Movie Memory Machine
Movie Memory Machine is your guide to the forgotten films of the ’80s, ’90s, 2000s, and beyond. Every week, our rogue time machine drops us into a different year to revisit wide-release movies that history left behind—cult favorites, forgotten flops, and everything in between. Along the way, we uncover behind-the-scenes trivia, oddball production choices, and the cultural baggage these movies left behind. Then we decide: does this movie deserve to return to modern memory—or stay lost in time?
Episodes

Friday Feb 28, 2025
American Dreamz (2006)
Friday Feb 28, 2025
Friday Feb 28, 2025
"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
Director & Writer: Paul Weitz
Main Cast:
Hugh Grant as Martin Tweed
Dennis Quaid as President Staton
Mandy Moore as Sally Kendoo
Willem Dafoe as Vice President Sutter
Chris Klein as William Williams
Sam Golzari as Omer
Marcia Gay Harden as First Lady Staton
Jennifer Coolidge as Martha Kendoo
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
Hugh Grant’s turn as a sleazy, dead-eyed reality TV host.
How American Dreamz captured (and exaggerated) early 2000s political absurdity.
Mandy Moore’s performance: was this a parody of pop stardom or too real?
Willem Dafoe’s uncanny resemblance to Dick Cheney—pure coincidence?
Does the film’s satire hold up, or is it too tied to its era?
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.
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: Movie Memory Machine
Instagram: @MovieMemoryMachine
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Letterboxd: @MovieMemoryPod
🎵 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

Saturday Feb 22, 2025
5 For: Gretel and Hansel (2020)
Saturday Feb 22, 2025
Saturday Feb 22, 2025
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:What’s your favorite surreal or atmospheric horror film? Let us know using #MovieMemoryMachine—or join the Discord to drop your weirdest recommendations.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Here’s how you can support us:
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📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachine🎞️ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/

Friday Feb 21, 2025
Mini-Transmission: Gretel and Hansel
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
"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
Director: Oz Perkins
Writers: Rob Hayes (screenplay), Brothers Grimm (fairytale)
Main Cast:
Sophia Lillis as Gretel
Samuel Leakey as Hansel
Alice Krige as The Witch
Jessica De Gouw as Young Witch
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
The power of triangle imagery—cinematic or just Truman’s new obsession?
Landen’s long-lost horror memory finally uncovered.
The unsettling food of Gretel & Hansel—why does horror always ruin our appetites?
The trippiest mushroom scene in a fairy tale movie (or at least in this decade).
How Gambling Hansel turned the afterlife into a high-stakes card game.
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.
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: Movie Memory Machine
Instagram: @MovieMemoryMachine
Threads: @MovieMemoryMachine
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Letterboxd: @MovieMemoryPod
🎵 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

Friday Feb 14, 2025
Gretel and Hansel (2020)
Friday Feb 14, 2025
Friday Feb 14, 2025
"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
Director: Oz Perkins
Writers: Rob Hayes (screenplay), Brothers Grimm (fairytale)
Main Cast:
Sophia Lillis as Gretel
Samuel Leakey as Hansel
Alice Krige as The Witch
Jessica De Gouw as Young Witch
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
Oz Perkins’ atmospheric direction: is it spellbinding or just too slow?
Sophia Lillis’ performance as Gretel: a feminist reimagining of the classic heroine.
Alice Krige’s witch: terrifying, tragic, or both?
Why is the food in horror movies so gross? (Seriously, what’s with the porridge?)
A debate: is Gretel & Hansel a modern fairytale masterpiece or just pretentious art-house horror?
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!
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: Movie Memory Machine
Instagram: @MovieMemoryMachine
Threads: @MovieMemoryMachine
Bluesky: @MovieMemoryMachine
YouTube: @MovieMemoryMachine
🎵 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

Saturday Feb 08, 2025
5 For: Poseidon (2006)
Saturday Feb 08, 2025
Saturday Feb 08, 2025
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:What’s your favorite disaster film of all time? Do you prefer the sincerity of survival stories or the absurdity of disaster parody? Let us know using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Here’s how you can support us:
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📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachine🎞️ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/

Friday Feb 07, 2025
Mini-Transmission: Poseidon
Friday Feb 07, 2025
Friday Feb 07, 2025
"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
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Writers: Mark Protosevich (screenplay), Paul Gallico (novel)
Main Cast:
Josh Lucas as Dylan Johns
Kurt Russell as Robert Ramsey
Richard Dreyfuss as Richard Nelson
Emmy Rossum as Jennifer Ramsey
Jacinda Barrett as Maggie James
Mia Maestro as Elena
Andre Braugher as Captain Michael Bradford
Stacy Ferguson (Fergie) as Gloria
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
Fergie’s short-lived but impactful role: A diva meets disaster.
Flaming waterfalls: Iconic or absurd? The eternal debate.
Landen’s childhood cruise ship nightmare—a fever dream featuring Charles Lindbergh.
What happens when The Trailer Game leaves everyone guessing wrong?
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.
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: Movie Memory Machine
Instagram: @MovieMemoryMachine
Threads: @MovieMemoryMachine
Bluesky: @MovieMemoryMachine
YouTube: @MovieMemoryMachine
🎵 Theme Song by Porky’s Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/
SEO Keywords
Poseidon 2006 mini-episode, Wolfgang Petersen disaster movies, flaming waterfalls, Lauren Pritchard and Joe Roche guest, rogue wave scenes, Movie Memory Machine podcast

