Katie welcomes guest Dustin from the Retro Movie Round Table to dissect the 1997 Disney remake "Flubber," penned by John Hughes and starring Robin Williams as the absent-minded Professor Philip Brainard. They dive into 1997 pop culture trivia, including fads like Beanie Babies and Tamagotchis, blockbuster films such as Titanic and Jurassic Park: The Lost World, and top songs from artists like Elton John, Jewel, and Puff Daddy. The discussion explores the film's cast, including Marcia Gay Harden, Christopher McDonald, and Clancy Brown, while comparing it unfavorably to the 1961 original "The Absent-Minded Professor," critiquing its lack of heart, uninspired gags, weak stakes, and failure to evoke emotion despite promising elements like Danny Elfman's score and innovative effects. Both hosts express disappointment, highlighting how the movie prioritizes marketing over substance, resulting in a forgettable kids' flick that succeeded financially but falls flat cinematically.
