POP LIFE EP. 32: WAS 1989 THE GREATEST YEAR OF CINEMA?

THIS IS REVOLUTION ＞podcast

Introduction:

When my good friend and fellow podcaster and radio host Kenzo Shibata hit me up and told me that he felt 1989 was the greatest year in film history, I thought that was a bold claim. Sure, I knew the original Michael Keaton *Batman* hit theaters that year, but beyond that, the details were a bit fuzzy. For many of us, especially those who came of age during the rise of home video, the lines between what was in theaters, what went straight to video, and what aired on cable often blur together. 1989 was a pivotal year—a moment when the cinematic landscape was rapidly changing, and the home video market was beginning to dominate how we consumed movies.

The year 1989 revitalized the superhero genre with Batman, saw Patrick Swayze transition from Dirty Dancing to playing the zen-like badass Dalton in Roadhouse, and introduced us to A-list actor Brad Pitt in the indie slasher Cutting Class. Christian Slater stepped into the spotlight as a teenage skateboarding detective in Gleaming the Cube, while Wes Craven tried to franchise another horror icon with Shocker.

Horror and comedy were in full swing that year, with Weekend at Bernie's giving us everyone's favorite dead uncle, and Disney making waves with The Little Mermaid. Robin Williams showcased his dramatic range in Dead Poets Society, while Denzel Washington delivered one of his most iconic scenes in Glory. Many believe that Spike Lee made a powerful statement with Do the Right Thing (I’m still trying to figure out what that “statement” is?), and James Spader broke away from his typical high school villain roles in Sex, Lies, and Videotape. Not to mention, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg brought us the third installment of the Indiana Jones franchise. And that's just scratching the surface!

So, grab your popcorn, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! We’ll be diving deep into the films of 1989, exploring every genre, every standout performance, and every iconic scene. And don’t forget—we’ll be opening up the phone lines in the Champagne Room for you to chime in with your thoughts. What films did we miss? What’s your favorite from this era?

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