Reviewed Podcast

We're doing our part and are FINALLY bringing you a new episode! It has been over 20 years since Paul Verhoeven's big budget sci-fi action film Starship Troopers hit theaters. Back in 1997, it was both panned by critics and ignored by audiences. But, over the past few decades, public perception around the film has shifted. What was initially viewed as a shallow gore-fest targeted at teenage boys is now considered by many critics to be a strong work of satire intentionally created to mock right-wing militarism. In this new age of modern authoritarianism is Starship Troopers more relevant than ever?

Ready to feel old? High Fidelity—the charming film about life and love seen through the eyes of a music-obsessed record store owner—is 17 years old. So, as is the theme of this podcast: does it hold up? Would it make our personal top five lists today? We revisit Stephen Frears's film (starring John Cusack and Jack Black just to name a few) to find out.

Finally...a new episode! It's a Christmas miracle! Dave, Mike, and Ivan re-visit the 1984 comedy-horror film, Gremlins, directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus. The puppet effects are memorable, but does the film itself hold up? Or, is it simply another victim of "nostalgia goggles"? Download the episode to find out (just don't eat aything after midnight).

A remake of a 1951 film (with a prequel that came out in 2011), John Carpenter's 1982 version of The Thing is considered by many to be a horror classic, combining practical make-up, horror, and sci-fi elements into a satisfying genre package. But, although history looks upon the film kindly, original reviews found the film "excessive" and over-the-top. So, looking back 35 years since it's initial release, how does the film hold up?

In honor of its 25th anniversary, Dave, Ivan, and Mike re-visit Clint Eastwood's Oscar-winning western, Unforgiven. The film has been much lauded by both critics and audiences (it took home 7 Academy Awards). Does this classic Western still impress a quarter of a century since its initial release?

Writer/director Christopher Nolan is one of the most successful filmmakers currently working today. From The Dark Knight Trilogy to big budget epics like Interstellar and Dunkirk, his films have grossed billions. But, back in the late 90s, he was just a scrappy indie filmmaker trying to make a name for himself. We revisit Nolan's second feature film—Memento, a psychological thriller about a man who is attempting to solve the murder of his wife despite the fact that he suffers from short-term memory loss. The film's "reverse" structure stunned audiences upon its release and had a huge impact on the indie film scene in the aughts. But, 17 years later now that we know the answers to its puzzles, is the film still as engaging? Has the novelty of the gimmick worn off? Or, is it a film that, unlike its protagonist, we'll be destined to remember for a long time?

In the second iteration of "Re-viewed Film School" Ivan brings back filmmaker and cinephile Shahir Daud to talk about David Gordon Green's George Washington, which—with its depiction of a lazy summer hanging out with impoverished kids in the rural south—had a huge impact on me personally at the turn of the millennium. The goal of this "film school" series is simple: revisit classic movies that often comprise a cinematic education and determine if they work beyond a purely intellectual capacity. In that regard, does George Washington still feel as profound 17 years later? What makes a movie pretentious? When does something transcend into art? Once again, Shahir provides a wide breadth of knowledge about the indie film scene and the prototypical "Film School" movie. If you have movie suggestions for future "film school" episodes, email us at contact@reviewedpodcast.com

Originally released in 1988, My Neighbor Totoro is often considered to be the seminal film from acclaimed writer/director Hayao Miyazaki and his animation team at Studio Ghibli. It's a film that changed the face of anime and had a profound cultural impact, both in its native Japan and across the world. But, how does it fare when viewed from the lens of three anime-ignorant film enthusiasts? Does the style prove distancing? Or, did we fall for Totoro's simple charms?

In the wake of his recent sci-fi epic (and flop), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, we turn to French director Luc Besson's previous big budget sci-fi epic (and flop), The Fifth Element. Yes, when it was first released in 1997, the Fifth Element polarized critics and did meager box office numbers in the US. But, it has since gone on to be revered amongst the sci-fi community, and, with the help of international receipts, eventually became a financial success. But, where do Dave, Ivan, and Mike stand on Besson's goofy, colorful version of the future? Worthy of cult status? Or, a loud, annoying, tonal misfire?

A classic underdog story, The Karate Kid holds a special place in pop culture (SWEEP THE LEG!). But, three sequels and one remake later, do we have Karate Kid fatigue? In remembrance of director John G. Avildsen, we revisit this 1984 martial arts classic to see how it holds up!

Considered by many to be the quintessential “coming-of-age” film, Stand By Me is one of the rare movies about children that’s actually made for adults, balancing both youthful comedy and heavier dramatic themes like death, grief, and class status. But, considering our nostalgia-obsessed culture and the myriad of imitators that have popped up in its wake, does Stand By Me‘s sentimental warmth still resonate as strongly today, 31 years later? On this warm summer evening, Mike, Ivan, and Dave embark down the train tracks to find out!

Often considered to be one of the most important American political movies ever made, All the President's Men is a film that truly stands the test of time. Now, in the wake of current political scandal in the United States, it's also perhaps never been more prescient. Dave, Ivan, and Mike re-visit the 1976 classic to see how viewing it in today's tumultuous landscape reflects current events, and how the film artistically holds up as a whole.

Vaya con dios, broheims! Time to catch a sick wave and rob some banks with Kathleen Bigelow's 1991 action crime thriller, Point Break. Although it was remade in 2015 and essentially ripped off plot-wise by the inaugural Fast and the Furious in 2001, there's only one true original. So, does it hold up? Is this a compelling action film? Or just another cheesy 90s action flick that somehow got elevated into the cultural lexicon? Grab your board, dude, and lets find out!

Ghost may just be one of the biggest cinematic hits...well...ever. Produced for just 22 million, this "mid-budget" film went on to gross over $505.7 million at the box office and was nominated for five Academy Awards (despite being panned by most mainstream critics). But, now that the infamous pottery scene has been parodied ad nauseam and the film has been showing on basic cable indefinitely, does it still hold up? Do Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore still make audiences want to believe?

Nominated for a slew of Oscars in 1992 (including best picture and best director), The Crying Game made quite a splash when it was released amongst both audiences and critics. But, how does this Irish crime thriller—which explores issues of race, gender, and nationality— hold up? Does knowing a movie's twist (before you've seen it), ruin the viewing experience? More over, does the film feel just as edgy 25 years later or has the shock value worn off? Find out in our Re-view!

To honor the late great Bill Paxton, we turn to James Cameron's big budget action comedy, True Lies. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, and, of course, Bill Paxton (perfectly cast as a sleazy used car salesman), it was the first film ever to have a production budget over $100 million. But, with all that cash behind it, is it actually a good movie? How does it fit into Cameron's blockbuster oeuvre? Are the jokes still funny? Is the action still...um...action packed? Tune in to find out!

Resistance is futile! Dave, Ivan, and Mike journey boldly to where no podcasters have gone before—a re-view of the Star Trek film, First Contact. Hitting theaters in 1996, First Contact is by far the most successful of the Next Generation Star Trek Films. It was critically acclaimed and did well at the box office. But, now that the Star Trek franchise has been rebooted under the creative supervision of JJ Abrams, does First Contact's star still shine as bright?

In a special bonus episode of the podcast, Ivan chats with filmmaker and cinephile Shahir Daud to talk about Jean-Luc Goddard's Breathless, the 1960 French New Wave film that is often considered to be one of the most influential movies ever made. The goal of this "film school" series is simple: revisit classic movies that often comprise a cinematic education and determine if they work beyond a purely intellectual capacity. In that regard, is Breathless still as effective and powerful today in landscape where jump cuts and vérité filmmaking are the norm? Shahir schools me on Breathless's importance and provides context for its placement on film school syllabuses across the world. If you have movie suggestions for future "film school" episodes, email us at contact@reviewedpodcast.com

With a live action version about to hit theaters, we travel back to the golden age of modern Disney animation—1991 to be exact—for a re-view of the animated musical classic, Beauty and the Beast. For millennials, the film is somewhat of a cultural touchstone. And, critically it was lauded—it was the first animated film to ever be nominated for best picture at the Oscars. But, how does this hit Disney fairytale fable hold up when watched now? Is the Disney magic still there? Be Our Guest for the podcast...listen and find out!

In the early aughts, writer/director M. Night Shyamalan could do no wrong. Coming off the monumental success of The Sixth Sense, he was heralded as the next Spielberg—a young directorial genius that was bound to change the way we watched movies. Then, came a string of flops—from Lady in the Water to The Happening to The Last Airbender (fanboys are still angry about that last one). As Shyamalan's next project, Split, hits theaters, we decided it was time to look at one of his earlier, more successful films: the superhero/supernatural drama Unbreakable. Although not as widely popular as The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable has amassed as cult following, with some even considering it to be one of the best superhero films ever made. While we're now accustomed to seeing men and women with capes and cowls at the box office, back in 2001, the image wasn't so commonplace. So, looking back 16 years, how does Unbreakable hold up? Is it a polished thriller that ushered in a new wave of pop culture? Or, another clunky misstep in