Hold Up

Dr. Strangelove

Today we’re travelling back to 1964 to explore the cold war and Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Starring George C Scott, Peter Sellers, Sterling Hayden, and Slim Pickens; Dr. Strangelove satirically spins the cold war by telling the story of a General gone rogue who sends a nuclear strike to Russia, the bomber crew who is carrying the payload, and the American war room which is rushing to stop the attack before the world is destroyed. Made for a budget of $1.8 million, Dr. Strangelove brought in $9.4 million at the box office, is Kubrick’s highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes, and now is heralded as a classic. But does it hold up? Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent debate impending doom, precious fluids, communist indoctrination, and mutually assured destruction as we try to see if Dr. Strangelove deserves the strange love or: how we learned to stop worrying and never watch this movie again. 

When Harry Met Sally

In 1989, Rob Reiner brought us his orgasmic café rom-com, When Harry Met Sally. This film explores relationships through the intertwining and often contemptuous relationship of Harry and Sally. The two meet on a cross-country road trip but are polar opposites and the friendship appears not meant to be. However, through chance, their paths continue crossing and as they push back and forth in their understanding of one another, their relationship develops and grows more complex. Starring Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, and Bruno Kirby; When Harry Met Sally made $92 million from a $16 million budget, received much critical and audience acclaim, and brought us one of the most iconic scenes in cinema. But, does it hold up? Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent debate Billy Crystal’s beard and wagon wheel tables as we figure out if this one is as lovely as some pecan pie, or if it’s faking it.

Bad Santa

In 2003, Terry Zwigoff sought to bring a dark spin to the holidays with his black comedy Christmas story, Bad Santa. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Lauren Graham, John Ritter, and Bernie Mac, Bad Santa follows Willie, a mall Santa with a brutal alcohol and sex addiction, and his partner Marcus, his Elf helper, and this dynamic duo rob whichever mall they’re working at on Christmas eve. However, as Santa’s drinking and fucking spiral out of control, he also meets an unlikely friend who has a surprising effect on him that challenges Willie’s and Marcus’ Christmas plans. Made for $23 million, Bad Santa brought home $76 million and became a cantankerous Christmas favourite for many. But does it hold up? Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent discuss plus size women and fixing sandwiches as we determine if this belongs on the naughty, the nice, or the so naughty its nice list.

It's a Wonderful Life

In 1946, Frank Capra brought us a story to warm our hearts during the holiday season with It’s a Wonderful Life. This film tells us the story of George Bailey, a good man who has sacrificed his own life and dreams for the good of the people around him despite life continuously feeding him shit sandwiches. However, when George finally has enough and goes to off himself, God sends Clarence the angel to give him perspective and a new lease on life. Starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, Wonderful Life only brought in $3.3 million on a budget of $3.1 million and had studios questioning Capra’s abilities despite being nominated for multiple Oscars and ending up a timeless Christmas Classic. But, does it hold up? Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent debate Christmas cheer as we try to determine for whom the bell tolls.

Insomnia

This week we bring you Christopher Nolan’s 2002 thriller, Insomnia, starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank. Escaping some internal affairs pressure back in LA a detective and his partner travel to Alaska to assist with a murder investigation. However, plagued by stress, and a lack of sleep the investigation gets complicated and a cop must find a way to set things right while things spiral out of control. Made for $46 million Insomnia brought home a nice $113 million return at the box office and good initial reviews. But, does it hold up? Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent debate jet lag and blackout curtains as we try to see if this one is worth a watch or if you can sleep through it.

Jaws (1975)

Back to our Spielberg month which has spilled over to December due to fucking Hocus Pocus of all things…Anywho, Jaws baby! We’ve got Spielberg’s huge fucking shark monster movie this week, brought to you from 1975 where all the shark phobia began.  Based on a book of the same name from a year prior, Jaws featured the story of a quaint beach resort town that is terrorized by a giant shark and the men who try to stop it. Featuring an iconic score from composer John Williams, Jaws stars Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and a big shark! Spielberg’s first real feature directorial job was over budget and over schedule, making the studio nervous AF. Thankfully, everyone loved it upon release and received as much critical acclaim as it did box office revenue and neurosis. But, does it hold up? Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent, discuss shark fin soup recipes as we try to determine if this one is the catch of the day, or if it has become smelly chum.

Hook (1991)

As we progress through Steven Spielberg month, we decided to throw in 1991’s Hook, because what the hell, right? Hook is a reimagining of the Peter Pan story. After leaving neverland to bone Wendy’s granddaughter and have some kids, Peter Pan has become a shitty father and a surprisingly good businessman, although he has forgotten where he came from or who he was. After his kids are kidnapped one night, he is transported back to neverland by Tinkerbell and must remember who he was or lose his Kids to the dreaded Captain Hook. Starring Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Bob Hoskins, and Julia Roberts. Hook brought in $300 million from a $70 million budget and became a childhood favourite for a generation. But, does it hold up? Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent discuss progressive pirate relationships as we try to determine if this is one of our happy thoughts or if it deserves the hook!

Munich

In 2005, Steven Spielberg brought to life his historical action thriller, Munich, based on the novel Vengeance by George Jonas. Munich tells the story of the Israeli retaliation for the murder of 11 members of the Israeli Olympic squad by the Palestinian terror organization Black September during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Germany. Eric Bana leads as Avner Kaufman, a man enlisted to lead the top-secret mission of revenge, alongside Daniel Craig, Geoffrey Rush, and Ciarán Hinds. Munich opened to critical praise alongside a modest box office of $131 million off a $70 million budget. But, does it hold up? Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent debate the modern complexities of assassination as we try to see if this one goes for gold or never leaves the runway.

Saving Private Ryan

In 1998 Steven Spielberg gave audiences everywhere PTSD when he released his World War 2 epic, Saving Private Ryan. When it’s discovered that 3 of 4 sons are killed in battle, a General sends a Captain and his squad of Rangers on a FUBAR mission of humanity to find and return Momma Ryan's last son home. SPR features a massive cast featuring Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Adam Goldberg, Ted Danson, Dennis Farina, Paul Giamatti, Nathan Fillion, and eventually Matt Damon. SPR was made for $70 million, brought home almost $500 million at the box office, was nominated for 11 Oscars and ended up winning 5. But, does it hold up? Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent discuss battle accuracy and war crimes as we decide if this is one to remember or lest we should forget.

Hocus Pocus

July 16th, 1993, a day that will live in infamy. The day Bette Midler’s real teeth were unveiled. A release day roughly 3 months before Halloween, for some reason…the day that Hocus Pocus was released in theatres. That’s right, on that day 27 years ago, Kenny Ortega brought the world Hocus Pocus, the story of 3 witchy sisters who resurface 300 years after being hanged for killing a little girl and now need to feed on the life force of more children before midnight on Halloween or die forever. Made for $28 million and bringing in a meagre $44 million, Hocus Pocus initially struggled with critics and fans but has since been embraced as a Halloween favourite. But does it hold up? Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent debate the aerodynamics of vacuums and why Disney hates virgins as we decide if this flick puts a spell on us or if it’s just indigestion.