We talk movies, bios & so much more with all our favorite people in entertainment. These interviews have each been super inspiring & fun in equal measure. Cannot wait for you to listen.

MMO Interviews

We WILL be doing a Star Wars Re-Watch at some point. Until then, the Mikes of Oscar are big fans of the galaxy far, far away, and we already have several episodes to group into this playlist on the greatest SAGA ever told.

- We covered the Star Wars Celebration 2019 Episode IX Panel presentation featuring a review of the Teaser Trailer

- MMO Interviews Ken Napzok about his book Why We Love Star Wars, his Force Center podcast, & how he views his fandom.

- 2 Part OSP Movie Review of Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, which we loved.

- Quickisode Devil & The Advocate Review of Solo: A Star Wars Story

- And at the end of our MMO Interview of Chris Reinacher, we talk about his video series "Adults Watch Star Wars For The First Time"

Star Wars: Nothing But Star Wars!

***This is a SPOILER FREE episode***

In what is arguably the biggest movie of 2017, Mike, Mike, and Oscar give you a 2 episode discussion of all things Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

We had so much fun with our Star Wars talk, that we split the episode into two parts.  This is Part One, and THIS ENTIRE EPISODE IS SPOILER FREE.  Part 2 coming later this week, will be the Spoiler Version.

STAR WARS Episode VIII: The Last Jedi 

Non-Spoiler Review:
Production Profile - 4:50
Film Specs - 16:36
Expectations & Teaser Review - 22:49
Production Values Video/Effects- 27:32
Production Values Audio - 32:16
Performances - 35:25
Final Non-Spoiler Thoughts - 42:00

Stay Tuned for a spoiler filled review and mega deep dive in our next episode.  

As I said, we had way too much to say about Rian Johnson’s recent installment in the Star Wars Saga, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi.  We begin with a Production Profile that showcases a miniature profile on Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, who has a fascinating backstory where she did a whole lot of work with a guy whose name rhymes with “-eelberg.”  Then we bring you up to date with the Star Wars story behind the saga, including the hiring & firing of hotshot directors, the untimely death of a legendary actress (RIP Carrie Fisher), and we catch you up to post-Rogue One and Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

We round out the profile with some nuggets from the film’s production and then Mike #1 whips through the specs on the movie’s release, it’s monstrous weekend box office, and critical reception in contrast to its perplexing audience score.  Since this has become one of the most polarizing films of this or any year, we foreshadow the arc of our upcoming spoiler filled next episode.  Basically we’re one (two?) giant tease(s).  Sorry (we’re not sorry).

The Mikes dive into all of the eye candy in the film.  We discuss why we’re all gonna be fooled by the robots when they take over the planet.  We also highlight the gasp-worthy visual effects that caused one of us to yell out in a dead silent IMAX theater.  Then we finish the spoiler free episode with our review of the acting performances including a major comeback by the great Luke Skywalker himself.  

Consider this to be the “just the facts” podcast, whereas the follow up will be more opinion based.  Stay tuned for our upcoming spoiler-full podcast.  You don’t wanna miss that one. 
 
Please subscribe to us on iTunes, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.  Review, Like, message, and have at us (that’s what HE said).  We are at your command, and know that we love hearing from you.  If you loved Star Wars, if you hated it, if you’re mixed, tell us all about it in an email or tweet or seven.  We’ll happily read your stuff on the air when possible as we’ve done in previous episodes.  Slowly but surely, we’re building a list of episodes for your convenience.  Listen to us in real time or on demand.  Go back and bone up on all the movies you’ve seen or missed out on and might want to watch.  Do take a break from reality and watch movies with us.

May the force be with you.

Ep17 - Star Wars: The Last Jedi - Part 1 - SPOILER-FREE REVIEW

***This is a Spoiler Full Episode***

You asked for it, we did it, now it’s your chance to listen to it and scream at us for it.

We talk about Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Force Awakens.  IN. FULL. DETAIL.

 Also we discuss the Original Trilogy with full spoilers.  The prequels?  Eh, we really don’t talk about them at all.  (You’re nodding your head in agreement?  Good.)

Best Scene & Overall Thoughts - 1:33
Plotline by Plotline **VERY SPOILER-HEAVY** - 3:45
Thoughts About The Franchise’s Future (EP IX) - 51:29

This was a joy.  We had so much fun recording the episode that it needed its own track.  So we split the Non-Spoiler and Spoiler episodes apart.  Go back and listen to our Non-Spoiler, MMO Ep17 for the full review treatment including our Production Profile, where we discuss the bio/filmography of Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy and wax poetic on the SICK! production values and epic performances in The Last Jedi.  

In our spoiler-filled pod, we open with a gushing over our collective best scene in the film.  Visualize it, relive it, and enjoy the mental picture before going back to the theaters again to see it.  The convo bounces around a bit (we’re hyped up), we hit on some of our favorite elements, and then we frame the argument against the fan backlash with a reference to the slashfilm.com article.  Our chat then takes each of the major plotlines, and we battle that backlash with the fury of at least two suns (queue the music as Luke staring out at the dual sunset.)

The Mikes of Oscar dive deep into this movie event.  We interweave thoughts and theories about where Episode IX will take us.  We compare The Last Jedi to the previous Star Wars films.  We break down each character’s arc and discuss the genius in the story’s overall composition.  

Our chat includes the dangers of man-splaining, we joke about who the next bad guy should look like, we go off on some ridiculous tangents around the hamster-birds that were irresistible to us all, and we do quibble and geek out over some of the highs and lows.  Questions are answered, even more questions are asked, and porgs are yelling their battle cries in our brains as we charge into the war in the stars.

More Oscar Sprint Profile podcasts are coming.  Stay tuned for Dunkirk later in the week, and we’ll have all your award season contenders reviewed, previewed, and covered wall to surround sound covered movie theater wall.  Please help us spread the word about our podcast.  Do follow, like, review, subscribe, and message us.  We’re always glad to hear from you, even and especially when you have beef with our reviews.  This movie has polarized the massive Star Wars fandom and worldwide audience.  Feel free to message or email us your thoughts.  We’ll read them on the show when and where we can.

Reality sucks.  Watch movies with us.

Young Padawans.

Ep18 - Star Wars: The Last Jedi - Part 2 - SPOILER FILLED MMO Review

Schmoedown Star Wars champion answers all our Star Wars questions & much more!

***This Is A Non-Spoiler Episode***

The Man, The Book, + The Socials - Top of Show
 
Loving Star Wars and Writing for All Those Who Do Too - 4:10
Episode IX Predictions/Previews - 11:02
Do Star Wars Fans Care About Oscar Snubs - 18:11
 
Movies Ken Loved Growing Up - 20:04
The Formation of Ken Napzok: Podcast King - 21:32
 
Life Lessons From Being a Pro Wrestler - 31:02
(And His Time as a Booker - 37:50)
 
From Wrestling to Schmodown-ing - 39:21
(Ken’s Personal Schmoedown Highlights - 44:41)
Schmoedown Behind the Scenes - 48:56
 
Life Lessons for Every Content Creator- 53:49
 
Ken Napzok Pitches the Worst Movie Possible - 1:02:25
 
Where to Find Ken + BUY HIS BOOK - 1:05:18
 
Words of Wisdom/Social Media - 1:08:43


They say you shouldn't meet your heroes. THEY ARE WRONG. We had an absolute blast talking to Ken Napzok. He’s had past lives in baseball, radio, film, comedy, wrestling, & as a working stiff like most of us. He’s been a regular on the Movie Trivia Schmoedown, performed for the Groundlings, & he’s been a wrestling manager working with some of the WWE’s current & former stars. Somehow, we hit all of these topics in one single episode.

Ken Napzok also wrote a Star Wars book, Why We Love Star Wars: The Great Moments That Built A Galaxy Far, Far Away. We lead off the interview with how this book came to be, the POV he takes, and we’re amazed by how he views his fandom. We discuss the upcoming Episode IX, and how his book will get probably get a sequel not unlike the saga itself. So after you listen, do please make sure to enjoy Ken’s book released on May 15th.

Ken is the host of 3 podcasts - The Napzok Files on (lol) Life, The Universe, & Everything, The Afternoons with Josh and Ken on News, Sports, & Pop Culture, and of course, the Force Center podcast on Star Wars. He’s also putting a ton of content on Youtube like our favorite, his Motivations with Ken series. Please make sure to follow / like / subscribe / & become a patron to all his shows. You can also find him on social media: at KenNapzok on Twitter, Ken Napzok Page on Facebook, & also at Ken Napzok on Instagram. Of all the deep dives, we’ve had the pleasure of jumping off the ledge for to study in our MMO Interviews series thus far, Ken is certainly the most prolific content creator we & perhaps the world has ever seen.

Finally, Ken coaches up us podcasters. He drops a ton of wisdom on his process, preparations, & he exemplifies the work ethic it takes. It was the pep talk we desperately needed, & he inspired us in both word & deed.

We’re so very proud of all our MMO Interviews thus far. The Mikes of Oscar have had the pleasure of talking to Nick Kocher of Britanick & SNL, CollegeHumor’s Brennan Lee Mulligan, Headgum’s Reilly Anspaugh & Geoffrey James, as well as Oscar Experts Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter & Clayton Davis of Awards Circuit. Don’t miss this or our other MMO Interviews!

As always, let us know your thoughts. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & listen to us on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you listen to podcasts. When reality sucks, keep watching movies with us. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar!

Ken Napzok, Author of "Why We Love Star Wars" + The Schmoedown's Pit Boss -  MMO Interviews - Ep 186

Our reactions, guesses, hopes, and analysis of everything that just went down on the stage at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago!


What is This Halfisode? - Top of Show 

Colbert, Abrams, and Kennedy - 1:35
Anthony Daniels Sells a Book, Gives a Laugh -  4:46
Billy Dee Williams Reminds Us It’s His World - 6:04
(And We’re Asked if Lando is a Daddy - 8:08)
Oscar Issac is The Most Interesting Man - 9:23
Some Ep VI Inspiration? - 10:48
Colbert’s Hands Get Tied - 12:40
Chewbacca Homages Knocked Up - 14:09
The Highlight of the Deus - 15:12
Dio is Introduced - 16:16

THE FIRST EPISODE IX TEASER TRAILER
Walking Through What Happened - 18:15
So What’s The Rise of Skywalker Mean?:
AlsoMike - 21:46
Mike1 - 23:59

Our New Hopes for Ep IX - 24:55

How Our Interview w/ Ken Napzok Foreshadowed This - 28:07

WHAT DO YOU THINK/HOPE THE SUBTITLE MEANS? TELL US! - 30:00

At Mike, Mike, and Oscar, we love to love movies. So of course, we are fans of the galaxy far far away. Schmoedown Star Wars trivia champion, Ken Napzok just came on our show to talk about his new book - Why We Love Star Wars, his “responsible” fandom, & what he’s looking forward to with Episode IX. We covered The Last Jedi with a two part movie review, and we’ll create a Star Wars playlist for you this weekend with these four episodes in lieu of many more on our Soundcloud account.

But today is all about our reactions to the Star Wars Celebration Episode IX panel presentation. Stephen Colbert was the MC, Kathleen Kennedy & J.J. Abrams paid tribute to Carrie Fisher, and they interviewed many of the stars and droids in the film including Billy Dee Williams, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Anthony Daniels, Kelly Marie Tran, Naomi Ackie, Joonas Suotamo, R2D2, BB8, and an intro to the adorable new droid, D/0.

Finally, we give you our instant reactions & analysis to the new Teaser Trailer and the subtitle. What do we think it means? How should this film build upon Rian Johnson’s Episode VIII? What kind of fight scenes do we want? And what inappropriate jokes can we make in the process? Listen here to find out, and please tell your friends. We definitely busted our butts to give you those instant reactions today, and yes, we will be covering the Saga much more in the coming year. It does look Oscar-y, at least in terms of those magnificent production values.

Our Pixar re-watch continues with part II tomorrow covering both Monsters Inc & Monsters University. Check out our first episode on Toy Story and stay tuned for many more. We have 5 Oscar sprint profile reviews on the year thus far, as well as early projections & predictions, and many updates on our weekly variety show. Then of course, do check out our MMO Interviews series. SNL & Britanick’s Nick Kocher and Schmoedown’s Ken Napzok are our latest with several more of our favorite entertainers already booked in the coming weeks. So do go back and enjoy our back catalog and stay tuned for what’s to come from MMO.

As always, let us know what you think. Please share your theories on what the subtitle means & how you view the trailer. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & listen to us on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you listen to podcasts. When reality sucks, keep watching movies with us. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar!

Star Wars Celebration Breakdown - The Interviews, Teaser, + Subtitle Crazing the Internet

His origin story at Buzzfeed, rubric for great videos & FINALLY, his favorite chicken!!!

