The Latecomers
The Latecomers
Amity Armstrong
Amity and Lemuel have seen a lot of things, but they have missed some major cultural plot points. The Latecomers is their recaps and reviews of the shows that have shaped entertainment and culture because when it comes to the good stuff - better late than never.
Monsters Inc. (2001)
Show Notes Back to Pixar this week as they have a blast with fur texture and character design in Monsters Inc. We learn the power of cuteness and laughter and the dangers of Capitalism - AGAIN. Sully and Mike are inseparable until a little girl with giant eyes appears and tears Sully away. Fortunately Mike is one of Billy Crystal’s more mature characters and they find their way through. This movie is always a delight. Recommendations: The Rip (Netflix) The Running Man (2025) (MGM+) Next up: Lilo & Stitch (2002) Email us at [email protected] Our Facebook group is here for those who consent: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1754020081574479/ **
Feb 19
52 min
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Show Notes We’re going under the sea - and then back up again to find Atlantis. A city was lost, and now a linguist and his capitalist adventurer buddies are off to find it. And yes, that does mean that the villain in this film is in fact capitalism. Linguist Milo is more powerful than any other language expert as he can speak a language that no one knows just by looking at it, and it’s not even the phonetic alphabet (might there be some pedantic linguistics speak in this episode, you should listen to find out). Also, will the villain die by falling to his death? It’s a secret.  Recommendations: The Pitt (HBO) and Shrinking (Apple) - Thursday Double Feature Next up: Monsters Inc. (2001) Email us at [email protected] Our Facebook group is here for those who consent: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1754020081574479/ **
Feb 12
33 min
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Show Notes This week we travel to the Incan empire with The Emperor’s New Groove. How do we know it’s the Incan Empire? They kinda allude to it a couple of times in order to promptly forget where, when and who they are. A cast of mostly white actors, all fantastic in their characters, all funny, none of which has anything to do with the Inca or Peru other than the existence of a llama. Enjoyable as this is, we do wonder, quite aggressively, why on Earth did Disney decide to set this film where and when they did.  Recommendations: Peruvian Food; His and Hers (Netflix); ABOLISH ICE Next up: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) Email us at [email protected] Our Facebook group is here for those who consent: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1754020081574479/ **
Feb 5
46 min
Dinosaur (2000)
Show Notes Lemuel is in heaven today as we got to watch and get to talk about Dinosaur from 2000. Tippet to Verhoven to Katzenberg it’s almost a miracle this movie exists at all. Highly textured dinos against a real world backdrop gives us a post-apocalypse glimpse at an iguanodon and his lemur friends as they join their first herd in an attempt to survive. He makes friends with the old ladies of the bunch, so you know he’s a good one. Recommendations: Prehistoric Beasts on Youtube; Wayward (Netflix) Next up: The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) Email us at [email protected] Our Facebook group is here for those who consent: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1754020081574479/ **
Jan 29
45 min
Fantasia 2000 (2000)
Show Notes Fantasia 2000 brings the original concept of Fantasia to fruition with six new vignettes and one they couldn’t get rid of. The flow is similar and the mouse is back but there are some notable highs and no real animation lows. Interstitials are interstitials and 90% unnecessary but the animation and music are working at a high level. Now to wait another 40 years for the next one.  Recommendations: Stranger Things (Netflix) Next up: Dinosaur (2000) Email us at [email protected] Our Facebook group is here for those who consent: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1754020081574479/
Jan 22
45 min
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Show Notes It’s our 400th episode!!! Thank you for listening, you’re the best! This week, three Pixar films in, we get to their first sequel with Toy Story 2. Woody and Buzz and the gang are back, but now we get backstory - Woody gets to find out his origin story and his own show, and Buzz meets his dad. Joan Cusack puts in a tour-de-force performance that leaves us genuinely upset and Kelsey Grammar villains it up alongside Newman, or Chicken Man, or Al if you want to be basic about it. Recommendations: Roma (Netflix) Next up: Fantasia 2000 (2000) Email us at [email protected] Our Facebook group is here for those who consent: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1754020081574479/ **
Jan 15
49 min
Tarzan (1999)
Show Notes This week we put Lemuel’s concerns to rest with Disney’s interpretation of Tarzan. How do you make a naked psychopath into a kid’s movie protagonist? Rosie O’Donnell and Phill Collins, of course.  Recommendations: One Battle After Another (HBO Max), Greystoke (Rentable) Next up: Toy Story 2 (1999) Email us at [email protected] Our Facebook group is here for those who consent: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1754020081574479/**
Jan 8
1 hr 13 min
A Bug’s Life (1998)
Show Notes We’re going back to Pixar this week with some four legged ants and their plight in A Bug’s Life. Sometimes you have to believe something for it to be true - whether it’s that circus bugs are warriors or that many little guys can rise up against a few big guys.  Recommendations: The Conjuring Last Rites Next up: Tarzan (1999) Email us at [email protected] Our Facebook group is here for those who consent: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1754020081574479/
Jan 3
51 min
Mulan (1998)
Dec 25, 2025
35 min
Hercules (1997)
Show Notes We’re going to Greece with Hercules, who is too strong for his own good. Trying to do good can get you in trouble with all sorts, especially Hades, who has no patience and flickers with rage much of his screen time. Gospel music and sexy damsels fill out this surprisingly funny romp with a man who can’t remember his own strength. Recommendations: A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott version available on multiple streaming services) | Any Rob Reiner film, esp. The American President. Next up: Mulan (1998) Email us at [email protected] Our Facebook group is here for those who consent: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1754020081574479/ **
Dec 18, 2025
51 min
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