Pass, Pirate, Pay with Ken Franco

Happy (Belated) Mother's Day

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2413203/fan_mail/new] Mother knows best... or at least that's what we're finding out this week. In this belated Mother's Day special, we handed the programming duties over to the women who brought us into the world and let them pick the movies. The results? Two classic films that couldn't be more different. Andy's mom selected the legendary ballet drama The Red Shoes, a visually stunning tale of ambition, obsession, art, and the price of dedicating yourself completely to your craft. Meanwhile, Ken's mom went with the charming mystery-romance Charade, starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, proving that murder, espionage, and flirtation can make for a pretty great date night. Will our moms earn a coveted "Pay," or will one of these classics be walking the plank? Along the way, Ken and Andy discuss old Hollywood charm, technicolor magic, whether these films still work for modern audiences, and what happens when your parents are suddenly in charge of the podcast. Happy Mother's Day... a month late. Check us out at www.passpiratepay.com

Murder Swap Movies

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2413203/fan_mail/new] This week on Pass, Pirate, Pay, Ken and Andy dive into one of cinema’s most twisted ideas: the murder swap. First up is the classic that started it all, Strangers on a Train, where a chance meeting leads to a chilling proposal. Then it's on to the dark comedy Horrible Bosses, where three friends discover that plotting murder is a lot easier than actually pulling it off.  Then they check out the new Jason Segel film Over Your Dead Body, a darkly comic thriller that puts a modern spin on jealousy, revenge, and just how far people will go when they feel they've been wronged. As the body count and bad decisions pile up, Ken and Andy discuss whether the murder-swap formula still has life left in it—or if some ideas should have stayed buried.  Along the way, Ken and Andy discuss the appeal of the perfect crime, why strangers make such dangerous accomplices, and which of these films delivers the most satisfying dose of murder and mayhem. As always, each movie earns one of three ratings: Pass, Pirate, or Pay. Three movies. Three murder plots. One very bad idea. 🎙️ Pass, Pirate, Pay — because hiring a hitman is expensive, but downloading a podcast is free. Check us out at www.passpiratepay.com

Mad About Mads

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2413203/fan_mail/new] This week on Pass, Pirate, Pay, we dive deep into the intense, magnetic world of Mads Mikkelsen with a triple feature that spans brutality, survival, and raw human emotion. First up, we trek through the haunting, dialogue-light Viking odyssey Valhalla Rising, where myth and madness blur in the mist. Then we head to the rugged frontier of The Promised Land, a story of grit, ambition, and one man’s battle against both nature and society. Finally, we close with the devastating and all-too-real The Hunt, a chilling look at how quickly a life can unravel when suspicion takes hold. Three films, three unforgettable performances—does Mikkelsen earn a Pay across the board, or do any of these fall into Pirate or Pass territory? Tune in as we break it all down. Check us out at www.passpiratepay.com

Music Movies Part II

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2413203/fan_mail/new]  This week on Pass, Pirate, Pay, Ken and Andy crank the volume for Music Movies Part II, diving into three very different tunes on film. First up, Better Man takes a bold swing at the life of Robbie Williams—but does its wild storytelling style hit the high notes or miss the chorus entirely? Then it’s The History of Sound, a quieter, more introspective journey through music, memory, and connection—does it resonate or fade out? And finally, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere brings Bruce Springsteen into focus during one of his most pivotal creative moments—but is it a Born to Run… or a Born to Skip?  Check us out at www.passpiratepay.com

Oscar Night 2025

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2413203/fan_mail/new] It’s Hollywood’s biggest night, and Ken and Andy are here with their own ballots. In this special Oscar episode of Pass, Pirate, Pay, the guys break down the year’s biggest nominees and debate who should win, who will win, and which films and performances were completely snubbed by the Academy. Then the awards talk continues as Ken and Andy each reveal their Top 10 movies of the year, comparing lists, defending their picks, and probably arguing about a few along the way. Whether you’re filling out an Oscar pool or just love talking movies, tune in for a lively rundown of the best (and most overlooked) films of the year—Pass, Pirate, Pay style. Check us out at www.passpiratepay.com