The Irishman (2019)

Oh, blessed New Year indeed, that brings together an all-star podcast cast of TheTimMan, Bo Bonner, and myself to review the all-star cast filled The Irishman, Martin Scorsese’s latest triumph.

Stay tuned for a once-a-month podcast schedule going forward, and enjoy!

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photo fair use from Wikipedia.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)

Two podcasts published in one week? Christmas has come early this year!

Not for the squeamish, but perhaps not as Tarantino-ish as expected, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is one of the most interesting films of 2019. A love letter to film and friendship, it is a nostalgic (and self-referential) leisurely and vulgar stroll through an alternate history of the Manson Family murders and old Hollywood with stellar performances throughout.

We explore the scenes and themes – and stay tuned for my particularly crazy read at the end.

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photo fair use from Wikipedia.

Belated Comic-Movie Talk

Just in time for the Avengers: Endgame blu-ray release, and not a moment sooner, I have revived from a movie-talk coma to discuss Avengers: Endgame (and Captain Marvel as a prelude) with the great Bo Bonner of Iowa Catholic Radio.

I will soon be back with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, so stay tuned and enjoy!

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photo fair use from Wikipedia.

Remakes, Sequels, Avengers, and the Uncommon Good

I’m alive – real life has hurt my ability to watch the movies, but I am still here for you, trust me!

Recently, I once again suckered Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr of  The Uncommon Good on Iowa Catholic Radio (heard on 1150 AM, 88.5 FM, and 94.5 FM) to have me on. We started with a lengthy discussion on the value and importance of art, why our entertainment culture is preoccupied with remakes and “sequelitis”, and our thoughts on Avengers Endgame and the best movies of the past year.  For the convenience of my legions of fans, they have also graciously allowed me to post the entire hour-long show here on my feed.

Enjoy, and look for a new episode next week!

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

Professor Bo Bonner makes his long-awaited return to the podcast to discuss the considerable merits of the fantastic new Netflix-produced Western anthology film from the beloved Coen Brothers, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

Star-studded and varied, the six stories come together in thematically meaningful ways. To say it is one of the very best films of the year is an understatement – but listen to find out why.

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photo fair use from Wikipedia.

Doubt (2008)

TheTimMan triumphantly returns to discuss the thought-provoking, challenging 2008 film Doubt, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Amy Adams.

Concerning the relationship between a priest suspected of abuse and the faithful under his care, the film could not be more timely in terms of subject-matter. We delve into the intent of the filmmakers, how the movie plays objectively, and even the comfort the film can give us during these difficult times in the Church.

Plus, my wife saw the movie (and liked it?).

 

Enjoy!

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photo fair use from Wikipedia.

Eighth Grade/Searching (2018)

The Catholic Movie Guy is back with a vengeance discussing two new films that, in their own way, address the good and bad of our modern, social-media infatuated world.

Come for my thoughts, stay for the cameo of the Catholic Movie Gal!

Also: I will be appearing on Covenant Radio in St. Louis this Friday at 2 pm on their Fall Catholic Radiothon, so please call or give on Friday at 2!

 

Enjoy!

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photos fair use from Wikipedia.

Metropolitan (1990)

Sorry, ya’ll – Jeff Sessions has kept me real busy lately. But, because it has been a while, I have decided to release an episode from the vault for the masses.

Witness the triumphant return of TheTimMan to the podcast discussing one of his (and my) favorite films, the 1990 Whit Stillman masterpiece, Metropolitan.

Plus, my wife gives her thoughts. Enjoy!

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photo fair use from Wikipedia.

Poker and the Movies

Sorry for the delay, all – I will be getting to some of the newer summer films next week (including Incredibles 2, which I really liked) with the help of the steadfast Bo Bonner.

But this week, with the World Series of Poker taking place as we speak, I am joined on this very special episode by Joe Kenney of Jonose Cigars to discuss poker, life, and the best poker movies of all time. I think there’s much to interest even the non-poker fan in the discussion. Hope you enjoy!

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photo by Todd Klassy, CC BY via Wikimedia Commons.

The Importance of Art and a 2018 Movie Roundup (Uncommon Good)

This week I once again suckered Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr of  The Uncommon Good on Iowa Catholic Radio (heard on 1150 AM, 88.5 FM, and 94.5 FM) to have me on. We started with a lengthy discussion on the value and importance of art and ended with our thoughts on most of the big movies of 2018.  For the convenience of my legions of fans, they have also graciously allowed me to post the entire hour-long show here on my feed.

I am planning on being back next week with a new episode covering The Avengers 2 and Solo. Until next time…

Isle of Dogs/Avengers: Infinity War Part I (2018)

On this episode, Bo Bonner (of the Uncommon Good on Iowa Catholic Radio) and I serve up a double feature, discussing Wes Anderson’s stop-motion animation adventure, Isle of Dogs, before reviewing the latest MCU entry, Avengers: Infinity War, Part I. Don’t worry, spoiler warnings are given where appropriate.

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Movie posters are fair use from Wikipedia.

