Can American auto workers get along with their new Japanese bosses? That was the big question in the mid-1980's as Ron Howard's Gung Ho, inspired by real events, tried to tackle the subject as an inspirational comedy.
In hindsight, it's an awkward movie to watch, riddled with racist/xenophobic assumptions about both the Japanese and American auto workers.
But hey, we need to talk about the cars! And joining us is Jason Torchnisky, Jalopnik writer, published author of Robot Take the Wheel, and legendary Changli owner!
The cars of the fictional Assan Motors are represented mostly by Fiat Regattas, but the movie has quite a few interesting featured cars!
Find Jason Torchinsky at Jalopnik.com or on social media @JasonTorch / @JasonTorchinsky and remember to subscribe to Reels and Wheels and leave some feedback!
Few shows nail nostalgia so perfectly while simultaneously endearing us to new characters. Cobra Kai knocks it out of the park.
Cars have always been a key part of the Karate Kid franchise, from Mr. Miyagi's collection of classics to Mrs. Larusso's Malibu wagon to Johnny's Avanti II, Cobra Kai had a lot to live up to... and it does. Nicely.
Comedian, Comedy Instructor and friend of the podcast Tim Loulies joins us to talk Cobra Kai!
Find Tim Loulies online at @Big44Comedy and make sure you subscribe to Reels and Wheels!
CONVOY!
Hear us out on this one...
As a production, Convoy was a bit of a train wreck. A drug-fueled, past-his-prime Sam Peckinpaw was trying to direct a dark film that made a statement about unfair laws. The studio wanted something more like Smokey and the Bandit, which came out the year before. Neither side one.
The result is a tonally strange movie, but somehow... somehow... it's super relevant today. Derek Williams once again joins Sid and James to discuss this bizarre movie that has way more to it than you think. It's actually a strong statement against police using the wrong enforcement tactics and a reminder that black lives matter.
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In this special, co-branded episode of Reels and Wheels, Sid and James are joined by Brad McMurran and Sean Devereux of The Pushers, hosts of the Nerds of Comedy podcast!
...and what amazing, special, exciting movie could possibly be important enough to bring these two podcasts together? Cannonball Run 2, of course!
All kidding aside, Hal Needham's second Cannonball movie is mindless fun. It's ridiculous. It's over-the-top. It makes no sense. And it's just awesome.
Sean and Brad are partners at The Push Comedy Theater. Like most comedy venues, it has had to close down during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The theater is not only a great place to experience comedy, it is also a key training ground for comedic talent in southeastern Virginia. Please consider going to www.pushcomedytheater.com and making a donation!
Don't forget to send us your feedback - and subscribe on all the podcast services you can find us on! @SidBridgeComedy & @S2KJames
There can be only one!!!
Sid and James tackle the 1986 classic Highlander, the story of an immortal, caught in a centuries-long struggle to claim a prize by beheading other immortals. And he drives a Porsche 356 Speedster.
A discussion ensues on the virtues and not-virtues of the 356 and we take a look at the other cars of Highlander. We also feel the need to single out Clancy Brown, who's portrayal of The Kurgan gave us an outstanding villain.
This episode was inspired by a Twitter conversation with our good friend, Lovell Porter - find him on Twitter @AboveAverageLLP. Make sure you subscribe to Reels and Wheels and leave us some feedback! @SidBridgeComedy and @S2KJames
David Michod's The Rover is a bleak, Australian post-apocalypse story. Sound familiar? It's definitely not Mad Max.
Michod's anarchic landscape lacks hope... or even a real hero. The movie is a slog, depressing and gritty from start to finish. It's kind of character piece you would expect from a film that was chosen to be screened at Cannes.
James liked it. Sid hated it. Both agree: While relevant, it's a depressing watch during the COVID-19 pandemic. Save it for later and listen to Reels and Wheels instead.
This is the movie we've been waiting for. This is a story so crazy we're surprised it took this long to become a movie. This is Ford V Ferrari.
Joining James and Sid is racecar driver Aditya "Deech" Madhaven as we talk about the incredible story of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles. Ford V Ferrari is a rare example of a car movie that is so good that it can be enjoyed by people who aren't into cars.
Deech brings tons of knowledge to the table and this episode is entertaining and informing - and it was a blast to record. It's a bit longer than usual because we enjoyed this movie so much.
Make sure you follow us online - @ReelsandWheels, @S2KJames, @SidBridgeComedy!
Stuber is a movie where the hero car is an all-electric Nissan Leaf. It also stars WWE-wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista as a trigger-happy cop with bad eyesight.
Joining us for this episode is Lovell Porter, creator of BlaqueRabbit.com and writer/play-by-play analyst for WrestleZone!
So, is the Leaf a cool car? Can James become a wrestling fan? Is Stuber worth watching?
Find Sid @SidBridgeComedy and James @S2KJames online. Subscribe to Reels and Wheels in Stitcher, iTunes or Google Play and leave us some feedback! Find Lovell at BlaqueRabbit.com and at WrestleZone.com!