Hold Up

In 1989, Shane Black and Richard Donner teamed up for the second of four action/ buddy-cop movies Lethal Weapon 2.  Once again starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, a third stooge was added to the mix for additional comic relief in Joe Pesci.  Promising more of what was delivered in the first movie, Lethal Weapon 2 has action, Eric Clapton riffs, houses on stilts, smooth jazz, South African diplomats with immunity, toilet bombs, car chases, krugerrands, and an addition of a love interest for Riggs.  Made for $50M, Lethal Weapon 2 brought in a franchise best $228M in the box office and was given generally favourable critical reviews.  This movie is also frequently part of discussions online concerning sequels that don’t suck.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Dave come back for part 2 and see if they can get off the toilet in time to save this movie from the shitter, or if their attempts to free South Africa fail and they are crushed by wave after wave of diplomatic immunity.

In 2003, Christopher Nolan was given the reigns to the Batman franchise and 2005’s Batman Begins was the result.  Christian Bale was selected to be the dark knight, Michael Cane and Morgan Freeman were brought on board in major supporting roles, and the talented cast and crew set out to reinvent Batman to be grounded in reality, using plausible technology and ninjas.  Whether intentional or not, the entire comic book movie genre would forever changed following Batman Begins, as all prior comic book movies tried very hard to emulate the comic style, colors, and costumes.  Made for a whopping $150M, Batman Begins took in $375M in the box office, receiving rave critical reviews.  This spawned two direct sequels with the same director and main cast before the questionable Justice League movies were made, and the recently announced reboot of the series and character again.  But does the movie that started the genre reboot hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent revisit Gotham and see if Batman can hold it togethe

In 1987, Shane Black wrote and Richard Donner directed the timeless action/ buddy-cop movie Lethal Weapon.  Starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, and Gary Busey, Lethal was released in close proximity to Die Hard and put a fresh take on exciting action movies to include a strong hint of comedy.  The first of four films, Lethal Weapon is a fantastically successful franchise and now can be watched as a mediocre television series.  Made for $15M, Lethal Weapon went on to make $120M in the box office and had a strong critical reception, along with a very successful VHS and DVD release that gets revived after each new film.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Dave revisit the 80’s and see if the movie throws itself off of a building after busting Dixie, or if the day is saved by Riggs' and Murtaugh’s endless trail of bodies, jokes, and references to Looney Tunes and the Three Stooges.

In 1994, James Cameron write, directed, and produced the action comedy film True Lies.  Working with Arnold Schwarzenegger once again following T2, Cameron took the effective but absurd action formula of James Bond movies and added more comedy and special effects, resulting in a film that impresses with its explosions as we roll our eyes at the situations our suave but flawed protagonist ends up in.  With a budget of over $100M, True Lies cleaned up in the box office, bringing in $379M, and earning a strong following in DVD and Blue-Ray sales.  Somewhat criticized for its misogyny and cruel treatment of a used car salesman, critics with less of a stick up their ass generally praise this film thanks to enough action and comedy to carry the movie through to its exciting conclusion.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent attempt to live double lives, on one hand being the ordinary every-man with a Mr. Universe body trying to hide our flaws and true mission to save the world, and on the other hand

Once in a rare moment, movies are released and then emulated for the next 20 years.  1990 was such a time as Martin Scorsese wrote and directed Goodfellas.  Spanning 25 years, Goodfellas was based on a true story and followed the life of Henry Hill as he went from mafia obsessed high school student to right hand man of local crime boss Paulie Cicero to excommunicated snitch. Starring Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Paul Sorvino, and Lorraine Bracco, the cast competently carries this movie, and the result was 6 academy award nominations, and one win for best supporting actor Pesci. Made for $25M, Goodfellas received strong a critical reception and nearly doubled its budget, making $47M at the box office.  A huge inspiration for the Sopranos, Goodfellas and this HBO hit series share 27 actors.  But nearly 30 years after release, does Goodfellas hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent travel back in time and visit with the Cicero crime syndicate for 25 years and see if the life and times of this gangster

In 1981, George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg combined their creative juices to bring us the action adventure film that made archeology out to be sexier than it actually is, Raiders of the Lost Ark.  This movie has guns, whips, Nazi’s, history, monkeys, excessive drinking, and fisticuffs all over the world, and impressed audiences and critics alike with it’s style and mixture of intense action, high stakes with lighthearted character interactions.  Made for $18 mil, Raiders made $390 mil at the box office, and believe it or not, Raiders won 5 academy awards.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent travel the globe with Indy and Marion and try to stay ahead of the occult obsessed Hitler to see if they are worthy of surviving the ark’s opening because of their good hearts and intentions, or if they get their faces melting for thinking criticizing thoughts about this campy but fun classic.

In 2001, J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings books were definitively brought to life with Peter Jackson’s The Fellowship of the Ring.  Over 4 years in development, Jackson and his crew scouted locations in New Zealand and found ways to seamlessly bring this fantasy world to life in a very realistic way, molding sets into the landscape in a way that made them seem like they had always been there.  Many fans consider the casting to be perfect for the characters they portrayed, and the art design and costumes helped to immerse movie goers into the world of Middle Earth.  Made for $93 mil, The Fellowship of the Ring went on to make just under $900 mil at the box office, and single handedly re-invigorated the epic fantasy trilogy movies movement in Hollywood.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Dave journey to Bag End and beyond to travel with the fellowship to see if the trip is smooth sailing and safe behind sword, axe and bow, or if Sauron and Saruman are too strong a tag team, using magic and fire t

In 1990, Stephen King’s psychological thriller novel Misery was adapted for the big screen.  With Rob Reiner directing, James Caan and then unknown but soon to win an Oscar actress Kathy Bates were brought on board to play Paul Sheldon and Annie Wilkes.  Made for $20 mil, Misery took in over $61 mil in the box office, with fans drawn in by the claustrophobic setting, insane female lead, and unforgettable hobbling scene.  Stephen King himself regards this movie as one of the best adaptations from his novels, and critics continue to rank Misery as one of the best horror films ever made.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent see if this adaptation can stand up to the harsh weather and slippery slopes of this somewhat disturbing flick, or if things spiral out of control and crash and burn in the ditch, waiting for Annie Wilkes to drag us out and break our ankles with her love.

In 1982, Ridley Scott brought the book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep to life with Blade Runner.  Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young and Edward James Olmos, Blade Runner was a very deliberate sci-fi film that initially disappointed critics and movie goers for its lack of action, but later caught on as audiences realized that the film was ahead of its time in many ways.  Made for $28 Mil, Blade runner was disappointing in the box office, taking in only $34 Mil, but over time this movie spawned a sequel, and its influence on film, particularly in the sci-fi genre has been remarkable.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and guest Dave come out as human or skin job as Deckard administers his void comp test, and see whether they will be on the run from, or safe in the arms of the Blade Runner.

In 1992, Clint Eastwood directed and starred in the Oscar winning western Unforgiven.  For more than 20 years, the Unforgiven script floated around until it found its way to Eastwood who waited until the right moment to make this near perfect flick.  Made for $14 Mil, this movie made nearly $160 mil worldwide, and it was a resounding commercial and critical success.  With an amazing cast that included Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Sir Richard Harris, Unforgiven was nominated for 9 Oscars, winning for best picture, best supporting actor, best director, and best film editing.  But does it hold up?  Was there ever any doubt?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent revisit this classic and see if William Munny is too old, slow, and crusty to carry this film to its exciting conclusion, or if he is as deadly as ever and makes quick work of Little Bill and his posse.

In 1988, riding high from the success of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Tim Burton released Beetlejuice, starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Gena Davis and Winona Ryder.  While the movie focuses on demons and dead people, Burton decided to take the original script in a more comedic direction, as the first cut was far darker.  Thankfully, the change paid off.  Winning an academy award for Best Makeup, Beetlejuice made $73 Mil on a budget of $15 Mil and was a critical and commercial success. But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent revisit the Maitlands see if they can come to grips with death and safely remove the Deetz family, or if Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice….Oh Shit.

When James Cameron was selected to direct Aliens, one has to wonder whether he know he would be making a movie that would be considered to be one of the best sequels in history.  Sigourney Weaver returned to reprise her role as Ellen Ripley, and a more than competent cast was assembled including Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, and Bill Paxton.  Made for only $18 Million (about $42 million in today’s dollars), and relying heavily on practical effects, Aliens went on to receive critical acclaim and pull in $180 million worldwide, a huge number for an R rated film.  For better or worse, Aliens just kept going with more movies, video games, and novelizations, but this movie will always be remembered for its strong female lead, intense action sequences, and enough tension to pucker a few bums.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent revisit LV-426 and see if they pitch a tent to hang out with the queen and half a Bishop and enjoy this movie with a bucket of popcorn, or if their experienc

In 1995, Michael Mann made robbing banks and getting into shootouts in the middle of a crowded street cool with his action/drama Heat.  Combining De Niro and Pacino along with Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd, Jon Voight, and Natalie Portman, Heat took the time to develop both the criminals and the police chasing them.  Receiving positive critical reviews, this movie made $187 Mil on a budget of $60 Mil, and to this day has some of the most riveting action scenes ever.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent lock and load to prepare for a shootout the likes of which has never been seen, and when the dust settles will they wish they had sided with Hanna, great asses, and bad marriages, or McCauley, no attachments, and big scores?

In 1997, Harrison Ford once again rocked the box office with the blockbuster action movie Air Force One.  With experienced director Wolfgang Petersen at the helm, Air Force One made over $300 Mil worldwide, and former President Bill Clinton is said to have seen the movie twice and liked it.  Gary Oldman plays the man with the evil agenda, and Glen Close and William H. Macy are two very recognizable faces in this recognizable cast.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent climb aboard this doomed airplane and see if it sinks to the bottom of the ocean under the weight of a questionable plot, dodgy acting, and unconvincing action sequences, or if it just is an ok summer blockbuster that services the right areas of the brain while we all say, “Get off my plane”

In 2007, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg ended a 15 year journey as the script they had been working on since the mid 1990’s finally hit the big screen, and that movie is Superbad.  Produced by Judd Apatow, and starring Rogen himself, this coming of age comedy boosted the careers of Michael Sera, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, Emma Stone, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.  Made for $20 Mil, Superbad grossed over $160 Mil worldwide, making it the highest grossing high school comedy at the time. Superbad received critical acclaim due to its good mix of comedy, raunchiness, and heart, and so it appealed to a wide audience.  But 12 years later, does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent revisit Superbad and see if they can still relate to the days of high school graduation, leaving the nest, and moving on with their lives, or if they are stuck in middle school drawing dicks all day and dreaming of a woman’s first touch.

In 1977, the world was changed forever as young visionary director George Lucas brought us the first movie and fourth episode of a yet to be created series, Star Wars: A New Hope.  Made for $11 Mil, this movie went on to gross a bazillion dollars, spawn several sequels, toys, religion, tv shows, video games, books, and even Ice Capades type shows, resulting in a kagillion bazillion dollars, cult status, and a dedicated, creative and interestingly dressed fan base.  What else can you say about the movie that started it all except holy cow has this become a world wide phenomenon.  But does A New Hope hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent go waaaaaaay back in time to a galaxy far away and see if rebellion is a bunch of idealists who just want freedom and are willing to do what it takes to put down the evil empire, or if the Empire is right and just trying to install order in the galaxy and the rebellion is a terrorist faction that sabotages space stations to destroy them, murdering thousands of innocent worke

In 1999, office workers everywhere rejoiced as Mike Judge’s satire of a few weeks in the life of a software development company.  Made for only $10 mil, Office space was a box office disappointment, making only $12 million, but the geniuses of Comedy Central aired the movie regularly, and a loyal fan base saw to it that all of their friends and family saw this silly but strangely accurate comedy, making it a cult classic.  With memorable lines and characters, Office Space appeals to basically anyone with a job, and though the technology is now dated, the core satire of the work place, overbearing and out of the loop management, and efficiency consultants coming in to lay off staff still plays out today.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent show up for work at Initech and see if they praise this movie, sweet talk the Bob’s, keep their jobs, and maybe even get promoted, or if the movie’s purpose is unclear and it deserves to be let go along with our hopes and dreams for a better workplace.

In 2006, Director Todd Phillips followed up on Old School and Starsky & Hutch with the box office bomb School for Scoundrels.  But nobody gives a shit about that movie, they care about 2009’s comedy hit, The Hangover, starring and pretty much launching the cast of Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Ken Jeong into stardom.  Made for just $35 Million, The Hangover grossed over $460 Million worldwide, making it one of the highest revenue R rated movies of all time.  But after 10 years, does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent take a boys trip to Vegas and see if the roofies, babes, babies, and little Chinese nuts are too much for the guys to handle, or if they keep their wits, charm and luck win big at the tables and hold on to fond memories of this over the top comedy.

1993 saw Harold Ramis and Bill Murray team up for the last time…again and again and again in Groundhog Day.  The film was received favourably by critics, but time continues to do this movie justice as viewers seem to appreciate the subtle undertones on repeat viewings.  Benefiting from a short run time, talented cast, and Bill Murray, Groundhog Day made $71 million in the box office, and has spawned a musical adaptation.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent visit Punxsutawney  to see if Phil the groundhog sees his shadow, cursing us to more winter and an endless loop of lost love, death, and redundancy, or if he sees nothing but bright skies, funny jokes, heartfelt self-discovery, and more Bill Murray.

In 1995, Bryan Singer and Christopher McQuarrie teamed up to bring us the academy award winning film, The Usual Suspects.  Responsible for skyrocketing several careers, The Usual Suspects dazzled audiences with the catchy dialogue, interesting characters, and twist ending.  Made for just $6 million dollars, this movie made back around $35 million and has established itself as an American classic.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent give their testimony on this mystery film and see if they are ahead of the game in determining the true identify of Keyser Soze before his release, or if smooth talking Verbal Kint can keep the bull going long enough to dazzle, distract, and dumbfound the boys, getting away clean to rejoin his barbershop quartet in Skokie, Illinois