Mission 250 Filmcast

The Mission 250 Filmcast is a weekly podcast where hosts Denny, John, and TC are watching the Top 250 Movies of All Time, as ranked by IMDB. With each episode focusing on a single movie, and moving towards the #1 movie in reverse order, we aim to broaden the listeners viewing horizons (as well as our own), and give not only our thoughts/opinions, but also history, trivia, and insight on each film. We can be reached at [email protected], and the full list can be found at mission250filmcast.com.

Episode 27 - Leon: The Professional 04/15/2024

Episode 27 - Leon: The Professional This week, we watch Natalie Portman's first film, where she plays the daughter of a slaughtered family who is taken in by a professional hitman who lives next door. This film elevates its B-movie potential with iconic performances by all of the leads. Leon: The Professional (1994), directed by Luc Besson. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/30823143

Episode 28 - Once Upon a Time in the West 04/10/2024

Episode 28 - Once Upon a Time in the West This week, we watch Sergio Leones final western film. This film's cinematography and set pieces are among the best we've seen, and its easy to see why so many directors have been influenced by its style. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). /episode/index/show/mission250/id/30758488

BONUS EPISODE -Point Break 04/03/2024

BONUS EPISODE -Point Break "Point Break" from 1991, directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Denny won the oscars contest, so Denny could pick any film he wanted for us to watch. He picked this one. There's some great action sequences here, and also some of the most laughably bad acting we've seen in the history of this podcast. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/30654568

BONUS EPISODE - The Zone Of Interest 03/25/2024

BONUS EPISODE - The Zone Of Interest This week, we watch a slow burn historical drama, that could also be classified as an art-house horror movie. Based on much researched real events and people, this film is broken into two - the one you see, and the one you hear. The results are astounding and hard to watch. The Zone Of Interest (2023), directed by Jonathan Glazer. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/30524153

BONUS EPISODE - Killers of the Flower Moon 03/18/2024

BONUS EPISODE - Killers of the Flower Moon This week, we watch the film that makes Scorsese the oldest director to be nominated for best director at the oscars. This epic (read: long) film takes on the story of the murders of members of the Osage nation a century ago, and the birth of the FBI. Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), directed by Martin Scorsese. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/30414308

BONUS EPISODE - The 2024 Oscars 03/12/2024

BONUS EPISODE - The 2024 Oscars We’ve watched all of the Academy Awards best picture nominated movies from 2023! This week, we have a special episode where we three give our top 10 lists of these mostly great films, and also attempt to predict the winners of the other Oscar categories (which we now know). /episode/index/show/mission250/id/30335563

BONUS EPISODE - Dune: Part 2 03/07/2024

BONUS EPISODE - Dune: Part 2 This week, we watch the film that has just released and is currently sitting at the #10 best movie of all time. See it on the biggest screen and loudest speakers you can find. Dune: Part 2 (2024), directed by Denis Villeneuve. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/30265388

BONUS EPISODE - Anatomy Of A Fall 02/26/2024

BONUS EPISODE - Anatomy Of A Fall This week, we watch a multi-oscar nominated drama about a deadly fall and the trial that ensues. This film stands out as one of the most starkly realistic dramas we have had the pleasure of watching on our mission, and we’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys an unrelentingly heavy story. Anatomy of a Fall (2023), directed by Justine Triet. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/30113378

BONUS EPISODE - American Fiction 02/19/2024

BONUS EPISODE - American Fiction This week, we watch a rare comedy that is also scooping up award nominations. Writer / Director / Producer Cord Jefferson nails directorial debut, which balances heavy themes with laugh out loud moments, while leaving the viewer with lots to think about once the credits roll. American Fiction (2023), directed by Cord Jefferson. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/30018058

BONUS EPISODE - Poor Things 02/12/2024

BONUS EPISODE - Poor Things This week, we watch a film that is heaven for film geeks. Images pour off the screen like melting candy for the brain. The score is a soundtrack to a dizzying dream. The humor is at once bizarre and dark, yet accessible and upbeat. The actors utilize an amazing script to make something profound and hilarious. It is life affirming, blazingly satirical, completely absurd, and an absolute instant classic. Poor Things (2023), directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/29901533

BONUS EPISODE - Godzilla Minus One 02/05/2024

BONUS EPISODE - Godzilla Minus One This week, we watch the newest Japanese Godzilla film that is breaking box office records on top of being nominated for an Oscar for Visual Effects.. See this film on the biggest screen and the loudest speaker system you can. Godzilla Minus One (2023), directed by Takashi Yamazaki. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/29796653

BONUS EPISODE - The Boy and The Heron 12/24/2023

BONUS EPISODE - The Boy and The Heron This week, we watch the newest and likely final Hayao Miyazaki movie. This film was in production for seven years due to a combination of COVID and Miyazaki’s slower working pace due to age. It was well worth the effort in our opinions, as he has possibly created the most beautiful movie in his legendary filmography. The Boy and The Heron (2023), directed by Hayao Miyazaki. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/29168073

Episode 29 - Spirited Away 12/18/2023

Episode 29 - Spirited Away This week, we watch the highest rated Studio Ghibli movie on the top 250. This film broke records as well as opened the Western world to Japanese animation in a large way. This film hasn’t aged a day, with incredible animation and timeless fantasy storytelling. The amount of creativity that pours our of each frame has to be seen to be believed. Spirited Away (2001), directed by Hayao Miyazaki. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/29134888

BONUS EPISODE - Nightcrawler 12/11/2023

BONUS EPISODE - Nightcrawler This week, we’re diving into a series of bonus episodes, where we go through movies that Denny, John and TC think deserve to be on the top 250. We kick it off with a thiller / character study that possibly contains Jake Gyllenhaal’s best work. Add in commentary about the media industry, sociopathy, race, the police, capitalism, LA nightlight, etc., and you’ve got something that could be considered a niche masterpiece. Nightcrawler (2014), directed by Dan Gilroy. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/29025828

Episode 30 - Saving Private Ryan 12/04/2023

Episode 30 - Saving Private Ryan This week, we watch what many consider to be the best war movie ever made. While the opening Omaha Beach scene might stick out as a highlight, this rest of this film also contains some of the most intense and upsetting portrayals of combat ever committed to film. Saving Private Ryan (1998), directed by Steven Spielberg. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/28925438

REPOST - Tokyo Story 11/27/2023

REPOST - Tokyo Story This week, we’re reposting an episode on a film that has come up a lot since we watched it over five years ago, including during our last episode on Past Lives. If a film has stayed in the conversation as long as this one has, it is worth a second look to those who might have missed it.. Tokyo Story (1953), directed by Yasujiro Ozu. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/28807793

BONUS EPISODE - Past Lives 11/20/2023

BONUS EPISODE - Past Lives This week, we watch an A24 movie that has been getting very good reviews by Critics, to no ones surprise. This quiet and slow movie depicts a past relationship that never was. You can tell by the episode run time that we didn’t have much to say about it. Past Lives (2023), directed by Celine Song. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/28729088

Episode 31 - American History X 11/13/2023

Episode 31 - American History X This week, we watch a film that tackles the subject of nazis in the US. Edward Norton’s Academy Award nominated performance leaves us with mixed opinions, as well as the undercooked characters of everyone around him. Still, this film has a few very important points to get across (which feel frighteningly more relevant today than at the films release) and is worth watching for those alone. American History X (1998), directed by Tony Kaye. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/28616453

BONUS EPISODE - Hereditary 11/06/2023

BONUS EPISODE - Hereditary This week, we watch what many consider one of the scariest movies of all time. Ari Aster’s first film was the highest grossing A24 movie at the time, only overtaken by last years Everything Everywhere All At Once. This film contains some of the best acting ever in a horror movie, and the scares will give you nightmares for years. Hereditary (2018), directed by Ari Aster. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/28524719

BONUS EPISODE - The Lighthouse 10/16/2023

BONUS EPISODE - The Lighthouse This week, we watch the second film from the director of The Witch. This movie drips style and stinks of old seaweed. Dafoe and Pattinson give career best performances, as do a few seagulls. The Lighthouse (2019), directed by Robert Eggers. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/28322969

BONUS EPISODE - The Exorcist 10/09/2023

BONUS EPISODE - The Exorcist This week, we want the most infamous and possibly influential horror movie of all time. 50 years later and this film still provides shocking imagery and performances that have yet to be equaled. Centering itself as a character drama, the seemingly lengthy two and a half hours creep by in the best way. The Exorcist (1973), directed by Willam Friedkin. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/28262405

Episode 32 - Casablanca 10/04/2023

Episode 32 - Casablanca This week, we are watching a classic from over 80 years ago. This may be the most modern feeling pre-1960’s film we have watch so far in our hundreds of episodes. While it might be a staple in film school classes, it doesn’t need any explanation from a stuffy teacher to see how well made and entertaining this classic remains. Casablanca (1942), directed by Michael Curtiz. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/28219718

Episode 33 - Interstellar Part 2 09/25/2023

Episode 33 - Interstellar Part 2 Part 2 This week, we watch love in space. This time hopping journey through the great unknown is filled with hard sci-fi science and amazing special effects. It is also filled with expository dialogue and some less than stellar ideas about how love travels through space and time. Interstellar (2014), directed by Christopher Nolan. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/28129898

Episode 33 - Interstellar Part 1 09/18/2023

Episode 33 - Interstellar Part 1 This week, we watch love in space. This time hopping journey through the great unknown is filled with hard sci-fi science and amazing special effects. It is also filled with expository dialogue and some less than stellar ideas about how love travels through space and time. Interstellar (2014), directed by Christopher Nolan. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/28068093

BONUS EPISODE - Talk To Me 09/11/2023

BONUS EPISODE - Talk To Me This week, we start October early. This Australian horror film take approximately 2 minutes to hook you into the story with an amazing introduction sequence, and the rest of the movie follows up with plenty of scares and amazing practical effects. Talk to Me (2022), directed by Danny and Michael Philippou. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/27995619

Episode 34 - Psycho Part 2 09/04/2023

Episode 34 - Psycho Part 2 Part 2 This week, we watch the highest rated Hitchcock film, and what is considered widely to be the film that modernized horror. Come for the shower stabbing, stay for the controversial use of a toilet, a woman in a bra, and the utterance of the word “transvestite”. Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/27940071

Episode 34 - Psycho 08/28/2023

Episode 34 - Psycho This week, we watch the highest rated Hitchcock film, and what is considered widely to be the film that modernized horror. Come for the shower stabbing, stay for the controversial use of a toilet, a woman in a bra, and the utterance of the word “transvestite”. Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/27869226

BONUS EPISODE - Barbie 08/21/2023

BONUS EPISODE - Barbie This week, we Barbie’d the Heimer. The most unexpected one-two box office knockout’s better (pink) half is breaking records left and right. Top Hollywood creative talent somehow managed to take corporate greed and product recognition to bring older and younger generators together with huge laughs throughout. Barbie (2023), directed by Greta Gerwig. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/27805317

BONUS EPISODE - Oppenheimer 08/14/2023

BONUS EPISODE - Oppenheimer This week, we watch the film that is taking the box office by storm (with the help of a specific other pink-ish film). Christopher Nolan takes on the massive story of Oppenheimer and the people around him during the Manhattan Project and the race to develop a bomb that could end us all. Oppenheimer (2023), directed by Christopher Nolan. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/27742818

Episode 35 - City Lights 08/07/2023

Episode 35 - City Lights This week, we watch the highest rated silent movie of all time. At the height of his power and the end of the silent film era, Charlie Chaplin used an exorbitant amount of his own money to create what many consider to be his masterpiece. City Lights (1931), directed by Charles Chaplin. /episode/index/show/mission250/id/27677097

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