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PODCAST

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr.

Blending pop culture with personal storytelling, Close Watch gives host Robert Yaniz Jr. the chance to get to know guests through the movies they love. From emotional favorites like Field of Dreams and The Crow to beloved cult hits like The Wicker Man, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and The Big Lebowski, each episode offers a thoughtful deep dive discussion into how films both shape who we are and reflect who we’ve become.

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

34:14

My Favorite Films of 2017, Part 2

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2018/01/12

In Episode 71 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. shares some of his favorite films of 2017. In this second of two parts, he discusses his top ten films of the year, the ones that resonated with him the most. It may have been a crazy year in many ways, but it was an incredible one at the movies. Here are some of the best examples of why. We’re excited to hear your feedback as the Crooked Table Podcast continues to evolve. As usual, the show does feature explicit language and, as such, is

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30:20

My Favorite Films of 2017, Part 1

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2018/01/04

In Episode 70 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. shares some of his favorite films of 2017. In this first of two parts, he reveals his honorable mentions -- i.e., the films that almost made his top ten of 2017 -- giving them the praise and recognition they deserve. It may have been a crazy year in many ways, but it was an incredible one at the movies. Here are some of the best examples of why. We’re excited to hear your feedback as the Crooked Table Podcast continues to evolve. As

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38:14

Farewell to 2017!

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/12/30

In Episode 69 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. bids farewell to 2017 with reviews of several of the biggest films arriving in theaters this holiday season. Listen in as he shares his thoughts on Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Coco, The Disaster Artist, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Lady Bird. We’re excited to hear your feedback as the Crooked Table Podcast continues to evolve. As usual, the show does feature explicit language and, as such, is best considered NSFW. Thanks for

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34:10

'Justice League': Triumph or Travesty?

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/11/23

In Episode 68 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. returns to the DC Extended Universe once more for Justice League, the culmination that brings together some of the biggest heroes from DC Comics. Following the success of Wonder Woman and the divisiveness of Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, can director Zack Snyder's latest superheroic epic overcome production issues and problematic facial hair (?) to emerge as the DC equivalent of the Avengers

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01:00:50

'Man of Steel' and the DC Multiverse

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/11/14

In Episode 67 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. leaves the Marvel Cinematic Universe behind to delve deep into the DC Multiverse (yeah, we're starting that now). First, he revisits the film that started the franchise with an in-depth review of Zack Snyder's 2013 film Man of Steel before launching into an epic discussion of the entire DC Films slate thus far, all leading up to the highly anticipated release of Justice League. So, before the league comes together, let's retrace our steps

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34:13

'Thor: Ragnarok': The God of Thunder Strikes Back

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/11/09

In Episode 66 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. heads over to Asgard for his review of Thor: Ragnarok, the 17th (!) entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and shares his brief thoughts on Sean Baker's The Florida Project. We’re excited to hear your feedback as the Crooked Table Podcast continues to evolve. As usual, the show does feature explicit language and, as such, is best considered NSFW. Thanks for listening! SHOW NOTES 0:00 - Intro/The Florida Project review 5:55 - Thor: Ragnarok

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51:02

A Nightmare on Memory Lane: 'Elm Street' and Its Sequels

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/10/31

In Episode 65 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. spends his All Hallow's Eve on a Halloween-timed retrospective of A Nightmare on Elm Street (and its sequels). Wes Craven (RIP) created such an indelible pop cultural icon in Freddy Krueger, and bolstered by Robert Englund and Heather Langenkamp's performances and a killer (pun intended) premise, his 1984 classic lives on as one of the most beloved horror films of all time. But does its reputation still hold true 33 years after audiences

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53:05

'Blade Runner 2049' and the Return of the Replicants

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/10/19

In Episode 64 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. gushes about the new trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi and shares his thoughts on Denis Villeneuve's sweeping sci-fi epic Blade Runner 2049. Harrison Ford's shadow is sure to loom large on both films, but will these two sequels live up to the hype? In the case of the latter, let's investigate if Ryan Gosling's turn as the titular replicant hunter stands up to the 1982 Ridley Scott classic. We’re excited to hear your feedback as the

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46:57

Catch Up If I Can: Kingsman: The Golden Circle,...

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/10/11

In Episode 63 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. finally weighs in on some of September 2017's most heavily discussed films, namely the record-breaking Stephen King adaptation IT, the divisive Darren Aronofsky thriller mother! and the outrageous comic book sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Will Rob fall hook, line and sinker for Aronofsky's allegorical tale? Will he be dying for a third Kingsman? And will he ever sleep with the lights off again, for fear that Pennywise will deliver a

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01:00:58

Defending 'The Defenders': The Marvel Netflix Team...

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/09/30

In Episode 62 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. and Freddy Yaniz stroll down the dark alleys of Hell's Kitchen for their long-awaited in-depth discussion of Marvel's The Defenders. Which Marvel Netflix show is their favorite one to date, and how does this team-up miniseries build upon the narrative threads and character journeys set forth in Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist? We'll get into all that and so much more, including where we're hoping to see the Netflix branch

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34:51

'Logan Lucky': Soderbergh's Southern-Fried Ocean's Riff

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/08/31

In Episode 61 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. shares his reaction to the first two episodes of Amazon's new series The Tick, based on the popular comic book. Then he reviews the new Steven Soderbergh heist comedy Logan Lucky, which sees Magic Mike (Channing Tatum) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) recruit James Bond (Daniel Craig) to rob a major NASCAR event. Does this stripped-down Ocean's Eleven riff work as a satisfying caper, or does it feel like a road too often traveled? Let's discuss

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33:39

Nineteen Eighty-Heaven

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/08/31

In Episode 60 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. visits the way-back machine to discuss two phenomena of his youth or, more specifically, the year 1987. As cult classic and perennial Halloween favorite The Monster Squad celebrates 30 years since its initial theatrical release, Disney XD launches its much-anticipated reboot of popular animated series DuckTales ("Woo-oo!"). It's as if 1987 is some kind of focal point, connecting the entertainment of the past to the present in some

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31:10

2017 Summer Movie Season Recap

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/08/05

In Episode 59 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. closes the book on the 2017 summer movie season with some arbitrary awards. The past few months have brought an interesting blend of franchise and original fare, with surprising standouts emerging on both sides. So, as The Dark Tower looms essentially as the last big tentpole of the season, let's review some of the films that had critics and audiences talking since May. With any luck, the rest of 2017 will offer just as much to break down

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34:49

'Dunkirk': In Nolan We Trust?

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/07/31

In Episode 58 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. finally catches up with the critically acclaimed new film from writer/director Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Fionn Whitehead, Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh, James D'Arcy, Cillian Murphy, Harry Styles (yes, that Harry Styles) and Mark Rylance. With rich subject matter and his usual flair behind the camera, Nolan could be poised to add another classic to his already impressive resume following hits

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33:28

'The Big Sick': One of the Best Apatow Productions?

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/07/25

In Episode 57 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. sifts through mountains of Judd Apatow-produced films to find the very best of the bunch in a new edition of Let's Talk About SIX. From The 40-Year-Old Virgin to Trainwreck, Apatow has directed some of the best comedies of the 2000s, but his producing credits reach even deeper than his directorial efforts. His latest, The Big Sick, is becoming one of the most talked-about films of the year, but does the Michael Showalter film, starring

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01:43:29

Ape-Pocalypse Now

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/07/15

In Episode 56 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. and Freddy Yaniz catch up some popular recent releases, namely writer/director Edgar Wright's pseudo-action musical Baby Driver and Illumination Entertainment's latest Minion-fest Despicable Me 3. Then, it's on to the battle between humans and apes in the trilogy-capping War for the Planet of the Apes. Andy Serkis reprises his lead role as ape leader Caesar -- thanks to the miracle of motion-capture technology -- as the character faces a

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01:45:10

Spider-Man-A-Palooza!

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/07/07

In Episode 55 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. welcomes Freddy Yaniz back to the show after a lengthy hiatus to talk (of course) the latest chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Listen in as they talk all things Spider-Man and celebrate the webslinger's full emergence as a central figure in the MCU with Spider-Man: Homecoming. The Jon Watts-directed film -- which sees Tom Holland return to the role of Peter Parker opposite Michael Keaton's The Vulture -- marks the sixth Spider-Man

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33:46

The Tangled Web We Weave

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/07/02

In Episode 54 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. takes a trip down memory lane to discuss the concept of "birthday movies" and pop cultural anniversaries. Then, he launches into a new edition of Let's Talk About SIX, centering on the Spider-Man films. Check back next week for his review of Spider-Man: Homecoming, featuring guest co-host Freddy Yaniz. Go, web, go! We’re excited to hear your feedback as the show continues to evolve. As usual, the podcast does feature explicit language and,

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54:40

Everything Old Is News Again

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/06/23

In Episode 53 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. collapses into a pile of piping-hot movie news, including the latest on the untitled Han Solo Star Wars movie, Jurassic World 2, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Extended Universe. It's hard to believe so much news has come out in just the past few days, but fear not, the Crooked Table Podcast is here to break it down for you. Nostalgia continues to rear its profitable head on the big screen, as once-dormant franchises like Saw and

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01:07:44

Mummy Dearest

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr. ·

2017/06/18

In Episode 52 of the Crooked Table Podcast, Robert Yaniz Jr. uncovers director Alex Kurtzman's new take on The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise and Sofia Boutella. The film is, of course, intended to kick off Universal's monster-centric Dark Universe. We'll investigate whether The Mummy provides a solid foundation for what's to come as well as how it stacks up against the 1999 edition, which saw Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz bring the classic tale to the modern age. Also: Rob reviews A24's latest,

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227 results

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