Open Mic Night at the Movies

Dust off your cowboy hat, grab your chopsticks, and try not to get kicked in the face.  This episode we’re talking about Shanghai Noon (2000)!

Directed by Tom Day and starring Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, and Lucy Liu, Shanghai Noon takes classic Westerns and chops them up with martial arts, buddy comedies, and early 2000s rock.  We break it all down, including piss shirts, drinking games, hatchet throws, questionable audio commentary and so much more.  Get the copper soaking tubs ready.  Our horse is drunk on whiskey and we’re ready podcast!

email: [email protected]
website: openmicmovies.buzzsprout.com
instagram: @latertaterfilms  

Four movies enter. One Part 4 leaves.

This week, we’re cracking open some drinks and diving into the cinematic danger zone: the fourth installment. Is Mad Max: Fury Road the greatest action sequel ever made? Does Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire win on dragons and trauma alone? Can The Bourne Legacy sneak in with pure spy paranoia? And… is Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol secretly the people’s champion?

We argue, we spiral, we make questionable claims with full confidence. It’s Part 4 chaos—and we’re taking it way too seriously.

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email: [email protected]
website: openmicmovies.buzzsprout.com
instagram: @latertaterfilms  

Zippers were zipped. "Hair gel" was misused. Romance somehow survived.
 On this episode, we revisit There’s Something About Mary — the late-’90s comedy that proved true love can endure humiliation, obsession, and one very unlucky prom night. We break down the laughs, the heart, the inherent creepiness, and why this movie still sticks after all these years. Frank and beans included.

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email: [email protected]
website: openmicmovies.buzzsprout.com
instagram: @latertaterfilms  

On this episode, we dive headfirst into a ball pit and come up in the retro 80s nightmare of Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) — the long awaited adaptation of the popular video game franchise.  Joined by two brave guests, we break down killer animatronics, questionable career choices, creepy dream-kids, and the world’s most confusing small-town police officer.  We talk lore, jump scares, fan theories, and what they should’ve considered saving for the sequel.  Grab a taser, keep the doors shut, and tune in — we’ll try to survive all five nights… or at least make it to the end of the episode.

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email: [email protected]
website: openmicmovies.buzzsprout.com
instagram: @latertaterfilms  

Put on your Ray-Bans and buckle up — this week we’re diving deep into the neon, sweat, and swagger of early Tom Cruise. Three eras, three egos, one impossible decision: which movie moves one step closer to our Tom Cruise Film Festival lineup?

We break down Risky Business (1983), the film that made Cruise a star; Cocktail (1988), the glossy ode to ambition and regret; and Days of Thunder (1990), where Cruise takes his intensity to the racetrack. Along the way, we talk capitalism, charisma, and the best way to end a Tom Cruise movie.

From sliding in your socks to racing toward the finish line, it’s a full throttle conversation about all things Cruise.

Will Joel Goodson’s hustle, Brian Flanagan’s charm, or Cole Trickle’s need for speed take the win? Tune in to find out.

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email: [email protected]
website: openmicmovies.buzzsprout.com
instagram: @latertaterfilms  

Enter the Dragon isn’t just a movie—it’s a cultural explosion. In this episode, we break down Bruce Lee’s iconic martial arts masterpiece from 1973, covering everything from the dazzling fight choreography to Jeet Kune Do philosophy to behind-the-scenes stories. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the film that kicked open the door for martial arts in Hollywood, this discussion will leave you ready to throw a few high kicks and break a few mirrors.

email: [email protected]
website: openmicmovies.buzzsprout.com
instagram: @latertaterfilms  

From misguided men to chaotic criminals, noir shadows to screwball shenanigans—the Coens have done it all.  In this episode, we're drafting our ultimate lineup of Coen Brothers films, one pick at a time.  Is The Dude abiding early, or are we out of our element?  Will Fargo get picked faster than you can say "Yah, you betcha" or will we succumb to that Barton Fink feeling?  Would that it were so Blood Simple.  Expect passionate picks, surprising snubs and a whole lotta y'know... Coen-isms.

email: [email protected]
website: openmicmovies.buzzsprout.com
instagram: @latertaterfilms  

In this special DOUBLE FEATURE episode we talk weirdos, friendships, and low budget cult classics .  First up Mike and Matt join to give their thoughts on the film that gave us Jon Heder's breakout lead role.  It's the 2004 coming of age comedy, 'Napoleon Dynamite'  (04:00)  Then after a quick trip to the lobby (32:50) we head back into the theater to take it down a notch and look at Emily Skeggs and Kyle Gallner in 2020's unabashedly punk-rock, dark comedy 'Dinner In America' (35:35).

email: [email protected]
website: openmicmovies.buzzsprout.com
instagram: @latertaterfilms  

How long does edge last? What won't you watch Jack Nicholson do? Does realism help or hurt?  And how big should a hotel room be?  In this episode Sean is joined by Timm and Jeremy to talk about 1973's The Last Detail, an adaptation of the Darryl Ponicsan book about 2 sailors assigned to escort a kleptomaniac, junior sailor to naval prison.  Considered at the time to be Jack Nicholson's greatest performance, The Last Detail delivers warmth and humor alongside utter hopelessness in a 104 minute package. 

email: [email protected]
website: openmicmovies.buzzsprout.com
instagram: @latertaterfilms  

In this episode Sean and Mike continue their look at the best Tom Cruise movies ever made, this time checking in on some of his more dramatic roles.

Charlie Babbitt (Rain Man, 1988) -- 05:50
Frank T.J. Mackey (Magnolia, 1999) -- 20:20
Ron Kovic (Born on the Fourth of July, 1989) -- 36:10

They discuss where these movies shine and where they need work, and try to figure out if any other actor could have pulled off these roles.


email: [email protected]
website: openmicmovies.buzzsprout.com
instagram: @latertaterfilms