Outside the Cinema

In this episode, Bill and Prof. Christopher Bricklemyer discuss the upcoming film 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' and share their thoughts on the previous Mad Max films. They also talk about the TV show 'The Boys' and other projects Anya Taylor-Joy has been involved in. The conversation covers the characters and plot of 'Furiosa' and highlights the performances of Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth. They discuss the evolution of the Mad Max world and the different villains in each film. Overall, they express excitement for 'Furiosa' and the continuation of the Mad Max franchise. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the movie 'Furiosa' and the action sequences in the Mad Max franchise. They also talk about the character development and the performances of the actors. They express their concerns about the future of the franchise without George Miller and discuss the possibility of expanding the story to different areas of Australia. They also briefly mention the Fast and Furious franchise. The hosts give their recommendations and grades for the movie 'Furiosa'. They then transition to discussing the movie 'Maxine', the third film in the Ty West trilogy. They mention their previous thoughts on the first two films and share their expectations for 'Maxine'. They discuss the setting and the character of Maxine, as well as their opinions on Mia Goth's performance. In this conversation, Bill and Prof. Christopher Bricklemyer review the films 'Furiosa' and 'Maxine' and discuss their thoughts and opinions on the movies. They provide a detailed analysis of the plot, characters, and overall quality of each film. They also compare the films to other movies in their respective genres and discuss the performances of the actors. The conversation covers various themes such as revenge, world-building, and the portrayal of female characters. Overall, they recommend both films and give them positive ratings.

In this conversation, Bill and Prof. Christopher Bricklemyer discuss various topics, including upcoming movies, comic books, and their waning interest in certain franchises. They touch on movies like Hellboy and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as their experiences with collecting action figures and Funko Pops. The conversation highlights their changing tastes and the challenges of keeping up with new releases. The conversation covers various topics including collecting vintage Star Wars figures, music preferences, the MoviePass documentary, and the band Nickelback. The hosts discuss their love for vintage Star Wars figures and the recent resurgence of newly tooled figures. They also talk about their music preferences, with one host sharing his love for documentaries and the other discussing his preference for familiar music. The conversation then shifts to the MoviePass documentary, with one host recommending it and the other expressing his lack of interest. Finally, they briefly discuss a documentary about the band Nickelback, with one host sharing his disappointment in the lack of depth in the film. In this part of the conversation, Prof. Christopher Bricklemyer and Bill discuss their dislike for the band Kiss and their lead singer Gene Simmons. They express their frustration with Simmons' controversial statements and behavior, which has led them to dislike the band and even avoid watching movies that feature Simmons. They also touch on the topic of separating art from the artist and how it can be challenging to support artists whose views or actions don't align with their own.

The conversation discusses the impact and legacy of the Blair Witch Project, a found footage horror film that revolutionized the genre. It explores the marketing strategies used to present the film as a real documentary, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The conversation also delves into the sequel, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, and the criticisms it faced for deviating from the original's style and tone. The discussion highlights the importance of staying true to the elements that made the original successful and the consequences of studio interference. In this conversation, Bill and Prof. Christopher Bricklemyer discuss the Blair Witch franchise, including the original film, Book of Shadows, and the 2016 sequel. They analyze the impact of the first film on the horror genre and the success of its marketing. They also share their thoughts on the different films, grading them and discussing their strengths and weaknesses. The conversation concludes with a segment from Reverend Scott's Holy Shit, where he reviews the film Witchtrap and discusses The Final Cut.

In this episode, Bill and Chris discuss analog horror, a subgenre of horror fiction that originated online in the late 2000s and early 2010s. They review various web series and YouTube channels that fall under the analog horror genre, including Arcadia TV, CH/SS, Channel 7 Restored, FNAF VHS, Winter of 83, Where the Fuck Are We?, and Marble Hornets. They highlight the unique storytelling techniques and themes explored in each series, such as parallel dimensions, mental health, extraterrestrials, and alternate history. In this part of the conversation, Prof. Christopher Bricklemyer and Bill discuss various examples of analog horror, including Marble Hornets, Local 58, Gemini Home Entertainment, and more. They touch on the use of bad lighting and loud noises in Marble Hornets, the slow pacing of some analog horror series, and the importance of creating an authentic VHS aesthetic. They also mention other analog horror series like The Real, Murohai, and Godzilla-based ones. The conversation highlights the diverse range of storytelling and artistic styles within the analog horror genre. The conversation covers various analog horror series and movies, with a focus on their unique storytelling and immersive experiences. The discussion includes recommendations for specific series and creators, such as Monument Mythos, Surreal Broadcast, CHSS, FNAF VHS, Winter of 83 Eventide Media Center, Midwest Angelica, Local 58, The Mandela Catalog, The Tangy Virus, Omega Mart, Vita Carnis, The Oldest View, The Back Rooms, and Greylock. The hosts also reminisce about past episodes and segments, including a tribute to the late Robert Loggia.

In this conversation, Bill and Professor Christopher Bricklemyer discuss the movies Ultraman Rising and Shin Kamen Rider. They start by talking about personal experiences with insurance and medical expenses. Then, they dive into the world of Ultraman, explaining its origins and the concept of the character. They discuss the Easter eggs and references in Ultraman Rising and share their thoughts on the film. They also touch on the character design and the involvement of animation professionals in the production. Overall, it's a conversation that combines personal anecdotes, analysis of the films, and insights into the Ultraman franchise. The story follows Ken, the son of the current incarnation of Ultraman, who moves to the United States with his mother while his father fights as Ultraman. Ken becomes a famous baseball player but returns to Japan when his mother disappears. He discovers that he has the ability to transform into Ultraman and must protect Japan from kaiju attacks. The film explores themes of family, responsibility, and the balance between personal desires and duty. It pays homage to classic tokusatsu and kaiju films while adding its own unique twist. In this conversation, Professor Christopher Bricklemyer and Bill discuss their thoughts on the movie Shin Kamen Rider. They talk about the structure of the story, the low budget, and the graphic violence. They also discuss the design of the characters and the tonal shifts in the movie. Overall, they have mixed opinions on the film, with Professor Bricklemyer giving it a B- and Bill giving it a C-.

Without Warning is a 1994 made-for-TV movie that presents a fictional news coverage of a series of meteorite strikes around the world. The film follows the events as they unfold, with reporters and scientists trying to make sense of the situation. The story raises questions about the existence of extraterrestrial life and the moral dilemmas that arise when faced with a potential threat. The film keeps viewers engaged by revealing information gradually and creating a sense of mystery. The finale of the film delivers a thought-provoking conclusion. Overall, Without Warning is a compelling and well-executed example of analog horror. The conversation covers the movie 'Without Warning' and the anthology film 'Creepypasta Death Net'. In 'Without Warning', the hosts discuss the lack of clarity regarding the purpose of the alien meteorites in the movie. They also mention other films with similar alien invasion themes. In 'Creepypasta Death Net', they critique the weak writing and execution of the anthology's stories. They highlight one particular story about a cursed poster that they found frustrating and poorly done. In this conversation, Bill and Prof. Christopher Bricklemyer discuss the movie 'Creepypasta Death Net' and the Lone Wolf and Cub film series. They critique the writing, acting, and overall execution of 'Creepypasta Death Net,' expressing disappointment with its lack of development and plot points. They also discuss the potential of the creepypasta genre and suggest alternative approaches to creating a more engaging anthology. They then transition to reviewing the Lone Wolf and Cub film series, praising its craftsmanship, storytelling, and impact on popular culture. They discuss the characters, plot, and performances in the first installment, 'Sword of Vengeance,' and express excitement for the rest of the series. Finally, they review two other films, 'Special Bulletin' and 'Without Warning,' highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.