All '90s Action, All The Time!

Your mission if you choose to except it is to check out our latest episode diving into the 1996 De Palma classic "Mission Impossible" (before the episode self destructs!)

Join your regular hosts Scott and Craig along with special guest Adam Stovall ("A Ghost Waits") as they breakdown the film's most iconic action setpieces, discuss the interesting history of the script (some of which was written on set) and the negative response from the original TV cast. Plus, the trio talk about where this stacks up in the franchise, how M:I compares to other spy franchises and the peculiar joy of Tom Cruise running. 

Elsewhere in the episode you will hear us talk about movie hacking, come up with our own low budget M:I knockoff (titled Disavowed) and Adam has a fun Jon Voight tale. 

Well before we go off for a couple of weeks we have a bonus episode for you! As always the bonus episode is connected to the main season. How is Disney's Three Musketeers connected to 90s Kurt Russell movies you say? Well, glad you asked so this episode connections are a) Rebecca De Mornay starred alongside Russell in "Backdraft" and b) Oliver Platt starred alongside him in "Executive Decision." 

This is special episode too as our special guest Caleb Knutson completes what we are calling the "Caleb trilogy" as Caleb was previously on both the "Backdraft" and " Executive Decision" episodes.

Over the course of the episode you will hear regular host Scott and Caleb talk about the greatness of Tim Curry, the blandness of Chris O'Donnell and how this might be the horniest family movie ever made. Plus, they get how this film wants to be "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," how this is the most American telling of the Musketeers tale and how you have almost certainly seen more Stephen Herek movies than you think you have.

Send us a tweet on @90saction

Follow Craig on Twitter: @CraigDraheim

Follow Scott on Twitter: @ScottMurphy85

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz  and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

To round off our Kurt Russell awards we hand out our '90s Russell Awards! Listen as regular hosts Scott and Craig talk about the best and worst of Russell's '90s work as well as discussing whether, despite his legendary status, he is somewhat underappreciated. Plus, just have a whole lot of fun reflecting on what has been our most consistently entertaining season to date. That is most consistently set of films we have looked at, we will leave up to you to decide how consistently entertaining (or not) we are!

Send us a tweet on @90s_all

Follow Craig on Twitter: @CraigDraheim

Follow Scott on Twitter: @ScottMurphy85

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz  and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

In our Kurt Russell season finale our regular hosts Scott and Craig look at the 1998 box-office bomb that is "Soldier." Over the course of the episode you will hear us talk about the films troubled production, Russell's crazy 18 month training regime in preparation for the role and how that was immediately derailed by a broken ankle.

Elsewhere, we get into how the movie has developed a cult following since its release, how tonally weird the movie is and try to make the case that while this isn't a good film, it is better than critics of the time made it out to be. Plus, we deep dive into one of the cheesiest music montage's put on film as well as the usual tangents and nonsense you have come to expect from the pod! 

Send us a tweet on @90s_all

Follow Craig on Twitter: @CraigDraheim

Follow Scott on Twitter: @ScottMurphy85

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz  and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

Caleb is back! Yes, YouTuber and friend of the show Caleb Knutson returns to talk about another one of his childhood favourite Kurt Russell flicks. Which is surprising as this movie is one that there is little nostalgia out there for. Not that it is bad movie. No, as Caleb and your regular hosts Scott and Craig discuss, it is actually a rather good film. It is just that it may be the most middle of the road action of the movie of the '90s. A film that positively screams THREE STARS. Something that we all discuss at length.

Elsewhere in the episode the trio discuss THAT Seagal bit (the one bit that everyone remembers), how Kurt doesn't quite convince as a nerd (although he is still cool!), and debate just how the terrorists in the film get all those guns on a plane (we know it is the '90s but jeez!). Plus, we get into Steven Seagal's being a jerk to John Leguizamo on-set, how Russell excels in a ensemble piece and why this film would very much not be made now. 

