Media Ghouls

Once again, it's time for the annual MEDIA GHOULS AWARDS SHOW! Listen in as Ian and Justin discuss their favorite (and not so favorite) movies, video games, and tv shows from the year that was 2019. Justin becomes an official CATS fan and Ian goes to war with Burger King.

The Media Ghouls monthly horror reviews begin here with 2002's Ju-on: The Grudge! Justin and Ian have next to no interest in seeing the current American Grudge reboot, but this Japanese film was the major inspiration for every remake and sequel that followed! With an emphasis on in-camera scares, Takashi Shimizu crafts a modern horror classic that plays with time and perspective to keep audiences off guard. Also, the Cats movie is spreading like a disease.

Happy New Year to all you little Ghoulies out there! The Media Ghouls are starting 2020 with our first Disney review of the year, Mulan! The story of a young woman who takes her father's place to fight the Huns is still relevant and impactful today, but is it a great Disney movie? Take a listen as Emelynn instructs us on the skills of the great Lea Salonga, Ian and Nando fight over whether Shan Yu is a good villain, and Justin loses to mispronunciation yet again. It looks like 2020 will be another great year!

At long last, the Star Wars saga is complete...again. Join Ian, Justin, and Phil on this week's Media Ghouls as they review what is, for now, the final film in the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker. Most importantly, do not listen to this episode if you have not seen the movie. The Ghouls spoil everything in this review and Ian makes it a point to painstakingly point out every plot contrivance and betrayal this film enacts in the name of fan service. As you can tell from the runtime, there is quite a lot to discuss. Also, there are some minor spoilers for the Mandalorian if you're one of the few who haven't basked in the glory of Baby Yoda.

Happy Holidays everyone! We hope you're enjoying this special time of year with your loved ones, but now is the time to plug in your headphones and tune out to some Media Ghouls hilariousness. This year's Media Ghouls Christmas Special is a fun-filled episode with some Christmas themed games brought to us by Justin the Game Master. Join us for some insane Amazon Christmas product reviews, some Santa movie trivia, and other assorted Christmas stories, most of which are more funny than they are heartwarming. Justin, Ian, Emelynn, Heather, Phil and the rest of the Media Ghouls wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!

The Media Ghouls take their final look at Disney in 2019 in this week's review of Hercules! This is one Disney movie that the entire cast of Ghouls can agree is unique and fun, but Ian and Nando go to war over one of its most iconic songs. With a sarcastic female lead and an unforgettable villain, there's a lot to love with this quirky take on Greek mythology, but there are also some choices that don't completely work. Join the Ghouls as they look at Herc's journey from zero to hero and let us know how you feel about this animated classic!

Jason returns this week in our review of Friday the 13th Part III! Ian finds little to love in this sequel as the series continues to be derivative of every successful contemporary horror film, but even he has to admit the funnier tone this time is an improvement. Justin can't really defend the plot or filmmaking but the Ghouls agree on some hilarious moments and effects. This turns into a conversation on the tropes of slasher films and the pros and cons of the genre as a whole. The ballad of Blanca Garcia is revealed.

Disney gets dark in this week's review of The Hunchback of Notre Dame! With stunning music, a wretched human villain, and incredible visuals, Hunchback might have been too much for kids in 1996. Most of the Media Ghouls were kids at the time and they're here to share their personal journeys with the film, and how it might have taken a little maturity to fully appreciate it. The film's themes of religion, genocide, and human rights make this one worthy of discussion...at least until somebody brings up the gargoyles.

It's been six years since Disney's Frozen became an international phenomenon. At long last, Frozen 2 has been released...and Disney nerds have a new reason to argue. Join the Ghouls as they take a look at the newest Walt Disney Animated Studios feature. With middling songs, a bizarre plot, and incredible animation, it's no surprise that Ian and Justin were lukewarm, but their opinions seem to matter very little when they accept that they aren't the target demographic. Does that make their opinions hold less water? Take a listen and join in on the discussion!

Disney has been at the head of its share of controversies over the course of the company's long history. Few are as storied and well documented as the production and release of 1995's Pocahontas. While many of us may remember this as another of Disney's animated classics from the Renaissance era, it is time for a reassessment. In what has been one of the most anticipated episodes to date, the Media Ghouls present their retrospective on Pocahontas for this very special Thanksgiving season. Historical accuracy and the sad, true story of Pocahontas is discussed in much detail. Give Thanks.