Damn Good Movie Memories (Brian Davis)

Based on the satirical TV series which was a spoof on the reality show COPS, the inept Reno Sheriff's Department travels cross-country to wreak havoc on the city of Miami.  If you grew up on Police Academy films, this is one to check out!

A truly groundbreaking motion picture which influenced countless special-effects artists for decades to come.  Discover all the details about how the vision of Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack melded with the brilliance of Willis O'Brien's stop motion special effects to create the "8th Wonder of the World".  Starring Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong.

The second film to be released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  How does the film rank against the other stand-alone MCU characters and did the 2003 Ang Lee version hurt the 2008 film at the box office?  Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, and William Hurt.

The title of the film sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but 'Three Men and a Baby' ended up being the top grossing film of 1987!  Starring Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson as three bachelors attempting to take care of a baby girl. Directed by Leonard Nimoy.

220 or 221? If you know the answer, then you also know what an underrated gem this movie is. So, break out your "woobie" and remember it's "South to drop off, MORON!" Starring Michael Keaton, Terri Garr, and Martin Mull. Written by John Hughes.

One of Brian's favorite movies of all-time.  Discover how the brilliant and hilarious short stories from Jean Shepherd turned into an iconic film classic.  Starring Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon.  Directed by Bob Clark.

Burt Lancaster stars in this film noir about an armored car driver who decides to be part of a mob heist in order to hide an affair with the head mobster's wife.  Co-starring Yvonne De Carlo and Dan Duryea.

With definite nods to "North By Northwest", Gene Wilder stars in this comedy-mystery about a book editor trying to convince the authorities about the death of famous author that occurred on a passenger train.  Co-starring Richard Pryor and Jill Clayburgh.

The Griswolds have already conquered Wally World, now it's time to wreak havoc in Europe after winning a trip on a game show.  Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Jason Lively and Dana Hill.  Directed by Amy Heckerling.

One of the most beloved and heartwarming animated characters in film history, about a unique elephant who uses his differences to succeed.

A soap opera-type drama starring William Holden as a once popular football player, now a lowly drifter looking to start over.  However, his troubled past catches up with him again in a tiny Kansas town.  Co-starring Kim Novak, Rosalind Russell and Cliff Robertson.

Cary Grant plays a popular physician and college lecturer, but his unique ways of practicing medicine along with his questionable past could potentially ruin his career. Co-starring Jeanne Crain, Walter Slezak, Hume Cronyn and Finlay Currie.  Directed by Joseph Mankiewicz.

Charlie Chaplin's first full-length film, as his classic character The Tramp becomes the guardian of an abandoned baby.  Co-starring Jackie Coogan.

A dark comedy about a TV show writer/director (Glenn Ford) who gets wrapped up into a real-life world of blackmail and murder in order to protect his wife's (Debbie Reynolds) performing career.  Co-starring Carl Reiner and John McGiver.

The classic Disney adaptation of the 1923 novel, depicting the circle of life through animals in the forest.

A terrific film noir thriller with Hitchcock-style elements.  Starring Ray Milland, who gets caught up in a mystery involving Nazi spies.  Directed by Fritz Lang.

In this sequel to "Sitting Pretty," all-around genius Lynn Belvedere (Clifton Webb) decides to enroll into college in order to receive an honorary award that requires a college degree.  Co-starring Shirley Temple.

The Disney animated classic which added new dimensions and characters to the original fairy tale.

Just as the title says!  It's like three episodes of South Park bundled into an insane film with your favorite characters from the early years of the show.  Follow Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny as they try to save their favorite Canadian comedy duo Terrance and Phillip from being executed due to a parental crusade to stop the children of America from being influenced by a vulgar T&P film.

A little known, but well done romantic comedy about a drifter who falls for a recently widowed mother of a little boy.  Starring Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, and Wendell Corey.

Based on the first film adaptation of a John Grisham novel, Tom Cruise stars as a young ambitious lawyer who quickly discovers the law firm that recruited him has major legal issues of their own.  Co-starring a stellar cast including Gene Hackman, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter, and David Strathairn. Directed by Sydney Pollack.

A groundbreaking film which ushered in a new era of anti-hero filmmaking that would become prevalent in the 1970s. Starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as the infamous crime couple.  Co-starring Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons, Michael J. Pollard and Gene Wilder.

