Shows
The Cusack Cult CastPursuit (2022)We'll we're here, 2022's Pursuit. As of the publishing of this episode, this is the last film in John Cusack's filmography. We originally started this podcast "About John Cusack" but in reality John was just a jumping off point for two best friends to meet up every week to talk about art and just hang out. At times the process was a slog, but never for a minute did it stop being fun. This podcast is by no means a "success" in the traditional sense. We're still nobodies toiling away at our art, but I think this podcast is...
2022-09-241h 29The Cusack Cult CastNever Grow Old (2019)We are joined this week by one of our oldest movie buddies and spiritual 3rd mic, James. We have a great conversation about a surprisingly competent late stage John movie, Never Grow Old. A "revisionist western" (whatever that means) from 2019 starring Emile Hirsch and John Cusack. While it's thematically muddy, there is some real-deal filmmaking here and we're happy we got to share the experience with our friend.
2022-09-091h 53The Cusack Cult CastRiver Runs Red (2018)Wow oh wow. Episode 80. Pretty swank. This episode we talk the true value of humans in a world soon to be filled with AI, fan art, and memes. We also talk about River Runs Red.
2022-08-251h 02The Cusack Cult CastDistorted (2018)Oh boy, 2018's Distorted. It's a movie alright. Yep, there's a beginning, a middle, and an end. It's got a runtime of an hour and 26 minutes, you better believe it. People are acting in it, that's right. John is in it, Christina Ricci is in it. There's some other people, and guess what, they're talking. And it's all on screen. Three more.
2022-08-051h 01The Cusack Cult CastSingularity (2017)We mainly talk about Cruelty Squad this episode. If for some sick reason you want to hear about the film skip to the 42ish minute mark.
2022-07-211h 12The Cusack Cult CastBlood Money (2017)We're at the point in the pod where we are excited about a movie being bad in a "different" way then usual. Blood Money feels like a modern horror film in setup but plays out like every other VOD we've watched. However it features a perfectly executed performance from John on this one and a 90 min runtime which is all we can ask for at this point. We also get into music and the creative process at the beginning.
2022-07-151h 05The Cusack Cult CastArsenal (2017)We got another John Cusack and Nicholas Cage joint. It's about as good as you'd expect which is not at all. Spend some time with actors whose face you know from somewhere but you don't know their name as they play baseball and hang out at the arcade. And Cage has an insane fake nose. Some other stuff happens but you know the deal, I forget what happens in these things the second we're done recording.
2022-07-0358 minThe Cusack Cult CastCell (2016)Cell is a zombie movie...with a message. Scared yet? Thought so. It also features John in a leading role with Samuel L. Jackson in yet another Stephen King adaptation. Is it as good as the last time this team paired up? No. But did we play a game before talking about it to lessen the blow? Yes.
2022-06-221h 08The Cusack Cult CastChi-Raq (2015)One of the more unique movies we've seen during the course of the experiment. Is Chi-Raq a good movie? Not particularly. Is it a singular mess of an experience? Yes absolutely.
2022-06-0756 minThe Cusack Cult CastHot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015)Same movie, different year, but with less John. I think we have like 9 more to go?
2022-06-011h 01The Cusack Cult CastDragon Blade (2015)Dragon Blade is a fascinating piece of Eastern art featuring several famous actors from the West. The film is overall fun with a good nature to it. Jackie Chan brings a lot of heart to the film and John adds a welcomed charm.
2022-05-2555 minThe Cusack Cult CastReclaim (2014)You'll never guess what we watched this week. A Video On Demand film where John plays a snarky bad guy and the main character is trying to save his daughter. But this time it's with a twist, it takes place in beautiful Puerto Rico and the daughter is adopted. Other than that we're just counting down the weeks.
2022-05-121h 00The Cusack Cult CastLove and Mercy (2014)Love and Mercy? Heroes and Villians? Ruroni Kenshin or Trigun? You be the judge. 2014's biopic about Brian Wilson is slightly convoluted but overall harmless film with some interesting behind the scene glimpse into the creative process of one of the greatest pop song writers of all time.
2022-05-0558 minThe Cusack Cult CastThe Prince (2014)A movie so forgettable that we forgot the title of the movie as we were watching it. 2014's The Prince is an embarrassing power fantasy and not much more. And truthfully, I'm trying to remember what it was about a week later while writing this and I honest to god cannot remember. 13 more to go. EDIT: There's some sound issues from 27min-30min, sorry about that.
2022-05-0255 minThe Cusack Cult CastDrive Hard (2014)A bizarre viewing experience this week, 2014's Drive Hard is somehow charming in it's ability to subvert expectations, but also still at the whim of them which ultimately leads to it's downfall. But the film features two great performances from both John Cusack and Thomas Jane in an unexpected buddy action film.
2022-04-2259 minThe Cusack Cult CastMaps To The Stars (2014)If this podcast was a map to getting good movies to watch it'd be the worst map of all time. However, this week we we're blessed with a special film, 2014's Maps To The Stars. Possibly the best film we've watched in the later half of John's career.
2022-04-161h 08The Cusack Cult CastThe Bag Man (2014)I'm going to own up here and I say that I goofed. I spaced on uploading the podcast and by doing that I pretty much forgot everything about this movie. John plays a trained hitman or something? There's some bad people doing bad things? I don't know, man.
2022-04-0856 minThe Cusack Cult CastAdult World (2013)Four grown men watching an IFC indie film from 2013 (which by the way is John's busiest year ever it seems) for high schoolers debating it's merits. It doesn't matter look at, it's what you see.
2022-03-261h 06The Cusack Cult CastGrand Piano (2013)A truly pleasant and refreshing VOD Thriller. I don't think either of us would have ever thought we'd say that. Grand Piano is a hidden gem of a film and a joy to watch. We gotta savor these moments while we can.
2022-03-181h 01The Cusack Cult CastThe Butler (2013)Get ready for about 55 minutes of Newport News, Virginia talk and about 5 minutes of talking about 2013's The Butler. Another Lee Daniels' film that stars an all star cast, a very confusing timeline and a fake nose on John.
2022-03-091h 06The Cusack Cult CastThe Numbers Station (2013)We went into The Numbers Station dreading it, we left feeling nothing, which at this point is a win for us. An inoffensive VOD action flick which stars John punching the clock, doing his job and getting out. But it did bring about several interesting conversations and theoretical ideal "John Cusack roles".
2022-02-281h 03The Cusack Cult CastThe Frozen Ground (2013)When history looks back at this podcast, this will the episode that marked our downfall. 2013's The Frozen Ground is an all around bummer of a movie and it resulted in an all around bummer of an episode. This movie is bad for the world. Don't watch it, go outside.
2022-02-181h 03The Cusack Cult CastWe Are Not Animals (2013)Finally we get to talk real deal art house cinema!! Also will someone please go see the new Batman film with Dylan, I can't do it I'm...busy. Big ups to any international listener we've ever had.
2022-02-151h 00The Cusack Cult CastThe Factory (2012)2012's The Factory is a terrible movie. The boys found themselves questioning humanity at large after watching it.
2022-02-061h 01The Cusack Cult CastThe Paperboy (2012)Who's the paperboy you ask? Honestly, we don't know. Much like the rest of this movie we spent two hours watching Lee Daniel's The Paperboy scratching our heads trying to find some coherence, but instead we found a seeming parody of a 70's crime film, awkward family drama, and a terrifying performance from John Cusack.
2022-01-2753 minThe Cusack Cult CastThe Raven (2012)This week we have a doozy for you. A thriller (?), horror (?), biopic (?) about the final days of Edgar Allen Poe where he tracks down a killer that uses his stories as inspiration. It's as baffling as it sounds. We are also happy to have Adam on this episode, check his twitter, big things are coming: https://twitter.com/strugglinguncle
2022-01-221h 02The Cusack Cult CastShanghai (2010)What's your favorite ecology fact? Let us know at @spellabeespace on twitter. This week we watched Shanghai, a 2010 Neo-Noir Political Thriller made for China. But mainly we talk plants, humanity, and how we're all at the whim of nature in the end.
2022-01-1456 minThe Cusack Cult CastHot Tub Time Machine (2010)Happy New Year Everyone! Have you missed us in our absence? We're starting off the New Year right with an enjoyable (although very much of the time) buddy comedy, 2010's Hot Tub Time Machine. We recorded this awhile ago, but thankfully my commentary on Family Guy is just as insightful as ever. Thanks for sticking with us, believe it or not this year is the year we WILL finish this podcast. Come along with us as we finish what we started two years ago.
2022-01-081h 05The Cusack Cult Cast2012 (2009)It's a rare treat when we get to talk about a film that we actually like on this podcast, it's an even rarer treat when we have declared fanatics of a specific film on to talk about said film. This week we had the opportunity to speak with Greg and Brian from the Mechanical Freak podcast to dissect the ever prescient "2012". Roland Emmerich's epic tale of the end of the world and what lessons we can learn from it. Support Mechanical Freak! Podcast Patreon Ending The Myth Series Twitter
2021-12-071h 33The Cusack Cult CastIgor (2008)Listen to this episode if you want to hear about D n' D, having a healthy relationship with gaming, and wholesome youtubers. If you want to learn about Igor just read the wiki page.
2021-11-291h 00The Cusack Cult CastWar Inc. (2008)In many ways 2008's War Inc should go down as an important film in the cannon of John. A satirical look at the early 2000's war on terror and corporate America that John co-wrote, produced, and starred in. How does the satire hold up? Depends on who ya ask, at the very least War Inc is a time capsule of post 9/11 insanity. Luke's Short
2021-11-231h 12The Cusack Cult CastSummerhood (2008)We've gone to a dark place this week and the worst part is knowing we've done this to ourselves. 2008's Summerhood is the tip of a psychologically dense and disturbing iceberg. Do you dare look beneath the surface with us?
2021-11-111h 07The Cusack Cult CastMartian Child (2007)Sometimes a film takes you to places where you never thought you’d end up. The outer reaches of galaxies, strange lands, relationships you never thought possible. Or sometimes they push you and your best friends into a mad spiral where you don’t know what is real and what is fake. Martian Child did that for us. We had Tyler and Adam come on for this one to help us unpack this beast.
2021-10-1858 minThe Cusack Cult Cast1408 (2007)We're joined by dear friend and Hollywood Elite James Trevor to talk about the surprisingly wonderful 1408. We get James' take on the Ronto Wrap, YouTubers, and other horror movies you should check out this holiday season. Follow James: https://twitter.com/jaamestrevor Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jamesrtrevor Buy his shirt: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1045041575/the-fastener-mcm-c-shirt
2021-10-081h 18The Cusack Cult CastGrace Is Gone (2007)We are now officially a Resident Evil podcast. Each week we are going to take a look at a different aspect of the Resident Evil franchise, the lore, the remakes, and things might even get a little controversial (Lucas likes RE7, Dylan likes RE4). Will cooler heads prevail? Tune in to find out ;)
2021-09-261h 11The Cusack Cult CastThe Contract (2006)We've reached the point in our journey where we are questioning why we began in the first place. If we are Sisyphus, when will we experience the ecstasy of the boulder rolling back down to where we started from? Only to joyously start the slog again? I'm looking forward to that day. But until then we watched probably the worst movie we've ever seen doing this podcast. 2006's The Contract. Good lord.
2021-09-1753 minThe Cusack Cult CastThe Ice Harvest (2005)This week we watched 2005's The Ice Harvest, a well casted Cohen Brothers clone. One of us enjoyed it, one of us did not. Place your bets now on who is who. We also get into celebrity as currency, rating systems, and Lil Bow Wow.
2021-09-1056 minThe Cusack Cult CastMust Love Dogs (2005)A divisive move from the Cusack Cute Boys. 2005's Must Love Dogs is a fairly standard Rom-Com of that era, but as you would expect this leads to larger conversations about media influence and how movies reflect our culture. I'm sure there's other stuff I just can't remember.
2021-09-0256 minThe Cusack Cult CastRunaway Jury (2003)If you love trivia than this episode is for you. Otherwise take in the "riveting" thriller from 2003 Runaway Jury. A glorified episode of Law and Order based on a John Grisham novel. We watched it, we talked about it, we did our job.
2021-08-2756 minThe Cusack Cult CastThe Jack Bull (1999)No, you read that right. 1999. Listen, we've prided ourselves in the past on how through we are when it comes to this podcast. We watch every movie in order. But hey, sometimes you miss a TV movie. We're sorry. Carelessness aside, I think we were both pleasantly surprised with 1999's The Jack Bull. A movie written by John Cusack's dad, Dick Cusack. Some great character actors, beautiful scenery, and a pretty engaging story made this a fun movie to watch.
2021-08-191h 22The Cusack Cult CastIdentity (2003)Identity, we all have one. But some of us. . . .don't. Some of us have more than one. Ya ever think about that? Scary. This episode we talk aging, the artistic process, and the residents. We also talk about 2003's Identity. It's a movie alright. Intro Song: Vines-2 by Lucas Fisher Outro Song: Cleopatra by Sports Goblin Listen to Dylan's album Sickle: https://spellabeespace.bandcamp.com/album/sickle Listen to Lucas' album Nothing Is Worth Remembering: https://spellabeespace.bandcamp.com/album/nothing-is-worth-remembering Check out Noah's Shirts:
2021-08-121h 02The Cusack Cult CastAdaptation (2002)We recorded two episodes in one day, we're a serious podcast now. Starting off this double feature is 2002's Adaptation. A surprisingly divisive movie for the Cusack Cuties. Listen to hear our thoughts.
2021-08-061h 05The Cusack Cult CastMax (2002)Max (2002), a baffling movie that proposes maybe people wouldn't do bad things if their art career took off. We didn't have a ton to say about it so we decided to do a retrospective Top 10 of the movies we have seen thus far. Do we pick pretty much the same movies? Listen to find out.
2021-07-171h 06The Cusack Cult CastSerendipity (2001)We have a new member of the family this week, our friend Noah. A talented artist, a fantastic poster, he helps us dissect the stupid fate of 2001's Serendipity. LISTEN TO NOAH'S ALBUM (IT'S VERY GOOD, THIS IS NOT A LIE): https://mtpleasure.bandcamp.com/releases Also follow Noah on twitter @mt_pleasure What happens when two empty people throw away perfect relationships for the idea of someone that they spent around 3 hours with 5 years ago? When Jeremy Piven influences someone with their ny times clout into giving away the personal information of...
2021-06-221h 09The Cusack Cult CastAmerica's Sweethearts (2001)We are joined by Adam and Tyler on this one to talk about America's Sweethearts, a movie that wraps all of us in a blanket of familiar mediocrity that is early 2000's cinema. And despite us forgetting during the show, we made a Side 1 Track 1 playlist: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4hVT6IyBxexdqfCq57oSoW?si=S-XF4dRkS1q6mfMBAQlnSg Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/side-1-track-1/pl.u-9N9L2Gbuxm84AJR
2021-06-081h 01The Cusack Cult CastHigh Fidelity (2000)The movie that essentially started this whole mess for Lucas and Dylan, 2000's High Fidelity. A movie we've both grown with and grown out of, but still a special movie for us and we're so happy to move past it.
2021-05-2057 minThe Cusack Cult CastBeing John Malkovich (1999)We are joined this week with our friend @disc0p to talk about 1999's Being John Malkovich. One of those few movies you see as a teenager and still holds up as you grow older. We talk Charlie Kaufman, Classic Rock, and so much more. See Pierre completely demolish Warzone and spin records here: https://www.twitch.tv/disc0p
2021-05-141h 24The Cusack Cult CastCradle Will Rock (1999)Sure, we're reviewing 1999's Cradle Will Rock with @strugglinguncle this week. But more importantly we're squashing beef. I can't remember much about the film, but it has to do with labor and theater. Listen to the new track from friends of the pod producer JAKE and Chase: https://soundcloud.com/desertmolluskrecords/dontsweatit-are-you-finished-with-those-errands-feat-reggie-flaco-prod-lou
2021-04-221h 12The Cusack Cult CastPushing Tin (1999)This week we are joined by our friends Greg (@SailPilled) and Bryan (@brian_noname) from the excellent Mechanical Freak podcast to talk about one of the most insane movies we've covered on this podcast, Pushing Tin. A movie so emotionally draining, so all over the place that the only logical conclusion is to view it as a work of art. It is a movie that will remain with you, long, long after you watch it. Listen to Mechanical Freak Here! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mechanicalfreak Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
2021-04-091h 38The Cusack Cult CastThe Thin Red Line (1998)If you're lookin' for laughs you've come to the wrong pod. We're getting serious this episode. It's not everyday that we get an actually good movie, and we're not talkin' "good-because-our-brains-are-broken-good". Like actually good. Really good. This week we watched The Thin Red Line, just one of the many incredible films from Terrence Malick. We're gonna get rowdy next week, for now just let us have this. Also don't forget to check out the new track from Producer Jake with friends of the pod Dontsweatit and Reggie Flaco, "Are You Finished With Those Er...
2021-03-301h 10The Cusack Cult CastThis Is My Father (1998)As you've come to expect with everything Cusack Cult Cast related, we are on the cutting edge of what's happening in all of media. We start this ep off talking about the James Harden trade that happened two months ago and forget that we're even doing a show about John Cusack. That's perfect for this week's movie, "This Is My Father" a movie so difficult to see it may as well not even exist. We're getting back into the swing of things, we needed some "Me Time" to figure out who we were not in r...
2021-03-1459 minThe Cusack Cult CastMidnight In The Garden of Good and Evil (1997)Look we know it's been a little while, but sometimes things ebb and flow. You can't have consistency without inconsistency. We're only two humans who have subjected themselves to the incredibly stupid goal of watching every John Cusack movie. Bear with us, huh? Helping up get back into the saddle this week is Clint Eastwood's 1997 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Part Goosebumps episode, part drawn out melodrama, all missing. I think we have some good movies coming up. Also go check out producer Jake's new album! Slugs Lio! ht...
2021-02-0753 minThe Cusack Cult CastAnastasia (1997)Diving into the heart of things, on this one. After some strategy guide talk, we express our feelings about having to watch a true blue Disney movie, a forgotten 90's princess film featuring Chanel. It rewrites history in a particularly tone-deaf way, and made us ask questions about royalty worship in the US. Despite this, Don Bluth's animation really is something special.
2021-01-181h 04The Cusack Cult CastChicago Cab (1997)Thank god for Tubi. Tubi is so great. Tubi, or not tubi, that is the question. Despite having watched the movie the night before, we feel like we entirely forgot this one before recording. The gray malaise and disquiet of Chicago Cab (1997) wore us out. Luckily, we've hidden a secret review of a far better film in here. It might be our first holiday film? We are 85% sure that you have never seen or heard of it. We know it's been a hard year for everyone, so we really hope you're okay and safe during t...
2020-12-311h 01The Cusack Cult CastCon Air (1997)Another messy episode with all the boys. They're back, and at this point I won't even name or introduce them. You can take solace in that the chaos of this episode doesn't compare to that of the movie we watched this week, Con Air (1997). It was a boring, disgusting film. We have a lot to say about the way that it aged, but also about its famed producer, Jerry Bruckheimer. Possibly the biggest demon in hollywood?
2020-12-181h 14The Cusack Cult CastGrosse Pointe Blank (1997)Darkly funny, and a treat to watch, Lucas and Dylan pour over one of John's best films, Grosse Point Blank (1997). Full of accidental charm and beauty, the film takes a rote premise of high school reunion and expands it into unexpected places, giving nuance to what would inherently be overt. This movie is what John Wick wanted to be. We truly can't believe we made it this far. And it's not like there's like sixty films left to watch, still.
2020-12-0736 minThe Cusack Cult CastCity Hall (1996)Get the yiddish out of your gumbo. You're like a detective from a dime novel. A crab in the pool signals to the tropical storm on its way. The banana peel on the western front is dew on the dogwood tree. City Hall (1996) is a magnificent mess, and nowhere near as charming as True Colors. Another centrist political narrative, wrapped fifteen times over by its four different screenwriters, City Hall struggles to say anything at all. We have hard discussions about the nature of irony, and just how tainted we've become watching these movies.
2020-11-2659 minThe Cusack Cult CastRoad To Wellville (1994)The unexpected surprise, an actually good movie. Selling us on only sunshine and ideas, the Welville health clinic seduced Lucas and Dylan. A film that somehow feels of the time, and yet severely underappreciated on release. A large cast of characters perfectly weave the various intertwining plots of this ruminating, comedic narrative. There's a bit of election discussion, of course. Skip the first fifteen minutes or so if you're tired of it. We completely understand. We're all slowly decaying from the conversations around this topic.
2020-11-171h 01The Cusack Cult CastBullets Over Broadway (1994)A brisk episode, brisk on purpose. We had to cut this short to enjoy the autumn day, the sun and leaves of the mythic Pacific Northwest. It's not that we didn't have anything to say about this movie, or that both of us had forgotten most everything about the plot and characters. Skip it, or love it. John on John sucks, John on John exists to make Dylan look bad.
2020-11-1049 minThe Cusack Cult CastFloundering (1994)A lazy episode for a lazy movie. Lucas and Dylan record while lying on the floor, in the darkness, to match the languidness our film this week, Floundering (1994). Perhaps a bit more incisive than we originally thought, Floundering charters the early to mid 90s struggle of Gen X man. It's absurd, a bit amateur, and it falls on its face, but it's a curiosity, and certainly not the worst thing we've watched. Pray for Rain returns. . .
2020-11-021h 01The Cusack Cult CastMoney For Nothing (1993)This is it, the game show of Lucas purposely embarrassing Dylan and his encyclopedic knowledge of John's career. He was tired, and misled, so don't hold this performance against him. He will do his homework for the next run of it. We watched the spectacularly awful and myopic film, Money For Nothing (1993). The message of the film is abundantly clear, "if you are poor, you deserve to suffer without respite." What if the moral/ethical question that's asked of every seven year old is spun out into a feature length film? This is what you get.
2020-10-1855 minThe Cusack Cult CastBob Roberts (1992)Adam (@strugglinguncle) is back, how 'bout that? We talk about the odd, but effective mix of mockumentary and comedy in Tim Robbins' written/directorial debut, Bob Roberts (1992). Somehow both clairvoyant, and not yet clairvoyant enough, the film depicts an unhinged, but charismatic right wing politician, and charters the rise of his campaign against the sitting incumbent Democrat, Brickley Paiste (played by Gore Vidal). Did you ever want to hear an anti-drug campaign song in the styling of Bob Dylan?
2020-10-021h 06The Cusack Cult CastMap of the Human Heart (1992)"Your life is a fairytale. Everything happens for a reason." This ultimate message of the 90s is embodied in the 1992 film, Map of the Human Heart (Directed by Vincent Ward). Lucas and Dylan discuss the New Zealand epic about a lone Inuit boy drawn into the enormous grasp of WW2, and his globetrotting love story that ensues. This is it, we're getting into the darkest part of our quest: the insurmountable, daunting storylines that permeate the 90s. (Sorry for the kind of dark opening, y'all.)
2020-09-141h 02The Cusack Cult CastThe Player (1992)A dark episode for a dark movie. We watched Robert Altman's classic satirical masterpiece, The Player (1992). Another one of these films that is classically good and well constructed, Lucas and Dylan dissect hollywood and the production stories that color most independent films of the time. (Possibly the best movie from this decade of John's career?) Alfred E Neuman/Chuck E Cheese. Do you see the parallel? See through the code.
2020-09-061h 05The Cusack Cult CastRoadside Prophets (1992)You never asked for it, but he's been brought back. Tyler Cartwright rejoins the show to talk about the movie his father stars in, Roadside Prophets. Roadside Prophets is the worst movie we have watched so far. It is an incomprehensible mess that wields the worst qualities of the 90s. Somehow both timeless and aged to perfection, the navel gazing gen x narrative goes exactly nowhere, and feels justified in doing so. Yes, we did deceive Tyler in the beginning of the show.
2020-08-221h 03The Cusack Cult CastShadows and Fog (1991)Look, sometimes, we aren't always at our best. This is a lacking episode, we know. Maybe it's even the worst one yet. But sometimes when you're slamming out John Cusack specific episodes of a weekly podcast, you have to have a dud somewhere in the mix. Unfortunately, it had to happen with a Woody Allen film, and a pretty good one at that, Shadows and Fog. We do not condone the man, but can we enjoy his movies? We do have this conversation because you always have to have this conversation. Not blaming anyone. . . but...
2020-08-1557 minThe Cusack Cult CastTrue Colors (1991)By Far, this was the most fun the Cusack cute boys have had watching a movie during this odyssey. With incredible competing performances by James Spader and John Cusack, we are gifted with John's most intimate relationship yet. A hard-boiled, yet half-baked political parable, True Colors (1991) provides the same stilted commentary on the modern political landscape as any feckless contemporary film would. So, to put it simply, there's a lot of grandstanding about the meaning of the US political system and justice while standing on your multi-million dollar yacht.
2020-08-0559 minThe Cusack Cult CastThe Grifters (1990)It is inevitable that we will have the entire Fisher family on at this point. This week, we have Jake's doppelganger, Noah. Noah is a very talented artist in his own right, and we just want to drop a little link to his Instagram, @noahmfisher, if you'd like to see his work. Noah, noeyman, The Glow Pt 3. We have an academy award-nominated work this week, but the grittiness/shock value of this 1990's film seems to have dissolved over the last 30 years. It does mark John's first collaboration with Stephen Frears, and despite the mundanity...
2020-07-271h 02The Cusack Cult CastFat Man and Little Boy (1989)He's back, and you never asked for it. Adam Hales (@strugglinguncle) joins us again to discuss the incredibly bewildering moral tale of the creation of the atomic bomb. Yes, this movie wants you to feel bad for the guy who created the bomb. It's the angel you never expected (but also kind of expected, given the funding of the film). Between the worst performance Paul Newman ever gave, and a series of ever more confusing creative liberties, can John's performance save this movie?
2020-07-141h 07The Cusack Cult CastSay Anything (1989)Were you waiting for this? We hope not. Lucas and Dylan talk about their relationships and experiences growing up, and how they can relate to possibly John's biggest movie, Say Anything (Directed by Cameron Crowe). They dissect what it's like to watch this movie from an adult's perspective, and not from that of a teenager. Did either of them stand underneath their girlfriend's window, holding a boombox? Find out on this episode.
2020-07-071h 02The Cusack Cult CastEight Men Out (1988)To discuss the most American past time we have brought our first foreign correspondent and friend, Pierre (@disc0p on Twitter). Pierre, a brilliant mind and magnificent poster, helps drag us across the finish line of probably the most boring movie ever made on baseball. The Chicago White Sox (a bunch of drunk irish men) throw a world series, and they should be ashamed of themselves, because you should heroically sacrifice your well-being and wages to play baseball. Every actor, every role in this film suffers from too pure of an irish bloodline. Everything is...
2020-06-2759 minThe Cusack Cult CastTapeheads (1988)Our producer, Jake, has come on the show to monitor us and make sure we are operating at full capacity when we detail the 1988 film Tapeheads, a buddy comedy starring our favorite actor and his close friend, Tim Robbins. Predating the wave of Saturday Night Live inspired movies of the 90s, we express how Tapeheads provided a sort of framework for the success of comedies to come in the future. Does Jake discover a problematic undertone in this movie? Is the soundtrack good or bad? Why does Lucas like Ska so much? Check...
2020-06-111h 07The Cusack Cult CastBroadcast News (1987)Broadcast News (1987), directed by James L. Brooks, was a genuinely great movie. If you were looking for an episode where we don't completely hate the outcome, this is the one. Also, this is a special episode because it's more of a Joan Cusack episode than a John one. Joan was extremely cute in 1987, I'll say it. Get your shit out of my shit. Get your shit, out of my shit. Lucas does his cartoon impressions, and we get dirty talking about the freaking orange in the whitehouse.
2020-05-3057 minThe Cusack Cult CastHot Pursuit (1987)We have the esteemed James Trevor (@jamesrtrevor) on the show this week, and it's a real treat (an ice cream treat). Please give our boy a follow. We dive into the mindset behind the mess that is Hot Pursuit (1987). Do we know who the director is? No, it doesn't matter. Would you risk your life many times over for a week long vacation and pina coladas? Also, fuck the captain of the ship. Awful character, no redeeming qualities at all.
2020-05-2357 minThe Cusack Cult CastOne Crazy Summer (1986)Another Savage Steve Holland film, and another lovely experience. Lucas and Dylan recount how he somehow struck gold twice, and laud the performances of the film's ensemble cast. The film has deeper connotations, or perhaps not, but Dylan will definitely pretend that there were. It's only half-nostalgia induced. Dylan does not judge. He only loves.
2020-05-1551 minThe Cusack Cult CastStand By Me (1986)Truly a miserable experience. We watch our final Rob Reiner film (hopefully), and complain about its navel gazing, and its falsified view of the 1950s. Never has a movie seemed more fake, more flaccid, than this film. By far the worst viewing experience Lucas and Dylan have had so far. Also, John plays a literal dead character. Fuck this stupid movie.
2020-05-101h 00The Cusack Cult CastThe Journey Of Natty Gann (1985)Well, you asked for it. The old crew is back together. Dylan isn't happy about it, but here it is. Forced to watch The Journey Of Natty Gann (1985), Tyler Cartwright and Adam Hales join us as we reveal the underpinnings of a movie with literally no value whatsoever. Yes, there's a lumber angle. Yes, there's a labor angle. Don't let Lucas tell you otherwise. You'll be so delighted listening to this.
2020-05-031h 02The Cusack Cult CastBetter Off Dead (1985)It's the first movie we recommend. Did you appreciate Dylan's joke? Better Off Dead, directed by maybe-visionary Savage Steve Holland, charmed us with its surreal, bad-dream world and a chaotic performance from John Cusack. Lucas gets a theme song, and we are sounding as crisp as ever thanks to our new producer, Jake Fisher. Let him know you appreciate the work by checking out his bandcamp, https://desertmolluskrecords.bandcamp.com/
2020-04-2357 minThe Cusack Cult CastThe Sure Thing (1985)Finally, a starring role. John carries this aggressively mediocre movie on his back, The Sure Thing, directed by the luminary of rote neoliberalism in film, Rob Reiner. Despite the container, John has a breakout performance that really sets a tone for a lot of his roles in the future. Lucas and Dylan do a little Rob Reiner digging and discover a dark truth about his filmography. We saw it Rob. We know what you did.
2020-04-171h 02The Cusack Cult CastGrandview USA (1984)A hidden gem? Well, not exactly. Lucas and Dylan talk about Grandview USA (1984), directed by Randal Kleiser (who later went on to direct Grease). They confess their love for the demolition derby god, Slam. There's more of that Coming-of-Age conversation to be had, it never ends. Listen to us make the biggest stretch and extrapolate class politics from what is one of the most forgotten indie movies of the 80s. Link to the youtube channel, Music From Movies, that Dylan suggests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdA2TWsYeeY
2020-04-0956 minThe Cusack Cult CastSixteen Candles (1984)Two episodes back to back? We just wanted to show everyone we're being diligent. To say it gets a little serious on this episode is an understatement. We go from talking about sixteen candles to living in quarantine real quick. Lucas also can't help dragging anime into everything we do. Is Dylan an 80's Vampire? Is that his look? (We went for Baby Doll from Tapeheads as the intro by the way)
2020-04-0255 minThe Cusack Cult CastClass (1983)Dylan and Lucas, the #1 & #3 Cusack cute boys, dive into the first movie on their adventure of John Cusack, Class (1983). Strap in for some of the most gratuitous conversations about the theory of the "Coming-of-Age" narrative. Welcome to hell, to heaven. This is a show about the one and only.
2020-03-2753 min