The Nextlander Watchcast

This week on the Watchcast, it's Cloak & Dagger! No, not the Marvel thing. The loosely Atari-related thing from the '80s! Join us as we discuss illegal game tapes, Dabney Coleman's action hero credentials, and how we feel having just watched the kid from E.T. kill a guy.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 106: Cloak & Dagger (1984)
(00:00:24) - Intro.
(00:01:00) - Our movie this week: Cloak & Dagger! (Not the Marvel thing.)
(00:10:42) - Talking about the movie's connection to Atari and video games.
(00:17:52) - Some top-line thoughts about what does and doesn't work in the movie.
(00:20:49) - Talking about some of the folks who helped make this thing.
(00:27:33) - The strangely common refrain of this movie being important to kids who have trouble relating to their dad.
(00:28:30) - More production and cast talk.
(00:35:43) - The movie's opening Hitman level.
(00:37:10) - Our intro to the kids and Morris.
(00:44:45) - Infiltrating Textronics.
(00:51:07) - Evil video game scientists are hunting your children!
(00:58:30) - Break!
(00:58:46) - We're back, and the bad guys are coming to kill this kid.
(01:05:39) - Unlocking the secrets of the forbidden Atari tape.
(01:12:28) - There is no plan here. These people are dumb as hell.
(01:16:13) - Davey is on the run.
(01:21:30) - Sure, let's make a kid ride in a trunk with a corpse. PG! Parental Guidance!
(01:26:07) - To the Alamo!
(01:31:32) - Wacky child driving antics!
(01:36:28) - Jack Flack might not be a great role model.
(01:45:41) - To the airport! Where unsupervised children will be welcomed with only moderate questioning.
(01:50:37) - This is one of the goofiest hostage situations in film history.
(01:56:40) - Final thoughts.
(01:59:58) - Girding ourselves for next week's movie: Ready Player One!
(02:05:00) - Outro.

Continuing along our path of video game related movies, we come to last year's Apple TV retelling of the story of Tetris and its makers. Join us as we dig through the true history of the game, pick apart the extremely Hollywood-ized additions to the story, and muse about our own histories with Tetris.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 105: Tetris (2023)
(00:00:13) - Intro.
(00:03:48) - A second Robert Maxwell reference has hit the Watchcast.
(00:07:50) - Let's talk about our histories with Tetris, and dive into some licensing history.
(00:12:40) - A certain ongoing lawsuit, and a little bit on the folks involved in this production. 
(00:17:44) - Getting into the extremely hasty intro to this story.
(00:28:20) - Running down some of the real world figures and their portrayals here.
(00:40:40) - Break!
(00:41:12) - We're back, and it's time to start picking apart licensing rights.
(00:51:22) - The cheesy (but delightful) Game Boy unveiling.
(01:06:37) - Henk's Moscow adventure begins.
(01:18:01) - The real negotiations begin.
(01:29:14) - Henk and Alexei bond.
(01:34:45) - Is Henk about to lose everything? No, because there'd be no movie otherwise.
(01:40:41) - Donald Kaufman's Tetris.
(01:47:56) - The aftermath (and some loose talk about the Tetris movie we ALMOST got).
(01:55:24) - Final thoughts. 
(01:58:22) - Talking about our film for next week: Cloak & Dagger!
(02:02:32) - Outro.

We're kicking off a full month of video game related movies with what is far and away the most important video game commercial of our collective childhoods, The Wizard! Join us as we torment our younger selves by forcing them to confront the cold, hard reality of a movie from our youth not quite standing up to the test of time...or the test of anything, really.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 104: The Wizard (1989)
(00:00:27) - Intro.
(00:04:27) - We finally get around to saying the name of our movie this week: The Wizard!
(00:10:15) - Picking apart a bunch of the family scenes that were cut.
(00:18:32) - Getting into the background of the folks who made this thing.
(00:34:18) - Why did Nintendo get involved in this nonsense?
(00:47:31) - Break!
(00:48:06) - We're back, and let's kick off this video game movie with a wildly neglected child.
(00:58:59) - Just two young kids skateboarding from Utah to California. An extremely normal thing to do.
(01:06:26) - Haley has an idea to exploit this traumatized child's adeptness at video games.
(01:11:09) - Is that how a Power Glove™ works?
(01:14:13) - Father and son bonding over Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
(01:22:04) - Reno! It's a town! And some musings on the Nintendo Help Line.
(01:30:25) - Haley gets her monologue.
(01:36:04) - FINALLY, we are in California.
(01:41:55) - A Universal backlot chase climax? In this economy?!?
(01:49:01) - The real star of the movie: Super Mario Bros. 3!
(01:56:00) - Sure, Jimmy just won $50k, but what is that worth if we don't solve his trauma before the credits?
(02:02:42) - Final thoughts.
(02:05:55) - Talking about the rest of our films for this month.
(02:12:14) - Outro (and Vinny's ranking).

We're closing out our run of movies with Twin Peaks cast members with the '80s punk classic, Repo Man! Join us as we chase down a rogue Chevy Malibu, do a bunch of idiotic crimes, and explore the lattice of coincidence that binds us all.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 103: Repo Man (1984)
(00:00:12) - Intro.
(00:01:35) - Our film this week: Repo Man! And some discussion of how it relates to the punk scene of its time.
(00:10:47) - Some background on how this movie came to be.
(00:20:39) - Cast chat.
(00:24:47) - That soundtrack.
(00:26:56) - Driving full speed down a desert highway into the film itself.
(00:29:45) - Our introduction to Otto.
(00:33:14) - I am become Repo Man, pilferer of vehicles.
(00:37:18) - Otto's home life.
(00:42:06) - Break!
(00:42:39) - We're back, and it's time to learn the Repo Code.
(00:45:56) - The Rodriguez Brothers.
(00:49:03) - Otto meets Leila.
(00:51:42) - Miller's musings about the universe.
(00:55:32) - Playing hot potato with an extremely hot Malibu, and a brief history of American ska.
(01:01:49) - A gunfight in San Pedro.
(01:03:37) - Things start getting weird(er).
(01:06:30) - Let's give a warm welcome to The Circle Jerks!
(01:11:10) - Bud gets in hot water, Otto happens upon the Malibu, and some talk about the movie's reception.
(01:16:49) - The Repo Wives, and the goofiest hold-up you've ever seen.
(01:20:47) - Tracking the many seemingly incoherent things that happen toward the end.
(01:30:11) - Flying off into the wild irradiated yonder.
(01:33:18) - Final thoughts.
(01:40:54) - Housekeeping for next month.
(01:44:31) - Outro. 

On this week's Watchcast we continue our loose theme of films featuring Twin Peaks actors that also happen to take place in Los Angeles and have memorable soundtracks with the 1987 sci-fi/horror/action romp, The Hidden! Join us and Agent Not Cooper as we track down a body-hopping, spree-killing alien before he becomes President of the United States.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 102: The Hidden (1987)
(00:00:26) - Intro.
(00:02:07) - Our film this week: Agent Cooper (and Hank!) in The Hidden! And some Commando catch-up talk.
(00:08:38) - A little bit about the production history and people involved.
(00:15:21) - Our killer cast.
(00:24:53) - Launching into the film itself (in a stolen Ferrari).
(00:34:49) - The body swapping begins, and we meet Lloyd Gallagher.
(00:46:54) - Break!
(00:47:17) - We're back, and it's time to eat steak weird and listen to punk rock!
(00:54:11) - Ferraris! Cocaine! Guns! All the pleasures of Earth.
(01:01:40) - Guess who's coming to dinner?
(01:05:48) - Commander Ivanova like you've never seen her before!
(01:10:41) - A lukewarm pursuit in a pimp car to a mannequin factory.
(01:16:14) - Bad dog, bad lieutenant.
(01:21:41) - The police station massacre.
(01:27:57) - Why you stalkin' about, Willis?
(01:34:24) - A brand! New! FAMILY!
(01:39:19) - Final thoughts.
(01:42:11) - Housekeeping for next week, and outro.

