

The MovieFilm Podcast
Zaki Hasan & Brian Hall
Join film critic Zaki Hasan and television writer Brian Hall as they engage in hilarious and insightful conversations on all the latest out of Hollywood, including news, reviews, and interviews with some of the biggest names in movies!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 20, 2025 • 16min
Bonus Show: Supergirl & Disclosure Day Trailers
Here are some thoughts on the first trailers for 2026's superhero opus SUPERGIRL and Steven Spielberg's alien invasion pic DISCLOSURE DAY. Plus: What is JIMMY? And the joys of physical media.Listen ad-free at Patreon: https://patreon.com/MovieFilmPodcast

Dec 20, 2025 • 2h 18min
Ep. 332: Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron's latest AVATAR epic is now in theates, and we have plenty of thoughts on FIRE AND ASH in this super-sized episode! Plus: The Oscars move to YouTube! Remembering Rob Reiner and Gil Gerard! Listener Letters! Much more!Listen ad-free at Patreon: https://patreon.com/MovieFilmPodcast

Dec 12, 2025 • 2h 51min
Commentary Track: Avatar
(00:00:00) Setting the Stage for the Avatar Commentary
(00:02:49) Revisiting the Box Office Behemoth's Cultural Impact
(00:06:18) Analyzing the Opening and Jake's Character Development
(00:10:08) Why Avatar Demands a Big Screen Experience
(00:12:30) The Unforgettable Villain and Immersive Pandora Experience
(00:19:31) The Film's Enduring Message on Nature and Youth
(00:25:57) Assessing Avatar's Visuals and Key Performances
(00:28:51) The 'Avatar' Title and James Horner's Enduring Music
(00:39:01) Inside Cameron's Meticulous World-Building and Filmmaking
(00:51:12) The 48 FPS Controversy and Jake's Character Arc
(00:58:13) Crafting the Na'vi Language and Neytiri's Portrayal
(01:04:47) Unpacking Cut Scenes and the Legacy of 3D Cinema
(01:15:52) The Ikran Scene and Avatar's Narrative Roots
(01:20:11) Examining Hollywood's Originality and Avatar's Tropes
(01:23:30) The Emotional Weight of Pandora's Destruction
(01:31:37) The Villain's Role and the 'Unobtainium' Debate
(01:38:47) Avatar's Environmentalism and Realistic Cinematography
(01:47:27) The Power of Performance Capture in Avatar
(01:55:00) James Cameron's Activism and Immersive Universe
(02:04:37) The Power of Fandom and Human Connection
(02:11:37) From Abyss to Avatar: Cinematic Evolution
(02:15:38) Cameron's Vision: Tech, Al, and Sci-Fi History
(02:23:01) The Emotional Battle and Performance Capture's Artistry
(02:32:56) SNL's Papyrus Sketch and Cameron's Editing Decisions
(02:41:08) Reflecting on Avatar's Unprecedented Box Office Legacy
(02:48:33) Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement
The MovieFilm boys traveled to Pandora for their latest commentary track, settling in for an in-depth talk-through of James Cameron's AVATAR! With the latest Na'vi sequel around the corner, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit the 2009 box office behemoth and see how well it stands the test of time!Listen ad-free at Patreon: https://patreon.com/MovieFilmPodcast

Dec 6, 2025 • 2h 2min
Ep. 331: Netflix Buys WB?
(00:00:00) Reflecting on a Good Year for Movies
(00:03:00) Tim Robinson's Chair Company and Binge-Watching Debates
(00:08:50) Mixed Feelings on the Wicked Sequel
(00:12:13) Nuanced Human Drama in Sentimental Value
(00:17:59) Brendan Fraser's Sweet Dramedy, Rental Family
(00:23:15) Zootopia 2: A Solid and Iconic Sequel
(00:26:37) The Final Season's Popularity and Mythology
(00:35:20) The Importance of Googling Pop Culture Facts
(00:42:38) Moana's Popularity and Filmmaking Nostalgia
(00:45:38) The Evolving Look of Movies and Modern Gems
(00:55:57) Our Favorite Holiday Films and New Classics
(00:58:57) The Decline and Evolution of TV Opening Credits
(01:03:14) The Enduring Power of Timeless Cinema
(01:07:35) A Tribute to an Iconic Character Actor
(01:10:43) Quentin Tarantino's Insufferable Comments on Actors
(01:18:29) Donald Trump's Push for Rush Hour 4
(01:28:33) Vin Diesel's Ego and Fast & Furious Future
(01:39:13) The Future of Theatrical Releases Under Netflix
(01:53:56) The 50th Anniversary of Star Wars in Theaters
(02:00:44) Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement 02:00:44 ...
The big news this week is Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. and we have thoughts and details on this seismic news! Plus: FAST & FURIOUS problems, Donald Trump wants RUSH HOUR 4, Quentin Tarantino is a jerk, and much more! Listen ad-free at Patreon: https://patreon.com/MovieFilmPodcast

Nov 28, 2025 • 2h 18min
Commentary Track: GoldenEye
(00:00:00) GoldenEye's 30th Anniversary and Bond's Evolution
(00:06:03) Diving into GoldenEye: Opening Logos, Bungee Jump, Music
(00:10:33) Pierce Brosnan's Journey and GoldenEye's Title Origin
(00:21:21) Xenia Onatopp, ‘90s Tropes, and Movie Pacing
(00:33:09) MI6, Cameos, and the Bond Identity Debate
(00:45:56) GoldenEye's Lasting Effects and Bond's Reinvention
(00:55:00) Q's Legacy, Felix Leiter, and Bond's Elastic Timeline
(01:14:48) Trevelyan's Betrayal, Helicopter Escape, and GoldenEye 64
(01:26:50) Campbell's Action Direction and Bond's Product Placement
(01:44:17) Pacing Issues, Xenia's Demise, and Trevelyan's Motivations
(01:56:55) Pen Bomb, Satellite Dish Battle, and Movie Tropes
(02:12:43) GoldenEye's Enduring Impact and Podcast Wrap-up
The James Bond opus GOLDENEYE turns 30 this month and we thought it was a perfect time to revisit fan fave Pierce Brosnan's 007 debut! Listen separately or watch along as we talk through the 1995 smash directed by Martin Campbell and examine if it still leaves us shaken and stirred!Listen ad-free at Patreon: https://patreon.com/MovieFilmPodcast

Nov 21, 2025 • 2h 6min
Ep. 330: The Running Man / Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
(00:00:00) Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein: Book vs. Screen & Flat Visuals
(00:15:42) Vince Gilligan's Pluribus and Lanthimos's Bugonia
(00:25:50) The Loss of Monoculture and Media Enshittification
(00:35:57) Listener Letters: Back to the Future, Comfort Media, and VR
(00:50:34) The Binge-Watching Problem with Stranger Things
(00:57:12) The Michael Jackson Biopic: Legacy, Controversy, and Impact
(01:15:10) Moana Live-Action Remake: Too Soon and CGI Concerns
(01:23:33) Edgar Wright's The Running Man: A Flawed but Engaging Remake
(01:41:51) Glenn Powell's SNL Success and Al's Deceptive Reality
(01:46:15) The Charming Return of the Horsemen in Now You See Me
(02:02:59) Listener Engagement, Patreon, and Podcast Plugs
THE RUNNING MAN and the latest NOW YOU SEE ME heist are currently sitting atop the box office, and we have plenty of reactions to both! Plus: Listener Letters, thoughts on the trailer for the Michael Jackson bio and Disney's MOANA live action remake, and much more! Listen ad-free at Patreon: https://patreon.com/MovieFilmPodcast

Nov 14, 2025 • 1h 46min
Commentary Track: The Running Man (1987)
(00:00:00) Commentary Track: The Running Man (1987)
(00:05:41) Adapting Ben Richards: Book vs. Schwarzenegger's Screen Persona
(00:12:09) The Troubled Production and Stephen King's Pseudonym
(00:17:35) From Matte Paintings to Dystopian Reality: The Film's Foresight
(00:26:42) Richard Dawson's Performance and Classic 80s Movie Tropes
(00:35:12) From Running Man to American Gladiators: The Evolution of Game Show Violence
(00:54:53) Memorable Stalkers, 80s Zingers, and Practical Action Effects
(01:13:25) The Film's Dystopian Realities and Political Foreshadowing
(01:27:00) Unpacking the Deep Fake Reveal and Media Manipulation
(01:36:59) The Film's Climax, Legacy, and Podcast Wrap-up
It's time to start running! With the new adaptation of Stephen King's THE RUNNING MAN in theaters now, we thought it was the perfect time to go back and talk through the original 1987 screen version starring Arnold Schwarzenegger! Listen separately or watch along as we share behind-the-scenes stories and lots of laughs along the way!Listen ad-free at Patreon: https://patreon.com/MovieFilmPodcast

Nov 7, 2025 • 1h 45min
Ep. 329: Predator: Badlands
(00:00:00) Welcome to the Show: Patreon Benefits and Episode Kickoff
(00:00:48) Diving into Predator: Badlands and Box Office Buzz
(00:09:10) Popcorn Buckets, Classic Horror, and Back to the Future Magic
(00:21:06) Aziz Ansari's Good Fortune and Mid-Budget Film Struggles
(00:26:20) The Enduring Appeal of Heist Movies and Now You See Me's Legacy
(00:35:25) Why Disney Rejected the Kylo Ren Film and Star Wars' Future
(00:49:14) The Future of Star Trek Beyond the Kelvin Timeline Films
(00:57:46) Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Back for a New Mummy Film
(01:06:14) Is Gremlins 3 a Good Idea or Just Studio Speculation?
(01:16:11) Exploring the Unique Narrative and Effects of Predator: Badlands
(01:33:12) Analyzing Predator: Badlands' Plot Nuances and Franchise Potential
(01:41:35) Final Thoughts, Listener Engagement, and Podcast Support
The MovieFilm boys are back with an in-depth discussion of PREDATOR: BADLANDS, the 8th entry in Fox's alien hunter series! Plus: Disney's kiboshed Kylo Ren film, new MUMMY and GREMLINS sequels on the way, but no more trekking for the cast of J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK films! All that and much more!Listen ad-free at Patreon: https://patreon.com/MovieFilmPodcast

Oct 31, 2025 • 1h 16min
Commentary Track: The Wolf Man (1941)
(00:00:00) Happy Halloween and Wolfman Commentary Introduction
(00:03:03) Unpacking Lon Chaney Jr's Iconic Wolfman Role
(00:05:50) From Larry Gill to the Sympathetic Wolfman
(00:11:03) Siodmak's Template for Werewolf Lore
(00:17:58) Universal Monsters: From Prestige to Crossover
(00:22:24) Jack Pierce's Enduring Influence on Monster Design
(00:27:50) Escapism and Audience Reaction in 1941
(00:34:32) The Nuanced Father-Son Relationship
(00:42:58) The Art of The Wolf Man’s On-Screen Transformation
(00:50:31) From Monster to Good Guy: The Wolf Man’s Journey
(00:59:31) From Gypsy Lore to Modern Monster Toys
(01:09:20) The Wolf Man's Poignant Ending and Legacy
Happy Halloween! Celebrate the season by listening to our commentary track for 1941's THE WOLF MAN, one of the crown jewels of Universal's Classic Monsters era! Lots of trivia and laughs as we talk through the chiller starring the iconic Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot. Needless to say, we hope to have you howling by the time it's done!Listen ad-free at Patreon: https://patreon.com/MovieFilmPodcast

Oct 25, 2025 • 1h 48min
Commentary Track: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
For our latest commentary track, the MovieFilm boys are talking through 2005's KISS KISS BANG BANG. Directed by Shane Black and starring Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer, the hilarious crime caper is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week, and we have plenty of thoughts on why this overlooked gem is worthy of some Christmas cheer!Listen ad-free at Patreon: https://patreon.com/MovieFilmPodcast


