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 chance to talk about Alan Partridge.

Films Discussed:

In the Loop (2009)

Four Lions (2010)

The Death of Stalin (2017)

Thank You for Smoking (2005)

Wag the Dog (1997)

Topics Covered:

Armando Iannucci’s brand of competent chaos (In the Loop, Death of Stalin)

Four Lions as an underrated and fearless political satire

Thank You for Smoking and the fine line between satire and smirking libertarianism

Revisiting Wag the Dog as a film that nails the premise but maybe fumbles the tone

Why American Dreamz tries to say everything but ends up saying very little

Key Takeaways:

Great satire isn’t just about mocking—it’s about knowing exactly where to aim

Tone must match topic: the sharper the critique, the sharper the comedy

Good satire often finds moral rot not just in power, but in its enablers

Anne Heche improves everything she’s in—no further notes

Listener Prompt:

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