The Weekly Movie Throwdown

In this episode, it’s a “sex worker with a heart of gold” showdown as we compare Pretty Woman (1990) and Milk Money (1994). One became a cultural phenomenon, while the other struggled to find its audience. Was Pretty Woman destined for classic status from the start? Did Milk Money deserve better? And which film actually wins when you strip away nostalgia?If you love '90s rom-coms and spirited film debates, this episode of The Weekly Movie Throwdown is for you.

This week Mike and Steven match up a pair of movies that tell a similar story, made over fifteen years apart. It's Penny Marshall's BIG from 1988 versus 2004's 13 GOING ON 30, directed by Gary Winick. Which is the better Kid-In-An-Adult-Body movie? Tune in to find out. And be sure to follow us on social media to cast your vote for next week's battle!

In this, the show's 100th episode, Mike and Steven pit two tales of high school longing against one another.1998's Can't Hardly Wait takes on 2009's I Love You, Beth Cooper. One of these films is inarguably better than the other, but the guys still talk it out in a fun and thoughtful conversation. If you love teen comedies, rom-com debates, or arguing about movies you grew up with, you'll want to give it a listen.

In this episode, we put Days of Thunder and F1 head-to-head to settle the ultimate racing movie debate. From on-track realism and storytelling to star power and pure adrenaline, we break down which film truly delivers the best racing experience.Whether you're a fan of motorsports, movies, Tom Cruise, and Brad Pitt, or all of the above, this deep dive comparison is a lot of fun.

This week Mike and Steven go back to their childhoods to pit two legendary '80s action films against one another. It's Missing In Action (1984) vs. Rambo: First Blood Part II. Which of these two post-Vietnam POW extravaganzas is better? One has martial arts master Chuck Norris at its center, and the other box office megastar Sylvester Stallone. It's a battle for the ages, so listen in as the guys get to the bottom of it and crown a winner.

On this week's episode, Mike and Steven travel all the way back to 1999 to take a look at two similar—but also very different—heist films: Entrapment and The Thomas Crown Affair. Both films feature movie star powerhouses in Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan, and both also have outstanding female lead performances from Catherine Zeta-Jones and Rene Russo, respectively.Who will win this battle of the high-class heists? Tune in to find out. And be sure to follow the show's social media channels to cast your vote for future winners!

Happy New Year and welcome to the new Weekly Movie Throwdown! In this episode, Mike and Steven debut a brand-new format that leans into the throwdown part of the show's name—pitting two movies with a shared DNA against each other, and your social media votes help to decide the winner.The first matchup? A bank heist movie showdown between Michael Mann’s crime classic Heat (1995) and Ben Affleck’s gritty modern hit The Town (2010). Which one walks away with the title? Tune in and find out!____________CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND VOTE ON OUR EPISODES!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/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieThrowdownPod

This week on the show, Mike and Steven returning to their Rewatch & Reconsider series with a title Steven thinks could stand the test of time. From 1985, it's Moving Violations, a forgotten comedy that found a second life on HBO, but eventually went back into obscurity. Co-written and directed by Neal Israel of Police Academy fame, this story of a wacky anti-authoritarian and his band of bad-driving misfits is a fun romp of the eighties variety. Does it hold up to Steven's memory of it? Listen to find out!PROGRAMMING NOTE:This is our last episode of 2025. But we'll be back at the start of 2026 with a brand new format, where instead of just reviewing one film that fits our monthly theme, we'll be comparing two films in a "movie throwdown" to determine which one is better. It's going to be a lot of fun, and we need your help. Follow us at the social handles below so that you can vote to help us decide:Threads: @moviethrowdownpodInstagram: @moviethrowdownpodFacebook: @moviethrowdownpodTikTok: @moviethrowdownpod

On this week's episode Mike and Steven discuss The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, an impeccable noir film that touches on many of the genre's hallmark tropes: nihilism, murder, the past, deception, and blackmail. Barbara Stanwyck stars as the titular Martha Ivers, who carries a secret from childhood into her adult life. Alongside her are Oscar winner Van Heflin and, in his first on-screen role, Kirk Douglas!And in the news segment this week:Hamnet and Steven SpielbergOpening bids to buy Warner Bros.____________________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/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieThrowdownPodWebsite: https://moviethrowdownpod.com