Chasing Childhood

No. Not the remake. The original. This week, Lex is joined by pod-friends Cassidy and KD from The Killer Cuties Podcast for a fun, nostalgia-filled review of the forgotten DCOM "Under Wraps (1997)." This film follows three teenagers and one very confused mummy as they face some risky adventures while trying to reunite the mummy with his love before he turns to dust forever. To be honest, we loved this film as kids, but does it still hold up today, 26 years after its premiere? Let's find out together!

**Warning: This is not a kid friendly movie. This week's episode contains strong language and we will discuss topics of violence**

Happy Halloween!! This week, Lex is joined by 2 fabulous "scream queens:" Christina and Lauren from Pickles and Vodka Podcast. We are taking a deep dive into the movie that sparked a beloved spooky season franchise with "Scream (1996)." The film follows high school student Sidney Prescott. On the anniversary of her mothers death, Sidney and her friends become targets of the costumed serial killer known as Ghostface. With the help of news reporter Gale Weathers, Sidney learns that everything is connected and must figure out the identity of the killer before they strike again. Is this beloved horror film overrated? Are the twists predictable? Most importantly, does this film deserve all of its sequels? Let's find out together!

Ok, ok... We KNOW this episode is longer than usual, but Lex just had way too much fun discussing "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" with Cat and Brittany from Fiddle and Pipe Podcast. "New Moon" is the second film of the Twilight franchise and follows Bella Swan as she struggles to cope with her age. After an incident at her birthday party, Bella and her century-old vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen break up, and Bella goes into a deep slump. She soon finds comfort by spending time with her close friend(?) Jacob Black. As things with Jacob heat up, Bella is also being hunted by the vengeful vampire Victoria, who wants to kill Bella because Edward killed her lover. Bella learns that Jacob is actually a werewolf and is faced with the decades old dilemma of #teamedward vs #teamjacob. Is this the world's greatest sequel? Do the graphics and CGI hold up today? Is the Twilight Saga completely overrated? Let's find out together!

Steph is still away *frowny face* but this week, Lex is joined by Shaleena from Everything 90s Podcast and former host of Role Call Podcast (and pod-friend), Simone. We're in the "Girl's Room" and we're ready to chat about the forgotten 1997 movie, "Tower of Terror." In this film, a journalist investigates an old mystery dating back to 1939, when 5 people vanished from the Hollywood Tower Hotel elevator on Halloween night. Does this film still hold up today, or do we wish it would vanish from our memories? Let's find out together!

**Warning: This is not a kid friendly movie. This week's episode will discuss topics of violence**

Steph is away, so it's up to Lex to keep the pod rolling! This week, Lex is joined by Jackie (aka J-Quelyn) for a fun review of the 1999 Tim Burton film, "Sleepy Hollow." The film follows Ichabod Crane as he travels to the small town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of brutal murders. However, Ichabod's worst fears come to life when he finds out the killings are at the hands of a mysterious supernatural villain: the Headless Horseman. This Oscar winning film came out 24 years ago, but does it still hold up today? Let's find out together!

Ready to say "I do" to another week with us? Spooky season means it's peak Tim Burton hours as we review another cult classic: Corpse Bride (2005). After butchering the rehearsal of his arranged marriage to Victoria, young Victor runs away into the forest to practice his vows and winds up accidentally married to a corpse bride named Emily. Through a series of kooky underworld events, he tries (and fails) to return to his living betrothed and explain the mix up to his sensitive undead wife. All the while, in his absence, sweet Victoria is being unwittingly married off to Emily's murderous ex-fiancé! In the end, this trio must learn what it means to sacrifice for another person and the true definition of forever. So was this twisted tale what we were expecting? Or is it just a little too weird for our tastes? Let’s find out together!

This week, we're continuing our spooky season episodes with a film that puts the "boo" in boogy: "Casper Meets Wendy" (1998). While on vacation with his uncles, The Ghostly Trio, Casper meets the good little witch named Wendy and the two quickly become friends. While the two characters share grievances, Casper learns that Wendy and her aunts are on the run from an evil warlock named Desmond Spellman. Upon hearing from his magic mirror that Wendy will become the most powerful witch of all time, Desmond went full Evil Queen and decided to track Wendy down in hopes of destroying her and the chances of her power surpassing his. Now, Casper and Wendy (with the help of their families) must work together to stop Desmond from fulfilling his wicked plan. Is this Halloween crossover a dream? Or is this a total nightmare? Let's find out together!

What's your ideal world look like? This week we're exploring the concept of "other" lives with the stop motion film Coraline (2009). After moving into a rickety old house with her parents who are too busy to pay attention, Coraline makes her own entertainment by following a door in the living room wall. It leads her to an alternate world where her "other mother" is super fun and lets her do everything she's ever dreamed of–– with one catch: this dream world is too good to be true and "other mother" wants her to stay forever. Coraline must use her clever mind, unlikely friendships, and stubborn disposition to escape before she winds up with buttons for eyes. So, is this movie prime for kids? Or is it just a little too spooky for regular viewing? Let’s find out together!

Feeling witchy? It's officially the start of spooky season and we're kicking it off with a 90s classic called Practical Magic (1998). Two witch sisters named Gillian and Sally Owens are raised by their aunts in a town that ostracizes them for their family's spooky history and curse: if a man falls in love with an Owens woman, he dies a very sudden death. As their lives diverge onto different paths, both women take "never falling in love" to different extremes that land them in some seriously hot water. They must learn to overcome their family's legacy, their romantic curse, and get the town on their side to defeat an evil threat that plans to destroy them all. Is this movie filled with 90s nostalgic goodness? Or do we have trouble getting past the idea of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters? Let’s find out together!

Hop in, we're headed to paradise! We're rounding out August with a DCOM that we've been eager to review since the podcast started: The Even Stevens Movie (2003). After they're whisked away on a surprise trip to an island paradise, the Stevens family quickly discover that their luck has turned sour. Angry island natives, terrible weather, and increasingly frayed nerves begin to tear the family apart until they realize the truth: they're on a reality TV show with hidden cameras! Family love wins out over corporate greed as they learn what it means to truly have each other's backs despite their differences. Was this DCOM well worth the lengthy wait? Or should we have chosen another Disney original instead? Let’s find out together!