Check out The Anniversary Brothers Movie Podcast on The BreakCast Feed of The Pop Break Podcast Network — on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Anchor.
James and the Giant Peach opened in theaters on April 12, 1996. It was directed by Henry Selick and is based on the children’s book by Roald Dahl. It stars Paul Terry (Microsoap) as James, a boy who lives with his abusive aunts, Sponge (Miriam Margolyes, Babe) and Spiker (Joanna Lumley, Corpse Bride). All that changes when James escapes inside a giant peach with the help of a mysterious old man (Pete Postlethwaite, Inception) and a group of talking, human-size bugs. Voicing the bugs are Susan Sarandon (Feud: Bette and Joan) as Spider, Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws) as Centipede, Simon Callow (The Witcher) as Grasshopper, David Thewlis (Wonder Woman) as Earthworm, Jane Leeves (The Resident) as Ladybug, and Miriam Margolyes as Glowworm. Together with his bug friends, James travels the Atlantic in hopes of reaching New York City.
James and the Giant Peach garnered positive reviews from critics, but it failed to make back its budget of $38 million. According to Box Office Mojo, it only grossed $28.9 million while in theaters. Composer Randy Newman received an Oscar nomination for Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score.
Josh and Aaron discuss the film’s plot and characters, its blend of live action and stop motion animation, and its music and songs. The brothers cap off the podcast by talking about the film’s legacy.
