The Goods: A Film Podcast

Dan and Brian dig deep while discussing the 1999 documentary about an aspiring independent filmmaker. Join as they talk through the attempted filming of Northwestern and "Coh-ven," and the various idiosyncrasies and relationships in filmmaker Mark Borchardt's life. As they do so, they ponder what it says about their own creative endeavors and "trying to get all this shit done." Dan's movie reviews...

Dan and Brian revisit the early YouTube comedy troupe Derrick Comedy, discuss a few of their sketches, and then review their feature-length film Mystery Team. Join as they discuss the influence of Upright Citizens Brigade in comedy in the 2010s, admire the film's cast deep with future stars, relive some of their favorite jokes, and debate the film's elegaic, introspective qualities. Dan's movie re...

Dan and Brian welcome their old pal Gargus back on the pod to discuss Dr. Who and the fiftieth anniversary of the famed Genesis of the Daleks serial. Join as they talk through the show's premise and long history, then the context of this six-part, feature-length serial. They parse through why Daleks resonated with people, the Nazi imagery and moral grayness, the memorable Davros, the revered "have...

To celebrate Easter, Dan and Brian record an epic episode to discuss an epic film: the Cecil B. DeMille Moses behemoth, The Ten Commandments. They also discuss the DreamWorks animation rendition of the same story. Lastly, they dare to watch the dollar-store knockoff, Prince for Egypt. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://th...

The Goods welcomes back biblical scholar Gavin McDowell as well as Kevin McDowell, Gavin's father, a lawyer and educator. They discuss Inherit the Wind, the film telling a barely-fictionalized version of the 1925 Scopes trial against a teacher who taught evolution in classrooms. Join as they discuss both the historical and current context of the trial, their own religious practices, instances wher...

For their fifth April Fool's Day episode, Dan and Brian welcome back Brian's brother Andrew. They discuss first the anti-slasher film April Fool's Day, then dive deep into Dan and Brian's not-quite-a-film selections of the year: Jenga Club VHS recovered from a trash can by Andrew, plus Dan's series of "Incorporated Enterprise" films made with his marching band buddies in high school. Dan's and Bri...

Huzzah! We've reached 200 episodes! Join as Dan and Brian look back on episodes #151-200 of The Goods: A Film Podcast to reflect on where they've come from and where they're headed, analyze a few numbers, and hand out Goodies -- self-declared awards for both podcast content and movies reviewed. List of films covered and eligible is here: https://thegoodsreviews.com/podcast/200th-episode-spectacula...

Dan and Brian review two films about clones, including a rare discussion of a film still in theater. Join as they describe Cinemark's D-Box viewing experience, fondly remember Jansen Panettiere, debate clones as a metaphor, break down Space Trump, and bemoan rat tails. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcas...

Dan and Brian bring DAD MONTH to a close with a look at the Depression-set dramedy that won 10-year-old Tatum O'Neal an Oscar. Join as they discuss other movies about fatherhood, closing thoughts on the theme of parenthood, the film's impressive cinematography and stuntwork, busted old cars, and the enduring charm of Ryan and Tatum's chemistry. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subs...

Dan and Brian continue DAD MONTH with a the Norman Jewison/John Williams adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof, a story of a Jewish dad in turn-of-the-century Russia marrying off his daughters. Join as they talk through their own relationships with their dads, their "traditions" and how they define the concept, the notion of "dad music," formative film soundtracks, Jewish identity circa the Russian Re...

Now gather round my possum pals for our epic 200th episode! For the third week of Dad Month, Dan and Brian take a look at Dan's formative favorite the 1995 animated film A Goofy Movie. Join as they consider the film's electric soundtrack, its dynamic characterization of a father-son relationship, the charms of road trip movies, the over-stuffed world it creates, and whether the sequel An Extremely...

Dan and Brian continue Dad Month with a look at Bill Cosby's much-maligned 1990 family comedy Ghost Dad. Join as they discuss their favorite pop culture dads, Cosby's career and fall from grace, the lost art of the live-action mid-budget family comedy, tonal whiplash, confusing ghost rules, challenges of omnipotence in storytelling, and Sidney Poitier. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.c...

Dan and Brian kick off DAD MONTH -- a new theme month on films centered around the theme of fatherhood. For the first week, they discuss two films whose titles suggest a head-on reckoning of the topic, and both do so through the lens of adult children caring for elderly ailing dads. Join as they discuss their own dads a bit, "dad movies," comic actors turning dramatic, the link between memory and...

It's an EPIC birthday episode to celebrate Brian's 35th. Join Dan and Brian as they discuss a whole range of topics -- birthday traditions, Dumpuary, the Oscars, strange pronunciations, mortality, etc. -- as they review three films Brian saw in theaters for his birthday. First they disucss the Tim Burton fatherhood curiosity, Big Fish. Then they look at the book series and ornately-produced film a...

Dan and Brian discover a crossover between "Dan-core" and "Brian-core" with the charming animated/live-action hybrid Enchanted anchored by an outstanding Amy Adams. Join as they discuss the fascinating cast, the careful tonal control between parody and homage, the Time Square set piece, the fading art of hand-drawn Disney animation, and the well-realized thematic arc. Then, they discuss the dumped...

Dan and Brian review the sci-fi comedy from 1999. Join as they discuss Star Trek and their experience with the franchise, gas station VHSes, the long shadow of Buzz Lightyear, a stacked cast of familiar comedians, the underappreciated Sam Rockwell, goofy catchphrases, Spy Kids graphics, subverted Ripley, and the difficult dance of sci-fi comedy. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Sub...

Dan and Brian wrap 2024 and kick off 2025 with one last holiday film, a strange romcom directed by Paul Feig starring Emilia Clarke. Join as they discuss Feig and the underappreciated art of high-budget comedy, Freaks and Geeks, Game of Thrones, strange baby names, British humor, Love Actually, and galaxy-brain twists. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, a...

Dan and Brian are joined (again!) by Nate to discuss Alfred Hitchcock and his beloved 1954 film, Rear Window. Join as they talk through Hitchcock's legacy, the astonishing production design and thematic roundness of Rear Window, the double-edged perfection of Grace Kelly, Hitchcock's anti-mystery narrative elements, and our personal favorite Hitchcock films. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsrev...

For the fifth (!) year, Dan and Brian gather to discuss four adaptations of A Christmas Carol. This year, they take a look at episodes from four different TV shows that took on the famous ghost story: The Jetsons, The Real Ghostbusters, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Roseanne. Join as Dan and Brian reflect on traditions at risk of going stale, iceberg charts, unexpected subversions, Googie style, ani...

Dan and Brian return with a discussion of the Thanksgiving classic Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Join as they talk about the influence and reputation of John Hughes, Letterboxd's list stats, John Candy's large size and shadow, the curious empathy towards Del, quotable lines and funny moments throughout the film, and how the movie might have changed if it had been set in a time with cell phones....

Dan and Brian are back for another vague matter movie following last week's look at The Substance. This time, it's The Stuff, an '80s satire sci-fi film about delicious white goo. Join as they break down the film's peculiar pacing, colorful cast of characters, strangely specific aphorisms, and legacy within both Hunter recommendations and anarchic practical-effects films. Dan's movie reviews: http...

Dan and Brian review the absolutely bananas 2024 horror-satire The Substance. Join as they talk through the film's wild swings and memorable scenes, challenging performances, and comparisons to Coralie Fergeat's debut film Revenge. Dan promised a film that would provoke a strong reaction -- find out just how much Brian agrees. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Di...

Dan and Brian consider the panned Tim Burton first contact film Mars Attacks! and debate its tone, CGI, enormous cast, and overall legacy. They also review a classic of the "government scrambles to contain catastrophe" genre, Dr. Strangelove. Join as Brian and Dan discuss old trading cards, legacy Rotten Tomatoes scores, the greatest football players of all time, how to make cheesy effects watchab...

Dan and Brian conclude their discussion of Ti West's horror trilogy starring Mia Goth with the '80s-flavored MaXXXine. Join as they talk through the strange plot turns and excesses of this final outing, encounter yet another Breaking Bad alum, ponder what the trilogy as a whole means, and where the trilogy could go. Then, they answer "Is It Good?" for all three X movies. Episode title comes from t...

Dan and Brian pick up their spooky season discussion with part one of a look at the Ti West trilogy of horror films starring Mia Goth. First, they look at the '70s-inspired X, then the Technicolor nightmare of Pearl. Join as they discuss their A24 feelings, the long shadow of Texas Chain Saw Massacre, nudity clauses, old people body horror, Mia Goth's unique performances (she's a star!), and the r...