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Three playful movie reviewers break down a variety of film franchises by dedicating a podcast to every single sequel, reboot, and spin-off in a series. In-depth conversations cover production history, literary sources, gossip, merchandising, and personal opinion with humor and critical insight. No cinematic universe is too obscure or sacred! Over 1,200 reviews at http://nowplayingpodcast.com
Copyright: © Venganza Media, Inc.
A pyramid under the Antarctic ice sounds like a James Bond villain's lair.
After Freddy vs. Jason proved that horror crossovers could rake in serious cash, 20th Century Fox fast-tracked another long-anticipated showdown: Alien vs. Predator. Having already clashed in comic books and video games, cinema’s most iconic extraterrestrials finally shared the screen in a battle set beneath the Antarctic ice. Blending the mythology of the Alien and Predator franchises, the film centers on an ancient Predator rite of passage, with a team of human explorers caught in the middle, including Charles Bishop Weyland, played by Lance Henriksen. But does this cinematic face-off deliver the ultimate fan fantasy, or does combining two distinct horror legacies dilute what made each great? Arnie, Brock, and Stuart enter the pyramid to decide whether this crossover earns its place in genre history or collapses under the weight of its own concept.
Remember 1997 when the Jamaican gangs were terrorizing Los Angeles and everyone was carrying guns in the 105 degree heat? Well you can relive those days along with Arnie, Stuart, and Brock as they review the period piece–Predator 2! In that summer of 1997 a Predator came to Los Angeles on a hunt for the toughest in Los Angeles, and it only makes sense that he would pick Danny Glover as the alpha male for him to best. With an all-star cast including Bill Paxton and Gary Busey, Predator 2 is not a film to be missed! Or is it…? Listen to Now Playing to find out!
{Predator Series}
Arnold isn't available? Then get me Danny Glover!!
Remember 1997? The heat was 105 degrees, gangs ruled the streets of Los Angeles, and everyone was packing serious firepower. Relive those days along with Arnie, Stuart, and Brock as they review the period piece Predator 2. This sequel swaps jungle foliage for urban warfare as the alien hunter sets its sights on L.A., targeting what it sees as the city’s toughest prey: Danny Glover. With Bill Paxton and Gary Busey joining the cast, the film aims to escalate the action and expand the Predator mythology beyond the original’s jungle showdown. But does moving the hunt to the city streets make for a worthy follow-up, or does it prove that lightning rarely strikes twice? Arnie, Stuart, and Brock patrol the concrete jungle to decide whether Predator 2 is an underrated continuation or a sequel that misses its target.
An invisible alien Predator hunts a team of super-commandos in a Central American jungle, and it must be some hunter to take on Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Richard Chaves, Jesse Ventura, and Arnold Schwarzenegger! This film introduced a new sci-fi staple into our cultural lexicon, a creature that has gone on to appear in tons of comic books, video games, and a crossover movie franchise, but was this original entry worthy of such a legacy? Listen to find out!
{Predator Series}
Starring...Rich Little as the Predator!
An invisible alien hunter stalks a squad of elite commandos in the jungle in Predator. And it’s no lightweight prey. The creature takes on a lineup that includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Richard Chaves, and Jesse Ventura in a showdown that blends macho action with sci-fi horror. What starts as a straightforward military mission turns into a survival thriller that introduces one of the most enduring monsters of the last few decades. The Predator would go on to headline sequels, comic books, video games, and even crossover franchises. But does the original film earn that legacy on its own merits, or is its reputation built more on the creature than the story? The hosts head into the jungle to decide whether this hunt still delivers the heat.
Over 25 years after Danielsan first craned kicked his way into movie history comes this remake of The Karate Kid, starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. Shot on location in China and featuring Kung Fu instead of Karate, this reboot of the franchise hopes to pack the same punch with a new generation of moviegoers. Does this retelling of the story for modern audiences have the same heart that makes the original the classic it is today, or is this just another Hollywood remake that misses the point? Listen in and find out!
{Karate Kid Series}
Let that be a lesson to you kids - always hang up your jacket!
More than 25 years after Daniel LaRusso swept the leg and crane-kicked his way into pop culture, The Karate Kid arrives as a new-generation reboot. This time, the story moves to China, trades karate for kung fu, and stars Jaden Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness) alongside Jackie Chan (Rush Hour) in the mentor role made famous by Pat Morita in the 1984 original. Filmed on location in Beijing and aiming for a broader international scale, the remake keeps the underdog framework but shifts the cultural backdrop and fighting style. Does this retelling capture the heart and emotional punch that made the original a classic, or is it another remake that understands the moves but not the meaning? The hosts step onto the mat to decide.
Arnie interviews Heather Langenkamp about the Nightmare on Elm Street documentary Never Sleep Again! And as a bonus, we have a never-before released interview with Robert Englund!
{Nightmare on Elm St Series}
One, two, Arnie's interviewing you...
As part of our Nightmare on Elm Street retrospective, Arnie sits down with franchise icons Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund for two candid, revealing interviews that go far beyond boiler room scares. Heather reflects on stepping back into Nancy’s world as executive producer and star of the documentary I Am Nancy, what it meant to revisit New Nightmare and play a version of herself, and how the character of Nancy Thompson evolved from final girl to feminist horror icon. She also discusses her complicated relationship with horror, the responsibility of legacy, and why the Elm Street fanbase continues to matter decades later.
Then Robert Englund joins the show to talk Freddy’s cultural staying power, the tonal shift of the sequels, voice acting in projects like animated superhero series, and the strange, wonderful career that followed putting on the fedora and glove. From low-budget horror comedies to comic-con crowds, Englund is sharp, funny, and surprisingly reflective about what Freddy represents and whether the character should be reborn for a new generation.
Two legends. One franchise. And a look at how a dream demon turned into a cinematic institution.
In 1994 The Karate Kid tried to be the comeback kid in this soft rebooting of the series. Gone is the aging protagonist played by Ralph Macchio, and he has been replaced by future Academy Award winning actress Hillary Swank in her first starring role. And back is Mr. Miyagi with his wisdom and unlikely training methods. This film failed to catch on in theaters, but with a new reboot of The Karate Kid coming out next week was The Next Karate Kid an unappreciated classic? Listen in and find out!
{Karate Kid Series}
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