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Horror Movie Night

Big Trouble in Little China (1987)

·34 min·3 clips
Kyle watches Big Trouble in Little China for the first time and questions its 80s nostalgia appeal.
The episode begins with ads for other podcasts like Jersey Ghouls, BingeTown TV, and One Hit Thunder before transitioning to Horror Movie Night. Hosts Matt, Scott, and Kyle introduce their discussion of Big Trouble in Little China, a 1987 John Carpenter film. Kyle reveals this is his first watch, explaining he lacked nostalgia for 80s films despite being born in 1991. Matt argues the movie is one of Carpenter's most fun and rewatchable works, contrasting it with darker films like Halloween. Scott shares a personal connection, noting his cousin loved the film due to its trucker lifestyle themes. The hosts dissect the plot, focusing on Jack Burton as a bumbling sidekick rather than a hero, played by Kurt Russell with charismatic obnoxiousness. They highlight key scenes like the 'hell of the upside-down sinners' and the wild man creature, praising practical effects and campy humor. The discussion touches on the film's box office failure, attributing it to an unmarketable premise, and its influence on Mortal Kombat characters. Later, the hosts suggest double features such as Bordello of Blood and Mortal Kombat, with Scott noting actor Kiri Hiroyuki Tagawa's involvement in both. In a segment on other media, Matt reviews a Mel Brooks documentary, Scott talks about Monarch: Legacy of Monsters starring Kurt Russell, and Kyle discusses the 1969 film Coming Apart starring Rip Torn. The episode concludes with promotional content and a call to subscribe.

As heard by us

Jack Burton's accidental sidekick energy leads the review, especially when he knocks himself out before the wedding fight.

The review finds its cleanest line through Jack Burton's accidental sidekick role. It keeps circling back to the joke that he is often out cold, late to the action, or useful only after everyone else has already done the hard work.

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Why you'd press play

Want to hear Jack Burton's reflexes get their due, right before his chaos keeps taking him out of the fight?

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