Honey, You Should Watch This.: Recent Episodes
honeyyoushouldwatchthis
"Honey, You Should Watch This." is a podcast where a husband and wife each pick movies for the other to watch and then analyze them.
We’re back!
After an unexpected hiatus, Greg and Susan return to talk about “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.”
Greg, a massive Ghostbusters fan, had Susan watch the 2021 addition to the franchise.
The film follows a financially strapped family who inherits a run-down farm only to find that they are related to one of the original Ghostbusters.
Starring Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard and Paul Rudd. Ghostbusters: Afterlife also features a few recognizable faces from the original film.
Greg and Susan discuss the tonal differences between the franchise's first installment and this one, point out Easter eggs throughout, and share tidbits of trivia -- along with our basic standards of “I Have Questions,” box office and their top three moments of the movie.
Warning: we are spoiling the Hell out of this movie and also using "adult" language, so please don't listen with your kids. We're looking at this from an adult perspective.
You can't escape Encanto! It's all over social media. So Susan decided that we needed to lean in and watch it.
Susan and Greg explore Encanto, the latest feature from Disney Animation Studios. Encanto stars Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Wilmer Valderrama, and a host of others and features a soundtrack full of catchy little earworms by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Susan discusses Encanto's themes of generational trauma and family dynamics, and both hosts discuss their takes on the film from the story, the design, the soundtrack, and more. They explore plot holes and posit theories in "I Have Questions" and share their top three moments of the movie.
Sources referenced in this episode:
'Encanto': Disney's portrayal of generational trauma and toxic families, 2022
https://culturacolectiva.com/movies/encanto-disney-generational-trauma-analysis
We Don't Talk About Bruno without Instrumental:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbC0m2Oz_F0
“How We Don’t Talk about Bruno Works & Why It’s Amazing”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O28uSZxyEw
"Encanto Theory: Why Abuela Didn't Respect Luisa"
https://youtu.be/S5vNBB52zK0
"Disney's Encanto | We don't talk about Bruno Dance Reference"
https://youtu.be/ugVjZtS0M2w
Stick 'em up! Because this episode covers 1976's "Bonnie & Clyde."
Susan has Greg watch director William Penn's take on the story of Bonnie and Clyde and the Barrow Gang. The film stars Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty in the titular roles and features stellar performances from Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons, Michael J. Pollard, Denver Pyle, and Gene Wilder.
Your hosts discuss why Bonnie and Clyde was such a groundbreaking and influential film, explore the differences between the story of Beatty and Dunaway's characters versus the real-life criminal couple (SPOILERS ABOUND) and talk about how this film almost didn't get made. Greg and Susan always talk about Bonnie & Clyde's reception, awards, box office, and more.
t's a very, very, very late Halloween entry (just in time for Thanksgiving. Scratch that. Christmas). Susan makes Greg watch 2000's "Ginger Snaps:" the story of two outcast sisters, Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) and Brigitte (Emily Perkins), one who is becoming a werewolf and the other who is trying to save her.
The two discuss the film's themes of the horrors of adolescence and "becoming a woman." They also talk about the films that influenced "Ginger Snaps" and the films that Ginger Snaps influenced.
They explore the elements that broke the suspension of disbelief in "I Have Questions" and ranked their favorite parts of the movie.
Resources referenced in this episode:
https://morbidlybeautiful.com/ginger-snaps-feminist-horror/
https://medium.com/@wewillbethestars/together-forever-sisterhood-and-femininity-in-ginger-snaps-women-in-horror-series-64adcbfeda7dGinger Snaps
Greg and Susan discuss Greg's pick, 2009's "Let the Right One In." This Swedish film explores the story of a bullied young boy who develops a friendship with a mysterious young girl who (spoilers) turns out be a vampire.The two hosts explore the film's themes of bullying, toxic and dependent love, disconnection, and isolation; discuss the different components of vampire lore portrayed in this film as they compare to others, and compare the book the film and compare the film to the U.S. version. They also try to determine who are the real monsters in "Let the Right One In."
In this episode, Susan introduces Greg to 2014's Creep. The horror/suspense film stars its creators Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice, and is directed by Brice and produced by Jason Blum.
An interesting take on found footage films, Creep tells the story of Aaron(Brice), an unemployed man who answers an online ad to film a stranger at his remote cabin for a day. The man, Josef(Duplass), says he's dying from cancer and wants to make a movie for his unborn child, but his requests become more bizarre as the day goes along. When Aaron decides he needs to escape the arrangement, it only makes matters worse.
Greg and Susan discuss their impressions of this film, Duplass and Brice's creative choices, and how the film evolved from a relationship study to a much darker story. They also discuss the limitations of the found footage genre in horror and what works in Creep and what doesn't.
Susan also explains how Mark Duplass - who is often credited as one of the innovators of the "mumblecore" style - is an enormous supporter of independent filmmakers and strongly believes filmmakers should always create using what they have to share their vision with the world.
References cited:
SXSW Film Festival: Blum and Duplass on 'creep'. YouTube. (2014, March 9). Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://youtu.be/yl-tNLkZzoU.
Molloy, B. T. (2020, August 26). Mark Duplass says the cavalry isn't coming for indie film. what now? MovieMaker Magazine. Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://www.moviemaker.com/the-cavalry-isnt-coming-for-indie-film-so-what-do-you-do/#:~:text=Indie%20film%20icon%20Mark%20Duplass,dollars%20to%20make%20your%20movie.
Creep (2014 film). (2014, March 8). Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://yamm.finance/wiki/Creep_(2014_film).html.
In this episode, Susan and Greg discuss Greg's pick, 2021's The Suicide Squad. This will be a spoiler-filled conversation in which we compare this version to 2016's Suicide Squad. The couple also discusses the best and worst of DC films and compares James Gunn's and David Ayer's directing.
Susan also busts out her poetry slam skills, which we'll share here:
Amanda Waller is at it again
Sending women, creatures, and men
Into dangerous situations
Under the guise of protecting our nation.
Blood Sport, Harley, Rick and Gang
Hit Corto Maltese to see if they could hang.
Some of them have less of a good time
Infiltrating a fortress called Jötunheim.
Things get dicey executing Waller's wish,
Which is to destroy all traces of Project Starfish.
They have explosive chips in their necks, so they don't ask why.
And spoiler alert, a lot of people die.
The Suicide Squad stars Margo Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Viola Davis,
Sylvester Stallone, Joel Kinnaman, David Dastmaichian and Daniela Melchior. The movie also features Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, Michael Rooker, Alice Braga, Pete Davidson, Joaqin Cosio, Juan Diego Botto, Storm Reid, and Nathan Fillion.
Resources referenced in this episode:
Screen Crush, The SUICIDE SQUADs: The One Scene That Shows Why One Worked and the Other Didn't | SCENE FIGHTS!, Youtu.be. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 September 2021].
Filmento, Why The Suicide Squad Worked Whiled the Garbage Squad Failed, Youtube.com. 2021. [online] Available at:
ScreenRant. 2021. Dave Bautista Compares James Gunn and Zack Snyder’s Directing Style. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 September 2021].
Variety.com. 2021. JameThe
Hold on for this episode; it's going to be a real tit flapper! Susan made Greg watch "Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar," and they're here to talk about it.
This wacky comedy features Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo as the titular characters, Barb and Star. The film also stars Jamie Dornan and Damon Wayans, Jr and features Reyn Doi.
Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar is about middle-aged friendship, taking chances, and is also oddly a spy satire. Your host discusses everything from the ridiculously sublime to the ridiculously ridiculous about this movie. What did they think? Listen and find out
Greg and Susan watch and discuss what Roger Ebert calls a "Buddy Movie, Fish Out of Water Movie, Road Movie, Mistaken Identity Movie and Corporate Espionage Movie": 1997s "Nothing to Lose."
Starring Tim Robbins and Martin Lawerence, this comedy was one of the underrated comedies of the 90s. "Nothing to Lose" features the interesting pairing of Robins and Lawrence but also a cast that includes Kelly Preston, John C. McGinley, Giancarlo Esposito, and Michael McKean.
Your hosts discuss some of the highlights of the film and cast performances, have some interesting observations for "I Have Questions," and - as always - share their three favorite moments of the film.
This episode is mayhem! Oh, wait. This episode is about the 2017s "Mayhem" starring Steven Yeun and Samara Weaving.
"Mayhem" also represents Joe Lynch's return to the directorial chair after a brief hiatus and a stint in the 9 to 5 workaday world. Susan picked this movie for Greg, which she describes as "Office Space" meets "Battle Royale" meets "Die Hard" meets "Office Party."
There's so much that is bat guano crazy about this film. You'll have to listen to find just how much. As always, we're dropping spoilers. So if you don't want to be spoiled, watch "Mayhem" first, then listen. Mayhem
It's our 50th episode, and Greg has been threatening this movie since episode one: 1987's "Ernest Goes to Camp." For this first half of the episode, Susan and Greg talk about the first Ernest movie starring Jim Varney, John Vernon, and Iron Eyes Cody. Greg and Susan discuss Varney's early career and how the advertising career he pursued after quitting acting jettisoned him into the stoplight with the creation of Ernest.In the second half of the episode, Greg and Susan reminisce over the first 50 episodes and discuss which movies delivered, which were lacking, and so much more.
After some "backsliding," we use to rededicate ourselves to our podcast by discussing Susan's pick: 2004s "Saved!" starring Jenna Malone, Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, Eva Amurri, Patrick Fugit, and Mary Louise Parker.
"Saved!" tells the story of Mary Cummings (Malone), a senior at a fundamental Christian school who learns her boyfriend is gay. Believing that Jesus will restore her purity, Mary has sex with him in an attempt to rid him of his homosexuality. The plan doesn't work. Mary's boyfriend gets sent to a Christain rehabilitation center, and Mary ends up pregnant. Mary must deal with her shaken faith and hide her pregnancy to stay in school and avoid being bullied by her ex-friend, the uber pious Hillary-Faye (Moore.)
Susan and Greg discuss the teen satire's themes of religion, faith, hypocrisy, and questioning of one's deeply held beliefs. They also disucss the performances of the cast and the much darker ending written initially for the film. As usual, Susan and Greg also talk about the one plot that took them out of the movie in "I Have Questions" and share their top three favorite scenes.
For this episode, Greg selected a gem of an 80s film. Well, it might be closer to a Diamonique of a movie with a gem of an actor. Anyway, Susan and Greg watched "Who's Harry Crumb?" starring John Candy, Annie Potts, Jeffery Jones, and Shawnee Smith.
Being a John Candy fan, Susan wanted to love it but found it to be unsuccessfully derivative of bigger 80s hits such as "Ruthless People," "Naked Gun: Two and Half," and "Fletch." Greg just enjoyed "Who's Harry Crumb" for what it was: a silly 1980s film.
The two discuss Candy, Potts, and Jones' performances. They also walk through some of the film's comedic scenes and rate "funny or not funny." As always, "have questions" about the things that took them out of the film.
Susan has Greg watch the beautiful disaster that is 2009s "Jennifer's Body." The two examine the once-maligned comedy/horror film starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried and written by Diablo Cody that is now enjoying a cult revival. The couple discusses how "Jennifer's Body" is prime example of how studio marketing can derail the creators' vision. They also explore how the studio did a disservice for the film's star, Cody, and its director, Karen Kuzyama.
Resources referenced:
Jennifer's Body Reunion: Megan Fox and Diablo Cody Get Candid About Hollywood (Exclusive), ET Live, September 19, 2019 https://youtu.be/u2JLRtWlq0o
Framing Megan Fox: Feminist Theory Part 3 | The Whole Plate: Episode 7, Lindsey Ellis, September 23, 2017 https://youtu.be/tKyrUMUervU
Everything Wrong With Jennifer's Body In 18 Minutes Or Less, Cinema Sins, October 1, 2020 https://youtu.be/bNHjgJy8FfkJennifer's Body
After an unplanned hiatus, Greg and Susan are back! We did not 'cast away" our podcast. Nor did we break in our recording schedule to get into castaway shape. COVID hit our household. We're back and raring to jump into Greg's pick for Susan: 2000's "Cast Away" starring Tom Hanks and Helen Hunt.
Susan and Greg "splashdown" into the movie about FedEx Systems Executive Chuck Noland. Chuck must attend to pressing business in Malaysia on Christmas Eve. He leaves his soon-to-be fiance, Kelly, behind, promising he'll be back soon. The FedEx plane he's traveling in goes down over the Pacific, and, as the only survivor, Chuck must learn how to keep himself alive. Chuck hatches a plan to escape the island, leaving with his volleyball companion, Wilson. Once he's rescues, Chuck must switch from surviving to living, especially when those who mourned him have moved on with their lives.
