Instinct (1999)

This week on Shat the Movies, we’re shedding a single tear for Cry-Baby (1990)! Johnny Depp stars in John Waters’ rockabilly musical that’s equal parts parody, punk, and pure teen rebellion. From electric chairs to tear-streaked serenades, it’s a weird, wild ride through '50s nostalgia with a twisted grin. Tune in as we dive into this cult classic and ask: was Cry-Baby cool or just confused? Plot Summary:Cry-Baby (1990), directed by John Waters, is a rockabilly musical comedy set in 1950s Baltimore, starring Johnny Depp as Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker, the leader of a group of rebellious “Drapes.” When he falls for straight-laced “Square” Allison (Amy Locane), their romance sparks a clash between their two social worlds. Packed with campy humor, catchy tunes, and Waters’ signature subversive style, the film parodies teen musicals while celebrating the outsiders who refuse to conform. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Check into Castle Plunkett for a supernatural comedy that mashes together horny ghosts, Irish folklore, and peak ‘80s weirdness: High Spirits! Commissioned by Sydney in Texas—lover of Beetlejuice, Elvira, and men of questionable taste—this forgotten flick from 1988 boasts an absurdly stacked cast: Steve Guttenberg, Daryl Hannah, Beverly D’Angelo, Peter O’Toole, Jennifer Tilly, and a young Liam Neeson playing a ghostly creep. Gene and Big D dive into a movie that’s half Scooby-Doo, half ghost-sex fever dream. They explore the film’s jarring tonal shifts, from slapstick hauntings to surprisingly dark (and wet) ghost lore, complete with a mermaid musical battle and “skelping”—a euphoric ghost-human contact that raises some ethical eyebrows. Is High Spirits an underrated gem or a tonal trainwreck haunted by studio meddling? Would Jack have stayed loyal to his ghost bride if she kept her crumbling corpse form? And why are the castle’s real ghosts so damn lazy? Strap into your flying bed, pour a spooky drink, and join us for an episode packed with laughs, lusty spirits, and longing for the Japanese director’s cut. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, we’re beaming up Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)! Geena Davis stars alongside a furry, neon-colored trio of aliens played by Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, and Damon Wayans in this outrageously ‘80s sci-fi musical comedy. It's got big hair, wild dance numbers, and plenty of interplanetary flirting. Tune in for a fun, glitter-filled trip through one of the weirdest rom-coms of the decade! Plot SummaryIn Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), director Julien Temple crafts a neon-soaked, musical sci-fi comedy that’s as weird as it is wonderful. Geena Davis stars as Valerie, a valley girl manicurist in Los Angeles whose love life hits rock bottom after discovering her fiancé is cheating. But things take a turn for the bizarre when a spaceship crash-lands in her pool, carrying three fuzzy, brightly colored aliens played by Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, and Damon Wayans. After a quick makeover at the beauty salon, the aliens transform into irresistible human heartthrobs who quickly adapt to life in late-80s California. Valerie decides to help them explore the strange customs of Earth shopping malls, nightclubs, and love. As romance blossoms between Valerie and Mac (Goldblum), the film dives into fish-out-of-water antics, musical numbers, and some genuinely charming moments of connection. What makes Earth Girls Are Easy stand out is its unapologetic embrace of the absurd. The film’s pastel visuals, synth-heavy soundtrack, and campy humor perfectly capture the late-80s aesthetic. Supporting performances from Julie Brown and Michael McKean add even more flair to an already offbeat cast. It’s a wild mash-up of rom-com, musical, and sci-fi that doesn’t take itself seriously for a second. Join our podcast as we revisit this cult classic and ask: does this intergalactic love story still sparkle, or has it crash-landed for good? From body waxing aliens to valley girl charm, we're breaking down all the glittery madness. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, we’re cracking open Instinct (1999), the psychological thriller where Anthony Hopkins goes full jungle hermit and Cuba Gooding Jr. tries to figure out why. It’s part Gorillas in the Mist, part Good Will Hunting, and totally off the rails. Tune in as we try to make sense of the madness, the monkeys, and the message! Plot SummaryYears after he goes missing in the jungles of Africa, anthropologist Ethan Powell (Anthony Hopkins) resurfaces when it’s discovered that he has murdered two poachers who were killing the gorillas he was studying. After spending an extended time living with the primates and without any human contact, Powell seems to be unhinged, and psychiatrist Theo Caulder (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is called in to try to get through to the withdrawn and angry man, who may be wiser and saner than he appears. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week, Shat the Movies finally kneels before Zod—and listener Chris Lloyd—by reviewing Superman II (1980), the sequel that gave us Terrence Stamp’s immortal sneer, Margot Kidder’s bathrobe thirst, and Christopher Reeve’s blue-eyed beefcake perfection. This episode dives headfirst into the Donner vs. Lester debate, asks how much ejaculate the Fortress of Solitude can handle, and questions Lois Lane’s true intentions once Clark Kent drops the glasses—and the powers. Gene and Big D examine everything from Superman’s bizarre morality and dubious revenge tactics to the wildly impractical Phantom Zone prison system. They also debate if memory-wiping kisses and cellophane logos deserve a place in superhero canon and why Perry White’s newsroom features a threatening photo of Bill Cosby. Whether you’re team “Mormon Dad Superman” or “Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex,” this episode delivers laughs, awkward truths, and more than a few inappropriate questions about Kryptonian sex. Plot Summary After banishing Kryptonian rebels General Zod, Ursa, and Non to the Phantom Zone, Superman continues his life as Clark Kent—until a hydrogen bomb explosion in space releases the trio. Landing on Earth, they gain Superman’s powers from the yellow sun and quickly set their sights on global domination. Meanwhile, Lois Lane grows suspicious of Clark’s identity, prompting him to reveal his secret and sacrifice his powers to be with her. But when Zod and his cronies begin wreaking havoc—and Lex Luthor joins their side—Superman must reclaim his abilities and protect humanity. The final showdown brings the villains to the Fortress of Solitude, where Superman uses brains over brawn to save the world, while also redefining the meaning of romantic boundaries with a memory-erasing kiss. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, we’re getting spooky with Haunted Honeymoon (1986)! Join us for a hilarious look at this dark comedy starring Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner, where a newlywed couple finds themselves trapped in a spooky mansion filled with eccentric characters. Expect plenty of laughs, wacky moments, and a fun mix of mystery and comedy. If you’re in the mood for a quirky, light-hearted romp, this is the episode for you! Plot SummaryIn the 1986 horror-comedy Haunted Honeymoon, Gene Wilder directs and stars alongside Gilda Radner and Dom DeLuise in a spooky screwball romp that blends classic Hollywood horror vibes with over-the-top farce. Wilder plays Larry Abbot, a popular radio drama actor with a case of the nerves, who travels to his family’s eerie estate to marry his co-star and fiancée, Vickie Pearle (Radner). But what should be a romantic weekend quickly descends into madness when a series of bizarre, supernatural events threaten to derail their nuptials—and Larry’s sanity. Set in a gothic mansion dripping with cobwebs, thunderstorms, and secret passages, the film follows Larry as he reunites with his delightfully kooky extended family. Dom DeLuise steals scenes in drag as the dramatic Aunt Kate, whose flair for the theatrical rivals anything Larry ever performed on the radio. As lightning flashes and bodies begin to pile up, it becomes clear that someone—or something—wants Larry dead before he can say “I do.” Haunted Honeymoon lovingly parodies old Universal monster movies while leaning heavily on slapstick and vaudeville-style humor. It’s a strange cocktail of horror, comedy, and camp, buoyed by the real-life chemistry of Wilder and Radner (in what would be her final film role before her untimely death). The jokes may not all land, but the film’s heart and atmosphere remain charming. Join our podcast review as we revisit this offbeat cult favorite, discuss its place in 80s horror-comedy, and debate whether it’s a forgotten gem or a creaky clunker. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

In this powerful episode of Shat the Movies, hosts Gene Lyons and Big D, Dick Ebert, journey down under to revisit Peter Weir's 1981 war drama Gallipoli. Commissioned by listener Mac in Texas, this Australian New Wave classic stars a young Mel Gibson and Mark Lee as two spirited athletes drawn into the brutal realities of World War I. The Shat crew reflects on how Gallipoli flips the traditional war movie formula, building deep emotional connections with its characters long before the first shots are fired. From the dusty outback to the trenches of the Dardanelles, Gene and Big D dissect the film's themes of friendship, blind patriotism, and the gut-wrenching cost of war. They also explore how the film balances coming-of-age charm with historical tragedy—right up to its final freeze frame. With heartfelt insights, personal stories, and a few unexpected laughs along the way (yes, venereal diseases and desert treks come up), this episode reminds us why some war films hurt in all the right ways. Plot SummaryGallipoli is a 1981 Australian war drama directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee. Set during World War I, the film follows two young sprinters from Western Australia—Archie and Frank—who enlist in the Australian Imperial Force and are eventually sent to fight in the doomed Gallipoli campaign. Through their journey, the film explores themes of friendship, national identity, disillusionment, and the tragic futility of war, culminating in one of cinema’s most unforgettable endings. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, we’re kicking some serious butt with Street Fighter (1994)! Join us as we dive into the live-action adaptation of the iconic video game, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Colonel Guile. It’s a chaotic, campy, action-packed ride full of over-the-top performances, questionable fight scenes, and plenty of laughs. Whether you're a fan of the game or just love ‘90s action flicks, tune in for a hilarious deep dive into this cult classic! Plot SummaryIn the 1994 action film Street Fighter, directed by Steven E. de Souza and loosely based on the hit video game series, Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as Colonel Guile, the all-American military hero leading a multinational force to stop the evil warlord General M. Bison, played with over-the-top flair by Raul Julia in his final film role. Set in the fictional nation of Shadaloo, the movie follows Guile’s mission to rescue hostages and bring down Bison’s plans for world domination. Bison has kidnapped dozens of civilians and demands a massive ransom, threatening their lives. While Guile prepares for a full-scale assault, a tangled web of subplots unfolds: Chun-Li (Ming-Na Wen), a reporter with a personal vendetta against Bison, works undercover to get close to her enemy; meanwhile, hustlers Ryu (Byron Mann) and Ken (Damian Chapa) are caught between working with arms dealer Sagat (Wes Studi) and Guile’s forces. Add to the mix Dhalsim, Blanka, Zangief, Cammy, E. Honda, Balrog, and Vega—many of whom are barely recognizable from their video game counterparts—and the film becomes a chaotic patchwork of characters and plot threads. Despite its wildly uneven tone, cheesy dialogue, and loose connection to its source material, Street Fighter has earned cult status thanks to its campy fun and Raul Julia’s scene-stealing performance. His portrayal of Bison is operatic, charismatic, and quotable—offering the movie’s most memorable moments. Join our podcast review as we revisit this infamous 90s video game adaptation, exploring whether its action, absurd charm, and unintentional comedy make it a guilty pleasure or just a first-round KO. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

What do you get when you mix cyberpunk philosophy, a rave in a cave, and a thousand Mr. Smiths? A sequel so ambitious it broke Big D’s brain and made Gene question reality itself. This week, the Shat Crew finishes up listener Jeremiah's Sci-Fi Through The Ages series by plugging into The Matrix Reloaded, a film that doubles down on slow-mo kung fu, pleather trench coats, and high-concept jargon that may or may not mean anything. Is Neo still "The One," or just another guy with a Superman complex? Did Trinity and Neo’s love scene spark human emotion—or just a need for brain bleach? And what’s up with the Keymaker, the Merovingian, and that architect making coochie cakes? Prepare for laughs, rants, and maybe even some deep thoughts as we decode the most audacious freeway chase ever put on film. Whether you’re Team Zion or just here for the bullet time, this is The Matrix Reloaded like only Shat can deliver. Plot Summary In The Matrix Reloaded, Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus return to fight for the survival of Zion, the last human city resisting machine domination. As Neo grapples with his destiny as "The One," he discovers deeper layers of the Matrix's control and faces powerful new adversaries like the upgraded Agent Smith and the enigmatic Merovingian. With time running out before a massive machine attack, the crew races to unlock the path to the Source and ultimately, human freedom. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Prepare for warp speed as Gene Lyons and Big D travel back to the 24th century—and then to 2063—to review Star Trek: First Contact, the Next Generation crew’s darkest and most action-packed cinematic outing. Commissioned by listener Jeremiah as part of a sci-fi classics series, this episode dives deep into the ethics of Picard’s command decisions, the practical (and impractical) nature of Borg assimilation, and the horny weirdness of Star Trek fandom. Along the way, Gene and Big D debate Star Trek vs. Star Wars and ponder whether the Borg Queen really does have big “ASMR energy.” They also address critical questions like: What’s the best Star Trek tech? And how many wipes does it take to remove Data’s synthetic skin? Whether you're Team Trek or Team Wars, this episode is a hilarious, no-holds-barred deep dive into one of the franchise's most beloved films—and possibly its most awkward. Plot Summary In Star Trek: First Contact, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the USS Enterprise-E defy Starfleet orders to confront the Borg, a cybernetic collective intent on assimilating Earth. After destroying a Borg cube near Earth, a Borg sphere escapes through a temporal vortex, altering the past to prevent humanity’s first contact with alien life. The Enterprise follows the Borg to April 4, 2063—just before Zefram Cochran’s historic warp flight that would attract the Vulcans. As the crew works to ensure history stays intact, Picard battles his trauma from past assimilation, while Lieutenant Commander Data is seduced—emotionally and physically—by the sinister Borg Queen. With humanity’s future hanging in the balance, Picard must choose between revenge and reason, culminating in a high-stakes confrontation aboard a compromised Enterprise. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite