The Movie List – Details, episodes & analysis

Is What We Do in the Shadows the absolute genius of Taika Waititi’s best comedy? Welcome back to The Movie List Podcast! This week, Jon (the filmmaker) and Matt (the medical doctor) are taking a massive bite out of the ultimate 2014 vampire mockumentary created by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement.We are digging into the hilarious behind-the-scenes trivia and obscure details that make this movie a modern masterpiece. From tossing out a 200-page script to shoot 195 hours of pure improv, to tricking their real-life IT guy into becoming the lead actor of the film, the making of What We Do in the Shadows is just as chaotic as the vampires themselves.Plus, Matt gives his medical opinion on the "science" of a vampire bite, and Jon reveals a mind-blowing fan theory that connects the What We Do in the Shadows TV universe to the dark serial killer thriller, Se7en.In this episode we cover:- Why they filmed 195 hours of footage for an 86-minute movie 🎥- The ultimate prank on Stu (the IT guy) and how he accidentally saved the MCU ⚡️- The incredibly dark Se7en / Colin Robinson fan theory 🤯- Why the filmmakers had to issue an emergency press release to the city of Wellington about a "burnt corpse" 🚨- The 8,000-year-old plot hole of Petyr the caveman vampire ☀️- A real doctor's take on how vampire bites actually work 🩸🎬 About The Movie List PodcastJoin Jon (the filmmaker) and Matt (the doctor) as they review a curated list of classic films. Every episode features deep-dive behind-the-scenes trivia, filmmaking breakdowns, and hilarious commentary.⸻🐢 Join the Turtle Club: patreon.com/themovielist Follow the full list of every movie in order:IMDb List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4156648980/Letterboxd List: https://boxd.it/QnbYc🛍️ Shop The Movie List merch: the-movie-list-shop.fourthwall.com⸻CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro & First Thoughts on the Film07:52 - 195 Hours of Improv & The IT Guy Prank13:11 - The Vampire Roster & Historic Deep Dives21:04 - The Mind-Blowing Se7en Shared Universe Theory23:28 - K-Strass: The Ultimate Live News Yo-Yo Troll41:07 - How "Stu" Accidentally Saved Thor: Ragnarok53:40 - The "Real Corpse" in the Wellington River1:10:20 - The "Oh, Yeah, Right" Segment: Caveman Plot Holes1:12:43 - Final Ratings & Doctor Fact-Checks Vampire Bites#WhatWeDoInTheShadows #TaikaWaititi #MovieReview #JemaineClement #TheMovieListPodcast #MovieTrivia #FanTheories #Vampires

Casino is Martin Scorsese’s brutal Vegas mob epic starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci.In this episode of The Movie List Podcast, we break down the real mobsters behind Casino, Matt’s first-time reaction, and possibly the worst car bomb dummy ever put on screen.This week, Jon and Matt head into Scorsese’s neon-soaked world of money, power, addiction, betrayal, and extremely loud suits. Matt watches Casino for the first time, while Jon digs into the real-life story behind Sam “Ace” Rothstein, Nicky Santoro, Ginger, and the mob-controlled casino empire that inspired the movie. We talk about why Casino feels like Goodfellas in Vegas, Sharon Stone’s incredible performance as Ginger, Joe Pesci being a human loaded spring, the absurd number of Robert De Niro wardrobe changes, the infamous blueberry muffin scene, the Rolling Stones-heavy soundtrack, and the car bomb scene that somehow starts with the most obvious dummy in movie history.🎬 About The Movie List PodcastJoin Jon (the filmmaker) and Matt (the doctor) as they review a curated list of classic films. Every episode features deep-dive behind-the-scenes trivia, filmmaking breakdowns, and hilarious commentary.