This week, Dean and Phil pick up right where they left off … With Dean enjoying the weather in Michigan, Phil in COVID isolation in Los Angeles, and Robert Blake’s Cinefantastique interview about David Lynch’s Lost Highway providing the basis for a “cold open”. The themes of transition, embracing what wants to come forward, emotional intelligence and more get explored deeply in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal-themed discussion doesn’t end there, as Pablo Lorrain’s Princess Diana biopic Spencer goes under the microscope. That just starts the movie talk, though, as after raving about Joanna Hogg and her films The Souvenir and The Souvenir: Part II, Phil previews her new film, a mysterious ghost story, The Eternal Daughter, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Praise gets heaped upon filmmaker Steve McQueen and two of the films he made for his “Small Axe” series available on Prime: Mangrove and Lovers Rock. Finally, Dean and Phil wrap things up by analyzing three comic book movies (and the industry built on comic book movies): Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder, Daniel Espinosa’s Morbius, and Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis (NOT a comic book movie, you say? Just listen – you might change your mind!).

Back on schedule, your friends in podcasting offer up a fun grab bag of audio goodness this week … Dean reports on “Ironfest” and discusses his future “X-Files” convention appearances. Lily Holleman reports live from a film festival in Miami where she is attending the screening of a movie in which she co-stars. Phil is in Los Angeles, of course, where he discusses the revival of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club, a truly bizarre cop film from the 1970’s, and a recent epic movie about a real-life explorer. All that plus Dean and Phil remember both a country music great and a beloved (diminutive) cinematic sidekick.

Dean and Phil are off to Olandar tonight for a special reading of Phil’s new screenplay, but before they go, they’ve checked into the offices to record a special birthday episode. Join Dean in helping Phil celebrate as Phil turns The New 30! Dean also catches us up on the latest adventures filming Rough Hustle on location in Nevada. Dean and Phil discuss the James Bond franchise, the “Star Trek” franchise and Twilight. They also briefly touch on the impending Screen Actors Guild strike. Forgive a few occasional glitches in audio quality during the show. They don’t last long and we promise to get to the bottom of things once we sober up from Phil’s birthday celebrations!