Mission 250 Filmcast

This week, we abandon the list to watch one of the best movies of last year, and a Best Picture Academy Award nominee. Combining the comedy of a buddy-cop film with the heavy drama of real historical and present day events revolving around racism in the United States, this film packs an enormous emotional punch, and successfully provokes conversations about the state of this country that we should...

This week, we watch the classic war film that dominated the Oscars the year it was released. On a remote Japanese island, a large group of British and American soldiers, now prisoners, are forced to build a bridge. The movie's production took place in the jungle, and included hundreds of extras and enormous sets, yet the story of the soldiers is what makes this film a classic that still holds up t...

This week, we go off the top 250 list and watch the film that set the standard on how to make an interesting, funny, and informative story about the tedium that is good reporting, and would rightfully accept any and all association to the best picture winner Spotlight, as the influences are apparent. How is this not one of the top 250? All the President's Men (1976), directed by Alan Pakula.

This week, we watch the 2010 best foreign picture Oscar winner. One part love story, one part crime drama, this film jumps back and fourth in time as the plot is pieced together, while a historical take of Argentina's troubled past serve as a backdrop. The Secret in Their Eyes (2009), directed by Juan Jose Campanella.

This week, we watch the sequel to the ground breaking classic that is the grandfather of all dark, futuristic science fiction films. This film manages to equal the quality of the original, and even improves on certain aspects, while expanding on the ideas put fourth by Ridley Scott decades ago. Blade Runner 2049 (2017), directed by Denis Villeneuve.

This week, we watch what some consider the best science fiction film in history. The world shown on screen set a standard for the genre, and its influence can be seen in nearly every sci-fi film since its release. With five official cuts and a wealth of lore behind the making, this film begs to be rewatched and pondered over. The outstanding visuals just make it that much more enjoyable. Blade Run...

This week, we watch the film that put the legendary director Ingmar Bergman on the map, which lead some of cinemas best works, and also some of its most pretentious. Known for its now famous image of a knight playing chess on a beach with death, this movie is worth watching more for the ideas it presents, and not necessarily for the craft or for entertainment. The Seventh Seal (1957), directed by...

This week, we watch a large cast of morons stumble their way through a series of crimes. The film debut of both Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones, this low budget cockney masterpiece came from the hopes and hard work of the cast and crew, and also the pockets of their families. The film's soundtrack was so good, Madonna married the director. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), directed by Gu...

This week, we watch another animated masterpiece by Studio Ghibli. Packed with bird wizards, fire demons, cursed witches, enchanted scarecrows, war machines, tar monsters, walking castles, spirit creatures, and portal doors, Miyazaki outdoes himself in this tale of fantasy. Howl's Moving Castle (2004), directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

This week, we watch one of the first films in history to marry sound with film, with a synchronized soundtrack, as well as the first audio cue jump scare. This movie remains surprisingly relevant despite being released over 90 years ago. Sunrise (1927), directed by F. W. Murnau.

This week, we watch the spiritual sequel to Goodfellas, when De Niro and Pesci move from New York to Vegas. Based on the true life story of Frank Rosenthal (who still claims no knowledge of the events depicted in this film), this movie is probably the most historically accurate film we have watched so far. Casino (1995), directed by Martin Scorsese.

BONUS EPISODE! Somehow this movie came up in about 10 episodes in a row, and while its not on the list, we felt it appropriate to watch this classic of 90's cinema. Losers always whine about trying their best, and Nicholas Cage is no loser. Carla was the Prom Queen. The Rock (1995), directed by Michael Bay.

This week, we watch the classic Bergman movie that is Stanley Kubrick's second favorite film of all time. An isolated, accomplished older man reflects on his life choices as he nears death. The story unravels slowly and tells a simple tale, but one that we can all relate to. Wild Strawberries (1957), directed by Ingmar Bergman.

This week, we watch the first silent movie on the list - Starring the legendary Buster Keaton. Based on the true Civil War story, this film is almost entirely a series of chases on trains. The General, directed by Buster Keaton.

This week, we watch the story of the man who suffered from an extremely unfortunate disease that made his appearance monstrous. This film focuses on the time during his life where he met Doctor Treves, played by Hannibal Lecter himself, Sir Anthony Hopkins. The Elephant Man (1980), directed by David Lynch.

This week, we watch the Rocky inspired sports drama, where Nick Nolte drunkenly rambles his way to an oscar nomination, and Tom Hardy muscles are doing their demo reel for The Dark Knight Rises. This film is not so much for the fans of the UFC, but for fans of family drama and The National. Warrior (2011), directed by Gavin O'Connor.

This week, we watch Episode VII, a fantastic entry to the Star Wars saga, where Darth Vader is now a moody teenager, R2D2 is round, and everyone is still making fun of the Millennium Falcon for some reason. We're also glad to see the portly X-Wing fighter makes it this time around. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), directed by J.J. Abrams.

This week, we watch the modified story of actual trials that took place in Nuremberg, Germany, after the end of World War II. This film brings up the topic of where to place the guilt for war crimes, and how far down the blame should. Spencer Tracy comes up with some ideas. Judgement at Nuremberg (1961), directed by Stanley Kramer.

This week, we watch the "true" story of Jordan Belfort, the a-hole stock broker that took advantage of hundreds of people for millions of dollars, living it up the entire time, and only had to do two years in prison as a penalty. This movie is hilarious, but also glorifies stealing, drugs, and generally being a terrible person. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), directed by Martin Scorsese.

This week, we watch the best picture winning film that tells a version of the story of John Nash, the real life Nobel Prize winning mathematician who struggled with schizophrenia. The film takes some liberties to make his story palatable to movie goers, but contains mostly accurate information on what is shown. A Beautiful Mind (2001), directed by Ron Howard.

This week, we watch the film that popularized the Guy Fawkes mask and gave birth to the symbol of the hacking organization, Anonymous. This film melds noir, science-fiction, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, and super-hero genres together in a bloody tale of power and fear. V for Vendetta (2005), directed by James McTeigue.

This week, we watch the film that was rated as the #1 best movie of all time by 358 of the biggest directors in the world (including Scorsese, Tarantino, Coppola, and many others). This film takes on the seemingly not so interesting topic of every day life, and uses its deliberate pacing (slow) to add weight to its topics in a way that we rarely see on the screen. Tokyo Story (1953), directed by Y...

This week, we watch the incredibly dark film that put the director of Arrival, Sicario, and Blade Runner 2049 on the map. Stellar acting by the lead characters draw you into the story that wouldn't be believable otherwise, and the intense realism of the gun violence in the film won't be easily forgotten. Incendies (2010), directed by Denis Villeneuve.

100 Episodes!  Top 5 favorite and Bottom 3 least favorite, personal picks from Denny, John, and TC.  Also, special movie category awards (best movie dog, best action scene, best movie beverage, best asshole protagonist, and lots more).

This week, we watch Clint Eastwood point his gun shaped hand at some thugs to protect his neighbors. What was suppose to be his acting send off (only to come back to acting a few years later), he brings his classic snarl and anger to the role of Walt Kowalski. Gran Torino (2008), directed by Clint Eastwood.