The 80s Movie Podcast

Keanu Reeves TV Movie "The Brotherhood of Justice," Host's 40th High School Reunion, and Personal Tribute

The first ever remote episode of The 80s Movie Podcast, we remember an old friend, and recount how a long-forgotten Keanu Reeves TV movie, The Brotherhood of Justice, which was filmed at the host's high school weeks after his graduation and moving to Los Angeles to break into the film industry. Expect production anecdotes, personal memories, and a fresh look at a little-known early Keanu role.

The Brat Pack at 40: Who's in the Brat Pack and Which Brat Pack Movie Is Best (Not The Breakfast Club or The Outsiders)

Host and film historian Edward Havens revisits the Brat Pack on The 80s Movie Podcast for the group's 40th anniversary. We trace the name's origin, sort who does — and does not — count as a Brat Packer, and argue for the best Brat Pack movie (it’s not The Breakfast Club or The Outsiders). Context and film-history reasoning for 1980s movie fans.

Susan Seidelman 1980s Films Mini‑series: Making Mr. Right (1987)

On this episode, we deep dive into Susan Seidelman’s 1987 film Making Mr. Right. We analyze tone, themes, and behind‑the‑scenes context as Seidelman's follow-up to Desperately Seeking Susan, and unpack performances by John Malkovich and Ann Magnuson. Concrete takeaways on the film’s place in Seidelman’s 1980s work and why it matters to fans of 80s cinema and film analysis.

1980s Fantasy Films: Top 5 Picks by Author Todd Downing

Calico Kids series author Todd Downing shares his five favorite fantasy films of the 1980s, with discussion of why each film matters, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and viewing recommendations. Host Edward Havens digs into themes, synth scores, cult status, and what makes these 80s fantasy movies enduring classics. Ideal for fans of 1980s fantasy films, film history, and retro movie deep dives. Listen for perspective and curated watchlist.

Collision Course: Jay Leno's Only Leading Role Movie

Season 7 Premiere: after a six-month break the host issues an apology for a previous bait-and-switch, explains the delay, and leads a focused discussion of Collision Course — the only movie to feature comedian and talk show host Jay Leno in a leading role. Expect context on the film’s place in 80s movie culture, clear episode notes explaining the gap, and a concise look at what makes this Jay Leno film notable.

Susan Seidelman 1980s Films Mini‑series: Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)

A continuation of our series on Susan Seidelman’s 1980s films, this episode examines her biggest hit, Desperately Seeking Susan (1985). We analyze Seidelman’s direction, key performances, and the film’s cultural impact within 80s cinema—essential listening for fans of 80s movies and film history.

Brat Pack Documentary: Andrew McCarthy & the June 1985 New York Magazine Article's Impact on Careers

We pause our Susan Seidelman retrospective to examine Andrew McCarthy’s new Hulu documentary about the Brat Pack. This episode breaks down the doc’s portrayal, the 1985 New York Magazine article which created the Brat Pack name, and whether that piece affected McCarthy and his co-stars’ careers. For fans of 1980s movies and film history: context, key scenes, and concise takeaways.

Susan Seidelman 1980s Films Mini‑series: Smithereens (1982)

The first episode of our Susan Seidelman miniseries. We begin a focused deep‑dive into Seidelman’s work with her 1982 directorial debut Smithereens, examining its themes, production context, and cultural impact. Part of our annual spotlight on female filmmakers (following our 2023 Martha Coolidge miniseries), this installment explains why Seidelman matters to 1980s film history and what listeners should watch for on a rewatch.

Crimewave (1986): Sam Raimi & Coen Brothers Early Career Film Deep Dive

We examine the 1986 comedy film Crimewave, an early-career Sam Raimi & Coen Brothers collaboration that many film fans overlook. Hear why this film matters today, what to watch for in the directors' early fingerprints, and how it influenced careers. Perfect for 80s movie fans and film-history listeners looking for underrated titles and context.

Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983): Jackie Gleason Sequel Bomb

Edward Havens returns from paternity leave to revisit 1983's Smokey and the Bandit Part 3. We examine Universal Studios' sequel with returning stars Jackie Gleason and Jerry Reed (plus Burt Reynolds, just barely), discussing why it landed so hard amongst that year’s sequel bombs. Perfect for 80s film fans looking for concise history.