Don’t Push Pause

Over the last 30 years, TREMORS (1990) has remained an impressively hair-raising monster movie, having garnered a steady following and still inspiring contemporary sequels. It’s one big mutha which appeals to any age and warrants going behind-the-scenes to understand why its boldness sets it apart from other films of the creature-feature genre.

▶️Synopsis: Physically barred from leaving town, two small town handymen stumble upon mysterious deaths and begin to link the grotesque killings to unprecedented, massively monstrous creatures living in the ground.

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, RAISING CAIN (1992): This stylish, melodramatic thriller weaves together multiple personality disorder and clinical experimentation on children for a true psychological mind warp. **Starring John Lithgow, Lolita Davidovich, Steven Bauer. Directed by Brian De Palma.**

—Justin’s Pick, THE RELIC (1997): After a series of grisly murders, a detective and a biologist must track down a mythical monster stalking and killing people in the Chicago Field Museum. **Starring Penelope Ann Miller, Tom Sizemore, Linda Hunt. Directed by Peter Hyams.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Cutting to the root of Billy’s love for beloved musician, John Prine.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: The two different scores for TREMORS and the film’s effect on Bacon’s career.

▶️NEXT UP: THAT THING YOU DO!

No other film captures the truthful pain of adolescence as well as Todd Solondz’s WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE (1995). By showing us harsh realities through heartbreaking humor, writer/director Solondz gives us a darkly comedic, layered look into the provocative world of Dawn “Wienerdog.” The universal appeal of this film is undeniable and gives a voice to the kids who go unseen.

▶️Synopsis: Plagued by bullying at school and being the forgotten middle child at home, an awkward pre-teen, Dawn Wiener, falls for an unattainable hunk while also carrying on a secret relationship with her main tormentor at school.

⏩⏩Discussions include: Solondz’s inspirations for DOLLHOUSE, how it was made and where it fits in with his other films; recurring themes and the impact of jarring slurs; the complexity of the characters and gifted performances by a predominantly young cast; story layering and Solondz’s use of dark humor; critical reception, lasting effects on the film’s main star and Dawn becoming an icon for underdogs. **Starring Heather Matarazzo, Brendan Sexton III, Matthew Faber, Eric Mabius. Directed by Todd Solondz.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, HAPPINESS (1998): This extremely dark and bold, uncomfortable comedy intertwines three sisters’ lives, each diving into subplots involving unfulfillment, boredom and perversion. **Starring Jane Adams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Dylan Baker, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Directed by Todd Solondz.**

—Justin’s Pick, STORYTELLING (2001): Split into disconnected stories, this dysfunctional dark comedy involves a female college student victimized by her professor and a high school boy being followed by a documentary filmmaker. **Starring Selma Blair, Mark Webber, Leo Fitzpatrick, Paul Giamatti. Directed by Todd Solondz.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: How Billy plays the Defender of the Bullied as Tripper in MEATBALLS (1979).

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: How DOLLHOUSE helped Matarazzo realize her real-life gayness, the film being a perfect introduction to Solondz’s other films, some favorite scenes involving Dawn Wiener and the importance of music in the film.

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No parents. No rules. No problem, right? Chris Parker and Sue Ellen Crandell are two teens forced into roles they never asked for — saving their own skins and watching after some youngins. The Season 3 Opener takes a closer looks at these beloved teen comedies— ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING and DON’T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER’S DEAD!

▶️ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING, (1987): After her date-night plans fall through, Chris takes a babysitting job looking after a brother/sister duo and their hormone-happy friend. But when her best friend needs to be rescued, Chris has no choice but to take the kids into the big city, with nothing but trouble following close behind. **Starring Elisabeth Shue, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp, Maia Brewton. Directed by Chris Columbus.**

▶️DON’T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER’S DEAD, (1991): A crotchety babysitter comes to watch after five kids, then almost immediately drops dead. Refusing to have their summer plans ruined, the oldest sister, Sue Ellen, decides to fake-it-til-you-make-it by getting a job in the fashion world, provide for her the bratty siblings and maybe fall in love along the way. **Starring Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy, Keith Coogan, Josh Charles. Directed by Stephen Herek.**

⏩⏩Discussions include:

**Picks of the Week will be back in Episode 55!**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Billy’s surprising feelings on working with 11-year-old, Jaeden Lieberher Martell, in ST. VINCENT (2014).

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Some of our favorite things that stick out about DON’T TELL MOM and ADVENTURES.

▶️NEXT UP: WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE (1995)!

The Season Two Finale is here! GOODFELLAS (1990) is one of the most beloved Martin Scorsese films. By using exhilarating visuals and condensed, fast-paced storytelling, this monumental mob chronicle never loses its boldness. Scorsese’s artistic integrity brings to life this terrifyingly honest and engaging portrayal of a blue collar crime world.

▶️Quick ‘lil Season Two Blooper Reel!

▶️Synopsis: This is the true story of Henry Hill being molded by the mob, starting out as a kid and moving up the ranks. With the world working for him and living a life of excess, Hill spirals down into a world of drugs, unraveling his marriage, success and turning on the crime family who created him.

⏩⏩Discussions include: The collaborative adaptation of transforming this novel to film, truth vs. fiction, Scorsese’s connection and ability to capture an intricate reality via stylistic influences, rapid-fire storytelling, voiceovers, tonal changes and trustworthy relationships with his actors and editor; use of purposeful violence; how spot-on casting captured true-to-life performances; memorable scenes and an overview of Scorsese’s gangster-heavy film career. **Starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino. Directed by Martin Scorsese.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, CAPE FEAR (1991): A lawyer knowingly withholds evidence, resulting in his dangerous client’s imprisonment. After he’s released, the vendetta-having, convicted sex offender stalks and seeks to ruin his former attorney’s life and family. **Starring Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis. Directed by Martin Scorsese.**

—Justin’s Pick, GRACE OF MY HEART (1996): A newly-discovered singer/songwriter finds her footing in the music industry, encountering professional and personal roadblocks, all resulting in an eventual payoff. **Starring Illeana Douglas, John Turturro, Matt Dillon, Eric Stoltz, Patsy Kensit. Directed by Allison Anders.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Multiple pizza-related stories lead us to the time Scorsese’s mom, Catherine, made her legendary homemade pizza for Billy.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: GOODFELLAS losing to Dances With Wolves at the Oscars and the film’s murderous, yet moving montage to “Layla.”

▶️Thank you to everyone for listening, downloading, following and interacting with us for this podcast! Our gratitude runs deep. We’ll be back on June 2nd, 2020, with our Season Three opener — The Babysitter Double Feature! 

In the 1980s, teen comedies established character tropes and found their future superstars. BETTER OFF DEAD... (1985) catapulted John Cusack to leading man status, even if the film didn’t reach blockbuster heights. This satirical black comedy was an unapologetic, absurdist dive into the teen psyche, which has only gained popularity throughout the years. BETTER OFF DEAD... continues to stand out from other ‘80s movies and leaves us with endless memorable moments.

▶️Synopsis: Devastated after being dumped for the popular high school jock, Lane Meyer can’t find a reason to live. In between multiple suicide attempts, he begins a friendship with a French exchange student who reminds him there is more life to live.

⏩⏩Discussions include: The true story behind the unusually satirical, BETTER OFF DEAD; how a first-time, feature film director/writer got his break; expanding the teen comedy genre, including an atypical leading man and traversing the teen experience; the tone/black humor used within the film; cast discussion, including the well-developed relationships with supporting characters; critical reception, music, animation/claymation and, of course, throwing in our favorite scenes and classic lines from the film.

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, TERRORVISION (1986): In this oddball sci-fi/horror/comedy, a family’s new TV satellite installation becomes an invitation for a monstrous alien from another world. **Starring Diane Franklin, Mary Woronov, Gerrit Graham, Chad Allen. Directed by Ted Nicolaou.**

—Justin’s Pick, ONE CRAZY SUMMER (1986): Bailing on post high school plans, two best friends decide to have a carefree summer, but end up helping a fledging musician’s family estate and, in turn, inspiring future life goals. **Starring John Cusack, Joel Murray, Bobcat Goldthwait, Demi Moore. Directed by Savage Steve Holland.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Billy’s experience living through the 2016 Chicago Cubs’ World Series win, with a little tear-jerking memory thrown in.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Cusack’s unexpected reaction at the premiere of BETTER OFF DEAD..., his most recent feelings on the film, effect on Holland’s career and long-lasting fandom for this inoffensively rare 80s film.

▶️NEXT UP: DPP TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY with GOODFELLAS (1990)!