Don’t Push Pause

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS STAINS (1982) is a criminally underseen film. Ahead of its time, THE STAINS was dedicated to depicting the gritty nature of the music world on the cusp of a new decade. For never having a theatrical release, this film’s relentlessly empowering nature has ensured its steady climb to cult status. ▶️Synopsis: Surrounded by a male-dominated music scene, an all-female...

James Cameron’s THE ABYSS was a technological marvel in 1989. For many, the film remains a mystery, overshadowed by other Cameron films which reaped the benefits of THE ABYSS’ monumental achievements. Having nearly missed the late-1980s underwater movie wave, THE ABYSS played a massively integral part in Cameron’s career. For our 50th Episode, we’re diving into what made this nearly unimaginable f...

Working a uniquely ingenious comedian into a director’s feature film debut could be seen as a risk. But PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE (1985) turned into an impressively ambitious film for Paul Reubens and Tim Burton, as they created one of the most iconic films of the decade. Standing the test of time and continuing to capture hearts, this strangely charming film is renowned as one of the most beloved c...

TRUE ROMANCE proves love stories come in many forms. Though it has many diehard fans nowadays, the film was not a smash hit in 1993. Quentin Tarantino penned this incredibly personal story, yet handed over creative control to one of his favorite directors, Tony Scott. Jam-packed with a massively well-known cast, this fantasy love story cleverly intertwines the snowballing effect of two people leav...

MISERY (1990) proves subtle terror can be just as effective as straight up horror. Marking the second collaboration between legendary author Stephen King and director Rob Reiner, MISERY grips audiences of every kind, leaving behind hauntingly iconic images. Thirty years later, this critically-acclaimed and disturbingly enjoyable film is still one of the most memorable psychological thrillers aroun...

Mary Harron’s first feature-length film, I SHOT ANDY WARHOL (1996), made a big splash during the heyday of ‘90s independent films. Seamlessly blending historical figures, events and some fiction, Harron crafted a gritty, true-to-life depiction of an almost forgotten moment in time. This critically acclaimed, indie darling made its mark in queer cinema, even upsetting some who lived through the exp...

John Carpenter’s THE THING got a bad rap when it was released in 1982. Though a special effects marvel and unique to the science-fiction/horror genre, it is now considered a well-respected, beloved cult film. Isolation and paranoia had not reached such monstrous, cinematic proportions until this landmark achievement in Carpenter’s career. And nearly 40 years later, THE THING still holds strong as...

The outlaw journey of THELMA AND LOUISE was fresh in 1991, yet is still remarkably relevant almost 30 years later. Both visually stunning and packed with symbolism, this film was unafraid to focus on female friendship with a feminist backbone, along with the female experience in an unsupportive world. Beautifully crafted and atmospheric, THELMA AND LOUISE remains eerily timely and believable, whil...

It’s the 40th Anniversary of THE WARRIORS, yet the film became a phenomenon as soon as it hit theaters in 1979. By not villainizing gang life, THE WARRIORS serves as a voice for 1970s youth culture. Chocked full of visual treats in an unrealistic, yet relatable world, the film easily achieved cult status. Community, comradery and survival mode kick in for this pulse-pounding adventure all the way...

John Candy and John Hughes often brought a profound sense of warmth mixed with comedy to the silver screen. Out of the four times they worked together, UNCLE BUCK (1989) still serves as a timeless and sincere comedy, beloved by folks of all ages. A simple story about family, personal growth and a lot of laughs in between, Buck lives forever in our hearts as the endearing family member we long to h...

The slasher film is one the biggest subgenres of horror films. But how did it come about and gain such popularity? This episode tracks the progression of (mostly) American slashers, focusing on how we got to the most formative years of the genre. ▶️Discussions include: How real-life influences and familiar settings were reflected in ‘60s and ‘70s films, thus inspiring the most popular slasher year...

In a world full of remakes and reboots, 1988’s THE BLOB holds strong as one of the best. Not only does the film pay homage to its source material, but also develops its own story and takes special effects to new, imaginative heights. This sci-fi, horror adventure easily absorbs you into its gooey greatness, bent on being a squirm-worthy crowd-pleaser! ▶️Synopsis: Three teens discover an ever-growi...

CANDYMAN (1992) is not your standard slasher film. While it evokes terror and a haunting feeling, it is also loaded with social commentary that goes beyond normal horror movies tropes. The admiration for film goes hand-in-hand with the emotionally-charged, enlightened story, and leaves us never forgetting the undying legend of CANDYMAN. We’ll be goin’ all Clive Barker for this episode! ▶️Synopsis:...

As the 30th anniversary of THE ‘BURBS (1989) descends upon us, it’s astonishing how the film still feels so fresh. By intelligently poking fun at suburban life and the paranoia that can result from boredom, this underseen Joe Dante film continues to be charming and gain an increasingly large cult following.   ▶️Synopsis: While having a stay-at-home vacation, one uptight suburbanite and his paranoi...

ERASERHEAD (1977) may be the most well-made student film ever produced. As a brilliant piece of film history, it is forever cemented in as the ultimate cult film and perfect midnight movie. David Lynch was able to create a deeply personal and mesmerizingly quirky film which was the first of its kind. Strikingly bold visuals, an unnerving soundscape and oddball characters help create a grim, surrea...

COMING TO AMERICA (1988) is a crowd favorite among romantic comedies and considered one of Eddie Murphy’s best films. It serves up a lighthearted, Cinderella-type story, non-stop laughs and gives us too many memorable (and quotable) scenes to count. Also, there’s a shrouded controversy and ton of backstory surrounding the film. For this Eddie Murphy-centered episode, we travel from Africa to New Y...

DELIVERANCE (1972) is a straightforward story about survival. Whether it’s human vs. human or vs. nature, primal instincts are tested in this gripping John Boorman film. Just shy of fifty years since its release, DELIVERANCE continues to leaves audiences looming with foreboding sense of realism, atop the beautiful landscape of the Chattanooga River.🛶 ▶️ Synopsis: Four friends go on a remote canoe...

MAGNOLIA (1999) is an opus character study film which exposes strange coincidences of life. While we may be through with the past, the past ain’t through with us. ▶️Synopsis: An intricately woven, relatable story of interconnected families stemming from a long-spanning quiz show. Within an intense 24 hours, multiple people experience life-altering situations, all of which move toward a cathartical...

🧪RE-ANIMATOR (1985) became a cult classic as a result of creative special effects geniuses and intellectual horror hounds. This truly wild H.P. Lovecraft adaptation went on to further expand the horror horizon of the mid-1980s’.🧪 ▶️ Herbert West is an extremely promising medical student who has unlocked the secret to bringing the dead back to life. However, such a thing requires experimentation,...

NEW JACK CITY (1991) raised the stakes for gangster films and put a spotlight on the rise of crack in inner cities. Cutting edge and concise, this film is a fast-paced crime thriller that is still relevant almost 30 years after its release. ▶️ (02:07) When a high-time crime lord rises to power and introduces crack to the surrounding city, a few rouge cops vow to take down the gangster-led drug rin...

As this is LGBTQ Pride month, here’s our contribution to the cause! Taking you back to 2000 for the bold, game-changing, positively-charged romantic satire that advanced queer cinema, BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER. ▶️ (02:40) After she’s accused of being a lesbian, a naive high school cheerleader is sent to a reprogramming boot camp for LGBTQ youths. However, intentions backfire when she begins to better...

SEASON TWO HAS LANDED! And there’s no better way to celebrate than with punk music and cult movies colliding in REPO MAN (1984)! ▶️(00:03:57) After a floundering punk kid turns into a Los Angeles repo man, he becomes one of many trying to track down a car worth a ton of cash, but also contains decomposing, radioactive extraterrestrials in the trunk. Starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton....

Resurrecting a blockbuster for a One-Year Anniversary Show is a no-brainer. It’s time to go in-depth into the cultural impact that was GHOSTBUSTERS (1984). Though it’s a film that barely needs an introduction, there’s still a lot to unpack in this sensational story created by long-time creative friends. Indeed, this is a Season One celebration of Don’t Push Pause, but also a deep dive into the GHO...

Cheap laughs are a dime a dozen, but truly witty comedies are something to be cherished. A FISH CALLED WANDA (1988) is so well-layered that it is nearly unflappable. While doused with inappropriate humor, this black comedy has something for nearly everyone. Keep up with this one, and you may be surprised at how a “comedy crime caper” can pack such a big wallop. ▶️ (02:20) A British gangster and hi...

Forty years ago, a terrifying and highly-praised science-fiction/horror story was birthed into America cinema. Not only did Ridley Scott’s ALIEN (1979) forever transform the science-fiction genre of the 50s, 60s and Star Wars era, it preyed on easily relatable human fears. The film’s perfect balance of blended-genre storytelling, stunning visuals and brilliantly deliberate pacing, ALIEN holds stro...