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We have a new podcast called Peak Viewing, and the first episode is coming out March 4th! You can subscribe now on your podcast platform of choice, or check us out at peakviewing.net

The time has come. After almost ten years of podcasting, we close the book on Grumpy Young Men. Also, why we hate Random Rants. (Recorded January 21st, 2024.)

Today we’re talking about the book series that has meant more to us than any other, Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant. We go through our entire history including first reading these books as pre-teens, obsessively importing the sequels from the UK, and aging out of the first series right when it all came to a close. Also, why we hate having to drip faucets. (Recorded January 14th, 2024.)

This week, it’s the movie we’ve been meaning to get around to ever since the very beginning of this podcast, Casablanca. We cover our personal histories with this film, the astonishing context it was released in (a war!), and compare Rick’s bar to another bar from a long time ago… Also, why we hate misleading short videos. (Recorded January 7th, 2024.)

Today we’re continuing our annual tradition of shouting out some of our favorite art of the year! These are things that we are both excited to talk about, but couldn’t really commit to doing a full episode on. We discuss videos, movies, books, TV shows, and cool guy stuff like Magic cards and Warhammer models. Also, why we hate fake lines. (Recorded December 31st, 2023.)

This week we’re talking about maybe the most talked-about film of all time, Citizen Kane. It’s hard to find things that haven’t already been said about this movie, but boy do we try! What would a modern retelling of this movie be like, and why would it be a miniseries instead? What decade of film should we throw in the trash? And has anyone else noticed Charles Foster Kane is kinda similar to a certain political figure we have today? Also, why we hate car windows. (Recorded December 23rd, 2023.)

Today we’re getting into the festive spirit and talking about one of the most beloved Christmas movies, It’s a Wonderful Life. We cover everything including the banking loans, the crappy colorized version, what that fake snow really was, and also we make several misguided allusions to Back to the Future Part II. Also, why we hate spoiled food. (Recorded December 17th, 2023.)

This week we’re talking about Godzilla Minus One, the surprise hit from Toho Studios in Japan. We discuss the sincere and sweet human characters, the shockingly small budget, and the agenda behind Godzilla’s violence. Do you pronounce terror and tearer the same way? Also, why we hate Samuel’s house being haunted. (Recorded December 10th, 2023.)

If you thought we were never gonna talk about 1997’s Donnie Brasco, then you can “fuhggedaboutit,” cause we’re taking about it today! We’re both pretty lukewarm on this one but still find things to discuss in our two lead performances, the unique and visual storytelling tricks, and Samuel admits that some mobster movies are in fact like Mean Girls.   Also, why we hate a throwaway reference Samuel made two months ago. (Recorded December 3rd, 2023.)

Today we’re talking about This Is Going to Hurt, a wonderful and gruesome book about Adam Kay’s experience in medicine. We discuss how well written this book is and how well integrated its themes are, and how we relate to it with several of our own personal experiences in the workforce.  Also, why we hate even more awkward interactions with cashiers. (Recorded November 26th, 2023.)

This week we’re discussing the terrific and difficult new film Killers of the Flower Moon. How does Scorsese’s script compare to the book? Is Lily Gladstone’s performance the best in the movie? (Yes.) How is Leonardo DiCaprio able to consistently date women under 26? And why does Robert De Niro keep making grandpa movies? All that and more! Also, why we hate when you can tell someone is lying during small talk. (Recorded November 19th, 2023.)

Today we’re tackling Mean Girls, the generation-defining cult classic from the early 2000s. It’s pretty clear from the first two minutes that Samuel was not gonna be a fan, but we still get some good discussion about social anxiety, the two terrific lead performances, and lots of arguing over what it’s like to be a teenager. Also, why we hate bad skylight layouts. (Recorded November 12th, 2023.)