Movie Chumps

A worthy addition to the 28 ___ Later saga, no doubt! Director Danny Boyle (with help from writer Alex Garland and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle) hits an absolute moonshot with 28 Years Later - the third installment - though better if you think of this as the first of a NEW post-apocalyptic trilogy. Alfie Williams might be a no-name actor at this point, but he steals the show and carries it. The Chumps recap three all-time memorable horror film scenes on their way to giving this an easy 10 out of 10.

It's quintessential Arnold! What a way to kick off the 1990s - with a futuristic, Paul Verhoeven-directed beauty with old school practical effects on full display. Luke & Corrye have a riot on the rewatch, as the Chumps visit Mars, poke fun at Michael Ironside, and cringe in pain recalling the tracking device removal scene. PLUS: remembering a game-changing screenwriter who never got his due. AND: weighing in on the internet question of the month: who wins in a gorilla vs. 100 men battle?

Luke wastes little time explaining why he gave Sinners a "12 out of 10" once the credits hit, and Corrye articulates why he's already pre-ordered the Blu-Ray steelbook (despite no release date yet). Ryan Coogler joins the short list of "can't wait to see what they do next" directors after commandeering this beauty. The music, the performances, the character chemistry - we may have an instant classic on our hands, courtesy of 1930s Mississippi. PLUS: we honor the late great Val Kilmer.

A wet fart from famed director Bong Joon Ho? Luke & Corrye lean "yes." Though Robert Pattinson sparkles as the titular character, much of this novel-based film didn't quite land for the Chumps. Luke explains his small beef with author Edward Ashton (a personal experience!) while Corrye batters the film with a variety of frustrations. PLUS: an ode to Gene Hackman, one of our favorite thespians.

Almost a quarter century after the Denzel Washington classic hit the big screen, Luke & Corrye explore what made this banger such a riot of an L.A. film! From overacting from Dr. Dre to a dynamite Ethan Hawke performance to that intense as hell card game with the Mexican gang, Training Day delivers with a lot to like! PLUS: Corrye delivers his Oscar's picks AND his Top 10 films of 2024.

We're headed down to Rowdy's Hideaway and then the courtroom to see what Clint Eastwood is cooking in what could be his final film behind the camera. Luke & Corrye comb through the ingredients that made this film so darn intriguing from start to finish. PLUS: Robert Eggers's perfect batting average, and the excitement builds over a possible Goonies sequel!

It's quite the concoction: Pacino, Crowe, Michael Mann, and Christopher Plummer as 60 Minutes legend Mike Wallace (plus that berzerker courtroom scene from Bruce McGill!). Luke & Corrye have a ball rewatching 1999's The Insider. From the Big Tobacco vs. whistleblower battle to the "will they or won't they air it" debate in the halls of CBS, this 25-year-old slow-burn banger still sizzles.

Was Denzel Washington fantastic or was he just Denzel? Did Paul Mescal bring the same energy in the lead role as Russell Crowe? These are just two of the many questions Luke & Corrye waxed philosophical on, as the Chumps trade punches on the follow-up to Ridley Scott's original modern classic.

It's a Halloween special! Two movies, one episode. The Chumps welcome back Cory K to discuss the new Stephen King adaptation Salem's Lot before burrowing through the delightful 1983 Something Wicked This Way Comes. Two movies about small town America to help you wash down that pumpkin spice latte!

For the first time in the podcast's five-year history, Luke & Corrye are flummoxed over a film. What was Todd Phillips trying to tell us with Joker Folie a Deux? What was his message? Why that "twist" ending? PLUS: the major role that fan favorite Michael Biehn almost scored; adios Weinstein Brothers; and the new projects for Will Smith, Adam Driver, and Matt Damon!

A major milestone for Luke & Corrye, as the Chumps hit their 200th episode! Thing is, the boys decided to do a little something different. No film breakdowns. Instead? An interview about the state of film and other cinema whatnot with James "Stuntman Mike" - one of the Chumps' favorite film buffs on Twitter. From the importance of Terminator 2 to the death of James Earl Jones, the three fellas cover a smorgasbord of topics.

