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

We're back to Wes Craven and one of his... more underwhelming films with Deadly Friend, a cross between Short Circuit and a horror movie that has a lot of tonal changes throughout the movie. This is a first for both of us so we discuss the film's varying storylines, Kristy Swanson's miming, the gore effects, and a whole lot more. We're also drinking Ommegang's All Hallows Treat Imperial Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout!

Approximate timeline

0:00-12:00 Intro

Next up: a Cronenberg film, Videodrome!

We return to Cronenberg in the early middle period of his career with Scanners, a film that does not focus as much on the body horror element of Cronenberg's usual themes but instead on the science fiction that goes into telepathy, as well as the science that can often cause so much damage if poorly researched. We dive into the influences in Scanners like the thalidomide fiasco in the '60s, as well as discussing the nature of this film's exposition dumps, its acting, special effects, and a whole lot more. We are also drinking Sam Adams' Octoberfest!

Approximate timeline

0:00-12:00 Intro

Next up: back to Craven with Deadly Friend!

We're switching back to Craven for our third entry in our Halloween series, and we go back to his directorial debut with The Last House on the Left. Notorious for its content, banned in some areas and lumped in with the rest of the video nasties of the time and rape revenge films, Craven's movie is a lot tamer for contemporary viewers than some might expect. It still shocks, but maybe not as grungy as it's been known to be. Here, we talk about the rape revenge genre, the start of Craven's career, the themes at play in the film, and its extremely low-budget grindhouse aesthetic. Also, we're drinking Jack's Abby's Copper Legend Octoberfest!

Approximate timeline

0:00-20:00 Intro

Next up, Cronenberg's Scanners!

Since we did Craven last week, we're doing some Cronenberg this week with his 1977 film Rabid. Much like Shivers, Cronenberg works in body horror in the scope of sexual enlightenment and, here, virus transmission, and we take a look at what that means for the film. We question the connection between the rabies-like virus and the phallic appendage of patient zero, put on some Canadian accents, talk about the pacing, and a whole lot more. Also, we're drinking Tree House Brewing's Whisper Oktoberfest!

Approximate timeline

0:00-12:00 Intro

Next on Craven Some Cronenberg: The Last House on the Left!

We begin our Halloween season and the first episode of Craven Some Cronenberg with a look at Wes Craven's classic slasher film A Nightmare on Elm Street. Of course, much has been said about this stalwart of the subgenre, but we attempt to do our best taking a look at the elements at play that define this film and how it stands out from the rest of its peers. We talk about John Saxon, stunt doubles, creative kills, Johnny Depp's attire, and a whole lot more! Also, we're drinking Ommegang's 25th Anniversary imperial amber ale!

Approximate timeline

0:00-17:00 Intro

Next in Craven Some Cronenberg: Rabid!

If you know us, then you know we love a good Chuck Norris flick. Unfortunately, Missing in Action is not one of them. In fact, it's a strangely boring action movie that has potential for an interesting storyline about the lingering effects of war, in this case the Vietnam one. But its suspense is lacking, the setpieces are poor, and even Norris' one-liners are absent. However, we still find a lot to talk about, from the ridiculous setup to the presence of M. Emmett Walsh. We're also drinking Great Lakes Brewing's Ruby's Revenge imperial ruby red grapefruit IPA.

Approximate timeline

0:00-12:00 Intro

Next up, we start our Halloween season with the Craven/Cronenberg double-feature!

We've got some red hot action for you where a certain Alex Murphy gets shredded and rebuilt as the formidable RoboCop! Yes, we're talking about Paul Verhoeven's ultraviolent '80s action film about a cyborg who spearheads Detroit's privatized police force to take out crime in the city. We talk about the action and violence, the satire, the theme of memory in many of Verhoeven's films, and a lot more. We're also drinking Industrial Arts Brewing's Week 312 Cold IPA!

Approximate timeline

0:00-13:00 Intro

Next week: we finish Red Hot '80s Action Summer with Missing in Action!

Note: we had audio issues with Ryne's microphone in the first half hour of this episode; the rest of the episode picks up with better audio. We're sorry for these technical issues but hope you can still enjoy.

We're back with another foray into red hot '80s action, this time with the Patrick Swayze vehicle Road House, which has just about everything you could want from a film like this. We detail it all for you, including all of the mullets, explosions, bare breasts, and more! Also, we're drinking El Segundo's Steve Austin's Broken Skull IPA!

Approximate timeline

0:00-13:00 Intro

Next up: RoboCop

It's a hot one out there, so what is there to do but get entirely too sweaty with a bunch of ripped dudes and take in some '80s action movies? We're starting things off for our second edition of Red Hot '80s Action Summer with Bloodsport, a young Jean-Claude Van Damme taking on a number of fighters in a fight to the death during the Kumite tournament in Hong Kong. We talk the gay undertones, the amazing synth score, the true story, and a whole lot more. We're also drinking Ommegang's Dream Patch cherry, raspberry, blueberry sour.

Approximate timeline

0:00-10:00 Intro

Next on the list: Road House

We're going back to a time of cops and smugglers with Smokey and the Bandit, a classic timepiece of Americana with Burt Reynolds as the titular bandit and... Jackie Gleason as the smokey? We have a lot of fun with the film and call out a number of great elements in this road movie, including Jerry Reed's oft-used soundtrack, the great onscreen chemistry between Reynolds and Sally Fields, and the timeless misogyny and racism from the police. Also, we're drinking the American classic, Coor's Banquet, of course.

Approximate timeline

0:00-12:00 Intro

Check back next week for the start of Red Hot '80s Action Summer II: Heat Wave Edition!