Cast Away (2000)
Back to the Balcony
Jimmy says it's a movie within a movie but Chris Wuergler (aided and abetted by engineer Phil), says Cast Away is a full on love story. But no matter what the opinion everyone agrees it's another Tom Hanks landmark performance - although there are some concerns.
info_outline
Fast Times At Ridgemount High (1982)
Back to the Balcony
Manolis Zontanos extolls the virtues of Fast Times as a cautionary tale for teenagers. It's an interesting idea but is that what you thought when you saw it or did you see a cesspool of sex and bad decisions? Guess where Jimmy comes down on this argument. We're listing this as clean (no swearing) but there is some mature subject matter.
info_outline
Charley Varrick (1973)
Back to the Balcony
Despite the kind of crappy craftsmanship and plotting that separates the movie Charley Varrick from the films of Ed Woods by just a hair (okay, that may be hyperbole but this is a bad movie), comedian Greg Dobrowski finds it hilariously entertaining. Jimmy, not so much - and to add insult to injury, Jimmy rented it when it was available for free on YouTube. No wonder he hated this movie.
info_outline
Alien (1979)
Back to the Balcony
While Jimmy can't deny Alien's popularity - it made big bucks and spawned a slew of follow-ups of somethimes great, sometimes dubious quailtiy - it still strikes him as clumsy and eye-rollingly dumb. Comedian Ryan Sim begs to differ and does so with a spirited defense. Can he win Jimmy over? Listen to find out.
info_outline
Mary Poppins (1964)
Back to the Balcony
At long last, the episode that got away, it's David Green here again to talk about 1964's Mary Poppins. Gee, who could find something not to love about a film that's a beloved classic? Certainly not David who adores this film, that leaves just...
info_outline
Wizard of Oz (1939) And Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) - The Better Garland Movie?
Back to the Balcony
Chris Jarvie and his beautiful other half Christine Kinahan join Jimmy to talk about their favourite movies. Listeners will no doubt remember that Jarvie always comes on with the intention of championing one film but then changing his mind at the last minute. Will he sing the praises of the Wizard of Oz or will he agree with his wife that Meet Me In St. Louis is the more loveable movie?
info_outline
True Lies (1994)
Back to the Balcony
Arnold? In a romance movie? Or an action movie? Or both? Or neither? Guest Chris Wuergler sees a lot in this movie. All that plus the story of how guest engineer Ryan Sim met Tom Arnold. Now that's entertainment!
info_outline
Funny People (2009)
Back to the Balcony
The explanation for why we talked about a movie outside our normal range is explained within the podcast. It's also unusual because it's about the comedy business and we had four comedians in the room so the conversation drifted into what it's like to be a stand-up comedian, what the movie gets right and if the relationships seem genuine. Manolis Zontanos, Patrick Coppolino, Kristian Reimer and Jimmy England together bring over fifty years of experience to the discussion. Absolutely fascinating.
info_outline
Toxic Romance - Unfaithful versus Fatal Attraction
Back to the Balcony
Kristian Reimer and Chris Wuergler did such a great job last Valentine's Day talking about the most romantic movie. But there's more than one kind of romance, there's also those that turn out to be toxic and no more so than Unfaithful and Fatal Attraction. We got deep into the weeds about love, lust and romance. Thoughtful and funny too.
info_outline
The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Back to the Balcony
There are generational gaps in culture and never was it more glaring than in The Spy Who Shagged Me. Guest Mario Bernardi liked it when it came out but was appalled when he saw it again. Jimmy was no better but engineer Phil gave it a solid thumbs up. So what could be wrong with a movie that made a boatload of money? Listen to find out and see if you agree or not.
info_outlineGuest Nik Duncan surprises Jimmy with a rigorous defense of the virtues of Meet Joe Black. Includes a brief interlude where they may have been visited by the ghost of Barry White. Actually the 200th episode of Back to the Balcony - just not the 200th anniversary celebration of the show.