Greetings! In this week's episode John and I tackle one of the most powerful films of the Vietnam era: Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July. Starring Tom Cruise in a career-defining performance, the film tells the true story of Ron Kovic, a small-town patriot whose belief in duty and country is shattered by the realities of war.

We break down Kovic’s journey from idealistic Marine to paralyzed veteran and outspoken activist, discussing the film’s raw depiction of combat, trauma, and a system that failed the soldiers it sent to fight. The conversation also explores Oliver Stone’s deeply personal direction, the film’s balance between patriotism and protest, and why it remains so emotionally relevant.

Then, several drinks later, we devote an extended segment to Tom Cruise’s career, using Born on the Fourth of July as the moment he proved he was more than a movie star. From Top Gun to A Few Good Men to Mission: Impossible, we look at Cruise’s evolution, ambition, and lasting impact on Hollywood. Enjoy!

Want to be a guest on Stamper Cinema? Send Andrew a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1631718514660x735433606388177700

Greetings! In this episode of Stamper Cinema, we take a deep dive into Jackie Brown, Quentin Tarantino’s soulful, character-driven crime film and one of the most underrated entries in his filmography.

Based on Elmore Leonard’s novel Rum Punch, Jackie Brown stars Pam Grier in a career-defining performance as a middle-aged flight attendant caught between the ATF and a dangerous gun runner played by, Samuel L. Jackson. Unlike Tarantino’s flashier films, Jackie Brown unfolds as a patient, mature story about aging and survival.

Rounding out the this insanely talented cast includes Robert Forster in an Oscar-nominated role as bail bondsman Max Cherry, Robert De Niro as the hapless Louis, Bridget Fonda, and Michael Keaton in a crossover appearance from Out of Sight. 

If you’ve ever overlooked Jackie Brown in Tarantino’s catalog, this episode makes the case for why it deserves another look. Enjoy!

Want to be a guest on Stamper Cinema? Send me a PodMatch message:  https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1631718514660x735433606388177700

Greetings! In this week's episode of Stamper Cinema, we revisit one of Hollywood’s most beloved and quietly subversive classics: Harvey (1950), starring James Stewart in one of the most charming performances of his career.

Directed by Henry Koster and adapted from Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize–winning stage play, Harvey tells the story of Elwood P. Dowd, a gentle, affable man whose best friend just happens to be a six-foot-three invisible rabbit named Harvey. What begins as a light comedy slowly reveals itself as a thoughtful meditation on kindness, conformity, mental health, and the strange rules society uses to decide what’s “normal.”

Joining us this time around is writer/filmmaker Brent Lindstrom. In addition to breaking down why this film still resonates today, Brent is extremely proud to share his fantastic recent novel One for the Money, Two for the Soul. Enjoy!

** Want to be a guest on Stamper Cinema? Send Andrew a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1631718514660x735433606388177700 **

Greetings! In this week's FLIX & SIPS episode of Stamper Cinema, we head into the jungle to break down Oliver Stone’s Platoon (1986) - one of the most raw, emotional, and as John says, 'Influential war films ever made.'

Drawing from Stone’s own combat experience, the film explores the moral battle between two opposing forces within one platoon: the compassion of Sergeant Elias vs the ruthless survival instincts of Sergeant Barnes.

We dig into the film’s themes of brotherhood, fear, leadership, and the psychological cost of war, while also examining the unforgettable performances, iconic cinematography, and the haunting use of Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings.” Oh, and because this is FLIX & SIPS, there's much beer drinking too. Enjoy!

Want to be a guest on Stamper Cinema? Send Andrew Stamper a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1631718514660x735433606388177700

Greetings! In the episode we're introducing a new series to Stamper Cinema. We're calling it Flix & Sips. In these episodes, John swaps his role as recurring guest for recurring co-host. We still talk movies, we still share stories, and we still share a few drinks while we do it. Okay, so maybe not much has changed - but hey, we've got a fancy new logo for our discussions.

