August 26, 2016

Episode 62 - AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY


The film that launched a million bad impressions, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery also deserves to be remembered as an inspired showcase of Mike Myers' comedic gifts. Kevin Taylor makes his WWWW debut as we discuss how the movie hits that adolescent sweet spot between silly and salacious.

Will this episode make you horny, baby? Gosh, we hope not. Will it remind you just how groovy Mike Myers can be? Yeah, baby!


Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Directed by Jay Roach
Produced by Jennifer Todd, Suzanne Todd, Demi Moore, and Mike Myers
Written by Mike Myers
Starring Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Robert Wagner, Seth Green, Mindy Sterling, Will Ferrell, Tom Arnold, Carrie Fisher, Mimi Rogers, and Michael York

August 12, 2016

Episode 61 - HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS


It's not too much of a stretch to look at Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and see a sly portrait of the American nuclear family in crisis, fractured by the stresses of work, technology, and the pursuit of a mythical suburban ideal. In this light, the concept of a fantastical shrinking ray is a clever way to illustrate how the movie's young protagonists gain a different perspective on the importance of accepting others and getting along--a lesson in maturity that's earned without ever leaving the backyard.

We welcome Screen Invasion editor-in-chief Kristal Bailey to help us discuss how the film's micro-adventures inspired our own imaginations, as well as a couple of beloved theme park attractions. Plus: sympathy for aging dads, insect phobias, and a sidebar on paternity issues in Ghostbusters II. It's all part of this big episode about tiny people!


Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
Directed by Joe Johnston
Produced by Penney Finkelman Cox
Written by Ed Naha and Tom Schulman
Starring Rick Moranis, Matt Frewer, Marcia Strassman, Kristine Sutherland, Amy O'Neill, Robert Oliveri, Thomas Wilson Brown, and Jared Rushton

August 5, 2016

Episode 60 - FREE WILLY


A memorable title and a simple, sincere premise is all it takes to attain pop culture immortality. That's just one of the things we learned from Free Willy, which has endured as a compassionate snapshot of a troubled youth and a blueprint for preteen environmental activism.

Can a captive orca whale still capture your heart? We'll find out as we also discuss lenient foster parents, the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the fashion sense of '90s juvenile delinquents.


Free Willy (1993)
Directed by Simon Wincer
Produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Jennie Lew Tugend
Written by Keith A. Walker and Corey Blechman
Starring Jason James Richter, Michael Madsen, Jayne Atkinson, Lori Petty, August Schellenberg, Michael Ironside, Mykelti Williamson, and Keiko the Orca