Video CULTure

On this episode of the podcast, it’s “kids versus terrorists”… wait what? Yep, we are talking about the 1984 John Milius written and directed action film RED DAWN (starring Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen) and the 1991 Sean Astin -led thriller TOY SOLDIERS! So, let out a loud call of “Wolverines”, gather your gang of unlikely heroic friends, and listen in!

In this episode of the podcast, Matt makes a startling revelation- he doesn’t like James Bond films! Well here at the show we like to expand our horizons, so Ryan convinced Matt to give Mr. Bond another chance by watching a Bond film he’s never seen (the very first Bond film- DR. NO) and a film with a Bond he’s never seen (Timothy Dalton in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS). Will this odd mix of different Bond eras win Matt over? Listen in and find out!

We stay up late on this week’s episode as we discuss two beloved modern day vampire movies that were released just months apart in 1987. Yep, we are talking about Kathryn Bigelow’s NEAR DARK and Joel Shumacher’s THE LOST BOYS! These two films have a lot in common and both helped redefine the vampire mythos… but which one is superior? Fangs or no fangs? Paxton or Kiefer? It’s going to be a bloodbath on this episode! Oh okay, maybe it won’t be a bloodbath… but it certainly won’t “suck”. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

Joe Dante is a director we feel should be considered one of the “video store greats”. He has directed so many genre-defying classics that were staples of the VHS boom period that we love. So, this week we are spotlighting two of his 80’s films with a look at the sci-fi comedy INNERSPACE and the horror comedy THE ‘BURBS! We talk Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Corey Feldman, Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, and Meg Ryan! You don’t want to miss it!

This week we are talking about “Sword & Sorcery” films as we spotlight 1981’s stylized take on the King Arthur legend EXCALIBUR and the 1985 fantasy romp LADYHAWKE! We discuss the explosion of popularity this genre had in the 80’s and much more! So, grab your trusty broadsword, saddle up, and join us as we chat about tales of knights, wizards, and high adventure!

On this episode, the music is loud and emotions are running high as we talk about two films where melodrama and music go hand in hand! We are doing a double feature of the award winning TENDER MERCIES from 1983, starring Robert Duvall, and the largely forgotten LIGHT OF DAY from 1987, starring Micheal J. Fox and rock star Joan Jett. We talk about the greatness of Duvall, actors actually playing their own instruments on film, the surprising emotional overlap of both these films, and more. 

We’ve made it to episode 30! You know what that means… we are talking about a movie and it’s sequel again. Well, it’s not a sequel as much as it is a “two parter”. That’s right. We are discussing Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL vol. 1 & 2 on this episode! Matt loves them and Ryan has never seen them. What will Ryan think of “The Bride’s” rip-roaring tale of bloody revenge? Listen in and find out!

On this episode we get animated…sorta. We are talking about the cinematic oddity of live action and animation hybrids with the beloved 1988 film WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? and the much maligned COOL WORLD from 1992. These two films have a lot of ideas in common. So why is one loved and one hated? We talk about that and so much more. “Toon” in why don’t ya? Get it?… “toon”? Eh.. never mind.

Season 2 begins! Now, before we begin another trip down the virtual video store aisle, we are going to take a brief look at another part of our nostalgic film history by discussing the magical movie summer of 1984! So many movies that are a part of our DNA as film fans came out that year! Come hang out with us as we shoot the breeze about this amazing time in film. Oh and don’t worry, our regular format will return next time.

We’ve reached the end of our first season of episodes! Wow, time flies! We are celebrating by looking back at the 50 films we’ve officially covered on the show so far and their lasting impact on us. Listen in and help us close out our first season the way we do – by talking about movies!