Introducing Chris Reinacher - Top of Show 

Getting to Buzzfeed - 4:00
Early Buzzfeed Shooting Days - 9:01
Sneaking Into an Audition w/ Second City - 11:22
Collaborating While at Buzzfeed + Beyond - 15:07

All Things Fried Chicken + Chicken Watch - 17:16

Leaving BuzzFeed + The Aftermath - 21:19
Corporate Approval vs YouTube Freedom -  25:42
His Personal YouTube Success Secrets - 28:22

His SUBSCRIBE Series From Top to Bottom - 30:51

His Star Wars Re-Watch Series Currently Happening on His YouTube Channel - 35:10

Previewing His Programming for 4/20 - 42:34

Chris Reinacher Pitches Us The Worst Movie Possible - 45:42

Where to Find Chris Online - 49:32

Our Social Media/Words of Wisdom/Your Homework - 50:05


God, are we lucky. Chris Reinacher joined us for our latest MMO Interview!

We learned a lot from Chris as he spoke about his origin stories at Buzzfeed, Second City, & UCLA. The conversation moved to highlights from ChickenWatch with Keith Habersberger, including the answer to his best fried chicken on the planet (!!!), into Chris’s new life balancing a career in Hollywood development while he also develops some of the best new content on the web.

Chris did a 19 part series called SUBSCRIBE, which might be our favorite meta-narrative in a long ass while. The Charlie Kaufman / Spike Jonze / Nic Cage film, “Adaptation” is referenced at some point, and for good reason. This series was no doubt, a terrific showcase for his writing & performance chops, and his ability to compose some crazy high production values as a director / producer. 

Of course, we can’t resist asking Chris about his new video series: Never Seen Star Wars - Adults Watch Star Wars for the First Time. He tells us how he avoided the saga for so long, & we get into some of the behind the scenes stories about how much fun they’re having watching the films now. (Plus, he announces his next video in the series, dropping TOMORROW!)

Also don’t miss the new Chris Reinacher podcast, Wine & Weed with Steelo Brim. We bookend our interview with some chatter about this hilarious new show, and Chris announces his next superstar guest! (OK, I can’t tease you anymore - it’s Machine Gun Kelly!!!!!) 

Look, we had an absolute blast interviewing Chris, and bottom line: you don’t wanna miss this one. 

Be sure to subscribe to the Chris Reinacher youtube channel, and you can follow him on social media at ChrisReinacher on Twitter, at ChrisReincher on Instagram, and add an “r” to his name to find his facebook page. Plus, you can listen to Wine & Weed on iTunes, Spotify, & everywhere you listen to podcasts.

As always, tell us what you thought of the episode, and for the love of God, what's your favorite fried chicken. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & listen to us on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you listen to podcasts. When reality sucks, keep watching movies & awesome youtube content with us. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar!

Chris Reinacher Interview - MMO Interviews: A Creative Creative From BuzzFeed to YouTube - Ep 189

We’re joined by Chris Gore of Film Threat to discuss Attack of the Doc, his new retrospective documentary about G4 and Attack of the Show.

Who is Chris Gore? - Top of Show 

MMO INTERVIEWS CHRIS GORE:
Getting to AotS - 2:18
What was the AotS Secret Sauce? - 14:30
And Could it Work Today? - 18:20
The Kevin/Olivia Chemistry - 20:43
The Goal of Doing Attack of the Doc - 23:45

PERSONAL HISTORY:
Relationship w/ The Documentary Genre + Educational Background - 24:44
Chris Gore’s “How to Write Any Book” - 27:37

THE ATTACK OF THE DOC DOCUMENTARY:
Personal Motivation - 30:47
Has He Found Answers About What Happened? - 33:31
The Ends He’ll Go To For Documentary Information + Background - 37:20
(Including the Single Greatest Analogy for Cancel Culture - 40:38)
HOW YOU CAN LITERALLY MOLD THIS DOCUMENTARY - 41:56
(All the Kickstarter Perks You Can Handle)

Does He Want Attack to Come Back? - 49:52

Chris Gore Gives Us Our Very Own DVDuesday Segment - 52:20

The Worst Possible Film According to Chris Gore - 58:55

Chris’ Social Medias + Kickstarter - 1:03:19
And a Patreon is Coming Too! - 1:05:30

What’s Next From MMO/Words of Wisdom - 1:06:30
Your Homework/PLEASE LEAVE US 5*’S - 1:07:57


Chris Gore was an amazing interview. If we asked him about his origin story, he’d also teach us how to be on TV. If we asked him about his career, he’d also teach us how to write books. And when we asked him about his time on G4 & Attack of the Show, Chris Gore spent over an hour taking us behind the scenes of his upcoming documentary, Attack of the Doc! Thank the gods we asked.

Chris Gore has been an inspiration to us, and to be frank, our show owes a huge debt of gratitude to his work in print, on Film Threat, and of course,  Attack of the Show. So it was an absolute thrill to chat with Chris about what inspired him to attack this doc. The conversation may begin with his origin story and focus on his new filmmaking endeavor. But we also hit on a ton of fascinating topics like the state of social media to when nerd culture went mainstream to Marvel to Star Wars to indie film, all the way to a new DVDuesday!

Attack of the Doc, the kickstarter & upcoming patreon campaigns put into practice what Chris Gore preaches. He’s truly incorporating the audience & “reassembling the fans from Attack of the Show” to make this movie as special as its subject. Please consider supporting Mr. Gore on this adventure. With all the podcasts, videos, and extras included by donating even a single dollar, you won’t regret it.

For more information, please visit the websites or any of Chris Gore’s social media via Attack of the Doc, Film Threat, or follow him everywhere at ThatChrisGore. If you’re late to the kickstarter, that’s ok. He’ll be starting a patreon with all of the same perks, and you can join in on the fun.

Do let us know if you become a patron of Attack of the Doc! We’ll happily shout you out on our social media and on MMO. If you’re enjoying our show, then you’re certainly in for a treat if you seek out Chris Gore via the marvelous Film Threat website and his Film Threat Podcast. Please rate & review both our shows on Apple Podcasts. Just click on our show icons, scroll down a few seconds in your App, and please click that fifth star.

And stay tuned to MMO as we hope to follow up with Chris on his production on Attack of the Doc. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & listen to us on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you listen to podcasts. When reality sucks, keep watching movies with us. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar!

Chris Gore of FilmThreat.com + Attack of the Show/AttackOfTheDoc.com! - MMO Interviews - Ep 254

MMO Interviews actress Hayley Griffith of Satanic Panic, The Loudest Voice, and the upcoming Martin Eden. Hayley takes Mike 1 on set & behind the scenes of one of his favorite horror movies of the year. She also teaches his old ass about tik tok.

Who is Hayley Griffith? - Top of Show 

MMO INTERVIEWS HAYLEY GRIFFITH:
Getting into Acting - 1:58
Finding Satanic Panic - 4:54
Bringing Hayley To Sam - 10:14
Kill-doe + Face Licks - 19:10
In Scene Improvisation - 24:14
On Set Chemistry + Learning - 30:01

A BUDDING INFLUENCER CAREER:
What’s Next + Why Isn’t It More Youtube? - 34:23
Favorite Creators - 37:15

TIKTOK:
Hayley’s Experience w/ It, Whatever It Is - 39:14
WHAT. IS. TIKTOK. - 39:38

WALLY:
A Star is Guinea Pig - 41:42
(“Cats Hate Me” - 42:18)

THE WORST MOVE EVER ACCORDING TO HAYLEY GRIFFITH - 45:10

Hayley’s Socials - 47:50
What’s Next From MMO/Words of Wisdom - 48:20
Your Homework/PLEASE LEAVE US 5*’S - 49:35


So during our latest Halloween horror movie watch-a-thon, Mike 1 raved about Hayley’s lead performance in this year’s Satanic Panic. He loved the movie, he loved her character, and he got the chance to ask her all about it in our latest episode of MMO Interviews!

Hayley Griffith broke into the business with roles in Law & Order, All My Children, and The Mysteries Of Laura. So she begins with some of her origin story before recapping her love of the horror genre, how she got cast in Satanic Panic, and the preparations she made with Chelsea Stardust to get ready for Sam Craft. Hayley then takes us all on set & behind the scenes with some wild stories about Jerry O’Connell improvs, her instant friendship with Ruby Modine, and yes, there is talk of Kill-Doe’s ...because... even though the episode is mostly non-spoilers, of course there must be talk of Kill-Doe’s. OMFG, whatta movie!

Hayley has also been crushing it with whatever one does on tik tok. Since both of us Mikes are shamefully old and ignorant of this new phenomenon, she has the grace & patience to explain WTF tik tok even is. If that’s not enough, she’s also made her Peruvian guinea pig an online sensation. This is a marvelous & marvelously talented woman, and we were so lucky to have her on MMO.

Mike 1 was solo for this one, as I, Also Mike had the horrible luck of having to work the night we we booked Hayley. Picture me screaming like Logan in Wolverine: Origins, and that’s how I felt missing out. But I couldn’t be prouder of my co-host.

Make sure you check out the horror comedy spectacular that is Satanic Panic, follow her at hayl_griffith on twitter & instagram, click on her website, be ready for her role in the upcoming Martin Eden in 2020, and seek out her tik toks or whatever the kids are calling those. (God, we’re old.)

If you liked this episode, do please rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts, and chat with us about anything in this extraordinary MMO Interview of Hayley Griffith. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & listen to us on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you listen to podcasts. When reality sucks, keep watching movies with us. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar!

Hayley Griffith of Satanic Panic! - MMO Interviews - Ep 258

So we probably recorded this episode a little quick. Perhaps we should have thought things through a bit more. But you’re getting our piping hot takes fresh out of the oven for this review. This movie pissed us off.

What is This Episode? - :43

NONSPOILER REVIEW:
Cast, Specs, Box Office, Scores - 1:34
Theater Going Experiences - 3:45
Save Us Kevin Feige? - 6:09
Premise…In Name - 7:21
Script Thoughts - 11:33
Performances - 13:36
Retcon Wars - 15:42
Production Values - 17:33

SPOILER WARNING DANCE BREAK - 22:29

SPOILER-FILLED REVIEW:
Best Scenes….Kind of Awards- 23:51
Lowlights Awards - 34:30
(A BEAUTIFUL Setup To An Ending That… - 36:46)
(JJ Kennedy v Johnson - 43:26)
(All In All You’re Just A-nother Pile Of Clothes - 49:58)
(The Rise Of Mike Obama - 53:59)

FINAL GRADE - 56:14

Your Homework/Our Socials - 1:00:18
What’s Next From MMO/Words of Wisdom - 1:01:07


I know I know, we try to be a film appreciation podcast much more often than not. That’s why we focus on the Oscars, so we get to focus mostly on the best received of each year. That’s why we do re-watch series, to celebrate some of our favorite franchises & filmmakers & characters. That’s why we keep such close tabs on every single movie news story out there in the world with our MMOW & Oscar Race Checkpoint weekly shows. But this new Star Wars movie got under our skin. Fear led to anger. Anger led to hate. And our hatred turned both Mikes to the dark side of the happy fanboys we prefer to be. Cuz amidst all our rational & irrational takes, we ripped this movie a new one.

Movie Event pods usually try and award our films with a variety of real and fake awards. Obviously, we are probably awarding this movie more of the latter variety, and yes, think Razzies. But as we always do, you get a non-spoiler section first. Though do beware. We probably offer more clues than we normally would. So if you want to know NOTHING, maybe avoid this episode until you’ve seen the film.

Otherwise, we do discuss some highs & lows of the production values, performances, and script in non-spoilers before we play our spoiler warning dance music and breakdown the plot. Hopefully, you still like us if you enjoyed this movie. We are sorry for lashing out wildly at the world after this shocking disappointment. 

So do please let us know your thoughts on this Episode IX. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & listen to us on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you listen to podcasts. When reality sucks, keep watching movies with us. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar!

Rise of Skywalker Review - The End With An Error - Ep 262

MMO Interviews Paul Walter Hauser of Richard Jewell, Blackkklansman, I Tonya, and most importantly, of the champion’s throne from our Six Degrees Of MMO. We chat about his experience as a contender from this past awards season & his last 3 Oscar Nominated films.

Who is Paul Walter Hauser? - Top of Show 

Working Alongside Newly Minted Oscar Nom: Kathy Bates - 2:03
Living Through Awards Season Buzz - 3:46
Performing On Richard Jewell: From Reshoots to Doughnut Scenes - 4:34
Three-Take Clint - 12:45
Process, Preparation, Crushing the Characters - 17:25
PWH’s Version of the Worst Possible Movie Ever - 24:48

Your Homework/GET US YOUR CATEGORIES FOR THE MMO’S AWARDS- 28:04
What’s Next From MMO/Words of Wisdom - 28:51


Paul Walter Hauser joins us for a very special episode of MMO Interviews. We dive into his performance in the Oscar Nominated Richard Jewell and his experience throughout the past awards season as a contender for Best Actor. MMO & PWH break down some of the Oscar Reel scenes from Clint Eastwood’s latest, his chemistry with Supporting Actress nominee Kathy Bates, Sam Rockwell, and Clint Eastwood, and what the movie has meant to the legacy of Richard Jewell himself.

We also rattle off a few more questions about Paul’s other Oscar nominated films, I Tonya and Blackkklansman, what it means to him to be cast in another Spike Lee film - Da 5 Bloods, how he improvises for comedic effect, and how he crushed the role of Shawn in the Tonya Harding biopic.

Of course, PWH made our day and our year by joining us for this interview. So we had to ask him our customary parting question of what would be his version of the worst movie ever. He doesn’t disappoint with his answer. It is a film I NEVER wanna see (but also kinda do cuz it’s brilliantly terrible). Then we urge you to go see Richard Jewell, I Tonya, Blackkklansman, and everything this great young actor has done and will do in his career.

Please make sure to follow him on Twitter at PaulWHauser and on Instagram at pwhauser. Do look forward to his roles in upcoming films like Disney’s Cruella, Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, Silk Road, Eat Wheaties, Adam, & No Apologies. Make sure to check out his work on Cobra Kai, Late Night, & Beats from his past year as well. PWH is certainly one of the nicest human beings on this planet, and we thank him for joining us.

Let us know your thoughts on this or any episode. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you might listen. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar, and we’re making awards season year round, without the stuffiness. Thanks for listening.

Paul Walter Hauser of Richard Jewell, I, Tonya - MMO Interviews - Ep 265

We have so many burning questions about the film biz during this COVID-19 crisis. Luckily, Anne Thompson is here, and she drops all kinds of knowledge about how the festivals, streamers, studios, and of course, how the Academy may persevere & live on!

What Is This Episode?/Introducing Our Guest- Top of Show
Anne Thompson of IndieWire.com!

SETTING THE TABLE:
Getting Through Quarantine - 3:46
“Do The Oscars Exist? And If So, What’s Their Role?” - 6:00

ANNE’S LIFE IN THE FILM INDUSTRY:
Her Upbringing Through Film - 9:01
Getting to LA As Publicist for an MMO Fave - 12:00
From Publicism to Full Time Journalism - 13:31
Anne’s Golden Rules in Covering Hollywood - 15:23
Playing Disruptor And Landing at IndieWire - 17:24

FESTIVAL CIRCUIT TALK:
Her Fondest Festival Memories And Why She Still Loves It - 22:42
The Evolving Importance (Or Lack Thereof) of Sundance - 24:00
The Pros And Cons of Prime’s SXSW Efforts - 26:41
Short and Long Term Implications of Cannes/Tribeca’s Virtual Markets - 30:01

ACADEMY/OSCARS TALK:
How The Oscars Can Help Save Film - 32:50
The Strength, Importance, and Grace{?} of Netflix - 35:10

MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRY TALK:
Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Oscar? - 40:26
How A Professional Judges Incremental Industry Progress - 42:46

THE WORST POSSIBLE MOVIE, ACCORDING TO ANNE THOMPSON - 47:28

Anne’s Work and Socials - 49:45
(And Your Daily Words of Wisdom)

Your Homework/Our Socials - 51:47
What’s Next For MMO - 52:31


Anne Thompson is a dream guest of ours. So when we prepped the episode, we made damned sure to ask every single burning question that’s been bending our brains, probably since the start of our podcast, but certainly since the start of this pandemic. Was that fair? To ask the impossible in a 1 hour interview? To not only expect answers, but entertaining ones at that? Luckily for us, Anne Thompson is Anne Thompson, and she blew us away with her responses.

So make sure you all follow Anne on Twitter at AKStanwyck, buy her book “The $11 Billion Year: From Sundance to the Oscars, an Inside Look at the Changing Hollywood System, read all her work via Thompson on Hollywood at IndieWire, and listen to her podcast, IndieWire: Screen Talk with co-host Eric Kohn. Anne Thompson is the quintessential Hollywood insider, she’s a globe trotting film journalist of all the festivals, and she’s certainly one of our go-to awards pundits.

Our MMO Interviews format kicks off with some Oscars talk as we beg Anne to elaborate on some scary existential questions she & Eric raised on their latest Screen Talk. We then ask Anne about her career in the business from her past life as a publicist for awards level films to even better ones like Halloween III: Season of the Witch (@ us!). Why did she transition into film journalism, what are the golden rules of covering this industry, & how did she find such a wonderful home at IndieWire?

Anne then takes us through the film festival circuit from Sundance & Minari’s awards profile to what SXSW is attempting to do with Amazon Prime, to the options Cannes may have later this summer, all the way back to how the Oscars might survive. How much power have streaming services gained, does Premium VOD work, and is Anne hopeful about the state of female directors in Hollywood?

Do not miss this one, MMO’ers. As always, we wanna hear your thoughts. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you might listen. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar, and we’re making awards season year round, without the stuffiness. Thanks for listening.

Anne Thompson of IndieWire.com On A Life Of Film + The Post COVID Industry - Ep 291

Rent-A-Pal is one of our favorite films of the year, and we were lucky to have Amy Rutledge take us behind the scenes.

INTERVIEW W/ AMY RUTLEDGE FROM RENT-A-PAL!
What is This Episode? - Top of Show

INTRODUCING AMY RUTLEDGE!
Non-spoiler Interview Questions:

Getting To Lisa:
Her First Script Impressions - 3:05
Serendipity 1.0: Colorado + Kidney Infections - 5:22
Finding Lisa + Amy’s Approach - 9:08
The Mikes Demands Acid Washed Answers - 16:17

Questions From Set:
Overall Experience/Feel of Set - 17:53
(ft. Serendipity 2.0: Hi Wil)
Y’ALL SHE DID THIS WHILE BEING INCREDIBLY SICK, NO JOKE - 20:40
Premiering in a Pandemic - 23:40
Can You “Feel” When The Production Is Special? - 26:48

Her Origin Story:
Sound-of-Music-ing the Dinner Table - 28:18
How Meditation Saved Her Life + Aided Her Career - 31:00
Her Background with Horror - 36:30


SPOILER WARNING - 40:01

Spoiler-Filled Interview Questions:
What’s in a Scream? - 40:29
Better REDACTED Than REDACTED - 42:30
Is She Playing The Text or the Subtext? - 44:45
Serendipity 3.0: Green Screening - 48:00
Lasagna Talk - 49:32

Saying Goodbye - 52:32

WHERE TO FOLLOW/FIND AMY ONLINE - 54:44

Your Homework/Our Socials - 55:55
What’s Next For MMO/Mike1’s Singing - 56:42

We’re joined by Amy Rutledge from the terrifying new psychological horror film from IFC Midnight, Rent-A-Pal. Make sure you follow Amy on Instagram at AmyMRutledge, on Facebook at AmyRutledgeActor, on Twitter at AmyMRutledge, and do visit her websites MeditateWithAmy dot com and AmyRutledge dot net.

But as we’ve teased for over a week now, Rent-A-Pal has been one of our favorite finds of the year, Amy is brilliant in it as the character of Lisa, and this episode takes you behind the scenes of the production and deep into her acting process.

What’s also really cool about this review is how we’ve evolved the format. So you get a full non-spoiler section for the first 40 minutes, where we discuss Amy’s casting story, her acting process, the production of the film, and how she’s enjoyed the movie’s premiere despite a global pandemic. 

Then as a centerpiece, we’re blessed to learn about Amy’s backstory. She’s overcome as much adversity as any of her characters in all of these horror films, and I wish I didn’t have to write this, but it’s unfortunately true. Still, she’s persevered to and through this breakout performance, and we were so inspired by her in this episode.

Finally, we can’t let Amy leave without having a brief spoiler section on Rent-A-Pal. So make sure to watch this film, on VOD or in select theaters now, and also… maybe watch Joker while you’re at it because Rent-A-Pal does the Joker story better than Joker. Ok, I said it - @ ME!!!

Otherwise, and as always, we want to hear from you, dear listener. Let us know your thoughts on Rent-A-Pal. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & hear us on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you might listen. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar, and we’re making awards season year round, without the stuffiness. Thanks for clicking play.

Interviewing Amy Rutledge of Rent-A-Pal! - We're All Friends Here - MMO Interviews - Ep 325

MMO is talk radio for movie fans with weekly news shows, reviews, previews, and special guests. We celebrate the Oscars by making awards season year round, without the stuffiness. If you love cinema, if you love showbiz, welcome home.