On this week’s show, Dean Haglund is finally using a microphone once again. It makes his audio better, to be certain, but somehow it also manages to create several cameo opportunities for his dogs! Don’t let those moments dissuade you, however, as this week’s show is an utterly fascinating conversation between Dean and his longtime co-host Phil Leirness. They go deep, discussing the potential sale of Warner Bros. to Netflix, the life and legacy of perhaps the greatest American architect of all time, Frank Gehry, and the truly spine-chilling lessons we can learn from the Nazis’ film policy.

Are Dean and Phil filled with the spirit of the holiday season? This week, we will all find out! They certainly are immersed in the spirit of the Hollywood Awards Season and they discuss the top ten films according to critics, and delve into the top films and performances according to the Golden Globes. They do deep dive analyses of two films – one current award hopeful, and one all-time classic from a true giant of cinema. Then, in the return of “Celebrity Deaths”, a world-famous mentalist, and a big-screen comedy hit-maker get remembered.

Phil gets his geek on, discussing such Comic-Con panels as The Expendables, Cowboys and Aliens, The Other Guys, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, and Drive Angry (Shot in 3D). Dean answers questions about that large scar on his forehead, about the seminars the FBI conducts with screenwriters, and about why he says, “Huzzah!” Dean and Phil analyze and debate why cable television has Emmy Award advantages over network television, whether The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra is a good book, and whether the paintings of Da Vinci qualify as art or as propaganda. Taking on Da Vinci? Who, but your friends in podcasting would dare do that?!! Finally, several big movies are discussed: SALT, Inception, Cyrus, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Restrepo.