96. Die Hard (1988)

Yippee Ki-Yay Mr. Falcon!

On this holiday edition of Hate Watch/Great Watch, we tackle a blockbuster alt Christmas classic - Die Hard (1988)! Not exactly a deep cut, but in traditional HWGW fashion, the conversation covers a lot of ground including the flick’s lasting influence in TV shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Rick and Morty, and Bob’s Burgers; and the greatness of the cast (specifically Alan Rickman and Paul Gleeson), and the role of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. Plus - We question what exactly makes a Die Hard, Hunter invents a few Die Hards and, real talk: Al Powell definitely shot Urkel, right?

95. Hawk Jones (1986)

How Do You Do, Fellow Kids!

On this episode, Bryan Bierman returns and we examine the direct-to-video hidden gem Hawk Jones (1986)! This cops v. gangsters (dawn of justice) actioner with an all child cast has “midnight movie favorite” written all over it! We talk about why this flick works, how the world building in it is better than 90% of recent Star Wars offerings, Allison’s subscription to Consumer Reports, and learn: You never call Marty McFly a chicken, and you never talk about Hawk Jones’ mama.

94. Sweet November (2001)

Hello Excellent Humans!

We’re sweetening your November by discussing (what else?) 2001’s Sweet November! We discuss this doomed romance flick, explain our new format, check in with our Dog Guy (Bryan Bierman), and deliver Hunter’s Snappy Named Letterboxd Segment Thing. What’s a good snake name? What’s Allison’s favorite song? Is this movie good? Who can say. We can, and we do! Plus: the secret origin of beans!

93. Dirty Dancing (1987) 

Hello Excellent Entertainment Staff!

Tina Dillon returns to Hate Watch/Great Watch after a protracted absence to discuss Dirty Dancing (1987)! In this episode we: define the word “protracted”, brainstorm several HWGW slogans, talk about the trailers on the Dirty Dancing VHS, and repeatedly ponder: “But why the woman hidden the sumos with her cart?”

92. The Phantom of the Opera (1989)

Hello Excellent Phantoms!

Tying in to the Fall 2022 issue of the MovieJawn zine, Allison & Hunter are discussing the under-seen 1989 Phantom of the Opera starring Jill Schoelen and Robert Englund! We discuss the Ninja Turtles, UrbEx people, ‘80s horror in the ‘90s, Jordan Peele, and the history of photography! Plus we share a pro wrestling minute while Allison mixes drinks! Dupe Rip!

91. The Host (2006)

Hello Excellent Humans!

It’s the Spooky Season and you know what that means! Nicole a.k.a. Bottle returns to discuss Bong Joon Ho’s 2006 monster movie with themes of environmentalism and family: The Host! Along the way we discuss Hunter’s youthful indiscretions, how The Host is not unlike a Wes Anderson movie, Sylvester Stallone playing the Toxic Avenger, and we explain the Nice vs. Kind metric. Plus: Is Philly the Korea of the East Coast?

90. Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

Hello Groovy Humans, baby, yeah!

It’s been a minute since we kicked around a crummy movie, so Allison suggested Austin Powers in Goldmember from 2002! This movie needed more Beyonce, more Mini Me, more Michael Caine, and WAY LESS Fat Bastard. Also: Hunter conflates Mike Myers with Michael Myers, sings the hit song “Gold Dick” by KC and the Sunshine Band, and we suggest several fixes for this lackluster threequel. Plus: that so-called Godzilla looks like the Big Lizard from that Dead Milkmen album cover.

89. Clue (1985)

Hello Excellent Suspects!

You might be wondering why you’ve been gathered here. Krystal TL Brackett returns and she’s brought her boo Sean Brady to discuss Clue (1985). Is this the first cinematic adaptation of a board game? Was there really a Joe Dirt 2? And who keeps ringing that bell? We want answers! Plus: Allison shows her Virgo tendencies, Hunter expresses his Aquarius nature, and Martin Short has Long Martin Energy.

88. Swiss Army Man (2016)

Hello Excellent Daniels!

Let’s all wish cohost Allison Yakulis a happy birthday by listening to this episode, on one of her favorite films - 2016’s absurd yet life-affirming Swiss Army Man, directed by the duo known as Daniels! Bryan Bierman joins us to borrow some Batman dvds, discuss Everything Everywhere All At Once, and how watching all the Jackass movies will tank your Letterboxd stats.

87. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Hello Excellent Visitors!

Hunter’s mom Lynette Notte finally returns to the show to discuss aliens some more! This time we’re talking about Stephen Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)! Topics include: The Beastie Boys, PG-13 ratings, Lisztomania, Hynek’s scale of Close Encounters, high strangeness, fake idioms, Betty & Barney Hill, and Allison’s rare medical condition: Corn Blindness! Beam me up, mommy!