At the Movies with the Roomies

It was a busy week in Hollywood and a full podcast for your two co-hosts. We begin by giving some recommendations for good foreign animated films (to continue our theme month) and discuss some hot topics of the day, such as if Hollywood is doing enough to protect its film crews, why Netflix is harming access to foreign culture, and the balance between light and darkness in animated movies. Also, we finally got a new voicemail! We close by talking about the career and contributions of Harold Ramis. Films discussed:The Secret of KellsA Cat in ParisThe IllusionistThe Triplets of BelvilleArthur ChristmasCurse of the Were RabbitThe Wrong TrousersAlso mentioned:Creating 3-D Animationby Peter Lord“Sarah Jones’ Death Highlights Dangers Crew Members Face on Set”The Atlantic “What Was the Biggest Night Mistake Ever Made”

This week we review the non-Disney animation scene, including what actually counts as animation, why DreamWorks sucks at animated movies, and why Disney cornered the market on these movies. In addition, we weigh in on the Guardians of the Galaxy trailer as well as why the proposed Sex and the City 3would be awesome with zombies. The movies we reference include:Despicable MeThe Man Who Planted TreesOne Froggy EveningThe Iron GiantWhat's Opera Doc?Space JamSouth Park: Bigger, Longer, and UncutThe Adventures of Mark TwainParaNormanChicken Run

We kick off our four weeks of animation with a review of the most famous family of animated movies, the Disney/Pixar movies. We pick our favorite Disney animated movies (during Walt's life and after) as well as our favorite Pixar movies while discussing the history of these movies. The music, the characters, the dark days - we dish about it all and you may be surprised to hear our favorite picks. Also, as a note, Robert fully realizes he goofed when he mentioned Van Gogh as a Renaissance painter. He meant to say Leonardo Di Vinci. Beer made him say it.Also in this wide ranging episode:We remember the recently deceased Shirley Temple BlackWill talks about The Lego MovieMore updates on the various superhero movies people are going to seeWe talk about Time Out's list of theTop 100 British films of all timeAnd we wrap up by discussing the best movies about winter Olympic sportsYour homework assignment? Weigh in with your thoughts on Disney animated movies in general or the best Winter Olympic movies.Next week - non-Disney animated American movies.

This week we celebrate our favorite minor holiday - Groundhog Day! We do a nice shout out to the film on this week's podcast that I hope you notice.This week we pass judgement on those movies/actor/actresses that have won an Academy Award but we feel should have their "Academy Award winner" status examined. We talk about the obvious ones (Anna Paquin, Gwyneth Paltrow) but we also bring up some controversial and interesting options. Your thoughts are welcome and encouraged at 240-MOVIE-82 or facebook.com/movieswiththeroomies.We also talk about some pressing issues of the day, including who would replace John Williams in the Star Wars score if the need arose, our tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman, and the latest on Batman v. Superman. And we are joined by special guest/special correspondent Alex Sullivan to give her wit and wisdom.

For every winner at the Academy Awards, there are at least four losers. But at least they were nominated! This week the guys take a look at the actors, actresses, and movies that either inconceivably lost their Oscar race or were not even nominated for an Academy Award they deserved to win. Robert Redford, Claude Rains, Ellen Burstyn, Psycho, The Dark Knight, The Matrix, and others have their moment in the sun as we shake our finger at the Academy for their oversight. In addition, we threw out random topics like:Just how stereotypically white male is the Academy?Why the year you are nominated may be the biggest factor in your winning and losingIs there a type of movie that if done well will always get nominated? (yes)What if we combined NYPD Blue and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?RIP Pete SeegerTearing down Forest Gump but defending Shakespeare in Love (well, at least one of us does).What in your mind are the biggest Oscar snubs? Let us know at 240-MOVIE-82, our website, or our Facebook page.

