TRUE ROMANCE proves love stories come in many forms. Though it has many diehard fans nowadays, the film was not a smash hit in 1993. Quentin Tarantino penned this incredibly personal story, yet handed over creative control to one of his favorite directors, Tony Scott. Jam-packed with a massively well-known cast, this fantasy love story cleverly intertwines the snowballing effect of two people leaving their lives behind, only to have a world of turbulence to follow.

▶️Synopsis: Clarence, a comic book store nerd, and Alabama, a sex worker, fall in love over the course of one night. After Clarence kills Alabama’s pimp and unknowingly steals a suitcase of narcotics, the two head off into the sunset with the hopes of starting a new life together, but find getting away isn’t all that easy.

⏩⏩Discussions include: The creative relationship between Scott and Tarantino, including how it began, then the blending of writing and directing styles; how the script’s original structure was altered; breaking down the believably intriguing major and minor characters of the cast; the MPAA controversy; the finished, alternate ending and why it was omitted; truth vs. fantasy, along with how typical tropes were challenged within this romance/action/crime genre-blender; initial reception and favorite moments of the film; usage of dark humor, violence, music and Elvis as functions in the story. **Starring Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper, Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Michael Rapaport, Val Kilmer. Directed by Tony Scott.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, BEYOND RANGOON (1995): While on vacation in Burma following a personal tragedy, an American woman becomes involved with political and societal repression during the 8888 Uprising against militant violence and injustices. **Starring Patricia Arquette, U Aung Ko, Frances McDormand. Directed by John Boorman.**

—Justin’s Pick, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN (1996): After a murderous bank robbery, two brothers kidnap a family and head to Mexico for refuge. But when the group stalls out at an unsuspecting vampire bar, they must band together to fight their way out. **Starring George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis. Directed by Robert Rodriguez.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Find out about Jon Favreau’s recording session with Billy and Christopher Walken for THE JUNGLE BOOK soundtrack, followed by a night on the town in New Orleans.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Tony Scott excluding a dog death in TRUE ROMANCE, along with high notes from the film’s soundtrack.

▶️NEXT UP: PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE (1985)!

MISERY (1990) proves subtle terror can be just as effective as straight up horror. Marking the second collaboration between legendary author Stephen King and director Rob Reiner, MISERY grips audiences of every kind, leaving behind hauntingly iconic images. Thirty years later, this critically-acclaimed and disturbingly enjoyable film is still one of the most memorable psychological thrillers around. And also makes us rethink how to use a typewriter and a sledgehammer.

▶️Synopsis: A renowned author has a near-fatal car accident, only to be  rescued by a nurse claiming to be his number one fan... and who holds him captive with no intention of ever letting him leave.

⏩⏩Discussions include: Adapting of King’s novel for the screen and the differences therein; themes behind the story and why Reiner was drawn to MISERY; the cast and working dynamic between Bates and Caan; themes, tone and the film as a character study; the vicious ending, behind the scenes production and special effects. **Starring Kathy Bates, James Caan, Richard Farnsworth. Directed by Rob Reiner.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (1991): An unfulfilled housewife befriends and becomes inspired by an elderly woman who recounts tall tales from her youth and the story of two best friends. **Starring Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, Cicely Tyson. Directed by Jon Avnet.**

—Justin’s Pick, DOLORES CLAIBORNE (1995): A housekeeper is accused of murdering her employer, so her daughter begins to investigate the situation, only to uncover shocking revelations about their family’s past. **Starring Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Strathairn. Directed by Taylor Hackford.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Billy, James Caan, Benicio del Toro and Robert Duvall take a little trip to Cuba.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Addressing any confusion about the Misery books discussed, Lauren Bacall and Barry Sonnenfeld.

▶️NEXT UP: TRUE ROMANCE (1993)!

Mary Harron’s first feature-length film, I SHOT ANDY WARHOL (1996), made a big splash during the heyday of ‘90s independent films. Seamlessly blending historical figures, events and some fiction, Harron crafted a gritty, true-to-life depiction of an almost forgotten moment in time. This critically acclaimed, indie darling made its mark in queer cinema, even upsetting some who lived through the experience, yet still remains a gripping, non-exploitative remembrance of the beginning of the end for two very real people.

▶️Synopsis: Based on a true story, this narrative follows fringe culture activist Valerie Solanas’ life, radical feminist writings and introduction to Andy Warhol, leading to her attempted murder of the legendary artist.

⏩⏩Discussions include: Background on counter-culture, creative minds, Valerie Solanas and Andy Warhol; how writer/director Mary Harron researched and developed the focus for this true story; deciphering fact from fiction; the film’s style, setting and inspiration; Lili Taylor’s of embodiment of the Solanas role, along with an impressive supporting cast; Solanas’ writings and contemporary relevance; the reaction to making a movie about a real-life attempted murder. **Starring Lili Taylor, Jared Harris, Martha Plimpton, Stephen Dorff. Directed by Mary Harron.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, DOGFIGHT (1991): After trying to make amends for a mean-spirited game, a Vietnam solider and young woman end up falling in love over the course of one night. **Starring Lili Taylor, River Phoenix. Directed by Nancy Savoca.**

—Justin’s Pick, RUNNING ON EMPTY (1988): After becoming accustomed to being fugitives, a married couple’s son begins to pull away from his family as he comes of age. **Starring Christine Lahti, Judd Hirsch, Martha Plimpton, River Phoenix. Directed by Sidney Lumet.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: After crashing the biggest private party New York had ever seen, what were the first words Billy ever uttered to Andy Warhol?

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Shout-out to Donovan Leitch; The Velvet Underground and Yo La Tengo’s connection to I SHOT ANDY WARHOL; personal thoughts on Solanas’ motive for murder and reemergence of her script, Up Your Ass.

▶️NEXT UP: MISERY (1990)!

The outlaw journey of THELMA AND LOUISE was fresh in 1991, yet is still remarkably relevant almost 30 years later. Both visually stunning and packed with symbolism, this film was unafraid to focus on female friendship with a feminist backbone, along with the female experience in an unsupportive world. Beautifully crafted and atmospheric, THELMA AND LOUISE remains eerily timely and believable, while being empowering and forever iconic.

▶️Synopsis: Two best friends set out for a weekend road trip, which quickly turns into numerous unforeseen events snowballing into an ultimate, life-altering resolution.

⏩⏩Discussions include: First-time screenwriter Callie Khouri’s path to creating THELMA AND LOUISE; director Ridley Scott’s stylized grit and aesthetics; the film’s initial release, surrounding controversy and what it meant for women in film; the cast and evolving character breakdowns; how humor and plots devices interact with the film’s narrative; personal thoughts on the actual vs. alternate endings, along with fun facts sprinkled all throughout. **Starring Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Harvey Keitel, Brad Pitt. Directed by Ridley Scott.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Justin’s Pick, KALIFORNIA (1993): While on a road trip researching serial killings, a writer/photographer couple unknowingly pick up a psychopath and his naive girlfriend. **Starring Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis, David Duchovny, Michelle Forbes. Directed by Dominic Sena.**

—Lindsay’s Pick, THE CLIENT (1994): After witnessing a suicide of a mafia lawyer, an 11-year-old boy hires an attorney to protect him from being used as a pawn to take down a mafia family. **Starring Brad Renfro, Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Mary-Louise Parker. Directed by Joel Schumacher.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Geena Davis’ recounting of her unusual and disarming audition for Bill Murray’s film, QUICK CHANGE.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: George Clooney’s bitterness over losing Brad Pitt’s role in THELMA AND LOUISE; the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.

▶️NEXT UP: THE THING (1982)!