In 2001, the question on the mind of Academy voters was "Well we can't risk just awarding Lord of the Rings three years in a row, can we?" and thus an alternate Best Picture was needed: Ron Howard's call-it-a-biopic of John Nash, genius mathematician struggling through schizophrenia, with Russell Crowe taking us from coming-of-age to espionage thriller to one man's battle with his own mind in maybe too little time for all three of those. The audience, however, was all about high fantasy, and of the three beloved franchises that kicked off in 2001, we present the timeless tale of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, both boy and girl are ogres, also there is a donkey, as Dreamworks cracks their Pixar-fighting code with Shrek. Crank some Smash Mouth and come on the journey!

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We enter a new century by jumping back to an old trend and an adaptation of an old TV show, seems about right for 21st century Hollywood. First, the Oscar goes to Ridley Scott's Gladiator, a return to old-school sword and sandal action, only without the Jesus angle. Historical accuracy is nowhere to be found, the plot doesn't merit a lot of deep thought, but Erin, Claire, and Dan answer the important question: are they, in fact, entertained? And then Dan gets a special treat: one and only one (unless the Academy makes wild choices in 2026) chance to talk about the oeuvre of one Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible 2, and boy if you thought the LAST one was goofy... The action is as intense as the plots are thin, join us to unpack both!

Find all of our episodes and the rest of Writing Therapy Productions' various entertainments at www.writingtherapyproductions.com

Before we enter the 21st century, Munsi Parker-Munroe returns to present their Top Ten Secret Masterpieces of the 1990s: ten films that weren't hits, didn't get Oscar love, but delight our guest to no end and they would argue are worthy of your attention just the same, because as films they're weird, they're passionate, and they're more than a little wonderful. Also Dan is here briefly. Erin and Claire will be back soon, but in the meantime, let Munsi introduce you to ten films that should be better known than they are.

Find all of our episodes and the rest of Writing Therapy Productions' various entertainments at www.writingtherapyproductions.com