The examination of the criminal mind is the focus of this episode of Out of Touchstone, as we start by discussing Touchstone's CROSSING THE BRIDGE, a "coming of age" drama about three friends faced with the decision to engage in criminal activity. Both Mike and Chad enjoyed the performances but thought the film was a tad slow. After that, the co-hosts look at the 1992 slate of thrillers from Hollywood Pictures - THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE, A STRANGER AMONG US and CONSENTING ADULTS - and cont...
Apr 12, 2021•1 hr 15 min
We've got characters pushed to their limits on this episode of Out of Touchstone, highlighted by one of the most notorious flops in Touchstone's history: THE GUN IN BETTY LOU'S HANDBAG. While Penelope Ann Miller was great in the lead role, both Mike and Chad felt the script left a lot to be desired. The hosts also look at the stressful predicaments in Disney's HONEY, I BLEW UP THE KID and the oppression featured in SARAFINA! from Hollywood Pictures, comparing the plight of each film's protagonis...
Mar 29, 2021•1 hr 11 min
It's all about "kid power" for this episode of Out of Touchstone, as we focus on the 1992 films released by Disney aimed at young viewers. First up, Chad and Mike dissect Touchstone's 3 NINJAS, and lament about how they both feel that they missed out by not seeing the film when they were younger. From there, the hosts look at three other releases geared toward a youthful crowd - Disney's NEWSIES and THE MIGHTY DUCKS, and ENCINO MAN from Hollywood Pictures - to see how they stack up against the n...
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr 18 min
We roll into the first half of 1992 on Out of Touchstone by looking at films featuring proactive leads being dropped into unfamiliar surroudings and inspring those around them. First up, the hosts dissect the wildly successful star vehicle, SISTER ACT, and focus on the merits of Whoopi Goldberg's ability to carry both a film and a tune. Though Chad and Mike have different views on the film, they both agree that the supporting cast is quite strong. Finally, the guys compare the themes of two othe...
Mar 01, 2021•1 hr 20 min
A new year of films brings a new format to our podcast, as we kick off 1992 by dissecting only one Touchstone film, the stage adaptation NOISES OFF. Mike and Chad discuss their favorite moments and performances from the ensemble comedy, highlighting the terrific work done by the late Christopher Reeve and John Ritter. In the second half of the show, the hosts briefly look at two other movies released near the same time from Hollywood Pictures - BLAME IT ON THE BELLBOY and PASSED AWAY - to see ho...
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr 11 min
Another year has come and gone, which gives Mike and Chad a chance to pick their favorite films and performances from the 1991 Touchstone films. The year provided several surprises from the studio - both good and bad - but two gangster films seems to shine the brightest. We say goodbye to Ernest P. Worrell and "The Queen of Touchstone", but also look forward to a new era that sees increased production under the Hollywood Pictures banner. Finally, the hosts also discuss the infamous "Katzenberg M...
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr 2 min
We bring 1991 to a close on this episode of Out of Touchstone, with two films featuring families adding new members. First up, the hosts discuss BILLY BATHGATE, the organized crime thriller starring Dustin Hoffman and a young Nicole Kidman. Both Mike and Chad agree that the acting and storytelling are superb, and wonder why this wasn't a bigger hit. Finally, we wrap up the year with the remake of FATHER OF THE BRIDE, as Steve Martin attempts to fill Spencer Tracy's shoes as a man reluctant to wa...
Jan 18, 2021•1 hr 25 min
Touchstone ventures back into the thriller genre, and says goodbye to a beloved character on this episode of Out of Touchstone. Known for her “bubbly” persona in a comedy-filled career, Goldie Hawn plays against type and headlines our first film, DECEIVED. The thriller also features the late John Heard as Hawn’s husband, who may or may not have a shadowy past that threatens their marriage. The hosts agree that the film has some genuine suspense, but also a very ridiculous conclusion. Lastly, we ...
Jan 04, 2021•1 hr 16 min
The fall of 1991 sees Disney venturing into serious issues with two intriguing films on this episode of Out of Touchstone. First comes TRUE IDENTITY, an exploration of race and society wrapped in a screwball comedy package. The tone is uneven but Lenny Henry is a joy to watch. Finally, the co-hosts have wildly different opinions on PARADISE, a Southern-based melodrama starring real-life married couple Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. Chad was moved by the drama while Mike was a little bored, th...
Dec 14, 2020•1 hr 16 min
We continue into 1991 on Out of Touchstone, using surgical precision to dissect two medical-themed films. First comes the zany comedy WHAT ABOUT BOB?, which presented some serious issues for Mike as he wasn't quite ready to laugh at mental illness, though Chad felt it was harmless. But the guys were in agreement on THE DOCTOR, an underrated gem featuring outstanding performances from a trio of talented leads. All in all, Disney came up with a solid prescription for success with these two feature...
Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 18 min
1991 has arrived on Out of Touchstone, bringing both satire and farce in the year's first two films. We start with the final film from the "Queen of Touchstone", Bette Midler, as she stars opposite the legendary Woody Allen in SCENES FROM A MALL. Both of the co-hosts love a nice trip to the mall, but not this cinematic look into marital unhappiness. And then there is Sylvester Stallone doing comedy in the delightfully underrated OSCAR. Mike and Chad can't say enough good things about the film, a...
Nov 16, 2020•1 hr 15 min
It's the first year of a new decade, and Mike and Chad look back and give their picks for the highlights from Touchstone's 1990 slate of films. Two blockbusters commanded most of the attention of the year, but lesser known and underappreciated gems also get their due on this episode. Plus, the hosts get another chance to remind you to NOT watch FIRE BIRDS!
Nov 02, 2020•54 min
We put a bow on 1990 with two holiday releases on Out of Touchstone: First up, Mike and Chad dissect the unnecessary sequel THREE MEN AND A LITTLE LADY, which once again features alpha males behaving badly, and this time there's no baby to bail them out. Then the hosts turn their attention to the fraudulent nuptials of GREEN CARD, director Peter Weir's charming but bland love story which brought Gerard Depardieu into the American movie landscape. Both of these films are labeled as comedies, but ...
Oct 19, 2020•1 hr 13 min
Road trip! 1990 rolls along into North Carolina on Out of Touchstone, bringing forth two underwhelming comedies with fantasy elements (or are they fantasies with comedic elements?). BETSY'S WEDDING is the first film to be discussed, as Mike and Chad admonish Italian stereotypes and question Molly Ringwald's post-adolescent acting career. Finally, the hosts look at MR. DESTINY, starring one of the most famous alums from their alma mater, Jim Belushi. While he can't quite carry the dramatic heft t...
Oct 05, 2020•1 hr 19 min
The summer of 1990 has arrived on Out of Touchstone, as Mike and Chad look at two films featuring a variety of good guys out to fight crime. First up is the deplorable FIRE BIRDS, a feature-length Army recruitment video with some of the worst dialogue you'll ever hear - but it's got Tommy Lee Jones and he's always awesome. Finally, the hosts look at the comic-book adaptation DICK TRACY, Warren Beatty's worthy attempt to bring the famed detective to life on the big screen - and it's got Al Pacino...
Sep 21, 2020•1 hr 22 min
The spring of 1990 continues on Out of Touchstone, as Mike and Chad discuss two movies for which they held low expectations and wound up being pleasantly surprised. The first is ERNEST GOES TO JAIL, as Jim Varney ("The Clown Prince of Touchstone") returns to the role of Ernest P. Worrell to get some of his biggest laughs in his most adult-oriented adventure. Finally, the hosts look at the sci-fi shenanigans of SPACED INVADERS, a movie that is overlooked and often misunderstood by the majority of...
Sep 07, 2020•1 hr 29 min
It's the biggest Out of Touchstone episode yet, as we come to one of the studio's biggest films, PRETTY WOMAN. From its humble beginning as a dark story centered on a drug-addicted prostitute to the glossy finished product with Pygmalion-esque touches courtesy of director Garry Marshall, the film inspired a lengthy discussion for Mike and Chad. In addition to their positives and negatives of the film itself, the co-hosts also look at the evolution of the script, the extensive list of people who ...
Aug 24, 2020•1 hr 31 min
It's a new year and a new decade for Out of Touchstone, as we kick off 1990 with a star vehicle as well as a visionary director's artistic statement. First up is STELLA, a remake of the soapy melodrama starring the Queen of Touchstone, Bette Midler. The story has been told before and doesn't need to be told again. Finally, the hosts discuss WHERE THE HEART IS, John Boorman's ensemble film based on Shakespeare's "King Lear". It's a little-known gem, and it's always a pleasure to talk about Dabney...
Aug 10, 2020•1 hr 11 min
We've wrapped up the 1980's on Out of Touchstone, which gives Mike and Chad the chance to look back and scrutinize the films of 1989. After discussing the notable moments and most successful films of the year - both commercially and artistically - the guys hand out Ronnie Awards for their favorite achievements from Touchstone's releases.
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr 7 min
We wrap up 1989 on Out of Touchstone by looking at two interesting but average films. First up, Mike and Chad do their best medical student impressions by dissecting GROSS ANATOMY, focusing on the underrated talent of both Christine Lahti and Matthew Modine. Then the guys head south to "the great state of Louisiana" for BLAZE, starring a mumbling Paul Newman, a naive Lolita Davidovich, and the man whom Chad has dubbed "The Prince of Touchstone".
Jul 13, 2020•1 hr 20 min
1989 rolls along on Out of Touchstone, as two Toms return to the studio, giving both Mike and Chad multiple opportunities to mix up their names. First up, Tom Hanks learns the perils of dog ownership in TURNER & HOOCH, and the hosts learn that criminals are dumb. Then we come to the surprising drama AN INNOCENT MAN, featuring a stoic Tom Selleck and a wonderful F. Murray Abraham navigating the prison system. Oh, and we also learn that cops are dumb too.
Jun 29, 2020•1 hr 24 min
The summer of 1989 brings two ensemble films beautifully shot on location...with severely mixed results. First up, Chad and Mike look at DISORGANIZED CRIME, in which a stellar cast is undermined by a very uneven script. But at least we get to see Al Bundy curse! Finally, we discuss one of the best films produced by Touchstone Pictures, the Oscar-winning DEAD POETS SOCIETY. Mike gets the chance to continually gush over the film, while Chad has to fight back his own cynicism. Seize the day!
Jun 15, 2020•1 hr 29 min
We've come to 1989 on Out of Touchstone, beginning with a couple of Martins going over the top with mixed results. First up is THREE FUGITIVES, which features Martin Short aggravating both Nick Nolte and the viewing audience as a bumbling crook lacking parental guidance. Then we end with NEW YORK STORIES, as revered auteur Martin Scorsese plays to his strengths in one of three short films celebrating his beloved hometown, joined by fellow cinematic titans Woody Allen and Francis Ford Coppola....
Jun 01, 2020•1 hr 18 min
We've completed another year on Out of Touchstone, so we thought it would be fun to look back on the films that came out in 1988, starting with a rundown of the Top 10 at the box office and that year's Academy Award nominees. We follow that up with some recognition of our own - the Ronnie Awards - which sees us highlight our favorite films and performances from Touchstone's 1988 slate.
May 18, 2020•53 min
1988 comes to a close on Out of Touchstone, giving us another look at two of the studio's popular performers. First up is ERNEST SAVES CHRISTMAS, as the ever-charming Ernest P. Worrell helps to find the new Santa - but is his help even required? Then we discuss "The Queen of Touchstone", Bette Midler, as she and Barbara Hershey try to hold it together amidst the melodrama of BEACHES. Meanwhile, Chad tries to forget the TV-movie remake ever existed and Mike wishes he could just listen to the soun...
May 04, 2020•1 hr 17 min
The fall of 1988 brings royalty to Out of Touchstone, as we begin with the fantasy-comedy HEARTBREAK HOTEL, the fable about a teenager who kidnaps Elvis Presley - listen as Chad and Mike try to steer the conversation away from another famous rocker mentioned throughout this movie. From there, the guys discuss the family custody drama THE GOOD MOTHER, including location shooting in Boston as well as Liam Neeson's connection to several other actors in the Touchstone family. Thank you, thank you ve...
Apr 20, 2020•1 hr 6 min
The summer of 1988 rolls along on Out of Touchstone, as we discuss two of the studio's mediocre films. We start with COCKTAIL, as Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown gives us a glimpse into the briefly-popular practice of "flair bartending", and avoid maturity at all costs. Finally, we dig into THE RESCUE, as a group of imprisoned soldiers sit patiently while their teenage children attempt to save the day. The movies may not have been great, but the discussion sure was...
Apr 06, 2020•1 hr 8 min
We've got a couple of hits on our hands as we reach the summer of 1988 on Out of Touchstone. First up, we get two sets of Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin in BIG BUSINESS, along with an excellent dose of Edward Herrmann and Fred Ward. Then, we wrap up with the groundbreaking WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, and try to tackle as much trivia for the film as possible (hint: there's a LOT). It's a HUGE jam-packed episode!!
Mar 16, 2020•1 hr 18 min
We now come to 1988 on Out of Touchstone, as the studio unveils their first two thrillers: SHOOT TO KILL, featuring the return to the silver screen of the legendary Sidney Poitier; and D.O.A., the remake of a film noir classic starring Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan. Killers are on the loose!!
Mar 02, 2020•1 hr 4 min
We've come to the end of 1987 on Out of Touchstone, giving Mike and Chad the chance to reflect on a very successful year for the studio. But before conducting their "Year in Review", the guys dissect the final two films of the year: THREE MEN AND A BABY, which features multiple climaxes and a bizarre drug-related subplot; and GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM, with a tour de force performance from Robin Williams. A terrific year ends in fine form!
Feb 17, 2020•1 hr 14 min
