Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review
386 episodes - English - Latest episode: 20 days ago - ★★★★ - 1.3K ratingsWhat are the The Best 1980s & 1990s Movies? Do you find yourself asking if the movies we loved while growing up were really that good? Have you caught yourself thinking, “why don’t make movies like they use to?” Can you still remember spending your Friday Nights searching for the perfect movie rental at Blockbuster Video? Do you know what Blockbuster Video is? If you answered yes, then this is the podcast for you!
Website: http://shatthemovies.com/the-best-80s-90s-movies/
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Episodes
Cabin Boy (1994)
April 09, 2024 22:42 - 1 hour - 43.3 MBOnce upon a time, there was a movie about an unlikeable fancy lad joining the unlikeable crew of a ship called The Filthy Whore after David Letterman tried to sell him a monkey, but at least it had Tim Burton as the director. Until it didn't. This week, Shat The Movies brings you "Cabin Boy," the 1994 box-office bomb that nearly sank Chris Elliott's career and left the Shat Crew scratching their heads. On one hand, this movie is terrifically quotable, wonderfully quirky and loaded with c...
Hardbodies (1984)
April 05, 2024 12:29 - 1 hour - 48.3 MBShat The Movies was made for movies like "Hardbodies," a motion picture originally planned for the Playboy Channel but released in theaters because America needed boobs. This 1985 skin flick has all the tropes you'd expect: women in bikinis, beach parties, waterbeds and cheesy lines. But "Hardbodies" surprised us with a few unexpected moments: a no-means-no stance on sexual harassment, a heartwarming makeover scene, an exploration of aging and a woman banged so hard she bursts through the ...
Let It Ride (1989)
March 30, 2024 02:36 - 1 hour - 46 MB"Let It Ride" is a 1989 comedy starring Richard Dreyfuss as Jay Trotter, a perpetually unlucky gambler who, after overhearing a tip about a longshot horse, decides to bet all his savings on it. As Jay's luck suddenly turns around, he finds himself on an exhilarating winning streak at the racetrack, encountering various eccentric characters along the way. Despite facing doubts and temptations, Jay chooses to let his winnings ride, leading to a thrilling climax where his faith in luck and opti...
Do The Right Thing (1989)
March 20, 2024 06:57 - 1 hour - 51.6 MBDiscussing race in America is never easy, and it was even harder in 1989 when Spike Lee released "Do The Right Thing," a film filled with ambiguity, tension and Rosie Perez dancing. This supersized episode, commissioned by listener Grant Leisure, compelled the Shat Crew to take a hard look at police brutality, gentrification, reverse racism and freedom of expression. But, being Shat, your hosts also took the time to debate proper thermostat settings, what's wrong with Ash's computer and ...
Matilda (1996)
March 13, 2024 18:06 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBBefore "Matilda the Musical," "Madeline" and "Coraline," there was Danny DeVito's 1996 adaptation of Roald Dahl's "Matilda," a film the entire Shat Crew enjoyed — for very different reasons. Ash was the most familiar with "Matilda," having seen it in theaters. Gene had read other Dahl books and knew what to expect. Dick, once again, confused it with another movie. And that devolved into the tangential conversations you'd expect from the Shat Crew: What constitutes child abuse? Did J. K. ...
Perfect (1985)
March 08, 2024 20:49 - 1 hour - 45.9 MBWe've all seen that scene from "Perfect" where John Travolta is humping his way through a Jamie Lee Curtis aerobics class, but there's another two hours to this 1985 box-office bomb. And we had to watch all of it. Longtime Shat The Movies beer buddy Scott in Friendswood, Texas, was kind enough to commission a film about Gene Lyons' three favorite topics: journalism, fitness and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Not to be left out, Dick Ebert had lots to say about sex with elite athletes. And Ash got in...
The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)
February 29, 2024 21:21 - 1 hour - 47.8 MB"The Legend of Billie Jean" had a little something for each Shat The Movies host. Gene got his Honda Elite scooter. Ash got her Christian Slater. And Big D got Helen Slater with no bra. But that's not why listener BreAnn M. commissioned this 1985 coming-of-age film. For her, "The Legend of Billie Jean" was an inspiration, a gateway to feminism and a radical view of what kids could do. In this episode, the Shat Crew debates whether all Gulf Coast states are the same, whether men are as ba...
Gattaca (1997)
February 21, 2024 09:39 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBWhen listener Rob F. commissioned "Gattaca" in honor of his father, we all remembered it as beautiful, futuristic and distinct. Oddly enough, we couldn't remember much else. We remembered Ethan Hawke but not his lengthy voiceovers. We remembered Jude Law but not the incinerator scene. We remembered Uma Thurman but not her character's heart condition. This 1997 sci-fi debut for director Andrew Niccol made some interesting choices, like casting loads of TV talent and pretending Jude Law ...
Pump Up The Volume (1990)
February 15, 2024 05:43 - 1 hour - 51.6 MBShat The Movies didn't invent sexual perversion, edgy attitudes and impeccable taste in music, we just perfected it. More than 25 years earlier, Christian Slater inspired teens to "talk hard" in the 1990 box office bomb "Pump Up The Volume." Ash was delighted when listener Eric commissioned this coming-of-age movie to highlight his belief in the power of listening. Dick Ebert viewed it from a parent's perspective, and Gene was aghast at Happy Harry Hard-on's terrible microphone discipline....
Short Circuit (1986)
February 07, 2024 03:38 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBWe noticed all the biggest podcasts seem to have celebrity hosts, murder or hot takes. Shat The Movies lacks star power. And it doesn't have thrilling true-crime tales. So this week we're banking on misguided opinions as we plug into "Short Circuit." Big D doesn't think Johnny 5 is really alive. Ash believes this is Ally Sheedy's worst performance. And Gene is convinced Ben Jabituya isn't Indian. Two of them are wrong, and Gene wrote this episode description. Despite their divergent opi...
Fire in the Sky (1993)
January 30, 2024 16:25 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBBefore Arizona was the playground of retired athletes and conservative Californians, it was a quiet, spooky place full of Old West ghosts, dusty roads and alien abductions. We're taking you back to the Travis Walton story with "Fire in the Sky." Released in the same year "The X Files" debuted, "Fire in the Sky" terrified a young Gene Lyons, who went day camping in the same woods where aliens scooped up a logger in 1975, slapped jelly in his mouth and stuck a needle in his eye. In this e...
Legend (1985)
January 24, 2024 00:17 - 1 hour - 45.1 MBShat The Movies power couple Carlos and Natasha were kind enough to gift the Shat Crew three film commissions of our choice. So we used the first to fill a glaring omission in the Pantheon of Shat: "Legend." Nursing a "Hawk The Slayer" hangover, Ash was a bit worried venturing back into her beloved fantasy genre, but she quickly discovered Legend's production value was top-notch. Gene was impressed with dwarven heroics, and Big D felt like he was having a bad acid trip. But all three Sh...
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
January 15, 2024 20:15 - 1 hour - 41.6 MBShat The Movies takes its anglophilia to a new level with an English commissioner, an English guest host and a movie that epitomizes the English film renaissance: "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Rob Will Taylor joins Ash and Gene to discuss the reality of British weddings, why they start so early and why they suck for guests. The Shat Crew also explores the tragic tale of Charlotte Coleman, the charm of Hugh Grant and Ash's favorite sex scene ever. In this episode, Gene assumes Dick Eber...
Hawk The Slayer (1980)
January 10, 2024 02:31 - 1 hour - 47.4 MBWhen listener Joe asked to commission a pair of films for his grandmother's 100th birthday, the Shat Crew never suspected his first choice would be "Hawk The Slayer." And the surprises didn't end there. This low-budget 1980 sword-and-sorcery fantasy treated us to machine-gun crossbows, a magical fisting sword and Jack Palance in a cape. We also got a Lord Rockingham soundtrack, serious Medieval Times vibes, a draggy dark wizard and a possible cinematic record for Most Improvised Grills In ...
Death Becomes Her (1992)
January 03, 2024 06:16 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBIf you had to assemble a film canon, a collection of movies you'll never outgrow, what would be in it? For listener Shawn, the answer is simple: "Death Becomes Her." We're kicking off 2024 with cutting-edge computer-generated effects (for 1992), life lessons about immortality and Goldie Hawn in a fat suit. As Big D explores the appeal of "Death Becomes Her" to the gay community, Ash dives into her skin-care routine, and Gene drools over Isabella Rossellini's ... umm ... mansion. And w...
Philadelphia Experiment 2 (1993)
December 29, 2023 19:16 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBProving that we always save the Shat for last, Shat The Movies humbly presents its final film review for 2023: "Philadelphia Experiment 2." It's a movie full of time travel, family drama and big people giving small performances. Closing out the Month of Mark from Minneapolis, this 1993 sci-fi sleeper has all the feels of a prescription-drug ad mixed with military mistakes, questionable casting and wacky cinematography. In this episode, Dick argues that "Philadelphia Experiment 2" could ...
Elf (2003)
December 26, 2023 04:54 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBWhat more do you want from Christmas than some warm fuzzies, friends returning from afar and the miracle of Shat The Movies covering another film from the new millennium? Maybe some Will Farrell. "Elf" is the rare movie that old people like Dick Ebert and young people like Ash's kids can equally enjoy. It's timeless, hilarious, a bit optimistic and a clever nod to the Christmas classics that came before. In this episode, the Shat Crew discusses Zooey Deschanel's singing, the perils of an...
Go (1999)
December 20, 2023 08:13 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBThe Month of Mark from Minneapolis enters its Christmas phase with the 1999 crime comedy "Go." Or, as we like to call it, "MTV Magnolia." While Gene praises the film's optimistic attitude toward drug use, he struggles with painful memories of how trivia failed to make him popular. Ash compares director Doug Liman to Quentin Tarantino, and Dick tries to convince his co-hosts that being middle-aged is cooler than being young and dumb. "Go" provided the Shat Crew with plenty to discuss, inc...
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
December 16, 2023 08:51 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBAsh is back! Shat The Movies' "female expert" rejoins the team and breaks the millennial wall to cover her favorite movie: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." Topics in this episode run the gamut from manic pixie dream girls to breakups to losing pets. Gene airs some personal grievances about ex-girlfriends who needed to talk "right now;" Dick questions why people are allowed to relabel their character flaws as strengths; and Ash asks if "Eternal Sunshine" is the most honest love stor...
The Quick and the Dead (1995)
December 07, 2023 04:56 - 1 hour - 42 MBWhat do "The Quick and the Dead" and NBA Jam have in common? Is loose clothing appropriate for quick-draw competitions? How many flashbacks is too many? Commissioner Edwin instructed the Shat Crew to drink a few beers and have fun with this episode, and we were happy to oblige. Technically, Big D drank decaf coffee, but Gene made up for it with a few Red Trolleys. Along the way, Dick Ebert offered explosives advice and narrated "The Quick and the Dead" camera movement. Gene noted momen...
The Blood of Heroes (1989)
November 30, 2023 21:20 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBIf you made a mashup of Shat The Movies films, "The Blood of Heroes" might be the result. It has a dose of "Mad Max," a pinch of "Blade Runner," two tablespoons of "Robot Jox" and just a hint of "The Sandlot." Definitely an acquired taste. Rutger Hauer returns to a dark, wet dystopia in this 1989 sci-fi cult classic that spawned the real-life game of Jugger and reminded Dick Ebert of all the niche sports he discovered in the early days of the pandemic. "The Blood of Heroes" piqued the S...
Young Guns II (1990)
November 23, 2023 18:51 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBOf all the '80s movies that needed a sequel, "Young Guns" wasn't one of them. But when you quadruple the budget, beef up the cast and toss in Christian Slater, the Shat Crew (and commissioner Kelly B.) certainly will saddle up. This 1990 Western is more "The Ballad of Brushy Bill Roberts" than an accurate retelling of the events following the Lincoln County War—with questionable wound care, incredible distances traveled, oddly accurate "wanted" posters, terrible Old Face and the notion tha...
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
November 16, 2023 21:29 - 1 hour - 47.9 MBIf you aren't a Kathleen Turner fan, haven't experienced a young Nicolas Cage or want to see what would happen if Francis Ford Coppola directed a time-travel fantasy rom-com, "Peggy Sue Got Married" is the movie for you. Both Shat The Movies hosts went into this 1986 film with low expectations, and each found something to appreciate. Dick Ebert appreciated the life lessons about living "in the now." And Gene Lyons did flips when he noticed the same cast playing the older versions of thems...
Bowfinger (1999)
November 09, 2023 05:20 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBWho doesn't love a movie about making a movie? Who doesn't love Eddie Murphy? Who doesn't love Steve Martin? By the end of our "Bowfinger" podcast, you'll find out exactly who. Along the way, you'll hear Big D downplay the tragedy of Anne Heche's death. Gene will explain his fascination with Gogglebox. And you'll discover this 1999 comedy's connection to the Church of Scientology. As the Shat Crew considers a move to Michigan, your hosts also reveal what exactly they'd do for a shot at s...
