Movies Unhacked

Is Jeff Goldblum any good in this movie? In what ways are these movies similar? And do these movies undermine their core problem? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Mike Young unhack The Fly (1986) & (1958). When a scientist invents teleportation, he uses himself as a guinea pig and befalls a horrible result to his experiment. Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis star in David Cronenberg's The Fly (...

How does this movie break new ground in filmmaking? Are sex robots a real thing? And why is Yul Brynner so awesome? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Mike Young unhack Westworld (1973). When two friends visit the ultimate theme park, they are forced to reckon with more danger than they bargained for. Richard Benjamin, Yul Brynner, and James Brolin star in Michael Crichton's Westworld (1973)!...

Could Megan realistically do the things she does in this movie? How many other horror films does this movie reference? And is this movie even any good? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Matt Janulewicz unhack M3GAN (2022). When a young girl loses her parents in a car accident, she must go live with her aunt and learn to cope with her new life. Along the way she makes a new robot friend. Alli...

Can AI paintings personalize their display? What's a dolly zoom shot? And is this movie any good? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Matt Janulewicz unhack Antitrust (2001). When a software engineer gets a dream job, he must put his ethics to the test and make his way through a maze of traps. Ryan Phillippe, Tim Robbins, Rachael Leigh Cook, and Claire Forlani star in Peter Howitt's Antitrust...

How do they do invisibility effects in 1933? Why should we feel sorry for the barman? And do we have invisibility technology today? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Mike Young unhack The Invisible Man (1933). When a stranger arrives in town, he turns the community into a living nightmare and the police must stop him before it's too late. Claude Raines stars in James Whale's The Invisible Ma...

Does Subliminal Messaging really work? What happened when Peter Falk directed a Columbo episode? And who should be on the Mt. Rushmore of television characters? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco, Mike Young, and Jay Holavarri unhack Columbo, "Double Exposure" (1973). When a man is murdered during a film presentation it's up to Columbo to solve the mystery. Peter Falk and Robert Culp star in Colu...

How great are Christine's characters? What genre of film is Maximum Overdrive? And what music video did Siskel and Ebert review in 1983? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Mike Young unhack Christine (1983) and Maximum Overdrive (1986). When an unpopular teen gets a new car, things start to turn around for him. But his car has its own motivations. Keith Gordon stars in John Carpenter's Christ...

Is the relationship between Stephanie and Number Five cute, or weird? What is Number five's major design flaw? And are there any likable characters in this movie? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Matt Janulewicz unhack Short Circuit (1986). When a military robot weapon escapes, it's all hands on deck to track it down. But when they find it, it may not be the same robot anymore, it may be AL...

Does this movie get the medical scenes right? Is sacrifice for the greater good a sound medical policy? And how are the actors' performances? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Christina Croco unhack Extreme Measures (1996). When an ER patient inexplicably dies, the ER doctor who treated him descends into an investigation that leads him only to danger and conspiracy. Hugh Grant, Gene Hackman,...

How do Ouija Boards work? What makes this movie so scary? And which movie had the highest ROI of all time? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Jay Holavarri unhack Paranormal Activity (2007). A young couple records video of freaky happenings inside their home. Paranormal Activity (2007)! Episode Log: Summary of Paranormal Activity's story/plot (3:40) Movie review (6:50) The scariest thing in t...

How does one awaken their "third eye"? Did we like the performances and special effects? And what's new in parallel universes? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Dan Brooks unhack From Beyond (1986). A man accused of murder wants to prove he didn't do it and also destroy the culprit: a supernatural machine that opens a portal to a parallel universe. Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton star in...

What was it like to grow up at a shopping mall in the 80s? What are the real-life security bots like? And does this movie follow the rules of the slasher genre? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Mike Young unhack Chopping Mall (1986). When the mall security robots go on a murder spree, a group of friends must try to survive the night locked inside a shopping mall. Kelli Maroney, Tony O'Dell,...

How realistic is the depiction of this computer in 1964? How funny is the comedy in this Twilight Zone episode? And what's the deal with Baskin-Robbins? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco, Mike Young, and Matt Janulewicz unhack The Twilight Zone, "From Agnes - With Love" (1964). When a computer goes on the Fritz, Elwood is called in to fix it. But is he working on the computer or is the computer...

Is smoking allowed on submarines? How often do captains threaten men with guns and punch people? And how does a Sailor have any privacy on a sub? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco, Tim Fogarty, and Christina Croco unhack Crimson Tide (1995). Tim spent many years serving on submarines in the U.S. Navy and shares his insights on this classic 90s thriller. With nuclear war hanging in the balance, t...

Why is the main character so unlikable? Why was the badguy's plan so disappointing? And what was the deal with Stuxnet? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Matt Janulewicz unhack Blackhat (2015). When a nuclear facility gets hacked, the FBI brings in an expert, who happens to be in prison, to help solve the crime. Chris Hemsworth stars in Michael Mann's Blackhat (2015)! Episode Log: January 20...

Would these death contraptions actually work? In what ways does the movie undermine itself? And why is searching your car before getting inside important for FBI agents? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Michael Scott unhack Untraceable (2008). When a vengeful killer begins murdering people live on the internet, FBI agent Jennifer Marsh must crack the case while also keeping herself, and her...

Can this movie hold a candle to the movies that inspired it? What was the deal with dial-a-joke? And did this movie invent Tinder? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Mike Young unhack Battle Beyond the Stars (1980). When a peaceful planet faces a galactic threat, it sends a hero out in search of mercenaries who can help defend the planet and restore the peace. John Saxon, Sybill Danning, Robe...

Is Deckard a replicant? Can you really zoom in and enhance a photograph? And is there something special about the chess game Sebastian and Tyrell play? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Jay Holavarri unhack Blade Runner (1982). When four escaped replicants need to be hunted down and retired, it's up to former blade runner Rick Deckard to track them down. Harrison Ford, Sean Young, and Rutger...

Do we like this version of John McClane? Are the villains good at designing bomb triggers? And are the action scenes worthy of the Die Hard franchise? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Matt Janulewicz unhack Live Free or Die Hard (2007). When domestic terrorists attack the country's computer infrastructure, only John McClane and a talented hacker can stop them. Bruce Willis, Justin Long, Tim...

What are our favorite lines from this film? Why were the critics wrong about this movie? And what could possibly be the technology we discuss in this episode? Listen now to find out! Scott and Christina Croco unhack Private Benjamin (1980). Tragedy befalls a wanna-be housewife who winds up joining the army and learning she's a much stronger person than she ever knew. Goldie Hawn and Eileen Brennan...

What exactly are the cook's intentions with Robby the Robot? Why was this movie groundbreaking? And where can you see Robby the Robot today? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Mike Young unhack Forbidden Planet (1956). When a space-traveling crew lands on a planet to find only one surviving member of an expedition, they must unravel the mystery while fighting off a monster. Leslie Nielson, Wa...

Everyone's favorite guessing game, "Fiction or Fake?" gets a dedicated episode. Listen now to hear eight never-before-heard rounds of "Fiction or Fake?"! Scott Croco and all your favorite guests play the game. How many can YOU answer correctly? Episode Log: "Fiction or Fake?" with Jay Holavarri (0:55) "Fiction or Fake?" with Mike Young (5:50) "Fiction or Fake?" with Matt Janulewicz (8:05) "Fiction...

Does this 1992 take on information security hold up? What tech gadget was the forerunner for the Apple company? And how is this movie connected to WarGames? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Matt Janulewicz unhack Sneakers (1992). When a crack security team gets hired by the NSA to retrieve a mystery box, they get more than they bargained for and must find a way to keep the world safe. Rober...

How does the reverse chronology affect the storytelling? Can false memories be implanted? And did Charlie Kaufman follow traditional screenplay structure? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco and Jay Holavarri unhack Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). When a man discovers his girlfriend has erased him from her memory, he does the same thing in return. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star in...

Scary movie month! Does this sequel improve upon the original? What is "swatting"? And are ghosts real? Listen now to find out! Scott Croco, AJ Camarillo, and Kyle Kao unhack Unfriended: Dark Web (2018). When a regular guy obtains a laptop he shouldn't have, he and his friends unwillingly become part of an underground circle of crime. Written and directed by Stephen Susco, Unfriended: Dark Web (20...