It’s all play and no work on this week’s Extra Milestone, because Jason Read has returned to the show to discuss a trio of very different movies. We begin with a detailed exploration of Stanley Kubrick’s Horror masterpiece The Shining, complete with reflections on why the terror of it is so effective, analyses of the movie’s themes and mysteries, a discussion of why method acting is a flawed and unnecessary process, and even a few personal stories that relate to the movie. Afterward, we take on Joe Dante’s Gremlins, stopping along the way to discuss its implementation of cinematic language, its historical significance, and all of the darkly comedic chaos that comes with it. Finally, we cap off the show with a fittingly sporadic look at Dante’s oft-overlooked sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch, which is one of the most entertaining movies either of us have ever seen, as well as being a knowing satire of culture stuffed with enough cameos and mania to last a lifetime. It’s a jam-packed Extra Milestone to continue the jam-packed month of June, and we hope it’s even more fun to listen to than it was to record.
SHOW NOTES:
- 00:02:35 – The Shining
- 01:07:05 – Gremlins
- 01:31:30 – Gremlins 2: The New Batch
NEXT WEEK: In what may be the most culturally significant pair of films discussed on Extra Milestone yet, I will be reuniting with Anthony Battaglia of Anyway, That’s All I Got to discuss Steven Spielberg’s Jaws and Irvin Kershner’s The Empire Strikes Back!
Music in this Episode: Theme from Gremlins composed by Jerry Goldsmith, and “Midnight, the Stars and You” performed by Ray Noble and his Orchestra, with vocals by Al Bowlly.
Cinemaholics in this Episode: Sam Noland and Jason Read
The Ghost Bartender in The Shining is the same actor who played Dr. Tyrell in Blade Runner…
We mention that in the episode 🙂
Def wasn’t expecting a surprisingly great Shatner impression but I’ll take it … keep up the good work!
Why, thank you…very much! Kirk out 😀
Gremlins is a Christmas movie. Fight me.
No fight necessary! It absolutely is, and happens to be one of the very best!
Gremlins 2: The New Batch is easily one of the absolute greatest sequels of all time. Fully understands what was so great about the first movie and just explodes in delivering on all those strengths. So glad you guys found time to discuss it as an extra milestone.
We were overjoyed to discuss it! I regret immensely that we completely to bring up Hulk Hogan’s awesome cameo XD Can’t wait to keep rewatching them both throughout the years 🙂