BIG (1988)

In the latest episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with special guest Matthew Fox from The Ethical Panda, delve into the iconic 1984 supernatural comedy, "Ghostbusters." This episode is a treasure trove for fans and newcomers alike, offering a nostalgic look at why "Ghostbusters" continues to captivate audiences nearly four decades after its initial release.During their discussion, the hosts explore the film's unforgettable characters and groundbreaking special effects, dissecting the elements that contribute to its lasting appeal. They dive into the chemistry of the iconic trio—Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis—whose improvisational skills greatly contributed to the movie’s success. Additionally, they tackle some of the ethical dilemmas and problematic elements of the film, such as the portrayal of women and certain controversial behaviors of the characters, examining these issues through a modern lens.The episode also highlights the impressive practical effects, especially the memorable Stay Puft Marshmallow Man sequence, and discusses the challenges and mixed receptions surrounding the sequels and attempts to revive the franchise. Further topics of conversation include the film's status as a quintessential 80s comedy, the often-overlooked role of Winston Zeddemore played by Ernie Hudson, the impact of cameo appearances and casting decisions like Rick Moranis as Louis Tully, and the enduring appeal of the "Ghostbusters" theme song.With their signature blend of humor, insight, and deep pop culture knowledge, Krissy, Nathan, and Matthew offer a fresh and engaging perspective on "Ghostbusters." This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to relive the magic of this cult classic or discover its charms for the first time.

In this uproarious episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell team up with special guest Jared Washburn to revisit the 1989 cult classic "UHF," starring the incomparable Weird Al Yankovic. Prepare for a nostalgic journey filled with laughter as they delve into this delightfully bizarre comedy that has become a cherished gem, particularly among those who grew up in the 80s and 90s.Throughout the episode, the trio shares their personal connections and admiration for "UHF," highlighting its status as a cult favorite. They praise Weird Al’s commitment to his uproarious parodies and characters, particularly his unforgettable portrayals of Indiana Jones and Rambo, which are considered major highlights of the film. The discussion also covers the unique, episodic structure of "UHF," which features an array of commercial parodies and vignettes that contribute to its charm, despite straying from a traditional narrative.Michael Richards' portrayal of Stanley Spadowski, the janitor turned children’s show host, is acknowledged as particularly memorable, with his natural charm and goofiness bringing a special light to the film. The episode doesn’t shy away from exploring other significant aspects, including the influence of Weird Al’s music on the film’s tone, the challenges of objectively rating a nostalgic favorite, and recommendations for similar comedies like "Wayne's World" and "Empire Records."The hosts also discuss the film's timeless appeal compared to other parody films of its era, the impact of "UHF" on Weird Al’s career, and its surprising initial box office failure. Whether you’re revisiting "UHF" or discovering it for the first time, this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast promises a celebration of the unique humor and enduring legacy of Weird Al Yankovic and the creative minds behind "UHF." Join Krissy, Nathan, and Jared for an episode that’s sure to evoke both laughter and a deep appreciation for this iconic film.

Welcome back baseball fans and 80s movie buffs! In this week's episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, hosts Krissy and Nathan discuss the 1989 fantasy film Field of Dreams with fellow podcaster and filmmaker, Tommy Metz III. This nostalgic baseball movie stars Kevin Costner as Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella, who hears a mysterious voice telling him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfields. After Ray builds the field, the ghosts of Shoeless Joe Jackson and other players banned from baseball for alleged game-fixing in the 1919 World Series emerge from the crops to play ball again. The hosts reflect on Field of Dreams' sentimental exploration of family, redemption, and second chances.Field of Dreams skillfully balances sentimentality with elements of fantasy and the supernatural to avoid becoming overly sappy or precious. The scenes with Shoeless Joe retain a sense of mystery and discovery.The excellent ensemble cast features memorable performances by James Earl Jones, Amy Madigan, and the actors playing the ghostly ballplayers.Comparing Field of Dreams to similar fantasy films like The NaturalExamining the movie's nostalgic, timeless portrayal of the rural MidwestAppreciating the emotive score by James HornerAnalysis of the mysterious voice and its cryptic instructionsDebate over the meaning of Terrence Mann entering the cornfield at the endConclusionField of Dreams continues to captivate audiences more than 30 years later thanks to its winning blend of fantasy, nostalgia, and emotional resonance. Its exploration of how we can heal connections with family and history makes it a lasting classic. Tune in next week when Krissy and Nathan review another unforgettable 80s movie!

Welcome to another tubular episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell cut footloose with the 1984 musical drama that made everyone want to dance.In this episode, Krissy and Nathan discuss the culture clash between Ren, a city kid played by Kevin Bacon, and the conservative Utah town he moves to that has banned dancing and rock music. They break down all the key scenes, like Ariel's wild car stunts, the fight dancing, and the tractor chicken race. Where does Footloose rank among other 80s dancing movies like Dirty Dancing and Flashdance?Krissy and Nathan also examine whether Ariel is a likeable love interest, the naked boy shower scene, and how they would rewrite the story to focus more on the joy of dancing. They rate Footloose on the tractor scale and make recommendations for better uses of your time, like Roadhouse and the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special with Kevin Bacon.So lace up your dance shoes and get ready to cut loose with Chrissy and Nathan on this totally awesome episode all about Footloose!

It's the podcast where a filmmaker and a comedian slowly trudge through the frozen hedge maze of the 80s movies we think we love or might have missed. Join improv comedian Krissy Lenz (The Neighborhood Comedy Theatre, The Cool Time Dice Hour), and filmmaker Nathan Blackwell (Voyage Trekkers, The Last Movie Ever Made), with guests Sean Oliver and Drew Leatham (Forever Home) as they discuss the zany 1984 sci-fi adventure comedy, Ice Pirates.  for a suspenseful journey into the supernatural!Let's revisit the 1984 sci-fi comedy Ice Pirates and appreciate its genuine comedic tone, rather than pure parody.The characters are fun standouts, like the swashbuckling Killjoy and the surprisingly progressive female roles like Princess Karina. She's a strong leader who doesn't need a man to save her.The plot is pretty convoluted, with unclear villain motivations and confusing time warps. But we can forgive that for imaginative sequences like the aging effects.Our hosts rate this film between a 5-6 on their own, up to an 8 with friends. It's perfect for a lively group screening!Shout out to the impressive practical effects and robot designs, though the premise of a galaxy-wide water shortage is questionable science.There are some dated elements that haven't aged well, like casual racism. But we've got to mention the unique high school stage adaptation - bringing the space battles to the stage was ambitious! In summary, Ice Pirates is a creatively bonkers film that shines at a midnight screening with snacks and friends.

Cue the holiday spirit because Krissy and Nathan are putting on their Santa hats to rewatch the 1988 slapstick comedy Scrooged, starring good ol' Bill Murray as a meanie-bo-beanie executive in need of some Christmas magic. Will the Ghost of Christmas Past take back their nostalgia goggles by the final bell? DING DING! Let's find out!★ Turns out Billy's bonkers improv style made for one too many mistle-wrong moments as the villainous Frank Cross★ While they jingled the ghosts' bells at first, each creepy Christmas spirit started to lose their magic★ This snowball got rolling as a madcap comedy but slowly melted into a confusing lump of drama and darkness★ Not a ha-ha-ho-ho in sight as our hosts question Donner's directing decisions! Bah humbug!★ On the mouse antler scale, watch out, rodents cause Krissy and Nathan give it an average 6 out of 10A few other notes...🎄 Should THIS really be considered a Christmas movie or just Christmas-adjacent? Discuss!🎄 The cinematography got their filmmaking bells ringing for all the wrong reasons!🎄 Speaking of wrongs, Carol Kane plays one naughty Christmas fairy!🎄 Sprinkle in some magic movie recommendations for a very merry binge watch!While their expectations rode in on Santa's sleigh, Krissy and Nathan found Scrooged's bag of gifts just full of coal! 👎 But don't let the ghosts of podcasts past stop you from listening in on all the festive discussions and deciding for yourself! Just leave the fruitcake at home! 🎁🎄

Join improv comedian Krissy Lenz (The Neighborhood Comedy Theatre, The Cool Time Dice Hour), and filmmaker Nathan Blackwell (Voyage Trekkers, The Last Movie Ever Made), and special guest Megan Hughes Rini (The Last Movie Ever Made) take a magical journey back to Welton Academy circa 1959. It's a prep school where free-thinking and self-expression are about as welcome as jeans and boomboxes.Set the scene: Robin Williams stars as an offbeat teacher who inspires his students to shred the rules like the pages of the Pritchett Scale for Poetry!Dude, Williams kills it in this flick! He's all deep and serious, but then he drops some hilarious one-liners too. The whole movie is totally rad, man, talking about how to be yourself and not just follow the crowd. It's got some parts that are still relevant today, but some parts are totally stuck in the '50s. And let me tell you, that love story is totally bitchin'! The acting by everyone is totally gnarly, dude!We give this film high ratings with 8.5 perfect books of poetry and higher! Righteous!This coming-of-age story is most triumphant with excellent writing and performances. Catch ya on the flip side!

Get ready to saddle up for some wildly excellent 80s action with The Most Excellent 80s Movies podcast's tubular recap of Lethal Weapon!Our radical hosts Krissy, Nathan, and special guest Andy Andy Nelson gnaw their way through this primo slice of buddy-cop nostalgia. It's 1987 and extreme odd couple, detectives Riggs and Murtaugh, are trading quips and bullets on the streets of LA. The hosts serve up a bodacious summary of this classic flick starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as the mismatched cop duo. Majorly Important Points:They dish on how this flick totally created the formula for buddy cop flicks with its wacky partners. We dig it!Some stuff like Riggs' grief and the villains are now kinda bogus and don't hold up. Bummer!The action scenes are styling and they can roll with the occasional plot holes. Sweet!They analyze whether the wild Western-style ending fights really move the story. Hmmm.Other Triumphant Topics:This movie screams the 1980s with its cliches, tropes, and references. Classic!The action is almost as extreme as director Michael Bay's future flicks. Ka-boom!Some bits about women and doctors are now super cringe. Not cool!Is this really a holiday classic or just set at Christmas? We're not sure, dudes.They rate this radical movie between 6 and 8 "buns" out of 10.In conclusion, this most excellent 80s flick is a pioneer of buddy cop films despite some heinous elements that don't age well.

You gotta check out this rad episode where Krissy and Nathan are reviewing the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi action flick – The Running Man. It's totally tubular and will have you stoked!They start with a brief lowdown of the 1987 dystopian film set in a totalitarian future where convicted criminals are forced to compete on a deadly game show called The Running Man. They compare it to other gnarly movies of the era like Robocop that deal with big ideas of capitalism, sensationalist media, and police states gone wild.The duo gets down and dirty with the ridiculous premise and plot holes of The Running Man, asking how contestants normally win the game if they don't kill the stalkers. But hey, they still love Arnold's iconic one-liners and puns after defeating each gladiator ("Sub Zero? More like Plain Zero!"). That's totally bodacious!Krissy and Nathan shoot the breeze about whether the film is still dope today and whether audiences would flip on the show as quickly as portrayed. They give mad props to Richard Dawson's over-the-top performance as the villainous game show host Killian and discuss the wacky tonal shifts between extreme violence and campy dance numbers.Krissy and Nathan also cover other far-out topics such as comparisons to The Hunger Games franchise, questionable fashion choices and costumes, recurring images of spandex and 80s flair, the cheesiness of Arnold's "love story" romantic subplot, and the importance of an editor on the rebels' team. They debate the realism of the crowd turning so dramatically and appreciate the running time being padded out by extended dance sequences. Totally rad, right?

Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell and special guest Nate McWhortor (Gank that Drank: A Supernatural Drinking Game Podcast) as they journey down the rabbit hole of 1988's groundbreaking live-action/animated smash hit Who Framed Roger Rabbit. In this fun and insightful episode, we look at:The stunning visual effects that seamlessly blended live action and animation like never before, paving the way for modern CGIHow Robert Zemeckis brought together Disney and Warner Bros characters on screen for the first time, an almost unthinkable crossover at the timeJessica Rabbit as a male fantasy icon but also a surprisingly nuanced female character who defies expectationsThe core theme of laughter as a unifying force contrasted with the humorless villainsThe not-so-subtle satire of Los Angeles development and transportationHow well the film holds up today as an introduction to noir for kids and familiesKrissy, Nate, and Nathan also share their personal memories of seeing Who Framed Roger Rabbit for the first time, get into the deeper themes, and analyze what still works and what doesn't all these years later. It's a spirited back-and-forth between two movie lovers taking a fond look back at a comedy classic.Other topics discussed:The rapid-fire opening cartoon sequence introducing Roger RabbitThe groundbreaking interaction of cartoons and humans at the Ink & Paint ClubThe horrifying introduction of Christopher Lloyd's Judge Doom and his deadly "Dip"The scene-stealing performance of Bob Hoskins as Eddie ValiantThe chase scenes and vintage Los Angeles settingsThe mystery plot and film noir tropesHow the plot wraps up rather quickly in the endComparing Who Framed Roger Rabbit to Cool World and Space JamSo put on your best Eddie Valiant fedora and give a listen to Krissy, Nate and Nathan pay tribute to this outrageous live action/animated mashup that brought new levels of visual wizardry to the big screen. It's a spirited and enlightening dive into a comedy classic that still delights today.