Wheel of Film!

Welcome back to Wheel of Film—the show where one spin of the wheel decides what we're watching... and this week, the wheel looked at all the holiday classics, ignored them completely, and chose... kidnapping.""That's right, today we're talking about Holiday in Handcuffs—the ABC Family original Christmas movie where Melissa Joan Hart kidnaps Mario Lopez, forces him to pretend to be her fiancé, and somehow... this is still considered a romantic comedy.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Today's movie is 2003's Down with Love, a movie that somehow arrived 40 years too late on purpose. It's part romantic comedy, part satire, part love letter to the Doris Day and Rock Hudson sex comedies of the late '50s and early '60s. And depending on who you ask, it's either criminally underrated... or proof that audiences don't actually want irony wrapped inside nostalgia.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

This week, we're hopping aboard the world's most chaotic prison transport because we're talking Con Air—the 1997 action movie that asked, "What if every insane character actor in Hollywood got locked on the same plane with Nicolas Cage's accent?"Nicolas Cage stars as Cameron Poe, an Army Ranger who survives prison only to survive something even more dangerous: John Malkovich with hair. When a transport flight carrying America's worst criminals gets hijacked, Poe becomes the only man standing between the passengers and complete anarchy—all while trying to make it home to see the daughter he's never met.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Tonight we're talking about One Hour Photo, the movie that single-handedly made an entire generation uncomfortable picking up pictures from CVS.In just 90 minutes, Robin Williams takes every ounce of goodwill he built from Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin, and Jumanji and uses it to make your skin crawl. He plays Sy Parrish, a lonely photo technician who develops pictures for a suburban family and slowly becomes obsessed with their seemingly perfect life. And when that fantasy starts to crack, things get very weird, very fast.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Alright, today we’re spinning the wheel and landing on one of the weirdest, horniest, most stoner-coded horror comedies of the late ‘90s… Idle Hands.Devon Sawa plays Anton, a burnout teen whose right hand gets possessed by a demonic force and starts murdering people—casually, efficiently, and with zero regard for Anton’s general laziness. After accidentally killing his own friends (who come back as very chill zombies), Anton has to stop his evil hand before it goes on a full killing spree… all while trying to smoke weed, watch TV, and maybe hook up with the girl next door.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome back to Wheel of Film, the podcast where we spin the wheel, hit play, and ask the important questions—like: how did a movie this insane get made by this many talented people? Today we’re talking about Showgirls, the most expensive NC-17 movie ever made, a film that was marketed like prestige trash, received like a cultural crime scene, and then somehow circled all the way back around to becoming a camp classic.Here’s your 30-second plot summary: Nomi Malone is a drifter with a mystery past, a switchblade attitude, and absolutely zero chill, who blows into Las Vegas determined to dance her way to the top. She starts out grinding at a strip club, claws her way into the chorus line of a big casino show, and then goes full social assassin trying to take the crown from the reigning goddess of the Vegas stage. It’s ambition, betrayal, sex, rhinestones, and pool thrashing—all turned up to a level the human body was not designed to sustain.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

This week on Wheel of Film, we’re stepping into one of the most influential martial arts films of all time…Released in 1978 and directed by Lau Kar-leung, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin follows the journey of a young man named Liu Yude—played by Gordon Liu—who escapes the ظلم of the Manchu government after his village is destroyed. Seeking revenge and justice, he enters the legendary Shaolin Temple, where he endures grueling training across 35 chambers, each designed to test and refine a different aspect of martial arts mastery.But this isn’t just about revenge—it’s about transformation. Through discipline, failure, and perseverance, Liu evolves into San Te, a Shaolin monk who ultimately creates the revolutionary 36th chamber—a place where martial arts can be taught to the common peopleMusic brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Today on Wheel of Film, we’re diving into The Barbarians, the 1987 sword-and-sorcery cult oddity directed by Ruggero Deodato and starring bodybuilding twins Peter and David Paul—better known as the Barbarian Brothers. The movie follows twin brothers Kutchek and Gore, who go from enslaved performers to revenge-fueled warriors after a ruthless tyrant destroys their family and terrorizes their world. It’s loud, ridiculous, extremely Cannon Films, and exactly the kind of movie that feels like it was forged in the leftover fire of the Conan craze. The film runs a tight 87 minutes, was shot in Rome and the Abruzzo Mountains, and only made about $800,000 at the box office—but over time it’s become a real cult watch for fans of campy fantasy, overbuilt heroes, and gloriously unhinged ‘80s genre filmmaking. Peter and David Paul were even nominated for a Razzie for Worst New Star, which honestly feels pretty on-brand for the whole experience.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

This week the wheel takes us to 1987’s RoboCop — Paul Verhoeven’s ultra-violent, darkly satirical sci-fi action classic that somehow manages to be both a brutal action movie and a razor-sharp critique of corporate America.Set in a dystopian near-future Detroit where crime is out of control, the powerful mega-corporation Omni Consumer Products wins a contract to privatize the police force. After idealistic officer Alex Murphy is brutally murdered by a gang of criminals, OCP resurrects him as RoboCop — a heavily armed, cybernetic law-enforcement machine programmed to serve the public trust, protect the innocent, and uphold the law.But fragments of Murphy’s humanity begin to surface, and as RoboCop tracks down the gang that killed him, he also uncovers a massive corporate conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of OCP.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

This week on Wheel of Film, we’re hacking satellites, strapping lasers to gorillas, and heading deep into the lost city of Zinj. That’s right — we’re talking about Congo, the 1995 jungle-adventure spectacle directed by Frank Marshall and based on the novel by Michael Crichton.Released in the post-Jurassic Park Crichton gold rush, Congo follows a high-tech expedition into the African jungle to recover lost diamonds and uncover what happened to a previous team. Along the way, they’re joined by Amy — a sign-language-using gorilla with a complicated past — and they quickly discover that the jungle has secrets… and those secrets are angry.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

This week, the Wheel spins us back to 1992 for a cult classic that every ’90s kid either quoted endlessly or got in trouble for watching — Bébé’s Kids.Directed by Bruce W. Smith and based on the stand-up routine of the late, great Robin Harris, this animated comedy follows Robin as he tries to impress Jamika on a first date… only to get stuck babysitting her friend Bébé’s three absolutely unhinged children at a chaotic amusement park. What starts as a cute outing turns into pure animated anarchy.This wasn’t just another cartoon. Bébé’s Kids was the first theatrically released animated film produced by a Black-owned studio, a huge milestone in animation history. The voice cast includes Faizon Love as Robin, Vanessa Bell Calloway as Jamika, and even features the voice of Tone Loc.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

In space, no one can hear you scream… but down here, Alien has been haunting audiences for nearly 50 years. Released in 1979 and directed by Ridley Scott, Alien didn’t just blend science fiction and horror — it redefined both, creating one of the most iconic monsters, heroines, and taglines in movie history.The crew of the commercial space tug Nostromo responds to a mysterious distress signal on a distant moon. What begins as a routine investigation quickly turns into a fight for survival when a deadly extraterrestrial organism boards the ship. Trapped in deep space, the crew must outthink — and outrun — a creature designed for one purpose: to kill.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

We're back!This week's film is Big Fish—a movie that asks a deceptively simple question: does it matter if a story is true, as long as it’s meaningful?Directed by Tim Burton but stripped of his usual gothic edge, Big Fish tells the story of a son trying to understand his dying father, a man whose life has always been told through impossible tales, towering characters, and magical exaggerations.What starts as a search for facts slowly becomes something else—a meditation on memory, legacy, and the stories we choose to pass down.Because in the end, Big Fish isn’t about whether the stories really happened. It’s about why we need them to.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Tonight’s movie is Willie Dynamite, a vivid, stylish, and surprisingly sharp entry in the Blaxploitation era — one that balances outrageous fashion and swagger with a surprisingly moralistic edge.30-Second Plot OverviewSet in 1970s New York, the film follows Willie Dynamite, a flamboyant, ambitious pimp played by Roscoe Orman (yes — future Gordon from Sesame Street). Willie is determined to be the number-one player in the city, but his empire starts to crumble under pressure from rival pimps, aggressive cops, and a social worker who refuses to give up on the women in his life. What starts as pure swagger turns into a story about power, vulnerability, and the limits of ego.Awards & RecognitionWhile Willie Dynamite didn’t garner major awards on release, it has earned:A cult following for its costumes, music, and Orman’s performanceCritical reevaluation as one of the more character-driven films in the Blaxploitation canonRecognition for its soundtrack by J.J. Johnson, which became a collector favoriteFinancialsDistributed by Universal PicturesReleased during the height of Blaxploitation’s commercial waveExact budget/box office numbers weren’t widely reported, but Universal marketed it heavily in urban markets and it performed moderately well during its theatrical runOver time, it found second life through home video and genre retrospectivesMusic brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Tonight’s movie is The Exorcist III — released in 1990, written and directed by William Peter Blatty, the same man who wrote the original Exorcist novel. Seventeen years after the first film, Blatty came back to reclaim the story, and what he made isn’t your typical possession sequel — it’s part psychological horror, part detective thriller, and way more about faith, guilt, and evil than pea soup and head spins.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Tonight’s film: Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) Directed by Terry Jones, written and performed by the entire Monty Python crew — Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.Set in Roman-occupied Judea, it tells the story of Brian Cohen — a man born on the same day, in the house next door to Jesus — who’s repeatedly mistaken for the Messiah. What follows is a wild satire on religion, fanaticism, bureaucracy, and mob mentality, wrapped in that signature absurd Python humor.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

This week on Wheel of Film, we’re diving into American Beauty, the 1999 suburban drama directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. The film follows Lester Burnham, a disillusioned middle-aged father who rebels against his suffocating suburban life, quits his job, lusts after his daughter’s best friend, and clashes with his wife and teenage daughter—setting off a chain of tragic, darkly comedic events that expose the emptiness behind the American Dream.The movie was both a critical and commercial success. On a $15 million budget, it grossed over $356 million worldwide. It went on to sweep awards season, winning 5 Academy Awards—including Best Picture, Best Director for Mendes, Best Actor for Kevin Spacey, Best Original Screenplay for Alan Ball, and Best Cinematography for Conrad Hall. It also picked up BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and a place on many critics’ “best of the year” lists, cementing its legacy as one of the defining films of the late 1990s.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome back to Wheel of Film! This week, we’re stepping into the cage with Warrior (2011), Gavin O’Connor’s gritty sports drama that blends heart, family, and hard-hitting MMA action. The film follows estranged brothers—played by Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton—who find themselves on a collision course at a high-stakes mixed martial arts tournament, all while grappling with their fractured past and complicated relationship with their recovering alcoholic father, portrayed by Nick Nolte. Written by O’Connor and Anthony Tambakis, Warrior wasn’t a massive box office hit—earning about $23 million against a $25 million budget—but it’s become a cult favorite, praised for its emotional depth and authentic fight sequences. The film earned Nick Nolte an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, cementing its place as one of the most powerful underdog stories of the last decade.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome back to Wheel of Film, where we spin through cinema’s most iconic, overlooked, or downright wild titles—and today, we’re diving deep into the animated darkness of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. Released in 2000, this direct-to-video DC film bridges the brooding legacy of Bruce Wayne with the cyberpunk future of Terry McGinnis. When the Joker mysteriously resurfaces decades after his supposed death, Terry must unravel a decades-old conspiracy and confront the deepest trauma of Gotham’s original Dark Knight.Directed by Curt Geda and written by Paul Dini, Glenn Murakami, and Bruce Timm—three titans behind DC's animated renaissance—the film features standout voice work by Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne, Will Friedle as Terry McGinnis, and a chilling return from Mark Hamill as the Joker. With a budget of around $3 million, Return of the Joker garnered critical acclaim for its mature themes, sleek animation, and surprisingly dark turns for a “kids” movie.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome back to Wheel of Film, the podcast where we spin through cinema one reel at a time. This week, we’re diving headfirst into the eerie shimmer of Annihilation, the 2018 sci-fi thriller directed and written by Alex Garland, adapted from the novel by Jeff VanderMeer.Annihilation follows Lena, a biologist and former soldier played by Natalie Portman, who joins a team of scientists on a dangerous expedition into “The Shimmer”—a mysterious, mutating zone of alien origin where the laws of nature unravel. As they venture deeper, the team grapples with shifting environments, fractured psyches, and a haunting revelation about change and self-destruction.The cast also features Oscar Isaac, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Produced on a budget of around $40–55 million, the film grossed $43 million worldwide, though it found a wider audience through its streaming release internationally.Grab your gear and leave your sense of reality at the border—let’s get into Annihilation.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

This week on Wheel of Film, we're slicing into Little Italy—the 2018 romantic comedy directed by Donald Petrie, best known for How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Written by Steve Galluccio and Vinay Virmani, this film serves up a cheesy blend of love, rivalry, and family dysfunction.Set in Toronto’s Little Italy neighborhood, the story follows Nikki and Leo—played by Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen—childhood sweethearts torn apart by their feuding pizza shop families. When Nikki returns home from London, old flames reignite and sauce flies.With a budget of around $10 million, the film had a very limited box office run and received mostly negative reviews—but has since gained a small cult following for its campy charm and absurd Italian-American clichés. No major awards, but definitely a conversation starter.So grab a slice and let’s dig into Little Italy.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome back to Wheel of Film—where the reels spin and the deep dives begin. This week, we’re taking on Snatch—Guy Ritchie’s slick, rapid-fire 2000 crime comedy. Written and directed by Ritchie himself, Snatch features an ensemble cast led by Jason Statham, Brad Pitt, Benicio del Toro, and Vinnie Jones. The plot? A diamond heist gone sideways, an underground boxing ring, and a whole lot of accents you’ll need subtitles for.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome back to Wheel of Film, the podcast where we spin, land, and dive deep into cinema’s most compelling stories.This week’s pick: Do the Right Thing — Spike Lee’s explosive 1989 drama that unpacks race, heat, and humanity on one block in Brooklyn. Written, directed, and produced by Lee himself, the film stars Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, Rosie Perez, and Lee as the pizza delivery guy Mookie.The plot? A scorching summer day boils over into violence after a confrontation at Sal’s Famous Pizzeria — revealing the simmering racial tensions in the neighborhood.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome back to WHEEL OF FILM! Today, we’re easing on down the road with The Wiz, the 1978 musical fantasy film that reimagined The Wizard of Oz through a dazzling, soulful lens.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

“If you ain’t first, you’re last”—today, we’re throwing it into high gear with the 2006 comedy classic Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome back to WHEEL OF FILM!  Today, we're spotlighting "Challengers," a 2024 romantic sports drama directed by Luca Guadagnino and penned by Justin Kuritzkes. The film stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, who transforms her husband, played by Mike Faist, into a champion. Their lives take a complex turn when he faces off against his former best friend and Tashi's ex-boyfriend, portrayed by Josh O'Connor, leading to a gripping exploration of ambition and rivalry.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome back to another episode of WHEEL OF FILM! This week the wheel's landed us in the grimy underbelly of late-90s Boston, with the cult classic: The Boondock Saints.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome back to another episode of Wheel of FILM!This week, the guys break down the 1961 classic West Side Story, a groundbreaking musical that redefined the genreMusic brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats

Welcome to the first episode of Wheel of Film!On this week's episode, we delve into the nostalgic world of "Snack Shack," a 2024 coming-of-age comedy that takes us back to the summer of 1991 in Nebraska City.Music brought to you by Dixon Hill Beats