If you've ever wondered how Jean-Claude Van Damme became an international action star, there's one '80s movie you need to see: "Bloodsport." This episode, commissioned by listener Adam from Texas, calls on Gene Lyons' deep martial arts expertise, Ash's opinions on muscle men and Big D's childhood dream of climbing with ninja claws. Along the way, the Shat Crew also discusses the efficacy of fighting monkey style, the utility of eight-minute cinematic flashbacks, training vs. torture, how a referee fits into a full-contact tournament, journalistic integrity in the face of sexy splits, what the Army does when an officer goes AWOL and what the hell Forest Whitaker was doing in this movie. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Bloodsport  (1988)

What are the The Best 1980s & 1990s Movies? Do you find yourself asking if the movies we loved while growing up were really that good? Have you caught yourself thinking, “why don’t make movies like they use to?” Can you still remember spending your Friday Nights searching for the perfect movie rental at Blockbuster Video? Do you know what Blockbuster Video is? If you answered yes, then this is the podcast for you!

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TV & Film

Film Reviews

One Shat host is a social justice warrior. The other hates Mel Brooks movies. So "Blazing Saddles" seemed doomed from the start. But there's magic in Gene Wilder, Cleavon Little and the old frontier. Listener Ed took Shat The Movies way back to 1974 for this satirical Western that Gene Lyons argues isn't racist, sexist or even remotely offensive (other than one particular performance). Dick Ebert was impressed with the "real Hollywood Western" feel of the movie, attributing the incredible cast and chemistry to divine intervention, and also the groundbreaking farts. In this episode, the Shat Boys discuss the connection between "Blazing Saddles" and "La Bamba," cheer for Slim Pickens and Harvey Korman and wonder at how cleverly the film breaks the fourth wall. You know those episodes where Gene gets excited and quotes the movie a lot? Yeah, it's one of those. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite:  https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Is "PCU" hard to find because it crossed a line or because it's just not a very good movie? Listener Jeff from Nebraska commissioned the Shat Crew to uncover the truth for his 40th birthday. In a lot of ways, PCU is your typical '90s college movie. The university president is trying to shut down a student house. There's seventh-year senior showing the new guy the ropes. A kegger is the solution to life's problems, and the good guys win. But PCU is still very much its own film. There's no clear protagonist. No group of students is decidedly popular. There might not even be an actual plot. In this episode, Big D recalls his days as fraternity president. Ash explains college tours. Gene tells the Legend of Alpha Drive, and Jerry Seinfeld is wrong. The Shat Crew also tackles hazing, dirty talk in the dorms and whether George Clinton was the right choice as musical guest. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite:  https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

PCU (1994)

A lot's changed since 1987: Biopics are much more common (and darker). Chicano artists are more mainstream, and Lou Diamond Phillips is a household name.  So we acknowledge "La Bamba' was groundbreaking ... and not very good. Listener Mark C. commissioned this episode and the upcoming "American Me" to celebrate his heritage as a first-generation Hispanic-American. He noted the blockbuster soundtrack, janky lip-syncing and performances from Esai Morales, Joe Pantaliano and Elizabeth Pena. But Mark didn't prepare us for laughably large talismans, breakneck pacing and Ritchie Valens' "golly-gee" persona. In this episode, the Shat Crew debates whether Ritchie's brother, Bob, got a fair shake in the movie, what really happened that night in Tijuana and how much racism is appropriate for this story. Gene spots a Mystical Mexican. Ash yearns for some Buddy Holly, and Dick wants more details about the plane crash and aftermath. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite:  https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

La Bamba (1987)

Robert Rodriguez blew minds when he created "El Mariachi" for $7,000. The sequel added a brooding Antonio Banderas and sizzling Salma Hayek to rack up $58 million worldwide. But was "Desperado" actually good?  If you're looking for cool cameos, hot sex scenes, bloody bar fights and a strong female lead, then yes. If you're looking for believable gunplay, a plot that makes sense, badass sidekicks or artistic composition, then you're out of luck. In this episode, commissioned by listener Rachel, the Shat Crew discusses Steve Buscemi always being the same age, Quentin Tarantino always being Quentin Tarantino and henchmen always being unreliable.  Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite:  https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Desperado (1995)

"Krush Groove" is the sort of '80s oddity that can't quite be categorized. Is it a musical? A comedy? A collection of music videos with dialogue sprinkled in between? This time capsule captured rap's infancy and changed the way Big D speaks. This week's episode, commissioned by listener David B., gave us a newfound respect for Run-DMC, The Fat Boys and, oddly enough, "Purple Rain." Dick Ebert learned why Kurtis Blow is called Kurtis Blow; Ash revealed the depth of her hip-hop knowledge; and Gene explained why he thinks rappers are naturally good actors. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite:  https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Bloodsport (1988)

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