Best Michael Denniston Podcasts (2025)

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The Martian (2015) 29:10

Play Pause

21m ago29:10

29:10

The Third Part in our Failures in Teamwork Trilogy As we approach the tenth anniversary of the second time Matt Damon was left stranded on a planet (one host approves) we debate man's will to live in isolation for years if it means that Jessica Chastain will eventually save him. Not much of a debate! So instead we discuss (though not at such great …

1
Michael Hart 48:53

2M ago48:53

48:53

The podcast warmly welcomes Michael Hart, a member of the illustrious Hart family of the Buller. Michael tells tales of his early life in Westport, playing rugby and rugby league, boxing and more. We get an amazing account of tunnel boring in North Sydney to playing international league for the Irish Wolfhounds. Towards the latter part of the episo…

1
Ray Chandler 26:13

2M ago26:13

26:13

The podcast welcomes Ray Chandler. A great bloke and native Coaster, born in Hokitika and raised in Reefton Ray has some great tales. Some are not for the faint hearted and include a truck loving duck with sore feet, an Englishman's interesting encounter with an eel and a Danish Aboriginal. I kid you not. Enjoy! Click here to send me a message! I w…

1
Moira Lockington KSM 47:37

2M ago47:37

47:37

The podcast is back in Reefton and talking to the wonderful Moira Lockington KSM. Moira is an incredibly community minded woman who has contributed massively to the community right throughout her life. Presented with the Kings Service Medal in the 2025 honours list Moira is a worthy recipient. Moira tells tales of her childhood and her life in Reef…

1
David Baird 33:50

2M ago33:50

33:50

The podcast warmly welcomes Buller sporting legend, David Baird. David has represented the Buller in multiple sports and is still active in coaching and mentoring youth teams today. We have tales of rugby, soccer, basketball and tennis and a marvelous tale about David's illustrious father Bill. This episode has great tales and is told with a great …

1
The Avengers (2012) 35:10

2M ago35:10

35:10

The Second Part in our Failure in Teamwork Trilogy So this is the big one. The episode where our hosts decide if its time to get off this Marvel Cinematic Universe gravy train (thought the numbers would say otherwise) and call it good with the end of Phase One (ugh) with THE AVENGERS. So many paths we could take. Like doing the failed adaptation of…

1
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors 33:24

2M ago33:24

33:24

The First Part in our Failure in Teamwork Trilogy Some might say that the failure in teamwork starts with one host being bullied by the other into doing an episode on A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS. All because the bullied host said he finally got around to the first entry into this ESTEEMED franchise and expressed enthusiasm for the o…

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Season 6 Coming July 11th! 1:33

2M ago1:33

1:33

The first episode of season 6 will drop on Friday, July 11th. It's been a while, and we are super excited to return to hearing some great tales from some interesting people. Click here to send me a message! I would love to hear from you. Support the showBy Mike

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Patreon Preview of Daredevil (2003) 7:29

2M ago7:29

7:29

The Not Ready for MCU Players #5 You may be wondering or more likely hate-listening to our travels through the Marvel Cinematic Universe and asking yourself "WHY?" This is a very reasonable question and perhaps if followed by the even more reasonable response of turning this podcast off. But then you find yourself coming back. Reading these show no…

1
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) 30:10

3M ago30:10

30:10

The Third Part in our Symbols of America Trilogy As we near a holiday of fireworks and hot dogs we celebrate this occasion by talking about the time when Agent Carter took her chance to fondle Captain America's newly pumped up with super soldier serum breasts. Take that Rob Liefeld and enjoy! Patreon supporters get access to monthly bonus episodes …

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A League of Their Own (1992) 37:14

3M ago37:14

37:14

The Second Part in our Symbols of America Trilogy Geena Davis can do no wrong as the greatest catcher to ever play the game of baseball and Tom Hanks is scratching his nuts which leaves Lori Petty to pick on. Forgive us, Tank Girl, we just love A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN so much we can't help but join the pile on. Enjoy! Patreon supporters get access to…

