Cinemaspection

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 whether the character of Brain actually exists in the reality of the film. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and lots of white T-shirts.

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

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-up Academy Awards, and comment on the divide between practical and computer-generated effects in modern cinema. Warning: Contains explicit language and a Rob Bottin sighting in the wild. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. The book is available through AM Ink's imprint Dark Ink at https://aminkpublishing.com/monsters-makeup-%26-effects.

  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 psychological) inflicted on the movie's cast and crew during shooting, and sort through the strange continuity of the sequels in the franchise. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and scategoaps... scapegoats.   Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

  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 Fall Origin Unknown Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 smell like. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a discussion of the cinematic impact of David Bowie's package. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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 actually a badly-behaved school trip. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and donut symbolism. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and scientifically inaccurate secondary brains. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

This summer marks the 30th anniversary of James Cameron's blockbuster sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Kyle Brunet joins us again to discuss this 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 hardened heroine Sarah Connor, and comment on the influence of the movie's groundbreaking digital effects. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, but no clunky futuristic epilogues. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.   CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network at www.firesidealliance.com. 

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 character names. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a commitment to watch Prayer of the Rollerboys.   Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.    CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network at www.firesidealliance.com.

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 through Lynne Publishing.

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: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and THE PROBLEM!!! We must have fruit!! Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. 

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 Engel. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and nucular.... um... nuclear proliferation. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. 

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. Ulmer's resourcefulness in the face of a tiny budget, and explore how the film reflects cold war paranoia and the national fascination with flying saucers. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and boogey doings. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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? Listen in to find out. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and equine brain functions. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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, spoilers, and demonic pop-up books. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

It's another nerve-shredding 24 hours of movie-watching for us as we yet again battle fatigue to record our experiences of the 46th installment of the Boston Science Fiction Marathon. Due to the quarantine, everyone will be viewing from home this year, but the 'Thon lives on. Join us as we witness gooey alien-human mating, evaluate the effectiveness of various alien-hunting squads, and debate movie marathon scheduling. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and gin goblins. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

As we mercifully close the book on the mess that was 2020, it’s time to look back and discuss our favorite movies of the past year. As we count down our top ten, we also reflect on how the pandemic changed film distribution in positive and negative ways, celebrate the diverse stories presented in cinema throughout the year, and reveal how one of our favorite defunct movie theaters has been immortalized on film. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a horrible bovine pun. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

For our first First Run episode in a long time, we're revealing the truth about the second cinematic adventure of DC Comic's greatest heroine by wrapping our golden lasso around Wonder Woman 1984. Amid the storm of criticism and controversy surrounding Patty Jenkins' follow-up to her 2017 hit, how does the movie fare with us? Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, but not nearly enough Robin Wright. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

The future is now and as we leave 2020, the future can't get here fast enough. We're ringing in the new year with the Coen Brothers' idiosyncratic homage to Hollywood comedies of yesteryear, The Hudsucker Proxy. Listen as we fall (fail) into the verbal, narrative, and literal circles of the screenplay, examine the film's simultaneously idealistic and cynical look at American industry, and decode the symbolism in the movie's sterling production design and costuming. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and an extruded plastic dingus. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.