Role Calling's three-part Lord of the Rings holiday special comes to a conclusion, but not before a rousing climax and several emotional endings. This week, actor/producer Mary Kate Wiles joins Ned and Caroline for a conversation all about Peter Jackson's third and final LOTR installment, The Return of the King. And boy is there a lot to discuss! From the Battle of the Pelennor Fields to the showdown on Mount Doom, the trio go deep on what makes Tolkien's world so special, which performers shine...
Dec 31, 2022•2 hr 3 min
The journey to Mordor continues as Ned and Caroline move on to Peter Jackson's action-packed epic, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Special guest Joe Cunningham of the Cinematic Universe podcast joins to break down the debuts of Gollum, Rohan, Treebeard and more — not to mention a little sequence called the Battle of Helm's Deep. The trio also touch on The Rings of Power, analyze the accents across the LOTR ensemble, and get into an unexpectedly heated debate about Faramir. You can follow ...
Dec 26, 2022•2 hr 29 min
Golden rings, bearded men, elves in white dresses with blue satin sashes — what are The Lord of the Rings films if not the ultimate holiday classics? So to celebrate the festive season, Ned and Caroline are kicking off a brand new series on Peter Jackson's iconic LOTR trilogy and its stellar ensemble acting. This week, returning guests Zoë Maltby and Emily Marso join for a goofy, earnest, unexpectedly horny celebration of The Fellowship of the Ring. Watch the 2020 Lord of the Rings cast Zoom reu...
Dec 22, 2022•2 hr 41 min
Before Ned and Caroline journey to Middle Earth for their Lord of the Rings specials, they take a look back at the best, worst and most "meh" films they watched in 2022. Welcome to Role Calling's first (maybe annual) Letterboxd Special! From Barbarian to Jurassic World Dominion to Marcel the Shell, enjoy some spoiler-free recs for what to watch and what to avoid as the hosts recount their defining movie-watching experiences of the year — and how they logged them on Letterboxd. Follow Ned on Lett...
Nov 15, 2022•1 hr 14 min
44 years after Jamie Lee Curtis burst onto the scene as Laurie Strode, she returns to wrap up her time with Michael Myers in Halloween Ends. So, naturally, Ned and Caroline had to check in on their former Role Calling star in a special Halloween bonus episode! They're joined by Happy Harvest Horror Show co-host Brian Muldoon to chat about David Gordon Green's controversial trilogy capper, JLC's unexpectedly upbeat performance, and the Corey Cunningham of it all. Don't worry, however, both fans a...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 38 min
Our Zac Efron retrospective series comes to a close with a brand new movie and a brand new jawline! This week, Documentary Now! writer/producer Matt Pacult joins Caroline and Ned to break down Zac's new AppleTV+ Vietnam War comedy, The Greatest Beer Run Ever. The trio also chat about the new look Zac debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, his role as a brand ambassador for Kodiak Cakes pancake mix, and where they think his career might head next as he celebrates his 35th birthday th...
Oct 20, 2022•2 hr
After a brief detour with Neighbors, Caroline and Ned return to "Zac Efron: Oops All Musicals" territory with The Greatest Showman — one of the wildest cinematic endeavors of the past decade. And to break down the circus insanity, they're joined by a very special guest: Caroline's sister, Katie Siede! Together, the trio chat about CGI lions, impressive aerial stunts, and Zac's unique brand of musical theater earnestness. Plus Katie and Caroline reminiscence about trying to learn the "This Is Me"...
Sep 23, 2022•1 hr 52 min
Eight years after High School Musical, Zac Efron reinvented himself as the ultimate bro comedy star with 2014's Neighbors . But how did he do it? Caroline and Ned are here to find out as they dive into the era of Frat Efron! From the lows of Baywatch and Dirty Grandpa to the highs of the Neighbors franchise, Caroline and Ned analyze the appeal of these raunchy comedies (and recount some of their best and worst jokes). Plus they try to figure out what these films have to say about Zac's own bro p...
Sep 13, 2022•1 hr 27 min
Hey there, teenage Baltimore! Don't change that channel, 'cause it's time for the Role Calling podcast, brought to you by Ultra Clutch Hairspray! After bursting onto the scene as an aughts teen heartthrob in High School Musical, Zac Efron got a chance to put his spin on a 1960s teen heartthrob too — in the 2007 movie musical Hairspray. How does his work as Link Larkin hold up today? And how does this movie as a whole hold up today? Caroline and Ned get into the good, the bad, and the John Travol...
Aug 26, 2022•1 hr 27 min
It's the start of something new! This week, Caroline and Ned launch their brand new series on the one and only mid-aughts icon, Zac Efron. And to help them revisit his breakout turn as Troy Bolton in High School Musical, they're joined by special guest and HSM aficionado Zoë Maltby. Together the trio dig into all things East High, from the highs and lows of the trilogy to the irresistible appeal of Troy Bolton to the high-camp of Ryan and Sharpay. Plus they share their nostalgic memories of the ...
Aug 12, 2022•2 hr 7 min
After two decades of blockbuster filmmaking, Antonio Banderas put his dramatic chops to tremendous use in 2019's Pain and Glory — earning his first ever Oscar nomination in the process. This week, Ned and Caroline are joined by actor and teacher Will Kazda to break down this stunning Pedro Almodóvar film, which sees Antonio play a fictionalized version of the famed director. The trio also spend a surprising amount of time talking about the Shrek and Puss in Boots franchises, as well as Antonio's...
Jul 30, 2022•1 hr 40 min
This week, Ned and Caroline interrupt their Antonio Banderas series for a special bonus episode on Thor: Love and Thunder. Because Christian Bale has joined the MCU and that seems worth podcasting about! The hosts dive into all things Thor as they discuss Natalie Portman's return, Taika Waititi's comedic sensibilities, Chris Hemsworth's unexpectedly gentle performance, and the general state of Marvel Phase Four. Plus they debate how much Korg is too much Korg, and, of course, sing the praises of...
Jul 15, 2022•1 hr 19 min
If there's one thing to know about Ned and Caroline, it's that they love musicals. So there was no way they'd miss a chance to talk about Antonio Banderas' turn as the singing and dancing narrator Che in the (slightly forgotten) film adaptation of Evita. The hosts dig into what they think about Andrew Lloyd Webber in general, what the hell this musical is trying to say about its titular character, and the unexpected role Madonna played in launching Antonio's American career. Plus they discuss th...
Jul 01, 2022•1 hr 22 min
After spending the 1980s making provocative dramedies with Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, Antonio Banderas made the leap to Hollywood in the 1990s. And the film that really solidified his status as an American leading man is Robert Rodriguez's 1995 neo-Western, Desperado. From onscreen explosions to his explosive chemistry with Salma Hayek, Ned and Caroline chat all about Antonio's iconic turn as a vengeful Mariachi in the second installment of Rodriguez's "Mexico Trilogy." And since Antonio'...
Jun 05, 2022•1 hr 20 min
Before Antonio Banderas was a Hollywood icon, he was an early muse for Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. And this week, Ned and Caroline look at all five of their 1980s collaborations, anchored by Antonio's sexy/scary turn as a kidnapper in 1989's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! And since the hosts are very much novices when it comes to these films, there was only one person they could ask to guest on this episode: Noted Almodóvar expert and enthusiast Manish Mathur! Together, the trio chat through film...
May 20, 2022•1 hr 55 min
Don your masks and saddle your horses, it's time to tackle the classic (and maybe unfairly forgotten) 1990s swashbuckling adventure, The Mask of Zorro! This week, Ned and Caroline kick off their brand new Antonio Banderas series with arguably his most iconic big screen performance to date. And they enlist their friend and fellow Zorro fan Jon Harrison to help them do it. From playful performances to smokin' hot romances, the trio go deep on what makes this film so special. And Ned should know, h...
May 06, 2022•1 hr 59 min
It's been one year since the pod debuted, and to celebrate, Ned and Caroline decided to throw the first annual Role Calling Awards! So join for some very silly fun as the hosts award best chemistry, biggest surprise, best villain and so much more. (Special thanks to our friends at the Cinematic Universe podcast for inspiring this idea!) In other updates: We have an Instagram ! Follow us there (instagram.com/rolecalling/) for even more podcast extras! Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde,...
Apr 23, 2022•1 hr 52 min
"I turn on my computer. I wait impatiently as it connects. I go online, and my breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You've got podcast." This week, Caroline and Ned bring their Meg Ryan series to a close with the 1998 rom-com classic, You've Got Mail. The last in Ryan's trilogy of romances with both Tom Hanks and Nora Ephron, this one adapts a decades-old story for the AOL age. So how does it hold up today? And what happened to Meg Ryan after her '90s heyday? Ned and Carol...
Apr 10, 2022•1 hr 44 min
Once upon a December, Caroline and Ned were strangers, starting out on a journey, never dreaming how their dreams would come true. Now here they are, podcasting about Meg Ryan's voice performance in the much-loved (non-Disney) princess animated fairy tale, Anastasia. To help them take this journey to the past, they enlist the expertise of Dr. Sam Summers ( @samsummers0 ), animation academic and co-host of the excellent podcast Disniversity . The trio chat about the wild, weird career of director...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 51 min
Volcano cult classics aside, Sleepless In Seattle is really the movie that made Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks an iconic rom-com duo — which is funny considering they only share one scene together! This week, Caroline and Ned look back on the feel-good '90s favorite that is low-key pretty high-concept. Plus they reveal how they've personally crossed paths with the Hanks family. Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twi...
Mar 11, 2022•1 hr 28 min
Before Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks became a beloved rom-com couple in Sleepless In Seattle and You've Got Mail, they starred in the kooky adventure romance, Joe Versus the Volcano — a cult classic if there ever was one. This week, Caroline and Ned delve into this wackadoo little John Patrick Shanley movie, and sing the praises of not one but three separate Meg Ryan performances. Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter ...
Feb 25, 2022•1 hr 22 min
What happens when a single film immediately makes you America's sweetheart? That's what Caroline and Ned plan to find out as they kick off 2022 by diving into the career of the rom-com queen herself, Meg Ryan. Not only did 1989's When Harry Met Sally make Ryan a star, it also inspired an entire renaissance in rom-com filmmaking. Ned and Caroline dig into what makes this timeless classic so good, sing the praises of Ryan's comedic timing, and try not to just quote every single iconic line from th...
Feb 04, 2022•1 hr 48 min
Have you ever questioned the nature of your reality? For the final installment in their Jeffrey Wright retrospective series, Ned and Caroline do just that by taking a trip into Westworld's first season. Though this show features virtually all of Ned's favorite things, he had never actually seen it before. So he and Caroline welcome Westworld aficionado Rachel Kenney to help them work through the maze. You can follow Rachel on Instagram (instagram.com/rachel.kenney) and Twitter (twitter.com/RachK...
Dec 11, 2021•1 hr 57 min
Jeffrey Wright once referred to Angels In America as the "epicenter" of his career. After winning a Tony for his performance on Broadway in 1994, he reprised his role in HBO's prestigious 2003 star-studded miniseries adaptation. This week, Ned and Caroline look back on Tony Kushner's masterwork with the help of actor, singer, and queer futurist Will Wilhelm. Let the great work begin! You can follow Will on Instagram (instagram.com/wwilhelm) and find their podcast Teacakes & Tarot (instagram....
Nov 24, 2021•1 hr 38 min
Who is the man that would risk his neck for his brother, man? Wright! Can you dig it? Ned and Caroline sure can. This week, the hosts take a look at Jeffrey Wright's iconic turn as Peoples Hernandez in John Singleton's 2000 action crime thriller, Shaft. They chat about what Wright brings to the larger-than-life villain role as well as how this legacy sequel stacks up against the 1971 original. Plus they revisit early Role Calling star Christian Bale in his illustrious era of playing murderous yu...
Nov 12, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Before Jeffrey Wright became Hollywood's go-to character actor, he had his breakout leading man turn in the 1996 indie biopic, Basquiat. So this week, Ned and Caroline journey into the world of neo-expressionist art with special guest Joolz of The Pod Has Been Cast. From David Bowie as Andy Warhol to the director's self-insert character, there's a lot to unpack. And the trio wade through it all while celebrating Wright's mesmerizing turn as Jean-Michel Basquiat himself. You can follow Joolz on I...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 23 min
The name's Wright, Jeffrey Wright. And even if you don't recognize him by that moniker, you almost certainly know his face. This week, Ned and Caroline kick off their new miniseries on one of the best character actors around. And they're joined by special guest Joe Cunningham of the Cinematic Universe podcast to look at Wright's brand new big screen project: No Time To Die. Wright's small but memorable role as Felix Leiter is one of the cornerstones of the Daniel Craig era of Bond. And Ned, Caro...
Oct 15, 2021•2 hr 29 min
James Dean may have only starred in three films, but one of them was a full-on epic. This week Caroline and Ned welcome pop culture critic Roxana Hadadi to talk about Giant, the last (and longest) film Dean ever made. The trio discuss what makes this iconic 1956 American epic so special, how it looks from the eyes of 2021, and what it's like to watch the teen idol age into an old man onscreen. Plus they chat about some behind-the-scenes gossip and share their parting thoughts on Dean's place as ...
Oct 01, 2021•1 hr 37 min
Stanislavski! Strasberg! Stella! This week, Caroline and Ned go deep on the history of method acting as they look at James Dean's leading man debut in Elia Kazan's 1955 family drama, East of Eden. The hosts explore what it means to be an "actor's director," share some of their own experiences with acting and directing, and try to figure out why this movie is so goddamn stressful. As mentioned in the episode, you can watch James Dean act opposite Ronald Reagan in the 1954 TV drama " The Dark Dark...
Sep 24, 2021•1 hr 33 min
Role Calling takes a swerve into the 1950s this week, as Caroline and Ned kick off their brand new series on James Dean. The Hollywood legend and famed method actor only made three movies before his untimely death at the age of 24. And this series will cover them all, starting with his iconic turn as Jim Stark in 1955's Rebel Without A Cause. It's a conversation for fans and novices alike as the hosts dig into Dean's biography, talk through the film's unique plot structure, and share their favor...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 43 min