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All the President's Men (1976) 30:22

3M ago30:22

30:22

The First Part in our Symbols of America Trilogy We debate whether the true symbol of America is laser tag or 1970s pornography. Probably should have stuck with a debate between Dustin Hoffman or Robert Redford but where is the debate in that? Enjoy! Patreon supporters get access to monthly bonus episodes including previous years of Movie Book Club…

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Patreon Preview of Spider-Man (2002) 7:15

3M ago7:15

7:15

The Not Ready for the MCU Players #4 This is mainly a podcast about the ever changing nature of bullying amongst teenagers but the one constant is that everyone hates when Tobey Maguire takes off the SPIDER-MAN mask and shows us his stupid face. Enjoy! Patreon supporters get access to monthly bonus episodes including previous years of Movie Book Cl…

1
Thor (2011) 36:55

5M ago36:55

36:55

The Third Part in our Brothers Brought Low Trilogy Even when you nail the casting with Chris Hemsworth wearing a red cape and Tom Hiddleston with golden horns on his head... you still need Kat Dennings to save the day and STILL two bumbling podcasters will complain about your flick over a decade later. Which is to say that there is no pleasing anyo…

1
Gattaca (1997) 32:14

5M ago32:14

32:14

The Second Part in our Brothers Brought Low Trilogy How could there ever be a cult classic for a wide release starring Uma Thurman? Wouldn't everyone pause to gaze at her beauty and charisma? Of course as I type up these very show notes I'm reminded of finally catching up with EVEN COWGIRLS GET THE BLUES and being horrified at what my favorite scre…

1
The Game (1997) 31:15

5M ago31:15

31:15

The First Part in our Brothers Brought Low Trilogy Michael Douglas being a desperate (and often times very sweaty) asshole is something like movie comfort food here at the TiT offices... HOWEVER David Fincher's THE GAME is not a film that your two hosts can agree upon. Such gentlemanly episodes are saved for verified classics like TOWER HEIST (comi…

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Patreon Preview of Blade 2 (2002) 6:07

6M ago6:07

6:07

The Not Ready for the MCU Players #3 This is an episode that requires a paywall to talk about in full (our Patreon is a lowly ONE BUCK A MONTH, by the way) because when one talks BLADE 2 that means a mention of Harry Knowles unfortunate review of the film which talked primarily about oral sex. Yeah. We do our best to mention the initial infamy of t…

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Iron Man 2 (2010) 32:53

6M ago32:53

32:53

The Third Part in our Father's Legacy Trilogy Mickey Rourke does his best to whip the sequel to IRON MAN into shape... which is terrible, but we did enjoy the extended (in our mind) whipping sequence if only The Auteur Jon Favreau had the COURAGE to pull a Peter Jackson and give us MORE. More Garry Shandling calling Iron Man a dick! More Sam Rockwe…

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Big Fish (2003) 28:32

6M ago28:32

28:32

The Second Part in our Father's Legacy Trilogy Have we find a film to rival GOOD WILL HUNTING in one that men are comfortable weeping with... NO! Because men cry alone and never admit to such things on a podcast. What they will admit to is the lasting legacy... of themselves. One host wonders if his child will one day be interested in these very au…

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Patreon Preview of St. Patrick's Day in 1995: CIRCLE OF FRIENDS 8:46

6M ago8:46

8:46

Spending St. Patrick's Day with CIRCLE OF FRIENDS We get together for our second holiday special for the greatest holiday of all: watching Ms. Minnie Driver on the prowl. Unfortunately for us the dating scene as presented by the film CIRCLE OF FRIENDS is a harsh landscape for our favorite actress as she is met with a duplicitous Alan Cumming (not a…

1
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) 34:47

6M ago34:47

34:47

The First Part in our Father's Legacy Trilogy One host had a childhood and the other one didn't watch an Indiana Jones movie until he was old and depressed. But he's come around to this Steven Spielberg guy being "pretty good" at movies. Consider this our Temple of Doom of podcasting and try to enjoy. Patreon supporters get access to monthly bonus …

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Patreon Preview of X-Men (2000) 7:19

7M ago7:19

7:19

The Not Ready for the MCU Players #2 We mostly credit (or blame) the success of the superhero genre at the cinema on that damn charm of one Hugh Jackman... definitely not the director behind APT PUPIL. Along the way we debate the silliness of forcing actors into all black leather or daring to use a little color. Which is to say that like the rest o…

1
The Invisible Man (2020) 34:52

7M ago34:52

34:52

The Third Part in our Second Attempt at Making a Monster Trilogy Elisabeth Moss troubles one host and that greatly troubles the other as we wrap up our month of monster movie remakes with one of the last theatrical releases before the pandemic in THE INVISIBLE MAN. Considering all that has transpired since then you can forgive us for this one slipp…

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Patreon Preview of Valentine's Day in 1995: BEFORE SUNRISE 10:33

7M ago10:33

10:33

1995 Holiday Special #1 In our first holiday special of 1995 at the Sober Cinema we tackle the most romantic film of all time with the least romantic perspective: beaten down, bitter middle-aged men who hate the genetic lottery that Ethan Hawke won. (DEAD POETS SOCIETY awkward phase does not count.) However personal growth is achieved by pretty muc…

1
The Incredible Hulk (2008) 32:36

7M ago32:36

32:36

The Second Part in our Second Attempt at Making a Monster Trilogy It's not the film with the much beloved Mark Ruffalo nor is it the questionable Hulk Dogs fighting Eric Bane. Instead what you get from us is the star of THE SCORE, Edward Norton in all his mainstream movie glory! So this is the episode on THE INCREDIBLE HULK which once upon an engag…

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1995 at the Movies: TALES FROM THE CRYPT DEMON KNIGHT 36:54

7M ago36:54

36:54

On January 13, 1995 Jada Pinkett battled baldness. Only this time the follicle challenged leading lady had to contend with the sass of one Mr. Billy Zane making his bald debut in TALES FROM THE CRYPT: DEMON KNIGHT. And at least he was having fun with his hairless freedom in this delightful genre film that one host can't stop saying enough good thin…

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1995 at the Movies: HIGHER LEARNING 41:24

7M ago41:24

41:24

On January 11, 1995 Tyra Banks licked a nipple. And Kristy Swanson had her first lesbian experience with Jennifer Connelly... which is really setting the bar very high for women and presents no hope for men moving forward. In this discussion one host questions the other owning a DVD copy of this fine film from auteur John Singleton while answering …

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The Fly (1986) 31:41

7M ago31:41

31:41

The First Part in our Second Attempt at Making a Monster Trilogy Our Valentine's Day special is here just a bit early which should give you just enough time to forget all about David Cronenberg's body horror and think of your own that you will give to that special someone! Hopefully someone like this podcast's favorite leading lady, Geena Davis! Or…

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Patreon Preview of Blade (1998) 6:11

8M ago6:11

6:11

The Not Ready for the MCU Players #1 One host argues for Howard the Duck over Blade as the father of all that would be Marvel at the movies while the other compares this ABSOLUTE CLASSIC film to the reaction to the Obama administration... before there even was an Obama administration! However both of your favorite hosts (maybe not so much after thi…

1
The Wild Robot (2024) 32:14

8M ago32:14

32:14

The Third Part in our Gadgets for Survival Trilogy Can one host survive watching a cartoon for this week's episode? Mostly because there are numerous other horrible things going on so it feels a little silly to complain about the lack of erotic thriller elements in a film as charming as THE WILD ROBOT. But an attempt is made. Enjoy! Patreon support…

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This is 1995 at the Sober Cinema 9:53

8M ago9:53

9:53

A preview of what is to come... thirty years later at the movies. Here is but a taste of what we have planned for a week to week rewatching of the releases at the cinema for the year 1995. If you don't care for trailers for podcasts (and why would anyone really?) let the record show that this is mainly to have audio evidence that one host completel…

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Iron Man (2008) 28:26

8M ago28:26

28:26

The Second Part in our Gadgets for Survival Trilogy While the MCU may be down now (DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE was a celebration of the Fox Marvel universe!) we decide that appearing on TRILOGY IN THEORY for... years (?) may just be the ticket to get them back on top. But what does the Marvel Cinematic Universe look like in a shared universe with all that…

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Goldfinger (1964) 29:40

8M ago29:40

29:40

The First Part in our Gadgets for Survival Trilogy It's 2025 and we think this year is going to suck! So why not watch characters in movies get to play with all of their new toys as we lament our lot in life... this is starting to sound like every month on TRILOGY IN THEORY but this month we start with Bond! James Bond. Listen to two experts remini…

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Patreon Preview of Best Movie Year Ever: MAGNOLIA 7:35

9M ago7:35

7:35

If you have a buck instead of a book you too can time travel with us back to 1999! In our final chapter on the year in cinema for 1999 we watch the epic in length (and in frogs and misogyny as is the standard combination) MAGNOLIA from Paul Thomas Anderson and his mostly returning cast from BOOGIE NIGHTS. What this film lacks in pornography it make…

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Love Hard (2021) with Reindeer Games (2000) 48:46

9M ago48:46

48:46

A Christmas double feature in search of a DIE HARD or LOVE ACTUALLY! What is this madness? A Christmas special on a podcast called TRILOGY IN THEORY... missing the third part of the trilogy? That's where we look at the Netflix original LOVE HARD which presents two dating app aficionados finding each other across the country with that annual holiday…

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The Informant! (2009) 30:12

9M ago30:12

30:12

The Third Part in Steven Soderbergh's Whistleblowers Trilogy We finish up this month's trilogy and our TWO HUNDREDTH EPISODE with Matt Damon at peak schlub as THE INFORMANT! The exclamation point is included in the title of the film; not a measure of our excitement. For one host despises Matt Damon and the other one is still trying to understand th…

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Patreon Preview of Best Movie Year Ever: BOYS DON'T CRY 6:16

9M ago6:16

6:16

If you have a buck instead of a book you too can time travel with us back to 1999! If a filmmaker ever wants to make people uncomfortable just complete your passion project which is seen as dangerous and very progressive... and then wait a quarter century (or less) and one can upset an entirely new demographic of people who see your movie as danger…

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Erin Brockovich (2000) 29:37

9M ago29:37

29:37

The Second Part in Steven Soderbergh's Whistleblowers Trilogy A little Oscar talk. A little Marvel Cinematic Universe talk. All in service of the decidedly populist fare that Steven Soderbergh served up with Julia Robert's Academy Award winning performance in ERIN BROCKOVICH. Because when dealing with cancer and corporate greed you need a genuine m…

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Patreon Preview of Best Movie Year Ever: THE INSIDER 5:52

9M ago5:52

5:52

If you have a buck instead of a book you too can time travel with us back to 1999! While we can all agree that HEAT is Michael Mann's masterpiece and to a somewhat lesser degree that MANHUNTER is the Hannibal Lector cinematic masterpiece... what about THE INSIDER? How does this one rank in the Mann canon if it perhaps the greatest film of the BEST …

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The Limey (1999) 28:32

10M ago28:32

28:32

The First Part in Steven Soderbergh's Whistleblowers Trilogy A divisive audio commentary track for THE LIMEY provides some amusement for one host and despair for another as two children of the 90s try and define what the 60s icons Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda mean to them. The answer? Not much but this movie is cool. Catchup on last year's Movie B…

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Patreon Preview of Best Movie Year Ever: THREE KINGS 6:41

10M ago6:41

6:41

If you have a buck instead of a book you too can time travel with us back to 1999! George Clooney and Spike Jonze in a heist movie together is not exactly OCEAN'S ELEVEN and director David O. Russell is no Steven Soderbergh as we near the end of our journey through Brian Raftery's BEST. MOVIE. YEAR. EVER. Enjoy and catchup on last year's Movie Book…

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The Suicide Squad (2021) 33:58

10M ago33:58

33:58

The Third Part in our Coup d'etat Cinema Trilogy The failure of Warner Bros. Project Popcorn to overthrow cinema is discussed in regards to James Gunn's streaming loss leader THE SUICIDE SQUAD... and it's delightful! Yes, it's noble failure lead to even more television with spinoffs but you don't see Matt Reeves THE BATMAN catching flak for that so…

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Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) 27:51

10M ago27:51

27:51

The Second Part in our Coup d'état Cinema Trilogy What was once the third greatest film of all time is merely the third greatest film in its own trilogy as revisit with some morbid curiosity the youthful indiscretions of ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO. And yes... DESPERADO truly is THE GODFATHER PART TWO of the EL MARIACHI trilogy. Now how this compare…

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The Day of the Jackal (1973) 31:26

10M ago31:26

31:26

The First Part in our Coup d'etat Cinema Trilogy We put our love of procedurals to the test with the walkabout pace of an assassin in France in THE DAY OF THE JACKAL. While not the biggest fans of historical fiction we soon discover that even with that somewhat dry genre there is an even drier option when the English get involved. Listen to us talk…

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Past Lives (2023) 35:42

10M ago35:42

35:42

The Third Part in our Identity Crisis Cinema Trilogy We discuss our agreed upon favorite film of 2023 in Celine Song's PAST LIVES with very little in the way of judgement. Possibly because that is befitting of the tone of the film but also because we can't help but gush about this modern classic that sits beside the likes of ALL THE HEAVEN ALLOWS a…

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Patreon Preview of Best Movie Year Ever: BEING JOHN MALKOVICH 5:47

10M ago5:47

5:47

If you have a buck instead of a book you too can time travel with us back to 1999! Instead of deciding to partake in BEING JOHN MALKOVICH we play a little hot or not with the... fairly unattractive debut feature film from Spike Jonze in what would be the beginning of a series of lighthearted fare from the writer Charlie Kaufman. Cameron Diaz and pe…

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End of Season 5 1:18

1y ago1:18

1:18

Hi there. Another season comes to an end. It's been a great season with great guests and fascinating conversations. I thank all the guests who have appeared and all those who have helped me along the way. Please contact me at [email protected] if you want to come on or have a suggestion for someone else to come on. Keep your notifications …

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Fight Club (1999) 37:12

1y ago37:12

37:12

The Second Part in our Identity Crisis Cinema Trilogy The first rule of FIGHT CLUB show notes... Catchup on last year's Movie Book Club from Quentin Tarantino's CINEMA SPECULATION! Follow along at our Patreon page as once a month (although sometimes more) we read AND watch films from 1999 for BEST MOVIE YEAR EVER by Brian Raftery! Threads/Twit…

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Buller Harness Racing with John Reedy Snr and John Rogers 57:41

1y ago57:41

57:41

The podcast warmly welcomes John Reedy Snr and John Rogers. Both these men have spent a lifetime contributing to Buller and NZ harness racing. Legends in the sport both have bred and trained many horses, and both have contributed to NZ harness racing at the highest levels. This is a great episode where we get some fascinating insights into the indu…

1
Barry Townrow 41:00

1y ago41:00

41:00

The podcast welcomes Buller legend and retired teacher Barry Townrow. This man has an incredible list of achievements and is a true champion of the community. Barry is, among many other things, a local JP since 1998, board member of Buller cricket for over 50 years and current President, board member of Buller Rugby for over 50 years and former Pre…