Looking California and Feeling Minnesota

On this episode, Barry and Mike share their takes on the Oscar's ceremony and then talk all things Predator: Badlands, now streaming on Hulu. Topics discussed include the shoddy Oscars production, the underwhelming Oscar line-up, and the hopes for the Predator franchise. There's also a scintillating Predator-themed brainstorming session which produces pure movie-business gold!!

On this episode, Barry and Mike bask in the glow of the brilliance that is Jafar Panahi's fantastic film, It Was Just an Accident - nominated for Best International Feature Film at this year's Academy Awards. Topics discussed include the film's simplicity, Panahi's artistry, and the benefits of creation through limitation. Then stay tuned for a brief rundown of the Oscars and the guys give their Oscar picks. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike harmonize while singing the blues over the absolutely insane Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson film, Song Sung Blue. Topics discussed include how this movie is totally bananas, how mind-blowing it is to watch, and how on earth did Kate Hudson get nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for this performance?

On this episode, Barry and Mike climb through a gaping hole in their ceiling to discuss filmmaker Mary Bronstein's terrific movie meditation on the madness of motherhood, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, starring Rose Byrne. Topics discussed include the undeniable talent of Rose Byrne, Bronstein's deft direction, and the small movie's big time friends. Also included in the pod is a discussion about the all-time great acting icon Robert Duvall, who died this week at 95.

On this episode, Barry and Mike square off in the octagon and do battle over Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's UFC drama, The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie. Topics discussed include The Rock's troubled career arc, director Benny Safdie's sad solo future, and the unbridled joy of everything Emily Blunt. 

On this barn-burner of an episode, Barry and Mike shave their heads and castrate themselves as they fight over Yorgos Lanthimos' Academy Award nominated film Bugonia, starring Emma Stone. Topics discussed include the positives and negatives of Lanthimos' particular taste and style, challenging audience expectation, and Alex Jones, David Icke and the current conspiracy cultural moment.

On this episode, Barry and Mike go undercover to discuss all things The Rip...the new Matt Damon and Ben Affleck cop action drama on Netflix. Topics discussed include their opinions on Matt, Ben, and Matt and Ben...and the nefariously negative influence of Netflix on the art of cinema.

On this episode, Barry and Mike talk all things Jay Kelly, the new Noah Baumbach Netflix movie starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler. Topics discussed include the mystery of George Clooney's success...the mystery of Adam Sandler's success...and the mystery of Noah Baumbach's success...plus a new round of everybody's favorite game "Studio Exec!" where Barry and Mike pretend to be studio execs and recast the movie!!

On this episode, Barry and Mike put on their detective hats and investigate the new Netflix movie, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Story. Topics discussed include the mystery of why people like this franchise, Barry's disdain for Daniel Craig, and the trouble with the whodunnit genre. 

On this scintillating episode, Barry and Mike don their tinfoil hats and go down the rabbit hole to debate the merits of Ari Aster's neo-Western Covid comedy/thriller Eddington. Topics discussed include the Covid/#MeToo/BLM hysteria, Joaquin Phoenix's brilliance, Barry's lust for Austin Butler, and the bizarre and mesmerizing wonders of this peculiar, yet terrific, movie. 

On this episode Barry and Mike chat about Zach Cregger's fantastic horror mystery movie Weapons, now streaming on HBO Max. Topics discussed include how this is one of the best films of the year, Cregger as an elevated horror master - and the tricky next step in his career, as well as Oscar hopes for Amy Madigan, and respect for Josh Brolin and Julia Garner. P. S. SEE THIS MOVIE!!

On this episode Barry and Mike search for life in Guillermo del Toro's new Netflix movie Frankenstein. Topics discussed include del Toro's unique filmography, Oscar Isaac being an awful actor, and the tonal, visual, literary and artistic mess that is this movie. 

On this episode Barry and Mike man the controls in the situation room and give their thoughts on the nuclear bomb that is Kathryn Bigelow's new Netflix movie A House of Dynamite. Topics discuss include Bigelow's up and down filmography, debatable creative choices and casting issues in this movie, and the beautiful, eternal, undying love shared between Rebecca Ferguson and Mike. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike shout "viva la revolution!" as they talk all things One Battle After Another, the new film from acclaimed auteur PT Anderson - which stars Leonardo DiCaprio. Topics discussed include the film's many failings, politics in film, and the current state of cinema, culture and the movie industry. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike don their red and blue uni-tards and talk all things Superman - the big new Summer blockbuster from James Gunn. Topics discussed include the history of the Man of Steel, the multitude of problems with this new movie and the what the future looks like for DC Studios new cinematic universe. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike grab their weapons and do battle over the new animated Predator film - Predator: Killer of Killers. Topics discussed include the potential of the Predator franchise, missed opportunities, and in keeping with the Predator theme...Barry makes the brave admission that he is, in fact, on the Epstein list!! (JK - Barry isn't really on the Epstein list.)

