One of our favorite film festivals - The Hamptons International Film Festival - took place recently and our own Bill McCuddy covered the star studded event and brought us some great interviews you'll only hear on this very podcast. He's got Alec Baldwin talking about how the event often presents films that become Oscar winners. Bill also talked to Maggie Gyllenhaal about "The Lost Daughter" which is her directorial debut. He also chatted with Emmy winner Josh O'Connor ("The Crown") and Odessa Young about "Mothering Sunday." And then listen to Bill run down all the important films that had their premiere there too. As for films you can watch right now, Bill Bregoli has the documentary "What Happened, Brittany Murphy" about the mysterious and tragic death of the the young actress. Neil Rosen tells us about the third season of the smash cable hit "Succession." For movie buffs, we've got "Attack of the Hollywood Cliches" as well as Bill McCuddy's take on "No Time to Die," the latest and much delayed James Bond adventure. But wait, there's more, including the documentary "Becoming Cousteau" and the horror thriller "Last Night in Soho." As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show. So listen in!

Sitting Around Talking Movies

The Hamptons International Film Festival! Plus "No Time to Die," "Succession" and Lots More!

The cicadas are gone but there's still a buzz out there. It could well be "The Many Saints of Newark." It's from David Chase, creator of "The Sopranos," and it's all about Tony Soprano's upbringing. Apparently he didn't have the greatest role models. It's been talked about for years, and it stars the late James Gandolfini's son, but is it worth your time? We'll let you know. We've also got "The Guilty" starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a demoted police officer assigned to a call dispatch desk who is conflicted when he receives an emergency phone call from a kidnapped woman. And if you're looking for something truly offbeat we've got "Benedetta" from director Paul Verhoeven. It's about a 17th-century nun in Italy who suffers from disturbing religious and erotic visions. Neil Rosen fills us in on "!5 Minutes of Shame" which is Monica Lewinsky's look at public shaming in modern day culture. Bill McCuddy has the Netflix sensation "Squid Game" and Bill Bregoli tells us about "The Rescue." That's a documentary which follows the story of the Wild Boars youth soccer team of Thailand who got trapped in in a cave and their dramatic 2018 rescue. Is that enough for you? How about "Cry Macho"? That's the one where Clint Eastwood plays a one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder who takes a job to bring a man's young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. Yee-haw! And we've got lot's more including the Tim Blake Nelson western "Old Henry" and the third season of "Sex Education." As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in!

Prequel-itis - "The Many Saints of Newark," Plus "Squid game," "The Guily," "The Rescues" and More!

Vacation is over. The kids are back at what passes for school these days and everyone is trying to get back to business. And Hollywood is too. This week it's taking a break from superhero movies and bringing you some grown-up fare. First, Bill McCuddy and Neil Rosen tell us about "Dear Evan Hanson." It's the big screen adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical about a high school senior with Social Anxiety disorder and his journey of self-discovery and acceptance following the suicide of a fellow classmate. Sounds like fun, huh. Bill and Neil have different opinions on this one. Then Bill Bregoli tells us about "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" which stars Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield as televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Then we've got the bookish drama "Best Sellers" which stars Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza. And for documentary fans there's "Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster." Normal podcasters would stop right there, but no one accused us of being normal. So Neil fills us in on "Impeachment" which is the latest installment of "American Crime Story." Bill McCuddy tells us what he thought of Neil's recommendation "Hacks" and Bill Bregoli has "Kate" which stars the fine actress and action star Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a killer for hire. Oh, and there's the docuseries "Gossip." As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in!

But Seriously..."Dear Evan Hansen," "They Eyes of Tammy Faye," "Bestsellers," "Laetitia" and More!

The hurricanes have come and gone and it's time to reap the summer's harvest. So if your neighbors haven't brought you tomatoes and zucchinis yet what's that matter with them? Hollywood has some offerings for you as well and luckily we'll tell you what's worth your time. First we have "Only Murders in the Building." It's a new Hulu series starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez as three strangers who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves caught up in one. It's very New Yorky, is it fun? Bill Bregoli (not a native New Yorker so you can trust him) will tell you. Neil tells us about the proliferation of TV game shows. We've also got Paul Schrader's new drama "The Card Counter." Starring Oscar Isaac and Willem Dafoe it's a revenge thriller that tells the story of an ex-military interrogator turned gambler haunted by the ghosts of his past. Bill Also watched "Vacation Friends." It's a raunchy comedy about a couple who meet up with another couple while on vacation in Mexico, but their friendship takes an awkward turn when they get back home. Bill McCuddy tells us about "Stillwater" which stars Matt Damon as a father who travels from Oklahoma to France to help his estranged daughter, who is in prison for a murder she claims she didn't commit. Bill M also fills us in on the series "Hit & Run." We also have stories to tell about the late legend Ed Asner. And as always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show" so listen in!

Harvest Season: "Only Murders in the Building," "Stillwater," "The Card Counter," "Vacation Friends" and More!

Summer is winding down and so are several TV shows. Including "The White Lotus." We all watched the season finale on HBO and, uh, well, listen in to hear what we thought. But there's lots more including "Bring Your Own Brigade" the must talked about in investigation into our landscape's hidden fire stories and on-the-ground experiences of firefighters and residents struggling through deadly fires. There's also the Netflix series "Hit and Run" in which happily married man's life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a mysterious hit-and-run accident in Tel Aviv. Neil talks about the "Field of Dreams" baseball game based on the baseball movie or something like that. There's also "The Lost Leonardo," a documentary about the mystery surrounding the Salvator Mundi, the first painting by Leonardo da Vinci to be discovered for more than a century, which has now seemingly gone missing. Bill Bregoli thinks he knows where it is and he'll tell you about it. He also tells us about the quirky new series "Reservation Dogs." Bill McCuddy fills us in on a radio program starring Lucille Ball as well as "The Final Purge," which he watched with his daughter...make of that what you will. As always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show, so listen in!

Wilted Flowers - "The White Lotus" Finale, Plus "Bring Your Own Brigade," "Hit and Run," "The Lost Leonardo" and More!

It's that time of summer when things are starting to look a little weird - the kids, the dog, your mother-in-law, etc. Well, movies are starting to get a little strange too. Luckily we've looked at enough stuff to help you keep your sanity as you review your entertainment choices. So we start off with "The Suicide Squad" - not to be confused with "Suicide Squad" which came out in 2019. This one was directed by James Gunn, who directed "Guardians of the Galaxy" and Bill McCuddy says that's enough to make a world of difference. Then we've got "Annette" which was a big hit at the recent Cannes Film Festival. It's got Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard but is it any good? Neil Rosen will tell you what he thinks in no uncertain terms. Then we've got "Pig" starring the always interesting Nicolas Cage. It's about a man and his truffle pig. You may not have a truffle pig (though you should) but will you still be able to relate? Bill Bregoli will tell you. We've also got documentaries including "Pray Away," about the religious movement trying to convert gay people to straight, and also "Val," which is about the 40-year career of the enigmatic and downright strange sometimes Val Kilmer. Plus the new Netflix doc series "Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean." It's a deep dive into the guy who made the stainless steel car and then got arrested. Neil has updates on "Ted Lasso" and "The White Lotus" which he's somehow still watching. And just to finish things off on a properly strange note Bill Bregoli tells us about "The Swarm" - a French horror film about grasshoppers gone wild! And as always, we're brought to you by The Accutron Show. So listen in!

Midsummer Madness! - "The Suicide Squad," "Annette," "Pig," "Pray Away," "Val" and More!

