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:

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"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/

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Poseidon 2006 mini-episode, Wolfgang Petersen disaster movies, flaming waterfalls, Lauren Pritchard and Joe Roche guest, rogue wave scenes, Movie Memory Machine podcast

"We're trapped on a podcast about forgotten movies, but at least we’re not upside down on a sinking ship. Welcome to Movie Memory Machine."

Episode Description

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman are joined by comedians and writers Lauren Pritchard and Joe Roche to dissect Wolfgang Petersen’s 2006 disaster film, Poseidon. With a star-studded cast including Kurt Russell, Josh Lucas, and Richard Dreyfuss, this high-stakes remake of The Poseidon Adventure flips the disaster genre on its head. Expect fiery debates, tales of cruise ship life, and sharp critiques of why this film couldn’t keep afloat at the box office. Did Poseidon sink under its own weight, or does it deserve a second look? Climb aboard to find out.

Special Guests

Support Lauren and Joe by checking out their work in comedy and film, including Meth Gator and Planet Dune. Follow their creative projects and enjoy their unique take on storytelling!

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. Stranded upside down and sinking fast, a group of survivors, led by gambler Dylan Johns (Josh Lucas) and firefighter-turned-mayor Robert Ramsey (Kurt Russell), must navigate the flooded wreckage to escape. With time running out and peril at every turn, will they survive, or will the ship become their tomb?

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite disaster movie, and how does Poseidon stack up? 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

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In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman take a surprising stand: The Mexican slaps. And to prove the film’s chaotic tonal tightrope is part of its charm—not a bug—they present five companion films that succeed by embracing similar contradictions. Whether it’s fate guiding a hitman, mystical roads tripping up romantic leads, or just emotional carnage delivered via British sarcasm, these movies honor the chaos, heart, and weird spiritual currents The Mexican rides.

Films Discussed:

Snatch (2000)

In Bruges (2008)

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

The Out-of-Towners (1970)

Topics Covered:

The spiritual cousin energy of Snatch and The Mexican: crime, ensemble chaos, and mythic overtones

Martin McDonagh’s dark absurdism in In Bruges and the idea of characters out of sync with the world

Grosse Pointe Blank as another killer with a heart, and the tonal gymnastics of balancing murder with romance

Emotional destruction via public transportation in Planes, Trains and Automobiles

The Out-of-Towners and the classic structure of fate-based comedy-of-errors

Key Takeaways:

The Mexican isn’t broken—it’s committed to a tone you just didn’t expect

These five films explore genre blending through fate, frustration, and emotional unpredictability

Fate in film doesn’t have to be mystical—it can just feel inevitable

Chaos is a mood, and sometimes the mood wins

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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"From Brad Pitt's unfortunate driving skills to Julia Roberts sharing life lessons with a hitman, this mini-episode revisits The Mexican (2001) and its curious mix of genres."

Episode Description

In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman dive deeper into The Mexican (2001), exploring Brad Pitt’s knack for awkward misadventures, Julia Roberts’ surprisingly heartfelt road trip with James Gandolfini, and the film's attempt to juggle crime, comedy, and romance. They also play "Trailer Tropes," guessing which clichés made it into the marketing campaign and pondering why nobody trusted Jerry with a car.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt) is tasked with retrieving a cursed gun called "The Mexican" for his mob bosses, but things go hilariously wrong when his girlfriend Samantha (Julia Roberts) ends up bonding with a philosophical hitman (James Gandolfini). With fate, comedy, and stray bullets colliding, Jerry must figure out if the curse lies with the gun—or his own bad luck.

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite unexpected duo in a movie? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media—we’d love to hear your picks!

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

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

SEO Keywords

The Mexican mini-episode, Brad Pitt movies, Julia Roberts road trips, James Gandolfini comedy roles, Gore Verbinski pre-Pirates films, cursed guns in movies, Movie Memory Machine podcast.

"Somewhere beyond the recesses of time and space, two podcasters pick up transmissions of movies forgotten but not gone. Welcome to Movie Memory Machine."

Episode Description

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman take a wild ride through Gore Verbinski's 2001 genre-blending flick, The Mexican. Starring Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and James Gandolfini, this mix of crime, comedy, and romance follows a cursed gun with a mind of its own, a hapless Brad Pitt getting in over his head, and Julia Roberts stealing the show on a road trip with a hitman. With its oddball pacing, colorful characters, and unforgettable El Camino moments, is this movie truly a forgotten gem or just another rental store relic? Find out in this hilarious breakdown.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt) is a hapless errand boy for a crime syndicate with one last chance to clear his debts: retrieve a priceless antique pistol called "The Mexican." Along the way, everything goes hilariously wrong, from local fiestas with stray bullets to surprise friendships between his girlfriend Samantha (Julia Roberts) and a philosophical hitman (James Gandolfini). A tale of fate, curses, and miscommunication, this quirky blend of genres is as unpredictable as the gun itself.

Episode Highlights

What's your favorite Brad Pitt performance, and how does The Mexican stack up? 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

The Mexican podcast, Gore Verbinski movies, Brad Pitt comedy, Julia Roberts road movies, James Gandolfini hitman role, cursed objects in movies, Movie Memory Machine podcast

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman recommend five films that succeed where Six Days, Seven Nights sputters. These picks feature genuine chemistry, genre clarity, or at least some sense of adventure—whether it’s bickering on a boat, dodging bullets in a jungle, or modeling on a vomit-filled yacht. From golden age classics to contemporary satire, these are the movies that remembered how to have fun.

Films Discussed:

Romancing the Stone (1984)

The Lost City (2022)

The African Queen (1951)

It Happened One Night (1934)

Triangle of Sadness (2022)

Topics Covered:

Why Six Days, Seven Nights doesn’t land as a rom-com or an adventure

Romancing the Stone as a template for chemistry and swashbuckling

Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum pulling off what Anne Heche and Harrison Ford couldn’t

The surprisingly durable dynamic of reluctant travel companions (African Queen, It Happened One Night)

Triangle of Sadness as an anti-rom-com that turns yacht fantasy into capitalist nightmare fuel

Key Takeaways:

Romance works better when there’s clarity on tone and intention

Chemistry isn’t just about bickering—it’s about belief

Adventure needs more than jungle hijinks—it needs emotional stakes

If you’re going to strand two people on an island, make sure the audience wants them to stay there

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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"Six days, seven nights, and zero memorable pirates. This mini-episode revisits the rom-com that made David Schwimmer’s suits the true villain."

Episode Description

In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman reflect on Six Days, Seven Nights (1998), from its trailer’s false promises of pirates to Harrison Ford’s effortlessly crumpled charisma. They debate David Schwimmer’s relevance, Anne Heche’s comedic chops, and how this movie managed to sneak into both the adventure and rom-com genres without excelling in either. Also: Who’s worse at survival, Ford’s grizzled pilot or Schwimmer’s ill-fated fiancé?

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

When fashion editor Robin Monroe (Anne Heche) crash-lands on a deserted island with grumpy pilot Quinn Harris (Harrison Ford), survival takes a backseat to bickering and chemistry. Meanwhile, her fiancé Frank (David Schwimmer) faces his own tropical temptations, and pirates loom vaguely in the background. Can Robin and Quinn escape, fall in love, and survive an entire runtime of misadventures?

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite rom-com that accidentally became an adventure movie? Share your picks in the comments or on social media—we might feature them in future episodes!

Enjoyed the episode? Leave us 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/

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"If you've ever wondered if David Schwimmer could rival Harrison Ford as a romantic lead, Six Days, Seven Nights has your answer—and it's a resounding 'eh.'"

Episode Description

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman set sail on the 1998 adventure rom-com Six Days, Seven Nights. From questionable gender dynamics to the film's absolute refusal to decide if it’s a rom-com or an adventure movie, our hosts grapple with Harrison Ford’s rugged charm, Anne Heche’s would-be breakout, and David Schwimmer’s oversized suits. Spoiler: They’re not on the island—they’re lost at sea.

Major Cast and Crew

Film Synopsis

Overworked fashion editor Robin Monroe (Anne Heche) reluctantly accepts a short-notice work trip while on vacation with her fiancé Frank (David Schwimmer). She enlists grizzled cargo pilot Quinn Harris (Harrison Ford) to fly her—but a freak storm crash-lands them on a deserted island. As Robin and Quinn contend with the wilderness, hostile pirates, and each other’s personalities, sparks fly in unexpected ways. Meanwhile, Frank finds comfort with a very willing Angelica (Jacqueline Obradors). Will Robin and Quinn escape—and should they?

Episode Highlights

What’s your favorite movie with Harrison Ford not playing Han Solo or Indiana Jones? Is it Red Hulk? 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 thoughts in future show notes!

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

SEO Keywords

Six Days Seven Nights podcast, Harrison Ford rom-coms, Anne Heche career, Ivan Reitman movies, tropical adventure films, David Schwimmer rom-com, 90s romantic comedies, forgotten adventure movies, Movie Memory Machine podcast

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman recommend five horror and comedy-adjacent films that better deliver on the potential Vampire in Brooklyn barely taps. These movies explore themes of Black identity, horror satire, and cultural storytelling—with sharper tonal control, more daring risks, and a better sense of who they’re for.

Films Discussed:

The People Under the Stairs (1991)

Def by Temptation (1990)

Tales from the Hood (1995)

Vamp (1986)

Coming to America (1988)

Topics Covered:

Black-led horror as cultural allegory (People Under the Stairs, Def by Temptation)

Satire and social commentary in Tales from the Hood

Stylish strangeness and gender politics in Vamp

Coming to America as a control group for Eddie Murphy’s star power and romantic fantasy

Why Vampire in Brooklyn didn’t commit to any of the directions these films excel in

Key Takeaways:

Black horror can be powerful and politically resonant when authorship is aligned with purpose

Genre hybridity works best when filmmakers actually want to make a hybrid—not check boxes

Coming to America gives Eddie Murphy the same romantic framing Vampire in Brooklyn denies him

The best horror comedies trust their tone—and know what they’re saying about the world

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: