The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review two Steven Spielberg alien films, including our first new release: 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' from 1982 and 'Disclosure Day' from 2026. Intro discussion: Taylor Swift's EGOT campaign; Cher, Garth Brooks, & Dr. Pepper (9:28) 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' Review (48:02) 'Disclosure Day' R...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review two unique westerns: Paul Bartel's 'Lust in the Dust' from 1985, and Sergio Leone's 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' from 1966. Intro discussion: Christian tries Olipop (4:57) 'Lust in the Dust' Review (27:30) 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' Review (59:58) Other Films That Fit the Bill...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review two spoof films: Paris Barclay's 'Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood' from 1996, and Joel Gallen's 'Not Another Teen Movie' from 2001. Intro discussion: Using the diabetes card, people vaping in movie theaters, 'The Sheep Detectives,' and 'Obsession&...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review two independent films about facing the end of the world: Steve De Jarnatt's 'Miracle Mile' from 1988, and Don McKellar's 'Last Night' from 1998. Intro discussion: Unannounced guests, listener shoutouts, Christian the boxer, and the Met Gala (7:28) 'Miracle Mile' Review (27:46) 'Last Night&#3...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review two failed passion projects from famous pop stars: Trey Edward Shults's vehicle for the Weeknd, 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' from 2025, and Sia's 'Music' from 2021. Intro discussion: Listener shoutouts and life updates (9:22) 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Review (33:59) 'Music' Review (1:01:20) Other Films...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review two films about acclaimed musicians who died young: Miloš Forman's 'Amadeus' from 1984 and Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'Tick, Tick... Boom!' from 2021. Intro discussion: Reflections on the Academy Awards (7:34) 'Amadeus' Review (34:26) 'Tick, Tick... Boom!' Review (1:03:34) Other Films That Fit...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review two underdog sports comedies: Dennis Dugan's 'Happy Gilmore' from 1996 and Rawson Marshall Thurber's 'Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story' from 2004. Intro discussion: Whether this podcast has class, and 'Joe's College Road Trip' (5:22) 'Happy Gilmore' Review (38:51) 'Dodgeball'...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review Víctor Erice's 'The Spirit of the Beehive' from 1973 and Bill Condon's 'Gods and Monsters' from 1998. Intro discussion: Delilah, Iron Lung, Melania (9:28) 'The Spirit of the Beehive' Review (42:18) 'Gods and Monsters' Review (1:04:24) Other Films That Fit the Bill (1:09:19) Brett Reveals...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review Billy Wilder's 'The Apartment' from 1960 and Rob Reiner's 'When Harry Met Sally...' from 1989. Intro discussion: Letterboxd ratings of the films, Katz's Deli, 'Lord of the Rings' in theaters (7:28) 'The Apartment' Review (34:40) 'When Harry Met Sally...' Review (1:07:18) Othe...

In this bonus episode, we took a break from our usual format to reflect on some of our favorite (and least favorite) films from 2025. Intro: Nicole Kidman; Christian turning Brett down for a movie  (3:45) Top 5 Film Discoveries of 2025 (28:55) 5 Worst Films of 2025 (50:02) Top 10 Films of 2025 (3:15:50) Honorable Mentions  "Martian Cowboy" Kevin MacLeod ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠incompetech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Lice...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review Martin Bell's 'Streetwise' from 1984 and Bing Liu's 'Minding the Gap' from 2018. Intro: Ella McCay, Big Jim, Hamnet postcards, a special shoutout, Jinkx Monsoon & BenDeLaCreme, R.I.P. Rob Reiner (18:05) 'Streetwise' Review (42:14) 'Minding the Gap' Review (1:00:24) Other Films That F...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review 'ALF's Special Christmas' from 1987 and Mervyn Nelson's 'Some of My Best Friends Are...' from 1971. We discuss the holiday sadness depicted in both along with themes of found family at Christmastime. Beginning: Dutch Bros, 'Wicked: For Good,' 'Director's Cut,' and filmmakers commenti...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review Gregory Nava's 'My Family (Mi Familia)' from 1995 and Norman Jewison's 'Fiddler on the Roof' from 1971. We discuss themes of family, immigration, and tradition within the films (and a little bit of Gwen Stefani). Beginning: Who Brett should be replaced by, reflections on musicals, and a shoutout opportu...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review Martin Scorsese's 'Shutter Island' from 2010 and Alfred Hitchcock's 'Spellbound' from 1945. We discuss the similarities in the narratives, the differences in tone, and where they stand in the filmographies of their legendary directors. (3:15) 'Shutter Island' Review (30:53) Debating Leonardo DiC...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review 'House on Haunted Hill' from 1959 and 'The Amityville Horror' from 1979. We discuss the roles they play in the history of haunted house films and whether their tactics work for us. Beginning small talk: Remembering Diane Keaton (6:00) 'House on Haunted Hill' Review (30:35) 'The Amityville Horror&#39...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' from 2009 and 'Prisoners' from 2013. We debate whether they reflect aesthetic representations of fall and how they each present ideas of fatherhood and masculinity. Beginning small talk: The Nicole Kidman/Keith Urban split and the upcoming sequel to 'The Simpsons Movie' (6:28) 'F...

In this episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review 'Brain Dead' from 1988 and 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' from 2021. We touch on the shared plot elements while discussing themes of codependency, addiction, sex, and more. Beginning small talk: Swift+Kelce, Cracker Barrel, and Octomom (8:45) 'Brain Damage' Review (35:53) 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage...

In the debut episode of The Midwestern Crop Circle Double Feature, we review 'Babe: Pig in the City' from 1998 and 'Cruising' from 1980. How in the world do we make connections between these two films? Take a listen to find out! (4:20) Personal Introductions (15:47) Introduction of the Double Feature (23:12) 'Babe: Pig in the City' Review (55:55) 'Cruising' Review (...