Hix Nix Stix Pix - A Podcast About Robb's Movies

Start your engines! This week on Hix Nix Stix Pix, Josh and Robb hit the gas and take a cross-country trip with the all-star comedy classic Cannonball Run. Starring Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Roger Moore, and what feels like half of Hollywood, this outrageous race from coast to coast delivers fast cars, wild stunts, and nonstop laughs. We'll break down our favorite moments, the most ridiculous characters, and whether the movie still works for modern audiences in 2026. Plus, we discuss what makes Cannonball Run such a unique time capsule of early-'80s comedy, the scenes that haven't aged quite as well, and why audiences continue to enjoy this chaotic road-trip adventure decades later. Buckle up as we decide whether Cannonball Run is a high-speed winner or should have stayed parked in the garage. Hix Nix Stix Pix – celebrating the movies we love, questioning the movies we don't, and having fun along the way. 🏁🚗💨

Murder, mystery, and madcap comedy—this week on Hix Nix Stix Pix, we're diving into the cult classic Clue! 🔍🎲 Join us as we break down the fast-paced chaos inside Hill House, where six suspicious guests, one unlucky host, and a whole lot of secrets collide. We'll talk about what makes Clue such a unique comedy, the brilliance of its rapid-fire dialogue, and why its multiple endings still spark debate decades later. From Tim Curry's legendary performance to the unforgettable ensemble cast, we're unpacking what fans love, what doesn't quite land, and how this board game adaptation became a beloved cult favorite. Plus, we look at how Clue holds up today—and why it might actually play even better in the streaming era. Was it Colonel Mustard in the study with the candlestick… or something even crazier? Tune in and find out! 🎭🗝️

Robb Spewak and Josh Sroka recap and discuss the 1942 classic Casablanca, including its WWII refugee setting, key characters like Rick, Ilsa, Laszlo, Renault, and Sam, and major plot turns involving the letters of transit and the film's iconic final sacrifice. They talk about the movie's famous quotes, music (especially "As Time Goes By"), Warner Bros. production details, and why the film's timing during WWII helped cement its legacy, while noting some modern viewing challenges like dense, dialogue-driven storytelling and historical context.

This episode of Hix Nix Stix Pix dives into two classic theatrical comedy shorts that define very different styles of slapstick. First up is The Music Box, starring Laurel and Hardy, featuring one of the most famous physical gags in film history as a simple piano delivery turns into a slow-burn nightmare of pride, patience, and endless stairs. Then we shift gears to An Ache in Every Stake, a classic from The Three Stooges, where subtlety is thrown out the window in favor of nonstop chaos, eye pokes, head slaps, and workplace destruction. We break down what works (and what doesn't) in each short, why both were originally made for packed movie theaters, how their comedy styles influenced generations of performers, and why audiences still argue over which approach holds up better today — patient character comedy or loud, relentless anarchy. Two shorts. Two philosophies. One very sore staircase.

This week on Hix Nix Stix Pix, we fire up the positively charged pink slime and take a deep dive into Ghostbusters II—the sequel that split fans but somehow marched straight into pop-culture immortality. Why does this movie feel so different from the original? How much did The Real Ghostbusters cartoon influence the tone, humor, and slime-to-screen ratio? Was Vigo the Carpathian an all-time creepy villain trapped in the wrong movie? And yes… we finally ask the question movies don't want you thinking about: how did the Statue of Liberty get back to Liberty Island? We break down what people love, what people hate, the unforgettable highlight scenes (courtroom chaos, bathtub terror, and Lady Liberty getting her groove on), Winston's quiet five-year grind between busting gigs, and why "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher" wasn't just a song choice—it was the entire thesis of the finale. Is Ghostbusters II an underrated comfort sequel, a live-action cartoon episode, or proof that sequels play it safe? Grab your mood slime, keep it positive, and join us as we find out.

This week on Hix Nix Stix Pix, Robb and Josh dive into the sharp, loud, and unapologetically 80s comedy Trading Places. What starts as a one-dollar bet between two cold-blooded millionaires turns into one of the most biting class-swap comedies ever made—and maybe one of the darkest comedies disguised as a crowd-pleaser.

This week on Hix Nix Stix Pix, Robb and Josh unwrap one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time: The Muppet Christmas Carol. They dive into why Michael Caine's straight-faced, Oscar-worthy performance as Ebenezer Scrooge is the secret sauce that makes this film work, how the Muppets somehow deliver the most faithful adaptation of Dickens ever put on screen, and which songs still hit just as hard decades later. From Gonzo's narration to the surprisingly terrifying Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, the guys break down why this movie isn't just a kids' film—it's a holiday classic that gets better every year. Grab some cocoa, light the tree, and join Hix Nix Stix Pix for a joyful, heartfelt, and very Muppet-y look at The Muppet Christmas Carol. 🎄🐸

This week, Josh and Robb take a bumpy ride through one of the greatest holiday comedies ever made: Planes, Trains & Automobiles. From frozen runways to flaming rental cars, we break down every disastrous mile of Neal and Del's unforgettable journey home for Thanksgiving. We dive into: ✈️ The travel nightmares that feel way too real 😂 Why Steve Martin's F-bomb rant is a Hall of Fame meltdown 🔥 John Candy's chaotic charm and the case of the "borrowed" rental car 🏨 THAT bed scene ("Those aren't pillows!") 😢 And how a comedy somehow sticks the emotional landing perfectly It's heart. It's chaos. It's polyester. And it's a holiday classic that only gets better with age. Grab your pillow—your actual pillow—and join us for the ride.

This week on Hix Nix Stix Pix, we check into the Bates Motel for a deep dive into Alfred Hitchcock's legendary thriller, Psycho. We break down the film's iconic moments, the filmmaking innovations that changed cinema, what still holds up, what doesn't, and why audiences in 1960 absolutely lost their minds. From Janet Leigh's unforgettable shower scene to Anthony Perkins' chilling performance as Norman Bates, we explore the craft, the controversy, and the legacy of one of Hollywood's most influential horror films. Whether you love classic cinema, Hitchcock's genius, or just want to revisit a creepy classic, this episode brings fun conversation, surprising insights, and plenty of laughs along the way. Grab your room key — and avoid the showers — because Psycho is on the reel this week.

This week, Robb and Josh dust off a true monster mash classic — Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein! Watch as the boys stumble their way through Dracula's schemes, Wolfman's howls, and Frankenstein's bolts, all while trying not to scream louder than the audience. Expect vintage gags, spooky laughs, and enough classic horror cameos to fill a haunted mansion. Who's scarier: the monsters… or Robb's old-timey impressions?

This week we dive into Duck Soup (1933), the Marx Brothers' chaotic masterpiece of political satire, slapstick, and pure nonsense. From peanut stands to mirror gags, we're unpacking the madness of Freedonia, laughing at the absurdity of war, and wondering if Groucho should really be trusted to run a country. Spoiler: probably not. Whether you're a Marx Brothers superfan or just ducking in for the first time, this one is a quack-up you won't want to miss.

This week on Hix Nix Stix Pix, Robb brings a true slice of Americana to the table with the classic Yankee Doodle Dandy. George M. Cohan struts, sings, and taps his way through history, while Josh gets his very first taste of this patriotic showstopper. Expect fireworks, flag-waving, and maybe even a little eye-rolling as we dive into whether this old-school musical still hits the right notes today.