2: Taps

Episode 2 of the The Last Star In Hollywood podcast, hosted by Next Word, titled "2: Taps" was published on October 11, 2023 and runs 81 minutes.

October 11, 2023 ·81m · The Last Star In Hollywood

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Summary

This week, we discuss Tom Cruise’s first take on masculinity and militarism in Harold Becker’s 1981 film Taps. Are we sympathetic to the wrong execution of the right idea? How has our relationship to the military changed in the last forty years? Is “General Harlan Beche” the best name in the popular culture? Content Warnings: gun violence, violence against children, death of children, homophobic language Unanswered Questions: What are the Sean Penn performances that might change our minds? Is Roger Ebert right about this film being more of a fantasy story? Is there a narrative value to doubling-up on inciting incidents? Do we need the school to be under threat and for General Beche to be arrested? Most importantly, can we support Brian Moreland’s actions? Further reading: Roger Ebert’s review of Taps WGA Screen Credits Manual Valley Forge Military Academy and College Bunker Hill Military Academy J. R. R. Tolkien’s Letter 71 The Bechdel-Wallace Test The Last Star In Hollywood Definitive List Of Tom Cruise Films The Last Star In Hollywood: Production Schedule Thanks for listening! For bonus shows, extra content and more, support The Last Star In Hollywood on Patreon.com/LastStarPod! Join us next time as we play fast and loose with the timeline and discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 movie, The Outsiders. The Last Star In Hollywood is an independent podcast produced by Elizabeth Rae and Alastair Stephens. Copyright © 2023 The Last Star In Hollywood. All Rights Reserved. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Episode Description

This week, we discuss Tom Cruise’s first take on masculinity and militarism in Harold Becker’s 1981 film Taps. Are we sympathetic to the wrong execution of the right idea? How has our relationship to the military changed in the last forty years? Is “General Harlan Beche” the best name in the popular culture?

Content Warnings: gun violence, violence against children, death of children, homophobic language

Unanswered Questions:

What are the Sean Penn performances that might change our minds?
Is Roger Ebert right about this film being more of a fantasy story?
Is there a narrative value to doubling-up on inciting incidents? Do we need the school to be under threat and for General Beche to be arrested?
Most importantly, can we support Brian Moreland’s actions?