Before the Watchcast goes on a one week hiatus, we've got one more movie to shove into your faces, and this time it's the Schwarzenegger squib and explosion fest Commando! And Dan Ryckert's here to lend his film school analysis to this classic of the dudes blowing up genre. 

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 101: Commando (1985)
(00:00:18) - Intro.
(00:01:53) - Where has Commando been all Brad's life?
(00:11:12) - Some background on how Commando got made.
(00:15:44) - Our incredible cast (in that some of them greatly strain credibility).
(00:26:04) - Some budget and stunt talk.
(00:29:38) - Break!
(00:30:03) - We're back. Let's party!
(00:38:29) - We've gotten our pesky introductions out of the way, now let's start blowing people up.
(00:45:06) - John Matrix will not be participating in any coups today.
(00:49:24) - Matrix is off the plane, now it's time to find Sully, and say hello to Rae Dawn Chong.
(00:57:25) - Matrix (briefly) explains himself.
(01:00:15) - Time to fight Bill Duke and kill the other guy from Renegade.
(01:04:36) - Supermarket Sweep, John Matrix style.
(01:08:22) - Thank goodness he found the one flight attendant that had been taking sea plane lessons.
(01:13:41) - An orgiastic delight of squibs and explosions.
(01:20:12) - Let off some steam, Bennett.
(01:26:01) - Just bodies.
(01:27:47) - Final thoughts.
(01:29:51) - What's coming up on the Watchcast in two weeks, and also Vinny's ranking.
(01:33:45) - Outro.

Twin Peaks is wrapped, but we find ourselves longing for more time with the cast, so why not dig into some of the non-Lynch movies these folks have made over the years? First up, Robert Forster's triumphant comeback movie and, at least in one host's estimation, Quentin Tarantino's best overall work, Jackie Brown!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 100: Jackie Brown (1997)
(00:00:39) - Intro.
(00:01:46) - Our movie this week: Jackie Brown!
(00:09:46) - Working our way through the all-star cast.
(00:22:31) - How this movie got made.
(00:28:30) - Launching into the movie itself.
(00:32:20) - Meeting Jackie Brown, then meeting Ordell, Louis, and Melanie.
(00:39:33) - Our introduction to Max Cherry, and bye bye Beaumont.
(00:48:44) - Dargus!
(00:51:59) - A surprisingly all-star cast for a pre-trial hearing, and Jackie gets sprung.
(00:58:43) - Break!
(00:59:03) - We're back, and Ordell's in a killing mood again.
(01:04:42) - Max pays a morning visit.
(01:10:48) - Jackie hatches her plan, and Melanie jumps on Louis.
(01:17:52) - A longing memory for the heyday of music stores and fashion malls.
(01:24:02) - The first drop.
(01:28:56) - The heist is on.
(01:41:37) - Louis messed up.
(01:47:29) - Jackie talks her way past the cops, but now she's got Ordell to deal with.
(01:57:59) - Closing things out with Jackie and Max.
(02:01:05) - Final thoughts.
(02:05:55) - Housekeeping for next week, and outro.

The watching may have concluded, but the discussion is not yet over! Join us as we dive into the books, the wikis, the fan theories, and everything else that encompasses Twin Peaks one last time.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Bonus Episode 002: Twin Peaks: The Books and Everything Else
(00:00:40) - Intro.
(00:06:45) - What did the guys go hunting for in the intervening week.
(00:09:33) - Explaining The Secret History of Twin Peaks, by Mark Frost.
(00:10:54) - Dougie Milford: The Forest Gump of clandestine government projects.
(00:14:49) - What do we know about Jack Parsons? The concept of Thelema? The Goddess Babalon?
(00:20:00) - By gawd King, that's Richard Milhouse Nixon's music!
(00:31:33) - But who is the Archivist?
(00:35:54) - Summing up what the Secret History has to offer (and some Final Dossier talk.
(00:46:32) - Break!
(00:47:05) - We're back, and now it's time to find out what happened to your favorite characters (like Audrey!).
(01:00:06) - Let's talk about Donna (and the Haywards, and also Lana we guess).
(01:08:11) - How's Annie? (Also, Hank's dead.)
(01:11:02) - The long and ridiculous story of Norma's parents.
(01:14:33) - Bouncing around a bunch of minor characters and plot threads.
(01:16:20) - Josie!
(01:19:23) - There is, unfortunately, no significant new info on Harry.
(01:20:18) - Vinny wants to know more about the nature of certain characters (and places).
(01:29:31) - Carl, the Packards, and beyond.
(01:36:45) - On the subject of Tammy (and some other odds and ends about Diane and Jeffries).
(01:43:10) - Any later thoughts on the finale with a week to stew on it?
(01:45:21) - Going through some of your submitted questions and theories.
(02:22:18) - Final thoughts on all things Twin Peaks.
(02:28:10) - Some housekeeping for next week and beyond.
(02:31:05) - Outro.

The final of Twin Peaks: The Return is upon us, and all that's left to do is vanquish evil, find Laura, and come to a definite and complete understanding of exactly what the hell is going on in whatever year this is. 

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 099: Twin Peaks: The Return Parts 17 & 18
(00:00:48) - Intro.
(00:06:09) - A short housekeeping note about next week's bonus episode.
(00:07:48) - Diving headlong into Part 17, or, The Past Dictates the Future.
(00:16:01) - Everybody makes a break for Twin Peaks.
(00:20:13) - Jerry's OK! And taking stock of whose stories we saw a conclusion to and who we didn't.
(00:26:43) - Mr. C arrives at the coordinates.
(00:37:17) - Mr. C arrives at the sheriff's station.
(00:42:49) - A lot of things happening at once.
(00:47:03) - Lucy's big moment.
(00:51:43) - Bopping the BOB egg.
(00:55:08) - Curtain call for most of our cast.
(01:00:44) - Off to the Great Northern, and to Philip.
(01:11:36) - February 23rd, 1989.
(01:20:51) - The return of Julee Cruise.
(01:23:10) - Break!
(01:23:34) - On to Part 18, otherwise known as What Is Your Name?
(01:31:02) - Cooper returns, and then heads off to...where? Or when?
(01:39:18) - Is a motel just a motel? Or is it something more?
(01:45:11) - Exploring beautiful Odessa, Texas.
(01:49:54) - Say hello to Carrie Page.
(01:54:19) - On the road with Agent Cooper.
(01:57:33) - Arriving in Twin Peaks.
(02:01:38) - What year is this?
(02:02:43) - What does it mean, guys?
(02:24:55) - Talking about books, and our plans for next week's bonus episode.
(02:34:34) - Outro.

A mere four episodes stand between us and the conclusion of Twin Peaks, and this week we're saying goodbye to some old friends, some new foes, and our already tenuous grip on reality.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 098: Twin Peaks: The Return Parts 15 & 16
(00:00:19) - Intro.
(00:03:51) - Kicking off Part 15, or There's Some Fear in Letting Go.
(00:13:45) - We finally found the Convenience Store.
(00:26:30) - Mr. C and Richard meet.
(00:29:24) - Steven and Gersten lost in the woods.
(00:37:16) - ZZ Top night at the Roadhouse.
(00:40:33) - The wrong Joneses, and goodbye Duncan Todd.
(00:44:10) - A strange night in the clink, and Hutch and Chantal get their Wendy's.
(00:46:14) - An electrifying night at the Jones household.
(00:49:03) - The Log Lady says her farewell.
(00:56:08) - Audrey and Charlie have made to the foyer. 
(00:58:50) - Ruby screams.
(01:01:12) - Break!
(01:01:34) - We're back, and it's time for Part 16, No Knock, No Doorbell.
(01:11:39) - Dougie is surrounded by loved ones, and Hutch and Chantal meet their match.
(01:16:45) - FINALLY.
(01:23:27) - Diane's reveal.
(01:37:38) - Cooper says goodbye to the Las Vegas crew.
(01:41:47) - Edward Louis Severson III, and Audrey's last dance.
(01:47:21) - Final thoughts.
(01:49:37) - Some scheduling housekeeping for the finale episode, and announcing a wrap-up bonus episode.
(01:52:09) - Outro.