Podcast
Total 90s Recall
Hosted by Chloe Sackur & Molly Merwin · EN
Rewind back to the 90s with Molly and Chloe as we watch all the best, worst and coolest movies of the decade.
Some films were blockbusters, others cult classics. And some didn’t even break even. We’re watching these films and asking ourselves if they really were as good, or bad, as we remember. Plus we invite our expert industry friends to give us some insights on how well these films hold up. What's aged badly? Which film is a forever classic?
Updates every second and fourth Thursday of the month.
Join the conversation on Instagram: @total90srecall
Find our lists in Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/total90srecall/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Philadelphia: Pride, Prejudice & Peak Performances
2d ago00:59:27Tap to summarizeFor Pride month we’re looking back at a key, tragic moment in LGBT+ history, the AIDS crisis, and watching Jonathan Demme’s Oscar-winning legal drama, Philadelphia. Molly and Chloe enter the court with Best Actor-winner Tom Hanks and his maverick lawyer Denzel Washington, and give their verdicts on the film’s representation of gay men, homophobia and early 90s attitudes towards HIV-positive people, and how the directing style veers from formal to movingly surreal.Plus we bang the gavel on the movie’s most 90s details and award some of the best moments, and present some films to watch next - from queer rep onscreen to against-the-odds legal dramas.The quote at the start is from David Ansen’s 1993 review in Newsweek. We also reference Roger Ebert’s review.‘Philadelphia: un-packaging the Hollywood AIDS drama’ by Amy Taubin for Sight and Sound. Follow us on Instagram: @total90srecallCheck out the other films we recommended on LetterboxdGot an episode suggestion? Email us: total90srecall@gmail.comFind all our links here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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10 Things I Hate About You: The Taming of the Dude
2w ago01:10:32Tap to summarizeCan you ever just be, like, whelmed? We’re asking this and more as we sit down with 1999’s 10 Things I Hate About You. Set up the decks, hook up some speakers, and get ready to crash a future MBA’s cheese and wine party.Molly and Chloe welcome actor, writer and audio producer, Steph MacGaraidh to run riot grrrl through this Shakespeare-inspired high school rom com. We discuss the casting of relative unknowns Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger, the 90s soundtrack, and how the screenwriters Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith infuse the script with Shakespearean wit, romance and visual gags, while dialling up the feminist empowerment. Plus we crown our favourite moments (that song and dance number! Ms Perky’s sexy novels!) and perform odes to the film’s most 90s details. All this, and some recommendations for further watching that you won’t hate, not even a little bit, not even at all.Find Steph on the ’gram here and check out this page for details on her musical, Off the Rails.The quote at the start is from Peter Bradshaw’s 1999 review in the Guardian.Gil Junger discussing casting a young Heath Ledger.Read about the 1967 Franco Zeffirelli adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew, starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor here.Watch the documentary about the 1978 production of Shrew, starring Meryl Streep and Raul Julia at the Delacorte, New York, here. The specific sexy scene Steph mentions is in this clip.Emily Temple’s essay for Literary Hub, ‘The Life-Changing Magic of 10 Things I Hate About You’Kat’s reading list on the Opiate (including The Bell Jar, natch).Far Out discusses the best of the 10 Things soundtrack.Follow us on Instagram: @total90srecallCheck out the other films we recommended on LetterboxdGot an episode suggestion? Email us: total90srecall@gmail.comFind all our links here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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GoldenEye: Brosnan, Bond Girls & Bombshells
May 1401:08:47Tap to summarizeBond is bungee jumping onto our screens as we rewatch 1995’s GOLDENEYE, the first of the series with Pearce Brosnan as the gadget-loving superspy and all-round ladies’ man. Arm your T-55 tank and reload your Walther PPK, we’re on a new mission.Molly and Chloe are shaken and stirred by the fabulous casting of Brosnan, Sean Bean, Judi Dench, Alan Cumming and Izabella Scorupco, though we have a particular love for Famke Janssen’s outrageously camp performance as baddy Bond girl, Xenia Onatopp. You could say she’s Xenia Overthetop. We talk post-Cold War politics, innuendo, action scenes, 90s CGI, Tina Turner, and whether Dench’s M is right that Bond is a ‘sexist, misogynist dinosaur’. Plus we target our most 90s moments (hacking! Minnie Driver!), assign some awards to best outfit and most catastrophic scene plus line up some top class recommendations for future spy thriller viewing.The quote at the start is from James Berardinelli’s 1995 review for ReelviewsClassic FM’s rating of all the Bond themesFollow us on Instagram: @total90srecallCheck out the other films we recommended on LetterboxdGot an episode suggestion? Email us: total90srecall@gmail.comFind all our links here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Apollo 13: Exploding Tanks, Courageous Yanks & Tom Hanks
Apr 2301:06:17Tap to summarizeHouston, we have a problem. For our 13th episode, we’re launching into a discussion of Ron Howard’s true-life space adventure, APOLLO 13. Fasten your helmet and head to the launchpad, we have lift-off.Molly and Chloe crunch the numbers on this adventure blockbuster based on astronaut Jim Lovell’s memoir about the ill-fated 1970 NASA mission to the moon. We talk superstition, space shuttles, seventies fashion and scientific calculus, and what makes Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Kevin Bacon and Ed Harris’s performances so believable. Plus we weigh up the film’s authenticity: while its commitment to replica sets and antigravity filming in the ‘vomit comet’ had even Buzz Aldrin fooled, there’s still something missing from Mission Control…Finally, we calculate the funniest line and best 70s spectacles for our awards section, play a quick round of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon and make some out-of-this-world recommendations for what to watch next.Correction! The seamstress we mentioned who made the Apollo spacesuits was called Hazel Fellows. Learn about her here.Janet Maslin’s original 1995 review for the New York TimesAn article featuring behind-the-scenes footage of the anti-gravity shootsAn interview with Ron Howard to mark the film’s 25th anniversaryFollow us on Instagram: @total90srecallCheck out the other films we recommended on LetterboxdGot an episode suggestion? Email us: total90srecall@gmail.comFind all our links here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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L.A. Confidential: Crooked Cops, Twisty Plots & Noir Shocks
Apr 900:59:51Tap to summarizeWe’re off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush as we discuss Curtis Hanson’s 1997 Oscar-winning adaptation of L.A. CONFIDENTIAL. Rev up your 1952 Mercury and smile for the paparazzi, cos we’re heading on down to take a closer look.Molly and Chloe wind through this complex detective thriller based on James Ellroy’s novel, mapping out the starry cast, including Kim Basinger, Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce. We give the movie’s themes of violence and public image a shakedown and consider how well it has aged since the late 90s (or not). Plus we reflect on what it means to watch a Hollywood film with problematic stars such as Kevin Spacey in a post-Me Too age. Finally, we deal out some medals and make some top-class recommendations of what to watch next.Little correction! The Veronica Lake film mentioned is This Gun For Hire (1942).The quote at the start is from this 1997 interview with Russell Crowe.Cinematographer Dante Spinotti’s inspiration, Robert Frank’s The Americans.Claire Dederer’s essay ‘What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men?’ for the Paris Review.Follow us on Instagram: @total90srecallCheck out the other films we recommended on LetterboxdGot an episode suggestion? Email us: total90srecall@gmail.comFind all our links here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sleepless in Seattle: Radio Call-ins, Rom Coms & Nora Ephron
Mar 2600:53:30Tap to summarizePick up your rotary phone and tune in your radio, cos we’re chatting about Nora Ephron’s 1993 wisecracking rom com, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE.Molly and Chloe map out the filmmaking choices that made an otherwise nostalgic tale of destiny and true love into a smartly scripted comedy blockbuster, and how Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Rob Reiner and Rosie O’Donnell’s performances dial up the humour. Plus we call out the film’s most 90s moments, award its quirkiest details and recommend what to watch next.Roger Ebert’s original review from 1993.A retrospective interview with original screenwriter, Jeff Arch.Demis Lyall-Wilson’s trailer reimagining Sleepless in Seattle as a stalker thriller.Follow us on Instagram: @total90srecall Check out our lists on LetterboxdGot an episode suggestion? Email us: total90srecall@gmail.comFind all our links here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Thelma and Louise: T-birds, Stick-ups & Cliffhangers
Mar 1201:37:19Tap to summarizeThey may be outlaws, but they’re stealin’ our hearts: to celebrate Women’s History Month, we’re talking about Ridley Scott’s 1991 feminist road-trip classic, THELMA AND LOUISE. Rev up the T-bird, we’re getting outta town and letting our hair down.Riding shotgun with our not-so-careful lady drivers Molly and Chloe is Sarah Asante, a script consultant with an eye for a great storyline. Together they navigate the complexities of first-time screenwriter Callie Khouri’s Oscar-winning script, the iconic performances by Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, and Scott’s timeless visual style. Plus we get under the bonnet to discuss how the film portrays misogyny, sexual violence and female empowerment.Lastly we motor through the film’s most 90s moments, give out awards to our fave details (triple denim alert) and map out what to watch next.Find Sarah’s Script Advantage Network here: https://www.skool.com/scripted-and-seen-4121/aboutAnd check out Asante Space: https://asantespace.org/ The quote from Susan Sarandon at the start is from Reelin’ in the YearsFollow us on Instagram: @total90srecallCheck out our lists on LetterboxdGot an episode suggestion? Email us: total90srecall@gmail.comFind all our links here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Scream: Gore, Video Stores & Drew Barrymore
