The Playlist Podcast Network

Hawkeye has a bit of a stigma in comics and in the MCU. He’s the dude that shoots arrows. He’s not a god. He’s not a super-soldier. And he doesn’t have a billion-dollar suit of armor protecting him. He has three kids, a wife, and a quiver of trick arrows. That’s all. Well, he also has a new Disney+ TV series, aptly titled, “Hawkeye.” And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, we got a chance to speak with Rhys Thomas, one of the directors of “Hawkeye,” to talk about what makes the archer such a great MCU character.

After many Thanksgivings spent recording supersized podcast episodes, Noah and Chance finally do the sensible thing and just cover films about Turkey Day itself. The trio of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987), “Home For The Holidays” (1995) and “The Ice Storm” (1997) explores the great lengths to which families go to gather, despite cornucopias of evidence that perhaps they shouldn’t. To all those surviving delayed flights and cooking for too many people this year, this one’s for you.

Benedict Cumberbatch has a real knack for playing unique, oftentimes misunderstood egomaniacs. Whether it’s Doctor Strange, Sherlock Holmes, Patrick Melrose, Julian Assange, or Khan, the actor finds a way to ground his oftentimes sociopathic characters in a real emotional truth. Enter, Phil Burbank, Cumberbatch's character from the upcoming Netflixfilm, “The Power of the Dog” – and a whole new level of depraved bully that the actor had to find a way to humanize. In this episode of The Discourse, Benedict Cumberbatch talks all about bringing his latest Oscar-worthy performance to life, and by going “method,” no less.

The Yellowstoners have returned to get high on that sweet Montana ranchin’ drama! This week Mike DeAngelo and Rodrigo Perez check in on the latest episode of "Yellowstone" entitled, “All I See Is You,” which follows our beloved Dutton crew still reeling from the aftermath of the attempted hit that was placed on the family at the end of last season. Will John Dutton get to the bottom of who gave the order for the hit? Will Jimmy become a man? Will Jamie even show up? Will Beth and Rip mess their newly semi-adopted kid up so badly that he murders the entire cast? Episode 3 does nothing but deepen those questions – and perhaps raise more questions.

When you log into Disney+, you’re typically greeted by huge banners and ads for the latest, greatest releases from popular brands like Marvel Studios, “Star Wars,” Pixar, and whatever is coming out of Disney Animation. But what you might not see are the films and TV shows that lurk in the bowels of the streaming platform—hidden gems ready to be found and enjoyed. In this episode of The Playlist Podcast, we grab our gear and go spelunking through the depths of Disney+.

Netflix has decided to step into the blockbuster business, and it's spending all the money. Well, $200 million to be more exact. The film it's spending it on is a globe-trotting action comedy titled, “Red Notice,” which stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds. In this episode of The Discourse, writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber joins the podcast to discuss helming the streamer’s latest foray into blockbuster moviemaking.

The names Kaz Firpo and Ryan Firpo are probably not names you recognize right off the bat. But somehow, these relatively unknown screenwriters were able to land one of most sought-after gigs scripting one of the biggest films of 2021, Marvel Studios' “Eternals.” And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, the writing duo talks about their incredible “Hollywood dream story” and some spoiler-y tidbits about the creation of “Eternals.”

Welcome to "Yellowstoners," a new podcast from The Playlist Podcast Network dedicated to the one and only "Yellowstone," Paramount Network's most-watched show and the most popular drama series on cable TV. Surprised we watch, and care enough to do a whole podcast dedicated to "Yellowstone?" Well, so were we. But the cowboy ranchers in Montana show is pretty damn addictive, y'all.  Created by macho Mid-Westerner writer/director/showrunner Taylor Sheridan ("Sicario," "Hell Or High Water"), the appeal of "Yellowstone" feels head-scratching until you figure out the gist of it. It's essentially "The Godfather" set in Montana or a Mid-Western version of "Succession." So that means, family empires, dynasty, greed, money, struggle for power and control within the moral milieu of trying to navigate family while you also cross criminal lines you can't uncross. There's a cost on the soul and a cost on the family. "Yellowstone" is also a little bit of "Breaking Bad" in that sense (the cross between family and crime and how the two never mix) and "Game Of Thrones," (everyone trying to claim the throne of power). Only on this show, like "Succession," Kevin Costner and the Dutton family already sit on the throne, but every single day, there is some kind of contender trying to get their main prize title: the precious and lucrative land they own. Sheridan's films and TV series are always about men in their environments and how the environments shape the men who live in them. In "Wind River," set in Wyoming, it's a cruel and merciless environment of freezing temperatures and hostile weather that makes for a milieu of cruel humanity around it. In Sheridan's upcoming series, "The Mayor of Kingstown," it's the prison industrial complex of Michigan, and the limitations it places on a town with no other hope, that informs the men there. And in "Yellowstone," it's nostalgic men and family trying to hold onto the legacy of what they own and trying to fight against the progress around them that wants to dismantle that old cowboy way of life.  "Yellowstone" ain't perfect, but it's got a terrific cast and it's super watchable and intriguing. From here on out, we should be plodding about every episode. But in this debut episode, we break down what "Yellowstone" is for newbs, what the appeal is,  and dig a little deeper into the season four premiere that debuted recently on Paramount Network. 

A new Marvel movie is upon us – and the drama is high! “Eternals,” the third film in Marvel’s Phase Four and 26th (!!!) overall, releases today and it’s already causing a good amount of debate between critics and fans alike. Is this another Marvel hit? Is this Marvel’s first big miss? On this episode of The Playlist Podcast, host Mike DeAngelo is joined by Jeff Zhang of Strange Harbors to talk about those very questions and so much more.

Edgar Wright has made a career of mashing up genres and bringing an absurd level of energy and charm to his films like “Shaun of the Dead,” “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World,” and “Baby Driver.” In this episode of The Discourse, Edgar Wright and writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns join host Mike DeAngelo to talk about doing a straight-up, wicked thriller in “Last Night in Soho,” which is in theaters now.