178: AFI #96 - DO THE RIGHT THING

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Next up on our AFI countdown is Spike Lee's seminal work, DO THE RIGHT THING. It's no secret that Oscar and I are big fans of this universally acclaimed film. But we do our best during the conversation to put the film into a historical context as opposed to a social one. It has always been a film to inspire controversy and conversation and we touch on both while also giving due credit to the exceptional ensemble cast, many of whom are doing career-best work here.

"I got it. I'm gone."

176: AFI #97 - BLADE RUNNER

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We're back to our old AFI Top 100 Challenge tricks with a lengthy discussion about a science fiction masterpiece as misunderstood as it is influential.
There will be:
-Navel gazing
-Robot alcoholism
-Cyberpunk signifiers
-Industrial fans (not to be confused with fans of industry)
-Frank Lloyd Wright fetishism
It's too bad this podcast won't last. But then again, what does?

171: AFI #99 - TOY STORY

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WLM's newest feature, The AFI Top 100 Challenge presses on and this week we discuss the 20 year old animated classic, buddy comedy TOY STORY which takes the number 99 spot on the countdown.
There will be:
-Insult comics
-FULL METAL JACKET references
-Randy Newman singing about stuff he sees
-Tom Hanks throat-acting
-Jim Varney
To infinity and beyond, am I right?
I'll see myself out...

170: AFI #100 - BEN-HUR

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The AFI Top 100 Challenge is off to a rousing start with William Wyler's 4 hour monstrosity BEN-HUR.
To say this is an epic of biblical proportions would be an obtuse observation. But that doesn't make it not true. 
There will be:
-Crucifixions
-Leper colonies
-Miracles
-Feats of strength
-Falling rooftop shingles
-and that chariot race...
I couldn't imagine a better film to start us off. It's gonna be a fun ride. 

169: AFI Top 100 Challenge - Mission Statement

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Nearly 4 years ago we conceived of a new feature of the We Like Movies blog: A 100-installment challenge dedicated to the American Film Institute's controversial "best" list. But the challenge proved to be too much for our fledgling website and the feature was abandoned after only 4 films. 
But tonight, re-born and inspired by our recent WLM facelift, we submit to you the introduction to the definitive attempt at the AFI Top 100 Challenge! Our "spinoff" series begins here with an explanation of our intent and a delivery of the mission statement.
Join us as we journey from BEN-HUR to CITIZEN KANE and every film in between.
Viva la cinema! 

167: Top 10 of 2015 Lists (plus THE REVENANT, ANOMALISA, and the Golden Globes)

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It's official. Oscar and I have finalized our Top 10 of 2015 lists and we defend them to one another over the course of a two and a half hour conversation that represents the longest sustained podcast we've ever recorded.

Fasten your seatbelts. It's gonna be a bumpy night...

No, but seriously... it's a great episode and we sound off about THE REVENANT and ANOMALISA as well... Strap in and get comfortable. This is what it's all about.

166: THE HATEFUL EIGHT[ful] Podcast

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It's a new year.
That means new challenges, new opportunities, and new podcasts.
In this case we present a new podcast about a new Tarantino film.

Not all Tarantino films are created equal. But the one thing they all have in common is they inspire conversation. THE HATEFUL EIGHT is no exception. But before we discuss Tarantino's new western epic we get caught up on THE FORCE AWAKENS backlash talk and Oscar's reactions to CAROL and THE BIG SHORT.

2016 is gonna be a good one for WLM. We're so happy to have you with us.

165: Our 5 Year Anniversary and THE FORCE AWAKENS Celebration

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It's here. It's time. It's happening.

What wonderfully serendipitous timing that our discussion about the newest entry in the Star Wars saga coincides with the 5 year anniversary of this blog.

Join us for a spoiler-heavy celebration of THE FORCE AWAKENS and marvel with us at how quickly 5 years and 165 episodes can fly by.

Here's to many hundreds more.

164: STAR WARS Antiquity

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As we all brace for the end of a decade-long Star Wars fast and properly fortify our emotions (lest we be blindsided they way we all were during the infamous Summer Of '99) it's important that we take stock of the 6 episodes that have led us, for better or for worse, to THE FORCE AWAKENS.

On this week's episode we basically get all of our collective Star Wars baggage out on the table, purge our respective resentments, and look forward to a potential salvation in the form of J.J.'s upcoming opus.

"That boy way our last hope" Kenobi once said (presumably referencing George Lucas).

"No, there is another" Yoda demurred (obviously referring to a certain bespectacled franchise savior).

In less than 48 hours we'll know how this all shakes out...

163: Post Thanksgiving Holiday Catchup

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We're back.

The Bond hangover has subsided and now it's time to get on to more pressing holiday movie season matters. In this 90 minute episode we play serious catchup, pull a proverbial "speed date" and discuss 8 films back to back, culminating with a review of CREED. It's a robust episode, to be sure, but a pacey one, nonetheless. We discuss:

-CAROL
-BROOKLYN
-THE GOOD DINOSAUR
-THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2
-ROOM
-SPOTLIGHT
-TRUMBO
-CREED

Awards season is upon us. Act like you've been here before.

162: The Long-Awaited SPECTRE Pod

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The "Autumn of Bond" comes to an end ends and so begins the " Winter of Our Bond Discontent". 

Join us for a terse conversation about the cruel realities that too often pair with expectation and somberly speculate with us about "what might have been".

We spent 10 episodes discussing 007 and his exploits. Now it's time to put a moratorium on the subject matter for a while and let the man rest, reassess his legacy, and what we can all learn from his SPECTRE misfire.

This should have been a victory lap. Instead it's a wake up call. Let's get into it...

161: The 22nd and 23rd Films of The 007 Countdown

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We made it, folks.

Some said it couldn't be done. Some said it shouldn't be done.
But through vigilance, dedication, and sheer stubborn, geektastic force of will we made it through screenings and discussions of all 23 films in the current 007 canon.
Join us for our last episode where we discuss the 2 greatest films in the series, talk about a few specialty categories we've devised to help wrap up our epic countdown, and even get a little melancholy about what a long, strange trip this challenge has been.

It's a long one. But these 2 films deserve an epic discussion.
Thanks for riding this out with us, dear listeners. Needless to say, it's been quite the Bonding experience.

2. FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
1. CASINO ROYALE

160: The 19th, 20th, and 21st Films of The 007 Countdown (with special guest Dan Kelly!)

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This is a big one, folks.
With only 5 films to discuss before our SPECTRE review we decided to invite friend of the podcast, Bond aficionado, and all around raconteur Daniel Kelly to join us for this week's epic, 100 minute episode. Dan was particularly eloquent during our 45 minute dissection of the series' "quintessential installment". Our reactions might surprise you.
All good things must end. And, unfortunately this amazing journey will, in less than a week. Let's make the most of the time we have left, fellow Bondees.

5. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE
4. THE SPY WHO LOVED ME
3. GOLDFINGER

158: STEVE JOBS and BRIDGE OF SPIES offer a brief respite from Bond talk

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Experiencing 007 Countdown fatigue? If so you'll be happy to hear we're taking the day off from hot Bond talk to spar about Oscar hopefuls STEVE JOBS and BRIDGE OF SPIES.
We might even find a brief window to sound off about what went wrong with a member of the fall's mounting roster of flops- CRIMSON PEAK.

Tune in, turn up, pod-out.
Something like that.

156: The 10th, 11th, and 12th Films of The 007 Countdown AKA The Halfway Point!

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Here we are at the halfway point of our epic James Bond Countdown and on this week's episode we will discuss the following films as we work our way toward the best of the best (at least according to Matt):

14. THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS
13. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
12. OCTOPUSSY

5 episodes to go (including our opening weekend review of SPECTRE) and if you're not craving a martini yet you simply haven't been listening.

155: The 7th, 8th, and 9th Films of The 007 Countdown

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In the interest of time (we're now less than a month away from the US premiere of SPECTRE!) we'll be tripling up on Bond films for the next few episodes. And you know what that means: More Bondy goodness. This week it's all about:

17. THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
16. THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
15. DR. NO

A torrent of Bond triple headers starts.... NOW!