The Pod and the Pendulum

Nat Brehmar joins the coveted three time cohost club this week to bring us his love and knowledge bombs for the sci-fi infused horror comedy of CRITTERS. While tiny monster movies are decidedly not Mike's jam (the man has only seen one Puppet Master for God's sake!) he found himself absolutely smitten during his first time watch of this 80s cult-classic. Meanwhile Jerry and Nat dive deep into why this little title about a small town overrun by furry alien hedgehogs with endless rows of teeth and enough of an appetite to match Homer Simpson in a donut eating contest. Plus, if you thought we couldn't make a Critters/Coen Brothers comparison well you good sir or madame are wrong! 

We wrap up our coverage of Poltergeist with a look back at the 2015 remake. You would be forgiven if you had already forgotten this movie's existence. Trust us, it's just kind of there. That doesn't stop us from having a lively discussion of the film, including Mike being far too inappropriate when discussing his irrational hatred for one of the characters in the movie. Plus, in our continued efforts to support Women in Horror Month, Mike chats with YA author Ivana Sanders about her upcoming debut novel The Beckwith Brothers. 

This week's show includes a fun look back at Poltergeist 3, the bastard step-child of the series, where Carol Ann is kicked to the curb by her parents and sent to live with her aunt and uncle. Discussion includes speculation on how much cocaine people consumed in the 80s, whether or not your liver would up and quit if you took a shot every time someone says "Carol Ann" (don't believe us? Listen to the post-credits), Jerry living in Breaking Bad country, whether or not some of the special effects consisted of delicious bread bowls, Zelda Rubenstein doing her best He Man & the Master of the Universe impression & so much more. 

This week we take a deep dive into Poltergeist 2, a film that's responsible for a lot of childhood terror for Brian. Plus, to celebrate Women in Horror month, Mike has a chat with Kelly and Jess of Spinsters of Horror fame. 

We're Heeeeeeereeeee with a new franchise to cover. this week we kick off with the classic 1982 film that has traumatized kids for generations- Poltergeist. Brian, Mike, Jerry and Veronica ask why this film still resonates for kids and adults generations later, how it points a finger at the hippie/boomer generation and why it remains a great gateway to horror for many. And yes, we tackle the whole "Who really directed the movie?" question but that's not the main focus. 

This week, we watch The Tribe, so that you don't have to. Imagine a vape bar and Axe body spray in movie form and you have a pretty good idea of what you're in store for. The direct-to-video Lost Boys sequel focuses on a group of surfing vampires, despite feature a total of zero surfing scenes or even insert shots in the movie. Good times. 

This week we visit the murder capitol of the world and talk 80's vampire classic THE LOST BOYS. From queer readings on the relationship between David & Michael, to what it was like growing up as a latch key kid in the eighties, the power of MTV to make or break taste during this time  to the influence of this film being felt on pulp culture phenomenons like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight, we cover it all. 

The end of the year brings our time discussing Halloween to a close. This week we talk the Blumhouse smash hit from 2018 which saw Laurie and Michael square of again for the second time...again. Casting aside all other sequel and reboots, David Gordon Green's film serves as a true sequel to John Carpenter's masterpiece. Does it work? Mike is joined by Veronica Maitland and Brian Keiper to discuss why this soft reboot/sequel feels like a true followup to the 1978 classic.

As we wrap up Halloween, a quick nod goes out to three essential sources for our research into the series: Amy Nicholson and the Halloween:Unmasked limited series podcast on The Ringer network, Halloweenies pod from the Consequence of Sound crew and the Book "Taking Shape" from authors Travis Mullins & Dustin McNeil. 

After last week's show where Jerry & Mike came down pretty hard on Rob Zombie's original vision for Halloween, you're going to be stunned to hear the love fest the two of us, along with returning guest Justin Beahm have for Halloween II. This feels nothing like a Halloween movie, and it is all the better for it. From Michael being unmasked for the majority of the film, to a crazy and out of control Laurie, to Loomis being a fame seeking ego maniac, this is not the franchise we recognize, but hot damn it works for us.