Episode 119 - Spenser Confidential (2020)

04/22/25 • 85 min

"Mark WahlTURD & the Yucky Bunch" concludes, as the singer-turned-actor-turned-business-mogul and his frequent collaborator, director Peter Berg, leave behind the growing unpredictability of theatrical box office for the apparent comfort and safety (and big paydays) of the streaming world. But even there, you're not entirely safe from the perils of a failed franchise starter, as you'll hear when we discuss 2020's Spenser Confidential, the cinematic adaptation of a popular series of detective novels which already enjoyed some filmed success in the TV world in previous years. So why wasn't this later made-for-the-small-screen effort able to hook audiences in the same way? And, perhaps more importantly, does that even matter to Wahlberg, as his career and interests have shifted in new directions? Join us for our first ever look at a streaming-exclusive movie! And, as always, stay pray'd up.

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Episode 118 - Mile 22 (2018)

The third installment of "Mark WahlTURD & the Yucky Bunch" jumps ahead 15 years to 2018, where Mark Wahlberg, now very much a movie star, is looking to team up with director Peter Berg, his recent favorite collaborator, for a new espionage action thriller. But it's a rocky road to get there, as the movie in question was originally developed as a potential star vehicle for a totally different performer. Why did Mile 22 evolve into something else entirely? How did Wahlberg's "James Silva" go from supporting role to main character? What is a "gauntlet movie," and does Mile 22 fit the definition? And, most importantly, is the movie any good, and did it deserve sequels? We discuss all this, and more!

Next Episode

Episode 120 - Street Fighter (1994)

We're kicking off "Fighting VideoLAMES," a four-episode series covering cinematic adaptions of fighting video-games, with the first of two movies based on one of the most iconic, popular fighting games of all time: 1994's Street Fighter. With an all-star cast including Jean Claude Van Damme and Raul Julia (in his final onscreen appearance), produced by the very company that made the video game, and released while Street Fighter II mania was at a high, the movie seemed like a can't-miss proposition. And, to be fair, the movie was a financial success. But between an extra chaotic production and fan dissatisfaction over liberties taken with the story and characters of the game, the movie still quickly took on the reputation of an infamous cinematic disaster. The question is, is the movie truly an unwatchable mess, or is it actually the enjoyable camp classic its growing cult of fans and defenders over the years claim it to be?