Magnolia (1999) ft. Ralph Esparza and Michael Willoughby

Dana and Tom with 5x Club guest, Peterson W. Hill (Co-Host of the War Starts at Midnight podcast) discuss La Dolce Vita (1960) for its 65th anniversary: written and directed by Frederico Fellini with Ennio Flaiano, Tullio Pinelli, Brunello Rondi, and Pier Paolo Pasolini, music by Nino Rota, cinematography by Otello Martelli, starring Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimee, and Yvonne Furneaux.Plot Summary: Set against the glamorous backdrop of Rome in the 1950s, La Dolce Vita follows Marcello Rubini, a jaded journalist, as he drifts through a series of decadent encounters over seven days and nights.Torn between the shallow allure of celebrity culture and his yearning for deeper meaning, Marcello is drawn into the chaotic lives of socialites, artists, and film stars. As he navigates lavish parties, fleeting romances, and existential crises, the film explores themes of decadence, disillusionment, and the search for purpose in a world consumed by hedonism. The film’s iconic imagery, including Anita Ekberg's midnight wade in the Trevi Fountain, cements its status as a cinematic masterpiece and a poignant reflection on modern life.Guest:Peterson W. Hill - Co-Host of the War Starts at Midnight podcast@petersonwhill on IG, Letterboxd, and TwitterPrevious Guest on Gone Girl (2014), Parasite (2019), Fight Club (1999), Ben-Hur (1959), Up in the Air (2009), The Shop Around the Corner (1940)Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcome to Our Guest02:16 Cast and Background for La Dolce Vita06:30 Relationship(s) with La Dolce Vita13:58 What is La Dolce Vita About?19:14 Fellini's Unique Style and Cinematic Techniques23:04 Plot Summary for La Dolce Vita24:05 Did You Know?26:39 First Break27:18 Exploring Classic Films and Their Impact28:37 What's Up with Peterson29:03 Further Explanation of the GMOAT Hall of Fame41:00 Best Performance(s)47:27 Best/Favorite/Indelible Scene(s)58:52 Second Break59:58 In Memoriam01:00:32 Best/Funniest Lines01:01:55 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy01:06:55 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance01:10:58 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty01:14:48 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness01:20:40 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability01:27:50 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total01:30:20 Remaining Questions for La Dolce...

Dana and Tom with returning guest and 5x Club member, Peterson W. Hill (Co-Host of the War Starts at Midnight&nbsp;podcast), discuss The Shop Around the Corner (1940) for its 85th anniversary: directed by Ernst Lubitsch, written by Samson Raphaelson and Ben Hecht, music by Werner Heymann, starring James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, and Frank Morgan.Plot Summary: "The Shop Around the Corner" is a charming romantic comedy set in a Budapest gift shop. The story revolves around the antagonistic relationship between the store’s manager, Alfred Kralik (James Stewart), and his co-worker, Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan).Unbeknownst to each other, they are anonymous pen pals who have fallen in love through their letter exchanges. When they finally meet in person, their identities come to light, leading to a delightful resolution filled with warmth and humor. It's a delightful tale of mistaken identities, charming misunderstandings, and the magic of love letters.Guest:Peterson W. Hill&nbsp;- Co-Host of the War Starts at Midnight&nbsp;podcast@petersonwhill on IG, Letterboxd, and TwitterPrevious Guest on Gone Girl (2014), Parasite (2019), Fight Club (1999), Ben-Hur (1959), Up in the Air (2009)Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcome to Our Guest04:24 Cast and Recognition for The Shop Around the Corner06:24 Relationship(s) with The Shop Around the Corner12:34 What is The Shop Around the Corner About?17:54 Why Has This Movie Been Remade So Often?19:20 Plot Summary for The Shop Around the Corner20:11 Did You Know?22:24 First Break24:24 What's Up with Peterson W. Hill26:01 GMOAT Hall of Fame29:37 Best Performance(s)39:50 Best/Favorite/Indelible Scene(s)47:13 Second Break48:23 In Memoriam56:39 Best/Funniest Lines58:37 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy01:03:45 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance01:08:17 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty01:14:37 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness01:24:49 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability01:26:33 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total01:27:56 Remaining Questions01:34:38 Thank You to Our Guest and Remaining Thoughts01:39:43 CreditsYou can also catch this episode in full video on YouTube.You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, <a href="https://youtube.com/@gmoatpodcast"...

Dana and Tom with returning guest, Adam Vanderwerff, discuss M*A*S*H (1970): directed by Robert Altman, written by Ring Lardner, Jr., music by Johnny Mandel, starring Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Tom Skerritt, and Robert Duvall.Plot Summary: M*A*S*H is a sharp, irreverent satire that reimagines the war film as a chaotic and darkly comedic theater of absurdity. Set in a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War, the film follows the misadventures of surgeons Hawkeye Pierce (Donald Sutherland) and Trapper John McIntyre (Elliott Gould), whose antics clash with the rigid military hierarchy.The film's freewheeling ensemble style captures the camaraderie and anarchy of a unit forced to find humor amidst the horrors of war. With its anti-authoritarian ethos and whip-smart dialogue, the film critiques the machinery of war and conformity without sermonizing. The overlapping conversations, naturalistic performances, and subversive tone make M*A*S*H both a product of its era and a timeless commentary on the absurdities of human conflict.Guest:Adam Vanderwerff (Duncan Disability Law)Previous Episodes: Office Space (1999), Ghostbusters (1984)Chapters:00:00 Introduction to MASH and Its Legacy03:56 Relationship(s) with M*A*S*H08:02 What is M*A*S*H About?12:42 Cultural Impact of M*A*S*H18:57 Impact of First F-Bomb in Cinema History?21:09 Plot Summary for M*A*S*H22:22 Did You Know?24:51 First Break26:22 Best Performance(s)32:50 Best/Favorite/Indelible Scene(s)38:43 Second Break39:53 In Memoriam42:08 Best/Funniest Lines43:47 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy48:19 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance49:01 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty52:57 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness58:57 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability01:01:59 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total01:03:12 Remaining Questions for M*A*S*H01:10:45 Thank You to Our Guest and Final Thoughts01:15:42 CreditsYou can also find this episode in full video on YouTube.You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or TikTok (@gmoatpodcast).For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/m-a-s-h-1970-ft-adam-vanderwerffFor the entire rankings list so far, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/greatest-movie-of-all-time-listKeywords:MASH, film analysis, cultural impact, legacy, comedy, war film, character performances, podcast, movie review, Donald Sutherland, Robert Altman, Robert Duvall, Elliot Gould, Tom SkerittRonny Duncan Studios

Dana and Tom with frequent guest, Kieran B. (Host and Creator of the Best Picture Cast), discuss Bad Day at Black Rock (1955): directed by John Sturges, written by Millard Kaufman and John McGuire, music by Andre Previn, starring Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan, Walter Brennan, Ernest Borgnine, and Lee Marvin.Plot Summary: In Bad Day at Black Rock, director John Sturges crafts a taut, sun-scorched thriller that unfolds with the precision of a coiled spring. When John J. Macreedy (Spencer Tracy), a stoic, one-armed stranger, arrives in a remote desert town, his quiet inquiries about a man named Komoko rattle the fragile veneer of its close-knit community. Suspicion and hostility mount as the town’s residents, led by the menacing Reno Smith (Robert Ryan), close ranks to protect a dark secret buried beneath the dusty, desolate landscape.Guest:Kieran BHost and Creator of the Best Picture Cast; @bestpicturecast on X, IG, Letterboxd&nbsp;- BPC, Letterboxd&nbsp;- PersonalPrevious Episodes: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1957), Lost in Translation (2003), Gran Torino (2008), Stalag 17 (1953), Shane (1953), A Fistful of Dollars (1964), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) Revisit,&nbsp;12 Angry Men (1957) Revisit, The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Revisit, Saw (2004), Up in the Air (2009)Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcome to Kieran02:35 Cast and Recognition for Bad Day at Black Rock04:15 Relationship(s) with Bad Day at Black Rock10:09 What is Bad Day at Black Rock About?14:14 Is Historial Context Needed to Appreciate the Film?22:04 Plot Summary for Bad...

Tom, Andrew Corns (&nbsp;@RevAlmanac&nbsp;) and Sara Shea (&nbsp;@SheaCinema&nbsp;) talk about the films they exchanged with each other for Xmas 2024.Find our work @gmoatpodcast on IG, Twitter, TikTok, Letterboxd, YouTube.Chapters:00:00 Christmas Film Exchange01:57 Andrew's Turn07:15 Tom's Turn17:49 Sara's TurnKeywords:movies, film exchange, recommendations, mental health, cinema, comedy, drama, classic films, personal connections, storytelling

Dana and Tom with returning guests, Andrew Corns (Host of the Revisionist Almanac) and Sara Shea (Shea Cinema) discuss Barry Lyndon (1975): written and directed by Stanley Kubrick, music by Leonard Rosenman, cinematography by John Alcott, starring Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, and Patrick Magee.Plot Summary: Barry Lyndon is a meticulous and mesmerizing work from Stanley Kubrick, a filmmaker whose precision often feels like both a blessing and a dare. Adapting Thackeray's novel, Kubrick crafts a period piece that is at once authentic and yet modern. The story follows Redmond Barry (Ryan O’Neal), a charming but ultimately hapless opportunist, as he schemes his way from a modest Irish upbringing to the heights of English aristocracy, only to tumble back down through a cascade of personal failures.Kubrick doesn’t just tell Barry’s story—he dissects it. Every scene is composed like a tableau, every gesture underlined with a note of irony. The film's grandeur—the lush landscapes, the candlelit interiors—feels like a mirror held up to Barry’s own aspirations. It’s a long, unhurried film, but within its deliberate rhythm lies a deep, bittersweet observation: no matter how grand the climb, time and circumstance have the last word.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcome to Our Guests02:52 Cast and Recognition for Barry Lyndon05:50 Relationship(s) with Barry Lyndon23:47 What is Barry Lyndon About?32:36 Who is Barry Lyndon?39:23 Plot Summary for Barry Lyndon43:32 First Break45:00 What's Up with Andrew and Sara50:30 Best Performance(s)01:12:57 Best/Favorite/Indelible Scene(s)01:25:38 Second Break01:26:18 In Memoriam01:29:57 Best/Funniest Lines01:34:11 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy01:40:14 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance01:47:15 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty01:54:13 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness02:01:22 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability02:07:16 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total02:08:31 Remaining Questions for Barry Lyndon02:18:38 Thank You to Our Guests02:20:28 CreditsGuests:Andrew CornsHost of the Revisionist Almanac@revalmanac on IG, X, YouTube, TikTok, and LetterboxdPreviously on Gaslight&nbsp;(1946), Do the Right Thing (1989) Revisit, and Fight Club (1999)Sara SheaHost and Creator of <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/100OSus5cJdCTgoSWZNUSh" rel="noopener...

Dana and Tom revisit In the Heat of the Night (1967): directed by Norman Jewison, written by Sterling Silliphant, score by Quincy Jones, starring Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, and Lee Grant.Plot Summary: In the Heat of the Night (1967) is a taut, incisive drama that explores the collision of justice and racial prejudice in the Deep South. Sidney Poitier stars as Virgil Tibbs, a Philadelphia detective who reluctantly teams up with a bigoted small-town sheriff, played by Rod Steiger, to solve a murder in Sparta, Mississippi.Director Norman Jewison builds a gripping procedural around the tension between these two men, each forced to confront his own biases in the face of a shared goal. With its evocative cinematography, unforgettable moments of confrontation, and Quincy Jones' soulful score, In the Heat of the Night transcends the confines of a murder mystery. It is a film of deep moral resonance, one that holds a mirror to America's struggles with race, power, and reconciliation—while delivering a narrative as electrifying as it is humane.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:14 Cast and Recognition for In the Heat of the Night03:23 Relationship(s) to In the Heat of the Night07:21 What is In the Heat of the Night About?14:13 Plot Summary for In the Heat of the Night17:06 First Break17:55 Ask Dana Anything18:40 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy22:05 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance25:07 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty34:07 Second Break34:17 In Memoriam35:20 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness41:49 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability44:23 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total46:12 Remaining Questions for In the Heat of the Night48:44 Where the List Stands at the End of Season 552:54 Remaining Thoughts for Season 558:32 CreditsYou can also find this episode in full video on YouTube.You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or TikTok (@gmoatpodcast).For more on the original episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/in-the-heat-of-the-night-1967For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/in-the-heat-of-the-night-1967-revisitFor the entire rankings list so far, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/greatest-movie-of-all-time-listKeywords:In the Heat of the Night, race relations, Sidney Poitier, film analysis, classic films, podcast, movie review, Best Picture, 1967, cultural impactRonny Duncan Studios

Dana and Tom with new guests, Ralph Esparza (Film Producer) and Michael Willoughby (Film Critic/Reviewer) discuss Magnolia (1999) for its 25th Anniversary: written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, music by Jon Brion, starring Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Jason Robards, John C. Reilly, and William H. Macy.Plot Summary: Magnolia is a sprawling, kaleidoscopic meditation on the interconnectedness of lives and the consequences of human frailty, directed with audacious ambition by Paul Thomas Anderson. Set in the San Fernando Valley, the film weaves together a mosaic of seemingly disparate characters—each grappling with their own wounds, secrets, and regrets. A dying patriarch seeks closure, a nurse becomes a moral anchor, a game show host confronts buried truths, and a motivational speaker teeters on the edge of self-destruction. What unites them is a shared yearning for forgiveness and redemption, underscored by a sequence of events that defy explanation and culminate in a surreal, unforgettable act of grace.Fueled by Jon Brion's evocative score and Aimee Mann's haunting songs, Magnolia is less a story than an emotional storm, one that challenges, overwhelms, and ultimately lingers in the heart like a plaintive hymn to the mysteries of life.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcome to Our Guests02:34 Getting to Know - Ralph Esparza and Michael Willoughby13:12 Cast and Recognition for Magnolia18:07 Relationship(s) to Magnolia24:10 What is Magnolia About?39:32 Plot Summary for Magnolia40:55 Did You Know?44:54 First Break45:33 What's Happening with Ralph and Michael48:39 Ask Dana Anything52:41 Best Performance(s)01:04:07 Best/Favorite/Indelible Scene(s)01:15:37 Second Break01:16:16 In Memoriam01:16:57 Best/Funniest Lines01:29:27 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy01:38:39 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance01:48:32 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty01:56:21 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness02:04:26 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability02:09:44 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total02:12:41 Remaining Questions for Magnolia02:16:07 A Thank You to Our Guests and Final Thoughts02:20:50 CreditsGuests:Ralph Esparza (Film Producer)Credited on Tollbooth, The Exorcist's House, Killer Date, and An Occasional Hell@ralph_esparza on IGMichael Willoughby (Film Critic/Reviewer)@skadoooosch on Twitter, IG, and YouTubeYou can also find this episode in full video on YouTube.You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or TikTok (@gmoatpodcast).For more on the episode, go to: <a href="https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/magnolia-1999-ft-ralph-esparza-and-michael-willoughby" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Dana and Tom with returning 5x Club members Kieran B (Host and Creator of the Best Picture Cast) and Peterson W. Hill (Co-Host of the War Starts at Midnight&nbsp;podcast) discuss Up in the Air (2009) for its 15th anniversary: written and directed by Jason Reitman, with Sheldon Turner, music by Rolfe Kent, starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, JK Simmons, and Zach Galifinakis.Plot Summary: Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is a corporate downsizer who spends most of his life traveling for work, reveling in the freedom of a rootless existence. Obsessed with achieving a coveted ten-million-mile frequent flyer goal, Ryan avoids emotional entanglements and personal commitments. However, his carefully constructed life is disrupted when a young efficiency expert, Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), proposes a cost-cutting plan that could ground his lifestyle. Simultaneously, Ryan begins an unexpected relationship with fellow traveler Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), forcing him to confront the emptiness of his transient life. Up in the Air is a poignant exploration of connection, loneliness, and the value of relationships in a disconnected world.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcome to Our Guests07:58 Cast and Recognition for Up in the Air09:25 Relationship(s) with Up in the Air13:37 What is Up in the Air About?21:00 Why Isn't Up in the Air More Popular?28:42 Plot Summary for Up in the Air29:51 Did You Know?31:36 First Break35:39 What's Up with Kieran and Peterson42:27 Ask Dana Anything48:26 Best Performance(s)01:04:06 Best/Favorite/Most Indelible01:17:55 Second Break01:18:36 In Memoriam01:20:56 Best/Funniest Lines01:26:20 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy01:35:02 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance01:42:47 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty01:51:50 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness01:57:05 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability02:04:30 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total02:06:08 Remaining Questions02:23:07 Thank Yous to Our Guests and Final Thoughts02:28:24 CreditsGuests:Kieran BHost and Creator of the Best Picture Cast; @bestpicturecast on X, IG, Letterboxd - BPC, Letterboxd - PersonalPrevious Episodes: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1957), Lost in Translation (2003), Gran Torino (2008), Stalag 17 (1953), Shane (1953), <a...

Dana and Tom with Christine Duncan and Klarissa (I've Seen That) revisit Roman Holiday (1953): directed by William Wyler, written by Dalton Trumbo, Ian McClellan Hunter, and John Dighton, score by Georges Auric and Victor Young, starring Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, and Eddie Albert.Plot Summary: In the pantheon of classic cinematic escapades, "Roman Holiday" stands as a luminous testament to the transformative power of love and the allure of adventure. Picture this: a weary princess, suffocated by the pomp and circumstance of royal life, seeks solace in the vibrant heart of Rome. Audrey Hepburn, in her iconic role as Princess Ann, embodies youthful exuberance and longing. Her quest for normalcy leads her into the unsuspecting arms of Gregory Peck’s Joe Bradley, a hardened journalist looking for his next big scoop.This isn’t just a love story—it's a celebration of serendipity. The narrative waltzes through the cobblestone streets of Rome, capturing the city’s soul through enchanting vignettes: a Vespa ride, a mouthwatering gelato, and a dance by the Tiber. The chemistry between Hepburn and Peck is palpable with their performances grounding the whimsical tale in emotional truth.But "Roman Holiday" is more than escapist fantasy; it's a poignant commentary on the dichotomy between duty and desire, a meditation on the fleeting nature of freedom. As Ann returns to her royal obligations, we’re left with a bittersweet reminder of the price of responsibility. In an era where reality often feels burdensome, this film invites us to lose ourselves in its magic, if only for a moment.Guests:Christine Duncan&nbsp;- Wife of Dana and Mother of Tom14x guest: Pretty Woman, Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, There's Something About Mary, My Fair Lady, Pillow Talk, The Odd Couple, Bringing Up Baby, A Few Good Men - Revisit, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Top Gun, Dial M for Murder,&nbsp;Anatomy of a Murder, and <a...