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Cinematic Gems & Quotable Lines of Rob Reiner!
8 Plays23 days ago
Exploring the works of Rob Reiner (RIP) focusing on 1986's 'Stand By Me' and 1990's 'Misery.'
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Transcript
Introduction and New Year Welcome
00:00:02
Speaker
You're listening to the Sleepy Games Podcast.
00:00:31
Speaker
Well hello there, once again, this is the Sleepy Games Podcast. I am one of your hosts, Sleepy Joan. With me, the ever exuberant James Games.
00:00:44
Speaker
Yo, yo, happy new year everybody, we're back! 2026!
James's New Dog and Personal Updates
00:00:49
Speaker
It is a very belated new o year. Yes it is. Yep.
00:00:56
Speaker
Did you enjoy your holidays, James? I did. lose yeah Yeah. ah I'll just tell you off the air, I have a little doggy now. That's right. Yeah. that so so So it's the first time I ever owned one. So excited to rock in the new year with ah my my very first dog I ever owned in my life. So that's exciting stuff.
00:01:17
Speaker
That is exciting.
00:01:20
Speaker
I am happy. Yeah, she's a see see she's she brought me a lot of joy in my life so far. I'm i'm excited to to to share my life with her.
00:01:32
Speaker
she's She's like my daughter now. Right, yeah, that that a lot of people do treat them as their children. Yes, they do. i see a lot of memes about that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I mean, like, I think in a lot of ways dogs are better than people, so... Yeah, I mean, I get it. Yeah. but ah but but But as far as ah ah ah for the show today... Yes.
Tribute to Director Rob Reiner
00:01:59
Speaker
I know we we we had some ah we had some new films we had to watch to bring in the new year. um
00:02:07
Speaker
they And I know ah we we talked about the films from Rob Reiner, the ah yeah the famous director who sadly, a tragic loss, the the the way he went out.
00:02:19
Speaker
o that But he he did live a lasting legacy behind him with a lot of his films. That's right. But we'll we'll get into those films a little later.
00:02:33
Speaker
as we As we usually like doing when we start the show, we kind of like going into some of the shows ah we're currently watching or movies we've currently seen that kind of yeah um left ah left a lasting impact.
00:02:46
Speaker
And we can't wait to bring it up on the show.
Introduction to 'Heated Rivalry' TV Show
00:02:49
Speaker
So if you don't mind, i want to start first ah with with a show that I watch. And i'm I'm curious if you watched it or heard about it, especially you being in Canada.
00:03:00
Speaker
Okay. Yeah, this will be good, I'm sure. i don't know if you know where I'm going with this, but um but there's there's a big sport in Canada.
00:03:12
Speaker
believe it's the national sport of hockey. um And then there's actually a TV show, a hockey TV show.
00:03:22
Speaker
Do you know where going with this? I... No. Okay. So I think within the last month, I think like since we did the last ah last podcast show,
00:03:36
Speaker
yeah um there's been a surprise a surprise hit that kind of like went under the radar, but now all of a sudden it kind of has blown up because of so because of some of the content they show.
00:03:52
Speaker
um So the premise is you have these two hockey players. um Think of it as like Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, like them coming up.
00:04:07
Speaker
Like in their rookie years, they're young everything and everything. And they're always like battling of
Discussion on 'Heated Rivalry's' Themes
00:04:13
Speaker
who's like the best in the league. like Who's gonna be the MVP of the league and everything. right um but But I think because they're the best,
00:04:22
Speaker
In this show, they developed a a a physical attraction for one another as well. i mean, that tracks with hockey players, for sure.
00:04:41
Speaker
that Okay, this so you can tell I'm going over this. So it's the show called Heated Rivalry. Okay, yeah, yeah. And it's basically where it goes in in graphic and graphic detail of their relationship, like on and off the ice.
00:05:00
Speaker
And how them being on different teams and then like when they're playing each other, how they're interacting and then right um that them just being far apart, how they interact and all that. I'm only three episodes in and like I see so many memes about this show. I think because, you know, like with the algorithm and everything, if you if they know you're watching a show, it's going to pop up on your feed.
00:05:22
Speaker
And so it's a very like, Like, I mean, some could say it it's like like it goes into like the ah gay softcore porn territory.
00:05:34
Speaker
Huh. Where it's as as far as like that graphic detail. But, you know, like I've I've never seen a ah show like this that that outside of things on HBO, you know, so.
00:05:50
Speaker
ah And I think this is on like a Canadian channel. i think it's called like Crave or something. Does that sound familiar? i you Crave does sound familiar. I didn't realize it was a Canadian TV show or a channel. I mean, I should say. Or or or maybe maybe it's a Canadian streaming service.
00:06:08
Speaker
It could be. I'm familiar with it. I didn't know was Canadian. Yes. I thought it was an American one. It is Canadian. Yes. and And so they they they develop i think they they developed the show.
00:06:22
Speaker
Um, and it, it, it's been making waves here in America now. Like where you have the main actors who were like, but well, I think one of the main actors he did, he announced like all the nominations for the SAG awards. And he had the other guy who was at the Golden Globes and they presented together. And yeah, now, now, now I see this show everywhere.
00:06:44
Speaker
And I guess I'm only three, I'm only my three episodes in it's like a very, very unique take with, uh,
Audience Reactions to 'Heated Rivalry'
00:06:53
Speaker
A sports show meeting a very graphic relationship kind of drama.
00:06:59
Speaker
they So like how how much smut are we talking about here? like is it is it like Is it over the top amounts of smut? i mean does it Is it smut that furthers the plot line or is it just gratuitous and you know?
00:07:15
Speaker
So I can see some some people think it's gratuitous, but I can see some thinking it's like done in a more like realistic tasteful way but like it does enhance the story but i guess it it depends it i guess it more depends if you're a prude or not too you know it's like if if you're not used to seeing this when you're watching shows you know you're probably not gonna like it but if you're used to like things like game of thrones or stuff like that where where there's like you they show gratuitous sex and everything but Right.
00:07:45
Speaker
But i guess I guess maybe as far as male on male, it's probably, it could be a lot that someone hasn't seen before. Right. Because that's the whole show like...
00:08:03
Speaker
you don't see like ah right just male just a female male having sex. like That's nothing with show. It's all just male on male action in hockey. Right.
00:08:16
Speaker
But even with that, yeah there's not there's there's not a lot of hockey. Right. ah yeah You might be seeing a flying V, but it ain't the flying V you'll want to see.
00:08:32
Speaker
So, yeah, so, ah like, i'll be I'll be very curious if, i got ah after this episode, if you hear anything about it, like, ah around town or, like, if you're scrolling through the or something. I mean, possibly. I feel like, I mean, like, I don't know. I mean, yeah I just feel like yeah this would probably be more popular with the the female yeah population. Yes. so So, I see a lot of memes. So, so so I'm watching this with my girlfriend and everything. And even even she's she's kind of like,
00:09:03
Speaker
she's like going crazy watching this. She's like screaming like, ah, I can't put this show on this. You know, like doing all that and kind of almost like covered her eyes. Like I shouldn't be watching this. I feel weird. Right.
00:09:15
Speaker
Yeah. I don't know. Again, and I mean, like, I know and never, like, I mean, I guess some some some could accuse me of of being a prude, but I think for me it's just, like, if if you're gonna have sex scenes, like, it's to just, they should further the plot.
Impact and Popularity of 'Heated Rivalry'
00:09:29
Speaker
I just feel like sometimes they just do gratuitous, and I feel like sometimes they'll just do it for the shock value, and I suppose... Yeah, so... and In this case, I mean, two guys, that there's shock value there, are obviously, so...
00:09:41
Speaker
so So I feel like they're like toe on the line with both because like, yes, it does have good writing and it it does feel very realistic and it does have certain side plot elements that do bring it together. Right. So I feel like in the way like they think, okay, well, we can get away with it because, oh, we do have this good writing to go along with it too.
00:10:01
Speaker
You know, so it's like, It's like like like, and that's why even for me, like somebody not used to a show like this, I'm like, well, of want to know what happens because like you, you, you built up this relationship between the two and one sees the relationship one way. The other one sees a different way, but I'm like, I got to know how this ends. I got to know. Right.
00:10:23
Speaker
So. Hmm.
00:10:26
Speaker
ye I mean, it probably ends with ah somebody having their shit packed up. yeah Oh, Sleepy John. There he is. There he is. He's back. Happy 2026.
00:10:41
Speaker
Hope you got your shit packed. We're back with a bang, baby.
00:10:51
Speaker
Oh God. Um, but yeah, so, so I just wanted to bring up that show and then, uh, yeah, I'll be, I'll be curious if, um, the next, the next, the next episode, if, uh, you hear anything about it, cause I, I'm sure it's only going get like bigger from here because like, like I was at a reception on Saturday, um, with, uh,
00:11:14
Speaker
my friend's wedding, and we were actually talking to to my girlfriend's friends and they said that, yeah, they binged the hell out of it. that They said, yeah, once we started, we couldn't stop. But of course, you know, it was two females everything, but it was just funny how just like, here, like I didn't even know about the show two weeks ago. Now I see it everywhere.
00:11:34
Speaker
And it was called what against Unrivaled? It's called Heated Rivalry. Heated Rivalry. Heated Rivalry. Yes. Okay. Right. There's a little bit of a double entendre there, obviously. Yes, there is. Yes, there is. um But yeah, so I want to bring that up. So yeah, um I guess ah before we get the topic today, was there anything new you watched, movies or TV-wise?
00:12:01
Speaker
i I mean the most recent one and don't don't ask me why what came on the autoplay I saw Jack Black I i was like you know what I like Jack Black ah And that that's what why I watched it. Clearly the algorithm knew that I liked Jack Black, obviously. it was the like Jim Carrey flick from the 90s, the cable guy.
00:12:24
Speaker
Oh, okay. When you said Jack Black, I was not the one I expected you to pick. He's having like the third lead. I didn't realize he was in there. And I was like, well, it must be good then. But I was like i remember hearing back in the day, it sucked. I never watched it Yeah, I mean, hard pass. that There's not really much to say. the social commentary was, like, not very subtle.
00:12:44
Speaker
ah And it was, like, it was just it was just too much. And and it it wasn't a movie I was expecting social commentary on. was too much. Too much, James. I know for the time that movie be released, I think it was, like, the the movie Jim Carrey did right after,
00:13:01
Speaker
like a Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber. Yeah, The Mask and all that. So yeah, the he he was riding high for sure. And then I think he was just like, oh, let me... And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I even disagree with the social commentary. is just It just wasn't very well done. And it's not like, yeah, it wasn't at all the type of movie i was expecting it to be.
00:13:19
Speaker
ah But yeah, I guess I'm happy i missed it back in the day. and I'm unhappy that I decided to watch it. Okay, so that is a skip for you. we're telling everyone it's not one of Jim Carrey's best.
00:13:38
Speaker
and No, no. like and i and And I understand that sometimes he does kind of like more thriller, I guess, type movies, more drama stuff and stuff. And I have seen one or two those movies, I didn't mind. but Yeah, I mean, he kind of perfected the whole, he can still act like Jim Carrey, but still be like ah still be dramatic in a good way. yeah I always think the best is like the Truman Show.
00:14:01
Speaker
I think the Truman Show is a pretty balance of that. Yeah, or like Man on the Moon or something like that. Is that yeah that's what it's called, right? Yeah. He's done he does some good stuff. Like, I don't... to It's not... and That's the thing. is like I was just i was i was wondering what the hell that was. so But, ah yeah, hard pass for me. And, and again, like don't ask me why I was watching I think i was half asleep and then just kind of autoplayed. And i was like, oh, I like me some Jack Black. And then and then I was like, I don't know what the hell just happened. So...
00:14:28
Speaker
All right, we'll skip that one. Don't watch it. Don't watch it, everybody. Don't watch it. Watch ah watch so what Liar Liar instead. Sure, sure. Yeah, atth like ah any of his 90s movies, I think apart from that one, probably good. I think Liar Liar is the one I've watched the most of all his films.
00:14:48
Speaker
Like as far as rewatch the most. I've had better. and i didn't know what that meant as a kid. Yeah, I guess not.
00:15:05
Speaker
But, ah all right, so you you you want to go into the topic for today? Yes, we might as well do that, yes.
Rob Reiner's Film Legacy
00:15:12
Speaker
So so i I guess before we start, I know we kind of ran down some of the films you already saw from Rob Reiner.
00:15:21
Speaker
Yeah, it's like it's interesting. like I had no idea just the amount of stuff that he, like either either he start like he's a he's an actor, he's also a director, i think he's also produced a bunch of stuff too. like He's yeah quite involved, or was quite involved in quite a number of things. But yeah, I've seen like a good chunk, but there's definitely, I think, some classics that I haven't seen, like This Is Spinal Tap.
00:15:47
Speaker
Yeah, that one is a classic. I haven't seen that one. and i And it's one of those things, no different than the one that you had me watch. it's It's a movie that has been on my radar for a number of years, has never gotten around to watching it.
00:16:00
Speaker
ah Probably cause i'm too busy you know watching gems like the cable guy. so
00:16:08
Speaker
So, ah yeah, like, I don't know. i Do you want to run through some of the the popular ones and then? Well, yes. such a fun here so so So the one like i it so so source so far some of my favorites that he's done and like going in order from um when they were were released, like his first major one was this is Spinal Tap.
00:16:28
Speaker
that was kind That was kind of one as far as the director. um he where he like he kind of became acclaimed like right off the jump from that one because it was he kind of started the whole like mockumentary genre with that film of like making a you know he it follows this fake rock band and you're just a documentary crew following them around them you know seeing all their crazy antics and just just the whole interviewing of the whole band and following them on tour and all that um
00:17:01
Speaker
So, ah and I wasn't told fairly recently, like I think just a few years ago, I first watched that. So, and then like to to follow up from there, where is the film that we'll be talking about with you. he Like he goes from there to doing Stand By Me.
00:17:17
Speaker
Which is a completely different kind of movie. Right. And then, uh, but we'll talk about that in a sec, but I want to go through some of my favorites too. Like, I think one my favorites of his is The Princess Bride. i Yeah. Also probably one of most quotable movies he has.
00:17:30
Speaker
Inconceivable. Yeah, Inconceivable and the, uh, the, uh, You Killed My Father yeah dialogue. my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed father. Prepare to die. Anybody want to be nuts? You know, like with Andre the Giant.
00:17:43
Speaker
Yeah. Um... And then then then from that, i think it's so cool with the run he had of films within this time, within like a... God, what is it? Like decade span almost? Yeah, I think that's around what it was.
00:17:59
Speaker
Yeah, and like for him to cross over so many different genres, that's so rare to see directors do. Yeah, that's one and thing I would say. Like you've got everything from like rom-coms, like you've got some drama, you've got the mockumentary. You have have a fairytale one. A thriller. Like, yeah, it's it's it's pretty it's pretty wild.
00:18:18
Speaker
Obviously, he was keeping himself in he keeping this up on his toes. Yeah, and don't forget, like, he he tried he mastered, like, the the and the courtroom drama with a few good men. That's right.
00:18:30
Speaker
And then and and that one happened, the iconic line of, ah you can't handle the truth. You know that? Like, come on. Yeah, oh, yeah. Yeah. um So... In between, so that's what going to go into like between that decade span, because you know he had other movies that came out after that, but like none of them reached the heights of the films he had within that decade.
00:18:51
Speaker
Right, yeah. So, yeah, I... And then, like, the other one, like, as far as the rom-com we talked about, he did When Harry Met Sally. And that one has the iconic line of, uh, I'll have what she's having.
00:19:02
Speaker
Right, yeah. And I think as as far as iconic lines go, like I can't... i don't see any other movies that really would... that stand out as much. But I guess going into that now...
Review of 'Stand By Me'
00:19:18
Speaker
um I want to hear your thoughts about the film you watched. You watched Stand By Me. it did, yes. So, yes. Take it from there, because I watched this movie a few times throughout my years. And I think I watched it for the first time probably when I was in high school.
00:19:34
Speaker
Okay, yeah. uh i mean like yeah so i i do like i only know of this movie because it's it's one that's you know it's referenced here and there obviously is is put you know it's got pop culture i think family guy even like kind of made fun of yeah whatever yeah yeah and it's also it's one of those things that shows like strange or things like bases some of like its plot points based on that right so yeah uh it is iconic in that in that regard and and again it was it was always the movies that i intended to watch that just never got around to it's got quite the cast uh with you know obviously you you know with some people that i didn't know was in there like for instance like keifer sutherland yes ah ah you didn't know he was in it
00:20:22
Speaker
No, like, well, actually, I didn't really know that, and like, I didn't know any of the actors in it, ah and then obviously, yeah, you see it, you're like, oh, crap, like, he's, oh, crap, look at that, it's like, so, ah so that was pretty neat, and I mean, I mean, all in all, like, it is, it is a very well done movie, the, the, those, those, all the actors in it are phenomenal, like, especially for their age, it's, oh, yeah, it's, as far as kid actors, it's probably some the best kid actors could ever be.
00:20:48
Speaker
Absolutely. And, you know, why and and things that you're never going to see again, like, you know, kids smoking, right? Yes. Like, that's, like, even for the 80s, I mean, that must have been pushing the ah envelope a little bit, I would imagine. Like, because, like, clearly there's a few few scenes where, you know, maybe they're using something different than the cigarettes or anything like that. But, I mean, like, obviously that they they do it more than once in the movie. So, yeah.
00:21:16
Speaker
Yeah, like, I mean, it's ah it's a short movie, you know, very 80s, it's little bit less than an hour and a half runtime, which I love, and despite that, i it doesn't feel like it's short, like and and I don't mean that to say that it feels like it's long, like it it's got the right length, it's got good pacing.
00:21:34
Speaker
ah I don't know, yeah, it's just like, it's if you've never watched it, I think it's worth watching. I mean, I guess the gist of the movie really is like in the last line, saying that like you'll know you'll never have friendships quite like you did before you were like before you were a teenager, essentially. Like, those...
00:21:53
Speaker
those childlike years and the friendships and then the bonds you make are you know quite unique to life I guess. little depressing at the end, although I kind of should have seen it coming because of the the newspaper he's reading in the car at the start.
00:22:07
Speaker
um That obviously was kind of you know foreshadowing that that that was his buddy there, because you youre know you don't have enough information to make those connections I guess, you're just watching it at at the outset I suppose. Right.
00:22:22
Speaker
Yeah, like, I don't know. I mean, it's it's a good movie. it It is, like, it is definitely, like, emotionally charged. Like, there's a lot, you know, there's a lot going on. Like, obviously, there's, a you know, like, kids getting abused and stuff like that. Like, it's, like, so, yeah, like, it was good. Like, I just, I could see why it's a favorite for a lot of people.
00:22:42
Speaker
ah I guess that's that's pretty much all I have to say to it. like i I didn't go into expecting much. I didn't know what it was about. It's basically about four kids are going after a dead body they yeah heard a rumor of. That's the gist of the movie. and and And you know, too, them that this this was based off a Stephen King book called The Body.
00:23:04
Speaker
Right, yeah. Yeah, I saw that. And like and and again, like we're talking about people like crossing different genres, and like and that's one that Stephen King is always you know associated with horror and stuff, but he's done quite the ah he's done he's done quite a number of of different different things. We were talking about The Running Man ah you know late last year, too, which is another Stephen King thing. so pretty Pretty interesting. so Yeah, and it's interesting, too, because he likes to incorporate, I guess, writers into his movies since he's a writer himself. And with with you watching this one and then, so I watched Misery, which you know also Stephen King wrote as well.
00:23:44
Speaker
Yeah. So it's just, I kind of like that. I made sure we had those parallels we when we picked these. Right. Okay. Yeah. Well done. Well done. But I guess as far as getting the stand by me, because I know like the one scene that always got to, I mean, the that the one scene that was always outrageous to me, it kind of comes out of nowhere.
00:24:05
Speaker
is when they're at the campfire and they tell that story about the... The puking, yeah. Yeah, the pie-eating contest. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I remember watching that with kid and I was like, what is going on? I thought it was some of the craziest stuff I ever watched.
00:24:19
Speaker
Yeah, it reminded me a bit of a... You ever see that movie Problem Child? I never saw that one, no. Okay, well they have a very, I think it's Problem Child, I want to say that, but anyways, they have a similar scene to that where everyone's puking. I think they spoofed it off of this movie. is Oh really? originated from.
00:24:37
Speaker
Yeah, after seeing this one, I know that this one was done was done first. Yeah. I would say that that's that's where that came from, so yeah, no, that scene, that it's it's a, I guess my my question with that scene though is like, why was everybody puking at Blue? I don't think the people in the stands where were eating blueberry pie. I was like, did everyone have their own individual pie before sitting down? Like, I just... i Yeah, that that was just i just... I just have questions, James. just That's funny. I didn't even think about that. You're right, though. that's they did I guess as far as... um
00:25:12
Speaker
Maybe as an audience watching it, it's easier to digest watching that kind of vomit versus like actual vomit. Because that might be a little bit more disgusting than just seeing eye vomit. Possibly. Maybe that was the director's choice.
00:25:28
Speaker
Maybe it just adds to the kid's fantasy movie or whatever. but either Either way. and Yeah, yeah it' so that scene always stuck out to me. And then like, i remember as a kid, that scene that always freaked me out was the scene with the leeches.
00:25:44
Speaker
That freaked me out as a kid when I watched it. That'll freak you as an adult. I don't want a leech on my junk either. I don't think anyone wants that. That was freaky ah thousand something that i always stuck with me.
00:25:56
Speaker
was that scene. And, uh, there's one, you you you're making me think about this too, actually, because, like, I worked very briefly as a train conductor in the past, and and I can tell you, James, that when they're running away from that train, yes that conductor and engineer that are on that train are just asshats, because that was a very, very short locomotive. They could have easily brought that thing to a stop.
00:26:20
Speaker
ah They were trying to run those kids over. Jesus. It's like these kids are going to learn today. They're going learn never to fuck with us. I could understand if it was like a 200 car train. Yeah, it takes a long time. But like there was like, I think there was like, there was the main, the main train there. There was like maybe one or two cars. It was the caboose at the end. and Yeah. I swear it couldn't have been more than four or five car lengths long like that.
00:26:43
Speaker
you You can get that stopped quite quickly. Uh, ah ah i see so I didn't think about either. i just yeah i just thought someone was asleep at the wheel. You know?
00:26:57
Speaker
i then you know what and that That is possible. like that that is That is fair. That's a fair point. Could have been in his sleep. Yeah, sure. so i mean cause I always think, that doesn't the train run itself? Do you really need to be watching?
00:27:10
Speaker
Uh, well, I mean, yeah, the, the trains, I mean, like I said, you can fall asleep. I'm not saying that I've never heard of that happening. It happens quite frequently on the railway, but, uh, the, the horn was going off. So there were the, that's what you want to call us. I mean, that's true. Somebody was engaging that, ah that that wouldn't have been automated. So like, I, I, I think that they were just assholes.
00:27:33
Speaker
They're like, they didn't want to, they wanted to make their deadline. I guess they don't want to be late. And then then i four kids is not gonna stop them. They already killed the other kid. it Might as well kill some more, right?
00:27:46
Speaker
Yeah. ah But but ah also, a getting back to the cast, ah so I know the one standout actor I loved in this was um ah River Phoenix, who is Joaquin Phoenix's brother. Right, right. um who you you know He tragically died his early I believe.
00:28:05
Speaker
right i believe and and And that kind of hits the ending more to this movie. Because he's the one that's... um he Because he's the one that gets killed. He dies off screen, basically. Yeah. yeah yeah So, which which which which... That's crazy on its own.
00:28:24
Speaker
um And and and he was he was turning into a really good actor, ah from what I heard. yeah like I've only seen him in this. And...
00:28:35
Speaker
the beginning of Indiana Jones, The Last Crusade, because he plays young in Indiana Jones. Yeah, like... And he played that very well. Yeah, I thought there was one or two other things that I had seen him in too, but it's not it's not not coming to not coming to me at the moment, so...
00:28:51
Speaker
But yeah, it's it's a shame as far as a young talent he was, what he would have done for the rest of his career. Right. I'm sure he would he would have went places. He's got a great name, i River Phoenix. That's an awesome name.
00:29:02
Speaker
Yeah, that is a good name. here um And then you had you had the the the chubby kid being Jerry O'Connell. yeah i did not realize that was him watching and like well he's in a couple of scenes with his eyes but it's not like it's crazy to to think that he would grow into to you know to that it's it's pretty yeah wild so yeah yeah yeah and then course the last thing we'll talk about what was the scene with keith sutherland um ah especially at the end i love that standoff with him right Cause he plays a ah crazy guy that, you know, for what you get feel like he could just flip a switch and just kill you like that.
00:29:40
Speaker
Yeah. as i like I like the kids line too. because Kiefer Southerman, he's like, are you going to kill us all? And he's like, no, just to you. Yeah, and such a cool line. So good. So good. Yes. And I was like, I believed it. I believed it. Yeah, exactly. Clearly he did too. That's why he backed up. Yeah, exactly. Oh, man.
00:30:07
Speaker
Um, yeah. so so So, I'm glad you
'Stand By Me's' Enduring Impact
00:30:11
Speaker
enjoyed it. I i think it's one of Rob Reiner's best. Um, I see it's on the top 250 movies on IMDb.
00:30:20
Speaker
Hmm. So, not surprised it's there. um but, yeah, they don't make movies like that anymore. Uh, yeah, they were they I don't think they can. No. The 80s were a hell of a time. Indeed.
00:30:40
Speaker
Indeed. But yes, so so so i guess I guess I'll move on to my to my watch.
Transition to 'Misery'
00:30:47
Speaker
So, and you you never saw Misery before, correct?
00:30:52
Speaker
ah No, I've seen Misery. You have? I it quite a few years ago. Yeah, yeah, yeah. so James Conn, man. I love James Conn. You love James Conn. Okay, yeah. Love James Conn. and it and And James Conn, you know, I love him as well.
00:31:06
Speaker
um Ever since, you know, the Goodfather days. Right? But yes, so it was my, it was my, so I went in this, like like I knew, the only scene I knew going into this film was the sledgehammer scene. yeah Yeah. That was the only scene I knew. Right. um Everything else was new to me as far as ah this where it took place, you know, how he gets there how he gets in the situation all that.
00:31:33
Speaker
Yeah. So it was it and it was cool seeing too as far as because I don't think I've, I think this might be this might be Kathy Bates' first like big role.
00:31:47
Speaker
Yeah, you might be right there actually, yeah. Because I can't think of anything she was in the 80s. Right. So even though she was born 1948, so she's...
00:32:03
Speaker
she's She's in her 70s now. I mean, so it makes me think maybe she was in some... But I guess i guess maybe she was in small roles there, but like maybe like her audition, she knocked out the park and it's like, right. Then after this movie, she just became a star.
00:32:14
Speaker
um yeah And she's so unhinged in this where she she doesnt shes she's great at like someone who's very bipolar or or just has a split personality because you you don't know...
00:32:32
Speaker
if she's to be all nice and sweet or just like ready to pull out a knife and just stab me with it. Just like that. And I love James Caan's just reactions to her because every time he's looking at her, he's like, all right, I can't, I can't, I gotta be cool because I don't know how I'm going to get this situation alive, but I need to play my part to make sure I don't get killed in the process.
00:32:59
Speaker
Yep. so So, like, didn I guess it it was kind of, I'm sure it was new to people watching as far as, like, being obsessive over a celebrity, I guess.
Exploration of Themes in 'Misery'
00:33:12
Speaker
um to ah To the point of, like, like ah a very bad obsession where, like, yeah a deep love obsession, like,
00:33:25
Speaker
It's probably one of the first movies, I think, that explored that, or the first movie that i that explored that idea, maybe, eh? That's what I think, too, because I can't think of something before that. Well, yeah, because there was, like, the fan with the De Niro there, that was, like, in the mid-90s, I think.
00:33:39
Speaker
Yeah, and I wonder if, like, this film like sparked the idea for the fan, you know? Yeah, very, very well could have. Yeah. Because you could use this for, you know, because this was just for a book writer. You could, you obviously do for for sports, do that for a movie actor. you could do that for anything.
00:33:57
Speaker
um But it but it it made this, I guess, more of an intimate setting because, you know, you know not many people, you know, see... writers like on TV or you know, or broadcasts, whatever, because a lot of people, the only time they see him is like on the inside of the book cover. It's like, oh, yeah you see the picture of the offer author. But, you know, you you you you have you have Kathy Bates's character who knows every little detail about him.
00:34:27
Speaker
and And that's why it was so great bringing up James Conn's reactions, because he's like, how the fuck do you know this about me? You know, like even knowing like how I, like what I do when I finish my book, how he like lights a cigarette and, and when when I guess, and then he packs a book and he, yeah, I i forget what, oh, or that like he only has, he only ever has one draft. Like he never makes copies or something like that. like Like she even knew that.
00:34:53
Speaker
And good because that's why when when she made him like burn that coffee, i was like, oh, man, he's like a piece of a hit. A piece of him has died inside having to do that with all all the work on gone to nothing.
00:35:06
Speaker
um But ah so there there were a few surprises in the movie I didn't expect, like because you follow the the sheriff and the sheriff's wife.
00:35:20
Speaker
um who were trying to find James Conn's car that slid off the road during the blizzard. That's the other thing I thought was crazy, too, as far as like the way Kathy Bates found him.
00:35:31
Speaker
I'm like, wait, you're telling me he she followed him in that blizzard down the mountain? And then just he just happened to crash? And then she's like, all right, now I got him. I'm going to pull him out.
00:35:45
Speaker
nurse him back to health, and he's he's all mine, you know? Yeah, well, they they say most crimes are crimes of opportunity, right? Yeah, yeah, that's true. There you go. So, anyways, so getting back with the sheriff and his wife.
00:35:59
Speaker
So I love the banter of these two characters. like Oh, this is a sweet old couple, and I like how they're, that that she's he's a sheriff, and and the wife's the deputy and everything. i thought that was kind of cool.
00:36:09
Speaker
And then, so, I'm like hoping, I'm like, Okay, so the sheriff's going to the house knowing that, okay, James Conn could be here, had held hostage.
00:36:20
Speaker
I'm just like, oh, no. and I just got that sinking feeling of like, oh, no, he's not going to make it out. was like, oh, no. Because I feel like with movies like this, especially at that time, like you know they're they're not going to show like what happened to the wife, of her being distraught about the husband's the sheriff getting killed and everything but man Kathy Bates like blows blows a hole through this man like it's nothing with the shotgun and that's that's the thing that kind like surprised me like just like the way it happened so I was because I knew when he's going back in the house and when she's hiding I was like oh no he's a goner but yeah but I think like the way he she did it I was just like oh I didn't didn't even know she had that shotgun jeez
00:37:11
Speaker
I thought she just had sledgehammer. Yeah, I know, exactly. Yeah, so, like, when that scene happened, like, I'm sure, like, when audiences first watched this, I'm sure that there were just, I'm sure people covered their eyes, like, no, can't watch this. can't watch this. But because kind of knew was coming, feel like that scene's been parodied to death.
00:37:29
Speaker
all Right. But it was cool to see everything else as far as like other ways she knocked him out because she she had like ah know her being a nurse. think I like that it kind of went into her backstory of like how she's kind of always been a little crazy. She's always been an opportunist in ah and the nastiest way to like get ahead in life.
00:37:49
Speaker
as far as i It kind of showed through the newspaper clippings of her ah getting to the i guess one of the head nurses at the hospital. And her I think it it's it's showed that she kind of killed her way to the top.
00:38:05
Speaker
I believe that's what they showed. i think. that' well you're you like yeah It's been like quite a number. I probably watched this... Man, it's got be getting on like 15 years now. So you're really challenging my memory on stuff like that. so But yeah...
00:38:22
Speaker
Yeah, so it was cool. it was cool like yeah At the end, you know you get the whole scuffle and everything between them. and you know like i I know James Cotton's gonna come up on top of him. It's like, you know okay, he does have the the broken ankles and everything now. and um like I know he'll get it, i know he'll get up but i don't I don't know how. i like he kind of used some of his ingenuity and everything to of trick her. And in the in the end Actually, the way the way he did it, i think i think he knocked her knocked her head in, ah believe.
00:38:59
Speaker
But it was still it was still brutal as hell. liked as far as he has like PTSD ever since the incident because like he he can't help. but he I like the last last scene of he can't help but see her wherever he goes.
00:39:15
Speaker
Right. So, but I feel like it's not so much where he is um afraid to go outside or, like, you know, do things, but, like, he like he he knows, like, all right, I'm going to see her.
00:39:28
Speaker
I just have to accept that that's this is my life now. You know? i think, well, at the same time, too, it's like... I think that like and any kind of high-profile celebrity, like and that yeah is somewhere in the deep down the back of your mind, it's always there. like Because there there have been a lot of celebrities have restraining orders on yeah you know obsessed fans and stuff to you, right?
00:39:50
Speaker
it's it's it's It's a valid, legitimate concern and maybe that's what he means by he's seeing her everywhere because it's like, well, where's the next one? Where's this next fucking crazy fan that's gonna, you know, try to try to ambush me or something, right? like it's Well, he could also be thinking too, you know what? You know what? It can't get any worse.
00:40:07
Speaker
if That's true. Yeah, that that's another another another way to look at it, I guess. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, so so as far as Rob Reiner's, I guess, his discography of of his films and everything, or I'm sorry, his filmography.
Performance Praise in 'Misery'
00:40:26
Speaker
um like is is death Like, I prefer some his other films more than that one. I just think because it sometimes it gets a little little bit too much on the silly side, or like like the outlandish side, but like, I think because of
00:40:41
Speaker
ah like how great actors Kathy Bates and James kind of are like just that whole dynamic. It just kept, it kept me going the whole time. um but yeah, I definitely prefer like stand by me or princess bride or,
00:40:59
Speaker
few good men, like like like some of those other ones as far as rewatchability goes. like I think Misery's good as far as like just watching it, but you know I don't see myself rewatching it, you know? Well, and that's that's just it, right? I mean, I haven't rewatched it since I watched it for the first time probably 15 years ago. and And again, like it's not...
00:41:18
Speaker
Like, now that we're talking about it, if I saw it on Netflix, I mean, I would throw it on for sure. Because, like, I did enjoy it. it's not It's not, it's just, I guess for me, it's like, it's not, those types of movies aren't movies that I typically re-watch is all.
00:41:30
Speaker
Yeah. so I mean, that's that's more so what it is Just watching the performances between Kathy Bates and James Caan, it's worth the price of admission as far as, if you want to re-watch it, just watching them together. Because, and just seeing how,
00:41:44
Speaker
How great Kathy Bates is. I am curious actually if she was um she was nominated for that.
00:41:53
Speaker
Yeah, like is it, I mean it is is still a, to this day I'd still say it's a fairly unique plot too. So it's like, you you don't like you know what i mean? It's not really like, yeah, it's kind of been redone to a certain extent like what we're talking about, but like not really.
00:42:08
Speaker
Yeah, so so so she actually won the Oscar for Best Actress for that role. Crazy. And well-deserved. Well-deserved. Yeah, I would say so. It's good for her. That's awesome.
00:42:21
Speaker
That is. Yeah, because if if i when I look back at that movie, i mean yeah I'll just think of her. Just as far as how sweet a sweet of a lady she can be and just how nasty and ruthless she can be in others. Yeah. Not many actresses can pull off the way she did that well.
00:42:42
Speaker
And it definitely helps with with the look, the the look they gave her with the hair and the outfits and everything to make it seem all sweet and everything and innocent. Right. But man, who seeking too she can scare the bejesus out of you. wo oo we yeah but ah yeah But yeah, I guess getting back to just Rob Reiner,
00:43:08
Speaker
you you You created so many beloved and iconic films. and And I do love his performance in Wolf of Wall Street as Leo's dad. He is hilarious.
00:43:20
Speaker
it um So a lot of those would definitely leave live a lasting impact to many of film fans for endless years. So to that, Rob, we thank you. Indeed.
00:43:35
Speaker
Indeed.
Reflecting on Rob Reiner's Legacy
00:43:37
Speaker
Do ah you have any lasting words to give to Rob?
00:43:44
Speaker
ah You kind of put me on the spot there. Of course I did, yeah. That's what we do here.
00:43:53
Speaker
mean, ah it's one of those things where it's like, like I said, I didn't realize, like, because that you you're more into directors and stuff like that. that yeah I don't really pay attention to that sort of thing. but yet It was like it's like last year, like because we were at the same time where we lost... um ah David Lynch.
00:44:09
Speaker
Right. We watched his films from there. Right. Yeah, and that's the thing. sos so its So it's kind of like a learning experience for me. But like the one thing I will say is, like yeah, he... He definitely paved the way for some good one-liners that, you know, I have used throughout my life, its interest which is kind of cool. And like you didn't even know was from him.
00:44:27
Speaker
That's just it, right? And then, you know, so so so so I guess thanks for that. Thanks for letting me seem like I'm an original guy when really I'm just ripping off someone else's hard work. Yes, is so that's kind of like the that's kind of like the The good thing coming out of this is now people no go back and know. It's like, oh, I didn't know Rob Reiner did that movie and that movie. and you know it's It's a shame that it just takes a tragedy like this for for people to learn about that. but
00:45:01
Speaker
Well, actually, we can tie this back in with Stand By Me because it took a tragedy for him to think back to his childhood and write the story that he was writing. so oh There you go. How poetic. it's it's like It's like he knew decades ago.
00:45:17
Speaker
Wow. I didn't even think about that, CP John. Wow. No, I just just thought about that. Yeah. Blown my mind. Well, yeah. It's like it's like it's it's like it's like that that movie is like, well, you you you know. but you know it doesn't I don't need to explain.
00:45:34
Speaker
Yeah. Oh, I got it. But yeah. um Unless you have anything else, I think that that that that wraps it up for ah for today's episode.
00:45:49
Speaker
James, that's inconceivable. is ah you see Now you maybe want to re-watch Princess Bride. I want to watch that now. I feel like it's been a number of years since I've seen that one.
00:46:03
Speaker
I don't think that means that word means what you think it means. but god oh What a movie yeah movie. Actually, it's been been quite a few but a few years since I've seen it as well. so Yeah.
00:46:20
Speaker
ah they Probably do for a rewatch. No, I got nothing else. do Do you have any ideas about next episode or are we just going to keep the listeners on the edge of their seat?
00:46:31
Speaker
they we kid I think we'll keep the listeners on the edge. I mean i know we're we're getting into the awards season. Ah, yes. um And so I think we'll we'll probably ah dive into that a little bit or see what's out there and kind of um pick a topic from there.
00:46:51
Speaker
Yeah. Okay. But I guess i guess to to end it on, um i i want to make sure that we we include Rob in this.
00:47:01
Speaker
But another great episode with you, Sleepy John. I can't wait to ah can't wait to the next one with you. But to you, Sleepy John, and to you, Rob, cheers.
00:47:12
Speaker
Cheers.
00:49:11
Speaker
you