Peak Movies: 1985

This season finale episode has a little bit of everything, folks. Scott and Eric pay their respects to some important figures from 1985 who sadly passed during the making of this little podcast. Your trusty cohosts also use the power of hindsight to update their personal Rank & File lists — because everyone loves a good list! You'll even be whisked away to our recent live Celebration Screening event for the reveal of the totally made-up 1985 PEAK MOVIE AWARDS as well as righting the wrong that was The Guest List.

Thanks for joining us this season, movie fans! Be kind and we’ll catch you on the rewind.

We’ve reached the penultimate stop in our journey together, Peak Movie fans! Eric and Scott reminisce about all we learned in Quarter 4. Plus, a crack team of special contributors briefly address a few additional December films that didn’t make the cut. Attention to detail and a suddenly open schedule … we haz it.

Two sworn enemies become unorthodox co-parents … IN SPACE! Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones join forces for the big screen adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel featuring the film debuts of Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey! Special guest Aflamu Johnson (actor, comedian, co-founder of Dr. Chorizo Productions, check out his hood comedy mockumentary Dem Young Boys on Youtube) joins Eric and Scott via remote to chat about Drac asexual reproduction and the nutritional benefits of a complete Celie breakfast. The Oscar nominated drama saw a limited release Dec 18th while the sci-fi flick went wide on December 20th, 1985.

Terry Gilliam’s dystopian dark comedy is also one of Scott’s favorite movies of all time! Two Hollywood screen legends find romance and a bunch of Oscars in Africa! Special guest Pete Gardner (actor, master improviser, Daryl from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) joins Eric and Scott to share his experiences traveling abroad back in 1985 and the role movies played in that epic solo journey. Both films released in theaters on December 18th, 1985.

When the going gets tough, the tough get their final sequel of the season! Plus the Parker Brothers bring their talents to the silver screen with the help of a ridiculously talented ensemble cast! Special guest Amy Claire Sparks (professional funny person, secretary extraordinaire, co-host of Herstory The Podcast) joins Eric and Scott for an illuminating discussion about the collected works of Joan Wilder as well as the greatest comedy ever made according to Amy. The comedy adventure romcom went wide on December 11th while the board game adaptation released in theaters with three different endings on December 13th, 1985.

A ballet dancer and a tap dancer walk into a Siberian bar! Two bumbling morons get laid and exploited by the military industrial complex! Special guest Jessica Makinson (actor, director, improviser, multiple voices on South Park) joins Eric and Scott for a double feature episode steeped in Cold War intrigue and plenty of questionable male behavior. Both films premiered in theaters on December 6th, 1985.

A Spielberg produced Sherlock Holmes prequel! Two convicts F around on a runaway train and find out! Special guest and solitary member of the PM85 Three Timers Club Patrick T. Gorman joins Eric and Scott for a surprisingly satisfying double feature about Egyptian death cults and a woeful lack of runaway train contingency plans. The Holmes film debuted on December 4th while the train flick went wide December 6th, 1985.

Ivan Drago! A robot maid! A full blown James Brown song and dance number! Plus RIP Apollo Creed! Special guest Paul Vaillancourt (improv guru/teacher, multi-hyphenate entertainment industry jack of all trades, YouTube Creator Coach) joins Eric and Scott for a solo episode all about how Rocky Balboa singlehandedly thawed the Cold War using nothing but the power of montage. Stallone’s epic sequel hit theaters on November 27th, 1985.

Scott and special contributors Matt Taylor and Garry Crystal briefly address a trio of films from November ‘85 that didn’t make it to the main pod. Attention to detail … we haz it.

A young Willem Dafoe prints money and wreaks havoc in the City of Angels! The Dow Chemical Company turns frozen Yugoslavian funds into a slap dash monster movie spoof starring Jeff Goldblum and Ed Begley, Jr! Special guest Jonathan Howard (writer/performer, The Varnell Hill Show, The Goldbergs, Schooled) joins Eric and Scott for a tender look back at the stylish crime drama and a deliberate look away at the other one. To Live and Die in LA released back on November 1st, while Transylvania 6-5000 went wide on November 8th, 1985.