Podcast Summary: The Bobby Bones Show – "Movie Mike: The Best 'Mid' Childhood Movies That Would Fail Today + Movie Review: Mickey 17 + Trailer Park: Death of a Unicorn"

Release Date: March 15, 2025

I. Introduction

In this episode of Movie Mike's Movie Podcast, hosted by Brendan Patrick Hughes from Premiere Networks, Brendan delves into a nostalgic exploration of "mid" childhood movies from the 1990s to early 2000s that he believes would not succeed by today's cinematic standards. Additionally, he provides a comprehensive review of the anticipated film "Mickey 17" and previews the upcoming A24 production, "Death of a Unicorn."

II. The Best "Mid" Childhood Movies That Would Fail Today

Brendan initiates the discussion by defining "mid" movies as those average films that resonated during his childhood but might not hold up in the current movie landscape. He focuses on films released between 1991 and 2003, a period he identifies as his childhood years (ages 0 to 12).

A. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

• Overview: A Disney classic about pets embarking on a journey to reunite with their owners.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "I'm going to take you on a trip back and put you back in the '90s. Here's a clip of the VHS trailer for Homeward Bound... This movie would not exist by today's standards." ([07:10])
  • Challenges Today: Ethical concerns about leaving pets behind during relocations, which modern audiences might find distressing.

B. Wild America (1997)

• Overview: Follows three brothers on a cross-country camping trip based on a true story.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "This movie was actually based on a true story... you can't really make a movie like that anymore." ([11:45])
  • Challenges Today: Risk aversion in children's films and the shift towards more polished, franchise-based content.

C. Blank Check (1994)

• Overview: A kid receives a million-dollar blank check and goes on spending sprees.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "It had a questionable scene where the kid shares a kiss with an undercover agent... that is a no-go by now." ([19:10])
  • Challenges Today: Increased scrutiny on content appropriateness and character development.

D. Little Giants (1994)

• Overview: Misfit kids form a football team to compete against the town's elite team.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "It's so fun, so dumb, and irreverent... what the equivalent is going to be these days of a movie like this if it doesn't have success in theaters." ([25:20])
  • Challenges Today: Difficulty in gaining momentum outside theatrical success in a streaming-dominated era.

E. Air Bud (1997)

• Overview: A dog with athletic abilities plays various sports.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "A movie about a dog being able to play basketball... it wouldn't succeed by today's standards." ([31:00])
  • Challenges Today: Oversaturation of animal-centric films and higher expectations for originality.

F. Leave It to Beaver (1997)

• Overview: A film adaptation of the classic TV show, placing the Cleaver family in the '90s.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "This movie tanked at the box office, it got bad reviews. There was a period in the '90s where a lot of classic TV shows were brought back as movies..." ([33:10])
  • Challenges Today: Remakes struggle to capture the original's charm and relevance to modern audiences.

G. Heavyweights (1995)

• Overview: Kids at a weight-loss camp confront a new regime.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "Heavyweights flipped the script on chunky kids being the cool kids... ahead of its time in the '90s." ([37:50])
  • Challenges Today: Stereotyping and representation have evolved, making such portrayals less acceptable.

H. House Arrest (1996)

• Overview: Siblings lock their parents in the basement to prevent a divorce.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "A movie with a dumb premise, but it also has heart... just wouldn't succeed today." ([43:20])
  • Challenges Today: Absurd premises require stronger narrative depth to resonate with audiences.

I. Office Space (1999)

• Overview: A satirical take on corporate life and office culture.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "A comedy like Office Space... we just don't have the attention span for a movie like Office Space with its dry comedy and workplace humor." ([50:00])
  • Challenges Today: Shift towards fast-paced, short-form content over traditional comedies.

J. Saving Silverman (2001)

• Overview: Friends try to prevent one of them from making a bad marriage.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "A review from 2001 called it a 'cinematic piece of crap,' but I love this movie... it has cult classic status now." ([28:05])
  • Challenges Today: Modern audiences might be less forgiving of humor and themes perceived as outdated or offensive.

K. Dude, Where's My Car (2000)

• Overview: Two friends embark on a quest to find their missing car.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "Such a bizarre movie that would not succeed today... I don't partake in the recreational activities that would probably enhance this movie." ([36:50])
  • Challenges Today: Niche humor and outlandish plots might not translate well in a highly competitive streaming environment.

L. Super Troopers (2001)

• Overview: A group of quirky state troopers engage in various antics.
• Brendan's Insight:
  • "A movie that became a cult classic through DVD sales... it sparked a cinematic universe for the Broken Lizard group." ([40:15])
  • Challenges Today: Reliance on physical media for cult status is less feasible in a streaming-centric market.

M. Honorable Mentions

• Additional Movies Discussed: Baby's Stay Out, Beethoven, Dennis the Menace, Mouse Hunt, Richie Rich, Dudley Do-Right, Ernest Scared Stupid.

Notable Quote:

• "Sometimes, can we just have fun while watching a movie?" ([46:00])

III. Movie Review: Mickey 17

Brendan transitions into his review of "Mickey 17," a highly anticipated film directed by Bong Joon Ho and starring Robert Pattinson.

A. Overview of the Movie

• Plot: Set in 2054, Robert Pattinson plays Mickey, an expendable who undergoes repeated experiments leading to multiple reincarnations with preserved memories.
• Themes: Explores human cloning, consciousness, and the moral dilemmas of immortality.

B. Brendan's Analysis

• "Robert Pattinson doesn't get enough credit for how good of a character actor he is... his performance in Mickey 17 sounds unlike any other character he has ever done before." ([28:30])
• Direction and World-Building:
  • "Bong Joon Ho is really great at building worlds... it still feels very original to me." ([32:00])
  • Compared to Bong's previous works like "Parasite," "Okja," and "Snowpiercer," Brendan appreciates the unique blend of sci-fi elements with deep moral questions.
• Cinematography and Storytelling:
  • "I had to warm up to this story because it felt a lot different than what I was expecting... once I was in, I was totally in." ([43:50])
  • Highlights the film's pacing and complex narrative structure, requiring viewers to engage deeply to appreciate the unfolding story.

C. Standout Elements

• Character Development:
  • "He still has to feel the pain of dying even though his memories are intact." ([50:02])
• Social Commentary:
  • "Makes a statement on how people can take over a planet... and the morality of human cloning." ([52:15])
• Performance:
  • "Mark Ruffalo's character is a very eccentric one... used to get a message across." ([58:30])

D. Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Mickey17 was worth the almost two-year wait to finally see this in theaters." ([28:35])
• "Robert Pattinson gives a really great performance... an entirely different look." ([47:20])
• "I would say Mickie 17 is in my top five now." ([49:10])

E. Conclusion of Review Brendan concludes that while "Mickey 17" may struggle at the box office due to its high budget and niche appeal, its intricate storytelling and strong performances make it a standout film in Bong Joon Ho's repertoire.

IV. Trailer Park: Death of a Unicorn

Brendan previews "Death of a Unicorn," an upcoming A24 film starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega.

A. Overview of the Movie

• Plot: Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega play a father-daughter duo who accidentally kill a unicorn, discovering its magical healing powers, which draws the attention of corrupt entities.
• Themes: Explores exploitation of mythical creatures, immortality, and ethical dilemmas surrounding powerful entities.

B. Brendan's Analysis

• "Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega are going to try and stop the unicorn from being harvested for parts." ([60:10])
• Comparisons:
  • "Feels like Jurassic Park without the dinosaurs... replacing them with a unicorn." ([61:25])
  • Draws parallels to "Harry Potter" with the mythical creature aspect and moral imperatives depicted.
• Director's Vision:
  • "A24 is right there at the top of the list when it comes to original ideas and interesting concepts." ([64:00])
  • Emphasizes A24's reputation for producing unique and thought-provoking films.

C. Standout Elements

• Visuals and Creature Design:
  • "I can't wait to see the full reveal of the unicorn... it has moments that feel very much like the T. Rex in Jurassic Park." ([62:45])
• Moral Commentary:
  • "If you have something nice like a unicorn, you're going to have people who want to exploit it." ([65:10])
  • Discusses real-world parallels such as endangered species and human exploitation.

D. Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "This is why we can't have nice things... if there were actual unicorns, we would try to harvest their parts." ([62:30])
• "A lot of people ripped that [Beetlejuice] movie to shreds, but I enjoyed it." ([66:00])

E. Conclusion of Preview Brendan expresses excitement for "Death of a Unicorn," anticipating it to be a fresh addition to A24's diverse filmography, blending horror and comedy with meaningful social commentary.

V. Conclusion

Brendan wraps up the episode by reflecting on listener interactions and the evolution of movie consumption from physical media to streaming. He underscores the importance of nostalgic mid-tier movies and their impact on his cinematic tastes. Brendan encourages listeners to explore both classic and contemporary films, emphasizing the joy of discovering movies with heart and originality.

Final Notable Quote:

• "Go out and watch good movies and I will talk to you later." ([66:39])

VI. Additional Highlights

• Shoutouts and Listener Comments:

  • Brendan acknowledges comments from listeners like Disco Duck and Gray Street Glass, showcasing the podcast's interactive community.

• Reflections on Modern Cinema:

  • "Studios don't want to take risks on dumb ideas anymore... audiences have become harsher." ([44:50])
  • Discusses the shift in the film industry's risk appetite and audience expectations.

Overall Summary

This episode of Movie Mike's Movie Podcast offers a heartfelt and insightful journey through nostalgic mid-tier childhood films, evaluating their relevance and potential shortcomings in today's cinematic landscape. Brendan's passionate reviews of "Mickey 17" and "Death of a Unicorn" provide listeners with thoughtful analysis and anticipation for future releases. Through engaging storytelling and personal anecdotes, Brendan bridges the gap between past and present, celebrating the enduring impact of movies that once filled the quiet moments of childhood.