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Sandwiched between his Oscar-winning films “Wall Street” and “Born on the Fourth of July” Oliver Stone brilliantly blends co-writer/actor Eric Bogosian's original stage play with the real life murder of Denver radio show host Alan Berg in what is often called his most underrated film to date. Dallas radio show host Barry Champlain's penchant for abusing and pushing people's buttons has led him to an offer he couldn't refuse... A chance for taking his show to national syndication. Upon hearing the news, Champlain subjects his ex-wife (Ellen Greene, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Leon: The Professional”) along with his co-workers to an unforgettable night of offending his audience. But somewhere, a mysterious killer is lurking in the shadows... Bogosian gives probably an ingenious performance as the arrogant host with intense energy and bravura presence. Another actor that also stood out is Michael Wincott (“The Doors”, “The Crow”) as the air-headed metal kid who somehow ended up as an unscheduled guest. At the center of this chaos is Greene who brings sincerity and concern to her committed performance. Stone delivers a live-wire satire on "Shock radio" and the politics of adjusting Barry Champlain's controversial persona for the masses. However, the issue of media predominance would later be revisited in “Natural Born Killers” six years later. “Talk Radio” is a film that gets you to the core. It is an underrated experience that you will never forget.Read full review
Eric Bogosian as Barry Champlain a Jewish radio personality with a penchant for knee capping callers while occasionally displaying a somewhat twisted sense of humor Dallas, Texas. Talk Radio was a play by Eric Bogosian and Tad Savinar. Portions of the story were based on the assassination of radio host Alan Berg. See the book “Talked To Death, the life and murder of Alan Berg” by Stephen Singular This Oliver Stone film is a prophetic reality of yesterdays inspired bigotry, hatred and violence through mutual interaction before the internet. IMHO, for its time this films content is but a dark segue into the abyss we now call social media. The only difference today being the psychotic behaviour of the lunatic fringe is done through screen names some without faces and for the most part anonymous. The loose rules of social media embolden these abusers to further their cause and thusly permit them to unleash their unbridled hate and bigotry upon victims. This is everyday behaviour on social media, what I find repugnant is that this behaviour is becoming an accepted norm. Social media where the Narcissist, Sadist, Sociopath, Psychopath, those with an Inferiority or a Superiority complex’s can stalk and push their victims further over the edge some to the point of suicide and murder. There is a message in the story and the character Barry Champlain is going to tell you all about it.Read full review
Verified purchase: No
I am not generally a fan of Oliver Stone movies. I did see, however, the movie "Talk Radio" a few years ago and was intrigued. As I had watched it on rainy weekend day on one of those "Saturday at the Movies" slots on a local cable television channel, I had missed the beginning and it was interrupted by commercials. Moreover, I was not sure what had been edited from the movie. So, I looked on ebay for the title and, sure enough, there it was--fairly priced and easy to buy. Needless to say, provided the opportunity to watch it again, I was even more satisfied watching the entire movie, unedited, on DVD. Ebay provides a wonderful opportunity to catch those classic movie titles which the big dvd retailers, rental stores and online services do not offer. The movie pits freedom of speech, for-profit-business, bigotry and the lonliness of the night and the human condition each against the other in an absolutely wonderful backdrop. Eric Borgosian stars and is inimitable in his role as a late night on-air talk show host.Read full review
This story keeps you involved; the characters are strange but somehow believable. Another side of Bogosian, who is most recognizable as a police officer on television.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
this has been a favorite of mine for a long time but i have not found it til now. eric bogosian is an awesome actor. you will get a behind the scenes look at a latenight host and the crackpots that may call. ...also what can happen when u r just not nice. love this movie one of my favorite films. john
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