Four Play

QUIZ SHOW (1994) shouldn’t work on paper: a quiet film about a 1950s game-show scandal, congressional hearings, and a rigged trivia show with no violence, no twist ending, and no flashy hook. And yet Robert Redford turns it into one of the most compelling American dramas of the decade: a deceptively sharp story about class, ambition, performance, and the birth of mass media.  Raycon audio products are up to 20% off this holiday season! Go to https://buyraycon.com/FOURPLAYOPEN to save on Raycon audio products sitewide. Order by December 15th guarantee delivery by Christmas because great gifts shouldn’t show up late!  Turn your expensive wireless present into a huge wireless savings future by switching to Mint Mobile! Shop Mint Unlimited Plans at https://MINTMOBILE.com/FOURPLAY  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Robert Redford and Paul Newman reunite for one of the greatest con-artist films ever made and one of the most purely entertaining movies Hollywood has ever produced. In the first episode of our Robert Redford Arc, Four Play dives into The Sting (1973), a film that blends slick plotting, old-school charm, and razor-sharp chemistry between two of cinema’s most charismatic stars.  Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code FOURPLAY at shopmando.com!  Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/FOURPLAY and use code FOURPLAY and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is one of the most influential works of horror, science fiction, and gothic literature, but does Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited 2025 adaptation succeed in its representation of the novel? In this episode of Four Play, MonteCristo, Thorin, and Richard Lewis dig into why this debate the merits of the films visuals, story, and faithfulness to the original themes. While our hosts may not enjoy the source material, the ideas behind the story could be compelling on film if interpreted properly. However, considering the narrative inconsistencies and the surprising lack of tension, the hosts explore how Frankenstein ends up being a film that has all the pieces but none of the spark that makes the story immortal. Along the way, they talk about the legacy of gothic horror, the challenges of adapting philosophical novels for modern audiences, how del Toro’s filmmaking strengths and weaknesses show through, and why this version feels more like a visual poem than a fully realized narrative. Shop the Into the AM Black Friday Sale! All items are up to 60% off through the 8th of December. This is in addition to the 10% you always save by using our link: https://intotheam.com/LFN Black Friday is around the corner, and Raycon audio products are up to 30% off sitewide! Go to https://buyraycon.com/FOURPLAYOPEN to save on Raycon audio products sitewide. Don’t get them socks. Get them premium wireless for $15/mo. Shop Mint Unlimited Plans at https://MINTMOBILE.com/FOURPLAY.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Before Black Mirror, before Love, Death & Robots, there was The Twilight Zone: television’s original nightmare machine.  For this special Four Play: One Night Stand episode, MonteCristo, Thorin, and Richard Lewis step into another dimension to revisit four of the most terrifying Twilight Zone stories ever made: tales of paranoia, existential dread, and cosmic irony that still haunt audiences more than sixty years later.  Ready to say yes to saying no? Make the switch at https://MINTMOBILE.com/fourplay.Upfront payment of $45 required (equivalent to $15/mo.). Limited time new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speeds may slow above 35GB on Unlimited plan. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details.  Black Friday is around the corner, and Raycon audio products are up to 30% off sitewide! Go to https://buyraycon.com/FOURPLAYOPEN to save on Raycon audio products sitewide.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Suspiria is one of the most beautiful and unsettling horror films ever made. Dario Argento’s 1977 masterpiece drenches witchcraft in light and color, turning a simple story about a dance academy into a surreal nightmare of sound, architecture, and occult energy. In this episode, MonteCristo, Thorin, and Richard Lewis close out Four Play’s Occult Horror Arc by examining how Suspiria reshaped the language of horror cinema. From Goblin’s legendary score to Argento’s impossible lighting, they explore why this film’s dreamlike atmosphere endures nearly fifty years later and whether its magic still holds up in 2025. They also discuss the legacy of Italian auteur Dario Argento, the power of color as horror, and how Suspiria’s female hierarchy and dream logic differ from modern horror storytelling. Finally, the hosts announce their next series: the Robert Redford Arc, celebrating the career of one of cinema’s most charismatic and influential figures. Black Friday is around the corner, and Raycon audio products are up to 30% off sitewide! Go to https://www.buyraycon.com/FOURPLAYOPEN to save on Raycon audio products sitewide. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When a wealthy family hires shamans to exhume a cursed grave, they awaken something far older and far more dangerous than they imagined. Exhuma (파묘) blends Korean shamanism, feng shui geomancy, and postwar trauma into one of the most striking horror hits of the decade. In this episode of Four Play, MonteCristo, Thorin, and Richard Lewis explore how Exhuma became Korea’s highest-grossing film of 2024, unpack the collision of modern faith and ancient ritual, and break down how the movie’s haunting finale exorcises not just spirits but centuries of buried history. Follow our link and use code FOURPLAY to unlock 10% off your purchase at Manta Sleep! https://tinyurl.com/5cbcbh7a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hereditary marks the rebirth of modern horror with a story where fate, family, and madness collide under the control of unseen forces. Ari Aster’s directorial debut turns grief into tragedy and domestic life into ritual, where every characters fate is inescapable and preordained. With Toni Collette’s raw, unforgettable performance at its center, this film doesn’t ask if evil exists, it simply shows what happens when it wins. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby (1968) didn’t just invent occult horror: it cursed Hollywood itself. A young couple moves into New York’s Dakota building, only to find their new neighbors are part of an ancient Satanic conspiracy. What begins as domestic paranoia becomes a slow descent into psychological terror and a film that redefined horror forever. Richard Lewis, MonteCristo, and Thorin open the Four Play: Occult Horror Arc with the movie that birthed the genre, discussing Polanski’s eerie direction, Mia Farrow’s haunting performance, and how Rosemary’s Baby set the stage for everything from Hereditary to Suspiria. Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code FOURPLAY at shopmando.com! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when journalism isn’t about uncovering corruption in boardrooms, but surviving on the front lines of a civil war? Oliver Stone’s Salvador (1986) throws James Woods into the chaos of Central America’s brutal conflict, where photojournalism becomes both a weapon and a death sentence. The hosts dissect how Salvador critiques America’s political interests abroad, captures the moral decay of wartime journalism, and showcases one of Woods’ greatest performances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Mann’s The Insider (1999) is one of the great modern journalism films: Al Pacino and Russell Crowe bring the true story of CBS, 60 Minutes, and the tobacco whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand to the screen. Thorin, Richard, and MonteCristo break down how the film depicts whistleblowing, corporate malfeasance, and the brutal costs of telling the truth, while also examining Mann’s visual style, Al Pacino’s late-career brilliance, and Russell Crowe’s transformationVisit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/FOURPLAY and use code FOURPLAY and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is NETWORK (1976) the most prophetic film ever made about television and journalism?Directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Paddy Chayefsky, Network follows news anchor Howard Beale (Peter Finch) as he unravels live on air and creates one of cinema’s most famous speeches: “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take this anymore!” This satirical black comedy, starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, and Robert Duvall, predicted the rise of infotainment, corporate control of news, and the modern media circus decades before it happened. MonteCristo, Richard Lewis, and Thorin debate whether Network is satire or documentary, why the film feels even more relevant in 2025 than it did in the 1970s, and how it compares to other great journalism movies like All the President’s Men and The Insider. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watergate, the scandal that toppled Nixon. All the President’s Men (1976) tells the story of Woodward and Bernstein, the two Washington Post journalists who “followed the money” and uncovered corruption at the highest level. But does the film hold up today or has it become a mythologized version of journalism that no longer exists? Richard, Thorin, and MonteCristo dig into Robert Redford & Dustin Hoffman’s iconic roles, the slow-burn procedural style, the myth of journalism as a heroic truth-to-power force, and why this movie may feel like historical fiction in today’s cynical political world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nicolas Cage playing twin brothers in the same film should have been a disaster, but in Adaptation (2002), it became one of his greatest performances. Charlie Kaufman’s meta-masterpiece about writer’s block, Hollywood compromise, and the agony of the creative process pushes Cage to deliver both the funniest and most heartbreaking roles of his career.  Richard, Thorin, and Monte break down why Adaptation remains one of the smartest films ever made about art, obsession, and storytelling. From Kaufman’s genius screenplay to Spike Jonze’s direction and Chris Cooper’s Oscar-winning supporting role, we unpack how this strange, self-referential film became a modern classic.  Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code FOURPLAY at shopmando.com!  Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/FOURPLAY and use code FOURPLAY and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Critics called Joel Schumacher’s 8MM (1999) “sleazy, appalling, and exploitative.” With Nicolas Cage as a private investigator dragged into the world of underground snuff films, James Gandolfini at his sleaziest, and a young Joaquin Phoenix in one of his earliest breakout roles, the movie was condemned as too dark and disturbing for the 1990s. But does 8MM deserve its reputation as sleaze cinema, or is it a misunderstood neo-noir about cursed destinies and the abyss staring back? On this episode of Four Play, Richard, Thorin, and Monte debate Cage’s performance, the film’s noir roots, and how it compares to other notorious “snuff myth” films like Hardcore, Faces of Death, and Cannibal Holocaust.Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code FOURPLAY at shopmando.com! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Leaving Las Vegas (1995) is Nicolas Cage at his most raw and devastating and he delivers a performance that won him an Oscar and became one of the bleakest love stories ever put on film. Cage plays Ben Sanderson, a man who moves to Las Vegas to drink himself to death, where he meets Elisabeth Shue in a career-defining role as a sex worker who chooses to love him anyway. In this episode, Richard Lewis, MonteCristo, and Thorin break down Cage’s Oscar-winning performance, Elisabeth Shue’s shocking transformation, and the film’s unflinching depiction of addiction, despair, and fleeting connection. They also discuss Roger Ebert’s surprising praise, the film’s cultural impact, and why Leaving Las Vegas still resonates nearly 30 years later. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We dive into Michael Bay's 1996 action film 'The Rock' starring Nicholas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo explore the film's iconic moments, characters, and unique blend of comedy, action, and drama. They discuss why 'The Rock' stands out as a classic in the action genre, Michael Bay's directorial choices, and the unforgettable performances from the stellar cast. We also cover the film's background, including its commercial success, cultural impact, entrance into the Criterion Collection, and Roger Ebert's surprising defense of its artistic merits. Don't miss this comprehensive analysis of one of the best action movies of the 90s! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To conclude our Psychedelic Horror arc on Four Play, we delve deep into the film Mandy starring Nicolas Cage. We explore why this visually stunning and emotionally intense film has become a cult classic. From its incredible use of color and sound to its compelling performances and gripping storyline, Mandy is not just a movie but an experience. We also discuss the career of director Panos Cosmatos, the remarkable score by Jóhann Jóhannsson, and how this film fits into the broader context of 2018 cinema. Step into the abyss with us as we break down every aspect of this unforgettable film. Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code FOURPLAY at shopmando.com! The Last Free Nation merch shop is open! Show off your fandom and support us and by purchasing  the high-quality items on our merch shop. Check our website for more info on shipping! https://lastfreenation.shop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join us as we delve into director Ken Russell's 1980 film 'Altered States.' This episode covers the film's psychedelic themes, its visionary yet controversial direction, and its mixed reception from critics like Roger Ebert. We discuss the film's exploration of hallucinogenic drugs, sensory deprivation tanks, and its complex narrative about a scientist's quest for absolute truth. Whether you're a fan of flawed gems or just curious about experimental cinema, this episode has something for you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, our hosts delve into 'Enter the Void,' a 2009 psychedelic horror film directed by Gaspar Noé. They explore its intense thematic elements, discussing the challenges and impact of Noé's unique visual and narrative style. The discussion covers the film's portrayal of the expat experience in Asia, its uncompromising approach to trauma and drug use, and its groundbreaking cinematography. Be prepared for an in-depth analysis of a film that's as disturbing as it is technically impressive. Viewer discretion is advised due to the film's explicit content. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to 'Four Play' as we dive into our new arc on psychedelic horror! In this episode, we dissect the 1990 psychological masterpiece 'Jacob's Ladder.' We explore the film’s layered narrative, iconic practical effects, and its profound themes of trauma, war, and the afterlife. Drawing connections to Buddhist philosophy, Christian mysticism, and classic literature, we provide an in-depth analysis of how the film crafts its unsettling atmosphere. Get ready for a mind-bending journey through Tim Robbins' haunting portrayal of Jacob, and discover why this film is a cornerstone of psychological horror. Whether you are familiar with the movie or watching it for the first time, join us as we uncover the twisted reality of 'Jacob's Ladder.'The Last Free Nation merch shop is open! Show off your fandom and support us and by purchasing the high-quality items on our merch shop. Check our website for more info on shipping! https://lastfreenation.shop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.