Movie of the Year is on the hunt to find the best film of each and every year, in the only way that matters: brackets. Join Greg, Mike, and Ryan, as they discuss what makes a film matter now vs when it came out. There will be games. There will be drinks. There will be points. There will only be one Movie of the Year. ", "Movie of the Year is on the hunt to find the best film of each and every year, in the only way that matters: brackets. Join Greg, Mike, and Ryan, as they discuss what makes a film matter now vs when it came out. There will be games. There will be drinks. There will be points. There will only be one Movie of the Year.
Site
RSS
Apple
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
The Taste Buds are hitting rewind and building the ultimate 1999 Mixtape on this week’s episode of Movie of the Year. As part of their ongoing exploration of the legendary pop culture landscape of 1999, the panel steps away from film to focus on the best songs of 1999, one track at a time.
Whether you were burning mix CDs or glued to TRL, this is the Movie of the Year episode for you.
Why 1999 Was a Great Year for Music
1999 was a genre-smashing year, marked by massive pop breakthroughs, alt-rock classics, club hits, and iconic hip-hop. From …Baby One More Time to Smooth, No Scrubs to My Name Is, the year’s musical output was unforgettable.
To honor this sonic time capsule, the Taste Buds drafted their ideal 1999 playlist—20 songs, no repeat artists, and only the strongest tracks.
How the 1999 Mixtape Was Made
Here were the rules:
20 songs
No repeat artists
Picks made live on the episode
Each host took turns drafting songs, defending their picks, and sabotaging each other’s plans. With only one track per artist, every decision mattered. Some fan-favorites made the list, while others were tragically left out.
The 1999 Mixtape episode is a celebration of one of the most fun and influential years in music history. Every genre got its moment in the sun, and this playlist reflects that beautiful mess. It's not just a trip down memory lane—it's a living, breathing artifact of a year that changed everything.
Perfect for anyone who loves pop culture, nostalgia, or music history, this is one of the most fun Movie of the Year episodes yet.
Subscribe now to follow the rest of the 1999 season and never miss a beat.
Movie of the Year: 1999 Mixtape – streaming now on all podcast platforms.
1999 - The Mixtape
Thursday, June 12, 2025 • Duration 35:18
Movie of the Year: 1999The Mixtape
The Taste Buds are hitting rewind and building the ultimate 1999 Mixtape on this week’s episode of Movie of the Year. As part of their ongoing exploration of the legendary pop culture landscape of 1999, the panel steps away from film to focus on the best songs of 1999, one track at a time.
Whether you were burning mix CDs or glued to TRL, this is the Movie of the Year episode for you.
Why 1999 Was a Great Year for Music
1999 was a genre-smashing year, marked by massive pop breakthroughs, alt-rock classics, club hits, and iconic hip-hop. From …Baby One More Time to Smooth, No Scrubs to My Name Is, the year’s musical output was unforgettable.
To honor this sonic time capsule, the Taste Buds drafted their ideal 1999 playlist—20 songs, no repeat artists, and only the strongest tracks.
How the 1999 Mixtape Was Made
Here were the rules:
20 songs
No repeat artists
Picks made live on the episode
Each host took turns drafting songs, defending their picks, and sabotaging each other’s plans. With only one track per artist, every decision mattered. Some fan-favorites made the list, while others were tragically left out.
The 1999 Mixtape episode is a celebration of one of the most fun and influential years in music history. Every genre got its moment in the sun, and this playlist reflects that beautiful mess. It's not just a trip down memory lane—it's a living, breathing artifact of a year that changed everything.
1996 - The Birdcage (feat. Andrea Thompson from A Reel Of Our Own!)
Thursday, April 10, 2025 • Duration 01:36:15
Movie of the Year: 1996The Birdcage (feat. Andrea Thompson from A Reel Of One's Own!)
The Movie of the Year podcast takes a deep dive into The Birdcage (1996), a groundbreaking comedy that blends family dynamics, farce, and fearless LGBTQ+ representation. In this episode, the hosts explore how The Birdcage helped shift mainstream perceptions of queerness in the '90s, all while delivering standout performances from Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, and showcasing the directorial mastery of Mike Nichols. Whether you're watching the film for the first time or revisiting it, this episode offers a thoughtful and engaging look at why The Birdcage continues to matter.
Listen to the episode now:
[Podcast Player Embed Here]
Gender, Sexuality, and Queer Representation in The Birdcage
The podcast opens with an in-depth discussion of how The Birdcage portrays gender and sexuality with both humor and dignity. At a time when LGBTQ+ characters were often relegated to the margins of pop culture, The Birdcage celebrated queer life, drag culture, and same-sex relationships. The hosts explore the film’s role in pushing boundaries and normalizing visibility, particularly in a cultural moment still defined by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and lingering AIDS-era stigma.
Robin Williams in One of His Most Subtle, Heartfelt Roles
Known for his exuberant performances, Robin Williams delivers one of his most emotionally restrained roles as Armand Goldman. The podcast explores how Williams balances warmth, wit, and gravitas, crafting a character who is both deeply human and quietly revolutionary. The hosts compare this performance to Williams’ other work from the '90s and consider how his presence lends the film emotional credibility and depth.
Mike Nichols’ Directing Brilliance
Director Mike Nichols adapts the French farce La Cage aux Folles into a uniquely American satire, using timing, character dynamics, and visual composition to heighten both comedy and emotional impact. The hosts break down Nichols’ directing choices, from rapid-fire dialogue to carefully choreographed scenes, showing how his vision shapes the film’s tone and political commentary.
Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts?Identity and the Meaning of LifeSpecial Guest: Andrea Thompson from How Holds Up in 2024Final Thoughts: Why Still Matters
2002 - Catch Me If You Can
Thursday, July 20, 2023 • Duration 01:53:00
Movie of the Year: 2002Catch Me If You Can
Can Catch Me If You Can con its way to our 2002 Movie of the Year?
Catch Me If You Can is a Steven Spielberg joint, so you know we are going to get rowdy on this one. Steve Spiels has meant so much to the show. An early Hall of Fame inductee, one of the most important voices from our childhood, and a talented filmmaker to boot, this guy has got it all goin on as far as we are concerned. But does that mean this particular movie, Catch Me If You Can, is any good? Hmmmm.
And when it comes to star power, you know this movie delivers, serving up Leo and a side o' Hanx! (Can someone put a chef's kiss emoji here?-Greg) However, do these guys create synergy, or do we simply get two strong, parallel performances? If I answered that here, I could get fired, but listen to the show because you probably should know.
And it wouldn't be an episode of Movie of the Year without as jawing about ladies. Boys. Love. Ladies. But do they? Or do they love the idea of ladies that culture has tried to hallucinate into existence? Dunno!
And you know we have a sack full of awards to bestow! All this AND the stuff that I remembered but then remembered the writers' strike!
While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade on June 24th.
2002 - The Finale, Pt. 3
Thursday, July 13, 2023 • Duration 01:02:32
Movie of the Year: 2002Finale Part Three
It is time to finish picking 2002's Movie of the Year in our 2002 Finale Part Three!
We work really hard on each of the seasons of this show. We do it because it means a lot to us and because that is what the movies deserve. The 2002 season was even more work than we usually do—it was intense. Yet, here we are, at the end of it, and it's hard not to be just a little sad. 2002 was a bonkers year and the movies are full of a sense of overwrought pride and mounting, undirected aggression. The movies are fun but sometimes in a way that seems manic. A smiling face turned away from a burning house.
But we need to move on. A new season awaits us, full of promise, movies, and lost episodes. As we turn out the lights on this season, we say goodbye to some of our favorite films. Who can forget the pure entertainment of Chicago? The pluck and artistic courage of Russian Ark? And I know we will never forget all the things we said about this season's very special lost episode recipient, Unfaithful.
And you know we have a sack full of Mooties to bestow! All this AND the stuff that I remembered but cheekily neglected to mention!
While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade on June 24th.
Abortion is a basic healthcare need for the millions of people who can become pregnant. Everyone should have the freedom to decide what’s best for themselves and their families, including when it comes to ending a pregnancy. This decision has dire consequences for individual health and safety, and could have harsh repercussions for other landmark decisions.
2002 - The Finale, Pt. 2
Thursday, July 6, 2023 • Duration 01:01:43
Movie of the Year: 2002Finale Part Two
It is time to continue picking 2002's Movie of the Year in our 2002 Finale Part Two!
As we discussed last time, fifteen great movies (and, yes, one stinkeroo) made their way into the sweet sixteen. And now it is time to take that number DOWN. To an even LOWER NUMBER. There are a lot to pick from, so you figure it out. Lookin' at you, eight; feels like you're on deck.
Maybe Bourne Identity will do some of his cool spy stuff and make his way to the last part of our finale. 25th Hour might come in and take down some strong competition in a way we'll never forget. And The Two Towers might remind us why there is only one lord when it comes to our rings. And it's not just the movies that can win and lose because we are giving out our podcast-famous Mooties as well, celebrating the best in performance, artistry, and being a huge, huge jerk.
All this AND the stuff that I remembered but cheekily neglected to mention!
While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade on June 24th.
Abortion is a basic healthcare need for the millions of people who can become pregnant. Everyone should have the freedom to decide what’s best for themselves and their families, including when it comes to ending a pregnancy. This decision has dire consequences for individual health and safety, and could have harsh repercussions for other landmark decisions.
2002 - The Finale, Pt. 1
Thursday, June 29, 2023 • Duration 01:13:17
Movie of the Year: 2002The Finale, Pt. 1
It is time to start picking 2002's Movie of the Year in our 2002 Finale Part One!
It seems like just yesterday we started the 2002 season, but as they say: time flies when your castin' pods. This year we embraced just how many movies there are in any given year. Because there are so many, we opened up our brackets (and our hearts) to 16 movies.
I know what you are thinking, you must have just opened up the floodgates and invited all the stinkeroos to the party along with the usual eight brilliant movies. However that is not what happened; seven great movies (and just one stinkeroo) made their way into the sweet sixteen. And now it is time to take that number DOWN.
Maybe Battle Royale will slay the competition and move on to the next round. Perhaps Spider-Man (yeah just the one, kinda weird) will web-sling his way on. Personally, I could see Morvern Callar slicing up the competition. And it's not just the movies that can win and lose because we are giving out our podcast-famous Mooty awards as well, celebrating the best in performance and artistry.
While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade on June 24th.
Abortion is a basic healthcare need for the millions of people who can become pregnant. Everyone should have the freedom to decide what’s best for themselves and their families, including when it comes to ending a pregnancy. This decision has dire consequences for individual health and safety, and could have harsh repercussions for other landmark decisions.
2002 - Morvern Callar
Thursday, June 22, 2023 • Duration 01:57:03
Movie of the Year: 2002Morvern Callar
Is Morvern Callar too obvious a choice to become 2002 Movie of the Year?
Stop any yahoo on the street and ask them to bleat out a movie from 2002 and the first one that is going to spring into 90% of their brains is Morvern Callar. MorvernMania was everywhere is 2002, and if you don't remember that, don't let on because it's deeply strange and it might indicate that you are secretly a weirdo.
In this episode we really get into what makes the titular Movern tick, probably more than any other episode we have done (so far). Why does she make the choices she makes, and what are we to think of her behavior? Probably it's fine, to be honest. You gotta let women hack up the bodies they're gonna hack up. If they have to explain every little thing to you, none of the parts of this body are going to get buried in the woods.
And how about director-writer Lynne Ramsay? We discuss what she brings to this meticulously paced experience. Also, we look at how the movie tackles issues of class, gender, and truth. That's just one segment where we tackle those, and I promise, they stay tackled by the time we're done.
While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade on June 24th.
Abortion is a basic healthcare need for the millions of people who can become pregnant. Everyone should have the freedom to decide what’s best for themselves and their families, including when it comes to ending a pregnancy. This decision has dire consequences for individual health and safety, and could have harsh repercussions for other landmark decisions.
2002 - Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Thursday, June 15, 2023 • Duration 01:55:38
Movie of the Year: 2002Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Can The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers unite all our panelists and become 2002 Movie of the Year?
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a movie that asks, "What if our enemies are actually so bad that we can do whatever we want to them and even treat it like a little game?" We probe what director Peter Jackson brought to this project that only he could before we delve into the difficulties of telling the second part of a three part story. But we do eventually shift gears to ask ourselves what this movie says about the struggle of good versus evil, how that message resonated in 2002, and what it means to us now in the enlightened year of 2023.
Also, we build a mountain of Rushmore 2002 babies, struggle through some arduous The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers trivia and then hand out awards like it's nobodies business, which it isn't, dad!
While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade on June 24th.
Abortion is a basic healthcare need for the millions of people who can become pregnant. Everyone should have the freedom to decide what’s best for themselves and their families, including when it comes to ending a pregnancy. This decision has dire consequences for individual health and safety, and could have harsh repercussions for other landmark decisions.
2002 - 25th Hour
Thursday, June 8, 2023 • Duration 01:58:13
Movie of the Year: 200225th Hour
Can 25th Hour capture the title of our 2002 Movie of the Year?
25th Hour may be a bit of a forgotten gem of 2002, but it is a gem nonetheless. With Rosario Dawson, Edward Norton, Philip Seymore Hoffman, and Barry "That's-Right-It's-Me" Pepper, the movie has star power to burn. And when your motion picture is directed by one Mr. Spike Lee, you are going to get the Taste Buds' attention.
We focus on both Lee and Norton in this episode, giving each a segment. And you couldn't talk about this movie without reckoning with the impact 9/11 had on its production and general vibe, so we take the opportunity to reminisce about how pop culture in general processed 9/11.
Of course, no discussion of this film would be complete without a little time spent talking about gross dudes [Can someone (else) figure out how to make it play "Let's Hear It for the Boys" here??-Greg]. Is this movie celebrating them? Excoriating them? We break it down! We break down so many things!
While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade on June 24th.
Abortion is a basic healthcare need for the millions of people who can become pregnant. Everyone should have the freedom to decide what’s best for themselves and their families, including when it comes to ending a pregnancy. This decision has dire consequences for individual health and safety, and could have harsh repercussions for other landmark decisions.
Related Shows Based on Content Similarities
Discover shows related to Movie of the Year, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
Perfect for anyone who loves pop culture, nostalgia, or music history, this is one of the most fun Movie of the Year episodes yet.
Subscribe now to follow the rest of the 1999 season and never miss a beat.
Movie of the Year: 1999 Mixtape – streaming now on all podcast platforms.
The Birdcage
One of the most spirited conversations in the episode centers on whether The Birdcage works because of its individual elements—such as the writing, performances, and production design—or because those elements merge into something greater. The hosts highlight iconic scenes like the chaotic dinner party and the nightclub sequences to show how the film achieves synergy between script, performance, and direction.
Beyond its sharp humor, The Birdcage asks deep questions about identity, authenticity, and acceptance. The hosts analyze the tension between performance and reality, especially in the context of Armand and Val’s relationship, and explore how characters navigate the pressures of conformity and family expectations. This section connects the film to broader philosophical ideas about the meaning of life, love, and self-expression.
A Reel Of Our Own
Joining the discussion is film critic Andrea Thompson, founder of A Reel Of Our Own, a platform dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices in film. Andrea brings a fresh critical perspective to the episode, exploring how The Birdcage portrays queer identity with compassion, nuance, and humor. She also discusses the film’s lasting influence on LGBTQ+ media and its place in queer film history.
The Birdcage
The podcast team revisits The Birdcage in the context of modern media, asking how it compares to today’s LGBTQ+ representation in shows like Pose, Heartstopper, and Schitt’s Creek. They consider whether the film’s humor and themes still resonate, and how evolving cultural attitudes around gender, sexuality, and drag performance affect its legacy in 2024.
The Birdcage
In their closing thoughts, the hosts reflect on The Birdcage as a comedy that’s more than just funny. With a tight script, sincere performances, and sharp direction, the film remains a vital piece of LGBTQ+ cinema and a smart, heartfelt portrait of family and identity. For longtime fans and new viewers alike, The Birdcage offers both laughter and insight, proving its relevance decades after its release.
Abortion is a basic healthcare need for the millions of people who can become pregnant. Everyone should have the freedom to decide what’s best for themselves and their families, including when it comes to ending a pregnancy. This decision has dire consequences for individual health and safety, and could have harsh repercussions for other landmark decisions.
Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans. Even if you live in a state where abortion rights are upheld, access to safe medical procedures shouldn’t be determined by location, and it shouldn’t be the privilege of a small few.
You can help by donating to local abortion funds. To find out where to donate for each state, visit donations4abortion.com.
If you or someone you know needs help, or if you want to get more involved, here are 5 resources:
2. Don’t Ban Equality is a campaign for companies to take a stand against abortion restrictions.
3. Abortion.cafe has information about where to find clinics.
4. PlanCPills.org provides early at-home abortion pills that you can keep in your medicine cabinet. And five.
5. Choice.crd.co has a collection of these resources and more.
You can also find links to all of these resources and more info at podvoices.help
Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans. Even if you live in a state where abortion rights are upheld, access to safe medical procedures shouldn’t be determined by location, and it shouldn’t be the privilege of a small few.
You can help by donating to local abortion funds. To find out where to donate for each state, visit donations4abortion.com.
If you or someone you know needs help, or if you want to get more involved, here are 5 resources:
2. Don’t Ban Equality is a campaign for companies to take a stand against abortion restrictions.
3. Abortion.cafe has information about where to find clinics.
4. PlanCPills.org provides early at-home abortion pills that you can keep in your medicine cabinet. And five.
5. Choice.crd.co has a collection of these resources and more.
You can also find links to all of these resources and more info at podvoices.help
Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans. Even if you live in a state where abortion rights are upheld, access to safe medical procedures shouldn’t be determined by location, and it shouldn’t be the privilege of a small few.
You can help by donating to local abortion funds. To find out where to donate for each state, visit donations4abortion.com.
If you or someone you know needs help, or if you want to get more involved, here are 5 resources:
2. Don’t Ban Equality is a campaign for companies to take a stand against abortion restrictions.
3. Abortion.cafe has information about where to find clinics.
4. PlanCPills.org provides early at-home abortion pills that you can keep in your medicine cabinet. And five.
5. Choice.crd.co has a collection of these resources and more.
You can also find links to all of these resources and more info at podvoices.help
Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans. Even if you live in a state where abortion rights are upheld, access to safe medical procedures shouldn’t be determined by location, and it shouldn’t be the privilege of a small few.
You can help by donating to local abortion funds. To find out where to donate for each state, visit donations4abortion.com.
If you or someone you know needs help, or if you want to get more involved, here are 5 resources:
2. Don’t Ban Equality is a campaign for companies to take a stand against abortion restrictions.
3. Abortion.cafe has information about where to find clinics.
4. PlanCPills.org provides early at-home abortion pills that you can keep in your medicine cabinet. And five.
5. Choice.crd.co has a collection of these resources and more.
You can also find links to all of these resources and more info at podvoices.help
Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans. Even if you live in a state where abortion rights are upheld, access to safe medical procedures shouldn’t be determined by location, and it shouldn’t be the privilege of a small few.
You can help by donating to local abortion funds. To find out where to donate for each state, visit donations4abortion.com.
If you or someone you know needs help, or if you want to get more involved, here are 5 resources:
2. Don’t Ban Equality is a campaign for companies to take a stand against abortion restrictions.
3. Abortion.cafe has information about where to find clinics.
4. PlanCPills.org provides early at-home abortion pills that you can keep in your medicine cabinet. And five.
5. Choice.crd.co has a collection of these resources and more.
You can also find links to all of these resources and more info at podvoices.help
Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans. Even if you live in a state where abortion rights are upheld, access to safe medical procedures shouldn’t be determined by location, and it shouldn’t be the privilege of a small few.
You can help by donating to local abortion funds. To find out where to donate for each state, visit donations4abortion.com.
If you or someone you know needs help, or if you want to get more involved, here are 5 resources:
2. Don’t Ban Equality is a campaign for companies to take a stand against abortion restrictions.
3. Abortion.cafe has information about where to find clinics.
4. PlanCPills.org provides early at-home abortion pills that you can keep in your medicine cabinet. And five.
5. Choice.crd.co has a collection of these resources and more.
You can also find links to all of these resources and more info at podvoices.help
Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans. Even if you live in a state where abortion rights are upheld, access to safe medical procedures shouldn’t be determined by location, and it shouldn’t be the privilege of a small few.
You can help by donating to local abortion funds. To find out where to donate for each state, visit donations4abortion.com.
If you or someone you know needs help, or if you want to get more involved, here are 5 resources:
