Two movies about unlikely friendships and learning from people different than yourself — it's Project Hail Mary vs. The Intern. 

References from the episode: 

• LA Times interview with puppeteer James Ortiz.
• The Tasteless episode on what The Parent Trap has in common with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. 

Two movies about terrible fathers trying their best for their children — it's Finding Nemo vs. Trap. 

Two stylized films about literally fighting for what you want — it's Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World vs. Polite Society.

Two movies about who others think we are and where that intersects with our self-perception — it's Broadcast News vs Love Potion No. 9.

Two movies about corporate interests deciding individuals' fates and the pressure of fame — it's Space Jam vs Rollerball.

Two movies about dysfunctional families exploring the possibility of redemption — it's The Royal Tenenbaums vs The Killing of a Sacred Deer.

Two movies about masculinity and wealth — it's Casino Royale vs The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.

Two movies about redemption, where lost individuals must decide to change themselves for the better — it's Groundhog Day vs Laggies.

Two movies about family mysteries with an interesting exploration of gender — it's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) vs The Parent Trap (1998). 

Two movies about using your wits to overcome a highly knowledgeable villain in an enclosed space — it's Saw vs Red Eye.

Two movies where a missing child shakes the foundation of our protagonists and we explore the burden of masculinity — it's Prisoners vs Searching.

Anna Elizabeth James (writer/director of Deadly Illusions) has revived the psychosexual thriller genre with Deadly Illusions clocking in at #1 on Netflix and she GRACEd me with her presence on the show! Our conversation covered everything I've ever cared about, including how she crafted a thriller with heart, the absolutism of movie critics, and obviously, the milk bath. Deadly Illusions is a FEELING, as is this episode.

Deadly Illusions is coming to all platforms June 1st, including my beloved physical media, but you can watch now on Netflix!

Follow Anna on Instagram: www.instagram.com/annaelizabethjames/
Follow Anna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/directoraej
Follow Deadly Illusions on Instagram: www.instagram.com/deadlyillusionsmovie/
Follow Deadly Illusions on Twitter: https://twitter.com/deadly_tweet

Two movies about creating your own reality and identity, and how malleable those things can be — it's Memento vs The Tourist.

Jennifer Esposito discusses her thrilling, funny, affecting new film Fresh Kills, a movie that doesn't fit into any one box but that has been connecting deeply with audiences since its release. You wanna know who your people are? Jennifer is your people. She made a movie for movie lovers, a movie for women, a movie for human beings. 

Watch Fresh Kills at home: www.freshkillsmovie.com

See a screening of Fresh Kills plus Q&A with Jennifer in ON, Canada this Sunday, August 18: www.anchorniagara.com

Two movies where people work together outside the bounds of polite society and their reluctant involvement turns into true heroism — it's Ghostbusters vs Mercenaries.

Watch Zoë Bell's #BossBitchFightChallenge: https://www.instagram.com/p/COV-Cc9DgWg/

Janet Varney (The Legend of Korra, Country Comfort, Stan Against Evil) is as kind as she is talented. Her conversational prowess is unrivaled, and she made me feel very supported in my secret wish to wear reflective aviators. In this episode, we dive into how wonderful it is to create something with your friends, the downsides of polyester pants in Georgia, and the satisfaction of a well-written sitcom.

Follow Janet on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thejvclub

Follow on Janet on Twitter: https://twitter.com/janetvarney

Listen to The JV Club Podcast: www.thejvclub.org

Watch Fortune Rookie: https://fortunerookie.net/

Two movies that explore the meaning of justice and how our preconceived notions affect that justice being served — it's 12 Angry Men vs I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Two films that explore faith as well as representations of good and evil that endure through generations — it's The Exorcist vs Enchanted.

Shalita Grant (Search Party, You) is truly America's sweetheart. I learned so much about not just acting, but about life and myself from Shalita, who is so insightful in her self-reflection in addition to being absurdly gifted comedically. Shalita talks about not judging the characters she plays, the importance of collaboration in comedy, and building her haircare brand Four Naturals.

I am sorry I brought up Dave & Buster's to a Tony nominee... but not really, because like with everything else Shalita speaks on, she not only made me laugh but also educated me (in this instance on getting what you want!)

Follow Shalita on Instagram: www.instagram.com/shalitagrant/

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/shalitagrant

Learn more about Four Naturals: www.fournaturalshair.com

Two people decide to take a little vacation that kicks off a fight for their lives as their identities are called into question — it's Total Recall vs The Net. 

Two movies about sad boys with an affinity for peaches who find self-acceptance through a dreamlike adventure — it's Call Me By Your Name vs James and the Giant Peach.

Jodi Lyn O'Keefe (She's All That, Prison Break, Hit the Floor) is a dream of a human being who lets me gush about my favorite roles of hers as I mathematically prove she has the best career — from being a comedy powerhouse to the perfect kind of villain — and she shares the romantic gesture to end all gestures, plus gives me even more reasons to adore Heretic Parfum. This show breaks down at points because I am laughing uncontrollably, what a joy!

Follow Jodi on Instagram: http://instagram.com/jodilok

Follow Heretic Parfum on Instagram: http://instagram.com/hereticparfum

Visit the Heretic site to fall as in love with their scents as I have: https://hereticparfum.com

Two movies about a woman in a high pressure environment who is unsure of what is real and what is not, and must come to terms with her desires — it's Black Swan vs Deadly Illusions.

TIME CODES:

01:01 Black Swan
12:13 Deadly Illusions
20:33 Similarities
30:18 What Deadly Illusions did better

Two movies where survival of a species comes down to one bloodline and hope is finally carved out amidst the despair — it's Children of Men vs Underworld: Blood Wars.

Two films about feeling trapped and the resulting rage — it's Eastern Promises vs. Fresh Kills.

Time Codes:

1:03 Eastern Promises

6:12 Fresh Kills

21:08 Similar Themes: Feeling Trapped

26:13 Similar Themes: Impotent Rage

29:59 What Fresh Kills Does Better: Heroes and Villains

33:18 What Fresh Kills Does Better: Extra Ordinary

Brooke Smith (Big Sky, The Silence of the Lambs, Grey's Anatomy) becomes my favorite character in every project she joins, and this episode felt like a breezy chat with a close friend. Brooke answered questions about the satisfaction of bringing a character like Merilee to life on Big Sky, her relationship with Darla the dog aka Precious, and I called dibs on hiring her as a therapist should she ever change career paths.

Follow Brooke on Instagram and Twitter | Catch up on Big Sky on Hulu or ABC | Watch a trailer for Them coming to Amazon April 9th

Two movies about the pursuit of a specific lifestyle and feeling powerless — it's Goodfellas vs I, Tonya.

Two movies about taking on someone else's identity in pursuit of revenge — it's Face/Off vs Deadly Sibling Rivalry.

Read Charisma Carpenter's THR piece, How To Be an Ally of Victims of Abuse

Nicole Bilderback (Bring It On, Mercenaries, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) is part of the very fabric of good teen movie making and has continuously graced our screens with laughter and action. We talked lip-synching to the earworm that is Mickey, the similarities between dancing and fighting, and the importance of being informed about the world around you.

Follow Nikki on Instagram and Twitter | Get a Cameo | Visit her website

Watch Nikki and Clare Kramer recreate iconic scenes from Bring It On | Read MTV's Bring It On Oral History | Watch the promo for Cruel Summer

Two biopics about troubled women with star power and polarizing personalities — it's Judy vs Gia.

Two movies where the villain is shrouded, where decency must triumph over convenience and greed — it's Jaws vs Bombshell.

Two movies where people become the sort of hero they've long admired, filling the shoes of those who have come before to save lives from greedy imperialists, and finding a support system along the way — it's Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope vs Spy.

Two movies about the best in their field coming out of retirement — it's John Wick vs Stick It. 

1:34 John Wick

12:00 Stick It

25:54 Similarities

33:02 What Stick It did better

Two movies about morality outside the bounds of polite society and banding together — it's Saving Private Ryan vs Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).

TIME CODES: 

2:37 Saving Private Ryan

17:10 Birds of Prey

30:37 Similarities

40:06 What Birds of Prey did better

Two movies featuring complicated relationships with dysfunctional mentors and familial duty that propels our heroes forward — it's True Grit vs Seed of Chucky. 

Two movies about forbidden romance set against the fantastical world of Hollywood — it's Singin' In The Rain vs. A Family Affair.

Two movies about the real dangers being closer than you might think — it's The Shining vs Colossal.

00:48 The Shining

11:19 Colossal

18:32 Similarities

28:16 What Colossal does better

Mara Wilson (Matilda, BoJack Horseman) truly feels like a best friend when chatting with her, and can talk about anything with ease and humor. We cover psychological studies, attractive 90s looks, and very specific movie genres in addition to discussing her acting career, her book (which I love) Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame, and how she curates such a perfect Twitter feed.

Follow Mara on Twitter and Instagram | Read Mara's book, Where Am I Now? | Mara is on Cameo | Read more Mara on Shan't We Tell the Vicar | Listen to Mara narrate The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives In Your Home

Two darkly humorous movies about living life outside the bounds of polite society and overcoming dependencies - it's Trainspotting vs Ass Backwards.

TIME CODES:

01:06 Trainspotting

09:29 Ass Backwards

17:09 Similarities

27:45 What Ass Backwards did better

Two movies about becoming powerful, becoming a symbol, and fighting against the reality of our world — it's The Matrix vs Catwoman. 

TIME CODES:

00:45 The Matrix

11:30 Catwoman

21:51 Similarities

30:03 What Catwoman did better

Two movies about a person taking on a new identity after growing tired of who they are but they soon realize things are never that easy — it's The Nightmare Before Christmas vs While You Were Sleeping. 

Happy holidays, see you all in 2021! 

Listen to the Movie Reviews in 20 Qs episode I guested on about The Nightmare Before Christmas!

Rachel True (The Craft, Half & Half) is a brilliant actress who imbues her roles with humor and realism, and she's also an incredible author. Her book, True Heart Intuitive Tarot, is a beautiful look at the practice of tarot as well as her own life, and she weaves the two together in a way that makes the book difficult to put down. In this dream of an episode, Rachel breaks down the practical ways you can use tarot, puts a theory about The Craft to bed, and shares some perfect film recommendations, so listen up!

Follow Rachel on Instagram and on Twitter | Get your own copy of True Heart Intuitive Tarot | Leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon | Join Rachel's Patreon

Two movies about the course of someone's life changing due to outside influence, with a healthy dose of isolation and voyeurism thrown in — it's Oldboy vs How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

We are 150 episodes in, and this is one of my favorite pairings yet. Thank you for your continued support!

Two heist movies featuring people who have hidden motives and Ben Affleck — it's The Town vs Reindeer Games.

Everything Alexandra Holden is in, she elevates. A comedic delight who is responsible for some iconic characters in my favorite things (Friends, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Rizzoli & Isles), and who is now creating her own sketch comedy on Instagram as half of Out of Luck Show. I loved getting new insight into the dark humor behind her projects as well as discussing the unifying hotness of Bruce Willis.

Follow @heyalexandraholden on Instagram | Watch Out of Luck Show on Instagram and YouTube

Two movies about groups stuck in one spot, dealing with an inevitable end — it's The Hateful Eight vs It's a Disaster. 

Two satires about class and equality — it's Triangle Of Sadness vs. Corporate Animals.

Two movies that explore inevitability and what hand we have in our future - it's Requiem for a Dream vs Final Destination.

Two movies about complicated maternal relationships and the opportunities that youth affords — it's Lady Bird vs Sleepwalkers.

Jamie Gray Hyder (Law & Order: SVU, COD: Infinite Warfare) took my favorite thing in the world and made it even better when she joined Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. This conversation was a delight, ranging from the direction of the newest season of SVU, to the childhood playtime vibes of portraying a video game character, to the thoughtful ways Jamie engages with social media. She is such a bright light and so funny - enjoy!

SVU airs Thursdays on NBC at 9PM | Follow Jamie Gray Hyder on Instagram and Twitter (both @JGHyder) | Book a Cameo from Jamie (and help out a good cause!)