Welcome To The Party Pal: The Mind-Bending Film & Television Podcast You Didn't Know You Needed!

Episode 163: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell examine A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the television series created by Ira Parker and George R. R. Martin. A prequel to Game of Thrones, it is the third television series in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire franchise and is an adaptation of the Tales of Dunk and Egg series of novellas, beginning with The Hedge Knight. It stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall, the titular hedge knight, and Dexter Sol Ansell as his squire Aegon "Egg" Targaryen. Join in on an episode in which the loss of Baelor Targaryen is deeply lamented, the idea of a Trial by 7 contested, and where Michael And Ryan express their undying love for Lyonel Baratheon.

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Episode 162: Hamnet

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell celebrate Hamnet, the 2025 period drama film directed by Chloé Zhao, who co-wrote the screenplay with Maggie O'Farrell, based on the 2020 novel by O'Farrell. The film dramatises the family life of William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway as they cope with the death of their 11-year-old son Hamnet. It stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as Anne and William, alongside Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, and Noah Jupe in supporting roles. In this episode Michael and Ryan discuss the riveting acting in Hamnet, Max Richter's infectious score, how art has the power to heal and awe, and so much more.

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Episode 161: Taxi Driver's 50th Anniversary

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:52:22 GMT

To celebrated the 50th Anniversary of director Martin Scorsese's classic, Taxi Driver, Welcome To The Party Pal expounds upon the perpetual greatness of the neo-noir psychological drama written by Paul Schrader. Set in a decaying New York City following the Vietnam War, it stars Robert De Niro as taxi driver Travis Bickle, whose mental state deteriorates as he works nights in the city. The film also features Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, Peter Boyle, and Albert Brooks. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant discuss the themes found in Taxi Driver which still resonate today, the haunting score composed by Bernard Herrmann, the brilliant screenplay crafted by Schrader, the stunning acting in the film, its enduring legacy, and so much more.

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Episode 160: Secret Mall Apartment

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal dissects Secret Mall Apartment, the documentary film directed by filmmaker Jeremy Workman that recounts the story of a group of young Rhode Islanders who built a secret apartment inside the Providence Place shopping mall in Providence in 2003, living there for four years until getting caught and charged with trespassing in 2007. At the center of the film is Michael Townsend, the artist whose work sparked the story — and this episode features an interview with Michael that delves into his motivations, his enduring and inspiring work with Tape Art, the blended line between art and everyday living that defines Michael’s life, and so much more.

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Episode 159: One Battle After Another

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal dissects the black comedy action thriller film written, co-produced, and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another. It is loosely based and inspired by the 1990 novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti (in her film debut). Join in as hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan visit a heated showdown in Batkin Cross, traverse the hilly terrain of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and enjoy a few small beers all while giving just due praise to PTA's most recent masterpiece.

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Episode 158: The Best Television Shows of 2025

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 09:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O’ Connell share their choices for the best television shows of 2025. Join in on a journey that whisks listeners to Paris during the 2024 Summer Olympics, quarries in Delaware County, galaxies far far away, a frantic ER in Pennsylvania, the 1880 Republican National Convention, and beyond.

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Episode 157: Eddington

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 09:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal dissects Eddington, the neo-Western thriller written and directed by Ari Aster, and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Micheal Ward, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone. Set in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico, the film examines the political and social turmoil caused by the contested mayoral election fought between Sheriff Joe Cross and Mayor Ted Garcia. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant brave a heated, rural New Mexican town in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic to break down one of the most compelling films of 2025.

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Episode 156: Predator Badlands

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal dissects Predator : Badlands, the science fiction action film and the seventh installment in the Predator franchise. The film was directed by Dan Trachtenberg and written by Patrick Aison from a story by Trachtenberg and Aison. Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi star in leading roles. In the film, Dek, a young Yautja exiled from his clan, crash-lands on a hostile planet and must prove himself worthy of the hunt. Struggling to survive, he forms an unlikely alliance with Thia, a damaged Weyland-Yutani Corporation android, as they face off against an apex predator. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant journey to the emphatically dangerous planet of Genna with Dek, Thia, and the loveable and dangerous Bud in an episode that celebrates not only Badlands but the entire Predator franchise.

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Episode 155: Frankenstein

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal delves into Frankenstein, the gothic drama film produced, written, and directed by Guillermo del Toro, based on the 1818 novel by Mary Shelley. The film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Creature, while Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz play supporting roles. The story follows the life of egotistical scientist Frankenstein whose experiment in creating new life results in dangerous consequences. Join in on an episode where hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell whisk listeners off to Geneva, Switzerland, Ingolstadt, Germany, and the Arctic Circle in a hunt for the Creature.

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Episode 154: Task

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 08:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal journeys to Delaware County, Pennsylvania to celebrate the crime drama, HBO hit Task, created and written by Brad Ingelsby. It stars Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Fabien Frankel, countless bottles of Yuengling, hoagies, and the Dark Hearts. In it, Philadelphia-based FBI agent Tom Brandis is put in charge of a task force investigating a string of violent robberies against stash houses run by outlaw motorcycle gangs. Join in on an episode that tips its Eagles hat to two of the best acting performances of the year, and an unforgettable season of television.

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Episode 153: Alien Earth

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 08:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Alien : Earth, the FX / Hulu television series created by Noah Hawley. It is the first television series in the Alien franchise and is set two years before the events of the 1979 film Alien. The series stars Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, David Rhysadle, and Timothy Olyphant. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant dissect the fascinating, xenomorph-heavy first season, one that gifted the world with the beloved parasitic eye-alien, Species 64.

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Episode 152: Welcome To The Party Pal — The Best Movies of The 21st Century

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:20:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the best movies of the 21st century in an episode based on The New York Times list of The Best Movies of the 21 Century. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O' Connell evaluate the quality of the list and also offer their picks for the ten best films of the last 25 years, a decade and a half brimming with brilliant filmmaking.

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Episode 151: The Bear, Season 4

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:20:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the fourth season of the comedy-drama television series The Bear which premiered with all 10 episodes on June 25, 2025, on FX on Hulu. Christopher Storer and Joanna Calo return as showrunners for the season, and Jeremy Allen White reprises his role as Carmy Berzatto, an award-winning chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago to manage the chaotic kitchen at his deceased brother's sandwich shop. Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, and Edwin Lee Gibson return from the previous season as the supporting cast. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan highlight why the fourth season of The Bear finds Storer and Co. at the top of their game.

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Episode 150: Mountainhead

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 07:20:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal examines the timely satirical comedy-drama television film Mountainhead, written and directed by Jesse Armstrong in his directorial debut, and starring Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Youssef. The film follows four billionaire friends on a secluded weekend retreat as the world goes through major turmoil. In this episode co-hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell dig into Jesse Armstrong's unique brand of satire, how Mountainhead distressingly mirrors real life, what type of films work best on the small screen, and a great deal more.

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Episode 149: The Last of Us, Season 2

Fri, 30 May 2025 07:20:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal delves into the the second season of the post-apocalyptic drama television series The Last of Us, the HBO series based on the video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog. The season is set twenty-five years into a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection, which causes its hosts to transform into zombie-like creatures and collapses society. The season stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced, and Young Mazino. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell lay out the good, the bad, and the ugly components of the polarizing second season in an episode that displays how little the hosts of WTTPP know about modern day video games.

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Episode 148: Andor, Season 2

Thu, 22 May 2025 10:46:47 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the second season of Andror, the American science fiction political spy thriller drama television series created by Tony Gilroy for Disney+. It is part of the Star Wars franchise and a prequel to the film Rogue One (2016), which itself is a prequel to the original Star Wars film (1977). The series follows thief-turned-rebel spy Cassian Andor during the five years that lead to the events of the two films, exploring how he becomes radicalized against the Galactic Empire and how the wider Rebel Alliance is formed. Diego Luna reprises his role as Cassian Andor from Rogue One and serves as an executive producer. The series also stars Adria Arjona, Stellan Skarsgård, Ben Mendelsohn, Benjamin Bratt, and Alan Tudyk. In this episode co-hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan explain why they believe this series is an absolute triumph from its inception to its final, heart-wrenching moments.

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Episode 147: The Righteous Gemstones & The Art of the Series Finale

Thu, 15 May 2025 08:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the final season, and in particular the concluding episode, of The Righteous Gemstones, the comedy-drama television series created by Danny McBride. The series follows a famous and dysfunctional family of televangelists. McBride also stars in the series, alongside Adam DeVine, Edi Patterson, and John Goodman. The series concluded on May 4, 2025, after airing four seasons and 36 episodes, and we here at Welcome To The Party Pal contest that McBride & Co. tremendously stuck the landing. As such, following a breakdown of how the Gemstones series was brought home with finesse, co-hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell share their picks for the shows that had the most successful series finales in television history.

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Episode 146: Severance, Season Two

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:42:37 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the long awaited-second season of the science fiction psychological thriller television series Severance, created by Dan Erickson and executive produced and primarily directed by Ben Stiller. It stars Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, and Patricia Arquette. The series follows employees at the biotechnology corporation Lumon Industries that have undergone "severance" — a medical procedure that ensures they retain no memories of the outside world while at work, and have no recollection of their job once they leave. This results in two distinct personalities for each employee: the "innie," who exists solely within Lumon, and the "outie," who lives their personal life outside of work. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O’Connell take you into the depths of the MDR department on the Lumon Industries' severed floor to answer all of your pressing questions about the Apple TV+'s smash hit.

Timestamps: Minimal White Lotus & "Guilded" Age of Television talk until 15:08, and the rest all Severance!

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Episode 145: Anora

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:40:16 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the comedy-drama film written, directed, produced, and edited by Sean Baker, Anora. It stars Mikey Madison as Anora "Ani" Mikheeva, a stripper from New York who marries the wealthy son of a Russian oligarch. The film led at the 97th Academy Awards, winning five Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Madison), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell dissect exactly why Anora cleaned house at this year's Oscars.

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Episode 144: Paradise

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 08:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan examine the hype surrounding Paradise, the political thriller television series created by Dan Fogelman and starring Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, and James Marsden. Set in a city-sized underground bunker in Colorado three years after a doomsday event, the series follows United States Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling L. Brown) as he seeks to discover the truth behind the killing of the President of the United States. As Xavier comes under suspicion for President Bradford's James Marsden) death, he searches for answers about what really happened, and is unsure of whom he can trust as his questions lead to many shocking revelations. Join in on an episode that celebrates a season of television refreshingly brimming with surprises and intrigue episode after episode.

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Episode 143: The Brutalist

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan dissect The Brutalist, the 2024 epic period drama film directed and produced by Brady Corbet. It stars Adrien Brody as a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor who emigrates to the United States, where he struggles to achieve the American Dream until a wealthy client changes his life. The cast also features Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Emma Laird, Isaach de Bankolé, and Alessandro Nivola. Join in on an episode that celebrates a sweeping epic of a film brimming with brilliant production design, a captivating score, and an exceedingly talented cast.

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Episode 142: American Primeval

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:50 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant break down American Primeval, the American Western miniseries created and written by Mark L. Smith and directed by Peter Berg. Starring Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin, the series is set in 1857 during the Utah War and examines the fight to gain control of the American West and the violent clash between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and cultures in the Utah Territory, centering on the events surrounding the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Join in on an episode that tips its cowboy hat to captivating storytelling, a jaw dropping performance by Shea Whigham, and a surprisingly tender series conclusion, all while giving birth to what will forever be known as the "Revenant-Verse."

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Episode 141: The 10 Best Television Shows of 2024

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 09:20:22 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O’ Connell share their choices for the best television shows of 2024. Join in as they take you to feudal Japan, the coast of Italy in the 1960s, the gritty streets of Gotham amid a burgeoning gang war, to Northern Ireland during The Troubles, and beyond— in a celebration of the television shows that entertained and enlivened our lives in 2024.

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Episode 140: Say Nothing

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 09:20:14 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Say Nothing, the historical drama limited series created by Josh Zetumer for Disney+, produced by FX Productions. Detailing four generations in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, it is an adaptation of the 2018 book by Patrick Radden Keefe. The series follows the lives of people growing up in Belfast in the 1970s, 80s and 90s during The Troubles, as well as their involvement in the Provisional Irish Republican Army, and inquiries into the Disappeared and particularly the murder of Jean McConville. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell tip their hat to a show they both agree is "perfect."

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Episode 139: The Penguin

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 09:20:23 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates The Penguin, the crime drama television miniseries developed by Lauren LeFranc for HBO. Based on the DC Comics character of the same name, it is a spin-off from 2022's The Batman that explores Oz Cobb's rise to power in Gotham City's criminal underworld after the events of that film. LeFranc serves as the showrunner of the series and the series stars Colin Farrell as Oz, reprising his role from The Batman, alongside Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Clancy Brown, Michael Kelly, and Mark Strong, amongst many others. In this episode hosts Michael Shields, Ryan O' Connell, and Douglas Grant converse about the terrific acting in the season (particularly Milioti!), how LeFranc and company perfectly bridged the gap between television and movies, what the series means for the future of The Batman franchise, and more.

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Episode 138: The Sympathizer

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 07:20:52 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal features a deep dive into HBO's The Sympathizer, the historical black comedy drama miniseries based on the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Viet Thanh Nguyen. The series was created by co-showrunners Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar, with Park directing the first three episodes. The series is based on the story of the Captain, a North Vietnam plant in the South Vietnam army. He is forced to flee to the United States with his general near the end of the Vietnam War. While living within a community of South Vietnamese refugees, he continues to secretly spy on the community and report back to the Viet Cong, struggling between his original loyalties and his new life. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant take you on a journey to Saigon, then to Los Angeles, and back again!

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Episode 137: House of the Dragon Season Two, Part Two

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 07:20:27 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal once again celebrates the second season of House of The Dragon, the television series created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO. A prequel to Game of Thrones (2011–2019), House of the Dragon is based on parts of Martin’s 2018 book Fire & Blood where the series begins about 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms are united by the Targaryen conquest, nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. Featuring an ensemble cast, the show portrays the events leading up to the decline of House Targaryen, a devastating war of succession known as the “Dance of the Dragons.” In this episode, hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell discuss the jump in quality from Season One to Season Two, the critiques revolving around the Season Finale, what their hopes are for the next season, and so much more.

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Episode 136: House of the Dragon, Season 2 w/ The GOT Guru

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:20:27 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the second season of House of The Dragon, the television series created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO. A prequel to Game of Thrones (2011–2019), House of the Dragon is based on parts of Martin's 2018 book Fire & Blood where the series begins about 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms are united by the Targaryen conquest, nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. Featuring an ensemble cast, the show portrays the events leading up to the decline of House Targaryen, a devastating war of succession known as the "Dance of the Dragons." In this episode, the main themes and points of action of the riveting Dragon-laden second season are dissected thoroughly, with the help of a special guest, a person so knowledgeable in the ways of Westeros he is known in many circles as simply The GOT Guru (Geoffrey Golia).

The article referenced in the podcast at Across The Margin with the GOT Guru can be read here!

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Episode 135: Dark Matter

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 07:20:28 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal journeys through the multiverse in a celebration of Dark Matter, the science fiction Apple-TV series created by Blake Crouch, based on his 2016 novel of the same name. In it, a man is abducted into an alternate version of his life. Amid the mind-bending landscape of lives he could've lived, he embarks on a harrowing journey to get back to his true family and save them from a most terrifying foe: himself. Dark Matter stars Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Oakes Fegley, Dayo Okeniyi, and Amanda Brugel. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan explore universe after universe, and copy after copy of an embattled main character, in a examination of one of the best science fiction television shows of 2024.

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Episode 134: Ripley

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 08:20:36 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal journeys to Italy to celebrate Netflix's Ripley, the neo-noir psychological thriller television series created, written, and directed by Steven Zaillian, based on Patricia Highsmith's 1955 crime novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. Starring Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley, with Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood and Johnny Flynn as Dickie Greenleaf, the eight-episode limited series is the first adaptation of Highsmith's novel to a series. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell tip their hat to Robert Elswit's stunning cinematography, the showrunners decision to shoot entirely in black & white, and Andrew Scott's gripping performance, all while attempting to answer the question: Is Tom Ripley a good hang?

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Episode 133: Fall Guy & American Dreamer

Fri, 31 May 2024 07:20:37 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal breaks from its normal singular-focused episodes and dives deeply into not one, but two films. First up (6:06) is the action-comedy blockbuster Fall Guy, directed by David Leitch and written by Drew Pearce, loosely based on the 1980s TV series. The plot follows a stuntman (Ryan Gosling) working on his ex-girlfriend's (Emily Blunt) directorial debut action film, only to find himself involved in a conspiracy surrounding the film's lead actor (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). The cast also features Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, and Winston Duke. That is followed (13:36) by an examination of the weighty themes and cunning black comedy of American Dreamer, a film directed by Paul Dektor (in his feature debut) and written by Theodore Melfi. Based on a segment from the radio show This American Life, it stars Peter Dinklage as a professor who tries to buy the estate of a lonely widow played by Shirley MacLaine. Kim Quinn, Danny Pudi, Danny Glover, and Matt Dillon also star. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan talk two very different, but extremely entertaining, films.

River Jordan is the author of four novels and three works of creative nonfiction. She holds an MFA from Seattle Pacific University and her work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, NPR’s Book Talk, the Southern Literary Review, and Radix Magazine among others. When not working on her new novel, A Muddy Grace she can be found bartending at, God on the Rocks, a virtual blues and jazz bar located in the City by the Bay where she has soulful conversations great humans talking about the things they love.

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Episode 132: The Nicolas Cage Episode

Tue, 14 May 2024 19:29:55 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal pays tribute to one of the most enigmatic actors in the history of cinema, Nicolas Cage, through an interview with the author of How Coppola Became Cage, Zach Schonfeld. In this episode, a simulcast production with our sister podcast Across The Margin : The Podcast, the genius of one of the most misunderstood and gifted actors of all time is explored in-depth.

Zach Schonfeld is a freelance writer, journalist, and critic based in New York. He contributes to Pitchfork, Paste Magazine, and other publications. He was formerly a senior writer for Newsweek, where he was on staff for five years. His first book, 24-Carat Black's Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth, was published in 2020 as part of the 33 1/3 series and his latest book, entitled How Coppola Became Cage, is the focus of this episode.

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Episode 131: Shōgun, Part Two

Tue, 07 May 2024 07:20:26 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal once again celebrates Shōgun, the historical drama television miniseries created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks. It is based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, which was previously adapted into a 1980 miniseries. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant examine how faithful FX's adaption was to James Clavell's books while digging into the overall appeal of the show which has blossomed into a massive hit.

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Episode 130: Shōgun

Thu, 02 May 2024 06:51:03 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Shōgun, the historical drama television miniseries created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks. It is based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, which was previously adapted into a 1980 miniseries. Shōgun's ensemble cast is tremendous, and the series has received praise from critics and fans alike. Shōgun follows the collision of two ambitious men from different worlds, John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, a land whose unfamiliar culture will ultimately redefine him; Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell delve into just why Shōgun is easily one of the best shows if 2024 thus far.

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Episode 129: The 96th Academy Awards

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 06:29:30 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal breaks down the The 96th Academy Awards ceremony, which was presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and took place on March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan exclaim over Oppenheimer's dominance, Poor Thing's impressive showing, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph's intoxication spirit while recounting the most heartwarming and hilarious moments of this year's extremely entertaining Oscar ceremony.

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Episode 128: The Year in Film, 2023

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 09:20:28 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, in the lead up to The 96th Academy Awards, takes stock of the cinematic offerings of 2023 and celebrates another outstanding year of movies. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan tip their hats to prestige movies such as Killers of The Flower Moon, Oppenheimer, The Holdovers, Poor Things, Past Lives, and American Fiction — while also lauding exciting popcorn-adventure films such as Guardians of The Galaxy 3, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Godzilla Minus One, and more!

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Episode 127: True Detective, Night Country

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:20:28 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal delves deeply into True Detective :Night Country, the fourth season of True Detective, the anthology crime drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto. The season is set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, and follows the investigation behind the disappearance of eight men from a research station. The season stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis as Detectives Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro. Night Country was created by Issa López, who serves as showrunner, writer, and director. It is the first season without the involvement of Pizzolatto; however, he is still credited as an executive producer. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell break down one of the most polarizing and most watched seasons of True Detective yet.

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Episode 126: Fargo, Season 5

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 09:20:37 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the fifth season of Fargo, the anthology dark comedy–crime drama television series created by Noah Hawley. The enthralling season is set in Minnesota and North Dakota in the fall of 2019. It stars Juno Temple as Dorothy "Dot" Lyon, a seemingly typical Midwestern housewife living in Scandia, Minnesota, whose mysterious past comes back to haunt her after she lands in hot water with the authorities. Jon Hamm also stars as menacing North Dakota Sheriff Roy Tillman, who has been searching for Dot for many years. Other cast members include Jennifer Jason Leigh as Dot's wealthy and conservative mother-in-law Lorraine Lyon, David Rysdale as Dot's innocent, loving husband, Joe Keery as Roy's loyal son Gator, Lamorne Morris as Deputy Witt Farr, and Sam Spruell as the mysterious drifter Ole Munch.

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Episode 125: Maestro

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 06:20:56 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Maestro, the biographical romantic drama film that centers on the relationship between American composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre. It was directed by Bradley Cooper, from a screenplay he wrote with Josh Singer. Maestro was produced by Cooper, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Fred Berner and Amy Durning. The film stars Carey Mulligan as Felicia alongside Cooper as Bernstein; Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, and Sarah Silverman appear in supporting roles. After sharing their brief thoughts about the recent Oscar nominations, hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan dig into what works and what doesn't in Bradley Cooper's triumphant ode to Leonard Bernstein's complicated and fascinating life.

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Episode 125: 2024 Television Preview

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 09:20:27 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal looks forward to the year ahead and previews a slew of the captivating television shows set to air in 2024. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O’ Connell discuss heralded television shows returning for their latest season — those highly anticipated, beloved programs such as True Detective, Stranger Things, The Bear, and House of the Dragon. Then, they dig into a bevy of television shows premiering this year, ones such as The Veil, Fallout, The Penguin, The Sympathizer, The Regime, Masters of The Air, and Shogun. A bounty lies ahead, and this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal aptly prepares viewers for the goodness that awaits.

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Episode 124: The Best Television Shows of 2023

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O’ Connell share their choices for the best television shows of 2023. Join in as they take you inside gourmet kitchens in Chicago, private jets taking off from New York City, acting studios in Los Angeles, evangelical churches in South Carolina, and beyond — in a celebration of the television shows that entertained and enlivened our lives in 2023!

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Episode 123: Loki, Season 2

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 09:20:46 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the second season of the Disney television series Loki, based on Marvel Comics, which finds Loki working with Mobius M. Mobius, Hunter B-15, and other members of the Time Variance Authority (TVA) to navigate the multiverse in order to find Sylvie, Ravonna Renslayer, and Miss Minutes. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. Eric Martin served as head writer and Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead lead the directing team. Tom Hiddleston reprised his role as Loki from the film series, starring alongside Sophia Di Martino (Sylvie), Wunmi Mosaku (Hunter B-15), Owen Wilson (Mobius), and Jonathan Majors (He Who Remains / Victor Timely). In this episode hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan celebrate Tom Hiddleston's 14 year run as the infamous Marvel God Loki while tipping their horned-hat to the terrific ensemble cast in general. They remark about Natalie Holt's enthralling score and the unexpected conclusion to the series all while sharing their undying love for entertainment revolving around time travel.

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Episode 122: Killers of the Moon

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 07:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the epic Western crime drama film, Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Martin Scorsese, who co-wrote the screenplay with Eric Roth, based on the 2017 book of the same name by David Grann. Its plot centers on a series of Oklahoma murders in the Osage Nation during the 1920s, committed after oil was discovered on tribal land. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone lead an ensemble cast, that also includes Jesse Plemons, John Lithgow and Brendan Fraser. It is the sixth feature film collaboration between Scorsese and DiCaprio and the tenth between Scorsese and De Niro, and the eleventh and final collaboration between Scorsese and his musical partner, Robbie Robertson, who died two months before the film's release. Join in as hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan dissect one of the most captivating, and disturbing, events in American history, a story that was brought vividly to life to one of the greatest directors of all time.

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Episode 121: The Creator

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 06:20:46 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates The Creator, the 2023 science fiction film produced and directed by Gareth Edwards, who co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Weitz. The film stars John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Allison Janney, and Madeleine Yuna Voyles (in her film debut). Set in 2055 after a nuclear detonation in Los Angeles and a war against artificial intelligence, an ex-special forces agent is recruited to hunt down and kill the "Creator," who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant discuss the film tributes that Gareth Edwards employs within The Creator while tipping their hat to the gifted director's science fiction worldbuilding prowess. They talk about the remarkable film debut of Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Allison Janney's foray into action films, the thoughtful social commentary present in the film, the best use of Radiohead's music in film and television, and so much more.

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Episode 120: Winning Time

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 07:20:37 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, the sports drama television series created by Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht for HBO, based on the book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s by Jeff Pearlman. The first season, comprising 10 episodes, chronicles the 1980s Showtime era of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team featuring notable NBA stars Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It features an ensemble cast led by John C. Reilly, Jason Clarke, Jason Segel, Gaby Hoffmann, Rob Morgan, and Adrien Brody. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Justin Wells laud the extraordinary cast, the massive (often disjointed) scope of the series, and the fascinating stylistic choices present in the series, while bemoaning how the series was unceremoniously cut short after two season.

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Episode 119: Oppenheimer

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 08:20:11 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Oppenheimer, the epic biographical thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. Based on the 2005 biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, the film chronicles the career of American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. The story predominantly focuses on Oppenheimer's studies, his direction of the Manhattan Project during World War II, and his eventual fall from grace due to his 1954 security hearing. The film stars Cillian Murphy as the title character, Emily Blunt as his wife, "Kitty," Matt Damon as head of the Manhattan Project Leslie Groves, Robert Downey Jr. as U.S. Atomic Energy Commission member Lewis Strauss, and Florence Pugh as Communist Party USA member Jean Tatlock. The ensemble supporting cast includes Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh. Listen is as hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan marvel over the genius of Christopher Nolan, tip their hat (a hybrid of a porkpie crown with a somewhat Western brim) to Ruth De Jong's brilliant production design and Ludwig Göransson's gripping score, and show their undying love to the great state of New Mexico!

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Episode 118: Barbie

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 06:20:37 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Barbie, the fantasy comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig from a screenplay she wrote with Noah Baumbach. Based on the Barbie fashion dolls by Mattel, it is the first live-action Barbie film after numerous computer-animated films and specials. The film stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken on a journey of self-discovery following an existential crisis. It features a supporting cast that includes America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell explore the surprisingly weighty themes present in Barbie while marvelling about the stunning production design present in the film. They discuss the phenomenon the film grew into, the tremendously gifted cast, Greta Gerwig's future following this gargantuan success, and so much more.

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Episode 117: The Bear, Season 2

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 07:20:34 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal tips its hat to the second season of The Bear, the comedy-drama series created by Christopher Storer. The first season premiered on Hulu in 2022 and starred Jeremy Allen White as a young, award-winning chef who returns to his hometown, Chicago, to manage the chaotic kitchen at his deceased brother's sandwich shop. The supporting cast includes Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Abby Elliott, and Matty Matheson. The second season recently concluded and this episode attempts to explain why it is one of the best things you are going to see on television all year long.

River Jordan, the featured co-host of this episode, is the author of four southern gothic novels and three spiritual memoirs. For fifteen years River hosted Clearstory Radio from Nashville where she interviewed award-winning best-selling authors. She is currently at work completing A Muddy Grace, a new novel set during the Great Depression in the deep south. River has returned to her saltwater roots and currently lives on the coast of North Carolina.

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Episode 116: Succession, Season 4

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 16:11:44 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal dives deeply into Succession, the celebrated television series created by Jesse Armstrong that aired on HBO from June 3, 2018, to May 28, 2023, for four seasons and 39 episodes. In Succession, the head of one of the world's largest media and entertainment conglomerates decides to retire whilst each of his four grown children follows a personal agenda that doesn't always sync with those of their siblings, or of their father. The series starred Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, and Alan Ruck. This episode hones in on the inarguably successful final season and concluding episode to the Roy family saga, cementing the black comedy/drama's reputation as one of the finest series in television history.

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Episode 115: Perry Mason, Season 2

Wed, 24 May 2023 08:20:01 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the second season of HBO Max's Perry Mason, a compelling series which portrays the origin story of the famed criminal defense lawyer (played by Matthew Rhys). The series was created by Rolin Jones and Ron Fitzgerald for HBO and it is based on the character of the same name by Erle Stanley Gardner. The series also stars Juliet Rylance as Della Street, Chris Chalk as Paul Drake, Justin Kirk as Hamilton Burger, and Shea Whigham as Pete Strickland. Season Two finds Perry in the throes of the Los Angeles legal system during the height of the Great Depression. Months after the Dodson trial that comprised the captivating first season shook the city, Perry is readjusting to life as a civil attorney when a high-profile murder case brings him back into the fold. In this episode hosts MIchael Shields and River Jordan expound upon how the story told in HBO's Perry Mason is the unflinching story of America's soul. They explore the knotty, fascinating case at the center of the second season while contemplating what might come next for the series. Ultimately, they celebrate what is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable seasons of television to be released in 2023.

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Episode 114: Jury Duty

Thu, 11 May 2023 12:02:03 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the American mockumentary television series created by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, and starring Ronald Gladden, Jury Duty. The series chronicles the inner workings of a jury trial through the eyes of juror Ronald Gladden, a solar contractor from San Diego, who is unaware that his jury duty summons was not official, and that everyone in the courtroom aside from him is an actor. Everything that happens, inside and outside the courtroom, is planned. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan explore the unique premise of the show and the complicated ethical concerns that arise from it. They discuss the dynamic, eclectic cast assembled for the Jury Duty, the meticulous level of production and calculation required to make the series work, and most importantly, the "hero" at the center of everything that is the reason the first season was such a tremendous success.

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Episode 113: Daisy Jones & The Six

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 08:20:15 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal delves into Daisy Jones & The Six, the musical drama television miniseries developed by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, based on the 2019 novel of the same name by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Set in the Los Angeles music scene of the late 1970s, the series charts the rise and fall of the fictional titular rock band through a documentary style series of interviews with the members and footage of concerts and recording sessions, complete with vocals by series leads Riley Keough (as Daisy) and Sam Claflin (as Billy, founder of The Six). Throughout the episode hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell discuss the music that acted as the backbone of the season while expounding upon the success and failures of Daisy's adaptation to television. They tip their hat to the deeply affecting finale, profess their love for Daisy Jones & The Six's drummer, explore the possibility of a second season, and much, much more.

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Episode 112: The Last of Us

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 08:20:30 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates The Last of Us, the post-apocalyptic television series created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for HBO. Based on the 2013 video game developed by Naughty Dog, the series is set in 2023, twenty years into a pandemic, caused by a mass fungal infection which forces its hosts to transform into zombie-like creatures. The series follows Joel (Pedro Pascal), a smuggler tasked with escorting the teenage Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across a post-apocalyptic United States. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O'Connell dissect the nine riveting episodes of the first season of The Last of Us while discussing the employment of video games as IP for television and film. They expound upon the phenomenon the show blossomed into (the most watched show in the history of HBO Max!), the triumphant year actor Pedro Pascal is immersed in, the 'Chekhov's Lie' that concluded the season, how special obtaining a book of jokes would be in a post apocalyptic world, and so much more.

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Episode 111: The 95th Academy Awards & The Best Films of 2022

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:20:58 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal dissects the 95th Academy Awards to examine what the academy got right and what they got wrong while celebrating the magical moments that occured on stage amid Hollywood's biggest night. Listen in as hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan tip their hat to Everything Everywhere All At Once's dominant evening, bemoan Banshees of Inisherin's lack of award recognition, and ultimately, reveal their picks of their favorite films of 2022.

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Episode 110: The Menu

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:20:22 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates The Menu, the black comedy horror film directed by Mark Mylod, written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, based on an original story created by Tracy, and produced by Adam McKay, Betsy Koch and Will Ferrell. It features an ensemble cast that includes Ralph Fiennes as a celebrity chef with Hong Chau playing his assistant and Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Janet McTeer, Reed Birney, Judith Light, and John Leguizamo playing diners who attend his exclusive restaurant. In The Menu, a young couple travels to a remote island to eat at a swank restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises. This episode features a consummate breakdown of the film, wherein hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant discuss the bevy of recent films targeting the rich with satire while exploring the depth behind the multi-course meal that resides at the heart of the The Menu. They tip their chef's hat to the remarkable cast, the rich hilarity of the dark comedy found within The Menu, and much, much more.

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Episode 109: The Banshees of Inisherin

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:20:10 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan dissect the Oscar-nominated film The Banshees of Inisherin which was directed, written, and co-produced by Martin McDonagh. Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, the film stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two lifelong friends who find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. It reunites Farrell and Gleeson, who previously worked together on McDonagh's directorial debut, In Bruges (2008). The Banshees of Inisherin received nine nominations at the 95th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Farrell), Best Supporting Actor (Gleeson and Keoghan), Best Supporting Actress (Condon) and Best Original Screenplay. At the 80th Golden Globe Awards, it achieved three wins from eight nominations: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actor – Musical or Comedy (Farrell), and Best Screenplay. So, join in on an episode celebrating easily one of the past year's best films.

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Episode 108: White Lotus, Season 2

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 09:20:49 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party celebrates the return of Mike White's Emmy-winning television series White Lotus which premiered its sophomore season this past October. The second season stars Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, Will Sharpe, Theo James, Michael Imperioli, among others. It recently won Golden Globe Awards for Best Limited or Anthology Series and Best Supporting Actress for Coolidge. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Justin Wells attempt to explain the phenomenon of White Lotus and its far-reaching appeal. They discuss the themes of the show revolving around desire, power structures, and the transactional nature of relationships. They breakdown the complex character interconnectivity in the season, what might occur in the forthcoming third season, and of course, tip their hat to the absolutely banging theme song, and much, much more.

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Episode 107: Avatar - The Way of Water

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 09:20:35 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party, Avatar: The Way of Water, the epic science fiction film directed and produced by James Cameron, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, is dissected and celebrated. It is the sequel to Avatar (2009) and the second installment in the Avatar film series. Cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, and Giovanni Ribisi reprise their roles from the original film, with Sigourney Weaver returning in an additional role. New cast members include Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Edie Falco, and Jemaine Clement. In the film, Na'vi Jake Sully (Worthington) and his family, under renewed human threat, seek refuge with the Metkayina clan of Pandora. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan explore the themes of The Way of Water while discussing James Cameron undying love for the sea. They consider the film's gaudy runtime, the remarkable special effects and CGI featured in the film, and so much more!

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Episode 106: 2023 Television Preview

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 09:20:45 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal looks forward to the year ahead and previews a slew of the captivating television shows set to air in 2023. First, hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O' Connell discuss heralded television shows returning for their latest season — those highly anticipated, beloved programs such as Succession, Barry, The Mandalorian, and Loki. Then, they dig into a bevy of television shows premiering this year, ones that star such renowned actors as Meryl Streep, Woody Harrelson, Natasha Lyonne, Harrison Ford, Kate Winslet, Bob Odenkirk, Jodie Foster, and Matthew Rhys (just to name a few!). A bounty lies ahead, and this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal aptly prepares viewers for the goodness that awaits.

Two articles were mentioned in this episode, those are: "Which Wildly Different TV Shows Make A Surprisingly Good Pair?" by Ryan O'Connell and "Fargo's Perfect Second Season" by Michael Shields.

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Episode 105: The Fabelmans

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 09:20:52 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal pays tribute to The Fabelmans, the coming-of-age drama directed by Steven Spielberg and written and produced by Tony Kushner and Spielberg. It is a semi-autobiographical story based on Spielberg's adolescence and first years as a filmmaker, told through an original story of the fictional Sammy Fabelman, a young aspiring filmmaker who explores how the power of films can help him see the truth about his dysfunctional family and those around him. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy, with Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, and Judd Hirsch in supporting roles. The film is dedicated to the memories of Spielberg's real-life parents Leah Adler and Arnold Spielberg, who died in 2017 and 2020, respectively. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Mitch Lucas marvel at Spielberg's latest while exploring the themes present in the The Fabelmans. They discuss how the movie speaks to the power and beauty of film as they celebrate the tremendous performances found in the film. Ultimately, this episode serves as a tribute to one of the greatest storytellers in the history of filmmaking.

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Episode 104: The Best TV Shows of 2022

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:20:01 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O’ Connell share their choices for the best television shows of 2022. In a year absolutely chock full of brilliant offerings, across a multitude of genres, whittling it down to just ten was no easy task, but that was thej ob. And so, join in on a celebration of 2022's bounty. Does Barry, The Bear, Better Call Saul, Rings of Power, Abbott Elementary, Severance, Andor, or Reservation Dogs make our list? Tune in to find out what entertained most this past year.

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Episode 103: Andor

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 09:20:46 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the first season of Andor, the science-fiction action-adventure television series created by Tony Gilroy for Disney+. It is the fourth live-action series in the Star Wars franchise, as well as a prequel to both the spin-off film Rogue One (2016) and the original Star Wars film (1977). The series follows thief-turned-Rebel spy Cassian Andor during the five years that lead to the events of the two films. Diego Luna reprises his role as Cassian Andor and also serves as an executive producer. The ensemble cast also includes Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, Stellan Skarsgård, Denise Gough, Genevieve O'Reilly, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, and Elizabeth Dulau, among others. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant discuss showrunner Tony Gilroy's bold and novel approach to storytelling in the Star Wars Universe. They talk about the tremendous cast assembled for the project, Nicholas Britell's engrossing score, a moment where a droid's anguish broke our hearts, Luke Hall's game-changing production design, and so much more.

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Episode 102: House of the Dragon

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 08:20:21 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal dissects the first season of House of the Dragon, the fantasy drama television series that persists as a prequel to Game of Thrones. It is the second show in the franchise created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO. Both series are based on the A Song of Ice and Fire novels by Martin with Condal and Miguel Sapochnik serving as the showrunners. Based on parts of the novel Fire & Blood, the series is set about 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, descendant of the eponymous royal house, and 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms is united by the Targaryen Conquest. It portrays the beginning of the end of House Targaryen, the events leading up to and covering the Targaryen civil war of succession, known as the "Dance of the Dragons." In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O' Connell expound on the most exciting moments of this first season of The House of the Dragon while celebrating some of the most nuanced and cutthroat characters that can be found on television today. They explore the challenges presented by the time-jumps that take place throughout the season, the events that occurred in the season that couldn't be found in the novel Fire & Blood, what the finale means for the series moving forward, and much, much more.

Check out Ryan O' Connell's pop culture blog, Giddy Up America!

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Episode 101: The Greatest HBO Character of All Time

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 08:20:56 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Ryan O' Connell set forth to answer one of the most impossible questions in television: Who is the greatest HBO character of all time? Basing their conversation on an article written by Ryan O' Connell at BroBible titled, "Who Is The Greatest HBO Character of All Time? We Set Up A Massive Battle Royale To Figure Out The G.O.A.T," the two overly prepared hosts analyze all the characters who have inhabited the programs of arguably the premiere television network ever. Does the cream of the crop hail from The Wire (Omar? / Bubbles? / McNulty?), Game of Thrones (Daenerys? / Cersei?), or perhaps one of HBO's acclaimed comedies (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, Eastbound & Down)? Find out in an episode that offers a definitive answer to this pressing question. Beyond getting to the bottom of the best of the best, Michael and Ryan go on to tip their hat to a few notable Honorable Mentions, and then discuss some Future Stars from the rookie class (Rue from Euphoria / Kendall from Succession / etc.) that could one day be in the running for the top spot.

Ryan O’Connell is a writer, event professional, and one-time musician from the great state of Maine who currently resides in New Jersey. He has contributed work to UPROXX, Heavy, and BroBible. He also maintains his own blog Giddy Up America. Ryan has watched ‘The Wire’ all the way through five times and as a result, will make reference to it on a near-regular basis.

Two articles mention in this episode of note: "The Top 20 Episodes of Breaking Bad" and "Boardwalk's Empire."

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Episode 100: Elvis

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 08:20:15 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal journeys to Graceland to commemorate Elvis, the 2022 biographical musical drama film directed by Baz Luhrmann, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, and Jeremy Doner. The film follows the life of rock and roll icon, singer, and actor Elvis Presley, told from the perspective of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. It stars Austin Butler in the title role with Tom Hanks as Parker, while Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson and Richard Roxburgh co-star. Elvis has grossed $285.8 million worldwide against its $85 million budget, becoming the second-highest-grossing music biopic of all-time behind Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) and the fourth-highest-grossing Australian-produced film. Butler's performance garnered widespread acclaim, while the film's costume and production designs as well as musical sequences received positive reviews. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan celebrate the spectacles that are Baz Luhrmann's films. They discuss Tom Hanks polarizing portrayal of Colonel Tom Parker while hailing the astounding performance of Austin Butler as Elvis Presley. They talk about what Elvis says about America's longstanding problems with racism, puritism, and homophobia, how biopics can often be predictable and repetitive, Elvis's impact on America and American music, and so much more. Join in as a lifelong Elvis fan and a fledgling admirer celebrate the "King of Rock N' Roll."

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Episode 99: Better Call Saul, Season 6

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 09:20:49 GMT

In this episode, Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Better Call Saul, the American crime and legal drama television series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. Part of the Breaking Bad franchise, it is a spin-off, prequel, and sequel to Gilligan's previous series, Breaking Bad. Set primarily in the early 2000s in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series develops Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), an earnest lawyer and former con artist, into an egocentric criminal defense attorney known as Saul Goodman. The enthralling series also depicts the moral decline of former police officer Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), who becomes a violent fixer for drug traffickers to support his granddaughter and her widowed mother. The show premiered on AMC on February 8, 2015, and concluded on August 15, 2022, after six seasons consisting of 63 episodes. Throughout this episode, hosts Michael Shields and L.P. Hanners examine the pivotal Better Call Saul episodes and moments that lead up to a finale that is hailed by many as one of the better closing episodes in television history. They also laud the tremendous cinematography, acting, and world-building present in throughout the series, but particularly in the captivating concluding season.

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Episode 98: Stranger Things Season 4, Vol 2

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 08:20:11 GMT

In this episode, Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Season 4, Volume 2 of Stranger Things, the science fiction horror drama television series created by the Duffer Brothers that is streaming on Netflix. The brothers serve as showrunners and are executive producers along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. Set in the 1980s primarily in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the series centers around numerous supernatural events occurring around the town, specifically around their connection to a hostile alternate reality called the “Upside Down,” after a link between it and Earth is made by a government child experimentation facility. The series stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Cara Buono, Matthew Modine, Dacre Montgomery, Sean Astin, Paul Reiser, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, and Brett Gelman. Season 4 of Stranger Things was released in two volumes. The first set of seven episodes were released on May 27, 2022, and the final two episodes of the season — the focus of this podcast episode — were released on July 1, 2022. In those episodes, Eleven loses a father figure, the gang prepares for and goes to war with Vecna, Hopper and Joyce make their escape from Russia, and the truth about where the monsters continually infesting Hawkins hail from comes to light — all of which is expounded upon in this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosted by Michael Shields with the help of author, speaker, teacher, and radio host River Jordan!

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Episode 97: Bottle Rocket

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 09:20:39 GMT

In this episode, Welcome To The Party Pal revisits Wes Anderson's directorial debut Bottle Rocket, a cult classic that persists as one of the most cherished indie films of the 1990s. Bottle Rocket was written by Anderson and Owen Wilson and is based on Anderson's 1994 short film of the same name. Bottle Rocket is also the acting debut for brothers Owen and Luke Wilson, who co-starred with Robert Musgrave, their older brother Andrew Wilson, Lumi Cavazos, and the great James Caan. Throughout the episode host Michael Shields, with the help of pop culture, music, sports, and television writer Ryan O' Connell, expound upon what makes Bottle Rocket such an enduring indie classic while waxing nostalgic about the film's more memorable moments, and ultimately, they pay tribute to the recently deceased film legend James Caan who played a profoundly important role in making Bottle Rocket (and every film he took part in) so very special.

Ryan O'Connell is a writer, event professional, and one-time musician from the great state of Maine who currently resides in New Jersey. He has contributed work to UPROXX, Heavy, and BroBible. He also maintains his own blog Giddy Up America. Ryan has watched 'The Wire' all the way through five times and as a result, will make reference to it on a near-regular basis.

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Episode 96: Obi-Wan Kenobi

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 08:20:34 GMT

In this episode, Welcome To The Party Pal examines Obi-Wan Kenobi, the television miniseries created for the streaming service Disney+ that is part of the Star Wars franchise starring Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, reprising his role from the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Set ten years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), the series follows Kenobi as he sets out to rescue the kidnapped Princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) from the Galactic Empire, leading to a confrontation with his former apprentice, Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen). Throughout this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant converse upon what this latest Star Wars television franchise means to the overall legacy of both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker/ Darth Vader. They delve into varying critiques of Obi-Wan Kenobi, celebrate the surprise appearance of young Princess Leia in the show, talk about the possibility of a second season, and so much more.

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Episode 95: Stranger Things Season 4, Volume 1

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 08:20:45 GMT

In this episode, Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Season 4, Volume 1 of Stranger Things, the science fiction horror drama television series created by the Duffer Brothers that is streaming on Netflix. The brothers serve as showrunners and are executive producers along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. Set in the 1980s primarily in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the series centers around numerous supernatural events occurring around the town, specifically around their connection to a hostile alternate reality called the "Upside Down," after a link between it and Earth is made by a government child experimentation facility. Season 4 of Stranger Things was released in two volumes. The first set of seven episodes, the focus of this episode, was released on May 27, 2022. In it, a new villian arises from the Upside Down, Hopper struggles to escape from a Soviet prison, and a powerless Eleven attempts to find her way in the world — all of which is expounded upon in this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosted by Michael Shields with the help of author, speaker, teacher, and radio host River Jordan!

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Episode 94: Ozark Season 4, Part 2

Tue, 10 May 2022 08:20:08 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the second half of the fourth season of Ozark, the crime drama television series created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams for Netflix. The series stars Jason Bateman and Laura Linney as Marty and Wendy Byrde, a married couple who relocate their family to the Lake of the Ozarks for money laundering. Bateman also serves as a director and executive producer for the series. In June 2020, the series was renewed for a fourth and final season, which consisted of fourteen episodes split into two parts; the first part was released on January 21, 2022, and the second part, which is the focus of this episode, on April 29, 2022. Throughout this podcast host Michael Shields, with the help of artist and film and television enthusiast Lindsay Paul Hanners, explore the themes present in Ozark, specifically focussing in on how the compelling series acted as a critique of both the American Dream and of late-stage Capitalism. They discuss a surprise hip-hop related cameo, a bold last stand for one of the series' most beloved characters, what the final surprise moment says about the series in aggregate, and a whole lot more.

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Episode 93: The Batman

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 08:20:28 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates The Batman, the latest reboot based on the DC Comics character Batman. The film was directed by Matt Reeves, who wrote the screenplay with Peter Craig. It stars Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne / Batman alongside Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell. The film sees Batman, who has been fighting crime in Gotham City for two years, uncover corruption while pursuing the Riddler (Dano), a serial killer who targets Gotham's elite. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Douglas Grant discuss Matt Reeves unique, bold stylistic decisions, the Riddler finally getting his turn as the chief villain in a Batman movie, Colin Farrell's impressive Penguin prosthetics, John Turturro's unstoppable 2022, Zoë Kravitz's terrific take on Catwoman, how Kurt Cobain inspired Pattinson's Batman, and much, much more.

