Can We Still Be Friends? – A Movie Podcast

Can We Still Be Friends? – A Movie Podcast

Ryan Ebling and Nate Gass

Two longtime friends, a librarian and teacher, talk about movies. New episodes every month.

The Apartment

The Apartment

...

Jan 27, • 48:22

Apollo 13

Apollo 13

...

Nov 23, 2024 • 52:09

Ep 122: Godzilla Minus One

Ep 122: Godzilla Minus One

Get ready for another Holiday Spooktacular, as Nate and Ryan watch Godzilla Minus One, last year’s Oscar-winning hit monster movie from Japan! Who knew we needed another Godzilla movie, and a prequel at that, but director Takashi Yamazaki delivered a blend of monster action and historical fiction heart, bound together by Oscar-winning special effects. For their first monster movie, Nate and Ryan dive into the ocean of Godzilla mythology and talk about what might have struck a chord with so

Oct 23, 2024 • 57:06

Ep 121: American Fiction

Ep 121: American Fiction

Nate and Ryan talk about 2023’s American Fiction, written and directed by Cord Jefferson and starring Jeffrey Wright. Both Nate and Ryan are big fans of author Percival Everett and his novel Erasure, which American Fiction is adapted from. For that reason, expectations were high for this Academy-Award winning movie. Critics all loved it, and the limited audiences who saw it seemed to as well. So what did Nate and Ryan think? Share your thoughts on American Fiction, Percival Everett, and an

Aug 26, 2024 • 44:02

Ep. 120: Barbie

Ep. 120: Barbie

Nate and Ryan complete the second leg of Barbenheimer with a discussion about 2023’s smash hit Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. Barbie‘s popularity boom and subsequent backlash and Oscars buzz and subsequent Oscars backlash have come and gone, so we decided it would be a good time to see what it’s like… Continue reading

May 29, 2024 • 0:00

Ep. 119: Oppenheimer

Ep. 119: Oppenheimer

Once again, the Academy picked our movie for this month, so Ryan and Nate are re-watching Oppenheimer, 2024’s Best Picture Oscar winner, written and directed by Christopher Nolan. On top of continuing this year’s theme of revisiting 2023, Ryan and Nate realized they’ve never talked about a Christopher Nolan movie on… Continue reading

Apr 29, 2024 • 50:44

Ep. 118: Past Lives

Ep. 118: Past Lives

For this episode, Nate and Ryan picked from the slate of Best Picture nominees and decided to re-watch Past Lives, their favorite movie from 2023, and a stunning directorial debut from playwright Celine Song. While it’s not a front-runner for any Oscars, Past Lives has been widely recognized as something special, which… Continue reading

Feb 28, 2024 • 56:01

The Holdovers and Our Plans for 2024

The Holdovers and Our Plans for 2024

Nate and Ryan discuss the Golden Globe winning and Oscar nominated Alexander Payne comedic drama The Holdovers. Much has been made of the reunion of Paul Giamatti and Alexander Payne after 20 years. Added to their alchemy are Da’Vine Joy Randolph (in yet another standout performance) and newcomer Dominic Sessa. What results is a throwback comedy that unfolds in emotional and unexpected ways. Nate and Ryan talk about how Payne and Co. create a lived-in atmosphere and whether The Holdovers has th

Jan 29, 2024 • 51:48

Ep. 116: The ‘Burbs

Ep. 116: The ‘Burbs

For our Gap Year T. Hanksgiving, Nate and Ryan watch The ‘Burbs, the 1989 Tom Hanks cult classic directed by Joe Dante. Featuring a stacked cast, including Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, and Corey Feldman, in addition to the man himself, The ‘Burbs is a horror/comedy that kind of befuddled audiences and critics… Continue reading

Nov 20, 2023 • 51:29

Hereditary

Hereditary

‘Tis the season for our 10th annual Holiday Spooktacular, and as part of our Gap Year, we’re watching Hereditary, Ari Aster’s 2018 hit horror film starring Toni Collette. Hereditary took audiences by storm and continued studio A24’s rise to prominence in the current film conversation. It’s a career-making first feature for Ari Aster, and an electric performance by Toni Collette that seemed to impress everyone. As per Holiday Spooktacular tradition, Nate and Ryan had scared themselves out of wat

Oct 23, 2023 • 1:01:31

Ep. 114: Bringing out the Dead

Ep. 114: Bringing out the Dead

Nate and Ryan watch Bringing out the Dead, a Gap Year movie by one of their favorite directors, Martin Scorsese. Released in 1999, Bringing out the Dead was largely ignored by audiences and remains one of Scorsese’s forgotten works. Listen in as Nate and Ryan dig into the merits of this underappreciated… Continue reading

Aug 28, 2023 • 1:03:19

Ep. 113: Predator

Ep. 113: Predator

Nate and Ryan get in the summer blockbuster mood by watching Predator (1987) for the first time. As part of our Gap Year series, we’re catching up on this action classic over 35 years later. As often happens, Predator is now looked at quite differently from when it was first released. Nate… Continue reading

Jul 24, 2023 • 51:01

Ep. 112: Under the Tuscan Sun

Ep. 112: Under the Tuscan Sun

Nate and Ryan watch Under the Tuscan Sun with special guest Rachel Hughes Gates. As we continue to rectify blind spots during this Gap Year, Rachel suggested that we watch Under the Tuscan Sun, a movie that has stuck with her ever since she saw it in theaters 20 years ago. Though… Continue reading

May 26, 2023 • 56:13

Ep. 111: Sicario

Ep. 111: Sicario

Nate and Ryan watch and discuss Sicario, directed by Denis Villeneuve. As the beginning to what we’re calling our Gap Year, where we fill in gaps in our viewing history, we’ve chosen to watch Sicario, with an unbelievable cast and crew that includes cinematographer Roger Deakins,  and screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, not to mention stars Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Daniel Kaluuya, and Jon Bernthal. As fans of everyone involved, there was no clear reason why we haven’t seen this tens

Apr 11, 2023 • 50:04

March Episode Change of Plans

March Episode Change of Plans

Really quick announcement: We will NOT be discussing Marcel the Shell with Shoes On for our March episode and will instead be watching and discussing Sicario. Watch it with us! Continue reading

Mar 12, 2023 • 3:34

Ep. 110: Everything Everywhere All at Once

Ep. 110: Everything Everywhere All at Once

Nate and Ryan re-watch Everything Everywhere All at Once. In addition to being the top nominated movie at this year’s Oscars (11 nominations), Everything Everywhere All at Once is also one of our favorite movies from last year. Despite, or maybe because of its mind-bending multiversal action, audiences flocked to see it… Continue reading

Feb 24, 2023 • 1:02:59

Ep. 109: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Ep. 109: A Charlie Brown Christmas

For their annual Holiday episode, Nate and Ryan re-watch the ultimate Christmas movie: A Charlie Brown Christmas. It’s the first TV special on this podcast, and there couldn’t be a more fitting choice. A staple since it’s debut in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas has brought joy and melancholy to generations. Listen… Continue reading

Dec 19, 2022 • 40:42

Ep. 108: You’ve Got Mail

Ep. 108: You’ve Got Mail

Nate and Ryan discuss You’ve Got Mail to celebrate this year’s annual T. Hanksgiving! Rom-Com Tom Hanks won America’s hearts throughout the ’90s, so listen in as Nate and Ryan take a look at Hanks and Meg Ryan at the peak of their powers. Directed and written by Nora Ephron… Continue reading

Nov 21, 2022 • 1:07:21

Ep. 107: Get Out

Ep. 107: Get Out

Nate and Ryan celebrate their 9th Holiday Spooktacular by watching Get Out, Jordan Peele’s 2017 Oscar-winning horror contemporary classic. We’re continuing our Back to School series with another movie that Ryan teaches in his high school class. Listen in as we discuss the philosophical and social implications in Peele’s razor-sharp writing… Continue reading

Oct 25, 2022 • 1:06:15

Ep. 106: No Country for Old Men

Ep. 106: No Country for Old Men

Nate and Ryan revisit No Country for Old Men, the Coen brothers’ 2007 Best Picture Oscar winner. No Country for Old Men is one of the movies Ryan teaches in his high school class, so for our September episode, Nate wanted to go back to school and hear what Mr. Ebling has… Continue reading

Sep 26, 2022 • 1:06:07

Ep. 105: Josie and the Pussycats (Feat. Andrew Johnson)

Ep. 105: Josie and the Pussycats (Feat. Andrew Johnson)

Nate and Ryan invite long-time friend Andrew Johnson in to discuss 2001’s Josie and the Pussycats, a flop when it was released 21 years ago, but now a film that many are rethinking as its lasting impact is more apparent. Andrew has championed Josie ever since he first saw it in college,… Continue reading

Aug 29, 2022 • 1:09:10

Ep. 104: Top Gun (feat. Kris Hiew)

Ep. 104: Top Gun (feat. Kris Hiew)

Nate and Ryan invite Kris Hiew in to talk about Top Gun, the 1986 hit whose recent hit sequel has Tom Cruise wowing audiences again. Kris and Nate have a long history with Top Gun and bring all that childlike wonder into the conversation. With the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick proving to be… Continue reading

Jun 30, 2022 • 1:07:54

Ep. 103: Underappreciated Movies Vol. 1

Ep. 103: Underappreciated Movies Vol. 1

For their first volume of underappreciated movies, Ryan and Nate discuss Spencer and Happy Go-Lucky. Listen in as they discuss two powerhouse performances that are criminally underrated. While quite different in tone, both movies feature women who are trying to navigate worlds that don’t know what to do with their unique… Continue reading

May 27, 2022 • 1:24:00

Ep. 102: CODA

Ep. 102: CODA

For this episode, Nate and Ryan watch the most recent Best Picture winner, CODA. Its story of a deaf family portrayed by deaf actors is an important step in diverse representation and storytelling. Even before its historic Oscar win for Troy Kotsur – the first deaf man to win an… Continue reading

Apr 25, 2022 • 56:41

Ep. 101: Spirited Away

Ep. 101: Spirited Away

Nate and Ryan talk about Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning masterpiece, Spirited Away. Miyazaki is undoubtedly a legend of cinema, and with Spirited Away celebrating the 20th anniversary of its US release, the time is perfect to revisit one of the most iconic animated films of all time. Whether it’s the first time or… Continue reading

Mar 28, 2022 • 51:17

Ep. 100: Definitive Movies

Ep. 100: Definitive Movies

For their 100th episode, Nate and Ryan name the movies that have defined them as people and as movie-watchers. After a century of episodes over 8 years, Nate and Ryan haven’t really talked about how certain movies have shaped them over the course of their lives. With the help from… Continue reading

Feb 22, 2022 • 1:49:23

Mini Episode: 2021 Favorites and 100th Episode Invitation

Mini Episode: 2021 Favorites and 100th Episode Invitation

As Nate and Ryan prepare to share the five movies that define them in their 100th episode, they check in to share a few of their favorites from 2021. We also invite you to share the movies that define you (however you define that). Give us all 5 or just… Continue reading

Jan 24, 2022 • 17:44

Ep. 99: Home Alone

Ep. 99: Home Alone

For this year’s holiday celebration, Nate and Ryan watch a staple from their childhood, Home Alone, the 1990 smash hit directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes. An annual tradition for many people, is Home Alone a movie people can even talk about objectively? Listen in as they discuss what … Continue reading

Dec 17, 2021 • 1:09:34

Ep. 98: That Thing You Do!

Ep. 98: That Thing You Do!

For this year’s T. Hanksgiving, Nate and Ryan watch Tom Hanks’ writing and directing debut That Thing You Do! Dripping in ’60s nostalgia, That Thing You Do! tells the story of The Wonders a fictional rock band who rise to the top of the charts with the titular song. Even though That… Continue reading

Nov 24, 2021 • 1:19:50

The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs

It’s our 8th annual Holiday Spooktacular and this year, Nate and Ryan are talking about a true horror classic: The Silence of the Lambs, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. One of the rare horror movies to be nominated for Best Picture, The Silence of the Lambs is in even rarer company as one of only three movies to win “the big 5” of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay (adapted). Listen in as Nate and Ryan talk about Anthony Hopkins’ and Jodie Fost

Oct 25, 2021 • 1:12:52

Ep. 96: The King’s Speech feat. Watson Jones III

Ep. 96: The King’s Speech feat. Watson Jones III

Nate and Ryan welcome Watson Jones III to discuss The King’s Speech, 2010 winner of the Best Picture Oscar directed by Tom Hooper. The King’s Speech was a somewhat improbable winner in an especially strong movie year. It was in that backlash-filled atmosphere that many people watched Colin Firth act his way… Continue reading

Sep 27, 2021 • 1:13:45

Mini Episode: Listener Questions and September Movie Announcement

Mini Episode: Listener Questions and September Movie Announcement

Nate and Ryan are back with a brief update for the next episode and a response to a listener question about our 2014 episode about The Avengers. Listen in as they revisit their predictions and reactions from 7 years ago and reflect on how their ideas hold up now that the… Continue reading

Sep 9, 2021 • 31:08

Ep. 95: Hamilton feat. Bradley Rettler

Ep. 95: Hamilton feat. Bradley Rettler

Nate and Ryan welcome Ryan’s long-time friend Dr. Bradley Rettler to discuss Hamilton, the 2015 Broadway hit that made its film debut on Disney+ in 2020. Listen in as they discuss what there is to love about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s complex musical, what is different about watching the show 6 years later,… Continue reading

Aug 22, 2021 • 1:14:36

Ep. 94: Labyrinth feat. Phil Vickers

Ep. 94: Labyrinth feat. Phil Vickers

Nate and Ryan welcome Phil Vickers back to talk about Labyrinth, one of Phil’s favorite childhood movies, that also happens to be a Jim Henson classic that is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.  Nate and Ryan don’t have the long history with the movie that Phil does, so they discuss… Continue reading

Jul 26, 2021 • 1:03:53

Summer Break Check-In

Summer Break Check-In

Nate and Ryan share that they took a small break and discuss what they’ve been watching so far this summer. Don’t forget to watch Labyrinth with us as we prepare for our next episode with special guest Phil Vickers! Labyrinth is available to stream on HBOMax or check your local library. Continue reading

Jun 23, 2021 • 8:05

The Tree of Life feat. Kelsey Ebling

The Tree of Life feat. Kelsey Ebling

Nate and Ryan welcome very special guest Kelsey Ebling (Ryan’s wife) to discuss The Tree of Life, Kelsey’s most recent favorite movie. In 2011, The Tree of Life was Terrence Malick’s long-awaited return after more than a decade, and his semi-autobiographical mediation on grief, God, and grace was highly praised by critics. It also made a strong impact on Nate, Ryan, and Kelsey, whose own religious upbringings heavily informed their viewing experiences. Listen in as they discuss how their own par

May 27, 2021 • 1:11:04

MASH / Pollock feat. Two Beards Please

MASH / Pollock feat. Two Beards Please

Nate and Ryan welcome Andrew Milam and Nate Cox from the Two Beards Please podcast to discuss MASH and Pollock. Andrew and Nate each picked a movie that has been influential on their lives, and we give them the Can We Still Be Friends treatment. We help the Beards dig into the ways the movies have influenced them and how their thoughts on the movies have changed over the years. What are your thoughts on MASH and Pollock? How have they aged? Let us know! 6:30 – MASH 48:20 – Pollock The post Ep.

Apr 23, 2021 • 1:32:05

Coming to America/Coming 2 America

Coming to America/Coming 2 America

Nate and Ryan discuss the 1988 Eddie Murphy classic Coming to America and its 2021 sequel, Coming 2 America. The original is held in high regard, but the sequel has received mixed reviews, even by ardent fans of the 1988 smash hit that cemented Eddie Murphy’s place as a comedy superstar. Eddie Murphy brings back as many of those in the original cast as he could, but does he bring the magic of the original back? What does Coming to America mean to you? Is Coming 2 America a worthy sequel? What’s

Mar 25, 2021 • 1:09:02

Bonus Episode: Hidden Gems on Kanopy and Hoopla

Bonus Episode: Hidden Gems on Kanopy and Hoopla

Nate and Ryan presented an hour-long talk on the best movies available on the free streaming services Kanopy and Hoopla, which many people can access through their public libraries. The presentation was hosted virtually by Wauconda Area Library in Wauconda, IL. It was an honor to be asked to present… Continue reading

Mar 18, 2021 • 57:53

Small Axe

Small Axe

Nate and Ryan discuss Steve McQueen’s ground-breaking anthology series Small Axe. In a Can We Still Be Friends first, we watch and discuss 5 movies as one, and only a masterpiece like Steve McQueen’s Golden Globe nominated series could compel us to attempt something so monumental. Listen in as we break down each movie and discuss the impact of the anthology as a whole. What are your thoughts on Small Axe? What is your favorite Steve McQueen film? Which of the 5 episodes stands out for you? Let u

Feb 24, 2021 • 1:22:15

Favorites of 2020/I'm Thinking of Ending Things/ Time

Favorites of 2020/I'm Thinking of Ending Things/ Time

Nate and Ryan pick out their 5 favorite movies of 2020 and take time to dig deeper into I’m Thinking of Ending Things written and directed by Charlie Kaufman, and Time, a moving documentary directed by Garrett Bradley. For this episode, Nate and Ryan each picked a movie from 2020 that they wanted to talk more about. Listen in as they discuss the striking ways the movies explore the capacity of people to continue on (or give up). What are your favorite movies of 2020? What’s up with that dance s

Jan 26, 2021 • 1:37:25

Ep. 88: The Holiday (2006)

Ep. 88: The Holiday (2006)

The holiday season winds down as Nate and Ryan discuss The Holiday, the 2006 romantic-comedy from writer/director Nancy Meyers. Listen in as we discuss the highs and lows of all that star power, what this movie gets right, and how much we’ve missed Jude Law. Is The Holiday in your holiday… Continue reading

Dec 18, 2020 • 1:09:21

Ep 87: A League of Their Own

Ep 87: A League of Their Own

For the second annual T. Hanksgiving, a celebration of all things Tom Hanks, Nate and Ryan are watching A League of Their Own, the 1992 hit directed by the late, great Penny Marshall. Listen in as we discuss Hanks as not quite leading man, praise the strength and brilliance of Geena Davis, and really knock it out of the park with our baseball knowledge. Why do you love Tom Hanks? Where does A League of Their Own rank among his performances? How long was your recovery after you tried to recreate

Nov 24, 2020 • 1:06:34

Ep 86: The Babadook

Ep 86: The Babadook

Nate and Ryan celebrate the most wonderful fright of the year by re-watching The Babadook, written and directed by Jennifer Kent. We wish you and yours a very merry (and scary) 7th annual Holiday Spooktacular! As usual, we’re celebrating by watching a horror movie, and this year’s choice might be a… Continue reading

Oct 25, 2020 • 1:05:03

Ep 85: Da 5 Bloods

Ep 85: Da 5 Bloods

For the first time, Nate and Ryan review a movie from this year, breaking our routine for the one and only Spike Lee and his 2020 film Da 5 Bloods streaming on Netflix. Nate and Ryan chose this movie before the heartbreaking news of Chadwick Boseman’s death, but as anyone who… Continue reading

Sep 28, 2020 • 1:08:56

Ep 84: American History X

Ep 84: American History X

Reflecting on their own history with learning about racism, Nate and Ryan re-watch American History X. As it was for so many people (especially white men) their age, American History X served as one of the first visceral looks at racism in modern America. However, the rhetoric of Edward Norton’s Derek Vineyard… Continue reading

Aug 24, 2020 • 1:17:19

Ep 83: Quarantine Check-In

Ep 83: Quarantine Check-In

Nate and Ryan talk about what they’ve been watching with all this time on their hands. Listen in as they share recommendations and explore what makes them gravitate to a certain sort of movie during these uncertain times. We apologize for the change in our plans to watch Bend it Like Beckham, but we hope to be back on some sort of schedule soon. What have you been watching? What is your go-to for comfort viewing? Let us know! Movies Discussed in this Episode Dogtooth Death Race 2000 Police Story

May 25, 2020 • 1:01:55

Ep 82: Mikey and Nicky

Ep 82: Mikey and Nicky

Nate and Ryan watch an under-seen gem in Elaine May’s curve ball of a gangster movie, Mikey and Nicky. The story of the making of the movie is almost as quietly legendary as the film itself, as May shot an unbelievable 1 million feet of film and took 3 years… Continue reading

Mar 30, 2020 • 1:01:24

Ep 81: Bridget Jones’s Diary

Ep 81: Bridget Jones’s Diary

Nate and Ryan watch Bridget Jones’s Diary and discuss their feelings about it, until they turn their critical eyes on themselves. The episode ends up being quite a departure for CWSBF as we realize just how problematic it is that we feel the need to weigh in on movies that aren’t… Continue reading

Feb 23, 2020 • 55:11

Ep 80: American Psycho

Ep 80: American Psycho

Nate and Ryan rewatch Mary Harron’s 2000 horror satire American Psycho and discuss how frighteningly timeless her vision of greedy late ’80s masculinity is. Christian Bale’s Patrick Bateman has become iconic, but is he iconic for the right reasons? Listen in as Nate and Ryan talk about the humor and the… Continue reading

Jan 27, 2020 • 1:04:04

Ep 79: Decade in Review

Ep 79: Decade in Review

In a CWSBF first, Nate and Ryan talk about their favorite ten movies of the last decade. On top of the list of movies, listen in as Nate and Ryan reflect on the last ten years in movies and make new-decade resolutions for the next ten years of movie watching. Settle in for a wide-ranging discussion of the last ten years and stick around for some input from listeners like you! Let us know your top ten (or so) of the last decade! What did we get right? What did we miss? Nate’s list on Letterboxd R

Dec 26, 2019 • 1:40:44

Ep 78: Cast Away

Ep 78: Cast Away

This month, Nate and Ryan celebrate T. Hanksgiving by re-watching Cast Away. In what may be a new tradition, this November Nate and Ryan give thanks for Tom Hanks by discussing his performance as Chuck Noland in Robert Zemeckis’ 2000 film about a man lost on a deserted island with… Continue reading

Nov 26, 2019 • 56:39

Ep 77: Ed Wood

Ep 77: Ed Wood

Nate and Ryan re-watch Tim Burton’s 1994 homage to the world’s worst director, Ed Wood, to celebrate the 6th annual Holiday Spooktacular! Tim Burton and Johnny Depp teamed up to bring the life and work of Ed Wood to new audiences, and in the process, offered a celebration of underdogs and outsiders and earned Martin Landau an Oscar for best-supporting actor. 1994 saw Burton and Depp still establishing their identities in Hollywood. In the 25 years since its release, Burton has found a wheelhouse

Oct 21, 2019 • 1:01:50

Ep 76: Roger & Me

Ep 76: Roger & Me

Nate and Ryan watch Roger & Me (1989), Michael Moore’s groundbreaking documentary about the rapid decline of Flint, MI after the shuttering of several GM plants. 30 years later, the plight of Flint and the struggles of the United Auto Workers continue to be in the news. Listen in as Nate and Ryan discuss the relevance and reliability of Michael Moore, a man who, depending on your point of view, is always one necessary step ahead of the zeitgeist, or is an irritating, irresponsible blowhard. Wha

Sep 26, 2019 • 58:52

Ep. 75: Do The Right Thing

Ep. 75: Do The Right Thing

Nate and Ryan are back from a brief break to discuss Spike Lee’s masterpiece Do the Right Thing. In celebration of the film’s 30th anniversary, Nate and Ryan are doing an appreciation episode to give a much deserved re-watch to a movie that has proven to be more timely and prescient… Continue reading

Aug 25, 2019 • 1:18:41

Ep. 74: All That Jazz

Ep. 74: All That Jazz

Nate and Ryan discuss Bob Fosse’s 1979 semi-autobiographical fever dream, All That Jazz. Listen in as they plumb the depths of their knowledge of dance, compare Bob Fosse with Kanye West, and try to figure out what’s going on in those damn hospital scenes. What are your thoughts on All That Jazz? Is this Roy Scheider’s best role? How are your jazz hands? Let us know! Also, do yourself a favor and check out Matt Zoller Seitz’s fantastic deep dive into “Fosse Time” The post Ep. 74: All That Jazz

Jun 28, 2019 • 1:14:31

Ep. 73: 10 Things I Hate About You

Ep. 73: 10 Things I Hate About You

Nate and Ryan put on their Sketchers and Prada backpacks and roam the halls of Padua High School as they rewatch 10 Things I Hate About You, the ’90s teen rom-com to end all ’90s teen rom-coms.  Join in as they reminisce on nights at Blockbuster video, gush over the eternally… Continue reading

May 28, 2019 • 1:01:12

Ep. 72: Hellboy (2004)

Ep. 72: Hellboy (2004)

Nate and Ryan kick-off the summer blockbuster season with Guillermo Del Toro’s 2004 adaptation of Hellboy. While the moody, lovelorn Hellboy might not exactly fit into today’s world of gigantic comics cinematic universes, Nate and Ryan talk about where Hellboy fits in the landscape of Del Toro’s monstrous heroes and how… Continue reading

Apr 27, 2019 • 1:04:12

Ep. 71: Good Will Hunting

Ep. 71: Good Will Hunting

Nate and Ryan return to the ’90s to re-watch Good Will Hunting, the movie that made Matt and Ben household names. The charm of director Gus Van Sant’s biggest commercial hit never really stuck with Nate and Ryan, so they’re giving it another go. Listen in as they find out… Continue reading

Mar 26, 2019 • 1:07:24

Ep 70: Children of Men

Ep 70: Children of Men

Nate and Ryan invite back special guest Evan Mather to talk about Alfonso Cuaron’s 2006 Children of Men.  Though not especially successful on its release, Children of Men has received new attention as critics and fans can’t help but notice that Cuaron seemed to know exactly what issues the world would be… Continue reading

Feb 21, 2019 • 1:10:10

Ep 69: Step Brothers

Ep 69: Step Brothers

Nate and Ryan revisit the widely loved comedy Step Brothers to talk about what is so appealing about the team of Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and Adam McKay. With Ferrell and Reilly back in theaters to much uninterested shrugs, and Adam McKay nominated for his 5th Oscar after winning his first three years ago, Nate and Ryan examine what about Step Brothers works and what hasn’t aged particularly well. FAIR WARNING: Just for good measure, there’s also a pretty significant tangent on the current

Jan 26, 2019 • 1:02:11

Ep 68: Love Actually

Ep 68: Love Actually

It’s a romantic Christmas for Nate and Ryan as they discuss Love Actually, the 2003 holiday rom-com starring Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, and most of the other British movie stars you can think of in the pre-Benedict-Cumberbatch era of British movie stars. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Love Actually has become an annual favorite for many, including Nate’s and Ryan’s wives. Listen in as they discuss what sticks and what doesn’t in this throw-it-all-at-the-wall Christmas epic. Is Love Actually

Dec 13, 2018 • 1:07:43

Ep 67: The Social Network

Ep 67: The Social Network

In 2010, the conversation around Facebook was mainly something like, “Holy crap, my parents are on Facebook. Should I delete my account?” Eight years later, the conversation is more like, “Holy crap, an enemy power hijacked our democracy and nationalism has a very visible platform and white supremacists have a growing influence and my personal info is being sold without my consent or knowledge and nothing is true anymore or false anymore on Facebook. Should I delete my account?” Nate and Ryan de

Nov 26, 2018 • 59:41

Ep 66: Halloween (1978)

Ep 66: Halloween (1978)

For the 5th Annual Holiday Spooktacular, Nate and Ryan discuss another bona fide classic, John Carpenters’ Halloween.  John Carpenter’s cheap, fast horror flick defied the odds and set a new standard for the genre, and as it’s celebrating its 40th anniversary, it seemed like the perfect time to relive “the night HE… Continue reading

Oct 19, 2018 • 1:03:24

Ep 65: Vertigo

Ep 65: Vertigo

Nate and Ryan discuss their first Alfred Hitchcock classic, 1958’s Vertigo.  As the film has gained more and more respect over the years, Nate and Ryan decided that it was time for them to really examine this beloved psychological mind-bender.  Like so many hallmarks of cinema before and since, Vertigo befuddled critics and audiences when it was released, and was kept more or less under wraps by Hitchcock’s estate for several decades.  Nate and Ryan discuss what makes this slow-burn entry into f

Sep 13, 2018 • 1:02:29

Ep. 64: Bull Durham

Ep. 64: Bull Durham

Nate and Ryan escape the summer heat by watching Bull Durham, a sports classic from 1988 that helped catapult Kevin Costner into Hollywood super-stardom.  Bull Durham is often hailed as the best sports movie of all time, so Nate and Ryan decided to weigh in for themselves.  After 30 years, how does this… Continue reading

Jun 30, 2018 • 59:41

Ep. 63: Can’t Hardly Wait

Ep. 63: Can’t Hardly Wait

As the school year winds down and summer brings life-long change (or so teen comedies would have us believe), Nate and Ryan discuss Can’t Hardly Wait.  Released 20 years ago, some of the hallmarks of late ’90s and early ’00s teen comedies can be traced back to Can’t Hardly Wait, yet it doesn’t quite… Continue reading

May 31, 2018 • 1:09:19

Ep. 62: The Big Lebowski

Ep. 62: The Big Lebowski

Nate and Ryan talk about The Big Lebowski (one of their favorites), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.  They welcome back their good friend Tim Yoder to discuss what is so special about this movie and what the expansive cult fan base indicates about its appeal.  Grab a white Russian and lay out on your best rug as we wax philosophical about this cult favorite. What is your history with The Dude?  What are your favorite lines?  Which lines are you sick of hearing?  Let us know!

Apr 30, 2018 • 1:09:57

Ep. 61: The Departed

Ep. 61: The Departed

Nate and Ryan invite special guest Anne Singleton back to talk about The Departed, Martin Scorsese’s violent, vulgar crime thriller.  Like most film fans, Nate and Ryan are big fans of Scorsese, but The Departed is the first of his films on this podcast.  Although many of Scorsese’s films have been important to the foundations of contemporary American cinema, the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars eluded him until the Academy smiled upon this gritty remake of Infernal Affairs fro

Mar 26, 2018 • 1:00:23

Ep. 60: Moonstruck

Ep. 60: Moonstruck

Nate and Ryan watch Moonstruck, the perfect movie to either keep the romance of a successful Valentine’s Day going, or the perfect movie to make up for a lackluster holiday.  This 1987 hit won Best Actress and Supporting Actress Oscars for stars Cher and Olympia Dukakis as well as Best Original… Continue reading

Feb 22, 2018 • 1:05:00

Ep. 59: All the President’s Men

Ep. 59: All the President’s Men

In a year that has everyone talking about presidential scandals, corruption, and collusion, Nate and Ryan felt it only appropriate to revisit the 1976 classic All the President’s Men.  Listen as Nate and Ryan discuss what makes this film brilliant, and how it feels to watch this movie in light of… Continue reading

Jan 19, 2018 • 1:23:56

Ep. 58: Elf

Ep. 58: Elf

For our fourth annual Holiday Extravaganza, we’re re-watching Elf, the 2003 Will Farrell comedy hit that has become a must-see for many people each year.  Our feelings for Elf have deteriorated over the years, so we wanted to watch it again to see if there’s something we’re missing.  This is the first time we’ve watched a Christmas movie that neither of us are big on, and we know that many of our listeners do like this movie. As the spirit of the season dictates, we watched with a generous mind

Dec 14, 2017 • 58:15

Ep. 57: Willow

Ep. 57: Willow

For some reason, something about November makes us want to watch movies with wizards.  As per a listener suggestion, we’re watching Willow, the 1988 George Lucas-conceived, Ron Howard-directed fantasy epic.  For many people, Willow was a special part of their childhood, but in the pantheon of classic children’s movies, Willow rarely seems to… Continue reading

Nov 23, 2017 • 54:31

Ep. 56: The Thing (1982)

Ep. 56: The Thing (1982)

Welcome to our 4th Annual Holiday Spooktacular.  This year, Nate and Ryan discuss John Carpenter’s The Thing, a 1982 horror flop that has become a bona fide classic.  Listen as they discuss what has made The Thing into such a beloved film and how it has aged over the past 35 years. … Continue reading

Oct 19, 2017 • 1:05:29

Ep. 55: Starship Troopers

Ep. 55: Starship Troopers

Nate and Ryan continue their unofficial tour through 1997 by watching director Paul Verhoeven’s divisive sci-fi cult classic, Starship Troopers.  Joined by guest (and Starship Troopers fan) Dan Wartsbaugh, Nate and Ryan try to find out if this is a scathing, brilliant satire, skewering the tropes of violence-worshiping blockbuster action flicks, or… Continue reading

Sep 23, 2017 • 1:18:06

Ep. 54: Wayne’s World and Austin Powers

Ep. 54: Wayne’s World and Austin Powers

For most of the ’90s, Mike Meyers’ catchphrases were repeated ad nauseam everywhere from dorm rooms to boardrooms (We’re guessing.  We weren’t in a single boardroom in the ’90s, but you get it).  With Wayne’s World celebrating its 25th anniversary and Austin Powers celebrating its 20th, Nate and Ryan decided to watch both in their first ever Can We Still Be Friends Double Feature! While watching movies you loved in middle school is always a risk, the lasting impact Meyers has had on comedy is a

Aug 25, 2017 • 1:12:59

Ep. 53: Marie Antoinette

Ep. 53: Marie Antoinette

In 2006, Sofia Coppola’s follow-up to her Oscar-winning smash Lost In Translation was the hotly anticipated, but tepidly received Marie Antoinette.  She recently returned to the spotlight as she won Best Director at Cannes with her most recent film The Beguiled.  With the middle of summer bringing the celebration of Bastille Day, Nate… Continue reading

Jul 21, 2017 • 1:06:14

Ep. 52: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Ep. 52: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Nate and Ryan rewatch Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the other sci-fi classic released 40 years ago.  Directed by Steven Spielberg, Close Encounters solidified Spielberg’s aesthetic and helped bring hard(ish) sci-fi into the mainstream.  With all the hallmarks of great Spielberg movies wrapped up nicely in one movie, Nate and Ryan… Continue reading

Jun 8, 2017 • 0:00

Ep. 51: The Fast and the Furious

Ep. 51: The Fast and the Furious

Not ones to be left out, Nate and Ryan decide to see what all the fuss is about with this The Fast and the Furious franchise.  With The Fate of the Furious setting records at the box office, it seemed high time that they give the original a shot.  For help, they brought in… Continue reading

May 11, 2017 • 0:00

Ep. 50: Network

Ep. 50: Network

Note: This episode and its clips contain language not suitable for all audiences.  Also, as might be expected, this episode is pretty politically charged.  We welcome your comments (and your anger), but please keep it civil. For their 50th episode, Nate and Ryan take a look at how Network (1976) and… Continue reading

Apr 6, 2017 • 0:00

Ep. 49: Titanic

Ep. 49: Titanic

Nate and Ryan invite special guest Anne Singleton to revisit their high school days and watch Titanic, released 20 years ago.  Titanic cemented its legacy when it won a record-tying 11 Oscars and became one of the highest-grossing films of all time.  Nate, Ryan, and Anne discuss how the film has held… Continue reading

Mar 1, 2017 • 0:00

Ep. 48: Singin’ in the Rain

Ep. 48: Singin’ in the Rain

As La La Land continues to be an Oscar favorite (14 nominations), Nate and Ryan explore what might be the most revered of all movie musicals: Singin’ in the Rain.  Though Singin’ in the Rain didn’t garner any Oscar wins (and only 2 nominations), it has lived on to be adored by fans,… Continue reading

Jan 26, 2017 • 0:00

Ep. 47: Die Hard

Ep. 47: Die Hard

It’s our 3rd Holiday Spectacular, and this year, Nate and Ryan are watching a more contentious entry into the Holiday Movie Canon: 1988’s Die Hard.  For a Holiday Spectacular this outside the box, Nate and Ryan called in some back up.  Friend of the program and most frequent guest Evan Mather… Continue reading

Dec 16, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 46: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Ep. 46: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Nate and Ryan revisit the launching of a cinematic empire by watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in celebration of its 15th anniversary.  Additionally, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was released to enormous box office success nearly 15 years to the day that the first Harry Potter movie was… Continue reading

Nov 29, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 45: The Wicker Man (1973)

Ep. 45: The Wicker Man (1973)

It’s our 3rd Halloween episode, and Nate and Ryan are taking the opportunity to watch The Wicker Man, another classic horror movie that’s always been on their list.  Though it had an inauspicious release in 1973, The Wicker Man has become the epitome of a cult classic, with various versions making the… Continue reading

Oct 17, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 44: The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Ep. 44: The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Nate and Ryan talk about their first western, The Magnificent Seven, starring Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen and directed by John Sturges.  With Antoine Fuqua’s remake still in theaters, Nate and Ryan discuss how the original (itself a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s The Seven Samurai) holds up today.  While The Magnificent Seven isn’t… Continue reading

Oct 6, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 43: Stand by Me

Ep. 43: Stand by Me

With Labor Day just behind us, and summer more or less over, Nate and Ryan watch and discuss Rob Reiner’s much loved coming-of-age movie Stand by Me.  Based on a short story by Stephen King, Stand by Me was released 30 years ago, meaning many of its original fans have 10-year-olds of their own.  Nate has watched this movie several times since his childhood, but Ryan had never seen it.  They discuss the oft-overlooked sadness of childhood, death, dead bodies, and (since it’d be depressing to wall

Sep 8, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 42: JFK

Ep. 42: JFK

Nate and Ryan revisit Oliver Stone’s controversial classic from 1991: JFK.  Inspired by the incredible light-shedding documentary OJ: Made in America, Nate and Ryan wanted to rewatch another film that explores the details of one of the most famous events in history.  The film follows New Orleans attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) as he dredges up any and all information he can about the assassination of John F. Kennedy.  Something about the assassination and subsequent government report seeme

Aug 5, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 41: Ghostbusters

Ep. 41: Ghostbusters

Nate and Ryan invite their friend Tim along to rewatch the 1984 hit comedy Ghostbusters, in anticipation of the new reboot.  Many people have cried out against this new film, saying that changing it will “ruin their childhood.”  Since this movie wasn’t really a part of Nate or Ryan’s childhoods, they… Continue reading

Jun 30, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 40: LA Confidential

Ep. 40: LA Confidential

Nate and Ryan are no strangers to their own nostalgia, but for this episode, they rewatch LA Confidential and discuss how Hollywood handles nostalgia.  LA Confidential‘s view of 1950s Hollywood takes the tropes of noir and the glamour of old Hollywood and exposes the corruption that lurks just barely below the surface.… Continue reading

Jun 5, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 39: Moulin Rouge!

Ep. 39: Moulin Rouge!

Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 musical Moulin Rouge! became a bit of a slow burn hit.  Its unfiltered story of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love struck a chord with some movie goers, but the unique and frenetic visual style left some viewers exhausted and annoyed.  Spurred on by the popularity of Hamilton, another… Continue reading

May 15, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 38: Borat

Ep. 38: Borat

For this episode, Nate and Ryan go back to their college years to re-watch Borat, a movie they haven’t seen since they were undergrads 10 years ago.  Sacha Baron Cohen has a new movie, The Brothers Grimsby, in theaters, and a recent illuminating interview on WTF with Marc Maron made Nate and Ryan wonder… Continue reading

Apr 1, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 37: Barton Fink

Ep. 37: Barton Fink

Inspired by the recent release of the latest Coen Brothers film Hail, Caesar!, Nate and Ryan revisit Barton Fink. Despite winning three major awards at Cannes in 1991, the film is usually one of the underseen, if not forgotten film in the Coen Brothers Canon.  Though both Nate and Ryan had seen this… Continue reading

Mar 13, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 36: Boyz N the Hood

Ep. 36: Boyz N the Hood

With the Academy failing to nominate a single non-white actor in any acting category for the second year in a row, Nate and Ryan watch John Singleton’s breakout 1991 film Boyz N the Hood.  The film earned the first-time writer/director nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director, making him not only the youngest person nominated for the award (24 years old), but also the first black person to receive the best directing nomination.  It would be 19 years before another black person

Feb 17, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 35: Birdman

Ep. 35: Birdman

This episode contains explicit language. Following Birdman’s Best Picture win at the Oscars last year, director Alejandro G. Inarritu seems poised once again to be the front-runner this year with his new film The Revenant.  Nate and Ryan have often debated the merits of Inarritu, and his 2005 movie Babel remains one of their most hotly contested arguments.  Their divide continued on the release of Birdman, and with Inarritu still drawing praise and criticism from all corners, it was time

Jan 27, 2016 • 0:00

Ep. 34: The Muppet Christmas Carol

Ep. 34: The Muppet Christmas Carol

For this holiday season, in the spirit of togetherness, Nate and Ryan discuss The Muppet Christmas Carol.  Last year’s Christmas episode turned out to be one of their bitterest episodes yet.  In an effort to undo the negativity of that episode, Nate and Ryan discuss a movie they agree is one of the best Christmas movies around.  While many people believe there are too many adaptations of the Charles Dickens classic, Nate and Ryan talk about why this adaptation is necessary and lasting. What do y

Dec 11, 2015 • 0:00

Ep. 33: Goldfinger

Ep. 33: Goldfinger

Nate and Ryan reach way back into the James Bond archives to watch Goldfinger, the third installment of the James Bond franchise, starring Sean Connery.  As Daniel Craig’s latest Bond adventure Spectre hit theatres, Nate watches one of Ryan’s favorite Bond films for the first time.  Nate and Ryan discuss how well some… Continue reading

Nov 19, 2015 • 0:00

Ep. 32: A Nightmare on Elm Street

Ep. 32: A Nightmare on Elm Street

As Halloween approaches, Nate and Ryan prepare by watching A Nightmare on Elm Street, the slasher classic written and directed by horror master Wes Craven.  A Nightmare on Elm Street helped write the rules for slasher horror pics and was the forebearer to a number of imitation slasher cash-ins.  Freddy Krueger… Continue reading

Oct 23, 2015 • 0:00

Ep. 31: Brazil (The Final Cut)

Ep. 31: Brazil (The Final Cut)

Thirty years ago, Terry Gilliam triumphed over studio exec Sid Sheinberg to bring his version of 1985’s Brazil to theaters.  Gilliam’s final cut proved to be a truly unique piece of cinema and was perhaps the first and last time Gilliam would really see his vision for a movie fully realized.… Continue reading

Oct 8, 2015 • 0:00

Ep. 30: Mission: Impossible

Ep. 30: Mission: Impossible

Inspired by the release of the newest Mission: Impossible installment, Nate and Ryan go back to where it all began (well…began again) and rewatch Brian De Palma’s 1996 action thriller. In the cold light of adulthood, Nate and Ryan discuss whether the things that thrilled them as children still work.  They also… Continue reading

Sep 10, 2015 • 0:00

Ep. 29: Gone With the Wind

Ep. 29: Gone With the Wind

Nate and Ryan invite back Erick Fortmann to discuss Gone With the Wind, the 1939 classic that has always captivated moviegoers.  However, over time, the reception of the movie and its messages have been called into question.  Most recently, in the wake of the controversy over the Confederate flag, the image… Continue reading

Aug 13, 2015 • 0:00

Ep. 28: The Incredibles

Ep. 28: The Incredibles

Nate and Ryan discuss Pixar’s 2004 hit The Incredibles, directed by Brad Bird.  Though Nate and Ryan don’t disagree on many Pixar movies, they have never agreed on where The Incredibles fits into the overall Pixar universe.  With Inside/Out once again proving the Pixar can entertain children while bringing adults to tears, this seemed like the perfect time to revisit the Pixar catalog. As with most Pixar movies, The Incredibles takes a fairly straightforward, well-known concept (superhero movies

Jul 12, 2015 • 0:00

Ep 27: The Blues Brothers

Ep 27: The Blues Brothers

This week marks the 35th anniversary of the release of The Blues Brothers, the much-loved comedy starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as the titular brothers.  The Blues Brothers was the first movie to come from Saturday Night Live and is widely regarded as one of the best to come out of the… Continue reading

Jun 20, 2015 • 0:00

Ep. 26: Mad Max

Ep. 26: Mad Max

With all the feverish praise that George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road is garnering, Nate and Ryan watch and discuss the film that started it all, 1979’s Mad Max, starring Mel Gibson.  Set in the near future, Mad Max tells the tale of a decaying world where roaming biker gangs terrorize peaceful… Continue reading

May 23, 2015 • 0:00

Ep 25: Pitch Perfect

Ep 25: Pitch Perfect

Nate and Ryan get ready for one of the the most anticipated sequels of the year by watching Pitch Perfect, the 2012 film starring Anna Kendrick that struck gold with its acapella take on the classic underdog story.  Pitch Perfect struck a chord with audiences with its blend of humor and pop… Continue reading

May 8, 2015 • 0:00

Ep 24: The Net

Ep 24: The Net

For this episode, Nate and Ryan watched The Net, the 1995 thriller starring Sandra Bullock.  The movie celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and with the recent passage of Net Neutrality by the FCC, they decided to watch this cautionary tale of the dangers of the internet.  Truth be told, Nate… Continue reading

Apr 16, 2015 • 0:00

Ep 23: Grey Gardens

Ep 23: Grey Gardens

Nate and Ryan welcome special guest Erick Fortmann to discuss the seminal documentary Grey Gardens, directed by the late Albert and David Maysles.  The Maysles established themselves as pioneers of documentary in a time when documentaries were the stuff of newsreels and educational film.  They made their name with 1968’s Salesman and… Continue reading

Apr 2, 2015 • 0:00

Ep 22: Batman

Ep 22: Batman

Birdman‘s Best Picture win at this year’s Oscars made Nate and Ryan want to revisit Michael Keaton’s turn as a superhero in Tim Burton’s 1989 blockbuster Batman.  This movie was a staple of Nate’s childhood, but one that Ryan only saw as an adult.  They discuss how the movie has held up over the years, especially given the large library of superhero movies that followed in Batman’s wake. Burton’s Batman was ground-breaking for summer blockbusters.  Warner Bros. took a risk on a fairly untested

Mar 20, 2015 • 0:00

Ep 21: The Darjeeling Limited

Ep 21: The Darjeeling Limited

Even though Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel didn’t win big at the Oscars (you’ll notice we recorded the episode before the show, thereby sounding woefully out of touch), Nate and Ryan were still glad to rewatch Anderson’s 2007 film The Darjeeling Limited.  Even among ardent Wes Anderson fans, The Darjeeling Limited seems to be a forgotten film in his career.  Nate and Ryan explore why this movie fell by the wayside, and discuss whether it should be forgotten or given

Feb 26, 2015 • 0:00

Ep 20: Slacker

Ep 20: Slacker

Inspired by the Oscar chances of Richard Linklater’s brilliant film Boyhood, Nate and Ryan go back to where it all began for Linklater and watch his breakout 1991 film Slacker.  Slacker is often praised as one of the landmark films of the early ’90s independent film renaissance and served to jump start Linklater’s… Continue reading

Feb 8, 2015 • 0:00

Ep 19: Punch-Drunk Love

Ep 19: Punch-Drunk Love

The violent division of our last episode is healed as Nate and Ryan discuss Punch-Drunk Love, Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2002 romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler. Nate and Ryan discuss the intricacies of a movie that can seem inaccessible and confusing to first-time viewers, but might be simpler than they think. Let… Continue reading

Jan 22, 2015 • 1:06:59

Ep. 18: A Christmas Story

Ep. 18: A Christmas Story

Nate and Ryan have it out over 1983’s beloved A Christmas Story just in time for the most wonderful time of the year: Christmas movie season. This is one of their earliest film fights, and time has done little to calm the storm.  As with any good blizzard, it’s best to… Continue reading

Dec 16, 2014 • 0:00

Ep. 17: The Ice Storm

Ep. 17: The Ice Storm

In this episode Nate and Ryan finally watch a movie they’ve both been meaning to get around to: The Ice Storm.  Directed by Ang Lee and released in 1997, The Ice Storm explores the ennui of 1970s suburban Connecticut during an unseasonably cold Thanksgiving week, appropriately enough.  Kevin Kline plays Ben Hood, a… Continue reading

Dec 5, 2014 • 0:00

Ep. 16: The Avengers

Ep. 16: The Avengers

With the recent release of the trailer for The Avengers: The Age of Ultron, Nate and Ryan decided to revisit Joss Whedon’s 2012 blockbuster The Avengers.  Considered by many to be the crown jewel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers broke box office records and was hailed by comic book geeks and noobs alike. In keeping with the epic scope of Whedon’s vision, this episode covers a lot of ground, from the appeal of Joss Whedon, to the difference between superhero movies and historical e

Nov 20, 2014 • 0:00

Ep. 15: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Ep. 15: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

As trees shed their leaves, and people frantically find ways to make a sexy version of any and every costume, Nate and Ryan celebrate Halloween by watching The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, one of the most revered horror films of all time.  Made in 1974 on a small budget and with… Continue reading

Oct 28, 2014 • 0:00

Change of Plans!

Change of Plans!

Quick Update- Contrary to what we said in our last episode, we will not be discussing Babel in our next episode. We are liars! Instead, we’ve decided to do something more festive. We will be watching and discussing the original 1974 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Neither of us has seen this movie, so let’s find out just how much terror we can take. Here’s hoping we at least make it through the whole movie. What was that noise? Did you hear that!? Maybe we’ll keep the lights on during this one. Th

Oct 20, 2014 • 0:00

Ep. 14: Braveheart

Ep. 14: Braveheart

In this episode, Nate rights a nearly 20-year wrong and gets Ryan to watch Braveheart for the first time.  Nate’s been a fan since childhood, and given Ryan’s well known aversion to epic period movies, this has the makings of a battle worthy of…well, an epic war movie.  With Scottish freedom on… Continue reading

Oct 9, 2014 • 0:00

Ep. 13: American Movie

Ep. 13: American Movie

In this episode, Nate and Ryan discuss the listener-suggested, landmark 1999 documentary American Movie.  Director Chris Smith profiles independent filmmaker Mark Borchardt, a Milwaukee native who dreams of finally making the film that has been brewing inside him from childhood.  With aspirations only outsized by his debts and with self-motivating talk… Continue reading

Sep 18, 2014 • 0:00

Ep. 12: Garden State

Ep. 12: Garden State

Ten years after the release of Garden State, writer/director/star/punching bag Zach Braff has come out with a new movie, Wish I Was Here.  The reception was ambivalent to negative, a stark contrast to the general reception of Garden State.  Nate and Ryan hadn’t seen Garden State in years, but couldn’t help but notice that… Continue reading

Aug 31, 2014 • 0:00

Episode 11: Hook

Episode 11: Hook

The recent death of Robin Williams came as a shock to everyone.  It was especially shocking to us, as just days before Williams’ death, we recorded this episode on Hook. Though we couldn’t have known what would happen, we are glad that we had so recently been able to discuss and… Continue reading

Aug 14, 2014 • 0:00

Episode 10: Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Episode 10: Scott Pilgrim vs The World

We’re in full summer movie swing with a discussion about Edgar Wright’s 2010 action-comedy Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.  This energetic adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series stars Michael Cera as the titular hero.  In this episode, Ryan and Nate square off in an epic battle which sees Ryan… Continue reading

Jul 26, 2014 • 0:00

Episode 9: A Hard Day’s Night

Episode 9: A Hard Day’s Night

Nate and Ryan welcome Evan Mather back to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of A Hard Day’s Night, starring The Beatles and directed by Richard Lester. Along with their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, A Hard Day’s Night was America’s first introduction to The Beatles.  What was originally conceived… Continue reading

Jul 10, 2014 • 0:00

Episode 8: Quentin Tarantino

Episode 8: Quentin Tarantino

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the release of Pulp Fiction, Nate and Ryan invite their good friend Tim Yoder in to point guns at one another while screaming about the polarizing figure that is writer/director Quentin Tarantino.  Pulp Fiction is a brilliant film that marked a change in… Continue reading

Jun 9, 2014 • 0:00

Episode 7: Gremlins

Episode 7: Gremlins

As a way of ringing in summer blockbuster season and celebrating the 30th anniversary of a great year in movies (see our list of 5 great ones from 1984), Nate and Ryan watched Gremlins, a film that, for some reason, neither of them had seen.  Though this episode didn’t start out as a traditional “Nate vs. Ryan” episode, they couldn’t help but draw battle lines and square off about the value of Gremlins. After listening, tell us your thoughts on movies from 1984, blockbusters, movies that are “so

May 29, 2014 • 0:00

Episode 6: Pinocchio

Episode 6: Pinocchio

Evan Mather joins us once again to discuss Pinocchio, the 1940 Disney Classic that was recently named by Time Out New York as the best animated movie ever made.  Since we hadn’t seen Pinocchio in a long time, we rewatched it to see if we agree with the experts who compiled the… Continue reading

May 11, 2014 • 0:00

Episode 5: The Sandlot

Episode 5: The Sandlot

With summer just around the corner, we discuss a movie from our childhood that makes us long for the days of no school and no responsibilities.  The Sandlot enjoys a place of unalterable honor in many people’s minds, Nate’s included.  Ryan doesn’t hold it in such high esteem.   In this… Continue reading

Apr 24, 2014 • 0:00

Episode 4: All About Eve

Episode 4: All About Eve

In this episode, Nate and Ryan tackle All About Eve, a (nearly) universally lauded classic. Nate thinks that maybe the praise is undeserved, and the movie’s reputation has clouded people’s judgement.  Ryan affirms that this movie is as good as everyone thinks because it continues to be relevant and biting. Inspired… Continue reading

Apr 5, 2014 • 0:00

Episode 3: Gladiator

Episode 3: Gladiator

In preparation for the March 28 release of Darren Aronofsky’s epic Noah, starring Russell Crowe, Nate defends another Russell Crowe epic set in ancient times: Gladiator. Ryan and Nate clash with the fury of slaves forced to fight for their survival.  This is the showdown you’ve been waiting for. Do you… Continue reading

Mar 18, 2014 • 47:21

Episode 2: 2014 Oscars Preview

Episode 2: 2014 Oscars Preview

In this episode, Nate Gass and Ryan Ebling invite their friend Evan Mather to join them as they weigh in on who got snubbed, who will win, and who should win in the major categories.  Unfortunately, Evan’s views were so controversial, his mic began rebelling.  Sorry for the resulting echo. Continue reading

Feb 25, 2014 • 0:00

Episode 1: Being John Malkovich

Episode 1: Being John Malkovich

Inspired by the brilliant and Oscar nominated Her, in our very first episode, Ryan Ebling tries to convince Nate Gass that Spike Jonzes’ 1999 film Being John Malkovich is much better than Nate gives it credit for.  Nate attempts to make Ryan see that the film might not be as flawless as he thinks. The post Episode 1: Being John Malkovich appeared first on Can We Still Be Friends? - A Movie Podcast.

Feb 12, 2014 • 1:01:28

Switch to the Fountain App