Episode 123 : Christmas Vacation Holiday Special

We said we wouldn’t be back until 2026… but we were infused with the spirit of the season. When the world gets overwhelming, we turn to movies that remind us why we love them… and also why nobody’s leaving. Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. This is a full-blown, four-alarm HOLIDAY SPECIAL. Not only are we diving into Christmas movie classics, subgenres & our personal favorites, we’re also going behind the scenes of how the beloved NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION came to be. Favorite moments & quotes abound with this one! So grab a mug, get cozy & deck the halls with the Griswold family. Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where’s the Tylenol? 🎄✨

Halloween’s our favorite season, and despite being away from the mic for almost a year, we couldn’t let it pass us by. So we’re back — just in time for spooky season — with a special Don’t Push Pause comeback episode! This year’s treat? We’re kicking things off with Ranked!: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (Franchise) — a sneak peek at our all-new format coming in 2026. Our deep dives into the best films of yesteryear aren’t going anywhere (never fear), but exciting changes are ahead, and we’re thrilled to have you along for the ride. For now, it’s time to face off. Justin and Lindsay compare their rankings of every Elm Street film — from dream demons to meta madness. Grab your popcorn (and maybe stay awake)… because Freddy’s not the only one making a comeback.

Nothing says Halloween like multiple tales of terror & revenge! The magical collaboration of George A. Romero & Stephen King was born from a genuine love for the horror genre, comradery & ingenious creativity. Join us for this dive into the lively CREEPSHOW spirit & how it became one of the most celebrated horror anthologies around.  
///***Discussions include***\\\ Bringing Romero, King & Tom Savini together; EC Comics, formation of the film & assembling an anthology screenplay; dissection of individual stories, tonality, common themes; bits about the cast & performances, plus special effects, editing & music; release, reception, favorite moments, longevity of the franchise & plenty of behind the scenes action. Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Stephen King, Leslie Nielsen, E.G. Marshall & so many more star in CREEPSHOW (1982) /// Directed by George A. Romero.   ///***Picks of the Week***\\\  • Lindsay’s Pick: TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972). Joan Collins, Peter Cushing, Richard Greene /// Directed by Freddie Francis.  • Justin’s Pick: TALES FROM THE HOOD (1995). Clarence Williams III, David Alan Grier, Rosalind Cash, Corbin Bernsen /// Directed by Rusty Cundieff. ///***MurrayMoment***\\\ Bill gets some innocent revenge on a well-known film critic. ///***Final Thoughts on CREEPSHOW***\\\    • Please rate, review & subscribe.  • Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube.  • Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders. www.dontpushpausepodcast.com [email protected] Be Kind & Rewatch // October 15, 2024

Prior to 1982’s FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, few films were brazen enough to depict an honest slice of teenage high school life. But that all changed with the keenly observant & smart pairing of writer Cameron Crowe & director Amy Heckerling. Not only did it usher in a brave new baseline for teen stories, but it also launched countless budding careers. Let’s head back to school & rediscover the film that was edgy for its time… and now feels more progressive 40 years later! ///***Discussions include***\\\ Brief recap of Cameron Crowe’s early career & what led to his novel, Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story, becoming a film; finding director Amy Heckerling, her relationship with Crowe & importance of a female voice; intense studio concerns, adapting the book, changes, creating a narrative flow, emotional complexity & tonality; soundtrack, the film’s ending, memorable moments, in-depth character & cast discussion; struggle with the MPAA, editing, test screening, release/reception, plus the top movies of 1982. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates & Sean Penn star in FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982) /// Directed by Amy Heckerling. ///***Picks of the Week***\\\     •    Lindsay’s Pick: THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY (2001). Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming, Phoebe Cates, Kevin Kline, Jennifer Beals /// Directed by Jennifer Jason Leigh & Alan Cumming.     •    Justin’s Pick: RUSH (1991). Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Patric, Sam Elliott, Max Perlich /// Directed by Lili Fini Zanuck. . ///***MurrayMoment***\\\ Cameron Crowe’s seemingly impossible feat of landing Bill for his 2015 film, ALOHA. ///***Final Thoughts on FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH***\\\ Coming in October:  CREEPSHOW (1982)     •    Please rate, review & subscribe.     •    Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube.     •    Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders. www.dontpushpausepodcast.com [email protected] Be Kind & Rewatch // September 17, 2024     

If ARACHNOPHOBIA doesn’t leave you feeling itchy, nothing much will! Preying on paranoia & psychological terror, this 1990 “thrillomedy” teetered between being a family-friendly horror/comedy or box office poison. Shake out the bedsheets because this episode is billowing over with spiders coming to take over your town! 
///***Discussions include***\\\ Where director Frank Marshall was coming from, useful production connections, plus studio intentions & hesitations; inspirations, story origin, script revision, uniqueness among spider movies & the comedy/thriller vision; working with & finding the perfect real-life spiders, plus animatronics; filming locations & cast discussion; music, marketing, reaction to the film, memorable scenes & lotsa personal spider stories. Jeff Daniels, John Goodman, Harley Jane Kozak & Julian Sands star in ARACHNOPHOBIA (1990) /// Directed by Frank Marshall. ///***Picks of the Week***\\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: TICKS (1993). Seth Green, Alfonso Ribeiro, Peter Scolari, Clint Howard  /// Directed by Tony Randel. • Justin’s Pick: MIMIC (1997). Mira Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Charles S. Dutton, Josh Brolin /// Directed by Guillermo del Toro. . ///***MurrayMoment***\\\ Billy & John Goodman go riding bikes together. ///***Final Thoughts on ARACHNOPHOBIA***\\\ Coming in September:  FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982) • Please rate, review & subscribe. • Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. • Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders. www.dontpushpausepodcast.com [email protected] Be Kind & Rewatch // August 13,  2024    

A movie that rallies behind underdogs has timeless appeal. The genuine camaraderie in MAJOR LEAGUE infuses audiences with the baseball spirit like no other sports comedy. Rooting for these Clevelanders is a no-brainer, so join us on this redemption story filled with heartfelt nuances & plenty of laughs. 
///***Discussions include***\\\ Writer/Director David S. Ward’s inspiration & career background; grounding the story in reality, authenticity & fandom; lengthy development process, chance meetings & studio doubts; gaining permission from the MLB, main shooting locations, filming tricks; requirements for casting, baseball boot camp & main character breakdowns; music,  reception, sequels & favorite moments. Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Wesley Snipes & Rene Russo star in MAJOR LEAGUE (1989) /// Directed by David S. Ward. . ///***Picks of the Week***\\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: EIGHT MEN OUT (1988). John Cusack, David Strathairn, D.B. Sweeney, John Mahoney /// Directed by John Sayles. • Justin’s Pick: 61* (2001). Thomas Jane, Barry Pepper, Anthony Michael Hall /// Directed by Billy Crystal. . ///***MurrayMoment***\\\ Find out what Bill was up to during the days surrounding the Cubs vs. Indians 2016 World Series. ///***Final Thoughts on MAJOR LEAGUE***\\\ . Coming in August:  ARACHNOPHOBIA (1990) — Please rate, review & subscribe. — Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. — Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders. www.dontpushpausepodcast.com  dontpushpausepodcast@gmail .com Be Kind & Rewatch // July 9, 2024.

No better way to celebrate our 6th Anniversary than with the 1994 summer blockbuster, SPEED. This rollercoaster ride was never expected to have a massive impact, catapult careers or be anything more than a B-movie. Aging well with its precision & unrelenting tension, SPEED’s realism has kept it in the top tier of solid action films of the last 30 years. They truly don’t make ‘em like this anymore. 
///***Discussions include***\\\ Script evolution, revisions, structure, tonal changes & complete overhaul; studio struggle & hesitations, turnaround, more revisions; turning a renowned cinematographer into a first-time director; on-location shooting, action sequences, stunt work; miniatures, practical & optical effects; casting, main cast discussion & chemistry between the leads; pacing, editing &  the film’s aesthetic; music, sound & score; marketing, release, reception, awards & sequel. Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Hopper & Jeff Daniels star in SPEED (1994) /// Directed by Jan de Bont. . ///***Picks of the Week***\\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: THE NET (1995). Sandra Bullock, Jeremy Northam & Dennis Miller /// Directed by Irwin Winkler. • Justin’s Pick: OUT OF THE BLUE. (1980). Dennis Hopper, Linda Manz, Raymond Burr & Sharon Farrell /// Directed by Dennis Hopper. . ///***MurrayMoment***\\\ Find out why Sweden has an alleged beef with Billy behind the wheel of a golf cart. ///***Final Thoughts on SPEED***\\\ . Coming in July:  MAJOR LEAGUE (1989) — Please rate, review & subscribe. — Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. — Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders. www.dontpushpausepodcast.com [email protected] Be Kind & Rewatch // June 4, 2024

Teaming up a sought-after writer & acclaimed director on a film should mean a box office smash. But the extravagant wildcard that is SHOWGIRLS was ridiculed the moment it hit theaters. However, reevaluation of the film’s heightened reality, intensity & stunning production quality have dispelled many early criticisms. Slap on some glitter, paint your nails & grab your switchblade because it’s time to discover the story behind this kitschy, controversial classic. 
///***Discussions include***\\\ Origin of & intentions behind the story, inspirations & production derailment; re-teaming of a celebrated & button-pushing writer/director duo, rewrites & funding; intentional visual style, overall hyperbolic nature & tonality; staging, choreography & physical demands; casting the lead, plus main cast & character breakdowns; struggle with NC-17 rating, advertising, reception & repercussions, plus the revival & longevity. Elizabeth Berkley, Gina Gershon & Kyle MacLachlan star in SHOWGIRLS (1995) /// Directed by Paul Verhoeven. ///***Picks of the Week***\\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: BOUND (1996). Gina Gershon, Jennifer Tilly, Joe Pantoliano /// Directed by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski. • Justin’s Pick: STARSHIP TROOPERS. (1997). Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Neil Patrick Harris /// Directed by Paul Verhoeven. . ///***MurrayMoment***\\\ Billy finds himself in a perilous pool situation. ///***Final Thoughts on SHOWGIRLS***\\\ Coming in June:  SPEED (1994) • Please rate, review & subscribe. • Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. • Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders. www.dontpushpausepodcast.com  [email protected] Be Kind & Rewatch // May 7, 2024    

Selling an atmospheric, science-fiction film about an extraordinary teenager discovering time travel & saving the world was a lofty pitch for a feature film debut. But writer/director Richard Kelly crafted a mind-bending, unconventional story, packed with powerful visuals & rich subtext, which has now turned it into a modern cult classic. It’s time to unravel the inner-workings of DONNIE DARKO. ///***Discussions include***\\\ Richard Kelly’s script influences, unwavering ambitiousness & vision for the film; finding a production house, churning up interest & lucky breaks; themes, mythology & interpretations; cast influences & character breakdowns; production, visual effects, cinematography & editing; usage of music & score; challenges with releasing, selling & marketing; memorable scenes, reception, Director’s Cut & legacy. Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Drew Barrymore & so many more star in DONNIE DARKO (2001) /// Directed by Richard Kelly. ///***Picks of the Week***\\\     •    Lindsay’s Pick: NOWHERE (1997). James Duval, Rachel True, Nathan Bexton, Christina Applegate /// Directed by Gregg Araki.     •    Justin’s Pick: PRISONERS (2013). Jake Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, Terrence Howard, Paul Dano, Viola Davis /// Directed by Denis Villeneuve. ///***MurrayMoment***\\\ Billy’s surprising entrance into the Marvel superhero world. ///***Final Thoughts on DONNIE DARKO***\\\ Coming in May: SHOWGIRLS (1995).     •    Please rate, review & subscribe.     •    Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube.     •    Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders. www.dontpushpausepodcast.com [email protected] Be Kind & Rewatch // April 2024

Independent cinema & Parker Posey were once synonymous together. PARTY GIRL provides a nuanced & legitimate snapshot of mid-‘90s New York, complete with updated screwball comedy vibes, an inspiring dose of youth-to-adulthood transition & charm from beginning to end. Strap in for this love letter to indie film! 
///***Discussions include***\\\ Story conception, inspirations, writer/director collaboration & refining the script; themes, tonality, authenticity & capturing a niche, contemporary reality; type of film & culture-clashing; finding the cast, character discussion & Parker Posey background; heavy music & fashion/costuming influences; difficulties with releasing, premiere & longevity of the film. Parker Posey, Omar Townsend, Guillermo Diaz & Sasha von Scherler star in PARTY GIRL (1995) /// Directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer.   ///***Picks of the Week***\\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: THE HOUSE OF YES (1997). Parker Posey, Freddie Prince Jr., Josh Hamilton, Tori Spelling /// Directed by Mark Waters. • Justin’s Pick: PRICE CHECK (2012). Parker Posey, Eric Mabius, Amy Schumer, Annie Parisse /// Directed by Michael Walker. ///***MurrayMoment***\\\ The same Lower Manhattan filming region for PARTY GIRL once provided a refuge for Billy & his SNL counterparts — time to go inside the legendary Blues Bar. ///***Final Thoughts on PARTY GIRL***\\\ --------------------------------------------- Coming in April: DONNIE DARKO (2001). • Please rate, review & subscribe. • Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. • Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders. www.dontpushpausepodcast.com [email protected] Be Kind & Rewatch // March 2024