In The Wheelhouse

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we start with the popcorn with our reviews of two more Best Picture nominees, Leo's pick, Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, and Tom’s pick, Poor Things with Emma Stone. In Peanuts, we open the bag with great hope and anticipation as Spring Training has begun in Arizona and Florida. Players in both sites are having difficulties with the Nike’s special Spring Training uniforms. An arrest is made in the vandalization of a Jackie Robinson statue, and we will talk about “The Black Aces”, a handful of African-American pitchers who have each won 20 games in the Majors. Next Show: Leo's Pick:  American Fiction (2023) Tom's Pick: Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we kick off our 8th season with our Popcorn discussion on the 2023 nominees for Best Picture. We’ll start with Tom’s choice, The Holdovers, then move to Leo’s pick, Martin Scorsese’s Flowers of the Killer Moon. In Peanuts, we react to the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, the Dodgers signing of Shohei Otani and the Cubs firing of David Ross and subsequent hiring of Craig Counsell. Next Show: Leo's Pick:  Maestro (2023) Tom's Pick: Poor Things (2023)

And I’m Leo Fontana. This week on the final episode of the 2023 season, we open the bag of Popcorn by going back to 1975 for my movie, Rocky, before we break down Tommy’s final pick of the season, Zodiac. Then we will announce the winners our annual Poppy Awards for this year’s best P&P Movies. In Peanuts, the World Series has come and gone, the Texas Rangers won in 5 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks and despite some dramatic storylines, hardly anyone watched. We’ll talk about why. Leo’s 2023 Poppy Award winner: Argentina- 1985 Tom’s 2023 Poppy Award winner: Prince of the City

