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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 Nov 11, 2019
Monday Nov 11, 2019
John Candy and John Hughes often brought a profound sense of warmth mixed with comedy to the silver screen. Out of the four times they worked together, UNCLE BUCK (1989) still serves as a timeless and sincere comedy, beloved by folks of all ages. A simple story about family, personal growth and a lot of laughs in between, Buck lives forever in our hearts as the endearing family member we long to have.
▶️Synopsis: When a family emergency arises, the bachelor life-having, non-committal Uncle Buck is called in to look after his nephew and two nieces. Buck and the rebellious teen in the family may not get along, but their time together turns into some much needed self-improvement.
⏩⏩Discussions include: The working relationship between Candy and Hughes; why UNCLE BUCK is a beloved, well-written movie, earnestly combining heartfelt comedy with family drama; character dynamics advancing the story; critical perception of the film when it was released; an overview of Candy’s career; the strength of the cast, along with favorite moments of this Candy/Hughes comedy sprinkled all throughout. **Starring John Candy, Jean Louisa Kelly, Macaulay Culkin, Gaby Hoffmann. Directed by John Hughes.**
▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**
—Lindsay’s Pick, WHO’S HARRY CRUMB? (1989): A wildly comedic caper about a bumbling, yet well-known private investigator hired to find a kidnapped girl of a wealthy family. **Starring John Candy, Shawnee Smith, Annie Potts, Jeffrey Jones. Directed by Paul Flaherty.**
—Justin’s Pick, NOW AND THEN (1995): In this coming of age tale, the significant summer of 1970 forever cements an everlasting friendship between four pre-teen girls. **Starring Thora Birch, Christina Ricci, Gaby Hoffmann, Ashleigh Ashton Moore, Demi Moore, Melanie Griffith, Rosie O’Donnell, Rita Wilson. Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.**
▶️MURRAYMOMENT: How Billy took a fresh-faced John Candy under his wing while at Second City Chicago.
▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Hughes’ non-traditional music choices for UNCLE BUCK.
▶️NEXT UP: THE WARRIORS (1979)!
Monday Oct 28, 2019
Monday Oct 28, 2019
The slasher film is one the biggest subgenres of horror films. But how did it come about and gain such popularity? This episode tracks the progression of (mostly) American slashers, focusing on how we got to the most formative years of the genre.
▶️Discussions include: How real-life influences and familiar settings were reflected in ‘60s and ‘70s films, thus inspiring the most popular slasher years; cementing slasher movie tropes; hooks, tonal changes, elevating intellectual and visual creativity as the years progressed; franchising; audience accessibility to slashers; recycling, resuscitation and reinvention of the genre, leading to the next evolutionary step to recapture the magic of the slasher movie trend.
▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**
1980s: “One heck of a final scene!”
—Lindsay’s Pick, SLEEPAWAY CAMP (1983): A twisted summer camp story with a mysterious killer murdering foul-mouthed bullies. A deeper psychology behind this one. **Starring Felissa Rose, Jonathan Tiersten, Karen Fields, Katherine Kamhi. Directed by Robert Hiltzik.**
—Justin’s Pick, JUST BEFORE DAWN (1981): A group of young hikers are hunted down by murderous, ruthless, inbred twins. **Starring George Kennedy, Gregg Henry, Chris Lemmon, Deborah Benson. Directed by Jeff Lieberman.**
1990s: “The one you’d never expect!”
—Lindsay’s Pick, OFFICE KILLER (1997): After a repressed wallflower accidentally kills her jerk of a boss, she’s inspired to “correct” other problematic co-workers. **Starring Carol Kane, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Molly Ringwald. Directed by Cindy Sherman.**
—Justin’s Pick, POPCORN (1991): An unknown killer seeks vengeance by picking off teenagers at an all-night horror movie marathon. **Starring Jill Schoelen, Dee Wallace, Tom Villard. Directed by Mark Herrier.**
▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Revisiting an adorable, unscripted scene in STRIPES (1981), featuring Billy and legendary scream queen, P.J. Soles.
▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: Hitting on a few influential/prominent Canadian slasher films, then how HALLOWEEN (2018) renews hope in the continuation of the slasher genre.
▶️NEXT UP: UNCLE BUCK (1989)!
Monday Oct 21, 2019
Monday Oct 21, 2019
In a world full of remakes and reboots, 1988’s THE BLOB holds strong as one of the best. Not only does the film pay homage to its source material, but also develops its own story and takes special effects to new, imaginative heights. This sci-fi, horror adventure easily absorbs you into its gooey greatness, bent on being a squirm-worthy crowd-pleaser!
▶️Synopsis: Three teens discover an ever-growing gelatinous mass that melts and absorbs anything living in its path. As the unstoppable Blob’s body count rises and a government conspiracy is revealed, it’s up to a cheerleader and high school rebel to save an entire town.
⏩⏩Discussions include: The extremely impressive special and visual effects; similarities and differences between this 1988 version and 1958’s THE BLOB; the smart and snappy vision Chuck Russell (writer/director) and Frank Darabont (writer) brewed up for this reinvention; dark humor, expertly integrated genre-blending and how the film breaks typical movie tropes; the strength of the main and supporting cast being woven into uncommon, crafty and concise character set-ups. **Starring Shawnee Smith, Kevin Dillon, Donovan Leitch. Directed by Chuck Russell.**
▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**
—Justin’s Pick, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS (1987): Taking place in a mental health facility, Freddy Krueger is back to stalk the remaining offspring of the Elm Street kids in one the most inspired installments of the franchise. **Starring Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Patricia Arquette, Laurence Fishburne. Directed by Chuck Russell.**
—Lindsay’s Pick, Q: THE WINGED SERPENT (1982): An ex-junkie, small-time crook finds the nest of an ancient Aztec bird serpent which has been reigning terror and dropping body parts all over New York City. **Starring Michael Moriarty, Candy Clark, David Carradine, Richard Roundtree. Directed by Larry Cohen.**
▶️MURRAYMOMENT: How THE BLOB’s Del Close had a significant influence on Billy.
▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: THE BLOB’s synth-heavy, hip score and the under-seen sequel, BEWARE! THE BLOB (1972).
▶️NEXT UP: 80s VS 90s SLASHERS!