Ep 35: Escape From New York

We’ve done a lot of good episodes, but this might be “A #1”! That’s right, this week takes on John Carpenter’s (not Ritchie Blackmore’s!) post apocalyptic 1981 film Escape From New York.  We dive into the details on the making of and do a complete walk-through of the film, extolling the virtues of practical effects, “economical” storytelling, first-rate film-making and a brilliant cast. Does this film stand the test of time? Spoiler alert: Of course it does! At any rate, we evaluate it anyway and along the way we learn…

• How this film is great preparation for the real life upcoming apocalypse we all know is imminent 
• Why you might have experienced frequent power outages if you were a resident of East St. Louis in 1981
• What were the last two words that Walt Disney ever wrote down
• Why cardboard and black light make better special effects than 50 million dollars with of CGI
• How a character called Brain can make incredible leaps in logic, gasoline from steam, but somehow can’t read a map
• About the two twin bust-out stars of the film…
• What not to say to Snake Plisken if you want to live
• And finally, an unwanted and unnecessary lesson about fusion from Dr. Science

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