This week on You Gotta Love It, Kohji and Andrew go prehistoric. Themed around the upcoming film The End of Oak Street — where a suburban family crisis turns into prehistoric survival — the guys dig into two movies that blend family, creatures, and the fight to stay alive.
First up is the hidden gem Love and Monsters (2020), a Netflix release that quietly earned an Academy Award nomination for its creature effects on a $30 million budget. Starring Dylan O'Brien as a hapless survivor who leaves his bunker to reconnect with his pre-apocalypse girlfriend, the film charmed both hosts with its humor, heart, and surprisingly thoughtful take on what it means to truly live — not just survive. Along the way, they trace O'Brien's career from Teen Wolf and Maze Runner stardom through his life-changing on-set injury and back to this winning comeback role.
Then comes the "love it" pick: 65 (2023), starring Adam Driver as a space pilot who crash-lands on Earth 65 million years ago — right before the asteroid. Despite a killer premise (laser guns + dinosaurs!), Sam Raimi producing, and Driver's committed performance, the film's self-serious tone holds it back from the B-movie greatness it could have been. The guys debate whether a Gerard Butler or Jason Statham type would have served the material better.
Plus: a 10 Cloverfield Lane steelbook for Shelf Respect, Andrew's recommendation of Charlie Kaufman's sprawling debut novel, a budget game, Critic or Commenter, Love It or Leave It, and a preview of the next episode.
Show Notes:
Films Discussed:
Love and Monsters (2020) — Dir. Michael Matthews | Hidden Gem | Streaming on Netflix
65 (2023) — Dir. Scott Beck & Bryan Woods | Love It | Streaming on Netflix; rent/buy on Apple TV, Amazon, YouTube
Key Topics:
The disappearing middle-budget movie and why Love and Monsters nails that sweet spot
Dylan O'Brien's career arc: Teen Wolf, Maze Runner, his 2016 stunt accident, and return to form
Whether Love and Monsters is secretly a COVID movie (it was shot in 2019, pre-pandemic)
Adam Driver: the best and worst thing about 65
The return of quicksand to pop culture
Ariana Greenblatt in both films — playing opposite characters who couldn't be more different
Why 65 needed more wonder and fewer jump scares (the Jurassic Park brachiosaur effect)
The "this is actually Earth" twist and why it doesn't land
Shelf Respect:
10 Cloverfield Lane (steelbook) — bunker life gone wrong, the perfect companion piece
Jurassic Park 7-film 4K collection (backup pick)
Andrew's Recommendation:
Antkind by Charlie Kaufman — a 700-page meta-novel about a pompous film critic, a three-month-long stop-motion film, and the meaning of existence. Darkly funny, deeply weird, and not for everyone.
Segments:
Budget Game: 65 cost ~$45M (possibly $90M before tax rebates); grossed $56M worldwide
Critic or Commenter: Quotes from RogerEbert.com, Letterboxd, and more — Andrew goes 0-for-10
Love It or Leave It: AI assistant exposition, language barrier bonding, dinosaurs as the big bad, "this is actually Earth" secret reveals, and asteroid disasters as a film device
Lovability Scores for 65: Entertainment 6/6, Defendable 5/7, Actual Quality 5/7, Insanity Bonus 2.5/2.5 (out of 5)
Next Episode:
Hidden Gem: Hundreds of Beavers (2022) — a black-and-white silent film that's apparently a hit with five-year-olds
Love It: Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) — LeBron James and cartoon characters
Where to Watch:
Love and Monsters — Netflix (US & Canada)
65 — Netflix; also available to rent/buy on Apple TV, Amazon Video, and YouTube