Sitting Around Talking Movies

The year has just started and things are already nuts. So we've asked Mike Sargent to help us disect some entertainment news as well as some entertainment. In light of the #MeToo movement and current sexual harrasment allegations we take a look at the controversy and try to figure out if the careers of Woody Allen, Aziz Ansari and James Franco are finished or if these guys can make a comeback. And of course there are movies! We talk about "12 Strong" and hear what star Chris Hemsworth has to say about it. And there's "In the Fade" starring Diane Kruger. And TV too such as the new documentary "Becoming Bond" on Hulu which is about George Lazenby. Also we take a look back at the Critics Choice Awards. Have fun, We did.  

Winter is upon us. The landscape is grey and drab and there's snow everywhere...TIME FOR A LIAM NEESON ACTION MOVIE!!! If there's nothing else to get folks out of their warm houses and into a movie theater it's the sight of a 60-something man kicking serious butt. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and our good friend and respected journalist Logan Hill take on "The Commuter." Oh, and did you watch The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards last Sunday? Were you wearing black and cheering the women on or were you wondering what all the rich people were complaining about as they sipped their complementary martinis? We try and make sense of it all and we also discuss our choices for the upcoming Critics Choice Awards. It's not all glitter and glamor but we do kick some butt.  

It's a Winter Wonderland out there! Not only in nature but in your local theater as well. So Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Jack Rico of The Highly Relevant Podcast take a look at what's on offer this season. First there's "All the Money in the World" which is really two stories in one. First there's the plot which is about the kidnapping of J Paul Getty III and his grandfather's refusal to pay ransom. Then there's the film's backstory where director RIdley Scott removed Kevin Spacey from the film and re-shot scenes with Christopher Plummer. It's all fascinating. Then we look at the western "Hostiles" which stars Christopher Bale and Rosamund Pike as well as the new "Jumanji" film which stars Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson. But wait there's more: We've got "Film Stars Don'et Die In Liverpool" starring Annette Bening and "In the Fade" with Diane Kruger. And there's streaming TV too, like "Black Mirror." Baby it's cold outside, so snuggle up with us.  

Well that was quite a year, wasn't it? Everything seemed to go nuts at least one point or another and if you were seeking sanity at the movies or on TV, well...Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and special guest Lisa Rosman took a look back at the year's entertainment crop and there's plenty to talk about. There were critical darlings like "The Shape of Water," "The Post," "Baby Driver" and "I, Tonya." Did we like them too? Are they worth all the buzz they're getting now that it's awards season? And then there are the TV shows you probably streamed. Are "The Handmaid's Tale" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" worth your time? And what were some of the worst offerings from Hollywood. To find out you'll have to listen.

OK, so you've gotten "Star Wars" out of your system. Now you're hankering for a movie by and for adults. One where nothing explodes except emotions and there aren't any furry characters your children will want you to buy. Well, you're in luck! This week we've got three grownup movies to talk about. And we've got favorite guest Lisa Rosman along to help out. First there's "The Post" which stars Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep and tells the story of the Washington Post publishing something known as "The Pentagon Papers" and drawing the ire of President Richard Nixon. It's timeless and timely. Then there's "Downsizing" which stars Matt Damon as an everyman who gets small. Really small. And finally there's "Molly's Game" which stars Jessica Chastain and was written and directed by Aaron Sorkin' and was based on an incredbile true story. It's the gift that keeps on talking and it's all right here.

It's here!!! "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" is now in theaters and audiences are lining up around the block. Is it worth the hype? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy, Bill Bregoli and guest Grace Randolph of "Beyond the Trailer" don't reveal any spoilers (well, we really tried) ane let you know what's fun about it and what's not. We also hear what cast members Mark Hammill, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega have to say about making it. Then we take a look at the Golden Globe Award nominations and let you know what we think about the organization behind them. So jump aboard our Millenium Falcon and hang on!

Don't let anyone tell you there's nothing in the theaters until "Star Wars" opens! There's so much this week we brought in guest Jack Rico of the Highly Relevent Podcast to help us out. First there's the whole sexual harrassment scandal hitting Hollywood and politics and then we've got movies. Like "The Disaster Artist" which stars James Franco and is based on a true story. Plus there's "I Tonya," a darkly comic take on a true story of an Olympic scandal. Jack takes a look at "Coco", Bill Bregoli looks at the second season of "The Crwon," and Neil talks about "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." We ain't just whistiling dixie this week.

Awards season is upon us and the prestige movies are finally here! So we've got special guest Lisa Rosman along to help us figure out which ones are really worth all the buzz. First there's the lush gay romance "Call Me By Your Name" with Armie Hammer. Then there's Woody Allen's "Wonder Wheel" which stars Kate Winslet and Jim Belushi. But that's certainly not all - Guillermo Del Toro has an enchanting and very different sort of fable called "The Shape of Water" which among other things features an interspecies romance (!). And if that's not enough there's the WWII drama "Darkest Hour" with Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill. Plus Lisa weighs in on the wave of sexual harrassment allegations while Bill and Neil have some must-see video and on-demand picks. Put this one on your must-listen-to list!

