Peanuts & Popcorn

This week on the 250th episode of Peanutsand Popcorn, we begin with the peanuts, as the Milwaukee Brewers are crowned World Champions for the first time in franchise history. However, until Major League Baseball can hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement,this may be the last baseball we see for quite some time.In popcorn, we close out the season with reviews of two films: one that is simply very good, and another that ranks among the most important works in the history of cinema. We'll beginwith Leo's selection, John Sayles' Matewan (1987). Tom's choice is a film that has been analyzed, debated, and interpreted for more than half a century: Orson Welles' Citizen Kane (1941).Next Show: The 4th Annual Poppy Awards

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open with the Peanuts as the Milwaukee Brewers sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers to reach the World Series for the first time since 1983. Over in the American League, the picture remains unsettled, with the Guardians, Rays still alive—making it fair to call 2026 the year of the small‑market, low‑payroll contenders.In Popcorn, we turn to two fascinating films as we near the end of the season. First up is the light‑heartedand sharply written Educating Rita (1983), starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Then we dig deep into the vaults of cinematic history with Rififi (1955), the groundbreaking French noir often cited as the first true heist film.Next Show’s Films: • Tom’s Pick: Citizen Kane (1941) • Leo’s Pick: Matewan (1987) 

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open with the peanuts as the Cubs make a quiet exit from the playoffs at the hands of the San Diego Padres. Meanwhile, the White Sox—playing free of expectations—capture their first postseason series in more than twenty years.In Popcorn, we’ve got two excellent films to break down. We begin with Howard Hawks’ classic western Rio Bravo (1959). Then we turn to Martin Scorsese’s feverish, late‑night odyssey Bringing Out the Dead (1999).Next Show’s Films: • Tom’s Pick: Rififi (1955)• Leo’s Pick: Educating Rita (1983)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open with the Peanuts as the regular season winds down and the playoff picture comes into focus. Pete Crow‑Armstrongcontinues to strengthen his case for Most Valuable Player, but the question remains: can the Cubs hold on and punch their ticket to the post‑season dance.In Popcorn, we break down two excellent films. We begin with Tommy’s selection, the neon‑soaked rock‑and‑roll fable Streets of Fire (1984). Then we travel back to 1939 to revisit Leo's pick, one of Hollywood’s towering epics, Gone With the Wind.Next Show’s Films:Tom’s Pick: Bringing Out the Dead (1999) Leo’s Pick: Rio Bravo (1959)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open with the Peanuts, where Pete Crow‑Armstrong continues his march toward an MVP award as the two Calebs—Wilson and Williams—arrive at Wrigley Field to watch him play.In the Popcorn, we’ve got two films on deck.We start with Leo’s choice, Mel Gibson’s pre‑Columbian epic Apocalypto (2006). Then we move to Tom’s selection, David Lynch’s haunting and compassionate drama The Elephant Man (1980). Next Show’s Films: • Tom’s Pick: Streets of Fire (1984) • Leo’s Pick: Gone With the Wind (1939)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open with the Peanuts as we mourn the passing of Tommy John. The Crosstown Classic is wrapped for 2026, with the Cubs taking two of three from the Sox at Wrigley and Pete Crow‑Armstrong further cementing his case for National League MVP. Tom officially bids farewell to the Tigers’ 2026 season.In the Popcorn, we’ve got two excellent films to break down. We begin with Tom’s selection, Brian De Palma’s stylishthriller Body Double (1984). Then we turn to my choice, Stanley Kubrick’s first feature film, the taut and meticulously constructed noir The Killing (1956).Next Show’s Films:• Tom’s Pick: The Elephant Man (1980) • Leo’s Pick: Apocalypto (2006)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the Peanuts segment returns to baseball as both the Cubs and Tigers make major moves ahead of the trade deadline. In Popcorn, we get our second John Huston film in a row—this time with a soccer twist—Victory (1981), starring Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone. Our second film is Tom’s suggestion, the acclaimed Japanese animated drama Grave of the Fireflies (1988).Next Show’s Films: • Tom’s Pick: Body Double (1984) • Leo’s Pick: The Killing (1956)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we return from our summer break with a quick wrap‑up of the FIFA World Cup. Then we shift to Popcorn, where we break down two films we think deserve a spot on your watchlist. We start with Leo’s suggestion, American Gangster (2007), starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe and directed by Ridley Scott. After that, we turn to Tom’s selection, Fat City (1972), featuring Stacey Keach and Jeff Bridges under the direction of John Huston.Next Show’s Films: • Tom’s Pick: Grave of the Fireflies (1988)• Leo’s Pick: Victory (1981)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the FIFA World Cup steps into the spotlight, taking over our usual baseball segment as the global tournament delivers its own brand of drama and spectacle.In Popcorn, we turn to two landmark films. First up is Tom’s pick, Mike Nichols’s provocative and still‑debated Carnal Knowledge (1971). Then we shift to Leo’s choice, the incendiary and influential The Battle of Algiers (1966), a film that continues to echo through political cinema.Next Show’s Films: • Tom’s Pick: Fat City (1972)• Leo’s Pick: American Gangster (2007)Schedule Reminder: Peanuts and Popcorn will be taking its annual summer break and returns with fresh‑baked material on July 26th.

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the peanuts are downright rotten as both the Cubs and Tigers continue to spiral, though Pete Crow‑Armstrong at least supplied a few sparks along the way.In Popcorn, we’ve got two terrific films on deck. We start with Tom’s pick, Henri‑Georges Clouzot’s The Wages of Fear (1953), the white‑knuckle thriller that became the blueprint for decades of action cinema. Then we pivot to Leo’s choice, the Coen Brothers’ first commercial feature, the lean, moody neo‑noir Blood Simple (1984).Next Show’s Films:Tom’s Pick: Carnal Knowledge (1971)Leo’s Pick: The Battle of Algiers (1966)