Dead Poets Society (1989)

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Author: Shat on Entertainment September 16, 2025 Duration: 1:05:36

This week, the Shat The Movies boys dust off their prep school blazers and follow Robin Williams into Welton Academy for 1989's Dead Poets Society.

Commissioned by listener Rob F., this Oscar-winning coming-of-age drama gave the world "Carpe Diem," a standing-on-desks finale, and enough inspiration to launch a thousand "cool teacher" clichés. But does it still move us 35 years later, or has it become too earnest for its own good?

Gene and Big D wrestle with their own school baggage while debating whether John Keating is a saintly mentor or a reckless enabler who lit fires in his students without offering any guardrails.

We revisit Ethan Hawke's breakout role, the betrayal of Cameron (still unforgivable), and whether Neil's tragedy hits harder as adults who now understand the crushing weight of parental expectation.

Along the way, Big D confesses he usually hates "inspirational teacher" movies, Gene compares Keating's lessons to Krav Maga, and both hosts admit Robin Williams nails his most delicate performance without veering into schmaltz.

Is Dead Poets Society timeless poetry, or just a prep school fantasy that collapses under its own sentimentality? Seize the day and find out.

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Remember those Friday nights at the video store, the thrill of finding that one perfect VHS tape to define your weekend? Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review digs into that exact feeling, hosted by the team at Shat on Entertainment. This isn't just a nostalgic trip down memory lane; it's a critical, funny, and often brutally honest re-examination of the films we adored (or just endured) during those decades. Each episode focuses on a specific movie, asking the hard questions: does this classic actually hold up, or were we just easily impressed kids? The conversation goes beyond simple reviews, exploring the cultural context of the time, the lasting impact of these stories, and why certain cinematic magic from that era feels so difficult to replicate today. You'll get deep dives into character choices, plot holes we all ignored, and the sheer practical effects that defined an age. It's for anyone who has ever rewatched a childhood favorite and wondered, "Was this always kind of... weird?" Listen to this podcast for a blend of genuine appreciation and well-reasoned skepticism, all delivered with the passion of film fans who lived through the era of rewinding tapes and hoping the rental copy wasn't too scratched. Join the discussion as we separate the timeless treasures from the nostalgic fluff, one iconic film at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review
Podcast Episodes
Meatballs (1979) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The Quest (1996) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Gene and Dick hit a milestone — episode 501 — and they're celebrating by going back to the '90s with Jean-Claude Van Damme's passion project, The Quest. Commissioned by Steven M. as part of the Month of Steven, this 1996…
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Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:14
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Heavyweights (1995) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:15
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American Pie (1999) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:19
This week on Shat the Movies, we're revisiting American Pie (1999), the movie that launched a thousand awkward teen comedies and permanently changed how people look at baked goods. Gene and Big D break down the friendshi…
Double Jeopardy (1999) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:15
This week on Shat the Movies, we're breaking down Double Jeopardy (1999), where Ashley Judd gets framed for murder and then finds out she can get away with it… at least in theory. Gene and Big D dig into the cross-countr…
The Negotiator (1998) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:39
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The Hitcher (1986) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:47
Shat The Movies hits the open road with The Hitcher, the 1986 horror-thriller that transformed an ordinary highway drive into pure nightmare fuel. Starring Rutger Hauer as the terrifying and impossibly calm John Ryder, t…