Movie Memory Machine

In the season finale of Movie Memory Machine, we dig deep into Sahara (2005)—a film that cost a fortune, confused genres, and kicked off exactly zero franchises. Starring Matthew McConaughey as treasure hunter Dirk Pitt, Sahara is the kind of action-adventure that wants to be Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Blood Diamond all at once. We dive into the absurd production history, the book’s wild differences, and why this movie still somehow works (for some of us). Also: Clive Cussler sued everyone, Steve Zahn loses his hat, and Rainn Wilson gets paid less than McConaughey’s chef.
Topics Covered:
The history and chaos behind the making of Sahara
Matthew McConaughey as Dirk Pitt: casting, charisma, and contact lenses
A breakdown of the many, many writers (and lawsuits)
Penélope Cruz’s role and the tone whiplash of pandemic horror vs. boat bro comedy
Deep dive into the book, the lawsuits, the budget, and the weirdest adaptation notes ever
Key Takeaways:
Sahara is a case study in how too much money, too many writers, and too many creative controls can sink a film.
Dirk Pitt is the ultimate Mary Sue, and the movie makes no apologies for it.
The opening credits sequence cost more than some indie films and contains more exposition than the actual script.
McConaughey, Zahn, and Cruz all give it their all—but the real star is the absurd backstory behind the film.
Main Cast & Crew:
Director: Breck Eisner
Writers: Thomas Dean Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John C. Richards, James V. Hart, and many, many more
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, Penélope Cruz, Rainn Wilson, William H. Macy, Delroy Lindo, Lambert Wilson
Based on the Novel By: Clive Cussler
Listener Engagement:Did you see Sahara in theaters? Do you have a soft spot for Dirk Pitt? Is there a bigger cinematic Mary Sue than Dirk? Tell us your thoughts on social media using #MovieMemoryMachine.
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Here’s how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter – For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join us at Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod.
Leave a positive rating and review – Reviews on Apple Podcasts and other platforms help new listeners discover the show.
Like, follow, and share on social media – Spread the word about Movie Memory Machine!
Tell a friend – Word-of-mouth recommendations help us grow the most!
Join our Discord – Be part of a positive film-loving community and cast your vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are forgotten.
Follow Us & Stay Connected: 🌐 Official website: https://www.moviememorymachine.com📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachine🎞️ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, we row our way through The Boys in the Boat, George Clooney’s adaptation of the best-selling book about the University of Washington’s scrappy rowing team and their improbable journey to Olympic glory. We discuss whether the film captures the thrill of sports triumphs or just kind of... floats along. Plus, we question some creative choices, geek out over our favorite underdog sports movies, and inevitably spiral into a debate about what makes a great sports movie.
Topics Covered:
The real-life story behind The Boys in the Boat
George Clooney’s direction: a steady hand or off course?
Why sports movies don’t affect us (or so we claim)
Does this follow the great tradition of underdog sports movies?
Our personal picks for best sports movies ever made
Key Takeaways:
The Boys in the Boat is a solid, if predictable, sports drama about teamwork, determination, and getting really sore arms.
The film looks great, but does it feel great? We debate whether it captures the stakes or just coasts along.
The best sports movies are about more than the game—they’re about the people, rivalries, and dramatic slow-motion moments.
We reminisce about The Sandlot, Speed Racer, A League of Their Own, and other classics that made us fist-pump at our screens.
Main Cast & Crew:
Director: George Clooney
Screenwriter: Mark L. Smith (The Revenant)
Starring: Callum Turner, Joel Edgerton, Jack Mulhern, Sam Strike, Luke Slattery, Peter Guinness
Based on the Book By: Daniel James Brown
 
What’s your favorite sports movie? Do you think The Boys in the Boat captures that winning spirit, or does it capsize? Let us know on social media using #MovieMemoryMachine!
 
Support the Show!Help keep Movie Memory Machine ad-free and artist-owned! Here’s how you can support us:
Become a Patreon supporter – For as little as $1/month, you get access to bonus content for all shows on the Grunt Work Podcast Network. Join us at Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod.
Leave a positive rating and review – Reviews on Apple Podcasts and other platforms help new listeners discover the show.
Like, follow, and share on social media – Spread the word about Movie Memory Machine!
Tell a friend – Word-of-mouth recommendations help us grow the most!
Join our Discord – Be part of a positive film-loving community and cast your vote on whether films stay in modern memory or are forgotten.
Follow Us & Stay Connected: 🌐 Official website: MovieMemoryMachine.com📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieMemoryMachine🎞️ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/moviememorypod/
Tune in, laugh with us, and don’t forget to keep your oars in the water!

The Boys in the Boat (2023) – Movie Memory Machine
"Who the hell are these guys? Oh, right, they’re the boys in the boat."
 
Episode Description
In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman row their way through The Boys in the Boat (2023), George Clooney’s sepia-toned tale of working-class college kids defying the odds at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. While the film attempts to craft an inspirational underdog story, your hosts have a few oars to grind—questioning its historical blind spots, over-reliance on sports movie tropes, and why Jesse Owens was the real story of those Olympics. From the film’s glossy, awards-bait ambitions to its oddly chaste, uninspired execution, this discussion leaves no regatta unchallenged.
Major Cast & Crew
Director & Producer: George Clooney
Screenwriter: Mark L. Smith (based on the book by Daniel James Brown)
Starring:
Callum Turner as Joe Rantz
Joel Edgerton as Coach Al Ulbrickson
Hadley Robinson as Joyce Simdars
Chris Diamantopoulos as Royal Brougham
Film Synopsis
Based on a true story, The Boys in the Boat follows Joe Rantz and a ragtag crew of University of Washington rowers as they train under Coach Ulbrickson, overcoming personal hardships and class barriers to compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The film paints a portrait of Depression-era America, resilience, and teamwork—though it skims over some of the deeper historical complexities.
Episode Highlights
A Boatload of Problems – Landen and Truman discuss the film’s lack of character development and how its team dynamic fails compared to classic sports movies.
Who Gives a Sh*t About This Story? – A deep dive into why this particular Olympic victory was chosen to be told, and whether it deserved the cinematic treatment over other 1936 Olympic moments.
George Clooney’s Directing Style (or Lack Thereof) – Why The Boys in the Boat feels like an aesthetic filter applied to a Wikipedia summary rather than a film with purpose.
A Missed Opportunity for Rowing to be Hot – Truman argues the film should have been way hornier, considering the sheer amount of synchronized thrusting involved in rowing.
The Jesse Owens Factor – How The Boys in the Boat ignores the most historically significant American athlete of the 1936 Olympics.
Inspirational Sports Speeches™ – An analysis of how the film leans on clichéd motivational monologues instead of crafting an engaging narrative.
🎧 Did you watch The Boys in the Boat? What did you think? Let us know on Instagram or YouTube!
🌊 For a much better underdog sports movie, just watch Cool Runnings.⭐ Enjoying the show? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast app! It helps more than you know.
 
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🎟️ Join our Patreon for exclusive content!🌐 Visit our website for past episodes & show notes.🎬 Follow our Letterboxd to track the films we cover.
 
🔍 SEO Keywords: The Boys in the Boat movie review, George Clooney, 2023 movies, rowing movies, Jesse Owens, 1936 Olympics, underdog sports movies, Callum Turner, Joel Edgerton, forgotten movies podcast.

"Somewhere between satire and sensory overload, American Dreamz (2006) crams politics, pop culture, and reality TV into a single chaotic comedy."
 
Episode Description
In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman break down American Dreamz (2006), a movie that tried to satirize everything at once—reality TV, politics, and the war on terror. They revisit the film’s self-serious opening credits, its bizarre wig choices, and the best (and worst) of its reality show parodies. Plus, they play The Trailer Game to see if the marketing sold audiences on satire or just Hugh Grant looking miserable.
 
Major Cast and Crew
Director & Writer: Paul Weitz
Main Cast:
Hugh Grant as Martin Tweed
Dennis Quaid as President Staton
Mandy Moore as Sally Kendoo
Willem Dafoe as Vice President Sutter
Chris Klein as William Williams
Sam Golzari as Omer
Marcia Gay Harden as First Lady Staton
Jennifer Coolidge as Martha Kendoo
 
Film Synopsis
Reality TV and politics collide in American Dreamz, where a Simon Cowell-style TV host (Hugh Grant) seeks ratings gold with a manufactured pop star (Mandy Moore) and an unwitting terrorist contestant (Sam Golzari). Meanwhile, a clueless president (Dennis Quaid) gets roped into the spectacle. As satire meets slapstick, the film asks: is America one big reality show, or is it worse than that?
 
Episode Highlights
The over-the-top opening credits: clever satire or too much too soon?
Mandy Moore’s wig: the real star of the movie.
Hugh Grant’s performance—his best attempt at soulless TV host or just an easy paycheck?
The Trailer Game: Did the marketing team actually understand what this movie was about?
A debate: does American Dreamz belong in the political satire hall of fame, or is it just Reality Bites with more explosions?
 
What’s the weirdest attempt at political satire you’ve ever seen? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your feedback.
 
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
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SEO Keywords
American Dreamz mini-episode, Hugh Grant satire, Paul Weitz comedies, Mandy Moore reality TV parody, Dennis Quaid presidential roles, political satire in film, Movie Memory Machine podcast

"Somewhere between satire and fever dream, American Dreamz (2006) asks: What if reality TV, politics, and terrorism all collided in a comedy? The answer is… a lot."
 
Episode Description
In this episode, Landen and Truman dive into American Dreamz (2006), Paul Weitz’s darkly comedic take on post-9/11 America, reality TV, and the absurdity of politics. Starring Hugh Grant as a Simon Cowell-type TV judge and Dennis Quaid as a bumbling U.S. president, the film tackles the war on terror, media spectacle, and the manufactured nature of stardom. But does its satire still resonate, or does it feel like an artifact of the Bush-era news cycle? Tune in for a sharp, hilarious breakdown of a movie that tried to take on everything at once.
 
Major Cast and Crew
Director & Writer: Paul Weitz
Main Cast:
Hugh Grant as Martin Tweed
Dennis Quaid as President Staton
Mandy Moore as Sally Kendoo
Willem Dafoe as Vice President Sutter
Chris Klein as William Williams
Sam Golzari as Omer
Marcia Gay Harden as First Lady Staton
Jennifer Coolidge as Martha Kendoo
 
Film Synopsis
Reality TV collides with global politics in American Dreamz, a satirical comedy where America’s most-watched singing competition becomes entangled in a White House PR stunt. As host Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant) searches for the perfect contestants—including an ambitious Midwestern singer (Mandy Moore) and a reluctant sleeper agent (Sam Golzari)—the president (Dennis Quaid) finds himself caught in a media frenzy. When reality, ratings, and terrorism collide, the results are as chaotic as they are darkly funny.
 
Episode Highlights
Hugh Grant’s turn as a sleazy, dead-eyed reality TV host.
How American Dreamz captured (and exaggerated) early 2000s political absurdity.
Mandy Moore’s performance: was this a parody of pop stardom or too real?
Willem Dafoe’s uncanny resemblance to Dick Cheney—pure coincidence?
Does the film’s satire hold up, or is it too tied to its era?
 
What’s your favorite political satire, and does American Dreamz deserve to be in the conversation? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your feedback.
 
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
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SEO Keywords
American Dreamz podcast, Hugh Grant reality TV satire, Paul Weitz political comedy, Mandy Moore pop star roles, Dennis Quaid presidential performances, 2000s political satires, Movie Memory Machine podcast

"Somewhere between a fairytale and a fever dream, Gretel & Hansel (2020) serves up dark fantasy with a side of unsettling imagery."
 
Episode Description
In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman take another look at Gretel & Hansel (2020), a beautifully haunting take on the classic fairytale. They explore the film’s hypnotic visuals, the strange logic of folk horror, and what it means when children in a fairytale start tripping on mushrooms. Plus, a deep dive into some of the weirdest Grimm’s fairytales—including Clever Gretel and Gambling Hansel, a lost saga of trickery, dice, and divine intervention.
 
Major Cast and Crew
Director: Oz Perkins
Writers: Rob Hayes (screenplay), Brothers Grimm (fairytale)
Main Cast:
Sophia Lillis as Gretel
Samuel Leakey as Hansel
Alice Krige as The Witch
Jessica De Gouw as Young Witch
 
Film Synopsis
A darker reimagining of the Brothers Grimm tale, Gretel & Hansel follows teenage Gretel (Sophia Lillis) as she and her younger brother Hansel (Samuel Leakey) are cast out into the wilderness. When they find shelter with a mysterious woman (Alice Krige) in a secluded cottage, Gretel begins to uncover secrets about the witch’s past—and her own destiny.
 
Episode Highlights
The power of triangle imagery—cinematic or just Truman’s new obsession?
Landen’s long-lost horror memory finally uncovered.
The unsettling food of Gretel & Hansel—why does horror always ruin our appetites?
The trippiest mushroom scene in a fairy tale movie (or at least in this decade).
How Gambling Hansel turned the afterlife into a high-stakes card game.
 
Listener Question
What’s the creepiest moment from a childhood fairytale or movie that still sticks with you? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your feedback.
 
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
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SEO Keywords
Gretel and Hansel mini-episode, Oz Perkins horror, Sophia Lillis movies, Alice Krige witch roles, dark fairytale movies, horror movie food scenes, trippy mushrooms in film, Movie Memory Machine podcast

"Somewhere beyond the depths of the forest and the clutches of the witch, two podcasters rediscover a forgotten fairytale. Welcome to Movie Memory Machine."
 
Episode Description
In this week’s episode, Landen and Truman explore Gretel & Hansel (2020), a visually stunning but divisive reimagining of the classic tale from Oz Perkins (Longlegs, The Monkey). With Sophia Lillis as a resourceful Gretel and Alice Krige as the unsettling Witch, this film trades fairy tale whimsy for atmospheric dread. Join the discussion as they dissect the film’s unique aesthetic, its exploration of feminist themes, and the age-old question: why does food always look so unappetizing in horror?
 
Major Cast and Crew
Director: Oz Perkins
Writers: Rob Hayes (screenplay), Brothers Grimm (fairytale)
Main Cast:
Sophia Lillis as Gretel
Samuel Leakey as Hansel
Alice Krige as The Witch
Jessica De Gouw as Young Witch
 
Film Synopsis
In a grim twist on the Brothers Grimm classic, teenage Gretel (Sophia Lillis) leads her younger brother Hansel (Samuel Leakey) into the forest in search of food and work after being cast out of their home. The siblings stumble upon the home of a mysterious and sinister woman (Alice Krige), whose kindness masks a dark and twisted secret. As Gretel unravels the Witch’s true intentions, she discovers her own latent power—and must choose between saving herself or her brother.
 
Episode Highlights
Oz Perkins’ atmospheric direction: is it spellbinding or just too slow?
Sophia Lillis’ performance as Gretel: a feminist reimagining of the classic heroine.
Alice Krige’s witch: terrifying, tragic, or both?
Why is the food in horror movies so gross? (Seriously, what’s with the porridge?)
A debate: is Gretel & Hansel a modern fairytale masterpiece or just pretentious art-house horror?
What’s your favorite reimagining of a classic fairytale, and why? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your feedback in future show notes!
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
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SEO Keywords
Gretel and Hansel podcast, Oz Perkins movies, Sophia Lillis performances, Alice Krige horror roles, feminist fairytales, atmospheric horror films, Movie Memory Machine podcast

"We survived Poseidon (2006), and the only thing that flipped us upside down more than the ship was Fergie’s dramatic demise."
 
Episode Description
In this mini-episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman revisit Wolfgang Petersen’s disaster epic Poseidon (2006) with insights and laughs from their conversation with special guests Lauren Pritchard and Joe Roche. From flaming waterfalls to rogue waves, they discuss the movie’s best (and most baffling) moments, share childhood cruise ship fears, and imagine what other movie characters could have survived the capsized ship. Plus, a raucous round of the Trailer Game that left them upside down in more ways than one.
 
Major Cast and Crew
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Writers: Mark Protosevich (screenplay), Paul Gallico (novel)
Main Cast:
Josh Lucas as Dylan Johns
Kurt Russell as Robert Ramsey
Richard Dreyfuss as Richard Nelson
Emmy Rossum as Jennifer Ramsey
Jacinda Barrett as Maggie James
Mia Maestro as Elena
Andre Braugher as Captain Michael Bradford
Stacy Ferguson (Fergie) as Gloria
 
Film Synopsis
A New Year’s Eve celebration aboard the luxury ocean liner Poseidon is cut short when a massive rogue wave capsizes the ship. Trapped upside down and sinking fast, a group of survivors must navigate flooded corridors, fiery obstacles, and their own fears to find a way out before time runs out.
 
Episode Highlights
Fergie’s short-lived but impactful role: A diva meets disaster.
Flaming waterfalls: Iconic or absurd? The eternal debate.
Landen’s childhood cruise ship nightmare—a fever dream featuring Charles Lindbergh.
What happens when The Trailer Game leaves everyone guessing wrong?
 
What’s your favorite over-the-top disaster movie moment? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media—we might feature them in a future episode!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to hear your feedback.
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: Movie Memory Machine
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SEO Keywords
Poseidon 2006 mini-episode, Wolfgang Petersen disaster movies, flaming waterfalls, Lauren Pritchard and Joe Roche guest, rogue wave scenes, Movie Memory Machine podcast

"We're trapped on a podcast about forgotten movies, but at least we’re not upside down on a sinking ship. Welcome to Movie Memory Machine."
 
Episode Description
In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman are joined by comedians and writers Lauren Pritchard and Joe Roche to dissect Wolfgang Petersen’s 2006 disaster film, Poseidon. With a star-studded cast including Kurt Russell, Josh Lucas, and Richard Dreyfuss, this high-stakes remake of The Poseidon Adventure flips the disaster genre on its head. Expect fiery debates, tales of cruise ship life, and sharp critiques of why this film couldn’t keep afloat at the box office. Did Poseidon sink under its own weight, or does it deserve a second look? Climb aboard to find out.
 
Special Guests
Lauren Pritchard
Actor, Writer, Comedian
Mad TV, HBO’s True Blood, Dropout TV’s Make Some Noise, and at least five different Disney shows!
Joe Roche
Writer, Actor, Comedian
The Thundermans, Telenovela, Kill Me Deadly
Co-writer of Meth Gator and Planet Dune
Support Lauren and Joe by checking out their work in comedy and film, including Meth Gator and Planet Dune. Follow their creative projects and enjoy their unique take on storytelling!
 
Major Cast and Crew
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Writers: Mark Protosevich (screenplay), Paul Gallico (novel)
Main Cast:
Josh Lucas as Dylan Johns
Kurt Russell as Robert Ramsey
Richard Dreyfuss as Richard Nelson
Emmy Rossum as Jennifer Ramsey
Jacinda Barrett as Maggie James
Mike Vogel as Christian
Mia Maestro as Elena
Jimmy Bennett as Conor
Andre Braugher as Captain Michael Bradford
Stacy Ferguson (Fergie) as Gloria
 
Film Synopsis
A New Year’s Eve celebration aboard the luxury ocean liner Poseidon is cut short when a massive rogue wave capsizes the ship. Stranded upside down and sinking fast, a group of survivors, led by gambler Dylan Johns (Josh Lucas) and firefighter-turned-mayor Robert Ramsey (Kurt Russell), must navigate the flooded wreckage to escape. With time running out and peril at every turn, will they survive, or will the ship become their tomb?
 
Episode Highlights
Disaster films as the “slasher movies of Mother Nature.”
Lauren Pritchard’s real-life cruise ship survival training—watertight doors and all.
The infamous flaming waterfall scene: how they pulled it off (and why).
Richard Dreyfuss’ character: groundbreaking representation or undercooked writing?
Fergie’s “lady lumps” as flotation devices—yes, we went there.
What’s your favorite disaster movie, and how does Poseidon stack up? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
Enjoyed the episode? Tell us what you think by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’d love to feature your thoughts in future show notes!
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🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
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SEO Keywords
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"From Brad Pitt's unfortunate driving skills to Julia Roberts sharing life lessons with a hitman, this mini-episode revisits The Mexican (2001) and its curious mix of genres."
 
Episode Description
In this mini-episode, Landen and Truman dive deeper into The Mexican (2001), exploring Brad Pitt’s knack for awkward misadventures, Julia Roberts’ surprisingly heartfelt road trip with James Gandolfini, and the film's attempt to juggle crime, comedy, and romance. They also play "Trailer Tropes," guessing which clichés made it into the marketing campaign and pondering why nobody trusted Jerry with a car.
 
Major Cast and Crew
Director: Gore Verbinski
Writer: J.H. Wyman
Main Cast:
Brad Pitt as Jerry Welbach
Julia Roberts as Samantha Barzel
James Gandolfini as Leroy
 
Film Synopsis
Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt) is tasked with retrieving a cursed gun called "The Mexican" for his mob bosses, but things go hilariously wrong when his girlfriend Samantha (Julia Roberts) ends up bonding with a philosophical hitman (James Gandolfini). With fate, comedy, and stray bullets colliding, Jerry must figure out if the curse lies with the gun—or his own bad luck.
 
Episode Highlights
Why Jerry Welbach might be Brad Pitt's least competent character ever.
Julia Roberts and James Gandolfini’s chemistry: surprisingly sweet or oddly mismatched?
The trailer game: Which clichés did the marketing team overplay?
The mystery of "The Mexican" pistol: Is it cursed, or just poorly made?
Revisiting Gore Verbinski’s knack for blending humor with chaos.
 
What’s your favorite unexpected duo in a movie? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media—we’d love to hear your picks!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform—we might feature your feedback in future show notes!
💡 Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod
🌐 Visit our website: http://www.moviememorymachine.com/
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: Movie Memory Machine
Instagram: @MovieMemoryMachine
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SEO Keywords
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