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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Ep. 05-14: Escape from New York (1981)

In 1997, a major war between the United States and the Soviet Union is concluding, and the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a giant maximum security prison. When Air Force One is hijacked and crashes into the island, the president (Donald Pleasence) is taken hostage by a group of inmates. Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell), a former Special Forces soldier turned criminal, is recruited to retrieve the president in exchange for his own freedom.

Escape From New York

Welcome to dystopian Manhattan in 1997, where only the savvy and savage survive. Escape from New York (1981) is one of those wonderful early Carpenter films with a certain je nais se quois (unlike many of his latter efforts). Join us as we discuss the film’s strengths and weaknesses, including the solid cast, crew, and cinematography. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys has 24 hours to infiltrate the maximum security prison of Manhattan, rescue the President of the United States, and avoid global annihilation!

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Ep. 05-07: A Boy and His Dog (1975)

A Boy and His Dog (1975)—Vic (Don Johnson) is a libidinous “boy” traversing the post-apocalyptic desert of 2024, accompanied by his telepathic dog, Blood. When they encounter an underground community, the leader’s daughter, Quilla Holmes (Susanne Benton), seduces Vic into their fold, separating him from Blood, who’s left to survive on his own. But once Vic discovers he’s been lured there solely for the purpose of mechanized procreation, he elects to escape and rejoin Blood on the surface.

05-07 A BOY AND HIS DOG

Welcome to our first contribution from acclaimed, and often combative, sci-fi writer Harlan Ellison. A Boy and His Dog (1975) is not a perfect film by any means and, at times, resembles a movie a bunch of drunken friends made together on weekends. Join us, as we discuss the pros and cons that make this film an endearing cult classic–the source material, the cast, and the influence it had on future post-apocalyptic films (including one very popular director/franchise). Listen as Johnny Has the Keys scavenges the wastelands for food and carnal sustenance, only to discover that dog is, in fact, man’s best friend.

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Ep. 05-05: 2010 The Year We Make Contact (1984)

2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)—Brave explorers travel the far reaches of the solar system, continuing the story of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). The destination is Jupiter, where a joint effort of Russian and American astronauts journey. Drs. Heywood Floyd (Roy Scheider), Walter Curnow (John Lithgow), R. Chandra (Bob Balaban), and Russian commander Tanya Kirbuk (Helen Mirren) aim to uncover what happened to Dave (Keir Dullea) and seek answers for both past and present mysteries.

05-05 2010

Space… where no successful sci-fi movie can resist returning for a sequel. In the case of 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984), however, it is a welcome return. Join us as we discuss the film’s stellar cast, Hyams vs. Kubrick’s directing, the script, special effects, and more. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys returns to Jupiter, seeking answers for Hal’s murderous motives and what happened to Dave while encountering present dangers in the ever-evolving mystery of the monolith.

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