 Hello, and welcome to Release Date Rewind. My name is Marc J. Parker, and I am a film lover, filmmaker, film celebrator. And normally this is an audio podcast, wherever you get your podcasts on your favorite apps. But thanks to Portland Media Center, you are about to watch the video component of this show where I celebrate movie anniversaries with my friends. Each month I usually talk about two different movies that I love with different friends, and we talk about the making of the movies, trivia, any fun memories associated with them. So I hope you enjoy, because now it's time to rewind. Okay, everybody, I am so excited to welcome my friend who also loves thrillers, especially early 90s erotic thrillers. There's definitely some sexy stuff that we're going to talk about, which I kind of forgot existed in single white female. But everybody, welcome back to the show. My good friend, Tariq Flanagan. Hello, Tariq. Hello there. Thank you for having me back. I, like you said, give me a 90s thriller and we can talk all night. So thank you for having me. Thank you for having me back. Oh, I am so happy. Thank you for giving me your time away from your beautiful family to talk about these two crazy women. Well, I mean one crazy woman and one really crazy. One really crazy. You know, and I forgot, we'll get into it, but I forgot, wow, I mean, it is almost like smutty, you know, it's almost like, okay, this is getting a little like lower level, you know, but it still maintains that good 90s thriller, but I'm so happy you're back. If you guys might remember, Tariq was on, oh God, I can't believe that was already so long ago already back in January. We talked about that was, yeah, that was like mid January. We last spoke on here. You came on the show to talk about The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, another great, oh, but you know, isn't this so, I love that this is your niche on this podcast because you just love a good early 90s thriller where two women are just going at it. Yup. Sign me up. What's it like you're going to be? Sign me up. Right. I know we have to come up with a list, you know, because they have to be just slightly maybe a little problematic. I know we were thinking, you know, The Hand That Rocks The Cradle could have been a little problematic. I feel like single white female probably is, although it's just so fun. I kind of honestly, I'm so close to it. I kind of can't even see if there are any problems. Do you know what I mean? Right, right. It's just such a fun, like ride, right? So a fun ride. Okay. You were just in P-town with your fan and you also need to fill us in about this awesome video that I saw you posted almost like short documentary on you and Jeff and the kids. Yes. Tell me about it. Well, a friend of ours knew that it was through U.S. Bank that they were looking for a family to kind of share their pandemic story or their, you know, something that was, that grew out of the pandemic or something that was hard for them during the pandemic. So we shared that we were adopting through the pandemic and they just loved that story. They loved being able to tell that story. So yeah, they came out to our house on a Saturday morning and they filmed for the, you know how it goes. They filmed for the entire day. I was going to say it was just funny because I, it was, it was a full thing. Like, and my husband is like, he's seeing, you know, the truck come in with the cameras and the lights. It was the full, the full setup, but it was great. Like they, we did the sit down interview and then they, you know, they, they had us all throughout the house feeding the kids breakfast and showing us out in the backyard. And so it was just, it was, I think they did a really great job. Like the finished product. I was like, wow, they did a really good job. And it's just really cool to have that video just to kind of have a concise version of our story. Yeah. So nicely told in this little package, you know, I'm just, it's something that's really cool to be able to, to have for the future as well. Did you see anyone you knew like, you know, since the TV film world is so small? Yeah. No, we were, I talked to a few guys and we had like connections and like, oh, I've worked at that company or I know somebody that worked at that company. Nobody I knew, you know, firsthand, but yeah, it is such a small business that we, there were, there were a few kind of connections there. That's funny. So yeah, it was, and it was just funny for us TV people to be on the other side of it, just like watching it all happen and being the person being interviewed, you know, I know after all these years of interviewing and like, can you do that again? Can you say that again? Now you have to do it. Exactly. Exactly. You know, it probably made you and probably made you a better like producer to see, right? Like, oh, I thought you were going to say a better guess. I'm like, yes, that too. Yes, definitely. Oh, yes. He's ready for any podcast, any interview. I was like, just, right, just come on, just throw it at me. And I'm remembering Tariq, isn't this your birthday month? Your birthday is later in August. It is my birthday. Wow. Oh my gosh. What a special time to be on a release date. Rewind. Yes. Let the celebrations begin. Well, happy birthday month. Happy B Day to you. Thank you so much. Now, we are going to rewind 30 years ago, all right? So go back to your early 90s looks and style and vibes because we are going back to August 14th, 1992. That is when almost exactly 30 years ago this week, the 14th is coming up in a couple days. That is when single white female came out wide and changed filmmaking, changed stilettos. That's for sure, my god. Oh, absolutely. Oh my god. So let me set the scene for you, Tariq. And feel free to chime in. I want to hear your thoughts. This is what was going on at this time 30 years ago, OK, in entertainment. So you're a Broadway guy. We were just talking about theater before we started. On Broadway, Miss Saigon was the most popular Broadway show that year, followed by, of course, Phantom of the Opera, the show that isn't that isn't that still on? Yeah, it just won't die. It really will not die. Oh, wait. But as you get to look, we're talking about it in there. That's so funny. That's that's my husband's pick. That is not my pick. I would do an X. That was brilliant. I was going to say, you can't shade it if there's the I'm looking right at the mask. But OK, that's that's I can shade it because yeah, it was not my selection. Yeah, I mean, actually, some friends are going to see that next week. And they asked me if I wanted to go for a friend's birthday. And I'm like, wow. Yeah, for a friend's birthday for maybe for a friend's birthday back in 1992. But not now on the music side, End of the Road by Boys to Men was the number one song. And that's one of those songs when it comes on. I'm like, I can sing this. Like in my mind, I'm like, I can do this. I'm going to sing this part and then I can sing this part. I'm sure it doesn't sound as great as they do. But yeah, that is such a good valid, right? On the TV side, on the TV side in a couple of weeks after this late August, we were about to get the premiere of Martin, the Martin show starring Martin Lawrence, which I remember was a big comedy for a long time on Fox. So we were about to get that. And then on the movie side, these were popular movies at the time leading up to single white females release. Of course, Death Becomes Her, which I just talked about on this pod. Love that one. You've seen it, I'm sure. Right. So good. I think so. Like, I know. I know. Wow. You and Jeff will be upset with me. I think we watched it. Like that's that's the one. Wait, don't tell me. Wait, I just do it because you're going to be upset with me. Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep. OK, thank God, everyone. OK, yes. OK, Bruce Willis. Yes, good. Yes. OK. So I think I've seen parts of it. Parts. OK. Do yourself a favor and watch that like ASAP, like put the kids to bed or keep them up. They'll have a good time and check that out because it's so good. It really is so good. So that was a big deal. Death Becomes Her had just come out at the end of July. Unforgiven on the flip side, a movie I don't really care about. Oh, yeah. Western. I think Clint Eastwood, maybe. That was a great. Yes. That was a big deal. I think then we had some thrillers. We had some more thrillers raising Kane, which I don't think I've ever actually seen. That was with Oh, my gosh, I can picture him. Third Rock from the Sun. Oh, my gosh. John. Yes. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Sounds familiar, but I don't think I ever saw it, but I remembered the poster. Well, like it's him looking. He's like a bad guy. We had unlawful entry was pretty popular. I sort of about to like leave its like run in the theaters. But I remember you mentioned that one last episode, right? So this was like the heyday of those good, simple straightforward, you know, thrillers. So that one, that was with Kurt Russell, right? And Madeleine Stowe, I think. Ray Liotta and Madeleine Stowe, yes. We had that. We had a League of their Own, not a thriller, but a great classic as well that I talked about. But a good one. And you just talked about that too, yeah. Just did that one. So those were all out. And how funny, you probably, I have a feeling you probably didn't see this or maybe you did. It's a fun movie. I feel like Jeff definitely did. This