Dinner With a Movie

We go out for chashu ramen this week before discussing Ponyo (2008). This film is full of little swimmers, with Ponyo as the biggest and most magical one. The reimagining of a story about a fish who wants to become human is a gentle and cheerful tale. The love between Sosuke and Ponyo is innocently pure throughout. We don’t completely understand some of the Japanese culture in the film, but we appreciate the beautiful animation, score, and cuteness. That's good enough for us to adore the film.

We’re letting our birds fly this week after we eat bacon and eggs (not rotten) and discuss Little Voice (1998). We feel the coziness of the small town in this film about a lonely girl who comes out of her shell and learns to fly against her mother’s incessant chatter. The musical numbers and variety acts are second to none. We’re still wondering what happened to poor Elaine.

It’s time for a change this week when we eat hot dogs and cupcakes in the dark before we discuss About Time (2013). We enjoyed the relationship between Tim and his dad and wanted more. We also liked the complications that time travel presents, but we unwind when a movie’s rules of time travel are broken or distorted just to complicate the story. We wish we could go back and fix a couple of moments that time forgot and make this a timeless classic.

This week, we eat some doughnuts and seafood (sushi) before discussing Saw (2004). We all wanted to try an escape room after watching the film, but not as crappy as this. It seems like a story built around a big reveal that isn’t exactly what we need to watch. With so many flashbacks and scenes outside of the room, it was hard to focus on what was important. We could envision a better movie in the end. Unfortunately, none of us feels the need to ever watch this movie again.

We’re cranking it up to eleven this week when we eat cold cuts and cheese on too small bread, crackers with canned cheese, and Oreo cookies before we discuss This is Spinal Tap (1984). The grandfather of every mockumentary in existence has us rockin’ and rollin’ on the floor laughing. Guest, McKean, and Shearer show their comedic genius as British bonehead buffoons. They are correct about one thing; it's such a fine line between stupid and clever. RIP Rob Reiner, your brilliance will live forever.

We are headed to the bustling burrow of Bikini Bottom for some Krabby Patties and sundaes (actually hamburgers and milkshakes) before discussing The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie (2004). This is a fun-filled, nostalgic trip down memory lane. There’s something about remembering that feeling of excitement and replaying scenes over in your head with your friends that warms your heart like SpongeBob and Patrick under a heat lamp. We would also love to take a ride on David Hasselhoff to the underwater paradise. What’s not to love about this buddy road-trip movie with a fantastic musical finale?

We get huge this week when we eat barbacoa before we discuss Giant (1956). We appreciate the cinematography and blocking as well as the actors in this epic western. Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean give spectacular performances that display their massive talent. Even though Giant is seventy years old, it’s still relevant today and ripe for a remake, maybe with better wigs.

We drink and eat our fill of Yoo-hoo and apple pie before discussing The Nice Guys (2016). The foolproof trio of detectives, Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, and Angourie Rice, work together to solve this whodunit that really doesn’t need to be solved to be enjoyed. It isn't a mystery that the acting, jokes, and comedic timing are what make this film worth investigating.

We gather to search for more missing movie kids this week, then eat Chinese food before discussing Prisoners (2013). This film is fantastically full of raw emotion that encourages you to feel a little pity for every character. We are all susceptible to being trapped and puzzled by our own faith and doing what we believe is right. That is, until someone blows the whistle on us.

We are spending this holiday season together, when we eat roasted chicken, asparagus, and cherries jubilee before discussing The Holdovers (2023). Everything about this Christmas movie is spectacular. The writing, cinematography, acting, and music come together to create an honest, humorous, and emotional slice of life. It reminds us that the journeys in our lives are just as important as the destinations. Happy holidays to everyone.

We’re stalking the model to solve her riddle as we eat fish and chips, Mars bars, and tea and biscuits before discussing Sing Street (2016). This inspirational film captures the expression of the music and fashion of the 80s. Although there could be stormy seas ahead for the young lovers, we can’t help but feel the hopefulness in their journey.

We are entering your dreams and eating fruit, congee, and un café before discussing Inception (2010). This action and espionage-packed film set in dreams is fun and entertaining, although the rules are difficult to follow. Are we awake, or are we dreaming in different levels of consciousness throughout the film? As long as the top keeps spinning, we’ll remain the men of your dreams.

We eat a great homemade meal of expensive jam, organic peanut butter, bread, saltines, and salad before we discuss Mother (1996). We appreciate the story’s light-hearted approach to fixing a damaged relationship, but finding the perfect woman is not the film’s strongest theme. Although we have mixed feelings about the premise of the story, we find the relationship between mother and son very relatable. Albert Brooks has become a favorite of the podcast. We now have to rush out and buy our mothers something very lacey and special.

We are in Dinner with a Movie paradise when we eat never-ending Olive Garden and discuss Cinema Paradiso (1988). This wonderful story about the love of film, young love, and loss is a wonderfully nostalgic view of life. The historical value of French/Italian filmmaking is not lost on us either. This tour through a young man’s memories is a meaningful and timeless work. Now scram and don’t come to our funerals.

We give one another hard stares as we eat marmalade sandwiches and candy apples before discussing Paddington 2. We admire this hungry bear’s positivity and ability to bring out the best in everyone around him. There will always be a need for Paddington in the world, and we can’t wait to eat another Knuckle’s Sandwich.

What we're doing this week is not a mystery. We eat mini tacos with hot sauce, veggies, pineapple juice, and kombucha before we discuss Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022). Is it really a whodunit if you know who the bad guy is from the very beginning? The movie is different enough to be unique to its genre, but we don’t all agree that that’s a good thing. It could be an inexplicable conundrum of disruptor drivel. We do agree that Janelle Monáe's portrayal of Andi and Helen and Edward Norton's performance give the film's story the puzzling twist it needs. 

Come sing along with your favorite sixteen-year-old virgins as we eat soul food and then discuss Hair (1979). The nostalgia factor figures into Brandon’s love of the film, but with Blake and Jose, it’s neither relatable nor memorable. What the world needs more than ever is some beads, flowers, freedom, and happiness. We agree that the film is ripe for a modern up-do.

Join us on a bad date when we eat dates, tangerines, apples, bananas, bread, and melon before discussing Raiders of the Lost Ark. It's a movie full of travel, adventure, and an unnecessary need for Marion to be constantly saved. Nonetheless, we enjoy the nostalgic trip that has spawned so many tropes in films that it’s hard to imagine a world without Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr.

Monkeys and spiders and short-legged rhinos; oh, my! We eat peanut butter, bananas, bread, and sugar cookies before discussing Jumanji (1995). Is this game out for blood, or is it an omniscient force bent on teaching its players a lesson? Some of us feel the nostalgia, and one wasn’t feeling any of it. Our next game night is going to be wild if we can get our hands on one of these beauties.

We welcome our friend Kyle back for another DWAM escapade when we eat mac and cheese, Spaghetti O’s with meatballs, a Crunch bar, and Haagen Dazs ice cream before we discuss Adventures in Babysitting (1987).  This nostalgic tour of the madness of eighties movie magic gives us a first look at some stars-to-be while the kids teach us how to survive the dangers of the big city. Kyle’s picks always take us on a journey and this film is one of the best road-trips we’ve been on.

We’ve got trouble! We eat chicken croquettes and ice cream before discussing The Music Man (1962). This film is a slice of Americana that takes us back to a more innocent time when we could be swindled out of our money with the promise of music lessons. Although there is a section after the midpoint that we could all do without, we agree that the songs are well balanced, the choreography is amazing, and the themes are timeless. Come along and be our Shipoopi as we take to the streets to sing and dance.

