JaZ Make a Podcast

The first summer blockbuster. The movie that changed Hollywood forever. The JaZ Make a Podcast Season 1 finale is dedicated to Jaws (1975) — and after rewatching it, both John and Zac are in complete agreement: this is a masterpiece. They go deep on why the broken mechanical shark was the best thing that ever happened to Spielberg's direction, how Roy Scheider's Brody works as the ultimate everyman protagonist, what Robert Shaw's USS Indianapolis monologue means for the film's emotional centre, and why John Williams' deceptively simple two-note theme is one of the most effective pieces of music in cinema history. Plus: the Hitchcock bomb theory in action, Quint's extraordinary death, Hooper's statistically improbable survival, and the larger question — are we past the era of the summer blockbuster? Season 2 has been announced.SHOW NOTESFilm: Jaws (1975)Director: Steven SpielbergStarring: Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert ShawMusic: John WilliamsTopics covered:The broken shark as a storytelling gift — Spielberg's greatest accident- Brody as the perfect everyman protagonist- Quint's USS Indianapolis monologue — the emotional heart of the film- "You're gonna need a bigger boat"- John Williams' score and how restraint makes it devastating- Hooper's survival (the math doesn't add up, and that's fine)- Chekhov's compressed air tank- Are we in the post-summer-blockbuster era?- Season 2 announcementFast Facts:This was the JaZ Make a Podcast Season 1 finale- The USS Indianapolis monologue was largely developed by Robert Shaw himself- Spielberg has called the broken shark one of the best things to ever happen to himFollow us on Instagram: @jazmakeapodcastListen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | AcastEmail: jazmakeapodcast@gmail.com

James Gunn's Supergirl film was on the horizon, so John and Zac went back to the 1984 original — and it delivered far beyond anyone's expectations. Helen Slater is a genuinely charming Supergirl/Linda Lee, who enrols in high school while Argo City presumably ceases to exist. Faye Dunaway plays Selena, a villain whose primary motivation is getting laid. Peter O'Toole exists as Zoltar — clearly operating in his own film, bless him ("squirt squirt"). Peter Cook is there too. There's an invisible Storm Dragon fight. An abandoned amusement park villain lair. A love potion applied to a gardener named Ethan. And a Phantom Zone escape that is, somehow, almost moving. This is the director's cut — the longest version — and it is a specific and extraordinary gift to cinema. "Squirt squirt" is now part of John and Zac's permanent vocabulary.SHOW NOTESFilm: Supergirl (1984) — Director's CutDirector: Jeannot SzwarcStarring: Helen Slater, Faye Dunaway, Peter O'Toole, Peter Cook, Mia FarrowTopics covered:Helen Slater as Linda Lee/Supergirl — genuinely charming- Faye Dunaway as Selena — villain motivated entirely by lust- Peter O'Toole as Zoltar ("squirt squirt") — inexplicable in the best way- The omegahedron MacGuffin- The invisible Storm Dragon fight (a choice)- Argo City's probable extinction while Supergirl attends high school- The Phantom Zone escape — surprisingly emotional- Matt Frewer (Max Headroom) in a brief cameo- James Gunn's upcoming Supergirl film as contextFast Facts:The director's cut is significantly longer than the theatrical version- Peter O'Toole's performance cannot be explained, only experienced- "Squirt squirt" is now the show's unofficial catchphraseFollow us on Instagram: @jazmakeapodcastListen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | AcastEmail: jazmakeapodcast@gmail.com

Shutter Island (2010) is a film so meticulously constructed that a second viewing transforms every scene. John and Zac go deep on Martin Scorsese's psychological masterpiece: the Hitchcockian and Kubrickian visual language, the deliberate breaking of the 180-degree rule as a disorientation technique, the way frozen bodies thawing represents suppressed memory returning, and the glass continuity trick that signals the hallucination before the film admits it. Was DiCaprio slightly miscast — too innocent-looking for the character's history? Maybe. Are Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley doing quietly extraordinary work? Absolutely. And what does that final line mean? Andrew chose the lobotomy. Deliberately. And it's the most devastating choice in the film. John watches it for the first time. He's on board by the end.SHOW NOTESFilm: Shutter Island (2010)Director: Martin ScorseseStarring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben KingsleyBased on the novel by Dennis LehaneTopics covered:Scorsese's visual grammar — Hitchcock, Kubrick, and the 180-degree rule- The glass continuity trick as an early hallucination signal- Frozen bodies = suppressed memory (the film's central metaphor)- Was the hurricane real?- Leonardo DiCaprio — possibly miscast?- Ruffalo and Kingsley's quietly brilliant performances- The final choice: Andrew's lobotomy is intentional and devastating- John's first viewing — immediate conversionFast Facts:The score was assembled by Robbie Robertson from existing classical pieces — no original music- Dennis Lehane also wrote Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone- This was Zac's former favourite Scorsese filmFollow us on Instagram: @jazmakeapodcastListen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | AcastEmail: jazmakeapodcast@gmail.com

