Right then, buckle up buttercups, because the Four Takes Movie Podcast crew – that's the dream team of Martin, Luke, David, and Adam – have bravely tackled the cinematic masterpiece that is the 1985 classic movie The Goonies, helmed by the one and only Richard Donner.

Now, before they even got to the kids film that perfectly encapsulates the 1980s (despite enough swearing to make a sailor blush), poor Luke had to endure a "mate date" to see a little flick called Warfare. Apparently, it was so delightful with its intense atmosphere, fantastic sound design, and a distinct lack of anyone remotely resembling a developed character (Jenny definitely wasn't waiting at home, that's for sure), that therapy might be in order.

Undeterred (mostly), they finally got down to brass tacks with The Goonies. Turns out, according to a documentary featuring Richard Donner, this beloved adventure wasn't even meant for the little 'uns! Nope, it was supposed to be edgy, hence the bad language and the casual discovery of a dead body. But hey, it turned into a kids film anyway because, well, adventure!

They had a good old chinwag about the iconic characters of The Goonies and what the actors got up to afterwards. We're talking about Sean Astin (who, surprisingly, isn't an Oscar winner but did go on to be Samwise Gamgee), Josh Brolin (aka Thanos, the big purple fella), and the actual Oscar-winning legend, Ke Huy Quan. Let's not forget Corey Feldman, still doing his thing, and the hilariously hateful Fratelli brothers: Joe Pantaliano and Robert Davi, whose on-screen animosity was apparently fuelled by a real wig-pulling incident during auditions. Ah, and Mama Fratelli, played by Anne Ramsey, who sadly shuffled off this mortal coil not long after the film.

The chaps pondered how some bits of The Goonies might raise an eyebrow or two in today's more inclusive filmmaking landscape. They also marvelled at the surprisingly dark undertones, what with the aforementioned dead body, giving it a similar vibe to Stand by Me.

Of course, no self-respecting podcast would be complete without a delve into behind-the-scenes shenanigans and fan theories. Turns out, the theory about the Fratellis offing Chester Copperpot is rubbish. They also spilled the beans on Steven Spielberg's secret second unit directing gig, involving some escaped gorillas in Greystoke costumes and a joyride in a golf cart that's now lost to the mists of time. Oh, and there was a giant octopus that thankfully never made the final cut.

The hosts waxed lyrical about the glory of practical effects in The Goonies*, a far cry from some of the dodgy modern CGI they’ve been subjected to recently (Black Panther's end fight got a right roasting). They reminisced about the iconic blender scene with Chunk and his, shall we say, effective storytelling to avoid a kitchen appliance-related injury.

Each host chipped in with their favourite moments from The Goonies, including the heart warming bromance between Chunk and Sloth at the end, Mama Fratelli's jewel heist, the Goonies just larking about in the house, and a surprisingly calm bathroom break. Mouth’s penny-pinching antics at the wishing well earned the title of least favourite moment.

The tantalising prospect of a sequel to The Goonies was briefly dangled, with talk of the original Goonies' kids taking up the adventure mantle. Concerns were raised about the inevitable clash with modern technology.

In a nutshell, the fellas reckon you should definitely give the adventure film The Goonies a watch, praising its lack of ropey CGI and cracking cinematography. And just to let you know what cinematic delights await them next time, they'll be dissecting the comedic brilliance of Dr. Strangelove. You have been warned!

The icy winds of Antarctica chill the Four Takes team as they delve into Horror Film granddaddy John Carpenter's masterful paranoia-fest, "The Thing" (1982)! Fresh from a last minute viewing, the quartet – Martin, Adam, Luke and re-joining the team after last week's "gastrointestinal incident"; David, brings his unique perspective to the table. Was he more scared of the Thing or his own bathroom?

Adam, while generally averse to the horror genre, acknowledges the truly horrendous nature of the film and particularly praises the ground breaking special effects crafted by Rob Bottin. The hosts discuss the film's influence, noting similarities and inspiration drawn by other works such as Quentin Tarantino's films like The Hateful Eight and Reservoir Dogs, the X-Files episode "Ice", and the Red Dwarf episode "Polymorph", all sharing themes of isolation and mistrust in the face of a dangerous, unknown entity. The discussion touches upon the source material, including a 1938 novel and a 1950s movie that preceded it.

The podcast examines various aspects of The Thing, highlighting its direction by the acclaimed John Carpenter, known for his earlier success with Halloween. They delve into the film's visceral impact on audiences in 1982. A key point of discussion is the deliberate lack of significant character development, with characters often serving primarily to advance the plot and heighten the pervasive sense of paranoia among the isolated group. Memorable and shocking scenes are recalled, notably the infamous couch scene. The hosts also touch upon the film's ambiguous ending and the various interpretations it has generated. The conversation extends to the computer game adaptation of The Thing released in the early 2000s, as well as the 2011 prequel that details the events at the Norwegian camp. The use of practical effects in the original film is contrasted with the CGI that was overlaid on practical effects in the prequel.

The nature of the alien creature is also considered, with discussions about its possible origins involving an alien spaceship crash-landing on Earth long before the events of the film. Finally, the hosts briefly mention their next episode will focus on the 80s comedy movie, The Goonies. This episode provides a comprehensive look at The Thing, offering insights into its enduring popularity and influence within the science fiction horror genre.

Welcome to... (dramatic pause, followed by the sound of a kazoo) ... The inaugural "Four Takes Movie Podcast." where four life-long friends and amateur film enthusiasts (they emphasize they are not experts) embark on a mission to dissect the cinematic masterpiece that is 1999's "The Matrix."

Through this series of podcasts, they will discuss films they love, hate, or feel indifferent about in a light-hearted, humorous, and sometimes insightful manner. So, listeners are invited to tune in to "Four Takes Movie Podcast," where it is proven that even a movie about bending reality can't be as bizarre as their conversations. So subscribe and come along for the ride!

The team begin by sharing their first impressions of seeing The Matrix in the cinema in 1999, noting that it was released the same year as Star Wars: The Phantom Menace . Despite not having significant initial hype, it became a sleeper hit, supported by a considerable $70 million budget for the time . They discuss the directors, the Wachowskis (initially known as the Wachowski Brothers), and how their earlier movie Bound, starring Jennifer Tilly and the actor who played Cipher, helped them secure the opportunity to direct The Matrix .

The conversation delves into their life-changing reactions to their first viewing of The Matrix, particularly the ground breaking bullet time visual effects . They explore various themes present in the movie, ranging from interpretations of religion and theology to mythology and philosophy. The hosts touch upon the idea of a Messiah figure within the narrative. There is a general consensus that the first movie was the best, with the subsequent sequels not reaching the same level of impact.

The casting is praised, with particular attention paid to Keanu Reeves' portrayal of Neo as a relatable everyman. The podcast mentions that actors such as Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio were also considered for the role. The character of Morpheus, played by Laurence Fishburne, is discussed in terms of his authority and role as a mentor. His name is noted to derive from ancient Greek mythology, where Morpheus is the god of dreams, fitting the nature of the Matrix. It is also mentioned that Fishburne was advised to base his performance on a character from Neil Gaiman's Sandman.

An interesting point is raised about the initial concept for the character Switch to present as male in the real world and female in the Matrix, reflecting themes of gender identity that the Wachowskis later explored in projects like Sense8 and Cloud Atlas . The iconic red pill and blue pill scene is also briefly mentioned.

The hosts touch upon technical aspects, including Neo's Microsoft ergonomic keyboard, and a surprising fact that the Matrix code was allegedly based on a sushi menu . They fondly recall the extensive DVD extras that accompanied The Matrix, such as the documentary The Matrix Revisited . Anecdotes about injuries on set and Keanu Reeves' generosity towards the crew are shared.

Towards the end of the movie discussion, each host shares their favourite movie moments and least favourite movie moments from The Matrix, offering personal insights into the film's impact. The discussion briefly touches on the body horror element of the bug removal scene. The episode concludes with a recommendation to watch The Matrix, highlighting its status as a fantastic film.