We're celebrating the car chase in films in this episode of the podcast, with the movie that defined what a film car chase should be, and is still influencing moviemakers today, 1968's "Bullitt!" Directed by Peter Yates, and starring Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Duvall, Simon Oakland, Norman Fell, and George Stanford Brown, it's a trip back to the end of the 60s in San Francisco! Plus minor supporting roles by Vic Tayback, stuntman Bill Hickman, a cameo appearances by Julie Christy, and a first-ever cinematic appearance from Joanna Cassidy! And accompanied by a Lalo Schifrin score, this movie is an ode to police work at the turn of the decade, even if one of our geeks feels the romantic storyline was shoehorned in. :)

It's the second of our looks at the comedy work of the one, the only, Bill Murray, in 1993's "Groundhog Day!" Directed and co-written by long-time friend Harold Ramis, Murray plays weatherman Phil Connors who gets stuck in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, reliving the same day, and having to cover the groundhog, over and over and over and over and over... but ultimately for good reason. Co-written by Danny Rubin, and co-starring Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brian Doyle-Murray, Rick Ducommun, and Rick Overton, this film has such an ultimately funny AND profound message that some major world religions think it represents tenets of their individual philosophies! Plus, it has some of the most quotable lines ever to come from a Bill Murray movie! And finally, the trio disclose the first full pairing of their second hundred episodes, coming up next!!
Happy 100th episode! To celebrate, we're focusing on the genius work from actor and comedian Bill Murray, starting with his 1981 blockbuster hit "Stripes!" When a disaffected slacker decides to join the army, and drags his best friend with him, it could be a train-wreck, but with Ivan Reitman at the helm, and Bill Murray and Harold Ramis as the stars, it becomes one of the best comedies in American cinema! Co-starring John Candy, John Larroquette, P.J. Soles, Sean Young, John Diehl, Judge Reinhold, and the amazing Warren Oates, this was an anthem for the beginning of the Reagan era by poking holes in the idea that the military was the solution for everything, for everyone! And with Elmer Bernstein providing the orchestral musical score, this movie provides an fantastic viewing experience even now!
The second in our look back at fantasy films of the 80s feels very different from our first! This time, it's Christianity as the background for a tale of corruption in the church and a pair of cursed lovers in 1985's "Ladyhawke!" Directed by Richard Donner, written by Edward Khmara, Michael Thomas, and Tom Mankiewicz, this film seems almost haphazardly cast, and yet it works! In the lead roles are a young Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Supporting them are Leo McKern, John Wood, Ken Hutchison, and a very young Alfred Molina! Again, the background aspects of the film (costumes, art direction, and sets) bring this story to life in the imaginary land of Aquila. And, like our previous episode, the score brings a unique feel to the movie, with its sometimes-medieval and sometimes-modern sound and rhythm, but when you have the legendary Alan Parsons as the producer, you're bound to get something that's a bit different! And, finally, the trio announce the results of their search for an appropriate pairing for the 100th episode, coming up next!

