OVERHATED
EPISODE #161: Van Helsing (2004)
If you would have told me in 2004 that one day I'd be listening to someone praise this movie, I would have dismissed you as a lunatic! But time makes fools of us all, I suppose. Thankfully I have the great author / writer / comedian Owen Egerton aboard, and he really loves this crazy flick. Listen in for why!
EPISODE #160: Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
The summer of 1987 was an amazing time to be a movie fan. Every Friday there was something fun to watch. And we even got amazing misfires like Masters of the Universe, Who's That Girl, and Jaws: The Revenge, which my old friend and massive movie nerd George Hickman (@popmortem) happens to like, thank you very much.
Episode #159: So Fine (1981)
The great Ryan O'Neal passed away earlier this month, and my guest chose of one of the actor's early-'80s obscurities for the Overhated treatment. Screenwriter (and massive movie nerd) Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood, Man on the Moon, Dolemite Is My Name) joins me to discuss Andrew Bergman's So Fine, which is a sex comedy, a broad farce, and three flavors of satire at once.
Episode #158: Body Snatchers (1993)
I finally got my old pal Joe "Mayhem" Lynch to sit down for an episode, and of course he chose an underloved 1993 genre classic: Abel Ferrara's Body Snatchers. It may not be as well-regarded as its older siblings (1956 & 1978, to be specific) but Joe and I found a whole lot to love in this adaptation all the same. And be sure to check out Joe's latest top-notch genre concoction: Suitable Flesh!
EPISODE #157: The Apple (1980)
The late '70s and early '80s were littered with all sorts of truly weird musicals, some of which have stood the test of time (like Grease), and many of which exist as relics of a truly bizarre era... like The Apple. Join me and filmmaker / podcaster / cinema junkie Julia Marchese as we discuss The Apple, a wide variety of these weird musicals, and the beauty of Stephen King adaptations. This last part comes up because Julia recently directed a short film based on King's short story, "I Know What You Need," which is super cool.
EPISODE #156: The Majestic (2001)
How did a movie with this much talent on both sides of the camera end up losing almost $50 million for its production company? I'm not entirely sure, but there are several good theories. Join me and frequent guest Andrew Carden as he breaks down why he has a lot of affection for this underloved Frank Darabont / Jim Carrey collaboration.
Episode #155: Tomorrowland (2015)
Audiences seemed mostly disinterested; critics were right on the fence; and the box office was generally unimpressive, all things considered. But who cares about all that stuff? How does Brad Bird's family-friendly sci-fi epic hold up after a particularly long eight years? My guest Rob Hunter (of the excellent Film School Rejects) offers a strong defense of this scrappily optimistic and undeniably beautiful-looking movie. (My apologies for using the word scrappily.)
Episode #154: Brightburn (2019)
Former film critic turned sassy wise-ass Eric D. Snider joins me once again, this time to discuss a darkly colorful movie best described as Act I of Superman combined with most of Damien: Omen II.
Episode #153: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
I'm joined by Overhated Bond expert Brian J. Salisbury to discuss an 007 adventure that may rank among the franchise's most underappreciated chapter. Great conversation if you ask me.
EPISODE #152: Daredevil (2003)
"I hate Daredevil so much." -- Ben Affleck
But you know who doesn't hate Daredevil? Cecil Trachenburg of the fantastic Good Bad Flicks YouTube channel. that's who(m).
Episode #151: Cutthroat Island (1995)
For decades there was a "pirate movie curse" that doomed every movie that dared to dip its toe into that particular pool. (That curse was ultimately broken by Captain Jack Sparrow, of course.) And the poster child for that pirate movie curse has got to be Renny Harlin's 1995 financial disaster Cutthroat Island. But fortunately we have frequent guest Fred Topel on hand to offer a firm defense of a movie that lost about $100,000,000 and helped destroy an entire production company.
Episode #150: Rambo III (1988)
Once credited as the most expensive movie ever made, Rambo III is now mainly remembered for some uncomfortable political history, but does it hold up as just an enjoyably straightforward action flick? Well, author / humorist / "Effin' Birds" creator Aaron Reynolds is here to plead the film's case.
#149: Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist (2005)
You could probably write a book on the insane headaches that took place on the Exorcist franchise between 2003 and 2005, or you could just listen to this episode of Overhated! Big thanks to reliable ol' Brian Salisbury, of Junkfood Cinema, for picking a film that's not only seasonal (it's October) and topical (Exorcist Part 6 just hit theaters), but also actually deserves a second look.
EPISODE #148: Alien³ (1992)
Few movies of the 1990s have been discussed, debated, and rediscovered as much as Alien³ has. So now it's time for Overhated to take a swing! We cover everything from that infuriating prologue to the rotten way David Fincher was treated by Fox executives, and by "we" I mean me and the co-hosts of a very fun podcast called Puppet Masters / Castle Freaks: Jarrod Hornbeck & Steve Guntli!
Episode #147: Without a Clue (1988)
The hook is great: Dr. Watson is the actual brains behind all the mystery-solving, whereas Holmes is actually a drunken idiot hired to keep the media distracted. And boy do Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley have fun bickering and bantering their way through this unjustly forgotten farce. Big thanks to the illustrious wordsmith C. Robert Cargill for joining me on this one.
Episode #146: Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992)
Very few filmmakers have been able to deliver a "quality streak" of movies like John Carpenter did throughout the 1970s and '80s. Some of the movies made money, some did not; but all of them seem to hold a special place in the hearts of countless movie nerds. (Check the episode for evidence of this epic streak.) But then John Carpenter signed on to make a movie with Chevy Chase, and this movie was the result. Big thanks to regular guest and awards guru Andrew Carden for picking this one.
Episode #145: Great Expectations (1998)
When you're not only adapting but also modernizing the great Charles Dickens (and in only your second feature!) you're bound to go through some headaches. Seems like the great Alfonso Cuaron dealt with all sorts of headaches on Great Expectations, an overhated film chosen by the illustrious and frequent guest Courtney Howard!
Episode #144: Battle: Los Angeles (2011)
Let's face it; it's hard to make an "alien attack!" movie that won't eventually find a few loyal fans out there. It's just a fun sub-genre! Big thanks to first-time guest @BrianJRoan for a great discussion.
EPISODE #143: Poltergeist III (1988)
If you need further evidence that every movie ever released into theaters has at least a handful of sincere fans, here's an episode on the second Poltergeist sequel. Big thanks to returning guest and podcast producer Jim Laczkowski for this amusing episode!
Episode #142: Jurassic Park III (2001)
I said it an entire trilogy ago: JP3 is the second best Jurassic Park movie -- and I still believe that to be true. Big thanks to Spielberg guru Erik Childress for joining me for this one. Lots of potential factors to consider here!