World War II Movie Night

Latest Episodes:

67. "Midway" (2019) Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

Strap in for tonight's episode, which yields some interesting facts. A German immigrant made a string of absurdly successful American movies ("Independence Day," e.g.), all the while pining for his passion project: a movie about the Battle of Midway and World War II in the Pacific. No studios would bite, but after securing $100 million from investors (lots of it Chinese money), Roland Emmerich made and released "Midway" in 2019. It bombed. Neither critics nor audiences were kind. However, despite its flaws, there are some unexpected strengths to "Midway," especially for us at World War II Movie Night... Asides include pop starlets who insist they exist, John Wayne, and Buddy Holly.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

Check out our Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight

66. "From Here to Eternity" (1953) Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

Tonight's selection, 1953's "From Here to Eternity," is many things: one of the most popular movies of its decade, one of the best novel-to-screen adaptations ever, one of the best casts in history... and probably the drunkest movie we've ever done on World War II Movie Night.

Officers and enlistees at the Schofield Barracks are surrounded by paradise, but all is not well. The local nightlife proves a welcome distraction from their problems, as they wonder if the expanding war will make it to them (spoiler alert: it does)... asides include some relationship advice, Sheriff Lobo, and my unexpected ignorance of "The Godfather."

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

Check out our Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight

65. "The Final Countdown" (1980) Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

Well let's give it another try.

The last time we mixed World War II with a sci-fi thriller we got 1984's "The Philadelphia Experiment," kind of a misbegotten episode. It's safe to say we did better with tonight's "The Final Countdown," a 1980 popcorn pic that sees a modern aircraft carrier traveling back in time to Pearl Harbor. Lots of familiar faces in this one, and a plentitude of military equipment (so much so this movie actually served as a recruitment tool, a la "Top Gun").

Asides include Beavis & Butthead, Superfly, and a 1979 horror film based on the 'The call's coming from inside the house!' urban legend.

64. "Come and See" (1985) Aug 25, 2022

Show notes

Come and see "Come and See"!

Tonight we tackle what's considered one of the most disturbing movies ever made. This 1985 Soviet production portrays what happened in Belarusian villages when the Nazis came to Russia. Its two creators were so bent on making a realistic movie, they didn't care if no one would actually watch it. Yet in the intervening decades the cinematography, editing and thematic shifts of "Come and See" have rendered it an especially acclaimed film.

And in going through CaS, we stick to the tried-and-true World War II Movie Night formula, i.e., no movie is above having some fun with... asides include lists, 80s nostalgia, "Dirty Dancing," quicksand, Rodney Dangerfied, and how I viewed the Soviet Union as a child of Reagan's America.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

Check out our Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight

63. "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" (1944) Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

A young Robert Mitchum and many others prepare for their secret mission: to bomb major Japanese cities in retalliation for Pearl Harbor! "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" dramatizes - rather accurately - the famed 'Doolittle Raid' of 1942. A high-adventure movie made and released during the War, look for the subtle propagandistic tells within... asides include "Seinfeld," the new "Top Gun," and my 30-year high-school reunion (which I'm sure is just fascinating to everybody).

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

Check out our Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight

62. "Miracle at St. Anna" (2008) Jul 15, 2022

Show notes

Buckle up for this episode! After feuding with Clint Eastwood, filmmaker Spike Lee (and writer James McBride) attempted to make the definitive Black World War II movie with 2008's "Miracle at St. Anna." The film was panned by critics, a box-office bomb, and resulted in protests and lawsuits... is it that bad? Can any movie be that bad? Tonight we find out... Asides include thoughts on Black World War II cinema, bad New-Yorker dialogue, and a surprise appearance from the World War II Movie Night Perfect-Score Club.

61. "Decision Before Dawn" (1951) Jun 24, 2022

Show notes

Tonight's a listener request with 1951's "Decision Before Dawn." Although an American production, DFD could be mistaken for a co-German production, given that it's filmed among the post-bombing ruins of Nuremburg, Munich, etc (esentially making it a 'rubble film'). In the last days of the European war, an American outfit recruits German prisoners to spy on their own country. What will happen when cynical Tiger and idealistic Happy return to their old stomping grounds?... Asides incldue the past availability of cheap, legal speed (specifically ephedrine), and how child stars look weird as adults.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

Check us out on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight

Consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/WorldWarTwoMovieNight

60. "Operation Mincemeat" (2022) Jun 03, 2022

Show notes

It's a big red-letter day at World War II Movie Night! Our third new movie and the first REMAKE of a movie we've already done. Yes, "Operation Mincemeat" arrives 66 years after the subject of our second episode, 1956's "The Man Who Never Was." What's different? What's better? Find out as we follow Colin Firth and have a bit of fun at the corpse's expense... Asides include "Weekend at Bernie's," the shows "Chernobyl" and "The Americans," and I do a Congressionally mandated joke about the Oscars slap.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

Check out our Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight

Consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/WorldWarTwoMovieNight

59. "The Reader" (2008) May 13, 2022

Show notes

It's "Judgment at Nuremburg" meets "Bluffing It" as we dive into "The Reader." Released during a WWII-heavy Oscar season in 2008, "The Reader" stars Kate Winslet as a woman with (I counted three) dark secrets. We see her deterioration through the eyes of a (very) young man. Along the way the movie confronts big issues about '60s Germany's guilt over the Holocaust-or lack thereof... Asides include a book I just read, some movie references ("Heavenly Creaturs," "Blame it on Rio"), and a bizarre rant about sex crimes.

58. "King Rat" (1965) Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

Tonight is a listener request from Matt in Florida. In 1965's "King Rat," the POWs of a Changi prison camp live under their own hierarchy separate from class or military rank. Brash American Corporal King holds outsized sway in the camp, while two Brits - Marlowe and Grey - take different approches to him. Could anything happen to change the pecking order?... Asides include "The Sopranos," and "The Hot Zone."

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

Check out our Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight

Consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/WorldWarTwoMovieNight

Check out Matt's paintings at https://www.instagram.com/mattpecson/?hl=en

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected