The Pod and the Pendulum

SAW (2004)

This week we kick off a new franchise and dig into one of the most divisive yet successful series of the past 20 years. We kick off our SAW coverage with James Wan and Leigh Whanell’s debut effort and we discuss the merits of this movie and  why it gets harshly judged on what it wrought in the aftermath of its success. We talk about the struggle it took to bring this low budget thriller to the big screen, and how it almost wound u on the dustbin of the direct to DVD pipeline before being rescued by a strong series of test screenings. We examine its influence in horror, and how it served as a reaction to the tamer fare of the late 90s and early 00s, while also reflecting the culture and politics of its day. From Jigsaw’s dicey motivations and tactics that are routed in harsh Catholic doctrine, to the use of traps, predicting the surveillance state, whether its fair to classify as torture porn at all, and the sometimes dicey acting choices (was Danny Glover in fact too old for this shit?) Mike, Brian, and Ariel have you covered.

”BARBENHEIMER” Our BARBIE & OPPENHEIMER Episode

This week Mike is joined by old podcasting pal Jennferatu (The Losers Club, Girls On the Boys, Psychoanalysis, Dread Central, Bloody Disgusting) to talk about the twin headed beast that is slaying all at the box-office right now: Bsrbie and Oppenheimer. Along with speculating why these two movies are more connected than they appear on the surface, and why they're resonating with audiences at the moment, we talk about the themes of masculinity and patriarchy as portrayed in each movie. We discuss the search for identity in both movies and the moral crises addressed in Oppenheimer. We also wonder why Christopher Nolan, for all his genius, (still) struggles to write women. It was great sitting down to talk to Jenn about movies for the first time in a long time, and we hope you enjoy this discussion.

 

(If you dug Oppenheimer and want to dig further into the story, or want to hear more from the perspectives of the victims of the atomic bombing, Mike suggests the following: BOOKS AMERICAN PROMETHEUS, FALLOUT: THE HIROSHIMA COVER-UP & THE REPORTER WHO REVEALED IT TO THE WORLD, FIVE DAYS IN AUGUST: HOW WORLD WAR II BECAME A NUCLEAR WAR FILM THE DAY AFTER TRINITY, BLACK RAIN, HIROSHIMA, HIROSHIMA NAGASAKI AUGUST 1945)

JAWS THE REVENGE

Horror fans are a forgiving bunch, and its rare that a movie's reputation is so bad that it sours viewers forever, and effectively kills the franchise. Jaws The Revenge is that special exception-the critical and commercial bomb that serves as the death knell for the Jaws series. This week Mike and Devaughn are joined by Shawn Murphy (Men Who Like Men Who Like Movies) have a lively debate on this one, and we think it's far more entertaining than watching the movie itself. From the logistics of sharks that not only roar, but understand travel schedules and the concept of personal vendettas, we have you covered. We talk the kernel of a good idea that's here with a story about a grieving widow finding new love in the arms of a scoundrel...but with sharks, to the troubled history of the movie, we break it all down. 

JAWS 3

This week Mike is joined by Sarah Stubbs (Geeks Who Eat, Final Girls Feast) to talk about Jaws 3. We talk about the spoof movie that could have been, the prominent role cocaine played in this movie, not-so special effects, the Oscar curse, the logistics of a shark entering a landlocked city and so much more. Enter the third dimension of...something.

JAWS 2

Just when we’re thinking it's safe to go back in the waters, there’s another monster episode ready to swallow us whole. Mike, Rachel and Brian are joined by Trace Thurman of the Horror Queers podcast for a deep dive into what might be the second greatest shark movie of all time. We talk about the troubled history behind getting this movie off the ground, fist fights between directors and leading men, the slasher elements that rear their head throughout the movie and the shift of focus onto the teens and the “sailboat cruising” culture of Amity. We also discuss the myriad of rip offs that came out in the wake of Jaws’ success and how this one transcends the reputation the Jaws sequels have been anchored with.

 

Become a patron today and get access to exclusive bonus shows and content: https://www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

HORROR AT THE 2023 HALFWAY POINT

With just over half of 2023 in the books, Mike, Ariel and Rachel take a look at the year so far. We talk about the reemergence of fun horror, our hopes that trauma horror takes a breather, the indies that have surprised us, & what we look forward to in the second half of the year. We also discuss whether it's been another banner year or the genre, or a bit of a let down given the highs of 2022. 

JAWS (1975)

This week we dip our toes into a discussion of one of the most beloved blockbuster and scary movies of all time. Just in time to celebrate its 48th anniversary (celebrating 50 is for suckers) Mike, Ariel and guest Clayton Jones (from the Men Who Like Men Who Like Movies podcast) are talkin' sharkin', talkin' working for a living, and if that's the case then we're talking about JAWS. 

A big movie deserves a big episode, and we go extra deep this week to talk about all the headaches and behind the scenes drama, why this feels different from modern blockbusters, how the release of this movie changed how we see movies forever, and why the main trio works so well together. We also explore what it's like to rewatch this movie after 2020 and COVID, and whether Mayor Vaughn is truly a villain. We also talk about why Martha's Vineyard made for such a great location and some of the local characters that added to Jaws' flavor. 

 

JOHN CARPENTER JUNE: PRINCE OF DARKNESS

Our look back at the works of John Carpenter wraps up with 1987's PRINCE OF DARKNESS. Mike, Stephen & Devaughn discuss whether the melding of religion and theoretical physics works. As the middle chapter in Carpenter's loose "apocalypse trilogy" we talk the eerie vibes this ones gives off, Carpenter's desire to go back to his indie roots after being burned by studio filmmaking, the queer undertones characters like Walter give off and why this one is often overlooked when people discuss the Master of Horror's seminal works. 

JOHN CARPENTER JUNE: THE FOG

John Carpenter June continues with his take on the classic ghost story, 1980's THE FOG. Mike and Stephen take about why this one feels a bit underappreciated, the beauty and the horror contained within Antonio Bay, the chemistry between Tom Atkins and Jaime Lee Curtis, and start our appreciation society for the lovely and badass Adrienne Barbeau. We had a lot of fun with this one, and it's a loose discussion we think you're gonna love. 

JOHN CARPENTER JUNE: ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

This month we're celebrating the Master of Horror as we talk about three of his most iconic films. Up first, the 1981 post-apocalyptic science fiction, action, thriller Escape From New York. Mike, Stephen, Devaughn and Rachel talk all things Snake Plissken and why Carpenter's troupe still holds up today. Coming of the success of Halloween, Escape sits in the middle of an unprecedented run of genre masterpieces, and it gave Kurt Russell the chance to get out from under Disney's thumb and become one of the coolest motherfuckers in movie history.