Escape From L.A.

Our month honoring the collaborations of director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell draws to a close as co-hosts Jeffery Heatherly and Ryan Houser join me in a discussion of Escape From L.A. (1996). Whereas Escape From New York was slow and serious, this is a fast-paced, campy thrill ride . . . and we love it. Topics of conversation include theories about how the script was written, ridiculous action sequences, special effects of varying quality and what would happen if Randy Newman made a cameo. Whether you're on a surf board or a hang glider, it's an episode you're bound to enjoy!

Big Trouble In Little China

Our month-long tribute to the collaborations of director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell continues as co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I discuss Big Trouble In Little China (1986). While we enjoy it more than Escape From New York, we find this one a bit too convoluted to be a classic. Our typically tangential conversation touches on, among other things, Asian character actors, cheesy theme songs, anticlimactic villain deaths and the TV series Goosebumps. Join us, won't you?

The Thing

Our month-long tribute to the collaborations of director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell continues as co-host G. Warlock Vance and I discuss the sci-fi horror classic The Thing (1982). Topics of conversation include nihilism in the film, the need for communication, Rob Bottin's amazing visual effects and the weather in Antarctica. It's a perfect episode for anyone who goes there.

Escape From New York

This month beloved actor Kurt Russell turns 60. To celebrate, Cinemantics is devoting the month to his collaborations with legendary director John Carpenter. In our first installment, co-hosts Jeffery Heatherly and Ryan Houser join me in a discussion of Escape From New York (1981). Our reception is decidedly lukewarm. We praise Russell and the look of the film but criticize its slow pace and droning soundtrack. We also unearth some nepotism in the film's casting. It's an episode that's truly A#1.