J.J. Abrams returns to Star Wars with The Rise of Skywalker, and to end a 9-film saga. For this go round, Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe (Oscar Isaac) have been tasked with locating a hidden planet that contains the key to bringing down the entirety of The First Order, now led by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Still conflicted with his connection to Rey, Kylo – aka Ben Solo – struggles and pontificates on his place in this world, as Rey continues to force forward towards completing her journey and saving the galaxy. And yes, Rey and Kylo continue their back-and-forth psychic shenanigans about who is worth redemption, and who is truly pulling whom into the Dark Side.

On this episode, we dive head-first into the final film in this epic series (for now), and specifically what we loved and loathed about this latest attempt to satisfy fans worldwide. Is it too safe? Does it wrap up all of those insane loose ends? Does Kylo care about Rey as more than just a frenemy, or would Finn be better suited? Also, what's up with all those cameos?! We have a lot to discuss, and limited time to do it, so this is one podcast you do NOT want to miss!

Find more information on the episode HERE

Direct download: HO379_Star_Wars_Rise_of_Skywalker.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:35pm PDT
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What were your entertainment highlights of 2019?

On this special of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, it is time to say goodbye to the year! Though we have one more episode planned for next week, this is our last regular-esque episode of the show. And for it, we review Jumanji: The Next Level, 6 Underground, discuss Richard Jewell and The Garden Left Behind as well as our thoughts on HBO’s Watchmen finale, and then we close the year with our thoughts on the best this year had to offer.

After our goodbyes, we have attached our anniversary episode of Remake This Movie RIGHT from earlier this year. To celebrate Star Wars week, enjoy as Aaron and friends debate the best way to remake The Phantom Menace in proper fashion.

For two decades, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace has, much like the Empire, lay in hiding while waiting for the right time to strike. Midi-chlorians, Trade Federations, and Jar Jar Binks have kept this series from its own potential for far too long. Since Disney seems to be in no hurry to correct this wrong, it is left up to our Cinematic Architects to roll up our sleeves and return to work: We’re going to Remake Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace RIGHT!

Clips selected from 1999’s Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace.

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 31:02) Reviews: Jumanji: The Next Level, 6 Underground, Richard Jewell, The Garden Left Behind, Watchmen
  • (31:03 – 57:15) Goodbye 2019
  • (57:16– 2:07:46) Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace - Remake This Movie RIGHT
  • Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to feedback@thehollywoodoutsider.com
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content, by visiting Patreon.com/TheHollywoodOutsider.
  • This month's Patreon-exclusive Bad Movie Night focuses on SOLO - A Star Wars Story, while last month's focused on Taking Lives and featured an exclusive interview with writer Jon Bokenkamp
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Join our Fantasy Movie League! Find our league, then use the password ‘buypopcorn’
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO378_Goodbye_2019_Remake_Phantom_Menace.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:47am PDT
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What were your favorite films and television shows of the 2010s?

On this week's episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are discussing a decade's worth of film and television content. We know - it's a lot. Reflecting on the changes in entertainment over this past decade in film and television, our top 10 films and TV shows that released 2010-2019, our favorite entertainers, writers, and directors of the decade, experiences, and much more. So strap in, because we're about to go through a wealth of entertainment history!

Discussed on this episode

  • (0:00 – 29:54) Reflecting on a Decade in Film and Television
  • (29:55 – 1:23:45) Best Films of the 2010s
  • (1:23:46 – 1:57:05) Best Television Series of the 2010s
  • (1:57:06– 2:23:56) Best Experiences and Surprises | Best of Decade Awards | Listener Top 10 for Movies and TV 
  • Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to feedback@thehollywoodoutsider.com
  • Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content, by visiting Patreon.com/TheHollywoodOutsider.
  • Recent Patreon-exclusive Bad Movie Night episodes on Taking Lives will feature an exclusive interview with writer Jon Bokenkamp and also SOLO - A Star Wars Story
  • Be sure to join our Facebook Group
  • Join our Fantasy Movie League! Find our league, then use the password ‘buypopcorn’
  • Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!
Direct download: HO377_2010s_Decade_in_Film_and_TV.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:24am PDT
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It's the 2019 HOliday Podcast Special!

Every year, we love to celebrate the holiday season with our listeners, and there is no better way to do that than with our 6th Annual Holiday Special!

It all started with a random idea, as Aaron and Scott were big fans of holiday specials, yet podcasts seemed to skip over the idea completely. Therefore, we decided we can do whatever we want here at The Hollywood Outsider, so let’s create our own tradition and the Annual Holiday Special was born!

Every year we do a little something different, so this year we're taking our Movie Battle Royale and sprinkling some Christmas magic on it for a Santa Battle Royale. That's right, who will survive as the best Saint Nick to EVER grace our screens? Only one way to find out.

That’s not all, oh no. We also talk about our standards on when decorating can begin, the best holiday movie of the last decade, and the best holiday TV episode of the last decade. The Christmas spirit kicks into overdrive as we open up and share our personal memories of the holiday season, stories that remind us of Christmas. And no holiday special would be complete without a visit from the big man himself, so get ready as Santa Claus drops by the studio to tell us just how wrong (or right) we are all throughout the episode!

With a special game from Amanda, Santa in his sleigh, Scott’s annual Christmas Poem, and a lot of fun for everyone – This is the one podcast you don’t want to miss this holiday season!

Direct download: HO_2019_Holiday_Special.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:58pm PDT
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Director Tara Wood wastes no time introducing us to her intentions with QT8: The First Eight; this is – first and foremost – a celebration of the works of Quentin Tarantino. It is an important anecdote to note, because if you were hoping for a shockingly tawdry expose plunging into Tarantino’s childhood – ripe with family secrets explaining his fascination with the criminal underbelly, gimps, and a vernacular so profane it might make Richard Pryor blush – then prepare for disappointment. Tara Wood, like so many of us, is a fan.

Instead, QT8 takes us on a journey through the past 21 years of Tarantino’s filmography, from Reservoir Dogs to The Hateful Eight, and specifically acts as our guide through the creation and release of those films. How he turned his residuals from The Golden Girls into a feature film career, his inspirations and motivations, most of all his unrivaled knowledge of cinema history.

On this special episode, director Tara Wood discusses the intricacies of getting her film made, assembling an exciting cast of actors of Tarantino's films (including Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Michael Madsen, Diane Kruger, and many more), how she chose to elaborate on Harvey Weinstein's involvement and Uma Thurman's ill-fated stunt, and why she chose Tarantino to profile. If you're a fan of Quentin Tarantino, this is one interview and film you won't want to miss!

Read our full review of the film HERE
QT8: The First Eight releases on VOD December 3, 2019

Direct download: Tara_Wood_QT8_The_First_Eight.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:54am PDT
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