Munsons at the Movies

Ep. 83 - Christine Baranski (feat. Krystal Clark)

Welcome to the Munsons at the Movies podcast. Each episode we delve into the filmography and impact of a randomly selected actor.

In this episode, we explore the career of Christine Baranski. Best known for her roles as Tanya in the Mamma Mia! films, Martha May Whovier in How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), and Diane Lockhart in the Good Wife/Fight (2009-2022), Baranski has built a successful career on screen and on the stage. Joined once again by Krystal Clark, we discuss her stage acting roots inspired by her Polish grandparents, her transformation as a blue collar Buffalo native to a notoriously pompous character on-screen, contemplate what white people do on private islands, and marvel at how she classes up the joint on every one of her projects. How does she rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 82 - Geena Davis (feat. Mike Van De Voort)

Welcome to the Munsons at the Movies podcast. Each episode we delve into the filmography and impact of a randomly selected actor.

In this episode, we explore the career of Geena Davis. Best known for her roles as Thelma in Thelma & Louise (1991), Dottie in A League of their Own (1992) and Veronica in The Fly (1986), Davis had a stranglehold on Hollywood for a stretch in the 80s and 90s. Joined once again by Michael Van De Voort, we discuss her amazingly resilient IMDb Star Meter, her surprising archery skills, the foundation she created for studying gender representation on-screen in Hollywood, her incredible transformation from mannequin to Oscar winner, and pepper in facts from her memoir: Dying of Politeness. How does she rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 81 - John Slattery (feat. Matti Groll)

Welcome to the Munsons at the Movies podcast. Each episode we delve into the filmography and impact of a randomly selected actor.

In this episode, we explore the career of the silver fox, John Slattery. Best known for his roles as Roger Sterling in Mad Men (2007-2015), Ben Bradlee Jr. in Spotlight (2015), and Howard Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Slattery has built a successful career as a supporting actor on television and film. Joined once again by guest Munson, Matti Groll, we discuss Slattery’s charm on-screen, an early role where he loved golden showers, contemplate if he has any roles better than Mad Men, and brainstorm the third installment of the Dirty Dancing franchise. How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 80 - Michael Caine

Welcome to the Munsons at the Movies podcast. Each episode we delve into the filmography and impact of a randomly selected actor.

In this episode, we explore the career of Michael Caine. Normally we would list out three roles that Caine would be best known for, but that’s a borderline impossible task with his long career in entertainment. We roll solo on this episode without a guest discussing topics such as how his name almost became Michael 101 Dalmations, getting released from his first big acting contract, how his early characters influenced Mike Myers as Austin Powers, his resume featuring a plethora of bangers and stinkers, and his impact on an industry with Oscar nominations across five different decades. How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Do we have a new #1? Listen to find out.

Ep. 79 - Edgar Ramirez (feat. Geoff Reid)

Welcome to the Munsons at the Movies podcast. Each episode we delve into the filmography and impact of a randomly selected actor.

In this episode, we explore the career of Edgar Ramirez. Best known for his roles as Carlos the Jackal in Carlos (2010), Bodhi in Point Break (2015), and Larry from Zero Dark Thirty (2012), Ramirez has quietly become one of the more talented actors working today. Joined once again by our favorite Australian, Geoff Reid of the From First to Last Podcast, we discuss Ramirez’s early roots in marketing and diplomacy, his propensity to star in big budget films, our thoughts on the Point Break remake, contemplate a Titanic sequel, and argue whether his accent holds him back from reaching his potential. How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 78 - Matt Dillon (feat. John Rigby)

Welcome to the Munsons at the Movies podcast. Each episode we delve into the filmography and impact of a randomly selected actor.

In this episode, we explore the career of Matt Dillon. Best known for his roles as Pat Healy in There’s Something About Mary (1998), Officer Ryan in Crash (2004), and Sam Lombardo in Wild Things (1998), Dillon started his career as a punk kid on screen and has transformed into a leading man before our eyes. Joined once again by John Rigby, we discuss how he was typecast early in his career, his surprisingly low box office numbers, why he earned his MTV Best Villain Award, and identify the difference between a Matt Dillon and Matt Dillman performance. How does he rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 77 - Dakota Johnson (feat. Cori Wallace)

Welcome to the Munsons at the Movies podcast. Each episode we delve into the filmography and impact of a randomly selected actor.

In this episode, we explore the career of Dakota Johnson. Best known for her roles as Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades films, Susie in Suspiria (2018), and Eleanor in The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019), Dakota has left an incredible mark on the industry in just over a decade’s time. Joined once again by Cori Wallace, we discuss Dakota’s familial connections to the industry, her Fifty Shades legacy, her willingness to try new types of roles, and her uncanny ability to connect with the younger generations. How does she rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 76 - Zooey Deschanel (feat. Sam Phillips)

Welcome to the Munsons at the Movies podcast. Each episode we delve into the filmography and impact of a randomly selected actor.

In this episode, we explore the career of Zooey Deschanel. Best known for her roles as Jess in New Girl (2011-18), Summer in 500 Days of Summer (2009), and Jovie in Elf (2003), Deschanel has carved out a niche for herself as the quirky girl on screen over the years. Joined once again by Sam Phillips, we discuss her musical career on and off screen, the Janis Joplin biopic we never saw, the pixie dream girl archetype that she’s played so many times, and we’re finally forced to watch The Happening (2009), contemplating how it affected her career. How does she rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out. 

Ep. 75 - Christoph Waltz (feat. Mark Gehrke)

Welcome to the Munsons at the Movies podcast. Each episode we delve into the filmography and impact of a randomly selected actor.

In this episode, we explore the career of Christoph Waltz. Best known for his roles as Dr. King Schultz from Django Unchained (2012), Col. Hans Landa in Inglorious Basterds (2009), and Zohen Leth in The Zero Theorem (2013), Waltz has brought us some of the best on-screen characters we’ve seen since 2009. Joined once again by Mark Gehrke, we discuss Waltz’s opera background, his propensity for playing great villains, rehash the Inglorious Basterds vs. Django Unchained debate, and finally squeeze in a plug for Turquoise Jeep after 75 episodes. How does Waltz rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

Ep. 74 - Jim Belushi (feat. Laura Bennecke)

Welcome to the Munsons at the Movies podcast. Each episode we delve into the filmography and impact of a randomly selected actor.

In this episode, we explore the career of Jim Belushi. Best known for his roles as Art in Red Heat (1988), Dooley in K-9 (1989), and his title role on According to Jim (2001-09), Belushi has dipped his toes into almost every corner of the entertainment world. Joined once again by fellow Chicagoan, Laura Bennecke, we talk about the Jim/John Belushi connection, his ability to play troubled characters, cops, and coaches over the years, attempt to comfort Case after being forced to watch Homer & Eddie (1989), and discuss how Belushi has transformed his career each decade since the 1980s. How does Belushi rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.