Best grunt work Podcasts (2025)

1
Redbelt (2006) 2:24:44

10d 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: Don Juan Demarco (1995) 13:46

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

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

2d 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
A Dangerous Name (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 5:15

3d 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
Support Month: Damsel (2024) 2:25:32

3d 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
5 For: Reminiscence (2021) 16:25

4d 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
The Captain’s Dying Wish (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 6:02

4d 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: Money Monster (2016) 11:00

5d 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

5d 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

6d 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

6d 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

7d 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

7d 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

8d 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

8d 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

9d 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

10d 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

10d 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

11d 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

11d 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

12d 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…

1
5 For: 54 (1998) 14:07

12d ago14:07

14:07

In this week’s Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman sashay into the glittery chaos of 54with five more films that capture the highs, lows, and polyester-drenched parties of music, nightlife, and subculture. From Boogie Nights to Velvet Goldmine, we discuss the intersection of vibes, identity, and dance floors as cinematic …

1
Ep. 13: Finding Leads 2:02:05

13d ago2:02:05

2:02:05

Send us a text We start off in the bustling city of Eldoria where our crew completes their initial objective of escorting the convoy. Now, they must get to the bottom of the missing peoples quest and find Lux's contact. Support the show Don't forget to follow us on our socials for updates! Facebook/Instagram: DungeonsnGrunts Twitter: @DungeonsnGrun…

1
The Examination (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 7) 5:36

13d ago5:36

5:36

📚 Summary: Villefort steps away from the warmth of his betrothal celebration and into the cold reality of power and justice. Leaving behind the salon’s pleasantries, he assumes the role of a magistrate, preparing to interrogate the accused—Edmond Dantès. Though Villefort outwardly projects the solemnity of a man dispensing justice, his true concern…

1
5 For: The Legend of Tarzan (2016) 15:04

13d ago15:04

15:04

In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman follow The Legend of Tarzan with a grab bag of muscled vengeance, pulp nostalgia, and jungle-adjacent chaos. From Skarsgård's berserker vibes in The Northmanto Warren Beatty's color-coded midlife crisis in Dick Tracy, we celebrate films that echo the mythic, the pulpy, and the w…

1
5 For: Life or Something Like It (2002) 12:48

14d ago12:48

12:48

In this second installment of Movie Memory Machine: Five For, Landen and Truman recommend five films that pair—however weirdly—with Life or Something Like It. Whether you're here for existential questions, platinum blond archetypes, or broadcast journalist existential crises in Seattle, we’ve got a lineup that’s weird, wild, and unexpectedly sweet.…

1
A Chilling Betrothal (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 8:29

14d ago8:29

8:29

📚 Summary: As Villefort finalizes his betrothal to Renée de Saint-Méran, the conversation takes a grim turn, centering around justice, execution, and political loyalty. While Renée recoils at the cold pragmatism of the discussion, her mother, the Marquise, dismisses her concerns, reinforcing the aristocracy’s belief that duty to the monarchy outwei…

1
The Cost of Ambition (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 5:54

15d ago5:54

5:54

📚 Summary: Villefort’s family discusses the arrest of Edmond Dantès, with the marquise expressing confidence that the “guilty” party is already in custody. Villefort corrects her, insisting on the legal distinction of “accused” rather than “guilty,” but his next words betray his true intent—if the letter is found, Dantès’ fate is sealed. Renée, hor…

1
5 For: Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023) 16:49

15d ago16:49

16:49

In this first-ever installment of our weekly Movie Memory Machine mini-series, we spin off from Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre to bring you five stylish spy flicks that deliver the charm, tension, and flair Guy Ritchie's film tried to summon. From De Palma's Mission: Impossible to Hitchcock's North by Northwest, we spotlight the genre’s high poi…

1
The Weight of an Anonymous Letter (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 5:19

16d ago5:19

5:19

📚 Summary: Villefort reads aloud the damning accusation against Edmond Dantès—an anonymous letter claiming that Dantès carried secret messages between Napoleon’s exiled supporters. The accusation suggests that a letter from Murat to Napoleon and another from the “usurper” to a Bonapartist club in Paris were entrusted to Dantès during his travels. W…

1
The Executioner’s Work (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 4:29

17d ago4:29

4:29

📚 Summary: Villefort’s betrothal celebration is interrupted when a servant delivers urgent news. Excusing himself momentarily, he returns with barely concealed excitement—an apparent Bonapartist conspiracy has been discovered. His fiancée, Renée, is horrified when he casually mentions that the situation may soon require the executioner’s services, …

1
Support Month: Season 1 Needle Drops 53:41

17d ago53:41

53:41

In this chaotic, music-fueled Movie Memory Machine mini-episode, Landen puts Truman through the ultimate Season One trivia challenge: a game entirely about needle drops from the forgotten films we've watched so far. From Miley Cyrus to MC Hammer, Spoon to Social Distortion, it’s a deep dive into the best, worst, and weirdest pop songs awkwardly dro…

1
A Favor from the King (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 4:19

18d ago4:19

4:19

📚 Summary: Villefort, overwhelmed by King Louis XVIII’s praise, eagerly declares his devotion to the monarchy, fully embracing his role as a staunch royalist. His future mother-in-law, the Marquise de Saint-Méran, encourages him to prove his loyalty by prosecuting political conspirators, while Renée, his fiancée, expresses discomfort with his growi…

1
The Political Physician (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 4:31

19d ago4:31

4:31

📚 Summary: As Villefort continues his careful political maneuvering, Renée expresses her unease with his profession, lamenting that she would have preferred he be a physician rather than a magistrate. The marquis, however, frames Villefort’s role as that of a “moral and political physician,” tasked with purging Marseilles of disloyal elements. Vill…

1
The Magistrate’s Creed (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 5:00

20d ago5:00

5:00

📚 Summary: Villefort basks in the praise of his peers as they celebrate his ruthless prosecution of criminals—both civil and political. His colleagues admire his ability to condemn with words alone, noting how he destroyed a man on trial for parricide before the executioner could even act. Meanwhile, Renée, his fiancée, tentatively advocates for le…

1
The Spectacle of Justice (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 4:33

21d ago4:33

4:33

📚 Summary: As Villefort casually discusses the dangers of his position, Renée reacts in horror, realizing the full weight of his role as a royalist prosecutor. Villefort, however, treats political trials as both a duel and a performance—he prides himself on breaking his opponents with the force of his rhetoric, caring more about their fear than the…

1
The Spectacle of Justice (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 7:40

22d ago7:40

7:40

📚 Summary: As the conversation at the aristocratic gathering turns to law and order, the Marquise de Saint-Méran expresses her faith in Villefort’s ability to rid Marseilles of Bonapartist threats, believing that a king must rule with an iron hand. Villefort, however, acknowledges the limits of the law—it cannot prevent crime, only avenge it. The d…

1
The Fear of Napoleon’s Return (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 6:17

23d ago6:17

6:17

📚 Summary: At the Saint-Méran gathering, royalists discuss the lingering threat of Napoleon’s exile in Elba, worried that his proximity fuels Bonapartist hopes. Villefort acknowledges the rising violence between royalists and Napoleonic officers in Marseilles, while Comte de Salvieux confirms that the Holy Alliance plans to relocate Napoleon to Sai…

1
The Price of Loyalty (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 4:48

24d ago4:48

4:48

📚 Summary: As the royalist Saint-Méran family welcomes Villefort into their fold, they offer him a conditional “forgiveness” for his father’s revolutionary past—on the condition that he prove his loyalty to the monarchy through relentless prosecution of political dissenters. The Marquise, despite claiming to forget the past, makes it clear that Vil…

1
Mini-Transmission: Sahara 55:49

24d ago55:49

55:49

In this Movie Memory Machine mini-episode, we follow our full-length Sahara discussion with even more mayhem: digressions, discoveries, and one deeply haunted dog name. Landon and Truman spiral into the mind of Clive Cussler as they unpack his lesser-known children’s books (The Adventures of Vin Fiz and Hot Sooty!), question Steve Zahn’s alleged ca…

1
The Name That Must Be Forgotten (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 5:04

25d ago5:04

5:04

📚 Summary: As tensions simmer at the aristocratic wedding feast, Villefort finds himself confronted with the unavoidable weight of his family history. The Marquise de Saint-Méran reminds him that while both their families suffered during the Reign of Terror, they did so for opposing reasons—hers for loyalty to the Bourbons, his for revolution. Vill…

1
The Weight of Bloodlines (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 6:12

26d ago6:12

6:12

📚 Summary: Villefort carefully navigates the treacherous political landscape of post-revolutionary France, drawing a sharp distinction between Robespierre’s destructive equality and Napoleon’s elevating meritocracy. While he aligns himself with monarchy, his words betray a more pragmatic stance—one that does not blindly dismiss Napoleon’s impact. H…

1
The Political Divide at the Wedding Table (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 5:58

27d ago5:58

5:58

📚 Summary: As conversation at the aristocratic wedding turns political, M. de Villefort momentarily disengages, more preoccupied with his new bride than the heated royalist rhetoric. The Marquise de Saint-Méran, embodying the staunch loyalty of the old aristocracy, insists that Bonapartists lacked the sincerity and devotion of the royalists. Villef…

1
The Bourbon Revival (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 6:54

28d ago6:54

6:54

📚 Summary: As aristocrats and royalist officers celebrate a wedding in Marseille’s noble quarter, their conversation turns to politics, war, and the downfall of Napoleon. They do not simply rejoice over the exile of one man but over the defeat of the entire Napoleonic system, which they see as a stain on France. The Marquis de Saint-Méran, a devote…

1
The Aristocrats’ Feast (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 6) 6:15

29d ago6:15

6:15

📚 Summary: While Dantès’ wedding feast unfolds among sailors and working-class guests, another, far grander celebration takes place in the aristocratic heart of Marseille. This second wedding banquet is filled with magistrates, royalist officers, and nobles—many of whom had lost power under Napoleon but regained status after his exile. Here, the co…

1
The Opportunist Takes Command (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 5) 6:40

1M ago6:40

6:40

📚 Summary: As M. Morrel inquires about Danglars' relationship with Dantès, he unknowingly walks into the final stage of Danglars’ plan. Dantès, despite acknowledging past tensions, had no intention of removing Danglars from his position, showing his fairness and integrity. However, Danglars, ever the opportunist, twists the situation to his advanta…

1
Sahara (2005) 3:23:54

1M ago3:23:54

3:23:54

In the season finale of Movie Memory Machine, we dig deep into Sahara (2005)—a film that cost a fortune, confused genres, and kicked off exactly zero franchises. Starring Matthew McConaughey as treasure hunter Dirk Pitt, Sahara is the kind of action-adventure that wants to be Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Blood Diamond all at once. We dive into th…

1
A Dangerous Gamble (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 5) 4:09

1M ago4:09

4:09

📚 Summary: As M. Morrel prepares to plead Dantès’ case to M. de Villefort, the ambitious royalist prosecutor, Danglars works to ensure that no voices rise in Edmond’s defense. Morrel, ever hopeful, believes that Villefort—despite his politics—may be persuaded to act justly. Danglars, however, sows doubt, subtly reminding Morrel of his own precariou…

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