Dragonslayer

Chris Chipman joins us again as we journey to a long lost age of monsters and movie magic and do battle with 1981's Dragonslayer. Listen as we marvel over the film's incredible animatronic and go-motion effects, examine how the film's portrayal of religion and authority reflects post-Vietnam cynicism, and discuss the movie's place among other 1980s fantasy films. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a crazy, murdering nutbar.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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Do you have a favorite 1980s fantasy movie? What creature do you think takes the title as cinema's all-time greatest dragon? Do you know how to transmute lead into gold? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Blue Thunder

We're back and we're bringing the Thunder as we welcome Gabe Ciociola to the show on an orientation flight and we use our sophisticated surveillance technology to record a conversation on the 1983 technothriller Blue Thunder. Listen as we discuss the film's themes of police militarization and misuse of technology, gush over the movie's amazing aerial stunts and action scenes, and chart how the original spec screenplay was dramatically changed for the finished film. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a Christmas present controversy.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

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Do you think Whisper Mode could really let a helicopter sneak up on people? Did this movie instill an obsession with helicopters in you? Is Malcolm McDowell a dedicated actor or what? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (Commentary)

It's been 40 years since the release of Steven Spielberg's heartwarming (and heart-glowing) blockbuster E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and we're celebrating with a full commentary track for the movie. Listen as we wax nostalgic about Star Wars toys and Atari games, note the film's parallels with other Spielberg productions such as Close Encounters and Poltergeist, and ponder why there are so many Raggedy Ann dolls in the Taylor household. Listen for our countdown to start your copy of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and some inarticulate crying.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

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Want to share your memories of E.T.-mania circa 1982? Is there a better film product placement than this movie's use of Reese' Pieces? Do you think the Atari 2600 E.T. game is the worst video game ever made? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Scrooged

 

We're revisiting Charles Dickens' immortal classic as warped through the comic sensibilities of Bill Murray as we watch Richard Donner's 1988 Christmas hit Scrooged. Listen as we discuss Murray's manic take on the miserly main character, consider the implications of updating A Christmas Carol to the Reagan years, and swoon over Carol Kane's adorably violent performance as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and chronologically-disordered viewings of Iron Man 2.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

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Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

How would you secure antlers onto a dormouse? Want to regale us with fond childhood memories that are actually bits of old television shows? Know where we can get our own copy of Picasso's Woman with an Artichoke? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Labyrinth

In our latest episode, Ellie joins us again as we get lost in the twists and turns of a childhood favorite while discussing Jim Henson's fantasy fable Labyrinth. We'll compare the movie to Henson's previous fantasy epic The Dark Crystal, examine the film as a metaphor for the transition to womanhood, and ponder what a Bog of Eternal Stench would smell like. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a discussion of the cinematic impact of David Bowie's package.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

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Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Are you skilled at juggling crystal orbs? Have a favorite David Bowie song you'd like to extol? Know a quick shortcut through the labyrinth? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Time Bandits

This episode we're taking a wild, cross-century trip to meet the legends of time as we go on a heist with Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits from 1981. Along the way we'll explore Gilliam's themes of imagination and materialism, praise the underappreciated comedic abilities of David Warner, and identify with the problems of married ogres. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and THE PROBLEM!!! We must have fruit!!

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. 

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Which notable person from history would you choose to rob from? Do you have a plan for redistributing wealth without punching people in the face? Why do we have to have Evil anyway? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Santa Claus: The Movie

What to our wandering eyes should appear? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a weird attempt at a Christmas franchise? We're trying to stay off the naughty list as we watch the 1985 yuletide family film Santa Claus: The Movie! Listen as we discuss how the film serves as a superhero origin story for Kris Kringle, explore the film's confused portrait of Christmas commercialism and capitalism, and decry the fat-shaming of Santa. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and bad Bane impersonations.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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What do you want from Santa this year? Have any horror stories of dangerous toys you got for Christmas? Know where we can score some magic reindeer cocaine? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 103: The Running Man

We're gunning for the big cash and prizes as we try to keep pace with Arnold Schwarzenegger by watching another of his 1980s sci-fi flicks, The Running Man. Listen as we examine how the film was transformed from Stephen King's grim novella into a Schwarzenegger action vehicle, uncover the stinging satire hidden beneath the movie's colorful blockbuster surface, and contemplate how the film makes its viewers complicit in the dystopian system it depicts. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a chance to win the home version of America's favorite game show.

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Do you have a favorite game show? How fast can you run from opera-singing, lightning-wielding weirdos? Can you tell us what ICS stands for? Leave a message and keep the conversation going.

Episode 101: Clue

We're rolling the dice on one of the first motion pictures based on a board game, a film that would transcend its reputation as a box office bomb to become a cult classic: Clue from 1985. Listen as we discuss the pros and cons of the film's multiple ending gimmick, investigate the story's backdrop of red scare paranoia and 1950s American hypocrisy, and marvel over the cast's amazing comedic chops. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and several red herrings, all of them communist.

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Which of the film's endings do you prefer? Does one plus one plus two plus one equal six? Would you pay to see a horror movie adaptation of Candyland? Leave a message and keep the conversation going.

Episode 100: The Shining (Commentary)

We've reached episode 100 and what better way to celebrate than to offer our views on one of the most debated motion pictures of all time? We're getting lost in the hedge maze of Stanley Kubrick's iconic horror film The Shining, and to up the ante, we're making this our first audio commentary. Watch the movie with us as we identify differences between Stephen King's novel and Kubrick's adaptation, ponder the film's apparent discrepancies and continuity errors, and debate the morality of Kubrick's directing methodology. Cue up your copy of the movie and listen for our countdown to start. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers (obviously), and all work and no play.

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Would you like to hear us do more film commentaries? Do you have your own theories on the nature of the Overlook Hotel? Have a premonition about what our next episode will be? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 98: Midnight Run

We all may be stuck at home at the moment but for this episode we're taking a cinematic road trip as we watch Midnight Run from 1988. We discuss the film's mix of crime and comedy, the conflicted morality of De Niro's bounty hunter character, and our different reactions to Danny Elfman's bluesy score. Meanwhile Corinne shares her legal expertise (courtesy of Law and Order) and Tim notes which members of the cast have been squashed by King Kong. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and celebratory donuts.



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Do you have any cross-country travel adventures you'd like to share? If you were our accountant, what kind of business venture would you strongly advise us against? What do you think Jack would have named his coffee shop? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 95: A Christmas Story

Polly returns to the podcast to discuss another yuletide classic as we watch that holiday favorite, A Christmas Story. Listen as we praise author Jean Shepherd's skill at capturing childhood nostalgia, reminisce about favorite presents from childhood, and discuss our misadventures sticking our tongues on things. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a major award.



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Do you have a cherished Christmas present? Were you disillusioned by breakfast cereal promotions as a child? Do you think 24 hours of one movie is excessive? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 93: The Terminator

The debates around James Cameron's debut film had waged for decades, but the ultimate discussion would not be conducted in the future. It would be held here, in this episode... tonight. Kyle returns to the show as we take aim at the original 1984 classic, The Terminator. Listen as we ponder the circular logic of time travel paradoxes, consider how modern abuses of artificial intelligence may lead to humanity's eventual downfall, and speculate about what to expect from Terminator: Dark Fate (we recorded this episode back in August before the film opened). Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and robots in meat suits.



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Can you follow the labyrinthine logic required to navigate the complexities of time travel? Do you have your own classification system regarding what separates a robot from a cyborg? Do you think Kyle Reese is a creepy time-travelling fanboy? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 88: The Last Starfighter

Bust out the quarters because we're aiming to break some high scores with our discussion of The Last Starfighter from the summer of 1984. Listen as we reminisce about our video game-infused childhoods, point out the unmistakable influence of Star Wars on this arcade-era space opera, and comment on the film's groundbreaking computer effects. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and heteronormative space aliens.



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Want to brag about your video game prowess? Have inside knowledge on the etymology of the word "crapola"? Do you know of a more practical use for a battle sceptre? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 81: Gremlins

It's the holidays again and we're joined by Shana to talk about one of the most iconic films of the 1980s, Joe Dante's yuletide creature feature Gremlins. Listen in as we discuss the film's controversial mix of humor and horror, speculate on the origins of the mogwai, and comment on criticism regarding the movie's racial politics. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and three rules you'll have to follow.



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What's the most traumatic Christmas present you've ever received? Do you think Gizmo is a space alien? Know a good trick to getting green blood stains off linoleum? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 73: The Little Mermaid

Chris and Sarah join us again to explore the watery depths of the Disney animated classic The Little Mermaid. We discuss the film's mixed messages regarding women's autonomy and body image, speculate on the Lovecraftian origins of merfolk, and discuss the movie's role in bringing about Disney's second golden age of animated films. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and some disturbingly phallic castle architecture.

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Have you ever seen a mermaid? Spot any other Disney cameos you'd like to point out? Have a great recipe for cooking les poisson? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 68: Nineteen Eighty-Four

From the age of Big Brother, from the age of podcasting... greetings. Bob 'Moviebob' Chipman joins us again as we engage in thoughtcrimes galore while discussing the film adaptation of 1984, directed that same year by Michael Radford. Grab yourself some Victory Gin and listen in as we explore the changing political contexts of Orwell's novel, comment on Radford's visual style for the movie, and note the controversy over the film's music score. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers and John Hurt / William Hurt confusion.



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Do you know anyone you think you should inform on to the thoughtpolice? What would be in Room 101 for you? Know where we can score some contraband coffee? Leave a comment below and keep the conversation going.

Episode 57: Blade Runner

We're taking the ultimate cinematic empathy test as we watch the 1982 science fiction noir Blade Runner. Listen in as we discuss the sociological implications of using replicants as slave labor, identify changes in the various releases of the movie, and reflect on what an asshole Rick Deckard is. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and bored voice-overs. Also please be advised that we do discuss a scene of sexual assault that occurs in the film.



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Do you think Deckard is a replicant? Would you like to describe only the good things that come to your mind about your mother? Why aren't you helping that tortoise? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 52: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Chris and Sarah join us as we try to solve that classic cinematic mystery, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Digging beneath the gags and guffaws of this groundbreaking mix of animation and live-action, we investigate its clever use of film noir conventions, uncover the movie's racial subtext, and count the passive-aggressive attacks on former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and eye daggers.



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Is there a vital clue we overlooked? Want to confess any lustful thoughts about playing pattycake with toon characters? Need to contribute your two bits to our shave and a haircut? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 51: Predator

In our latest episode, Corinne and Tim get dropped into a meat grinder but still manage to bring back a trophy or two as they watch the iconic action/monster movie Predator from 1987. Tim laughs at Arnold Schwarzenegger's cursing, Corinne re-imagines the movie with Jesse Ventura cast as the hero, and both discover the answer to the age-old question: How many future governors does it take to kill an alien? Warning: Contains language, spoilers, and a broke dick dog.

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What personal totem do you carry into battle? What is up with Schwarzenegger's beard? Does anyone out there love poor Poncho? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.