Movies are Life

Nathan and guest, Andrew Hudson, strive to be better than the Gap as they review number 35 on The 50 Best Rom-Coms list, Crazy, Stupid, Love. They discuss the amazing cast and the incredible way that writer Dan Fogelman (This Is Us) interweaves multiple love storylines. Listen to find out why they think Steve Carell is the ultimate character actor, how they have reluctantly become yard guys and ho...

We beg you to not casually listen to this episode. Savor. Relish. Consider every morsel that you place inside your ear. Be mindful. But do not just listen. This podcast is too precious for that. Nathan and guest, Todd Ferguson, ingest the new dark comedy, horror film, The Menu. The two dare to be critical about this much talked about film and discuss what makes this satirical look at the dining wo...

Inconceivable! The Princess Bride is number 19 on The 50 Best Rom-Coms list and returning guest, Michael Andres, returns to the podcast to break down this 80s family classic. Nathan and Michael discuss what makes this movie so memorable as well as frightening (shrieking eels anybody?). The two can’t deny that The Princess Bride is an all around great movie, but listen to find out if they think it...

We are hopping on our motorcycle to head to the Knicks playoff game as we kickoff our new series, The 50 Best Rom-Coms, with the number 43 entry, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Nathan’s wife and rom-com expert, Whitney Chandler, joins the podcast to give an overview of what to expect from this new series as well as discuss what makes this particular entry so enjoyable to watch. You’ll want to make...

Grab your love fern and prepare for a dramatic airport declaration of love, because the Movies are Life podcast is going to watch, discuss, debate and celebrate each film that is on The Ringer’s list of the 50 greatest rom-coms . On each episode of this new series, a guest will join host Nathan Chandler to dissect one of these classics to see if it’s worth a meet cute. Along the way, we’ll formula...

It’s an early holiday gift to the Movies are Life listeners! In this bonus episode, Nathan is joined by returning guest, Mark Blitch, to list their favorite television/streaming shows from 2022. Films seemed to flounder this year and television has been right there to steal the limelight. Some shows that made their lists are a given, but you may find yourself surprised by some of their top picks!...

It’s the first year-end list of the podcast and Nathan has asked returning guest, Mark Blitch, to come on to break down their top ten films from the past year (or so). Plus, you may recognize some familiar voices along the way who share their top picks from a somewhat dismal year for film. What a fun way to celebrate the end of 2022 and the inaugural year of Movies are Life! And make sure you list...

We promise, the podcast isn’t trying to ruin your holiday cheer by talking about two of the most successful and intense horror movies from this year, Smile and Barbarian. Horror enthusiast, Charles Mills, joins Nathan to break down the two innovative films and the social commentary that they provide on tough topics such as mental illness and gender dynamics. Although their opinions differ on the e...

You’ll shoot your eye out! I triple dog dare you! Fra-gee-lay! The 1983 film A Christmas Story left a lasting imprint on pop culture and the holiday season. Does the HBO Max legacy sequel A Christmas Story Christmas live up to its predecessor? Nathan and guest, Clint Parker, debate whether this film captures the magic of the original, as well as discuss their favorite Christmas movies and childhoo...

Cameron Olbert was the perfect guest to have on today’s podcast to discuss the 1982 film, Gandhi. Cameron is currently studying International Relations at the University of Edinburgh and has a vast understanding of the political movement that is featured in this film. Additionally, he kindly guides Nathan through the correct pronunciation of Edinburgh and the other historical figures represented i...

It’s time for the podcast to get nerdy as Nathan and frequent guest, Kyle Radford, discuss all things parody in the new “biopic” Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Among many things, they discuss the offbeat humor and surprising cameos in this Roku original, but also talk about what makes ‘Weird Al’ still relevant and original after so many years in the music industry. There’s no doubt that ‘Weird Al’...

Nathan needed help channeling his inner diva, so he invited guest Nina Carlson to come on today’s episode to talk about the romantic drama thriller, The Bodyguard. The film is celebrating its 30th anniversary, so it was a perfect time to discuss if this movie holds up to modern times. You are in for an entertaining listen as the two differ on their opinions on the strength of chemistry between lea...

Mid-term elections are right around the corner, so why not dive in deeper to the anxiety that people on both sides of the aisle are feeling by talking about the 1962 political thriller, The Manchurian Candidate. Nathan has invited Jennifer Hill, the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being he’s ever known to join him to talk about this timeless film. This is the perfect episode to lis...

We are a happy family on today’s episode as we focus on the Peacock original documentary I Love You, You Hate Me about, that’s right, Barney the purple dinosaur. Baylor bud and now acclaimed documentary filmmaker, Chris Charles Scott (Class Action Park), joins Nathan to discuss the impact that this children’s series made, for better and for worse, on culture and our desire to hate on things that a...

Although the Handbook for the Recently Deceased reads like stereo instructions, Nathan thought that his sister, Jessie Ward, was the perfect person to bring in to decipher this manual and the 1988 horror comedy, Beetlejuice. Both agree that this Tim Burton classic is amazing to take in, but wonder if its originality is more style than substance. Listen to see how this sibling pair decipher this we...

Are we all miracle workers or just janitors in this world? Thankfully Nathan has a friend like Michael Andres to come onto the podcast to breakdown this philosophical question and other deep thoughts that the 2007 legal thriller, Michael Clayton, poses. After 15 years, both agree that Tony Gilroy’s film about corporate greed completely resonates today, even if all the flip phones haven’t. 0:00 - I...

It’s officially spooky season! 🎃 What better way to kick off the month of October by discussing the much anticipated sequel, Hocus Pocus 2. Nathan doesn’t have much of a connection with the original film, so he brought in Hocus Pocus super fan, Stacy Massey, to discuss why people have been clamoring for this film for almost 30 years. Fans have been split on their reaction to the Disney+ original...

🎵Moon River…🎵 Fletch is a cult comedy from the ‘80s that host, Nathan Chandler, somehow missed during his childhood despite being a Chevy Chase fan. Nathan goes undercover and invites his hometown friend, Joe Kendrick, to discuss what makes this movie so beloved and if it holds up today for younger generations. Listen as they discuss their best costumes, sports fantasies and the ultimate pseudo...

Dear Movies are Life, I don’t consider myself a negative podcast, but I can’t help but feel some angst against the 2021 film adaptation of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen. The music is wonderful and I’m glad it addresses real-life issues, but it completely goes about it the wrong way. Good thing that Nathan Chandler has brought in his best friends, Abel Cass, Todd Fergu...

The soundtrack. The memorable lines. The lift. Dirty Dancing is one of the most iconic movies from the ’80s and to celebrate its 35th anniversary, we are breaking down everything that has made it stand the test of time. Nathan and Whitney Chandler welcome their sister-in-law, Debbie Graham, to discuss what makes the movie both so scandalous and irresistible. Nobody can put this podcast episode in...

The action IS the juice. And so is this podcast episode. Heat enthusiast, Brandon McMinn, joins Nathan to breakdown this complex 1995 crime thriller. Listen to why they think this movie is operating on a different level than most heist films and why it is still thrilling to watch Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in a film together. 0:00 - Intro 3:09 - Review: “Heat” with Brandon McMinn 29:33 - Movie M...

Are you the hunter or the hunted? In the case for Nathan and guest Beau Gatlin, it’s neither. But that didn’t stop them from discussing the 2022 prequel in the Predator franchise, Prey. Although Prey is not a film that the two are usually drawn to, they tackle what worked and didn’t work in the movie, if you can rely on your dog to help you survive an attack and the Fast and Furious franchise. One...

Tik, tik, tik, tik, tik, tik… Nathan and guest Candice Hillenbrand loved A24’s Marcel the Shell with Shoes On as much as Marcel loves Lesley Stahl from 60 Minutes. The two discuss what makes Marcel so adorable and why they think this little one-inch-tall shell embodies the struggles that our society has gone through the past couple of years. Other topics include car sickness, the thrill of throwin...

Yup. Host of The Entertainment Answer and member of the Critics Choice Awards and Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association , Matt Mungle, joins Nathan to talk about flying saucers and chimpanzees in Jordan Peele's new sci-fi thriller, Nope. Even though the two disagree on the overall effectiveness of the film, both are enamored by what a strong storyteller Peele is and how he is able to pull suc...

It’s a family affair on today’s episode! Nathan’s wife, Whitney, and his in-laws, Steve and Jennifer Graham, join him to discuss the 2022 music biopic, Elvis. Even though Nathan wasn’t as keen on the film as the rest of his family, they all appreciated a lot of different aspects of the film, especially the breakthrough performance from Austin Butler. If anything, you must listen to the episode to...