Podcast Like It's ...

Emily and Phil continue their “Films of the Todds” mini series, exploring the work of Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field. This week, they take a look at Todd Phillips’ culture-shifting comedy The Hangover . Joining them is writer and cultural critic Jude Ellison Doyle, who brings a sharp, thoughtful perspective to one of the 2000s most talked-about comedies. Together, they discuss how The Hangov...

Emily and Phil continue their “Films of the Todds” mini series as they take on Todd Haynes’s ambitious and unconventional biopic I’m Not There . They are joined by film critic and podcaster Ryan Marker for a conversation about this multi-layered portrait of Bob Dylan, identity, and the myth of American celebrity. Together, they break down the film’s innovative structure, discuss Cate Blanchett’s a...

Emily and Phil continue their “Films of the Todds” mini series, spotlighting the work of Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field, with a deep dive into Todd Field’s haunting suburban drama Little Children (2006). Joining them is writer and producer Libby Hill, who brings sharp insight into the film’s complex characters, morally murky relationships, and the atmosphere of quiet desperation that runs th...

Emily and Phil continue their “Films of the Todds” mini series—highlighting the work of Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field—by revisiting Todd Phillips’ under-the-radar 2006 comedy School for Scoundrels . They break down the film’s blend of mean-spirited humor and underdog charm, its place in the landscape of mid-2000s comedies, and how Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder play off each other as mism...

Emily and Phil continue their mini series on the films of "The Todds" Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field with a deep dive into Todd Solondz’s challenging and provocative Palindromes (2004). Joining them is filmmaker and returning guest Simon Ennis, who brings thoughtful insight into one of Solondz’s most controversial and layered films. They explore the film’s shifting lead actors, its explorati...

This week on Podcast Like It's the 2000s , Emily and Phil are joined by screenwriter and podcast host Clay Keller (@claykeller) to revisit Todd Phillips’ Starsky & Hutch (2004), the action comedy that helped cement early 2000s buddy cop nostalgia. As they continue their deep dive into the films of "The Todd’s" Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field they examine how Starsky & Hutch fits into...

On this episode of Podcast Like It’s 2000s , Emily and Phil continue their “Films of the Todds” mini-series spotlighting Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field with a look at Todd Phillips’ breakout hit, Old School (2003). Joining them is actor and podcaster Griffin Newman (@grifflightning), who helps examine how Old School shaped 2000s studio comedy, its impact on the careers of its leads, and wher...

Emily and Phil continue their deep dive into The Todds —Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field—with Todd Haynes’ lush and heartbreaking 2002 masterpiece Far From Heaven . Joining them is writer and culture critic Marie Bardi-Salinas (@mariebardi), bringing her sharp insight and deep love for this era of filmmaking. Together, they explore how Haynes channels Douglas Sirk to tell a daring, subversive...

Emily and Phil continue their exploration of The Todd’s —Haynes, Phillips, Solondz, and Field—with a deep, emotional dive into Todd Field’s devastating directorial debut, In The Bedroom (2001). Joining them is critic and editor Katey Rich, bringing insight into what made this restrained, quietly explosive drama a standout of early 2000s cinema. Together, they unpack Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson’...

Phil & Emily kicks off our brand-new mini-series The Films of The Todds —a deep dive into the cinematic worlds of Todd Haynes, Todd Phillips, Todd Solondz, and Todd Field. First up? Todd Solondz’s provocatively layered and deeply uncomfortable 2001 film Storytelling . Joining Phil & Emily is writer and pop culture commentator Rich Monahan to unpack the film’s divisive two-part structure ("...

Phil and Emily are kicking off their new mini-series The Films of “The Todds” —a deep dive into the wildly different worlds of Todd Haynes, Todd Phillips, Todd Solondz, and Todd Field. And what better way to start than with one of the most chaotic, irreverent, and painfully 2000s comedies: Road Trip (2000). Joining them for this raunchy, college-era nostalgia fest is film critic David Ehrlich ( In...

Phil and Emily are wrapping up their dive into Beyoncé’s films of the 2000s mini series with the wild, over-the-top thriller Obsessed (2009). Joining them for this high-stakes finale are Sidney Butler and Austin Harris, ready to break down the campy chaos of this Beyoncé vs. Ali Larter showdown. From glass-shattering catfights to wildly intense stares, they unpack why Obsessed became a cult classi...

Phil and Emily continue their Beyoncé in the Movies Mini-Series with a deep dive into the 2008 musical biopic Cadillac Records , and they’re joined by writer and film critic Mike Natale to help unpack this rich (and underrated) chapter in Queen Bey’s acting career. Beyoncé stars as the legendary Etta James in this chronicle of Chess Records and the rise of American blues and rock ’n’ roll. The tri...

Phil and Emily continue their Beyoncé in the Movies Mini-Series with the crown jewel of her early film career: Dreamgirls (2006). Joining them is the immensely talented actress and singer Barrett Doss ( Station 19 , Iron Fist ), bringing her Broadway perspective to a dazzling conversation about one of the most ambitious movie musicals of the 2000s. They dive into Beyoncé’s transformation into Deen...

Phil and Emily continue their Beyoncé in the Movies Mini-Series with a dive into 2006’s slapstick reboot The Pink Panther ! Joining them are returning guests Brooke Solomon and Jordan Gustafson from Queer Quadrant , ready to unpack the chaotic energy of Steve Martin’s Inspector Clouseau—and Beyoncé’s role as the glamorous pop star turned murder suspect, Xania. They discuss the film’s cartoonish to...

Phil and Emily continue their Beyoncé in the Movies Mini-Series with 2003’s The Fighting Temptations ! Joining them is pop culture writer and critic Louis Peitzman, who helps break down this feel-good gospel comedy starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé in one of her first major film roles. They dive into the movie’s blend of music, faith, and small-town charm, Beyoncé’s effortless charisma on scre...

We’re kicking off our brand-new Beyoncé in the Movies Mini-Series with a groovy start: Austin Powers in Goldmember ! Phil and Emily are joined by writer, comedian, and Beyoncé superfan Akilah Hughes to break down Queen Bey’s feature film debut as the iconic Foxxy Cleopatra. From Mike Myers’ chaotic brand of early-2000s comedy to Beyoncé’s effortless star power, we dive into how Goldmember captured...

Surprise, Swifties and sleuths! For our April Fools’ bonus episode , Phil and Emily hit pause on the movie talk to investigate one of the most unexpected pop culture crossovers of the 2000s: Taylor Swift’s guest appearance on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation —yes, really. In this chaotic and deeply unserious deep dive, we break down the 2009 episode “Turn, Turn, Turn,” where Taylor plays a rebelliou...

We’re wrapping up our Tom Cruise Mini-Series with a high-octane bonus episode, and we’ve brought in the big guns to help us finish strong! Phil and Emily are joined by returning guests Drew Taylor ( The Wrap ) and Charles Hood ( Night Owls , A Better You ) to rank their Top 5 Tom Cruise Movies of All Time . From iconic action roles to underrated dramatic turns, we break down the performances, the...

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with the 2008 historical thriller Valkyrie , and they’re joined by writer David Iserson ( Mr. Robot , Mad Men , New Girl ) to dig into one of the most unexpected and serious turns in Cruise’s 2000s filmography. Directed by Bryan Singer, Valkyrie dramatizes the real-life plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, with Cruise portraying German officer Clau...

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with one of the wildest entries in his filmography—Ben Stiller’s 2008 Hollywood satire Tropic Thunder ! Joining them for the ride are writer/producer Chuck Hayward ( WandaVision , Ted Lasso ) and screenwriter Kenny Neibart, who help break down the film’s razor-sharp commentary, outrageous performances, and Cruise’s unforgettable (and totally unh...

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with a deep dive into the 2007 political drama Lions for Lambs . 🎬🔥 Joining them is film critic and author Jason Bailey ( Fun City Cinema ), who brings his insightful perspective to this star-studded film featuring Cruise, Meryl Streep, and Robert Redford. Despite its powerhouse cast and timely themes, Lions for Lambs struggled to make a lasti...

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with the adrenaline-fueled Mission: Impossible III ! 💥🎭 Joining them are screenwriter Liz Hannah ( The Post, Long Shot ) and writer/producer Brian Millikin ( Quantum Leap, Haven ) to break down how J.J. Abrams' 2006 entry changed the M:I franchise forever. From Philip Seymour Hoffman’s chilling villain to the emotional stakes that added new de...

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with one of the most intense blockbusters of the 2000s—Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds ! 🌍👽 Joining them is journalist and critic Jamelle Bouie ( The New York Times ), who helps break down how this 2005 sci-fi thriller captured post-9/11 anxieties, redefined the alien invasion genre, and gave us one of Cruise’s most underrated performance...

This week, Phil and Emily continue their journey through 2000s cinema with Nights in Rodanthe , the 2008 Nicholas Sparks adaptation that brought Richard Gere and Diane Lane back together for another romantic whirlwind. Joining them is filmmaker and writer Jessica Ellis, who helps unpack why this film leans into peak Sparks melodrama—complete with stormy nights, second chances, and plenty of emotio...