Jason And The Argonauts (1963)

Tom Hanks once said that Jason And The Argonauts was the greatest film ever made. But was he right? I mean, yeah, probably. Directed by Don Chaffey, starring Todd Armstrong and Honor Blackman, and featuring an original score by the fantastic Bernard Herrmann, Jason And The Argonauts is perhaps better known as a showcase of the legendary Ray Harryhausen's visual effects, but even aside from those it's got a pace and a feel that's worth catching. Also, it's free on the web archives, so that's a plus! Float along with the manatees as they gush over mid-century claymation, discuss responsible provisioning plans, and demonstrate a consistent and profound lack of Greek myth expertise. This is a fun one!

Waterworld (1995)

New episode is up!

This month we're watching another collaboration by the Kevins Reynolds and Costner with 1995's Waterworld! Also featuring the triumphant return of Dennis Hopper and the podcast's first appearance of Jeanne Tripplehorn and Tina Majorino. The most expensive movie ever made at the time of its release, Waterworld was widely considered a flop but actually did make its budget back eventually, and poses many thought provoking questions, such as: Is there weather in the future? Can we breathe through fish? Why is pee easier to purify than salt water? How are cigarettes made? What makes a man a fish? Where does water come from? What is water? And so on! Sam sets out to design two new video games, Ben says "piss" about a hundred times, both accidentally reveal how little they know about sailing, and a generally good time is had by all. Float along with us?

Highlander (1986)

New episode is up! HEEEEERE WE ARE! It's one of the 80's most notorious cult classics and every mall samurai's fever dream, 1986's Highlander, which made no money but somehow spawned half a dozen sequels and four TV series! Directed by our old friend Russell Mulcahy and starring Matinee Manatee alumni Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, and Clancy Brown, along with newcomer Roxanne Hart, Highlander is just self-aware enough to make for some pretty spectacular schlock. It's got everything you could want! Queen! Swords! Very white sneakers! 80's lightning! Bad age makeup! And, an immortal elk? Sam shares wrestling facts, Ben rants about streaming services, both vow to watch the followups which probably neither of them do. Come float along and be bemused with us at this bizarre artifact of a more creative and, arguably, less demanding time.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

New episode is up!

You've definitely heard of this one! The manatees are back to crushing on Bob Hoskins with 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Bob Hoskins, Charles Fleischer, Christopher Lloyd, and Joanna Cassidy. Made in the era before CGI, Who Framed Roger Rabbit presents probably the most impressive precedent of pretending between actual actors and animated art anywhere at the age it appeared! (And, arguably, after!) I tried to have some fun with alliteration there but I'm not sure it worked. Includes wrestling trivia from Sam, failed novel settings from Ben, and a bit of history about Los Angeles' public transit system for your perusal. Float along with us as we gush over Bob, noir, and cartoons in general, and try not to let Judge Doom give you any nightmares.

Street Fighter (2004)

New episode is up! New hosting service, too. It's much more convenient on our end, but tell us how it's working for you?

Good morning Shadaloo! This month we're returning to our roots and sitting through the notorious video-game-to-movie-adaptation Street Fighter, from 1994! Directed by by Steven de Souza and starring Jean Claude Van Damme, Raul Julia, and about a dozen others, Street Fighter is remembered mostly for being a flop and also for being Julia's final performance, and oh, you guys, it is a magnificent performance. Float along with the manatees while they discuss streets, fighting, and the lack of both in this weird G.I. Joe lookin' movie based on a fighting game that it has almost nothing to do with. Have a watch, have a listen, have a nice nap!

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

We're back after the holidays with a super-sized three-manatee episode!  This month, in honor of the late great Sean Connery, the manatees are re-watching his last movie, 2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen!  Directed by Stephen Norrington.  It's not great, but does it deserve as bad a reputation as it has?  Float along with us and find out! 

Batman Returns (1992)

Season's Greetings, Batmanatees!

Anthony is triumphant!  A full year after seeing the first one, Sam finally gives in and watches our favorite Christmas movie, Tim Burton's Batman Returns, starring Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Danny DeVito.  Simultaneously, Anthony usurps Ben's place as co-host of the podcast.  Everything is falling into place.  The manatees discuss beef with Roger Ebert, plots to bring back Ben as a Catwomantee, and y'all already know who Christoper Walken's Max Shreck reminds us of.  Happy Holidays!  Come for a float?

Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

New episode is up! For this year's Scarytober, the manatees are watching one of the most notorious sequels to a horror movie in cinematic history: 1977's Exorcist II: The Heretic! Directed by John Boorman and starring Linda Blair, Richard Burton, and Louise Fletcher, Exorcist 2 takes the franchise in a different direction, replacing demons with grasshoppers, exorcists with investigative journalists, and ritual exorcism with punching. There's an Inception machine and a beehive hospital and James Earl Jones dressed as a grasshopper luchador. The manatees are dumbfounded. Float along with us?

The Princess Bride (1987)

It's a listener request month!  Luckily our patrons have very good taste and have chosen 1987's The Princess Bride, written by William Goldman, directed by Rob Reiner and starring Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, and Andre the Giant!  This one's an old favorite, so we went an extra step and actually read a whole book about the making of this movie, and guys?  It's just a really fun hang.  Float along with us, learn about a classic, and please don't forget to vote.

Starship Troopers (1997)

New episode is up! We're back casting and we're back in the 90's, checking out Paul Verhoeven's famous 1997 satire Starship Troopers!  Starring Casper Van Dien (the puppet from Team America), Denise Richards (Tammy from Tammy and the T-Rex), and Dina Meyer (cool lady from Dragonheart), Starship Troopers flopped at the time, but we're convinced a lot of it got missed by audiences.  The manatees discuss propaganda reels, the problem with netflix, bugs and power armor in starcraft and warhammer 40k, and the difference between space fiddles and space violins.  Come along for a float?

Point Break (1991)

New episode is up! Do you guys remember Point Break?  Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, and Lori Petty, Point Break is an oft-misremembered classic and directly responsible for one of the top-grossing movie franchises still active right now.  (You'll know which one as soon as you see it.)  Ben tries his flippers at puns, Tony proposes a script edit that would fix the entire third act, everybody has a pretty okay time.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

New episode is up! We're back with an old favorite, 1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, directed by Steve Barron and starring Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, and some very endearing foam-rubber puppet suits.  It's basically an overall silly, nostalgic romp, and we're here for it.  The manatees discuss the logistics of setting up teen cult hideouts, early 2000's fighting games, comic books in general, and the difference in romantic relationships with fish people vs amphibian people.  Come float along!

Willow (1988)

New episode is up! Our patrons have spoken!  The winner of this quarter's sword-and-sorcery poll is 1988's Willow, directed by Ron Howard and starring Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, and Patricia Hayes.  It's a fun little fairy tale and it makes very little sense and that's a lot of fun.  The manatees discuss the rules of magic, best wizard voices, and what even is a possum.  Have a listen, stay indoors, be safe, we love you.

Jumanji (1995)

New episode is up! Do you guys remember Jumanji?  The first one, from 1995?  Directed by Joe Johnston, starring Robin Williams and Bonnie Hunt and David Alan Grier? With Matinee Manatees alums Kirsten Dunst and Jonathan Hyde? Well, we like it. Float along for bonus tips on mystical board game speedrunning, bad car repair praxis, and possible alternative podcasts hosted by monkeys.  For free!

Top Gun (1986)

New episode is up! After some glitches, the manatees are back! This time around they're watching culturally iconic Top Gun, directed by Tony Scott and starring Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, and Anthony Edwards. And it's... um. Well. Float along with the manatees as they pine for an Iceman and Goose movie instead, discuss the merits of voiceover narratives in action movies, and detail why Maverick should probably be on a registry... and we don't mean the national film registry.

The Mummy (1999)

New episode is up! We're back, and for the cold season we're going straight to Morocco-dressed-as-Egypt for 1999's The Mummy, directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, and Arnold Vosloo.  Float along as the manatees discuss mummification hangovers, better ways to prevent resurrections, and yet another spec script!  Sam is sleepy and creates a band.  Ben gets mad about camels and game of thrones.  Neither knows anything about history.  Enjoy!

Batman (1989)

New episode is up! For our first 100% Ben-free episode, bat-fan Anthony (Batmanatee?  Fanatee?) has finally convinced Sam to watch 1989's Batman!  Directed by Tim Burton (with mandatory score by Danny Elfman) and starring Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, and Kim Basinger, Batman 1989 is arguably the movie that started the grim 90's superhero movie trend, and for that we owe it a lot.

Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

New episode is up!

For the spookiest month of the year (I guess?) the manatees are diving into halloween flippers-first with 1991's Ernest Scared Stupid. It's Ernest! Do you guys remember Ernest? The character created by Jim Varney was ubiquitous during his heyday, appearing in ten movies, his own tv show, and dozens if not hundreds of commercials. And now, this podcast! ... For halloween! Float along with the manatees for unique insights into monster hunting, treehouse defense system savings tips, and a forensic analysis of the similarities between Ernest Worrell and Freddy Krueger. Also, trolls.

Evolution (2001)

New episode is up! The manatees finally start watching movies from this millennium with 2001's Evolution, directed by Ivan Reitman and starring David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Julianne Moore, and Seann William Scott. It doesn't super hold up, but, y'know, whatever. Ben rants about Evolution... and vaccines... and the shape of the earth. Sam theorizes about Seann William Scott's career trajectory. Both provide a tantalizing glimpse into the military strategies of a manatee nation united. It's a good time all around.

The Crow (1994)

New episode is up!

This month the manatees are checking out Brandon Lee's tragic last film, The Crow. Directed by Alex Proyas and starring Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, Bai Ling, Tony Todd, and featuring the triumphant return of Michael Wincott, the guy with the voice from Robin Hood! Discussion points include whether or not Shelley shoulda been the Crow, Sting (the wrestler, not the singer), alternate casting (Tommy Wiseau!), a spec script for a fifth sequel written by yours truly, and the practicality of pooping out bullets. It makes sense, we promise.