Afleveringen
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In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman dig into five films that handle hostage standoffs, media critique, and moral panic with more precision, depth, and directorial vision than Money Monster. Whether it's Ned Beatty yelling about the gods of commerce or Denzel outwitting a hostage scenario in style, these films ask big questions about what media shows, what it hides, and who gets hurt in the process.
Films Discussed:
Network (1976)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Inside Man (2006)
Little Fish (2020)
Medium Cool (1969)
Topics Covered:
Live TV as a weapon, prophecy, and punchline (Network)
Al Pacinoâs iconic standoff in Dog Day Afternoon and its gritty realism
Spike Lee's sleek social heist in Inside Man
Jack OâConnellâs emotional intensity in the underseen Little Fish
Haskell Wexlerâs cinĂ©ma vĂ©ritĂ© masterpiece Medium Cool and its confrontation with media complicity
Key Takeaways:
Money Monster is a 2010s Hollywood remix of better 70s thrillers
Sidney Lumet remains the gold standard for confined tension and character realism
Denzel could outdance Clooney any day
Little Fish proves Jack OâConnellâs talent wasnât a fluke
Sometimes, media ethics are better tackled in experimental cinema than mainstream thrillers
Listener Prompt:Whatâs your favorite movie about media, money, or moral standoffs? Let us know using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Leave a rating and review â On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Weâre @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.
Tell a friend â Word of mouth is how we grow.
Join our Discord â Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.
Follow Us: đ Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this weekâs Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman unpack five films that more meaningfullyâand sometimes more messilyâexplore marriage, communication, and relationship evolution than Hope Springs ever dared. From cozy golden pond chats to sci-fi couples therapy gone wrong, this list offers everything from prestige Swedish drama to 1930s slapstick divorce. Hope might spring eternal, but these movies bring the nuance.
Films Discussed:
On Golden Pond (1981)
The One I Love (2014)
Scenes from a Marriage (1973 or 2021)
The Awful Truth (1937)
Before Midnight (2013)
Topics Covered:
Sunset vibes and legacy pairings in On Golden Pond
The One I Love and the lo-fi sci-fi spin on relationship repair
Bergmanâs emotionally devastating take on marriage in Scenes from a Marriage
Slapstick meets sincerity in the classic The Awful Truth
Before Midnight as the most honest depiction of midlife marriage ever captured on screen
Key Takeaways:
Hope Springs may have opened the door, but these films walk through it (and sometimes slam it)
Scenes from a Marriage is therapy before therapy
Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke prove love isnât always quiet sunsetsâitâs arguments in Greece too
The Awful Truth showed us that Hollywoodâs been flirting with divorce for nearly a century
Listener Prompt:Which movie got marriage rightâor hilariously wrong? Tag us with your picks using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Leave a rating and review â On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Weâre @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.
Tell a friend â Word of mouth is how we grow.
Join our Discord â Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.
Follow Us: đ Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman attempt to recover from Simone (aka S1M0NE) by spotlighting five films that do a better job exploring fame, technology, artificial intelligence, and the surreal nightmare of modern media. From the precision of The Truman Show to the spiraling ego of Synecdoche, New York, these picks offer richer commentary, stronger characters, and (most importantly) more compelling digital women.
Films Discussed:
The Truman Show (1998)
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Frankenstein (1931)
Being There (1979)
The Player (1992)
Topics Covered:
Jim Carreyâs earnest turn and how Truman Show aged like fine satire
Philip Seymour Hoffmanâs artistic self-destruction in Kaufmanâs meta masterpiece
Frankenstein as a proto-AI cautionary tale (and union icon!)
Being Thereâs commentary on projection, media, and perceived intelligence
Altmanâs The Player and why Simone couldnât touch its Hollywood cynicism
Key Takeaways:
Simone isn't about AIâitâs about Al Pacino making excuses
The Truman Show actually follows through on its premise, unlike Simone
Frankenstein walked so Simone could... trip over its own concept
Being There proves how we project meaning onto blank slates
The Player exposes Hollywood without needing a fake digital actress
Listener Prompt:Which movie better captures our current relationship with fame, technology, and projection: Truman Show or Being There? Let us know using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Leave a rating and review â On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Weâre @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.
Tell a friend â Word of mouth is how we grow.
Join our Discord â Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.
Follow Us: đ Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this week's Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman conjure up five hauntingly memorable films that connect thematically or spiritually to the 2015 Poltergeist remake (and its vastly superior 1982 predecessor). From analog tech horror and haunted houses to emotionally resonant ghost stories, this list bridges spectral dread and storytelling depthâplus a little Dan Harmon chaos and a found-footage gem thatâll leave you quietly unnerved.
Films Discussed:
Poltergeist (1982)
Pulse (2001)
One Missed Call (2003)
Lake Mungo (2008)
Monster House (2006)
Topics Covered:
Why Poltergeist (1982) still hits harder than any remake
Japanese horror's early warnings about tech-induced soul erosion
Lake Mungo as one of the quietest, most devastating ghost stories ever filmed
The tonal whiplash and cursed animation era of Monster House (but it works!)
Horror as a genre of emotional resonance vs. haunted house theme park rides
Key Takeaways:
The 1982 Poltergeist is about characters. The 2015 one is about jump scares and... squirrels?
Pulse remains one of the only films that still scares Landen
One Missed Call proves Miike can do horror restraint when he wants to
Lake Mungo is found-footage meets emotional sucker punch
Monster House is the most thematically faithful Poltergeist remakeâand itâs animated
Listener Prompt:Whatâs the scariest movie youâve ever watched? And do you think haunted house movies need more vibes or more jump scares? Let us know using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Leave a rating and review â On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Weâre @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.
Tell a friend â Word of mouth is how we grow.
Join our Discord â Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.
Follow Us: đ Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this special crossover episode, the Movie Memory Machine smashes headfirst into the Grunt Work feed for a tag-team takedown of Redbelt (2008), the only dramatic performance in Tim Allenâs catalog that doesn't involve a dog costume or a Santa suit. Join Landon and Truman as they dive into David Mamet's mixed martial arts noir drama starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, grapple with Mamet's obsession with honor, and ask the big question: how did this become a Tim Allen movie?
Topics Covered:
The surprise crossover between Movie Memory Machine and Grunt Work
Plot breakdown of Redbelt (sort of)
Chiwetel Ejiofor's excellent performance in a movie that seems allergic to explaining itself
David Mametâs style: clipped dialogue, elliptical storytelling, macho codes of honor
Tim Allen as a dramatic actor: how does he hold up?
A discussion of why this movie might have ended up forgotten
Key Takeaways:
Redbelt is either a brilliant anti-sports movie or a baffling puzzle box of stoicism and scams.
The movie's moral code is rigid, but the plot isnât afraid to spiral into chaos.
Thereâs not much actual fighting, but plenty of emotional jiu-jitsu.
Tim Allen shows up, smokes a cigar, and kind of mopes around. Itâs... a choice.
You donât have to love MMA to enjoy an elliptical drama about belts, blackmail, and betrayal.
What about you? Did Redbelt win you over, or did it tap out early? What do you think Tim Allen's "black belt" would be in? Let us know on social media using #MovieMemoryMachine or #GruntWorkPod.
Support the Show! You can support both Movie Memory Machine and Grunt Work through:
Becoming a Patreon supporter â As little as $1/month gets you bonus content and keeps us ad-free and artist-owned. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Leaving a positive rating and review â Wherever you listen, especially Apple Podcasts, it helps new listeners find us.
Liking, following, and sharing â We're @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd and @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube.
Telling a friend â Word of mouth is the best way to grow our community.
Joining our Discord â A film-loving space where you can vote on whether forgotten movies stay in modern memory. Access via https://www.moviememorymachine.com
Follow Us: đ Website: www.moviememorymachine.comđ„ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđŠ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this weekâs Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman take the barn door off its hinges and run wild through five films that share DNA with Barnyardâwhether through animated anarchy, animal allegories, or vibes of chaos barely contained. From Orwellian pigs to vengeful foxes, they reflect on how kidsâ movies used to get weird (and sometimes disturbingly real), how barn animals became cartoon icons, and why Kevin Jamesâs cow son might not be built for leadership.
Films Discussed:
Animal Farm (1954, animated)
Babe (1995)
Cars (2006)
Chicken Run (2000)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Topics Covered:
CIA-funded animation and anti-fascist farm allegories
George Millerâs journey from Fury Road to Pig in the City
The existential crises of the Cars and Barnyard universes
Chicken Run as a claymation Great Escape with poultry
Whimsy and wolf energy in Wes Andersonâs animal ensemble
Key Takeaways:
Barnyardâs tonal whiplash is unmatched: dead dads, dance parties, and cow-on-cow milk theft.
Animal Farm was propagandaâbut it still slaps.
Babe proves you can be gentle and iconic.
Sometimes the best way to critique society is with talking chickens.
Listener Prompt:Which animated animal film scarred or shaped you the most? Is Wild Mike cinema? Let us know using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Leave a rating and review â On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Weâre @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.
