In the heart of the Disney Renaissance, the studio that had already back-to-back box office smashes (and Academy Award winners) in Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin unleashed its 32nd animated feature. The Lion King pounced into theaters in the summer of 1994, becoming the highest-grossing animated film ever at the time of its release and spawning a cultural phenomenon. This episode, Danielle Solzman of Solzy at the Movies joins us to discuss the film on its 25th anniversary. Of course, we'll als...
Oct 15, 2019•51 min
Earlier this year, we celebrated our 100th episode by delving into a lengthy two-part discussion about The Matrix . While the Wachowskis' 1999 classic marked a seismic shift for the world of cinema, the filmmakers behind Neo's story have certainly lived up to the narrative and visual ambition of their breakthrough. Case in point, expect to see more coverage on Lilly and Lana Wachowski's filmography in the months ahead, including a look at The Matrix sequels themselves. However, this week, Stephe...
Oct 08, 2019•1 hr 26 min
One year ago, the fate of the Crooked Table Podcast was uncertain. Trapped at a creative crossroads , the show was put on what turned out to be a temporary hiatus until it could be refocused to its current premise, in which we "democratize the film criticism conversation." Once that concept was nailed down, Rob unveiled it just in time for International Podcast Day 2019 . Now, with the return of this annual celebration of the podcasting medium (Happy International Podcast Day, all!), Rob is back...
Sep 30, 2019•35 min
In the fifth installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, we turn our attention to what is arguably the most popular film in the series: director Irvin Kershner's 1980 release The Empire Strikes Back. After the phenomenon that was the original Star Wars, fans hoped the follow-up would expand the world and continue the story in a meaningful way. What they got was one of the best sequels ever made. Candace Kaw of Geeky Girl Gab joins us to discuss why the film has endures, what makes it...
Sep 23, 2019•1 hr 18 min
The holiday season is still a few months away, but we're definitely not above breaking out the tinsel and candy canes a bit earlier than usual. Last year, we released our White Christmas episode perfectly timed to Christmas Eve, but this time around, we're taking a closer look at the 1945 release Christmas in Connecticut starring Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan and Sydney Greenstreet. Lori London , author of the Tripi the Fly children's book series , joins us to discuss the holiday-set romantic ...
Sep 16, 2019•1 hr 11 min
A year after helping us break down our favorite movies of 1998 , Kai Yaniz of BeBold-BeBrave.com returns to take aim at one of the most important years in cinema: 1999. Twenty years ago, so many bold, risk-taking movies hit the big screen, and while we may not necessarily be fans of all those iconic releases, this milestone felt like a great opportunity to pay tribute to what many have considered one of the finest years at the theater. If you've been listening to our recent episodes, then you kn...
Sep 09, 2019•1 hr 45 min
In our first-ever Crooked Takeover, we extend our time with Justin Beck of the Ditsy Comic Podcast . Whereas last week Justin showed up on the Crooked Table Podcast to discuss 1997 sci-fi comedy Men in Black , this episode sees Rob pay a visit to the Ditsy Comic Podcast. Listen in as Justin and Rob discuss the origins of Crooked Table, play silly games and test Rob's ability to pull off a convincing Arnold Schwarzenegger impression (jury's still out?). At least he manages to land on one characte...
Sep 02, 2019•37 min
More than 20 years ago, Men in Black cemented Will Smith's status as an A-list star. Moreover, director Barry Sonnenfeld's film kicked off a franchise that has been, creatively and financially, much like a starship crashlanding into a farm. Now, with the recent failure of Men in Black International in our wake, we take a closer look at what made that original film such a classic and explore why its follow-ups struggle to reach the same heights. Justin Beck of the Ditsy Comic Podcast joins the sh...
Aug 27, 2019•56 min
In the fourth installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, we turn to the film that first introduced the world to the "galaxy far, far away." When Star Wars — excuse us, Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope — hit theaters in 1977, it cemented the concept of the summer blockbuster and has inspired generations of fans and filmmakers alike. Kim Stock Foster joins us to discuss the film's enduring legacy as well her experience seeing George Lucas' vision on the big screen during its initial...
Aug 20, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Rule-breakers unite! This week, we're going to be talking lots and lots of Fight Club. Director David Fincher's 1999 film didn't exactly set the world on fire during its theatrical run but has emerged as one of that year's most-talked-about releases ever since. Featuring Edward Norton as the unnamed narrator, Brad Pitt as the wily Tyler Durden and Helena Bonham Carter as the woman who gets between them, this adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's novel is both darkly hilarious and harrowing in equal me...
Aug 12, 2019•1 hr 11 min
Can't get a res at Dorsia? Well, you can always settle in with our analysis of director Mary Harron's killer satire American Psycho. Based on the 1991 Bret Easton Ellis novel, the film stars Christian Bale in his breakthrough role as investment banker Patrick Bateman, whose career amidst the excess of the late 1980s may have pushed him to engage in a murderous rampage. Bianca Garner — aka The Film Bee — of Filmotomy joins the show to discuss how the 2000 release brings a distinctive perspective ...
Aug 05, 2019•1 hr 10 min
Nowadays, Peter Dinklage may be known as the wily, heavy-drinking Tyrion Lannister he played for eight seasons on Game of Thrones. However, his breakthrough film role — 2003's comedy/drama The Station Agent — showcases a very different side of the actor who "drinks and knows things" throughout Westeros. Written and directed by Tom McCarthy (Spotlight, The Visitor), the film sees Dinklage as a curmudgeonly loner who finds himself thrust into a reluctant friendship with two other outcasts, played ...
Jul 29, 2019•1 hr 11 min
In the third installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, Jackson Smith of Screen Fever helps out close out our look back at the prequel trilogy with an epic-length conversation about Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith. After two films filled with cringe-inducing moments and misguided creative decisions, George Lucas finally explores the immediate events that transformed Anakin Skywalker from Hayden Christensen into the Dark Lord of the Sith everyone loves to hate. We'll del...
Jul 22, 2019•2 hr 3 min
Let's travel back to the late 1990s. Think of a sci-fi thriller that expertly wraps big ideas like the nature of reality, identity and human nature into a hyper-stylized environment heavily influenced by film noir. Now set aside your love for The Matrix because this episode we're talking all about Dark City. The 1998 film from director Alex Proyas (The Crow, I, Robot) — which shares some aesthetic and, in fact, production elements with the Wachowskis' release — may have been a box office underpe...
Jul 15, 2019•1 hr 4 min
Every generation has its Bond, and for today's moviegoers, Daniel Craig bears the iconic 007 code name. Although his four-film tenure (so far) has certainly been a rocky one, there's no denying that Craig's appearance as James Bond in director Sam Mendes' 2012 entry, Skyfall, is among the series' finest moments. From its stirring Adele-performed theme song to Javier Bardem's chilling villain to Roger Deakins' gorgeous cinematography, the film is a visual delight and bursting with rich themes and...
Jul 09, 2019•1 hr 30 min
It's been a long while since Rob got the chance to take the reins of the Crooked Table Podcast (ever since the new format debuted in December 2018 with our Ace Ventura: Pet Detective episode). Now, with his birthday upon us, Rob — and returning guest Jeannine Yaniz — talk about one of his all-time favorite films, 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Director Robert Zemeckis's live-action/animated hybrid may be a technical feat that still holds up today, but it is also a formative film for our host. F...
Jul 03, 2019•1 hr 10 min
Comedy, as they say, is relative. So it takes a very special film to not only make an impact in its own time but also remain one of the most beloved comedies of all time. Yet, director Billy Wilder struck gold when he assembled Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon for his 1959 comedy hit, Some Like It Hot. Named the best comedy film by the American Film Institute in 2000, Wilder's classic has remained a cinematic landmark, and we were so pleased to have Nell Minow of MovieMom.com and Roge...
Jun 25, 2019•1 hr 5 min
In the second installment of our retrospective on the Star Wars saga, Pete Langhelt of The Pete & Fran Podcast helps us separate the pains and joys that lie within Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones. As the middle chapter in the divisive prequel trilogy, this entry remains one of the most polarizing among fans. But, aside from its romantic subplot, does George Lucas' 2002 space opera hold up? Shake off your sand, and let's hop onto the nearest speeder. Begun the Clone War has. Ever...
Jun 17, 2019•1 hr 14 min
In recent years, few action film franchises have proven to be as intense or as fascinating as John Wick. Fifteen years after Keanu Reeves unplugged from The Matrix , he found the role of a lifetime as an ex-assassin compelled back into an intricate criminal underworld governed by rules and consequence. We didn’t need a marker to lure Jon Cohorn , writer for Modern Horrors , on to the show to share his love for the 2014 film and its sequels, the latter of which is now currently in theaters. We’ll...
Jun 10, 2019•1 hr 13 min
We've covered some HUGE films on the Crooked Table Podcast, but every once in a while, we like to shine the spotlight on those under-seen gems that have escaped the attention of mainstream audiences. And Sing Street is the perfect example of that. Written and directed by John Carney (Once), the film earned just over $3 million at the domestic box office but is still considered the best film of 2016 for both Rob and guest Dane Mychal of the CF3 Podcast . This 1980s-set coming-of-age story uses mu...
Jun 03, 2019•57 min
We all think we know what to expect from Hollywood biopics. But every once in a while, a film distinguishes itself enough to break out, at least in part, from the mold that this genre usually adheres to. One such release came in 1999 with the release of director Milos Forman's Man on the Moon. Starring Jim Carrey as divisive actor and performance artist Andy Kaufman, the film takes a look at Kaufman's life and legacy, chronicling his rise and fall in Hollywood. That may seem like standard biopic...
May 27, 2019•1 hr 4 min
On the tail of the film's 20th anniversary, Kimberly Cook — social media editor and writer for Monkeys Fighting Robots and Pop Axiom , respectively — hyperspaces onto the show to discuss Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. Thanks in large part to young Jake Lloyd and a certain bumbling Gungan, the film remains one of the most divisive entries in the saga. We discuss the film in depth, marking the beginning of our epic journey back into a "galaxy far, far away." Every month for the rest of...
May 20, 2019•1 hr 30 min
This week on the show, Karen Peterson — co-host of the Citizen Dame Podcast and The Watch and Talk — joins us to discuss director Sharon Maguire's Bridget Jones's Diary. The 2001 romantic comedy, based on Helen Fielding's best-selling book, not only made Renee Zellweger a bonafide leading lady but earned the actress her first Academy Award nomination. We'll discuss what makes the titular character (and Zellweger's performance) so memorable, how Maguire's film cleverly reinterprets Jane Austen's ...
May 13, 2019•1 hr
If you haven’t seen Endgame yet, see it this weekend. The spoiler ban lifts on Monday! Check out @GMA for the full video... pic.twitter.com/gGrvUgLL6k — Russo Brothers (@Russo_Brothers) May 2, 2019 Well, who are we to argue with the directors of Avengers: Endgame? After seeing the latest Marvel Studios epic at Thursday night previews, Rob and guest Kai Yaniz just had to share their in-depth — and SPOILER-filled — thoughts about the film. After all, much has been said about how Avengers: Endgame ...
May 06, 2019•2 hr 16 min
For decades, Glenn Close has turned in one acclaimed performance after another, but Oscar has continually eluded her. At last year's Academy Awards, that nearly changed. Close narrowly lost the Best Actress statuette for her tour-de-force performance in The Wife. Although Close herself earned critical praise, the film itself fell beneath the radar, earning less than $10 million at the domestic box office. Today we take a closer look at what The Wife has to offer. Angela Betancourt , host of 5 Th...
Apr 29, 2019•1 hr 15 min
We're in the Endgame now. So, before we launch into our lengthy, spoiler-filled conversation about Avengers: Endgame, Rob briefly runs through his thoughts on the previous 21 films (!) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From the original Iron Man to the groundbreaking success of this year's Captain Marvel, the folks over at Marvel Studios have created a cinematic achievement like no other. Eleven years ago, no one thought that it was possible to create an interconnected web of narratives, wrappin...
Apr 27, 2019•54 min
Listeners to the show — or, really, anyone within earshot — already know how much of an affinity Rob has for the Star Wars saga. The intergalactic battles and "space opera" melodrama of the Skywalker family have been attracting audiences for more than 40 years. So the fact that the franchise has long ranked among Rob's personal favorites shouldn't be much of a surprise. Over more than 40 years, George Lucas's "galaxy far, far away" has spawned countless films, television series, novels, comic bo...
Apr 22, 2019•54 min
Anyone who has ever worked in corporate America knows exactly the kind of gold that writer/director Mike Judge struck when he released his 1999 comedy Office Space on the world. But 1999 audiences (who loved films like American Beauty and The Matrix ) sure didn't, as the film was a box office flop. A lot has changed in the two decades since we all discovered TPS reports and suffered through the agony of being named Michael Bolton in the 1990s. So, this episode, financial guru and author Kai Yani...
Apr 15, 2019•57 min
Just in time for the release of Shazam!, Freddy Yaniz joins us to talk about the state of the DC Extended Universe. After a rocky start marked by such divisive releases as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, DC's finest superheroes look to be finally getting their due. We'll dig into how James Wan's Aquaman fits into all this before launching into a full-on review of director David F. Sandberg's Shazam! Shazam! synopsis, courtesy of Warner Bros.: We all have a superhero inside ...
Apr 08, 2019•1 hr 25 min
In the past few years, few films have been as controversial as writer/director Darren Aronofsky's mother! So, this week, Jefferson Grubbs of the recently launched Oscar site Thin Gold Line joins us for a deep dive into the divisive psychological horror film. Love it or hate it, mother! — which stars Oscar winners Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem — is a rich cinematic experience loaded with possible interpretations. We'll get into how the film functions as both a Biblical allegory as well as a...
Apr 01, 2019•58 min
