Episode 19: Shaun of the Dead - First Daughter - The Forgotten

Explicit content warning

09/29/20 • 96 min

Zombies... Aliens... American Presidents... Anxiety-inducing monsters of ALL stripes haunt the major releases of September 24, 2004 as the boys revisit SHAUN OF THE DEAD, THE FORGOTTEN, and FIRST DAUGHTER! Episode 19 of Opening Weekend has arrived!

When the new Batman’s girlfriend plays the old Batman’s daughter, one wouldn’t expect Jason (of all people) to fall asleep halfway through the proceedings, but that’s just the sort of mind-numbing fairy dust that Forest Whitaker sprinkles all over FIRST DAUGHTER! When the plot of the latest Julianne Moore movie is more confusing and convoluted than the 9/11 conspiracy theories that seemingly inspired it, you’ll understand why the movie is called THE FORGOTTEN! And when you start doubting that future filmmakers will ever be able to make an audience laugh at the concept of a global pandemic, look no further than the brilliance of Edgar Wright and SHAUN OF THE DEAD!

From laser light shows at the Egyptian pyramids to cursory chest exams at the Al Hirschfeld clinic, excitement is the name of the game for our intrepid hosts as they dip a collective big toe into the Aughts with this, the 19th episode of OPENING WEEKEND!

Previous Episode

Episode 18: Empire Records - Showgirls - Se7en: September 22, 1995

What’s in the box? Plot? Nuance? Strong dialogue? Only one way to find out... Join the boys as they revisit September 22, 1995, and unpack SE7EN, SHOWGIRLS, and EMPIRE RECORDS!

Get ready for the ultimate exercise in frustration! Visit a music store where nobody seems to like or care about music! Enter a world of taboo sexual desire in which the greatest taboo is the fact that nothing sexy or desirable happens! And immerse yourself in a dark, jaded tale of violence and suffering that actually argues for a modicum of hope in humanity! Whaaaaa? I know! Crazy, right?

From the confusion in Anthony Lapaglia’ eyes to the shame in Kyle Maclachlan’s pants, this week is a tutorial in actors regretting their choices — except when it comes to SE7EN, a movie so good it might even make you want to uncancel Spacey! (Nah, just kidding, he’s still done...)

Reviewing SHOWGIRLS and EMPIRE RECORDS in the same weekend might make us seem like GLUTTONS for punishment (See what we did there?), but rest assured - you’re going to LOSE YOUR HEAD over Episode 18 of OPENING WEEKEND! (Get it? Get it?) In fact, the DEADLIEST SIN of all would be not to listen! (OH MY GOD! HELLO!?!?! DO YOU GET ALL THREE OF OUR SEVEN JOKES????? I DON’T MEAN THREE OUT OF SEVEN DIFFERENT JOKES. I MEAN THREE JOKES ABOUT THE MOVIE SE7EN. HELLOOOOO? IS THIS THING ON??????)

Next Episode

Episode 20: Commando - Jagged Edge - Sweet Dreams: October 4th, 1985

A tragic plane crash, the brutal murder of a millionaire’s wife. Pshaw! That’s nothing compared to the carnage reaped by AHNULD and a handful of bad one-liners! It’s October 4th, 1985 and the boys revisit COMMANDO, JAGGED EDGE, and SWEET DREAMS on Episode 20 of Opening Weekend!

1985 provided plenty of sweaty musclebound behemoths causing maximum damage...and that was just on Dan’s bedroom wall! Which made a bigger musical impact on viewers in 1985: Jessica Lange’s portrayal of Patsy Cline singing “Crazy” to Ed Harris or Fred playing the drums to Huey Lewis at his Bar Mitzvah to a bunch of sweaty 13 year olds? And which twist is more mind-blowing and intriguing: the fact that we’re supposed to find any sexual chemistry between Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges or Jason’s secret dream of starting the Robert Loggia School of Performing Arts? But really, who cares! AHNULD BLOW THINGS UP!!! AHNULD BLOW THINGS UP!!!!! And now, pet the deer. Ahhhhh....deer.

AND the boys tie up some loose ends and give out some missing “Sheilas” (and one “F—you ‘Baby’s Day Out’!”) Get ready to let off some steam, Bennett, ‘cus it’s Episode 20 of Opening Weekend!

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