Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

This week, Shat The Movies goes back to school—literally—as we revisit Adam Sandler's breakout man-child classic, Billy Madison. Commissioned by Hot Sauce Steve, this 1995 comedy asks the eternal question: what if the heir to a hotel empire had to redo grades 1 through 12 because he's too dumb to inherit a business? Gene and Big D break down Sandler's early "shouting gibberish at adults" era, debate whether Billy is secretly sweet or just deeply concerning, and marvel at how many jokes in this movie would definitely not get greenlit today. The guys revisit iconic bits like the dodgeball massacre, the penguin, the academic decathlon, and Steve Buscemi's lipstick-fueled redemption arc. Was Billy Madison actually funny, or were we all just 12 years old once? And more importantly, does shampoo really beat conditioner? Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, we roundhouse-kick our way into Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back (1995), where Phillip Rhee takes on a small-town gang of neo-Nazis with nothing but martial arts, a leather vest, and a serious sense of justice. Forget international tournaments, this one's all shotgun blasts, burning churches, and heartfelt speeches. Gene and Big D break down the film's bizarre tone, over-the-top villains, and whether Tommy Lee is the most polite action hero of the '90s. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Just when you thought our annual Shat The Movies Halloween Spooktacular was over, we've back with one more mystical mission into the macabre. Commissioner Rob is raising "Vampire Hunter D" from the '80s crypt and bracing for our darkest takes.  In this episode, voiced by Dick Ebert, Gene and Big D clash on whether the animation is delightfully nostalgic or criminally cheap. Gene asks why there's an 8-year-old wandering the post-apocalyptic countryside with a rifle; and Dick dives into the infamous shower scene. The Shat Crew also discusses why Left Hand eats dirt, what Time-Bewitching Incense actually does and who needed half-naked teen girls offering their bodies to sexually unavailable immortals.  Movie Summary:Vampire Hunter D (1985) is a cult-classic Japanese anime film set in a post-apocalyptic future where mutants, vampires, and monsters rule the night. Blending gothic horror, cyberpunk, and dark fantasy, the movie follows D, a mysterious half-human, half-vampire "dhampir" hired to rescue a young woman from the powerful vampire Count Magnus Lee. Directed by Toyoo Ashida and based on Hideyuki Kikuchi's acclaimed light novel, Vampire Hunter D is celebrated for its haunting atmosphere, striking hand-drawn animation, and groundbreaking fusion of sci-fi, horror, and anime aesthetics. A cornerstone of 1980s anime, it paved the way for darker, more adult-oriented animation like Akira and Ninja Scroll, cementing its legacy as a must-watch for fans of vampire anime and classic Japanese animation. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, it's alive! We're dusting off Young Frankenstein (1974), Mel Brooks' black-and-white masterpiece that parodies horror classics with heart, brains, and a healthy dose of innuendo. Gene Wilder leads a pitch-perfect cast including Teri Garr, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, and Cloris Leachman in one of the most quotable comedies of all time. Gene and Big D dive into the film's legacy, brilliant performances, and whether this monster still has life in 2024. Movie Summary:Respected medical lecturer Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) learns that he has inherited his infamous grandfather's estate in Transylvania. Arriving at the castle, Dr. Frankenstein soon begins to recreate his grandfather's experiments with the help of servants Igor (Marty Feldman), Inga (Teri Garr) and the fearsome Frau Blücher (Cloris Leachman). After he creates his own monster (Peter Boyle), new complications ensue with the arrival of the doctor's fiancée, Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn). Commissioned by Emmett C. Support the Walk to Save Animals Donation link: http://www.tinyurl.com/shatpod Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

In this special Spooktacular commission from Emmett, the guys dive deep into Tim Burton's 1994 biopic, Ed Wood. Starring Johnny Depp in one of his most beloved roles and Martin Landau in an Oscar-winning turn as Bela Lugosi, the film explores the life of the eccentric B-movie director often labeled the "worst" filmmaker in history. Does Burton's loving tribute to cinematic failure still hold up, or is it merely high-quality camp? Gene and Big D discuss: The genius of Martin Landau's portrayal of a faded horror icon. The film's beautiful black-and-white aesthetic. Whether Ed Wood was a visionary or just delightfully incompetent. The surprising connections this film has to another movie in our "double-decker Halloween commission." Tune in to find out if the story of the man behind Plan 9 from Outer Space is truly a glorious cinematic triumph! Support the Walk to Save Animals Donation link: http://www.tinyurl.com/shatpod Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, we're slicing into The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), the gritty, low-budget horror that redefined the genre. Gene and Big D brave the sweltering heat, meat hooks, and chainsaws to figure out how this disturbing, relentless nightmare became a cultural landmark. With Leatherface, Grandpa, and a whole lot of screaming, is it still terrifying in 2025 or just a grimy relic of its time? Tune in as we tackle the madness behind the mask. Movie Plot:When Sally (Marilyn Burns) hears that her grandfather's grave may have been vandalized, she and her paraplegic brother, Franklin (Paul A. Partain), set out with their friends to investigate. After a detour to their family's old farmhouse, they discover a group of crazed, murderous outcasts living next door. As the group is attacked one by one by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen), who wears a mask of human skin, the survivors must do everything they can to escape. Commissioned by Eric C. Support the Walk to Save Animals Donation link: http://www.tinyurl.com/shatpod Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week, Shat The Movies kicks off our annual Spooktacular with a bloody, bong-ripped bang as we revisit 1999's Idle Hands — the stoner-horror-comedy hybrid where Devon Sawa's right hand goes full demonic and Seth Green proves that death can't stop a good hang. Commissioned by listener Christopher, this Halloween starter brings everything you'd expect from the late '90s: MTV aesthetics, a killer soundtrack, Jessica Alba's scooter, and enough weed jokes to make even Scary Movie blush. But does Idle Hands still hit, or is it just a high school fever dream of Doritos dust and Hot Topic energy? Gene and Big D dig into the film's Columbine-cursed box office fate and confess which '90s music videos helped shape their teenage "spooky season." Along the way, we get a Fred Willard appreciation moment, a detour into Buffy fandom, and the single weirdest tangent about grasshoppers ever recorded on this podcast. Is Idle Hands an underrated Halloween gem that deserves a second life—or just proof that the devil really does find work for idle bros? Either way, the Spooktacular has begun. Movie Plot:A lazy stoner's hand gets possessed and goes on a killing spree, murdering his parents, friends, and half the Halloween dance. Now Anton, his undead buddies, and a demon-hunting priestess must stop the disembodied hand before it drags his girlfriend to Hell. Support the Walk to Save Animals Donation link: http://www.tinyurl.com/shatpod Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, we're diving into The Beach (2000), where Leonardo DiCaprio ditches civilization for a secret island paradise, and things go off the rails fast. Directed by Danny Boyle and loaded with Y2K angst, hallucinatory madness, and a killer soundtrack, this film tries to mix Lord of the Flies, Apocalypse Now, and a Gap commercial. Gene and Big D unpack the wild tone shifts, moral chaos, and whether Leo's backpacker nightmare still holds up today. Movie Plot:The desire to find something real -- to connect with something or someone -- is what drives Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young American backpacker who arrives in Thailand with adventure on his mind. Etienne (Guillaume Canet) and Francoise (Virginie Ledoyen) join him on an adventure to "The Beach," a mystical paradise. However, this paradise is less than perfect. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week, Shat The Movies cranks the amps, loads the water guns and storms the radio station for 1994's Airheads. Commissioned by listener John W., this forgotten rock comedy captures a moment when being a long-haired metalhead still meant something—and when you had to physically take hostages just to get your demo played. Gene and Big D relive the glory days of Blockbuster soundtracks and flannel rebellion while asking: was Airheads secretly a Gen X prophecy about streaming, soulless algorithms and the death of radio or just a juvenile comedy where Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, and Adam Sandler somehow make the dumbest idea ever seem kind of badass? Along the way, the hosts debate Brendan Fraser's heartthrob era, Steve Buscemi's brief flirtation with "normal guy energy" and why physical media might be the only thing keeping our culture alive. They also accidentally invent the world's first militant anti-Spotify movement. Is Airheads an under-appreciated anthem for the lost rock generation—or proof that metalheads should never be trusted with firearms, fake or not? Crank it up and find out. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, we roll for initiative with Dungeons & Dragons (2000), a fantasy flop packed with rubbery dragons, chaotic CGI, and Jeremy Irons chewing every piece of scenery in sight. Gene and Big D brave the nonsensical plot, baffling performances, and a magic system that makes zero sense, even for D&D fans. Is it so bad it's fun, or just a critical failure? Grab your spellbook and join the campaign! Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week, Shat The Movies enters the world of Harlem kung fu, Motown soundtracks, and glowing fists with 1985's The Last Dragon. Commissioned by listener Daylen, this mashup of martial arts flicks and music videos introduced audiences to Bruce Leroy, the Shogun of Harlem and one of the wildest cult classics of the '80s. But does its mix of camp and kung fu still shine today, or is it just a guilty pleasure best left in the VHS era? Gene and Big D debate whether Taimak was an underrated action star or just a wooden lead propped up by Vanity's charisma.  The Shat Crew relives Sho'nuff's scene-stealing swagger, the bizarre Eddie Arkadian subplot and a soundtrack so strong it sometimes overshadows the movie itself. Along the way, Dick and Gene marvel at the glowing special effects, question if Leroy's innocence makes him endearing or frustrating and admit that this might be the most "1985" movie ever made. Is The Last Dragon a true martial arts masterpiece with soul or just Motown's strangest experiment? Who's the master? Sho'nuff! Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week, the Shat The Movies boys dust off their prep school blazers and follow Robin Williams into Welton Academy for 1989's Dead Poets Society. Commissioned by listener Rob F., this Oscar-winning coming-of-age drama gave the world "Carpe Diem," a standing-on-desks finale, and enough inspiration to launch a thousand "cool teacher" clichés. But does it still move us 35 years later, or has it become too earnest for its own good? Gene and Big D wrestle with their own school baggage while debating whether John Keating is a saintly mentor or a reckless enabler who lit fires in his students without offering any guardrails. We revisit Ethan Hawke's breakout role, the betrayal of Cameron (still unforgivable), and whether Neil's tragedy hits harder as adults who now understand the crushing weight of parental expectation. Along the way, Big D confesses he usually hates "inspirational teacher" movies, Gene compares Keating's lessons to Krav Maga, and both hosts admit Robin Williams nails his most delicate performance without veering into schmaltz. Is Dead Poets Society timeless poetry, or just a prep school fantasy that collapses under its own sentimentality? Seize the day and find out. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

Shat the Movies ask, what are the best 80s & 90s movies? Do you find yourself asking if the movies we loved while growing up were really that good? Have you caught yourself thinking, "why don't they make movies like they use to?" Can you still remember spending your Friday Nights searching for the perfect movie rental at Blockbuster Video? Do you know what Blockbuster Video is? If you answered yes, then this is the podcast for you! Your hosts, Dick Ebert, Gene Lyons, & Roger Roeper will take a look back in time & decide if our favorite films still hold up. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week, Shat The Movies heads to small-town Indiana, where basketball is life, second chances are rare, and Dennis Hopper is cold, coach—real cold. Commissioned by fantasy football champion Stephen J., 1986's Hoosiers is one of the most celebrated underdog stories in sports cinema, often hailed as the "best basketball movie ever made." But does it hold up nearly 40 years later? Gene and Big D debate whether Gene Hackman's Coach Norman Dale is a genius strategist or just a guy yelling "four passes!" while waiting for Jimmy Chitwood to show up. Along the way, we question the town's obsession with high school hoops, the authenticity of Dennis Hopper's Oscar-nominated portrayal of Shooter, and whether the film skips a pretty important historical context about race in 1950s basketball. Was Hoosiers a masterclass in sports nostalgia, or just a paint-by-numbers blueprint for every "inspirational coach" movie that followed? And more importantly, should Ollie have ever touched the ball? Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

For our Ninth Anniversary Episode, the Shat Crew draws the sword from the stone and rides into John Boorman's epic Excalibur (1981). Commissioned by Chris, Mike, and Ollie to celebrate their father Robert's 60th birthday, this Arthurian fever dream delivers knights, magic, and more shiny armor than a Manowar album cover. From Nicol Williamson's scene-stealing Merlin to Helen Mirren's wickedly alluring Morgana, the movie is equal parts mythic grandeur and campy chaos. Gene marvels at the operatic visuals, while Big D is dazzled by the medieval carnage. Together they debate whether this is the definitive retelling of the Arthurian legend or just a two-and-a-half-hour bad trip brought to life. As we celebrate nine years of podcasting, join us for knights in shining armor, incestuous twists and the most metal "O Fortuna" montage ever put to film. Long live the once and future pod! Plot Summary:In Excalibur (1981), director John Boorman reimagines the Arthurian legend with a mix of operatic spectacle and raw brutality. From Uther Pendragon's lustful betrayal to Arthur's rise as king, the film chronicles the rise and fall of Camelot through battles, betrayal, and forbidden love. With unforgettable performances from Nicol Williamson as Merlin and Helen Mirren as Morgana, Excalibur stands as one of the most iconic—and most eccentric—fantasy films of the 1980s. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, we're taking hostages with Toy Soldiers (1991), where teen rebels face off against terrorists in a prep school under siege. Sean Astin, Wil Wheaton, and Louis Gossett Jr. bring the heat in this action-packed mix of Die Hard, The Goonies, and teenage rebellion. Gene and Big D break down the implausible plot, glorious explosions, and whether this 90s cult classic still makes the grade. Is it a hidden gem, or just juvenile fantasy with pipe bombs? Tune in and find out! Plot Summary:Colombian terrorist Luis Cali (Andrew Divoff) takes an American prep school hostage as a means of gaining his drug lord father's freedom. Privileged yet rebellious students Joey (Wil Wheaton), Billy (Sean Astin), Snuffy (Keith Coogan) and Hank (T.E. Russell) find that they are better equipped to deal with the threat than the mostly ineffectual government agencies sent to rescue them. With resourceful Billy as their leader, the students struggle to defeat the terrorists and save the school. Commissioned by Eric C. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

