Episode 208 - NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION

It's that time...Christmastime is here...and we're saying hip hip hooray to the holiday hijinks of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. No yuletide tradition is safe from the film's combination of sardonic wit and slapstick hysteria, creating the perfect storm of holiday stress that feels exhaustingly relatable to this day.

But don't despair - there's still plenty of genuine Christmas spirit too! Our buddy Jake Beal returns to offer his perspective on the highs and lows of all our cherished holiday rituals. Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Directed by Jeremiah Chechik
Written by John Hughes
Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Diane Ladd, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, William Hickey, Mae Questel, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brian Doyle-Murray, and Randy Quaid

Episode 201 - TITAN A.E.

Don Bluth's directorial swan song Titan A.E. straddles the line between two eras of animation, merging  hand-drawn and computer-generated visuals to create a look befitting its extremely-Y2K style, soundtrack, and overall attitude.

We blast off with John Parton and Ace Cordova to chart a course for the future of humanity...or at least the future of big-budget epics from animation auteurs!

Titan A.E. (2000)
Directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman
Written by Ben Edlund, John August, and Joss Whedon
Story by Hans Bauer and Randall McCormick
Starring Matt Damon, Drew Barrymore, Bill Pullman, Nathan Lane, Janeane Garofalo, Ron Perlman, Tone Loc, and John Leguizamo

Episode 200 - PULP FICTION

Pulp Fiction is the film that changed the way we watched films. It was a gateway to a more sophisticated world of adult storytelling, and still reflects many of the reasons why we became cinephiles. Tastier than a Royale with Cheese, more precious than your great-grandfather's gold watch, it's our 200th episode special!

Pulp Fiction (1994)
Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino
From a story by Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary
Starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, Maria de Medeiros, and Quentin Tarantino

Episode 198 - THE NINJA TURTLE KNOCKOFF-OFF

It's Anthropomorph Madness! Nate Tapp helps us narrow down a bracket of eight animated talking-animal teams with attitude, until we crown a champion of The Ninja Turtle Knockoff-Off. Biker mice, steroidal sharks, alien hockey-playing ducks - we've got 'em all and more in this crazy critter clash!

Episodes included in this podcast:

Street Sharks - "Sharkstorm" (1994)
vs.
Extreme Dinosaurs - "Fossil Fooled" (1997)

Episode 196 - SPIDER-MAN 2

Spider-Man 2 brought a special blend of boldface emotion, action, and humor straight from the comics to the cinemas - and superhero films have never been the same. Newly-minted Ten Timers Club member Sam Stovold will turn you into a true believer as we try to discover the hero in all of us.

Spider-Man 2
Directed by Sam Raimi
Written by Alvin Sargent
Story by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar and Michael Chabon
Starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, and Alfred Molina

Episode 193 - CLIFFHANGER

Buckle up, rock jocks, because we like it extreme! This time, we're scaling the intense heights of '90s action thrillers with Cliffhanger. Once we get a grip on the ups and downs of this high altitude heist, it's not a long leap to conversations on the legacy of Sylvester Stallone and the burly brand of action cinema he helped popularize. 

The ApeCast's very own Geoff Clarke comes to our rescue in his WWWW debut, so hang on and hang out as he helps our podcast realize its peak potential.

Cliffhanger (1993)
Directed by Renny Harlin
Written by Michael France and Sylvester Stallone
Starring Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, Michael Rooker, Janine Turner, Rex Linn, Caroline Goodall, Leon, Craig Fairbrass, Ralph Waite, and Paul Winfield

Episode 191 - NAPOLEON DYNAMITE

In 2004, Napoleon Dynamite was something rarer than a liger and more precious than a working time machine: a nationwide word-of-mouth hit. Its deadpan humor, quirky characters, and tacky aesthetics add up to an infinitely quotable 95-minute mixtape of wholesome Americana and nostalgic ephemera. And along the way, it becomes an emotionally rewarding journey of surviving teenage exasperation, embarrassment, and slack-jawed boredom. Lucky!

We listen to our hearts as Jack Stovold helps make all our wildest podcast dreams come true. It's probably the best episode we've ever done.

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Directed by Jared Hess
Written by Jared and Jerusha Hess
Starring Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino, Haylie Duff, Shondrella Avery, and Diedrich Bader

Episode 189 - WWF vs. WCW: THE MONDAY NIGHT WAR

Stop us if this sounds familiar: impossibly muscled heroes in tights do battle with colorful villains, their operatic exploits unfolding over years and decades of serialized, heavily mythologized storylines. Even jabronis know that professional wrestling is as "fake" as any superhero comic - and just essential to the canon of American childhood. Never was this clearer than the late '90s heyday of the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling, two brash companies whose head-to-head showdown for TV wrestling supremacy catapulted the artform to new heights of popularity, creativity, and controversy. 

Cody Stallings tags in to give us a crash course on the WWF-WCW rivalry, as we grapple with its most shocking swerves and fiercest feuds in this pay-per-view-length episode. And that's the bottom line, 'cause WWWW said so!

Matches discussed in this podcast:
WCW Bash at the Beach 1996 - The Outsiders vs. Sting, Lex Luger, and Randy Savage
WWF Survivor Series 1997 - Bret "Hitman" Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
WWF King of the Ring 1998 - The Undertaker vs. Mankind (Hell in a Cell)
WCW Thunder, April 26, 2000 - Jeff Jarrett and Eric Bischoff vs. Diamond Dallas Page and David Arquette

Episode 186 - THE PARENT TRAP (1998)

If remakes are like cinematic offspring, then 1998's The Parent Trap is full of youthful exuberance. Already notable for launching the acting career of Lindsey Lohan and the directorial career of Nancy Meyers, the film is determined to be a spunkier, more worldly version of its forebear, while sneaking in a complex adult romance alongside its tween twin hijinks.

Jenny Rudloff joins our WWWW family - and it's like discovering a long-lost sibling as we get together (yeah, yeah, yeah) to discuss the movie's queer subtexts and question the parenting strategies in this mischievous Disney flick.

The Parent Trap (1998)
Directed by Nancy Meyers
Written by David Swift and Nancy Meyers & Charles Shyer
Based on Lottie and Lisa by Erich Kastner and The Parent Trap (1961)
Starring Lindsey Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, Lisa Ann Walter, Simon Kunz, and Elaine Hendrix

Episode 183 - MORPH MADNESS: THE TOKUSATSU TOURNAMENT

We're talkin' tokusatsu in our latest bracket, a tribute to the American shows that tried to ride the coattails of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers -- and to the Japanese shows that originated these transforming teams and their giant vehicles. 

Our friend Gensho Tasaka returns to help us judge eight different franchises in a contest of sentai supremacy. Assemble your squad for this cross-cultural collision of masked action heroes. It's...Morph Madness!

Episodes included in this podcast:

Choriki Sentai Ohranger - "King Gallant's Entrance" (1995)
Power Rangers Zeo - "The Power of Gold" (1996)

vs.

Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation - "East Meets West, Part 3" (1997)

---

Kamen Rider Black RX - "Shadow Moon!" (1989)
Masked Rider - "Super Gold, Part 2" (1996)

vs.

B-Fighter Kabuto - "Vow!! Heated Stag Battle" (1996)
Beetleborgs Metallix - "Battle Station Alert" (1997)

---

Jikuu Senshi Spielban - "A Shocking Pair! The Crystallized Combination!" (1986)
VR Troopers - "The Battle Begins, Part 2" (1994)

vs. 

Gridman the Hyper Agent - "I Don't Like Sports and Such" (1993)
Superman Samurai Syber-Squad - "Samurize, Guys!" (1994)

---

Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills - "In the Beginning..." (1994)

vs.

Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog - "Tyrune Returns" (1998)

Episode 182 - BACK TO THE FUTURE

Great Scott! It's about darn time we talked about a pop culture giant like Back to the Future. And folks, this episode is heavy...with discussions of memories and memorabilia, characters and quotes, trivia and themes, all infused with the power of love.

Amy Ambler hops in our DeLorean for a trip back in time - and into a perennial cinematic comfort zone. Trust us, when this podcast hits 182 episodes, you're gonna hear some serious shit.

Back to the Future (1985)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Written by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis
Starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson, James Tolkan, Claudia Wells, and Huey Lewis

Episode 180 - STARSHIP TROOPERS

One of the most misunderstood films of its time - and perhaps of all time - is Starship Troopers, a loud, brutish sci-fi/action blockbuster that slyly satirizes the genre's political and moral absolutism. Scratch at the layers of hyper-violent bombast (and Day-Glo bug guts), and it doesn't take long to find a scathing indictment of fascism, nationalism, and the military-industrial complex. 

We drop into a new year of 'casting with new recruit Alex Rodriguez, and savor our first encounter with action cinema's Dutch master, Paul Verhoeven. Would you like to know more? Then do your part and enlist with our loyal army of listeners!

Starship Troopers (1997)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Written by Ed Neumeier
Based on the novel by Robert A. Heinlein
Starring Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, Neil Patrick Harris, Jake Busey, Patrick Muldoon, Clancy Brown, Seth Gilliam, and Michael Ironside

Episode 179 - THE RANKIN/BASS RANK-A-THON

We're making ranked lists...checking them twice...introducing our new thematic device: the Rank-A-Thon has come to our pod! We're doing a thorough breakdown of four vintage Rankin/Bass animated specials, and evaluating them in a wide array of aesthetic, narrative, and festive categories. And we couldn't do it without the help of our old Christmas confidant, Nate Tapp!

We conclude a banner year with this massive holiday extravaganza, and the crowning of a champion among classics. But don't you worry...we'll be back again someday.

Holiday specials included in this episode:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (1970)
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)

Episode 172 - SPICE WORLD v. GLITTER

How far will you go to defend your fandom? That's the question on our minds in this star vehicle showdown between Spice World and Glitter, two oft-maligned movies that deserve their long overdue day in court. And we've got the perfect stans to give us the case for each, as Matt Steele stands up for his beloved Spice Girls, and Matt Palmer goes to bat for his number one, Mariah Carey.

The Two Gay Matts unite for the first time on WWWW, and engage in a musical debate full of heartfelt entreaties, stunning rebuttals, and #JusticeForGlitter (and for Sporty Spice, too). If you're not a Wannabe, you'll get with these Loverboys - and feel their passion for pop music queens!

Spice World (1997)

Directed by Bob Spiers

Produced by Uri Fruchtmann, Mark Rosen, and Barnaby Thompson

Written by Kim Fuller

Starring Melanie Brown, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell, Richard E. Grant, Alan Cumming, Claire Rushbrook, George Wendt, Mark McKinney, and Roger Moore

Glitter (2001)

Directed by Vondie Curtis Hall

Produced by Laurence Mark

Written by Kate Lanier

Starring Mariah Carey, Max Beesley, Da Brat, Tia Texada, Ann Magnuson, Eric Benet, and Terrence Howard

Episode 169 - NICKELODEON GAMESHOW SHOWDOWN

Kiddie competitions clash in our Nickelodeon Gameshow Showdown! We're serving up a bracket of eight iconic TV contests full of elaborate sets, screaming studio audiences, and lots of slime. Only one game show can be the final champion, as we put our own competitive twist on Nick's most memorable efforts to expand the possibilities of playtime.

Our grand prize guest, Brian Rudloff, has the guts to take on this (physical) challenge, and makes a legendary mark on this wild and crazy episode!

Episodes included in this podcast:

Global GUTS - "Angel vs. Alexey vs. Ana" (1995)
Get the Picture - "Nick & Amy vs. Jason & Kelli" (1991)

Family Double Dare - "Texas Twisters vs. Virginia Dares" (1992)
Nick Arcade - "Gina & Derek vs. Quincey & Robert" (1992)

What Would You Do? - "Making Sound Effects" (1993)
Wild & Crazy Kids - "Wild Rivers Water Show" (1990)

Figure It Out - "11 Pounds of Watermelon/Sour Milk Signal" (1997)
Legends of the Hidden Temple - "The Metal Beard of the Egyptian Queen" (1995)

Episode 163 - DUNSTON CHECKS IN

No monkey business is too silly for Dunston Checks In, a film that takes pride in the commitment and craft of its slapstick hijinks. It feels as familiar as any movie pairing kids with mischievous animal pals—in this case, a trained orangutan forced to help his handler rob the guests of a luxury hotel. Yet it also remains a quasi-parody of said formula, blowing raspberries at the more wholesome conventions of its genre.

We extend our hospitality to Ryan Kasmiskie, co-host of No One Can Know About This, who makes his WWWW debut to express his appreciation of the film's many unique amenities. Join the orangu-gang and enjoy this five-star episode!

