Cheer and Loathing

Our theme this month is Summer Reheat, and we're talking about remakes, reboots, rehashes, and reimaginings; sequels that take place within a well-established universe. This week, we're looking at two films that attempt to revive extremely popular and long-running franchises. First up is the latest in the Saw franchise, the polarizing "Spiral," followed by the virtually unknown and seriously unloved "Hellraiser: Judgment". These films are 9 and 10 respectively in their franchise. Both attempt to shake things up by introducing more of a police procedural, mystery element. But does it work? At this point, are we just beating a dead horse...or, rather, frying a dead pig? Push play and let's find out!

Lay down the Pentagram rug and remove thy shift. It's time to get witchy with two of Stephanie's favorite modern horror films about witchcraft and feminism: The Love Witch and The Witch. Does the Patriarch (ie, Casey) enjoy the deliciousness? We'll let you venture a guess. But, spoiler alert, there may be as many hexes in this episode as in the films we discuss. Buckle up, sinners, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

You haven't seen "Trauma"?! This week, we discuss what happens when childhood trauma takes two women from socially awkward to sociopathic. First up is a B-movie Blumhouse production inexplicably featuring an Oscar-winning actress, followed by a smart, cult indie darling featuring a Fangoria Chainsaw-winning actress. It doesn't make any sense, but we're here for it! Join us in our basement as we party down with "Ma" and "May" (or, as Casey calls it, MayMa), and see if we can get drunk enough to ignore all the warning signs.

Mötley Crüe said it best (when was the last time that sentence was uttered, if ever?)...what we need is girls, girls, girls. We need "Final Girls" and "Tragedy Girls". We need girls in peril and girls doing very bad things. We need serial killers, quick-witted teens, killer 80s tunes, satire, and social commentary. We need the horrors of "Camp Bloodbath" and the even greater horrors of high school. Join us as we ask important questions, like, "What's scarier, masked machete-wielding killers or fame-obsessed teen girls?"

On Friday, May 8th, 80's icon and video vixen Tawny Kitaen passed away at her home on Newport Beach at the age of 59. Tawny starred in one of Stephanie's favorite 80's horror films, Witchboard. And Casey was kind enough to indulge her in a special bonus episode of CHEER AND LOATHING to celebrate this cult classic and to honor the memory of a redheaded rock 'n roll horror goddess. We talk about the legacy of TTFN, debate the "real" pronunciation of Ouija (We-gee? We-juh? Ja Ja Ding Dong?), and consider the merits of gratuitous nudity. So move the planchette to HELL YES and join us for some wicked fun.

It's a new month on Cheer and Loathing — and that means a new theme! But first, we couldn't neglect the opportunity to celebrate moms with a little maternal mayhem. First, Rebecca de Mornay takes another turn rocking the cradle of insanity in Darren Lynn Bousman's Mother's Day (2010). She proves that mother may always be right, but she's not always right in the head. Then we take a trip down the mother of all rabbit holes with the heavily allegorical mother! (2017) from Darren Aronofsky. What's it all mean? Join us as we try to make sense of it all. But like childbirth itself, this one's gonna get messy!

It's the final week of "What a Twist!" month on Cheer and Loathing. Join our cult as we dare to let Ari Aster f*ck with our heads yet again, discuss the merits of booty slaps and phallic symbols, get a little philosophical around the maypole, and discuss if sanity is really all it's cracked up to be. We didn't start the fire...but we're definitely gonna burn in hell. Join us!

It's "What a Twist!" month on Cheer and Loathing. This week, we're delivering arthouse horror, supernatural scares, and iconic leading lady performances with The Others, starring Nicole Kidman, and Hereditary, starring the incomparable Toni Collette. Stephanie hails the Oscar-worthy performances and emotional depth, while Casey remains unphased by the hype and revisits one of his favorite catchphrases: "Meh." Let's all try to keep our heads about us as we buckle in for one hell of a ride!

It's a new month and a new theme on Cheer and Loathing. In honor of April Fool's Day, we're featuring movies with shocking twist endings. This week, we're taking a fashion-forward trip to the 80s to explore a couple of cult classic slasher (sort of) films. First up is the film that boasts what, to this day, remains one of the most talked-about twists in horror history. It's all about Angela, Angela, Angela on Sleepaway Camp. Then we get in the spirit of tomfoolery by debating a film whose marketing campaign and surprise ending hoodwinked a lot of horror films. Of course, it's April Fool's Day. Get ready for the ultimate drinking game...and the ultimate weekend getaway. It's a can't miss episode!