Media Ghouls

Justin, Ian, and Nando return to a Pixar classic in this review of Finding Nemo! This fan favorite has a lot to love, but Ian still finds something to complain about that you might not have noticed in your youth. Nando explains how fatherhood has given him a new perspective on Marlin's journey. A Turtle Talk with Crush story goes awry when the truth behind the encounter is revealed.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Ian and Justin are making the most of this season by taking a look at some Christmas-related films, and this week they review one of the all-time greats, It's a Wonderful Life! Justin immediately takes offense at this movie being labeled a Christmas film, but thankfully still enjoyed it. The Ghouls round out the year by discussing the many small moments that contribute to one of Ian's favorite final acts. The obscure and presumably terrible remakes and spinoffs are also mentioned, many of which we had trouble believing actually exist.

The 2020 Christmas spirit continues to thrive in this week's bright and colorful review of the 1974 slasher, Black Christmas! Everyone is in a merry mood at the sorority house when one of the sisters mysteriously disappears. Once her father gets the police involved, it becomes clear that the prank calls the girls have been receiving may be more sinister than they could have imagined. Ian and Justin had a blast wrapping presents to this all time classic. We hope you will watch the film and listen in as we amplify the holiday cheer with our in depth review!

In the first of a trio of Christmas movie reviews, Ian and Justin take on the horror comedy classic, Gremlins! This twisted story about little monsters that terrorize a small town has a ton of history behind it with many unexpected cameos and references to classic movies. It also has an exploding head and grotesque imagery far too scary for a young Ian. Strangely enough, the film is also utterly hilarious. This dichotomy made Gremlins a unique smash hit back in the day even if some parents had to escort their crying children out of the theater. Listen in and find out if the Ghouls think this one holds up!

It's time to talk about another one of Disney's great failures this week on Media Ghouls. The incredibly expensive Treasure Planet is our topic this episode as we take a rare look at a Disney film none of us have seen! Nando tries (and fails) to not bring up Muppet Treasure Island multiple times. Justin reveals his infatuation with cat ladies. Ian attempts to figure out if setting this story IN SPACE actually adds anything. Collectively, the Ghouls discover what may be one of the absolute worst Disney characters to ever appear in one of their animated movies.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! Justin is taking this opportunity to ruin Ian's and possibly your holiday by making him watch one of the most unabashedly terrible movies ever made, Thankskilling. This "film" starring a demonic turkey hellbent on murdering college students is one of the lowest budget and egregiously bad pieces of cinema ever recorded. And Justin never stops quoting it! Strap in for a wild ride as the Ghouls try to squeeze some humor and merit out of a movie so incredibly tasteless, it makes three JonBenet Ramsey jokes in the span of an hour.

The Ghouls take a look at another anime classic this week in their review of 1995's Ghost in the Shell. Combining new technology with traditional animation, Ghost in the Shell was a daring and innovative anime when it was released. Much like the classic science fiction films that inspired it, it didn't achieve immediate financial success. However, the film speaks for itself and gives its audience a glimpse into the potential future of human existence. Ian and Justin spend more time pondering the forgotten "special interest" section in '90s and early '00s video stores than they do on the film's philosophical message. They do find time to analyze the film's gratuitous interest in human anatomy. You know what we mean.

Is there a chill running up your spine? Does something feel not quite "right" today? Maybe you feel like you're being watched? Well that's appropriate because it's Friday the 13th once again and that means a new Friday the 13th movie review from your favorite Ghouls! This time Ian and Justin take a look at Friday the 13th: A New Beginning, an '80s version of a soft reboot. While still a sequel, Friday 5 tries to make some interesting choices with its story and lore but ends up being more of the same nevertheless. At least this one has enchiladas!

It's Disney week on this episode of Media Ghouls and we are back with one of the best of it's era, Lilo and Stitch! With a more heartfelt story, brilliant character design, and a whole lot of Elvis, there's a lot to love about Lilo and Stitch. It isn't a perfect film though and Ian wastes no time voicing his opinion on the film's final act. Emelynn gives a hula lesson and explains the movie's approach to the traditional dance. Justin lets loose with his love for the infamous Disney World attraction that Stitch famously replaced.

Happy Halloween! It is with great sadness that this episode marks the end of the 2020 Media Ghouls Halloween Spooktacular. Fittingly, our exploration of the Decades of Horror is cut off by the 2004 film, Saw. Having spawned countless imitators and an overwhelming number of sequels, the original Saw remains a modest horror film made by first time director James Wan and his writing partner Leigh Whannell. Justin and Ian explore what made this concept so unique at the time as well as the individual pieces that obscure one of the greatest plot twists in horror history!