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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 tone, Martin’s commitment to physica...

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 screen, and how The Fighting Temptati...

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 a cultural moment—and how Beyoncé co...

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 rebellious teen who journals, wears eyeline...

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 stunts, the charisma, and the sheer Cr...

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 Claus von Stauffenberg. Together, they unpack...

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 unhinged) turn as studio executive Les Gro...

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 lasting impact. The trio explores the film's...

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 depth to Ethan Hunt, this film marked a tur...

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 performances.

From its jaw-dropping set pieces and...

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 emotional turmoil.

From its sweeping coasta...

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 generation of filmmakers and audiences...

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.

Together, they unpack how this ...

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 Cruise and Jamie Foxx, the trio expl...

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 cinematography and stirring performances to its c...

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 groundbreaking visuals, innovative tech co...

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 twists, the group explores what makes Va...

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 explosive finale, the trio explores how M:I-2 ...

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 examines what makes this adaptation...