It’s a big year for #ZacAttack as we return to talk about Zac Efron’s newest film, A Family Affair, co-starring Nicole Kidman, Joey King, and Kathy Bates! We talk about how A Family Affair feels like a meta take on Zef’s career, how the movie always feels like it’s moonlighting as a car commercial, and how it seems unsure about who the main character really is. We debate if the ages are believable, if Nicole Kidman is too attractive for the type of character she’s playing, and whether it’s weird that Joey King’s character never even comes close to a romantic subplot of her own. We talk about the shocking lack of sexual chemistry in this movie. We put a twist on the Letterboxd game. Want even more “#ZacAttack”? Check out 2 Fast 2 Forever, which releases new episodes every Tuesday and is (almost literally) the same exact show as this, but about different movies. Seriously. We promise you. Go check it out!

"Cause I can’t play a blind alcoholic! It goes against my iconography! My eyes are too pretty to not be on camera!"

A Family Affair (2024)

#ZacAttack is back already to talk about the newly-released Ricky Stanicky, now available to stream on Amazon Prime! After working our way through a complicated production backstory that includes so many of our guys (and exploring the history of the Hollywood Black List survey), we discuss how Zef is (once again) threatening to join the Fast &amp; Furious franchise by choosing to team up with existing #family members. We talk about the oddity of a comedy where only one person is allowed to be funny, we admire John Cena's musical parodies, and we praise the sort of surprisingly adept way this movie's plot comes to a close. Joe gets jealous of the premise of this movie. We pitch the most successful MCU movie of all-time. We make guesses for A Family Affair and shout out Carrie Soloman for writing movies exclusively for us.

"What is happening right now? I feel like Jason Bateman in every episode of Ozark."

Ricky Stanicky (2024)

#ZacAttack makes its triumphant return to the (podcasting) ring as we grapple with last year’s Von Erich family biopic The Iron Claw! Joe shares his history with the Von Erich family and Joey shares his history with watching this movie twice. We talk about the wildly depressing stuff *omitted* from this already-depressing film, talk about Zef’s declaration to never get Baywatch-level jacked again, and admire his ability as a “song and dance boy” which shines through in this film. We compliment the wrestling cinematography, talk about how difficult it is to really “make it” in wrestling, and wonder if the corny moments at the end of the movie work. Zef’s haircut. (Enough said.) We talk about Zef’s freakout vs. Ric Flair, the movie’s “Tom Sawyer” montage, and its misleading (?) trailer. We play Fire Ass Titles and look ahead to Ricky Stanicky. We wonder: could we get Zef to wrestle Nathan Fielder? Want even more “#ZacAttack”? Check out 2 Fast 2 Forever, which releases new episodes every Tuesday and is (almost literally) the same exact show as this, but about different movies. Seriously. We promise you. Go check it out!

"I wouldn’t wish wrestling on any of you… but the world keeps taking from us."

The Iron Claw (2023)

#ZacAttack returns again (like it’s a normally-scheduled podcast) to cover Zac Efron’s *other* new movie from 2022: Firestarter! Before we dive into the movie, we talk about <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a40956681/zac-efron-greatest-beer-run-ever-interview/">his profile in Men’s Health</a> and <a href="https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/vanessa-hudgens-2022-red-carpet-relationships">Vanessa Hudgens’s profile in Nylon</a>. Then, we dive into Firestarter (which we eventually settle on calling “Strange Things”) as we explore the final state of this movie, how it compares to other versions, and the limitations of “creepy kids with powers” stories. We talk about the lack of word of mouth about this movie, the decision to release it basically alongside Stranger Things, and how Zef could have fit into Stranger Things. We also point out new elements of Zef’s role/character in Firestarter, the seeming total absence of Sydney Lemmon as the mom in the narrative, and the sort of ambiguously sad place this movie ends up.

Never play with fire.

Firestarter (2022)

#ZacAttack is back for The Greatest Beer Run Ever, and we're dropping another (!) new episode next week, too, about Firestarter! Before we dive into the movie, we talk about a potential #ZacAttack spinoff we killed, preview upcoming Zac Efron movies, and remind you to listen to 2 Fast 2 Forever for more of the same show, but on a much more regular and frequent basis. Then, we (metaphorically) head to Vietnam to talk about whether or not these accents sound more New York or Boston, whether or not this is a comedy, and who this movie is for. We praise Zac Efron for being charming, talk about the interesting stories found within this story, and lament the overly long runtime. We check in on Zac's crying and shirtless status, play another stellar round of Fire Ass Titles, and close out with some beer talk.Want even more "#ZacAttack"? Check out 2 Fast 2 Forever, which releases new episodes every Tuesday and is (almost literally) the same exact show as this, but about different movies. Seriously. We promise you. Go check it out!

"Let’s just say… I’m here to deliver beer to a friend."

The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)

#ZacAttack is back! (Again!) We're kicking the year off right -- by covering Zac Efron's newest film, Gold. After running through a preview of Zef's upcoming movies, Joe tries to guess Zef's character name in this movie. We talk about his ties to Robert Pattinson and how this is the kind of movie we were hoping to see from him. We also talk about Gold as both his "COVID movie" and his "new groove" before trying to figure out what's real in this movie. We also run through lots "career firsts" for Zac Efron in Gold (which we won't spoil here, but do spoil in the episode). Want even more "#ZacAttack"? Check out 2 Fast 2 Forever, which releases new episodes every Tuesday and is (almost literally) the same exact show as this, but about different movies. Seriously. We promise you. Go check it out!

"If it burns black, it ain’t gold."

Gold (2022)

#ZacAttack is back! We're only about 15 months late to the Scoob! party after being lured back via listener emails. We're bringing the 2 Fast 2 Forever format over to this podcast as we read listener emails, gauge our Scooby Doo histories, and take a moment to guess how Zef will cry and be shirtless in this movie. Then, after a break, we strike back with a vengeance to talk about all things Scoob!, including a Ryan Reynolds character not played by Ryan Reynolds, Zef's character's truly blue eyes, and altogether too many connections to the Fast and Furious franchise. Will #ZacAttack return (once again) to cover Human Discoveries or Down to Earth with Zac Efron? Write into the show and convince us to come back, or just check out 2 Fast 2 Forever every Tuesday! (It's truly the same show, just about different movies.)

"I’ve seen COPS at least, like, six times, so I know what to say."

Scoob! (2020)

The Year of Zef continues! We previewed the Beach Bum a bit when we talked about Zef Bundy, but we’re back to give Harmony Korine’s latest movie its proper due. In this episode, we give praise to Zef as Flicker, one of the many weird souls that Moondog (Matthew McConaughey) encounters on his journeys throughout Florida. We also talk about Miniboo, Lingerie Doggy Dogg, Captain Wack and more as we embed ourselves deep into the neon-drenched wonderland of South Florida. Also, we look ahead (and make our crying and shirtless guesses) for the recently-dated new Zef project, Human Discoveries!

"I'm a tiger, bro!"

037 The Beach Bum (2019)

In August 2015, we released our very first podcast and proceeded to tear through Nicolas Cage’s filmography at a breakneck pace. We had no idea that we'd continue after we finished Cage’s filmography, but we asked, “What’s next?” and went from there. After nearly four years, we are releasing our 1,000th episode.

In this episode, Joey Lewandowski talked many of your favorite CageClub Podcast Network hosts: Mike Manzi of Third Time’s A Charm, Joe Two of 2 Fast 2 Forever, Chris Podcasts of Now and Again, Brian Rodriguez of High School Slumber Party, Kyle Reinfried of Foodie Films, Jordan Polan-Clarke and Cara Gael O’Regan of Wistful Thinking, Aislinn Addington of The Contenders, Lindsay Gibb of Winona Forever, Jonah Rubino of X is for Podcast, and Nico Vasilo and Kevo Risse of .html.

Thank you for listening. Share your favorite episode or memory with us by emailing mailbag@cageclub.me!

From one Cage comes 1,000 episodes.

The CageClub Podcast Network Celebrates its 1000th Episode!

Welcome to the Summer of Zef! After nearly a year of no new #ZacAttack episodes, we're back with (at least) two new episodes this summer, and we're kicking things off with Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Zac Efron continues his shift from good guy to frat guy to... interesting guy? But is this role and this movie interesting enough? In this episode, we recap the past year of Zef news, open up a very dusty mailbag, and wonder what kinds of projects Zef will tackle next. We also look forward to the next few episodes, lament that we can't play the Google game, and reflect on our 18-month-old shirtless and crying guesses!

"I get scared, but he's also really dreamy."

036 Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)

#ZacAttack is back, baby! Joey and Joe Two missed Zac Efron too much, so they tapped back into the well and covered (by fan request) the pilot of Running Wild with Bear Grylls. Bear leads Zef on a two day journey through the woods ... on the hardest difficulty level the show was ready to dish out.

This episode brought to you by Columbia Sportswear.

035 Running Wild with Bear Grylls (2014)

The Greatest Showman marks a return to Zac Efron's best genre (musicals) and throws us back in time to the dawn of the circus. There’s talk about trapeze, elephants, and when it’s just called “circus” (and not “the circus”). We also open the biggest mailbag ever and drive Jordan to the verge of delirium with game after game. Is The Greatest Showman our greatest episode? Listen and find out!

"THIS IS THE GREATEST SHOW!"

034 The Greatest Showman (2017)

After months of waiting, #ZacAttack is finally back with a brand new episode! Turns out, maybe we should have kept waiting. We all love The Room, and we all love the fact that Zac Efron is (undeniably) the best part of The Disaster Artist, but this movie goes wrong in so many ways. To make sure we did our very best in covering this movie, The Room, and the magic that is Tommy Wiseau, Joey and Joe Two brought in Chris from Now and Again to talk about the history of The Room, its journey from movie to cult classic, as well as the book and movie versions of The Disaster Artist. Then, as we do every time, we play game after game, and even dive into the mailbag to find a wonderful surprise! In the end, Chris-R is all of us, and we are all Chris-R.

I WANT MY MONEY.

033 The Disaster Artist (2017)

After 31 episodes covering every movie and TV show in Zac Efron's career, the votes have been tallied, the winners have been invited, and it's time to honor the very best (and worst) of what #ZacAttack has to offer! Put on your very best lifeguard bathing suit and meet us at this exclusive #ZacAttack event -- DJ'd by Cole Carter, of course.

The Zeffies!

032 The Zeffies!

It's sad to think about, but #ZacAttack is almost over. This episode is all about what comes next! Learn all about our three new shows, plus catch up on the latest news about us AND Zef! Remember! Voting for the Zeffies is now open. Vote early, vote often! Voting closes on October 22, and winners will be announced on November 1!

To Zefinity and Beyond

031 To Zefinity and Beyond

With nothing new left to watch, Joey and Joe Two return to where it all began: We Are Your Friends. Recorded LIVE from Joe Two's house, we learn all about Zac Efron trivia, modern rappers (and the terrible trivia associated with them), and try to answer once and for all: ARE WE EVER GOING TO BE BETTER THAN THIS?!

We Are Your Friends: The Remix (Live Commentary)

030 We Are Your Friends: The Remix (Live Commentary)

What do you do when you've seen every movie Zac Efron has ever been in? You watch everything else, of course! This clip show covers 25 clips -- and 13 emails -- spanning his entire career!

Clip Show and Announcing the Zeffies!

029 Clip Show and Announcing the Zeffies!

Just like that, Joey and Joe Two had seen every Zac Efron movie. And since Miracle Run was a Lifetime Original Movie, you KNOW we have thoughts about it. Is it cheesy? Is it #problematic? You already know the answers!

Miracle Run (2003)

028 Miracle Run (2003)

Bonus episode! Baywatch gives us the most ripped Zac Efron we've ever seen... but does it give us anything more than that? Listen to find out!

Baywatch (2017)

027 Baywatch (2017)

We continue to spiral down the High School Musical rabbit hole with Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure 2, which is a fan fiction sequel to a movie we covered that didn't even feature Zac Efron. At this point, even we don't know where #ZacAttack will go next.

Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure 2

026 Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure 2

Joey Lewandowski and Joe Two

Welcome to #ZacAttack! Join us as we take a look at the storied film career of the man, the myth, the legend that is Zac Efron. Love the show? Hate the show? Let us know! Email zacattack@cageclub.me. Presented by the CageClub Podcast Network.

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