watch this.

I’ve wanted to do this movie ever since I started Watch This two years ago, and now seems like a good time to finally bring it out. Chances are most of you are more familiar with the countless movies and TV shows that ripped off its plot. But this movie is worth watching not only to see the root of this common trope, but because its message of appreciating life is important and useful year-round. Let's watch It's a Wonderful Life!

Also, even though there's a 99% chance no one will find this episode, happy holidays to everyone! And let's survive 2024!

Intro song: SiIvaGunner - Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (NTSC Version) (from Pokémon Black & White)

Outro song: Rent 2008 Broadway Cast - Seasons/Love Heals (A Rent Farewell)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/frank-capras-its-a-wonderful-life (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Remember back in the Humans episode where I promised we’d do this episode next Thanksgiving? Well that time is now and we’re finally doing Free Birds! This movie took the Internet by storm around this time last year thanks to the efforts of the Schaffgang. And why wouldn’t it? It’s about going back in time to the first Thanksgiving to get turkeys off the menu! That’s right… it’s Free Birds!

Schaffrillas’ Free Birds video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGLyNcO8LcA

Andrias/Taylor Swift fanart in the thumbnail belongs to @peebszzz on X/Twitter

Intro song: Yoann Garel - Kami Spirit

Outro song: SiIvaGunner - Wi-Fi Plaza: Parade (In-Game Version)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/free-birds (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Hokey smoke, it’s the second of two reunion episodes for the summer! If you’ve followed us closely enough you’ll remember this being my original birthday pick for this year, before a tragic event involving Schaffrillas Productions caused me to rethink doing the campy Y2K-era comedy. But with that long behind us, I thought I’d bring it out again, as a tribute to how far the Tres Hombres have come since that first episode, and how far we still have to go. As for the movie itself… it’s a fun romp that faithfully and respectfully adapts the iconic cartoon to the then-current era and deserves to be remembered as such. Let’s watch The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle!

Intro song: Oatmello – Watching the Stars

Outro song: t3. lilly the little car

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-adventures-of-rocky-and-bullwinkle (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

We’re back for a few more episodes this year! And for this first reunion episode we’re cruisin’ for a bruisin’ with Teen Beach Movie, the infectious Disney Channel musical comedy about two surfers who end up inside another beach musical. Along the way, we catch you up on what we’ve been up to between the Fabelmans and now. Cowabunga!

Also sorry if I sound a little quiet this episode, this was the first episode made on my new computer and I guess the mic didn’t pick up my voice well enough.

Intro song: Amaez & Moetown - Vivid Dreams

Outro song: Leap of Faith - Light In The Dark 

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/teen-beach-movie (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

This episode is dedicated with love to everyone who listened to us and supported us over the past year-and-a-half. Your support is legendary and we wish you all the best. As much as it pains me to say this, this will be the final Watch This for the time being, due to availability concerns and other issues. So instead of Climax, I thought it’d be nice to end our time together on a more hopeful note, through a film loosely based on the life of its director, Steven Spielberg. It’s The Fabelmans!

For real, though, this was an incredibly hard episode for me to put together, as (barring any post-script episodes that may or may not be made) it marks the end of an era. Case in point, it was recorded on March 26 and only now am I getting the willpower to put it together and upload it. There’s also the timing - if I chose to upload the episode at the tail end of March or the start of April, it would be mistaken for an April Fools joke. Nonetheless, I hope you understand why this episode wasn’t out a week ago, and I’ll see you at the movies.

Intro song: Michael Giacchino - Stuff We Did (slowed + reverb)

Outro song: The Muppet Movie OST - The Magic Store (Outro)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-fabelmans (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Original episode airdate: January 30, 2022

Sorry for no new episode this week, but without revealing too much, Watch This is essentially running on fumes harder than it ever has before. As we prepare for a turnover in personnel, we're dialing it back to a happier time, where as many as four weirdoes could carry a conversation, and four other weirdoes and a dog could kick ass and take names during a robot apocalypse. Let's watch The Mitchells Vs. the Machines!

Intro song: alex - i wasnt aloud to watch whose line as a kid but i think its pretty good now

Outro song: FrankJavCee - Simpsonwave 1995

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/connected-2020 (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

This episode is dedicated to the resilience of the Schaffgang (Schaffrillas Productions’ inner circle), and to the memories of Chris Schaffer and Patrick Phryllas, two of its founding members, whose humor and heart were instrumental in the development of the Schaffrillas brand. The entire gang was responsible for greater awareness of this little-seen gem that expertly pays homage to cheesy B-movies of the past with modern production values, and while it still isn’t that well known (to the point where it still doesn’t have a Wikipedia page as of this episode’s upload), it’s still worth checking out. Let’s watch Lake Michigan Monster - it's banned in four lakes!

See Schaffrillas and friends’ video on Lake Michigan Monster here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pda4DfOlZHc

Intro song: SiIvaGunner - Because I Love You (Alternate Version)

Outro song: Harry Gregson-Williams & John Powell - Transformation/The End (Shrek score)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/lake-michigan-monster (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

This week we’re watching a gem of a movie starring Jay Baruchel as Leon Trotsky. Sort of. He’s playing a guy who believes that he’s the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky and seeks to replicate every facet of the socialist revolutionary’s life. He starts a revolution among his fellow students and falls in love with an older woman named Alexandra. Meanwhile we’re out here talking about Ohio and terrible puns, as WE were fated to do, apparently. Let's watch The Trotsky!

Intro song: Justin Jet Zorbas - Taro Coconut

Outro song: Dreama - Dreaming of You

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/le-trostky (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

We’re heading to the Danger Zone with Top Gun, one of the most iconic movies of the 80s. It boasts a top-tier cast, a stellar soundtrack and some impressive effects for the era, not to mention a fairly recent sequel that pretty much everyone’s heard about by now. Let’s fly high with a Forced Family Fun Night! (We'll explain the context of that saying in the episode.)

Intro song: trxxshed & lomtre - Forgotten

Outro song: cxlt. & amies - Aurora

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/vesper-2022 (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

With its sequel now making waves on Netflix, we’re kicking off our 2023 lineup with Knives Out, the movie that made everyone forgive Rian Johnson for his polarizing Star Wars movie The Last Jedi. In fact, it was so successful that Netflix is making it into a trilogy, with the third Knives Out movie due to come out sometime in the next couple of years. And yes, this one's great!

Intro song: Retro Aesthetic Boy - everything changed

Outro song: DonLear - Ignore

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/knives-out (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Once every 10 years, the British film magazine Sight and Sound puts out a ranking of the 100 greatest films of all time, as voted by over a thousand industry professionals. So we at Watch This thought it would be cool to discuss the movies that made the newest list (which came out in December), as this podcast as we know it may not be around for the next ranking. Also this is our unofficial first episode of 2022 - the Knives Out episode, the "true" first episode of 2022, will be out later this week.

Intro music: g o g h _v i b e s - morning in nature

Outro music: Pointy Features x Kanisan x Softy - Dozy

See the list on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bfi/list/sight-and-sounds-greatest-films-of-all-time/

And just like that, we’ve reached the end of another year of Watch This. Our 2022 has been much more eventful than our 2021, managing to last nearly the entire year. And you better believe that we’ll be discussing what we watched this year, plus some hopes for 2023 and beyond. Plus, you’ll get to find out what our first movie of 2023 is! (Hint: It’s gonna be super special. But you probably knew that already.)

Intro music: Kenny G - Auld Lang Syne

Outro music: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone - City of Stars

Apologies for not having this episode out actually on Christmas, but that’s what happens when unavailability gets in the way. Anyway, here’s the Grand Finale of our second Holiday Moviethon, and our 2022 lineup in general. It’s the inspirational story of a man who shows up in New York City claiming to be Santa Claus - and it’s our first-ever bona fide Hollywood classic, not to mention the oldest movie we’ve done yet, and it couldn’t be a better way to end the year. Happy Holidays!

Intro song: SiIvaGunner - Bubbly Clouds (OST Version)

Outro song: Sesame Street Cast - Keep Christmas With You

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/miracle-on-34th-street (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Plus, a list of movies that would be fun to remake with Disney characters, which I made while recording the episode: https://letterboxd.com/fragglevision/list/movies-that-would-be-fun-to-remake-with-disney/

The Miracle on 34th Street episode was gonna be out for this weekend, but last-minute availability problems prevented that from happening. Rest assured, the episode will be out sometime after Christmas, along with two special bonus mini-episodes (one of which is our second annual roundtable; the other will be a bit of a surprise). In the meantime, and in belated celebration of this beloved holiday movie’s 30th anniversary, here is last year’s commentary for The Muppet Christmas Carol, featuring special guest Citizen HAL! You’re gonna love it, I guarantee!

(Also we just may do a redux commentary for this one sometime in the next few years for the complete version of this movie with When Love is Gone reinstated… just keep an eye out.)

Intro song: Muppet Christmas Carol Soundtrack - Overture

Outro song: Sesame Street Cast - We Wish You A Merry Christmas (Reprise)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-muppet-christmas-carol (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

The third entry in our 2022 Holiday Moviethon is a brave tale of two fathers duking it out to find the same sought-after toy for their kids during the last-minute gift rush. In the 26 years since its release, it’s become highly prophetic in regards to Black Friday rushes and the like. But does the rest of it hold up? And what other strange topics will our conversations veer towards? Find out when we watch Jingle All the Way!

Intro song: SiIvaGunner - Title Theme (Jeopardy on Genesis)

Outro song: Elise Ecklund and RYANcomedy - If Christmas Songs Were Honest

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/jingle-all-the-way-1 (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

From the director of Roger Rabbit, Back to the Future, Forrest Gump and that terrible Pinnochio movie from earlier this year that doesn’t involve Pauly Shore, comes this delightful motion-capture fantasia about a train bound for the North Pole in a world where everyone has the face of Tom Hanks. While it’s mostly well-liked, the general consensus is that there’s too much filler and the animation is weird. But what do you think?

Intro song: Muppet Race Mania OST - Old London Town

Outro song: SiIvaGunner - Ending (Alpha Mix) (Super Mario Bros. 3)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-polar-express (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

This episode is dedicated to Bob McGrath, whose passing we learned of during recording shortly after it was announced, and Kirstie Alley, whose passing I was notified of during the editing phase.

Our second annual Holiday Moviethon is officially underway, and we’re kicking it off with an out-of-left-field choice: a TV movie based on a popular Disney Channel kidcom from the early ‘10s. Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas is exactly what you’d expect from a made-for-TV holiday comedy, but for those who grew up on Disney Channel’s late 2000s-to-early 2010s output (i.e. me and Andrew), it provides a goldmine of memories. Let’s begin our Christmas celebration with the Duncans!

Intro song: Sesame Street - Christmas Overture

Outro song: SiIvaGunner - Contest Menu (Beta Mix) (Check Mii Out Channel)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/good-luck-charlie-its-christmas (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

This is a super special episode. Not only is it the last non-holiday Watch This of 2022, but it’s our 50th episode AND the one where we finally get a glimpse of the myth, the legend, Dewey Cox. Possibly the greatest biopic parody of all time (besides the recent Weird Al one on Roku), Walk Hard features some banger songs, brilliant satire and a tour de force performance from John C. Reilly, and in case you couldn’t tell I’m quite fond of this guy. Anyway, come for our reactions to the songs and story, stay for our insight on everything else that has nothing to do with it. Let’s Walk Hard!

(Also we’re watching the Unrated Version, which runs for half an hour longer and is generally considered the superior version, so you’re gonna want to find that one if you’re planning on watching it with us.)

Intro song: Towerz x Hi Jude - Something to Cherish

Outro song: SiIvaGunner - 35 Legends

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/walk-hard-the-dewey-cox-story (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

With one episode to go until the big 5-0, and with Thanksgiving and all it entails on the horizon, we’re watching a movie about a family gathering for the holiday in a crappy, bare-bones NYC apartment. A bit like last year’s Thanksgiving selection (Pieces of April), but more dysfunctional and depressing. And while a fictional family is at the center of this story, *our* family has a lot to say about the recent madness regarding Twitter and HBO Max, a “quiz” regarding the lyrics to Imagine by John Lennon, and a movie that shares a name with one of the more notable albums to be covered on Rock of Ages.

Intro song: kainbeats - where light cant reach (ft. Sleepermane)

Outro song: SiIvaGunner - Wi-Fi Plaza: Parade (In-Game Version)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-humans-2021 (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

For the third time now, we’re watching a movie based on a musical in tandem with Rock of Ages doing an episode covering said musical. And for the second of those three times, we’re doing it because Riley was in a local production of said musical. This time around, it’s a movie about doing ABBA karaoke with three guys who might be your dad, and one of them really can’t sing and should have been played by John C. Reilly. Let’s watch Mamma Mia!

Help decide what we should watch for the 50th episode and the first episode of 2023, plus a few other things: https://forms.gle/W34nDeU3STm9nQ9TA

Hear Andrew’s Rock of Ages episode on Mamma Mia here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4b5tCy5W1fS2uSWqE3IfNr?si=lYbsZ1FgT4K5B4zrmZW5eA

Intro song: Pr4ntik - hold on, please

Outro song: Lucas Belinsoni - Way to the sea

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/mamma-mia (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

This past week marked 10 years since the most slept-on modern movie in the Disney canon was first unleashed onto the world. Wreck-It Ralph has everything you could ever ask for in a Disney movie: funny moments, great characters/dynamics, an emotional core, cameos from video game characters, fun in-jokes, John C. Reilly… in other words, pure perfection.

Help decide what we should watch for the 50th episode and the first episode of 2023, plus a few other things: https://forms.gle/W34nDeU3STm9nQ9TA

Intro song: chief. – ashes

Outro song: Topaz Gang - AUTOGRAPH

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/wreck-it-ralph (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

The finale of our 2022 Trilogy of Terror has arrived (a few days late), and it’s a bit more lax than one would expect from a Spooktober selection. While it does include body horror elements, it’s more of a coming-of-age fable about growing up gay and finding solace in fantasy, with a talking hamster voiced by Isabella Rossellini thrown in for good measure. That said, could this commentary for a movie literally filmed in my area be a good omen for my future? It’s too soon to tell. For now, let’s watch Closet Monster! (Also Stephen, if you’re listening to this, we love you and we’d love to chat with you someday.)

Help decide what we should watch for the 50th episode and the first episode of 2023, plus a few other things: https://forms.gle/W34nDeU3STm9nQ9TA

Intro song: Jnmarseille13 - sleepy all day long

Outro song: Justin Jet Zorbas - Brulee

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/closet-monster (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Before anyone asks - yes, the Closet Monster episode hit a roadblock, which has sadly become all too common for Watch This these days. But I was already planning on uploading an encore airing of the Muppets Haunted Mansion episode from this time last year anyway, so to keep you busy until the Closet Monster episode is ready, and just in time for Halloweekend, enjoy a classic Watch This episode where we hear some catchy songs, speculate about Gonzo’s tax fraud, and admit we can’t see Will Arnett in anything without thinking of a certain sad horse on a certain Netflix show, among other things. Happy Halloween!

Intro song: emaycee - Long Nights

Outro song: Vinesauce Joel - Super Ghostbusters (track 1)

Our 2022 Trilogy of Terror continues with the latest offering from another modern horror master: Jordan Peele. While not as steeped in existential dread as Hereditary, Nope is still a fun time that deserves all the attention it’s been getting. Come for the Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Men, stay to hear us flex our film school knowledge and make all the same stupid jokes we’ve always been telling.

Watch Persecution Complex, the short I contributed to, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z49KZKezSa0

Intro song: pr4ntik - Under the blue moon (ft. @Trxxshed)

Outro song: S N U G -  Lustre

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/nope (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

To kick off our first annual Trilogy of Terror, we unleash the wrath of Paimon through Ari Aster’s breakthrough Hereditary (also the first movie we've ever done that was released by A24 - wow!). Easily one of the best horror flicks of the past 20 years, it breaks the rules of the movies that came before it to create something fresh, invigorating and haunting. However, it’s so traumatic (but still a good movie) that we end up making AI-generated paragraphs and short stories to cope. As you do.

Intro song: Fleeky - past

Outro song: Plastic Patina - Fungus

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/hereditary (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

NOTE: At some point in this episode we briefly assured that Angela Lansbury was still alive - in a cruel case of bad timing we happened to record it the DAY before the news broke that she had died. Therefore, this episode is dedicated to her. Also sorry for the delay.

Before we get into our Halloween event, we’re digging into a tale as old as time. That’s right, we’re watching Beauty and the Beast! It made history as the first animated movie to earn a Best Picture nomination from the Oscars and (along with The Little Mermaid from two years prior) reinstated Disney’s place as a force to be reckoned with in the realm of animation. Oh, and it’s seriously an all-time great movie, too. One would say it was perfectly fine without a live action remake... but that's

(Also for the record, we’re watching the Special Edition, which contains an additional song and to the best of my knowledge isn’t on Disney+ as of this episode’s publication. I plan to do a redux of this episode with the “regular” cut sometime in the future.)

Intro song: Living Room x Mell-o - The Night Is Full Of Wonders

Outro song: SiIvaGunner - MOTHER 3 Love Theme (Arr.)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/beauty-and-the-beast-1991 (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

This episode is dedicated to the legendary Olivia Newton-John (1948-2022), whose talent and beauty made this movie even more of a classic than it was already destined to be. This episode is also dedicated to those affected by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian - please help them out if you can.

This week Grease is the word, as we’re watching the apex of the 70s’ infatuation for 50s nostalgia. With its mixture of iconic songs and chaotic energy, it has truly earned its place in the pantheon of great movie musicals. More importantly, this episode's a cause for celebration as we finally welcome a new full-time member into the fray: Melissa! Everyone give her a big hand!

Andrew’s Rock of Ages episode about the Grease soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YvBfVQm54bQtM5v6fV2Fk

Intro song: Kainbeats - One Day

Outro song: SiIvaGunner - Café (Alternate Version) (Animal Crossing: Wild World)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/grease (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

We’re just over a year into the Watch This podcast and what better way to mark this than with our first foray into the world of Paul Thomas Anderson? This movie’s got it all: a lush period setting/look, snappy dialogue, a bangin’ soundtrack, a pair of talented newcomers for lead actors, an unhinged Bradley Cooper, and a very brief cameo from John C. Reilly. Just the right ingredients to make this fabulous Licorice Pizza! Also, apologies to RYANcomedy, whose Kidz Bop video (or, rather, one of a few) I played the entirety of during this episode.

Intro song: Pointy Features x Kanisan x Softy - Nightcall

Outro song: Oatmello - Minimal

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/licorice-pizza (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

What happens when you get the guy who directed Adaptation and Being John Malkovich to helm an adaptation of a beloved children's book? You get this bittersweet fable with a stacked cast and one of the most impressive fusions of full-body puppets and CGI ever crafted. Despite initial complaints that it was too dark for a family film, it’s proven to be a favorite among viewers looking for unorthodox family fare. Let’s watch Where the Wild Things Are!

Intro song: VΛN - love on hold

Outro song: Cassidy Godwin - Home

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/where-the-wild-things-are (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

So it’s come to this. I didn’t even think we’d be doing Morbius this early in the game, but Nick picked it for his first birthday episode (a bit late). Anyway, four months of Morbius jokes and memes on Watch This (and even spilling into Rock of Ages) have led up to this moment of crazy Morbin’ action. Long live the #MorbiusSweep.

Intro song: Spencer Hunt -  dreamscape

Outro song: Trent Ivor. - moths and their love for street lamps (w/ jüle.)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/morbius (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

In the Heights is the musical that propelled Lin-Manuel Miranda to the Broadway elites. Just over a decade later, it became this movie. It’s our last show before our first planned hiatus, and it’s a fitting temporary sendoff, filled with boos, Dall-e shenanigans, and all-around general camaraderie - with all four of us for once. See you in September!

Intro song: Ambulo - Serene

Outro song: HOME - Atlas

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/in-the-heights (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Everything is Awesome! This week we’re watching The LEGO Movie, which has got to be one of the most potent combinations of visual creativity, hilarity and genuine heart in all of 21st century animation. It also set the stage for other stylized animated films like Into the Spider-Verse and The Mitchells vs. the Machines - both of which, surprise surprise, Phil Lord and Chris Miller also had a hand in. But does it hold up in 2022? Of course it does.

Intro song: through & through - every summer

Outro song: GentleBeatz - Playground

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/lego-the-piece-of-resistance (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

It’s Andrew’s first birthday episode and his gift to the Watch This crew is the first entry in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series. This slice of life middle school movie was mostly dismissed by critics but has gradually become a cult classic, fondly remembered by the Millennial and Gen Z crowds (ourselves included). And we hope you get some mileage out of it too. Zoo-Wee Mama!

Intro song: Dr. Dundiff - Through the Woods

Outro song: HOME - Flood

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Sorry for the delay… to paraphrase Gabe Newell, after several weeks in development, we hope this episode was worth the wait.

This week we get acquainted with French auteur Jacques Audiard, one of the best and most eclectic filmmakers you’ve probably never heard of. He won the Palme D’or, the highest prize at Cannes, with this masterful portrait of three Sri Lankans escaping war by posing as a family. Fire-forged family - just the kind of thing we enjoy! Because deep down, we ARE one. Anyway, enjoy our commentary for Dheepan! (And watch it go completely off the rails as per usual.)

Intro song: Ellr - Azure

Outro song: Jnmarseille13 - sleepy all day long

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/dheepan (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Note: Apologies for there not being a "real" episode this week, due to an unforeseen personal event (i.e. testing positive for COVID) and the absence of key WT personnel on the desired recording dates, our commentary for Dheepan has been delayed to sometime after next weekend (i.e. Monday or a bit later). In the meantime, I had this special bonus episode recorded last week, before getting sick, and decided "Why not bring it out now?" So here it is.

So recently my buddy Andrew’s podcast Rock of Ages did an episode on Beastie Boys’ seminal album Paul’s Boutique and it inspired me to do a mini-episode on their Fight For Your Right Revisited music video. Picking up where their debut video left off, the Beasties (here consisting of Seth Rogen, Danny McBride, and Elijah Wood) set off on a destruction spree. Hilarity ensues - and we’re here to witness every second of it.

Intro music: utsush - i guess it's ok

Outro music: SiIvaGunner - A Proper Story (Bastion)

Watch Fight For Your Right Revisited here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evA-R9OS-Vo

And hear Rock of Ages' episode on Paul's Boutique: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nDyo7wwpHNMnz23HyBFsD

After last week we can only go up, and we’re certainly doing that this week. The Favourite comes to us from acclaimed director Yorgos Lanthimos and features a trio of talented ladies - all of whom have won Oscars, one of which was for this very movie. It’s also a smartly-written and beautifully-shot movie, but will we spend more time thinking about other things? Find out here!

Intro song: downstate - i n ` y o u r . b l o o d

Outro song: Bertholet, Sebastian Kamae & Casiio - Cabernet

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-favourite (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

We’re watching a movie that seems to emphasize quantity over quality, with a stacked cast muddling through an improvised script. But we’re more interested in the more important matters, such as facts about classical composers, the Important Videos playlist, and all things Jeff Goldblum. In other words, a typical Watch This episode.

Intro song: RUDE - Awake

Outro song: H E R B - I eat Plants for a living

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/perfume (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Hey you guys! We’re dialing it back to the 80s this week with an iconic family adventure. The Goonies is an integral part of the “larger-than-life 80s stories involving kids/preteens” genre that also includes ET and The Neverending Story, and has some top notch talent in front of and behind the camera, including a young Waymond Wang. But will it resonate with today’s crowd of cinephiles? Let’s find out!

Intro song: Dreama - Shoreline

Outro song: mr.neab & Idepen - Express

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-goonies (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Riley got to pick this movie in honor of her (late) birthday, and boy is it a doozy. It comes to us from the Wachowskis, perhaps best known for creating The Matrix franchise, and features Mila Kunis saving the world from a guy who CREATES LIFE… and destroys it. It’s pretty weird, but it’s an enjoyable mess. Let’s watch Jupiter Ascending!

Intro song: Lemonah - Cosmic Blanket

Outro song: [VTMN-R] - Firstborn

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/jupiter-ascending (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

We’re watching an animated flick from Dreamworks about a supervillain’s existential crisis. It’s a lot better than it sounds. Anyway, Megamind rewrites the rules of the works that came before it - plus it has a top-notch voice cast and graced the world with several memes. So yeah, it’s great! And engaging! And a subversive masterpiece! It’s Megamind!

Intro song: cameragrammar - Netflix and Chillwave

Outro song: downstate - i n ` y o u r . b l o o d

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/megamind (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

This week we're watching Katie Mitchell’s favorite movie, Portrait of a Lady on Fire! It’s a very well-liked French lesbian period movie that won an award from Cannes and quickly became a favorite among film kids. But will we like it? What would it be like if it had a different director? Will we stop making Morbius jokes? Find out the answers to all of these questions here!

Intro song: HOME - Before the Night

Outro song: alex - i wasnt aloud to watch whose line as a kid but i think its pretty good now

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/portrait-of-a-lady-on-fire (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

This week we’re watching the low-budget teen indie comedy that charmed the world in the halcyon days of 2004. It also happens to be set in that year, even though you wouldn’t be able to tell that since it looks stuck in the past. And yet we’ve got a lot to say about movies from the future, including the newest from Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig, and the Avatar franchise - and riff on the dumbest Turning Red hot take of all time.

(Also, we mention the possibility of John C. Reilly being one of the many, MANY stars of Oppenheimer, and while that may not happen, I found out after recording that he’ll be in the Cannes-bound The Stars at Noon along with actual Oppenheimer star Benny Safdie!)

Intro song: Bertholet, Sebastian Kamae & Casiio - Cabernet

Outro song: kreatorr - Changes

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/napoleon-dynamite (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Another universally beloved, award-winning modern animated classic from the last five years is in our sights as we watch the movie that gave us such hits as “Surface Pressure”, “Dos Oruguitas”, and of course “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, which defied the odds and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for several glorious weeks. But will we spend more time talking about Morbius and Jared Leto than the movie itself? The answer is yes.

Intro song: James - KOI POND

Outro song: Pryda - Shadows (Øfdream Vision)

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/encanto (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

It’s the SUPER SPECIAL Episode 25 and what better movie to mark the milestone with than Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse? It shook the animation world to its core, won dozens of awards, and proved that you shouldn’t judge a studio by the mediocre or outright terrible movies that make up its cover. (Oh, and Sony Animation also made The Mitchells Vs. the Machines a few short years later, proving that this wasn’t just a fluke.) Let’s go Into the Spider-Verse!

And don’t forget to join the Watch This subreddit to catch up with new episodes and engage in more movie meme fun! https://www.reddit.com/r/WatchThisThePodcast/

Intro song: Topaz Gang - AUTOGRAPH

Outro song: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - 2 Many Spidermen

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/spider-man-into-the-spider-verse (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

Check out our brand new subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/WatchThisThePodcast/

The Spider-Verse episode is gonna wait a little while longer, but for now we’re looking at a tie-in short starring Spider-Ham, one of the alternate Spideys, in a Looney Tunes-esque adventure. It ain’t much, but it’ll tide us over until the Spider-Verse episode is ready at least. And hey, you can’t go wrong with all of the main Watch This in our element, even if it is just a quickie episode. It’s Caught in a Ham!

Intro music: Topaz Gang - Autograph

Outro music: SiIvaGunner - Sneakman (Beta Mix)

Watch Caught in a Ham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY15_rcd-IQ

This week we’re delving into another tale of fathers and sons - albeit one heavily informed by Dungeons and Dragons, and featuring two elf brothers played by Chris “Mario” Pratt and Tom “Spida Boy” Holland attempting to temporarily resurrect their dead father. Onward may be one of Pixar’s more mid movies, but that doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable in its own way. Discussions of April Fools pranks, classic YouTube Poops and the Will Smith slap, among other things, are also on the menu here, so buckle up!

Intro song: jinsang - smile from u

Outro song: a l e x - the burn marks on my epiano wont go away

Where to watch the movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/onward-2020 (if not in the U.S. then set “Streaming in” to whatever country you’re in)

There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.

-Leonard Cohen, "Anthem"

On January 29, nearly ten months after the release of this episode, our guest star Chris, along with his friend Patrick, were killed in a freak car accident that also badly wounded Patrick's brother James, aka YouTuber Schaffrillas Productions. Chris was a great guy with a wicked sense of humor, and his presence shone not just in this episode, or the three Rock of Ages episodes he guest starred on, but in all of his videos with Schaffrillas and otherwise. I speak on behalf of the entire Rock of Ages and Watch This gang when I say he will be sorely missed, and forever in our hearts.

Chris from Schaffrillas Productions joins us for the most baffling Watch This episode yet. It’s our first dive into the realm of mockbusters, via a Brazilian Ratatouille clone featuring a whole bunch of Yu-Gi-Oh voice actors and a weird orgy-type scene. What more can you expect from an April Fools episode of Watch This?

Intro music: Dr. Dundiff - Through the Woods

Outro music: SiIvaGunner - Circus (Afro Mix) - otherwise known as “afro - circus” by VvvvvaVvvvvvr

Watch the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC2dQaqRuBY

Chris’ channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/spacechris7