Maltin on Movies

Holiday Greetings from Leonard and his daughter Jessie! We all know the quintessential Christmas movies but what are some of the other Holiday gems that have fallen by the wayside? From Elf to The Santa Claus, Leonard and Jessie discuss which films you must see this Holiday season.

This week Leonard and Baron discuss three movies based on True-Life Stories: the 2013 drama Tracks starring Mia Wasikowska (an adaptation of Robyn Davidson's memoir of the same name), a musical biopic told in an unconventional way, and Bobcat Goldthwait's documentary Call Me Lucky which chronicles the life and work of comedian/activist Barry Crimmins which you should definitely seek out.

Scott Cooper, the writer-director of Crazy Heart, which earned Jeff Bridges an Oscar, and this year's Black Mass with Johnny Depp joins Leonard to talk about his lifelong love of movies, how he makes actors feel at ease, and one of his favorite sleepers, Funny Bones (1995) with Oliver Platt and Jerry Lewis.

Leonard and Baron are back this week to discuss three movies set in New York: the delightful 2009 release City Island, a major league movie that they think is not so hot, and 1994's Fresh, a genuine sleeper.

The Smartest Man in the World, Greg Proops joins Leonard this week to discuss his wide-ranging interest in movies, which he screens in front of a live audience at Cinefamily in Los Angeles. They'll also talk about one of Greg's personal favorites, Don Siegel's 1973 crime thriller Charley Varrick, starring Walter Matthau.

You know him and you love him from Freaks and Greeks, Inglourious Basterds, and his notoriously celebrated appearances on Doug Loves Movies, Samm Levine joins Leonard this week to discuss his lifelong love of movies and one of his particular favorites, James L. Brooks' Broadcast News.

The man who directed National Lampoon's Animal House, The Blues Brothers, and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is also one of Hollywood's most avid and knowledgeable film buffs. John Landis joins Leonard and Baron this week to talk about a wide variety of subjects, from Don Rickles to Fred Astaire. He also reveals one of his favorite unsung horror movies of the 1930s.

Jerry Beck of CartoonResearch.com is one of the world's leading experts on Animated Cartoons. This week Jerry joins Leonard to talk about growing up with cartoons, recent animated shorts from Disney and Pixar, and three must-see animated features: Disney's Teacher's Pet, Surf's Up, and Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues.

That frightening time of year is upon us and this week Leonard and Baron work up the courage to discuss three terrific films perfect for the Halloween season: a modern classic 28 Days Later, Guillermo del Toro's masterful Pan's Labyrinth, and Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, a clever film that mixes humor with horror.

This week, Leonard and Baron discuss the remarkable Philip Seymour Hoffman and focus on three films from his unbelievable career: the exceptionally great film Charlie Wilson's War, a definite dud in which he's actually very good in, and a sleeper worth checking out called A Late Quartet.

Leonard and Baron respond to Jessie Maltin's concept of naming "chicken soup" movies: films that make you feel better when you're sick, and others that you might discover when you're housebound. Examples range from Marx Brothers comedies to 10 Things I Hate About You.

If you haven't seen Fred Willard's face you have been living under a rock for the past 35 years. Fred joins Leonard and Baron this week to talk about his career from his time performing at Second City in Chicago to his work in many hilarious Christopher Guest films. Fred also discusses his love of baseball movies which include The Pride of the Yankees, Field of Dreams, and Clint Eastwood's Trouble...

Who is your Batman—Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, Adam West? Leonard and his daughter Jessie talk about the movie heroes we've all grown up with, and why we're attached to the ones we saw first…from Superman to James Bond.

Recorded from the 2015 Los Angeles Podfest, Leonard and Baron discuss LA Movies: the 2006 true-crime period film Hollywoodland, a true-crime turkey also released that very same year, and a brilliant sleeper by the name of King of California. Plus, they take questions from the live audience!

Phil Rosenthal, creator of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and the new PBS series "I'll Have What Phil's Having" joins Leonard this week to discuss Woody Allen's Broadway Danny Rose: a hilarious film that showcases the low end of New York show business.

Finally, a sequel as good as the first! This week Leonard & Baron discuss the many great performances by Catherine O'Hara, Madeline Kahn, and Melissa McCarthy, as well as Baron's new theme song!

School is back in session and this week Leonard and Baron discuss three films that deal with school life: the terrific social satire Election, a movie with a likable cast that is unapologetically bad, and the breath of fresh air that is 2004's Saved!

Leonard and Jessie Maltin are back this week to talk about many facets of moviegoing: accepting a movie for what it is and not for what it isn't, the experience of seeing a movie with an engaged audience at a film festival, and discovering a wonderful movie sometimes by luck.

Transferring hit TV shows to the big screen isn't a new idea. This week Leonard and Baron discuss three films that have received this treatment: 1991's dark and twisted The Addams Family, two unfortunate turkeys, and the underrated (and star-studded) SNL film Coneheads.

This week Leonard and Baron discuss three documentaries that are well worth your time and will make you cry: Jesse Moss' The Overnighters, Crips and Bloods: Made in America, and an inspiring film about two remarkable people separated in age by more than 60 years.

Baron and Leonard are reunited once again! Inspired by leading ladies Amy Schumer & Melissa McCarthy, they discuss three films that feature funny ladies: Whoopi Goldberg in the crowd pleaser Sister Act, Lily Tomlin in The Late Show, a sleeper from 1977, and a stinker from one of everyone's favorite female comics. (p.s. it wasn't her fault).

Leonard and Jessie Maltin are back this week and this time they are answering your questions about music in film! What's the best music score? Which film has the best soundtrack? What are some unknown musical movie gems? Tune in to find out!

Leonard returns along with his daughter Jessie Maltin to answer all your questions! What was Leonard's first (and second) experience walking out of a movie? What is the best Alan Smithee film? If you can only watch movies from one decade which will it be? Tune in to find out!

Baron is joined once again by the globe-trotting Jessie Maltin as they discuss actors who fill major roles in major motion pictures constantly but aren't names known by "your mom."

This week Baron and special guest Jessie Maltin answer some listener questions addressed to Leonard & Baron including: favorite film of all time, favorite film composers, if they have ever changed their opinion of a film upon a second viewing, and much more.