If you see one movie this year, make it Paul Thomas Anderson's new masterwork. In this week's episode, we talk about the best movie of the year and four others. Is 'Him' Jordan Peele's first fumble as a film producer? Does 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' earn its name? Who is Gabby and why do we care about her dollhouse? Who are The Strangers and why do they need a Chapter 2? All this and more in our newest episode where we presented ourselves with an interesting challenge: starting a one-hour timer at the top of the episode and releasing that hour of conversation unedited. Hopefully it's just as entertaining!

This episode's schedule:

'Him' (4:20)

'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' (16:21)

World Series Side-bet (23:58)

'One Battle After Another' (25:33)

'The Strangers: Chapter 2' (43:02)

'Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie' (47:38)

Zach's Picks: 'Rush Hour 2' by Br*tt R*tner, 'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special' by James Gunn and 'Werewolf by Night' by Michael Giacchino (49:17)

Bets (57:25)

Artwork by Mackenzie McCarron.

Theme Song by Will DiNola.

Edited and produced by Aaron Bartuska.

Original Record Date: September 20th, 2025.

If there were ever any doubts that the horror genre is more dominant than ever, the first week of September has put those to bed. This is only the second time horror has crossed a domestic total of one billion dollars in one calendar year -- and the earliest that milestone has been reached by nearly two months. On this episode, we discuss two of 2025's most significant horror offerings as well as three surprising movie-adjacent theatrical experiences that have garnered a collective $750 million at the worldwide box office.

This episode's schedule:

'The Conjuring: Last Rites' (3:40)

'Hamilton,' 'Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Infinity Castle,' and 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale' (20:36)

'The Long Walk' (34:24)

Aaron's Picks: 'Signs/The Happening' by M. Night Shyamalan and 'War of the Worlds' by Rich Lee (48:49)

Bets (53:44)

Artwork by Mackenzie McCarron.

Theme Song by Will DiNola.

Edited and produced by Aaron Bartuska.

Despite technical difficulties and sleep deprivation, Zach and Aaron are back with the last episode of the summer movie season. We should have stopped and smelled The Roses earlier in the summer, because these late August options are Toxic and there are no Avengers-level releases to be found. The studios have been Caught Stealing our money and we Don't appreciate it, Honey. But, we Ne Zha II talk about all of our bets, so here we are! That last one was a bit of stretch. Maybe we should drop this whole "trying to fit the movie titles into the episode description" thing. We couldn't think of anything for Kpop Demon Hunters.

Next week, tune in for our end of summer recap and a very special episode!

This episode's schedule:

'Honey, Don't' (11:38)

'Kpop Demon Hunters' (15:37)

'Caught Stealing' (24:00)

'The Toxic Avenger Unrated' (28:02)

Aaron's Pick: 'Hillbilly Elegy' by Ron Howard (33:39)

Zach's Pick: 'Blade' by Stephen Norrington (36:35)

Aaron's Pick: 'Barbarian' by Zach Cregger (39:01)

Bets (41:30)

Artwork by Mackenzie McCarron.

Theme Song by Will DiNola.

Edited and produced by Aaron Bartuska.