In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman ride out with five better buddy adventures that deliver what Lightning Jack couldn’t: chemistry, momentum, laughs, and actual dialogue. From unlikely action duos to cowboy comedies that still hold up, these films prove that the buddy formula needs more than Paul Hogan free-associating for 90 minutes.
Films Discussed:
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)
Shanghai Noon (2000)
Midnight Run (1988)
Maverick (...
In this Movie Memory Machine: Five For mini-episode, Landen and Truman ride out with five better buddy adventures that deliver what Lightning Jack couldn’t: chemistry, momentum, laughs, and actual dialogue. From unlikely action duos to cowboy comedies that still hold up, these films prove that the buddy formula needs more than Paul Hogan free-associating for 90 minutes.
Films Discussed:
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Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)
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Shanghai Noon (2000)
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Midnight Run (1988)
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Maverick (1994)
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Three Amigos (1986)
Topics Covered:
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Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson’s chaotic buddy magic in Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man
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Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson’s easygoing charisma in Shanghai Noon
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Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro redefining road trip dynamics in Midnight Run
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Mel Gibson’s surprisingly fun (and less problematic) cowboy comedy in Maverick
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Why Three Amigos remains a timeless comedy miracle
Key Takeaways:
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Buddy comedies need two fully developed characters, not one chatterbox and one mime
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Charisma > Coolness when you're trying to sell a buddy dynamic
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Lightning Jack wishes it had even half the joy or pace of any movie on this list
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Three Amigos remains an absolute blueprint for how to do ensemble buddy comedy
Listener Prompt:
What’s your favorite odd-couple buddy movie? Tell us using #MovieMemoryMachine.
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