Don’t Push Pause

In 1999, three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland... or at least that's what audiences were led to believe. We’re venturing into the Black Hills Forest to revisit The Blair Witch Project—the independent horror film that changed the genre forever. We’ll explore the origins of the film, unconventional production, the importance of the cast, the groundbreaking ma...

We’re kickin’ back on the porch & spending a full day in South Central with FRIDAY — the laid-back comedy that became a cultural cornerstone. Released in 1995, starring Ice Cube & Chris Tucker, FRIDAY wasn’t expected to be a blockbuster. It didn’t have explosions, car chases or a massive budget—but what it did have was a voice, authenticity & a rhythm all its own.  We go deep into the...

With Friday the 13th creeping up again, it felt like the perfect time to head back to Camp Crystal Lake. In this episode, Lindsay & Justin take on the entire FRIDAY THE 13TH franchise — from the original summer camp shocker to telekinetic showdowns, red herrings, Manhattan field trips, outer space upgrades & beyond. But before these evocative debates, we rewind to the beginning & revis...

We said we wouldn’t be back until 2026… but we were infused with the spirit of the season. When the world gets overwhelming, we turn to movies that remind us why we love them… and also why nobody’s leaving. Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. This is a full-blown, four-alarm HOLIDAY SPECIAL. Not only are we diving into Christmas movie classics, subgenres & our per...

Halloween’s our favorite season, and despite being away from the mic for almost a year, we couldn’t let it pass us by. So we’re back — just in time for spooky season — with a special Don’t Push Pause comeback episode! This year’s treat? We’re kicking things off with Ranked!: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (Franchise) — a sneak peek at our all-new format coming in 2026. Our deep dives into the best film...

Nothing says Halloween like multiple tales of terror & revenge! The magical collaboration of George A. Romero & Stephen King was born from a genuine love for the horror genre, comradery & ingenious creativity. Join us for this dive into the lively CREEPSHOW spirit & how it became one of the most celebrated horror anthologies around.  
///***Discussions include***\\\ Bringing Romero...

Prior to 1982’s FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, few films were brazen enough to depict an honest slice of teenage high school life. But that all changed with the keenly observant & smart pairing of writer Cameron Crowe & director Amy Heckerling. Not only did it usher in a brave new baseline for teen stories, but it also launched countless budding careers. Let’s head back to school & redi...

If ARACHNOPHOBIA doesn’t leave you feeling itchy, nothing much will! Preying on paranoia & psychological terror, this 1990 “thrillomedy” teetered between being a family-friendly horror/comedy or box office poison. Shake out the bedsheets because this episode is billowing over with spiders coming to take over your town! 
///***Discussions include***\\\ Where director Frank Marshall was coming f...

A movie that rallies behind underdogs has timeless appeal. The genuine camaraderie in MAJOR LEAGUE infuses audiences with the baseball spirit like no other sports comedy. Rooting for these Clevelanders is a no-brainer, so join us on this redemption story filled with heartfelt nuances & plenty of laughs. 
///***Discussions include***\\\ Writer/Director David S. Ward’s inspiration & career b...

No better way to celebrate our 6th Anniversary than with the 1994 summer blockbuster, SPEED. This rollercoaster ride was never expected to have a massive impact, catapult careers or be anything more than a B-movie. Aging well with its precision & unrelenting tension, SPEED’s realism has kept it in the top tier of solid action films of the last 30 years. They truly don’t make ‘em like this anym...

Teaming up a sought-after writer & acclaimed director on a film should mean a box office smash. But the extravagant wildcard that is SHOWGIRLS was ridiculed the moment it hit theaters. However, reevaluation of the film’s heightened reality, intensity & stunning production quality have dispelled many early criticisms. Slap on some glitter, paint your nails & grab your switchblade becaus...

Selling an atmospheric, science-fiction film about an extraordinary teenager discovering time travel & saving the world was a lofty pitch for a feature film debut. But writer/director Richard Kelly crafted a mind-bending, unconventional story, packed with powerful visuals & rich subtext, which has now turned it into a modern cult classic. It’s time to unravel the inner-workings of DONNIE D...

Independent cinema & Parker Posey were once synonymous together. PARTY GIRL provides a nuanced & legitimate snapshot of mid-‘90s New York, complete with updated screwball comedy vibes, an inspiring dose of youth-to-adulthood transition & charm from beginning to end. Strap in for this love letter to indie film! 
///***Discussions include***\\\ Story conception, inspirations, writer/dire...

Richard Linklater’s BEFORE SUNRISE, BEFORE SUNSET & BEFORE MIDNIGHT beautifully articulate how finding a rare connection with another person can affect one’s path in life. Without leaning on nostalgia or typical romantic tropes, THE BEFORE TRILOGY became an unintentional series, and spoke volumes about being in the present moment, being affected by the past & moving to the future. 

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On its 50th Anniversary, THE EXORCIST can still boast being as effective today as it was on its release date. With an intense production & determined minds, mix in some truth & multiple controversies, this film cemented a permanent place in pop culture history. Take a trip back to uncover the story behind the film which caused people to question their beliefs & faint in theaters. 

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For being an underseen Martin Scorsese film, AFTER HOURS is responsible for rescuing his career in 1985. This wild, insulated world weaves an intricate web of curiosity & chance rolled into an anxiety dream. Scorsese’s fast-paced, down & dirty style takes up residence within the dark corners of New York for this one-night-only adventure of survival.

//***Discussions include***\\ Actors Gr...

‘Tis the season! Strap on the chainsaw, brush up on your ancient Latin & saddle up for a relentlessly manic ride back to the cabin. Bruce Campbell & the Evil Dead crew return for this inventive, rip-roaring adventure that won’t stop until you’re possessed by its spirit! //***Discussions include***\\ The original Evil Dead creators returning to their roots, finding a producer & redux of...

The creative minds behind TEEN WOLF never dreamt it would turn into an iconic film of the ‘80s. With strategic timing & the film’s rising star, this independent werewolf movie would become the most unlikely smash hit. Grab your basketball, letterman’s jacket & get ready for some nostalgia — it’s time for a wall-to-wall Michael J. Fox episode!   

//***Discussions include***\\ The young wri...

This slyly executed, savage satire of a serial killer losing touch with reality was plagued with controversy from its original conception. Even now, the pathology of AMERICAN PSYCHO continues to spark dialogue with its entertaining critique of society & obsession, comic irony & why it remains relevant over 20 years later. Let’s peel back the mask & unveil truth behind this multifaceted...

David Fincher’s SE7EN (1995) creates an unforgettable story & blends it into an entertaining, visionary procedural thriller with brutal realities & tonal complexities. Decades later, this bleak world of SE7EN continues to invade psyches with its cleverness & cynical mentality. Serial Killer Summer begins now! //***Discussions include***\\ Backstory on David Fincher’s career pre-1995; i...

For our Fifth Anniversary, returning to a nostalgic, lifelong favorite was a no-brainer. Forty years ago, NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION set a standard for not only comedy & road trip films, but also introduced the edgy family film. Through humor, familiar experiences & relatable characters, the Griswold family spawned an unexpected franchise which continues to be passed down throughout the years. Ho...

Spirited hard work continues to pay off even 20 years after SCHOOL OF ROCK’s conception. The heart of rock ‘n roll beats strong with this success story spearheaded by a comedy thundercat, an enigmatic director, an ever-evolving writer & a band of incredibly talented kiddos all sharing the stage with equal importance. //***Discussions include***\\ Brief backgrounds on writer/co-star, Mike White, hi...

First-time filmmakers rarely explode on the scene like brothers Albert & Allen Hughes. Amid the racial tensions & frustrations of early 1990's Los Angeles, MENACE II SOCIETY tapped into the gritty truth of the time. A powerful & empathetic look into a community misrepresented by mainstream media, this film was not only important in its heyday, but its unflinching realness hits even harder 30 years...

A man wrongfully accused of viciously murdering his wife is a story that’s been around for ages. And in the 30 years since its release, THE FUGITIVE remains one of the most masterfully told thrillers in which action sequences are just as enthralling as the story itself. Time to dive behind the making of this expertly executed film wherein spontaneity, reliance on creativity & collaboration were ke...

Lies… Manipulation… Gaslighting… OBSESSED. Obsession-driven psychodramas are a special sect of early ‘90s cinema. It also happens to be one of our favorite thriller sub-genres. But what makes them so special? What sets them apart & what do they share in common? We’ve honed in & created our own rules for the genre — what we love, the most memorable moments & how do these movies hold up 30+ years la...