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Episode 92: Nightmare Alley

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 06:20:48 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Nightmare Alley, the 2021 American neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by Guillermo del Toro from a screenplay by del Toro and Kim Morgan, based on the 1946 novel of the same name by William Lindsay Gresham, being the second feature film adaptation of Gresham's novel following the 1947 version. The film stars Bradley Cooper as a charming and ambitious carnival worker with a mysterious past who takes big risks to boost his career. Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen, and David Strathairn also star. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Mitch Lucas hail the meticulous production design on display in Nightmare Alley (compliments of Tamara Deverell) while exploring the weighty themes present, including the repercussions of greed, in an episode that ultimately pays tribute to del Toro's unparalleled cinematic vision.

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Episode 91: Ozark Season 4, Part 1

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 17:26:35 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the fourth season of Ozark, the American crime drama television series created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams for Netflix. The series stars Jason Bateman and Laura Linney as Marty and Wendy Byrde, a married couple who relocate their family to the Lake of the Ozarks for money laundering. Bateman also serves as a director and executive producer for the series. In June 2020, the series was renewed for a fourth and final season, which will consist of fourteen episodes split into two parts; the first part was released on January 21, 2022 and that seven episode arc is the focus of this episode. Throughout this podcast host Michael Shields, with the help of artist and film enthusiast Lindsay Paul Hanners, explores the themes and intense action present in Season 4 before looking forward to might be awaiting when Ozark returns for it's final act.

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Episode 90: Station Eleven, Part Two

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 11:50:02 GMT

In this episode, Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates — once again — Station Eleven, the post-apocalyptic fiction limited series created by Patrick Somerville based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Emily St. John Mandel. A post-apocalyptic saga spanning multiple timelines, Station Eleven tells the stories of survivors of a devastating flu as they attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world anew while holding on to the best of what’s been lost. Throughout this episode hosts Michael Shields and Chris Thompson dissect the differences between Emily St. John Mandel's deeply affecting novel and Patrick Sommerville's aggressive, impressive adaptation. They applaud how Mandel's work stimulates readers to celebrate all the technological marvels that they are gifted with today, as her potent novel displays clearly what it would be like if they are all taken away. They discuss what might be next for the Station Eleven Universe, the brilliant team behind the television series, Star Trek's connection to Station Eleven, and so much more.

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Episode 89: Station Eleven, Part One

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 12:46:44 GMT

In this episode, Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Station Eleven, the post-apocalyptic fiction limited series created by Patrick Somerville based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Emily St. John Mandel. A post-apocalyptic saga spanning multiple timelines, Station Eleven tells the stories of survivors of a devastating flu as they attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world anew while holding on to the best of what's been lost. Throughout this episode host Michael Shields, with the help of author, speaker, teacher and radio host River Jordan, explore the weighty themes present in Station Eleven (#SurvivalIsInsufficient) while conversing upon the unique and intimate scope of the series. They discuss the triumphant and impactful musical moments sprinkled throughout the ten episode arc, the brilliance of the interconnected web of characters that Station Eleven presents, and, ultimately, celebrate a series that shines a light on how cathartic and import art is, even in the most bleak of times.

River Jordan is an author, speaker, teacher and radio host. As a southerner with a global perspective she is a passionate advocate for the power of story. River's writing career began as a playwright and she spent over ten years writing and directing. She is the best-selling author of four novels and a three spiritual memoirs. For over fifteen years River Jordan has hosted Clearstory Radio on WRFN 107.1fm from Nashville and she is the host of three podcasts, Saints In Limbo, Wish You Were Here: Stories of Love and Mayhem , and the Clearstory Podcast.

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Episode 88: They All Laughed

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 09:20:25 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the life and career of famed director Peter Bogdanovich through an examination of one of his most influential films, They All Laughed. They All Laughed is a 1981 American romantic comedy film directed by Peter Bogdanovich starring Audrey Hepburn, Ben Gazzara, John Ritter, Colleen Camp, Patti Hansen, and Dorothy Stratten. The film was based on a screenplay by Bogdanovich and Blaine Novak. It takes its name from the George and Ira Gershwin song of the same name. The film is set in New York City, largely filmed outdoors on the streets, and tells the story of three private detectives investigating two beautiful women for infidelity. The detectives eventually wind up romantically pursuing the women, who turn the tables on them. The film serves as a candid look at love and sex in New York City in the early 1980s. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Mitch Lucas discuss how intertwined art and life were in the crafting of They All Laughed while conversing upon the unique stylistic choices present in the film. They detail the reason country music played such a large part in They All Laughed, marvel at the stunning cast, expound upon the various themes in present in the movie, and much, much more.

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Episode 87: Succession, Season 3 (Episodes 6 - 9)

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 11:20:30 GMT

Join in as Welcome To The Party Pal meticulously dissects the final four episodes of Season 3 of HBO’s smash hit comedy-drama Succession. Created by Jesse Armstrong, the series centers on the Roy family, the dysfunctional owners of Waystar RoyCo, a global media and entertainment conglomerate who are fighting for control of the company amid uncertainty about the health of the family’s patriarch, Logan Roy (Brian Cox). The series stars Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy, Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy, Sarah Snook as Siobhan Roy, Alan Ruck as Connor Roy, Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans, Siobhan’s husband and Waystar executive, and Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch, Logan’s grandnephew also employed by the company. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Justin Wells analyze the stunning season finale to Season 3, an episode that changed the game for the Roy family forevermore. They jest about Kendall Roy's extravagant birthday party while considering Jeremy Strong's breath-taking method acting in the series. They talk inappropriate "dick pics," the fascists present at The Future Freedom Summit, Tom and Greg's bromance, and much, much more.

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Episode 86: Succession, Season 3 (Episodes 1 - 5)

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 12:20:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal meticulously dissects the first five episode of HBO's smash hit comedy-drama Succession. Created by Jesse Armstrong, the series centers on the Roy family, the dysfunctional owners of Waystar RoyCo, a global media and entertainment conglomerate who are fighting for control of the company amid uncertainty about the health of the family's patriarch, Logan Roy (Brian Cox). The series stars Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy, Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy, Sarah Snook as Siobhan Roy, Alan Ruck as Connor Roy, Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans, Siobhan's husband and Waystar executive, and Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch, Logan's grandnephew also employed by the company. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Justin Wells take a hard look at the chances the four siblings of the Roy family have to eventually take the reigns of the Waystar RoyCo Empire while assessing Logan Roy's failing health, the tolerance of unkindness that defines the family's relationships, Roman Roy's sharp and cutting one-liners, Greg's hunt for the perfect watch, and much, much more.

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Episode 85: The Harder They Fall

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 09:20:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the 2021 Revisionist Western film The Harder The Fall, directed by Jeymes Samuel, who co-wrote the screenplay with Boaz Yakin. The film stars Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Lakeith Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, and Deon Cole. It is one of few Westerns whose principal cast members are all Black. Although a fictional film, its characters are based on real cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws of the 19th-century American West. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Mitch Lucas tip their black cowboy hat to the extraordinary cast assembled for the film, the stunning directorial debut of Jeymes Samuel, the untraditional music employed throughout the Western, the lying in wait surprise ending, and much, much more.

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Episode 84: Ted Lasso, Season Two

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the second season of Ted Lasso, the American sports comedy-drama streaming television series developed by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly, based on a character of the same name that Sudeikis first portrayed in a series of promos for NBC Sports' coverage of the Premier League. The series follows Ted Lasso, an American college football coach who is hired to coach an English soccer team in an attempt by its owner to spite her ex-husband. Lasso tries to win over the skeptical English market with his folksy, optimistic demeanor while dealing with his inexperience in the sport. In this episode host Michael Shields, with the help of Jonathan Hart (host of the Brokedown Podcast), breaks down the striking differences between Season One and Season Two while exploring the fascinating decision to turn one of the series' main characters toward the dark side. They also, with the help of two seasons of hindsight, analyze what exactly Ted Lasso is truly about and tip their visor to one of the most compelling episodes of television in many moons, "Beard After Hours."

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Episode 83: Squid Game

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 12:00:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the South Korean survival drama television series streaming on Netflix, Squid Game. Written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, it stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, O Yeong-su, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi, and Kim Joo-ryoung.The series centers on a contest where 456 players, drawn from different walks of life but each deeply in debt, play a set of children's games with deadly consequences for losing for a chance to win a 38 million dollar prize. Hwang had conceived of the idea based on his own economic struggles early in life as well as the class disparity within South Korea. Hwang wrote and directed all nine episodes himself. In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Michael Shields and Chris Thompson get to the bottom of just why Squid Game has become an international phenomenon while conversing upon the crafty storytelling turns found in the series, the weighty themes present such as the growing income inequality gap throughout the world, and much, much more.

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Episode 82: The White Lotus

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal sets its sights on The Aloha State in an episode that celebrates the first season of The White Lotus, the American satirical comedy-drama series created, written, and directed by Mike White (Enlightened). The series was greenlit in October 2020 and filmed in Hawaii in late 2020. Featuring an ensemble cast including Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Lacy, Natasha Rothwell, and Steve Zahn, the first season, consisting of six episodes, concerns the lives of the staff and guests at a tropical resort in Hawaii. In August 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which will tell the story of a different group of travelers during their stay at another White Lotus property. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Justin Wells explore the intriguing way in which the series was conceived, converse upon what the season says about Hawaii's lasting colonial trauma and they way in which people of privileged vacation, while pontificating over the varying dynamic and comedic themes present in the season.

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Episode 81: Loki

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates Loki, the television series created by Michael Waldron for Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character of the same name. It is the third television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The series takes place after the events of the film Avengers: Endgame (2019), in which an alternate version of Loki created a new timeline. Waldron serves as head writer, with Kate Herron directing for the first season. Tom Hiddleston reprises his role as Loki from the film series, with Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wunmi Mosaku, Eugene Cordero, Tara Strong, Sasha Lane, Jack Veal, DeObia Oparei, Richard E. Grant, and Jonathan Majors. In this episode your hosts, Michael Shields, Douglas Grant, and Chris Thompson explore what the arrival of Kang means for future Marvel movies, question what it means that Loki fell in love with a Variant of himself, dissect the unique visual aesthetic and set design employed in the series, and of course hail one of greatest additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the incomparable Miss Minutes.

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Episode 80: A Richard Donner Tribute

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 15:18:36 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal celebrates the life and career of one of Hollywood’s most prolific and consistent directors, Richard Donner. Donner began his career as a television director, helming episodes of series like The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Fugitive, and The Twilight Zone. He made his film debut with the low-budget aviation drama X-15 (1961), but had his critical and commercial breakthrough with the horror film The Omen (1976). He directed the landmark superhero film Superman (1978), starring Christopher Reeve, and went on to direct beloved films such as The Goonies (1985) and Scrooged (1988), while reinvigorating the buddy film genre with the Lethal Weapon film series. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and Mitch Lucas expound upon what Donner’s films meant to them, consider how Donner’s Superman paved the way for all superhero franchises to follow (including the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe), breakdown Donner’s most renowned films, and much, much more.

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Episode 79: The Deer Hunter

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 06:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal thoroughly explores the ins and outs of the 1978 American epic war drama film co-written and directed by Michael Cimino, The Deer Hunter. This enthralling, critically-acclaimed film, follows a trio of Russian-American steelworkers whose lives are changed forever after fighting in the Vietnam War. The three soldiers are played by Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage, and co-starring John Cazale (in his final role) and Meryl Streep. The story takes place in Clairton, Pennsylvania, a working-class town on the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh, and in locations around Vietnam.In this episode, hosts Michael Shields and filmmaker Mitch Lucas meticulously explore the themes present in The Deer Hunter while contemplating how post traumatic stress disorder is presented in the film. They discuss the work of the talented director behind the film and his notable fall from grace, the myriad of controversies surrounding the film, the use of Russian Roulette as a central metaphor of the film, the anti-war sentiments of The Deer Hunter, and much more.

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Episode 78: Yasuke

Fri, 28 May 2021 08:20:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal delves into Yasuke, the Japanese-American original anime series loosely based on the historical figure of the same name, an African warrior who served under Japanese daimyo Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period of samurai conflict in 16th century Japan. Created by LeSean Thomas and animated by Japanese animation studio MAPPA, the series stars Lakeith Stanfield as the titular character. In this episode, host Michael Shields, with the help of author and film & television enthusiast Douglas Grant, tout LeSean Thomas and Lakeith Stanfield's talents, explore the real life history of the the famed samurai Yasuke, laud the captivating score crafted by musician Flying Lotus, discuss the distinctive humor present in the series, and much, much more.

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Episode 77: The Serpent

Fri, 21 May 2021 09:20:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal casts its gaze towards Bangkok, Thailand in an episode that explores The Serpent, a British crime drama serial developed by Mammoth Screen. The eight-part limited series is a co-production between BBC One and Netflix and is based on the crimes of serial killer Charles Sobhraj, who murdered young tourists between 1975 and 2000. The series stars Tahar Rahim in the lead role as Sobhraj. To heighten this examination of The Serpent, your host of this episode of WTTPP, Christian Niedan, is joined by Evan Fox. Fox is a veteran Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State — currently working in Bangkok, Thailand, with previous stints in Vietnam, The Philippines, and Bangladesh. He has traveled widely in South and East Asia, including two consecutive second place finishes in Cambodia’s Angkor Wat half-marathon in 2010 and 2011. Evan's unique insight into the customs and history of Southeast Asia heighten an episode that lauds a season of a gripping series to one that also celebrates the intricacies and wonders of Thailand.

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Episode 76: Rollerball

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 09:20:00 GMT

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal thoroughly explores the 1975 science fiction sports film Rollerball, directed and produced by Norman Jewison. Rollerball stars James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, John Beck, Moses Gunn and Ralph Richardson. The screenplay was written by William Harrison, and adapted from his own short story entitled "Roller Ball Murder.” The captivating and poignant film takes place in a corporate-controlled future where an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball occupies the world's attention, and its most powerful athlete is out to defy those who want him out of the game. In this episode, hosts Michael Shields and Christian Niedan meticulously examine the thought-provoking themes present in Rollerball, such as the biting commentary it makes concerning corporations and their expanding power and influence, the ills of blood sports, and the power of knowledge in regards to who controls that information. They also celebrate the committed stuntmen that were the foundation of the film, the brilliance of the films director Norman Jewison, and so much more!

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Episode 75: Cape Fear

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:56:59 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Christian Niedan explore 1962's and 1991's Cape Fear, the two film adaptations of John D. MacDonald's 1957 psychological novel, The Executioners. 1962's Cape Fear stars Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum and Polly Bergen and was directed by J. Lee Thompson. The subsequent adaptation was directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Joe Don Baker, Juliette Lewis, Robert Mitchum, and Gregory Peck in his final theatrical film role. The films centers on an attorney whose family is viscously stalked by a criminal he helped to send to jail. In this episode Michael and Christian explore the fascinating intricacies of both adaptations, celebrate the remarkable casts at play, hail one of the most captivating movie villains of all time in Max Cady, and much, much more.

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Episode 74: Alice In Borderland

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 08:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal host Michael Shields, with the help of author and film & television enthusiast Douglas Grant*, explores the Japanese thriller series Alice in Borderland. Alice in Borderland is a series based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso, and it is directed by Shinsuke Sato. The enthralling eight episode story arc stars Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya as allies trapped in an abandoned Tokyo where they are forced to participate in dangerous games, the type and difficulty of which are determined by playing cards. Those surviving each game receive "visas," which are extended the more they play. If the visas expire, the individuals are executed. In this episode, Michael and Douglas celebrate the phenomenal world building at the core of the series while exploring the intricacies of the provocative and wildly popular season.

