Skip to main content
The Movie Ladder Podcast

The Movie Ladder Podcast

By Zach Brooks and Brendan Fitzpatrick

Weekly movie podcast where we climb the rungs of cinematic connections. Each week Brendan and Zach watch a movie that is somehow connected to the movie we watched the previous week. We discuss the movie, take listener feedback, discuss connections to previous movies and end the episode by picking our next movie based on suggestions sent in by the listeners and brought by your hosts.

We've covered 150+ movies over the last few years and look forward to many more.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Castbox Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (Colorful Criminal Aliases)

The Movie Ladder PodcastJan 20, 2020

00:00
01:10:25
Pleasantville (Splash of Color)
Mar 26, 202401:39:59
Barbie with LaTonya Starks (Oz-cars Women)

Barbie with LaTonya Starks (Oz-cars Women)

Brendan and Zach are joined by LaTonya Starks (@lkstarks) to discuss another 2023 Best Picture nominee in BARBIE. We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback and decide the suggestion for the next movie rung in the Ladder. The next movie discussion begins at 1:36:47. So (re)watch the film (currently streaming on Max) and listen along to the discussion. Then stay tuned to hear what connected film we pick for next week. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections for next week’s movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.

You can hear LaTonya's American Fiction podcast on Post Show recaps.

And check out Greta Gerwig's official Barbie Watchlist here.

You can find the podcast on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie)

Check out our Watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find each of us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza). 

And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2024!

Mar 21, 202402:05:34
Poor Things with LaTonya Starks (Marking the Human Brain)

Poor Things with LaTonya Starks (Marking the Human Brain)

Brendan and Zach are joined by LaTonya Starks (@lkstarks) to discuss 2023 Best Picture nominee POOR THINGS. We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback and decide the suggestion for the next movie rung in the Ladder. The next movie discussion begins at 1:44:37. So (re)watch the film (currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+) and listen along to the discussion. Then stay tuned to hear what connected film we pick for next week. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections for next week’s movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.

You can hear LaTonya's American Fiction podcast on Post Show recaps.

And you can read the Vulture Poor Things review we referenced here.

You can find the podcast on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie)

Check out our Watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find each of us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza). 

And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2024!

Mar 13, 202402:11:09
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with Meaghan Thee Librarian (Kate’s Crumbling House)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with Meaghan Thee Librarian (Kate’s Crumbling House)

Brendan and Zach are joined by Meaghan Thee Librarian (@meaghan) to recall ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback and decide the suggestion for the next movie rung in the Ladder. The next movie discussion begins at 1:26:45. So (re)watch the film (currently streaming on Peacock) and listen along to the discussion. Then stay tuned to hear what connected film we pick for next week. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections for next week’s movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.

You can find the podcast on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie)

Check out our Watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find each of us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza). 

Join Brendan's Oscars pool with us.

Mar 06, 202401:56:30
Revolutionary Road with Meaghan Thee Librarian (Leonardo DeSpicable)

Revolutionary Road with Meaghan Thee Librarian (Leonardo DeSpicable)

Brendan and Zach are joined for the 15th time by Fan Favourite Meaghan Thee Librarian (⁠⁠@meaghan⁠⁠) to discuss REVOLUTIONARY ROAD. We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback and decide the suggestion for the next movie rung in the Ladder. The next movie discussion begins at 1:31:30. So (re)watch the film (currently streaming on HBOMax) and listen along to the discussion. Then stay tuned to hear what connected film we pick for next week. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections for next week’s movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.

You can find the podcast on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie)

Check out our Watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find each of us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and@brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and@brooksza). 

⁠⁠Join Brendan's Oscars pool with us.⁠⁠

And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2024!

Mar 01, 202402:09:00
The Wolf of Wall Street with Meaghan Thee Librarian (Breaking The 4th Wall Street)

The Wolf of Wall Street with Meaghan Thee Librarian (Breaking The 4th Wall Street)

Brendan and Zach are joined by Fan Favourite Meaghan Thee Librarian (@meaghan) to discuss THE WOLF OF WALL STREET. We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback and decide the suggestion for the next movie rung in the Ladder. The next movie discussion begins at 1:36:31. So (re)watch the film (currently streaming on Paramount+) and listen along to the discussion. Then stay tuned to hear what connected film we pick for next week. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections for next week’s movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.

You can find the podcast on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie)

Check out our Watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find each of us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza). 

Join Brendan's Oscars pool with us.

And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2024!

Feb 22, 202402:16:45
The Big Short with Grace Leeder (The Little Guys)

The Big Short with Grace Leeder (The Little Guys)

Brendan and Zach are joined by Grace Leeder (@hifromgrace on Twitter and @goforgrace on Letterboxd) discuss THE BIG SHORT. We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback and decide the suggestion for the next movie rung in the Ladder. The next movie discussion begins at 1:39:40. So (re)watch the film (currently streaming on Hoopla) and listen along to the discussion. Then stay tuned to hear what connected film we pick for next week. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections for next week’s movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.

You can find the podcast on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie)

Check out our Watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find each of us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza). 

Join Brendan's Oscars pool with us.

And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2024!

Feb 14, 202402:14:56
The Other Guys with Michael J. Clark (Come With Guys)

The Other Guys with Michael J. Clark (Come With Guys)

Brendan and Zach are joined by another guy Michael J. Clark (@mjcszn and @mjclark320 on Letterboxd) to discuss THE OTHER GUYS. We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback and decide the suggestion for the next movie rung in the Ladder. The next movie discussion begins at 1:12:33. So (re)watch the film (currently streaming on Netflix) and listen along to the discussion. Then stay tuned to hear what connected film we pick for next week. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections for next week’s movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.

You can find the podcast on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie)

Check out our Watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find each of us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza). 

And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2024!

Feb 07, 202401:38:19
The Nice Guys (LA Nose-oir)
Jan 31, 202401:30:50
Chinatown (LA No-War)
Jan 24, 202401:26:18
Devil In A Blue Dress (Easy, My Man)
Jan 18, 202401:25:01
American Gangster with Meaghan Thee Librarian (Frankly Criminal)

American Gangster with Meaghan Thee Librarian (Frankly Criminal)

Meaghan Thee Librarian (@meaghan) joins Brendan and Zach to discuss AMERICAN GANGSTER. We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback and decide the suggestion for the next movie rung in the Ladder. The next movie discussion begins at 1:20:40. So (re)watch the film (currently streaming on HBOMax) and listen along to the discussion. Then stay tuned to hear what connected film we pick for next week. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections for next week’s movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.

You can find the podcast on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie)

Check out our Watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find each of us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza). 

And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2024!

Jan 11, 202401:48:05
The Departed (Shipping Leo) - Season 5 Premiere with Meaghan Thee Librarian
Jan 04, 202401:51:16
One Last Thing (Season 4 Wrap Up)
Jan 01, 202441:29
Titanic with Alex Chester and Meaghan Thee Librarian (Coast to Coast Romance with Victor Garber)

Titanic with Alex Chester and Meaghan Thee Librarian (Coast to Coast Romance with Victor Garber)

Our season 4 finale is our biggest episode yet. Alex Chester (@achester99 on Twitter and Letterboxd) and Meaghan Thee Librarian (@meaghan on Letterboxd) join Brendan and Zach to discuss TITANIC. We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback and decide the suggestion for the next movie rung in the Ladder. The next movie discussion begins at 1:36:18. So (re)watch the film (currently streaming on Paramount+) and listen along to the discussion. Then stay tuned to hear what connected film we pick for next week. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections for next week’s movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.

You can find the podcast on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie)

Check out our Watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find each of us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza). 

And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2024!


Note: Apologizes for some bad audio. Zach had the wrong mic selected for the whole episode. What a dope.

Dec 28, 202302:02:42
The Night Before (Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good Podcast CROSSPOST)

The Night Before (Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good Podcast CROSSPOST)

As a special Jewish Christmas present, we're giving you a bonus crosspost podcast of Zach's January 2023 appearance on Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good/Pretty Good Friends to talk about the Christmas classic THE NIGHT BEFORE.


