The Goods send off 2025 with an epic and somewhat discursive look at the history of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starting with the beloved book by the influential children's author, through the animated classic by Chuck Jones, through the Ron Howard/Jim Carrey adaptation of our childhood, and through the Illumination retelling from a few years ago. Join as they discuss what makes Seuss so special and distinct, the elegant exuberance of the original animated special, the unhinged and sexually charged "ugly Christmas sweater" energy of the 2000 film, the baffling "anodyne" choices of the recent film, and everyone's favorite Christmas character, Fred the reindeer. Lastly, Will shares two Christmas surprises with Dan and Brian to make sure their hearts grow three sizes this winter. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Dan and Brian approach the end of 2025 pondering what makes a "movie year" -- how to measure and rank it, what they've watched on the podcast, and what eras of film history they've under- and overrepresented. Then, they fill an important hole in their podcast's lineup with a look at two 1974 Christmas movies at very different ends of the spectrum: a family stop-motion TV special and a terrifying proto-slasher. Join as they discuss the their competing feelings towards the Rankin-Bass holiday shorts, their histories with and feelings towards Santa Claus mythology, the thinking face emoji, chilling phone calls coming from inside the house, and the role of "female empowerment" themes in both selections. Yes, Virginia, there is a 1974 film. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Dan and Brian welcome Brennan Klein from Alternate Ending to celebrate some of their shared cinematic interests and then dissect a strange COVID-era holiday romcom, Dear Christmas. Join as they discuss the ranking of Disney's Zombies movies, the Hallmark-and-co holiday romcom industrial complex, the alien qualities of a quarantine production, the many occupations of Jason Priestley's character, ephemeral conflict, the baffling depiction of podcasting, glassblowing music, and the fine line between bland and bizarre. Brennan can be found several places online: Most socials @ItsRainingBrens: https://x.com/itsrainingbrens Alternate Ending: https://www.alternateending.com/ ScreenRant: https://screenrant.com/author/brennan-klein/ Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/  

Dan and Brian discuss four adaptations of Charles Dickens' famed holiday novella for a sixth consecutive holiday season. This year, they each share their feedback on two different entries randomly selected from a giant list. Join as they consider the perils of low-budget cinema tackling high-budget material, British humor, and the compatibility of western tropes with Scrooge. Then, they look inward and combat some holiday malaise by discussing a film in a similar spirit to Dickens but from an entirely different angle, the Frank Capra classic It's a Wonderful Life. They discuss the film's deliberate pacing, its complicated politics, the soapy fake snow, and what it all means, both in and out of cinema. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/  

Dan and Brian are joined by their friend and co-host of The Movie Call Podcast, Mitch, to discuss Paul Thomas Anderson's rich and beguiling filmography, including a detailed look at PTA's debut Hard Eight. Join as they discuss PTA's distinct filmmaking characteristics, the wonderful John C. Reilly, the appeal of gambling movies, the secret keys to unlocking PTA films, paternal affection, emotionally complicated endings, and some other PTA film mini-reviews. The Movie Call Podcast (co-hosted by Mitch): https://www.youtube.com/@TheMovieCallPodcast Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all! Join as Dan and Brian together celebrate Brian's wholesome holiday tradition of watching Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd film. Join as they discuss their history with the story, attending stage musicals, the pros and cons of sung-through musicals, Burton's approach to the tonally complicated story, the joys of the all-time goon, the impacts of some adaptation choices, the bloody finale, and -- lastly -- why Brian sees it as the ultimate Thanksgiving film. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Dan and Brian tackle a recent release in James Sweeney's Twinless. Join as they discuss spoiler warnings, sudden grief, mid-film title cards, suspense vs. surprise, dolly zooms, Hitchcock tropes, a remarkable split screen shot, unexpected sex scenes, and ambiguous endings. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Old friend-of-the-pod Gargus joins Brian and Dan to discuss lost films, particularly the Tod Browning-Lon Chaney pairing London After Midnight, reconstructed with stills, and its talkie remake Mark of the Vampire. Join as they discuss some notable lost films (and some recovered ones), they complicated legacy of lost films, Tod Browning and Lon Chaney's collaboration, the long horror legacy of Dracula, German Expressionism's influence, and convoluted mystery plots. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Dan and Brian dig deeper into spooky season with a Don Knotts comedy. First, they recount movie and TV moments that scared them when they were kids as well as some early nightmares. Then, they honor Don Knotts and "Greatest Generation" comedy through the slightly-spooky comedy film. Join as they discuss the film's remarkably over-staffed newspaper, convoluted criminal conspiracies, obvious pranks, and a wonderful five minute spooky segment padded with lots of sitcom beats. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Dan and Brian continue their annual tradition of watching a late '90s teen horror movie in October with Disturbing Behavior, a largely panned and forgotten film starring James Marsden, Katie Holmes, and Nick Stahl. Join as they debate the general appeal of horror movies and the spooky season spirit, then dig into the movie of the week. They discuss the film's controversial editing history, its slightly confusing and ironic messaging, its TV connections and feeling, nighttime shooting, and its many connections to past Goods picks. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Religious scholar and recurring guest Gavin joins Dan and Brian to discuss the long-running Brazilian series of horror films directed by, written by, and starring José Mojica Marins as "Coffin Joe" -- the monstrous, atheist, libertine undertaker. Join as they discuss Coffin Joe's persona, the religious and political context of the film, the shifting tone in the series, Marins' three-pronged approach to horror, the role of transgressive ickiness in telling a horror story, and the censorship forces on Marins. They talk through the three "main" Coffin Joe films in detail, while Gavin gives an overview of the semi-canonical outings through the decades. Gavin's "Sects, Lies, and Videotape" column: https://www.alternateending.com/blog/sects-lies-and-videotape-column-index Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/  

Longtime friend-of-the-pod Colton joins Brian and Dan to briefly discuss a foundational romantic comedy, then dig into the divisive 2009 ensemble film. Just what everyone was asking for -- an extended conversation about dating from three straight guys in their 30s. Join as they discuss Nora Ephron, Sex and the City, gender roles in romantic storytelling, the legitimacy of the respective film's themes, the messiness of Bradley Cooper's storyline, and their least favorite of the 50 states. Colton concludes with his strong and long-held beliefs on evaluating and comparing art. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Dan and Brian lean into fall nostalgia by looking at a high school football comedy that stuck with Dan when he was a teen. Join as they discuss the Jon Voight dilemma, James Van Der Beek's career and sad diagnosis, their injured high school QB buddy, problematic story elements that have aged strangely, whipped cream-inis, erection slang, and not wanting your life. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

In the spirit of autumnal decay and ren faire dress-up, Brian shares with Dan a formative TV movie, the two-part Merlin starring Sam Neill. Join as they discuss the film's odd place in a movie history, surprisingly stacked cast, dubious Arthurian authenticity, outstanding score, and cyclic reflections on power. Brian also gives Dan a quick rundown of the shoddy but twisty sequel, Merlin's Apprentice from 2006. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Dan and Brian discuss a film Dan was surprised to adore during his Tom Hanks binge a couple of years ago, the Joe Dante-directed comedy tinged with horror The 'Burbs. Join as they discuss the film's production and writing history, including its Hitchcock connections, the young Tom Hanks shtick, the film's suburban satire and cartoon energy, and their love of the film's divisive ending. Dan also shares his top 11 Tom Hanks movies. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Dan and Brian wrap Maxi-Month and Mini-Month with the series that got Brian on the big-small kick as a kid in the first place. They review all three movies in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids trilogy, plus the spinoff TV show. Join as Dan and Brian discuss other possible Maxi-Month and Mini-Month selections, the strange history and astounding production of the original film, the bizarre family dynamics, the casting of Rick Moranis, the upsetting aspects of the giant baby, the unlikely illicit party, late-series character additions and casting changes, and the wild and wonderful filmography of Dean Cundey. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Dan and Brian continue Maxi-Month with a look at a variety of films featuring growing things: two early cinema trick films, a classic cartoon short, and the two Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs films. Join as they discuss the novelty of early size-shifting films, their hangups with height, breaking the fourth wall, the Lord and Miller directing duo, the fine line between postmodernism and parody, Dan's post-ChatGPT read on Cloudy, and the mixed strangeness of the sequel. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Brian, Dan, and Gavin continue their discussion of the Maxi-Mini-Month slate of Kerwin Matthews-starring adventure films. In Part 2 of their conversation, they discuss the knockoff Harryhausen film Jack the Giant Killer. Join as they discuss Brian's connection to the film and the inspiration it brings to his own work, the TV flavor (one childhood favorite show of Dan's in particular), the historical and cultural basis for the story, the "kitchen sink" approach to effects, the annoying Leprechaun, and the bizarre musical adaptation. Then, they each rate all three films. Check out Part 1 discussing The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and The 3 Worlds of Gulliver: https://thegoods.podbean.com/e/the-7th-voyage-of-sinbad-1958-3-worlds-of-gulliver-1960-ft-gavin-mcdowell-looks-like-the-monsters-lost/ Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

Maxi/Mini-Month continues with us welcoming back our good friend Gavin to discuss three adventure films starring Kerwin Mathews. In Part 1, they discuss The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and 3 Worlds of Gulliver, two films featuring stop-motion effects from Ray Harryhausen and giant and/or small people. Join as they discuss their history with Harryhausen, swashbuckling films, genie rules, the Star Wars prequel films, unusual baby names, and more. Check out Part 2, featuring a discussion of Jack the Giant Killer, and ratings for all three films, coming soon. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/  

Dan and Brian continue their theme month of particularly big or small stuff with a look at one of the great "atomic monster" movies of the '50s: Them! (Don't forget the exclamation point.) Join as they discuss their thoughts on ants, the cube-square law, the draw of tiny elephants and giant beans, the sturdy craftsmanship of Gordon Douglas, and comparisons to Godzilla. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/