SpitTake Podcast

Pop Culture | Adam, Stef, and Alex

Welcome to the SpitTake Podcast, your backstage pass to the world of film and television. We go beyond the screen with exclusive interviews, untold stories from actors and filmmakers, and deep dives into the movies and shows everyone’s talking about. Whether it’s breaking down iconic scenes, exploring hidden details, or hearing firsthand experiences from the people who lived it—this is where pop culture meets real insight

  1. Aug 7

    Behind Moments of Youth: Nostalgia, Comedy & Healing

    This week on the Spit Take Podcast, Adam and Alex sit down with writer and director Gregory Pellerito to talk about his new coming-of-age film, Moments of Youth. The conversation starts with the movie's inspirations—from classics like American Pie, Can't Hardly Wait, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off—before diving into what makes Gregory's film stand out from the teen comedies that inspired it. Gregory explains why he wanted to tell a story that balances outrageous comedy with a thoughtful look at the lasting emotional effects of school violence, focusing not on the tragedy itself but on the lives that continue long after the headlines fade. Adam and Alex discuss how the film captures friendship, grief, and growing up without becoming preachy or political, creating a coming-of-age story that's both nostalgic and surprisingly heartfelt. The conversation also explores: How the film's scavenger hunt became the perfect backdrop for a one-night adventure.Casting thousands of actors to find the right chemistry.John Farley's standout performance as the principal.Writing authentic teenage friendships as an adult.Using social media as a storytelling device.Why Betsy's scene-stealing character almost deserves a movie of her own. Of course, it wouldn't be Spit Take without going completely off the rails. The discussion veers into favorite teen comedies, Not Another Teen Movie, Super Troopers, Tacoma FD, sports, fantasy football, horror movies, Taylor Sheridan shows, Nicolas Cage, and plenty of hilarious movie recommendations along the way. If you love behind-the-scenes filmmaking, coming-of-age movies, or just hearing filmmakers geek out about movies with fellow movie fans, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

  2. Jul 29

    Vacation Movies: The Classics, the Chaos & the Ones That Don’t Count

    Adam and Stef are back from vacation, Alex has been holding down the fort, and naturally that means it’s time to talk about one of cinema’s most underrated genres: vacation movies. But first, Stef has a story about Mercury retrograde, sleepless nights, mysterious voices, shadow figures, and why apparently none of us should be traveling, signing contracts, or trusting the universe right now. From there, the crew asks the important question: What actually makes a movie a vacation movie? The debate starts with the classic National Lampoon’s Vacation and quickly turns into a showdown when Stef makes her case for Back to the Beach. From the Griswolds and Vegas Vacation to Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Dirty Dancing, The Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead, Mom and Dad Save the World, and more, Adam, Alex, and Stef try to determine where vacation movies end and road trips, horror movies, summer camp movies, and complete cinematic chaos begin. Along the way, they talk Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Christina Applegate, Ed Helms, John Candy, Paul Rudd, Danny Trejo, Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Pee-wee Herman, Brad Pitt, and somehow find themselves discussing everything from From Dusk Till Dawn to the Trojan War. Plus: Is Dirty Dancing really a vacation movie? Is Back to the Beach better than Vacation? Does going to a cabin automatically qualify? And how far can the definition of “vacation” be stretched before it completely falls apart? Pack the car, ignore Mercury retrograde, and hit the road with the Spit Take Podcast for an episode full of movie nostalgia, questionable classifications, ridiculous tangents, and the kind of debates nobody asked for—but somebody needed to have. Movies & shows discussed include: National Lampoon’s Vacation, Christmas Vacation, Vegas Vacation, European Vacation, Vacation (2015), Back to the Beach, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Dirty Dancing, The Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead, From Dusk Till Dawn, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Mom and Dad Save the World, and more. 🎙️ Spit Take Podcast — Adam, Alex & Stef #SpitTakePodcast #MoviePodcast #VacationMovies #NationalLampoonsVacation #ChristmasVacation #VegasVacation #BackToTheBeach #ForgettingSarahMarshall #DirtyDancing #MovieComedy #MovieDiscussion #FilmPodcast #80sMovies #90sMovies #ComedyPodcast

  3. Jul 22

    The Greatest Football Movies Ever? | Remember the Titans, The Replacements, Varsity Blues & More

    Episode Description Football season is almost here, so we're settling one of the biggest debates in sports movie history: What is the greatest football movie of all time? With Adam and Stef away, Alex is joined by special guests David Logan and RickDogNetwork for an hour of football nostalgia, hot takes, and plenty of laughs. From Remember the Titans and Any Given Sunday to The Program, The Replacements, Varsity Blues, Little Giants, Friday Night Lights, The Waterboy, Necessary Roughness, Brian's Song, The Longest Yard, and more, the guys break down what makes these classics unforgettable. Along the way they discuss: 🏈 The most inspirational football movie ever made🎬 The best football coaches in movie history (including a very controversial Coach Kilmer defense!)🐻 Chicago Bears memories and growing up playing football in Chicago🎮 RickDogNetwork talks streaming, the White Sox, and Chicago sports⭐ Building the ultimate fictional football dream team from every football movie ever madeWhether you're a die-hard football fan or just love great sports movies, this episode is packed with nostalgia, debates, and plenty of laughs. What's your #1 football movie? Let us know in the comments! #FootballMovies #RememberTheTitans #AnyGivenSunday #TheReplacements #VarsityBlues #LittleGiants #FridayNightLights #TheWaterboy #BrianSong #TheProgram #ChicagoBears #NFL #SportsMovies #MoviePodcast #SpitTakePodcast

  4. Jun 26

    Major Payne's Steven Martini on Hollywood, Major Stone, AI, Star Wars & Indie Filmmaking | Spit Take Podcast

    What happened to Alex Stone after Major Payne? Actor, writer, and filmmaker Steven Martini joins the Spit Take Podcast to answer that question—and reveals exclusive details about Major Stone, his planned sequel centered on the beloved character from the 1995 comedy classic. Steven shares the inspiration behind revisiting Alex Stone decades later, how military service, PTSD, and comedy can coexist in meaningful storytelling, and why he believes Major Payne was ahead of its time. Adam, an Afghanistan veteran, offers his own perspective on how the film unexpectedly reflected real military life and mental health. The conversation expands into Hollywood's obsession with legacy sequels, why Cobra Kai succeeded where others failed, and what modern audiences want from nostalgic franchises. Steven also dives into his journey from child actor to independent filmmaker, discusses making his cult indie film Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire, and shares his thoughts on AI's growing role in filmmaking and storytelling. As lifelong movie nerds, the group also debates the future of Star Wars, George Lucas's original sequel trilogy ideas, Spielberg, independent cinema, and why authentic storytelling will always outlast trends. If you're a fan of Major Payne, Damon Wayans, Cobra Kai, Star Wars, filmmaking, screenwriting, military movies, or behind-the-scenes Hollywood conversations, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Topics Covered: Steven Martini's journey from Major Payne to filmmakerThe story behind the proposed Major Stone sequelMilitary comedy, PTSD, and authentic storytellingWhy Cobra Kai became the gold standard for legacy sequelsIndependent filmmaking and creating your own opportunitiesAI in Hollywood: opportunity or threat?George Lucas's original Star Wars sequel plansSpielberg, cult classics, and the future of movies🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every week featuring actors, filmmakers, creators, comedians, and fascinating conversations about movies, pop culture, entertainment, and everything in between.

About

Welcome to the SpitTake Podcast, your backstage pass to the world of film and television. We go beyond the screen with exclusive interviews, untold stories from actors and filmmakers, and deep dives into the movies and shows everyone’s talking about. Whether it’s breaking down iconic scenes, exploring hidden details, or hearing firsthand experiences from the people who lived it—this is where pop culture meets real insight