Ep. 42: JFK

08/05/16 • -1 min

Can We Still Be Friends? – A Movie Podcast

Nate and Ryan revisit Oliver Stone’s controversial classic from 1991: JFK. Inspired by the incredible light-shedding documentary OJ: Made in America, Nate and Ryan wanted to rewatch another film that explores the details of one of the most famous events in history. The film follows New Orleans attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) as he dredges up any and all information he can about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Something about the assassination and subsequent government report seemed off to Garrison so he pursued the truth, even if it meant the collapse of his professional and personal life. JFK is a quiet classic. Critics and film historians revere it, but it is rarely brought up among the greats of all time. Nate and Ryan discuss whether it deserves a place among the best films, or if it is too loose with its blurring of facts and agenda.

Have you recently sat through all of JFK? What do you think about it as a movie, or as a piece of historical art? What is your opinion of Kevin Costner or Oliver Stone? Who is more divisive? Let us know!

Frontline panel discussion featuring Oliver Stone – Hollywood & History: The debate over JFK.

Frontline panel discussion featuring Oliver Stone – Hollywood & History: The debate over JFK.

Previous Episode

Ep. 41: Ghostbusters

Nate and Ryan invite their friend Tim along to rewatch the 1984 hit comedy Ghostbusters, in anticipation of the new reboot. Many people have cried out against this new film, saying that changing it will “ruin their childhood.” Since this movie wasn’t really a part of Nate or Ryan’s childhoods, they look at whether the film holds up on its own some 30 years later. Guest Tim Yoder joins to bring in the perspective of someone who did grow up watching Ghostbusters and isn’t dreading the new version.

Was Ghostbusters a part of your childhood? What are your memories of the movie? If you’ve seen it recently, how did it hold up? If you watched it for the first time as an adult, did it connect with you? Let us know!

Next Episode

Ep. 43: Stand by Me

With Labor Day just behind us, and summer more or less over, Nate and Ryan watch and discuss Rob Reiner’s much loved coming-of-age movie Stand by Me. Based on a short story by Stephen King, Stand by Me was released 30 years ago, meaning many of its original fans have 10-year-olds of their own. Nate has watched this movie several times since his childhood, but Ryan had never seen it. They discuss the oft-overlooked sadness of childhood, death, dead bodies, and (since it’d be depressing to wallow in such dour topics) vomit. They explore what a movie set in the 50s and made in the 80s could have to say to us 30 years later.

How big a part of your life was Stand by Me? What do you remember of it? Does adulthood change your perspective on it at all? Does Rob Reiner have any more good movies left in him? Let us know!