Friday Jan 31, 2025
Poseidon (2006) — with Lauren Pritchard and Joe Roche!
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
"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
Lauren Pritchard
Actor, Writer, Comedian
Mad TV, HBO’s True Blood, Dropout TV’s Make Some Noise, and at least five different Disney shows!
Joe Roche
Writer, Actor, Comedian
The Thundermans, Telenovela, Kill Me Deadly
Co-writer of Meth Gator and Planet Dune
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
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Writers: Mark Protosevich (screenplay), Paul Gallico (novel)
Main Cast:
Josh Lucas as Dylan Johns
Kurt Russell as Robert Ramsey
Richard Dreyfuss as Richard Nelson
Emmy Rossum as Jennifer Ramsey
Jacinda Barrett as Maggie James
Mike Vogel as Christian
Mia Maestro as Elena
Jimmy Bennett as Conor
Andre Braugher as Captain Michael Bradford
Stacy Ferguson (Fergie) as Gloria
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
Disaster films as the “slasher movies of Mother Nature.”
Lauren Pritchard’s real-life cruise ship survival training—watertight doors and all.
The infamous flaming waterfall scene: how they pulled it off (and why).
Richard Dreyfuss’ character: groundbreaking representation or undercooked writing?
Fergie’s “lady lumps” as flotation devices—yes, we went there.
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!
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: Movie Memory Machine
Instagram: @MovieMemoryMachine
Threads: @MovieMemoryMachine
Bluesky: @MovieMemoryMachine
YouTube: @MovieMemoryMachine
🎵 Theme Song by Porky’s Groove Machine: https://porkysgroovemachine.com/
SEO Keywords
Poseidon movie podcast, Wolfgang Petersen disaster films, Kurt Russell Josh Lucas disaster movies, Fergie Poseidon role, Lauren Pritchard and Joe Roche podcast, rogue wave movie scene, Movie Memory Machine podcast

Friday Jan 24, 2025
5 For: The Mexican (2001)
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
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:What’s a movie you initially thought was a mess—but later realized was operating on a higher chaotic frequency? Tell us using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Here’s how you can support us:
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📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachine🎞️ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/

Friday Jan 24, 2025
Mini-Transmission: The Mexican
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
"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
Director: Gore Verbinski
Writer: J.H. Wyman
Main Cast:
Brad Pitt as Jerry Welbach
Julia Roberts as Samantha Barzel
James Gandolfini as Leroy
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
Why Jerry Welbach might be Brad Pitt's least competent character ever.
Julia Roberts and James Gandolfini’s chemistry: surprisingly sweet or oddly mismatched?
The trailer game: Which clichés did the marketing team overplay?
The mystery of "The Mexican" pistol: Is it cursed, or just poorly made?
Revisiting Gore Verbinski’s knack for blending humor with chaos.
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!
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: Movie Memory Machine
Instagram: @MovieMemoryMachine
Threads: @MovieMemoryMachine
Bluesky: @MovieMemoryMachine
YouTube: @MovieMemoryMachine
🎵 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.

Friday Jan 17, 2025
The Mexican (2001)
Friday Jan 17, 2025
Friday Jan 17, 2025
"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
Director: Gore Verbinski
Writer: J.H. Wyman
Main Cast:
Brad Pitt as Jerry Welbach
Julia Roberts as Samantha Barzel
James Gandolfini as Leroy
Bob Balaban as Bernie Nayman
J.K. Simmons as Ted Slocum
David Krumholtz as Beck
Gene Hackman as Arnold Margolese
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
The "luck vs. fate" debate: Is Jerry cursed, or is he just a screw-up?
Why Brad Pitt’s rendition of the "El Camino song" deserves its own Grammy.
James Gandolfini’s unforgettable performance as a hitman with a tender side.
The curse of The Mexican: What makes this gun so deadly—and so intriguing?
Revisiting Gore Verbinski's pre-Pirates of the Caribbean directorial style.
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!
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: Movie Memory Machine
Instagram: @MovieMemoryMachine
Threads: @MovieMemoryMachine
Bluesky: @MovieMemoryMachine
YouTube: @MovieMemoryMachine
🎵 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