"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.

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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

• 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/
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🎵 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

"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
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  • 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.