Best grunt work Podcasts (2025)

1
Redbelt (2006) 2:24:44

20d ago2:24:44

2:24:44

In this special crossover episode, the Movie Memory Machine smashes headfirst into the Grunt Work feed for a tag-team takedown of Redbelt (2008), the only dramatic performance in Tim Allen’s catalog that doesn't involve a dog costume or a Santa suit. Join Landon and Truman as they dive into David Mamet's mixed martial arts noir drama starring Chiwe…

1
5 For: Gretel and Hansel (2020) 17:57

28m ago17:57

17:57

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman descend deeper into the forest of offbeat horror, dark fantasy, and ghostly dread. Building on the vibes of Gretel & Hansel, they recommend five strange, stylish, and haunting films that blend folklore, surrealism, and atmospheric isolation. From haunting governesses to cursed l…

1
The Wound That Never Heals (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 9) 5:51

2h ago5:51

5:51

In this episode of The Countdown of Monte Cristo, Villefort finally feels the weight of his actions—and it nearly breaks him. As Mercédès pleads for answers and is turned away, a deeper silence settles in: one that speaks louder than any outcry. Alone, Villefort sinks under the burden of a guilt he can no longer rationalize away. With vivid classic…

1
5 For: Poseidon (2006) 18:28

3h ago18:28

18:28

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman assemble five films that either inspired Poseidon or improved on its sinking-ship energy. From genre-defining classics to spiritual successors and absurd creature features, this episode dives into the tropes, disasters, and emotional breakdowns that define the best (and weirdest…

1
The Race and the Reckoning (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 9) 6:22

27m ago6:22

6:22

In this episode of The Countdown of Monte Cristo, Villefort makes a calculated dash for power—only to be stopped cold by the face of the very man he betrayed. As he maneuvers to reach the king before his rivals, a shadow waits for him at his door: Mercédès, desperate for word of Dantès. What begins as a mission for personal glory turns into a confr…

1
Royal Warnings (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 9) 7:58

1h ago7:58

7:58

Summary: In a private moment away from the betrothal celebration, Villefort urgently warns the Marquis de Saint-Méran to sell all his investments before it’s too late. Using the excuse of an official mission to Paris, Villefort orchestrates a financial escape for the marquis and secures letters of access that will allow him to bypass political prot…

1
The Evening of the Betrothal (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 9) 6:42

2h ago6:42

6:42

As Villefort returns to his betrothal dinner at the Saint-Méran residence, the festive atmosphere is quickly undercut by his grave demeanor. The magistrate’s urgency sparks a flurry of sarcastic quips from the elite guests, but Villefort isn’t playing politics—he requests a private audience with the Marquis and announces his sudden departure for Pa…

1
Support Month: Season 2 Preview 30:53

15h ago30:53

30:53

In this special preview episode, Landen and Truman fire up the Movie Memory Machine for one last diagnostic test before Season Two begins. What follows is a chaotic preview of what’s to come: clips, clues, tone shifts, and a few… surprises. No titles are revealed, but the breadcrumbs are there if you’re ready to start guessing. This isn’t a recap—i…

1
Into the Dungeon (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 8) 6:16

8h ago6:16

6:16

📚 Summary: Desperate to reach Mercédès and affirm his sanity, Edmond Dantès offers the jailer a bribe—then threatens him with violence when refused. This outburst seals his fate: he’s declared mad and sent to a lower-tier dungeon, the same fate that met the mysterious Abbé. Stripped of hope and agency, Dantès is plunged into darkness—both literal a…

1
5 For: The Mexican (2001) 15:24

7h ago15:24

15:24

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman take a surprising stand: The Mexican slaps. And to prove the film’s chaotic tonal tightrope is part of its charm—not a bug—they present five companion films that succeed by embracing similar contradictions. Whether it’s fate guiding a hitman, mystical roads tripping up romantic …

1
A Madman’s Chamber (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 8) 6:39

1d ago6:39

6:39

🎙️ Summary: In this chilling passage, Edmond Dantès—now imprisoned in the Château d’If—begs to see the governor. The jailer, unmoved, warns Dantès of madness should he continue to fixate on impossible hopes. A dark tale unfolds of a former prisoner who lost his mind in the same cell, offering Edmond a terrifying glimpse of his possible future. This…

1
5 For: Six Days, Seven Nights (1998) 15:19

1d ago15:19

15:19

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman recommend five films that succeed where Six Days, Seven Nights sputters. These picks feature genuine chemistry, genre clarity, or at least some sense of adventure—whether it’s bickering on a boat, dodging bullets in a jungle, or modeling on a vomit-filled yacht. From golden age …

1
The Depths of Despair (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 8) 8:03

2d ago8:03

8:03

📚 Summary: Trapped in his cell at the Château d’If, Edmond Dantès begins to feel the full weight of his betrayal and isolation. His requests to see the governor are ignored, and he spirals into grief, regret, and torment over missed chances at freedom. Haunted by thoughts of escape and the loved ones he’s left behind, Dantès’ initial faith in the j…

1
5 For: Vampire in Brooklyn (1995) 15:19

2d ago15:19

15:19

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman recommend five horror and comedy-adjacent films that better deliver on the potential Vampire in Brooklyn barely taps. These movies explore themes of Black identity, horror satire, and cultural storytelling—with sharper tonal control, more daring risks, and a better sense of who …

1
5 For: The Recruit (2003) 13:13

3d ago13:13

13:13

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman recommend five espionage thrillers that understand surveillance, betrayal, and paranoia far better than The Recruit. From Cold War anxiety to 90s paranoia to a Jackie Chan martial arts set piece in a winter parka, these films show that spy stories can be sleek and soulful—withou…

1
Into the Darkness (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 8) 7:20

3d ago7:20

7:20

📚 Summary: After a crushing voyage through the harbor and a failed escape attempt, Edmond Dantès is delivered at last to the Château d’If. Ushered into a cold, dripping cell beneath the fortress, he is abandoned by the jailer and left alone in darkness. As night passes without sleep or sustenance, Dantès begins to feel the full weight of betrayal a…

1
The Descent Into Darkness (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 8) 5:57

4d ago5:57

5:57

📚 Summary: As the boat carrying Edmond Dantès approaches the Château d’If, panic and desperation overtake him. In a last-ditch attempt at freedom, he tries to leap into the sea—but is violently subdued. The gendarme, now coldly resolute, presses a gun to his temple and reminds him of the futility of resistance. From this moment on, Dantès is no lon…

1
5 For: Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013) 14:52

4d ago14:52

14:52

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman offer five films that better explore the Black American experience across decades of U.S. history—without reducing it to presidential cameos. Where The Butlerflattens complexity into a highlight reel, these films bring depth, agency, and artistry to the stories of civil rights, …

1
The Fortress Awaits (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 8) 5:27

5d ago5:27

5:27

📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès’ worst suspicions are confirmed as the Château d’If, long a symbol of isolation and political erasure, rises before him. Despite Villefort’s apparent reassurances, the gendarmes escort him silently toward imprisonment with no further inquiry, no explanation, and no opportunity to defend himself. The magnitude of betrayal da…

1
Support Month: Season 1 Finale 2:18:23

6d ago2:18:23

2:18:23

It’s the end of the beginning. In the Season One finale of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman take a whirlwind tour through all 25 movies they’ve covered so far—from animated cows and memory-swapping sci-fi to cowboys with mime sidekicks. We revisit verdicts, call out the biggest surprises, and peel back the curtain on what it’s like to run a …

1
The Light from the Shore (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 8) 5:27

6d ago5:27

5:27

📚 Summary: As Edmond Dantès is ferried toward his unknown fate, he sees the faint light of Mercédès’ chamber glowing on the shoreline—just three hundred yards away. Though he longs to cry out, he remains silent, gripped by pride and despair. His captors refuse to speak, and the world seems to slide past him in mute indifference. Finally, he appeals…

1
5 For: Lightning Jack (1994) 19:50

7d ago19:50

19:50

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman ride out with five better buddy adventures that deliver what Lightning Jack couldn’t: chemistry, momentum, laughs, and actual dialogue. From unlikely action duos to cowboy comedies that still hold up, these films prove that the buddy formula needs more than Paul Hogan free-assoc…

1
A Prayer at Sea (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 8) 6:24

7d ago6:24

6:24

📚 Summary: As Edmond Dantès is rowed through the moonlit waters of Marseille, he savors a brief return to open air and hope—only to have it shattered by the sight of La Réserve, where his wedding feast should be in full swing. His prayers are answered only with silence. The soldiers refuse to explain where they are taking him, and the boat makes a …

1
The Silent Voyage (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 8) 5:03

8d ago5:03

5:03

📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès is placed into a sealed carriage under military escort and driven through the familiar streets of Marseille, unknowingly on his way to exile. What begins as a hopeful moment—the belief that he is being transferred for release—quickly turns to dread as he realizes no one will answer his questions. Grated windows, silent guar…

1
5 For: The Rocker (2008) 15:21

9d ago15:21

15:21

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman keep the spirit of rock alive with five movies that do what The Rocker tried (and mostly failed) to do: tell hilarious, heartfelt stories about music, mayhem, and band dynamics. From Jack Black-led anthems to papier-mâché-headed legends, these picks bring better riffs, bigger la…

1
Corridors of No Return (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 8) 5:41

9d ago5:41

5:41

📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès is led from the Palais de Justice into the prison system—physically and metaphorically crossing the threshold from freedom into oppression. Accompanied by armed gendarmes, he walks through cold, winding corridors that sap his courage and end at an iron door that slams shut behind him. Though Villefort’s promises still echo …

1
5 For: Loser (2000) 17:29

10d ago17:29

17:29

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman salvage the vibes Loser forgot with five better movies about young adulthood, awkwardness, and post-graduation growing pains. From classic Billy Wilder masterpieces to peak 90s party flicks, these picks show that coming-of-age comedies can be heartfelt, hilarious, and, crucially…

1
5 For: The Last Song (2010) 13:38

11d ago13:38

13:38

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman celebrate the surprisingly tender vibes of The Last Song with five more films that capture the spirit of young love, bittersweet endings, and life-changing summers. From classic dance floor rebellions to indie heartbreakers, these picks offer a full spectrum of emotional rites o…

1
Betrayal by Fire (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 6:25

10d ago6:25

6:25

📚 Summary: Villefort, having feigned sympathy and promised freedom to Edmond Dantès, privately burns the letter that could expose his Bonapartist father—then instructs Dantès to deny its existence. With the evidence destroyed, Villefort ensures the young man’s fate is sealed, not out of duty, but to protect his own political future. In a chilling s…

1
The Illusion of Justice (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 6:32

12d ago6:32

6:32

📚 Summary After a seemingly sympathetic interrogation, Villefort reassures Dantès that he believes in his innocence and even goes so far as to burn the incriminating letter before his eyes. Dantès, overwhelmed with gratitude, sees Villefort as a friend. But this performance of mercy is a mask: by destroying the letter, Villefort isn’t protecting Da…

1
5 For: Don Juan Demarco (1995) 13:46

12d ago13:46

13:46

In this week’s Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman float through five films that, like Don Juan DeMarco, revel in myth-making, larger-than-life stories, and dreamlike quests for meaning. From tall tales spun in German hospitals to grand adventures told through strawberry-eating potheads, they recommend movies that blend f…

1
The Letter and the Lie (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 5:05

13d ago5:05

5:05

📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès believes he is moments from freedom, but Villefort’s discovery of the letter’s recipient—his own Bonapartist father, Noirtier—sends him into a spiral of fear. The magistrate’s internal conflict plays out in front of Dantès, who remains confused but trusting. Villefort reads and re-reads the letter, not to seek the truth, bu…

1
Support Month: Damsel (2024) 2:25:32

14d ago2:25:32

2:25:32

In the season finale of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman descend into the dark fantasy depths of Damsel(2024), Netflix’s Millie Bobby Brown-led twist on the fairy tale formula. We talk sacrificial princesses, cave horror, feminist inversions, and whether this dragon flick earns its roar—or just bellows at walls. Along the way, we dig into fa…

1
A Dangerous Name (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 5:15

14d ago5:15

5:15

📚 Summary: As Villefort prepares to release Edmond Dantès, his composure shatters upon learning the letter Dantès carried from Elba was addressed to Noirtier—Villefort’s own father and a suspected Bonapartist. What seemed like a straightforward release becomes a crisis of self-preservation for Villefort, who now sees Dantès not as a naive messenger…

1
The Captain’s Dying Wish (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 6:02

15d ago6:02

6:02

📚 Summary: Dantès recounts the events that led him to Elba and ultimately to his arrest. Acting on the dying wishes of his captain, Leclère, he carried a letter to the island and delivered it to the Grand Marshal—an act of sailorly duty, not political intent. In his interrogation with Villefort, Dantès earnestly lays out the facts, still believing …

1
5 For: Reminiscence (2021) 16:25

15d ago16:25

16:25

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman dive into five movies that explore memory, identity, and reality with more precision, elegance, or weirdness than Reminiscence managed. Whether you're craving memory-altering noir (Dark City), elliptical love stories (2046), or the very real terror of a dystopian mall (Minority …

1
5 For: Money Monster (2016) 11:00

19d ago11:00

11:00

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman dig into five films that handle hostage standoffs, media critique, and moral panic with more precision, depth, and directorial vision than Money Monster. Whether it's Ned Beatty yelling about the gods of commerce or Denzel outwitting a hostage scenario in style, these films ask …

1
The False Accusation (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 4:53

16d ago4:53

4:53

📚 Summary: In the heart of his interrogation, Edmond Dantès is presented with the anonymous letter that accuses him of being a Bonapartist conspirator. Though Villefort initially sees honesty in Dantès’ demeanor and dismisses the letter’s credibility, his internal monologue reveals an increasing preoccupation with how his actions will be judged—par…

1
The Accusation (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 6:21

17d ago6:21

6:21

📚 Summary: In this tense exchange, Villefort begins to test Dantès’ perception of the people around him. Probing for motives, he suggests that Dantès’ success and romantic future may have stirred jealousy. Dantès, still clinging to the belief in others’ goodness, cannot fathom that anyone he knows could want to harm him. Villefort then shows him th…

1
5 For: Hope Springs (2012) 16:04

20d ago16:04

16:04

In this week’s Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman unpack five films that more meaningfully—and sometimes more messily—explore marriage, communication, and relationship evolution than Hope Springs ever dared. From cozy golden pond chats to sci-fi couples therapy gone wrong, this list offers everything from prestige Swedis…

1
The Innocent Heart (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 4:39

18d ago4:39

4:39

📚 Summary: Dantès, bewildered but earnest, assures Villefort that he has no political opinions and lives only for his father, Mercédès, and M. Morrel. His sincerity impresses Villefort, who sees in Dantès not a traitor but a kind, naïve young man caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet Villefort’s recognition of Dantès’ innocence quickly b…

1
5 For: S1M0NE (2002) 14:31

21d ago14:31

14:31

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman attempt to recover from Simone (aka S1M0NE) by spotlighting five films that do a better job exploring fame, technology, artificial intelligence, and the surreal nightmare of modern media. From the precision of The Truman Show to the spiraling ego of Synecdoche, New York, these p…

1
5 For: Poltergeist (2015) 14:26

22d ago14:26

14:26

In this week's Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman conjure up five hauntingly memorable films that connect thematically or spiritually to the 2015 Poltergeist remake (and its vastly superior 1982 predecessor). From analog tech horror and haunted houses to emotionally resonant ghost stories, this list bridges spectral drea…

1
Interrupted Vows (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 5:17

19d ago5:17

5:17

📚 Summary: On what should have been the happiest day of his life, Edmond Dantès finds himself in the cold scrutiny of Villefort’s office rather than at the altar with Mercédès. His voice trembles as he describes his interrupted wedding, and for a brief moment, Villefort feels a pang of sympathy—their lives strangely mirror each other. Both men are …

1
The First Interrogation (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 5:00

20d ago5:00

5:00

📚 Summary: Edmond Dantès stands before Gérard de Villefort, unaware that his life hangs on the magistrate’s political ambitions rather than the facts of his case. Villefort, struck by Dantès’ intelligence and candor, instinctively senses the young man’s innocence—but quickly suppresses that impression, trained to distrust instinct in favor of polit…

1
Support Month: Redbelt (2006) — Grunt Work Crossover! 2:24:44

21d ago2:24:44

2:24:44

In this special crossover episode, the Movie Memory Machine smashes headfirst into the Grunt Work feed for a tag-team takedown of Redbelt (2008), the only dramatic performance in Tim Allen’s catalog that doesn't involve a dog costume or a Santa suit. Join Landon and Truman as they dive into David Mamet's mixed martial arts noir drama starring Chiwe…

1
The Shadow of Impunity (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 5:43

21d ago5:43

5:43

📚 Summary: As Dantès awaits judgment, Villefort wrestles not with the facts of the case, but with the political optics of justice in post-Napoleonic France. Seeing Dantès’ composed demeanor, Villefort privately speculates about possible links to revolutionary groups like the Carbonari. He asserts that if Dantès is guilty, he must be punished—forgiv…

1
5 For: Barnyard (2006) 13:48

25d ago13:48

13:48

In this week’s Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman take the barn door off its hinges and run wild through five films that share DNA with Barnyard—whether through animated anarchy, animal allegories, or vibes of chaos barely contained. From Orwellian pigs to vengeful foxes, they reflect on how kids’ movies used to get weir…

1
A Plea for Mercy (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 6:10

22d ago6:10

6:10

📚 Summary: M. Morrel passionately defends Edmond Dantès, insisting on his honesty and loyalty, but Villefort remains unmoved. His cold, aristocratic disdain for Morrel’s plebeian status—and his suspected Bonapartist leanings—shapes his perception of the case. As Morrel pleads for Dantès’ release, Villefort seizes upon a single phrase, twisting it i…

1
The Examination Begins (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 5:02

23d ago5:02

5:02

📚 Summary: Villefort’s private world of ambition and wealth vanishes the moment he steps outside and is confronted by the political machinery of justice. A police commissary awaits him with an urgent report: Edmond Dantès, a young merchant sailor, has been arrested on suspicion of carrying a letter from Napoleon’s allies. As Villefort learns the de…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Grunt Work Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide