Since the crew wasn't able to meet up this week, we're spinning a Butter Classic: our past discussion of 1979's Alien! As its 45th anniversary is fast approaching, shake off that cryo-statis and tune in to see what our thoughts on this horror/sci-fi staple were during its 40th!

The gang has a lot on their plates these days, so we're holding off on our upcoming theme/series for a bit, but that can't keep Connor and Dave from revisiting Wesworld to discuss recent Oscar winning 2023 short film The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar! Listen in as we discuss Anderson's recent embrace of sets-as-setting, nesting doll narratives, an…

Our journey through the Hanks But No Hanks (movies NOT starring Tom Hanks) theme comes to a close, Chrystine sees us out with her selection, 1989's When Harry Met Sally! Is this the mother of all modern rom-coms and, if so, does it actually break the mold of the typical, trope-y rom-com format? Does their getting together in the end confirm Harry's…

Thanks But No Hanks (our Tom Hank-less series) continues this week with Sam’s selection, 2009’s Twilight Saga: New Moon! As we return to Forks for another installment in this storied series, do we feel there is any character development to be had from the last movie to this one? Or even IN THIS ONE? Are there any healthy relationships to be found t…

The gang wasn't able to meet this week, so we're putting Thanks But No Hanks on hold to bring you a special one-off episode: BLINK WITH THAT! Back in October and hot off the heals of its release, Connor, Dave, and Sam got together to review Blink 182's reunion record One More Time! What impact did this reunion album make on super-fans Dave and Sam?…

As our Thanks But No Hanks series rolls on, we celebrate another film that doesn't feature Tom Hanks: Connor's selection, 1987's Predator! What do we think about this cast of rugged beefcakes? Is it a love-letter to American machismo, or a condemnation of U.S. imperialism? How crazy and troubled was the production of the film? Does the Predator's c…

Since we realized that we’ve been talking about Tom Hanks an awful lot in recent episodes, we’re going to steer clear of him as we tackle a new series: Thanks But No Hanks, movies that do NOT feature Tom Hanks! Kicking off this Hankless theme is Dave’s selection, 1994’s Dumb And Dumber, a movie that everyone but him evidently really disliked! As su…

Concluding our Film On Film series, the crew hop the last train to Wes World for Dave's selection, 2023's Asteroid City! With two Anderson films under her belt, has Sam come around on his style and aesthetic? What do we make of the wheels-within-wheels structure of the film, and how do we interpret its mantra "You can't wake up if you don't fall as…

It's that time of year again, and per tradition, the Butter Crew have cast their ballots for Awards Extravaganza VI! Listen in as we reflect on 2023's films and tv shows as we cover Best Performance, Best Sound/Soundtrack, Best Visual Effects/Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best New TV, Best Director, our salty-as-ever Worst Picture, and, of cours…

Our Film On Film series continues this week as Sam returns to brings us 2013's Saving Mr. Banks! With all that we learned in presenting our previous episode on Mary Poppins, how do we feel about the fanciful retelling of its production? Is it an earnest portrayal of P.L. Travers and Walt Disney's collaboration? Is it transparent Disney brand propag…

Our Film On Film theme marches on, and if you thought Connor's pick, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, was a long movie, we've got Tarantino beat by twenty minutes! In the Butter Crew's deepest dive to date, we marvel over Tarantino's typical and atypical instincts in this, his ninth film, as well as covering the sad charm of DiCaprio's Rick Dalton, t…

This week, we're launching into a new theme: Film On Film, a series where we each select a film about filmmaking! Chrystine's in the director's chair with John Waters' Cecil B. Demented! What do we make of how Waters navigates the '90s commercial cinema landscape? Which of the film's scrappy cast stood out most to us, and what were our big laugh li…

Hey Barbies, Kens, and Alans! This week, the Butter Crew offer their takes and thoughts on the '23 summer blockbuster sensation Barbie! Recorded well before the current Oscar Snub discourse, we unpacked everything from the film's themes and messaging, to its complicated intersection with consumer capitalism, to its incredible production design, and…

Butter With That is back! After a long hibernation, the gang has come together to once again give you folks insight into all things movies! This week, we (finally) round out our Oscar Spinoff theme (the '23 Oscars, that is! Oops!) with Sam's selection, 2022's Bullet Train! Tune in as we tease out if this is a genuine action film, a parody of one, o…

The crew keeps Oscar Spinoff season alive as Chrystine presents 2017's Beast! What do we make of the complex push-and-pull of sympathy vs. morality in this tightly wound tale of love, murder, and abuse? What do we make of the title and the themes it evokes? And how about Jessie Buckley's as-usual relatable yet elusive performance and transformation…

Oscar Spinoff season continues, and Dave brings the posse together to see if his Worst Movie of '22 director (Andrew Dominik) is redeemed with 2007's The Assassination of Jesse James by the (exasperated breath) Coward Robert Ford! Does the nostalgia factor hold up upon revisit for Chrystine and Dave? What were Connor's first impressions of this spr…

We're following up our recent Awards Extravaganza with a new theme, Oscar Spinoffs! We're each selecting a 2022 Oscar nominee (or something connected to our own) and exploring more of their work. This week, in conjunction with Jamie Lee Curtis's Oscar win, Connor brings us 2003's Freaky Friday! What do we make of this classic 2000s body swap comedy…

This week we're concluding our 2022 Awards Extravaganza! We cover our selections for Best TV Show, Best Director, the infamous Worse Picture, and, of course, Best Picture! Tune in for the curveballs, our recommendations, and find out if the 2022 Tar sweep continues!

Hey folks, Butter is back, and this week we’re rolling out the beige carpet for our 2022 Awards Extravaganza! In Part I, we cover our selections for Best Performance, Best Sound Design/Soundtrack, Best Cinematography, and Best Screenplay! Tune in to see if, like the Oscars themselves, we have a bit of an awards sweep this year, and be sure to check…

The crew is still revisiting some of our old Butter Classics, and Sam is coming out swinging with 2011's Warrior! Cheer along with the gang as we talk about the film's fantastic performances, explore the themes of family and trauma at the core of this riveting sports drama, and all get pretty teary eyed along the way!…

While on vacation for a few weeks, we’ve been revisiting some of our old Butter Classics, and this week Connor punches in with Episode 29: 1999’s Office Space! Gather ‘round the water cooler with us as we discuss the late ‘90s, answer one of our old whiteboard questions, and go on a lot of tangents! Don't miss it, ya "walnut"(?)!…

We continue our trek down memory lane this week with another Butter Classic, and Dave has dug up one of our first episodes on 1996's Fargo! Have Dave's thoughts on its ending changed over the years? Is it still his 2nd favorite film, or has it shifted? Listen in for answers, and the gang's thoughts on this Coens classic!…

Hey folks! With the downtime we have as we take a break for the month, we’ve had an opportunity to revisit some of our older episodes! This week, Connor revisits our discussion of 1990’s Misery (Episode 147)! Stay tuned as the month rolls on and we highlight some of our favorite past discussions!

Wow! We've made it, folks: EPISODE 200! What better way to celebrate this podcasting milestone than by diving deep into the beloved 1939 film The Wizard of Oz! Join us as we revel in the film's incredible design, discuss its iconic characters, and unearth the surprisingly grim production history of this classic. We also listen in on messages from s…

As our Loooove Theme concludes, Chrystine serves up a surprise dish: 2017’s Phantom Thread! What do we make of Anderson’s vision of a twisted, kinky, and ultimately heartwarming romance? Among this fantastic wardrobe, which dresses/garments caught our eye respectively? And can you believe someone other than Dave picked a P.T. Anderson flick?! Tune …

Our Loooove Theme is still in the air, and Connor has exhumed 2013’s Warm Bodies! What do we make of this zombie-filled adaptation of Romeo And Juliet (and how surprised are some of us by the not-so-subtle nods we missed)? How about these visually and conceptually poorly defined Boneys? And an age old question - do zombies need to use the bathroom?…

The Loooove Theme continues with Sam's selection, 2017's Gifted! How well does this film explore familial love through the lens of education? Does it telegraph an informed or well-intentioned but misguided slant on advanced education and placement? And how about this adorable one-eyed cat? Take your seats and listen in this week to find out!…

We’re launching into our new Loooove Theme, and Dave pivots from his trademark Contrarian Corner to his newfound Sentimental Corner with 2022’s A Love Song! Is this tale of widowers rekindling lost longing expectedly heartbreaking or surprisingly and soaringly optimistic? How well do seasoned character actors Dale Dickey and Wes Studi carry their l…

Our Fun In Dysfunction theme concludes with Chrystine's selection, 2014's Force Majeure! Does the chance avalanche of emotion in the film portray a dysfunctional family, or perhaps dive into dysfunction's socially gendered roots, or both? What do we make of the film's ending: does it subvert or serve its themes? And how well does this original tell…

The Fun In Dysfunction theme continues with Dave's selection, 2001's The Royal Tenenbaums! What does the gang make of this ensemble cast of quirky characters colliding as a family unit? Does the film achieve a sense of grounded realism, or does Anderson walk us through a fairy-tale vision of New York City populated by larger-than-life figures? Whic…

The gang continues unpacking Fun In Dysfunction, our dysfunctional families theme with Sam's pick, 1989's Steel Magnolias! What do we make of the community of characters and the stellar cast playing them? Does this beloved classic juggle humor and melodrama while sticking the landing on both? And which of our moms has an incidental guest appearance…

The holidays have come and gone, and the Butter Crew are kicking off the new year by putting the Fun In Dysfunction, exploring dysfunctional families within film! Connor sets the table with 2015's Krampus! How well does the movie juggle horror, humor, and the holidays all at once? How about these practical effects and creepy Christmas critter desig…

As our Real Vs. Reel biopic theme draws to a close, Dave presents 2022's Elvis! ...this movie's insane. Tune in!

Our Real Vs. Reel biopic theme rocks on, and this week we're tappin' our toes to Chrystine's selection, 2014's Love And Mercy! How well does the film cover two very different periods of Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson's life, and how well do the two different actors (Cusack and Dano) embody him? Do the film's two different styles and perspectives co…

Real Vs. Reel, our biopic series, rolls on and this week the gang hit the slopes with Sam’s pick, 2016’s Eddie The Eagle! How well does the film tell the story of Michael “Eddie” Edwards, an Olympic ski jumper who set British records while finishing last? Do Egerton and Jackman bring proper depth to their subjects, or doesn’t the tone make that dep…

This week we're launching our new biopic theme, Real Vs. Reel! Join us as we investigate Connor's selection, 2002's Catch Me If You Can! Should a biopic stick to the capital-T Truth, or is a biopic about a con artist justified in fabricating the details? How well do we feel Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio play off of one another? Is this one of Spi…

Roommate Revenge wraps up this week with Sam's selected movie, 2019's 1917! Does the continuous shot motif pay off as immersive or does it ultimate distance the viewer? What, if anything, does this movie have to say about WWI and/or war in general? Are the a-historic liberties the film takes functional or kind of an oversight? And milk in a canteen…

Roommate Revenge rages on as we take on Chrystine's assigned movie, 2013's Austenland! Does this rom-com/Austen satire come across as an affectionate ode or an ineffective farce? How well does it juggle a will-they-won't-they tension among its multiple relationship possibilities? And what does the gang make of yet another rom-com airport scene? Lis…

Roommate Revenge rolls on, and this week Dave has been assigned 2017's The VelociPastor! Does this self-styled "good-bad" cult/b-movie stick the landing, or wade too far into genuinely bad movie territory? Is the humor self-aware and snappy enough, or does it linger too long on underwritten bits? Was this ultimately an exercise in wasted potential,…

This week we're launching our special new theme, Roommate Revenge! Sam's housemates Heather and Kara have tuned in and watched our selections for years now and finally have the opportunity to weigh in and assign each member of the crew their own episode! Their selection for Connor is 1992's Encino Man! Join us as we try to establish a thru-line in …

After a brief break, Butter is back! This week, we're concluding our Underrated Movies theme with an out-of-this-world movie, Chrystine's selection, 2018's Prospect! Blast off with the crew as we weigh in on the film's balance of sci-fi and western movie tropes, review the characters from page to screen, and tip our hats to just how much detail the…

Our Underrated Movies revival rolls on, and Connor digs through his case-files to present 2007's Zodiac! Does Fincher respectfully handle the material of this infamous true crime story? Who among this ensemble cast of character actors stand out, or do they all bring real talent to the table? How does the film handle the ambiguity of the as-yet/stil…

This week the Butter crew takes their Underrated Movies theme back to the barnyard with Dave's selection, 1995's Babe! Does this film deserve more recognition than the go-to pop culture reference "That'll do, pig. That'll do"? Will Sam ever be able to move past the titular piglet being on the "business end" of a shotgun in one scene? Does this Chri…

It's been four years on the air(!) and so the Butter crew is reviving its inaugural theme, Underrated Movies! Sam gives us the stick-count as we launch into Tom Hanks' screenwriting/directorial debut, 1996's That Thing You Do! Is this bubbly and peppy story of a one-hit-wonder band a little too light for its own good, or does that make it more char…

The gang takes their seats for the last entry in our Movies That Brought Us Back To The Theater theme, Chrystine's selection, 1998's Ever After! Does this fairy-tale genre-parody dramedy tell the true story of Cinderella? Does this telling subvert both the knight-in-shining-armor and damsel-in-distress archetypes? Did the real Cinderella need a fai…

This week's installment of Movies That Brought Us Back To The Theater is Sam's selection, 2021's blockbuster smash-hit Spider-Man: No Way Home! Which of the three Spider-Men turns in the strongest performance? How about the weakest? How well does the film handle its complex themes of justice and redemption? And what does the crew imagine the future…

The gang continues their Movies That Brought Us Back To The Theater theme with Dave's selection, 2012's The Master! As we discuss this challenging and elusive work, what do we make of enigmatic cult leader Lancaster Dodd's (Hoffman) "mastery" of his protege Freddie Quell (Phoenix)? What is this film getting at in terms of theme and/or message, or s…

This week the crew is serving up a fresh new theme, Movies That Brought Us Back To The Theater! This week, Connor's ordered up 2022's The Bob's Burgers Movie! How well did this long-running cartoon series make its transition onto the big screen? Does it do a good job of reaching new audiences while satisfying die hard fans? And what makes Bobs Burg…

We've reached the bottom of the Movie Grab Bag, and Dave's pulled a pretty wild selection, 2000's Songs From The Second Floor. Did the Crew warm up to Roy Andersson's cold arthouse vision of full scale collapse? Is the film ultimately chilling and distanced, humorous and inviting, or somehow both? Did a sequence involving a corporate/ritualistic ch…

Our Movie Grab Bag theme drives on as Sam presents a long awaited selection, 1986's Maximum Overdrive! How are author Stephen King's directorial chops in this, his sole directing credit? Do we spend way too long with these underdeveloped characters trapped in a diner and/or pumping gas? And what about the dog that gets choked to death by a remote c…