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.
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1:22:34
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1:22:34
National Lampoon's European Vacation
Buckle up for a riotous retro road trip on this special anniversary episode of the podcast, where we dive headfirst into the 40th anniversary of National Lampoon’s European Vacation (released July 26, 1985), reliving the Griswold family's uproarious misadventures from London fog to Roman fountains and German beer halls, all while unpacking the film's satirical jabs at American tourist stereotypes and its star-studded cameos by Monty Python's Eric Idle and others. Joined by returning guest Zo from the Back Look Cinema podcast—a deep-dive series celebrating overlooked cinema, from 80s schlock to indie gems (check out episodes on cult classics like The Lost Boys or Clue at backlookcinema.com)—the conversation zips across the mid-'80s European pop culture landscape, spotlighting Live Aid's transatlantic unity in 1985, the synth-pop invasion via Duran Duran and Depeche Mode dominating UK charts, Berlin Wall-era tensions fueling new wave anthems like Nena's "99 Luftballons," the aerobics craze with leg warmers echoing Jane Fonda's VHS workouts, and blockbuster imports like Back to the Future mirroring the Griswolds' time-warped chaos, blending nostalgia, laughs, and cultural crossovers for fans of neon-drenched excess and heartfelt hindsight.
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1:44:18
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1:44:18
The World's End
Join hosts Trucker Andy, Hughezy, and Tooke in this episode of "All the Right Moves," a limited series podcast exploring Edgar Wright's filmography, as they dive into "The World's End" (2013). The discussion kicks off with personal reflections on aging, alcoholism, and the inner "Gary King" that lingers in everyone, drawing parallels to real-life struggles with partying, nostalgia for youthful nights out, and the challenges of maintaining friendships into middle age. They analyze the film's themes of male bonding, arrested development, and midlife frustration, while comparing it to Wright's earlier works like "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz," noting its darker tone and sci-fi twist. Anecdotes about hangovers, high school reunions, and cultural references abound, alongside critiques of the plot's shift to alien invasion and its place in the Cornetto trilogy, blending humor, film analysis, and candid stories about addiction and personal growth.
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1:23:26
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1:23:26
Total Recall
Sicco and Doug Greenberg, joined by guest Craig, dive into the cinematic brilliance of *Total Recall*, hailed as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s peak performance and Paul Verhoeven’s directorial masterpiece. They explore the film’s gripping Philip K. Dick-inspired narrative, blending mind-bending sci-fi with visceral action, and praise its tight script, innovative special effects, and stellar performances from Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, and Ronnie Cox. The conversation delves into the film’s ambiguous reality, Verhoeven’s bold direction, Jerry Goldsmith’s evocative score, and the movie’s significant cultural and box office impact, cementing its status as a quintessential 1990s action sci-fi epic that remains rewatchable and relevant.
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