Cinemaspection

What to our wandering eyes should appear? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a weird attempt at a Christmas franchise? We're trying to stay off the naughty list as we watch the 1985 yuletide family film Santa Claus: The Movie! Listen as we discuss how the film serves as a superhero origin story for Kris Kringle, explore the film's confused portrait of Christmas commercialism and capitalism, and decry the fat-shaming of Santa. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and bad Bane impersonations. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

Our license to kill is renewed as Bob Chipman returns to discuss George Lazenby's sole outing as 007, the divisive On Her Majesty's Secret Service. We compare Lazenby's take on James Bond to Sean Connery's, debate whether Telly Savalas is the best Blofeld, and speculate on what audiences thought of the movie's notorious ending. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and the birth of a new Bond villain... Goldbum!!! Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

In our latest edition of Fantasy Casting, we follow up our previous episode on Psycho with special guest Kyle Brunet by presenting our selections for who we would like to see star in a modern version of the film. Listen as we poach actors from the Spider-man movies, discuss the complications of increasing the story's diversity through casting, and continue the age-old debate of whether the film really needs that psychologist character. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and no Vince Vaughn.

60 years ago, the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock created a film that would slice its way into the memories of filmgoers everywhere and redefine the horror genre, paving the way for the slasher film as we know it: Psycho. Kyle Brunet joins us again as we discuss the startling impact of this seminal suspense film, explore Hitchcock's techniques to shock and terrify his audience, and note the unusual promotional and marketing gimmicks for the production. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a disdain for shot-for-shot remakes.

It's October again and time for some serious horror movie watching! But what if you have little ones and are looking for some gentler scares for the kids? Worry not because we've brought back Chris and Sarah, hosts of the Creating Geeks parenting podcast, to help us select some perfect movies to share with the family for the Halloween season. Listen as we discuss traumatic childhood cinematic experiences, the edginess of family films from the 1980s, and ways to get your children into the classic Universal monster movies. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and memories of terrifying TV show themes.   Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

We're gunning for the big cash and prizes as we try to keep pace with Arnold Schwarzenegger by watching another of his 1980s sci-fi flicks, The Running Man. Listen as we examine how the film was transformed from Stephen King's grim novella into a Schwarzenegger action vehicle, uncover the stinging satire hidden beneath the movie's colorful blockbuster surface, and contemplate how the film makes its viewers complicit in the dystopian system it depicts. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a chance to win the home version of America's favorite game show.   Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

Introducing Fantasy Casting, a new feature in which we suggest our preferred actors for films, including adaptations and remakes, that have not yet reached a theater near you. With the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney, the film rights to the Fantastic Four have returned to the Marvel banner and the introduction of comics' First Family into the MCU is inevitable. So it's clobberin' time as we propose the best cast to bring this iconic superhero property to life. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and fighting words.   Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

We're using our enhanced vision to take a good look at the 2000 sci-fi monster flick Pitch Black. Listen as we examine the film's revamping of a classic western plotline, navigate the dramatic pitfalls of "cool" characters, discuss the career trajectories of lead actors Radha Mitchell and Vin Diesel, and speculate on the life cycle of the movie's photosensitive creatures. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and raspy mumbling.

We're rolling the dice on one of the first motion pictures based on a board game, a film that would transcend its reputation as a box office bomb to become a cult classic: Clue from 1985. Listen as we discuss the pros and cons of the film's multiple ending gimmick, investigate the story's backdrop of red scare paranoia and 1950s American hypocrisy, and marvel over the cast's amazing comedic chops. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and several red herrings, all of them communist.

We've reached episode 100 and what better way to celebrate than to offer our views on one of the most debated motion pictures of all time? We're getting lost in the hedge maze of Stanley Kubrick's iconic horror film The Shining and to up the ante, we're making this our first audio commentary. Watch the movie with us as we identify differences between Stephen King's novel and Kubrick's adaptation, ponder the film's apparent discrepancies and continuity errors, and debate the morality of Kubrick's directing methodology. Cue up your copy of the movie and listen for our countdown to start. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers (obviously), and all work and no play.

In this episode we face nurse sharks, a relatively large squid, and Kirk Douglas' bare chest as we take a cruise with Disney's live-action classic adventure 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Along the way, Tim discusses Walt Disney's quest for revenge over the loss of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit while Corinne reminisces about Disney World's clunky Nautilus ride. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and bad James Mason impersonations.

We all may be stuck at home at the moment but for this episode we're taking a cinematic road trip as we watch Midnight Run from 1988. We discuss the film's mix of crime and comedy, the conflicted morality of De Niro's bounty hunter character, and our different reactions to Danny Elfman's bluesy score. Meanwhile Corinne shares her legal expertise (courtesy of Law and Order) and Tim notes which members of the cast have been squashed by King Kong. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and celebratory donuts.

Once again we're staying up all night as we keep pace with the big closing event of the annual Boston Science Fiction Film Festival, the brain-melting 24-hour Sci-Fi Marathon! During this year's stellar movie line-up, we'll expose unsafe experimental practices, explore the role of giant animals in food supply research, and go on the run with super-powered families. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and pop culture-inspired coffee maker naming conventions.

It's that time again; in our first episode of 2020 we take a look back at the past year to point out our favorite films of 2019. Along the way we discuss movies so devastatingly effective we'll think twice before seeing them again, box office disappointments of 2019 that deserved a bigger audience, and the sophomore efforts of several impressive horror auteurs. Which films will make the cut? Find out here. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and stoned sexagenarians.

Polly returns to the podcast to discuss another yuletide classic as we watch that holiday favorite, A Christmas Story. Listen as we praise author Jean Shepherd's skill at capturing childhood nostalgia, reminisce about favorite presents from childhood, and discuss our misadventures sticking our tongues on things. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a major award.

Welcome to Japan, Mr. Bond, and welcome back Bob Chipman for our annual assignment with 007 as we dive into an active volcano of racism and cultural malfeasance with the fifth James Bond adventure, You Only Live Twice. Listen as we discuss the series' forays into science fiction, the worst spy disguise ever put to film, and the viability of a James Bond theme park. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and one pissed off cat.

The debates around James Cameron's debut film had waged for decades, but the ultimate discussion would not be conducted in the future. It would be held here, in this episode... tonight. Kyle returns to the show as we take aim at the original 1984 classic, The Terminator. Listen as we ponder the circular logic of time travel paradoxes, consider how modern abuses of artificial intelligence may lead to humanity's eventual downfall, and speculate about what to expect from Terminator: Dark Fate (we recorded this episode back in August before the film opened). Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and robots in meat suits.

Do you enjoy Universal Horror movies? They are our only weakness and we're indulging in it with a discussion about one of the greatest monster movies (and best sequels) ever made, Bride of Frankenstein from 1935. Listen as we discuss the moral transformation of Boris Karloff's creature, Elsa Lanchester's iconic performance as the title character, and how the movie influenced our wedding plans. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and problematic skullcaps.

Having trouble coming up with something new and different to watch in the lead-up to Halloween? We can help! Bob Chipman joins us once again as we offer up 30 suggestions for lesser-known and lesser-appreciated horror flicks to enhance your October viewing, featuring movies from a variety of countries, time periods, and subgenres. Whether you're looking for killer babies, killer snowmen, demented rock operas, or creepy dream houses, we have you covered. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and some heavy-handed 1980s social commentary.  

We're stepping back behind the counter to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kevin Smith's debut film with an episode on Clerks. We discuss Smith's resourceful methods of low-budget filmmaking, the production's no-frills visual style, and the symbolic value of finding the perfect dozen eggs. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and annoying customers.