Oh, blessed New Year indeed, that brings together an all-star podcast cast of TheTimMan, Bo Bonner, and myself to review the all-star cast filled The Irishman , Martin Scorsese’s latest triumph. Stay tuned for a once-a-month podcast schedule going forward, and enjoy! As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic , CC BY-SA. Photo fair use from Wikipedia ....
Two podcasts published in one week? Christmas has come early this year! Not for the squeamish, but perhaps not as Tarantino-ish as expected, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is one of the most interesting films of 2019. A love letter to film and friendship, it is a nostalgic (and self-referential) leisurely and vulgar stroll through an alternate history of the Manson Family murders and old Hollywood with stellar performances throughout. We explore the scenes and themes – and stay tuned for my parti...
Just in time for the Avengers: Endgame blu-ray release, and not a moment sooner, I have revived from a movie-talk coma to discuss Avengers: Endgame (and Captain Marvel as a prelude) with the great Bo Bonner of Iowa Catholic Radio. I will soon be back with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, so stay tuned and enjoy! As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic , CC BY-SA. Photo fair use from Wikipedia ....
I’m alive – real life has hurt my ability to watch the movies, but I am still here for you, trust me! Recently, I once again suckered Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr of The Uncommon Good on Iowa Catholic Radio (heard on 1150 AM, 88.5 FM, and 94.5 FM) to have me on. We started with a lengthy discussion on the value and importance of art, why our entertainment culture is preoccupied with remakes and “sequelitis”, and our thoughts on Avengers Endgame and the best movies of the past year. For the conveni...
Professor Bo Bonner makes his long-awaited return to the podcast to discuss the considerable merits of the fantastic new Netflix-produced Western anthology film from the beloved Coen Brothers, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Star-studded and varied, the six stories come together in thematically meaningful ways. To say it is one of the very best films of the year is an understatement – but listen to find out why. As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic , CC BY-S...
TheTimMan triumphantly returns to discuss the thought-provoking, challenging 2008 film Doubt, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Amy Adams. Concerning the relationship between a priest suspected of abuse and the faithful under his care, the film could not be more timely in terms of subject-matter. We delve into the intent of the filmmakers, how the movie plays objectively, and even the comfort the film can give us during these difficult times in the Church. Plus, my wife saw the ...
The Catholic Movie Guy is back with a vengeance discussing two new films that, in their own way, address the good and bad of our modern, social-media infatuated world. Come for my thoughts, stay for the cameo of the Catholic Movie Gal! Also: I will be appearing on Covenant Radio in St. Louis this Friday at 2 pm on their Fall Catholic Radiothon, so please call or give on Friday at 2! Enjoy! As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic , CC BY-SA. Photos fair use fr...
Sorry, ya’ll – Jeff Sessions has kept me real busy lately. But, because it has been a while, I have decided to release an episode from the vault for the masses. Witness the triumphant return of TheTimMan to the podcast discussing one of his (and my) favorite films, the 1990 Whit Stillman masterpiece, Metropolitan . Plus, my wife gives her thoughts. Enjoy! As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic , CC BY-SA. Photo fair use from Wikipedia ....
Sorry for the delay, all – I will be getting to some of the newer summer films next week (including Incredibles 2, which I really liked) with the help of the steadfast Bo Bonner. But this week, with the World Series of Poker taking place as we speak, I am joined on this very special episode by Joe Kenney of Jonose Cigars to discuss poker, life, and the best poker movies of all time. I think there’s much to interest even the non-poker fan in the discussion. Hope you enjoy! As always, intro and ou...
This week I once again suckered Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr of The Uncommon Good on Iowa Catholic Radio (heard on 1150 AM, 88.5 FM, and 94.5 FM) to have me on. We started with a lengthy discussion on the value and importance of art and ended with our thoughts on most of the big movies of 2018. For the convenience of my legions of fans, they have also graciously allowed me to post the entire hour-long show here on my feed. I am planning on being back next week with a new episode covering The Aveng...
On this episode, Bo Bonner (of the Uncommon Good on Iowa Catholic Radio) and I serve up a double feature, discussing Wes Anderson's stop-motion animation adventure, Isle of Dogs, before reviewing the latest MCU entry, Avengers: Infinity War, Part I. Don't worry, spoiler warnings are given where appropriate. As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Movie posters are fair use from Wikipedia.
After a long hiatus, the illustrious Bo Bonner rejoins me to discuss one of the best films of 2018, John Krasinki's A Quiet Place. Co-starring his real life wife Emily Blunt, it is a thoughtful thriller/horror film that transcends the typical genre entry in unique ways. Most of the podcast is spoiler-free, with a warning near the end, so jump in. We also briefly discuss another critical favorite of 2018, The Death of Stalin, starring Steve Buscemi. As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnolog...
It's been a while, but never fear - your Catholic Movie Guy and Professor Bo Bonner have been seeing all the films of 2018 so you don't have to (unless you want to, of course)! In this podcast, Bo and I canvass the notable films of 2018's first three months, including: Black Panther, Paddington 2, Early Man, Death Wish, and Game Night. We conclude with an extended discussion of the merits of writer/director Alex Garland's Annihilation, starring Natalie Portman. Enjoy! As always, intro and outro ...
As the Academy Awards draw closer, Bo and I get together to give our final look-back on the films of 2017. First, we go in-depth on Lady Bird, an Oscar contender and coming-of-age story set largely in a Catholic school; Bo and I had polar-opposite reactions to this one. Then we turn to a review of 2017. And even without consulting beforehand, we both agree on a very surprising pick for the number one spot! Finally, a big thank you is in order to the redoubtable actor Andrew Nowak of the popular ...
Awards season is heating up, and the Catholic Movie Guy Podcast continues apace. This week, I again welcome Bo Bonner of The Uncommon Good on Iowa Catholic Radio to the show to discuss the 2017 Golden Globe Winner of Best Picture (Drama), Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, it stars the great Frances McDormand as a small town mom trying to get big time justice/revenge. The film is brutal, vulgar, touching, and beautiful - not for the fainthearte...
If you were waiting on the Catholic Movie Guy to make up your mind about the new Star Wars, I have some good news, and some bad news. The good news is that I loved it as much as anyone; the bad news is that I hated it as much as everyone. Confused? Listen as Bo Bonner of Iowa Catholic Radio joins me to discuss (with limited nerdiness) the latest (and greatest/worst) Star Wars entry: the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, The Last Jedi. As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jah...
'Tis the season for Christmas movies, so here's a short and sweet one: TheTimMan and I discuss the 1988 Bill Murray take on A Christmas Carol, Scrooged. One of us loves it, one of us hates it, and did my wife like it? Next week, be on the lookout for the long-awaited review of The Last Jedi. Merry Christmas! As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar, Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Pic by gdcgraphics (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.
You know how sometimes politicians will release bad news ahead of the weekend, hoping no one notices? That's this podcast. We have a bit of a lull in the production schedule before The Last Jedi (nerd alert) next week, so to fill your earbuds with content, I'm releasing a lost podcast from the vault: two of the Coen Brothers' comedies, Intolerable Cruelty and The Big Lebowski. Not a lot of in-depth analysis, but much bourbon-fueled mirth to be found. But do check out the article referenced in th...
Last week I was graciously invited on The Uncommon Good show on Iowa Catholic Radio (heard on 1150 AM, 88.5 FM, and 94.5 FM) with Dr. Bud Marr and Bo Bonner to discuss the movies of Fall 2017. For the convenience of my legions of fans, they have also graciously allowed me to post the entire hour-long show here on my feed. We canvassed many of the movies of Fall 2017, including: Blade Runner 2049, Thor, Justice League, Wonder and more. Listen so you can make an informed decision as to which to dr...
Hey there movie-people! Today I'm joined by first-time guest Charlie Backer: entrepreneur, musician, and horror aficionado. With only a few days until All Hallow's Eve, we discuss a Catholic perspective on the horror genre. Why is it acceptable (and good, even?) for a conscientious person to watch a horror flick? Plus, we give a run-down of our favorite preternatural-focused scary movies for your viewing discomfort. As referenced on the podcast, here are some of my favorite articles on the subje...
Hey there, fellow humans! Our old friend, Professor Bo Bonner, joins me to discuss the visually stunning and morally interesting sequel, Blade Runner 2049. Directed by the great Denis Villeneuve, the current title-holder for "Most Pro-Life Movie Director," the film is long, sprawling, bleak, hopeful, and riveting. Despite the film being a relative dud at the box office, it should be on the short list of best films of the year. Also: perhaps the film contains an example of the non-gratuitous use ...
With the threat of nuclear war a daily news story, you may want to kick your feet up and drink yourself into a coma. But that's no way to live! So, instead, get into the trenches with TheTimMan and me - this week we discuss two acclaimed war films, the 2006 Clint Eastwood-directed companion pieces, Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima. We find both films outpace the typical war film, for different reasons, and Letters from Iwo Jima belongs in any discussion of the best war films ever m...
Here it is, the most highly anticipated sequel since whatever the latest Star Wars movie was - the second half of our Godfather discussion, focusing on the equally great (or greater) film, The Godfather Part II (1974). I (correctly) favor Part II, while TheTimMan prefers the easy-pleaser that is Part I. My wife casts the deciding vote. We discuss the melancholic younger brother (no wonder I like it!) at length, including Al Pacino's incredible performance and some of the Catholic background envi...
Hey there, faithful listener - long time, no see (or hear)! The reasons for the relatively lengthy layoff are nothing compared to the payoff: thetimman and I discuss - at length - a movie that needs no introduction, the absolute masterpiece, the stone-cold classic, The Godfather Part I. We examine everything from Tim's Brando impersonation to what the movie has to say about the pre-Vatican II Church, and even learn whether or not my wife liked it. It got so long, in fact, that we had to push the...
This week I was graciously invited on The Uncommon Good show on Iowa Catholic Radio (heard on 1150 AM, 88.5 FM, and 94.5 FM) with Dr. Bud Marr and Bo Bonner to discuss the movies of Summer 2017. For the convenience of my legions of fans, they have also graciously allowed me to post the entire hour-long show here on my feed. We canvassed many of the movies of Summer 2017, including: Dunkirk, Baby Driver, War for the Planet of the Apes, Cars 3, Despicable Me 3, Wonder Woman, and Spider-Man: Homeco...
Howdy podcast peoples! This week TheTimMan and I actually discuss a new release: the high-octane film Baby Driver, the latest film from Edgar Wright of Cornetto Trilogy fame. Not to be confused with the chauffeur for The Boss Baby, this awesome heist flick is many things: a genre movie, a thrill ride (see what I did there), a thoughtful piece on young love, a karmic justice dispenser, and an extended music video. As Bill Simmons has said, "I'm giving it 24 out of 10 stars." But who cares about t...
Ah, the dreaded musical! Following a long layoff, the podcast returns from the depths of technical difficulties. First, I briefly discuss a very interesting new book by Joe Jordan about Robert Wise, legendary Hollywood director, called Robert Wise: The Motion Pictures. Then the Master Bo Bonner and I squabble over the merits of Wise's classic musical, The Sound of Music, with an eye toward His Excellency Bishop Williamson's famous letter. The hills are again alive with the sound of podcasting. E...
As you head into the weekend, what would be better than relaxing and meditating on code, honor, and loyalty with our podcast on 1992's A Few Good Men? Some might say this would have been more appropriate for LAST weekend, being Memorial Day and all, but those people have unrealistically high standards for an ad hoc operation like the Catholic Movie Guy Podcast. Long a source of disagreement between myself and theTimMan, we present our cases on the pod: he attempts to nail the movie for high crim...
And we're back! It's been too long, as life and personal misfortune intruded on my bodcasting. But here we are with a special Emergency Podcast - Tim Saw a Sports Movie/new entry in our Best of 2015 Series, the Rocky sequel, Creed. We examine why I think the movie is a superlative sports movie, and why Tim thinks the fact that its a sports movie means it can't be superlative. Plus, we discuss some low key Catholic themes underlying the movie. Enjoy, or, at least, download! As always, intro and o...
This week, I return with a mirthful TimMan to discuss one of our absolute favorites, the Coen Brothers' 2010 masterpiece True Grit. Our conversation views the film from a theological perspective: all is grace (within the movie, anyway). Those coming for a comparison to the John Wayne original will be left wanting. But those looking for reasons why the remake is a masterpiece - fully deserving of its 10 Academy Award nominations and its spot as the CMG's favorite Western of all time - will not be...
