Outside the Cinema outsidethecinema

In this episode, Bill and Doctor Professor Bricklemyer discuss two movies: Dream Demon and Maniac Killer. They also talk about their kids' activities and upcoming hiatus. Dream Demon is a film that explores the theme of dreams and hauntings, taking inspiration from Nightmare on Elm Street. However, the execution falls short, leaving the audience unsure of what is haunting the protagonist. The lack of clarity extends to the role of the press in the story, as they are presented as potential villains but are not fully developed. The inconsistent character designs, particularly in the portrayal of the main antagonist, further detract from the film's effectiveness. The identity confusion between the young girl and the adult protagonist adds to the overall lack of coherence in the storytelling. Despite these flaws, the film showcases impressive practical effects, particularly in a memorable scene involving a silicone ear. Overall, Dream Demon receives a mediocre assessment due to its weak storytelling and lack of a clear narrative. In this conversation, Bill and Doctor Professor Bricklemyer review the films 'Manic Maniac Killer,'' They discuss the plot, characters, and inconsistencies in 'Manic Maniac Killer,' highlighting its Italian trash charm. They give their grades and recommendations for each film.
Takeaways
Dream Demon and Maniac Killer are two movies discussed in this episode. The hosts share updates on their kids' activities and achievements. The British press is criticized for its invasive and sensationalist approach. The dream sequences in Dream Demon are intentionally ambiguous, keeping the audience guessing. Dream Demon fails to effectively execute its exploration of dreams and hauntings, leaving the audience confused about the nature of the haunting. The role of the press in the story is underdeveloped, resulting in a lack of a clear antagonist. The inconsistent character designs, particularly in the portrayal of the main antagonist, detract from the film's effectiveness. The identity confusion between the young girl and the adult protagonist adds to the overall lack of coherence in the storytelling. Despite its flaws, Dream Demon showcases impressive practical effects, particularly in a memorable scene involving a silicone ear.

In this episode of Outside the Cinema, Bill and Chris review the movies Blue Thunder and Lisa and the Devil. They discuss the weather and the start of baseball season. They also talk about the director John Badham and his filmography. The conversation touches on the low-key racism and sexism in Blue Thunder. The plot of the movie is summarized, and the technology used in the film, including the microphones. They also discuss the plot, the real stunts and action sequences, and the memorable 80s score.  In Lisa and the Devil, they talk about the confusing plot and the dream-like atmosphere. They highlight the failures of the screenplay in creating a cohesive and interesting story. The hosts discuss the visual style of Mario Bava and the lack of story in 'Lisa and the Devil'. 
Takeaways
The director John Badham has directed several notable films, including Saturday Night Fever and War Games. Blue Thunder is a prototypical eighties action movie, with a focus on technology and a cool helicopter. The movie features low-key racism and sexism, which was common in films of that era. The microphones used in the film are not realistic, but they serve the purpose of the story. Blue Thunder is an entertaining film that showcases the talent of the director and the actors.