Those Aren't Pillows

In this week's episode, host Scott J. Davis (@scottwritesfilm) and guest Luke Owen (@ThisIsLukeOwen) get nostalgic... We are taking a special trip back to the '80s (again!) to chat about two of arguably the greatest two of the greatest comedies of all time in this special, BUMPER X episode... First up, to 1988 and our first cinematic encounter with Lt. Frank Drebin (the incomparable Leslie Nielsen) and Police Squad as they try to stop an assassination attempt on our own Queen. Ricardo Montalban, George Kennedy, and Priscilla Presley - as well as beavers, driving instructors, suggestive architecture, and baseball - co-star in the first of the ZAZ Police Squad trilogy. Next, back one year to 1987 and to Scott's favourite comedy of all time - John Hughes' magnificent road-trip-from-hell extravaganza starring Steve Martin and the late, great John Candy as a workaholic dad tries to get home for his family's Thanksgiving dinner by hook or by crook - or should that be by air, rail, car, and coach - with the world's best shower curtain ring salesman in tow for the ride of their lives. Be sure to like, subscribe, and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform (available on Spotify, Google, Apple Podcasts, Anchor, and more), as well as leave us a review with your thoughts on the series so far. And follow us on Twitter @pillowspod where you can find all the links to all the places where you can listen! Part 11 goes live next week, July 6th, with two more comedy classics... Sponsorships: off for this episode

In this week's episode, host Scott J. Davis (@scottwritesfilm) and guest Simon Harkness (@SimonHarknesstv) get serious with some funny people... First up, we look back at 2009's underrated and underseen Judd Apatow dramedy starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, and more that sees him and Sandler return to their formative years as roommates and budding stand-up comedians. Touching, sincere, and hilariously funny, it's primed for a re-evaluation... Next, we travel to 2003 and one of the most loved films of the last two decades, Sofia Coppola's Tokyo-set dramedy starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson about two Americans lost in Japan in life, love, and purpose but form an unlikely connection that sees them enjoy karaoke, local cuisine, and a world-famous whiskey... Be sure to like, subscribe, and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform (available on Spotify, Google, Apple Podcasts, Anchor, and more), as well as leave us a review with your thoughts on the series so far. And follow us on Twitter @pillowspod where you can find all the links to all the places where you can listen! Part 1 of our BUMPER, TWO-PARTER tenth episode arrives on April 20th, followed by Part 2 on April 23rd, so stay tuned!!!

In this week's episode, host Scott J. Davis (@scottwritesfilm) and guest Daniel J. Layton (@DanielJLayton) become people out of time... First, we head to 1997 (and 1967) to chat about one of the most beloved films - and subsequent trilogies - in comedy - Mike Myers as the swinging bachelor secret agent Austin Powers in his debut film. A fish out of water in the 90s, Austin has to navigate the changing notions on sex, drugs, and free love in Jay Roach's brilliantly timed, satirical, rib-tickling film hasn't lost any of its charms. It demands multiple rewatches, its brilliance only amplified by brilliant supporting turns from Elizabeth Hurley, Robert Wagner, Michael York, Mindy Sterling, and an early appearance by Will Ferrell.  Next, they jump two years to the end of the millennium and an unsung charmer in Blast From The Past, Hugh Wilson's delightfully witty high-concept film about a couple (Christopher Walken and Sissy Spacek) who spend 35 years in a bunker after they mistakenly believe the Cuban Missile Crisis had begun. Brendan Fraser is dazzling as their adult son Adam, who ventures out into the world for the first time fearing toxic air and mutants, but instead falls for local girl Eve (Alicia Silverstone). who doesn't quite believe his barmy story... Be sure to like, subscribe, and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform (available on Spotify, Google, Apple Podcasts, Anchor, and more), as well as leave us a review with your thoughts on the series so far. And follow us on Twitter @pillowspod where you can find all the links to all the places where you can listen! Episode 8 arrives on April 13th so stay tuned!!!

In this week's episode, host Scott J. Davis (@scottwritesfilm) and guest Matthew Turner (@FilmFan1971) get musical and podcast hard... First, we jump back to 1978 and jump into the world of The Rutles, a famous rock band with some striking similarities to a local band from Liverpool. Eric Idle and Gary Weis's mockumentary parodies and pastiches The Beatles with great love and affection with a film that was the forerunner to This Is Spinal Tap and the works of Christopher Guest and co. Next, they jump forward to 2007 with musician extraordinaire Dewey Cox and his incredible rise to fame as one of music's finest troubadours, with hits like Take My Hand, Let Me Hold You Little Man, and Black Sheep. Directed by Jake Kasdan (Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle) and co-written by Kasdan and Jude Apatow, this brilliant satire and spoof of the rock biopic - mainly Walk The Line and Ray - stars John C. Reilly, Jenna Fisher, and Kristen Wiig, as well as some incredible cameos from Elvis Presley and The Beatles, but not as you know them...  Be sure to like, subscribe and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform, as well as leave us a review with your thoughts on the series so far. And follow us on Twitter @pillowspod where you can find all the links to where you can listen! Episode 8 arrives on April 6th so stay tuned!

In this week's episode, host Scott J. Davis (@scottwritesfilm) and guest Helen O'Hara (@HelenLOHara) split their chat between the absurd and the touching with a classic of the 1980s and a hugely underrated gem from 2016. First, we jump back to 1984 with the second directorial feature from ZAZ - David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, creators of Airplane! and The Naked Gun - in the form of Top Secret, a spoof of Elvis Presley movies and World War II spy films that while it didn't set the world (or box office) alight back then, has become a hugely popular cult hit in the decades since. Next, they jump forward to 2016 and The Edge of Seventeen, a modern high-school film from writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig about growing up, loss, grief, best friend dramas, and Woody Harrelson in cool teacher shirts. Hailee Steinfeld leads the ensemble with Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, and Harrelson star in their glorious, moving film that deserves re-discovery.  Be sure to like, subscribe and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform, as well as leave us a review with your thoughts on the series so far. And follow us on Twitter @pillowspod where you can find all the links to where you can listen! Episode 7 arrives on March 30th so stay tuned!

In this week's episode, host Scott J. Davis and guest Tom Beasley take a look at two underrated romantic comedies where saying "yes" to life has its advantages - and disadvantages. First, they discuss one of the great modern rom-coms in Man Up, starring Lake Bell and Simon Pegg, a London-set comedy that turns the tropes of the genre on its head and embraces all their foibles and why, after only six years since its release, it is ripe for rediscovery (or discovery).  Then, they join Jim Carrey for one of his most recent comedy efforts which sees him combine his goofy, classic nature with his more mature roles to great effect as a man who, after a messy divorce, decides to take Terence Stamp's advice to say YES to everything and anything in his life - including mending his friendship with his best (Bradley Cooper) and begin an impulsive relationship with a musician (Zooey Deschanel).  Be sure to like, subscribe and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform, as well as leave us a review with your thoughts on the series so far. And follow us on Twitter @pillowspod where you can find all the links to where you can listen! Episode 6 arrives on March 23rd so stay tuned!

In this week's episode, host Scott J. Davis and guest Sophie Athawes (@popcornandglitter) take a look at two modern comedies that utilise sporting apparatus to their advantage - with hilarious, and at times touching, results... First up, a British comedy classic that has risen above the status of "cult" to penetrate the popular culture in incredible ways, from spoofs and memes to the summation of all our collective reactions to the pandemic. Next, we head back to 1996 to celebrate 25 years one of Adam Sandler's most underrated films where he overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds for him and his grandmother by discovering his penchant for golf...  Be sure to like, subscribe and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform, as well as leave us a review with your thoughts on the series so far. And follow us on Twitter @pillowspod where you can find all the links to where you can listen! Episode 5 arrives on March 16th so stay tuned!

In this week's episode, host Scott J. Davis and guest Clarisse Loughrey take a look at the ever-changing world of the office and the politics therein. First, they take a trip back to the late 1960s for a classic comedy-musical that satirised the changing landscape of the business world as Robert Morse climbs the ladder to success.  Then, they come into the 21st century with Jason Reitman's biting look at the modern corporate world that may - or may not - let computers fire employees in the future, rather than George Clooney's sharp, "one of a kind" downsizer. Be sure to like, subscribe and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform, as well as leave us a review with your thoughts on the series so far. And follow us on Twitter @pillowspod where you can find all the links to where you can listen! Episode 4 arrives on March 9th so stay tuned!

In this week's episode, Scott J. Davis and guest Emily Murray take a look at two coming-of-age masterpieces. First, with a trip back to 1988 with Tom Hanks in "Big", before coming into the 21st century with Olivia Wilde's magnificent "Booksmart", starring Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein. Be sure to like, subscribe and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform, as well as leave us a review with your thoughts on the series so far. And follow us on Twitter @pillowspod where you can find all the links to where you can listen! Episode 3 arrives on March 2nd so stay tuned!

Host Scott J. Davis and guest Stefan Pape chat about their love of two comedy classics, Step Brothers and Dumb & Dumber, and why, in these testing times, they are ripe for a rewatch...