Don't ingest the negative feedback you're seeing online: this thing is fantastic! A more than worthy addition to the franchise. Luke & Corrye have minimal nitpicks and quite a lot of praise, epecially for director Fede Alvarez and this team of young actors anchored by David Johnsson (marvelous!). We get into the lighting & cinematography, the Weyland-Yutani stuff, the connections to past films, and that slam-bang of an ending with "that thing."

Two conclusions on the rewatch: 1) it's still extremely difficult to view this film, and 2) it's hard to finish this film and NOT think there's a strong argument to call this the greatest movie of all time. From the way Spielberg brings the harrowing D-Day invasion to life, to the beautiful tiny moments of humanity sprinkled around the film, the Chumps dissect the greatness that is Saving Private Ryan.

Corrye put it best: they just don't make 'em like this anymore. The film may be known as Brad Pitt's true coming out party, but Legends of the Fall is a bonafide banger. Edward Zwick makes his second all-timer (after Glory), as he introduces us to the Ludlow family in Montana. The Chumps go on the warpath with Tristan, pointing out the beautiful shots to the lovable One Stab to the frustrating but tragic Susannah. PLUS: Our first reactions to Season 2 of House of the Dragon!

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga rips and roars through the entire 148 minutes. As Corrye and Luke explain, the longest of the Mad Max films features plenty to love: Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth chewing up scenes; George Miller concocting another riveting yarn through unparallelled editing; and new characters to enjoy including Praetorian Jack and Furiosa's mom. The Chumps also tip their cap to explorations of this ragged wasteland, from the Green Place to Bullet Farm to Gas Town to a return to The Citadel.

The biting satire still holds up! Luke and Corrye pick through Paul Verhoeven's message-laden dystopian action flim from 1987 - a film that comes up smelling like roses in terms of the casting, and its rogue's gallery of villains. The Chumps marvel at the special effects as well as the core memory scenes that are as devastating today as they were when the fellas first say this in the late 80s (that acid scene!). PLUS: Luke tickles Corrye with an OJ Simpson-inspired 5 Questions in light of the notorious Buffalo Bills legend's death. AND: major developments regarding upcoming films from Steven Spielberg...

A rollicking good time! John Carpenter delivers an absurd cult classic, with help from super trucker Jack Burton! Cory Kesselring joins Luke and Corrye to discuss the fight choreography, the location of Little China, and the downside of the often forgotten prelude. Among the other hot topics: the three Rayden villains and their comically-huge hats; the imitation Kurt Russell is doing throughout the entire film; the warm blanket that is Egg Shen (Victor Wong); and the consistenly punchable Lo Pan. PLUS: The Chumps bid farewell...sort of.

Not many had Zac Efron crushing this role on their 2023 Bingo card, but here we are. A24 pumps out another banger, this time, the tragic tale of the Von Erich family. Luke and Corrye welcome friend of the pod Cory K back to the podcast to discuss the Von Erich curse; how realistic the wrestling depictions are; the haunting images from Sean Durkin; and the creative decisions to leave out elements of the real tale that would have added even more tragedy to the story. Plus: Corrye Cook drops his Oscar predictions before the big night!

Denis Villeneuve did it again. What a spectacle. A true 10 out of 10. Luke & Corrye return after a two-month hiatus to bring you a recap STRAIGHT OUT OF THE THEATER on Dune: Part Two.

"A thoroughly refreshing glass of water." Those words from esteemed co-host Corrye, as the Chumps visit Barton Academy - an island of grief for three of our favorite characters of the movie year. A crowd-pleaser with heart, Paul Giamatti, newcomer Dominic Sessa, and rising star Da'Vine Joy Randolph are the best 1-2-3 punch since Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. Sticking with this Celtics analogy, director Alexander Payne gets to be Rajon Rando - stringing together an ambience that's surely destined to be a powerhouse come Oscar night.

Michael Keaton puts on a dazzling display in this true showcase of Tim Burton's wild imagination. Luke and Corrye have a ball revisiting memorable performances from a large swath of actors: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, and Winona Ryder who sparkles in her gothic de facto debut. The Chumps try to pinpoint what makes this film so unforgettable after 35 years, while showering praise on Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey Jones, and the great Glenn Shadix as Otho!

Zany. If you can define this film in one word, it's zany. Luke & Corrye take a trip down memory lane exploring a film that was a sensation then and a cult classic now. Who can forget Large Marge? The dancing sequence to "Tequila" in the biker bar? Pee-Wee calling out Amazing Larry in the basement presentation scene? So much to adore. And a large chunk is due to Tim Burton - and his rollicking creativity in his big-picture debut.

Prime Michelle Pfeiffer. Prime Danny DeVito. And some Grade-A Michael Keaton as well. Tim Burton was in his bag, as the kids say, with the follow-up to his Jack Nicholson-infested megahit Batman. This time, Bruce Wayne deals with MULTIPLE headcases. The Chumps have a ball holding a magnifying glass to Burton’s tricks, themes, lighting, and gadgets. And Christopher Walken’s in this, so expect an impression or four.

Many consider it the greatest Western of all time. Clint Eastwood's comeback to the genre in 1992 proved to be a beast at the Oscar's the following year. Luke and Corrye explore: the nature of violence in this film and how it's portrayed compared to Westerns of the past; Little Bill vs. English Bob; and William Munny's stunning finale shootout.

Classic Clint Eastwood. The Chumps revisit the 1976 Western and are reminded of how much of a motley crew Josey Wales manages to gather up during his revenge and escape quest. Luke & Corrye explore Clint's moves behind the camera as well: his portrayal of Native Americans, women, and the Civil War's aftermath. PLUS: a Thanksgiving-themed 5 Questions, and plenty of sequel news and Marvel updates.

David Fincher does it again! A slow burn but a banger of a suspense/thriller. Lesser Fincher, you've heard? You heard wrong. Every frame and nuance is a delight, as Luke & Corrye recount what they discovered as they followed Michael Fassbender's assassin around the globe enacting his revenge. PLUS: the Chumps try to explain why Tilda Swinton impresses them here (despite being a bore in other films). And Corrye has a beef with employee engagement surveys!

Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell are simply untouchable in here. One of the better 1-2 punches in moviedom. Luke & Corrye quote up a storm, before wondering: why is Jason Priestley in this? Why is the opening sequence introducing the Cowboys so perfect? Why was Billy Bob Thornton so chubby? Why was Dana Delany so gorgeous? Toss in Sam Elliott's mustache and the beloved Michael Biehn, and we've got ourselves a classic here.

So much blood. So many wild kills and gnarliness. So many flowers for Alyssa Sutherland's peformance. And how about that opening six minutes? Director Lee Cronin adds a banger to the Evil Dead franchise and has Luke & Corrye thirsting for more!

We knew Robert De Niro would be good. But we were blown away by Leonardo DiCaprio's performance and were absolutely astonished by Ms. Lily Gladstone. Luke & Corrye explain why the next Oscars will be a head-to-head battle between Killers of the Flower Moon and Oppenheimer. Martin Scorsese explores new territory (especially with the ending) while wading through familiar grounds. And boy do we have some thoughts on Brendan Fraser's 3 minutes of screen time!

A good old-fashioned romp! Fun, comical, and clever, this 2009 gem includes one of the great cameos of all time with Bill Murray. Luke & Corrye chop through all the junk they admired in this film, from Columbus' rules to Amber Heard's creepy scene to that riveting opening (thanks Metallica). PLUS: Luke makes a foolhardy attempt to fix the NBA, and Corrye admits to not ever hearing about a "popular" gas station snack.

What's the line? Don't eat. TASTE. Luke & Corrye fulfill their "mouthfeel" duties as they power through every delicious morsel of this criminally underrated black comedy. A commentary for the ages on class, celebrity, and society. Bon Appétit!

There's jump scares and there's The Conjuring. The 2013 fright fest blends realism and tension into a smorgasbord that has us viewers wondering what in the world is coming out of the shadows next. Vera Farmiga and Lili Taylor carry the torch here, but not far behind is Patrick Wilson and some stellar casting choices for the Perron family kiddos. Luke & Corrye dive into what separates this horror flick
from so many others. PLUS: was the Ahsoka finale able to stick the landing? And was Rich Cohen able to bang out another non-fiction gem, this time, centered around 1980s hoops?

Let's be honest: this is sort of a masterclass in directing by John Krasinski here. The Office alum catches everyone off guard by delivering a tension-filled thriller/horror film that featured his wife Emily Blunt and memorable performances by two unknown youngsters. PLUS: One of the strikes is over! Corrye helps us make sense of the deal between the writers and studios; Luke tries to explain why Tom Brady's awesome legacy may take a bullet or two over time; and a look at Martin Scorsese's "retirement" plan.

Forget one underdog. In Warrior, we get two! The 1-2-3 punch of Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, and Joel Edgerton catapult this underrated 2011 fight drama in "best sports films of all time" category. The Chumps explain how director Gavin O'Connor overcomes cliche landmines, why the school principal is one of the great characters in the film, and how the cinematographer manages to capture so much authenticity in what appears to be a ridiculous premise, at times, on paper. PLUS: Ezra Bridger and Thrawn finally show up in Ahsoka. AND: the "breath smells like a mugshot" comment that got Corrye cackling...

Astonishing. Tom Cruise is flat out astonishing. Luke watches it for the first time, and explains his ridiculous reason why it took him 34 years to do so. Meanwhile, Corrye articulates the arguments Oliver Stone makes against Vietnam in ways the director's other classic, Platoon, didn't. PLUS: all the cameos and familiar faces we loved; Ahsoka delivers its best episode yet; and Luke & Corrye pick their all-time NBA starting five.

Gordon Gecko. Bud Fox. 1980s sleaze & greed. The Chumps pluck out the best of Oliver Stone's 1987 smash hit Wall Street, while poking fun at John C. McGinley's antics, the cheesy clumps of dialogue ("this turkey is braindead!"), Hal Holbrook's platitudes, and Sean Young. PLUS: the moral force of Martin Sheen's Carl Fox, and why Daryl Hannah doesn't deserve a Razzie award for her performance.

Nothing ushers in the start of Oliver Stone's dynamite run of films like the haunting Adagio for Strings classical music piece and the blockbuster performances by Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. Luke & Corrye shine a spotlight on Stone's ability to capture: the rawness of war, the colorful characters of Charlie Sheen's crew, all while creating that "we could die at any second" atmosphere that is so paramount about the Vietnam War. PLUS: John C. McGinley plays a great schmuck....and the Chumps check in to see if Ahsoka continues its momentum for episode 3.

Liam Neeson versus everyone. That's what we all assumed coming into The Grey. But we were wrong; to quote Christopher Wallace - DEAD wrong. The Grey is neck-deep in existentialism and big-picture themes that were camouflaged in the initial trailers. PLUS: Corrye's provocative take on Scooby-Do, and Luke brings us another "late to the party" recommendation.

A difficult rewatch, given one of the more devastating endings in film history. Luke & Corrye explain why it's also the PERFECT ending. And how about this cast? Toby Jones, Marcia Gay Harden, Andre Braugher, and Steve Kerr lookalike William Sadler. All cooking with gas. Corrye shares some differences with Stephen King's novel, while Luke leads the insult barrage on The Mist's CGI monsters. PLUS: Director Frank Darabont pulls a John Cazale - except he really doesn't.

Michael Clarke Duncan's John Coffey is the quintessential "gentle giant," but The Green Mile is NOT the quintessential prison movie. A haunting but uplifting film that grapples with the finality of death, the Chumps sift through the tall grass to capture the heart & soul of Frank Darabont's follow-up to the The Shawshank Redemption. Corrye explains why this is a dynamite page-to-screen adaptation from Stephen King's genius mind. The Chumps reflect on the cast, the score, and so much more.