Have you ever seen a movie you absolutely hated but for some reason the music or soundtrack just stuck with you? This week's podcast is for you, as Will and Robert take a look at some of their best examples of bad movies that have good soundtracks or scores. We are joined partway through by a special guest who expresses his opinion on pre-Nolan Batman, but we talk about movies like Garden State, Robin Hood, Closer, and Godzilla (1998).We then talk about the Academy Award nominations and generally give our thoughts on the selection process, snubs, and why the favorites are the favorites. In addition, we offer our first contest: get a 100% perfect bracket and we will send you a crisp, new $5 bill or five $1 coins. Enter your picks via voicemail (240-MOVIE-82), on our websitewww.movieswiththeroomies.com,www.facebook.com/movieswiththeroomies, or in the comments below. Nest week we discuss the big Oscar snubs. What movies, actors, or actresses either did not win an Oscar they deserved for a specific year, have never been nominated and deserve to be nominated, or were screwed by a worse movie? Send us your picks through the same places above.

After we "declare" war on Words with Nerds, the guys dive into the world of tentpole movies. These are the movies that studios release every year to make the big bucks and support the studios financially. Think The Hobbitand X-Men. We take a look at what determines whether these movies will be a commercial success or failure, looking at some notable failures like -Cowboys and AliensThe Lone Ranger47 RoninJohn CarterThe 13th WarriorWe also ask if tentpole movies in general have value in filmmaking, or are they just cash grabs? We then dive into the world of crossovers and wonder what studio properties should do a crossover, like X-Men and Star Wars. Our question of the week is - what studio properties should become crossovers (i.e., putting Doctor Who in the Star Trek universe)? Bonus points if your movie is not a comic book-based movie.Want to leave us some feedback? Call us at 240-MOVIE-82, leave us comments atwww.movieswiththeroomies.com, or on Facebook at facebook.com/movieswiththeroomies.

A new year brings some new changes to the podcast, so hopefully you enjoy our new microphones and sound quality (it's a work in progress)! Our clearer voices this week discuss the movies that represent our professions, and what they get right and wrong. Not surprisingly, there are few movies that get nursing and lobbying correct but hear the ones that do. On this podcast you'll also hear:How little we understand about the nation's top movie FrozenWhy The Negotiator and Buffy the Vampire Slayerare the movies we most relate toMore about our secret Kevin Spacey crushBut we want to hear from you! What movies get your career mostly right or mostly wrong? This is your chance to sound off and clear up any misconceptions about what you do. Call us at 240-MOVIE-82 or weigh in here orwww.movieswiththeroomies.com.

Happy New Year!  As we turn the page on our calendars to 2014, your intrepid podcast hosts also turn the page on the year with a special episode that takes a look at the state of the movie industry.  We examine why Hollywood has some major worries despite another record year (in terms of dollars made).  Then, we go month by month in 2014 to highlight the movies we are looking forward to and previewing a number of them for our audience.  If you want to know what will make waves this year in movies, this is the episode for you.Also, we are redoing the entire podcast platform, beginning with our new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/movieswiththeroomies) and website (www.movieswiththeroomies.com).We finish by sharing that next week, we will talk about the movies that best represent our respective day jobs (nursing and lobbying) as well as the worst.Here are some references in the show:Agee on Film: Criticism and Comment on Movies (Will's Christmas gift)The Rape of Europa (the book on which The Monuments Men is based)Black Holes and Time Warps by Kip Thorne and Steven Hawking (Interstellar basis?)Sleepless in Hollywoo

The roomies wrap up the month of Coens movies with a special "live" podcast done immediately after Will and Robert saw the newest Coen movie Inside Llewyn Davis. In this episode, we also discuss Barton Fink(which many consider their finest work) and Academy Award nominee A Serious Man. For these two movies, the guys discuss:How have subsequent movies impacted how we view these movies?Does Barton Finkoccur on another/higher plane of existence?What does A Serious Mansay about religion but more specifically structured religion?Both of these movies were lightly viewed in theaters but are well regarded by critics. The guys then wrap up the show with their review of Llewyn Davis. This episode contains tons of spoilers, but both highly recommend going to the theater to see the newest addition. Think the philosophical underpinnings of A Serious Manmeets the music of O Brother. After you see the movie, share your thoughts with us through commenting below or at 240-MOVIE-82.Source materials:The Bob Dylan ChroniclesThe Mayor of MacDougal Street: A Memoirby Dave Van Ronk

The guys welcome special guest analyst and loyal listener Brian McBeath to the show to talk about some of the Coens more comedic works, including some of their most famous movies:The Big Lebowski- why is this movie a cult classic and not a mainstream one?Raising Arizona- is this the perfect comedy?Burn After Reading- good movie or just ok movie?The Hudsucker Proxy- the hidden gem in their portfolio?Intolerable Cruelty- what would you watch this movie over?The guys also get Will's "You Haven't Seen What?!?" for this week (and it's a big one) as well as discuss the newest sad sequel rumors and a few famous deaths this week. Finally, inserted throughout, are some fun random debates including whether Morgan Freeman carries Shawshank, if Adaptationis any good, and how good of an actor really is Nichols Cage.

PSA - Vote for this podcast in the 2013 Stitcher Awards. Once you click the "Nominate Shows" button, type in our name in the Best Entertainment + Pop Culture and Best New Podcast. Here is the linkhttp://stitcher.promotw.com/This week we continue to discuss the Coen Brothers and talk about some of their film noir flicks. Of course, we begin by arguing what exactly a film noir movie is, then move on to Fargo, Blood Simple, The Ladykillers, and The Man Who Wasn't There. Some of the points we discuss include:Is Fargo a Top 5 American movie of all time?Which of these movies actually are film noir?Would Fargobe as good set in another part of the country?Where does Blood Simplerate in best debut films?Is The Ladykillersas bad as it's made out to be?Is The Manthe best Coen brothers movie?We also take listener feedback on the worst Christmas movie/episode and come up with a good list. We also delve briefly into Paul Newman's last movies, films we are looking forward to in 2014, Full House, and why we have such potty mouths.As a reminder, share your thoughts on the Coens, Christmas movies, movies we forgot where counting bullets matter, and anything else at 240-MOVIE-82 or by commenting below/athttp://movieswiththeroomies.blogspot.com.Below are the references made in the podcast and where you can find them!The Best American Noir of the Century(referenced in opening dialogue)Buzzfeed article on the movie ClueThe Strangerby Albert CamusGuardians of the GalaxyAnd, of course, Cat TV

Welcome to the holiday season, and what better way to enjoy the spirit of the winter holidays than soulless killings with a bolt gun and rattlesnakes. The roomies kick off their month-long celebration of Inside Llewyn Davisby walking you through the movies of the writer/producer duo of Joel and Ethan Coen. Much beloved, these two are quintessential American movie-makers whose works range all over the map. We start with the adaptation films (work with us here, it's been a busy month already) by discussingMillers Crossing, O Brother Where Art Thou, No Country for Old Men, and True Grit. Along the way we cover topics like whether you can actually rank the Coen movies, if Josh Brolin was doomed from the word go in No Country, and whether being truthful to source material is better than loosely basing a movie on a book. We also discuss Thanksgiving/Christmas movies, focusing on our favorites. Of course that brings up the discussion of the worst holiday movies, and we challenge the audience to call in with their worst Christmas movies/episodes (240-MOVIE-82) or thoughts on Coen movies.Finally, we debut the "You Haven't Seen WHAT?!?" segment.For those who want to read the source materials behind the movies discussed tonight, here are the books upon which the movies are based:The Glass Key(Millers Crossing)The Odyssey(O Brother)No Country for Old MenTrue Grit

Your intrepid duo wrap up a month of European movies with a trip to France, where they add another special guest host to give some recommendations to our listeners hoping to enjoy French movies. Consider it an early Thanksgiving dessert. Special guest Meg join Will and Bobby to talk about:AmelieHe Love Me, He Loves Me NotRules of the GameIn reality these are just a few of a number of great French movies that anyone can watch to begin appreciating French cinema, and we talk about a few more, but these are a good representative sample.Next month is Coen brothers month! More details can be found soon at movieswiththeroomies.blogspot.com.

After a rousing discussion on Italian cinema, we turn to a country with a much more tumultuous history in Germany.  Despite a number of great films and actors throughout the past century, the geopolitical situation in the country really hindered the development of consistent brilliant films.  But this does not mean there are not some really enjoyable movies coming from German studios (both war movies and peacetime movies), including the ones we discuss in the podcast:Wings of DesireDas BootStroszekRun Lola RunWill also gives his review of the new Thor movie and debuts his rating system.  We wrap up by discussing possibly the worst sequel ever made into a movie - It's a Wonderful Life 2.If you have a favorite German movie that we missed, let us know in the comments or at 240-MOVIE-82 (our voicemail line)