Shat The Movies - The 80s & 90s Best Films Podcast

"Airplane!" ranks sixth on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies and has more laughs per minute than any other film, but none of that matters. The real question is: Did Gene Lyons like it? In this episode commissioned by listener Kiki, the Shat Crew covers a long-overdue '80s comedy classic that mixes heavy parody, genius non-verbal jokes and delightfully offensive material. Dick Ebert explains that every time he watches "Airplane!" he discovers a new punchline. And Gene applauds performances from Peter Graves, Robert Stack and Julie Hagerty. The guys also cover the infamous Otto scene, the line that keeps giving and whether Johnny was gay. If you enjoy episodes where Big D and Gene disagree, give this one a listen.  SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com 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

Remember when we covered "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" and wondered why Christopher Lambert had be replaced as Raiden? This week, we got our answer: Shat The Movies' favorite Frenchman was busy filming "Beowulf." On paper, this 1999 sci-fi adaptation of the Old English epic poem sounds like a disaster. In fact, movie commissioner Emmet in Orange had never even seen "Beowulf" when he requested a review.  Filmed on a $3 million budget, this Mortal Kombat-style action-adventure is loaded with anachronistic dialogue, comically odd weapons, overcomplicated gadgets, incredible cleavage and combat that mostly consists of doing flips. This movie's plot armor makes "Game of Thrones" Season 8 seem reasonable. The soundtrack and bring-your-own-costume style feel like we've slipped into a 1990s Romanian rave, and watching poor Rhona Mitra seduce Christopher Lambert hurt our souls. In this episode, we discuss the monster who could have been beaten by Kevin McCallister, the succubus who stepped right off the set of a White

Charlie Sheen scored some hits in the 1980s: "Red Dawn," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Young Guns," "Platoon" and "Major League." But only one movie featured him as a resurrected racer with a killer Dodge M4S Turbo Interceptor. It's "The Wraith!" Independent films in the '80s were wild, and "The Wraith" is no exception. Antifreeze-chugging punks, made-up slang and something called a "digital radio killer" didn't seem strange in a time when Randy Quaid could play an indifferent sheriff, bullies could just own girls and cars could put themselves back together with zero explanation.  In this episode, Big D quizzes Gene on the names of Arizona landmarks; Gene explains how "The Wraith" killed one of its cameramen; and both Shat hosts agree the hero of the movie is a jerk. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a V

"Tango & Cash" was the final major motion picture released in the 1980s. Like a fish born with legs, this 1989 action-comedy showed signs of evolution into a new age but sucked ass at swimming. Big D didn't know "Tango & Cash" was supposed to be comedy. Gene wondered why the movie failed so hard at depicting journalism and court proceedings. And both hosts were shocked at the entire prison plotline. In this episode, The Shat Crew asks A.I. to assist with new action-star pairings (Chuck Norris and Van Damme, anyone?), apologizes to Teri Hatcher, wonders if Jack Palance is OK, and braces for an HBO reboot from the makers of "True Detective." SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com 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: ht

If you've ever wondered what went wrong with Fairuza Balk's childhood, listener David D. has the answer. That's why he commissioned the dark-ass 1985 Disney flop "Return to Oz." Don't be fooled by the made-for-TV movie poster, this sequel to 1939's "The Wizard of Oz" is loaded with terrific effects including an animatronic talking chicken and a princess who can swap out her heads. The sets are amazing, the costumes are at least interesting, and the messages about childhood and mental illness are pretty advanced for a kids' movie. In this episode, the Shat Crew weighs Oz villains against one another, asks what exactly Wheelers do, suggests design improvements for Tik-Tok, shames Auntie Em and pays respects to an overlooked movie that never got the praise it deserved. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a V

In a surprisingly educational episode, the Shaw Crew learns that sharks are playful, '70s parenting was utterly irresponsible and Richard Dreyfuss was the original hipster. It's the summer blockbuster that started it all: "Jaws!" When listener Tracy C. commissioned this Steven Spielberg masterpiece, we knew we'd be talking about Big D peeing his pants, how good the movie looks in UHD, how what you don't show can be as scary as what you reveal and why good horror movies kill children. But we didn't expect to be praying for Dick's TV to die, groaning over criminal foreshadowing or praising "Jaws" for its character development. Was the shark a dick or just hungry? Were Brody, Quint and Hooper just bad at hunting great whites? Did you catch those boobs at the beginning? Dive into these questions and more, plus hear voicemail from Hot Sauce Steve, Jimmy J and a Canadian named Ryley who is definitely a man. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subs

Do you like pirate movies? How about insurance fraud thrillers? Action films with giant sea monsters? Well, one 1998 movie decided to combine them all and cast Famke Janssen as an international master thief. It's time for "Deep Rising!" In this episode, Big D imagines a world where artificial intelligence writes movie screenplays and has the common sense to keep the monster secret until the characters have been established. Gene notes how the entire cast is made of second-stringers, and the King Bee salutes Shat The Movies' first tentacle-through-a-toilet kill. The Shat Crew also discusses the M1-L1 Triple Pulse Rifle, overpowered weaponry and how the movie absolutely neglected its most promising character.  The CGI was bad, the continuity was questionable, and the King Kong tie-in was a bit of a surprise, but the Sea Doo stunts might have made the whole experience worth it. Maybe all we needed was Harrison Ford. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shat

What do you get the mermaid fanatic who has everything? Might we suggest Dick Ebert discussing the sex lives of cryptids and Gene drooling over Daryl Hannah? It's 1984's "Splash!" In this episode celebrating listener Stephanie Q's birthday, the Shat Crew praises one of the few '80s slow-motion scenes that works, applauds surprisingly well-developed characters, and worries about how long Tom Hanks would survive under the sea.  "Splash" was Touchstone Pictures' first release, allowing Disney to flex some of its adult muscles, and we're grateful. It gave us the chance to talk about The King Bee ghosting Gene on their movie date, Eugene Levy typifying the incels of the '80s, and "The Boys" venturing into utterly unwatchable territory. Through it all, we witnessed a terrific protagonist in Allen Bauer, who had his priorities straight and dove headlong into love.  SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Websi

In a rare trip to the 1970s, Big D and Gene examine the Jim Henson film that started it all: "The Muppet Movie."  Sharing a respect for the wild characters and expert puppeteering in this 1979 road comedy, the Shat Crew digs into the surprisingly adult themes, delightfully quiet jokes and clever self-awareness. On the other hand, "The Muppet Movie" drags at times before culminating in a gorgeous ensemble ending. In this episode, the Shat Crew covers a real-life Orson Welles, songs that go on too long, "The Muppet Movie" legacy and whether Animal is overrated. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com 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/guyzni

We can thank Kevin Costner's "Dances With Wolves" for reinvigorating Westerns for the '90s, leading to other Shat movies like "Tombstone" and "Unforgiven." For '80s kids, it also served as a gateway to exploring American Indian culture and history. Despite questionable mustaches and a conspicuous score, "Dances With Wolves" was visually stunning, emotionally effective and, in Ash's case, occasionally terrifying. Yes, it still had some corny narration and gratuitous slow-motion. But that's the '90s, baby! In this episode, Gene applauds Costner for casting a "kinda old" lead lady. Ash hails "Dances With Wolves" as the model of using a simple story to great impact, and Big D asks how John Dunbar became fluent in Lakota. The Shat Crew also discusses the buffalo hunt, the noble savage, brain damage from repeated blows to the head and how much Americans suck. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: h

"Great song ... great masks ... the plan sucks." That's how Dick Ebert summed up the infamous bait-and-switch horror classic "Halloween III: Season of The Witch," a movie that taught us what happens when you take the slasher out of a slasher series. Rob in Colchester commissioned this 1982 film, recorded a jingle for it and shared his mind-blowing theories on why a super-hot, grieving daughter would bang an alcoholic doctor, why TV stations would take orders from that doctor and why killer androids let him live. In this episode, Gene learns about Mr. Beast and immediate hates him. Big D teaches us how to punch dolphins, and Ash wonders what Irishness has to do with the Halloween franchise. The Shat Crew also praises the realness of Halloween III's black characters, suggests casting Jeff Goldblum instead of Tom Atkins and explores the drop-off in kids watching TV. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com

"Stripes" surfaced some pretty great Army stories from Big D— including the joy's of kitchen duty, henpecked drill sergeants, incompetent officers and what it means to be a Five-Jump Chump—while giving us a glimpse of '80s comedy giants in their prime. Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, John Candy, Judge Reinhold, John Larroquette, Sean Young and even Bill Paxton (blink and you'll miss him) brought their youth and talent to this classic war comedy that served up boobs by the dozen. In this episode, Dick and Gene shred Chevy Chase, offer strip-club advice, champion the underrated EM-50 urban assault vehicle, compare the sex toys of the '80s to our modern arsenal and debate whether "Stripes" should have been split into two movies. The Shat Crew also fields a voicemail seeking justice for Jean-Claude Van Damme's reputation as a lover. And Big D discovers he has a writing job waiting for him at Marvel Studios. Donate to Paws For Patrick at https://www.pawsforpatrick.org/ SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android App

In our family-friendly, post-Pixar world, it's easy to forget kids of the '90s enjoyed some adult animation—some VERY adult animation. If you're into ultraviolence, overcomplicated plots, fingerbanging, poison kisses and superb boobs, "Ninja Scroll" is the movie for you. Listener Eric C. encouraged "Shat The Movies" to embrace all those things in the Crew's first viewing of this 1993 Japanese animation classic. And boy did we! Along the way, Ash noted the film's influence on "The Matrix," Dick Ebert felt the comic book nostalgia of his youth, and Gene Lyons asked, "Are the Japanese OK?" Other topics on this episode include: Are anime characters Asian? Are some superpowers just too much? Do women anime fans exist? And how should you let down a ninja who offers to save your life with sex? SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.co

What do Spin Doctors, Dave Matthews Band, Billy Corgan and Styx have in common? They all get trashed in this episode of Shat The Movies (Cock Sparrer was spared.) It's the 1996 comedy "That Thing You Do!" Tom Hanks wrote, directed and starred in this squeaky-clean look at the 1960s, so you know it can't be terrible. But was it great? Depends on what you're looking for. "That Thing You Do!" has a catchy song, a handsome cast, Liv Tyler crying, nostalgia by the truckload, a cute epilogue and family-friendly language. It also has an abundance of foreshadowing, double magical negro and a few plot holes. In this episode, Ash joins Gene and Dick on the Old Shat Porch, Gene wishes gatekeepers would return to entertainment and Big D demands more sex, drugs and failure. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicem

"The Name of The Rose" is a movie that features the exact same robe worn by Obi-Wan Kenobi in "Star Wars." It's also the 1986 unholy whodunnit that reinvigorated Sean Connery's career. Blessed with an incredible set and impeccable sound, plus an all-star cast including Christian Slater, F. Murray Abraham and a very naked Valentina Vargas, this international mystery seemed to have it all—unless you're looking for attractive monks or a plot that differs from "The Phantom Menace." In this episode, Big D and Gene do their best Ron Perlman impressions and admit they'd bow down to The Inquisition. Gene learns about vagina patches. Dick is faced with an impossible choice, and the Shat boys debate the abilities of elderly ninjas. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voicemail: Web: https://shatpod.com/voicemail Leave a Voicemail: Call: (914) 719-7428 SUPPORT THE PO

"My problem isn't with this movie: It's with you two." - Dick Ebert Everyone's favorite everyman was flummoxed this week as his co-hosts drooled over "The Craft," a movie hand-picked for them by legendary Shat The Movies listener Jen D.  When Big D complained that the coven's four witches were "too hot to be outcasts," Ash explained she was a hot outcast. When Big D explained women, Ash countered that she is a woman. And when Big D questioned the friendships depicted in the film, Gene underscored the importance of Bagel Dogs in forging bonds. Was "The Craft" about female empowerment or just a revenge fantasy? Did it tackle serious topics or fail to find a tone? Can $100,000 really change a life, and what really happens at sleepovers? The Shat Crew explores these questions and how many teeth Fairuza Balk has in this episode of Shat The Movies. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shat

Ahead of Gene Lyons' big day, Dick and Ash share their married-life wisdom as Shat The Movies travels once again to Australia for the 1994 comedy "Muriel's Wedding." As expected, this movie led to some fierce debate between Big D, who detests Muriel's selfishness, and Ash, who simply adores pre-glow-up Toni Collette. But both Shat hosts agreed on the greatness of Abba, unexpected darkness of the film and the ridiculousness of wedding fever. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com 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

Until we watched "Near Dark," the Shat Crew was blissfully unaware that vampires' true supernatural power wasn't immortality: It was prudent decision-making and wise investments.  In her 1987 solo directorial debut, Kathryn Bigelow changed the way we viewed bloodsuckers by giving us a dusty, trashy and (much to Big D's horror) irresponsible brood of vamps.  Gene uses this episode to complain about Easter eggs for the stupid. Ash argues that the protagonist is just a crappy Louis de Pointe du Lac. Big D cringes at all the wasted blood. And Bill Paxton just makes the whole thing a lot more fun.  The Shat Crew also covers Six Degrees of James Cameron, when less is more with practical effects, whether blood transfusion could cure vampirism and why you should shut your windows when vampires are creeping around your farm. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com Website: https://shatpod.com/movies Leave a Voic

"Shat The Movies" has seen its share of literary adaptations but never one that inspired Big D to draw, Gene to regain his teen mojo and Ash to besmirch the good name of coastal Florida. It's Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations!" This 1998 drama looks great on paper, boasting a star-studded cast including Robert De Niro, Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Cooper, Hank Azaria and Anne Bancroft. The killer soundtrack features two original songs by Tori Amos and Pulp (remember that nude posing scene? Yow!) And yet somehow the director, Alfonso Cuaron, was disappointed in how it turned out. So we re-watched "Great Expectations" for commissioner Rachel C. and came up with our own ideas of where the movie falls short (mainly costuming) and where it really shines (sexy times).  In this episode, find out why Big D hated the art, why Ash loved the sets, why Gene felt weird and how the whole movie did Joe dirty. SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/s

If you love Rhode Island accents, relish period pieces that forget the period and hate Gene Lyons, our "Outside Providence" podcast is the episode for you! As Ash and Big Dildo dig into this 1999 Farrelly Brothers comedy (written, not directed), they discover the limits of Alec Baldwin's acting, question the movie's pointless inclusion of dark scenes and seriously doubt Shawn Hatosy's sexual prowess.  Ash points out that "Outside Providence" marks the tail end of the Age of Prep School Movies. And Dick offers handy tips on how Ritalin can maximize your fire watch.  SUBSCRIBE Android: https://shatpod.com/android Apple: https://shatpod.com/apple All: https://shatpod.com/subscribe CONTACT Email: hosts@shatpod.com 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/