Total Movie Recall
Total Movie Recall is a free-wheeling film nostalgia podcast in which hosts Steve Albertson & Ryan Mixson each have painstakingly assembled a list of movies that have touched them in some way at a specific moment in their lives. The hosts alternate rolling dice at the end of each show to determine which film will be explored in the following episode. TRM is produced independently in Los Angeles and Denver.
Tue, May 04, 2021
TMR 066 – Full Metal Jacket
This week on Total Movie Recall, we go to the suck. Steve develops a thousand yard stare reserved for veterans of nightmare wars and mediocre podcasts. Ryan chalks up another point in the Irresponsible Father column, reflecting on his father’s prudent decision to let him watch this vision of insanity at a tender age yet again. If you listen to this episode, you can go to my house and fornicate with my sister. Full Metal Jacket (1987) d. Stanley Kubrick w. Gustav Hasford based on his novel The Short-Timers Starring: Matthew Modine as Pvt. Joker Adam Baldwin as Animal Mother Vincent D'Onofrio as Pvt. Pyle R. Lee Ermey as Gny. Sgt. Hartman Dorian Harewood as Eightball Kevyn Major Howard as Rafterman Arliss Howard as Pvt. Cowboy Stanley Kubrick's take on the Vietnam War follows smart-aleck Private Davis, quickly christened "Joker" by his foul-mouthed drill sergeant, and pudgy Private Lawrence, nicknamed "Gomer Pyle," as they endure the rigors of basic training. Though Pyle takes a frightening detour, Joker graduates to the Marine Corps and is sent to Vietnam as a journalist, covering -- and eventually participating in -- the bloody Battle of Hué. <img class="wp-image-716" src= "http://www.totalmovierecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Full-metal-jack
Tue, April 27, 2021
TMR 065 – Harold and Maude
This week on Total Movie Recall, we watch the first Manic Pixie Dream Girl ever on screen, who is not a girl at all, but is most decidedly a woman . It’s the perfect post-2020 movie, and not just because of the constant suicides. It’s twee and precious and we absolutely loved it. Harold & Maude (1971) d. Hal Ashby w. Colin Higgins Music by: Cat Steven (Yusuf Islam) Starring: Ruth Gordon Bud Cort Vivian Pickles Cult classic pairs Cort as a dead-pan disillusioned 20-year-old obsessed with suicide and a loveable Gordon as a fun-loving 80-year-old eccentric. They meet at a funeral, and develop a taboo romantic relationship, in which they explore the tired theme of the meaning of life with a fresh perspective. Things discussed in the show : Savages ( Oliver Stone , Shane Salerno , Don Winslow , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Taylor Kitsch , Blake Lively ) Santa Muerte <a href= "http
Sun, April 18, 2021
TMR 064 – The Neverending Story
This week on Total Movie Recall, we learn that while some stories never end, mothers do, and that’s the beginning of how a serial killer is made in this unflinching look inside the mind of one disturbed little boy. Hang in there with us, listen to this, and watch it again and try to tell us you didn’t witness a psychotic break as this poor boy retreats inside the dark fantasies of his mind. The Neverending Story (1984) d. Wolfgang Petersen w. Wolfgang Petersen , Herman Weigel Music by Giorgio Moroder Starring: Noah Hathaway as Atreyu Barret Oliver as Bastian Tami Stronach as The Childlike Empress Deep Roy as Teeny Weeny Frank Oz On his way to school, Bastian ducks into a bookstore to avoid bullies. Sneaking away with a book called "The Neverending Story," Bastian begins reading it in the school attic. The novel is about Fantasia, a fantasy land threatened by "The Nothing," a darkness that destroys everything it touches. The kingdom needs the help of a human child to survive. When Bastian reads a description of himself in the book, he begins to wonder if Fantasia is real and needs him to survive. Things discussed in the show : Christopher Nolan Carl Jung
Wed, March 31, 2021
TMR 063 – Wild Things
Ah, the good ole days of passing around R rated spank tapes. This movie is so trashy, it gave Charlie Sheen HIV. Wild Things (1998) d. John McNaughton Starring: Kevin Bacon Neve Campbell Matt Dillon Denise Richards Daphne Rubin-Vega Bill Murray When teen debutante Kelly fails to attract the attention of her hunky guidance counselor, Sam, she cries rape, igniting a scandal that results in his arrest. Sam appeals to Ken, a hack personal-injury lawyer who has never handled a case that couldn't be helped by a prop neck brace. Soon, a second victim, Suzie, comes forward, and Detective Duquette discovers that the unfolding case is far from what it seems. Things discussed in the show : Passing around R rated spank tapes Porn in the 90s and holograms Y Tu Mamá También ( Alfonso Cuarón , Carlos Cuarón , Maribel Verdú , Gael García Bernal , Daniel Giménez Cacho ) Harry Potter The Handmaid's Tale (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M
Mon, March 15, 2021
TMR 062 – From Dusk Till Dawn
Remember the innocent 90s, when white directors thought they had the N-word pass for some reason? What do you think their “woke” movie would look like? Probably like this, where the N-word is replaced by horrific rape and Mexican jokes. This proto-edgelord movie was looked at as such a good time romp that it was considered the perfect vehicle to transition from the hit network show ER to the big screen. What a simpler time… From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) d. Robert Rodriguez w. Robert Kurtzman (story), Quentin Tarantino (screenplay) Starring: Harvey Keitel George Clooney Juliette Lewis Quentin Tarantino Salma Hayek Cheech Marin Danny Trejo Tom Savini Fred Williamson On the run from a bank robbery that left several police officers dead, Seth Gecko (George Clooney) and his paranoid, loose-cannon brother, Richard (Quentin Tarantino), hightail it to the Mexican border. Kidnapping preacher Jacob Fuller (Harvey Keitel) and his kids, the criminals sneak across the border in the family's RV and hole up in a topless bar. Unfortunately, the bar also happens to be home base for a gang of vampires, and the brothers and their hostages have to fight their way out. Things discussed in the show : Sex Machine and Santanico Pandemonium Full Tilt Boogie ( Sarah Kelly ) <a
Tue, March 09, 2021
TMR 061 – Napoleon Dynamite
This week on Total Movie Recall, we try to decide whether this is a charming, unique film about staying true to yourself, or a nightmarish descent into the insanity that comes with living in a barren, desolate landscape like rural Idaho, where the Uncle Ricos of the world keep subterranean dungeons for unsuspecting Debs. This might say more about where our heads are at right now than about this beloved comedy. Napoleon Dynamite (2004) d. Jared Hess w. Jared Hess , Jerusha Hess Starring: Jon Heder Efren Ramirez Jon Gries Aaron Ruell Diedrich Bader Tina Majorino Sandy Martin In small-town Preston, Idaho, awkward teen Napoleon Dynamite has trouble fitting in. After his grandmother is injured in an accident, his life is made even worse when his strangely nostalgic uncle, Rico, shows up to keep an eye on him. With no safe haven at home or at school, Napoleon befriends the new kid, Pedro, a morose Hispanic boy who speaks little English. Together the two launch a campaign to run for class president. Things discussed in the show : Russian movie posters Chinatown ( Roman Polanski , <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000197/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm" target= "_blank" rel="norefe
Tue, March 02, 2021
TMR 060 – Dolemite
This week on Total Movie Recall, these two born-insecure honkies break down the seminal Blaxploitation movie of 1975 and do a pathetic job of trying to reconcile its progressive vision of black empowerment with the misogyny of the pimp game. It gets complicated. Dolemite (1975) d. D'Urville Martin Story by: Rudy Ray Moore Starring: Rudy Ray Moore D'Urville Martin Lady Reed Jerry Jones Hy Pyke Dolemite is released from jail after being wrongfully convicted to take on rival pimp Willie Green, corrupt police officers who framed him and even the mayor! With the help of his friends: Queen Bee (the madame of his brothel), Creeper (the heroin addict Hamburger Pimp), Reverend Gibbs (the gun-running preacher), and his gang of female prostitute karate experts, Dolemite takes back his turf and club through martial arts prowess and sheer oratory showmanship. Things discussed in the show : Blaxploitation films The Jerk ( Carl Reiner , Steve Martin , Bernadette Peters , Catlin Adams ) Black Mama White Mama ( Eddie Romero</
Sun, February 21, 2021
TMR 059 – Who Framed Roger Rabbit
This week on Total Movie Recall, things get Freudian as they did for every little boy who stared confusedly at Jessica Rabbit and wondered what was happening to them. Handsome, chiseled leading man Bob Hoskins soldiers on in spite of the bleeding ulcer all that booze gave him, and Christopher Lloyd goes to eleven with his unhinged, terrifying performance. Did hentai exist before this movie? Because it sure as hell did after it. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) d. Robert Zemeckis Starring: Bob Hoskins Christopher Lloyd Kathleen Turner Joanna Cassidy Charles Fleischer Stubby Kaye Alan Tilvern Joel Silver Mel Blanc Down-on-his-luck private eye Eddie Valiant gets hired by cartoon producer R.K. Maroon to investigate an adultery scandal involving Jessica Rabbit, the sultry wife of Maroon's biggest star, Roger Rabbit. But when Marvin Acme, Jessica's alleged paramour and the owner of Toontown, is found murdered, the villainous Judge Doom vows to catch and destroy Roger. Things discussed in the show : Back to the Future ( Robert Zemeckis , Michael J. Fox , Christopher Lloyd , <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000670/?ref_
Tue, February 16, 2021
TMR 058 – The Princess Bride
This week on Total Movie Recall, we take a hard pivot from all the toxic masculinity of weeks past and Steve shows his gentle, romantic side. Somehow, Ryan makes this about his sad sack heartache but in the end, everybody calms down and moves on with a nice mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. The Princess Bride (1987) d. Rob Reiner w. William Goldman Starring: Cary Elwes Mandy Patinkin Robin Wright Chris Sarandon Christopher Guest Wallace Shawn André the Giant Fred Savage Peter Falk Bil l y Crystal Carol Kane A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her. They must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other. Based on the William Goldman novel "The Princess Bride" which earned its own loyal audience. <img class="wp-image-632" src= "http://www.totalmovierecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/The-Prince
Sun, February 07, 2021
TMR 057 – Heat
This week on Total Movie Recall, Ryan stares out the window of his furniture-less modernist home at the endless, uncaring ocean while Steve sleeps on the floor with his hand gripped around his pistol. The pseudo-philosophy of this movie seems deeper than it is because it’s endlessly reflected in all the glass buildings of Michael Mann’s uber-masculine vision. Sure, it may be pretentious, but that’s the point, and if you’ve got a problem with that, I will take you down, because we ain’t exactly doin’ thrill-seeker podcasts with “Born to Lose” tattoos on our chests. Heat (1995) d. Michael Mann Starring: Al Pacino Robert De Niro Val Kilmer Jon Voight Tom Sizemore Natalie Portman Ashley Judd Kevin Gage Hank Azaria Danny Trejo Henry Rollins AND Xander Berkeley as RALPH! Master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is trying to control the rogue actions of one of his men, while also planning one last big heist before retiring. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Hanna (Al Pacino) attempts to track down McCauley as he deals with the chaos in his own life, including the infidelity of his wife (Diane Venora) and the mental health of his stepdaughter (Natalie Portman). McCauley and Hanna discover a mutual respect, even as they try to thwart each other's plans. <a href= "http://www.totalmovierecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/He
Mon, February 01, 2021
TMR 056 – House Party
This week on Total Movie Recall, two white guys talk about hip hop culture in a totally convincing way when they put on their mustard-colored overalls to go to the House Party . Steve, a sentient walking issue of Pitchfork , schools Ryan on the infinite subgenres of hip hop while Ryan, to no one’s surprise, gets a little weepy at touching father-son relationships. House Party (1990) d. Reginald Hudlin Starring: Christopher Reid Robin Harris Christopher Martin Martin Lawrence Tisha Campbell-Martin A.J. Johnson George Clinton Kid decides to go to his friend Play's house party, but neither of them can predict what's in store for them on what could be the wildest night of their lives. Things discussed in the show : Martin Lawrence's Wikipedia page Billions ( Brian Koppelman , David Levien , Andrew Ross Sorkin , <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0316079/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm" target= "_blank" rel="n
Sun, January 24, 2021
TMR 055 – Any Given Sunday
This week on Total Movie Recall, the pressures of competing at a professional level with all the concussions, cocaine, infidelities, and painkillers almost make Steve request to be traded during the free agency period after he and Ryan bicker about Oliver Stone’s divisive 1999 film, Any Given Sunday . Does Steve’s complete lack of interest in professional sports bring this episode to a screeching halt? Yes. Can you tell who’s writing these summaries yet? Probably. Any Given Sunday (1999) d. Oliver Stone Starring: Al Pacino Dennis Quaid Cameron Diaz James Woods Jamie Foxx LL Cool J Matthew Modine Jim Brown Lawrence Taylor Bill Bellamy Ann-Margret Aaron Eckhart Elizabeth Berkley Charlton Heston Four years ago, DAmato's (Al Pacino) Miami Sharks were at the top. Now, his team is struggling with three consecutive losses, sliding attendance, and aging heroes, particularly 39-year-old quarterback Jack "Cap" Rooney (Dennis Quaid). Off the field, DAmato is struggling with a failed marriage and estranged children, and is on a collision course with Christina Pagniacc
Mon, January 18, 2021
TMR 054 – Kung Fu Cult Master
This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan discover that there’s actually an antidote to getting punched really, really hard. The cultural divide proves too much for Ryan in this wild, fantastic, hallucinatory Kung Fu epic of many names. The story is incomprehensible, the fights are nonsensical, but Steve still finds it defensible, while Ryan finds the editing reprehensible. There’s no reason for this rhyme. Kung Fu Cult Master (1993) d. Jing Wong , Sammo Kam-Bo Hung Starring: Jet Li Man Cheung Chingmy Yau Set during the Yuen Dynasty, many sects compete for possession of the two golden swords which contain the secret to dominance of the world of martial arts. The first faction, led by Shaolin, consists of Shaolin, Wu Tang, Ngo Mai, Kun Lun, Hung Tung and Wah Shan. The second is the Ming Sect, otherwise known as the Fire Sect or Evil Sect, led by branch leaders Queen of Purple Dragon, King of White Eagle, King of Gold Lion and King of Green Bat. A student of Wu Tang, befriends Gold Lion and marries the daughter of White Eagle. He is killed for the secret of the location of the missing sword. His infant son witnesses this and vows revenge on the heads of the sect. Unfortunately he has a jinx which prevents him from learning martial arts. Brian Rawnsley Things discussed in the show : Tom Clancy & Jack Ryan vs World War 3 Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan ( Carlton Cuse , Graham Roland , <a
Sun, January 10, 2021
TMR 053 – The Devil's Advocate
This week on Total Movie Recall, it’s Steve’s turn to not get it when Ryan forces him to snooze this way through the 1997 hambone, The Devil’s Advocate . This movie has it all -- a grand guignol of sex, violence, operatic depictions of Hell and Satan, Keanu swinging and missing, Pacino putting his blood pressure medication to the test -- and yet, somehow, it’s still boring! Please don’t waste Steve’s time with these faux-provocations. Show him something really controversial, like a basketball game. The Devil's Advocate (1997) d. Taylor Hackford Based on the novel by Andrew Neiderman Starring: Keanu Reeves Al Pacino Charlize Theron Jeffrey Jones Judith Ivey Connie Nielsen Craig T. Nelson Don King Aspiring Florida defense lawyer Kevin Lomax accepts a high-powered position at a New York law firm headed by legal shark John Milton. As Kevin moves up in the firm's ranks, his wife, Mary Ann, has several frightening, mystical experiences that begin to warp her sense of reality. With the stakes getting higher with each case, Kevin quickly learns that his mentor is planning a far greater evil than simply winning without scruples. Things discussed in the show : Psychedelic horror Mandy ( Panos Cosmatos ,
Mon, January 04, 2021
TMR 052 – Cabin Boy
This week on Total Movie Recall, Ryan gets his hipster comedy credentials revoked after Steve makes him pay $3.99 to watch the 1994 not-so-classic comedy, Cabin Boy . Ryan simply cannot understand the cache this movie has in the “alt-comedy” world, or as he likes to call it, the “non-comedy” world (now that’s funny!). Steve would explain it, but you just, like, don’t get it man . Cabin Boy (1994) d. Adam Resnick Starring: Chris Elliott Ritch Brinkley James Gammon Brian Doyle-Murray Brion James Melora Walters David Letterman Andy Richter Ricki Lake Nathanial Mayweather is a spoiled rich kid whose plans for a ritzy Hawaiian cruise backfire, finding him lost at sea with a gang of salty old sailors. When his crusty cabin mates get a whiff of his highfalutin attitude, they give him every rotten chore on the boat -- and take him on an absurdist adventure through Hell's Bucket! Things discussed in the show : Will Farrell It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia ( Glenn Howerton , Rob McElhenney , Charlie Day , Kaitlin Olson , <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000362/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t5" ta
Tue, December 29, 2020
TMR 051 Holiday Special – The Nightmare Before Christmas
This week on the Total Movie Recall Holiday Special, Steve and Ryan visit the mopey, gothy early 90s when Generation X looked to the high school Gloom King Tim Burton to express their so dark vision of Christmas. Stop motion animation is such a labor intensive craft that creates beautiful visions that aren’t all that interesting, which is going to enrage a bunch of high school Wiccans that love this movie. It does look great, though. Tim Burton 's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) d. Henry Selick Starring: Danny Elfman Chris Sarandon Catherine O'Hara William Hickey Paul Reubens The film follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown's beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the "real world." When Jack accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, he gets a new lease on life -- he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously awry. Things discussed in the show : Babe Pig in the City Beetlejuice (<a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000318/
Mon, December 07, 2020
TMR 050 – Children of Men
This week on Total Movie Recall, things get grim and a little too close to 2020 reality for comfort. Definitely don’t watch this movie if you’re fresh out of rehab, which Ryan can tell you all about. The future is bleak, but if it’s also as ruggedly handsome as Clive Owen is and has the greatest single-take of all time, it might not be so bad. This is also one of the greatest movies of all time, just to be clear about it. Children of Men (2006) d. Alfonso Cuarón Starring: Clive Owen Julianne Moore Chiwetel Ejiofor Michael Caine Clare-Hope Ashitey Charlie Hunnam When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and the last child born has perished, a disillusioned bureaucrat (Clive Owen) becomes the unlikely champion in the fight for the survival of Earth's population; He must face down his own demons and protect the planet's last remaining hope from danger. Things discussed in the show : Y Tu Mamá También ( Carlos Cuarón , Alfonso Cuarón , Maribel Verdú , Gael García Bernal , Daniel Giménez Cacho ) A Little Princess ( Alfonso Cuarón , <a href="https://www.imdb.co
Sun, November 29, 2020
TMR 049 – Thriller & An American Werewolf in London
This week on Total Movie Recall, our bodies go through some changes that we don’t know how to deal with as we take in a John Landis double feature with Thriller & An American Werewolf in London. We really just need somebody to talk to about it. What’s that, Dad? You’re busy? Okay, I’ll just go on the internet and learn some deeply ingrained, problematic attitudes about Michael Jackson, Nazi monsters and Van Morrison tantric sex cults. d. John Landis Special Effects: Rick Baker The Making of Thriller (1983) Starring: Michael Jackson Ola Ray Vincent Price The Making of “ Thriller ” is a behind the scenes look at the King of Pop and his groundbreaking and Grammy award-winning video. An American Werewolf in London (1981) Starring: David Naughton Jenny Agutter Griffin Dunne John Woodvine David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), two American college students, are backpacking through Britain when a large wolf attacks them. David survives with a bite, but Jack is brutally killed. As David heals in the hospital, he's plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, who warns David that he is becoming a werewolf. When David discovers the horrible truth, he contemplates committing suicide before the next full moon causes him to transform from man to murderous beast. <img class="wp-imag
Mon, November 23, 2020
TMR 048 – The Sixth Sense
This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve holds Ryan’s hair back while he cries and dry heaves and rocks back and forth like his cat just died, because there has never been a movie more perfectly designed to make him cry like The Sixth Sense. Misunderstood children? Check. Put-upon mothers just trying their best? Check. An exasperated but committed psychologist just trying to figure out how to reach this kid? Double check. Get your tissues for this one. The Sixth Sense (1999) d. M. Night Shyamalan Starring: Bruce Willis Haley Joel Osment Toni Collette Donnie Wahlberg Mischa Barton Young Cole Sear is haunted by a dark secret: he is visited by ghosts. Cole is frightened by visitations from those with unresolved problems who appear from the shadows. He is too afraid to tell anyone about his anguish, except child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe. As Dr. Crowe tries to uncover the truth about Cole's supernatural abilities, the consequences for client and therapist are a jolt that awakens them both to something unexplainable. Things discussed in the show : PEN15 season 2 ( Maya Erskine , Anna Konkle , Sam Zvibleman ) YouTube prank channels Aokigahara, the Japanese suic
Mon, November 16, 2020
TMR 047 – Return to Oz
This week on Total Movie Recall, we acknowledge that The Wizard of Oz is, yes, a classic. However, it’s missing a certain je ne sais quoi , and we try to put our fingers on exactly what it needed. We conclude that classic, whimsical children’s film needed more childhood lobotomy, forced imprisonment, Queens pulling their own heads off, and Veruca Salt. Or Fairuza Balk? Potato potato. Return to Oz (1985) d. Walter Murch Based on books by L. Frank Baum Starring: Fairuza Balk as Dorothy Nicol Williamson as the Nome King Jean Marsh as Mombi Piper Laurie as Aunt Em Brian Henson as Jack Pumpkinhead Dorothy discovers she is back in the land of Oz, and finds the yellow brick road is now a pile of rubble, and the Emerald City is in ruins. Discovering that the magical land is now under the control of an evil empire, she sets off to rescue the scarecrow, the tin man and the cowardly lion with the help of her new friends. Things discussed in the show : Electroshock Therapy / Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) The Willies - Labyrinth - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Tik-Tok of Oz The Wonderful Wizard of Oz <a href
Mon, November 09, 2020
TMR 046 – Leprechaun
This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan wonder why kids are scared of the stupidest boogeymen. The Leprechaun haunted Ryan for his entire childhood, waiting in dark corners, making it unable for him to pee in the middle of the night. If only he had watched the movie when he was seven years old, and seen how stupid, unscary, unwitty, and half-assed this boring, lazy movie is, he wouldn’t have wasted another second being scared. The Leprechaun can’t even be bothered to turn limericks into dirty rhymes. Nantucket! It rhymes itself! Leprechaun (1993) d. Mark Jones Starring: Warwick Davis Jennifer Aniston Ken Olandt Dan O'Grady steals 100 gold coins from a leprechaun while on vacation in Ireland. The leprechaun follows him home, but Dan locks the him in a crate, held at bay by a four-leaf clover. Ten years later, J.D. Redding and his daughter, Tory, rent O'Grady's property for the summer. When their new neighbors accidentally release the leprechaun, he goes on a murderous rampage to reclaim his gold. Things discussed in the show : The words "Cop Salon" sounds better than " Cellar Door " Donnie Darko Tolkien ( Dome Karukoski , David Gleeson , Stephen Beresford , Nicholas Hoult , Li
Mon, November 02, 2020
TMR 045 – Labyrinth
This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan put on their codpieces and fret over the innocence of teenage girls around David Bowie. Don’t get us wrong, we love this movie, but why does this charming children’s tale have a character named after the part of the anatomy responsible for transporting sperm? And why do so many sequences resemble sperm? And if all of these things are symbols for sperm, what does the Bog of Eternal Stench represent? We shudder to think… Labyrinth (1986) d. Jim Henson w. Terry Jones Starring David Bowie Jennifer Connelly Brian Henson Shari Weiser Brian Froud hundreds of puppeteers Teenage Sarah journeys through a maze to recover her baby brother from a goblin king in this '80s coming-of-age fairy tale. Things discussed in the show: The Little Mermaid (Disney, Ursula, Ron Clements , John Musker , Jodi Benson , Samuel E. Wright , Rene Auberjonois ) <a href= "https://ww
Mon, October 26, 2020
TMR 044 – The Willies
This week on Total Movie Recall, the age of innocence is over, and somehow what was supposed to be a fun episode about a trashy, campy, forgotten 90s horror movie becomes a despairing yawp into the empty air about the power structures that let abusive, predatory men get away with everything. Don’t worry, we still find time to talk about the golden age of Nickelodeon and this awful, awful movie. The Willies (1990) d. Brian Peck ( convicted child sex offender ) Starring Sean Astin Jas o n Horst Joshua John Miller Bill Erwin Doug Benson Kimmy Robertson Kathleen Freeman Michael Bower Kirk Cameron Things discussed in the show: Pedophilia in Hollywood The Return of the Living Dead ( Dan O'Bannon , Clu Gulager , <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name
Mon, October 19, 2020
TMR 043 – Aladdin (1992)
This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan offend approximately 1/7th of the world’s population, which has historically gone very well. Ryan’s love of fairy tale settings don’t truck with Steve, who favors Disney’s gritty, street-level crime drama Aladdin . Ryan gets vulnerable about the deterioration of his mental health in this dumpster fire world we have, and Steve, ever a good man and a good friend, reaches out. We encourage you to reach out too. Because everything sucks right now, and you need to connect with your fellow humans to survive. Also, this is the worst Disney princess ever. Aladdin (1992) - Disney d. Ron Clements , John Musker Starring: Scott Weinger Robin Williams Linda Larkin Jonathan Freeman Gilbert Gottfried When street rat Aladdin frees a genie from a lamp, he finds his wishes granted. However, he soon finds that the evil has other plans for the lamp -- and for Princess Jasmine. But can Aladdin save Princess Jasmine and his love for her after she sees that he isn't quite what he appears to be? Things discussed in the show : Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan (Vice documentary) 1,001 Arabian Nights (book) Freund , Yung and The Godhead The Kenosha shooting
Mon, October 12, 2020
TMR 042 – Killer Klowns from Outer Space
This week on Total Movie Recall, one man’s fun trash is another man’s not-fun trash. Steve gets typically indignant at Ryan’s casual, cruel dismissal of somebody’s labor of love, and Ryan reaches heretofore unplumbed depths of his warped psyche, exploring the lingering effects of watching movies like Killer Klowns at too tender of an age. This is what happens when a little boy lets teenage girls bully him into watching movies. Ryan’s therapist has her work cut out for her this week. Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) d. Stephen Chiodo w. Charles Chiodo , Stephen Chiodo , Edward Chiodo Starring: Grant Cramer Suzanne Snyder John Allen Nelson John Vernon When teenagers Mike (Grant Cramer) and Debbie (Suzanne Snyder) see a comet crash outside their sleepy small town, they investigate and discover a pack of murderous aliens who look very much like circus clowns. They try to warn the local authorities, but everyone assumes their story is a prank. Meanwhile, the clowns set about harvesting and eating as many people as they can. It's not until they kidnap Debbie that Mike decides it's up to him to stop the clowns' bloody rampage. Things discussed in the show: Coulrophobia - The fear of clowns (Agoraphobia, Anablephobia, Triskaidekaphobia) John Wayne Gacy / Pogo the Clown Spawn and The Violator ( Image Comics ) <a href=
Mon, October 05, 2020
TMR 041 – The Sandlot
This week on Total Movie Recall, we take a big shit on Boomers and their cheap nostalgia for a “better time.” A time when a bunch of baseball-loving kids’ black friend would have had to walk home to his segregated neighborhood. A time of nuclear anxiety because our megalomaniacal leaders were determined to blow up the world. A time when women were openly sexually harassed with no consequences. But hey, wasn’t baseball fun? Don’t think about all that other stuff. The Sandlot (1993) d. David Mickey Evans Starring Tom Guiry - Scotty Smalls Denis Leary - Bill (stepdad) Karen Allen - mom Mike Vitar - Ben Patrick Renna - Ham Chauncey Leopardi - Squints Marty York - Yeah-Yeah Brandon Quintin Adams - Kenny DeNunez Grant Gelt - Bertram Grover Weeks Shane Obedzinski - Repeat Victor DiMattia - Timmy Timmons James Earl Jones - Mr. Mertle Art LaFleur - Babe Ruth (The Babe) When Scottie Smalls moves to a new neighborhood, he manages to make friends with a group of kids who play baseball at the sandlot. Together they go on a series of funny and touching adventures. The boys run into trouble when Smalls borrows a ball from his stepdad that gets hit over a fence. <!-- /wp:quot
Mon, September 28, 2020
TMR 040 – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
This week on Total Movie Recall, Ryan takes us on a journey through time and memory to show us his origins as a film-lover, a man, and, lo, a human. Sure, he could have said his favorite movie was some snooty, intellectual piece of New Hollywood cinema, but that would be a lie. It’s a VHS that his father got him as part of a $5.99 Big Mac giveaway at McDonald’s, and he was never the same. He makes himself vulnerable before you, and of course, Steve makes him regret it. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) d. Steven Spielberg w. Jeffrey Boam (screenplay), George Lucas & Menno Meyjes (story) Starring Harrison Ford Sean Connery Alison Doody Denholm Elliott John Rhys-Davies River Phoenix The intrepid explorer Indiana Jones sets out to rescue his father, a medievalist who has vanished while searching for the Holy Grail. Following clues in the old man's notebook, Indy arrives in Venice, where he enlists the help of a beautiful academic, but they are not the only ones who are on the trail, and some sinister old enemies soon come out of the woodwork. Things discussed in the show: What it means to be a man. Avatar The Last Airbender, season 3 (<a href= "h
Mon, September 21, 2020
TMR 039 – Scarface (1983)
This week on Total Movie Recall, we destroy our nasal septums with 1983’s Scarface . Ryan presents a cogent, detailed thesis on this film’s central character as a metaphor for the all-eating, never-satiating, soul-crushing machine that is capitalism, and Steve counters with “No he’s not.” Touché Steve… touché. Scarface (1983) d. Brian De Palma w. Oliver Stone Starring: Al Pacino Michelle Pfeiffer Steven Bauer Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Robert Loggia Richard Belzer After getting a green card in exchange for assassinating a Cuban government official, Tony Montana (Al Pacino) stakes a claim on the drug trade in Miami. Viciously murdering anyone who stands in his way, Tony eventually becomes the biggest drug lord in the state, controlling nearly all the cocaine that comes through Miami. But increased pressure from the police, wars with Colombian drug cartels and his own drug-fueled paranoia serve to fuel the flames of his eventual downfall. kinopoisk.ru Things discussed in the show: Mountains of cocaine and cubano sandwiches Jaws ( Steven Spielberg , Roy Scheider , <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001727/?ref_=tt_ov_st_s
Mon, September 14, 2020
TMR 038 – Babe: Pig in the City
This week on Total Movie Recall, we watched the Sophie’s Choice of talking pig movies — Babe: Pig in the City. You might remember it as a sweet children’s fantasy movie about cute talking animals, but that’s just your brain trying to protect you from the harrowing nightmare that is this film. Dogs are hung from chains and drowned in front of us. Crippled Jack Russell Terriers are killed and teased with the sweet release from their worldly limitations, only to be cruelly pulled back into their wheelchair prison. Ryan and Steve started this movie as boys, but left it as men. Depressed, traumatized men. Babe: Pig in the City (1998) d. George Miller Starring: Magda Szubanski Elizabeth Daily Mickey Rooney James Cromwell Mary Stein When Babe accidentally puts farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) in traction, the debtors come looking for their payments. In order to pay their debt, Mrs. Hoggett (Magda Szubanski) sends Babe off across the ocean to the city to demonstrate his talents as a sheep herder. Along with his friends, Babe meets a lot of new friends and gets into new adventures. Things discussed in the show: Mad Max Fury Road ( George Miller , Brendan McCarthy , <a
Mon, September 07, 2020
TMR 037 – Amelie
This week on Total Movie Recall, we find a new zest for life in 2001’s Amelie . Steve gets wistful recalling his time working in a porn shop, and Ryan reveals his ignorance about Paris. But is it ignorance? Don’t we kind of all know what Paris is really like? Smelly and smoky and rude? Not according to Amelie . Paris is a place of magical realism, true love, and tastefully decorated porn shops. Amelie (2001) d. Jean-Pierre Jeunet Starring: Audrey Tautou Mathieu Kassovitz Rufus Jamel Debbouze Isabelle Nanty Dominique Pinon "Amélie" is a fanciful comedy about a young woman who discretely orchestrates the lives of the people around her, creating a world exclusively of her own making. Shot in over 80 Parisian locations, acclaimed director Jean-Pierre Jeunet ("Delicatessen"; "The City of Lost Children") invokes his incomparable visionary style to capture the exquisite charm and mystery of modern-day Paris through the eyes of a beautiful ingenue. Things discussed in the show: The vast emptiness of Kansas and Nebraska Paranoia and smoking weed at psych rock shows Smoke Signals ( Chris Eyre , Adam Beach , Evan Adams , Irene Bedard ) Young Guns 2 ( Geoff Mur
Sun, August 30, 2020
TMR 036 – Starship Troopers
This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan watch the most subtle satire ever made — Starship Troopers . What exactly is this movie skewering? We’re not sure. We thought we might have figured it out with the Nazi uniforms and Leni Riefenstahl shots and Aryan actors, but then we got distracted by the nudity and gore and decided not to think about it anymore. Starship Troopers (1997) d. Paul Verhoeven w. Edward Neumeier (screenplay) (as Ed Neumeier), Robert A. Heinlein (book) Starring: Casper Van Dien Dina Meyer Denise Richards Neil Patrick Harris Jake Busey Seth Gilliam Patrick Muldoon Michael Ironside In the distant future, the Earth is at war with a race of giant alien insects. Little is known about the Bugs except that they are intent on the eradication of all human life. But there was a time before the war... A Mobile Infantry travels to distant alien planets to take the war to the Bugs. They are a ruthless enemy with only one mission: Survival of their species no matter what the cost... <img class="wp-image-376" src= "http://www.totalmovierecall.com/wp-content/uploads/202
Sun, August 23, 2020
TMR 035 – Raising Arizona
This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan stare into the eyes of a childless middle age and watch 1987’s Raising Arizona . Steve has a good laugh watching what he sees as a silly, light comedy and Ryan is gripped by yet another existential crisis watching a moving meditation on fatherhood, adulthood, leaving the reckless ways of youth behind, the crushing weight of responsibility, and conquering your demons. Oh to have the weightless, carefree, burdenless mirth that Steve enjoys! We should all be so lucky. Raising Arizona (1987) writers/directors: Joel Coen , Ethan Coen (The Coen Brothers) Starring: Nicolas Cage Holly Hunter Trey Wilson John Goodman William Forsythe Sam McMurray Frances McDormand Randall "Tex" Cobb Fast-paced farce about an unlikely pair who go to extreme lengths to have a child. When an incompetent robber marries a policewoman, they discover that they are infertile. In order to appease his wife's longings for a child, the man steals one of a set of quintuplets, but mayhem ensues when the child's rich father sends a rabbit-shooting bounty hunter after the kidnapper. <img class="wp-image-372"
Sun, August 16, 2020
TMR 034 – The Cable Guy
This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan light a candle for all the former child stars doing porn and robbing gas stations and lament the end of trashy 90s television — the genital warts of American society. We watched The Cable Guy and discovered that Americans would rather have their comedic heroes talking out of their rectums than critiquing our dumb media consumption. Put on your Doc Martens and pop in your Mazzy Star mix CD because we go back to a morally murky time — the 1990s. The Cable Guy (1996) d. Ben Stiller Writer. Lou Holtz Jr. Starring: Jim Carrey Matthew Broderick Leslie Mann Jack Black Janeane Garofalo Oddball cable installer Chip Douglas (Jim Carrey) attempts to strike up a friendship with customer Steven Kovacs (Matthew Broderick) by offering him premium channels at no cost. When Steven rebuffs Chip's frequent need for companionship, Chip goes from a mildly eccentric acquaintance to a full-fledged psycho stalker. Though it's increasingly apparent to Steven that the cable guy is dangerous, convincing his friends, family and the authorities of that is another matter entirely. Things discussed in the show: Free will / tabula rasa F is for Fake ( Orson Welles , Gary Graver , Oja Kodar , François Reichenbach )
Mon, August 10, 2020
TMR 033 – The Devil and Daniel Johnston
This week on Total Movie Recall, we stare into the void and find out that hipsters are terrible people that treat the mentally ill like zoo animals and Ryan swears he’ll never wear skinny jeans again. Steve declares that the word “genius” is thrown around way too much and that it should only be applied to people who discover new kinds of particles or create nudity mods for video games. We watched The Devil and Daniel Johnston , so burn your Sonic Youth records and point your plane straight at the ground, because life just may not be worth it. The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005) d. Jeff Feuerzeig Starring: Daniel Johnston Butthole Surfers ( Gibby Haynes ) Sonic Youth (Thurston Moore, Steve Shelley) Half Japanese (Jad Fair, David Fair) Matt Groening Filmmaker Jeff Feuerzeig chronicles the life of a manic-depressive musician and artist, using a blend of home movies, Johnston's own audiotapes, vintage performances and current footage. Johnston has recorded more than 10 full-length albums and amassed a prolific portfolio of sketches, and has among his supporters Matt Groening, David Bowie, Sonic Youth, Beck, and Tom Waits. Things discussed in the show: Moleskine notebooks and the Necronomicon Baby Driver (2017, Edgar Wright , <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5
Mon, August 03, 2020
TMR 032 – The Fly
The Fly (1986) d. David Cronenberg Starring: Jeff Goldblum Geena Davis John Getz This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan enter the telepod together and come out as a new, single entity — the Brundlehost. They get sentimental revisiting the powerful tragedy of David Cronenberg's The Fly , and Ryan acts like he's the first person to ever notice that Geena Davis is one of the great beauties of our time, and Steve tries to break down particle physics and quantum mechanics so even a dumb Philistine like Ryan can understand it. Join us as we transform and leave our frail, useless flesh behind, but watch your step — that's my ear you're standing on. When scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) completes his teleportation device, he decides to test its abilities on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a housefly slips in during the process, leading to a merger of man and insect. Initially, Brundle appears to have undergone a successful teleportation, but the fly's cells begin to take over his body. As he becomes increasingly fly-like, Brundle's girlfriend (Geena Davis) is horrified as the person she once loved deteriorates into a monster. Things discussed in the show: Vomit porn The Sims The Laundromat ( Steven Soderbergh , Gary Oldman , Antonio Banderas , AJ Meijer , <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm
Mon, July 27, 2020
Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult
Naked Gun 33 1/3 (1994) d. Peter Segal writers: Pat Proft , David Zucker , Robert LoCash Starring: Leslie Nielsen Priscilla Presley George Kennedy O.J. Simpson Fred Ward Kathleen Freeman Anna Nicole Smith This week on Total Move Recall, Steve holds Ryan's white, cisgendered, ignorant feet to the fire as they revisit and are repulsed by the humor of The Naked Gun 33 & ⅓: The Final Insult . Steve is appalled by the mainstream sensibilities of 1994 when white men had the right to mock and ridicule whoever they wanted, and Ryan tries to distract people from his antiquated views by talking about his stupid Master's Degree. "Ooh look at me! I'm an educated, patriarchal monster!" Police Squad Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) is retired and spending time with his new wife, Jane (Priscilla Presley), when he's called back into action by Capt. Ed Hocken (George Kennedy). A terrorist named Rocco (Fred Ward) plans to bomb the Academy Awards ceremony, so Frank goes undercover as Phil Donahue to try and head off disaster. He causes almost as much trouble as he prevents in an Oscar show complete with over-the-top production numbers and numerous celebrity appearances. Things discussed in the show: South Park (<a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005295/?ref_=tt_ov_wr" target= "_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria
Sun, July 19, 2020
TMR 030 – Suspiria (1977)
Suspiria (1977) d. Dario Argento written by: Dario Argento , Daria Nicolodi Starring: Jessica Harper Stefania Casini Flavio Bucci Udo Kier Joan Bennett This week on Total Movie Recall, we test our feminist bona fides and flex our rigorous academic muscles dissecting the precise and not-at-all haphazard imagery of Dario Argento's giallo horror film, Suspiria . Ryan fantasizes about disappearing into a Black Forest fairytale world where there are no problems and noted ballerina enthusiast Steve remains unimpressed with the technical rigors of this film. Cool colors, though. Suzy (Jessica Harper) travels to Germany to attend ballet school. When she arrives, late on a stormy night, no one lets her in, and she sees Pat (Eva Axén), another student, fleeing from the school. When Pat reaches her apartment, she is murdered. The next day, Suzy is admitted to her new school, but has a difficult time settling in. She hears noises, and often feels ill. As more people die, Suzy uncovers the terrifying secret history of the place. Things discussed in the show: The Three Mothers Red Dead Redemption 2 Suspiria (2018, Luca Guadagnino , <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1631269/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm" t
Sun, July 12, 2020
TMR 029 – Mad Max (1979)
Mad Max (1979) d. George Miller Starring: Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky Joanne Samuel as Jesse Rockatansky Hugh Keays-Byrne as Toecutter Steve Bisley as Jim Goose Tim Burns as Johnny the Boy Roger Ward as Fifi Geoff Parry as Bubba Zanetta The Interceptor, a modified 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT coupe The second season of Total Movie Recall comes roaring back with a V8 engine and a newly discovered kink. Why does this film have such iconic bondage, S&M, and homoerotic wardrobe and imagery? Who cares? It looks great! Chief Fifi can be this show’s leather daddy anytime, because we watched the stone cold classic Mad Max — a film about a world on the brink of the apocalypse that has no relevance to our present circumstances whatsoever. Absolutely none… In a not-too-distant dystopian future, when man’s most precious resource — oil — has been depleted and the world plunged into war, famine and financial chaos, the last vestiges of the law in Australia attempt to restrain a vicious biker gang. Max (Mel Gibson), an officer with the Main Force Patrol, launches a personal vendetta against the gang when his wife (Joanne Samuel) and son are hunted down and murdered, leaving him with nothing but the instincts for survival and retribution. <img class="wp-image-313" src= "https://i2.wp.com/www.totalmovierecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mad-Max-1979.jpg?resize=700%2C459" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" srcset= "https://i2.wp.com/www.totalmovierecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mad-Max-1979.jpg?resize=1024%2C671 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/www.totalmovierecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mad-Max-1979.jpg?resize=300%2C197 300w, https://i2.wp.com/www.totalmovierecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mad-Max-1979.jpg?resize=768%2C503 768w, https://i2.wp.com/www.totalmov
Tue, March 22, 2016
TMR 028 – Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko (2001) d. Richard Kelly Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal Jena Malone Drew Barrymore Maggie Gyllenhaal Mary McDonnell Katharine Ross Patrick Swayze Seth Rogen Noah Wyle This week on Total Movie Recall, in a long time coming, Ryan finally loses his effing mind as Steve shoots a time/space wormhole from his chest while watching 2001's crazy bananas Donnie Darko. They talk about the hell that is adolescence, the subjective nature of reality, and how much they miss Swayze. In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take Time's Arrow for a ride. After surviving a freak accident, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to explore what it means to be alive, and in short order to be in love, he uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny. Things discusse
Tue, March 15, 2016
TMR 027 – Ghostbusters II
Ghostbusters II (1989) d. Ivan Reitman Starring: Dan Akroyd Harold Ramis Bill Murray Ernie Hudson Sigourney Weaver Annie Potts Rick Moranis Peter MacNicol On this week's episode of TMR, Steve and Ryan watch 1989's not-quite-classic sequel Ghostbusters II. Ryan talks about the time he broke his dad's heart and may have inadvertently killed the family dog, Steve breaks down the way this generation's kids consume content, they speculate on the complicated mythology of Bill Murray, and both wish they could walk around inside Dan Akroyd's weird, crazy noggin'. Ivan Reitman's sequel to the phenomenally successful Ghostbusters is looser and more self-assured than the original. The film opens with a title reading "Five Years Later" and finds the ghostbusters living in hard times. A restraining order has forbidden the boys to partake in paranormal warfare, and as a result they have had to seek other lines of work. Ray (Dan Aykroyd) and Winston (Ernie Hudson) spend their time performing at children's' birthday parties, and Egon (Harold Ramis) is busy conducting experiments investigating the effect of human emotions on the environment, leaving ghostbusting behind. Venkman (Bill Murray) and Dana (Sigourney Weaver) have split up. Venkman now hosts a local cable show called "The World of the Psychic." Dana, now divorced and the mother of a little baby named Oscar, works as an art restorer in a museum -- and this is where the plot kicks in. While Dana is restoring a portrait of a 16th-century tyrant by the name of Vigo the Carpathian
Mon, March 07, 2016
TMR 026 – Ninja Scroll
Ninja Scroll (1993) d. Yoshiaki Kawajiri This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan go toe-to-toe with their verbal martial arts prowess—leaping from rooftop to rooftop, through bamboo forests and dodging ninja stars and killer bees. Steve goes into hyperdrive with tales of sex, drugs and violence, while Ryan tries to wrap his head around the horrors that were inflicted upon him in the Japanese anime classic Ninja Scroll. In this anime film, Jubei, a highly skilled ninja, is coerced into slaying his own clan of warriors. After begrudgingly killing his fellow swordsmen, he becomes a roving hired assassin. During his travels, he must face off against an organization of demonic ninjas known as the Devils of Kimon, who a re plotting to take power of Japan's government. The Devils will stop at nothing, and have the power to annihilate entire villages. Now, only Jubei and a shogun spy named Dakuan can stop them. Things discussed in the show: Deadpool - Ryan Reynolds The Passion of the Christ - Mel Gibson Captain American (1990) Joe Johnston Spiderman 2 - Sam Raimi <a href="https://ww
Wed, March 02, 2016
TMR 025 – The Sword in the Stone
The Sword in the Stone (1963) d. Wolfgang Reitherman Produced by : Walt Disney Starring: Rickie Sorensen Sebastian Cabot Karl Swenson This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan relive the vile union of a pedophilic wizard and his would be king pupil. Ryan remembers a simpler time when he'd eat sugary snacks at his creepy neighbor's house while getting hockity pocketied, and Steve demands more swords and wizardry in his swords and wizardry in the 1963 Disney classic "The Sword in the Stone." This Disney adaptation of the classic fable chronicles King Arthur's humble beginnings. As an orphaned child, Arthur, who was then known as Wart, wants to help his foster brother, Kay, succeed in becoming a knight. While helping Kay train, Wart stumbles upon a cabin belonging to Merlin, a bumbling b ut talented wizard. Merlin does his best to convince the boy that he is bound for greatness, and when Wart and Kay travel to London to attend a jousting contest, they learn that Merlin was right. Things discussed in the show: King Arthur , Merlin Oldboy <
Mon, February 22, 2016
TMR 024 – Oldboy
Oldboy (2003) d. Chan-wook Park Starring: Min-sik Choi Ji-tae Yu Hye-jeong Kang This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan take on the roles of Oedipus and Sophocles as they regress deep into their subconscious to cope with the brutal realities of Seoul's gritty underbelly. Steve comes to terms with his unquenchable thirst for revenge, Ryan double checks his list of those he has wrongs, and they both conclude that eating a live octopus might be a one way ticket to Elder God hell. Dae-Su is an obnoxious drunk bailed from the police station yet again by a friend. However, he's abducted from the street and wakes up in a cell, where he remains for the next 15 years, drugged unconscious when human contact is unavoidable, otherwise with only the television as company. And then, su ddenly released, he is invited to track down his jailor with a denouement that is simply stunning. Things discussed in the show: Seoul, South Korea Brooklyn - Saoirse Ronan , Nick Hornby The Big Short - Christian Bale , <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0136797/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Mon, February 15, 2016
TMR 023 – High Fidelity
High Fidelity (2000) d. Stephen Frears Starring: John Cusack Iben Hjejle Todd Louiso Jack Black Lisa Bonet Catherine Zeta-Jones Joan Cusack Tim Robbins This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan compare the soul sapping abyss of their previous relationships with that of Rob from High Fidelity. Steve talks about hunting down ex-girlfriends to demand answers and Ryan weighs the significance of romance in your teens vs. in your twenties. They both lament the demise of the mix tape and agree that Chicago is an awesome city. Rob Gordon (John Cusack) is the owner of a failing record store in Chicago, where he sells music the old-fashioned way -- on vinyl. Although they have an encyclopedic knowledge of pop music and are consumed by the music scene, it's of no help to Rob, whose needle skips the love groove when his long- time girlfriend, Laura (Iben Hjejle), walks out on him. As he examines his failed attempts at romance and happiness, the process finds him being dragged, kicking and screaming, into adulthood. Things discussed in the show: Welcome Back Kotter <a href="http:/
Mon, February 08, 2016
TMR 022 – The Goonies
The Goonies (1985) d. Richard Donner Writers: Steven Spielberg (story) Chris Columbus (screenplay) Starring: Sean Astin Josh Brolin Jeff Cohen Corey Feldman Kerri Green Martha Plimpton Ke Huy Quan Robert Davi Joe Pantoliano Anne Ramsey This week on Total Movie Recall, we go back to a time when Corey's ruled the world. We watched 1985's classic "The Goonies" and wonder what exactly a "Goonie" is. We help Ryan try to figure out the ins and outs of a complicated housing market, try to figure out why Chunk put up with all his friends' crap, and Steve realizes he had no friends. When two brothers find out they might lose their house they are desperate to find a way to keep their home. They find a treasure map and bring some friends along to find it. They are all out looking for the "X" and trying to get away from a group of bad guys who also want the treasure. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-246" src="http://www.totalmovierecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/
Mon, February 01, 2016
TMR 021 – The Rocketeer
The Rocketeer (1991) d. Joe Johnston Starring: Billy Campbell Jennifer Connelly Timothy Dalton Alan Arkin Paul Sorvino This week on TMR, we flash back to the Art Deco past and get into a big fight about... well, exactly what Art Deco is. A movie about a remarkably mentally healthy Howard Hughes; angelic, heavenly creature Jennifer Connelly; an underrated James Bond turns in an underrated villain performance; and huge Nazi blimps fly over Los Angeles and NO ONE EVEN NOTICES. We watched 1991's would-be franchise beginning "The Rocketeer." Cliff Secord (Bill Campbell) is a cocky stunt pilot in love with a beautiful actress, Jenny Blake (Jennifer Connelly). When he discovers a jet pack hidden in a biplane, Cliff straps on the rocket, dons a flashy helmet and becomes the high-flying hero known as The Rocketeer. But when Nazis want to us e the rocket as a weapon, Cliff must use his alter ego to both protect Jenny from an evil actor (Timothy Dalton) and save the day in this period adventure based on the comic books by Dave Stevens. Things discussed in the show: Los Angeles The Revenant - Leonard DiCaprio , <a href="http://
Mon, January 25, 2016
TMR 020 – Battle Royale
Battle Royale (2000) d. Kinji Fukasaku Starring: Tatsuya Fujiwara Aki Maeda Takeshi Kitano Chiaki Kuriyama This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan finally have the psychotic break that was inevitable since this show began. They watch the 2000 Japanese classic "Battle Royale" and have PTSD flashbacks about hormonal insanity in middle school, admit how ineffectual they would be if they had to fight a bunch of preteens to the death, and encourage kids to never trust adults. 42 9th graders are sent to a deserted island. They are given a map, food, and various weapons. An explosive collar is fitted around their neck. If they break a rule, the collar explodes. Their mission: kill each other and be the last one standing. The last survivor is allowed to leave the island. If there is more than one survivor, the collars explode and kill them all. Things discussed in the show: Room (2015) - Brie Larson Mad Max: Fury Road Sicario Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt <a href
Mon, January 18, 2016
TMR 019 – The Untouchables
The Untouchables (1987) d. Brian De Palma Starring: Kevin Costner Sean Connery Andy Garcia Robert De Niro Billy Drago This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan throw Italian and Irish racial slurs around like its 1929. Steve tells us about growing up as a little street scamp on the mean streets of Chicago, Ryan is the only lapsed Baptist in the world with a patron saint, and the guys run their Sean Connery impressions straight into the ground. After building an empire with bootleg alcohol, legendary crime boss Al Capone (Robert De Niro) rules Chicago with an iron fist. Though Prohibition agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) attempts to take Capone down, even his best efforts fail due to widespread corruption within the Windy City's police for ce. Recruiting an elite group of lawmen who won't be swayed by bribes or fear, including Irish-American cop Jimmy Malone (Sean Connery), Ness renews his determination to bring Capone to justice. Things discussed in the show: Giorgio Armani & Hugo Boss Nazi uniforms Chicago cops The Revenant ,
Mon, January 11, 2016
TMR 018 – Before Sunrise
Before Sunrise (1995) d. Richard Linklater Starring: Ethan Hawke Julie Delpy This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve and Ryan drop their ironic, cynical pose and reveal the wounded romantic inside. Steve tells us how this movie helped him during those in-between-relationship periods of booze and ice cream, Ryan reflects on his parents' mortality, and the boys conclude that adulthood and growing up are a sham. On his way to Vienna, American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) meets Celine (Julie Delpy), a student returning to Paris. After long conversations forge a surprising connection between them, Jesse convinces Celine to get off the train with him in Vienna. Since his flight to the U.S. departs the next morning and he has no money for lodging, they wander the city together, taking in the experiences of Vienna and each other. As the night progresses, their bond makes separating in the morning a difficult choice. Things discussed in the show: The Hateful Eight ( Quentin Tarantino ) Gone with the Wind , Lawrence of Arabia Jennifer Jason Leigh , Samuel L. Jackson , Kurt Russell , Walton Goggins , <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/n
Mon, January 04, 2016
TMR 017 – The Blair Witch Project
The Blair Witch Project (1999) Starring: Heather Donahue Joshua Leonard Michael C. Williams This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve & Ryan participate in the most horrific thing imaginable - spending a week alone in the woods with three insufferable film students. The guys talk about how susceptible to the scares they were (and decidedly still are), how embarrassingly gullible 13-year old Ryan was, how freaky runic symbols are, and Steve's hatred of camping. Found video footage tells the tale of three film students who've traveled to a small town to collect documentary footage about the Blair Witch, a legendary local murderer. Over the course of several days, the students interview townspeople and g ather clues to support the tale's veracity. But the project takes a frightening turn when the students lose their way in the woods and begin hearing horrific noises. <st
Mon, December 28, 2015
TMR 016 – Bram Stoker's Dracula
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) d. Francis Ford Coppola Starring: Gary Oldman Winona Ryder Anthony Hopkins Keanu Reeves Richard E. Grant Cary Elwes Billy Campbell Tom Waits Sadie Frost This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve & Ryan take part in the absinthe-fueled sexy insanity that is possessive-filled Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula . They bask in the heavenly glow that is Keanu Reeve's acting, Gary Oldman's ability to make the ladies' wild even in a wrinkly beast suit, and how simultaneously sexy & smelly the Victorian era must have been. An adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic vampire novel. Gary Oldman plays Dracula whose lonely soul is determined to reunite with his lost love, Mina (Winona Ryder). In Britain, Dracula begins a reign of terror and seduction draining the life from her closest friend, Lucy (Sadie Frost). Together they try and drive Dracula away. Things discussed in the show: Insanity and sex <a h
Mon, December 21, 2015
TMR 015 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Special Episode)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) d. J.J. Abrams Starring: Daisy Ridley John Boyega Oscar Isaac Harrison Ford Carrie Fisher This special Star Wars edition of Total Movie Recall finds Steve feeling the emotional pull of the force as he regresses to his 8-year-old self and Ryan falls in love with young upstart Daisy Ridley as they unpackage their complex relationship with the Star Wars franchise through the lens of The Force Awakens. Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a rag-tag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance. <img class="aligncenter wp-image-184 size-large" src="http://www.totalmovierecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Star-wars-force-awakens-1024x672.jpg" alt=" Total Movie Recall Steve Albertson Ryan Mixson podcast movie nostalgia film cinema Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) d. J.J. Abrams Starring Daisy Ridley John Boyega Oscar Isaac Harrison Ford Carrie Fisher In this episode of Total Movie Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a rag-tag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help o
Mon, December 14, 2015
TMR 014 – Gremlins & Home Alone - Special Holiday Double Feature
Christmas Special: Gremlins (1994) d. Joe Dante Starring: Zach Galligan Phoebe Cates Hoyt Axton Home Alone (1990) d. Chris Columbus Starring: Macaulay Culkin Joe Pesci Daniel Stern Catherine O'Hara In our Yuletide Christmas Double Feature, Steve & Ryan examine the consequences of neglectful pet ownership & find out child endangerment isn't as hilarious when it happens to the super wealthy. Steve tells us about growing up on Chicago's North Shore and doing menial labor for the 1%, and Ryan shows what an ungrateful brat he is about his privileged childhood. In Gremlins a boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town, while in Home Alone an 8-year old troublemaker must protect his home from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. Things
Mon, December 07, 2015
TMR 013 – Robot Jox
Robot Jox (1989) d. Stuart Gordon Starring: Gary Graham Anne-Marie Johnson Paul Koslo This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve & Ryan find out how easy it is to ruin the awesome idea of giant robot wars. Steve reminisces about every better robot movie, game & cartoon to punctuate his disappointment, and Ryan is crushed to realize all his favorite childhood memories are of really terrible movies. 50 years after a nuclear war, the two superpowers handle territorial disputes in a different way. Each fields a giant robot to fight one-on-one battles in official matches, each piloted by a man inside, known as robot jockeys or jox. The contest for possession of Alaska will be fought by two of the best. The conscientious Achilles fights for the Americans. Opposing him is a Russian, Alexander, a ruthless and bloodthirsty adversary who has killed his previous nine American opponents. With a traitor feeding the Russians secret weapons information and new, genetically-engineered jox looking to take his place, Achilles faces obstacles at every turn in the hardest battle of his life. Things discussed in the show: I saw the Devil ( Kim Jee-woon ) The Last Stand ( Arnold Schwarzenegger ) Child's Play , Silent H
Mon, November 30, 2015
TMR 012 - Shaun of the Dead
Shaun of the Dead (2004) d. Edgar Wright Starring: Simon Pegg Nick Frost Every great British actor currently working This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve brings us a relatively recent entry into the list, and the guys talk about the existential listlessness that accompanies a quarter-life crisis. Steve realizes that some special events in your memory should stay in your memory, and Ryan confronts his disappointment in relationships, employment, ambitions, dreams, and... everything else. Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a 30-something loser with a dull, easy existence. When he's not working at the electronics store, he lives with his slovenly best friend, Ed (Nick Frost), in a small flat on the outskirts of London. The only unpredictable element in his life is his girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield), who wishes desperately for Shaun to grow up and be a man. When the town is inexplicably overrun with zombies, Shaun must rise to the occasion and protect both Liz and his mother (Penelope Wilton). Things discussed in the show: <a href="http://t.sidekickopen30.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJW7t5XX463KdcHN8r4Q-Yd0s1WW1p1hXH56dFR1f8R95Gl02?t=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D5Xt
Sun, November 22, 2015
TMR 011 – The People Under the Stairs
The People Under the Stairs (1991) d. Wes Craven Starring: Brandon Quintin Adams Everett McGill Wendy Robie Ving Rhames A.J. Langer This week on TMR, Steve & Ryan explore white people's vision of the ghetto, lament the diminished impact of incest in movies, and wax nostalgic about boyhood hours spent in video stores. Ryan talks about watching this weird-ass movie with this saintly mother, and Steve tells us what he looks for when shopping for a gimp suit. When young Fool breaks into the home of his family's greedy and uncaring landlords, he discovers a disturbing scenario where incestuous adult siblings have mutilated a number of boys and kept them imprisoned under stairs in their large, creepy house. As Fool attempts to flee before t he psychopaths can catch him, he meets their daughter, Alice, who has been spared any extreme discipline by her deranged parents. Can Fool and Alice escape before it's too late? Things discussed in the show: Star Wars , The Ewok Adventure CMJ Music Marithon <a href="http:
Mon, November 16, 2015
TMR 010 – Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) d. Pete Hewitt Starring: Keanu Reeves Alex Winter William Sadler George Carlin Joss Ackland On a most excellent episode of TMR, Steve and Ryan attempt to parse out exactly what a "Melvin" is, explore the origins of Steve's lapse in faith in a just god, and Ryan once again attempts to break down the quantum mechanics of time travel only to succumb to a nap instead. Things discussed in the show: The Martian ( Matt Damon ) Sicario ( Emily Blunt , Josh Brolin , Benicio Del Toro ) Miley Cyrus & Billy Ray Cyrus Narcos Ernest Borgnine True Grit </p
Mon, November 09, 2015
TMR 009 – Willow
Willow (1988) d. Ron Howard Starring: Warwick Davis Val Kilmer Joanne Whalley This week on TMR, Steve and Ryan wonder how the hell George Lucas doesn't owe JRR Tolkien's estate some serious royalties, speculate on how Val Kilmer can be so simultaneously charming and unqualified to raise a baby, Steve tests Ryan's patience with his endless stories of playing Dungeons & Dragons with his nerdy friends, and Ryan makes public his struggle with "icky" things. Things discussed in the show: George Lucas Mr. Rogers Peaky Blinders (Season 2) Tom Hardy's Myspace pics (Bronson) Steven Spielberg ( Poltergeist , Poltergeist 3 , Heather O'Rourke , Craig T. Nelson ) The Adventures of Pluto Nash Coach , <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0GuXMPoyhs" target="_bl
Mon, November 02, 2015
TMR 008 – The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
The Phantom of the Opera (1925) d. Rupert Julian Starring: Lon Chaney Mary Philbin Norman Kerry This week on TMR, Steve inadvertently reveals his creepy, gross fetish for ballerina feet, for which we mercilessly judge him, and Ryan struggles to stay awake through the 1925 silent classic "Phantom of the Opera." The guys talk about the Phantom's penchant for date-rapey interior decor, the unfortunate renaissance of hipster mustaches, and did we mention Steve has a fetish for ballerina feet? Things discussed in the show: Black Mass ( Johnny Depp , Whitey Bulger ) What's eating Gilbert Grape , Blow , Donny Brasco , Pirates of the Caribbean , Once Upon a Time in Mexico Gary Oldman ( Bram Stoker's Dracula ) Peaky Blinders Martin Scorsese (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYsS_3
Mon, October 26, 2015
TMR 007 – Puppet Master & Children of the Corn - Special Halloween double-feature
Puppet Master (1989)/Children of the Corn (1984) d. David Schmoeller (Puppet Master) d. Fritz Kiersch (Children of the Corn) Starring: A bunch of assholes & the beautiful Linda Hamilton On TMR's dual episode Halloween Special, we watched 1989's mountain of shit that is "Puppet Master" and everyone's favorite kid-punching fall-favorite "Children of the Corn." We talk about a specific kind of asshole that would bring puppets to life and shove them in a hole in the wall in a hotel and wonder just who would adopt two kids who have seen their entire town murdered by a bunch of poofy-haired preteens. Things discussed in the show: Full Moon Entertainment Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Evil Dead 2 , The Necronomicon Ancient Chinese Secrets, Egyption Rites & Nazis Agatha Christie ( Ten Little Indians ) The Puppets: Blade, Jester, Pinhead, Leech Woman, Tunneler, Shedder Khan Freddy Krueger , Jason Voorhees , Michael Myers W
Tue, October 20, 2015
TMR 006 - Timecop
Timecop (1994) d. Peter Hyams Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme Mia Sara Bruce McGill This week on TMR, Ryan takes us in the world's most ineffectual time machine and tells us about his uncomfortable fascination with JCVD with 1994's "Timecop." Steve tries to untangle the Gordian Knot of time travel, and both of them say inappropriate things about the lovely Mia Sara WHY DID YOU LEAVE US MIA YOU WERE TOO GOOD FOR THIS WORLD I HATE FERRIS BUELLER. Things discussed in the show: The Theory of Everything ( Eddie Redmayne , Stephen Hawkins ) Jupiter Ascending Benedict Cumberbatch Michael Fassbender Christian Bale ( American Psycho , The Machinist , Batman Begins , Newsies ) Twin Peak
Mon, October 12, 2015
TMR 005 – The Murder of Fred Hampton
The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971) d. Howard Alk Starring: Fred Hampton Rennie Davis Edward Hanrahan Bobby Rush Ronald “Doc” Satchel This week on TMR, we’re delighted to welcome our first ever guest, Atlanta filmmaker Leo Hollen Jr! We watch the powerful 1971 documentary “The Murder of Fred Hampton,” Leo gets uncomfortable when we make him a Black Spokesman, Steve tells us of his mentor and friend Ronn Pitts who helped make this film, and Ryan tries to sound tough when talking about the cops (Spoiler: he fails). Fred Hampton was the leader of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party. This film depicts his brutal murder by the Chicago police and its subsequent investigation, but also documents his activities in organizing the Chapter, his public speeches, and the programs he founded for children during the last eighteen months of his life. – Written by Harvard Film Archive via IMDB Things discussed in the show: Leo Hollen Jr.’s new documentary Queer Moxie (follow Leo on twitter @ leoHollen ) Straight Outta Compton ( Ice Cube , Paul Giamatti , O’Shea Jackson Jr. ) Seeking a Friend for the End of the World ( Steve Carell , Keira Knightley ) Winona Ryder Rose McGowen ( Dawn ) Wormwood , <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1v0uFms68U" target="
Mon, October 05, 2015
TMR 004 – White Men Can't Jump
White Men Can't Jump (1992) d. Ron Shelton Starring: Woody Harrelson Wesley Snipes Rosie Perez This week on TMR, we solve the problem of race relations in America once and for all with 1992's "White Men Can't Jump." Ryan and Steve do their best Rosie Perez impressions, Steve gets a semi early '90s sex scenes, Ryan recalls the numerous inappropriate movies his father took him to see, and some truly mediocre trash talk gets laid down. Billy and Sydney think they're the best basketball hustlers in town, so when they join forces, nothing can stop them, except each other. To add to their problems, Billy owes money and is being chased by a pair of gangster types. Written by Rob Hartill via IMDB Things discussed in the show: Steve James ( Stevie , Hoop Dreams , The Interrupters ) Life Itself ( Roger Ebert ) Werner Herzog ( Little Dieter Needs to Fly , White Diamond ) Chicago <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9f3HePJl4k" target="_bla
Mon, September 28, 2015
TMR 003 – Heathers
Heathers (1988) d. Michael Lehmann Starring: Winona Ryder Christian Slater This week on Total Movie Recall, Steve takes us back to high school and shows us his lunch table of stoners and skaters, and Ryan shows us his lunch table of... nobody. We watched 1988's Heathers and talk about the eternal beauty of Winona Ryder, the Jean-Paul Sartre philosophy of Christian Slater, and eskimos. And somebody's mouth gets swords played in it. A regular girl, Veronica, tries to survive the social jungle of high school by sticking with the three most popular girls at school who are all called Heather. As she meets a sociopath named JD, her life spirals into a continuous cycle of hate, unintentional murder and indifference, as she exacts revenge on her enemies, also known as her best friends. Written by Marielle via IMDB Things discussed in the show: Wet Hot American Summer (TV show) Bradley Cooper Lost Soul (documentary) Ryan's love of Val Kilmer Hearts of Darkness My Best Fiend Lost in La Mancha (Terry Gilliam) Jodorowsky's Dune H.R. Giger & Dan O'Bannon Hudson Hawk Airheads Demolition Man Batman Returns Mean Girls <a href="https://www.youtube
Mon, September 21, 2015
TMR 002 – Predator
Welcome to Total Movie Recall episode 002, where we’ll discuss the film Predator (1987), directed by John McTiernan & starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke & Jesse Ventura. Schwarzenegger, Weathers, Ventura, a vagina-faced alien. We went to deep into the jungles of Val Verde in our mind as we revisit the stone-cold classic. A team of special force ops, led by a tough but fair soldier, Major "Dutch" Schaefer, are ordered in to assist CIA man, George Dillon, on a rescue mission for potential survivors of a Helicopter downed over remote South American jungle. Not long after they land, Dutch and his team discover that they have been sent in under false pretenses. This deception turns out to be the least of their worries though, when they find themselves being methodically hunted by something not of this world. - via IMDB Things discussed in the show: Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief The Maze Runner Bloodline Flicks 36 - Atlanta Correction Billy Bragg is a singer, Steve meant Joe Bob Briggs (sorry Joe Bob) Svengoolie (Rich Koz) <p style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Time
Sun, September 20, 2015
TMR 001 - American Splendor
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Total Movie Recall , where we’ll discuss the film American Splendor directed by Shari Springer Berman , Robert Pulcini & starring Paul Giamatti, Shari Springer Berman , Harvey Pekar – based on the comic book of the same name. Harvey Pekar is file clerk at the local VA hospital. His interactions with his co-workers offer some relief from the monotony, and their discussions encompass everything from music to the decline of American culture to new flavors of jellybeans and life itself. At home, Harvey fills his days with reading, writing and listening to jazz. His apartment is filled with thousands of books and LPs, and he regularly scours Cleveland’s thrift stores and garage sales for more, savoring the rare joy of a 25-cent find. It is at one of these junk sales that Harvey meets Robert Crumb, a greeting card artist and music enthusiast. When, years later, Crumb finds international success for his underground comics, the idea that comic books can be a valid art form for adults inspires Harvey to write his own brand of comic book. An admirer of naturalist writers like Theodore Dreiser, Harvey makes his American Splendor a truthful, unsentimental record of his working-class life, a warts-and-all self portrait. First published in 1976, the comic earns Harvey cult fame throughout the 1980s and eventually leads him to the sardonic Joyce Barber, a partner in a Delaware comic book store who end u
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