In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, we row our way through The Boys in the Boat, George Clooney’s adaptation of the best-selling book about the University of Washington’s scrappy rowing team and their improbable journey to Olympic glory. We discuss whether the film captures the thrill of sports triumphs or just kind of... floats along. Plus, we question some creative choices, geek out over our favorite underdog sports movies, and inevitably spiral into a debate about what makes a great sports movie.

Topics Covered:

The real-life story behind The Boys in the Boat

George Clooney’s direction: a steady hand or off course?

Why sports movies don’t affect us (or so we claim)

Does this follow the great tradition of underdog sports movies?

Our personal picks for best sports movies ever made

Key Takeaways:

The Boys in the Boat is a solid, if predictable, sports drama about teamwork, determination, and getting really sore arms.

The film looks great, but does it feel great? We debate whether it captures the stakes or just coasts along.

The best sports movies are about more than the game—they’re about the people, rivalries, and dramatic slow-motion moments.

We reminisce about The Sandlot, Speed Racer, A League of Their Own, and other classics that made us fist-pump at our screens.

Main Cast & Crew:

Director: George Clooney

Screenwriter: Mark L. Smith (The Revenant)

Starring: Callum Turner, Joel Edgerton, Jack Mulhern, Sam Strike, Luke Slattery, Peter Guinness

Based on the Book By: Daniel James Brown

What’s your favorite sports movie? Do you think The Boys in the Boat captures that winning spirit, or does it capsize? Let us know on social media using #MovieMemoryMachine!

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Tune in, laugh with us, and don’t forget to keep your oars in the water!

The Boys in the Boat (2023) – Movie Memory Machine

"Who the hell are these guys? Oh, right, they’re the boys in the boat."

Episode Description

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman row their way through The Boys in the Boat (2023), George Clooney’s sepia-toned tale of working-class college kids defying the odds at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. While the film attempts to craft an inspirational underdog story, your hosts have a few oars to grind—questioning its historical blind spots, over-reliance on sports movie tropes, and why Jesse Owens was the real story of those Olympics. From the film’s glossy, awards-bait ambitions to its oddly chaste, uninspired execution, this discussion leaves no regatta unchallenged.

Major Cast & Crew

Film Synopsis

Based on a true story, The Boys in the Boat follows Joe Rantz and a ragtag crew of University of Washington rowers as they train under Coach Ulbrickson, overcoming personal hardships and class barriers to compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The film paints a portrait of Depression-era America, resilience, and teamwork—though it skims over some of the deeper historical complexities.

Episode Highlights

🎧 Did you watch The Boys in the Boat? What did you think? Let us know on Instagram or YouTube!

🔗 Support the show:

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🔍 SEO Keywords: The Boys in the Boat movie review, George Clooney, 2023 movies, rowing movies, Jesse Owens, 1936 Olympics, underdog sports movies, Callum Turner, Joel Edgerton, forgotten movies podcast.

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:

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.

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"Somewhere between satire and sensory overload, American Dreamz (2006) crams politics, pop culture, and reality TV into a single chaotic comedy."

Episode Description

In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman break down American Dreamz (2006), a movie that tried to satirize everything at once—reality TV, politics, and the war on terror. They revisit the film’s self-serious opening credits, its bizarre wig choices, and the best (and worst) of its reality show parodies. Plus, they play The Trailer Game to see if the marketing sold audiences on satire or just Hugh Grant looking miserable.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

Reality TV and politics collide in American Dreamz, where a Simon Cowell-style TV host (Hugh Grant) seeks ratings gold with a manufactured pop star (Mandy Moore) and an unwitting terrorist contestant (Sam Golzari). Meanwhile, a clueless president (Dennis Quaid) gets roped into the spectacle. As satire meets slapstick, the film asks: is America one big reality show, or is it worse than that?

Episode Highlights

What’s the weirdest attempt at political satire you’ve ever seen? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your feedback.

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

SEO Keywords

American Dreamz mini-episode, Hugh Grant satire, Paul Weitz comedies, Mandy Moore reality TV parody, Dennis Quaid presidential roles, political satire in film, Movie Memory Machine podcast

"Somewhere between satire and fever dream, American Dreamz (2006) asks: What if reality TV, politics, and terrorism all collided in a comedy? The answer is… a lot."

Episode Description

In this episode, Landen and Truman dive into American Dreamz (2006), Paul Weitz’s darkly comedic take on post-9/11 America, reality TV, and the absurdity of politics. Starring Hugh Grant as a Simon Cowell-type TV judge and Dennis Quaid as a bumbling U.S. president, the film tackles the war on terror, media spectacle, and the manufactured nature of stardom. But does its satire still resonate, or does it feel like an artifact of the Bush-era news cycle? Tune in for a sharp, hilarious breakdown of a movie that tried to take on everything at once.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

Reality TV collides with global politics in American Dreamz, a satirical comedy where America’s most-watched singing competition becomes entangled in a White House PR stunt. As host Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant) searches for the perfect contestants—including an ambitious Midwestern singer (Mandy Moore) and a reluctant sleeper agent (Sam Golzari)—the president (Dennis Quaid) finds himself caught in a media frenzy. When reality, ratings, and terrorism collide, the results are as chaotic as they are darkly funny.

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite political satire, and does American Dreamz deserve to be in the conversation? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your feedback.

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

SEO Keywords

American Dreamz podcast, Hugh Grant reality TV satire, Paul Weitz political comedy, Mandy Moore pop star roles, Dennis Quaid presidential performances, 2000s political satires, Movie Memory Machine podcast

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman descend deeper into the forest of offbeat horror, dark fantasy, and ghostly dread. Building on the vibes of Gretel & Hansel, they recommend five strange, stylish, and haunting films that blend folklore, surrealism, and atmospheric isolation. From haunting governesses to cursed love stories and meth gators, this list is a strange brew—equal parts eerie, elegant, and Eastern European.

Films Discussed:

Lemora: A Child’s Tale of the Supernatural (1973)

Beauty and the Beast (1946, dir. Jean Cocteau)

Beauty and the Beast (1978, Czechoslovakia)

The Innocents (1961)

Midsommar (2019)

Topics Covered:

Fairy tale logic vs. narrative logic

Why dark fantasy works best through a child’s eyes (or a governess’s)

Jean Cocteau’s uncanny elegance and Gothic surrealism

When the Beast is genuinely beastly—and not just “hot with fur”

Czechoslovakian castles, tetanus aesthetics, and the horror of 70s Euro cinema

The Innocents as peak atmospheric ghost story

Ari Aster’s sunlit dread and the isolation of folk horror

Key Takeaways:

The scariest horror films don’t shout—they quietly watch from across the river

Folk tales and fairy tales don’t need happy endings—they need strange rules

Isolation creates its own morality

Black licorice is the defining visual metaphor for Osgood Perkins’s career

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:

"Somewhere between a fairytale and a fever dream, Gretel & Hansel (2020) serves up dark fantasy with a side of unsettling imagery."

Episode Description

In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman take another look at Gretel & Hansel (2020), a beautifully haunting take on the classic fairytale. They explore the film’s hypnotic visuals, the strange logic of folk horror, and what it means when children in a fairytale start tripping on mushrooms. Plus, a deep dive into some of the weirdest Grimm’s fairytales—including Clever Gretel and Gambling Hansel, a lost saga of trickery, dice, and divine intervention.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

A darker reimagining of the Brothers Grimm tale, Gretel & Hansel follows teenage Gretel (Sophia Lillis) as she and her younger brother Hansel (Samuel Leakey) are cast out into the wilderness. When they find shelter with a mysterious woman (Alice Krige) in a secluded cottage, Gretel begins to uncover secrets about the witch’s past—and her own destiny.

Episode Highlights

Listener Question

What’s the creepiest moment from a childhood fairytale or movie that still sticks with you? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your feedback.

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

SEO Keywords

Gretel and Hansel mini-episode, Oz Perkins horror, Sophia Lillis movies, Alice Krige witch roles, dark fairytale movies, horror movie food scenes, trippy mushrooms in film, Movie Memory Machine podcast

"Somewhere beyond the depths of the forest and the clutches of the witch, two podcasters rediscover a forgotten fairytale. Welcome to Movie Memory Machine."

Episode Description

In this week’s episode, Landen and Truman explore Gretel & Hansel (2020), a visually stunning but divisive reimagining of the classic tale from Oz Perkins (Longlegs, The Monkey). With Sophia Lillis as a resourceful Gretel and Alice Krige as the unsettling Witch, this film trades fairy tale whimsy for atmospheric dread. Join the discussion as they dissect the film’s unique aesthetic, its exploration of feminist themes, and the age-old question: why does food always look so unappetizing in horror?

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

In a grim twist on the Brothers Grimm classic, teenage Gretel (Sophia Lillis) leads her younger brother Hansel (Samuel Leakey) into the forest in search of food and work after being cast out of their home. The siblings stumble upon the home of a mysterious and sinister woman (Alice Krige), whose kindness masks a dark and twisted secret. As Gretel unravels the Witch’s true intentions, she discovers her own latent power—and must choose between saving herself or her brother.

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite reimagining of a classic fairytale, and why? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your feedback in future show notes!

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

SEO Keywords

Gretel and Hansel podcast, Oz Perkins movies, Sophia Lillis performances, Alice Krige horror roles, feminist fairytales, atmospheric horror films, Movie Memory Machine podcast

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman assemble five films that either inspired Poseidon or improved on its sinking-ship energy. From genre-defining classics to spiritual successors and absurd creature features, this episode dives into the tropes, disasters, and emotional breakdowns that define the best (and weirdest) entries in the disaster movie canon. There’s betrayal. There’s fire. There’s a meth gator. You’ve been warned.

Films Discussed:

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979)

Airport (1970)

Airplane! (1980)

Attack of the Meth Gator (2023)

Topics Covered:

The original Poseidon Adventure as a gold standard of survival disaster cinema

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure as the moment the genre jumped the ship

Airport launching the ensemble-cast disaster template

Airplane! ending the disaster movie era with parody perfection

Attack of the Meth Gator as absurdist chaos in B-movie form (and a sneaky commentary on distribution tropes)

Key Takeaways:

Survival stories work best when time, space, and pressure are clear

The disaster genre dies not with a bang, but with a Peter Boyle dive into melodrama

You can't top Airplane!—you can only riff on it

Meth Gator knows exactly what it is and leans in harder than the cruise ship in Poseidon

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:

"We survived Poseidon (2006), and the only thing that flipped us upside down more than the ship was Fergie’s dramatic demise."

Episode Description

In this mini-episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman revisit Wolfgang Petersen’s disaster epic Poseidon (2006) with insights and laughs from their conversation with special guests Lauren Pritchard and Joe Roche. From flaming waterfalls to rogue waves, they discuss the movie’s best (and most baffling) moments, share childhood cruise ship fears, and imagine what other movie characters could have survived the capsized ship. Plus, a raucous round of the Trailer Game that left them upside down in more ways than one.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

A New Year’s Eve celebration aboard the luxury ocean liner Poseidon is cut short when a massive rogue wave capsizes the ship. Trapped upside down and sinking fast, a group of survivors must navigate flooded corridors, fiery obstacles, and their own fears to find a way out before time runs out.

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite over-the-top disaster movie moment? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media—we might feature them in a future episode!

Enjoyed the episode? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to hear your feedback.

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

SEO Keywords

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