Follow "All '90s Action, All the Time" on Twitter: @90s_all 

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz  and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

In the third stop on their Kurt Russell journey, Craig and Scott explore the 1994 sci-fi blockbuster "Stargate." Over the course the episode they discuss how this film has probably the biggest legacy of any they film they have covered so far and just how random that legacy truly is. Also, they discuss the trilogy that never was, how the movie is structured in a odd way and get into how baffling it is that this film made it into Roger Ebert's all-time "Most Hated" list (Sure it ain't no Independence Day but it is a solid Emmerich/Devlin effort!).

Elsewhere in the episode, there is also all the usual tangents and nonsense that if you are a regular listener you have surely come to expect from the show!

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz  and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

"I'm Your Huckleberry" - Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer)

Join us as we continue our '90s Kurt Russell journey with the 1993 cult classic that is "Tombstone." Probably one of Kurt Russell's most iconic films. And to tackle such an iconic movie we need some back up and that is why, alongside regular hosts Scott Murphy and Craig Draheim, we enlisted host of the £1 Movie Podcast and Western enthusiast Wayne Saunders.

Over the course of the episode we talk about the films troubled production and how Kurt Russell ended up taking more of a backseat in this one than was originally intended. The trio also talk about just how legendary Val Kilmer's performance as Doc Holliday is, how Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo is almost as good and just how crazily stacked the cast for this movie really is. 

Elsewhere in the episode, the three talk about how all of Sam Elliot's power is in his moustache, try to figure out who the real villain of the movie is and how the movie under-serves Bill Paxton. Also, there is all the usual tangents and nonsense not related to the movie that you will have become so accustomed to now.

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz    and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

"No questions. No answers. That's the business we're in. You just accept it and move on. Maybe that's lesson number three." - Vincent (Jean Reno) 

As always we end the season with a film that connects in some way to the main season but does not feature the action star we are covering. For Season 2 it is "Ronin" which stars Robert De Niro who co-starred alongside Stallone in "Copland."

Over the course of the episode regular co-hosts Craig and Scott try to unravel the movie's incredibly convoluted plot, breakdown what might be the greatest single car chase in cinema (no exaggeration, if you have not seen it do yourself a favour and do that now) and discuss how as good as this film is how it has the potential to be even better. Plus, we talk how this turned out to be John Frankenheimer's last great work, just how insane some of the stunts and have a good laugh at some of the ropey Irish accents.

Elsewhere in the episode the pair talk about how the film's central metaphor of the movie doesn't really, the films laissez-faire attitude to spycraft and how the film's alternative title could be "Reasons Undisclosed." Also, we talk about how the character of Deirdre (Natascha McElhone) stands out from many supporting female characters in '90s action movies. '

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz   and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

Welcome to the first of two bonus episodes! This one was not actually planned but we could not fit the end of season awards into the Season finale so here we are. 

Join us as Craig and Scott reflect on the crazy highs and lows that was the '90s Stallone experience and hand out award in the following categories:

Best Stallone One -Liner

Best End Credit Song

Best Action Set Pieces

Worst Villain 

Best Villain

Worst Stallone Performance

Best Stallone Performance

Worst Film 

Best Film

Now you can probably guess what films hog the best and worst categories but there is definitely some curve-ball wins that we don't think you will see coming, so tune in for that! Also, this is an episode were we would love your feedback on what you think the winners should have been (if you disagree with us that is). On top of that we would love to hear your thoughts on '90s Stallone and how well (or not) you thought we covered it.

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz   and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

"Two kind of people in this world: pinball people and video game people. You, Freddy, you're pinball people" - Figgis (Ray Liotta)

It is our Season 2 finale! And we end the season by tackling the film that many think features Stallone's greatest performance. That's right we are talking "Copland"!

Also, this time around it is not just Craig and Scott as they are joined by "A Ghost Waits" director Adam Stovall. Over the course of the episode the trio debate whether this truly is Stallone's greatest performance, defends its inclusion in the season despite it not really being an action movie and talk about how while it is a very good film "Copland" falls shorts of being the crime masterpiece it wants to be. 

Elsewhere in the episode, we talk about how we rate the filmography of James Mangold generally, as well as about just how crazy stacked the cast of this film is and lavish praise on Ray Liotta twitchy, frazzled, coked-up (the character not him) performance in the movie. Not to mention we attempt to pitch our 10 part Copland mini-series which fill outs all the dangling plot threads in the movie (of which, there is way more than we remembered there being). Plus, most importantly, we talk about how this film connects to the 1993 Disney classic "Cool Runnings."

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz   and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

"I have found your heart, and I'm gonna blow it right out of you!" - Kit Latura (Stallone)

In the penultimate episode in our Stallone season Craig and Scott take a look at 1996 disaster flick "Daylight."

Over the course of the episode the pair talk about how 1996 was the year that so the return of the disaster pic, how this film may contain one of Stallone's most likeable performances of the decade and are blown away by the fact that Stallone's salary accounted for just over 20% of the budget (Budget: $80 million, Stallone's salary: $17.5 million). Plus, we reminisce to the days when Amy Brenneman was due to be a thing and are generally amused by the performance of Viggo Mortensen (this film definitely could have done with more Viggo).  

Elsewhere in the episode we talk about how weird it is to see Dan Hedaya as a good guy, count the number of "that guy" actors in the movie and make way more Troma references than we thought would come up (Granted the expected Troma references were 0).  

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy

"I beat you to the buyers, and now  I've beat you to the mark. I'm sorry, but I think I picked the wrong guy  to be my hero." - Miguel Bain (Antonio Banderas)

On this week's episode Craig and Scott tackle possibly the most frustrating film of the season "Assassins." A film that gets off to a splendid start only to get progressively worse throughout its running time (seriously the third act is soul sapping).

Over the course of episode you will hear us talk about how the Wachowski's disowned this film, how 1995 seemed to be the year of the hacker and just inept Stallone is at playing brooding and mysterious. Plus, we talk about how the film wastes Julianne Moore, how Antonio Banderas is by far the best thing in the movie and why we think his character may be Wolverine in disguise.

Elsewhere in the episode we talk about the films cool but random soundtrack (This is not the type of film you would expect to hear Portishead), perform our now routine recasting of the film and try to work out how the Official Assassins Global Ranking system works.

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz  and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

"I never broke the Law! I AM THE LAW!!" - Judge Dredd (Stallone)

Join us as Craig and Scott enter the strange and terrifying world of '90s comic book movies. Back in the pre-MCU, pre-Dark Knight, pre-X-Men days when Hollywood clearly had no clue how to deal with these sorts of films. On today's episode from this comic book movie wasteland we look at one of Stallone's most notorious bombs, JUDGE DREDD!

Over the course of the episode Craig and Scott talk about how Stallone clearly doesn't get the character or the source material, his many clashes with director Danny Cannon and the silly studio, if understandable, studio decision to have Dredd not have his helmet on for most of the movie. Plus, we get into the films great production design, just how irritating Rob Schneider is in this film and how despite its many flaws the awesomeness Armand Assante (nearly) makes the whole thing worthwhile.

Also, we invite you all to get the ball rolling in our bid to see the Cannon cut of this film. #ReleasetheCannonCut

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

"Good. Nice sense of irony, blowing up the bomb unit" - Ned Trent (James Woods) 

Well, on the downside after two great weeks we are back to talking about bad movies. On the upside however it is a bad movie that has one of cinema's most unintentionally funny sex scenes (rivalling "Showgirls" and "Watchmen") and a wonderfully unhinged performance James Woods (back in simpler times when he just seemed like a fun actor instead of well, you know). That's right this week Craig and Scott are talking about 1994s "The Specialist." Stallone's sole attempt to cash in on the erotic thriller trend of the late 80s-mid 90s. As you may have guessed, it did not go so well but that doesn't mean there is not plenty to talk about!

Over the course of the episode you will hear Craig and Scott talk about the lack of sexual chemistry between Stone and Stallone, Rod Steiger's perplexing Latin American accent (we can't be any more specific than that as we can't tell you what country he is attempting) and are generally mystified by how seriously this film seems to take itself. Plus, Scott attempts to recast the film, try to figure out the logistics of Ray Quick's "controlled explosions" and the pair ponder whether Eric Roberts character in the movie is actually a vampire.

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz    and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

"He's finally matched his meet. You really licked his ass." - Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock)

After "Cliffhanger" got us back on the right path we return with another episode looking at another one of our favourites "Demolition Man." And just as exciting as that we also have a very special guest in the form of renowned YouTube movie reviewer Caleb Knutson. Over the course of the episode we discuss the joy that is Wesley Snipes as Simon Phoenix, just how lovable Sandra Bullock is in this film and the movies many memorable one-liners and set-pieces. Plus, of course, we talk about the three seashells, Taco Bell and President Schwarzenegger!

Elsewhere in the episode, the trio talk about the movie's confused politics, why it is easy to see why this film is popular with the Fox News crowd and the logistics of just how far does this "utopian" society extend (it very much seems like no further than the West Coast of the US). Plus, we decide that there are few things funnier than Stallone listing off sexual euphemisms and discover this films interesting connection with "Batman Forever."

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz   and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD

We continue on our 90s Stallone journey remarkably with a movie we actually like! Yes, it is 1993's Cliffhanger. But does it stand up to childhood nostalgia? Well Craig and Scott seek to find out and discover much to their delight that it is still almost as entertaining as they remembered it. From the classic opening to the thrilling mid-air heist to the scenery-chewing villains there is much to enjoy. Even if there is a couple of useless subplots that could easily be excised from the film.

Elsewhere, Craig and Scott talk about how surprising it is seeing Michael Rooker as a good guy, Stallone's obsession with showing off his glutes in his movies and '90s actions treatment of its female characters (eh, not good). Plus, we get into how the film resurrected Stallone's career, how the filmmakers tried to pass off Italy as Colorado and this films connection to another snowy 1993 film "Cool Runnings". 

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz   and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD

We continue on our 90s Stallone journey with the 1991 disaster that is "Stop! OR My Mom Will Shoot." A film that even Stallone himself considers to be the worst of his career (That is right even worse than "Rhinestone", "Driven" or "Get Carter"). Is it that bad? Well yeah, it pretty much is. But just like last week that doesn't mean we don't have a fun episode for you. Even if most of that fun will probably stem from listening Scott and Craig losing their minds as they try to comprehend how anyone wrote this. Moreover, how anybody wrote this and thought it was funny!

Elsewhere in the episode, Scott and Craig discuss how this might be the most generic movie ever made, how it is visible watching the film Stallone does not want to be there and just how hard Estelle Getty works to try and save the film (it doesn't work but it is still a worthy effort - the only worthy effort in the movie). Plus, we talk about the original darker draft of the script, the wild character inconsistencies and how this film is connected to the other worst film we have covered ,"The Patriot."

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz  and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD

"You don't own me! You don't own me! Nobody does! I want my respect." - Tommy Gunn

And we're back! This time looking at the 90s action films of Sylvester Stallone. Scott and Craig kick off season 2 (Kyle is on one of his top secret CIA missions so can't join us this season) with an in-depth look at what many consider to be the worst entry in the Rocky. But is it though? Yes, it turns out it still very much is but that doesn't mean it is not fun to talk about. Not at all. Listen as we talk about how the film hilariously ham-fisted attempts to bring the series back to it roots, just how inexperienced real-life boxer Tommy Morrison was an actor before taking the role of Tommy Gunn  and how Don King probably should of sued given how much George Washington Duke (Richard Gant) is based on him.

Elsewhere in the episode Scott and Craig are amused by Tommy's obsession with not being a robot, the worlds shortest teen rebellion phase and the fact anyone would trust Paulie (Burt Young) with there money. Plus, Scott is mightily confused as to how Craig can be a Stallone fan and not have seen the Rocky sequels (before this episode he had only seen the original and Creed).

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD

*Each season we will be doing a bonus episode in which we will look at a film that is in some way connected to the main season. Be it through a co-star, director or theme. In this first one we will be looking at "Rapid Fire" which was directed by "Marked for Death" director Dwight H. Little.

Over course of the episode you will hear Scott and Kyle merrily discover way more Seaglian connections than they thought this movie had in the first place and talk about how this might be one of the 90s most underrated and underseen action movies. As well as lamenting the fact that we were robbed of having more Brandon Lee action by his tragically young death. 

Elsewhere you can hear a lot of chat about this movies love for Brandon Lee's abs, our surprise at Powers Boothe being a good guy and our complete lack of surprise at Nick Mancuso being the exact character you expect him to be. As well as discussing how Al Leong truly is one of the all time best henchmen in action cinema history. 

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

Join Scott, Kyle and Craig as they wrap up the epic Seagal journey and celebrate their favourite films, villains, and moments of Seagal’s 90s filmography in our season closer.

Before we get to that, though, first the trio talk about 1998’s The Patriot (not to be confused with the much more famous Mel Gibson film). A film that is notable in several ways as not only is it Seagal’s first DTV effort but it also a movie that feels weirdly relevant feature as it does a pandemic and a right-wing militia. Not that that makes it good. No, this is still a film portraying Seagal as the world’s greatest immunologist, which is every bit as silly as that sounds.

Elsewhere in the episode the trio discuss why this film is often cited as one of Seagal fan’s least favourite Seagal efforts, how LQ Jones steals the film and how for all it’s rubbishness we can tell director Dean Semler is an accomplished cinematographer if not a good storyteller.

Lastly, Scott rounds up the rest of Seagal 90s and we briefly discuss the 00s Seagal efforts you should give a shot.

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.

"You couldn't take out a cheeseburger from a drive-through window." - Orin Hanner Snr (Kris Kristofferson)

Hosts Scott, Kyle and Craig come towards the end of our '90s Seagal journey with 1997's "Fire Down Below." Listen as they muse about this works as a companion piece to "On Deadly Ground,"  have fun playing the spot the Country & Western star game and note how in this film Seagal has the closest he has ever come to a (semi) convincing romantic relationship. Also, we get into it's ludicrous (even by movie standards) portrayal of Southern "hillbilly" types, are amused by another pompously self-righteous Seagal speech and ponder as to just how much of the budget went on that truck chase.

Elsewhere in the episode, Scott continues to make tenuous connections between Seagal flicks and "Twin Peaks",  Craig keeps forgetting about Kris Kristofferson's character and Kyle muses on Seagal super-detective skills. Plus, we breakdown this movies severe daddy issues.

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by  Scott Murphy.

"No, motherfucker, I didn't say tomato, I said terrorists." - Detective Jim Campbell (Keenan Ivory Wayans)

Have you ever wanted a film that is 1/3 "Seven," 1/3 "Last Boy Scout" and 1/3 typical Seagal picture? Well, do we have the film for you! Listen as Scott, Kyle and Craig try to breakdown the bizarreness that is "The Glimmer Man." Over the course of the episode, we try (and fail) to apply some logic to its unwieldy convoluted plot, are amused by how bad Seagal is when a film tries to make his comedy intentional and are surprised by the fact Seagal lets the script poke fun at him (kind of).

Elsewhere in the episode, Craig continues creating his side characters of Seagal universe, Kyle recounts Stephen Tobolowsky's hilarious tale of working on this movie and we are all greatly entertained by Brian Cox's failed attempt at a Southern accent.

"All '90s Action, All The Time" is produced by Scott Murphy, Kyle Hintz and Craig Draheim. Music by Elyssa Vulpes. Editing by Scott Murphy.