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Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

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Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

The Abyss (1989)

Sun, 09 Mar 2025

James Cameron takes us two miles under the sea for an intense, visually stunning, and sometimes completely ridiculous deep-sea adventure in The Abyss (1989). This sci-fi classic introduces us to oil-rig roughnecks, paranoid Navy SEALs, and aliens who can manipulate water—but not basic human communication.

In this episode, Gene Lyons and Big D dive deep into The Abyss’ groundbreaking special effects, the film’s unrelenting tension, and Cameron’s signature mix of brilliance and insanity. Gene wrestles with his newfound fear of liquid breathing, while Big D wonders how Ed Harris survived a death-defying swim in nothing but a t-shirt. Plus, the hosts debate why James Cameron insists on writing dialogue for blue-collar workers when he’s clearly never met one.

From nuclear warheads at the bottom of the ocean to CPR-by-slap techniques, The Abyss is a movie that demands discussion. Is it a masterpiece, a mess, or both? Join us as we explore the depths of one of Cameron’s most ambitious projects.

Plot Summary: 

When a U.S. nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks in the Caribbean, a team of deep-sea oil drillers led by Virgil "Bud" Brigman (Ed Harris) is recruited to assist a group of Navy SEALs in the recovery mission. As tensions rise between the rig crew and the increasingly unstable SEAL leader, Lt. Hiram Coffey (Michael Biehn), the team discovers they are not alone in the ocean’s depths.

Dr. Lindsey Brigman (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), the rig’s designer and Bud’s estranged wife, encounters an advanced, non-terrestrial intelligence (NTI) living beneath the waves. Meanwhile, Coffey, suffering from high-pressure nervous syndrome, sets a nuclear warhead to destroy the unknown beings, forcing Bud to embark on a desperate deep-sea dive to disarm it.

Battling crushing pressure, limited oxygen, and human paranoia, Bud reaches the warhead, only to face what seems like certain death—until the NTIs intervene. In a breathtaking climax, the aliens reveal themselves, raising their colossal ship to the ocean’s surface and leaving humanity with a powerful message of peace.

With stunning underwater cinematography, groundbreaking visual effects, and an intense mix of sci-fi, thriller, and adventure, The Abyss remains one of James Cameron’s most ambitious and visually spectacular films.

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After Hours (1985)

Fri, 28 Feb 2025

In this episode, Big D and a very high Gene Lyons break down After Hours' absurd twists, New York’s bygone grit, and whether Griffin Dunne is the last true everyman leading man. Along the way, they debate Paul’s romantic prospects, the dangers of pre-cell phone nightlife, and whether David Lynch is actually a genius or just weird for weird’s sake.

Join us as we uncover After Hours’ hidden brilliance, discuss why Gene should never be left alone with a paper-mâché kit, and witness the power of 5mg gummies on podcasting.

Plot Summary: 

What happens when Martin Scorsese trades gangsters for bagel paperweights, punk rockers, and the strangest night in SoHo history? After Hours (1985) takes us on a surreal, darkly comedic odyssey through late-night Manhattan, where a hapless word processor named Paul (Griffin Dunne) just wants to make it home—but the city has other plans.

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Three Kings (1999)

Wed, 26 Feb 2025

This week on "Shat the Movies," we’re exploring Three Kings (1999), a gritty, action-packed satire set during the Gulf War. Join us as we dive into the film’s blend of humor, action, and social commentary, led by an all-star cast including George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or new to the film, get ready for a thought-provoking and entertaining discussion!

Plot Summary:
In the 1999 war satire Three Kings, directed by David O. Russell, George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube star as a group of disillusioned U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq at the end of the Gulf War. When they discover a hidden map leading to a stash of stolen Kuwaiti gold, they embark on what they believe will be a quick and easy heist. However, their mission takes an unexpected turn, forcing them to confront the brutal realities of war, morality, and human suffering.

Major Archie Gates (George Clooney), a cynical and seasoned Special Forces officer nearing retirement, leads the operation alongside Sergeant Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg), a naive reservist, Staff Sergeant Chief Elgin (Ice Cube), a pragmatic soldier, and Private Conrad Vig (Spike Jonze), an unpredictable and reckless grunt. Initially motivated by greed, the team infiltrates an Iraqi bunker in search of gold bars hidden by Saddam Hussein’s regime. However, as they navigate war-torn Iraq, they encounter civilians desperately trying to escape oppression, revealing the true human cost of the conflict.

As their plan unravels, the soldiers are faced with a moral dilemma: take the gold and escape, or risk their lives to help the suffering Iraqi people. What starts as a self-serving heist turns into an unexpected rescue mission, filled with explosive confrontations, tense shootouts, and moments of dark humor. The film’s unique blend of action, satire, and social commentary highlights the absurdity of war while keeping audiences engaged with dynamic storytelling and stylish cinematography.

Three Kings remains a standout war film, mixing humor, action, and political critique in a way that feels both entertaining and thought-provoking. Join our podcast review as we revisit this unconventional Gulf War adventure and discuss whether its biting satire and gripping action still hold up today.

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The Delta Force (1986)

Sun, 16 Feb 2025

The '80s were a golden age for action films, and "The Delta Force" is no exception. Starring Chuck Norris and Lee Marvin, this Cannon Films classic delivers a high-octane mix of military heroism, motorcycle-mounted rockets and one of the most absurdly patriotic finales in cinema history.

Loosely inspired by the real-life hijacking of TWA Flight 847, the film follows an elite commando unit as they take on Middle Eastern terrorists in a testosterone-fueled spectacle that only the '80s could produce​.

In this episode, the Shat Crew dives deep into the questionable military accuracy, over-the-top action sequences, and the sheer marketing genius behind "Delta Force "weaponry. Is this a patriotic masterpiece, a jingoistic fever dream, or just a Chuck Norris vehicle gone wild? Strap in as we break it all down—Uzi in one hand, American flag in the other​.

Plot Summary:
When a commercial airliner is hijacked by terrorists, the elite U.S. military unit known as Delta Force—led by Colonel Nick Alexander (Lee Marvin) and Major Scott McCoy (Chuck Norris)—is called into action. As the hostages are taken to Beirut and divided by nationality and religion, McCoy and his team embark on a daring mission to rescue them

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Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Tue, 11 Feb 2025

This week on "Shat the Movies," we’re diving into Romeo + Juliet (1996), Baz Luhrmann’s vibrant, modern take on Shakespeare’s classic love story. Join us as we explore the flashy visuals, unforgettable soundtrack, and the bold performances of Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Whether you’re revisiting this unique adaptation or seeing it for the first time, get ready for a fun and thoughtful discussion of this unforgettable film!

Plot Summary:
Romeo + Juliet (1996) is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, directed by Baz Luhrmann, that reimagines the tale in a vibrant, contemporary setting while preserving the original dialogue. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes star as the ill-fated lovers, whose passionate romance defies the bitter feud between their families. Blending high-energy visuals, a pulsating soundtrack, and Shakespearean language, the film underscores the timeless, explosive power of young love and the tragic consequences of entrenched enmity.

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