"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
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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

"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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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:
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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

• 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:
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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

"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

• Director: Ivan Reitman
• Writer: Michael Browning
• Main Cast:
  • Harrison Ford as Quinn Harris
  • Anne Heche as Robin Monroe
  • David Schwimmer as Frank Martin
  • Jacqueline Obradors as Angelica

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

• Why the trailer promised swashbuckling pirates but delivered Schwimmer instead.
• Harrison Ford’s unique ability to look dashing even while crashing planes.
• Anne Heche’s underrated comedic timing and her infamous cultural moment.
• The trailer game: How many tropes did Buena Vista squeeze in?
• Pirates in the pool: the fine art of introducing danger way too late.

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!

• 💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
• 🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
• 📱 Follow us on Social Media:
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SEO Keywords

Six Days Seven Nights mini-episode, Harrison Ford rom-coms, Anne Heche comedy timing, David Schwimmer 90s movies, pirate tropes in film, tropical adventure rom-coms, Movie Memory Machine podcast.

"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

• Director: Ivan Reitman
• Writer: Michael Browning
• Main Cast:
  • Harrison Ford as Quinn Harris
  • Anne Heche as Robin Monroe
  • David Schwimmer as Frank Martin
  • Jacqueline Obradors as Angelica
  • Allison Janney as Marjorie

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

• Landen’s theory of the "Schwimmer-Pullman Conundrum": When the “other guy” is too likable to root against.
• Truman’s deep dive into the genre of "tropical blues" as performed by Taj Mahal.
• The mystery of why this adventure film has no actual adventure.
• An exploration of Anne Heche’s career and the cultural backlash of her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres.
• Pirates: LaCroix flavor or critical plot point?

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!

• 💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
• 🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
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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

"From fake New York sets to Eddie Murphy's triple roles, this mini-episode bites deep into the quirks of Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)."

Episode Description

In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman reflect on Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), Wes Craven’s ambitious mix of horror and comedy. They discuss Eddie Murphy’s portrayal of three characters, the surreal charm of fake New York City sets, and Angela Bassett’s powerful screen presence. Plus, a quick game of Mad Libs-style movie titles and a trailer breakdown that exposes this film’s marketing misfires.

Major Cast and Crew

• Director: Wes Craven
• Writers: Charlie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Michael Lucker, Chris Parker
• Main Cast:
  • Eddie Murphy as Maximillian / Preacher Pauly / Guido
  • Angela Bassett as Detective Rita Veder
  • Kadeem Hardison as Julius Jones
  • Allen Payne as Detective Justice

Film Synopsis

Maximillian (Eddie Murphy), the last vampire on Earth, travels to Brooklyn in search of a mate. He sets his sights on Detective Rita Veder (Angela Bassett), who is unaware of her half-vampire heritage. With the help of his undead sidekick Julius (Kadeem Hardison), Maximillian struggles to balance seduction, survival, and slapstick comedy in this horror-comedy hybrid.

Episode Highlights

• Nostalgia for fake New York City sets and Paramount’s iconic backlot alleys.
• Angela Bassett’s transformation into a vampire queen: regal or rushed?
• Eddie Murphy’s triple roles: masterful or distracting?
• The Mad Libs movie title generator: What’s scarier, clowns in Ypsilanti or Chucky at Sandals Resort?
• A breakdown of the trailer: marketing a horror-comedy as a buddy movie.

What’s your favorite horror-comedy, and how does Vampire in Brooklyn stack up? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media—we’d love to hear your takes!

Enjoyed the episode? Leave us 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/
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SEO Keywords

Vampire in Brooklyn mini-episode, Eddie Murphy triple roles, Angela Bassett vampire queen, Wes Craven comedies, fake New York movie sets, horror-comedy hybrids, Movie Memory Machine podcast.

"Eddie Murphy is a vampire in Brooklyn, but the scariest thing here isn’t the fangs—it’s the script."

Episode Description

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman explore Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), Wes Craven’s attempt at blending gothic horror with Eddie Murphy’s comedic chops. From Murphy’s multi-character flexing to Angela Bassett’s underrated performance, they discuss the film’s awkward tonal shifts, questionable wig choices, and the baffling legacy of one of horror’s strangest hybrids. Is this a misunderstood masterpiece or just a missed opportunity? You decide.

Major Cast and Crew

• Director: Wes Craven
• Writers: Charlie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Michael Lucker, Chris Parker
• Main Cast:
  • Eddie Murphy as Maximillian / Preacher Pauly / Guido
  • Angela Bassett as Detective Rita Veder
  • Allen Payne as Detective Justice
  • Kadeem Hardison as Julius Jones
  • Zakes Mokae as Dr. Zeko

Film Synopsis

Maximillian (Eddie Murphy), the last vampire on Earth, arrives in Brooklyn to find a mate and secure his bloodline. He targets Detective Rita Veder (Angela Bassett), who is unaware of her half-vampire heritage, while enlisting a bumbling ghoul, Julius (Kadeem Hardison), as his sidekick. As the body count rises and the wigs get wilder, Maximillian’s seduction plans clash with Rita’s fight to hold on to her humanity.

Episode Highlights

• Eddie Murphy’s triple-threat performance: genius or gimmick?
• Angela Bassett’s scene-stealing moments and her journey from detective to vampire queen.
• Why Julius Jones might be the real hero (or at least the funniest ghoul).
• The film’s identity crisis: Is it horror, comedy, or neither?
• Wes Craven’s directional struggles: Gothic meets Brooklyn, but who wins?

What’s your favorite horror-comedy, and does Vampire in Brooklyn deserve another bite? Share your picks in the comments or on social media—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Enjoyed the episode? Leave us 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:
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SEO Keywords

Vampire in Brooklyn podcast, Eddie Murphy movies, Angela Bassett horror roles, Wes Craven comedies, 90s horror comedies, gothic horror hybrids, Movie Memory Machine podcast.