Cat's Eye (1985)
October 31, 2023 22:47 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBThis year's Shat The Movies Spooktacular brings you three movies in one: It's the 1985 horror anthology "Cat's Eye." What do all the stories have in common? A cat, Drew Barrymore and a heavy dependence on Stephen King's name recognition. In this episode, Gene questions why anyone would own a cat. Big D makes the case for rabbits being the ultimate pets, and both hosts admit to using racist terms they didn't know were racist. The Shat Crew also debate the value of aversion therapy, specul...
The Godfather (1972)
October 27, 2023 05:02 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBShat The Movies has dabbled in films from the 1970s, but we've never reached back this far. More than 50 years ago, a Francis Ford Coppola epic changed the way America viewed organized crime and set a new standard for storytelling. This is "The Godfather." And who better to commission this film about family than an Italian-American listener from New Jersey with fond memories of sharing mob movies with his dad? For Matt "Don Chachi" Ciampi, the Shat Crew pays its respects to Marlon Brando...
Sneakers (1992)
October 19, 2023 21:19 - 1 hour - 48.9 MB"Sneakers" is to Dick Ebert as "Hackers" is to Gene Lyons. This 1992 thriller doesn't have flashy graphics, funky fashions or a techno soundtrack—but it does have Ben Kingsley, Sidney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd and Robert Redford. In loafers. With its playful tone, low barrier to entry and established cast, this gateway thriller appeals to the familiar to explain the cutting-edge. And Big D likes that. "Sneakers" also has unexpected jokes, serious schemes and nostalgic tech. And Gene Lyons lik...
The Warriors (1979)
October 12, 2023 02:53 - 1 hour - 42.9 MB"The Warriors" is a movie that many people quote but few truly appreciate, at least not as much as listeners Carlos The Mailman and Natasha The Mail Lady. And for them, Big D faced his childhood fears and ventured back to 1979 New York. In this episode, Dick Ebert ranks "The Warriors" diverse gangs, highlights their fashion arms race and argues Cyrus' assassination was an inside job. Gene Lyons offers alternative names for The Warriors, breaks down the restroom rumble and explains why his ...
The History of The World, Part I (1981)
October 06, 2023 21:55 - 56 minutes - 38.5 MBDoes Big D hate "Spaceballs" or does he hate Mel Brooks? Shat The Movies Fantasy Football champion John decided to settle the question once-and-for-all by commissioning the 1981 ensemble comedy epic "The History of The World, Part I." Spanning from prehistoric man to the French Revolution, this movie features Brooks in FIVE different roles (although Dick questions just how different they are) and leads to conversations about ice-skating porn, the two kinds of male masturbation and when it'...
The Long Good Friday (1981)
September 29, 2023 19:47 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBOn a transatlantic odyssey to discover the magic of Bob Hoskins, the Shat Crew instead finds itself wondering "is this Ireland?" and "did all the English look alike in the 1970s?" Come get lost with us in "The Long Good Friday." In this episode, Gene laments the loss of '70s pub culture and criticizes the film's wasted deaths with no emotional impact. Dick focuses on the "slasher film" vibe of the movie and praises the complexity of Harold Shand. And in a rare moment of cinematic insight, ...
Major Payne (1995)
September 21, 2023 06:07 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBDick Ebert wonders why Damon Wayans wasn't in more movies after filming "Major Payne." Gene Lyons wonders why Damon Wayans was in any more movies after filming "Major Payne." This 1995 comedy featuring the musical stylings of 2 Live Crew and star power of Michael Ironside and Bam Bam Bigelow had us asking what was wrong with Major Payne's romantic interest (Karyn Parsons) and why any director would allow sped-up motion in his movie. While Gene bemoaned Major Payne's misrepresentation of...
Hellraiser (1987)
September 15, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MB"Hellraiser" spawned an 11-film franchise that neither Dick Ebert nor Gene Lyons had ever seen because they were too afraid of Pinhead. This week, commissioner Jason B. changed all that. Join the Shat Crew as we discuss dysfunctional '80s couples, sexual deviance and Clive Barker's thrifty but amateurish abilities as a director. While Gene asks whether Julia was supposed to be sexy, Detective Ebert searches in vain for misdirection and meaning in the plot. The Shat Crew also explains th...
No Way Out (1987)
September 05, 2023 16:46 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBIf you enjoy spy movies with no spying, romantic comedies with no laughs and Sean Young movies with no sex appeal, you'll love 1987's "No Way Out." This Kevin Costner thriller spends 45 minutes developing a love affair that goes nowhere, features a computer that can do anything, implicates '80s home decor as the real killer and might just be the prequel to "The Hunt for Red October." In this episode, Big D advises men to "never cheat down," and Gene gives his tips for visiting Washington...
Apocalypse Now (1979)
August 30, 2023 18:30 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBWhen the daughter of a Vietnam veteran asks you to review "Apocalypse Now," you answer the call. Both Gene and Dick agree this movie is epic, but the topic of Marlon Brando's weight sparks an all-out war. This 1979 adaptation of "Heart of Darkness" is both miracle and masterpiece, expertly depicting drug use (Big D verified) and the convoluted crossroads of the Vietnam War (Gene is a bit of an expert.) The attention to detail, recklessness and introspection hit American audiences with a fi...
Bad Boys (1983)
August 23, 2023 05:39 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MBShat The Movies is proud to present the film that scared Dick Ebert straight and drove Gene Lyons to realize he wouldn't last a week in prison: 1983's "Bad Boys." Sean Penn's breakthrough feature film introduced '80s filmgoers to a young Ally Sheedy, a gigantic Clancy Brown and the most dangerous correctional facility in America. It also presented a surprisingly well-developed teen romance, and it taught us all how to use a pillowcase to become barn boss. In this episode, the Shat Crew d...
Police Academy (1984)
August 18, 2023 06:43 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBWe know what you're thinking: "How did it take you 348 episodes to get to Police Academy?" The truth is we just needed one brave citizen to step up against that crime and commission this 1984 comedy giant. Shat The Movie legend Adam R. answered the call. With the six film sequels and the animated series that followed this movie," it's easy to assume the original "Police Academy" stands strong on its own. Steve Guttenberg is at his hunky Jew best. Kim Cattrall brings some spice to the mix. ...
Hackers (1995)
August 09, 2023 06:51 - 1 hour - 48.2 MBAre you into phreaking for phone sex? Do Rollerblades turn you on? Does the name Captain Midnight mean anything to you? Have you been to Chuck Woolery's Wienerbarn of Science? If so, "Hackers" is the movie for you. This 1995 box-office bust gave us prime Angelina Jolie, Johnny Lee Miller and Matthew Lillard (plus a sub-prime Fisher Stevens) wearing the best cutting-edge fashion the studio could muster. It highlighted blazing-fast 28.8 kbps modems, sweet online handles and some unnecessaril...
Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
August 02, 2023 03:49 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBIn this sci-fi/fantasy sequel, Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) has become an elderly man after losing his immortality. Living in a bleak future where the world is protected from solar radiation by a massive shield, MacLeod regains his youth when he kills two assassins from his home planet. This results in an ongoing battle with the villainous and powerful Gen. Katana (Michael Ironside), but MacLeod receives help when the noble Juan Ramirez (Sean Connery) returns. Commissioned by Ryan P....
Allan Quatermain and The Lost City of Gold (1986)
July 25, 2023 14:51 - 55 minutes - 38.3 MBIn our first back-to-back reviews of a film and its sequel, Shat The Movies presents "Allan Quatermain and The Lost City of Gold," the 1986 flop that answers the question: "what if leftover French fries were a movie?" In the second half of listener MoonlitTear's double commission, Gene Lyons boldly declares the movie series that kicked off with "King Solomon's Mines" isn't quite as good as the "Godfather" trilogy. Dick Ebert notes that only four people were credited with the "Lost City" sp...
King Solomon's Mines (1985)
July 20, 2023 02:24 - 1 hour - 41.7 MB"Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny" just hit theaters, the fifth installment in the legendary Harrison Ford series. But a lesser-known archeological adventure didn't enjoy the same success. This week, it's Richard Chamberlain in "King Solomon's Mines." Is it a "Temple of Doom" knock-off? A parody? An homage? We're not sure, but "King Solomon's Mines" is a script with origins more than a century old. Shat The Movies megadonor MoonlitTear drew our attention to this quirky flick featuring...
Speed (1994)
July 12, 2023 05:52 - 1 hour - 45.9 MBWe all remember the big explosions and daring stunts in "Speed," but some of the biggest risks had nothing to do with the on-screen mayhem. Hiring Ted "Theodore" Logan as an action star? Casting Jeff Daniels as a grizzled police vet? Letting Dennis Hopper anywhere near explosives? Mega-commissioner Jackson M. thought it just wasn't right for us to review "Speed 2" without covering the original, and we were more than happy to oblige. This nonstop thriller is Jan de Bont's solo directorial...
Airplane! (1980)
July 06, 2023 20:33 - 59 minutes - 41.3 MB"Airplane!" ranks sixth on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies and has more laughs per minute than any other film, but none of that matters. The real question is: Did Gene Lyons like it? In this episode commissioned by listener Kiki, the Shat Crew covers a long-overdue '80s comedy classic that mixes heavy parody, genius non-verbal jokes and delightfully offensive material. Dick Ebert explains that every time he watches "Airplane!" he discovers a new punchline. And Gene applauds performances from...
Beowulf (1999)
June 27, 2023 21:37 - 57 minutes - 39.8 MBRemember when we covered "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" and wondered why Christopher Lambert had be replaced as Raiden? This week, we got our answer: Shat The Movies' favorite Frenchman was busy filming "Beowulf." On paper, this 1999 sci-fi adaptation of the Old English epic poem sounds like a disaster. In fact, movie commissioner Emmet in Orange had never even seen "Beowulf" when he requested a review. Filmed on a $3 million budget, this Mortal Kombat-style action-adventure is loaded wi...
The Wraith (1986)
June 22, 2023 02:56 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBCharlie Sheen scored some hits in the 1980s: "Red Dawn," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Young Guns," "Platoon" and "Major League." But only one movie featured him as a resurrected racer with a killer Dodge M4S Turbo Interceptor. It's "The Wraith!" Independent films in the '80s were wild, and "The Wraith" is no exception. Antifreeze-chugging punks, made-up slang and something called a "digital radio killer" didn't seem strange in a time when Randy Quaid could play an indifferent sheriff, bull...
Tango & Cash (1989)
June 13, 2023 22:30 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MB"Tango & Cash" was the final major motion picture released in the 1980s. Like a fish born with legs, this 1989 action-comedy showed signs of evolution into a new age but sucked ass at swimming. Big D didn't know "Tango & Cash" was supposed to be comedy. Gene wondered why the movie failed so hard at depicting journalism and court proceedings. And both hosts were shocked at the entire prison plotline. In this episode, The Shat Crew asks A.I. to assist with new action-star pairings (Chuck N...
Return to Oz (1985)
June 08, 2023 05:19 - 58 minutes - 40.8 MBIf you've ever wondered what went wrong with Fairuza Balk's childhood, listener David D. has the answer. That's why he commissioned the dark-ass 1985 Disney flop "Return to Oz." Don't be fooled by the made-for-TV movie poster, this sequel to 1939's "The Wizard of Oz" is loaded with terrific effects including an animatronic talking chicken and a princess who can swap out her heads. The sets are amazing, the costumes are at least interesting, and the messages about childhood and mental illne...
Jaws (1975)
May 31, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBIn a surprisingly educational episode, the Shaw Crew learns that sharks are playful, '70s parenting was utterly irresponsible and Richard Dreyfuss was the original hipster. It's the summer blockbuster that started it all: "Jaws!" When listener Tracy C. commissioned this Steven Spielberg masterpiece, we knew we'd be talking about Big D peeing his pants, how good the movie looks in UHD, how what you don't show can be as scary as what you reveal and why good horror movies kill children. But...
Deep Rising (1998)
May 24, 2023 05:26 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBDo you like pirate movies? How about insurance fraud thrillers? Action films with giant sea monsters? Well, one 1998 movie decided to combine them all and cast Famke Janssen as an international master thief. It's time for "Deep Rising!" In this episode, Big D imagines a world where artificial intelligence writes movie screenplays and has the common sense to keep the monster secret until the characters have been established. Gene notes how the entire cast is made of second-stringers, and th...
Splash (1984)
May 17, 2023 05:32 - 1 hour - 42.3 MBWhat do you get the mermaid fanatic who has everything? Might we suggest Dick Ebert discussing the sex lives of cryptids and Gene drooling over Daryl Hannah? It's 1984's "Splash!" In this episode celebrating listener Stephanie Q's birthday, the Shat Crew praises one of the few '80s slow-motion scenes that works, applauds surprisingly well-developed characters, and worries about how long Tom Hanks would survive under the sea. "Splash" was Touchstone Pictures' first release, allowing Disn...
The Muppet Movie (1979)
May 11, 2023 19:33 - 56 minutes - 39.4 MBIn a rare trip to the 1970s, Big D and Gene examine the Jim Henson film that started it all: "The Muppet Movie." Sharing a respect for the wild characters and expert puppeteering in this 1979 road comedy, the Shat Crew digs into the surprisingly adult themes, delightfully quiet jokes and clever self-awareness. On the other hand, "The Muppet Movie" drags at times before culminating in a gorgeous ensemble ending. In this episode, the Shat Crew covers a real-life Orson Welles, songs that g...