⸻🐢 Join the Turtle Club: https://www.patreon.com/themovielist Follow the full list of every movie in order:IMDb List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4156648980/ Letterboxd List: https://boxd.it/QnbYc 🛍️ Shop The Movie List merch: the-movie-list-shop.fourthwall.com ⸻0:00 Intro: Matt Is Running on Doctor Energy2:03 M. Night Shyamalan’s Casino?4:46 Matt’s First-Time Reaction to Casino9:28 The Real Mob Story Behind Casino14:56 The Worst Car Bomb Dummy Ever17:12 Casino’s Wardrobe, Suits & Jewelry20:55 De Niro & Pesci’s Improvised Chemistry23:23 Scorsese’s Rolling Stones Soundtrack25:30 Ace Outsmarts the Japanese Businessman29:29 Is Ginger the Villain of Casino?36:22 Ginger Is the Casino39:52 The Blueberry Muffin Scene42:39 Ace’s High & the Real Frank Rosenthal Show46:39 Everything Starts Falling Apart55:32 Final Ratings & Outro#Casino #MartinScorsese #MoviePodcast #RobertDeNiro #movies

TRUE LIES (1994) — in this episode of The Movie List Podcast, we break down peak Arnold and why this might be the most watchable 90s action movie ever.We talk James Cameron’s action-comedy masterclass, “worst spy ever” moments, and the scenes that made us say “yeah, right” the entire time.____Watch This Weeks Movie Along With Us: True Lies (1994) https://amzn.to/403TzAACheck Our Next Week's Movie: Snowpiercer (2014) https://amzn.to/403TzAA⸻Matt watches True Lies for the first time (somehow) and we immediately spiral into peak Arnold discourse: the insane opener (underwater → tux → tango → chaos), how Arnold is the least inconspicuous spy of all time, and why James Cameron made this movie feel bigger than it should be. We also get into practical effects vs VFX (including the “only one VFX shot” claim), Jamie Lee Curtis appreciation, Bill Paxton’s legendary sleaze, Tom Arnold’s perfect timing, and our official ratings.The Movie List is a weekly movie podcast where two best friends since 7th grade work through a curated list of must-see movies together.Jon is a filmmaker. Matt is a doctor. One of them has seen almost everything. The other has missed… most of it.⸻The Official Movie ListFollow the full list of every movie in order:IMDb List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4156648980/Letterboxd List: https://boxd.it/QnbYc____#MoviePodcast #TheMovieList #TrueLies #ArnoldSchwarzenegger #JamesCameron #JamieLeeCurtis #BillPaxton #TomArnold #90sMovies #ActionMovies #MovieReview #FilmPodcast #MovieDiscussion #filmtalk 00:00 Intro + Matt hasn’t seen True Lies?!02:03 “Peak Arnold” — action + comedy crossroads08:18 Matt's First Watch: The opener is a masterclass (tux, tango, snowmobiles)14:56 Jon Rewatch: Practical vs VFX — the bridge sequence breakdown25:14 “Jump and I will catch you” Arnold running bit32:55 Marshall Minesh and KAZAAM with Shaq36:26 “That’s a nice piece” + 90s dialogue weirdness39:40 Tom Arnold & Bill Paxton highlights51:06 Jamie Lee Curtis and "the Dance"56:37 “Yeah, Right” segment: horse elevator, motorcycle jump01:05:14 Ratings (story, rewatchability, emotional impact, craft, science)01:09:38 Next week: Snowpiercer

Birdman (2014) — in this episode of The Movie List Podcast, we break down Alejandro Iñárritu’s anxiety-fueled backstage masterpiece.From the “one-take” illusion to Keaton/Norton/Stone’s performances (and Matt’s unhinged alien theory), this is everything that makes Birdman unforgettable.____Watch This Weeks Movie Along With Us: Napoleon Dynamite (2004) https://amzn.to/4tqfK15Check Our Next Week's Movie: Birdman (2014) https://amzn.to/3ZXIh0N⸻In this episode, Jon (filmmaker) and Matt (doctor) go deep on Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)—a former superhero star trying to prove he’s a “real” artist by mounting a Broadway comeback… while his life collapses in real time. We talk about why this Best Picture winner feels weirdly under-discussed, how the movie’s momentum never lets you breathe, and how the story keeps blurring the line between performance and reality.We also get into what makes Edward Norton’s character such a chaos engine, why Emma Stone’s scenes hit so hard, and how the film’s drum-driven score turns stress into rhythm. Plus: the bar scenes, the critic confrontation, the ending ambiguity, and the moment Matt genuinely watched the first chunk of this movie thinking Michael Keaton was an alien. Yes, really.The Movie List is a weekly movie podcast where two best friends since 7th grade work through a curated list of must-see movies together.Jon is a filmmaker. Matt is a doctor. One of them has seen almost everything. The other has missed… most of it.⸻The Official Movie ListFollow the full list of every movie in order:IMDb List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4156648980/Letterboxd List: https://boxd.it/QnbYc____#Birdman #MichaelKeaton #EdwardNorton #EmmaStone #AlejandroGonzalezInarritu #FilmPodcast #MovieReview #MovieDiscussion #MovieAnalysis #BestPicture #Cinematography #OneTake #BehindTheScenes #Theater #Broadway #FilmTheory #Movies #TheMovieList #MoviePodcast00:00 Intro + The Oner03:44 Synopsis "Birdman" 04:34 Matt's First Impressions: A Chaotic Masterpiece08:35 The Meta-Narrative: Michael Keaton as Birdman11:32 How They Faked the Continuous Shot (Hidden Cuts & VFX)20:09 Matt’s INSANE Theory: Birdman is an Alien25:41 Reality vs. Delusion: Is He Actually Flying?29:58 Edward Norton Acting as an Actor Acting36:05 The Critic Scene & Having "Skin in the Game"40:53 Behind the Scene Stories and Easter Eggs45:55 Birdman Ending Explained: Legacy and Purgatory52:38 Oh Yeah Right56:15 Final Movie Ratings (Filmmaking Craft vs. Realism)01:03:07 Next Week's Movie: True Lies (1994) 01:04:18 Blooper Reel

Napoleon Dynamite (2004) — Turtle Club #1In this full episode of The Movie List, we break down Napoleon Dynamite with a scene-by-scene movie discussion—favorite quotes, funniest moments, and why this 2004 cult classic never stops being funny.____Watch This Weeks Movie Along With Us: Napoleon Dynamite (2004) https://amzn.to/4tqfK15 Check Our Next Week's Movie: Birdman (2014) https://amzn.to/3ZXIh0N ⸻Napoleon Dynamite stars Jon Heder as Napoleon, a socially awkward high school kid in rural Idaho whose friendship with Pedro leads to the legendary “Vote for Pedro” campaign—and one of the most iconic dance scenes in comedy movie history. We talk about why the humor still works today, why every scene is quotable, and how the movie’s low-budget indie style (director Jared Hess) helped turn it into a cultural phenomenon.This is also the first episode of Turtle Club, our series where Matt picks the movie—the films that mattered in our real-life friendship and shaped our sense of humor growing up. If you love Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre, 2000s comedies, indie films, or cult classics, this one’s for you.👇 Join Turtle Club: Comment “TURTLE CLUB” and drop your favorite Napoleon Dynamite quote or scene.The Movie List is a weekly movie podcast where two best friends since 7th grade work through a curated list of must-see movies together.Jon is a filmmaker. Matt is a doctor. One of them has seen almost everything. The other has missed… most of it.⸻The Official Movie ListFollow the full list of every movie in order:IMDb List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4156648980/Letterboxd List: https://boxd.it/QnbYc____#NapoleonDynamite #TheMovieList #MoviePodcast #FilmPodcast #MovieDiscussion #ComedyMovies #IndieFilm #2000sMovies #CultClassic #VoteForPedro #JaredHess #JonHeder #EfrenRamirez #UncleRico #MovieReview #MovieCommentary #TurtleClub00:00 Intro + What is Turtle Club?01:19 Napoleon Dynamite was a staple in our friendship06:30 Synopsis - Napoleon Dynamite07:18 Jon Rewatch Notes: Small Towns and Low Budgets14:03 Box Office Results and Lawsuit18:08 Matt Rewatch Notes: Peluca and The Most Quotable? 21:11 "Tina, you fat lard come get some dinner"24:17 The Cast of Napoleon Dynamite28:32 Uncle Rico, One of the Best Characters of All Time32:17 Favorite Scenes in Napoleon Dynamite35:46 Blooper: Jon Heder Breaks Character36:29 The Growth of Napoleon and Pedro43:41 The People of Preston, Idaho used in Napoleon Dynamite55:39 The Dance Scene "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai59:05 Ratings Turtle Club Edition59:32 Next Week's Movie: Birdman or (the unexpected virtue of ignorance)

Shutter Island (2010) — we’re breaking down the movie, the ending, and why the “twist” might not be the truth.This episode goes scene-by-scene on the clues that suggest Teddy Daniels is who he says he is… and the island is lying.Watch This Weeks Movie Along With Us: Shutter Island (2010) https://amzn.to/3LWxjFj Check Our Next Week's Movie: Napoleon Dynamite (2004) https://amzn.to/4tqfK15 ⸻In this episode of The Movie List Podcast, Jon (filmmaker) and Matt (doctor) talk through Martin Scorsese’s psychological thriller Shutter Island starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo — and we don’t just recap the plot. We dig into what makes the movie so unsettling on a first watch, why the island’s “reality” feels inconsistent, and how Scorsese uses tone, editing, and dream logic to keep you disoriented right alongside Teddy Daniels.We cover the full story (spoilers), then pivot into the big debate: is Teddy actually Andrew Laeddis… or is Teddy being manipulated into believing it? Jon lays out the “You Were Lied To” theory — that the staff on Shutter Island may be gaslighting Teddy, drugging him, and steering his memories to discredit him. We tie specific moments back to that argument: the headaches and “meds,” the shifting dreams, the infamous water-glass sequence, the “RUN” message, the island-wide performance angle, and why one final detail at the end might be the loudest clue of all.If you’ve ever searched “Shutter Island ending explained,” “Shutter Island twist explained,” “Is Teddy Daniels real,” or “Shutter Island theory” — this is the full conversation version: less “here’s what happened” and more “here’s why it might not mean what you think.”The Movie List is a weekly movie podcast where two best friends since 7th grade work through a curated list of must-see movies together.Jon is a filmmaker. Matt is a doctor. One of them has seen almost everything. The other has missed… most of it.⸻The Official Movie ListFollow the full list of every movie in order:IMDb List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4156648980/ Letterboxd List: https://boxd.it/QnbYc ____#MoviePodcast #TheMovieListPodcast #ShutterIsland #MartinScorsese #LeonardoDiCaprio #MovieDiscussion #MovieReview #FilmPodcast #PsychologicalThriller00:00 Cold open — “You were lied to”01:15 Is Fight Club Martin Scorcese?03:30 Synopsis + spoiler warning5:16 First watch reaction (Matt)13:20 The “Teddy is telling the truth” theory14:08 Clue #1: The Storm and the Guards17:25 Clue #2: “Run” note + why it matters19:02 Clue #3: Rachel Solando and Sodium Amytal20:49 Clue #4: George Noice 21:49 Clue #5: The Final Evidence24:14 Medical Minute: Lobotomies28:42 Best scenes + favorite moments40:13 Use of "On the Nature of Daylight"56:16 Schizophrenia Case Study 01:02:05 Ratings (story / rewatchability / emotional / science / filmmaking)01:08:44:19 First "Turtle Club" Movie: Napoleon Dynamite

Lethal Weapon (1987) — We’re talking through the movie with favorite scenes, laughs, and what still holds up today.Two best friends (a filmmaker + a doctor) break down the chaos, the chemistry, and the most “oh yeah right” moments.Watch This Weeks Movie Along With Us: Lethal Weapon (1987)https://amzn.to/3YUpgf7Check Our Next Week's Movie: Shutter Island (2010) https://amzn.to/3LWxjFj⸻In this episode, we hit the iconic Riggs/Murtaugh dynamic, why this might secretly be a Christmas action movie, the helicopter that refuses to leave, the wild rooftop jump, the “let them fight” finale, and all the rapid-fire one-liners that make rewatches better.Also: we talk first-watch perspective (Matt’s first time), “science realism” vs movie logic, and a modern-day recast (plus wrong answers only).The Movie List is a weekly movie podcast where two best friends since 7th grade work through a curated list of must-see movies together.Jon is a filmmaker. Matt is a doctor. One of them has seen almost everything. The other has missed… most of it.⸻The Official Movie ListFollow the full list of every movie in order:IMDb List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4156648980/Letterboxd List: https://boxd.it/QnbYc____#LethalWeapon #LethalWeapon1987 #MelGibson #DannyGlover #ActionMovies #BuddyCop #80sMovies #MoviePodcast #MovieReview #MovieDiscussion #FilmPodcast #TheMovieList #FilmTalk #Rewatch #ClassicMovies #ShaneBlack #RichardDonner #ChristmasMovie #MovieTrivia #MovieQuotes #MovieClips #MovieBreakdown #MovieAnalysis #MovieFans #MovieNight #MovieRecommendations #MovieRewatch #MovieCommunity #MovieTok #MovieTube #MoviePodcast00:00 Cold open — “Why did they allow this?!”00:40 Intro: filmmaker + doctor, first watch series03:08 Synopsis Lethal Weapon (1987)04:13 First-watch reaction: Riggs / Murtaugh chemistry08:13 Filmmaker rewatch notes / References to Dirty Harry16:28 Mel Gibson's acting prowess22:11 Best Lines in Lethal Weapon29:48 Recasting Lethal Weapon33:49 Oh Yeah Right: The Handcuffs Break?? 38:00 Lethal Weapon is a Christmas Movie54:22 Final showdown: “let them fight” logic57:36 Ratings: story / rewatchability / emotional impact / science realism01:02:51 Next movie preview

Watch This Weeks Movie Along With Us: Death at a Funeral - UK Version (2008) https://amzn.to/4pLjPdq Check Our Next Week's Movie: Lethal Weapon (1987) https://amzn.to/3YUpgf7 ⸻Death at a Funeral (2007) is the kind of “one bad day” comedy where everything that can go wrong… absolutely does. Filmmaker Jon and Doctor Matt talk through the UK original (Frank Oz) — from the wrong body at the funeral, to Alan Tudyk turning a solemn service into pure chaos, to the coffin literally moving while everyone tries to keep their British composure intact.We get into our favorite moments, the performances that make this thing endlessly rewatchable, why the jokes breathe so well in British comedy, and the wild fact that this movie was remade multiple times around the world. Plus, Matt breaks down the “Oh Yeah Right” medical side of the drug cocktail (LSD/mescaline/ketamine) and what would actually happen if someone got dosed the way this movie does it.Watch the episode and tell us: what’s the funniest moment in the movie — and would you survive this funeral without losing your mind?⸻The Official Movie ListFollow the full list of every movie in order:IMDb List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4156648980/Letterboxd List: https://boxd.it/QnbYc____#MoviePodcast #TheMovieList #DeathAtAFuneral #BritishComedy #AlanTudyk #FrankOz #MovieDiscussion #ComedyMovies #FilmPodcast #MovieReview00:00 Cold open – “Black Comedy vs BLACK Comedy”04:29 Synopsis05:16 Matt's First watch notes08:51 Jon's Filmmaking breakdown12:27 Favorite scenes and characters17:27 The Genius of Alan Tudyk25:46 Peter Dinklage's Character Is the Next Hurricane of Chaos45:35 Medical Minute: Hallucinogens In Film58:16 Oh Yeah Right01:00:19 Ratings01:05:32 Next week’s movie: Lethal Weapon

Watch This Weeks Movie Along With Us: The Big Lebowski (1998) https://amzn.to/4q3tdtz Check Our Next Week's Movie: Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid (1969) https://amzn.to/4pCX8bg (Bezos tosses us some lunch money if you buy/rent through these links.) ⸻The Big Lebowski is confusing, chaotic, and somehow brilliant.In this episode of The Movie List, we unpack why this movie works without a traditional plot, why the characters carry everything, and whether Donnie might not have been real at all. From Walter’s bowling alley meltdown to the ashes scene, we break down the moments that turn confusion into comedy — and why rewatching this movie changes everything.New here? The premise is simple: Jon made a list of 100 movies Matt somehow never saw. We’re fixing that—one movie at a time.⸻The Official Movie ListFollow the full list of every movie in order:IMDb List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls415664898...Letterboxd List: https://boxd.it/QnbYc ____#MoviePodcast #Bronson #TomHardy #venom #bane #mobland #legend #peakyblinders #MovieReview #FilmPodcast #MovieList #FilmAnalysis #NicholasWindingRefn #CrimeMovies #IndieFilm #CharacterStudy #MovieDiscussion #Cinephile #FilmTalk #MovieRecap #FilmBreakdown #TrueStoryMovies #PodcastClips #YouTubePodcast #MovieRecommendations #UKMovies #CultFilms #Cinema00:00 Cold open – “Is Donnie Real?”00:44 Intro Todd Priest of Dudeism03:08 Synopsis04:22 First watch notes16:14 Filmmaking breakdown (Is it a Film Noir?)22:54 Medical Minute (the iron lung)24:21 Favorite scenes and characters39:07 Is Donnie Real?52:31 Oh Yeah Right55:18 Ratings01:00: 51 Next week’s movie

Watch This Weeks Movie Along With Us: Bronson (2009) https://amzn.to/4awovji Check Our Next Week's Movie: The Big Lebowski (1998) https://amzn.to/4q3tdtz (Bezos tosses us some lunch money if you buy/rent through these links.) ⸻ Bronson is one of the weirdest “biopics” we’ve ever covered… because it’s not really trying to explain the guy — it’s just presenting him like a performance. And somehow, the best comparison we landed on was this: Bronson is Mr. Bean… but violent.In this episode of The Movie List, Jon (filmmaker) and Dr. Matt (actual doctor, yes) break down Tom Hardy’s unhinged transformation, the movie’s stage-play energy, and the constant tension that makes every scene feel like a loaded spring. We also get into the “Mom Meter” rating (you’ve been warned), plus the medical reality of sedatives used to calm down an agitated patient.New here? The premise is simple: Jon made a list of 100 movies Matt somehow never saw. We’re fixing that—one movie at a time. ⸻ The Official Movie ListFollow the full list of every movie in order:IMDb List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls415664898...Letterboxd List: https://boxd.it/QnbYc____#MoviePodcast #Bronson #TomHardy #venom #bane #mobland #legend #peakyblinders #MovieReview #FilmPodcast #MovieList #FilmAnalysis #NicholasWindingRefn #CrimeMovies #IndieFilm #CharacterStudy #MovieDiscussion #Cinephile #FilmTalk #MovieRecap #FilmBreakdown #TrueStoryMovies #PodcastClips #YouTubePodcast #MovieRecommendations #UKMovies #CultFilms #Cinema00:00 Cold open – “Mr. Bean… but violent”00:43 Intro + Mom Meter06:05 Synopsis07:50 First watch notes15:10 Filmmaking breakdown (budget + style)23:27 Medical Minute (sedation / agitation)27:13 Favorite scenes + trivia43:53 Interesting Facts about Charles Bronson46:51 Oh Yeah Right51:57 Ratings57:08 Next week’s movie