Sitting Around Talking Movies

The Summer movie season is upon us and your entertainment options are flooding in. We start with "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina" in which Ana De Armas plays an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization who sets out to seek revenge after her father's death. Is it any good? Does Keanu Reeves show up? Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll let you know. Then we've got "The Life of Chuck" which is based on a Stephen King novella and goes backwards in time. Not weird enough for you? How about the stage musical Neil Rosen saw called "Maby Happy Ending." Neil Rosen raves about it. Neil also raves about "The Four Seasons" series on Netflix though Bill McCuddy disagrees. The two of them do rave about the documentary "Ron Delsner Presents." Neil and Bill M talk about the summer movies they're looking forward to this year. Bill Bregoli on the other hand has been out watching them and will fill you in "Karate Kid: Legends" and "The Fountain of Youth." There's more too, so listen in. 

We do all our own stunts on our podcasts and so does Tom Cruise. That's why we're starting with "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning." It's something to do with AI run amok, plus Tom walks on an airplane wing and takes his shirt off a lot. We watched all 2 hours and 49 minutes of it. Did we like it? You'll have to listen. We've also got the latest Marvel movie "Thunderbolts" which may very well help reinvigorate a franchise. Neil (finally) caught up with "Your Friends and Neighbors"  and Bill McCuddy tells us about holding on to something belonging to Gary Cooper. What, pray tell, could that be? Bill M also aught up with a Tom Hardy movie and Bill Bregoli (of course) tells us about a teen sex comedy starring SNL's Chloe Fineman (it's on Hulu) called "Summer of 69." Notice the lack of apostrophe -  it's very telling. Somehow Neil was let back onto Broadway again and he swears he saw "this year's 'Hamilton.'" He also watched a Mathew Perry documentary and read a book about Nora Epron. Where does he find the time? And for those who like real crime documentaries we've go "Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer" on Netflix. There's a lot here so listen in!

The good weather is here but so is pollen, and mosquitos. So you're better off staying indoors and watching something and boy do we have a lot of options for you. First we've got the long awaited sequel "The Accountant 2" in which Ben Affleck returns as Christian Wolff, who applies his brilliant mind and illegal methods to reconstruct the unsolved puzzle of a Treasury chief's murder. We've also got "Queen of the Ring" inspired by the true story of Mldlred Burke, a small town single mother embraces the danger as she dominates America's most masculine sport and becomes the first million dollar female athlete in history. And for those who like quirky movies there's "The Legend of Ochi" in which a shy girl is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as ochi. But when she discovers a wounded baby ochi has been left behind, she escapes on a quest to bring him home. And for you gentle humor fans there's "The Ballad of Wallis Island." It's about an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island tries to make his fantasies come true by getting his favorite musicians to perform at his home. But if you like Jason Staham action movies there's "A Working Man" which shows off his very special skills as he hunts for a missing girl. And ther's the truly weird "The Ugly Stepsister" which follows Elvira as she battles against her gorgeous stepsister in a realm where beauty reigns supreme. We'v also got a literally "uplifting"  documentary on the Palace Theatre in NYC. Plus "The Diamond Heist" which tells how in 2000, a group of London criminals plan an audacious heist: ram-raid the Millennium Dome, steal a diamond and escape by boat on the Thames, but the police are surveilling them. Interested in streaming series?"''Etoile" which which examines life as a dancer. And there's "Dying for Sex" which is the story of a woman diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, who abandons her husband of 15 years and begins to fully explore her sexuality. Or how about "Your Friends & Neighbors whch stars Joohn Hamm as a hedge fund manager who resorts to burglary after losing his job. And we check out the news seasons of "Hack," "The Last of Us" and "Black Mirror." Put the sunscreen away and give us a listen.

You probably think of a hammock as that flimsy sheet of cloth you string between two trees. The thing that when you get in it you either look lazy and pretentious or you simply flip over and fall to the ground losing what little dignity you have. Well, this is hammock season in show business. It's the time between the big holiday blockbusters and the big summer action movie blockbusters. Judging by the most recent box-office results people are wise to this and very few people are venturing out to the theaters right now. Maybe they're streaming, who really knows? Nonetheless, we've had a look at some of your entertainment options. We start with "The Studio" which follows a legacy Hollywood movie studio striving to survive in a world where it is increasingly difficult for art and business to live together.So it goes and hires someone played by Seth Rogen. We've all seen it and we'll let you know if it's worth your time, Then there's the controversial live action version of "Snow White" starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. Way too much has been written about it but Bill Bregoli actually ventured out to see it. He's the only one of us brave enough. Bill McCuddy tells us about "Thank You Very Much," which is a documentary about performance artist and "song and dance man" Andy Kaufman. Neil Rosen, who likes to follow around people who wear tuxedos, tells us about "The Penguin Lessons" and his conversation with star Steve Coogan. For spy movie fans we have "Black Bag" from director Stephen Soderbergh which stars Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett. For streaming folks there's "Toxic Town" which is based on a true story and stars Jodie Whittaker and Aime Lou Wood. Aimee is also in the current season of "White Lotus" so naturally we drift off into a conversation about that. We also talk about a controversy surrounding Johnny Carson's couch and Bill M tells us about his conversation with Alec Baldwin. So even if none of what Hollywood is offering right now interests you at least you've got us to listen to. 

We are now in Daylight SavingsTime and if you're like us, you're missing that hour of sleep you lost last weekend. Some say it's worth it because of the extra sunlight at the end of the day. But most folks would rather watch something entertaining than stare at the sun.So we've got the latest alternatives. We start with "Novocaine" starring Jack Quaid as a mild-mannered bank employee. He's has a rare conition that makes him incapable of feeling physical pain  But when the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, he turns his rare condition into an unexpected advantage in the fight to rescue her. Bill Bregoli will let you know if he liked it. Then there's "I Love You Forever" which is billed as a subversive romantic comedy gone wrong that follows a young woman into and out of an emotionally abusive relationship. Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy both report what they thought of it. For streaming fans we have The Åre Murders" which is a Swedish mystery series on Netflix we saw. There's also "A Thousand Blows" which comes from the creator of "Peaky Blinders." It's based on a real life female gang in 1880s London. "Neil tells us about watching "House of Telegraph Hill" which starred Richard Basehart and Bill McCuddy fills us all in on the reality series :The Baldwins" and the action movie "Den of Theives 2." Oh, and you may have already forgotten about the Oscars but we'll tell you what we thought of them. Now that you've read all this the sun has already gone down, so go find something to watch!

Our long national nightmare is almost over - The Oscars are finally happening this weekend. They said they were going to happen come hell or high water and Hollywood has had both. As for us, we've boiled entrails and read tea leaves and here is who we think will win what. So go ahead and bet the farm on your Oscar pool at work. Just don't come running to us...

It's cold and you don't want to venture outside. And if you do, you want it to be worth the trip. Luckily we've checked out all your entertainment options. If you're staying inside and streaming we've got "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy." In this one Bridget Jones navigates life as a widow and single mum with the help of her family, friends, and former lover, Daniel. It's on Peacock. On Apple TV+ there's "The Gorge" starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. They play two highly-trained operatives who become close after being sent to protect opposite sides of a mysterious gorge. When an evil emerges, they must work together to survive what lies within. For theater goers there's "Millers in Marriage. Wirter/director Ed Burns tells a tale of three middle-aged married couples coming to grips with universal questions about marriage and fidelity, professional success and failure, and the challenge of finding a second act. For documentary fans we've got "Sly Lives (aka The Burden of Black Genius) which focuses on the life and legacy of Sly and the Family Stone, telling the story behind the rise, reign and fadeout of one of pop music's most influential artists. If you're into TV series we'll give you a preview of the new season of "White Lotus." Plus we've got "Nobody Wants This" and "Have I Got News For You." And if you like hearing us go on and on you can listen to us discuss the SNL 50th Anniversary specials. There's more, too. So listen in. 

If you've been paying any attention to the Oscar race you've no doubt heard the controversy surrounding "Emilia Perez" and its nominated star Karla Sofia Gascon. Something to do with tweets, or whatever you call them now that they're on X. It's a fluid situation but we'll add our two cents. Meanwhile Bill Bregoli still insists on watching movies in theaters and he fills us in on "Companion" which stars Sophie Thatcher of "Yellowjackets." It's hard to describe without giving away too much but let's just say it's edgy. Neil Rosen tells a story about going to see Woody Allen play the clarinet and he also caught up with a documentary called "When Jews Were Funny" which was apparently a while ago, but it's on YouTube. Bill McCuddy has also been busy streaming and he fills us in on "Catch Me a Killer" which tells the harrowing story of South Africa's first serial killer profiler. And he's also seen "The Agency" which stars Michel Fassbender as, you guessed it, a spy. But that's not all. We've also got the Apple TV+ thriller "Prime Target" and the animated satire of Big Pharma called "Common Side Effects." 

It's the time of year when you can let yourself go a little bit since the parties are over and no one will notice if you need a haircut or your roots touched up. That's why our first film is "Wolf Man." It's the latest attempt by Universal Pictures to bring their monster franchises back from the dead. This one stars Julia Garner and Christopher Abbot as a family at a remote farmhouse attacked by an unseen animal, but as the night stretches on, the father begins to transform into something unrecognizable. Then we've got "September 5" which takes place during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, as an American sports broadcasting team must adapt to live coverage the Israeli athletes being held hostage by a terrorist group.We've also got "The Last Showgirl" starring none other than Pamela Anderson as a seasoned showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. And we've got "Joy" which is about 3 trailblazers: a young nurse, a visionary scientist and an innovative surgeon face opposition from the church, state, media, and medical establishment in their pursuit of the world's first 'test tube baby,' Louise Joy Brown. Need more? How about "American Primeval" which follows the gritty and adventurous exploration of the birth of the American West, the violent collisions of cults, religion, and men and women fighting for control of the new world. Still looking? Well then we have "Carry-On" which is a thriller about mysterious traveler who blackmails a young TSA agent into letting a dangerous package slip through security and onto a Christmas Eve flight. But that's not all. We'll also tell you about documetaries like "Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action" and "Mr. McMahon," a six-part series about the now infamous founder of the WWE. So comb through our offerings and listen in. 

Go ahead, sing along:"The Order" and "Conclave," "My Old Ass" and WIcked.""The Bikers" and "Skywalkers," plus "Nosferatu.""Coup de Chance" also and "A Complete Unknown"These are a few of our favorite films.Okay, please stop singing. We just thought we'd wrap up 2024 without a formal "Best Of" list. And we also talk about some new releases such as "Babygirl" and "The Fire Inside."So before you start getting causght up in the 2025 films - listen in!

Movies are like canned cranberry sauce. Definitely manufactured but capable of being sweet or tart, and able to make at least one day a little better. Plus the jiggling is always fun. And now we have this year's crop of Thanksgiving movies. They're quite the seasonal bounty. First we have "Gladiator 2" which stars Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Connie Neilson. It's been a long time since the first one - how's the sequel? We all saw it and we'll let you know.Then Neil tells us about "Wicked" which is the much anticipated movie version of the Broadway musical which seems destined to last longer than Broadway itself. And for something a bit more adult, Bill Bregoli tells us about "Anora," which is about a young sex worker from Brooklyn, who meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as his parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. Also for grownups is "September 5" which takes place during the 1972 Munich Olympics, as an American sports broadcasting crew finds itself thrust into covering the hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes. And for you streaming fans there's "Blitz" which is the stories of a group of Londoners during the German bombing campaign of the British capital during World War II. We've also got amodern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of West Texas oil rigs called "Landman" starring Billy Bob Thornton and "The Day of the Jackal" which is about an elusive assassin who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. And for music documentary fans there's "Beatles '64" which captures the band's electrifying 1964 US debut amid fan frenzy. So put that can opener down and listen in. 

Daylight Savings Time is coming to an end and darkness will be upon us even sooner. But that's OK since there are lots of movies and shows to watch.We start with "Woman of the Hour." It's the directorial debut of Anna Kendrick who also stars in the film as Sheryl Bradshaw, a single woman looking for a suitor on a hit 1970s TV show, chooses charming bachelor Rodney Alcala, unaware that, behind the man's gentle facade, he hides a deadly secret.It's based on a true story! Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy both saw it and they'll tell you what they think. Neil Rosen, on the other hand, went to some Broadway plays. The first is "Hold on to Me Darling" starring Adam Driver. And he also saw "Left on Tenth" starring Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher. For streaming folks there's the Seth Meyers comedy special "Dad Man Walking" which is about, you guessed it - being a dad. Plus there's the intense drama "Disclaimer" which stars Cate Blanchett as a television documentary journalist whose work has been built on revealing the transgressions of long-respected institutions. And for something less intense there's "It's Florida, Man" which is an irreverent late-night series bringing to life unbelievable tales from Florida. Safer than actually going there. We've also got the Netflix documentary "Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare" and even more. Time's a wastin' so listen in!

Summer's creature features and superheroes have faded away and now it's time for the award show bait to show up. We start with "Conclave" which stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini (wow!). Ralph stars as Cardinal Lawrence, who is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, and he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church. It's got lots of Oscar buzz plus an amazing cast. We'll let you know what we think! Then there's "The Apprentice."" which is the story of how a young Donald Trump started his real-estate business in 1970s and '80s New York with the helping hand of infamous lawyer Roy Cohn. And speaking of controversial folks, we've also got the new Netflix documentary "Martha" which covers the breadth of an extraordinary life through intimate interviews with Martha Stewart herself, who opened up her personal archives to share never-before-seen photos, letters, and diary entries. For comedy buffs there's "Saturday Night" which tells how on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live way back in1975. There's a whole lot more, so lsten in!

It's officially Fall now. And like your neighbor's zucchinis, we have lots of movies. Some big, some small. First up we've got "Wolfs." It's about two rival fixers who cross paths when they're both called in to help cover up a prominent New York official's misstep. Oh, George Clooney and Brad Pitt are in it. Then there's "My Old Ass." It's a comong of age comedy about how a mushroom trip brings free-spirited Elliott (the up andcoming Maisy Stella) face-to-face with her 39-year-old self - played by no less than Aubrey Plaza. If it's creepy you want we've got "The Substance" in which a fading celebrity played by Demi Moore decides to use a black-market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. If you're one of the few unfortunates who hasn't seen "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice" we'll fill you in on that and it you're into documentaries we'll tell you about "Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos" which is full of firsthand accounts and revelations from the people who brought the groundbreaking series to life. And for animation fans there "The Wild Robot" in which an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island's animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose. Oh and there's more including "Rebel Ridge," "The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg" and "In the Land of Saints and Sinners." We talk a lot in this one so fry up some zucchini and listen in. 

If you've been going to movies for a few years you;ve probably realized that August is usually the End of Season Clearance Sale at the movies. Horror flicks, lame comedies, really, they should mark these films down. But this year is very different. Not only are pictures making more money this August than a year ago, but they're making more money than in August 2019 - the year before the pandemic. So we'll start with "It Ends With Us." It's based on a popular novel and stars Blake Lively as Lily, who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life. A chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her parents' relationship. Bill Bregoli watched it in a theater full of women and he'll tell you how they liked it. Then there's "Deadpool & Wolverine" which just about everyone has seen but once again Bill B was the one of us who ventured out to the theater and he'll tell you how that went. Bill B also saw "Twisters" and he explains how it;s different from "Twister" (the one with the cow). Neil went to a theater too, and he caught up with "Fly Me to the Moon." Bill McCuddy went the streaming route and watched the new version of "Presumed Innocent" Starring Jake Gylllenhaal and he'll let you know what he thought. Plus Neil and Bill M talk about the new "Saturday Night Live" movie trailer for longer than the actual trailer, but hey, that's what we do. So listen in!

One thing about staying home in the air conditioning is that you wind up seeing a lot of commercials. And boy have they been advertising our first movie, "Fly Me to the Moon." It stars (in case you've been asleep or in a coma) Scarlett Johanson and Channing Tatum. They're selling it as a "fake the moon mission" movie but it's more than that...and less. Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy both saw it and they'll explain. Then there's "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" in which Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter's life is threatened, and works with old pals John Taggart and Billy Rosewood to uncover a conspiracy. It's the fourth film in the franchise. Should it be the last? We'll let you know. Neil Rosen lets us know what he thought of the third season of "The Bear" and for you documentary fans there's "Faye" which covers the career of Faye Dunaway. Plus we've got the reality real estate show "Owning Manhattan" and the true crime limited series "Hollywood Con Queen." So listen in!

Even the calendar says it's officially summer now. And in Hollywood that means it's time for sequels and remakes. And before you say "oh please, no more sequels," keep in mind that one of them - "Inside Out 2" is making money like crazy. So obviously people are coming out to see it even though it's a sequel. And even though the original came out nine years ago in 2015, this one follows Riley, now in her teenage years, encountering new emotions. And speaking of animated sequels, here comes "Despicable Me 4" in which Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina, and the family is forced to go on the run. And now there's a TV serial remake of "Presumed Innocent," this time starring Jake Gyllenhaal. It tells the story of a horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorneys' office when one of its own is suspected of the crime.But if you want something that's not a sequel or a remake we have "Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini" which is a true-crime documentary. It tells how Keith and Sherri Papini's seemingly idyllic life was shattered when Sherri vanishes from their rural California neighborhood, triggering a frenzied search that becomes news around the world. But once Sherri is found, a new nightmare begins. then we've got the drama "Treasure" starring Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry as a father and daughter who go to visit Poland. And speaking of Poland, we also have "The Thaw" which is a crime series on Max. And then we've got "Brats" which centers on 1980s films starring the 'Brat Pack' and their profound impact on the young stars' lives. That's a lot for one podcast - so listen in!

Summer is pretty much here and so is the season of reconstructing Will Smith's reputation. That's why our first movie is "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" in wwhich Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami's finest are now on the run. Does somebody get slapped? Why yes. Then we looked at the new Max doucmentary "Moviepass, Moviecrash" which explores the company founding and the implosion of the business by outside investors who took over the company, left it bankrupt and under investigation. There's also the second season of "Tokyo Vice" in which a Western journalist working for a publication in Tokyo takes on one of the city's most powerful crime bosses.For those of you looking for an inspirational family film we've got "Young Woman and the Sea" which is the story of competitive swimmer Trudy Ederle, who, in 1926, was the first woman to ever swim across the English Channel.And we look at a filmed version of Chaz Palminteri's one-man play version of "A Bronx Tale" which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. And if it's gritty you're after we've got "The Bikeriders" which features an amazing cast including Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Michael Shannon. So listen in!

So this is the summer movie season, huh? Okay, it seems last year's strikes cut back on how many big "tentpole" (somebody explain that term to me, please) movies or big summer blockbusters. But Hollywood is still putting out some movies they hope will slack our summer movie thirst. First up is "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga." And you probably know that it's the origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and teamup with Mad Max.Does it live up to the hype? Will it break the Memorial Day weekend box-office record? Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli will let you know what they thought of it. There's also "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" which is the latest epic from the storied franchise. If you're into little movies without explosions or special effects there's "Ezra" which stars Bobby Cannavale as comedian Max, who co-parents autistic son Ezra with ex-wife Jenna, played by the ever lovely Rose Byrne. And then there's "Thelma" which stars June Squib as 93-year-old Thelma Post, who gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson,so she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. Plus there's "Hit Man," coming soon to Netflix, in which a professor moonlighting as a hit man of sorts for his city police department, descends into dangerous, dubious territory when he finds himself attracted to a woman who enlists his services.And speaking of Netflix, there's a new series called "Bodkin" which is about a group of podcasters who set out to investigate the mysterious disappearance of three strangers in an idyllic Irish town.Then Neil Rosen tells us about seeing the Broadway play "Stereophonic" for a second time. There must be a reason. So listen in!

The calender tells us it's still Spring" but in Hollywood Summer is just getting started. That's why our first film is the big budget action film "The Fall Guy" starring Ryan Gosling as a down-and-out stuntman whi must find the missing star of his ex-girlfriend's blockbuster film. Is it too much too soon, or is it not enough? We'll let you know. Then there's Jerry Seinfeld's directorial debut "Unfrosted" which tells how in 1963 Michigan, business rivals Kellogg's and Post competed to create a cake that could change breakfast forever. And for you romance fans there's "The Idea of You" on Amazon. It stars Anne Hathaway as a 40-year-old single mom, who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. Yup, Anne Hathaway is playing moms now. And there's also the controversial "Baby Reindeer" which follows follows writer and performer Richard Gadd's warped relationship with a female stalker and the impact it has on him as he is ultimately forced to face a deep, dark buried trauma. For you "based on a true story types there's "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare from direct Guy Ritchie in which British military recruits a small group of highly skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during World War II. And for mystery buffs there's "Under the Bridge" which stars Lily Gladston and Riley Keough who try and solve the mystery of a murdered teen. Plus, for those of you thinking of coming to New York to see a play or musical on Broadway, we've got a rundown of what's hot and what's not as we head toward the Tony Awards. So listen in!

The good weather is finally here - almost anyway. And that means you won't be didging raindrops on your way to the local cinema. Or, if you're more of a homebody, that you'll have something to watch once you've finished your daily errands. And we've got plenty of options. First there's the very controversial action movie "Civil" War." It stars Kirsten Dunst and it talkes place in dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House. We've also got "Monkey Man" which is the directorial debut of Dev Patel. He also plays an anonymous young man who unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless. We've also got "the Long Game." Which takes place in 1955 as five young Mexican-American caddies, out of the love for the game, were determined to learn how to play, so they created their own golf course in the middle of the South Texas desert. As for you streaming people, we've got "Ripley" It's based on Patricia Highsmith's novel about a grifter named Ripley living in New York during the 1960s who is hired by a wealthy man to bring his vagabond son home from Italy. Then there's "Sugar" in which Private investigator John Sugar (Colin Farrell) examines the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the granddaughter of a legendary Hollywood producer. There's plenty more too. So listen in!

Spring is getting off to a fast start entertainment wise. First we've got "Steve! (Martin): A Documentary In Two Pieces" and if you thought that title was long wait until you watch this Apple TV+ documentary which follows the life and career of actor Steve Martin. And if this whets your appetite for documentaries about comedians we've also got "Remembering Gene Wilder" which does exactly that. If your into fiction there's the Woody Allen film you probably haven't heard about called "Coup de Chance" in which wo young people's bond leads to marital infidelity and ultimately crime.Want something more mainstream? There's "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" and the remake of "Road House" starring Jake Gyllenhaal. We'l also tell you about Michael Keaton's directorial debut titled "Knox Goes Away" in which he plays a contract killer with dementia. Really. Then there's the lesbian noir thriller starring Kristen Stewart "Love Lies Bleeding" and the lewd but funny British comedy "Wicked Little Letters" starring Oscar winner Olivia Colman. And there's more, so put off planting string beans another day and listen in. 

Spring has sprung and by now you should be over your seasonal affective disorder and developing allergies instead. And the cure for that is staying indoors and watching stuff. Luckily we've checked out the most recent crop of movies and streaming shows for you. We start with "Arthur the King" which stars Mark Wahlberg as an adventure racer who adopts a stray dog named Arthur to join him in an epic endurance race.Obiviously it's not blockbuster season yet. Then we've got the Netflix fantasy adventure film "Damsel" starring Millie Bobbie Brown as a dutiful damsel whi agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt. Oh, and there's a dragon. Then there's the Amazon comedy  "Nicky Stanicky" which stars Zac Efron and John Cena and is director by Peter Farrelly. For you streamer fans there's "The Gentlemen"which is the first series created by Guy Ritchie now on Netflix. And in case you're starting to forget it already, we give you our perspective on the Oscars. Listen in!

Are you suddenly aware of how time is passing? Of course you are! The Oscars are less than a week away and so is Daylight Savings Time. And "Dune Part 2," which was supposed to come out last summer is finally in theaters. Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli both saw it and they'll tell you if it's worth spending 2 hours and 46 minutes of your precious time on. Then we've got "Drive-Away Dolls" directed by one of the Coen brothers and "Ordinary Angels" which stars Hilary Swank. Neil tells us about 2 plays he saw and we also remember comedian and actor Richard Lewis who passed away last week. And then there's our Oscar Predictions to help you fill out your office pool. Time continues to pass by so we'll end this so you can listen in.

Word is that there's a big football game this weekend. In fact, Hollywood is so afraid no one will go to the movies this weekend that they're not putting many new ones in theaters. "Lisa Frankenstein" is sort of a sacrifical lamb. It's directed by Zelda Williams and written by Diablo Cody and it's about about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. Bill Bregoli doesn't watch football anyway, so he checked it out. Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy saw a french film called "Driving Madeleine" and they were both surprised by how much they liked it. We've also got "Argylle" which is about a reclusive author who writes espionage novels about a secret agent and a global spy syndicate and realizes the plot of the new book she's writing starts to mirror real-world events, in real time.It didn't make a lot of money when it opened last weeekend and Bill Bregoli explains why. Bill McCuddy tells us about "Feud: Capote vs the Swans" which is an anthology series centering on famous feuds, including Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and Truman Capote and the New York elite.For documentary fans we've got "The Greatest Night in Pop" which tells how on January 25th 1985, dozens of the era's most popular musicians gathered in Los Angeles to record a charity single for African famine relief. Setting egos aside, they collaborated on a song that would make history. It's on Netflix, and also on Netflix is the animated tale "Orion and the Dark" which is about a boy with an active imagination faces his fears on an unforgettable journey through the night with his new friend: a giant, smiling creature named Dark.It's got some big names involved.And for you streaming fans there's "Masters of the Air," which is the latest from the people who brought you "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific." And we've also got "Griselda" which stars Sofia Vergara as a woman who creates one of the most ruthless cartels in history. Plus we'll tell you about the new season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and what we thought of the Grammy Awards. Listen in!

To quote someone who got canceled - "baby, it's cold outside." Luckily we've been able to sample the latest movies and streaming shows to keep you warm. First there's "Origin" directed by Ava DuVernay. It tells the story of a real life journalist who investigated the unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. If it sound heavy - it is. Niel Rosen caught up with the documentary "It Ain't Over" which chronicles the illustrious life and career of the baseball great, Yogi Berra. I'm told he played for the Yankees. For you streaming fans Bill McCuddy fills us in on "Fool Me Once" in which widowed mum Maya is disturbed by an image of her late husband captured on her toddler's nanny cam. It's based on a novel by Harlan Coben. Also streaming is the third season of "True Detective which stars Jodi Fosterand takes place in freezing Alaska.Then we've got "Lift" which is the latest Netflix action movie starring Kevin Hart. And Bill Bregoli tells us about the latest Jason Statham thriller "The Beekeeper" which is in theaters. Plus Neil and Bill M fill us in on the most revent award show which they take very seriously. So top off your window cleaner resevoir in the car and then throw a log on the fire and listen to us.

It's a strange time of year. People have taken down their holiday decorations and tossed their Christmas trees out to the curb. But there are some new movies, and there are some kind of old movies that are getting awards. Let's start with "Mean Girls." It was a new movie 20 years ago but this time they've added some songs and made it into a movie musical. Bill Bregoli was the only one of us brave enough to go see it and he'll tell what he thought. Then there's "Society of the Snow" based on the true story of what happened in 1972 when an airplane carrying a rugby team crashed on a glacier in the Andes. The few passengers who survive the crash find themselves in one of the world's toughest environments to survive."Wait a second," you're saying, "Wasn't there a movie about that same subject years ago. The one where they ate their dead." Yes, there were two in fact, but this new one is much different. Then Bill McCuddy and Neil Rosen tell you what they thought of the Golden Globe Awards last weekend and the recently announced SAG Award nominations. Bill M also fills us in on two new documentaries. There's "Sly" which is about Sylvester Stallone, and "Arnold," which follows the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger. And few you monster movie fans, Bill M tells us about "Monarch" on Apple TV+. So make sure you've picked up that tinsel that's on the floor and listen in,

nIt's that time of year when we look back and figure out if we actually liked any of the movies and shows we saw. Turns out there were a few. Hint: None of them invoved superheroes. But first, we've got some new movies and shows to tell you about and we start with "The Color Purple." First it was a book, then a movie, then it was a Broadway musical and now there's a movie musical. Bill Bregoli saw it and (eventually) he'll tell you what he thought of it. Bill McCuddy fills us in on "The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" which is now streaming. And Neal watched a streaming series called "Jury Duty" which follows the workings of an American jury trial through the eyes of Ronald Gladden, a juror who is unaware the entire case is fake. Everyone except him is an actor, and everything that happens is carefully planned. And no, it's not the movie of the same name starring Paully Shore. Then there's "Dream Scenario" which stars Nicolas Cage as a hapless family man who finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams. Oh and there's "The Boys in the Boat" which is a 1930s-set story centered on the University of Washington's rowing team, from their Depression-era beginnings to winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Plus for streaming fans there's "The Family Plan" starring Mark Wahlberg and "The Retirement Plan" starring Nicolas Cage and they're both oddly similar in a certain way. And yes, we do look back at our favorite films of 2023. So why not think of your own favorite films and compare them with ours. Listen in!.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

It's that time of year. You're busy shopping and you haven't had much time to sit down and enjoy a movie or TV show. Plus Hollywood's flood gates are about to open right around Christmas and there will be even more choices to make. Luckily we've got some films worth checking out before they get lost in the Christmas shuffle. First there's "Eileen" which stars Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie. It's what happens when a woman's friendship with a new co-worker at the prison facility where she works takes a sinister turn.Then there's "The Zone of Interest" which is getting all sorts of critical praise. It depicts how the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.And for those who like family dramas there's "Th Iron Claw." It's the true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.There's even a Julia Roberts move - on Netflix no less. It's about how a family's getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices, and two strangers appear at their door.And there's the British drama "All of Us Strangers."It's about a screenwriter who is drawn back to his childhood home enters into a fledgling relationship with a mysterious neighbor as he then discovers his parents appear to be living just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before.Wnat some lighter stuff? we''' tell you about "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, a sequel 20 years in the making from Aardman Animation which specializes in stop-motion clay animation. And "Migration" in which a family of ducks try to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime. So before you hang the stockings by the chimney with care check us out!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

One encounters all sorts of things during the holiday season. Office parties, strange food, strange people. And your entertainment options are just as varied. Luckily we managed to put down our cocktails and watched some stuff to help you figure out just how to spend your precious time. We start with "Poor Things" which starsEmma Stone as Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter. It's one of the stragest movies to ever grace the silver screen. So do listen to what we have to say about it. Then there's "Maestro" which chronicles the lifelong relationship of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.He's played by Bradley Cooper and she's played by Carey Mulligan and it'll soon be on Netflix. we'll also tell you about "American Fiction." It stars Jeffrey Wright as a novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from "Black" entertainment uses a pen name to write a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain. And for you mystery fans there's "Anatomy of a Fall" in which a woman is suspected of her husband's murder, and their blind son faces a moral dilemma as the main witness. Surely that's enough for a normal podcast but we've also got "Wonka," the prequel in which a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the candy industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers. Then there's "Saltburn." It's about a student at Oxford University whio finds himself drawn into the world of a charming and aristocratic classmate, who invites him to his eccentric family's sprawling estate for a summer never to be forgotten. That's just the big screen stuff. For you streaming folks there's "The Fall of the House of Usher" about two ruthless siblings who build a family dynasty that begins to crumble when their heirs mysteriously die, one by one. And then there's "A Murder at the End of the World" in which Darby Hart, a Gen Z amateur sleuth, attempts to solve a murder at a secluded retreat. So here's your excuse to blow off that company holiday party and listen in.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

Chances are you've got a lot on your plate (metaphorically speaking) this week and you don't have time to figure out what to watch after the big meal is over. Luckily we've predigested all sorts of entertainment options for you. We start with a big one - "Napoleon" Ridley Scott's epic that details the checkered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine.Joaquin Phoenix has the title role. All three of us saw it and we all kind of agreed on it. Then there's "May December" which takes place twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, as a married couple buckles under pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their past. It''s got Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in it. Bill McCuddy tells us what he thought of David Fincher's Netflix movie "The Killer" which stars Michael fassbender as an assassin. Neil Rosen fills us in on the new miniseiries "Lessons in Chemistry" starring Brie Larson, and he also talks about the documentary "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life" which is about, you guessed it, Albert Brooks. And Bill Bregoli gives us the skinny on Taika Waititi's sports comedy "Next Goal Wins." It's the perfect podcast to listen to while you're on hold with the Butterball Turkey Hotline.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

Okay folks. Here come the serious movies! Maybe you'd prefer another "Barbie" but now we've got the "buzz worthy" award-bait movies. It happens this time of year and there's no avoiding it. Still, if you listen to us at least you'll know which of these films are worth your time. We start with "Nyad" which is based on the true story of athlete Diana Nyad who, at the age of 60 and with the help of her best friend and coach, commits to achieving her life-long dream: a 110-mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida. It even stars Anette bening and Jodie Foster. It also happens to be one of the films shown recently at the Hamptons International Film Festival which Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy attended. And they even got interviews from the filmmakers of films such as "Nyad," "The Zone of Interest," "Radical" and the documentary "In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon." But that's not all. We also cover "The Holdovers" in which Paul Giamatti plays a cranky history teacher at a remote prep school who is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a troubled student who has no place to go. And then we've got a biggie - "Killers of the Flower Moon." It's Martin Scorcese's epic about how when oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one. Neil goes on at length about how he thought it was too long. Which is kind of ironic. Neil also tells how much he likes the 2nd season of "The Guilded Age." Plus we've got "Pain Hustlers" which is about a fictional pharmaceutical company and stars Emily Blunt. So set some of your precious time aside and listen in.If nothing else, this podcast is shorter than Martin Scorcese's movie.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

Now that everyone on the planet has seen "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" it's time to sample of of the new movies coming out. We've got quite a varied sample to tell you about. We start with "Flora & Son" starring Eve Hewson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt and it follows Flora, a single mom who is at war with her son, Max. Trying to find a hobby for Max, she rescues a guitar from a dumpster and finds that one person's trash can be a family's salvation. Then there's "Dumb Money" which is based on the insane true story of everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (the video game store) into the world's hottest company.Then there's the hard-boiled detective story "Reptile" starring Benecio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake and Eric Bogosian. If you're a sci-fi fan there's "The Creator" which takes place against the backdrop of a war between humans and robots with artificial intelligence,as a former soldier finds the secret weapon, a robot in the form of a young child. But wait, there's more. We've got "Foe" which also takes place in the future and stars Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal as farmers whose quiet life is thrown into turmoil when an uninvited stranger shows up at their door with a startling proposal.Still not enough? How about "Cat Person" which is a razor-sharp exploration of the horrors of dating.And then there's "Fair Play" which tells what happens when an unexpected promotion at a cutthroat hedge fund pushes a young couple's relationship to the brink, threatening to unravel far more than their recent engagement. So there's all that PLUS we preview The Hamptons International Film Festival which always features films we'll be talking about for some time.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

Okay so it's been a little while. But here we are again, and boy have things gotten interesting. Writers and actors have gone on strike and now movie releases have been pushed back and most talk shows have been on hiatus until the writers come back and hosts can be funny again. Well sort of. Neil tells us about "Strike Force Five" which is a podcast put together by several late night talk show hosts in order to support their striking writers, Neil's also read a book about show writers called "End Credits" which he'll talk about. And there's also some scandals and mysteries surrounding Jimmy Fallon and Jamie Foxx which we'll get into.Bill McCuddy fills us in on the popular Netflix series "Who Is Erin Carter" as well as the Adam Sandler Netflix movie "You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah. And if you like to see movies in thears don't worry. Bill Bregoli has managed to see six of them: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3," "The Equalizer 3" (with Denzel Washington), the dirty talking dog comedy "Strays," the Liam Neeson action movie "Retribution," the lesbian comedy "Bottoms" and the sort of true story based on a video game called "Gran Turismo." Plenty to keep you going on these waning days of summer. So listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

It's too darn hot - but luckily seeing movies or watching shows can be a great way to cool down. Bill Bregoli, who actually goes to theaters, went and saw "Meg 2: The Trench." Bill's a big proponent of OPAC (Other Peoples' Air Conditioning). And he'll let you know what he thought of the movie. Neil Rosen, on the other hand, stayed indoors to binge both seasons of "The Bear" and he also read "The Church of Baseball" which is all about the making of "Bull Durham." Bill McCuddy also curled up with his air conditioner to re-watch "Tre Detective." He also checked out "The River Wild" on Netflix which follows a pair of siblings who love but distrust each other as they embark on a white-water rafting trip with a small group. One of their friends from childhood turns out to be more dangerous than he appears. Bill M also watched a French mystery called "The Night of the 12th." And for you streaming series fans we've got the thrid season of "Reservation Dogs," the fourth season of the "Harley Quinn" animated series and the third season of "How To with John Wilson." So pour yourself a cold one and listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

History was made last weekend. Well, box-office history. Both "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" opened bigger than anyone expected. People got dressed up as their favorite physicist. Everyone wore pink. It was nuts. A run of the mill July weekend of movies got turned into an event. Bill Bregoli and Bill McCuddy saw both pictures and naturally Neil Rosen has questions. Lots of questions. Also, the past few weeks have seen writers, and now actors go out on strike. So we have some perspective on that mishegas. And in sympathy with the writers,your humble scribe is going to stop right here (lest he get picketed) and leave it to you to listen to the podcast.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

It's summer time and time to take part in that American tradition - go to a movie theater for the free air conditioning! It's also the time when the movie studios hedge their bets by releasing the latest versions of their old franchises. And we've seen two of the biggest. We start with "Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One." It stars all your favorite (welll most of them) MI regulars including Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Furguson and Simon Pegg along with newcomer Hayley Atwell. There's a one line plot - "Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands." But then there are the stunts. Two hours and forty three minutes worth.of stunts. Is it fun? Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll let you know. Then there's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" starring that lovable curmudgeon Harrison Ford along with Phoebe Waller-Bridge. It too has a one line plot - "Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary artifact that can change the course of history." But there's more to it than that - there are Nazis! Then Bill Mccuddy tells us about "Are You There God It's Me, Margaret" which is now streaming and Neil tells us about two books he's been reading - "All About Me" by Mel Brooks and "Apropo of Nothing" by Woody Allen. So pour yourself a cold one and listen in.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

It's a busy time of year - you're out buying extra packages of hot dogs as well as sunscreen and bug spray and it's almost enough to get you tired of summer already even though it just started. So we suggested that you take a little "me time" and sit down and watch something.And we've got all sorts of entertainment optioons for you. First there's "Maggie Moore(s)." It's got Jon Hamm and Tina Fey in it. Bill Mccuddy and Neil Rosen took a look at it and they'll tell you what they think. Meanwhile Bill Bregoli will fill you in on "No Hard Feelings" which is an R-rated comedy starring Jennifer Lawrence. And Bill Mccuddy was lucky enough to interview Jacqueline Bisset and Judy Greer about their new projects and he'll tell you how that went. Neil Rosen caught up with "For All Mankind" and he also read a book by Quentin Tarantino. And for you documentary fans we've got "Jared From Subway: Catching a Monster" as well as "Clean" which is about people whoe clean up crime scenes. Oh, and we've also watched the "Ted Lasso" finale as well as season two of "And Just Like That" and "The Bear." So take a break, pour some ided tea and listen in.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

Despite the fact that it's summertime, there are plenty of reasons to stay indoors and watch stuff. The skies are hazy and the wole world smells like a barbeque. That's why w've been staying in our bunkers and watching stuff. We start with "Daliland." It's Iset n 1973, when a young gallery assistant goes on a wild adventure behind the scenes as he helps the aging genius Salvador Dali prepare for a big show in New York. Ben Kingsley plays Salvatore Dali and Neil Rosen will tell you all about. It. Next, Bill Bregoli attemps to tell you about "Flamin' Hot." It's the story of Flamin' Hot Cheetos" and Bill Bregoli attempts to tell you about it. For you documentary buffs there's "Being Mary Taylor Moore" which Bill McCuddy checked out. If you like streaming comedies we've got "Platonic" which stars Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen. and "Fubar" starring Arnold Schwarzegger. And if you like going to theaters to watch comedies there's "About My Father" starring the ever paternal Robert DeNiro and "You Hurt My feelings" starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Plenty of reasons to stay indoors and listen in.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

Sure, your calendar says summer doesn't start for a few weeks, but Hollywood thinks otherwise. Which is why the latest in the "Fast and Furious" franchise is racing to your local multipex. It's called "Fast X." It's the tenth (Roman numerals - get it?) of these motorized epics and it's also the first of the final trilogy. Bill Bregoli buckled up his seatbelt and saw it and he'll let you know what he thought of it. Neil Rosen, on the other hand, watched something on the small screen and he'll tell you about "Love & Death" whic stars Elizabeth Olsen and is about two churchgoing couples who enjoy small town family life in Texas - until somebody picks up an axe. Bill McCuddy tells us what he thinks about what "Succession: is ending its run on the small screen. And he fills us in on "Barry" as well. He and Neil will fill you in on the latest standup special from John Mulaney. we also have "The Artifice Girl" which asks probing questions about A.I. And for streaming fans we've got "The Last Thing He Told Me" which stars Jennifer Garner as a woman who forms an unexpected relationship with her 16-year-old stepdaughter while searching for the truth about why her husband has mysteriously disappeared. And then there's "Drops of God" which is about a woman who discovers the world's greatest wine collection that's left by her estranged father and competes against a Japanese man to claim her inheritance. So slather on some sunscreen and listen in!.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

You know those mixed nuts people serve at parties? There are several varieties in there and although you may think the hosts aren't being very original you appreciate that there's something else to eat other than devilled eggs. And the nuts go very well with whatever you're drinking. Well this week's movies and shows are also a very wide variety and there's something for everyone. And much like the nuts, we can be very salty at times. First we've got "Guy Ritchie's The Covenant" It stars Jake Gyllenhaal and takes place during the war in Afghanistan, when a local interpreter risks his own life to carry an injured sergeant across miles of grueling terrain.Then we have the horror/comedy "Renfield." It stars Nicholas Hoult as Dracula's henchman and inmate at the lunatic asylum for decades who longs for a life away from the Count, his various demands, and all of the bloodshed that comes with them.And Nicolas Cage plays Dracula - c'mon! There's also the historical drama "Chevalier" which is based on the true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, who rises to heights in French society as a composer before an ill-fated love affair. For you streaming show fans we look at the second seasons of "Barry," "Single Drunk Female" as well as "Obsession." And for history buffs we've got "War Sailor." There's a lot to feast on, so listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

Documentary fans will have plenty to shout about with this wee's episode. We start with "Little Richard: I Am Everything" which is a revealing look at a kind rock 'n' roll icon who shaped the world of music.Then We've got "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields" which follows actor, model, and icon Brooke Shields as she becomes a woman who discovers her power after being a sexualized young girl. And there's there's "Imagaining the Indian" which explores the exploitation of Native American culture in sports. And for you "based on a true story but with actors" fans we've got "Air" which stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and follows the history of shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan. And we've also got "Tetris" which is the story of how one of the world's most popular video games found its way to players around the globe. Plus we look at "Paint" which stars Owen Wilson as Carl Nargle, Vermont's #1 public television painter, who is convinced he has it all: a signature perm, custom van, and fans hanging on his every stroke - until a younger, better artist steals everything (and everyone) Carl loves. And of course, Neil Rosen has an exclusive look at the final season of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." So turn your earphones up to 11 and listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

Spring is upon us. The flowers are blooming, the lawn needs cutting and your allergies are depriving you of oxygen. That's why we took a look at the season's entertainment options so you'll have something to watch while you stay indoors away from the pollen. First we've got the fantasy adventure "Dungeons and Dragon: Honor Among Thieves" which stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Hugh Grant. It's based on the role-playing game, but is it fun? We'll let you know. Then there's "Moving On" starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two old friends who reconnect at a funeral and decide to get revenge on the widower who messed with them decades before. And for real film buffs there's the documentary "Kubrick by Kubrick" which features a treasure trove of unearthed interview recordings from the master himself. Plus there's "Spinning Gold" which is a musical journey of Neil Bogart and how his Casablanca Records created the greatest soundtrack of our lives. For Streaming buffs we have "The Night Agent" which is a new Netflix series about low-level FBI agent, Peter Sutherland, who works in the basement of the White House manning a phone that never rings--until the night it does--propelling him into a conspiracy that leads all the way to the Oval Office. And we've got "The Lost King" which is based on the true story about an amateur historian who defied the stodgy academic establishment in her efforts to find King Richard III's remains, which were lost for over 500 years. And there's even more, so take another dose of Benadryl and listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

That big awards show that cast a long shadow over the whole movie business has come and finally gone. And yes, we'll talk about the Oscar telecast. We watched it. You might not have. Maybe you did. But now there are finally some new movies to talk about. Neil Rosen starts us off with "Wildflower." It's a coming-of-age film that follows Bea Johnson from birth to graduation as she navigates life with an intellectually disabled parent and an extended family who can't quite agree on the best way to help. That segues nicely into "Campions" in which a former minor-league basketball coach (Woody Harrelson) is ordered by the court to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities.Bill Bregoli has something completely different - "65"which stars Adam Driver as an astronaut who crash lands on a mysterious planet only to discover he's not alone. And Bill McCuddy fills us in on "The Ritual Killer" which stars Morgan Freeman and its about a detective on the verge of retirement who teams with a professor of African Studies to track down a serial killer who is performing the ancient black magic practice of Muti. We've also got "The Quiet Girl." It's an Irish film about a quiet,neglected girl who is sent away from her dysfunctional family to live with foster parents for the summer. And we also look at Th New York Times Presents: Sin Eater: The Crimes of Anthony Pellicano." It's a two-part series on Hollywood's dirtiest P.I. Anthony Pellicano who is out of prison--and he's talking. Previously unseen evidence raises questions about why so few Hollywood stars faced consequences when Pellicano was exposed. It's time to forget about all those movies and shows you've been hearing about for the past 6 months and find something new. So listen in.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

The past year's movies have all built up to this - the 95th Annual Academy Awards. And believe it or not there's a lot riding on this glitzy and overlong ceremony. Hundreds of actors, publicists, filmmakers and moguls are hoping their efforts will be recognized this year. Of course, we have our opinions of which nominees will win and which should win. Neil Rosen tells you who the nominees are and then he and Bill McCuddy parse the chances of everyone involved. And when Bill Bregoli is allowed to speak he manages to make some interesting points. It's all in good fun. We also discuss Chris Rock's recent Netflix special which, if you got through it all, also mentioned what happened at last year's Oscars. Uh, yeah; Well, anyway, this year is bound to be different. So listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

The weather's been weird and the new has been even weirder. We're all a little crazy so it's time to settle down to a movie or show. Luckily, we've been able to check out which ones you should spend your time on. We start with "Creed III." It's the latest in the "Rock / Creed" franchise and it's the directorial debut of star Michael B Jordan. Then we'll tell you about a movie you no doubt have heard of - "Cocaine Bear." With a title like that how can you not be curious. Plus we've got the faith-based movie "Jesus revolution" which stars Kelsey Grammer. And for you streaming fans there's "Dom" which follows Victor, a police officer who dedicated his life to fight the narcotraffic war and to help his son Pedro, a drug addict who became one of the most wanted criminals in Brazil. And there's the new season of "Picard" plus the ripped from the heads documentary "The Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal." It's enough to take your mind off of things, so listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

Hollywood would have you believe everyone in the world was 18 to 35 years old. You know that's not true and we've got some rare movies that prove it. There's "Your Place or Mine" which stars the no longer all that young Reese Withserspoon and Ashton Kutcher as a pair of 40-soemthings who change each other's lives when she decides to pursue a lifelong dream and he volunteers to keep an eye on her teenage son. Then there's "80 for Brady" which stars Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Rita Moreno and Lily Tomlin as a group of friends made it their life-long mission to go to the Super Bowl and meet NFL superstar Tom Brady. Then we've got "Alice, Darling which stars Anna Kendrick as a woman trapped in an abusive relationship who becomes the unwitting participant in an intervention staged by her two closest friends. Grown up stuff. For true crime fans we've got the documentary series "Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence" which tells how a group of Sarah Lawrence College students fell under the influence of a friend's father, Larry Ray.And yes, we tell which of all those Super Bowl commericals we liked. There's lots more so before you get any older - listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

We're in the middle of winter and it seems like a good time to snuggle up with a movie. We've sampled some of the season's offerings and we start with "Knock at the Cabin" starrring Dave Bautista. It's about a girl and her parents who are taken hostage by armed strangers who demand that the family make a choice to avert the apocalypse. And it's directed by M Night Shyamalan who has a fondness for twists in his movies. Bill Bregoli saw it and he'll tell you what he can without spoling anything. Neil Rosen tells us about "You People" starring Jonah Hill and Lauren London as an interracial couple whose parents just can't get along. And Bill McCuddy fills us in on "The Snow Girl" which is a Netflix series about, you guessed it, a missing girl. We also discuss "to Leslie" which is about aWest Texas single mother who wins the lottery and squanders it just as fast, leaving behind a world of heartbreak. It's star, Andrea Riseborough got herself a controversial Oscar nomination for her work in it. There's more, so grab a hot toddy and listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

First it was Peak Flu Season and now it's Peak Awards Season. And there's no shot you can take to make you immune from all the hype. The Academy Award nominations came out and you're going to keep hearing about the nominated films and people from now until late March so you may as well hear about it now from us and block out everyone else. Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy discuss the snubs and surprises and things get a little heated. Bill Bregoli gets a word or two in edgewise but he went out and saw a new movie - "Infinity Pool" which is a horror movie directed by Brandon Cronenberg staring Alexander Skarsgard and Mia Goth and oh boy is it weird. Just hide the little ones when Bill describes the plot. We also talk about the new post apocalyptic series "The Last of Us" which is already a big hit for HBO. And Neil tells us about what's going on over at "The Daily Show" as it seraches for a new host. It's a dose of fun, so listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

If you were channel surfing last Sunday night instead of watching foootball, you may have come across the Critic's Choice Awards on the CW. You know, the network that got sold and canceled all its good shows. All three of us are voting members of the Critic's Choice Association which puts on the shindig every year. We even pay dues. So we talk about how this year it actually had a pretty good host as well as who won what. Then we talk about some new movies. Bill Bregoli saw "M3gan" (just say "Megan"). It stars nepobaby Allison Williams as a robotics engineer at a toy company who builds a life-like doll that begins to take on a life of its own.Bill McCuddy tells us about "The Pale Blue Eye. It stars Christian Bale as a world-weary detective who is hired to investigate the murder of a West Point cadet.Oh, and then Edgar Allen Poe shows up. Really! And Neil Rosen has "A Man Called Otto" which stars Tom Hanks as a grump who's given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all.But it's Tom Hanks for crying out loud so you know it's going end nicely. So if you want to hear about which old movies are winning awards or which new movies you should actually go see, listen in!This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4137244/advertisement

There have been worse years than 2022. Like, whenever the Black Plague happened. But it wasn't the year most of us had hoped for. That said, there were some pretty good movies and shows and we'll tell you you what our favorites were. But if you're wondering what's new out there we have that too. Bill Bregoli spent good money on "Avatar: The Way of Water" ($22.50 even with a senior discount) and he'll let you know what he thought of that. Neil Rosen didn't spend anythng to see "Armageddon Time" but he certainly has some thoughts on the film which stars Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong and Anthony Hopkins. And Bill McCuddy watched "The Nanny" which is about a woman caring for the child of an Upper East Side family. Could be scary. I mean, have you ever been to the Upper East Side? Plus we've got "Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical" and the two Bills try to get Neil to watch "Slow Horses" There's lots of crazy stuff, so listen in!