Back to the Movies with Nat and Ben Unknown

You're a wizard, listener, and you've been accepted at BttMwarts, the premier school of cinematic wizardry this side of the pond. This week, the boys are taking on the establishment as they unpack Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. They're joined in this underground rebellion by comedian, writer, and actress, Jessie Cannizzaro. It's our angstiest episode yet!

Don't trust anybody, particularly not Nat and Ben, because this week the boys are gathering intel on Paul Verhoeven's pulpy, steamy WWII spy thriller, Black Book. Like a proto-Inglorious Basterds, Black Book exploded the 2007 film scene with its macabre humor and gruesome violence. Add to that the international debut of a stunning Dutch ingenue in Game of Throne's Red Woman Carice van Houten and you've got a recipe for an unheralded masterpiece. It's a roller coaster of compromise and double crosses... and that's just the podcast.

Sacrebleu! There’s a rat in the kitchen! Nat, Ben, and special guest Chef Gen Sato are discussing the animated hit Ratatouille in a food filled episode. Enjoy this feast of a podcast!
(00:00:33) - Intro
(00:04:10) - What we watched this week
(00:09:20) - Plot Summary/Initial Reactions
(00:16:23) - Historical Context/Ben’s Book Report Corner
(00:29:05) - Ratatouille Discussion
(01:08:50) - Box Office/Legacy
(01:15:00) - 2007 Themes

Nat and Ben take on the worst 2007 has to offer in this week's episode of BttM. It's an excruciating journey into the heart of cinematic darkness and at the end is Dan Fogler screaming about sex. Can the boys and special guest Jackie Saltzman survive? You'll have to listen to find out.

Get ready. It's the big one. On this episode of BttM, Nat and Ben attempt to unpack the 2007iest movie of 2007... Michael Bay's Transformers. Is there more to this movie than meets the eye? Perhaps this episode will Transform your opinion. Will it ALL SPARK a new conversation? (Ed. note: please forgive the puns. The description writer has been fired.)

What else do you need? We're talking Transformers!

This episode is priority level chartreuse. Nat and Ben are hot on the trail of super spy sensation The Bourne Ultimatum. Is it a politically conscious exposé of the sins of the surveillance era or dumb action movie where cars go fast and guns go boom? Or, in the year 2007, was there really a difference?