The Shat Crew trades leather jackets for Stetsons and arena rock for steel guitars with George Strait's acting debut, Pure Country. Commissioned by listener Frank Fall, this 1992 romantic drama follows country superstar "Dusty" Chandler, who's grown tired of the smoke, lasers, and screaming crowds. Disappearing from the spotlight, Dusty sets out to rediscover the joy of music—and maybe find love—while keeping his identity a secret. While Big D marvels at the film's unapologetic sincerity and old-school values, Gene wrestles with whether Dusty's "just folks" routine is genuine or a branding exercise. From ponytails to denim tuxedos, the crew dives into the movie's nostalgic Americana and debates whether its soundtrack is the true star. Is Pure Country a sweet, wholesome reminder of sticking to your roots, or is it just a two-hour George Strait music video? Grab your Wranglers, crack open a cold one, and find out. Plot Summary:In Pure Country, country music superstar Dusty Chandler grows disillusioned with the flashy trappings of fame and vanishes from the spotlight. Returning to his Texas roots under the radar, he rediscovers the simple joys of performing and falls for a local woman who doesn't recognize him. But as love blooms, Dusty must choose between the quiet life he's found and the career waiting for him. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, it's a date night gone completely off the rails with Mystery Date (1991)! Ethan Hawke stars as a shy teen whose dream night with the girl next door spirals into chaos involving mistaken identity, a dead body, and a punk club performance by Gwar. Gene and Big D unpack the movie's strange tone, chaotic plot, and missed opportunities for greatness. From creepy crushes to club culture, this dark comedy has more surprises than a trunk full of corpses. Does it hold up, or should this movie stay forgotten? Tune in to find out!. Plot Summary:Teenage Tom McHugh (Ethan Hawke) is madly in love with his ravishing next-door neighbor, Geena Matthews (Teri Polo), but becomes hopelessly tongue-tied whenever she's around. When his parents go away on an impromptu road trip, his suave law student brother shows up and begins coaching Tom on how to pick up women. Things are going great until Tom discovers a body in the trunk of his brother's car, and his perfect date with Geena takes multiple turns for the worse. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

The Shat Crew soars into DreamWorks territory for a film that melted even Gene's icy heart: How to Train Your Dragon. This animated fantasy wasn't just a box office smash—it was a coming-of-age story that redefined what kids' movies could be, combining sweeping visuals, smart storytelling, and a surprising emotional punch. Commissioned by Cheryl, this pick launches Big D into dad mode, marveling at the Viking village's parenting techniques and dragon integration programs, while Gene questions how the filmmakers got him gushing over a silent reptile with puppy eyes.  Is How to Train Your Dragon the best non-Disney animated film of its generation? Could it secretly be about neurodiversity, pacifism, or simply learning to listen? And how did Toothless become one of the most iconic non-verbal characters in modern cinema? Whether you're a rider of Night Furies or just here for the dad feels, this episode will have you rethinking your emotional support dragons. Plot Summary:In How to Train Your Dragon (2010), a misfit Viking teen named Hiccup befriends a wounded dragon he names Toothless, challenging everything his warrior tribe believes about dragons. As their unlikely friendship grows, Hiccup must choose between the expectations of his community and the compassion he feels for the creatures they fear. With breathtaking animation and a powerful emotional core, this DreamWorks classic redefined animated storytelling for a new generation. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite

This week on Shat the Movies, we're delving into the heart of The Deer Hunter (1978), a haunting exploration of friendship, war, and what remains behind. With powerhouse performances from Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep, this Best Picture winner delivers brutal realism, emotional gut punches, and one very tense game of Russian roulette. Is it still a masterpiece—or just a long, grim march? Tune in and find out.. Plot Summary: The Deer Hunter (1978), directed by Michael Cimino, is a powerful war drama that follows a group of working-class friends from a Pennsylvania steel town whose lives are forever changed by the Vietnam War. Starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage, the film explores themes of friendship, trauma, and loss through a harrowing narrative that moves from small-town America to the brutal jungles of Vietnam. Known for its intense performances and the infamous Russian roulette scenes, The Deer Hunter remains a haunting examination of war's psychological toll. Subscribe Now Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple Help Support the Podcast Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop Theme Song - Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite