Cinema on Tap

S3E12 90s Spielberg: Saving Private Ryan (with Keenan Culler)

This week, we take a look at what could be Steven Spielberg’s third 90s masterpiece as we talk about Saving Private Ryan. Old friend of the show Keenan Culler joins to discuss his favorite movie of all time.

Saving Private Ryan was lauded at the time for its graphic but realistic violence and stirring patriotism. The film marked the first collaboration between Spielberg and Tom Hanks, garnering the director his second Oscar win and the actor his fourth nomination. We discuss the story of how the film was made, its historical significance, and whether or not it holds up (spoiler alert: it does).

That’s three 90s Spielberg movies down. Stay tuned to see how the other three will show up next week.

What’s your favorite Steven Spielberg movie? Let us know at cinemaontapodcast@gmail.com

S3E11 90s Spielberg: Schindler's List

Our look at 90s Spielberg continues as we stay parked in the year 1993. Last week, we talked about his box office behemoth, Jurassic Park. This week, we’re talking about his Best Picture winner: Schindler’s List.

 

The Holocaust drama tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over 1,000 Jewish people by employing them in his factories. While there has been considerable debate over the past 30+ years about the narrative’s use of melodrama, Schindler’s List has generally been acclaimed as not only one of Spielberg’s best films, but one of the best films to ever win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

 

Christian is crossing the film off of his watchlist and Scott revisits it for their conversation. Join us as we break down the performances of Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes, consider the film’s use (or avoidance) of melodrama, and discuss the film’s historical value.

 

What’s your favorite Spielberg decade? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E10 90s Spielberg: Jurassic Park

It’s a new month, and in honor of the Oscars, we’re talking about one of the Academy’s most recognized filmmakers of all time: Steven Spielberg. By the 90s, Spielberg had become one of Hollywood’s preeminent entertainers. He arguably reached his apex in 1993, when he directed the highest-grossing film of all time and a Best Picture winner in the same year. We’re starting with the box office behemoth: Jurassic Park.

Christian and Scott are revisiting this rewatchable classic to talk about dino danger, Spielbergian themes, and how hot Jeff Goldblum is. Plus, we’re still talking about Industrial Light & Magic, whose 1982 output gave us our January theme this year. With ground-breaking effects, Jurassic Park was one of the most influential films of the 90s, but does it hold up? Well, that’s maybe a dumb question. So, how much *does* it hold up?

And, after talking for 3 hours about the our thoughts on the Oscars (whoops), we share our thoughts on Anora’s big night.

What’s your favorite decade of Steven Spielberg’s career? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E9 Oscars Predictions (feat. Max Dominguez)

The 97th Academy Awards are almost here, and once again we are talking for way too long about the Oscars! Max Dominguez returns to the show to break down the show. We cover every category, making our predictions, giving our thoughts on who should win, and who should have been nominated. If you’re looking to win your Oscar party predictions game, we’ve got you covered.

 

Plus, stay tuned to hear what we’re covering on the show in March!

 

Who are you rooting for at the Oscars? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E8 David Lynch: Mulholland Drive

Our look at the films of David Lynch draws to a close as we look at his penultimate feature, Mulholland Drive.

Widely considered to be one of the greatest films of the 2000s — and possibly the 21st century — our hosts are both watching for the first time. Lynch’s style moved even more surrealistic, and Mulholland Drive plays freely with dream logic. After the experimental Eraserhead and more conventional Blue Velvet, what will Scott and Christian think? And most importantly, will Producer Lalo finally give a Lynch film “full banger” status?

What’s your favorite David Lynch film? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com.

Next week, we’re predicting the 97th Academy Awards. Do your Oscars homework and join us then!

S3E7 David Lynch: Blue Velvet

Our look at the career of David Lynch continues with 1986’s Blue Velvet. Made in the wake of his Dune adaptation flopping, Blue Velvet proved divisive with critics and audiences alike, partially due to some shocking sexual and violent content. It got a thumbs up from Siskel, and a thumbs down from Ebert. But, since then, the film has gone on to become a cult classic beloved by cinephiles.

Inspired by film noir, Lynch’s film follows young Jeffery Beaumont, who finds a human ear lying in a field near his parents’ home. This discovery sets him on a path to uncover the dark underbelly of his hometown, involving a lounge singer and an unhinged gangster.

Blue Velvet follows a more conventional narrative than Eraserhead, but still features some surrealistic flourish and experimentation. As our hosts continue to discover his work, stay tuned to hear their thoughts.

What’s your favorite David Lynch film? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E6 David Lynch: Eraserhead

February is officially underway, which means it’s time to kick off a new month. In recognition of the recent passing of David Lynch, we’ll be taking some time to look at three of his most notable films. We’re starting with his surrealistic debut: Eraserhead.

The film that made David Lynch’s name on the midnight movie circuit, Eraserhead’s experimental style made such an impact that Stanley Kubrick called it one of his favorite films of all time. Our hosts attempt to unpack the movie while also discussing Lynch’s career.

Plus, we open the show with a chat about the films (and TV series) that Christian watched virtually at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

What’s your favorite David Lynch film? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E5 1982 ILM: Poltergeist

Our look at the films Industrial Light and Magic worked on in 1982 comes to a close as we look at the horror classic Poltergeist! The film follows the Freeling family whose upwardly mobile middle class existence is thrown for a major loop after their daughter Carol Ann starts talking to “the TV people,” ghosts haunting their home. After Carol Ann disappears, the family enlists the help of paranormal investigators to bring her back to the realm of the living.

The film also features legendary behind the scenes tension between director Tobe Hooper and writer/producer Steven Spielberg. Our hosts talk about the story of the film’s making before diving into their review. Plus, we react to the recently announced Oscar nominations!

Stay tuned to hear about our plans for February.

Have any thoughts about our review? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E4 1982 ILM: The Dark Crystal

Our look at Industrial Light & Magic’s 1982 films continues, as we take a look at the cult classic, all-puppets all-the-time spectacular: The Dark Crystal.

This is the first time we’re talking about anything Jim Henson related, so we talk about his career, The Muppets, and Sesame Street before diving into his dark fantasy film (co-directed with fellow muppeteer, Frank Oz). The Dark Crystal is set in a fantasy world, where young Jen must go on an adventure to restore the titular crystal and stop the evil Skesis.

The Dark Crystal received mixed reviews on release, but has endured as a cult classic, with the darker tone and extraordinary puppets winning hearts and minds over the years. But, what will our hosts think?

Have you seen The Dark Crystal? Let us know your thoughts at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

S3E3 1982 ILM: Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan

It’s time to kick off our first marathon of the year! This year, Christian is in charge of January, and he’s taking us back in time to 1982 to discuss the work of special effects royalty.

George Lucas formed Industrial Light & Magic to take care of the special effects for 1977’s Star Wars. After working on 3 films from 1977-1981, ILM took a leap and took care of the special effects for 5 major films in 1982, including E.T. and Conan the Barbarian.

We’re taking a look at the 3 films we haven’t seen to cross off some blindspots, starting with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan!

Trekkies, this one is for you. The sequel to Star Trek: The Motion Picture (as well as an episode from the original run of the TV show), Wrath of Khan features the crew of the Enterprise facing off against Khan, a genetically modified warlord who has spent 15 years marooned on a deserted planet. Featuring legendary performances from William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Ricardo Montalban, this film has surpassed its franchise trappings to become a beloved sci-fi classic in its own right.

What will our hosts think? Listen along and find out.

What’s your favorite Star Trek movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com.

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