Episode 61: American Beauty - Three Kings - Mystery, Alaska: October 1, 1999

Explicit content warning

10/04/21 • 107 min

“You want to see the most beautiful thing I’ve ever filmed?” Uh, maybe not Mr. Spacey. But we will take a look at AMERICAN BEAUTY and the other two releases from October 1, 1999, THREE KINGS and MYSTERY, ALASKA. Time to look closer...at Episode 61 of Opening Weekend!

It’s the early fall of 1999 and the boys are watching three cinematic game changers: Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty” and its take on repressed, suburban malaise; David O. Russell’s “Three Kings”, with its fever-dream, anti-war prescience; and the biggest game changer of them all, Jay Roach’s “Mystery, Alaska”...because it makes Dan want to literally change the game...from hockey to anything else.

What’s creepier? The way Kevin Spacey ogles Mena Suvari in her cheerleading outfit or the way Jason and Fred ogle George Clooney in his Desert Camo? And asDan enthusiastically repeats stories he told 8 episodes ago about bad jobs, living in Astoria, bad jobs, and living in Astoria (also about bad jobs and living in Astoria), Jason and Fred reminisce about the amazing artistry they witnessed that season: Jason, with the paintings of Norman Rockwell and Drew Sturzan. Fred with the acting prowess of Ed Koch and Drew Barrymore’s Mom.

Put down the camera, Wes Bentley, you’re freaking that dead bird out...and tune into Episode 61 of Opening Weekend!

Put down the camera, Wes Bentley, you’re freaking that dead bird out...and tune into Episode 61 of Opening Weekend!

Previous Episode

Episode 60: Goodfellas - Top Ten Gangster/Crime Films: September 19, 1990

“As far back as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a podcaster.” It’s September 19th, 1990 and the boys are celebrating the release of Martin Scorcese’s mobbed-up masterpiece, GOODFELLAS. One dog goes one way, the other dog goes the other way, and this guy’s sayin’ “It’s Episode 60 of Opening Weekend!”

“I’m gonna go listen to the podcast, listen to the podcast.” You do you, Jimmy Two Times. In the meantime, Dan’s gotta go change the film reel at Cinema Shitty-Sex.

It’s September of 1990 and the boys are becoming “made” men.

Fred is being “made” to understand the futility of an acting degree by a college theatre professor. Jason is being “made” to explain his reasons for wanting to play elderly pedophiles in classic works of theatre. And Dan is still cleaning up from the guy who “made” all over the bathroom wall of the movie theatre he works in.

And once they finish gushing like the blood pouring out of poor Stack’s head over “Goodfellas”, the boys dive into their personal top ten Gangster/Crime movies of all time.

Now go get ya f***in’ shine box!

Next Episode

Episode 62: And Justice For All - Meteor: October 19, 1979

“I’m out of order? You’re out of order! This whole podcast is out of order! October 19, 1979 is out of order! Sean Connery in METEOR is out of order! My movie...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL is out of order! Everyone is out...wait, what’s that big piece of rock hurtling towards Earth? Ah, crap.” Don’t worry, Al, it’s just Episode 62 of OPENING WEEKEND!

“What did the horny Scotsman say to the Italian lawyer?” No, this isn’t a set-up for the movies discussed this episode; it’s the setup for one of the many ethnic jokes Jason was killing with back in 3rd grade.

In October of 1979, while Al Pacino was screaming for justice in the courtroom, Jason was getting canceled in the classroom.

Yes, a giant meteor heading towards Sean Connery’s underground salad bar/love nest is terrifying, but it’s nothing compared to staring into the cold, evil eyes of Dan’s 1st grade teacher. ALL HAIL POZAR.

And before he became a styrofoam-stuffed hairy-Nazi getting tossed out of a tree in Fred’s backyard, he was...BIGFOOT! Yes, learn the origin story of one of Fred’s most beloved and most misunderstood (“I’m NOT f****** Chewbacca!) Halloween costumes. All this and a little Hindi on Episode 62 of Opening Weekend! JEFFREYTAMBORJEFFREYTAMBOR!