Who was the best president we never had? Lars Emerson and Michael Lovito from ThePostrider.com are dedicated to finding out as they work their way through the ultimate bracket of losing presidential candidates in American history. Follow along

Season Finale - Joe Biden: Free Guy / Minari

Oct 7th, 2021 52m 48s

In the Watching Mates season finale, Lars and Michael unpack the nascent Biden administration through the films "Free Guy" and "Minari."

Donald Trump: Hell or High Water / BlacKkKlansman

Sep 23rd, 2021 52m 13s

The brief and tumultuous Trump administration proves to have one of the most direct impacts on American cinema, as Lars and Michael explore through the films Hell or High Water and BlacKkKlansman.

Barack Obama: Gran Torino / Sicario

Sep 9th, 2021 45m 40s

America's first Black president comes to office offering a vision for a united country and promising change, but is bogged down in the policies and crises of the prior administration, as Lars and Michael explore through the films "Gran Torino"

Trailer

Trailer for Politics Express

Aug 28th, 2021 55s

Watching Mates co-host Lars Emerson introduces The Postrider team's newest general interest politics podcast, Politics Express. Subscribe now and check out the first episode, available wherever podcasts are found and on thepostrider.com.

George W. Bush: Team America World Police / The Dark Knight

Aug 26th, 2021 41m 24s

The world changes dramatically over the course of George W. Bush's presidency. One place it changes most visibly is Hollywood, as Lars and Michael unpack through "Team America: World Police" in his first term and "The Dark Knight" in his second

Bill Clinton: Wag the Dog / The American President

Jul 29th, 2021 38m 20s

As American presidencies approach the modern day, Lars and Michael dive into the world of scandal, neoliberalism, and partisanship in the Clinton era through the films "Wag the Dog" and "The American President."

George H.W. Bush: They Live / Roger & Me

Jul 15th, 2021 31m 42s

America gets a little grungier as President George H.W. Bush comes into office and Lars and Michael explore trends in cinema during his brief tenure, focusing on a zeitgeist of decline and the new American economic reality through the films "Th

Ronald Reagan: Back to the Future / Back to the Future Part II

Jul 1st, 2021 44m 33s

Knock knock, McFly! Lars and Michael discuss their film picks for the Reagan era -- how a decade of nostalgia viewed both the past and the future -- through the lens of the films "Back to the Future" and "Back to the Future Part II."

Jimmy Carter: Rocky / Star Wars

Jun 17th, 2021 34m 41s

Lars and Michael discuss their film picks for the Carter era -- a blend of optimism, underdogs, and perhaps naivety over the coming backlash Jimmy Carter would face through the lens of "Rocky" and "Star Wars."

Gerald Ford: Jaws / Chinatown

Jun 3rd, 2021 43m 15s

Lars and Michael discuss the films of the Ford administration, exploring government incompetence and corruption (or maybe it's just about a shark) through the lens of "Jaws" and "Chinatown." But in true Gerald Ford fashion, they spend most of t

Richard Nixon: Easy Rider / Blazing Saddles

May 20th, 2021 32m 44s

Lars and Michael discuss the films of the Nixon administration, reflecting on hippie culture, racism, a developing "us versus them" mentality within the United States -- and a whole bunch of dirty tricks -- through the lens of "Easy Rider" and

Lyndon B. Johnson: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner / Dr. Strangelove

Apr 29th, 2021 34m 59s

Lars and Michael discuss the films of the Johnson administration, reflecting on dramatic domestic progress and a distrust of America's foreign policy apparatus through the lens of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "Dr. Strangelove."

John F. Kennedy: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance / Lolita

Apr 15th, 2021 41m 1s

Lars and Michael discuss the films of the Kennedy era, discussing themes of heroism and elitism in American society through the lens of "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Lolita."

Dwight Eisenhower: The Blob / Shane

Apr 1st, 2021 35m 17s

Lars and Michael discuss the films of the Eisenhower era, comparing the infamous "The Blob" and the more-critically-acclaimed "Shane." The narratives on being driven from one's home, McCarthyism, and generational strife give context to Eisenhow

Harry Truman: The Third Man / The Hitch-Hiker

Mar 18th, 2021 33m 21s

In the first episode of Watching Mates, Lars and Michael team up to discuss the films of the Truman era, comparing film noirs "The Third Man" and "The Hitch-Hiker." The international intrigue and sense of being lost in a new world that are refl