The Matt & Matt TCM Challenge

I used up all my characters on the title.

We sure are hitting a lot of classics recently.

Best. Movie. Ever.

We celebrate Pride Month with a rather progressive film for 1935. Ahead of its time? Yes! Actually a good movie? Well... tune in to find out.

This is certainly a heavy one! So much going on, but at the same time, not so much. I think we understand good chunks, but at the same time, not so much.

Tough Russian science fiction does make for some fun chats.

Sorry again for the audio being less than perfect.

Stone cold classic. Need we say more?

It's Morbin time!

*oopsie with the audio this week. It'll be fixed in the next release*

It just doesn't feel like they make movies like this anymore. It is a chill fest movie made for adults. I have to be honest, it felt really weird reviewing a movie with so many boobies.

We can't be more excited to review our first Nick Charles.... err, no... correction... Philo Vance film. The Kennel Murder Case. We rather adore murder mysteries and this is one of the primordial offerings. There is so much to enjoy here, but falls just sort because right around the corner was the smash Thin Man films. The comparisons make for a fun discussion.

Buckle up folks, you're in for a LOT of gushing here. This movie is a stone cold classic from an all too overlooked master... John Frankenheimer. There are some real titans involved with this movie including Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Fredric March, Ava Gardner, Rod Serling and throw Jerry Goldsmith in there for good measure. We touch on all that and more. 

This flick is tight and every bite as relevant now as it was in 1964. 

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This could be another perfect example of the goal of this podcast. We were vaguely aware of this film existing, but we had completely incorrect assumptions about it. Diving in with this format showed how awesome and unexpected this experience ended up being. This was a fun one. Go team Karswell. 

We were certainly overdue for a musical on the show. We finally broke that streak with a couple legends in Astaire and Rogers. I can say all the numbers were certainly memorable... for one reason or another. 

Be sure to stick around for the controversial movie selection for next month!

We keep checking off some biggies on this show. This is certainly up there. Wait Until Dark is heavily represented in best of lists out there. One of the scariest movies ever. One of the most suspenseful. And so on. Does it deserve it? Does it stand the test of time? Tune in and find out. Spoilers... it does. 

While this might not be the highest profile movie we've covered, this might be the most important for us. We dive into the wonderful world of Kubrick. With a filmography that has a controversial title or two, where does this 60s movie stack up? You also get a bonus book podcast review as well. Yes, we did our homework and enjoyed this conversation. I hope you do too. 

So, you think you're a fan of Apollo 13? The Martian? Gravity? Well, have you checked out the movie that predicted or inspired the others? That would be 1969's Marooned. Does the all star cast, a big of a legend director, and an thrilling premise stand the test of time???? Tune in to find out. 

Now this was a fun one. Young Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver star in this romantic slash war slash drama film that was kind of shot on location that adds such character and atmosphere. Presented more than capably by an under rated director, Peter Weir. Not to mention, all that is wildly overshadowed by a complex Linda Hunt character. And Vangelis! 

All that and it sure had some flaws that we dive into. Did we get this review right? 

This one sure is unique. It could be a bit of a stretch to call this a feature film and it stretches the format of the show a little bit, but I think it was worth it. We visit one of the earliest independent movie out there, and one that happened to have been lost for ages. It sure was charming and damned impressive to see someone tackle such a ambitious movie. 

Just us in the fun. 

This month we review AFI's 69th greatest film of all time (nice), Tootsie! We discuss if it deserves that accolade, is it appropriate to even call it a comedy, and whether we think it is "problematic" given the 2022 lens or is still a harmless farce. 

We also had the great honor of being joined by some of our friends from the Plus Platoon Podcast, Derrick and Pete!

Finally, be sure to check out Matt and Matt guesting on their show where we review an absolute classic.

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This is certainly a big one. A personal favorite for one Matt, and an introduction to the other Matt. Does it live up to Matt's hype?

This month we review the Adam's Rib steak house in Matt's Buffalo. No, no... it is 1949's Adam's Rib staring Spencer Tracey and Katharine Hepburn and their mind boggling chemistry. They are awesome, the comedy is great, but how does a progressive film from the late 40s hold up today? A lot better than that poster. Fighting over pants? Come on. 

We attempt to get into the Christmas spirit with this wild flick from the 1950s. I suppose there is some great lesson in this film. Anyone want to help us understand it???

Yikes. Would you just look at that poster. Why is this totally wrong for the movie? Was this a cliched football underdog story? Was this a cliched romantic comedy? So many questions. We answer those and more this week. 

What did we do? 

We sure picked an interesting one this month. I guess the question is there anything of merit to this flick? After we settle that, we get the most creative we've ever been on the TCM Challenge. 

Let us know your thoughts about the second half of this episode at tcmchallenge@gmail.com

Well, this is a big one. This is the first TCM selection that is widely regarded as a classic. We dive in and ask if it really deserves that, and is it really remembered in pop culture for the right reasons.  

This month Matt & Matt celebrate a bit of Halloween in August with one of the earliest (and best?) screen adaptations of the classic tale of Jekyll and Hyde. It is also the oldest film we've covered yet, so does this version stand the test of time or does it age poorly? Would this still stagger the devil himself? Tune in and find out. 

This month we take our first trip to TCM's Noir Alley with 1947's They Won't Believe Me. This one stars Father Knows Best's Robert Young as a philandering playboy who gets mixed up with three women. Before long, bodies start piling up, but were any crimes actually committed? 

Should this crime drama find a place among the classics or does it deserve to be overlooked? Let's find out!

In our first full episode, we review the fascinating Purple Noon (1960). This is the original adaptation of the 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. It was adapted again in 1999 with Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow. We came prepared to talk about all three versions. How does the 1960 version stack up? Does it stand the test of time as a character study? How does it address the complex sexuality of Tom Ripley? Tune in and find out. 

What a great way to start out the new show!

Matt and Matt are getting back into the podcasting saddle for something a little different. We're going to be diving into the world of classic (and likely obscure) films. We can't be more excited. In this episode, we shake off some of the rust and explain the new format, plus we announce what we'll be reviewing first.