Toy Story 5 (2026): "Safe, Sweet, and Somehow About Popcorn Too"

Toy Story 5 (2026): "Safe, Sweet, and Somehow About Popcorn Too"

In this episode of Can I Change My Score?, Sophie and Matt return to Andy's old gang for Toy Story 5, Pixar's latest trip down memory lane. They chat about Jessie's promotion to leading toy, Woody's surprisingly reduced role, and whether the franchise is still breaking new ground or simply keeping the wheels turning for another adventure. Along the way, they praise scene-stealers like Smartypants and Karen Beverly, question the increasingly unrealistic athletic abilities of plastic toys, and spend far too much time wondering what toys really think about their owners. As if that wasn't enough, the conversation takes an unexpected detour into the history of cinema popcorn, expensive collector's buckets, and why some movie audiences seem to have forgotten how to behave in public. It's a nostalgic, occasionally philosophical, and frequently ridiculous discussion about growing up, letting go, and whether being a toy is actually a pretty rough deal. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Disclosure Day (2026): "Whistleblowers, UFOs, and Two and a Half Hours of Mixed Signals"

Matt and Sophie tackle Steven Spielberg's long-awaited sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day, a film that promised government conspiracies, alien secrets and blockbuster spectacle but left them surprisingly cold. Despite an impressive cast including Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor and Colin Firth, neither host found themselves emotionally invested in the story or its characters. The conversation explores why the film's mix of UFO mythology, religion, political intrigue, action sequences and personal drama never quite comes together. They discuss Spielberg's effort to blend genres, why some films can juggle multiple ideas successfully (see also the episode on The Sheep Detectives) while others become overwhelmed by them, and how Disclosure Day compares to classics from Spielberg's own filmography. Along the way, they question some baffling action scenes, debate Emily Blunt's intensely emotional performance, wonder why Colin Firth is so difficult to understand, and reflect on the impossible standards faced by one of cinema's greatest directors. There is also time for a passionate defence of The Adventures of Tintin, a brief detour into deer and fox visual effects, and some soul-searching over what happens when a Spielberg film simply doesn't click. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Hoppers (2026): "Cute Beavers, Confused Messages, and Pixar's Most Frustrating Near-Miss"

Matt and Sophie dive into Pixar's latest original film, Hoppers, a movie that left them surprisingly cold despite its glowing reviews and stunning animation. While the beavers are undeniably adorable, the visuals are beautiful, and supporting characters like Titus and George provide some genuinely funny moments, neither host can shake the feeling that something important is missing. The discussion explores Pixar's increasingly difficult challenge of creating new stories in a world where every theme feels familiar, from grief and environmentalism to family relationships and finding your place. They compare Hoppers to films such as Turning Red, Encanto and The Sheep Detectives, questioning why those stories connected emotionally while this one never quite lands. Along the way, they discuss anime influences in Pixar's animation style, the film's unusual "animal avatar" concept, whether George the beaver is actually the real protagonist, and why a movie can be visually spectacular yet still struggle to make you feel anything at all.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Fool's Gold (2008): "Shirtless Treasure Hunts, Questionable Logic, and Peak McConaughey"

Matt and Sophie revisit Fool's Gold, the 2008 treasure-hunting adventure that reunited Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson after How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. What follows is less a discussion about buried treasure and more an exploration of why McConaughey remains such a magnetic screen presence, even when the material around him is decidedly average. The pair discuss the film's sun-soaked escapism, questionable logic, paper-thin villains and endless shirtless scenes, before diving into the actor's transformation from rom-com king to Oscar winner. Along the way, they explore the origins of the "McConnaissance", the strange appeal of adventure movies, why some stars can carry almost any film, and how Fool's Gold fits into McConaughey's career. There's also time for a detour into Jurassic Park, Toy Story 5, and the unique talent Matthew McConaughey seems to possess for making people simultaneously want to hug him and punch him. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Sheep Detectives (2026): "Counting Sheep, Chasing Clues, and Crying in the Cinema"

In this episode of Can I Change My Score?, Sophie and Matt investigate The Sheep Detectives, the unlikely murder mystery that somehow became Hugh Jackman’s highest-rated film. What starts as a quirky tale of talking sheep solving their shepherd’s murder turns into something far deeper, tackling grief, memory, loss and the question of what makes a life meaningful. Along the way, they discuss why the film is much more adult than the trailer suggests, the surprisingly clever whodunnit at its heart, standout performances from a stacked cast, and how a movie about animated sheep managed to pull at their heartstrings. Sophie wonders if it’s really a family film, Matt dives into its unusual production history, and both try to decide if the emotional journey outweighs a slightly too-neat ending. Plus: British villages designed by Americans, police stations with neon signs, Amazon Studios’ unexpected hot streak, and why sheep suddenly look a little different after leaving the cinema. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.