Your hosts discuss the unique way the movie was made, the themes of the film, the characters and their relatability and flaws. Greg does a reality check on how the crash was portrayed and, as always, we discuss trivia and other goodies,
Resources referenced in this episode:
CAST AWAY BEHIND THE SCENES [VHS] 2001 - https://youtu.be/0lBAiCut9JoCast Away
Susan and Greg look towards "a Northwesterly direction" as they discuss Susan's pick, Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest." The film, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, and Martin Landeau, is considered one of the greatest films of all time. Do your hosts feel the same way? Listen and find out!
The Ultimate Fashion History. (2017, January 11). FAVE FILM FASHION: “North by Northwest” (1959). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Turner Classic Movies. (2020, April 16). Eva Marie Saint and Martin Landau Discuss Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwIZoD7r8H8
Cary Grant Calls Jamie Lee Curtis. North by Northwest Meets Halloween.
https://youtu.be/HiCHeZNxMxwNorth by North West
Along with their friends Barb and Jacob, Greg and Susan get lost in the fantasy, horror craziness that is the film "Dave Made a Maze."
The movie stars Nick Thune as Dave, an artist that can't seem to finish what he starts, and Meera Rohit Kumbhani as Dave's long-suffering girlfriend, who must put her and their friends' lives in peril to rescue Dave from his latest creation.
Dave Made a Maze was written and directed by Bill Watterson (the actor, not the cartoonist) and featured a gallery of wonderfully imaginative and artistic set pieces. The group discusses the cast, the script, and the movie's meaning in a "no holds barred" conversation.
Resources referenced in this episode:
Bill Watterson and cast talk "Dave Made A Maze" at Sundance 2017, BeyondCinemaMagazine, YouTube, https://youtu.be/ItXFogIbSwo
Dave Made a Maze Is a Wacky Fairy Tale About the Folly of Trying to Make Something Perfect, Evan Narcisse, August 18, 2017, Gizmodo https://io9.gizmodo.com/dave-made-a-maze-is-a-wacky-fairy-tale-about-the-folly-1797990367
DAVE MADE A MAZE; Or, the Artist Matures, Words: C.H. Newell, September 18, 2017, Fathers of Holy Gore, https://fathersonholygore.com/2017/09/18/dave-made-a-maze-or-the-artist-matures/
Dave Made A Maze - preproduction behind-the-scenes, Dave Made a Maze, April 30, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpNb4-k-RSU
In this episode, Susan and Greg discuss another Coen Brother's film and Greg's pick 2007's "No Country for Old Men." The 2008 Academy-Award Best Picture winner stars Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin with a featured performance by Woody Harrelson.
Greg and Susan discuss the movie's themes, the nuanced and award-winning performance by Bardem, and dive into parts of the film that stuck with them. They also discuss the choices the Coens made to translate the story from book to film.
As always, trivia about the movie is shared along with Greg and Susan's top three scenes.
The Philosophy of NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Wisecrack ...
YouTube · Wisecrack, Nov 23, 2019
IEW
12:19
No Country for Old Men — Don't Underestimate the Audience
YouTube · Lessons from the Screenplay, Aug 24, 2018
Do Susan and Greg continue with 90s movies in this episode? Oh ya, you betcha! Susan selected 1996's "Fargo" starring Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, and Harve Presnell and written and directed by the Coen brothers.
In this episode, the couple discusses the Academy Award-nominated film's key themes, the original casting decisions by the Coen Brothers, and other trivia about the film.
Resources referenced in this episode:
Cobb, K. (2020, December 28). Is the Coen Brothers’ Movie “Fargo” a True Story? Decider. https://decider.com/2020/12/28/is-fargo-movie-based-on-a-true-story/
VanDerWerff, E. (2016, March 8). Fargo turns 20 today. Its fans are still arguing about this scene. Vox. https://www.vox.com/2016/3/8/11177872/fargo-movie-mike-yanagita-anniversary
Whatcha' going. Whatcha' going to do? Well, Greg wanted Susan to watch 1995's "Bad Boys." And that's what she did! The blockbuster action-comedy stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in their first leading film roles. It is the first feature film directed by Michael Bay. "Bady Boys" also stars Téa Leoni and Tchéky Karyo.
As usual, Greg and Susan discuss their impressions of the film, discuss trivia about it, and share their top three moments. Bad Boys
In this episode, Susan introduces Greg to 2004's Mean Girls: the teen comedy based on Rosalind Wiseman's parenting book, "Queen Bees and Wannabes," adapted by Tina Fey and starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried, and Lizzy Kaplan. Do you want to talk about Mean Girls? You can sit with us even if you don't wear pink on Wednesdays.
Greg and Susan talk about the real aspects of "Girl World" reported in Wiseman's book; the film's iconic and almost timeless status; and how Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Tim Meadows steal scenes in their featured roles. As always, the two also discuss trivia about the film and share their three favorite scenes from the movie.
Resources referenced in this episode:
Talbot, M. (2002, February 24). Girls Just Want to Be Mean. Retrieved December 15, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/24/magazine/girls-just-want-to-be-mean.htmlMean Girls
Greg and Susan are back after an unexpected hiatus, and it's time to "Nut up or shut up!" In this episode, they discuss Greg's pick"Zombieland."
This 2009 Zom-Com stars Jesse Isenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin and features a cartoon-like premise centered around a set of survival rules.
Susan and Greg talk about what makes Zombieland different from other films within its genre and volley back and forth over an extensive list of trivia.
Resources mentioned in this episode: Zombieland: Deep or Dumb? Wisecrack Edition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5lKMiXt74k
It's spooky season, so it's time to dig into one of Susan's favorite genres: Horror!
For this episode, Susan picked the subversive horror mockumentary "Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon." This 2006 black comedy stars Nathan Baesel and Angela Goethals with horror icons Robert Englund, Scott Wilson, and Zelda Rubenstein.
Susan and Greg talk about the ways in which this film flips the script on horror by pulling back the veil on how slashers like Freddy, Jason, and Michael Myers do what they do. (Psst! One of the secrets is cardio!) The two also point out the film's Easter Eggs and writer theories about one of the film's most mysterious characters.