After the Louis CK controversy broke his distributor decided not to release his new film "I Love You Daddy." But we got to see it before they pulled it (pun not intended) and we'll tell you if it's fun or if it's creepy...or both. And since "Justice League" is opening this week we've brought along YouTube sensation Grace Randolph, who knows her way around a superhero movie. Ah, but there's so much more, such as "Roman J. Israel, Esq." the new legal drama starring Denzel Washington, plus the quirky indie comedy "Mr. Roosevelt," and the new season of "The Girlfriend Experience" on Starz and some great new films available on demand and on DVD. It's a pre-Thanksgiving feast!

We go a lot of places in this week's podcast and we've brought special guest Caryn James along as we look at the latest movies and streaming shows. We start with "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" which is hard to categorize but definitely makes an impression. Then there's the latest version of "Murder on the Orient Express" directed and starring Kennerth Branagh and a cast full of A-listers. We also take a look at "The Florida Project" and documentary about showbiz legend Rose Marie called "Wait For Your Laugh." Caryn tells about "Alias Grace" which is on Netflix and we talk about the just released trailer for "The Post" starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks." It's an eyeful and it's all right here.

Oh boy can we pack a lot into a podcast. Especially this week when we bring in special guest Mike Sargent and talk about Greta Gerwig's directorial debut (sort of) "Lady Bird" which is a coming of age movie starring Saorsie Ronan. Then there's "Thor: Ragnarok" the latest from Marvel with an amazing cast including Cate Blanchett of all people. We also take a look at Rob Reiner's "LBJ" starring Woody Harrelson and we hear what Rob Reiner says about its politics. Mike talks about "The Light of the Moon" and there's also TV - "White Famous" and "David S. Pumpkin." But wait - there's more! We talk about "Gilbert!" the new documentary about comedian Gilbert Gottfried. Bill Bregoli, who's known Gilbert for decades, presents his exclusive interview with Gilbert, his wife Dara and director Neil Berkley. There's actually more but rather than take up your time reading we'll let you start listening. Get going!

Whenever Matt Damon and George Clooney combine forces it's worth taking a look. Add a script by the Coen brothers and you have the 1950's era dramedy "Suburbicon." So we brought along special guest Jack Rico of The Highly Relevant Podcast to add his two cents and the result was one of the most spirited sessions we've ever had. And we hear what Matt Damon has to say about working with his friend on the movie. Plus Bill Bregoli takes on the military drama "Thank You for Your Service" and we'll hear from star Miles Teller. But we're not finished - there's also the new Netflix series "Mindhunters" from David Fincher. Lots to digest this week so give a listen.

It's the second part of our special podcast from the 25th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival. We continue our fascinatiing conversations with stars and filmmakers starting with writer/director Vincent Gagliostro who tells us about his film "After Louie" which stars Alan Cumming who delivers a raw and riveting performance as a survivor of the AIDS crisis coming to terms with life after losing his partner. Then we talk to filmmaker Josh Klausner and star Tate Ellington about "Wonderland" which is an different sort of musical filmed in the Hamptons. Finally we talk to filmmakers about two intriguing short films: "Fry Day," which is a coming-of-age film set during the time of Ted Bundy's execution, and "Commodity City" which documents the largest wholesale consumer market in the whole world. It's a wonderful world of film and we've got it here for you!

What better place to do our 100th podcast than at the 25th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival? Neil Rosen, Bill McCuddy and Bill Bregoli sit down outside with the stars and filmmakers and get the lowdown on some amazing films. We start with writer/director Onur Turkel and star Jamie Block who tell us about their ribald new film "The Misogynists" which is set in a single hotel room on the night of the 2016 general election. Then we talk to Alison Chernik about "Itzhak" which is her up close and personal documentary about the life and music of violinist Itzhak Perlman. And finally we have a unique story of hometown heroes called "Killer Bees" which is the story of the famed Bridgehampton basketball team. It's our 100th and their 25th but we definitely don't go by the numbers!

There's a new Tom Cruise movie in town. Usually you can't exape them but there's not a lot of buzz about "American Made." Why is that? Has Tom lost his mojo? We bring in Roger Friedman of Showbiz411.com who has all sorts of theories as to why Tom's not jumping up and down on couches for this movie even though it's pretty good (hint: it involves lawyers). Then Roger helps us sort though the glut of movies coming to The Hamptons International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. And stay tuned for Roger's amazing personal connection with the upcoming film "Marshall." All the movies you'll be talking about this awards season we're talking about right now. Give a listen.