Least Important Things

Military and war movies have occupied a complex, inescapable place in Hollywood since the medium's inception. 

In this essay episode, we reflect on the cinematic history of the war film: from the colossal output of World War II features to the gritty disillusionment of the New Hollywood era and the modern tightrope walk between exploitation and social commentary. Why are we so drawn to stories of extreme conflict, and what do these films tell us about our shared humanity

Sources for this episode:

https://youtu.be/1wYeNRzZtAA?si=pfJwb_49W4ISDVy2 

https://youtu.be/MutI6RZ4dl0?si=4hXiyVCDeZSBY3fP 

https://youtu.be/2ynv2YLwoNk?si=y2VTjiHmbo5VNMZZ 

https://youtu.be/qqk9AO3lfvU?si=-nDoWTu-7XODTOOG 

https://youtu.be/hb7a4ylaJxI?si=H7xHbK3k-LtF9jyC 

https://youtu.be/Ybju5hb8nkc?si=9Pg9JQPvSrjYnwNU 

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

Remember when high schoolers looked like thirty-year-olds and every problem could be solved by a grand romantic gesture?

In this discussion episode, Luke Ferris, Mike Wynne, and Zach Hall explore the cinematic tragedy of the death of the teen dramedy. They trace the genre's evolution from John Hughes' 1980s touchstones, 1990s satire, 2000s blockbusters, the indie boom, and finally the streaming sarcophagus of the modern era, wrapping it all up with hilarious eulogies for their favorite nostalgic relics. 

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

Every autumn, millions of us chase that specific brand of nostalgia: the crunch of leaves underfoot, the glowing jack-o'-lanterns, and the thrill of getting free candy while dressed up as a beloved character. Thankfully, you can find this in one 1966 animated TV special. In this essay episode, Luke Ferris takes a deep dive into It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966), examining why Bill Melendez’s transcendent animation, Vince Guaraldi’s legendary jazz score, and Charles Schulz’s enduring Americana continue to define the entire fall season. 

Whether you're waiting in a sincere pumpkin patch, carving jack-o'-lanterns, or just looking for an excuse to drink something warm under a blanket, this episode explores why the Peanuts holiday specials remain a critical ornamentation of the holiday season.

Listen to our Halloween specials from seasons past:

• Cloverfield
• Samhain: Halloween's Sacred History
• Hammer Horror
• Scary Movies

Sources for this episode:

• We Need a Blockbuster, Charlie Brown
• https://schulzmuseum.org/celebrating-peanuts-online/ 
• https://youtu.be/eiOHiN39N9w?si=O7HaAyyfhEYywU2B 
• https://youtu.be/UY9-6gt5a7U?si=f1LAN8HqchehWqYN 
• https://youtu.be/xiSIQzwIPzQ?si=y6UjFJlu3C6PORNY 

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

• Letterboxd 
• Instagram
• YouTube
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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

How can the most boring movie you've ever seen become one of the most awe-inspiring? Just 25 years and a bit of perspective. 

In this episode, host Luke Ferris reflects on revisiting Lawrence of Arabia—the one film he famously fell asleep to as a child. He discusses its lasting impact on iconic modern filmmakers and how revisiting classic cinema with fresh eyes can offer unexpected comfort and perspective on restless nights. Ultimately, it celebrates movie epics, personal growth, and the timeless conversations between old and new stories.

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Sources for this episode:

https://youtu.be/_AznzZAlwVA?si=WHldxfXbIbGgYlt7 

https://youtu.be/HxejohkhRuQ?si=S0PSHCVI5E1mb30i 

https://youtu.be/HLUe85q1hNM?si=zFVeQKQXLTuk2GDO 

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

Plane travel is painful, but picking the right in-flight movie can turn a cramped cabin into the ultimate modern-day video store. In this essay episode, host Luke Ferris explores high-altitude cinematic comfort, the survival art of airplane movie marathons, and how a well-chosen double feature can help you endure even the most unbearable of seatmates.

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Sources for this episode:

• https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-do-i-always-cry-when-i-watch-films-on-a-plane 
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/when-did-inflight-movies-become-standard-on-airlines-180955566/
• https://youtu.be/hiobiVStUmw?si=L3ZAt5sLKpvtFcVw 
• https://youtu.be/oPXL4_eZ4-M?si=N4W5lRmWtKH1BYRH 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b24oG7qCwp4 

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

• Letterboxd 
• Instagram
• YouTube
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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

Four men. Eight categories. Four created action movies. One draft. 

It's the first-ever Least Important Things Action Movie Draft! Luke Ferris is joined by his LIT henchmen, Mike Wynne, Andy Warsen, and Zach Hall, to draft and build four perfect action movies. 

Click here to play along. 

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

• Letterboxd 
• Instagram
• YouTube
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• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

The smell of dead leaves, chili, football, fresh pencils, sweaters, and hot beverages. 

Yes, it is Autumn, fall, or whatever you want to call it and Least Important Things is back for season five to give you some scenario-specific movie recommendations as we embrace the cozy season. 

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

• Letterboxd 
• Instagram
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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

Find out what's coming in Least Important Things season five. Episodes drop every Tuesday starting September 29.  

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

• Letterboxd 
• Instagram
• YouTube
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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

Class is in session, and the reports are due. It’s the Least Important Things season four finale and the last episode of The Mummycast.

In this episode, you’ll uncover all the “other mummy movies” throughout film history. From the 1932 Boris Karloff classic to the Scorpion King spin-offs, we’re discussing the evolution and strange turns mummy-based movies have taken for almost a century. 

Host Luke Ferris is joined by Mike Wynne, who covered 2017’s The Mummy starring Tom Cruise, and Zach Hall, who watched all five The Scorpion King movies–yes, there are five. Plus, the guys share their final thoughts on the franchise as well as building our own fictional Mummy-based theme park world. 

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Sources for this episode:

https://youtu.be/b7nmYiZ6cAg?si=AQbGs_x2LWrZ-HtS 

https://youtu.be/bwTFXVdbeEw?si=0F5yf67zhezKvlUY

https://youtu.be/1i6xNScZRP4?si=mtOuloPVTxa_c6wn

https://youtu.be/nTnkLTRR6v8?si=R6dGEihI201TMS88

Interest in more monster movie history? Listen to our episode on the history of Hammer Horror: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2045015/episodes/13847362 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings 

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

• Letterboxd 
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

Dank humidity, fresh-cut grass, sweat-soaked shirts, and hot rubber. Ask any former gridiron athlete, and they’ll recognize the chemical memory of August football—a potent mix of nostalgia, excitement, and dread. 

In this essay episode, host Luke Ferris reflects on the brutal rites of late-summer pre-season, the sensory time machine of mandatory two-a-day practices, and how a millennial sports classic like Remember the Titans captured the exact physical and emotional toll of a team coming together under the blistering sun

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• https://youtu.be/uiqdA1B3_Nc?si=Hm985aciqVRPCv9c 
• https://youtu.be/35MvdHBWjwU?si=ws7NbsY8ZUeQVXNG 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

• Letterboxd 
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.