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Don’t Push Pause is a monthly podcast bringing you discussions on movies from the 70s, 80s and 90s. DPP consists of a main discussion on a featured film, followed up by our Picks of the Week, and closing with our signature (Bill) Murray Moment.
Episodes
Monday Apr 06, 2020
Monday Apr 06, 2020
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS STAINS (1982) is a criminally underseen film. Ahead of its time, THE STAINS was dedicated to depicting the gritty nature of the music world on the cusp of a new decade. For never having a theatrical release, this film’s relentlessly empowering nature has ensured its steady climb to cult status.
▶️Synopsis: Surrounded by a male-dominated music scene, an all-female teenage band, The Stains, join an on-going tour with jaded, aging rockers and a brassy UK punk band. While perfecting their sound and look, The Stains discover the turmoil that accompanies becoming a media sensation.
⏩⏩Discussions include: Music industry truths about fandom, band realities, power of the media and the ‘70s-‘80s music scene convergence; writer Nancy Dowd’s inspiration for the script backed by punk expert, Caroline Coon, plus their on-set problems and creative differences with director Lou Adler’s vision; the underage cast mixed with famous musicians; original ending vs. the theatrically released version; messages derived from the film, the influence on real-life musicians and how this atypical teen journey of THE STAINS steadily grew into a cult favorite. **Starring Diane Lane, Laura Dern, Marin Kanter, Ray Winstone. Directed by Lou Adler.**
▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**
—Lindsay’s Pick, UNFAITHFUL (2002): A suburban couple’s marriage is upended when one partner has a chance encounter and lustful affair with a stranger, resulting in an unexpected turn of events. **Starring Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Olivier Martinez. Directed by Adrian Lyne.**
—Justin’s Pick, SATISFACTION (1988): After graduating high school, an all-female rock ‘n roll band set out to land an important summer gig, but find the road to success will be a bumpy one. **Starring Justine Bateman, Julia Roberts, Liam Neeson. Directed by Joan Freeman.**
▶️MURRAYMOMENT: We get to the bottom of the romantic rumors between Billy and actor/musician Jenny Lewis which flooded the internet in 2015.
▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: An unfunny prank on the set of THE STAINS and absence of drugs in the film.
▶️NEXT UP: BETTER OFF DEAD (1985)!
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Monday Mar 23, 2020
James Cameron’s THE ABYSS was a technological marvel in 1989. For many, the film remains a mystery, overshadowed by other Cameron films which reaped the benefits of THE ABYSS’ monumental achievements. Having nearly missed the late-1980s underwater movie wave, THE ABYSS played a massively integral part in Cameron’s career. For our 50th Episode, we’re diving into what made this nearly unimaginable film not only possible, but a feat still awe-inspiring 30 years later.
Synopsis: A team of underwater oil rig workers are enlisted to seek out a sunken nuclear submarine. Battling weather problems from above and Navy Seals with an alternative mission, the civilian team discovers an alien species looking to make contact.
Discussions include: Aspects of underwater filmmaking, including immense difficulties, dangers and unforeseen challenges; training and hardships faced by the cast and crew; Cameron’s perfectionism and methodical troubleshooting; newly invented technology/special effects; differences between the theatrical and extended cuts of the film; use of *real* underwater breathing liquid; Cameron’s personal influence on the script and use of purposeful sexism; what hindered the film’s release; our love of the cast and why this ambitious movie is so unrelentingly intense.**Starring Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Ed Harris, Michael Biehn. Directed by James Cameron.**
**PICKS OF THE WEEK**
—Lindsay’s Pick, ANACONDA (1997): A documentary film crew falls prey to an opportunistic, snake-hunting stranger, while being stalked by giant Amazonian anacondas. **Starring Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight, Owen Wilson. Directed by Luis Llosa.**
—Justin’s Pick, STRANGE DAYS (1995): Before the dawn of a new millennium, this flashy, neo-noir thriller follows a shady Los Angeles ex-cop/grifter selling visions of the future and uncovering what dangers lay ahead. **Starring Juliette Lewis, Angela Bassett, Ralph Fiennes, Tom Sizemore. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow.**
MURRAYMOMENT: Behind the scenes snippets of Billy’s time filming The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Marketing and reception of THE ABYSS, in relation to other underwater movies released around the same time.
NEXT UP:LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS STAINS (1982)!
Monday Mar 09, 2020
Monday Mar 09, 2020
Working a uniquely ingenious comedian into a director’s feature film debut could be seen as a risk. But PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE (1985) turned into an impressively ambitious film for Paul Reubens and Tim Burton, as they created one of the most iconic films of the decade. Standing the test of time and continuing to capture hearts, this strangely charming film is renowned as one of the most beloved comedies for all ages.
▶️Synopsis: When his prized, one-of-a-kind bike is stolen, the quirky, naively positive Pee-wee Herman stops at nothing to track it down, leading him on the quest of his life and meeting one eccentric person after another.
⏩⏩Discussions include: The origination, development of and hype around Pee-wee Herman; the rise, fall and resurgence of Paul Reubens’ career; creation and evolution of BIG ADVENTURE’s script, including Tim Burton adding an imaginative spin on the film while also cutting corners; the unusually memorable supporting cast; reception of the film; spirit, humor and what makes BIG ADVENTURE appeal to a wide audience; Big Top Pee-wee, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday and the Pee-wee’s Playhouse TV series are also discussed. **Starring Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane Salinger. Directed by Tim Burton.**
▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**
—Lindsay’s Pick, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1992): A seemingly superficial high school girl comes to realize her true life calling is to save the world from vampires. **Starring Kristy Swanson, Luke Perry, Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, Rutger Hauer, David Arquette. Directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui.**
—Justin’s Pick, HOUSEGUEST (1995): Stuck with a substantial unpaid mob debt, a cunning con man hustles his way into a naive, affluent family. **Starring Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Kim Greist. Directed by Randall Miller.**
▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Find out how Paul Reubens fits into the 1978 Saturday Night Live cast’s summer hiatus.
▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Origin of the legendary tequila dance, a frequent misconception during BIG ADVENTURE’S biker scene and Pee-wee’s love of animals, including our podcast darling, Darla the Dog.
▶️NEXT UP: THE ABYSS (1989)!