Fully Operational

Let us paint a scene with a wintry brush: Dre journeyed to the bitter, frigid cold of New York City to visit Goodman (and to see a prizefight at the famed Madison Square Garden with another friend). They had a few hours to burn. Goodman suggested they take in the cinema, a favorite pastime that they both shared, but, alas, Dre, upon hearing the name Fred Claus, said they should pass and go on their merry way to a pub or a restaurant-type establishment... leaving Fred Claus like an abandoned toy truck to be covered in snow, then buried in dirt, and left alone, untouched, forgotten, for a very long time.

But it's Goodman's Birthday Bash and your two co-hosts unearth the Vince Vaughn holiday flick and figure out whether they've missed out on a hidden gem, or if they should've left it where it was all those years ago (and what does famed film and culture critic Wesley Morris have to say on the matter?).

But first, we have to talk about what we watched. Goodman watched two recent movies that touch directly (and indirectly) on sexual abuse and the corruption of power in Bombshell, which looks at Fox News under Roger Ailes, and the many women who were affected by his actions, and The Assistant, a smaller, quotidian look at the inner workings of a film production company—with a fictionalized Harvey Weinstein-type producer at the helm—and a lowly female assistant who tries to call attention to his actions.

After those two more sobering films, and to get into the festive mood, Goodman watched the tinsel-tinged sequel, A Bad Mom's Christmas, which Goodman actually got to visit the set of when it was filming in Atlanta.

Then Dre highlights the first film in Steve McQueen's Small Axe anthology, Mangrove, which takes a look at the racial injustice and prejudice inflicted upon Caribbean immigrants in London's Notting Hill neighborhood in the late 1960s/early 70s, and led to the trial of the Mangrove 9.

Bells will be ringing next when we discuss Fred Claus, the cast, the quotes, the trivia, and more. And stay for a little game where Goodman asks Dre to rank some of the more outlandish takes from Wesley Morris' movie review (we still love you WM!).

Last, don't leave without witnessing The Quote Parade—it's like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade if, instead of delightful floats, you received terribly-performed movie quotes.

Coming up next week, we say goodbye to 2020 (hooray!), and hello to Vince Vaughn car destroyer/prison legend in Brawl in Cell Block 99.

SONG CREDITS:
Theme music: "70s Funk" by Frank Cogliano
What we watched music: "Let's all go to the lobby" by Jack K. Tillar (lyrics)
Closing music: "This is My Jam" by Will Van De Crommert
The Quote Parade music: "Pelican Parade" by Richard J. Freitas and Geraldine Brioso

In the botched words of rap maestro/impresario Shawn Carter (aka Jay-Z), we're out for presidents to represent us. Dead Presidents that is. Money. Moola. Scratch. Greenbacks. Benjis. Bones. Bread [Dead Bread FTW! #rhymes). Cha-ching!

But before we sing the praises of the real MVP, Mr. KD himself, Keith David, and the Brothers Hughes, Larenz Tate, N'Bushe Wright, Bokeem Woodbine, the electric Chris Tucker, Freddy Rodriguez, Terence Howard, Clifton Powell, and the whole gang (even the Schofield Kid shows up!), we have to talk about what we watched.

Goodman filled in some major blanks in his film resume starting with John Singleton's Boyz n the Hood (insert Dre's voice: how is that possible?) and The Hughes Brothers' debut film, Menace II Society (insert Dre's voice: what is going on here?!). Then Dre talks about the three 'movies' he watched: Kelly Reichardt's First Cow; John Michael McDonagh's The Guard starring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle; and a joint book/documentary series Five Came Back about five celebrated directors who were in WWII and how their involvement shaped their careers after they returned.

Then we head to late 60s/early 70s Harlem and Vietnam and back again to talk about Dead Presidents and whether it still holds up as a crime/heist thriller against the backdrop of a Black Vietnam vet struggling to assimilate when he returns from war. We discuss the directors (who unfortunately have stopped working together since 2010's Book of Eli), the cast, the quotes, trivia—aka the Fully Operational.

Last, don't forget to stay for The Quote Parade where we identify all the movie quotes we did during the episode, and you realize just how badly we did them.

Coming up next week, it's a Christmas miracle because we finally watched Fred Claus (a movie experience 13 years in the making)—ho ho ho, ho-kay!

SONG CREDITS:
Theme music: "70s Funk" by Frank Cogliano
What we watched music: "Let's all go to the lobby" by Jack K. Tillar (lyrics)
Closing music: "This is My Jam" by Will Van De Crommert
The Quote Parade music: "Pelican Parade" by Richard J. Freitas and Geraldine Brioso

Who's the best podcast host? Bring your police-issue stun gun to find out as we break down the movie that showed the world that Bruce Willis had what it takes. But before we venture to Pittsburgh aka 'Three Rivers' land and discuss Striking Distance, we have to talk about what else we watched. And, get ready, 'cause it was a lot.

Goodman went all sci-fi this week and half-watched Keanu Reeves' The Day the Earth Stood Still; and a little indie alien planet mining movie, Prospect, starring the Mandalorian himself.

Then Dre finally caught up with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams' Eurovision Song Content: The Story of Fire Saga; Never Goin' Back, a movie Dre calls a modern Go; and The Queen's Gambit, the popular Netflix show that has made chess the hottest game since hot potato.

Just for funsies, we also decided to joint watch Mank, the (basically) brand new David Fincher/Netflix movie about Herman J. Mankiewicz, the alleged main screenwriter of Citizen Kane. It's in black and white and has no serial killers at all, if you can believe that.

Then it's time for the main event. We talk about director Rowdy Herrington and the film's troubled production, the cast, quotes, questions and trivia. And we end with a game that will finally settle the question of what should Striking Distance have been called because while the movie may be phenomenal (on some level), its title doesn't do it justice.

Last, don't forget to stay for The Quote Parade where we identify all the completely accurate movie quotes we did during the episode.

Coming up next week, we discuss the Hughes Brothers' 2nd movie, Dead Presidents, which Goodman absolutely has seen before (or has he?).

SONG CREDITS:
Theme music: "70s Funk" by Frank Cogliano
What we watched music: "Let's all go to the lobby" by Jack K. Tillar (lyrics)
Closing music: "This is My Jam" by Will Van De Crommert
The Quote Parade music: "Pelican Parade" by Richard J. Freitas and Geraldine Brioso

If you're looking for a couple of male entertainers, you've found the right podcast. It's the day we've all been waiting for, when we officially start celebrating Goodman's Birthday Bash. And we start this month's grind with the best grinding sequel ever, Magic Mike XXL. A movie that, like The Matrix, you have to see for yourself.

But before Goodman can groove to Ginuwine's Pony while Dre dreams about Channing Tatum's Total Package, we have to make a few COR-ERECTIONS: Dre ranks how excited he is for the rest of the movies in December, Goodman properly identifies Jean-Claude Van Damme's best 2 movies, then Dre corrects the name of a certain hit Amazon Prime show.

Then we talk about what we watched this week. Dre, took the advice of friend and listener, Adam, and watched the 1945 version of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the Jim Jarmusch film, The Dead Don't Die, available on HBO Max. While Goodman got in the stripping frame of mind with Lorene Scafaria's Hustlers starring J-Lo and Constance Wu.

Then it's time to see if Magic Mike XXL still has some 'magic' in that mic. We discuss the amazing plot, the amazing cast (& cameos), the amazing dance moves, the amazing emotions, the amaz—this movie is just amazing. And if you're up for playing a drinking game at home, take a shot every time Goodman says 'lappers' and you'll have a blast.

We close out with a game that's truly worthy of Goodman's Failed Screenplay Sidewalk: your co-hosts take shots brainstorming the plot of the essential, yet hitherto unmade, third movie in the Magic Mike franchise: Magic Mike 3: Tokyo Kings.

Don't forget to stay for The Quote Parade where you can hear all of the quotes we attempted but definitely butchered.