*Douglas Grant is an author whose first novel, Preemptive, was published in 2010. Preemptive is an examination of the lives intertwined by the cause and effect relationship the U.S. had with Afghanistan in the 1980s. Imaginary Lines, his second novel, explores socioeconomic influences in the strained relations between an Irish-American and a Latino family. His works are usually narratives in which he comments on the human condition or on social inequity, narratives that often pay tribute to some of the most banal of literature and film genres.

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Episode 73: Nomadland

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 09:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Michael Shiels and Mitch Lucas delve deeply into one of the best films released in 2021, the American drama film Nomadland. Set amid the fallout of the economic collapse of a town in rural Nevada, Nomadland follows Fern (Frances McDormand) as she packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. Nomadland is the third feature film from director Chloé Zhao and features real nomads Linda May, Swankie, and Bob Wells as Fern's mentors and comrades in her exploration through the vast landscape of the American West. Throughout the episode Michael and Mitch hail the genius of Frances McDormand and Chloé Zhao while exploring the weighty themes present in the film including loneliness, grief, the fallout from the Great Recession of 2009, the ills of Capitalism, nature's healing potential, and much more.

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Episode 73: Last Action Hero

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 09:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, film historian and host Christian Niedan, with the help of editor and culture journalist Dante A. Ciampaglia, explore the fascinating particulars of the 1993 fantasy action comedy Last Action Hero, directed by John McTiernan. It is a satire of the action genre and associated clichés, containing several parodies of action films in the form of films within the film. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Jack Slater, a Los Angeles police detective within the Jack Slater action film franchise, while Austin O'Brien co-stars as Danny Madigan, a boy magically transported into the Slater universe, and Charles Dance as Benedict, a ruthless assassin from the Slater universe who escapes to the real world. Schwarzenegger also served as the film's executive producer and plays himself as the actor portraying Jack Slater. In this episode, Christian and Dante expound upon a film that was predicted to be a huge blockbuster, but for a myriad of reasons was a critical and commercial disappointment.

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Episode 71: The Film Adaptations of Edward Bunker

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 08:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Christian Niedan celebrate the contributions to cinema by Edward Bunker. Bunker was an author of crime fiction, a screenwriter, convicted felon, and an actor. He wrote the scripts for — and acted in — Straight Time (1978) (adapted from his debut novel No Beast So Fierce), Runaway Train (1985) and Animal Factory (2000) (adapted from his sophomore novel of the same name). He also played a minor role in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (1992). This episode explores Bunker's troubled upbringing, marvels at the way in which his writing realistically depicted the life of criminals and the American penal system, and comprehensively two of his most prominent cinematic offerings — Straight Time and Animal Factory.

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Episode 70: The Mandalorian Season 2

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 08:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Michael Shields and Mitch Lucas commemorate the second season of the Disney+ television series The Mandalorian which stars Pedro Pascal as the title character, a bounty hunter trying to return "The Child" (Grogu!) to his people, the Jedi. It is part of the Star Wars franchise, set after the events of Return of the Jedi (1983) and is brought to vivid life by showrunner Jon Favreau with the help of Star Wars aficionado Dave Filoni. In this episode Michael and Mitch present and episode-by-episode breakdown of the surprise-packed season, one in which a plethora of exotic planets were explored and that introduced us to characters long adored within the Star Wars Universe such as Boba Fett, Ahsoka, Bo-Katan, and Cobb Vanth. To conclude the episode, the direction of the series as it moves into Season Three is explored, and the bounty of Star Wars series coming soon to Disney+ are reviewed as the beloved galaxy that lies far, far away continues to spectacularly expand.

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Episode 69: Ted Lasso

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 09:20:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, host Michael Shields, with the help of film/television enthusiast and podcaster Jonathan Hart, celebrates Ted Lasso, the comedy series developed by Bill Lawrence, Jason Sudeikis, Joe Kelly and Brendan Hunt, based on a character of the same name that Sudeikis first portrayed in a series of promos for NBC Sports' coverage of the Premier League. The Apple TV breakout hit finds American college football coach Ted Lasso recruited to coach an English Premier League team, AFC Richmond, despite having no experience in association football. In this episode Michael and Jonathan explore just what is so special about this unassuming sports comedy while hailing its eclectic cast, musing on Lasso's knack for locker room speeches, and marveling about the bounty of "Lasso-isms" found within one of the most heartwarming shows on television.

Jonathan Hart is the host of the Brokedown Podcasts, which gifts listeners a regular dose of Grateful Dead music, news, and discussion. Listen to the Brokedown Podcasts at Osirispod.com!

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Episode 68: Sweet Smell of Success

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 00:43:41 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, film historian and host Christian Niedan, with the help of editor and culture journalist Dante A. Ciampaglia, celebrate the 1957 cult classic Sweet Smell of Success. Sweet Smell of Success is a noir drama film directed by Alexander Mackendrick, starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison, and Martin Milner, and written by Clifford Odets, Ernest Lehman, and Mackendrick from the novelette by Lehman. The darkened noir cinematography filmed on location in New York City was shot by James Wong Howe. The film tells the story of powerful and sleazy newspaper columnist J.J. Hunsecker (portrayed by Lancaster and based on Walter Winchell) who uses his connections to ruin his sister's relationship with a man he deems unworthy of her. The musical score was arranged and conducted by Elmer Bernstein and the film also features jazz performances by the Chico Hamilton Quintet.

Read work from Dante A. Ciampaglia, who has been published by The Paris Review, Metropolis, Architectural Digest, and Wired, at danteaciampaglia.com. Of note, read his article entitled "Black (and Blue) and White and Red All Over" about Sweet Smell of Success at Pop Matters.

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Episode 67: A Holiday Movie Celebration

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 07:40:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, host Michael Shields, with the help of the podcaster behind the Daddy Unscripted Podcast, Timothy Wheaton, celebrates a bevy of movies that are brimming with all the feels, ones that have become profoundly embedded in American's year end rituals and celebrations. Throughout this ode to Holiday / Christmas films, you will find Michael and Timothy diving deep into a slew of holiday favorites including Elf, Scrooged, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Die Hard, Love Actually, It's a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Story (amongst others!). They also focus their yuletide cheer upon a collection of holiday movie "outliers" as well as noteworthy blockbusters targeted at December audiences. Ultimately, and once and for all, they pin down exactly what film is deserving of the title: The Best Holiday Film of All Time.

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Episode 66: A Face In The Crowd

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 07:40:47 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, host Michael Shields — with the help of actor / comedian / writer / director and host of the podcast God Ween Evan, Will Nunziata — dissects A Face in the Crowd, the 1957 film starring Andy Griffith (in his film debut), Patricia Neal, and Walter Matthau, and directed by Elia Kazan (Gentleman's Agreement, On The Waterfront, East of Eden, A Streetcar Named Desire). The story centers on Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes, a drifter who is discovered by the producer of a small-market radio program in rural northeast Arkansas. Rhodes ultimately rises to great fame and influence on national television, but at a great cost. In this episode Michael and Will explore the themes present in the movie that are relevant fifty years after the film premiered. They examine how a film that while funny, embracing of a doomed romantic narrative and a captivating rags to riches tale, can now be looked at as a momentous warning of what can happen when power and corruption meets the media age. Join in on a look back on a film that explores how the medium of television can aid in the rise to ultimate power, and one that even foretold the rise of President Donald Trump.

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Episode 65: Raised By Wolves

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 07:40:00 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Michael Shields and Chris Thompson examine Raised By Wolves, the science fiction drama television series created by Aaron Guzikowski that premiered on HBO Max on September 3, 2020. The first two episodes were directed by Ridley Scott who also serves as an executive producer for the show. Raised By Wolves centers on two androids —Father and Mother — tasked with raising human children on a planet named Kepler-22b after the Earth was destroyed by a catastrophic war. As the burgeoning colony of humans threatens to be torn apart by religious differences, the androids learn that controlling the beliefs of humans is a trying task. In this episode, Michael and Chris explore the multifarious and often weighty themes present in Raised By Wolves relating to religion and technology, discuss legendary director Ridley Scott's role in the production, piece together the jaw-dropping serpent-inclusive finale of the season, and speculate on what might lie ahead and Season Two — and much, much more.

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Episode 64: Miranda July's Kajillionaire

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 06:40:21 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, host Michael Shields, along with film historian Christian Niedan, examines the recently released film Kajillionaire, from acclaimed writer/director Miranda July. The moving and wildly original comedy tells the story of con-artists Theresa (Debra Winger) and Robert (Richard Jenkins) who have spent twenty-six years training their only daughter, Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood), to swindle, scam, and steal at every opportunity. During a desperate, hastily conceived heist, they charm a stranger (Gina Rodriguez) into joining their next scam, only to have their entire world turned upside down. In this episode, not only are the eccentric particulars, outstanding cast, and weighty, timely themes of Kajillionaire explored, but Miranda July is celebrated as one of the most innovative filmmakers and artists working today...Kajillionaire being proof positive of this assertion. Because one film for the WTTPP team is hardly ever enough to dissect in one episode, Michael and Christian also bring into the conversation the 1990 neo-noir crime classic The Grifters, a film starring John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, and Annette Bening which, like Kajillionaire, features a unique family of embattled con artists.

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Episode 63: 1980's Horror Films, Part Two

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 06:40:24 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Michael Shields and Mitch Lucas conclude a two part exploration of, and an ode to, 1980’s horror films. In what was a truly game-changing decade, rife with unfathomable ingenuity and creativity, 1980’s horror films launched franchises, birthed tropes that define the genre to this day, and redefined possibilities in filmmaking, not just for horror movies, but for cinema in general. This episode focuses on the most successful and/or beloved films of the decade. Sharpening their focus on ground-breaking cinematic experiences such as Poltergeist, Gremlins, Friday The 13th, Aliens, The Gate, and A Nightmare on Elm Street, this episode highlights why the horror films of this era still resonate with audiences of all ages, and cause one to recoil in consideration of those things that go bump in the night.

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Episode 62: 1980's Horror Films, Part One

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 06:40:59 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Michael Shields and Mitch Lucas commence a two part exploration of, and an ode to, 1980’s horror films. In what was a truly game-changing decade, rife with unfathomable ingenuity and creativity, 1980’s horror films launched franchises, birthed tropes that define the genre to this day, and redefined possibilities in filmmaking, not just for horror movies, but for cinema in general. This episode focuses on what is so special about these 1980’s horror classics, and touches on some of the most acclaimed directors of the era, from John Carpenter and David Cronenberg, to John Landis and beyond. WTTPP also celebrates in this episode the tremendously gifted special effects artists behind the unforgettable creatures featured in the films, and tips a hat to the writers behind these twisted tales, with a particular shout out to Stephen King, one of the most prolific writers of hair-raising stories of all time.

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Episode 61: An Honest Liar / F For Fake

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 06:40:21 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal host Michael Shields, with the help of film historian Christian Niedan, delves into the nature of truth, and of art, and of the fine line that exists between deception and entertainment. To do this properly, two documentaries that expose the craft of deception are analyzed. First up, An Honest Liar, a documentary about the world-famous magician, escape artist, and world-renowned enemy of deception, James "The Amazing" Randi. Next, F for Fake is examined, a free-form documentary by Orson Welles where the legendary filmmaker reengages with the central preoccupation of his career: the tenuous lines between illusion and truth, art and lies. Beginning with portraits of the world-renowned art forger Elmyr de Hory and his equally devious biographer, Clifford Irving, Welles embarks on a dizzying journey that simultaneously exposes and revels in fakery and fakers of all stripes. Utilizing the content of these two thought-provoking documentaries that expose charlatans and con artists for what they are, and what they are capable of, Michael and Christian expound upon how truly anyone can be deceived while marveling at the profound talents of magicians and con artists. Join in on an episode of Welcome To The Party Pal that serves as a reminder to Question Everything!

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Episode 60: John Was Trying To Contact Aliens

Sat, 12 Sep 2020 05:50:19 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, host Michael Shields, along with the help of podcaster (Brokedown Podcast / The Helping Friendly Podcast) and musician Jonathan Hart, explores the recently-released micro-documentary John Was Trying To Contact Aliens. Directed by Matthew Killip and featuring electronic whiz John Shepherd, the documentary tells the story of a man who tried to contact aliens by broadcasting music into space for over 30 years utilizing state-of-the-art broadcasting equipment. While John’s quest to communicate with extraterrestrial life fails in its goal, John ends up making a significant and long-lasting connection nonetheless. In this episode Michael and Jonathan discuss how exceptional of a hobby it is to be E.T.’s personal DJ, the endearing spirit of John Sheppard, the deeply-affecting story of human loneliness and human connection at the heart of the film, and much more.

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Episode 59: Perry Mason

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 15:14:05 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Michael Shields and Justin Wells focus their aim at the period drama television show Perry Mason, based on the character of the same name created by Erle Stanley Gardner. The series premiered in June on HBO and was developed and written by Rolin Jones and Ron Fitzgerald. Starring Matthew Rhys in the title role, Perry Mason explores the origin tale of the famed defense lawyer. As the story goes, in 1932, Los Angeles was prospering while the rest of the U.S. was recovering from the grip of the Great Depression. Down-and-out private investigator Perry Mason is struggling with his trauma from World War I and from his recent divorce. Mason is hired for a sensational child kidnapping trial and his investigation portends major consequences for Mason, his client, and the city itself. Besides Rhys (The Americans), Perry Mason also stars Juliet Rylance, John Lithgow, Shea Whigham, Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Chris Chalk, and Stephen Root. It is directed and executive produced by Tim Van Patten (Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire) and Robert Downey Jr. is also an Executive Producer. In this episode, Michael and Justin discuss the remarkable cast of Perry Mason, celebrate the noir aesthetic present in the series, dissect the abstruse case at the heart of the season, and talk about outlandish QAnon conspiracies….maybe a bit too much!

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Episode 58: Coin Catcher

Sat, 22 Aug 2020 15:10:42 GMT

In this episode Welcome To The Party Pal focuses its gaze on a new short film written and directed by one of the hosts of the podcast, Mitch Lucas, That film, Coin Catcher, shot entirely on 16mm and Super 8 film, stars David Carl as Kelly No-Drop, a former world record Coin Catcher in search of his former greatness. The film also stars Katie Hartman as Dez and David Bluvband as Boss Boom. Coin Catcher is a comedic take on a boxing movie, where a down on his luck slugger who’s a shell of his former self meets the muse that helps him fight again. Mitch Lucas has been making art, photographs, pastel drawings, comedy shorts, and films for over twenty years, and this latest offering from a uniquely talented artist highlights the vast array of filmmakers and films that have inspired him over the years. In this episode Michael Shields interviews Mitch Lucas about the inspiration for conceiving Coin Catcher, the many nods in it to renowned filmmakers, the challenges and opportunities of both filming throughout New York City and of shooting on 16mm and Super 8 film, and much more. Also, it must be noted, Mitch professes his undying love for the classic American sitcom Happy Days in this episode, a beloved television series where “really everything I [Mitch] make is sort of a sequel to Happy Days.”

Watch Coin Catcher here!: https://vimeo.com/446586585

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Episode 57: Most Dangerous Game

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 10:49:40 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, host Michael Shields, with the help of film historian Christian Niedan, explore the numerous adaptations of Richard Connell's short story "The Most Dangerous Game" (also published as "The Hounds of Zaroff"). The renowned tale features a big-game hunter from New York City who falls off a yacht and swims to what seems to be an abandoned and isolated island in the Caribbean, where he is hunted by a Russian aristocrat. Launching into the discussion with an examination of the 1932 RKO Pictures film The Most Dangerous Game, starring Joel McCrea and Leslie Banks, Michael and Christian dissect what is so compelling about a story which combines psychological savagery with enthralling action. Further exhibiting the allure and timelessness of Connell’s story, the hosts examine the innovative 1994 remake Surviving the Game which was directed by Ernest R. Dickerson and stars Ice-T, Rutger Hauer, and Gary Busey. The episode culminates with a discussion centering on the recently released Quibi series Most Dangerous Game starring Liam Hemsworth as Dodge Maynard, a track star and a real estate investor with a brain tumor who is offered an absurd financial opportunity from a rich CEO named Miles Sellers (Christopher Waltz) if he agrees to let himself be hunted. Join in on a discussion that spans almost a hundred years of "The Most Dangerous Game,” featuring reimaginings which highlight exactly why this brutal yet thought-provoking story gets the remake treatment time and time again.

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Episode 56: The 400 Blows, Breathless, and The French New Wave

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 20:52:53 GMT

In an episode that acts as an introduction to one of the most exciting and influential periods of cinematic history, Welcome To The Party Pal hosts Mitch Lucas and Michael Shields explore the French New Wave, an art film movement which emerged in the late 1950s. The movement was characterized by its rejection of traditional filmmaking conventions in favor of experimentation and a spirit of iconoclasm. New Wave filmmakers explored new approaches to editing, visual style, and narrative, as well as engagement with the social and political upheavals of the era, often making use of irony or exploring existential themes. In that respect, the French New Wave is often considered one of the most influential movements in the history of cinema. To fully expound upon this incredibly influential period of filmmaking, Mitch and Michael focus their sights on two of the era’s most celebrated films, François Truffaut’s The 400 Blows and Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless. The 400 Blows (in French: Les Quatre Cents Coups) is a 1959 drama, and the directorial debut of François Truffaut, centering on Antoine Doinel, a misunderstood adolescent in Paris who struggles with his parents and teachers due to his rebellious behavior. Breathless (in French: À Bout de Souffle; "out of breath") is a 1960 French crime and drama film written and directed by Jean-Luc Godard about a wandering criminal (Jean-Paul Belmondo) and his American girlfriend (Jean Seberg). This episode is not one to miss as it shines a light on a bold, and revolutionary movement in filmmaking that forever changed the aesthetic and possibilities of cinema, and inspired some of today’s most gifted directors and storytellers.

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Episode 55: Fellini's 8 1/2

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 12:27:42 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Mitch Lucas and Michael Shields explore the 1963 Italian surrealist comedy-drama film directed by Federico Fellini, 8 1⁄2. It stars Marcello Mastroianni as Guido Anselmi, a famous Italian film director who suffers from stifled creativity as he attempts to direct an epic science fiction film. 8 1⁄2 is shot in black and white by cinematographer Gianni Di Venanzo and features a captivating soundtrack by Nino Rota. The film classic won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Costume Design (black-and-white). It was among the top 10 on BFI's The Top 50 Greatest Films of All Time list, ranked third in a 2002 poll of film directors conducted by the British Film Institute, and is widely hailed as one of the most compelling pieces of art about crafting art ever birthed. In this episode Mitch and Michael debate on what makes 81⁄2 so special and profoundly influential while exploring the transfixing themes present in the film regarding the nature of cinema and the purpose of filmmaking, artistic authenticity / purity, struggling with mortality, the search for the ideal life partner, and more.

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Episode 54: Da Five Bloods

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 13:16:52 GMT

In this episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, host Michael Shields, with the help of film historian and writer Christina Niedan, explores the latest release from prolific filmmaker Spike Lee entitled Da Five Bloods. The film's plot follows a group of aging Vietnam War veterans who return to the country in search of the remains of their fallen squad leader, as well as a treasure they buried while serving there. Da Five Bloods features an extraordinary ensemble cast, anchored by a stunning performance by Delroy Lindo, and delves into weighty and relevant themes ultimately expounding upon an all too overlooked subject in American cinema — the experience of black veterans in the Vietnam War.

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Episode 53: The Leftovers, Season Three

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 13:11:42 GMT

In the third and final installment of a three-part series breaking down the meticulously crafted and thought-provoking HBO series The Leftovers, hosts Chris Thompson and Michael Shields seek to interpret one of the most penetrating television shows of all time. The Leftovers is the supernatural mystery drama created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, based on Perrotta's novel of the same name. The series begins three years after the "Sudden Departure," a global event that resulted in 2% of the world's population disappearing. In Season Three, this unique and powerful story once again pivots, this time to Australia, three years later and fourteen days before the seventh anniversary of The Departure. As the world braces for what many believe to be the end of times, Season Three draws viewers deeper into the physical and emotional struggles of its beloved cast. Despite the deep psychological toll the show takes on its characters, The Leftovers final season nevertheless manages to provide a worthy and heart-wrenching send off for all within its orbit. While thoughtfully breaking down a season that solidified The Leftovers as one of the best dramatic masterpieces ever forged, Chris and Michael also take the time to discuss the unique humor found within the series, its bold yet sublime musical choices, the astounding way in which Lindelof and Co. closed down the series, and much, much more.

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Episode 52: The Leftovers, Season Two

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 10:30:00 GMT

In the second installment of a three part series breaking down the meticulously crafted and thought provoking HBO series The Leftovers, hosts Chris Thompson and Michael Shields seek to interpret one of the most penetrating television shows of all time. The Leftovers is the supernatural mystery drama created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, based on Perrotta's novel of the same name. The series begins three years after the "Sudden Departure," a global event that resulted in 2% of the world's population disappearing. In season two, the show's location shifts from Mapleton, New York to the fictional town of Jarden, Texas. This town is unique in that not a single citizen disappeared in the Sudden Departure. In this episode Chris and Michael explore the weighty themes put forth in the second season, hail the tremendous acting chops of the enthralling cast of characters (particularly by Regina King and Carrie Coon), unpack the emotionally charged and riveting season finale, and explore with zest one of the most novel and thought-provoking episodes in the history of television, “International Assassin.”

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Episode 51: The Leftovers, Season One

Fri, 15 May 2020 15:15:46 GMT

In the first of a three part series breaking down the meticulously crafted and thought provoking HBO series The Leftovers, hosts Chris Thompson and Michael Shields seek to interpret one of the most penetrating television shows of all time. The Leftovers is the supernatural mystery drama created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, based on Perrotta's novel of the same name. The series begins three years after the "Sudden Departure," a global event that resulted in 2% of the world's population disappearing. In season one, police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux), his family, grieving widow Nora Durst (Carrie Coon) and her brother, reverend Matt Jamison (Christopher Eccleston), are the focal points who struggle to adjust to life after the Departure. With the arrival of Covid-19, and the cost of societal and personal struggles that have resulted from a global pandemic, now seems like an apropos time to re-examine the weighty themes present in The Leftovers. The mysterious worldwide event that acts as the foundation of the series is chillingly relatable to our current times. The Departure and the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic both have left their mark, fueling the fires of uncertainty and unease, on a planet where nothing will ever be the same. The unique circumstances of the Departure become a compelling vehicle for commentary on dealing with loss in The Leftovers, and so, too, in this episode, where the various ways in which humans grieve, existential loneliness, and global catastrophic uncertainty are explored, among many other facets of the increasingly captivating series.

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Episode 50: A Yorgos Lanthimos Retrospective

Fri, 01 May 2020 16:50:21 GMT

In this latest episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Mitch Lucas and Michael Shields celebrate the eccentric, provocative, and and thought-provoking works of famed Greek film and stage director, producer, and screenwriter Georgios "Yorgos" Lanthimos. Yorgos has received four Academy Award nominations for his work, including Best Foreign Language Film for Dogtooth, Best Original Screenplay for The Lobster (2015), and Best Picture and Best Director for The Favourite (2018). Lanthimos' dark comedies are rife with weighty themes, feature outstanding casts, and make pointed social commentary on the corrosive effects of greed and power. Focusing in on three of his most heralded films (Dogtooth, The Lobster, and The Favourite), this episode serves as a celebration of a bold visionary and master world-builder whose films find a unique way to both fascinate and disturb.

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Episode 49: Ozark, Season 3

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 13:10:16 GMT

Welcome To the Party Pal meticulously explores the ins-and-outs of Nexflix’s fascinating money-laundering drama Ozark, the crime drama series created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams starring Jason Bateman and the multi-talented Laura Linney as a married Chicago couple forced to relocate their family to the Ozarks following a money laundering scheme gone wrong. Ozark has garnered fourteen Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, with Bateman winning for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, and Julia Garner winning Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, both in 2019. In addition, Bateman has received two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor – Television Series Drama. In this episode, hosts Michael Shields and Chris Thompson delve into Ozark’s latest season, a tense and riveting ten episode offering that finds the entire Byrd family up against the wall like never before. Hailing the brilliant acting across the series (particularly Laura Linney as Wendy Byrd and Julia Gardner as the fiery Ruth Langmore), the panic inducing plot lines, and the parallels to previous anti-hero shows of the past decade (Breaking Bad, anyone?), WTTPP’s latest is one part a celebration of the show's successes, and one part a deep dive into the themes and parables present in Season Three.

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Episode 48: The Tiger King Episode

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 11:30:00 GMT

Welcome To the Party Pal meticulously explores the breakout hit Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, the true crime documentary miniseries about the life of zookeeper Joe Exotic released by Netflix on March 20, 2020. The series focuses on the small but deeply interconnected society of big cat conservationists such as Carole Baskin, owner of Big Cat Rescue, and collectors such as Exotic, whom Baskin accuses of abusing and exploiting wild animals. According to Nielsen ratings, Tiger King was watched by 34.3 million people over its first ten days of release, ranking as one of Netflix's most successful releases to date. In this episode, hosts Michael Shields and Justin Wells put forth a top ten list of the most astonishing moments present in the documentary, and in doing so shine a light on the implausible perversity and outlandish personalities present in the miniseries.

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Episode 47: Star Trek : Picard

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 17:11:54 GMT

Welcome To the Party Pal meticulously explores the in-and-outs of a compelling new addition to the Star Trek franchise — Star Trek: Picard. Picard is a web/television series featuring the character Jean-Luc Picard (in a role reprised by the brilliant Sir Patrick Stewart), created for CBS All Access and developed by Akiva Goldsman, Michael Chabon, Kirsten Beyer, and Alex Kurtzman. It is the eighth series in the Star Trek television franchise and Picard picks up twenty years after the feature film Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). The series finds a seemingly-retired Picard in the final chapter of his life, living on a French chateau and winery yet deeply troubled by his past, especially the death of his dear friend, the android Data, the destruction of the planet Romulus, and the devastation of Mars by an android uprising.

To properly break down this dark and intriguing first season of Picard, WTTPP turns to Jonathan Hart (from WTTPP’s famed Bill Paxton Episode and The End of The F***ing World Episode) for help. Jonathan Hart is the host of the music-centric Brokedown Podcast and a co-host of the Helping Friendly Podcast, both a part of the Osiris Media Group. To further explore the themes and imagery present in the first season of Picard, WTTPP spoke with writer, artist, and Head Editor at the Art & Culture magazine Across The Margin, Chris Thompson. Chris is a longtime fan of Star Trek, having as a teenager watched Stewart in his original role as Jean Luc Picard in the iconic 90s television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Chris brings his unique perspective and insight to this latest episode of WTTPP, bridging the twenty year gap between the two Picard-centric series and helping to explore themes of family, tragedy and hurt, and the nature of reality present in the first season of Picard.

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Episode 46: Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 10

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 10:00:02 GMT

In this episode, hosts Michael Shields and Justin Wells celebrate the tenth season of the HBO comedy television series Curb Your Enthusiasm, created by and starring Larry David as a fictionalized version of himself. The series follows Larry in his life as a semi-retired television writer and producer and stars Cheryl Hines as his wife Cheryl, Jeff Garlin as his manager and best friend Jeff Greene, Susie Essman as Jeff's wife Susie, and J.B. Smoove as Larry's friend and roommate Leon. In an episode by spite episode breakdown and analyzation of season ten's brilliance, Michael and Justin explore how uniquely timely the themes present in the season were, and just how cohesive the season manifested itself. Culminating in what would be Curb Your Enthusiasm's 100th episode, this latest season featured a star-studded cast including John Hamm, Fred Armisen, Clive Owen, Abbi Jacobsen, Isla Fisher, Jane Krakowski, Sean Penn, Timothy Olyphant, Mila Kunis, Jonah Hill, and Laverne Cox. Join in on an episode that tips its (MAGA) hat to a show brazen enough to jest about sex dolls, wobbly tables, yo-yo dieting, big goodbyes, dry scones, and more.

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Episode 45: The 1917 Episode

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:10:07 GMT

Even though the menacing year that is 2020 is in full swing, Welcome To The Party Pal takes a look back at one of 2019's most acclaimed and captivating films, 1917. 1917 is a British epic war film directed, co-written, and produced by Sam Mendes. The film stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman, and features assists from Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The film tells the story of two young British soldiers during the First World War who are ordered to deliver a message calling off an attack doomed to fail soon after the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich in 1917. This message is especially important to one of the soldiers, as his brother is taking part in the pending attack. 1917 received ten nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and won three, including Best Cinematography (Roger Deakins). It also won Best Motion Picture-Drama and Best Director at the 77th Golden Globe Awards, and at the 73rd British Academy Film Awards won a leading seven, including Best Film and Best Direction.

In this episode, hosts Mitch Lucas and Michael Shields dissect exactly what makes 1917 so special — a film amazingly crafted to appear as if it were shot in two audacious takes. Celebrating specifically the filmmakers and actors behind this remarkable achievement, and delving into the horrors of war depicted in 1917, this episode shines a bright light on a must-see film that is one of the most immersive cinematic experiences ever birthed.

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Episode 44: An Ian McKellen Tribute

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 16:49:05 GMT

Ian Mckellen is a legend of stage and cinema. He has incredibly starred in over four hundred plays and films and he is that rare character actor that awes in each and every performance. McKellen is a celebrity of such distinguished political and social service that it has transcended his international fame to reach beyond the stage and screen. The breadth of his career — professional, personal and political — has been truly staggering. Sci-fi and fantasy fans know him as Gandalf from the Lord of The Rings and Magneto from the Marvel X-Men series of films. Theater lovers know of McKellen’s roles as Macbeth, King Lear, and Estragon in the truly fantastic Waiting For Godot. From his West End acting debut in 1964 in James Saunders’s A Scent of Flowers, to the day he took Broadway by storm when he played Antonio Salieri in Peter Shaffer’s Tony-Award-winning play Amadeus, to his many turns on screen, McKellen is an international treasure and icon, and it is because of this that Welcome To The Party Pal pays tribute to such an acclaimed talent.

To celebrate Ian McKellen properly, one of your Welcome To The Party Pal hosts, Michael Shields, sits down with author Garry O’Connor, who recently penned Ian McKellen: A Biography. Garry O’ Connor is a biographer and novelist, noted for his publications on theatrical and literary figures. He has written well-praised biographies of Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Paul Scofield, Peggy Ashcroft, and Alec Guinness. His book probes the heart of Ian McKellen, recreating his greatest stage roles and exploring his personal life. Ian McKellen: A Biography shows readers what makes the great actor tick and Michael and Garry discuss some of Ian’s more memorable roles, what motivates Ian in work and life, his activism, and so much more.

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Episode 43: The Women of Action

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 13:00:13 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal invites you to join in on an in-depth look at an exciting mixture of Hollywood filmmakers on the eve of what appears to be a golden age for female action directors. Inspired by an article by film historian Christian Niedan (who is featured in this episode) entitled "The Women of Action," this episode celebrates a bounty of talented female directors taking Hollywood by storm. This summer, women will helm all four of this year’s big superhero films — specifically, February’s Birds of Prey (Cathy Yan), May’s Black Widow (Cate Shortland), June’s Wonder Woman 1984 (Patty Jenkins), and November’s Eternals (Chloe Zhao). Beyond this exciting development, women — while under-represented far too often during the film award season — are behind some of the most exciting and poignant films being released today, across all genres. This episode features not only a detailed examination of a slew of Hollywood's most notable and exciting female film directors, but it also considers the unique challenges female directors face, the possibility that the cinematic community nears the cultural moment when the action film boy's club is broken up for good, and much, much more.

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Episode 42: Parasite

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 11:10:21 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal (Osiris Media) invites you to join in on a deconstruction / celebration of the most celebrated and important film of 2019, Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite. Parasite is a South Korean dark comedy thriller directed by Joon-ho, who also wrote the film's story and co-wrote the screenplay with Han Jin-won. The film stars Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, and Park So-dam, and follows the members of a poor household who scheme to become employed by a much wealthier family by infiltrating the household and posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals. Among its numerous accolades, Parasite won four awards at the 92nd Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film. It became the first South Korean film to receive Academy Award recognition, as well as the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. In this episode, hosts Mitch Lucas and Michael Shields expound on the weighty social commentary present in the film centering on wealth inequality, the genius of Bong Joon-ho, the intricacies behind the film’s birth and production, and much, much more.

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Episode 41: The 92nd Academy Awards

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal (Osiris Media) proudly presents a celebration of the the year in cinema 2019 with an episode dedicated to the 92nd Academy Awards. In this episode, hosts Mitch Lucas and Michael Shields recap the Oscar ceremony while shining a light on the remarkable works that the famed award ceremony commemorated. Expounding upon the art and artists celebrated at the Oscars, this episode finds your hosts honoring the tremendous acting performances found in Marriage Story, The Irishman, Joker, Judy, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (amongst other notable films), while hailing the genius of cinematographer Roger Deakins and the cinematic achievement that is 1917, before ultimately celebrating just how special a moment it was when the incredible and important South Korean film that is Parasite became the first non-English film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. With nods to Michael and Mitch's favorite films of 2019 (Pain and Glory and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood respectively), and featuring a category by category breakdown of all the Academy Award nominees and winners, this episode serves as an ode to one of the more exciting years in film in recent history.

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Episode 40: Uncut Gems

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 19:57:07 GMT

Welcome To The Party invites you to a deconstruction / celebration of the most stressful and manic film of 2019, Uncut Gems. Uncut Gems is the 2019 American crime thriller directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ronald Bronstein. The film stars Adam Sandler, Kevin Garnett, Lakeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Mike Francesa, Idina Menzel, and Eric Bogosian. The plot follows Howard Ratner (Sandler), a jeweler and gambling addict in New York City's Diamond District, who gets in over his head with loan sharks and must retrieve an expensive gem he purchased in order to pay off his debts. Listen in as hosts Mitch Lucas and Michael Shields celebrated Sandler's masterful performance, Daneil Lopatin's (aka Oneohtrix Point Never) synthetic, anxiety-stoking score, and the directorial team behind the film that most certainly has a bright future ahead of them. This episode also finds Mitch and Michael conversing on the most unlikeable protagonist in movie history, the Golden Globe Award winners, and more!

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Episode 39: The Mandalorian / The Rise of Skywalker

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 05:20:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal journeys to a galaxy far, far away in an episode dedicated to the gift that keeps giving that is Star Wars. In an dual-focused episode, the most recent offerings from the Jedi, Sith, and droid thronged universe are discussed in depth. First up, hosts Mitch Lucas and Michael Shields set their sights on The Mandalorian, the space Western web television series that premiered on Disney+ in November. Set in the Star Wars universe, the series takes place five years after the events of Return of the Jedi and 25 years prior to the events of The Force Awakens and it follows the exploits of a Mandalorian bounty hunter beyond the reaches of the New Republic. Jon Favreau serves as creator, head writer, and showrunner, and The Madalorian stars Pedro Pascal in the title role. Following the examination of that season’s captivating eight episodes — and the obvious discussion of the phenomenon that is Baby Yoda — your hosts turn their attention towards the final film in the nine-part “Skywalker Saga,” The Rise of Skywalker. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a film produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams and is the third installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017). In this episode Mitch and Michael exhaust their superabundance of Star Wars knowledge and find a way to both celebrate the latest offering from the Star Wars universe while bidding farewell to a storyline that has meant the world to them for decades.

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Episode 38: Watchmen

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 05:20:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party invites you to a deconstruction / celebration of Season One of HBO’s Watchmen. Watchmen is a superhero drama television series that continues the 1987 DC Comics series Watchmen, created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The television series was created by Damon Lindelof for HBO, with Lindelof serving as executive producer and writer. Its remarkable ensemble cast includes Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Andrew Howard, Louis Gossett Jr., Jeremy Irons, Jean Smart, and Hong Chau. To aid in the breakdown of this compelling, weighty, and ground-braking “remix” of the original comic series, this episode features comedian and Watchmen aficionado Terry Thomas Jr. Terry, who hails from Bessemer, Alabama, started his comedy career in 2010, and since then his career has been on the rise. He was a stand-out at the 2016 LA Comedy Festival via Sirius FM, he can be seen on several episodes of the hit television show Impractical Jokers, and can be found performing on the regular at New York City’s famed Comedy Cellar. Follow Terry Thomas Jr. on Twitter @TerryTee and at his website (for Tour dates!) at TerryTee.com.

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Episode 37: The End of the F***ing World

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 04:20:00 GMT

Welcome To the Party Pal meticulously explores the in-and-outs of the fascinating British dark comedy / drama television program The End of the Fing World. The End of the Fing World, which is based on a graphic novel of the same name by Charles Forsman, follows James (Alex Lawther), a 17-year-old who believes himself to be a psychopath, and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), a rebellious classmate who sees in James a chance to escape from her tumultuous home life. To properly break down the two seasons of the compelling breakout hit series, the WTTPP team turns to Jonathan Hart (from the famed WTTPP Bill Paxton Episode) for help. Jonathan Hart is the host of the Brokedown Podcast and a co-host of the Helping Friendly Podcast, both on the Osiris Podcast Network, and with his assistance this episode fashions itself a must-hear The End of the F***ing World companion guide that gives an emphatic hat-tip to the brilliant musical choices (Graham Coxon!) made by the showrunners. Learn more about Jonathan Hart's podcasts (Breakdown Podcast / Helping Friendly Podcast) at OsirisPod.com!

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Episode 36: The Lighthouse

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:45:00 GMT

Batten down the hatches! Episode 36 of Welcome To The Party Pal travels to a remote island off the coast of New England to examine one of the most original and captivating films of 2019, The Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is an American psychological horror film directed and produced by Robert Eggers, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Max Eggers. Shot in black-and-white, the film follows two lighthouse keepers (portrayed by Willem Dafoe & Robert Pattinson) who start to lose their sanity when a storm strands them on the remote island. In this episode your hosts, Michael Shields and Mitch Lucas, marvel at the extremes lengths it took to make this picture come to life, celebrate the tremendous performances found within it, examine the unique and captivating cinematography, and even find time to converse on all the great films in cinematic history that depict a human's decent into madness.

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Episode 35: Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal invites you to experience a celebration of Martin Scorsese’s latest filmmaking epic, The Irishman. The film is a 2019 American crime flick directed and produced by legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese and written by Steven Zaillian, based on the 2004 book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. It stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, with solid co-star performances by Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, and Anna Paquin (to name but a few!). The film follows Frank Sheeran (De Niro), a truck driver who becomes a hitman and gets involved with mobster Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and his crime family, including his time working for the powerful Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). Released by Netflix with limited theatrical release on November 1st, 2019, to be followed by digital streaming on November 27th, 2019, The Irishman has been met with heaps of critical acclaim. In this latest podcast episode hosts Michael Shields and filmmaker (and latest member of the WTTPP team!) Mitch Lucas dissect the weighty themes present in the film, hail the incredible acting performances found within, and consider the fascinating real-life story behind this murderous tale. On top of all that, Michael and Mitch mull over the merits of directors working with and releasing films via Netflix, and then dig into Scorsese’s recent criticisms of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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Episode 34: The Name of The Rose

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 14:49:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal transports listeners back in time to 1327 Italy in an episode dedicated to the multiple adaptations of Italian author Umberto Eco's renowned novel, The Name of The Rose. The Name of The Rose follows an enlightened friar and his young apprentice as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths at an abbey, wherein risking the wrath of a powerful Inquisitor. In 1986 filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud brought the enchanting tale to life in a historical drama film starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater. This year, The Name of The Rose was adapted into a Sundance TV miniseries starring John Turturro and Damian Hardung. In this episode, Michael Shields and film historian/ author/ podcaster Christian Niedan examine both on-screen re-imaginings meticulously. By digging deep into the profoundly intellectual and layered mystery that is present in Eco's celebrated story, WTTPP examines the power that comes with being the bearer of extreme knowledge while also paying tribute to the capacity of Comedy to expose grand truths.

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Episode 33: Succession Season 2

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 13:12:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal invites listeners into the sordid, captivating world of HBO's Succession. Succession is an American satirical comedy-drama television series created by Jesse Armstrong that centers on the fictional Roy family, the dysfunctional owners of a global media and hospitality empire. The series features an ensemble cast which includes Brian Cox, Nicholas Braun, Kieran Culkin, Natalie Gold, Matthew Macfadyen, Alan Ruck, Sarah Snook, Jeremy Strong, and J. Smith-Cameron (among others!). In this episode, the unique appeal of Succession is analyzed while the remarkable ensemble cast is hailed. With a focus on the recently concluded Season 2, the fallout from a riveting season finale is examined, characters motives and morals queried to sort out just who is the most heartless and evil, and the conversation concludes with speculation about what may lie ahead in Season 3 for the Roy family and their embattled empire. Aiding in the dissection of Season 2's excellence is friend of the pod / podcaster / Succession aficionado Justin Wells. Follow Justin on Twitter at @RollsonShabbos.

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Episode 32: Chasing The Moon with Robert Stone

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Episode 32 delves into Chasing the Moon, a film by Robert Stone, a six-hour documentary series about the space race that journeys from its earliest beginnings to the monumental achievement of the first lunar landing in 1969 and beyond. Chasing the Moon thoroughly reimagines the race to the moon for a new generation, upending much of the conventional mythology surrounding the effort. The three-part series recasts the Space Age as a fascinating stew of scientific innovation and PR savvy, political calculation and media spectacle, visionary impulses and personal drama. While other documentaries have largely painted a familiar narrative of goals set, obstacles overcome, disasters averted and missions accomplished, Chasing the Moon tells a vastly more entertaining and surprising story. As the film reveals, the drive to land a man on the moon was fueled as much by politics as it was by technology and was a controversial undertaking during a volatile time.

To thoroughly examine the impressiveness of Chasing The Moon, this episode features an interview with its producer/writer/director Robert Stone. Robert Stone is a multi-award-winning, Oscar-nominated and Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker. Born in England, he grew up in both Europe and America. After graduating with a degree in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he moved to New York City in 1983 to pursue a career in filmmaking. He gained considerable recognition for his first film, Radio Bikini (1987), which premiered at Sundance, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary and was the first of his seven films to premiere on American Experience. His best-known works includes Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst (2004), which premiered at Sundance and went on to become one of the most highly acclaimed theatrical documentaries of the year. That was followed by the documentary feature Oswald’s Ghost (2007), for which Stone earned a second Emmy nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction Filmmaking. Earth Days was the Closing Night Film at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was released theatrically to wide critical acclaim. His next film, Pandora’s Promise, premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, won the prestigious Green Award at the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival and was broadcast on CNN in 2013. In addition to Radio Bikini, Guerrilla, Oswald’s Ghost and Earth Days, Stone also produced The Satellite Sky, Civilian Conservation Corps and Cold War Roadshow for American Experience.

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Episode 31: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 10:22:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal journeys back to 1969 Los Angeles to celebrate the 9th film by acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,everything is changing as TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. To aid in the dissection of the film, this episode features filmmaker and comedian Mitch Lucas. Mitch's short films (Shogun of the Upper East Side, the forthcoming Coin Catcher, etc.) have been featured at festivals nationwide and his sketches (“Cash for Pizza” / “The Reunion”) can be found on Funny Or Die .

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Episode 30: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 13:14:00 GMT

Episode 30 on WTTPP takes you on the road in an in-depth celebration of the first two seasons of Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus. Tales from the Tour Bus is an animated documentary television series created by Mike Judge, Richard Mullins and Dub Cornett that airs on Cinemax which presents a biographical oral history of musicians with each season focusing on a specific genre (Season 1: Outlaw Country / Season 2: Funk!). Joining in on the fun is writer, editor, and film historian Christian Niedan (who birthed the film interview site Camera In The Sun), who helps heighten a music-centric episode that delves into the lives & antics of George Clinton, Waylon Jennings, Bootsy Collins, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, James Brown, Betty Davis, Johnny Paycheck and more!

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Episode 29: Chernobyl

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT

In April 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics became one of the world's worst man-made catastrophes. In June 2019, the hosts of Welcome To The Party Pal — Brian Sachson and Michael Shields — convened to celebrate and dissect HBO's 5 part miniseries about the disastrous event, Chernobyl. Chernobyl was created and written by Craig Mazin, and directed by Johan Renck. It features an ensemble cast led by Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson, and this episode of WTTPP digs into the intricacies of this well-crafted and thought provoking series.

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Episode 28: Black Mirror, Season 5

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:18:00 GMT

The Welcome To The Party team revisits the subject of their debut episode, once again exploring the twisted, thought-proving world of the techno-paranoia anthology Black Mirror. Black Mirror is a television series created by Charlie Brooker, which he writes and executive produces with Annabel Jones, where each episode “is all about the way we live now; and the way we might be living in 10 minutes' time if we're clumsy” (Brooker). The recently-released Season 5 features three episodes (“Striking Vipers,” “Smithereens,” and “Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too), and in this episode the complex and provocative themes about how humankind grapples with technology found within the season are dissected thoroughly!

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Episode 27: The Apocalypse Now 40th Anniversary Spectacular

Wed, 29 May 2019 13:36:00 GMT

On the cusp of its 40th Anniversary, the Welcome To The Party Pal duo — with the help of actor/comedian Will Nunziata (of God Ween Evan fame) — celebrate the masterpiece that is Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. Apocalypse Now journeys to Vietnam in 1970 where Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) takes a dangerous and uniquely psychedelic journey upriver to find and terminate “with extreme prejudice” Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a once-revered officer who has reportedly gone insane. In this episode the differences between the original release, Apocalypse Now Redux, and the forthcoming "Final Cut" are discussed, the lengths it took to bring this astonishingly ambitious project to life are hailed, the film’s poignant commentary about Imperialism is considered, and Will makes the case for the film to be known forevermore as not only one of the greatest films about Vietnam ever birthed, but one of the best road trip movies of all time.

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Episode 26: The Game of Thrones Episode

Fri, 24 May 2019 10:59:00 GMT

WTTPP hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields — with the help of Game of Thrones expert and Across The Margin’s GOT Guru Geoffrey Golia — celebrate and dissect the worldwide phenomenon that is the television series Game of Thrones. Coming on the heels of the hit HBO show’s series finale, the George R.R. Martin penned epic is given the full WTTPP treatment in an episode that attempts to reconcile with and expound upon the controversial “Mad Queen” twist that served as the climax of the eighth and final season. In addition, accolades are given to the brilliance behind pulling off such a wondrous cinematic fantasy, from the showrunners, to the writers, actors and production team that brought this remarkable achievement to life. In this episode, Brian, Michael, and Geoffrey examine Tyrion Lannister’s pivotal role in the series, marvel over the abundance of jaw-dropping moments the show provided, share insight into the Targaryen bloodline and family history, respond to the negative reaction to the eighth season that inundated social media, spend time celebrating Sansa the Queen of the North, and much, much more!

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Episode 25: The Bill Paxton Episode

Fri, 10 May 2019 06:30:00 GMT

The Welcome To The Party Pal team invites you to join in on a celebration of the career of one of the most gifted character actors in modern times, Bill Paxton. With 97 acting credits to his name, including films such as The Terminator, Weird Science, Aliens, Near Dark, Tombstone, True Lies, Apollo 13, Twister, Titanic, Edge of Tomorrow, and Nightcrawler, and also starring in the HBO drama series Big Love, Paxton’s mark on the film and television landscape was profound. To celebrate such a mammoth and nuanced talent, WTTPP secured help from comedian and host of the Amigos Podcast, Mike Finoia, and the host of the Grateful Dead-centric Brokedown Podcast, Jonathan Hart, who aid in providing insight and dramatically enliven a tribute to the only actor to play characters killed by a Terminator, a Predator and an Alien (xenomorph)!

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Episode 24: Avengers: Engame

Wed, 01 May 2019 14:08:00 GMT

The Welcome to The Party Pal duo go all in on the 22nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the follow up to 2018's Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame. Dissecting and celebrating the finale to Marvel's epic Infinity Saga, hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields expound upon the intricacies of the film, from the post snap fallout of Thanos' master plan, to the time travel rules employed by the filmmakers, to their excitement about the Asgardians of the Galaxy, and to what in store for the Marvel franchise moving forward and beyond!

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Episode 23: One Nation Under Stress

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 14:04:00 GMT

In this latest episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, the eye-opening and urgent documentary One Nation Under Stress (HBO) is dissected with the help of its director Marc Levin. One Nation Under Stress follows Sanjay Gupta (CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent) as he tries to uncover the root causes of why American life expectancy is falling and is now shorter than all other major developed countries. Marc Levin is a renowned director with 36 director credits to his name. He is best known for his Brick City TV series, which won the 2010 Peabody award and was nominated for an Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking and his dramatic feature film, Slam, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and the Camera D'Or at Cannes in 1998. He also has received three Emmy Awards (1988, 1989, 1999) and the 1997 DuPont-Columbia Award.

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Episode 22: Leaving Neverland

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 07:10:00 GMT

Pulling no punches, yet careful in their treatment of a sensitive/controversial topic, the Welcome To The Party Pal duo examines the HBO documentary directed and produced by filmmaker Dan Reed, Leaving Neverland, which focuses on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused as children by the singer Michael Jackson. In this episode hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields dissect the controversy around the documentary, analyze the credibility of the two men at the center of the film, ponder the unique and potentially perilous power of celebrity, and consider if it is possible to separate art from the artist.

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Episode 21: Watership Down

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 13:45:00 GMT

The latest episode of Welcome To The Party Pal invites you into the world of Richard Adams's Watership Down. Expounding upon Adam's 1972 survival and adventure novel which features a small group of rabbits, the 1978 animated film adaptation written and directed by Martin Rosen, AND the 2018 BBC/Netflix limited series, this episode discusses the unique way in which Adams birthed the story, the weighty commentary about life and society found within the often nerve-racking tale, and the impact Watership Down maintains almost 50 years after its inception. Episode 21 also features the first WTTPP "fan pick" where a fan of the podcast not only suggests the topic of the episode, but sits in with WTTPP's two hosts in examination of the film or television show chosen. First up is Alex Hoyt whose profound knowledge of all things Watership Down dramatically enhances the episode's insight.

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Episode 20: True Detective Season 3

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 13:33:00 GMT

The 20th episode of Welcome To The Party Pal draws you deep into the world of HBO's True Detective, the gritty anthology crime drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto. On the heels of the finale of Season 3, this episode explores the three timelines present in the season, Pizzolatto's meticulously and deeply-engaging crafted storyline, the exploration of the darkened corners of the mind that defines the season, and the riveting acting found in the season, particularly by Mahershala Ali, Stephen Dorff, and Carmen, Emoji. In a discussion that delves into the open-ended nature of the story's culmination, ultimately this episodes serves as proof of how fiction can be interpreted differently by multiple people, as the two WTTPP hosts came to vastly diverging conclusions as to how the events surrounding the season finale unfolded.

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Episode 19: Fyre Fraud/ Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 15:18:00 GMT

Episode 19 of Welcome To The Party Pal ushers listeners into one of the most notorious festival failures of all time, Billy McFarland and Ja Rule's Fyre Festival. Expounding on two documentaries that explored the arrogance and incompetence behind Frye's failure — Hulu's Fyre Fraud and Netflix's Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened — hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields discuss all the players involved, the culture of celebrity and exclusivity at the heart of the fiasco, the prospective blow-job heard 'round the world, and more!

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Episode 18: Vice

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 16:28:00 GMT

The Welcome To The Party Pal team once again gets political in an episode dedicated to the Oscar-nominate film Vice, directed by Adam McKay and starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carrell, and Sam Rockwell. Vice is the story of Dick Cheney, an unassuming bureaucratic Washington insider, who quietly wielded immense power as Vice President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that we still feel today. In this episode hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields marvel over the directing and acting found in Vice, discuss Cheney's political actions with the benefit of decades of hindsight, discuss the dreaded "Wookflu" and much, much more.

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Episode 17: The Die Hard 30th Anniversary / Xmas Spectacular!

Sun, 23 Dec 2018 17:04:00 GMT

To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of one of the greatest action (and holiday?) films of all time, Welcome To The Party Pal dedicates it's final episode of 2018 to the 1988 thriller directed by John McTiernan, written by Steven E. de Souza and Jeb Stuart, and starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman: Die Hard. In this episode hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields delve into the many aspects of Die Hard that make it so special, examine how the film has influenced American culture over the last three decades, and settle — once and for all — the controversial Die Hard-Christmas debate!

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Episode 16: A Prayer Before Dawn

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 15:23:00 GMT

Episode 16 of Welcome To The Party Pal finds hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields journeying to Thailand in an episode that puts under the spotlight the ultra-intense 2017 drama A Prayer Before Dawn. The film recounts the amazing true story of Billy Moore (played by Peaky Blinder's Joe Cole), an English boxer incarcerated in Thailand's most notorious prison. Thrown into a world of drugs and violence, he finds his best chance to escape is to fight his way out in Muay Thai tournaments. In this episode Brian recaps his recent trip to Thailand where he trained in the art of Muay Thai as both hosts marvel over Billy Moore's arduous life and Michael laments about the recent cancellation of Netflix's Daredevil —and much, much more!

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Episode 15: Fahrenheit 11/9

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 15:43:00 GMT

Join in as the Welcome To The Party Pal team dissect and commend Michael Moore's important new documentary Fahrenheit 11/9. In an episode that acts as a call to action to Vote(!), a passionate discussion ensues which examines the current state of American politics and in particular, Donald J. Trump's presidency.

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Episode 14: There Will Be Blood

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 16:13:00 GMT

In the latest episode of Welcome To The Party Pal, hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields — with help from actor, comedian, writer and co-host of the podcast God Ween Evan, Will Nunziata — dive deeply into There Will Be Blood, the 2007 American drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano. Expounding on the greatness of There Will Be Blood, Brian, Michael and Will laud the outstanding directing, acting, cinematography, and the score of the film, but in doing so tensions rise and a heated discussion ensues, where the talents (or lack there of?) of director Christopher Nolan becomes heavily contested, and where the trio attempts to get to the bottom of exactly what the Best Film of 2007 actually was!

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Episode 13: Wild Wild Country With Editor Neil Meiklejohn

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 18:49:00 GMT

Wild Wild Country is a Netflix documentary series about the controversial Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Osho), his fiery assistant Ma Anand Sheela, and their deeply committed community of followers in the Rajneeshpuram community located in Wasco County, Oregon — and it's also the subject of the latest Welcome To The Party Pal podcast! This incredibly fascinating moment in American culture is broken down with the help of Wild Wild Country's film editor Neil Meiklejohn, who brilliantly helped craft this intriguing tale and fascinating case study that delves into topical issues of immigration, the divide between church and state, and human's instinctual desire for community, and much more.

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Episode 12: Mission Impossible — Fallout

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 07:00:00 GMT

Episode 12 of Welcome To The Party Pal finds hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields celebrating the sixth installment of the Mission Impossible series, Fallout. In a discussion about the action spy film written, produced, and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, and starring Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson (to name but a few!), Brian and Michael examine each of the movies in the series that led to the excellent sixth film, clap back at Tom Cruise haters while marveling over his remarkable commitment to his stunt work, explain both "Mustache-Gate" and the "Trapped In The Closet" controversy, and much, much more.

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Episode 11: The Handmaid's Tale Season 2

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:20:00 GMT

Take a journey into to the authoritarian, theocratic regime of The Republic of Gilead in the latest episode of Welcome To The Party Pal where the second season of The Handmaid's Tale is thoroughly examined. The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian drama created by Bruce Miller which can be found on Hulu, based on the 1985 novel by Margaret Atwood, and it is one of the most gut-wrenching and poignant series streamable today. In this episode, the WTTPP duo pore over the second season's happenings, and marvel over the modern day parallels the show invokes. They also, remarkably, find a way to squeeze in a homage to Netflix's Glow, and hail the remarkable actresses that comprise the Emmy nominees for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for 2018!

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Episode 10: Westworld Season 2

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 18:14:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal hits its stride in its tenth episode where the second season of HBO's Westworld is meticulously examined and hailed by hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields. Join in on a journey into The Cradle, through The Forge, and past The Door into the Valley Beyond, where the many moving pieces and timelines of the labyrinthine science fiction western television series created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy is thoroughly mulled over.

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Episode 9: 2001: A Space Odyssey - 50th Anniversary Spectacular

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 14:06:00 GMT

In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, the Welcome To The party Pal duo blasts off to Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite to recount on the grandeur of the 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, 2001: A Space Odyssey. In a podcast that acts as a heartfelt ode to a film whose thematics feel as poignant as ever, and whose special effects continue to awe five decades after its arrival, 2001 — one of the finest films ever crafted — is given its just due through a thorough dissection of its ingenious construction.

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Episode 8: The Arnold Schwarzenegger Episode!

Fri, 18 May 2018 14:35:00 GMT

The Welcome To The Party team invites you to join in on a celebration of the career of arguably the great action star of all time, Arnold Schwarzenegger. With the help of comedian, actor, and one of the hosts of the magnificent podcast God Ween Evan Will Nunziata, Brian Sachson and Michael Shields dive deeply into the phenomenon of Arnold Schwarzenegger while embarking on a wild ride through all his most celebrated films. This is a party you aren't going to want to miss, an episode that acts as a true ode to the man that brought muscles into the mainstream and enamored an entire generation.

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Episode 7: Avengers - Infinity War

Mon, 07 May 2018 14:24:00 GMT

Join in as the Welcome to The Party Pal team dives deeply into the 19th offering from the Marvel Cinematic Universe — Avengers: Infinity War. In one of the nerdiest episodes yet, hosts Michael Shields and Brian Sachson sift through the ashes that remain following the Avengers confrontation with their most powerful enemy to date, the evil Thanos. In the episode Michael and Brian meticulously discuss the Infinity Stones that provide the power to Thanos’ Gauntlet, Thanos' motives and merits as a supervillian, and what might lie ahead in the forthcoming Avengers 4! Buckle up for a journey that takes you to Xandar, Vormir, Nidavellir, Titan, Wakanda and beyond, in an episode where it is revealed that while one half of the WTTPP duo is wholeheartedly in line with the Avengers, the other is defiantly Team Thanos (hint: it’s Brian!). And remember: all spoilers, all of the time!

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Episode 6: Blue Planet II with Roger Horrocks (Underwater Cinematographer / Wildlife Cameraman)

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 14:32:00 GMT

Welcome To The Party Pal returns with a true deep dive into BBC's Blue Planet II. Blue Planet II is a 2017 British nature documentary series on marine life produced by the BBC Natural History Unit. Like its predecessor, The Blue Planet (2001), it is narrated and presented by naturalist Sir David Attenborough, while the main music score was composed by Hans Zimmer. Using breakthroughs in science and cutting-edge technology to explore this final frontier, Blue Planet II presents compelling stories featuring astonishing characters, otherworldly places, and extraordinary animal behaviors. This episode of WTTPP presents an interview with Roger Horrocks, a renowned and extremely gifted wildlife cameraman who acts as one of the cinematographers on Blue Planet II. Roger has worked from the frozen poles to the tropical equator, specializing in immersive imagery of dynamic and fast moving animals and events. Roger is currently working on Our Planet, an eight part series for Netflix produced by Silverback Films, and Dolphin World for Disney Nature.

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Episode 5: Embrace of The Serpent

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:12:00 GMT

In the latest episode of WTTPP, hosts Brian Sachon and Michael Shields explore the Amazon jungle through the 2015 drama Embrace Of The Serpent, directed by Ciro Guerra and written by Guerra and Jacques Toulemonde Vidal. Based on the the travel diaries of German Ethnologist Theodor Koch-Grunberg and American biologist Richard Evans Schultes, and dedicated to lost Amazonian cultures, Embrace Of The Serpent was the first Colombian film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. The deeply affecting movie recounts two stories set thirty years apart, both featuring the entirely captivating Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman, who accompanies a pair of scientists on their hunt for a rare, sacred plant known for its healing powers, both physical and spiritual. The episode dissects the film’s exceptional journey which culminates in a spectacular superconscious experience. This episode also features one of the most personal moments in the young history of Welcome To The Party Pal wherein Brian, ever a zestful traveler, discusses his most recent trip to South America. Candidly, and over the course of the discussion of the film, Brian openly delves into his experience in the Amazon, a journey which in many ways mirrors the events of the film in that during his travels Brian visited Pisatahua, an integrative plant-medicine and ayahuasca retreat, located in a remote area of the Bolivian Amazon. His recounting of what happened next puts the “mind-bending” in “The Mind-Bending Film & Television Podcast You Didn’t know You Needed!

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Episode 4: Electric Dreams with Kalen Egan (writer/producer)

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 16:27:00 GMT

The Welcome To The Party Pal team is back at it, this time putting under the microscope the exciting new anthology series now streaming on Amazon titled Electric Dreams. Electric Dreams is a series based on the writings of Philip K. Dick, and in this episode all the splendor of the captivating first season is examined. In order to fully discern all the richness Electric Dreams has to offer, and to dig deep into the origins of the series and get a behind the scenes look at its production, this episode features an interview with one of the executive producers and writers of the series (as well as The Man In The High Castle), Kalen Egan. More than just one of the creative minds involved in bringing Electric Dreams to life, Kalen also works with Electric Shepherd Productions, a production company that works in partnership with Philip K. Dick’s daughter, Isa Dick Hackett, and is dedicated to stewarding and adapting Dick’s vast catalog for television and film projects.

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Episode 3: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Sun, 04 Mar 2018 14:57:00 GMT

The Welcome To The Party Pal team is back at it, this time delving deep into the Oscar-nominated film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Expounding upon the intricacies of the Martin McDonagh directed film, hosts Brian Sachson and Michael Shields discuss the remarkable ensemble cast, the pain that comes from the loss of a child that the film explores, and the hard and powerful truths found in the film, specifically the social commentary it incorporates about police brutality, racism, and the ability for violence to breed more violence. Join in on the party, where the misguiding critiques of the Three Billboards are broken down, and a potent and deeply affecting film is celebrated.

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Episode 2: Phantom Thread

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 15:57:28 GMT

In this episode of Welcome to The Party Pal, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread is dissected, and its grandeur examined. In the podcast Brian and Michael dive into the themes present in Phantom Thread such as obsession, neurosis, mother issues, love, the desire for control, and shared fetishes, while marveling over the trio of remarkable actors in the film. This is a podcast that journeys many places, as the WTTPP team discuss Adam Sandler films, the eight shots that encompassed Alfred Hitchcock's Rope, how Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood planted the seed that grew into Phantom Thread in Paul Thomas Anderson’s mind, who the fashion designer is responsible for popularizing the modern man’s suit with a necktie, and just how “LIT” the New Years Eve party that took place in the film was, and much, much more!

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Episode 1: Black Mirror

Sun, 11 Feb 2018 14:32:49 GMT

Welcome to the Party Pal is the mind-bending film and television podcast you didn’t know you needed. Hosted by Brian Sachson (producer/writer) and Michael Shields (writer/editor), WTTPP is a celebration of the art of cinema and filmmaking, where movies and television shows are meticulously dissected and analyzed to evaluate their grandeur (or, conversely when necessary, lament their shortcomings). Guests will include the filmmakers and industry insiders that craft the the works of art that inhabit the current zeitgeist. All spoilers, all the time...listeners be warned.

Episode 1 delves deeply into the phenomenon that is Black Mirror. Expounding upon the particulars of its most recent fourth season, all that is great about the British science fiction anthology television series created by Charlie Brooker is hailed, as Brian and Michael examine, as Black Mirror does in all its episodes, the unanticipated consequences of new technologies.

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