Predator might look like a simple 80s action movie, but it’s one of those films that still feels different every time you watch it. In this episode of Daska Discusses, I’m joined by my friend Kosta, a big fan of classic action films, to talk about why Predator still works today.

We discuss our first memories of the movie, favourite scenes, best quotes, and why the mix of action, horror, and suspense makes this one of the most memorable films of the 1980s. We also talk about why movies from that era often feel bigger, more physical, and more honest than many modern action films.

BONUS EPISODE!! It’s Friday the 13th, so I thought it was the perfect excuse to talk about one of the most unsettling horror films ever made.

In this special bonus episode of Daska Discusses, I revisit The Blair Witch Project — the film that convinced audiences it might actually be real.

We look at the viral marketing that fooled the world, the genius of its found-footage style, and how the tension in the woods builds night after night until the film’s unforgettable ending

Nominated for a Record 16! OSCARS!! in 2026!

In this episode of Daska Discusses, I dive deep into Sinners — a film that feels like it stepped out of another era.

Set in the 1930s Mississippi Delta during the Jim Crow South and directed by Ryan Coogler (Creed, Black Panther), Sinners isn’t just a vampire film.

I break down:

• Why this feels like the kind of serious, adult mid-budget film studios used to make in the 70s, 80s and 90s

• The films it reminded me of — The Deer Hunter, Near Dark, From Dusk Till Dawn, Django Unchained and more

• The tension of the Cornbread scene

• The eerie brilliance of the Irish vampires and their folk songs

• And that unforgettable juke joint sequence… the moment the film transcends time and becomes something spiritual

This is a film that doesn’t rush. It builds. It breathes. And at one point, it genuinely altered the chemistry in my brain in an IMAX cinema.

If you love cinema that feels intentional, patient, and powerful , this one’s for you.

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In this episode of Daska Discusses, I revisit one of the most iconic underdog stories of the 1980s — The Karate Kid (1984) — and this time, I’m joined by a very special guest.

Yuto, a Japanese migrant who moved to Australia in the 1980s and actually won a karate tournament as a kid, brings a real-life perspective to the film’s themes of discipline, honour, and cultural identity. Together, we unpack what The Karate Kid gets right, what it represents, and why it still resonates decades later.

We dive into:

• Daniel LaRusso’s underdog journey

• The brilliance of Mr. Miyagi’s mentorship

• How the film handles Japanese culture and tradition

• The emotional weight of the All Valley tournament

• And why “wax on, wax off” became more than just a line — it became a life lesson

  
  

This isn’t just an 80s nostalgia piece.
It’s about belonging. Identity. Respect. And the power of guidance at the right time in your life.

If you grew up with it — or you’ve rediscovered it through Cobra Kai — this episode might just hit you harder than you expect.

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In this episode of Daska Discusses, I go back to one of the most important and unforgettable games ever made — GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64.

For many of us, this wasn’t just a game. It was an experience. It was late nights, split-screen chaos, arguments over Oddjob, and that feeling of sitting in the same room with your friends, all staring at the same TV. GoldenEye didn’t just redefine multiplayer — it created memories that have lasted decades.

I talk about my personal memories of playing GoldenEye 64 growing up, what made it so special, and why it still holds up today. From the legendary Facility and Complex maps, to the incredible soundtrack, to the revolutionary multiplayer that changed gaming forever, this was something truly different.

This episode is about more than just nostalgia — it’s about a moment in time when games brought people together in a way that feels rare now.

If you grew up with GoldenEye, this episode will take you straight bac

In this episode of Daska Discusses, I dive deep into Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (The Final Cut, 1982) — a film I’ve been teaching in VCE Media for many years and still never get tired of exploring.

Blade Runner isn’t just a sci-fi classic — it’s a haunting, philosophical, visually breathtaking meditation on identity, memory, and what it truly means to be human. I unpack why this film still matters today, why its themes feel more relevant than ever, and how its influence continues to shape modern cinema, television, and visual culture.

I take you through key elements of the film, including:
• Ridley Scott’s iconic neo-noir aesthetic
• The rain-soaked, neon-drenched world of Los Angeles 2019
• Vangelis’ unforgettable, atmospheric score
• Deckard and the lingering question: is he a replicant?
• The Replicants and the ethics of artificial life
• The film’s stunning cinematography, lighting, and mise-en-scène
• Big ideas about memory, morality, and humanity

Drawing on my experience teaching this film to students, I also reflect on how different generations read and experience Blade Runner — and why it continues to captivate new audiences decades later.

If you love classic cinema, sci-fi, or deep film analysis, this episode is for you.

Join the conversation: Do you think Deckard is a replicant?

Comment!!!! and follow!

In Episode 2 of Daska Discusses, I dive into Steven Spielberg’s Jaws — the film that turned the ocean from a place of freedom into a place of fear. I reflect on my own memory of watching it for the first time, break down some of its most iconic scenes — from the opening beach attack to Quint’s haunting monologue — and explore why the film still works decades later. More than just a shark movie, Jaws remains a masterclass in suspense, character, and cinematic storytelling.

Episode 1 of Daska Discusses is a journey back to the magic of the video store. I reflect on the sights, sounds, and feelings of browsing VHS aisles, choosing a film, and bringing it home for movie night. Along the way, I invite you to close your eyes and revisit that experience with me, before considering what we’ve lost — and gained — in today’s streaming world.