Episodes
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Forgotten Films - 1985
1985 is here and we've got a listener recommendation and an awards contender, fished out from the sofa of 1980s cinema, for reappraisal. First up, Alex has picked Wolfgang Peterson's space parable Enemy Mine, as requested by a number of listeners. A purer shot of 80s nostalgia there may not be…
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We Need to Talk About Oscars
A super-brief one this week, as Ben recovers from lurgee - just long enough to have a mini-moan about the Oscars from his hotel room, before plugging the recent cross-over with Australia's Reel Chat podcast. Music is "80s" by David Szesztay; contact us at [email protected]
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Forgotten Films - 1983
As the march through the 1980s continues, the Arniethology boys hit their first bump, as Alex makes a blind pick. Can anything good come from the obscure alien conspiracy film, Wavelength? Or is it down to Ben, with Tony Scott's The Hunger, to save the podcast from the scrapheap of forgotten…
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Preview of 2019 & A Simple Favour
January blues getting you down? Ben's here to give you reasons to be cheerful, 1, 2, 3: 1) There are lots of films coming out in 2019 to be excited for! Here are a few of them. 2) They still churn out Die Hard remakes - such as Final Score AKA Die Hard in a Football Stadium - and Ben has seen it,...
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Forgotten Films - 1982
A truly outstanding year for genre films causes Alex and Ben to look a little bit harder for a couple of gems that aren't held up as highly as the classics that came out in 1982. Alex has chosen the sword and sorcery franchise-starter The Beastmaster, causing Ben to reveal perhaps his earliest…
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Commies, Cyborgs and Hawkmen
Ben's back to tell you about an Oscar movie you can probably skip and a b-movie you probably shouldn't. Then there's music - a real song with words and production values and everything - courtesy of our spoiler sounds' creator and his band, Hawkmen Dive. Intro and incidental music is "80s" by…
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Forgotten Films - 1981
The forgotten gems of the 80s are in full swing now and Alex and Ben have a couple of beauties for you this week. Once Ben tries pushing another Walter Hill film, its down to business with the genuinely shocking and surprisingly relevant paranormal thriller, The Entity. Then its Alex's turn, by…
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2018 - A Brief Review
Ben goes it alone for the first in a series of mini episodes, looking at some of the other forgotten films from 1980 that there wasn't time to talk about, including the Oscar contenders that year. Then its time for a discussion of the new format and feedback from listeners, before getting into a...
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Forgotten Films - 1980
And so it begins... The first year of the 1980s kicks off with two very different films, as Ben brings time-travel romcom-thriller Time After Time to the table, before Alex serves up William Peter Blatty's The Ninth Configuration. Everything is spoiler-free (pretty much) up to the 1-hour mark.…
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Spoiler Klaxons - A Plea
We'll get to starting the discussion proper next week - promise - but for now, we have a couple of favours to ask. Take a listen. You - yes, you! - could be a part of Arniethology history. Music is "80s" by David Szesztay.
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Forgotten Films - The Beginning
We're back! It's time to kick off the third season of The Arniethology presents... and this time Alex and Ben are delving into lost treasures - and deservedly lost turds - in the annals of movies from 1980-2010. In this inaugural episode, they try to determine which criteria guide what is…
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Season 3 - Announcement Teaser
Ben's here to update you on where (and when) the Arniethology is going next. Take a listen - we need your input.
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Mission: Impossible - Fallout (Spoilers)
Its part two of the Mission: Impossible - Fallout discussion and this time Ben and Alex are getting into spoilers. All the major reveals, action scenes and character beats are fair game, along with regular features like the classic Cruise staples and Its Your Numbers.
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Mission: Impossible - Fallout (Spoiler-free)
In part one of their discussion of the latest in the Mission: Impossible franchise, Alex and Ben share their expectations over dinner and their immediate reactions after seeing the film. Part two will get into the nitty gritty, so do not be afeared - there are no spoilers within. Apologies to...
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Killing Gunther (2017)
We're back with a look at Arnie's latest entry, the long-delayed action comedy Killing Gunther. Ben and Alex get into all the usual stuff - is it an Arnie film if he's only in it for 20 minutes, what does it say about his career now he's doing straight to VOD films, does he get rip out anyone's...
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CruiseCast Finale - The Tom Ten
The results are here - the most listened-to episodes, the biggest box office draws and, of course, the top 10 Tom Cruise films as voted for by you. We're also giving away awards for Best Kiss, Best Shirtlessness, Best Running and many more before finally revealing what will be the focus of season...
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Bonus: Going Clear - Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015)
The polls are closed, the votes have been counted. While you await the results, Alex and Ben discuss Alex Gibney's controversial scientology documentary and Tom Cruise's appearance in it.
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American Made (2017)
Its the final film for the CruiseCast and, after the disappointment of The Mummy, Alex and Ben are hoping to go out on a high. Which is appropriate, as Tom Cruise is peddling enough coke to get the entirety of America high. Right at the end of the run, does this shift in gear for the Cruiser have…
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The Mummy (2017)
Our penultimate film (for now) sees Cruise attempt to kick-off another franchise, this time in the realm of Gods and Monsters. Alex and Ben are along for the ride and have some concerns... You have a week to vote for your favourite Tom Cruise films, so either send a list to...
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Jack Reacher - Never Go Back (2016)
As the CruiseCast begins to wrap itself up, we make the mistake of ignoring Jack Reacher's advice to Never Go Back, by revisiting the character in his second screen appearance. Christopher McQuarrie is out; Ed 'Last Samurai' Zwick is in and Ben and Alex are joined by a guest and "Reacher teacher"...
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Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)
There's one big question on the lips of Alex and Ben as they watch Rogue Nation - can it compete with, or perhaps top, Ghost Protocol to become the highest ranked Mission film to date? Chris 'Jack Reacher' McQuarrie is writing and directing, so surely it has a chance. There are many things to...
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Edge of Tomorrow (AKA Live. Die. Repeat) (2014)
Tom Cruise follows up Oblivion by fighting yet more aliens in the significantly more entertaining Edge of Tomorrow (also known as Live. Die. Repeat.). This time, he's got a little Groundhog Day action going on and we get to see what Cruise as a coward looks like, more than ably assisted by Emily...
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Oblivion (2013)
Its sci-fi time once more, as Ben and Alex head into the barren futurescapes of Oblivion. There's no denying the visual beauty of the film, but is there anything under the surface, or is it an exercise in style over substance? Regardless, the implications for the Cruisiverse are vast. If you...
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Jack Reacher (2012)
As we near the end of the run of available films, we start a new franchise as Tom Cruise steps into the rather large shoes of Lee Child's quiet loner, Jack Reacher. Christopher 'Valkyrie' McQuarrie is in the driving seat and receives nothing but praise from Alex and Ben for his tough dialogue,...
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Rock of Ages (2012)
Ben and Alex really test the Arniethology brand to the limits - watching every single film of an actor never felt so painful, well, maybe once before... have they finally found Tom Cruise's "Jingle All the Way"? Alex - who historically dislikes musicals - is finally shown the light by Ben. (Still...
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Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
Alex and Ben get deep into the biggest, craziest mission yet with Brad Bird's live-action directorial debut, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. We're going in-depth with this one, to discuss the major set-pieces and character turns in order and that means we're getting extra spoilery as we go....
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The Cruisiverse so far (1981-2010)
As a little end of year treat (?), we've compiled all the Cruisiverse entries to date, from Endless Love through to Knight and Day. Whether you're up to date, totally lost, or just want to reflect on the journey we've been on so far, this is 90 minutes of our most ridiculous, tenuous…
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Knight and Day (2010)
Alex and Ben welcome Cameron Diaz back into the fold, as Tom Cruise tackles a more lighthearted guns-and-espionage tale than we're used to from him. They've teamed up with the often great James Mangold for Knight and Day and whatever you think that title means, you're wrong. Unless you think it...
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Valkyrie (2008)
Cruise is off time-travelling again and this time it’s war, as Alex and Ben discuss Bryan Singer’s Hitler assassination conspiracy thriller, Valkyrie. Cruise’s first (but not last) collaboration with screenwriter extraordinaire Chris McQuarrie, this presents him with another opportunity to play…
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Tropic Thunder (2008)
Ben, Alex and guests spend far too much time talking about Robert Downey Jr., as we get down to taking in Ben Stiller's semi-satirical Hollywood farce, Tropic Thunder. We're embracing gossip this week and it's time to talk about the strangest period of Cruise's career to date - and what better...
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Lions for Lambs (2007)
What do Police Academy, The Simpsons, The Office and the war on terror have in common? If you guessed that they all get passing mentions in this episode, you guessed right. We can't explain it, but for such a serious film, we got the giggles discussing this film and we ran with it. In talking…
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Mission: Impossible III (2006)
Ethan Hunt comes back into the fray as Alex and Ben decide whether this is a step up or step down from the previous entries in the series. This one is jam-packed with a variety of star performers, sweet one-liners, action set-pieces, running, tech, gadgets, romance, lip-reading, more running,...
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War of the Worlds (2005)
Spielberg is back in the director's chair, taking on epic alien invasion as Ben and Alex get into Cruise's version of the classic sci-fi War of the Worlds. Its place in the pantheon of HG Wells adaptations as well as how it stacks up against other grand-scale disaster movies is all weighed up,...
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Collateral (2004)
Its hitman vs cab driver as Ben and Alex go into the night with Michael Mann's gritty psycho-thriller Collateral. Cruise takes on villainy (or does he?) for only the second time, Foxx delivers his star-making turn and Jada Pinkett-Smith adds class to a solid cast, while the script is on a…
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The Last Samurai (2003)
As Alex and Ben - and Future Alex and Hightron - try to figure how Cruise can leap from the near future to 2 centuries earlier, they get into a discussion that takes in historical verisimilitude in cinema, race, class and colonialism. Such is life when you're this deep into the Cruisiverse and…
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Minority Report & Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
As a way of saying thanks to the fans - and because there really isn't any reason to spend a whole episode talking about Goldmember - we've got a double feature for you this week. First up, the amuse-bouche is a quick peek at Cruise's 'sneeze and you'll miss it' cameo in Austin Powers' third...
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Vanilla Sky (2001)
Balerdi boys unite once again as we welcome back Alex's brother Andrew - he of the epic T3 discussion - to discuss one of his favourite Tom Cruise outings, Cameron Crowe's Vanilla Sky. As well as all the regular features and foolishness you've come to expect, we get into comparisons with…
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Mission: Impossible II (2000)
After a couple of more introspective entries from Cruise, Mission: Impossible II feels like a South American soccer match - high-kickin' and low-scorin'. As is becoming tradition when Alex and Ben aren't so hot on a film, they've invited a guest to offer a slightly more positive opinion, so Rob...
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Magnolia (1999)
As Ben and Alex tackle the sprawling, emotional epic that is Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia, we have to tackle not only one of the finest films that Cruise has ever appeared in, but arguably his finest achievement as an actor. Amidst a sea of incredible actors, listen as we endeavour to focus on...
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Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Its the third and final Cruise-Kidman collaboration as Alex and Ben tackle the last film by cinematic genius Stanley Kubrick. Sex, dreams, fantasy, lies and allegory all come in to play as they try to pick apart exactly what this rich, odd, perplexing and frustrating film actually means. And if...
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Jerry Maguire (1996)
Alex. Ben. Cruise. Zellweger. Gooding Jr. Hunt. Crowe. Sports. Humour. Romcom? Lines. Classics. Cruisiverse. Listen. Like. Share.
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Mission: Impossible (1996)
Alex and Ben embrace the arrival of Tom Cruise: Action Star as he dons the Ethan Hunt persona for the first time and kicks off his most successful franchise to date - both commercially and personally. There's no room for ambiguity here - this is a love fest as De Palma's slick direction is…
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BONUS CRUISE - American Made (2017)
Tom Cruise's latest team up with Doug Liman, American Made, is in cinemas and Ben's been to see it. This is his brief, immediate reaction to it - free of spoilers and in stereo.
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BONUS ARNIE - T2 3D (2017)
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of surviving judgment day, Alex and Ben have taken a special trip to the cinema to see the new, remastered, re-released, 3D-ified, 4K print of James Cameron's 1991 classic - and official Arniethology number 1 Arnie film of all time - Terminator 2: Judgment Day....
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Interview with the Vampire (1994)
The Cruisiverse is broken. Can Alex and Ben repair it? Neil Jordan's stylised Gothic drama, Interview with the Vampire, doesn't hit the usual Tom Cruise marks and so provides a quandary in assessing it against the star's other films and roles. Simultaneously, Ben and Alex struggle to agree about...
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The Firm (1993)
Alex and Ben reveal whether they're Grisham enthusiasts as Tom Cruise slips into legal mode again with the 1993 surprise smash hit, The Firm. Alex gets to wax lyrical about Sydney Pollack and Holly Hunter, Ben gets to worship Gene Hackman, the Cruisiverse starts to pull itself together now that…
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A Few Good Men (1992)
Alex and Ben. A director at the end of a remarkable run. A movie star entering the peak of his powers. A legendary writer's first Hollywood screenplay. An immaculate cast firing on all cylinders. That speech from Jack Nicholson. What more could you want? How about lines, classics, the…
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Far and Away (1992)
As Alex and Ben are joined by a guest to discuss Ron Howard's romantic 'epic' Far and Away, we take a trip back to 19th century Ireland and Boston to watch the budding romance of Cruise and Kidman blossom. While the quality of accents varies, so does the tone of the film, making for an uneven…
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Days of Thunder (1990)
An attempt to follow up the glory of our Top Gun episode: A returning guest from last season a Tony Scott/Tom Cruise team up and basically all the same beats as Top Gun. Ben & Alex are joined by former superfan Rob Marland to discuss the merits or otherwise of the NASCAR rehash of Top Gun, but...
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Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
As Tom Cruise receives his first Oscar nomination for playing Vietnam war veteran Ron Kovic - under the tutelage of conspiracist supreme Oliver Stone - Ben and Alex seek to answer the following questions: - How does Cruise's performance hold up? - How does this deeply dark and upsetting film rank...