Now Playing -- The Movie Review Podcast

After Twin Peaks' inglorious end it seemed a safe assumption that David Lynch and the ABC network were through with each other. Yet in the late '90s ABC hired Lynch to make a pilot for a new TV series--Mullholland Dr.  The series wasn't picked up, but Lynch filmed a new ending and the result was one of his most acclaimed films. So take the key, open the box, and join the Now Playing hosts as they analyze this surreal mystery movie!

For several films where Vin Diesel's Dominic Toretto was a car-driving superhero. Now, in The Fate of the Furious he's back on the wrong side of the law, working for a mysterious hacker named Cypher (Charlize Theron). Does this rift with his "family" supercharge the franchise's eighth installment, or is it headed for a burnout? Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!

After the violent, explicit Lost Highway it seems whiplash-inducing that David Lynch's next film would be a G-rated family film for Disney. But that's what The Straight Story is. There are no dancing little people, no time loops, and no murder mysteries. The Straight Story is a true story of Alvin Straight, a retired farmer who drives his John Deere lawnmower over 300 miles to see his ailing brother. Is this a Story worth watching? Join the Now Playing hosts to find out!

David Lynch's theatrical follow-up to the maligned Fire Walk With Me was Lost Highway -- a supernatural horror-thriller. The film stars Bill Pullman as Fred Madison, a man who may have killed his wife. On death row Fred is somehow replaced by twenty-something car mechanic Pete. What is going on, and how does it involve Dick Laurent? Hop in the car and join Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart as they guide you down this Lost Highway.

Twin Peaks was far from David Lynch's only television effort. Not only did Mulholland Dr. start as a television pilot, but Lynch also produced On the Air and, in 1993, Hotel Room. That latter series was not picked up by any network, but HBO aired the three recorded episodes as a mini-series. Later it was released on VHS as a film. Now you can join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob as they look at Lynch's television history and check out Hotel Room!

Twin Peaks television ratings weren't enough for ABC to keep the show on the air. That cancellation left fans biting their nails with a cliffhanger that seemed would never be resolved. One year later Peaks was brought back to life, not on television but in theaters. But would this movie, a prequel chronicling Laura Palmer's last week, give the fans what it wanted? It was derided upon release, but with 25 years of distance is this film an underrated masterpiece?   Join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob to find out!  Then head to NowPeakingPodcast.com. It's a donation drive where you can hear reviews of every episode of the Twin Peaks series, including the new episodes coming this summer on Showtime!

When credits rolled on David Lynch's Wild at Heart it seemed like no sequel was necessary. But Wild at Heart novelist Barry Gifford continued Sailor and Luna's tales in a series of books. He also wrote a spin-off novel 59° and Raining: The Story of Perdita Durango  featuring the Santeria practicing criminal from Wild at Heart.  The film adaptation was made with no connection to Lynch's earlier film, and was released in the states as Dance With the Devil. Can it be as Wild as Lynch's villain? Join the Now Playing hosts to find out! 

David Lynch was hitting a career peak in 1990. First, his show Twin Peaks became a national obsession.  Then his new film Wild at Heart won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.  But this movie, combining Barry Gifford's eponymous novel with The Wizard of Oz, did not find universal acclaim.  Can Nicolas Cage win over the hearts of our critics? Listen to find out!   Then head to NowPeakingPodcast.com and hear reviews of every episode of Twin Peaks! It's part of Now Playing's Spring '17 Donation Drive.  Every dollar helps keep Now Playing going!

For eighteen years Hugh Jackman has played Logan - the popular X-Men hero also known as Wolverine. His first appearance in 2000's X-Men helped launch the modern age of cinematic superheros. But now, after playing Wolverine nine times Jackman is ready to hang up his claws. His planned final performance is in Logan -- a violent and dour film that reteams Jackman with The Wolverine director James Mangold. Did Jackman save the best Wolverine for last? Join the Now Playing Podcast hosts to find out!

In the 1970s Stephen King gave his version of a vampire tale with 'Salem's Lot.  In the '80s he wrote another classic horror monster story. The novella was called "The Cycle of the Werewolf", but the film was called Silver Bullet.  Does a pre-Lost Boys Corey Haim stand a chance against a rampaging werewolf? And who's scarier, the wolf or Gary Busey? Join the Now Playing hosts to find out!

February 24 is Twin Peaks day.    It's designated as such because the first episode of Twin Peaks is set on February 24, 1989--the day Laura Palmer's body washed up on the shore of the small town.   Now join Arnie, Jakob, and Stuart as they watch and review the pilot episode of Twin Peaks, including the international version which solves the murder!  Then head to NowPeakingPodcast.com. It's a donation drive where you can hear reviews of every episode of the Twin Peaks series, including the new episodes coming this summer on Showtime!  

Before Twin Peaks there was Blue Velvet -- David Lynch's first tale of  Kyle MacLachlan investigating a small town murder. This violent, sexy, surreal film has been ranked one of Lynch's best, and helped put Easy Rider Dennis Hopper back on top. Is this a mystery worth solving?  Join the Now Playing hosts to find out!   Then head to Now Peaking Podcast.com for reviews of every Twin Peaks television episode in anticipation of this summer's new season on Showtime!   Come Discuss Blue Velvet in the Now Playing Forums

John Wick thought he'd left his killer lifestyle behind. After avenging his beloved pet he was ready to literally bury his past...but the underworld is not yet done with him. Keanu Reeves is back in the sequel to the sleeper hit John Wick. Does this one go off as well as the first? And what does it have in common with The Matrix? Join the Now Playing hosts to find out!

John Wick exploded out of nowhere. This film was announced in September, 2014 for release just a few weeks later. And thanks to the star power of Keanu Reeves, a strong trailer, and a high concept, the lack of promotion didn't matter--it quadrupled its modest budget.  Now, just over two years later, Wick is back in theaters for Chapter 2. Prepare for it by joining the Now Playing hosts as they give the first John Wick a shot!

Fifteen years ago Paul W.S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich transformed Resident Evil from a successful video game franchise to a hit movie series. They released a new film every two to three years, and made almost one billion dollars worldwide.  Now, after a five year absence, they are back to conclude the series in The Final Chapter. Can Alice defeat the big boss and give the series a fitting ending--or do our hosts just want to hit the "reset" button and start the game over?  Join Stuart, Justin, and Arnie to find out!

Ten years after Resident Evil first hit screens it came back for Retribution!  This fifth movie brings back actors, and plot points, from previous installments. Can the return of Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory, Colin Salmon, and Oded Fehr breathe new life into this zombie series? Join the Now Playing hosts to find out!

It was no surprise that Resident Evil would return for a fourth film. That original series creator Paul W.S. Anderson returned, however, was surprising. Bringing James Cameron's 3-D cameras he attempted to make the most eye-popping yet. Did this breathe new life into Afterlife or should we call in the executioner? Join the Now Playing hosts to find out!

Alice goes Beyond Thunderdome on the Fury Road in Resident Evil: Extinction -- a Mad Max movie for gamers (it even ends with a final fight in a cage!) In this post-apocalyptic wasteland a group of survivors band together to travel to Alaska, where they are promised a civilization free of zombie infection. But who is their biggest obstacle -- the zombified birds and humans, or Umbrella Corporation's middle management?  Grab a game controller and join the Now Playing hosts to find out!

The first Resident Evil film ended with what seemed like the end of the world -- Alice alone in a desolate, abandoned Raccoon City.  Picking up from that very moment Apocalypse reveals all is not lost as there is plenty of life in the city, but not for very much longer.  With new friends Jill Valentine and Carlos Olivera, can Alice make a deal to escape before the city is nuked, all while dodging attacks from Project Nemesis?  Do the hosts care, or do they want to see the city burn? Listen to find out?   Discuss this movie with the hosts in the Now Playing Podcast forums

In 1995 Paul W.S. Anderson scored a major hit with Mortal Kombat, a box office hit grossing more than double any other video game adaptations.  In 2002 Capcom hoped Anderson could beat his own high score with Resident Evil.  Based on the zombie survival-horror game, this movie brought the game's iconography and added some martial arts action. The movie was a success and launched the longest-running video game movie franchise. But is this a movie you want to watch, or just play? Join Justin, Stuart, and Arnie to find out!