Burnt Popcorn: Recent Episodes
Mike & Laura Laidman
Join Mike & Laura Laidman as they delve into some of our favorite nostalgic films. Do they still hold up or are they as terrible as Burnt Popcorn?
He can't lie! Or keep a thought to himself! Does that count as a lie? We're not sure, but we debate it a lot in this week's episode of Burnt Popcorn! On our second Jim Carrey outing on the podcast, we'll see if taking on a more "grounded" character will hold up better than The Mask did way back in episode 39. Are his rubber faced antics more tolerable this time around? Or does he fall flat once again? Let's find out, shall we?
Release Date: March 21st, 1997
Directed by: Tom Shadyac
Starring: Jim Carrey Maura Tierney Amanda Donohoe Jennifer Tilly
According to the marketing of this movie, size does matter... But does it make for a good movie? Mike and Laura are joined with Godzilla super fan and podcaster Andrew Roebuck to talk about the first American attempt at the Japanese Giant. Is a big bomb or does it somehow fill the very big shoes of it's rubber suit wearing forefather?
Release Date: May 20th, 1998
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Starring: Godzilla Matthew Broderick Jean Reno Maria Pitillo
It's our first film from 2002, and Laura picked the... sequel? Spiritual successor? Spinoff? To the only movie both Mike and Laura gave a Burnt rating to, Interview With The Vampire. Will Stuart Townsend's Lestat make Tom Cruise's look like a chump? Does the girl from the Mighty Ducks enjoy a different kind of Flying V(a vampire one)? Can Queen of the Damned redeem the franchise in our eyes or is this another case of Laura's goth heart looking nostalgically back with dark tinted glasses?
Release Date: February 22, 2002
Directed by: Michael Rymer
Starring: Stuart Townsend Marguerite Moreau Aaliyah Vincent Perez
A movie that's as respected as it is parodied, 1993's The Fugitive takes an old tv show that a lot of people these days probably haven't even heard of these days and breathed new life as a Harrison Ford action thriller. Is it worth unravelling the mystery or like a certain US Marshal should you just "not care?"
Release Date: August 6th, 1993
Directed by: Andrew Davis
Starring: Harrison Ford Tommy Lee Jones Sela Ward
In the first of our new bi weekly episode format, we look into the world of 90s teen dreaming, when Laura revisits her sexual awakening (her words, seriously) with this Dicaprio starring vehicle. Does this 500 year old work of the bard still work in this modern setting? Or does adapting it to the 90s age it more than making it a period piece would?
Release Date: November 1, 1996
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio Claire Danes John Leguizamo
We're starting 2020 with an epic release! Join Mike and Laura as they look over the first of three films that completely changed the world of fantasy films. Also, as a special treat we bring in Laura's younger sister Alicia, who was given way too little time to prepare. After 20 years is this a journey still worth taking or should it be tossed into the fires of Mt. Doom?
Release Date: December 19, 2001
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood Ian McKellen Orlando Bloom Viggo Mortensen Sean Bean Sean Astin Dominic Monaghan Billy Boyd John Rhys-Davies
This year's Burnt Popcorn Christmas movie choice fell to our very own Laura. So what did she pick? Only the best Christmas movie of all time (but maybe not if you're asking Mike) - Home Alone! This festive week we're following that little scamp Kevin on his journey to bust some burglars, survive the holidays alone, and maybe find his family again. And if there's time, Buzz too. Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!
Release Date: November 16, 1990
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Starring: Macaulay Culkin Joe Pesci Daniel Stern Kathy Bates
This week Mike and Laura welcome back special guest host Dave Baldwin (@davembaldwin) to discuss the sequel to 1989's Batman - Batman Returns! That's right, just in time for the holidays, we're tackling the Batman Christmas special in all its dark and twisted glory. Can Catwoman and The Penguin top The Joker and make this sequel better than the original? Or is it as deadly as burnt popcorn if you eat it?
Release Date: June 16, 1992
Directed by: Tim Burton
Starring: Michael Keaton Danny DeVito Michelle Pfeiffer Christopher Walken
61 one episodes in and we're doing the mother of all number 1 movies - Titanic! Laura is already swooning over Leo's dreamy blue eyes, so we know her heart will go on. The real question is whether the giant ship stays above water for Mike. Or will this movie sink like a bunch of soggy, burnt popcorn?
Release Date: December 19, 1997
Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio Kate Winslet Billy Zane Kathy Bates
Join us as we dig into a 1994 action classic "The Bus that Wouldn't Slow Down". I mean Speed. Does this "Die Hard on a _____" entry keep up to speed or are you going to be pulling the wire to get off this ride early? All this and Laura writes her first theme song. It's a banger.
Release Date: June 10th, 1994
Directed by: Jan de Bont
Starring: Keanu Reeves Sandra Bullock Dennis Hopper Jeff Daniels
It took us almost sixty episodes, but we did it! Mike and Laura finally covered a Bond film. And just in time for everyone to have already seen No Time to Die in theatres! How does the Pierce Brosnan era of Bond hold up to Daniel Craig? Is he a hold over of the camp of Bonds of yesteryear? Or did he walk so Daniel Craig could run? You'll have to tune in to this week's episode to find out.
Release Date: November 17, 1995
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Starring: Pierce Brosnan Sean Bean Izabella Scorupco Famke Janssen
It took 58 episodes, but we finally got some real body horror to discuss this week! Yes, the oft overlooked genre of horror that's not only gross, but fascinating! And no one does it better than Cronenberg. But will Mike and Laura be able to keep it together as Brundle becomes the titular fly? Or will they throw up on their donuts? Tune in to find out!
Release Date: August 15th, 1986
Directed by: David Cronenberg
Starring: Jeff Goldblum Geena Davis John Getz
We're a bit late for spooky season, but who cares! This week Mike and Laura are revisiting the revisit of The House on Haunted Hill. Does it hold up to the 1959 original? Or does it fall short despite the pretty stellar cast? You'll have to listen in to find out!
Release Date: October 29th, 1999
Directed by: William Malone
Starring: Geoffrey Rush Ali Larter Famke Janssen Bridgette Wilson Taye Diggs
We did it! We finally got through all three of the original Star Wars movies. Is Return of the Jedi the one that finally makes Laura lose it? Or is she a convert to the church of Jedi-ism now? You'll need to listen in to discover if the force has awakened, or if Laura turns her back on Star Wars for good.
Release Date: May 25, 1983
Directed by: Richard Marquand
Starring: Mark Hamill Carrie Fisher Harrison Ford
The Night He Came Home! The one, the only, the OG of one named slashers, Michael Myers makes his first appearance on Burnt Popcorn. It's Spooktober and we are finally getting down to business with Halloween. Will we shriek? Will we jump? You'll have to listen to find out.
Release Date: October 25, 1978
Directed by: John Carpenter
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis Donald Pleasence Nancy Kyes
Let's take a break from Spooktober, shall we (as much as Laura will let us) with another Star Wars film! Widely regarded as the best film of the series, The Empire Strikes Back is our feature of the week. We all know Mike still loves it, but can Laura put aside her distaste for the franchise to give a glowing review? Or will she begrudgingly offer up a Plain this time around?
Release Date: May 6, 1980
Directed by: Irvin Kershner
Starring: Mark Hamill Carrie Fisher Harrison Ford Billy Dee Williams
Spooky season is upon us and that means slashers, ghouls, and... friendly ghosts? That's right, Mike and Laura are kicking off Spooktober with the family friendly Casper! The real question is, can Laura make it through the episode without quoting, "Can I keep you?"
The answer is no.
Release Date: May 26, 1995
Directed by: Brad Silberling
Starring: Christina Ricci Bill Pullman Eric Idle Cathy Moriary
Well folks, it finally happened. Mike finally made Laura go watch a Star War. Did she like it? Did she hate it? Or was she completely indifferent to it? You'll just have to listen and find out for yourselves!
Release Date: May 25, 1977
Directed by: George Lucas
Starring: Mark Hamill Carrie Fisher Harrison Ford
Objection, your honour! Overruled! Habeas Corpus! This week Mike and Laura dive into the tense legal world with hotshot legal student Elle Woods in Legally Blonde! What, like it's hard? Of course it is, it's Harvard Law! But this plucky young wannabe lawyer isn't going to let a little homework get her down, is she? Not when she has her man to fight for. But the most important question plaguing our podcast hosts - does Legally Blonde have the right stuff to hold up after 20 years?
Release Date: July 13th, 2001
Directed by: Robert Luketic
Starring: Reese Witherspoon Luke Wilson Selma Blair Victor Garber
50 episodes in and to celebrate Mike picks his second favorite movie of all time to watch (we already did his first). We return to Ripley right where we left her, in the cold darkness of space. But after sleeping in longer than she planned the world has changed around her., but the one thing that stayed the same? Killer aliens. Join Mike and Laura as they look at this more action focused entry in the franchise and see if becoming parents has changed the way they view this movie (spoilers it did).
Release Date: July 18th, 1986
Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Sigourney Weaver Carrie Henn Michael Biehn Paul Riser Bill Paxton
Part romance, part thriller, part comedy, but does it add up to make a good movie? Join Mike and his love, his darling Laura as they try to figure out the rules that ghosts have to live by and the easiest way to tell a cop that a psychic gave you evidence (you don't). Get some hands in that spinning clay and get to listening!
Release Date: July 13th, 1990
Directed by: Jerry Zucker
Starring: Patrick Swayze Demi Moore Whoopi Goldberg
Rounding out the original three Jurassic Park movies, we take one more trip back to Site B to see if the king of the dinosaurs can be dethroned by a new powerhouse dino, or if this pretender derails the franchise instead.
Release Date: July 18th, 2001
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Starring: Sam Neill William H. Macy Téa Leoni
Mike and Laura are back to ki ki ki ma ma ma once again! This time we're headed all the way back to 1980 to see if the original Friday the 13th holds a machete to its wacky 3D sequel that we covered all the way back at episode seven. Does the OG Friday have the guts? Or does Mrs. Voorhees fail to make the cut against her psychotic son?
Release Date: May 9th, 1980
Directed by: Sean S. Cunningham
Starring: Betsy Palmer Adrienne King Kevin Bacon Harry Crosby
Oh no, the world is ending! And the only person who can save it is.... Bruce Willis? Yup, that's right, this week we're looking at the disaster flick Armageddon. From its star studded cast to it's absolutely insane plot, we're here for every bonkers moment. But can Mike and Laura answer the biggest question of all, "Wouldn't it be easier for NASA to train astronauts how to drill rather than training drillers to be astronauts?"
Release Date: July 1st, 1998
Directed by: Michael Bay
Starring: Bruce Willis Billy Bob Thorton Ben Affleck Liv Tyler Steve Buscemi
Tuxedo? Check! Beautiful women? Check! Government agency? Check! More guns than you can handle? Check! Wife and kid? Ah Bwuuuuuh?! Get ready for a different kind of spy than the ones you know. How long can Harry keep his double life a secret from his family, and how long can this keep Mike and Laura entertained? Take some truth serum with us, and we'll tell you how we really feel about this action comedy!
Release Date: July 17, 1994
Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger Jamie Lee Curtis Tom Arnold Bill Paxton Tia Carrere
Shout it loud and proud! MORTAL KOMBAT! This week Mike and Laura will be taking a look at the original adaption of the 90s arcade smash. Is this movie a major geek treasure, or does nostalgia blind our hosts into thinking this is a good movie? Well... at least one of our hosts. Is this flick a Flawless victory or should it be dropped into the pit?
Release Date: June 11, 2001
Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson
Starring: Christopher Lambert Robin Shou Linden Ashby Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Bridgette Wilson
What would 2001 be without Angelina Jolie? We're back into the aughts with the pre-Marvel Cinematic Universe badass woman. But is Tomb Raider more eye candy than Girls Are Doing It For Themselves? Or will it hold a candle to the superheroine movies of the 2010s? Let's take a look and find out!
Release Date: June 11, 2001
Directed by: Simon West
Starring: Angelina Jolie Iain Glen Daniel Craig Jon Voight
It's the future of Law enforcement! Is it the bottom of the barrel of cheesy sci-fi schlock? Or is there more heart to this cold machine? Dead or alive you're coming with Mike and Laura to see if this satire is worth a dollar or not.
Release Date: July 17, 1987
Directed by: Paul Verhoeven
Starring: Peter Weller Nancy Allen Ronny Cox Kurtwood Smith
It took 41 episodes, but we did it, we finally did it. This week, Mike and Laura are looking at their first tradition RomCom with Pretty Woman! It is the biggest box office success of any romantic comedy ever, but does it really stand the test of time. Does the "Hooker with a Heart of Gold" trope get stale real fast when looked at under a modern gaze? Or is the charm of Julia Roberts enough to draw us in? Let's listen and find out!
Release Date: March 23, 1990
Directed by: Garry Marshall
Starring: Julia Roberts Richard Gere Jason Alexander Héctor Elizondo
Before Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, before Iron Man, before The Avengers, before all your Marvel Heroes controlled the box office, there was a plucky group of superheroes known as The X-Men! That's right, this week Mike and Laura tackle their first superhero movie with the one that started the modern trend of supes. But does it hold a candle to the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Or should we SNIKT it into the burnt pile?
Release Date: July 14, 2000
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Starring: Hugh Jackman Patrick Stewart Famke Janssen Ian McKellen
From one liners of the 80s last week right into 90s one liners this week! We've got one SMOKIN' movie for ya! Surprising it took us this long to get to a Jim Carrey movie, but we're starting with a spicy meatball! Will Mike and Laura find The Mask as charming as they did in the 90s? Or are the green faced fool's antics a little too much to handle? One thing is for sure, it is a P-A-R-T-Y!
Release Date: July 29, 1994
Directed by: Chuck Russell
Starring: Jim Carrey Cameron Diaz Amy Yasbeck Peter Greene
The ultimate testosterone fest is finally here and ready for Mike and Laura's critiques. Will this masculine romp through the jungle prove just too manly for our podcast hosts? Or will they be throwing one liners at each other and comparing bicep sizes on air? Let's tune in and find out!
Release Date: June 12, 1987
Directed by: John McTiernan
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger Carl Weathers Kevin Peter Hall Bill Duke
What's that? Another sequel? Fair's fair! This week Mike and Laura are looking at Scream 2, the follow-up to Laura's all time favorite film. Will it slice its way into the double butter all of fame? Or can only the OG Ghostface survive the dregs of the dreaded "burnt" rating?
Release Date: December 12, 1997
Directed by: Wes Craven
Starring: Neve Campbell Courtney Cox David Arquette Timothy Olyphant
Our first back to back episode is here! That's right, Mike and Laura are doing an immediate follow-up to Jurassic Park, with The Lost World: Jurassic Park. With such a close viewing and retrospect from the first movie, will they still love it? Or will Mike's dreams of dinosaurs come crashing to a t-rex sized ending?
Release Date: May 23, 1997
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Jeff Goldblum Julianne Moore Pete Postlethwaite Vince Vaughn
It took 35 episodes, but we finally reached Mike's favorite movie of all time - Jurassic Park! The big question is, will it live up to his memory? Or will the animatronics and early 90s CG fall flat on today's flat screen TVs? There's only one way to find out! Listen along, won't you?
Release Date: June 11, 1993
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Sam Neill Laura Dern Jeff Goldblum Richard Attenborough
What happens when you mix Disney, Warner Brothers, MGM, Paramount, and more? You get one heck of a rascally rabbit. No, not that rabbit. You get the one wrongly accused of murder! This week Mike and Laura rewind to 1988 to discuss the classic cartoon infused caper, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Release Date: June 22, 1988
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Bob Hoskins Christopher Lloyd Joanna Cassidy
The ultimate eighties action movie is here! It has everything you want - explosions, fast cars, fight scenes, and a whole lot of impeccably delivered one liners from the man himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger! That's right, we're looking back at Commando, the movie that took Arnold into the stratosphere of action stardom. Does it hold up? Of course it does! But it's fun to talk about.
Release Date: October 5, 1985
Directed by: Mark L. Lester
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger Rae Dawn Cong Don Hedaya Vernon Wells
Is it a cyber thriller? A crime thriller? An action movie? A sex thriller? Who knows! This week Mike and Laura look at Swordfish, the mishmash of twists and turns that was truly famous for two things: John Travolta's weird goatee and Halle Berry taking her top off. Join us, won't you?
Release Date: June 8, 2001
Directed by: Dominic Sena
Starring: John Travolta Halle Berry Hugh Jackman Don Cheadle
The slasher genre was all but slashed when Scream stabbed its way into theatres in 1996. Still remembered to this day as one of the best of the horror genre. But that was twenty-five years ago, does Scream still have the guts to stand the test of time? Or is Ghostface a thing of the past? Let's take a look!
Release Date: December 20, 1996
Directed by: Wes Craven
Starring: Neve Campbell Drew Barrymore Courtney Cox David Arquette Skeet Ulrich Matthew Lillard Rose McGowan
You know all those crazy Nic Cage gifs on the internet? Yeah, a solid 50% of them came from Face/Off, so you know we're in for a wild ride. The big question isn't if Face/Off is completely bonkers. It's if it's so bonkers it's good, or so bonkers it's awful. Listen in and find out!
Release Date: June 27, 1997
Directed by: John Woo
Starring: John Travolta Nicolas Cage Joan Allen
Have you played knifey/spoony before? Maybe not, but there's a good chance you experienced the Australiamania that came along with 1986's Crocodile Dundee! That's right, this movie was a worldwide phenomenon. Yes. This one. And this week Mike and Laura are going to take a watch and see if it still captures our hearts in 2021.
Release Date: September 26, 1986
Directed by: Peter Faiman
Starring: Paul Hogan Linda Kozlowski John Meillon
In space, no one can hear you review movies. This week, Mike and Laura were craving something very scary, and knew that Alien wouldn't let them down in the fright department. But does the rest of the movie hold up? Or is Alien simply a haunted house movie in space? Let's take a voyage back to 1979 and find out!
Release Date: June 22, 1979
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Sigourney Weaver Tom Skerritt John Hurt
Ugh, as if! This week was Laura's pick and since it turns out Mike had never seen Clueless before, she set out to rectify this heinous fact. Beverly Hills, fashion, teen angst, we break it all down to see if Clueless transcends the nineties and into the realm of double butter. Or maybe it's just a total Monet.
Release Date: July 19, 1995
Directed by: Amy Heckerling
Starring: Alicia Silverstone Paul Rudd Stacey Dash Brittany Murphy
Wax on, wax off. This week, Sensei Laura and Mike-san revisit the 1984 classic, Karate Kid! That's right, the movie that brought karate mainstream, spawned three sequels, one remake, and possibly one of the best Netflix shows around. But does the OG movie have what it takes to stand the test of time? Or is it just another case of nostalgia making us remember it for more than punches and kicks?
Release Date: June 22, 1984
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Starring: Ralph Macchio Pat Morita Elisabeth Shue
This week Mike & Laura take a look at another Robert Zemeckis classic - Death Becomes Her. The dark comedy has everything you need from the early nineties, including Bruce Willis with a terrible mustache! It's a real walk down memory lane that asks the question - what would you give to be young and beautiful forever?
Release Date: July 31 1992
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Meryl Streep Bruce Willis Goldie Hawn
This week Mike & Laura are diving into their first international film, The Neverending Story! This week we're joined with special guest Sidney Prado (Behind the Behind & Twitch) to talk about his all time favorite movie, and one that Laura has been dreading watching since we first brainstormed this podcast into existence. Is Laura right, is it that bad? Or is Sidney's love for the film more than just childhood nostalgia. Tune in and find out!
Release Date: April 6 1984
Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: Noah Hathaway Barret Oliver Gerald McRaney Tami Stronach
Be aggressive! Be, be aggressive! This week Mike and Laura are watching the Citizen Kane of cheerleader movies with Bring It On! Pom poms, pop music, herkies, pyramids, and teen girl rivalries aplenty. We hope this episode warms you up because BRR! It's cold in here! There must be some podcasts in the atmosphere!
Release Date: Aug 23 2000
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Starring: Kirsten Dunst Eliza Dushku Jesse Bradford Gabrielle Union
Want to see a magic trick? Wait, no, it's not that Batman movie. We live in a society... WAIT! Not that one either! No, this week Mike and Laura are taking a look back at the Batman movie that birthed the beginnings of superhero movies. The 1989 Tim Burton/Michael Keaton/Jack Nicholson classic, Batman! Can this caped crusader hold up to modern superhero movies? Or is the real excitement around The Joker?
Release Date: June 23 1989
Directed by: Tim Burton
Starring: Jack Nicholson Michael Keaton Kim Basinger
You want sexy, brooding vampires without the sparkle? How about a young Brad Pitt right on the cusp of super stardom? Or better yet, Tom Cruise playing a... sexy French vampire known for his incredible sexual charisma with both men and women? Uh... sure. That tracks. This week Mike and Laura sink their fangs into the Anne Rice vampire classic that set the tone for modern sexy vampires.
Release Date: November 11 1994
Directed by: Neil Jordan
Starring: Brad Pitt Tom Cruise Antonio Banderas
Vroom Vroom Cars! Seriously, who's writing these captions? Does it matter? You've got prime Nic Cage, Angelina Jolie during her 'I'm sexy and kiss my brother and marry Billy Bob Thorton' phase, and a ton of the sexiest, fastest cars the year 2000 had to offer. Let's ride!
Release Date: June 9 2000
Directed by: Dominic Sena
Starring: Nicolas Cage Angelina Jolie Giovanni Ribisi
Hellooo! There is a lot to unpack this week with the family comedy classic, Mrs. Doubtfire. So much so, we needed a guest! This week Scott Bordas joins us to discuss a movie that you just know is going to have some problematic moments under the gaze of 2021's watchful eye. Is the movie still good, even with the exact issues you'd expect? Let's take a look!
Release Date: November 24 1993
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Starring: Robin Williams Sally Field Pierce Brosnan
Boop boop it's a submarine! Really, what more needs to be said for the Jack Ryan movie that started them all? We've got a Russian Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin before the 'Hilaria/Hillary' drama, and a whole lot of men in subs. Does the tight, political intrigue stay relevant 30 years later? Let's fine out!
Release Date: March 2 1990
Directed by: John McTiernan
Starring: Sean Connery Alec Baldwin Scott Glenn Sam Neill
Time to take a look at one of Laura's guilty pleasure genres - low stakes disaster movies! None of this "the world will end" garbage, let's talk about tornados! And science! And whether Alan Ruck and Sean Whalen are the same person! Plus this week you get to hear all about "Two Glasses of Wine" Laura. She's a real treat!
Release Date: May 10 1996
Directed by: Jan de Bont
Starring: Helen Hunt Bill Paxton Cary Elwes
We have to go back! Wait, isn't that the whole theme of this podcast? This week Mike and Laura take a look at 1985, and 1955, with the ultimate time travel movie - Back to the Future! And even better, they're joined with the cohost of Part Time Nerds, Full Time Dads, Kris Blonski in this special Extra Life version of Burnt Popcorn.
Now let's see if this podcast can do ninety!
Release Date: July 3 1985
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Michael J. Fox Christopher Lloyd Lea Thompson Crispin Glover
Party time! Excellent! Whoo whoo whoo!! Ah, the early nineties. What a time to be alive. Mike and Laura might have been just kids when Wayne's World came out in 1992, but they have fond memories of the era all the same. Join us as we talk about the most successful SNL adaptation of all time, and whether it holds up to the test of time or not. Don't forget the Grey Poupon!
Release Date: February 14 1992
Directed by: Penelope Spheeris
Starring: Mike Myers Dana Carvey Rob Lowe Tia Carrere
Do you know Kung Fu? Keanu Reeves sure does! We take a look back at the movie that helped form Laura's fashion sense in the early nineties (what, we all have a high school goth phase!). Even more exciting than that, we have a super special guest this week! Steve Saylor (Blind Gamer / Can I Play That) is here to discuss bullet time, spoons, and Keanu's first big comeback.
Release Date: March 31 1999
Directed by: Lana & Lilly Wachowski (as the Wachoski Brothers)
Starring: Keanu Reeves Laurence Fishburne Carrie-Anne Moss Hugo Weaving
Is fire alive? Is it a thinking, feeling entity? Kurt Russell seems to think so! This week Mike and Laura take an extra hot look at the Ron Howard classic Backdraft. It has a cast that's truly lit, and enough tough macho firefights to really light a fire in listeners. How many more fire puns are we going to need to put in this post? Let's see if this movie is Double Butter, or maybe it's just a lot of BURNT popcorn!
Release Date: May 24, 1991
Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Kurt Russell William Baldwin Robert De Niro Donald Sutherland
Looking for something a little different this holiday season? Something that looks fun for the whole family, but upon further inspection should really only be viewed by adults? Let's take a holiday look at the wacky, bizarre, balls to the wall ridiculousness of the Joe Dante, Christopher Columbus, and Steven Spielberg production of Gremlins! Just remember, don't feed Mike & Laura after midnight.
Release Date: June 8th, 1984
Directed by: Joe Dante
Starring: Zach Galligan Phoebe Cates
Mike and Laura dive into what has been called "The Scariest Movie of All Time" for decades! Though these days, what horror movie doesn't use that promo line? Our hosts discuss demonic possession, boxing priests, and Max von Sydow in some of the best aging makeup we've ever seen. The power of Christ compels you to listen to this week's episode!
Release Date: December 26th, 1973
Directed by: William Friedkin
Starring: Ellen Burstyn Max von Sydow Linda Blair
It's the movie that made archeology sexy! We've got booby traps, hard drinking bar owners, and Nazis getting killed left right and center. What more could you want? Oh right, how about that banging theme music? Let's get ready to discover the secrets of the Ark with Indie, Marion, and snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
Release Date: June 12th, 1981
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford Karen Allen
Do you understand the words coming out of Mike & Laura's mouth?! You want action, you want comedy? You want Jackie Chan's unique slapstick fighting style? We tackle what we remember as one of the best action comedies of the nineties. Does it hold up? Tune in, and remember, never touch a podcaster's radio!
Release Date: September 18th, 1998
Directed by: Brett Ratner
Starring: Jackie Chan Chris Tucker
The ultimate vacation? Or a deep undercover super agent? Mike and Laura dive into their first - but certainly not last - Schwarzenegger flick with Total Recall. It's got all the late eighties goodies you could ask for, including over the top violence, gratuitous everything, and one liners for days. Get ready to get your ass to Mars!
Release Date: June 1st, 1990
Directed by: Paul Verhoeven
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger Sharon Stone Michael Ironside
Behold, the birth of the infamous hockey mask! Mike and Laura dive into the first true Jason Voorhees story in glorious 3-D action! We chat about the mask, the kills, and the fabulous disco theme, and more in a very spooky episode of Burnt Popcorn. Are you ready to ki ki ki, ma ma ma?
Release Date: August 13th 1982
Directed by: Steve Milner
Starring: Dana Kimmell Richard Brooker
Join us on an adventure back to 1997. And also 1967! The swingingest, grooviest spy of all time is our focus this week on Burnt Popcorn. Is Austin 'Danger' Powers still the sexiest man in espionage? Or just not really our bag, baby?
Release Date: May 2nd 1997
Directed by: Jay Roach
Starring: Mike Myers Elizabeth Hurley
A little bit Heathers, a little bit Mean Girls, and a whole lot of 90s goth girl magic, Mike and Laura take a look at THE CRAFT. With Special Guest Kyle/ChibiUFO, join us on a deep dive on the movie that spoke to a generation of outcasts long before they were called 'Millennials'.
Release Date: May 3rd, 1996
Directed by: Andrew Fleming
Starring: Robin Tunney Fairuza Balk Neve Campbell Rachel True Skeet Ulrich
By sheer luck, we managed to record a spooky movie for our episode closest to Halloween! Travel back in time with us, not just to 1992, but to the Middle Ages as we join Bruce Campbell in his third outing as Ash Williams, the main character of the Evil Dead franchise. Does this horror comedy survive the night or is it dead by dawn? Find out if the special effects hold up, as well as the answers to important questions like how many characters does Ted Raimi play? Why not listen in as well as meet our first guest, first guest film critic Dave Baldwin!
Release Date: October 9th 1992, February 19th 1993
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Starring: Bruce Campbell Embeth Davidtz
Listen in as this episode Mike just recites the entire movie line by line for the length of the podcast. Well, not really, but he might as well. Laura chose this 1995 goofball comedy to be our next watch and will she regret her choice? Is Billy Madison top of the class, or will it get held back for bad behavior? Listen in and find out.
Release Date: February 10th 1995
Directed by: Tamara Davis
Starring: Adam Sandler Bridgette Wilson Bradley Whitford
For Mike's first pick on our show he's feeling the need for speed! Travel back to 1986 and see if Tom Cruise's dog fighting classic is flying high or takes a nose dive in our re-watch. Is the movie cliche or is it the birth of the cliche? Are we just thinking about Hot Shots? Can we buy a MIG? All these questions and more in our latest episode.
Release Date: May 16th 1986
Directed by: Tony Scott
Starring: Tom Cruise Kelly McGillis Val Kilmer
It's the first ever episode of Burnt Popcorn and we're kicking things off with a big blockbuster movie! Join us as we take a look back at 1999's The Mummy. Does it hold up? Are the effects laughable now? Do our Moms still think Brendan Fraser is super hot? Have a listen and find out! (Who are we kidding we all still think Brendan Fraser is still super hot.)
Release Date: May 7th 1999
Directed by: Stephen Sommers
Starring: Brendan Fraser Rachel Weisz