CinemaSpection

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 proper amount of Cousin Eddie a film should contain. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a disturbing reimagining of King Kong.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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Whether you agree or disagree, if you have an opinion on this movie, leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

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
• Pou
• The Forest Hills

Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com

Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing

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 Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com

Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 the episode, we've decided to present it complete here. Listen as Noel discusses their onscreen partnership through the 30s and 40s where they reprised their roles, and played variations on them, in a series of films. It may not be cricket, but it's a fascinating journey.

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 characters Charters and Caldicott. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and longing for Karloff / Lugosi road comedies.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 action epics, first outings for two classic monsters, encounters with time-traveling doppelgangers, and friendly and unfriendly androids. Please note that due to the nature of this event and the circumstances of its recording, the audio quality is not up to our usual standards. We hope this doesn't detract too much from your enjoyment of this episode. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and an unexpected piano recital.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley. through Lynne Publishing

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 culinary world, and forays into strange performance art. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and praise for the great James Hong.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 everything-wise. Warning: Contains discussion of suicidal ideation, explicit language, spoilers, and Tim's clunkiest joke yet.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 patriarchy and found families, and explain why Barb may be the best slasher movie character of all time. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and symbolic sweaters and fur coats.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 at Moore's portrayal of the venerable super-spy, and ponder why the filmmakers decided an obnoxious redneck sheriff should serve as the film's comic relief. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and lots of poorly-served character actors.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 of the film, and comment on its stylistic tweaking of horror conventions. Listen for our countdown on when to start your copy of the movie so it syncs with the commentary. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and it's dead... it's all messed up.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 start your copy of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and awkward traveling mattes.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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, spoilers, and carousel casualties.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 the film was expanded from the version presented in Grindhouse, and point out some of Tarantino’s cinematic allusions. Listen for our countdown to start your copy of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and lots of pretty cars.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 analyze the differences in the various versions of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and the beginnings of our pessimistic new show, Doomcast!!

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.