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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 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)!
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
TRUE ROMANCE proves love stories come in many forms. Though it has many diehard fans nowadays, the film was not a smash hit in 1993. Quentin Tarantino penned this incredibly personal story, yet handed over creative control to one of his favorite directors, Tony Scott. Jam-packed with a massively well-known cast, this fantasy love story cleverly intertwines the snowballing effect of two people leaving their lives behind, only to have a world of turbulence to follow.
▶️Synopsis: Clarence, a comic book store nerd, and Alabama, a sex worker, fall in love over the course of one night. After Clarence kills Alabama’s pimp and unknowingly steals a suitcase of narcotics, the two head off into the sunset with the hopes of starting a new life together, but find getting away isn’t all that easy.
⏩⏩Discussions include: The creative relationship between Scott and Tarantino, including how it began, then the blending of writing and directing styles; how the script’s original structure was altered; breaking down the believably intriguing major and minor characters of the cast; the MPAA controversy; the finished, alternate ending and why it was omitted; truth vs. fantasy, along with how typical tropes were challenged within this romance/action/crime genre-blender; initial reception and favorite moments of the film; usage of dark humor, violence, music and Elvis as functions in the story. **Starring Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper, Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Michael Rapaport, Val Kilmer. Directed by Tony Scott.**
▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**
—Lindsay’s Pick, BEYOND RANGOON (1995): While on vacation in Burma following a personal tragedy, an American woman becomes involved with political and societal repression during the 8888 Uprising against militant violence and injustices. **Starring Patricia Arquette, U Aung Ko, Frances McDormand. Directed by John Boorman.**
—Justin’s Pick, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN (1996): After a murderous bank robbery, two brothers kidnap a family and head to Mexico for refuge. But when the group stalls out at an unsuspecting vampire bar, they must band together to fight their way out. **Starring George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis. Directed by Robert Rodriguez.**
▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Find out about Jon Favreau’s recording session with Billy and Christopher Walken for THE JUNGLE BOOK soundtrack, followed by a night on the town in New Orleans.
▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Tony Scott excluding a dog death in TRUE ROMANCE, along with high notes from the film’s soundtrack.
▶️NEXT UP: PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE (1985)!