The Nightly – “Paddington in Prison & Other January Classics”
Podcast by: Hatch Podcasts
Hosts: Matt & Kristen
Date: January 28, 2026

Episode Overview

In this cozy, pop culture-infused bedtime episode, Matt and Kristen sink into “dump month” (aka January)—the period Hollywood notoriously reserves for its least-hopeful releases. They explore why these “bad movie” months are unfairly maligned, share their love of so-called January classics, and debate the highs, lows, and downright weird premises of some memorable releases. The conversation wanders through their own quirky rituals, with friendly banter about haircuts, cultural greetings, and the joys of finding comfort in unexpected places—including the world’s most wholesome bear serving hard time.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Not-So-Dangerous Greetings and Goodbyes

• [00:34-02:21] Kristen and Matt swap jokes about international greetings, misunderstandings around phrases (the ominous “Minnesota goodbye”), and the lingering social etiquette in parting rituals.
  • “I’ll teach you the Minnesota goodbye… it drags out forever. And then maybe you feel a little violent at the end because you really wanted to just end this conversation an hour ago.” – Kristen [01:34]
• Matt recounts his devotion to his long-time barber—proof that certain rituals and relationships become curiously important for comfort.
  • “I think I’ve had the same guy for maybe like eight or nine years now, and I’ve cheated on him once because he wasn’t around. And I felt like I had some very difficult questions to answer when I came back.” – Matt [02:49]

Hairdressers, Spa Days, & Listener Participation

• The barbershop is held up as a “male spa day”: football, beer, and banter included.
  • “Some very confusing feelings when there’s another man running his fingers through your hair and you’ve got a beer and watching the football. I’ve never been happier.” – Matt [04:24]
• Listeners are encouraged to send in life or sleep questions and voice memos saying “good night,” possibly to be featured on-air.
  • “We would love you out there to record a voice memo of you saying good night… say goodnight to somebody you’re thinking about from time to time.” – Kristen [05:24]

What is “Dump Month”?

• [06:15-08:35] Kristen introduces “dump month” — January, when studios quietly release movies considered unlikely to win awards or earn box office acclaim.
  • “It’s a time of year legendary for bad movies. But… I love a lot of the movies that have come out during dump month over the years.” – Kristen [07:07]
• Matt sympathizes with filmmakers stuck with a January release and jokes about not tracking release dates, especially in the streaming era.

Memorable Movies of Dump Month

Paddington 2

• [08:37-11:17] Kristen raves about Paddington 2 (“Paddington in jail”), praising its warmth and caliber cast, revealing that the beloved bear finds himself incarcerated.
  • “They are such wholesome, sweet movies, but somehow they get the most, you know, Oscar caliber actors… all these movies just have Oscar winners left and right and a great sense of humor, and they always make me maybe cry a little bit at the end.” – Kristen [09:22]
  • “Sorry, what?…Did Paddington get done for tax fraud in the first film? Now he’s the leader of a wing in Paddington 2.” – Matt [09:51]
  • The discussion highlights the oddity and delight of a children’s movie about a bear thriving in a prison setting, with humor about “the best prison in the world.”
  • "It's just so sweet and wholesome, being, you know, out of sorts, being the misfit, feeling unsafe and then building community and making good friends and making the prison a better place." – Kristen [10:24]

Taken (2009)

• [11:17-13:29] Liam Neeson’s vigilante dad classic is another January standout. Both hosts enjoy its action and Neeson’s late-career reinvention.
  • “Do not mess with his daughter or you will come to regret it. That’s pretty much the whole plot of Taken.” – Kristen [11:48]
  • Matt shares a bizarre takeaway: “Like I still know how to say sugar in Albanian because of that film.” [12:36]
  • The film’s “educational” value is teased: “This is so great because I just think of Taken as entertainment, but clearly it’s also an educational film for all of you out there.” – Kristen [13:17]

M3GAN (2022)

• [13:29-15:55] The hosts move to a modern sci-fi horror comedy about a sentient, possibly homicidal robot doll. Kristen argues it has the spirit of Black Mirror—smart, campy, and self-aware.
  • “Is it really so bad that she loves the child and just will protect the child against anybody, including their own family members? Is that so wrong? Maybe Megan’s not such a bad robot. Or maybe she is.” – Kristen [14:02]
  • They envision a crossover: “Paddington versus Megan… get that made.” – Matt [14:37]
  • Kristen enjoys the movie’s camp and humor, remarking: “I think M3gan’s just a funny movie. I find it pretty hilarious.” [15:13]

Get Out (2017)

• [15:58-17:56] Jordan Peele’s social horror classic surprisingly launched in “dump month” and would go on to win an Oscar.
  • “Get Out… it’s a movie with great social critique, with some great creepiness, some great scares, and also some good laughs as well. Highly recommend.” – Kristen [16:17]
  • The hosts discuss Peele’s unexpected transition from sketch comedy star to acclaimed director.

Snatch (2001)

• [17:56-20:09] Matt discovers one of his all-time favorites is technically a Dump Month movie. The hosts recall the film’s sharp style, cast, and Guy Ritchie’s signature wit.
  • “It’s got everything. Snatch… I think it’s probably one of those… like a more of a cult hit than a critical hit, and yet it has so much talent in it, and it’s so fun.” – Kristen [18:54]
  • “Sort of like a cartoon. It’s really over the top and silly. It’s a real Guy Ritchie, like, dark comedy. Yes. It’s just great.” – Matt [19:59]

Other January Surprises

• Kristen wraps up with a rapid-fire list of other notable January releases:
  • Waiting for Guffman (1997), Tremors (1990), original Paddington, MAS*H (1970), Bad Boys for Life, Silence of the Lambs, Before Sunrise, Dr. Strangelove.
  • “Even though a lot of folks out there consider January the worst of all movie times, I’m just saying it’s not… And even if the January movies you see really are just crap, they’re still fun sometimes.” – Kristen [20:16]
  • Matt reminds listeners: “And you never know, you might end up watching the next Silence of the Lambs. And then you can tell everybody that you saw it before it was big.” [21:03]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Some very confusing feelings when there’s another man running his fingers through your hair and you’ve got a beer and watching the football. I’ve never been happier.” – Matt [04:24]
• “I love a lot of the movies that have come out during dump month over the years.” – Kristen [07:07]
• “Sorry, what? Paddington got done for tax fraud in the first film? Now he’s the leader of a wing in Paddington 2.” – Matt [09:51]
• “This is so great because I just think of Taken as entertainment, but clearly it’s also an educational film for all of you out there.” – Kristen [13:17]
• “Paddington versus Megan… get that made.” – Matt [14:37]
• “Even if the January movies you see really are just crap, they’re still fun sometimes.” – Kristen [20:16]
• “And you never know, you might end up watching the next Silence of the Lambs. And then you can tell everybody that you saw it before it was big.” – Matt [21:03]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:34] – Fun with greetings / “Minnesota Goodbye”
• [02:21] – Matt’s barbershop loyalty and the comfort of rituals
• [04:44] – Listeners invited to send questions and goodnight memos
• [06:15] – Introduction to “Dump Month”
• [08:37] – Paddington 2: The bear behind bars
• [11:17] – Taken: Liam Neeson’s revenge
• [13:29] – M3GAN: Child-protecting AI gone wild
• [15:58] – Get Out: Social horror breaks the dump month mold
• [17:56] – Snatch: Cult classic origins
• [20:15] – Honorable mentions rapid-fire
• [21:29] – Wind-down and goodnight

Tone & Final Thoughts

Relaxed, witty, and gently nostalgic, this episode champions finding comfort and joy in low expectations—whether from a dump month movie or a routine haircut. Kristen and Matt’s playful banter celebrates pop-culture oddities while encouraging listeners to see January in a new light. It’s proof that sometimes, the movies meant to be forgettable are the ones you remember most fondly.

Good night, and enjoy your next “bad” movie. Cheerio!