Optimism Vaccine

THIS WEEK: Wild Things (1998), Wild Things 2 (2004), Wild Things: Diamonds in the Rough (2005), Wild Things: Foursome (2010)

Every red blooded film fanatic knows the original Wild Things is a pulpy sleazy neo-noir classic. BUT did you know that we were also blessed with not one, not two but THREE sequels? Even more puzzling is the fact that they're all basically identical to the original but without a strong supporting role from Bill Murray and Kevin Bacon's dong. Who needs Matt Dillon when you've got Ashley Parker Angel from O-Town and a guy from Grey's Anatomy (no not the one you're thinking of)

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THIS WEEK: Saltburn (2023) and Chick Flick (2023)

In 2023 we were blessed with a film from one of contemporary cinema's most extraordinary new voices. Oh, and Emerald Fennell made a movie about Barry Keoghan trying to impregnate a pile of dirt. Anyway, it's time to see if either of these bourgeoise girl bosses knocked it out of the park with their sophomore efforts so we can determine once and for all if we're all getting matching Louise Linton tattoos.

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THIS WEEK: The Boogey Man (1980), Boogeyman (2005), The Boogeyman (2023)

A boogeyman (or bogeyman if you're a little freak who can't spell) is a placeholder term for every faceless generic monster living under a bed or in a child's closet. It's only appropriate that when a boogeyman film is made it serves as a catch-all for whatever the hot horror trends of the moment are.

Join us as we explore cinematic boogeymen through the ages, try to figure out what Ulli Lommel's deal was, mourn the 7th Heaven Cinematic Universe that never was, and speculate on whether horror films will finally explore a theme other than grief and trauma or if we're stuck in a Babadook/It Follows black hole for all of eternity.

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THIS WEEK: Hard Boiled (1992), Just Heroes AKA Hard Boiled 2 (1989), and The Last Blood AKA Hard Boiled 2 AKA Hard Boiled 3 (1991)

If you make the greatest action film of all time before leaving Hong Kong for Hollywood, there's a good chance someone will try to make a quick buck with an in-name-only sequel. If you're really lucky, they'll just slap a new title on an old movie. Maybe even one of your own. Or someone will make an Xbox game 15 years later. This is how it works.

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THIS WEEK: New Year's Evil (1980), Bloody New Year (1987)

We're true cinephiles around here so our New Year's resolution is to watch more late career Norman J. Warren flicks while simultaneously becoming the most POWERFUL podcast in the universe. Please tune in so we can finish the year strong and force Spotify to pay up.

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THIS WEEK: Christmas Evil (1980) and Blood Beat (1983)

We tried our best to find some things you could watch with the whole family this holiday season. Gather 'round the Yule log and enjoy the classic combination of a glowing Christmas samurai and Santa Claus Travis Bickle. Your mom is going to love this.

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THIS WEEK: The Bloody Exorcism of Coffin Joe (1974), The Strange Hostel of Naked Pleasures (1976), Embodiment of Evil (2008)

We wrap up our coverage of the incomparable Zé do Caixão with the final Coffin Joe films of the 1970s and Jose Mojica Marins' late career resurrection of the character in 2008.

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THIS WEEK: Awakening of the Beast (1970), The End of Man (1971), When the Gods Fall Asleep (1972)

Our Coffin Joe retrospective takes a wild swerve into LSD fueled meta-fiction freakouts and we take a look at Jose Mojica Marins other reoccurring role as Finis Hominis.

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THIS WEEK: At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul (1964), The Strange World of Coffin Joe (1968), This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse (1967)

In 1964, Brazillian filmmaker José Mojica Marins introduced the world to an iconic undertaker with disgusting fingernails, a love of sadistic murder and a deep appreciation for children: COFFIN JOE.

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THIS WEEK: Taboo (1980), Taboo II (1982), Taboo III (1984), Taboo IV: The Younger Generation (1985), Taboo V (1986)

We're celebrating Thanksgiving like any good red-blooded American should: By watching some turkeys get STUFFED. Yes Nut November comes to a close with one of the biggest and most controversial X-rated series ever, Taboo.

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