The main podcast is back, baby! Since Ant-Man and the Wasp has us thinking about all things shrinking, we decided to look at 1987’s fun-sized adventure comedy InnerSpace!
Film critic for HollywoodChicago.com (and now Alcohollywood!) Jon Espino joins us to dive into a movie from our 80s-kid childhoods – a Joe Dante romp of the finest order that sees hotshot pilot Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid) shrunk down to a microscopic level and injected into the body of nebbish hypochondriac Jack Putter (Martin Short). Together, the two have to evade corporate spies, silent Terminator-types, and navigate a very strange love triangle with Tuck’s girlfriend Lydia (Meg Ryan).
In classic Joe Dante style, InnerSpace features a wonderful blend of surprisingly mature elements for a PG film (Dennis Quaid butt!), a charming sense of whimsy and lightness, and his signature stable of actors, from Dick Miller to Robert Picardo. Dante’s a master of these kinds of breezy high-concept adventures, so it was a real treat to finally visit his delightfully devious oeuvre.
We had a blast talking about this crazy time capsule of a movie, so take a listen and check out our custom cocktail and drinking rules!
(Thanks to our sponsor Overcast as part of the Chicago Podcast Coop!)
Related links:
(Disclaimer: A previous episode contained some language that could be considered insensitive to our disabled listeners. We’ve uploaded a new version that omits that section, and we sincerely apologize for any discomfort the previous version may have caused.)
DRINKING RULES FOR ROUNDERS:
- Any time you see a lot of extras in the background
- Every time Tuck’s ministrations hurt or damage Jack in some way (e.g. internal hemorrhaging)
- Whenever Martin Short does his flailing, pratfalling schtick
FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN:
Jack tells off his doctor, coworker and boss, climbs in the Mustang, and shouts “Jack Putter to the rescue!”
Join us next episode as we celebrate that most fin-ful of traditions: Shark Week! This time around, we’re talking about the classic Sci-Fi Original Shark Attack 3: Megalodon. (You know, the one where Captain Jack from Doctor Who asks if he can go down on his love interest at the end.)
