Mission 250 Filmcast

This week, we start a new segment where we go back through the IMDB top 250 list since we froze it in 2016 and see what has been added. This film is currently sitting at number 40 on the IMDB list, and also is rated the #1 best movie of all time currently on Letterboxd. Harakiri (1962), directed by Masaki Kobayashi.

This week, we watch the classic bottle movie where 12 humans with bias come to realize the baggage they bring to their view of the world. This film is understandably so high up on the list because of its message of understanding, as well as its entertaining thriller vibe. 12 Angry Men (1957), directed by Sidney Lumet.

This week, we watch the sixth film (first in over a decade) in the Final Destination franchise. In these films, death chases those who escape it, and can only kill people in a series of more elaborate ways. This film leans heavily into the camp while keeping the over the top gore in potentially the strongest entry in the series. Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025), directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein.  

This week, we watch the classic that changed the film industry forever. Indie attempts to copy the formula defined most of the rest of the 90s, but nothing came close to what this film achieves. This films iconic status has not diminished over the years, and it remains one of the funniest films of all time. Pulp Fiction (1994), directed by Quentin Tarantino.

This week, we follow up with last weeks episode with another Salles film. Releasing nearly three decades earlier, this film's documentary feel shows promise from the director. It is also the first Brazilian film to receive a best actor/actress Oscar nomination. Central Station (1998), directed by Walter Salles.

This week, we watch last years winner of the Best International Film academy award. This film is a passion project from renowned Brazilian director, who spent 7 years making this film, which is a true story about a family he knew when he was a child, and the events that unfolded to that family during the military occupation of Rio De Janeiro in the 70's. I'm Still Here (2024), directed by Walter Salles.

This week, we watch the first original screenplay from writer/director Ryan Coogler in over a decade. After solidifying his reputation with big budget series films (Creed, Black Panther), Coogler returns to original screenplays, and returns to film (IMAX). What results is one of the most wildly entertaining theater going experiences in years. Even if the horror genre generally turns you away, give this one a shot. Sinners (2025), directed by Ryan Coogler.

This week, we move on to Part 3 of the final film of the highest rated trilogy of all time. These films condense Tolkien's novels into accessible blockbusters that don't sacrifice depth. They also continues to have a tremendous impact on the artistry in filmmaking as well as in pop culture. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), directed by Peter Jackson.

This week, we move on to Part 2 of the final film of the highest rated trilogy of all time. These films condense Tolkien's novels into accessible blockbusters that don't sacrifice depth. They also continues to have a tremendous impact on the artistry in filmmaking as well as in pop culture. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), directed by Peter Jackson.

This week, we finish the highest rated trilogy of all time. These films condense Tolkien's novels into accessible blockbusters that don't sacrifice depth. They also continues to have a tremendous impact on the artistry in filmmaking as well as in pop culture. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), directed by Peter Jackson.

This week, we finish with the second film in the highest rated trilogy of all time. These films condense Tolkien's novels into accessible blockbusters that don't sacrifice depth. They also continues to have a tremendous impact on the artistry in filmmaking as well as in pop culture. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), directed by Peter Jackson.

This week, we continue with the second film in the highest rated trilogy of all time. These films condense Tolkien's novels into accessible blockbusters that don't sacrifice depth. They also continues to have a tremendous impact on the artistry in filmmaking as well as in pop culture. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), directed by Peter Jackson.

This week, we move into the second film in the highest rated trilogy of all time. These films condense Tolkien's novels into accessible blockbusters that don't sacrifice depth. They also continues to have a tremendous impact on the artistry in filmmaking as well as in pop culture. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), directed by Peter Jackson.

Part 3! This week, we dive into the highest rated trilogy of all time. These films condense Tolkien's novels into accessible blockbusters that don't sacrifice depth. They also continues to have a tremendous impact on the artistry in filmmaking as well as in pop culture. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), directed by Peter Jackson.

Part 2! This week, we dive into the highest rated trilogy of all time. These films condense Tolkien's novels into accessible blockbusters that don't sacrifice depth. They also continues to have a tremendous impact on the artistry in filmmaking as well as in pop culture. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), directed by Peter Jackson.

This week, we dive into the highest rated trilogy of all time. These films condense Tolkien's novels into accessible blockbusters that don't sacrifice depth. They also continues to have a tremendous impact on the artistry in filmmaking as well in pop culture. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), directed by Peter Jackson

This week, we watch the Academy Award nominated official submission from Germany, that is actually an Iranian made film that was filmed entirely in secret and made it necessary for the director and many of the people who worked on the film to flee Iran. It is a very unique film in the way it was made, it shows some shocking real footage of the 2022 protests in Iran, and is worth a watch for the subject matter alone. The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024), directed by Mohammad Rasoulof.

This week, we watch a dumpster fire of a film that Netflix managed to buy its way to a nearly record setting number of Oscar nominations. This film is not just poorly made in every respect, it also exploits every topic it decides to shove into its fractured story. This is the opposite of the film we need these days. Emilia Perez (2024), directed Jacques Audiard.

This week, we watch one of the films nominated Best International Films Academy Award. This film is best if you watch without knowing anything about it at all, so we'll just say this - Watch it, but only if you can tolerate every genre of movie that exists. If you don't tolerate some genres, then you may have a bad time. The Girl with the Needle (2024), directed Magnus von Horn.

This week, we watch the film that won the the Palm D'or at this years Cannes Film Festival and is also up for 6 Oscars. This film split our opinions, but we could all agree that Mikey Madison is understandably a favorite for the Best Actress award. Anora (2024), directed Sean Baker

This week, we dive into Oscar season! The Oscar nominations are out, and we first dive into a film that received 8 nominations. This beautiful film is certainly a strong contender for production design. Conclave (2024), directed Edward Berger.

This week, we watch the gothic horror / fantasy that was for some reason correctly released on Christmas day. Eggers fourth film is also currently his highest grossing (and climbing), and it might be due to the fact that it is his most beautiful and straightforward. Nosferatu (2024), directed Robert Eggers.

This week, we jump back a bit to a movie we skipped initially to make sure it was discussed at an appropriate time of year. And since its 2025 (happy new year!), lets kick it off by watching Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed fall in love in Bedford Falls. It's a Wonderful Life (1946), directed by Frank Capra.

This week, we break into the top 10 best movies of all time. A three hour long western that oozes style, has the best dirty face closeups you will ever see, has some of the worst ADR in film, and also maybe the best score of all time. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966), directed by Sergio Leone.

This week, we are Jack's mixed film opinions. Being David Fincher's highest rated movie, we expected maybe too much for our first rewatches in twenty years, but there is still a lot to admire about this very unique film. Fight Club (1999), directed by David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt's abs..

This week, we may be in November, but thats not stopping hollywood from giving us a late to the party horror movie with everyones favorite romantic comedy actor, Huge Grant. This extremely effective bottle episode of a movie has a trio of great performances, and the horror aspects are slowly and expertly introduced to make it one of the most tense experiences of the year. Heretic (2024), directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.

This week, we watch the movie that famously and with controversy beat out Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption for best picture at the 1995 Oscars. This film also landed Tom Hanks a second best actor Oscar a year after his first, an achievement that only 4 other people have ever accomplished. Forrest Gump (1994), directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Happy Halloween! This week, we watch the low budget miracle of a horror film thats concept started one of the longest running film franchises in history. With just $57,000 budgeted for effects, this film showcases scene after scene of ingenuity, and images from the film stand among the best the genre has to offer. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), directed by Wes Craven.

Our halloween season movie selection moves into the 1990s with the 3rd entry in the Evil Dead series: Army Of Darkness. Leaning more on comedy and action than the previous two entries, it's still fun to see all the different ways Sam Raimi tries to get Bruce Campbell injured -- well, maybe that final action sequence goes on a bit too long. Army Of Darkness (1990) by Sam Raimi.

This week, we kick off the halloween season by watching the cult classic that nearly got buried during its initial release. Midsommar takes obvious influences from this movie, which plays more like a mystery / detective drama, although there is at least one moment that will make your stomach drop. The Wicker Man (1973), directed by Robin Hardy

This week, we watch a huge cast of A-listers dive into peoples dreams. For business purposes. And you can jump between peoples minds. But limbo is always in Leo's head. Don't ask questions, just watch the cool action. Inception (2010), directed by Christopher Nolan.

This week, we experience the most intense ride of the year. Nothing will prepare you for what this movie shoves in your face. Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid all deserve award season consideration for their insane and brilliant performances. The Substance (2024), directed by Coralie Fargeat.

This week, we watch one of the three films to ever win the five top oscars in a given year (Picture, Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay). The craft in this film is undeniable, but the impact of the film through its popularity is potentially not as great. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), directed by the Milos Forman.

This week, we're reposting an episode from a while back due to its continued relevance and prophetic messages. Network (1976), directed by Sidney Lumet.

This week, we watch the 7th film in the Alien franchise (not counting the AvP series) that aims to take it back to the feeling of the original by putting a horror movie director at the helm and by allowing the production to have mostly practical effects. The result is the scariest Alien film since the original. Alien: Romulus (2024), directed by Fede Alvarez.

This week, we watch the highest rated Scorsese movie on the list, as well as arguably the most influential gangster movie of all time. This film could define “good movies about bad people”, which is the acclaimed directors bread and butter. Goodfellas (1990), directed by the Martin Scorsese.

This week, we watch the heady sci-fi action fantasy (insert any genre here) film that took the 90's by storm. This film spawned countless imitators, including three inferior sequels, and everything about it still holds up today. The Matrix (1999), directed by the Wachowski's.

This week, we watch the heady sci-fi action fantasy (insert any genre here) film that took the 90's by storm. This film spawned countless imitators, including three inferior sequels, and everything about it still holds up today. The Matrix (1999), directed by the Wachowski's.

This week, we watch the R rated comic book movie that just passed $1 billions dollars worldwide box office. The motor mouthed Ryan Reynolds teams up with the straight man Hugh Jackman, revisiting his popular character in yellow this time. Stupid and funny is what it strives for, and very much achieves it. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), directed by Shawn Levy.

This week, we are revisiting the second Deadpool movie episode back from 2018. Leading into the new Deadpool and Wolverine movie, we look back to see how the second one compared. Deadpool 2 (2018), directed by David Leitch.

This week, to recognize the massive amounts of money Deadpool & Wolverine made this past weekend (and because TC is away at the Olympics), we are reposting our Deadpool episode recorded back in 2018. Deadpool (2016), directed by Tim Miller.

This week, we watch the new horror film that is taking critics by storm and audiences by mild breeze. The marketing for this film promised a terrifying new classic in horror, but what we end up with is a decently creepy arthouse offering with some very silly Nic Cage moments. Longlegs (2024), directed by Oz Perkins.

This week, we oldest/highest movie on the list. Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, this film is a rare example of age, language, or length of a film not inhibiting its ability to feel modern, fast paced, funny, dramatic, action packed…it has it all. It is easy to see how all films have taken influence from this absolute classic. Seven Samurai (1954), directed by Akira Kurosawa.

This week, we watch a masterpiece of style. This slow-burn thriller bleeds cool from all sides, as each actor delivers a perfect performance and the soundtrack blares synths over LA at night. Drive (2011), directed by Nicholas Winding Refn.

This week, we watch a thriller that takes place in the 80s with a vagrant body builder and the daughter of a gun runner mob boss. Plus there are mullets and rat tails galore. Love Lies Bleeding (2024), directed by Rose Glass.

This week, we watch a brutally realistic film that depicts the actual events of a person growing up in a favala in Rio. Violence, drugs, and crime dominate life in the poorest parts of the city, and the movie energetically and relentlessly re-tells the story. City of God (2002), directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund.

This week, we watch the fifth Mad Max film. George Miller is nearly 80 years old, and has been developing this post-apocalyptic world for 45 years at this point. This film shifts focus from Max to Furiosa, and while the director is in his twilight years, he is not lacking imagination or energy. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024), directed by George Miller.

This week, we revisit an episode that seems more relevant today than back when we released it in 2019. This film about the Watergate investigations has aged finer still over the past 5 years.. All The President's Men (1976), directed by Alan Pakula.

This week, we we find out whats in the box. David Fincher's second film contains one of the most iconic endings in films. John Doe has the upper-hand. Seven (1995), directed by David Fincher.

This week, we revisit the episode that was not only the first Bonus Episode, but also contains the birth of Timmy. The Rock (1991), directed by Michael Bay. We will be back with new episodes next week!

This week, in preparation for Furiosa, we are reposting the Mad Max episode we did back in 2018. We make some eerily accurate predictions to Furiosa's title and release timeline in the episode, so check it out! Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), directed by George Miller.