JUDGEMENT NIGHT

09/09/21 • 38 min

Film scholar Jackson Boren joins the program for JUDGEMENT NIGHT. A real hidden gem, this gorgeous-looking movie has a sharp, compelling setup and a great cast in their fresh-faced days. Emilio Estevez, Cuba Gooding Jr, Denis Leary, Stephen Dorff, Jeremy Piven, and Peter Greene star in this crime thriller. Stephen Hopkins directed the film. This one has a ton of interesting behind-the-scenes production information that Jackson and I break down (originally written on spec by Kevin Jarre, who wrote TOMBSTONE, offered to Samuel Jackson and John Travolta, rewritten at one point by John Carpenter). Fascinating 90s era largely (and unfairly) forgotten thriller.

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RETURN TO PARADISE

Screenwriter Jay Thornton joins the show to discuss perhaps one of the best picks for this series, RETURN TO PARADISE. A movie even I hadn't heard of, this is a total unheralded gem. It was well-reviewed upon release, but was not a huge box office hit, and is not something I've heard talked about before. Great director (Joseph Ruben, SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY), great cast (Vince Vaughn, Joaquin Phoenix, Anne Heche) and maybe one of the best moral premises in any movie, period. I watched this at 3am and was riveted and had to get to the end. Major recommend if you dig adult dramas.

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THE OTHER GUYS

Screenwriter Nathaniel Nauert joins the show, and I make the case that THE OTHER GUYS is the best film in the filmography of both Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, as well as a career high point for Mark Wahlberg. I’m a peacock, you gotta let me fly!