Episode 713 - The Last Starfighter (1984), Space Operas, and Death Blossoms

The 2026 Mid-Year Random Awards are here! Listen in as Megan and Mark hand out random awards to their favorite 2026 movies. In this episode, they talk about fun moments from They Will Kill You, Obsession, Mortal Kombat II, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, Kraken, Hoopers, I Love Boosters, Normal, Deep Water, The Furious, The Forbidden City, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Redux Redux, Cold Storage, and more cool movies. Enjoy!

Mark and Niall discuss the 1984 sci-fi epic The Last Starfighter. Directed by Nick Castle, and starring Lance Guest, Catherine Mary Stewart, Robert Preston and a Death Blossom, the movie focuses on what happens when an arcade game gets shipped to the wrong city. In this episode, they also talk about cheeky androids, likable navigators, and primitive concepts. Enjoy!

This episode was originally released in 2022. Mark and David discuss the 1980 cult classic Alligator. Directed by Lewis Teague, and starring Robert Forster, Robin Riker, and a mutated alligator, the movie focuses on what happens when likable people hunt a genetically modified monster. In this episode, they talk about fighting alligators, swimming pools, and the movies that capitalized on the success of Jaws. Enjoy!

Mark and Professor Mike Dillon discuss the 1996 action-horror film From Dusk Till Dawn. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and starring George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Juliette Lewis and a gnarly were-rat, the movie focuses on what happens when murderous criminals meet murderous vampires. In this episode, they also talk about exploding vampires, f-bombs, vampire cinema, and were-rats. 

Mark and John discuss the 1987 horror classic Evil Dead II. Directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, and a Kandarian Demon, the movie focuses on what happens when a pair of college students find an evil book in an isolated cabin. In this episode, they also talk about practical effects, mud puddles, and the excellence of Sam Raimi. Enjoy!

Mark and Norbert discuss the 1996 action film Fled. Directed by Kevin Hooks and starring Laurence Fishburne, Stephen Baldwin, Salma Hayek and a harmonica, the movie focuses on what happens when two criminals escape captivity and wear large sweaters. In this episode, they also talk about motorcycle scenes, wonderful Will Patton and Atlanta filming locations. Enjoy!

Mark and John discuss the excellent 2025 horror sequel Final Destination Bloodlines. Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, and starring Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Tony Todd, Richard Harmon, and a poorly built observation tower, the movie focuses on what happens when death has to kill more people than normal. In this episode, they also talk about rogue glass, MRI machines, and inspired song choices. Enjoy!

Mark and Niall discuss the 1980 space opera superhero film Flash Gordon. Directed by Mike Hodges, and starring Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow and some loud hawkmen, the movie focuses on what happens when a quarterback battles a merciless foe. In this episode, they also talk about expensive productions, loud characters, and cult classics. Enjoy!

Mark and John discuss the 2002 sequel to a prequel Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Directed by George Lucas, and starring Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor and a bounty hunter named Zam, the movie focuses on what happens when a comically large clone army is discovered. In this episode, they also talk about rain fights, droid armies, and excellent sound design.

Mark, Nathan and Elyce discuss the 2019 film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and a secret army, the movie focuses on what happens when a powerful emperor somehow returns and shoots force lightning at people. In this episode, they also talk about rushed sequels, treasure hunt movies, and convenient maps. Enjoy!