Comfort Films Podcast

May the fourth be with you!! To celebrate Star Wars day, we're talking about the last film of the original trilogy (and the only one we haven't yet discussed), and we've brought back the brilliant Christopher Witty (previously on our Goodfellas and Mr. Nice Guy episodes) to help us break down Return of the Jedi. We talk Ewoks, Palpatine, the question of Luke Skywalker's loyalty, Darth Vader's big change of heart, Princess Leia's transformation from firebrand politician to rebel leader, Jabba the Hutt, Han and Lando going legitimate, Max Rebo and the jizz-wailers, special effects, puppetry, sound effects, John Williams's score, and so many other awesome facets of this classic film, in a super-sized episode packed with trivia, laughs, and great memories of a movie that shaped all three of us as 5-7 year olds. Come overthrow the empire with us!

"WARRIORS, COME OUT TO PLAY-AY!"

For the second of our juvenile delinquency duo of films, we cover Walter Hill's 1979 cult classic The Warriors. The film is adapted from Sol Yurick's 1965 novel of the same name, which itself is adapted from Xenophon's Anabasis. Walter Hill takes this classical text and filters it through youth gang culture, comic books, and classic film westerns, using a soundtrack from Barry De Vorzon that fuses synth and rock, imaginative costume choices from Bobbie Mannix for creatively named gangs, and a cast of then-unknown actors who have gone on to become household names. Can you dig it? We've got a heavy rep, so press play to check out our little piece of turf.

April is John's birthday month, and this year, we're highlighting his adolescent penchant for juvenile delinquency with a couple of cult favorites. First up is Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel, Rumble Fish, starring Matt Dillon and Mickey Rourke. Conceived of as an art film for kids and an antidote to Coppola's previous Hinton adaption of The Outsiders, Rumble Fish brings together existential philosophy, German Expressionist film, and a percussion-forward score from Stewart Copeland of The Police to tell the story of Rusty James and The Motorcycle Boy. We discuss parallels with Shakespeare and Christianity, themes of freedom and time, the use of color in a mostly black and white film, and many other topics. Channel your inner street tough and punch play (right in the face) to hear all about this amazing film!

It's showtime! The second film in our celebration of cinematic sandworms is Tim Burton's 1988 horror comedy Beetlejuice. John and Georgia hit the dunes of Saturn by way of East Corinth, Vermont, to dig up the ghost with the most. We talk about Michael Keaton's career-defining performance as the titular unhinged bioexorcist, the stellar on-camera practical effects and Oscar-winning makeup, the comedic talents of the all-star cast (including the incomparable Catherine O'Hara, whose Delia Deetz could be a prototype for the zany Moira Rose of Schitt's Creek), the changes in the story from original script to finished film, and our take on Tim Burton's philosophy of death. Grab your copy of The Handbook for the Recently Deceased and meet us on the other side!

To begin Sandworm Appreciation Month (in honor of the release of Dune Part Two), John and Georgia burrow deep into the desert earth of Perfection, Nevada to explore the 1990 cult classic Tremors, starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, and the graboids. Tremors plays like Jaws set in the desert (the original title of the film was actually Land Sharks!), and we relish in the fact that the film is comprised solely of practical effects. We're talking matte paintings, miniatures, hand puppets, mechanical puppets, and more! The stellar supporting cast boasts the likes of Michael Gross (fresh from his Family Ties run), Reba McEntire (in her film debut), and the incomparable Victor Wong (The Last Emperor, Big Trouble in Little China, and Prince of Darkness). Push play, crack a cold one, and meet us in Burt and Heather Gummer's rec room for one motherhumper of a nostaglic party in the desert!

For the second episode of our Jane Austen adaptations month, we welcome first-time guest and world class soprano Jessica Sandidge to discuss her top comfort pick, Sense and Sensibility! This film was Emma Thompson's first feature screenplay writing credit, and it sparkles with Jane Austen's signature wit and wisdom. It was also Ang Lee's first studio directing credit, and his detailed, rich visual style is evident in every frame. Jessica draws on her deep knowledge of music to discuss Patrick Doyle's score, Georgia puts on her English major hat to explain some of the history and conventions of the Regency period, and John brings in his theatrical expertise and extensive movie knowledge to explore the amazing performances of Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman and to make some interesting connections between Sense and Sensibility and other, sometimes not-so-obvious, films. But don't worry--we also talk about fainting sheep and gassy horses! Saddle up, preferably on a mount that doesn't have IBS, and give us a listen!

It's February, and love, as always, is in the air this month. So we're celebrating movie love with a duo of Jane Austen adaptations! First up is the Autumn de Wilde feature film directorial debut Emma. De Wilde perfectly marries Eleanor Catton's excellent screenplay adaptation of Austen's novel with her own exceptionally rich visual style to create a film that is both perfectly period and surprisingly modern. From the collaborative use of color in the production design and costume, to the masterful lighting and camera movement choices, to the choice of diagetic music performed by the actors themselves, de Wilde's Emma is a standout adaptation among the many other films crowding the field. Come for a visit at Hartfield with us!

In this second pick for our Gothic Romance month, we discuss the stylish and evocative Guillermo Del Toro film Crimson Peak. This movie is Del Toro's homage to the great literature and film in the genre, including Hitchcock's Rebecca, Jane Eyre, The Mysteries of Udolpho, The Monk, and the work of Mario Bava. Del Toro also brings in some of his own obsessions like insects and ghosts to put his distinctive stamp on the genre, honoring its tropes in some ways and subverting them in others to bring a fresh, modern take to the well explored plot. We discuss the amazing and complex production design by Tom Sanders, the use of color in the film to suggest contrast between characters and settings, the importance of Kate Hawley's intricate costume design, and many other facets of this brilliant and enthralling film. Light a candle, throw on your fanciest nightgown, and explore the dark corners of Allerdale Hall with us!

Welcome to season 3! We're kicking off this season with a couple of episodes on our favorite films from the Gothic Romance genre, and who better to start us off than the master of the macabre, Alfred Hitchcock? Rebecca, starring Joan Fontaine and Sir Laurence Olivier, was Hitchcock's first film made in the US and his only Best Picture winner. The film also earned an Oscar for cinematographer George Barnes, whose talents with light, shadow, and camera movement created the moody atmosphere that pervades Rebecca. It was produced by David O. Selznick, who was coming off the huge success of Gone with the Wind and looking to make another big hit. Deeply faithful to its source material, Daphne du Maurier's best-selling novel, the film is a suspenseful cinematic take on classic Gothic Romance literature. The parallels with Bronte's Jane Eyre are numerous, but it's Hitchcock's ability to dramatize psychological terror that brings this movie into the modern age. Come to Manderley again with us, and watch out for Mrs. Danvers!

For our closing episode of season 2, we are revisiting our annual tradition of talking about a much-beloved holiday special from our youth. This year, it's Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the classic cartoon that was a holiday staple in both our homes. We discuss the partnership between Looney Tunes animation great Chuck Jones and Ted Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss, translating the fantastical and imaginative world of Seuss into the medium of moving images, the story behind the now-classic song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," the brilliant casting of horror icon Boris Karloff, and the recurring Christmas theme of anti-commercialism. Be sure to also check out our guest spot on episode 52 of Why The Flick?, where we discuss the live action Jim Carrey Grinch adaptation; it's a great companion piece to this episode! Happy holidays from our family to yours! We look forward to talking more movies with you in 2024.

Happy Holidays from Comfort Films! We're starting off the holiday season with two unparalleled classics that originated in 1946, Miracle on 34th Street and John's mom, Eileen Macey, who is joining us for her second appearance and our second Mom for the Holidays episode. It's a first-time watch for John and Eileen, as they join veteran Miracle on 34th Street viewer Georgia to discuss how unbelievably modern and surprisingly feminist this film is, the amazing performances--including Edmund Gwenn's Oscar-winning Kris Kringle, the movies Miracle on 34th Street influenced (particularly Dear God and Elf), the perils of colorization, the production's coordination with the actual 1946 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade where Edmund Gwenn rode in the parade as Santa, and our Christmas memories of watching (and re-watching) movies with our families. This episode is a gift you can unwrap early, so give it a listen!

In this special episode, John and Georgia spoke with writer, director, producer, composer, actor and all-around fine, upstanding Pennsylvanian, John Harrison. We discuss his 2023 novel, Passing Through Veils, which combines elements of gothic horror and modern thriller for an atmospheric, eerie, and suspenseful Shirley Jackson-meets-Alfred Hitchcock read. Mr. Harrison also shares insights and stories from his film and television career, his many experiences with bringing anthology horror to both the large and small screens (with Creepshow, Tales from the Darkside, and Tales from the Crypt), his work with George A. Romero, his approach to all creative film work as various ways to be a storyteller, and his advice for today's aspiring filmmakers. He also shares information on several upcoming projects we can look forward to from him in 2024 and beyond. We are thrilled to share this amazing talk with a true screen Renaissance man! Give it a listen!

In this last episode of our Robin Williams month, we talk about Mrs. Doubtfire, which just turned 30, and features a highly characteristic Williams performance full of energy, quickfire improvisation, and an excellent mix of humor and heart. We talk about our different reactions to this film as adults (noticing a lot more of the dirty jokes and sympathizing more with Miranda than Daniel), strong connections to other films about dads faced with new responsibilities, the surprisingly non-villainous Stu, played to perfection by Pierce Brosnan, Sally Field's always rock-solid performance, our maximum adoration of Harvey Fierstein, the use of disguise and role-playing as a means to self-discovery throughout literature, and how this film, which handles the theme of children dealing with divorce so tenderly, was like free therapy to us in the 90s (and we're guessing to other Xennials as well). Give it a listen!

It's our 100th episode!! To celebrate, we welcome back one of our earliest guests, the great Kate Duffy, to discuss a film that has been our number one requested comfort film over the course of the show. We talk about the incredible Nathan Lane and his unforgettable breakout role as Albert/Starina, how the film deals with irony around conservative family values, the restrained hysteria of Robin Williams's Armand and how it relates to male anxiety, the advancements (and sometimes, lack thereof) with LGBTQ+ rights, the director/writer dream team of Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Gene Hackman's surprising improv background, Dan Futterman's Val as the villain of the film, the masterful opening shot by the great cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, the major changes in the journalism economy since the mid-90s, and Kate's memories of watching the movie over and over with her dad. We also have a quick talk about our now-extensive back catalog and which episodes stand out to us most. Grab your "pirin" tablets, relax, and join us for the episode that takes us into triple digits!

Shiver me timbers and blow me down! Comfort Films Podcast is dropping anchor in Sweethaven to start a month of celebrating Robin Williams films! In this first episode of the series, we're joined by guest Jenn Riedell for a surreal trip down memory lane as we discuss this buried treasure of a musical, directed by Robert Altman and scripted by Jules Feiffer. Featuring Robin Williams in his first lead role in film, Popeye is also a vehicle for a magical soundtrack of songs from 70s pop star Harry Nilsson. We discuss the amazing set built in Malta, which still exists as a tourist attraction, Shelley Duvall's totally iconic performance as Olive Oyl, Ray Walston's crotchety and hilariously named character Poopdeck Pappy, the bizarre religious underpinnings of Popeye's famous catchphrase, the film's comic strip origins, the many talented circus performers who bring the film to life, and the birth of home video, which paved the way for young Gen Xers to start watching and rewatching comfort movies (complete with some bad humming of the HBO theme song from the 80s). Pop open a can of spinach and give us a listen!

“The grotesque has never really affected or frightened me. I guess it’s real-life stuff that frightens me much more.”  (George A. Romero)

In this special bonus horror episode, John and Georgia are pleased to welcome Ryan Carr, artist in residence at the George A. Romero Foundation, to discuss The Amusement Park, a recently rediscovered and restored Romero film that takes a unique and terrifying look at the true horrors that await us all as we age and enter our final years.  Ryan is currently hard at work illustrating a graphic novel adaptation of the film (written by Jeff Whitehead).  We discuss the unfathomably efficient three-day shooting schedule of The Amusement Park; Romero’s editing style, visual storytelling genius, and ability to perfectly balance empathy and cynicism; the challenges of translating a film into a graphic novel; how society’s treatment of the elderly (on both the micro and macro levels) has failed to improve since the time the film was made in the 70s; the amazing lead actor Lincoln Maazel and his unforgettably expressive face, which Ryan has now drawn an uncountable number of times; and we honor George A. Romero and his team from The Latent Image, who took a commission project from Lutheran Services and made it into a vivid, thought-provoking, timeless piece of art and social commentary.  This is truly a ride you don’t want to miss, so queue up and give us a listen!  

For the fourth week of our horror film series, we're looking at another collaboration between masters of horror George A. Romero and Stephen King, The Dark Half. This film explores the Jekyll and Hyde story through a seemingly mild-mannered writer and his dark side (Timothy Hutton in a dual role), an unborn twin who takes form to wreak vengeance on those who have tried to silence him. We discuss the excellent screenplay, faithfully adapted by George Romero from Stephen King's novel; Hutton's nuanced portrayal of both Thad and George; Michael Rooker's definitive performance as Sheriff Alan Pangborn; the sparrow swarm special effects; connections to Hitchcock's The Birds; whether Amy Madigan could have single-handedly taken out George Stark; and Stephen King's own alter ego Richard Bachman. Bring your evil twin to our Halloween party and give us a listen!

Was your high school prom an absolute nightmare? Carrie White can relate and then some! For the third week in our horror series, we dive into the film adaptation of Stephen King's spectacularly tragic tale, Carrie - which not only was King's first published novel, but also his first book to be adapted into a film! In this episode, Georgia and John discuss how Brian De Palma and George Lucas shared casting calls for Carrie and Star Wars, the split screen editing and cinematography choices, Pino Donaggio's haunting score, the richly deserved (and unheard of for a horror film) Oscar nominations for Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie, the impressive car stunt by Dick Ziker, the interesting differences between the book and Lawrence D. Cohen's screenplay, Hitchcock comparisons, and the genesis of the jump scare. Stop on by and geek out with us, because if you miss this episode, they're all gonna laugh at you!

What do you get when you mix together the finest in horror comics, short stories, film, and cake? The classic 1982 film Creepshow, written by the master of horror Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero, the brains behind modern-day zombie lore. For our second Halloween month selection, John and Georgia give an in-depth analysis of the six gory tales that comprise Creepshow's anthology and share personal memories of their first viewings of the film as kids. We talk Stephen King the author, screenwriter, and actor (in his only starring role to date), we praise the execution of the practical and in-camera effects, we explore how longtime Romero collaborator and Director of Photography Michael Gornick achieved the comic book look for the film, we discuss how FX wizard Tom Savini created the incredible Yeti-like monster Fluffy, Ed Harris's super smooth disco moves, the joys of international cockroach trafficking, and we applaud the talents of the all-star cast including Leslie Nielsen, Hal Holbrook, Ted Danson, and Adrienne Barbeau, who make the fantastic characters come to life. Even if your dad threw out your comic book, we've got you covered, so give us a listen!

Did you know that a group of self-taught filmmakers from Pennsylvania, whose only training were the commercials they created themselves, are responsible for redefining the horror genre as we know it today? John and Georgia take a bite out of Night of the Living Dead, the classic 1968 George A. Romero film, celebrating its 55th anniversary this week, that formally established the rules for zombies, without even using the word "zombie"! We talk independent filmmaking, the inspirations for Night of the Living Dead and the films that it in turn inspired, DIY work ethic, the controversial casting of a Black actor in a lead role, how horror films shifted from children's fare to something far greater, the power of drive-ins, flawed characters and heroes who make poor choices, the strength of single-location settings, Romero's choice to stay with black & white film stock, and much, much more. Shamble on down to the graveyard with us for a night of fun! They're coming to get you, Barbra!

In this last episode of our martial arts film month, we welcome guest Frank Bonanno as we shift our focus from Hong Kong to Indonesia with Gareth Evans's bone-crunching film The Raid: Redemption. We discuss the many types of martial arts featured in the film - most notably, pencak silat, an indigenous class of martial arts from Indonesia, the speed, style, and innovation of the cinematography, the mixing of survival horror video game and slasher horror conventions that make this a unique action film, the many fast action/fighting films that The Raid: Redemption paved the way for (including John Wick), the boundless creativity of low-budget film, how a movie this brutal could still be a comfort film, and the absolutely insane stunt work that makes this film a modern masterpiece. Slap on your body armor and storm this building with us!

For the second of our three martial arts episodes, we welcome back the always brilliant Chris Witty (who guested on our Goodfellas episode) to discuss Mr. Nice Guy and all other things Jackie Chan! We talk about Jackie Chan's boundless energy and all-around talent as a martial artist, acrobatic stunt pro, and comedy genius; the influence of silent film stars Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, comedy greats the Marx Brothers, and dance legend Gene Kelly on the movies of Jackie Chan; Sammo Hung, Chan's equally talented lifelong friend, the director of Mr. Nice Guy, and a huge (no pun intended, if you've seen the guy) influence on the growth and direction of Hong Kong martial arts cinema; and the connections between genre films like westerns, martial arts movies, and exploitation films that make them popular comfort watches for lots of people (including the three of us). Get ready to rumble and give us a listen!

This week we're kicking off a martial arts movie month with the film that's widely recognized as the genre founder, at least where Western audiences are concerned, Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon. We talk about Bruce Lee's ability to extol philosophy through action, his unequaled power and mastery of kung fu, the story's many similarities to the James Bond film structure, the excellent stunt team which included legends Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan, stellar supporting performances from black belts John Saxon and Jim Kelly and Mr. Hong Kong Bolo Yeung, and the way that Bruce Lee and Enter the Dragon permanently changed cinema and influenced the many martial arts films that followed in its wake. Meet us on Han's island for a great episode!

For the final week of our Spectator Sports month, we discuss Peter Yates's Breaking Away, which combines a sweet and funny coming-of-age comedy, a class-struggle drama, and a fantastic underdog sports film. We discuss the real-life origins of Steve Tesich's Oscar-winning screenplay, the film debut of character actor Daniel Stern and his niche as the lovable loser, the family chemistry of Barbara Barrie, Paul Dooley, and Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid's bitter and heartbreaking former quarterback Mike, Jackie Earle Haley's amazing maturity (even as the youngest cast member), and the many other qualities that make this film one of the greatest feel-good movies of all time. Hop on your bike and give us a listen!

Do you love Bob Barker? Well, then do we have a great episode for you! For the third week of our spectator sports month, we hit the green with everyone's favorite angry hockey player turned golfer, Happy Gilmore. We discuss how this comedy is also a solid sports film with the story structure to prove it, Christopher McDonald's incredible villain Shooter McGavin, Carl Weathers's hilarious yet heartfelt one-handed golf pro Chubbs, Caddyshack parallels and Burt Reynolds connections, our own personal golf failures, and much more. Meet us on the 9th hole at 9PM, and we'll show you a reel good time. Dress nice!

Georgia and John take the field to talk about one of their all-time favorite baseball films, Penny Marshall's A League of Their Own. We discuss the documentary on the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) that inspired the film; the fiery sibling rivalry between Geena Davis's Dottie and Lori Petty's Kit; Megan Cavanaugh's screen debut as the unforgettable underdog Marla Hooch; the war's lasting effect on gender roles; Tom Hanks's unique role reversal as the disgusting yet charming Jimmy Dugan; the actors' dedication to authenticity (and the injuries that caused); the strong female friendships, including Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna as Doris and Mae, whose friendship persisted both on and off screen; and we exhaustively debate whether Dottie dropped the ball on purpose or if Kit finally bested her sister and won the game on her own merit. The bases are loaded and it's the bottom of the ninth - step up to the plate and give us a listen!

Get ready to shake and bake with special guests Christina and Mac Hare from World of Horror Podcast as we talk a blue streak about the hilarious and heartfelt 2006 Adam McKay/Will Ferrell comedy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.  We explore how a film this funny manages to lampoon with love, we praise the many brilliant performances that elevate the movie above simple comedy (with special emphasis on Gary Cole, Jane Lynch, and our universal MVP John C. Reilly), we dive into Cal and Ricky's deeply flawed yet sweet friendship, we feel the motor running up our legs with Molly Shannon’s riotous scene-stealing performance as Mrs. Dennit, we trade our many favorite quotes, Georgia gives her spot on impression of Texas Ranger, and we revel in the absurd hilarity of the American/French rivalry embodied by Will Ferrell’s Ricky Bobby and Sacha Baron Cohen's Jean Girard.  With all due respect, rev up your engines and give us a listen, because if you ain’t first, you’re last!

Georgia and John finish out their month of westerns hanging loose from the noose with the iconic Sergio Leone-directed spaghetti western The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, as they tag along with Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach in their ruthless search across the westernmost front of the Civil War for $200,000 in Confederate gold. We discuss all aspects of this landmark film: casting, cinematography, the indelible Ennio Morricone score, Sergio Leone's directing style that combines opera and silent film, the dangerous stunts, the story's perfect blend of cartoonish humor and violence, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, the anti-war theme, the frenemy chemistry between Eastwood and Wallach, Leone's lasting influence on modern cinema, and what exactly good, bad, and ugly mean in the context of this film and these characters. Ride off with us into the sunset as we go digging for gold!

For the third week of our westerns month, we're discussing another early 50s classic, Shane. This movie has it all - family drama, good versus evil (with plenty of gray area to explore), a coming-of-age story, beautiful western scenery, history, and plenty of suspense. We also discuss the unforgettable performances from Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, and Jack Palance among others, the costume design of Edith Head, George Stevens's great attention to detail, Loyal Griggs's award-winning cinematography, and the hugely important theme of freedom and independence in the changing west. Belly up to the bar and give us a listen!

In this second film of our Westerns month, we talk about another classic film that both defines and subverts the genre, High Noon, starring Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, and the unknown yet soon-to-be staple western bad guy, Lee Van Cleef. We discuss the masterful use of the clock to build suspense, the many excuses (both good and bad) of the townspeople who refuse to help Will Kane, the juxtaposition of Mrs. Ramirez and Amy--the two women in Will's life, the stark and simple but highly effective cinematography, and the uniqueness of the film as an allegory for Hollywood blacklisting in the McCarthy era. The new marshall doesn't arrive until tomorrow, so round up a posse and give us a listen!

This week, Martin from Film vs. Film Podcast joins us as we kick off a month of westerns with the movie that totally changed the genre, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as the title characters. We talk about the perfectly balanced William Goldman screenplay that is equally hilarious and tragic, the exceptional director-cinematographer team-up of George Roy Hill and Conrad Hall, the iconic pairing of Newman and Redford that makes this film as much a buddy movie as a western, whether the relationship between Butch, Sundance, and Etta is a love triangle or a love circle, the "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" musical interlude, metafilm moments, the western as American mythology, and the many things to love about this once-dominant film genre. Saddle up your horses and give us a listen!

For our fifth and final episode of the School's Out for Summer series, we're taking a long summer vacation with The Karate Kid Part II. Snatched from the certain doom of a summer in Fresno, Daniel accompanies his mentor Mr. Miyagi to Okinawa, where they face off with a new set of enemies, Sato and his sharply dressed nephew Chozen. We talk about our memories of seeing this film (and reading the novelization) as kids, the surprisingly deep meditations on family and loss, the 50s mania of the 80s, Back to the Future connections, and the absolute banger of a theme song, Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love." Brush up on your drum technique and your O-Bon dance moves and give us a listen!

It's the fourth week of our School's Out for Summer series, and it's time to stop messing around and get a summer job. In this episode, we discuss Adventureland (2009), starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, and the always pitch-perfect Martin Starr as hapless and occasionally hopeless amusement park employees. We talk about our own summer job experiences as unemployable humanities students, writer/director Greg Mottola's excellent script, the film's amazing indie 80s soundtrack, the perils of nerd love, Ryan Reynolds's uncharacteristic villainy, the hilarious Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig as the oddball ringmasters of the Adventureland circus, different methods of coping with depression and ennui, and Brennan's bravery in rejecting cynicism for romantic optimism even when his life is falling apart. We love this sweet, nostalgic, and hopeful movie, so cash in your Skee-ball tickets for this episode of Comfort Films and give us a listen!

Holy Schnikes! For the third week in our School’s Out series, we’re celebrating dads and grads as we take to the road with the 1995 Chris Farley/David Spade comedy Tommy Boy, the only movie we can think of where you’re actually rooting for a nepo baby.  Farley’s Tommy is fresh out of college with a D+ in history, and he teams up with Spade’s Richard to launch the Callahan brake pads division and save Tommy’s family business.  We talk favorite SNL alumni, the perfect comedic chemistry between big guys and little guys throughout film history, Tommy Boy’s perfect balance of heartfelt and hilarious, the joy of singing along with the radio, Brian Dennehy as the classic great dad, the art of salesmanship, Rob Lowe’s shift from drama to comedy and the unmatchable talent and heart of the late great Chris Farley.  Put on your little coat and give it a listen!

In this second week of School's Out for Summer month, we're going to summer camp with our guest Etta Goodridge! Directed by David Wain, written by Wain and Michael Showalter, and featuring many other members of MTV's The State sketch comedy series, Wet Hot American Summer has become a cult classic, with a huge cast of actors that have gone on to become major stars, including Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Christopher Meloni, and Elizabeth Banks. We discuss our own experiences with camp, the hilarious screenplay which employs mounting absurdity as it builds toward the thrillingly improbable climax, how we relate to the dual protagonists Cooper and Beth (played by Showalter and Janeane Garofalo, respectively), the magical alchemy that results in doing comedy with friends, and the importance of a good montage. Grab your bug spray and hike up to Camp Firewood with us!

School's out for summer! That's our theme for this month, and we're kicking it off with the 1993 cult classic Dazed and Confused, traveling back to the last day of school in a Texas town in 1976. We discuss the film's incredible soundtrack, which gives the story its structure and mood and opened us up to a whole lot of new old music when the film came out. We also talk about the stacked cast of mostly unknowns who have since become household names (especially Matthew McConaughey, whose portrayal of Wooderson made him an instant icon), the importance of a car to teenage freedom, toxic nostalgia, 70s fashion's resurgence in the 90s (and in Georgia's heart, forever), Richard Linklater's approach to authenticity and character-centered storytelling, and the elusive pursuit of teenage coolness. The party may be shut down at Pickford's house, but come on down to the moon tower and join us for the first beer bust of the summer. And if you haven't followed us on your favorite podcast platform, it'd be much cooler if you did!

For the final week of our ani-MAY-tion month, we spring into the action with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. We discuss the landmark animation, which combines CGI and hand-drawn animation along with color offset, giving the film a totally unique comic book look. We also talk about the enormous comic contributions of Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and Jack Kirby, the excitement of meeting a Spider-Man (or several) with a completely new backstory, the genre mashup, the always funky and fabulous Nicolas Cage, and the odd similarities between Kingpin, Daddy Warbucks, and Mr. Freeze. Your spidey senses must be tingling at this point, so shoot your web and swing over to a fantastic talk about your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!

For the third week of our aniMAYtion month, we take a look at Wes Anderson's stop-motion adaptation of the Roald Dahl children's book Fantastic Mr. Fox. We discuss Anderson's practical and playful approach to recording dialogue and sound for the film, the script (penned by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach, at Dahl's home!) which creatively expands on Dahl's original story by framing Mr. Fox as another version of a vulpine Robin Hood, the crafty and creative use of puppets and miniatures in stop-motion animation, the difficulty of learning that your favorite children's author had some very problematic opinions, and last but not least, Alexandre's Desplat's score and the rockin' Beach Boys-themed soundtrack.

For this second week of our AniMAYtion month, we're taking a look at one of our favorites from Studio Ghibli, Howl's Moving Castle (English dubbed). We talk aesthetics, from steampunk fairy tale to Dark Academia to Steve Martin, Howl as superhero, the freedom of living in disguise, the corrupting power of magic, Hayao Miyazaki's boundlessly creative yet realistically cinematic style, Joe Hisaishi's perfect musical score, and themes of greed, vanity, and the uselessness of war. It's a discussion almost as rich as the film itself, so jump on the steam-powered airship and ride into the sunset with us!

We're back, and for May we'll be tackling ani-MAY-ted movies (and making that joke many times)! In the first episode of this four-part series, we welcome special guest Stewart Boyles, co-host of the unofficial MCU podcast, Welcome to Level 7, who has named 1973 2D hand-drawn Disney classic Robin Hood as his number one comfort pick. We go on a nostalgia trip together, discussing the ways this film shaped our socio-political views, how it's a perfect precursor to the madcap redneck action comedies of the later 70s (Smokey and the Bandit, we're mostly looking at you), the unfair fictional portrayal of Capricorns, Robin Hood as the quintessential folk anti-hero, the importance of voice acting, and good versus bad anthropomorphic animals in fiction. Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly, what a day! Join us to talk cartoons throughout the month of May!

For the fifth and final episode in our Comfort Crime month, we continue the Corleone family saga with The Godfather Part II, which manages to be both a prequel and a sequel in one.  We talk sibling rivalry, evil clownish buffoon antagonists, Al Pacino's masterful Michael Corleone and his complex game of chess, the tragedy of John Cazale's ignoble yet pathetic Fredo, whether it's possible for a criminal to go legitimate, Lee Strasberg's Hyman Roth and his vicious vengeance, the acceptable criminality of politics, and Robert De Niro's stellar, Oscar-winning turn as young Vito Corleone, a storyline that takes the Godfather films from brilliant to totally epic. Give us a listen or break our hearts!

For the fourth week in our comfort crime series, we go straight to the source with the grandfather of all modern mafia movies, The Godfather. Coincidentally, this is also the 51st anniversary of the release of this landmark film, based on the novel by Mario Puzo and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. We create a new personality test based on the Godfather characters, discuss the anxiety and fear of firing that fueled the production, praise Marlon Brando's acting comeback and the stellar contributions of the whole cast, explore the family dynamics of the Corleone family, and break down Michael's transformation from straight-laced military man to cold-blooded mafia don. Travel with us from New York to Sicily and back, and don't forget to take the cannoli!

For the third week in our Comfort Crime Month, we take a trip back to a sweaty August day in 1970s Brooklyn to ride shotgun with Al Pacino and John Cazale on a bank robbery gone very wrong in Sidney Lumet's Oscar-nominated Dog Day Afternoon. We talk about the real-life 1972 robbery that inspired the film, the Gen X/Millennial interest in true crime (a seed probably planted by Unsolved Mysteries), the improvisational rehearsal process that supported and enhanced screenwriter Frank Pierson’s Oscar-winning script, Sidney Lumet’s naturalistic approach to telling this story, the birth of sensationalist news, the uniquely unforgettable John Cazale, and the choice to limit music apart from the amazing opening song "Amoreena" by Elton John, an incredibly nuanced pick that both contrasts and amplifies the themes of the film. Release your hostages and give us a listen!

For the second week of our Comfort Crime month, John and Georgia deep dive into the Los Angeles underworld with Michael Mann's 1995 epic cops and robbers movie, Heat.  This movie brings you so far into the symbiotic relationship between law enforcement and crooks that it's difficult to know what side you're on.  We discuss the real life story of Chicago detective Chuck Adamson, whose coffee break with career criminal Neil McCauley inspired Mann's film, the iconic first-ever onscreen scene between acting heavyweights Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro, the many parallelisms between Hanna and McCauley, Michael Mann's collaboration with celebrated cinematographer Dante Spinotti (which began with Manhunter in 1986), the incredibly well-researched screenplay, the loneliness of existing outside regular society, and the rigorous training the actors went through to perform their roles.  This episode is more jam-packed than the 405 at rush hour, so flip on the blue flashing lights, hit the siren, and ride along with us!

For the first week of our paradoxical Comfort Films Crime Month, John and Georgia team up with special guest Christopher Witty to make a move against the Lucchese crime family as they discuss the quintessential crime classic, Goodfellas.  We discuss Martin Scorsese’s flawless direction, Michael Ballhaus’s stunning cinematography, the late great Ray Liotta's unforgettable and unmatchable portrayal of Henry Hill, Robert DeNiro’s stone cold Jimmy Conway, Joe Pesci’s Oscar-winning turn as Tommy Devito, the emotional depth in Lorraine Bracco’s Karen Hill, Scorsese's improv-based rehearsal process, Nicholas Pileggi's Wiseguy and its transformation into a screenplay, why we love Frankie Carbone, and last, but certainly not least, the hilarious dinner scene with Martin Scorsese’s mother, Catherine, with Frank Vincent "waiting" in the car. Take some advice from Jimmy Two Times and give us a listen, give us a listen!

This week Georgia and John are joined by their longtime friend and artistic collaborator, Wayne Cardwell, to discuss one of his all-time favorite films, Slumdog Millionaire. We talk about the boundless love which guides Jamal, the insatiable greed which drives Salim, the impeccable story structure that utilizes Jamal’s answers on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? as a jumping off point to explore Jamal’s past, the innovative combination of film and digital cinematography, the knockout performances of the entire cast, the power of destiny, and more! Lock in your final answer and join us as we discuss this vibrant film which racked up eight Oscars including Best Picture!

 For the third week of our love month, John and Georgia turn up the heat to take on the 2013 romance/horror film Warm Bodies, starring Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer. We discuss the parallels with William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, sensitive zombies, who have a lit vinyl collection, how friends are just as important as lovers, and what it means to be truly alive.  Don't be a zombie - listen to this heartwarming episode that will make you feel human again!

For the second week of our love & romance month, we're taking a nostalgic trip back to the late 90s to revisit 10 Things I Hate About You--one of the standouts among the rash of teen movies that came out around the same time.  This adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, which John and Georgia also have a special connection to, features a number of fantastic performances by young actors who have gone on to have strong careers, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julia Stiles, and, of course, the late great Heath Ledger.  We discuss 90s riot grrrl and post-riot grrrl music, father/daughter relationships, the perils of not seeking popularity, adapting Shakespeare to modern times (and how screenwriters Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith are great at it), how Patrick and Kat could have turned dating for cash into lucrative moneymaking endeavor, and how much we love David Krumholtz as Michael and every other role he's taken on.  Strike up the marching band and give us a listen!

To kick off a month of love & romance films, we welcome special guests Kate Duffy and Danny Zeliger to discuss Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.  We talk about the origins of modern day rom-coms, the difficulty of overcoming a bad first impression, the cardinal social sin of awkwardness, romanticizing the past, Tom Hollander's serial killer vibes as Mr. Collins, and which characters we identify with most.  Take a turn about the room and give us a listen!

For the last episode of our first sci-fi series, we decided to go straight back to the source and tackle the grandfather of all modern science fiction films, Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.  We discuss the zeitgeist of the 60s that gave birth to the space race, 2001, and Star Trek, the ways that 2001 changed the way we view sci-fi, the production design that shaped the way we think about humans in space (even more than actual footage of humans in space), the perils of artificial intelligence, amazingly engineered trippy practical special effects, savior space babies, and what the heck a bunch of monkeys are doing standing around a big black rectangle. Jump in the repair pod and give us a listen, but grab your helmet just in case!