Episode 232 - JACK

Our self-proclaimed Robin Williams Man-Child Quadrilogy concludes with a look at Jack, the story of a 10 year old boy trapped in the rapidly-aging body of a full grown adult. We try to make sense of the film's unusual tonal mosaic, which combines weighty topics like loneliness and mortality with family-friendly hijinks and juvenile humor, and mashes it all together like spaghetti and toothpaste. 

And in the end, we simply must acknowledge that our podcast life is fleeting - so make a wish, think of Robin, and join us as we try to make this episode spectacular.

Jack (1996)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Written by James DeMonaco and Gary Nadeau
Starring Robin Williams, Diane Lane, Brian Kerwin, Jennifer Lopez, Fran Drescher, Adam Zolotin, and Bill Cosby

Episode 203 - TOYS

It's good to know what you're getting into with Toys, a surprisingly adult-oriented movie built around the childlike whimsy of Robin Williams in an especially impish performance. It's an elaborate and impractical contraption that dazzles with stunning visuals and zany comedy, even as it departs from its family-friendly roots early and often.

Kev Young joins us for this Christmas in July special to talk about misdirection, mischief, and the militarization of our youthful fascinations!

Toys (1992)
Directed by Barry Levinson
Written by Barry Levinson and Valerie Curtin
Starring Robin Williams, Michael Gambon, Joan Cusack, Robin Wright, LL Cool J, Arthur Malet, Jamie Foxx, and Donald O’Connor

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 145 - ALADDIN

Aladdin promised a whole new world of narrative possibilities for Disney's resurgent animation division. It expanded the studio's fantastic point of view beyond traditional European folktales while soaring and tumbling with a freewheeling attitude perfectly suited to the '90s. And with no one telling improvisational genius Robin Williams "no," the film had nowhere to go but into the endless diamond sky of our warmest childhood memories.

It's an indescribable feeling as Sean Davis shares his shining, shimmering, splendid insights on this treasured Disney classic. We've got plenty of new horizons to pursue, so come join us on this magic carpet ride!

 

Aladdin (1992)
Directed and produced by Ron Clements and John Musker
Written by Ron Clements & John Musker and Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
Starring Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman, Frank Welker, Gilbert Gottfried, Douglas Seale, and Robin Williams

Episode 131 - MRS. DOUBTFIRE

Robin Williams spends the bulk of Mrs. Doubtfire demonstrating the many acting talents from his own résumé as his character vies to retain custody of his children in the guise of an elderly female housekeeper. The perfect vehicle for a beloved entertainer with a deep well of voices and slapstick chops, this poignant divorce dramedy sees the comedian don matronly movie makeup to prove his paternal prowess and remind us why he felt like a filmic father figure to a generation.

In keeping with the theme of family, we welcome our first guest appearance from a sibling! Eric's sister, Amy Ambler, joins us to bring the fourth and final round of our Robin Round Robin full circle with another Williams classic. He's the true champion in the eyes of these nostalgic podcasters, but we invite dissenting opinions! If Mrs. Doubtfire teaches us anything, it's that people can have their differences and keep their distance... and that's okay.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Directed by Chris Columbus
Produced by Marsha Garces Williams, Robin Williams, and Mark Radcliffe
Written by Randi Mayem Singer and Leslie Dixon
Based on Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine
Starring Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, Robert Prosky, Lisa Jakub, Matthew Lawrence, and Mara Wilson

Episode 128 - HOOK

Welcome back to Neverland, Pan the Man! Long considered a black sheep in Steven Spielberg's filmography, Hook is a touchstone for countless '90s kids who dreamed of living in an awesome treehouse and hanging out with Robin Williams. It's an all-out smorgasbord for the juvenile ego, full of insult battles, mincing pirates, and food-based weaponry.

It's also the perfect place to launch our latest themed month: the Robin Round Robin! In round one, Mr. Williams awakens the inner child in all of us, while special guest Brian Rudloff helps us recover some of our earliest movie-going memories. Bangarang!

Hook (1991)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Gerald R. Molen
Written by Jim V. Hart and Malia Scotch Marmo
Based on Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
Starring Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Bob Hoskins, Julia Roberts, Charlie Korsmo, Amber Scott, Caroline Goodall, Dante Basco, and Maggie Smith

Episode 71 - FLUBBER

The '90s were halcyon days for the movie star, so it was no surprise that Disney had confidence in Robin Williams to breathe new life into one of its more dated midcentury comedies. The name-above-the-title clout was paired with cutting-edge visual effects and enough marketing muscle to indoctrinate young minds with images of mambo-ing green homunculi.

So why is this John Hughes-scripted movie often relegated to the bench of Williams' filmography? Where are all the Professor Brainard cosplayers at Disneyland? Wither Flubber? We answer that last question with a "hopefully not" as we pick apart this sentimental science fair of slapstick.

Flubber (1997)
Directed by Les Mayfield
Produced by John Hughes and Ricardo Mestres
Written by John Hughes
Original screenplay The Absent-Minded Professor by Bill Walsh
Based on "A Situation of Gravity" by Samuel W. Taylor
Starring Robin Williams, Marcia Gay Harden, Christopher McDonald, Raymond J. Barry, Ted Levine, Clancy Brown, Wil Wheaton, and Jodi Benson

Episode 3 - FERNGULLY: THE LAST RAINFOREST

1992's environmental extravaganza really is a lot like Avatar...but it's also so much more.  This week, we'll talk about the unique charms of this scrappy animated underdog that left its mark on a green generation.

Also: a brief Robin Williams tribute, who appears in the film as the voice of the magnificently manic Batty Koda.

FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
Directed by Bill Kroyer
Produced by Peter Faiman and Wayne Young
Written by Jim Cox
Starring the voices of Jonathan Ward, Samantha Mathis, Tim Curry, and Robin Williams