Hit Rewind Podcast Network

Hit Rewind- Copland, The Game, Conspiracy Theory, Operation Condor & Alien: Resurrection

Welcome to another episode of Hit Rewind! Today, we're diving into the films of 1997, a year often overlooked despite its cinematic gems. With John joining in place of Jacob, we explore the diverse range of movies that made 1997 unique. While blockbuster hits like "Men in Black" and "Face/Off" dominate the nostalgic conversation, we also shine a light on lesser-known yet thoroughly enjoyable films.

In this episode, we discuss "Copland," a film that, despite its stellar cast and critical acclaim, seems to have lost some of its initial impact over time. We delve into the performances, particularly Sylvester Stallone's standout role, and the intricate character dynamics that make this movie a must-watch.

Next, we analyze David Fincher's "The Game," a tightly wound thriller that keeps you in a constant state of paranoia. We reflect on Michael Douglas's compelling performance and the film's intricate plot twists that keep you guessing until the very end.

We also examine "Conspiracy Theory," a film that blends intense psychological thriller elements with moments of levity. Mel Gibson's portrayal of a paranoid conspiracy theorist is both captivating and unsettling, reflecting the actor's unique ability to balance charm with vulnerability.

Our journey continues with "Operation Condor," a Jackie Chan classic filled with breathtaking stunts and comedic action sequences. We discuss the film's place within Chan's filmography and its enduring appeal.

Finally, we revisit "Alien Resurrection," the much-maligned entry in the Alien franchise. We explore the film's strengths and weaknesses, from its unique visual style to its controversial narrative choices.

Join us as we celebrate the highs and lows of 1997's cinematic offerings and look forward to our next exploration of 1998's films.

Hit Rewind-Titanic, The Wrong Guy, Nothing to Lose, Switchback & Air Force One

Join Michael and Jacob as they wrap up their journey through the films of 1997. This episode dives deep into some of the year's most iconic movies, including a detailed discussion on the cultural phenomenon Titanic. They examine its overwhelming success and the lasting impact it had on Hollywood.

The duo also highlights the hilarious yet underrated gem The Wrong Guy, starring Dave Foley, and explores the unique buddy comedy Nothing to Lose with Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins. They delve into the intense thriller Switchback, featuring standout performances by Jared Leto and Danny Glover.

Finally, they finish strong with a discussion on the patriotic action thriller Air Force One, starring Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman. This episode is filled with nostalgia, insightful commentary, and plenty of laughs as Michael and Jacob reminisce about a memorable year in film.

Hit Rewind: Mouse Hunt, Good Will Hunting, Men in Black, In & Out, Boogie Nights

Join Michael and Jacob as they continue their cinematic journey through the movies of 1997. In this episode of Hit Rewind, they dive deep into a variety of films that defined the year, from slapstick comedies to powerful dramas.

First up, they discuss the darkly humorous "Mouse Hunt," Gore Verbinski's directorial debut that combines slapstick comedy with macabre elements. Next, they explore the emotional depths of "Good Will Hunting," a film that earned Robin Williams a well-deserved Oscar and showcased the writing talents of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

The conversation then shifts to the sci-fi comedy "Men in Black," where Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones fight extraterrestrial threats with a mix of humor and action. Following that, they delve into "In & Out," a groundbreaking comedy about a small-town teacher who is outed by a former student, featuring stellar performances by Kevin Kline and Joan Cusack.

Finally, they wrap up with "Boogie Nights," Paul Thomas Anderson's critically acclaimed exploration of the adult film industry in the 1970s and 80s. With an ensemble cast including Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, and Burt Reynolds, this film offers a poignant look at the rise and fall of its characters.

Tune in for an engaging discussion filled with insights, nostalgia, and a touch of humor!

Hit Rewind: Breakdown, Con Air, Face/Off, L.A. Confidential & Fifth Element

Welcome to Hit Rewind! In this episode, hosts Michael and Jacob take a nostalgic journey back to 1997, a year that gave us some unforgettable movies. They kick off with a deep dive into "Breakdown," a gripping thriller starring Kurt Russell. The discussion highlights Russell's everyman performance and the film's homage to 70s action cinema.

Next up is the high-octane action of "Con Air," where Nicolas Cage and an ensemble cast deliver explosive entertainment. The conversation then shifts to the mind-bending "Face Off," a John Woo classic featuring Cage and John Travolta in a wild identity-swapping plot.

The hosts then explore the intricate noir of "L.A. Confidential," praising its labyrinthine plot and stellar performances from a star-studded cast. Finally, they delve into the sci-fi masterpiece "The Fifth Element," celebrating its unique visuals and memorable characters.

Join Michael and Jacob as they revisit these cinematic treasures, offering insights and fond memories along the way. Don't miss this exciting episode of Hit Rewind!

Celebrating 20 Years of the Cornetto Trilogy

Welcome to a special episode of Hit Rewind! In this episode, Michael and Mindy celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic Cornetto Trilogy. Join them as they dive into the beloved films: Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End.

They discuss the cultural impact of these films, their unique blend of humor and horror, and the brilliant directorial style of Edgar Wright. They also reflect on their personal experiences with the movies, the memorable characters, and the emotional depth that makes these films stand out.

Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the Cornetto Trilogy, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates clever storytelling and genre-blending cinema. Don't miss out on this nostalgic journey through one of the most influential trilogies of the past two decades!

Hit Rewind-The Alien Franchise (2004-2017)

Welcome to a special edition of Hit Rewind! In this episode, we delve into the expansive universe of the Alien franchise, exploring its many films, spinoffs, and the latest installment, Romulus. Join us as we discuss the enduring appeal of these perfect organisms and the various attempts to expand their universe.

We kick off with an in-depth discussion about the spinoff, Alien vs. Predator, and its sequel, AVP: Requiem. From the influence of comics to the controversial directorial choices, we leave no stone unturned. Discover how these films fit into the larger Alien and Predator universes and the impact they had on the franchise's canon.

Next, we tackle Ridley Scott's prequel films, Prometheus and Covenant. We examine their contributions to the lore, the thematic shifts, and the critical reception. How do these films connect to the original Alien, and what mysteries do they unravel or complicate?

Finally, we reflect on the future of the franchise, including the surprising success of Romulus and the potential for new stories. Could historical settings for Predator films on Hulu be the next big thing? Tune in to find out!

Join us for a journey through one of sci-fi's most beloved and complex universes. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this episode has something for everyone.

Hit Rewind-Catch 22, Bob Carol Ted & Alice, Once upon a time in the west & Easy Rider

Welcome to Hit Rewind! In this episode, hosts Michael and Kersey dive into the groundbreaking films of the 1960s, right before the cinematic shift of the 70s. Join them as they explore how these revolutionary movies changed the landscape of cinema forever.

The discussion begins with "Catch-22," a film that plays with narrative timelines and portrays the madness of war through the eyes of its disoriented protagonist. Michael and Kersey delve into its unique storytelling and powerful performances, particularly by Alan Arkin.

Next up is "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," a character study that touches on infidelity and the 60s free love movement. The hosts debate its commitment to its themes and its portrayal of alternative lifestyles.

The conversation then shifts to "Once Upon a Time in the West," which Michael hails as the greatest Western ever made. They discuss Sergio Leone's masterful direction, the film's epic scope, and standout performances by Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda.

Finally, they analyze "Easy Rider," a film that not only defined a generation but also revolutionized independent filmmaking. The hosts reflect on its cultural significance, the timeless themes of freedom and persecution, and the iconic performances by Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and Jack Nicholson.

Tune in to this episode of Hit Rewind for an in-depth look at these revolutionary films of the 60s that continue to resonate today.

Hit Rewind: Fierce Creatures, Donnie Brasco, Vegas Vacation, Private Parts, Liar Liar and Austin Powers

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Hey everybody, welcome to Hit Rewind. This is Michael, and Jacob's on the other side. We are discussing the films of 1997. We're finally here! Yes! Look, I know- Action, baby! We had a game plan, and I got bored. I'm sorry, I'm a little erratic. We were going to go through the 60s and 70s and pick up stuff we missed in the 80s and 90s, and I said, I can't take any more westerns and war movies! Movies and other than that it seems like it's gonna be really hard to finish off the 60s and then hopefully we can burn through the 70s but for now i think for the rest of this year until you go on hiatus again we're just gonna do 97 probably 98 i seriously doubt we'll get through 99 but let's get started everybody what's the first movie of 1997 you want to discuss, well this one i wanted to get out of the way i hadn't seen this before and i didn't even know it was sort of like a follow-up to fish called wanda fierce creatures you know what's funny is you usually miss it you're like i'm gonna get this out of the way because this thing's a piece of fucking shit no i mean you have to start someone with these lists yeah to any of them well a lot of people do a lot of people do think this is a piece of shit it was a huge flop, critics hated it it got dumped like the second week of january no one gave a flying fart about it i don't think it's that bad is it is it because fish called one is probably considered at least bare minimum on every list a top 25 comedy of all time. Do you think those expectations are what ruined Fierce Creatures? Definitely have an impact. That would be a contributing factor. Yeah. You can't rule it out. The director did switch halfway through the movie and there was some reshoots to fix the entire ending. The last 20 minutes or so were completely reshot. So when his father shows up at the zoo, he died in a completely different way so before he gets shot in the head that whole thing was re-shot so that cost a lot of money and delayed release and stuff like that so that was a little bit. A little bit part of it's like flow is a little off. I think the only thing that really hurts this movie to me is I think some of the jokes don't work and they're not, they're not as macabre as they should be. It's so dark and weird in fish called one. I feel like they're pulling their punches a little bit in this one. Yeah. Oh, but for that, Oh God, that scene at the end, she did not expect that. Yeah. I mean, yeah, you get your supporting cast, like you got like Michael Palin coming back as well. Along with Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline playing two roles, you know, basically the owner of the company trying to buy the zoo and then his son, you know, trying to show that he can run things. Yeah, you know what's funny is in the original cut, he shows up as his mother. So he played three characters. Oh, no, Kevin Kline could pull that off. It's funny, I mean, especially after Wild Wild West. Yeah. It's so funny is after he won the Oscar, It seemed like he struggled in mainstream films that he had to go do smaller, more independent-minded movies. Life is a House and, oh, there's a teacher one that he did that was really good. But it's like whenever he does a big studio film, it seems like it's a struggle. Oh, In-N-Out, right? Is that what you're talking about? Well, yeah, In-N-Out's the one that won him the, I don't think he won, but he might have got the nomination. But it just seemed like he would jump from major movie and then just, like, it wouldn't do very well. then he would go do some independent smaller stuff and then that would, you know, rock the house. Because if you remember, the first entry in this, the whole Fish Called Wanda, was an independent movie that was picked up by MGM. Oh, wow. Oh, this was produced by Danny DeVito. See, that makes me even more depressed because it should have been more demented. Oh, absolutely. I mean, come on. I mean, after, what, War of the Roses, and The Law from the Train, and then later on Death of Smoochie, yeah, no, you'd think it would be a little bit more crazy. Yeah, I'm looking... Go ahead. but yeah that scene though like near the end to like you know open keep things up going yeah that did throw me for a loop I was like holy shit I did not expect that to happen of course Michael Palin's character you know being one of the loop keepers. You know, keep his area funded, you know, always talking about like deadliest animals. They have to be. And then, bam, the little piece shooter. Like, oh, my God. Well, that's if you haven't seen this movie, what it is, is this is a takedown of Fox News. This is a Kevin Kline is playing Rupert Murdoch. He flat out is. And his whole thing is consume. And it's still going today. Consume whatever you can to make your corporation even bigger. But in order to turn a profit from what you just spent buying a thing, you have to do massive cuts. So they're they're they're firing people. They're adding tons and tons of stupid advertising, but they're also getting ready some of the animals. And Rallo, who's played by John Cleese, is in charge. He's ex-military and they think that he can be really hardcore, you know, cutting this place down to the bone to make a profit. Because it's not just a profit, though. Wasn't it 20 percent is what they had to have? Yes that's insane like especially in the beginning of owning something you kind of have to eat the the profits for a while until you get things up and running and exactly you gotta spend some money to make yeah but you saw this with rupert murdoch and stuff like that and other guys like ted turner who bought shit up and didn't really fucking care as long as it built his empire and made money so and what they just happened with disney disney buying up ironically fox but also Also, like shutting down Blue Sky, you know, trimming the fat on any independent movies, small stuff. They basically destroyed Fox Searchlight. It barely exists now. So this is nothing new. So 25, almost 30 years ago, this movie really had their finger on the pulse. Pretty much. Oh, gosh. It does make a whole lot of sense. Just like how they had to have like some of the zoo staff dressed up as animals. All these stupid little, you know, advertisement boards and posters. The fake panda. Oh god yes animatronics and all that you know i know that gorilla suit is fake but god that was convincing that was really really good make yes god i mean honestly as much as i enjoy congo yeah that looked a lot more accurate than congo yeah but yeah so he has to find ways of keeping the animals alive keeping the place open but there's this whole subplot of somehow rollo keeps getting in these like situations that make him look like the biggest swinger in all of england like the most fuckable man in the whole place and everybody's just kind of confused by it i mean jimmy curtis seems to be confused by him and also amused and turned on exactly that's why she's kind of seducing him in the end yeah and all the while like kevin klein the son when he's playing the son he's trying to get with earth they have something like no this is purely a partnership you know this is a workplace professional relationship but i think nothing intimate it works out for him because he is a fucking what do you call that sex pest yeah he's a sex pest his whole thing but they finally find a piece for his character in that you know you've, To be fair, it took him accidentally killing his father. But, you know, like, give him the zoo. Just let us run this. Or no, get him to run the corporation, whatever. Now, the whole thing about faking the death is one of the most ridiculously comical things I've ever. The whole, oh, I'm in my dark phases. I gotta go be by myself in the barn. Oh, yeah. Then the whole shtick, trying to find everything, put everything in the right place. Make sure there's no suspicion that it was actually a suicide. Yeah. Like, the space in the gun and everything. And then having to carry on and provide those lines. Yeah, I think it's a really fun movie. But, yeah, it tanked so hard. Originally meant to be $18 million. The reshoots cost another $7 million. And it only made about $8 million in America. Thankfully, it made some decent money overseas. But in comparison, this only made $40 million. Dollars fish kawada beat 198 million and it only cost half of this oh yeah that's a huge drop, all right so what is our next film this one okay this is a bit of a turn this is we're going a little we're going dramatic with this one and this is what you know mainstream audiences take johnny depp far more seriously yeah donnie brosco i'm trying to think was he he was in that nick of time movie a couple years before this that you and i both enjoyed but guess what nobody saw it was a huge flop yeah before this it's either his movies were very very small independent movies like dead man or it was him just being quirky and cute you know like benny what did bonnie and june benny and june benny and june right stuff like that you know where he played quirky eccentric this is the first one besides nick of time that people are like oh he can play a normal dude which he rarely did. And I still think Pirates of the Caribbean is the worst fucking thing that could have happened to him. I mean, at the time it seemed great, but who knew that all that money, all that excess, all those demands for him to play weirdo characters for the rest of his goddamn life until just recently would just undo him. Absolutely. That and, of course, his on-set behavior. Yeah. I'm not really going to get into it, but I just think both of them are kind of fucked up. I don't know. I'm not choosing a side. It's just sometimes you look at the parties and go, yeah, you guys should have never been together in the first place. This is just... Yeah. No, fuck both of you. Yeah. So, yeah, Donnie Brasco is actually the only dramatic one in this bunch because it's weird how I make my list. And this just happens sometimes where we get predominant copies. I think the next one is predominantly thrillers. But yeah, this one is based on a true story. Undercover officer in the 1970s who had to infiltrate the mob. And it's really interesting is having Robert De Niro or Al Pacino play mobster gangster kind of guys was nothing new at this point. Both of them had done at least three or four movies in this vein by this point. But what's interesting is Al Pacino had the guts to accept a role where he was a fucking loser. Pretty much. Yeah, I know. know he was just a wise guy street hustler you know yeah just real low level bottom never gonna be running his own crew this is the closest he's gonna get to success and he gets there with the help of donnie brasco and just just the fucking tension throughout this movie it's not like like suspense movie dread you know like where you think it's gonna be big jumps there's just this This never-ending, oh God, at some point they're going to figure it out. What is going to happen? Is Al Pacino going to sell him down the river? Is Johnny Depp going to have to kill Al Pacino? You just don't know. Exactly. And then there's supporting characters. You've got other wise guys. Michael Madsen did a great job. And in one particular scene, yeah, he kind of screws over Al Pacino. Yeah, there was a point where Michael Madsen, he was never like a big star. But he was always getting quality work and supporting parts. And then he would go off and do like little independent stuff, sometimes trash, sometimes not. And now you look the last 20 years of his career since Kill Bill has been fucking embarrassing. Because he, like Eric Roberts, have this thing where they will literally accept any role for a certain amount of pay a day. And I shit you not, I looked it up. He gets $8,000 a day. He'll do any giant piece of fucking garbage they'll shoot everything in a day or two slap his name at the top of the the post or whatever and that's it he did have a part in sin city yeah so long ago man yeah and then of course there was the the hateful eight, Yeah, if Tarantino or Rodriguez are not involved, it's going to be garbage. I don't know what it is, if he's difficult to work with or he's lazy and tired. I don't know. But it's always a shame when you see actors just do this. I know. It sucks, especially when they had such prominent careers. Yeah. And then there's James Russo, who's another one of those that guy kind of. He's like Michael Madsen's right hand man. It's one of those works filled with guys who just did lots of gangster monster movies. This kind of seems almost like not a goodbye to the whole thing because I feel like Casino was kind of saying goodbye for a while. But this is because it's based on a true story. There's something just slightly different than trying to be a Goodfellas clone. Almost somewhat, yeah. Whoa, Donnie Brasco was a massive hit. I had no fucking clue. It made $125 million worldwide. That's wild to me. Yeah, absolutely. So, yeah, this is what definitely catapulted Johnny Depp to success. And he needed it because it'd been a while since he had a hit, I think. Yeah, I mean, especially if, like, Tim Burton's name wasn't attached to it. Yeah, because Don Juan DeMarco and Benny and June were probably his biggest, but they weren't, like, you're talking like $30 million. That's not a big hit. So this is kind of that next level. And I don't know what's next that really breaks big. Sleepy Hollow, maybe? No, I'm pretty sure there was something else. Yeah. No, Blow is after Sleepy Hollow. But yeah, he's just interesting watching his career go. I wonder if the director, Mike Newell, had seen him on 21 Jump Street where he plays more of a character like this. And that's why he cast him. Because he was an undercover cop. Yeah. So I wonder if that's why he cast him. Oh, man. I will tell you one thing. Like the intensity in that Japanese restaurant. Yeah, exactly what I was going to say. But he couldn't because he had the wire there and off. He also ended up giving the group some balls yeah the uh they're disrespectful as hell it's incredibly underrated i think kind of been forgotten in his oeuvre i think the most tense scene though is the one where there's a rat in the group and they're talking about when they're arrested and and and al pacino is kind of saying it and you know oh fuck they're gonna come after him but then you also start remembering bruno kirby was pulling some side deals with selling inhaling cocaine it's funny is that yeah neither one of them ratted each other out but all of it had here's the thing is the rap part had nothing to do with anybody in the group except that one guy who was going to run the bar and forgot to pay off the cops that's it and if he had just told him like i fuck up i i forgot to pay the cops i don't think he would have been shot but he would have been kicked out of the group and probably had his ass beat and then they wouldn't have had to kill someone else oh yeah exactly yeah oh god. Especially after that big execution scene where they took out rival gangsters. Yeah, yeah. I really thought that, oh, they're going to bring him in and they're going to at least bare minimum beat the fucking shit out of him. But no, they were just setting Bruno Kirby up. So they knew about the coke deal. Yeah, it's hard when you're undercover, you're not supposed to break the law. And while he doesn't take part of the shooting, he does take part of hacking somebody up, and that's a crime. Exactly. Yeah, I know. Yeah, and again, this being based on a true story, he's been in hiding ever since because there's a big, there's like a bounty on his head. Yeah, there's apparently another movie with his character that another mission that he went on where it's called Wise Gal. I think it was a TV movie with, I think, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jason Gedrick, and James Caan. Huh, never knew about that. Yeah, I have to look it up, but I feel like his character, Joe Pistone, there's another case that got turned into a movie. What is our next one oh god sorry right one more thing about that ending though al pacino as soon as he like got that call and he was leaving telling his girlfriend you know i'll be back later if not don't wait up he knew it was going to be oh yeah everything just got revealed and he let someone into the organization who was an undercover cop that's why he left all his jewelry and everything yeah that was a really good scene because it's so quiet and he doesn't really do much besides you see the the the resignment i guess in his eyes just finishing it up going accepting his fate instead of going on the run because you know why they probably would have killed her if he ran exactly and it's like doesn't have much doesn't have much longer it's like you know that's pretty much where his life would be did you want to get any lower than where he is oh you know what i'm sorry i said i must have got confused on the way it was turned into a tv TV series with Jason Gedrick in the year 2000 called Falcone, which is just another play on it's still Joe Pistone's story is just they changed the character because it's a different mission. There is a really, really good TV show that came out the same exact time as 20 on Jump Street from the same creator. And it's called Wise Guy. It was only on for four years and really just watched the first year and it's about a guy who goes deep undercover with the mob and so every 13 episodes there's a new arc where he goes on a new mission you should watch that first season it's really fucking good yeah. What is our next for sure next will okay definitely part of a classic part of a classic franchise for Warner Brothers starring Chevy Chase called Vegas Vacation not the final entry I think a lot of people don't know that Christmas Vacation 2 even exists it was a TNT movie where it's cousin Eddie and the family and I think the very first Audrey goes with them to an island they They get kind of like, what is it, Robin Crusoe kind of thing, where they just trap the island trying to survive during Christmas. It's a comedy, but it's not very good. But for most people, this is it. And look, I know there's a lot that doesn't work in this. There's a lot of jokes that seem to kind

The Perfect Concert Playlist- Steely Dan, Supertramp & ELO

Join us on Hit Rewind for our final Perfect Concert playlist of the 70s! Hosts Ron and Michael dive into the music of Steely Dan, Supertramp, and Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). From timeless classics to hidden gems, we explore the sounds that defined an era. Tune in for a nostalgic journey through the heyday of these iconic bands, as we discuss their hits, their histories, and what makes their music endure. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to these legendary artists, this episode is a must-listen for all music lovers.

We Got the Beat- Valley Girl Double Feature

Welcome to We've Got the Beat! In this episode, Michael and Mindy dive into the iconic 80s film Valley Girl and its recent musical remake.

Join us as we discuss the original film's impact, including its role in launching Nicolas Cage's career, and compare it with the modern adaptation. We'll explore the challenges of remaking a cult classic, the changes in characters and plot, and the musical choices that define the new version.

From the nostalgic vibes of the 80s to the reimagined storyline of the remake, we dissect what worked, what didn't, and what could have been done differently. Tune in for a double feature of insights, critiques, and a whole lot of Valley Girl love!