The Weekly Movie Throwdown

Baseball Month continues this week with 2002's The Rookie, directed by John Lee Hancock. This story based on the life of pitcher Jim Morris fits the Disney template for inspiring sports films perfectly with its underdog themes and uplifting conclusion. Steven is nuts about this one, and Mike is on board too. ____________________STILL TO COME DURING BASEBALL MONTH:4/28: Major League (1989, directed by David S. Ward)On Letterboxd? Follow along with this month’s movie list here.____________________WE’D LOVE TO CONNECT!Please drop us a line at moviethrowdownpod@gmail.com, and follow us on social media:Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviethrowdown/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moviethrowdownpod/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@moviethrowdownpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moviethrowdownpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/moviethrowdownpod/

This week we're staying in 1976 with a look at The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings, a somewhat forgotten comedy that looks at the obstacles faced by players in the Negro League in the 1940s. Its heavy-hitting cast includes Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones, and Richard Pryor, and it tackles some serious issues while bringing nonstop comedy. ____________________STILL TO COME DURING BASEBALL MONTH:4/21: The Rookie (2002, directed by John Lee Hancock)4/28: Major League (1989, directed by David S. Ward)On Letterboxd? Follow along with this month’s movie list here.____________________WE’D LOVE TO CONNECT!Please drop us a line at moviethrowdownpod@gmail.com, and follow us on social media:Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviethrowdown/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moviethrowdownpod/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@moviethrowdownpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moviethrowdownpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/moviethrowdownpod/

After our Bad News Bears episode we thought it'd be fun to stay on the mics and have a conversation about A Working Man, the new film from director David Ayer. It stars Jason Statham, the unofficial mascot of our show (see our first month of episodes from 2024 for more on him), as a construction worker with a dangerous past—much like The Beekeeper, the actor's other film with Ayer. Bonus: this was made from a script by the one and only Sylvester Stallone! Did we enjoy it? Listen and see.____________________WE’D LOVE TO CONNECT!Please drop us a line at moviethrowdownpod@gmail.com, and follow us on social media:Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviethrowdown/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moviethrowdownpod/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@moviethrowdownpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moviethrowdownpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/moviethrowdownpod/

April is upon us and that means it's time for a new monthly theme. Since spring is in the air we've decided to talk baseball this month on the show. Some of these films are a little off the beaten path, and a couple of them are beloved. But whether you know them or not, we can attest that they're all a lot of fun, starting with this week's exciting double feature.We're discussing both versions of the classic Bad News Bears—the original from 1976 and its remake from 2005. Both have their moments, but one is superior. We had a great time discussing this, so check it out.Play ball!____________________STILL TO COME DURING BASEBALL MONTH:4/14: The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976, directed by John Badham) 4/21: The Rookie (2002, directed by John Lee Hancock)4/28: Major League (1989, directed by David S. Ward)On Letterboxd? Follow along with this month’s movie list here.____________________WE’D LOVE TO CONNECT!Please drop us a line at moviethrowdownpod@gmail.com, and follow us on social media:Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviethrowdown/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moviethrowdownpod/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@moviethrowdownpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moviethrowdownpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/moviethrowdownpod/

This week we wrap up Fictional American Presidents Month with some high-octane fun. 1997's Air Force One, directed by Wolfgang Petersen, pits President Harrison Ford against terrorist Gary Oldman . . . on an airplane. It's peak dad action that preceded a whole rash of kick-ass Commander-In-Chief films in the years that followed. We're excited to talk about the one that started it all, so please join us.____________________On Letterboxd? Follow along with this month’s movie list here.____________________WE’D LOVE TO CONNECT!Please drop us a line at moviethrowdownpod@gmail.com, and follow us on social media:Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviethrowdown/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moviethrowdownpod/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@moviethrowdownpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moviethrowdownpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/moviethrowdownpod/

Fictional American Presidents Month rolls on this week with 1995's The American President, directed by Rob Reiner. This film stars Michael Douglas as a Commander In Chief with a conscience and a new girlfriend, played by Annette Bening. It's a charming story of love from a time when politics were simpler.____________________STILL TO COME DURING FICTIONAL AMERICAN PRESIDENT MONTH:3/31 Air Force One (1997)On Letterboxd? Follow along with this month’s movie list here.____________________WE’D LOVE TO CONNECT!Please drop us a line at moviethrowdownpod@gmail.com, and follow us on social media:Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviethrowdown/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moviethrowdownpod/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@moviethrowdownpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moviethrowdownpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/moviethrowdownpod/