Screen Thoughts - Movie & Tv Reviews

This week Hollister and O'Toole discuss the latest Noah Baumbach-Greta Gerwig creation: "Mistress America" (which many say is a follow-up to their previous collaboration: "Frances Ha"). Good thing Hollister brought her NYC decoder ring, because sometimes O'Toole is convinced she needs to be European to understand movies shot in her adopted (and beloved) City. Find out which famous literary work Hollister is sure inspired the plot; what O'Toole would like for Christmas; and help us decide: Is art possible without betrayal? Was "Mistress America" a comedy, a dramedy, or something else altogether? And if Tracy (Lola Kirke) and Brooke (Greta Gerwig) were submitting to our literary journal, we'd make them answer the following: Did the characters evolve - or abandon their dreams (or both at the same time)? 1000 words or less, please. (And we'll keep the pie.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the Danish creators of "The Killing" comes the international hit "Borgen" - a TV drama about Denmark's first female Prime Minister. In a serious case of life imitating art (or perhaps showing just how influential this show has been), Denmark really did elect its first female Prime Minister at the conclusion of season 1. After airing in 70 countries around the globe, Borgen has finally made it to the U.S. (care of iTunes). In honor of Denmark's Parliament, Hollister and O'Toole vigorously debate the themes of the show, the merit of subtitles, and last but not least, the state of this fictional PM's marriage (brilliantly played by Sidse Babett Knudsen and Mikael Birkkjær). On one thing both Hollister & O'Toole can agree: Borgen is some seriously quality TV. To the incredibly talented Danish team who has gifted us with this series, a heartfelt "Tak". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Labor Day weekend, Hollister and O'Toole take A Walk in the Woods with screen titans Robert Redford and Nick Nolte - based on the bestselling book of the same name by travel writer and memoirist Bill Bryson ("The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid"). Co-starring Oscar Winners Emma Thompson and Mary Steenburgen. Cameos by Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) and Gaia Wise (Emma Thompson's real-life daughter fleetingly plays her on-screen daughter). And introducing, of course, the spectacular 2200-mile Appalachian Trail. At its heart, this Odd Couple-Buddy Movie is really a comedy about friendship - and getting back up when you fall down. Sometimes it's the people you think about the least who surprise you the most. Lace up your boots, grab a backpack of popcorn, and come along for the ageless ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The BBC has done it again – in this crime series (an inverted detective story) created by 2x-Emmy nominee Neil Cross. Hollister says she couldn’t watch Luther without checking under her bed. O’Toole says he’s her fallen-angel-cerebral-superhero – she thinks the series is really all about love. Idris Elba (The Wire) won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of tragic-hero DCI John Luther. Ruth Wilson (Golden Globe winner, The Affair) plays the brilliant killer – who lends her unflagging support when it comes to solving cases and staying alive. O’Toole calls her a pathological guardian angel. Hollister takes issue. And that’s just the podcast in a nutshell. Podcast includes clips from the celebrated series (so you might not want to listen alone) as well as the series' theme song by Massive Attack. Note: if this British series is your cup of tea, check out our podcast on The Fall – another cat-and-mouse BBC series (with the genders reversed – starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan). Learn more about your ad

“[David Foster Wallace] was the one voice I absolutely trusted to make sense of the outside world for me. Anyone that picks up his work for the next 50 years will have their antenna polished and sharpened, and they’ll be receiving many more channels than they were aware of.” – David Lipsky In this skillful “two-hander” Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg star as celebrated author David Foster Wallace and David Lipsky, the Rolling Stone journalist who was sent to interview Wallace at the conclusion of his 1996 book tour promoting Infinite Jest. Though the intended Rolling Stone profile was never published, Lipsky went on to write a best-selling memoir about their meeting (Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself) after Wallace’s tragic suicide in 2008. Lipsky’s book was the basis for The End of the Tour. Before we are accused of trying to emulate the length of Wallace-sized paragraphs, let us just say: Jason Segel really is a revelation. Directed by James Ponsoldt; written by Pulitzer-Prize-Winning-Play

In honor of their 50th podcast, Screen Thoughts presents a special episode – with an idea that has Hollister’s name all over it: Hollister and O’Toole run through a list of 50 films they’ve seen more than once – from the inspiring to their downright guilty pleasures. No judgment, please. Heartfelt gratitude to our listeners. Here’s to you – and our next 50 podcasts. Podcast extras include: - excerpt of Angela Lansbury singing the Oscar-winning song from "Beauty and the Beast" - podcast concludes with Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn singing "You Don't Own Me" from the film "The First Wives Club" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We were so Ready for Ricki. Really we were. And, well, you’ll just have to listen to the podcast. Starring, of course, Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Audra McDonald, Rick Springfield, and Mamie Gummer (Meryl Streep’s real-life daughter). And Hollister sends a special shout-out to the bartender in Ricki and the Flash - played by Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect). Add two more Oscar winners to the mix: screenplay by Diablo Cody (Juno); directed by Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs). Meryl Streep - who once trained with the same voice coach as Beverly Sills - learned to play rhythm guitar for the movie. And in honor of the Rick in Ricki, we end the podcast with a live performance of Rick Springfield performing “Jessie’s Girl” (he used the same guitar in the film - but to play a truly supportive band member, held it at a higher angle). And now, time for the podcast (warning: our commentary might be more rock than roll). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screen Thoughts was present for the opening night of the 24th annual Woods Hole Film Festival – which featured the Sundance hit "Infinitely Polar Bear". The autobiographical film marks the directorial debut of Writer/Director (and 4x Emmy-nominee) Maya Forbes. Hollister and O’Toole discuss the genesis of the film (it actually involves Wes Anderson), its themes (bipolar disorder), and the music (including a song by Maya’s sister China Forbes – of Pink Martini fame). Starring Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Ashley Aufderheide, and Imogene Wolodarsky (Forbes’ real-life daughter). To hear in Maya Forbes’ own words how she came up with the title of her movie, check out O’Toole’s Encore from the Woods Hole Q&A here: https://vimeo.com/134558467 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister and O’Toole take a look at this year’s Sundance favorite (winning both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award): the quirky and moving "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl". Novel and screenplay by Jesse Andrews. Starring Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, and Olivia Cooke. Co-starring Connie Britton, Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”) and Molly Shannon. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (“Glee”) – who said movies like "Harold and Maude" served as inspiration. “It’s that school of filmmaking — nothing too slick. One false note and it becomes sentimental… inauthentic.” Here’s your chance to re-live high school – without being seen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Hollister and O’Toole discuss the latest Judd Apatow offering: "Trainwreck". Semi-autobiographical screenplay by Comedy Central star Amy Schumer. Starring Amy Schumer and SNL’s Bill Hader. Supporting cast includes Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton ("Michael Clayton") & fellow SNL alum Colin Quinn – as well as some towering sports figures: LeBron James (who scores some of the film’s biggest comedic points), wrestling champ John Cena (“I look like Mark Wahlberg ate Mark Wahlberg”) and tennis legend Chris Evert. Find out how Hollister thinks "Trainwreck" can reinvigorate the modern rom-com, and, on a matter of perhaps even greater significance: how O’Toole really feels about snow globes. Podcast extras include: - Official "Trainwreck" trailer; - Clip from "Woman of the Year" (starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister and O’Toole rave about the new, bawdy, hilarious, and very original hit “Catastrophe” – starring and completely written by the extremely talented actor-comedians Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney (of Twitterverse fame) – who play an Irishwoman named, yes, Sharon, and an American man named, you got it, Rob – not werewolves in London. This R-rated comedy comes to us from the U.K. via Amazon Prime (that place where we used to go to buy books). Tune in to find out how Carrie Fisher was convinced to play Rob Delaney’s mother; how the writing compares to When Harry Met Sally; why Malcolm Gladwell’s book Blink suggests these fictional characters have quite a future together; what percentage of the series is based on the stars’ real lives; and most importantly, which piece of furniture Hollister most covets from the set. This show – which is simultaneously New Age (pushing the envelope) and Old School (rocking the romance) – certainly hit the ground running. “Catastrophe”, of course, in title only. Podcast

Hollister & O’Toole dedicate this special 25-minute podcast to the 25th anniversary of “Pretty Woman” – which to this day remains one of the most successful rom-coms of all time. “Pretty Woman” and its morals speak to Hollister’s Inner Businessperson – Hollister can probably quote the entire movie verbatim. She tries to explain it all to O’Toole, who has been baffled by the enduring appeal of this movie (businessman falls for a hooker with a heart of gold – and a great dental plan) for 2.5 decades. If O’Toole thinks the movie is devoid of life lessons, well, then, as Hollister says: that’s a “Mistake. Big Mistake.” What the two can agree on is this: Julia Roberts and Richard Gere had great chemistry; Hector Elizondo and Laura San Giacomo were magnificent; and Garry Marshall has gifted us with a lifetime of entertainment (“The Odd Couple”, “Mork & Mindy”, “Happy Days”, “Laverne & Shirley”, “Beaches”, “Overboard”). As Marshall himself puts it: “In the education of the American people, I am recess.” “Pretty W

Hollister & O'Toole speak with the amazingly talented actor, writer and director Connor Hines. Connor created (and stars in) the YouTube sensation “Local Attraction” – a web series portraying a series of blind dates inspired by the dating app Tinder. We discuss Connor’s motivation in creating the series; how he got Glenn Close to star in one of his episodes – and, drumroll, how ABC Studios recently picked up a pilot Connor created. In short, the potential power of a YouTube upload - how a blind date parody led to the Holy Grail of so many writers: a blind script deal with a major network! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister & O’Toole were completely charmed by “Learning to Drive” at this week’s Provincetown International Film Festival – where it rightfully took home the @hbo #AudienceAward. (At the Toronto International Film Festival audiences ranked it second only to “The Imitation Game”.) It is a simple story of two very different lives intersecting, at just the right moment. As Hollister says, it’s not just about Learning to Drive – it’s really about Learning to Live. Featuring the indomitable re-pairing of Ben Kingsley (yes, our Oscar-winning “Gandhi”) and Oscar-nominee Patricia Clarkson (and two-time Emmy winner for “Six Feet Under”). Directed by Barcelona’s very talented Isabel Coixet (who also directed Kingsley, Clarkson, and Penélope Cruz in “Elegy”). Screenplay by Sarah Kernochan (who has won two (!) Oscars for her documentaries, and whose artistic output has given O’Toole a complete complex). Grace Gummer (Meryl Streep’s real-life daughter) plays the movie daughter of Clarkson (who, like Meryl, went to the

Screen Thoughts' Hollister and O'Toole discuss the latest offering of creator Darren Star ("Sex and the City", "Melrose Place", "90210"): TVland's "Younger" starring Tony-winner Sutton Foster - as a 40-something who passes herself off as a 20-something to land a job in publishing. Co-starring Hilary Duff and Debi Mazar. It's all about reinvention. Podcast extras include: - Younger's official Season 1 trailer - Clip from Sutton Foster's Tony-winning turn in "Anything Goes" - Podcast concludes with Hilary Duff's latest single: "Sparks" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of the 69th annual Tony Awards (did you know the Tonys are named after a woman?), Hollister & O’Toole salute Broadway with a review of the documentary: The Standbys. Do you know the difference between an understudy and a standby? What about a swing? What all three certainly have in common: their dedicated pursuit of the Broadway dream. Come walk through the stage door and experience a world to which few ever gain access. Podcast extras include: – The Standbys trailer – Tony hosts Kristin Chenoweth (who was on Hollister’s favorite show The West Wing) and Alan Cumming (from O’Toole’s favorite show The Good Wife) performing their opening number at the 2015 Tonys. Lights up – here’s to Broadway! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister and O’Toole debate Netflix’ latest offering: Grace and Frankie. Starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, whose husbands (played by Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston) announce that they are running off – to marry each other. Can frenemies Jane and Lily forge a new life for themselves as unlikely roommates in the Malibu beach house the two couples once shared? These respected actors have garnered Oscars, Tonys, Grammys, Emmys, Golden Globes – taken together, their resumes represent more than 200 years of performing. Series created by Marta Kauffman (“Friends”) and Howard J. Morris (“Home Improvement”). 13 episodes. Season 1 runtime: 6.5 hours. Comedy or drama? To binge or not to binge? Podcast extras include: – excerpts from interview with Jane Fonda – series trailer – excerpts from Lily Tomlin’s monologues – clips from The Newsroom and The West Wing – Jane Fonda’s Ted Talk on Life’s Third Act Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Warning: while Hollister & O’Toole certainly believe in the power of TV to inform and inspire, this week they acknowledge the dark side – dipping into the archives with a look back at Network (1976). Whether satire or reportage, the film firmly lands on the American Film Institute’s list of 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. Network was nominated for 10 Oscars (including Best Picture) – winning four (Best Screenplay; Best Actor; Best Actress; Best Supporting Actress). Written by 3x Oscar winner Paddy Chayefsky. Starring Faye Dunaway, Peter Finch, William Holden, Robert Duvall, Beatrice Straight, and Ned Beatty. Directed by the late, great Sidney Lumet (“The Verdict”, “Serpico”, “12 Angry Men”). Truly an actor’s director (he directed 17 actors to Oscar nominations) – his films from the 1970s alone garnered 30 Oscar nominations. Has there ever been another movie so prescient? Podcast features include: – Clips from the movie – Jeff Daniels’ famous rant on The Newsroom – Three things O’Toole learned from

We tried to keep it short, truly we did, but... seriously? There's just so much to say. (Especially when you get Hollister, dark and twisty as she is, talking about her BFF Cristina Yang.) 11 seasons. The cast. The music. Shonda. OK, so we don't know how to save a life, but Screen Thoughts could be your person - O'Toole has her Post-Its ready. Podcast extras: clips from the Grey's Anatomy Theme Song, Chasing Cars, The Story, and the cast of Grey's performing How to Save a Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aca-mazing or a dis-aca-ppointment? Screen Thoughts was present at a special sneak preview (along with every teenage girl within a 100-mile radius). Tune in to hear the latest from the a cappella world. Directed by Elizabeth Banks; starring Rebel Wilson and two Oscar nominees: Anna Kendrick (“Up in the Air”) and Hailee Steinfeld (“True Grit”). Hollister & O’Toole are in harmony on some elements (the music! the cast!) but discord on others (body parts, anyone?). One thing is for sure: the Barden Bellas can sing! Podcast extras: clips from the trailer; “Wrecking Ball”; and the podcast concludes with Anna Kendrick’s hit song “Cups” from Pitch Perfect 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices