Enjoy Stuff: A TechnoRetro Podcast

Take a break from the present, Pilgrim and mount up! Jovial Jay and Shua strap on the chaps, kick on the spurs, and don the ten-gallon hat as they remember some of the great Western movies and TV shows they grew up with. Get along l'il doggies and Enjoy Stuff!

 

Hollywood may have romanticized the Old West to create a pretty unrealistic view of history, but it sure made for some great movies. Cowboy movies have been around for more than 100 years, but some of them really stood out as we were growing up. Giddy up, pardners and get ready to Enjoy some Westerns.

 

News

Kellogg’s and Nickelodeon are ready to fill your guts with slime! Well, Apple Jacks Slime Cereal anyway

We have new, official images of the LEGO Atari 2600 set, and it is almost cooler than the real thing. 

The ice cream van is coming down your street. And the sign on the truck says “Hot” and “Now” because there are new Ice Cream inspired donuts at Krispy Kreme

Nintendo is breaking into pictures! They just bought a movie studio to make their own movies based on their IP



What we’re Enjoying

Look out for Shua because he’s been flinging axes at a place in town called Flanneljax. Who knew that axe throwing could be a fun group activity? Well, Monty Python knew it was OK to be a lumberjack. Jay finally made it to see Pixar’s Lightyear. He enjoyed the story but thought they could have done even more. 

 

Sci-Fi Saturdays/MCU Location Scout

Be sure to check out Jay’s articles on Retrozap.com. This week he revisits the 1995 Bruce Willis film 12 Monkeys. Willis plays a time traveler that is sent back in time to save the future from a raging disease. The world is a mess because of disease and famine and a bunch of leaders that aren’t helping to solve the…uh…  Um, I don’t think he succeeded. And don’t forget his articles on MCULocationScout.com for some great, interactive maps of filming locations. 

 

Enjoy Movies, Pardner!

Did you know that Westerns have been around since 1899? That’s practically the Old West anyway. (Maybe they were just called movies back then) The famous Great Train Robbery (1903) may not have been the first, but it helped secure the genre as a main staple in Hollywood forever. 

 

When we were growing up, a lot of the classics were played on TV. That’s where we saw great flicks like The Magnificent Seven (1960) and Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). Clint Eastwood established himself as a very tough cowboy in the Spaghetti Westerns by Sergio Leone. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966) especially has some legendary scenes. 

 

John Wayne really epitomized the cowboy image in a ton of movies. The Searchers (1956) didn’t paint a very good picture of the Native Americans, but director John Ford established some incredible vistas that movie makers still use to set the scene today. And True Grit (1969) won him an academy award for the part of Rooster Cogburn. A role that would be reprised in 2010 by Jeff Bridges in the remake. 

 

The 80s and 90s were no slouches when it came to Westerns either. The success of movies like Silverado (1985) brought forth a resurgence of the genre. Young Guns (1988) and Tombstone (1993) helped young stars make their mark and build some strong careers. 

 

But they weren’t all just straight Westerns. Some were hysterical, like Blazing Saddles (1974) or Three Amigos (1986). Or they may have Sci-Fi elements in them like Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982) or Back to the Future III (1990). 

 

Plus, it was a genre that could be easily played out on TV. Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Big Valley, and The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. were going strong for years. The Westerns audience was built up by early stories of The Lone Ranger, Davy Crockett, and Daniel Boone. 

 

Historically accurate or not, Westerns give storytellers the opportunity to tell some morality tales and establish some very interesting characters. 

 

Do you like any Westerns? Would you wear a white hat or a black hat? Are you reading all the show notes? First person that emails me with the subject line, “There’s a snake in my boot!” will get a special mention on the show.  Let us know. Come talk to us in the Discord channel or send us an email to EnjoyStuff@RetroZap.com

Direct download: Enjoy_Stuff_2-13.mp3
Category:Enjoy Stuff -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

The Untouchables is an iconic movie by Brian De Palma that kickstarted careers and told the story of Elliot Ness. Jovial Jay and Shua remember the 1987 film on Enjoy Stuff!

 

Al Capone may have lost his empire and died many years ago, but his legacy lives on in TV and movies. 35 years ago Brian DePalma interpreted his story in the movie The Untouchables. This week we look back and remember the legendary film. 

 

News

A new LEGO set featuring Bowzer is great for collectors and those with some coin

You can bid on George Clooney’s Batman nipple suit for just $40,000

Day Shift is a new vampire hunter movie on Netflix, starring Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg

Missing Movies”, a consortium of film artists and professionals is trying to save long forgotten films

Star Wars and Marvel are crossing paths again with Alden Ehrenreich



What we’re Enjoying

Jay was pleasantly surprised to enjoy a new Hulu show called Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself. A poignant performance of illusion and identity. Shua read Wil Wheaton’s annotated autobiography Still Just a Geek, which paints a very true to life portrait of the actor’s struggles in life. 

 

Sci-Fi Saturdays/MCU Location Scout

Be sure to check out Jay’s articles on Retrozap.com. This week he revisits the 1995 film Strange Days. It tells the story of a not too distant Los Angeles future and a conspiracy. Despite the setting, it is an underrated sci-fi movie that is worth another look. And don’t forget his articles on MCULocationScout.com for some great, interactive maps of filming locations. 

 

Enjoy Movies!

This week we look back for the 35th anniversary of The Untouchables. It tells the story of Elliot Ness and his quest to take down Al Capone, whose gang used American’s prohibition laws to gain power and money in the 1930’s. Make sure to read Jay’s Cinemanalysis article about The Untouchables on RetroZap.com. 

 

Morality themes are just one of the many reasons this movie became legendary. Brian De Palma used his classic filmmaking skills to tell this story in a dramatic and intriguing way. 

 

And the actors’ performances created the tension that kept the audiences intrigued, even though we knew some of the outcomes of the history. Kevin Costner plays Elliot Ness in one of his early film roles. Ness was the Federal Agent tasked to clean up Chicago in the 30’s

 

Robert DeNiro plays Al Capone. He really got into his role. He even wore the same type of underwear as Capone. His performance was downright scary as you watched and wondered how far the gangster would go. 

 

And then there’s Sean Connery. His role as Jim Malone won him his only Oscar. He was a tough beat cop that helped Ness take down the bad guys in the ‘Chicago way’. 

 

Listen in as we discuss what made this such a great movie and why you should see it again. 

 

Have you seen The Untouchables? What did you think? Are you reading all the show notes? First person that emails me with the subject line, “Never bring a knife to a gunfight” will get a special mention on the show.  Let us know. Come talk to us in the Discord channel or send us an email to EnjoyStuff@RetroZap.com

Direct download: Enjoy_Stuff_2-12.mp3
Category:Enjoy Stuff -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

It may be Slurpee Day, but that's not the only reason to celebrate! It's Shua's birthday! He and Jovial Jay will party by testing knowledge in a game of Gyp-Parody! Plus, we get to hear what's on Shua's Bucket List as we Enjoy Stuff!

 

Bucket Lists and Party games as we celebrate Shua’s birthday!

 

News

The New Atari Collection comes with over 90 retro games including some surprises!

Wanna buy a Jetsons house? You can in Tulsa, Oklahoma

A vintage style Burger King has been found behind a wall in a Delaware Mall



What we’re Enjoying

Thank you for Enjoying Stuff. Thank you very much! Shua is sporting some sideburns and rhinestones after experiencing Baz Luhrman’s movie, Elvis. It was a wild (and pretty accurate) depiction of the King’s life. Jay got to relive the days of dropping quarters at the Retrocade in Asheville, North Carolina. A two level trip back in time to the arcades of old. 

 

Sci-Fi Saturdays/MCU Location Scout

Be sure to check out Jay’s articles on Retrozap.com. Ghost in the Shell is a classic example of Anime and great storytelling. Jay examines the classic tale on Sci-Fi Saturdays.  And don’t forget his articles on MCULocationScout.com for some great, interactive maps of filming locations. 

 

Enjoy Life!

As we get older, we start to look back on the stuff we’ve always wanted to do. Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson taught everyone that this is called your bucket list. On Shua’s birthday, he has decided to share some of his bucket list items. He considers himself very fortunate to have accomplished a lot of his goals in life. 

 

After reflecting on the wonders of life, it’s time for a little fun and games. Aleaks Jay-Beck leads Shua through a board of categories and questions on a game of Gyp-Parody.

The categories are At the Movies, Prime Time, A Pocket Full of Quarters, and TechnoRetro Dads History.  Play along and see how many Shua-Bucks you can win!

 

What’s on your bucket list? Did you do well at our version of Jeopardy? Are you reading all the show notes? First person that emails me with the subject line, “Daily Double!” will get a special mention on the show.  Let us know. Come talk to us in the Discord channel or send us an email to EnjoyStuff@RetroZap.com

Direct download: Enjoy_Stuff_2-11.mp3
Category:Enjoy Stuff -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

In the United States today marks the day that a revolution gave us our independence from England. Many movies also show us characters that fight against oppression, reminding us that we can stand together and fight for justice for all. This week we celebrate by rebelling!

 

Whether it’s the rebel alliance or just a breakfast club, it is important to be reminded to treat everyone fairly. We are all on this Earth together!

 

News

A Back to the Future musical is headed to Broadway in 2023

John Williams is stepping away from movie music

Michael J Fox will be given an honorary Oscar for his work on Parkinsons awareness

Bill Nye just got hitched and is getting ready for a new show on Peacock next month

Amazon Freevee adds a 24 hour ALF channel



What we’re Enjoying

Jay watched Men With Brooms. A Canadian film with Leslie Nielsen that was recommended by Earbud Mike. If you want to experience a feel good story about curling, this one’s for you! Shua jumped into the next frontier, but not with Star Trek. Instead he has jumped right on board The Orville season 3. With its ramped up budget and timely stories, this is a good one. 

 

Sci-Fi Saturdays/MCU Location Scout

Be sure to check out Jay’s articles on Retrozap.com. The Handmaid’s Tale is a chilling piece of speculative fiction. This movie deserves a revisit to remind us that society has the potential to take a serious turn for the frighteningly worse. Jay breaks it down and compares it to our world today. And don’t forget his articles on MCULocationScout.com for some great, interactive maps of filming locations. 

 

Enjoy Movies!

Movies are a rich landscape of revolutions and rebellions. For decades cinema has been a place to tell of the bravery and heroics of rebels from the past, present, and future. Listen in for a listing of movies that we found rebellion in. 

 

Which movies do you feel are good examples of rebellion? How do they inspire you to make a difference? Are you reading all the show notes? First person that emails me with the subject line, “Freedom!” will get a special mention on the show.  Let us know. Come talk to us in the Discord channel or send us an email to EnjoyStuff@RetroZap.com

Direct download: Enjoy_Stuff_2-10.mp3
Category:Enjoy Stuff -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

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