Cinemaspection

We welcome Noel Thingvall to the show as we excavate our first Hammer film, Quatermass and the Pit (a.k.a. Five Million Years to Earth),  featuring that most British of sci-fi heroes, Bernard Quatermass. Listen as we discuss the brilliant career of Quatermass creator Nigel Kneale, examine the social, religious, and political themes buried beneath the film's surface, and speculate on who might play the good professor in a reboot. Warning: Contains spoilers (for this film and all the various Quatermass productions), explicit language, and unusual product placement opportunities for liquor brands.

Bust out the quarters because we're aiming to break some high scores with our discussion of The Last Starfighter from the summer of 1984. Listen as we reminisce about our video game-infused childhoods, point out the unmistakable influence of Star Wars on this arcade-era space opera, and comment on the film's groundbreaking computer effects. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and heteronormative space aliens.

Break out the coffee and grab those energy drinks because we've got to stay awake to watch Philip Kaufman's unnerving 1978 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. We discuss how the pod people serve as an adaptable metaphor for different social fears, soak in the atmosphere of paranoia created by Kaufman and his collaborators, and freak out over some inappropriate banjo music. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and one fancy cutting board countertop.

In the latest installment of Cinemaspection: First Run, we attend the coronation of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, party like crazy with Ma, and witness the second coming of the most famous X-Men story with Dark Phoenix. Warning: Contains explicit language and mild spoilers. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

Dynamic violence! Savage action! Spectacular thrills! This episode has it all as Kyle joins us again to pay homage to the mighty monarch of movie monsters, the original Gojira (a.k.a. Godzilla) from 1954. We'll examine the film's themes of nuclear devastation and scientific responsibility, point out the changes made for the American version, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and speculate on the upcoming battle between Godzilla and King Kong. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and much complaining about the Roland Emmerich remake.

The Infinity Saga comes to a spectacular end and the Marvel Cinematic Universe reaches a turning point as we assemble to discuss Avengers: Endgame. Listen as we ruminate on the fates of Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, and the rest of Earth's mightiest heroes, check the accuracy of our post-Infinity War predictions, and further speculate on the future of the MCU. Warning: Contains HUGE spoilers, explicit language, but no post-credit scenes. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

For our latest installment of Cinemaspection: First Run, we say the magic word and fly with Shazam!, witness the resurrection of one Stephen King's creepiest stories, Pet Sematary, and tilt at windmills with Terry Gilliam's long-awaited The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.

We're introducing a new segment, Cinemaspection: First Run, in which we take a look at films currently playing in a theater near you!! For our first installment, we meet the enemy and it is Us, the newest horror movie from Oscar-winner Jordan Peele. Then we struggle to maintain our grip on reality as we dance through Gaspar Noe's descent into drug-fueled madness, Climax. Finally, we take one giant leap with the riveting NASA documentary Apollo 11. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

Every February, sci-fi fans from across New England converge on Somerville, Massacusetts for the annual Boston Science Fiction Film Festival, culminating in the Sci-Fi Marathon, a 24-hour endurance test for film fans featuring a wide variety of movies displaying, the best, worst, and weirdest of the genre. While we couldn't attend in person for this, the 44th year of the event, we decided to play along at home and record our thoughts on the films presented for your amusement. Over the course of the line-up, we'll deal with dramatic size changes, take multiple trips to the moon, fight off bizarre alien infections, and struggle to remain coherent despite our growing fatigue. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and brain-addling exhaustion.

It's that time again as we take a look back at our favorite cinema experiences of 2018. Which films from last year will take the top spots on our lists? What filmmakers should you keep an eye on in the future? Who’s going to end up sleeping on the couch because they left out a particular movie? Find out here. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and a shortage of quality Cheddar Goblin merchandise.

Are you ready for the truth? If so, listen as Kyle joins us to break down M. Night Shyamalan's superpowered thriller Unbreakable. We discuss the twists and turns of Shyamalan's filmography, examine the movie's place in the superhero subgenre, and try to predict what strange surprises may await us in Shyamalan's upcoming follow-up film Glass. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers (for this film and others in Shyamalan's filmography, particularly Split), and breakfast drink fashion coordination.

It's the holidays again and we're joined by Shana to talk about one of the most iconic films of the 1980s, Joe Dante's yuletide creature feature Gremlins. Listen in as we discuss the film's controversial mix of humor and horror, speculate on the origins of the mogwai, and comment on criticism regarding the movie's racial politics. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and three rules you'll have to follow.

We're back on assignment with Bob Chipman as we plunge into the murky waters of the fourth James Bond adventure, Thunderball. Listen as we detail the latest crimes of 007, wade into the legal entanglements concerning the story's origins, and and critique wetsuit couture. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and way too much scuba combat.

We're squaring off for a discussion of the best fight scenes in movie history. Listen as we grapple over the most important elements to a great fight, give credit to the fight coordinators responsible for some of cinema's most immortal brawls, and list our top ten favorite silver screen slugfests. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and stunt doubles.

Here it is, our first live show, recorded at the Peabody Essex Museum as part of Salem Horror Fest. To mark the 50th anniversary of the release of Night of the Living Dead, we discuss George Romero's Living Dead film series. Listen as we discuss how Romero used zombies as metaphors for social issues, chart how Romero's zombies developed from flesh-eating monsters into the heroes of the series, and recognize the tremendous cultural impact Romero's films have had. Warning: Contains mild explicit language, spoilers, and some politics. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

We're trying to keep our rage under control as we discuss Danny Boyle's chilling 2002 infection thriller 28 Days Later. Listen in as we debate whether it qualifies as a zombie movie, explore how the film taps into real world anxieties, and comment on the various works that influenced the story. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and post-apocalyptic shopping lists.

Step right up... step right up and listen to our latest episode!! You won't believe your ears as you hear Corinne, Polly, and Tim discuss Tod Browning's infamous big-top horror show Freaks from 1932. We'll discuss how the film's both exploits and compassionately portrays its cast of actual sideshow performers, detail the various cuts made to the film before its wide release, and cringe at the horrific critical reaction to the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and some quacking.

So are we actually talking about Glengarry Glen Ross, David Mamet's searing drama of capitalism, corruption, and closers, or are we just speaking about it? Listen as we examine how the Pulitzer prize-winning play was translated to film, discuss the atmosphere of toxic masculinity in the Premiere Properties office, and find a new mantra to live by... Always Be Caffeinated! Warning: Contains explicit language (it's a Mamet script!), spoilers, and 40% more Christopher Plummer.

We're defrosting a sci-fi classic that helped kick off the alien invasion craze of 1950s cinema, The Thing From Another World. Listen in as we discuss the conflict of science vs. militarism, explore metaphorical interpretations of the vegetative title monster, and investigate the mystery of who actually directed the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and some light bondage.

Chris and Sarah join us again to explore the watery depths of the Disney animated classic The Little Mermaid. We discuss the film's mixed messages regarding women's autonomy and body image, speculate on the Lovecraftian origins of merfolk, and discuss the movie's role in bringing about Disney's second golden age of animated films. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and some disturbingly phallic castle architecture.