Category: Specials

“Makes you think, doesn’t it?” Hasn’t that become a bit of a rare reaction to a movie? Well, whatever else you want to say about this week’s special entry, 2026’s “Digger” with Tom Cruise, you will most likely say THAT. This movie is . . . not easy. It’s also very hard to discuss without spoiling it, so we don’t even try. We don’t like doing things that are hard. Be warned! But this movie . . . not an action movie, not a franchise movie, not something Cruise has done in quite a while. I get the feeling that this is a “Lifetime Achievement Award?! Screw that! I want a REAL Oscar!!” attempt on the part of Mr. T. Cruise and . . . does this film merit that? There seems to be some slight disagreement on that score, as this movie is not exactly breaking box-office records. Is that fair? Is the film not worth it? Was the marketing screwed up? Why does my elbow hurt? For the answer to some of these questions, give a listen! Next week, back to “Cuz It’s Good For You”!

Poll question: What is your LEAST favorite performance by Tom Cruise? Leave a comment or run dramatically to our Hotline at 617-398-7266 and leave a message that will self-destruction in ten seconds.

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Great day in the morning! We’ve made it to episode 400! How did this happen? They said we’d never do it. They said we were crazy. They said we would burn out and fade away. They said that a cabal of hamster people secretly run the government. They said investing in knock-off Beanie Babies was a sound financial move. They said dying my body hair bright blue would be a wise move. I’m beginning to think I shouldn’t listen to “them” anymore. But here we are, at our quatercentenaryth anniversary! Thank you all for listening, reading, commenting, lurking silently, whatever. Just thank you. For this terribly special episode, we’ve decided to discuss a movie that, while foolishly dismissed by many, for such trivial reasons as “poor quality,” “insanely low budget,” “completely irrational story” and other such trivialities, we here at Max, Mike; Movies know which movies have truly influenced the entire cinematic world . . . or at least, you know, us. We’ve referenced this movie, we’ve quoted this movie, so now, we’re going to actually address Phil Tucker’s masterpiece magnum opus movie that he finished: “Robot Monster.” Thank you, Phil Tucker, for teaching us how to live like the hu-man, to laugh like the hu-man . . . again. Give a listen!

Poll question: who is your favorite film director? Leave a comment or call our favorite Hotline at 617-398-7266 and leave a directorial voicemail!

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Great Cesear’s film reference! I know you’re all shocked, waiting as you have been for the start of our next series with a worm on your tongue (baited breath. Thank you! Try the veal!) but we’re delaying our next series a week because here at Max, Mike; Movies we are nothing if not topical! Yes, truly we are the skin disease of movie podcasts. After an absence of many moons (and several asteroids), Francis Ford Coppola has returned to the world of cinema with a new movie produced, written, and directed by someone names Nancis Cord Froppola . . . WAIT A MINUTE! Yes, Mr. Coppola has returned with a movie that is all HIM and has left audiences, shall we say, somewhat divided. I thought this movie would leave Mike divided as well, until he explained to me, through a locked door, that this particular phrase didn’t involve an axe or any sharp cutting tools. Well, thank you, Captain No Fun! Regardless, we were both excited by the Coppolistic film entry and, since we both had rushed out to see it, decided to discuss it here and now, for you and yours. Ain’t we something? So give a listen and see if the film divides us (although, let me stress, not in the fun way) or unites us. Ave Cesear Salad!

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Three hundred episodes! Who would have believed it? It seems like only yesterday that people were asking us “why are you bothering?” over and over and over. Then came the genuine incredulity, the open hostility, the petitions begging us to stop, the changes in city zoning laws to try to outlaw us, the angry mobs, the torches, the screaming and wailing, and the violence, the savage, brutal violence (ok, that was mostly perpetrated by me against Mike, but still!). But we persevered! We ignored the naysayers, the reasoned arguments, the sobbing of relatives and close friends . . . no human or pony could stop us! And why?! Because shut up, that’s why! And what could we possibly choose as our subject after our titanic (and ponderous) 100^th and 200^th episodes? Why, one of the most titanic and ponderous science fiction novels ever, and more importantly, its recent two-movie adaptation! Yes, we’re talking “Dune Part One” and “Dune Part Two: Electric Sandaloo”, directed by Dennis Villeneuve. Forget everything Anakin Skywalker ever told you about sand and come explore this sprawling, ever-so-sandy epic with us!

Seriously, it’s been so great doing this podcast and I’m so glad Mike got me to do this by threatening to release those incriminating documents . . . I mean, by saying “hey, wanna do a podcast?” We are also so grateful to our surprisingly attractive listeners and our astonishingly erudite and eloquent commenters. Thank you so much for listening, commenting, and suggesting cool new series ideas! Hope you stay with us for the next three hundred episodes!

Poll question: What movie that was actually released do you think should never have been released? What movie would the world be better off without?

Answer via our hotline, if you like: 617-398-7266

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This week’s episode is indeed very special: it marks the fifth anniversary of my waking up with a throbbing head and a copy of a binding “We Are Doing A Podcast” stapled to my shirt that I had apparently signed as “Maxxx Overdrive.” Mike has assured me many times over the last five years that this is legally binding and sadly I don’t know of any kind of professional whose job it is to interpret contracts or the law. Someone should come up with something like that . . .

But of course, I have no regrets (well, not about this podcast . . . we won’t talk about my unfortunate tattoo) and neither does Mike, during his few lucid moments. Yes, we started this journey on July 5^th, 2018 and Mike tells me that was five years ago and I must believe him because math is hard (both at the beach and other locations). We had all sorts of genuinely terrifying ideas for this week’s show but we decided to spare you all the Lovecraftian horror we had dreamed up and instead decided to modify a suggestion from one of our particularly well-manicured listeners, Dan Schaeffer, and discuss the fifth highest-grossing movie of 2018, our inception year (minus the weird spinning top thingy). And what cinematic classic hit the number five spot that year? Why it was “Deadpool 2,” the highly successful sequel to the first R-rated superhero movie “Ilsa: She-Wolf of the SS.” No, wait, it was “Deadpool,” wasn’t it. Yes. That makes more sense. So join us for this romp, five years in the making! And join us for the next five years! And the five years after that! You will never escape us! We are bonded to your soul! Do not fear us! Be one with Max, Mike; Movies. Ia! Ia! MaxMikeMovies fthagn! See, Mike? I told you I’d work in some Lovecraftian horror, but you called me mad! Mad! So who’s mad now??!

Dang. It’s me, isn’t it. Well, this is awkward . . . Oh well, give a listen anyway.

Poll question: what is your favorite film franchise?

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Citizens, we commend you on your fortitude, courage and strength of character: you have stuck with us through all four parts of our commentary about His Royal Batness (sidenote: most people don’t know that was the nickname Prince was originally going to use. It’s true. Trust us. Don’t bother to look it up). In this the FINAL segment of our 200^th episode, we cover the end of the Bale-Nolan trilogy, the thrilling courtroom drama that was “Batman v. Superman” (in a moment, the results of that trial), the surprisingly entertaining “Lego Batman Movie” and the even more surprising, and most recent, incarnation of Batman, played by the pale and somewhat wispy Robert Pattinson. Note for parents: at no point does Mr. Patterson sparkle during his portrayal of Batman. I don’t know about you but I was really worried about that. And then we wrap it all up with a brief discussion of the character of Bartman, sorry, Biffman, wait, Blortman . . . dang it, this has gone on so long I can’t remember who we’re actually talking about . . . Forbushman? No, no, that doesn’t sound right. Anyway, we are so grateful that you’ve stuck around for this Director’s Cut of an episode and we promise that we’ve learned our less and episode 300 will just be a description of an old Chef Boyardee commercial that should last about 20 minutes. But you’ve come this far (we hope) so join us for the grand bat-finale! Pow! Zap! Biff! Conclude!

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ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Southern Poverty Law Center: https://donate.splcenter.org/

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Well, we hope all our old chums are hanging on to their bat-ropes as we charge ahead into the third part of our 200^th episode (don’t ask me how math works). In this one we move from the last of the Burton-esque Batman movies, including the one that sank the franchise, as well as the much-loved Animated Series and then make a start on the Bale-Nolan Batman revival of the 2000’s. There’s a lot to cover here: we’ve got Jim Carrey as the Riddler, Ahhhhnold as Mr. Freeze (complete with agonizing ice puns), the introduction of Harley Quinn, the introduction of Batman’s gargling-with-hot-gravel voice, and the performance may in fact out-Joker Jack Nicholson. So join us for more Bat-lore and bat-tastic discussion! Batfully!

George Floyd Memorial Fund:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Southern Poverty Law Center: https://donate.splcenter.org/

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Holy multi-part-episode! It’s part two of our 200^th episode here at Max, Mike; Movies! It’s still episode 200 and we’re still talking about the Man of Bats; in this segment we’re talking about the Batman’s first animated appearances in such classics as “SuperFriends” (in all it’s many, many . . . MANY incarnations) as well as his team-up with perhaps his greatest ally . . . Scooby-Doo! We’re also covering the return of the Gotham Guy (someone must have called him that at some point) to live-action cinema with the Tim Burton movies of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Grab some bat-popcorn, enjoy some bat-cola, and join us for Chapter Two of our tribute to the many screen-forms of Batman! Alfred! Run me a bat-bath!

George Floyd Memorial Fund:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Southern Poverty Law Center: https://donate.splcenter.org/

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What’s this? Our dyspeptic duo has actually produced two hundred episodes? Our Cape-less Crusaders have bivouacked a burgeoning bicentennial of cinematic barbs? Holy milestone! An event like this must have a worthy subject, something grand, something spanning decades, something like . . . a guy who dresses up like a flying Chiroptera and beats up insane snake-clowns! Of course! Yes, we’re taking on the Dark Knight himself: Batman! Which version, you ask? Why, pretty much all of them, of course! In a fit of masochism Mike and I have decided to discuss, converse, and otherwise hobnob about every major screen appearance (well, a lot of them) made by Batman. From the movie serials of the 40’s to the animated series of the 90’s, from Adam West to Michael Keaton to Robert Pattison, no one is immune to our analysis!

Now, there’s a lot to say about this literary/television/cinematic character and by Aunt Harriet’s bloomers, we said a lot of it! So much so that it’s too bat-much for one bat-episode so we’re splitting it up into not one, not two, not three, but four separate bat-episodes. Collect them all! Trade them with your friends! In Chapter One, we cover the Batman movie serials of the 40’s up through the famous/infamous TV show (and movie!) of 1966! Zap! Bow! Bam! Enjoy!

George Floyd Memorial Fund:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Southern Poverty Law Center: https://donate.splcenter.org/

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“Poogaloo, the Singing Pangolin” will not be heard tonight so we can bring you the following special presentation, brought to you commercial free and in living (auditory) color.  We’re interrupting our current time-travel series for this extra-ultra-mega-super-lifesize-retcin-free episode where Mike and I partake in a classic piece of Americana: the Drive-In Movie! What with living in this time of modern plague it’s still not safe to go to the movie theaters yet so what could be better than cramming the whole family into an SUV, smuggling in easily-spilled snacks and drinks, hooking a tinny-sounding speaker to your window and watching a massive outdoor screen be attacked by moths? Ah, memories! Well, Mike and I happened to be in the same place at the same time (a sadly rare occurrence) and we took the opportunity to see if this cherished cinematic format still exists (it does!) and what was like now, as neither of us had been to a drive-in in far longer than we care to admit.  So after we all go to the lobby, after we all go to the lobby, after we all go to the lobby . . . dammit, sorry, clamber into the car trunk so we can sneak you in with us [disclaimer: you don’t have to do that anymore; they charge by the car, not by the number of passengers].

Poll question: when was the last time (if ever) that you went to a Drive-In Theater and what did you see?

George Floyd Memorial Fund:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Southern Poverty Law Center: https://donate.splcenter.org/

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