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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...

In this riveting episode, hosts Phil and Emily sit down with Emmy Potter and Carrie Wittmer to explore the enigmatic cult classic Nothebook . Hailing from the 2000s, this film broke the mold with its innovative narrative, striking visuals, and offbeat humor that still resonates today. Join us as our guests share fresh insights on how Nothebook challenged traditional storytelling and influenced a g...

In this heartfelt episode, Phil and Emily dive into the tender world of A Walk to Remember , the 2002 teen romance that left a lasting imprint on early-2000s cinema. Joined by film critic Alissa Wilkinson from Vox, the trio explores the movie’s emotional journey—from its understated charm and iconic performances by Mandy Moore and Shane West to its poignant themes of love, loss, and transformation...

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with Michael Mann’s sleek and stylish Collateral ! 🔥🚖 Joining them is the brilliant Roxana Hadadi ( Vulture ), who helps break down this electrifying 2004 thriller that saw Cruise take on one of his most chilling roles as the cold-blooded contract killer, Vincent. From its stunning digital cinematography to the pulse-pounding tension between C...

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with a deep dive into Edward Zwick’s sweeping 2003 historical epic, The Last Samurai . Joined by esteemed film critic Bilge Ebiri ( New York Magazine ), they explore Tom Cruise’s transformation into a disillusioned American soldier who finds redemption and purpose within the samurai culture of 19th-century Japan. From its breathtaking cinematogr...

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with Steven Spielberg’s gripping 2002 sci-fi thriller Minority Report ! Starring Cruise at the height of his action-star powers, this adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s story explores a dystopian future where crimes can be predicted—and prevented—before they happen. Joined by the brilliant Libby Hill ( IndieWire ), the trio dives into the film’s gro...

The Tom Cruise mini-series continues as Phil and Emily dive into the dreamlike, mind-bending world of Vanilla Sky ! 🎭✨ Joined by special guests Justin and Laura Khoo, co-hosts of the podcast Cows in the Field , they unpack Cameron Crowe’s ambitious 2001 film that blends romance, science fiction, and psychological thriller into one unforgettable ride. From its haunting visuals to its polarizing t...

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to join Phil and Emily as they launch their brand-new Tom Cruise mini-series with a deep dive into Mission: Impossible II ! 🚁🔥 Joining them is the delightful Jamie Jirak ( ComicBook.com ), who helps unpack the over-the-top action, slow-motion doves, and John Woo’s unmistakable directorial flair. From Ethan Hunt’s rock-climbing intro to the explosi...

Hold onto your striped hats! 🎩 In this chaotic episode, Phil and Emily delve into the whimsical and wild world of The Cat in the Hat (2003). Joined by the insightful Tallie Medel, they explore the film's eccentricities, its departure from Dr. Seuss's classic tale, and its place in early 2000s cinema. From Mike Myers's unpredictable performance to the film's surreal production design, the trio exa...

It’s time to get festive with Nicolas Cage! 🎄✨ In this installment of our TIS THE DAMN SEASON: 2024 EDITION mini-series, Phil and Emily dive into the heartfelt holiday drama The Family Man . Directed by Brett Ratner, this 2000s classic reimagines the "What If?" story, as a high-powered executive gets a glimpse of what his life could have been if he’d chosen love over ambition. Phil and Emily dis...