#CageClub: The Nicolas Cage Podcast

Joey Lewandowski and Mike Manzi

Welcome to #CageClub! Joey Lewandowski and Mike Manzi are watching all of Cage's movies, writing about them at cageclub.me, and podcasting about them. Join them on this journey! Presented by the CageClub Podcast Network. read less

TV & FilmTV & Film

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Butcher’s Crossing (2023)

Butcher’s Crossing (2023)

This has been a banner year for Nicolas Cage fans, as Butcher’s Crossing marks his sixth (!) new film of the year… so far! This is a moderately spoiler-heavy episode, so if you want to wait until you’ve seen the movie (releasing in theaters on Friday, Oct. 20 and on VOD after that) to listen, just know: it’s Cage’s best movie of the year so far. We talk about feeling re-energized for this podcast based on the success of this movie, we admire the cinematography (and the landscape of the American West in general), and we discuss cinematic name coincidences. We talk about the tragedy of the American bison (and how it correlates to modern waste), Cage’s bold (read: incredible) look in this movie, and how Butcher’s Crossing adds elements of horror without ever going full-tilt. We find a new wrinkle on a Cage movie staple, talk about Cage’s character’s slow descent into madness, and whether or not Cage’s star meter is higher right now than it’s been since 2008.

Episodes

Butcher’s Crossing (2023)

Butcher’s Crossing (2023)

This has been a banner year for Nicolas Cage fans, as Butcher’s Crossing marks his sixth (!) new film of the year… so far! This is a moderately spoiler-heavy episode, so if you want to wait until you’ve seen the movie (releasing in theaters on Friday, Oct. 20 and on VOD after that) to listen, just know: it’s Cage’s best movie of the year so far. We talk about feeling re-energized for this podcast based on the success of this movie, we admire the cinematography (and the landscape of the American West in general), and we discuss cinematic name coincidences. We talk about the tragedy of the American bison (and how it correlates to modern waste), Cage’s bold (read: incredible) look in this movie, and how Butcher’s Crossing adds elements of horror without ever going full-tilt. We find a new wrinkle on a Cage movie staple, talk about Cage’s character’s slow descent into madness, and whether or not Cage’s star meter is higher right now than it’s been since 2008.

The Retirement Plan (2023)

The Retirement Plan (2023)

This is turning out to be quite the prolific year for Cage -- with still more to come -- as #CageClub returns for the fifth time in 2023 to talk about The Retirement Plan! This one made its way to theaters, but did historically poorly -- and we try to explore why. This movie is Nicolas Cage's version of Nobody or John Wick -- which is exciting -- but if this is the only time he'll ever play this type of character... we wish we got more. Even though our podcast's "brand" is positivity, The Retirement Plan puts that ethos to the test. We talk about it failing to be the type of movie it desperately aspires to be, its internal confusion over technology, and its unclear villainous hierarchy. We also talk about the movie drawing influence from Quentin Tarantino and the cool ideas it showcases, featuring some new stuff we've never seen.

Sympathy for the Devil (2023)

Sympathy for the Devil (2023)

#CageClub returns with yet another new Nicolas Cage movie this year -- with even more to come -- in the form of Sympathy for the Devil! This movie marks the return of "Crazy Cage," which (while fun to watch) does not a good movie make. We talk about how Sympathy for the Devil is reminiscent of other (better) movies, like Collateral and A History of Violence, and its determination to add twists and turns to draw out suspense without layering in new narrative. We talk about the things we liked (and the things we didn't), whether the movie wanted to look like a COVID movie, and the strange visual effects on display throughout. We re-assess the types of movies Cage makes (and look ahead to the rest of the year) and talk about Rotten Tomatoes' ratings twisting our perceptions of this film.

The Flash (2023)

The Flash (2023)

It's been long enough since The Flash released for us to spoil the good news: Nicolas Cage finally played Superman in a live action film! We're back with a brief episode (before two more [!] episodes later this summer) to talk about Cage's non-animated debut as the Man of Steel. (Let's never forget Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.) We talk about the frustration of having this reveal spoiled for us (and how incredible it would have been if we didn't know it was coming). We wonder who this cameo was for, other than, like, us and Nicolas Cage. We also try to parse the hate toward The Flash in general, both understanding it and not (at all). We also break down Nicolas Cage's explanation of using City of Angels as a training ground (???) for his work as Kal-El.

Renfield (2023)

Renfield (2023)

Nicolas Cage is back in theaters with Renfield, and #CageClub is back with a spoiler-filled review of the movie! We're talking about Nicolas Cage's portrayal of Dracula, his return to vampire living, and whether or not this was the type of film he always saw himself playing one of his dream roles. Joey shares his worries about the film (and whether or not they manifested), Mike offers some Universal monster history, and we discuss whether or not the movie "feels" like New Orleans. We pitch alternate versions of Renfield, ways to tighten up the movie, and Cage embracing a role in a way that isn't "Cage-y." We look ahead to upcoming Nicolas Cage movies, try to link Universal's recent monster releases, and discuss the (other) Dracula trailer that played before we saw Renfield.

The Old Way (2023)

The Old Way (2023)

Nicolas Cage has a new movie in theaters (well, by now it's on VOD), so #CageClub is finally back to talk about The Old Way! Since the very start of this podcast, Mike has wanted Cage to star in a western. His dream finally came true... but did it live up to expectations? We talk about how Cage held up in his first "true" western, the killer mustache he's rocking, and the authentic look of the scenery and locations. We pick out our favorite moments -- and the issues we had with the movie -- as we discuss how The Old Way exists in a space somewhere between VOD and theaters (for whatever this means in 2023). We also talk about the return of "Joey" from A Score to Settle and the #CageClub debut of podcast network royalty Ryan Kiera Armstrong.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is finally here, and we got a chance to see it a little early! We’re keeping this episode almost entirely spoiler-free, so feel free to listen before you see it… and you SHOULD see it as soon as you can, because it’s great! After literally years of worrying, our fears were put to rest as The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent turned out to be much more than a movie where Cage (and the creative team) lean into the meme-ification of his personality. It’s a celebration of his career, his persona, and the people who love him (hey! it’s us!). We share some of our favorite moments, reactions to the different actors cast in the film, and some of the most interesting things we learned from the in-person Q&A from writer and director Tom Gormican.

110 Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021)

110 Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021)

This year has treated Nicolas Cage fans very well so far, and the hits keep on coming with Sion Sono's Prisoners of the Ghostland! It's not clear if we'll get another Cage movie this year, but if this is our final one in 2021, we sure went out with a weird, neon-soaked bang. In this episode, we talk about the work of Sion Sono, the rules of this world (and the relatively grounded nature of all this insanity), and why Prisoners of the Ghostland may have been more interesting if its narrative focus was placed elsewhere. We also look ahead to the four new Nicolas Cage movies that he's got coming out in the next few months, and reflect on the crazy amount of news that has hit the wire since we recorded Pig a month or so ago!

Many people are calling Pig "the return of Nicolas Cage," but ask any fan, any real fan, and they know he's been here for years. That said, Pig is easily his best performance since (at least) Mandy, and likely one of the finest in his career. We headed to the theater to watch Cage's latest, and we're here to talk about the quest for truffles and his search for a stolen pig. Plus, as has become custom on these episodes, we look forward to what's coming after Pig to see where Cage may be headed, and to see what types of roles and types of movies he could find himself in in the coming years. This may be our last #CageClub episode of the year -- there's nothing left on his IMDb this year, so hope for Prisoners of the Ghostland! -- but we'll be back whenever we're able to see another one of his films.

108 Willy's Wonderland (2021)

108 Willy's Wonderland (2021)

Nicolas Cage is off to a rapid-fire start with 2021, quickly following up a Netflix series with Willy's Wonderland! Available now on VOD, Willy's Wonderland sees Nicolas Cage in the unnamed role of "The Janitor," tackling a challenge he has not yet faced in his career: an entirely wordless performance! In this episode, we talk about how the movie compared to our expectations, what we hope to see Nicolas Cage take on in the future, and how Willy's Wonderland could have been even more fun. We also run down the checklist of #CageClub Movie Bingo (and get a result that is kind of surprising, given the nature of the movie) and look ahead to wonder what the next Nicolas Cage movie will be... and what other movies we may wind up talking about in 2021.

107 History of Swear Words (2021)

107 History of Swear Words (2021)

We closed out 2020 in a strong way with a few new Nicolas Cage movies, and we're opening 2021 equally strong with the Netflix original series History of Swear Words! The series marks Cage's return to TV after nearly a decade away (he hadn't graced the small screen since his return to SNL in 2012) and his first official TV series ever (or, at least since his bygone TV pilot for The Best of Times). After all that time... was the wait worth it? Is History of Swear Words worth your time? Join us as we chat about the six episodes that Netflix dropped in the first week of the year, the Cagenections we found in the series, and whether or not we think that we'll get more episodes in the future. Also: mathematical swear breakdowns!

106 The Croods: A New Age (2020)

106 The Croods: A New Age (2020)

'Tis the season for gifts and joy, and what more could we ask for than The Croods: A New Age, our second new Nicolas Cage movie of 2020?! Even better: it's Nicolas Cage's 100th acting credit! In this episode, we return to the Stone Age (right?) after more than 7 years away to re-visit the Croods and to meet the Bettermans for the very first time. We talk about the visual wonder of the movie, the real-world Cagenections, and (of course) the Banana Bros. (Plus, Wigasus, but that's so weird that it's probably best if we just move on.) We sing the praises of Kelly Marie Tran and dream up ways to re-team Nicolas Cage with Peter Dinklage. We also wonder if The Croods: A New Age is the end of the road for the franchise -- or if there's another story in this world to tell -- and figure out just how "Cagey" this movie is by running through our #CageClub Movie Bingo categories!

105 Jiu Jitsu (2020)

105 Jiu Jitsu (2020)

The streak continues! After nearly 11 months of worrying (and 8 months of a global pandemic), a new Nicolas Cage has seen the light of day in 2020: Jiu Jitsu. The internet has created a massive backlash against this movie, but we've gotta say: it's pretty okay! Featuring one of Cage's most grounded performances in a while (pay no mind to our episode art), it's a nice return to form for Supporting Character Cage and a new foray into the world of martial arts. In this episode, we talk about Cage's performance, some of the narrative/plot inconsistencies, and how we would have made this movie better. We also talk about a semi-major (albeit brief) crossover with 2 Fast 2 Forever, the physicality (and acting styles) of Frank Grillo and Tony Jaa, and determine just how Cage-y this movie is with our #CageClub Bingo checklist.

104 Color Out of Space (2019)

104 Color Out of Space (2019)

Finally. At long last, after more than a year of waiting, and just about six months of friends telling us we *had* to see Color Out of Space, the time has come. Joining us to talk about all things Nicolas Cage, Richard Stanley, and H.P. Lovecraft is past guest (and Lovecraft superfan) Chris Podcasts. In this episode, we talk about the unseeable color, the many alpacas, and Wiccan rituals. We also discuss whether or not this is a good adaptation of the Lovecraft story, whether or not that question even matters, and where Color Out of Space falls in the lineage of Lovecraft adaptations. Also: there's a revelation and a confession that could shock you to the core and rattle the future of #CageClub as we know it.

103 Grand Isle (2019)

103 Grand Isle (2019)

Grand Isle marks the fifth new Nicolas Cage movie in five months, and (maybe?!) the final one in 2019. What a year it's been! In this episode, we're preparing for the looming hurricane (and marital strife) by talking about all of the craziness in Grand Isle, where it ranks among Cage's 2019 releases, and how this feels like an amalgamation of a handful of his other movies. We also talk about KaDee Strickland as a brunette Nicky Whelan, Luke Benward as a buff Slow Joey, and (of course) Nicolas Cage in mutton chops with a cigar in his mouth. We also look ahead to the early releases of 2020, throw out a few suggestions on how we can keep the Cage Chain going, and wonder if any other actor in history has ever had such a prolific streak of releases.

102 Primal (2019)

102 Primal (2019)

The Cage Chain continues with Primal, our fourth Nicolas Cage movie of 2019, and the fourth consecutive month with a new release! Before we dig our proverbial ghost cat teeth into this movie, we revel in the wonder of this streak of Cage movies, and look ahead to the next two months, each with a new release: Grand Isle and Color Out of Space. Then, we grab our spotted white jaguar and board a boat to Puerto Rico to hunt the most dangerous game of all: Nicolas Cage. In this episode, we talk about Cage's best friend (a parrot), lament the fact that Famke Janssen was given nothing to do, and wonder why there's a little kid on this boat. We also talk about how Primal could be even better, and wonder what's getting into all of these actors that find themselves squaring off with Nicolas Cage.

101 Kill Chain (2019)

101 Kill Chain (2019)

Who will survive the kill chain? That's what we're finding out on this episode as we break down Nicolas Cage's latest straight-to-VOD movie, Kill Chain. In this episode, we further discuss the four tiers of Nicolas Cage straight-to-VOD movies, stick The Runner with some unnecessarily (though possibly justified) savage burns, and then try to make sense of the jumbled plot of this movie.

100 Running with the Devil (2019)

100 Running with the Devil (2019)

Nicolas Cage may not have hit the 100 movie plateau yet, but this is episode #100 of #CageClub Prime... and what a way to celebrate! While there are far more legitimate/credible actors in Running with the Devil than you'd expect, there's far less David Lee Roth than there should be, which is quite disappointing. In this episode, we continue to celebrate The Autumn of Cage (carefully worded so as to avoid snarky double entendres about The Fall of Cage) with our second new movie in as many months. Featuring a Laurence Fishburne performance ripped straight out of Cage's playbook, grand ambitions to imitate Indiana Jones and Traffic, and ZERO CHARACTER NAMES, Running with the Devil is a movie that you'll either never forget... or forget instantly. Your choice.

099 A Score to Settle (2019)

099 A Score to Settle (2019)

It's taken more than seven full months, but we've finally gotten to our first Nicolas Cage movie of 2019: A Score to Settle! The bad news first: this is not a very good movie. The good news: not only is it a new Nicolas Cage movie (which in and of itself is a wonderful thing), but it's fun as heck to watch and to talk about. We're going guestless this episode so that we can dive deep into all of the wild and wacky nonsense that this movie serves up. We talk about this film's ties to Fight Club, Cage's character's (apparently real) death-inducing insomnia, and whether or not prisoners are able to make baseball bats while incarcerated. We also talk about the fact that Cage yells "Joey!" about 150 times in this movie, which is kind of the greatest thing of all-time.

#CageClub Revisited: The Boy in Blue (1986)

#CageClub Revisited: The Boy in Blue (1986)

Here it is: the final (for now) episode of #CageClub Revisited! Sure, we have some huge movies left to cover, but we're going out rowing with The Boy in Blue. In this episode, we pour one out for the missed opportunity that was the national pastime of sculling, admire Nicolas Cage's chiseled physique, and take a trip down memory lane to the origination of the euphemism "compromise" for having sex. Thank you all for joining us on this ride. Print out that final (again, for now!) #CageClub bingo card, fire up the DVD, and join us on this wildly unhelpful commentary track! Note: Our #CageClub Revisited episodes are meant to be listened to while watching the movie we're discussing, a la a director's commentary. If you want our more "insightful" episode about this movie, head into our archives!