Shows
Best Picture This2009: Mike & Brian Get AN EDUCATIONIt's not enough to edcuate us anymore, Academy. You have to tell us why you're doing it!
In this episode, Mike and Brian explore the final Best Picture nominee of 2009: director Lone Scherfig's "An Education," starring Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina and more. They discuss allusions to the Great Recession, what the movie intends to say about higher education through its ending (and whether or not it's successful), if Peter Sarsgaard is certified BPTGIE (Best Picture This Good in Everything) material and -- the big one -- if the Oscar-nominated film will win a spot in...2023-01-0926 minBest Picture This2009: CRAZY HEART - For Your Consideration for Best ActorJeff Bridges and Colin Farrell as country music icons?! Where do we sign?
In this episode, Mike and Brian dive into director Scott Cooper's "Crazy Heart," an intimate character study of an aging and down-on-his-luck musician (Bridges, who won the Oscar for Best Actor). The film owes a lot to Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler," and Mike and Brian parse out those comparisons. They talk "fake" biopics, the complicated world of happy endings, how original music compares to the ultra-famous songs that frame out films about real-life legends like Ray Charles and Johnny Cash, then decide whether or...2023-01-0225 minBest Picture This2008: The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonGuess how much money Best Picture nominee "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" made at the box office when it released in 2008.
Whatever you guessed, go higher! This thing raked in over $335 million, more than doubling its hefty $150M budget. That's called critical and commercial darling, ladies and gentlemen.
But how does this crowd-pleaser, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton, hold up 14 years later?
Mike and Brian get into it in an episode that kicks off their series on the films of 2008. They talk director David Fincher, debate what makes a goo...2022-07-2535 min
Best Picture This2007: Year in ReviewWhat was the best movie of 2007?
The Academy awarded that title to the Joel and Ethan Coen's "No Country for Old Men," but in this series finale episode, Mike and Brian wade through the many (many) titles that made this an all-time great year for film to re-evaluate if that selection holds up. They recap the year that was, rank the nominees for Best Picture, kick the ones that don't belong and discuss their personal top fives.
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Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL Be...2022-07-1858 minBest Picture This2007: Is There Hope in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN?The Coen brothers' "No Country for Old Men" beat out Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" for the Best Picture Oscar of 2007. How do the two movies compare and differ? And what does a shift in how you remember a movie compared to how you experience it on rewatch say about the film itself?
In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into all those questions, exploring the art behind creating an iconic villain and the power of film scoring (and the lack thereof). They argue over the movie's philosophical leanings and challenge how the Coens use...2022-07-111h 00Best Picture This2007: Great Movie Year RoundupMike and Brian ditch the script this week to dive into not one, not two but three (OK, more like 10 ... ish) titles from 2007 that they love.
First, "Bug," an ultra-low-budget horror from director William Friedkin ("The Exorcist," "The French Connection"), starring Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon
Next, "Away from Her," the beautifully sad Alzheimer's love drama (and directorial debut) from Sarah Polley
Third: director Andrew Dominik's "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford." Brad Pitt! Casey Affleck! Roger Deakins!
Then, so many. "REC." Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's "Grindhouse." Edgar Wright's "Hot Fuzz." Did y...2022-07-0454 minBest Picture This2007: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, and the Fear-Inducing Power of StillnessHorror movies changed after director Oren Peli's "Paranormal Activity" hit the festival circuit in 2007. Suddently, found-footage was king, which is easy to understand, considering Peli's film was shot for just $15,000 then went on to make over $193 million at the box office.
In this episode, Mike and Brian talk creaky house sounds, ominous footsteps, the Wife Test, and the effect of a movie being so ubiquitous that many viewers see the parodies before the real thing. Then, they decide whether or not this film deserves a place in their top fives of the year.
www.bestpicturethis...2022-06-2725 minBest Picture This2007: ATONEMENT - Joe Wright's Technical MasterclassSensory spectacle -- bravura editing, Old Hollywood glamour, inventive scoring -- works as the foundation of director Joe Wright's "Atonement," which stars James McAvoy, Keira Knightley and Keira Knightley's silken green dress.
In this episode, Mike and Brian explore the line separating "showy" from substantive high style, they talk metafiction, melodrama, misunderstandings and when those things intersect in this film to deliver powerful emotional moments. Then, they decide whether or not this film deserves a place in their top fives of the year.
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Want to choose an movie for a...2022-06-2031 minBest Picture This2007: THERE WILL BE BLOOD Provokes, LingersDirector Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" lost the Best Picture Oscar to "No Country for Old Men" in 2007, but its legend has only grown since its release, and now it's easy to find the title topping critics' best-of-the-decade lists. Why?
In this episode, Mike and Brian talk antiheroes and Daniel Day-Lewis' iconic performance as Daniel Plainview, they gush over the movie's unsettling score, wrestle with its themes of greed, capitalism and religion, and discuss what makes a movie a "grower." Then, as always, keep it or kick it.
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...2022-06-1352 minBest Picture This2007: There's Something in THE MISTBefore "The Walking Dead," director Frank Darabont took an unconventional route into the horror genre by turning two of Stephen King's more feel-good stories ("The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile") into uber-successful films. After that, he was ready to go dark -- which is exactly what he did with his third King adaption, this one based off of the supernatural novella "The Mist."
In this episode, Mike and Brian talk hopelessness, special effects and how they age, camp, God's wrath, the art of dialogue-less scenes, and if "The Mist" deserves a spot in the top five...2022-06-0630 minBest Picture This2007: It's JUNO Day, HomeskilletDirector Jason Reitman teamed with first-time screenwriter Diablo Cody to release one of 2007's most surprising smash hits: "Juno," starring Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jason Batemon, Jennifer Garner, J.K. Simmons and (breath) Allison Janney.
In this episode, Mike and Brian talk iconic characters, when "quirkiness" became cool, what makes a film a "message movie" and if "Juno" fits that bill and, finally, if this indie darling deserves a place in the top five of 2007.
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Agree o...2022-05-3025 minBest Picture This2007: MICHAEL CLAYTON: Truth in MadnessMike and Brian celebrate their 100th episode by kicking off a brand new miniseries -- this time on the films of 2007!
First up: the momentum- and mood-forward "Michael Clayton," a Best Picture-nominated corporate thriller starring George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton.
In this centennial episode, Mike and Brian discuss the Oscars' ongoing evolution, screenplays that challenge the viewer to keep up with them, George Clooney's particular brand of controlled cool, and whether or not "Michael Clayton" is a legitimate contender for their top fives of 2007.
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Want to ch...2022-05-2329 minBest Picture This2006: Year in ReviewWhat was the best movie of 2006?
The Academy awarded that title to director Martin Scorsese's "The Departed," but in this series finale episode, Mike and Brian shake things up. They recap the year that was, rank the nominees for Best Picture, kick the ones that don't belong and discuss their personal top fives.
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And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.2022-05-1645 minBest Picture This2006. Movies are Magic in THE PRESTIGEReleased in between "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight," "The Prestige" stands out as a bold, personal choice for director Christopher Nolan.
In this episode, Mike and Brian talk about Nolan's obsession with obsession, magic as a standin for cinema, the all-consuming power of creativity and if Nolan's film about magic and magicians deserves a place in the top five of 2006.
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And for 16 years of...2022-05-0923 minBest Picture This2006: Smelling Rats in THE DEPARTEDIs "The Departed" Martin Scorsese's best movie?
It's the only one of his films that has won Best Picture at the Oscars, and the only one for which he's won for Best Directing. So it's gotta be his best! ... Right?
In this episode, Mike and Brian put on bad Bostonian accents to talk identity, machismo, pulpy genre, love triangles, self-seriousness as humor, corruption, organized religion, over-the-top performances and rats ... oh, so many rats. Then they decide if "The Departed" really does belong in the top five of 2006, or if the Academy (gasp!) got it wrong.2022-05-0242 minBest Picture This2006: Flags of Our Fathers / Letters from Iwo JimaDirector Clint Eastwood released two films in 2006, both about a pivotal battle in World War II -- except, one movie ("Flags of Our Fathers") was told from the American perspective, while the other ("Letters from Iwo Jima") explored the Japanese experience.
In this episode, Mike and Brian discuss what analyzing the two movies through the scope of the multi-film project brings to the experience, which packs a more powerful punch and, what telling a story from a foreign perspective adds to the narrative. Then they decide whether or not to include either title in their top five...2022-04-2541 minBest Picture This2006: Chaos & Awe in CHILDREN OF MENDirector Alfonso Cuaron's "Children of Men," starring Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and Michael Caine, is full of stunning action sequences shot entirely in long takes.
But is the movie more than visual spectacle?
In this episode, Mike and Brian talk technical achievements in cinematography, biblical and prog rock allusions, and trivia, before deciding if this film belongs in the top five of 2006.
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...2022-04-1824 minBest Picture This2006: Losers Unite in LITTLE MISS SUNSHINENominated for Best Picture and winner of Best Screenplay of 2006, "Little Miss Sunshine," directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, was a surprise smash hit, both critically and commercially.
But has its charm worn off in the 16 years since its release?
In this episode, Mike and Brian talk screenwriting "tricks," the power of an ensemble cast and what qualities give a comedy "weight," before deciding whether or not this film belongs in the top five of the year.
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Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A...2022-04-1133 min
Best Picture This2006: Escape Into PAN'S LABYRINTHIs "Pan's Labyrinth" director Guillermo del Toro's best movie? In the years since its release in 2006, the Academy has embraced this director, awarding him Best Picture for "The Shape of Water" (2017) and nominating his "Nightmare Alley" in 2021. Although "Pan's" was only recognized with awards for its visuals (cinematography, art, makeup), the beauty here goes deeper than surface level. In this episode, Mike and Brian discuss the movie's relationship with storytelling as a force for both creation and destruction, talk horror, trivia, then decide if the film belongs in the top five of the year. 2022-04-0428 min
Best Picture This2006: BABEL, and the Unifying Power of MiseryDirector Alejandro González Iñárritu's Best Picture-nominated "Babel," starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Rinko Kikuchi and others, explores cultural divides through several converging narratives. In this episode, Mike and Brian hone in on how Inarritu uses the power of misery to connect his characters, they dig into the movie's deeper meanings, talk trvia, and then decide if the film belongs in the top five of the year. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com ...2022-03-2826 min
Best Picture This2006: CLICK - Comedy Opus?Can a "messy" movie also be "great"? Adam Sandler's career leading up to "Click," in 2006, was a defined by slapstick comedies made for teens, with only occasional dabblings in more "serious" fare ("Spanglish" and "Punch-Drunk Love"). "Click," however, tried to do both: be dumb fun, and make the audience feel something real. In this episode, Mike and Brian argue over whether or not that risk paid off; they talk expectations vs. reality, as well as the role marketing plays in molding a movie's identity. Then, they decide if "Click" belongs in the top five of 2006. www.bestpicturethis...2022-03-2127 min
Best Picture This2022: THE BATMAN (AKA Vengeance)When news broke that Robert Pattinson, the sparkly vampire from the "Twilight" franchise, was cast to play Bruce Wayne in the latest Batman film, some fanboys were in a tizzy. What those fans might not have realized, however, is that, post-"Twilight," Pattinson broke away from the mainstream to make a series of art films (like "Good Time" and "The Lighthouse"), many of which explored the darker side of the human psyche. That experience is part of what made him a perfect fit for this version of the caped crusader. In this episode, Mike and...2022-03-1454 min
Best Picture This2006: Modernity vs. Tradition in THE QUEENDame Helen Mirren won the Oscar for Best Actress in playing Queen Elizabeth II in director Stephen Frears' "The Queen," which was also nominated for Best Picture in 2006. But how does the film stand up to other biopics released in the early 2000s? In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into how the film dialogues with grief, public relations, leadership and cultural change, before deciding if it belongs in the top five of the year. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or...2022-03-0726 min
Best Picture This2021: NIGHTMARE ALLEY Puts Genre in the Oscar SpotlightA remake of the 1947 film by the same name starring Tyrone Power, director Guillermo del Toro's "Nightmare Alley" earned four Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture. In this episode, Mike and Brian analyze the movie's film noir roots and art direction, break down Bradley Cooper's character's motivations and dark past, and then decide if the film belongs in the top five of the 2021. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com And for 16 yea...2022-03-0327 min
Best Picture This2021: Is DON'T LOOK UP Worth a Watch?Director Adam McKay's star-studded "Don't Look Up" (Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchet, Jonah Hill) earned four Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture. But is the Netflix original feature a legitimate contender for the best film of 2021? In this episode, Mike and Brian examine the fine line between satire and smugness, debate McKay's intentions, and then decide if the film belongs in the top five of the year. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree w...2022-02-2834 min
Best Picture This2021: THE POWER OF THE DOG, of Toxic Masculinity & of Oscar HypeDirector Jane Campion's first feature in 12 years, "The Power of the Dog," based on the book by Thomas Savage, is shaping up to the be the darling of Oscar season, boasting a total of 12 nominations, including one for Best Picture. But does it really live up to the hype? In this SPOILER-FILLED episode, Mike and Brian analyze the performances by Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee. They dig into the movie's visuals, debate its unsettling ending and implications, then decide if the film belongs in the top five of 2021. www...2022-02-2430 min
Best Picture This2021: DUNE Delivers Big SpectacleIn spite of releasing simultaneously in theaters and streaming on HBO Max, director Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic DUNE performed well enough with audiences for a sequel to already be confirmed. The film also impressed critics, earning a slew of Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture. In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the film's dense mythology, compare it to David Lynch's version, released in 1984, and decide if the movie belongs in the top five of 20021. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. 2022-02-2132 min
Best Picture This2005: Year in ReviewWhat was the best movie of 2005? The Academy awarded that title to director Paul Haggis' "Crash," but in this series finale episode, Mike and Brian shake things up. They recap the year that was, rank the nominees for Best Picture, kick the ones that don't belong and discuss their personal top fives. Plus, trivia, Golden Takes and more. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to curate a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.2022-02-1749 min
Best Picture This2005: BRICK Makes High School Hard-BoiledBefore "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," before "Looper," Rian Johnson broke onto the scene with a micro-budget neo-noir starring Joseph Gordon Levitt. BRICK put the young director on the map. In this episode, Mike and Brian analyze the movie's gritty style and debate if and how its genre subversion serves greater thematic purposes, they nerd out to the script's snappy dialogue and decide if the movie belongs in the top five of 2005. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with o...2022-02-1426 min
Best Picture This2005: Is CRASH the Worst Best Picture Winner Ever?What was it about director Paul Haggis' CRASH that resonated with the Academy in 2005? In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the film that won the Oscar for Best Picture, dissect its twisting narratives, and then decide whether it holds up as a top-five film of the year. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com And for 16 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.2022-02-1027 min
Best Picture This2005: Is MUNICH More Than 'Classy'?In focusing on broad political issues, Steven Spielberg's "Munich" (2005) feels like an outlier in his filmography -- but it's not without its stylistic flourishes. In this episode, Mike and Brian talk what makes a film "classy" or "difficult," they dig into the movie's themes of cognitive dissonance and narratives, then decide whether "Munich" will make their top fives of 2005. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com And for 15 years of Golden Ta...2022-02-0741 min
Best Picture This2005: Welcome to SIN CITYComic book movies can take many forms, but 2005's hyper-stylized neo-noir "Sin City," directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller (with a cameo by Quentin Tarantino), is its own beast, using digital video to create a cinematic world that was less inspired by the graphic novels as much as it was an extension of them. In this episode, Mike and Brian talk film noir, style as substance and green screen, before deciding whether or not "Sin City" belongs in the top five of 2005. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a f...2022-01-3123 min
Best Picture This2005: BATMAN BEGINS a New Era of Superhero FilmDirector Christopher Nolan set out to make a new kind of comic book movie with "Batman Begins" -- the "adult" hero flick -- backed by an all-star cast of Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy and more. But what exactly was it about his approach that made this particular version of the Dark Knight so compelling? In this episode, Mike and Brian talk misdirection, mythology and symbols, dig into trivia, then decide whether this iteration of Bruce Wayne deserves a spot in the top 5 of 2005. www.bestpicturethis.com 2022-01-2432 min
Best Picture This2005: KING KONG - Is Bigger Better?After director Peter Jackson wrapped "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, winning a cool 11 Oscars (including Best Picture) for the final installment, he was essentially given a blank check. He cashed it in to make "King Kong," a $207 million passion project. Did the investment pay dividends? In this episode, Mike and Brian talk spectacle, special effects, where emotion fits in a blockbuster, Jack Black, Naomi Watts and so much more, before deciding whether or not this epic remake is a legit contender for the top five of 2005. www.bestpicturethis.com Want...2022-01-1724 min
Best Picture This2005; Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the SithThe culture was not kind to George Lucas' Star Wars prequels when they released in theaters, nearly 20 years after the end of his iconic trilogy. But has time helped us to see these movies in a new light? In this episode, Mike and Brian talk camp and search for the line dividing bad writing from bad performance. They talk expectation vs. reality, trivia and decide whether or not "Revenge of the Sith" belongs in the discussion of the best of 2005. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A...2022-01-1035 min
Best Picture This2005: Luck vs. Justice in MATCH POINTWoody Allen's most exciting release in nearly a decade, "Match Point" marked a new phase in the writer/director's long career -- this one, for the first time ever, taking place outside of New York. In this episode, Mike and Brian talk faith, comfort zones, Scarlett Johansson, trivia and, of course, fight about morality, before deciding whether or not this film belongs in the year's top five. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.co...2022-01-0331 min
Best Picture This2005: We Have A HISTORY OF VIOLENCESome of the best movies in any given year don't earn Oscar nods. Case in point: director David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence." In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the movie's exploration of identity and corruption, and wrestle with what it might be saying about viewers' own appetite for bloodshed. They talk Viggo Mortensen's post-"The Lord of the Rings" performance, trivia and if the film belongs in the year's top five. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or d...2021-12-2724 min
Best Picture This2005: Who is Truman CAPOTE?"Ever since I was a child, folks have thought they had me pegged ... and they're always wrong," said Philip Seymour Hoffman, playing Truman Capote, in Bennett Miller's 2005 Best Picture nominee. So who is the real Truman Capote? In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the complexities of this character and explore Miller's approach to the biopic. They talk trivia, debate the Best Actor race and decide if CAPOTE deserves a spot in the year's top five. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. 2021-12-2047 min
Best Picture This2005: The Secret of BROKEBACK MOUNTAINDirector Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" made serious waves when it released in 2005, bringing on a glut of Oscar nominations (eight), headlines and satirical tributes. The cultural discussion surrounding the movie was loud, but what about the movie itself? In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into its best moments, debate the Oscar race for Best Actor, talk trivia and decide whether the film, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, deserves a spot in the year's top five. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. ...2021-12-1334 min
Best Picture This2005: GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.A new movie year is upon us! We kiick off our series on the films of 2005 with George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck.," which takes a just-the-facts approach to Edward R. Murrow's attempt to take down Senator Joe McCarthy. In this episode, Mike and Brian debate the validity of patriotism as a criterion for Oscar consideration, talk historical significance, biopics and, of course, decide whether this film deserves a spot in the year's top five. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. A...2021-12-0646 min
Best Picture This2004: Year in ReviewWhat was the best movie of 2004? The Academy awarded that title to Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby," but in this series finale episode, Mike and Brian shake things up. They recap the year that was, rank the Academy's picks for Best Picture, kick the ones that don't belong and discuss their personal top 5s. Plus, trivia, Golden Takes and more. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to curate a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com And for 15 years of Golden Takes, head ov...2021-11-2952 min
Best Picture This2004: Is MILLION DOLLAR BABY the Best Boxing Movie Ever?Coming off of "Mystic River" in 2003, Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" marked two straight years of Best Picture nominations -- this time, however, he went home with the big prize, plus a trophy for Best Director. In this episode, Mike and Brian analyze the movie's best moments, talk faith and sacrifice (which leads to an extended conversation about "The Passion of the Christ" [also 2004]), and decide if "Million Dollar Baby" really was the best film of the year. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON.2021-11-221h 00
Best Picture This2004: THE AVIATOR - Another Boring Biopic?Fresh off the heels of "Gangs of New York," Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio continued their collaboration in 2004, this time with a biopic on capitalist hero/film director/aircraft tycoon Howard Hughes. In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into DiCaprio's performance and moviestar persona, Scorsese's directoral style and whether or not "The Aviator" deserves a spot on the top-five list of 2004. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com And for 15 ye...2021-11-1548 min
Best Picture This2004 Bonus: ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MINDBreakups are hard. But don't worry! Lacuna, the memory-erasing company from "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," is here to help. In this episode, Mike and Brian take a trip down memory lane as they dive into this non-Best Picture nominee of 2004, directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman. IThey debate the movie's message, examine its lead performances from Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, and decide whether to keep it or kick it from the year's top five. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A...2021-11-0844 min
Best Picture This2004: Is FINDING NEVERLAND the Biopic Ideal?Director Marc Forster's follow-up to "Monster's Ball," "Finding Neverland" earned seven Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture, in 2004. But how does this biopic about J.M. Barrie, the creator of "Peter Pan," hold up 17 years later? In this episode, Mike and Brian debate what qualities make tearjerkers cross over into feeling manipulative, they talk trivia, best moments and then decide whether to keep or kick this film from their top fives for 2004. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree wi...2021-11-0147 min
Best Picture This2004: SIDEWAYS: When Do People 'Peak'?Grab a drink (not Merlot) and meet us in wine country. It's SIDEWAYS day! In this episode, Mike and Brian revisit director Alexander Payne's grape juice-stained Best Picture nominee, starring Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh. They explore the big power of small moments of characterization in screenwriting, question why we root for unlikable characters, talk trivia and decide whether to keep or kick this film from the top five of 2004. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or...2021-10-2542 min
Best Picture This2004 'BOO!'-nus: Open Water / Saw / The VillageHappy Halloween! With spooky season now in full swing, Mike and Brian throw out the usual format to dig into three of the big horror releases of 2004: director James Wan's SAW M. Night Shyamalan's THE VILLAGE and shark-thriller OPEN WATER, directed by Chris Kentis. They talk genre rules, the power of twist endings and which of these three scary movies holds up best after nearly 20 years. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com...2021-10-1853 min
Best Picture This2004 Bonus: Zombies Rise in SHAUN OF THE DEADHorror movie month is in full swing! To celebrate, we look back at zombie-comedy "Shaun of the Dead" (2004), directed by Edgar Wright, whose new film, "Last Night in Soho," releases Oct. 29. In this episode, Mike and Brian explore the impact "Shaun" made on the horror genre, dig into its best moments and discuss its chances of contending for a top-five spot at year's end. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com...2021-10-1136 min
Best Picture This2004: Jamie Foxx Breaks Out as RAYStrike up the band, because we're kicking off a brand new miniserieis -- this time on the films of 2004! In this episode, Mike and Brian reevaluate director Taylor Hackford's Best Picture-nominated musical biopic, "Ray," which landed Jamie Foxx a Best Actor Oscar. They debate the importance of staying true to the facts in movies about historical figures, dissect Foxx's breakout role as Ray Charles, talk trivia and -- the big reveal -- decide whether to keep or kick this film from their top fives for 2004. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie f...2021-10-0448 min
Best Picture This2003: Year in ReviewWhat was the best movie of 2003? In this miniseries finale episode, Mike and Brian recap the year that was, rank the Academy's picks for Best Picture, kick the ones that don't belong and discuss their personal top 5s. Plus, trivia, Golden Takes and more. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to curate a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com And for 15 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.2021-09-2750 min
Best Picture This2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingThe final installment in director Peter Jackson's epic fantasy trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" proved to be the one film of 2003 to rule them all, sweeping the Oscars and blurring the lines separating "geek" movie from prestige picture. But how does it hold up nearly two decades later? In this episode, Mike and Brian talk genre, endings, trivia and whether or not this Academy Award winner truly was the best film of the year. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A...2021-09-2047 min
