Movie Wars

• Once Upon A Time In Hollywood with McKenna McFadden

  Tarantino’s sun-bleached fairytale gets the full Movie Wars teardown. I’m joined by Seth and McKenna McFadden to dig into Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: the Rick/Cliff bromance (Leonardo DiCaprio & Brad Pitt), the Sharon Tate revision, the Bruce Lee fight debate, and why Quentin himself calls this his best film.We trace how the idea sparked on the Death Proof set while Tarantino watched the actor–stuntman bond, how Rick & Cliff were stitched from real Hollywood pairings (Burt Reynolds/Hal Needham; Steve McQueen/Bud Ekins), why it nearly became a Manson movie, and why he wrote five episodes of “Bounty Law” just to make Dalton feel real. We also hit the Sony deal (post-Weinstein), needle-drop genius (real KHJ radio airchecks), and the stunt-culture DNA that still shapes modern action .⏱️ Chapters00:03 Cold open & welcome00:17 Show format + guest intro (NYU → WWE; music licensing)01:57 LA golden age vs today02:00 Why it's our Tarantino favorite/rankings02:39 Tarantino says it's his best03:29 Origin on Death Proof set; actor–stuntman dynamic03:53 Rick & Cliff modeled on Reynolds/Needham, McQueen/Ekins05:21 It started as a novel / novelization06:54 From Charles Manson project to Hollywood elegy07:38 Tarantino “universe” & alternate history09:02 Tarantino wrote five “Bounty Law” episodes09:20 Fincher’s Cliff Booth project (debate if needed)09:52 Sony deal, $100M budget, Weinstein split11:58 Bruce Lee scene discourse12:30 Martial arts’ impact on action; Casino Royale pivot16:25 Real KHJ radio airchecks; no original score22:55 War Zone: Round 1 (mid-episode volley)28:24 Randos → Questions transition42:09 Questions: character & craft42:50 Penultimate question: Tarantino’s “best” claim51:08 Last question: Who/What won & lost the movie?58:15 Influences & tone (Texas Chainsaw vibes60:24 Scorecard: Yes/No63:38 Final scores & sign-off💡 TakeawaysTarantino almost wrote Once Upon a Time as a novel before filming.Rick Dalton & Cliff Booth sprang from real Hollywood duos.Sony’s $100M deal gave Quentin final cut and first-dollar gross after splitting from Weinstein.The Bruce Lee scene was meant as a satire of old vs new Hollywood, but still divides fans.The soundtrack uses authentic KHJ radio tapes—no original score—so LA itself becomes the music.

  --------  

  1:04:12

  --------

  1:04:12
• Flatliners (1990) with comedian Dr. Ben

  Today on Movie Wars, we dive headfirst into Joel Schumacher’s 1990 cult thriller Flatliners. With an all-star cast of Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, Kiefer Sutherland, and William Baldwin, the film follows a group of med students who push science (and sanity) to the limit by experimenting with near-death experiences.Kyle, Seth, and Dr. Ben (comedian and real-life physician) break down the history, the behind-the-scenes drama, and why this wild Brat Pack–era sci-fi horror flick feels more like The Breakfast Club Dies than a medical thriller. From medical inaccuracies (you can’t actually shock a flatline) to Joel Schumacher’s gothic Chicago aesthetic, we uncover how Flatliners mixes big ideas about mortality with questionable execution.We’ll also hit the random facts, the funniest discoveries from our research, and debate whether Flatliners deserved cult status—or just a DNR order.Show Notes / TakeawaysThe true story behind screenwriter Peter Filardi’s inspiration and Joel Schumacher’s obsession with death.Michael Douglas stepping in as producer and early casting “what-ifs” (Val Kilmer, Nicole Kidman).Dr. Ben fact-checks the movie’s wild CPR and defibrillator scenes—spoiler: none of it works.Why the Brat Pack label followed this cast and why the characters never land emotionally.Cinematography, lighting, and Schumacher’s gothic style vs. storytelling gaps.Our take: this premise deserved a miniseries, not a two-hour chaos ride.Chapters & Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Movie Wars – Kyle, Seth, and Dr. Ben kick things offflatliners-175709869808301:00 – How the show works – History, Randos, Questions, War Cardflatliners-175709869808302:00 – First impressions of Flatliners – VHS memories, ethics class screenings, and why it’s so wacky03:00 – Medical perspective – Dr. Ben explains why shocking a flatline is nonsense06:30 – History & development – From spec script to Schumacher’s obsession with death07:30 – Early casting rumors – Val Kilmer and Nicole Kidman almost starred08:45 – Acting & characters – Why Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland couldn’t save it10:00 – Bacon talk – Kevin Bacon’s hair, career tangents, and Six Degrees13:00 – Stephen King confusion – Why the movie feels like a bad King adaptation14:15 – Why it should’ve been a miniseries – Missed opportunity for depth15:00 – Hallucination scenes – The film’s weakest link (bad child actors, floaty trees)17:00 – Comedy parallels – Hecklers, bombing on stage, and Flatliners as metaphor18:30 – Randos – Loyola University, Chicago filmmaking push, and production trivia21:00 – DMT & near-death theories – Real science vs. Flatliners’ Hollywood spin-22:00 – Chicago vs. Boston setting – Why Schumacher moved the story to the Midwest23:30 – Brat Pack label – Was this really an ’80s ensemble movie in disguise?26:00 – The War Card – Who did “life after death” better: Flatliners or The Sixth Sense?

  --------  

  1:02:10

  --------

  1:02:10
• Dallas Buyers Club with Comedian Dr. Ben

  Today we dive into Dallas Buyers Club, a film that took nearly 20 years to get made, changed the trajectory of Matthew McConaughey’s career, and gave Jared Leto one of the most transformative roles of his life.Joining us is Dr. Ben—orthopedic surgeon by day, comedian by night, and now a regular at Zanies Nashville. He brings both medical perspective and sharp comedic timing to the table, making this one of our most unique breakdowns yet.We cover the brutal realities of AIDS in the 1980s, the insane lengths McConaughey and Leto went to transform their bodies, how the film almost fell apart days before production, and why director Jean-Marc Vallée’s handheld style made the movie feel more like a documentary than a drama. Plus, we get into the McConaissance, Hollywood’s obsession with body transformations, and whether True Detective or Dallas Buyers Club was McConaughey’s best performance.⏱️ Chapter Time Markers00:00 – Welcome & intro to Dr. Ben (surgeon + comedian)05:40 – The 20-year battle to get Dallas Buyers Club made07:30 – McConaughey’s career pivot & the birth of the McConaissance09:00 – Losing funding mid-shoot & how they saved the fil11:00 – Jared Leto’s Rayon & breaking barriers for trans representation13:20 – Jean-Marc Vallée’s documentary-style realism14:50 – Extreme body transformations: McConaughey vs. Leto17:40 – Christian Bale comparisons & medical risks of yo-yo acting22:00 – The McConaughey debate: True Detective vs. Dallas Buyers Club25:30 – Early McConaughey roles (Angels in the Outfield, Texas Chainsaw Massacre)28:00 – Legacy of the film & its Oscar wins🔑 Show Notes & TakeawaysDallas Buyers Club was rejected over 100 times before finally being made on a shoestring $5M budget. It went on to gross $55M and win 3 Oscars. McConaughey lost nearly 60 pounds and Leto about 40 pounds, pushing their bodies to dangerous extremes for authenticity. Jared Leto’s role as Rayon broke ground for serious representation of trans characters in film, shifting away from decades of ridicule or parody. Director Jean-Marc Vallée shot with natural light and handheld cameras, giving the film its raw, documentary feel. The “McConaissance” began here—McConaughey turned down $20M+ rom-com offers to reinvent himself as a serious actor. The makeup team famously pulled off their Oscar-winning work with a $250 budget

  --------  

  1:02:13

  --------

  1:02:13
• The Goonies with Executive Chef/Standup Comedian Matt West

  Today on Movie Wars, we dig into the cult classic that every ’80s kid swears by—The Goonies. Executive chef and stand-up comedian Matt West joins us, bringing his unique mix of behind-the-scenes kitchen chaos and sharp comedy chops to one of the most divisive nostalgia bombs in movie history.We get real about whether The Goonies is a timeless adventure film or just a messy pile of pirate tropes, bad ADR, and awkward kid humor. From the infamous Truffle Shuffle and questionable shower scene, to Spielberg’s heavy hand behind the camera and Richard Donner’s chaotic direction, we pull no punches. Is it actually a great kids-ensemble like Stand By Me and Sandlot—or just a movie propped up by fond VHS memories?Expect plenty of hot takes: we debate the best child casts ever, the dark truth about child actors in Hollywood, and whether the movie’s problematic humor makes it tough to revisit today. Plus, Matt riffs on food allergies, why Sloth might secretly be a commentary on the American healthcare system, and why sequels would’ve destroyed the original’s mythos.And of course, we load up the “Randos” with wild behind-the-scenes trivia (did you know Chunk filmed the Truffle Shuffle with chickenpox?) and close it all out with the War Card to decide once and for all if The Goonies holds up—or if it’s just pure nostalgia bait.🎧 Strap in, hit play, and maybe do the Truffle Shuffle on your way to hitting that subscribe button.Show Notes:🎬 Honest rewatch of The Goonies with Matt West—expect hot takes and unpopular opinions👦 Child ensemble face-off: The Goonies vs. Sandlot, Stand By Me, Stranger Things, and more🚨 Problematic humor + child actor exploitation: what hasn’t aged well in ’80s kid movies🤡 Food, comedy, and chaos—Matt West breaks down the overlap between cooking and stand-up💡 Behind-the-scenes trivia: Spielberg’s influence, Richard Donner’s direction style, and Chunk’s chickenpox⚖️ Final verdict: Does The Goonies hold up, or is it running on nostalgia fumes?

  --------  

  1:03:07

  --------

  1:03:07
• Chef(2014) with Executive Chef & Standup Comedian Matt West

  This week on Movie Wars, we’re serving up Jon Favreau’s 2014 foodie classic Chef—with a twist. Joining us is Nashville comedian and executive chef Matt West, who brings both laughs and firsthand insight from the kitchen trenches.We dig into why Chef feels like one of the most authentic portrayals of the culinary world, from the tension between chefs and restaurant owners to the soul-crushing weight of critics. Matt breaks down how fine dining can be overrated, why Michelin stars are a “pay-to-play” game, and what the movie gets right (and wrong) about life behind the line.Beyond the food, we explore how Chef doubles as a time capsule of 2014—when Twitter still had cultural power, food critics were kings, and social media could make or break careers. Favreau’s decision to cook every dish on screen, guided by Roy Choi, adds to the film’s authenticity and passion. And yes, we debate whether Favreau’s grilled cheese montage is the most erotic food scene ever filmed.Takeaways from this episode:Why Chef might beat The Bear as the most realistic kitchen storyThe truth about Michelin stars, fine dining pretension, and accessibility in food.How food critics lost power as influencers took over.Jon Favreau’s personal connection to the story and why it was his post-MCU passion project.The most mouthwatering (and ridiculous) food scenes that still stick with us.So grab a Cubano, feed your grandma, and join us for one of our most flavorful debates yet.The discourse navigates the intricate interplay between technological advancement and societal transformation, emphasizing the duality of progress and its repercussions. A thorough examination of historical precedents reveals that each significant leap in technology has invariably precipitated profound shifts in societal structures and cultural paradigms. We engage in a meticulous analysis of contemporary innovations, scrutinizing their potential to reshape not only economic landscapes but also the very fabric of interpersonal relationships. The discussion culminates in a contemplative consideration of ethical responsibilities that accompany such advancements, urging a collective introspection on the moral implications of our relentless pursuit of progress.Takeaways: In this episode, we discussed the profound implications of technological advancements on society. Our conversation highlighted the necessity of adapting to rapid changes in our environment. We explored the intricate relationship between innovation and ethical considerations in modern practices. Listeners were encouraged to critically assess the impact of their choices on future generations.

  --------  

  1:03:47

  --------

  1:03:47

More News podcasts

Trending News podcasts

About Movie Wars