"Blind Date" (1987) with Laramy Wells
What's the worst that could happen on a blind date?
This week on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, hosts Tim Williams and Laramy Wells are popping the cheap champagne and revisiting the 1987 screwball comedy classic, Blind Date!
Before he was John McClane saving Nakatomi Plaza, Bruce Willis made his big-screen debut as Walter Davis—a stressed-out businessman who gets set up with the beautiful Nadia (Kim Basinger). The only catch? "Don't let her drink." Naturally, the…
"Saturday the 14th" (1981) with Laramy Wells
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of 80s creature features or you just love a good (or gloriously bad) cult classic, this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast is for you. Tim Williams and Laramy Wells are diving deep into the 1981 horror-comedy spoof, Saturday the 14th.
"Glory" (1989) with Laramy Wells
Step onto the battlefield for one of the most powerful and critically acclaimed films of the 1980s. This week on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, host Tim Williams is joined by guest co-host Laramy Wells to honor the 1989 cinematic masterpiece, Glory.
Together, they examine the harrowing and heroic true story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the very first African-American units to fight for the Union during the American Civil War. From the breathtaking cinematogra…
"Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan" (1989) with Charlie Cotter, Nicholas Pepin & Laramy Wells
In this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, Tim Williams and guest co-hosts Charlie Cotter, Nicholas Pepin, and Laramy Wells punch their tickets for the SS Lazarus to discuss the eighth installment of the legendary slasher franchise: Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan.
#155 - "Police Academy" (1984) with Chad Sheppard, Laramy Wells & Robby Retro
How did a low-budget comedy about inept cadets spawn a massive franchise? In this episode of 80s Flick Flashback, Tim Williams is joined by Chad Sheppard, Laramy Wells, and Robby Retro to crack the case on Police Academy.
We dive deep into the precinct to explore:
The Origin Story: First impressions and personal connections to the franchise.
Casting Magic: How the ensemble cast—from Steve Guttenberg to the iconic "Sound Effects Guy"—was assembled.
Ch…
#147 - "Evil Dead 2" with Nicholas Pepin & Laramy Wells
Before director Sam Raimi achieved major box office success with the original Spider-Man trilogy, he was primarily recognized as the cult filmmaker behind The Evil Dead series. In 1981, Raimi and star Bruce Campbell created The Evil Dead, offering their humorous and irreverent take on horror, featuring Ash—a clumsy fool—being terrorized by ghouls in a cabin surrounded by woods. The film's success led to this 80s flick, which serves as a pseudo-sequel and remake, blending the grotesque s…
#144 - "Clue" (1985) with Gerry D, Chris McMichen & Laramy Wells
Grab your weapon of choice, meet at the Hill House, and watch your back when the lights go out, as Tim Williams, along with co-hosts Gerry D, Chris McMichen & Laramy Wells, discuss “Clue” (1985) on this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback!
#142 - "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" (1987) with Nicholas Pepin & Laramy Wells
The “Nightmare on Elm Street” series had a reputation in the movie business as sort of a high-rent answer to the "Friday the 13th” saga, and this third entry of the franchise lives up to the billing. It’s slick, with impressive production values, and the acting is well-suited to the material.
This 80s Flick focuses on a teenager experiencing vivid and terrifying nightmares about Freddy Krueger, who eventually finds herself admitted to Westin Hills Psychiatric Hospital after a ni…
BONUS - "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood" (1988) with Charlie Cotter & Laramy Wells
In this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, Tim Williams and co-hosts Charlie Cotter and Laramy Wells delve into the seventh installment of the Friday the 13th franchise, 'The New Blood.' They discuss the film's profitability, its origins, casting choices, iconic scenes, and the reception of its ending. The conversation also touches on the film's rewatchability and nostalgia factor, with the hosts sharing their personal ratings and recommendations for viewers.
#137 - "Superman III" (1983) with Laramy Wells
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's... Richard Pryor with a supercomputer? On this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback, Tim Williams is joined by guest co-host Laramy Wells to discuss the 80s Flick sequel that nearly torpedoed the Superman franchise with its emphasis on silly sight-gags instead of the Man of Steel mythos.
Will they defend the decision to replace arch-nemesis Lex Luthor with billionaire Ross Webster? Will they be able to make sense of a synthetic Kryptonite and …
#135 - "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988) with Nicholas Pepin, Laramy & Bethany Wells
Ever wonder where the magic started for animated characters stepping into the live-action world? While it's practically a genre of its own today, one groundbreaking '80s flick truly pioneered the concept as a full-length feature film. Get ready to dive into the toon-tastic world of " Who Framed Roger Rabbit" from 1988!
From the visionary minds of producer Steven Spielberg and director Robert Zemeckis, this Academy Award-winning box office sensation takes us to an …
#134 - "Conan the Barbarian" (1982) with Gerry D & Laramy Wells
This '80s flick is one of our generation's defining fantasy films. Set in the harsh, mythic world of the Hyborian Age, the story follows an epic warrior on his quest for vengeance against the sinister Thulsa Doom. This necromancer destroyed his village and left him an orphan. Upon its release, the film garnered mixed reviews—praised for its stunning production design and thrilling action, but criticized for its heavy dose of violence and subpar acting performances. Despite this, it…
#127 - "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" (1985) with Ben Carpenter & Laramy Wells
In this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, we dive into the quirky charm of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), a film that not only captured the essence of the 1980s but also became a pop culture touchstone. Blending childhood innocence with the decade’s irreverent humor, it launched Tim Burton’s directorial career and solidified Paul Reubens' Pee-wee Herman as an iconic figure. Join Tim Williams and his guest co-hosts Ben Carpenter & Laramy Wells as they discuss Pee-wee’s abs…
#124 - The Top 10 Episodes of 2024 Countdown
Remember back in the '80s when the end of the year meant tuning into those epic countdowns on the radio? Whether it was Casey Kasem with his iconic 'American Top 40' or Rick Dees bringing the laughs with his countdown hits, there was something magical about hearing the biggest songs of the year celebrated in such a big way. Today, we’re bringing that same energy as we count down our top ten episodes of 2024 based on total downloads and listens with a long-distance dedication t…
#120 - "Beetlejuice" (1988) with Laramy & Bethany Wells
Say his name three times and he will appear. With his unruly green hair, pinstripe suit, and unusual mannerisms, the malicious spirit became a film icon. But before the dark comedy premiered, the studio and half of the cast weren't exactly convinced that audiences would be willing to take the wild ride about a bio-exorcist. The original script was vastly different, offering a darker and more deadly take before humor was eventually (and successfully) sprinkled in during production. The u…
#119 - "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" (1989) with Nicholas Pepin, Chad Sheppard, and Laramy Wells
Imagine pitching this to a movie studio in the 80s: two clueless slackers travel through time in a phone booth, rounding up historical figures for their high school history project. Not exactly an easy sell, right? But what started as a quirky stand-up routine from college pals Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon turned into a surprise hit. The film didn’t just make money—it inspired a sequel, an animated series, a comic book, and even its own breakfast cereal
So, jump into the time-traveling p…
BONUS - "Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives" (1986) with Charlie Cotter and Laramy Wells
In the 1980s, many movie fans thought the Friday the 13th series was at its best with the fourth movie, The Final Chapter, where it seemed like Jason Voorhees was finally defeated. The fifth film, A New Beginning, tried to take the story in a new direction but didn't satisfy fans. Then, a new writer and director named Tom McLoughlin was asked to bring new life to the series and the famous killer. In his story, Tommy Jarvis digs up Jason's grave with the plan to burn his remains and…
#118 - "Weird Science" (1985) with Ben Carpenter, Darby Mirocha & Laramy Wells
John Hughes is known for making popular movies about teenagers in the 1980s. He started as a National Lampoon's Magazine writer and then began writing scripts in 1979. In 1984, he directed "Sixteen Candles". The next year, he directed two well-known movies, "The Breakfast Club" and this '80s flick. Many people think "The Breakfast Club" is better, but this one is special because it mixes comedy with science fiction. The movie is about two unpopular boy…
#117 - "The Running Man" (1987) with Nicholas Pepin & Laramy Wells
80s action movie icon Arnold Schwarzenegger had already faced off against deadly alien hunters in "Predator", but that same year, he took on another action-packed sci-fi film, trading aliens for a dystopian future and a deadly reality TV show. This '80s flick was a wild departure from the original short story it was based on, but it delivered plenty of action and comedic moments. In this adaptation, convicted criminals known as "runners" must survive against professi…
#116 - "Cyborg" (1989) with Nicholas Pepin & Laramy Wells
In the not-too-distant future, civilization has been destroyed by genocide, starvation, and plague, and chaos reigns in the wastelands surrounding the collapsed Brooklyn Bridge. As guerrilla fighters battle amid the desolation, one woman, who is also a robot, harbors a secret that could save humanity. As menacing baddies seek to exploit her to monopolize the production of the world-ravaging plague’s cure, a muscled martial arts mercenary has committed to protecting her. So hold tight to the…
#114 - "Masters of the Universe" (1987) with Chris Adams, Gerry D, and Laramy Wells
Remember the days when action figures ruled our imaginations and epic battles between good and evil played out in our living rooms? Step into 1987, when a beloved toy line and animated series leaped onto the big screen in a live-action spectacle. In this '80s flick, an intergalactic battle spills from the fantastical world of Eternia into our own. Marketed as the “Star Wars of the 80s, it didn’t quite live up to the hype. But today it is remembered as a cult classic that brought our fav…
#112 - "A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge" (1985) with Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels Podcast"
Wes Craven redefined horror and birthed a new kind of terror with his creation of Freddy Krueger, the disfigured dream stalker who haunts the nightmares of teenagers on Elm Street. But just when you thought it was safe to fall asleep again, Freddy returned with a vengeance in this 80s Flick sequel. This time, he's got his sights set on a new victim, Jesse Walsh, who discovers that his nightmares are all too real when Freddy attempts to take over his body.
So unpack the moving boxes, …
#107 - "Christine" (1983) with Laramy Wells (from "Moving Panels" Podcast)
Join Tim Williams and guest Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" as they discuss the 1983 horror film "Christine" on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast. Based on Stephen King's novel, the story follows a geeky teen who falls for a 1958 Plymouth Fury with a deadly past. Tune in for a chilling look at this classic tale of love and terror.
BONUS - "The Verdict" (1982) with Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast
In this special bonus episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, Tim Williams teams up with guest co-host Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast to revisit the 1982 Oscar-nominated courtroom drama, “The Verdict.” The film stars Frank Galvin, a down-and-out lawyer in Boston who stumbles upon a chance for redemption with a medical malpractice case involving a comatose woman. As Galvin delves deeper, he uncovers a web of deceit and corruption within the legal system. Facing im…
#100 - 80's Flick Flashback 100th Episode Special
Get ready to test your knowledge about the silver screen sensations of the 1980s! From E.T. phoning home to Indiana Jones cracking his whip, we've got a reel-to-reel rundown of 80s movie trivia as you've never heard before. So grab your popcorn, and cozy up in your favorite recliner or bean bag chair, as eight guest co-hosts join host Tim Williams to play three rounds of 80s movie Trivia on this 100th episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast!
#98 - "Spies Like Us" (1985) with Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast
In "Spies Like Us" (1985), join two inept government employees on a hilarious journey through Cold War espionage. From decoy missions to encounters with KGB agents, this comedy cleverly satirizes spy movie tropes while offering a light-hearted take on Cold War tensions. Join host Tim Williams and guest co-host Laramy Wells for a laugh-out-loud discussion on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast!
#93 - "Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers" (1989) with Charlie Cotter and Laramy Wells
Opinions were divided when this 80s horror flick sequel hit theaters, but the franchise demonstrated its unyielding commitment to advancing its storyline. While some fans appreciated the added complexity given to the unstoppable masked killer, others longed for the simplicity that made the original movie a timeless classic. As we witness the return of the mystifying Michael Myers, we are reminded of his baffling resilience, having survived his supposed final confrontation in the previous fli…
#91 - "Creepshow" (1982) with Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast
In 1982, horror aficionados were treated to a ghoulishly delightful cinematic experience with the release of this 80s Flick, a morbid masterpiece directed by George A. Romero and written by the legendary Stephen King. This anthology flick paid loving homage to the golden age of horror comics, delivering a spine-tingling collection of five tales that combined gruesome frights with dark humor. With its unique blend of grotesque imagery, dark wit, and a stellar cast, it quickly earned its place…
#89 - "Dead Poets Society" (1989) with Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast & Nicholas Pepin from"Pop Culture Roulette" Podcast
This 80’s flick explores the complex terrain of friendships, aspirations, and the struggle to find one's own identity outside of the classroom. The story takes place at an all-boys preparatory school in the 1950s, where tradition and conformity are the norm. Mr. Keating's unconventional teaching methods ignite a profound transformation in the lives of his students. By instilling a love for poetry, encouraging critical thinking, and inspiring them to seize the day, Keating inspires …
#87 - "Ghostbusters II" (1989) with Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast
Who you gonna call when paranormal chaos once again descends upon New York City? Thanks to this 80s flick sequel, the answer remains the same—Ghostbusters! Taking place five years after the team's first victory over the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and Gozer, the Ghostbusters have fallen out of business and out of favor with the city they fought so hard to protect. But when a malicious slime starts to cause chaos and empower the evil Vigo the Carpathian, the Ghostbusters are called out of …
#85 - "Rambo: First Blood Part II" (1985) with Gerry D from "Totally Rad Christmas" Podcast
In the realm of iconic action movies, few characters have achieved the legendary status of John Rambo. The name itself evokes images of a relentless warrior, a solitary figure pushed to his limits, and an embodiment of pure adrenaline-fueled heroism. At the heart of his enduring legacy lies this 80s Flick sequel that propelled the franchise to new heights. While the first film introduced audiences to the tormented veteran struggling to readjust to civilian life, the sequel thrusts Rambo back…
#80 - "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" (1984) with Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast and Charlie Cotter
This ’80s Flick has one of the most inaccurate titles ever, which is easy to forgive when the movie also happens to be considered by fans of the franchise as one of the best in the series. So get ready to revisit Crystal Lake as Tim Williams and guest co-hosts Laramy Wells and Charlie Cotter discuss “Friday the 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter” from 1984 on this episode of the 80’s Flick Flashback Podcast!
BONUS: "The Best 80s Directors" Panel with Nicholas Pepin, Chad Sheppard, and Laramy Wells
The 1980s were a transformational time for movies, with plenty of lesser-known debut directors being given creative freedom to make unique and innovative projects, many of which we still consider to be all-time classics today. While some of those directors continued to excel into the 90s, others made their career-defining flicks in the 80s. But which one deserves the title of Best Movie Director of the decade?
So I have called upon a panel of 80s film aficionados to discuss our recen…
#77 - Special: "Swamp Thing" (1982) Moving Panels with Laramy Wells Replay
For the month of March, I am taking a break from recording new episodes so that I can highlight some of the other fantastic podcasts that I have had the privilege of being a guest co-host on. This week, I will be replaying part of an episode of Moving Panels with host Laramy Wells. Laramy is a good friend of mine and has been a frequent guest on the 80’s Flick Flashback podcast going all the way back to season one. Laramy created Moving Panels to discuss movies and TV shows based, inspired, …
#73 - "Howard the Duck" (1986) with Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast
Countless world upon worlds. Worlds without end. In these galaxies every possible reality exits. And what is reality in any new world is mere fantasy in all others. Here, all is real and all is illusion. What is, what was and what will be start with this once maligned 80’s flick. So travel with us to Cleve-land as we jam out to Cherry Bomb’s greatest hits. But be on the look out for the DARK OVERLORD as Tim Williams and guest co-host Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast discus…
#72 - "Santa Claus: The Movie" (1985) with Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels" Podcast
It seems strange at first that the producers of the Superman movies would move on to an epic about Santa Claus. But in a way it makes sense. Both Superman and Santa are legendary superheroes, able to cure our pains through magical intervention. Both of them can fly through the air. Both have large supporting casts: Superman has Lois Lane, Jimmy Olson and Perry White, while Santa has Mrs. Claus, the elves and, of course, Dasher, Donner and Blitzen. This 80’s Flick brought us the origin story …
BONUS - "House" (1986) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels Podcast"
After working together on the first three "Friday the 13th" movies, Steve Miner and producer Sean S. Cunningham re-teamed for something a little more kooky. From a story by Fred Dekker and a screenplay by Ethan Wiley, this forgotten 80’s flick is a full-tilt comedic-horror movie that throws in more demons, ghosts and ghouls than you can handle. So take down the "For Sale" sign, stay out of the pool, and whatever you do, don’t open the closet at midnight as Tim Williams an…
BONUS - "Turk 182" (1985) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast
Taking aim squarely at the popular theme of the working man’s struggle against the in- equities in the system, this forgotten 80’s flicks tells the story of a mystery rebel in New York City whose popularity reaches almost mythic proportions before the internet, social media, and hashtags became the norm for spreading a protest message. So grab some spray paint, jump on your military motorcycle with matching sidecar as Tim Williams and guest co-host Laramy Wells from "Moving Panels"…
#64 - "First Blood" (1982) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast
Based loosely on David Morrell's 1972 novel of the same name, this 80’s flick was the first of a decades long franchise. Unlike the following sequels which were war adventure films set in foreign countries, this was a post-Vietnam War psychological thriller set in the United States that lacks the gore and violence that would later become a trademark of the series. So journey back with us to the small town of Hope, Washington as Tim Williams and guest co-host Laramy Wells from "Movi…
#59 - "Back to the Future" Trilogy Panel Part Two
Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads. Its time to pick up where things left off as Tim Williams is joined by the "Hill Valley Save the Clock Tower Committee" (aka the Co-Host Panel) as they continue their discussion on the "Back to the Future" Trilogy for this episode of the 80’s Flick Flashback! Panel Includes Charlie Cotter, Chad Sheppard, and Laramy & Bethany Wells ("Moving Panels" Podcast) Pre-Recorded Segments from previous co-hosts include Ron…
#58 - "Back to the Future" Trilogy Panel Part One
In the Summer of 1985, one of the most influential sci-fi comedies ever made landed in theaters nationwide and took moviegoers on a time-traveling thrill ride while shattering box office expectations. This 80’s flick sparked a trilogy that, like most, has its hits and misses, but is still one of the most beloved trilogies in cinematic history! So climb into the DeLorean, check the flux capacitor, and get this sucker up to 88 miles per hour as Tim Williams is joined by a panel of dapper and d…
#56 - "Friday the 13th Part 3" (1982) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast
Whenever the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday we are compelled to return to Crystal Lake to talk about one of our favorite 80’s flick slashers. This time we get the sequel that ultimately changed the direction of its franchise from a cash-grab wannabe to the bonafide horror icon it has become. So grab some 3-D glasses as Tim Williams and guest co-host, Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast, discuss “Friday the 13th Part 3” from 1982 on this episode of the 80’s Flick …
#53 - "Batman" (1989) with Laramy Wells & Ron West
If you were a kid or a teenager in 1989, no other movie was more anticipated than this iconic 80’s flick. The first superhero movie to take the gritty and grounded approach, it was the comic book event of the decade and the film that transformed the campy Caped Crusader into the brooding Dark Knight. So fire up the Batmobile and meet us in Gotham City as Tim Williams and guest co-host, Laramy Wells and Ron West, discuss “Batman” from 1989 on this episode of the 80’s Flick Flashback!
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#43 - "Ghostbusters" (1984) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast
When this 80’s flick first hit the big screen, movie-goers were jump-scared by a ghostly librarian roaming the quiet aisles of a public library, a multi-story marshmallow man towering over the streets of New York, and slime, lots and lots of slime.
Fortunately, four wisecracking misfits were just a phone call away, ready to take down these paranormal pests with their proton packs and ghost traps, but behind the scenes, it took much more than a simple phone call to bring the poltergei…
#36 - "Young Guns" (1988) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast
The western, which used to be as common in Hollywood as superhero movies are now, enjoyed a surprising revival in popularity in the late 1980s into the 90s. The genre, of course, fizzled out again and faded from memory. Film financiers didn’t see a profit in it and audiences lost their appetite for it. However, for a good 6 years westerns were cool again. They won Oscars, starred some of the biggest names in Hollywood, and inspired Bon Jovi to sing about riding on steel horses and being shot…
#34 - "Superman II" (1981) Crossover Episode with Laramy Wells ("Moving Panels" Podcast)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…a highly anticipated superhero sequel flick has a profound falling out due to creative differences between the movie studio producers and the original film’s director, resulting in that director being fired and a new director being brought in to reshoot scenes, re-edit the new and old footage, and generally lighten the tone with more humor. No, I’m not talking about the “The Justice League” fiasco from a few years ago. We are going all the way back to …
#31 - "Field of Dreams" (1989) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast
If you have seen this heart-warming 80’s baseball fantasy flick, you likely have a strong opinion on it. While some are moved by its fantastical and heartfelt story of personal redemption, others dismiss it as over sentimental and even silly. Or as Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine once infamously put it, a "male weepie at its wussiest,". Either way you look at it, the Oscar-nominated movie still tugs at the heartstrings and makes us rekindle our love for America’s Pastime. So grab …
#28 - "The Evil Dead" (1981) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast
From Peter Jackson to Edgar Wright, this 80’s flick has influenced many of today’s biggest Hollywood directors. As it should. Famous for its practical effects and then-unprecedented amount of gore, this low-budget 1981 horror flick—about a group of friends who travel to a cabin in the woods and unleash killer demons—showed the world the power of guerilla-style indie filmmaking before it was cool. Often imitated, but never duplicated it still stands as a must see film for any horror movie fan…
#26 - "The Breakfast Club" (1985) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast
Praised as a quintessential piece of '80s cinema and highly regarded among the greatest high school movies of all time, the legacy of this 80’s flick had endured due to the film's eclectic cast of teenage archetypes. Writer-director John Hughes' characters weren't just derivative personalities found in the everyday, run-of-the-mill teen comedy of the day, the characters were actually rooted in genuine human problems. Working with a $1 million budget, the reflective charac…
#23 - "9 to 5" (1980) with Laramy & Bethany Wells
Renown film critic, Roger Ebert called this well-beloved 80’s flick a good-hearted, simple-minded comedy that will win a place in film history. He suspected that it was primarily because it contained the movie debut of Dolly Parton. He stated “There have been other debuts this unmistakable; you could name Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and even John Travolta. And what you'd be talking about in each case would not necessarily be a great dramatic performance in an important movie, but more a…
#19 - "Die Hard" (1988) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast
John McTiernan‘s 1988 action tour de force is often called one of the greatest action films ever made. It’s a masterclass on every level: building entertaining characters, crafting escalating action, establishing and navigating geography, and putting an empathetic hero through the ringer in the face of extraordinary odds. McTiernan and his collaborators made this all look easy, but as the rash of Hollywood imitators quickly proved, it was anything but. So come on out the coast, we’ll have a …
#18 - "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" (1987) with Laramy Wells from the "Moving Panels" Podcast
A road trip movie, a buddy comedy and teen-angst director du jour, John Hughes’ first attempt at a holiday movie. It’s a classic double-act farce that might not fit that well in the decade it came out in. There are no guns or bad guys like 48 Hours or Lethal Weapon; no winks at Cold War anxiety a la Spies Like Us; and no time machine like Bill and Ted used in their excellent adventure. What it does share with a number of his best works is that mix of Norman Rockwell and Frank Capra in Reagan…
#15 - “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986) with Laramy & Bethany Wells
In 1986, if you mixed Science Fiction, dark comedy, horror, doo-wop inspired musical numbers, and a director who was more famous for voicing Yoda and Miss Piggy, you probably wouldn't expect too much. But this remake of a remake became a bonafide cult classic that has been entertaining audiences for decades with its timeless soundtrack and stellar cast. So let's head downtown to Skid Row and Mr. Mushnik's Flower Shop because its Suppertime for Audrey II as Laramy and Bethany W…
#11 - “Aliens” (1986) with Laramy Wells
In 1986, young up and coming writer-director, James Cameron, took the tall task of tackling a sequel to director Ridley Scott's space-thriller, "Alien". With returning cast member, Sigorney Weaver, he not only moved the story forward, he exceeded all expectations with a bonafide box office hit as well an award-winning and ground-breaking classic we know simply as "Aliens".
On this episode, Tim Williams and guest co-host Laramy Wells share their memories of th…
#8 - “Predator” (1987) with Laramy Wells
Released in on June 12, 1987, up and coming director John McTiernan’s second film introduced action and horror fans to a brand new kind of extra-terrestrial threat. It was a bonafide box office hit when released due to its star-studded macho cast, while solidifying Arnold Schwarzenegger’s rising star power status. Alongside Schwarzenegger, the film cast Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham, Richard Chaves, and Shane Black as a group of commando mercenaries on a rescue missi…
#7 - “Summer School” (1987) with Laramy Wells
The 1980's in Hollywood was filled with more high school movies about slackers and smart-alecks than anyone actually needed, especially when it came to featuring students who looked like they were older than the teachers. Summer School was always perhaps the most underrated of the decade’s tributes to academic slackers because what it lacked in the typical star power of, say, a John Hughes film, it more than made up for in creating arguably one of the most creative collection of “teenag…
#5 - “The Shining” (1980) with Laramy Wells
In 1980, director Stanley Kubrick, released a film that would haunt and terrify audiences for years to come. His own adaptation of a best-selling Steven King novel has split audiences and critics, some calling it an “overreaching, multi-leveled botch” while others hail it as a “masterpiece of modern horror.” No matter where you stand, there is no escaping the tension and madness that fills nearly every frame of…”The Shining”.
On this episode, Tim Williams and guest co-host Laramy Wel…
#3 - “Stand By Me” (1986) with Laramy Wells
A tender and poignant story of four friends who spend the last weekend of the Summer of 1959 looking for the body of a missing local boy, “Stand By Me” won the hearts of critics and audiences in the Fall of 1986. Starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and newcomer Jerry O’Connell, the movie still stands as one of the most influential and also most beloved coming-of-age films of the 1980’s.
On this episode, Tim Williams and guest co-host, Laramy Wells, share their memorie…