Best Film Ever

“Bayan o sarili?” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam – as we ride into revolution and betrayal in our 285th episode, tackling the powerful, patriotic, and provocative Heneral Luna (2015). We’re later joined by BFF of the BFE Juleen, as we trade chequered flags for sabres and cigar smoke while we discuss: Ian shares a personal story about how his perspective on film shifted dramatically this week—and why Heneral Luna hit harder than expected. We talk about rediscovering old hobbies and how sometimes history—and a great movie—can reignite forgotten passions. We’ve got some big BFE cast news to share—don’t worry, no one got court-martialed. Was Antonio Luna an epic figure… but a deeply unlikeable man? We break down the myth and the man. At what point do patriotism and ego diverge—especially in military leadership? And how much of Luna’s downfall was self-inflicted? Why is this vital and volatile chapter of Filipino history completely absent from most American history books? Juleen joins us with powerful insights from her time living in Southern California and how Heneral Luna resonates against today’s shifting political tides. Our Rodecaster decides to go full rebellion, jumping ship mid-episode—more than once. What’s with all the Jesus imagery? From framing to posture to betrayal, Luna doesn’t hold back. One scene left Ian absolutely gobsmacked—he didn’t see it coming, and we’re still picking our jaws off the floor. Why did troop movements in this film feel like Season 8 of Game of Thrones? Can we get a map? Are Americans great marksmen… or hilariously awful? And what made standing up in battle a form of actual camouflage? Whether Heneral Luna is the Best Film Ever—or just the best film you’ve never heard of. Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE. We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support: Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM Hermes Auslander James DeGuzman Synthia Shai Bergerfroind Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most Andy Dickson Chris Pedersen Duane Smith (Duane Smith!) Randal Silva Nate The Great Rev Bruce Cheezy (with a fish on a bike) Richard Ryan Kuketz Dirk Diggler Stew from the Stew World Order podcast NorfolkDomus John Humphrey's Right Foot Timmy Tim Tim Aashrey Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/. Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor. Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

“The closer you are to death, the more alive you feel.” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam – as we rev the engines, grip the wheel, and go full throttle into our 284th episode with a look at Ron Howard’s high-octane drama Rush (2013). We’re trading poisoned apples for podium finishes as we dive into one of Formula 1’s greatest real-life rivalries: What is it about films that explore the pursuit of greatness that gets our hearts racing every time? We break down why stories with duelling personalities—like Hunt and Lauda—are so compelling, especially when each sees themselves reflected in the other. What elements of the true story were changed, streamlined, or dialled up to eleven for cinematic effect? Ian and Liam try to figure out which one of them is the reckless playboy and which is the meticulous technician… and it gets uncomfortable quickly. We talk about the power of respect over friendship, the blurred lines between envy and admiration, and why this film might be Ron Howard’s unsung masterpiece. Whether Rush is the Best Film Ever—or just one hell of a ride worth taking. Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE. We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support: Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM Hermes Auslander James DeGuzman Synthia Shai Bergerfroind Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most Andy Dickson Chris Pedersen Duane Smith (Duane Smith!) Randal Silva Nate The Great Rev Bruce Cheezy (with a fish on a bike) Richard Ryan Kuketz Dirk Diggler Stew from the Stew World Order podcast NorfolkDomus John Humphrey's Right Foot Timmy Tim Tim Aashrey Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/. Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor. Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

“So long… partner.” Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam – as we stare mortality, memory, and molten doom right in the eye in our 283rd episode, covering Pixar’s emotional rollercoaster Toy Story 3 (2010). We’re trading poisoned apples for daycare drama and incinerator trauma as we ask whether this trilogy-closer really is the perfect goodbye: We are so very thankful for a new piece of kit that limited our downtime this week We talk about why Toy Story 3 might just be the best third act in any trilogy ever. Ian reflects on the passage of time, growing up, and how Pixar weaponised emotion in the final 20 minutes. Liam bravely tries to hold it together during that incinerator scene—and that goodbye with Andy. Is Lotso one of Pixar’s greatest villains and what is it about him that Liam hates so much but Ian loves so much? We talk about daycare as dystopia, Big Baby as horror icon, why Mr. Pricklepants deserved more screen time and who exactly is watching these kids at the daycare? Why does this hit so hard for adults? Is it just about toys—or everything we leave behind? Ian breaks down the film’s narrative structure and how it perfectly mirrors growing up and letting go. Whether Toy Story 3 is the Best Film Ever—or just the most emotionally devastating G-rated film of all time. Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE. We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support: Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM Hermes Auslander James DeGuzman Synthia Shai Bergerfroind Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most Andy Dickson Chris Pedersen Duane Smith (Duane Smith!) Randal Silva Nate The Great Rev Bruce Cheezy (with a fish on a bike) Richard Ryan Kuketz Dirk Diggler Stew from the Stew World Order podcast NorfolkDomus John Humphrey's Right Foot Timmy Tim Tim Aashrey Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/. Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor. Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

“Happy anniversary, baby.” Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting trio – Ian, Liam & Megs (Kev's taking care of some issues in Atlanta) – as we lock and load for our 282nd episode, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Doug Liman’s bullet-riddled marital meltdown Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005). We’re trading treasure maps and Pepsi product placement for high-tech arsenals and awkward couples therapy as we discuss: At what point exactly did Brad Pitt's & Angelina Jolie's respective existing marriages become doomed The world of super spies and just how deep your cover has to be before you forget who you're actually married to. We get a guest review from a parent of a podcaster this week—they've certainly chosen a side Do our respective genders guarantee a same-gender allegiance or is it up for grabs One of us struggles to accept the film’s central conceit (spoiler: it involves assassins, suburbs, and how you manage to create your respective weapons stashes). How this film caused a minor international incident  We ask the big question: Was Brad Pitt a character actor trapped in a movie star’s body all along? What’s wrong with the narrative pacing—and why does it feel like the film ran out of bullets before the third act? We dive into the ongoing conversation around gender pay equality, especially when both leads aren't marquee stars. Is this a great film or just a very stylish couples' argument with body count. How much mediocrity can great chemistry overcome Whether Mr. & Mrs. Smith is the Best Film Ever Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE. We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support: Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM Hermes Auslander James DeGuzman Synthia Shai Bergerfroind Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most Andy Dickson Chris Pedersen Duane Smith (Duane Smith!) Randal Silva Nate The Great Rev Bruce Cheezy (with a fish on a bike) Richard Ryan Kuketz Dirk Diggler Stew from the Stew World Order podcast NorfolkDomus John Humphrey's Right Foot Timmy Tim Tim Aashrey Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/. Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor. Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

FIRST 23:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict AFTER 23:00: Full Spoiler Review It’s another Sunday edition of See It or Skip It and this time Ian is flying solo to crane-kick his way through Karate Kid: Legends (2025), the latest legacy sequel to join the dojo of long-dormant franchises getting a fresh coat of wax. But did we really need another Karate Kid movie? Ian’s here to break down whether this spiritual sequel finds balance or just breaks the board. Does Legends honour the conventions we expect from a Karate Kid film—training montages, tournaments, and that moment of quiet wisdom from a mentor—or does it skip straight to a breakneck pace that leaves the heart of the series behind? What should a legacy sequel accomplish in its first outing? Is this film content to lean on nostalgia, or does it earn its place in the Karate Kid canon? Ian explores whether the new characters bring something meaningful to the dojo or if they’re just here to bow respectfully and cash in. All this and more in this week’s See It or Skip It review of Karate Kid: Legends—and of course, Ian lets you know if you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

“Goonies never say die!” Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, KevDog & Megs – with a surprise zipline call-in from Georgia – as we hunt for treasure, dodge booby traps, and argue over coastal real estate law in our 281st episode covering the beloved ‘80s adventure The Goonies (1985). We’re trading poisoned apples for pirate maps and Baby Ruth bars as we discuss: Why Ian still can’t remember androgynous character names—and what that means for Andy and the podcast’s collective patience. We get into a surprisingly spirited debate over what foreclosure actually means (and how much Spielberg economics we're willing to accept). What’s the real tragedy behind the film’s stunning set design—and the moment it all went poof. Which young actor accidentally ruined an iconic shot… and whether Spielberg ever truly forgave him. We get honest about Chunk, fat shaming, and how watching it through a 2025 lens left some of us feeling a little queasy. We go over some podcast metrics, because if the Fratellis can chase gold, we can at least check our download stats. Who far outpunches his small role in the cast—and who far outkicked his coverage romantically (we’re actually not looking at Brand). Kev’s brought along some exotic treats (if you’re English), and reactions range from delighted to deflated. Someone (take a guess) tries to do some serious heavy lifting to make the central treasure-hunting plot actually make sense. Ian gives what he thinks is a masterclass in narrative construction and points out where The Goonies missed a few easy wins (even with pirate ships involved). Whether The Goonies is the Best Film Ever. Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE. We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support: Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM Hermes Auslander James DeGuzman Synthia Shai Bergerfroind Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most Andy Dickson Chris Pedersen Duane Smith (Duane Smith!) Randal Silva Nate The Great Rev Bruce Cheezy (with a fish on a bike) Richard Ryan Kuketz Dirk Diggler Stew from the Stew World Order podcast NorfolkDomus John Humphrey's Right Foot Timmy Tim Tim Aashrey Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/. Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor. Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

“Here’s Johnny!” Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting duo – Ian & Liam (with Megs checking in later once she arrives from Florida) – as we snowmobile into the Overlook Hotel for our 280th episode (B-Tech Kev's not here. Doesn't he get that all work and no play make Kev a dull boy?) and crack open Stanley Kubrick’s psychological horror masterpiece The Shining (1980). We’re trading ditching the swim team for haunted hallways and axing our way through one of the most iconic films ever made as we discuss: Liam talks far too much about a film that we're not reviewing today (but what else is new?). We correct a few political misnomers from last week, because facts matter—especially when ghosts are listening. Ian talks about the passing of George Wendt; Liam, not to be outdone, imagines the hypothetical passing of one of his heroes. Megs joins us and delivers a full-on mini-episode as she trials her new sidepod and recounts her real-life triumph over the forces of nature. We debate whether Jack Nicholson is giving a genuinely strong performance… or just letting his charisma do all the heavy lifting. Is there causality in this story—or is it all just vibes? And if there isn’t, shouldn’t that break the movie? Ian reveals who he’s in good company with on this one—and who he most certainly is not. Ian also explains the origin of the iconic “Here’s Johnny!” line to, well… everyone. Ian asks if this movie is trying to cram two different horror movies into one Liam swears this isn't a horror movie and the boys try to come up with a list of what makes a film a horror film Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE. We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support: Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM Hermes Auslander James DeGuzman Synthia Shai Bergerfroind Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most Andy Dickson Chris Pedersen Duane Smith (Duane Smith!) Randal Silva Nate The Great Rev Bruce Cheezy (with a fish on a bike) Richard Ryan Kuketz Dirk Diggler Stew from the Stew World Order podcast NorfolkDomus John Humphrey's Right Foot Timmy Tim Tim Aashrey Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/. Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor. Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

It’s another edition of See It or Skip It and this time Ian and Liam are tackling Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning (2025), the explosive (and supposedly final?) chapter in Ethan Hunt’s death-defying saga. Does Tom Cruise still deliver jaw-dropping stunts and spy-thriller spectacle—or is the mission starting to show its age? If it is the end, is this truly a satisfying send-off for the franchise, or are we looking at Fast & Furious–style diminishing returns? Has the series said everything it has to say—or is there still life in the IMF yet? Is the plot compelling, or just another excuse to jump off a mountain with a briefcase? Do the emotional stakes hit as hard as the explosions? And most importantly—how many masks is too many masks? Ian and Liam break down the set pieces, the pacing, the performances, and whether Final Reckoning delivers on nearly 30 years of buildup—or if it’s time for Ethan Hunt to finally accept that some missions really are impossible. All that and more in this week’s See It or Skip It—and then they tell you whether you should SEE IT or SKIP IT.

“Give her the goddamn [microphone], Conrad!” Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian & Liam (Megs and B-Tech Kev have headed off to Houston) – as we dive deep into the murky waters of grief, guilt, and WASP repression for our 289th episode, covering Robert Redford’s directorial debut Ordinary People (1980). We’re joined by BFF of the BFE: Ariannah (Who Loves BFE the Most™), as we trade poisoned apples for therapy sessions and take a long, quiet look at the cracks beneath the perfect family portrait as we discuss: How Ordinary People took the 1980 Oscars by storm  Does the film’s quiet intensity still hit home—or has its reserved style become a relic of another era? Is Conrad a deeply sympathetic protagonist—or a mirror too uncomfortable to look into? How Ordinary People explores mental health, emotional repression, and the cold war between appearance and authenticity. Would the film still work today or have we successfully de-stigmatized mental health, trauma, and therapy? Which character we most relate to – and does that change  Where Mary Tyler Moore lands in the pantheon of dramatic performances. And what’s someone's major gripe with her character’s arc? Speaking of gripes—can we talk about that family photo scene? We’ve got questions about golf sweaters, family breakfast tension, and how much pain can hide behind tickets to Michigan State We get personal about how Ordinary People affected us—and whether we saw ourselves in any of its emotional breakdowns. We talk quiet power, redemptive silence, and the importance of just… being there for someone. Whether Ordinary People is the Best Film Ever. Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.   We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support: Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM Hermes Auslander James DeGuzman Synthia Shai Bergerfroind Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most Andy Dickson Chris Pedersen Duane Smith (Duane Smith!) Randal Silva Nate The Great Rev Bruce Cheezy (with a fish on a bike) Richard Ryan Kuketz Dirk Diggler Stew from the Stew World Order podcast NorfolkDomus John Humphrey's Right Foot Timmy Tim Tim Aashrey Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/. Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor. Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/.

“On the BFE, nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass.” Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam & Megs (Kev’s stuck in traffic... literally) – as we collide head-on with our 270th episode, diving into the Oscar-winning ensemble drama Crash (2004). We’re trading poisoned apples for tangled fender benders and uncomfortable conversations as we discuss: How Crash sparked intense debate in 2004 and controversially drove off with Best Picture. Does the film still resonate 20 years later—or has its commentary aged as awkwardly as some of its dialogue? Is Crash a powerful mirror to society… or a heavy-handed lecture? How Crash explores race, prejudice, guilt, and the unseen connections that bind us. Which character’s arc hit us hardest – and which character has multiple members of the BFE auditioning for the role? Is Crash misunderstood genius—or awards bait that tricked us all? Where the film sits among Best Picture winners. And what’s our biggest gripe with its storytelling choices? Which characters does the film tell us to forgive - and do we? Speaking of gripes—do any of these characters actually change? We get personal about when we first saw Crash, and how our take on the film has evolved over time (or crashed and burned). We talk intense performances, sweeping coincidences, and how this film could only have been made at this exact time Whether Crash is the Best Film Ever. Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE.