Episode 19: “Risky Business” with John Malahy
A podcast about the great movies.
We’re back with our latest episode of Guide for the Film Fanatic! In each episode, Jason Bailey and Mike Hull invite a guest from the world of film (including filmmakers, authors, critics, actors, and more) to select one of the 1600+ “must-see movies” collected in Danny Peary’s seminal 1986 book, Guide for the Film Fanatic. Bailey, Hull, and their guests deep dive on each film, discussing its history, themes, style, performances, initial reception, and legacy, taking a fresh look at some of the most beloved titles in cinema history.
In his book Rewinding the ‘80s (on shelves Tuesday), film historian John Malahy examines — per the subtitle — “cinema under the influence of music videos, action stars, and a Cold War.” He joins us to discuss what may be the quintessential ‘80s movie, and the breakthrough role of the quintessential ‘80s movie star: Tom Cruise in Paul Brickman’s Risky Business.
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We’re also putting our new episodes up on YouTube! Watch the show on our YouTube channel, @guideforthefilmfanatic, for visual accompaniment and bonus stuff and who knows what else:
Risky Business is available for digital rental or purchase, or on 4K UHD from the Criterion Collection. You can watch the trailer here. You can read the New York Times review here, Roger Ebert’s review here, and Dave Kehr’s review here.
Rewinding the ‘80s: Cinema Under the Influence of Music Videos, Action Stars, and a Cold War is on shelves Tuesday, and you can buy it here (or wherever you get your books). If you’d like to check out the YouTube page for Mike’s other podcast, “Black Diplomats,” it’s here. And Jason’s new book Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend is OUT NOW, and you can order it from MZS Press, Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, or wherever you get your hardbacks, ebooks, and/or audiobooks.
Last but not least, if you’d like to make a little donation to support us and the show, you can do that at Ko-fi!