We started this little podcast of ours at the end of October 2014. Every year since 2016 we have celebrated our anniversary by handing out our very own awards: The Embries. And The Hooeys. And The Gad. And The Ruffalo. And The Lancaster Dodd Grant.

THE EMBRIES

Named after Ethan Embry after his scene-stealing performance as Mark in EMPIRE RECORDS (ep. 8), The Embries are awarded to actors, actresses and movies that are really trying, who are seizing the moment and making the most out of every opportunity - even if/when the quality of their surroundings might not be the best. Think of it as the “good” award.

THE HOOEYS

Basically, the opposite of The Embries. Originally named The Caanies, after Scott Caan’s lazy, disinterested performance in READY TO RUMBLE (ep. 25.5), we changed the name after two years to The Rouseys, inspired by Ronda Rousey’s standout bad performance in the ENTOURAGE movie (ep. 37) - a film that was already full of questionable acting. Then David Morrissey took the baton for sucking the life out of BASIC INSTINCT 2. And now… We’re honoring Gene Siskel, inspired by his legendary reaction to David Cronenberg’s CRASH, where he told co-host Roger Ebert: “It’s hooey, Roger!”. This is the “bad” award.

THE GAD

In 2017, we added The Gad as a singular award to be delivered to a movie that’s Rotten according to the Tomatometer but which we actually loved, both in Contrarians Corner -and- Real Talk. This is inspired by our love for Josh Gad, who’s a much better performer than his reputation would lead you to believe. Past recipients of this honor include BEWITCHED (ep. 46) and MIXED NUTS (Christmas 2017 Bonus) It’s the “unfairly underrated” award.

THE RUFFALO

Inspired by Mark Ruffalo’s vigorous sex scenes in THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (ep. 71), The Ruffalo was established in 2018. As you might expect, it’s awarded to the most memorable sex scene of the year. Past recipients include the Robert DeNiro / Carla Gugino sex scene in RIGHTEOUS KILL (ep. 52) and the Tim Robbins / Greta Scacchi sex scene from THE PLAYER (ep. 36) It’s the “sexy” award.

THE LANCASTER DODD GRANT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHITE PEOPLE MOVIES

The most recent addition to the ceremony was born our of Alex’s observation that tickets to Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master probably came with a gift card to Panera Bread attached to them - because it’s such a “prime white people shit” movie. So what’s the primest white people shit movie we’ve done this year?

SO HOW DOES IT WORK?

Alex and Julio each review the list of movies covered over the past year and select their Embry/Hooey winners for the following categories: Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Lead Actor, Lead Actress and Movie. They also pick a winner each for The Gad, The Ruffalo, and the Lancaster Dodd Grant. Most of the categories will also have runners-up, just to make it more fun.

WANT TO PLAY ALONG?

The Embries 2025 episode will drop at the end of the October, but we are recording it on October 7th. Check out the list of eligible movies and, if you’re a Patron of the show, send us your pick for one of the categories, either via audio file or text message! If you’re not a Patron, you can still play along: send us a message with a prediction about which of us will vote for which movie in any given category!

• Unforgiven (ep. 219)

• Moana (ep. 220)

• The Pope’s Exorcist (ep. 221)

• The Apartment (ep. 222)

• Star Trek: The Motion Picture (ep. 223)

• Dragged Across Concrete (ep. 224)

• Man on Fire (ep. 225)

• Spider-Man: Far From Home (ep. 226)

• Spider-Man: No Way Home (ep. 227)

• Andhadhun (ep. 228)

• Halloween: Resurrection (ep. 229)

• Green Room (ep. 230)

• The Son (ep. 231)

• Some Like It Hot (ep. 232)

• West Side Story 2021 (ep. 233)

• 3 From Hell (ep. 234)

• The Babadook (ep. 235)

• The Fugitive (ep. 236)

• Tommy Boy (ep. 237)

• My Cousin Vinny (ep. 238)

• Batman Forever (ep. 239)

• Romeo + Juliet (ep. 240)

• The Bodyguard (ep. 241)

• Independence Day (ep. 242)

• Armageddon (ep. 243)

• The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (ep. 244)

• Disturbing Behavior (ep. 245)

• The Matrix (ep. 246)

• Big Daddy (ep. 247)

• Casablanca (248)

• That Awkward Moment (ep. 249)

• Conan The Barbarian (ep. 250)

• Quantum Cowboys (ep. 251)

• Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (ep. 252)

That’s 34 movies (not counting the FIRF episodes) which, hopefully, you’ve enjoyed sharing with us. And, like last year, the Patreon movies will get their own private ceremony!