Episode 41 – Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Bill and Ted discuss Frank Capra’s 1944 film “Arsenic and Old Lace” featuring Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster, a theatre critic who finds unexpected drama of his own tucked away in his aunts’ window seat on Oct 31st in Brooklyn New York when he and his bride come to tell the family the good news of their sudden nuptials. Hoping to quickly skip town for a honeymoon in Niagra Falls, Mortimer and his new wife Elaine (Priscilla Lane) become embroiled in a macabre comedy of errors as Mortimer struggles to contain the situation. This is broad, physical, and at times gallows humour filled with some great performances, even if Grant was unhappy with his own. If you find Capra to be sentimental and overly serious, have no fear; this film is far less sappy and much more on the silly side.

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: The Ladykillers (1955) Young Frankenstein (1974) The ‘Burbs (1989)

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1940's, Auteur director, B/W Film, Comedy, Film Noir, Holiday, Horror, Romance

Episode 40 – Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Bill and Ted discuss Jared Hess’ 2004 film “Napoleon Dynamite” featuring Jon Heder as the idiosyncratic, yet endearing, Napoleon Dynamite a high school student navigating friendship and family life in rural small town Idaho. A film that’s as much about being awkward as it is about being honest, a slow burn comedy that is extraordinarily polarizing. People either hate it or love it. Filled with deadpan humor and an abundance of quirky details this is a film that rewards repeat viewings.

For interested listeners, here are the Top Ten Asperger’s and Autism movies compiled by a child psychologist referred to in the podcast. Napoleon Dynamite is number 7 on this list.

If you enjoyed this film, you may also like these Ted’s Picks: Nacho Libre (2006), Juno (2007), Nebraska (2013)

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2000's, Comedy

Episode 34 – Beetlejuice (1988)

Bill and Ted discuss Tim Burton’s 1988 film “Beetlejuice,” featuring Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as the ghosts of newly deceased Adam and Barabra Maitlandas they try to spook the NYC high society Deetzes’ and their Goth daughter Lydia played by Winona Ryder who purchased their house in a sleepy New England town. Failing to frighten the Deetzes on their own, they reluctantly turn to the rogue “bio-exorcist” ghost Beetlejuice played to the hilt by Michael Keaton. Burton merges German expressionist style with upbeat Calypso music in this oddly colourful and straggly up-beat ghost story. Of the film Burton says, “It has elements of horror but it’s not really scary, and it’s funny but not really a comedy.” If you enjoyed this film you may also like these: Ted’s Picks: Defending Your Life (1991), The Frighteners (1996), Corpse Bride (2005)

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1980's, Auteur director, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror

Episode 32 – The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Bill and Ted discuss Wes Anderson’s 2001 film “The Royal Tenenbaums,” featuring Gene Hackman as the conniving patriarch Royal Tenenbaum with Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow as his adult children Richie, Chas and Margot and Anjelica Huston as their mother Etheline also featuring Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Danny Glover, Seymour Cassel and Kumar Pallana. A quirky movie about life and death, regret and reconciliation amidst an eccentric and eclectic ensemble cast that perfectly embodies the maxim “Family is not a word; it’s a sentence.” If you enjoyed this film you may also like these Ted’s Picks: Home for the Holidays (1995), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Nebraska (2013)

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2000's, Art House, Auteur director, Comedy, Drama

Episode 31 – Director Wes Anderson Part II / Themes and Characters

Bill and Ted continue their two-part discussion of director Wes Anderson. The focus of this episode is themes and characters in Anderson’s films Bottle Rocket (1996), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Moonrise Kingdome (2012) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). Looking for other films with offbeat ensemble casts? Here are Ted’s Picks: The Princess Bride (1987), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), Midnight in Paris (2011)

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Art House, Auteur director, Comedy, Drama, Extras

Episode 30 – Director Wes Anderson Part I / Style and Technique

Bill and Ted launch a two-part discussion about auteur director Wes Anderson. The focus of this episode is Anderson’s direction, style and technique. This conversation includes but is not limited to Bottle Rocket (1996), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Moonrise Kingdome (2012) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). Looking for other deeply quirky auteur directors? Here are Ted’s Picks: Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

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Art House, Auteur director, Comedy, Drama, Extras

Episode 20 – Life Is Beautiful [La vita è bella] (1997)

Bill and Ted discuss Roberto Benigni’s film “La vita è bella,” “Life Is Beautiful,” a sometimes humorous sometimes poignant and touching film about love and family and the effect of the will and imagination in the face of great obstacles: one half romantic comedy, one half family WWII holocaust concentration camp drama. Looking for some non holocaust related films that share this film’s quirky sensibility?  Here are Ted’s Picks for more whimsical films with a dark edge dealing with extraordinary strength of will: Forrest Gump (1994), Amelie (2001), Life of Pi (2012)

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1990's, Comedy, Drama, War

Episode 10 – Zombieland (2009)

Bill and Ted discuss Ruben Fleischer’s “Zombieland,” known for its practical Zombie apocalypse survival rules, humorous one-liners, Twinkies, and as might be expected zombies. If you enjoyed this film you may also like these: House (1985), Shaun of the Dead (2004), Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

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2000's, Comedy

Episode 9 – Chef (2014)

Bill and Ted discuss Jon Favreau’s “Chef,” known for its pairing of foodie glamour shots and Latin infused jazz and blues music! If you enjoyed this film for its father and son story of coming back from the brink of failure check out The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), or for its father/son food focus then Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011) or its behind the scenes view of restaurant life then Big Night (1996). For a father/daughter version with great Mexican food, Tortilla Soup (2001).

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2010's, Comedy, Drama

Episode 8 – The Big Chill (1983)

Bill and Ted discuss Lawrence Kasdan’s “The Big Chill,” known for its powerhouse cast and great soundtrack. If you enjoyed this film for its investigation into grief you may also like these: Manchester by the Sea (2016), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Ordinary People (1980). If you liked the hang-out story line you may also like these: The Breakfast Club (1985), American Graffiti (1973), Dazed and Confused (1993)

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1980's, Comedy, Drama