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we begin with Robert Altman’s, The Long Goodbye (1973) and end with Norman Jewison’s, Other People’s Money (1991). In Peanuts, we react to recent events in playoff baseball as the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks face off in the World Series. Dusty Baker announces his retirement after 28 years as a big-league manager. The playoff format has been a source of controversy, we’ll add our two cents to the discussion. Kim Ng and the Miami Marlins part company while the Cubs are rumored to be interested in acquiring Juan Soto. Next Show: Leo's Pick: Rocky (1976) Tom's Pick: Zodiac (2007)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn…we open the bag of popcorn with Tommy’s selection from 2010, Tony Scott’s, Unstoppable. Next, we break down Leo’s choice for this week, John Huston’s, Prizzi’s Honor (1985). In Peanuts, the League Championship Series are set, and some unlikely teams have made their way to Baseball’s Final Four. We’ll answer the question, is the current playoff format fair to the higher-seeded teams? Attendance was up in 2023, did the new rule changes have anything to do with it? It’s been 20 years since the Bartman game, what have we learned. Next Show: Leo's Pick: Other People’s Money (1991) Tom's Pick: The Long Goodbye (1973)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn…We open a steaming bag of hot-buttered popcorn with a double-feature of excellent features, Ang Lee’s, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. We then break down Tommy’s choice, Martin Scorcese’s After Hours. In Peanuts, with a clear(er) picture of the playoff matchups, we make our picks for the first round. Finally, the Cubs just miss out on the playoffs, was the season a failure and what can they do to improve for next season? Next Show: Leo's Pick: Prizzi’s Honor (1985) Tom's Pick: Unstoppable (2010)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we start with the popcorn as we begin with Leo’s selection, the 1996 Barry Levinson effort, Sleepers. Then we discuss the final film of Tom’s pet project of Best Picture winners that he has not seen on the big screen, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. Then we chew down the peanuts as the Atlanta Braves win their sixth straight NL East title. The Boston Red Sox fire Chaim Bloom and the LA Dodgers move on from Jose Urias. Blake Snell or Justin Steele? Who deserves to win the NL Cy Young Award. Finally, the Chicago Cubs come back to earth, but are still in line for a playoff berth. Next Show: Leo's Pick: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000) Tom's Pick:  After Hours (1985)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we start with a fresh batch of popcorn with Leo’s selection, JJ Abrams’ Super 8. Tom’s choice for this episode is the third of four Best Picture winners that he has not seen on the big screen: Terms of Endearment. In Peanuts, Shohei Otani tore a ligament, but there are questions as to how serious it is. After shots are fired from within, or from outside their home ballpark, the Chicago White Sox fire their President of Baseball Operations AND their General Manager, and their owner is left to explain why he did not even look outside the organization to replace them. Meanwhile, the Cubs are in the playoff hunt and all is rainbows and unicorns on the North Side. Next Show: Leo's Pick: Sleepers (1996) Tom's Pick:  Gladiator (2000)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we begin with a big bag of Popcorn with Tom’s choice for this week, Robert Redford’s Ordinary People. Leo’s choice is a favorite from 23 years ago, Billy Elliot. In Peanuts, we lead off with a discussion on why so many plays that would normally be called errors are ruled as hits. We catch up on Kevin Brown’s return to the airwaves as well as the latest news on Wander Franco. The Dodgers retire Fernando Valenzuela’s number and we’ll react to the final two games of Cubs/Sox Crosstown Classic. Next Show: Leo's Pick: Super 8 (2011) Tom's Pick:  Terms of Endearment (1983)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we open up the bag of popcorn as we review Tom’s choice, The Greatest Show on Earth. Up next is Leo's choice, Oppenheimer. In Peanuts, we begin with a reaction to MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, earning a four-year extension. Does he deserve it? We will tell a tale of two no-hitters, one in the best of times, the other in the worst. We also examine the state of Chicago baseball after the trading deadline. Leo's Pick: Billy Elliott (2000) Tom's Pick:  Ordinary People (1980)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we begin with Tommy’s choice in honor of the passing of Treat Williams with Prince of the City. Our second feature is the Jim Jarmusch effort, starring Forrest Whitaker, Ghost Dog. In “Peanuts”, we discuss the awful All-Star uniforms. We also find that the Baltimore Orioles have overtaken Tampa Bay for first place in the best division in baseball. Will they trade for Otani to put them over the top? Jen Pawol becomes the first woman to umpire a AAA game. Can the Major Leagues be far away?Next Show's Films:Leo's Pick: Oppenheimer (2023)Tom's Pick:  The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… The double-feature film discussion begins with Tom's selection, Le Samourai. We then move to Leo's choice, The Full Monty. In “Peanuts”, the Reds, Diamondbacks and Orioles are at or near the top of their respective divisions. We’ll discuss how they have all taken advantage of the new rule changes. Commissioner, Rob Manfred, reveals he is having second thoughts on granting immunity for players involved in the sign-stealing scandal. The Cardinals and Giants will play a game as a tribute to the Negro Leagues next season, while the Cubs and Cardinals finally face off in London. Next Show's Films: Leo's Pick: Ghost Dog (1999) Tom's Pick:  Prince of the City (1981)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we kick off our double feature with Bogart and Bacall in To Have and Have Not, while our second film is the 1955 Burt Lancaster directorial debut, The Kentuckian. In Peanuts, we discuss the retirement of friend of the show, Bartolo Colon. We’ll also react to a recent Jayson Stark column in The Athletic. Stephen Strasburg has another setback. Finally, we mourn the passing of Ed Stack, the former president of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Next Show's Films: Leo's Pick: The Full Monty (1997) Tom's Pick:  Le Samouraï (1967)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… We open up the bag of “Popcorn” with Tom’s choice, the W. C. Fields 1934 film, It’s a Gift. Leo’s choice is a slightly more modern selection, the re-imagining of the Cyrano de Bergerac classic, Roxanne. In “Peanuts”, we’ll react to Jayson Stark’s list of active players who may be headed to the Hall of Fame. We’ll ask the question, “What has happened to the no-hitter?  Christopher Morel is showing Cubs fans that he is certainly worth the price of admission. We’ll look at some not so famous “one-hit wonders”. Next Show's Films: Leo's Pick: The Kentuckian (1955) Tom's Pick: To Have and Have Not (1944)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… our first Popcorn selection is Tommy’s choice, the 1970’s film-noir classic, Night Moves. Our second film, chosen by Leo, is the more recent film about the prosecution of the military dictatorship in Santiago Mitre’s, Argentina 1985. In Peanuts, it has been two and half years since MLB announced they would integrate Negro League stats into the historical database. Why is it taking so long? The Tampa Bay Rays keep rolling, but the AL East is far from won as the Orioles fight to keep pace. Meanwhile, for the first time since… ever? The Yankees and the Cardinals find themselves in sole possession of last place in their divisions. Jose Abreu receives a warm welcome from the White Sox fans. Next Show's Films: Leo's Pick: Roxanne (1987) Tom's Pick: It’s a Gift (1934)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we begin with Tom’s"Popcorn" selection, the Akira Kurosawa film, Ikiru and we pivot to Leo's choice, thecross-dressing classic, Tootsie. In “Peanuts”, we examine the issue of robotumpires. We take a look at the YouTube documentary, Last Comiskey. TheOakland A’s will soon have the dubious distinction of having changed addressesfour times. Cubs’ lefty, Drew Smiley, loses a chance at a perfect game in themost agonizing way. All this and more on Peanuts and Popcorn. Next Show's Films: Tom's Pick: Night Moves (1975)Leo's Pick: Argentina, 1985 (2022)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… We begin with Tom’s choice, Robert Mitchum in a film noir classic, Out of the Past,next up in this week’s double feature will be Excalibur, by John Boorman. In “Peanuts”, the Tampa Bay Rays are off andrunning. Shades of the ’84 Tigers? AJ Hinch benches Javy Baez after a baserunning blunder. How bad have things gotten in Detroit? The Cubs areselling beer bats, all the way through the 8th inning now.

This week on P&P, our Popcorn talk highlights the strong supporting work of Harvey Keitel.  First, we discuss Leo’s choice, Smoke. We then conclude with Tom’s selection, the Martin Scorsese classic, Taxi Driver.   Next up: Tom’s pick: Out of the Past (1947) and Leo’s pick: Excalibur (1981). In “Peanuts”, we go through the highs and lows of the World Baseball Classic as MLB makes somesmall changes to the pitch clock rule. Tom and I make our predictions for 2023.

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… We open the bag of Popcorn as the 2023 Oscars have come and gone. We’ll react to the winners and losers as well asdiscuss two films, Martin Scorcese’s, The King of Comedy (1982) and Lion (2016), starring Dev Patel. Next up: Tom’s pick: Taxi Driver (1976) and Leo’s pick: Smoke (1995).In Peanuts, the World Baseball Classic is rolling along. The US defeats Venezuela 9-7 on a grand slam by Trea Turner and advances to the semifinals. The new rule changes seem to be having the desired effect on pace of play in Spring Training. Can it be sustained? What are some of the other unintended consequences? Finally, Trevor Bauer joins a disgraced Addison Russell in Japan.

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… We dish out the Popcorn first---as we review Best Picture nominees, The Fabelmans and Everything Everywhere All at Once. We’ll also announce our choices for next week’s Oscar winners.  Next up: Tom’s pick: Lion and Leo’s pick: The King of Comedy.Our peanuts are salty this week as the Sox are having issues with local media. We cover off on the new rule changes and our early impressions.