Don’t Push Pause

Episode 120 : Fast Times At Ridgemont High

Prior to 1982’s FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, few films were brazen enough to depict an honest slice of teenage high school life. But that all changed with the keenly observant & smart pairing of writer Cameron Crowe & director Amy Heckerling. Not only did it usher in a brave new baseline for teen stories, but it also launched countless budding careers. Let’s head back to school & rediscover the film that was edgy for its time… and now feels more progressive 40 years later!

///***Discussions include***\\\
Brief recap of Cameron Crowe’s early career & what led to his novel, Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story, becoming a film; finding director Amy Heckerling, her relationship with Crowe & importance of a female voice; intense studio concerns, adapting the book, changes, creating a narrative flow, emotional complexity & tonality; soundtrack, the film’s ending, memorable moments, in-depth character & cast discussion; struggle with the MPAA, editing, test screening, release/reception, plus the top movies of 1982.

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates & Sean Penn star in FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982) /// Directed by Amy Heckerling.

///***Picks of the Week***\\\
    •    Lindsay’s Pick: THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY (2001). Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming, Phoebe Cates, Kevin Kline, Jennifer Beals /// Directed by Jennifer Jason Leigh & Alan Cumming.
    •    Justin’s Pick: RUSH (1991). Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Patric, Sam Elliott, Max Perlich /// Directed by Lili Fini Zanuck.
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///***MurrayMoment***\\\
Cameron Crowe’s seemingly impossible feat of landing Bill for his 2015 film, ALOHA.

///***Final Thoughts on FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH***\\\

Coming in October:  CREEPSHOW (1982)

    •    Please rate, review & subscribe.
    •    Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube.
    •    Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders.
www.dontpushpausepodcast.com
dontpushpausepodcast@gmail.com

Be Kind & Rewatch // September 17, 2024 

 

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Episode 119 : Arachnophobia

If ARACHNOPHOBIA doesn’t leave you feeling itchy, nothing much will! Preying on paranoia & psychological terror, this 1990 “thrillomedy” teetered between being a family-friendly horror/comedy or box office poison. Shake out the bedsheets because this episode is billowing over with spiders coming to take over your town!

///***Discussions include***\\\
Where director Frank Marshall was coming from, useful production connections, plus studio intentions & hesitations; inspirations, story origin, script revision, uniqueness among spider movies & the comedy/thriller vision; working with & finding the perfect real-life spiders, plus animatronics; filming locations & cast discussion; music, marketing, reaction to the film, memorable scenes & lotsa personal spider stories.

Jeff Daniels, John Goodman, Harley Jane Kozak & Julian Sands star in ARACHNOPHOBIA (1990) /// Directed by Frank Marshall.

///***Picks of the Week***\\\
• Lindsay’s Pick: TICKS (1993). Seth Green, Alfonso Ribeiro, Peter Scolari, Clint Howard  /// Directed by Tony Randel.
• Justin’s Pick: MIMIC (1997). Mira Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Charles S. Dutton, Josh Brolin /// Directed by Guillermo del Toro.
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///***MurrayMoment***\\\
Billy & John Goodman go riding bikes together.

///***Final Thoughts on ARACHNOPHOBIA***\\\

Coming in September:  FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982)

• Please rate, review & subscribe.
• Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube.
• Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders.
www.dontpushpausepodcast.com
dontpushpausepodcast@gmail.com

Be Kind & Rewatch // August 13,  2024

 

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Episode 118 : Major League

A movie that rallies behind underdogs has timeless appeal. The genuine camaraderie in MAJOR LEAGUE infuses audiences with the baseball spirit like no other sports comedy. Rooting for these Clevelanders is a no-brainer, so join us on this redemption story filled with heartfelt nuances & plenty of laughs.

///***Discussions include***\\\
Writer/Director David S. Ward’s inspiration & career background; grounding the story in reality, authenticity & fandom; lengthy development process, chance meetings & studio doubts; gaining permission from the MLB, main shooting locations, filming tricks; requirements for casting, baseball boot camp & main character breakdowns; music,  reception, sequels & favorite moments.

Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Wesley Snipes & Rene Russo star in MAJOR LEAGUE (1989) /// Directed by David S. Ward.

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///***Picks of the Week***\\\
• Lindsay’s Pick: EIGHT MEN OUT (1988). John Cusack, David Strathairn, D.B. Sweeney, John Mahoney /// Directed by John Sayles.
• Justin’s Pick: 61* (2001). Thomas Jane, Barry Pepper, Anthony Michael Hall /// Directed by Billy Crystal.
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///***MurrayMoment***\\\
Find out what Bill was up to during the days surrounding the Cubs vs. Indians 2016 World Series.

///***Final Thoughts on MAJOR LEAGUE***\\\

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Coming in August:  ARACHNOPHOBIA (1990)

— Please rate, review & subscribe.
— Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube.
— Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders.

www.dontpushpausepodcast.com 

dontpushpausepodcast@gmail
.com

Be Kind & Rewatch // July 9, 2024.