The Searchers

Driven (2001) - Episode 118

Alrighty, loyal listeners! After the high-seas chaos of Cabin Boy, we’re trading waves for wheels and hitting the scorching asphalt. This week, Ben, Chris, and Kevin dive into a high-octane F1 racing drama starring Sylvester Stallone as part of our new “Misunderstood” film series.

Directed by Renny Harlin and co-written by Stallone himself, this episode shifts into gear with conversations about race car culture, Stallone’s career highs and lows, and the cloud of negativity that’s followed this film since its release. But is that criticism justified—or has this movie been unfairly left in the dust? Is it a misfire, or an underrated gem worth revisiting? Buckle up and tune in to find out!

Next up is a similar type of film starring a pod favorite, and it's with a guest from down undahh!

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Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

 

Cabin Boy (1994) - Episode 117

Not every movie is a masterpiece, and not every comedy plays by the rules—but can a film be gleefully stupid and strangely brilliant at the same time? Join the gang as we dive into the wild fantasy comedy Cabin Boy (1994), the polarizing oddball from Disney’s now-defunct Touchstone Pictures banner (with a little Tim Burton magic in the producer’s chair). Chris mistook it as conventional when picking this review—prepare for groans, laughs, debates, and plenty of gabbing about this bizarre misadventure. Arrogance gets a reality check, a pampered “fancy lad” gets humbled the hard way, and perhaps we all hopped aboard the wrong ship (stagecoach?) This may be a bumpy ride, so don't get seasick! Oh fancy boy, indeed…

Next up is a similar type of film starring Sly. Stay tuned. 

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Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Fe-Biao-ary Part II: The Return of Billy Biao Biao! The Iceman Cometh (1989) and A Kid from Tibet (1991) - Episode 116

Kevin, Ben, and Chris return to the fun topic of Billy Biao Biao to discuss 1989's The Iceman Cometh and 1991's A Kid from Tibet. These are two vastly different films compared to most of Yuen Biao's filmography, figuratively and actually a departure from the Three Dragons' bread and butter. The Iceman Cometh is a pseudo-Highlander action film with time traveling warriors, and A Kid from Tibet is Yuen Biao's only directorial effort. Does Yuen Biao measure up to his brothers: international phenom Jackie Chan and Hong Kong legend Sammo Hung? Listen and find out!

Chanuary walked so Fe-Biao-ary could run. And don’t worry, when autumn hits, Hungtober awaits.

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"Fe-Biao-ary" Part I: Rosa (1986) and On the Run (1988) - Episode 115

This is it... the moment some of you Hong Kong cinema fans have all been manifesting. Welcome to "Fe-Biao-ary," now officially locked into your cinematic calendars. This episode is a double bill — or as we like to joke, a “Biao Biao” (we had to brush up on our Cantonese for that heavy hitting joke).

In episode 115, The Searchers are pairing Rosa with On the Run, two tonally opposite films united by one constant: Yuen Biao and his effortlessly compelling chemistry with his leading ladies. Rosa leans into lighter, more relaxed comedy territory with Biao's co-lead singer songwriter and actor Lowell Lo. On the Run swerves sharply into brooding, arthouse intensity — the 1988 cult classic from Alfred Cheung that absolutely refuses to pull its punches. Check both out on home video at 88films. 

Chanuary walked so FeBiaoary could run. And don’t worry, when autumn hits Hungtober awaits.

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Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Note: Biao is pronounced "bew"

The Searchers' Top 50 Westerns - Episode 114 w/ Mitch Capps

Folks, we've returned to the great genre that inspired the show. Mitch Capps joins the three cinema cowboys on the trail in their journey to find the best films past and present. Enjoy as we wax poetic on all our favorite westerns.

Next month is "Fe-Biao-ary." Join us during our discussions of Little Brother Yuen Biao and why he's the most overlooked of the Three Dragons. We're covering four of his films in two back to back episodes. The first episode will cover Rosa and On The Run, both available on home video from 88films. 

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Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Iskalawag: Ang Batas Ay Batas - Episode 113 w/ Odie Arbuckle

We are back with another entry in The Searchers catalog. Get ready for an episode that isn’t only oh so brand new, but covers a film that’s oh so rare! (It is literally our most obscure review ever.) One of our frequent guests, Odie Arbuckle, joins us again with quite the pick — a Filipino action film from 1997. Full of melodrama as is usual for Filipino cinema and action that breathes the essence of Hong Kong nitrocellulose. Hear us gab a lil’ about this film, a lil’ about Filipino cinema in general, and a lil’ about other films as we continue broadening our horizons! Join us! We don’t want to leave you alone as we bask in the sands of this new frontier!

Youtube link to the movie, HERE. 

Remember to send us your mailbags at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com! Hope y’all enjoy this episode! 

Next episode is back to our bread and butter--full western mode. We are excited for this one so stay tuned. 

Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. 

Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Stranger Things: Series Finale - Episode 112

The Searchers cover the series finale of Strangers Things, discuss general thoughts on the entire season, and touch upon the entire series as a whole. Chris and Ben both were watching the show with their wives, so they said what the heck. Here's something we wouldn't typically do. Enjoy!

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Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Tokyo Sonata (2008) - Ep 111

For the first episode of 2026, Ben and Chris cover Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Tokyo Sonata.