Episode 2.04

It's finally time for Stage 16's BEVERLY HILLS COP episode! In this episode, Shaun and Stuart take a very deep dive into Martin Brest's first film, Tony Scott's explosive sequel, not much into the best-forgotten third film from John Landis and then Mark Molloy's new Netflix film AXEL F which comes in as a mostly redeeming 4th film in the franchise. So sit back, relax and let's go!

In the latest episode of Stage 16, Shaun and Stuart talk all things trailers and movies beginning with the trailers for BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL FOLEY for Netflix and BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE which opens in September from Warner Bros. Next, Shaun shares a funny story about the one time he got starstruck seeing an actor! Sticking with Michael Keaton, they discuss KNOX GOES AWAY, the new film Keaton both directs and stars in which leads to a brief appreciation of the John Lee Hancock film THE FOUNDER which also stars, you guessed it, Michael Keaton. After that it's a chat about THE FALL GUY, FURIOSA and why the studios need to go back to the 90-day theatrical window. The episode closes out with Shaun’s review of FURIOSA!

In this month's episode, Shaun and Stuart talk about toxic fandom and where social media comes into play before taking aa deep SPOILER FILLED dive into Doug Liman's new Amazon film ROAD HOUSE and what Shaun believes to be audiences being "trained to accept mediocrity." Stuart goes through his likes and Shaun his dislikes from the remake and they pose the question: Is there a modern day equivalent for Patrick Swayze? FURIOSA starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, the trailer for ALIEN ROMULUS starring Cailee Spaeny (PRISCILLA) and the BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE trailer which leads to a brief chat about the BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL FOLEY trailer, Shaun's excitement for that film which drops in July on Netflix and a nod to the sheer brilliance of composer Harold Faltermeyer who, sadly, isn't returning for the new film. They even share a couple of his best score cues from the first two COP films before Shaun shares a bit about his experience as an intern on COP III and the Landis mistake.  Masters of the Air, The Pacific and the legacy (and large shadow) of Band of Brothers, Apple TV's new series Manhunt about the search for John Wilkes Booth following his assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and HBO's recently completed series True Detective: Night Country.

In the first episode of Season 3, Stuart and Shaun talk "emotional maturity" and some of the radically inappropriate films they saw at a young age leading to a discussion of what Shaun is showing to his young son now including the 1984 smash GHOSTBUSTERS. This leads to a brief discussion of the 2016 "All Female" GHOSTBUSTERS, 2021's GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE and the upcoming GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE which opens in March. And now, for those of you who follow Stage 16, Shaun or Stuart on social media, you can all find out which of the GHOSTBUSTERS legacy cast Shaun hasn’t worked with! They talk about the loss of the great Carl Weathers… and about being at an age where no small amount of our cinematic heroes will be… leaving the building, and what that feels like.   They end on a discussion of the leading contenders for the Oscar and BAFTA Awards and Shaun shares his feelings about the films he’s seen - which is all of them - including a side chat about the brilliance of Best Supporting Actor nominee Sterling K. Brown.   They also talk about what it’s like to have gotten the opportunity to meet and speak with some of the amazing actors and filmmakers they’ve met and when they "freak out."

The guys talk briefly about their love of movie poster art before digging into the 20th Anniversary of LOVE ACTUALLY - a film both of them have on their holiday watchlist but neither have watched yet this season. They also discuss the backlash against the film in certain circles.  Shaun and Stuart break down their favorite storylines - at least the ones they can remember - and discuss the bits that may have been a little odd… even back in 2003. This leads to a discussion of toxic fandom and why we should all just let people like what they like without dog-piling them online. Finally, Shaun teases a bit of info about Emerald Fennell’s new film SALTBURN which is quite a trip and Stuart talks about revisiting some of director John Woo’s older films along with the critically-panned THE POSTMAN from director Kevin Costner.  Wrapping things up, they talk briefly about CARLITO’S WAY and the genius of Sean Penn and Gary Oldman. This is our last episode of 2023. Catch you here in 2024!

In this absolutely jam-packed episode of Stage 16, Shaun and Stuart talk about Loss of Matthew Perry and the loss of all the practical sets at the famed Warner Ranch. Next, Stuart gets Shaun to share some stories from the sets of WILD WILD WEST and THE GLIMMER MAN. Then Shaun decides to share one last Steven Seagal story. Switching topics, Shaun wonders if we are at the beginning of the end... the end of physical media that is, which leads to a discussion about the downside of streamers, the joys of browsing cover boxes and a new way to do it digitally. They'll talk about Willl Smith, how the release of Jada Pickett SMith's new book may be compounding the damage to Will's career and whether he can come back from the fallout caused by... his... wife? This leads into a brief conversation about Amber Heard and cancel culture.  They then close out the episode with a discussion of Paramount's mishandling of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1 and what it means for the sequel, the ever-present question of when audiences will get the next James Bond adventure and, finally, a view of Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon and one last little tidbit about cinema books. We hope you enjoy!

In Episode 2.06, Shaun and Stuart begin by celebrating the WGA's win against the AMPTP and briefly discuss that hard-won victory. Next they talk a bit about a movie they came late to the table on... BARBIE* which leads to Shaun sharing a behind-the-scenes tidbit about the making of an iconic shot from ATONEMENT - a story he heard from director Joe Wright and DOP Seamus McGarvey which then leads into a chat about the infamous “oner” shot in film... like the opening of A TOUCH OF EVIL or THE PLAYER, a key sequence in Joe Wright’s THE SOLOIST and in films where shots appear to be "oners" but cheat a bit like CHILDREN OF MEN or BIRDMAN.  Next, Stuart puts Shaun into the Way Back machine and asks about a few of his past projects beginning with tv’s SeaQuest DSV. Shaun shares how he got his start and how he made his way onto the Universal lot in the first place to get his first job Next up Stuart asks about Disney’s JOHN CARTER and Shaun definitely had an interesting experience on that one.  Only got to two out of the five projects Stuart wanted to talk about so... if you want to hear more fun stories from Shaun, let us know on social media!

In this episode, Shaun and Stuart check in on the state of the writer's and actor's strike and what is still very much at stake for both unions and their members, which leads into a brief discussion of the film S1M0NE (which Shaun briefly worked on), the AI takeover and the loss of residuals for talent. The guys talk about their longing for the cinematic past and then take a look at a major film depicting the past in OPPENHEIMER. They'll talk through the many reasons Cillian Murphy having finally earned his leading role in a bug-budget film is a win for all, and the twisty narrative notions of Christopher Nolan as well as the oft-complained about sound design in his films. Shaun talks briefly about Sony Pictures' GRAN TURISMO with David Harbour channeling Hackman and Indiana Jones' final adventure (now on digital!) Next they'll dive into some spoilers from THE FLASH, talk about the film's truly wonky VFX and saving babies. Rounding things out, Shaun wonders if we're being "trained to accept mediocre" at the cinema before Stuart pays tribute to the late great William Friedkin, leading to a discussion about the impending loss of legends and who might replace them. Finally, O’Banion asks Stuart who, from the current crop of actors, he’d cast in a remake of UNFORGIVEN. How about you? Who would you cast?

In this episode, Shaun and Stuart talk about nostalgia and the state of modern cinema (in their respective opinions). It's a super-sized episode that finds them talking about everything from DC's THE FLASH to John Carpenter's THE THING. From INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY to, well, anything and everything related to film and the theatrical experience! So, after a long break, here you go!

On this packed episode, Shaun and Stuart take about upgrading physical media in the new world of streamers pulling films and shows off their platforms (possibly never to be seen again), troubled movie stars like Ezra Miller in THE FLASH, studio box-office tracking and Marvel celebrating 15 years of IRON MAN. They'll talk about their excitement for INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY despite the online trolls and negative reviews out of Cannes and about whether the film will feel different without Spielberg at the helm. After that they'll talk about the FAST & FURIOUS franchise and their lack of enthusiasm for FAST X which has just opened globally (including a spoiler about the film, but don't worry, they'll tell you before they talk about it so you can mute for a few seconds). Lastly they'll talk about the gargantuan running times of movies including KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON which clocks in at nearly four hours(!) before talking about the WGA (Writers Guild of America) strike in the U.S., how you can support the people who wrote and created some of your favorite films and shows and what the strike is all about. Enjoy!