The street is ours as Peter joins us once again to draw our guns on one of the wildest and most entertaining Westerns ever made, The Quick and the Dead from 1995. Listen as we chronicle the decline of the Western as a film genre in the late 1990s, marvel at director Sam Raimi's visual ingenuity in creating the movie's unique look, and praise produc…

In this special episode, Salem Horror Fest returns to haunt the show as as Tim discusses some of the various events, short films, and features presented at SHF 7 including: It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This Livescreamers Sacrificio Slip Free Bench Must Pick Up Today Kombucha! Giallo Overnights Valley of Souls Scam Three Baths Inner Demons Pest Th…

It's our annual wrap-up of the best movies of the previous year as we dive into our favorite films of 2023. Listen as we rationalize why acclaimed "perfect" films didn't make it on our lists and praise the courage of actors willing to let it rip onscreen. Our movie choices feature debauched adventures of the perverted rich, triumphant big-screen ad…

We're spending this Christmas with the Griswolds and enduring squirrels, explosive sewer gas, and other yuletide dangers with a discussion of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation from 1989. Listen as we examine the film's depiction of holiday nostalgia and obsession, praise the underappreciated comic genius of Beverly D'Angelo, and debate the prop…

Bob Chipman joins us again for our latest 'woke brawl' with 007 and this time we're setting our sights on The Man With the Golden Gun from 1974. Listen as we praise the suave menace of Christopher Lee, pine for the lost Alice Cooper theme song we might have had, and encounter that most rare of circumstances: a James Bond film Agatha enjoyed!! Warni…

To truly appreciate this episode, you must become Caligari! We're going back to the origins of horror as we delve into the madness of Robert Wiene's 1920 thriller Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari A.K.A. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari! Listen as we discuss the disputed origins of the film's story and style, Agatha attempts to explain the nuances of the Exp…

We're back and we're bringing the Thunder as we welcome Gabe Ciociola to the show on an orientation flight and we use our sophisticated surveillance technology to record a conversation on the 1983 technothriller Blue Thunder. Listen as we discuss the film's themes of police militarization and misuse of technology, gush over the movie's amazing aeri…

In this quick First Run review, Tim takes on the newest and creepiest internet challenge to review Sweet Relief, the second film from Nick Verdi, director of Cockazoid. Check out The Barrens Hideout Podcast, who held the screening of the film discussed in this episode and recorded a Q&A with the filmmakers: https://linktr.ee/TheBarrenshideout Our t…

In this special episode, Tim wraps up his coverage Salem Horror Fest 6 by discussing some of the various events, short films, and features he saw including: Dead End T Blockers The House Sitters Saint Drogo The Blair Witch Project The Hitcher The Weird Kidz Follow Her Guys at Parties Like It Bliss of Evil Swallowed Fright Night Part 2 HeBGB TV Maya…

In this special episode, Salem Horror Fest is back! Listen as Tim discusses some of the various events, short films, and features presented at SHF 6 including: Candyman Witch Hunt Satan Wants You Demon Box Wolves John Carpenter's The Fog The Blood on Satan's Claw No More Time The Ones You Didn't Burn Pendulum Stag Bury the Bride Demons Check out Sa…

As part of his research for our recent episode on Alfred Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes, guest Noel Thingvall did a deep dive into the cinematic career of actors Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford, who steal the movie as the very British comic relief characters Charters and Caldicott. While this particular tangent went a bit too long to be included in …

All aboard as Noel Thingvall returns to the show for a train ride into international intrigue courtesy of the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, and his comedic thriller The Lady Vanishes. Listen as we discuss the movie's wild tonal switches, the film's portrait of pre-World War II British politics, and the charm of scene-stealing supporting cha…

We're back for the 48th annual Boston Science Fiction Festival to cover the 'Thon, the 24-hour sci-fi marathon! For the first time in five years we're in person at the Somerville Theater in Massachusetts to record our in-the-moment observations (and exhaustion) on the thirteen films shown for the marathon, which include two Arnold Schwarzenegger ac…

We're back to run down our list of the best movies released during 2022. Listen in as we discuss how the accessibility of movies led us toward some off-beat films, the surge of great horror movies this year, and the value of rewatchability. Our favorite flicks include desperate quests for fame, risk-taking animated films, harrowing looks at the cul…

For our final episode for 2022, we've invited Kay Lynch back for a game of gin rummy and a discussion on Billy Wilder's groundbreaking 1960 comedy/drama The Apartment. Listen as we examine the movie's amazing mix of humor and pathos, praise Jack Lemmon's amazing comedic abilities, and criticize corporate culture language-wise, morality-wise, and ev…

Before everyone goes on holiday break, we're inviting film critic Jessica Scott onto the show to help us answer some disturbing phone calls and celebrate the yuletide season with Bob Clark's superior slasher film Black Christmas from 1974. Listen as we discuss the effectiveness of the film's restraint and ambiguity, explore the story's themes of pa…

Bob 'Moviebob' Chipman joins us for another outing with James Bond, but this time we all get Moore than we bargained for... Roger Moore, as we take on one of the most offensive films of the 007 series with the blaxploitation-influenced thriller Live and Let Die. Listen as we grapple with the movie's incredibly racist plot and characters, take aim a…

We continue to celebrate horror for October by talking about one of Tim's favorite films and one of the most influential horror movies ever made. We're sitting sit down for a commentary track for the original Night of the Living Dead. Listen as we praise director George Romero's low-budget innovations, explore the various social and racial messages…

We're celebrating Halloween season with a commentary track for one of Agatha's favorite movies, Brian De Palma's 1974 cult horror musical Phantom of the Paradise! Listen as we praise the amazing songwriting of Paul Williams, identify De Palma's various references to classic films, and marvel at Jessica Harper's dancing. Listen for our countdown to …

Keep your tickets handy for the conductor as we have a chance encounter with the quintessential Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Strangers on a Train. Listen as we discuss Hitch's foray into film noir, praise Robert Walker's performance as the film's delusional villain, and explore the story's homoerotic subtext. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoi…

We have miles to go before we sleep so we’re hitting the gas on another commentary track as we talk through one of Agatha’s favorite films: the extended cut of Quentin Tarantino’s exploitation tribute Death Proof. We’ll discuss how the film’s subject matter reflects some of Tarantino’s less savory personality traits and personal history, note how t…

From the highest skyscrapers to the deepest catacombs, we're going high and low to examine Fritz Lang's highly influential silent science fiction epic Metropolis from 1927. Kyle Brunet joins us again as we discuss the film's metaphorical depiction of class warfare, compare the screenplay to the excesses of author Thea von Harbou's novel, and analyz…

It's been 40 years since the release of Steven Spielberg's heartwarming (and heart-glowing) blockbuster E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and we're celebrating with a full commentary track for the movie. Listen as we wax nostalgic about Star Wars toys and Atari games, note the film's parallels with other Spielberg productions such as Close Encounters and …

Gee whiz!!! Noel Thingvall joins us once again as we burrow into the sand to face William Cameron Menzies' classic 1953 sci-fi chiller Invaders From Mars. Listen as we debate the effectiveness of the film's nightmarish final reveal, criticize Martian mutant couture, and re-examine Tobe Hooper's 1986 remake of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit l…

Clear your interociter screens as Noel Thingvall joins us again to discuss the pulpy sci-fi thriller This Island Earth from 1955. Listen as we examine the changing politics in the adaptation of the story from its source novel, comment how on how the film's reputation was changed by Mystery Science Theater 3000, and detail the impressive filmography…

We’re offering up a generous serving of beer, blood, and grapefruit as we watch another all-time great gangster movie, 1931’s The Public Enemy. Listen as we celebrate the magnetic screen presence of leading man James Cagney, thrill to director William Wellman’s dynamic visual style, and examine how the movie has inspired various crime films through…

We're joining the rackets with the original gangster flick as we talk about Little Caesar from 1931. Listen as we heap praise on Edward G. Robinson's iconic performance as ambitious mobster Rico Bandello, explore the title character's ambiguous sexual orientation, and note real-life incidents of mob violence that inspired the events of the movie. W…

It's our 4th annual all-nighter with the Boston Science Fiction Marathon as we endure SF47's onslaught of a dozen sci-fi flicks in 24 hours. We're loaded up on coffee and Moxie as we face ecological disasters, anti-scientific attitudes, cinematic pandemics, thought-provoking explorations of the universe, and a nonsensical Star Wars rip-off. Warning…

This episode Noel Thingvall joins us again as we dig up missing dinosaur bones, get a leash around a tame leopard, and discuss Howard Hawk's classic screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby. Listen as we analyze whether Katharine Hepburn's impulsive heiress is the original Manic Pixie Dream Girl, chuckle at the risqué innuendos the script manage to slip b…

It’s that wonderful time of year again as we list our favorite movies released during 2021. Listen as we discuss the difficulties of moviegoing in the midst of a pandemic and the importance of escapism in our choices. The movies we talk about include feminine descents into madness, off-beat convention-challenging Westerns, and a ton of amazing debu…

Noel Thingvall returns to the show as we grab some shovels and unearth one of Alfred Hitchcock's most unusual films, the strangely sweet black comedy The Trouble with Harry. Listen as we examine the title corpse's post-mortem career as a small town matchmaker, marvel at the film's clever dialogue and gorgeous autumnal location photography, and reve…

Chris Chipman joins this episode we voyage into the dark years of Disney and come out the other side to discuss the 1979 science fiction/disaster film The Black Hole. Listen as we comment on how the movie merges the technology of contemporary science fiction flicks with the somber style and pace of older features, explore the strange religious and …

We're revisiting Charles Dickens' immortal classic as warped through the comic sensibilities of Bill Murray as we watch Richard Donner's 1988 Christmas hit Scrooged. Listen as we discuss Murray's manic take on the miserly main character, consider the implications of updating A Christmas Carol to the Reagan years, and swoon over Carol Kane's adorabl…

Bob Chipman joins us for our annual outing with secret agent James Bond and this mission may be our most grueling yet as we cut down the cubic zirconia of 007 films, Diamonds Are Forever. Listen as we discuss Sean Connery's perfunctory return to the franchise, measure the mortality rate for women who sleep with James Bond, and contemplate more effi…

Now we are dangerous as we celebrate Noirvember by having an informal chat with the vice-principal about Brick, director Rian Johnson's teen noir debut. Listen as we discuss how the classic noir archetypes translate perfectly to a high school setting, examine the moral ambiguity of Joseph Gordon Levitt's moody detective protagonist, and debate whet…

In this special episode, we're discussing the second weekend of Salem Horror Fest Part 5. Listen as Tim reviews thirteen more films screened at the festival: Dawn Breaks Behind the Eyes Take Back the Night Apps Hideout Deathcast So Vam Val Bad Girls Seeds Caprice Brain Death Snapper Cockazoid Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com Our t…

In this special interview episode, we talk to horror journalist/historian Heather Wixson about her amazing new book Monsters, Make-Up and Effects, Vol. 1, which chronicles the history of the make-up effects industry. Listen as we share formative childhood experiences watching horror movies, examine the politics behind the selection process for make…

This episode we're discussing one of the most bizarre films in the annals of American horror film history as Peter Horne joins us to slice up The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Listen as we suggest some of the political and religious subtexts under the skin of Tobe Hooper's iconic 1974 classic, take note of the various injuries (both physical and psycho…

In this special episode, we're discussing the first weekend of Salem Horror Fest Part 5. Listen as Tim reviews over a dozen feature films screened at the festival: Miracle Valley Two Witches What Happens Next Will Scare You Parallel Minds Hall Keeping Company Landlocked Wicked Games I Need You Dead Sam and Mattie Make a Zombie Movie 6:45 The Free F…

In our latest episode, Ellie joins us again as we get lost in the twists and turns of a childhood favorite while discussing Jim Henson's fantasy fable Labyrinth. We'll compare the movie to Henson's previous fantasy epic The Dark Crystal, examine the film as a metaphor for the transition to womanhood, and ponder what a Bog of Eternal Stench would sm…

Dark is the suede that mows like a podcast as we take a look back at Tim Burton's underappreciated 1996 alien invasion spoof Mars Attacks! Listen as we discuss the 1950s sci-fi films that inspired this anarchic comedy, analyze the box office disparity between this film and Independence Day, and speculate on whether the Martian invasion fleet is act…

In our latest episode, we welcome Paresh Maharaj from the Busted Limes podcast as we cancel the apocalypse to talk about Guillermo del Toro's giant monster epic Pacific Rim. Listen as we discuss Guillermo del Toro's sophisticated visual style, comment on proper theme music for donning cosplay, and debate whether Mako Mori passes her own test. Warni…

This summer marks the 30th anniversary of James Cameron's blockbuster sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Kyle Brunet joins us again to discuss this epic sci-fi action epic. Listen as we examine how parallels between this film and the original reflect the time paradox at the heart of the story, marvel over Linda Hamilton's amazing transformation as …

We're getting a shot of 100% pure adrenaline as we experience Kathryn Bigelow's epic of surfboards and shotguns, Point Break. Listen as we come to a fundamental difference of philosophies regarding this beloved action flick, debate whether Patrick Swayze's zen surf dude is a cult leader or just a scumbag, and bemoan one of cinema's most ridiculous …

In the latest installment of Cinemaspection: First Run, we spy on our neighbors with The Woman in the Window, battle the dead for dollars with Army of the Dead, and fall into a vortex of franchise fatigue with the Saw reboot Spiral. Warning: Contains explicit language and mild spoilers. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley t…

This episode we're taking a wild, cross-century trip to meet the legends of time as we go on a heist with Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits from 1981. Along the way we'll explore Gilliam's themes of imagination and materialism, praise the underappreciated comedic abilities of David Warner, and identify with the problems of married ogres. Warning: Contai…

We're going back to 1951 and another formative film of classic science fiction as we discuss Robert Wise's The Day the Earth Stood Still. Listen as we explore the film's political messages and religious subtext, praise Gort as one of science fiction's mightiest robots, and propose the existence of a cinematic universe built around bit player Roy En…

We're taking a trip back to the foggy moors of Scotland to meet up with a groundbreaking but not often celebrated figure in the history of science fiction: It's The Man From Planet X! Listen as we discuss how this idiosyncratic alien invasion flick from 1951 set the template for outer space menaces for decades to come, marvel over director Edgar G.…

In our latest First Run episode, we're going ringside for the battle of the century as the Eighth Wonder of the World throws down with the King of the Monsters in Godzilla vs. Kong. Who wins this gargantuan match-up? Can this epic creature feature live up to its titan-sized hype? How does director Adam Wingard fare with this blockbuster outing? Lis…

By listener request, we're answering that knock at the door and letting in The Babadook from 2014. Listen as we discuss the film's roots in fairy tales and silent horror films, examine director Jennifer Kent's meticulous visual style, and comment on the title monster's unlikely role as an LGBTQ pride icon. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoil…