Sardonicast 178: Memoir of a Snail, Smile 2, Tetsuo: The Iron Man

[@sloth6559]

Adam needs to be cast in Smile 3. Please make this happen.

[@downspiral]

He's got a scaring smile

[@SamuTT]

SMIL3*

[@praticle]

the smiling

[@Squarian33]

Adum or whoever uploads to Apple Podcasts. Today’s episode cuts off at 1:20:14 just so you’re aware.

[@lethelweapon5]

Ik its doing it on Spotify as well. I switch to KZbin to Finnish it lol

[@YMS]

Will be fixed by tomorrow, thank you!

[@polus2494]

Also on Pocket Casts

[@maciejszypelt7623]

RIP Ralph. Its a shame he smiled

[@slimnave4846]

He smiled and then turned into a car....

[@moritzzz1]

okay this one is kinda funny

[@Kellan__they-them]

He got vored by Sandy

[@C.G.Jr.]

FOR CONTEXT - Tetsuo is one of the first of a brilliant wave of films from japan called Punk films / Cyberounk films. More often than not, the films were meant to overly abrasive to a harsh degree, lacking in narrative but stylistically ripe - also usually featuring a cast of punk musicians and or the film was made by a punk artist. To me, the greatest film of this wave is the swan song to all Cyber Punk films- Electric Dragon 80,000v (made by the amazing Gakuryu Ishii). It has the aggression and the abrasivness, but it's got a Sam Raimi Spiderman energy to it with a fun pulpy narrative that isn't as loose as most either Cyberpunk films.

[@robinsandquist]

The Spotify version of this episode cuts off at 1:20:14, just so you're aware !

[@Komnen0s]

Everyone should explore the rest of Shinya Tsukamato's filmography. He's a phenomenal director and it's a shame the Tetsuo movies are the only thing most westerners know him from. Right after _The Body Hammer,_ he did a movie called _Tokyo Fist_ (1995) that I almost love more than Tetsuo. It's about a salaryman who's paranoid that his girlfriend is cheating on him with his boxer friend, so he takes up the sport himself to show he's the bigger man. From there it becomes this brutal, hallucinatory examination of how toxic masculinity can destroy a man and everyone around him. It's beautifully photographed and shot as well. It goes for something similar as _Fight Club_ but accomplishes it more artfully, imo.

[@Dethmaster64]

1:23:58 Alex’s 5 second rendition of Tetsuo: The Iron Man

[@MalikDjazzi]

Hilarious 😂

[@landminelover926]

I'm very grateful to you guys for introducing me to Adam Elliot's stuff years ago. It's been a while since I was as emotionally affected by something as I was by Memoir of a Snail

[@herbalcoast358]

Tfw you really want to hear what they have to say about Memoir of a Snail but it isn’t properly releasing in the UK until February and you don’t want to be spoiled

[@brainhem]

they talk about it for a bit without spoilers, also if you're not aware they both loved it

[@jaevee1618]

Getting my Criterion 4K of No Country for Old Men today. Would love for that to be a recommendation in the future

[@adriangraves7255]

As a gay man, im suprised that Adam did not bring up once how gay Tetsuo was. Its one of the best gay love stories of all time

[@C.G.Jr.]

Genuinely lol

[@Lizard____]

Literally ends with them merging into a big, metal phallus and everything lmao

[@MattHolman-w6p]

"Our love can destroy this whole fucking world" one of the BEST end movie quotes ever

[@jwnj9716]

Ah yes, Tetsuo. Eraserhead on steroids.

[@Komnen0s]

I don't get the Eraserhead comparisons. They're not similar films other than that they're in black and white and there's lots of industrial sounds/imagery.

[@miisher]

One of my favorite pods. Always look forward to the next episode, thanks for all the great content boys

[@killaspongebob666]

I miss Ralph. I love every episode still but I was just relistening to some classic ralphisodes and I miss his rambunctious Italiano charm. It's a shame he was arrested for Minecrafting that CEO in new York.

[@AlfredSoul]

I think it can be very effective for the killer in a horror movie to be taunting the victims, if they are supposed to sadistic, like in Scream, or if they have a personal connection to the victims and want to see them suffer specifically. Or in supernatural ways, if the fear itself is what the monster needs somehow and not death, like with Pennywise in It, but the threat needs to still be real; if the villain is just trolling the victim over and over, they just lose credibility.

[@luigiwiiUU]

Smile demon feeds on trauma but for some reason it kills you in a week instead of just letting you live to continue feeding on your trauma

[@tommym7321]

Alex nailed my feelings about Smile 2 when talking about the dance troupe in her apartment. That, in theory, was a horrifying scene and was shot in such a scary way but it just wasn't scary because of the dumb smiles and the fact that (to Adams point) you knew there wasn't really any risk of her being hurt. I decently liked the movie but didn't care about it or find it scary

[@waywardlaser]

Can't wait to hear you guys discuss Lost in Translation; it's my favourite movie. Hope you both like it!

[@ralph_bernhardt]

Thanks for recommending Memoir of a Snail, it was one of my favorite films of 2024! I would have never heard about it otherwise.

[@JojosCrazyChannel]

I wonder if Adum & Alex are aware of Luca Guadagnino in talks with directing a DC film called, Sgt. Rock, starring Daniel Craig?

[@Dethmaster64]

Also being written by the Potion Seller Justin Kuritzkes

[@tonydoe5991]

Thanks for recommending memoir, I haven't watched any films for a month and this movie was like medicine for me.

[@SonicHaXD]

2:07:35 I love you Alex so much for saying that XD

[@vjara94]

Memoir of a snail is such a beautiful.. but depressing.. depressing movie, with a bittersweet ending well earned.

[@larryfishmas]

I absolutely love Tetsuo! That said i think all their criticisms were completely fair. Glad they got something out of it and Adum seemed to genuinely enjoy it.

[@dannyfain3961]

Personally I interpreted the moment Smile II became the dream was the sequence with the dancers attacking her. She falls unconsious, and I think that's when the demon takes over.

[@exoskeletons]

34:10 Not Alex mistaking Pyromaniac for Pyrocynical 😭

[@CuddleSnugglesworth]

I disagree on the 800 xenomorphs. 800 xenomorphs is absolutely more terrifying than 1.

[@Purplef1re]

Y'all pretty much perfectly explained the very reasons why I am not a fan of Smile 2. Literally the whole second half of the movie is "oh wait, but this is actually an illusion!...oh wait, but this is actually also an illusion! Isn't that so sCaWy?" The main actress was the best part of that thing by far and I hope she is able to get involved in better project in the future.

[@duckheadbob]

That is why i don't like it either, it would've been actually fun to see her like getting pushed through and on stage while she's breaking down, kinda a better commentary on how alot of people in these positions aren't really in control. But we go off and do this whole stupid freezer plot line instead.

[@Firemandan86]

Someone got very mad at me in the comments of a different video for saying Smile 2 was bad

[@Deadwolf27]

My brother tried to make fun of me me for saying Smile 1 sucked.

[@KayPeeOpee]

I haven't seen either but why are people so defensive over these movies specifically?

[@tofutoph]

“Oh my god you don’t like this movie we will all forget about a couple years from now.” Don’t get the simping for this movie. People act like it’s such high art when it’s just an average movie at best.

[@Firemandan86]

@ I got called cringe for saying I don’t get people who take this movie seriously, on a YMS clips channel video recently. It’s not like I’m going out of my way and telling them they’re wrong for liking a movie. The fans of this movie seem very insecure

[@o0XxShimmyxX0o]

me

[@coreyweber2340]

Memoir of a Snail has been nominated for Best Animated Feature for the 2025 Golden Globes. I guess we'll see how it goes come Oscar time.

[@s0daobamna]

Adum you'd like tetsuo 2 because a child dies on screen

[@rrensaa]

In the most hilariously visceral way imaginable too lol

[@etgohome1343]

This question has nothing to do with anything, but do you boys enjoy Metallica?

[@connorw2k]

I do

[@jackhohe4147]

This episode does have the boys talking about a metal guy

[@etgohome1343]

@jackhohe4147 Point taken, I prolly should've made that connection lol I didn't watch the movie but I've heard enough about it over the years

[@Onioncreature]

Memoir of a Snail is such a freaking banger.

[@tonywords6713]

I came across this movie years ago on KZbin and had basically the response of Alex "yup this is cool but a bit too much"

[@robinsandquist]

1:23:57 Perfect summary of the film. Loved it ! (The film - but also this summary)

[@MonkeyShinesu]

I got a big deja vu and thought this was a reupload, but then I realized the thing I was remembering was Adam's solo stream.

[@runningcommentary2125]

I feel like if someone asks you to summarise the plot of Tetsuo, you can just play the clip of Alex clinking the metal thing and screaming.

[@ShaneRob93]

I love Tetsu, but I get where Alex is coming from. My personal favorites from Shinya Tsukamoto are "Tokyo Fist," "Bullet Ballet," and "A Snake of June." Which all have the spice of insanity Tsukamoto brought to Tetsuo but with much more of what I think Alex is looking for.

[@ElvenSonic]

14:30 I’ve never met another person alive who’s also enjoyed mary and max. Everyone i’ve shown it to has given up fifteen minutes in, deeming it mean spirited and “tell don’t show.” People who watch movies *hate* narration no matter the context. Mary and Max is one of my all time favorite movies, but I wouldn’t project that onto the numerous people I know who hate it and think it’s stupid lmao.

[@shields_22]

Don't know if anyone else has noticed, but the spotify release of this episode is missing the last like 40-50 minutes. All the discussion on the recommendation and QNA are gone.

[@petewadesays12]

Just in case it hasn't been pointed out (sorry if it has)- Spotify cuts out at 1:21: 41

[@lizardkingsliwinski4031]

Memoir of a Snail's opening credits really reminded me of the one in the film Delicatessen and than the lead actor and director of it does the voice of the French dad in this!

[@ajzeg01]

Kinds of Kindness was actually finished before Poor Things, it just released after.

[@aaronshouting588]

Hopefully Adum gives Tsukomoto’s other films a chance. Tokyo Fist, Kotoko and A Snake of June are so worth the watch!!

[@toothbrushfromnisemonogatari]

Oh god I completely forgot the Smile director is remaking Possession

[@reeceloomis673]

51:50 Alex turns Irish for half a second

[@Lreldge]

thats not irish thats a west country accent

[@reeceloomis673]

@ I am from the United States of cheeseburger so I would not be able to tell the difference

[@jakobmathews1685]

The Smile 2 truthers fight on another day 😔

[@yellowfamilyfunny3065]

Idk the scene where skye *Spoilers* accidentally kills her boyfriend is probably the most effective part at least to me and felt pretty real tbh. I think they did effectively portray the self sabotage of an addict

[@danieltrevinoc]

11:50 That was actually Kendrick Lamar in United in Grief

[@goldfield0323]

Have you ever put ice in your shoes?

[@FictitiousCtrlGames]

Wait, what happened to Ralph? I've been out of the loop.

[@davisgoodrich8183]

Smile 3 needs to have a guest appearance from the Smiling Friends

[@juanmabox6099]

No truth or dare 2. Maybe adum was thinking about the end of the ring 3

[@sammahoney9343]

I was watching an interview with the smile 2 director and even his answers/talking points were ripping off other filmmakers lol

[@AnoNymous-dh2sv]

I wonder if the copy catter (smile 2 director), broke in a set of The Substance and started taking notes, because his "monster" is a way worse and way more uninspired version of that.

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

"Microsoft is Going to Remaster Halo: Combat Evolved Again and is Considering a PS5 Release, Says New Report" So they're "remaster"ing a hd collection although "remaster" and "remake" are used in the wrong sense nowadays so i wouldnt be surprised if they mean remake

[@thePANDEMlC]

Have I become brain rot, destroyer of tastes? I enjoyed Smile 2 more than Memoirs of a Snail.

[@GreyGiger]

I don't really think the problem lies with consumers in regards to what movies are being made. It's pretty ignorant to assume that studios don't make up the majority of the issue. Voting with your wallet was never ever a true democratic solution to anything, the people who want to make money are the ones who put the media there to begin with. This isn't a bottom up issue.

[@HorseJoint]

I liked “Smilers 2” alot

[@ryebread9299]

Let’s send a reminder Feederism itself isn’t scary or dangerous if theres consent y’all!

[@duckheadbob]

Eh i dint think smilers 2 is that bad, its not a good movie but i think they miss some points of the monster. Its goal isnt to kill you, the movie states its goal to feed off your brain like a parasite, and its passed on yo another person by the whole killing. Yah thats an excuse to just fuck with the protag, but at least it attempts to explain this stuff. I think Adam is a bit overly harsh on the derivativeness of the film, its not talk to me, but i wouldn't call it like soulless and devoid of originality. You could definitely do more, id like instead if they cut all the illusion bullshit and just had people pushing this severely ill woman on stage for the tour. Really lean into the dark comedy aspect

[@mainchannel1566]

I saw "Smile 2," for the first time last week. Liked it*. It wasn't scary...but I don't find movies "scary," because I know movies are fake. *The movie is 20 minutes too long.

[@Lm0956]

Sardonismile

[@DonKen66]

When are guys getting a 3rd host already?

[@Ragnarok540]

Or at least more frequent guests.

[@toch951gallegos3]

What movie did Alex mention during tetsou the iron man

[@herbalcoast358]

He mentioned quite a few: Eraserhead, Salo, Titane, The Substance, probably more that I can’t remember

[@toch951gallegos3]

@herbalcoast358 signalis

[@toch951gallegos3]

@herbalcoast358 or something thank you tho

[@clanofclams2720]

​@@toch951gallegos3that's a game

[@arloandbehold88]

Finally, people who recognize how bad the Smile movies are

[@marco9056]

Smile 2 fans are Zac Snyder fans

[@octopuss1918]

Adam, you're in the minority on this one. The public likes these horror films.

[@skabetti346]

Funny Comment

[@yellowfamilyfunny3065]

1:00:00 Adum you are wrong lol. only the last 20 minutes, from when they stuck their hand down her throat, was not real

[@Beeevaaa]

Hmm no wicked

[@larsonracies8636]

As much as I am sick of Ryan Reynold's deadpool shtick deadpool and wolverine was enjoyable dumb fun while I think mars express is superior they are both fun on similar levels of enjoyment. One is fun for appreciation of the craft, the other is enjoyable just to turn your brain off and watch.

[@shiobuzz3724]

alex was a bit of a buzzkill talking about tetsuo

[@docvince1491]

So was Adam when talking about Treasure Planet last time. Yin and Yang and all that.

[@lofibeat474]

Guys I love you please get a third person.

[@sydberetta4649]

Just bring Ralph back? 😅

[@meeklysheepling]

Thank you for discussing and bringing attention to Memoir of a Snail 🐌 it definitely hit me hard when I saw it in theaters likely because it sat me down, took me off guard with it's messages and storytelling while making me swallow really difficult pills I've been ignoring for quite some time. It had me tearing up for about two days after I saw it while I processed it. I purchased it on digital and looking forward to rewatching it with a comforting dessert. Been pushing others to give it a chance if they can. 10/10 for me 🪱

[@femalehero420]

I thought the backup dancer scene was pretty trippy and well done. The ending was gay tho