CinemaSpection

It's our annual wrap-up of the best movies of the previous year as we dive into our favorite films of 2023. Listen as we rationalize why acclaimed "perfect" films didn't make it on our lists and praise the courage of actors willing to let it rip onscreen. Our movie choices feature debauched adventures of the perverted rich, triumphant big-screen adventures of our childhood heroes (whether plastic, geriatric, or atomic), and return appearances by auteurs such as Emerald Fennell, Ari Aster, and Brandon Cronenberg. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and multiple appearances by Larry Fessenden (yay!!). Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

We're spending this Christmas with the Griswolds and enduring squirrels, explosive sewer gas, and other yuletide dangers with a discussion of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation from 1989. Listen as we examine the film's depiction of holiday nostalgia and obsession, praise the underappreciated comic genius of Beverly D'Angelo, and debate the proper amount of Cousin Eddie a film should contain. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a disturbing reimagining of King Kong.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

Bob Chipman joins us again for our latest 'woke brawl' with 007 and this time we're setting our sights on The Man With the Golden Gun from 1974. Listen as we praise the suave menace of Christopher Lee, pine for the lost Alice Cooper theme song we might have had, and encounter that most rare of circumstances: a James Bond film Agatha enjoyed!! Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and intrusive slide whistles. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

To truly appreciate this episode, you must become Caligari! We're going back to the origins of horror as we delve into the madness of Robert Wiene's 1920 thriller Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari A.K.A. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari! Listen as we discuss the disputed origins of the film's story and style, Agatha attempts to explain the nuances of the Expressionism movement that provided the film's unorthodox visual style, and Tim accuses the main character of murder. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a lot of handy strait-jackets. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

We're back and we're bringing the Thunder as we welcome Gabe Ciociola to the show on an orientation flight and we use our sophisticated surveillance technology to record a conversation on the 1983 technothriller Blue Thunder. Listen as we discuss the film's themes of police militarization and misuse of technology, gush over the movie's amazing aerial stunts and action scenes, and chart how the original spec screenplay was dramatically changed for the finished film. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a Christmas present controversy. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

In this quick First Run review, Tim takes on the newest and creepiest internet challenge to review Sweet Relief, the second film from Nick Verdi, director of Cockazoid.

Check out The Barrens Hideout Podcast, who held the screening of the film discussed in this episode and recorded a Q&A with the filmmakers: https://linktr.ee/TheBarrenshideout

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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In this special episode, Tim wraps up his coverage Salem Horror Fest 6 by discussing some of the various events, short films, and features he saw including:

• Dead End
• T Blockers
• The House Sitters
• Saint Drogo
• The Blair Witch Project
• The Hitcher
• The Weird Kidz
• Follow Her
• Guys at Parties Like It
• Bliss of Evil
• Swallowed
• Fright Night Part 2
• HeBGB TV
• Maya
• Pou
• The Forest Hills

Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com

Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing

In this special episode, Salem Horror Fest is back! Listen as Tim discusses some of the various events, short films, and features presented at SHF 6 including:

• Candyman
• Witch Hunt
• Satan Wants You
• Demon Box
• Wolves
• John Carpenter's The Fog
• The Blood on Satan's Claw
• No More Time
• The Ones You Didn't Burn
• Pendulum
• Stag
• Bury the Bride
• Demons

Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com

Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

As part of his research for our recent episode on Alfred Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes, guest Noel Thingvall did a deep dive into the cinematic career of actors Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford, who steal the movie as the very British comic relief characters Charters and Caldicott. While this particular tangent went a bit too long to be included in the episode, we've decided to present it complete here. Listen as Noel discusses their onscreen partnership through the 30s and 40s where they reprised their roles, and played variations on them, in a series of films. It may not be cricket, but it's a fascinating journey.

All aboard as Noel Thingvall returns to the show for a train ride into international intrigue courtesy of the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, and his comedic thriller The Lady Vanishes. Listen as we discuss the movie's wild tonal switches, the film's portrait of pre-World War II British politics, and the charm of scene-stealing supporting characters Charters and Caldicott. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and longing for Karloff / Lugosi road comedies.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.