Rewind 25-52

From the deep blue sea to the infinite landscape of space, we blast off into the unknown in this Robert Zemeckis Sci-Fi thinker: “Contact”. I’m joined by actor/skinny-dipping enthusiast Jordan Williams to break down the major themes of this film: faith vs science, Bill Clinton, and abduction insurance. We also try and build Jodie Foster’s Mt. Rushmore. All of this PLUS a Seinfeld lawsuit, whatever happened to Jon Benet Ramsey, and Shawn Colvin’s big moment

From two leads chasing after each other to two leads who can barely get from point A to point B, we head back out to the open waters for this…comedic(?) film from two comedy legends: the Jack Lemmon/Walter Mathau led “Out to Sea”. I purchased a solo ticket for this one and talk about the tidbits that stood out to me: the idiocy of the plan by Mathau, Brent Spiner and where I recognized him from, and I guess sexism is okay when you get old (is that right?). Also, a romantic song by a husband & wife, Bill Murray’s marriage & divorce, and an apology from me.

From ice puns to face waterfalls, we hop in a speedboat and have our stunt doubles fly towards this action packed film from John Woo: “Face/Off”. I’m rejoined by Grant Zepernick (from Best Picture Cast and Worst Picture Cast) to breakdown all of the glory that is this movie: the dialogue, the expert medical science, and the wonder that is Joan Allen. We also build John Travolta’s Mt. Rushmore, get confused about Dumbledore’s death, and we talk about…well…“Bitch”.

From one sequel that lost its original lead to another, we delve into the colorful world of Gotham City in this fourth installment of the dark knight: “Batman & Robin”. Ben Lawhorn (co-host of “Three Films & a Podcast) joins me to attempt to make sense of this living, breathing toy commercial of a movie and all of its controversies: the nipples on the suit, the treatment of Alicia Silverstone, and ALL of the ice puns!!! Plus, the first WNBA game, a couple of famous divorces, a song from this movie in the Billboard Hot 100, and the launching of a major book franchise.

From the air back to the sea (say what?) and returning the world “unnecessary sequels”, we break out the Sea-Doos and leeches to discuss “Speed 2”. Artie B. (frequent co-host on Best Picture Cast) has his ticket to join Adam aboard cruise filled with bad parents, excess chainsaws, too many golf clubs. Also, why did they make Sandra Bullock’s character so dumb, why did they make this PG-13, and why do we need someone telling us boat speeds? Also, a political divorce, a new #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 that stole it’s beat, and does no one remember UB-40?

From the sea to the air, we stage a midflight coup with Cyrus the Virus to discuss one of THEE late 90s action flicks: the Nicolas Cage led “Con Air”. Andy Davison (guest on our “Cool World” episode of Below Freezing and co-host Saturday Morning Tuesdays) joins me to revel in the majesty of this film: the best deaths, the best nicknames, and how absolutely stacked this cast is. We also try and assemble Nic Cage’s Mt. Rushmore (not an easy task, let me tell you). Also, interleague baseball, Rickrolling, and do you remember “The Freshman”?

From sociopathic truckers to futuristic cabdrivers, we jump into the wild & wacky world of Luc Besson’s visual odyssey – “The Fifth Element”. Fellow actor and podcast host of “The Ugly Radio” Andrew Shanks joins me to dive right on in to the Diva’s stomach to unpack the elements of this film (see what I did there?): the majesty of the worldbuilding, the less-than-stellar representation of women in this film, and the age-old argument surrounding whether or not Chris Tucker is good in this film. Also, a “Color of Night” story you have to hear to believe, Captain Planet, Tim McGaw karaoke, and Bone Thugs n Harmony Vs. Weird Al – it’s all here, folks – so tune on in!

From sex in the rainforest to sex in the oval office, we jump continents again to bring you this political action-thriller: Wesley Snipes & Diane Lane lead in “Murder at 1600”. Hillary Clemens comes along with me down Pennsylvania Avenue to find the secret tunnels that exist within this film: the pervy nature of our forefathers, Detective Regis’s negotiating tactics, and Hillary brings up a wonderful anecdote regarding Diane Lane (stay tuned for that). All this and what it means to be a parent in the pandemic, the Wikipedia description of our next Nielsen rated show, and…who the fuck is Az Yet?

From the cold of Russia to the Heat of the Amazon, this week sees us switching genres and swallowing up this creature feature whole: the JLo/Ice Cube/Jon Voight/…Owen Wilson/…fucking Eric Stoltz led “Anaconda”. I’m joined this week by Chas Messmer (resident brother-in-law and horror film expert) to try and figure out just what the hell is going on with this movie: the practical snakes VS. the visual effects, was Owen Wilson aware he was in a movie, and boy-oh-boy whatever the hell was going on with Jon Voight’s dialect. Also, the dominance of Tiger Woods, just how savage was “Savage Garden” and the surprise love of this film from Siskel & Ebert.

From a ghostly spirit to scientific discoveries, we pivot HARD into the world of Russia and spies in this Val Kilmer & Elizabeth Shue led “The Saint”. Joining me this week is actor (and fellow WWU alum) Nathan Streifel to break down this…let’s be real…TERRIBLE film: which of the disguises where your favorite, Shue as the founder of cold fusion, and the blatant 007/Mission Impossible ripoffs. Also, Foxy Brown vs. Lil’ Kim and a new animated show to the Nielsen ratings chat…you might say it’s the new…“King of the Hill”?

From a romantic comedy to a physical comedy, we “change lanes while speeding” over to discuss the 1997 Jim Carrey smash comedic hit: “Liar Liar”. I’m joined by actor/comedian/fellow Indiana University alum Taylor Crousore to debrief this film: how the film has not aged poorly, the wonderful outtakes the we still quote today, and folks…the goddamn pen is BLUE! Also, Adam admits he’s a hypocritical parent, Taylor tells us of his “Liar Liar” connection, and Bad Boy records starts their epic Hot 100 run. All this and the tough challenge of building Jim Carrey’s Mt. Rushmore – so join us!

From a poorly aged biopic to a rom-com that’s aged like a fine wine – this week we visit Theodore Witcher’s only feature film – “Love Jones”. I’m joined by “romantic film expert” Zita Short (host of The 300 Passions podcast) to break down this Larenz Tate/Nia Long led film: the honesty of the relationships, what worked and didn’t work for them, and how under-the-radar this film is. Also, Zita recounts us with an amazing story about her father, Monica is singing about someone that isn’t “the boy” yet, and yes…we are aware of Jenna Elfman.

From a guy who is trying to stay hidden to a guy is that demanding the spotlight – we meander back to the days of “Fart Man” and shock-jock DJs to discuss Howard Stern private parts…I mean “Private Parts” (the movie – not his genital region). I’m joined by my good friend Perry Lewis (previously guesting on Below Freezing Episodes of “Mr. Woodcock” & “The Dentist”) to break this film down as much as we could: the vulgarity of it, considering if we just watched it as kids to see boobs, and all of the magnificent actors who subjected themselves to be in this movie. Also, Babyface serenades us with a little help from Kenny G, we’re still wrong about our initial thoughts of Heath Ledger as The Joker, and Perry does his best going through the show without the help of an outline…that Adam didn’t send (oops!).

From a fictional, contemporary drama to a depiction of a real world tragedy – we journey this week to John Singleton’s period-piece “Rosewood”. Paul from “The Oscar Worsty Podcast” joins me to discuss all aspects of the film: the unremembered John Williams score (and did “Amistad” deserve more acclaim than this film?), the escalation of Don Cheadle, and the rise of fall of Singleton’s career. Also, Toni Braxton is no longer at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 (you may say she’s a wannabe now…), cloning sheep, and the good ol’ days of video rental stores.

From the absolute power of volcanoes to the absolute power of the President we move to the absolute power of Clint Eastwood and his political thriller “Absolute Power”. Kieran B. of “Best Picture Cast” comes along this week to discuss any and all things related to the film: the “dream team” like nature of the cast, Judy Davis’ big f***ing swing in this movie, and how great & terrible the screenplay is. Also, is Dru Hill still relevant, Kieran is not a “Friends” guy, and Adam cannot get behind NASCAR – all this and building Clint Eastwood’s Mt. Rushmore, so tune on in!

From an unbelievable (as in NOT believable at all) love story to an aging comedian grasping at straws, this week we go back to when TV mattered to discuss the Rodney Dangerfield led “Meet Wally Sparks”. Aaron Kirkpatrick (from the Below Freezing episode on “Class of Nuke’em High”) joins me to sift through the wreckage of this film: pretty-boy coffee house rock, Civil War theme parks, and just what happened to Eamonn Roche? Also, Whitney Houston did not need a band, the days of working at Blockbuster video, and Amazon was really trying to protect Aaron from a second viewing of this film.

From white ninjas to drunk writers, this week we go back to World War I and discuss the Sandra Bullock/Chris O’Donnell led “In Love and War”. Jorge Campos joins me this week to try and break down this…wannabe prestige film: would you rather lose your left eye or left ball, could Chris O’Donnell successfully woo Sandra Bullock, and the absolute cringiest scene in a hospital closet ever. Also, we try and figure out who Keith Sweat is, playing Gran Turismo on PlayStation, and discuss heartbreak gin – and trust me, you’ll need some gin (or another kind of hard alcohol) to irrigate any wounds you may have encountered while watching this film.

Moving on to our second episode and we have changed our tone DRAMATICALLY. We went from an iconic, Oscar-winning film to a seldom seen and often forgot about Sci-Fi/Horror film: “The Relic”. This week I’m joined by Joey Rogate (from Best Picture Cast and Worst Picture Cast) to discuss anything and everything from this film: who is Penelope Ann Miller, the tie-in to “Face/Off”, the hypothalamus contest, and the surprise verdict from Siskel & Ebert. Also, we try and steer clear of R. Kelly, questions as to whether or not people liked the film “Michael”, and bask in the glory that is “Legends of the Hidden Temple”. Side note: please accept my apology for the audio quality on this episode – oops! We’re early on in our run here…we’ll get better.

WE HAVE BEGUN! And…we also had to cheat to start because no new movie came out this week that even cracked the top 20 at the box office. So instead, we started with the overall #1 movie at the box office this week: the Cameron Crowe helmed & Tom Cruise led “Jerry Maguire”. My guest this week is Melissa St. John (my wife & co-host of Below Freezing) and we discuss the sheer iconic nature of this film: the quotes, Rod Tidwell, and the launching of Renee Zellweger’s career. Also, we revel in Toni Braxton, talk about popular Christmas items of the past, and show SO MUCH LOVE to the city of Seattle.