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. 05-21: The Cell (2000)

Catharine Deane (Jennifer Lopez) is a psychotherapist who is part of a revolutionary new treatment that allows her to literally enter the mind of her patients. Her experience with this method takes an unexpected turn when Peter Novak (Vince Vaughn), an F.B.I. agent, seeks her help. Notorious serial killer, Carl Stargher (Vincent D’Onofrio), whose method of operation is to abduct and imprison women for 40 hours until they are slowly drowned, was caught, but is now in an irreversible coma. Novak needs Deane to explore the twisted mind of Stargher to find the current victim (still alive). However, Stargher’s damaged personality poses unprecedented dangers that threaten to foil their plans.

Tarsem Singh’s The Cell (2000) is a spectacular genre-hybrid film, featuring intoxicating elements of both sci-fi and crime/procedural dramas, serial killers to be specific. Join us as we discuss this overlooked gem, including its fantastic script, amazing visuals, and a solid cast. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys ventures into the mind of a sick and depraved serial killer, seeking that one hidden clue that will not only save the missing victim but perhaps the heroine of the story as well.

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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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