Blood and Black Rum Podcast - A Cult Film / Horror Podcast

Nostalgia is a strange beast, and we take on Hocus Pocus, one of Halloween's most iconic films, in an attempt to discuss both the reasons why it might be considered a classic as well as whether it truly should be. Both of us have a middling view of the movie, noting that it has merit but also makes a number of missteps. Have a listen and see if you agree! We're also drinking KCBC's Zoktoberfest and Shadow Crypt Festbier!

Approximate timeline

0:00-11:00 Intro

11:00-24:00 Beer talk

24:00-end Hocus Pocus

Next up: The Exorcist: Believer

We have previously covered every film in the Saw series as part of a Halloween season and each subsequent release, and Saw X is no different; however, the more surprising thing about this new film in the franchise is that it's one of the best ones in recent memory! While the film still has its issues - ones we readily point out throughout this episode - we acknowledge that the return to simplicity by going back to a time period between the first and second Saw movies is a welcome addition to the series. We talk about the traps (of course), Tobin Bell in a much more prevalent role, the Mexico City setting, and a whole lot more on this extended episode. We're also drinking 1911's Double Double Toil and Trouble Candy Corn Cider!

Approximate timeline

0:00-12:00 Intro

12:00-24:00 Beer (cider) talk

24:00-end Saw X

Next up: Hocus Pocus!

No, we're not talking about the anthology film; this one's the heavy metal banger from 1986, featuring a killer able to come through stereo systems using his satanic backwards record to wreak havoc on a teen during Halloween. We talk about the film's relative lack of Halloween atmosphere, which feels more like an afterthought; we also marvel at the new call waiting technology, rag on the "teens" of this high school, and speculate where parents in Halloween movies go for their parties. We're also drinking Paulaner's Oktoberfest Bier.

Approximate timeline

0:00-12:00 Intro

12:00-20:00 Beer talk

20:00-end Trick or Treat

Up next: Saw X now in theaters!

We're tackling a different kind of film today during our Halloween celebration. WNUF Halloween Special is a film near and dear to a lot of people's hearts thanks to its very nostalgic presentation of TV from yesteryear, mimicking news broadcasts, live Halloween shenanigans akin to Ghostwatch, and a near endless supply of spot-on commercials. We try to talk about this movie in three parts - the ads, the news broadcast, and then the actual events of the Halloween special. We go over our favorite commercials, the best moments of the movie, compare Frank to Ryne's uncle, and a lot more. We're also drinking Von Trapp Brewing's Oktoberfest!

Approximate timeline

0:00-8:00 Intro

8:00-16:00 Beer talk

16:00-end WNUF Halloween Special

Next up: a heavy metal Halloween with Trick or Treat!

Continuing our slate of Halloween episodes, we take a look at the gory practical-effects laden horror film Terrifier from 2016. Prior to the hubbub over Terrifier 2, Damien Leone's slasher flick starring Art the Clown came and went with little fanfare. Here we talk about the relative lack of a plot, the torture porn elements and how they mesh with the film's admittedly sinister opening sequence, and how the film loses its footing about halfway through and starts a dive into ridiculous territory. We're also drinking Sierra Nevada's new 2023 Oktoberfest brewed in collaboration with Kehrwieder Brewery.

Approximate timeline

0:00-8:00 Intro

8:00-16:00 Beer talk

16:00-end Terrifier

Next week: public television with WNUF Halloween Special!

On this edition of Halloweenies II, we're diving into a nostalgic classic that neither of us has seen in decades: Ernest Scared Stupid! While there's no arguing the film isn't that great, the Halloween atmosphere and lovable nature of Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) means that there are definitely some endearing qualities in this decidedly dumb movie. We talk about the many faces of Ernest, the use of trolls as the film's monster, milk carton grenades, the un-Disneyfication of this surprisingly violent output, and more! We're also drinking Hacker-Pschorr's Oktoberfest marzen!

Approximate timeline

0:00-17:00 Intro

17:00-24:00 Beer talk

24:00-end Ernest Scared Stupid

Next up for Halloweenies II: Terrifier

Welcome back to another year of our Halloween specials! This time around, we're covering more movies that actually take place on or around Halloween. First up is The Houses October Built, a found-footage film about a group of documentarians trying to find the most extreme haunt possible. We talk about the use of the word "haunt" in the industry, the creepy factor of the movie, how well the documentary style works, Bourbon Street on Halloween, and a whole lot more. We're also drinking Sloop Brewing's Oktoberfest!

Approximate timeline

0:00-13:00 Intro

13:00-21:00 Beer talk

21:00-end The Houses October Built

Next week: Ernest Scared Stupid!

For our last episode of this year's Red Hot '80s Action Summer, we're taking a look at George Miller's iconic film The Road Warrior (or Mad Max 2), a full-throttle action film which set the precedent for post-apocalyptic wasteland thrillers. The stunts, crashes, and fuel-guzzling chase sequences are a wonder, and we talk about all of these in detail as well as this as a precursor to Mad Max: Fury Road (see our previous episode), the assless chaps, whether Lord Humungus is really all that bad of a guy, and a lot more. We're also drinking Narragansett's Summer Crusher summer ale!

Approximate timeline

0:00-10:00 Intro

10:00-20:00 Beer talk

20:00-end The Road Warrior

Thanks for listening to Red Hot '80s Action Summer in its third year! Next up: Halloween season, September-October.

More summer, more action with this episode of Red Hot '80s Action Summer in which we return to Chuck Norris' jingoistic movies about war. This time we're looking at The Delta Force, a sometimes comical take on a real plane hijacking by Palestinians in 1985. Of course, it wouldn't be a Chuck film without shooting, missiles, and a lot of ridiculous music. We talk about the length of the film (over 2 hours!), the relative lack of action for the first hour, the overbearing score, and a lot more. We're also drinking Bissell Brothers Brewing's Nothing Gold double IPA!

Approximate timeline

0:00-9:00 Intro

9:00-17:00 Beer talk

17:00-end The Delta Force

Next up, finishing out the action summer with Max Max 2: The Road Warrior!

Sorry for the late episode! Red Hot '80s Action Summer continues with a look at the sequel to Jackie Chan's fantastic Police Story, and this time, there's a bomb! Sorry - I should say multiple bombs, since this movie is basically a barebones plot about extortion with bombers without much motive. We talk about the lack of an engaging plot, the stuntwork that is a little less exciting than the first film, the overall goofier tone of this one, the portrayal of its "deaf" character, and a lot more! We're also drinking various Happy Dad Hard Seltzers!

Approximate timeline

0:00-10:00 Intro

10:00-22:00 Beer talk

22:00-end Police Story 2

Next time: Delta Force!