Mission 250 Filmcast

This week, we're diving into an extraordinary narrative of mental freedom amidst physical paralysis. We analyze 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' (2007), directed by Julian Schnabel, focusing on its compelling storytelling, emotional depth, and the profound human resilience it showcases.

This week, we delve deep into a poignant French drama that explores an unconventional friendship crossing boundaries of class, race, and physical disability. We dissect The Intouchables (2011), directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, focusing on its intent, execution, and the social implications it portrays. 

This week, we watch the only film in history where you can see Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse together on screen. Its also contains the most distributing scene of cartoon shoe murder. Melding animation and live action like never before, this movie remains a unique masterpiece of mixed genres and styles. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), directed by Robert Zemeckis.

This week, we watch the follow-up prison movie from the director of the #1 best movie of all time. Stephen King bleeds his ideas into a fantasy about healing people at a cost. It takes place on death row. The Green Mile (1999), directed by Frank Darabont.

This week, we watch the newest war film to get nominated for (and win) some Oscars. The German language, Netflix produced film takes a very stark, muddy, bloody, and wet look at war and what it puts young people through. All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), directed by Edward Berger.

This week, we watch the newest war film to get nominated for (and win) some Oscars. The German language, Netflix produced film takes a very stark, muddy, bloody, and wet look at war and what it puts young people through. All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), directed by Edward Berger.

This week, we introduce Robob (Pronounced row-bob. You know, like robot Bob). John has created a program to work with a large-language-model (artificial intelligence that has been making waves in the news recently) and we talk with it to see what it thinks about Rear Window.

This week, we watch Jimmy Stewart sit in a chair and stare out his back window. This film holds up as a tight thriller, which blends mystery with comedy in a fantastic way. It doesn't feel like a film that is nearly celebrating its 70th birthday. Rear Window (1954), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

This week, we watch the "narrative" / feature length music video by one of the biggest bands of all time, Pink Floyd. Even if you're not the biggest Floyd fan, there is a lot to appreciate in this arthouse smattering of imagery and animation. The Wall (1982), directed by Alan Parker.

This week, we watch the sci-fi / horror / action masterpiece by the director that would go on to have three of the top five grossing movies of all time. The action in this movie remains top tier, the performances are stellar, and even the CG holds up pretty well. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), directed by James Cameron.

Since Everything Everywhere All At Once swept the major categories at last nights Oscars (best picture, best director, best original screenplay, best editing, best actress, best supporting actress, and best supporting actor), we are reposting our EEAAO episode from last August.  Congrats to everyone involved on the historic win!

This week, we watch the sci-fi / horror / action masterpiece by the director that would go on to have three of the top five grossing movies of all time. The action in this movie remains top tier, the performances are stellar, and even the CG holds up pretty well. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), directed by James Cameron.

This week, we watch another Best Picture nominee from the past year. This film showcases Cate Blanchett's immense talent in the role of a world famous conductor based in Germany. Leave your expectations behind, because this film does many things different than typical character studies. Tar (2022), directed by Todd Field.

This week, we watch the multiple 2023 Oscar nominee, which is an autobiography from the most famous director in the world. Spielberg directs his own script for the first time in over two decades, and gets his first and only writing nomination. Also features the legendary John Williams fantastic penultimate score. The Fabelmans (2022), directed by Steven Spielberg.

This week, we watch the 2023 Oscar nominee for Best International Film from Argentina. This film depicts the historical court case that came after the downfall of those in power during the long run of dictatorships, where the perpetrators of various crimes are tried for accountability. Argentina, 1985 (2022), directed by Santiago Mitre.

This week, we watch the quintessential Boston film. Based on a combination of the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger and the Chinese crime drama Infernal Affairs, Scorsese finally wins his best picture/director award with this movie that is soaked in unmatched violence and terrible Boston accents. The Departed (2006), directed by Martin Scorsese.

This week, we watch the highly enjoyable action packed film RRR. Loosely based on historical figures, this movie has some amazing action sequences and great characters. Not to mention some great music and a spectacular dance battle. RRR (2022). Directed by SS Rajamouli.

This week, we watch the film that tells the true story of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a man who survived the holocaust. This film brutally portrays the suffering and murder in Warsaw during the nazi occupation, and should be required viewing for everyone of a certain age. The Pianist (2002), directed by Roman Polanski.

This week, we are finishing the "bonus episode" director deep dive. We've watch all of of the playwright turned director Martin McDonagh's movies. We've been looking forward to his newest film for some time, and he doesn't disappoint. The Banshees of Inisherin (2022), directed by Martin McDonagh.

This week, we are continuing the "bonus episode" director deep dive. With the film The Banshees of Inisherin on the horizon, we're going on a kick of the playwright turned director Martin McDonagh's movies. The list may be small, but he is one of the best writer/directors working today. This week, we are doing his second feature length film, Seven Psychopaths (2012), as well as his very first film...

This week, we are continuing the "bonus episode" director deep dive. With the film The Banshees of Inisherin on the horizon, we're going on a kick of the playwright turned director Martin McDonagh's movies. The list may be small, but he is one of the best writer/directors working today. This week, we are doing his first feature length film, In Bruges (2008).

Its 2023! There's nothing that says New Years Day like a film based on looking into the past. Currently, this movie has moved up to #30 on the IMDB Top 250 since we froze the list back in 2016, which speaks to how well this movie holds up over time. Back to the Future (1985), directed by Robert Zemeckis.

We're taking a break for the holidays for travel and family.  We will return in 2023!

This week, we are starting a "bonus episode" director deep dive. With the film The Banshees of Inisherin on the horizon, we're going on a kick of the playwright turned director Martin McDonagh's movies. The list may be small, but he is one of the best writer/directors working today. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), directed by Martin McDonagh.

This week, we're back to the list! One of the most recent entries on top higher end of the top 250, we encourage everyone who hasn't seen this film to do so without reading too much about it. Whiplash (2014), directed by Damien Chazelle.