Burnt or Buttered: Movie Reviews

Freakier Friday Discussion – Double the Moms, Double the Daughters, and Did It Actually Work?

In this Burnt or Buttered episode, Toast and Sami dive into Freakier Friday, the sequel that doubles down with two moms and two daughters swapping lives. Nostalgia meets chaos, but did it pull off the magic of the original?We talk through the callbacks that worked, the concert switch-up that surprised us, and how the film balanced heartfelt family moments with all the chaos. We also touch on Jake’s return, the fortune teller cameo, and whether Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis still carry the heart of the franchise.This one had us laughing, tearing up, and wondering if it was “freaky” enough for 2025.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Toast’s Over-the-Top Trailer Intro01:15 – Welcome with Guest Sami01:30 – Nostalgia and Sequel Worries02:00 – Lindsay Lohan Lookalike Stories02:40 – Two Moms, Two Daughters, Four Confusions03:00 – Callback Humor and Nostalgia Moments04:00 – Concert Scene Switcheroo04:50 – Heartfelt Payoff and Emotional Beats05:30 – Step-Family Struggles and Empathy06:00 – Parent Trap Connections and Meredith Blake Cameo06:45 – The Jake Subplot and Record Store Flirtations07:30 – The Wedding Payoff and Pixie Cut Gag08:20 – Casting Highlights: Manny from The Good Place09:30 – Supporting Characters That Anchored the Story10:00 – The Fortune Teller’s Starbucks Side Hustle11:00 – Chaos, Comedy, and Emotional Resonance12:00 – Tess Acting Younger than Expected12:40 – What Worked and What Could Change13:00 – Final Pop Ratings

She Rides Shotgun Discussion – Grit, Survival, and a Father-Daughter Story Worth Talking About

In this Burnt or Buttered episode, Toast and I talk about She Rides Shotgun — an indie crime drama based on Jordan Harper’s novel. It stars Taron Egerton as Nate, fresh out of prison, and introduces a breakout young actress as Polly, his daughter, who gets pulled into a violent, unpredictable world.We get into how the film blends grit and tenderness, what worked about the direction and soundtrack, and why Polly might be one of the best child performances we’ve seen in years. We also touch on the moral questions the movie raises — from survival instincts to whether anyone in this story is truly “good.”This was one of those films that caught us off guard in the best way, and it gave us a lot to think and talk about.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Toast’s Gritty Synopsis Intro01:00 – Good News, Bad News: Audio Only Episode02:00 – Welcome to Burnt or Buttered03:00 – Taron Egerton as Nate04:30 – Book Origins and Adaptation Choices05:30 – Director’s First Feature Film Strengths and Weaknesses06:20 – The Soundtrack and Tone Setting07:00 – Opening Scene and Suspenseful Setup07:50 – Polly’s Breakout Performance08:30 – Nate’s Character and Shifting Perceptions09:20 – Slow Spots and First-Film Pacing Issues11:20 – Shades of Grey: No “Good” Characters12:15 – The Greenlight on Polly and Its Stakes13:30 – Betrayals and Self-Preservation14:30 – Quiet Human Moments Amid Chaos15:30 – Robbery and Chase Sequence16:50 – Bonding Through Transformation18:10 – Father-Daughter Dynamics and Emotional Honesty20:00 – Parenting Reflections and Real-Life Parallels21:00 – Final Thoughts Before Ratings22:00 – Polly’s Powerful Ending Scene22:54 – Final Pop Ratings23:57 – Wrap-Up and Episode Outro

Naked Gun 2025 Discussion – Liam Neeson’s Deadpan, Dumb Gags, and Did the Reboot Actually Work?

In this Burnt or Buttered episode, Toast and I dive into Naked Gun 2025 — the long-awaited reboot starring Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr. This one had us laughing, groaning, and debating whether the dumb gags still land in 2025.We break down the best slapstick moments, the running jokes that actually worked, and the places where the movie dragged. From bank robber disguises to owl prayers, from gadget parodies to self-driving car chaos, this film tries to honor the original while going bigger and sillier.Did Liam Neeson pull off the straight-man parody role, or did the comedy fall flat? We’ve got takes on all of it — plus plenty of side tangents on parodies, reboots, and whether this franchise still belongs in the modern comedy landscape.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Toast’s Trailer Voice Opening01:15 – The Legacy of Leslie Nielsen’s Drebin02:50 – Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr.04:20 – Over-the-Top Bank Robber Disguise05:45 – The Owl Prayer to Frank Sr.07:15 – The Gadget Called P.L.O.T. Device08:40 – Self-Driving Car Chaos Scene10:20 – Dumb Gags That Still Worked12:00 – Where the Movie Dragged13:30 – Callback Humor vs. New Material15:10 – Is This Franchise Still Relevant17:00 – Final Pop Ratings19:20 – Wrap-Up and Closing Thoughts

Together Movie Discussion | Love, Horror & Cult Fusions – Burnt or Buttered Podcast

What happens when love becomes literally inseparable? In this episode of the Burnt or Buttered podcast, Toast and Stetson dive into Michael Shanks’ bizarre romantic-horror Together, starring Alison Brie and Dave Franco.We discuss everything—from the shocking body-fusion scenes and unsettling cult mythology to the deeper questions about relationships, codependency, and what it truly means to find your “other half.”Plus, we explore the real-life controversy over an alleged copyright dispute, compare the film’s ideas to Greek mythology, and debate whether this ending is romantic… or horrifying.🎬 Our Ratings:Toast: 3.5/5Stetson: 2.99/5Join the discussion in the comments—do you think they were soulmates, or just victims of the water?Timestamps00:00 – Stetson’s synopsis of Together01:07 – First impressions of the trailers02:08 – The shocking reality of the fusion scenes03:49 – Themes of codependency & relationships05:16 – Cult influence and soulmate mythology07:34 – Are they truly better together?08:28 – The merging process & sacrifice09:14 – Which fusions looked “normal” vs disturbing10:17 – Alison Brie & Dave Franco’s own take11:34 – Could they fuse without each other?12:31 – What happens if you can’t find your match14:00 – Toxic love vs destined love15:11 – Leaving things open to interpretation16:51 – Two stories trying to merge into one18:09 – Backstory with the mother & influence on the cult20:09 – The awkward proposal scene21:17 – Copyright controversy & Better Half24:29 – Final ratings & closing thoughts

Jurassic World: Rebirth Discussion – Dinosaur Mayhem, Franchise Fatigue, and Theme Park Ride Theory

In this Burnt or Buttered episode, Toast and I dive into Jurassic World: Rebirth—and it turns out we agree more than we expected. This latest dino entry is part chaos, part nostalgia, and part Universal Studios ride pitch.We talk through whether this movie actually offered anything new, why it may have finally crossed into self-parody, and if Scarlett Johansson’s mercenary arc made any sense at all. There were some big swings: Mahershala Ali's weird not-death, dinosaurs chasing rafts that apparently can't pop, and a T-Rex with the emotional range of a Labrador. We had thoughts.Also, we reveal our theory that this movie was created solely to justify some upcoming theme park attractions. You be the judge.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Toast’s Over-the-Top Trailer Voice01:12 – Spielberg Still Producing?02:00 – Jurassic Park Set Location Stories03:06 – This Was the Monday Mystery Movie04:15 – Toast’s Friend Said It Was “So Bad It’s Good”05:51 – A Fresh Jurassic Take or the Same Old Recipe?07:00 – Mahershala Ali Lives? Confusing Choices09:00 – Surprisingly Brutal Deaths… at First10:17 – The New Dino Is Basically Godzilla11:42 – The Dad’s Arc and Family Dynamics12:18 – That Rubber Raft Is Made of Magic13:07 – Dinosaurs Wouldn’t Waste Time on Humans14:14 – When the Helicopter Came, It Lost Us15:26 – Scarlett Johansson Didn’t Feel Like a Merc16:44 – Mercs Don’t Open Source Their Mission17:42 – Let’s Rate This Thing18:49 – Jurassic World’s Magic Is Gone19:15 – This Whole Movie Was a Theme Park Ride Setup21:34 – The 50 Subscriber Dance22:40 – Toast’s Pedro Pascal Slap Bet

Eddington Discussion: Pandemic Paranoia, Power Games | Burnt or Buttered

In this Burnt or Buttered episode, Toast and I dive into Eddington, a 2025 modern Western horror that might be one of the most divisive films of the year.We left the theater split—Toast was all in, and I wasn’t convinced… at least not right away. But this one stuck with us. We talk through the film’s eerie depiction of 2020 paranoia, small-town politics, and the social unraveling that comes with crisis. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a subtle but powerful performance, Austin Butler throws in some wild energy, and Pedro Pascal brings one of the most layered portrayals of hypocrisy we’ve seen in a while.The writing, the parallels, and the big themes around identity, tribalism, and power structures—all of it sparked one of our longest debates ever. And yeah, the film is a slow burn, but once it all comes together, it’s hard to shake.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Trailer Monologue: “Just Us. Eddington, Small Town.”00:52 – No Expectations, Only Confusion02:00 – Western or Horror? Let’s Fight About It03:00 – Is It Art or a Banana on a Wall?05:00 – The Lynchian Opener & First Impressions06:45 – The Acting Is Unreal – Phoenix & Butler09:00 – Who Is Austin Butler Supposed to Be?11:00 – Searching for Meaning in the Madness13:00 – Everyone's Just Looking for Attention15:00 – Pedro Pascal: Public vs Private Power17:00 – Social Justice, Influence, and Ego18:30 – Smart Writing: Parallels and Payoffs20:00 – A Frustrating Watch... with a Purpose22:00 – Did This Actually Happen?!24:00 – Bias-Free Political Commentary25:30 – Isolation and Identity Collapse26:30 – Final Thoughts Before Ratings27:30 – Final Pop Ratings

The Life of Chuck Discussion: One of 2025’s Most Thought-Provoking Films

In this Burnt or Buttered episode, Toast and I dive deep into The Life of Chuck, the newest Stephen King adaptation directed by Mike Flanagan. This film wasn’t even on our radar, and now it’s one of the most profound movies we’ve talked about all year.We unpack its emotional three-act structure, the layers of memory and meaning, and what it says about life, death, and the in-between. From philosophical questions about consciousness to wondering if we’re all just someone else’s memory, this conversation took us places.We also touch on whether Tom Hiddleston was the weakest link or quietly brilliant, what trailers get wrong, and how The Life of Chuck stands up to other contemplative films like Love Me and Walter Mitty.If you’ve seen the movie, join us in the comments. If not, you’ve got homework.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Trailer Monologue: “What if your life played in reverse?”01:00 – What Even Is This Movie?02:30 – Modern Trailers Are Ruining Mystery04:15 – The Pornhub Shutdown Scene Toast Missed05:20 – Who Is Chuck Krantz? Atlas Shrugged Vibes07:00 – Reverse Storytelling & Big Questions09:00 – Mike Flanagan’s Touch & King’s Dialogue11:15 – Hope, Delusion, and Grief in the End Times13:00 – That Phone Call Scene & Time’s Fragility15:00 – Scar Stories and Building Personal Myths17:00 – The Third Act Dream World19:00 – Core Memories and the Room21:00 – The “Waiting Is the Hardest Part” Theme23:00 – Climate Change, God, and the End of the World24:30 – Math Doesn’t Lie… Except When It Does26:00 – Living in a Simulation? Consciousness Theories28:00 – AI, Uploads, and Digital Souls29:30 – Final Reflections Before the Ratings30:40 – Final Pop Ratings

Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning Discussion: Best Ending or Too Much Cruise Control?

In this episode of Burnt or Buttered, Toast and I dive into Mission Impossible – Final Reckoning, the seventh entry in Tom Cruise’s legendary franchise. We’re talking insane stunts, wild pacing, unexpected laughs, and a whole lot of Tom Cruise running (again).We break down whether this movie delivers a proper finale or just goes too big for its own good. From the callback-packed boardroom scene to the endgame skydiving set piece, we’ve got thoughts on what worked, what didn’t, and what felt like pure Cruise chaos.We also get into the unexpected Trevor Wallace lookalike, the all-female command chain, and our own theory about Ethan Hunt being more of a global threat than a hero.Drop your thoughts in the comments — are you here for more impossible missions, or ready to retire the mask?⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Stetson’s Over-the-Top Trailer Voice01:15 – Toast’s Airbnb Commercial Backstory03:00 – Mission Memories and Love for the Original04:20 – Ethan Hunt: Hero or Global Liability05:30 – The Boardroom Scene and Fallout Callbacks06:35 – Timing, Tension, and Length Issues08:00 – The Team’s Improv Skills Save the Day09:45 – Is Tom Cruise Just Playing Himself11:00 – Running Beats Vehicles Every Time12:00 – Trevor Wallace Lookalike Spotted14:00 – That Final Scene Was Awkward15:00 – The All-Female Command Chain16:30 – Theaters, T-Shirts, and Jurassic Mix-Ups17:30 – Nitpicks: Bomb Lightbulbs and Logic19:00 – “10 Seconds to Safety” Moment20:00 – Final Pop Ratings22:20 – Wrap-Up and Closing Thoughts

The Materialist Discussion – Rom-Com or Rom-Flop? Toast & Sami Break It Down | Burnt or Buttered

In this episode of Burnt or Buttered, I (Toast) finally convinced our behind-the-scenes movie companion Sami to jump on the mic for a full breakdown of The Materialist — a film that sells itself as a romantic comedy... but forgets the comedy part.We dive into how this movie subverted our expectations. The tone felt more like a romantic drama with a few ironic chuckles than anything you’d traditionally call a rom-com. Sami and I talk about whether realism is enough to carry a story when you’re missing either heartbreak or humor.We also break down performances (some great, one... not so much), weird character decisions, and of course — the now-iconic leg lengthening subplot. It's one of those movies that sparks more conversation than entertainment, but hey, maybe that’s the point.Let us know in the comments what you thought. Was it emotionally grounded or just emotionally flat?⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro: In the City That Never Sleeps00:50 – Welcome + Special Guest Sammy Joins02:00 – Not a Rom-Com, Just Rom03:00 – Realism vs. Escapism: What Do We Want from Romance?04:00 – Celine Song’s Matchmaker Backstory05:30 – Acting Breakdown: Sophielle, Pedro, Evans, and... Dakota06:50 – The Problem with Exposition08:15 – Reverse Bechdel Test09:30 – The Love Triangle that Didn’t Connect10:40 – Can You Have It All?12:00 – The Ending (and Beginning) Love Story13:00 – Pedro Pascal’s Leg Surgery Arc14:30 – Final Pop Ratings15:30 – Wrap-Up and Thoughts on Modern Love Stories

Did They Ruin It? How to Train Your Dragon (2025) Full Breakdown & Discussion

In this episode of Burnt or Buttered, Toast and I sit down to talk about the 2025 live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. And yeah… we’ve got thoughts.As huge fans of the original, we both came into this with a mix of hope and skepticism. Did DreamWorks pull it off? Sort of. The story mostly sticks to the original, and some of the emotional beats still land — but the charm of the animation doesn’t always translate to live action.We talk through the dragon design (why do they still look cartoonish next to hyper-realistic actors?), the casting choices (Gerard Butler back as Stoick is a win), and whether this remake really earned its place. We also dive into the bigger question: when a remake does so little to change or enhance the original, what’s the point?This one sparked a lot of debate for us — not because it was bad, but because it left us wondering who it was really made for.If you’ve seen it, we’d love to know your thoughts in the comments.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Trailer Voice Intro01:06 – Welcome to Burnt or Buttered01:14 – Wait, This Was DreamWorks?01:42 – Gerard Butler: From Den of Thieves to Stoick02:26 – Animation Magic vs. Live-Action Realism03:22 – Would You Like It Without the Original?04:39 – Dragon Design: Cartoonish or Convincing?05:45 – The Trainee Kids Miss the Mark07:39 – Hiccup Works, The Rest... Not So Viking09:18 – A Movie of Contrasts: Intense vs. Silly10:23 – Rating It as a Remake11:53 – Why Even Remake This at All?12:30 – Final Pop Ratings14:44 – Behind-the-Scenes Banter16:00 – Viewer Comments Matter!17:00 – Learning, Growing, & Signing Off