Resources referenced in this episode:
Squires, John, 2016, December 20, [Exclusive] The ‘Black Christmas’ Connection That Will Change the Way You Watch ‘Behind the Mask’. Bloody Disgusting. https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3418544/exclusive-black-christmas-connection-will-change-way-watch-behind-mask/
Newell, C.H., 2017, October 28, Meta Horror in Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, Fathers of Holy Gore, https://fathersonholygore.com/2017/10/28/meta-horror-in-behind-the-mask-the-rise-of-leslie-vernon/
Scream Factory TV, 2018, March 27, Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon (2006) - Bonus Clip: Angela Goethals On Robert Englund (Video), YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdY6n0vPV0EBehind the Mask
If you don't want hear spoilers about 1981's "The Road Warrior" -- aka: "Mad Max 2," JUST WALK AWAY (and watch the movie and then rejoin us)! In this episode, Susan and Greg discuss the iconic 80's film and Mel Gibson's breakout role.
Resources referenced in the episode:
Winn, J. Emmett, Mad Max, Reaganism and The Road Warrior, KINEMA, Fall 1997 https://openjournals.uwaterloo.ca/index.php/kinema/article/view/839/768
Mad Max - A Character Study of the Road Warrior The Road Warrior - An Apocalyptic Fairy Tale The Road Warrior Explained: Quantities of Storytelling
Are you a winner or a loser? Does it even matter? Greg and Susan explore these questions and more in their discussion about 2006's "Little Miss Sunshine."
The film, which stars Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, and Alan Arkin, was screenwriter Michael Arndt's first feature. The story follows a dysfunctional family's road from Albequerque, NM to Rodando Beach, CA, to get their youngest member, Olive, to the Little Miss Sunshine pageant.
Susan and Greg discuss the plot of this charming, quirky movie and its inspirations, cast, and other trivia about the film. We hope you all feel "super freaky" after you listen to it.
Greg and Susan take you on a spoiler-filled journey through "The Peanut Butter Falcon." The 2019 American comedy-drama film -- written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, in their feature film directorial debuts, and starring Shia LaBeouf, Zack Gottsagen, Dakota Johnson, John Hawkes, Bruce Dern, Jon Bernthal, and Thomas Haden Church -- pairs a run-a-way 22-year-old man named Zack with Downs Syndrome with a thief/fisherman named Tyler. While trying to escape to Florida to avoid arrest, Tyler latter reluctantly agrees to help Zack find a wrestling school run by "The Saltwater Redneck."
In this episode, the couple discusses the film's themes of family you choose for yourself and people's tendency to underestimate others. The two also talk about the film's inspirations (including Gottsagen himself), Shia Labouef's arrest and subsequent stint in rehab during the making the film, and Gottsagen's positive influence on Labeouf during recovery.
Resources referenced in this episode:
Shia LaBeouf says a costar with Down syndrome saved him after problems with alcohol resulted in his arrest, https://www.insider.com/shia-labeouf-zack-gottsagen-peanut-butter-falcon-arrest-2019-10
How 'Peanut Butter Falcon' Star Helped Changed Shia LaBeouf's Life,
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-a-peanut-butter-falcon-star-helped-changed-shia-labeoufs-life-1263308
Peanut Butter Falcon's Unlikely Road From Dream to Screen, https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/08/peanut-butter-falcon-shia-labeouf-movie
Join Greg, Susan, their friend, Barb, and her son, Jacob, for a baker's dozen of terror as they dig into "Attack of the Killer Donuts."
"Attack of the Killer Donuts" is a B movie that deserves a much lower grade - especially from the health department. Chris De Christopher, Rafael Diaz-Wagner write the film, and Nathan Dalton, the masters who brought you "Piranhaconda"and "Sharkansas Women's Prison Massacre," wrote the movie, which surprisingly features C. Thomas Howell in its cast.
This raucous discussion of this off the wall movie is sure to keep you entertained. We certainly had fun!
Wouldst thou like to spoil a movie deliciously? In this episode, Susan introduces Greg to Robert Eggers' feature film directorial debut, "The Witch."
The film stars Anya Taylor Joy, Ralph Ineson, and Kate Dicke as Puritan family members. Banished from their settlement over a theological disagreement, the family must try to survive the New England Wilderness while something supernatural appears to be setting its sights on the family.
While Susan points out the technical and artistic choices that make "The Witch" a beautifully haunting film, Greg feels that one of Egger's choices made the movie predictable.
The two also explore the different ways this film could be interpreted and share trivia about the movie.
Resources referenced in this episode:
How ‘The Witch’ Scored the Satanic Temple’s Endorsement - https://variety.com/2016/film/box-office/the-witch-satanic-temple-1201711408/
Robert Eggers on 'The Witch', Familial Trauma, and the Supernatural - https://youtu.be/LGNrHzCXpTM
Robert Eggers and Ralph Ineson On "The Witch" | AOL BUILD - https://youtu.be/xsYvZjFc4CM
In this episode, Greg has Susan watch "Grosse Pointe Blank," a dark comedy about a hitman who attends his 10-year high school reunion and attempts to reconnect with his former girlfriend, whom he stood up at prom. "Grosse Pointe Blank" stars John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Akroyd, Alan Arkin, Joan Cusack, Hank Azaria, and K. Todd Freeman.
Susan and Greg discuss the premise and how it came about and comment on the principal cast's performance. They also explore Cusak and Driver's characters and speculate on their potential mental states.
As always, the couple shares trivia about the film, have a few questions and share their top three favorite moments.
Source referenced in the episode: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/80482/13-close-facts-about-grosse-pointe-blank
Susan gifts Greg with a screening of the World's Worst Vegetable Film. No, it's not "Veggie Tales," it is 1978's "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes." The making is goofy, chaotic, B-movie on a tiny budget is just as chaotic as the film itself, and Susan and Greg dive into both stories in this episode.
Resources cited in this episode:
Dean, Sam, August 8, 2013. "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: An Oral History of the 1978 Film," Bon Appetit - https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/pop-culture/article/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes-an-oral-history-of-the-1978-film Mancini, Mark, July 5, 2016. '10 Saucy Facts about 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes,' Mental Floss - https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/82643/10-saucy-facts-about-attack-killer-tomatoes
In this episode, Greg and his special guest, James, introduce Susan to one of their favorite late 80s comedies, Keenan Ivory Wayans' "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka."
The blacksploitation parody stars Wayans with actors of the blacksploitation genre: Jim Brown, Bernie Casey, Antonio Fargas, and Isaac Hayes. Other actors in the film are Kadeem Hardison, Ja'net Dubois, John Witherspoon, Dawnn Lewis, Damon Wayans, Clarence Williams III, John Vernon, and Chris Rock.
While Greg and James reminisce about the many times they've watched this highly-quotable movie, Susan explains the movie's origins and how it almost did not see the light of day and surpassed the studio's expectations for it. Greg throws us off the conversation more than once when he learns Susan didn't like the movie "Twins," the film against which "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" opened. Susan also flags this movie as another Roger Ebert one-star review as the group reacts. As always we select, our top three moments from the film.
Resources referenced in the episode:
Keenen Ivory Wayans discusses "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG
Roger Ebert Review of "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" - December 14, 1998,
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/im-gonna-git-you-sucka-1988
There are a million things to do. You know that there are. One of them is watching Susan's suggested movie for Greg: 1971's "Harold and Maude." Directed by Harold Ashby, the coming of age dark comedy features an unlikely friendship turned romance between 20-year-old Harold (Budd Cort), who is obsessed with death, and 79-year-old Maude (Ruth Gordon), who embraces life. (Warning: this film deals with themes of suicide.)
The couple discusses Harold's outlandish staged suicides in contrast to Maude's free-wheeling (if not criminal) approach to life. Greg talks about his aversion to Cat Stevens, who is exclusively featured in the soundtrack. And how the film derives its humor from bizarre and uncomfortable situations and subverting expectations as well as the message at the heart of the movie. Trivia about the movie is also discussed.
Sources referenced in this episode:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/10/burt-cort-harold-and-maude-blessing-and-curse
Susan gets a tad bit NSFW as she and Greg "dive into" 1989's "The Abyss." The couple discusses James Cameron's convoluted Cold War-era plot while Susan tries to figure out just how to peg this movie. Is it a thriller? A drama? Sci-fi? Who can say? In addition to talking about the performances of the film's principal cast members: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn, Susan and Greg explore the stories behind the complicated and troubled production of "The Abyss." Sources referenced in this episode: Under Pressure: The Making of THE ABYSS - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZTSNQve0rk
Susan brings the nightmare fuel when she introduces Greg to 2018's "Hereditary": Ari Aster's first feature-length film. While Greg has issues with the pacing and the "reality-building" of this slow-burn horror, he and Susan agree that the performances of its principal cast - Toni Colette, Alex Wolff, Gabriel Byrne, and Milly Shapiro - are superb. Susan dives into the many ways that Hereditary can be interpreted. Both discuss the fantastic details of the production and Aster's unique way of preparing Wolff and Shapiro for their roles. For our "I Have Questions" section, Greg has so many he pushed Susan to the brink.
Sources referenced:
Everything Wrong with Hereditary in 13 Minutes or Less, Cinema Sins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8sMeoHWBcY
Alex Wolff & Milly Shapiro Talk About The Horror Film, "Hereditary," Build - https://youtu.be/aLH34eBnt_k
Hereditary Hot Take, Nyx Fears - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGLDKVUJbkw
Ari Ater on Hereditary - Toronto International Film Festival - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6TEhIA84xM Toni Colette Interviewed About New Movie "Hereditary" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3bpYrPrpTEHereditary
Don't deny John Rambo a meal. Just don't. In this episode, Greg has Susan Watch 1982's "First Blood." The two discuss the fine line this film skates between a serious 1970s style film about how we treat Vietnam veterans and an extreme 1980s action flick. Susan and Greg also discuss the performances of Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, Brian Dennehey as Sheriff Teasle, and Richard Crenna as Colonel Trautman along with trivia regarding the original casting choices, script direction and more. Sources referenced: First Blood: Understanding the Themes & Subtext of an Action Masterpiece (Analysis) - Story Drive: https://youtu.be/elbsS6VDNNc First Blood Actors Interview: https://youtu.be/ZePH9o8w3ss
Greg, Susan, and their friend, Barb, have a disjointed conversation about M. Night Shyamalan's 2016 film, "Split." The suspenseful tale about a Kevin Wendell Crumb - a man with disassociative identity disorder (DID) who has 23 distinct personalities and kidnaps three girls to sacrifice to an evolving 24th personality known as the beast, stars James McAvoy, Anna Taylor Joy, and Betty Buckley. They talk about McAvoy's mesmerizing performance, including the seven personalities into who he transforms throughout the film. They also discuss Buckley's character - Crumb's psychologist, whose intense devotion to her patient causes her to make the wrong moves. Anna Taylor Joy's riveting performance as Casey Cook is also explored. While Shyamalan's work can polarize audiences, the group does acknowledge the fantastic detail work he can put into films like "Split." The three also talk about Split's connection to the other films in the Eastliner 177 Trilogy: "Unbreakable" and "Glass" in between more than a few awkward pauses, dissing on some poor impressions, and general razzing on each other. Sources referenced in the episode: The Science of Split, https://youtu.be/NFuawQOyY0k
42 Things You Missed In Split (2016), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USMH5cOX52s
Miss this episode? You're a daisy if you do! This week, Greg introduces Susan to 1993's "Tombstone." The film is loosely based on events in Tombstone, Arizona, including the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the Earp Vendetta Ride, during the 1880s. "Tombstone" boasts a superstar cast of Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday, Sam Elliot as Virgil Earp, and Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp. It also features Dana Delany, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, Charlton Heston, Jason Priestley, and Thomas Haden Church and early appearances by Michael Rooker, Billy Bob Thorton, and John Corbitt. Susan and Greg discuss the film and what in the film matches the historical events that occurred in Tombstone and what was changed to make the movie more dramatic. The two also identify which characters they would have liked to see the film explore in more depth and highlight their favorite scenes.
In this episode, Susan has Greg watch "Young Adult," written by Diablo Cody and directed by Jason Reitman. The stars Charlize Theron as Mavis Gary - an alcoholic and emotionally-stunted divorcee. Mavis heads back to her hometown to win back her old high school flame (Patrick Wilson) after she receives an emailed birth announcement from his wife (Elizabeth Reaser). The movie contains a stellar performance by Patton Oswalt, who plays Mavis' former classmate, Matt Freehauf. Matt, who was brutally attacked during high school by a bunch of jocks and left permanently disabled, becomes the former prom queen's drinking buddy and semi-reluctant confidante and conscience while she's in town.
Greg and Susan disagree on whether or not the film should be considered a comedy. The two also explore the film's unlikeable main character and how the film masks itself as a Rom-Com but subverts expectations. Oswalt's performance is also discussed along with trivia about "Young Adult" and its box office performance.
Referenced sources:
https://industrialscripts.com/genius-character-reveals-young-adult/
https://industrialscripts.com/genius-character-reveals-young-adult/
https://youtu.be/1Nl6kZS2xsUYoung Adult
If you don't throw in your buck o' five for freedom, who will? That's the question Susan, Greg, and special guest James ask as they discuss Greg's pick, "Team America: World Police." This puppet and insanity fueled movie is equal parts satire, parody, and farce - brilliantly woven together by the makers of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
The Greg, Susan, and James talk about the movie's artistry and layered humor that lies underneath Stone and Parker's trademark crude humour on the surface. They also discuss the strain the film put on Stone and Parker, and the duo's battles with censors over its rating.
Resources referenced in the episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_America:_World_Police
South Park vs. Mainstream Media: LGBT Representation
https://youtu.be/J1ix93_HR4c
Greg and Susan tackle their first documentary when she picks "Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary." The 2019 documentary explores how "Galaxy Quest" explores how science-fiction comedy -- a love letter to sci-fi movie and television and their fandom -- became an enduring fan favorite. Susan and Greg discuss the documentary and the movie and share bits of trivia: from the documentary and other sources. They also discuss some of the stories and insights shared by the cast, including Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Justin Long, Sam Rockwell, Tony Shalhoub, Missi Pyle, Rainn Wilson, and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, along with director Dean Parisot, writer Robert Gordon. Never Surrender;
In this episode, Greg selects 1998's "Dirty Work" starring Norm MacDonald, Arte Lange, Jack Warden, Traylor Howard, and Christopher McDonald. It features Chris Farley and Chevy Chase and has cameo appearances by Don Rickles, Rebecca Romjin, John Goodman, Adam Sandler, and Gary Coleman.
The story about two down on their luck friends, Mitch and Sam, who start a revenge-for-hire business to raise funds to get Sam's father, "Pops," to the top of a heart transplant work is the only feature-length film directed by Bob Saget. Greg and Susan discuss how the film, initially intended by MacDonald and his team of writers to have an R-rating, was changed by the studio to have a PG-13 rating. The couple agrees that the studio interference led to a much weaker film. The two disagree on the level of comedy in this film and discuss what they liked and didn't about the film.
The two also discuss trivia about the film, the actors, and other related topics as well as share their top three favorite scenes.
Resources referenced in the episode:
Norm MacDonald talks to David Letterman about Being Fired from SNL Weekend Update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzD1yVupxcc
Another week of "Safe at Home," and Susan and Greg record another double feature episode. This week Susan choose two zombie flicks, "Little Monsters" - starring Lupita Nyong'o, Alexander England, and Josh Gad - and "The Girl with All the Gifts" - starring Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine, Glenn Close, and Sennia Nanua.
The two films have completely different tones, but share similar elements: children, zombies, and soldiers.
While Greg and Susan have some disagreements about the apocalyptic "The Girl with All the Gifts," they agree entirely on the horror-comedy, "Little Monsters."
Join them for a fun, spoiler-filled discussion about two interesting takes on the zombie genre.
When the podcast started, Susan knew the day would come when she would have to watch "The Expendables." Little did she know that "The Expendables 2" would also come with the deal. In the end, Susan had a lot more fun talking about these films than watching them (after she located an estrogen patch)!
The first film co-stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Terry Crews with cameos by Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. It features Steve Austin, Eric Roberts, and Mickey Rourke.
The second keeps its principal cast and features Willis, Schwarzenegger, Jean Claud Van Damme, Liam Hemsworth, and Chuck Norris.
Susan and Greg discuss these films as a love letter to the 80s action genre with testosterone-fueled, over the top action sequences. Susan does her best to explain why the first film lacked aspects with which she could not identify and pointed out story beats that she could have done without that would not have impacted the story at all. The two also compare the first film to the second and discuss what made the latter a better ride. They also try to brainstorm a list of actors who have not yet been in the franchise but should be.
As always, Greg and Susan share trivia from the movie and share their top three moments from each.
Resources referenced:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expendables_(2010_film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expendables_2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amFwg_BOM5I
In this episode, Susan introduces Greg to "Rebecca," the 1940's romantic thriller based on the novel by Daphne de Maunier. The film is significant is it is the first film produced by David O'Selznick after "Gone with the Wind" and is the first American film directed by Alfred Hitchock and is his only Best Picture win.
Starring Joan Fontaine, Lawrence Olivier, Judith Anderson, and George Sanders, the film tells the story of a naive young bride living in the shadow of her husband's late wife. Greg and Susan discuss the plot points, the performances of Foutaine and Olivier, and the long list of actresses who were under consideration for the leading role. The two also trade bits of trivia about the conflict between Selznick and Hitchcock, the tension between Olivier and Fontaine, and a long list of movie tricks and unique bits of direction that gave the movie its eerie atmosphere.
As always, Susan and Greg share their top three favorite moments and volley back and forth over a few queries for "I Have Questions."
Sources referenced:
http://www.classicmoviehub.com/facts-and-trivia/film/rebecca-1940/
https://www.movie-locations.com/movies/r/Rebecca.php
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenlopez/2018/11/19/is-it-crazy-to-remake-rebecca-not-necessarily/#46af60f53a17
Beware the Duck of Death! In this episode, Greg and Susan discuss "Unforgiven," the 1992 American revisionist Western film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood and written by David Webb Peoples. The film stars Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, Richard Harris, and Frances Fischer.
The couple discusses the various ways in which the film subverts the tropes of classic Westerns that formed the foundation of Eastwood's career. Themes of violence, transformation, the past, and legend versus reality are reviewed. Susan and Greg also explore the complexity of different characters of the film - including Hackman's Little Bob, Eastwood's Will Mooney, and Harris' English Bob - and discuss the ways certain characters counterbalance others in the movie.
Sources referenced:
http://www.artsrn.ualberta.ca/william_beard/Unforgiven.htm https://nofilmschool.com/2017/09/unforgiven-deconstructing-western https://deepfocusreview.com/definitives/unforgiven/
The students of Westerberg High would kill to get into the popular clique known as The Heathers; Veronica Sawyer would kill to get out.
To wind down the episode streak of cult films, Susan introduces Greg to "Heathers," the 1989 cult classic starring Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, and Shannen Doherty. Greg is having a hard time relating to this "Mean Girls" predecessor and Susan attempts to talk him through.
The two discuss the screenwriter's (Daniel Waters)and director's (Michael Lehmann) opinions about this dark comedy/satire and how "Heathers" was a takedown of other teen films of the 80s.
The two discuss the key story beats, characters, and the darker elements of the film. Susan points out the color symbolism and the minute details of the film that seem to be inspired by the work of Stanley Kubrick.
The episode winds down with a discussion on how the film bombed at the box office but found new life as a cult classic inspiring both "Heathers: The Musical" and a TV show along with "I Have Questions" and Greg and Susan's top 3 moments.
Sources referenced:
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/heathers-30-years-on-how-the-dark-teen-comedy-predicted-everything-1.3583180
https://filmschoolrejects.com/21-things-we-learned-from-the-heathers-commentary-439a871c1f8c/
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/aug/04/michael-lehmann-on-the-legacy-of-heathers-cult-teen-film
http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180803-is-heathers-too-shocking-for-2018
Susan and Greg are joined by their friend Sara to discuss Sara's choice: The Velocipastor (A Man of the Claw). This 2018 film is a soon-to-be cult movie classic that tells the story of a Pastor who is cursed with the power to turn into a dinosaur when angered. The group discusses each of the movie's deliberately absurd moments one by one. The laugh-filled review provides commentary on Velocipastor's dialogue, special effects, storyline, and more. They also brainstorm sequel concepts.
Promo: OneMoviePunch
Please check out Sara's company, Potion Bath, at www.potionbathco.com.
Greg and Susan are joined by special guests Joe and Amy, from the One Movie Punch Podcast to discuss the 2017 Japanese cult hit "One Cut of the Dead." This spoiler-filled conversation covers the film's major twist and the creative way in which the story unfolds. The group also discusses the importance of supporting independent and foreign films to encourage innovative ways of storytelling and expand a person's worldview. You can watch the movie on Shudder, and rent or buy on Amazon prime (Spoiler..... we highly encourage you to watch this... you will not be disappointed.)
In this episode, Greg and Susan have some vampy fun talking about 2014's "What We Do in the Shadows" by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. Susan is all in on Greg's pick as it ticks off all the boxes for her: it's a mockumentary, it has quirky and dark humor, and it features New Zealanders and vampires. After Susan attempts to use vampiric hypnosis on the audience, the two discuss the movie's humor and talented cast, which features Clement, Waititi, Johnathan Brugh, Ben Frensham, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, Jacki van Beek, and Rhys Darby.
The two share trivia about the film's origins and influences as well as point out the finer details that make up the film's aesthetic.
Sources referenced in this episode:
How Taika Waititi, Paul Simms Found the Comedy-Gore Balance in ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/what-we-do-in-the-shadows-podcast-taika-waititi-paul-simms-1203168466/
What We Do in the Shadow: Some Interviews with Some Vampires https://youtu.be/AB4ERbk0EVY
A Vampires Guide to Wellington: https://youtu.be/WGvyjKLLnp4
Behind the Lid: The Wellington Sign: https://youtu.be/YKRdjHWkXeI
Taika Waititi Explains Why He Bailed On Writing ‘Moana’ https://theplaylist.net/taika-waititi-writing-moana-20171106/
2014's Gone Girl, directed by David Fincher and adapted for the screen by author Gillan Flynn, raises a lot of questions. Is it a mystery? A thriller? An absurdist satire? Susan and Greg cannot agree. And that's marriage.
Despite his initial concerns when Susan picked this film, Greg found himself enjoying the movie until the third act. Greg has a laundry list of what he feels are massive plot holes. Susan digs into the psychology and complexity of the film's villain, Amy Dunne - played masterfully by Rosamund Pike. Both discuss how excellently the film was cast and discuss performances by Ben Affleck, Tyler Perry, Neil Patrick Harris, and Carrie Coon. As always, they discuss trivia about the film, box office, and their favorite moments.
Promo: Kolby Told Me Podcast
Resources referenced:
https://www.creativeplanetnetwork.com/news/news-features/david-fincher-creating-satire-gone-girl-606914
https://www.filmcomment.com/blog/interview-david-fincher/ https://www.vulture.com/2014/10/gone-girls-gillian-flynn-on-cool-girls.html
Why Gone Girl's Amy Dunne is the Most Disturbing Female Villain of All Time | Psych of a Psycho
https://youtu.be/CdxInrVPUzg
Have you ever remembered a film fondly, and then came the day you rewatched and thought, "This is not that great." That's what we have this week with Greg's pick, The Super. No, not the Val Kilmer thriller. The 1991 comedy starring Joe Pesci, Vincent Gardenia, and Ruben Blades. Greg and Susan discuss how this film fell short in many different ways and some areas where it went right. After learning that director, Rod Daniel, turned in a two and half hour cut, Susan and Greg speculate about what might have been cut that could improve on the story and its emotional beats.
Roger Ebert's review: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-super-1991
LA Times review: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-04-ca-3233-story.html
This week, Susan has selected the 1996 cult comedy classic from the Kids in the Hall (KITH), Brain Candy. Greg and Susan discuss the targets of satire in the film: the pharmaceutical industry, corporate greed, grunge, and fame. They also talk about how the success of the film fell victim to individual struggles of KITH members, disagreements about the story between the troupe's members and Dave Foley, and pressures from the studio.
The couple also discusses trivia about the film and some history of the members and more memorable KITH characters.
Articles and videos referenced in the episode:
Kevin MacDonald Interview with Build Series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V5pLX12zUw
Kids in the Hall: Laughing Ourselves Sick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNzOclTKgvo
PopMatters.com - Time only makes the cult grow stronger: Kids in the Hall Brain Candy https://www.popmatters.com/time-only-makes-the-cult-grow-stronger-kids-in-the-halls-brain-candy-2495444355.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1
Siskel and Ebert Review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dheOm5JgwzM
Brain Candy Turns 20: A Conversation with The Kids in the Hall’s Scott Thompson
https://consequenceofsound.net/2016/04/brain-candy-turns-20-a-conversation-with-the-kids-in-the-halls-scott-thompson/
Listen up, turds. In this episode, Susan and Greg disucss Greg's pick of 1995's Major Payne (starring Damon Wayans and Karyn Parsons). Some of the humor was a bit lost on Susan and the two discuss how Wayans' choices for the former Marine killing machine now fish out of water may have made it difficult for a civilian like Susan to relate. She had a LOT of questions. Greg had answers often explained through his own experiences from Marine boot camp. The two also discussed the debut roles for the child to teen cast of JRTOC cadets ( Orlando Brown, Steven Martini, and Chris Owen), including some "Where are they now?" trivia.
Greg and Susan try not to be a disgrace to the toy department as they discuss 1939's Bachelor Mother starring Ginger Rogers and David Niven and featuring Charles Coburn and Frank Alberston. The romantic comedy set between Christmas and New Years in NYC tells the story of a soon-to-be unemployed shopgirl who gets mistaken for the mother of a baby left at foundling home. Greg and Susan discuss the pairing of Rogers and Niven and speculate how the movie might have been much different if the original pick for the leading man was in the film. They discuss the best scenes featuring each central cast member. They also talk about the constraints of the plot due to the Hayes code.
Sources referenced:
https://www.popmatters.com/134616-bachelor-mother-2496101102.html
The Adventures of Ford Fairlane
It's Booty Time, Booty Time, Across the USA! In this episode, Greg has Susan watch "The Adventures of Ford Fairlane," starring Andrew "Dice" Clay, Lauren Holly, Wayne Newton, Priscilla Presley, and features Gilbert Godfrey, Robert Englund, and Morris Day.
While this is one of Greg's favorites, Susan struggles to accept its tone and world-building. The two discuss the highs and lows of this early 90s Renny Harlin (mis)adventure and also discuss Clay's career, including the blurry line that separates "the Diceman" from the real man and other comedic influences on his performance and his standup routine.
Articles referenced in the episode:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/26/style/andrew-dice-clay-star-is-born.html
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-adventures-of-ford-fairlane-1990
Come on, yeah, ha! Susan introduces Greg to the beautiful dumpster fire that is 2001’s “Saving Silverman,” starring Steve Zahn, Jason Biggs, Jack Black, and Amanda Peet. The two discuss the crazy antics, ridiculous dialog, and discuss the parts of the film that did not age well. Greg shares the lost art that is “The Ballad of Saving Silverman” as part of our Neil Diamond discussion and trivia. As always, both Susan and Greg have questions. So many damn questions. Plus, the two pick their top three funniest moments of the film.
Find "Saving Silverman" on Amazon Prime.
Listen to the Ballad of Saving Silverman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsAhCdani7o
Articles/Interviews referenced:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/steve-zahn-and-jack-black-taught-neil-diamond-his-own-lyrics-while-making-%E2%80%98saving-silverman%E2%80%99/vp-BBSBJiy
https://www.stereogum.com/2023701/neil-diamond-saving-silverman-jason-biggs-theme-song/music/
https://people
Get the PBR and pickled eggs! Susan and Greg brace for a doozy of discussion about “Tucker and Dale Versus Evil,” starring Alan Tudyk, Tyler Labine, Katrina Bowden, and Jesse Moss and directed by Eli Craig. Greg picked this one, especially for Susan, who is not the biggest fan of redneck comedy. Susan tells Greg what she thinks, and two compare this comedy horror to others in the genre. As usual, they also talk trivia about the film and cast and how it fared at the box office and the film festival circuit. They try to keep it together as they run down the insanity of their favorite scenes while their cat keeps walking through their “studio.”
Please check out this video from Good Bad Flicks which provides a great deal of trivia about the film:
Good Bad Flicks. 2015, October 16. Exploring Tucker & Dale vs Evil. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/j3Lj0-GrRSQ
Greg and Susan are holding on to the Halloween spirit as she makes him watch Rosemary's Baby, the 1968 American psychological horror film written and directed by Roman Polanski, starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, and Sidney Blackmer. They talk about themes in the movie and the various ways that the film's antagonists - Roman and Minnie Castevet and Guy Woodhouse - exert control over the protagonist, Rosemary. The two trade multiple bits of trivia about the movie and the cast and pick their top three creepiest moments from the film.
In this episode, Greg has Susan watch the Warner Brothers’ 2016 film, “Suicide Squad: The Extended Cut.” written and directed by David Ayer. While Greg finds this movie fun, Susan finds it frustrating and the two debate about how this could have been a much better movie. The two disucss how DC’s attempts on catching up to the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been the downfall of the franchise as a whole. Susan does point out the one area where DC excelled and where Marvel struggled. The topic of Jared Leto’s portrayal of the Joker is also addressed. Was it as bad as everyone says it is? Did Leto get a fair shake? Performances by Viola Davis as Amanda Waller and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn are pointed out as the film’s two bright spots. As always, we have questions and some of them get answered!
Sources referenced:
Betancourt, Davidt (August 4, 2016), Margot Robbie on becoming Harley Quinn and ‘the most unpleasant thing I’ve ever done’. The Washington Post Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/08/04/margot-robbie-on-becoming-harley-quinn-and-the-most-unpleasant-thing-ive-ever-done/
Doty, Meriah (August 15, 2016), 5 Reasons Why ‘Suicide Squad’ Slayed at the Box Office. The Wrap. Retrieved from: https://www.thewrap.com/5-reasons-why-suicide-squad-slayed-at-the-box-office/
D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 8, 2016), Suicide Squad’ $133.6M Opening Breaks August Record To Push Warner Bros. Past $1B Domestic – Monday Final. Deadline. Retrieved from: https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-weekend-box-office-opening-will-smith-margot-robbie-1201799046/
Susan thinks Greg should watch 1976's "Network" -- an American satirical film written by Paddy Chayefsky, directed by Sidney Lumet, and starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, and Robert Duvall. The film also features Wesley Addy, Ned Beatty, and Beatrice Straight.
They talk about the film's central relationship - that between Holden's Max Schumacher and Dunaway's Diana Christensen. They point out how the movie's only sex scene seems to have inspired a similar scene in another film. Greg and Susan also focus the smaller roles which were the most memorable: including Beatty's pivotal performance as a corporate heavy and Marlene Warfield and Arthur Burghardt's scene-stealing turns as radical activists. Greg wonders if the Oscar wins by Finch, Dunaway, and Straight were deserving when compared to other nominees in the same year. The two make their picks for the three funniest scenes in the film.
Susan and Greg also discuss the elements of Todd Phillip's "Joker" that appear to be inspired by "Network."