Don’t Push Pause

Episode 58 : Pretty Woman

PRETTY WOMAN was the movie blockbuster which not only helped define romantic comedies, but also changed the landscape of the genre. Since the film’s release 30 years ago, fashion and culture may have changed, but this good-hearted tale still leaves us feeling like fairytale fantasies can exist.

▶️Synopsis: A wealthy businessman hires a sex worker to escort him to multiple social functions while facilitating a business deal. Over time, the two discover they have more in common that previously realized, resulting in something neither was looking for — love.

⏩⏩Discussions include: A brief history of the romantic comedy genre; the drastic overhaul of PRETTY WOMAN’s initial script, including character tweaking, setups and plot devices; director Garry Marshall’s influence on the film; intentionality of character dynamics and intimacy within the film; importance of casting and chemistry between actors; reaction to the film upon its release, as well as comtemporarily; the impressive soundtrack and behind-the-scenes factoids about filming.

**Starring Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo, Laura San Giacomo, Jason Alexander. Directed by Garry Marshall.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, CONSPIRACY THEORY (1997): When a highly intelligent, conspiracy theorist cabbie chooses to let a government official into his world, his seemingly paranoid ideas begin ringing dangerously true.

**Starring Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart, Cylk Cozart. Directed by Richard Donner.**

—Justin’s Pick, STEPMOM (1998): A terminally-ill woman’s journey in dealing with her ex-husband’s new partner becoming a secondary mother to her children and an all-round fixture in their lives.

**Starring Susan Sarandon, Julia Roberts, Jena Malone, Ed Harris. Directed by Chris Columbus.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Billy surprises a stranger’s bachelor party with some concise marriage advice.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: A funny continuity issue in PRETTY WOMAN, the legendary jewelry box-snap scene, Gere’s piano skills in the film, along with he and Marshall’s jam session at the film’s wrap party.

 

▶️ Next Up: BOYZ N THE HOOD (1991)! 

Episode 57 : That Thing You Do!

By writing, directing and co-starring in THAT THING YOU DO!, Tom Hanks committed himself to create a solid film about a band’s rise and fall in the music industry. Offering up a sincerely charming, what-if story, Hanks combined one heck of a formidable cast with a driving, inspirational story and an unforgettable soundtrack. No matter what decade in which the film is set, it continues to still strike a chord with audiences over 25 years later.

 

▶️Synopsis: Set in the 1960s, The Wonders are a small-town band who unexpectedly hit it big after a new drummer joins the group. Faced with an exciting journey ahead, the band doesn’t look back, but find strong personalities and sustainable success are a difficult combo.
⏩⏩Discussions include: Hanks’ inspiration for the film, approach to storytelling, personal connection, placement in his career and being an actor’s director; the original music behind the movie; character breakdowns with an impressive, chemistry-driven ensemble cast; the formation of The Wonders and realistic depictions of being in a band; importance of the supporting cast; and the extended cut vs. the theatrical release of the film.

**Starring Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Johnathon Schaech, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry, Tom Hanks. Directed by Tom Hanks.**

 

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, THE MONEY PIT (1986): After a young couple buys a suspiciously affordable, fixer-upper mansion, they discover the problems go deeper than ever imagined.

**Starring Tom Hanks, Shelley Long, Alexander Godunov. Directed by Richard Benjamin.**

—Justin’s Pick, SUBURBIA (1996): Wasting most of their days away, a group of teens have their world affected when a hometown friend becomes a rock star and comes to visit.

**Starring Jayce Bartok, Amie Carey, Giovanni Ribisi, Steve Zahn. Directed by Richard Linklater.**

 

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: How Billy’s 2015 film ROCK THE KASBAH helped motivate positive change through music.

 

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: The rumored inspiration behind “Del Paxton” of THAT THING YOU DO! and Ethan Embry’s embarrassing on-set sickness.

 

▶️NEXT UP: PRETTY WOMAN (1990)!

Episode 56 : Tremors

Over the last 30 years, TREMORS (1990) has remained an impressively hair-raising monster movie, having garnered a steady following and still inspiring contemporary sequels. It’s one big mutha which appeals to any age and warrants going behind-the-scenes to understand why its boldness sets it apart from other films of the creature-feature genre.

▶️Synopsis: Physically barred from leaving town, two small town handymen stumble upon mysterious deaths and begin to link the grotesque killings to unprecedented, massively monstrous creatures living in the ground.
⏩⏩Discussions include: The origin story of TREMORS and how a writing duo’s friendship rolled into a directorial feature debut; crafty and gooey practical effects, miniatures, puppetry, evolution of the Graboid creatures and strength of the script; humor, tone and creation of a small town vibe living a terrifying reality; a deep dive into character dynamics and this solid ensemble cast; favorite scenes, marketing, audience reception and the TREMORS franchise.
**Starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross, Reba McEntire. Directed by Ron Underwood.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, RAISING CAIN (1992): This stylish, melodramatic thriller weaves together multiple personality disorder and clinical experimentation on children for a true psychological mind warp. **Starring John Lithgow, Lolita Davidovich, Steven Bauer. Directed by Brian De Palma.**

—Justin’s Pick, THE RELIC (1997): After a series of grisly murders, a detective and a biologist must track down a mythical monster stalking and killing people in the Chicago Field Museum. **Starring Penelope Ann Miller, Tom Sizemore, Linda Hunt. Directed by Peter Hyams.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Cutting to the root of Billy’s love for beloved musician, John Prine.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: The two different scores for TREMORS and the film’s effect on Bacon’s career.

▶️NEXT UP: THAT THING YOU DO!