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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 22, 2019
Monday Apr 22, 2019
Cheap laughs are a dime a dozen, but truly witty comedies are something to be cherished. A FISH CALLED WANDA (1988) is so well-layered that it is nearly unflappable. While doused with inappropriate humor, this black comedy has something for nearly everyone. Keep up with this one, and you may be surprised at how a “comedy crime caper” can pack such a big wallop.
▶️ (02:20) A British gangster and his trusty, yet dim friend conspire with a shady lady and her scheming partner to pull off a bank heist. After succeeding, but the leader is pinched by the cops, the plot turns into seducing a defense lawyer and killing the only witness to the robbery. After that, it’s every thief for themselves. Monty Python’s John Cleese and Michael Palin team up with Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline for this extreme and fast-paced comedy blended with perfectly-timed curveballs. We’ll discuss how the charming, all-star cast gels together, and go behind the scenes into the formation of this original story. We’ll also touch on the repeated comical use animal violence, American vs. British styles of humor and the film’s mild sex-comedy swing.
▶️ (40:36) PICKS OF THE WEEK: Lindsay sticks to the comedy realm with WANDA’s Kevin Kline starring in SOAPDISH (1991). Jam-packed with a who’s who of Hollywood, SOAPDISH follows the cast of a failing soap opera and how real-life drama bleeds into the storyline of the fictional TV show. Justin opts for another star-studded cast in GRANDVIEW, U.S.A. (1984). Set in a Midwestern small town, WANDA’S Jamie Lee Curtis is a gruff, demolition derby owner who has secret affairs with a teenager and a married man. While this coming-of-age movie drifts in and out of characters’ lives, it is an inspiring peak into the budding careers of future big-name actors.
▶️ (55:40) MURRAYMOMENT: Ever hear of the Beatles parody film, The Rutles: All You Need is Cash (1978)? WANDA’s Michael Palin, countless Saturday Night Live players and Bill “Murray the K” amp up this mockumentary which predates Spinal Tap by six years.
We know comedies are subjective. And in order for one to truly have a lasting effect on a mass audience, a comedy must stand the test of time. We dare say that A FISH CALLED WANDA has just that — a storyline so involved and delightful that it still has a spell-binding effect on audiences 30+ years later. You’ll surely never think of “fish and chips” the same way again.
Monday Apr 08, 2019
Monday Apr 08, 2019
Forty years ago, a terrifying and highly-praised science-fiction/horror story was birthed into America cinema. Not only did Ridley Scott’s ALIEN (1979) forever transform the science-fiction genre of the 50s, 60s and Star Wars era, it preyed on easily relatable human fears. The film’s perfect balance of blended-genre storytelling, stunning visuals and brilliantly deliberate pacing, ALIEN holds strong as one of the most masterfully-crafted films of the 20th century.
▶️ (04:00) Deep in space, the small crew of the spacecraft Nostromo find themselves facing a foreign, deadly and ever-growing monster of epic proportions. ALIEN’s tension-building guides the audience into feeling like a crew member. Through isolation, desperation and the feeling of ultimate fear, there is a reason ALIEN still grips a wide audience 40 years after its initial release. We’ll go behind-the scenes into the backstory and origin of the film, the immaculate production design, visionary director Ridley Scott and the outstandingly strong cast, the movie’s heroine and the “Mother Theory,” as well as touch on the entire ALIEN franchise.
▶️ (37:17) Picks of the Week: Both Justin and Lindsay chose Picks with Nostromo crew members who almost made it out alive. Justin explores Paul Schrader’s bold directorial debut with Yaphet Kotto co-starring in BLUE COLLAR (1978), alongside Richard Pryor and Harvey Keitel. Overworked and underpaid, three men blackmail the shady union for which they work after finding evidence of organized crime. Veronica Cartwright co-stars in Lindsay’s Pick, Lillian Hellman’s THE CHILDREN’S HOUR (1961), along with Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn. Cartwright plays a key figure in perpetuating a lie about two schoolteachers accused of being lesbians.
▶️ (51:44) Scene Breakdown: Filmmaker Justin Hayward gives his thoughts on telephoto vs. wide-angle camera lens shots. Hayward dives into reasons why some directors use one over the other, thus going into Ridley Scott’s telephoto lens usage in ALIEN.
▶️ (58:26) MurrayMoment: The same year as ALIEN’s release, Billy took center stage in a somewhat distasteful Saturday Night Live sketch about cancer, featuring Bea Arthur and Gilda Radner. Will you be just as offended as a 1979 American audience once was?
▶️ (01:07:34) Final thoughts: Lindsay explains the meaning behind the spacecraft’s name in ALIEN, Nostromo, while Justin confirms what is his most-lasting image from the film.
Whether you’re familiar with ALIEN or not, we strongly urge you to revisit this marvelously beautiful, yet horrific piece of well-celebrated movie history. To have made it 40 years and still be referenced, rebooted, copied and even parodied, the impression the film has left is undeniable. In space, no one can hear you scream... but you’ll be safe listening to this episode... maybe.
Monday Mar 25, 2019
Monday Mar 25, 2019
Teen rebellion never looked as fierce as it does in 1985’s THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN. This Joan of Arc-inspired, yet highly original movie manages to still leave audiences ready to fight every injustice. If you’ve seen this cult movie, you most likely love it. But if this legend has escaped your memory, prepare yourself for the totally rad, empowering feminist hero that is Billie Jean Davy.
▶️ A Texas teen seeks justice for her beaten up brother whose scooter been destroyed by a town bully. After being sexually assaulted and her plan going awry, Billie Jean, her brother and two friends go on the run, refusing to give up until the score has been settled. Thick with themes, THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN touches on sexism, classism, media sensationalism, feminism, personal ethics and all the while remaining a fun and inspired ‘80s road movie. We’ll touch on the careers of the main players (Helen Slater, Christian Slater, Yeardley Smith and Peter Coyote), the film’s influence, Pat Benatar’s “Invincible” and why it’s a crime this film is so overlooked.
▶️ Picks of the Week:
Teenage rebellion rages on with two films that dare to break society’s rules. In Justin’s Pick, 1990’s PUMP UP THE VOLUME, Christian Slater plays an introverted high-schooler with a pirate-radio station alter ego encouraging his classmates to question authority. Lindsay’s Pick confronts sexism, gender stereotypes and bullying in a wildly ridiculous teen comedy about gender-swapping to prove a point in 1985’s JUST ONE OF THE GUYS.
▶️ After the success of Ghostbusters, Billy felt his career may have hit its peak. So in 1985, he needed to escape the country to save his sanity. Your MurrayMoment finds our Billy living and re-centering himself in France.
She may not look like a typical superhero, but Billie Jean is a warrior and a groundbreaking character for ladies in the ‘80s. Although this film went largely unnoticed in its day, we wanna set the record straight and we’re not giving up until you watch this legendary movie. FAIR IS FAIR!