The Skeleton Key (2005) promises Southern Gothic chills but locks its story inside a swamp of twists and hoodoo lore. Nearly forgotten in the decades since its release, the film invites us back to Louisiana to ask whether its spell still holds. Set in the shadowy bayous of Louisiana, The Skeleton Key (2005) follows Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson), a h…

What do Alex Winter mutants, Tim Burton fever dreams, and Macho Man in a cage match have in common? They’re all freaky detours on the strange, slimy, transformation-heavy road paved by Cirque du Freak. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR Five films connected by freaks, transformations, and uncanny communities A genuine love–hate rant about Basket Case 2 Spider-Man, p…

The Machine delivers a vampire movie that doesn’t suck… it punches. In this Mini-Transmission, Truman and Landen unpack Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant with confusion, frustration, and a deep dive into a freak show that left them feeling personally attacked. What You’ll Hear: Is Darren Shan fanfiction or middle school fiction? The untapped…

Released at the height of Twilight fever, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (2009) tried to launch the next big YA franchise — and fell flat on its face. We’re going back to the circus to ask why this fantasy oddity vanished into the shadows. Based on Darren Shan’s bestselling YA novels, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (2009) follow…

A dystopian hotel, a crime gone wrong, and one very dumb movie with a basketball death match. This week, the Machine delivers five thematically entangled transmissions for Hotel Artemis — from siege thrillers to pop culture-saturated criminals. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR Five thematically related films that echo Hotel Artemis’ dystopian setting, crime-laden …

In near-future Los Angeles, the Hotel Artemis treats wounded criminals — but our hosts are more concerned with countdown etiquette, 3D-printed weapons, and where Jeff Goldblum keeps his tiny hand bomb. What you'll hear: Heist etiquette, countdown anxiety, and why masks should stay on — even in your sleep Sci-fi tech that makes no ergonomic sense (l…

What if your health insurance got you shot? In Hotel Artemis (2018), Jodie Foster runs a secret hospital for criminals in riot-torn Los Angeles — but despite ten unbreakable rules, nobody seems to follow any of them, including the movie itself. Set in the not-so-distant future of 2028, Hotel Artemis follows a covert Los Angeles hospital for crimina…

The Machine wrests control of the list and serves up five films that echo, challenge, or outshine Body of Lies (2008). From Cold War shadows to desert firefights, these movies test the limits of trust, tension, and espionage on screen. A black-and-white classic spy story with Richard Burton and moral fallout The beard-to-weight Oscar conspiracy of …

Leonardo DiCaprio side-sips a beer. Landen sprays beer out his nose. Somehow, that’s still more memorable than anything in Body of Lies. This Mini-Transmission spirals from forgettable marketing into prop comedy, actor auditions, and the least effective interrogation techniques ever recorded. Why Body of Lies has one of the most boring posters and …

What happens when you take a CIA thriller, strip it of personality, and add brown contact lenses? Body of Lies (2008) is the rare war-on-terror drama that forgets itself while you’re still watching it. Released in 2008 by Warner Bros. and directed by Ridley Scott, Body of Lies stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a CIA operative running ground operations in …

What do Brazilian fight scenes, video game sound cues, and a referee with a whistle have in common? This Mini-Transmission dives into the sonic mayhem of The Rundown (2003), plays the easiest Trailer Game of all time, and ends with a cryptic new clue from the Machine. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR A spirited debate over whether a jungle fight scene is secretly …

Grunt Work Podcasts által

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s first big shot at movie stardom came in The Rundown (2003) — a jungle action-comedy from a studio that couldn’t decide what it wanted. This week, Movie Memory Machine digs into the awkward birth of a blockbuster franchise that never was. In The Rundown (2003), Dwayne Johnson stars as Beck, a bounty hunter sent to the Ama…

Whether you loved or hated Wicker Park, here are five similar films that you can watch.Grunt Work Podcasts által

Grunt Work Podcasts által

How many tracking shots does it take to find a lost love? In this high-style, low-logic thriller-romance from the early 2000s, Matthew is consumed by a single question: what happened to Lisa? And we’re consumed by a different one: wait, who is Lisa again? Before Gone Girl, before You, there was Wicker Park — a 2004 psychological romance thriller wh…

Rom-coms, rules, and red flags. In this “5 For,” Truman and Landen pick five films that helped shape the cinematic dating game — from charming classics to early-2000s cultural crimes. Highlights Why When Harry Met Sally set the rom-com template for behavioral science in dating Hitch vs. Justin Long: Who’s more believable as a love expert? An unfilt…

Who smoked the cigarettes at Bradley Cooper’s house? In this Mini-Transmission, Truman and Landen investigate the greatest mystery in He’s Just Not That Into You — and uncover a conspiracy that involves yoga instructors, real estate agents, and possibly Gigi. Topics The full trial of Bradley Cooper, with Luis Guzman as character witness How He’s Ju…

In 2009’s He's Just Not That Into You, a romantic ensemble built on a bestselling advice book somehow wound up being about emotionally stunted men, red flag relationships, and one very confused Scarlett Johansson. Truman and Landen dig through the all-star cast and pop feminism of this late-2000s relic to find out how a dating guide turned into two…

The Machine served up The Road to Wellville, and now it’s time to cleanse the palate. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR – Five films that turn food into ritual, punishment, or power – A Bolognese orgy, a cult in Pasadena, and one very worried draftsman – The Decameron defense: “It’s not all butts” – When Joaquin Phoenix becomes a human vessel (again) Want more weir…

Enemas, cornflakes, and the unholy gospel of wellness. This Mini-Transmission digs through the baffling remains of The Road to Wellville (1994) — a film that dares to ask what happens when you make Anthony Hopkins do that with his voice. What You’ll Hear: The perils of turning cereal into cinema Roy Brocksmith: The Greatest Character Actor? The Tra…

What if Amadeus and There’s Something About Mary had a baby—and fed it nothing but yogurt enemas? In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman dive headfirst into The Road to Wellville (1994), a baffling, big-budget health spa satire starring Anthony Hopkins as cereal tycoon Dr. John Harvey Kellogg in a performance that must be heard …

How many ways can one girl discover she has terrifying powers? In this Movie Memory Machine Five For episode, Landen and Truman explore five thematically connected films to Carrie (2013)—ranging from Brian De Palma’s original adaptation to Cronenberg’s scanners, to telekinetic kids with lighter (or stranger) fates. We cover: Carrie (1976): Sissy Sp…

In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman revisit Carrie (2013) to play The Trailer Game and score how many moments they accurately predicted would appear in the movie’s trailer — from blood buckets to telekinetic locker room footage. But along the way, the conversation detours into: How do you explain to your kid that their dad died… from a falling …

Nearly 40 years after Brian De Palma drenched prom night in pig’s blood and psychic rage, Carrie returned in 2013 with Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore. But did this remake modernize Stephen King’s story—or just repackage it? In this episode, we trace the journey of Carrie (2013) from concept to release, explore how it compares to the 1976 cla…

The Playmobil movie may not have left much of a legacy, but it sparks a lot of conversation about how other films have approached fantasy, world-building, and childhood imagination — sometimes successfully, sometimes not. In this 5 For episode, Landen and Truman pull five films that echo the structure, themes, or ambition of Playmobil: The Movie — …

What happens when a toy company tries to copy The LEGO Movie—and completely misunderstands why it worked? That’s Playmobil: The Movie (2019), one of the strangest animated flops of the decade. In this special mini-episode, we break down the Playmobil: The Movie trailer, play The Trailer Game, and dig into how the film’s marketing sealed its fate be…

What happens when you chase The LEGO Movie with none of the charm, none of the budget, and none of the jokes? You get Playmobil: The Movie—a box office catastrophe that tried to turn plastic figurines into profit. This week, we’re joined by Josh Boerman of The Worst of All Possible Worlds podcast to dissect one of the strangest failures in modern a…

Join Landen and Truman for this week’s “5 For” as they uncover five films that thematically link to The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. From WWII misfit squads to Italian exploitation knockoffs, this list digs into the cinematic lineage of violent brotherhood, historical nonsense, and the thin line between patriotism and pulp. Whether you’re loo…

In this chaotic kickoff to Season 2’s mini-episodes, Landen and Truman unravel some final (and occasionally ridiculous) thoughts about The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. From unexpected sound effects in the score to Guy Ritchie’s obsession with luxury, this half-hour ep has everything: a “boing” noise autopsy, speculative casting shade, and an …

Welcome to Season Two of Movie Memory Machine! Landen and Truman dive into Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare—a WWII action-comedy that’s part true story, part Call of Duty cutscene. They unpack the film’s tone (or lack thereof), its reluctance to engage with its own politics, and how Ritchie’s late-era filmmaking style might be sa…

In this special preview episode, Landen and Truman fire up the Movie Memory Machine for one last diagnostic test before Season Two begins. What follows is a chaotic preview of what’s to come: clips, clues, tone shifts, and a few… surprises. No titles are revealed, but the breadcrumbs are there if you’re ready to start guessing. This isn’t a recap—i…

It’s the end of the beginning. In the Season One finale of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman take a whirlwind tour through all 25 movies they’ve covered so far—from animated cows and memory-swapping sci-fi to cowboys with mime sidekicks. We revisit verdicts, call out the biggest surprises, and peel back the curtain on what it’s like to run a …

In the season finale of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman descend into the dark fantasy depths of Damsel(2024), Netflix’s Millie Bobby Brown-led twist on the fairy tale formula. We talk sacrificial princesses, cave horror, feminist inversions, and whether this dragon flick earns its roar—or just bellows at walls. Along the way, we dig into fa…

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 Allen’s 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 Chiwe…

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, it’s a deep dive into the best, worst, and weirdest pop songs awkwardly dro…

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman dig up five cinematic gems that either complement or correct Sahara’s sunbaked chaos. From notorious box office bombs to globe-trotting adventures, these films tackle desert escapism, colonial absurdity, and character chemistry with sharper storytelling and far less Steve Zahn t…

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 children’s books (The Adventures of Vin Fiz and Hot Sooty!), question Steve Zahn’s alleged ca…

In the season finale of Movie Memory Machine, we dig deep into Sahara (2005)—a 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 th…

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman recover from the dramatic oar splashes of The Boys in the Boat with five films that deliver on the themes of Olympic history, team triumph, and underdog grit—with stronger characters and a firmer grasp of narrative stakes. From propaganda controversies to TNT classics, this list…

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, we row our way through The Boys in the Boat, George Clooney’s adaptation of the best-selling book about the University of Washington’s 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, w…

The Boys in the Boat (2023) – Movie Memory Machine "Who the hell are these guys? Oh, right, they’re 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 Clooney’s sepia-toned tale of working-class college kids defying the odds at the 1936 Berl…

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman recommend five films that, unlike American Dreamz, actually succeed at sharp political satire. Whether through bureaucratic absurdity, bleak humor, or media manipulation, these picks explore what happens when spin, spectacle, and sociopathy collide. Also, we’ll never pass up a c…

"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 once—reality TV, politics, and the war on terror. They revisit t…

"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 Weitz’s darkly comedic take on post-9/11 America, reality TV, and the absurdity of politics…

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman descend deeper into the forest of offbeat horror, dark fantasy, and ghostly dread. Building on the vibes of Gretel & Hansel, they recommend five strange, stylish, and haunting films that blend folklore, surrealism, and atmospheric isolation. From haunting governesses to cursed l…

"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 film’s hypnotic visuals, the strange logic…

"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 week’s episode, Landen and Truman explore Gretel & Hansel (2020), a visually stunning but divisive reimagining of the classic tale from Oz Perkins (Longlegs, The Mon…

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman assemble five films that either inspired Poseidon or improved on its sinking-ship energy. From genre-defining classics to spiritual successors and absurd creature features, this episode dives into the tropes, disasters, and emotional breakdowns that define the best (and weirdest…

"We survived Poseidon (2006), and the only thing that flipped us upside down more than the ship was Fergie’s dramatic demise." Episode Description In this mini-episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman revisit Wolfgang Petersen’s disaster epic Poseidon (2006) with insights and laughs from their conversation with special guests Lauren Pritc…