Heart Of Podness

As Paramount's proposed merger with Skydance continues to wend its way past regulators, we're looking back at the beginning of the studio's financial troubles through the lens of the 2017 flop Monster Trucks! Join in as we discuss the film's inception as Paramount's next big franchise, the diverging opinions of studio leadership and director Chris Wedge, and the many ways the studio signaled the audiences and the industry that they'd given up on it long before it came out. Plus: Were the main characters held back in school several times? Is Creech less energy-efficient than a gas engine? Is Burke a landman? What would the planned sequels have been about? And, most importantly, are monster trucks even cool to begin with? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Assassin's Creed (2016)-----------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"Today Now! Interviews the 5-Year-Old Screenwriter of Fast Five" (The Onion)David Ehrlich'

As is tradition, we're taking this week to unpack the romances of all ten Best Picture nominees at next Sunday's Academy Awards! Join in as we discuss The Brutalist's AI controversy, the underserved women of A Complete Unknown, our Conclave theories, the maximalism of The Substance, and more! Plus: Will finally explains his long-hinted-at dislike of Wicked, Marc correctly identifies the year's hottest performance, Dune and Nickel Boys set the gold standard for literary adaptation, and the Best Original Song category continues to be a mess. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Monster Trucks (2017)----------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode: Interview with Anora director Sean Baker on the Prestige Junkie podcast "Inside the Anora House" (IndieWire) "About the Destination: The Brutalist and Israel" (Screen Slate) "The Brutalist's AI Controversy Explained" (Vulture) "Glen Powell Reveals Steven Spiel

Our Unfinished Business is taking us back to some classic We Love the Love far, since there's both a half-baked romance and a bizarrely-run high school in Adam Shankman's 2005 Vin Diesel vehicle The Pacifier! Join in as we discuss the babysitting potential of various Vin Diesel characters, the school's dubious disciplinary priorities, the 2005 Teen Choice Awards, and the television oeuvre of Taylor Sheridan. Plus: Who are the bad guys in this movie? Why is Lauren Graham's principal character in on the secret plan? Why does government scientist Tate Donovan keep his work at home? And, most importantly, how many passwords did the mom have to guess before she got the right one? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: It's our 2025 Oscars Extravaganza, where we rate the romances of all ten Best Picture nominees!--------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode: 2015 claim by Vin Diesel on Facebook that Disney was developing a Pacifier sequel IGN wr

We're headed to the theaters for a look at the romance of the brand new DreamWorks Animation filmDog Man, based on the books by Dav Pilkey.Join in as we discuss the state of DreamWorks in the 2020s, our favorite clones, the film's animation style, and theJurassic Worldmovies.Plus: Does Dog Man retain the memories of his past lives? Is there a joke to Sarah Hatoff's name? Does Marc remember the plot ofThe Prestige? And what's wrong with TV these days?Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!Next week:The Pacifier (2005)-------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:2023Cartoon Brew report on DWA's shift away from in-house animationInterview with writer-director Peter Hastings atThe WrapInterview with Peter Hastings at Polygon2025 DWA introWatchDual for free on Hoopla!

We're off to catch 'em all (unless that's a bad thing?) as we unpack the truncated romance of Pokémon the Movie 2000! Join in as we discuss our own Pokémon origin stories, the three elements of creation, the villainous Lawrence III, Ash's bad mom, and this film's impact on American political history. Plus: Which of the film's many bad songs is the worst one? Do Pokémon cards exist in the anime universe? What do the magic balls do? And, most importantly, what's the gayest Pokémon? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Dogman (2025) -------------------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: Desson Howe's review of the film in the Washington Post Roger Ebert's two-star review of Pokémon: The First Movie Warner Bros. press release announcing their acquisition of the distribution rights to the film 2011 Daily Beast story about Herman Cain's use of "The Power of One" Herman Cain quotes Pokémon the Movie 2000

We're dancing with the devil as we look at the romance between Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley in Harold Ramis's 2000 remake of Bedazzled! Join in as we discuss Hurley's many impressive costumes, the 2000 SAG-AFTRA strike, and the devil's questionable strategy for acquiring souls. Plus: Why is Elliot so unlikeable? How does the Big Mac count as a wish? And what exactly is this film's cosmology? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Pokemon the Movie 2000 (2000) -------------------------------------------- Key links and sources for this episode: Elizabeth Hurley's many outfits in Bedazzled "There's no underwear in space" from Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking 2000 Guardian story on Elizabeth Hurley's strikebreaking activity Rogert Ebert's two-star review of Bedazzled 2022 Vulture interview with Elizabeth Hurley about the film Woman explains Monster Energy's support of Satan

