Katie welcomes back guest Scott Murphy to dissect the 1987 John Hughes Thanksgiving classic *Planes, Trains and Automobiles*, starring Steve Martin as the uptight Neil Page and John Candy as the lovably chaotic Del Griffith; the duo explore the film's chaotic cross-country misadventures inspired by Hughes' real-life travel woes, its blend of slapstick hilarity (like the infamous 19 F-bombs in 60 seconds), heartfelt character growth culminating in genuine holiday generosity, and enduring quotable moments, while touching on Hughes' rapid scripting, cut scenes, casting what-ifs, and Scott's upcoming podcasts including *All 90s Action All the Time* and the Sam Peckinpah-focused *Bloody Sam*.
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1:12:00
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1:12:00
Last Night in Soho
In this penultimate episode of the Director's Chair Network's "All the Right Moves" limited series, host Andy and guest Tony from Hack the Movies dissect Edgar Wright's psychological thriller *Last Night in Soho* as a bold stylistic departure from his Cornetto Trilogy and *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World*, praising its meticulous mirror swaps, dream-reality editing, and 1960s Bond-girl aesthetic while critiquing plot holes in Eloise's "Shining"-like psychic visions, the post-Me Too vilification of men that abruptly flips to reveal the landlady as a vengeful killer, and co-writer Kristy Wilson-Cairns' influence shifting away from Simon Pegg's character-driven humor; they detour into ranking Wright's filmography (*Shaun of the Dead* reigns supreme for its horror-comedy balance), *Spaced* Easter eggs like male telepathy and Darth Maul red lighting, and hype for the upcoming *The Running Man* remake co-written with Michael Bacall.
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1:23:37
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1:23:37
Showgirls
Host Sicco and guest Craig Cohen unpack Paul Verhoeven’s fearless audacity as the Dutch provocateur who weaponized sex, violence, and razor-sharp satire to shatter Hollywood taboos, defending Showgirls as a hyperbolic big-budget exploitation masterpiece—an unapologetic art-house fever dream exposing Vegas as a brutal vice machine where unreliable dreamers like Nomi claw for reinvention amid pimps, push-downs, and NC-17 nudity, proving Verhoeven’s obsession with Jesus-like resurrection, female exploitation, and moral void turns trash into timeless provocation.
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1:04:10
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1:04:10
Flubber
Katie welcomes guest Dustin from the Retro Movie Round Table to dissect the 1997 Disney remake "Flubber," penned by John Hughes and starring Robin Williams as the absent-minded Professor Philip Brainard. They dive into 1997 pop culture trivia, including fads like Beanie Babies and Tamagotchis, blockbuster films such as Titanic and Jurassic Park: The Lost World, and top songs from artists like Elton John, Jewel, and Puff Daddy. The discussion explores the film's cast, including Marcia Gay Harden, Christopher McDonald, and Clancy Brown, while comparing it unfavorably to the 1961 original "The Absent-Minded Professor," critiquing its lack of heart, uninspired gags, weak stakes, and failure to evoke emotion despite promising elements like Danny Elfman's score and innovative effects. Both hosts express disappointment, highlighting how the movie prioritizes marketing over substance, resulting in a forgettable kids' flick that succeeded financially but falls flat cinematically.
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1:36:10
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1:36:10
Baby Driver
In Edgar Wright's "Baby Driver," hosts Andy and Doug dissect the stylish heist thriller as the director's bold American debut, praising its groundbreaking musical synchronization—where gunshots, tire screeches, and foot chases pulse to a curated soundtrack like a rock opera on wheels—while critiquing the hollow lead character of Baby (Ansel Elgort), whose tinnitus-driven iPod obsession and muted personality fail to spark empathy or chemistry with love interest Debora (Lily James), leaving viewers rooting more for scene-stealing villains like Jon Hamm's volatile Buddy and Kevin Spacey's calculating Doc; standout practical stunts, clever callbacks to Wright's Cornetto Trilogy rhythms, and meta nods elevate the adrenaline-fueled caper, but the solo screenplay exposes a departure from Simon Pegg's witty voice, resulting in a visually dazzling yet emotionally shallow ride that thrives on action spectacle over character depth.
Join Ryan and many featured guests and other hosts as they break down and review a variety of directors and their films!
So far, this podcast has featured films from Edward Zwick, John Hughes, Brian De Palma, and Michael Mann.
Soon, we will feature Edgar Wright, Sam Peckinpah, Paul Verhoeven, and David Fincher!
New Zealand