Episode 62 - "Days of Thunder"

Episode 65 - The Length Paradox with Professor Akira Mizuta Lippit

In today’s highly fragmented media landscape, most people can’t last more than a few seconds without checking their phones for another dopamine hit. We live in a doomscroll culture where audiences raised on social media crave quick, bite-sized content. Yet, modern movies are longer than ever. If collective attention spans are shrinking, why is Hollywood making longer films? Author and USC Film Professor Akira Mizuta Lippit joins Jason Thompson and Dennis to unpack this "length paradox" and explore its impact on the next generation of filmmakers. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 64 - "Rocky III"

Propelled by Survivor’s massive hit single ”Eye of the Tiger,” 1982’s “Rocky III” mirrored Sylvester Stallone’s meteoric rise to fame and ushered in the Reagan 80’s with energy and vibrancy. The film explored new terrain for the franchise, showing the consequences of celebrity, complacency and mortality. Jim Camlek and Nick Malone lace up their gloves and return to the ring to pity any fool who doesn’t champion this rousing entertainment. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 63 - "Caddyshack" and Sam Sokolow

Film comedies are often time capsules, but some, like Harold Ramis’ 1980 cult classic “Caddyshack,” resonate universally. Film and television producer - and now Clemson University film professor in practice - Sam Sokolow joins the show to discuss his career accomplishments, recent pivot to education and why a lowbrow golf comedy has far more significance than one might realize. "I mean, he’s been club champion for three years running and I’m no slouch myself." ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 62 - "Days of Thunder"

Given the massive success of “Top Gun,” you can’t blame Paramount for running it back with producers Don Simpson & Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott and actor Tom Cruise. 1990's “Days of Thunder” would inevitably, and perhaps unfairly, be labeled as “Top Gun on Wheels,” but the reality is the film is a superb technical achievement, an entertaining, high octane action vehicle that thrust you into the exciting world of NASCAR. Charlie Legg joins the pit crew to discuss his love of racing, and argue that while rubbin’ is racing, you’re not supposed to hit the pace car. Dedicated to the late Robert Duvall. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 61 - "Moonstruck"

It’s not every day that you fall in love with your Fiance’s brother, but such is the premise of 1987’s “Moonstruck,” the critically acclaimed and universally adored film that made Cher a movie star. She won a richly deserved Best Actress Academy Award for her performance as repressed widower Loretta Castorini. This cinematic gem about family, sugar cubes and Cosmo’s moon also took home hardware for Best Supporting Actress (Olympia Dukakis) and Best Original Screenplay (John Patrick Shanley). Laura Lubrano joins Dennis to celebrate her proud Italian heritage and savor all the wonderful ingredients of this delicious romantic comedy. Ma, I love him awful. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.