The Basement Balcony

Our Favorite Movies of 2018/Oscars Special Intro’ The Cast grades 2018’s year in movies. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV Honorable Mention Award: Given to the movie that, though very good and very popular, just comes up short. Our #10 Favorite Movies of 2018 M Night Shyamalan Award: Given to the biggest disappointment of 2018. Our #9 […]

A Star is Born Intro Lightning Round Question: Our Favorite Song Sung by an Actor. Hollywood Headlines: -Which animated movie would we like to see as a live-action film. -Our picks for a female James Bond. A Star is Born Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Ted laments the engineering shortcomings of bathroom stalls. […]

Tully Intro Lightning Round Question: Who is your favorite movie babysitter/nanny? Hollywood Headlines -Recasting Ocean’s 9 -Our favorite performances by an actor of a musician and favorite performances by a musician. Tully Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene So that’s why Stacie always brings her brush. More paperwork!!! Is Craig an asshole? Shasta would […]

Annihilation Intro Lightning Round Question: What is your favorite Jennifer Jason Leigh movie? What We’ve Watched: -Ted (Pork Pie) -Margie (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) -Seat-Filler Greg (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) -Stacie (The Snowman) Happy Birthday Stacie! -Bob (Patti Cake$) Annihilation Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Alex Garland’s use of a non-linear timeline. Oscar Isaac […]

A Quiet Place Intro Lightning Round Question: Who is your favorite movie alien? Hollywood Headlines: -What movies would we like to see turned into Broadway musicals? -Our favorite Sean Penn movies/roles. A Quiet Place “Clip” Show Disclaimer General Impressions The Cast discuss the opening sequence. -You naysayers!!! -The Abbotts obviously weren’t D&D players. Evelyn & […]

Tomb Raider Intro Lightning Round Question: What is your favorite videogame related movie? Hollywood Headlines: -Curious casting decisions. -Our favorite Jeff Bridges movies/roles. Tomb Raider clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Notify the affiliates, we’re running long. General Impressions The Cast discuss the opening sequence. The use of flashbacks in Tomb Raider. Who would […]

Our Favorite Movies of 2017/Oscars Special Intro The Cast grades 2017’s year in movies. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV Honorable Mention Award: Given to the movie that, though very good and very popular, just comes up short. Our #10 Favorite Movies of 2017. M Night Shyamalan Award: Given to the biggest disappoint of 2017. Our #9 […]

Lady Bird Intro Lightning Round Question: What is your favorite movie directed by an actor? Hollywood Headlines: -Who would you cast as the new Wolverine? -Our favorite LGBT films. Lady Bird Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene The theme of class-division. Lucas Hedges discussion. “Matt Damon is no Lucas Hedges!” Game #1: Better American […]

Wind River Intro Lightning Round Question: Who is your favorite Avengers actor/character? Hollywood Headlines: -What movies would we remake? -Our favorite Michael Keaton movies/roles. Wind River Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Casey & Wilma discussion. CSI: Wyoming? Chief Ben and our first impressions of Jane Banner. “_____ almost ruined this movie.” Gil Birmingham […]

Personal Shopper Intro Lightning Round Question: What is your favorite ghost movie? Hollywood Headlines -Our favorite Daniel Day-Lewis movies and/or roles. -Who should be the new Iron Man? Personal Shopper clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene What’s with all the umlauts? Let’s play a game! Personal Shopper or _______? Two “big” reveals. Impressions of […]

Intro The Cast discusses the Best Supporting Actor category. The winner of the “Snubbies” Best Supporting Actor is revealed. Our #5 Favorite Movies of 2016. The Cast discusses the Best Supporting Actress category. The winner of the “Snubbies” Best Supporting Actress is revealed. Our #4 Favorite Movies of 2016. The Cast discusses the Best Actor […]

Intro The Cast grades 2016’s year in movies. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV Honorable Mention Award: Given to the movie that, though very good and very popular, just comes up short. Our #10 Favorite Movies of 2016. M Night Shyamalan Award: Given to the biggest disappointment of 2016. Our #9 Favorite Movies of 2016. Blair Witch […]

Arrival Intro Lightning Round Question: Who are your favorite Hollywood redheads? Hollywood Headlines -Our favorite Disney princesses. -Our favorite movie themes/songs. Arrival Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Discussion Forest Whitaker Discussion The chemistry between Renner and Adams. The foundation of civilization…soap. Where’s all the “smoochin’ & huggin'”? The creativity of the vessels and […]

The Jungle Book Intro Lightning Round Question: What is your favorite Gene Wilder film/role? What We’ve Watched: -Ted (Paper Towns) -Margie (Bound) -Stacie (Concussion) -Bob (The Witch: A New England Folktale) The Jungle Book Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Discussion Idris Elba Discussion -Should Idris Elba and Ben Kingsley have switched roles? Shere […]

Suicide Squad Intro Lightning Round Question: What is your favorite movie poster? Hollywood Headlines -Our Favorite Movie Twins. -Our Favorite/Least Favorite Ben Affleck Roles/Movies. Suicide Squad Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene -Stacie is already out. -Can you rob a bank with a boomerang? Cringe-worthy dialogue. David Ayer’s tone in Suicide Squad. You’re no […]

Green Room Intro Lightning Round Question: What is your favorite punk rock band? What We’ve Watched: -Stacie (Mustang) -Ted (Jason Bourne) -Margie (Ghostbusters) -Greg (The Lobster) -Bob (Knight of Cups) Green Room Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Discussion -All Skate! Tad or Ted? The theme of character duality. Our “Desert Island” bands. Punk […]

The BFG Intro Lightning Round Question: Who is on your Mount Rushmore of Movie Directors? Hollywood Headlines: -Our Favorite ScarJo movies. -Who we would cast in a Game of Thrones movie. The BFG Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Mark Rylance discussion. Ruby Barnhill discussion. Was The BFG too dark or not dark enough? […]

10 Cloverfield Lane Intro Lightning Round Question: What is your favorite John Goodman role/film? What We’ve Watched: -Margie (A Little Chaos) -Ted (Triple 9) -Stacie (Suffragette) -Bob (45 Years) 10 Cloverfield Lane Clip General Impressions Show Disclaimer Opening Scene Discussion Mary Elizabeth Winstead Discussion Our first impressions of Howard. -Where’s that heavy breathing coming from? […]

Captain America: Civil War General Impressions Our favorite Marvel movies. Team Iron Man or Team Captain America? The introduction of Black Panther. -Love the suit! Plot hole? Martin Freeman miscast? A new Spiderman and Aunt May “reverse Benjamin Buttoning”. Up or down votes for the cast and directors. Stacie: closet Captain America fangirl. Is Cap’ […]

Our Favorite Films of 2015: Part 2 Intro Recap of Favorite Films #10-6. General Thoughts on the 88th Academy Awards. Best Supporting Actress Discussion. “Snubbies” Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress. Our #5 Favorite Films of 2015. Best Supporting Actor Discussion. “Snubbies” Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor. Our #4 Favorite Films of 2015. Best […]

Our Favorite Films of 2015: Part 1 Intro General impressions on 2015’s year in movies. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV Honoarable Mention Awards: Given to the movie that, though very good and very popular, just comes up short. Our #10 Movies of 2015 M Night Shyamalan Awards: Given to the biggest disappointment of 2015. Our #9 […]

The Revenant Intro Lightening Round Question: Who is your favorite pop-culture bear? Hollywood Headlines -Does Hollywood have a race issue? -Happy Birthday John Travolta! The Revenant Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Can we get some subtitles for Tom Hardy? Should The Revenant win the Oscar? Thoughts on the bear mauling scene. Elk Dog: […]

Sicario Lightening Round Question: What is your favorite drug-related movie? What We’ve Watched: -The Cast has a roundtable discussion on Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene What’s that smell? Why did Matt pick Kate? The cinematography and music of Sicario. Matt’s thongs are showing. How critical was the Silvio storyline? […]

The Gift Lightening Round Question: Who is your favorite movie bully? What We’ve Watched: -Unbroken (Ted) -Southpaw (Margie & Stacie) -Kingsman: The Secret Service, While We’re Young, Tangerine, Spotlight (Bob) Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Why does Simon seem happy to see Gordon? Creepy-Meter check. Is that a Members Only jacket? Does Joel Edgerton […]

Spectre Intro Lightening Round 1 Question: Would you rather be a Bond villain, henchman, or girl? Lightening Round 2 Question: What is your favorite Bond song? Hollywood Headlines -Who should play Han Solo in the prequel movie? -Our Entertainer of the Year. Spectre Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Rating the opening sequence and […]

The Martian Lightening Round Question: What’s your favorite survival movie? What We’ve Watched: -Evolution (Ted) -Source Code (Greg) -Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (Stacie) -Breaking and Entering (Margie) -What We Do in the Shadows (Bob) Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene -Best opening scene of 2015? What’s your hurry, Hermes? Stay a while. Harry Dunn […]

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Lightening Round Question: Instead of your “last meal”, what would be your “last movie”? What We’ve Watched: -Saint Laurent (Stacie) -Far From the Madding Crowd (Margie) -Woman in Gold (Bob) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl clip. Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Dated pop-culture references? The […]

Black Mass Intro Lightening Round Question: Who’s your favorite movie gangster? Hollywood Headlines: -Best films of 2015 so far. -Happy Birthday Matt Damon & Kate Winslett! Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene “Gangster’s Delight” Thoughts on the opening scene. Jesse Plemons discussion. The casting of Benedict Cumberbatch. -Dorf on Crime? The women’s roles in Black […]

Clouds of Sils Maria Filminati=NWA? What We’ve Watched: -Margie (Cinderella, Trainwreck) -Stacie (Chef) -Ted (Foxcatcher) -Bob (The “Dollars” Trilogy) Clouds of Sils Maria Clip Show Disclaimer Opening Scene The benefits of multiple viewings. Juliette Binoche discussion. -A great actress in spite of Dan In Real Life. The symbolism of the Maloja Snake. -Is it a […]

50 Shades of Grey What We’ve Watched: -Greg (Jurassic World) -Ted (Focus, McFarland USA, Jupiter Ascending, Cinderella, Project Almanac, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) -Margie (Begin Again) -Stacie (A Deadly Adoption, Leviathan) -Bob (Cake) 50 Shades of Grey Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene -Less artsy, more fartsy. -Suck it up, Kate! One […]

Mad Max: Fury Road Intro Hollywood Headlines -Who would have made a better Allison Ng in Aloha? -Angelina Jolie turns 40: Our favorite movies and roles. General Impressions -Fury Road = Burning Man? Opening Scene Is Immortan Joe the best Mad Max villain? Does Fury Road stand on its own, or do you have to […]

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night What We’ve Watched: -Stacie (Listen Up Phillip) -Seat Filler Greg (Wild Tales) -Bob (Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck) A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene How many cats does it take to buy a T-Bird? The oiliness of Saeed. Why does […]

Ex Machina Intro Hollywood Headlines: -The best films of 1999. -Our favorite Bill Paxton movies/roles. General Impressions Opening Scene -A key card? What is this, a Holiday Inn? -Willy Wonka vibe. First Impressions of Nathan. The CGI and visuals of Ava. Ex Machina’s red herrings. What a year for Alan Turing! Team Ava or Team […]

Into the Woods What We’ve Watched: -Margie (Into the Cut) -Stacie (It Follows) -Ted (God’s Pocket) -Bob (Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter) Into the Woods Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Did Meryl Streep deserve her Oscar nomination? The production design & costumes of Into the Woods. Johnny Depp bounces back! The biggest surprises of […]

Insurgent Intro Hollywood Headlines: -Which musician would we like to see a biopic made of? -Our favorite Mark Wahlberg roles. General Impressions Opening Scene -Was it an effective bridge between Divergent and Insurgent? Our favorite characters from Insurgent. The star power of Theo James. Shailene Woodley, action star? Is that Thunderdome? Ansel Elgort’s running form […]

Boyhood What We’ve Watched: -Stacie (Still Alice) -Margie (Saving Mr. Banks) -Bob (The Guest) Boyhood Clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene -Let’s hear it for the boy! -IFC plays hardball. Seemingly insignificant, but powerful scenes. Bye-bye Tommy. Margie blows our minds. Hey, it’s Ethan Hawke. We love grandma. Is Boyhood a “gimmick movie”? Margie […]

American Sniper Intro Hollywood Headlines: -Dreamcasting the new Spiderman. (The 1st fake baby reference.) -Who needs the biggest comeback in 2015? Show Disclaimer (The 2nd fake baby reference.) General Impressions Opening Scene -Don’t show the best scene in the trailer! The Lindsey Lohan/American Sniper comparison. Did Bradley Cooper’s performance merit the Oscar nomination? Bradley Cooper […]

Oscars Special/Top Ten Films of 2014 Part 2 2014 Basement Balcony “Snubbies” Award Winners. Best Supporting Actress discussion and predictions. #5 Film of 2014 Best Supporting Actor discussion and predictions. #4 Film of 2014 Best Actress discussion and predictions. #3 Film of 2014 Best Actor discussion and predictions. #2 Film of 2014 Best Picture discussion […]

Oscars Special/Top Ten Films of 2014 Part 1 The Year In Film. Comparing 2014 with 2013. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV Honorable Mention Award: This honor is given to the film that though very good and very popular, just comes up short. #10 Film of 2014. M Night Shyamalan Award: Given to the biggest disappointment of […]

The Skeleton Twins What We’ve Watched: -Margie (The Other Woman, Hateship Loveship) -Ted (Lawless, The Grand Budapest Hotel) -Greg (Captain Phillips) -Stacie (Wild) -Bob (Birdman) The Skeleton Twins clip Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Greg gives The Skeleton Twins its first “pass”. Kristen Wiig’s likeability factor. Luke Wilson discussion. The dark comedy of The […]

Exodus: Gods and Kings Intro It’s Seat-Filler Greg! Hollywood Headlines: -EW’s 10 Best Movies of 2014. -EW’s 5 Worst Movies of 2014. Show Disclaimer General Impressions It’s been a bad year for the author God. Who’s up for a Prometheus marathon? Opening Scene No Brendan Frasier? The Hittite battle scene. Grading the special effects. The […]

If I Stay Seat-Filler Greg is back! What We’ve Watched: Ted-Frozen Margie-Bears Seat Filler Greg-Nightcrawler Stacie-Le Passe Bob-Ida If I Stay clip. Show Disclaimer General Impressions Denny & Kat discussion. What’s wrong with post-1978 Iggy Pop? We rate the chemistry between “Madam”. The effectiveness of the flashback scenes. Roadtrip! Chloe Grace Moretz discussion. Blame Obamacare. […]

Interstellar Intro Hollywood Headlines Who would make a great Bond villain? Our Favorite Al Pacino movie and role. Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene John Lithgow discussion. What’s the significance of the drone? It’s all in the jeans! Who goes to Jupiter? Mackenzie Foy discussion. Close your window, genius! The chemistry between Michael Caine & […]

Camp X-Ray What We’ve Watched The Best of Me Shut Up and Play the Hits Blue Ruin Obvious Child Show Disclaimer General Impressions Was Ali a terrorist or just a Radio Shack employee? Was Camp X-Ray anti-American? The authenticity of Camp X-Ray. Kristen Stewart discussion. Rating the screenplay. The attempted sexual assault scene. Peyman Moaadi […]

Fury Intro Hollywood Headlines Dreamcast Steve Jobs role. Fury: Better or Worse than… Top 3 (and 1 worst) Brad Pitt roles. Show Disclaimer General Impressions Opening Scene Impressive visuals…watch it on the biggest screen possible! Don’t mess with Helen Mirren! Brad Pitt discussion. The violence in Fury. The screenplay: narrative vs. “day in the life” […]

Live. Die. Repeat. The Edge of Tomorrow What We’ve Watched: Nine Below The Lego Movie Ride Along Coming Home Show Disclaimer General Impressions Issues with the title? Tom Cruise discussion. Doug Liman discussion. Edge of Tomorrow or Guardians of the Galaxy? Emily Blunt discussion. Now that’s how you wear an exoskeleton! Game over man, game […]

Gone Girl Intro Hollywood Headlines Favorite Leonardo DiCaprio movies/roles. We pick the next James Bond/Bond Girl. Show Disclaimer General Impressions The Opening Scene Carrie Coon discussion. Where were the flags? Are Nick and Amy likable? Kim Dickens/Patrick Fugit discussion. Hey, it’s Miles Drentell! Mr. Brown’s house is a pigsty! Ben Affleck discussion. Was Ellen Abbott […]

Frank What we’ve watched. We Bought a Zoo Monuments Men Le Divorce Only Lovers Left Alive Memories of Murder Show Disclaimer General Impressions “Lady In the Red Coat Whatya Doin’ With That Bag?” The role of social media in Frank. #LivinTheDream Scoot McNairy discussion. Who doesn’t like a theremin? The music in Frank. Agalmatophilia…it’s a […]

Let’s Be Cops Intro Hollywood Headlines We dreamcast the CHiPs movie. Favorite Bill Murray film/role. Show Disclaimer General Impressions Jake Johnson & Damon Wayans Jr. discussion. Finally, calling out those Albanians. Let’s Be Geographers! Ohio..? Indiana..? L.A…? Who has a better public image than the LAPD? What kind of movie did they want to make? […]

Locke Intro What we’ve watched. In Her Shoes Under the Skin The Raid 2 Show Disclaimer General Impressions Locke’s decision to turn “right”. Was Locke suspenseful? The importance of Locke being at the birth of his child. Should Locke have been at the pour? Any sympathy for Locke? Are all Gareths… bastards? Locke: The best […]

Guardians of the Galaxy What will your verse be? Intro Hollywood Headlines Favorite Robin Williams movie. We dreamcast the all-female Ghostbusters. General Impressions No hair bands on that mixtape? Chris Pratt discussion. Thank goodness for ancestry.com…and WebMD! I am Vin. Stacie finally enjoys a Bradley Cooper role! The only raccoon that ever brought me to […]