The Front Row Network

"Our research on this film started with our own families, thinking about where we came from…" We are so grateful this week to have a chance to speak with the filmmakers behind Disney's 60th animated feature, Encanto . Since arriving in theaters in November and on Disney+ in December, this movie has really struck a cord with audiences of all backgrounds. Directors Jared Bush and Bryon Howard bring...

Front Row Classics is celebrating 100 episodes! We're incredibly grateful to our listeners for embracing us and supporting our efforts in keeping classic film alive.  Brandon and Eric are also celebrating the 60th anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird. This legendary film is beloved by multiple generations thanks to its lessons of love and empathy. We're thrilled to be joined by Scout herself, Mary...

Actress and artist Autumn Best ("Millie," 4400) talks with Steve Sykes about her journey from growing up in Utah to her awareness of her disability to starring in a network TV show.  FEATURING: Steve Sykes and Autumn Best   View From the Back Row: https://linktr.ee/VFTBR   FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS!  https://www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network FIND US ON FACEBOOK –  https://www.facebook.c...

It's time to go back to The Matrix! Guilty Pleasures is kicking off 2022 by talking about the most polarizing movie of 2021. Is this just a soulless, corporate cash grab, or an opportunity to add to the philosophical discussions of the original? Flashbacks co-host Erin McCabe follows this white Hare through the looking glass to a world of meta references, social commentary and fist-bumping robots!...

"I always felt like, I know this world…" We are so thrilled to bring you our first episode of the New Year, and it is a big one. Don Hahn is prolific throughout the Disney company. As the producer of such beloved Disney classics as Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and The Hunchback of Notre Dame he helped reinvigorate Disney during the period known as the Disney Renaissance. Additionally, he ha...

Front Row Classics kicks off 2022 with a visit from one of the most renowned and trusted voices in the film community. Brandon is thrilled to welcome Leonard Maltin to the podcast. Mr. Maltin discusses his new book, "Starstruck: My Unlikely Road to Hollywood". The interview covers his many interactions with both legendary and lesser known entertainment figures. We also discuss his early days as a...

We are joined by members of "The Geek Awakens" and "I Think You're Gonna Like This Podcast" to talk all the pop culture and geek items of the year that was 2021. The crew begins by ranking the 9 MCU properties, followed by a discussion of the television, movies and comics that made the year.

Join us as we Flashback on 2021, the year researchers are calling "The Longest in History". We talked Oscar winners, Carpenter classics, and gorefest horror. We have covered the gamut here on Flashbacks. We also had some pretty great guests, from fellow Front Row Network hosts to listeners of the show (looking at you J.D.!), to a few pretty fantastic documentarians. We've also had the opportunity...

"We can't do this in-person anymore…" Let's end 2021 with one of our favorite episodes of the year. Craig, Vanessa and Brett look back at the year that was 2021 and look forward to all things Disney in 2022. FEATURING: Craig McFarland, Brett Rutherford and Vanessa Ferguson __________________________________________  Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot!  blog.feedspot.com/disney_pod...

Front Row Classics is ending 2021 with a look back at some of our best episodes and greatest moments. Brandon and Eric reminisce about our memorable discussions, guests and interviews that made this year so memorable. We covered five decades of film in almost every possible genre. Many thanks to our friends at the Front Row Network and beyond who contributed this year. Also, a huge thank you to ou...

Twenty years ago the first installment of the greatest film trilogy in history was released. Here we started our epic journey across Middle Earth, where we see a team made up of a merry band of hobbits, a dwarf, an elf, a wizard, and a couple of Gondor frat bros set out to destroy the ring. Our fellowship battles through orcs, wargs, and a mighty hell beast. Check out this episode to see our thoug...

Full Disclosure returns with a look at one of the most critically acclaimed films of the holiday season, West Side Story. Our Classics' host, Brandon Davis is joined by BTM's Brett Rutherford to give their take on Steven Spielberg's re-telling of this timeless musical. Both hosts have much praise for all aspects of the production, both artistic and technical. We also break down the major differenc...

It's Part 2 of Guilty Pleasures' Christmas Movie Celebration, and we've got an All-Timer(?) to talk about. It's the comedic dream team of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad in 1996's Jingle All The Way! Lou is joined by Donna, Jeremy & Sara to get to the bottom of such topics as: How does Arnold blend in to this Minnesota town? What are Phil Hartman's true motives? Is Sinbad a domestic terrorist? Is...

"I'm gettin' tired!" Let us tell you about our friend, Vanessa Ferguson. She's brilliant, talented, amazing and born in December. That's right! It is Vanessa's birthday and we are celebrating by watching Muppet Treasure Island . This classic Muppet feature is available right now on Disney+. Check it out, and let us know what you think of one of Vanessa's favorite flicks!   FEATURING: Craig McFarla...

Front Row Classics celebrates the holiday season with what many consider to be the definitive film version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Brandon and Eric are joined by Jay Hoffman and Anna McFarland to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the 1951 UK version starring Alastair Sim as Scrooge. The hosts discuss the aspects of the film which set it apart from other retellings of the story. Spec...

"I want to live the best life I possibly can…" We've been looking forward to bringing you this interview for a long time. Saul Blinkoff has worked in multiple roles throughout the Disney company. He was involved in the College Program at Disney's MGM Studios. He worked as an animator during the Disney Renaissance on films like Mulan and Pocahontas . He then moved onto the director's chair bringing...

Front Row Classics celebrates the holiday season with some of the most festive movies from the last century. Brandon welcomes back celebrated film historian and author, Jeremy Arnold to discuss his book, "Christmas in the Movies: 30 Classics to Celebrate the Season". The book covers classic holiday films from the thirties through the early 2000s. Brandon and Jeremy discuss behind-the-scenes storie...

Twenty years ago, the boy wizard that defeated He Who Shall Not Be Named as a baby took over the world with Pottermania, but how does the first in this eight-film series hold up? Harry and his crew start their first year at Hogwarts where they learn to become witches and wizards, battle for wizard house supremacy, and survive threats of a growing evil. Let's Flashback to the Wonderful Wizarding Wo...

Front Row Classics commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack with the Best Picture winner of 1953, From Here to Eternity. Brandon and Eric are joined by Mia Tiffany. Mia is the host of her own classic movie reaction channel on YouTube called Movies with Mia. The discussion includes the Oscar-worthy performances of the legendary cast, the tasteful direction of Fred Zinnemann and...

It's Christmastime again, and that means our favorite season at Guilty Pleasures....Christmas Movie Season!! We're kicking off the season in style with the latest installment of the Netflix Christmas Universe...The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star. Where does this latest Vanessa Hudgens outing rank in the canon? Are there even other people in this movie? How horny can a G-rated movie get? We...

Get ready for Turkey Day as we Flashback 20 years to Wes Anderson's dysfunctional family classic, The Royal Tenenbaums. A family full of child prodigies, a caring mother, a neighbor kid that wants to be a member of the family, and an estranged patriarch that left them all in disarray as an adult. Royal Tenenbaum hits rock bottom and tries to pull a fast one on his family, but in the process of con...

We are thrilled to welcome Laura D'Asaro, Rose Wang and Heather Alexander to talk about their book series  Eat Bugs.  Inspired by the incredible true story of two friends who landed a deal on Shark Tank . Sixth-grade students-turned-entrepreneurs are on a mission to save the world, one bug at a time, in this fun and empowering illustrated novel filled with facts! Vanessa and Anna chat with them ab...

Happy birthday, Mickey! What better time to catch up with the voice of Mickey Mouse than Mickey's birthday! Bret Iwan has voice Mickey since 2009. We speak to him about stepping into that role, and the interesting backstory that comes with it. Bret is also a talented graphic artist, we talk about his new clothing line available on ShopDisney.com. He stays busy creating and restoring projects. Real...

Brett's Birthday Bash Classics Crossover Who Framed Roger Rabbit Extravaganza! It's that time of year again! Brett is turning another year older and we are celebrating with Brett's Birthday Bash Classics Crossover Noirvember Who Framed Roger Rabbit Extravaganza! Brandon Davis and Eric Flick from the Front Row Classics podcast join in on the fun as we discuss the legendary movie from 1988. Roger Ra...

Front Row Classics celebrates Veterans Day with a special interview. Brandon welcomes award-winning journalist, Christian Blauvelt, to discuss the time Hollywood helped win World War II. Blauvelt is the author of the new book, "Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II" . Both Brandon and Christian consider this era of film to be their favorite. The book highlights the movi...