A Quiet Place (2018)

After a long hiatus, the illustrious Bo Bonner rejoins me to discuss one of the best films of 2018, John Krasinki’s A Quiet Place. Co-starring his real life wife Emily Blunt, it is a thoughtful thriller/horror film that transcends the typical genre entry in unique ways.  Most of the podcast is spoiler-free, with a warning near the end, so jump in.

We also briefly discuss another critical favorite of 2018, The Death of Stalin, starring Steve Buscemi.

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Movie poster fair use from Wikipedia.

Annihilation/2018 First Quarter Roundup

It’s been a while, but never fear – your Catholic Movie Guy and Professor Bo Bonner have been seeing all the films of 2018 so you don’t have to (unless you want to, of course)!

In this podcast, Bo and I canvass the notable films of 2018’s first three months, including: Black Panther, Paddington 2, Early Man, Death Wish, and Game Night.

We conclude with an extended discussion of the merits of writer/director Alex Garland’s Annihilation, starring Natalie Portman.

Enjoy!

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Pic by Georges Biard (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

Lady Bird (2017)/Best Films of 2017

As the Academy Awards draw closer, Bo and I get together to give our final look-back on the films of 2017.

First, we go in-depth on Lady Bird, an Oscar contender and coming-of-age story set largely in a Catholic school; Bo and I had polar-opposite reactions to this one.

Then we turn to a review of 2017. And even without consulting beforehand, we both agree on a very surprising pick for the number one spot!

Finally, a big thank you is in order to the redoubtable actor Andrew Nowak of the popular podcast The Bright Sessions, who has graciously provided voice-overs for some new segment drops throughout the podcast (backed by the music of Jahzzar).

Enjoy!

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology, and backing music for all drops is Luxe, both by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photo uploaded by Film Fan from studio poster via Wikipedia.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Awards season is heating up, and the Catholic Movie Guy Podcast continues apace.

This week, I again welcome Bo Bonner of The Uncommon Good on Iowa Catholic Radio to the show to discuss the 2017 Golden Globe Winner of Best Picture (Drama), Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri.

Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, it stars the great Frances McDormand as a small town mom trying to get big time justice/revenge.

The film is brutal, vulgar, touching, and beautiful – not for the fainthearted, but I liked it even more after the discussion with Bo. Enjoy!

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Pic by Dixiekin (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

The Last Jedi (2017)

If you were waiting on the Catholic Movie Guy to make up your mind about the new Star Wars, I have some good news, and some bad news.

The good news is that I loved it as much as anyone; the bad news is that I hated it as much as everyone.

Confused? Listen as Bo Bonner of Iowa Catholic Radio joins me to discuss (with limited nerdiness) the latest (and greatest/worst) Star Wars entry: the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, The Last Jedi.

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Pic by David Holt(Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

Scrooged (1988)

‘Tis the season for Christmas movies, so here’s a short and sweet one: TheTimMan and I discuss the 1988 Bill Murray take on A Christmas Carol, Scrooged.

One of us loves it, one of us hates it, and did my wife like it?

Next week, be on the lookout for the long-awaited review of The Last Jedi.

Merry Christmas!

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Pic by gdcgraphics (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

Intolerable Cruelty (2003)/The Big Lebowski (1998)

You know how sometimes politicians will release bad news ahead of the weekend, hoping no one notices?  That’s this podcast.

We have a bit of a lull in the production schedule before The Last Jedi (nerd alert) next week, so to fill your earbuds with content, I’m releasing a lost podcast from the vault: two of the Coen Brothers’ comedies, Intolerable Cruelty and The Big Lebowski.

Not a lot of in-depth analysis, but much bourbon-fueled mirth to be found. But do check out the article referenced in the podcast on the Theology of the Bawdy.

It also contains what may be the best, “Did His Wife Like It?”  of all time.

Enjoy the show (with a forgiving ear)!

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Pic by Gorgalore (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

Fall Movie Roundup

Last week I was graciously invited on The Uncommon Good show on Iowa Catholic Radio (heard on 1150 AM, 88.5 FM, and 94.5 FM) with Dr. Bud Marr and Bo Bonner to discuss the movies of Fall 2017.  For the convenience of my legions of fans, they have also graciously allowed me to post the entire hour-long show here on my feed.

We canvassed many of the movies of Fall 2017, including:  Blade Runner 2049, Thor, Justice League, Wonder and more. Listen so you can make an informed decision as to which to drop your hard-earned cash on (if any).

Enjoy, and then go watch some movies!

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA.

Halloween Movie Talk

Hey there movie-people!

Today I’m joined by first-time guest Charlie Backer: entrepreneur, musician, and horror aficionado.

With only a few days until All Hallow’s Eve, we discuss a Catholic perspective on the horror genre.  Why is it acceptable (and good, even?) for a conscientious person to watch a horror flick?  Plus, we give a run-down of our favorite preternatural-focused scary movies for your viewing discomfort.

 

As referenced on the podcast, here are some of my favorite articles on the subject:

My High Holy Day, John Zmirak.

The Fun of Fear, Dan Lord.

Catholicism and Horror, Steven Greydanus.

 

And when you watch one of our recommendations, throw some Hot Charlie’s on your popcorn!

 

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photo by 3268zauber (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons.