Episode 126 - "I have a feeling this is going to be just delicious."

Benvenuti! A warm welcome, faithful friends, to a brand-new episode of the Silver Screen Podcast. This time we’ve reassembled our “Discord Crew”: regular host Mike alongside returning guests Adrienne, Sandy, and Tobi. Adrienne and Sandy have chosen one of their all-time favourites for us to look at — Moonstruck (1987). But will first-time viewers Mike and Tobi fall under its spell as strongly? We’ll be breaking down the making of the film in our Behind the Scenes sections — from inspired casting and precise directing to the evocative score and more. Expect discussion of Nicolas Cage’s... noteworthy unhinged performance, the Oscar-winning turns from Cher and Olympia Dukakis, and the film’s plotting, sexual politics, romantic flourishes, and deeper themes. We also explore how Moonstruck blends sharp comedy with Italian-American culture and the heartbeat of New York City. Finally, we share audience reactions, highlight our personal stand-outs, and wrap up with conclusions and scores. So don’t just stand there howling at Cosmo’s Moon — pour a glass of champagne (sugar cube optional) and join our movie-review family.

Help support the podcast and show your appreciation by "tipping" or "buying us a coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/mikespodcasts

Links:

- Follow Tobi on BlueSky: @DarkSonic

- Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

- Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share

"Snap out of it!"

Episode 125 – "I'm Your Huckleberry"

After a little break, the Silver Screen Podcast o.g. is riding back into town with a modern Western classic that’ll have you quoting along in your best Wild West drawl. Michael is back in the hosting saddle with right-hand gunslinger D.K. riding shotgun, and they’re joined by good friend, special guest, and film-chooser Adrienne. That’s right—this week we’re reviewing 1993’s Tombstone. We kick things off with first impressions (including Mike’s fresh take as a first-time viewer), Adrienne shares why she picked the film, and D.K. goes the extra mile by also watching rival release Wyatt Earp to break down the differences—and why he thinks Tombstone claimed the cinematic glory. Along the way we dive into behind-the-scenes troubles, the rumoured uncredited direction of Kurt Russell, the sprawling script, actor preparation, endlessly quotable lines, and much more. Adrienne even treats us to some impromptu Latin translation! As always, we wrap up with our stand-out moments, audience responses, and final scores before riding off into the sunset. So press play and enjoy the episode—you're a daisy if you do.

Help support the podcast and show your appreciation by "tipping" or "buying us a coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/mikespodcasts

Links:

- Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

- Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share

"Oh yeah, I'm an oak alright."

Cinema Classics Number 19 - "He says the sun came out last night. He says it sang to him."

“We are not alone…” but we are in for one unforgettable discussion. This week on Silver Screen Cinema Classics, host Mike is back as ever to lead our celluloid exploration. He's joined by his right-hand man and occasional translator D.K., making a triumphant return. But that's not all, this episode also has two stellar guests: Silver Screen first-timer (but Trek podcast regular) Justin Avery Smith, and filmmaker, raconteur, and cinephile extraordinaire Michael Whaley. Together, the crew takes flight with Steven Spielberg’s spellbinding 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' — diving deep into its genesis, Spielberg’s masterful cinematic direction, and John Williams’s iconic, otherworldly score, complete with the unforgettable five tones. Expect praise for the writing and acting (with a dash of critique), admiration for its breathtaking pre-digital special effects, and a few surprising Easter eggs (want to know where R2-D2 and a TIE Fighter pop up?). For Mike, it’s a first-time close encounter; for D.K., it’s one of his all-time greats; and for our guests, plenty of fresh insights await. So grab your flashlight, tune your radio to the stars, and prepare for contact. Because when it comes to cinematic classics, the truth isn’t just out there — it’s right here, waiting to be discovered.

Help support the podcast and show your appreciation by "tipping" or "buying us a coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/mikespodcasts

Links:

• Follow Michael Whaley on TikTok or Instagram - @alwaysmichaelwhaley

• Follow Justin on Facebook, Instagram, Threads & BlueSky - @justinaverysmith

• Follow Justin on TikTok - @justaverysmith

Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479

Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH6

Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Created & Hosted by Michael Wilson.

Co-hosted by D.K.

Written by Michael Wilson.

Additional Material by D.K.

Edited by Michael Wilson.

Produced by Mike Wilson.

"Bye."

D.K's Cult Classics Episode 40 - "Do you think these glasses make me look smarter?" "No, you can still see your face."

We're heading back to school for the new episode of Cult Classics, as head T-Bird DK is joined by fellow greasers Mike, Rune and Adrienne to skip class and look what's under the hood of the classic musical Grease. Trust us: as podcasts go, it's the one that you want.

Links:

Follow Rune everywhere - @RuneActor

Find the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow DK on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/4upxV

Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH61

Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Cult Classic Opening Music/Closing Credits music by Timeless Journey, for more information, go to: https://soundcloud.com/timelessjourney

Created & Hosted by DK.

Written by DK

Edited by Nick.

Produced by Mike Wilson.

"Tell me about it, stud."

Series 7, Episode 9 - "He just needs to grow up. I feel like he's being a huge baby."

It’s the final mission (for now) of Hit or Miss: Star Trek as we continue our Bajoran/Cardassian arc and wrap up the much-heralded (by us at least) “Ro Laren Trilogy.” This time Admiral Mike (temporary promotion to match Picard) is back in the hosting captain’s chair for a deep-dive into Star Trek: Picard season three’s “Imposters.” The “Ro Squadron” is finally at full strength: Jordan has been safely retrieved from the Bajoran Wormhole after going missing last week and reunites with Mike and Rune, with additional backup this week from special guest Justin Avery Smith. Together we beam into a packed episode starting with Justin’s favourite Bajoran/Cardassian picks and quickfire thoughts on Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy. From there it’s into the Hit or Miss gauntlet—where we debate an epic finale, a quirky fake ship, a slick new vessel, and a couple of familiar DS9 faces—before plunging into the review proper. Expect spirited debate on Ro’s shocking return and tragic (possible) end, her unfinished business with Picard, and how this arc ties all the way back to her TNG exit. Add in analysis of the new and returning cast, acting highs (and lows), and season three’s wider story, and you’ve got one heck of a shuttle ride. As always, we wrap with audience thoughts, closing verdicts, and final scores—because in Starfleet, every mission deserves a good debrief. Join us for this epic analysis, because while shore leave awaits, the Hit or Miss crew will return very soon with one last bit of business to conclude this series arc. Keep count of the lights…

Links

• FollowJustin on Facebook, Instagram & Threads - @justaverysmith

• Follow Justin on BlueSky - @justinsmith

• Follow Rune everywhere - @runeactor

• Follow Rune's new acting project - @stationfrequency on Instagram & TikTok

• Follow Jordan on Mastodon, An Archive Of Our Own (AO3) or via her Ko-Fi account - @jordanlafordan

• Follow Jordan on Instagram - @jordanhirsch

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"He does kind of look like the Starfleet officer who came with the frame."

D.K's Cult Classics Episode 39 - "Perhaps some of those familiar faces of yesteryear are absent this evening because they thought our beloved Miss Lynch might have one of her famous English finals awaiting us. I was only joking."

This month’s Silver Screen Cult Classics review will arrive a little later than usual, but we’ve got a fantastic surprise to tide you over. Ahead of our big review of Grease, D.K sat down with Eddie Deezen — aka Eugene from Rydell High! With memorable turns in WarGames, Critters 2, 1941, Teenage Exorcist, The Polar Express and more, plus a prolific voice acting career, Eddie’s had one of Hollywood’s most fascinating journeys. You won’t want to miss this chat!

Links:

• Find the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow DK on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/4upxV

Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH61

Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Cult Classic Opening Music/Closing Credits music by Timeless Journey, for more information, go to: https://soundcloud.com/timelessjourney

Created & Hosted by DK.

Written by DK

Edited by Nick.

Produced by Mike Wilson.

"Everybody made it, they didn't have enough acts!"

Series 7, Episode 8 - "That's so on the nose somebody's picking snots out of it!"

Hit or Miss: Star Trek boldly continues our season-long mission into the tangled politics of Cardassians and Bajorans — and this week, we enter the second instalment of our “Ro Laren Trilogy.” The plan was to reunite the full crew from our Ensign Ro review, but fate (or a pesky temporal eddy) left Jordan stranded in another quadrant. That means it’s just Captain Mike at the helm with lone returning guest Rune in the First Officer’s chair, navigating our way through TNG’s Preemptive Strike. Before docking at the main review, we improvise our way through a lively Hit or Miss segment featuring a couple of big DS9 episodes and two iconic hero ships. Then it’s time to tackle our very mixed feelings on Preemptive Strike — from cliché plotting and lazy dialogue to sleepy performances and uncharacteristic behaviour. We dig into the behind-the-scenes drama, note the moments that actually worked, and give due credit to a few standout beats. We analyse Ro’s exit, the ongoing Maquis storyline, a surprisingly powerful emotional moment, and some good old-fashioned geekery over everything from space battles to matte paintings. We wrap things up with an audience response section (short but sweet), our favourite moments, final conclusions, and episode scoring. It’s an away mission full of highs, lows, and the occasional zinger that hits like a warp core breach — so tune in, and we promise not to leave you stranded in the Demilitarized Zone.

Links

• Follow Rune everywhere - @runeactor

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"Her name's "Defiant", she's fighting the patriarchy."

Series 7, Episode 7 - "Well, Dukat wanted him to stroke something. I'm not sure it was his ego."

Our ongoing journey through the turbulent legacy of the Cardassians and Bajorans continues, and this week we’re diving headfirst into the psychological maelstrom that is Deep Space Nine’s “Waltz.” Joining Captain Mike this week is our steadfast Acting First Officer and Queen of all things Cardassian, Lady Vean, alongside the triumphant return of our Sci-Fi Queen, Nita. Before we tackle the intense Sisko/Dukat drama, we warm up with our Hit or Miss segment — debating the merits (or otherwise) of a key Bajoran, a classic Cardassian, a Discovery-era starship, Voyager’s youngest crew member, and one of that series’ early outings. But the heart of the episode is our passionate review of Waltz, one of DS9’s most psychologically rich and dramatically daring instalments. We dig deep into Marc Alaimo’s towering performance, the gravitas of Avery Brooks, the precision of René Auberjonois’ direction, and a script that could give Shakespeare a run for his latinum. It's bold, brutal, brilliant — and our final score might just reach as high as Dukat’s delusions. So settle down with some perfectly seasoned soup, break bread with a sworn enemy or just enjoy this intense, opinionated and insightful podcast episode.

Apologies for the slight audio popping in the first half of this episode. The source is unclear as it wasn't present during recording. Every effort has been made to minimise it as much as humanly possible.

Links

• Follow Nita everywhere - @scifiqueens

• Follow Vean on BlueSky - @LadyVean

• Sci-Fi Queens discuss Sci-Fi Personal Impact (featuring Mike Wilson) - https://www.youtube.com/live/rG9vE1AHxsI?si=B4D19WKkgOQj9zpI

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"Tits out, that's a look. Love it."