You can stream THE NIGHT BEFORE on Tubi or for streaming rental and you should watch it. Enjoy the bonus episode and we'll see you next week!

Dec 22, 202302:01:36
Drafting the 2024 Library Ladder Challenge Categories with Meaghan Thee Librarian

Drafting the 2024 Library Ladder Challenge Categories with Meaghan Thee Librarian

Ahead of the new year, Meaghan Thee Librarian joined us to draft the 27 categories for the 2024 Library Ladder Challenge. This twice-monthly movie challenge will kick off at the beginning of next year and run through 2024.


You can view the categories for 2023 here, and be on the lookout for the 2024 list on Meaghan's Letterboxd profile (@meaghan). Join us for the challenge and keep us posted how it's going!

Dec 20, 202353:24
Sleepless in Seattle with Meaghan Thee Librarian (Sleepless All The Way)
Dec 20, 202302:07:40
Jingle All The Way (Sleigh Arnold)
Dec 12, 202301:37:07
The Running Man (Running with Kotto)
Dec 06, 202301:26:34
Midnight Run (Several Planes, Trains and Automobiles)
Nov 29, 202301:31:22
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (There's No Place Like Home)
Nov 22, 202301:29:52
The Wizard of Oz (Dancing with the Scarecrow)
Nov 16, 202301:43:30
Pearl (My Name is Pearl)
Nov 08, 202301:12:02
The Night of the Hunter (Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing)
Oct 31, 202301:26:11
There Will Be Blood (New Country...)
Oct 25, 202301:50:57
No Country for Old Men (Kill L’s)
Oct 19, 202302:02:00
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (Double Bill)
Oct 13, 202301:26:19
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (“Die like a Samurai”)
Oct 09, 202301:32:55
Rashomon (From a Certain Point of View)
Oct 04, 202301:35:06
Vantage Point (Pointless)
Sep 27, 202301:21:38
Boiling Point (Oui, Chef!)
Sep 19, 202301:25:29
Ratatouille with Shut Up Tim (Holm Cooking)
Sep 13, 202302:14:30
Big Night (When You're Here, You're Family)
Sep 06, 202301:13:46
Krisha (It's a Family Affair)
Aug 29, 202301:31:18
Rachel Getting Married with Aaron and Abby [who are getting married] (Anne Half-Way)
Aug 23, 202302:00:03
Silver Linings Playbook with John Gilpatrick (David O Ladder Rung)
Aug 10, 202301:41:45
American Hustle (American Bales)
Aug 02, 202301:28:07
American Psycho (I'm Bateman)
Jul 26, 202301:44:13
Batman Begins with Kevin Mahadeo (Christopher Nolan's Knightmare)
Jul 20, 202302:13:37
Inception with Jason Reed (JGL Plays with Time)
Jul 12, 202301:47:10
Looper (A Willis in Time)
Jul 05, 202301:29:35
12 Monkeys with AJ Mass (A Phone Call Through Time)

12 Monkeys with AJ Mass (A Phone Call Through Time)

Brendan and Zach are joined by AJ Mass (@AJMass) to discuss 12 MONKEYS. We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback and decide the suggestion for the next movie rung in the Ladder. The next movie discussion begins at 1:17:08. So (re)watch the film (currently available on streaming rental) and listen along to the discussion. Then stay tuned to hear what connected film we pick for next week. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections for next week’s movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.

You can find the podcast on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie)

Check out our Watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find each of us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza). 

And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2023!

Jun 28, 202301:39:45
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (Woahing Back In Time)
Jun 21, 202301:56:52
Midnight in Paris (When the Clock Strikes)
Jun 13, 202301:32:40
Hugo with Meaghan Thee Librarian (“I feel just like Jean Valjean")
Jun 06, 202301:51:54
Les Misérables (The Jack in the Hat)
May 31, 202301:55:16
The Prestige with Meaghan Thee Librarian (The Magic Box)
May 25, 202302:01:06
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (Inventing Fabrications)
May 17, 202301:28:57
Shattered Glass (Fact & Fiction in DC)
May 09, 202301:28:08