Munsons at the Movies

Ep. 128 - Jay Hernandez (feat. Mike Van De Voort)

The Munsons gather to sarcastically temper our excitement as we dive into the career of the impossibly handsome Jay Hernandez—a task made nearly impossible as we spend most of the episode reconciling with just how damn good-looking he is and why Hollywood repeatedly cast him as “the hot guy.” Given his history in sports films, we’re genuinely shocked he’s never shown up in a basketball movie, though we admit it’s tough for anyone to stand out in a sports ensemble.

We dig into his remarkably average box office snapshot and wonder whether his Munson Meter score will land just as squarely in the middle. His filmography spans a surprisingly wide range of projects, but does he have the acting range to match? We debate his ability to play menacing (we’re not convinced) and note his clear love for playing Marines. We revisit our first watches of Hostel to see if it holds up two decades later, and after covering Quarantine, we dive into the larger philosophy of found-footage films and how the format can be done well.

We also question his decision to join Suicide Squad, why his character turned out so flat, and the logic behind teaming up with David Ayer again afterward. Finally, we look ahead at what’s next for Hernandez post-Magnum P.I.—will he get locked into steady TV roles, or is a future full of producing credits waiting for him?

How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 127 - Oliver Platt (feat. Cori Wallace)

The Munsons are joined by guest Munson, Cori Wallace, to dive into the wonderfully eclectic and quietly impressive career of Oliver Platt. We kick things off by unpacking his incredibly well-connected family—ambassadors, founders of elite boarding schools, and his time at Choate Hall—which naturally becomes an ongoing insult throughout the podcast. From there, we explore how Platt’s childhood spent traveling the world with his diplomat father, along with a Morgan Freeman monologue, helped him fall in love with acting and build community wherever he landed.

We marvel at the glorious mane he debuted in Working Girl (a look that followed him for decades) and Case takes a victory lap celebrating the man’s iconic accessories—suspenders, bow ties, wraparound glasses, you name it. The Munsons revisit some of his most memorable films: our disbelief that Indecent Proposal hasn’t been remade, James’ shock at the wild way Simon Birch dispatches Joe’s mom, and Aubrey/Kyle’s ongoing disappointment in Lake Placid even 20 years later. Cori brings in her expertise from the TikTok world, and we all admire Platt’s late-career television renaissance with Chicago Med/PD and The Bear.

By the end, we can’t help but wonder: did his off-the-grid lifestyle and steady working-actor mentality keep him from becoming a truly great actor—or is that exactly what makes him beloved? How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 126 - Brad Dourif (feat. Stephanie Malone)

It’s our annual horror spectacular, and this year the Munsons are joined by Stephanie Malone of the Morbidly Beautiful podcast to celebrate the chilling brilliance of Brad Dourif. From his legendary voice work as Chucky to a career packed with unforgettable roles across mainstream Hollywood and various horror franchises, Dourif has carved a place in cinematic nightmare history. We debate our favorite (and least favorite) Child’s Play entries, dive into his uncanny ability to channel raw emotion into villains like his roles in Mississippi Burning and Chucky, and explore how even his “non-horror” films often circle back to real-life terror.

Along the way, we unpack his fascinating backstory—his learning disability that ironically led to a stint as a college instructor, his early inspiration from his actress mother, and his royal treatment of his cats, Snapdragon and Honey Mustard. Stephanie helps us dissect Rob Zombie’s polarizing take on the Halloween franchise, while the Munsons celebrate a career that’s equal parts brilliant, bizarre, and blood-soaked.

We close with a nod to Dourif’s well-earned retirement: a horror legend content to hang with his cats, enjoy life as Chucky, and share the screen with his daughter. How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 125 - Nia Long (feat. Edward Chaja)

The Munsons welcome special guest Ed Chaja as we shine the spotlight on the eternally cool and effortlessly iconic Nia Long. From her early breakout roles in Boyz N the Hood and Friday to her unbelievable influence on pop culture—especially in music—Nia’s presence is undeniable. We marvel at her shockingly consistent audience scores, laugh at the clueless casting directors who once called her “too sophisticated” for certain roles, and celebrate how she’s always made sophistication look exactly right.

Her soulful turn in Love Jones reminds us she could have dominated the romantic drama genre as the rare unicorn who captivates both male and female audiences alike. We track her first crossover into mainstream Hollywood with Stigmata, recognize her as the first actor we’ve covered with a legitimate connection to the Willennium, and applaud her recent SKIMS campaign for nearly breaking the internet at age 54. And of course, we take a moment to call out just how much of an idiot Ime Udoka was for ever letting her go.

It’s a celebration of elegance, longevity, and straight-up star power—Nia Long deserves her flowers. How does she rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 124 - Robert Forster (feat. Dan Craig)

The Munsons shift gears from one of Hollywood’s biggest stars to one of its most grounded character actors—Robert Forster. After Kyle recounts a run-in with Thomas McKenzie (and maybe the Bird Lady, Brenda Fricker?), we dive into Forster’s remarkable and often overlooked career. The box office spreadsheet shows a stark contrast from Harrison Ford—going from first to nearly last—but Forster’s story is anything but small. Entering Hollywood completely naive, he built a career on perseverance, a little luck (as he himself admitted), and an unshakable authenticity.

We unpack the tragic and surreal story of his mother’s self-immolation, his complete comfort with full frontal nudity on screen (respect), and his uncanny ability to ground films—whether they were good, bad, or somewhere in between. Was he one of the few actors who could have brought Max Cherry to life in Jackie Brown? The Munsons think so. Along the way, we discuss his repeated turns as law enforcement officials, debate whether “perfectly cromulent” defines his acting style, and reflect on his late-career roles before his passing from a brain tumor in 2019.

This episode celebrates a man who may not have been a box office titan, but was the quiet engine behind some truly great films.  Where does Robert Forster rank on the Munson Meter?  Listen and find out.  

Ep. 123 - Harrison Ford (feat. Lauren Hopkins Price)

In this episode, the Munsons take flight with one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars—Harrison Ford, and hope he doesn’t take the plane down with us. With two animal species named after him and a box office career that towers over our box office snapshot spreadsheet, we dig into every angle of Ford’s legendary run. How much does Case really hate him, and how will that play into his final score? We weigh the burden of carrying roles like Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Rick Deckard, and Jack Ryan, and debate whether being born during World War II influenced his knack for fighting Nazis on screen. We look at his real-life, death-defying stunts as a pilot, the impact of Han Solo as the first in a line of action-hero archetypes, and whether Indiana Jones paved the way for the Gates family in National Treasure. The crew dissects his comparison to Jake Gyllenhaal in Presumed Innocent, relives The Fugitive (and our collective hatred of PlutoTV), and questions why Ford took a voice role in The Secret Life of Pets—and if there’s more animated work in his future. Plus, we talk about his long-overdue Razzie nom in 2020.

How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 122 - Tim Robbins (feat. Laura Bennecke)

The Munsons take on the towering, eclectic career of Tim Robbins—actor, director, activist, and, depending on who you ask, an unofficially blacklisted MLB Hall of Fame figure. We explore Robbins' deep New York sports fandom—Mets, Rangers, and maybe Jets?—and revisit his Quarterback Princess days to assess whether he’s believable as a 6’5 high school QB. James weighs in with a definitive take on whether Robbins could ever convincingly pull off a frat bro, while the rest of the crew debates if he carries enough charisma to be a true leading man.

We trace a recurring theme in his filmography: playing the broken husband, and dive into his Oscar-winning turn in Mystic River—should he have won over two former Munsons? Plus, we’re all surprisingly intrigued by the dystopian mystery series Silo on AppleTV, and wonder if it might be Robbins’ next great chapter.

How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 121 - Chris Pine (feat. Chip Hessenflow)

The Munsons assemble to break down the career of Chris Pine, Hollywood's soulful blue-eyed heartthrob who may just be the most charismatic of all the Chris’s. We dive into how he stacks up against the likes of Hemsworth, Pratt, Rock, O’Dowd and others—and what makes him stand out in a crowded field of cinematic superheroes and leading men. From his plastic-perfect fame in the Barbie/Ken doll universe to his raw and gritty turn in Hell or High Water (which we absolutely fawn over), Pine continues to defy expectations. We discuss the surprising insights he’s shared about his career in interviews, his impressive pipes as a singer, and his natural ability to command the screen no matter the role. Kyle successfully converts the crew into Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves fans, and we share our reactions to the fun, fantasy-packed adventure. We also explore whether Poolman is just the beginning of Pine's journey toward becoming a prolific Hollywood director.

How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 120 - Lorraine Toussaint (feat. Cam Sully)

In this episode, the Munsons are joined once again by veteran guest Munson, Cam Sully, for a deep dive into the unparalleled career of Trinidadian-American actress Lorraine Toussaint. A Juilliard graduate with over 30 years in film, TV, and theater, Toussaint consistently delivers powerhouse performances, making even small roles unforgettable. We explore her impactful work in Selma, her iconic turn as Vee in Orange Is the New Black, her underrated brilliance in Nightjohn, her chilling role in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, her ongoing presence as Vi in The Equalizer, and her latest performance in Better Sister. Plus, we revisit the classic Dangerous Minds to see if it still holds up. How does she rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 119 - André Holland (feat. Josh Outing)

In this episode, the Munsons are joined by first-time guest Munson, Josh Outing, and take a deep dive into the career of Andre Holland, an actor whose project choices are as calculated as his performances are captivating. With a filmography that spans critical darlings and cult TV favorites, Holland’s career showcases a fascinating contrast: sky-high critic and audience ratings paired with head-scratching IMDb scores and minimal box office returns. We break down this odd trajectory and explore how he’s still managed to carve out a niche as one of the most compelling actors of his generation.

From his commanding presence in The Knick and Castle Rock to the emotional resonance of Exhibiting Forgiveness, we marvel at Holland’s control of pacing, tone, and subtlety. We also settle the battle once and for all between DJ Jazzles and DJ Request. How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.