"What happens when you drag Tarzan out of the jungle and into the House of Lords? An overly complicated plot and some very toned muscles, apparently."

Episode Description

In this episode, Landen and Truman explore The Legend of Tarzan (2016), a film that asks, “What if Tarzan fought colonialism?” and then barely answers. From Alexander Skarsgård’s meticulously sculpted physique to Christoph Waltz’s villain in a white suit, they examine what worked (Samuel L. Jackson’s quips) and what didn’t (pretty much everything else). Along the way, they question whether it’s even possible—or necessary—to update pulp characters for modern audiences.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

Tarzan, aka John Clayton (Alexander Skarsgård), has traded his loincloth for a three-piece suit as a member of England’s House of Lords. But when his wife Jane (Margot Robbie) is kidnapped by colonial forces led by Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz), he must return to the jungle to save her. Joined by American diplomat George Washington Williams (Samuel L. Jackson), Tarzan battles villainous Belgians, awkward racial politics, and his own irrelevance in a modern blockbuster landscape.

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite (or least favorite) pulp character adaptation? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

Enjoyed the episode? Tell us what you think by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your thoughts in future show notes!

🎵 Theme Song by Porky's Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/

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Legend of Tarzan podcast, Alexander Skarsgård Tarzan, Margot Robbie Jane Clayton, Christoph Waltz villains, colonialism in film, Samuel L. Jackson George Washington Williams, pulp character adaptations, Movie Memory Machine podcast

In this second installment of Movie Memory Machine: Five For, Landen and Truman recommend five films that pair—however weirdly—with Life or Something Like It. Whether you're here for existential questions, platinum blond archetypes, or broadcast journalist existential crises in Seattle, we’ve got a lineup that’s weird, wild, and unexpectedly sweet. From Bill Murray eating pastries to Jane Russell taking a surprise dive into a pool, this episode is all about life, death, fate, and great suits.

Films Discussed:

Groundhog Day (1993)

Heart and Souls (1993)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

The Ring (2002)

His Girl Friday (1940)

Topics Covered:

Why Life or Something Like It echoes Groundhog Day, but less metaphysical and more Oreos

Heart and Souls and the bleak whimsy of 90s studio comedies

Marilyn Monroe’s myth-making power and Lainey’s aesthetic in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Seattle as both rom-com and horror film territory (The Ring)

Howard Hawks' template for romantic banter in His Girl Friday

Key Takeaways:

Angelina Jolie’s Lainey is basically Bill Murray with a better blowout.

You can build a whole vibe off Marilyn Monroe’s bracelet game.

The Ring is what Life or Something Like It becomes if you swap cigarettes for cursed videotapes.

Screwball comedy is eternal (and a little bit horny).

Listener Prompt:

Support the Show!

Become a Patreon supporter – For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Leave a rating and review – On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

Like, follow, and share on social media – We’re @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.

Tell a friend – Word of mouth is how we grow.

Join our Discord – Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.

Follow Us: 🌐 Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.com

"Oreos, Limp Bizkit references, and questionable PG-13 ‘romance’—yes, it’s very 2002."

Episode Description

In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman break down the small but unforgettable details of Life or Something Like It. From Limp Bizkit jokes to a PG-13 sex scene scored by Jewel, they explore the film’s awkward attempt to balance romance, existentialism, and Angelina Jolie’s frosted hair tips. Plus, they play the trailer guessing game and reflect on whether high school is anyone’s authentic self.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

A street prophet declares that TV reporter Lainey Kerrigan (Angelina Jolie) has seven days to live, sending her on a journey of self-discovery, bad music montages, and romantic entanglements with her cameraman, Pete (Edward Burns). Together, they learn that love and life are a lot like a Jewel song—confusing, awkward, and full of bad metaphors.

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite “so bad it’s good” rom-com? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

Enjoyed the episode? Tell us what you think by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your thoughts in future show notes!

Call-to-Actions

🎵 Theme Song by Porky's Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/

SEO Keywords

Life or Something Like It mini-episode, Angelina Jolie rom-coms, Edward Burns cameraman, Tony Shalhoub prophet, 2002 movie soundtrack, Movie Memory Machine podcast

"I’ve never been so hungry for Oreos and simultaneously mad about how they were displayed in a movie."

Episode Description

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman revisit Life or Something Like It (2002), Angelina Jolie’s rom-com attempt to bring existential questions and flannel-clad charm into our lives. From over-styled Oreos to Tony Shalhoub outclassing everyone with Gore-Tex boots, they explore how this movie grapples with death, romance, and the early 2000s aesthetic.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

Lainey Kerrigan (Angelina Jolie), a polished Seattle TV news reporter, has it all—fame, fortune, and a perfect fiancé—until a street prophet (Tony Shalhoub) declares she’ll die in seven days. As her life unravels faster than her perfectly coiffed hair, Lainey teams up with her rugged, aloof cameraman Pete (Edward Burns) to find purpose and maybe, just maybe, love before her time is up.

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite existential rom-com? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

Enjoyed the episode? Tell us what you think by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your thoughts in future show notes!

🎵 Theme Song by Porky's Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/

SEO Keywords

Life or Something Like It podcast, Angelina Jolie rom-coms, Edward Burns movies, Tony Shalhoub characters, existential comedy films, Movie Memory Machine podcast

In this first-ever installment of our weekly Movie Memory Machine mini-series, we spin off from Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre to bring you five stylish spy flicks that deliver the charm, tension, and flair Guy Ritchie's film tried to summon. From De Palma's Mission: Impossible to Hitchcock's North by Northwest, we spotlight the genre’s high points—and a few chaotic curiosities (looking at you, Casino Royale 1967). We also ponder Jason Statham’s self-parody arc, pay tribute to Cary Grant’s suits, and try to remember Kingsman without comparing it to Spy. This one’s for the trumpet players.

Films Discussed:

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Spy (2015)

Casino Royale (1967)

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

North by Northwest (1959)

Topics Covered:

The evolution of the spy movie post–James Bond

How Mission: Impossible reinvented the genre’s stakes

Why Spy gets Jason Statham better than Jason Statham does

Revisiting the offbeat parody that was Casino Royale (no, the other one)

Matthew Vaughn’s candy-colored chaos in Kingsman

Hitchcock’s influence on style, storytelling, and the spy archetype

Key Takeaways:

Some spy movies age like wine; others age like minestrone.

Operation Fortune wants to be cool—but these five films actually are.

Cary Grant’s gray suit may be the single most influential piece of clothing in film history.

Fashion, tone, and self-awareness are essential to pulling off spy pastiche.

Listener Prompt:

Support the Show!

Become a Patreon supporter – For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join at https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Leave a rating and review – On Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

Like, follow, and share on social media – We’re @MovieMemoryMachine on YouTube and @MovieMemoryPod on Letterboxd.

Tell a friend – Word of mouth is how we grow.

Join our Discord – Vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are left forgotten. Visit https://www.moviememorymachine.com for access.

Follow Us: 🌐 Website: https://www.moviememorymachine.com

"Guy Ritchie’s love of wine, grills, and chess somehow birthed a spy flick—and yes, it’s as weird as it sounds."

Episode Description

In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman continue their exploration of Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. They uncover the real espionage behind Guy Ritchie’s filmmaking process: turning a $50 million budget into a wine-fueled grilling session. From Hugh Grant’s BBQ skills to Jason Statham punching people with maps, this movie has it all—except for coherence.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre follows freelance spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) as he teams up with tech expert Sarah Ravin (Aubrey Plaza) and Hollywood star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to stop arms dealer Greg Simons (Hugh Grant). Along the way, they employ cutting-edge gadgets like…a grill?

Episode Highlights

What do you think of Operation Fortune? Does Guy Ritchie’s eccentricity make the movie better—or just more confusing? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

Enjoyed the episode? Tell us what you think by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your thoughts in future show notes!

🎵 Theme Song by Porky's Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/

SEO Keywords

Operation Fortune mini-episode, Guy Ritchie spy movies, Jason Statham map punch, Hugh Grant BBQ scene, Movie Memory Machine podcast, spy movie humor

"Guy Ritchie tried to steal the spy movie crown, but instead we got Jason Statham in God Mode and Hugh Grant charming his way into another paycheck."

Episode Description

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman dive headfirst into Guy Ritchie's Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre—a film that somehow combines spy hijinks with NFT-level convolutions. From Jason Statham's invincible persona to Hugh Grant's unexpected charm, we unpack the movie's attempt at reinventing the suave spy archetype and debate whether it’s a slick spy thriller or just an overlong wine commercial with explosions.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

After a mysterious device known as "The Handle" is stolen, freelance spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) is recruited to save the day alongside tech wizard Sarah Ravin (Aubrey Plaza) and Hollywood star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett). Together, they face billionaire arms dealer Greg Simons (Hugh Grant) in a mission that involves video game logic, fine wine, and a lot of testicle abuse.

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite Guy Ritchie movie, and where does Operation Fortune rank for you? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

Enjoyed the episode? Tell us what you think by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your thoughts in future show notes!

🎵 Theme Song by Porky's Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/

SEO Keywords

Operation Fortune podcast, Guy Ritchie movies, Jason Statham spy films, Hugh Grant comedy, Cary Grant spy influence, Aubrey Plaza, spy movie reviews 2023, Movie Memory Machine podcast

Movie Memory Machine makes its first transmission Friday, April 26, 2024.

Subscribe now on your favorite podcatcher!

Coming April 26th, 2024.

Movie Memory Machine is a podcast dedicated to films that are forgotten but not gone.

Each episode the Machine will send us backward and forward through time and force us to blow the dust off a wide release film that history has forgotten.

In this trailer episode, you get to meet the captives of the Machine: Landen Celano and Truman Capps.

Join us on this adventure through the foggy ether of memory and movies!