Laci and Matt go through True Lies (1994), James Cameron's "normal" movie. The most expensive movie ever made at the time of its production. It could've just been a straightforward spy thriller, but instead Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to put in every action movie idea they'd ever had. And the results are glorious. Well, okay, the movie goes on for one act too long, and Jamie Lee Curtis steals the show and is then shown the door. But it's fun as heck, is what we're saying.
Next week: Our Oscars previews begin, as we talk about every movie nominated for a major award. Next week (March 6) is part one, and the following Friday (March 13) is part two.
Time stamps:
- 00:03:30 — History segment: Original French film La Totale!; Arnold Schwarzenegger options film and brings his buddy James Cameron aboard; Jamie Lee Curtis's career; Eliza Dushku's allegations of abuse against a True Lies crewmember; legacy of True Lies and attempts at a sequel
- 00:37:25 — Movie discussion
- 01:39:07 — Final thoughts & star ratings
Sources:
- "I'll Be Bond: Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron's Everything or Nothing Shot at the James Bond Title" by Tim Pelan | Cinephilia Beyond - https://bit.ly/4tcc3fo
- "Arnold Schwarzenegger "Shocked and Saddened" by Eliza Dushku's 'True Lies' Assault Claims" by Abid Rahman | The Hollywood Reporter (2018) - https://bit.ly/4qoHyAi
- "James Cameron addresses Eliza Dushku's claim True Lies stunt coordinator molested her" by Natalie Abrams & Dan Snierson | Entertainment Weekly (2018) - https://bit.ly/4a2hLch
- "Eliza Dushku Says 'True Lies' Stunt Coordinator Sexually Assaulted Her When She Was 12" by Katie Kilkenny & Jackie Strause | The Hollywood Reporter (2018) - https://bit.ly/4caGgFx
- "Jamie Lee Curtis Plants a Kiss on Arnold Schwarzenegger as They Have a True Lies Reunion 29 Years Later" by Tommy McArdle & Colleen Kratofil | People (2025) - https://bit.ly/4r632Dl
- "James Cameron Reveals the Challenges of Casting Jamie Lee Curtis in 'True Lies' by Rahul Malhotra | Collider (2025) - https://bit.ly/4ruYeXH
- "How James Cameron Convinced Leonardo DiCaprio to Make Titanic" by John Ross | Vanity Fair (2025) - https://bit.ly/45Qhuqm
- "Every James Cameron Movie, Explained by James Cameron" | Vanity Fair (2025) - https://youtu.be/1Vjd6NmA9Hs
- Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story by Arnold Schwarzenegger (2012) - https://amzn.to/4chtLrR
Artwork by Laci Roth.
Check out Laci's coloring videos on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-kKLhWb2g0bKA-RrvvLh0Q/
Matt has a monthly spin-off podcast covering the James Bond films! Check out PodJob: A James Bond Podcast on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/4jRL2K1), Spotify (https://bit.ly/4a8jM6E), and YouTube (https://youtube.com/@podjob007).
Music by Rural Route Nine. Listen to their album The Joy of Averages on Spotify (https://bit.ly/48WBtUa), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/3Q6kOVC), or YouTube (https://bit.ly/3MbU6tC).
Songs by Rural Route Nine in this episode:
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