In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman salvage the vibes Loser forgot with five better movies about young adulthood, awkwardness, and post-graduation growing pains. From classic Billy Wilder masterpieces to peak 90s party flicks, these picks show that coming-of-age comedies can be heartfelt, hilarious, and, crucially, not cursed with inexplicable symbiotic sex kitten scenes.
Films Discussed:
The Apartment (1960)
Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (...
In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman salvage the vibes Loser forgot with five better movies about young adulthood, awkwardness, and post-graduation growing pains. From classic Billy Wilder masterpieces to peak 90s party flicks, these picks show that coming-of-age comedies can be heartfelt, hilarious, and, crucially, not cursed with inexplicable symbiotic sex kitten scenes.
Films Discussed:
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The Apartment (1960)
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Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
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Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
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The Graduate (1967)
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American Pie (1999)
Topics Covered:
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The Apartment as the secret DNA behind Loser (and how it went horribly wrong)
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Can’t Hardly Wait and the good kind of teen chaos
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Amy Heckerling's legacy: from Fast Times greatness to Loser missteps
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The Graduate and the universal post-college existential panic
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American Pie: accidental co-conspirator in Loser’s tonal disaster
Key Takeaways:
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Jack Lemmon can charm and infuriate simultaneously
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90s teen comedies either aged gracefully (Can’t Hardly Wait) or turned into cautionary tales (Loser)
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Amy Heckerling deserves better than studio meddling
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Dustin Hoffman’s Benjamin Braddock walked so countless indie protagonists could mope
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Some genre blends (sex comedy + suicide drama) should stay theoretical
Listener Prompt:
Which "awkward young adult" movie still holds up for you—and which ones went full Loser? Share your picks with #MovieMemoryMachine.
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