Check the Gate

By Martin Vavra

Hosts Martin and Gretchen talk movies. Each episode we choose one movie to start the conversation. From there, all movies, genres and topics could come up. It's about the love of films and the love of... more

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FAQs about Check the Gate:

How many episodes does Check the Gate have?

The podcast currently has 17 episodes available.

Check the Gate episodes:

May 31, 2025 Check the Gate - Eastwood vs Eastwood
We're back and, holy ghosts from hell on an appoluosa, did we have a run and gun fun one. Gretchen and I watch two films. 1973's Clint Eastwood directorial film in High Plains Drifter and pitted it against the 1985 Nameless Preacher film, Pale Rider. It's Eastwood vs Eastwood in this western mash up podcast episode. Make sure you check out this episode and more.

Martin and Gretchen talk movies and more at Check the Gate. https://martinvavra.me
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1h 9min
May 15, 2025 Check the Gate - Promising Young Woman
TRIGGER WARNING This episode discusses topics about sexual assault. We discuss this matter with care but know that some people can have issues with it being talked about. If you or someone else is the victim of sexual assault of any kind, contact the National Sexual Assault hotline 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673. If you are feeling alone and having thoughts of hurting yourself, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24/7 at 988.

Hey everyone. Martin and Gretchen are back with a heavy subject matter film, Promising Young Woman. A fantastic film that deals with revenge culture after a sexual assault leads to a person committing suicide. It's heavy topics navigated by the amazing Carry Muligan, written and directed by Emerald Fennell.
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1h 7min
May 02, 2025 Check the Gate - The Company of Wolves
Gretchen and I watch an amazing practical effects film with a great cast, excellent performances and lots of wolfy sexuality. The coming of age, story-in-a-story-in-a-story film, Company of the Wolves. Neil Jordan at his finest. This movie is an astounding achievement at every level, especially on the budget he was given.

Martin and Gretchen talk movies and more at Check the Gate. https://martinvavra.me
...more
1h 7min
May 02, 2025 Check the Gate - Altered States
Gretchen and Martin take on the 1980s with Ken Russell's existential space baby operate, Altered States. Watch William Hurt become an Australopithecus. See Bob Baliban before he ran the kennel club for best in show. Psylocibin. Shaman. Reverse evolution. Touching the face of god. Ken Russell packed it all in there. It's a trip of a film and we loved it.

Martin and Gretchen talk movies and more at Check the Gate. https://martinvavra.me
...more
1h 24min
May 02, 2025 Check the Gate - The Boxer's Omen
It's time for the craziest film ever made to get the spotlight with Martin and Gretchen. The Boxer's Omen is the Shaw Studios crossroads of Kung fu revenge, black magic, sorcery and homunculus creating wrapped up in the real guts and gore (no really, the guts and the gore are real viscera) of outlandish fimmaking. It's an insane ride and truly the craziest film either of us have ever seen. It's not for the light of heart.*

*VIEWER WARNING*There are live animals killed in this film. Do not watch this film if that can easily upset you.

Martin and Gretchen talk movies and more at Check the Gate. https://martinvavra.me
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1h 1min
May 02, 2025 Check the Gate - Danger Dialbolik
We go to the heart of Italian cinema for this gem. Gretchen and I watch the film Danger: Diabolik. The film that I argue is the influence for so many other films and defines how we see some genres today. Amazing effects. Sexy people. Crazy escapes. This cat burglar caper is like nothing else, and we are so excited to talk about it.

Martin and Gretchen talk movies and more at Check the Gate. https://martinvavra.me
...more
1h 8min
May 02, 2025 Check the Gate - Dinner in America
It's episode two. Martin and Gretchen talk about the film Dinner in America. One of the best films made in the last few years and an absolute joy to watch. I (Martin) describe it as the sweetest kick in the nuts. Go watch this film or buy it to own for yourself and have in your library.

Martin and Gretchen talk Dinner in America. https://martinvavra.me
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59min
May 02, 2025 Check the Gate - Godzilla Minus One
In our first episode, Martin and Gretchen start with the movie Godzilla: Minus One. For a decade, Gretchen and I were on the Kaijucast, a podcast dedicated to Godzilla and his rubber-suited foes. In all those years of watching Godzilla films, this is the one that I always wanted to see. Gretchen and I talk about this movie and and a few other Godzilla films.

Martin and Gretchen talk movies and more at Check the Gate. https://martinvavra.me
...more
1h 22min
May 01, 2025 Check the Gate - Company of the Wolves
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Gretchen and I watch an amazing practical effects film with a great cast, excellent performances and lots of wolfy sexuality. The coming of age, story-in-a-story-in-a-story film, Company of the Wolves. Neil Jordan at his finest. This movie is an astounding achievement at every level, especially on the budget he was given.
Martin and Gretchen talk movies and more at Check the Gate. https://martinvavra.me
...more
1h 7min
April 15, 2025 Check the Gate - Altered States
Send us a text
Gretchen and Martin take on the 1980s with Ken Russell's existential space baby operate, Altered States. Watch William Hurt become an Australopithecus. See Bob Baliban before he ran the kennel club for best in show. Psylocibin. Shaman. Reverse evolution. Touching the face of god. Ken Russell packed it all in there. It's a trip of a film and we loved it.
Martin and Gretchen talk movies and more at Check the Gate. https://martinvavra.me
...more
1h 24min

FAQs about Check the Gate:

How many episodes does Check the Gate have?

The podcast currently has 17 episodes available.