Optimism Vaccine

THIS WEEK: Creature (1985), Creepozoids (1987), Shocking Dark AKA Terminator II (1987)

Knockoff Month has jumped from fake Terminators to a scene-for-scene ripoff of Aliens (1986) inexplicably marketed as a Terminator sequel in Italy. Speaking of beloved knockoff auteurs, David DeCoteau once again makes his mark on the pod with the only Alien ripoff where Linnea Quigley takes a lengthy shower during an apocalyptic drought. Finally, we cover William Malone's Creature (1985) because we figured at least one of these Alien knockoffs should be set in space and feature Klaus Kinski eating a sandwich.

Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid

Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

THIS WEEK: Assassin (1986), Lady Terminator (1989), Solo (1996)

WELCOME TO KNOCKOFF MONTH

Whether it's a TV movie of the week, a bizarre transmission from the shores of Indonesia, or just a pile of Mario Van Peebles trash, you can't go wrong with a classic Terminator knockoff. Or maybe these are Robocop knockoffs? Or Universal Soldier knockoffs? Well, regardless, they've got robots with guns and no one with a fraction of Arnold Schwarzenegger's charisma. What more could you ask for?

Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid

Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

THIS WEEK: Straight-Jacket (1964), Berserk (1967), Trog (1970)

After a career resurgence with the hagsploitation classic, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Joan Crawford spent the final decade of her career in kitschy William Castle films, a Circus whodunit, and a murderous monkey man pseudo-horror flick. Sure, it ain't Mildred Pierce, but how do Mommie Dearest's final films stack up to the exploitation fair of the era? And, more importantly, can the first "Queen of the Movies" from Hollywood's golden era elevate ho-hum schlock into something special?

Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid

Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

THIS WEEK: The Intruder, aka I Hate Your Guts (1962), X: The Man With The X-Ray Eyes (1963), Frankenstein Unbound (1990)

The god of independent filmmaking. The mentor who helped jumpstart the careers of Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, Peter Bogdanovich, Joe Dante, and Francis Ford Coppola. The cheap asshole who claims he never lost a dime making movies.

Roger Corman was a titan who left an indelible mark on cinema.

Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid

Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

THIS WEEK: Mother's Day (1980), Mommie Dearest (1981), Grand Jeté (2022)

Some cowards only celebrate moms once a year. Here, we're dedicated to eschewing that silly Hallmark holiday and respecting mothers a week later when no one is expecting it. We're absolutely not late on this one I promise. So why not celebrate moms the best way we know how: With three of the finest and most upstanding mothers in cinematic history. No Wire hangers this week. Just a juicy slab of hicksploitation, a notorious flop, and some arthouse slop.

Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid

Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

THIS WEEK: Lake Michigan Monster (2018) and Hundreds of Beavers (2022)

From the Milwaukee shoreline to the snowbanks of the Wisconsin north woods, Mike Cheslik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews have risen to 'Sconnie cinema royalty status alongside other greats like Bill Rebane and Mark Borchardt. Join us as we dig into their unique brand of indie filmmaking and catch the beaver fever, baby!

Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid

Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

THIS WEEK: The Aftermath (1982) and Empire of the Dark (1990)

In the late 1970s a man named Steve Barkett with nothing but a mustache and a dream set out to make a post-apocalyptic sci-fi action epic without a budget, studio, or feature filmmaking experience. The result was not just one, but TWO films and the lifelong respect and friendship of B-movie royalty like Fred Olen Ray and Jim Wynorski. Sometimes in the world of amateur egosploitation, you can write/star/produce/direct and defy the odds by making something that doesn't suck!

Or maybe it's still just shit if you ask one of the other guys on this episode. Oh well.

Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid

Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

THIS WEEK: Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe (1990), No Exit (1995), The Viking Sagas (1995)

Hunk Month, AKA the quest to explore every muscleman-turned-actor in Arnold Schwarzenegger's orbit, continues with a look at some of the major roles played by bodybuilder/powerlifter/natural villain/danish dynamo, Sven-Ole Thorsen. That also means you get TWO Damnia Lee films, a Eurovision star, and all the Jesse Ventura fake Terminator action you can handle.

Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid

Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

THIS WEEK: Beretta's Island (1991), Danger in Paradise A.K.A. Taken Alive (1994), Doublecross on Costa's Island (1997), Ancient Warriors (2003)

Oh, you thought Arnold Schwarzenegger was the only big Hollywood star to come out of Pumping Iron? Maybe you've forgotten all about the illustrious career of Arnie's best friend: Former bodybuilder turned writer/director/producer/action star, Franco Columbu. He's 5'5", jacked to the gills and ready to kill (or at least hack your film to pieces and re-edit it himself).

Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid

Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

THIS WEEK: Pumping Iron (1977), Pumping Iron II: The Women (1985)

We don't agree on much at Optimism Vaccine, but one universal truth around here is our mutual admiration for hunky beefcakes. And when it comes to beefcakes, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bev Francis stand head and shoulders above the competition.

Join us as we take a magnifying glass to two of George Butler and Charles Gaines' most influential documentaries. We'll answer all of your pressing questions like "Is Arnie the most likable psycho ever?" and "Did George Butler accidentally make an invaluable contribution to the queer film canon?"

Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid

Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon