We've got a 415-3 in progress! Despite Russ and Jared's best efforts to tone down their rhetoric, they're getting a little too fired up about 211 (2018), starring Nicolas Cage, his son, Weston Cage, Dwayne Cameron, Sophie Skelton, Michael Rainey Jr., Cory Hardrict, Ori Pfeffer, and Alexandra Dinu. Stay tuned next week for an all new Trailer Trash a…

What's better than a heist movie? You tell us, we're not your supervisor! Russ and Jared are breaking down 211 (2018), starring Nicolas Cage, his son, Weston Cage, Dwayne Cameron, Sophie Skelton, Michael Rainey Jr., Cory Hardrict, Ori Pfeffer, and Alexandra Dinu. There's a lot of setup in the first half of this movie and the guys are having a field…

Everybody's favorite best-friend-of-the-pod, Nic Cage, is back with a vengeance! The guys are breaking down the trailer for his recent flop, 211 (2018), starring the aforementioned Nicolas Cage, his son, Weston Cage, Dwayne Cameron, Sophie Skelton, Michael Rainey Jr., Cory Hardrict, Ori Pfeffer, and Alexandra Dinu. You won't want to miss this Trail…

Backstory is essential to establishing who your characters are and the decisions they'll make in your story, but how much is too much? In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss backstory, how they approached it for their first novels, and how they plan on using it in their new works.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

What's not to love about a part 2 full of laughs and random torture facts that are also somewhat love-themed? What a bizarre sentence. Anyway, here's the finale of Love Again (2023), starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan, Céline Dion (yes, really), Sofia Barclay, Russell Tovey, Lydia West, and Nick Jonas. Stay tuned for an all-new Trailer Tra…

Why love once when you can love, actually? Wait, wrong episode. The guys are loving again (there we go) with Love Again (2023), starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan, Céline Dion (yes, really), Sofia Barclay, Russell Tovey, Lydia West, and Nick Jonas. Stay tuned for part 2 on Thursday!By Russ Capasso and Jared DeLuca

Love love love love love! Russ and Jared can't get enough of the stuff! That's why they're heading back to the land of rom coms to bring you Love Again (2023), starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan, Céline Dion (yes, really), Sofia Barclay, Russell Tovey, Lydia West, and Nick Jonas (for two minutes). Is this movie going to be exactly like P.S…

Writing your first novel is hard, but is writing a second novel any easier? In this episode, Russ and Tim chat about how to plan a new project, when to stop researching and start writing, and why their approaches have changed since completing their first works.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

The zomboys are back, baby! Russ and Jared are careening through part 2 now that the movie has ditched horror in favor of pure comedy. The guys are finishing up Day of the Dead: Bloodline (2017), starring Sophie Skelton, Jeff Gum, Johnathon Schaech, Marcus Vanco, Lillian Blankenship, Ulyana Chan, Mark Rhino Smith, and Shari Watson. Half of this epi…

Grrraaahhh... Braaaains! This week, Russ and Jared are feasting on Day of the Dead: Bloodline (2017), starring Sophie Skelton, Jeff Gum, Johnathon Schaech, Marcus Vanco, Lillian Blankenship, Ulyana Chan, Mark Rhino Smith, and Shari Watson. Groooan... So much gnarly guts and mindless mayhem. The guys gnash their teeth over plot holes, eat up the ter…

If you've been craving a classic ITMT double colon title (it's been a few weeks), you're in luck! Russ and Jared are getting back to the gore with this cursed George Romero remake, Day of the Dead: Bloodline (2017), starring Sophie Skelton, Jeff Gum, Johnathon Schaech, Marcus Vanco, Lillian Blankenship, Ulyana Chan, Mark Rhino Smith, Shari Watson, …

Knock, knock... no, we won't do that to you. In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss writing with humor, how they approach it in their works, the different types of humor authors can use, and when to use it.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

We last left Russ and Jared discussing the walk-and-talk in the rain with our hero and the lady from The Facts of Life and things were getting serious. The guys are wrapping up A Nice Girl Like You (2020), starring Lucy Hale, Leonidas Gulaptis, Mindy Cohn, Adhir Kalyan, Jackie Cruz, and Stephen Friedrich. Tune in for random violin facts and lots of…

What's a nice person like you doing with a podcast like this? Listening to Russ and Jared break down terrible movies every week, no doubt! The guys are playing not-so-nice with A Nice Girl Like You (2020), starring Lucy Hale, Leonidas Gulaptis, Mindy Cohn, Adhir Kalyan, Jackie Cruz, and Stephen Friedrich. Tune in for Hollywood Pitches, Fast Facts, …

In this episode, Russ and Tim are joined by Michael Bahler, a New Jersey-based writer whose short fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The New York Times, Glimmer Train, Nerve, and many others, including the Brooklyn Rail. He joins us to chat about the publishing industry, writing short stories, and his jump from short to long-form writing.…

Russ and Jared are back with a new trailer and right at home in romantic comedy territory! The guys are talking about A Nice Girl Like You (2020), starring Lucy Hale, Leonidas Gulaptis, Mindy Cohn, Adhir Kalyan, Jackie Cruz, and Stephen Friedrich. Tune in for a sexy good time (you'll see), and stay tuned for the full, scene-by-scene breakdown next …

When we left Russ and Jared, they were discussing the "laundry list" of tools that our hero needs in order to do surgery on John (drill). Time for the guys to conclude Saw III (2006), starring Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Angus Macfadyen, Bahar Soomekh, Donnie Wahlberg, Dina Meyer, Leigh Whannell, and Mpho Koaho. Tune in for plenty more torture facts…

Open up the Book of Saw and it turns out there's a lot of subpar stories to share. Russ and Jared are diving headfirst into a pit of needles with this listener request for Saw III (2006), starring Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Angus Macfadyen, Bahar Soomekh, Donnie Wahlberg, Dina Meyer, Leigh Whannell, and Mpho Koaho. The guys are ranking traps, shari…

Have you ever read a book and thought the end wasn't particularly satisfying? Well, you're not alone! In this episode, Russ and Tim explore common Act III pitfalls, why they can make your final act fall flat, and how to avoid them.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

Never say we've never done anything for you, our beloved listeners! Russ and Jared are back this week with a VERY SPECIAL FAN REQUEST! Big shout out to Ciara for making us do Saw III (2006), starring Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Angus Macfadyen, Bahar Soomekh, Donnie Wahlberg, Dina Meyer, Leigh Whannell, and Mpho Koaho. Are the boys going to be a cou…

Part 2 plus part 2 equals 4. Divide by 2 again to get to 2 happy podcasters! Russ and Jared aren't happy about the movie really, but rather the joy of talking about what enemy-of-the-pod, Zack Snyder, should have done differently. The guys are wrapping up Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (2024), starring Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Michiel …

Come for the wildly long and unclearly punctuated titles, stay for the buddy banter you can't just find on any other dozens of podcasts! Russ and Jared are rebelling against logic and watching the sequel to one of their most-hated movies from last year. It's time for Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (2024), starring Sofia Boutella, Djimon Houns…

Why are scene transitions important? Not ony to they ground the reader in POV, setting, and time. They can change mood and create pacing that keeps a reader engaged. In this episode Russ and Tim get into their own approaches to scene transitions and if they were intentional from the start.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

Dark days indeed! Russ and Jared are revisiting one of their favorite franchises... Star Wars! Just kidding, it's the Star Wars ripoff universe of Rebel Moon as they dive into the sequel, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (2024), starring Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Michiel Huisman, Ed Skrein, Bae Doona, Anthony Hopkins, Staz Nair, Elise Duf…

Russ and Jared are on fire! Not baking in the Texas sun fortunately, but on fire with the jokes. If you like to be entertained, this part 2 is for you. The guys are making a deal with the devil to finish Rattlesnake (2019), starring Carmen Ejogo, Appy Pratt, Theo Rossi, Emma Greenwell, Debrianna Mansini, Bruce Davis, and Joy Jacobson. Tune in to fi…

Do you like "unthinkable" deals with the devil? Or like medium unthinkable? Actually pretty thinkable if you think about it... Regardless of what you think you're thinking about in terms of unthinkableness (unthinkablosity?), Russ and Jared are here to do your thinking for you and give you plenty of random Texas facts while they do it! The guys are…

50th episode! We made it! Russ and Tim do a pulse check on their projects, how far they've come, and the path ahead. Here's to fifty more!By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

What's that sound? Must be the pile of babies nearby playing with rattles... Or... It's a snake! Russ and Jared are slithering through the trailer for Rattlesnake (2019), starring Carmen Ejogo, Appy Pratt, Theo Rossi, Emma Greenwell, Debrianna Mansini, Bruce Davis, and Joy Jacobson. Tune in to finally understand Jared's alleged face blindness and m…

When we last left Russ and Jared, they were talking about our heroes getting kicked out of the resort in Mexico and being banished to the scary hotel. The guys are wrapping up Desperados (2020), starring Nasim Pedrad, Anna Camp, Sarah Burns, Lamorne Morris, Robbie Amell, Izzy Diaz, Jessica Chaffin, and Rodrigo Franco. Stay tuned for an all-new movi…

Desperate for more ITMT shenanigans? Your wait is over! Russ and Jared are here to fulfill your every dream as they get right into Desperados (2020), starring Nasim Pedrad, Anna Camp, Sarah Burns, Lamorne Morris, Robbie Amell, Izzy Diaz, Jessica Chaffin, and Rodrigo Franco. Tune in for your favorite segments and weekly dose of good time, and stay t…

Structure is a good thing, right? In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss chapter structure and how a well-structured chapter can impact pacing and tension and influence the reader to keep turning pages.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

Russ and Jared are going to beautiful Mexico! Not in real life, but virtually with you all! And isn't that better than standing in line for airport security? The guys are flying through the trailer for Desperados (2020), starring Nasim Pedrad, Anna Camp, Sarah Burns, Lamorne Morris, Robbie Amell, Izzy Diaz, Jessica Chaffin, and Rodrigo Franco. Stay…

When we last left Russ and Jared, they were doing a cliffhanger with the restaurant scene where the heroes were taking a snack break and a mysterious waiter made a suspicious phone call... That's right! The guys are about to finish True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016), starring Kevin James, Zulay Henao, Maurice Compte, Kim Coates, Andre…

Look! Up there! In The Cloud™! It's your old pals, Russ and Jared, here to take you on an adventure of international intrigue and delight! The guys are diving out of a helicopter (better odds of survival) and into True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016), starring Kevin James, Zulay Henao, Maurice Compte, Kim Coates, Andrew Howard, Ron Rifk…

What's better than a book (buy HOST by Russ Capasso wherever you buy books)? A movie about a person writing a book! You guessed it, Russ and Jared are talking about the trailer for True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016), starring Kevin James, Zulay Henao, Maurice Compte, Kim Coates, Andrew Howard, Ron Rifkin, Rob Riggle, Leonard Earl Howz…

Are video games art? What elevates a video game narrative to make it memorable? Will Russ and Tim ever stop playing and get back to writing their second novels? In this special video game-themed episode, we tackle these questions and more.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

Russ and Jared are back to bring you the thrilling conclusion to Pain Hustlers (2023), starring Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O'Hara, Chloe Coleman, Andy Garcia, Brian d'Arcy James, Jay Duplass, and Amit Shah. There will be chaos and FBI raids, some accent work and social commentary, big pharma losses (kinda), and more! Stay tuned for a brand…

Bring on the pain! Russ and Jared are getting right down to business, the big business of pain, with Pain Hustlers (2023), starring Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O'Hara, Chloe Coleman, Andy Garcia, Brian d'Arcy James, Jay Duplass, and Amit Shah. Will big pharma win again? Will the guys make Fast Facts not fast? Does anyone go to prison? Answe…

Russ and Jared have been hustling since they were rascally young pharmaceutical salesmen (editor note: they were not). And now you too can enjoy the fast-paced world of pharmaceutical sales by listening to this episode for the low, low price of $4.99 (editor note: it's free)! The guys are talking about the trailer for Pain Hustlers (2023), starring…

Author Geoffrey Morrison joins us again for a great chat about his new nonfiction book, Budget Travel for Dummies. We discuss his move from fiction to nonfiction, hostels, deadlines, editing, and more.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

The guys are finally getting to the Horror Hound festival as the fearsome Jeeper makes his big comeback. You guessed it! It's time for Russ and Jared to wrap up (and really get to the good parts) of Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (2022), starring Sydney Craven, Imran Adams, Gabriel Freilich, Jarreau Benjamin, Georgia Goodman, and Ocean Navarro. Will ther…

Who's that creeping down your block? It's Russ and Jared, here to bring you spooky tales from franchise reboots that never should have happened. The guys are breaking down Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (2022), starring Sydney Craven, Imran Adams, Gabriel Freilich, Jarreau Benjamin, Georgia Goodman, and Ocean Navarro. Stay tuned for part 2 on Thursday!…

Similes are metaphors; metaphors are not similes. In this episode, Russ and Tim explore more tools in the author's toolbox with metaphor and simile usage. What are they? How are they different? And how they use them in their own stories. Along with soup analogies. It's the most fun you can have while learning about figures of speech.…

New podcast cover art alert! That's right, same great podcast, more arty art. Russ and Jared are creeping through the trailer for Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (2022), starring Sydney Craven, Imran Adams, Gabriel Freilich, Jarreau Benjamin, Georgia Goodman, Ocean Navarro, and plenty of other randos. Tune in for this blender trailer ride, and stay tuned …

...And we're back! There's not enough true romance in the world these days. If you can't be friends with someone across the country for 20 years and then start a blended family together in LA, what can you really do anymore? The guys are wrapping up Your Place or Mine (2023), starring Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher, Zoë Chao, Jesse Williams, Wes…

Is it going to drive anyone else nuts that the title of this movie doesn't have a question mark? Just Jared? Russ and Jared are cruising through Your Place or Mine (2023), starring Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher, Zoë Chao, Jesse Williams, Wesley Kimmel, Tig Notaro, and Steve Zahn. Long time listeners know the guys love a good montage, but will t…

Have you found your voice as a storyteller? What does that even mean? This episode Russ and Tim explore the many factors that can shape an author's voice, and how they found (or are still looking for) their own.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

Happy (almost) Valentine's Day to those who celebrate from your pals at ITMT! There's the smell of romance and comedy in the air, and what better way to celebrate than with another bad movie? The guys are falling in and out of love with the trailer for Your Place or Mine (2023), starring Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher, Zoë Chao, Jesse Williams, …

When we last left Russ and Jared, they were discussing the prospect of bringing a human being back to life... and the terrible implications. No, they haven't gone full mad scientist on y'all... yet! They're wrapping up The Lazarus Effect (2015), starring Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, Evan Peters, Donald Glover, Sarah Bolger, and Ray Wise. Tune in for…

Russ and Jared are back it, back to life, you might say. The guys are jumping head first into the Lazarus Pit (they wish) and talking about The Lazarus Effect (2015), starring Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, Evan Peters, Donald Glover, Sarah Bolger, and Ray Wise. This movie seems like it should be good on paper, great cast, interesting premise, smart p…