Episodes
Monday Jun 17, 2019
Episode 31 : But I’m A Cheerleader
Monday Jun 17, 2019
Monday Jun 17, 2019
As this is LGBTQ Pride month, here’s our contribution to the cause! Taking you back to 2000 for the bold, game-changing, positively-charged romantic satire that advanced queer cinema, BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER.
▶️ (02:40) After she’s accused of being a lesbian, a naive high school cheerleader is sent to a reprogramming boot camp for LGBTQ youths. However, intentions backfire when she begins to better understand herself and fall in love with a fellow female camper.
Discussions include: the film’s placement in American culture and queer cinema history, usage of sexuality and gender stereotypes, the satirization of true-life struggles, the MPAA’s treatment of the film’s content, misconceptions about the film’s inspiration, the cast, director and interconnectedness in subsequent years. And why the casting of legends Mink Stole and Bud Cort? We have our theories.
*Starring Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Cathy Moriarty, RuPaul Charles; Directed by Jamie Babbit.
▶️ (38:50) PICKS OF THE WEEK.
Justin’s Pick — MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO (1991):A gorgeous, poetic tale about two 20-something, male hustlers forever living in transit. This is a journey of self-realization and discovering a romantic relationship along the way.
*Starring River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves; Directed by Gus Van Sant.
Lindsay’s Pick — ALL OVER ME (1997): Submerged in a gritty, ‘90s teen world of drugs, body dysmorphia and homophobia, two friends’ worlds are forever changed after a sexual awakening and murderous hate crime.
*Starring Alison Folland, Tara Subkoff, Leisha Hailey, Wilson Cruz; Directed by Alex Sichel.
▶️ (54:50) MURRAYMOMENT:
Do Billy and classic Hollywood film star Cary Grant have some type of connection? We’ve got your answer right here!
▶️ (01:02:30) FINAL THOUGHTS:
Check out BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER’s soundtrack, featuring Dressy Bessy, RuPaul and loads of other quirky tunes.
▶️ NEXT EPISODE: NEW JACK CITY (1991)! Please rate us, review us, follow us, “like” our social media pages, drop us a line, let us know you’re listening! We are grateful for your support!
Monday Jun 03, 2019
Episode 30 : Repo Man
Monday Jun 03, 2019
Monday Jun 03, 2019
SEASON TWO HAS LANDED! And there’s no better way to celebrate than with punk music and cult movies colliding in REPO MAN (1984)!
▶️(00:03:57) After a floundering punk kid turns into a Los Angeles repo man, he becomes one of many trying to track down a car worth a ton of cash, but also contains decomposing, radioactive extraterrestrials in the trunk. Starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton.
Discussions include: punk culture in cinema, importance of casting, cinemaphotography, the story’s genre-blending origin, combining familiar pulp tropes with a fresh plot, the film’s influence and finale and the odd authenticity coming from first-time film director, Alex Cox.
▶️(00:53:56) PICKS OF THE WEEK: Justin goes for his favorite Stanton film, PARIS, TEXAS (1984) — After missing for many years, a man with a troubled soul wanders out of the desert and now must reconnect with his family. Lindsay churns up even more emotions for DANCER IN THE DARK (2000) — When a daydreaming, single mom with a rapidly degenerative eye condition tries to help her son, a close friend steals her savings, which spirals into the worst situation fathomable.
Both films are connected to REPO MAN by way of cinemaphotographer, Robby Müller.
▶️(01:09:56) MURRAYMOMENT: Before Billy and Repo Man’s theme song punker, Iggy Pop, appeared in Jim Jarmusch’s THE DEAD DON’T DIE (which hits theaters June 14th), both iconic fellas appeared in Jarmusch’s film, COFFEE AND CIGARETTES (2003). Yup, we’re takin’ a trip back for another Billy bit role not to be missed!
▶️(01:17:14) FINAL THOUGHTS: REPO MAN’s on-set conflicts between Cox and Stanton, and a loving mention of LUCKY (2017), Stanton’s final performance before his death.
“It’s all part of a cosmic unconsciousness...People get so hung up on specifics they miss out on seeing the whole thing.”
▶️NEXT UP: BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER (1999)!
Please rate us, review us, follow us, “like” our social media pages, drop us a line, let us know you’re listening! We appreciate all your support!
Monday May 06, 2019
Episode 29 : Ghostbusters (1984)
Monday May 06, 2019
Monday May 06, 2019
Resurrecting a blockbuster for a One-Year Anniversary Show is a no-brainer. It’s time to go in-depth into the cultural impact that was GHOSTBUSTERS (1984). Though it’s a film that barely needs an introduction, there’s still a lot to unpack in this sensational story created by long-time creative friends. Indeed, this is a Season One celebration of Don’t Push Pause, but also a deep dive into the GHOSTBUSTERS sci-fi, dark comedy world which grew into a worldwide phenomenon.
▶️ Justin and Lindsay reflect on a year of Don’t Push Pause, discuss why Picks of the Week stray from format, why the MurrayMoment will return in Episode 30 and a brief podcast gag reel of muff-ups over the past year.
▶️ (00:12:22) GHOSTBUSTERS:
Four men team up to battle an ever-expanding ghost problem taking over New York City, centering around a demonically-possessed woman and culminating in fight to stop an apocalypse.
▶️ Justin and Lindsay uncover the GHOSTBUSTERS’ origin story and the working-relationship timeline between director Ivan Reitman, writers/actors Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Bill Murray. Why the Ghostbusters’ reality is so easily digestible and the significance of the film will be deconstructed, along with a special spotlight on Ernie Hudson’s role and his complicated feelings about the film. The strength of the supporting cast, including Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis and Annie Potts, will be discussed, as well as the giant marketing campaign and still very-active franchise and sequels. And don’t worry, countless fun facts about the film will be sprinkled all throughout.
▶️ (01:00:40) PICKS OF THE WEEK:
Lindsay goes for her favorite rainy day, action/adventure film, Robert Zemeckis’ ROMANCING THE STONE (1984). Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito star in this swashbuckling story about a woman who sets out to save her sister, then gets mixed up in hunting down a treasure with a charmingly gruff grifter in South America. Justin finally gets to confess his love for his favorite Jean-Claude Van Damme film, LIONHEART (1991). After his brother is murdered, a solider abandons his assignment to financially assist his widowed sister-in-law by entering a high-stakes, yet high-paying, underground society of hand-to-hand combat fighting.
▶️ (01:22:05) Final thoughts:
The special effects and artistry of GHOSTBUSTERS, along with personal reflections and a few more behind-the-scenes stories.
▶️ Thank you to everyone listening, subscribing, liking, following, all the things that keep this podcast flowing! Thank you to our Announcer-Mary Timmel, Musicman-Matt Pace, Artist-Beau Shoulders and Film Contributor-Justin Hayward, for all your assistance and support! We’re looking forward to Season 2, debuting on June 4th with REPO MAN!
▶️ Check out Don’t Push Pause’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) for Justin and Lindsay hitting up GHOSTBUSTERS: IN CONCERT presented by the ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA on May 17th, 2019!