Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr.: Recent Episodes
Crooked Table Productions
On the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. and company celebrate the creative, quirky and downright peculiar parts of the pop culture and, more specifically, the movie industry. Each episode provides in-depth reviews and lively discussions of current releases, lesser-known gems and nostalgic favorites. Pull up a chair and join the conversation... In short, welcome to the Table!
Close Watch completes its journey down the Yellow Brick Road with 2025's Wicked: For Good, the second half of director Jon M. Chu's adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical and the final chapter in our Oz-focused series. And this is perhaps the most politically and emotionally charged entry yet.
Rejoicifying with us are our wonderful guests Will Ashton of Cinemaholics, Kevin Thomas aka Kevin the Critic and The Famous Ashley Grant. During this Crooked Roundtable discussion, we'll dig into the film’s darker tone, expanded character stakes, and sharpened political allegory. We'll also explore Wicked as a story about choices and consequences, misinformation and influence, power versus morality, and the cost of being labeled “wicked.”
Along the way, we'll highlight the standout performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the evolution of their turns as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, which song had the biggest stage-to-screen glow-up, how those two original tunes by composer Stephen Schwartz affect the story, and whether splitting the musical into two films ultimately paid off.
So join as the witches of Oz bid farewell, changing each other and hopefully audiences the world over "for good." Throughout the big-screen history of L. Frank Baum's novels, it's all led to this. Thank goodness you've made it. Now here's Wicked: For Good.
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We’re heading back down the Yellow Brick Road. But this time, it’s all about how the Wizard became “great and powerful.”
On the latest Close Watch, Kevin Thomas aka Kevin the Critic joins us to revisit Sam Raimi’s big, bold, and sometimes bizarre 2013 film Oz the Great and Powerful. We'll discuss James Franco’s polarizing performance, how the film frames the witches of Oz, and whether Raimi’s signature style shines through.
From the film’s dazzling visuals to its themes of illusion and redemption, this episode asks how Disney’s second journey into the magical land of Oz compares to 1985's darkly fantastical Return to Oz as well as how it serves as a companion piece of sorts to Wicked. Misunderstood or ill-conceived?
From witches and wonders to movie magic and illusions of power, this one’s full of Raimi-fueled nostalgia.
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As we continue our journey down the yellow brick road, Close Watch host Robert Yaniz Jr. is joined by his wife, Kai Yaniz, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of Disney’s strangest, darkest, and most fascinating cult classics: Return to Oz.
Released in 1985 as a sort-of sequel to The Wizard of Oz, this eerie fantasy took audiences by surprise, bringing electroshock therapy, a walking pumpkin, and some of the creepiest stop-motion movie villains into the magical land of Oz.
We dig into what makes Return to Oz so unsettling yet enduring, from Fairuza Balk’s haunting Dorothy to the wild imagination behind Tik-Tok and the Nome King. Along the way, they explore the film's misunderstood legacy, its surprising faithfulness to L. Frank Baum’s books, and why it might just be the ultimate Halloween hidden gem.
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Ease on down the road with us as Close Watch returns to Oz one more time, this time through the soulful, big-city reimagining of 1978's The Wiz. We're joined by Phoenix Clouden of Curtain to Curtain, for a deep dive into one of the boldest movie-musical swings of the 1970s.
We'll explore how the film ambitiously reframes L. Frank Baum’s world through the lens of 1970s New York, Motown aesthetics, and groundbreaking Black artistry. Along the way, we unpack Diana Ross’ unexpected and emotionally raw take on Dorothy, Michael Jackson’s breakout performance as the Scarecrow, and Quincy Jones’ unmistakable musical influence.
The conversation also examines the film’s expressive, surreal visuals and considers how The Wiz fits within the wider screen-musical canon. We'll even reflect on the film’s complicated reception, its renewed appreciation, and its enduring cultural significance.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or revisiting this Yellow Brick Road for the first time, this episode spotlights everything that makes The Wiz such a fascinating and ambitious trip through Oz.
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Just like Dorothy, we’re returning to the yellow brick road!
In this episode of Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr., Will Ashton of Cinemaholics joins us to explore the often-overlooked animated sequel Journey Back to Oz (1972).
With Judy Garland’s own daughter, Liza Minnelli, stepping into Dorothy’s ruby slippers, this curious continuation of the Oz legacy offers a blend of nostalgia, whimsy, and the kind of bizarre creative choices that could only come from a film of its time.
Expect the unexpected as Robert and Will dig into perhaps the most notable of the many obscure adaptations of L. Frank Baum’s magical land of Oz.
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We’re off to see the Wizard!
On this episode of Close Watch, host Robert Yaniz Jr. and returning guest The Famous Ashley Grant take a trip down the Yellow Brick Road to explore how 1939’s The Wizard of Oz became one of the most beloved and enduring films of all time.
From Judy Garland’s timeless performance and “Over the Rainbow” to the movie’s dreamy themes, clever symbolism, and surprising behind-the-scenes stories, Robert and Ashley uncover what makes this Technicolor classic truly magical—and why its message still resonates 85 years later.
They also discuss how the film’s legacy lives on through modern reinterpretations like Wicked and Todrick Hall’s Straight Outta Oz, proving that the Land of Oz continues to inspire new generations.
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Grease is the word on this episode of Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr., which also closes out our recent series on movie musicals. So we’re heading back to Rydell High to revisit the 1978 blockbuster that made a vibe of summer lovin’.
With its unforgettable soundtrack, iconic performances from John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, and a rebellious streak that sets it apart from other musicals of its time, Grease remains a pop culture powerhouse decades later.
Joining Robert for this high-energy discussion is his wife and frequent Crooked Table guest Kai Yaniz. She brings fresh insight into its star-making performances, surprisingly edgy sensibility, and the message of its ending.
Plus, we each rank our top six favorite songs from the film. Does Grease still rule the school, or has time changed our perspective on this high-octane classic? Strap in for a ride in Greased Lightning as we break it down and maybe break into song.
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Michael Jackson didn’t just dominate the charts—he redefined the music video and took it to the big screen with Moonwalker.
On this episode of Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr., we take a deep dive into Michael Jackson’s 1988 film. Part music video anthology, part retrospective, and part sci-fi parable, Moonwalker also serves as a quintessential (and often overlooked) piece of Michael Jackson’s visionary career.
Joining this discussion is Russ Robinson of Infectious Groove, which itself focuses on music and the artists who shaped it. Together, we discuss how Moonwalker serves as a time capsule of Jackson’s career at the height of his power, what the film reveals about his artistry and legacy, and how it continues to fascinate fans.
Of course, we couldn’t talk about Moonwalker without celebrating the King of Pop’s legendary music videos! We each rank our top six Michael Jackson music videos. But will any of the tunes from Moonwalker make the cut, and is the film truly an underrated gem? Grab your fedora, hit play, and let’s find out!
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The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to watch—and discuss—a movie in return!
On this episode of Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr., we step into the dazzling, high-energy world of Moulin Rouge!, the 2001 jukebox musical that redefined modern movie musicals. Directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, this visually stunning spectacle is equal parts romance, tragedy, and theatrical extravaganza.
Joining Robert for this cinematic deep dive is Jennifer Howell of Every Rom Com, bringing her expertise in romantic films to explore how Moulin Rouge! balances its over-the-top theatricality with raw emotion. We discuss the film’s bold use of existing pop songs, its impact on the jukebox musical trend, and how its rapid-fire editing and heightened style make it one of the most unique films of the genre.
And, of course, we’ll each rank our top six songs from the film’s unforgettable soundtrack. So expect passionate debates, surprising picks, and a deep dive into a movie musical like no other. Is Moulin Rouge! still sparkling after all this time? Hit play and let’s can-can into this cinematic fever dream together!
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Murder, media, and musical numbers—oh my!
On this episode of Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr., we take center stage with The Famous Ashley Grant to explore the razzle-dazzle of the 2002 film Chicago, the Oscar-winning musical that brought Broadway’s show-stopping energy to the silver screen.
Directed by Rob Marshall and starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere, Chicago masterfully blends crime, corruption, and the power of the press into a dazzling spectacle of music and mayhem that also deftly satirizes the media circus.
With her background in media, The Famous Ashley Grant brings a unique perspective to this particular musical classic. We’ll dive into the movie’s themes of sensationalism, publicity, and the court of public opinion. After all, Chicago is all about “the old razzle-dazzle.”
Of course, we will rank our top songs from its iconic soundtrack, which features unforgettable tunes like “Cell Block Tango” and “All That Jazz.” Plus, we discuss standout performances, choreography, and how Chicago set the stage for modern movie musicals.
So, was Chicago guilty of stealing our hearts, or is it all just a smoke-and-mirrors act? Hit play and find out! 5-6-7-8…
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The hills are alive with the sound of podcasting! On this episode of Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr., we celebrate one of the most beloved musicals in cinematic history, 1965’s The Sound of Music.
Directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, this Rodgers and Hammerstein adaptation became an instant classic, winning five Academy Awards (including Best Picture). Robert is joined by Phoenix Clouden of Curtain To Curtain to explore why this iconic film has remained one of the best movie musicals.
We discuss Julie Andrews’ unforgettable portrayal of Maria von Trapp and compare it to her other legendary role in Mary Poppins, which was released just the previous year. Robert and Phoenix also break down the film’s enduring themes of family, resilience, and standing up against oppression, which still feel strikingly relevant in today’s world.
And, of course, no discussion about The Sound of Music would be complete without the music! We each rank our top six songs from the film’s legendary soundtrack, which includes timeless classics like “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss,” and the title track. Which of the movie’s beloved tracks will soar its way onto our list?
What makes The Sound of Music such an enduring treasure? Tune in as we revisit this cinematic masterpiece and unpack why it continues to “climb every mountain” in pop culture six decades since its release.
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For this episode of Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr., we raise a glass—L’Chaim!—to one of the most celebrated musicals of all time.
Robert is joined by Pete Abeyta of Middle Class Film Class to dive into 1971’s Fiddler on the Roof, Norman Jewison’s sweeping adaptation of the beloved Broadway show. With Topol’s unforgettable performance as Tevye and a soundtrack full of iconic songs, the film captures a family, a village, and an entire way of life on the brink of change.
We explore Fiddler on the Roof’s enduring cultural impact, its powerful themes of tradition versus progress, and how its story still resonates decades later. And, of course, we each rank our top six songs from the film because what’s a discussion about Fiddler on the Roof without a little “Tradition”? Is there an ultimate Fiddler anthem?
Does Fiddler on the Roof strike a chord with modern audiences? Join us as we unpack this iconic film because “there is no other hand.”
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Rejoicify! Close Watch is back with the first Crooked Table podcast of 2025. As we continue talking movie musicals, we’re off to see the wizard with the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation of all time.
Lauren Knight of That Movie Is Fine joins us to discuss Wicked: Part I (2024), the first of Jon M. Chu's ambitious two-part adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. This long-awaited cinematic spectacle brings the untold story of the Witches of Oz to the big screen, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with all the magic and melodies fans have been waiting for.
We unpack the film’s dazzling visuals, powerhouse performances, and how it translates the beloved stage production to the silver screen. Plus, we’ll discuss which songs from the film had us “dancing through life.” Expect lively discussions examining the cultural impact of Wicked, a dash of “Popular” perspectives, and insights that just might have you looking at Wicked from a whole new angle.
Did Wicked: Part I “defy gravity” for you? Join us and let us know which moments you’re holding space for. Plus, stay tuned… we just might return to Oz when Wicked: For Good arrives later this year.
Although its sister show Franchise Detours has been trucking along, the feed for Close Watch has been deafening quiet throughout 2024. But fear not, dear listener, the podcast is far from over. In fact, ahead of its triumphant return in 2025, here's another in our series on movie musicals.
Rachel Wagner of Rachel's Reviews joins Close Watch to dive into Lin-Manuel Miranda’s directorial debut tick, tick… BOOM!. We'll discuss how the 2021 film breaks movie musical conventions, how it cements the legacy of Jonathan Larson, and why Rachel personally connects to its story.
Thanks to its distinct structure and style, tick, tick… BOOM! has captivated fans with its portrayal of artistic ambition and the pressures of creative life. Andrew Garfield’s Oscar-nominated performance as Larson, of course, anchors the film, which serves as a love letter to artists and their process.
If you’re a fan of tick, tick… BOOM! or interested in the plight of the creative process, this episode is a perfect encapsulation of how Miranda and Garfield celebrate Larson's life and career as well as theater life and artists everywhere. Close Watch will return in 2025 with more movie musicals.
In a harmonious double feature, Close Watch continues venturing through the world of movie musicals with an in-depth breakdown of both the 1961 classic West Side Story and Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake. Does the Oscar-winning original still hold up, and was its update worth the creative risk?
Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast joins us in this melodic journey through two versions of Maria and Tony's love story. We'll explore the rich history of the original film and how it laid the foundation for modern musicals. Then, we'll dive into the reimagined 2021 adaptation and how it measures up.
These two films have left an indelible mark on the musical genre, and in a conversation nearly as long as the movies themselves, we discuss their impact on the genre, the timeless themes of love and conflict, and how they've resonated with audiences over the decades.
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Every episode, Close Watch gives us the chance to get to know our guest through the movie they love. But more recently, the show has sharpened its focus on the wide world of movie musicals. And after the man-eating plant of Little Shop of Horrors and the cultural celebration of In the Heights, musical icon Gene Kelly has officially entered the chat.
Philip Boone of the Ultimate Gilmore Girls Movie Night podcast joins us to discuss 1951's An American in Paris. We'll discuss where it fits into Kelly's filmography, how it compares to fellow classics Singin' in the Rain and On the Town, and why -- despite winning six Academy Awards, including Best Picture -- An American in Paris remains underrated.
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Way back in 2020, a few hardcore Hamilfans -- including this episode's guest -- united for the first-ever Crooked Roundtable to talk up the Disney+ release of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony-winning musical Hamilton. Now, at last, loyal listeners get the long-awaited spiritual sequel to that discussion.
On this episode, Close Watch continues its year-long analysis of movie musicals as The Lady-Wan of Screen Run joins us to talk 2021's In the Heights. Based on Miranda's other Tony-winning musical, the film follows a group of largely Latinx characters in New York's Washington Heights.
We'll discuss why In the Heights underperformed at the box office, how it thematically matches up with Hamilton, and why director Jon M. Chu's film deserved better. Plus, we'll count down our favorite In the Heights songs in a brand-new edition of Let's Talk About SIX!
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It's 2023, and Close Watch has a song in its heart this year. For the next year, we're dedicating this podcast to movie musicals. Every month, the show will feature at least one episode in which Rob and a guest go in-depth on a beloved movie musical. And what better way to celebrate one of cinema's most beloved genres than with a man-eating plant from outer space?!
Film critic Morgan Roberts joins the show to discuss 1986's Little Shop of Horrors starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Steve Martin. We'll discuss the elite group of movie musicals the Frank Oz-directed film belongs to, the staggering puppetry that brings Audrey II to life, and explore why some of our favorite movie musicals go to some very dark places.
So shimmy downtown to the little flower shop on the corner for a glimpse at the strange and unusual plant in the window. Just don't feed the plants!
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After UHF, "Weird Al" Yankovic fans faced a wait of more than three decades for another movie featuring the musical icon. And finally, along comes Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Starring Daniel Radcliffe as "The Weird One" himself, the movie pokes fun at Yankovic's life and career as well as the very notion that someone would make a biopic about him.
Lauren Carey of the Beer'd Al Podcast joins us to discuss 2022's Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (a movie she and Rob willed into being). We'll cover whether The Roku Channel original movie met our expectations, how it connects back to the criminally under-seen 1985 mockumentary The Compleat Al, and what we want Yankovic to do next in a post-Weird world.
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Cate Blanchett might be poised to win a third Academy Award for her performance in Tár. But more than two decades ago, the actor -- who was already well on her way to becoming one of the best actors of her generation -- co-starred with Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton in an under-seen crime comedy-drama. And unsurprisingly, she steals the film.
The Famous Ashley Grant joins us to discuss 2001's Bandits from director Barry Levinson. We'll talk about Blanchett's mesmerizing turn as the hostage who comes in between two bank robbers (Willis, Thornton), how the movie's treatment of romance is so progressive, and we'll name-check our favorite Willis movies in a new edition of Let's Talk About SIX.
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Some movies are too big to cover in a single conversation. Cloud Atlas -- the 2012 epic directed by the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer -- is definitely such a movie. So to celebrate the film's tenth anniversary, we invited Brian Skutle of the Sonic Cinema Podcast to help us dig into the movie and its ensemble cast, which includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, and Jim Broadbent.
In this first half of a massive two-part crossover event, Brian joins us to discuss the audacious production that was Cloud Atlas, its controversial casting choices, its six interwoven stories, and its grand themes. Plus, the thrilling return of Let's Talk About SIX sees Rob and Brian rank their six favorite Wachowski-led projects, from Bound to The Matrix Resurrections!
Stay tuned to the Sonic Cinema Podcast for Part 2 of our Cloud Atlas chat, as Rob swings by to discuss how Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, and Reinhold Heil's score informs the movie's story.
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Some movies are too big to cover in a single conversation. Cloud Atlas -- the 2012 epic directed by the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer -- is definitely such a movie. So to celebrate the film's tenth anniversary, we invited Brian Skutle of the Sonic Cinema Podcast to help us dig into the movie and its ensemble cast, which includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, and Jim Broadbent.
In this first half of a massive two-part crossover event, Brian joins us to discuss the audacious production that was Cloud Atlas, its controversial casting choices, its six interwoven stories, and its grand themes. Plus, the thrilling return of Let's Talk About SIX sees Rob and Brian rank their six favorite Wachowski-led projects, from Bound to The Matrix Resurrections!
Stay tuned to the Sonic Cinema Podcast for Part 2 of our Cloud Atlas chat, as Rob swings by to discuss how Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, and Reinhold Heil's score informs the movie's story.
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Unless superheroes, hobbits, or boy wizards are involved, fantasy films are all too rare these days. But in the 1980s, the genre was thriving on the big screen. Filmmakers coupled state-of-the-art visual effects with puppetry, make-up, and good ol' movie magic to create worlds fans could previously only imagine. Director Ron Howard's 1988 film Willow is one such film.
Featuring a story by George Lucas, Willow was the filmmaker's blatant attempt to tell a story like The Lord of the Rings. And with the new Disney+ sequel series right around the corner, Jeremiah Stewart of the Let's Talk YouTube channel joins the show to remind listeners why they should revisit Willow. We'll discuss how the movie inspired Jeremiah's own interest, the greatness of star Warwick Davis, and what we want out of the new show.
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Unless superheroes, hobbits, or boy wizards are involved, fantasy films are all too rare these days. But in the 1980s, the genre was thriving on the big screen. Filmmakers coupled state-of-the-art visual effects with puppetry, make-up, and good ol' movie magic to create worlds fans could previously only imagine. Director Ron Howard's 1988 film Willow is one such film.
Featuring a story by George Lucas, Willow was the filmmaker's blatant attempt to tell a story like The Lord of the Rings. And with the new Disney+ sequel series right around the corner, Jeremiah Stewart of the Let's Talk YouTube channel joins the show to remind listeners why they should revisit Willow. We'll discuss how the movie inspired Jeremiah's own interest, the greatness of star Warwick Davis, and what we want out of the new show.
Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media:
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Unless superheroes, hobbits, or boy wizards are involved, fantasy films are all too rare these days. But in the 1980s, the genre was thriving on the big screen. Filmmakers coupled state-of-the-art visual effects with puppetry, make-up, and good ol' movie magic to create worlds fans could previously only imagine. Director Ron Howard's 1988 film Willow is one such film.
Featuring a story by George Lucas, Willow was the filmmaker's blatant attempt to tell a story like The Lord of the Rings. And with the new Disney+ sequel series right around the corner, Jeremiah Stewart of the Let's Talk YouTube channel joins the show to remind listeners why they should revisit Willow. We'll discuss how the movie inspired Jeremiah's own interest, the greatness of star Warwick Davis, and what we want out of the new show.
Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media:
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Unless superheroes, hobbits, or boy wizards are involved, fantasy films are all too rare these days. But in the 1980s, the genre was thriving on the big screen. Filmmakers coupled state-of-the-art visual effects with puppetry, make-up, and good ol' movie magic to create worlds fans could previously only imagine. Director Ron Howard's 1988 film Willow is one such film.
Featuring a story by George Lucas, Willow was the filmmaker's blatant attempt to tell a story like The Lord of the Rings. And with the new Disney+ sequel series right around the corner, Jeremiah Stewart of the Let's Talk YouTube channel joins the show to remind listeners why they should revisit Willow. We'll discuss how the movie inspired Jeremiah's own interest, the greatness of star Warwick Davis, and what we want out of the new show.
Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media:
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Unless superheroes, hobbits, or boy wizards are involved, fantasy films are all too rare these days. But in the 1980s, the genre was thriving on the big screen. Filmmakers coupled state-of-the-art visual effects with puppetry, make-up, and good ol' movie magic to create worlds fans could previously only imagine. Director Ron Howard's 1988 film Willow is one such film.
Featuring a story by George Lucas, Willow was the filmmaker's blatant attempt to tell a story like The Lord of the Rings. And with the new Disney+ sequel series right around the corner, Jeremiah Stewart of the Let's Talk YouTube channel joins the show to remind listeners why they should revisit Willow. We'll discuss how the movie inspired Jeremiah's own interest, the greatness of star Warwick Davis, and what we want out of the new show.
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Cinema -- like all art forms -- is wholly subjective. And within that, comedy is perhaps most subjective of all. That being said, 1980's Airplane! remains widely considered one of the funniest movies of all time. So as Close Watch emerges from a lengthy hiatus, we'll take to the skies for an in-depth chat.
On this episode, film critic Albert Lanier returns to break down how Airplane! works not only as a comedy parodying the disaster films of the 1970s but also as an adaptation of the 1957 film Zero Hour. We'll discuss the most unforgettable jokes and most iconic performances, and answer once and for all whether Airplane! is indeed the funniest movie ever made.
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It's showtime. Close Watch kicks off a new year with the "ghost with the most" himself. Tim Burton's 1988 comedy Beetlejuice made mega-stars out of both Burton and Michael Keaton ahead of their next film, Batman.
On this episode, Bri Azmoudeh of the Geeky Waffle Network's new podcast, Killer Waffles, joins the show to talk about why Bri connected so strongly to Beetlejuice, its balance of horror and comedy, and a possible sequel.
SYNOPSIS
After Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die in a car accident, they find themselves stuck haunting their country residence, unable to leave the house. When the unbearable Deetzes (Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey Jones) and teen daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder) buy the home, the Maitlands attempt to scare them away without success. Their efforts attract Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), a rambunctious spirit whose "help" quickly becomes dangerous for the Maitlands and innocent Lydia.
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The Dark Universe might have been dead on arrival, but 1999's The Mummy remains just as beloved as ever. More than two decades later, fans continue to revisit Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz's sweeping adventure.
On this episode, Catherine Gonzales of Latinx Lens joins the show as we talk about the film's influence on modern blockbusters, its iconic cast of unforgettable characters, and how well it holds up by today's standards.
SYNOPSIS
The Mummy is a rousing, suspenseful and horrifying epic about an expedition of treasure-seeking explorers in the Sahara Desert in 1925. Stumbling upon an ancient tomb, the hunters unwittingly set loose a 3,000-year-old legacy of terror, which is embodied in the vengeful reincarnation of an Egyptian priest who had been sentenced to an eternity as one of the living dead.
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Call him The Dude, His Dudeness, El Duder, or even El Duderino (if you're not into the whole brevity thing). Whatever you call Jeff Bridge's loveable hipster hero in The Big Lebowski, he's certainly become a cinematic icon.
This episode, Kerri Jones joins the show to help us break down the ethos of The Dude, what it has to say about the culture (and counter-culture), and why so many fans seem ready and willing to convert to Dudeism.
SYNOPSIS
Jeff "The Dude" Leboswki (Jeff Bridges) is mistaken for Jeffrey Lebowski (Charles Durning), who is The Big Lebowski. In search of justice, The Dude tracks down his namesake, who offers him a job. His wife (Tara Reid) has been kidnapped, and he needs a reliable bagman. Aided and hindered by his pals Walter Sobchak (John Goodman), a Vietnam vet, and Donny (Steve Buscemi).
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Who needs parents when there's adventure? That seemed to be the philosophy of fantasy films in the 1980s. And as it turns out, 1981's Time Bandits might be the granddaddy of all those fan-favorite cult classics.
JC from the Screen Fix podcast joins the show as we talk about how Time Bandits influenced fantasy-adventure films, what the movie really says about childhood versus adult, and that completely bonkers ending.
SYNOPSIS
Young history buff Kevin (Craig Warnock) can scarcely believe it when six dwarfs emerge from his closet one night. Former employees of the Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson), they've purloined a map charting all of the holes in the fabric of time and are using it to steal treasures from different historical eras. Taking Kevin with them, they variously drop in on Napoleon (Ian Holm), Robin Hood (John Cleese) and King Agamemnon (Sean Connery) before the Supreme Being catches up with them.
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Spike Lee is without a doubt one of the most essential filmmakers of his generation. And 1989's Do the Right Thing is widely considered his masterpiece. So this episode, we're giving this indelible classic its due.
David Snyder joins the show as we discuss Lee's ground-breaking use of hip hop in the film, his stellar ensemble cast, and how Do the Right Thing balances a variety of tones to create something wholly unique.
SYNOPSIS
Salvatore "Sal" Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.
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The Wicker Man has gotten a bad rap in recent years, thanks to the widely ridiculed 2006 remake starring Nicolas Cage. But this episode, we're setting aside the "not the bees!" jokes for a closer look at the original 1973 classic.
Amy Otero joins the show to go in-depth on The Wicker Man. We'll discuss its representation of pagan culture, how it uses folk music, and its influence on horror. Who is the real villain of director Robin Hardy's movie?
SYNOPSIS
Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents' frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow (Britt Ekland), daughter of the island magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). The more Sergeant Howie learns about the islanders' strange practices, the closer he gets to tracking down the missing child.
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Considering The First Wives Club earned $100 million in 1996, it's remarkable how little people seem to discuss it. This episode, Phoenix Clouden of the Film Code Podcast helps us fix that. As the movie celebrates its 25th anniversary, now is the perfect time to celebrate the iconic performances from Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton.
Even as a child, Phoenix found himself drawn into the story of three women of a certain age contending with their duplicitous ex-husbands. We'll discuss why The First Wives Club is so much deeper than it seems, which of the three leading ladies we relate to the most, and whether we'd want to see a sequel reuniting Hawn, Midler, and Keaton even now.
Join us as we officially call this meeting of The First Wives Club to order.
SYNOPSIS
Despondent over her ex-husband's marriage to a younger woman, a middle-aged divorcée (Stockard Channing) plunges to her death. At her funeral, her former college friends (Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton) reunite. When they discover the reason for their friend's suicide, they realize their ex-husbands have taken them for granted. Deciding it's time for revenge, they make a pact to get back at their exes.
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General audiences might remember Alex Proyas' 1994 movie The Crow for the tragic on-set death of star Brandon Lee. Yet, despite that infamous incident -- or, perhaps, in part because of it -- the film -- based on the comics by James O'Barr -- inspired a cult following that endures today. And this episode, Brian Skutle of the Sonic Cinema Podcast helps us discuss why.
Normally, The Crow would have been a contender for our sister podcast, Franchise Detours. However, Proyas' film tells a standalone story. And besides, Brian's love for this film certainly merits the Close Watch treatment. We'll discuss what The Crow means to him, how its genre-blending tone sets it apart, and what most people misunderstand about it.
Join us as we journey back to the alternative music, goth aesthetic, and pre-MCU comic book movies of the 1990s as we take flight with The Crow.
SYNOPSIS
The night before his wedding, musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and his fiancée are brutally murdered by gang members. On the anniversary of their death, Eric rises from the grave and becomes a supernatural avenger. Tracking down the thugs responsible for the crimes and mercilessly murdering them, Eric eventually confronts head gangster Top Dollar (Michael Wincott) to complete his macabre mission.
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Shane Black is a name that tends to elicit either unbridled enthusiasm or consternation from moviegoers. Black started out as an actor before hitting it big as the legendary screenwriter of Lethal Weapon. Then in 2005, he made the leap to directing his own scripts. And this episode, Thomas Greene of Movies After Work joins us to discuss Black's directorial debut, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stars a pre-Iron Man Robert Downey Jr., a post-Batman Val Kilmer, and a star-making turn by Michelle Monaghan. The film's blend of noir subject matter and buddy cop energy turned it into a cult classic for some, despite its box office underperformance. But Thomas and I will delve into how it was a pivotal movie for not only those involved but him as well.
We'll discuss how accurately Black captures the Los Angeles scene, why the movie impacted Thomas' own writing, and which of the movie's three lead performances ultimately steals the movie.
SYNOPSIS
Two-bit crook Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) stumbles into an audition for a mystery film while on the run from the cops. Winning the part, he lands in Hollywood, where he's flung into a tangled, murderous conspiracy with his childhood sweetheart, Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan), and hard-boiled private eye Perry van Shrike (Val Kilmer).
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Even some fans of animated films need to brush up on their anime. Such was the case when Rachel Wagner of Rachel's Reviews stopped by the show. A self-professed ambassador of Makoto Shinkai's 2016 film Your Name, Rachel joined us to discuss the film. And the conversation -- just like Your Name itself -- went some unexpected places along the way.
Your Name blends comedy, fantasy, romance, sci-fi, and drama into one distinctive subversion of the body-swap concept. Listen in as Rachel and I discuss what the movie says about spirituality, connection, and gender identity. We'll even discuss the in-development live-action remake and the state of animated films in Hollywood. By the end, you'll know Your Name.
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Everyone familiar with 1989's Field of Dreams knows that "if you build it, he will come." But is the same true if you podcast about it? Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast helps us test that theory with an in-depth chat about writer-director Phil Alden Robinson's iconic sports film starring Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster.
Field of Dreams has a reputation for being a film that emotionally resonates with its audiences. Listen in as Darin shares the personal story behind his love for the movie. We'll discuss why he watches it annually, how it's not really a baseball movie, and why James Horner deserves so much credit for the film's success. So lace up and join us as we run onto the Field of Dreams.
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The era of the Crooked Table Podcast ends with a bang as we discuss Martin Scorsese's 1990 crime drama Goodfellas. Jason from Binge Movies joins the show as we break down the film's legacy, its place in Scorsese's legendary filmography, and Goodfellas' Best Picture loss to Dances with Wolves.
Stay tuned in mid-July for the first episode of Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. Or check out our sister show, Franchise Detours, also coming soon wherever you listen to podcasts.
SYNOPSIS A young man grows up in the mob and works very hard to advance himself through the ranks. He enjoys his life of money and luxury but is oblivious to the horror that he causes. A drug addiction and a few mistakes ultimately unravel his climb to the top. Based on the book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi.
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Over the years, cinema and sports have crossed paths countless times. But it takes something very special to stand out in the genre. And for an entire generation, Rudy represents the ultimate underdog story. Starring Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings), the film tells the inspiring true story of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger.
Philip Boone of Sports Flix, Just Give Us Clix joins the show to share his own longtime love for Rudy. We'll discuss why the 1993 movie has become such a classic, whether we would be able to persist in Rudy's situation, and how Jerry Goldsmith's score is so integral to the stirring earnestness that so many fans hold dear.
SYNOPSIS Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) wants to play football at the University of Notre Dame but has neither the money for tuition nor the grades to qualify for a scholarship. Rudy redoubles his efforts to get out of the steel mill where his father works when his best friend (Christopher Reed) dies in an accident there. Overcoming his dyslexia thanks to his friend and tutor, D-Bob (Jon Favreau), Rudy gains admission to Notre Dame and begins to fight his way onto the school's fabled football team.
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The final round of Crooked Table Podcast episodes -- prior to the rebranding, at least -- continues. And of course, we had to tap into the red-headed step-child of Marvel Comics movies: 1986's Howard the Duck. The first full-length movie based on a Marvel character, the movie was an infamous box office and critical disaster? But have its feathers been unjustly ruffled?
Jamie Williams returns to the show to help us break down Howard the Duck. We'll discuss the movie's reputation, how it affected stars Lea Thompson and Tim Robbins, and the behind-the-scenes drama that led to one of cinema's most notorious movies. We'll even make a case for why Marvel Studios should consider giving Howard the Duck a second shot at the big screen.
SYNOPSIS In this film based on the Marvel Comics character, Howard the Duck (voiced by Chip Zien) is suddenly beamed from Duckworld, a planet of intelligent ducks with arms and legs, to Earth, where he lands in Cleveland. There he saves rocker Beverly (Lea Thompson) from thugs and forms a friendship with her. She introduces him to Phil (Tim Robbins), who works at a lab with scientist Dr. Jenning (Jeffrey Jones). When the doctor attempts to return Howard to his world, Jenning instead transfers an evil spirit into his own body.
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For years, CinemaSins has taken the movies to task with its popular videos cheekily tackling "everything wrong with" the movies. However, with billions of views and millions of subscribers, even critics can't deny the success of CinemaSins. Jeremy Scott -- the YouTube channel's co-founder and the "voice of CinemaSins" -- has found the perfect outlet for his passion for cinema.
Now fans of Jeremy's irreverent "takedowns" of Hollywood hits discover the story of how he developed his love for movies. His new book, Original Sin: From Preacher’s Kid to the Creator of CinemaSins (released May 18), chronicles his rise from movie theater employee to viral sensation. And Jeremy joined the Crooked Table Podcast to tell us what readers can expect.
In addition, we'll discuss the precarious, post-pandemic state of cinema, his long-term plan for CinemaSins, the biggest sin he sees in movies today, and whether he struggled to tear into one of his favorite movies. So listen to our interview with Jeremy Scott. Then be sure to pick up a copy of his book, Original Sin, available May 18 wherever books are sold.
SHOW NOTES CinemaSins' Everything Wrong with The Room
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Few films released in the 21st century have as universal a reputation as David Lynch's 2001 thriller Mulholland Drive. To that end, a celebration of the film and its 20th anniversary hardly qualifies as "the world of film from a fresh angle." Yet, the movie's surrealistic tone and multi-layered tale likely flew under the radar for some mainstream moviegoers.
So listen in as returning guest Albert Lanier lays out what he believes to be the "Lynch pin" to understanding Mulholland Drive. In this episode, we'll compare interpretations of the film's final act, discuss its origin as a TV pilot, and attempt to decipher one of cinema's most inscrutable minds.
"There is no band," at Club Silencio. But here is an entire discussion all about Lynch's critically lauded, Oscar-nominated masterpiece: Mulholland Drive.
SYNOPSIS A dark-haired woman (Laura Elena Harring) is left amnesiac after a car crash. After wandering the streets of Los Angeles, she takes refuge in an apartment. There she is discovered by Betty (Naomi Watts), a wholesome Midwestern blonde who has come to the City of Angels seeking fame as an actress. Together, the two attempt to solve the mystery of Rita's true identity.
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Come one, come Al! After 2020, things were bound to get weird. So we kick off 2021 with the only logical episode: "Weird Al" Yankovic's one and only big-screen starring role, 1989's cult comedy UHF. Lauren Carey of the Beer'd Al Podcast joins the show to talk about the film's legacy, its impact on Al's career, and whether UHF is an effective entry point for new fans.
So don't change the channel. And don't touch that dial. This week, the Crooked Table Podcast has got it all on UHF.
SYNOPSIS After losing yet another job, George ("Weird Al" Yankovic) wonders if there is any career that can handle his outrageous personality. When George's uncle (Stanley Brock) hands him the deed to a local TV station, George creates a series of television shows based on social satire and hyperactive humor, with the help of his best friend, Bob (David Bowe). However, a rival station's bitter CEO (Kevin McCarthy) tries to destroy George's wacky programming, forcing him to fight back.
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It ends tonight. Yup, it's time for part 2 of our discussion on The Matrix sequels. Jackson Smith is back to talk The Matrix Revolutions. After the Matrix-y hijinks of its predecessor, this third chapter takes a more "real world" approach. But does it deliver a satisfying close to the trilogy? We'll get to all that -- and Hugo Weaving's hammy AF performance -- in the ultimate The Matrix Revolutions discussion.
SYNOPSIS In a dystopia overrun by robots, Neo (Keanu Reeves), mankind's greatest hope, is trapped in a limbo world. Meanwhile, the majority of the planet's population remains in a state of suspended virtual reality. The few humans who are cognizant of the grim realities of the world desperately try to hold off their mechanical enemies long enough for Neo to escape and save the day, but things turn disastrous when all-powerful computer program Smith (Hugo Weaving) arrives in the flesh.
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As we catch up with the remaining chapters of The Matrix trilogy, it seemed like the perfect time to share a bit of bonus content. This episode features a collection of outtakes recorded during our two-part, 100th episode extravaganza on The Matrix with guest Freddy Yaniz.
Until now, this bonus episode was only available to Patreon subscribers. But now as a holiday season treat, we provide it here in the main feed. Stay plugged in for more bonus content in 2021, and check back soon for part 2 of our discussion on The Matrix sequels, covering The Matrix Revolutions.
SYNOPSIS Neo (Keanu Reeves) believes an elusive figure named Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) can answer his question: What is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. They fight a brutal battle for their lives against a cadre of viciously intelligent secret agents. It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life.
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The Matrix has you (again). In this first half of our two-part discussion on the sequels, Jackson Smith -- our own Agent Smith, so to speak -- joins the show to examine The Matrix Reloaded. We'll cover whether the movie is a smooth transition from the first film, its wild action sequences, and why even its haters need to pay The Matrix Reloaded a revisit now.
SYNOPSIS Freedom fighters Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) continue to lead the revolt against the machine army. The trio unleash their arsenal of extraordinary skills and weaponry against the systematic forces of repression and exploitation. In their quest to save the human race from extinction, they gain greater insight into the construct of the Matrix and Neo's pivotal role in the fate of mankind.
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It all ends (finally). But now Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 has brought the saga of The Boy Who Lived to an appropriately epic conclusion. Guest Ryan McQuade returns to the show to help us bid farewell to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and She-Who-Must-Not-Be Named with our very last episode on the Harry Potter series. Coming in 2021: we enter the ring with Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan, and the Rocky franchise!
SYNOPSIS A clash between good and evil awaits as young Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) prepare for a final battle against Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Harry has grown into a steely lad on a mission to rid the world of evil. The friends must search for the Horcruxes that keep the dastardly wizard immortal. Harry and Voldemort meet at Hogwarts for an epic showdown with the forces of darkness.
SHOW NOTES Listen to our Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone episode featuring Bri Azmoudeh of Geeky Girl Gab!
Check out our Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets episode featuring Teri Sears!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban episode featuring Jackson Smith!
Check out our Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire episode featuring Freddy Yaniz!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix episode featuring Amy Otero!
Check out our Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince episode featuring Kai Yaniz!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 episode featuring Lyndsey Cole!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has to be one of the most adapted literary works of all time. But the story of Ebenezer Scrooge has never been told quite like this. Bill Murray leads a "modern" take on Dickens' work in 1988's Scrooged. And Kim Stock Foster brings the holiday classic to the Table to explain why the movie's poignant message and comedic sensibility makes Scrooged her favorite Christmas movie.
SYNOPSIS In this modern take on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life, Claire Phillips (Karen Allen). But after firing a staff member, Eliot Loudermilk (Bobcat Goldthwait), on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past.
SHOW NOTES
*Donate to Stand Down this holiday season: https://standown.org/***
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Nowadays, martial arts feel like a distinct part of the fabric of Hollywood action movies. But that wasn't always the case. In fact, if not for Bruce Lee and his iconic 1973 hit Enter the Dragon, the state of the entertainment industry might look a whole lot different.
Robert Dean joins the show to take a look at how Enter the Dragon has held up since its release. We'll discuss how influential the movie has proven to be, how it captures Lee's own personal philosophy, and whether it would have kicked off a movie series if Lee had lived longer.
So grab some nunchucks and brace yourselves for the virtuosity of Bruce Lee in his most famous role, the unforgettable Enter the Dragon.
SYNOPSIS Lee (Bruce Lee) is a martial artist determined to capture the criminal whose gang caused his sister's death. Lee enters a kung fu competition, attempting to fight his way to the dealer's headquarters with the help of some friends.
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2020 is nearing a close. And with it, the Crooked Table Podcast is almost finished with its ill-timed deep dive into the Harry Potter franchise. In 2010's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, the stakes have never been higher. We knew a fresh perspective was required to deliver the exciting, frank conversation this series of episodes needs.
And so Lyndsey Cole joins the show to break down whether this penultimate Harry Potter adventure achieves the epic scope it aims for. We'll discuss which young star is actually the weakest of the three actors, how Deathly Hallows Part 1 emphasizes character over action, and what sequence is perhaps the best bit of filmmaking in the entire series.
The ultimate battle of good and evil -- or at least the lead-up to it -- is afoot. So pull a chair up to the Table and join us for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
SYNOPSIS Without the guidance and protection of their professors, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) begin a mission to destroy the Horcruxes, the sources of Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) immortality. Though they must rely on one another more than ever, dark forces threaten to tear them apart. Voldemort's Death Eaters have seized control of the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, and they are searching for Harry -- even as he and his friends prepare for the ultimate showdown.
SHOW NOTES Listen to our Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone episode featuring Bri Azmoudeh of Geeky Girl Gab!
Check out our Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets episode featuring Teri Sears!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban episode featuring Jackson Smith!
Check out our Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire episode featuring Freddy Yaniz!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix episode featuring Amy Otero!
Check out our Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince episode featuring Kai Yaniz!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on Apple Podcasts so that you never miss a moment!
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When the podcast relaunched in December 2018, it did so with the goal of bringing new voices -- and therefore a wide range of movies -- to the forefront. That's certainly the case with this episode, which highlights the unjustly forgotten 1954 release Salt of the Earth. The movie has since fallen into the public domain and is available to watch on YouTube.
Rosa Parra of Latinx Lens joins the show to discuss why Salt of the Earth is such a vital part of cinema history. We'll discuss how the movie involved real-life miners in the production, why its feminist perspective is still progressive by today's standards, and whether the film suffers because it is not directed by a Latin filmmaker.
So fill out the blind spot you didn't even know you had by checking out director Herbert J. Biberman's Salt of the Earth.
SYNOPSIS At New Mexico's Empire Zinc mine, Mexican-American workers protest the unsafe work conditions and unequal wages compared to their Anglo counterparts. Ramon Quintero (Juan Chacón) helps organize the strike but is similarly unfair to his pregnant wife, Esperanza (Rosaura Revueltas). When an injunction stops the men from protesting, however, the gender roles are reversed, and the women find themselves on the picket lines.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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Even though we just covered Hamilton in our first-ever Crooked Roundtable, we're not quite ready to move on from musicals just yet. So this episode, we're discussing one of the most beloved big-screen musicals of all time: 1952's Singin' in the Rain starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds.
Ryan McQuade returns to the show to help us break down why Singin' in the Rain is such a joyous and unforgettable experience. We'll discuss the behind-the-scenes drama, how the film comments on real-life cinema history, and -- of course -- the indelible music, many of which debuted in earlier films.
So put your dancing shoes on, grab an umbrella, and get ready to tap your way through that shower with Singin' in the Rain.
SYNOPSIS When silent films begin to transition to "talkies," everyone has trouble adapting. Don (Gene Kelly) and Lina (Jean Hagen) have been cast repeatedly as a romantic couple. But when their latest film is remade into a musical, only Don has the voice for the new singing part. After a lot of practice with a diction coach, Lina still sounds terrible. Kathy (Debbie Reynolds) -- a bright young aspiring actress -- is hired to record over her voice.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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Even though we just covered Hamilton in our first-ever Crooked Roundtable, we're not quite ready to move on from musicals just yet. So this episode, we're discussing one of the most beloved big-screen musicals of all time: 1952's Singin' in the Rain starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds.
Ryan McQuade returns to the show to help us break down why Singin' in the Rain is such a joyous and unforgettable experience. We'll discuss the behind-the-scenes drama, how the film comments on real-life cinema history, and -- of course -- the indelible music, many of which debuted in earlier films.
So put your dancing shoes on, grab an umbrella, and get ready to tap your way through that shower with Singin' in the Rain.
SYNOPSIS When silent films begin to transition to "talkies," everyone has trouble adapting. Don (Gene Kelly) and Lina (Jean Hagen) have been cast repeatedly as a romantic couple. But when their latest film is remade into a musical, only Don has the voice for the new singing part. After a lot of practice with a diction coach, Lina still sounds terrible. Kathy (Debbie Reynolds) -- a bright young aspiring actress -- is hired to record over her voice.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on Apple Podcasts so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Reach Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter at @crookedtable.
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We were willing to wait for it. Now the time has finally come to cover the Disney+ release of Hamilton. But how best to commemorate the "ten-dollar Founding Father without a father"? Surely, with the pop cultural impact of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony-winning musical, we wouldn't be satisfied with just another regular episode.
Instead, we assembled a panel of epic Hamilfans to blow our listeners away. In our first-ever Crooked Roundtable discussion, Michael Hinman, Candace Kaw, Mandy Lake, and The Lady-Wan talked non-stop about everything Hamilton. We'll discuss whether Aaron Burr (sir) is really the show's villain, how Miranda turned the world upside down with an introduction to hip hop history, and why we're all helpless to stop ourselves from obsessing over this epic musical.
So strap in for a two-part deep dive into how Miranda used rhyme and American history to tell a moving tale of legacy and created a phenomenon in Hamilton.
SYNOPSIS Filmed from the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York, the original Broadway production of the award-winning musical tells the story of Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda) -- first secretary of the U.S. treasury -- blending hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway styles.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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It's the most terror-filled time of the year. This episode, we're taking a look at one of the most influential horror films of the 2000s: James Wan's 2004 release Saw. In addition to seven (soon-to-be eight) sequels, the film kickstarted Wan's directing career long before Insidious, The Conjuring, Furious 7, and Aquaman. But is Saw just a disposable bit of "torture porn" like so many of its imitators?
Lucy Buglass joins the show to help us tear into that very question. We'll discuss how Saw serves as a springboard for not only Wan but also screenwriter/star Leigh Whannell (The Invisible Man). And we'll consider whether the first film's legacy is upheld by its sequel. We'll even ask the question everyone has been wondering for the better part of 20 years: did Saw invent escape rooms?
So keep your pig mask handy, queue up your creepy puppets, and prepare yourself for a modern horror classic. We want to play a game. And it's Saw.
SYNOPSIS Photographer Adam Stanheight (Leigh Whannell) and oncologist Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) regain consciousness while chained to pipes at either end of a filthy bathroom. As the two men realize they've been trapped by a sadistic serial killer nicknamed "Jigsaw" and must complete his perverse puzzle to live, flashbacks relate the fates of his previous victims. Meanwhile, Dr. Gordon's wife (Monica Potter) and young daughter (Makenzie Vega) are forced to watch his torture via closed-circuit video.
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The end is drawing nearer as our ill-timed Harry Potter series trudges ahead. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince may opt for love-potion hijinks over grim flashbacks. But the movie still gives audiences a delightful turn by Oscar winner Jim Broadbent, potions galore, and a taste of the Harry-Dumbledore buddy movie we could have gotten instead.
Kai Yaniz returns to the show after reading the books for the first time just a year ago. And she has some thoughts on how director David Yates adapts the source material. We'll cover Draco Malfoy's moral dilemma, Voldemort's dark past, and how Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince keys up the epic two-part conclusion to The Boy Who Lived's magical saga.
SYNOPSIS As Death Eaters wreak havoc in the Muggle and Wizard worlds, Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for students. Though Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) suspects there are new dangers lurking within the castle walls, Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) is more intent than ever on preparing the young wizard for the final battle with Voldemort. Meanwhile, teenage hormones run rampant through Hogwarts, presenting a different sort of danger. Love may be in the air, but tragedy looms, and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
SHOW NOTES Listen to our Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone episode featuring Bri Azmoudeh of Geeky Girl Gab!
Check out our Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets episode featuring Teri Sears!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban episode featuring Jackson Smith!
Check out our Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire episode featuring Freddy Yaniz!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix episode featuring Amy Otero!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on Apple Podcasts so that you never miss a moment!
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Christian Bale might have played the Dark Knight for director Christopher Nolan. But his real superpower as an actor is his ability to play cold, emotionally detached characters such as American Psycho's Patrick Bateman. And building off of that iconic performance, Equilibrium thrusts Bale full-on into dystopian sci-fi. But, y'know, with "gunkata."
Returning guest Jon Cohorn previously brought the gun-toting martial arts of John Wick and the underrated sci-fi of Event Horizon to the Table. Now he combines the two with writer-director Kurt Wimmer's 2002 film Equilibrium. And for a film most moviegoers have never even heard of, it has a hell of a lot of relevance to today's world.
SYNOPSIS In a futuristic world, a regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions. Books, art, and music are strictly forbidden, and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Cleric John Preston (Christian Bale) is a top-ranking government agent responsible for destroying those who resist these rules. When he misses a dose of Prozium -- a mind-altering drug that hinders emotion -- Preston, who has been trained to enforce strict laws of the new regime, suddenly becomes the only one capable of overthrowing it.
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Long before Liam Neeson let the world know about his "very particular set of skills," he was Darkman. The cult classic from director Sam Raimi even predates Neeson's Star Wars and Batman Begins days. Yet, in many ways, it feels like it belongs to the initial comic book movie boom of the early 2000s.
Kevin Smith joins the show to discuss why Darkman is such a well-kept secret, how it's a critical turning point for Raimi's career, and why Hollywood should dust off the franchise. We'll also cover Oscar winner Frances McDormand, the late great Larry Drake, and that pink elephant.
