Greatest Movie Of All-Time Thomas Duncan

Dana and Tom welcome new guest, Scott Cole (Twitter-X/IG (@colecommascott) movie commentator, and occassional writer/contributor for The Movie Friends podcast.com (@moviefriendspodcast)), to the show to discuss the neo-noir classic, Chinatown (1974): directed by Roman Polanski, written by Robert Towne, starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston.
Plot Summary: Chinatown (1974), directed by Roman Polanski, is a masterful blend of noir and tragedy that stands as one of the great achievements in American cinema. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Jake Gittes, a private detective whose specialty is uncovering marital infidelities. When he is hired by a woman claiming to be Evelyn Mulwray (Diane Ladd) to investigate her husband’s suspected affair, Gittes is drawn into a labyrinth of deceit, corruption, and murder. Set against the backdrop of 1930s Los Angeles, the plot thickens as Gittes discovers the true Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) and realizes he has been duped. The deeper he digs, the more he uncovers a sinister conspiracy involving water rights and the powerful land magnate Noah Cross (John Huston).
Chinatown is not just a detective story; it is a commentary on the corruption and decay that lie beneath the surface of society, a theme that remains relevant to this day. In the end, as the iconic final line suggests, "Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown," the film reminds us that some mysteries are better left unsolved, and some wounds never heal.
0:00 Welcome – First-Time Guest Questions
5:05 Cast and Recognition
9:03 Relationship(s) to the Film
14:19 What is this Film About?
22:52 Why is this Film Important to the Detective/Mystery Genre?
26:46 The Elephant in the Room…
34:55 Plot Summary
36:27 Did You Know?
38:51 First Break
41:14 Ask Dana Anything
54:17 Best Performance(s)
1:08:23 Best/Favorite/Indelible Scene(s)
1:16:20 In Memoriam
1:17:41 Best/Funniest Lines
1:19:38 The Stanley Rubric/Legacy
1:25:24 Impact/Significance
1:31:53 Novelty
1:37:09 Classicness
1:42:05 Rewatchability
1:46:02 Audience Score/Recap
1:46:27 Final Score
1:47:22 Remaining Question(s)
1:53:02 Listener Question(s)
1:57:23 Guest Acknowledgement
1:58:30 Final Thoughts
1:59:55 Credits
You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok (@gmoatpodcast) or find our Facebook page at Greatest Movie of All-Time Podcast.
For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com//post/chinatown-1974-ft-scott-cole
For the entire rankings list so far, go to:Full Graded List - Greatest Movies of All-Time
Ronny Duncan Studios

Dana and Tom welcome returning guests, Keith Techmeier and Adam Vanderweff, to discuss one of the seminal 1980s action-comedies for its 40th anniversary, Ghostbusters (1984): directed by Ivan Reitman, written by Dan Ackroyd and Harold Ramis, music by Elmer Bernstein, starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Ackroyd, Sigourney Weaver, and Rick Moranis.
Plot Summary: "Ghostbusters," directed by Ivan Reitman, is a spirited blend of comedy, supernatural elements, and special effects that coalesces into an exuberant cinematic experience. The film chronicles the journey of three parapsychologists—Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis)—who, after being expelled from their university, establish a ghost-catching business in New York City. Their operation, branded as "Ghostbusters," quickly gains notoriety as they confront increasingly malevolent spectral entities, culminating in a climactic battle against the ancient Sumerian deity, Gozer.
"Ghostbusters" is a testament to the power of well-crafted comedy and imaginative storytelling. It transcends its genre conventions, offering an escapist adventure that is both thrilling and delightfully absurd.
You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok (@gmoatpodcast) or find our Facebook page at Greatest Movie of All-Time Podcast.
For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/ghostbusters-1984-ft-keith-techmeier-and-adam-vanderwerff
For the entire rankings list so far, go to:Full Graded List - Greatest Movies of All-Time
Ronny Duncan Studios

Dana and Tom discuss one of the most celebrated comedies of the 21st Century which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this week, The Hangover (2009): directed by Todd Phillips, written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, music by Christophe Beck, starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Mike Tyson, Heather Graham, and Ken Jeong.
Plot Summary: "The Hangover" is a raucous comedy that transforms a bachelor party into a riotous odyssey of misadventures. Directed by Todd Phillips, the film opens with four friends heading to Las Vegas for a night of celebration, only to wake up the next morning with no memory of the previous night's events. What follows is a frenetic quest to piece together their fragmented memories and locate their missing groom.
"The Hangover" is more than just a series of outrageous gags; it's a cleverly constructed comedy that finds humor in the extremes of human behavior. While it may not delve into profound themes, it excels in delivering sheer entertainment, making it a memorable entry in the genre.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:34 Recognition for The Hangover (2009)
03:57 What is Your Relationship to this Film?
06:26 What is this Film About?
07:23 Your Wildest Bachelor Party Stories?
13:46 Is Las Vegas Actually Fun?
15:34 Plot Summary
16:32 Did You Know?
18:17 First Break
18:53 Ask Dana Anything...
26:32 Best Performance(s)
29:31 Most Charismatic
32:41 Best/Favorite Scene - Most Indelible Moment
37:33 Second Break
38:26 In Memoriam
41:02 Best/Funniest Lines
45:12 The Stanley Rubric
45:45 Legacy
50:42 Impact and Significance
55:04 Classicness
58:19 Rewatchability
01:01:30 Final Score
01:09:55 Remaining Questions
01:13:03 Remaining Thoughts for the Week
01:14:46 Wrap-Up/Credits
You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok (@gmoatpodcast) or find our Facebook page at Greatest Movie of All-Time Podcast.
For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/the-hangover-2009
For the entire rankings list so far, go to:Full Graded List - Greatest Movies of All-Time
Ronny Duncan Studios
Keywords
Greatest Movie of All Time, podcast, The Hangover, comedy, 2009, box office success, popular culture, performances, Zach Galifianakis, Todd Phillips, Jon Lucas, Scott Moore, memorable scenes, notable individuals, The Hangover, film, legacy, impact, novelty, classicness, rewatchability, audience score, best vs greatest, Ghostbusters

Dana and Tom with returning guest, Kieran B (Host and Creator of the Best Picture Cast) revisit the Best Picture winner of 1946, The Best Years of Our Lives: directed by William Wyler, written by Richard E Sherwood, score by Hugo Friedhofer and Emil Newman, starring Dana Andrews, Myrna Loy, Frederich March, and Teresa Wright.
Plot Summary: The Best Years of Our Lives is a deeply moving exploration of the post-war experience, capturing the struggles and triumphs of three World War II veterans returning to their small Midwestern town: Al Stephenson (Fredric March), a banker grappling with the disconnect between his pre-war ideals and the changing society he returns to; Fred Derry (Dana Andrews), a former bombardier facing the harsh reality of joblessness and a faltering marriage; and Homer Parrish (Harold Russell), a sailor who must adapt to life after losing both hands in the war.
Directed by William Wyler, The Best Years of Our Lives presents a poignant narrative woven with emotional complexity and social relevance. The film is not just about the challenges of reintegration, but also about the enduring strength of the human spirit. It’s a reflection on the collective American psyche, a nation learning to heal and move forward. "The Best Years of Our Lives" stands as a timeless classic, a cinematic masterpiece that resonates as profoundly today as it did in the immediate aftermath of the war.
You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok (@gmoatpodcast) or find our Facebook page at Greatest Movie of All-Time Podcast.
For more on the original episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/the-best-years-of-our-lives-1946-revisit-ft-kieran-b
For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/the-best-years-of-our-lives-1946
For the entire rankings list so far, go to:Full Graded List - Greatest Movies of All-Time
Ronny Duncan Studios

Dana and Tom discuss the only Best Picture winner with an X rating, Midnight Cowboy (1969): directed by John Schlesinger, music by John Barry, written by Waldo Salt, starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman.
Plot Summary: "Midnight Cowboy" is a poignant exploration of friendship and survival in the gritty urban landscape of New York City. Joe Buck, a naive Texas cowboy with dreams of becoming a rich gigolo, arrives in the city only to find himself struggling to make ends meet. He befriends Ratso Rizzo, a streetwise hustler, forming an unlikely bond as they navigate the harsh realities of their circumstances. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and redemption, facing the harsh truths of their own identities and the unforgiving nature of the city they call home. With powerful performances from Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman, "Midnight Cowboy" is a timeless classic that delves deep into the human experience, blending heartbreak and hope in equal measure.
You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok (@gmoatpodcast) or find our Facebook page at Greatest Movie of All-Time Podcast.
For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/midnight-cowboy-1969
For the entire rankings list so far, go to:Full Graded List - Greatest Movies of All-Time
Ronny Duncan Studios

Dana and Tom welcome guest, Andrew Corns (Host, The Revisionist Almanac - @revalmanac) to discuss the noir mystery thriller, Gaslight (recently celebrating its 80th anniversary): directed by George Cukor, written by John Van Druten, Walter Reisch, and John L. Balderston, music by Bronislaw Kaper, starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, and Angela Lansbury.
Plot Summary: "Gaslight" is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark depths of manipulation and deception. Set in Victorian London, the film follows the newlywed Paula as she moves into her ancestral home. However, as strange occurrences begin to unfold and Paula's sanity is called into question, the true horror emerges: her husband's insidious gaslighting tactics to convince her she's losing her mind. In a spellbinding performance, Ingrid Bergman captures Paula's descent into fear and doubt, while Charles Boyer masterfully portrays the sinister husband. With its haunting atmosphere and expertly crafted suspense, "Gaslight" remains a timeless classic that leaves audiences on the edge of their seats.
You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok (@gmoatpodcast) or find our Facebook page at Greatest Movie of All-Time Podcast.
For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/gaslight-1944-ft-andrew-corns
For the entire rankings list so far, go to:Full Graded List - Greatest Movies of All-Time
Ronny Duncan Studios