Episode 154 - "Unless she is stopped, Bavmorda will control the lives of your village, your children, everyone. All creatures of good heart need your help, Willow. The choice is yours."

Welcome back, friends… Our journey through the strange and wonderful world of 1980s fantasy continues and this week we travel to the Nelwyn Valley and beyond as we revisit Willow — the ambitious fantasy adventure from Ron Howard and George Lucas. Host Michael Wilson is joined once again by returning guests Sandy and Michael Whaley for a lively, funny and occasionally divided discussion on one of the most beloved cult fantasy films of the decade — because while there was plenty of admiration around the table for Willow’s charm, imagination and spectacle, not everybody was entirely won over by its quest. From melting trolls and two-headed monsters to pig transformations, fairy dust, chaotic Brownies and groundbreaking morphing effects, we dive deep into the film’s unforgettable visuals, creature work and technical achievements. Along the way we discuss the film’s mythological influences, archetypes, the film’s occasionally uneven pacing, comedy choices, and whether Willow itself sometimes feels like a collection of familiar fantasy ingredients searching for a stronger identity of its own. There’s also plenty of appreciation for the cast — particularly Warwick Davis’ earnest central performance and Val Kilmer’s scene-stealing energy — alongside discussions about James Horner’s huge, bombastic score, the gloriously chaotic final battle, horrifying transformations, Harryhausen-inspired monsters and why Queen Bavmorda perhaps deserved a little more to do. But does Willow truly deserve its enduring cult status? Is it an overlooked fantasy classic elevated by heart, spectacle and imagination — or an uneven adventure that only fully comes alive in its spectacular final act? Well, there are babies, magic wands, trolls, pig monsters and Val Kilmer flirting with literally everyone. What more do you want? So grab your wand, avoid the fairy dust, and whatever you do… don’t volunteer to guard the baby.

Links: ​

Michael Whaley;

• Instagram: @alwaysmichaelwhaley @cmwhaleyphoto

• YouTube: @turnaphrasefilms

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

Music Composed and Performed by Al Trotter

• Follow Al on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dap8b58TT/

• Follow Al on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCENf_17-Bi8HitVg7w5rd9Q?si=3_7ZCmLXLAp4-f3F

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

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Created, Hosted and Written by Michael Wilson.

Edited and Produced by Mike Wilson.

"Her name is not Sticks! She's Elora Danan, the future empress of Tir Asleen and the last thing she's gonna want is a hairy chest!"

Silver Screen Rewind - "Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while."

This week on Silver Screen Podcast, we return to one of the very first episodes we ever recorded as part of a special Silver Screen Rewind for our ongoing 80s Fantasy season — our review of the beloved fantasy classic, The Princess Bride. Before revisiting the original discussion featuring host Mike with Andy Kemp and Phil English (formerly of We Pay For Your Floor), we also take some time to pay tribute to director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle following their recent passing. Joining Mike and DK for this newly recorded opening tribute are Nita, Jenny and Lynn, as we reflect on the impact of Rob’s work, the enduring magic of The Princess Bride, and the comfort and joy these films continue to bring so many people. Then it’s back to where it all began, as we revisit one of our earliest ever reviews — full of quotable dialogue, giant rodents, revenge, romance, sword fights and one of the most endlessly charming fantasy adventures ever put to film. Missing out would be inconceivable!

Links:

The Princess Bride: Home Movie (full) - https://youtu.be/lR8pA_WV9QI

Pingu's The Thing aka Thingu - https://youtu.be/5g2LaMuS0mk

We Pay For Your Floor Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgfi5QgJ3UprVypcIlO94AA https://open.spotify.com/show/1rZOY3wA4hFdhvcYFs6jqf?si=OAaG95ZfR6eqGJcenArGWA&utm_source=copy-link

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

Music Composed and Performed by Al Trotter

• Follow Al on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dap8b58TT/

• Follow Al on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCENf_17-Bi8HitVg7w5rd9Q?si=3_7ZCmLXLAp4-f3F

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

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Created, Hosted and Written by Michael Wilson.

Additional Material by D.K, Nita Flores, Lynn McKinnon & Jenny Duncan.

Edited and Produced by Mike Wilson.

"As you wish."

Cinema Classics Number 27 - "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."

Come in, come in… you come to us on the day of our podcast and ask us to talk about one of the most legendary films ever made? Well… we won’t refuse. This week on Cinema Classics, we’re making an offer you can’t refuse as we sit down with The Godfather—Francis Ford Coppola’s towering crime epic that redefined the gangster genre and cemented its place in cinematic history. Joining Podfather Don Michael Wilseone for this one is a trio of back up. We have trusted consigliere Sandy, frequent guest Tobi (who definitely wasn’t strong-armed into watching this… honest), and an unexpected return from underboss D.K.—because once you’re in, you’re in. Together, we dive into the rise of the Corleone family, exploring the transformation of Michael Corleone from reluctant outsider to ruthless leader, and asking the big question: is this really a story about crime… or is it something far more personal? We break down Michael’s chilling character arc and the slow loss of his soul, the film’s central tension between business and family—and how it blurs the line between the two. We also examine Coppola’s masterful direction, from shadowy interiors to operatic violence, and iconic performances from Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and the rest of an all-time great ensemble. We also revisit the unforgettable moments that define the film—from brutal street hits to that haunting final door close Plus, we dig into behind-the-scenes drama, surprising production stories, and the cultural impact of a film that didn’t just depict organised crime—it reshaped how the world saw it. But it’s not all unquestioned praise. We also get into where the film doesn’t quite work for us, from its treatment of female characters to the sheer sprawl of its narrative—and whether it truly deserves its reputation as one of the greatest films ever made. With standout moments, favourite lines (yes, the cannoli makes an appearance), and our final scores on the table, this is a deep dive you won’t want to miss. So settle in, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer… And remember: you can do anything—but never go against the family.

Links:

Follow Tobi on BlueSky: darksonic@bsky.social

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

Music Composed and Performed by Al Trotter

• Follow Al on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dap8b58TT/

• Follow Al on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCENf_17-Bi8HitVg7w5rd9Q?si=3_7ZCmLXLAp4-f3F

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

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Created, Hosted and Written by Michael Wilson.

Co-hosted and Additional Material by D.K

Edited and Produced by Mike Wilson.

"Look how they massacred my boy!"