We've got a golden ticket! For the second of our duo of kids' classics, we're indulging in a sweet treat - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory! We discuss Roald Dahl's wildly imaginative source novel, art director Harper Goff's fantastical visual interpretations of Wonka's candy factory wonderland, the unforgettable soundtrack, the real-life candy bar tie-in to the film, and the incredible cast, including the absolutely incomparable Gene Wilder, who brought heart, soul, and just the right amount of insanity to the title role. Come with me, and you'll be in a world of pure imagination!

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!