This week, playwright Dusty Wilson joins us for one of the most poorly-timed movies of all time, 1986’s Space Camp!
A Spielberg pastiche that’s equal parts E.T., Apollo 13 and Porky’s, Space Camp follows a group of teen misfits (including Tate Donovan, Kelly Preston, Lea Thompson and a young Joaquin Phoenix) and their teacher (Kate Capshaw) as they learn the ins and outs of Space Camp. Thanks to some well-intentioned sabotage from a literal-minded robot (JINX, voiced by Frank Welker), the cadets find themselves flung into space, with only their wits – and some helpful Star Wars references – to aid them.
Released six months after the Challenger exploded, Space Camp suffers from some poor timing and even poorer scripting. But are there enough charms to make it watchable? Check out our podcast, along with our custom cocktail and drinking game to find out!
(Thanks to our sponsor Cards Against Humanity as part of the Chicago Podcast Coop!)
LISTEN HERE OR DOWNLOAD:
THIS EPISODE’S DRINK:
DRINKING RULES FOR SPACE CAMP:
- Any time a character uses acronyms (OMS burn, MMU, etc.).
- Every time Max (Joaquin Phoenix) or anyone else drops an obnoxious Star Wars reference
- Whenever you see blatant matte lines on the shuttle or other spacecraft effects
FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN:
Tish (Kelly Preston) says after making reentry, “Are we dead? We’re dead, aren’t we?”
Join us next week as we strap on our guitars and jam out to the 1980s music drama Eddie and the Cruisers!
