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.

Welcome to... (dramatic pause, followed by the sound of a kazoo) ... The inaugural "Four Takes Movie Podcast." where four life-long friends and amateur film enthusiasts (they emphasize they are not experts) embark on a mission to dissect the cinematic masterpiece that is 1999's "The Matrix."

Through this series of podcasts, they will discuss films they love, hate, or feel indifferent about in a light-hearted, humorous, and sometimes insightful manner. So, listeners are invited to tune in to "Four Takes Movie Podcast," where it is proven that even a movie about bending reality can't be as bizarre as their conversations. So subscribe and come along for the ride!

The team begin by sharing their first impressions of seeing The Matrix in the cinema in 1999, noting that it was released the same year as Star Wars: The Phantom Menace . Despite not having significant initial hype, it became a sleeper hit, supported by a considerable $70 million budget for the time . They discuss the directors, the Wachowskis (initially known as the Wachowski Brothers), and how their earlier movie Bound, starring Jennifer Tilly and the actor who played Cipher, helped them secure the opportunity to direct The Matrix .

The conversation delves into their life-changing reactions to their first viewing of The Matrix, particularly the ground breaking bullet time visual effects . They explore various themes present in the movie, ranging from interpretations of religion and theology to mythology and philosophy. The hosts touch upon the idea of a Messiah figure within the narrative. There is a general consensus that the first movie was the best, with the subsequent sequels not reaching the same level of impact.

The casting is praised, with particular attention paid to Keanu Reeves' portrayal of Neo as a relatable everyman. The podcast mentions that actors such as Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio were also considered for the role. The character of Morpheus, played by Laurence Fishburne, is discussed in terms of his authority and role as a mentor. His name is noted to derive from ancient Greek mythology, where Morpheus is the god of dreams, fitting the nature of the Matrix. It is also mentioned that Fishburne was advised to base his performance on a character from Neil Gaiman's Sandman.

An interesting point is raised about the initial concept for the character Switch to present as male in the real world and female in the Matrix, reflecting themes of gender identity that the Wachowskis later explored in projects like Sense8 and Cloud Atlas . The iconic red pill and blue pill scene is also briefly mentioned.

The hosts touch upon technical aspects, including Neo's Microsoft ergonomic keyboard, and a surprising fact that the Matrix code was allegedly based on a sushi menu . They fondly recall the extensive DVD extras that accompanied The Matrix, such as the documentary The Matrix Revisited . Anecdotes about injuries on set and Keanu Reeves' generosity towards the crew are shared.

Towards the end of the movie discussion, each host shares their favourite movie moments and least favourite movie moments from The Matrix, offering personal insights into the film's impact. The discussion briefly touches on the body horror element of the bug removal scene. The episode concludes with a recommendation to watch The Matrix, highlighting its status as a fantastic film.