We’re kickin’ back on the porch & spending a full day in South Central with FRIDAY — the laid-back comedy that became a cultural cornerstone.

Released in 1995, starring Ice Cube & Chris Tucker, FRIDAY wasn’t expected to be a blockbuster. It didn’t have explosions, car chases or a massive budget—but what it did have was a voice, authenticity & a rhythm all its own.

We go deep into the making of FRIDAY: how Ice Cube teamed up with director F. Gary Gray to tell a story that felt real, specific & hilariously universal. We talk about the film’s shoestring budget, its lightning-in-a-bottle casting & how so much of the dialogue/humor came straight from lived experience.

We also unpack the legacy of FRIDAY, the film’s importance amongst other hood films, its influence on a generation of filmmakers & the endlessly quotable moments that still live rent-free in pop culture. Somehow FRIDAY still feels as fresh now as it did 30 years ago.

So whether you’ve seen FRIDAY a hundred times or you’re just pulling up for the first time… grab a seat, don’t get caught slippin’ & press play.

With Friday the 13th creeping up again, it felt like the perfect time to head back to Camp Crystal Lake.

In this episode, Lindsay & Justin take on the entire FRIDAY THE 13TH franchise — from the original summer camp shocker to telekinetic showdowns, red herrings, Manhattan field trips, outer space upgrades & beyond.

But before these evocative debates, we rewind to the beginning & revisit the 1980 original — the scrappy little slasher that proved a good title, a creepy camp setting, & a lot of creative kills could launch one of horror’s most unstoppable sequel machines.

The ranking of all 12 films will be revealed, favorites will be defended & sanity will be questioned throughout countless machete slayings.

The rankings are in. Friendships may not survive, but Jason Voorhees will never die.

We said we wouldn’t be back until 2026… but we were infused with the spirit of the season. When the world gets overwhelming, we turn to movies that remind us why we love them… and also why nobody’s leaving. Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas.

This is a full-blown, four-alarm HOLIDAY SPECIAL.

Not only are we diving into Christmas movie classics, subgenres & our personal favorites, we’re also going behind the scenes of how the beloved NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION came to be. Favorite moments & quotes abound with this one!

So grab a mug, get cozy & deck the halls with the Griswold family. Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where’s the Tylenol? 🎄✨

Nothing says Halloween like multiple tales of terror & revenge! The magical collaboration of George A. Romero & Stephen King was born from a genuine love for the horror genre, comradery & ingenious creativity. Join us for this dive into the lively CREEPSHOW spirit & how it became one of the most celebrated horror anthologies around. 
///***Discussions include***\\\ Bringing Romero, King & Tom Savini together; EC Comics, formation of the film & assembling an anthology screenplay; dissection of individual stories, tonality, common themes; bits about the cast & performances, plus special effects, editing & music; release, reception, favorite moments, longevity of the franchise & plenty of behind the scenes action.

Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Stephen King, Leslie Nielsen, E.G. Marshall & so many more star in CREEPSHOW (1982) /// Directed by George A. Romero. ///***Picks of the Week***\\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972). Joan Collins, Peter Cushing, Richard Greene /// Directed by Freddie Francis. • Justin’s Pick: TALES FROM THE HOOD (1995). Clarence Williams III, David Alan Grier, Rosalind Cash, Corbin Bernsen /// Directed by Rusty Cundieff. ///***MurrayMoment***\\\ Bill gets some innocent revenge on a well-known film critic.

///***Final Thoughts on CREEPSHOW***\\\ • Please rate, review & subscribe. • Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. • Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders. www.dontpushpausepodcast.com dontpushpausepodcast@gmail.com

Be Kind & Rewatch // October 15, 2024

A movie that rallies behind underdogs has timeless appeal. The genuine camaraderie in MAJOR LEAGUE infuses audiences with the baseball spirit like no other sports comedy. Rooting for these Clevelanders is a no-brainer, so join us on this redemption story filled with heartfelt nuances & plenty of laughs. 
///***Discussions include***\\\ Writer/Director David S. Ward’s inspiration & career background; grounding the story in reality, authenticity & fandom; lengthy development process, chance meetings & studio doubts; gaining permission from the MLB, main shooting locations, filming tricks; requirements for casting, baseball boot camp & main character breakdowns; music, reception, sequels & favorite moments.

Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Wesley Snipes & Rene Russo star in MAJOR LEAGUE (1989) /// Directed by David S. Ward.

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///***Picks of the Week***\\\ • Lindsay’s Pick: EIGHT MEN OUT (1988). John Cusack, David Strathairn, D.B. Sweeney, John Mahoney /// Directed by John Sayles. • Justin’s Pick: 61* (2001). Thomas Jane, Barry Pepper, Anthony Michael Hall /// Directed by Billy Crystal. . ///***MurrayMoment***\\\ Find out what Bill was up to during the days surrounding the Cubs vs. Indians 2016 World Series.

///***Final Thoughts on MAJOR LEAGUE***\\\

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Coming in August: ARACHNOPHOBIA (1990)

— Please rate, review & subscribe. — Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. — Hosts: Justin Johnson & Lindsay Reber // Music: Matt Pace // Announcer: Mary Timmel // Logo: Beau Shoulders. www.dontpushpausepodcast.com dontpushpausepodcast@gmail .com

Be Kind & Rewatch // July 9, 2024.