50 MPH - podcast cover

50 MPH

Kris Tapley50mphpodcast.com
Get ready for rush hour! 50 MPH is a podcast dedicated to the making and legacy of Jan de Bont’s 1994 summer movie blockbuster SPEED. Across 50 episodes, this one-of-a-kind oral history takes you on a breakneck journey from conception to execution, distribution and beyond. Join entertainment journalist Kris Tapley as he talks to the people who made it happen and discusses their memories of an electrifying thrill ride that defied expectations and became a global, star-making phenomenon. Through conversations with actors, executives, filmmakers, film scholars and film fans, 50 MPH will attempt to secure SPEED’s rightful place in the canon of action cinema on the way to celebrating its fast-approaching 30th anniversary in style. Don’t forget to fasten your seatbelts!
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Episodes

SPECIAL REPORT / Victory Lap at the Egyptian

Less than 24 hours after Beyond Fest's 30th-anniversary screening of SPEED, director Jan de Bont sits down to discuss his historic reunion with stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Plus choice excerpts from the post-screening conversation!

Oct 10, 202445 min

50 MPH / One More for the Road

It's the series finale of 50 MPH! Raise a glass to SPEED on the film's 30th anniversary as we celebrate a year(s)-long endeavor and drive off into the sunset.

Jun 10, 20241 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 50

49 MPH / The Official 50 MPH Speed Commentary Track

The end is nigh for 50 MPH, but before we bring things home, a recap and review is in order. What better way than the official 50 MPH commentary track for SPEED? Watch and listen along as your humble host, Kris Tapley, throws out choice insights while pointing you to various episodes of the podcast for deeper dives along the way!

Jun 03, 20242 hrSeason 1Ep. 48

48 MPH / The Best Films of the '90s (with Guy Lodge)

Rounding out a three-week focus on SPEED's place in the '90s movie canon, 50 MPH welcomes film critic Guy Lodge to discuss the best films of the decade, period. He and host Kris Tapley go year by year to spotlight their top picks from 1990 to 1999 (plus a bonus round).

May 27, 20242 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 47

47 MPH / The Best Directorial Debuts of the '90s (with Owen Gleiberman)

In a continuing series meant to chart SPEED's place in '90s cinema, Variety film critic Owen Gleiberman joins in to discuss the decade's greatest directorial debuts. From David Fincher and the Wachowskis to Quentin Tarantino and the Hughes brothers, find out where Jan de Bont's electric first outing figures in.

May 20, 20242 hr 7 minEp. 46

46 MPH / The Best Action Movies of the '90s (with Die Hard on a Blank)

It's time to place SPEED in the context of '90s cinema, beginning with an assessment of the decade's best action films. From TERMINATOR 2 to THE MATRIX and all points in between, Die Hard on a Blank hosts Philip Gawthorne and Liam Billingham join the fun to discuss.

May 13, 20242 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 45

45 MPH / Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock: The 50 MPH Interview

50 MPH proudly presents an exclusive interview with the stars of SPEED, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, as they look back on the film’s chemistry-fueled production, its impact on their careers and the lightning strike of a Hollywood success story.

May 06, 202441 minSeason 1Ep. 49

44 MPH / Homestretch Grab Bag

As 50 MPH nears the finish, we pause for one more grab bag of fun anecdotes, listener emails and our own version of a sequel: a 7-year-old's take on SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL! Hear, among other things, SPEED-adjacent tales from TWISTER and TOP GUN, plus a very special announcement.

Apr 29, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 44

42 MPH / Speed 2: Lose Control

Director Jan de Bont and others unfortunate enough to be involved in SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL (plus a few who dodged the bullet) discuss SPEED's disastrous 1997 sequel starring Jason Patric, Willem Dafoe and a returning Sandra Bullock.

Apr 15, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 42

41 MPH / The Fallout of a Phenomenon

Surveying the aftereffects of SPEED and how its various players parlayed the film's star-making success into their next ventures.

Apr 08, 202423 minSeason 1Ep. 41

40 MPH / Directors on Speed

Filmmakers Paul Verhoeven, John McTiernan, Guillermo del Toro, Barry Jenkins and Joe Carnahan chime in on SPEED and fellow director Jan de Bont.

Apr 01, 20241 hr 16 minSeason 1Ep. 40

39 MPH / Fans Feel the Need for Speed

From scrappy theater productions Down Under to epic collector quests to, ahem, podcasts dedicated to a legacy, the fandom surrounding SPEED is a global affair.

Mar 25, 202459 minSeason 1Ep. 39

38 MPH / The Cinema of 1994 (with Jonathan Foster)

Where does SPEED fit in the overall cinema landscape of 1994? Podcast host Jonathan Foster helps dissect a movie year celebrating its ongoing 30th anniversary.

Mar 18, 20241 hr 36 minSeason 1Ep. 38

36 MPH / The Glitz! The Glamour! The Oscars!

At the 67th annual Academy Awards, held on March 27, 1995, SPEED would walk away with multiple Oscars. Those in the mix recall their Cinderella evening.

Mar 04, 202434 minSeason 1Ep. 36

35 MPH / The Movie of the Year

SPEED hits theaters and it's an instant popular and critical success. Filmmakers and studio brass relive the glory days that came in the wake of June 10, 1994.

Feb 26, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 35

34 MPH / Selling Speed

SPEED is ready for its close-up, but first, Fox has to figure out its marketing strategy. How can execs drive interest and turn this potential hit into an actual one?

Feb 19, 202437 minSeason 1Ep. 34

31 MPH / Now Hear This

A seasoned team races against the clock to craft SPEED's Oscar-winning sound design, with a fast-approaching release date on the horizon!

Jan 29, 202447 minSeason 1Ep. 31

30 MPH / A New Action Score

With the picture locked, SPEED needs a score! Enter newcomer Mark Mancina with a groundbreaking work of action film music composition. DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN!

Jan 22, 202446 minSeason 1Ep. 30

29 MPH / A VFX Hybrid

Settle in for a deep dive into the visual effects elements of SPEED, including old-school practices and cutting-edge post-production applications.

Jan 15, 20241 hr 19 minSeason 1Ep. 29

28 MPH / Order Out of Chaos

As SPEED moves into post-production, 50 MPH brings you the final interview ever with the late Oscar-nominated film editor John Wright!

Jan 08, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 28

27 MPH / Underground Technique

Finally, we reach SPEED's gripping subway finale! Deep beneath the surface, Jack Traven faces his foe in a brilliant collision of filmmaking technique.

Dec 18, 202336 minSeason 1Ep. 27

26 MPH / Going Down?

With the bus material shot and in the editing room, it's time to knock out SPEED's opening act: a riveting sequence set in an elevator shaft that, by some accounts, was even more dangerous.

Dec 11, 202342 minSeason 1Ep. 26

25 MPH / Midpoint Grab Bag

At the halfway mark of 50 MPH we pause for a grab bag of SPEED material, including stories that haven't found a home, a 7-year-old's take on the film and a quick dive into director Jan de Bont's temperament on set.

Dec 04, 202359 minSeason 1Ep. 25

24 MPH / I Hate the Airport

The SPEED production moves to LAX (and Mojave) airport for Bus 2525's final act, including a few more harrowing stunts, roaring Malibu fires and an explosive finale!

Nov 27, 202354 minSeason 1Ep. 24
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