Pod Sematary

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1269762592198717440

CW: Suicide, Infanticide

It’s another doll week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey crawl around active assembly line machinery searching for an exit.

The Classic Film: Child’s Play (1990)

"While Andy's mother is admitted to a psychiatric hospital, the young boy is placed in foster care, and Chucky, determined to claim Andy's soul, is not far behind” (IMDb.com). Kelsey's exposure therapy isn’t working yet, but the Child’s Play franchise is only dipping its toe into the silliness water in this one.

The Modern Film: Annabelle (2014)

"A couple begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists” (IMDb.com). Take out “involving a vintage doll” from that synopsis and you might have an interesting movie. Audiences weren’t so lucky.

Audio Sources:

“Annabelle” produced by New Line Cinema, et al.

"Child's Play 2” produced by Universal Pictures

"Donnie Darko” produced by Pandora Cinema, et al.

"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1267197640397205504

CW: Suicide, Rape

It’s not Graduation Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey *would* have been watching graduation movies this week, but since there seem to be no ceremonies this year, we’ll watch teenagers have parties they shouldn't be having instead!

The Classic Film: Night of the Demons (1988)

"Ten teenagers party at an abandoned funeral parlor on Halloween night. When an evil force awakens, demonic spirits keep them from leaving and turn their gathering into a living Hell” (IMDb.com). This B-movie was surprisingly fun, despite (or because of?) a complete lack of commitment to lore or reason. 

The Modern Film: Night of the Demons (2009)

"A group of kids go to a Halloween party, only to have to face down a group of demons” (IMDb.com). Same thing; different day. This second attempt added some promising lore, but it has the absolute stank of post-2000 horror remake all over it.

Audio Sources:

"Airport Security" (from The End of the Universe) written and performed by Lewis Black

"Bela Lugosi's Dead" written by Peter Murphy, et al., and performed by Bauhaus

"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.

“Code Blue” written by Jack Grisham, et al., and performed by T.S.O.L.

“Night of the Demons” (1988) produced by Blue Rider Pictures, et al.

“Night of the Demons” (2009) produced by Cold Fusion Media Group, et al.

"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

"S&M Present" (Robot Chicken S01E09) produced by Stoopid Monkey, et al.

"Science Fiction/Double Feature" written by Richard O'Brien & Richard Hartley and performed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

"The Yada Yada" (Seinfeld S08E19) produced by Shapiro/West Productions & Castle Rock Entertainment

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1264716312581935106

CW: Rape

It’s Comedy Horror Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey will show you a killer hillbilly!

The Classic Film: Idle Hands (1999)

"A teenage slacker's right hand becomes possessed with murderous intent” (IMDb.com). A beloved teenage comedy-horror, Idle Hands didn't age very well, but it's still way better than the critics gave it credit for. At least the actors are.

The Modern Film: Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)

"Affable hillbillies Tucker and Dale are on vacation at their dilapidated mountain cabin when they are mistaken for murderers by a group of preppy college students” (IMDb.com). A genuinely funny send-up of hillbilly-horror tropes, Tucker and Dale vs Evil should be seen if you missed it the first time around.

Audio Sources:

"Beheaded" written by Dexter Holland & James Lilja and performed by The Offspring

"Deathgasm" produced by Metalheads, et al.

"Dragula" written and performed by Rob Zombie

"Moneyball" produced by Columbia Pictures, et al,.

"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

"Shout at the Devil" written and performed by Mötley Crüe

"Susan Saint James/The Kinks" ("Buh-Weet Sings" - Saturday Night Live S07E02) produced by Broadway Video & NBC Productions

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1262080315339599872

CW: Rape, Child Abuse, Suicide, Mental Illness

It’s Fractured Identities Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey can't tell if this episode is real or not. Does Special Guest Eileen even exist?

The Classic Film: Perfect Blue (1997)

"A retired pop singer turned actress[, Mima's] sense of reality is shaken when she is stalked by an obsessed fan and seemingly a ghost of her past” (IMDb.com). Prolific Japanese writer and artist Satoshi Kon got his directorial film debut with this adaptation of Yoshikazu Takeuchi's novel, Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis. He never did anything quite like it again, and even though our next entry owes a lot to it, you'll probably never see anything quite like Perfect Blue anywhere else.

The Modern Film: Black Swan (2010)

"A committed dancer struggles to maintain her sanity after winning the lead role in a production of Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake'” (IMDb.com). Based on a pre-existing script about something else, featuring thematic similarities and homages to other movies, and focusing on an all-time classic ballet, Black Swan manages to be wholly unique and fascinating. Intriguingly, it's more fantastical than our animated entry.

Audio Sources:

"Black Swan" produced by Fox Searchlight Pictures, et al.

"Girlfriendklok" (Metalocalypse S01E18) produced by Titmouse & Williams Street

"Perfect Blue" produced by Rex Entertainment, et al.

"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

"Split" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.

"Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" produced by Lucasfilm

"Tune Up #1" (from Rent -- Original Broadway Cast Recording) written by Jonathan Larson and performed by Anthony Rapp & Adam Pascal

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1257913306624299009

It’s Heavy Metal Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey stick together this episode, like all good metalheads.

The Classic Film: Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare (1987)

"At a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, a hopeful hair-metal band seeking inspiration to record their upcoming new LP will soon find themselves in a furious confrontation against the Prince of Darkness himself” (IMDb.com). A delightfully funny mess, Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare (née Edge of Hell) manages to tread that fine line of awful and lovable with aplomb.

The Modern Film: Deathgasm (2015)

"Two teenage boys unwittingly summon an ancient evil entity known as The Blind One by delving into black magic while trying to escape their mundane lives” (IMDb.com). Dark, brutal, demonic, and charmingly adorable, Deathgasm winds up being refreshingly fun regardless of your affinity for the musical genre.

Audio Sources:

"Bruces' Song" written and performed by Monty Python

"The Challenge" written by Steve Scott and performed by Thor and the Tritonz

"Deathgasm" produced by Metalheads, et al.

"Edge of Hell (Wildlife)" written by Steven Scott and performed by Thor and the Tritonz

"Energy" written by Peppi Marchello and performed by Thor and the Tritonz

"Girlfriendklok" (Metalocalypse S01E18) produced by Titmouse & Williams Street

"Heavy Metal" written by Sammy Hagar & Jim Peterik and performed by Sammy Hagar

"It's the Real Thing" performed by The Fortunes

"Never Gonna Give You Up" written by Stock/Aitken/Waterman and performed by Rick Astley

"Office Space" produced by Twentieth Century Fox, et al.

"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

"Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare" produced by Thunder

"Treehouse of Horror III" (The Simpsons S04E05) produced by Gracie Films & 20th Century Fox Television

"We Live for Rock" written by Jon Mikl Thor & Steve Price and performed by Thor and the Tritonz

"Wicker Man" (2006) produced by Warner Bros., et al.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1256694375922331648

CW: Infanticide, Suicide, Human Trafficking

It’s Mother’s Day on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey love their mothers very much and want you to know that.

The Classic Film: Serial Mom (1994)

"A sweet mother finds herself participating in homicidal activities when she sees the occasion call for it” (IMDb.com). Really more of a farcical comedy than a horror, although there’s plenty of violence and gore, this John Waters banger from the 90s might have you wondering exactly who you’re expected to root for.

The Modern Film: mother! (2017)

"A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence” (IMDb.com). Incredibly divisive upon its release, it turns out this bonkers flick is just one tired and over-stretched metaphor. Essentially, Darren Aronofsky and all of his scarves really want you to know that the planet has been done dirty. 

Audio Sources:

"Fight Club" produced by Fox 2000 Pictures, et al.

"Gas Chamber” written and performed by L7 (as Camel Lips)

“mother!” produced by Paramount Pictures & Protozoa Pictures

“Mother” written by Glenn Danzig and performed by Danzig

"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

"RENT" produced by

“Serial Mom” produced by Savoy Pictures & Polar Entertainment Corporation

"Split" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.

"Tune Up #1" (from Rent -- Original Broadway Cast Recording) written by Jonathan Larson and performed by Anthony Rapp & Adam Pascal

“What to Think” (Mr. Show with Bob and David S01E02) produced by Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, et al.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1254282790339739649

CW: Suicide, Self-Harm, Drug Addiction, Ableism, Sleep Paralysis

It’s another Nightmare Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey have a love/hate relationship with these night terrors (they love one and hate the other...)!

The Classic Film: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

"A psychiatrist familiar with knife-wielding dream demon Freddy Krueger helps teens at a mental hospital battle the killer who is invading their dreams” (IMDb.com). This movie is beautiful... and BAD (the good kind)!

The Modern Film: Dead Awake (2016)

"A young woman must save herself and her friends from an ancient evil that stalks its victims through the real-life phenomenon of sleep paralysis” (IMDb.com). Listen to Chris and Kelsey hate-discuss this movie, one that rushes through it's best parts, copies others from other movies wholesale, and features one of the most unlikeable heroines we've encountered yet!

Audio Sources:

"Dead Awake" produced by Gama Entertainment Partners, et al.

"Dream Warriors" written by George Lynch & Jeff Pilson and performed by Dokken

"Lawnmower Dog" (Rick and Morty S01E02) produced by Starburns Industries, et al.

"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) produced by New Line Cinema, et al.

"A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.

"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1251642254017601538

CW: Suicide

It’s a Found Footage Documentary Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey get into really heated arguments in the middle of the woods!

The Classic Film: The Blair Witch Project (1999)

"Three film students vanish after traveling into a Maryland forest to film a documentary on the local Blair Witch legend, leaving only their footage behind” (IMDb.com). This film got strong reactions from audiences (and our hosts), and changed the landscape of horror cinema for over a decade, whether we like it or not.

The Modern Film: Hell House LLC (2015)

"Five years after an unexplained malfunction causes the death of 15 tour-goers and staff on the opening night of a Halloween haunted house tour (Hell House), a documentary film crew visits the scene of the tragedy to investigate what really happened that night” (IMDb.com). Despite coming towards the end of the glut of found footage films over the past two decades, this small, independent project has been the darling of some horror fan circles. We can see why, even if it does make Chris irrationally angry.

Audio Sources:

"The Blair Witch Project" produced by Haxan Films

"Hell House LLC" produced by Cognetti Films

"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

"Scream" produced by Dimension Films & Woods Entertainment

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1249931486444130305

CW: Suicide, Rape, Mental Illness and Ableism

It’s Infectious Disease Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey are safer at home and have nothing better to do than watch a 6-hour television miniseries about a global pandemic and then record one of the podcast's longest episodes yet!

The Classic Miniseries: The Stand (1994)

"After a deadly plague kills most of the world's population, the remaining survivors split into two groups - one led by a benevolent elder and the other by a maleficent being - to face each other in a final battle between good and evil” (IMDb.com). Even though this 6-hour miniseries is based on one of Stephen King's longer novels, this televisual epic had everything 90s TV was good at -- namely a high confidence-to-capability ratio!

The Modern Film: Quarantine (2008)

"A television reporter and her cameraman are trapped inside a building quarantined by the CDC, after the outbreak of a mysterious virus which turns humans into bloodthirsty killers” (IMDb.com). American cinema did what it always does and went and remade a foreign movie, this time Spain's [•REC]. But relax, it's basically the same movie.

Audio Sources:

"Boogie Fever" written by Freddie Perren & Kenneth St. Lewis and performed by The Sylvers

"Critters 2: The Main Course" produced by New Line Cinema & Sho Films

"Don't Dream It's Over" written by Neil Finn and performed by Crowded House

"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" written by Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser and performed by Blue Öyster Cult

"A Fish Called Selma" (The Simpsons S07E19) produced by Gracie Films & 20th Century Fox Television

"Halloween" (1978) produced by Compass International Pictures, et al.

"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

"Quarantine" produced by Vertigo Entertainment, et al.

"Rock-A-Doodle" produced by Goldcrest Films International & Sullivan Bluth Studios

"Snatch" produced by Columbia Pictures & SKA Films

"The Stand" (1994) produced by Greengrass Productions & Laurel Entertainment Inc.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1246562597513519105

CW: Infanticide, Post-natal depression, Sexual Assault

It’s Easter Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey paint some Crite eggs and get lost in the labyrinth at their summer home!

The Classic Film: Critters 2 (1988)

"Eggs of the small, furry alien carnivores are left behind on Earth and, after hatching, again set their appetites on the town of Grover's Bend” (IMDb.com). Wackier than the original, this sequel has some bright moments, but otherwise doesn't really need to exist (other than to get us closer to Leonardo DiCaprio in Part 3!).

The Modern Film: Atrocious (2010)

"Two teenage siblings endure a terrifying experience while investigating a rural legend near their family's vacation home” (IMDb.com). This Spanish-language indie horror is about as impactful as it is long, but we aren't necessarily complaining.

Audio Sources:

"Atrocious" (2010) produced by Claqueta y Accion, et al.

"Critters 2: The Main Course" produced by New Line Cinema & Sho Films

"Labyrinth" produced by The Jim Henson Company, et al.

"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

"Poltergeist" (1982) produced by Amblin Entertainment, et al.

"Power of the Night" written by Terrence Mann, Richie Vetter, & Dodie Pettit and performed by Terrence Mann

"Self Control" written by Giancarlo Bigazzi, Raffaele Riefoli, & Steve Piccolo and performed by Laura Branigan