Logan and Andy return to the realm of cinematic paranoia. Conspiracies, tension, and espionage abound in JOHN FRANKENHEIMER’S PARANOIA TRILOGY! With help from Frankenheimer fan and Odd Trilogies alum Matt Hurt (The Obsessive Viewer), the boys look at iconic director John Frankenheimer’s triadic analysis of the paranoia and social anxieties of his day. From hypnotism to military coups to literal face-swapping, they discuss 1962’s The Manchurian Candidate, 1964’s Seven Days in May, and 1966’s Seconds. What types of paranoia is Frankenheimer most interested in exploring here? How does his take on the theme feel in comparison to Pakula’s paranoia trilogy in the next decade? Also, what’s so scary about May? Find out on this suspicious new episode of ODD TRILOGIES!

Intro music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3736-fanfare-for-space

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Love is in the air! Who do we have to thank? Why Garry Marshall of course! Returning guest (and lover of cheesy ensemble rom-coms) Jake Atwood helps Logan and Andy get into the holiday spirit as they cover 2010's Valentine's Day, 2011's New Year's Eve, and 2016's Mother's Day. It's GARRY MARSHALL'S HOLIDAY TRILOGY! What do the late director's final three films have to offer? How does each film capture the essence of its respective holiday? What did Mother's Day (the film) do to Logan? Find out on this lovely new episode of ODD TRILOGIES!

Intro music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3736-fanfare-for-space

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Did you see that? Oh, it's not a full moon. It's just the first FREAKQUEL of the year! Logan and Andy howl at the moon as they talk about Wolf Man, the latest reimagining of the classic Universal monster. How does the film compare to its predecessors? Does Leigh Whannell strike twice after The Invisible Man remake? Does Christopher Abbott really have that dog in him? Find out on this howling new episode of ODD TRILOGIES!

Intro music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3736-fanfare-for-space

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What happens when a movie studio decides to make superhero origin stories...without the iconic superhero? You get SONY'S (Spider-Man-less) SPIDER-MAN UNIVERSE! After the success of Venom, Sony decides to scrape the bottom of their Marvel barrel to dish out three of the oddest origin stories of the last few years: 2022's Morbius as well as 2024's Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter. Which film is the worst? How do the films tie into Venom and its approach to no Spider-Man? Also, how does that man know Madame Web's mom again? Find out on this web-tastic new episode of ODD TRILOGIES!

Intro music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3736-fanfare-for-space

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

After a year with delightful guest stars, truly odd trilogies, and the launch of their brand new website, Logan and Andy start off 2025 by talking about their favorite films of 2024. It's time for that END OF THE YEAR SPECIAL! What are their favorite films of 2024? Will they have overlapping choices again? Also, what were their LEAST FAVORITE films of last year? Find out on the first ODD TRILOGIES episode of 2025!

Intro music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3736-fanfare-for-space

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In honor of his highly anticipated Nosferatu remake, Logan & Andy finish off the year by talking about a director with an incredible rise: Robert Eggers. From witches in seventeenth-century America to mythological Viking epics, the boys discuss Eggers sensibilities as a filmmaker, how he's grown, and how he continues to capture the public interest. We're looking at 2016's The Witch, 2019's The Lighthouse, and 2022's The Northman. How does Eggers approach horror and atmosphere in each film? What does his version of an action epic look like? And what's Black Phillip up to?!?! Find out on this bewitching new episode of ODD TRILOGIES!

Intro music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3736-fanfare-for-space

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This holiday season, Logan and Andy spend Christmas with...Harold and Kumar?!?! The duo use the holiday season to grab a bite with the stoner icons. It's THE HAROLD & KUMAR TRILOGY! With sliders in hand, the boys tackle 2004's Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, 2008's Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, and 2011's A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (or A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas if you unfortunately saw it in theaters). How does the original fare twenty years later? Where do the duo's antics take them in the sequels? Why does it end on Christmas? And how does Neil Patrick Harris fit into this trilogy?!?! Find out on this blazingly festive episode of ODD TRILOGIES!

Intro music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3736-fanfare-for-space

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What happens when you take a Spider-Man villain and give him his own series without Spider-Man in it? You get a...billion dollar franchise?!?! Logan and Andy are thankful to have Venom historian Evan Dossey (of Midwest Film Journal) to talk about a truly odd trilogy: THE VENOM TRILOGY. While dodging explosions, maximum carnage, and an evil Riz Ahmed, the boys won't know what hit them as they tackle 2018's Venom, 2021's Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and 2024's Venom: The Last Dance. What's the appeal of the trilogy? How does each sequel attempt to up the stakes? Is Mrs. Chen the key to all of this? Or is it Dan? Find out on this venomous new episode of ODD TRILOGIES!

Intro music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3736-fanfare-for-space

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What happens when one of the most influential filmmakers of all time adapts the works of the greatest playwright in human history? You get KUROSAWA'S SHAKESPEARE TRILOGY! Logan and Andy brush up on their Japanese and summon what remains of their high school Shakespeare knowledge in order to talk about Akira Kurosawa's three adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays. With help from local Kurosawa aficionado Matt Hurt (of The Obsessive Viewer), the boys tackle 1957's Throne of Blood, 1960's The Bad Sleep Well, and 1985's Ran. How does Kurosawa adapt Shakespeare's work into Japanese settings across three different decades? Does one stand out as the strongest or truest adaptation of the play? Wait, where did Toshiro Mifune go?! Find out in this epic (and possibly our longest) new episode of ODD TRILOGIES!

Intro music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3736-fanfare-for-space

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On Thursday afternoon, Nov. 14, IFJA members were invited to a preview tour of the new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema location opening up in Indianapolis on Nov. 18. Ron Howard's 2013 film Rush was also screened to highlight the location's heavily racing-themed decor, which honors Indy's motorsports history. In this inaugural episode of Odd Thoughts, Andy discusses his feelings about the new theater and its distinct offerings.