Libsyn Directory

Heathers (1988)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Release Date: 07/28/2020

The King of Comedy (1983)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

When people think DeNiro and Scorsese, it's generally mob hits or boxing rings. But 1983's "The King of Comedy" is an often-overlooked exploration of television fame that shows just how funny, dark and thought-provoking the actor-director pair can be in any genre. Listener Charlie in L.A., who brought us "Boogie Nights," is back with another stellar commission that led to some interesting topics, including when it's OK to ask for an autograph, who the new acting royalty is in Hollywood, whether Sandra Bernhard helped or hurt the movie and when being agreeable becomes creepy. If you've never...

Cabin Boy (1994)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Once upon a time, there was a movie about an unlikeable fancy lad joining the unlikeable crew of a ship called The Filthy Whore after David Letterman tried to sell him a monkey, but at least it had Tim Burton as the director. Until it didn't. This week, Shat The Movies brings you "Cabin Boy," the 1994 box-office bomb that nearly sank Chris Elliott's career and left the Shat Crew scratching their heads. On one hand, this movie is terrifically quotable, wonderfully quirky and loaded with comedic talent. On the other hand, viewers might find themselves asking where the budget went, what year it's...

Hardbodies (1984)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Shat The Movies was made for movies like "Hardbodies," a motion picture originally planned for the Playboy Channel but released in theaters because America needed boobs. This 1985 skin flick has all the tropes you'd expect: women in bikinis, beach parties, waterbeds and cheesy lines. But "Hardbodies" surprised us with a few unexpected moments: a no-means-no stance on sexual harassment, a heartwarming makeover scene, an exploration of aging and a woman banged so hard she bursts through the roof of a limousine. In this episode, the Shat Crew explores the charm of bad writing, what...

Let It Ride (1989)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

"Let It Ride" is a 1989 comedy starring Richard Dreyfuss as Jay Trotter, a perpetually unlucky gambler who, after overhearing a tip about a longshot horse, decides to bet all his savings on it. As Jay's luck suddenly turns around, he finds himself on an exhilarating winning streak at the racetrack, encountering various eccentric characters along the way. Despite facing doubts and temptations, Jay chooses to let his winnings ride, leading to a thrilling climax where his faith in luck and optimism are put to the test. The film is a comedic and heartwarming exploration of gambling, optimism, and...

Do The Right Thing (1989)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Discussing race in America is never easy, and it was even harder in 1989 when Spike Lee released "Do The Right Thing," a film filled with ambiguity, tension and Rosie Perez dancing. This supersized episode, commissioned by listener Grant Leisure, compelled the Shat Crew to take a hard look at police brutality, gentrification, reverse racism and freedom of expression. But, being Shat, your hosts also took the time to debate proper thermostat settings, what's wrong with Ash's computer and whether Gene Lyons is white. Android: Apple: All: CONTACT Email: Website: Leave a Voicemail: Web: ...

Matilda (1996)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Before "Matilda the Musical," "Madeline" and "Coraline," there was Danny DeVito's 1996 adaptation of Roald Dahl's "Matilda," a film the entire Shat Crew enjoyed — for very different reasons. Ash was the most familiar with "Matilda," having seen it in theaters. Gene had read other Dahl books and knew what to expect. Dick, once again, confused it with another movie. And that devolved into the tangential conversations you'd expect from the Shat Crew: What constitutes child abuse? Did J. K. Rowling rip off Roald Dahl? Which kid in the movie is cutest? Was Bruce Bogtrotter a hero because was fat?...

Perfect (1985)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

We've all seen that scene from "Perfect" where John Travolta is humping his way through a Jamie Lee Curtis aerobics class, but there's another two hours to this 1985 box-office bomb. And we had to watch all of it. Longtime Shat The Movies beer buddy Scott in Friendswood, Texas, was kind enough to commission a film about Gene Lyons' three favorite topics: journalism, fitness and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Not to be left out, Dick Ebert had lots to say about sex with elite athletes. And Ash got into a car accident. What genre is "Perfect?" Do newsrooms run on self-loathing? How is 2024 gym etiquette...

The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

"The Legend of Billie Jean" had a little something for each Shat The Movies host. Gene got his Honda Elite scooter. Ash got her Christian Slater. And Big D got Helen Slater with no bra. But that's not why listener BreAnn M. commissioned this 1985 coming-of-age film. For her, "The Legend of Billie Jean" was an inspiration, a gateway to feminism and a radical view of what kids could do. In this episode, the Shat Crew debates whether all Gulf Coast states are the same, whether men are as bad as the movie makes them out to be and whether teens are a powerful force or apathetic losers. Gene offers...

Gattaca (1997)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

When listener Rob F. commissioned "Gattaca" in honor of his father, we all remembered it as beautiful, futuristic and distinct. Oddly enough, we couldn't remember much else. We remembered Ethan Hawke but not his lengthy voiceovers. We remembered Jude Law but not the incinerator scene. We remembered Uma Thurman but not her character's heart condition. This 1997 sci-fi debut for director Andrew Niccol made some interesting choices, like casting loads of TV talent and pretending Jude Law and Ethan Hawke look anything alike. And it also had some swagger, like pinstripe spacesuits and...

Pump Up The Volume (1990)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Shat The Movies didn't invent sexual perversion, edgy attitudes and impeccable taste in music, we just perfected it. More than 25 years earlier, Christian Slater inspired teens to "talk hard" in the 1990 box office bomb "Pump Up The Volume." Ash was delighted when listener Eric commissioned this coming-of-age movie to highlight his belief in the power of listening. Dick Ebert viewed it from a parent's perspective, and Gene was aghast at Happy Harry Hard-on's terrible microphone discipline. As the Shat Crew debate whether a teen can suffer in the affluent suburbs, they touch on the King...

More Episodes

These dark times call for dark movies, and '80s comedies didn't get any darker than "Heathers." The Winona Ryder and Christian Slater box office flop found a way to laugh at teenage suicide, bulimia, date rape, homosexuality, religion, hypocrisy, cynicism, sex, and murder in a way that made Big D blush.

Gene Lyons and Ash Duke join Shat The Movies to relive their high school years, forced emotional outpourings, and Shannen Doherty's face on this episode commissioned by longtime listener Dan Fletcher and spooky podcaster Carmelita Valdez McKoy.

How did Stanley Kubrick impact "Heathers"? Was the pep rally scene inspiration for "Smells Like Teen Spirit"? Why did young Ashley own a monocle? And most importantly: Is Heathers a truly groundbreaking film or just a cult classic. Find out in this week's "Shat The Movies."

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