In a career full of memorable roles, this is easily in Paul Newman's top 5, as a Florida prison inmate who never plays by the rules.  Co-starring George Kennedy, Strother Martin, and Harry Dean Stanton.  Directed by Stuart Rosenberg.

A terrific thriller with an equally stellar cast, starring Matthew McConaughey as a street-smart defense attorney who takes on a high profile case that is full of twists and turns.  Co-starring Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy, Josh Lucas, Michael Pena, and Bryan Cranston.  

A terrific tale about the simple act of being kind to others, as an upbeat young girl brings her positive attitude to a new town after the death of her parents.  Starring Haley Mills, Jane Wyman, Karl Malden, Agnes Moorehead, Kevin Corcoran, Nancy Olson, and Adolphe Menjou. 

Charles Bronson stars as a crime reporter hired by an eccentric millionaire (John Houseman) to recover five stolen ledgers for him.  Co-starring Jacqueline Bisset and directed by J. Lee Thompson.

After being ditched at the altar, a small-town wedding singer (Adam Sandler) tries to get his life back on track with the help of a new friend (Drew Barrymore).  Co-starring Christine Taylor, Allen Covert and Matthew Glave.

This is a cross-over episode with our friends from the Growin' Up Rock Podcast!  Check out their upcoming episode (Sunday, Dec. 10) where we create our own 10-song soundtrack from the film.

Hayley Mills takes on two roles playing twin sisters who neither knew existed after their parents divorced when they were toddlers.  Co-starring Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith.

Denzel Washington stars as former CIA operative attempting to live a quiet life but forced back into action when he takes on the Russian mob.  Co-starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Marton Csokas, Melissa Leo, Bill Pullman, and David Harbour.  Directed by Antoine Fuqua.

A Navy Aviation Officer Candidate with a bad attitude (Richard Gere) must learn to be a team player or risk his chance to make a better life for himself.  Co-starring Debra Winger, Louis Gossett Jr., David Keith, Robert Loggia, Lisa Eilbacher, Harold Sylvester and David Caruso.  Directed by Taylor Hackford and features the hit song "Up Where We Belong" performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes.

Clifton Webb plays a respected college professor whose past as a silent movie actor comes back to haunt him when his old films have a revival on television.  Co-starring Ginger Rogers, Anne Francis, and Elsa Lanchester.

A college professor (Tony Curtis) caught kissing one of his students by his wife (Janet Leigh) makes up an elaborate story trying to cover his tracks, causing unforeseen consequences.  Co-starring Dean Martin and James Whitmore.

One of the two major werewolf movies to be released in 1981 and both had comedic elements.  However, The Howling has twists on the traditional werewolf tale which make the film unique and memorable .  Starring Dee Wallace and directed by Joe Dante.

Inspired by the legend of blues musician Robert Johnson, a young Juilliard guitar prodigy (Ralph Macchio) finds an elderly blues harmonica player (Joe Seneca) to teach him the life of a bluesman. Co-starring Jami Gertz and directed by Walter Hill.

In order to save their small gym from being taken over by a local rival, a group of ragtag misfits participate in a national dodgeball tournament in order to win enough money to keep their gym.  Starring Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Rip Torn, Justin Long, Stephen Root, Alan Tudyk, Joel David Moore, Gary Cole, and Jason Bateman.

An absolutely beautiful and timeless film that gets better with every viewing. Discover all the history behind the making of the film and what turned a moderately successful initial release into a beloved cinematic classic.  Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore.  Directed by Frank Capra.

One of the most ridiculous premises in movie history, but it works! (at least for the original film). Enjoy the hijinks of Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman as they drag their dead boss around for a holiday weekend. Co-starring Terry Kiser and Catherine Mary Stewart. Directed by Ted Kotcheff.

A classic comedy pairing two of the top comedic actors of their era, as they overcome one travel disaster after another trying return back to their homes for Thanksgiving.  Starring Steve Martin and John Candy.  Written and directed by John Hughes.

A remake of the original 1960 'Rat Pack' film, as we follow a new group of con-artists looking to pull off the greatest heist in Las Vegas casino history. Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Elliott Gould, Carl Reiner, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, and Shaobo Qin.  Directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Will Ferrell takes over coaching duties for his son's terrible youth soccer team and must compete against his overbearing father's team. Co-starring Robert Duvall, Mike Ditka, and Kate Walsh.

A terrific screwball comedy about a father (Charles Coburn) and daughter (Barbara Stanwyck) con-artist duo who attempt to swindle a wealthy, but very naive snake expert (Henry Fonda).  Written and directed by Preston Sturges.

The film debut for Tom Hanks and the first movie released by Touchstone Pictures. 'Splash' was also a precursor to the enormously popular 'The Little Mermaid' released five years later. Also starring Daryl Hannah, John Candy, and Eugene Levy. Directed by Ron Howard.

The first of four films in the Nancy Drew series starring Bonita Granville as the young sleuth on the hunt for a missing wealthy woman who recently left a sizable donation to Nancy's high school.  Based on the 1933 Nancy Drew novel The Password to Larkspur Lane.

Dan Aykroyd is a physicist and single father who discovers a little known planet and is then visited by one of their top extra-galactic researchers, Kim Basinger.  Also starring Jon Lovitz and Alyson Hannigan.

A terrific dark comedy which spawned one of the most popular TV shows of all-time. If you only know the watered-down TV series, get ready for a film which is completely different and frankly, much better!  Starring Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Sally Kellerman, Tom Skerritt, and Robert Duvall.  Directed by Robert Altman.

The final film for Carole Lombard and Jack Benny's finest on-screen role, about two actors and their theater group who attempt to capture a Nazi spy in occupied Poland during World War II. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch.

The film debut for Abbott & Costello, but can even their timeless comedy routines save this film?  Features "Who's on First?" and stars Robert Cummings, William Frawley, Allan Jones, and Nancy Kelly.

Kevin Costner stars as the GM of the Cleveland Browns trying to rebuild his broken franchise through the NFL Draft, while also attempting to keep his brand new head coach (Denis Leary), team owner (Frank Langella) and disgruntled fan-base happy.  Co-starring Jennifer Garner, Chadwick Boseman, and Ellen Burstyn.  Directed by Ivan Reitman.

In his raunchiest comedy (yes, really!) Adam Sandler stars as a derelict father trying to re-connect with his estranged son (Andy Samberg).  Co-starring Leighton Meester, Vanilla Ice, James Caan, Milo Ventimiglia, Tony Orlando, Will Forte, Rachel Dratch, Nick Swardson, Ana Gasteyer, and Susan Sarandon.

The epitome of a cult classic about a ragtag group of car repossessors, set to the soundtrack of the early 80s Los Angeles punk music scene.  Starring Emilio Estevez, Harry Dean Stanton, Tracey Walter, Sy Richardson, Olivia Barash, and Fox Harris.

Following the success of 'Splash', Tom Hanks and John Candy team up again in this comic adventure about volunteering in the Peace Corps. Co-starring Rita Wilson, Gedde Watanabe, and Tim Thomerson.

While most remakes fall flat, Eddie Murphy's version of the Jerry Lewis classic took the film to bigger and better laughs. Co-starring Jada Pinkett.

Another brilliant comedy by Albert Brooks about a twice divorced man who decides to move back in with his mother (Debbie Reynolds) to figure out why he fails in relationships.

A top-notch driver-for-hire (Jason Statham) breaks one of his rules by looking at the package he's hired to deliver and must find a way out of the predicament.  Directed by Louis Leterrier and co-written by Luc Besson.

One of the first big budget boxing films about about two shady fight promoters (Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart) and a fresh-faced farm kid (Wayne Morris) looking to break into the fight game. Co-starring Bette Davis.  Directed by Michael Curtiz.  Remade in 1962 with Elvis Presley.

Goldie Hawn lands her dream job as a high school football coach in this fun sports comedy co-starring Swoosie Kurtz, Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, Mykelti Williamson, Robyn Lively, and Nipsey Russell.

The blueprint for the modern romantic comedy and still one of the best films in the genre.  Starring Audrey Hepburn as a young princess hiding out in Rome who has the time of her life with a news reporter (Gregory Peck).  Co-starring Eddie Albert.  Directed by William Wyler.

Joan Crawford won her only Academy Award for her performance in this classic film noir about a single mother who starts her own business after her husband leaves her, which brings her financial success but further complications to her personal life.  Co-starring Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden and Ann Blyth.  Directed by Michael Curtiz.

