My Favorite Movie Podcast

We take one last oportunity to get into the season’s spirits and talk about what against all odds will become a holiday staple for the three of us. Despite some of our host’s pre-consived biasis against one of the leads of this movie, the story and the music grabed us and made us really appreciate this spin on the clasic themes of The Christmas Charol. Spirited is rated PG-13 and was released on November 11, 2022. The film stars Ryan Reynolds as Clint Briggs, Will Ferrel as Present and Octavia Spencer as Kimberly. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

We take the opportunity to sit down this week and chat about our recently departed Kevin Conroy. Out of all of the things Kevin has been a part of in his long career, none has touched us as much as Kevin’s performance as Batman. From the animated series, the movie Mask of the Phantasm, and many other projects, Kevin Conroy became the voice of Batman for our generation. Join us as we discuss the impact that Mr. Conroy had on us. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

Animated or not, well acted or not, sometimes a movie doesn’t land with you when you watch it. So this week, Eric and Ian worked on convincing Daniel that this week’s movie is something he really should give another shot. The Bad Guys is rated PG and was released on April 22, 2022. This animated movie features the voice acting of Sam Rockwell as Wolf, Marc Maron as Snake, Awkwafina as Tarantula, Craig Robinson as Shark, Anthony Ramos as Piranha, Richard Ayoade as Professor Marmalade and Zazie Beetz as Diane Foxington. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

We are at it again, getting stuck in an animated movie streak. But this one, well, it's special. This movie did what used to be the norm for Disney Animated movies IN THE 90s. Only a hand full of the newer Disney releases manage to be as popular as talked about and immediately become part of the pop-culture parlance. Oh, there's also a surprisingly catchy soundtrack, that also has become part of the pop culture landscape, but this time the songs didn't quite get overplayed. Or did they? Encanto is rated PG and was released on November 3, 2021 The movie features the voice talents of Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel, Maria Cecilia Botero as Abuela Alma, Jessica Darrow as Luisa, Diane Guerrero as Isabela and John Leguizamo as Bruno. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

We return this week with the culmination of our chat with Noel MacNeal. We cover how Bear in the Big Blue House became so special and how the landscape has changed so much for children’s television. The conversation also gets into Noel’s other performances, writing projects, and how much fun he’s having directing Sesame Street. Bear in the Big Blue House is rated TV-Y and aired between 1999 and 2006. The show features the fantastic talents of Noel MacNeal as Bear, Peter Linz as Tutter, Vicki Eibner as Ojo, Tyler Bunch as Treelo, and Lynne Thigpen as Luna. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman, and Eric Sweetman, with the exceptional Puppeteer, Writer, and Director, Noel MacNeal. Bear in the Big Blue House is available on Disney+ (Except for those nine episodes that aren’t) Click here to see the shorts of “The Show Me Show.” Click here to see a clip of “The Upsidedown Show.” Click here to see Susan MacNeal’s book series. Click here to see Noel’s book Ten Minutes Puppets. Click here to see a clip of “The Puzzle Pl

We are so excited about this week’s show that we can’t contain it. Not only is the show that we are talking about this week deeply personal to all three of us, but it’s also the reason we met in the real world and formed the friendship that led to this podcast. But more exciting than our origin story, it’s the special guest that stops by to share SO MUCH with us about this lovely show! Bear in the Big Blue House is rated TV-Y and aired between 1999 and 2006. The show features the fantastic talents of Noel MacNeal as Bear, Peter Linz as Tutter, Vicki Eibner as Ojo, Tyler Bunch as Treelo, and Lynne Thigpen as Luna. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman, and Eric Sweetman, with the exceptional Noel MacNeal. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

While Daniel takes a little time away from the podcast, Eric and Ian talk about Pixar’s Turning Red. True to the podcast, while discussing the movie, the subject meanders to Boy Bands, old theme park layout, controversy and Judy Blume books. Turning Red is rated PG and was released March 1, 2022. This weeks movie features the voice talents of Rosalie Chiang as Meilin, Sandra Oh as Ming, Ava Morse as Miriam, Hyein Park as Abby, Maitrey Ramakrishnan as Priya and Orion Lee as Jin. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

This week we switch it up, and instead of a movie, we talk about a show that is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, movie adjacent. But how could we miss an opportunity to talk about a show that is SO faithful to its origins and yet seems so right for the streaming media market, all while being relevant to today’s audience… this show has become one of our favorites. She-Hulk is rated TV-14 and is available for streaming on Disney+. The show features the talents of Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk, Ginger Gonzaga as Nikki Ramos, Jameela Jamil as Titania, and Josh Segarra as Pug. This podcast was recorded before releasing the 9th and final episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

Continuing last week’s conversation, we jump into another Disney Animated from the early 2000s that just got a harsh and unnecessarily lousy rap. Of course, 20-plus years later, we can recognize how much this movie tried to do and how little credit it gets. Atlantis: The Lost Empire is rated PG and was released June 15, 2001 This movie features the voice talents of Michael J. Fox as Milo, Jim Varney as Cookie, James Garner as Rourke, John Mahoney as Preston Whitmore, Jacqueline Obradors as Audrey, Cree Summer as Princess Kida, and Leonard Nimoy as Atlantean King. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

Sometimes a movie deserves a second chance. As one matures and life experiences expand our way of processing the world around us, a film that may have seemed flat and unnecessary becomes a movie that you enjoy so much that you feel a little guilty for having been so harsh the first time. When the movie is a Disney animated movie, it’s hard to come at it objectively, but time has a way of screwing with our objective approach. Treasure Planet is rated PG and was released on November 17, 2002. The movie features the acting talents of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jim Hawkins, Emma Thompson ad Captain Amelia, Laurie Metcalf as Sarah Hawkins, David Hyde Pierce as Doctor Doppler, and Tony Jay as Narrator. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

As the show that this week's movie inspired celebrates its 50th anniversary, we serendipitously decided to watch MASH and talk about it for this week's podcast. While this movie is far from one of our favorites, it certainly gave us plenary to speak about, lending itself to one of the most interesting conversations we've had about a movie that isn't quite our cup of tea. MASH is rated R and was released on January 25, 1970. The movie stars Donald Sutherland as Hawkeye, Elliott Gould as Trapper John, Tom Skerritt as Duke Forrest, Sally Kellerman as "Hot Lips" O'Hoolagan, and Robert Duvall as Maj. Frank Burns. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

We all enjoyed this movie enough that we thought we had already talked about it for the podcast. Forgive our feeble brains as we finally get around to talking about this entertaining story on mic. O Brother, Where Art Thou? is rated PG-13 and was released on October 19, 2000. This film features the talents of Gorge Clooney as Everett, John Turturro as Pete Hogwallop, and Tim Blake Nelson as Delmar O’Donnell. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

Daniel, like many of you, was skeptical about this movie. Eric and Ian were not. It turns out they were right, and this movie turned out to be a fun watch. But it’s far from a perfect film. The Batman is rated PG-13 and was released on March 1, 2022. This picture features Robert Pattinson as Batman, Zoe Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright as Lt. James Gordon, and Andy Serkis as Alfred. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

This week we change things up a little. Ian and Eric are in the same room while I’m stuck in Florida, so we decided to chat about the shows we’ve been binging. Eric’s pick, The Sandman, is streaming on Netflix and is rated TV-MA. Daniel’s pick, Whose line is it anyway? is streaming on HBO MAX and is TV-PG. Ian’s pick, CSI, is streaming on Hulu. And is rated TV-MA Bonus pick, The Orville is streaming on Hulu and Disney+ and is rated TV-14. Second Bonus pick Star Trek: Picard is streaming on Paramount+, and it’s rated TV-MA. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

It's no secret that we love animated movies. Sadly, not all animated movies are made the same, and after being burned a few times by direct-to-streaming animated films, at least one of us was pretty hesitant to watch this week's movie. But did we all like the film in the end? The Sea Beast is rated PG and was released June 24, 2022 This film features the voice talents of Karl Urban as Jacob Holland, Zaria-Angel Hator as Maisie, and Jared Harris as Captain Crow. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

For this extraordinary episode, it is so essential that you experience the movie/theatrical presentation before listening to the podcast. The conversation captured here will hopefully mirror, frame, or propel your discussion about this transcendent experience. Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself is rated TV-MA. This experience is performed and written by Derek DelGuadio. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Special Guest: Kari Klein. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

Good movies don’t always stay good movies. The test of time can brutally and drastically change the way a movie lands. One of us saw this movie in theaters, while the other two watched it recently. Has this movie stood the test of time, or has it aged itself out of the “Our favorite” category? Léon: The Professional is rated R and was released on November 18, 1994. This picture features the acting talents of Jean Reno as Léon, Natalie Portman as Mathilda, Danny Aiello as Tony, and Gary Oldman as Standfield. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

Sometimes you have to steer into the skid, or in the case of this week’s movie, into the Euro-pop sensibility of it all. Once you allow yourself to embrace the differences, you end up where all three of us did with this picture. We all had an immense amount of fun watching it when it originally came out and every time since. The Fifth Element is rated PG-13 and was released on May 9, 1997. The movie stars Bruce Willis as København Dallas, Milla Jovovich as Leeloo, Ian Holm as Cornelius, Chris Tucker as Ruby Rhod, and Gary Oldman as Zorg. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

This week we finally move away from fantasy movies. Instead, we turn our attention to a comedy that is very much grounded in hyper-reality. This film makes some of us laugh hard, while it makes at least one of us still feel pretty cringy. Forgetting Sarah Marshal is rated R and was released on March 10, 2008 The movie features the talents of Jason Seagel as Peter, Kristen Bell as Sarah Marshall, Mila Kunis as Rachel, Russel Brand as Aldous Snow, and Paul Rudd as Chuck. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify

This week’s movie was doomed before it was ever released. Not necessarily because of its subject matter, plot, or execution, but rather because a big film studio somehow lost its nerve and led this fun movie to become one of the worst box office bombs of the last two decades. John Carter is rated PG-13 and was released on February 22, 2012 The movie features Taylor Kitsch as John Carter, Lynn Collins as Deja’s Thoris, Willem Defoe as Tars Tarkas, and Mark Strong as Matai Shang. Hosts: Daniel Levain, Ian Sweetman and Eric Sweetman. Subscribe thru: Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify