Least Important Things
A podcast about movies, friendship, and finding meaning in the most important of the least important things in our lives.Â
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Every autumn, millions of us chase that specific brand of nostalgia: the crunch of leaves underfoot, the glowing jack-o'-lanterns, and the thrill of getting free candy while dressed up as a beloved character. Thankfully, you can find this in one 1966 animated TV special. In this essay episode, Luke Ferris takes a deep dive into It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966), examining why Bill Melendez’s transcendent animation, Vince Guaraldi’s legendary jazz score, and Charles Schulz’s enduring Americana continue to define the entire fall season.Â
Whether you're waiting in a sincere pumpkin patch, carving jack-o'-lanterns, or just l...
Lawrence of Arabia
How can the most boring movie you've ever seen become one of the most awe-inspiring? Just 25 years and a bit of perspective.Â
In this episode, host Luke Ferris reflects on revisiting Lawrence of Arabia—the one film he famously fell asleep to as a child. He discusses its lasting impact on iconic modern filmmakers and how revisiting classic cinema with fresh eyes can offer unexpected comfort and perspective on restless nights. Ultimately, it celebrates movie epics, personal growth, and the timeless conversations between old and new stories.
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Sources for this episode:
h...
Plane Movies
Plane travel is painful, but picking the right in-flight movie can turn a cramped cabin into the ultimate modern-day video store. In this essay episode, host Luke Ferris explores high-altitude cinematic comfort, the survival art of airplane movie marathons, and how a well-chosen double feature can help you endure even the most unbearable of seatmates.
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Sources for this episode:
https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-do-i-always-cry-when-i-watch-films-on-a-plane https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/when-did-inflight-movies-become-standard-on-airlines-180955566/https://youtu.be/hiobiVStUmw?si=L3ZAt5sLKpvtFcVw https://youtu.be/oPXL4_eZ4-M?si=N4W5lRmWtKH1BYRH https://www.youtube.com...Action Movie Draft
Four men. Eight categories. Four created action movies. One draft.Â
It's the first-ever Least Important Things Action Movie Draft! Luke Ferris is joined by his LIT henchmen, Mike Wynne, Andy Warsen, and Zach Hall, to draft and build four perfect action movies.Â
Click here to play along.Â
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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.
You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links bel...
Best Fall Movies
The smell of dead leaves, chili, football, fresh pencils, sweaters, and hot beverages.Â
Yes, it is Autumn, fall, or whatever you want to call it and Least Important Things is back for season five to give you some scenario-specific movie recommendations as we embrace the cozy season.Â
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Season Five Trailer
Find out what's coming in Least Important Things season five. Episodes drop every Tuesday starting September 29. Â
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You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.
Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com
...
The Other Mummy Movies
Class is in session, and the reports are due. It’s the Least Important Things season four finale and the last episode of The Mummycast.
In this episode, you’ll uncover all the “other mummy movies” throughout film history. From the 1932 Boris Karloff classic to the Scorpion King spin-offs, we’re discussing the evolution and strange turns mummy-based movies have taken for almost a century.Â
Host Luke Ferris is joined by Mike Wynne, who covered 2017’s The Mummy starring Tom Cruise, and Zach Hall, who watched all five The Scorpion King movies–yes, there are five. Plus, the...
The Smell of August
Dank humidity, fresh-cut grass, sweat-soaked shirts, and hot rubber. Ask any former gridiron athlete, and they’ll recognize the chemical memory of August football—a potent mix of nostalgia, excitement, and dread.Â
In this essay episode, host Luke Ferris reflects on the brutal rites of late-summer pre-season, the sensory time machine of mandatory two-a-day practices, and how a millennial sports classic like Remember the Titans captured the exact physical and emotional toll of a team coming together under the blistering sun
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The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
“Here’s to Imoteph. May the bugger actually come back for this movie, please.”
We’re dividing and conquering as we complete the trilogy to talk about the oft-forgotten third installment of The Mummy franchise for our special rewatch series, The Mummycast. It’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor! Â
Host Luke Ferris is joined by geopolitical history expert Mike Wynne and someone we didn’t recast, Zach Hall, to unpack the absurdity, the CGI yetis, and the absolute chaos of this action-adventure that looks as out of place as it did in August 2008.Â
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The Dude Always Abides
“The Dude abides.”
We’re pouring a White Russian and heading back to 1990s Los Angeles to break down the Coen Brothers’ iconic cult classic, The Big Lebowski. Â
In this essay episode, host Luke Ferris takes a solo dive into the film’s unique balance of LA noir, system structures, and cultural iconography. Despite The Dude being everywhere in modern pop culture, Luke shares what it was like watching this classic from start to finish for the very first time—and why holding it all loosely might just be the ultimate life lesson.
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Cat...
