Pod Sematary

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1373801291680468995

CW: Suicide, Infanticide, Child Abuse, Rape

It’s Ghostly Grief Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey watch some really depressing horror movies that share more than one specific thematic link. And Chris gets what he asked for!

The Classic Film: The Others (2001)

"A woman who lives in her darkened old family house with her two photosensitive children becomes convinced that the home is haunted” (IMDb.com). The Others takes a very interesting spin on a classic haunting story and then buries under a climactic twist. If you didn't like it the first time you watched it, maybe go back and give it another watch with a different perspective.

The Modern Film: Lake Mungo (2008)

"Strange things start happening after a girl is found drowned in a lake” (IMDb.com). Lake Mungo is a completely po-faced mocumentary about the family left behind after a tragedy and it commits to that concept in ways almost no other horror film does. It could have lost a few of its numerous ideas and spent more time developing the ones that really matter to the movie's core themes (and is it just a recreation of Twin Peaks' primary mystery?), but it's definitely worth watching to find out if it's your thing.

Audio Sources:

"Lake Mungo" produced by Mungo Productions, et al.

"The Others" produced by Canal+, 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/1371230746770354178

CW: Sexual Assault, Animal Attack and Animal Death

It’s St Patrick's Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey make horror movie wishes that end up in monkey's paw results with an Irish twist (For example, Chris wanted to watch Wishmaster again and got Leprechaun 3 instead).

The Classic Film: Leprechaun 3 (1995)

"An evil leprechaun finds himself in Las Vegas, where he proceeds to cause mischief by killing people, granting twisted wishes, and infecting a young man with his green blood” (IMDb.com). The Leprechaun franchise certainly isn't getting better and seems to have hit levels of absurdity that better franchises took a couple more entries to reach.

The Modern Film: Wake Wood (2009)

"The parents of a girl who was killed by a savage dog are granted the opportunity to spend three days with their deceased daughter” (IMDb.com). Wake Wood is another one of those movies that we could take or leave, but its promise just makes each of our quibbles all the more frustrating.

Audio Sources:

"The Brave Little Toaster" produced by Hyperion Pictures & The Kushner-Locke Company

"Breaking the Fourth Wall" (WandaVision S01E07) produced by Marvel Studios

"Fix Up, Look Sharp" written by Dylan Kwabena Mills, et al., and performed by Dizzee Rascal

"Leprechaun 3" produced by Blue Rider Pictures

"Pawn Shop" written by Bradley Nowell, et al., and performed by Sublime

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

"Wake Wood" produced by Hammer Films, et al.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1368371089877925888

CW: Suicide, Pedophilia

It’s Interviews with Some Vampires Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey say goodbye to sunrises and generally just mope around for a few dozen centuries.

The Classic Film: Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

"A vampire tells his epic life story: love, betrayal, loneliness, and hunger” (IMDb.com). If you ask director Neil Jordan, Interview with the Vampire is a movie about the saddest vampires you'll ever see. It's also now an archetypical representation of vampires on film. So just watch these emo bloodsuckers if you haven't already, okay?

The Modern Film: What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

"Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav are vampires who are finding that modern life has them struggling with the mundane - like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming flatmate conflicts” (IMDb.com). Taking inspiration from classic cinematic vampire stories such as Nosferatu, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Twilight, The Lost Boys, and yes, Interview with the Vampire, What We Do in the Shadows is one of the funniest mockumentaries of any genre, let alone horror.

Audio Sources:

"Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" produced by Geffen Pictures

"Little Caesar" (1931) produced by First National Pictures

"Noises Off..." (1992) produced by Touchstone Pictures, et al.

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

"What We Do in the Shadows" (2014) produced by Defender Films, et al.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1366152370258903047

CW: Mental Illness, Miscarriage

It’s Blair Witch Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey spend a night (or five) in the Black Hills Forest and stumble across some DV tapes with Blair Witch movies on them.

The Classic Film: Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)

"A group of tourists arrives in Burkittsville, Maryland after seeing The Blair Witch Project to explore the mythology and phenomenon, only to come face to face with their own neuroses and possibly the witch herself” (IMDb.com). Producers capitalize on the next new thing, The Blair Witch Project, by immediately making a sequel that has none of the elements that made the original popular. Imagine how that turned out.

The Modern Film: Blair Witch (2016)

"After discovering a video showing what he believes to be his vanished sister Heather, James and a group of friends head to the forest believed to be inhabited by the Blair Witch” (IMDb.com). See, this is how you make a Blair Witch sequel. It ain't superb, but it's certainly not sacrilege.

Audio Sources:

"Anything Could Happen" written by Ellie Goulding & Jim Eliot and performed by Ellie Goulding

"Blair Witch" (2016) produced by Lionsgate, et al.

"Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2" produced by Artisan Entertainment & Haxan Films

"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/1363312330830999554

CW: Suicide, Mental Illness, Homophobia

It’s Another Jessie Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey sit down with Jessie (the first one) to watch two horror movies about haunted locations... and that's about everything that's similar about them.

The Classic Film: Event Horizon (1997)

"A rescue crew investigates a spaceship that disappeared into a black hole and has now returned...with someone or something new on board” (IMDb.com). Like Hellraiser in space, but with a preoccupation with eyeballs. Eyeballs. Eyeballs. Eyeballs. Eyeballs. Eyeballs. Eyeballs. Eyeballs. Eyeballs. Eyeballs. Eyeballs.

The Modern Film: Grave Encounters (2011)

"For their ghost hunting reality show, a production crew locks themselves inside an abandoned mental hospital that's supposedly haunted - and it might prove to be all too true” (IMDb.com). Have you ever had a morbid curiosity about what would happen to the Ghost Adventures guys if they actually ran into a malevolent spirit?

Audio Sources:

"Back to the Future" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.

"Casino Royale" produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.

"Dungeons & Dragons" written by Dan Harmon and performed by The Dead Alewives

"Event Horizon" produced by Paramount Pictures, et al.

"Grave Encounters" produced by Digital Interference Productions & Twin Engine Films

"Hellraiser" produced by New World Pictures, et al.

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

"Thank You for Smoking" produced by Room 9 Entertainment

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1361090125581742085

It’s Meta Comedy Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey hire a service to show these movies to us, but will we regret it in the end? It's also a recommendation week, so a big thank you to Chickapedia & Peter!

The Classic Film: Cut (2000)

"A group of film students attempt to finish a horror movie that stopped production years earlier when the director was killed. [Aware] that every attempt to complete the pic coincided with the murders of those involved, the students return to the original location in an isolated part of the country. When filming begins, so do the killings” (IMDb.com). In the beginning, Cut feels like a tolerable if not terribly exciting indie horror, but we gradually became less and less enamored with its few charms.

The Modern Film: Fear, Inc. (2016)

"Fear, Inc. follows a company of degenerates who can be hired for a premium to bring your greatest fears to life. But when horror junkie Joe Foster's customized scare seemingly begins, he and his friends must decide if this company is there to scare them or make them pawns in their own sick game” (IMDb.com). Fear, Inc. is sharp and humourous but is the end result a death by a thousand cuts?

Audio Sources:

"American Idol" (Unknown Episode) produced by Fremantle, et al.

"Cobra" produced by Cannon Group, et al.

"Cut" (2000) produced by Mushroom Pictures, et al.

"Fear, Inc." produced by Lone Suspect, et al.

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

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

"The Rains of Castamere" written by Ramin Djawadi & George R. R. Martin and performed by Sigur Rós

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1358549642523377666

CW: Sexual Assault

It’s Valentine's Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey get all sappy and romantic with two archetypical gothic horror giants!

The Classic Film: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

"[Dracula's] lonely soul is determined to reunite with his lost love, Mina. In Britain, [he] begins a reign of terror and seduction draining the life from her closest friend, Lucy. Together they try and drive Dracula away.” (RottenTomatoes.com). Francis Ford Coppola creates a stunning visual masterpiece using almost nothing but the cinematic techniques available at the turn of the 20th century. It's certainly quite something, but is it too bizarre for fans of the popular ur-vampire?

The Modern Film: Crimson Peak (2015)

"In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds - and remembers” (IMDb.com). You'll see a lot of familiar content here, even what are becoming Guillermo del Toro's own cliches, and the scares are a little weak, but as always, del Toro produces a feast for the eyes and the soul.

Audio Sources:

"Blood Lines: Dracula - The Man. The Myth. The Movies." produced by Columbia Pictures

"Bram Stoker's Dracula" produced by American Zoetrope, et al.

"The Costumes Are the Sets: The Design of Eiko Ishioka" produced by Zoetrope Aubry Productions

"Crimson Peak" produced by Double Dare You (DDY) & Legendary Entertainment

"It's My Party" written by Walter Gold, et al., and performed by Lesley Gore

"Jurassic Park" produced by Universal Pictures & Amblin Entertainment

"Love Song for a Vampire" written and performed by Annie Lennox

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

"Pineapple Express" produced by Apatow Productions, et al.

"Scream 4" produced by Dimension Films, et al.

"She's Not There" written by Rod Argent and performed by The Zombies

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1356050787634438147

CW: Suicide, Torture, Self-harm

It’s Hell Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey find pleasure in the pain of the Hellraiser franchise, rounding out the Kirsty Cotton Trilogy!

The Classic Film: Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

"Kirsty is brought to an institution after the horrible events of Hellraiser (1987), where the occult-obsessive head doctor resurrects Julia and unleashes the Cenobites and their demonic underworld” (IMDb.com). Only two movies into the series and Hellbound: Hellraiser II is already starting to turn the franchise a little wacky. But it still has beautifully horrific visuals and charm to spare.

The Modern Film: Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)

"A shady businessman attempts to piece together the details of the car crash that killed his wife, rendered him an amnesiac, and left him in possession of a sinister puzzle box that summons monsters” (IMDb.com). Okay, so yeah, six entries into a semi-niche horror franchise and you're certainly going to see some wear and tear, but Hellraiser: Hellseeker manages to still have some intriguing content, due largely to its premise and the return of the OG Franchise heroine. Anything can happen!

Audio Sources:

"Anything Could Happen" written by Ellie Goulding & Jim Eliot and performed by Ellie Goulding

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

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

"Hellbound: Hellraiser II" produced by New World Pictures, et al.

"Hellraiser (VNV Nation Remix)" written by Johan van Roy and performed by Suicide Commando

"Hellraiser: Hellseeker" produced by Dimension Films & Neo Art & Logic

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

CW: Rape, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, Infanticide

It’s a Guest Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey bring on Jessie (a different one) and get all navel-gazey over two foreign horror films that are more show than tell!

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1353456879981092865

The Classic Film: The Night of the Devils (1972)

"The patriarch of a wealthy family fears that he will show up one day in vampire form. Should this happen, he warns his family not to let him back in his house, no matter how much he begs them” (IMDb.com). Night of the Devils isn't our favorite Italian horror film (not by a long shot), but despite its slow first act and incomprehensible lore, it also had a campiness and a slow-boiling charm that were hard to dislike.

The Modern Film: Hagazussa (2017)

"In the 15th century, a young goatherd living alone in a mountain hut feels a dark presence in the woods” (RottenTomatoes.com). Hagazussa is a German arthouse horror that tests Chris' infamous patience and causes Kelsey to doubt its horror credentials, but Jessie stands by her recommendation of this shocking film's haunting beauty and creeping dread.

Audio Sources:

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

"Hagazussa" produced by Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB) & Retina Fabrik

"The Night of the Devils" produced by Filmes Cinematografica, et al.

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

"Split" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1351017176619220996

CW: Sexual Assault

It’s a Scream Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey finish the last half of the Scream franchise all in one go and also talk too much about Josie & the Pussycats.

The Classic Film: Scream 3 (2000)

"While Sidney and her friends visit the Hollywood set of Stab 3, the third film based on the Woodsboro murders, another Ghostface killer rises to terrorize them” (IMDb.com). Scream 3 isn't as bad as we remembered, but that doesn't mean it's very good. Despite the fact that there are some very lovable characters and moments, it's obvious that no one's heart was in this one.

The Modern Film: Scream 4 (2011)

"Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer” (IMDb.com). Scream managed to get to four entries without having a terrible one, but we still haven't captured the magic of the first again, despite how hard this movie tries.

Audio Sources:

"Is This The End" written by Mark T. Tremonti & Scott A. Stapp and performed by Creed

"Music of the Heart" produced by Craven-Maddalena Films & Miramax

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

"Scream 3" produced by Craven-Maddalena Films, et al.

"Scream 4" produced by Dimension Films, et al.

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

"What If" written by Mark T. Tremonti & Scott A. Stapp and performed by Creed