On this combustible episode, Barry and Mike buckle up and crash head on over the Brad Pitt racing blockbuster F1. Topics discussed include is this movie any good? As well as Brad Pitt vs Tom Cruise, and the not-so-secret formula of summer blockbusters.

On this episode, Barry and Mike head down to the Delta and sing the blues over Ryan Coogler's blockbuster vampire movie, Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan. Questions addressed include is Ryan Coogler good? Is Michael B. Jordan Good? Is Sinners good? Stay tuned at the end for a rundown of the Summer blockbuster season and predictions regarding Fantastic Four and Superman. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike go door to door to spread the word about Heretic, the horror/thriller starring Hugh Grant now available on MAX. Topics discussed include the terrific cast, the fantastic first half of the film, and the trouble with finals acts.

On this episode, Barry and Mike head to maximum security to discuss the prison drama Sing Sing, starring Best Actor Oscar nominee Colman Domingo. Topics discussed include the terrific cast, the terrible marketing, and the paucity of quality films like Sing Sing. Stick around for the bonus discussion about the 'Mike-terion Collection' - the best of the movies that Barry and Mike have reviewed. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike thoroughly investigate the 2024 hidden gem September 5, which dramatizes ABC's coverage of the 1972 attack on the Israeli Olympic team. Topics discussed include the restraint and focus of the film, the fantastic filmmaking and pondering how a movie this good got overlooked. Barry and Mike also spend some time discussing Gene Hackman and his legendary career. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike head to the strip club to talk all things Anora, the Academy Award nominated dramedy from director Sean Baker starring Mikey Madison. Topics discussed include a debate over screwball comedy - and whether this movie is one, the merits of the entire cast, and specifically Best Actress nominee Mikey Madison's performance and the undeniable magnetism of Best Supporting Actor nominee Yuri Borisov. 

On this episode Barry and Mike mull over the Jesse Eisenberg directed arthouse darling A Real Pain, starring Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee Kieran Culkin. Topics discussed include our happiness that the film exists, musings on the state of Kieran Culkin, and an examination of our mixed feelings on the film. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike grab their swords and don their sandals to talk all things Gladiator II, the sequel to Ridley Scott's Oscar winning Gladiator from 25 years ago. Topics discussed include the brilliance of the first film, the problems with the newest film, and the dream that was Rome.

On this episode Barry and Mike chase their own tails trying to find something nice to say about Amy Adams' new film Nightbitch, currently streaming on Hulu. Topics discussed include the multitude of bad decisions made by the writer/director Marielle Heller, Amy Adams' career decline, and the missed opportunity of a arthouse or body horror "mother" movie. And finally, stay 'til the end of the pod for a tribute to the great filmmaker David Lynch.

On this episode, Barry and Mike wait in a long security line at LAX and talk all things Carry-On, the new Netflix action movie starring Taron Egerton. Topics discussed include missed cinematic opportunities, the business sweet spot for Netflix, and the brilliance of Die Hard - and to a lesser extent Die Hard II.

On this episode, Barry and Mike are judge, jury and executioner for Clint Eastwood's latest directorial effort, Juror #2, now streaming on Max. Topics discussed include Clint's laissez-faire approach with actors and his baffling filmography, Warner Brother's poor executive leadership, and the 30 Rock "Rural Juror" joke. Bonus segment at the end about the just-released trailer for James Gunn's new Superman movie. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike dive head first into the fountain of youth to discuss the intriguing satirical body horror movie The Substance, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. Topics discussed include the clever premise of the film and it's quality execution, third act issues, and the stellar work of Moore and Qualley. 

In this episode, Barry and Mike head to New Rome to discuss all things Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola's newest film. Topics discussed include egregious casting errors, abysmal acting, incoherent script and subpar craftsmanship. But besides that how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?

On this episode, Barry and Mike head out to a Lady Raven concert in Philly only to discover they've unknowingly walked into an M. Night Shyamalan Trap, starring Josh Hartnett. Topics discussed on this pod include M. Night Shyamalan's very odd career arc, and the greatness of his early work contrasted with his disappointing later period films - which most definitely includes Trap. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike don their comic greasepaint, clown nose and big shoes and belt out some American Standards as they debate the merits of Joker: Folie a Deux, the critically and commercially panned follow up to the Oscar nominated 2019 smash hit Joker. Topics discussed include the negative response to the film, the blessing of seeing through the fog of it all, and director Todd Phillips as prophet of doom. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike don their superhero tights and talk all things Deadpool and Wolverine. Topics discussed include the value of Ryan Reynold's shtick and a multitude of multi-verse cameos, as well as the tenuous future of the MCU.  

On this episode, Barry and Mike hop aboard their Harleys and discuss The Bikeriders, the biker gang movie starring Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy. Topics discussed include Barry's undying love for Austin Butler, the unsexing of Jodie Comer and the yearning for decent, mid-budget adult dramas. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike charge headlong to the front lines of Alex Garland's dystopian film Civil War. Topics discussed include missed opportunities, spitting out the lukewarm, and the albatross of poorly developed characters. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike don their stillsuits and head to Arrakis to discuss Denis Villeneuve's new film, Dune Part Two, starring Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya. Topics discussed include the dismal state of modern cinemas, the weak acting of Li'l Timmy and Zendaya, and the future of sci-fi movies. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike head to Victorian England to discuss Yorgos Lanthimos' crazy Frankenstein-fueled, feminist sex-romp Poor Things, starring Academy Award winning Best Actress Emma Stone. Topics discussed include the astonishing brilliance of Emma Stone, the misery of miscast Mark Ruffalo, and the originality, skill and talent of Lanthimos and cinematographer Robbie Ryan. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike head to court in France to debate the merits of one of the best films of the year, writer/director Justine Triet's French legal/family drama Anatomy of a Fall. Topics discussed include the astonishing performance of Sandra Huller, Triet's masterful direction and script, and the glory of exquisitely well-crafted cinema.

On this episode, Barry and Mike have a powwow over Martin Scorsese's Best Picture nominee Killers of the Flower Moon. Topics discussed include late career Scorsese films, DiCaprio's miscasting, and Robert DeNiro's rough last two decades.

On this episode, Barry and Mike don pink beach outfits and chat about Barbie, the biggest movie of the year and and a Best Picture Oscar nominee. Topics discussed include Greta Gerwig's career path, the snub of Margot Robbie, and the sneaky brilliance of Elf.

On this episode Barry and Mike talk snubs and surprises and everything else regarding the Academy Award nominations. Topics discussed include Greta and the Angry Barbies...is Emma Stone's victory set in stone? And is Oppenheimer inevitable?

On this episode, Barry and Mike pour themselves some bathwater cocktails and dance around their mansion in the nude as they discuss Emerald Fennell's new controversial film Saltburn. Topics discussed include the weirdness of Barry Keoghan, Emerald Fennell's major third act issues, and the cinematic skill of Linus Sandgren.

On this episode, Barry and Mike enter the Star Wars adjacent Snyder-verse of the new Netflix science-fiction movie Rebel Moon directed by Zack Snyder...and want to escape that hellhole as quickly as possible. Topics discussed include the plague of unoriginal thinking, how truly dreadful everything about this movie is, and cinematic guilty pleasures. 

On this rip-roaring episode, Barry and Mike don kimonos and talk all things Godzilla Minus One, the fantastic new Godzilla movie from Toho Studios. Topics discussed include Godzilla Minus One as companion piece to Oppenheimer, Jaws and other influences, and the skill and craftsmanship evident in the film that is sorely lacking in Hollywood. Bonus content - Barry and Mike have a hilarious discussion about the worst Christmas specials they've ever endured. 

On this combustible episode, Barry and Mike ingest heroic amounts of cocaine and then yell at each other about the comedy/horror movie Cocaine Bear. Topics discussed include guilty pleasures, bad taste and the perils of living with bears. 

On this episode, Barry and Mike navigate the maze that is Apple TV+ in order to review the first two episodes of the Godzilla-adjacent tv series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Topics discussed include Mike's bizarre obsession with all things Godzilla, how spending money doesn't always translate into quality filmmaking, and if a Godzilla shrieks on a podcast but the mic doesn't pick up...did it really happen?

On this episode Barry and Mike talk all things Wes Anderson and critique the four short films he recently made for Netflix based on the Roald Dahl short stories The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, The Swan, The Ratcatcher, and Poison. Topics discussed include the joy of short films, the challenging style of Wes Anderson and the awful marketing of Netflix. As a special bonus - watch Barry and Mike's own classic short film "...With No Hands".

On this episode, Barry and Mike talk about No One Will Save You, the new sci-fi/horror movie on Hulu. Topics discussed include UFOs, the uncomfortable accuracy of the film's  title, the excitement of an ambitious and well-made movie, and the exquisite performance of actress Kaitlyn Devers. 

On this long-awaited episode, Barry and Mike kick around season three of Apple TV's Ted Lasso. Topics discussed include the misery of comedy without conflict, the cancer of self-satisfied tv shows, and the incomprehensible fall of a once enjoyable series. 

On this apocalyptically combustible episode, Barry and Mike go nuclear in their discussion of Christopher Nolan's new movie Oppenheimer. Topics discussed include a heated debate over the movie, musings on Nolan's career and a ranking of Nolan's filmography from top to bottom. 

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to listen to Barry and Mike as they jump off a cliff on a motorcycle while discussing all things M:I 7 - Dead Reckoning, the newest installment of Tom Cruise's long-running Mission Impossible action franchise.  Topics discussed include the franchise's unique history, the odd stunt-obsessed turn in Cruise's later career, and Barry's attraction to various women like Rebecca Ferbuson, Hayley Atwell and Vanessa Kirby...as well as a special prediction segment where we guess the box office for Barbie and Oppenheimer's first weekend. This podcast will, like its hosts, self-destruct every five seconds or so.