Feb 2601:18:44Tap to summarizeWhat’s your favourite scary movie? Our latest episode is pulling the mask off Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher satire SCREAM. Plug in your landline and rewind those rental videos, cos we’re heading back to the very first film in the franchise.Final girls Molly and Chloe run rampage through the film’s production history, including Kevin Williamson’s script, the casting of Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox as its scream queens and the ensemble of David Arquette, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich and Matthew Lillard. And that’s not forgetting Drew Barrymore, in the pivotal role of Casey, who is most definitely not phoning in her performance. We plunge into some big topics along the way – feminism, moral panics, queer representation – and ask how much gore is too much gore?Lastly we dissect the best 90s moments and award the best line, weapon and cameos. As Stu says, it’s a scream, baby!All the horror films referenced in Scream: a list.Read more about the making of Scream in this retrospective from the Hollywood Reporter.Correction! From 2028, there will be an Oscar for Best Stunt Design for films released in 2027 (not best stunt performance as Chloe claims!)Follow us on Instagram: @total90srecallGot an episode suggestion? Email us: total90srecall@gmail.comFind all our links here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Trainspotting: Getting Trippy with Born Slippy
Feb 1201:27:41Tap to summarizeChoose life. Choose a job. Choose this podcast. Yup, we are getting high on the pure unadulterated cinema that is Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting to mark its 30th anniversary. Molly and Chloe are joined by award-winning writer and director Yasmin Godo to talk about the finer points of the film, from hypodermic needles to needle drops. We plunge into the darkest, most intense scenes (including how that toilet scene was created). And we discuss the astonishing visual flair of Danny Boyle, the dangerously charming performances from Ewan McGregor, Johnny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, Ewen Bremner and Kelly MacDonald, and celebrate its era-defining soundtrack. Plus we’ll take a trip through the most 90s details, hand down our verdicts on the film’s best moments, plus deal some top quality recommendations for what to watch next. Please be aware that this episode discusses a film with sensitive topics which may not be suitable for all listeners.The opening quote is taken from an interview with producer Andrew MacDonald for Hollywood Reporter: ‘Trainspotting Oral History: Danny Boyle, Ewan McGregor Reflect on Cult ’90s Brit Hit’ The short documentary about production and costume design Chloe references can be found here.Molly quotes Danny Boyle’s appearance on Charlie Rose in 1996 talking about Trainspotting, which you can watch here. And here’s an in-depth analysis of how Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange influenced Trainspotting. Correction! Trainspotting competed in the 49th BAFTAs in 1996, which meant it was overlooked for Best Production Design in favour of Apollo 13 (winner), Braveheart, The Madness of King George and Sense and Sensibility. It did win Best Adapted Screenplay.Follow Yasmin on Instagram.Yasmin’s short film for Channel 4 Random Acts, (Un)fit to Work, can be viewed by UK residents here. Her video for J Appiah’s ‘Look Back’, part of the Official Selection at Aesthetica Festival, is here. Follow us on Instagram: @total90srecallGot an episode suggestion? Email us: total90srecall@gmail.comFind all our links here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Truly, Madly, Deeply: Rickman, Stevenson, Minghella
Jan 2201:08:39Tap to summarizeAlan Rickman, we love you truly, madly, passionately... juicily? In this episode, we huddle under the blankets with Anthony Minghella’s romantic ghost story Truly, Madly, Deeply. Molly and Chloe are looking at the film emotionally, musically, deeply, as we discuss how Minghella came to write and direct his debut film, why Juliet Stevenson is heartbreakingly perfect for the lead role, and the magic touch the late Alan Rickman brings to the film as her irritable cello-playing boyfriend who’s rather unexpectedly back from the dead.Plus we rewind the VHS on our favourite 90s details and best moments, and recommend more films about romance, grief and the afterlife.Follow us on Instagram: @total90srecallGot an episode suggestion? Email us: total90srecall@gmail.comFind all our links here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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