The Deja Review

This episode of The Deja Review, Mart & Trev put on their festive jumpers and head down 34th Street, where the true meaning of Christmas is decided… in a courtroom.They begin with the 1947 original, a cosy black-and-white classic where a man claiming to be Santa Claus is taken seriously by an entire department store, a courtroom, and the American legal system. Mart is fully on board, soaking up the warmth, charm, and a time when Christmas films didn’t need a villain — just a judge with seasonal spirit. Trev enjoys it too, but can’t get past the fact that no one thinks to check Santa’s ID until the last 20 minutes.Then it’s onto the 1994 remake, which swaps gentle charm for glossy ‘90s confidence, louder emotions, and Richard Attenborough delivering peak “twinkly-eyed Santa” energy. Mart admits he's waiting for a T-Rex to turn up, while Trev points out that the film now feels less like a miracle and more like a very expensive Christmas advert with legal paperwork.Expect festive nostalgia, debates over which Santa you’d trust with your shopping list, and the shared conclusion that Christmas films used to be about belief… before they became about box office.Two long time friends, one podcast.This is The Deja Review.Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠ @LittleFoilFish ⁠Mart & TrevInstagram - ⁠@thedejareviewTIMESCALE00:00 Introduction to Deja Review Podcast02:31 Exploring Miracle on 34th Street08:06 Cultural Impact and Remakes09:59 Character Relationships and Morality12:10 Unseen Parade13:18 Film Analysis and Reception24:15 Transition to the Remake27:54 The Santa Dilemma: Mistakes and Consequences30:46 Character Dynamics: Relationships and Changes32:44 Cultural Updates: From Dutch Orphans to Deaf Children34:41 Visual Storytelling: Cinematic Techniques and Nostalgia36:54 The Nature of Santa: Reality vs. Illusion38:30 Comparative Analysis: Original vs. Remake44:18 5 to 1: Santa in Films53:28 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Future PlansKeywordsMiracle on 34th Street, Christmas movies, film remakes, character analysis, holiday classics, movie reviews, Deja Review, Mart and Trev, film discussion, nostalgia#moviepodcast , #filmtalk , #cinemachat , #moviereview , #movielovers, #podcastrecommendations

This episode on The Deja Review, Mart & Trev crane-kick their way back to The Karate Kid (1984) — the ultimate underdog classic where Daniel LaRusso learns martial arts, life lessons, and the correct way to polish a car. Both hosts are fully in their nostalgic element: Mart beams at Mr. Miyagi’s wisdom, Trev cheers every time Daniel doesn’t get instantly flattened, and together they insist that “Get him a body bag!” should be on a T-shirt they absolutely don’t need.Then it’s onto the 2010 remake, where karate becomes kung fu, New Jersey becomes Beijing, and charm becomes… somewhat optional. Mart tries his best to say something positive, while Trev declares “It's just dog absolute dog shit.” They both agree Jackie Chan deserved better.Expect wax-on nostalgia, deep philosophical questions like “Why is the kid learning kung fu in a movie called Karate Kid?”, and the official Deja Review verdict that only one version earns the right to play ‘You’re the Best’ at full volume.Two long time friends, one podcast.This is The Deja Review.Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠  @LittleFoilFish  Mart & Trev Instagram - ⁠@thedejareviewTIMESCALE00:00 Introduction and Overview of Deja Review04:40 Character Ages and Cultural Context07:34 Notable Actors and Their Backgrounds13:05 Halloween Party and Costume Analysis15:36 Who's the Main Antagonist in the Film17:05 Nostalgia and Personal Reflections on the Film19:59 Synopsis and Comparison of the Remake24:26 Jackie Chan's Role and Impact28:12 Cinematic Aesthetics and Locations29:59 Comparative Analysis of the Original and Remake30:38 Memorable Quotes and Scenes32:39 Cultural Stereotypes and Humour33:49 Character Development and Relationships35:17 Protagonist Comparisons36:29 Mentor Figures in the Films37:47 Antagonist Comparisons39:23 Antagonist Mentor's40:34 Final Thoughts on the Films40:56 5 to 1: Elizabeth Shue50:08 Closing RemarksKeywordsKarate Kid, movie review, remake, nostalgia, martial arts, film analysis, character dynamics, iconic films, Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, film analysis, Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, movie comparison, cultural stereotypes, character development, cinematic aesthetics, Elizabeth Shue#moviepodcast , #filmtalk , #cinemachat , #moviereview , #movielovers, #podcastrecommendations #karatekid

This episode of The Deja Review, Mart & Trev strap themselves into the memory machine for Total Recall (1990) and its 2012 remake — and only one of them leaves with their sanity intact.They kick off with the 1990 original, a glorious, sweaty, one-liners-per-minute sci-fi masterpiece where Arnold blows up Mars, mutates half the cast, and still finds time to crack jokes. Mart and Trev are all in — practical effects, exploding heads, and Michael Ironside giving the greatest “I will absolutely kill you, Douglas Quaid” performance in the history of eyebrows.They also go on a nostalgic tangent about their shared love of the 1980s TV series V, where Michael Ironside was so intense he felt like he was trying to overthrow an alien empire in every scene — which, to be fair, he was.Then they hit the 2012 remake, where Colin Farrell runs through a very shiny, very clean future while everyone forgets to put any fun in the script. Mart shrugs: “It’s fine… I guess?” while Trev insists Colin Farrell's performance is commendable despite the story.Expect rants about missing Mars, debates over whether three-breasted women are a required plot device, and a surprisingly lengthy discussion about Michael Ironside.By the end, the verdict is clear:The original is a glorious sci-fi fever dream…The remake is just having one without the fever — or the dream — or Michael Ironside.Two long time friends, one podcast.This is The Deja Review.Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠  ⁨@LittleFoilFish⁩  ⁠Mart & TrevYouTube - ⁠ @TheDejaReview  Chapters00:00 Introduction to Deja Review Podcast00:56 Exploring Total Recall: A Nostalgic Journey06:43 Philip K. Dick's Influence on Sci-Fi Cinema12:25 Special Effects: Then and Now18:31 Character Dynamics and Actor Relationships22:36 The 2012 Remake: A Different Take on Total Recall31:36 Exploring Memories and Scars32:06 Action Sequences and References33:02 Grounding the Story: Earth vs Mars34:14 Plot Holes and Character Changes36:08 Stats, Errors, and Enjoyability38:04 The Impact of the Title on Success39:03 Comparing Lead Actors41:01 Supporting Characters: A Comparison42:54 Original vs Remake: A Preference43:51 Michael Ironside: A Retrospective46:38 5 to 1: Michael Ironside01:00:30 Upcoming Films and Holiday Specials01:02:35 Episode BlooperKeywordsTotal Recall, movie review, remakes, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Philip K. Dick, sci-fi films, special effects, character analysis, nostalgia, film comparison, Total Recall, film review, Michael Ironside, action sequences, movie comparison, plot holes, character analysis, original vs remake, cinematic legacy, holiday films, Colin Farrell

This episode on The Deja Review, Mart & Trev hop aboard a flying camper van to revisit Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) and its 2009 remake Race to Witch Mountain — two Disney sci-fi adventures separated by 34 years and about 300% more Dwayne Johnson.Mart adored the original as a kid — he remembered it as magical, mysterious, and full of adventure. Watching it now, he spends the first 25 minutes trying to work out what on Earth (or space) is actually happening. Meanwhile, Trev’s convinced it’s less witch mountain and more an onslaught of bad theremin playing.Then it’s on to the 2009 remake, where The Rock is a taxi driver who accidentally picks up two teenage aliens with more special effects and no harmonica. Mart’s quietly impressed, but Trev’s fixated on one burning question: did the train driver survive that crash?Expect alien antics, glowing orbs, government goons, and Trev muttering, “I miss when Disney made sense.”By the end, they agree: the 1975 film is charmingly bonkers; the 2009 one is louder, faster, and probably still owes that train driver an apology.Two long time friends, one podcast.This is The Deja Review.Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠  @LittleFoilFish⁠Mart & Trev Instagram - ⁠ @TheDejaReviewTIMESCALE00:00 Introduction to Deja Review02:09 Exploring Escape to Witch Mountain19:49 Transition to Race to Witch Mountain20:47 Comparing the Original and the Remake39:16 5 to 1: Carla GuginoKeywordsDeja Review, movie remakes, Escape to Witch Mountain, Race to Witch Mountain, Disney films, film analysis, podcast, movie discussion, nostalgia, film comparison#WitchMountain #DisneyClassics #FilmReview #thedejareview #cinematichistory #filmcritique #moviepodcast #moviereview #movielovers #podcastrecommendations #movieremakes #filmanalysis #podcast #stormtrooperbeer #19crimeswine

This episode of The Deja Review, Mart & Trev go glamping at Camp Crystal Lake, the only holiday spot where the blood runs faster than the Wi-Fi.They start with Friday the 13th (1980) — the classic that invented the “don’t have fun or you’ll die” rule. Mart watches another classic horror movie for the first time and notices: fog, fear, and a mum with more rage issues than an 80's Tennis player. Trev’s in nostalgic heaven, calling it “a masterclass in low-budget menace… and poor career choices.”Then they tackle the 2009 remake, where Jason finally emerges — taller, buffer, and apparently moonlighting as an Olympic-level archer. Mart enjoys the chaos “He’s basically an evil Bear Grylls” Trev’s not convinced: “It’s less a film and more a pilot episode for CSI: Crystal Lake.” He spends most of the discussion demanding for Dean Winchester turn up and save his brother from the movie.Expect campsite chaos, Mart’s suspicious enthusiasm for power-tool-based deaths, and Trev’s growing sense that the lake needs draining — permanently.Two long time friends, one podcast.This is The Deja Review.Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠  @LittleFoilFish  ⁠Mart & TrevInstagram - ⁠ @TheDejaReview ​Chapters00:00 Introduction to Deja Review and Spooky Season00:54 Exploring Friday the 13th: Origins and Impact03:48 Background and Synopsis of Friday the 13th05:41 Horror Tropes and Practical Effects10:30 Iconic Death Scenes and Special Effects14:47 Character Analysis and Plot Development19:58 The Ending and Its Significance23:20 Transition to the Remake of Friday the 13th27:51 Overview of the 2009 Remake31:58 Comparing the Original and the Remake33:56 Nostalgia and the Evolution of Horror Films36:19 Character Development and Method Acting in Horror39:38 Pacing and Storytelling in Remakes42:49 The Impact of CGI vs Practical Effects45:41 Franchise Expectations and Audience Reception49:05 Comparative Analysis of Horror Icons51:28 5 to 1: Kevin Bacon01:06:22 Upcoming Projects and Future EndeavoursKeywordsFriday the 13th, horror films, slasher genre, practical effects, Kevin Bacon, movie remakes, iconic death scenes, horror tropes, film analysis, Deja Review, Jason, Jason Voorhees, Jared Padalecki, Derek Mears, Danielle Panabaker