What have been your favorite ambiguous endings? Not every story has a concrete ending and not every writer tells their stories that way. These writers enjoy the continuous debate over what truly happened. Inception is just one example, fairly recent in the scheme of things, that created a ton of water-cooler controversy on whether the token was spinning at the very end... or did it drop? We'll be discussing how we feel about these ambiguous endings, with examples of some of our favorites and how...
Sep 02, 2020•2 hr
Flavio Alves, the director and co-writer of the new film The Garden Left Behind, discusses his career, his film revolving around the trans experience, and much more on our latest exclusive interview. The Garden Left Behind is available in virtual theatrical locations now, and on VOD September 8th. Carlie Guevara stars as Tina, an undocumented trans woman living with her grandmother, Eliana in Queens. Eliana has brought Tina to America from Mexico, and though she both sternly and affectionately s...
Aug 31, 2020•54 min
Movie theaters are back in business...are you ready? This week began the reemergence of movies theaters across North America, as America catches up to the remainder of the civilized world. Having ventured out this past weekend to take in several films (including Russell Crowe's fiery Unhinged), Aaron and Amanda sat down to share their thoughts on experiencing movie theaters again, and specifically look at their safety precautions implemented. Did it feel safe? Did it feel like going to the movie...
Aug 24, 2020•1 hr 8 min
What are those jobs in film-making that don't receive enough attention? We know who the directors, actors, and even recognize the composers sometimes. However, we want to pay special attention to the people that make a film successful and remain an underappreciated job. These 7 jobs are not ones we pulled out of a hat, we actually reached out to three very successful individuals in the entertainment industry - the ones who are invested in the business and understand the work required to pull off...
Aug 19, 2020•1 hr 29 min
For this special episode, we are speaking with Ralph D’Amato, the producer and visionary for the documentary, Pretending I’m a Superman: The Tony Hawk Video Game Story . Pretending I’m a Superman is a documentary that tells the story of how skateboarding became a part of the mainstream by focusing on the success of the “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” video game franchise. The film stars pro skateboarding legends Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, Steve Caballero, Chad Muska and Jamie Thomas. Ralph started in pr...
Aug 17, 2020•21 min
Do you remember that one time, at Summer Camp? Summer camp movies are not completely rare, but the good ones arguably are. And we're not here to talk about movies that mention summer camp or simply take place during summer, but rather films that have the particular setting of summer camp. Examples like the iconic Friday the 13th, more kid-friendly options like SpaceCamp and Addams Family Values, and of course - the raunchy ones like American Pie: Band Camp and Wet Hot American Summer . Because w...
Aug 05, 2020•1 hr 25 min
As medical examiners Luis and Charlie explore a curious cadaver known only as John Doe, The Living Dead opens with the beginning of the end...and what happens after. An epic conclusion to the world created by legendary filmmaker George A. Romero ( Night of the Living Dead, Creepshow ) and completed by celebrated author Daniel Kraus, this novel serves as the definitive cap on Romero's legacy of the undead. Visceral violence, taut emotions, and the magnitude of a clash of classes and identities pe...
Jul 30, 2020•1 hr
The San Diego Comic-Con At Home for 2020 has officially come to a close! This year, the San Diego Comic-Con had to adjust, and for the first time ever, brought the convention home to us all! With the greatest event in popular geek culture finishing its 2020 run, it’s time for us to dive into the biggest news, panels, and trailers released at this year’s convention. Spotlighted on this special episode are details from Comic-Con 2020 on HBO’s Lovecraft Country, Star Trek galore, The Boys' new afte...
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr 38 min
What makes a great movie dance sequence? We've all been there, watching a movie, getting absorbed into the proceedings...and then it happens! Music kicks up, toes start tapping, hips start moving, and before you know it, we're grooving along with a fantastic dance sequence that almost forces us to join in! Dance sequences don't always work, but when they do, it's some of the most exciting and joy provoking experiences a film can deliver. On this episode, we're discussing what we love about them,...
Jul 22, 2020•1 hr 21 min
In this week's episode, we're taking teams of movie or TV characters and pitting them into a fight of sorts - however we want! The concept of this topic originated in our Facebook group from a listener of who would win between the crew of Alien vs the crew of Predator. We decided to expand this idea into a great topic on the show, taking our own battles and listener battles to the ring. With $3 billion dollars in cash getting stuffed into the little bit of clothing that’s left, between Hustlers ...
Jul 15, 2020•1 hr 9 min
What Are Your Favorite TV Catchphrases? This week, we want to kick back, relax, and chat about our favorite TV catchphrases together. Every TV show has that great one-liner that sticks with us and we find ourselves repeating it in everyday life. The Simpson's "D'oh!", the infamous "How you doin'?" from Joey on Friends, and even more recent ones like "Come on son!" and "You know that's right" from Psych. Also on this week's episode: the movie hero game, reviews of Hamilton, Psych 2: Lassie Come H...
Jul 08, 2020•1 hr 21 min
An adventure 9 years in the making, THIS is the 400th episode of The Hollywood Outsider Podcast! On this grossly over-sized episode, we drop the usual strict adherence to format and simply speak about the changes in entertainment since the show’s inception, as well as the evolution of the podcast itself as Aaron, John, and Amanda join up with former HOsts Scott Clark and Brian Williams to discuss all the years and memories of The Hollywood Outsider, as well as pay respects to the late Justin Mac...
Jul 01, 2020•3 hr 17 min
Controversial Debates in Film and TV Did Rose really have enough room on the door for Jack? Was that Karate Kid kick illegal? Did Scarlett Johansson get a fair shake in Ghost in the Shell? Is the Snyder Cut really a good thing? Is replacing controversial actors or canceling shows over difficult themes the right course of action? The controversial debates in film and TV are infinite and we are definitely diving right into the thick of many of them on this special episode. Also on this week's epis...
Jun 24, 2020•1 hr 42 min
Which Summer Franchise of the 2000's is the Best of the Best? Movie Battle Royale is back, but this time: Summer Franchise Edition. We wanted to talk about those franchises released in the 2000's that kept us going back to the theater for the next. The rules are limited: the franchise must have had at least 3 films release in the summer (May-August), they must have occurred within the 2000's, and the MCU films must be broken down (Captain America, Iron Man, Avengers, etc.). Will Mr. Potter survi...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 42 min
What Are Your Favorite Opening Sequences? On this week's episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we wanted to talk about those incredible movie intros. Whether it's an action-filled car chase, a terrifying phone call from someone in your house, or a bank robbery with triple-crossing and a mysteriously ominous character whose identity remains unknown, we're talking about it all. Of course, we also have to talk about those films with a stellar opening sequence that ultimately led to disappointm...
Jun 10, 2020•1 hr 43 min
Enjoy a selected episode of the SMIRK podcast, more episodes are now available in your favorite podcast app or at SmirkPodcast.com . On this episode of Smirk, grab a notepad and settle in…for murder! We’re trying something a little differing this time, as our story reveals itself as a full-fledged murder-mystery. Only after we discuss and dissect our love for the genre will we reveal the killer. Can you guess it before the murderer’s identity is unmasked?...
Jun 04, 2020•44 min
Aaron sits down to share a few thoughts and ask one simple question: Are we listening?
Jun 02, 2020•12 min
Aaron sits down with director Matt Eskandari to elaborate on his new Bruce Willis and Chad Michael Murray thriller, Survive the Night. Matt discusses isolating in L.A. while waiting for filming to resume, casting his film, and working with an icon in Bruce Willis. Survive the Night is now available on streaming platforms. Read Aaron's full review of Survive the Night HERE
May 29, 2020•43 min
How do you feel about "predictable" plot devices? On this week's episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we wanted to talk about those regurgitated and predictable plots and devices that every movie has reused at this point. We discuss some of our favorites predictable plot devices, as well as the ones that drive us NUTS! Of course, a debate emerges as we even discuss the negative connotation behind the word "predictable". Also on this week's episode: our news roundup, significant anniversary...
May 20, 2020•1 hr 34 min
What Are The Craziest TV Premises You've Ever Heard of or Seen? On this week's episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we're discussing those wacky, crazy TV show premises. There are some TV shows that are so bonkers, you cannot believe a group of someones were high enough to green-light them. A lot of them involve animals, because who doesn't love a plot revolving around talking monkeys, but many of them are supposedly deep thinking dramas or even reality based. Sure ideas like My Mother the...
May 13, 2020•1 hr 41 min
The Perfect Summer Movie Soundtrack What are the best songs or themes from movies to crank up once Summer hits? Instead of dwelling on it all, let’s just make our perfect playlist. We each get 10 songs – they can be themes, songs from a movie soundtrack, or just synonymous with a movie – and make our own perfect summer movie soundtrack! That means you could see yourself, windows down, hair flowing, driving or jogging or whatever to our Spotify playlist, The Hollywood Outsider Perfect Summer Movi...
May 06, 2020•1 hr 31 min
What are the most prominent TV cartoons from your childhood? You've heard it before: morning cartoons were everyone born before 2005's jam. Maybe you loved all the superhero character cartoons like Batman or Spider-Man, or preferred The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo or Looney Tunes, and later on you loved Rugrats, or perhaps you just only love the filth of South Park. Whatever it is, we have all been exposed to cartoons at some point, and childhood memories are often the fondest of memories, so we wan...
Apr 29, 2020•1 hr 31 min
What movie scenes make you laugh the absolute hardest? Everyone has a slightly different sense of humor, so which movie scenes - in ANY MOVIE - do find the most hilarious? Are you a bit more refined with your tastes so you lean into Monty Python and the Black Knight's flesh wound? Maybe a little less so and prefer the wildly inappropriate antics of Bridesmaids or The Hangover? Surely you might be serious about Airplane and the like? Well on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider, we discuss the ...
Apr 22, 2020•1 hr 14 min
What are the most debated series finales on TV? LOST, Dexter, How I Met Your Mother, Game of Thrones and more... Each of these shows have one thing in common and it's not just people dying. They each create a massive divide among fans, and also between fans and creators. This is specifically for TV shows that had an intended series finale rather than an abrupt, forced conclusion to the show. On this week's episode of The Hollywood Outsider, we are joined by co-host of The Blacklist Exposed and 8...
Apr 15, 2020•1 hr 58 min
Since many of us are stuck in quarantine, we decided to have a little fun and watch a movie people are talking about, Outbreak. But instead of the typical back and forth on the film, we watched it while recording our LIVE commentary. So either go off of memory or sync up your Netflix accounts, because this is our Outbreak Movie Commentary Track! Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to feedback@thehollywoodoutsider.com Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bon...
Apr 08, 2020•2 hr 11 min
Who is the Best Anti-Hero in Television History? An anti-hero or anti-heroine is defined as a main character in a story who lacks conventional heroic qualities and attributes such as idealism, courage and morality. Often, an anti-hero is unorthodox and might flaunt laws or act in ways contrary to society's standards. Who among those on TV does this best? On this week's episode of The Hollywood Outsider, we return to one of our favorite segments as we decide, once-and-for-all, who is the BEST! Wa...
Apr 01, 2020•1 hr 57 min
What movies or TV shows do you watch when you're feeling down? On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are discussing movies and television that pick us up when things are dire. With everything currently affecting the world, and millions of people across the globe enduring isolation or quarantine, we decided what better time to talk about the films or TV we turn to in order to turn our frowns upside down. We discuss the current entertainment predicament - theater closures, producti...
Mar 25, 2020•1 hr 58 min
FBI Profiler Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) has been called in to help hunt down an elusive serial killer known for taking the lives of his victims. When a witness to an attack arrives in James Costa (Ethan Hawke), Illeana finds herself caught up in a desperate game to stop the killer before he claims yet another victim. Or herself. A serial killer thriller that has grown in cult status over the years, we've been fans of the film for some time. Therefore it was perfect for this selection of a fi...
Mar 18, 2020•1 hr 17 min
On this episode, we're discussing what YOU want us to! A wide range of submitted questions from what it takes for us to walk out of a movie to remakes, from foreign language film favorites to a hypothetical Kurt Russell experience. We've got a lot for you, including laughs and the craziest thing (or person) we've snuck into a theater. Also this week: news roundup, including the unfortunate news that SXSW is canceled due to coronavirus concerns, spoiler-free reviews of Spenser Confidential , Onwa...
Mar 11, 2020•1 hr 58 min
How Do You Feel About "Inspired By" In Film? On this episode, we're discussing where we stand on "inspired by". Coming out this past week was Wendy , a film about a group of kids lost on an island that is “inspired by Peter Pan ”. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and 1917 were inspired by true events, namely the Manson Murders and World War 1. Just Mercy was a film that recently was inspired by very true events. So many films use this as a way to sell their movies, even when they play fast and loos...
Mar 04, 2020•1 hr 53 min
