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

Big D gets all the goosies while Gene and Ash beg fathers to see their daughters as adults in this review of Steve Martin's 1991 comedy "Father of the Bride."  Along the way, the Shat Crew discusses wedding costs, Martin Short, Subaru commercials, jewelry boxes, Keurig vs. Nespresso, paying attention to lyrics, Brazilian swimwear, the need for post-wedding brunch, and Diane Keaton.  Do you need to...

Is everyone fair game when it comes to comedy? What if the person lampooning an oppressed group is a member of that group? Does it change if it's a mockumentary?  Listener Justin M. knew he was stirring up trouble when he commissioned 1999's "Drop Dead Gorgeous," a movie that looked at "Clueless" and said, "Hold my beer." Kirsten Dunst, Brittany Murphy, Denise Richards, Amy Adams, and Kirstie Alle...

When a longtime listener requests a movie review for her 16th birthday, Shat delivers. This week's commission is the 1992 baseball classic "A League of Their Own." And while it shines as a comedy featuring some of the '90s hottest names and future stars, there's a little dust on this old reel. The sibling rivalry is a little overblown. The social commentary is a little dated. And the real women be...

Thanksgiving movies are difficult to find, and quality Thanksgiving movies are even more elusive. Thankfully, listener Adam R. gifted us with the underrated 1991 road trip comedy "Dutch," an experience that revealed just how different your Shat hosts are in their approaches to children. Gene argues sometimes a kid needs to get punched in the mouth. Ash believes there no reason to hit your offsprin...

In honor of listener Stephanie Q's beloved cat, Priscilla, we review an Australian film that put drag queens on the global stage and opened the door for Ash to educate Gene and Big D on "reading," "spilling tea," and "fishy queens." "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" gave cinema a visual spectacle, a new perspective on homophobia, incredible costumes, and tremendous performances by...

With more than 240 movies under our belts, Shat The Movies finally feels qualified to review the greatest sports film of all time: "Bull Durham." A young Tim Robbins, a sexy Kevin Costner, and a ripe Susan Sarandon do the unthinkable in this '80s classic: They surface the joy, sensuality, intelligence, passion, drama, and hard truths about baseball, a sport that's drifted into some very dull times...

Big D was so conflicted on his feelings toward "Stand By Me" that he took an extra 24 hours to process the Rob Reiner classic before delivering his verdict. It's not a fun movie, per se, but it generated some honest reflection from the Shat Crew. Gene was reminded of his childhood friendships, his relationship with The King Bee, and adventures along train tracks. Ash lamented Facebook's refusal to...

Shat listeners were appalled when we gave "The Goonies" more than two wipes. When they hear our "The Monster Squad" score, they might just try casting us into a demon dimension.  This '80s cult classic taught us what a pastiche was, illustrated how to explode a werewolf, and modeled perfect '80s parenting. We also enjoyed foul-mouthed kids, easy-to-remember character names, an outstanding montage,...

"Goodfellas" changed the game when it came to mob movies, taking us from the fantasy of mafia bosses to the much more mundane lives of foot soldiers. It showed how a man and a woman could be seduced by a criminal lifestyle. And it put Martin Scorsese's cinematic magic on full display. In this episode, the Shat Crew reveal their favorite scenes from the 1990 biopic and debate when exactly Henry Hil...

"John Cusack is for the boys!" as Big D and Gene tackle one of Rob Reiner's lesser-known comedies: "The Sure Thing."  You can imagine where the conversation goes as The Old Men of Shat cover an '80s flick that includes guaranteed hookups, dorm life, the perfect bar, missed sexual opportunities, performance anxiety, romance, and basic economics.  Find out why Gene turned his living room into a driv...

Halloween's coming a little early this year with a bonus Shat The Movies Spooktacular episode! "Scream" is arguably the biggest horror movie in the world, and it came at a time when slasher films were on life support. "Scream" fans Ash and Big D enthusiastically explain why the Wes Craven powerhouse is so iconic in its embrace and parody of the genre while "Scream" virgin Gene cheers the infectiou...

Everyone's been waiting for Dick Ebert to review a Wes Anderson movie. Today is that day. Will Shat The Movies' everyman embrace the whimsy and sophistication of "Rushmore," or will our red-blooded podcast elder scoff at the pretentious eccentricity of a wannabe auteur? Calling Anderson the "Beck of directors," Big D questions whether he hates the "Rushmore" director or hates himself. Ash explains...

Everybody knows the scene where Tom Cruise slides out in his tighty whiteys and lip-syncs Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock & Roll," but we often forget that 1983's "Risky Business" is so much more sophisticated than that. "Risky Business" is about money, growing up, acceptance, opportunity, materialism, friendship, love, and even nihilism. It treats sex workers and transgender people with respect. And i...

Steven Spielberg famously decided to make "Little Giants" after seeing a McDonald's Super Bowl ad and exclaiming, "I want my 'Home Alone!'" He didn't quite get a blockbuster children's movie, but Spielberg might have been on to something. When you combine Rick Moranis, Ed O'Neill, and a bunch of misfit kids with football and fart jokes, parents can't help but feel squishy. But Gene Lyons isn't a p...

With her third "Shat The Movies" commission, listener Lisa triggered some really dark memories and icky feelings from Ash, Big D, and Gene. To say reviewing Larry Clark's "Kids" was difficult would be an understatement.  But we're glad we did because watching this landmark independent film reminded us it's just as disturbing now as it was in 1995. Chloe Sevigny, Rosario Dawson, and Leo Fitzpatrick...

Listener Teddy N. noticed a Richard Pryor-shaped hole in the Shat The Movies library and decided to plug it with an underappreciated classic: "Brewster's Millions." In this episode, we remember a comedic genius in his prime with a knockout supporting cast. We also find out why Big D hates the Mets, who would play a $30 million Shat on Music Festival, and which Mortal Kombat movie is superior. Alon...

When people think of inspirational '90s football movies, one sticks out like a very short thumb. That's why inaugural Shat on Fantasy Football League winner Stephen "Happy Harry" Jenkins decided to commission the 1993 Sean Astin hit "Rudy." Have the years made us too cynical to appreciate the story of an underdog whose greatest achievement was simply getting on the field, or can the Jerry Goldsmit...

The winner of the first Shat The Movies Fantasy Premier League season, listener Nick Cobs, chose as his prize one of the biggest "holy crap!" plot twists of the '90s: "The Usual Suspects." We all remember the iconic line-up scene and utterly addictive performances by Benicio del Toro, Kevin Spacey, Chazz Palminteri, and Stephen Baldwin (no, not you Gabriel Byrne). But will the Shat Crew hail Bryan...

In each of our lives, there's a singular moment when you know you've got one shot to get it right: a wedding vow, a eulogy, naming your first born. For Ash and Gene, this is that moment. "Interview with the Vampire" was the film that birthed them into the Darkness, a love letter to their sacred New Orleans, and the key to their portals of lust. But fear not, mortals, Big D is here to guide you thr...

Self-proclaimed John Cusack lovers Ash and Gene were shocked when listener Scott H. commissioned "One Crazy Summer." A Cusack and Savage Steve Holland team-up we'd never seen? Yes, please! But Big D knew exactly what we were in for: 1986 was his year to shine, a year when everything was coming up Ebert, and this movie took him right back to those magical days.  In this episode of Shat The Movies,...

Listener Tom in Crane, Texas, had one wish this summer: Give "National Lampoon's Vacation" the Shat treatment. Shat Nation heard the call and crowdfunded this 1983 road trip classic that reminded us of traveling with our families, the first time Big D saw boobs, singing in the car, and American icon Cousin Eddie. "Vacation" is full of twists, turns, and clever vignettes that inspired the Shat Crew...

It was only a matter of time before Shat The Movies was asked to provide serious commentary on a film adaptation of a John Steinbeck classic. Thanks to brothers Adam R. and Josh R., we're pitting "Of Mice and Men" against "Interview with the Vampire" in the first Shat on Literature challenge. This week, we question the wisdom of casting John Malkovich as an intellectually disabled giant, how much...

When Steven Spielberg calls, you take the job. That explains the unbelievable cast of 1991's "Hook" and its $300 million box office take. But updating the tale of Peter Pan takes some serious thinking. Now that he's grown up, do you emphasize the nihilism and domestic horror? Or is this a silly kids movie? In this episode, Ash explains the literary themes that somehow got lost along the way. Gene...

Most Shat The Movies features can be summed up as "great ideas gone wrong," but what about a terrible idea gone right? On paper, 1993's "The Fugitive" sounds ridiculous: A vascular surgeon is sentenced to death but escapes to find his wife's one-armed killer while diving, punching, and spying his way to freedom. But sometimes charm, practical effects, a clever script, and non-stop thrills come tog...

No '80s movie library would be complete without "Red Dawn," the surprisingly violent movie that pitted American high school kids against a communist invasion, debuted the PG-13 rating, and turned Shat The Movies into a warzone.  While Ash and Gene blast the laughably serious performances and meandering plot, Big D valiantly mounts a counterassault based mostly on Cold War hysteria and a cast that...