Dudes on Movies

The Dudes go silent for once in their lives with 1926's The General.  Buster Keaton's masterpiece about a courageous train engineer in The American Civil War is both essential viewing for cinephiles, and morally reprehensible.  We always welcome challenging films, and thankfully this one is so expertly crafted, you almost....you know what, no. It makes Southerners the heroes, and that part is indefensible.  Still, what a movie, eve...

The Dudes want to see a dead body in 1986's Stand By Me. This coming of age tale follows four friends on a journey where they unexpectedly grow as individuals, address past traumas, and gain reverence for things most adolescents ignore. It contains some of the best kid acting ever put to film, and is a nearly perfect experience. Pause this podcast and watch it now.

Other movies discussed:

Affliction (1997) - Directed by Paul Schr...

The Dudes go topless in the jungle and get chased by one ugly.... with 1987's Predator.  Oft-quoted, oft-referenced, and oft-memed, this movie defines 80s excess, and still entertains almost 40 years later.  So air-arm-wrestle your best frenemy and paint stripes on your face for...an advantage?  Who cares, this is a damned good time.  

Other movies discussed:

Party Girl (1995) - Directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer

Immaculate (20...

The Dudes take a voyage of pure imagination in 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This children's fantasy favorite brings humor and adventure for all ages, with a sugary coating of social commentary. It's weirdly delightful and worth every second of your time, but if you want admission, you'll need a golden ticket.

Other movies discussed:

The Doom Generation (1995) - Gregg Araki

Going My Way (1944) - Leo McCarey

QUEST...

We read your responses to our Questions of the Week for July 2024!

Episode 225 - The Iron Claw - What stories that interest you haven't yet been made into a movie?

Episode 226 - The Christmas Shoes - What are some TV Movies you remember?

Episode 227 - Michael Clayton - What are your favorite movies with extended monologues?

Episode 228 - Wet Hot American Summer - What are your favorite movies about summer camp?

Episode 229 - The Me...

The Dudes warp to what they're told is the Mushroom Kingdom with 1993's Super Mario Bros.  Nintendo screened this film, saw what was done with their iconic game and characters, and left The Movie Business forever.  An extreme reaction, but a fair one.  This movie is really dumb everybody, but now and then that's how we like it.     

Other movies discussed:

Snake Eyes (1998) - Directed by Brian DePalma

Civil War (2024) - Directed by...

The Dudes' fear of separation culminates at a house party in 2007's Superbad. This crude high school comedy set a new standard for the genre, and is considered by many to be one of the best. It also showcases many talents before their rise to fame. So grab your fake ID and be careful who you dance with.

Other movies discussed:

Longlegs (2024) - Directed by Oz Perkins

Wicked Little Letter (2023) - Directed by Thea Sharrock

QUESTI...

The Dudes are presented with tacos that might hold up in court with 2022's The Menu.  Do you despise the wealthy and the pretentious?  Then prepare yourself for roughly 100 minutes of massively creative frontier justice visited on people who are brand-new to consequences.  Do not eat.  Taste, savor, relish.  Then die with those who give.

Other movies discussed:

Waking Ned Devine (1998) - Directed by Kirk Jones

Quiz Show (1994) - ...

The Dudes head to summer camp in 2001's Wet Hot American Summer. This absurdist parody takes conventions from popular summer camp movies of the 70s and 80s and spins them on their head. It also features a who's who cast of actors that will keep you saying "Oh, they're in this?" Just be sure to keep your eyes on the sky.

Other movies discussed:

Hour of the Wolf (1968) - Directed by Ingmar Bergman

Knox Goes Away (2023) - Directed b...

We read your responses to our Questions of the Week for June 2024!

Episode 221 - My Own Private Idaho - What movies were you forbidden from seeing as a young person?

Episode 222 - Paris is Burning - What are your favorite movies about subcultures?

Episode 223 - Go Fish - What are the most unusual love stories?

Episode 224 - The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Have you ever attended a midnight movie?

Thanks for listening!

If you wan...

The Dudes aren't the guys you kill, they're the guys you buy, with 2007's Michael Clayton.  This well-acted, suspenseful, legal thriller is George Clooney at his smoldering best, while Tilda Swinton and Tom Wilkinson show you why they're two of the best to ever do it.  So curl up with a gripping Fantasy novel, and then irreparably embarrass your colleagues with this modern classic!   

Other movies discussed:

Caged (1950) - Direct...

The dudes hold back their anger, unsuccessfully, with 2004's The Christmas Shoes. What do you get when you adapt a crappy song into a crappy book and then into a crappy movie? You get this. Rob Lowe learning it's okay to be an asshole as long as your wife accepts your apology. Good lord everyone. Just listen.  

Other movies discussed:

Persona (1966) - Directed by Ingmar Bergman

Night of the Comet (1984) - Directed by Thom Eberhar...

The Dudes head to the Dallas Territory with 2023's The Iron Claw. The Von Erichs captivated wrestling fans, and the tragedy of them dying so young and so needlessly is an important story that needed to be told.  And while you'll likely cry when you see this film, you'll somehow leave smiling too.  Sing it with us now: "I wanna live that waaaayyyy, forever...."    

Other movies discussed:

Little Odessa (1994) - Directed by James G...

The Dudes wrap up Pride 2024 with an all-time classic, 1975's The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Join us on a journey of song and pleasure, as we discover the secrets of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, portrayed by the indelible Tim Curry, and his devious plans. This is the original cult movie, and has been played at theaters around the globe for nearly 50 years. You can't deny it. Give into pleasure.

Other movies discussed:

Walk on the Wild Sid...

The Dudes celebration of Pride 2024 rolls on with 1994's Go Fish! This artistic, highly personal film is pure class, and when you realize they did it all with no money, it becomes even more impressive.  Intimate, funny, and groundbreaking, this one is still referenced 30 years later as an inspiration to all independent filmmakers, and it deserves all your attention!  

Other movies discussed:

Juice (1992) - Directed by Ernest Dicke...

We read your responses to our Questions of the Week for May 2024!

Episode 217 - The Matrix - What are your favorite movies of 1999?

Episode 218 - Attack The Block - What are your favorite directorial debuts?

Episode 219 - Mortal Kombat - What are your favorite movies based on video games?

Episode 220 - The Incredible Shrinking Man - What are your favorite 1950s Science Fiction films?

Thanks for listening!

If you want more Dudes on ...

The Dudes continue Pride 2024 with 1990's Paris is Burning! This documentary gives an unrelenting look at late 80's ball-culture in New York City, and has been placed in the National Library of Congress for being culturally significant. It's a candid look that's simultaneously fun and heartbreaking.  We see it all: the good, the bad, and the fabulous.

Other movies discussed:

Speak No Evil (2022) - Directed by Christian Tafdrup

Pi...

The Dudes elegantly start Pride 2024 with 1991's My Own Private Idaho.  Part Shakespeare, part faux-documentary, part avant-garde experiment, this genre-defying classic gave moviegoers a new perspective on street life, and showcased its two famous leads in ways we hadn't seen before.  So tune in for a discussion on New Queer Cinema, and Udo Kier appreciation.     

Other movies discussed:

Advise and Consent (1962) - Directed by Otto...

The Dudes get blasted with radiation in 1957's The Incredible Shrinking Man! What first seems like a silly tale of nuclear danger turns out to be so much more, tackling philosophical issues about what it means to be human, and how we too often take for granted the small things in life. Great special effects, and a compelling story will leave you talking about this gem long after the credits roll. And you'll never look at your cat t...