All posts by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Podcasts

Close Watch Episode 1: ‘Field of Dreams’ (feat. Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast)

Everyone familiar with 1989’s Field of Dreams knows that “if you build it, he will come.” But is the same true if you podcast about it? Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast helps us test that theory with an in-depth chat about writer-director Phil Alden Robinson’s iconic sports film starring Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster.

Field of Dreams has a reputation for being a film that emotionally resonates with its audiences. Listen in as Darin shares the personal story behind his love for the movie. We’ll discuss why he watches it annually, how it’s not really a baseball movie, and why James Horner deserves so much credit for the film’s success. So lace up and join us as we run onto the Field of Dreams.

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Podcasts

Franchise Detours Episode 3: ‘Child’s Play’ (feat. Bri Azmoudeh of The Geeky Waffle)

Only seven years before Pixar would introduce a young boy named Andy and his room full of living toys, Chucky was born. The killer doll, of course, made his debut in 1988’s Child’s Play, voiced to perfection by Brad Dourif. And for more than 30 years, Dourif and writer-turned-director Don Mancini have kept the horror icon alive. But how does Charles Lee Ray’s story start?

In this first episode of our Child’s Play/Chucky mega-series, Bri Azmoudeh of The Geeky Waffle joins the show to discuss that original film. We’ll discuss how it lays the foundation for all the wild twists to come, why Andy Barclay’s (Alex Vincent) arc is so heartbreaking, and where the upcoming USA/Syfy series could build on untapped potential in this first movie.

Child’s Play might be a classic, but in many ways, it’s not the movie some viewers might remember it as. Join us as we dive into it. Want to play?

SYNOPSIS
Gunned down by Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon), dying murderer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) uses black magic to put his soul inside a doll named Chucky — which Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks) then buys for her young son, Andy (Alex Vincent). When Chucky kills Andy’s baby sitter, the boy realizes the doll is alive and tries to warn people, but he’s institutionalized. Now Karen must convince the detective of the murderous doll’s intentions, before Andy becomes Chucky’s next victim.

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Podcasts

Franchise Detours Episode 2: Mortal Kombat (feat. David Rosen of Piecing It Together)

Test your might with episode 2 of Franchise Detours. From the 1992 debut of the video game series, Mortal Kombat has always been there to give fans the over-the-top violence, wild characters, and button-mashing gameplay they crave. Oh, yeah, and Hollywood made a few movies based on it too. This episode, David Rosen of Piecing It Together helps us break down the Mortal Kombat movie franchise.

We’ll discuss how the games were adapted into the 1995 movie, its notorious sequel, and even the 2021 reboot. How have the movies changed their approach to the property over the years? And ultimately, which best captures the experience of delivering those sweet fatalities? Time to blast that iconic theme music.

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