Send us a text After an inconsistent hiatus, Let’s Taco ‘Bout returns. Why not bring it back with a Summer Miniseries? This year, we’re looking at a bunch of the best heist or espionage movies for The Summer Swindle! To kick things off, Parker Magnuson returns to the show to discuss Kathryn Bigelow’s 1991 banger, Point Break. We taco ‘bout Patrick Swayze’s awesomeness, why the foot chase endures, and how Keanu Reeves’s line delivery is always perfect! Parker can be found on Instagram and Letterb...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Season 10Ep. 11
Send us a text The Criterion Break returns! This week, the ‘Terion Trio discuss some of their recent watches before chatting about Criterion’s big reveals for their September releases, including a massive Wes Anderson boxset. They then dive into a chat about David Cronenberg and the featured movie of the week, Videodrome. Blake can be found on Instagram @ blakeg_5150 Letterboxd @ therealjohng . Derrick can be found on Instagram AND Letterboxd @ dervdude . Follow Fat Dude Digs Flicks across socia...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Season 10Ep. 10
Send us a text This week, The Balcony is OPEN! The back row boys discuss some of their recent watches including praise for Lindsay Lohan and Clint Eastwood, and a surprise day trip to Minneapolis. The trio then recaps The State Theatre’s now finished Director’s Series for 2025 focusing on the great Martin Scorsese. Derrick leads the charge, having experienced each film at the theater at least once, and offers up a look at the State’s presentations while Blake and Andy offer their feedback on the...
May 13, 2025•2 hr 9 min•Season 10Ep. 9
Send us a text A few technical glitches here and there can’t keep the boys from their balcony! On this week’s show, the trifecta chat about some of their recent watches before diving into part of this year’s Cannes line-up. What movies are they excited for and who/what will get the movie world talking this year? Blake can be found on Letterboxd @ therealjohng and on Instagram @blakeg_5150. Derrick can be found on Instagram AND Letterboxd @ dervdude . Andy can be found on Letterboxd @ fatdudeflic...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 10Ep. 8
Send us a text Do not adjust your internets! The Fat Dude returns this week with an all new Let’s Taco ‘Bout! I am joined by returning guest and movie lover, Dylan Ferguson. We talk about Dylan’s journey into fatherhood, discussing the early days of his little one, things he’s learned, and how he can’t wait to share his love of movies with his kid. We then dive into our discussion of our movie of the week, the MUBI-released documentary, Grand Theft Hamlet. You can follow Dylan on IG and Letterbo...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 10Ep. 7
Send us a text The 2024 awards season is FINALLY over, but the boys from The Balcony are ready to give it a fitting send off! Blake and Derrick reveal their favorite films of the past year. Will there be any shocking surprises? What across the board favorites did they also enjoy? Find out by listening to this week’s episode of The Balcony! Blake can be found on Letterboxd @ therealjohng and on Instagram @blakeg_5150. Derrick can be found on Instagram AND Letterboxd @ dervdude . Subscribe to this...
Mar 11, 2025•2 hr 8 min•Season 10Ep. 6
Send us a text The Oscars are almost here which means it is time for one of our favorite Fat Dude traditions, THE BEST OF COUNTDOWN!!! Joined as always on these episodes by longtime friend and movie buddy, Jameson Pfeifle of SDFilmThoughts, we discuss our top ten favorites of the year that was 2024. We also continue paying tribute to Filmspotting: SVU with our We/They Didn’t Get It segments. We wrap things up by hearing from previous guests and friends of the show, letting us know what they love...
Feb 25, 2025•2 hr 57 min•Season 10Ep. 5
Send us a text The Balcony is open for award season! On this week’s episode, Blake and Derrick discuss their thoughts on this year’s crop of Oscar nominees. What are the shocks and surprises, and what are the disappointments and celebrations? Blake and Derrick provide their insight to kick off the most wonderful time of the year! Blake can be found on Letterboxd @ therealjohng and on Instagram @blakeg_5150. Derrick can be found on Instagram AND Letterboxd @ dervdude . Subscribe to this podcast o...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Season 10Ep. 4
Send us a text The annual tradition continues! Once again, I am joined by Sioux Falls theatrical show-stopper and big-time movie buff, Jessica Johannsen to discuss Thursday’s nominations. We kick things off just the way you’d expect, adding our discourse to the conversation on 13-time nominee, Emilia Pérez . Did we like it? Should it lead the pack? Should it win anything ? We also discuss the nominations in the other major categories, including spreading the love for Wicked and The Substance , a...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 10Ep. 3
Send us a text A quick tribute to David Lynch, recorded 10/16. Support the show
Jan 18, 2025•19 min•Season 10Ep. 2
Send us a text The Criterion Break returns this week! On this episode, the three Criterion Compadres reminisce over the year that was at The State Theatre in Sioux Falls. In its fourth year since reopening, the State has become a hub for local moviegoers looking for a lovingly crafted theatrical experience. The guys chat about their standout moments from the last year including birthday mystery movies, thrilling late night horror movies, immortal classics restored in beautiful 4K, and incredible...
Jan 08, 2025•2 hr 34 min•Season 10Ep. 1
Send us a text 🌮🌮 TACO TUESDAY!!! 🌮🌮 We’re poppin’ bottles to ring in 2025, while finishing off this year’s Naughty List in the process. This week starts with a chat about what to expect from all things Fat Dude Digs Flicks in the new year, before Casey Kelderman, co-host of Screams from the Basement , joins the show for another guest spot. We chat about the upcoming Screams By Night Halfway to Halloween Horror Con, and bemoan the current state of comedy, especially in theatrical comedies, w...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Season 9Ep. 46
Send us a text 🎄🎁 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! 🎁🎄 Happy holidays to one and all from your favorite burly movie lover, Andy, The Fat Dude. On this week’s episode, the Naughty List continues as theatre artist extraordinaire, Christine Stoffel, joins the show again to chat. We talk about what she’s been up to on stage or behind the scenes and Christmas traditions. We then have a chat about the featured movie of the week, Ron Howard’s live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas . Y...
Dec 25, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Season 9Ep. 45
Send us a text Better late than never, prep your ears for a WEEKEND EDITION of Let’s Taco ‘Bout! This week, The Fat Dude is joined by movie buff and physical media collector, Wes Moody. We chat about Wes’s love of movies, where that started, and why you don’t own a movie unless you actually OWN a copy of the movie. We then check out The Naughty List for this week’s featured movie, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow . You can follow Wes online on Blue Sky and Instagram at @ wesmoodykc Follow F...
Dec 21, 2024•1 hr 41 min•Season 9Ep. 44
Send us a text Oops! A busy day made The Fat Dude forget to post this episode. Here’s hoping you don’t forget to listen! The Naughty List continues this week as The Fat Dude’s brother, Matt Heller, returns to the show. We chat about being vegan over the holidays, the world of books including Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation , and then a rewatch and conversation of Robert Zemeckis’s sci-fi drama from the 90s, Contact . Matt can be found on IG @ hello.heller . Follow Fat Dude Digs Flicks across soci...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Season 9Ep. 43
Send us a text Let’s Taco ‘Bout returns with a milestone! It’s EPISODE #200!!! The Fat Dude celebrates this momentous occasion with an Andy Rant about theater etiquette! Hear Andy cuss like a sailor about people who talk during movies or use their cellphones. After The Fat Dude’s diatribe, it’s time to kick off this year’s Naughty List! To begin the annual festivities, Andy is joined by Aryn and Andrew Halsey, the co-hosts of the It Came From the Midwest horror podcast. We chat about our theatre...
Dec 05, 2024•2 hr 21 min•Season 9Ep. 42
Send us a text All good things must come to an end as we close up the 🎃🔪 HORRORS OF HALLOWEEN SCARY MOVIE SEASON SPECTACULAR FILLED WITH CONVERSATIONS OF CREEPY CONTEMPLATION MINISERIES 🔪🎃 for the year. And what a way to go out, as local movie buff, Adam Dillenburg, joins the show. We chat about overcoming obstacles and finding your path, as well as discussing where Adam’s love of movies come from. We then dive into Adam’s pick for movie of the week, the Robert Rodriguez-directed horror come...
Oct 31, 2024•2 hr 8 min•Season 9Ep. 41
Send us a text The 🎃🔪 TERROR TRAIN TOURIST TRAP NIGHTMARE HALLOWEEN SCARY SEASON SPECTACULAR MARATHON 🔪🎃 keeps right on rollin’! On this week’s show, we’re joined by Canadian filmmaker, Robyn Zubuckovec. Robyn talks about her filmmaking education, what her process is in making movies, and what aspect of filmmaking she finds most appealing. We then dive into her love of horror, including this week’s featured movie, the 1980s cult classic, Killer Klowns From Outer Space !!! You can follow Roby...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 50 min•Season 9Ep. 40
Send us a text Wrapping up the second to last week of the 🎃🔪 TERRIFYING TALES PRESENTED IN MOTION PICTURE FORM MARATHON SPECTACULAR!!! 🔪🎃 This week, Chad Barker returns to the show to celebrate the scary season. We chat about Chad’s work at the Twisted Nightmare Haunted House and his love of scary movies. We then dive into Chad’s pick for movie of the week, the 1980s horror comedy (?), Ghoulies . Follow Chad on Instagram at @ disneynut_chad ! Also, check out all the details for the Twisted N...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Season 9Ep. 39
Send us a text The 🎃🔪 HALLOWEEN SCARY SPOOKY SEASON OF MOVIES OF VARYING LEVELS OF SCARINESS 🔪🎃continues!!! On this weeks episode, Shannon Cole, executive director of the Vermillion Cultural Association, joins the show! We chat about what it’s like to write for the military, living in a college town, and supporting and spotlighting the arts in said college town. We then chat about Shannon’s pick for movie of the week, the rock musical midnight movie sensation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show ....
Oct 21, 2024•2 hr 47 min•Season 9Ep. 38
Send us a text The 🎃🎃 HALLOWEEN SCARY MOVIE SPECTACULAR SPECIAL MINISERIES OF DOOM 🎃🎃 just keeps chugging along! This week, Shandra Wonnenberg, host of the Fellowship of the Mic podcast and manager of the Coyote Twin Theater in Vermillion, joins the show! We chat about the roots and rise of her podcast, helping bring the Vermillion Vortex Film Festival to life, being a genre fan, and why horror comedies are so entertaining. We then dive into the majesty that is Taika Waititi’s What We Do in ...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 46 min•Season 9Ep. 37
Send us a text The 🎃🔪HALLOWEEN HORROR SCARY MOVIE SPECTACULAR 🔪🎃 keeps rolling along this week! Madeline Ramirez, co-host of The Grim Cities Podcast , steps into the guest spotlight this week. We chat about researching haunted history, finding a love for the horror genre, the joy of found footage, and why Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats might, low-key, be a horror masterpiece, both on stage and screen. We then talk about a true masterpiece, the 1999 found footage essential, The Blair Witch Projec...
Oct 11, 2024•2 hr 22 min•Season 9Ep. 36
Send us a text The 🎃🔪 SPOOKY SCARY HORROR HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR 🔪🎃 continues!!! This week on the program, I am joined by cohost of the That Movie is Fine podcast, Lauren Knight. We chat about movie marketing, appreciating Sylvester Stallone, and the roots of a deep love for horror and practical effects. We then dive into our featured movie of the week, the quintessential horror comedy from 1988, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice . You can find Lauren on Instagram at @ thatmovieisfine and also listen ...
Oct 07, 2024•2 hr 34 min•Season 9Ep. 35
Send us a text The 🎃🔪HALLOWEEN HORROR SPECTACULAR 🔪🎃 continues this week with South Dakota based artist, Klaire Lockheart. We discuss Klaire’s work and how humor and a little bit of snark can be artistic, the Unaccredited College of Klaire (UCK), the joy of tangible, practical effects, and where Klaire’s love of horror comes from. We then dive into her pick for movie of the week, the final cinematic adventure of Ash Williams, Sam Raimi’s 1992 horror comedy gem, Army of Darkness . You can fin...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 58 min•Season 9Ep. 34
Send us a text Double episode release weeks are in full effect as we journey through our 🎃💀 HALLOWEEN HORROR SPECTACULAR!!!*💀🎃 On this week’s show, I am joined by the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Bad Hand Books , Doug Murano. Doug and I chat about what it’s like being an independent publishing house, the road to get there, and where Doug’s love of horror comes from. We then dive into his pick for movie of the week, the underrated 80s horror gem, Fright Night . *(name pending) Bad Ha...
Sep 27, 2024•2 hr 25 min•Season 9Ep. 33
Send us a text 🎃💀HALLOWEEN HORROR SPECTACULAR BEGINS!!! 💀🎃 Time to kick-off one of my favorite times of the year! The Halloween Horror Spectacular (name is a work in progress) begins with a conversation with horror photographer, Brandi Hancock. We chat about residing in rural Alabama, teaching yourself new skills so you can pursue your dreams, and the teachers that try their best to stifle a love of horror. We then dive into the featured movie of the week, Roger Corman’s 1961 adaptation of E...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Season 9Ep. 32
Send us a text On this week’s episode, The Fat Dude is joined by the director of Tater Tot & Patton , Andrew Kightlinger, whose latest film, Lost on a Mountain in Maine , kicks off the Vermillion Vortex Film Festival this Friday night (9/20). The two chat about Andrew’s journey from Madagascar to South Dakota to Los Angeles, and how a box of VHS tapes helped point him on the path to becoming a filmmaker. We then chat about how Lost on a Mountain in Maine came to be, from Andrew getting hired...
Sep 17, 2024•2 hr 3 min•Season 9Ep. 31
Send us a text The Balcony is OPEN!!! This week, the boys in the balcony dive into some recent watches, including some of 2024’s marquee horror titles. Following that, they discuss the featured topic of the week, a Fall Movie Preview. The guys discuss some stand-out titles playing at the big upcoming film festivals before breaking down some of the major releases from now until the end of the year. What are YOU excited to see in the last four months of 2024? Blake can be found on Letterboxd @ the...
Sep 03, 2024•2 hr 9 min•Season 9Ep. 30
Send us a text The Criterion Break is back! On this week’s show, the guys from the back row chat about some recent watches, including a theatrical viewing of the new 4K remaster of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Next, they briefly discuss the upcoming CC40 box set and what their thoughts are on this being Criterion’s big November box set. Finally, for the featured conversation, they chat about Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love, from Adam Sandler’s performance, to the magic of Emily Watson...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Season 9Ep. 29
Send us a text We’re wrapping up the summer blockbuster miniseries with a Fat Dude foundational film. Billy Yost, musical genius and one of the founding members of the Chicago-based rock band, The Kickback, joins the show this week. We chat about creative success, satisfaction, and disappointment, as well as finding musical influences thanks to the people in your life. We also chat about the personal growth that comes with getting older while still allowing yourself to have that edge that keeps ...
Aug 20, 2024•2 hr 45 min•Season 9Ep. 28
