“Mirror, mirror on the wall...” Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Megs & B-Tech Kev (Liam got lost singing with woodland creatures) – as we take a bite out of Disney’s first-ever animated feature in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). We’re trading in baseball gloves for poisoned apples and diving into our 270th episode as we discuss:

• How Walt Disney changed cinema forever with this groundbreaking fairy tale.

• Does Snow White still hold up nearly a century later?

• Was the magic charming or a little too saccharine for modern tastes?

• How Snow White taps into themes of innocence, envy, and female agency (or lack thereof).

• Which dwarf we’d most likely be cast as – and who’s clearly Grumpy in real life.

• Is this film overrated just because it was “first”?

• How the Evil Queen ranks among the all-time Disney villains. What was our main complaint with her?

• Speaking of complaints, what about the Prince – does he even do anything?

• We've got more questions about sentient animals, and consent.

• We get personal about childhood memories and Disney nostalgia.

• We talk about magical mirrors, glass coffins, and the importance of whistling while you work.

• Whether Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 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/.

"Mo cuishle." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Liam (B-Tech Kev & Megs are off hitting the heavy bag) – as we're heading to The Hit Pit to step into the ring for a tale of grit, heartbreak, and emotional uppercuts in Million Dollar Baby (2004). Your prizefighting pair, Ian and Liam are joined by our own special trainer, BFF of the BFE: Shai Bergerfroind to teach us the ropes of this Clint Eastwood critical darling. We’re trading in our cornfields for boxing gloves and diving into our 271st episode as we discuss:

• How Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, and Morgan Freeman all deliver Oscar-worthy punches.

• Can this movie still pack a punch if you're not a boxing fan?

• Is this a sports movie or another relationship movie using sports as a backdrop?

• Was the emotional KO in the final act earned or below the belt?

• How Million Dollar Baby jabs at themes of ambition, identity, and the cost of chasing glory.

• What is the price of excellence?  What is the cost of guilt?

• How crucial is the final bell – does the ending seal the legacy?

• Did Maggie Fitzgerald get robbed by fate? What about Frankie’s corner man heartbreak?

• Who does Shai think had a vendetta against Clint Eastwood?  Who do they think Shai may have as a 2nd persona?

• Is there a certain type of viewer that just can't deal with the unexpected ending

• Whether Million Dollar Baby is the undisputed Best Film Ever.

FIRST 18:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 18:00: Full Spoiler Review

This week, we step into the world of fairy tales as we take a closer look at Disney’s Snow White (2025)—a bold reimagining of the classic animated film that started it all. Starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, this live-action adaptation promises to blend timeless magic with modern sensibilities and updated messaging for a new generation.

Join Ian (solo) as he questions the internal logic and soundtrack order of the film, dissects Rachel Zeigler's commentary about the film and if she's done critical damage to her own film as she was cast in a story she seems to dislike so much. Finally, Ian brings up his own princess problem and asks if Disney remakes can survive this?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the film and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

(Deep Dive begins at 46:00)

"If you build it, they will come." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam & B-Tech Kev (Megs got lost walking through the cornfield) – as we step into the world of baseball, nostalgia, and ghostly whispers in Field of Dreams (1989). We’re trading in our hazmat suits for baseball gloves and diving into our 270th episode as we discuss:

• How Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, and Ray Liotta bring heart to this sentimental classic.
• Does this movie work if you're not a baseball fan?
• Was the mystical element beautifully executed or just overly sentimental?
• Which actor wasn't actually into baseball
• How Field of Dreams taps into themes of regret, reconciliation, and belief.
• Which actor was referred to as 'Richard Dreyfuss from wish.com
• Is this film overrated just because it's men talking about feelings?
• How is James Earl Jones at the heart of two of the most Mandela Effected quotes of all time?
• Did Shoeless Joe Jackson deserve better? What about Moonlight Graham?
• We've got more ghost physics to talk about
• We get really personal about our own dreams
• We talk about magical cornfields, cryptic voices, and the importance of playing catch.
• Whether Field of Dreams 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
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
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

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 40:20: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 40:20: Full Spoiler Review

We do musical theatre together.  This week we dive into the world of rom-coms this week, and take a closer look at Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, the latest chapter in the iconic, heartwarming saga of everyone's favorite single woman, now 50-something and navigating life, love, and motherhood. Starring Renée Zellweger this film promises to explore the joys and challenges of middle-aged romance with all the humor and vulnerability we've come to expect from the Bridget Jones series.

Join Ian and Liam as we step into Bridget's world again to see if the film delivers the nostalgic charm we’ve missed or if it falters in its attempt to explore the realities of aging, dating, and starting over. Can this film still capture the essence of what made the series so beloved, or does it try too hard to stay relevant in a modern world?

We'll examine the storytelling—Does the film successfully blend the humor and emotional depth of Bridget’s character with the complexity of her new life? Is it a satisfying conclusion to her journey or just another chapter that tries to recapture the past?  Does Bridget's storyline still resonate with audiences after all this time, and how has her character evolved?

We’ll also break down the film’s tone and style—Does the film manage to balance its emotional beats with the signature quirkiness of the franchise, or does it lean too heavily into sentimentality? Does it still feel fresh, or does it rely too much on nostalgia?  Do you have to have seen the other films in the series?  Do you have to have grown up with the films in real time?

Finally, we'll debate whether Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy strikes the right balance between the lighthearted and the heartfelt. Does it deliver a satisfying and meaningful update to Bridget’s story, or does it feel like an unnecessary revisit that doesn’t add much to the series?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the film and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

(Deep Dive begins at 56:15)

"That monkey’s infected, Sam!" Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Liam (B-Tech Kev & Megs are in quarantine) – as we head to the world of deadly diseases, military cover-ups, and Dustin Hoffman yelling at Morgan Freeman in Outbreak (1995). We’re trading in our tiny law office for a hazmat suit and diving into our 269th episode as we discuss:

• How Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, and Morgan Freeman bring gravity to this viral thriller.
• Kevin Spacey might be a substandard person but he's an exceptional actor
• Did this film need a love story?
• Was Donald Sutherland the perfect villain, or just chewing the scenery?
• Which actor surprisingly didn’t capture the essence of the part for one of us.
• How realistic is Outbreak, and does it hit differently after recent real-world events?
• How this movie has the ultimate magic do-hickey
• How important is the final scene in a film?
• Did Kevin Spacey’s character deserve better? What about the monkey?
• We talk about containment protocols, rogue helicopters, and the ethics of bombing a small town.
• Just how easy is it to steal a military helicopter?
• Why does it take 3.5 hours to fly to a target to drop a bomb?
• Whether Outbreak 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
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
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

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 New Year! (it still counts, right?)  Another bonus episode for your listening enjoyment as we bring you another Reel Roundtable discussion.  Ian, Liam, Megan, and B-Tech Kev look back on the films they've reviewed in 2024 (with a mail-in ballot from Georgia) and have some awards to hand out in the form of The Resties.  Comments, banter, and flat out arguments can be found as we debate the worst that we saw in 2024 (A full list of award categories and eligible films are located at the bottom of these notes)

This year we're thrilled to have ballots from nine of our patrons (Shai, Foot, James DG, Hermes Auslander, Cheesy, Dirk, Ariannah, Norfolk Domus, and Richard) to help determine the winners and a couple of them cast some live tie-breaking votes.

The Awards:

• Worst Screenplay
• Worst Special Effects
• Worst Score
• Worst Song
• Worst Musical
• Worst Costume Design
• Worst Art Direction
• Worst Villain
• Least Funny Movie (That was supposed to be funny)
• Worst Plothole
• Worst Cinematography
• Worst Duo
• Most Unlikeable (for a character we’re supposed to like)
• Worst Child
• Worst Context Corner
• Worst First Watch
• Worst Fall From Grace
• Most Unnecessarily Sexualised Moment
• Worst Aged Moment
• Most Overhyped
• Second Opinion (Down)
• Biggest BFE Blunder
• Worst Supporting Actor
• Worst Supporting Actress
• Biggest Therapy Session
• Worst Actor
• Worst Actress
• Worst Film

Eligible Films:

• (500) Days of Summer
• 3:10 to Yuma
• A Bronx Tale
• A Patch of Blue
• Amadeus
• American Beauty
• Austin Powers in Goldmember
• Beyond the Mat
• Beverly Hills Cop
• Boyhood
• Chef
• Clerks
• Crazy Stupid Love
• Dave
• Dead Poets Society
• Dumb and Dumber
• Galaxy Quest
• Ghostbusters
• Gone Girl
• Gremlins
• Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban
• Her
• In the Heights
• Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade
• Interstellar
• Kramer v Kramer
• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
• Logan
• LOTR: The Return of the King
• Mad Max
• Moana
• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Mystic River
• Nightcrawler
• Patch Adams
• Pulp Fiction
• Say Anything
• She’s All That
• Shrek 2
• Spider-Man 2
• Star Trek
• Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
• The Fifth Element
• The Help
• The Lego Movie
• The Lion King
• The Santa Clause
• The Shawshank Redemption
• The Sixth Sense
• Trees of Peace
• Up
• When Harry Met Sally

(Deep Dive beings at 16:55)

"They're called boobs, Ed." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Megs (B-Tech Kev & Liam are off investigating contaminated water) – as we head to the world of legal battles, corporate corruption, and powerhouse performances in Erin Brockovich (2000). We’re trading in our Edinburgh flat for a tiny law office and diving into our 268th episode as we discuss:

• How Julia Roberts delivers a career-defining performance.
• The film’s balance of drama, humor, and real-world impact.
• Was Albert Finney the perfect counterbalance to Erin’s fiery personality?
• Which actor really didn't capture the essence of the part for one of us
• How accurate is the film’s portrayal of the real-life case?
• Would this movie work as well if it weren’t based on a true story?
• Does Erin Brockovich deserve to be correct every step of the way?
• Did George deserve better? What about the real life Jorge?
• We talk about love languages, princesses, and saying goodbye to a friend
• Whether Erin Brockovich 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
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
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

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/.

(Deep Dive begins at 43:35)

"Every underdog has his day." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and BFF of the BFE from The Scuttlebutt Podcast (Megs, B-Tech Kev & Liam are off training for their next big fight) – as we step into the ring for grit, determination, and Depression-era boxing in Cinderella Man (2005). We’re swapping a grimy Edinburgh flat for Madison Square Garden and diving into our 267th episode as we discuss:

• How Russell Crowe delivers a knockout performance as James J. Braddock.
• Renée Zellweger’s role as the supportive yet strong Mae Braddock – does she get enough credit?
• Does Paul Giamatti steal the show as the passionate manager, Joe Gould?
• The realism of the boxing sequences – do they hold up in 2024?
• Is it fair to call this film a boxing film or is it something else?
• Who is the biggest villain of the movie: the Great Depression, Promoter James Johnston, Max Baer, or the system keeping Braddock down?
• Could this be Ron Howard’s most underrated film?
• We talk about hockey's Four Nations tournament and why sports make the best narratives. 
• Whether Cinderella Man is the Best Film Ever.

Catch so much more of Hermes Auslander on The Scuttlebutt Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scuttlebutt-podcast/id1503504933 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/2n9CNB9X6QXnmvn78HBEoJ?si=1bf26c4a13cd4234 (Spotify)

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
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
Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most

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 37:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 37:00: Full Spoiler Review

Another Oscar week See It or Skip It has us exploring this year's Best Picture field a little deeper by diving into the striking The Brutalist (2024), now playing in select theaters. Directed by Brady Corbet and starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, this sweeping historical drama promises to blend grand ambition with intimate storytelling.

Join Ian and Hermes as we step into the austere world of The Brutalist to see if it delivers a compelling, thought-provoking portrait of art and survival or if it buckles under the weight of its own vision. Does it bring a fresh perspective to historical dramas while exploring deeper themes, or does it rely too heavily on its style without enough structural integrity?

We’ll examine the film’s storytelling—What larger themes and ideologies does it lean into? Is it a deeply personal immigrant story, a meditation on artistic resilience, or something else entirely? How does Adrien Brody’s performance anchor the film, and does he bring the emotional depth needed for such a role? And how does Felicity Jones complement or contrast him? 

We’ll also break down the film’s visual and atmospheric elements. Did the stark cinematography and production design elevate the film’s themes, or did they overshadow its emotional core? 

Finally, we’ll debate whether The Brutalist achieves its ambitious goals. Does it leave a lasting impact as a modern cinematic statement, or does it feel too detached for its own good?  Yes, it's clever but is it fair to ask a film to 'get' a movie on such an abstract level?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!

FIRST 33:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 33:00: Full Spoiler Review

This week's See It or Skip It has us exploring this year's Oscar field a little deeper by diving into the mind-bending The Substance (2024), now playing on MUBI (in the US/UK). Directed by Coralie Fargeat and starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, this psychological body horror promises to push boundaries and challenge audiences with its bold, unsettling vision.

Join Ian and Shai as we step into the eerie world of The Substance to see if it delivers a chilling, thought-provoking experience or if it crumbles under the weight of its ambition. Does it bring a fresh perspective to horror while exploring deeper themes, or does it lean too heavily on shock value without enough... substance?

We’ll examine the film’s storytelling—What larger themes and ideologies does this lean into or is it just a straight up horror film? How does Demi Moore’s performance anchor the film, and does she reinvent herself in this daring role? And how does Margaret Qualley complement or contrast her, adding to the film’s psychological intensity?  And do you know whose kid she is?  Ian couldn't believe it.

We’ll also break down the film’s striking visuals and grotesque horror elements.  Did the film’s themes of identity and transformation resonate, or did they get lost in the chaos? And how does the film’s score heighten the unsettling atmosphere?  And how was this film snubbed in the cinematography category? Shai couldn't believe it.

Finally, we’ll debate whether The Substance can overcome some questions in its own internal logic. Does it deliver a profound, lasting impact, or does it leave you more confused than captivated? 

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!