Modern Classics Podcast

This week we catch up on what we have been watching lately. Films discussed include; A House Of Dynamite, Lurker, Frankenstein, Friendship, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Bring Her Back, Oceans 8, Confessions of a Shopaholic, The Lovebirds and more. We also play a round of "A24 questions" (our movie guessing game) and "Making The Cut" (our movie release year trivia game). Make sure y...

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004) vs. The Savages (2007) It's a battle of words as the category for this week's episode is "Best Original Screenplay Nominees". Out of all the possible contenders we settled on two very different films. Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind is an irreverent sci-fi dramedy starring a very subdued Jim Carey along with a very animated Kate Winslet. Director...

Today leading up to our Best Original Screenplay Nominees battle episode we discuss every film nominated for Best Original Screenplay since the year 2001. The prompt lead to many great ideas on what films to cover next and some solid bits as usual. Films discussed include; Banshees Of Inisherin, Up, Get Out, The Squid and The Whale, Gosford Park, Manchester By The Sea, Amelie, Gangs of New York, L...

Inside Man (2006) vs. Thunivu (2023) The category is "Heist Movies". Join us as two films go head to head and possibly earn a spot on our Greatest Films of the 21 Century List. First we tackle 'Inside Man' the Spike Lee joint from 2006. With Denzel Washington , Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer and Willem Dafoe going toe to toe in a taut thrill ride. Then it's &#3...

Join us as we determine the scariest movie we have covered in our battle episodes. We have put together a bracket of all 12 horror films from Modern Classics history and judged them based on what we like to call the "Scream Scale". Movies discussed include The Host, The Village, Shaun of the Dead, Another, I Am Mother, Possessor, Escape Room, Nope, Pulse, A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night...

Arrival (2016) vs. Landscape With Invisible Hand (2023) The category for today's Battle Episode is "Alien Invasions". It's time to explore a robust genre of 2000's film. We had the tough task of choosing two films to go head to for a chance of placing a spot on the Greatest Films 21st Century List. First up is 2016's "Arrival" a sweeping epic on the linguistic b...

Today's episode is all about villains as we explore the subject in our segment Keep It 2000. We also play a round of 2000 or More where Mike's knowledge of Ang Lee's filmography will be put to the test. Movies discussed in this episode include No Country For Old Men, XMen, Whiplash, Lord of The Rings, Us, Whiplash, Finding Nemo, Gangs of New York, There Will Be Blood, Training Day, Gan...

Whale Rider (2003) vs Kontroll (2003) The Category is “Movies From 2003” and your hosts are bringing two lesser known films to the battle arena. First up is “Whale Rider”. A coming of age tale out of New Zealand with a stunning performance from Keisha Castle-Hughes. Next up is the Hungarian indie thriller “Kontroll”. A wild ride into the depths of Budapest’s underground metro system. Mike and Kend...

Welcome to another Prequel Episode. Mike and Kendell tackle movies in 2003. Do you remember some of your favorites from that year? Tune in to see if any are discussed. Movies covered include Head of State, Big Fish, Lost In Translation, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Master and Commander plus a lot more. Your Hosts also had some time to catch up on some films they recently got the chance to se...

Seven Psychopaths (2012) vs. Under The Silver Lake (2018) The category for today's battle is "Encore Performances". Both hosts chose a film starring an actor that was covered in a previous battle episode. Kendell's actor was Christopher Walken who was previously discussed in "The Rundown". His encore performance is in the Martin McDonagh's "Seven Psychopaths" a meta action/comedy with some unexpec...

This week your hosts discuss some recent viewings of Superman, Eddington, and Sing Sing. Then it's a breakdown of the Movies of 2010. From Oscar winners/nominees to lesser known foreign films Mike and Kendell cover a wide range of movies including Inception, The Book of Eli, Black Swan, Kick Ass, Due Date, I Saw The Devil, Macgruber, The King's Speech and more. Hosted By Mike Evans & K...

Nigh Moves (2013) vs Selma (2014) The category for this battle episode is “Political Activism”. Given the current state of U.S. politics being active politically is extremely important so your host Mike and Kendell thought it would be a good time to explore how the subject is portrayed in modern cinema. The pair of films up for debate are two very different takes on how to and how not to stand up...

Macon Blair Interview This week we had the privilege of chatting with filmmaker Macon Blair about his new movie "The Toxic Avenger" along with the rest of his fantastic filmography. It was a joy to hear more about this much anticipated reboot of the beloved cult horror franchise. Macon Blair has carved out a his own dark and quirk corner of independent film starting with his directorial...

Pulse (2001) Vs Another (2012) The category for today's battle episode is "Japanese Horror" with a frightening double feature. Kiyoshi Kurosawa's masterful internet ghost story "Pulse" from 2001 goes head to head with 2012's manga adapted "Another". Both films offered a lot to discuss when it comes to what to do and what not to do when making a horror movi...

Films Discussed: Uglies (2024), Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003), The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026), The Paperboy (2012), Ash (2025), Grafted (2024), Presence (2024), Hitchcock (2012)  It’s a unique prequel episode this week. After a recording mishap the original audio for this episode was deleted. As a result it was time to re-record and recap all the jokes and segments that were lost. But it...

Sexy Beast (2000) vs. The Cat Returns (2002) This week’s category is “90 Minutes or Less” and your hosts have brought two very different films to the battle arena. First up is “Sexy Beast”. Johnathan Glazer’s highly stylized crime thriller that gave us a spectacularly memorable performance by Sir Ben Kingsley. Then it’s a lesser known Studio Ghibli offering with “The Cat Returns”. A whimsical anim...

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!!!  It’s time for the Past Tens Award again! The Past Tens is a chance to go back and look at all the award winners of the past ten movies covered and determine an overall winner for each categroy. There are some tough match ups and your hosts had some difficult choices. Mike and Kendell also get into a discussion on two recent theater releases. The 2025 absurdist comedy “Friendsh...

The Devil Wears Prada (2006) vs. Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) Two beloved films go head to head in the category of “Corporate Life”. First up is “The Devil Wears Prada” from 2006. An undefinable comedy that gave us memorable performers and even more memorable outfits. Then its “Everything Everywhere All At Once” the 2022 sci-fi/action/comedy/drama and best picture winner that takes cre...

On this weeks prequel episode it's time to delve into the world of 2000's remakes. There are an overabundance of films to discuss when it comes to rehashes, reboots, and redos so your host's Kendell and Mike break it down into three categories; Critically Acclaimed, Under-discussed, and No So Good. Remakes covered include Funny Games, Insomnia, King Kong, True Grit, Taking of Pelham 123 and more....

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) Vs. Synchronic (2019) Another battle episode is upon us and the category is “Time Travel”. Your hosts Mike and Kendell did their best to bring you two movies you might not be familiar with. It’s an interesting conversation on the pitfalls of genre filmmaking tropes, what both films could have done better, and whether or not the time travel genre has much to offer in th...

Today Mike and Kendell break some ties on the Greatest Films of the 21st Century List. Then it's a discussion on the latest Ryan Coogler release Sinners (2025). Of course a prequel episode wouldn't be complete with out a game so the fellas round things out with a lesser played segment A24 Questions. Give the show a subscribe and if you really want to help out please rate, review and follow...

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009) vs. El Infierno "Aka Hell" (2010)  It’s battle time again and the category is “Films With A Location in The Title”. There were a lot of 2000’s movies to choose from but Mike and Kendell opted for two deep cuts. First up is Mike’s pick “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” from 2009. A drug fueled ride into the dark side of dirty cops,...

It's a prequel episode and there's some dirty dirty business to attend to. First it's time to break some ties on the Modern Classics Greatest Films of the 21st Century List. Your hosts Mike and Kendell will have to rank 13 Assassins, Perfect Day, Little Miss Sunshine and Queen & Slim to decide the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th rankings on the coveted list. Then a discussion about the r...

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) vs. Queen and Slim (2019) Welcome to the show! It’s time to battle in the category of “Road Movies”. Kendell’s pick “Little Miss Sunshine” is an early aughts time capsule with legendary performances by Abigail Breslin and Alan Arkin. A much loved family dramedy that launched Breslin and Steve Carell into movie star status for years to come. On the other hand Mike’s pick...

50th Episode Extravaganza It’s a very special episode of the Modern Classics Podcast as your hosts Mike and Kendell celebrate their 50th Episode milestone. Join the fun as the guys share some special messages from big names like Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson and Tracy Morgan. Plus an appearance by friend of the show Billiam (host of Future Flicks with Billiam). Then stick around for discussions of Mic...