Dunston Checks In (1996)
Directed by Ken Kwapis
Produced by Todd Black and Joe Wizan
Written by John Hopkins and Bruce Graham
Starring Jason Alexander, Rupert Everett, Paul Reubens, Eric Lloyd, Graham Sack, Glenn Shadix, Nathan Davis, and Faye Dunaway

Episode 160 - JUMANJI

What year is it!? As the calendar turns to a new decade, we remain comfortably ensconced in the past with one of our most beloved stars. Robin Williams guides us through the perils and pitfalls of the darkest jungle in Jumanji, which transforms the whimsy of a classic children's book into action-packed pathos that's mainly for the adults.

Debuting guest Matt Polizzi joins us in this safari of cinematic, literary, and gaming nostalgia, as we invite all those who seek to find a way to leave the present behind. Jumanji!

Jumanji (1995)
Directed by Joe Johnston
Produced by Scott Kroopf and William Teitler
Written by Jonathan Hensleigh and Greg Taylor & Jim Strain
Based on the children's book by Chris Van Allsburg
Starring Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, Bebe Neuwirth, Jonathan Hyde, Patricia Clarkson, and David Alan Grier

Episode 150 - THE LION KING

From the day we arrived on this podcast, we've done our best to honor the spirit of the pop culture we enjoyed as kids. Even after five years and 150 episodes of heroic overthinking and nostalgia-fueled biases, we're still realizing there is more to see than could ever be seen through our younger eyes, and The Lion King is certainly no exception. It is arguably the alpha of contemporary Disney animation: an artistic and technological landmark that audiences continue to find in its lofty place along the unwinding path of cinema history.

It's the perfect subject for this milestone episode, which includes a look back at some of the other topics that moved us through despair and hope, while you--our wonderful listeners--sustained us with your faith and love. We're psyched to keep digging into the past, often ending up back where we started in a journey that's often wistful and joyous and bittersweet, almost as if we were traversing some kind of life-giving sphere. Remember who you are, and soak in our anniversary celebration!

The Lion King (1994)
Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
Produced by Don Hahn
Written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton
Starring Matthew Broderick, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Moira Kelly, Rowan Atkinson, Robert Guillaume, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, Jim Cummings, Madge Sinclair, and James Earl Jones

Episode 146 - GODZILLA

Before "reboot" entered the average moviegoer's vocabulary, the 1998 American version of Godzilla traded on the appeal of a beloved cultural icon while treading all over its cinematic legacy with Hollywood brashness. And whether you appreciate the big lizard's unapologetic makeover or hate it with the atomic passion of a French nuclear weapons test, most of us can agree: this movie has a kick-ass soundtrack.

Daren Sprawls joins us for a verbal rampage through some skyscraper-sized opinions, and also lends his artistic talents to a medley of songs from Godzilla: The Album. It's our biggest musical bonus to date...because size does matter.

Godzilla (1998)
Directed by Roland Emmerich
Produced by Dean Devlin
Written by Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin
Starring Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn, Michael Lerner, Arabella Field, Doug Savant, Vicki Lewis, and Harry Shearer

Episode 143 - THE SANDLOT: Tequila! Edition

The wait for another commentary/drinking game episode has been killin' us (Smalls), but finally the time has come for The Sandlot: Tequila! Edition. We celebrate Eric's birthday with this ageless classic about friendship and the promise of the perfect summer. Nate Tapp joins us in the dugout to sip cold brews, swap childhood stories, and occasionally pay attention to the action unfolding before us. It's just like attending a baseball game!

Drinking game rules:

You're Killing Me, Smalls!
Take one drink whenever Smalls does something embarrassing. This will depend on your personal tolerance for L-7 weenies.

Unleash the Beast
Drink whenever the Beast is seen, heard, or mentioned: including flashbacks!

A Voice Is Telling Me To
Each time adult Smalls chimes in with voiceover narration, take a drink.

I'll Have What He's Having
Timmy loves to ape his brother Tommy. Let's all indulge in groupthink and take a sip whenever he sounds like a broken record.

The Seventh-Inning Quench
Podcast heroes get remembered, but podcast legends never die. Stand up and toast the Great Bambino when he appears in Benny's dream by finishing your current beverage.

Tequila!
Take a shot of your favorite tequila during the carnival ride scene. For best results, do not mix with chewing tobacco.

The Sandlot (1993)
Directed by David M. Evans
Produced by Dale De La Torre and William S. Gilmore
Written by David M. Evans and Robert Gunter
Starring Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, Chauncey Leopardi, Marty York, Brandon Adams, Grant Gelt, Victor Di Mattia, Shane Obedzinski, Karen Allen, Denis Leary, Marley Shelton, Art LaFleur, and James Earl Jones