Fully Operational

Is October 2020 not making you want to barf yet? Then join us and get properly grossed out with John Carpenter's sci-fi horror (now) classic, The Thing.

But before we get into all the 'who's an alien in the Antarctic?' hijinks, Dre talks about Netflix's latest entry in the Sherlock Holmes universe, Enola Holmes—about Sherlock's kid sister, starring Stranger Things' Millie Bobby Brown and directed by Fleabag's Harry Bradbeer.  Then Goodman talks about a recent #1 movie at the box office...(no, not Tenet)...Hocus Pocus! Now, Goodman had never seen Hocus Pocus, but there's no bigger expert or aficionado of 'Northeast' movies than Goodman, so what will he end up giving it out of 5 stars?

Then we talk about The Thing, including all the gratuitous gore, the atmospherics, the cast, the quotes, who's an alien, the 'Wilford Brimley Line', the film score, and more!

Then it's time to go BOOM! And Goodman's cooking up his famous pancakes. Here's the recipe:

• FO Show Pancake mix - Dangerous Liaisons
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil - The Blue Lagoon
• 1 egg - I Know What You Did Last Summer

Goodman's daughter loves these pancakes, and so will you! But can you name the movie?

Last, and never least, is The Quote Parade—don't worry about the crowds, this parade is socially distanced.

Coming up next week is John Carpenter's They Live...a movie with a fist-fight so iconic that South Park recreated it in its 'Cripple Fight'—"Not this year!"

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

VROOOOOOOMMMM! The scares are coming fast and furious with the original 10 second car...that will kill you in less than 10 seconds if you don't tell her that she's the prettiest, shiniest, smoothest car you've ever seen in your whole gosh darn life! #NoShittersAllowed

But before we get into Christine, based on the Stephen King novel, Goodman talks about a recent comedy road movie, The Long Dumb Road, starring How Did This Get Made's Jason Mantzoukas and The Grand Budapest Hotel's Tony Revolori #TeamTony. While, Dre highlights the 10th movie he watched from the week before, Back to School starring the incomparable Rodney Dangerfield, meatball-ash tray Burt Young, Badass Billy Zabka and Arnie Cunningham himself, Keith Gordon. 

Plus, BOOM! is back! It's another round of yumminess with Based On Other Movies for your movie trivia pleasure. Here's the recipe:

• 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese - The Thing
• Grated parmigiana reggiano - Reservoir Dogs
• Pats of butter - Murder on the Orient Express
• Sourdough bread - The Great Silence

Those 4 ingredients make up Dre's favorite grilled cheese—but can you name the movie?

Coming up next week is John Carpenter's underrated and, at (many) times, disgusting 1982 sci-fi/horror classic, The Thing—available on Starz (future sponsor?).

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

Boo-ray, it's October! And we're kicking off a new theme for the month: John Carpenter's Scary Movie Month. If you don't know J-Carp, he's a master of horror and sci-fi, a spiritual cousin to Wes Craven, Spielberg's weird buddy, and the director of the best movie ever made, Big Trouble in Little China.

But before we get into The Fog, his 1980 horror follow up to Halloween, we bring back the Movie Podcast Ombudsman to dissect a couple comments that were made on Blank Check's episode of Used Cars featuring How Did This Get Made's Paul Scheer and Jason Mantzoukas—like Tom Hanks wasn't good in Road to Perdition (?!?).

Then it's what we watched this week with Goodman doubling down on John Carpenter with the Chevy Chase & Darryl Hannah vehicle, Memoirs of an Invisible Man, and Dre going speed round on the 9 (!!!) movies he watched this week (show-off).

Then it's time to descend on the town of Antonio Bay and all the crazy, foggy hijinks that happened on its centennial back in 1980. We run through John Carpenter's filmography and place in cinema, we discuss the plot (or lack thereof), the cast and some choice quotes for funsies!

Sorry gang, no BOOM! (Based On Other Movies) this week, but we did take a stroll down Goodman's Failed Screenplay Sidewalk—watch out for the cracks!

Coming up next week during John Carpenter's Scary Movie Month is his version of Stephen King's Christine about a possessed demon car. Now that's what we call fast and furious.

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

To paraphrase some Jedi we kinda knew back in the day, there's too much awesomeness in us. That's why we're closing out our month of 3rd Films in a Franchise with this 'third 3rd' aka the 9th (and final installment) of the Skywalker saga - Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker.

But before we get into all things Star Wars, we announce next month's theme: John Carpenter's Scary Movie Month (with 5 weeks of 5 awesome JC horror flicks!):

• 10/1: The Fog (1980)
• 10/8: Christine
• 10/15: The Thing (1982)
• 10/22: They Live
• 10/29: Halloween (1978)

Then we discuss what we watched this week. Dre almost watched nothing, but then remembered he re-watched Damien Chazelle's La La Land. Then Goodman breaks down the latest Charlie Kaufman flick on Netflix, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, which (spoiler alert) he was thinking of not finishing.  

Then we talk TROS—from Leia to Palpatine, Rey to Ren, and Baba Frik to that droid that looks like a hair dryer.

Then, in case you forgot the changing of the season, Goodman cooks up some apple pie to get y'all in a fall mood. This week it's a BOO...M! to remember:

• The dough - Seven 
• 1 can apple pie filling - The Crossing Guard
• Cinnamon/sugar topping - The Interpreter

Guess the film!

Coming up next week, we kick off John Carpenter's Scary Movie Month with 1980's The Fog—that other horror film he did with Jamie Lee Curtis!

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

Everything's coming up 3s! It's the 3rd episode of our 3rd theme focusing on 3rd films in a franchise. And this franchise is known as the Three Colors by famed Polish director, Krzysztof Kieślowski. First was Blue, then White, and we're discussing Red—the colors of the French flag (sorry USA).

But before we talk all things red—from Jeeps to jackets and pots to stoplights—Goodman tells a harrowing story from his trip to Asheville, NC, then we talk about what we watched this week: TENET (!!!) for Dre (which he's already seen twice! - A FULLY OPERATIONAL EXCLUSIVE) and absolutely nothing for Goodman (good job, pal).

Then we talk about Red (FYI, not the Bruce Willis movie from 2010)—a movie that's not that easy to discuss, especially when Goodman spends the majority of the movie keeping track of every red thing that shows up on screen. Let's just say this one doesn't have a lot of quotes. Will the magic be back or will we have a full-blown tug of war?

Then it's time for one of Dre's sweetest BOOMs yet...Lemonade (just, wow):

• 4 cups water - Dune
• 1 cup lemon juice - The Mummy
• 1 cup sugar - The Matrix Revolutions
• 3 slices of cucumber - Alien 3

This week's Quote Parade barely makes it down the block, but it's still worth experiencing with your own ears.

Coming up next week, the final 3rd movie—and the final film in the third Star Wars trilogy, Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker—plus we announce next month's theme! October, Halloween month, what could it be???

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

It's the 2nd episode in our September theme: 3rd Films in a Franchise. This week, we discuss Richard Linklater's (and Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy's) epic turn in Before Midnight. Will love win out in the end? We sure hope so, but first we have to talk about what we watched this week.

In honor of the recent—and shocking—loss of Chadwick Boseman, we both watched one of his films, reminding ourselves what made him so memorable with the promise of so much more to come. Dre watched 21 Bridges, produced by the Marvel films' Russo Brothers, and Goodman watched Get On Up, the James Brown biopic.

Then we get into the great work done in the 3rd film in the 'Before' series (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset & Before Midnight—will there be a 4th film? Before Dawn: Breaking Dawn, anyone?). 

We discuss the amazing screenplay, which probably should've won for Best Adapted Screenplay, the cast (i.e., the aforementioned Mr. Hawke and Ms. Delpy, and others), and, of course, we deliver quote upon amazing quote. And Goodman even shares a fun story about screenwriting and the co-writer of Before Sunrise, Kim Krizan (with special shout out to Charlie Stauffer! (@goodwonky on Twitter)).

Then Goodman serves up an aphrodisiac delight in this week's BOOM! (Based On Other Movies): Oysters with a classic mignonette

• 1 dozen freshly shucked oysters - Pride & Prejudice
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar - Mamma Mia
• 1 tbsp finely chopped shallot - Before Sunrise
• 1 tbsp sugar - Nine Months

Name that film!

Then before the sun sets, join us for The Quote Parade, where we identify all the movies we quoted at random in the episode.

Coming up next week, we get colorful...and foreign. Join us as we discuss Red from Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colors Trilogy.

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

A new month, a new theme! For the month of September, we're talking 3rd films in a franchise, starting with David Fincher's directorial debut, Alien 3. For a well-documented troubled production, this movie still has a lot going for it, from Sigourney Weaver's strong performance to Charles S. Dutton & Charles Dance, 'alien vision' and more!

But first Dre & Goodman say hi to our one listener, a man who's no stranger to 3rd films in a franchise (including The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 & War for the Planet of the Apes); comment on writer-director Shane Black's list of his top 10 noir [and some not so noir] films for Empire magazine; list our top 5 train movies; then discuss what we watched this week—Transsiberian for Goodman and Dre continues going through Mike Leigh's filmography with Happy-Go-Lucky. 

Then we get into Alien 3 and Dre breaks down (almost) every little thing that went wrong in the making of this film ever since they released a teaser and committed to a release date, but without a finished script or a director—how could things go wrong?

Then it's time to BOOM! (Based On Other Movies) and Dre cooks up a somber Death Row last meal: Macaroni & Cheese & Hot Dogs.

• 2 cups of macaroni - The Last Boy Scout
• Weiners - Dog Day Afternoon
• Cheese packet - Batman Forever
• 1 tbsp butter - Ricochet

Guess the film!

Then before you file for employee compensation with the Weyland-Yutani corporation, join us for The Quote Parade!

Coming up next week, we try to keep this love going with Richard Linklater's Before Midnight.

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

This is SPARTAN!!! And David Mamet Month is coming to a close. We end the first Mamet Month (so there will be more Mamet month's to come? You betcha!) with his 2004 action thriller, Spartan, starring Val Kilmer, Derek Luke, William H. Macy, Ed O'Neill, Tia Texada, and basically the entire cast of State and Main—so we really come full circle.

But before we go to the desert, we announce NEXT MONTH'S THEME: 3rd films in a franchise:

• 9/3: Alien 3
• 9/10: Before Midnight
• 9/17: Three Colours: Red
• 9/24: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

What else did we watch this week? Dre kicks off with Amazon Prime's The Vast of Night, a little science-fiction period film with a lot of listening. While Goodman watched two movies: Spider-man: Far From Home and its director, Jon Watt's (more or less) first film, Cop Car, so he can see if Marvel picked the right director for the job.

Then we get into Spartan and discuss Mamet's script and direction, the cast—including Val Kilmer and his top 5 performances, and Geoff Pierson who also starred in The Wrong Missy (with a bonus review from Goodman)—all the Mamet regulars (including his brother and two daughters), and give a special remembrance for Morris Lamore.

In the BOOM (Based On Other Movies) test kitchen, Goodman cooks up an Instant Pot quarantine classic: Mushroom Risotto

• 2 cups chicken stock - Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
• 1 cup Arborio rice - Get Carter (1971)
• 12 oz. frozen mushrooms - The Dark Knight
• Garnish with Parmigiano Reggiano - Terminal Velocity

Can you name the film?

Then swing your chain, walk your dog and join us on The Quote Parade!

Coming up next week, we kick off a new theme for September with David Fincher's first film (and what was almost his last): Alien 3.

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

We've been around the world, from London to the Bay—that's just the far-reaching 'enthusiasms' that Fully Operational generates. And with this week's episode, you can't touch this...because we're talking The Untouchables, directed by Brian De Palma and written by our month's main man, David Mamet.

But, first, as per usual, we delve into what we watched this week. Goodman starts off with some amazing observations about Top Gun—a movie he knows and loves—then he reveals whether or not Waist Deep, starring Tyrese and Meagan Good, is the Bonnie and Clyde-style hidden gem that it aims to be. Next, Dre breaks down the Chinese sci-fi blockbuster, The Wandering Earth, based on the Cixin Liu novella, which is available on Netflix, and, for additional Netflix good measure, The Wrong Missy, starring David Spade and Lauren Lapkus in a star-turning role (according to Dre).

Then we get into the ledger and discuss all things Untouchables, including De Palma's effective direction, Morricone's masterful score, Connery's Oscar-winning performance, Costner's nerdiness, De Niro's transformation, and more.

Dre whips up an ice cream cookie sandwich in this week's BOOM! (Based On Other Movies):

• Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Cookies - Three Men and a Baby
• Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream - Bachelor Party
• Cookie crumble - Swingers

Last, The Quote Parade rolls down Lake Shore Drive revealing all the quotes we did on the pod because...that's the Chicago way!

Coming up next week, we finish off David Mamet month with his 2004 political/military, mystery/thriller: Spartan.

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)
Connery Contest game music: "Plain Sailing (60s TV Theme)" by CorduroySound
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

No, you're not caught in The Matrix, the déjà vu you see is us watching both versions of About Last Night—the 1986 one with Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Jim Belushi and Elizabeth Perkins and the 2014 one with Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy and Joy Bryant. Both of which were based on David Mamet's 1970s play, Sexual Perversity in Chicago.

As per usual, we first discuss what we watched this week. Dre kicks off with Mike Leigh's unconventionally crafted and scripted family drama, Secrets and Lies. Then Goodman climbs up The Dawn Wall—a documentary about climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson as they attempt to make the first ever climb up El Capitan's Dawn Wall, a route that's been considered impossible...can they do it? 

Then it's double About Last Night action. We jump into the quotes, the cast and what worked and didn't work in both versions. Did Dre & Goodman agree on both movies or was there a tug of war?

But no discussion about rom-coms (or rom-drams) would be complete without a slice of silky tiramisu for dessert. This week's BOOM! (Based On Other Movies) shares our recipe:

• Mascarpone cream sauce - If Lucy Fell
• Ladyfingers - Pretty Woman
• Espresso mixed with rum - The Graduate
• Light dusting of cocoa - Ready to Wear aka Pret-a-Porter

Exquisite flavor! But can you name that film?

Last, take a ride on the Quote Parade, where we reveal all the quotes from the episode in classic FO Show fashion.

Coming up next week, we head back to Chicago for the David Mamet scripted The Untouchables, directed by Brian De Palma.

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