best Actor for Riz Ahmed. Bill McCuddy has caught up with "Ted Lasso" and Neil watched "Lupin" as well as all six seasons of "Younger" which stars Sutton Foster as a single mother who is mistaken for being younger than she really is and decides to take the chance to reboot her career and her love life as a 26-year old. And we've got "Yes Day" which stars Jennifer Garner and Edgar Ramirez as a mom and dad who usually say no but decide to say yes to their kids' wildest requests on a whirlwind day of fun and adventure. Our podcast is also a whirlwind, so listen in!
The annual Critics Choice Awards aired last Sunday night and since we're dues paying members of the Critics Choice organization we watched the show while you were probably watching something else that we'll get to later. Anyway, the three of us (Niel Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli) cast our votes for the Critics Choice Awards and it's a good thing we didn't put any money on the outcome. But we'll tell you who we voted for and who actually won. You, on the other hand, were probably watching Oprah Winfrey's interview with Meghan Markle and Harry the red-haired prince. It certainly got a lot of press (and viewers) so we'll tell you what we think of the whole thing. Oh, and there were other things we watched too - like "Moxie" which is Amy Poehler's directorial debut. It stars Hadley Robinson as a shy 16-year-old who's fed up with the sexist and toxic status quo at her high school,so she finds inspiration from her mother's rebellious past and anonymously publishes a zine that sparks a school-wide, coming-of-rage revolution. Then there's the documentary "Murder Among the Mormans" which is about a series of deadly explosions that rocked Salt Lake City and the Mormon Church itself in the 1980s. Plus Neil tells us how he finally caught up with the hit TV series "WandaVision." So listen in!
If you looked carefully during NBC's Three Hour Commercial Marathon last Sunday night you might have noticed there was an award show going on. That was the 2021 Golden Globes. You'd be forgiven for thinking it was a Zoom meeting gone horribly wrong. The Golden Globes were once the fun, and often drunken start to the Awards Season in Hollywood. Well, they did have Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as hosts again but they weren't even in the same place. There weren't many stars on hand either. And if they were drunk they were drunk in their own living rooms. In their pajamas. If this is what's going to happen to the Oscars. We'll talk about that, as well as what's going to happen now that movie theaters are starting to open in New York. Bill Bregoli was brave enough to watch "Tom and Jerry" which was the #1 box-office champ in theaters and he'll tell you what he thought of it. Neil tells us what happened when he watched the English-dubbed version of "Lupin" and Bill McCuddy tells us about the series "Capitani" which takes place in a Luxembourg village where everyone is keeping secrets, and gruff police inspector Luc Capitani investigates the suspicious death of a 15-year-old girl. Plus there's the scandal rocking the art world documented in "Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art." There's a lot to go over this week so listen in! And as always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show.
Spring hasn't sprung yet, and it's going to be a while, but it's no problem because we've been watching all sorts of movies and TV shows so you can let the time pass by until you can finally go outside. We start with the dark comedy / thriller "I Care A Lot" starring Rosamund Pike as a crooked legal guardian who drains the savings of her elderly wards and meets her match when a woman she tries to swindle turns out to be more than she first appears. Then we've got "The Father" starring Anthony Hopkins as a man who refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. And ass he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality. It's heavy going for sure but it's got awards buzz all over it - is it worth it? We'll let you know. And if that's too heavy for you we've got the frothy comedy "Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar." It's the latest from Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo who last teamed up in the super successful "Bridesmaids." Is this as good? Neil talks about the documentary "Patrice O'Neal: Killing is Easy." It's the story of the late irreverent comedian told by his best friends. And if it's a crime drama you're after we'll tell you about "Gomorrah" and "Suburra: Blood on Rome." Italians, mobsters, you name it, we've got it!
It may be the dead of winter but there's an awful lot of entertainment out there to take your mind of the weather. And we've sorted through it to tell you just what to watch as you hunker down. First Neil tells us about "The United States vs Billie Holiday" which stars Andra Day as the iconic singer targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics with an undercover sting operation led by black Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she had a tumultuous affair. Then Bill Bregoli tells us about "Framing Britney Spears" a documentary that's been making the news almost every day lately. Bill McCuddy fills us in on "Pieces of a Woman," a drama which may be hard to watch but has been generating Oscar buzz for its star Vanessa Kirby. Then there are some one-of-a-kind movies such as "Willy's Wonderland" in which star Nicolas Cage doesn't utter a single word, and "Space Sweepers" a Korean space adventure, And for TV fans we look at the new CBS series "Clarice" which purports to be the untold personal story of FBI agent Clarice Starling, as she returns to the field about a year after the events of "Silence of the Lambs." Plus we look at how "Your Honor" ended as well as the final episode of "The Lady and the Dale." As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron show, so throw another log on the fire and listen in!
On the same day much of the country gathered to watch an over-hyped football game, we got together to tell you about some (comparatively) under-hyped entertainment options. First there's Judas and the Black Messiah" which is based on a true story and stars Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield. It tells how Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party, was betrayed by an FBI informant, William O'Neal. Then we have the innovative documentary "The Lady and the Dale," which is the story of Elizabeth Carmichael, a larger-than-life entrepreneur, who rose to prominence with her promotion of a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled car known as The Dale. There's much more to the story than that so make sure you listen. Bill McCuddy tells us about the strange world of influencers in "Fake Famous" and Neil fills us in on "Palmer" which stars Justin Timberlake. Oh but there's more, including our take on award nominations and a few other things. As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron show so skip the over-hyped sporting events and listen in!
You may not be able to tell, but while we were recording this week's podcast New York was being blanketed by about 2 feet of snow. A state of emergency was in effect and roads were impassible. Yet we persevered, and thanks to the magic of zoom we were able to provide you with a cornucopia of entertainment choices. Which may come in handy should you find yourself stuck indoors due to bad weather. We start with "Minari" which is about a Korean family that starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. Bill McCuddy and Neil Rosen tell you whether it's worth all the Oscar buzz it's been getting. Then there's the new Netflix series "Lupin" in which Omar Sy stars as gentleman thief Assane Diop, who sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family. There's also "Born a Champion," a drama about the world of MMA competition. Bill Bregoli tells us about "The Truffle Hunters," a documentary set deep in the forests of Piedmont, Italy, where a handful of men, seventy or eighty years young, hunt for the rare and expensive white Alba truffle. We also look at "The Dig," a proper British drama which stars Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes who embark on the historically important excavation of Sutton Hoo in 1938. And for you TV wathcers we've got "Hot Ones," the show where celebrities eat chicken wings (honest!) and "Spycraft" which looks at the new technologies being used in espionage. And we also mark the passing of the legendary Cicely Tyson. So put you snow shovel away (what do you want, a heart attack?) and give us a listen. And as always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show.
Winter is upon us and it's time to snuggle up with a hot toddy and a good movie. Ah, but there are so many movies to choose from. Yes, but luckily we've been watching a whole slew of things to help you make that all important choice. We start with "The Little Things." It's a crime thriller starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto. Big stars, but is it any good. We'll let you know. Then Bill Bregoli tells us about the new Netflix movie "The White Tiger" which is the epic journey of a poor Indian driver who must use his wit and cunning to break free from servitude to his rich masters and rise to the top of the heap. Bill McCuddy tells us about the series "Call My Agent." It's a French serial about the lives and jobs of people working at a talent agency. Then we move on to "Flack" which stars Anna Paquin as an American publicist working for a cutthroat London PR company that represents troubled celebrities. Neil and Bill McCuddy compare notes on "You Honor" and we mark the passing of broadcasting legend Larry King with some stories you haven't heard anywhere else. And, and Neil wonders why there are all these game shows without audiences. So grab your favorite blanket and listen in. As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show.
Usually there aren't many movies worth talking about this time of year but 2021 is getting off to a pretty good start. Bill McCuddy starts us off by telling us "MLK/FBI," the timely documentary that explores the US government's surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Neil has "Pretend It's A City" in which the viewer gets to wander the New York City streets and fascinating mind of wry writer, humorist and raconteur Fran Lebowitz as she sits down with Martin Scorsese. Bill Bregoli tells us about a B-movie he enjoyed called "Shadow in the Cloud" which stars Chloe Grace Moretz as a female WWII pilot traveling with top secret documents on a B-17 Flying Fortress who encounters an evil presence on board the flight. Oh, but that's not all. We also look at "My Octopus Teacher," in which a filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest. Neil (who is obviously in a New York state of mind) caught up with the documentary "The Rise and Fall of Penn Station." We've also got the quirky drama "Baby Teeth" as well as the new Anne Hathaway film "Locked Down." Oh, and we talk about the passing of Phil Spector. As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in!
Okay so the world's gone a little crazy in the past week or so. It's fine, just hunker down in your safe room (you do have a safe room don't you?) and listen to us as we tell you what movies and shows can take you mind off the insanity. First there's "I'm Your Woman" starring Rachel Brosnahan as you've never seen her. Then we've got "One Night in Miami." It's a "what if" kind of movie that imagines what would have transpired if Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown had gathered to discuss their roles in the civil rights movement and cultural upheaval of the 60s. And on the somewhat lighter side there's the new Netflix series "History of Swear Words" which is just that. That story of some of your favorite cusses, hosted my none other than Nicolas Cage. Neil tells us about the new sitcom "Mr. Mayor" with Ted Danson (will he never retire?) and Holly Hunter. Bill McCuddy tells us about the thriller "Alone" which he swears will be a sleeper hit. And Bill Bregoli has "Skyfire." He says it's what happens when British filmmakers get Chinese money to make a volcano movie. We also mark the passing of acclaimed director Michael Apted. And as always, we're brought to you by another podcast - The Accutron Show.
You popped the cork, you watched the ball drop, and still everything seems the same. Don't worry! We've got a crop of new things for you to watch. We start with "The Croods: A New Age" which stars the voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone and many other A-list stars in an animated sequel which has led the box-office for weeks (until Wonder Woman showed up). Then we've got "Working Man." It's about what happens when a factory closure threatens a small Rust Belt town and one older factory worker continues going to his former job every day, Then Bill McCuddy tells us about director Chris Nolan's latest film "Tenet." Neil tells us what he thought about documentaries on Betty White, John Belushi and the BeeGees as well as the series "Back to Life." And there's more too, including what we thought about that whole New Year's Rockin' Eve with no people around. So give up on a few New Years resolutions and listen in. And remember. it's all brought to you by The Accutron Show.
Here in the midst of the holiday season we've got a special present for you. First we take on "Wonder Woman 1984" which both Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli saw and, well, uh, you'll have to listen to what they have to say about it. Let's just say they just might save you two and a half hours of your precious time, not to mention the cost of a subscription to HBO Max. Then Neil Rosen tells us about the new Showtime drama "Your Honor" which stars Bryan Cranston stars as a judge confronting his convictions when his son is involved in a hit and run that embroils an organized crime family. But then the fun really starts when we're joined by our guests Kevin Gootee and Kevin Israel. They're the hosts of the hit podcast Gutting the Sacred Cow. The two Kevins are standup comedians who are film snobs that invite fellow comedians and podcasters to select movies they find overrated or HATE. But here’s the catch: the film they select MUST meet 1 of 3 criteria: financially successful, widely beloved, or critically acclaimed. They mix it up with us as we talk about such classics as "Gone With the Wind," "A Christmas Story," "The Shining" and many more." They're fun guys who'll keep you in stitches. So pour another eggnog (you can't have too many this year) and listen in!
What, you're still waiting for your packages to arrive? Here's something you can open right now. It's our podcast full of holiday fare fresh from Hollywood. We start with "Fatale" which stars Michael Ealy as a successful married man who finds himself entangled in a cunning police detective's latest investigation. And who's the police detective? Why, it's Hilary Swank! What's she doing here? You'll have to hear what we have to say. Then there's "Promising Young Woman" which stars Cary Mulligan as young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, who seeks out vengeance against those who cross her path. It's on a lot of ten-best lists and we'll tell you if it's on ours. Then there's "Soul," which is the latest from Disney/Pixar. It's an animated tale about a musician who has lost his passion for music, is transported out of his body and must find his way back with the help of an infant soul learning about herself. And if you're looking for something with a big star how about "News of the World" which stars none other than Tom Hanks. And it's his very first western. Is he tall in the saddle? We'll tell you. There's also "Midnight Sky" which was directed by and stars George Clooney. Plus "First Cow," a BeeGees documentary and more. So forget about your packages, spike that eggnog and have a listen!
You can't shop, you can't go out to eat, there really isn't much else to do this bizarre holiday season except watch stuff. And boy, have we got stuff for you to watch. Do you miss Broadway? Well Netflix has just premiered "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" based on the August Wilson play starring Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman. It's got all sorts of awards buzz and Neil and Bill McCuddy will tell you what they think of it. There's also s Stephen Soderbergh directed movie on HBO Max called "Let Them All Talk" starring Meryl Streep. It was filmed on an actual cruise ship. Uh, yeah, a cruise ship. Bill Bregoli tells us about the hand-drawn animated film "Wolfwalkers" and Bill McCuddy gives us the inside scoop on what Disney has in their pipeline including another "Toy Story" movie and a "Star Wars" film, Neil tells us about Jerry Seinfeld's new book and we'll also talk about "Murder on Middle Beach" which is now streaming on HBO Max. And speaking of HBO Max there's plenty of controversy surround the streaming service so we'll fill you in on all that. As always, we're sponsored by The Accutron Show, so listen in!
If you need a break from online Christmas shopping have we got a podcast for you! Hollywood is (sort of) ramping things up for the holidays and we start with "Mank." It's this year's big offering from Netflix and it stars Gary Oldman as legendary screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz. It's directed by David Fincher in glorious black and white and has Oscar buzz all over it. Should it? We'll let you know in no uncertain terms. And speaking of Oscar buzz - we also have "Nomadland" starring Frances McDormand as a woman in her sixties who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad. Neil tells us about "The Prom" which stars Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and James Corden. It's a musical about a troupe of hilariously self-obsessed theater stars swarm into a small conservative Indiana town in support of a high school girl who wants to take her girlfriend to the prom. Has it got your toes tapping? Then there's "Godmothered" which stars Jillian Bell as a young and unskilled fairy godmother ventures out on her own to prove her worth by tracking down a young girl whose request for help was ignored. Too wholesome for you? Then how about "A Teacher" which stars Kate Mara and explores the complexities and consequences of a predatory relationship between a young teacher at a suburban Texas high school and her student, And then we take on last week's finale of "The Undoing" on HBO. There are spoilers galore so we won't go into detail here. But what the heck was all that? Anyway, take a break from adding to cart and listen in. Your packages aren't going to arrive on time anyway.
While you were dozing after Thanksgiving dinner, Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli brought their bubbles together to tell you what's worth watching now that you've come out of your food coma. First there's "Run" which stars Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen. It's a thriller about a teenage girl in a wheelchair who suspects her mom doesn't have her best interests at heart. It's been doing well on Hulu, is it something you should check out? And somehow a Woody Allen movie has been released without any publicity. We'll tell you all about "A Rainy Day in New York." Then there's the new HBO Max series "The Flight Attendant" starring Kaley Cuoco of "The Big Bang Theory." It's been described as "a dark comedy." Is it for you? Neil and Bill McCuddy take on "Ammonite" starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan. It's a smoldering love story about two women looking for fossils. Honest. There's also the new HBO series "Industry" about twenty-somethings working in a cutthroat financial firm and the new ABC series "Big Sky" about a private detective who teams up with an ex-cop to solve a kidnapping case in Montana. Bill McCuddy has the revealing documentary "Belushi" and Bill Bregoli has the new Kristen Stewart lesbian romcom "Happiest Season." But wait, there's more, including "Palm Springs" starring Andy Samberg and a Korean thriller called "Memories of Murder by director Bong Joon-Ho. Plus "Girl" starring Bella Thorne and and "The Last Vermeer" which stars Guy Pearce. Phew, that's a lot to take in, but unlike your holiday dinner this won't require any antacid. So listen in! and don't forget our sponsor - "The Accutron Show."
Thanksgiving is coming but it's not quite here yet which is why we've got some "appetizers" to keep you sated entertainment-wise until the big day arrives when you'll be stuck at home with just a few select relatives. And since you probably won't be cooking as much this year you'll have plenty of time to hear our selections. We start off with "Dreamland" which stars Margo Robbie as a woman on the lam and Travis Fimmel as the young man she encounters along the way. Then Neil has Ron Howard's latest "Hillbilly Elegy," which is based on the best selling book about a Yale law student drawn back to his hometown who grapples with family history, Appalachian values and the American dream. Yee-haw. Bill Bregoli tells us about "The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special' which you may have to watch over the holiday if you've got kids at home. Bill McCuddy tells us about "Young Wallander" which is a prequel to the Netflix detective series "Wallander." He also tells us about Lorraine Bracco's HGTV reality show "My Big Italian Adventure." As always, we're brought to you by another podcast, "The Accutron Show", so put down that gravy baster and give us a listen.
Things are changing out there. And there are all sorts of new things to watch too. Bill McCuddy starts us off with "Let Him Go." It's an intense thriller starring Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as a retired sheriff and his wife, grieving over the death of their son, who set out to find their only grandson. Then there's the HBO miniseries "The Undoing" starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant which shows how life for a successful therapist in New York begins to unravel on the eve of publishing her first book. Neil tells us what ht thought of "Yes, God, Yes" which Bill Bregoli talked about last week. And for action fans Bill McCuddy has "Ave" which stars Jessica Chastain as a deadly assassin who works for a black ops organization, traveling the globe specializing in high profile hits. You believe that, right? And speaking of women in action films Neil tells us about Lashana Lynch being cast as the next 007. And because he also likes women who kick butt, Bill Bregoli tells us about "Two Weeks to Live," the new HBO Max dark action comedy starring Maisie Williams from "Game of Thrones" (the girl with the eyebrows and a sword). Then Bill has the quirky new HBO series "How to With John Wilson" which has to be seen to be understood. And there's more including the last episode of "The Comedy Store" and all that crazy election coverage. (There was an election?) As always, we're brought to you by "The Accutron Show" so listen in!
There's more than enough news happening right now so we're giving you a chance to take a break and figure out what to watch instead of the news. We start by talking about the passing of Sean Connery and goodness knows there are plenty of James Bond movies you can watch. Since it's also the spooky season Neil talks about "Come Play" which is about monster named Larry that manifests itself through smart phones and mobile devices. Bill Bregoli tells us about "The Craft: Legacy" which sells itself as a continuation of the 1996 cult film. Bill McCuddy delves into the vaults to talk about "I Married a Witch" the 1942 classic starring Frederick March and Veronica Lake as well as 1970's "House of Dark Shadows" which was based on the vampire TV soap opera. Neil tells us he's caught up with "The Queen's Gambit" which Bill Bregoli told us about last week and he's also caught up with "On the Rocks" which stars Bill Murray. Bill Bregoli tells us about a movie Netflix recommended to him called "Yes, God, Yes." It's a teen sex comedy and proves that Netflix's algorithm has Bill all figured out. There's also "I Hate Suzie" starring Billie Piper and "the Doorman" starring Ruby Rose and Jean Reno. Is that enough to keep you away from the news? It had better be. As always, we're brought to you by "The Accutron Show" so listen in. And when you're not listening, vote, dammit!
We start this week's podcast with a film that's making headlines: "Borat: Subsequent Movie Film" has gotten all sorts of press so Neil and Bill McCuddy have checked it out and not only will they tell you if it's funny, they'll also break down the controversial scene involving a national politician. Bill Bregoli tells us about "The Queen's Gambit" which stars Anya Taylor-Joy as a troubled chess prodigy. And Bill McCuddy updates us on James Toback's surprise release "Imperfect Murder." We also discuss the Showtime documentary series "The Comedy Store" about the famous nightclub run by Mitzi Shore. Neil tells us about a "Seinfeld" reunion show he saw (it's still available for you to watch too) as well as "The Witches" which stars Anne Hathaway as, you guessed it, a witch. Plus Bill McCuddy has a great film with a name we can't type here. Suffice it to say it's "&$%# House." And we also talk about the demise of Quibi, which apparently won't be missed. But we'd miss you, so listen in!!!
We're used to watching lots of movies but sometimes we even amaze ourselves. Take this week for example. We start with "The Trial of the Chicago 7" which is written and directed by Aaron Sorkin and stars Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Rylance, Frank Langella and a whole lot of really good actors. Then there's "On the Rocks" which is written and directed by Sophia Coppola and stars Bill Murray, Rashida Jones and Marlon Wayans. It's about a writer who suspects her husband of infidelity...but it's got Bill Murray! There's also "Rebecca," a remake of the Alfred Hitchcock classic and "Spontaneous" which is about high school kids who spontaneously combust. Now that's a concept! And we've got documentaries too. Like "Thrive 2" and "The Phenomenon." If that's not enough for you it may be a good idea to seek professional help.
Yes, we're in the middle of a pandemic, but does that keep Robert DeNiro from making movies? Uh no, which is why we start with "The War With Grandpa." No, it's not a searing drama, it's a comedy but besides DeNeiro it's got Uma Thurman, Christopher Walken and Jane Seymore. Is it worth checking out? Then there's "Hubie Halloween< which besides starring Adam Sandler has Ray Liotta, Steve Buscemi and Oscar nominee June Squibb. So are all big stars acting up a storm or just cashing a check? We'll let you know. Bill McCuddy tells us about the Netflix series "Emily in Paris" which stars Lily Collins and is on Netflix. And speaking of Netflix...why are they all of a sudden canceling some of there most popular shows? Last week it was "GLOW." What gives? They can't be running out of money can they? We also tell you the latest on the Hamptons International Film Festival which we aren't really covering this year because it's uh, virtual. So there's lots to listen to this week and of course we're brought to you by The Accutron Show." Oh, and if you're looking for the Vulture article we reference in out Netflix discussion just paste this in your browser: https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/netflix-show-cancellations.html#_ga=2.202318230.684680695.1601030685-436740535.1597176300
Fall is here again. The leaves are turning, you've run out of things to do with the zucchinis your neighbor gave you. And there's a new season of Saturday Night Live." Chris Rock hosted the season premiere. Was he funny? Did the sketches run on too long? OK, some things never change but Neil and Bill McCuddy will tell you what they think. Bill M also has the rundown on the new season of "Fargo" which features, you guessed it, Chris Rock. Neil and Bill also tell us about "A Call to Spy" which takes place in the beginning of WWII, when a desperate, Churchill orders his new spy agency - SOE - to recruit and train women as spies. Bill Bregoli tells us about the innovative documentary "American Murder: The Family Next Door" which tells how in 2018, 38-year-old Shanann Watts and her two youngest daughters disappeared in Colorado. Bill Bregoli also tells us about "Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story," an action-documentary about the evolution of stunt women from The Perils of Pauline (1914) and beyond. Oh but there's so much more so listen in!
October is almost here and we've got a show that's tastier than pumpkin spice - We start with "The Artist's Wife" which stars Leno Olin as the wife of the renowned abstract artist Richard Smythson (Bruce Dern), who is plunged into a late-life crisis when her husband is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and is in danger of not completing the paintings for his final show. And if that's not enough angst for you Bill McCuddy tells us about "Delhi Crime" which follows the Delhi Police investigation into the finding of the men who perpetrated a deadly crime that made international news. And speaking of crime, there's also "Kajillionaire." It stars Evan Rachel Wood as a woman whose life is turned upside down when her criminal parents invite an outsider to join them on a major heist they're planning. But wait, there's also "Enola Holmes." It's on Netflix and stars Millie Bobbie Brown ("Stranger Things") as Enola Holmes-Sherlock's teen sister-who discovers her mother missing, and sets off to find her, becoming a super-sleuth in her own right as she outwits her famous brother and unravels a dangerous conspiracy around a mysterious young Lord. Any normal podcast would call that enough, but we're not what you call normal. So we also discuss that strange Emmy Awards Show last week and well as the upcoming season of "Saturday Night Live." As always, Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli are on hand and we should mention that we're sponsored by The Accutron Show, because, why not!
It's getting cool outside but we're still hot under the collar watching the latest movies and TV shows and this week's harvest starts with "The Nest" which stars Jude Law as an entrepreneur who moves his American family into an English country manor where their lives take a major turn. There's also "Blackbird" which stars Susan Sarandon as a terminally ill mother who arranges to bring her family together one last time before she dies. And for you documentary fans we have "Oliver Sacks: His Own Life," directed by Ric Burns, which explores the life and work of the legendary neurologist and storyteller, as he shares intimate details of his battles with drug addiction, homophobia, and a medical establishment that accepted his work only decades after the fact. Oh, but there's more including discussions of the controversial Netflix films "Cuties" and why "Tenet" isn't making much money at the box-office. There's a chill in the air so put a log on the fire and listen in!
It may be getting cooler these days but we're still hot under the collar. And, as usual, we've been watching all sorts of things. Bill Bregoli starts us off with "Unpregnant" on HBO Max which stars Haley Lu Richardson as a 17-year old Missouri teen named Veronica who discovers she has gotten pregnant and sets off on a road trip with her former best friend played by Barbie Ferreria. It's a comedy! Bill McCuddy tells us about a British detective series he's been watching on Amazon Prime called "DCI Banks." He also tells us about the '70s special "Elvis: The Way It Is" which is playing on TCM. Neil wonders aloud how late night shows will adapt to going back into the studio and we all mourn the passing of Dame Diana Rigg who impressed an entire generation of men as "Mrs. Peel" on the Avengers and went on to star on stage, in a Bond movie and even "Game of Thrones." We also discuss the new rules the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have proposed for films competing in the "Best Picture" category at the Oscars. They're a little odd, but so are we. So listen in!
It's been a long 6 months but that's how long ago we were supposed to see Disney's live-action remake of "Mulan" in theaters. Well, we can finally see it but only on Disney's streaming service. And it's gonna cost ya extra. Is it worth it? We all saw it and we'll let you know. Then Bill Bregoli tells us about the new sci-fi series "Raised By Wolves" which is on HBO Max. And speaking of HBO Max, Neil Rosen watched a documentary called "Class Action Park" which is one of the streaming service's biggest hits apparently. Bill McCuddy tells us about "One Night in Bangkok" and both he and Neil will fill you in on "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" which is the latest from the mind of Charlie Kaufman. We also have two riveting docu-series to tell you about: "Love Fraud" and "the Vow." It's the perfect way to end your summer so listen in!
Holy Cow! There are movies opening in theaters! "Bill & Ted Face the Music" is now at a theater near you and just in case, it's on demand as well. How nice of them! Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are back and older than ever. Is it as awesome as the first one? Neil Rosen will let you know. Meanwhile, for all of you still at home watching Netflix we have "Teenage Bounty Hunters" which is about...bounty hunters who are teenagers. But Bill Bregoli says it's also a witty satire. Bill McCuddy has the skinny on another Netflix show - "Million Dollar Beach House" as well as the movie "One Night in Bangkok." We take a sad look back at the career of Chadwick Boseman who left us all too soon. And we've got lots more - like a documentary about a sex cult! Plus we have a sponsor which Bill McCuddy will tell you all about. But don't worry, it's not going to our heads. We're still the same lovable grumps who spend too much time in front of a screen. So listen in!
There's a movie in theaters! OK, it's taken a while but "Unhinged" is the first movie now playing on a big screen near you. Well maybe. It stars Russell Crowe. It's about a woman (Caren Pistorius) who has confrontation with an unstable man at an intersection (Crowe of course) and becomes the target of his rage. Neil Rosen tells us about it. Is it worth putting your own life on the line to go to a theater and see it? We'll let you know. Bill Bregoli tells us about "The One and Only Ivan" which is a live action / CGI film about a gorilla living in a shopping mall with unseen talents. It's from Disney and it's based on an award-winning book. Bill McCuddy tells us about "The Burnt Orange Heresy" which takes place in the art world and stars Elizabeth Debicki, Donald Sutherland and Mick Jagger. Yes, THAT Mick Jagger. He also tells us about the Netflix crime series "Giri/Haji" which stars Kelly Macdonald. We've got quite the variety for you this week so listen in!
The summer doesn't want to stop and neither do we. We begin with the new Netflix sci-fi/superhero movie "Project Power which stars Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dominique Fishback. It's about a pill being sold on the street which could give you a superpower or just plain kill you. Then we've got the WWII documentary "Apocalypse '45" featuring never before seen footage of US forces battling the Japanese in the closing days of the war. Bill McCuddy tells us about the Russian creature movie "Sputnik" as well as "The Tax Collector" which is about gangs. Bill Bregoli has the 'tween dance movie "Work It" as well as the "Harley Quinn" animated series now on HBO Max. Oh, and Neil wants you to check out the "Talking Pictures with Neil Rosen" best-of show so much that we're even giving you a link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPqDYJgxcMA. So put THAT in your browser!
It's too hot to do anything but sit inside and watch a movie. And this week we're covering all sorts of movies for you. We start with "The Secret Garden" which stars Colin Firth and a young spitfire named Dixie Egerickx. It's the classic story of an orphaned girl who discovers a magical garden hidden at her strict uncle's estate. It's been made into a movie before, but how's this one? Then we have "Made in Italy," which stars Liam Neeson and his real-life son Michael Richardson. It's got beautiful Italian scenery, but is it worth a watch? Then Neil tells us about "An American Pickle" which stars Seth Rogen as an immigrant who is preserved for 100 years in pickle brine. Really. Bill McCuddy tells us about "Paydirt," which stars Val Kilmer, someone we haven't seen much of recently. He also tells us what he thought of "The Rental" which is directed by Dave Franco. Plus Bill Bregoli tells us about the HBO documentary "The Weight of Gold" which is about the mental challenges faced by Olympic athletes. So before you watch anything give us a listen.
The world is going through its ups and downs and so is Hollywood. The Emmy nominations came out this week and some shows did great and some didn't. Some great performances didn't even get nominated. We also look at the careers of some industry legends who passed away this week starting with director Sir Alan Parker who directed an amazing variety of films. We also look at the life of the legendary Olivia de Havilland and have personal memories of Regis Philbin. Oh and there are movies too. Bill Bregoli tells us about "Summerland," starring Gemma Arterton and the hockey gone wild documentary "Red Penguins." It's a summer feast for all so listen in!
"Top Gun: Maverick" is not in theaters. It was supposed to open on July 12th and now we won't get to see it until July 2nd, 2021. Meanwhile, "Tenet" and "Mulan" were supposed to be opening this August. Now, they're off the schedule. We were supposed to be finally opening movies by now. But, when we will is anyone's guess? Will there be any theaters left to show them in? How are they going to make new movies? And what about the Oscars? They won't be held until April now but there are people already willing to guess who the winners will be. Meanwhile, Bill Bregoli has his own modest proposal for the Oscars. No one in Hollywood will like it. But don't worry, we did manage to watch some stuff. Bill MCuddy watched "Underwater," the deep sea adventure starring Kristen Stewart. And Bill Bregoli's been watching something called "Warrior Nun" on Netflix. So tune in!
The temperature is high and this week's podcast is running hot. We start with the Netflix original "The Old Guard" which stars Charlize Theron as a butt-kicking immortal superhero. Then Bill McCuddy tells us about "Palm Springs." It stars Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti as a couple have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding. Then things get complicated as they are unable to escape the venue, themselves, or each other. We also look at the new Starz series "P-Valley" which is a gritty new series about strippers. And Neil tells us about the "30 Rock" reunion show and we go on to discuss whatever Peacock is. Oh, there's a whole lot more than that so just listen in!
The dog days of summer are upon us and it seems the best way to seek relief from the heat and humidity is to hunker down in front of the air conditioner - and your biggest screen - and watch something. We even start out with a movie that takes place in the water - "Greyhound" it stars Tom Hanks as the captain of a WWII destroyer trying to avoid the deadly German U-Boats that terrorized the North Atlantic. Then Neil and Bill McCuddy have "Hamilton." It's the Broadway show you couldn't get tickets to and now it's available on Disney+. Bill Bregoli talks about "The Baby-Sitters Club" which brings the beloved book series to Netflix. Admittedly, Bill forgot to have kids, but he did take a look. We also wonder aloud if movie theaters will ever reopen. It's the perfect way to avoid the heat.
Summer's the time for action movies and just about everything else really and we've got all sorts to talk about this week. We start with "The Outpost" which is based on a true story about a small team of U.S. soldiers who battled against hundreds of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. It stars, Orlando Bloom, Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, Milo Gibson and is directed by Rob Lurie. Then there's "The Ghost of Peter Sellers" which is a documentary by director Peter Medak about the movie he made with Peter Sellers that never got released. Neil tells us about the award-winning TV show "Pose." And Bill Bregoli has the French action film "Lost Bullet" which is now on Netflix." As Bill McCuddy says it's "a Whitman's Sampler" of movies so listen in before things get gooey!
Yes, summer is here and normally we'd be lining up at theaters to see blockbusters and soak up the air conditioning. But we're all home and soaking up our own air conditioning, or just using a fan if that's all you've got. But you still want to watch something and we've sorted through this week's picks for you. We start with Spike Lee's latest "Da 5 Bloods" which is on Netflix. It's about four African American vets who battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide. That's the plot but Spike has plenty of his own touches. Bill Bregoli talks about "The Woods" which is a new Netflix series based on a Harlan Coben novel. And we discuss "Perry Mason," the new HBO re-imagining of the classic TV series which itself was based on novels by Erle Stanley Gardner and stars Matthew Rhys of "The Americans" in the title role. Bill McCuddy talks about the Hulu series "The Great" which stars Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult. There's more of course but you'll have to listen in!
Summer's here and the time is right for sitting home and watching movies. First up, we've got "The King of Staten Island." It stars SNL bad boy Pete Davidson and it's directed by Judd Apatow. Is it "laugh out loud funny"? Uh, we'll let you know. Plus there's Disney's "Artemis Fowl," which, as Bill Bregoli describes it, is not about a chicken named Artemis, but about faeries and goblins and Judi Dench. Neil gets deep with "The Not Too Late Show with Elmo" and Bill McCuddy has "Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story" which stars Amanda Peet in the title role. And of course we've got lots of other things to talk about. So grab a glass of something cold and listen in.
Steve Carell is back doing comedy on the small screen again in "Space Force" and he's brought with him an all star cast including Lisa Kudrow and John Malkovich. Plus the show is co-created by Carell and Greg Daniels who worked on "The Office." with that kid of pedigree it's a guaranteed hit, right? Uh, you'd better listen to what Neil Rosen and Bill Bregoli have to say about it. Bill Bregoli reports on the final two episodes of "Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich" and Bill McCuddy talks about "I See You" with Helen Hunt and he wonders why it uses drones so much. Yes, drones. They're everywhere in Hollywood because they're cheaper and safer than helicopters - unless one falls on you. We preview "King of Staten Island" and Bill McCuddy reveals his guilty pleasures - hint, they're on HGTV and Bravo. We're covering just about everything here folks so listen in!
Not only are we certifiably Looney Tunes but there are new "Looney Tunes" cartoons on HBO Max. Bill Bregoli got to talk to the producer as well as Eric Bauza, the new voice of Bugs Bunny and you'll hear what Bauza has to say about taking over from Mel Blanc. Bill McCuddy tells us about "Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich" the new Netflix documentary about the scandalous billionaire. Neil talks about catching up with "Catastrophe" about what happens after a one-night stand. Bill Bregoli took one for the team and saw "The Wrong Missy" and Neil tells us about the HBO documentary "Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind." And if that's not enough for you we have what's happening to "Quibi" and more!
You may not be able to tell but there's a holiday weekend coming up. You may also be wondering what to do and we've got the perfect podcast for that. There are plenty of options and we've got them covered. first, there's a David Spade movie, "The Wrong Missy" on Netflix as well as the mystery/crime series "White Lines" also on Netflix. Neil tells us about "Love Life" which stars the talented Anna Kendrick, Bill McCuddy has the documentary "Woody is Innocent" which is a decidedly different take on the the Woody Allen controversy. Bill Bregoli looks at the new Starz Series "Hightown." It's a crime drama taking place in Provincetown, MA and stars Monica Raymund. There's there's the smash Hulu series "Normal People" which blew Neil away. He also talks about "The Love Birds" starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae. And if you're missing sports Neil also talks about the ESPN documentary "The Last Dance." It's a whole lotta show, so listen in!
You know times are strange when the future of showbiz is dependent on a movie about Scooby Do. But it sort of is. The animated film "Scoob!" which was destined for theaters is now opening on demand instead. What if it's a big hit like "Trolls World Tour" was? Will it be the death knell for theaters? We also look at what's happening with theaters now open in Norway and Disney's plans to premiere "Hamilton" on Disney+ instead of in theaters. There's a trailer just released for "Unhinged" starring Russell Crowe which has just been released as well as real movies like "Saint Francis." It's an indie about a deadbeat nanny who finds an unlikely friendship with the six-year old she's charged with protecting. Bill Bregoli looks at "Cracked Up: The Darrell Hammond Story" which is a documentary about the SNL stalwart and his troubled past and Neil talks about the HBO series "Run." Plus Bill McCuddy tells us about "Arkansas" which is a thriller starring Liam Hemsworth and Vince Vaughn. There's a lot of show here so listen in!
It's mom's big weekend and if she's quarantined with you we've got all sorts of things you can stream with her and keep her happy while you think of an excuse for forgetting to get her a gift. We start with Jerry Seinfeld's Netflix special "23 Hours to Kill." He hasn't done one in a while - is he back in form? And then there's "Call Your Mother," It's being billed as "A hilarious ode to moms and the way they have shaped the work of some of comedy's biggest stars." It's got Louis Anderson, Awkwafina, Judy Gold and lots of comics. Neil tells us about "Love Life" which is one of the debut offerings on HBO Max. Bill Bregoli has the new Netflix teen romance "The Half Of It." Plus there's the new Amazon series "Upload." Bill McCuddy explains what Quibi is and tells us about "Money Heist" which he's been streaming as well is the new drama "Capone" starring Tom Hardy. It's enough to make any mother proud - so listen in!
Here we go again, It's been less than a week since out last podcast but we're already filled to the brim with new offerings. First there's "Extraction" starring Chris Hemsworth as a mercenary with nothing to lose. Neil has "Little Fires Everywhere" which stars Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington as well as "Mrs. America" which stars Cate Blanchett as the infamous Phyllis Schlafly as well as Rose Byrne. We also look at whether, when and how theaters will start showing movies again. Bill Bregoli has the animated comedy "The Willoughbys" from Netflix. Bill McCuddy gives us a little preview into Jerry Seinfield's upcoming comedy special and tells us about his interview with Adrienne Barbeau. You know you want to hear about that one - so listen in!
Like you, we've been inside for weeks now but somehow we're still watching movies and shows to let you know what's worth your time. We start with "Robert the Bruce" which continues the story told in "Braveheart." You liked that movie, right? But will you like this one? We also look at the Netflix series "Giri/Haji," which translates to "Duty/Shame" and is about a Japanese detective searching for his Yakuza connected brother in London. Neil talks about "Better Call Saul" and "Ozark." While Bill McCuddy talks about the new HBO movie "Bad Education" which premieres this weekend and stars Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney. Bill Bregoli looks at the Netflix comedy series "Brews Brothers." But there's so much more including the recent "One World Together" benefit show. So give us a listen!
What happens when we have too much time on our hands? We watch stuff. All kinds of stuff. Bill MCuddy gets us going with the indy movie "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" which was a big hit on the festival circuit and was expected to be a big hit in theaters and then, well. you know. So now it's available on demand and Bill lets you know if it was worth what he spent to see it. Bill Bregoli looks at the Netflix limited series "Unorthodox" about a woman's escape from a religious community. Neil Talks about the new season of "Ozark" which is also on Netflix. Plus there's "Feel Good" which stars comedian Mae Martin, the new seasons of "Babylon Berlin" and "Grand Tour." Neil talks about the new "Law & Order SVU" spinoff and a whole lot more. Got time on you hands? You could do much worse than spend it with us!
We may be staying in place and social distancing and all that but we've got another episode for you despite all that. After all, if there's a time when you want to know how to keep from being bored it's right now. So we used a little technical wizardry and got together to tell you what's worth watching and what to avoid. First up is "Emma," based on the Jane Austin novel and starring Anya Taylor-Joy in the title role. Neil tells us what he thinks of the streaming show "Hunters" starring Al Pacino and Logan Lerman and Bill Bregoli takes on the crime drama "Clover." And there's also the drug smuggling drama "ZeroZeroZero" which stars Adrea Riseborough. And as a special bonus Bill McCuddy tells you what that little blue button on your remote control is for. You can't get this anywhere else!
Sometimes real life is even stranger than the movies. So we all washed our hands and put together this podcast. We start with Bill Bregoli talking about "The Hunt." It stars Betty Gilpin of "GLOW" and Oscar winner Hilary Swank. It's a controversial film about rich people hunting poor people. Neil talks about the Netflix series "The Stranger." It follows the lives of suburban families whose secrets and lies are made public by the appearance of a stranger. Bill McCuddy talks about how Hollywood could be changed by the coronavirus outbreak and we discuss all the shows and movies that have been affected so far. It's timely stuff but we make it fun. Listen in!
Spring is in the air and it's time for some new movies. First we've got "The Way Back" which stars Ben Affleck as a HS basketball phenom who walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Years later, when he reluctantly accepts a coaching job at his alma mater, he may get one last shot at redemption. You've probably heard about this one because Ben has been doing interviews talking about his struggles with alcoholism and how personal this role was for him. That's cool...but how is the movie? We'll let you know. Then there's "Sorry We Missed You" which is acclaimed filmmaker Ken Loach's darkly comic look at the gig economy. Plus we've got SNL bad boy Pete Davidson's attempt at movie stardom called "Big Time Adolescence." Neil talks about the new season of "Better Call Saul" and for streaming fans Bill Bregoli talks about "I'm Not Okay With This" which stars Sophia Lillis from the "It" movies. There's even more including the foe James Bond can't beat and some new DVD releases. So listen in!
What's old is new again. Sort of. There's a new "Invisible Man" movie out in theaters. This one is a more modern take and stars Elisabeth Moss. And it's from Blumhouse, the company that's bringing horror fans back to the theaters in droves. Do we see eye to eye on it? Then there's "Wendy." It's a modern "re-imagining" (movie companies love that word) of "Peter Pan." Only this time it's from Wendy's point of view, and more importantly it's by the director of "Beasts of the Southern Wild." And we move on to a movie with an original idea - "Greed." It stars British comic Steve Coogan as a not so likeable billionaire. Neil then tells us about the Broadway revival of "West Side Story" which has got singing and dancing and a gigantic TV screen. It definitely made an impression on Neil. There's also the Amazon series "Hunters," James Bond news and more. So give us a listen!
Wow have we been seeing a lot of movies, plus streaming shows and just about anything that moves. We start with "The Call of the Wild." It's based on the classic Jack London novel and stars Harrison Ford...and a CGI dog. No kidding. Movie dogs are now on unemployment lines, replaced by lines of code. PETA is happy but what about audiences? Then there's "The Night Clerk" which stars Ana de Armas, Helen Hunt, John Leguizamo and Tye Sheridan. It's about a voyeuristic hotel clerk who becomes the subject of a murder investigation. Quirky enough for you? We also look at "Downhill" which puts Will Farrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus on a ski slope. Then Neil tells us about "Standing Up, Falling Down" which stars Billy Crystal and Ben Schwartz. And if you're hungry for streaming shows Bill McCuddy has you covered with the Netflix series "Criminal: UK" It's a cat-and-mouse drama, which focuses on the intense mental conflict between detectives and suspects. He's also seen "The Stranger" which is based on Harlan Coben's novel of the same name and the documentary "Grand Prix Driver." Is that enough for you? Listen in!
It was this week's biggest event and chances are you might not have bothered to see it. No, not the New Hampshire Presidential Primary, the Academy Awards. Why do we say this? Because the TV ratings for this year's Oscars were the lowest ever! Ever! And if you didn't watch it we can't really blame you. After all, it lasted longer than "The Irishman" and had a million commercials. Not to mention categories you don't care about, boring acceptance speeches and interminable song and dance numbers. Besides, you had to be at work in the morning. So we took one for the team and watched the whole thing from weak beginning to admittedly surprising ending. Just listen to us recap the highs and lows and you'll be able to hold your own at water fountain conversations everywhere.
It's that time of year again! Time for celebs to get all gussied up, go to fancy parties and be given awards while the rest of us sit at home in our much more comfortable underwear and make fun of them. It's an interesting race this year and we've got some insider info to help you figure out how to fill out your Oscar pool ballots. Will it be the historically accurate "1917" or the historically not so accurate "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." Or maybe the irreverent "JoJo Rabbit." There are also the actor and actress races to consider. And there are some movies to talk about too. Like "The Rhythm Section" starring Blake Lively. It's from the production company behind the James Bond movies. Could it be their next franchise? And then there's the first of probably many films inspired by the #me too movement called "The Assistant" starring Julia Garner." So grab you Oscar ballots and listen in!
Since the studios use January as their dumping ground for bad movies we turned to streaming this week and oh boy, is Neil excited about "Star Trek: Picard" which is on CBS All Access. It centers on Jean-Luc Picard (Sir Patrick Stewart) in the next chapter of his life. Is it better than the last Star Trek series on CBS All Access? We'll let you know. Then there's the second season of "Sex Education" on Netflix which Bill Bregoli binge-watched over the weekend. That's how he spends his weekends. Sad. But it's got Gillian Anderson and it's about sex. Maybe Bill has the right idea. There's also "You" on Netflix which stars Gossip Girl's Penn Badgley which is about a dangerously charming, intensely obsessive young man who goes to extreme measures to insert himself into the lives of those he is transfixed by. Creepy. There's also "Schitt's Creek" which Bill McCuddy watched and finally warmed up to. And Bill Mccuddy also reveals his guilty TV pleasure. Not creepy at all. So listen in!
We've just gotten used to writing 2020 on checks and yet the year seems to be in full swing. We've got so much to talk abut this week. There's Robert Downey, Jr. in "Dolittle" which has him talking to animals instead of people in spandex. Then there's "Like a Boss" with the formidable Rose Byrne, Tiffany Haddish and Salma Hayek. There's also "Fall from Grace" which is the latest from Tyler Perry and the romance "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" (just the title should get you intrigued). But wait, there's more. Neil has caught up on "Fleabag," Bill M has watched "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" and Bill B tells us about season 3 of "The Crown." Is that enough for you? If not, you should get professional help. Skip the shrink and listen to us!
Remember when you were channel surfing last Sunday night and saw an angry Englishman whose every other word was bleeped, followed by groans from the audience? That was the 77th Annual Golden Globes telecast! It's always a big draw thanks to all the celebrities who show up for the open bar and vegan food. Never mind that the flowers on stage were flown in from South America that morning via jet. This is a show put together by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, most of whose members get groped by the TSA every time they fly in and out of the US - and with good reason (just kidding). Anyway, we watched the entire 3-hour long show just to help you make sense of it all. There were lifetime achievement awards, political acceptance speeches and mumbled acceptance speeches. Not to mention some amazing cleavage. There were also some big surprises, like "1917" grabbing Best Motion Picture - Drama even though most of the TV audience hasn't even seen it yet. Does any of it portend anything for the upcoming Academy Awards? Should Joaquin Phoenix go shopping for a carbon-neutral tux? Listen in and we'll let you know!
2019 is over and between the three of us (Neil Rosen, Bill Mccuddy and Bill Bregoli) we've seen probably about 1,000 movies over the course of the year. Some of them were really memorable and some of them were not. And then there's "Cats." So we put together our lists of the best and the worst and got together to compare. Were any of them this year's superhero franchise movies? Were any of them set in space? Did any of them feature big stars yelling at each other? Did any of them have big stars in CGI cat fur? Chances are you have your own list of best and worst. How many of those were on our lists as well. It's that time of year to make resolutions so resolve to listen to us right now!
While you've been holiday shopping Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli have been going to movies. We're not bragging - we're doing it so you'll know what movies to see after all your holiday preparations are done. And if you're really efficient that could be right now! And what's out there? Well, unless you've been living in a cave the past year or so you know that "Star Wars: The Rise of the Jedi" has finally landed. It's the last of the "Skywalker" saga and there are all sorts of opinions about it all over the place. So who's opinion do you trust? Ours of course. Then there's "Cats," the big screen musical with an all star cast - all of whom wear nothing but CGI fur. That's right - Picture Dame Judi Dench is covered head-to-toe in hair! Now do you want to go? Then there's "Little Women" which is the umpteenth time Louisa May Alcott's novel has come to the big screen. But this time it's been directed by Greta Gerwig. Plus there's "1917." It's a WWI movie directed by Sam Mendes and it looks like it's all done in one continuous shot. And if you'd rather stay at home and screen something we've got a series with Paul Rudd (everyone likes him) called "Living with Yourself." But you won't want to live with yourself if you watch anything without listening to us first!
Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli found some time during the pre-holiday madness to talk about some of the shiny new baubles the movies studios are putting in your local theater. We start with Richard Jewell - It's the controversial new film by Clint Eastwood starring Paul Walter Hauser about the security guard suspected of planting a bomb during the Olympic Games in Atlanta back in 1996. Then we have "Uncut Gems" which stars Adam Sandler in a drama about a jeweler who is also a gambling addict. There's also "Bombshell" which takes us behind the scenes at Fox News when head honcho Roger Aisles was confronted with charges of sexual harassment by his female anchors. It's got Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie to boot! Neil talks about season 3 of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and Bill McCuddy tells us an interesting way critics can watch movies that has some Hollywood folks upset. It's all shiny and new so listen in!
It's Thanksgiving time again and once the table has been cleared and the kids have done the dishes it's time for some relaxation. Sure you can watch some overpaid athletes do damage to themselves and their opponents. But we've got some movies instead. First there's "Knives Out." It's a whodunnit from writer director Rian Johnson with an incredible cast including Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana De Armis, Christopher Plummer, Don Johnson (yes, THAT Don Johnson) Chris Evans and Toni Collette. It's miss Marple for our modern times but is it worth your time. Then we have "The Two Popes." It's got Jonathan Price and Anthony Hopkins and it takes place behind Vatican walls when the conservative Pope Benedict and the liberal future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church. And then we take on some of the year's turkeys at the local theater. It's a main course for movie lovers so listen in!
Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli have crawled out of the dark screening rooms and into the light to talk to you about a whole bunch of movies just in time for your pre-Thanksgiving weekend. We start with "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" starring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers who helps a cynical journalist, played by Matthew Rhys, deal with his complicated life. Then there's "Marriage Story." It's director Noah Baumbach's incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together and it stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. And Neil tells us about "Dark Waters." It stars Mark Ruffalo as a corporate defense attorney who takes on an environmental lawsuit against a chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution. Oh, and Anne Hathaway is in it too. Plus Bill McCuddy talks about re-watching Michael Cimino's Vietnam drama "The Deer Hunter." Big films past and present. besides, it's too soon to defrost the turkey so listen in!
Hey, you found us! And boy are we happy you did. In this week's episode we look at "The Good Liar" which stars Ian McKellen as a con artist who dates a lonely widow played by Helen Mirren. It's directed by Bill Condon who did "Gods and Monsters" with MccKellen. Is this as good? Then we talk about "The Report" which stars Adam Driver and Annette Bening. It's about idealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones, who is tasked by his boss to lead an investigation into the CIA's post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program, and uncovers shocking secrets. Then there's the Netflix series "Unbelievable" which stars Toni Collette and Kaitlyn Dever. Its' based on the true story of Marie, a teenager who was charged with lying about having been raped, and the two female detectives who followed the path to the truth. But wait, there's more! We also talk about The Critics Choice Documentary Awards and the possibility of a "Friends" reunion show...Listen in!
It's all about relationships this week. Sure, the first movie is called "Ford v Ferrari" but it's really about the relationship between the legendary Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) as they tried to bring the Ford Motor Co. a victory over Ferrari in the 1966 24 Hours of LeMans. And it's based on a true story. Then it's "The Morning Show, a streaming show about a morning TV show featuring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Billy Crudup. And then there's Modern Love, yet another streaming show but this one is based on a series of NY Times articles (excited yet?) on romance and relationships. It too has a roster of big stars including Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Catherine Keener and Julia Garner. But are the big stars enough to make it interesting? Listen in!
Franchises have come and gone over the years but "Terminator" has been with us for decades. It's gone through some changes but now James Cameron has come back to produce along with Arnold Schwarzenegger and brought back Linda Hamilton as well. Oh and some nice youngsters too. It sounds like a nice way to revive the old cyborg drama but does it work? Then there's the historical drama "Harriet" about civil rights icon Harriet Tubman. And history gets a strange satirical twist in "Jojo Rabbit" in which Hitler befriends a small boy. Then Bill Bregoli tells us about "Zombieland: Double Tap. Oh and that's not all. We've also got "Motherless Brooklyn" featuring writer/director/actor Edward Norton. Plus Bill McCuddy has a personal remembrance of the late Hollywood prducer Robert Evans. It all goes by in a flash too. If podcasts got quotes like movies do we'd call this "Taught, Tense and Terrific!" But don't take our word for it. Listen in!
We had so much to talk about at this year's Hamptons International Film Festival that we had to do our podcast in two parts. In part two we start with "Red Penguins." It was a last-minute entry into the festival and you'll be able to tell why the festival's director was so eager to get it in there. We talk to director Gabe Polsky about his depiction of capitalism and opportunism run amok - complete with gangsters, strippers and live bears serving beer on a hockey rink in Moscow. It all happened when the Pittsburgh Penguins bought the fabled Russian National Hockey Team. And you'll hear from Steven Warshaw, whose job it was to make the whole deal come together. Then we hear from Tania Cypriano. She made "Born to Be" which tells how Dr. Jess Ting took on a new role as the lead gender-affirming suregeon at the Mount Sinai Center. It's as current a topic as there is now days. And finally, we have director Matthew Miele who talks to us about his documentary "Alan Pakula: Going for the Truth." It's all about the director of such landmark films as "All the President's Men," "Sophie's Choice" and "To Kill a Mockingbird." It's more than a podcast can handle but it's all right here!
It's hard to believe it's been a whole year but here we are again at one of our favorite venues: The Hamptons International Film Festival. It's where we get to get up close and personal with some talented filmmakers and ask them about heir fascinating films and this year was especially fun. We start by talking to Ebs Burnough about his documentary "The Capote Tapes" which fetatures never-before-heard interviews and is a revelatory glimpse into author Truman Capote's life and work. Then Lesley Chilcott tells us about "Watson" which introduces us to Paul Watson, a lifelong defender of underwater ecosystems and environmental activist. The film also tells of the price he's paid for his fierce struggle. And finally, we have "Scandalous." Filmmaker Mark Landsman's probing look into the National Enquirer and tells how the sensational tabloid has pushed its own particular brand of fake news from the fringe into the mainstream. And that's not all folks!! Stay tuned for Part Two of our interviews from the Hamptons International Film Festival next week.
You've heard the hype, you've seen the scary news stories, "Joker" is now in theaters. There are fears of violence mixed with Oscar buzz. Yeah, fine, but is it worth all the hysteria? Bill Bregoli has seen it and Bill McCuddy calls in from a theater where he's just watched the movie and tells us some interesting things that theater-goers are experiencing. There's also a new Eddi Murphy movie called "Dolemite Is My Name" and many are calling it his come-back. Is it? We also discuss "Pain and Glory," the latest from Pedro Almodovar. And we'll also tell you where to see Neil and Bill McCuddy on TV! Please don't hyperventilate.
Fall is here (not that you can tell by the weather) and the award-bait movies are coming. The first is "Judy" starring Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland in the waning days of her career. She's getting Oscar buzz for this one and we'll let you know what we think. Then there's "The Day Shall Come," a dark comedy about terrorists and the FBI featuring Anna Kendrick, Dennis O'Hare and Jim Gaffigan. We also look back at last Sunday's Emmy Awards broadcast which broke a record - but not the good kind. Just like the Oscars this year it had no host. Did it work as well? Neil looks at Ken Burns' PBS documentary on Country Music and Bill McCuddy tells us about "Anna" from famed action director Luc Besson. The leaves haven't started falling yet so you have no excuse - listen in!
We're looking toward the stars this week. Brad Pitt has a space movie called "Ad Astra." Directed by James Gray it also features Donald Sutherland, Liv Tyler (blink and you'll miss her) and Tommy Lee Jones. It's getting all sorts of buzz but is it worth it? We'll bring everythiing back to earth. Then there's "Corporate Animals," a dark comedy starring Demi Moore. Is America ready for Demi in a comedy? Neil talks about the Alec Baldwin roast on Comedy Central. And finally, we look at this weekend's Emmy Awards. Who's gonna win? Who should win? Listen in!
The superhero movies are taking a break and Fall is on the way. And this week we've got "Hustlers" which stars Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B and Julia Stiles. It's based on a true story about a crew of savvy former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients. Sure it's got J-Lo in her skivvies, but is it any good? We'll let you know. Then there's the current box-office champ "It: Chapter Two" which not only stars the kids you grew to love in the original but famous actors playing their characters as grown-ups. The first one scared up a lot of business but how will this one do? And then there's "Where's My Roy Cohn?." It's a thriller-like documentary about the infamous lawyer who personified the dark arts of American politics and inspired a president who shall remain nameless (go ahead, guess). ANd we take a quick look at the upcoming prestigious movies we're looking forward to.
Blame global warming or just hot air coming from Washington DC, but whatever the cause, the summer heat just won't stop this year. It's nuts, and that means there's nothing better than OPAC (Other People's Air Conditioning) And there's no better place for that than your local theater. And even though the movie companies aren't exactly putting out their most prestige product that doesn't mean there aren't some interesting films to catch up on. We've taken the trouble to find several for you. For instance there's a fascinating documentary on the musical "Fidler on the Roof" which tells how it went from failure to fabled. Then there's the drama "Luce," It stars Tim Roth and Naomi Watts as a married couple forced to reckon with their idealized image of their son, adopted from war-torn Eritrea, after an alarming discovery by a devoted high school teacher (Octavia Spencer) threatens his status as an all-star student. And there's "Brittany Runs a Marathon" staring Jillian Bell who seeks to take control of her life by, well, the title gives it away. Plus there's the documentary "Be Natural" about pioneering filmmaker Alice Guy-Blaché, who was somehow erased from history. We've got everything you need to beat this never-ending summer heat. Well, except a gin & tonic.
There are back-to-school sales everywhere now and Hollywood has its own version. It's called "August." There are good movies and not so good movies too. And the TV, cable and streaming services are doing it as well. Luckily we've had a chance to look at a lot of it. We've got this week's raunchy comedy "Good Boys" which Bill Bregoli tells us features sixth-graders, drugs, swearing and, uh, sex toys. There's also "Blinded by the Light" about a Pakistani boy in 1980s England who worships Bruce Springsteen. Not to mention the current box-office champ "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw." Bill McCuddy talks about the finale of "The Loudest Voice in the Room." Neil tells us in no uncertain terms what he thought of the third season of "A Handmaid's Tale." Bill Bregoli talks about the second season of "Derry Girls" as well as the third seeason of "GLOW." And finally, Bill McCuddy talks about show should be cast in the inevitable movie about Jeffrey Epstein. Admit it, you've been thinking the same thing yourself.
It's one of the most anticipated movies of the year. It's also the latest from Quentin Tarantino. And it's here (and also 2 hours and 40 minutes long). "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" has got an all-star ensemble cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Ptt, Margot Robbie and a whole lot of A-list stars. But what's it like? We'll let you know. Then there's "Skins" starring Jamie Bell and Danielle Macdonald. It's about a destitute young man, raised by racist skinheads and notorious among white supremacists, turns his back on hatred and violence to transform his life, with the help of a black activist and the woman he loves. What's not to love? Plus there's a new all-time box-office champ in town. That's right, "Avatar" has relinquished its crown. What does it mean (if anything)? We try and figure it out.
In real-life, lions scare most all the other jungle creatures and Disney's newest version of "The Lion King" has scared all the other studios. Which is why it's the only movie opening wide this week. And if you've seen the previews you know it's not a cartoon like the 1994 original. It's the most amazing CGI you've ever seen. But what does that do to the story? After all, lions don't really dance, so does the new realism hurt or help. We'll let you know what we think. Plus Bill Bregoli tells what it was like to work in a broadcast facility right in the middle of last Saturday's backout in mid-town New York. And speaking on mid-town New York, there's a movie theater there we'd like your help saving. Bill McCuddy talks abou thosting a charity dinner and Neil asks Bill what he thinks of some new rumors floating around about a female James Bond, sort of.
We're smack dab in the middle of the summer movie season and some pundits are saying things are pretty awful - at least compared to other summers. Are Franchises even holding up? What about original films? We take a look at what's been said about not only this season but the movie business as a whole. We also take a quick look at Aziz Ansari's Netflix special and his #MeToo problem. Plus Bill Mccuddy gives his unique take on "The Loudest Voice" which is Showtimes series about Fox News Chariman Roger Ailes. Bill worked for Roger Ailes and new him personally and you should definitely check out what his perspective is on the show. Neil talks about the Hollywood Reporter's roudtables with comedy actors and actresses which you can watch on YouTube. And we bid goodbye to MAD magazine. What, us worry?
It's finally summer and already you may want to duck the heat or escape your family's barbecue by going to the movies for some OPAC (other people's air conditioning). And what a selection we have for you this week. First there's "Annabelle Comes Home" which is the next film in the "Conjuring" franchise (yes, it's a franchise now). It's got Vera Farmiga, Partick Wilso, some teenage girls and an evil doll. Then there's "Yesterday." It asks the question "What if no one remebered the Beatles? RIchard Curtis, who wrote "4 Weddings and Funeral" wrote it and Danny Boyle of "Trainspotting" fame directed it. And it almost wouldn't be summer without Spider-Man so we have "Spider-Man Far From Home" which sends Peter Parker to Europe for fun and adventure and lots of landmarks destroyed with CGI. Then Neil tells us about "Loudest Voice," the Showtime series with Russell Crowe starring and the infamous Fox News creator Roger Ailes. Oh and we also discuss the future of movie theaters.
"Toy Story 4" is here. Yes, it's the 4th. It's not only a movie, it's a cash cow. But is franchise fatique setting in? We'll let you know. And there's a new Adam Sandler movie too - It's on Netflix and its called "Murder Mystery" (no doubt yhey paid a marketing company big money to come up with that title). Jennifer Aniston co-stars and it's a murder mystery, in case you haven't figured that out yet. Bill Bregoli talks about a new Netflix series called "Trinkets" about teenage shoplifters and Neil discusses the 2nd seaon of "Big Little Lies." Bill McCuddy tells us about the controversial new HBO series "Euphoria" as well as a sports documentary on Ron Artest. Neil is all excited by the rebirth of TV game shows and if you're thinking you might get big money for your old DVDs Bill McCuddy has a cautionary tale.
If there really is an "urban legend" out there it's "Shaft." The original was a gritty urban thriller with a wah-wah pedal sountrack that's unforgetable and starred Richard Roundtree. This new one stars Samuel L. Jackson and Jessie T. Usher as well as Richard Roundtree and it's an action/comedy. Does that work in this day and age? Will you miss the grit? Then we've got "The Dead Don't Die" which has a remarkable cast including Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tom Waits, Chloe Sevigny, Steve Buscemi and Danny Glover. And it's directed by Jim Jarmusch. Can a movie with such a cast miss? And then we've got "Late Night" with the very busy Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling. It takes place in the world of late-night talk shows which is a favorite topic of Neil's. And finally Neil takes on the Tony Awards show which took place in New York last Sunday. It awards Broadway shows (mostly based on movies these days) which no one who live in New York can actually afford to see. At least not the person who writes this description. Could this show about awarding shows be fun to watch? Listen in!
The latest and possibly last "X-Men" movie is out and it's called "Dark Phoenix." It stars Sophie Turner of "Game of Thrones" fame as Jean Grey and it continues this year's trend of killing off super heroes whose contracts have expired. It's also got lots of effects. Lots. Will it continue the "X-Men" franchise or kill it off? Then there's the documentary "Framing John DeLorean" about the ill-fated automaker who created a car probably best known for it's appearance in the "Back to the Future" movies. But there's much more to this story than that. Bill McCuddy looks at the HBO mini-series "Chernobyl" which stars Jared Harris and is based on true and horrifying events. Bill Bregoli has the HBO documentary "The Cold Blue" which features footage originally shot for William Wyler's "Memphis Belle" and has interviews with real WWII vets. Neil talks about attending the press day for the third season of "The Handmaid's Tale" and apparently he let them know what he thinks about it. How did that go over? Listen in!
"Rocketman" is blasting off in theaters this weekend. But is it a biopic or a musical? Maybe both? It's got Taron Egerton of the "Kingsman" movies playing Elton John. And singing too. It's not like "Bohemian Rhapsody" either. So what is it? Neil and Bill Bregoli thrash it out. And there's "Godzilla: King of Monsters" this weekend too. Bill Bregoli was the only one brave enough to see it. And you'll here what two of the cast members have to say about it. Bill McCuddy looks at "The Upside" with Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston which is now on demand. And we wonder aloud why "Booksmart," with great reviews and word-of-mouth, didn't do better at the box-office. Plus Neil will tell you where you can see "Talking Pictures with Neil Rosen" on TV and Bill McCuddy tells where and when you can see him do stand-up comedy. There's a lot to consider and it's all right here.
Oh boy it's Memorial Day weekend. Time to go to the beach or the swimming hole. But wait, the water is still too cold and you don't fit into last year's swimsuit anyway. So why not go to the movies? The movie studios are all ready for you. For example, Disney went and made a live-action remake of "Aladdin." This time it's got Will Smith stepping into the curl-toed slippers of Robin Williams and playing the Genie. And it's directed by Guy Ritchie who did "Lock, Stock and Two Broken Barrels" and the "Sherlock Holmes" movies with Robert Downey Jr. Ah, but can he make a Disney movie? And there's also "Booksmart." It's a teen comedy directed by actress/first time director Olivia Wilde and it's being hailed as the new great teen comedy for our time or something like that. And then there's "Echo in the Canyon." It's a documentary about how the music produced in Larel Canyon California influence a whole generation and even the Beatles. Oh, and there's the new Netflix series "Dead to Me." Why it's enough to make you skip the hot dogs and give us a listen.
There aren't any superhero movies coming out and Memorial Day isn't until next weekend so we've got a grabbag of movies to talk about this week. We start with "The Sun is Also a Star." It's a romance set very much in the present day. It's so timely in fact that one of the characters is about to get deported. And from a romance we go to "Extremely Wicked Shocking Evil and Vile" which is about famed serial killer Ted Bundy and stars Zach Efron. Then Bill McCuddy talks about the Liam Neeson black comedy/action thriller "Cold Pursuit" which is now available on on demand. And to switch gears totally Neil tells us about attending the ABC Upfront. Don't worry, Neil will explain what an "upfront" is if you don't know already. So this week it's an odd assemblage of stuff, and come to think of it, so are we.
With "Avengers: Endgame" breaking box-office records every day it's time for some competition. So here comes "Pokemon Detective Pikachu" (try saying that ten times fast). Lots of people grew up playing Pokemon and it's got plenty of CGI as well as Ryan Reynolds. Sounds like a winner. But is it? And if you're looking for something more literary we've got "Tolkien" starring Nicholas Hoult as the author who gave us "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings." Not bookish enough for you? How about "All Is Ture" which stars Kenneth Branagh as his hero, William Shakespeare. Neil has a look at the 3rd season of "A Handmaid's Tale" and we talk about a fascinating article in New York Magazine about Anjelica Huston. And if you're a theater nut, Neil talks about seeing the adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird" on Broadway. We've got something for just about everyone.
OK, so you've seen "Avengers: Endgame" and much like eating Chinese food you're already hungry for another movie. Well, we've got an interesting selection for you this week. We start with "Long Shot," a romantic comedy starrring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen. Yes, we used "romantic" and "Seth Rogen" in the same sentence. Does it work? Then there's the thriller "The Intruder" starring actor and sometimes insurance spokesperson Dennis Quaid. It's been a while since we've seen him on the big screen. And there's the documentary "Ask Dr. Ruth" about the pint-size powerhouse who brought sex therapy to the media. Oh, and there's more, including why you could barely make out what was going on during last Sunday's "Game of Thrones" episode. No need to roll the dice, just listen in.
The "Avengers" are back and this time they mean it. "Avengers: Endgame" is playing in 4,600 theaters at this very minute. It's making tons of money. It's gotten great reviews. Should you brave the crowds and see it? Proving that there's no movie too big to pick apart we discuss this superhero epic without giving too much away. Honest, we tried. Plus we got superhero expert Mike Sargent to help us. Plus Bill Bregoli takes on the new HBO series "Gentleman Jack" which isn't your grandma's costume drama. And Neil talks about the new ABC sitcom"Bless This Mess" starring Lake Bell. Plus there's an overview of the Tribeca Film Festival which is also going on right now. It's more than a normal person needs to know.
Easter and Passover are upon us, so what does Hollywood do? Why put out a horror movie of course. "The Curse of La Lorona" stars Linda Cardellini and is based on Mexican mythology. But is it scary? Bill Bregoli tells you what he thinks. And speaking of scary - Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy discuss "Charlie Says" which is all about one of the evilest dudes ever: Charlie Manson. Neil talks about watching more of "Fosse / Verdon" and goes on to talk about his favorite biblical movies. And there are some new trailers to talk about including the new one for "Star Wars: Episode 9" and "The Loudest Voice in the Room" which features Russell Crowe as Fox honcho Roger Aisles. So put on your Easter bonnet and give us a listen.
Movies may be our main thing but no one can ignore TV anymore. Especially this week with the season premire of the final season of "Game of Thrones." Could it possibly live up to expectations. Then Bill McCuddy talks about the "Fosse / Verdon," a new show about Broadway legend Bob Fosse starring the multi talented Sam Rockwell. Bill McCuddy's wife Sue talks to Bill Bregoli about the second season premiere of "Killing Eve" which stars Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer. It was intense! There's also the second season of "Barry" to talk about and Bill McCuddy has a facinating documentary called "Hurley" about a racing driver with a secret. The screen may be small but it's a big deal!
Do do do do. Do do do do. That's right, the Twilight Zone is back, and it's on CBS All Access. Neil Rosen got a look and he'll let you know if this latest incarnation featuring Jordan Peele is up to the standard set by the original's creator, Rod Serling. Meanwhile Bill Bregoli discusses "Shazam!" which is the latest DC Comics movie and stars Zachary Levi. And he also got a look at the new "Pet Sematary" which stars JohnLithgow and is based on the Stephen King novel. Bill Mccuddy looks at two streaming movies: "A Vigilante" and "Master Z" which stars the wonderful Michelle Yeoh. You're entering a new dimension. Listen in!
It's said an elephant never forgets. And chances are you remember seeing the Disney animated movie "Dumbo." Now it's the latest classic from Disney to get the live-action treatment thanks to director Tim Burton. "But wait" you say, didn't he do "The Corpse Bride" and all those goth films?" Why yes he did. But is he a good choice for a movie with a flying pachyderm? We'll let you know. Then Bill Bregoli takes on Jordan Peele's horror hit "Us" while Neil and Bill McCuddy talk about "Diane" starring Mary-Kay Place as well as "Hotel Mumbai" with Dev Patel, based on a true story. Oh but there's so much more including "Juliet, Naked" and the new Hulu comedy "Shrill." Take some peanuts along and listen in.
There are no, repeat, no, superhero movies opening this week. Does that mean there aren't any new movies to go see this week? OF COURSE NOT! we've got quite a variety this week starting with "Wonder Park." It's an animated tale of a little girl and her wild imagination, and it's got a powerhouse voice cast including Jennifer Garner, John Oliver (!) and Mathew Broderick. Then we get downright gritty with the live-action drama "The Highwaymen." It's a decidedly different take on the Bonnie and Clyde legend with Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson. For Netflix watchers we've got the action heist movie "Triple Frontier" with Ben Affleck and Oscar Isaac. Enough for you? Then how about "The Hummingbird Project." No, it's not about ornithologists, it's a quirky film with Alexander Skarsgard and Jesse Eisenberg trying take make millions on fiber-optic cable...it's not everyday there's a movie about fiber-optic cable so that's reason enough to give us a listen!
This week you could put on a blindfold, walk into your local megaplex and chances are that no matter which theater you wander into, it'll be showing "Captain Marvel." It's got Oscar winner Brie Larson, Jude Law, Annette Bening and a digitally "de-aged" Samuel L. Jackson (does that hurt?). It's also got '90s music, lots of effects and a cat. Can't go wrong with a cat. It's even directed by a husband and wife team. Plus it's the first Marvel superhero movie with a woman in the lead role. But is it any good? Our friend Mike Sargent, who loves superhero movies, is along to give us his perspective. Then we take a look at Spielberg vs. Netflix. It's not a movie (though it could be), it's Steven Spielberg's beef with the streaming giant. Seems the king of the blockbuster doesn't like that a movie like "Roma" wasn't released in a whole lot of movie theaters. It did however, stream on Netflix where people got to watch it on their tiny home screens - and yet, it still got nominated for Oscars. Is this a legitimate complaint, or is Spielberg out of step with the times? Finally, we take a look at the HBO documentary "Finding Neverland." It's about Michael Jackson and two young men who accuse him of abusing them when they were children. It's controversial but that doesn't stop us from talking about it. So listen in.
Well, it's been an interesting week in showbiz. First we have "Greta," the new thriller from "Crying game" director Neil Jordan starring Isabelle Huppert and Chloe Grace Moretz. Then there's "Apollo 11" a new documentary about NASA's momentous mission to the moon with never-before-seen footage. Space nerds will go for it, but will anybody else? There's James Bond news...does anyone know what a "shatterhand" is? Something you get from playing tennis? Then we get to the Oscars. No host, but lots of celebs, a snub and a few surprises. Oh, and some grumbling too. We'll let you know what we think - and let us know what you think too!
It's time to put on your tux and attach the double-sided tape to your cleavage because the Oscars are this Sunday! We gazed in a crystal ball and found some mushrooms somewhere and we're ready to predict who'll win and who'll be drunk in a fountain at the after-parties. Since you'll probably be in the bathroom when they award the statue for Best Special Effects Editing in a Short Documentary Subject about Dead People we're sticking to the big ones: Acting, directing, screenplays, you know, the ones they'll be putting on commercials the minute the show is over. There are 8 movies up for Best Picture and the competition is fierce. Will it be one in a foreign language or one where all the races get along nicely. Maybe one with a super-hero owned by a major corporation. Listen to us and win the big prize at your office Oscar pool. And Neil will tell you where and when to watch the Talking Movies crew (the good-looking ones anyway) on TV. Oh, and don't forget to listen to us next week when we'll either be gloating or eating our hats.
Chances are several of the movies you've seen weren't playing at your local cinema - they were on Netflix. It's huge and yet no one knows if they even make any money. Still, they're spending a reported $20 million for an Oscar campaign for "Roma." So we take a look at their new Steven Soderbergh movie "High Flying Bird" which looks at the world of sports agents and was shot on an i-phone. Then Bill Bregoli talks about "Derry Girls," a comedy about Catholic school girls in Northern Ireland during the 1990s. We also talk about new DVD releases from Disney and the life and career of the late Albert Finney.
Liam Neeson has a new action film called "Cold Pursuit" but thanks to some controversial comments he's now on the hot seat. We'll take a look on what it means to the sixty-something actor's career. Then Neil and Bill Bregoli discuss the new Rebel Wilson rom-com "Isn't It Romantic" which turns to whole genre on its head. And speaking of romance (and in time for Valentime's Day) we talk about our favorite romance movies. Neil and Bill McCuddy take on the new Netflix series "Russian Doll" and Bill Bregoli tells how he missed the Super Bowl and saw Peter Jackson's new WWI documentary "They Shall Not Grow Old" instead. And finally there's big news about our Oscar special TV shows. So give us a listen!
The temperatures (at least where we are) are plunging and Hollywood seems to be going along with this trend. First Bill Bregoli takes a look at "Arctic" which stars Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen as a man stranded in the Arctic (where else?) and dealing with polar bears and freezing conditions. Bill also tells us about another Mads Mikkelson movie called "Polar" which is a completely different movie now on Netflix. Neil and Bill McCuddy take on the new season of "Crashing" and Neil talks about a new series called "I am the Night" starring Chris Pine. It's cold outside so snuggle up with us!
Unless you're living in a cave (lucky you! what's the rent like?) you know that the Oscar nominations were announced this week. What do you think? Does "Green Book" still stand a chance? And what about that race for Best Actress? Will Glenn Close finally get her statue? We let you know what we think. Plus Bill Bregoli (of course) talks about the new Netflix series "Sex Education" which stars Gillian Anderson and Asa Butterfield. Neil takes another look at "Black Monday" and a first look at the third season of "True Dectective." And Bill McCuddy takes on :Suspiria" which stars Tilda Swinton and is available on demand. There aren't a lot of new movies at the theaters right now but that doesn't stop us!
Hollywood has lots of movies and TV coming and it's deja vu all over again. In other words, prequels, sequels and remakes. For instance, Steven Spielberg is reamking "West Side Story." Really. Is it like re-making "Gone With the Wind" or is it something you'd like to see? And there's a prequel to "The Sopranos" on the way. It takes place during the Newark race riots. Plus, there's a "Perry Mason" limited series on the way. It's sort of "Perry Mason: The Early Years" and takes place in 1930's Los Angeles. Had enough? Well there is one new series we haven't seen before and it's "Black Monday." It's set in the go-go 1980s as the financial world faces a stock market crash and it stars Don Cheadle. And we talk about the recent Critics Choice Awards and how the awards race is going. Who's up, who's down and who doesn't stand a chance. We've got inside info from insiders and the latest showbiz parties!
It's awards season alright! You can tell by all the fancy dresses and awkward patter you saw and heard at the Golden Globes last Sunday. You didn't watch? Probably a good idea but luckily, we did, and we'll tell you all about in much less time than the show did. The HFPA is famous for being odd and making odd choices at the Globes and this year was certainly no exception. "Bohemian Rhapsody" for Best Picture (Drama)? Why did they snub Lady Gaga? And what was up with Christian Bale's accent? We'll tell you what we think and if any of it will have an effect on the Oscars. Plus we look at "The Kominsky Method" (which won best TV comedy) and "Bodyguard" (which won best actor in a TV drama). It's more than enough for one podcast but it's all in there. So listen in.
2018 is winding down and it's traditionally the time to take stock of the year and come up with 10 Best lists. And why not? It's been an interesting year for movies so we're looking back at some of the best. Oh and maybe a few of the worst. As for the best - you're seeing some of the same films on just about every list: "The Green Book," "Vice," "The Favourite" just to name a few. Do they make any of our lists? What about "Roma"? There are crowd pleasers galor - does popularity mean they're good films? What about films that only critics seem to like? Now it's time fo us to show our cards and let everyone know what we think. And you may be in for a few surprises. In fact, there are definitely a few surprises!
Your shopping is done, the errands are finished and now you can put a bow on the holiday season. That means it's time to go to the movies dammit! While you've been busy Hollywood has been prepping all sorts of movies to vie for your attention. We start with "Bumblebee." But while you may be thinking "not another Transformers movie" this one was not directed by Michael Bay but by Travis Knight who helmed the much lauded animated movie "Kubo and the Two Strings. And it's got a female lead played by Hailee Steinfeld. Then we look at "Aquaman." It's the latest DC comics based movie starring Jason Momoa, Amber Heard and Patrick Wilson. DC movies have struggled until "Wonder Woman" came along. Is it as good as that? Then we take on "Vice." It stars Christian Bale as Vice President Dick Cheney and it's directed by Adam McKay who did "The Big Short." Plus there's "On the Basis of Sex" which stars Felicity Jones as a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It's not just a podcast - it's your cinematic stocking stuffer!
We're well into December now and that means it's time for The Very Important Movies. Or as we call 'em: Awards Bait. And one of the biggest is "Roma." It's the latest from ground-breaking director Alfonso Cuarón and it's making critics' Ten-Best lists like crazy. But is it actually any good? Let's just say we big to differ with some of our colleagues. Then there's "The Mule," directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Is it up to Clint's best? And for families there's "Mary Poppins Returns" with Emily Blunt stepping into the title role. Does it live up to the original you remeber so fondly? And finally Neil and Bill McCuddy have some opinions on the second season of "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." Let's just say there's some kvetching involved. Take some time out from your shopping and listen in!
So here we go. The stores are mobbed, the TV is showing commercials featuring cars with giant bows (where do you get them anyway?) and the movie theaters are full of movies. So we asked Mike Sargent along to help us sort them all out. First there's "Ben is Back" which marks the return (from her mansion no doubt) of Julia Roberts as well as Luca Hedges and is about a drug addicted son. We also talk about "Beautiful Boy" which is also about a drug addicted son. Are they the same movie? Then there's "If Beale Street Could Talk," it's a romance. And we get Mike's perspective on "Green Book" and "Widows." And if that's not enough, there's "Roma" which is getting all sorts of Oscar buzz. So listen on in and make sense of the multiplex.
You're stuffed to the gills now and thinking that you'd better move or you'll be stuck in the chair listening to strange family members for the rest of the weekend. So why not go to the movies? This week we've got a virtual feast, starting with a new take on "Robin Hood." It stars Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx. It's not your grandfather's Robin Hood. Then there's "Green Book" which is getting so much Oscar buzz that you're probably thinking you've gotten a case of tinitus. Is it worth all the praise? We've also got the heist movie "Widows" which stars Viola Davis. Then there's "The Favourite." It's a costume drama but with a twist. In fact, it's downright twisted. And we finish with "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs." It's from the Coen brothers and you don't even have to drive to your theater to see it. That's because it's on Netflix. Is that because it's not a movie theater type movie? We'll let you know.
It's our 150th episode and the Broadcast Film Critics Association (we're all dues-paying members) is giving out its documentary awards this weekend. So we called in Jeffrey Wells of Hollywood-Elsewhere.com to help us look at this year's bumper crop of documentaries - some of which were nominated by the BFCA and some of which weren't. They're all awesome and you may have heard of some of them including "RGB" about Ruth Bader Ginsburg and "Won't You Be My Neighbor" about Mr. Rogers. But there are plenty you maight not have heard of and definitely should. Docs about Elvis, Jane Fonda, Gary Shandling, young scientists and insane rock climbers. We tell you everything you need to know about them so listen in!
The big movies are coming fast and furious now. So we start wthis week with "Boy Erased" which stars Lucas Hedges, NIcole Kidman and Russell Crowe. It's based on a true story of a boy sent to a "gay conversion" facility in the 1990's. It's written and directed by Joel Edgerton and getting all sorts of buzz. Can a bunch of Aussies pull off this very American story? Listen in. Then we've got "Front Runner" which is also based on a true story. Hugh Jackman (what is it with Australians this week?) plays American presidential hopeful Gary Hart. Remember Gary Hart? Remember a boat called "Monkey Business"? Now you do. And then we take on Disney's "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" which stars Mackenzie Foy, Keira Knightley and Morgan Freeman. It's a fantasy alright. Is it another "Alice in Wonderland" or Disney's biggest bomb since "Solo." We'll let you know!
After "A Star is Born" you'd think Hollywood would cool it on movies about musicians but here comes the much awaited Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody." So we got a hold of special guest Grace Randolph to see what she thinks. The film was labled a "troubled production" because its original director was fired during filming. Nonetheless, two members of Queen were executive producers on the film. Willit rock your world? Give a listen. Then Bill Bregoli tells us about "London Fields" another "troubled production" and Bill McCuddy has "Pick of the Litter." It's a heartwarming documentary about service dogs. And Neil has our DVD releases of the week. As Queen would say - it's "a killer."
It's the time of the year when kids demand candy and scary movies come out. This year there's a new "Halloween" movie featuring the return of original star Jamie Lee Curtis. John Carpenter is executive producer and it's got everything you look for in a scary movie. But is it? We've got guet Mike Sargent along to take a look at it. Plus there's a very different kind of movie for Melissa McCarthy coming out called "Can You Forgive Me" which is getting award buzz for Ms. McCarthy. Bill McCuddy tells us about a movie he saw at the New York Film Festival that he says will end up on a lot of critics' top ten lists. And Neil tells us about seeing Jimmy Kimmel do his show in Brooklyn. Nothing to be scared of here...c'mon in.
Here's a podcast that takes you (and us) on a real trip. We start with "A Star is Born." It's the blockbuster starring Bardley Cooper and Lady Gaga. It's about the 4th time this story has been told by Hollywood but what makes this one different? Can Lady Gaga act? Can Bradley Cooper direct? We'll tell you what we think. There's also "First Man" starring Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong and Claire Foy ("The Crown") as his wife, Janet. It's directed by Damien Chazelle, who did "LaLa Land." Does it get off the ground or is it a failure to launch? And all of this happens while we're at the Hamptons International Film Festival. We talk to all sorts of interesting filmmakers about their very varied and interesting movies, all of which were impressive enough to be chosen for this prestigious film festival. Somehow they let us in too. So climb aboard, it's quite a ride!
Fall is here and there's a fresh harvest of new movies to talk about. This week we're joined by author Aaron Sigmond - he's also an editor and publisher, which is good because we could use some literary license. First up is "All About Nina" which stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as blisteringly provocative stand-up comedian whose career is taking off, but whose personal life is a near-complete disaster. Neil fell in love with it...and her. Then Bill Bregoli talks about "The Hate U Give" starring Amandla Steberg which is based on the popular YA novel. There's lots of buzz on this one and Bill B tells why. Bill McCuddy talks about an amazing documentary called "Free Solo." If you're afraid of heights be warned. And Aaron Sigmond lets us in on the world of celebrities and their watches. It's very much worth you time so give us a listen!
Here that buzz? No, it's not locusts.It's all the new award-worthy movies just over the horizon. They've been screening at film festivals all over the world and they're headed this way. So we got our friend Peri Nemiroff from Collider.com to tell us what she saw at the recent Toronto Film Festival. And if you know Peri like we do you'll guess that one of her favorites was a horror movie. Oh, but that's not all. We take a look at "Life Itself" from "This is Us" creator Dan Fogelman. Is it as good as his TV show or as bad as Rotten Tomatoes says it is? We'll let you know in no uncertain terms. Plus there's "Colette" starring Keira Knightley based on a true story about the famous French writer and her husband. Neil tells us what he thought about the Emmy Awards broadcast and Bill McCuddy has some video picks of the week. It's all right here so listen in.
"The Predator" is in theaters this weekend. No, not some horrible entertainment executive but the latest in the classic sci-fi series. The original starred Arnold Schwarzenegger but this one's got Boyd Holbrook, Olivia Munn and Jacob Tremblay (the kid from "Room"). We also take on "White Boy Rick" which is based on a true story about a 15-year-old FBI informant.. The incredible cast features Matthew McConaughey, Bel Powley, Jennifer Jason Lee and impressive newcomer Matthew Merritt. Bill McCuddy tells us about the Nat Geo documenatry "Science Fair" and he makes some bold award predictions for it. And speaking of predictions - Neil gives us his picks for the upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards. As for us, we just want to win your attention, so listen in!
Chances are you're still sweating but according to Hollywood summer is over. Done. Finished. The superhero movies are taking a breather (for the most part) and now come the award-worthy made-for-grownup movies. Well, there's "Pepermint," a Jennifer Garner action movie coming out this week. But THEN things get serious. So we've put our heads together to talk about the movies we're really looking forward to. Such as Robert Redford's final acting performance, "The Old Man and a Gun." And there's the eagerly awaited Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," and the Neil Armstrong movie "First Man" starring Ryan Gosling. And a movie many say will get Melissa McCarthy an Oscar (yes, THAT Melissa McCarthy). Curious? Give us a listen.
Summer 2018 is over (well, as far as the box-office is concerned) and what a hot summer it was! There were super hero movies and action movies and comedies and more superhero movies. Were any of then any good? Neil Roasen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli look at the summer's winners and losers. From "Mission Impossible: Fallout" to "Ant-Man and the Wasp" and "Avengers: Infinity Wars" and "Crazy Rich Asians." Did all the good ones make money? Did any of the crappy ones make money? We'll let you know. Plus Neil talks about the media's response to Aretha Franklin's passing and Bill McCuddy talks about what's going on with the next James Bond movie. So fire up the grill for the last time and give us a listen!
We're not Asian, or rich but we may be crazy, which is why we can't wait to talk about "Crazy Rich Asians." It's the first movie with an all-Asian cast since "The Joy Luck Club" came out in 1993 - before most of its audience was even born. It's also the first rom-com to come out in a very long while. Is it the old formula with a new twist? We also talk about "The Meg." That's the giant shark movie which stars Jason Statham? Is it the next "Jaws" or a fish out of water? Bill McCuddy talks about "The Wife" which has Oscar buzz for Glenn Close, and Neil talks about the new season of "Ozark." We also discuss the new Oscar category for "Best Achievement in Popular Film." Does it make the Oscars more relevant or does it cheapen the Academy Awards. It sparks some heated discussion so listen in!
Spike Lee is back and his new film "BlackkKlansman," based on an amazing true story, is getting all sorts of buzz. So we asked Mike Sargent to join us and give his viewpoint. It's got Adam Driver, Topher Grace and Denzel Washington's son. And it also has a definite point of view. Then there's Disney's "Christopher Robin." It's a live-action, computer animated hybrid featuring some beloved characters. Is it another classic or just one of Disney's marketing ploys? We also look at the recent Comedy Central roast of Bruce Willis and Neil has news of a new Star Trek series built around one of the franchise's most popular characters. It may be warm outside but this is all very cool so give a listen.
First it was a Tv series and now "Mission Impossible" is a great big film franchise starring Tom Cruise. And the sixth - "Mission Impossible: Fallout" is now in theaters so we take a good look at it. Is it really the best MI movie yeat? Plus there's the animated satire "Teen Titans Go! to the Movies" which Bill Bregoli says isn't just for kids. Neil tells us about his sneak peek at the new season of "Better Call Saul" and Bill McCuddy details a new book about "Caddy Shack" which gives an inside view of the comedy classic. But wait, there's more, including a documentary on Billie Jean Kingand the lates movie from Timothy Chalamet. Give a listen and survive the dog days of summer.
The dog days of summer are almost upon us and it's time to take a look at some of what Hollywood has to offer. There's "Who is America" the latest from intrepid comedian Sacha Baron Cohen which is now on Showtime. Is it another "Borat" or a misstep? We'll hear what Cher has to say about "Mamma Mia Here We Go Again" and why Bill Bregoli couldn't see "The Equalizer 2." Then we take on "Skyscraper." What happened to it? Are people getting tired of Dwayne Johnson? Bill McCuddy looks at the drama "Soller's Point" and has the latest titles available on demand and now streaming. Grab a cool one and listen in.
It's been a couple of weeks since the last Dwayne Johnson movie so now it's time for "Skyscraper." This time Dwayne has to rescue his character's wife, played by Neve Campbell (!) and their kids from a burning super building in Hong Kong. There are villains and fire and duct tape. Yes, duct tape. But is it any good? Bill Bregoli, tells us all about it. Then Bill McCuddy talks about the new HBO limited series "Sharp Objects" starring Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson. Neil tells us what he thinks of the season finale of "A Handmaid's Tale" and Bill Bregoli talks about binge-watching the entire second season of "GLOW" on Netflix (he doesn't get out much). There's late-breaking Hollywood news and much more so listen in!
Hey, there's another "Sicario" movie coming out. "Sicario 2: Day of the Soldado" it's called. It's a mouthful alright. Is it as intense as the first one? You probably heard Emily Blunt's not in this one but who is? We've invited Reg Brach, who's worked for a big Hollywood studio, to sort out just why we're always seeing sequels and remakes. He's got lots of inside knowledge to share. We also look at "Won't You Be My Neighbor," the Mr. Rogers documentary. And there's more, including Neil's video pick of the week - Paul McCartney on James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke." We also look at Jimmy Fallon's feud with Donald you-know-who. It's our very own pre-holiday firecracker!
You can tell it's really summer time at the movies when there's a dinosaur morvie opening up across the country. That's right "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom." We brought Mike Sargent along to tell us whether it's a worthy sequel to the first Jurassic World movie. There's also "The King," which is a new documentary about Elvis Presley. It's an interesting take on The King. And there's the quirky western "Damsel" starring Robert Pattinson. What's a big star like him doing in a strange little film like this. Plus we discuss "Izzy Gets the F-ck Across Town." That's the real title. Then Bill McCuddy tells us about HBO's documentary "Not Such a Bad Guy: A Conversation with Dabney Coleman" which is a fascinating look at once of America's finest character actors. When you're done soaking up free air-conditioning at your local movie theater keep cool with us!
Do you long for the carefree days of childhood? Hollywood hopes you do, which is what "Tag" opens this week. It stars Ed Helms, John Hamm, Jeremt Renner and Hannibal Burress as grown-ups who play a game of "tag." You'll hear what John Hamm has to say about it as well as what we think. Then there's "Incredibles 2." Does it live up to the 2004 original? Is it worth the wait? And then there's the remake of "Superfly." Well, you probably remember the theme song. Neil takes a look at a Hulu documentary "Too Funny to Fail" about Dana Carvey's long-forgotten sitcom and Bill McCuddy looks at two moviews on demand: "Thoroughbreds" and "Graduation." It's all fun, so listen in.
Hankering for a heist movie? You're in luck. "Ocean's 8" sets sail this week. And this one's got an all-female cast including Annne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Sandra Paulson and many more. You may remember the recent Ocean's movies featuring George Clooney or maybe the original which featured the famous Rat Pack. How does this one measure up? Bill Bregoli not only saw it, he went to the press conference with all the stars and you'll hear what some of them have to say about it. Neil takes a look at a the hit documentary "The Notorious RBG" about Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Bill McCuddy tells what happened when he picked in while his wife was watching "Killing Eve" and Neil talks about the new HBO series "Succession." And they both go toe-to-toe discussion the season (or is it series?) finale of David Letterman's Netflix show. Sparks fly! Listen in!
It's time to get totally immersed in a movie so we take a look at "Adrift." It stars Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin and it's based on a true story about two nautical adventurers who fall in love and endure one of the worst hurricanes in history while sailing in the Pacific. Is it worth the trip or is it all wet? Then there's Johnny Knoxville's latest - "Action Point." Knoxville famously does his own stunts. Did he injure himself in vain? Plus we've got Michelle Wolf's show. She shook up the annual White House Correspondent's DInner but how does she do with her own show? Plus we take a look at Steve Martin and Martin Short's new special and Neil tells white he thinks about the series finale of "The Americans." And boy does he have an opinion. But there's so much more so give a listen!
Did you hear there's a new "Star Wars" spin-off opening? OF COURSE YOU DID! So we brought Mike Sargent along to suss out "Solo: A Star Wars Story." Does it live up to the hype? Do we really need Han Solo's back story? And how did director Ron Howard do? It was a "troubled" production. Is it worth your time and money? For grown-up moviegoers we have "The Seagull" which is an adaptation of Checkov's play starring Annette Bening. We also talk about Spike Lee's "BlackkKlansman" which was a big hit at the Cannes film festival and we have the very timely movie "A Kid Like Jake" which stars Jim Parsons of "The Big Bang Theory." Can he do more than sitcoms? Listen in!!
It's time for a new number one at the box-office don'tcha think? Well this week the foul-mouthed mercenary Deadpool returns in "Deadpool 2." The orginal surprised everyone - can the sequel surpass expectations? We asked superhero expert Perri Nemiroff of Collider to let us know what she thinks. We try to go easy on the spoilers but the trailer spoils just about anything anyway, but hey, we try. Bill B takes a look at "Book Club" which has a powerhouse cast including Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton and Candice Bergen. Are they still funny after all these years? Bill McCuddy and Perri discuss the season finale of HBO's hitman comedy "Barry." And speaking of TV, Neil tells us about the TV network Upfronts he attended (and if you don't know what an Upfront is we'll tell you). And Neil discusses the new Saoirse Ronan drama "On Chesil Beach." Oh, and Neil has a bone to pick with Britain's royal wedding. Phew, that's a lot of podcast. You'd better start listening now!
Charlize Theron is back and if you saw her in "Atomic Blonde" you're in for a surprise. In "Tully" she's a struggling mom with 2 kids and a newborn - not to mention baby weight, and Charlize added close to 50 pounds for the role.It's a whole different take on motherhood, so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and Mike Sargent discuss what it all means. There's also a remake in the mix - "Overboard" - the old Goldie Hawn comedy re-worked with Anna Faris and a gender switch. And isn't it time for another Adam Sandler movie? - it is if you've got Netflix, Plus Neil talks about David Letterman's Netflix show. And there's big news for "Talking Pictures" fans - Neil's got the skinny on how you can see the gang get back together to discuss summer movies. There's all that and more so give a listen!
"Avengers: Infinity War" is here and it's almost too much movie to talk about. So we brought in Grace Randolph and Roger Friedman to help us with it. Don't worry - we were very careful not to reveal any spoilers - except the one about a racoon...oh, and somebody dies...but that's it! There's also "Disobedience" which stars Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams and it's about two Orthodox Jewish women in love. Roger got to see the new Harry Potter play on Broadway and tells us what that's like and Neil talks about two films he saw at the Tribeca Film Festival which got him really exicited. Really excited! Listen in!
Not that you can tell by the temperatures but it's spingtime in New York which can only mean that the Tribeca Film Festival has taken over lower Manhattan with glitz and glamor and some interesting films. Neil's been hitting the red carpet as well as the party circuit and he has inside info on some of the cinematic offerings. He's also got a honest-to-goodness scoop from Billy Crystal who was there for the Gilda Radner documentary. No hints here, you'll have to listen to find out what it is. There's also "I Feel Pretty" from Amy Schumer. What's it going to do for her career? Plus we talk about the new season of "I'm Dying Up Here" and the new BBC America spy drama "Killing Eve." You don't have to go undercover you can listen right here!
Well it seems like it's only been a couple of weeks since a Dwayne Johnson movie came out so it's obviously time for another one. Mike Sargent joins us as we take a look at "Rampage." This time Dwayne Johnson plays a primatologist (type casting of course) who raised a silverback gorilla from birth only to have it turned into a raging monster by an evil corporation (is there any other kind?). Is this great cinema or are they just monkeying around? We'll let you know. Plus there's "Truth or Dare" which is the latest horror movie from the cash machine known as Blumhouse. It's about kids playing that game we all played once and never played again once we sobered up. And if you're wondering if there are any movies coming out for anyone over the age of 14 there's "Beirut" staring John Hamm and Rosamund Pike. Plus Neil has a preview of the much vaunted Tribeca Film Festival and Bill McCuddy has the latest flicks on-demand. It's your very own Spring fling!
Spring has sprung and new movies are blooming. We've brought guest Mike Sargent along to discuss this week's offerings. We start with "Chappaquiddick" based on the true story of Senator Ted Kennedy and the death of aide Mary Joe Kopechne. It was huge news in 1969, how does it feel today? Then Mike tells us about "A Quiet Place," a horror movie about a familytrying to survive in a world where space aliens eat anyone who makes a noise. Then we've got "Blockers," the latest gross-out comedy about a group of teens trying to lose their virginity at their senior prom and the parents who try to stop them. It's got Leslie Mann and John Cena - but is it any good? Oh, and Neil tells us he may have changed his mind about "A Handmaid's Tale." Now what's he think? Listen In!
After such serious fare as "Lincoln" and "The Post" it looks like Steven Spielberg's going back to the light side with "Ready Player One" - a futuristic tale about people who play a virtual reality game in search of a fortune. Special guest, comedian Corey Kahaney watched it along with us and gives us her opinion. Can a seventy-something director make a fun movie about fan boys? Then we look at the "Roaseanne" reboot which got amazing ratings for ABC. And since we're in comedy mode we look at Judd Apatow's 4 and-a-half hour long tribute to his mentor "The Zen Diaires of Gary Shandling." And that's not all - we also review the dark comedy "Barry" which stars Bill Hader. Can a hit man be funny? Listen in!
"Tomb Raider" is the latest female-driven action movie heading to theaters this week and you're probably thinking you've seen this before. You did, with Angelina Jolie, but this one's got recent Oscar winner Alicia Vikander. Is it a sequel, an origin story? We've got Mike Sargent on hand to help us with this one. And we'll hear what Ms. Vikander has to say about taking over the franchise. Then there's "Seven Days in Entebbe." Yes, you've seen the story of the 1976 hijacking of an Air France jet before but this one's got German actor Daniel Bruhl and Bill Bregoli's got some exclusive interview clips from him. Then Bill McCuddy reviews the latest season of the Judd Apatow series "Love" and Neil tells us what he thinks of David Letterman's new talk show. And we've got all the cool movies that just came out on home video. This is one podcast that's not a retread!
The Oscars are over and we're feeling a little odd. Were there any surprises? No. Why not? Everything we picked to win actually won. So why are we feeling so blue? Mike Sargent joins us to discuss. And what about next year? Will "Black Panther" get a nomination? And will anyone even watch? Bill Bregoli lets you know which of the Oscar movies are now on DVD all of a sudden. Plus we look at two new movies: "Gringo" which stars Charlize Theron adn A Wrinkle in Time" which is based on a children's book and stars Oprah Winfrey. Neil fills us in on the new season of "The Americans" and Bill McCuddy tells us about "Collateral" which is the newest from Netflix. Give us a listen.
It's that time of year when everyone around you asks you to take place in an Oscar office pool. Well, don't worry. We've gathered together our predictions and now you can confidently bet the farm...well, maybe not, but we're pretty good at figuring out what Oscar voters are thinking. We even know a few. It's a wide open year and that could make things interesting. Some categories are absolute headscratchers. And will they make a major screw up like last year? How will Jimmy Kimmel do? Oh, and there's "Red Sparrow" - a new spy/action movie directed by her former "Hunger Games" director Francis Lawrence. Is it a worthy movie to release on Oscar weekend? We've got what Jennifer Lawrence has to say about the movie, so listen in!
"Black Panther" is getting some new competition this week - first there's the sci-fi thriller "Annihilation" which stars Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Oscar Issac and is directed by Alex Garland whose pervious film "Ex Machina" made a big splash - is it as good as that one was? Jack Rico joins us to let us know. Then there's "Game Night" which stars Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams. It's the first comedy we've seen in quite a while. And Neil talks about TV's "Waco" which looks back at a historic confrontation in the 1990s. And while we're talking about TV - whiy aren't you watching the Winter Olympics? Ratings are down' Strap on your speed skates and give a listen.
"Black Panther" is probably the most anticipated Marvel superhero movie in years. And given how popular Marvel movies are that's no mean feat. So we brought Mike Sargent along to tell us all about it and what it means to the culture at large. Is it worth the hype. Then we look at the latest Netflix historical epic "Babylon Berlin" which shows us Germany inbetween world wars. And speaking of TV Bill McCuddy tells us about "Counterpart" which stars Oscar winner and insurance pitchman J.K Simmons. Neil teases us a bit about the second season of "A Handmaid's Tale" and tells us about the DVD release of "Wonder." Listen in!
There are lots of new films to talk about this week - but first we have info on how you can see the Talking Pictures gang reunited on CUNY TV - and, even more more conveniently, online! Neil has ALL the details. Plus Lisa Rosman tells us what she's been up to (sort of). Then there's "The 15:17 to Paris," the latest from Clint Eastwood. It's not only based on a true story about 3 Americans who perevnted a terrorist attack, it actually stars the real-life guys who became heroes. Was that a good idea? We'll let you know what we think. Then there's "Fifty Shades Freed," the last in the trilogy based on the best-selling books. Is it hot, or not? And on the more family-friendly side there's the new animated "Peter Rabbit." Lots to chew on folks!
You may well be wondering why there's only a low-budget horror movie opening this weekend. Hint: It has something to do with a football game. You may also be wondering what the Grammy Awards were all about last weekend. You're not alone. Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Jack Rico parse just what was going during "Music's Biggest Night." We also look at two of Steve Spielberg's upcoming projects. Should he really try to remake a beloved musical? And speaking of remakes and reboots we look at TV's latest trend of bringing back old shows. Do we really need Murphy Brown again? And hold on to your hat - Neil tells you how you can see the Talking Pictures gang reunited - finally!
DId you get up early to watch the Oscar nominations? What did you think - not only of the nomination show but the nominations themselves. Did the Academy live up to its promise to be more inclusive? Did "The Shape of Water" deserve 13 nominations. Who should of been nominated but wasn't? There are lots of questions so we called our friends Mike Sargent and Peri Nemiroff to see what they think. There's quite a crop of nominations this year - everything from an interspecies romance to World War II dramas and a film about an adolescent girl. Did women and minorities get their due? Tune in and find out what we think.
The year has just started and things are already nuts. So we've asked Mike Sargent to help us disect some entertainment news as well as some entertainment. In light of the #MeToo movement and current sexual harrasment allegations we take a look at the controversy and try to figure out if the careers of Woody Allen, Aziz Ansari and James Franco are finished or if these guys can make a comeback. And of course there are movies! We talk about "12 Strong" and hear what star Chris Hemsworth has to say about it. And there's "In the Fade" starring Diane Kruger. And TV too such as the new documentary "Becoming Bond" on Hulu which is about George Lazenby. Also we take a look back at the Critics Choice Awards. Have fun, We did.
Winter is upon us. The landscape is grey and drab and there's snow everywhere...TIME FOR A LIAM NEESON ACTION MOVIE!!! If there's nothing else to get folks out of their warm houses and into a movie theater it's the sight of a 60-something man kicking serious butt. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and our good friend and respected journalist Logan Hill take on "The Commuter." Oh, and did you watch The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards last Sunday? Were you wearing black and cheering the women on or were you wondering what all the rich people were complaining about as they sipped their complementary martinis? We try and make sense of it all and we also discuss our choices for the upcoming Critics Choice Awards. It's not all glitter and glamor but we do kick some butt.
It's a Winter Wonderland out there! Not only in nature but in your local theater as well. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Jack Rico of The Highly Relevant Podcast take a look at what's on offer this season. First there's "All the Money in the World" which is really two stories in one. First there's the plot which is about the kidnapping of J Paul Getty III and his grandfather's refusal to pay ransom. Then there's the film's backstory where director RIdley Scott removed Kevin Spacey from the film and re-shot scenes with Christopher Plummer. It's all fascinating. Then we look at the western "Hostiles" which stars Christopher Bale and Rosamund Pike as well as the new "Jumanji" film which stars Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson. But wait there's more: We've got "Film Stars Don'et Die In Liverpool" starring Annette Bening and "In the Fade" with Diane Kruger. And there's streaming TV too, like "Black Mirror." Baby it's cold outside, so snuggle up with us.
Well that was quite a year, wasn't it? Everything seemed to go nuts at least one point or another and if you were seeking sanity at the movies or on TV, well...Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Lisa Rosman took a look back at the year's entertainment crop and there's plenty to talk about. There were critical darlings like "The Shape of Water," "The Post," "Baby Driver" and "I, Tonya." Did we like them too? Are they worth all the buzz they're getting now that it's awards season? And then there are the TV shows you probably streamed. Are "The Handmaid's Tale" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" worth your time? And what were some of the worst offerings from Hollywood. To find out you'll have to listen.
OK, so you've gotten "Star Wars" out of your system. Now you're hankering for a movie by and for adults. One where nothing explodes except emotions and there aren't any furry characters your children will want you to buy. Well, you're in luck! This week we've got three grownup movies to talk about. And we've got favorite guest Lisa Rosman along to help out. First there's "The Post" which stars Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep and tells the story of the Washington Post publishing something known as "The Pentagon Papers" and drawing the ire of President Richard Nixon. It's timeless and timely. Then there's "Downsizing" which stars Matt Damon as an everyman who gets small. Really small. And finally there's "Molly's Game" which stars Jessica Chastain and was written and directed by Aaron Sorkin' and was based on an incredbile true story. It's the gift that keeps on talking and it's all right here.
It's here!!! "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" is now in theaters and audiences are lining up around the block. Is it worth the hype? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Grace Randolph of "Beyond the Trailer" don't reveal any spoilers (well, we really tried) ane let you know what's fun about it and what's not. We also hear what cast members Mark Hammill, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega have to say about making it. Then we take a look at the Golden Globe Award nominations and let you know what we think about the organization behind them. So jump aboard our Millenium Falcon and hang on!
Don't let anyone tell you there's nothing in the theaters until "Star Wars" opens! There's so much this week we brought in guest Jack Rico of the Highly Relevent Podcast to help us out. First there's the whole sexual harrassment scandal hitting Hollywood and politics and then we've got movies. Like "The Disaster Artist" which stars James Franco and is based on a true story. Plus there's "I Tonya," a darkly comic take on a true story of an Olympic scandal. Jack takes a look at "Coco", Bill Bregoli looks at the second season of "The Crwon," and Neil talks about "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." We ain't just whistiling dixie this week.
Awards season is upon us and the prestige movies are finally here! So we've got special guest Lisa Rosman along to help us figure out which ones are really worth all the buzz. First there's the lush gay romance "Call Me By Your Name" with Armie Hammer. Then there's Woody Allen's "Wonder Wheel" which stars Kate Winslet and Jim Belushi. But that's certainly not all - Guillermo Del Toro has an enchanting and very different sort of fable called "The Shape of Water" which among other things features an interspecies romance (!). And if that's not enough there's the WWII drama "Darkest Hour" with Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill. Plus Lisa weighs in on the wave of sexual harrassment allegations while Bill and Neil have some must-see video and on-demand picks. Put this one on your must-listen-to list!
After the Louis CK controversy broke his distributor decided not to release his new film "I Love You Daddy." But we got to see it before they pulled it (pun not intended) and we'll tell you if it's fun or if it's creepy...or both. And since "Justice League" is opening this week we've brought along YouTube sensation Grace Randolph, who knows her way around a superhero movie. Ah, but there's so much more, such as "Roman J. Israel, Esq." the new legal drama starring Denzel Washington, plus the quirky indie comedy "Mr. Roosevelt," and the new season of "The Girlfriend Experience" on Starz and some great new films available on demand and on DVD. It's a pre-Thanksgiving feast!
We go a lot of places in this week's podcast and we've brought special guest Caryn James along as we look at the latest movies and streaming shows. We start with "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" which is hard to categorize but definitely makes an impression. Then there's the latest version of "Murder on the Orient Express" directed and starring Kennerth Branagh and a cast full of A-listers. We also take a look at "The Florida Project" and documentary about showbiz legend Rose Marie called "Wait For Your Laugh." Caryn tells about "Alias Grace" which is on Netflix and we talk about the just released trailer for "The Post" starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks." It's an eyeful and it's all right here.
Oh boy can we pack a lot into a podcast. Especially this week when we bring in special guest Mike Sargent and talk about Greta Gerwig's directorial debut (sort of) "Lady Bird" which is a coming of age movie starring Saorsie Ronan. Then there's "Thor: Ragnarok" the latest from Marvel with an amazing cast including Cate Blanchett of all people. We also take a look at Rob Reiner's "LBJ" starring Woody Harrelson and we hear what Rob Reiner says about its politics. Mike talks about "The Light of the Moon" and there's also TV - "White Famous" and "David S. Pumpkin." But wait - there's more! We talk about "Gilbert!" the new documentary about comedian Gilbert Gottfried. Bill Bregoli, who's known Gilbert for decades, presents his exclusive interview with Gilbert, his wife Dara and director Neil Berkley. There's actually more but rather than take up your time reading we'll let you start listening. Get going!
Whenever Matt Damon and George Clooney combine forces it's worth taking a look. Add a script by the Coen brothers and you have the 1950's era dramedy "Suburbicon." So we brought along special guest Jack Rico of The Highly Relevant Podcast to add his two cents and the result was one of the most spirited sessions we've ever had. And we hear what Matt Damon has to say about working with his friend on the movie. Plus Bill Bregoli takes on the military drama "Thank You for Your Service" and we'll hear from star Miles Teller. But we're not finished - there's also the new Netflix series "Mindhunters" from David Fincher. Lots to digest this week so give a listen.
It's the second part of our special podcast from the 25th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival. We continue our fascinatiing conversations with stars and filmmakers starting with writer/director Vincent Gagliostro who tells us about his film "After Louie" which stars Alan Cumming who delivers a raw and riveting performance as a survivor of the AIDS crisis coming to terms with life after losing his partner. Then we talk to filmmaker Josh Klausner and star Tate Ellington about "Wonderland" which is an different sort of musical filmed in the Hamptons. Finally we talk to filmmakers about two intriguing short films: "Fry Day," which is a coming-of-age film set during the time of Ted Bundy's execution, and "Commodity City" which documents the largest wholesale consumer market in the whole world. It's a wonderful world of film and we've got it here for you!
What better place to do our 100th podcast than at the 25th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli sit down outside with the stars and filmmakers and get the lowdown on some amazing films. We start with writer/director Onur Turkel and star Jamie Block who tell us about their ribald new film "The Misogynists" which is set in a single hotel room on the night of the 2016 general election. Then we talk to Alison Chernik about "Itzhak" which is her up close and personal documentary about the life and music of violinist Itzhak Perlman. And finally we have a unique story of hometown heroes called "Killer Bees" which is the story of the famed Bridgehampton basketball team. It's our 100th and their 25th but we definitely don't go by the numbers!
There's a new Tom Cruise movie in town. Usually you can't exape them but there's not a lot of buzz about "American Made." Why is that? Has Tom lost his mojo? We bring in Roger Friedman of Showbiz411.com who has all sorts of theories as to why Tom's not jumping up and down on couches for this movie even though it's pretty good (hint: it involves lawyers). Then Roger helps us sort though the glut of movies coming to The Hamptons International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. And stay tuned for Roger's amazing personal connection with the upcoming film "Marshall." All the movies you'll be talking about this awards season we're talking about right now. Give a listen.
Are you old enough to remember when Billie Jean King played a high-stake tennis match with hustler Bobby Riggs? Well, even if you aren't there's a new movie out about that epic match called "Battle of the Sexes" starring Emma Stone and Steve Carrell and it's got a lot of buzz. There are a lot of women's issues in the film so we brought in special guest and new friend comedian Talia Greiss (the G is silent), who happens to be a woman and realy cool, to give us her perspective. We also take a look at the recent Emmy Awards broadcast. It seems no one bothered to watch. How come? Was it Stephen Colbert's fault? Was it Sean Spicer's? Sunday Night Football? We all give our opinions so get ready to rumble!
"It" was HUGE last weekend and it seems people are finally going back to theaters. And it seems that what they want to see is scary movies. Since "Mother!" opens this week and is also a scary movie it would seem they'll be lining up to check out this latest offering from director Darren Aronofsky which stars Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem. So why is Paramount making it so difficult for critics to see it? Luckily HBO isn't worried about critics and we take on "The Deuce" which is produced by and stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Franco. It's set in New York's Times Square district in the 1970s back when it was seedy and full of drug dealers, prostitutes and o theaters. Nowadays it's all Disney-ized and the only person who'll grope you is dressed in an Elmo suit. Neil looks back at the old days and we also give our impressions of the new series. It's all right here and it's no horror show.
The box-office has been in a terrible slump of late and Hollywood is hoping that "It" will bring moviegoers back to the theaters and bring their wallets with them. What's "It"? It's the latest Stephen King novel to be adapted for the big screen. You know, the one with the terrible clown that was a TV series years ago starring Tim Curry. Well now there's a big-bucks movie version with a talented young cast and lots of fancy effects. Will it do justice to Stephen King? Will people find it scary? We broght Mike Sargent along to help us dissect it. We also take a look at the latest rom-com starring "Reese Witherspoon" called "Home Again." And we also take a look at what the TV networks are offering for the new Fall season. Do you even watch the networks anymore? We do...so you won't have to.
The summer of 2017 is over. How will we remember it? Will we remember it? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Lisa Rosman and special Guest Jack Rico of the Highly Relevant Podcast take a look back and frankly, they're not impressed. Box-office numbers are way down even though the Hollywood hype is as big as it's ever been. Granted, there were some big hits, such as "Wonder Woman" but was it overpraised? Lisa tells us what she thinks on that topic. What's going to happen to the movie theaters people aren't going to? Will they be turned into Self-Storage facilities so we can stow away our old DVDs while we stream everything? There are lots of big questions and we tackle 'em all!
Two giants of comedy passed just before out podcast. So we take time to remember Dick Gregory, who broke more than just color barriers and influenced a generation of comics who came after him. Then we consider the career of mercurial comic Jerry Lewis. Love him or loathe him he was a force to be reckoned with. We also look at movies that are out here in the dog days of August such as "Logan Lucky" and Neil has his free on-deman pick of the week. Oh and we all tell our most embarrassing interview stories. Things do go wrong now and then but everything you're about to hear is perfect!
Neil was a little late to this week's podcast but Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and very special guest Lisa Rosman get to the reason behind his tardiness and it has to do with a certain president. We also talk about how late night talk shows are dealing with the president who shall not be named. Plus there are new movies such as "The Hitman's Bodyguard" starring Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson and the Sundance sensation "Patti Cake$." We also tell what fall maoives we're looking forward to, the passing of Joe Balogna and TV finales. There's a lot to deal with!
Comedian, actor and all-around raconteur Robert Wuhl joins Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli and we have quite a difference of opinion when it comes to "Dunkirk." Let's just say two were "for" and two were "against." You'll have to tune in to find out. Bill Bregoli has what Woody Harrelson and Brie Larson have to say about "The Glass Castle" as well as why Anthony LaPaglia thought his job in "Annabelle: Creation" was to creep out the little girls on the set. We also discuss Glenn Campbell's passing as well as the week's new movies On Demand, not to mention David Letterman's new Netflix show. And RObert Wuhl tells us about his days as a gameshow contestant, the new act he's working on and he has news for "Arli$$" fans. It's a lot to take in and it's all right here.
"The Dark Tower" opens this weekend. It's a long-awaited production and based on Stephen King novels. So why the hell haven't we seen it yet? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, and Bill Bregoli have guest Jack Rico of the Highly Relevant Podcast stop by and he explains theat it has something to do with "Rotten Tomatoes." Could it be that the site isn't all it's cracked up to be? You've got to listen to find out. Theer's also the Korean action thriller "The Villainess" which we guarantee is unlike anything you've ever seen. Oh, and there's the new Katheryn Bigelow movie "Detroit." Is is worhty of Oscar buzz. Pluse we talk about the deaths of Sam Shepard and Jeanne Moreau. Thanks to the tomatoes it's a summer salad and it's all right here.
The old saying goes "Hell hath no Fury like Charlize Theron in 6-inch heels" or something like that. So Lisa Rosman returns and joins Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli to talk about "Atomic Blinde." Is it the "Female James Bond" and some people are saying? Then there's the modern rom-com "The Big Sick" and Lisa discusses several new Netflix series "Friends From College," "GLOW." "Gypsy" and "Ozark." We also discuss the sad passing of actor John Heard and the possibility of Anne Hathaway playing Barbie. Hmm...Lots to think about and it's all right here.
We always have interesteing guest and this time we've got an honest-to-goodness YouTube sensation - Grace Randolph! She tells Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli how she gets millions of views for her very timely and unique reactions to movie trailers and delves into the mysterious world of YouTube. Plus Bill Bregoli reviews "Dunkirk. It's the first movie of the summer to get serious Oscar buzz and is directed by Christopher Nolan and is the dramatic debut of One Direction star Harry Styles - and also stars Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy and Fionn Whitehead. Then Bill McCuddy talks about "The Trip to Spain," the third in a series of "trip" films starring Steve Coogan. Oh, but there's so much more, including free, short movies you should see on the internet and why some people don't like Anne Hathaway. It's another summer feast and it's all right here.
The summer movie season is in full swing so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Mike Sargent look at the latest Hollywood tentpoles. First there's "Spider-Man Homecoming" - how does it compare to the previous Spider-Man movies? And do we have to sit through another origin story. And while we're talking franchises there's "War for the Planet of the Apes." It's the third in the franchises latest incarnation and it's got critics buzzing. Plaus Bill McCuddy runs down the latest offerings on DVD and on demand.
Independence Day is here so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli unleash their fireworks on the latest summer offerings including "Baby Driver" - It may get you thinking it's about classic rock but it may be one of the year's most original movies. There's also "Despicable Me 3" starring the voice of Steve Carell. There's also the movie they wouldn't show to the critics - "The House" which stars Will Farrell and Amy Poehler. We wonder aloud just what the reason is. And in time for the holiday Neil talks about patriotic movies, Bill McCuddy talks about an "Personal Shopper" which is now on demand and Bill Bregoli takes a look at the Netflix lady-wrestler series "GLOW." It's all guaranteed to put you in a headlock!
Summer's just begun and things are already heating up. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli enlist Roger Friedman of Showbiz 4-1-1 to get his take on some interesting developments. Like how the directors of the Han Solo Star Wars film got fired - and how George Clooney made a fortune on his tequila business. That's just the beginning. There's also the new quirky comedy "The Big Sick" which you may want to seek out if you're looking for refuge from films like "The Mummy." Roger also gives us his take on Rotten Tomatoes and Miley Cyrus. It's one big summer salad and it's all right here.
This week we're visited once again by writer/comedian/actor and raconteur Robert Wuhl who joins Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli to give his special insight into what's happening in showbiz today. Hear what Robert has to say about the NY Times' list of the century's 25 best movies so far as well as his take on last weekend's Tony Awards. He also has some unique insights into what it's like to put on an award show (he's worked on the Oscars) and he also has some interesting news for fans of his HBO show "Arli$$." Tune in!
The summer movie season continues and now that "Wonder Woman" has hit it big how will it stand up against "The Mummy" which stars Tom Cruise? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Mike Sargent of WBAI radio take on this first movie in Universal's "Dark Universe" series. How does it measure up against Universal's classic monster movies? And most important - is it scary? Plus there's the soldier and her dog movie "Megan Leavey." We also look at this week's On Demand titles including "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Cure for Wellness." And since there's more to life than movies we discuss Bill Maher's N-word controversy. Lots to talk about this week!
That's there's a new superhero movie hitting the theaters is no suprise but this one is about a female superhero aof all things and it stars someone you probably haven't heard of. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli call in superhero film expert Jack Rico to find out so see if this distaff superhero can truly kick butt. And speaking of powerful women - what's all this about Kathy Griffin? Did she go to far or not far enough? Plus we talk about the Tony Awards and On Demand movies as well as the 2nd season fo the streaming show "Master of None."
Despite the weather Hollywood says it's Summer. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Lisa Rosman take on the big-screen version of "Baywatch" starring Dwayne Johnson. And while we're in the water there's also "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mean Tell No Tales." But there's so much more. Bill McCuddy tells us about "Becoming Cary Grant" and a hidden gem called "Buster's Mal Heart." Lisa tells us about "The Big Sick" as what she's been watching on the small screen including :The Americans" and "Wizard of Lies." Tis the season for watching everything that's good!
The Summer season is upon us so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and Jack Rico take on the latest blockbuster to be - "Alien: Covenant." Has Ridley Scott got his groove back? Plus Bill McCuddy talks about a hidden gem among the On Demand movies called "Hounds of Love." Jack Rico brings us up to date on the network Up-Fronts and we delve into the latest Steve Harvey scandal. willl it hurt his career? And just remember, unlike Harvey - you can talk to us anytime.
In the grand tradition of the famous Hope Crosby Road Movies our podcast eminates from exotic mid-town New York where Bill McCuddy was gracious enough to host Neil Rosen and Bill Bregoli in his well-apointed apartment overlooking 7th Avenue and Carnegie Hall. Ah, but there's more to this than a fancy location - we also take a look at the new Guy Ritchie directed film "King Arthur : Legend of the Sword." And you'll hear what stars Charile Hunnam and Djimon have to say about it. Plus there's the new Amy Schumer - Goldie Hawn comedy "Snatched." Is it as classy as its name? Plus Bill McCuddy talks about the new film from up and coming starlet Bel Powley (if you don't believe me check out how many films she has coming on IMDB) called "Carrie Pilby." Neil fills you in on what's happening with "Talking Pictures" and what he likes on TV. We've got a classy address and it's right here.
You can take our pictures off the milk cartons now. We're back and glad to be talking to you once again. It's our first podcast since "Talking Pictures" got canceled by a the Cable Company Which Shall Not Be Named. Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Lisa Rosman and Bill Bregoli tell you how the TV show got canceled and the efforts to get it back on the air. But it's not a downer - there's lots of other things to talk about including the Tribeca Film Festival which Bill M and Lisa attneded as well as the new "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie which both Bills saw. Plus, Lisa tells about her interview with a movie mogul, Neil fills us in on his set visit to "The Americans" and lots more. We're happy to be back and it shows!
Remember when Woody Harrelson was a bartender on a sitcom? Well now he's a big movie star and we've got Woody talking about his career and his new movie Wilson. Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Justin Browning review "Wilson" and you'll hear exclusive audio from Neil's interview with Woody. Ah, bu there's more: There's the drama "Miss Sloane" starring Jessica Chastain which is now on demand and home video. Plus a documentary about comedians called "Dying Laughing" and the Oscar nominated film "Lion" which you can now watch at home if you didn't see it in theaters. Is it worth your time? We'll let you know!
Where does "King Kong" film his movie? Anywhere he wants to. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Cory Kahaney take a look at this latest incarnation of the beast filmed in Hawaii, Vietnam and Australia. How does it compare to the previous "Kong" Movies? And while we're on the subject of beasts - Disney's made a live action version of "Beauty and the Beast" starring Emma Watson" Is it a toe-tapper? And since Cory is a well-established stand-up comedian we ask what she thinks of the HBO series "Crashing" which takes place in the workd of stand-up comedy. But that's not all folks, we look at the French drama "Elle" and the sic-fi adventure "Passengers" now coming out on DVD. It's a wide-ranging show!
Hollywood showcased its best at last Sunday's Oscars...oh wait, what the hell? Talk about plot twists! It's always a strange show but this year was one for the ages. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Jack Rico throw off their tuxes and try to figure out what went wrong as well as if anything went right. Should Warren Beatty have brought his reading glasses? Is your money safe with Price Waterhouse Coopers? And will Jimmy Kimmel ever host again? Plus we review Brad Pitt's "Allied," "Doctor Strange" and "Catfight" which stars Sandra Oh and Anne Heche (hats off to you if you remember them). It's weird, it's wonderful and it's all right here.
It's that time of year again - no, not tax time - time for all the know-it-alls in your office to put together an Oscar pool. And here's your chance to steal your co-workers' lunch money because Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Perri Nemiroff of "Collider" go head to head and reveal their picks for the golden statuette. Is "La La Land" a lock? Maybe not, and there are possible uspets in several categories. We tell you who we thinnk will win and who should really win. It's not always the same. But it's always fun and it beats renting a tux so listen in!
Creepy is as creepy does and director Gore Verbinski has a new psychological thriller opening this week called "A Cure for Wellness." So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli tell you what they think of this ultra-creepy movie. And Bill Bregoli has exclusive audio of what Dale DeHaan, Jason Isaacs and Gore Verbinski told him about their experiences making the film - hint, there are eels in it. Then there's "In Dubious Battle" which is based on John Steinbeck's novel and stars James Franco (of course), Vincent D'Onofrio and Selena Gomez (really!). And finally there's the coming-of-age story "The Edge of Seventeen" which stars Hailee Steinfled and Woody Harrelson. It may be about teenagers but somehow it managed to move all of us old guys. Something anyone can relate to and it's all right here.
Robert DeNiro is not the easiest guy to interview but right before we recorded this podcast Neil Rosen spoke to the legendary actor, alongside co-star Leslie Mann, about their new movie "The Comedian." So we have exclusive audio for you from DeNiro and Mann as they spoke to Neil about the movie as well as doing comedy. Then we fondly remember Mary Tyler Moore and talk about highlights from her career and favorite episodes of her shows. Plus Bill Bregoli tells what it was like when he worked with Mary Tyler Moore one morning. It's the kind of stuff you can only get right here!
It's that time of year again when Hollywood pats itself on the back and hopes you'll go see their movies. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Jack Rico give their fresh reactions on the Oscar nominations. It's no longer "Oscarsowhite," but is it really that diverse? What about "La La Land"? Is it really that good? Who got snubbed? It's not just Amy Adams. What happened to Pixar? And is all forgiven for Mel Gibson? Listen in and see.
It's another week and there's another batch of movies available for your enjoyment so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Justing Browning gather together to tell you which of them are worth your time and money. First there's "Gold" which stars Mathew McConaughey. Would you buy a luxury car from this man? How about his movie? Then there's "The Girl on the Train" which is now available on DVD starring Emily Blunt. It's based on a very popular book but does it translate into a good movie. Luckily Justine has actually read the book and gives her informed opinion. Then there's "Christine" based on a true (and very sad) story about a newscaster. And finally "Trespass Against Us" featuring Michael Fassbender and Bredan Gleeson. If you're wondering what movies to spend these long winter nights with give us a listen!
The holidays are over, awards season has kicked into gear and people are really starting to pay attention to what movies are out there. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Mike Sargent first take a look at "Patriot's Day," director Peter Berg's dramatization of the Boston Marathon bombings starring Mark Wahlberg. Is it too soon to tell this tale? We get to hear what Berg and Wahlberg have to say about their movie. Then we move on to Bostonian Ben Affleck's "Live By Night" inspired by 1930's gangster films. Plus there's "The Founder" which stars Michael Keaton as MacDonald's exec Ray Kroc. Then to balance off all the testosterone there's "20th Century Women" starring Annette Bening. And we'd be remiss if we didn't talk about Meryl Streep's speech at the Golden Globe Awards. It's food for thought and it's all right here.
Before we all wipe 2016 from our collective memory banks it iight be a good (not to mention entertaining) idea to review some of the year's very best movies. And while we're at it, how about some of the year's worst? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli reveal some of their favorites as well as some they hope will never cross their paths again. After all, some of these will be coming your way on DVD and On Demand soon. And how about you dear listener? Do you agree with any of Neil's or Bill McCuddy's top tens? Let us know!
Every time Martin Scorcese makes a film people justifiably get excited. But in "Silence" there's not a gangster to be found. In fact, it's about Catholic missionaries in 17th century Japan. Excited yet? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli take on this passion project from the master. But that's not all, they also look at Denzel Washington's adaptation of August Wilson's play "Fences." Plus there's Jim Jaramusch's "Patterson," about a bus-driving poet and finally "Hidden Figures." It's about the unknown African-American women who did the math that got NASA off the ground. It all adds up to fun!
It's the newest holiday tradition: A new "Star Wars" movie. This year it's a spinoff of sorts called "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (gotta get that branding in there). Does it live up to the hype? How does it fit into the "Star Wars" legacy? And most important of all - will "Star Wars" fans like it? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli tackle those questions and more. Plus they look at "Bridget Jones's Baby," which is the third of the Bridget Jones comedies and once again stars Renee Zellweger. And if that's not enough there's "A Kind of Murder" and "Southside With You" which is a dating movie with a historic twist. To infinity and beyond, or something like that...
Just when you think Hollywood stopped making musical comes "La La Land" featuring a snazzy scor and lots of Oscar buzz - not to mention Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling." So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregolu put ontheir tap shows and check it out. Then they look at Mike Birbiglia's comedy about comedians called "Don't Think Twice" plus Katie Holmes' directorial debut "All We Had" as well as the Oscar hopeful "Lion" starring "Slumdog Millionaire's" Dev Patel. And finally there's "Hidden Figures" hich tells the story for African American mathemeticans who got NASA off the ground. It all adds up to fun!
Maybe you're old enough to remember the JFK assassination but for those who aren't there's a new film about that historical moment called "Jackie." It stars Natalie Portman as first lady Jacqueline Kennedy dealing with a country reeling from the event as well as her own feelings. It's certainly an interesting premise for a movie so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest critic Jack Rico put it under their critical microscope. Then there's "The Eyes of My Mother" which starts out like a farmer's daughter joke and then gets much weirder. And speaking of thrillers there's the surprise hit "Don't Breathe" which made a ton of money when it came out in theaters. Finally there's Dsiney's latest live action movie adapted from an animated film - "Pete's Dragon." We've got it all: history, thrills and, of course, dragons.
If you're not full of turkey by now you soon will be so Neil Rozen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest critic Rafer Guzman take a look at this year's Thanksgiving feat of movies to see which ones could worsen your indigestion. First we look at the latest animated effort from Disney, the Polynesian-themed "Moana." Is it fun for the family or is it all wet? Then there's Brad Pitt's latest WWII film "Allied" in which he co-stars with Marion Cotillard as well as the long-awaited sequel "Bad Santa 2" tarring Billy Bob Thornton and Kathy Bates. We also look at the modern day western "Hell Or High Water" which stars Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges. And finally, there's the on-demand sci-fi film "Evolution." Feast or famine? We'll let you know.
The movies are finally getting good now! So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli look at the "Harry Potter" spinoff "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." Does it have the same magic? Then we look at "Manchester By The Sea" which may be down-beat but has an ocean's worth of Oscar buzz, Then there's "Bleed for This" a boxing movie that's a true stroy and we've got exclusive audio from its stars Miles Teller and Aaron Eckhart." But wait, there's more. Bill Bregoli talks about the coming-of-age story "The Edge of Seventeen" starring Hailee Steinfeld. And just to prove they're not all winners, Neil and Bill McCuddy take on "Army Of One," "The Take" and "Life On The Line." It's the best of times and the worst of times and it's all right here.
Mel Gibson's directed another movie - is all forgiven? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy," Bill Bregoli and guest Mike Sargent look at "Hacksaw Ridge" and you'll hear what Mel Gibson and star Andrew Garfield have to say about this true story of a WWII hero. We also look at director Ang Lee's "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" and the R-rated animated raunch fest "Sausage Party." Then there's "Indignation" starring Logan Lerman and based on a Phillip Roth novel. Lots of big names and lots to talk about!
We didn't get to see "Inferno" in time for last week's show and maybe that was on purpose because it turned out to be a huge box-office dud for Sony and star Tom Hanks. That won't stop us from talking about it of course. Then we look at the latest Oscar buzz movie "Loving" which features an interracial romance and stars Joel Edgerton. And to lighten things up we have the ensemble comedy "Bad Moms," which stars Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell as well as "My Dead Boyfriend" which at the very least has an interesting title.
We're back in the studio and there's a new Ben Affleck film to talk about. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Justine Browning open the books on "The Accountant" which also stars J.K. Simmons and we have what both Affleck and Simmons have to say about the film. Then we take on "Moonlight," a film about a young gay man which has lots of Oscar buzz. Then there's a Western - "In a Valley of Violence," which stars Ethan Hawke as well as Eddie Murphy's new film "Mister Church" and the gay murder mystery "King Cobra" starring James Franco and Christian Slater." It's very diverse and it's all right here!
It's part 2 of our great time at the Hampstons International Festival and the first segment is a real doozy! We talk to filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg about their stirring HBO documentary "Marathon: The Patriots Day Bombing." And along with them are two survivors of the bombing, Jessia Kensky and Patrick Downes, who give us amazing insight into their struggles after the horrific attack. And on the lighter side they introduce us to one of the coolest dogs you'll ever meet. Then filmmakers Daniel Mehr and Andrew Becker stop by to tell us about "Santoalla," a documentary about a real-life murder mystery in Spain. Last, but certainly not least, legendary Hollywood actor Robert Davi tells us about "Davi's Way" which documents his quest to honor his friend and hero Frank Sinatra. It's a cool and glamorous time!
In this first of a special two-parter we're out there talking to stars and filmmakers at the Hamptons International Film Festival. We're outdoors in a relaxed setting that's just right for getting our interview subjects to open up and reveal some great inside info. First, Neil talks to Aaron Eckhart about "Bleed For This" which premiered at the festival and tells the story of boxer Vincent Pazienza and stars Miles Teller as "The Pazmanian Devil." Then actress Darine Hamze gives us incredible details about "Halal Love (and Sex)." It's a comic look at love behind the veil. And we end part one with director Jessie Auritt whose documentary "Supergirl" tells the story of an 11-year-old, 95 pound Orthodox Jewish girl from New Jersey who is a competitive powerlifter and can lift three times her own weight. It's fascinating stuff and we're just getting started. Watch for Part 2 next week!
"The Birth of a Nation" has not only got Oscar buzz, it's got built-in controversy. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli take a look at this much talked about directorial debut by Nate Parker. We also look at the family film"The Great Gilly Hopkins" as well as "Microbe and Gasoline," which is the latest charmer from director Michel Gondry. Taking a break from the movies, the two Bills talk about HBO's new series "Westworld." Oh and there's also a documentary about competitive chicken farming (we can't make this stuff up) called "Chicken People." It's finger licken' good and it's all right here.
It's said the still waters run deep so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli take a look at director Peter Berg's historical disaster movie "Deepwater Horizon" which stars Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell and Kate Hudson." Then there's the indie drama "Miss Stevens" and the raunch comedy "Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates." Not to mention the strangest movie Daniel Radcliffe has ever made - "Swiss Army Man" and the all too timely political documentary "Weiner." It's not just sausages anymore!
Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua re-team and hit the dusty trail in "The Magnificent Seven" so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Logan Hill saddle up to see if this re-waorking of a classic western is worth moseying down to the old theater for. They also take a look at the hazing drama "Goat" and find some suprising performances and they take a gander at the indie comedy "My Blind Brother." Finally there's the historical drama "Free Star of Jones" starring that actor who drives a Lincoln when he isn't playing naked bongos. So git along little doagie and come to the movies with us!
Any Oliver Stone film is worth discussing. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Make Sargent take a long look at "Snowden" starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Is is another "Wall Street" or another "Savages"? The guys also take a look at "Money Monster" starring George Clooney and directed by Jodi Foster, There's also "A Bigger Splash" which stars the always interesting (to put it mildly) Tilda Swinton and Ralph (pronounced RAFE) Fiennes and "Cardboard Boxer" which has a fun title but what else? As always we have lots of info...
"Sully" taxis into movie theaters this week so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli lock their tray tables in the upright position and take a look at the true-to-life drama from director Clint Eastwood starring Tom Hanks as Capt. Sullenberger, who heroically landed a crippled plane full of people in the Hudson River. Then there are some on-demand and DVD films such as "The Meddler" starring Susan Sarandon, "Other People" starring SNL vet Molly Shannon and Meg Ryan's directorial debut "Ithica." Find out if they can get off the ground.
Robert DeNiro is back in the boxing ring but this time as a trainer in "Hands of Stone." So Neil Rosen, Bill MCCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Jack Rico put on their gloves to see how this Roberto Duran biopic measures up. Then it's off the the chariot races with the new "Ben Hur." And if that's not enough we look at "Blood Father" starring Mel Gibson as well as the ensemble film "The Intervention" and the indie "Sea of Trees." As always, we don't pull any punches.
We all know Meryl Streep can do anything, even sing. But what if she sings badly, on purpose? Is it enough to get her an Oscar? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and Justine Browning discuss this new Stephen Frears movies and Meryl's chances. Plus we take on the new dramedy starring Jonah Hill and Miles Teller called "War Dogs." Does it work? Is Jonah really a jerk? Then there's "A Hologram for the King" starring Tom Hanks and "Imperium" starring Daniel Radcliffe. Big stars, interesting movies...and us.
Holy Cow! Has it really been a couple of weeks since the last superhero movie? How did Earth survive? Well, worry no more because "Suicide Squad" is here from the folks at Warner Bros. and DC Comics. How does it measure up against the Marvel movies? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli pull out their superhero yardsticks to find out. Bill Bregoli also has a behind the scenes look at the junket Warners put on to publicize it. We also look at "Keanu," which the big screen debut of Key and Peel as well as the on-demand title "Five Nights in Maine."
Bourne is back so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill McCuddy and special guest Roger Friedman of Showbiz 41 gather 'round to see if "Jason Bourne" is worth the 9 year wait. We also look at the musical drama "Sing Street" and the post apocalytic drama "Into the Forest" which stars Ellen Page. The we look at the waterfall-kayak documentary "Chasing Niagra" as well as the career of the late and legendary director Garry Marshall.
"Star Trek Beyond" is entering our galaxy so Neil Rosen, Bill Mccuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Mike Sargent take on this latest installment in the rebooted franchise. Plus we look at the Miles Davis biopic "Miles Ahead" which is now available on demand as well as Woody Allen's latest "Cafe Society." And since that title has us whetting our appetites we talk about food movies and Neil has an idea for any foodies visiting the Hamptons soon. Then we talk about the only movie about a Maori chess prodigy you'll see this year called "The Dark Horse." The next move is yours...
There's a new "Ghostbusters" in town so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli had to call our expert in all things geeky, Jack Rico, to give his take on this new female-centric version. Does it ruin your childhood (as one blogger feared) or just send you to therapy? Then Neil looks at "The Secret Life of Pets" and Jack explains his dog (there's a poodle in there somewhere). Then we look at "Len and Company" and "The Duel" which are available on-demand. It's culture and ecto-plasm all in one podcast!
Bill McCuddy is back, rested and ready and he joins Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and guest Caryn James of The Holly wood Reporter to talk about this week's crop of on-deman and DVD releases. There's the Hank Williams biopic "I Saw the Light" starring Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen. There's also "By the Sea," starring and directed by Angelina Jolie, excuse me, Angelina Jolie Pitt with co-star Brad Pitt (or Brad just plain Pitt). And there's also the Tim Roth thriller "600 Miles." We also talk about the death and career of director Michael Cimino.
What does "The BFG" mean? Well, Neil Rosen, Bill Bregoli and guest Justine Browning will explain the title of this lastest from Steven Speilberg and whether it's up to snuff with his past efforts. We also look at some of Steve Spielberg's best and worst films which you may want to consider re-watching. We also look at some new on-demand titles including the retro 70's-style thriller "Carnage Park" and the Iranian drama "September of Shiraz." And for you DVD fans there's the newly released "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" starring Tina Fey and Margot Robbie. It's BFG and WTF in the same show - all your favorite acronyms!
"Independence Day: Resurgence" may be attacking your local multiplex but Neil Rosen, Bill Bregoli and Perri Nemiroff of "Collider" weren't invited to see it in advance. But that doesn't stop us from wondering why. But we have seen and do talk about the Disney animated phenom "Zootopia," which is now on DVD and well as on-demand titles "The Phenom" and "Knight Of Cups." Plus Bill Bregoli has what Matthew McConaughey says about his historical action film "Free State of Jones." And we also discuss the untimely passing of Anton Yelchin. Things we can and can't talk about...but somehow do anyway.
It's been 13 years since "Finding Nemo" but now we have the sequel "Finding Dory" so Neil Rosen, Bill Bregoli and special guest Chris Nashawaty from EW take a look at this latest offering from Pixar and all the sea creatures involved (some of which are delicious with melted butter). We also look at JJ Abrams' "10 "Cloverfield Lane," Hello My Name Is Doris," "No Stranger Than Love" and "45 Years" which stars two veteran actors at the top of their game. Better later than never, that's what we say!
It's time to take on a new slew of movies available on DVD as well as on demand so Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Mike Sargent look at "A War" as well and "Genius" and the very original "King Jack." And since we can't have enough war we also discuss the controversial Michael Bay mvoie "13 Hours." We also discuss Johnny Depp's personal and career travails and movies with and about the late Muhammed Ali. Fussin' and fightin' - it's what we're good at.
The "weeper" "You Before Me" starring GOT's Emilia Clarke (but no dragons) and Hunger Games' Sam Claflin may be aimed towards a female audience but that doesn't stop Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli from giving their (very divided) opinions on it. We also hear what the two stars and author/screenwriter JoJo Moyes have to say about making it. But we don't stop there. We also take on "Manhattan Night" and the historical biopic "Race" as well as the ensemble drama "Triple Nine."
"X-Men: Apocalypse" is the latest superhero in theaters which means it's the perfect time to bring in superhero savant Jack Rico to join regular hosts Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli. If you have trouble telling which superhero is which Jack's the guy to set you straight. We also take on the live-action Disney sequel "Alice Through the Looking Glass" with Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska and the Chris Pine adventure movie "The Finest Hours" (quick, when was the last time you saw a movie about the Coast Guard?). And then we discuss the ensemble comedy "How to Be Single."
In this week's episode, which doubles as a drinking game, Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Perris Nemiroff of the site Collider talk about the new Ryan Gosling / Russell Crowe buddy comedy "The Nice Guys" as well as the indy thriller "The Witch" with exclusive soundbites from its breakout star Anya Taylor-Joy. We also take a look at "Embrace of the Serpent" and the Oscar-nominated documentary "Song of Lahore" as well as Whit Stillman's latest take on Jane Austen called "Love and Friendship" which stars Kate Beckinsale.
Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and Logan Hill put on their bibs and talk about the bizarre new Colin Farrell film "The Lobster" but before that they talk about the amazing Turkish film "Mustang" about growing up female in repressed country - it's a film that caught everyone by surprise and has some of us wondering if it should have won the Best Foreign Language Film at the last Oscars. We also take on the drama starring comedian Sarah Silverman titled "I Smile Back" and we hear what Ms. Silverman has to say about it.
"Captain America: Civil War" is so huge it takes 5 of us to talk about it. Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and Caryn James are so amazed by this latest money machine from Marvel that we brought in Jack Rico to help us out. Jack is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to all things Superhero and he make sense of this monstrous movie. We also cover the documentary "Elstree 1976" and the new on-deman film "Mothers and Daughters." And if that's not enough we also talk about the recent White House Correspondents Dinner.
The "Taxi Driver" reunion is topic one for Neil Rosen, Bill Mccuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Mike Sargent. Find out which of Neil's questions Jodie Foster wouldn't answer on the red carpet. We also talk about the Tribeca Film Festival in general as well as the new movie "High-Rise" with Tom Hiddleston. And because we love talkin' in general we talk about talk shows - which were the best? and how come no one sits on the couch anymore?
Christopher Walken, who's heard in the smash hit "The Jungle Book," has a good old fashioned acting role (where you can actually see him) in "The Family Fang" which also happens to be directed by Justin Bateman. Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli give their opinions of it and you'll also hear what Christopher Walken has to say about his storied career. Plus there's the new indie film "Elvis and Nixon," starring Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey which is about, well, Elvis and Nixon. Then there's a fairy tale for adults called "Tale of Tales." We also look at the Nina Simone biopic "Nina" and we talk about the Tribeca Film Festival for all of you who just happen to be in New York over the next few weeks and want to do more than buy overpriced t-shirts.
Disney's latest animated classic turned into a live-action extravaganza is "The Jungle Book" and Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy , Bill Bregoli and Justine Browning unleash their inner beasts on it. Is it worth taking your young 'uns to it? And how are the voice-overs by Bill Murray and Christopher Walken? We also wonder what other Disney classics could get the live-action treatment as well. And we take on the new Jake Gyllenhaal drama "Demolition" and James Franco's 97yh movie this month "The Adderall Diaries."
In this very animated (in more ways than one) podcast you'll not only find out what the "v" sands for in Batman v Superman but you'll hear what hosts Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli, joined by guests Mike Sargent and Jack Rico, think of the whole she-bang? Is it as awful as some critics think? Is there really a kitchen sink? Plus the guys take on the new Richard Linklater film Everybody Wants Some as well as the animated Anamolisa and the new baseball documentary Fastball. And make sure you stay tuned for Neil's personal memories of Gary Shandling - stories you'll only hear here!
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 - is it big? Is it Greek? Is it funny? Those are just some of the questions Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli tackle as they review this latest effort from Nia Vardalos. They also look at the dark side of the music business in Kill Your Friends as well as the twenty-something coming of age comedy Get a Job. And they all have different opinions on the Will Farrell - Mark Wahlberg comedy "Daddy's Home." And make sure you hang in there to hear Bill McCuddy's story about My Three Sons - you'll look at the sitcom in a whole new way afterward.
"Star Trek Beyond" generated lots of controversy when its trailer came out recently but we've got inside info. Out special guest Logan Hill just got back from the "Star Trek Beyond" editing suite. He was researching an upcoming article for Wired and tells hosts Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli about watching this much anticipated movie get put together. Logan, who also writes for Rolling Stone, helps us review "10 Cloverfield Lane" and the sci-fi thriller "Midnight Special." Oh and there's TV talk too!
There's a new Sacha Baron Cohen film in town. Neil Rosen Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli talk about the gross-out laughs in "The Brothers Grimsby" and compare it to other films by Sacha Baron Cohen. They also take aim at Tina Fey's new war comedy "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" which is now in theaters and Bill Bregoli talks abou "Zootopia," which he says is a Disney film you can enjoy even if you (like him) forgot to have kids
Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli are joined by special guest Justine Browning and recap those crazy Oscars. Were their predictions on the money? How about Chris Rock - was he just right or did he go overboard? And did anyone actually pay for those Girl Scout cookies? We also review "Legend," aka "the other Tom Hardy movie" and "The Danish Girl," both of which are now on demand. Once again we have lots of entertainment but no Thin Mints.
"Eddie the Eagle," about the legendary British Olympian Eddie Edwards, is reviewed by Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Begoli who are joined by the very quotable Perri Nemiroff of Collider. We also take on the new film about Jesse Owens called "Race" and take time out to discuss our favorite sports films. 3 of us even agree on one! Perri, a horror expert in her own right, talks about the new on-demand film "Southbound." And we also boldly make our Oscar predictions. Listen and see just how right we are (or aren't).
Deadpool is a HUGE success! Neil Rosen, Bill McCsuddy, Bill Bregoli and Make Sargent all weigh in on why just how huge it is and what it's done for its star Ryan Reynolds. We also discuss new movies on demand inclduing Black Mass, starring Johny Depp, Trumbo and Second Coming (which apparently is two comings too many). And we discuss great movies to celebrate Black History Month and the Oscar diversity controversy.
Grandma, 99 Homes, Where To Invade Next and Citizenfour are among the On Demand films dsicussed by Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli along with our special guest critic Justine Browning. We also take on the newest James Bond film Spectre and Bond fanatic Bill McCuddy gives his opinion. And if that's not enough we also discuss actors in Super Bowl commericals - how did they do? And what this about Peyton Manning and a certain beer company?
Hail Caesar, Freeheld, Suffragette and Rock the Kasbah are discussed by Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and Rafer Guzman from Newsday. Plus the Coen brothers' whole canon of films such as The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo and The Big Lebowski and the cult built up around it - even Rafer's mom is a fan. We also discuss new TV shows Horace and Pete and the new X-Files show.
The Intern, Diary Of A Teenage Girl, Chi-Raq, Moonwalkers, Mojave & Anesthesia are among this week's topics taken on Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and Perri Nemiroff of Collider. We have interview clips from Anne Hathaway, Robert DeNiro and Alexander Skarsgard. But that's not all. We also take on the MPAA's proposed new Oscar voting rules and whether Anne Hathaway is nice or not - Neil has some personal insights on that one. And as always, we tend to digress a bit. But it's always fun!
Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli, joined by special guest critic Caryn James from Indiewire, look at this year's Oscar race. They offer their reasons as to why it's not very diverse, just who got snubbed and who maybe didn't deserve their nomination. And they give their predictions as to who will win. So if you're in a office pool this year it may behoove you to give a listen. Don't bet the farm or anything but we do have a good track record.
Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Justine Browning talk about who should play El Chapo in the inevitable movie as well as what happened during the Golden Globes (who was the designated driver that night?). And we also get into new movies now on DVD including The Martian, The Walk and Woody Allen's Irrational Man. And speaking of Woody Allen - we have some great soundbites from the Woodster including what he thinks of when he goes to bed at night. Not to mention new On Demand movies including The Lamb, A Perfect Day and The Benefactor. Also, Neil lists some movies fans of the late David Bowie may want to check out.
Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli put 2015 to rest and discuss the year's best and worst movies. They also talk about how Star Wars: The Force Awakens may destroy the global box-office as we know it. And they give you the low-down on the Golden Globes: Is it a bona-fide award show and Oscar prognosticator or a glitzy party filled with drunken overpaid stars exposing their cleavage? (Not that it's a bad thing). And just what is the Hollywood Foreign Press Association? Are they legitimate journalists or an international crime syndicate just steps away from Interpol? Perhaps they're a cult...anyway, we look into it and shudder.
In our 20th episode Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli are joined by guest critics Jeffrey Wells and Mike Sargent as they discuss 4 movies hitting theaters just in time for Christmas: David O. Russell's "Joy" starring Jennifer Lawrence, Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight," Leo DiCaprio's Oscar hopeful "The Revenant" and Will Smith's "Concussion" (Yes, that's right, a movie about brain-injured football players is coming out at Christmas.) It's a holiday feast at your local bijou and we let you know whether you should see any of these with a stomach full of eggnog.
In this special edition Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli talk about "Star Wars: The Force Awaken" with our favorite "geek" Perri Nemiroff of Collider who has grown up with the franchise (and has a thing for droids). With as few spoliers as humanly possible we discuss the movie's strong points and some of its weaker ones. Plus we hear what Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and new star Daisy Ridley have to say about being in this latest film in the storied franchise. And if that's not enough we talk about some movies on demand including documentaries on Russell Brand and Malala Yousafsai. It's everything you need to know before you go!
Neil Rosen, Bill Mc Cuddy and Bill Bregoli talk first about the new comedy from Adam McKay called "The Big Short" which stars Steve Carrell and Christian Bale. Then they discuss "Ant-Man" and we hear what stars Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily have to say about it. Plus there are new On Demand films such as "Life" and "Phoenix" to talk about. And to put you in the Hanukkah spirit we have generous portions of Adam Sandler's latest version of "The Hanukkah Song." Oh, and we wonder aloud about "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" because, well, that's what keeps us up at night.
Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Robert Wuhl discuss "Creed" and boxing movies in general as well as the new documentary "Amy" that just made the Oscar shortlist. We also have interview clips with Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan as well as the director of "Amy." But there's lots more as Robert Wuhl not only impresses with his knowledge of boxing films but he also gives his take on the Oscars - including who'll he'll be voting for (he's a member of the Academy!) - Wait'll you hear what he thinks of child nominees!
In this episode Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Perri Nemiroff of Collider discuss the new Pixar movie "The Good Dinosar" which is now in theaters. We also talk about movies on demand including "#Horror," "Mistress America" and "American Ultra." Plus Perri discloses what it's like to live in TImes Square (don't worry, she's safe) and the hosts mention Greta Gerwig's name more times than anyone can count. Just because it's fun to say "Greta Gerwig." Try it, you'll see.
In this episode Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Justine Browning talk about the new movie "Carol" which stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. And they talk about movies on-demand including "Man Up," "Crminal Activities," "We Are Your Friends," and the mountain climbing documentary "Meru." Plus we talk about how the unfortunate events in Paris may affect the movie business. And we reveal sure-fire ways to get quoted in movie ads.
In this episode Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli discuss the new Saorsie Ronan movie "Brooklyn" and they all offer different opinions. They also talk about "The Peanuts Movie" and how "Spectre" did at the box office. Not to mention the new Robert DeNiro movie "Heist" and a quirky movie about a stand-up comic called "Entertainment." Oh, and the Quentin Tarantino boycott - will it happen? Is he just being misunderstood? Or maybe he's being taken out of context? By the way, let us know what you think. We're eager to hear from you.
Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli are joined by guest filmmaker Nate Brown as the discuss "The Walking Dead" and wonder if Glen is indeed dead. Could he be? Nate Brown has a theory. They also talk about the new investigative reporter film "Spotlight" and speculate that it will gather lots of Oscar nominations. And they discuss the latest James Bond film "Spectre" and whether Daniel Craig will return as the secret agent and whether is recent grousing is just an attempt at publicity.
Regular hosts Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli are joined by special guests comedian Dan Naturman and journalist Perri Nemiroff of Collider as they talk about Sandra Bullock's new movie "Our Brand is Crisis." We also hear what Ms. Bullock has to say about the movie. And we discuss "The Gift" which is now available on demand as well as what happens to women in Hollywood as they age. We also talk about horror movies including the horror movie Perri produced as well as where you can watch it.
In this episode of Sitting Around Talking Movies hosts Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli are joined by guest Mike Sargent as they talk about the new and final Star Wars-The Force Awakens trailer. Why is there a controversy? How much money will the movie make? Then the guys talk about Spielberg's "Bridge of Spies" and the new Carey Mulligan movie "Suffragette." They also talk about movies on demand such as "Meadowland," "Trash" and the new documentary about "Back to the Future" called "Back in Time." Oh and Bill McCuddy says something he says may be politically incorrect but he says it anyway.
This episode of Sitting Around Talking Movies was recorded live at the 23rd Annual Hamptons International Film Festival where Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli talk about the new films "Truth" and "Bridge of Spies" and we hear what Robert Redford, Cate Blanchett, Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks have to say about them. Then we're joined live by Marc Levin who talks about his new documentary being shown at the festival called "Class Divide." He's followed by up and coming actor Thomas Mann and his co-star Lucy Fry. They talk about their new indie feature "The Preppie Connection" and the challenge of trying to move beyond high school roles. Also, Lucy fry teaches us how to pronounce "Brisbane."
In thie episode Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli talk about the new movie by director Danny Boyle and Aaron Sorkin called "Steve Jobs" and just about every other Steve Jobs movie out there. Plus Bill Bregoli has what Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen had to say about making "Steve Jobs." The guys also talk about new movies on demand such as Me & Earl & the Dying Girl and a strange one starring Keanu Reeves called "Knock Knock."
In this episode of Sitting Around Talking Movies Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli are joined by Justine Browning as they talk about the new Ridley Scott space adventure "The Martian." And speaking of "The Martian" Bill bregoli has clips of Matt Damon, RIdley Scott and Jessica Chastain talking about making the film. Justine gives her view of "The Walk" and we also talk about new DVD and Blu Ray releases "Spy" and "Entourage." And we also talk about the new On Demand films "Manhattan Romance" and "The Connection." And just for good measure we wonder about the future of movie theaters in this age of flat-screens and cell phones.
On this episode of Sitting Around Talking Movies Niel Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli talk about the new Robert DeNiro - Anne Hathaway comedy "The Intern" and Bill Bregoli has interview clips from both stars. And the guys talk about what's it's like to interview DeNiro (not easy) and they ask why people hate Anne Hathaway. The guys also talk about "Ashby" and a documentary about designer Yves St. Laurent. And speaking of documentaries, they discuss "Drunk, Stoned, Brilliant, Dead," the new film about the National Lampoon and Bill Bregoli tells how he actually got published in the magazine.
In the sixth episode of Sitting Around Talking Movies Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli talk about new movies on demand such as "Love and Mercy," Time Out of Mind" and "Cooties." Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy tell stories about meeting the real Brian Wilson and wonder aloud if Richard Gere is the most stylish homeless man in the movies. The guys also talk about The Late Show with Stephen Colbert which may only be a week old but that doesn't stop them from giving a progress report. Oh, and there's a brief appearance by Kai the Social Media Guy who somehow managed to squeeze into our tiny studio.
In this fifth episode of Sitting Around Talking Movies Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli discuss the quirky little independent film "The Sleepover," the apocalyptic "Z for Zaharia," and the latest Alex Gibney documentary "Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine." The guys also go over the summer of 2015's hits and misses and wonder why some so-so movies became mega-hits while some movies thought of as "flops" weren't really all that bad. They also digress now and then and tell some stories about the legendary director (and wine salesman) Orson Welles.
In this fourth Episode of Sitting Around Talking Movies Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli discuss People, Places, Things and Aloha which are now available On Demand as well as some new documentaries - one about The Who and another about comedian Barry Crimmins. They also go over a list of best movies by female directors and they discuss Regal Cinema's new policy of searching moviegoers' bags in theaters. Bill McCuddy also talks about a new law brought about from a tragedy that happened to Stephen Colbert. So a lot is covered in just a half-hour of your time.
In this episode Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli talk about the success of "Straight Outta Compton" as well as Peter Bogdanovich's new film "She's Funny That Way." They also talk about which knighted actors you should and shouldn't address as "sir" and other useful hints for talking to celebrities, as well as the burning question "Why doesn't Tom Cruise have a romantic interest for his characters? Also, Neil and Bill Bregoli reveal which film people are nice enough to send "thank you" notes.
Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli discuss the new "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." movie as well as wonder aloud what happened to "The Fantastic Four." They also discuss what happens when celebrity interviews go bad (yes, you Miles Teller) as well as new movies on demand and Stephen Colbert. Oh, and Bill NcCuddy tries valiantly not to pass on his mystery illness to Neil Rosen and Bill Bregoli as the three sit cheek-to-jowl in a rather cramped studio.
In this premiere episode New York film ciritics Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli discuss what's going on at the movies this week. In particular the focus is on "Rikki and the Flash" and its star Meryl Streep. Other subjects include Amy Schumer and her film "Trainwreck" as well as new movies avialable On Demand.