Cinemantics

Co-host G. Warlock Vance and I discuss Nobuhiko Obayashi's House, an explosion of trippy weirdness from 1977. I explain our lengthy hiatus before Warlock analyzes the film's themes and how it fits into the J-Horror tradition. We also geek out over the technical accomplishments of the film and gleefully recount its stunningly bizarre death sequences. House is calling to you, so come back home and get married.

Co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I discuss Tron, Steven Lisberger's 1982 epic of light bikes and deadly discs. In our wide-ranging conversation we talk about the lack of real logic in the plot, the techniques that went into creating this special effects milestone, consider the Tron franchise as a whole and beatbox our way into film music history.

For the last episode of the Month of Guest, co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I take a look at Waiting For Guffman (1997), Christopher Guest's first mockumentary. Among other things, we discuss the formation of the Guest aesthetic, the sexiness of Matt Keeslar, Fred Willard's surprisingly subdued performance, the worst fake musical ever made and our desire to own Remains Of The Day lunchboxes. It's an episode they'll be taking about even on Nebali!

Co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I discuss Matthew Vaughn's Kick-Ass (2010), perhaps the most realistic superhero movie ever made. We rebuke Roger Ebert's scathing review paragraph by paragraph, marvel at dead-on American accents by British actors, express our general dislike of Diablo Cody and rejoice at Nicolas Cage's career-reviving performance. It's all here in an episode that is truly kick-ass. Or is it ass-kick?

It's a groovy time for a movie time as co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I discuss Matt Maiellaro and Dave Willis' Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters (2007). The film piles on too much weird for too long a running time, but that doesn't stop us from loving it. So get nude and feel the love for this modern cartoon classic - or we'll cut you with a linoleum knife.

Co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I throw in our buck 'o five in a discussion of Trey Parker's Team America: World Police (2004). We also cover our mutual disdain for the musical Rent, the media's treatment of 9/11, the political beliefs of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the beloved television series South Park and the film's portrayal of Alec Baldwin. It's an episode even Matt Damon would love!

Co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I take it outside to discuss Edgar Wright's Shaun Of The Dead (2004), a romantic comedy with zombies. I love it; Jeff does not and explains why. We somehow manage to keep our usual tangents to a minimum and also try out a movie game I made up, which may or may not crash and burn. It's an episode you're sure to enjoy - although, if you've got red on you, you might want to take care of that first.

In what has become a holiday tradition, Cinemantics teams up with the Original Unoriginal Podcast to bring you a discussion of Roland Emmerich's Independence Day (1996). O.U.P. host Jeffery Heatherly and I discuss the incredible box office success of the film, defend its special effects, examine the casting, mock an alternate ending, praise composer David Arnold and espouse our love of the film in general. I also manage to shock Jeff with a surprise sign-off line. Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

After a lengthy hiatus, Cinemantics returns with an ice-kicking discussion of Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin (1997). Although a critical and commercial failure, co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I actually rather like the movie. Topics of discussion include the legacy of the film, what actor suits the role of Batman best, R. Kelly's terrible soundtrack contribution and the merits of Arnold Schwarzenneger's portrayal of Mr. Freeze. Don't leave the Batcave without it!

Our month honoring the collaborations of director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell draws to a close as co-hosts Jeffery Heatherly and Ryan Houser join me in a discussion of Escape From L.A. (1996). Whereas Escape From New York was slow and serious, this is a fast-paced, campy thrill ride . . . and we love it. Topics of conversation include theories about how the script was written, ridiculous action sequences, special effects of varying quality and what would happen if Randy Newman made a cameo. Whether you're on a surf board or a hang glider, it's an episode you're bound to enjoy!