Hot Date with Dan and Vicky

Highest 2 Lowest, out today on Apple TV +, is the latest joint from Spike Lee. The film is the latest adaptation of Ed McBain's King's Ransom and follows in the direct foorsteps of Akira Kurosawa's version, High and Low. Shot on the streets of New York City by frequent Lee collaborator Matthew Libatique, the film also fuses several different musical cues and genres to create the story of a kidnapping gone wrong and the moral dilemma it presents for the music mogul now tasked with paying the ransom. The film stars Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky, John Douglas Thompson, Dean Winters, LaChanze, Princess Nokia, and Ice Spice. Dan and Vicky break with Hot Date format once again to choose a film currently playing in cinemas. They also discuss their recently seen including Netflix's Wednesday, 2025's Naked Gun, Freakier Friday, Weapons, Fantastic Four: First Steps and Went Up The Hill. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

Originally envisioned as a vampire dominatrix with a dungeon to torture and feed on men, 1936's Dracula's Daughter underwent a radical reinvention to accommodate a more sensitive Production Code. Gloria Holden's daughter is a more thoughtful, melancholy blood sucker, trying in vain to turn her back on her vampiric roots. The only character from the original to make it into the sequel is Van Helsing (Von Helsing in this version). Bela Lugosi was meant to reprise his role but moved on after the film's production was delayed several times. Dan and Vicky discuss the sequel, it's place in the Universal horror pantheon and it's much talked about lesbian themes. They also cover alot of recently seen movies and TV including Eddington, The Home, Together, 2025's I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Warner's Batwoman (the Ruby Rose year). Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

1981's Tattoo, the lone feature effort of commercial director/co-writer Bob Brooks, was fraught with pre and post production problems. The film, about a tatto artist (Bruce Dern) unnaturally obsessed with a fashion model (Maud Adams), had it's release date pushed back after Brooks protested the edit producer Joseph Levine created without his input or approval. Transit authorities in NY took down pre-release posters for the film in response to complaints about the images presented - a woman's bare bound legs covered in tattoos. And Dern insinuated on the press tour that he and Adams had had actual sex in the film - a claim Adams disputed. But the publicity didn't seem to help the film find an audience. It pretty much came and went in theaters and is currently out of print. Dan and Vicky discuss the controversial erotic thriller along with lots of recently seen including the new Superman, Jurrasic World: Rebirth, Oh Hi, Disney+'s Behind the Attraction documentary, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story and And Just Like That. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

1959's It Happened To Jane was the rare Doris Day film that didn't hit with audiences at the box office. Columbia attempted a re-release in 1961 under a new title, Twinkle and Shine, with similar results. In the film, Day plays a Maine lobster farm owner pitted against a large railroad company when they damage her reputation and livelihood. The comedy co-stars Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, and Steve Forrest and was shot on location in towns throughout Connecticut. Dan and Vicky discuss the film along with some recently seen like Elio, Bride Hard, Megan 2.0, 28 Years Later, Unitl Dawn, Sorry Baby, and The Woman in the Yard. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

A Quiet Place to Kill (aka Paranoia) was the third collaboration between Golden Globe winning American actress Caroll Baker and Italian horror and thriller filmmaker Umberto Lenzi. Baker, disillusioned by the American studio system, moved to Europe in the late 60's with her family and formed a working relationship with Lenzi that spanned four films. In this one she plays Helen, a race car driver reunited with her ex-husband and his new wife -- marital intrugue and a murder plot ensue. Starring with Baker in the Italian/Spanish co-production are Jean Sorel, Anna Proclemer, and Marina Coffa. Dan and Vicky get a little political at the top of the podcast but then turn quickly to some recently seen - The Life of Chuck, The Materialists, Al Pacino starring possession film The Ritual, Hitchcock's 1939 film Jamaica Inn, 1982's Vice Squad, and the Aussie film Dangerous Animals. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

Hot Date is shaking things up again by choosing a recent date and a movie hot from theaters to discuss. Dipping into the John Wick universe, Dan and Vicky discuss Ballerina, the next film in the Keanu Reeves lead action franchise. Wick takes a back seat to Eve Macarro, played by Knives Out and Blonde star Ana de Armas. Eve is on a mission to avenge the murder of her father - a journey that takes her from the Continental Hotel to snowy Austria. Her co-stars include Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Anjelica Huston, Lance Riddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves. Your hosts also discuss their recently seen including Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning, Karate Kid Legends, Bring Her Back, Conclave, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and the Hell House series! Also hear about the love Hot Date gets from ChatGPT and your hosts try to figure out who Morgan Wallen is! Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

1947's Crossfire, directed by Edward Dmytryk, is based on the novel The Brick Foxhole by Richard Brooks. In Brooks' novel, a gay man is murdered by a soldier on leave but the film had to adhere to a Hays Code which didn't allow for depictions of homosexuality so anti-Jewish sentiment became the reason for the killing. Ironically, it was the film's theme of anti-semitism that put it's makers in the crosshairs of Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist HUAC hearings. It's director and writer John Paxton ended in prison for their views. The film stars the Robert dream team of Robert Ryan, Robert Young and Robert Mitchum. Dan and Vicky discuss the noir thriller and lots of recently seen including Babygirl, The Damned, Thunderbolts, Nonnas, Lilo and Stitch, horror classics (!) Nekromantick and Nekromantick 2 and comedian Mateo Lane. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

Hot Date has reached it's next Top Ten episode and for this episode, Dan and Vicky pick their most favorite movie adaptations - films that started as books, plays, musicals, songs, even Twitter feeds! Your hosts also talk about what they've seen recently including Sinners, Drop, the new season of Black Mirror, Kevin Bacon starring horror show The Bondsman, The Lincoln Lawyer, and the Broadway musical Real Women Have Curves. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

2000's Born Romantic is a little seen British comedy about dating in the Y2k era. Chock a block with UK stars including Craig Ferguson, Catherine McCormack, Jimi Mistry, Adrian Lester, Olivia Williams, David Morrissey and Jane Horrocks, the film follows a group of lonely hearts finding love and laughter with a London salsa club as the center of their romantic universe. Dan and Vicky discuss the rarely seen film and how we find love and romance in the modern world. They also talk about some recently seen items like The Rule of Jenny Penn, Freaky Tales, Hell of a Summer, The Amateur and MAX's medical drama The Pitt. Listen for their thoughts on finding community at the movies, remembering 9/11, and King Lear in Delaware! Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

Based on the Stephen King short story, Oz Perkins The Monkey tells the story of a wind up toy monkey that haunts the lives of twin brothers Hal and Bill. Christian Convery plays the twins as teen boys and Theo James plays them as adults. Produced by James Wan, the film also stars Tatiana Maslany, Sarah Levy, Adam Scott, Elijah Wood and Perkins himself in the role of the boys' eccentric uncle. Usually dipping back in time to find films, Dan and Vicky choose a Hot Date from 2025 to offer a look at a recent release. They also discuss lots of recently seen like The Penguin Lessons, Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, Opus, Peacock series The Americas, the TCM series The Power of Film, and Dan's poignant reaction to Ru Paul's Drag Race. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

The Rickshaw Man, Hiroshi Inagaki's 1958 film about a gruff rickshaw driver who becomes the surrogate father to a boy who loses his father unexpectedly, is a remake of his own 1943 black and white film of the same name. The 1958 version won Inagaki the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival and was one of 20 films the director made with his favored actor Toshiro Mifune. Dan and Vicky discuss the film along with lots of recently seen items like A Complete Unknown, Oscar winner Flow, Mickey 17, Black Bag, 1997's Tower of Terror, and streaming shows like Daredevil: Born Again, Delhi Boys and The Americas. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

Originally titled Shelter and produced independently in 2010 with Swedish filmmakers Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein co-directing, the Julianne Moore starring Six Souls, written by Identity's Michael Cooney, was eventually purchased by the Weinstein Company under their Radius banner. But the Weinsteins were in the midst of serious financial woes in 2010 after the failure of Nine and many of their acquisitions ended up in distribution turnaround. Six Souls would eventually come out in 2013 as a day and date VOD and theatrical release. It got very little attention and seemed a strange detour on Moore's otherwise stellar career path. Dan and Vicky discuss the forgotten supernatural thriller along with some recently seen gems like Heart Eyes, My Dead Friend Zoe, Love Hurts, Anora, Emilia Perez, Love Me, and Peacock's Traitors. Also hear about Vicky's apartment woes and Dan's road trip to Florida! Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

Struggling to find a role that would break her from beautiful girlfriend, adoring wife parts, 1992's My New Gun gave Diane Lane her first starring vehicle. It was a role that got her noticed and some of the best reviews of her career. Supporting her were Stephen Collins, James LeGros, Maddie Corman, Tess Harper, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman in the tale of a handgun that sets off a chain of distressing events in the life of Lane's unfulfilled New Jersey housewife. Dan and Vicky discuss the indie darling along with plenty of recently seen like Babygirl, Presence, NIghtbitch, Companion, 1972's Fright, Red Rooms, It Ends With Us, Wolfman, Shudder's Horrors Greatest and lots of SNL 50 programming. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

1973's Slither was the directorial debut of Howard Zieff (Private Benjamin, My Girl) and the screenwriting debut for W.D. Richter (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Big Trouble In Little China). In the freewheeling comedic thriller, James Caan goes on the road looking for a stash of embezzled money with Peter Boyle, Louise Lasser and Sally Kellerman in tow. Famously, Caan was quoted saying he took the role for the money and had little understanding of the story. Dan and Vicky discuss the film along with lots of recently seen including Nosferatu, The Front Room, Shudder's doc series Horror's Greatest, Better Man, Leigh Wannell's Wolfman, Trim Season and The Brutalist. *Sound issues exist in this episode. We hope they won't detract from your enjoyment of the show. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

Of his time working with then burgeoning film actress Marilyn Monroe, Fritz Lang recalls a 26 year old who struggled with self esteem issues, set tardiness, and lack of preparation. On 1952's Clash By Night, adapted from the Clifford Odets play, Monroe drove the director to distraction but was surprisingly embraced by leading lady Barbara Stanwyck. Stanwyck, recognizing an overwhelmed and emotionally vulnerable fellow actress, was patient, helpful, and caring with the young actress according to Lang. What resulted was a pretty assured above the title debut for Monroe and Stanwyck's usual strong lead performance. The drama also boasts the talents of Paul Douglas, Robert Ryan and Keith Andes (returning from the Broadway play, albeit in a different role). Your hosts Dan and Vicky discuss the film along with a list of recently seen like Luca Guadagnino's Queer, La La Land, Emilia Perez, September 5, and The Fire Inside. Catch Dan in Dial M For Murder at the Pioneer Theatre in Salt Lake City. Link below for tickets: Dial M for Murder Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

The couples paired up in Martin Ritt's 1961 musical drama Paris Blues were more than just smart casting. Real life married paramours Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward play Ram and Lillian, a jazz musician and the woman he falls in love with him. And Sidney Poitier and Diahann Carroll, real life lovers at the time, play Eddie and Connie. Carroll and Poitier had carried on an extramarital affair on their previous film Porgy and Bess and continued during the making of Paris Blues. Both eventually stayed married and ended the affair after Paris Blues was completed. Dan and Vicky discuss the jazz heavy film along with lots of recently seen including Moana 2, The Coffee Table, Twisters, Blink Twice, They/Them, Kyle Mooney's Y2K and NBC series St. Denis. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

Dan and Vicky discuss the found footage horror thriller Megan is Missing. The film, starring many first time actors and shot for under a week on a $35,000 budget, was the brain child of cinematographer Michael Goi. Goi was eager to make a cautionary tale on the dangers of online predators and so impressed Anchor Bay Films they gave the movie, shot in 2008, a small theatrical release in 2011. Starring Amber Perkins and Rachel Quinn, Megan is Missing has divided critics - some applauding it's unflinching look at the dangers of being a teen in the internet age and others calling it exploitative. Dan and Vicky share their very strong responses to the film as well as catching us up on some recently seen like Heretic, The Exorcism, Red One, All Hallow's Eve and It's What's Inside. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

Our 200th Episode! 200 episodes of Hot Dates and Hot Takes on some of the weirdest, most beautiful and just plain bad movies. We've covered Oscar Winners and Razzie Winners, blockbusters and indie films, classics and guilty pleasures. To celebrate this milestone, we've invited Alexandra Kopko from the Film Bros Podcast to discuss our favorite directorial debuts. Dan and Vicky and Alex offer their top tens and a fun list of alternates. From the Gerwigs to the Raimis to the Lumets, hear the films that paved the way for some of the greatest careers in film - and some that were one and done! It's an epic chat, out longest show EVER! Dan and Vicky also discuss their usual recently seen - a bevy of great TV and film offerings. Our socials: hotdatepod.com https://thefilmbros.podbean.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

The 2002 film Home Room imagines the unlikely friendship between two survivors of a school shooting - women from very different backgrounds united in tragedy. Busy Philipps and Erika Christensen play Alicia and Deanna respectively and Victor Garber is the police investigator hoping the two will help answer questions about the deceased shooter. With Columbine fresh in the world's memory, director/writer Paul F. Ryan attempts to examine the effect a mass shooting can have on the community and the people in it. Dan and Vicky discuss the little seen Home Room along with lots of recently seen like Salem's Lot 2024, The Wild Robot, Rosemary's Baby prequel Apartment 7A, Joker: Folie a Deux, Exhibiting Forgiveness, Civil War and The Substance. Watch, like and subscribe to the pilot for Dan's web series West 40s below. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod

The 1990 Australian film Blood Oath (aka Prisoners of the Sun) is the harrowing true to life story of the military tribunal put together on the Indonesian island of Ambon to investigate the mass killings of Australian soldiers in a Japanese POW camp. Leading the charge is Captain Cooper, played by stalwart Aussie actor Bryan Brown (FX, Cocktail, Anyone But You) and a whole battalion of great supporting turns from Deborah Unger, Terry O' Quinn, Russell Crowe, Toshi Shioya, Tetsu Watanabe, George Takei and John Polson. Dan and Vicky look at the film along with a bevy of recently seen items like Max's Penguin, AMC's Breaking Bad, Strange Darling, My Old Ass, Humane, The Deliverance, 2024's Speak No Evil and Blumhouse's Afraid. Watch, like and subscribe to the pilot for Dan's web series West 40s below. Our socials: hotdatepod.com FB: Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta: hotdatepod