Dream a Little Dream (1989)

Dream a Little Dream (1989)

Author: TruStory FM January 15, 2025 Duration: 45:47
Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell as they dive deep into one of the most bewildering teen films of the 1980s - Dream a Little Dream (1989). This surreal body-swap comedy starring the two Coreys (Feldman and Haim) alongside veteran actors Jason Robards and Piper Laurie proves to be a fascinating mess of metaphysical poetry, teen romance, and inexplicable violence.Following a recommendation from previous guest Corey Feldman himself, our hosts unpack this peculiar film where an elderly couple's meditation experiment goes wrong, causing Jason Robards' consciousness to become trapped in Corey Feldman's teenage body. What follows is a two-hour journey filled with Michael Jackson dance numbers, cryptic dream sequences, and a surprisingly dark subplot involving an unhinged boyfriend with a gun.The hosts discuss how the film's attempt to blend spiritual themes with teen comedy creates a confusing narrative that never quite comes together. They note how Corey Haim's character wasn't even in the original script, yet his improvised scenes end up being some of the most entertaining moments in the film. The podcast also explores the movie's bizarre editing choices, unnecessarily long runtime, and its struggle to maintain coherent character motivations.Key topics covered:
  • The unusual chemistry between Jason Robards and Corey Feldman
  • Corey Haim's last-minute addition to the cast and his real-life broken leg
  • The film's confusing dream logic and metaphysical elements
  • Questionable subplot involving drugged teenagers and gun violence
  • Extended Michael Jackson-inspired dance sequences
  • The movie's marketing focus on "The Two Coreys" despite Haim's minimal role
  • Discussion of the 1995 sequel Dream a Little Dream 2
  • Comparison to other body-swap films like Freaky (2020)
In their final assessment, Krissy and Nathan rate the film three and four "broken legs" out of ten respectively, acknowledging its flaws while maintaining respect for the ambitious if misguided attempt to create something unique in the teen movie genre. While Dream a Little Dream may not be "so bad it's good," it certainly provides plenty of material for discussion and bewilderment.
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Join filmmaker Nathan Blackwell from Squishy Studios and comedian Krissy Lenz from the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre as they dust off the VHS tapes and rewind the decade that defined blockbuster entertainment. the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast isn't just a nostalgic trip; it's a fresh, often hilarious dissection of the films that shaped a generation. Each episode, this duo from TruStory FM applies their distinct professional lenses-one from the world of filmmaking, the other from live comedy-to explore the movies we remember fondly, the ones we might have skipped, and the hidden gems that deserve another look. They tackle the cultural context, the now-questionable special effects, and the enduring tropes, all through a modern perspective that acknowledges the significant haze of nostalgia coloring our memories. You'll hear deep dives into character motivations, production stories, and the sheer joy of rediscovering a classic, all wrapped in a conversation that feels like hanging out with two friends who are deeply passionate about cinema. This podcast celebrates the enduring legacy of 80s film while never shying away from a good-natured roast, making for a consistently engaging and funny listen for anyone who loves the magic-and occasional madness-of that era's movies.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast
Podcast Episodes
A View to a Kill (1985) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:28
Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell welcome special guest Jeff Frank of the Knights of the Rolled Table Podcast to dig into A View to a Kill (1985), Roger…
Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:51
Nerds, Fringe, and the $1,000 Question: Can't Buy Me Love Gets Its Day in CourtWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Grace Campb…
When Harry Met Sally… (1989) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:06
Can Two People Just Be Friends? When Harry Met Sally… Says: Complicated.Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Mandy Kaplan of Ma…
The Untouchables (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:46
Nobody Gets Off This Staircase: Krissy, Nathan, and Pete Take On The UntouchablesWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Pete Wright—po…
The Right Stuff (1983) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:25
Breaking Barriers: Krissy and Nathan Strap In for The Right StuffWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell strap in for Philip Kaufman's sweeping 1983 epic The…
Invasion U.S.A. (1985) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:24
One Man Army, Zero Armadillos: The Invasion U.S.A. SituationWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guests Francis Zagarigo and Jenna Ja…
Purple Rain (1984) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:10
Dearly Beloved, We Are Gathered Here to Talk About Purple Rain Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast. Hosts Krissy Lenz (comedian and director at Neighborhood Comedy Theatre) and Nathan Blackwe…
The Dark Crystal (1982) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:52
When Puppets Get Grotesque: The Dark Crystal and the Gateway to Nightmare FuelKrissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell sit down with special guest Eric Weir—a tattoo artist and lifelong Jim Henson devotee—to tackle The Dark Crys…
Season 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08
It's time for season 9 of The Most Excellent 80s Movies!
The Ice Pirates (1984) • REBROADCAST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:12
Ice Pirates: Space Swashbuckling, Time Warps, and Robot BrothelsREBROADCASTWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with special guests Sean Oli…