It's August! The time of the year when Hollywood releases some of it's sketchiest movies and TV shows. This year is no exception which is why we're really performing a public service with this week's podcast - helping you save your entertainment dollars as well as cluing you in on some of the rare gems that come out this time of year. We start with "Jungle Cruise," the big budget Disney extravaganza starring Dwayne Johnson and the industry's go-to Englishwoman, Emily Blunt. Is it up to all the hype? Bill Bregoli will let you know. Neil Rosen then tells us what he thinks of the second season of Amazon Prime's "Modern Love" as well as the second season of the much ballyhooed "Ted Lasso." We've also got the indie crime drama "The Evening Hour" as well as the the return of the Muscles From Brussels - Jean Claude VanDamme in "The Last Mercenary" on Netflix. Then we've got a terrific documentary about a terrible concert - "Woodstock 99: Peace Love and Rage" which you can check out on HBO Max. Then Neil and Bill McCuddy discuss Matt Damon's latest theory on the state of the movie business. As always, we're brought to you by "The Accutron SHow" - now on YouTube. So listen in!

"Jungle Cruise" To Nowhere plus "Modern Love," "Ted Lasso," "Woodstock 99" and More!

Summer is the season of plenty - from your backyard barbecues with Uncle Tony's homemade sausages to Aunt Mary's potato salad made with her famous mystery mayonnaise. And the showbiz world has varied offerings as well. Luckily we've checked them out so you don't get the entertainment version of food poisoning. First Bill McCuddy tells us about the much lauded art-house film "Zola" in which a stripper named Zola embarks on a wild road trip to Florida. It's not based on an idea scribbled on a napkin, it's based on tweets. Yes, it's come to that. Meanwhile Neil tells us about "McCartney 3,2,1" in which producer Rick Rubin interviews Paul McCartney on his work with the Beatles, Wings, and as a solo artist. Neil also watched "1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything." Meanwhile, Bill Bregoli tells us about the new Disney+ documentary "Playing With Sharks" which is different than all those other shark documentaries out there. He also tells us about the new Netflix true crime documentary series "Heist." We also discussed the storied career of the late Jackie Mason. And we also welcome back our sponsor: The Accutron Show which you can now check out on YouTube. There are probably a few things we've forgotten too, so listen in!

Summer Smorgasbord! "Zola," "Playing With Sharks," "McCartney 3,2,1" Plus Jackie Mason's Passing

How hot is it? It's so hot that we've braved the melting sidewalks and watched a plethora of movie and TV offerings just so you can stay cool while you figure out what to watch this summer. First off, of course, we've got the big summer smash "Black Widow" starring Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh. Bill Bregoli was brave enough to go to his local 14-plex and check it out. Then Neil tells us about "The White Lotus." It's a new HBO limited series about rich people - not to be confused with all the other HBO series about rich people. This one was created by Mike White, who's pretty strange. We've also got the music documentary "Summer of Soul" and the sardonic new Netflix documentary series "How to Become a Tyrant." And speaking of documentaries we've also got "The One and Only Dick Gregory." Bill McCuddy guides us through the strange morass of this year's Emmy Nominations as well what's happening at the Cannes film festival. But wait, we also got a look at "Fear Street Part 1: 1994" and Fear Street Part 2: 1978." So put a nice cold compress on your head and listen in!

Summer Meltdown: "Black Widow," "Fear Street," "The White Lotus," the Emmy Nominations and More!

So it's Fourth of July weekend and you came back wet from your local fireworks display or you had to move your barbecue indoors because it was too rainy or too hot and now your kids are sadly trying to toast marshmallows over the kitchen stove. Don't worry - we've got a whole bunch of entertainment alternatives to help you salvage what's left of the holiday. First Bill McCuddy has "No Sudden Move" from director Steven Soderbergh. It's a caper film starring Don Cheadle and Benicio Del Toro and it takes place in 1950's Detroit. Then Neil has yet another series about an aspiring stand up comic (where does he find them all?) called "Hacks" starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. The fearless Bill Bregoli tells us about the animated sequel "Boss Baby: Family Business" which has the voices of Alec Baldwin and Jeff Goldblum as well as "F9." No, it's not about your favorite key on your computer - it's yet another "Fast and Furious" movie. And this one goes into outer space! Oh, but there's so much more including "Till Death" which stars Megan Fox as a woman is left handcuffed to her dead husband as part of a sick revenge plot. Plus there's the true crime documentary "Sophie: A Murder in West Cork." So light that sparkler and give us a listen!

We've Got a Short Fuse - "No Sudden Move," "F9," "Till Death," The Ice Road" and More!

It's finally officially summer and now you can just relax without felling guilty. And what better way to relaxing than just watching something? "Ah, but what to watch?" you say. "I don't want to waste my precious time on just anything Hollywood throws at me." Well, that why we gave up some of our own precious time to watch a whole bunch of things available right now, so you can make an informed choice. First, Neil tells us about "Lanksy." It stars veteran actor Harvey Keitel as the aging Meyer Lansky, who is investigated one last time by the Feds who suspect he has stashed away millions of dollars over half a century. Bill Bregoli tells us about "Fatherhood." It's a Kevin Hart movie with a semi-serious twist that's now on Netflix. Bill McCuddy has the French Canadian film "Les Notres." It's a social suspense about Magalie, a teenager who will have no choice but to take back the reins of her own life. Neil fills us in on the third season of "The Kaminsky Method" as well as the Iliza Schlesinger comedy "Good on Paper" about a stand-up comic who meets a guy who seems perfect: smart, nice, successful and possibly too good to be true. We've also got "Physical," the new series starring Rose Byrne as a quietly tortured housewife who finds an unconventional path to power through an unlikely source: the world of aerobics. You say "That's all well and good but I want more." Well there's the documentary "An Unknown Compelling Force" which purports to tell the truth of Russia's greatest unsolved mystery, the Dyatlov Pass Incident. We've also got "The Misfits," the latest Renny Harlin action film starring Pierce Brosnan and Tim Roth. Plus the second season of the urban female skateboarding series "Betty." And Bill McCuddy has the new season of "Million Dollar Listing." We know that's a lot to digest, so listen to us and wait a half hour before diving in.

And So This Is Summer..."Lansky," "Fatherhood," "Physical" and More!

Summer actually begins on Sunday, 6/20, but hey, we've already had a heat wave and chances are you've burned a burger or two on the barbecue. But that hasn't stopped Hollywood from serving up a feast of new offerings and we're here to let you know what's worth your time. First we've got "In the Heights." It's from the guy who brought you "Hamilton" (the show you couldn't afford to see on Broadway) but this is the film version of the musical in which Usnavi, a sympathetic New York bodega owner, saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life. Oh what fun. Maybe. Then we've got "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" which is a scary movie that cost less than "In the Heights" but has made more money. Figure that out. Neil tells us about the latest offering from Disney-Pixar which takes place on the Italian Riviera, where an unlikely but strong friendship grows between a human being and a sea monster disguised as a human. And if any company could make that premise work it's Pixar. We've also watched Part two of the Netflix" smash "Lupin." Bill Bregoli has seen all of it and he tries really hard not give any spoilers. Bill McCuddy tells us about the Bravo series "Queen of the South" and a new comedy special shot and performed by Bo Burnham, alone, over the course of the past year called "Inside." There's a lot to take in so listen in!

Almost Summer: "In the Heights," "The Conjuring," "Luca," "Lupin" and More!!

This summer has gotten very warm very fast. So this week we gathered during the cool of the evening to tell you about Hollywood's latest offerings on big and small screens. First Bill Bregoli, a man who's not afraid of movies with two female leads, tells us about "Plan B." Directed by Natalie Morales, it follows a straight-laced high school student and her slacker best friend who, after a regrettable first sexual encounter, have 24 hours to hunt down a Plan B pill in America's heartland. It's a comedy! Then Neil tells us about "The Sparks Brothers." It's a documentary about Los Angeles brothers Ron and Russell who, growing up in the 60s, got by on a heavy diet of popcorn matinees and pop music until the spotlight of school talent shows illuminated their way on a musical journey as the Sparks and spawned 25 studio albums. Bill McCuddy fills us in on "The Dry." It stars Eric Bana as a federal agent who returns to his home town after an absence of over twenty years to attend the funeral of his childhood friend, Luke, who allegedly killed his wife and child before taking his own life - a victim of the madness that has ravaged this community after more than a decade of drought. Oh, but there's more including Neil's updates on "The Handmaid's Tale" and "The Story of Late Night." And speaking of late night shows, Bill McCuddy tells us about his ill-fated appearance on "The Late Show with Conan O'Brien." It's all worth staying up for so listen in!

What Keep Us Up at Night - "Plan B," "The Sparks Brothers," "The Dry" and More!

Well here we are. The "Unofficial Start of Summer" and the entertainment industry has cooked up a virtual feast for your holiday weekend. First there's "Cruella." Disney's live-action origin story of the villain from "101 Dalmations" with Emma Stone in the title role along with Emma Thompson. It's got dogs, it's got scenery, it's got a 70s soundtrack, but is it worth traveling to a theater to see on a busy weekend? We'll let you know. Then there's the "Friends" reunion show on HBO Max. That's the one where the once incredibly cute cast is lured from their mansions (and maybe rehab) to talk about their golden days on their once must-see sitcom. There are celebrity guests, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and James Corden on hand to ask softball questions. Neil, a big "Friends" fan, will tell you all about it. And it wouldn't be a weekend without a zombie movie, so we'll tell you about Zack Snyder's "Army of the Dead" now streaming on Netflix." It takes place in Las Vegas. Think "Ocean's 11" but with zombies. Bill McCuddy will fill you in on the Netflix series "Halston" starring Ewan McGregor as the iconic fashion designer. And Bill Bregoli will try to warn you off watching the family film "Blue Miracle" starring Dennis Quaid." The truth is, the weather is always crummy on Memorial Day weekend, so why not stay indoors and listen in!

The One Where Millionaires Talk About Themselves: The "Friends" Reunion, "Cruella," "Halston," "Army of the Dead," and More!

Things are loosening up out there! In fact, we've even been able to see movies in an actual theater. And so can you! Ah, but is it worth having a stranger point a thermometer at your head while you hold your popcorn? Well, we can tell you it is for the right movie. And Bill Bregoli tells us that may very well be "A Quiet Place Part 2" which is finally about to open in theaters after being held back for an entire year due to, well, you know. Bill saw it in a theater with other people and he's alive to tell you what it was like. Neil tells us about "Those Who Would See Me Dead" starring Angelina Jolie as the best looking firefighter you've ever see. It's available on HBO Max as well as in theaters. Bill McCuddy fills us in on "The Woman in the Window" which was supposed to be in theaters but is now on Netflix so you could just stay home and see it - but listen to what he has to say first. We've also got the indie thriller "Goodbye Honey" as well as "Four Good Days" which stars Mila Kunis and Glenn Close. And while we're on the subject of indies, we've also got there's "The Killing of Two Lovers." Plus we talk about the passing of Charles Grodin. So before you dust off your car keys and head to your local Bijou give us a listen!

We're Unmasked! (sort of) - "A Quiet Place Part 2," "Those Who Would See Me Dead," "The Woman in the Window" and more!

Neil Rosen and Bill McCuddy love to disagree about what they see in pop culture and they see hundreds of movies every year, so there's plenty for them to yell about. The New York based duo are seen nationally on Time Warner Cable's weekly series "Talking Pictures On Demand". They're joined each week Entertainment Correspondent for CBS Radio News Bill Bregoli. These guys hobnob at movie premieres, parties and industry panels. They'll recommend the movies you can watch right away at home as they sift through the myriad of VOD offerings. Join them and learn what to Demand and what to miss. "We watch the bad movies so you don't have to."Download to find out if these three movie, tv and pop culture critics ever agree on anything other than “Neil's the smart one."

hubhopper

Sitting Around Talking Movies

hubhopper