Optimism Vaccine

THIS WEEK: Dances With Wolves (1990), Open Range (2003), Horizon: An American Story - Chapter 1 (2024)

We're joined by Aaron from Hit Factory to discuss the standard bearer for the modern American western, Kevin Costner, and why sometimes you need to lose your wife of 18 years so you can make a four-part epic about the 19th-century American frontier.

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THIS WEEK: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998), I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)

In the late 90s, Kevin Williamson was the hottest name in horror after penning Scream for Wes Craven. Just a year later, he capitalized on his newfound fame with a script about small town teens getting their comeuppance after (maybe) committing a lil bit of manslaughter and covering it up. The resulting film is a fun giallo-inspired teen slasher featuring some of the era's biggest up-and-coming stars, including Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr, and Ryan Phillipe (oh and one of the Big Bang Theory guys).

But what about the sequel with a Rastafarian Jack Black or the direct-to-video third film starring literally no one?

OPTIMISM VACCINE INVESTIGATES.

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THIS WEEK: Golgo 13: The Professional (1983), Ninja Scroll (1993), Perfect Blue (1997) and Kite (1998)

Steve and Jack are both out this week so there's never been a better time to subject Adam "Hentai Hater" Miros to some of the best anime produced in 80s and 90s. And also Kite.

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THIS WEEK: Wishmaster (1997), Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies (1999), Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell (2001) and Wishmaster 4: The Prophecy Fulfilled

In the horror desert of the late 90s, a group of practical effects legends and genre has-beens came together to crown Andrew Divoff as heir to the horror icons of yesteryear. We all wish that this had heralded in a new golden age of Karo syrup, squibs and latex, but if this franchise has taught us anything... wishing is for fools and suckers.

So pick yourselves up by your bootstraps, and do the work necessary for a better world.

And as always, Fear the Djinn.

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THIS WEEK: Death Race 2000 (1975), Rollerball (1975), The Running Man (1987)

Recently, President Joe Biden tried to salvage his legacy after a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump by going on national television and reassuring the American people he was fit to be the commander-in-chief. Unfortunately, he committed the ultimate gaff and revealed that in America, things aren't settled by voting -- We handle it all at THE BATTLE BOX.

What do we really know about the ongoing American tradition of trial by combat at The Battle Box? We look to the world of film for clues. Will Hollywood reveal the answers?

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THIS WEEK: Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)

The biggest surprise of 2024 might be that there's one person John Landis can't kill despite his best efforts: Axel Foley. Join us as we dig into the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, crown Eddie Murphy the king of on-screen improv, unpack what makes part three so bad, and figure out if Eddie has still got it 30 years later.

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THIS WEEK: If Footmen Tire You What Will Horses Do? (1971), The Burning Hell (1974), The Believer's Heaven (1977)

Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Ron Ormond and his family made a name for themselves peddling trashy drive-in flicks across the country. After a near-fatal plane crash, the Ormonds gave up their wicked ways and dedicated their lives to God. So how does an exploitation filmmaker convert from sinner to saint? Well, in the case of Ron Ormond, that meant partnering with the Reverend Estus Pirkle and creating a trio of fire, brimstone, and child decapitation movies the likes of which the world had never seen or will see produced again.

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THIS WEEK: Captain America (1979) and Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979)

Can you believe we were blessed with not one but TWO made for tv Captain America movies in 1979?

Nothing says FREEDOM on the 4th of July like watching Reb Brown in red, white and blue spandex popping a sick wheelie on his lil motorcycle.

Celebrate America’s birthday like a true PATRIOT and salute the only Marvel movies that matter with us

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THIS WEEK: Dreamaniac (1986), Batas Impian Ranjang Setan AKA Satan's Bed (1986), Night Killer (1990), and Mahakaal AKA The Monster (1994)

Knockoff month has been a dream, but sometimes you eat a supreme pizza just before bed -- and the dream curdles into nightmare. A nightmare not unlike what transpires when Wes Craven's masterpiece is entrusted to schlock-peddlers around the globe -- and David DeCoteau.

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THIS WEEK: Slash (1984), The Intruder AKA Pembalasan Rambu (1985), Strike Commando (1987)

Knockoff month marches on with a visit to Indonesia and the Philippines where we trade in Stallone’s Rambo for a Rambu, a Ransom, and a guy named Slash with a DIY rocket launcher. One of these movies was filmed in the exact same location as Apocalypse Now, but is it as good? Tune in to find out.

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