Get ready, film fans (and listeners in Reykjavik!), for the latest episode of the Four Takes Movie Podcast with Martin, Luke, David, and Adam! This time, we're strapping in for a deep dive into Stanley Kubrick's wild 1964 masterpiece, Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.

While some might call it an "important film" (and maybe not pure non-stop laughs), trust us, this black comedy and political satire is absolutely packed with "funny points" and chillingly absurd realities. We tackle the central, terrifying premise: the utter ridiculousness of nuclear war and how it's pretty much "over if it happens".

What if a general just went "absolutely mental"? Totally feasible! We compare nuclear doomsday protocols, from the American "nuclear football" and "nuclear triad" (designed so "no one delivery system can be ever take it out") to the uniquely secretive British nuclear deterrent based on just four submarines "in the water somewhere".

Prepare for jaw drops as we discuss how just one of these subs with its Trident missiles can "destroy any country in the world", the frankly baffling idea of submarines firing if they don't hear the BBC broadcast, and the immense burden on a captain facing a decision based on a cryptic letter from the current Prime Minister.

It's so wild, it might just make you shout "Yeeha!". Join us for analysis, laughs, and perhaps a touch of existential dread!

This week on the "Four Takes Podcast," Martin, David, Adam, and Luke kick things off with a brief look at the upcoming 2025 film, "Warfare." Following this quick detour, the conversation shifts to a beloved classic: "The Goonies."

The team shares their thoughts and memories of the iconic adventure film, and as always give their four takes on this cinematic cultural touchstone. In a somewhat unexpected turn, they also delve into a discussion about the evolution and impact of special effects in contemporary cinema.

The icy winds of Antarctica chill the Four Takes team as they delve into Horror Film granddaddy John Carpenter's masterful paranoia-fest, "The Thing" (1982)! Fresh from a last minute viewing, the quartet – Martin, Adam, Luke and re-joining the team after last week's "gastrointestinal incident"; David, brings his unique perspective to the table. Was he more scared of the Thing or his own bathroom?

Adam, while generally averse to the horror genre, acknowledges the truly horrendous nature of the film and particularly praises the ground breaking special effects crafted by Rob Bottin. The hosts discuss the film's influence, noting similarities and inspiration drawn by other works such as Quentin Tarantino's films like The Hateful Eight and Reservoir Dogs, the X-Files episode "Ice", and the Red Dwarf episode "Polymorph", all sharing themes of isolation and mistrust in the face of a dangerous, unknown entity. The discussion touches upon the source material, including a 1938 novel and a 1950s movie that preceded it.

The podcast examines various aspects of The Thing, highlighting its direction by the acclaimed John Carpenter, known for his earlier success with Halloween. They delve into the film's visceral impact on audiences in 1982. A key point of discussion is the deliberate lack of significant character development, with characters often serving primarily to advance the plot and heighten the pervasive sense of paranoia among the isolated group. Memorable and shocking scenes are recalled, notably the infamous couch scene. The hosts also touch upon the film's ambiguous ending and the various interpretations it has generated. The conversation extends to the computer game adaptation of The Thing released in the early 2000s, as well as the 2011 prequel that details the events at the Norwegian camp. The use of practical effects in the original film is contrasted with the CGI that was overlaid on practical effects in the prequel.

The nature of the alien creature is also considered, with discussions about its possible origins involving an alien spaceship crash-landing on Earth long before the events of the film. Finally, the hosts briefly mention their next episode will focus on the 80s comedy movie, The Goonies. This episode provides a comprehensive look at The Thing, offering insights into its enduring popularity and influence within the science fiction horror genre.