movie came out the same day as another movie I'm gonna talk about this month on the podcast, Stay Tuned. Did you ever see Stay Tuned with John Ritter? Really wacky comedy. I don't know this one. Super, super kooky. So that came out the same day as this. Obviously, Single White Female was way more popular and more successful, but there you go. But so Tariq, now I'm gonna throw it over to you in your own words for anyone who is not sure what this movie's about. Tell us what is the story? What's the plot of Single White Female? What happens? Okay, so Single White Female is about a young woman. A young woman. Bridget Fonda, who needs a roommate, basically. There's some things that went down with her boyfriend, became her ex-boyfriend. So she needs a roommate. So she interviews a couple of young ladies and then Jennifer Jason Lee shows up and just lets herself in the house and charms her way into that spare bedroom. I mean, all she had to do was just fix a leaky faucet and... All she did was get that monkey wrench out and get under that... Yeah, just open the cabinet and do her twisting mechanism and wow, she got the room, yep. But little did Bridget Fonda, poor Bridget Fonda did not know that she was letting a crazy person into her apartment. Her large, dimly lit, scary apartment. Yes. That's a whole other thing. Totally, Tariq. I'm so glad you said that. The whole movie, I'm like, can someone turn some lights on in this place? I know. You know, it's funny, because Bridget Fonda, first of all, is such a babe, so dang cute at this time, so fan cute, sexy, very, as we see, very fashionable with all of her weird, you know, very shiny and out there clothing. But I'm like, girl, get a headboard, get some sort of actual like bed stand, because it's just two mattresses on top of each other. You are not in college anymore. And you're so right. Turn on a few lights, a nightlight, a lamp. I mean, every... Every scene is very like... It's almost like a noir. Yes, absolutely. Which, I mean, it works. But then it's also frustrated. I know we're jumping ahead out slightly here when I say this, but it's funny, because then as things really ramp up in the movie, which, oh my God, it's just absolutely iconic, I actually feel like the movie gets brighter when things are getting darker emotionally. Really, you're right. So I don't know if that was intentional, but yeah, there's a lot of moody lighting, a lot of blues and reds, which, I mean, it looks great. A lot of blues, but it's also like... Yeah, it's also like, girl, you have a... It seems like, I mean, you're like a consultant, you're a graphic designer, fashion person, you're carrying around like a little computer, a briefcase that I've never seen ever. What an interesting gadget, right? Literally, it has like a little briefcase handle, and it's almost like the first generation iPad or something, it's sort of like a... Like an iPad. Yeah, yeah, yeah, first laptop. So I mean, you definitely are connected, let's turn off some lights, but yes. And we just, we learned very quickly that Hedy is a little crazy. Hedy's a little crazy in the Hedy, there you go. Yeah, for Hedgeron. Exactly, so then we watched that all play out, Hedgeron. What a spooky name, because then we realized her name's Ellen. I'm like, oh, Hedgeron, where'd you get Hedgeron? Like, okay. In this city, on this street, in this apartment. Hi, are you Alison Jones? I'm Hedger Carlson. Hedgeron, that's unusual. When can you move in? An ad for a roommate brought a stranger into Alison's life. You know, this had actually been all, I hadn't rewatched this movie in a while. I remember, I definitely saw it as like a kid teen on TV and loved it, oh my God, fascinating. And I'll never forget when Hedy slash Ellen, I think it's Ellen, right? Yeah, when she is choking Ali in the elevator and it really looks like Bridget Fonda is like losing consciousness, right? Yes, yes. I remember as a kid that scene and God, the really disturbing, the creepy client with glasses who molests Ali, Bridget Fonda. Oh my God, and then he's making a turner, while she says I'll turn around because we know she's got a plan and he's starting to like undo his pants. Seeing that as like a teen, I was very disturbed. That was very realistic. Yes, like this is disturbing. So I'll never forget that but so I had seen this movie for the first time, you know, kid teen and then I know I rewatched it early in college with some friends like in the dorm room and we were screaming and like living life. But when's the last time? I think that was the last time I saw the whole movie in full. When's the last time you saw this? Well, well, as I was rewatching, looking to rewatch this movie for this chat here, I was trying to see where I could, you know, what streaming service I could watch it on. And I discovered that we had actually already purchased this movie. Of course you did. Oh my God. So this tells you a lot about what's happening in this house. Like, I don't know when, but I mean this had to have been within the last four to five years, I'm guessing. We purchased it. So instead of like renting it and you know, having a 24 hour watch, we purchased it. So it lives in our streaming library now. So I was like, oh perfect, you know. So yeah, so that kind of paints the picture of our thoughts on this movie and the genre. When did you first see this movie? Do you remember? I don't know. I don't remember actually. And when hearing that it was 30 years ago, I'm like, what? You know, like I just, I forget that it's been that long. So I really don't remember the first time that I watched it or where I was or what age I was. I don't know, I'm not sure. But it stuck with you, which is all that matters. This is actually based on, and I didn't realize until this latest rewatch, it's based on a novel, which I kind of like want to check out. I'm like, how was that like written in book form? But so the novel's name, it was a 1990 book, two years earlier before the film came out, called SWF Single White Female Seeks Same, written by John Lutz. And so they just kind of cut out the seek same and kept it SWF Single White Female. Now real quick Tariq, I'd love to get your input because I had never in 30 years ever thought about this, but so I rewatched it this time with Greg who had never seen it. I'm like, I cannot believe you have never seen this masterpiece on Saturday. Oh my gosh, he was floored. He was a little bored every now and then and I do have to say it does slow down here and there. Also we were pausing a lot and also we were doing a deep dive into Bridget Fonda's life, which is really interesting. Have you like Googled her? I've heard, I have not, but we were talking about this recently with some friends and I need to do that because yeah, I've heard that it's a whole thing. I had known that she has not acted in 20 years. She stopped acting. Her last role was a TV movie like The Snow Queen or The Ice Queen for Hallmark in 2002. And then soon after she got into a car accident which she was fine, but she hurt herself. And then she married Danny Elfman, major music, you know, film music composer. So I think she just was like, I'm good. I guess she always felt pressure, you know, being a Fonda and all that, which makes sense. Because of the name. Exactly. And living up to the name. I mean, I think she's great. She did great stuff back in the day. So it's sad because it's like. Wait, do you remember the movie Point of No Return? You know, it's so funny because that came out a year after this. And I don't think I ever saw it, but Tariq, I will always remember that poster with her in like that moody lighting with the gun. Yes. Like she has that like, it's so good. That's one of those movies I will watch. Like I don't know if it's that good today, but I used to love that movie. Oh. I'll have to check it out. So check it out. Yeah, you should check it out. I just love that she was very much in early 90s, like it girl, but it's sad. I looked her up and so get this. So the last time she was seen in public was with Danny Elfman in 2009 for the Inglourious Bastards movie premiere. I guess maybe Danny Elfman did the music or she, I know she worked on, oh my gosh, Jackie Brown with Quentin Tarantino. So maybe she was just there to see Inglourious Bastards to support him. And she's so hot in that movie, right? And so last time she was spotted was 2009 until apparently earlier this year on her birthday. And I heard she was like unrecognizable. Yeah. Greg and I were like, that's not her. This is like some dumb sight saying it's her. But all these pictures show her and wow. I mean, I don't wanna say, oh, I feel bad because maybe she just is happy with how she is, but she is unrecognizable. Oh, I see. Yeah, she is. And we were, so occasionally we would pause the movie because we just were also like doing deep dives on her and like trying to really figure out, is that really her or are these sites confused? Do you know these paparazzi confused? So we would occasionally pause it. And so Greg was like, it does feel a little long. I'm like, well, we are also looking at gossip sites while watching the movie. I mean, it's not really, you know, we were supposed to watch this straight through like as a normal person would. Well, hold on, we have to talk about two things. Before we talk about moments that could be, we talked about Bridget a little bit just now. Can we just talk about Jennifer Jason Lee for a moment? Oh, Tariq, say it. Say it. Well, as I was watching it, I laughed because Jeff, my husband and I, Jeff have always lovingly considered Jennifer Jason Lee to be a little cuckoo in a loving way. I am right there with you. And I'm like, did it start with this movie and this role? It was like, wait a minute, like where does the cuckoos come from? Maybe it's this movie. And I was trying to remember what other movies she's done that could have been the moment where she seemed crazy to her. So yeah, I just, I feel it takes time. She is so cuckoo. She always picks these roles where you're like, oh, okay, crazy, you know. She's always a little deranged. Or if it's just like a drama, like did you ever see back in, oh gosh, maybe the late 2000s, maybe like around 2007, she was in, which I actually kind of liked Margot at the wedding. It was like a quirky drama with Nicole Kidman and Jack Black. Yeah, I think Jeff has seen that movie. I've never seen it, yeah. Totally, yeah. You said Nicole Kidman, he's definitely seen it. Oh yeah, I'm sure he was there opening weekend, right? But it's fine, you know, it's decent. I liked it, but it's not something I've only seen it once, you know? But even in a movie like that where it's just a quirky drama, dramedy, she still feels like, why do I feel like you're gonna pull a knife and like try to kill Nicole and Jack Black, you know? So it's, there's always something that I'm a little off. And that's my thing, like did it start with this? Or was it like, is that just her? Well, that's a good question. And hold your thought, the other thing you wanna talk about because now I'll talk about them real quick, okay, where they were. So on the cast side, the actress side, so we just were talking about Bridget Fonda. She was only 28 at this time. She, as we know, we already said she was a Fonda, so, you know, her dad, she's related to Jane Fonda. I almost called her Janet, but I'm losing my mind. Jane Fonda, so I'm like, that feels weird. She had just done Doc Hollywood, a movie called Iron Maze. Godfather Part Three, which I admit, I still haven't seen that one, had no idea she was in that, right? And then also Frankenstein Unbound, which I know you like some scary stuff too. That movie looks crazy. I've never seen it, I've heard about it. It's like super monster-y Frankenstein, so she was, I think, the female lead in that. So she had done that. Jennifer Jason Lee, she was 30, just a couple years older than Bridget. She had just done Backdraft, which was a big deal in 1991. Oh, we just watched that recently. Oh, okay. Yeah. Yeah, so she's one of the wives. So that's kind of surprising, cause again, she is so kooky, kooky to us that like, I don't think I would really ever cast her in just like a normal like wife role, you know? Yeah, exactly, exactly. So she had some major success with that. That was a big deal. She was in Buried Alive, which I do remember. Apparently it was a TV movie, but it was a very dark, weird, twisted, like kind of comedy horror movie. And she had just also done Last Exit to Brooklyn, which was a little bit more gritty. Right, definitely gritty. And of course, that's the right word, gritty. Right? And of course she like really had her claim to fame in the 80s. Also having a big milestone anniversary this month is Fast Times at Ridgemont High. That turns 40, I believe. So that was like her breakout. Yeah, you know what? You're not alone. I've seen clips. I've seen like the Phoebe Cates naked in the pool. You know, I know that's the moment. Oh, that's that movie, okay. That's that movie. And I know everyone's in it. Blonde, Sean Penn, you know. But yeah, I've never seen the whole thing either. So I'm glad I'm not alone. But I know she was like the cute wholesome girl in that. So she already, you know, been doing some big stuff. So yeah, I don't know when she started kind of like getting a little like, almost like constantly a little drunk or like a little hunched over. Exactly, a little off. Yeah. Hold on, I have a special guest. We're currently talking about crazy, lovingly crazy Juliette. Oh, no, damn it. You really don't listen. Jennifer Jason Lee. You're currently talking about Jennifer Jason Lee and how we consider her a little cuckoo. And did it start with this movie? Single wife, female? No, she's a child actress. OK, all right. Ask Jeff. When did I can't hear you? When it's when did Jennifer Jason Lee start getting weird? Jennifer Jason Lee, start getting weird. Any any thoughts? It was probably that probably that. OK, probably snag wifey. That was one of the early ones. Good, and then she was she was in the anniversary party and then she was coming. And now he's naming her whole biography. Ask him. Ask him if he saw Margo at the wedding opening weekend. So I got it. Did you? Somebody wants to know if you were at Margo at the wedding opening weekend. Maybe not opening weekend, but definitely that week. Sure. OK. I was like, what is this about? Sure, Jane. Someone. I think beautiful on you. Who shares. What's kind of fun having a girlfriend again? Someone. Do you guys know when you'll be back? No, it's kind of an anniversary tonight. Really? Who cares? Where the hell have you been? Where can we feel like I'm 16 years old here? Real quick, we have to talk about Hottie MacHodderson. I think he is very pretty. Steven Weber, what do you think? Would would you would you tap that? OK, I don't hate it. OK, I didn't think that. I I didn't. I mean, I was never crossed my mind. Honestly, the whole time I was watching him, I was like, what is he from Wings? Yes, he went on to do wings. Yep, to a lot of TV. Yeah, I mean, he's attractive. Yeah, yeah, I think so. I mean, he doesn't look at this age. He was he was thirty one, which makes sense. Oh, well, OK, you know, but like it's funny, because back then everyone just looked older, you know, like he seemed almost like thirty, I don't know, eight or nine or so. But, you know, he also bears all in this movie. Yes, those. Well, there was definitely a moment where I was like, oh, oh, oh, yeah. Oh, definitely. There was a googling moment, for sure. Yes, absolutely. But so, yeah, he had done lots of TV, like we said, and theater and everything. But this definitely kind of made him like leading man status. And he has a crazy end to his to his character's life. And it's interesting. Did you I feel like did you and Jeff just watch maybe Jeff posted that new Netflix show uncoupled with Neil Patrick Harris or no. Yes. Any good? We did. No. OK. We we watched, I should say, we got through two episodes. And I don't I don't necessarily know if we're going to continue. OK, that show is written and produced by the screenwriter of this movie, Don Ruse, isn't that? Yeah, uh-huh. He's done lots of TV. I think he also wrote for Younger for a while, which is which you love, right? Yeah, I remember you like that one for sure. But yeah, and he's done some interesting stuff. Don Ruse, this was his first film screenplay. He had mostly done TV up until this, but then he went on to do like other like kind of gritty stuff, like the opposite of sex with Christina Ricci, if you remember that one in the late 90s. He did some other kind of random stuff. But yeah, I was sort of surprised to see his name on a Neil Patrick Harris comedy because I mean, I guess it's like the gay thing, you know, because I'm pretty sure he's definitely right, you know, queer, you know. But so, yeah, a little fun fact there. And then last person to talk about is this was directed and produced by Barbette Schroeder, very interesting name. Right. He had just directed. Did you ever see with Glenn Close, Reversal of Fortune? I didn't see that one. I don't think I have, but that wasn't the Oscar nominated. I think so. Did he get an arm for that? Maybe he might have. You might be right. Yeah. I think he did. I remember that was a big one. That was a big deal for sure. It was her and maybe Jeremy Irons. I forget. But so he did that. Yeah, that sounds right. I was going to say that. Right. And then I know his later movies better. He went on to direct. Did you ever see another pretty good thriller? I thought before and after with Meryl and Liam Neeson in the mid 90s. Did you see that one? No. OK, where their son, I think, accidentally kills someone and they're like trying to like cover it up. That was OK. And then Murder by Numbers with Saundra Bullock a few years after that. Yeah, I remember that one. So he's done some thriller stuff. Yeah. OK. But so those are the major players where they were, what they were up to at this time. Kind of help me, Graham. She's a lunatic, at least. She needs me. There are two scenes in this movie that are like iconic for this movie, but then also just like iconic moments, period in like, I guess, in the thriller world. One, which you mentioned is the stiletto. Like when she, Hedy, yeah, takes that shoe with that point on it and slams it into his eye. Like that is like that's one of those. Like every time I think about the movie, I think about that scene. And then the other scene I always think about is the moment she walked Hedy again, walks down the stairs with a haircut. Like, oh, it's like. Oh, my God, Tariq. That like crazy. And I just kept thinking, like whenever you watch any of these movies, but for some reason, especially with this one, I just kept thinking to myself, what would you do if you were Bridget Fonda? Thanks so much for watching. Next week will be part two of this discussion. And in the meantime, please follow Release Date Rewind on Instagram.