BONUS EPISODE - The Boy and The Heron

This week, we watch the newest and likely final Hayao Miyazaki movie. This film was in production for seven years due to a combination of COVID and Miyazaki’s slower working pace due to age. It was well worth the effort in our opinions, as he has possibly created the most beautiful movie in his legendary filmography. The Boy and The Heron (2023), directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Episode 29 - Spirited Away

This week, we watch the highest rated Studio Ghibli movie on the top 250. This film broke records as well as opened the Western world to Japanese animation in a large way. This film hasn’t aged a day, with incredible animation and timeless fantasy storytelling. The amount of creativity that pours our of each frame has to be seen to be believed. Spirited Away (2001), directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

BONUS EPISODE - Nightcrawler

This week, we’re diving into a series of bonus episodes, where we go through movies that Denny, John and TC think deserve to be on the top 250. We kick it off with a thiller / character study that possibly contains Jake Gyllenhaal’s best work. Add in commentary about the media industry, sociopathy, race, the police, capitalism, LA nightlight, etc., and you’ve got something that could be considered a niche masterpiece. Nightcrawler (2014), directed by Dan Gilroy.

Episode 30 - Saving Private Ryan

This week, we watch what many consider to be the best war movie ever made. While the opening Omaha Beach scene might stick out as a highlight, this rest of this film also contains some of the most intense and upsetting portrayals of combat ever committed to film. Saving Private Ryan (1998), directed by Steven Spielberg.

REPOST - Tokyo Story

This week, we’re reposting an episode on a film that has come up a lot since we watched it over five years ago, including during our last episode on Past Lives. If a film has stayed in the conversation as long as this one has, it is worth a second look to those who might have missed it.. Tokyo Story (1953), directed by Yasujiro Ozu.

BONUS EPISODE - Past Lives

This week, we watch an A24 movie that has been getting very good reviews by Critics, to no ones surprise. This quiet and slow movie depicts a past relationship that never was. You can tell by the episode run time that we didn’t have much to say about it. Past Lives (2023), directed by Celine Song.

Episode 31 - American History X

This week, we watch a film that tackles the subject of nazis in the US. Edward Norton’s Academy Award nominated performance leaves us with mixed opinions, as well as the undercooked characters of everyone around him. Still, this film has a few very important points to get across (which feel frighteningly more relevant today than at the films release) and is worth watching for those alone. American History X (1998), directed by Tony Kaye.

BONUS EPISODE - Hereditary

This week, we watch what many consider one of the scariest movies of all time. Ari Aster’s first film was the highest grossing A24 movie at the time, only overtaken by last years Everything Everywhere All At Once. This film contains some of the best acting ever in a horror movie, and the scares will give you nightmares for years. Hereditary (2018), directed by Ari Aster.

BONUS EPISODE - The Exorcist

This week, we watch the most infamous and possibly influential horror movie of all time. 50 years later and this film still provides shocking imagery and performances that have yet to be equaled. Centering itself as a character drama, the seemingly lengthy two and a half hours creep by in the best way. The Exorcist (1973), directed by Willam Friedkin.

Episode 32 - Casablanca

This week, we are watching a classic from over 80 years ago. This may be the most modern feeling pre-1960’s film we have watch so far in our hundreds of episodes. While it might be a staple in film school classes, it doesn’t need any explanation from a stuffy teacher to see how well made and entertaining this classic remains. Casablanca (1942), directed by Michael Curtiz.

BONUS EPISODE - Talk To Me

This week, we start October early. This Australian horror film take approximately 2 minutes to hook you into the story with an amazing introduction sequence, and the rest of the movie follows up with plenty of scares and amazing practical effects. Talk to Me (2022), directed by Danny and Michael Philippou.

Episode 34 - Psycho

This week, we watch the highest rated Hitchcock film, and what is considered widely to be the film that modernized horror. Come for the shower stabbing, stay for the controversial use of a toilet, a woman in a bra, and the utterance of the word “transvestite”. Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

BONUS EPISODE - Barbie

This week, we Barbie’d the Heimer. The most unexpected one-two box office knockout’s better (pink) half is breaking records left and right. Top Hollywood creative talent somehow managed to take corporate greed and product recognition to bring older and younger generators together with huge laughs throughout. Barbie (2023), directed by Greta Gerwig.

BONUS EPISODE - Oppenheimer

This week, we watch the film that is taking the box office by storm (with the help of a specific other pink-ish film). Christopher Nolan takes on the massive story of Oppenheimer and the people around him during the Manhattan Project and the race to develop a bomb that could end us all. Oppenheimer (2023), directed by Christopher Nolan.