Mary Versus the Movies

Mary Jones
  • 5.0 (24)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Sure, the 1980s were a great decade for film. But have you seen all of them? No, neither has Mary. In fact, some pretty big films passed her by, what with being in kindergarten at the time: A Nightmare on Elm Street, Moonstruck, My Neighbor Totoro... So it's time to fix that. Artwork, opening and closing themes by Dennis Lingg Produced and edited by Mary Jones

  1. 12H AGO

    Episode 222 - Cool Runnings (1993)

    The story of the Jamaican bobslead team is a family-friendly comedy that hits all the hoary old sports movie underdog beats. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, though it means they have to completely fictionalize an historical event. Thankfully, it also has John Candy. Starring Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Youba, and John Candy. Written by Lynn Siefert, Tommy Swerdlow, and Michael Goldberg. Directed by Jon Turteltaub.

    51 min
  2. You Might Also Like: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    12H AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Introducing "The Mayor" (w/ Laura Dern) from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. Follow the show: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang Um, is this thing on? Because a pink corduroy-clad Laura Dern bursts like the sun into the Las Cultch studio to speak with Matt & Bowen at length and... that's OUR world! That's the world that WE're livin' in. Dern whips out a Reese impression, discusses channeling anger better than anyone in the biz, talks creating Amy Jellicoe alongside Mike White in Enlightened, and gets into both the comedic and dramatic brutality of Big Little Lies. Also, defining wonder whilst looking up at CGI Brachiosaurii, starring as Ellen's gay love interest in The Puppy Episode of her sitcom, and even more on Jeff Goldblum's chest, if you can believe it. All this, growing up in Hollywood in a different era, reflections on the current status of the entertainment industry, going punk rock at 12 years old, David Lynch as niche yet mainstream culture, and Laura's real life interaction with a Real Housewife. See one of Laura's thousands of current projects (Is This Thing On?, Jay Kelly, Palm Royale on Apple TV+), as well as her millions of indelible ones you probably already love. I SAID THANK YOU! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. FEB 13

    Episode 221 - Animalympics (1980)

    It's sports! It's animals! It's animation! It's celebrity voices! It's... a weird riff on Lost Horizon and I guess Saturday Night Fever with an alligator? It's Animalypics! From the creator of Tron! And hosted by a turtle who sounds like Henry Kissinger! And music from 10cc! I'm sure it made sense in 1980. Starring Michael Fremer, Gilda Radner, Billy Crystal, and Harry Shearer. Written by Steven Lisberger, Michael Fremer, and Roger Allers. Directed by Steven Lisberger. Music by Graham Gouldman

    58 min

  4. FEB 6

    Episode 220 - The Man from Snowy River (1982)

    A young man loses his father and home, is forced to work for a land baron, falls in love with his boss's daughter, and captures a rogue horse in this drama based on an Australian ballad. It's corny as a paperback romance, and has more horses than a twelve-year-old girl's notebook. We also have my sister Anne on to talk a bit about horses. Starring Tom Burlinson, Kirk Douglas, Sigrid Thornton, Jack Thompson, and Chris Haywood. Written by John Dixon and Fred Cullen from Banjo Paterson's poem. Directed by George T. Miller.

    57 min

  5. JAN 30

    Episode 219 - Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979/1982)

    A bland office drone has an affair with his married coworker and becomes obsessed with her, while juggling his suicidal mother and unemployed best friend; did we mention it's a comedy? Starring John Heard, Mary Beth Hurt, Peter Riegert, Kenneth McMillan, and Gloria Grahame. Written and directed by Joan Micklin Silver

    41 min

  6. JAN 28 · BONUS

    Hollywood Avalon, ep. 33 - Parsifal (1912)

    A silent film of an opera sounds like a joke, but no, it's quite real--and honestly pretty disjointed and dull, playing more like highlights of Wagner's opera about the Holy Grail than a film in its own right. We also discuss Catholic theology, transubstantiation, incels, and Happy Days. Starring Vitale Di Stefano, Mario Bonnard, Mary Cleo Tarlarini, and Maria Caserini. Directed by Mario Caserini. This is a preview of the latest episode of our series Hollywood Avalon. To hear the entire episode, join the Mary Versus the Movies patreon for $3/month to hear this and the entire series Hollywood Avalon: https://www.patreon.com/maryvsmovies.

    2 min

  7. JAN 23

    Episode 218 - Missing (1982)

    An American journalist goes missing during the 1973 Chilean coup, and his family naively expects the U.S. government to help recover him, not realizing that they're behind the coup. Based on a true story. Starring Jack Lemmon, Sissy Spacek, John Shea, Melanie Mayron, and David Clennon. Written by Costa-Gavras and Donald E. Stewart. Directed by Costa-Gavras.

    47 min

  8. JAN 16

    Episode 217 - Walker (1987)

    An Acid Western about a 19th century American mercenary overthrowing the government of Nicaragua is one of the angriest farces ever committed to film, reflecting on not only the historical attrocities, but also the then on-going attrocities tied to the U.S. Iran-Contra scandals. It's the film that killed director Alex Cox's chances at a mainstream career, but what a way to go. Starring Ed Harris, Richard Masur, René Auberjonois, Peter Boyle, Miguel Sandoval, and Marlee Matlin. Written by Rudy Wurlitzer. Directed by Alex Cox. Music by Joe Strummer.

    49 min
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5
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About

Sure, the 1980s were a great decade for film. But have you seen all of them? No, neither has Mary. In fact, some pretty big films passed her by, what with being in kindergarten at the time: A Nightmare on Elm Street, Moonstruck, My Neighbor Totoro... So it's time to fix that. Artwork, opening and closing themes by Dennis Lingg Produced and edited by Mary Jones

Information

  • Creator
    Mary Jones
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    261
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mary Jones
  • Show Website
    Mary Versus the Movies