*All Episodes*

Pain and Glory: Antonio Banderas, Part 5

After two decades of blockbuster filmmaking, Antonio Banderas put his dramatic chops to tremendous use in 2019's Pain and Glory — earning his first ever Oscar nomination in the process. This week, Ned and Caroline are joined by actor and teacher Will Kazda to break down this stunning Pedro Almodóvar film, which sees Antonio play a fictionalized version of the famed director. The trio also spend a surprising amount of time talking about the Shrek and Puss in Boots franchises, as well as Antonio's years as the Nasonex bee. Plus Ned and Caroline announce the next actor they'll be covering after saying adios to Antonio.
You can follow Will on Twitter and Instagram, as well as on his excellent Letterboxd account (all @willkazda).
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Thor: Love and Thunder

This week, Ned and Caroline interrupt their Antonio Banderas series for a special bonus episode on Thor: Love and Thunder. Because Christian Bale has joined the MCU and that seems worth podcasting about! The hosts dive into all things Thor as they discuss Natalie Portman's return, Taika Waititi's comedic sensibilities, Chris Hemsworth's unexpectedly gentle performance, and the general state of Marvel Phase Four. Plus they debate how much Korg is too much Korg, and, of course, sing the praises of Bale's terrifying turn as Gorr the God Butcher.
You can read Caroline's full review of Thor: Love and Thunder
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Evita: Antonio Banderas, Part 4

If there's one thing to know about Ned and Caroline, it's that they love musicals. So there was no way they'd miss a chance to talk about Antonio Banderas' turn as the singing and dancing narrator Che in the (slightly forgotten) film adaptation of Evita. The hosts dig into what they think about Andrew Lloyd Webber in general, what the hell this musical is trying to say about its titular character, and the unexpected role Madonna played in launching Antonio's American career. Plus they discuss the way musical theater has continued to shape Antonio's career right up until today. Oh, and they go on a lengthy tangent about the Playmobil movie for some reason too.
As mentioned in the episode, here's the clip of Madonna gushing over Antonio Banderas in her "Truth or Dare" documentary: https://youtu.be/KAVqLKDwSOo
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Desperado: Antonio Banderas, Part 3

After spending the 1980s making provocative dramedies with Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, Antonio Banderas made the leap to Hollywood in the 1990s. And the film that really solidified his status as an American leading man is Robert Rodriguez's 1995 neo-Western, Desperado.
From onscreen explosions to his explosive chemistry with Salma Hayek, Ned and Caroline chat all about Antonio's iconic turn as a vengeful Mariachi in the second installment of Rodriguez's "Mexico Trilogy." And since Antonio's partnership with Rodriguez also includes the Spy Kids franchise, the hosts decided to do a whole sidebar about that bonkers 2001 film too.
How does a gritty action flick lead to an over-the-top family spy comedy? Well, that's just the Rodriguez/Banderas way.
As mentioned in the episode, here's the video of Dakota Johnson honoring her stepdad "Paponio" at the Hollywood Film Awards: https://youtu.be/Z_lwsAIBvXA
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!: Antonio Banderas, Part 2

Before Antonio Banderas was a Hollywood icon, he was an early muse for Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. And this week, Ned and Caroline look at all five of their 1980s collaborations, anchored by Antonio's sexy/scary turn as a kidnapper in 1989's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! And since the hosts are very much novices when it comes to these films, there was only one person they could ask to guest on this episode: Noted Almodóvar expert and enthusiast Manish Mathur!
Together, the trio chat through films like Matador, Law of Desire and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Plus they hash out what makes Almodóvar such a special filmmaker and how he sees Antonio Banderas in a different way than Hollywood does.
You can follow Manish on Twitter (@vertigay314) and Letterboxd. And listen to his podcasts It Pod To Be You and Queer And Now — especially the episodes on Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! and Pain and Glory.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram (both @rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

The Mask of Zorro: Antonio Banderas, Part 1

Don your masks and saddle your horses, it's time to tackle the classic (and maybe unfairly forgotten) 1990s swashbuckling adventure, The Mask of Zorro! This week, Ned and Caroline kick off their brand new Antonio Banderas series with arguably his most iconic big screen performance to date. And they enlist their friend and fellow Zorro fan Jon Harrison to help them do it.
From playful performances to smokin' hot romances, the trio go deep on what makes this film so special. And Ned should know, he's spent a lifetime championing this former childhood fav. 
Also, we forgot to mention it in the episode, but we have a brand new Instagram account! Follow us there, where we're @rolecalling.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can also follow us on Twitter (@rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

One Year Anniversary Special

It's been one year since the pod debuted, and to celebrate, Ned and Caroline decided to throw the first annual Role Calling Awards! So join for some very silly fun as the hosts award best chemistry, biggest surprise, best villain and so much more.
(Special thanks to our friends at the Cinematic Universe podcast for inspiring this idea!)
In other updates: We have an Instagram! Follow us there (instagram.com/rolecalling/) for even more podcast extras!
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

You’ve Got Mail: Meg Ryan, Part 5

"I turn on my computer. I wait impatiently as it connects. I go online, and my breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You've got podcast."
This week, Caroline and Ned bring their Meg Ryan series to a close with the 1998 rom-com classic, You've Got Mail. The last in Ryan's trilogy of romances with both Tom Hanks and Nora Ephron, this one adapts a decades-old story for the AOL age. So how does it hold up today? And what happened to Meg Ryan after her '90s heyday? Ned and Caroline break it all down while raising one last toast to the rom-com queen herself.
Stuff we reference in this episode:
Caroline's column about You've Got Mail
Meg Ryan's 2019 interview with The New York Times
Meg Ryan's 2006 interview with Oprah
The 1990 People Magazine article about the Dennis/Meg breakup
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Anastasia: Meg Ryan, Part 4

Once upon a December, Caroline and Ned were strangers, starting out on a journey, never dreaming how their dreams would come true. Now here they are, podcasting about Meg Ryan's voice performance in the much-loved (non-Disney) princess animated fairy tale, Anastasia.
To help them take this journey to the past, they enlist the expertise of Dr. Sam Summers (@samsummers0), animation academic and co-host of the excellent podcast Disniversity. The trio chat about the wild, weird career of director Don Bluth; the unique animation style of Anastasia; and, of course, the "cultural semiotics" of Meg Ryan's casting!
Listen to Disniversity wherever you get your podcasts (https://linktr.ee/disniversity), follow the show on Twitter (@Disniversity), and buy Sam's book, DreamWorks Animation: Intertextuality and Aesthetics in Shrek and Beyond.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (@rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.

Sleepless In Seattle: Meg Ryan, Part 3

Volcano cult classics aside, Sleepless In Seattle is really the movie that made Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks an iconic rom-com duo — which is funny considering they only share one scene together! This week, Caroline and Ned look back on the feel-good '90s favorite that is low-key pretty high-concept. Plus they reveal how they've personally crossed paths with the Hanks family.
Our theme music was created by Patrick Budde, and our logo was designed by Nick Wanserski. You can get in touch on Twitter (twitter.com/rolecalling) or email us at rolecalling@gmail.com.