Ten slots. Ten movies. One shelf. In this special episode of 82 Toothpicks, Ethan and Amber introduce a brand new movie rating system and reveal which of the 70+ films they've analyzed so far make their permanent, top-ten "shelf."

Join our estate planning experts as they go head-to-head, unveiling their personal "best of" lists and debating each film's quality versus its estate planning content. Discover how they rate cinematic masterpieces and personal favorites using the new "toothpick" scale, covering themes of legacy, succession, guardianship, and disability planning. From animated classics to Oscar-winning dramas, this episode is a fun-filled retrospective that re-examines beloved films through the unique lens of elder law and legacy.

Here are a few of the films that made the cut:
🍿 The Shawshank Redemption: A deep dive into a scene with surprisingly explicit estate planning and tax conversations.
🦁 The Lion King: is this animated classic is more than just a retelling of Hamlet?
✨ CODA: Exploring the beautiful storytelling around disability, capacity, and family business succession.

Ever wonder what your favorite movie says about estate planning? Subscribe to 82 Toothpicks, follow the hosts, and download a copy of Ethan's books to find out how your favorite films stack up!

Could a World War II super soldier teach us anything about estate planning? In Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers goes from a scrawny kid nobody will enlist to the man an entire country is built around. The decisions that get him there are the same ones families make when they name somebody to act for them. The Army didn't pick Steve because he was the strongest man in camp. They picked him because of what he did with a flagpole.

We don't just break down the core legal lessons hidden in this Marvel blockbuster, we explore whether Steve Rogers himself becomes the legacy, the one who carries the values of the past onto the Avengers team. Listen in and discover how Steve Rogers's story connects to modern-day family dynamics and planning. Whether you're a Marvel fan or just curious, you'll see how estate planning concepts are truly universal. Plus we'll talk about:

🧊 The crash into the ice and what happens to a person's rights when everyone assumes he's dead.

🧪 The lost super soldier serum formula as a cautionary tale for protecting your life's work.

🤝 The careful selection of Steve Rogers and why it's a perfect parallel for choosing a trustee or fiduciary.

Strength was never the hard part of this story. Choosing who to trust with it was.

Subscribe to 82 Toothpicks, share this one with a Marvel fan, and download Ethan's It's Not Too Late book series for practical steps to protect your family and legacy.

What happens when a man with a fear of commitment falls for a woman who just might be a serial killer? In this episode, we're sharpening our legal analysis on the 1993 Mike Myers cult classic, So I Married an Axe Murderer, and uncovering the surprisingly morbid estate planning lessons hiding in this goofy rom-com.

Beneath the slapstick humor and quotable one-liners, we explore the serious financial and legal loose ends left behind when someone dies unexpectedly. We discuss the importance of having your affairs in order, especially when your new spouse has a string of mysteriously deceased ex-husbands. Join us as we dissect how inheritance, probate, and even the role of an obituary writer play into the film's chaotic plot, proving that even the most unserious movies have serious legacy lessons.

Here are a few moments we cover:

🕵️‍♂️ Charlie's cop friend Tony trying to solve the case of the "Mrs. X" murders.

📜 The hilarious and insightful scene with the obituary writer at the newspaper office.

💍 Harriet's collection of items from her past husbands—and the inheritance she doesn't even know she's entitled to.

Ever wondered if your favorite comedy has a dark side? Come see So I Married an Axe Murderer in a whole new light. Subscribe, share, or follow 82 Toothpicks wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode!