Podcast | JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS

FAHRENHEIT 451 (1966)—In a future dystopian society, books have been banned. Enforced by the fire department—whose role it is to burn them—the result is an emotionless and egalitarian society. Guy Montag, senior fireman, is much respected by his superiors and is in line for a promotion. He doesn’t question what he does or why he does it until he meets Clarisse. As his doubts grow, he begins to steal some of the books he is meant to burn.

1984 (1984)—Based on George Orwell’s classic novel, Winston Smith (John Hurt) is a government employee whose job involves the rewriting of history in a manner that casts his fictional country’s leaders in a charitable light. His trysts with Julia (Suzanna Hamilton) provide his only measure of enjoyment, but lawmakers frown on the relationship—and in this closely monitored society, there is no escape from Big Brother.

Welcome back to the dreary future worlds of dystopia. In this double feature, we discuss two of dystopian literature’s all-time classics, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and 1984 by George Orwell. Join us as we discuss these adaptions and whether they achieve the daunting task of translating to the silver screen. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys travels into the not-so-distant future, where society is repressed and individualism shunned. 

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When a mysterious, white, and gooey but delicious substance begins oozing from the Earth’s surface, it makes a great new dessert product. But this new dessert has a sinister origin: it’s an entity that takes over its victims’ minds while making them crave more of it.

Welcome to our 2nd listener/viewer request episode AND our first venture into the guerilla filmmaking world of prolific writer/director Larry Cohen. Thanks to Andrew Marler for recommending this classic 1980s schlock! Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of the film, including its director, cast, and themes. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys fights greedy corporate misers poisoning the minds of people with a delicious and ominous dessert product. 

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An ancient Ring thought lost for centuries has been found, and through a strange twist of fate has been given to a small Hobbit named Frodo. When Gandalf discovers the Ring is in fact the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron, Frodo must make an epic quest to the Cracks of Doom in order to destroy it. However, he does not go alone. He is joined by Gandalf, Legolas the elf, Gimli the Dwarf, Aragorn, Boromir, and his three Hobbit friends Merry, Pippin, and Samwise. Through mountains, snow, darkness, forests, rivers, and plains, facing evil and danger at every corner the Fellowship of the Ring must go. Their quest to destroy the One Ring is the only hope for the end of the Dark Lord’s reign.

We’re back! Welcome, 2024! And what better way to kick off the new year than with an expansion of our parameters? David and I have long thought we should include forages in the peripherals of our respected genres and from here on, we occasionally will. Horror will now also embrace thrillers and Sci-fi will also include fantasy, hence today’s lofty venture. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) was the beginning of an enormous undertaking by talented New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Join us as we discuss the plethora of ingredients that began the recipe of this enchanting series, including its Tolkien origins, its marvelous cast, and special effects. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys begins a new adventure that starts with their first full-fledged fantasy episode. Join us…

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It (2017) — Seven young outcasts in Derry, Maine, are about to face their worst nightmare — an ancient, shape-shifting evil that emerges from the sewer every 27 years to prey on the town’s children. Banding together over the course of one horrifying summer, the friends must overcome their own personal fears to battle the murderous, bloodthirsty clown known as Pennywise.

It: Chapter Two (2019) — Defeated by members of the Losers’ Club, the evil clown Pennywise returns 27 years later to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine, once again. Now adults, the childhood friends have long since gone their separate ways. But when people start disappearing, Mike Hanlon calls the others home for one final stand. Damaged by scars from the past, the united Losers must conquer their deepest fears to destroy the shape-shifting Pennywise — now more powerful than ever.

Merry Christmas! Double Feature! Andy Muschietti’s It (2017) & It: Chapter Two (2019) recently broke all-time records for horror movie attendance in the 21st century, causing a surge in the genre that has grown ever since. What is it (ha-ha) about this classic 1986 novel that still resonates with readers and fans alike? Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of both films, including reference to the original Tim Curry miniseries of the 1990s, and our deep-seated fear of CLOWNS! Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys goes into the sewers, in pursuit of an ancient evil that resurfaces every 27 years to feed on fear. 

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After an attempt to reignite the passion in their marriage goes awry, Jessie (Carla Gugino) is left handcuffed to a bed in a secluded house with her husband, Gerald (Bruce Greenwood), dead. Not only must she break free, but she must avoid being killed by a wild dog and who knows what else. Then she begins hallucinating something far more menacing shares the room with her at night. But is she hallucinating?

Welcome to the second entry in our holiday Stephen King (21st century) extravaganza. Gerald’s Game (2017) is directed by one of our favorite modern directors, Mike Flanagan. Join us as we discuss the difficulty in translating this (mostly internal) novel to a vastly entertaining film, including its superb direction, talented cast, and nail-biting scares. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys attempts to reconcile the past with the present, only to discover that our former demons may have been replaced with new, all-too-real ones. 

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After a powerful storm damages their Maine home, David Drayton (Thomas Jane) and his young son head into town to gather food and supplies. Soon, a thick fog rolls in and engulfs the town, trapping the Draytons and others in the grocery store. Terror mounts as deadly creatures reveal themselves outside, but that’s nothing compared to the monsters within, where a zealot (Marcia Gay Harden) calls for a sacrifice.

Happy Holidays! This year we’re hosting a triple threat of Stephen King once again, only this time we’re going more modern and covering three from the 21st century. We begin with The Mist (2007). Based on the classic novella from 1980, Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption & The Green Mile), no stranger to the master-of-horror, delivers a power punch to the gut on many levels with this one. Join us as we discuss the terrific cast, special effects, and jaw-dropping ending (his own). Listen as Johnny Has the Keys battles Lovecraftian monsters from another dimension only to discover that, as is often, the worst monsters are us. 

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A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world’s major cities and all of humanity awaits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have “come in peace.” U.S. President James Dale (Jack Nicholson) receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan) that the Martians’ mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation.

Welcome to part 2 of a mini-Tim Burton marathon and to our very first Listener/Viewer Request Episode (thanks Tim Funk)! It is apparent that Tim Burton was inspired by many things as a child… from fairy tales to gothic horror and even Batman, but who would have ever considered Mars Attacks collectible trading cards of the 1960s to be the basis for a big-budget sci-fi extravaganza? Join us as we discuss this zany, incredibly talent-stuffed feature film that ventures beyond hilarity and into the absolute absurd. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys and the rest of the world observe Martians under the pretense of peace invade our planet and annihilate everything that crosses their path. 

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