But wait, there's more! Stay tuned after the QP for even more Magic Mike 3: Tokyo King plot points pulled directly from our brains/asses.

Coming up next week, we discuss the movie that put Bruce Willis on the map...of actors who have been boat cops: Striking Distance.

SONG CREDITS:
Theme music: "70s Funk" by Frank Cogliano
What we watched music: "Let's all go to the lobby" by Jack K. Tillar (lyrics)
Closing music: "This is My Jam" by Will Van De Crommert
The Quote Parade music: "Pelican Parade" by Richard J. Freitas and Geraldine Brioso

We need more Rushmore in our lives. That's just a fact. Wes Anderson's 2nd film is a gem, and one of Dre's favorite 10 films of all time, so it's in rare company. 

But before we 'rush' into discussing all 93 minutes of it in Fully Operational fashion (and finally end this entire month of indulging our fearless co-host Dre), we have to announce next month's theme.

Simply put, its Goodman's Birthday Bash. He's a December baby (the best baby possible) and we're ready to indulge his basest movie desires—with a mid-month reprieve because Dre made a big deal about how November only had 4 weeks, while December has 5 weeks, so the Dynamflick Duo™ agreed to a joint pick. So what movies are coming up?

• 12/3: Magic Mike XXL
• 12/10: Striking Distance
• 12/17: Dead Presidents (joint pick)
• 12/24: Fred Claus
• 12/31: Brawl in Cell Block 99

Then we talk about what we watched. For Dre, it was easy: nothing! For Goodman, he's a man of his word and he finished watching Sean Connery's Outland. Then for good measure, he watched Will Smith's Enemy of the State while doing dishes.

Then we're ready to go to Rushmore Academy. We talk Wes Anderson, Mark Mothersbaugh?, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams and the whole cast, the Max Fischer Players present the MTV Movie Awards (especially their rendition of Out of Sight), the quotes—we basically just read the entire screenplay—trivia, and close out with Dre's mini-ranking game where Goodman has to guess Dre's favorite musical montages.

And don't forget to stay for The Quote Parade where you can hear all of the quotes we butchered while trying to seem knowledgeable.

Coming up next week, we dash our way to Goodman's Birthday Bash with a movie that will ride you hard and put you back wet: Magic Mike XXL. Quite possibly the best sequel ever.

SONG CREDITS:
Theme music: "70s Funk" by Frank Cogliano
What we watched music: "Let's all go to the lobby" by Jack K. Tillar (lyrics)
Dre's Mini-Ranking Game: "Vintage Background Fast Jazz Groove [Medium Version]" by Volodymyr Piddubnyk
Closing music: "This is My Jam" by Will Van De Crommert
The Quote Parade music: "Pelican Parade" by Richard J. Freitas and Geraldine Brioso

Who killed Kennedy? John Patrick Mason knows, but do you? If not, we suggest you watch Oliver Stone's daddy of all conspiracy theories: JFK.

But before we go back...and to the left, we talk about what we watched this week. Dre watched Jim Cummings' 2nd movie, The Wolf of Snow Hollow. If you don't know who Jim Cummings is, he's up and Cumming (BOOM!). While Goodman watched 2.5 flicks:  Terminator: Dark Fate, the better 'black' Bonnie & Clyde movie, Queen & Slim, and 1/2 of Sean Connery's sci-fi take on High Noon, Outland—the remaining 1/2 to come next week!

Then it's time for JFK and the best/largest cast ever (arguably). We kick off with an epic stop by Dre's Film Score-ner, then we discuss our reviews, that fantastics cast, the trivia and our favorite quotes. And maybe, just maybe, we solve the Kennedy assassination. So you should definitely listen until the end.

We also bring back BOOM! (Based On Other Movies) for Dre's birthday bonanza. Will Goodman go easy on him so he gets it? Or are these clues just too easy?

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet potatoes - Thief
• Chili topping - Sea of Love
• Cheese (to taste) - Desperado

Name that movie!

Coming up next week, we close out Dre's Birthday Bonanza with a visit to (Mount) Rushmore. Join us, Max Fischer, Herman Blume, Ms. Cross and the whole gang (like Margaret Yang)!

SONG CREDITS:
Theme music: "70s Funk" by Frank Cogliano
What we watched music: "Let's all go to the lobby" by Jack K. Tillar (lyrics)
BOOM! music: "Daddy O" by Little Red Church
Closing music: "This is My Jam" by Will Van De Crommert
The Quote Parade music: "Pelican Parade" by Richard J. Freitas and Geraldine Brioso

What is a clocker? Other than a slang term from the 90s that no one says anymore, it's a Spike Lee Joint. It's also Dre's 2nd pick for his birthday bonanza.

But before we talk about Strike and Rodney and Andre(!) and Detective Rocco Klein, we have to talk about what we watched this week. Goodman (clearly dealing with some undiagnosed self-esteem issues) watched Amy Schumer's I Feel Pretty (available on Hulu). While Dre was in a sequel state of mind and watched Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (available on Amazon Prime).

Then it's time to talk Clockers and who shot Darryl Adams, where, and with what. We break down the film, the cast, the quotes, the trivia—along with our trusty reviews and ratings—otherwise known as 'The Fully Operational'.

But before you move on to your 2nd favorite podcast, stay a while longer! Wait for The Quote Parade™ and discover what movies we quoted from this week.

Coming up next week for all of our QAnon followers, we take you back and to the left where the rabbit hole begins with Oliver Stone's JFK—don't forget your dying king!

SONG CREDITS:
Theme music: "70s Funk" by Frank Cogliano
What we watched music: "Let's all go to the lobby" by Jack K. Tillar (lyrics)
Closing music: "This is My Jam" by Will Van De Crommert
The Quote Parade music: "Pelican Parade" by Richard J. Freitas and Geraldine Brioso

November is well-known for a few things. Thanksgiving. That's a big one. National French Toast Day. That's even bigger. But let's not forget, Dre's birthday. That puts all the others to shame. But what do you get for the guy who has everything (including his own podcast)? That's easy, you give him a whole month of movies, starting with his choice of Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World!

And to kick off the birthday celebration, we've got a guest, too: renowned film critic, Laremy Legel! Don't believe us? He wrote the book on it—and for the low-low price of $902.81, the last remaining new paperback is yours!

But before we reveal who the real MAC daddy is (get it? Master AND Commander...MAC...yeah, you got it), we talk about what we watched this week. Laremy finished the riveting Netflix series, Emily In Paris and the Sandra Bullock rehab movie, 28 Days (and offers a slew of movie recommendations, too). Dre watched two movies because he's got All the Right Moves. And Aaron Sorkin's The Trial of the Chicago 7 (on Netflix). Last, Goodman head-nodded along to The Forty-Year-Old Version, also on Netflix.

Then we break down the Peter Weir helmed, Russell Crowe & Paul Bettany starring rip-roaring, sea-faring, cannon-crashing adventure based on the books by Patrick O'Brien. We discuss the cast, quotes, trivia, questions—we even sing a few boisterous bars of songs from the era.

Finally, we break out a brand new game just for Laremy (and soon to be taking over the internet): Fantasy Film Ball. It's like the best part of fantasy (the trades) with the best part of movies (the movies). The teams have been drafted. May the best offer win!

Wait, don't go! The Quote Parade can't begin without your presence! Stay till the end and discover what movies we quoted from this week.

Coming up next week, check your watch and your drugs because we're watching Clockers, a Spike Lee joint.

SONG CREDITS:
Theme music: "70s Funk" by Frank Cogliano
What we watched music: "Let's all go to the lobby" by Jack K. Tillar (lyrics)
Closing music: "This is My Jam" by Will Van De Crommert
The Quote Parade music: "Pelican Parade" by Richard J. Freitas and Geraldine Brioso

It's the movie you've been waiting for all month, the original Halloween! It was a sensation when it came out in 1978, giving birth to countless sequels, spoofs, remakes and reboots (Halloween Kills comes out next year)—and it still has the power to spook!

But before we talk all things Michael Myers, we talk A LOT about Dennis Dun, one of our favorite actors of the 80s and co-star of Big Trouble in Little China and his bad luck getting cast on the HBO show, Luck, which ended up getting canceled for unfortunate reasons.

We make some corrections: sorry, Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Then we unveil next month's theme, Dre's Birthday Bonanza! That's right, Dre is a November baby and we're going to celebrate his birthday month with a full slate of Dre picks:

• 11/5: Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World with Special Guest, Laremy Legel
• 11/12: Clockers
• 11/19: JFK
• 11/26: Rushmore

What did we watch this week? Dre watched two movies: the documentary What She Said, The Art of Pauline Kael, about the famed NY Times film critic and the 2011 prequel version of The Thing. While Goodman watched Hubie Halloween, Adam Sandler's return to not that funny comedies. On the bright side, it takes place in Salem, Massachusetts (#NortheastMovies).

BONUS MOVIE REVIEW: We also made a pact to watch the remaining John Carpenter 80s horror movie that didn't make it on our list for the month, Prince of Darkness. So we did. And it's kinda bonkers. And not great. But, don't worry, we're already working on the script for the necessary remake.

Finally, we talk Halloween (how was that for building up suspense?), including the score (plus a pitch perfect stop by Dre's Film Score-ner), the cast, the quotes and some fun trivia. Plus, now that the month is over, we deliver our lists of John Carpenter's Top 5 movies!

Don't forget to stay for The Quote Parade, where we reveal all the quotes that Dre butchered and Goodman nailed during the episode.

Happy Halloween, y'all! Stay safe!

Coming up next week it's all hands on deck as we kick-off Dre's Birthday Bonanza with Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World

SONG CREDITS:
Theme music: "70s Funk" by Frank Cogliano
What we watched music: "Let's all go to the lobby" by Jack K. Tillar (lyrics)
BOOM! music: "Daddy O" by Little Red Church
Closing music: "This is My Jam" by Will Van De Crommert
The Quote Parade music: "Pelican Parade" by Richard J. Freitas and Geraldine Brioso

Ever wonder whether we're all living under the shroud of alien overlords, effectively trapped in some form of mind Matrix, where the underlying meaning and messaging behind all that we see is hidden and obscured, all so that we can be taken advantage of to the benefit of the few who control us? Also, is John Carpenter's They Live just a QAnon's wet-dream come to life?

We answer those questions, but, first, Dre does it 'My Way', and we talk about what we watched this week. Dre stayed with the scary movies with Natalie Erika James' family horror film Relic (not 'The Relic' starring Penelope Ann Miller and Tom Sizemore...and Linda Hunt, directed by Peter Hyams), and 2 limited series: Unbelievable starring Toni Collette, Merritt Wever and Kaitlyn Dever (available on Netflix), and Alex Garland's (of Ex Machina fame) Devs (available on Hulu). While Goodman watched Casey Affleck's directorial debut (also written by) Light of My Life, which is basically a BOOM! of The Road, Children of Men and Leave No Trace, so you know it's a fun time.

Then we talk about They Live, the cast, casting the necessary remake, the many,  many quotes (including which ones are so bad they're bad, so bad they're good, or just plain good), the epic Rowdy Roddy Piper/Keith David fist fight (suplexes included), and more! We also get to the bottom of what type of melon was Steve Buscemi eating at the end of Big Daddy (spoiler alert: not a honeydew).

Don't forget to stay for The Quote Parade, where we reveal all the quotes that Dre butchered and Goodman nailed during the episode.

Coming up next week is the final movie in our John Carpenter's Scary Month Month, just in time for everyone's favorite (only?) October holiday: Halloween

SONG CREDITS:
Theme music: "70s Funk" by Frank Cogliano
What we watched music: "Let's all go to the lobby" by Jack K. Tillar (lyrics)
BOOM! music: "Daddy O" by Little Red Church
Closing music: "This is My Jam" by Will Van De Crommert
The Quote Parade music: "Pelican Parade" by Richard J. Freitas and Geraldine Brioso