For the second episode of Smalltember (Smallvember) 2019, we cave to overwhelming demand and discuss Love on a Leash. Meanwhile, Elliott ain’t your daddy’s Crypt Keeper, Dan exhibits his remarkable ability for telling two voices apart, and Stuart isn’t having a breakdown, that really IS the plot of the movie.
Smalltember (Smallvember) begins with a return appearance by the Flop House’s favorite (insomuch as a terrible asshole can be a favorite) Canadian energy drink magnate-turned-filmmaker, Frank D’angelo, and his latest cinematic leavings, The Joke Thief. Meanwhile, Stuart reveals his love for all things Stu, Dan gives a few minor script notes, and Elliott’s Nicholas Cage has snakes on the brain.
Hoo boy, this was a tough one folks. How to navigate the Hollywoodization of a real-life trauma with a dash of weird gender politics? Answer — less funny than usual, as we discuss Welcome to Marwen. Meanwhile, Elliott completely misunderstands the etymology of “painstaking,” Dan details the many tones of Marwen, and Stuart bestows Dan with his Looney Tunes identity.
We’re taking a very brief summer break from new recording, and taking the opportunity to release one that we’ve been holding on to for too long — Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Recorded at Stuart and Dan’s very own alma mater, Earlham College, in Richmond, Indiana!
We’re joined by the wonderful Sharlene Wellington, owner or partner in many lovely Brooklyn bars (also, she’s married to Stu). She wanted to discuss the 1984 summer camp comedy Meatballs Part II, and as three middle-aged men who were raised on dumb 80’s shit, who were we to argue? Meanwhile, Sharlene brings her Jewish summer camp experience to the fore, Elliott waxes poetic about making first contact, Stuart promises some future Baby Boomer rants, and Dan takes us on a trip through Meatballs history
Straight from the glamorous and echoey Minneapolis airport-adjacent La Quinta inn, it’s all three of the peaches in the same room, chewing over the Taron Egerton, not-your-daddy’s-Robin Hood. Meanwhile Dan talks a surprising amount about the Scarlet Pimpernel, Elliott talks about why the Sheriff of Nottingham’s goons are a superstitious, cowardly lot, and Stuart is F. Murray Enthusiastic.
We were so delighted to have longtime Friend-and-Fan-of-Flop, Natalie Walker on the program! We were somewhat less delighted by the film she inexplicably chose, The Haunting of Sharon Tate. Life gives, and life takes. Meanwhile, Stuart hijacks the podcast to discuss the TV show “Younger,” Dan shows his shameful lack of knowledge about the Manson murders, and masterful singer Natalie is somehow delighted by Elliott’s caterwauling.
We took a break from live show prep in Portland to return to our beloved M. Night Shyamalan and the last film of his surprise trilogy, Glass. Meanwhile Stuart drags the Philly skyline, Dan points out the problem with exhaustive rule books, and Elliott takes a brave stand against sexist comics store clerks.
