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

The Shat Crew soars into DreamWorks territory for a film that melted even Gene's icy heart: How to Train Your Dragon . This animated fantasy wasn't just a box office smash—it was a coming-of-age story that redefined what kids' movies could be, combining sweeping visuals, smart storytelling, and a surprising emotional punch. Commissioned by Cheryl, this pick launches Big D into dad mode, marveling...

This week on Shat the Movies ,  we're delving into the heart of  The Deer Hunter (1978), a haunting exploration of friendship, war, and what remains  behind. With powerhouse performances from Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep, this Best Picture winner delivers brutal realism, emotional gut punches, and one very tense game of Russian roulette. Is it still a masterpiece—or just a...

This week on Shat The Movies , Gene and Big D rope in a modern Western classic with City Slickers (1991), a film that's equal parts midlife meltdown, male bonding, and calf-birthing madness. Commissioned as a birthday gift from Ken to Eileen, Shat The Movies Episode 450 explores the heartfelt—and sometimes hilarious—journey of three friends finding purpose on a New Mexico cattle drive. Gene shares...

This week on Shat the Movies , we're shedding a single tear for Cry-Baby (1990)! Johnny Depp stars in John Waters' rockabilly musical that's equal parts parody, punk, and pure teen rebellion. From electric chairs to tear-streaked serenades, it's a weird, wild ride through '50s nostalgia with a twisted grin. Tune in as we dive into this cult classic and ask: was Cry-Baby cool or just confused? Plot...

Check into Castle Plunkett for a supernatural comedy that mashes together horny ghosts, Irish folklore, and peak '80s weirdness: High Spirits ! Commissioned by Sydney in Texas—lover of Beetlejuice, Elvira, and men of questionable taste—this forgotten flick from 1988 boasts an absurdly stacked cast: Steve Guttenberg, Daryl Hannah, Beverly D'Angelo, Peter O'Toole, Jennifer Tilly, and a young Liam Ne...

This week on Shat the Movies , we're beaming up Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)! Geena Davis stars alongside a furry, neon-colored trio of aliens played by Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, and Damon Wayans in this outrageously '80s sci-fi musical comedy. It's got big hair, wild dance numbers, and plenty of interplanetary flirting. Tune in for a fun, glitter-filled trip through one of the weirdest rom-coms o...

This week on Shat the Movies , we're cracking open Instinct (1999), the psychological thriller where Anthony Hopkins goes full jungle hermit and Cuba Gooding Jr. tries to figure out why. It's part Gorillas in the Mist , part Good Will Hunting , and totally off the rails. Tune in as we try to make sense of the madness, the monkeys, and the message! Plot Summary Years after he goes missing in the ju...

This week, Shat the Movies finally kneels before Zod—and listener Chris Lloyd—by reviewing Superman II (1980), the sequel that gave us Terrence Stamp's immortal sneer, Margot Kidder's bathrobe thirst, and Christopher Reeve's blue-eyed beefcake perfection. This episode dives headfirst into the Donner vs. Lester debate, asks how much ejaculate the Fortress of Solitude can handle, and questions Lois...

This week on Shat the Movies , we're getting spooky with Haunted Honeymoon (1986)! Join us for a hilarious look at this dark comedy starring Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner, where a newlywed couple finds themselves trapped in a spooky mansion filled with eccentric characters. Expect plenty of laughs, wacky moments, and a fun mix of mystery and comedy. If you're in the mood for a quirky, light-hearted...

This week on Shat the Movies , we're getting spooky with Haunted Honeymoon (1986)! Join us for a hilarious look at this dark comedy starring Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner, where a newlywed couple finds themselves trapped in a spooky mansion filled with eccentric characters. Expect plenty of laughs, wacky moments, and a fun mix of mystery and comedy. If you're in the mood for a quirky, light-hearted...

In this powerful episode of Shat the Movies , hosts Gene Lyons and Big D, Dick Ebert, journey down under to revisit Peter Weir's 1981 war drama Gallipoli . Commissioned by listener Mac in Texas, this Australian New Wave classic stars a young Mel Gibson and Mark Lee as two spirited athletes drawn into the brutal realities of World War I. The Shat crew reflects on how Gallipoli flips the traditional...

This week on Shat the Movies , we're kicking some serious butt with Street Fighter (1994)! Join us as we dive into the live-action adaptation of the iconic video game, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Colonel Guile. It's a chaotic, campy, action-packed ride full of over-the-top performances, questionable fight scenes, and plenty of laughs. Whether you're a fan of the game or just love '90s action...

What do you get when you mix cyberpunk philosophy, a rave in a cave, and a thousand Mr. Smiths? A sequel so ambitious it broke Big D's brain and made Gene question reality itself. This week, the Shat Crew finishes up listener Jeremiah's Sci-Fi Through The Ages series by plugging into The Matrix Reloaded , a film that doubles down on slow-mo kung fu, pleather trench coats, and high-concept jargon t...

Prepare for warp speed as Gene Lyons and Big D travel back to the 24th century—and then to 2063—to review Star Trek: First Contact , the Next Generation crew's darkest and most action-packed cinematic outing. Commissioned by listener Jeremiah as part of a sci-fi classics series, this episode dives deep into the ethics of Picard's command decisions, the practical (and impractical) nature of Borg as...

This week on "Shat the Movies," we're running headfirst into The Running Man (1987), the action-packed sci-fi thriller starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Join us as we break down the high-stakes game show, over-the-top villains, and the unforgettable one-liners in this satirical dystopian classic. Whether you're a fan or new to it, get ready for a fast-paced and fun discussion! Plot Summary In the ye...

This week on Shat The Movies , Gene and Big D close out the original Star Wars trilogy with a deep dive into Return of the Jedi (1983). Fueled by nostalgia, Minute Maid and vodka cocktails, and the crushing realization that not all endings stick the landing, the hosts explore the Ewok invasion, Jabba's deadly circus act, Boba Fett's humiliating demise, and the absurdity of Imperial helmet design....

This week on "Shat the Movies," we're blasting off into Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), the film that launched a galaxy far, far away. Join us as we explore the iconic characters, groundbreaking effects, and the timeless story that started it all. Whether you're a lifelong fan or revisiting it for the first time, tune in for a fun and nostalgic look at the movie that changed cinema fore...

Aside from being The King Bee's designated second-date movie, Robert Altman's "Popeye" is the film Robin Williams was born to carry.  A charming Shelley Duvall, an incredible set piece in the town of Sweethaven, terrifically off-tune songs and mutterings designed to be enjoyed on mushrooms power this 1980 movie based on a 1929 comic strip. But is it as good as commissioner Scott H. in Friendswood,...

This week on the pod, we're diving into the high-stakes paranoia of  The Manchurian Candidate (2004), a political thriller reboot that trades Cold War chills for post-Gulf War conspiracy. Denzel Washington stars as Major Ben Marco, a decorated soldier haunted by dreams suggesting something sinister happened during his time in Kuwait. With the help of an eerie performance by Liev Schreiber and a ch...

Strap in and sip some Wild Turkey as  Shat The Movies takes a wild ride with Thelma & Louise ! In this episode, the Shat Crew breaks down the iconic 1991 film that redefined the road-movie genre. We explore the unforgettable performances of Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, the feminist themes that sparked conversations for decades, and the breakout role that put Brad Pitt on the Hollywood map. Did...

This week on "Shat the Movies," we're heading to Summer School (1987), where a laid-back gym teacher, played by Mark Harmon, ends up teaching a summer school class full of misfit students. Join us as we break down the movie's fun blend of comedy, heart, and unforgettable characters. Whether you're a fan or a first-time viewer, get ready for a laugh-filled trip back to the '80s! Plot Summary: In th...

James Cameron takes us two miles under the sea for an intense, visually stunning, and sometimes completely ridiculous deep-sea adventure in The Abyss (1989) . This sci-fi classic introduces us to oil-rig roughnecks, paranoid Navy SEALs, and aliens who can manipulate water—but not basic human communication. In this episode, Gene Lyons and Big D dive deep into The Abyss' groundbreaking special effec...

In this episode, Big D and a  very high Gene Lyons break down After Hours' absurd twists, New York's bygone grit, and whether Griffin Dunne is the last true everyman leading man. Along the way, they debate Paul's romantic prospects, the dangers of pre-cell phone nightlife, and whether David Lynch is actually a genius or just weird for weird's sake. Join us as we uncover After Hours' hidden brillia...

This week on "Shat the Movies," we're exploring Three Kings (1999), a gritty, action-packed satire set during the Gulf War. Join us as we dive into the film's blend of humor, action, and social commentary, led by an all-star cast including George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube. Whether you're a fan of the genre or new to the film, get ready for a thought-provoking and entertaining discussion...

The '80s were a golden age for action films, and "The Delta Force" is no exception. Starring Chuck Norris and Lee Marvin, this Cannon Films classic delivers a high-octane mix of military heroism, motorcycle-mounted rockets and one of the most absurdly patriotic finales in cinema history. Loosely inspired by the real-life hijacking of TWA Flight 847, the film follows an elite commando unit as they...