I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore... This month, we're talking about kids' classics, and it doesn't get much more classic and comforting than The Wizard of Oz! Claire from Why the Flick podcast joins us to discuss the (occasionally dark and dangerous) history of this landmark movie, the challenges of producing a Technicolor fantasy musical for children in early Hollywood, Judy Garland's megawatt star power, the immeasurable influence of Oz on the movie landscape, and our own personal experiences with The Wizard of Oz as kids and now. Follow us down the yellow brick road and give it a listen!

For the second film in our war movies month, we're staying with WWII but heading over to the Pacific theater to discuss Terrence Malick's modern classic, The Thin Red Line. Unlike its film peer Saving Private Ryan, which came out the same year, The Thin Red Line has not always received universal acclaim, with mixed reactions from viewers and critics alike. It's a totally different type of war movie, realistic in some ways, but even more impressionistic, allegorical, symbolic, and philosophical. For these reasons, Georgia counts it as her favorite war film (and she's in good company, joined by the likes of Gene Siskel and Martin Scorsese). In this episode, we attempt to unlock the film through close character study, allegory, and examination of elemental symbolism, and we also discuss Malick's uniquely holistic approach to filmmaking, the casting that combined Hollywood veterans with unknown newcomers, the score that mixed Hans Zimmer with Melanesian choirs, and John Toll's artistic cinematography and use of natural light. Join us for a deeply philosophical exploration of the meaning of life and art!

Can a war film also be a comfort film? This month we're exploring that question. First up this week, special guest Martin Harries of Film Vs. Film Podcast joins us to discuss one of his favorite comfort picks and a perennial rewatch around the holidays with family, The Guns of Navarone. We talk about the paradox of comforting war films; Carl Foreman's script, which placed mythmaking far above historical fact; J. Lee Thompson's directing style, which balanced blockbuster action sequences with philosophical and moral quandaries; the stellar cast, featuring David Niven, Anthony Quinn, and Gregory Peck in a surprisingly morally grey role; and we make connections between The Guns of Navarone and the many films that borrowed from its formula, including The Dirty Dozen, Star Wars, the James Bond films, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Join our team of specialized film analysts and come on a mission with us!