Best Picture This2003 Bonus: AMERICAN SPLENDOR, an Anti-BiopicMixing drama with documentary, and live-action with animation, "American Splendor" (2003), directed by Shari Springer and Robert Pulcini, feels much more inspired by the art and attitude of comic book writer Harvey Pekar than by his actual life. And that's a good thing. In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the biopic subgenre, talk Paul Giamatti, creativity as a form of coping and if "American Splendor" is a top-five film of 2003. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our ta...2021-09-1338 min
Best Picture This2003 Bonus: THE MATRIX RELOADED: Meh or Misunderstood?The Wachowski's sequel to "The Matrix" was a box office smash, but reactions were decidedly mixed. Even many critics who reviewed the film positively included qualifiers about its geekiness, special effects and religious iconography. So what do we think nearly 20 years later? In this episode, Mike and Brian set out on a hero's journey of their own to find out, digging into the movie's big ambitions to decide if it deserves a place among the best of 2003. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PAT...2021-09-0627 min
Best Picture This2003 Bonus: 28 DAYS LATER... Oh, the Inhumanity!A horror movie being nominated for Best Picture? Yeah, right. In spite of the Academy's long-running resentment of the genre, however, director Danny Boyle's don't-call-it-a-zombie movie is undoubtably one of the most important films of 2003, making way for a wave of low-budget horror films and reinvigorating the zombie subgenre. In this episode, Mike and Brian talk horror metaphors, when and how small budgets can be used as a strength, and whether or not this London-set genre flick deserves a spot in the top five of 2003. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie f...2021-08-3029 min
Best Picture ThisBONUS: 1998: Pleasantville (Patron's Choice)Everyone is turning colors in this week's Patron's Choice bonus episode, on 1998's "Pleasantville," directed by Gary Ross. Mike and Brian talk repression and opression, best moments, trivia, and then compare "Pleasantville" to Ross' follow-up, the Best Picture-nominated "Seabiscuit." www.bestpicturethis.com Thanks to Maddie for putting this movie on our schedule! Want to curate a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com And for 15 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.2021-08-2352 min
Best Picture This2003 Bonus: MONSTER, Charlize Theron as Victim & VillainCharlize Theron won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Aileen Wuornos in director Patty Jenkins "Monster." But maybe most interesting about the movie is how Jenkins manipulates our sympathies, constantly threading the needle between compassion and condemnation. In this episode, Mike and Brian explore how Jenkins uses contradictions to create conflict, they talk trivia, best moments and the place of "Monster" among the best films of 2003. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gma...2021-08-1632 min
Best Picture This2003: SEABISCUIT - Be Inspired, Be Very InspiredTobey Maguire was riding high after starring in 1999 Best Picture nominee "The Cider House Rules" and playing Peter Parker in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man," and now he's jockeying for another Oscar in director Gary Ross's horse racing drama, "Seabiscuit." In this episode, Mike and Brian talk underdog movies, the power of efficient editing, trivia and whether or not this Academy Award nominee deserves a spot in the top five of 2003. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL Be...2021-08-0923 min
Best Picture This2003: Ripples of Violence in MYSTIC RIVERWelcome to another episode of The Morality Hour, with Mike and Brian! Director Clint Eastwood's complex exploration of violence and justice in 2003's "Mystic River" invites the viewer down a rabbit hole of moral gray area, and Mike and Brian take the bait. They debate the "message" behind this six-time Academy Award nominee, which won Sean Penn and Tim Robbins Best Actor/Supporting Actor nods. They talk conscience, vengeance, rationalization and, finally, whether or not this film deserves a spot in the year's top five. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie...2021-08-0253 min
Best Picture ThisBONUS: Drowning Mona (Patron's Choice)Like most genre movies, comedies tend to get little love during award season, and the subject of this week's Patron's Choice bonus episode -- "Drowning Mona" (2000) -- is no different, boasting 0 nominations and a measly 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. But what does that really mean for these movies, especially when a negative critical consensus clashes with a positive audience response? Mike and Brian dive into the proverbial deep end in this one, recapping the biggest laughs in director Nick Gomez's whodunnit and discussing how our expectations impact our experiences in the cinema. www.bestpicturethis...2021-07-2647 min
Best Picture This2003: Is LOST IN TRANSLATION a Love Story?Director Sophia Coppola's sophomore release, the moody "Lost in Translation," starring Bill Murray, is a rumination on ennui. But it's funny. And it's romantic. So it's a rom-com ... right? In this episode, Mike and Brian explore the choices that make this movie so hard to categorize. They question what can be learned from the empathy we extend to characters in film vs. real people in real life, talk best moments and trivia, then decide whether to keep or kick this title from the top five of 2003. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to c...2021-07-1957 min
Best Picture This2003 Bonus: THE SCHOOL OF ROCK Should've Won an OscarCritics loved director Richard Linklater's "The School of Rock," showering it and its star, Jack Black, with praise. It scored a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic called it "uncut bliss." Yet, it was nominated for 0 Oscars. In this episode, Mike and Brian question whether a "light" comedy could ever win an Academy Award and debate the value of fun. They revisit the movie's best moments, talk trivia and argue where "The School of Rock" ranks among the best of 2003. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to choose an movie for a future episode...2021-07-1246 min
Best Picture ThisBONUS: 1957: The Bridge on the River Kwai (Patron's Choice)Once ranked the 13th best movie of all time by the AFI, director David Lean's "The Bridge on the River Kwai" won seven of its eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, in 1957. In this bonus episode, Mike and Brian discuss the effect that the "classic" label has on how we consume older movies, talk cultural representation in post-WWII film and argue about how length (another 3-hour movie?!) contributes to a film's perceived greatness. www.bestpicturethis.com Thanks to Joey from Palm Coast, Florida, for putting this movie on our schedule! Want to...2021-07-0538 min
Best Picture This2003: Is MASTER & COMMANDER Boring?The 2003 retrospective series kicks off with director Peter Weir's 10-time Oscar nominee "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," starring Russell Crowe. Mike and Brian break down the movie's best moments, deliver Golden Takes, argue about the value of beetle-handling on film and decide whether to keep or kick this Academy Award winner (cinematograpy, sound mixing) from the year's top 5. www.bestpicturethis.com TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8f FACEBOOK: https://tinyurl.com/58caezcd Want to curate a future episode of the show? BECOME A PATRON. Agr...2021-06-2834 min
Best Picture ThisBONUS: 2004: Garden State (Patron's Choice)Made on a shoestring budget, the debut feature from director/writer/actor Zach Braff connected with audiences in a profound way in 2004. But do its concerns ring as loudly almost two decades later? In this bonus episode, Mike and Brian take a fresh look at "Garden State," costarring Natalie Portman, whose character is often cited as a founding example of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl archetype. They dive into the film's best moments, talk youthful longing, trivia and the place of Braff's movie among the best of '04. www.bestpicturethis.com Thanks to...2021-06-2153 min
Best Picture This2002: Year in ReviewWhat was the best movie of 2002? In this miniseries finale episode, Mike and Brian recap the year that was, rank the Academy's picks for Best Picture, kick the ones that don't belong and discuss their personal top 5s. Plus, trivia, Golden Takes and a tribute to Dermot Mulroney. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to curate a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com And for 15 years of Golden Takes, head over to Letterboxd.2021-06-1447 min
Best Picture This2002 Bonus: Why Was PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE Snubbed?After making two ensemble-casted epics about disease and downward spirals ("Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia"), director Paul Thomas Anderson turned left. The result: a colorful, cosmic romance starring Adam Sandler and Emily Watson, one which he describes as a story about "finding your music." In this episode, Mike and Brian explore PTA's career and bold stylistic choices, discuss how well those choices work and question whether "Punch-Drunk Love" should've gotten more Oscar love. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to curate a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL...2021-06-1045 min
Best Picture ThisBONUS: 1986: THE FLY (Patron's Choice)Is horror the perfect genre for sneaking deep, adult themes into movies that feel light and popcorn-y? In this bonus episode, Mike and Brian revisit David Cronenberg's 1986 body horror classic, "The Fly," which was chosen by patron Chris from Tampa. They dive into the film's best moments, explore what (aside from the Oscar-winning make up) makes the movie so memorable, and talk trivia, What Might Have Been and more! www.bestpicturethis.com Want to curate a future episode? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com2021-06-0336 min
Best Picture This2002: THE PIANIST — Watch ResponsiblyThe Oscars love Holocaust movies — so what does that tell us about how we consume historical dramas? Is it possible to separate the art from the artist? And how does violence/obscenity in movies dull — or sharpen — our life experience? Mike and Brian's conversation veers into unexpected places this episode, in exploring director Roman Polanski's "The Pianist," starring Adrien Brody, which earned Polanski a Best Director award and was nominated for Best Picture at the 2002 Academy Awards. As always: trivia, best moments, Keep It or Kick It and more. www.be...2021-05-3157 min
Best Picture This2002: CHICAGO, Where Fame, Truth & Music CollideDo musicals have the power to spark intellectual revelations? Is that even their aim? Mike and Brian wrestle with the genre by exploring the impact of director Rob Marshall's debut, "Chicago," which won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 2002 and stars Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and John C. Reilly. They discuss the Oscar winner's best moments, talk trivia and decide whether to keep or kick the film from the year's top 5. www.bestpicturethis.com PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8f2021-05-1045 min
Best Picture This2002 Bonus: Is Tobey Maguire the Best SPIDER-MAN?Director Sam Raimi, who launched his career with low-budget splatter horror films, brings a sense of campy enthusiasm to 2002's "Spider-Man," starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker. But does that style elevate or cheapen the film's comic book aesthetic? In this bonus episode, Mike and Brian dive into the movie's best moments, talk trivia and debate the place of this pre-MCU blockbuster among the Oscar/Best Picture nominees of the year. www.bestpicturethis.com PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8f FACEBOOK: https://tinyurl.com/58cae...2021-05-0656 min
Best Picture This2002: Is THE HOURS Pretentious or a Powerhouse?With a star-studded ensemble cast led by Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore, director Stephen Daldry's "The Hours" has a literary style and lofty ambitions. That combination led it to an Oscar nomination for Best Picture in 2002. In this episode, Mike and Brian are divided in discussing the film's impact and best moments. They talk trivia, explore what might have been and, the big one, play Kick It or Keep it. www.bestpicturethis.com PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8f FACEBOOK: https://tinyurl.com...2021-05-0342 min
Best Picture This2002: THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (Facebook Live)Is "The Two Towers" even better "The Fellowship of the Ring"? Would the movie be stronger with less Gollum? And is every film in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy a lock for its respective year's top 5? Mike and Brian tackle these questions and more in this episode, recorded in studio on Facebook Live, then get into trivia and play Keep It or Kick It. www.bestpicturethis.com PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8f FACEBOOK: https://tinyurl.com/58caez...2021-04-2645 min
Best Picture ThisSUMMER SERIES: 2020: Mulan (Facebook Live)Live-action reimaginings of animated Disney classics: yea or nay? Mike and Brian continue their summer series this week with Disney's live-action "Mulan." They dive into the history of the Chinese legend that inspired the story, Disney's recent run of live-action remakes, as well as the usual Best Moments, trivia and more. www.bestpicturethis.com Want to curate a future episode of the show? BECOME A PATRON. Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL BestPictureThis@gmail.com And for 15 years of Golden Takes, join the conversation over on Letterboxd.2021-04-2240 min
Best Picture ThisSUMMER SERIES: 2020: Sonic the Hedgehog (Facebook Live)Jim Carrey makes his return to the big screen (and to absurdist comedy) in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (2020), directed by Jeff Fowler. But is his commitment to the role enough to keep this film afloat? In this Facebook Live bonus episode, Mike and Brian dive into Carrey's career in comedy and drama, talk trivia and pull out the Popcorn-O-Meter to measure exactly how successful this children's movie is, given the long history of failures the movies-based-on-video-game genre has produced. www.bestpicturethis.com PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkf...2021-04-2143 min
Best Picture ThisSUMMER SERIES: 2020: News of the World (Facebook Live)Director Paul Greengrass explores the power of storytelling in 2020's "News of the World" which, starring the great Tom Hanks, earned four Academy Award nominations. But what else can the Oscar-nomated western teach us about genre, truth and modern life in America? In this special bonus episode, broadcast live on Facebook and in partnership with the Palm Coast Observer, Mike and Brian explore the movie's best moments, talk trivia and whistle dixie. www.bestpicturethis.com PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8f FACEBOOK: https://tinyurl.com...2021-04-2046 min
Best Picture This2001: Year in ReviewWhat was really the best movie of 2001? The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences chose Ron Howard's "A Beautiful Mind." But how does that pick hold up 20 years later? In this miniseries finale, Mike and Brian re-rank the Academy's nominees for Best Picture, kick those that don't belong and build their own top 5 lists for the year in film. www.bestpicturethis.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestPictureThis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestPictureThis Email: BestPictureThis@gmail.com2021-04-1955 min
Best Picture This2001: A BEAUTIFUL MIND - Truth in Biopics?How much truth do we need in movies that are "based off of a true story"? Director Ron Howard takes many liberties throughout "A Beautiful Mind," which took home the Academy Award for Best Picture. But is the movie better or worse because of those changes? Mike and Brian explore the film's best moments, compare Russell Crowe's performance to those he delivered in his previous two movies ("Gladiator" in '00, and "The Insider" in '99 -- both nominated for Best Picture), talk trivia and decide whether "A Beautiful Mind" really is the best movie of 2001 -- or...2021-04-1242 min
Best Picture This2001 Bonus: DONNIE DARKO, and the Cult Idols of Our YouthWhat makes a cult classic? For director Richard Kelly's "Donnie Darko," starring a young Jake Gyllenhaal, it's its seamless mix of horror, comedy, sci-fi, philosophy, '80s pop music, religious subtext and an unwavering committment to Sparkle Motion. But how does all that ambition hold up on rewatch? In this episode, Mike and Brian dive into the movie's best moments, talk trivia and debate the place of "Donnie Darko" among the Best Picture nominees of 2001. www.bestpicturethis.com PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8f2021-04-0936 min
Best Picture This2001: THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (Facebook Live)Can a fantasy epic really be one of the best pictures of the year? Peter Jackson gets started on his Lord of the Rings trilogy with "The Fellowship of the Ring," and Mike and Brian tackle the big themes — and some small, petty ones — in this episode, which was simulcast on Facebook Live. Visit bestpicturethis.com for past episodes and that all-important Patreon button. Tolkien would be proud?!?!2021-04-0552 min
Best Picture ThisBONUS: 1976: TAXI DRIVER, and Morality's Place in MoviesIs Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) really an "avenging angel"? How are we supposed to feel about his climactic shootout? Is director Martin Scorsese trying to drive us crazy with saxophones?!? Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1976, TAXI DRIVER is crammed full of enigmas, and in this special bonus episode, Mike and Brian dive headlong into them through their Questions Three, talk trivia and critics' reviews, then argue ... a lot. www.bestpicturethis.com PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8...2021-04-0235 min
Best Picture This2001: IN THE BEDROOM, Understated MasterpieceMade for just $1.9M, director Todd Field's "In the Bedroom" is by far the smallest-budget film in the Academy Award's 2001 slate for Best Picture. But, led by powerhouse performances from Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek, its dramatic punch just might be most powerful. In this episode, Mike and Brian dive into the movie's best directing and writing moments, talk trivia and wax philosophical about grief, murder and cinematic revearsals. www.bestpicturethis.com PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8f FACEBOOK: https://tinyurl.com/58caezcd 2021-03-2933 min
Best Picture ThisBONUS: 1985: BACK TO THE FUTURE, Live in StudioGreat Scott! A special Facebook Live bonus episode! This is heavy! This week, Mike and Brian skateboard into the studio to talk about director Robert Zemeckis' 1985 time travel classic, "Back to the Future," starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. They get into trivia, debate the place of "popcorn" movies in cinema and smile wide for the camera (underneath their masks). WATCH on FACEBOOK: https://tinyurl.com/7nh586sm PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8f Email: BestPictureThis@gmail.com2021-03-2634 min
Best Picture This2001: Gossip & Murder at GOSFORD PARKIf you like "Downtown Abbey," you'll love "Gosford Park" -- at least, you should, seeing as how the TV drama was originally conceived as a spinoff of Robert Altman's Academy Award-nominated film. In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the 2001 Best Picture nominee, debate its thematic intentions and consider its place among the top films of 2001 -- plus, trivia, Best Directing and Writing Moments, and Keep It or Kick It. www.bestpicturethis.com PATREON: https://tinyurl.com/r4thbbxz TWITTER: https://tinyurl.com/jkfucw8f FACEBOOK: https://tinyurl.com/58c...2021-03-2226 min
Best Picture This2001 Bonus: Is MULHOLLAND DRIVE High Art or Just High Style?This is the pod. In David Lynch's 2001 surrealist masterpiece, "Mulholland Drive," dream and reality collide. But is the result transcendent ... or just weird for weird's sake? In this special bonus episode, Mike and Brian explore the movie's many mysteries through their Questions Three, dive into trivia and critics' reviews, then gush over Naomi Watts. www.bestpicturethis.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestPictureThis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestPictureThis Email: BestPictureThis@gmail.com2021-03-1837 min
Best Picture This2001: MOULIN ROUGE, a Musical for the MTV AgeThe first musical nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture in 10 years, "Moulin Rouge" is not your grandfather's song-and-dance film. Instead, director Baz Luhrmann's approach is hyper-sensory, supercharging raw enthusiasm with modern visual effects. Recording from the center of the bohemian world (in Florida's WNZF Studios, of course), Mike and Brian discuss whether that vision works well enough to keep the film as one of the top 5 of 2001. www.bestpicturethis.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestPictureThis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestPictureThis Email: BestPictureThis@gmail.com2021-03-1521 min
Best Picture ThisBONUS: 1982: E.T., with director Aleem HossainMike and Brian are joined by filmmaker Aleem Hossain, director of "After We Leave," which won Best Sci Fi Feature Film at Sci Fi London 2019, to revisit Steven Spielberg's "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." - How does the movie hold up? - How have kids' movies changed in the past 40 years? - And what are Aleem's top 5 Best Picture contenders of all time? All that and more in this Best Picture Throwback bonus episode! Watch "After We Leave" on Amazon Prime. www.bestpicturethis.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/Be...2021-03-1135 min
Best Picture This2000: Year in ReviewWhat was the best film of 2000? In this miniseries finale, Mike and Brian recap the year that was, rank the Academy's picks for Best Picture, kick the titles that don't belong and offer their own top fives. Join the conversation! www.bestpicturethis.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestPictureThis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestPictureThis Email: BestPictureThis@gmail.com2021-03-0839 min
Best Picture This2000: GLADIATOR, and What We Get from GoreDigital worlds, real lions and bloody decapitations -- are you not entertained!? Director Ridley Scott's $106 million swords and sandals epic, "Gladiator," won Best Picture of 2000 and earned Russell Crowe a Best Actor award, but does it hold up? Mike and Brian decide whether to keep it or kick it as one of the the year's five best films, go deep into trivia and discuss why it's fun (and unnecessary?) to watch violence and bloodshed onscreen. www.bestpicturethis.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestPictureThis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestPictureThis Ema...2021-03-0132 min
Best Picture This2000 Bonus: Is CAST AWAY Tom Hanks' Best?Tom Hanks is directed once again by Robert Zemeckis, this time on a desert island. Hanks was nominated for best actor, and Mike and Brian agree it's one of his best performances. Some critics said it was good, not great. Why? The iconic moment is, of course, the skinnified Tom Hanks breaking down over an inanimate object: Wilson the volleyball. In this episode, trivia galore, plus Farley awards and Golden Takes. Join the conversation! www.bestpicturethis.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestPictureThis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestPictureThis Email: B...2021-02-2426 min
Best Picture This2000: CHOCOLAT, and Why We Love Fairy TalesBeloved fairy tale, "Chocolat" earned five Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture, following its release in 2000 -- but what was it about this movie that got people feeling all gooey inside? In this episode, Mike and Brian talk about the power of happy endings, read listeners' favorite Johnny Depp performances and ask the question: Did director Lasse Hallström's two-year Best Picture run (1999-2000) mark the end of a stylistic era for the Oscars? Plus, "Keep It or Kick It," triva and top fives. Join the conversation! www.bestpicturethis.com T...2021-02-2237 min
Best Picture This2000: CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, "Action" FlickWait -- the same guy who made 1995's "Sense and Sensibility" also made "Hulk" ('03), "Brokeback Mountain" ('04), "Life of Pi" ('12) and "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" ('00)?! Director Ang Lee's career has been a series of surprises and experiments but, through it all, he's maintained a focus on philosophy over genre: exploring our place in the world through a perspective shaped by both Eastern and Western ideas. In this episode, Mike and Brian talk transcendence and the art of swordplay, as well as decide whether or not to keep or kick "Crouching Tiger, Hidden...2021-02-1556 min
Best Picture This2000: ERIN BROCKOVICH, and What's Wrong with Fun?!No one had a better year in 2000 than director Steven Soderbergh, whose movies -- "Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich" -- accounted for two of the five Best Picture nominees at that year's Academy Awards. Mike and Brian talk Julia Roberts' celebrity and the power in playing against type, trivia, one-liners, the Oscars, feminism, and decide whether to keep or kick "Erin Brockovich" from the year's top five. Join the conversation! www.bestpicturethis.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestPictureThis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestPictureThis Email: BestPictureThis@gmail.com2021-02-0827 min
Best Picture This2000: TRAFFIC, and the Myth of "Important" MoviesWith its documentary feel and multiple storylines, Steven Soderbergh's "Traffic" earned mass acclaim (and a Best Picture nod) in 2000, being praised by critics for its complex view on the war against drugs. But can large-scale, societal subject matter sometimes infuse a movie with an unearned sense of importance? Kicking off their first season on the films of the 21st century, Mike and Brian decide whether to keep or kick "Traffic" from the year's top five, hand out awards for the Best Directing, Writing and Acting Moments, and talk trivia. Join the conversation! www.b...2021-02-0834 min
Best Picture This1999: Year in ReviewOne of the greatest movie years of all time, 1999 featured no shortage of films now seen as cultural touchstones. But were the top titles of the year represented in the Academy Award nominations for Best Picture? Capping off their pilot season, Mike and Brian look back at the top films of the final year of the 20th century, rank the Academy's picks for Best Picture, make their own top fives and discuss the thematic obsessions shared by the year's best films. Join the conversation! Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestPictureThis Facebook: https://ww...2021-02-0122 min
Best Picture This1999: Is AMERICAN BEAUTY Actually Terrible?Once hailed as a masterpiece, director Sam Mendes's "American Beauty" has had a hard fall from grace in the two decades since its release. In 1999, it was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won five, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screeplay. Kevin Spacey's sexual assault allegations certainly play a part, but are the movie's themes (and how it utilizes underage actors) too problematic to look past with modern eyes? Is the backlash deserved? Mike and Brian discuss the film's cultural impact, explore its place among the Academy's picks of the top films of 1999 and...2021-02-0141 min
Best Picture This1999: In THE INSIDER, Words are WeaponsAn actionless action movie? Director Michael Mann's "The Insider" feels forgotten in pop culture 20 years since its release -- but why, exactly? Nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1999, including one for Best Picture, the movie stars Al Pacino and Russell Crowe in powerhouse performances and is based off of real-life national news, when "60 Minutes" interviewed Big Tobacco whistleblower Jeff Wigand. Mike and Brian discuss why the movie flopped, explore its place among the Academy's picks of the top films of 1999 and decide whether to keep it or kick it from the year's top five. Join th...2021-02-0141 min
Best Picture This1999: THE CIDER HOUSE RULES' Moral DilemmasSpider-Man, Ant-Man and Furiosa walk into a barn.... It's "The Cider House Rules"! With pretty, pastural cinematography straight out of a Thomas Kinkade painting, it's tough not to see this film as a little polyannaish on first glance. However, the screenplay's exploration of moral ambiguity, abortion and apple-picking earned writer John Irving an Academy Award, Michael Caine a Best Supporting Actor award and director Lasse Hallström five other nominations. Mike and Brian debate the movies's best/worst moments, pay homage to Delroy Lindo and decide whether to keep or kick the film from the ye...2021-02-0117 min
Best Picture This1999: THE GREEN MILE, Where Death Row Is ... Fun?Director Frank Darabont's follow-up to "The Shawshank Redemption" in 1994, "The Green Mile" is another Stephen King-adapted, prison-set, period melodrama. Except, this time there's circus mice! Mike and Brian discuss the film's stance on the death penalty, debate its level of fun on the "Popcorn-O-Meter," explore its place among the year's other Academy Award/Best Picture nominees, and decide whether to keep it or kick it from the year's top five. Join the conversation! Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestPictureThis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestPictureThis YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ch...2021-02-0122 min
Best Picture This1999: Is THE SIXTH SENSE a Horror Movie?"The Sixth Sense" killed it at the box office in 1999, earned six Academy Award nominations including one for Best Picture and established director M. Night Shyamalan's as Hollywood's next big thing. But was it all in the twist? Mike and Brian discuss the film's staying power and how a horror movie should make you feel, explore its place among the top films of '99 and decide whether to keep it or kick it from the year's top five. Join the conversation! Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestPictureThis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bes...2021-02-0125 min
Best Picture ThisTop 5 All Time (Oscars: 1929-1998)Welcome to Best Picture this, where it is always Oscar season! Join Mike and Brian as they dissect every Best Picture nominee of the 21st century to decide whether to keep it or kick it from its Oscar pedestal. But first ... What are the best movies that have ever been nominated for Best Picture? Ahead of jumping into their 1999 pilot season, we discuss what makes a movie "important," why the Oscars matter and pick the top 5 films ever to have earned an Academy Award nod for Best Picture, since the first ce...2021-02-0155 min