The Summer I Got Into The Doors
Take a trip back to the hazy, sun-drenched Midwestern heat of July 2014. Host Luke Ferris takes the solo mic for a deeply personal essay episode reflecting on a formative, vagabond summer spent house-crashing, working menial internships, and driving endless miles across Michigan. It was a season of isolation, cheap beer, and beautiful mundanity—all set to a heavy, mystic, and psychedelic soundtrack.Â
In this essay episode, Luke explores how the raw lore of Jim Morrison and The Doors found him at exactly the right time, romanticizing his solitude and putting him into a meditative state that culminated in...
The Mummy Returns
The Mummy Returns…again?
Zach Hall and Mike Wynne join Luke Ferris for the second installment of The Mummycast, our franchise rewatch series on The Mummy.Â
This time, the boys return to the dessert for the often derided follow-up to the 1999 classic to discuss everything from Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson’s infamous digital film debut to Horus the falcon, the real hero of the story.Â
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Y...
Watching National Treasure Every 4th of July
Every year on the 4th of July, Luke Ferris and his friends watch 2004’s National Treasure starring Nicolas Cage. But why?
In this essay episode, you’ll uncover the treasure map of how this tradition started, including:Â
National Treasure’s generational legacy. The best National Treasure moments and quotes.Why National Treasure was memorable before it became a meme.And the meaning of the annual tradition of watching National Treasure on the 4th of July.Â---
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Supp...
Nolan
“The cinema substitutes for our gaze a world more in harmony with our desires.” - Andre Bazin
We are strapping into our theater seats and preparing our senses for the overwhelming, practical-effects-driven world of cinema's premiere modern master—Christopher Nolan.
Host Luke Ferris takes a deeply personal journey through the filmography of his generational director, tracking how a filmmaker can completely captivate a movie-obsessed teenager and follow them all the way into adulthood.
In this episode, we’ll dive into:
The Nolan Experience: Breaking down the foundational pillars of a Nolan fi...Why the World Cup Creates Moments of Joy
In this rewind episode, Luke Ferris reflects on why the World Cup is so popular, how it generates moments of human joy, and why you should tune in this year.Â
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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.
Support Least Important Things on Patreon
You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.
You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.
Read our a...
The Mummy (1999)
Press play if you'd rather be watching the 1999 cinematic masterpiece The Mummy (and its sequels) starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Â
Host Luke Ferris is joined by Mike Wynne and Zach Hall to kick off the inaugural "Mummycast" franchise rewatch to celebrate the movie that simply refuses to die, 1999's The Mummy.Â
In this episode, we dive into:
The Mummy Still Delivers: Why this romantic, action-adventure hybrid holds up as a perfect blockbuster.Behind-the-Scenes Desert Madness: From sandstorms and medical dehydration drinks to Brendan Fraser’s terrifying near-death experience during the hanging scene...Best Summer Movies
It’s the time for beaches, bonfires, basking in the afternoon sunshine, going on roadtrips, and it’s also one of the most exciting seasons for movies.
But here’s the challenge when picking a summertime flick: choosing a movie.
The last thing you want to do is have a debate over which movie to watch to dampen the mood.Â
But have no fear, Luke Ferris is here. In this essay episode, Luke guides you through some summer selections so you’ll be prepared for every scenario to recommend a summer flick.Â
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<...Jurassic Park III
In honor of the 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park III, we're bringing back an episode from the vault via the podcast that started it all–Jurassic Pod.Â
In this episode, Luke Ferris and Mike Wynne break down the uniqueness of this trilogy within the franchise and in filmmaking.Â
Dr. Alan Grant unknowingly returns to Isla Sorna to save more children. Can he overcome the ghosts of his past and rescue this franchise from early 2000s sequelitis? Talking dinosaurs, hybrid dinosaurs, and William H. Macy. It’s Jurassic Park Claw Mark!
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Catch...
70s Cinema
Did JAWS and Star Wars ruin cinema?Â
In this essay episode, Luke Ferris dives into why the 1970s were a critical decade in film history because of the two trajectories of its young, creative talent. One path, like Spielberg, Lucas, and De Palma, was to create universally appealing genre films. The others, like Scorsese and Coppola, chose to create serious dramatic works focusing on the counterculture ideas of the period. Was one way the correct way?Â
Or is there a deeper understanding of the morphism of this era of filmmaking?Â
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Cat...
Novelizations
There’s a forgotten form of writing, often ostracized by the publishing world, that deserves a reclamation–the novelization,Â
In this essay episode, Luke Ferris dives into the "pulpy" and often misunderstood world of novelizations. Far from just being simple marketing gimmicks, these books offer a unique way to engage with our favorite films, filling in lore gaps and letting us spend more time with characters we already love.
In this episode, we’ll dive into:
A Brief History of the "Pulp" Industry: Why these books became a marketing powerhouse in the 1950s paperback era and...A Case for Ocean's Twelve
What happens when you give an auteur director and the biggest movie stars in the world an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe to create a bombastic sequel?Â
The often misunderstood Ocean’s Twelve.Â
In this essay episode, Luke Ferris makes a case for Ocean’s Twelve and the brilliance behind this often derided sequel.Â
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Support Least Important Things on Patreon
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Ocean's Eleven
“Do you think we need one more? Do you think we need one more… Okay, we’ll get one more.”Â
We’re assembling the crew and heading to America’s playground to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Steven Soderbergh’s effortlessly cool heist masterpiece, Ocean's Eleven. Â
Host Luke Ferris is joined by his own "Rusty" and "Linus"—Andy Warsen and Mike Wynne—to break down why this movie is one of the coolest and lasting pieces of pure movie-star entertainment.Â
In this episode, we’ll dive into:
Pranks and Behind the Scenes Lore: How Ge...The Comfort of Movie Soundtracks
In this essay episode, Luke Ferris explores the evocative power of film scores and why we find such deep resonance in the music that follows us long after the credits roll. Luke will examine how soundtracks allow us to rewatch movies in our minds and provide thematic connection beyond the screen.
We’ll dive into:
A Mental Rewatch: Why listening to a score allows your mind to wander back into the mood, era, and story of a favorite film.The Soundtrack of Productivity: How ambient compilations—from Blade Runner to The Lord of the Rings—provide clarit...Spring Break at the Movies
For those of us in northern climates, spring break is a strange American pastime—a desperate search for vitamin D to escape the "sprinter" (spring-winter) slush. But for the "holdovers" who stay behind, the empty streets and gray skies offer a different kind of magic: the cinema.
In this essay episode, Luke Ferris explores the unique nostalgia of the spring break movie season. From childhood memories to the recent "quadrant-bursting" success of Project Hail Mary, Luke discusses why the theater remains the ultimate escape for those left behind.
He’ll dive into:
Th...Sorting Records
After five moves in five years, Luke Ferris is finally unpacking the last of his boxes—the ones that contain his most precious cargo: his record collection. In this essay episode, we explore the strange power of things that finally make us feel at home.
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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.
Support Least Important Things on Patreon
You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.
You can email the show at [email protected]...
Waiting for Guffman
Pack your bags and grab your "Remains of the Day" lunchbox. This week on Least Important Things, we are traveling to the "Stool Capital of the World"—Blaine, Missouri—to rewatch the 1997 mockumentary masterpiece, Waiting for Guffman.
Mike Wynne returns to the podcast with Luke Ferris to discuss the ambitious musical celebration Red, White and Blaine and the man with the dream: Corky St. Clair. From the improvised genius of Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy to the late Catherine O'Hara, we break down why this film is the blueprint for every modern self-aware comedy.
In this...
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (25th Anniversary Rewatch)
We are journeying back to Middle-earth to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film that changed cinema forever: Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. In this special rewatch, Luke Ferris is joined by his two older siblings—the people responsible for his Tolkien obsession—Jay Ferris and Anna Guerink. Together, they discuss the theatrical release of the first film in the greatest trilogy of all time.Â
We’ll venture into:
The legacy of why this adaptation shouldn’t have worked, but somehow did. Discussing the most difficult changes from book to screen...A St. Patrick's Day Tale
In a special St. Patrick’s Day episode, Luke Ferris reads “A Legend of Knockmany” from the Irish Fairy Book.Â
So curl up in a wool blanket, grab a cup of tea or a pint, and settle in for a folk tale that goes deep into the lineage of Irish culture.Â
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Support Least Important Things on Patreon
You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.
You can...
The Oscars Are My Super Bowl
The Academy Awards is a dramatic cocktail of pop culture obsession and a rare "monoculture" experience. In this episode, Luke Ferris explores why we still tune in 70 years later, even as the "magic" of movie-star mystery has been replaced by social media intimacy. Luke explains the mechanics of the show and why the most moving moments often happen far away from the headlines.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Lore of the Movie Star: How the Oscars originally served as a rare window into the lives of the industry's most ambiguous figures.The...Does It Hold Up?
It's time to crank up the pop culture oven in the kitchen of nostalgia because this week, Luke Ferris is joined by Zach Hall to deconstruct the "Secret Recipe" for media that stands the test of time—and the ingredients that cause others to sour.
From the rediscovered love of The Mummy to the questionable lineage of Monopoly, we’re diving deep into the vault to see what still holds a candle to the flame and what needs to be relegated to a "cautionary tale".
In this episode, we discuss:
The Secret Recipe for...All the President's Men Is Still Teaching Me
Fifty years after its release, All the President’s Men still feels as relevant as ever. In this essay episode, Luke Ferris explores how a 1970s procedural about two reporters in a newsroom managed to capture the soul of a 13-year-old in 2006—and why it still resonates at age 33.
We’ll dive into:
The ASMR of the 70s: Why the tactile world of landline phones, typewriters, and match-lit cigarettes creates a timeless "aura noir" tension.The Quest for Truth: Reflecting on the "God-like" pursuit of facts and how Woodward and Bernstein’s hunger i...A Knight's Tale
"The seeker of serenity, the protector of Italian virginity, the enforcer of our Lord God—the one, the only, Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein!"
In this episode, Luke Ferris celebrates the 25th anniversary of the 2001 rock-and-roll medieval mashup A Knight’s Tale. Joining the show to talk about the best hype man in cinematic history is returning favorite Audrey Ferris, from our Parent Trap and Stranger Things episodes. Together, they explore how this film "changed the stars" for its cast and its audience, blending 14th-century jousting with the stadium-rock energy of the 1970s.
We’ll dive i...
High School Musical
We're all in this together.
In this episode, we’re going back 20 years to 2006 to rewatch a movie that defined a generation of Disney Channel kids: High School Musical. Joining host Luke Ferris are two Wildcats who were there at the beginning—returning guest Eliza McInnis and first-time guest Kloey Ramey.
We’ll dive into:
Groundhog Day Mental Health Lessons
Well, it's Groundhog Day...again.Â
In this episode, Luke Ferris explores the 1993 dark-comedy classic Groundhog Day and the mental health lessons it offers about isolation, burnout, and the search for meaning in the mundane.
We’ll dive into:
The Breaking Point: How Phil’s move from "flight or fight" to total breakdown mirrors the anxiety of our own modern "long winters."I’m a God, Not The God: Why hitting rock bottom is the catalyst for Phil—and us—to finally ask for help and human c...George Smiley - The Hero for Middle Aged Men
When we think of the quintessential British hero, our minds often jump to the high-octane world of James Bond or the eccentric brilliance of Sherlock Holmes. But as we grow older, the "throne of cool" begins to look a little different.
In this episode, Luke explores the "anti-Bond": George Smiley. Created by John le Carré, Smiley isn't a dashing super-spy; he is an overweight, bespectacled desk worker whose marriage is failing and whose glory days seem long behind him. Yet, it is precisely this "averageness" that makes him one of the most compelling figures in 20th-century fiction.
The Magical Thinking of Snow Days
For anyone who grew up in a northern climate, the phrase “snow day” carries a weight of pure, unadulterated magic. In this episode, host Luke Ferris explores the transition from the childhood wonder of "cosmic intervention" to the grounded reality of shoveling the driveway as an adult.
Luke dives into the "sacred rituals" shared on playgrounds everywhere—from sleeping with spoons under pillows to wearing pajamas inside out—all in the hope of tipping the scales of the weather. He also reflects on the 2000 Nickelodeon millennial childhood classic Snow Day, and how the movie’s aspirational portrayal of what a...
Grosse Pointe Blank
"Ten years. Ten years!" It's time to go back to high school for a special Grosse Pointe, Michigan, reunion episode centered on the 1997 action-comedy cult classic, Grosse Pointe Blank.Â
Grosse Pointers Mike Wynne and Peter Tellarico join Luke Ferris to discuss the film's accuracy to 90s suburban Michigan. From the auto industry references to the snacks at the Ultimart, the boys explore why this film was rejected by its namesake city, yet remains a nostalgic cult classic amongst movie fans (and Gen Xers).Â
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What the Car Radio Taught Me About Change
After five years of walkable bliss, Luke Ferris has finally relented to the great American tradition: the daily commute. But in the transition from city sidewalks to suburban boulevards, he rediscovered a forgotten magic on the FM dial.
In this episode, we explore the "surrender of choice" found in local independent radio (shoutout to Grand Rapids’ own WYCE) and how the cinematic "vibe" of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood helped Luke transform road rage into a Cliff Booth-inspired state of mind. From the diegetic beats of Baby Driver to the neon-soaked streets of Driv...
Holiday Special
Are you having a holly, jolly Christmas? Well, you’re about to…
Welcome to the first-ever LIT Holiday Special! Luke Ferris and Mike Wynne answer listener questions about Christmas movies, holiday traditions, and more.Â
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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.Â
Support Least Important Things on Patreon
You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.Â
You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links b...
What The Lord of the Rings Taught Me About Life and Death
Uncover how the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien's comprehensive work—from The Lord of the Rings to The Silmarillion—speaks to a deeper understanding of life and death compared to the teachings of religion, philosophy, and science. Â
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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.Â
Support Least Important Things on Patreon
You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.Â
You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the l...
