Reviewed Podcast

The name Shane Black is synonymous with buddy cop films. And, on this episode of the podcast we dive back into the one that started his storied screenwriting career: Lethal Weapon. Directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, it's a film that spawned three sequels and countless catch phrases. But, now that we are nearing Lethal Weapon's 30th anniversary (and Gibson has become ostracized by the Hollywood system), we have to ask the question, is the movie just "getting too old for this sh!t?"

It's been 20 years since director Roland Emmerich famously blew up the White House (among other landmarks) in 1996's seminal Summer blockbuster, Independence Day. And, now, with a big-budget sequel along the way (with star Jeff Goldblum returning), we thought"ID4" was in need of a re-view. The film was a box office smash—it made Will Smith into one of America's most bankable stars and gave Emmerich carte blanche to make subsequent disaster films like The Day After Tomorrow and 2012. But, how does it hold up? Are the special effects still as impressive 20 years later (the film won an Oscar for best visual effects)? And, how does is it fare compared to the modern summer blockbuster of today? Special thanks to Matt Kelly for joining us on this week's episode. Be sure to listen to his podcast, Horror Movie Night.

We keep getting older, but the characters in Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused keep staying the same age. Fresh off the release of its spiritual sequel, Everybody Wants Some!!, we dive back into Dazed and Confused for a re-view. Does this 70s-set high school film from 1993 still hold up? Do Linklater's strengths as a filmmaker outshine his weaknesses? Moreover, has he evolved since? Or, as indicated with Everybody Wants Some!!, is he destined to make the same movie over and over? Crank up the tunes, smoke a bowl, and don't forget to call shotgun, Dave, Ivan, and Mike try to determine if this beloved coming-of-age flick is worth a re-visit.

With the recent passing of Prince, the world lost a musical icon. To honor his legacy, we went back to 1984 for a re-view of the musical drama, Purple Rain. Prince's musical prowess can't be denied—this movie earned him an Oscar for best original song. But, what about his cinematic chops? We purify ourselves in Lake Minnetonka, submerging ourselves in all things 80s to see if his strong musical legacy carries over into the film's quality. Special guest Eric Diaz, writer for Nerdist and Prince super-fan, joins us for the discussion.

With the release of 1988's Midnight Run, the follow-up to his smash success, Beverly Hills Cop, director Martin Brest seemed poised to be Hollywood's next great action comedy director. But, while his career eventually fizzled with the release of the much-maligned Gigli, it's interesting to look back at Run and its impact on all the action/comedy hybrids that would follow. Does this buddy crime caper still have the goods? Do the jokes still work? More importantly, does anyone remember when Robert DeNiro used to pick good projects? Dave, Ivan, and Mike take a road trip back to the 80s to find out.

How has it taken us 58 episodes to finally re-view The Goonies? This 1985 children's classic is a seminal "nostalgia" film--an Indiana Jones-esque swashbuckler featuring a ragtag group of kids who set out to uncover a pirate's long lost hidden treasure. But, now that we're all older and wiser, does the film still hold up? Do you have to be a kid of the 80s to truly appreciate The Goonies's cinematic magic? Or, is it still able to capture the imagination of a bunch of cynical adults over 30 years later? Written by Chris Columbus based upon a story by Steven Spielberg and directed by Richard Donner, Mike, Ivan, and Dave determine if Goonies actually never say die.

As Batman dukes it out with Superman at the box office, we travel back to 1993 to get a different take on the famous Caped Crusader. It's our first ever re-view of an animated film as we tackle Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, a feature length adaptation based on the critically loved Batman: The Animated Series. So, how does this version of the Dark Knight stack up to the other Batman films—from Burton to Nolan to Snyder? And, moreover, what makes Batman work as a character? We are joined by comic super-fan Avi Glijanksy to solve the mysteries set up by the world's greatest detective.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Jonathan Demme's The Silence of the Lambs is still the only horror film to ever win best picture. Beyond that, it's one of the rare mainstream thrillers to feature a female protagonist. Jodie Foster's Clarice Starling is smart, strong, yet also vulnerable. Combine this with Anthony Hopkin's portrayal of legendary fictional serial killer, Hannibal Lecter, and you have a film that is often considered to be one of the greats. A quarter of a century since its release, Mike, Ivan, and Dave dive deep into the film's dark, psychological world to dissect why it's so engrossing, as well as its continued cultural significance.

It's all singing, dancing, and man-eating plants on this week's podcast! Mike, Ivan, and Dave journey back to 1986 and re-visit Frank Oz's adaptation of the off-broadway musical comedy, Little Shop of Horrors. Featuring music by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (a duo who would later become a major force responsible for the Disney animated renaissance) and performances by Rick Moranis and Steve Martin, this film is considered to be a toe-tapping hit. But, is it more than just catchy songs? Is there deeper meaning behind the b-movie bloodlust? Tune in and find out.

When Spike Lee's comedy-drama Do the Right Thing hit theaters in 1989, the film was met with universal acclaim as well as its fair share of controversy. Using a diverse cast of characters, Lee crafted a film that targeted the subject of American race relations in a way that had never been seen on screen before. There's little doubt that Do the Right Thing holds up in an historical context. But, Mike, Ivan, Dave, and special guest Sharon Mayo, attempt to dive deep into the text of the film to figure out just why that it is. Travel with us to the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn on the hottest day of the year to learn how this Spike Lee joint has stood the test of time. And, that's the double truth, Ruth.

What better way to celebrate Groundhog Day then with a re-view of Groundhog Day? Dave, Ivan, and Mike get caught in a time-loop as they revisit Harold Ramis's dark comedy/romance hybrid. Since its release in 1993, the film film has become a classic--the movie Bill Murray himself has said is the best thing he's ever done. We attempt to figure out how and why the film continues to resonate strongly over 20 years later. Join us as we travel to the cinematic world of Punxsutawney PA...over and over again...

By listener request, we finally tackle the seminal action film Die Hard. And, our timing is sadly prescient: beyond discussing the movie, we reflect on the recent passing of the incredibly talented Alan Rickman, who with is portrayal of Hans Gruber, made one of the most memorable action movie villains of all time. So, yippee-ki-yay—join us on the Nakatomi Plaza building in downtown Los Angeles for 40 stories of sheer adventure.

As writer and director Charlie Kaufman's newest film, Anomalisa, hits theaters, we turn to the screenplay that started all the weirdness—1999's Being John Malkovich. Does this strange tale about a puppeteer who discovers a portal into another man's head still hold up over a decade later? How did this film go on to influence the careers of both Kaufman and director Spike Jonze? And, perhaps the most important question of all, is there meaning behind the film's absurdist premise? Join David, Mike, and Ivan as they make a stop on the 7½th floor of the Mertin-Flemmer Building and do their best to find some answers. Be sure to subscribe via iTunes!

We've finally hit our 50th re-view! On the eve of the release of a brand new Star Wars film, Dave, Ivan, and Mike go back to the film that started the phenomenon—Episode IV, A New Hope. There's no denying that Star Wars is a cultural touchstone, but is it actually a good movie? And, considering the impact of the much maligned prequel trilogy, does its legacy still shine as bright? Is Lucas a visionary world-builder, or more just a great technical craftsman who hit at the right time? Check us out random podcast listener...you're our only hope.

Marking the feature film debut for both screenwriter Alan Ball and director Sam Mendes, American Beauty was a cinematic sensation when it hit theaters in 1999. The movie was a critical and commercial hit, moving audiences and sweeping-up Oscars. But, as of late, it has become a popular movie to hate—often declared to be one of the most overrated best picture winners. Is that a fair assessment? Is American Beauty a millennial masterpiece—a slick work of poignant, suburban satire? Or, is it a self-important, underwhelming farce? Look closer and listen to the most beautiful podcast in the world to find out.