Two fun-loving, but directionless best friends partake in a most EXCELLENT trip though the history of the world in order to pass their final high school history exam. Starring Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, and George Carlin.

One of the greatest Christmas films ever made, featuring terrific performances from Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood, and John Payne.

Brian gives his list of Top 5 favorite (at the time!) movie soundtracks.  We also hear from his merry gang of guests, as they divulge their favorites as well.

The greatly influential horror classic written and directed by John Carpenter, which spawned numerous sequels about the crimes of psycho killer Michael Myers. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, and P.J. Soles.

A forgotten gem of satire and parody in the vein of Airplane! and The Kentucky Fried Movie.  Featuring skits directed by John Landis, Joe Dante, Carl Gottlieb, Robert K. Weiss, and Peter Horton.  Actors include Michelle Pfeiffer, Carrie Fisher, Rosanna Arquette, Steve Guttenberg, Arsenio Hall, David Alan Grier, Griffin Dunne, Kelly Preston, Joe Pantoliano, Henry Silva, William Marshall, and Ed Begley Jr.

Corey Haim stars as a very intelligent but misunderstood high schooler who falls for an older girl (Kerri Green).  Co-starring Charlie Sheen, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Winona Ryder, and Jeremy Piven.

Part of the 1970s disaster-film craze, Timothy Bottoms plays a domestic terrorist targeting various amusement park roller coasters across the United States.  Co-starring George Segal, Richard Widmark and Henry Fonda.

With the 1980s wrapping up, it time to squeeze in yet another body-swap movie!  This time it's Corey Feldman and Jason Robards experimenting with a metaphysical dream world.  Co-starring Corey Haim, Meredith Salenger, Harry Dean Stanton and Piper Laurie.

The second Marx Brothers film showcasing the madcap antics of Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo. Crazy card games, shooting rifles indoors, and missing paintings are all part of the fun in this film.  Co-starring Lillian Roth and Margaret Dumont.

John Candy's first starring role where he takes his family on a vacation to Florida and wackiness ensues! Co-starring Rip Torn, Richard Crenna, and Karen Austin. Directed by Carl Reiner.

An alien is sent to Earth after receiving messages from NASA and takes the form of a recently deceased Wisconsin man (Jeff Bridges) and learns about earthling customs from his widow (Karen Allen).  Co-starring Charles Martin Smith.  Directed by John Carpenter.  

Steven Michael and Sonny Pooni from the Growin' Up Rock Podcast join DGMM to discuss their top 5 favorite movie soundtracks. 

Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis have the trip from hell where anything that can go wrong, does go wrong!  Screenplay written by Neil Simon.  Remade in 1999 with Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn.

One of the vital "Brat Pack" films of the 1980s starring Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy, Annie Potts, James Spader, and Harry Dean Stanton.  Written by John Hughes and directed by Howard Deutch.

The film that made Macaulay Culkin a star, as he's left home alone (duh!) during the Christmas holiday and outsmarts two thieves. (Joe Pesci & Daniel Stern)  Co-starring Catherine O'Hara, John Heard and John Candy.  Written by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus.

A terrific classic British whodunit, much in the vein of the Columbo mysteries of the 1970s.  Starring Alastair Sim as an inspector from Scotland Yard investigating a string of deaths at a British hospital during World War II.  Co-starring Trevor Howard, Leo Genn, and Sally Gray.

A nice blend of Police Academy and Cheech & Chong, Super Troopers is a raucous comedy brought to you by The Broken Lizard comedy troupe about a small group of Vermont state troopers trying to save their station.

Congrats to us for hitting 300 episodes!  To celebrate, we cover all the terrific facts for what is often considered the greatest film of all-time.  Starring Judy Garland, Margaret Hamilton, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, and Bert Lahr.

Steve Martin's film debut and still one of his funniest and finest comedies. Co-starring Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Jackie Mason and M. Emmet Walsh.  Directed by Carl Reiner.

One of the greatest Westerns ever made starring a cast of Hollywood legends: John Wayne, James Stewart, and Lee Marvin.  Directed by John Ford.

We've covered the fun facts about this classic film in the previous episode. For this episode, we hearken back to the original format of DGMM where we interview many past guests about their experiences with The Wizard of Oz.

Charles Bronson stars as a mercenary hired to eliminate a sadistic British doctor residing in South America as a torturer of political adversaries.  Co-starring Theresa Saldana, Joseph Maher and José Ferrer.  Directed by J. Lee Thompson.

A cultural phenomenon that defined the music and dance scene of the late 1970s.  Starring John Travolta in a star-making role as a young man whose only ambition in life is to be the king of New York club dancers.  Also included is a bonus episode covering the entire iconic soundtrack featuring The Bee Gees.

The military police led by Sean Connery partners up (begrudgingly!) with a San Francisco detective (Mark Harmon) to find the killer of a military police officer.  Co-starring Meg Ryan and Jack Warden.

A giant genetically altered laboratory tarantula escapes and wreaks havoc on the citizens of a small Arizona town. Fun for the entire family!

One of the greatest sports movies ever made about a rising star, a fading star, and a woman who must choose between the two. Starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins. Written and directed by Ron Shelton.

The first (and some say the best) of the fourteen Sherlock Holmes films starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Holmes and Dr. Watson. Also starring Lionel Atwill and John Carradine.

Based on the Dashiell Hammett novel, a powerful political racketeer (Brian Donlevy) falls in love with the daughter (Veronica Lake) of the candidate he's backing. However, his best friend (Alan Ladd) must protect him from opposing forces looking to bring down his career.  Co-starring William Bendix, Joseph Calleia, and Bonita Granville.

Rebecca De Mornay and Mary Gross join the FBI training academy in hopes of becoming FBI agents.  Co-starring Fred Dalton Thompson.

Since 1985, Captain Video has been a video rental mainstay of the San Francisco Bay Area and is one of the last remaining traditional video stores still operating in the United States.  Ira looks back on the early days of the home video rental business and how he started, along with what keeps him going in the present day of modern technology. 

If you're ever in the San Francisco Bay Area and still love collecting or renting movies or simply want to experience a blast from the past, stop in and say hello to Ira at Captain Video:

2837 S. El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94403 (650) 572-0212

Kevin Costner stars as a talented and gregarious golfer who can never seem to achieve greatness due to his self-destructive decisions.  Co-starring Rene Russo, Cheech Marin, and Don Johnson.  Directed by Ron Shelton.

A wild and raunchy comedy starring Robert Wuhl as the leader of a drag-racing club looking to have one more night of debaucherous fun before their hangout is torn down.  (Think American Graffiti meets Porky's!)  Co-starring Fran Drescher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tony Danza, and Stuart Pankin.

While some prefer the 2001 remake over the original, the Rat Pack version has a certain charm and definite star power that cannot be denied.  Starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, and Angie Dickinson.

One of the top movies of the film noir genre ever made, about a detective (Dana Andrews) investigating the mysterious murder of an advertising executive (Gene Tierney).  Co-starring Clifton Webb and Vincent Price.  Directed by Otto Preminger.

The second film from director Kevin Smith after the surprise indie hit of 'Clerks'.  Did a bigger budget help or hurt Mallrats?  Starring Jason Lee, Shannen Doherty, Jeremy London, Claire Forlani, Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Mewes, and Ethan Suplee.

After returning from Paris, a chauffeur's daughter (Audrey Hepburn) becomes the source of romantic interest from two brothers (Humphrey Bogart & William Holden). Directed by Billy Wilder.

A single mother (Sally Field) restarts her life in a small town in Arizona and befriends a local widower (James Garner). Co-starring Corey Haim and Brian Kerwin.

A throwback teen comedy about a new student trying to fit into a high school full of cliques.  Starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lizzy Caplan, Amanda Seyfried, and Lacey Chabert.  Written by Tina Fey and directed by Mark Waters.

A little known, but very well done screwball comedy about two strangers who meet on a park bench and become the maid and butler to a gangster. Starring Herbert Marshall and Jean Arthur.

A group of special-ops from around the world are hired to steal a mysterious briefcase. Starring Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård, Sean Bean, Jonathan Pryce, Skipp Sudduth, and Michael Londsdale.  Directed by John Frankenheimer.

It took a while, but Rachelle finally agreed to do a full episode dedicated to her favorite movies!

The original classic that could only come from the gritty filmmaking of the 1970s. Starring Walter Matthau, Tatum O'Neal, and Jackie Earle Haley. Directed by Michael Ritchie.