We're taking a look at one of the most widely panned films of 2019, Steven Knight's misbegotten noir Serenity! Join in as we discuss this reunion of Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey, the yearslong political scandal it caused, the ignominious collapse of Aviron Pictures, and the various games on Plymouth Island. Plus: Why did this movie receive such little marketing? How old are Karen and Baker Dill supposed to be? Did Jeremy Strong go method for his role as The Rules? And, most importantly, what was that kid thinking when he set all of this up? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Bedazzled (2000) --------------------------------------------- Key links and sources for this episode: Jude Dry's review of Serenity in IndieWire Deadline story about the creation of Aviron Pictures 2020 LA Times story about the fraud cases against Aviron founder William Sadleir 2019 Deadline story about the stars' frustration with the Serenity marketing campaign Rundown of the Seren

We're taking a look at one of the biggest financial and cultural hits of the early 90s with Chris Columbus's comedy sensation Mrs. Doubtfire! Join in as we discuss Robin Williams's iconic performance, revisiting the film in an era of greater trans visibility, the movie's subversion of obvious narrative routes, and of course Arrested Development's Mrs. Featherbottom. Plus: Was there really an NC-17 cut of the movie? Why would anyone root against Sally Field? Is Pierce Brosnan's Stu just...a good guy? And, most importantly, does Daniel really even want to be with Miranda? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Serenity (2019) --------------------------------------------- Key links and sources for this episode: 30th anniversary interview with Chris Columbus at Insider Oral history of the makeover sequence featuring the film's Oscar-winning makeup team Mrs. Doubtfire makeup process video 2021 Vulture interview with Lisa Jakub Full Chuck Jones-directed Pudgy and Grunge short Collected

We're starting 2025 with a look back at our favorite movies of 2024, plus a look at the romance of Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy's feature debut, Big Fat Liar! Join in as we discuss Levy's career, the film debut of Amanda Bynes, the film-within-a-film's rapid production timeline, and Christopher Nolan's upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey. Plus: Was 2024 an especially good year for the Cannes Film Festival? Why is everyone in The Substance so good at medical procedures? Did Lea Seydoux give the year's hottest performance? And, most importantly, is it better to be sequestered in a conclave or trapped in a tennis throuple? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) -------------------------------------------------- Key links and sources for this episode: Spiders Georg "Average Familiarity" from XKCD People don't know what The Odyssey is Roger Ebert's three-star review of Big Fat Liar 2020 Forbes oral history of Big Fat Liar Shawn Levy's pitch for a Bi

We're finishing out the year with a look at the romance of the 2011 Kevin James comedy Zookeeper! Join in as we discuss celebrity voice roles, gorilla prison, the movie's ever-shifting release date, and a standout performance by Rosario Dawson. Plus: Did this movie kill an elephant? What about a giraffe? Why was Leslie Bibb invited to that wedding? Why wasn't Shane fired for beating animals? And, most importantly, is there any job more revolting than being a zookeeper? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Big Fat Liar (2002) and our 2024 Top Ten lists ------------------------------------------ Key links and sources for this episode: Roger Ebert's three-star review of Zookeeper Hollywood Reporter piece on the bidding war for the Zookeeper spec script EW report on the film's floating release date 2011 report on alleged abuse of animals in Water for Elephants Huffington Post report on animal-rights protests at the Zookeeper premiere 2013 Hollywood Reporter investigation into animal a

We're here with a Christmas bonus covering the romances of five DreamWorks holiday specials: Shrek the Halls, Merry Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda Holiday, Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury, and Trolls Holiday. Join in as we discuss our favorite non-DreamWorks specials, the 2024 holiday movie slate, and Troll cultural imperialism. Plus: Has Shrek ever heard of Christmas before? Why is the Golden Ladle silver? How are Snoggletog lights powered? And, most importantly, why did the Viking kids start hiding dragon eggs? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Zookeeper (2011)

We're finishing out the holiday season with a look at the disastrous romances of the 2012 Lifetime film Christmas Twister (also known as F6: Twister or as Christams Twister)! Join in as we discuss local news, Ethan (Casper van Dien)'s climate change theories, local news, and a handsy mall Santa. Plus: How long has the family been in Texas? What great wrong did Ethan wreak in Chicago? Why does everyone keep trying to outrun the tornado? And, most importantly, why is everyone dressed for the beach during a Texas winter? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Zookeeper (2011) --------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: Watch Christmas Twister on the Internet Archive Rules for the Gary England drinking game (for anyone listening from Oklahoma) 2021 Guardian piece on the trend of animated mockbusters Der Fuehrer's Face: Oscar-winning 1943 Donald Duck short about the miseries of living in Nazi Germany Donald's Decision: 1942 Donald Duck short about the

We're gathering together this holiday season to talk about the romance of 1989's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! Join in as we discuss lip fungus, the film's large cast, our favorite jokes, and its relationship to Home Alone (also written by John Hughes). Plus: How is the movie different from Hughes's short story "Christmas '59"? Why does Clark (Chevy Chase) wait so long to start hanging his Christmas lights? Did the neighbors totally gut their hosue to yuppify it? Why doesn't the family go on vacation? And, most importantly, should Ellen leave Clark over his terrible financial decisions? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Christmas Twister (2012) ---------------------------------------------- Key Sources and Links for this Episode: "Christmas '59" - John Hughes's National Lampoon short story that serves as the basis for the film 1989 New York Times article on the rising costs of Hollywood movies 1998 interview with John Hughes 2015 Chicago magazine oral history of Home Alo

Yes, we're doing the Taylor Swift / Travis Kelce fanfic Christmas movie that aired on Lifetime this year. Obviously! Join in as we discuss pop star Christmas albums, Swift-analog Bowyn's selfless activism, a cornucopia of Swift references, and Discount Tire. Plus: How does the movie stack up against this year's slate of made for TV movies (including Netflix's Hot Frosty and Our Little Secret, and Hallmark's Swift-adjacent Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story)? Why does Bowyn make Gonzo wear a Santa suit? Are these brothers supposed to be the greatest players in football history? And, most importantly, should Bowyn or Trap's Lady Raven be our star of the year? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) ----------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: Washington Post article on 2024's Swift/Kelce holiday movies Today Show attempt to identify all the Taylor Swift references in the movie USA Today interview with st

We're kicking off the Christmas season with John McTiernan's 1988 action classic Die Hard! Join in as we discuss the film's confused gender politics, Al Powell's troubling redemption, the starmaking of Bruce Willis, and that troublesome watch. Plus: Who did novelist Roderick Thorp envision in the starring role? Why is this party so late on Christmas Eve? What are bearer bonds? And, most importantly, can we be done with the Christmas movie debate on this one? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Christmas in the Spotlight (2024) -------------------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: 1988 Chicago Tribune article on Bruce Willis's unusually high salary 1988 LA Times profile of Willis 2018 Variety piece about Jeb Stuart's work adapting the novel 2018 Independent piece on the casting of Bruce Willis

We're wrapping up our month of Moore with a look at the postapocalyptic romance in Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men! Join in as we discuss our favorite near futures, Emanuel Lubezki's cinematography, Theo's passivity, and hippie Michael Caine. Plus: Why doesn't the movie have cool future technology? How does it compare to P.D. James's novel? How'd they film that car chase? And, most importantly, how did the ping pong ball game start? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Die Hard (1988)

Our month with Julianne Moore continues as we look at her Hollywood rom com debut in Chris Columbus's 1995 film Nine Months! Join in as we discuss Columbus's 90s career, a two-scene performance by Robin Williams, the film's tonal whiplash, and our favorite childhood toys. Plus: Why was this movie changed after its preview screenings? Why are Marty (Tom Arnold) and Gail (Joan Cusack) buying so many toys? Why does Sam (Hugh Grant) work with kids? And how could anyone want to get with Sam when he has that terrible earring? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Children of Men (2006) --------------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: Morning Call interview with Columbus, including the film's handling of Hugh Grant's arrest 2016 SAG-AFTRA career retrospective with Hugh Grant

We're continuing our look at the career of Julianne Moore by looking at her first lead performance, in Todd Haynes's 1995 indie classic Safe! Join in as we discuss cults, color schemes, environmental illness, and milkaholism! Plus: How did Carol and Greg get together? What's Chris's deal? Is Rory the worst kid ever? And why did the New York Times think the movie was set in the future? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Nine Months (1995) ------------------------------------------------ Key sources and links for this episode: Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film by Peter Biskind (2004) BOMB Magazine interview with Haynes in 1995 covering the film's development Filmmaker Magazine interview with Haynes about production Haynes interview with Australian TV during the film's initial release Haynes and Moore talk about the film with Criterion in 2014 Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story on YouTube

ELECTION DAY BONUS!!! We're dropping in on our Julianne Moore-athon with a special look at her Emmy-winning portrayal of Sarah Palin in the 2012 HBO film Game Change! Join in as we discuss our favorite election movies, Palin's post-2008 career, other HBO ripped-from-the-headlines movies, and our memories of the 2008 campaign. Plus: Could an Alaskan become president? How did the real people feel about this movie? Should we be rating romances that are essentially just true? And, most importantly, what is Sarah Palin's hockey team? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Safe (1995) -------------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin (2010) Bossypants by Tina Fey (2011) “The ‘Palin Effect’ in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election” by Jonathan Knuckey, Political Research Quarterly (2012) Alessandra Stanley's 2012 New York Times review of Game C

We're spending this month looking at the career of Julianne Moore, and to kick things off we're looking at her performance in Lisa Cholodenko's 2010 Best Picture nominee The Kids Are All Right! Join in as we discuss our first encounters with Moore, her lack of a conventional star persona, the film's family dynamic with a lesbian couple played by Moore and Annette Bening, and Laser's dumb friend Clay. Plus: Which parent named which kid? Does the movie know about bisexuals? Was Paul (Mark Ruffalo) flirting with Zosia Mamet? And were these the weirdest Golden Globe nominees ever? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Safe (1995) ------------------------------------------ Key sources and links for this episode: Roger Ebert's review of The Kids Are All Right Film Journal International interview with Lisa Cholodenko Chicago Tribune interview with Lisa Cholodenko