First things first: spoilers everywhere! I expected to love the new "Halloween," but I think I loved my idea of what it should be. This week, I'm not quite queening out so much as royally reading the new official sequel to the 1978 classic, and exploring the concept of the Final Woman, which I saw much more of in 1998's "Halloween: H20."

I also fangirl out on my new favorite podcast, Gaylords of Darkness. Their Halloween recap (Episode 6 - Two Crabs in the Mud) is SO much truth, and also so much fun.

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Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @colindrucker

YouTube: www.youtube.com/colindrucker

It's weird to think of a movie called The Texas Chainsaw Massacre being considered a classic piece of American cinema. The title prepares you for a sleazy bloodbath, but what it delivers is stunning cinematography, a nauseatingly effective score, nuanced relationships and character traits (I sort of love Franklin...), an emotionally complex villain and some very dark commentary on consumerism in America. Most importantly of all, it features an incredibly powerful performance by Marilyn Burns as my absolute favorite final girl, Sally.

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Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @colindrucker

YouTube: www.youtube.com/colindrucker

When a Stranger Calls (1979) is infamous for the concept of "The call is coming from inside the house," which has become both a punchline and a meaningful metaphor today. The trope was also popularly used in the 1974 cult slasher Black Christmas. This week, I'm queening out on both movies, and especially Carol Kane's quirks, Olivia Hussey's raw terror, expert uses of music and editing to create a moment, and why nothing good comes from going upstairs....

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Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @colindrucker

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/colindrucker

Not everyone can survive a horror movie--and some final girls don't get enough credit for what they did to survive. This week, I'm navigating the nuances of four surprising slasher heroines from the 1980's and what makes each of them special. But first, we need to talk about Cloris Leachman's tense made-for-TV desert detour, "Dying Room Only."

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Twitter: @colindrucker

The title "Let's Scare Jessica to Death" tells you almost nothing about the 1971 hippie vampire cult classic except that someone named Jessica is being frightened repeatedly. But all you really need to know is that the titular role is played by a captivating Zohra Lampert, who gives a gripping and wildly nuanced performance both as the mentally unstable Jessica and as, I assume, herself in a handful of zany Goya commercials from the 80's.

Get in touch with me!

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @colindrucker

YouTube: bit.ly/2O6uQbu

YouTube is like an outlet mall of nuance, and today we're doing a little bargain hunting! We're queening out on an obscure 1971 Italian thriller's soundtrack and a treasure trove of other vinyl rips before moving on to my new favorite thing to fall asleep to these days, the 1993 infomercial for Microcrisp. Plus: one of my favorite acting choices from the 80's and a moment of appreciation for Brenda Vaccaro.

- Allan Miller (vinyl rips): https://bit.ly/2xBXdEV

- The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh: https://youtu.be/DMhhfJY3dzA

- Microcrisp: https://youtu.be/7brZwjGx9z4

- Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night 2 moment: https://youtu.be/lOjJ8TNQgBo

- Brenda Vaccaro Screams: https://youtu.be/K7y3wRksFkk

Get in touch with me!

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @colindrucker

YouTube: https://bit.ly/2O6uQbu

Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett acting their hearts out in the same movie? This called for back-up. Nick Kochanov (Squirrel Friends Cocktail Hour & The No Good Very Bad Gay Podcast) joins me this week to queen out on 2006's "Notes on a Scandal." We talk about the fine nuances of Judi Dench, the roaring power of Cate Blanchett, our favorite acting choices, the lines we lived for and, of course, the pitch-perfect score by Philip Glass.

Follow Nick on Twitter/Instagram:

Nick: @NickKochanov

The No Good Very Bad Gay Podcast: @badgaypod

Squirrel Friends Cocktail Hour: @SFCHpodcast

Get in touch with me!

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @colindrucker

We've explored many ways to answer the question, "Who is Valerie Cherish?" and this week, in the Part 3 of Cherishing Valerie, we're talking about the side of Valerie that comes out under pressure, who she is at home with Mark, Paulie G's effect on her, when we see her inner child emerge, and finally, why so many people love Valerie--especially gay men.

Music:

"Valerie"

by

Steve Winwood

Amy Winehouse

The Weeknd

Joy

Get in touch!

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @colindrucker

The only way to really get to know Valerie Cherish is through the people in her life--who she is with them and who they let her be. In Part 2 of "Cherishing Valerie," we're going to meet three key co-stars of her comeback: Juna, Mickey and Jane. They each bring out a different side of Valerie and each give her something important.

Music this week:

"Valerie"

by

Steve Winwood

Athol McGregor

(Plus some royalty-free mood music cause I think I'm breaking all kinds of copyright laws with this podcast.)

Get in touch!

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @colindrucker

In many ways, "The Comeback" feels like a documentary about fame, how addictive it is, and the lengths fading sitcom actress Valerie Cherish will go to get it back--to be relevant again. To be heard.

In Part One of a 3-part series, I explore the world of television Valerie came from, including some kooky parallels with another canceled workplace comedy of the early 90's, what might have happened after "I'm It" went off the air, and the addictive reward system built into reality television and reflected in the first episode of "The Comeback."

Music:

"Valerie"

Original songs and covers by:

Steve Winwood

Athol McGregor

RaRa Riot

The Brothers Comatose

Jerry Garcia

&

Amy Winehouse

Get in touch!

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @colindrucker