Ep. 05-23: Explorers (1985)

Ben Crandall (Ethan Hawke) spends his free time watching sci-fi films, playing video games, and reading comic books. One day, his affinity for all things fantastical yields an actual result—when he has a vivid dream about technology, his science-loving friend Wolfgang Muller (River Phoenix) creates a working spacecraft. Joined by their buddy Darren Woods (Jason Presson), the boys take off into outer space and encounter some very odd extraterrestrial life.

Ah, the 1980s… a time when child stars in kiddy Spielberg-esque fantasy films ruled the box office. Not necessarily for Explorers (1985), though, Joe Dante’s attempt to capture some of that much sought-after Goonies (1985) audience and bring it over to another studio. Join us as we discuss the hits and misses of this nostalgic effort, including its cartoon-obsessed director, its awkward edits, and the problems that arise when studios boot creators and take over. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys blasts off to space only to discover that there are kids everywhere in the galaxy, annoying parents and causing trouble as usual.

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Ep. 05-19: Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

Set several centuries into the future, the abandoned Alita is found in the scrapyard of Iron City by Ido, a compassionate cyber-doctor who takes the unconscious cyborg Alita to his clinic. When Alita awakens, she has no memory of who she is, nor does she have any recognition of the world she finds herself in. As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield her from her mysterious past.

Alita: Battle Angel

Alita: Battle Angel (2019) is a fast-paced, sci-fi, action-adventure brought to us by renowned cinematic director Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids; Elmaricahi). Join us as we discuss its pros and cons, including its anime origins, its translation to an enormous CGI-packed film, and its place in the overall canon of science fiction cinema. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys, sorts through the refuge, scavenging for the salvage of long-ago heroes and acknowledging their place in the present-day world.

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Ep. 05-18: The Green Slime (1968)

A giant asteroid is heading toward Earth! Two space-station astronauts, Commander Jack (Robert Horton) and Commander Vince (Richard Jaeckel), disembark from a nearby space station to blow it up. The mission is successful, and they return to the station, unknowingly bringing with them a gooey green substance that mutates into one-eyed tentacled monsters that feed off electricity. Soon the station is crawling with them!

The Green Slime

The moon is made of cheese! Not really, but there is plenty of high-grade cheese in cinematic outer space and The Green Slime (1968) is cut from the golden wheel. From its solid B-Movie cast, its ridiculous storyline, its Japanese-US production values, and its fabulously groovy score (think Barbarella), The Green Slime (1968) is a treasure chest loaded with the utmost quality, aged curds (and keys). Join us as we discuss why this ridiculous movie holds a dear place in our hearts. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys journey into space on toy rockets and battle one-eyed tentacled, electricity-spewing monsters to save our favorite 1960s Bond girl!

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Open the door you’ll find the secret
To find the answer is to keep it
You’ll believe it when you find
Something screaming ‘cross your mind
Green slime
What can it be, what is the reason
Is this the end of all that breathes, and
Is it something in your head?
Will you believe it when you’re dead?
Green slime, green slime, green slime

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Ep. 05-17: Superman (1978)

Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El (Marlon Brando) sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. Raised by kindly farmers Jonathan (Glenn Ford) and Martha Kent, young Clark (Christopher Reeve) discovers the source of his superhuman powers and moves to Metropolis to fight evil. As Superman, he battles the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), while, as novice reporter Clark Kent, he attempts to woo co-worker Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).

Superman

What better way to soar into a new year than with the original Superman (1978)? This movie holds a nostalgic place in many of our hearts but isn’t really as good as its sequel you may recollect (as we did). Join us, as we discuss the pros and cons of this now classic film, its ambitious screenplay, solid director, and many players (all talented but some terribly miscast). Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys flees a dying planet in search of a new home, one where a man can fly.

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