It’s December 24. You’ve already watched Scrooged and Christmas Vacation, and the only holiday options left on Netflix are Santa Paws and those ABC Family Christmas movies where Melissa Joan Hart falls in love with Mario Lopez.
It’s not all bad. Turn off the TV and turn up some classic episodes of Now Playing Podcast. If your relatives complain (or ask what a podcast is) just tell them these shows are holiday-themed. That’ll keep them quiet, and keep you entertained until TBS starts showing A Christmas Story at 8.
Here are 5 Now Playing episodes to stream while waiting for Santa:
Die Hard
That guy was also in a James Bond movie.
Does Die Hard get three recommends? The answer is obvious, but the episode is engaging for its scene-by-scene comparisons to the film’s source material; Roderick Thorp’s “Nothing Lasts Forever.” The Die Hard Retrospective Series also includes a review of Frank Sinatra’s The Detective (the first appearance of Thorp’s hero, Joe Leland) and gets better as the films get worse (there’s plenty to laugh at in A Good Day to Die Hard).
Gremlins
Where did they even learn to read?
Released on Christmas Eve of 2013, the Gremlins episode has hosts Arnie, Stuart and Jakob flashing back to their childhood selves and trying to figure out if they should laugh or cry during Phoebe Cates’ tragic Christmas story. There are clips of people performing that monologue on YouTube. Watch them.
Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2
It never gets old.
Because #GarbageDay.
Batman Returns
Honestly, I’d rather play this SNES game than watch “Batman Returns” again.
Hosts Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob put the spotlight on the Tim Burton sequel that was too dark for McDonalds. This episode is great for its exploration of early 90s Bat-mania and is stacked with behind-the-scenes trivia (Marlon Wayans still gets residuals for this movie?). Highlights include the story of how Batman-obsessed Arnie swayed Stuart into seeing the film, and (spoiler alert) the former’s reaction when Returns turned out to be a bust.
The Aviator
Leo listening to Arnie bash his movie.
Because December 24 is Howard Hughes’ birthday, and because this episode could have been titled The Aviator: Arnie Unleashed. The host begins his verbal assault on Scorsese’s 2004 biopic seconds after the opening credits and refuses to let up during the hourlong episode. He’s not trying to be funny, but his criticisms are hilarious. “I don’t think you’re gonna give this movie one thing Arnie, you really seem out to kill everyone down to the caterer,” co-host Stuart says at the 43-minute mark.
December 23, 2014
Posted by
Jason Latham |
Movies | a good day to die hard, batman returns, Bruce Willis, christmas vacation, Die Hard, Frank Sinatra, garbage day, gremlins, jaws the revenge, leonardo dicaprio, martin scorsese, mcdonalds, Netflix, nothing lasts forever, Now Playing Podcast, phoebe cates, roderick thorpe, scrooged, silent night deadly night, the aviator, The Detective, tim burton |
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As Now Playing Podcast embarks on its nine-part Children of the Corn series, listeners are invited to take part in some behind-the-scenes fun; pointing the stars of the franchise toward their places in the Now Playing archives.
Stars? Actually, yes. It turns out, the cornfields are full of familiar faces. Perhaps the word “stars” is stretching it a bit, but there’s no doubt you’ll recognize some of them.
So, what about that 1984 Children of the Corn film? Which actors and actresses went on to further mention on Now Playing Podcast?
Here’s a look:
Linda Hamilton (Vicky) – The Terminator Retrospective Series
There will never be another Sarah Connor (just try it reboots!). Corn was released in theaters about seven months before The Terminator in 1984, and if it weren’t for her iconic role, it’s likely we wouldn’t be talking about Hamilton again unless Now Playing Podcast ever reviews King Kong Lives.
R.G. Armstrong (Diehl) – Predator Retrospective Series
This actor has a career dating back to the 1950s, with more than 180 credits listed on his IMDB page. But to Now Playing Podcast listeners, he’ll always be remembered as Gen. Phillips, the man who sent Arnold Schwarzenegger and his team of commandoes into the jungle, where they ended up facing the Predator.
Why did he pick Arnold? Cause some damn fool accused him of being the best!
John Franklin (Isaac) – Child’s Play Retrospective Series
Listeners will get to know John Franklin very well during the Corn series, as his turn as Isaac will likely be the role that defines his Hollywood career.
But Franklin did make an appearance in another Now Playing series; he did voice work for the first Child’s Play film. Unfortunately, that’s a series currently locked away in the Now Playing vault.
Courtney Gains (Malachai) – Halloween Retrospective Series and Back to the Future Retrospective Series
Gains is one of those 80s actors that you’ll swear you saw in 100 films. You’re probably right some of the time, the rest of the time you’re mistaking him for Stu Charno or Jason Lively.
But Gains has made a couple of appearances in films reviewed by Now Playing Podcast. He’s got an uncredited role in Rob Zombie’s Halloween and also the first Back to the Future film.
The latter will have you scratching your head, but pop in that disc (or tape?) again and take a look. You’ll see Gains in a pivotal scene. Here’s a hint: Earth Angel.
John Philbin (Amos) – The Return of the Living Dead Retrospective Series
Philbin is another actor that you’ll recognize in several roles, most notably as a member of Patrick Swayze’s gang in Point Break.
But he also played a role in The Return of the Living Dead, which is currently locked away in the Now Playing Podcast vault.
Eric Freeman (Israel, uncredited) – Silent Night, Deadly Night Retrospective Series
Wait, Eric Freeman? That Eric Freeman? Garbage Day Eric Freeman??
Yes, one of the most mocked memorable villains in the annals of Now Playing Podcast makes an uncredited appearance in the first Corn film. Sadly, he doesn’t get the chance to speak his most famous two-word line.
But you can enjoy the best/worst that Freeman offers as an actor during Now Playing’s hilarious 2012 holiday series. Enjoy Arnie’s Christmas jingles!
That does it for Children of the Corn. Did we miss anyone? If you spot an actor or actress with a connection to Now Playing Podcast leave a comment and help a fellow listener!
August 20, 2014
Posted by
Jason Latham |
News, Now Playing Podcast | arnold schwarzenegger, back to the future, child's play, Children of the Corn, courtney gains, eric freeman, garbage day, Halloween, john franklin, john philbin, king kong lives, linda hamilton, Now Playing Podcast, point break, predator, r.g. armstrong, return of the living dead, sarah connor, silent night deadly night, stu charno, terminator |
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