Pubcast

Brendan is joined by Allison and Eric to break down Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery -- an underrated comedy classic from 1997. It's certainly memorable with all of its quotes and pop culture influences, but almost 30 years later, it somehow feels underappreciated. I particularly like all of the references to the 1960s James Bond movies, and it really shows off Mike Myers' particular brand of comedy that seemed to dominate the late 90s.

Brendan is joined by Allison and Eric to break down this 2003 kung fu revenge classic from director Quentin Tarantino. This amazing, action-packed fight-fest of a movie is stuffed with dozens of references, homages and outright thefts of shots from 1970s kung fu movies and spaghetti westerns. It's great; it's fun; it's...seriously underrated.

Brendan is joined by Allison and Eric to break down this 2003 Christmas classic from John Favreau and Will Ferrell on its 20th anniversary. This comedy has all the hallmarks of those Rankin/Bass stop-motion movies with the comedy flavor of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. The first time I saw it, I knew it would be a classic that we'd watch every year.

In a very special episode of the Pubcast, Allison and Eric join me to break down the two sequels to Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Temple of Doom from 1984 and 1989's The Last Crusade. (No, we don't even recognize Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.) Since we covered it in the Raiders of the Lost Ark episode, we don't do "Recasterbate" and the "How Much Are They Worth?" game, but we do break down the best and worst bit of these 80s classics.

Brendan is joined by Allison and Eric to break down this 1977 classic from Steven Spielberg. It's a great personal, sci-fi movie filled with nostalgia for those of us who grew up in the 1970s and 80s. The depiction of that era plus the United States' potential for paranoia and fear of government cover-ups makes for a timeless classic.

Allison, Rob and Pauly join me to break down a movie we held in high regard for some reason...Striking Distance. This 1993 crime drama features Bruce Willis as a river cop in Pittsburgh and provides some of the worst performances from actors you like in other stuff (Bruce Willis, Tom Sizemore, Dennis Farina, Sarah Jessica Parker, etc.). So, despite the recommendations from our younger selves, we rip Striking Distances to shreds in this very special episode of the Pubcast.

Allison and Eric join me to break down one of our favorite movies, Groundhog Day. This is a classic that bears watching and rewatching in late January or early February (around Groundhog Day), but honestly, it's a movie for any season and one of Bill Murray's best performances. This 1993 classic from director Harold Ramis is packed with the funny lines you'd expect, but it goes a few layers deeper if you're paying attention.

Allison and Eric join me to break down this amazing and overlooked comedy from 2002. Undercover Brother spoofs the Blaxploitation movies…Shaft, Superfly, Coffy, Foxy Brown…but does it with a wink and a nod to the audience. Eddie Griffin provides an amazing performance in this hilarious, fast-paced comedy.

Brendan O'Neill is joined by Allison and Eric to break down this Thanksgiving classic from 80s icon, director John Hughes. Steve Martin and John Candy perfect (or maybe invent) the modern road trip comedy genre and create a rough template for another one of my favorites, Tommy Boy.

Brendan O'Neill is joined by Allison and Rob to break down this great 1995 classic from director Michael Mann. This is the first time DeNiro and Pacino appeared in the same scene together - they were both in Godfather 2, but never in the same scene. Heat might be the pinnacle of Mann's gritty 80s aesthetic and features one of the greatest shootouts in film history.

Brendan O'Neill is joined by Allison and Eric to break down what might be Arnold Schwarzenegger's most iconic movie outside of the Terminator films: 1987s Predator. It's cheesy and over-the-top and features a classic monster/villain.

Brendan O'Neill is joined by Allison and Eric to break the first(?) movie - or at least the funniest movie - based on a board game: Clue. This 1985 cult classic delivers great comedic performances with a gag-per-minute ratio to rival any comedy of the past 40 years.

Allison, Rob and Ed join me to break down this 1990s classic starring Chris Farley and David Spade. This movie holds a special place for us, as we all went to Marquette University, as did Chris Farley…and the character Tommy Callahan even graduates from Marquette in the beginning of the movie. This movie, like a lot of the SNL movies, runs high on the jokes-per-minute scale, and this is arguably the funniest of all the Saturday Night Live movies. It's extremely quotable and rewatchable, and really feels like a timeless comedy.

Brendan O'Neill is joined by Allison and Eric to break down the 1987 fairy tale, The Princess Bride. A timeless classic, this comedy is accessible and fun and quotable and memorable, thanks to director Rob Reiner and stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Andre the Giant and Wallace Shawn.

Brendan O'Neill is joined by Allison and Eric to break down the most influential movie of the last 25 years: The Matrix. This 1999 sci-fi, cyberpunk classic introduced us to a new way of visual story telling, new special effects and new fight scene choreography. 

Allison, Rob and Patrick join Brendan O'Neill to break down the Coen brothers' 1998 masterpiece, The Big Lebowski. The characters - flawless. The dialogue - perfection. The performances - unforgettable. No mater how you slice it, this is a GREAT movie...despite the underwhelming box office performance. The Dude abides.

Brendan O'Neill is joined by Allison, Eric and Jill to break down the Wes Anderson classic, Rushmore. Arguably his best movie and certainly his most accessible film, Rushmore solidifies Anderson's signature style, where every frame is centered and symmetrical, and the movie feels almost vintage as he leans into heightened nostalgia.

Allison and Eric join Brendan O'Neill for an emergency episode of the Pubcast. It's Daniel Craig's final outing as James Bond, and we've been waiting out a two-year delay for No Time to Die. Well, it's here, so we share our expectations right before we see this movie, and our reactions immediately afterward. Does No Time to Die hold up to the likes of Casino Royale and Skyfall? Listen to find out.

Allison and Eric join Brendan O'Neill as we welcome Patrick Keane to the Pubcast for the first time. Stripes remains a beloved 1980s comedy, and features Bill Murray continuing his brand of smart-ass characters previously seen on Saturday Night Live, Meatballs and, to some extent, in Caddyshack. Stripes is one of the most quotable movies from a very quotable decade, and introduced many of us to the genius of John Candy.

Allison, Eric, Rob and Rachel join Brendan O'Neill for our most contentious episode ever, as we break down The Money Pit. Tom Hanks is arguably at his comedic best (with all respect due to his smash hit Big), and Shelley Long used this movie as the springboard to leave her hit sitcom, Cheers. Like it, love it, or dare I say, hate it, The Money Pit has maybe the most memorable on-screen laugh in movie history.

Allison and Eric join Brendan O'Neill to break down an 80s classic that somehow remains underrated. Ghostbusters was one of the first uber-quotable summer blockbusters that seemed to take over pop culture for the better part of a year...and did so based on the red hot trio of Bill Murray, dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Back off, man. I'm a scientist.

Allison and Eric join Brendan O'Neill to break down the 90s spy thriller, Mission: Impossible. This is the movie that spawned a franchise, thanks to Tom Cruise and a plot that moves along like part spy movie, part heist movie. 

Brendan O'Neill is joined by Allison and Rob to break down this classic buddy comedy, road trip movie - Midnight Run. Often overlooked but universally loved, Midnight Run gives us Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro at their best.

Brendan O'Neill is joined by Allison, Eric and Rob to break down Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark to celebrate its 40th anniversary. We do a deep dive into the incredible details of this timeless classic from Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford.

Allison and Eric join Brendan O'Neill to discuss Spies Like Us. This Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase comedy from 1985 isn't as well-regarded as classics like Stripes, but it's packed with just as many (maybe more) laughs and holds up surprisingly well 35 years later.

Allison, Eric, Rob and Rachel join Brendan O'Neill to break down 1994's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. It's a classic from early in Jim Carrey's career and kicked off a string of movies that shot him to the top of the highest-paid actor list. This movie is just as funny as it was when it first came out, so check out our glowing discussion and laugh along with us.

Eric and Allison join Brendan O'Neill to discuss our initial reactions to The Snyder Cut on HBO Max. We talk about what worked, what didn't and what this new 4-hour version of Justice League might mean for streaming services in the future.

Allison and Eric join Brendan O'Neill to break down The Quiet Man, a 1952 classic from director John Ford and starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. This is a charming, funny, picturesque movie that is perfect for the days leading up to St. Patrick's Day. Slainte!

Allison, Joel and Michelle join me on a coast-to-coast race of nonsense and shenanigans...The Cannonball Run! This Burt Reynolds and Dom LeLuise movie from 1981 may not be a "classic," per se, but we broke down everything you ever wanted to know about it anyway.

It's a classic. It's the movie that cemented Tom Cruise as a superstar. It's got the greatest shirtless volleyball scene in film history. It's Top Gun! Eric and Allison join me to breakdown all the important aspects of this 80s ode to the military. I feel the need; the need for speed!

In a very special, extra-large episode, Rob and Allison join me to break down the 1991 classic, The Silence of the Lambs. We tear this film apart, limb from limb, as we do a deep dive into the genre, characters, plot, and even important issues like the layout of Jame Gumb's basement and the enormous size of Clarice's cake at FBI graduation. Crack open some fava beans and a nice chianti as you listen to this one.

Snatch is arguably Guy Ritchie's best movie - at least it is in my opinion. Allison, Eric, Mike and I all have an affinity for this amazing movie, and we breakdown all its best details, including: trivia, casting, best scenes and memorable quotes. Is it Brad Pitt's best performance? Is it Dennis Farina's best role? Is it the breakout movie for Jason Statham? Who knows? Regardless, Snatch is super entertaining and funny - so check it out.

It's the second half of our very special two-part Casino Royale episode. This one is packed with discussion, include the popular Recasterbate segment and everyone's favorite: the How Much Are They Worth game. We can expect a few 007 sequels to this episode, I'm sure.

The name's Bond. James Bond. Shaken, not stirred. Allison, Eric and Ian join me to break down my favorite 007 movie, Casino Royale. It's Daniel Craig's debut, and sees the franchise return to its more gritty, less jokey, roots. This is the first part of a two-part episode, and includes a fun, crazy game of "Bond Girl Names: Real or Fake?" Check out this episode as a primer for part 2, which will drop very soon.

Just in time for its 30th anniversary, Allison and Eric join me to break down 1991's Point Break. While considered by many to be a pop culture classic, upon rewatching, this movie is surprisingly light on signature quotes and memorable lines. That said, the skydiving scenes makeup for any shortcomings. "Utah, get me two!"

Yippee-ki-yay! Allison, Eric and Pauly join me to make fists with our toes while we discuss all the great things about Die Hard. The ultimate Christmas movie (yes, it's absolutely a Christmas movie), Die Hard is one of my favorites and we break down all the best quotes, scenes and characters. Come out the coast, we'll have a few laughs...

Allison, Rob and Pauly join me to break down Martin Scorsese's classic, Goodfellas. It's been among each of our favorite movies of all time since we saw it, and obsessed over it, in college. This is part 2 of our two-part Goodfellas episode and is chock full of memories, trivia, favorite quotes and the 'How Much Are They Worth?' game. If you haven't listened to part 1, "Go get your f***in' shinebox!"

Allison, Rob and Pauly join me to break down Martin Scorsese's classic, Goodfellas. It's been among each of our favorite movies of all time since we saw it, and obsessed over it, in college. This episode is chock full of memories, trivia, favorite quotes and, of course, Recasterbate - everyone's favorite and potentially most-stressful segment of the show. Enjoy Part 1 and get ready for Part 2.

Allison and Eric join me on look back at Arnold Schwarzenegger's breakout role as the Terminator T-800. The Terminator's place in pop culture is cemented, but you'll be surprised to learn where it ranked in box office performance in 1984...which was a murderer's row of 80's classic. One of the best movie years ever.

Rob Nash joins me, along with Allison and Eric, as we dive into the trivia cast and insanity of this seemingly accidental hit. So, here it is, our extra-long episode of the Pubcast where we breakdown Steven Spielberg's classic, Jaws.  Jaws: You'll never go in the water again.

Allison and Eric again join me, this time to break down the John Cusack 80s classic, Better Off Dead. This move is insanely quirky and weird, and somehow it just works. Oh, and "I want my two dollars!"

Allison and Eric again join me, this time to break down a Coen Brothers' classic, Raising Arizona. We discuss if this is the "most Coen Brothers" of all Coen Brothers movies, get into some trivia and assorted nonsense, before jumping into what is quickly becoming our favorite segment: Recasterbate. There are some surprisingly great casting options if this movie was remade today. It's a recasting debate. Recasterbate. Get it? Oh well. Also, you'll never guess who failed to win the How Much Are They Worth? game.

Allison and Eric join me to breakdown another Chicago classic, The Fugitive. We decide if this is a Harrison Ford movie or a Tommy Lee Jones movie, dive deep into some great movie trivia, propose some interesting modern casting ideas in 'Recasterbate,' and are absolutely shocked by the net worth of one of the movie's actors in the 'How Much Are They Worth?' game.

Part 2 of our extra-long breakdown of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This one includes our famous game, "How Much Are They Worth?" Do you have a movie you'd like us to breakdown? Let us know in the comments.

After some time off - OK, a long time off - we're back with some upgraded software and a whole new format. This is Part 1 of a two-part breakdown of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

After another long hiatus (hey, we're not getting paid for this), Mike and Ruff join me for a brand new episode that features some annoying technical issues (which we've since resolved, but the fix won't be employed until episode 50) and the debut of the theme song for Mike's segment...one of my best efforts as producer. And remember: #iloveus.

Back from some time off, Michelle, Mike and Ruff join me for a lively episode that includes a couple new segments and an introduction to "Living My Best Life" - a song you may never forget; and will rue the day you first heard it.

After WAAAAAYYYY too much time away, the Pubcast is finally back. The last time we tried to come back, we recorded a great episode, only to have technical issues destroy it. This time, we got it right. Consider this episode a dumping ground of many of the random ideas I've had over the past few months. Mike, Ruff and I jump from topic to topic, trying out potential new segments and weeding out a couple of duds. Overall, I think we shook off the rust pretty well.

Mike, Tim and my wife, Allison, join me for part two of our deep dive into HBO's Westworld, where we dissect all of the major plot points and characters. If you like the show, you'll enjoy this episode. If you haven't seen Westworld, this probably isn't the episode for you. That said, the second half of the episode includes a funny version of the "How Much Are They Worth" game. Do I break my losing streak? Tune in to find out. Westworld is a great show and I highly suggest you check it out.

Mike, Tim and Allison (my wife, making her Pubcast debut) join me to take a deep dive into HBO's Westworld where we dissect all of the major plot points and characters. If you like the show, you'll enjoy this episode. If you haven't seen Westworld, this probably isn't the episode for you. It's a very good show and I highly suggest you check it out.

Michelle and Ruff join me in a fun discussion about some new "words" and Michelle rules on their viability. Also, as this was our first episode after the Presidential election, we have aPresidential-themed "How Much Are They Worth?" game.