La Bamba (1987)

One Shat host is a social justice warrior. The other hates Mel Brooks movies. So "Blazing Saddles" seemed doomed from the start. But there's magic in Gene Wilder, Cleavon Little and the old frontier. Listener Ed took Shat The Movies way back to 1974 for this satirical Western that Gene Lyons argues isn't racist, sexist or even remotely offensive (other than one particular performance). Dick Ebert was impressed with the "real Hollywood Western" feel of the movie, attributing the incredible cast and chemistry to divine intervention, and also the groundbreaking farts. In this episode, the Shat Boys discuss the connection between "Blazing Saddles" and "La Bamba," cheer for Slim Pickens and Harvey Korman and wonder at how cleverly the film breaks the fourth wall. You know those episodes where Gene gets excited and quotes the movie a lot? Yeah, it's one of those. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Is "PCU" hard to find because it crossed a line or because it's just not a very good movie? Listener Jeff from Nebraska commissioned the Shat Crew to uncover the truth for his 40th birthday. In a lot of ways, PCU is your typical '90s college movie. The university president is trying to shut down a student house. There's seventh-year senior showing the new guy the ropes. A kegger is the solution to life's problems, and the good guys win. But PCU is still very much its own film. There's no clear protagonist. No group of students is decidedly popular. There might not even be an actual plot. In this episode, Big D recalls his days as fraternity president. Ash explains college tours. Gene tells the Legend of Alpha Drive, and Jerry Seinfeld is wrong. The Shat Crew also tackles hazing, dirty talk in the dorms and whether George Clinton was the right choice as musical guest. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

A lot's changed since 1987: Biopics are much more common (and darker). Chicano artists are more mainstream, and Lou Diamond Phillips is a household name.  So we acknowledge "La Bamba' was groundbreaking ... and not very good. Listener Mark C. commissioned this episode and the upcoming "American Me" to celebrate his heritage as a first-generation Hispanic-American. He noted the blockbuster soundtrack, janky lip-syncing and performances from Esai Morales, Joe Pantaliano and Elizabeth Pena. But Mark didn't prepare us for laughably large talismans, breakneck pacing and Ritchie Valens' "golly-gee" persona. In this episode, the Shat Crew debates whether Ritchie's brother, Bob, got a fair shake in the movie, what really happened that night in Tijuana and how much racism is appropriate for this story. Gene spots a Mystical Mexican. Ash yearns for some Buddy Holly, and Dick wants more details about the plane crash and aftermath. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Robert Rodriguez blew minds when he created "El Mariachi" for $7,000. The sequel added a brooding Antonio Banderas and sizzling Salma Hayek to rack up $58 million worldwide. But was "Desperado" actually good?  If you're looking for cool cameos, hot sex scenes, bloody bar fights and a strong female lead, then yes. If you're looking for believable gunplay, a plot that makes sense, badass sidekicks or artistic composition, then you're out of luck. In this episode, commissioned by listener Rachel, the Shat Crew discusses Steve Buscemi always being the same age, Quentin Tarantino always being Quentin Tarantino and henchmen always being unreliable.  Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

"Krush Groove" is the sort of '80s oddity that can't quite be categorized. Is it a musical? A comedy? A collection of music videos with dialogue sprinkled in between? This time capsule captured rap's infancy and changed the way Big D speaks. This week's episode, commissioned by listener David B., gave us a newfound respect for Run-DMC, The Fat Boys and, oddly enough, "Purple Rain." Dick Ebert learned why Kurtis Blow is called Kurtis Blow; Ash revealed the depth of her hip-hop knowledge; and Gene explained why he thinks rappers are naturally good actors. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

John Candy is the kind of guy you want as your uncle, your travel buddy or your best friend. But does he work as a private investigator cracking a complicated kidnapping? "Who's Harry Crumb?" rolled the dice to find out. Falling somewhere between "Fletch" and "Ace Ventura," this 1989 comedy was largely predictable, mostly uninteresting and painfully miscast, but it had its moments. Absurd disguises, a loveable sidekick, non sequiturs and uncomfortable outfits kept things irreverent and memorable. And for an '80s movie, that's sometimes all you need. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

When people think DeNiro and Scorsese, it's generally mob hits or boxing rings. But 1983's "The King of Comedy" is an often-overlooked exploration of television fame that shows just how funny, dark and thought-provoking the actor-director pair can be in any genre. Listener Charlie in L.A., who brought us "Boogie Nights," is back with another stellar commission that led to some interesting topics, including when it's OK to ask for an autograph, who the new acting royalty is in Hollywood, whether Sandra Bernhard helped or hurt the movie and when being agreeable becomes creepy. If you've never thought much of Jerry Lewis, wondered where Todd Phillips got his inspiration for "Joker" or wanted to hear Gene gush over early '80s fashion, this is the episode for you. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Once upon a time, there was a movie about an unlikeable fancy lad joining the unlikeable crew of a ship called The Filthy Whore after David Letterman tried to sell him a monkey, but at least it had Tim Burton as the director. Until it didn't. This week, Shat The Movies brings you "Cabin Boy," the 1994 box-office bomb that nearly sank Chris Elliott's career and left the Shat Crew scratching their heads. On one hand, this movie is terrifically quotable, wonderfully quirky and loaded with comedic talent. On the other hand, viewers might find themselves asking where the budget went, what year it's supposed to be set in and why a flying cupcake is spitting tobacco.  Was "Cabin Boy" horribly marketed? Did the writers run out of material? What would happen if a Viking had sex with a shark? We dive into these questions and more in this week's episode. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Shat The Movies was made for movies like "Hardbodies," a motion picture originally planned for the Playboy Channel but released in theaters because America needed boobs. This 1985 skin flick has all the tropes you'd expect: women in bikinis, beach parties, waterbeds and cheesy lines. But "Hardbodies" surprised us with a few unexpected moments: a no-means-no stance on sexual harassment, a heartwarming makeover scene, an exploration of aging and a woman banged so hard she bursts through the roof of a limousine.  In this episode, the Shat Crew explores the charm of bad writing, what qualifies as transactional sex and how marketing ruins everything. Gene marvels at the many kinds of breasts he didn't know existed, and Dick debates with Ash on whether America has gotten fatter or cinema has become more inclusive. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

"Let It Ride" is a 1989 comedy starring Richard Dreyfuss as Jay Trotter, a perpetually unlucky gambler who, after overhearing a tip about a longshot horse, decides to bet all his savings on it. As Jay's luck suddenly turns around, he finds himself on an exhilarating winning streak at the racetrack, encountering various eccentric characters along the way. Despite facing doubts and temptations, Jay chooses to let his winnings ride, leading to a thrilling climax where his faith in luck and optimism are put to the test. The film is a comedic and heartwarming exploration of gambling, optimism, and the thrill of taking risks. Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Donate or Commission: https://shatpod.com/support Shop Merchandise: https://shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite