Interzone Asylum Podcast

Jake is joined by a new guest, Jelena Queissner, to discuss two significant works of two American film auteurs of the New Queer Cinema, Gus Van Sant's "My Own Private Idaho" and Gregg Araki's "Mysterious Skin". Both deal with LGBT sexuality, and take very daring, unconventional approaches to their subject matter, however different. Content warning, as these films deal with sensitive topics such as sexuality, poverty, abuse and trauma. Also, spoliers ahead.

For Halloween, Jake and Breton tackle two films, one of which could be argued as horror and not the other not at all. Both are works in debt to history, philosophy and art of the past. They are made by distinguished American independents. And they feature vampires. The films are Abel Ferrara's The Addiction (1995) and Jim Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left Alive (2013). Commonalities exist between them (vampires as observers of history/philosophy), but there are differences in theme, intent and overall quality. Have a listen for our thoughts.

For the October season, Jake is joined by Breton Campbell, of Phone Calls from Dad and Winkie's Diner, to discuss Rob Zombie's dual take on the Halloween franchise. Whatever we say about them, we cannot claim they gave us nothing to speak of. Slight spoiler, one is better than the other, which could arguably fit this into the Winkie's catalog, as well.

Warning, spoilers for both films, discussions of vulgarity and violence, and a music sting at around 0:58.

The first season of the now 14-year-old Dexter TV series is discussed by Jake & Phil.  Does the show hold up under scrutiny? Its premise is illogical, but can it work within a ludicrous pulpy framework? Does the show truly have vision and coherent perspective? Listen for our thoughts. Obvious content and spoiler warning, discussion of serial killer activities, albeit ones framed as just and not connected to reality. Discussion of the second season may or may not come shortly soon.

Episodes tackled in the second part are the post golden-era episodes:

This belated episode, we tackle 14 episodes of the Simpsons, pitting the best episode from each season of the show's 7-year golden period of seasons 2-8, and an individual episode from 7 later seasons and see how the Simpsons has aged and if at best, still holds a candle to the classics.

(Originally aired May 30 2020). First episode, in which we make a statement by tackling the two most Lynchian features of the eponymous director's early features. Spoilers, of course, in addition to descriptions of macabre violence, sexuality and plain surreal sequitors.