Podcast Like It's ...

Phil and Emily continue their Beyoncé in the Movies Mini-Series with 2003’s The Fighting Temptations! Joining them is pop culture writer and critic Louis Peitzman, who helps break down this feel-good gospel comedy starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé in one of her first major film roles.They dive into the movie’s blend of music, faith, and small-town charm, Beyoncé’s effortless charisma on screen, and how The Fighting Temptations fits into her early career as she transitioned from Destiny’s Child superstar to a full-fledged cultural icon. Plus, they unpack the film’s stacked supporting cast (Faith Evans! Angie Stone! The O'Jays!) and ask the important question: is this secretly one of Beyoncé’s most underrated movies?Join us for a joyful, music-filled conversation about choir competitions, early-2000s fashion, and the making of a legend. 🎧✨Follow Louis Peitzman:Instagram: @louispeitzmanBluesky: @louispeitzman.bsky.social#TheFightingTemptations #Beyonce #PodcastLikeIts2000s #LouisPeitzman #GospelMovies #Early2000s #MovieMusicals #PopCulturePodcast #FilmDiscussion #BeyonceInMovies

We’re kicking off our brand-new Beyoncé in the Movies Mini-Series with a groovy start: Austin Powers in Goldmember! Phil and Emily are joined by writer, comedian, and Beyoncé superfan Akilah Hughes to break down Queen Bey’s feature film debut as the iconic Foxxy Cleopatra.From Mike Myers’ chaotic brand of early-2000s comedy to Beyoncé’s effortless star power, we dive into how Goldmember captured a cultural moment—and how Beyoncé completely stole the show. We also unpack the movie’s outrageous gags, surprisingly stacked cast, and whether the Austin Powers franchise still holds up today (spoiler: it’s complicated).Is Goldmember the ultimate time capsule of early-2000s pop culture? And how did it hint at Beyoncé’s massive future in film and music? Tune in for a hilarious and nostalgic conversation to find out!Follow Akilah Hughes:Instagram: @akilahhBluesky: @akilahh.bsky.social#Goldmember #AustinPowers #Beyonce #PodcastLikeIts2000s #AkilahHughes #FoxxyCleopatra #2000sComedy #PopCulturePodcast #FilmDiscussion #BeyonceInMovies

Surprise, Swifties and sleuths! For our April Fools’ bonus episode, Phil and Emily hit pause on the movie talk to investigate one of the most unexpected pop culture crossovers of the 2000s: Taylor Swift’s guest appearance on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation—yes, really.In this chaotic and deeply unserious deep dive, we break down the 2009 episode “Turn, Turn, Turn,” where Taylor plays a rebellious teen who journals, wears eyeliner, and may or may not be involved in a murder. We discuss her acting chops (or lack thereof), how this episode somehow turns into a montage of three separate crimes, and why this CSI arc feels like a Black Mirror episode we hallucinated.Along the way, we spiral into discussions about Cats, Les Misérables, My Chemical Romance, and the long-lost dream of Gaylor. If you’ve ever wanted to hear two film nerds try to unpack goth Taylor Swift getting murdered with scissors on CBS primetime… this is the episode for you.#CSI #TaylorSwift #TurnTurnTurn #PodcastLikeIts2000s #AprilFools #SwiftTok #CSITaylorSwift #Gaylor #CatsMovie #PopCulturePodcast #EmilyAndPhilLoseIt #CrimeProceduralChaos

We’re wrapping up our Tom Cruise Mini-Series with a high-octane bonus episode, and we’ve brought in the big guns to help us finish strong! Phil and Emily are joined by returning guests Drew Taylor (The Wrap) and Charles Hood (Night Owls, A Better You) to rank their Top 5 Tom Cruise Movies of All Time.From iconic action roles to underrated dramatic turns, we break down the performances, the stunts, the charisma, and the sheer Cruise-ness that made him one of the biggest movie stars on the planet. Expect passionate debates, deep-cut favorites, and plenty of love for the man who runs in every movie. 🏃‍♂️💥It’s the perfect send-off to a series that explored every phase of Cruise’s career—don’t miss this fun, fiery, and final word on all things Tom.Follow our guests:Drew Taylor: @drewtailoredCharles Hood: @charlesh00d#TomCruise #Top5Movies #PodcastLikeIts2000s #DrewTaylor #CharlesHood #TomCruiseMiniSeries #MovieStars #FilmDiscussion #2000sCinema #PopCulturePodcast

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with the 2008 historical thriller Valkyrie, and they’re joined by writer David Iserson (Mr. Robot, Mad Men, New Girl) to dig into one of the most unexpected and serious turns in Cruise’s 2000s filmography.Directed by Bryan Singer, Valkyrie dramatizes the real-life plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, with Cruise portraying German officer Claus von Stauffenberg. Together, they unpack the film’s tonal tightrope, its ambitious historical scope, and the curious creative choices—like Cruise playing a German colonel with an American accent.Is Valkyrie a misunderstood thriller or just a strange blip in Cruise’s action-packed decade? Tune in for a thoughtful—and fun—conversation that revisits this fascinating film.Follow David Iserson:Instagram: @davidisersonTwitter: @davidiserson#Valkyrie #TomCruise #PodcastLikeIts2000s #DavidIserson #BryanSinger #HistoricalThrillers #ClausVonStauffenberg #2000sCinema #FilmDiscussion #TomCruiseMiniSeries #PopCulturePodcast

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with one of the wildest entries in his filmography—Ben Stiller’s 2008 Hollywood satire Tropic Thunder! Joining them for the ride are writer/producer Chuck Hayward (WandaVision, Ted Lasso) and screenwriter Kenny Neibart, who help break down the film’s razor-sharp commentary, outrageous performances, and Cruise’s unforgettable (and totally unhinged) turn as studio executive Les Grossman.From method acting mayhem to behind-the-scenes chaos, the crew explores why Tropic Thunder remains one of the most daring (and controversial) comedies of the 2000s. How did Cruise steal the movie with just a few scenes? What still works—and what doesn’t—in 2024? And how did this film even get made in the first place?Get ready for a no-holds-barred discussion on one of the most talked-about comedies of its time. 🎧🔥#TropicThunder #TomCruise #PodcastLikeIts2000s #ChuckHayward #KennyNeibart #BenStiller #ComedyMovies #2000sCinema #PopCulturePodcast #FilmDiscussion #LesGrossman #TomCruiseMiniSeries

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with a deep dive into the 2007 political drama Lions for Lambs. 🎬🔥 Joining them is film critic and author Jason Bailey (Fun City Cinema), who brings his insightful perspective to this star-studded film featuring Cruise, Meryl Streep, and Robert Redford.Despite its powerhouse cast and timely themes, Lions for Lambs struggled to make a lasting impact. The trio explores the film's ambitious narrative structure, its commentary on the War on Terror, and how it fits into the broader context of 2000s political cinema. Was it a case of too much star power and not enough substance, or does it deserve a second look?Tune in as they dissect the film's intentions, its reception, and Tom Cruise's performance as a charismatic senator. 🎧✨Follow Jason Bailey:Bluesky: @jasondashbailey.bsky.socialLetterboxd: @jasondashbailey#LionsForLambs #PodcastLikeIts2000s #TomCruise #MerylStreep #RobertRedford #JasonBailey #PoliticalDrama #2000sCinema #FilmDiscussion #PopCulturePodcast #TomCruiseMiniSeries

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with the adrenaline-fueled Mission: Impossible III! 💥🎭 Joining them are screenwriter Liz Hannah (The Post, Long Shot) and writer/producer Brian Millikin (Quantum Leap, Haven) to break down how J.J. Abrams' 2006 entry changed the M:I franchise forever.From Philip Seymour Hoffman’s chilling villain to the emotional stakes that added new depth to Ethan Hunt, this film marked a turning point for Cruise as an action star. The group discusses Abrams’ signature storytelling style, the Alias influence, and how M:I-3 laid the groundwork for the franchise’s evolution into the Fallout era.Was this the Mission: Impossible film that redefined the series? And does it hold up today? Tune in for a high-stakes discussion! 🎧✨Follow our guests:Liz Hannah: @itslizhannahBrian Millikin: @BrianMillikin#MissionImpossibleIII #PodcastLikeIts2000s #TomCruise #JJAbrams #LizHannah #BrianMillikin #PhilipSeymourHoffman #ActionMovies #MI3 #FilmDiscussion #PopCulturePodcast #TomCruiseMiniSeries

Phil and Emily continue their Tom Cruise Mini-Series with one of the most intense blockbusters of the 2000s—Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds! 🌍👽 Joining them is journalist and critic Jamelle Bouie (The New York Times), who helps break down how this 2005 sci-fi thriller captured post-9/11 anxieties, redefined the alien invasion genre, and gave us one of Cruise’s most underrated performances.From its jaw-dropping set pieces and terrifying alien designs to its intimate, boots-on-the-ground storytelling, the trio explores why War of the Worlds still hits hard nearly two decades later. Was it misunderstood at the time? Does it rank among Spielberg’s best? And how does it fit into Cruise’s evolution as an action star?Buckle up—it’s time to run. 🎧✨Follow Jamelle Bouie:IG: @jbouie#WarOfTheWorlds #PodcastLikeIts2000s #TomCruise #StevenSpielberg #JamelleBouie #SciFiMovies #2000sCinema #AlienInvasion #PopCulturePodcast #FilmDiscussion #TomCruiseMiniSeries