He's everyone and no one. Everywhere and nowhere. But this episode, you can call him Darkman.
SYNOPSIS When thugs employed by a crime boss lead a vicious assault on Dr. Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson), leaving him literally and psychologically scarred, an emergency procedure allows him to survive. Upon his recovery, Westlake can find solace only by returning to his scientific work developing synthetic skin, and seeking revenge against the crime boss. He assumes a phantom avenger persona called Darkman, who -- with malleable facial qualities -- is able to infiltrate and sow terror in the criminal community.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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The real-life political climate bleeds into the Wizarding World this week. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is very much a political commentary. So guest Amy Otero and I did our very best to stay focused on the movie at hand. As it turned out, neither of us realized just how relevant director David Yates' first Harry Potter movie would be.
If Year Four represents Harry's loss of innocence, then this next film sees the boy wizard and his friend brave the dark and complex real world for the very first time. We'll talk about how Dumbledore's Army speaks to today's world, why Imelda Staunton's Dolores Umbridge is worse than Lord Voldemort, and what Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) brings to the group.
So get ready to be inducted into a secret society of wizard revolutionaries because darkness is on the rise. It's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
SYNOPSIS Now in his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) learns that many in the wizarding community do not know the truth of his encounter with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Fearing Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) is after his job Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy), minister of magic, appoints Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. But her teaching is deficient and her methods cruel. So Harry prepares a group of students to defend the school against a rising tide of evil.
SHOW NOTES Listen to our Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone episode featuring Bri Azmoudeh of Geeky Girl Gab!
Check out our Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets episode featuring Teri Sears!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban episode featuring Jackson Smith!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire episode featuring Freddy Yaniz!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on Apple Podcasts so that you never miss a moment!
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What comes to mind when you think of John Carpenter? Most people probably go straight to classic horror films like Halloween or The Thing. Or perhaps cult sci-fi thrillers such as Escape from New York and They Live. The point is, we're willing to bet few would think Carpenter had a romantic sci-fi drama in him. And yet Starman exists.
Starring Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen -- who we just covered in our Raiders of the Lost Ark episode -- the 1984 release barely broke even at the box office. Yet, it remains critically beloved and, according to this episode's guest, the ultimate comfort movie during the insanity that is 2020.
JC of Screen Fix joins us to discuss why Starman is a forgotten gem of the 1980s. We'll get into where the unlikely film fits in Carpenter's career, the chemistry between Bridges and Allen, and -- of course -- why Starman shines so very bright in today's world.
So join us as we hitch our crooked wagon to Carpenter's Starman.
SYNOPSIS Answering a NASA message intended, an alien tries to contact mankind, but an American missile grounds his ship. Scrambling, the so-called Starman (Jeff Bridges) inhabits the body of a late Wisconsinite and kidnaps the dead man's widow, Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen). Determined to reunite with a vessel from his home planet at a predetermined site, Starman and Jenny travel to Arizona. Pursued by military officials trying to kill him, Starman forges a lasting bond with Jenny.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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After spending all of 2019 covering the Star Wars saga, we finally crack the whip on George Lucas' other beloved creation finally. Together with director Steven Spielberg and star Harrison Ford, Lucas created one of cinema's most iconic action heroes in Indiana Jones. That's right. This episode, it's all Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Craig Price of Matinee Heroes joins the show to discuss that 1981 adventure film. And along the way, we'll discuss just about everything else about the Indiana Jones series too. From the undeniable impact of Raiders itself to whether director James Mangold (Logan) has what it takes to make the fifth -- and presumable final -- entry in the series.
So listen in as we discuss the original Indy movie and his subsequent adventures too!
SYNOPSIS In this epic tale, an intrepid archaeologist (Harrison Ford) tries to beat a band of Nazis to a unique religious relic which is central to their plans for world domination. Battling against a snake phobia and a vengeful ex-girlfriend (Karen Allen), Indiana Jones is in constant peril, making hair's-breadth escapes at every turn in this celebration of the innocent adventure movies of an earlier era.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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Great Scott! It's time for the Crooked Table Podcast to go Back to the Future! We don't need money, fame, or even a flux capacitor to travel through the space-time continuum to discuss this classic. In fact, while we have the Delorean all fired up at 88mph, we'll even look back at director Robert Zemeckis' entire trilogy.
Vanessa Taylor from The Geeky Waffle helps us tackle the original 1985 sci-fi comedy that introduced audiences to Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). We'll talk about why the movie is so damn perfect, explore whether it's problematic in today's day and age, and reflect on how Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale crafted such an influential trilogy.
So watch out for lightning storms because things are about to get heavy. This episode, it's all about the Back to the Future trilogy! Even if you aren't ready for this episode yet, your kids are going to love it.
SYNOPSIS Back to the Future: In this 1980s sci-fi classic, small-town California teen Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is thrown back into the '50s when an experiment by his eccentric scientist friend Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) goes awry. Traveling through time in a modified DeLorean car, Marty encounters young versions of his parents (Crispin Glover and Lea Thompson), and must make sure that they fall in love or he'll cease to exist. Even more dauntingly, Marty has to return to his own time and save the life of Doc Brown.
Back to the Future Part II: In this zany sequel, time-traveling duo Marty McFly (Fox) and Dr. Emmett Brown (Lloyd) return from saving Marty's future son from disaster, only to discover their own time transformed. In this nightmarish version of Hill Valley, Marty's father has been murdered and Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson), Marty's nemesis, has profited. After uncovering the secret to Biff's success -- a sports almanac from the future -- Marty and the Doc embark on a quest to repair the space-time continuum.
Back to the Future Part III: In this final chapter, Marty McFly (Fox) obtains a 70-year-old message from the time-traveling Dr. Emmett Brown (Lloyd), in which he informs Marty that he has retired to a small town in the Old West. Marty then finds out that the Doc was murdered shortly after sending the letter. In order to save his friend, Marty will have to travel back in time, disentangle a lovestruck Doc from a local schoolmarm (Mary Steenburgen), and repair the DeLorean -- all while avoiding a posse of gunslingers.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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After nearly three decades away from their breakthrough roles, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter return for Bill and Ted Face the Music. Having previously covered Reeves' The Matrix and John Wick, there's no way we were going to pass up this most triumphant opportunity to pull off a Keanu hat trick.
With the help of Chris Scalzo of The First Run podcast, we travel all the way back to 1989 to discuss Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Then, before heading out of the Circuits of Time, we stop off at 1991's Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. Finally, we'll talk about what we hope to get out of the Wyld Stallyns' long-awaited third adventure.
So be excellent to each other, party on, and get ready a trip to Hell and back with Bill, Ted, and the Crooked Table Podcast. In closing... San Dimas High School football rules! Station!
SYNOPSIS Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure: Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) are high school buddies starting a band. However, they are about to fail their history class, which means Ted would be sent to military school. They receive help from Rufus (George Carlin), a traveler from a future where their band is the foundation for a perfect society. With the use of Rufus' time machine, Bill and Ted travel to various points in history, returning with important figures to help them complete their final history presentation.
Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey: Amiable slackers Bill (Winter) and Ted (Reeves) are once again roped into a fantastical adventure. De Nomolos (Joss Ackland), a villain from the future, sends evil robot duplicates of the two lads to terminate and replace them. The robot doubles actually succeed in killing Bill and Ted, but the two are determined to escape the afterlife, challenging the Grim Reaper (William Sadler) to a series of games in order to return to the land of the living.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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It's that time again as we charge through Platform 9 and 3/4 for another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This month, we're taking a look at the fourth entry in the Harry Potter series, 2005's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. As fans know, this is the entry where the stakes really kick into gear, propelling towards the inevitable conclusion.
So to help us break down the pivotal installment of Harry's story, original Crooked Table Podcast co-host Freddy Yaniz joins us. We'll discuss how the film's many shocking twists, why the relationship drama matters, and when exactly viewers are supposed to suspect what's really going on at the Triwizard Tournament.
So grab your Portkey, steer clear of hedge mazes, and sharpen up your Expeliarmus skills as The Boy Who Lived comes face to face with destiny in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!
SYNOPSIS
The fourth Harry Potter movie sees Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along with his friends, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), it's another year of magic and mystery. Hogwarts hosts a tournament between three schools, with one participant selected from each school by the Goblet of Fire. When Harry's name is drawn unexpectedly, he must compete in the dangerous contest.
SHOW NOTES Listen to our Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone episode featuring Bri Azmoudeh of Geeky Girl Gab!
Check out our Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets episode featuring Teri Sears!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban episode featuring Jackson Smith!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on Apple Podcasts so that you never miss a moment!
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The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher! Reach Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter at @crookedtable.
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After decades in the industry, Danny Trejo finally landed his first leading role in 2010. Directed by longtime Trejo collaborator Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis, the wild action movie served as the culmination of Trejo's career up to that point. And they called it Machete.
Based on a fake trailer Rodriguez directed for Grindhouse -- his 2007 double feature with Quentin Tarantino -- Machete leans into exploitation and politically incorrectness with reckless abandon. And the film's effort in capturing the grimy tone of 1970s B-movies is a hell of a good time.
Sandro Falce returns to the show to talk about not only Machete and the whole Grindhouse phenomenon. We'll also cover Rodriguez's even more insane 2013 sequel, Machete Kills. Plus, we throw some wishful energy into the ongoing prospect of the third film, Machete Kills Again... in Space!
So join us as we take a stab at talking all about Machete.
SYNOPSIS Machete: After nearly being killed during a violent fight with a powerful drug lord (Steven Seagal), a former Mexican Federale known as Machete (Danny Trejo) roams Texas streets as a vigilante and sometime day-laborer. Hired to perform a covert hit, he is double-crossed and forced to go on the run. Machete may be down but not out, and he carves a path of blood, bullets, and broken hearts in his quest to settle the score.
Machete Kills: When the U.S. president (Carlos Estevez) has a mission that would be impossible for just any mortal man, the person he needs is Machete (Danny Trejo), a knife-wielding ex-Federale agent. Machete's mission is to take down Voz (Mel Gibson), a madman revolutionary and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has come up with a plot to start a nuclear war. Facing death at every turn from assassins, Machete pulls out all of his skills to get the job done.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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Many critics consider Paul Thomas Anderson one of the greatest living American auteurs. And with 2007's There Will Be Blood, Anderson proved he and Daniel Day-Lewis complement each other's distinctive skill sets. At least for some moviegoers. After all, Anderson's films aren't exactly mainstream crowd-pleasers. Enter 2017's Phantom Thread.
A full decade after their first collaboration, Anderson and Day-Lewis reunited to tell the story of a meticulous dressmaker and the woman who changes his life. Ryan McQuade joins the show to discuss why Phantom Thread is one of his favorite films. We'll discuss the movie's version of romance, its sense of humor, and if it will truly be Day-Lewis' final movie.
So join us as we step inside the House of Woodcock for an in-depth discussion on Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread.
SYNOPSIS Renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his sister Cyril (Lesley Manvile) are at the center of British fashion in 1950s London -- dressing royalty, movie stars, heiresses, socialites, and debutantes. Women come and go in Woodcock's life, providing the confirmed bachelor with inspiration and companionship. His carefully tailored existence soon gets disrupted by Alma (Vicky Krieps), a young and strong-willed woman who becomes his muse and lover.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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Over the years, Kai Yaniz has endured Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Room, and -- most infamously -- Cats. Now Rob finally makes time for our long-awaited Crooked Commentary of Can't Hardly Wait. The 1998 teen comedy was written and directed by Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan. And it also happens to be the perfect encapsulation of the late 1990s.
Join Kai, Rob, and an ensemble cast of up-and-coming young actors for one wild and crazy night. It's Can't Hardly Wait!
SYNOPSIS School's out, and an entire graduating class -- from football stars and cool girls to complete nerds -- gathers at a wealthy classmate's home for a party. There, the artistic Preston (Ethan Embry) hopes to move in on Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt), the beauty he has admired from afar for years. Dorky William (Charlie Korsmo) schemes to pay back meathead Mike (Peter Facinelli) for years of bullying, and would-be rapper Kenny (Seth Green) gets locked in a room with snarky Denise (Lauren Ambrose).
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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Last year, author and vocalist Lori London brought 1945's Christmas in Connecticut to the Table. Now she's back with another Barbara Stanwyck comedy, 1941's Ball of Fire. Featuring an Oscar-nominated lead performance and a screenplay co-written by Billy Wilder, director Howard Hawks' movie deserves to be rediscovered.
Join Lori and I as we discuss how Ball of Fire captures the power of words, why Stanwyck is the perfect choice for the lead role, and how it holds up nearly 80 years after its release. Of course, we'll also talk about Lori's children's book series, The Amazing Adventures of Tripi the Fly, and what the future has in store for the tiny traveler.
So journey with us into a world full of 1940s slang, Stanwyck's crackling chemistry with Gary Cooper, and get ready to roll with laughter as we talk Ball of Fire.
SYNOPSIS Hoping to update his chapter on modern slang, encyclopedia writer Professor Bertram Potts (Gary Cooper) ventures into a chic nightclub. Inside, he meets the snarky burlesque performer "Sugarpuss" O'Shea (Barbara Stanwyck). Fascinated by her command of popular jargon, Potts invites her to stay with him. But, unknown to Potts, she is the fiancée of a mobster (Dana Andrews) and wanted by the police. In the ensuing mayhem, Potts must stay on his toes or be swallowed up by bigger fish.
SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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The Holocaust isn't exactly brimming with comedic potential. But in the right hands, the real-life horrors of World War II can serve a noble cause. In some cases, this harsh setting can underscore the futility of hate and the absurdity of prejudice. Such is the goal of this episode's movie, writer-director Taika Waititi's 2019 Oscar winner Jojo Rabbit.
On her first appearance, Karen Peterson brought Bridget Jones's Diary to the Table. But we had a lot more ground to cover this time. We'll discuss how some moviegoers grossly misunderstood Jojo Rabbit, what Waititi changes in his adaptation of Christine Leunens' 2004 novel Caging Skies, and why Scarlett Johansson is the undisputed heart of the movie.
So brush up on those dance moves, turn up some Bowie, and prepare to tell Hitler to eff off as we launch into 2019's "anti-hate satire" Jojo Rabbit.
SYNOPSIS Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) is a lonely German boy who discovers that his single mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl (Thomas McKenzie) in their attic. Aided only by his imaginary friend -- Adolf Hitler (writer/director Taika Waititi) -- Jojo must confront his blind nationalism as World War II continues to rage on.
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Our year-long journey through the Harry Potter series continues with year three: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. After back-to-back installments from director Chris Columbus, the franchise finally spreads its wings. This is thanks, in large part, to the addition of future Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Roma).
Following our Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith episode, Jackson Smith returns for another fantasy threequel. We'll discuss how Cuarón builds on Columbus' foundation, how Michael Gambon's Dumbledore compares to Richard Harris, and why Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is widely considered the best of the series.
So hop onto the Knight Bus, work on your Patronus charms, and manage your mischief. It's time for our in-depth discussion about Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Next month, we're hitting the Triwizard Tournament for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!
SYNOPSIS Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts starts off badly. The teenage wizard learns deranged killer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison with a deadly mission. Hermione's (Emma Watson) cat torments Ron's (Rupert Grint) sickly rat, causing a rift among the trio. And a swarm of nasty Dementors is sent to protect the school from Black. Meanwhile, a mysterious new teacher helps Harry learn to defend himself, but what is his secret tie to Sirius Black?
SHOW NOTES Listen to our Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone episode featuring Bri Azmoudeh of Geeky Girl Gab!
Listen to our Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets episode featuring Teri Sears!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on Apple Podcasts so that you never miss a moment!
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The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher! Reach Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter at @crookedtable.
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John Wayne is, of course, synonymous with the classic Hollywood Western. Yet, the first movie of his we're covering on this show is actually a romantic comedy. Wayne reteamed with director John Ford and Maureen O'Hara for 1952's The Quiet Man. And the shift in genre paid off for the trio behind 1950 Western Rio Grande.
The Quiet Man turned out to be one of the year's biggest box office hits. And we were honored to welcome film critic Caitlin Kennedy to the show to discuss the movie. We'll discuss why The Quiet Man has endured after all these years, how the central relationship dynamic has aged, and what makes The Quiet Man Caitlin's favorite film.
SYNOPSIS After accidentally killing an opponent in the ring, boxer Sean Thornton (John Wayne) leaves America and returns to his native Ireland, hoping to buy his family's homestead and live in peace. In doing so, he runs afoul of Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen), who long coveted the property. Spitefully, Will objects when his fiery sister, Mary Kate (Maureen O'Hara), begins a romance with Sean, and refuses to hand over her dowry. Mary Kate refuses to consummate the marriage until Sean retrieves the money.
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Another year has passed, and once again, Rob is celebrating his birthday with a special episode. Last year, he brought on his mom, Jeannine Yaniz, to talk Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now it is Kai Yaniz in the hot seat. And the movie in question this year is Judd Apatow's 2005 comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
We'll discuss how well the movie's sense of humor has aged, the flawless ensemble cast, and how the movie's premise is ultimately a bit deceptive. Moreover, Rob and Kai will discuss why Apatow's directorial debut was such an impactful movie for him and its role in launching a number of huge comedy stars.
Apatow's latest movie, The King of Staten Island, is now streaming. So there's no better time -- the movie celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, after all -- to revisit The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
SYNOPSIS Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell) is an amiable single guy who works at a big-box store. Living alone, 40-year-old Andy spends his free time playing video games and curating his action-figure collection. Despite his age, Andy has never had sex, so his friends, including the laid-back David (Paul Rudd), push Andy towards losing his virginity. While attempting to get over his awkwardness around female customers, Andy meets local shop owner Trish (Catherine Keener), and they begin a tentative romance.
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Riddle me this, riddle me that... it's finally time to talk about the Bat.
That's right. Somehow, the Crooked Table Podcast has never taken on a Batman solo movie. And with news Michael Keaton may return to the Batsuit, the Dark Knight's future has never been brighter. Sadly, that exciting news came out the same day we learned of director Joel Schumacher's passing.
So, on this episode, partially in tribute to Schumacher's work, Kai Yaniz joins the show as we watch and discuss his 1995 film, Batman Forever. The movie is often criticized for turning away from Tim Burton's gothic aesthetic and paving the way for Batman & Robin. Alas, on his 25th anniversary, we aim to reclaim Batman Forever.
So flash that Bat-signal, polish your two-sided coin, and slap on a green leotard covered in question marks (if you have one laying around, that is). Because it's time to start talking Batman Forever.
SYNOPSIS Batman (Val Kilmer) faces off against two foes: the schizophrenic, horribly scarred former District Attorney Harvey Dent, aka Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones), and the Riddler (Jim Carrey), a disgruntled ex-Wayne Enterprises inventor seeking revenge against his former employer by unleashing his brain-sucking weapon on Gotham City's residents. As the caped crusader also deals with tortured memories of his parents' murder, he has a new romance, with psychologist Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman).
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This episode, we return to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for an in-depth chat about Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. In many ways, Year Two feels like the end of an era for the franchise. Director Chris Columbus left after this point, taking the warm and fuzzies largely with him. And the late Richard Harris makes his final appearance as Albus Dumbledore.
Teri Sears joins the show to help us unlock Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. We'll address why the movie is perhaps too slavish to J.K. Rowling's novel, how it marks the series' first incremental steps into the dark, and which character is shockingly devoid of much-needed development.
So brush up on your Parseltongue and tame that bloodthirsty beast if you can. Oh, and enjoy our in-depth discussion on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Next month, we're heading straight for Azkaban prison!
SYNOPSIS The second installment of boy wizard Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, based on the novel by JK Rowling. A mysterious elf tells Harry to expect trouble during his second year at Hogwarts, but nothing can prepare him for trees that fight back, flying cars, spiders that talk and deadly warnings written in blood on the walls of the school.
SHOW NOTES Listen to our Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone episode featuring Bri Azmoudeh of Geeky Girl Gab!
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For the second time, we're covering a James Cameron film on the show. And just like Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Aliens is a testament to the filmmaker's ability to deliver a thrilling, game-changing sequel. The 1986 follow-up to Ridley Scott's Alien is the rare example of a second film elevating its predecessor by building on what's come before in innovative new ways. And like T2, Aliens was so good it doomed its franchise to decades of desperate attempts for relevance.
Will Nexii joins the show to discuss why Aliens is one of his favorite films, the impact of Sigourney Weaver's Oscar-nominated performance on mainstream cinema, and why it's still not too late for Aliens to get a worthy sequel itself. And as a bonus, we'll speculate whether Cameron -- the man behind two of the best first sequels ever made -- can possibly make the world excited about the Avatar franchise again.
So, just in time for Alien Day, join us to discuss the mother of all sequels: Aliens.
SYNOPSIS After floating in space for 57 years, Lt. Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) shuttle is found by a deep space salvage team. Upon arriving at LV-426, the marines find only one survivor, a nine-year-old girl named Newt (Carrie Henn). But even these battle-hardened marines with all the latest weaponry are no match for the hundreds of aliens that have invaded the colony.
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As soon as we caught a glimpse of the infamous first trailer for Cats, we knew it would be a perfect addition to our Crooked Commentary series. After all, we've talked about some great films in the last few installments, including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and When Harry Met Sally... So it's about time we get Crooked Commentary back to awesomely bad movies like The Room.
Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), Cats assembles an outstanding ensemble cast that includes Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, and Taylor Swift. Unfortunately, it also uses bizarre computer-generated "digital fur" effects and bears essentially no plot to speak of. Still, we found ourselves unable to look away.
Kai Yaniz, once again -- this time more begrudgingly than usual -- returns for this very "jellicle" Crooked Commentary episode. So get a saucer of milk and prepare to meet Rum Tum Tugger, Macavity, Skimbleshanks, and the rest of the gang. This is one "memory" you won't soon forget. We're not sure whether a great movie could have ever been made from Andrew Lloyd Webber's bizarre musical. But we're pretty sure this isn't it. It's Cats, baby!
SYNOPSIS A tribe of cats must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.
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As a righteous dude once said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." That and countless other insanely quotable lines propelled writer/director John Hughes' 1986 hit, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, to become one of the biggest comedies of the decade. Even now, more than three decades after its release, fans are still discovering and revisiting Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Kimberly Cook returns to the show to dig into why Hughes' release is her favorite movie and why it continues to resonate with all generations decades later. We'll discuss Matthew Broderick's iconic performance, his character's key relationships, how Ferris' serves as a litmus test of the viewer's own life journey, the movie's use of breaking the fourth wall, and that age-old question: is Ferris Bueller an asshole?
So hop in your best friend's dad's Ferrari and take our latest episode for a spin. After all, if you had access to a car like that, would you take it back right away?
SYNOPSIS Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) has an uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it. Intending to make one last duck-out before graduation, Ferris calls in sick, "borrows" a Ferrari, and embarks on a one-day journey through the streets of Chicago. On Ferris' trail is high school principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), determined to catch him in the act.
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It's April Fool's Day! And because we can all use a bit of silliness right about now, the Crooked Table Podcast is setting aside the usual format for a timely jaunt into the world of magic and illusions. No democratizing the film criticism conversation this week. And this week's special episode isn't even (exclusively) designed to be a tie-in to our just-launched Harry Potter series. Rather, the concept is directly inspired by a longtime friend and recurring guest of the show.
The Famous Ashley Grant returns for a third (or fourth) time -- no one really knows -- to discuss her thoughts on the wackiest unofficial holiday, reveal why she prefers magic and illusions over pranks, and tease her latest project. Then we'll discuss some of the best movies featuring witches, wizards, magicians, and illusionists. Spoilers: The Boy Who Lived does get a special mention.
So take your front row seat to a podcast episode the likes of which you've never seen, er, heard. And let us dazzle your ears with a fun, laid-back chat about April Fool's Day and all that it entails. Stay safe and sane out there, folks!
SHOW NOTES Listen to our Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone episode featuring Bri Azmoudeh of Geeky Girl Gab. And check back in April for the next installment of our Harry Potter series!
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Last year, we had a blast running through all nine episodes in the Star Wars saga. But now that the Skywalker has risen (kinda?), we're turning our attention to a bunch of British witches and wizards. That's right: 2020 is the year of Harry Potter. Because this year really could use a bit of magic right about now.
Bri Azmoudeh of Geeky Girl Gab joins the show to help us travel back nearly two decades -- yes, really -- when J.K. Rowling's best-selling book series first made the leap to the big screen. We'll talk about how director Chris Columbus sets the tone for the series, the young cast of then-unknowns, and what has made Harry Potter such an enduring phenomenon.
So accio podcast and enjoy our deep dive into Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
SYNOPSIS An adaptation of the first of J.K. Rowling's popular novels about Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), a boy who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. He is summoned from his life as an unwanted child to become a student at Hogwarts, an English boarding school for wizards. There, he meets several friends who become his closest allies and help him discover the truth about his parents' mysterious deaths.
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In the interest of providing broader coverage of cinema history, we always love the chance to cover either a classic or foreign release. So, of course, it was a blast to cover Federico Fellini's 1963 Italian film, 8 1/2. The film is more self-reflective than most, a cinematic fever dream brought to life. The parallels between Marcello Mastroianni's Guido -- a middle-aged movie director at a creative and personal crossroads -- and Fellini himself are stark, blatant, and fascinating as hell.
Brian Susbielles of InSession Film joins the show to help us dig into Fellini's masterpiece. We'll discuss why 8 1/2 has endured as one of cinema's greatest achievements, whether the movie is indeed a comedy, and where it ranks among Fellini's esteemed filmography. Join us for a surreal journey through Fellini's own psyche and 8 1/2, a film that continues to challenge and entrance viewers more than a half-century after its release.
SYNOPSIS Troubled Italian filmmaker Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni) struggles with creative stasis as he attempts to get a new movie off the ground. Overwhelmed by his work and personal life, the director retreats into his thoughts, which often focus on his loves, both past and present, and frequently wander into fantastical territory. As he tries to sort out his many entanglements, romantic and otherwise, Anselmi finds his production becoming more and more autobiographical.
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In the 1980s, few filmmakers were as in-demand and influential as John Hughes. The man basically created the concept of the teen movie with films such as Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Yet, after that run, Hughes did the last thing anyone expected: he grew up. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles marks his directorial entry into adult comedies. And boy, is it a great one.
Jamie Williams last appeared on the show to talk 1999's Man on the Moon. But now, we're taking our first-ever trip to Hughes. We'll talk about how the director created the comedy dream team of Steve Martin and John Candy, why Candy should have been an Oscar contender for his work, and how Planes, Trains, and Automobiles might be the best (or only?) Thanksgiving movie ever made.
SYNOPSIS Easily excitable Neal Page (Steve Martin) is somewhat of a control freak. Trying to get home to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his wife (Laila Robins) and kids, his flight is rerouted to a distant city in Kansas because of a freak snowstorm, and his sanity begins to fray. Worse yet, he is forced to bunk up with talkative Del Griffith (John Candy), whom he finds extremely annoying. Together they must overcome the insanity of holiday travel to reach their intended destination.
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After Whiplash won critical acclaim and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for J.K. Simmons, writer/director Damien Chazelle could have done anything. So, naturally, he decided to make a modern-day tribute to lavish Hollywood musicals of yesteryear. The resulting film, La La Land, went on to become an unprecedented smash, to the tune of nearly $450 million worldwide.
Although it didn't win the Academy Award for Best Picture, Chazelle's film finally gets its due on our show. The Lady-Wan of Screen Fix makes her Crooked Table Podcast debut to talk all things La La Land. We'll go in-depth on the complicated romance at the film's center, the two worlds that unite to create its distinct tone, and -- of course -- that iconic Justin Hurwitz score.
You have the invitation. You have the [web] address. So, join us for "a lovely night" as we -- let's be honest -- mostly lavish praise on Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, and La La Land in general. Here's the ones who dream! Enjoy!
SYNOPSIS Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) are drawn together by their common desire to do what they love. But as success mounts, they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair. And the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.
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Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan won his first Academy Award for the acclaimed domestic drama Manchester by the Sea. But more than a decade and a half before that film, Lonergan burst onto the scene with his directorial debut, You Can Count on Me. Both movies tackle the fallout of family tragedies and feature standout performances.
You Can Count on Me focuses on the broken bond between a sister (Laura Linney) and brother (Mark Ruffalo). And while neither guest Dames Marvs -- from CF3: Cult Fans, Films & Finds -- have a sister, we both connected to the very grounded sibling dynamic. Moreover, Lonergan's naturalistic style of storytelling captures the profound truth that lies in the mundane.
Listen in as Dames and I break down Lonergan's film and discuss at length why we can always count on Ruffalo to deliver incredible performances.
SYNOPSIS Sammy (Laura Linney) is a single mother who is extremely protective of her 8-year old son (Rory Culkin). She is satisfied with living in the small town she grew up in and working in a local bank. When her brother Terry (Mark Ruffalo) visits, he fits the void in the life of both her and her son. Temporarily free of the constraints of single motherhood, she begins to break free of her normal routine. In a string of traumatic events, Sammy is torn between helping her brother and her maternal instinct to protect her son from getting hurt.
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Director Robert Eggers burst on the scene in 2015 with The Witch. And when he did, horror audiences didn't know quite how to react. The film -- subtitled "A New England folktale" -- follows a Puritan family in 1600s New England and its inevitable descent into hell. However, its period setting, era-accurate dialect, and slowly building tension came across as jarring to audiences accustomed to jump scares and slasher films.
Amy Otero joins the show this episode to help us analyze what makes The Witch such a powerful and distinctive cinematic experience. We'll touch on Anya Taylor-Joy's star-making performance, the truth behind the film's divisive ending, and the thematic similarities between Eggers' The Witch and Ari Aster's Midsommar. We'll even throw in a bit of a mini-review for Eggers' sophomore effort, 2019's The Lighthouse.
Ready to live deliciously? Then listen in as we tackle The Witch.
SYNOPSIS In 1630 New England, panic and despair envelop a farmer (Ralph Ineson), his wife (Kate Dickie), and their children when youngest son, Samuel, suddenly vanishes. The family blames Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), the oldest daughter who was watching the boy at the time of his disappearance. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, twin siblings Mercy (Ellie Grainger) and Jonas (Lucas Dawson) suspect Thomasin of witchcraft, testing the clan's faith, loyalty, and love to one another.
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For us pop culture enthusiasts, 2019 was one for the record books. Just on the movie side, moviegoers the finale of Marvel Studios' "Infinity Saga" in Avengers: Endgame and witnessed the end of Skywalker story in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Of course, the year brought a ton of sequels, reboots, and spin-offs of various quality levels. But it also delivered unexpected -- and Oscar-winning -- treats such as Jojo Rabbit, 1917, Marriage Story, and director Bong Joon-ho's Parasite.
We already discussed our favorite films of 2019, and with the Academy Awards now officially in the rearview, it's time to look forward to what 2020 has to offer. Although we're now a month and a half into the new year, Tom Chang of Bleeding Cool joins us to break down some of the most exciting movies coming soon. Starting with current box office champ Birds of Prey, both DC and Marvel have several new projects on the way.
We have so many questions about what lies ahead, and the answers await. Can DC keep its momentum going strong with the long-awaited Wonder Woman sequel? Will Marvel Phase Four find a fresh way to build on Endgame? And what does the future hold for James Bond, Bill and Ted, and the Ghostbusters? We'll cover all that and more in an extensive look at 2020 in film.
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Foreign films usually make a very limited impact at the domestic box office. At best, they mostly wind up attracting love from critics or perhaps some prestige awards. Almost never do they break into the mainstream the way Parasite has. Co-writer/director Bong Joon Ho's film blends dark comedy, thriller, and horror elements into an irresistible bit of social commentary.
Now Sade Glover of Offscreen Babble returns to the show for a deep, spoiler-filled dive into Parasite. The last time Sade was on the show, we discussed the warmth, compassion, and bittersweet hilarity of The Farewell. Now join us as we talk all about the intricate plotting, stellar ensemble cast, and expert tonal balance of Bong's Oscar-nominated Parasite. "Respect!"
SYNOPSIS Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale. Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Before long, greed and class discrimination threaten the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, Parasite showcases a modern master at the top of his game.
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Event Horizon hits theaters in 1997 to a disappointing box office response. Yet, like so many genre films, the Paul Anderson -- the Resident Evil guy, not the There Will Be Blood one -- sci-fi/horror hybrid has developed a cult following. So, as our first regular episode of 2020, we're taking a look at how the movie has held up and why its combination of Alien and Hellraiser is worth seeking out for those who haven't caught up with it.
Jon Cohorn of Modern Horrors -- who previously helped us enter the world on John Wick -- returns for Event Horizon. We'll discuss the ensemble cast led by Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill, the movie's amalgamation of science and faith, and how the movie was almost a whole lot gorier. So join us as we hop aboard the titular ship for a trip through time and space into a hellish new dimension.
SYNOPSIS When the Event Horizon, a spacecraft that vanished years earlier, suddenly reappears, a team is dispatched to investigate the ship. Accompanied by the Event Horizon's creator, William Weir (Sam Neill), the crew of the Lewis and Clark, led by Capt. Miller (Laurence Fishburne), begins to explore the seemingly abandoned vessel. However, it soon becomes evident that something sinister resides in its corridors, and that the horrors that befell the Event Horizon's previous journey are still present.
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Ah, 2019, we hardly knew you. With the passing of another year — and another decade, more or less — it's time again to run through some of our favorite movies from the past 12 cinematic months. So what are our top movies of the year?
Last year, Marvel Studios made an incredible showing atop our 2018 retrospective. With three releases in 2019, can Marvel claim a spot in this year's list? We have lots of great stuff planned for 2020, including our Harry Potter series. First, hear Rob reveal the 10 films he loved most in 2019.
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2019 is about to head off into the sunset, but we can't let the year pass without a Crooked Commentary. For this fourth entry in the series, we follow The Room, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World with the seminal romantic comedy (and underrated New Year's Eve movie), 1989's When Harry Met Sally...
Of course, Kai Yaniz returns to watch the film, which just celebrated its 30th anniversary. We'll talk about how Nora Ephron's script shaped modern cinematic love stories, why the film's gender politics (mostly) hold up, and the iconic performances by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Before we kick off the film, we'll even share the story of how we met.
But before the tale of when Rob met Kai, it's time for When Harry Met Sally...
Stay tuned in 2020 for more Crooked Commentary episodes going forward!
SYNOPSIS In 1977, college graduates Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) share a contentious car ride from Chicago to New York, during which they argue about whether men and women can ever truly be strictly platonic friends. Ten years later, Harry and Sally meet again at a bookstore, and in the company of their respective best friends, Jess (Bruno Kirby) and Marie (Carrie Fisher), attempt to stay friends without sex becoming an issue between them.
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Just as Lucasfilm says goodbye to its own Star Wars saga, so must we do the same.
After spending most of 2019 working our way through George Lucas' "galaxy far, far away," we've come to the final installment of our Star Wars series. This week, we'll discuss Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker.
To complete this epic journey, Lucasfilm recruited The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams. So, in keeping with that, we've brought back our guest from our original Star Wars episode, Kai Yaniz. We'll discuss the "Reylo" of it all, Palpatine's return, and whether Abrams and his team are able to craft a satisfying conclusion to this 42-year journey.
Plus, we'll hear from almost every guest we've had during our Star Wars episode so far. The Rise of Skywalker is proving to, once again, be a divisive chapter in the Star Wars saga. So let's get to it before we lightspeed-skip right into 2020!
SYNOPSIS The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more as Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe Dameron's (Oscar Isaac) journey continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle commences.
SHOW NOTES Guest Kimberly Ream Cook joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kimberly-cook-star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace/id897846548?i=1000438911862
Guest Pete Langhelt joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/pete-langhelt-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones/id897846548?i=1000441780271
Guest Jackson Smith joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/jackson-smith-2-star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith/id897846548?i=1000445068471
Guest Kim Stock Foster joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kim-stock-foster-star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope/id897846548?i=1000447338867
Guest Candace Kaw joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/candace-kaw-star-wars-episode-v-the-empire-strikes-back/id897846548?i=1000450921353
Guest Michael Hinman joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/michael-hinman-2-star-wars-episode-vi-return-of-the-jedi/id897846548?i=1000454286379
We revisited our two-part conversation with guest Kai Yaniz about Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens.
Guest Kerri Jones joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kerri-jones-2-star-wars-episode-viii-the-last-jedi/id897846548?i=1000456535366
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher! Reach Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter at @crookedtable.
Connect with Crooked Table on social media:Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
It's the holiday season. So, of course, it is time to bust out all our favorite Christmas movies. We've got White Christmas, Christmas in Connecticut, and — what do we have here? — Gremlins. That's right, folks. That 1984 Joe Dante horror-comedy about a furry little Mogwai with a very particular set of rules is technically a Christmas movie. And we'll take any opportunity we have to revisit a nostalgic favorite.
Cristian Garcia of Nerds with Friends joins us to talk about why Gremlins is such a hallmark of the 1980s. We'll discuss the practical effects used to bring the titular creatures, marvel at Mrs. Peltzer's battle skills, and ponder what the long-in-development Gremlins 3 might look like.
Remember to stay away from the light, steer clear of water, and — whatever you do — do NOT eat anything after midnight. It's time to talk Gremlins.
SYNOPSIS A gadget salesman is looking for a special gift for his son (Zach Galligan) and finds one at a store in Chinatown. The shopkeeper is reluctant to sell him the `mogwai' but sells it to him with the warning to never expose him to bright light, water, or to feed him after midnight. All of this happens and the result is a gang of gremlins that decide to tear up the town on Christmas Eve.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher! Reach Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter at @crookedtable.
Connect with Crooked Table on social media:Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
Even more than most genres, mockumentaries just aren't for everyone. So perhaps — despite The Lonely Island's built-in fanbase — Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping failed to bring in an audience in 2016. In a blatant parody of Justin Bieber or other recent music sensations, the film follows fading pop music icon Conner4Real (Andy Samberg).
Sandro Falce of Oldie But a Goodie joins the show to help us spread the word about Popstar's insanely underrated status. We'll discuss how the movie follows the tradition of classic mockumentary films like This Is Spinal Tap, why Samberg's performance grounds the film, and which cameos — there are so, so many — make us laugh the hardest.
So grab your "finest girl," "turn up the beef" and listen in as these "2 banditos" share their "incredible thoughts" about one of the best comedies of the past few years. Ladies and gentlemen, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.
SYNOPSIS Childhood friends Conner (Andy Samberg), Owen (Jorma Taccone) and Lawrence (Akiva Schaffer) found fame and fortune after forming the hip-hop group the Style Boyz. Owen and Lawrence faded into the background when frontman Conner left the band to launch a successful solo career. Now, the egotistical singer decides to film a documentary about his life while he's still on top. When his second album flops, the camera is there to capture his world come crashing down.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher! Reach Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter at @crookedtable.
Connect with Crooked Table on social media:Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
People just love to hate on Adam Sandler. Perhaps the reason behind this is how little his comedic persona has evolved since the days of Happy Gilmore and The Wedding Singer. Or maybe just not enough moviegoers have seen Punch-Drunk Love.
This 2002 romantic comedy/drama from writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson marked a surprising departure from Sandler's usual work. Although the film does go for some laughs, it is far more esoteric than Sandler's usual broad style. In fact, the film digs deeper into his performance style than even critics expected.
Now Will Ashton of Cinemaholics returns to the show to talk about how Punch-Drunk Love captures social anxiety, the way Anderson leverages Sandler's signature on-screen rage, and why the film is still so underappreciated. Sandler doubters definitely need to check out what is arguably his greatest performance.
SYNOPSIS Although susceptible to violent outbursts, bathroom supply business owner Barry Egan (Adam Sandler) is a timid and shy man by disposition, leading a lonely, uneventful life -- partly due to the constant berating he suffers from his seven sisters. However, several events transpire that shake up Egan's mundane existence, one of which is falling in love with one sister's co-worker, Lena Leonard (Emily Watson). But the romance is threatened when Egan falls victim to an extortionist.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher! Reach Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter at @crookedtable.
Connect with Crooked Table on social media:Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
Throughout 2019, A24 has further cemented its dominance as a safe haven for distinctive creative voices. In just the past few years, the company has given moviegoers releases as diverse as Moonlight, Lady Bird, Hereditary, Ex Machina, and Room. And easily one of this year's A24 highlights — and indeed 2019 cinema, in general — has been Lulu Wang's poignant and hilarious The Farewell.
Sade Glover of the Offscreen Babble podcast joins the show to discuss how Wang's second directorial effort infuses family, grief, and culture with not only powerful commentary but also genuine laughs. We'll discuss how The Farewell makes its tale universally relatable, the film's Oscar chances this awards season, and why it's so important for moviegoers to seek out these smaller, more personal stories.
SPOILER NOTE: While the bulk of our conversation is spoiler-free, we do discuss The Farewell's ending in detail starting at the 49:50 mark. So, if you have not seen the film yet, please do so before you finish the episode. The Farewell is now available on Blu-ray and digital.
SYNOPSIS Billi's (Awkwafina) family returns to China under the guise of a fake wedding to stealthily say goodbye to their beloved matriarch (Zhao Shuzhen) — the only person that doesn't know she only has a few weeks to live.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher! Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable.
Connect with Crooked Table on social media:Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
The year 1999 is the gift that keeps on giving. We're already covered several key releases from that year, including The Matrix, Fight Club, American Beauty, and Office Space. Now, this week, we welcome freelance writer and critic Albert Lanier to the show to discuss Stanley Kubrick's final film, Eyes Wide Shut.
Released 20 years ago, this compelling thriller is the stuff of legend. A notoriously long shoot, friction with the MPAA, and of course, Kubrick's death soon before it hit theaters. Eyes Wide Shut even received something of a mixed response from critics upon its theatrical run. However, in the years since its summer 1999 release, the film's dissection of sexuality, fidelity, and relationships has become far more appreciated.
Listen in as we touch on everything Kubrick says with his last film, the stellar performances from then-real-life married couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, and how Eyes Wide Shut might actually be two films disguised as one. Much like the film itself, this is a conversation unlike any we've done so far. So keep your ears open for this week's feature: Eyes Wide Shut.
SYNOPSIS After Dr. Bill Harford's (Tom Cruise) wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman), admits to having sexual fantasies about a man she met, Bill becomes obsessed with having a sexual encounter. He discovers an underground sexual group and attends one of their meetings — and quickly discovers that he is in over his head.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
In the eighth (and penultimate) installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, we take on the most divisive installment. That's right, folks. This week, we're talking Rian Johnson's Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi. Kerri Jones returns to the show to talk about how Johnson's film upends the franchise, its thought-provoking depiction of the Force, and the tantalizing possibility of Reylo. Strap in, Star Wars fans, because this episode probably won't please all of you.
Every month for the rest of 2019, we've been discussing another episode of the Star Wars saga, building up to the release of Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker in December. Check out our conversation with Kerri Jones about Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi, now available to download. Then return for the final installment next month, as we finally discuss The Rise of Skywalker itself.
SYNOPSIS Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) peaceful and solitary existence gets upended when he encounters Rey (Daisy Ridley), a young woman who shows strong signs of the Force. Her desire to learn the ways of the Jedi forces Luke to make a decision that changes their lives forever. Meanwhile, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) lead the First Order in an all-out assault against Leia (Carrie Fisher) and the Resistance for supremacy of the galaxy.
SHOW NOTES Guest Kimberly Ream Cook joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kimberly-cook-star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace/id897846548?i=1000438911862
Guest Pete Langhelt joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/pete-langhelt-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones/id897846548?i=1000441780271
Guest Jackson Smith joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/jackson-smith-2-star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith/id897846548?i=1000445068471
Guest Kim Stock Foster joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kim-stock-foster-star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope/id897846548?i=1000447338867
Guest Candace Kaw joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/candace-kaw-star-wars-episode-v-the-empire-strikes-back/id897846548?i=1000450921353
Guest Michael Hinman joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/michael-hinman-2-star-wars-episode-vi-return-of-the-jedi/id897846548?i=1000454286379
We revisited our two-part conversation with guest Kai Yaniz about Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens.
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
In the seventh installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, we revisit our two-part conversation from 2015 on Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens. The first hour was recorded before Rob and guest Kai Yaniz saw the film, serving as a summary of what came before. Then, part two delves deep into J.J. Abrams' film, its comparisons to A New Hope, and what we hoped to see from the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
Every month for the rest of 2019, we've been discussing another episode of the Star Wars saga, building up to the release of Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker in December. Check out our conversation with Kerri Jones about Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi, now available to download. Then return for the final installment next month, as we finally discuss The Rise of Skywalker itself.
SYNOPSIS Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his young allies, Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega), face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order.
SHOW NOTES Guest Kimberly Ream Cook joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kimberly-cook-star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace/id897846548?i=1000438911862
Guest Pete Langhelt joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/pete-langhelt-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones/id897846548?i=1000441780271
Guest Jackson Smith joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/jackson-smith-2-star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith/id897846548?i=1000445068471
Guest Kim Stock Foster joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kim-stock-foster-star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope/id897846548?i=1000447338867
Guest Candace Kaw joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/candace-kaw-star-wars-episode-v-the-empire-strikes-back/id897846548?i=1000450921353
Guest Michael Hinman joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/michael-hinman-2-star-wars-episode-vi-return-of-the-jedi/id897846548?i=1000454286379
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
Some movies land with audiences immediately, while others don't find their fans for years to come. Wet Hot American Summer is one of the latter. Featuring a star-studded cast of comedy talents, director David Wain's film is a quirky ode to '80s "camp" classics (pun intended) and sex comedies. Its popularity grew so much over the years that Netflix ultimately produced two limited series based on the film.
David Rosen of the Piecing It Together podcast joins the show to discuss the phenomenon that is Wet Hot American Summer. We'll discuss Wain's bizarre blend of comedy styles, the film's enduring legacy, and speculate about why it was initially maligned by critics. Fans of David's show: we'll even briefly touch on which puzzle pieces pertain to the film.
So let's head over to Camp Firewood so that we don't miss tonight's big talent show. pottery breaking
SYNOPSIS Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, Wet Hot American Summer follows a group of counselors who are each trying to complete their unfinished business before the day ends. The entire summer of pent-up sexual frustrations, unresolved post-traumatic stress, pending separations and of course, the talent show, all weigh heavily on the minds and groins of counselors and campers alike.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
With the upcoming release of Terminator: Dark Fate, now is the perfect time to reflect on the series. In 1991, Terminator 2: Judgment Day surpassed James Cameron's original classic and set a new standard for blockbuster cinema.
Josh Bell of the Awesome Movie Year podcast joins the show to talk about how T2 changed the world of cinema forever. We'll discuss how Cameron was able to successfully build on his own mythos, what the subsequent sequels have missed, and how we hope that Terminator: Dark Fate will finally get the series back on track.
Aside from our Star Wars series, we've only covered a few sequels since the format change. But like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Skyfall, Terminator 2: Judgment Day transcends its genre to deliver something far grander.
Come with us if you want to listen.
SYNOPSIS In this sequel set 11 years after "The Terminator," young John Connor (Edward Furlong) — the key to civilization's victory over a future robot uprising — is the target of the shape-shifting T-1000 (Robert Patrick), a Terminator sent from the future to kill him. Another Terminator, the revamped T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger), has been sent back to protect the boy. As John and his mother (Linda Hamilton) go on the run with the T-800, the boy forms an unexpected bond with the robot.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
In the sixth installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, we bid farewell to the pre-Disney era of the franchise. Way back in 1983, director Richard Marquand ended the original Star Wars trilogy with Return of the Jedi. Now, Michael Hinman of Alpha Waves Radio joins us to conclude our coverage of the George Lucas's original three-part vision for the "galaxy far, far away."
Every month for the rest of 2019, we'll be discussing another episode of the Star Wars saga, building up to the release of Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker in December. We'll be reposting our 2015 review of Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens in a couple of weeks. Then check back in late November as Kerri Jones returns to the show to talk Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi.
SYNOPSIS Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) battles horrible Jabba the Hutt and cruel Darth Vader (David Prowse) to save his comrades in the Rebel Alliance and triumph over the Galactic Empire. Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) reaffirm their love and team with Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), the Ewoks and the androids C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) to aid in the disruption of the Dark Side and the defeat of the evil emperor (Ian McDiarmid).
SHOW NOTES Guest Kimberly Ream Cook joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kimberly-cook-star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace/id897846548?i=1000438911862
Guest Pete Langhelt joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/pete-langhelt-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones/id897846548?i=1000441780271
Guest Jackson Smith joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/jackson-smith-2-star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith/id897846548?i=1000445068471
Guest Kim Stock Foster joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kim-stock-foster-star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope/id897846548?i=1000447338867
Guest Candace Kaw joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/candace-kaw-star-wars-episode-v-the-empire-strikes-back/id897846548?i=1000450921353
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
In the heart of the Disney Renaissance, the studio that had already back-to-back box office smashes (and Academy Award winners) in Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin unleashed its 32nd animated feature. The Lion King pounced into theaters in the summer of 1994, becoming the highest-grossing animated film ever at the time of its release and spawning a cultural phenomenon.
This episode, Danielle Solzman of Solzy at the Movies joins us to discuss the film on its 25th anniversary. Of course, we'll also cover this year's "live-action" remake from director Jon Favreau, how the two versions of the story compare and why the original animated The Lion King serves as a seminal cinematic achievement and veritable turning point for the future of animation.
Cue up that iconic Hans Zimmer score, and let's trek on over to Pride Rock for our discussion on The Lion King.
SYNOPSIS This Disney animated feature follows the adventures of the young lion Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), the heir of his father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones). Simba's wicked uncle, Scar (Jeremy Irons), plots to usurp Mufasa's throne by luring father and son into a stampede of wildebeests. But Simba escapes, and only Mufasa is killed. Simba returns as an adult (Matthew Broderick) to take back his homeland from Scar with the help of his friends Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella).
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
Earlier this year, we celebrated our 100th episode by delving into a lengthy two-part discussion about The Matrix. While the Wachowskis' 1999 classic marked a seismic shift for the world of cinema, the filmmakers behind Neo's story have certainly lived up to the narrative and visual ambition of their breakthrough. Case in point, expect to see more coverage on Lilly and Lana Wachowski's filmography in the months ahead, including a look at The Matrix sequels themselves.
However, this week, Stephen M. Colbert of Batman v Superman: By the Minute joins us to discuss the Wachowskis' 2008 film, Speed Racer, which brings the candy-colored, high-energy manga and anime to life with surprising success and poignancy. We'll talk about why the film may have underperformed at the box office, how it goes beyond pure spectacle to deliver a satisfying character story and speculate on what we want to see next from the Wachowskis (yes, this was recorded before The Matrix 4 news broke).
Here comes Speed Racer.
SYNOPSIS Born into a family business of race cars, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is one of the track's hot stars. Sitting at the wheel of his Mach 5, he consistently deflates the competition. When Speed turns down an offer from the head of Royalton Industries, he uncovers a secret. Powerful moguls fix the races to boost profits. Hoping to beat the executive, Speed enters the same arduous cross-country race that killed his brother.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
One year ago, the fate of the Crooked Table Podcast was uncertain. Trapped at a creative crossroads, the show was put on what turned out to be a temporary hiatus until it could be refocused to its current premise, in which we "democratize the film criticism conversation." Once that concept was nailed down, Rob unveiled it just in time for International Podcast Day 2019.
Now, with the return of this annual celebration of the podcasting medium (Happy International Podcast Day, all!), Rob is back to lay out his plans for the show in 2020. Since the relaunch in December 2018, we've talked about a lot of great films — from Christmas in Connecticut to Avengers: Endgame — and been fortunate to welcome a wide variety of exciting guests to the show.
However, in the interest of keeping the show growing and evolving, we're eager to push the show and its mission forward to even greater heights in the year ahead. That means more guests, more films and an overall higher quality product for the listeners. So, join Rob as he outlines some of his objectives for 2020 and celebrates how far the Crooked Table Podcast has come in the past year.
Last but not least, we hope everyone has a wonderful International Podcast Day! Keep podcasting and/or listening! Exciting days are ahead!
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
In the fifth installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, we turn our attention to what is arguably the most popular film in the series: director Irvin Kershner's 1980 release The Empire Strikes Back. After the phenomenon that was the original Star Wars, fans hoped the follow-up would expand the world and continue the story in a meaningful way. What they got was one of the best sequels ever made. Candace Kaw of Geeky Girl Gab joins us to discuss why the film has endures, what makes it a standout part of the saga and how it connects to The Last Jedi.
Every month for the rest of 2019, we'll be discussing another episode of the Star Wars saga, building up to the release of Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker in December. Check back next month as Michael Hinman of Alpha Waves Radio joins us to talk Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi.
SYNOPSIS The adventure continues in this Star Wars sequel. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial forces and its AT-AT walkers on the ice planet Hoth. While Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz). Only with the Jedi Master's help will Luke survive when the dark side of the Force beckons him into the ultimate duel with Darth Vader (David Prowse).
SHOW NOTES Guest Kimberly Ream Cook joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kimberly-cook-star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace/id897846548?i=1000438911862
Guest Pete Langhelt joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/pete-langhelt-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones/id897846548?i=1000441780271
Guest Jackson Smith joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/jackson-smith-2-star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith/id897846548?i=1000445068471
Guest Kim Stock Foster joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kim-stock-foster-star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope/id897846548?i=1000447338867
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
The holiday season is still a few months away, but we're definitely not above breaking out the tinsel and candy canes a bit earlier than usual. Last year, we released our White Christmas episode perfectly timed to Christmas Eve, but this time around, we're taking a closer look at the 1945 release Christmas in Connecticut starring Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan and Sydney Greenstreet.
Lori London, author of the Tripi the Fly children's book series, joins us to discuss the holiday-set romantic comedy, how its commentary on gender norms is actually far ahead of its time and the way in which its story relates to people who pursue passion over profit. We'll also get the lowdown on Lori's latest Tripi project and what the future may hold for her endearing little traveler.
So pack your bags — you too, Tripi! — and prepare for a festive trip to up north!
SYNOPSIS While recovering in a hospital, war hero Jefferson Jones (Dennis Morgan) grows familiar with the "Diary of a Housewife" column written by Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck). Jeff's nurse arranges with Elizabeth's publisher, Alexander Yardley (Sydney Greenstreet), for Jeff to spend the holiday at Elizabeth's bucolic Connecticut farm with her husband and child. But the column is a sham, so Yardley hastens to arrange a publicity ploy by setting up single, nondomestic Elizabeth on a country farm.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
A year after helping us break down our favorite movies of 1998, Kai Yaniz of BeBold-BeBrave.com returns to take aim at one of the most important years in cinema: 1999. Twenty years ago, so many bold, risk-taking movies hit the big screen, and while we may not necessarily be fans of all those iconic releases, this milestone felt like a great opportunity to pay tribute to what many have considered one of the finest years at the theater.
If you've been listening to our recent episodes, then you know we've made it a point to discuss as many 1999 films as possible lately. These include entire episodes devoted to American Beauty, The Matrix (two episodes, in that case), Office Space, Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, Man on the Moon and Fight Club. And we're not done yet, with episodes on Eyes Wide Shut and Bowfinger in the pipeline as well.
For now, enjoy this longer-than-expected (what else is new, right?) episode on the year just before Y2K hit. Queue up the requisite Prince jam and then listen a thirty-something married couple try to recall the films of their youth while downing a bottle of Hope's End Red Blend (not an affiliate, just a fan). And stay tuned for other flashback retrospectives in the future. Which year in the 1990s should we discuss next?
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
A year after helping us break down our favorite movies of 1998, Kai Yaniz of BBold-BBrave.com returns to take aim at one of the most important years in cinema: 1999. Twenty years ago, so many bold, risk-taking movies hit the big screen, and while we may not necessarily be fans of all those iconic releases, this milestone felt like a great opportunity to pay tribute to what many have considered one of the finest years at the theater.
If you've been listening to our recent episodes, then you know we've made it a point to discuss as many 1999 films as possible lately. These include entire episodes devoted to American Beauty, The Matrix (two episodes, in that case), Office Space, Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, Man on the Moon and Fight Club. And we're not done yet, with episodes on Eyes Wide Shut and Bowfinger in the pipeline as well.
For now, enjoy this longer-than-expected (what else is new, right?) episode on the year just before Y2K hit. Queue up the requisite Prince jam and then listen a thirty-something married couple try to recall the films of their youth while downing a bottle of Hope's End Red Blend (not an affiliate, just a fan). And stay tuned for other flashback retrospectives in the future. Which year in the 1990s should we discuss next?
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
In our first-ever Crooked Takeover, we extend our time with Justin Beck of the Ditsy Comic Podcast. Whereas last week Justin showed up on the Crooked Table Podcast to discuss 1997 sci-fi comedy Men in Black, this episode sees Rob pay a visit to the Ditsy Comic Podcast.
Listen in as Justin and Rob discuss the origins of Crooked Table, play silly games and test Rob's ability to pull off a convincing Arnold Schwarzenegger impression (jury's still out?). At least he manages to land on one character voice that gets Justin laughing.
Beware that anything can happen in the world of the Ditsy Comic Podcast. So we were happy to let Justin take over this feed for the week, if only so that we can finally witness what happens when Crooked meets Ditsy.
Let us know if you enjoy this Crooked Takeover, and perhaps other friends of the Crooked Table Podcast may get their own chance to infiltrate the show with their own particular brand of podcasting madness. In the meantime, prepare for something a little different.
It's time for the Ditsy Comic Podcast to boldly take the Crooked Table Podcast where it has never gone before. In short, hold on to your smartphone or mobile device of choice because it's about to get real DITSY up in here.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
More than 20 years ago, Men in Black cemented Will Smith's status as an A-list star. Moreover, director Barry Sonnenfeld's film kicked off a franchise that has been, creatively and financially, much like a starship crashlanding into a farm. Now, with the recent failure of Men in Black International in our wake, we take a closer look at what made that original film such a classic and explore why its follow-ups struggle to reach the same heights.
Justin Beck of the Ditsy Comic Podcast joins the show this episode to delve into Men in Black's broad style of comedy, discuss its lasting appeal so many years later and speculate on where the series could go next. So, slip on those Ray-bans and keep those neuralyzers at the ready because here come the Men in Black.
SYNOPSIS They are the best-kept secret in the universe. Working for a highly funded yet unofficial government agency, Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) and Jay (Will Smith) are the Men in Black, providers of immigration services and regulators of all things alien on Earth. While investigating a series of unregistered close encounters, the MIB agents uncover the deadly plot of an intergalactic terrorist who is on a mission to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies currently in residence in New York City.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
In the fourth installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, we turn to the film that first introduced the world to the "galaxy far, far away." When Star Wars — excuse us, Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope — hit theaters in 1977, it cemented the concept of the summer blockbuster and has inspired generations of fans and filmmakers alike. Kim Stock Foster joins us to discuss the film's enduring legacy as well her experience seeing George Lucas' vision on the big screen during its initial theatrical release.
Every month for the rest of 2019, we'll be discussing another episode of the Star Wars saga, building up to the release of Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker in December. Check back next month as Candace Kaw of Geeky Girl Gab joins us to talk Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back.
SYNOPSIS The Imperial Forces — under orders from cruel Darth Vader (David Prowse) — hold Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hostage, in their efforts to quell the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), captain of the Millennium Falcon, work together with the companionable droid duo R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) to rescue the beautiful princess, help the Rebel Alliance, and restore freedom and justice to the Galaxy.
SHOW NOTES Guest Kimberly Ream Cook joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kimberly-cook-star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace/id897846548?i=1000438911862
Guest Pete Langhelt joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/pete-langhelt-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones/id897846548?i=1000441780271
Guest Jackson Smith joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/jackson-smith-2-star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith/id897846548?i=1000445068471
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
Rule-breakers unite! This week, we're going to be talking lots and lots of Fight Club. Director David Fincher's 1999 film didn't exactly set the world on fire during its theatrical run but has emerged as one of that year's most-talked-about releases ever since. Featuring Edward Norton as the unnamed narrator, Brad Pitt as the wily Tyler Durden and Helena Bonham Carter as the woman who gets between them, this adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's novel is both darkly hilarious and harrowing in equal measure.
Writer, photographer and social media influencer The Famous Ashley Grant returns to the show to help us break down this insanely quotable film. We'll discuss what it has to say about corporate America, reveal how we feel about its cynical take on our consumer culture and explore whether or not the film is — actually — a love story?
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Fight Club.
SYNOPSIS A depressed man (Edward Norton) suffering from insomnia meets a strange soap salesman named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and soon finds himself living in his squalid house after his perfect apartment is destroyed. The two bored men form an underground club with strict rules and fight other men who are fed up with their mundane lives. Their perfect partnership frays when Marla (Helena Bonham Carter), a fellow support group crasher, attracts Tyler's attention.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
Can't get a res at Dorsia? Well, you can always settle in with our analysis of director Mary Harron's killer satire American Psycho. Based on the 1991 Bret Easton Ellis novel, the film stars Christian Bale in his breakthrough role as investment banker Patrick Bateman, whose career amidst the excess of the late 1980s may have pushed him to engage in a murderous rampage.
Bianca Garner — aka The Film Bee — of Filmotomy joins the show to discuss how the 2000 release brings a distinctive perspective on toxic masculinity. Co-written by Harron and Guinevere Turner, American Psycho uses upbeat pop tunes, an ambiguous narrative and an incredibly complex performance by Bale to create a darkly hilarious and harrowing portrait of the pressures of modern capitalism.
Check out our takes on what Bateman would be doing (and listening to) today as well as why Harron's film is more relevant than ever. We'll see you there. First, we have to go return some videotapes.
SYNOPSIS Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is a Wall Street yuppie, obsessed with success, status and style, with a stunning fiancee (Reese Witherspoon). He is also a psychotic killer who rapes, murders and dismembers both strangers and acquaintances without provocation or purpose. Based on the controversial novel, the film offers a sharp satire to the dark side of yuppie culture in the 80s, while setting forth a vision that is both terrifying and chilling.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
Nowadays, Peter Dinklage may be known as the wily, heavy-drinking Tyrion Lannister he played for eight seasons on Game of Thrones. However, his breakthrough film role — 2003's comedy/drama The Station Agent — showcases a very different side of the actor who "drinks and knows things" throughout Westeros.
Written and directed by Tom McCarthy (Spotlight, The Visitor), the film sees Dinklage as a curmudgeonly loner who finds himself thrust into a reluctant friendship with two other outcasts, played with fervor by character actors Patricia Clarkson and Bobby Cannavale. Despite its pedigree, The Station Agent was truly only a critical darling upon its (extremely limited) theatrical release.
So discussing McCarthy's directorial feature debut with guest Michael Denniston of the 99 from 99 podcast was the perfect occasion the perfect opportunity to dig a bit deeper into both the filmmaker's canon as well as the roles that paved the way for bigger things for its cast. Listen in as we discuss how Dinklage finds the humanity in his reclusive character, what the film has to say about grief and what Oscar-winning big studio release it reminds us of.
SYNOPSIS The life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and wills him a railroad depot in New Jersey. He decides to relocate to the small town, where he befriends talkative food vendor Joe Oramas (Bobby Cannavale) and unhappy wife Olivia Harris (Patricia Clarkson). As the trio's interactions deepen, quirky conversations and outcomes ensue. McBride also gains insight from librarian Emily.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
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The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
In the third installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, Jackson Smith of Screen Fever helps out close out our look back at the prequel trilogy with an epic-length conversation about Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith. After two films filled with cringe-inducing moments and misguided creative decisions, George Lucas finally explores the immediate events that transformed Anakin Skywalker from Hayden Christensen into the Dark Lord of the Sith everyone loves to hate. We'll delve into how Revenge of the Sith has been unfairly affected by the reputations of the two preceding films, why Anakin's turn to the Dark Side is much more nuanced than it seems and what makes Revenge of the Sith easily the most underrated entry in the entire Star Wars saga.
Every month for the rest of 2019, we'll be discussing another episode of the Star Wars saga, building up to the release of Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker in December. Check back next month as Kim Stock Foster joins us to talk Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope.
SYNOPSIS It has been three years since the Clone Wars began. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) rescue Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from General Grievous, the commander of the droid armies, but Grievous escapes. Suspicions are raised within the Jedi Council concerning Chancellor Palpatine, with whom Anakin has formed a bond. Asked to spy on the chancellor, and full of bitterness toward the Jedi Council, Anakin embraces the Dark Side.
SHOW NOTES Guest Kimberly Ream Cook joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kimberly-cook-star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace/id897846548?i=1000438911862
Guest Pete Langhelt joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/pete-langhelt-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones/id897846548?i=1000441780271
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
Let's travel back to the late 1990s. Think of a sci-fi thriller that expertly wraps big ideas like the nature of reality, identity and human nature into a hyper-stylized environment heavily influenced by film noir. Now set aside your love for The Matrix because this episode we're talking all about Dark City.
The 1998 film from director Alex Proyas (The Crow, I, Robot) — which shares some aesthetic and, in fact, production elements with the Wachowskis' release — may have been a box office underperformer, but in the years since its theatrical run, the film has emerged as a critical darling and achieved cult classic status.
So who better to talk about a bonafide cult film than one of the hosts of CF3: Cult Fans, Films & Finds. Jeff Johnson joins the show to delve into what makes Dark City such a compelling film to watch and re-watch, speculate about why it failed to connect with audiences and unravel the mystery behind Proyas' intricate storytelling.
Tag along as we break down the film Roger Ebert called "a great visionary achievement." Sleep later. Listen now.
SYNOPSIS (courtesy of Warner Bros.) Separated from his wife Emma, amnesiac John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) awakens alone in a strange hotel to learn he is wanted for a series of brutal killings.
They built the city to see what makes us tick. Last night one of us went off. What if you woke one morning to realize that every memory, every emotion, every fact you believed true about your life had been manufactured by someone else and placed in your mind?
In this fascinating and provocative science fiction tale, John Murdoch—wanted for a series of brutal murders—realizes that everything he believes about himself is a lie. Murdoch's bittersweet childhood, his love for his estranged wife (Jennifer Connelly) and the hideous series of murders are the creation of a group of shadowy creatures known only as "The Strangers," who manipulate minds for their own ends.
Alone, with his newfound awareness, Murdoch begins to fight back. William Hurt is the evil Detective hunting him down, and Kiefer Sutherland is the doctor helping him stay one step ahead of his adversaries.
SHOW NOTES Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
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Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
Every generation has its Bond, and for today's moviegoers, Daniel Craig bears the iconic 007 code name. Although his four-film tenure (so far) has certainly been a rocky one, there's no denying that Craig's appearance as James Bond in director Sam Mendes' 2012 entry, Skyfall, is among the series' finest moments. From its stirring Adele-performed theme song to Javier Bardem's chilling villain to Roger Deakins' gorgeous cinematography, the film is a visual delight and bursting with rich themes and characters. So it stands to reason that Skyfall would be the first Bond film to be covered on the podcast.
This episode, guest Adam Barnard of Screen Fever returns to the show to dissect Mendes' first Bond film. Join us as we discuss the franchise's 57-year history, Craig's run as the character and the failings of Mendes' own Skyfall follow-up, Spectre. We'll also consider who should play 007 next and how Skyfall reckons with both the series past and its future. Cue up that iconic John Barry theme, and as Adele indelibly croons, let the sky fall.
Skyfall synopsis, courtesy of MGM:
Bond's (Daniel Craig) loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter the cost. Also starring Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, and Naomie Harris.
SHOW NOTES
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
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The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
It's been a long while since Rob got the chance to take the reins of the Crooked Table Podcast (ever since the new format debuted in December 2018 with our Ace Ventura: Pet Detective episode). Now, with his birthday upon us, Rob — and returning guest Jeannine Yaniz — talk about one of his all-time favorite films, 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Director Robert Zemeckis's live-action/animated hybrid may be a technical feat that still holds up today, but it is also a formative film for our host. From childhood playthings to childlike inspirations, listen in to find out how the most inappropriate Disney film this side of Return to Oz made a tremendous impact on the birthday boy.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit synopsis, courtesy of Amblin Entertainment:
Director Robert Zemeckis’ feature follow-up to the original Back to the Future (1985), Who Framed Roger Rabbit continued the filmmaker’s startling blend of humor, imagination, invention and technical innovation to bring together a world where human beings and animated cartoon characters interacted in a comical romantic mystery adventure set in a Hollywood—and Toontown—of yore.
Bob Hoskins stars as Eddie Valiant, a down-on-his-luck gumshoe with a painful past and a dislike of the lunacy of toons—thrust against his better instincts into a whodunnit with a harebrained hare, Roger Rabbit, a cuckolded cuckoo convicted of murdering gag magnate Marvin Acme. Eddie and Roger pair up, much to Eddie’s chagrin, to find Acme’s real murderer, only to uncover a cover-up that could bring ruination (all in the name of progress) to both Tinseltown and Toontown forever!
Featuring lively performances by Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future) and Joanna Cassidy, along with a gallery of toons both new and beloved—including cameos by no-less animated aristocracy than Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck, Daffy Duck and many, many more from the Golden Age of animation, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is the kind of film that must be seen to be believed—and beloved.
SHOW NOTES
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
Comedy, as they say, is relative. So it takes a very special film to not only make an impact in its own time but also remain one of the most beloved comedies of all time. Yet, director Billy Wilder struck gold when he assembled Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon for his 1959 comedy hit, Some Like It Hot.
Named the best comedy film by the American Film Institute in 2000, Wilder's classic has remained a cinematic landmark, and we were so pleased to have Nell Minow of MovieMom.com and RogerEbert.com join us to mark the film's 60th anniversary.
Tackling gender roles, sexual politics and toxic masculinity would be a daunting task for a film today. So listen in to hear how Some Like It Hot manages to handle these topics with care and aplomb and without sacrificing its many laughs.
Some Like It Hot synopsis, courtesy of IMDB:
After witnessing a Mafia murder, slick saxophone player Joe (Tony Curtis) and his long-suffering buddy, Jerry (Jack Lemmon), improvise a quick plan to escape from Chicago with their lives. Disguising themselves as women, they join an all-female jazz band and hop a train bound for sunny Florida. While Joe pretends to be a millionaire to win the band's sexy singer, Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), Jerry finds himself pursued by a real millionaire as things heat up and the mobsters close in.
SHOW NOTES
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
In the second installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, Pete Langhelt of The Pete & Fran Podcast helps us separate the pains and joys that lie within Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones. As the middle chapter in the divisive prequel trilogy, this entry remains one of the most polarizing among fans. But, aside from its romantic subplot, does George Lucas' 2002 space opera hold up? Shake off your sand, and let's hop onto the nearest speeder. Begun the Clone War has.
Every month for the rest of 2019, we'll be discussing the next episode of the Star Wars saga, building up to the release of Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker in December. Check back next month as Jackson Smith joins us to talk Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith.
Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones synopsis, courtesy of StarWars.com:
Ten years after the invasion of Naboo, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. Under the leadership of a renegade Jedi named Count Dooku (Christopher Lee), thousands of solar systems threaten to break away from the Galactic Republic. When an assassination attempt is made on Senator Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), the former Queen of Naboo, twenty-year-old Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is assigned to protect her. In the course of his mission, Anakin discovers his love for Padmé as well as his own darker side. Soon, Anakin, Padmé, and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are drawn into the heart of the Separatist movement and the beginning of the Clone Wars.
SHOW NOTES
Guest Kimberly Ream Cook joined us to talk Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace! Listen at https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/kimberly-cook-star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace/id897846548?i=1000438911862
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Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
In recent years, few action film franchises have proven to be as intense or as fascinating as John Wick. Fifteen years after Keanu Reeves unplugged from The Matrix, he found the role of a lifetime as an ex-assassin compelled back into an intricate criminal underworld governed by rules and consequence.
We didn’t need a marker to lure Jon Cohorn, writer for Modern Horrors, on to the show to share his love for the 2014 film and its sequels, the latter of which is now currently in theaters. We’ll talk about what separates John Wick from other contemporary action series, why Reeves is such a perfect fit for the role and where we hope to see series director Chad Stahelski and his star take the character next.
Although the death of a puppy kicks off the titular character’s quest for vengeance, John Wick has grown into so much more since becoming the sleeper hit of fall 2014. Now, with this episode under our belts, we can only hope that the podcast ultimately covers that other classic Reeves role, that of Theodore “Ted” Logan sometime soon. Until then, be excellent to each other. Be seeing you.
John Wick synopsis, courtesy of Lionsgate:
When sadistic thugs attack John Wick (Keanu Reeves) — a brilliantly lethal ex-assassin — he hunts them down with the skill and ruthlessness that made him an underworld legend.
SHOW NOTES
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
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Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
We've covered some HUGE films on the Crooked Table Podcast, but every once in a while, we like to shine the spotlight on those under-seen gems that have escaped the attention of mainstream audiences. And Sing Street is the perfect example of that.
Written and directed by John Carney (Once), the film earned just over $3 million at the domestic box office but is still considered the best film of 2016 for both Rob and guest Dane Mychal of the CF3 Podcast. This 1980s-set coming-of-age story uses music to highlight the journey of one Irish teenager, as he finds love and fulfillment in starting his own rock band. Heartwarming and, as Dane correctly points out, "life-affirming," this is Sing Street.
Sing Street synopsis, courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes:
From director John Carney (Once, Begin Again), Sing Street takes us back to 1980s Dublin seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy named Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) who is looking for a break from a home strained by his parents' relationship and money troubles, while trying to adjust to his new inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. He finds a glimmer of hope in the mysterious, über-cool and beautiful Raphina (Lucy Boynton), and with the aim of winning her heart he invites her to star in his band's music videos. There's only one problem: he's not part of a band...yet. She agrees, and now Conor must deliver what he's promised - calling himself "Cosmo" and immersing himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the decade, he forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their heart into writing lyrics and shooting videos. Inspired by writer/director John Carney's life and love for music, Sing Street shows us a world where music has the power to take us away from the turmoil of everyday life and transform us into something greater.
SHOW NOTES
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
We all think we know what to expect from Hollywood biopics. But every once in a while, a film distinguishes itself enough to break out, at least in part, from the mold that this genre usually adheres to. One such release came in 1999 with the release of director Milos Forman's Man on the Moon.
Starring Jim Carrey as divisive actor and performance artist Andy Kaufman, the film takes a look at Kaufman's life and legacy, chronicling his rise and fall in Hollywood. That may seem like standard biopic fare, but the film is elevated by Carrey's insanely committed performance (seriously, see the Netflix documentary Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond for more on that).
Jamie Williams, co-founder of Think McFly Think, joins us to discuss where Carrey ends and Kaufman begins as well as puts Man on the Moon in its proper context in cinema history. Join us as we revisit one of the most critically lauded, yet universally overlooked releases of 1999. Thankyouverymuch.
Man on the Moon synopsis, courtesy of Universal:
Based on a true story, Jim Carrey stunningly portrays the late Andy Kaufman - considered the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic comic of his time - in Man on the Moon. "Jim Carrey is extraordinary" says The New York Post. "Jim Carrey may be a better Andy Kaufman than Andy Kaufman," writes Newsweek. Also starring Danny DeVito as Kaufman's manager, Courtney Love as the woman Andy falls in love with and Paul Giamatti as his best friend. You'll stand up and cheer for Carrey in one of the year's most entertaining movies!
SHOW NOTES
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
On the tail of the film's 20th anniversary, Kimberly Cook — social media editor and writer for Monkeys Fighting Robots and Pop Axiom, respectively — hyperspaces onto the show to discuss Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. Thanks in large part to young Jake Lloyd and a certain bumbling Gungan, the film remains one of the most divisive entries in the saga. We discuss the film in depth, marking the beginning of our epic journey back into a "galaxy far, far away."
Every month for the rest of 2019, we'll be discussing the next episode of the Star Wars saga, building up to the release of Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker in December. Check back next month as Pete Langhelt joins us to talk Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones.
Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace synopsis, courtesy of StarWars.com:
Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) from the impending invasion of Naboo, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) discover nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a young slave unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home to be trained as a Jedi. The heroes return to Naboo where Anakin and the Queen face massive invasion forces while the two Jedi contend with a deadly foe named Darth Maul (Ray Park). Only then do they realize the invasion is merely the first step in a sinister scheme by the re-emergent forces of darkness known as the Sith.
SHOW NOTES
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
This week on the show, Karen Peterson — co-host of the Citizen Dame Podcast and The Watch and Talk — joins us to discuss director Sharon Maguire's Bridget Jones's Diary. The 2001 romantic comedy, based on Helen Fielding's best-selling book, not only made Renee Zellweger a bonafide leading lady but earned the actress her first Academy Award nomination.
We'll discuss what makes the titular character (and Zellweger's performance) so memorable, how Maguire's film cleverly reinterprets Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice for the modern era and why Colin Firth's Mark Darcy is such a tricky role to pull off onscreen. Plus, is Hugh Grant's turn as the rascally Daniel Cleaver the prototype for his BAFTA-nominated performance in Paddington 2? Join us as we crack open Bridget Jones's Diary.
Bridget Jones's Diary synopsis, courtesy of Miramax:
Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) is a busy journalist and singleton lost amid a sea of smug-marrieds in London. After vowing to abandon her many vices, Bridget turns over a new page by channeling her opinions and insecurities in a journal that becomes a hilarious chronicle of her misadventures. Soon, Bridget finds herself stuck in the sights of not one, but two men: her dashing boss Daniel (Hugh Grant), who thrives on bad behavior; and the brooding Mark (Colin Firth), who she despises but somehow can't get away from.
SHOW NOTES
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
If you haven’t seen Endgame yet, see it this weekend. The spoiler ban lifts on Monday!
Check out @GMA for the full video... pic.twitter.com/gGrvUgLL6k— Russo Brothers (@Russo_Brothers) May 2, 2019
Well, who are we to argue with the directors of Avengers: Endgame? After seeing the latest Marvel Studios epic at Thursday night previews, Rob and guest Kai Yaniz just had to share their in-depth — and SPOILER-filled — thoughts about the film. After all, much has been said about how Avengers: Endgame not only concludes the tale begun in last year's Avengers: Infinity War but actually ties up the first 22 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
We get into how Joe and Anthony Russo's film serves as the final curtain call for the original MCU Avengers line-up, speculate on what might come next and generally gush about all the exciting surprises and emotional gut-punches contained in this three-hour superhero bonanza. Even though it's en route to becoming the highest-grossing film of all time, Avengers: Endgame manages to take some legitimate storytelling risks and remain true to the characters that have transformed the MCU into a global phenomenon.
So let's dig into everything that the marketing team was afraid to show you. Whatever it takes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA6hldpSTF8
SHOW NOTES
Previous Marvel Cinematic Universe coverage:
Marvel Cinematic Universe revisited: https://www.crookedtable.com/podcast-marvel-cinematic-universe-avengers-endgame/
Thor: The Dark World written review: https://www.crookedtable.com/review-thor-the-dark-world/
Captain America: The Winter Soldier podcast with Zach Mathews: https://www.crookedtable.com/podcast-zach-mathews-captain-america-the-winter-soldier/
Guardians of the Galaxy written and podcast reviews:
https://www.crookedtable.com/review-guardians-of-the-galaxy/
https://www.crookedtable.com/crooked-table-podcast-episode-1-the-fandom-menace/
Avengers: Age of Ultron written review: https://www.crookedtable.com/review-avengers-age-of-ultron/
Ant-Man written review: https://www.crookedtable.com/review-ant-man/
Doctor Strange podcast mini-review: https://www.crookedtable.com/rogue-one-star-wars-podcast/
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 podcast review: https://www.crookedtable.com/podcast-guardians-of-the-galaxy-2-marvel-sequels/
Spider-Man: Homecoming podcast review: https://www.crookedtable.com/podcast-spider-man-homecoming-marvel/
Thor: Ragnarok podcast review: https://www.crookedtable.com/thor-ragnarok-marvel-florida-project-podcast/
Black Panther podcast review: https://www.crookedtable.com/black-panther-marvel-podcast-review/
Avengers: Infinity War podcast review: https://www.crookedtable.com/avengers-infinity-war-podcast-review/
Captain Marvel podcast: review: https://www.crookedtable.com/podcast-captain-marvel-spoiler-free-review-with-kerri-jones/
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr
For decades, Glenn Close has turned in one acclaimed performance after another, but Oscar has continually eluded her. At last year's Academy Awards, that nearly changed. Close narrowly lost the Best Actress statuette for her tour-de-force performance in The Wife. Although Close herself earned critical praise, the film itself fell beneath the radar, earning less than $10 million at the domestic box office. Today we take a closer look at what The Wife has to offer.
Angela Betancourt, host of 5 Things with Angie B., joins us to discuss not only Close's magnetic turn in the Björn Runge-directed drama but also how it tackles the emotional complexity of a decades-long marriage. Listen in as we engage in a detailed breakdown of The Wife, its complicated family dynamic, the unsung supporting role (co-lead?) played by Jonathan Pryce and the implications of its divisive conclusion.
The Wife synopsis, courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics:
Directed by Berlin Silver Bear-winner Björn Runge, THE WIFE is adapted by Jane Anderson from the Meg Wolitzer novel of the same name.
After nearly forty years of marriage, JOAN and JOE CASTLEMAN (Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce) are complements: Where Joe is brash, Joan is shy. Where Joe is casual, Joan is elegant. Where Joe is vain, Joan is self-effacing. And where Joe enjoys his very public role as Great American Novelist, Joan pours her considerable intellect, grace, charm, and diplomacy into the private role of Great Man’s Wife, keeping the household running smoothly, the adult children in close contact, and Joe’s pills dispensed on schedule. At times, a restless discontentment can be glimpsed beneath Joan’s smoothly decorous surface, but her natural dignity and keen sense of humor carry her through the rough spots.
It’s 1992, and Joe is about to be awarded the Nobel Prize for his acclaimed and prolific body of work. Joe’s literary star has blazed since he and Joan first met in the late 1950s, when she was a demure Smith student and he, her (married) creative writing teacher. The Wife interweaves the midcentury story of the couple’s youthful passion and ambition with a portrait of a marriage, thirty-plus years later—a lifetime’s shared compromises, secrets, betrayals, and genuine, mutual love. From 1958 to 1992 to our present vantage point of 2018, we observe Joan and Joe Castleman in the context of their times, and ours.
SHOW NOTES
Want to appear on a future episode of the Crooked Table Podcast? Find out how over at crookedtable.com/guest!
Join the Crooked Table Crew by becoming an official patron over at Patreon.com/CrookedTable
Subscribe to the Crooked Table Podcast on iTunes so that you never miss a moment!
Listen to the Crooked Table Podcast on Spotify!
The Crooked Table Podcast is also on Stitcher!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable. Connect with Crooked Table on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr