Looking for the Ocean: A Pixar Journey

Mark and Danny respectfully watch the first four episodes of Mater’s Tall Tales, world-expanding comedy shorts which aired on Disney Channel and before the classic Disney film Bolt (2008). Danny’s brother goes to see Polar Express, Larry the Cable Guy falls in love with Tyler Perry’s Madea, and Danny reveals some of his most popular reviews on Letterboxd. If we’re lying, we’re crying!

Mark and Danny are joined by filmmaker Gene Arnold to talk about a movie so phenomenal that calling it the best Pixar movie feels like an understatement. I know we keep saying these are all the best but this really is (maybe until 2017, Danny adds). We also talk about Jar Jar Binks, whether scores need to be memorable to be great, and this movie’s impact on two cultural institutions: the Academy Awards and the Boss Baby. 
Gene’s partner Alex is making jewelry!: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ATGZhandmadeShop

Get ready for a FIGHT! Mark and Danny spend most of the episode arguing about Presto, the short that played before WALL-E. Your Friend the Rat has a very nice song. The lads also discuss laugh tracks, Danny’s best-cartoons bracket featuring Home Alone, and why they’re NOT going to be talking about Succession even though you can hear that they want to. Jack Black.

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It’s a real one. Who knew a movie celebrating Pixar could make Danny so grouchy. Mark’s just rewatched Goodfellas (and is therefore not grouchy). We also discuss the ethics of podcast editing, our favorite effects-heavy films, and discovering cinema through our parents’ movie collections. This is our record for our children.

This week, the lads are joined by SPRINGFIELD NATIVE Dan Heidorn! The co-director of Monsters, Inc. also helmed 2007’s The Simpsons Movie, so we have to talk about it. Dan (who only watches The Simpsons) shares celebrity gossip and the details of his beef with Vermont. Then we kill the Letterboxd game. We also discuss James Corden as Flanders and our worst movie dates! Move over Michael B. Jordan, this is real anime.

On this episode magnifique, we’re joined by Jay Salahi, director of Northwood Pie. We serve an unusual dish - two hours of audio focused almost entirely on the movie.  We break down why the little chef at Gusteau’s is a justified(?) jerk, debate whether Linguini’s lack of a character arc matters, and of course, talk about one of the finest monologues in all of cinema. Anyone can podcast - does that mean we should?

It’s the mid-2000s and we’re talking PENGUINS. And surfing. That’s it. Danny tries to be nice when Mark invites people on the pod he doesn’t know. Who are these people you may ask? Great question, since Danny is writing the description this week and he only remembers that Thomas, Mark’s brother, went to Costco and is working on a movie set, and Mason, Mark’s friend, is an actor who didn’t like Avatar 2. We forgot to mention Chris Buck, the actual co-director of this film. Why does this kepe happening?? Much like Christmas, we could’ve used some more ChubbChubbs.