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This week, as Pride Month comes to a close, we take on a landmark film in the gay cinema canon, 1990’s LONGTIME COMPANION, directed by Norman Rene. The first mainstream movie to tackle the AIDS epidemic, we discuss if this gentle ensemble drama still holds up today, and if it deserves to be discovered by a whole new generation. Spoiler alert: it does.

This week, we take on 1997’s extremely bizarre true-life tale BUDDY, directed by Caroline Thompson. Rene Russo plays an animal-loving socialite who accepts a gorilla into her home. Once grown, she dresses it in a three-piece suit and basically forces it to become her servant, in a move co-host Luke describes as “a stunning critique on capitalism and the class system.” A horror film posing as family entertainment, there is much to discuss here, including rollerskate-wearing chimps and Buddy’s love of lipstick and lingerie. Did we mention this movie is bizarre?

This week, we take on 1984’s STREETS OF FIRE, directed by Walter Hill, a film that opens by helpfully describing itself as a “rock fable.” Without the guidance, it would be hard to know what the hell to label this thing, a genre mash-up including everything from dystopic wastelands to ’50’s greasers to western showdowns to ’80’s rock opera to hard-boiled film noir. The ride is a bumpy one, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its pleasures, including a kick-ass soundtrack and an impressive visual aesthetic. Unfortunately, it also has lead Michael Pare, an actor so terrible that naturally co-host Luke can’t help but defend him. Tonight is what it means to be dumb.

This week, prepare yourself for a super-sized episode as we discuss Tom Green’s divisive 2001 comedy FREDDY GOT FINGERED. Marvel as two grown men spend over two hours discussing the merits of a film in which an elephant is brought to climax and shoots its load all over Oscar-nominee Rip Torn. Co-host Luke is in absolute Heaven discussing this one. It is indeed a journey.

This week, the fountain of youth wreaks havoc on the lives of Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis, and Goldie Hawn in 1992’s dark comedy DEATH BECOMES HER, directed by Robert Zemeckis. Streep plays a vain, aging actress trapped in a loveless marriage who takes a magical potion that renders her forever young, only to discover that immortality comes at a price. Meanwhile, Willis screams, Hawn vamps, and co-hosts Luke and Steve try to figure out if this effects-heavy satire earns its newfound cult status–not to mention question Zemeckis’s talent and Streep’s acting abilities. The hot takes come fast and loose in this one.

This week, we take on the movie everyone seems to be talking about: ZACK SNYDER’S JUSTICE LEAGUE, the four-hour behemoth currently streaming on HBO Max. Yes, we are aware this isn’t a summer film, but we covered the 2017 original, plus we are gluttons for punishment. So what did two guys who are the furthest thing from comic book fans think of Snyder’s ultimate version? Is this the one that finally won us over? Is Snyder a misunderstood genius? Does this film have a Nick Cave needle-drop? You may be surprised by a few of the answers. Co-host Luke sure does love a big epic soap opera, even when it is masquerading as a superhero flick.

This week, a weekend trip to Myrtle Beach will change the lives of four best friends forever in 1989’s SHAG: THE MOVIE, directed by Zelda Barron. It should come as no surprise that this dance-centric film was hoping to ride on the coattails of DIRTY DANCING to box office victory, but instead found that you need more than choreography by Kenny Ortega to truly impress moviegoers. Yet there is more going on here than meets the eye, including a welcome female sensibility and an easy-going charm courtesy of its talented cast. Also there is waterboarding with Wild Turkey. And ear-frenching. So much ear-frenching. At the very least, it allows co-host Steve to break out his Southern accent again, which is always welcome.

This week, nuclear war meets teen comedy as we take on 1986’s ill-conceived THE MANHATTAN PROJECT, directed by Marshall Brickman. Christopher Collet stars as a high school genius who steals some plutonium from John Lithgow and uses it to create an atomic bomb for the science fair. Yes, you read all of that correctly, a film whose premise could rank as one the dumbest things we have encountered on this podcast–and also what makes it kind of charming. Too bad it’s so thematically inept and, well, bone-deep stupid, although Lithgow’s innate sexiness makes the proceedings somewhat more palatable. The man is an Adonis, plain and simple.

This week, SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER!?! celebrates Valentine’s Day by taking on one of the least romantic romances ever filmed: 1986’s UNDER THE CHERRY MOON, directed by Prince. The pop icon followed up his smash hit PURPLE RAIN with a black-and-white homage to screwball comedies that plays like a giant middle finger to critics and fans alike. Those expecting musical performances should look elsewhere, as this movie is far more concerned with its unlikeable leads trading lame barbs. Naturally, co-host Luke loved it. He truly has no shame.

This week, we conclude our discussion on the 2020 summer movie season by taking on a film we still can’t believe got a theatrical release, no matter how small: INFAMOUS, directed by Joshua Caldwell and starring the one and only Bella Thorne. The noted thespian plays a fame-thirsty, white trash Floridian who hooks up with a local ex-con and goes on a crime spree across the U.S., adding as many followers to her Instagram as she does zeros to her bank account. But as the film bravely asks, at what cost? All of this is simply a jumping off point for co-hosts Luke and Steve to discuss their thoughts on OnlyFans, social media, and the limitless appeal of former Disney stars gone bad. They have never sounded older or crankier.

This week, we continue our look at 2020’s very strange summer movie season by tackling the first wide release of the summer–and it was a doozy. Hinges become untethered in the thriller UNHINGED, directed by Derrick Borte. Russell Crowe plays a mentally unstable incel who is no longer hinged due to a severe bout of … Continue reading Ep. #113-Unhinged →

We are back! 2021 is a new year, and after taking a break due to Covid, we are ready to talk weird summer movies once more! This month, we are looking back at the very strange summer movie season of 2020 and kicking things off by tackling Christopher Nolan’s TENET. Yes, this movie is indeed … Continue reading Ep. #112-Tenet →

This week, as the world goes to Hell in a handbasket, we return to a simpler time to tackle a guy who doesn’t seem all that bad nowadays: 1989’s FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VIII: JASON TAKES MANHATTAN, directed by Rob Hedden. Jason is back, and this time, he’s headed to the Big Apple–although it takes … Continue reading Ep. #111-Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan →

Apparently we have become the Neveldine/Taylor podcast, as this week, we take on yet another entry in their storied filmography, 2009’s futuristic sci-fi action flick GAMER. A natural extension of a brand that prides itself on video game aesthetics, we now have a film in which video games have literally come to life, with wealthy … Continue reading Ep. #110-Gamer →

This week, check out our annual Oscar predictions episode, in which we try to help you win those 2020 office pools. We’ve got you covered on all of the major categories, with thoughts on not only what will win, but also what should win. And if history has taught us anything, you should probably listen … Continue reading Bonus Episode-Oscar Predictions 2020 →

Sequel month continues here at SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER!?! as we tackle 2009’s absolutely deranged action-comedy CRANK 2: HIGH VOLTAGE, directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Jason Statham is back, and as the tagline helpfully explains, “He was dead…but he got better.” This time, some bad guys have stolen his strawberry tart–that’s heart to you neanderthals–and … Continue reading Ep. #109-Crank 2: High Voltage →

It’s sequel month here on SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER!?!, where we tackle sequels to films previously covered on this podcast. This week, we’re taking on 1995’s EXCESSIVE FORCE II: FORCE ON FORCE, directed by Jonathan Winfrey. We will just let the following IMDb synopsis do the heavy lifting for us: “Stacie Randall plays Harley, a Special Forces … Continue reading Ep. #108-Excessive Force II: Force on Force →

This week, celebrate the joys of both Christmas and New Year’s as we take on 1983’s TRADING PLACES, directed by John Landis and starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd. We take a deep dive into what is considered by many to be a comedy classic. How does it play in 2019 to two guys watching … Continue reading Ep. #107-Trading Places →

On this week’s episode, we attempt to get into the Christmas spirit by taking on 1942’s HOLIDAY INN, directed by Mark Sandrich and starring Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby. Despite featuring Irving Berlin’s classic tune White Christmas, it turns out that this film tackles all of the major holidays, from Easter to Thanksgiving to…Abraham Lincoln’s … Continue reading Ep. #106-Holiday Inn →

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we have the ultimate turkey for our listeners: 1985’s GYMKATA, directed by Robert Clouse. Olympic gymnast Kurt Thomas stars as an elite athlete recruited by the U.S. government to participate in a top secret competition where the winner will be awarded a major advantage in the Cold War. Or something. … Continue reading Ep. #105-Gymkata →