Tell a friend â Word of mouth is how we grow.
Join our Discord â Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.
Follow Us: đ Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this weekâs Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman sashay into the glittery chaos of 54with five more films that capture the highs, lows, and polyester-drenched parties of music, nightlife, and subculture. From Boogie Nights to Velvet Goldmine, we discuss the intersection of vibes, identity, and dance floors as cinematic crucibles for fame, transformation, and fabulous outfits. Bonus: a historical tangent about invented journalism that led to a disco classic.
Films Discussed:
Boogie Nights (1997)
Party Monster (2003)
24 Hour Party People (2002)
Velvet Goldmine (1998)
Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Topics Covered:
The shadow cast by Boogie Nights over late-90s ensemble dramas
Club kids, queer identity, and Macaulay Culkinâs turn in Party Monster
Steve Cooganâs music-scene swagger in 24 Hour Party People
Todd Haynes' glam rock dreamscape Velvet Goldmine and the bisexual lighting it rode in on
Saturday Night Fever as a misunderstood, mythologized portrait of 70s angst
Key Takeaways:
Club movies donât just danceâthey document cultural tipping points.
The vibe shift from disco glam to post-punk grit tells us more than the plot does.
54 wanted to be Velvet Goldmine but ended up Studio Interference: The Movie.
Disco never died; it just turned into biopics, glam fantasies, and Steve Coogan vehicles.
Listener Prompt:Whatâs your favorite club-set movie, and what music would play when you entered? Let us know using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Leave a rating and review â On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Weâre @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.
Tell a friend â Word of mouth is how we grow.
Join our Discord â Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.
Follow Us: đ Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman follow The Legend of Tarzan with a grab bag of muscled vengeance, pulp nostalgia, and jungle-adjacent chaos. From SkarsgĂ„rd's berserker vibes in The Northmanto Warren Beatty's color-coded midlife crisis in Dick Tracy, we celebrate films that echo the mythic, the pulpy, and the wildly ambitious spirit of Tarzan. There are dinner table lion roars, noir vigilantes, and one criminally underseen VHS tie-in. Itâs high pulp and higher volume.
Films Discussed:
The Northman (2022)
The Shadow (1994)
The Rocketeer (1991)
Dick Tracy (1990)
Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984)
Topics Covered:
SkarsgĂ„rd as the thinking manâs berserker (and Tarzan)
The legacy of pulp serials and art deco superhero throwbacks
The Rocketeer as the platonic ideal of retro adventure
Is Dick Tracy Star Wars for sad dads?
Greystoke and the struggle to prestige-ify a loincloth myth
Key Takeaways:
Tarzan is the vinyl of cinematic IP: better in small doses.
Pulp adaptations are either charmingly nostalgic or gloriously unhinged.
Alec Baldwin with silver pistols in black and white? Yes, please.
Some legacies are better left in the jungle.
Listener Prompt:Which pulp throwback deserves another shot? Are we sleeping on The Shadow? Join the conversation using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Leave a rating and review â On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Weâre @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.
Tell a friend â Word of mouth is how we grow.
Join our Discord â Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.
Follow Us: đ Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this second installment of Movie Memory Machine: Five For, Landen and Truman recommend five films that pairâhowever weirdlyâwith Life or Something Like It. Whether you're here for existential questions, platinum blond archetypes, or broadcast journalist existential crises in Seattle, weâve got a lineup thatâs weird, wild, and unexpectedly sweet. From Bill Murray eating pastries to Jane Russell taking a surprise dive into a pool, this episode is all about life, death, fate, and great suits.
Films Discussed:
Groundhog Day (1993)
Heart and Souls (1993)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
The Ring (2002)
His Girl Friday (1940)
Topics Covered:
Why Life or Something Like It echoes Groundhog Day, but less metaphysical and more Oreos
Heart and Souls and the bleak whimsy of 90s studio comedies
Marilyn Monroeâs myth-making power and Laineyâs aesthetic in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Seattle as both rom-com and horror film territory (The Ring)
Howard Hawks' template for romantic banter in His Girl Friday
Key Takeaways:
Angelina Jolieâs Lainey is basically Bill Murray with a better blowout.
You can build a whole vibe off Marilyn Monroeâs bracelet game.
The Ring is what Life or Something Like It becomes if you swap cigarettes for cursed videotapes.
Screwball comedy is eternal (and a little bit horny).
Listener Prompt:What movie helped you re-evaluate your lifeâor your hairstyle? Tag us on social using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Leave a rating and review â On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Weâre @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.
Tell a friend â Word of mouth is how we grow.
Join our Discord â Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.