Anyway, first up in our Flix & Sips series, we discuss the 1981 Ivan Reitman comedy classic, Stripes. And y'all, despite the beer buzz, we cover it all: Bill Murray’s irresistible deadpan,  Harold Ramis’ understated brilliance, an RV tank, mud wrestling, SGT. Hulka's big toe, John Candy's infectious laugh. Oh, and there's the part where I dive into my own Navy basic training days.(at length… possibly too at length).

Grab a brew, hit play, and join us for the most fun you can have without enlisting (again). Enjoy responsibly! ;)

Greetings! Halloween is here, and in this week's episode we're going for the jugular! That's right, we're talking Vampires. Some good, some bad, but all are essential. I've got a dozen-ish vampire films you must see before you die. Whether it's the silent terror of Nosferatu or the chaotic comedy of What We Do in the Shadows. We've got something for everyone. (Sleepwalkers, anyone?)

So grab your garlic, Holy Water, dim the lights, and press play. Because immortality looks great in 4K. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween, boils and ghouls! This week on a very special episode of Stamper Cinema, we’re diving deep into one of the wildest horror-comedies of the 1990s — Bordello of Blood! But even better, we're making it a watchalong with the film's co-writer Alan Katz!

This blood-soaked romp was the second feature film spun out of HBO’s legendary Tales from the Crypt series... and also its last. SAD.

The movie stars Dennis Miller as a snarky private eye who stumbles upon a secret underground brothel run by vampires — led by none other than Lilith, played by Angie Everhart. Also along for the ride: Erika Eleniak, Corey Feldman, and, of course, a cackling appearance from the Crypt Keeper himself.

CRYPT KEEPER NOTE: To properly join in with this Bordello of Blood episode, hop over to SHUDDER for a free trial (link below) and be sure to hit play when Alan and Andrew do. They promise to make it a fang-tastic Halloween discussion *hehehehe! 

Greetings! In this episode of Stamper Cinema, we step into the Cold War era with Taylor Hackford’s White Nights (1985), a film that blends political tension, dance, and the undeniable magnetism of its cast. Starring Mikhail Baryshnikov as a Soviet ballet dancer who defects and Gregory Hines as an American tap dancer forced into exile, the film explores themes of freedom, loyalty, and identity against the backdrop of East–West tensions. With strong supporting performances from Helen Mirren and Isabella Rossellini, plus Lionel Richie’s Oscar-winning song “Say You, Say Me,” White Nights is as much a cultural artifact as it is a character drama.

Joining us for the action is writer/filmmaker/and movie lover, Phil Dukarsky. Phil does a great job breaking down its Cold War context, unforgettable dance sequences, and how the film resonates nearly four decades later. 

So whether you’re drawn to the performances, the politics, or just the power of dance, this episode has something for you. Enjoy!

Greetings!

In this episode of Stamper Cinema, we dive into one of the most fascinating and evolving themes in film: artificial intelligence. From the earliest cinematic visions of sentient machines to today’s nuanced portrayals of AI companions, villains, and everything in between, these characters have long reflected our hopes, fears, and questions about technology’s role in our lives.

To help explore this topic, I’m joined by award-winning author (and returning guest) Bill Cushing, whose deep knowledge of storytelling, literature, and culture makes him the perfect guest to unpack the ways AI has been imagined on screen. Together, we’ll journey from classics like Metropolis and 2001: A Space Odyssey to modern masterpieces like Ex Machina and Her. Along the way, we’ll discuss why these portrayals resonate so deeply, what they reveal about society at the time of their release, and how cinema both shapes and mirrors our collective imagination about the future.

Whether AI is depicted as a trusted friend, a misunderstood being, or an existential threat, these characters remain some of the most memorable in film history. So sit back, plug in, and join us as we take a closer look at the evolving world of AI on the big screen.

(Oh! And to keep this totally on brand, that entire intro was created by AI.)

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Greetings! In this episode of Stamper Cinema, we are joined by award-winning filmmaker JAZE BORDEAUX to unravel the intricate web of Christopher Nolan’s 2020 sci-fi action epic, Tenet.

Join us as we dive deep into Nolan’s bold narrative experiments, the film’s unforgettable set pieces, its cryptic characters, and the high-concept mechanics of time inversion.

We'll also discuss Jaze's background as well as his recent debut film, the award-winning EFC. This is a good one. Enjoy!