Can you believe how many times they're going to say the title in this movie? It's time for Geostorm (2017)! Starring Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Alexandra Maria Lara, Daniel Wu, Andy Garcia, Ed Harris, Adepero Oduye, Amr Waked, Eugenio Derbez, and Talitha Eliana Bateman. The guys have a lot of fun with this cheesy disaster flick, an…

It's not that other podcast, but Russ and Jared are finally covering cult-favorite, Geostorm (2017), starring Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Alexandra Maria Lara, Daniel Wu, Andy Garcia, Ed Harris, Adepero Oduye, Amr Waked, Eugenio Derbez, and Talitha Eliana Bateman! The guys are already having fun with the trailer, and stay tuned for …

Research is a key part of the writing process. Without proper research, building credible worlds, intriguing plots, and relatable characters is impossible. But how much is too much? In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss how their research methods have evolved from their first manuscripts to their new ones.…

Russ and Jared are here to persuade you to give this episode a shot! If you're already here, you might as well listen (and set ITMT to auto-download, subscribe, etc.). The guys are diving deep into Persuasion (2022), starring Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Richard E. Grant, Henry Golding, Ben Bailey Smith, Yolanda Kettle, Nia Towle, Nikki Amuka-Bird…

If romance is your bag, Russ and Jared have you covered! The guys are talking about a movie based on one of the most classic romance novels by Jane Austen. Except the movie sucks. You guessed it! It's the Trailer Trash for Persuasion (2022), starring Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Richard E. Grant, Henry Golding, Ben Bailey Smith, Yolanda Kettle, Ni…

A replay of an earlier episode on Themes in storytelling. It's a timely topic for us as we're exploring themes in our new projects. A good theme can provide the heart and glue that binds your story together. Characters, dialogue, setting, and symbolism are important in conveying your theme to the reader. In this episode, Russ and Tim dive into the …

Craving more Kraven? We got y'all covered! Russ and Jared are back to break it down, and what a breakdown it is (more of the nervous kind). The guys are talking about Kraven the Hunter (2024), starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott, Russell Crowe, and Tom Reed. Sure to disappoint fans of …

Nothing slows a story like an Act II info dump or an author cramming all their research during the climax. Deliberate pacing is an essential tool in the writer's toolbox to keep readers engaged. Dialogue, description, and even white space on the page can significantly affect your pacing. In this episode, Russ and Tim dissect pacing in their works a…

Is this another one of the guys' craven attempts to get you to buy ITMT merch or Russ' book HOST, available wherever you buy books? Of course not, they would never! Instead Russ and Jared are talking about the trailer for Kraven the Hunter (2024), starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott, R…

Russ and Jared are spiraling into the high-tech fever dream that is AfrAId (2024), featuring a cast so stacked it feels like a casting director lost a bet: John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, Lukita Maxwell, Wyatt Lindner, Isaac Bae, David Dastmalchian, Ashley Romans, Bennett Curran, and Keith freakin’ Carradine. There’s AI. There’s tee…

Every good story is built on conflict. Sometimes, that conflict can culminate in scenes of violence. But when is that violence too much or not enough? In this episode, Russ and Tim explore violence in writing and the many factors that impact readers' expectations and enjoyment.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

It's not your eyes playing tricks on you! It's another goofily-stylized movie title. The guys are getting spooky and talking about AI again, this time with the trailer for AfrAId (2024), starring John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, Lukita Maxwell, Wyatt Lindner, Isaac Bae, David Dastmalchian, Ashley Romans, Bennett Curran, and Keith Car…

Russ and Jared are back to muse about the past and the future again. Of course with the backdrop of a horrible movie! The guys are breaking down The Electric State (2025), starring Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Woody Harrelson, Woody Norman, Giancarlo Esposito, Stanley Tucci, Alan Tudyk, Kurt Loder, Anthony Mackie, and Jason Alexand…

Can you imagine a world where autonomous robots do all the work that humans don't want to? If you can, apparently you're the reason we can't have nice things. At least that's what the Russo bros will have you believe. Russ and Jared are back with Trailer Trash for The Electric State (2025), starring Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Woo…

Our idiom series continues with "the writing on the wall." In this episode, we dive into the classic religious story that involved too much partying and impending doom. Get the popcorn.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

Happy belated St. Paddy's Day to those of you who celebrate! Russ and Jared wish you a very merry week of shenanigans and hunting for pots of gold. They're also here to talk about Irish Wish (2024), starring Lindsay Lohan, Ed Speleers, Alexander Vlahos, Ayesha Curry, Elizabeth Tan, Jacinta Mulcahy, Jane Seymour, Dawn Bradfield, and Matty McCabe. St…

Did you wish for more ITMT? You don't need to find a fairy bridge or wishing chair, you'll always have new episodes every week! Russ and Jared are back with Irish Wish (2024), starring best-friend-of-the-pod, Lindsay Lohan, as well as Ed Speleers, Alexander Vlahos, Ayesha Curry, Elizabeth Tan, Jacinta Mulcahy, Jane Seymour, Dawn Bradfield, and Matt…

Generally, stories don't cover every waking moment of a character's life. Stories move through time, skipping the dull parts and getting to the key moments that impact a character's arc. In this episode, Russ and Tim get into the how, when, and why of time jumps and their impact on writing a cohesive narrative.…

Russ and Jared are back, and they might have had too much fun with this one. This movie is maybe the worst yet, and the guys don't throw that around lightly! It's The Mouse Trap (2024), starring Simon Phillips, Sophie McIntosh, Madeline Kelman, Ben Harris, Callum Sywyk, Mireille Gagné, Mackenzie Mills, James Laurin, and Kayleigh Styles. Stay tuned …

You know how everyone has been clamoring for horror movies of their favorite wholesome cartoon characters? Oh right, that's not true... But somebody is making them anyway, and Russ and Jared have the perfect opportunity to chat about them. The guys are starting with The Mouse Trap (2024), starring Simon Phillips, Sophie McIntosh, Madeline Kelman, B…

Life has a way of getting in the way. It can take our best intentions, writing or otherwise, and throw them into the void, never to be seen again. It happens to everyone, so how do you get back into it and meet your goals? In this episode, Russ and Tim suggest methods to regain focus so you can get back into writing like you were never away.…

Russ and Jared are back with this week's breakdown! The guys are waxing poetic about what it means to be part of a union, any kind of union, as they talk about the schlock that is The Union (2024), starring Halle Berry, Mark Wahlberg, J.K. Simmons, Mike Colter, Jessica De Gouw, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Alice Lee, and Jackie Earle Haley. Stay tuned…

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Russ and Jared are here because they love you and want you to be happy. And what better way to achieve that than through a new Trailer Trash for an action-packed romantic comedy! The guys are talking about The Union (2024), starring Halle Berry, Mark Wahlberg, J.K. Simmons, Mike Colter, Jessica De Gouw, Adewale Aki…

What is tension? What is suspense? These key ingredients keep readers turning your pages and wondering what will happen next. In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss tension and suspense and explore how these tools can work together to create a compelling narrative.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

Russ and Jared are experimenting! Not with drugs (today), but with a new episode format! The guys are covering the whole dang movie in this one, it's Trigger Warning (2024), starring Jessica Alba, Mark Webber, Anthony Michael Hall, Alejandro De Hoyos, Tone Bell, Jake Weary, Gabriel Basso, and Kaiwi Lyman. Give us your feedback, do you like a one-ep…

Russ and Jared are back with an all-new Trailer Trash! The guys are getting triggered by how awful this one looks, and only a small amount of star power to save them. It's Trigger Warning (2024), starring Jessica Alba, Mark Webber, Anthony Michael Hall, Alejandro De Hoyos, Tone Bell, Jake Weary, Gabriel Basso, and Kaiwi Lyman. Stay tuned for the fu…

Every story will have at least one coincidence to kick off the plot. After that, as a writer, you're asking your audience to continue to suspend disbelief to move the story along at the cost of losing them. In this episode, Russ and Tim talk about coincidences, how many are too many (spoilers: more than one), and get into Deus Ex Machina, and Tim v…

Russ and Jared are still talking about shapes! When they left off in part 1, things were looking pretty positive for the Circlers, Mae's parents were getting health insurance, and the political tide seemed to be turning in the company's favor. That's right, the guys are wrapping up The Circle (2017), starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, John Boyega, El…

You know what's not circling the drain? ITMT! Russ and Jared are barreling into 2025 with a terrible movie that feels all-too-real. It's The Circle (2017), starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, John Boyega, Ellar Coltrane, Glenne Headly, Bill Paxton, Karen Gillan, Patton Oswalt, and Beck. Stay tuned for part 2 on Thursday!…

Time for a new movie, and this one has a stacked cast! Russ and Jared are taking on big tech with The Circle (2017), starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, John Boyega, Ellar Coltrane, Glenne Headly, Bill Paxton, Karen Gillan, Patton Oswalt, and oddly enough, Beck. Stay tuned for the full scene-by-scene breakdown next week!…

We're getting the ball rolling...on a new year! It's our first episode of 2025, and we're diving into idioms. We'll be "tackling" them throughout the year, exploring their history, usage, and how they could be used in writing.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

Russ and Jared are back to wrap up this holiday rom com, Our Little Secret (2024), starring Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Rudnitsky, Katie Baker, Jake Brennan, Dan Bucatinsky, Tim Meadows, Judy Reyes, Ash Santos, and Henry Czerny. Tune in for fun Lohan facts and more! And stay tuned for an all-new Trailer Trash next week.…

It's 2025 and things are totally different now! Just kidding, Russ and Jared are still coming at your ears every week as usual. The guys are breaking down Our Little Secret (2024), starring Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Rudnitsky, Katie Baker, Jake Brennan, Dan Bucatinsky, Tim Meadows, Judy Reyes, Ash Santos, and Henry Czerny. …

Goodbye 2024! In this episode, Russ and Tim look back at their respective writing goals for the year and grade how they did. Spoilers: everyone got an A+, even if they didn't deserve it. Happy New Year, everyone, and thank you for listening.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

Pssst! It's no secret, it's your pals, Russ and Jared, here to wish you a very happy New Year's Eve as they close out 2024 with a holiday treat! The guys are celebrating best-friend-of-the-pod, Lindsay Lohan, with her newest holiday flick on Netflix, Our Little Secret (2024), starring the aforementioned Lohan, Ian Harding, Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Ru…

Double part 2 all the way! You thought we couldn't get even more part 2, but we showed everyone! Russ and Jared are doubling down to finish The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 (2012) starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Michael Sheen, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Rami Malek, Kellan Lutz, Billy Burke, Lee …

Very merry Christmas and happy holidays from ITMT! Russ and Jared are back with their mortal enemy, a Twilight movie! The guys are having a ball talking about The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 (2012) starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Michael Sheen, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Rami Malek, Kellan Lutz…

Book swap! In this episode, Russ and Tim trade books from their favorite genres and give a review. Russ read Nick Cutter's The Troop while Tim read Lee Child's The Killing Floor.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

ITMT holiday special alert! It's our favorite time of year when Russ and Jared cover a movie that critics and audiences generally liked... but they know they won't! The guys are back this year with the finale to one of their least favorite franchises, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 (2012) starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor…

Russ and Jared are back from playing in the snow to bring you the finale of this chaotic flick, The Snowman (2017), starring Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jonas Karlsson, Michael Yates, J.K. Simmons, Val Kilmer, David Dencik, Toby Jones, James D'Arcy, and Chloë Sevigny. Stay tuned for an all-new Trailer Trash next week…

If you're in the northern hemisphere, it is indeed the season of snow! And what better way to get into the winter spirit than with a chaotic, un-thrilling thriller with your old pals, Russ and Jared. The guys are diving headfirst (emphasis on head) into The Snowman (2017), starring Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jonas K…

Is that an adverb? Ditch it. Overly verbose exposition? Delete. Detailed descriptions of everyday objects? Get rid of it! In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss killing their darlings and reflect on what they left in their novels and why.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

Russ and Jared are back with a star-studded trailer that's sure to disappoint! The guys are melting for The Snowman (2017), starring Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jonas Karlsson, Michael Yates, J.K. Simmons, Val Kilmer, David Dencik, Toby Jones, James D'Arcy, and Chloë Sevigny. Stay tuned for the full, scene-by-scene b…

It's a very special ITMT Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in the US, Russ and Jared are incredibly thankful for every single one of you listeners! The podcast wouldn't happen without your support and you mean the world to them. The guys are also thankful to be finishing He's All That (2021), starring Tanner Buchanan, Addison Rae, Peyt…

It's always nice to have a good nostalgia movie, it's usually better when they've got a fresh twist... Or if they're good movies. Unfortunately, this isn't one of those. Russ and Jared are going back to high school with He's All That (2021), starring Tanner Buchanan, Addison Rae, Peyton Meyer, Rachael Leigh Cook, Madison Pettis, Isabella Crovetti, …

Epilogues—who needs them? Isn't your story already over? In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss how epilogues are used, why they exist, and whether or not you should use one.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

What's better than a silly rom com? A silly rom com remake that didn't need to exist! Russ and Jared are getting into the trailer for He's All That (2021), starring Tanner Buchanan, Addison Rae, Peyton Meyer, Rachael Leigh Cook, Madison Pettis, Isabella Crovetti, Matthew Lillard, Annie Jacob, and Myra Molloy. Stay tuned for the full, scene-by-scene…

Russ and Jared are partying through part 2 as they wrap up Mother of the Bride (2024) starring Brooke Shields, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Sean Teale, Chad Michael Murray, Rachael Harris, Wilson Cruz, Tasneem Roc, and Michael McDonald. Will our star-crossed old folks get back together? Will our young couple rediscover themselves and find happ…

Always a bridesmaid, never a mother of the bride... that's the expression, right? It's not? Oh bother. Russ and Jared are getting into Mother of the Bride (2024) starring Brooke Shields, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Sean Teale, Chad Michael Murray, Rachael Harris, Wilson Cruz, Tasneem Roc, and Michael McDonald. Stay tuned for part 2 on Thursda…

Phew, another spooky season in the rearview and Russ and Jared are back to those sweet, sweet rom coms you crave! The guys are checking out the trailer for Mother of the Bride (2024) starring Brooke Shields, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Sean Teale, Chad Michael Murray, Rachael Harris, Wilson Cruz, Tasneem Roc, and Michael McDonald. Stay tuned …