In the gritty underbelly of Chicago, Payback serves up a heaping plate of revenge and betrayal—all wrapped up in a slick, neo-noir package. Starring Mel Gibson as Porter, this 1999 hit plunges viewers into a world where loyalty is as rare as a clean getaway.

After being double-crossed by his wife (Maria Bello) and his partner (Gregg Henry) during a heist, Porter finds himself on the wrong end of a bullet and a whole lot of betrayal. Left for dead and robbed of his cut, he rises from the ashes with one thing on his mind: payback. As he navigates a seedy landscape filled with mobsters, corrupt cops, and a femme fatale, Porter’s quest for vengeance becomes a thrilling, action-packed ride.

Directed by Brian Helgeland, Payback is not just a tale of revenge; it’s a study in the moral ambiguities of crime, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to reclaim what’s theirs. With sharp dialogue, brutal action sequences, and a tongue-in-cheek humor that keeps you on your toes, this film is a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Join us as we dive deep into the film's themes, iconic moments, and Gibson's unforgettable performance, breaking down why Payback deserves a spot in your watchlist. Tune in to the Shat The Movies Podcast for an entertaining exploration of this classic revenge flick!

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Join us on this week’s "Shat the Movies" as we dive into the 1988 comedy classic, A Fish Called Wanda! We’ll revisit the film’s hilarious heist and standout performances, promising a fun and entertaining look back at this comedy gem.

Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the movie, we’ve got plenty of laughs and insights to share. Tune in for a splashy good time and see why A Fish Called Wanda still makes waves today!

Plot Summary:
In the 1988 comedy A Fish Called Wanda, directed by Charles Crichton, an ensemble cast led by John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin delivers a hilarious tale of crime, deception, and romance. Jamie Lee Curtis stars as Wanda Gershwitz, a seductive and cunning con artist who, along with her lover Otto West (Kevin Kline), a dim-witted, pseudo-intellectual American, teams up with George Thomason (Tom Georgeson), a British gangster, to pull off a lucrative diamond heist in London.

However, when Wanda and Otto double-cross George, hoping to take the diamonds for themselves, things quickly spiral out of control. George is arrested, but not before he secretly moves the diamonds to a hidden location, giving Wanda and Otto no choice but to try to manipulate George's timid and animal-loving accomplice, Ken Pile (Michael Palin), who is fiercely loyal to George and has no intention of divulging the secret.

Wanda decides to seduce George's barrister, Archie Leach (John Cleese), believing he can provide vital information on the diamonds' whereabouts. As Archie, a stuffy, unfulfilled lawyer stuck in a loveless marriage, becomes captivated by Wanda's charms, he unwittingly finds himself caught up in a tangled web of lies, betrayal, and escalating chaos. Meanwhile, Otto, jealous of Wanda's growing attraction to Archie, adds to the pandemonium with his violent outbursts and comically misguided attempts at sabotage.

A Fish Called Wanda combines witty dialogue, slapstick humor, and masterful performances to create a comedic masterpiece that has delighted audiences for decades. Join our podcast review as we revisit this beloved classic and discuss its timeless humor, unforgettable characters, and whether its brilliant blend of wit and farce still entertains today's viewers.

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In this episode of 'Shat the Movies,' we're cranking up the volume and diving into the punk rock chaos of "SLC Punk!" from 1998. Join us as we explore the anarchic adventures of Stevo and Heroin Bob through the conservative streets of Salt Lake City. We'll laugh at the outrageous antics, critique the edgy fashion, and debate whether the film's bold statements about rebellion and conformity still resonate today. It's a raucous trip back to the '90s punk scene you won't want to miss!

Plot Summary:
In the 1998 cult classic SLC Punk!, directed by James Merendino, Matthew Lillard stars as Steven "Stevo" Levy, a rebellious young punk living in the conservative heart of Salt Lake City, Utah, during the 1980s. Stevo, along with his best friend Bob (Michael A. Goorjian), navigates the underground punk scene, pushing back against the expectations of their parents, society, and the straight-laced Mormon culture that surrounds them.

The film follows Stevo and Bob as they embrace the chaos of their lifestyle, engaging in anti-establishment antics, getting into fights, and throwing themselves into a world of drugs, music, and countercultural rebellion. While Stevo’s lawyer father (Christopher McDonald) pressures him to follow a more conventional path by attending Harvard Law School, Stevo remains committed to living out his anarchist philosophy, rejecting what he sees as the hypocrisy and conformity of mainstream society.

As Stevo recounts his journey through a series of vignettes, the film captures the highs and lows of a punk's life in a city that's far from a punk haven. His relationships with his girlfriend, Sandy (Jennifer Lien), and the other eccentric characters in the scene, like the junkie Heroin Bob (despite his name, ironically against drug use), add depth and humor to the story.

However, as the reality of their choices begins to take its toll, Stevo is forced to confront the contradictions in his life and the true cost of his rebellion. The film explores the conflict between idealism and growing up, questioning whether it's possible to hold onto one's beliefs in a world that demands compromise.

Join our podcast review of SLC Punk! as we dive into the raw energy, biting humor, and cultural critique of this unique 90s indie film, and explore if its message still resonates today,

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Shat The Movies' Nicolas Cage block continues with a commission for listener Frank F. And if you thought "Con Air" was wild, we dare you to watch "Face/Off." John Woo's stateside directorial debut had Dick and Gene talking about acceptable Dude Wipe usage, the proper order for face-swapping surgery, gratuitous police deaths, and how two women and one man can make a sex sandwich.

Plot Summary: "Face/Off"

In the 1997 action-thriller Face/Off, directed by John Woo, John Travolta stars as Sean Archer, an FBI agent obsessed with capturing Castor Troy, a notorious terrorist played by Nicolas Cage. Years earlier, Troy murdered Archer’s young son, sparking a relentless pursuit. Archer finally captures Troy after a dramatic and intense shootout. However, Archer's victory is bittersweet, as he discovers that Troy has planted a deadly bomb in Los Angeles set to detonate soon, and only Troy’s imprisoned brother, Pollux Troy, knows its location.

To extract the bomb's location, Archer undergoes a radical and secretive surgical procedure to swap faces with the comatose Troy, adopting his enemy’s identity. Disguised as Castor Troy, Archer enters a high-security prison to gain information from Pollux. But the mission goes disastrously wrong when the real Troy awakens from his coma and forces the surgeons to swap his face with Archer’s, taking over his enemy's life. Now, Troy lives freely as Archer, assuming his role in the FBI and infiltrating his family, including his wife, Eve (Joan Allen), and daughter, Jamie (Dominique Swain).

Trapped in Troy's body and on the run, Archer must navigate the criminal underworld to survive, reclaim his true identity, and stop Troy from destroying his life and loved ones. What follows is a gripping game of cat and mouse filled with explosive action, high-speed chases, and intense shootouts. As both men exploit their new identities, they blur the lines between hero and villain, leading to a climactic showdown that tests their limits.

Face/Off delivers a unique blend of psychological drama and over-the-top action, featuring standout performances by Nicolas Cage and John Travolta as they expertly swap roles. Tune into our podcast review to see if this 90s classic still captivates modern audiences with its blend of thrilling action and complex characters

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If Michael Bay movies are orange juice, "Con Air" is orange-juice concentrate—loaded with stars, explosions and plot holes. What else would you expect from Shat The Movies commissioner extraordinaire Frank F?

Simon West's directorial debut had the Shat Crew scratching their heads. The geography makes no sense. The crime makes no sense. The courts make no sense. Even prison had Dick and Gene confounded.

But there was no mystery to the entertainment factor of this summer blockbuster. Cartoon bad guys, over-the-top action sequences, and some of 1997's hottest actors make "Con Air" a standout movie ... even if it isn't a particularly good one.

Plot Summary:

In the 1997 action-packed thriller Con Air, directed by Simon West, Nicolas Cage stars as Cameron Poe, an honorably discharged Army Ranger who is imprisoned after a deadly confrontation defending his wife, Tricia (Monica Potter). After serving eight years, Poe is finally paroled and set to reunite with his family. His trip home, however, takes a dangerous turn when he is placed aboard a prison transport plane, the "Jailbird," filled with some of the most violent and notorious criminals in the country.

John Malkovich co-stars as Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom, a psychopathic mastermind who leads a group of inmates in a daring hijack of the plane. With his fellow convicts, including Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames) and Garland Greene (Steve Buscemi), Cyrus plans to escape to a foreign country, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Poe, who wants no part of the escape but is determined to protect his diabetic cellmate, Baby-O (Mykelti Williamson), and a female guard (Rachel Ticotin), covertly works against the convicts while keeping his identity as a free man a secret.

Meanwhile, U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin (John Cusack) races against time on the ground to stop the convicts from reaching their destination. As Poe navigates the chaos on board, he must outsmart the criminals and take control of the plane to ensure the safety of the innocent people onboard and finally make it home to his family.

Con Air is a high-octane ride filled with explosive action, memorable one-liners, and intense performances from its ensemble cast. Tune in to our podcast review as we dissect the film's over-the-top action sequences, unforgettable characters, and the classic 90s charm that has made it a cult favorite. Does this adrenaline-fueled blockbuster still soar with audiences today?

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“The Little Mermaid” sparked the Disney Renaissance of the ’90s, burning unforgettable songs like “Under The Sea” and “Part of Your World” into the memories of Gen X and Millennials alike.

Since then, Pixar and other studios have pushed animated features to levels we never thought possible. Digital framerates, lighting, sound and design are near perfection, making Disney’s 1989 release feel a little dated.

But old isn’t necessarily bad. So listener Jackson M. posed this question to Shat The Movies: Does a 35-year-old “The Little Mermaid” still hold up? And it was a tough one to answer.

Plot Summary:

In this episode, the Shat Crew explores whether Ariel was a nightmare child, why King Triton entrusted her safety to a singing crab and how Disney handled a teen mermaid’s transition into a human girl.

In the 1989 animated musical classic The Little Mermaid, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, Jodi Benson voices Ariel, a curious and spirited young mermaid princess with an insatiable desire to explore the human world above the sea. As the youngest daughter of King Triton (Kenneth Mars), ruler of the undersea kingdom of Atlantica, Ariel is drawn to the forbidden world of humans, much to her father’s disapproval. She collects human artifacts and dreams of living on land, where she feels she truly belongs.

One night, during a daring exploration, Ariel saves Prince Eric (Christopher Daniel Barnes) from a shipwreck and instantly falls in love with him. Determined to be with Eric, Ariel makes a dangerous pact with Ursula (Pat Carroll), the sea witch. Ursula offers Ariel a chance to become human for three days in exchange for her voice. If Ariel can win Eric’s love and receive a “true love’s kiss” within that time, she will remain human forever; if she fails, she will belong to Ursula.

As Ariel navigates the complexities of the human world with the help of her friends, the lovable Flounder (Jason Marin) and Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright), the Caribbean crab who serves as King Triton’s advisor, she finds herself closer to her dreams. However, Ursula’s treacherous plans threaten not only Ariel’s chance at love but also the entire underwater kingdom.

The Little Mermaid is a timeless tale of courage, love, and self-discovery, featuring unforgettable songs like “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Kiss the Girl,” which won Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Join our podcast review as we dive deep into Ariel’s undersea adventure to see if this Disney classic still enchants audiences today with its magic, music, and message.

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For years, Dick Ebert has been crowing about "Cloak & Dagger" — the video game angle, the spycraft, the majesty of the San Antonio River Walk. Now it's time to see if this 1984 version of a children's movie still holds up.

Starring the late Dabney Coleman, "Cloak & Dagger" transports us to a world where boys kill grown men, berets stop bullets and little girls can carry bombs through airport security.

If all this sounds fun, it is. But there's a sadder side to "Cloak & Dagger." It's a film that made the Shat Crew realize Henry Thomas was doomed to always play a child from a broken home, some guys get to swear sweatpants to work and the parents of Gen X didn't care very much about their children.

Plot Summary:

In the 1984 adventure thriller Cloak & Dagger, directed by Richard Franklin, Henry Thomas stars as Davey Osborne, an imaginative 11-year-old boy with a passion for spy games and video games. Living with his father, Hal Osborne (Dabney Coleman), a busy Air Force officer and widower, Davey often retreats into a fantasy world where he imagines himself as a secret agent on daring missions, guided by his imaginary friend and video game hero, Jack Flack, also played by Coleman.

When Davey stumbles upon a murder and discovers that a cartridge of his favorite game, "Cloak & Dagger," contains secret government information, he is thrust into a real-life spy adventure. As he tries to convince the adults around him that he has uncovered an international espionage plot, Davey finds himself pursued by dangerous agents who will stop at nothing to retrieve the cartridge. Armed only with his quick thinking and inspired by his imaginary hero, Jack Flack, Davey must navigate a world filled with danger and deception to survive.

Along the way, he is joined by his best friend, Kim (Christina Nigra), and together, they must outsmart the sinister spies who have infiltrated his hometown. As the line between fantasy and reality blurs, Davey realizes that he can’t rely solely on his imagination and must summon real courage to confront the threats facing him and protect those he loves.

Cloak & Dagger is a unique blend of childhood adventure, suspense, and 1980s nostalgia, featuring a story that captures the thrill of espionage while exploring themes of bravery, friendship, and the power of imagination. Tune in to our podcast review to revisit this underrated gem and find out if its mix of fantasy and real-life danger still entertains modern audiences today.

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In this episode of Shat the Movies, we tackle Less Than Zero (1987), where college freshman Clay (Andrew McCarthy) comes back to LA to find his ex, Blair (Jami Gertz), and his childhood buddy, Julian (Robert Downey Jr.), deep into cocaine addiction With Julian owing money to the ruthless dealer Rip (James Spader), Clay's mission to help them clean up reveals the wild side of '80s excess. Join us as we dig into the intense story, killer performances, and the movie's spot in the Brat Pack era, all set to an unforgettable soundtrack.

Plot Summary:

In the 1987 drama Less Than Zero, directed by Marek Kanievska and based on Bret Easton Ellis's controversial novel, Andrew McCarthy stars as Clay, a clean-cut college freshman who returns home to Los Angeles for Christmas break. He is immediately pulled back into the troubled world he left behind, filled with the excesses and temptations of the wealthy, decadent 1980s elite. At the center of this world are his two close friends: Julian (Robert Downey Jr.), a charming but self-destructive young man battling a severe drug addiction, and Blair (Jami Gertz), Clay's former girlfriend who is now romantically involved with Julian.

Clay is quickly confronted with the devastating consequences of his friends' choices. Julian, once a promising entrepreneur, is now deeply in debt to a ruthless drug dealer named Rip (James Spader). As Julian spirals further into his addiction, Clay is torn between his desire to help his friend and his growing frustration with the hedonistic lifestyle that seems to be consuming everyone around him. Blair, caught in her own struggles, pleads with Clay to stay and help save Julian, forcing Clay to face the harsh realities of addiction and the consequences of unchecked privilege.

As the trio navigates a world filled with drugs, parties, and moral decay, Clay must decide how far he's willing to go to save his friends from themselves. The film offers a stark look at the hollow core of a generation lost in the pursuit of pleasure and materialism, set against the backdrop of a glittering but soulless Los Angeles.

Less Than Zero is a haunting exploration of friendship, loss, and the dark side of 1980s excess. Join our podcast review as we examine this gritty drama and discuss whether its portrayal of youthful disillusionment and moral ambiguity still resonates with audiences today.

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