The Hollywood Outsider

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, it's another election year, and longtime listeners know what that means: it's finally time to get political! That's right, we avoid politics as a whole EXCEPT when it's time to elect a few more members of Congress. We are diving into the culture war - specifically, is Hollywood too woke or is that excuse becoming as tired as we are of hearing about it?

Also, we say goodbye to Patrick Stewart.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, with Crystal Lake taking over Peacock, we decided for our Halloween episode that we would dive into horror villains - specifically their origin stories. Michael, Jason, Art the Clown, Pennywise, Pearl - who does it right and who is trying too hard. It's an interesting and complicated dive into some of the most notable horror icons in film history. Also, thoughts on Crystal Lake and why Linda Cardellini might have a career-best performance as Pamela Voorhees.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we debate how many remakes are too many? Carrie is just the latest of a never-ending list of movies and TV shows getting multiple remakes. Dracula, Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol, Cinderella, King Kong, A Star Is Born, The Mummy, Little Women, Les Misérables, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Robin Hood, The Three Musketeers, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, Sherlock Holmes, Godzilla, The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, The Phantom of the Opera, Moby-Dick, The War of the Worlds, The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Dragnet, The Fugitive, and on and on. When does it end?!

Also on this episode, Narnia: The Magician's Nephew trailer, The X-Files series reboot, Michael Douglas gets nasty, J.K. Rowling has a docuseries in the works, Halloween scares, plus reviews of Carrie, Below, Animals, and much more.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 39:45) Opening | Narnia: The Magician's Nephew trailer, The X-Files series reboot, Michael Douglas gets nasty, J.K. Rowling has a docuseries in the works, Halloween scares
• (39:46 – 1:01:50) From the Outside In: Too Many Remakes
• (1:01:51 – 1:09:50) Review: Carrie
• (1:09:52 – 1:16:44) Review: Below
• (1:16:45 – 1:28:01) Animals | Recommendations
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February 4, 2004. A young genius hits the final key to take the Facebook live, forever changing the fabric of how everyday people interact with each other. In 2010, director David Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin delivered the definitive story on how Facebook came to be, and Jesse Eisenberg's enigmatic performance captivated the world.

But how true was it?

Even coding can be fascinating, especially when liberties are taken. Be careful who you partner with, because The Social Network was indeed inspired by a true story.

Welcome to Inspired By A True Story, a podcast where every two weeks, our award-winning hosts and film critics discuss the genuine details that have inspired some of the most memorable true crime movies around. Each episode will break down the crime or crimes that inspired a specific film, and then discuss how factual that film is, versus how much is simply Hollywood magic.

Media inquiries, direct thoughts on this episode, and/or suggestions of films to cover for future episodes of Inspired By A True Story can be sent to Aaron@TheHollywoodOutsider.com or Inspired@TheHollywoodOutsider.com

Listen to all episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.thehollywoodoutsider.com/inspired-by-a-true-story/

Support the podcast and gain early access to episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.patreon.com/thehollywoodoutsider

"Southern Gothic" and other music provided by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, Tom Cruise is out here promoting the heck out of Digger, his return to dramatic movies after years of action film after action film. This leads to our topic this week: actors taking big swings. Think about established actors who went far outside their comfort zones: Heath Ledger, Bryan Cranston, Matthew McConaughey, and the list goes on and on. We dive into the topic and debate which swings where the biggest, and especially which ones changed our opinion on an actor.

Also, we have pepper spray in movie theaters, Star Wars changes course, Don't Breathe 3 is in the works, reviews of Brothers, The Unabomber, and much more.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

(0:00 – 27:21) Opening | Pepper spray in movie theaters, Star Wars charts a new course, Don't Breathe 3, and more

(27:22 – 57:46) From the Outside In: Actors Taking Big Swings

(57:47 – 1:15:24) Recommendations: Brothers, The Unabomber, Resident Evil, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Time stamps may be affected by ad breaks

Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we're all a bit peopled out these days, so it's time to talk about our furry friends. With Brad Pitt's Heart of the Beast hitting theaters, what better time than to have a lengthy discussion on dogs in movies and TV?! Benji, Lassie, Old Yeller, Cujo, Scooby-Doo, Snoopy - we have decades of wonderful pups in entertainment. So, why do we love them so much? We can literally justify John Wick taking out hundreds of people over a puppy, does that even make sense? We dive into all of your favorite canines for a variety of topics. This is a fun one.

Also, Jensen Ackles gets yet another series, Paramount and Warner Brothers are finally merging (we think), The Beast in Me gets a Season 2 while Ride or Die does not, and Amanda reviews the latest season of Netflix's Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 19:41) Opening | Jensen Ackles lands Rules of Prey, Paramount and Warner Brothers moves forward, Beast in Me Season 2, Ride or Die cancelled
• (19:42 – 1:11:05) From the Outside In: Dogs, Puppies, and the Bestest Boys and Girls in Movies and TV
• (1:11:06 – 1:25:00) Review: Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story
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Want to know what new TV shows to watch this Fall?

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, it's time for our Fall TV preview 2025, including our most anticipated new and returning shows on the Fall television schedule. TV has evolved so much, and there are so many options, it becomes overwhelming every year to know what we should be spending our time on. Therefore we rolled up our sleeves, jumped in the water, and pulled out some of the best that television has to offer this season. Harry Potter, Neagley, Crystal Lake, Nocturne, Carrie, Blade Runner 2099, VisionQuest, NCIS: New York, Brothers, The Good Daughter, Line of Fire, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, Below, The Altruists, and so many more shows are discussed and dissected on our annual plunge into the biggest season for television.

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What were your favorite moments in entertainment from this past summer?

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are taking a look back at the past few months and presenting our Summer Entertainment Awards for 2026 and each category is for EITHER movies or TV! What was the best of all of it? Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Obsession, Widow's Bay, The Odyssey, The Sheep Detectives, Cape Fear, House of the Dragon, Lanterns, Ride or Die, Reacher, Masters of the Universe, Sterling Point, Ted Lasso, and so many more. So, what's it going to be??

It's our pick for the BEST in entertainment for the categories from May 1st through Labor Day weekend. The winners can be from any TV series (regardless of season) or movie, but had to be a new movie or aired new episodes between those dates. What did YOU love in movies and TV this Summer?

Discussed on this episode

• The Best in Movies and TV for Summer 2026
• Find https://noreruns.net/
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, Aaron finally met his hero, KURT RUSSELL! We discuss what it was like meeting his movie daddy, as well as how the photo op worked at Fan Expo Chicago, Kurt Russell's panel with surprise guests John Carpenter and Keith David, and more.

Also this week, Disney held their own mega-event with D23, so we review all of the news from this huge event including X-Men casting, Pixar and Disney Animation releases, Star Wars: Starfighter, and a whole lot more. Plus we remember Hayden Lesley Panettiere, and recommendations for The End of Oak Street, Lanterns, Six, and About Time.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 38:49) Opening | DC Studio Struggles, Harry Potter casts Nicholas Hoult, Apple TV and Ascension
• (38:50 – 47:13) Hayden Panettiere
• (47:14 – 1:06:17) From the Outside In: Meeting Kurt Russell | Clip from Kurt Russell Panel
• (1:06:18 – 1:17:36) Recommendations - The End of Oak Street, Lanterns, Six, About Time
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, AI is all the rage... literally. Fans, creators, and everyone with a voice on social media is revolting online against AI. While also, using AI every day. Where is the fine line? What are the pros and cons of AI in entertainment? We dive into this topic this week with limited assistance from ChatGPT. Maybe.

Also this week, Ted Lasso returns! But is he still funny? Also, Reacher returns! But is he still brutal? DC returns as well, but mostly to being a studio that still has no idea what they're even doing anymore. Plus a review of Tony and recommendations for Furious, House of the Dragon S3, Nimrods, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 18:38) Opening | DC Studio Struggles, Harry Potter casts Nicholas Hoult, Apple TV and Ascension
• (18:39 – 50:41) From the Outside In: AI is causing a revolt
• (50:42 – 55:34) Review: Tony
• (55:35 – 1:02:19) Review: Reacher - Season 4
• (1:02:20 – 1:07:54) Review: Ted Lasso
• (1:07:55 – 1:21:35) Recommendations - Furious, House of the Dragon S3, Nimrods, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we finally get to jump on the hype train and talk a little Spider-Man: Brand New Day! But not before we dive into TV and how streamers keep screwing us over. Are we the problem?

Also this week, Stephen King finally gets a Desperation adaptation worth talking about, Talladega Nights turns 20, reviews of Ice Cream Man and Spidey, and much more.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 25:30) Opening | Talladega Nights turns 20, Spider-Man's box office bonanza, Desperation
• (25:31 – 39:11) From the Outside In: Trusting TV and Streamers
• (39:12 – 45:55) Review: Ice Cream Man
• (45:56 – 1:01:38) Review: Spider-Man: Brand New Day
• (1:01:39 – 1:14:12) Recommendations
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we head back to San Diego to look at Comic-Con 2026 and debate the biggest news to drop out of Hall H and other locales such as: Numerous Marvel updates revolving around Avengers Doomsday, Ghost Rider, Black Panther 3, Reacher, Neagley, Silo, Spaceballs 2, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Mike Flanagan's take on Stephen King's Carrie, DC's Lanterns, and much more. All this, plus a report from Kyle Nolan with https://noreruns.net/, who was live on the ground at this year's San Diego Comic-Con!

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 1:23:30) San Diego Comic-Con - SDCC Breakdown
• (1:23:31 – 1:40:51) Whatcha Been Watching
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, before you pre-order your 4K copy of The Odyssey, you might want to listen to this episode where we discuss how physical media is dying, digital is the future, and how are we ever going to deal with this? Pros and cons of the continued emergence of digital releases, especially for those of us who have collected movies and TV shows for years.

That's not all! Not only do we dive into our spoiler-review of The Odyssey, we also speak to Christopher Nolan's recent comments on fan controversies and how he's not concerned with them. Also, our recommendations, Tom Cruise unveils Digger, and much more.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 40:46) Opening | Tom Cruise's Digger, Cape Fear's Idiotic Characters, Christopher Nolan's Calm
• (40:47 – 1:04:32) From the Outside In: Physical Media is Dying
• (1:04:33 – 1:18:47) Review: The Odyssey
• (1:18:48 – 1:29:31) Recommendations
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, the 2026 Emmy Award nominations are out, so let's break down the major categories and our predictions for whom should and will take home the awards!

Also, our spoiler-free review of Evil Dead Burn.

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 56:31) 2026 Emmy Nominations and Predictions
• (56:32 – 1:06:49) Review: Evil Dead Burn
• Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, it's time to get patriotic and discuss what keeps our flag waving when we indulge in entertainment. Patriotic movies and TV are all over the place - Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, Independence Day, everything Michael Bay directs - so what makes us stand at attention and respect the screen? Also, we debate if current events ever affect our patriotism when watching.

That's not all! Also on this episode, Kyle from https://noreruns.net/ joins in for spoiler-free reviews of Supergirl and Toy Story 5, weird movie theater etiquette, and much more.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 22:21) Opening | Weird Movie Theater Etiquette
• (22:22 – 49:55) From the Outside In: Patriotism in Movies and TV
• (49:56 – 56:40) Review: Supergirl
• (56:41 – 1:23:19) Review: Toy Story 5 | Recommendations
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are past the quarter century park, so it's time for reflection on television and its impact on us. Ergo, we debate the most rewatchable TV shows of this century. An important note, this does not mean the greatest shows, this means comfort food, television we keep coming back to that is like a warm blanket. Shows like Modern Family, The Office, Parks and Recreation, Psych, Justified, Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, Lost, Fringe, Schitt's Creek, and a host of others. We narrow it down to our Top 16 TV shows of this century - a mix of popularity, listener choices, and our own - and whittle it down to THE most rewatchable TV show of the century!

That's not all! Also on this episode, Disclosure Day, Office Romance and others appear on our Whatcha Been Watchin' segment, Paramount and Warner Bros. is a done deal, 60 Minutes drama with Bari Weiss, and much more.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Listen to our episode on the Most Rewatchable Movies of the 2000s

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 12:59) Opening | Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery Merger Pros and Cons
• (13:00 – 1:26:27) From the Outside In: Most Rewatchable TV Shows of This Century (2000-2026)
• (1:26:28 – 1:36:53) Recommendations: Disclosure Day, The Murder of Rachel Nickell, The Witness, Office Romance, Maternal Instinct
• Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, our topic stems from the topic of Disclosure Day, are aliens really among us? Is it too ridiculous at this point to believe the government could hide such a vast conspiracy? Let's dive in, plus discuss our favorite aliens coming to Earth films.

Also, this week: we reflect on 2026 to this point, hits and misses, but a bit of randomness.

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 44:05) Opening | 2026 at a Glance and a Bit of Randomness
• (44:06 – 1:13:29) From the Outside In: Aliens and Science Fiction Films
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, our topic is a timely one. 2026 is the year YouTubers broke into the mainstream. Earlier this year, Markiplier found fantastic success with bringing his YouTube series Iron Lung to cinemas, and now we have a month full of success stories by YouTube and TikTok creators with the back-to-back wins of Obsession's director Curry Barker and Backrooms creator Kane Parsons. So, it begs the question: are YouTubers the next generation of great filmmakers?

Also, this week: Escape from New York a touch of the Zack Snyder, our spoiler-free review of He-Man's return to theaters with Masters of the Universe, whatcha been watching discusses Widow's Bay, Spider-Noir, Ladies First, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, and Margot's Got Money Problems. Plus Troy and Aaron dive into their own insane Backrooms theories.

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 18:01) Opening | Escape from New York and Zack Snyder, Taylor Swift and Toy Story 5, Anna Kendrick returns to directing
• (18:02 – 53:50) From the Outside In: Are YouTubers the Next Generation of Great Filmmakers
• (53:51 – 1:04:20) Review: Masters of the Universe
• (1:04:21 – 1:19:24) Whatcha Been Watching - Widow's Bay, Spider-Noir, Ladies First, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, and Margot's Got Money Problems
• (1:19:25 – 1:47:22) Spoilercast: Backrooms Theories
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, The Mandalorian and Grogu has taken over theaters and it prompted the question: what will it take for us to love Star Wars again? That might seem harsh, but the Force has definitely lost its luster the past few years, especially with so much content diluting our excitement. It's a solid discussion on what we love and loathe about the franchise, and we finish with our review of The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Also this week: the Duffers try to explain Stranger Things, nostalgia overload yet again, and more!

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 31:49) The Duffers explain Stranger Things, nostalgia overload, Stephen Colbert says goodbye, milestone anniversaries
• (31:50 – 50:45) Whatcha Been Watching - The Crash, Kevin Hart Roast, Punisher: One Last Kill, Legends
• (50:46 – 1:13:09) From the Outside In: How do we fall in love with Star Wars again?
• (1:13:10– 1:25:05) Review: The Mandalorian and Grogu
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, our main topic based on a recent lawsuit from Miami-Dade county officers in regards to the Netflix film, The Rip. That brought us to movie or TV careers that changed our opinions on the actual day-to-day jobs and how entertainment influenced those.

Also this week: Twister turns 30 years old, we review Obsession, and more!

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