Follow Us: đ Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this first-ever installment of our weekly Movie Memory Machine mini-series, we spin off from Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre to bring you five stylish spy flicks that deliver the charm, tension, and flair Guy Ritchie's film tried to summon. From De Palma's Mission: Impossible to Hitchcock's North by Northwest, we spotlight the genreâs high pointsâand a few chaotic curiosities (looking at you, Casino Royale 1967). We also ponder Jason Stathamâs self-parody arc, pay tribute to Cary Grantâs suits, and try to remember Kingsman without comparing it to Spy. This oneâs for the trumpet players.
Films Discussed:
Mission: Impossible (1996)
Spy (2015)
Casino Royale (1967)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
North by Northwest (1959)
Topics Covered:
The evolution of the spy movie postâJames Bond
How Mission: Impossible reinvented the genreâs stakes
Why Spy gets Jason Statham better than Jason Statham does
Revisiting the offbeat parody that was Casino Royale (no, the other one)
Matthew Vaughnâs candy-colored chaos in Kingsman
Hitchcockâs influence on style, storytelling, and the spy archetype
Key Takeaways:
Some spy movies age like wine; others age like minestrone.
Operation Fortune wants to be coolâbut these five films actually are.
Cary Grantâs gray suit may be the single most influential piece of clothing in film history.
Fashion, tone, and self-awareness are essential to pulling off spy pastiche.
Listener Prompt:Whatâs your favorite stylish spy movie? Did we leave off a gem? Let us know on social using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
Leave a rating and review â On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Weâre @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.
Tell a friend â Word of mouth is how we grow.
Join our Discord â Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.
Follow Us: đ Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this chaotic, music-fueled Movie Memory Machine mini-episode, Landen puts Truman through the ultimate Season One trivia challenge: a game entirely about needle drops from the forgotten films we've watched so far. From Miley Cyrus to MC Hammer, Spoon to Social Distortion, itâs a deep dive into the best, worst, and weirdest pop songs awkwardly dropped into these movies. Can Truman identify the movie (and the scene) based on just the song title and artist? Will the machine accept this episode as "valid input" or is this just an excuse to gush about The Rocker again? Join us aboard the struggling ship as we gamify nostalgia and fend off the void with sick beats.
Topics Covered:
Our favorite (and most questionable) needle drops from Season One
The surprising musical throughlines across forgotten films
Landenâs custom trivia game with easy, medium, and hard rounds
Scenes we remember only because of the soundtrack
Does a post-apocalyptic spaceship need this many pop songs? Yes.
Key Takeaways:
Every single Season One film had at least one pop needle dropâexcept Gretel & Hansel.
A song can elevate a scene... or derail it completely.
The right music cue will haunt you for months (Rocket Man, weâre looking at you).
Fergie, Höser, UB40, and Hoobastank: icons of the Movie Memory Machine canon.
Truman earns the title of Prince of Needle Drops (77% accuracy, baby!).
Listener Engagement:Whatâs your favorite needle drop in movie history? Did we miss a great one from our Season One lineup? Join the conversation on social media or our Discord using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join us at Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod.
Leave a positive rating and review â Reviews on Apple Podcasts and other platforms help new listeners discover the show.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Spread the word about Movie Memory Machine!
Tell a friend â Word-of-mouth recommendations help us grow the most!
Join our Discord â Be part of a positive film-loving community and cast your vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are forgotten.
Follow Us & Stay Connected: đ Official website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this Movie Memory Machine mini-episode, we follow our full-length Sahara discussion with even more mayhem: digressions, discoveries, and one deeply haunted dog name. Landon and Truman spiral into the mind of Clive Cussler as they unpack his lesser-known childrenâs books (The Adventures of Vin Fiz and Hot Sooty!), question Steve Zahnâs alleged catchphrase, and debate whether Dirk Pitt is doing anything cool in his room. Also: printer ink logistics, McConaugheyâs zoo energy, and a trailer game breakdown that somehow makes the original trailer look worse.
Topics Covered:
What is Matthew McConaugheyâs true appeal (and would we go to his house)?
Clive Cusslerâs childrenâs books: Vin Fiz, Hot Sooty, and the cursed dog Floppy Sloopy
Printer ink on Sandekkerâs ship: logistics and lore
Steve Zahnâs "catchphrase": Hi, how are you?
Monterey Bay confusion and Dirk Pittâs romantic geography
The Sahara trailer game: how many map transitions is too many?
Key Takeaways:
Dirk Pitt might not be cool, but Steve Zahn sure is.
Clive Cussler's creative choices for childrenâs fiction are⊠questionable.
McConaughey is best enjoyed behind glass, like an aquarium exhibit.
Printer ink discourse belongs in all blockbuster movie podcasts.
The Sahara trailer mightâve sabotaged itself.
Whatâs your favorite bizarre catchphrase from a movie? Did you ever read Vin Fiz as a kid? Join us in our Discord or tag us on social with your thoughts using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join us at Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod.
Leave a positive rating and review â Reviews on Apple Podcasts and other platforms help new listeners discover the show.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Spread the word about Movie Memory Machine!
Tell a friend â Word-of-mouth recommendations help us grow the most!
Join our Discord â Be part of a positive film-loving community and cast your vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are forgotten.
Follow Us & Stay Connected: đ Official website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In the season finale of Movie Memory Machine, we dig deep into Sahara (2005)âa film that cost a fortune, confused genres, and kicked off exactly zero franchises. Starring Matthew McConaughey as treasure hunter Dirk Pitt, Sahara is the kind of action-adventure that wants to be Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Blood Diamond all at once. We dive into the absurd production history, the bookâs wild differences, and why this movie still somehow works (for some of us). Also: Clive Cussler sued everyone, Steve Zahn loses his hat, and Rainn Wilson gets paid less than McConaugheyâs chef.
Topics Covered:
The history and chaos behind the making of Sahara
Matthew McConaughey as Dirk Pitt: casting, charisma, and contact lenses
A breakdown of the many, many writers (and lawsuits)
PenĂ©lope Cruzâs role and the tone whiplash of pandemic horror vs. boat bro comedy
Deep dive into the book, the lawsuits, the budget, and the weirdest adaptation notes ever
Key Takeaways:
Sahara is a case study in how too much money, too many writers, and too many creative controls can sink a film.
Dirk Pitt is the ultimate Mary Sue, and the movie makes no apologies for it.
The opening credits sequence cost more than some indie films and contains more exposition than the actual script.
McConaughey, Zahn, and Cruz all give it their allâbut the real star is the absurd backstory behind the film.
Main Cast & Crew:
Director: Breck Eisner
Writers: Thomas Dean Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John C. Richards, James V. Hart, and many, many more
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, Penélope Cruz, Rainn Wilson, William H. Macy, Delroy Lindo, Lambert Wilson
Based on the Novel By: Clive Cussler
Listener Engagement:Did you see Sahara in theaters? Do you have a soft spot for Dirk Pitt? Is there a bigger cinematic Mary Sue than Dirk? Tell us your thoughts on social media using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join us at Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod.
Leave a positive rating and review â Reviews on Apple Podcasts and other platforms help new listeners discover the show.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Spread the word about Movie Memory Machine!
Tell a friend â Word-of-mouth recommendations help us grow the most!
Join our Discord â Be part of a positive film-loving community and cast your vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are forgotten.
Follow Us & Stay Connected: đ Official website: https://www.moviememorymachine.comđș YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachineđïž Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
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In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, we row our way through The Boys in the Boat, George Clooneyâs adaptation of the best-selling book about the University of Washingtonâs scrappy rowing team and their improbable journey to Olympic glory. We discuss whether the film captures the thrill of sports triumphs or just kind of... floats along. Plus, we question some creative choices, geek out over our favorite underdog sports movies, and inevitably spiral into a debate about what makes a great sports movie.
Topics Covered:
The real-life story behind The Boys in the Boat
George Clooneyâs direction: a steady hand or off course?
Why sports movies donât affect us (or so we claim)
Does this follow the great tradition of underdog sports movies?
Our personal picks for best sports movies ever made
Key Takeaways:
The Boys in the Boat is a solid, if predictable, sports drama about teamwork, determination, and getting really sore arms.
The film looks great, but does it feel great? We debate whether it captures the stakes or just coasts along.
The best sports movies are about more than the gameâtheyâre about the people, rivalries, and dramatic slow-motion moments.
We reminisce about The Sandlot, Speed Racer, A League of Their Own, and other classics that made us fist-pump at our screens.
Main Cast & Crew:
Director: George Clooney
Screenwriter: Mark L. Smith (The Revenant)
Starring: Callum Turner, Joel Edgerton, Jack Mulhern, Sam Strike, Luke Slattery, Peter Guinness
Based on the Book By: Daniel James Brown
Whatâs your favorite sports movie? Do you think The Boys in the Boat captures that winning spirit, or does it capsize? Let us know on social media using #MovieMemoryMachine!
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Hereâs how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter â For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join us at Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod.
Leave a positive rating and review â Reviews on Apple Podcasts and other platforms help new listeners discover the show.
Like, follow, and share on social media â Spread the word about Movie Memory Machine!
Tell a friend â Word-of-mouth recommendations help us grow the most!
Join our Discord â Be part of a positive film-loving community and cast your vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are forgotten.
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Tune in, laugh with us, and donât forget to keep your oars in the water!
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The Boys in the Boat (2023) â Movie Memory Machine
"Who the hell are these guys? Oh, right, theyâre the boys in the boat."
Episode Description
In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman row their way through The Boys in the Boat (2023), George Clooneyâs sepia-toned tale of working-class college kids defying the odds at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. While the film attempts to craft an inspirational underdog story, your hosts have a few oars to grindâquestioning its historical blind spots, over-reliance on sports movie tropes, and why Jesse Owens was the real story of those Olympics. From the filmâs glossy, awards-bait ambitions to its oddly chaste, uninspired execution, this discussion leaves no regatta unchallenged.
Major Cast & Crew
Director & Producer: George ClooneyScreenwriter: Mark L. Smith (based on the book by Daniel James Brown)Starring:Callum Turner as Joe RantzJoel Edgerton as Coach Al UlbricksonHadley Robinson as Joyce SimdarsChris Diamantopoulos as Royal BroughamFilm Synopsis
Based on a true story, The Boys in the Boat follows Joe Rantz and a ragtag crew of University of Washington rowers as they train under Coach Ulbrickson, overcoming personal hardships and class barriers to compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The film paints a portrait of Depression-era America, resilience, and teamworkâthough it skims over some of the deeper historical complexities.
Episode Highlights
A Boatload of Problems â Landen and Truman discuss the filmâs lack of character development and how its team dynamic fails compared to classic sports movies.Who Gives a Sh*t About This Story? â A deep dive into why this particular Olympic victory was chosen to be told, and whether it deserved the cinematic treatment over other 1936 Olympic moments.George Clooneyâs Directing Style (or Lack Thereof) â Why The Boys in the Boat feels like an aesthetic filter applied to a Wikipedia summary rather than a film with purpose.A Missed Opportunity for Rowing to be Hot â Truman argues the film should have been way hornier, considering the sheer amount of synchronized thrusting involved in rowing.The Jesse Owens Factor â How The Boys in the Boat ignores the most historically significant American athlete of the 1936 Olympics.Inspirational Sports Speechesâą â An analysis of how the film leans on clichĂ©d motivational monologues instead of crafting an engaging narrative.đ§ Did you watch The Boys in the Boat? What did you think? Let us know on Instagram or YouTube!
đ For a much better underdog sports movie, just watch Cool Runnings.â Enjoying the show? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast app! It helps more than you know.
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đ SEO Keywords: The Boys in the Boat movie review, George Clooney, 2023 movies, rowing movies, Jesse Owens, 1936 Olympics, underdog sports movies, Callum Turner, Joel Edgerton, forgotten movies podcast.
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"Somewhere between satire and sensory overload, American Dreamz (2006) crams politics, pop culture, and reality TV into a single chaotic comedy."
Episode Description
In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman break down American Dreamz (2006), a movie that tried to satirize everything at onceâreality TV, politics, and the war on terror. They revisit the filmâs self-serious opening credits, its bizarre wig choices, and the best (and worst) of its reality show parodies. Plus, they play The Trailer Game to see if the marketing sold audiences on satire or just Hugh Grant looking miserable.
Major Cast and Crew
Director & Writer: Paul WeitzMain Cast:Hugh Grant as Martin TweedDennis Quaid as President StatonMandy Moore as Sally KendooWillem Dafoe as Vice President SutterChris Klein as William WilliamsSam Golzari as OmerMarcia Gay Harden as First Lady StatonJennifer Coolidge as Martha KendooFilm Synopsis
Reality TV and politics collide in American Dreamz, where a Simon Cowell-style TV host (Hugh Grant) seeks ratings gold with a manufactured pop star (Mandy Moore) and an unwitting terrorist contestant (Sam Golzari). Meanwhile, a clueless president (Dennis Quaid) gets roped into the spectacle. As satire meets slapstick, the film asks: is America one big reality show, or is it worse than that?
Episode Highlights
The over-the-top opening credits: clever satire or too much too soon?Mandy Mooreâs wig: the real star of the movie.Hugh Grantâs performanceâhis best attempt at soulless TV host or just an easy paycheck?The Trailer Game: Did the marketing team actually understand what this movie was about?A debate: does American Dreamz belong in the political satire hall of fame, or is it just Reality Bites with more explosions?Whatâs the weirdest attempt at political satire youâve ever seen? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platformâweâd love to feature your feedback.
đĄ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpodđ Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/đ± Follow us on Social Media:Facebook: Movie Memory MachineInstagram: @MovieMemoryMachineThreads: @MovieMemoryMachineBluesky: @MovieMemoryMachineYouTube: @MovieMemoryMachineLetterboxd: @MovieMemoryPodđ” Theme Song by Porkyâs Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/
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"Somewhere between satire and fever dream, American Dreamz (2006) asks: What if reality TV, politics, and terrorism all collided in a comedy? The answer is⊠a lot."
Episode Description
In this episode, Landen and Truman dive into American Dreamz (2006), Paul Weitzâs darkly comedic take on post-9/11 America, reality TV, and the absurdity of politics. Starring Hugh Grant as a Simon Cowell-type TV judge and Dennis Quaid as a bumbling U.S. president, the film tackles the war on terror, media spectacle, and the manufactured nature of stardom. But does its satire still resonate, or does it feel like an artifact of the Bush-era news cycle? Tune in for a sharp, hilarious breakdown of a movie that tried to take on everything at once.
Major Cast and Crew
Director & Writer: Paul WeitzMain Cast:Hugh Grant as Martin TweedDennis Quaid as President StatonMandy Moore as Sally KendooWillem Dafoe as Vice President SutterChris Klein as William WilliamsSam Golzari as OmerMarcia Gay Harden as First Lady StatonJennifer Coolidge as Martha KendooFilm Synopsis
Reality TV collides with global politics in American Dreamz, a satirical comedy where Americaâs most-watched singing competition becomes entangled in a White House PR stunt. As host Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant) searches for the perfect contestantsâincluding an ambitious Midwestern singer (Mandy Moore) and a reluctant sleeper agent (Sam Golzari)âthe president (Dennis Quaid) finds himself caught in a media frenzy. When reality, ratings, and terrorism collide, the results are as chaotic as they are darkly funny.
Episode Highlights
Hugh Grantâs turn as a sleazy, dead-eyed reality TV host.How American Dreamz captured (and exaggerated) early 2000s political absurdity.Mandy Mooreâs performance: was this a parody of pop stardom or too real?Willem Dafoeâs uncanny resemblance to Dick Cheneyâpure coincidence?Does the filmâs satire hold up, or is it too tied to its era?Whatâs your favorite political satire, and does American Dreamz deserve to be in the conversation? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platformâweâd love to feature your feedback.
đĄ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpodđ Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/đ± Follow us on Social Media:Facebook: Movie Memory MachineInstagram: @MovieMemoryMachineThreads: @MovieMemoryMachineBluesky: @MovieMemoryMachineYouTube: @MovieMemoryMachineLetterboxd: @MovieMemoryPodđ” Theme Song by Porkyâs Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/
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"Somewhere between a fairytale and a fever dream, Gretel & Hansel (2020) serves up dark fantasy with a side of unsettling imagery."
Episode Description
In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman take another look at Gretel & Hansel (2020), a beautifully haunting take on the classic fairytale. They explore the filmâs hypnotic visuals, the strange logic of folk horror, and what it means when children in a fairytale start tripping on mushrooms. Plus, a deep dive into some of the weirdest Grimmâs fairytalesâincluding Clever Gretel and Gambling Hansel, a lost saga of trickery, dice, and divine intervention.
Major Cast and Crew
Director: Oz PerkinsWriters: Rob Hayes (screenplay), Brothers Grimm (fairytale)Main Cast:Sophia Lillis as GretelSamuel Leakey as HanselAlice Krige as The WitchJessica De Gouw as Young WitchFilm Synopsis
A darker reimagining of the Brothers Grimm tale, Gretel & Hansel follows teenage Gretel (Sophia Lillis) as she and her younger brother Hansel (Samuel Leakey) are cast out into the wilderness. When they find shelter with a mysterious woman (Alice Krige) in a secluded cottage, Gretel begins to uncover secrets about the witchâs pastâand her own destiny.
Episode Highlights
The power of triangle imageryâcinematic or just Trumanâs new obsession?Landenâs long-lost horror memory finally uncovered.The unsettling food of Gretel & Hanselâwhy does horror always ruin our appetites?The trippiest mushroom scene in a fairy tale movie (or at least in this decade).How Gambling Hansel turned the afterlife into a high-stakes card game.Listener Question
Whatâs the creepiest moment from a childhood fairytale or movie that still sticks with you? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platformâweâd love to feature your feedback.
đĄ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpodđ Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/đ± Follow us on Social Media:Facebook: Movie Memory MachineInstagram: @MovieMemoryMachineThreads: @MovieMemoryMachineBluesky: @MovieMemoryMachineYouTube: @MovieMemoryMachineLetterboxd: @MovieMemoryPodđ” Theme Song by Porkyâs Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/
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"Somewhere beyond the depths of the forest and the clutches of the witch, two podcasters rediscover a forgotten fairytale. Welcome to Movie Memory Machine."
Episode Description
In this weekâs episode, Landen and Truman explore Gretel & Hansel (2020), a visually stunning but divisive reimagining of the classic tale from Oz Perkins (Longlegs, The Monkey). With Sophia Lillis as a resourceful Gretel and Alice Krige as the unsettling Witch, this film trades fairy tale whimsy for atmospheric dread. Join the discussion as they dissect the filmâs unique aesthetic, its exploration of feminist themes, and the age-old question: why does food always look so unappetizing in horror?
Major Cast and Crew
Director: Oz PerkinsWriters: Rob Hayes (screenplay), Brothers Grimm (fairytale)Main Cast:Sophia Lillis as GretelSamuel Leakey as HanselAlice Krige as The WitchJessica De Gouw as Young WitchFilm Synopsis
In a grim twist on the Brothers Grimm classic, teenage Gretel (Sophia Lillis) leads her younger brother Hansel (Samuel Leakey) into the forest in search of food and work after being cast out of their home. The siblings stumble upon the home of a mysterious and sinister woman (Alice Krige), whose kindness masks a dark and twisted secret. As Gretel unravels the Witchâs true intentions, she discovers her own latent powerâand must choose between saving herself or her brother.
Episode Highlights
Oz Perkinsâ atmospheric direction: is it spellbinding or just too slow?Sophia Lillisâ performance as Gretel: a feminist reimagining of the classic heroine.Alice Krigeâs witch: terrifying, tragic, or both?Why is the food in horror movies so gross? (Seriously, whatâs with the porridge?)A debate: is Gretel & Hansel a modern fairytale masterpiece or just pretentious art-house horror?Whatâs your favorite reimagining of a classic fairytale, and why? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platformâweâd love to feature your feedback in future show notes!
đĄ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpodđ Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/đ± Follow us on Social Media:Facebook: Movie Memory MachineInstagram: @MovieMemoryMachineThreads: @MovieMemoryMachineBluesky: @MovieMemoryMachineYouTube: @MovieMemoryMachineđ” Theme Song by Porkyâs Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/
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"We survived Poseidon (2006), and the only thing that flipped us upside down more than the ship was Fergieâs dramatic demise."
Episode Description
In this mini-episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman revisit Wolfgang Petersenâs disaster epic Poseidon (2006) with insights and laughs from their conversation with special guests Lauren Pritchard and Joe Roche. From flaming waterfalls to rogue waves, they discuss the movieâs best (and most baffling) moments, share childhood cruise ship fears, and imagine what other movie characters could have survived the capsized ship. Plus, a raucous round of the Trailer Game that left them upside down in more ways than one.
Major Cast and Crew
Director: Wolfgang PetersenWriters: Mark Protosevich (screenplay), Paul Gallico (novel)Main Cast:Josh Lucas as Dylan JohnsKurt Russell as Robert RamseyRichard Dreyfuss as Richard NelsonEmmy Rossum as Jennifer RamseyJacinda Barrett as Maggie JamesMia Maestro as ElenaAndre Braugher as Captain Michael BradfordStacy Ferguson (Fergie) as GloriaFilm Synopsis
A New Yearâs Eve celebration aboard the luxury ocean liner Poseidon is cut short when a massive rogue wave capsizes the ship. Trapped upside down and sinking fast, a group of survivors must navigate flooded corridors, fiery obstacles, and their own fears to find a way out before time runs out.
Episode Highlights
Fergieâs short-lived but impactful role: A diva meets disaster.Flaming waterfalls: Iconic or absurd? The eternal debate.Landenâs childhood cruise ship nightmareâa fever dream featuring Charles Lindbergh.What happens when The Trailer Game leaves everyone guessing wrong?Whatâs your favorite over-the-top disaster movie moment? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social mediaâwe might feature them in a future episode!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platformâweâd love to hear your feedback.
đĄ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpodđ Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/đ± Follow us on Social Media:Facebook: Movie Memory MachineInstagram: @MovieMemoryMachineThreads: @MovieMemoryMachineBluesky: @MovieMemoryMachineYouTube: @MovieMemoryMachineđ” Theme Song by Porkyâs Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/
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