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Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Empire of The Sun (1987)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Shat on Entertainment

Film Reviews, 80s, Shermerhighschool, Sixteencandles, Movies, Tv & Film, Weirdscience, Breakfastclub, Vcr, Johnhughes, Vhs, 90s, Classicmovies

4.61.7K Ratings

🗓️ 23 November 2024

⏱️ 72 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

On this week's episode of Shat the Movies, Gene and Big D dive into Steven Spielberg's epic 1987 coming-of-age war drama, Empire of the Sun. Commissioned by loyal listener Jeff S., this film takes us on a journey through World War II-era Shanghai.

Join us as we explore Spielberg’s masterful direction, the stunning cinematography, and Bale's standout performance in what many consider his breakout role. We’ll also discuss the historical significance of the film, its initial reception, and how it holds up decades later. Did Empire of the Sun earn its place as one of Spielberg’s most overlooked masterpieces, or does it fall short? 

Episode Highlights:

  • Christian Bale's career-launching role at just 12 years old.
  • The historical context of Japan's occupation of Shanghai and how Spielberg brings it to life.
  • The film’s unique narrative structure and how Spielberg sets the stage for his iconic storytelling.
  • More of Big D's Tales from Blockbuster 

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Transcript

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0:00.0

Difficult boy.

0:02.0

Remember when we first met John McLean?

0:04.8

Our God picked him up from the plane and took him down the Nakitomi Tower at the Christmas

0:11.1

party.

0:12.5

And the terrorists were overzealous, but it was sweet when they killed Ellis.

0:17.8

And with a little help from Allen, John McLean kicked us. Welcome back to Shat the Movies, the podcast where we answered the question, where the movies we were growing up really that good.

0:28.8

If you ever caught yourself thinking, why don't they make movies like they used to?

0:32.0

Can you still remember spending your Friday night searching for the perfect movie rental blockbuster video?

0:35.9

Do you know what blockbuster video is?

0:38.4

If you answered yes, then this is the podcast for you. I'm one of your host, Gene Lyons,

0:42.4

alongside me as my co-host, Big D, Dick Ebert. Good evening. Each week, we take a look back in time

0:47.4

to decide if our favorite films still hold up. The movies we cover are chosen by you, the listeners,

0:51.6

who generously commission the films you love. If you'd like to see all the movies we have covered, we'll cover one and choose one for yourself.

0:57.2

Please visitshapod.com and have a look. At the end of each podcast, we'll provide you the audience

1:01.8

with the number of wipes each movie takes the good off your respect to butts. So thank you so much

1:05.3

for listening. If you have not already, hit that subscribe button and share with a friend. It's how we help the podcast grow. Additionally, subscribe to our sister podcast,

1:12.4

Shat on TV, or review TV series,

1:14.4

which is Westworld, Taboo, American Gods,

1:16.7

Game of Thrones, True Detective, Lovecraft Country, and Watchmen.

1:19.2

Find all the information and past episodes

1:20.9

at chatpod.com slash TV.

1:23.9

And finally, to hang out with us live,

...

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