This week we party, eat some pizza, and get buzzed on some beers before discussing Manchester by the Sea (2016). This unconventional story makes us want Lee to be able to move on and be happy, yet it never delivers that resolution. Instead, we are left with the smallest hint of healing of an utterly broken man. The film may be full of sadness and grief, but we are always able to find comedy and light in the darkest of places.

We eat Cuban sandwiches, tostones, and beignets before discussing the movie Chef (2014). Even though the film could have used some well-measured edits, we find that the story is a meaningful tale about finding the correct balance in your life. The perfect mesh of food and fantastical family life is a joy to watch without disorganized domestic hiccups to weigh you down. The film is full of flavor, but it may leave you hungry for more main characters and fewer cameos.

We try to keep any happy accidents from happening this week as we eat cheap spaghetti, cookies, and chocolate milk then discuss Knocked Up (2007). We agree that the film handles the complexities of pregnancy and having a baby with humor and heart. The meshing of families and comparisons between established and new relationships is meaningful. Ben grows more than the baby in the film and it has a happy ending. If you haven’t watched the film, just do it already. You won’t be disappointed.

We eat pork chops, baked beans, and corn before discussing The Lovely Bones (2009). We find the transitions between the real world and in-between can be visually jarring at times. Although the story is engaging and thrilling, the full attention to detail and the passing of time is crippling. The heart of the film is the talent of its actors. The film has lovely bones, but we needed to perform an autopsy to find them.

We eat meatloaf and oatmeal with raisins before discussing Blue Valentine. The exploration of the good and bad behavior and personality traits in the film may be too intense to be entertaining. The slow heartbreak throughout the film explores the control and manipulation in a relationship. Are there sides that we gravitate to based on our own biases, or is everyone just messed up? We may be able to use this film as a means to discover red flags in relationships before they become part of our lives.

We gather here today for some catfish and cornbread before discussing Sinners (2025). Nothing is perfect in this world and this film is no exception, but we find that the good outweighs the bad in this case. The acting, cinematography, choreography, sets, and music really make this movie shine. We confess that we have saved this movie to our favorites.

Your favorite bully, loner, and nerd gather to eat a well-balanced lunch of sushi, sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies, Cap’n Crunch sandwiches, chips, and apple juice before discussing The Breakfast Club. This is a film that every high school kid should watch. We could do without the running in the halls and the unwarranted makeover of the Goth girl. Our “old age” has taught us to walk gently and not to change to please others. Maybe we are destined to be our parents like the kids in detention. Hopefully, we’ve received and can pass on only the best parts.

We summon up some pancakes, bacon, and sausage before digging into The Conjuring (2013). The film and its successful spinoffs are an entertaining spin on the events that they are “based on.” Does that make a story more or less believable? For a group of non-believers, we find the shots and some of the story elements deserve praise. We’ll plan ahead next time and invite the Warrens and Bathsheba to be on the podcast when we discuss the next Conjuring movie. That should stir up some listeners.

We escape to another planet to eat Spam, sauces, and macaroons before discussing Mickey 17. Is this another Bong hit or pass? The premise of Mickey’s lab rat-like existence is troubling yet thoughtful. Robert Pattison is incredible as all Mickey’s one through eighteen. Although the film captures the insanity and stupidity of today’s politics, it may be a little too preachy for some and could lead to a loss of interest. Let’s face it. Most of us go to the movies to escape and not to be reminded why we want to escape.

What do you get when you watch and you eat? Dinner with a Movie is our favorite treat! You guessed it. We’re discussing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory after we eat tomato soup, roast beef, blueberry pie, and chocolate eggs. This romp through a psychopath’s factory is full of friendly deathtraps for naughty children. Because we’re good boys at DWAM, we can keep bringing you our golden-ticket podcast where everyone’s a winner and there’s no chance of any of us "unintentionally" falling into an incinerator. Doopa-dee-doo!

C’mon and have some cheese wrapped in salami and ice cream before we discuss C’mon C’mon. This voyage through mental health and parenting is guided by a kid with an old soul. Brandon isn’t bothered by Joaquin Phoenix and Jose isn’t bothered by Woody Norman so this movie is a pleasant surprise for Blake. Join us for another adventure, C’mon.

We kindly eat cheese pizza before discussing Be Kind Rewind. Jack Black and Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) lead a great team of friends making movies and creating a community. This episode takes us on a nostalgic journey of the not-so-distant past when we were making films and memories in college. We all find the film charming after we get past the confusing beginning and the emergence of Magnetic Jerry and his magnetized pee. Adding Alma to the mix rounds out the group and adds heart to the movie. Please be kind, rewind, and share us with your friends. Thank you for being part of our community.

In an attempt to bring you content with more substance, we eat roast chicken, shrimp, eggs, and Diet Coke before discussing The Substance. Is it a comedy or horror? Is it good or bad? Is it real or a dream? We have no idea, but we have a good time trying to figure out what is going on. Like the Diet Coke, Blake and Jose may have drunk some of the substance and Brandon is having none of it.

Hey, Superstars! Get on the bus. We’re headed to the biblical time of Israel in the seventies to eat cucumber, bell peppers, onions, bread, grapes, and drink a little wine before we discuss Jesus Christ Superstar (1974). We all agree that you need multiple watches of the movie to understand what the hell is going on at the beginning and end. We disagree on the need to know the greatest story ever told in order to follow the plot. We all think you’re on the right path if you’re listening to the podcast. He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast (Proverbs 15:15). It’s all part of our divine plan.

LOOK OUT! Your friendly neighborhood Dinnermen are at it again when we eat Cup of Noodles, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, and Dr. Pepper before we discuss Spiderman (the Tobey Maguire one). This movie is a great watch if you aren’t paying too much attention to the strange relationships and underdeveloped characters. We agree that Willem Dafoe is wonderful as Norman Osborn and could possibly carry the film. Too bad Spiderman/Peter isn’t as well developed as Harry Osborn. As a whole, the film is an innovative superhero movie which makes it undeniably likeable in the end even though Peter isn’t.

There you are, listener! This week, we eat hot dogs and colorful cupcakes before discussing Hook (1991). Captain Hook and Smee steal the show and Peter’s children. This would be a great movie about the gay power couple named after the fabulous captain. Alas, it’s loosely about Peter’s need to become a better father. The film has some moments of endearment mixed in with nonconsensual kisses and strange generational love. Watch this film as an adult and you start to see behind the creepy curtain but with a child’s eyes, it’s bangerang. RIP Rufio.

We’re back in the Colosseum to eat bread, olive oil, grapes, and pomegranate before discussing Gladiator II (2024). Is this a better film than the original or a less effective carbon copy that no one needed? Lucius’s unwarranted change from revenge to forgiveness makes the film shallow while the inclusion of a Colosseum naval battle, even with sharks, makes it spectacular. Macrinus’s deception of the Emperors Timmy and Tommy and pulling their strings is a great addition that needed to be played up. There’s a better story here somewhere buried under the blood and dust.

We’re off on another pirate adventure this week when we eat crab, coconut water, melon, pineapple, and apple before discussing Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006). The addition of Elizabeth thirsting for Jack’s pirate booty is out of character for a person who just had her wedding to Will Turner ruined. There may be too much silly sword-fighting in the film, but Bootstrap Bill and Davy Jones make this continuing story better. Now we’re off to go save Jack with help from a demon monkey and an old “friend?”

We were looking for a good dinner to have with a movie and stumbled upon kimchi gumbo and Searching (2018). Everyone becomes a suspect in this story full of twists, turns, and dead ends that have you on the edge of your seat up until the final reveal. John Cho and Debra Messing are brilliant. It’s a little cliché in places, but a suspenseful ride that’ll make you want to turn the car around and go back to the scene of the crime.

We take a ride to a galaxy far, far away to eat sushi and talk about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Is this the best Star Wars movie? We think it is. It has everything from a smart-assed droid to a non-Jedi blind guy. A couple of CGI cameos and misplaced droids brings it down, but just like the Death Star nothing’s perfect. The prequel that nobody asked for delivers the hope for the Star Wars universe that we all need.

We eat some grocery store deli food and discuss the movie Funny People (2009) this week. Is it nostalgic brilliance or a half-acted mess? We’ll let you decide. One thing we can agree on is that the love story part of the film drags on way too long. With too many comedian cameos to count, this film may be an ode to the past that Judd Apatow thinks is funny more than the audience does.

We took a break from the jar this week to watch something new. Was it a joke or was it Joker: Folie a Deux? The world didn’t need another jukebox musical or another Joker movie, so we decided it was more of a gag than a movie. What didn’t make us gag was the talent of the actors and their ability to make something from the lackluster writing. That wasn’t enough to get high praise from us. We have to say that the folie in this is definitely number two.

This week, we are taking a ride down the river Nile as we eat Mediterranean food, possibly with bugs, and discuss The Mummy (1999). We are in love with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz as much as Imhotep is in love with Anck Su Namun. This film is full of entertainment if you can get over the ability to teleport to and from locations with ease and silly effects that may be as cool as a face in a sandstorm but are ill-used when it comes to plot and the rules of magic. Who wouldn’t wait dead for years in the desert, after being buried alive, to be resurrected and practically immortal with the intention of reuniting with the love of your life? Wait, is this a love story or an action movie?

Papa, can you hear us? We eat some unburnt fish and baked apple before discussing the movie Yentl. This musical, with songs sung only by the title character, is an anthem for feminism and women’s rights. The stars shine brightly in this film, especially with Mandy Patinkin’s full moon out for everyone to see.

After some well-deserved time off we gathered at the beginning of the school year to eat some trash pizza and discuss Monsters University. In this prequel to Monsters Inc., we get to know Mike and Sulley a little better and find out why they’re such a good team for churning out power for Big Scream. Although it doesn’t have Boo, it has a college feel all its own. Like Mike and Sulley, your college friends at DWAM are staying together to make you laugh and scream. If only we could just bottle the stuff.

We lock ourselves inside separate rooms and eat birthday cake, peanut butter toast, cereal, milk, and grapes before we discuss Room. We make it perfectly clear that this movie is not to be confused with the movie The Room.  When we began the podcast, we only knew small movies and dinners, but now we’re almost four and we know great movies and dinners. This is a truly great movie that we all agree you should watch. Just remember it’s named Room not The Room.

We surrender after being “accidentally” left in Shanghai where we’re forced to eat potatoes, eggs, chocolate, butter biscuits, and milk before discussing Empire of the Sun. Blake finally gets a film about a boy’s loss of innocence. We’re grateful that we didn’t have to watch any of our friends die trying to cut a mango for us.

We go undercover this week in Boston to eat croissants, cold cuts, and cranberry juice before we discuss The Departed. Everyone’s a rat in this entertaining Scorsese film, but we’re left to answer some big questions. Does everyone in Boston have a bad Boston accent? What’s in Billy’s envelope? Is Colin a repressed gay man? Who is Madolyn’s baby daddy? We try to get to the bottom of what’s going on with our determination to uncover the reason for killing almost every character in the movie without emotional investment.

After speaking with the Bobfather, we cover ourselves with magic and sparkly dust and eat a dirty lunch of sushi, French fries, dates, baby dill pickles, gummy worms, and chocolate chip cookies before discussing Rugrats in Paris: The Movie. Where is the adult supervision of all these babies running unaccompanied around a foreign amusement park and city? Chuckie’s adventure to find a new mommy that’ll last for eber and eber makes this movie great for everyone. He reminds us that we gots to be brave when we have to keep our dad from eating a bad date.