Screen Thoughts - Movie & Tv Reviews

In this podcast, Screen Thoughts celebrates women and diversity in film – podcasting from the inaugural Bentonville Film Festival – the first to guarantee theatrical, TV, digital, and retail distribution for winning films. Hollister & O’Toole take a look back at the storied career of festival chair and co-founder, Geena Davis: including clips from her Oscar-winning turn in “The Accidental Tourist”; her iconic role in “Thelma & Louise”; her Golden Globe win for playing the first female President of the US (“Commander in Chief”); and, most recently, her portrayal of Dr. Nicole Herman on Grey’s Anatomy. We also take a look at the important research coming out of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media – and include excerpts from Geena Davis herself, discussing how we can all make changes – one project at a time. Kudos to Geena – here’s to making it over (all the way over) the Grand Canyon together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, while in NYC for the Tribeca Film Festival, Hollister & O’Toole were podcasting from the Beacon Hotel. When they turned off their mics and finally looked out the window, they realized that Hollister’s room had a stunning view of the Apthorp - a building in which Nora Ephron famously spent 10 years “in a state of giddy delirium”. O’Toole figured it was a sign - a very big sign. It was time for Screen Thoughts to do a tribute to the late great Nora Ephron (1941-2012). Hollister, who slots “When Harry Met Sally” into the Top 10 Greatest Movies of the 20th Century, readily agreed. In her book “I Remember Nothing,” Nora Ephron once said “On some level, my life has been wasted on me. After all, if I can’t remember it, who can?” Perhaps it was a rhetorical question, but we remember, Nora, we remember. Podcast highlights: - Nora Ephron’s AFI tribute to Meryl Streep (one of the funniest things O’Toole has ever seen) - “Making-Of” clips from “When Harry Met Sally” - Bonus track: Nora Ephron her

While in New York, Hollister & O’Toole had the enormous pleasure of speaking with the amazingly talented writer and director Elliot Thomson – founder of Empire Arts Film Corp. Elliot’s short film “Le Refuge” is currently enjoying a very successful run at festivals around the globe – from Istanbul to the Cleveland International Film Festival – an Oscar-qualifying fest, where it recently won Best Comedy Short out of 224 films. Le Refuge elegantly tells the tale of an American lawyer – on vacation with her family in Lausanne, Switzerland – who’s coming unhinged from the guilt of representing the manufacturer of a cheap car that tips over when it turns left. Talking with Elliot is like viewing his art – witty and thought-provoking – and very, very engaging. We might as well call this podcast How to Make a Film with Integrity.  Holding on to Your Vision.  Collaborating without Compromising. Elliot aimed high, and landed on his star. Come along for the ride - listen to how his short film is linked to Broadway gr

Gustav Klimt. Helen Mirren. The same director who brought us “My Week with Marilyn”. Hollister & O’Toole were asked to moderate a panel of experts (weighing in on the art, the legal issues, and the movie itself) in conjunction with a special premiere screening of “Woman in Gold”. The panel was so informative, we wanted to share some of that information with our listeners. So Jerry Forman, Esq. was kind enough to join us in our studio – Jerry is well-known in legal circles for his work on seeking restitution for Nazi crimes – he also happens to be the author of Graphic History of Antisemitism. Jerry provides great insight into Maria Altmann’s case – a fascinating triumph – everything from what to do if you find yourself before the U.S. Supreme Court and you don’t understand the question – to how Maria Altmann’s attorney found jurisdiction in a bookstore. Ryan Reynolds might have played a lawyer on the big screen, but “Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act” naturally rolls right off Jerry’s tongue. Meanwhile,

Hollister and O’Toole discuss the multi-Logie-winning drama “McLeod’s Daughters” (2001-2009) - at its height, the most popular show on Australian TV. Still enjoying a cult following around the globe (and available on Netflix and Hulu), McLeod’s was filmed on location - telling the tale of two sisters running a cattle station (“Drover’s Run”) in the Australian Outback. Not only did the actors have to learn their lines and hit their marks, they had to ride horses and shear sheep - convincingly. A special guest (and equestrian expert) weighs in: Shanette Barth Cohen, Executive Director of The Hampton Classic Horse Show (one of the biggest show jumping contests in the U.S.). O’Toole, who would love to live in the Outback (if only she could get up early!) might never recover from a particular episode in Season 3 (seriously). Whereas Hollister (far more resilient) is ready to leave our show and open “Hollister’s Run” out West. Shanette wonders if just watching the beautiful cinematography has given both Hollist

Review of this Oscar-nominated documentary, funded by Kickstarter! Directed by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel (Gene Siskel's nephew). Chronicles the mystery of Vivian Maier - one of America's most prolific and talented street photographers - who lived and died in obscurity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Netflix releases season 3 of the much-talked-about House of Cards on Feb. 27. Hollister & O'Toole review seasons 1 and 2 of this game-changing political thriller - which made history as the first web-only series to win a Primetime Emmy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the upcoming publication of Harper Lee's "Go Set a Watchman", we went back and took a look at "To Kill A Mockingbird" - one of the most inspiring movies of all time. Includes historical context, behind-the-scenes info, and Gregory Peck's Oscar acceptance speech for Best Actor (1963). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curious? Check out the Fifty Shades of Grey movie review by Screen Thoughts with Hollister & O'Toole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screen Thoughts' review of Still Alice and Julianne Moore's well deserved Oscar-winning turn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screen Thoughts' review of this powerful BBC series (on which Gracepoint is based). The beach. Body of a child. A town turns on its own in grief and fear. Twists and turns throughout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blacklist by Christine Merser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a brilliant documentary - how far would you go to prove a theory? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gillian Flynn wrote the runaway bestseller Gone Girl - and then adapted it herself for the big screen. Hear what Hollister & O'Toole think of book vs. film. Directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, The Social Network). Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, and Tyler Perry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Most Wanted Man & Saying Goodbye To Philip Seymour Hoffman by Christine Merser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seriously, who doesn't want to go back and visit Stars Hollow? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screen Thoughts' review of Madame Secretary (starring Téa Leoni) and State of Affairs (starring Katherine Heigl). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Helen Mirren headlines a magical cast. The perfect film for dinner and a movie - bring your friends! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screen Thoughts' review of The Affair - what a brilliant cast; what a gripping story structure! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another gift from Aaron Sorkin - check out Screen Thoughts' review of The Newsroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices