Michael Ryan: In Memoriam, Part Two

Welcome back, friends, to the second part of this special two-part show. As you saw from the first part of the podcast, Mousterpiece Cinema co-host and friend Michael Ryan passed away just over a week ago, so Josh and Gabe have been spending a bit of time reminiscing about their cohort. In the second part, Josh and Gabe highlight some memorable moments from having worked with Mike, both in another clip package, and in an extended discussion segment. Plus, you'll get to hear voicemails from some past guests and fellow listeners, as well as a conversation at the end of the show about the future of the podcast going forward. You don't want to miss it.

NOTE: As you'll hear, this episode eschews the typical Mousterpiece Cinema theme music, instead using snatches of familiar, fitting pieces of Disney music, all of which are owned by Disney, and are not meant to be used here for profit.

Michael Ryan: In Memoriam, Part One

Friends, by now you may have heard, but if not, Josh and Gabe recently got some tragic news from Montreal: their Mousterpiece Cinema co-host Michael Ryan passed away just over a week ago. As such, today doesn't bring a typical episode of the podcast. Instead, Josh and Gabe have a two-part memorial show in honor of Mike, with this being Part One. For the centerpiece segment, Josh and Gabe are joined by past guest and co-host of The Televerse, Kate Kulzick, to reminisce about Mike on a general level, discussing what he meant to them and how Mike first got involved with the show. This first of two parts also includes a clip package bursting with the best of our duck-loving friend. Make sure to listen to the whole show, and stick around for part two.

NOTE: As you'll hear, this episode eschews the typical Mousterpiece Cinema theme music, instead using snatches of familiar, fitting pieces of Disney music, all of which are owned by Disney, and are not meant to be used here for profit.

Episode 93: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Arr, mateys! D'you fancy a walk on the plank? Or...oh, let's drop the charade, shall we? We're at the end of the pirate world, finally, as Josh, Mike, and Gabe review the most recent Pirates of the Caribbean film, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. You remember On Stranger Tides, right? It came out two years ago! It had Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, and Ian McShane! Plus Penelope Cruz looking like...well, Penelope Cruz! Josh and Gabe had to have their memories jogged, but...well, we bet you know what Mike thought of this movie. But our three hosts also spent a good deal of time discussing the current state of affairs in Disney hand-drawn animation, because how could they not? These are choppy waters in this week's show, but don't hesitate to check it out!

Episode 92: Walt and El Grupo

No, friends, you haven't slept past the weekend, and your calendars aren't wrong. It's time for a brand-new Mousterpiece Cinema, during the week! Aren't you lucky? (Don't get used to this kind of multiple-episode manna from heaven.) And even better, this is a totally different episode, with a Mousterpiece Cinema first! Mike and Josh wanted to review the Disney documentary Walt and El Grupo, but there's one problem: it's not accessible in any way in Canada, so Mike hasn't seen it. As such, all he could do was interview the film's director, Ted Thomas, son of the late Frank Thomas. But he stuck around to hear Josh's thoughts on the film and its place in Disney's documentary universe. Was Josh a fan? Could Mike allay his concerns? And is Ted Thomas a duck person or a mouse person? Find out by listening to this all-new, extra-special bonus podcast!

Episode 91: Alice in Wonderland

Friends, we'd like to welcome you to a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, but we have to be honest. Nothing we say can prepare you for the terror and foul horror of what lies within this podcast. Oh, sure, you've got Josh, Mike, and special guest Scott Meslow of The Week and The Atlantic here to discuss the 2010 live-action version of Alice in Wonderland, but we're thinking of one thing specifically: the...shudder...Futterwacken. We had to discuss it--how could we avoid it? There's a lot we had to discuss this week, including how Alice in Wonderland is just like Batman and Robin, and why that's a good thing...to one of us. The movie may be terrible, but this episode is something special. Check it out!

Episode 90: Muppet Treasure Island

Yarr, mateys! We caught you with yer pants down, didn't we? Yes, just because your pirate crew took an unexpected vacation last week doesn't mean we're not back this week with cannons at the ready! Today, Josh, Mike, and Gabe head back to the high seas, but not with the Pirates of the Caribbean! No, this week, we join Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and more of the Muppets with the 1996 film Muppet Treasure Island! And prepare to be shocked--your fearsome Captain is the most positive one of all! How could Mike and Gabe not love the goofiness onboard the Hispaniola? How could the silly humor and Tim Curry's over-the-top performance as Long John Silver not be enough for them? Find out on the new show!

Episode 89: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Time to drink up, me hearties, because your beloved (hopefully beloved) crew members of the damned ship Mousterpiece are at it again. This week, they return to the fabled Caribbean to discuss the third film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. For this episode, Josh, Mike, and Gabe were joined by special guest Corey Atad of Movie Mezzanine, to have a hearty, spirited debate about this 2007 blockbuster. Is it a bloated, overly bombastic action movie that's tiresome, or is its bloat and bombast exactly why it's so great? Your crew and their guest were definitely divided on the film's quality, the romance, and even Chow-Yun Fat! Drop anchor and check out the new show! (And fair warning, me buckoes: there's a bit of salty language in this episode, so be warned!)