Episode 262 - Puppet Master

Oz and Curtis are checking our contracts, dodging Peter Farrelly's calls, and wondering how on earth an entire roster of Oscar winners got roped into the grossest sketch compilation ever made to break down the infamous comedy trainwreck: Movie 43!Framed around a manic, gun-wielding screenwriter pitching increasingly deranged movie ideas to a studio executive (or, in the international cut, teens searching the dark web for the forbidden title film), Movie 43 unfolds as a chaotic barrage of short sketches. What follows is a parade of Hollywood's biggest superstars debasing themselves in sketches involving neck-wattles on a blind date, bizarre homeschooled teenage romance, superhero speed-dating, foul-mouthed leprechauns, and a basketball team being introduced to 1950s history.We break down the legendary behind-the-scenes nightmare: producer Peter Farrelly's multi-year war of attrition to trick, corner, and guilt-trip top-tier talent into filming, the sheer contrast between prestigious names (Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Halle Berry, Emma Stone, Richard Gere) and the raunchy material, and why critics across the globe universally declared it one of the absolute worst motion pictures ever released in theaters. Is Movie 43 a misunderstood piece of subversive Shock Comedy and a future Cult Oddity, or just a movie that proves blackmail is a very real Hollywood production strategy? Tune in for our full Movie 43 2013 movie review!"It's not every day you see an Oscar winner with testicles on his neck, but Hollywood makes dreams come true." — A reflection on what happens when agents stop answering their phones.If you’re into analyzing Hollywood production disasters, marveling at baffling career choices by A-listers, or listening to two dudes who would definitely sign away their likenesses without reading the fine print, this episode is for you.To secure your content and avoid getting tricked into a four-year contract, head straight over to https://LetsTalkAboutFlix.com — where our takes hold nothing back and are guaranteed to be a hilariously jaw-dropping listen.Follow the boys on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutflixInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutflix/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/talkaboutflix#moviepodcast #filmpodcast #comedypodcast #filmreview #moviereview

Oz and Curtis are lapping milk out of saucers, questioning our grip on reality, and trying desperately to scrub digital human hands and unrendered CGI coats from our memory to break down the most bewildering theatrical spectacle of the 21st century: Cats!Abandoned in the eerie, oversized alleyways of London, innocent feline Victoria (Francesca Hayward) is taken under the paw of the streetwise Munkustrap and introduced to the bizarre subculture of the Jellicle cats. Tonight is the night of the annual Jellicle Ball, where ancient elder Old Deuteronomy (Judi Dench) must choose one cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a brand-new Jellicle life. But as contenders from Jennyanydots (Rebel Wilson) to Rum Tum Tugger (Jason Derulo) make their musical pitches, the malevolent Macavity (Idris Elba) begins vanishing the competition into thin air with pure, unfiltered teleportation magic.We break down the absolute unhinged madness of this star-studded catastrophe: Tom Hooper’s infamous obsession with "digital fur technology," the terrifying human-cockroach tap dance sequences, the frantic post-release CGI patch sent to theaters to remove human rings and wristwatches, and an A-list ensemble—including Taylor Swift, Ian McKellen, and James Corden—delivering performances that defy earthly explanation. Is Cats the greatest Unintentional Comedy ever funded with a hundred-million-dollar studio budget, or just a musical that proves some Broadway shows should strictly stay on the stage? Tune in for our full Cats 2019 movie review!"A cat is not a dog." — Words spoken with utter dramatic conviction by Judi Dench directly into the camera lens to wrap up two hours of feline existential dread.If you’re into analyzing studio-scale cinematic misfires, marveling at bizarre visual effects decisions, or listening to two dudes who would definitely panic if a cat took off its own fur coat, this episode is for you.To secure your content and avoid being banished by Macavity, sneak straight over to https://LetsTalkAboutFlix.com — where our takes are completely uncensored and guaranteed to be a mind-bending listen.Follow the boys on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutflixInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutflix/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/talkaboutflix#moviepodcast #filmpodcast #comedypodcast #filmreview #moviereview

Oz and Curtis are checking into the Bodega Bay Inn, dodging hook hands and drill heads, and trying our best not to get a mouthful of leeches to break down the film that launched an entire straight-to-video empire: Puppet Master!In 1939, old-world puppet maker Andre Toulon discovers an ancient Egyptian secret to bringing inanimate objects to life. Rather than surrender his living creations to Nazi spies, Toulon hides them away and takes his own life. Fifty years later, a group of gifted psychics are drawn to the seaside hotel by a former colleague, only to find him dead—and Toulon’s terrifying wooden creations very much awake. Trapped inside, the psychics are picked off one by one by the deadly gang of miniature killers: Blade, Pinhead, Tunneler, Jester, and the stomach-turning Leech Woman.We break down the foundational classic of Charles Band’s legendary studio: David Schmoeller’s moody, gothic direction, Richard Band’s haunting and unforgettable synth score, the brilliant stop-motion and practical puppetry that gave each creation distinct personality, and how a straight-to-VHS gamble spawned over a dozen sequels and a massive cult following. Is Puppet Master the gold standard of Killer Doll Horror and an untouchable B-Movie Classic, or just a movie that proves antique hotels should strictly ban wooden puppets? Tune in for our full Puppet Master 1989 movie review!"They're not just dolls... they're alive." — A harsh reality check before a tiny hook-handed puppet comes running out of the shadows.If you’re into analyzing cult VHS horror history, appreciating fantastic low-budget creature effects, or listening to two dudes who would definitely get taken out by a drill to the kneecaps, this episode is for you.To secure your content and avoid becoming Toulon's next victim, slip straight over to https://LetsTalkAboutFlix.com — where our takes are sharp as a razor and guaranteed to be a killer listen.Follow the boys on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutflixInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutflix/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/talkaboutflix#moviepodcast #filmpodcast #comedypodcast #filmreview #moviereview

Oz and Curtis are picking up our banjos, hopping into a 1951 Studebaker, and heading out on a cross-country road trip to Hollywood to break down Jim Henson’s timeless, heartwarming masterpiece: The Muppet Movie!Kermit the Frog is living a quiet life in a Florida swamp when a passing agent (Dom DeLuise) suggests he head to Hollywood to audition for a big break. Inspired to make millions of people happy, Kermit hits the open road, picking up a colorful crew of fellow dreamers along the way—including Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Electric Mayhem. But the journey turns dangerous when ruthless fast-food mogul Doc Hopper (Charles Drowning) relentlessly pursues Kermit, determined to make the famous frog the official pitchman for his French-fried frog legs franchise.We break down the pure, unmatched magic of this 70s landmark: Jim Henson and Frank Oz making the jump from television to the big screen, the revolutionary practical puppetry tricks that allowed Kermit to ride a bicycle, the legendary celebrity cameo lineup (Steve Martin, Orson Welles, Mel Brooks, and Richard Pryor, just to name a few), and the unforgettable Oscar-nominated soundtrack by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher. Is The Muppet Movie the ultimate 70s Musical Comedy and an untouchable Family Classic, or just a movie that proves the lovers, the dreamers, and us were right all along? Tune in for our full The Muppet Movie 1979 movie review!"Why are there so many songs about rainbows, and what's on the other side?" — A simple song that still brings a tear to every movie fan's eye.If you’re into analyzing groundbreaking puppetry history, appreciating flawless original movie musicals, or listening to two dudes who would definitely get lost on the way to Hollywood, this episode is for you.To secure your content and make the "rich and famous" contract a reality, cruise straight over to https://LetsTalkAboutFlix.com — where our takes are pure joy and guaranteed to be a rainbow-filled listen.Follow the boys on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutflixInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutflix/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/talkaboutflix#moviepodcast #filmpodcast #comedypodcast #filmreview #moviereview

Oz and Curtis are practicing our voice throw, packing up the dummy case, and trying desperately not to let the wooden guy call all the shots to break down Richard Attenborough’s chilling psychological thriller: Magic!Corky (Anthony Hopkins) is a struggling magician whose act takes off only when he introduces a foul-mouthed, abrasive ventriloquist dummy named Fats. As his stardom skyrockets and his agent (Burgess Meredith) nears securing a massive television deal, Corky panics over the required mental exam and flees to a quiet resort town in the Catskills. There, he reunites with his high school crush, Peggy Ann Snow (Ann-Margret), hoping for a second chance at a normal life. But as Corky's mental state deteriorates, Fats begins taking on a terrifying mind of his own—demanding complete control over Corky's life and pushing him toward murderous insanity.We break down the unsettling power of this late-70s horror classic: Anthony Hopkins’ haunting, raw performance long before The Silence of the Lambs, the sheer skill he showed actually learning ventriloquism for the role, Richard Attenborough’s grounded direction written by legendary screenwriter William Goldman, and the legendary TV teaser trailer that terrified a generation of kids. Is Magic an underappreciated masterclass in Psychological Horror and a true Cult Classic, or just a movie that proves you should never let a wooden dummy do the talking? Tune in for our full Magic 1978 movie review!If you’re into analyzing creepy dummy cinema, appreciating early Anthony Hopkins brilliance, or listening to two dudes who would definitely run out of the room if a ventriloquist puppet blinked at them, this episode is for you.To secure your content and avoid getting manipulated by Fats, head straight over to https://LetsTalkAboutFlix.com — where our takes are completely unfiltered and guaranteed to be a spellbinding listen.Follow the boys on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutflixInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutflix/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/talkaboutflix#moviepodcast #filmpodcast #comedypodcast #filmreview #moviereview

Oz and Curtis are hopping in the jet, hopping on the strings, and blowing up historical landmarks in the name of liberty to break down Trey Parker and Matt Stone's uncompromising puppet extravaganza: Team America: World Police!When a high-tech anti-terrorist paramilitary force learns that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il is plotting a mass destruction scheme involving weapons of mass destruction, they realize they need the ultimate undercover operative. Enter Gary Johnston, a talented Broadway actor recruited to use his emotional range to infiltrate a terrorist cell. Together with his gun-toting, string-attached teammates, Gary must balance his dramatic craft with international warfare while taking on both brutal dictators and the pretentious celebrity activist elite of the Film Actors Guild.We break down the sheer technical madness and offensive brilliance of this comedic masterpiece: Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s painstaking use of classic Thunderbirds-style Supermarionation, the instantly iconic musical numbers ("America, F*** Yeah!"), the hysterical skewering of Jerry Bruckheimer blockbuster tropes, and the relentless political satire that spares absolutely nobody. Is Team America: World Police the peak of 2000s Satirical Comedy and an all-time Cult Classic, or just a movie that proves acting is the most dangerous weapon of all? Tune in for our full Team America: World Police 2004 movie review!"America, F*** Yeah!" — The anthem that defined an era of action movie parody.If you’re into analyzing offensive comedy perfection, appreciating the sheer logistical nightmare of filming a full-length marionette movie, or listening to two dudes who would definitely tangle their strings within five seconds of stepping on set, this episode is for you.To secure your content and protect global freedom, soar straight over to https://LetsTalkAboutFlix.com — where our takes are as loud as a jet engine and guaranteed to be an explosive listen.Follow the boys on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutflixInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutflix/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/talkaboutflix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/talkaboutflix⁠#moviepodcast #filmpodcast #comedypodcast #filmreview #moviereview

Oz and Curtis are strapping on our running shoes, dodging the Hunters, and tuning in to the most-watched, highest-stakes game show in dystopian America to break down Edgar Wright’s relentless sci-fi action thriller: The Running Man!In a bleak, total-surveillance near-future, desperate father Ben Richards (Glen Powell) enters "The Running Man"—a brutal, deadly reality show run by the oppressive Network where contestants earn cash for every hour they survive against elite, government-sanctioned assassins. Pursued across a fractured nation by cold-blooded Hunters and watched by millions of bloodthirsty viewers, Ben has to rely on pure instinct, grit, and unexpected allies if he hopes to stay alive long enough to expose the horrific truth behind the game.We break down Edgar Wright’s pulse-pounding, high-concept spectacle: Glen Powell’s charismatic, razor-sharp turn as the ultimate anti-hero, how this version returns directly to the gritty, cynical roots of Stephen King’s original Richard Bachman novel, the sleek yet terrifying world-building, and Wright’s signature kinetic action direction. Is The Running Man a modern masterpiece of Dystopian Sci-Fi and a killer satire of reality TV culture, or just a movie that proves the house always wins? Tune in for our full The Running Man 2025 movie review!If you’re into analyzing sci-fi thrillers, appreciating faithful Stephen King adaptations, or listening to two dudes who would definitely get eliminated in the pilot episode's opening five minutes, this episode is for you.To secure your content and stay one step ahead of the stalkers, sprint straight over to https://LetsTalkAboutFlix.com — where our takes are high-octane and guaranteed to be an electrifying listen.Follow the boys on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutflixInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutflix/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/talkaboutflix#moviepodcast #filmpodcast #comedypodcast #filmreview #moviereview

Oz and Curtis are strapping on our trench coats, downing twelve pints across twelve pubs, and trying to avoid getting our heads popped off by blue-glowing androids to break down the grand finale of the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy: The World's End!Gary King (Simon Pegg) is a 40-something man trapped in the amber of his high school glory days. Desperate to recapture the magic of his youth, he rallies his reluctant childhood friends—Andy (Nick Frost), Oliver (Martin Freeman), Steven (Paddy Considine), and Peter (Eddie Marsan)—to return to their hometown of Newton Haven and finally complete "The Golden Mile," an epic pub crawl ending at the mythical pub, The World's End. But as the booze flows and old tensions flare, the gang makes a horrifying discovery: the townspeople have been replaced by creepy, blue-ink-bleeding alien replicants known as "Blanks."We break down the surprisingly dark and hilarious conclusion to Edgar Wright’s trilogy: Simon Pegg’s tragicomic performance as the deeply flawed Gary King, Nick Frost flipping the dynamic as the mature voice of reason, the incredible fluid-fighting choreography, and the movie's sharp exploration of aging, nostalgia, and forced conformity. Is The World's End an underappreciated Sci-Fi Comedy and the ultimate end to an excellent trilogy, or just a movie that proves some pub crawls should strictly stay in the past? Tune in for our full The World's End 2013 movie review!If you’re into analyzing sci-fi action comedies, appreciating deep character studies disguised as genre films, or listening to two dudes who would definitely get replaced by alien androids on pint three, this episode is for you.To secure your content and survive the end of humanity as we know it, stagger straight over to https://LetsTalkAboutFlix.com — where our takes are served cold and guaranteed to be an apocalyptic listen.Follow the boys on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutflixInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutflix/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/talkaboutflix#moviepodcast #filmpodcast #comedypodcast #filmreview #moviereview

Oz and Curtis are locking and loading, grabbing a Cornetto from the corner shop, and trying to keep an eye out for missing swans to break down the second installment in the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy: Hot Fuzz!Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is the ultimate London police officer—so good at his job that his superiors transfer him to the quiet, picture-perfect sleepy village of Sandford just to make the rest of the force look better. Partnered with the overly enthusiastic, action-movie-obsessed Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), Angel struggles to adapt to a town where the biggest crime seems to be an escaped swan. But when a series of gruesome "accidents" begins claiming the lives of prominent villagers, Angel realizes there is a sinister conspiracy lurking beneath the town's award-winning exterior.We break down the perfection of this action-comedy juggernaut: Edgar Wright’s hyper-kinetic editing style, the incredible homage to classic 90s action cinema like Point Break and Bad Boys II, the stacked supporting cast of British comedy icons (including Timothy Dalton chewing up every scene), and the absolute mayhem of the final village shootout. Is Hot Fuzz the single greatest Buddy Cop Comedy ever put to film and a undisputed Cult Classic, or just a movie that proves everything is done for "the greater good"? Tune in for our full Hot Fuzz 2006 movie review!If you’re into analyzing action-comedy tropes, appreciating incredible visual foreshadowing, or listening to two dudes who would definitely accidentally shoot themselves in the foot while practicing a stunt jump, this episode is for you.To secure your content and avoid getting targeted by the Neighborhood Watch Alliance, drive straight over to https://LetsTalkAboutFlix.com — where our takes are loaded, primed, and guaranteed to be an explosive listen.Follow the boys on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutflixInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutflix/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/talkaboutflix#moviepodcast #filmpodcast #comedypodcast #filmreview #moviereview

Oz and Curtis are grabbing a pint at the Winchester, lining up the vinyl records, and waiting for this whole zombie apocalypse thing to blow over to break down Edgar Wright’s legendary horror-comedy: Shaun of the Dead!Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a 29-year-old electronics shop salesman trapped in a total rut. His life consists of slacking off with his slobby best friend Ed (Nick Frost), disappointing his mother, and drinking at the same local pub every single night—a routine that finally pushes his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) to dump him. But when a mysterious virus turns London into a flesh-eating horde of undead, Shaun has to step up, assemble his friends and family, and lead them to the safest place he knows: the local pub.We break down the film that launched the iconic Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy: Edgar Wright’s lightning-fast visual humor, the incredible comedic chemistry between Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the legendary "Don't Stop Me Now" pool cue fight sequence, and how the movie manages to balance laugh-out-loud slapstick with genuine heart and visceral gore. Is Shaun of the Dead the ultimate Zombie Comedy and a flawless Cult Classic, or just a movie that proves Sade's Diamond Life on vinyl should never be thrown at a zombie? Tune in for our full Shaun of the Dead 2004 movie review!If you’re into analyzing horror-comedy tropes, appreciating razor-sharp British humor, or listening to two dudes who would definitely mistake an actual zombie in the garden for a confused drunk, this episode is for you.To secure your content and weather the horde, head straight over to https://LetsTalkAboutFlix.com — where our takes are as refreshing as a cold pint and guaranteed to be a killer listen.Follow the boys on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutflixInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutflix/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/talkaboutflix#moviepodcast #filmpodcast #comedypodcast #filmreview #moviereview