OVERHATED
Episode #151: Cutthroat Island (1995)
For decades there was a "pirate movie curse" that doomed every movie that dared to dip its toe into that particular pool. (That curse was ultimately broken by Captain Jack Sparrow, of course.) And the poster child for that pirate movie curse has got to be Renny Harlin's 1995 financial disaster Cutthroat Island. But fortunately we have frequent guest Fred Topel on hand to offer a firm defense of a movie that lost about $100,000,000 and helped destroy an entire production company.
Episode #150: Rambo III (1988)
Once credited as the most expensive movie ever made, Rambo III is now mainly remembered for some uncomfortable political history, but does it hold up as just an enjoyably straightforward action flick? Well, author / humorist / "Effin' Birds" creator Aaron Reynolds is here to plead the film's case.
#149: Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist (2005)
You could probably write a book on the insane headaches that took place on the Exorcist franchise between 2003 and 2005, or you could just listen to this episode of Overhated! Big thanks to reliable ol' Brian Salisbury, of Junkfood Cinema, for picking a film that's not only seasonal (it's October) and topical (Exorcist Part 6 just hit theaters), but also actually deserves a second look.
EPISODE #148: Alien³ (1992)
Few movies of the 1990s have been discussed, debated, and rediscovered as much as Alien³ has. So now it's time for Overhated to take a swing! We cover everything from that infuriating prologue to the rotten way David Fincher was treated by Fox executives, and by "we" I mean me and the co-hosts of a very fun podcast called Puppet Masters / Castle Freaks: Jarrod Hornbeck & Steve Guntli!
Episode #147: Without a Clue (1988)
The hook is great: Dr. Watson is the actual brains behind all the mystery-solving, whereas Holmes is actually a drunken idiot hired to keep the media distracted. And boy do Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley have fun bickering and bantering their way through this unjustly forgotten farce. Big thanks to the illustrious wordsmith C. Robert Cargill for joining me on this one.
Episode #146: Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992)
Very few filmmakers have been able to deliver a "quality streak" of movies like John Carpenter did throughout the 1970s and '80s. Some of the movies made money, some did not; but all of them seem to hold a special place in the hearts of countless movie nerds. (Check the episode for evidence of this epic streak.) But then John Carpenter signed on to make a movie with Chevy Chase, and this movie was the result. Big thanks to regular guest and awards guru Andrew Carden for picking this one.
Episode #145: Great Expectations (1998)
When you're not only adapting but also modernizing the great Charles Dickens (and in only your second feature!) you're bound to go through some headaches. Seems like the great Alfonso Cuaron dealt with all sorts of headaches on Great Expectations, an overhated film chosen by the illustrious and frequent guest Courtney Howard!
Episode #144: Battle: Los Angeles (2011)
Let's face it; it's hard to make an "alien attack!" movie that won't eventually find a few loyal fans out there. It's just a fun sub-genre! Big thanks to first-time guest @BrianJRoan for a great discussion.
EPISODE #143: Poltergeist III (1988)
If you need further evidence that every movie ever released into theaters has at least a handful of sincere fans, here's an episode on the second Poltergeist sequel. Big thanks to returning guest and podcast producer Jim Laczkowski for this amusing episode!
Episode #142: Jurassic Park III (2001)
I said it an entire trilogy ago: JP3 is the second best Jurassic Park movie -- and I still believe that to be true. Big thanks to Spielberg guru Erik Childress for joining me for this one. Lots of potential factors to consider here!
EPISODE #141: The Fan (1981)
The "aging star slasher flick" had a brief run in the early '80s,, while producers were still figuring out what a slasher movie actually was. Here is one such example: a very basic stalker tale with a surprisingly impressive ensemble cast. Not a huge fan of this one, if I'm being honest, so it's a good thing returning guest Andrew Carden (@awardsconnect) is.
Episode #140: Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
I'm sure we'll cover the Space Jam sorta-sequel in a future episode of Overhated, but it won't be anytime soon. Instead it's me and Junkfood Cinema's Brian Salisbury continuing our Looney Tunes talk by focusing on Joe Dante's old-school insane Looney Tunes: Back in Action. This was a fun flick to revisit, I don't mind saying.
Episode #139: Space Jam (1996)
It's been called more advertisement than movie. It's also been called awesomely fun. Frequent guest and movie lunatic Brian Salisbury (of Junkfood Cinema!) is here to discuss one of 1996's most popular / hated movies; the Space Jam.
EPISODE #138: Envy (2004)
Hey, remember that movie Ben Stiller and Jack Black made together? The one about dog poop, dead horses, and uncomfortable emotions? Well I know someone who does, and he lives in France! Big thanks to my pal @JeremieHalimi for this episode.
EPISODE #137: Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)
When an old friend yells "Freddy's Dead is overhated, Weinbergggg!" you simply have to respond. If that's your name, I mean. So on this episode I'm joined by the great Trevor Trujillo { @TrevorTrujillo } and we spend 30+ minutes discussing one of the weirdest Part Sixes you'll ever see.
Episode #136: Fast & Furious (2009)
If it's a sequel that's got a 29% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, odds are I'll be covering it on Overhated with veteran film critic Fred Topel. So start those Diesel engines.
Episode #135: Lord of Illusions (1995)
Most of my conversations with writer / director / podcaster / dad Ben Rock revolve around the movies based on the works of Clive Barker. So that means this episode was pretty much inevitable. I think Rawhead Rex might be next on the docket. Big thank you to all patrons. P.S. check out the audio horror story Catchers on Audible. Ben wrote it with his partner Bob.
Episode #134: 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
Long before the franchise turned into an international lunatic circus that defies all known laws of physics, and rather stylishly I might add, the Fast Furious flicks were all about cars, man. And bros, bro. Speaking of bros., I'm joined by frequent guest Brian "Junkfood Cinema" Salisbury; we normally Bond flicks together, but we also like to break the rules. We're crazy.
Episode #133: Sabotage (2014)
If there's one thing you need to know about film critic Matt Singer, it's that he loves Arnold Schwarzenegger. And also that he has a book about Siskel & Ebert coming out later this year. Anyway here's me and Matt talking about an Arnold flick that arrived and vanished pretty dang quickly. Big thanks to Matt, who will be back to discuss Last Action Hero, and to all listeners.
Episode #132: 16 Blocks (2006)
This workmanlike action flick came and went back in early 2006, but considering it showcases some strong work from a great director, an immortal action star, and several rock-solid character actors, it definitely seems worthy of a revisit. Big thanks to Sonic Cinema's Brian Skutle (@skutlelemur) for guesting on this one, and thanks to the listeners.