On this episode of Remainders, we watch the 90s cult classic Joe Versus the Volcano. An often overlooked movie in Tom Hanks early career, Joe Versus the Volcano is a classic Hollywood screwball comedy that rightfully has gained a cult following since its release. With themes of death, mortality, and the meaning of life, the heady vibes will continue to garner new fans for years.

Other topics include Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, director John Patrick Shanley, Flashback Horror Weekend in Chicago, Joe Dante, the new Naked Gun movie, the original Naked Gun trilogy, and classic 80s movies that shaped our childhood.

Songs of the Week

Hey Julie by Fountains of Wayne

Midnight Rider by Allman Brothers Band

Seed of Memory by Terry Reid

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Rip some throats and lube up the celery, because on this very special episode of Remainders we watch the 2010 cult classic MacGruber. We dive deep into the very last, and possibly best, SNL movie. Insanely confident as a comedy playing it straight as an 80s action movie, we check out why this absurdist masterpiece works so well. Crude, chaotic, and classic MacGruber.

Other topics include the careers of Will Forte, Val Kilmer and Powers Boothe, Christopher Nolan’s love for MacGruber, Jon Hamm and comedy, the 90s Batman movies and the reappraisal of the campy spirit of those movies, studio marketing and The Studio television show, the Coen Brothers, new physical media pickups, the Avatar 3 trailer, favorite comedies of all time, A History of Violence on Criterion, and whether Marlon Wayans was a Robin action figure.

Songs of the Week

Jealous Heart by Connie Francis

I Just Want You by Ozzy Osbourne

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On this episode of Remainders we watch the 2001 movie Bully. Based on a true story about a Florida murder, Bully is directed by Larry Clark of Kids fame. Capturing that same sense of aimless and amoral young people, Bully is a brutal and terrifying account of a group of kids planning to murder the monstrous Bobby, played by Nick Stahl. Bobby is the source of abuse and anguish for Marty, played by Brad Renfro, and their friendship spurs their friends to react. Mean, dirty, and slightly horrifying, Bully is nonetheless a time capsule of pre-9/11 fear of disaffected youth.

Other topics include the careers of Nick Stahl and Brad Renfro, Batman Begins vs. The Dark Knight, Tom Wilkenson’s accent, Liam Neeson and The Naked Gun, the passing of Michael Madsen, new Criterion sale pickups, and how big of a fan Eminem is of Kids.

Songs of the Week

Dead Meat by Sean Lennon

Taking a Chance on Love by Ella Fitzgerald

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On this episode of Remainders we watch the 2005 film A History of Violence. David Cronenberg adapts the graphic novel by John Wagner about a small town family man who becomes a local hero after killing two men during an armed robbery. This gets the attention of a mob boss who believes Tom is a man with a violent past. Beast mode performances by Viggo Mortenson, Ed Harris, and William Hurt elevate A History of Violence into epic territory.

Other topics include Viggo’s career post-Lord of the Rings, Cronenberg’s filmography, best Ed Harris and William Hurt performances, Brad Pitt and sports movies, plus Ripley and the history of the character from Patricia Highsmith’s novel.

Songs of the Week

Voicemail by Meat Wave

Save Me by Aimee Mann

Dear John by Aimee Mann

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On this episode of Remainders we watch the 2000 film The Beach. Leo’s first major role to come after the star making success of Titanic, time has been kind to this movie about disaffection and discovery in a pre-9/11 world with emerging technology. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the film’s roster has also led to a decades later reappraisal. If anything, The Beach is an incredible time capsule of late 90s/early 2000s culture and zeitgeist.

Other topics include Danny Boyle’s filmography, movie soundtracks and discovering new music in the 90s, 2000s music, new VHS in the collection, screenings in the cemetery, the Phoenician Scheme and Wes Anderson’s style and legacy, Darren’s new painting for Punk Rock & Paintbrushes, Brian Wilson, and Batman Forever and the rumored Schumacher Cut.

Songs of the Week

Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) by The Beach Boys

Darlin’ by The Beach Boys

A Three-Legged Workhorse by This Will Destroy You

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On this episode of Remainders, we watch the 2003 war epic Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Based on the series of novels, Master and Commander is a chase movie that goes much deeper. Russell Crowe plays Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, and Paul Bettany plays Dr. Stephen Maturin. The Captain represents leadership and duty, and the Dr. represents academia and revolution. As they chase the elusive French war ship The Acheron, the two men both test and help each other during the Napoleonic Wars. Old-school action filmmaking in a modern war epic – she’s in her prime.

Other topics include Peter Weir and Australian directors, more Russell Crowe buddy movies and L.A. Confidential, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Tom Cruise and Mission: Impossible, ai in movies and tv, and fast food we’re eating and not eating lately.

Song Picks of the Week

Muzzle by The Smashing Pumpkins

Hawaii by The Strokes

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On this episode of Remainders we watch the 2002 movie Insomnia. The only movie in Christoher Nolan’s filmography in which he doesn’t have a writing credit, Insomnia has always felt like an outlier in the director’s career. It’s most notable aspect was Robin Williams and his villainous role as Finch, a first for Williams. Playing opposite the most strung out possible version of Al Pacino, we see if this thriller holds up.

Other topics include Nolan’s ranking, follow-up on our Mad Max Fury Road episode, fake reviews for Insomnia, Black Mirror, Andor and Star Wars, the passing of the alligator from Happy Gilmore, Hillary Swank, more Pacino marathon’s coming up, and whether or not Nicky Katt has the best line in any Nolan movie.

Songs of the Week

The Swimming Song by Loudon Wainwright III

If I Could Only Fly by Blaze Foley

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On this episode we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mad Max: Fury Road - Black and Chrome Edition. Often considered the greatest action film of all time, Fury Road reintroduced the world to Max, this time played by Tom Hardy, as he teams up with Furiosa to take on the dystopian warlord Immortan Joe. George Miller’s stated intention was to make a movie that was one long chase, and as elemental and close to a silent film as possible. The Black and Chrome Edition brings this vision even closer.

Other topics include Charlize Theron, George Miller’s filmography and how Babe: Pig in the City fits in, America’s obsession with celebrity culture, Warren Zevon’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Riot Fest, and whether or not we should cover The Beaver with Mel Gibson on the podcast.

Songs of the Week

Let Them Eat War by Bad Religion

Kurt Kobain by Proof

Brothers In Arms by Junkie XL

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On this episode of Remainders we watch the 1997 political sci-fi movie Starship Troopers. Dismissed upon release as a generic action movie, time has been kind to this movie about fascism and soldier recruitment in a pro-war society. A militarized society in the future waging war against a sub-human alien species, Starship has gained cultural appreciation as a meta-film about wartime propaganda. A first-time viewing for one, we’ll see if this is a dumb, fun movie or an indictment of fascism. Or both.

Other topics include a David Lynch retrospective, the passing of Nikky Katt, new shows we’re watching, and we ask the question: If a movie debuts and is only on streaming, does it really exist?

Songs of the Week

Foolish Heart by The Mavericks

The Baron by Johnny Cash

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On this episode we watch 2005’s The Descent. A year after tragedy strikes, a group of friends discover something far worse in the deep caverns of the Appalachian Mountains. This spelunking splatter fest is a contender for many titles, including best horror movie of the 2000s, most objectionable thing to watch for anybody with even the slightest claustrophobia, and having maybe one of the worst best friends in all of horror movie history. Listen up as we also thoroughly debate the appropriate moniker of Vampire Bats vs. Crawlers in this modern horror classic.

Other topics include reflecting on the recent loss of Val Kilmer, visiting with Jim Jarmusch, pivotal David Lynch L.A. landmarks, Days of the Dead Chicago, found footage influence in the early 2000s, and the 90s forgotten gem Rumpelstiltskin on 4K.

Songs of the Week

Fuck and Run by Liz Phair

By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Little Richard

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