106 - Coma / Mikey & Nicky / Piranha
Take a trip to Boston Memorial Hospital for Michael Crichton’s Coma! People are falling into comas after routine procedures, and it’s up to one doctor to uncover the mystery. Roger & Quentin discuss the main character overcoming chauvinistic expectations, and go in-depth on Crichton’s talents as a writer and director.
Next, travel to the streets of Philly for Elaine May’s Mikey & Nicky. A small-time bookie has stolen mob money and is in hiding; the only person he can depend on is his childhood friend. A tale with a supreme split and reversal, Roger & Quentin unravel the mystery of why Elaine May chose to make this film. Lastly, we’ll travel down the river with Joe Dante’s Piranha, discussing how big studios diving into the exploitation market affected that genre, and the unique balance between comedy and humanity that Dante brings to a movie.
Comments (2)
This is my favorite Season 1 episode. I've listened to it countless times -- it's taught me so many invaluable lessons about film. 🍻
That would be a cool movie, two brothers on the run but mom sends the least favorite to die. The bad guy realizes it's not the guy they want and don't kill him. It's revealed the mother set her own "innocent" son to die. The lower status brother, who has always been loyal, decides he must not hunt his sleeve ball brother. The disliked brother was the logistics(getting cars, hotels, etc) while the liked brother was just good muscle and talked well. It would turn out the disliked brother can track and even be ahead of the liked brother while the liked brother is on the run. Ultimately the disliked brother kills the liked brother and gets status in the organization like he's always wanted. Sorta like a Cain and Abel thing except Cain is actually in the right while Abel is the wrong one.