Crooked Table Podcast

For decades, Glenn Close has turned in one acclaimed performance after another, but Oscar has continually eluded her. At last year's Academy Awards, that nearly changed. Close narrowly lost the Best Actress statuette for her tour-de-force performance in The Wife. Although Close herself earned critical praise, the film itself fell beneath the radar, earning less than $10 million at the domestic box office. Today we take a closer look at what The Wife has to offer. Angela Betancourt, host of 5 Things with Angie B., joins us to discuss not only Close's magnetic turn in the Björn Runge-directed drama but also how it tackles the emotional complexity of a decades-long marriage. Listen in as we engage in a detailed breakdown of The Wife, its complicated family dynamic, the unsung supporting role (co-lead?) played by Jonathan Pryce and the implications of its divisive conclusion.  The Wife synopsis, courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics: Directed by Berlin Silver Bear-winner Björn Runge, THE WIFE is adapted by Jane Ande

We're in the Endgame now. So, before we launch into our lengthy, spoiler-filled conversation about Avengers: Endgame, Rob briefly runs through his thoughts on the previous 21 films (!) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From the original Iron Man to the groundbreaking success of this year's Captain Marvel, the folks over at Marvel Studios have created a cinematic achievement like no other. Eleven years ago, no one thought that it was possible to create an interconnected web of narratives, wrapping in dozens of iconic characters. Yet, against all odds, the MCU has emerged as the highest-grossing film series of all time, earning praise from fans and critics alike. Avengers: Endgame promises to be the culmination of all that's come before, providing a conclusive ending to the ongoing saga of Thanos and the Infinity Stones as well as a poignant farewell to some fan-favorite characters. So we'll do "whatever it takes" to honor what Marvel has accomplished. Stay tuned next week for our epic-length review of Avengers

Listeners to the show — or, really, anyone within earshot — already know how much of an affinity Rob has for the Star Wars saga. The intergalactic battles and "space opera" melodrama of the Skywalker family have been attracting audiences for more than 40 years. So the fact that the franchise has long ranked among Rob's personal favorites shouldn't be much of a surprise. Over more than 40 years, George Lucas's "galaxy far, far away" has spawned countless films, television series, novels, comic books, video games and assorted ancillary merchandise. But, while the saga's Disney overlords will certainly keep fresh content coming for many, many years (including original series on its upcoming Disney+ streaming services), 2019 does mark a definitive end to at least part of what we've all come to love about Star Wars. This December, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker — the ninth "Episode" within the franchise centering on the lineage of Anakin Skywalker) — will bring a close to not just the sequel trilogy that began w

Anyone who has ever worked in corporate America knows exactly the kind of gold that writer/director Mike Judge struck when he released his 1999 comedy Office Space on the world. But 1999 audiences (who loved films like American Beauty and The Matrix) sure didn't, as the film was a box office flop. A lot has changed in the two decades since we all discovered TPS reports and suffered through the agony of being named Michael Bolton in the 1990s. So, this episode, financial guru and author Kai Yaniz — buy her latest ebook here — joins us to discuss why Office Space is among her all-time favorite films and how she discovered the film that has left the workforce cringing for the past 20 years. That being said... If you could go ahead and give this latest episode a listen, that would be great. Lumbergh will be expecting your TPS report in the morning. Office Space synopsis, courtesy of Fox: Corporate drone Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) hates his soul-killing job at software company Initech. While undergoing hypnoth

Just in time for the release of Shazam!, Freddy Yaniz joins us to talk about the state of the DC Extended Universe. After a rocky start marked by such divisive releases as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, DC's finest superheroes look to be finally getting their due. We'll dig into how James Wan's Aquaman fits into all this before launching into a full-on review of director David F. Sandberg's Shazam!   Shazam! synopsis, courtesy of Warner Bros.: We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson’s (Asher Angel) case, by shouting out one word—SHAZAM!—this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam (Zachary Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard (Djimon Hounsou). Still a kid at heart—inside a ripped, godlike body—Shazam revels in this adult version of himself by doing what any teen would do with superpowers: have fun with them! Can he fly? Does he have X-ray vision? Can he shoot lightning out of his hands? Can he s

In the past few years, few films have been as controversial as writer/director Darren Aronofsky's mother! So, this week, Jefferson Grubbs of the recently launched Oscar site Thin Gold Line joins us for a deep dive into the divisive psychological horror film. Love it or hate it, mother! — which stars Oscar winners Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem — is a rich cinematic experience loaded with possible interpretations. We'll get into how the film functions as both a Biblical allegory as well as a commentary on the creative process (and Aronofsky himself). Jefferson also shares his take on this year's Oscar telecast and his extremely early prediction on whether Jordan Peele's Us has the chance to break into next year's Oscar season. The time has come for the mother! of all our episodes to date. So strap in for a lively conversation on the most polarizing film we've covered to date. Just be sure not to lean on that sink; it's not braced yet. mother! synopsis, courtesy of Paramount Pictures: A couple's relationsh

This week, Zach Mathews of the Proper Gentlemen Podcast stops by to marvel at Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the ninth entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Released in 2014, the film marked directors Joe and Anthony Russo's entrance into the franchise and solidified Chris Evans' Steve Rogers as one of the series' most beloved. With less than a month until the pivotal events of Avengers: Endgame, we'll discuss how The Winter Soldier factors into the Captain America trilogy (and the greater MCU), declare which character should assume the shield next and speculate on how Cap's story may come to a close in Endgame. Captain America: The Winter Soldier synopsis, courtesy of Marvel Studios: After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intr

On this week's episode, Nguyen Le (of the Houston Chronicle and beyond) joins the Crooked Table Podcast to discuss writer/director Hirokazu Kore-eda's latest release, Shoplifters. The Japanese family drama triumphed at the Cannes Film Festival — winning the Palme d'Or — and competed as the nation's submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards, ultimately losing to Roma. We'll discuss how Kore-eda's film, in some respects, fares better than Alfonso Cuaron's hit as a character-based, slice-of-life family drama.    Kore-eda's powerful story explores the nature of family, our ongoing search for love and belonging, and the social norms that decide what are and are not acceptable forms of all of the above. Featuring a stellar ensemble cast led by Lily Franky and Sakura Ando, Shoplifters is easily one of the most underrated and criminally under-seen films of 2018. So be sure to hunt it down before delving into our spoiler-ific conversation.  Shoplifters synopsis, courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

It's taken 21 movies, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe finally has its first solo female superhero. And Brie Larson's Captain Marvel has certainly been causing quite a splash in the lead-up to her big-screen debut. Now that she's here, we take it upon ourselves to investigate whether the film actually succeeds in bridging the Earth and cosmic sides of the MCU, how it plays into Avengers: Endgame and all that sweet, sweet 1990s nostalgia. Kerri Jones returns to the show to help us break down the feminist message at the heart of directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's entrance into the MCU, condemn the vitriol being hurled the film's direction by a certain segment of the audience and peek ahead at what Carol Danvers' big unveiling has to say about the future of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. So throw on your favorite Nine Inch Nails t-shirt and let's take a journey back to the 90s for Marvel's latest superheroic thrill ride. Captain Marvel synopsis, courtesy of Marvel Studios: Set in the 1990s, Marvel Studios’Captain

With several high-profile releases mere weeks from hitting the big screen, Rob decides to test a new concept in this week's episode. Rather than bringing on a guest to discuss a film of their choice, as normal, we take a look at the films hitting theaters throughout March 2019. It's that weird compromise between the relative dead period of the beginning of the year and the thick of the summer movie season (which, these days, really starts in late April).  This month, Captain Marvel is set to take flight, setting the stage for Avengers: Endgame. Oscar-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele deliver another disturbing horrorshow with Us. And many more! Before we begin to face a deluge of major Hollywood films arriving in the months ahead, let's relish in the chance to focus on the few true highlights coming out in March. Like this idea? Let us know! We're considering a monthly special episode focusing on the month ahead. So now's your chance to have your voice heard. Which March 2019 film are you most looking forward? S

Less than 24 hours after the 91st Academy Awards took place, Rob takes to the mic to vent/celebrate the Oscar wins. It was a big night for films like Green Book, Black Panther and Bohemian Rhapsody, much to many people's delight/dismay. But the evening also marked major wins for Roma, The Favourite, BlacKkKlansman and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. All in all, it was a rollercoaster ride of exciting moments (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's performance, Best Actress) and groan-inducing turns (oh, we'll get there). So join Rob as he runs through every single win and officially closes the green book on this awards season. From the prospect of a Best Popular Film statuette to the Academy's struggle to find a willing host to emcee the evening to the misguided idea to present select awards during the commercial breaks, this year's Oscars were loaded with drama that had nothing to do with the nominated films. Perhaps such internal chaos is indicative of changes ahead. Only time will tell. For now, regardless of w

In this week's episode, Rob welcomes Will Ashton, co-host of Cinemaholics, to the show to talk Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Based on the Roald Dahl book, the 1971 musical classic gave Gene Wilder the opportunity to embrace both warmth and mania and, in the process, created a cinematic icon. Not to mention one of the most ubiquitous memes the internet has ever seen. Despite being a box office disappointment, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory has emerged as one of the most celebrated family films ever made. We'll discuss why the Mel Stuart film is a personal favorite of Will's, explore the subtextual allegory at its heart and ponder how family entertainment has changed in the decades since its release. So grab your Golden Ticket, hop in the Wonka-vator and join us in a world of "Pure Imagination, where Oompa-Loompas roam and nightmarish children face a dark and ominous fate.  Synopsis of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: A sweet boy from a poor family dreams of finding one of five golden tic

When it comes to cinema history, few filmmakers compare to Alfred Hitchcock. This week, Robert Yaniz Jr. and guest Rodrick Colbert (producer of the upcoming 2nd annual Sigmund Freud Film Festival) discuss Hitchcock's seminal 1960 classic Psycho. The film boasts not only one of cinema's most notorious twists but essentially serves as the original slasher film. Listen in as Rob and Rodrick talk about how the story of Norman Bates changed the industry and why it has stood the test of time. After nearly 60 years (not mention three sequels, an ill-conceived remake and a hit TV series), cinephiles still revere Psycho as one of the films to most influence the direction of filmmaking. So check in for another chilling episode of the Crooked Table Podcast. It looks like Cabin 1 is still vacant. Synopsis of Psycho: Phoenix secretary Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), on the lam after stealing $40,000 from her employer in order to run away with her boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Gavin), is overcome by exhaustion during a heavy ra

In the second half of our milestone celebration, Robert Yaniz Jr. and Freddy Yaniz continue their deep dive into everything about The Matrix. Follow as we journey into the film's latter half, in which Neo and company embark on a perilous journey to save Morpheus from the sweat-sniffing machinations of Smith. Also, can Rob possibly stop himself from constantly referencing the sequels? Perhaps he can even convince Freddy to reload his opinion on the trilogy as a whole? So, bid farewell to the woman in the red dress, fire up that loading program and let's hop back into bullet-time mode. Listen to the first part of The Matrix episode! Join our Patreon for a BONUS episode of content from this discussion! Synopsis of The Matrix courtesy of Warner Bros.: Have you ever had a dream that you were so sure was real? What if you couldn't awaken? How would you know the difference between dream and reality? When a beautiful stranger (Carrie Ann Moss) leads computer hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) to a forbidding underworld, he di

In Episode 100 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. welcomes back original podcast cohost Freddy Yaniz back to discuss their mutual favorite film of all time, The Matrix. The landmark 1999 film by The Wachowskis inspired both men to fall head over heels with cinema and remains one of the most significant science fiction films of all time. Are you ready to begin tumbling down the rabbit hole with us? Toss back that red pill and enter The Matrix. Welcome to the reel world. Stay tuned for part two of our chat about The Matrix next week and join our Patreon for a BONUS episode of content from this discussion! Synopsis of The Matrix courtesy of Warner Bros.: Have you ever had a dream that you were so sure was real? What if you couldn't awaken? How would you know the difference between dream and reality? When a beautiful stranger (Carrie Ann Moss) leads computer hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth--the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cy

In Episode 99 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. welcomes Jackson Smith of Screen Fever to the show to discuss one of our favorite films of 2018 (no, really), writer/director Bo Burnham's Eighth Grade.  Anchored by an all-too-real performance by Elsie Fisher, the film chronicles the final days in the life of your average middle-school girl. In his debut film, Burnham captures the terror and tragedy of being 13 in a coming-of-age drama like no other (and one that was recently robbed of Academy Award contention). It's a film full of heart, horror and, ultimately, hope that puts this critical time in one's life into perspective through the lens of technology and the specific challenges faced by today's youth. Naturally, Rob and Jackson's conversation gets personal, as they reminisce about their own adolescent periods in discussing how Burnham's film tackles it. While the film tells the story of a teenage girl in 2018, it emerges as one of the most impactful and universally relatable accounts of that

In Episode 98 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. takes a break from the show's regular format for a BONUS on this year's crop of Oscar nominations. As always, the Academy snubbed many of the year's best films, while focusing their energies on less deserving, though more "Oscar-friendly," fare. But the fun of awards season is that anything can happen. The 91st Academy Awards is still roughly a month away, but this year promises to be unlike any ceremony in recent memory. With several films mired in controversy (you know who you are) and the hosting gig apparently the least desirable job in show business, who knows exactly what that rascally Oscar will be up to when February 24 rolls around. So join Rob as he runs through every single category (yup, all 24), offering his predictions, rooting for his favorites and shaking his head at the films that sadly never quite made it onto the Academy's radar (ahem, Hereditary).  The best way to do so? Follow along with the official Oscar nominations list, and

In Episode 97 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. brings Kerri Jones onto the show to discuss Wong Kar-wai's acclaimed 2013 action drama The Grandmaster. Based on the life legendary martial arts master Ip Man, the film stars Tony Leung as the man who would ultimately change the course of history by training a young Bruce Lee. The Grandmaster explores the events that led Ip Man to this destiny as well as his complicated relationship with Gong Er (Zhang Ziyi of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame). Brimming with sumptuous visuals and heartbreaking themes, The Grandmaster is indicative of Wong Kar-wai's filmography as whole. This week's guest has particularly been interested in discussing her love for his work, and this selection certainly serves as a good starting point for both Rob and listeners who have a severe lack of Wong Kar-wai in their lives. Listen in as we dissect his most recent film. Along the way, we'll touch on how Wong Kar-wai's work — especially 2000's In the Mood for Love — has affec

In Episode 96 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. welcomes writer and photographer extraordinaire The Famous Ashley Grant to the show. The longtime friends, former co-workers and fellow content creators discuss director James Foley's (Fifty Shades Freed) 2003 heist thriller Confidence. Edward Burns stars as a veteran confidence man who must pull off an impossible job when he and his team run afoul of a notorious crime boss, played gleefully by Dustin Hoffman. Released in the wake of Ocean's Eleven, Confidence flew under the radar at the box office, earning only $12 million against a $15 production budget. However, Foley brings a real sense of style to the twist-heavy narrative from screenwriter Doug Jung (Star Trek Beyond), which he uses to essentially pull one over on the audience itself. Of course, Hoffman's deliciously villainous turn and standout supporting roles for Oscar winner Rachel Weisz, Paul Giamatti and Andy Garcia help to round out the reasons why anyone with a penchant — such as Ashle

In Episode 95 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. sets aside the show's regular format to mark the end of 2018. The year in cinema has been jam-packed with tons of highlights, from the big studio fare to low-budget gems that many moviegoers may have missed. So join Rob as he reveals some of his favorite 2018 films. Thanks in part to the 2018 Holiday Binge, many strong contenders emerged for both Rob's top 10 as well as his honorable mentions. However,  here is the rundown of a bunch of films that he did enjoy but which fell just short of mention on the episode itself: Ant-Man and the Wasp (director: Peyton Reed) Bad Times at the El Royale (director: Drew Goddard) Can You Ever Forgive Me? (director: Marielle Heller) Game Night (directors: John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein) Halloween (director: David Gordon Green) Hearts Beat Loud (director: Brett Haley) If Beale Street Could Talk (director: Barry Jenkins) Incredibles 2 (director: Brad Bird) Leave No Trace (director: Debra Granik) Mary Poppin