Steven Spielberg executive-produced it. Irvin Kershner — director of The Empire Strikes Back — directed the pilot. Roy Scheider stars as Captain Nathan Bridger. So why does SeaQuest DSV feel like it's missing everything that would make it work? John and Zac dig into the 1993 NBC pilot for this ambitious underwater sci-fi series. The production design holds up. The 1993 CG is impressive for its era. Darwin the talking dolphin is a genuine delight. But the pilot has no story engine — it builds a world without giving you a reason to live in it. Compared unfavourably to Star Trek: TNG's Encounter at Farpoint. Three seasons were made. The Grand Budapest Hotel is a perfect movie. These facts are unrelated and yet appeared in the same episode.SHOW NOTESShow: SeaQuest DSV (NBC, 1993-1996)Creator: Rockne S. O'Bannon | Exec. Producer: Steven SpielbergPilot Director: Irvin Kershner (The Empire Strikes Back)Starring: Roy Scheider as Captain Nathan BridgerTopics covered:SeaQuest vs. Star Trek TNG — how a pilot should establish a story engine- Darwin the talking dolphin (a genuine delight)- Why great pedigree can't save a weak pilot structure- 1993 production design and CG — impressive for its era- Jonathan Brandis as the young crew member (more charming than Wesley Crusher)Fast Facts:Irvin Kershner directed The Empire Strikes Back before this pilot- SeaQuest ran for 3 seasons (1993-1996)- Roy Scheider also starred in Jaws — covered in the JaZ Season 1 finaleFollow us on Instagram: @jazmakeapodcastListen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | AcastEmail: jazmakeapodcast@gmail.com

The Caped Crusader has had more cinematic lives than any superhero in history — and John and Zac are ranking them all. This episode is a chronological tour through every Batman film: from the gloriously campy 1966 original through Tim Burton's gothic reinvention, Joel Schumacher's ice-pun disasters, Christopher Nolan's unimpeachable Dark Knight trilogy, and beyond. The big answers: Who is the greatest Batman? Kevin Conroy (animated series) — not close. Who is the greatest Joker? Mark Hamill, full stop. What is the greatest Batman film? The Dark Knight, unanimously. And what is Batman & Robin (1997)? Hot garbage. Affectionate, nostalgic, occasionally enjoyable hot garbage — but hot garbage.SHOW NOTESFilms covered:Batman (1966) — Adam West- Batman (1989) — Tim Burton / Michael Keaton- Batman Returns (1992)- Batman Forever (1995) — Val Kilmer- Batman and Robin (1997) — George Clooney- Batman Begins (2005) — Christopher Nolan / Christian Bale- The Dark Knight (2008)- The Dark Knight Rises (2012)- Batman v Superman (2016) and the DCEU- The Batman (2022) — Matt Reeves / Robert PattinsonFast Facts:Kevin Conroy (animated series) is declared the greatest Batman of all time- Mark Hamill's Joker is the gold standard — even above Heath Ledger- Batman and Robin's ice puns are cited as evidence that nobody said noFollow us on Instagram: @jazmakeapodcastListen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | AcastEmail: jazmakeapodcast@gmail.com

With The Devil Wears Prada 2 on the horizon, John and Zac return to the 2006 original — and their verdicts diverge. The cast is undeniable: Meryl Streep delivers one of the great screen performances of her career, Anne Hathaway brings real charm, Emily Blunt is razor-sharp, and Stanley Tucci elevates every scene. The moment Miranda Priestly shows vulnerability is extraordinary. But the script meanders, can't decide what it's saying about ambition, and never gives supporting characters the complexity they deserve. The 2005-era body-shaming humour hasn't aged well. Patrick Dempsey's character has no discernible reason to exist. Somewhere inside this film is a great movie about the seduction of power — it just never fully commits. John found it hard going. Zac found more to appreciate.SHOW NOTESFilm: The Devil Wears Prada (2006)Director: David FrankelStarring: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley TucciBased on the novel by Lauren WeisbergerTopics covered:Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly — all-time great screen performance- Anne Hathaway's Andy — the arc that almost works- The sweater monologue — the film's best scene- The body-shaming culture of the mid-2000s and how it reads now- Emily Blunt underwritten; Stanley Tucci underused- Patrick Dempsey — a character without purpose- What The Godfather does better with ambition as a theme- John hated it; Zac was more charitableFast Facts:The film made over $216 million globally on a $52 million budget- A sequel has been announced- Stanley Tucci was subsequently diagnosed with throat cancerFollow us on Instagram: @jazmakeapodcastListen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | AcastEmail: jazmakeapodcast@gmail.com

Generally considered the greatest WrestleMania of all time. Also four hours long, which John consumed across multiple sittings. Zac — a lifelong wrestling fan who once ran an annual family Christmas wrestling league called Christmas Chaos in his grandmother's basement — guides John through the full card from Houston's Reliant Astrodome. The highlights: TLC II between the Hardy Boyz, Dudley Boyz, and Edge and Christian is one of the most spectacular sequences ever broadcast. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit is the best pure wrestling on the card. And the main event — Rock vs. Stone Cold, ending with Austin aligning with Vince McMahon — officially signals the death of the Attitude Era. Too many McMahons. Not enough Mick Foley. The whole thing slaps.SHOW NOTESEvent: WrestleMania X7 | April 1, 2001 | Reliant Astrodome, Houston, TXCard highlights:Chris Jericho vs. William Regal (Intercontinental Title)- APA vs. Right to Censor (Tag Team)- Hardcore Championship: Kane vs. Raven vs. Big Show- Eddie Guerrero vs. Test (European Championship)- Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit — best match of the night- Vince McMahon vs. Shane McMahon (Street Fight)- Chyna vs. Ivory (Women's Championship)- The Undertaker vs. Triple H- TLC II: Hardy Boyz vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Edge and Christian- The Rock vs. Steve Austin — WWF Championship (Austin heel turn; end of the Attitude Era)Fast Facts:WCW had been purchased by WWF just five days before this event- Zac's family ran an annual backyard wrestling league called Christmas Chaos in spandex and long underwear- Linda McMahon, fictional WWF Commissioner in this era, is now US Secretary of EducationFollow us on Instagram: @jazmakeapodcastListen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | AcastEmail: jazmakeapodcast@gmail.com

It was supposed to launch a franchise. It bombed at the box office. Thirty years later, John and Zac are here to explain why it absolutely shouldn't have. The Phantom (1996) is one of the most purely enjoyable action adventure films of the decade: Billy Zane as the Ghost Who Walks, Treat Williams as a villain of boundless charisma, Kristy Swanson as a Marion Ravenwood-worthy love interest, and Catherine Zeta-Jones doing her Bond femme fatale thing before Entrapment put her on the map. Billy Zane studied the original Lee Falk comic strip to replicate the character's exact physical poses, and you can see it. Hitchcock's bomb theory is alive and well in the third act. The CGI skulls are gloriously bad. The purple suit is completely badass. Slam evil.SHOW NOTESFilm: The Phantom (1996)Director: Simon WincerStarring: Billy Zane, Treat Williams, Kristy Swanson, Catherine Zeta-JonesTopics covered:The Phantom's origin as the first costumed superhero (1936 Lee Falk comic)- Billy Zane's physical performance studied from the source comic- Treat Williams as Xander Drax — the most charismatic villain- Kristy Swanson as Diana Palmer — underrated lead performance- Catherine Zeta-Jones pre-Entrapment, pre-Zorro- Hitchcock's bomb theory in the final act- Practical stunts and 1930s production design- Why it bombed in 1996 and why it deserves a reboot- Zac attended the original premiere and received the Phantom ringFast Facts:"Slam evil" is the film's actual tagline, now an unofficial JaZ motto- A planned trilogy never materialized after the box office disappointment- Zac attended the original theatrical premiere as a teenagerFollow us on Instagram: @jazmakeapodcastListen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | AcastEmail: jazmakeapodcast@gmail.com

The 98th Oscars are this Sunday. John and Zac head back forty years to the 59th — the 1987 ceremony celebrating the films of 1986 — and find the Academy getting some things defensible, some things wrong, and largely missing the bigger picture. Platoon wins Best Picture and Best Director (Oliver Stone, Vietnam veteran — defensible). Sigourney Weaver loses Best Actress for Aliens to Marlee Matlin (not defensible). David Lynch is nominated for Blue Velvet and loses (also not defensible). Paul Newman wins Best Actor for The Color of Money in what looks like a long-service award. Meanwhile the films with real staying power — Top Gun, Ferris Bueller, Labyrinth, Highlander, Aliens, Stand By Me — were largely absent or overlooked. 1986 had more going on than the Academy noticed.SHOW NOTESEvent: 59th Academy Awards | March 30, 1987Hosts: Chevy Chase, Paul Hogan, Goldie HawnKey winners and verdicts:Best Picture: Platoon — defensible, if safe- Best Director: Oliver Stone, Platoon — David Lynch (Blue Velvet) was robbed- Best Actor: Paul Newman, The Color of Money — career achievement energy- Best Actress: Marlee Matlin, Children of a Lesser God — Sigourney Weaver (Aliens) deserved it- Best Supporting Actor: Michael Caine, Hannah and Her Sisters- Best Supporting Actress: Dianne Wiest, Hannah and Her Sisters- Best Visual Effects: Aliens — correct callOverlooked by the Academy: Labyrinth, Highlander, Big Trouble in Little China, Ferris Bueller, The Fly, Short Circuit, Flight of the Navigator, ManhunterFollow us on Instagram: @jazmakeapodcastListen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | AcastEmail: jazmakeapodcast@gmail.com