Ep. 07-22: Oblivion (2013)

In OBLIVION (2013), Earth has been devastated by war with alien invaders, and humanity’s survivors now reside on Titan, Saturn’s moon. Jack Harper (Tom Cruise), a drone repairman, works to maintain automated systems that protect the planet’s resources. But when he rescues a mysterious woman, his world unravels, revealing hidden truths about his mission, his past, and the planet’s fate. A visually stunning and thought-provoking sci-fi thriller about memory, identity, and humanity’s survival.

Venture with us into mind-bending sci-fi with Oblivion (2013). Join us as we break down the film’s visual mastery, its twisting narrative, and the ever-enigmatic Tom Cruise. We’ll talk about the world-building, the mystery at its core, and how the screenplay plays with our perceptions of reality. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys explores the secrets of a post-apocalyptic Earth, and just what happens when humanity’s future is built on lies.

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Ep 06-38: War of the Worlds (2005)

WAR OF THE WORLDS (2005)—As extraterrestrial invaders unleash their devastating tripods on Earth, a father (Tom Cruise) must protect his children and navigate the chaos. With groundbreaking visual effects and relentless tension, Spielberg crafts a harrowing tale of survival against overwhelming odds.

Join us as we journey into the heart of the invasion, dissecting Spielberg’s compromised direction and the film’s uneven narrative. From its pulse-pounding action sequences to its attempt at poignant explorations of human nature in times of crisis, War of the Worlds is a flawed film. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys contemplates why this reimagining of the 1953 classic does not work.

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Ep. 03-08: Interview With the Vampire (1994)

Season Three, Episode 8 “Interview With The Vampire”

Louis (Brad Pitt) tells his story to an eager, modern-day biographer, Daniel (Christian Slater)… In the 18th century, suicidal after the death of his family, Louis meets Lestat (Tom Cruise), a charismatic vampire who persuades him to become his companion and choose immortality over death. Eventually, the gentle Louis resolves to leave his violent maker, but Lestat tricks him into staying by turning a child, Claudia (Kirsten Dunst), into a vampire. The addition creates turmoil within the “family” and draws attention in the larger vampire world.

Welcome to the first of our vampire selections for this season—a gorgeous, yet flawed film adaption of the wildly popular Vampire Chronicles of Anne Rice, Interview With the Vampire (1994). Join us as we discuss the long road to making this film (20 years), the trouble with its casting, and the magic the film still seems to harness despite its missteps. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys strolls from the 18th century to present, where vampires not only seek prey but also answers to the question of their existence.

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Ep. 02-12: Minority Report

Episode 12 Minority Report

Based on the short story by Philip K. Dick, Minority Report is a science fiction thriller set in near-future Washington DC where police utilize a psychic technology to arrest and convict murderers before they commit their crime. John Anderton, head of this PreCrime unit is himself accused of the future murder of a man he doesn’t know.

Welcome to the coverage of our first Steven Spielberg film, David’s all-time favorite director. Join us as we discuss the Philip K. Dick story it’s based on (the 2nd this season with Blade Runner), and its place in the canon of science fiction cinema. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys takes you into the not-so-distant future, where you may be arrested and convicted of a crime you have no idea you’re going to commit.