OUTBREAK (1995) and The Stand

Movies & Shows Mentioned in This Episode

* The Net (1995) - Sandra Bullock vs. the Internet.

* Tin Cup (1996) - Rene Russo and Kevin Costner rom-com.

* Jerry Maguire (1996) - Cuba Gooding Jr.’s breakout role.

* Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) - The movie with Donald Sutherland as the Watcher.

* American Beauty (1999) - Kevin Spacey.

* The Usual Suspects (1995) - Kevin Spacey.

* House of Cards (2013–2018) - Kevin Spacey (TV Series).

* Ocean’s Eleven (2001) - George Clooney.

* Up in the Air (2009) - George Clooney firing people.

* The NeverEnding Story (1984) - Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

* Air Force One (1997) - Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

* The Perfect Storm (2000) - Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

* Troy (2004) - Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

* In the Line of Fire (1993) - Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

* Jurassic Park (1993) - Referenced for the “hot scientist” vibe.

* Contagion (2011) - The more realistic pandemic movie (up next!).

* Station Eleven (2021) - The TV series adaptation (and book).

Sarah: Hello, this is Sarah Stewart-Holland.

Laura: I’m Laura Tremaine. Welcome to Slow Read, where we tackle the books you’ve always wanted to read at a pace you can handle.

Sarah: Today is a little bonus episode. When we started, the movie Outbreak came up because I was sort of obsessed with it at the time. And we said we’re going to rewatch Outbreak and talk about it. So that’s what we’re going to do today.

Laura: I mean, I have lots to say. I would like you to know that my first note is: Kevin Spacey. Ew. That’s the first thing I wrote.

Sarah: My first note is: That type of monkey is not actually from Africa.

Laura: Well, listen, we’re playing real fast and loose because my second thing was the witch doctor. We start in Africa several years ago and we’re rolling with some real deep stereotypes here.

Sarah: Yeah, I just don’t feel like this kind of movie would get made today. Not the overall plot of a pandemic, but the African stuff was way “other.” There were overly wise Africans, overly uncivilized Africans. It was just a total racial component that was not a flattering portrayal. Even the fact that we’re just saying “Africa.” They’re in Zaire, but it just was not great.

Laura: It was the 90s. It was a different time.

The Insane 90s Cast

Sarah: Should we back up and explain that Outbreak, first of all, has an insane cast? This was, I mean, I was obsessed with this movie.

Laura: I loved it at the time. I also liked The Net. Remember that one with Sandra Bullock where the Internet’s coming for her? I think there was something about movies that were speaking to this interplay of politics and culture and government and things that could happen through the lens of that.

Sarah: But yeah, it has a superstar cast. Dustin Hoffman is the lead. Rene Russo. I loved Rene Russo back in the day.

Laura: She’s stunningly gorgeous. You didn’t watch Tin Cup with her and Kevin Costner? You must go back and watch it. They are so good together. She had a real moment in the 90s.

Sarah: But, you know, what happens with every era... you go back in the 80s and the men are still existing and making movies like Harrison Ford. But could you name a single woman who was the lead in any of the Indiana Jones movies? No, because none of them have careers anymore. Especially if they were beautiful. If you are beautiful, it’s really hard for people to stay on board with you when that part of you goes.

Laura: So you have Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Donald Sutherland, a little baby Patrick Dempsey.

Sarah: He’s so young. And listen, Cuba Gooding Jr. This was the year before Jerry Maguire.

Laura: That tracks for me. He’s good in this. Jerry Maguire was his breakout, but he’s a pretty major part of Outbreak.

Sarah: Why is Donald Sutherland always the bad guy? Why don’t they ever let this poor man be the good guy?

Laura:</