Untitled Film Project Podcast

Here at the Untitled Film Project Podcast, we had an incredible opportunity to bridge a 43-year gap in Michael Jackson history. Marcea Lane was the Pink Zombie Bride over Michael's left shoulder in the original Thriller video back in 1983. Fast forward 43 years, and Nichole Weber portrays that same Pink Zombie Bride in the new MICHAEL biopic. So why not get them together so they can share their experiences and insights on working with Michael and Jaafar, on how long they spent in the makeup chair, or on how they got the gig in the first place? So let's talk about it...

One of the co-stars of the new Netflix/Happy Madison comedy ROOMMATES, Aidan Langford, joins the Untitled Film Project Podcast to talk about the ability to improvise on set, how Sadie Sandler is "an angel," and the nerves involved in meeting Adam Sandler had him taking over an airplane bathroom. So let's talk about it...

The Michael Jackson biopic MICHAEL is about to gross a billion dollars. But, does it honor the King of Pop? Why is Janet Jackson nowhere to be found in the film? Is it just a "concert film" or is there depth? Let's talk about it...

During two recent episodes, we found ourselves talking about what categories we would defend on the game show THE FLOOR, both movie-related and general knowledge. So what topic would you pick if you were cast as a contestant on THE FLOOR? Let's talk about it...

The Super Mario franchise is a cash cow. There's no reason to think THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE will be any different. But we noticed that, at the end of the day, the filmmakers relied on the incredible visuals and treasure trove of characters to generate said cash because, quite frankly, there's just about nothing else of value. So let's talk about it!

Maggie Gyllenhaal is an accomplished actor. She's also written and directed an incredible indie film, THE LOST DAUGHTER. But THE BRIDE! is hardly the follow-up anybody wanted to see. There are redeeming qualities of THE BRIDE! -- Jessie Buckley's performance, in particular -- but, all in all, it's a complete mess. Is it a mob movie? Is it an uprising movie? Is it a monster movie? Is it a feminist movie? So let's talk about it...

Expectations are high among fans of Project Hail Mary. So for book lovers, audiobook fans, and moviegoers alike—how does it stack up? Is it already the best movie of 2026 so far? We break down the heart, friendship, and humor behind one of the year’s most anticipated films.

Disney/Pixar movies are always fun for kids. But they haven't really made an original, high-quality movie that hits people of all ages in a long time. Probably since 2017's COCO. Is HOPPERS a return to form? Let's talk about it...

This one isn't for everybody. But, if you enjoy dark comedy and appreciate satire, grab your popcorn because GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON'T DIE is a must-watch!

CRIME 101 hit theaters with zero hype. Unlike HOPPERS, PROJECT HAIL MARY, or THE ODYSSEY, CRIME 101 got almost zero promotion... but, in this case, that's a good thing. The ensemble cast including Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan and Halle Berry (among others) is outstanding, the directing is incredible and the writing is even better. So let's talk about it...

Director Corin Hardy joined the Untitled Film Project Podcast to talk about his new horror film WHISTLE, finding himself directing episodes of GANGS OF LONDON, how King Kong -- and yak hair -- planted the seeds that sprouted his career in Hollywood.

2026 is expected to be a huge year for movies and movie theaters. From TOY STORY 5 to MINIONS 3 to the live-action MOANA to AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY, the recycling of IPs and the laundry list of sequels should keep theaters packed. But what are the most anticipated movies of 2026? Let's talk about it...

We see hundreds of movies a year. So, now that our awards ballot has been submitted to the Music City Film Critics' Association, here are the absolute best films we saw in 2025! Let's talk about it...

A lot of critics have it among their best of 2025, but is WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY truly Oscar worthy? How does it stack up to the rest of the franchise? Should it have spent more time in theaters before hitting Netflix? Let's talk about it...

Timothée Chalamet is one of the greatest actors of this generation, no doubt. But does that make every movie he does amazing? Well, no, but every performance he gives is. And that proves to be true for the new A24 film MARTY SUPREME. So let's talk about it...

Let's get down to it: Avatar: Fire and Ash is visually stunning, but incredibly long. Do the visuals do enough to make the movie good? Let's discuss.

Sure, some years are better than others, but great movies come out every year. But in very few years has a film had the emotional impact HAMNET had in 2025. Even if it's not your favorite genre, your soul needs to see Chloé Zhao's HAMNET. Paul Mescal is great as William Shakespeare, but Jessie Buckley and Jacobi Jupe send this one into outer space. So let's talk about it...

Disney's ZOOTOPIA is criminally underrated. Can the sequel live up to the original? Some of us think so, while others don't. So let's talk about Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps, the Zee-bros, Nibbles Maplestick... and Ed Shear-en???

We’re unpacking Bugonia, a film that blends absurd comedy with pointed social commentary. From its bizarre premise to its surprisingly thoughtful moments, there’s a lot to explore. Let’s jump into what makes this movie stand out.

When you're making a movie based on a novel, the audience is expecting a faithful adaptation. So when director Dylan Southern was writing the screenplay for THE THING WITH FEATHERS, he had original author Max Porter involved throughout the process. We sat down with Southern and talked to him about the efforts he made, the pit stops of making his first non-documentary film and the movies that inspired him...

Glen Powell, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin... THE RUNNING MAN should be a bigger hit than it is. It's a blockbuster/popcorn movie through and through, so how did it lose out to NOW YOU SEE ME 3? Let's talk about it...

The epic conclusion of WICKED is here with WICKED FOR GOOD. But does it compare to last year's masterpiece? Does Ariana Grande steal the show? Does Jeff Goldblum go full "Jeff Goldblum"? Is it a musical that audiences beyond musical fans should go see? Let's talk about it...

We spent some time with director Jan Komasa recently and he told us about the cast of his new movie ANNIVERSARY, what it was like trying to make a movie during the SAG-AFTRA strike and how ANNIVERSARY went from an idea during a family gathering to the big screen. So let's talk about it...

🎬 Netflix is short-changing one of the best thrillers of the year — A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE.In this episode of the Untitled Film Project Podcast, we break down Kathryn Bigelow’s latest nuclear-tension masterpiece and explain why watching it on Netflix can’t match the big-screen experience. We dive into the film’s powerful performances, layered storytelling, ambiguous ending and masterful use (and silence) of music.💥 Expect:* Honest first impressions and deep-dive analysis* Discussion of the movie’s shocking ending and “what would you do?” moments* Why Bigelow remains the queen of high-stakes realism* Our takes on how streaming releases affect great cinema🎥 Whether you love THE HURT LOCKER, ZERO DARK THIRTY, or just crave a smart political thriller, this conversation is for you. So let's talk about A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE...

There was so much to look forward to in TRON: ARES. The visuals were stunning, the actors had chops, the music was fire...but then the story came.Let's talk about TRON: ARES...

Amazon Prime Video is releasing JOHN CANDY: I LIKE ME, a documentary about the life of comedy legend John Candy. Through the eyes of those who knew him best, we gain a fascinating insight into one of the most beloved Canadians of the 20th century. This documentary is a must-see.

Critics are falling all over themselves when it comes to ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, with some going so far as to call it the best film of the decade. But is all that critical acclaim worthy of the hype? Let's talk about the new Paul Thomas Anderson film...

Typically, Darren Aronofsky's films are of high quality but can be challenging to watch. CAUGHT STEALING, thankfully, is very accessible! Austin Butler is tremendous in the dark comedy as a former San Francisco Giants draft pick and we were pleasantly surprised by this movie. So let's talk about it...

Making a special appearance at the 56th Annual Nashville Film Festival was actor Tonatiuh. The festival awarded him their Rising Star Award for his incredible performance as the lead in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (also starring Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna). Sure to get some Oscar buzz for his portrayal of Luis Molina and Kendall Nesbitt in the musical film, Tonatiuh spent some time with us on the red carpet and chatted about working with veteran actors Lopez and Luna, his dance background that came into play here and how he's waited his whole life for a role like this.

During the 56th Annual Nashville Film Festival, we caught up with Matt Finlin, director of the new documentary MATTER OF TIME. Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder performs a series of shows in Seattle to raise awareness about a disease called EB, which primarily affects children. Finlin walks us through how Vedder approached him, what it was like to show the film to the patient's families and what it was like living with the heavy subject material while making the movie.

There's an awful lot to like about Spike Lee's newest film, HIGHEST 2 LOWEST. Unfortunately, there's also a lot to dislike about it. Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright are spectacular -- especially when they're on the screen together -- but A$AP Rocky might've been a casting misstep. So let's talk about it...

AXEL F and HAPPY GILMORE 2, for example, were legacy sequels released just for streaming. In the court of public opinion, they didn't do well and we think they were hurt by zero theatrical release. So, thankfully, SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES gets it right! Go laugh with like-minded people who enjoy the original! So let's talk about it...

We've been fans of stand-up comic Joe Kwaczala since we saw his Comedy Central half-hour special back in 2019. So when we found out he was doing a movie about stand-up -- in the mockumentary style -- we knew we had to talk with him about it. Hear about how AMERICAN COMIC came together, the hustle behind getting into film festivals all over the country and how he wants it to be the SPINAL TAP for comedians.

There is zero reason this movie should work. It's an hour and 40 minutes of dudes walking. But, holy smokes, what a movie! The performances are great, the concept is great, the drama is great and the finale is great. THE LONG WALK has earned its place among 2025's best! So let's talk about it...

We were excited to see THE NAKED GUN being remade, but we could never shake the feeling of "Can they do that in 2025???" So let's talk about it...

We've heard so much about KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, so we gave it a watch. The result? Middle-aged men raving about a film aimed at a younger audience. If that doesn't speak volumes...

WEAPONS is one of the most talked-about movies of the summer, so we went to see what all the hype was about. Needless to say, we were impressed. Were you? Let's talk about it!

Adam Sandler is back -- as a part of his big new deal with streaming giant Netflix -- as one of his most beloved characters of all-time: Happy Gilmore. Basically, 30 years after the original comedy classic, Sandler and a laundry list of cameo appearances try to recapture the funny, the charm, and the enjoyment of the first installment in HAPPY GILMORE 2. Did they do it? Let's talk about it...

After numerous attempts to bring the Fantastic Four to the screen, have we finally got a major movie release that does these legendary characters justice? Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, The Thing, and Human Torch have consistently been some of the richest characters in the Marvel pantheon, but have gotten an absolute shaft when turned into a major motion picture. Let's talk about The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland team up to bring you the latest installment of the 28 Days franchise. Whether you're a fan of the existing movies, the horror genre, the zombie genre, or a good ol' summer blockbuster, you'll come down on various sides of the fence with 28 YEARS LATER. But one thing everyone will come away with is that Alfie Williams is a star in the making.

There's been a lot of hype -- like, too much hype -- surrounding James Gunn and his attempt at resurrecting the DC Universe. First up? SUPERMAN. We're pleased to say that it's a strong foundation for the incredible catalogue of characters that DC Comics has in its portfolio.

About two years after we supposedly got the final installment of the JURASSIC PARK/WORLD franchise, we get yet another. JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH is full of great performers such as Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend -- as well as a great performance by the young Audrina Miranda -- but the characters they portray are one-dimensional, cookie-cutter characters that prove it's time for this film franchise to go extinct.

We were surprised by the first M3GAN and that continues through this one! While the first movie was "a comedy masquerading as horror," M3GAN 2.0 is a comedy masquerading as action. Kudos to Blumhouse for knowing what worked about the first installment and going back to the well!

With incredible cinematography, a thriller soundtrack and score and full IMAX screen viewing for the entirety of the film, F1® THE MOVIE is what a summer blockbuster should be.

With the initial questionable casting of Ana de Armas, to the notion that this was purely a money grab, BALLERINA takes its place among the best JOHN WICK films in the entire franchise!

If you're like us, tired of the endless barrage of unoriginal sequels and spinoffs, Disney and Pixar give us something new with ELIO.

We are so tired of Disney turning its animated classics into live-action films. Yes, JUNGLE BOOK was good, but most of the other attempts (ALADDIN, LITTLE MERMAID, LION KING, etc.) were average at best. Don't look now, but they've got something here with LILO & STITCH! So let's talk about it!

Tom Cruise is back -- for the 8th time -- as Ethan Hunt as the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise comes to a close (??) in THE FINAL RECKONING. In an attempt to connect the entire franchise in one epic climax, this direct sequel to 2023's DEAD RECKONING, features loads of fan service for the die-hard M:I fan... but, unfortunately, will leave average movie fans feeling completely lost and confused. Let's talk about it!

We range from Marvel superfan to Marvel consumer... and we all loved THUNDERBOLTS*! Featuring an incredible ensemble cast of Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Pierce, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, THUNDERBOLTS* "brings Marvel back to center" and we couldn't be happier. Now let's hope they don't screw it up! Let's talk about the first summer blockbuster of 2025...

Writer and director Ryan Coogler has cemented himself as one of this generation's greatest filmmakers. SINNERS is a feast for the senses, bringing a fresh, gloriously rich take on the horror movie genre. So let's talk about it...