The Hamster Factor

The Hamster Factor episodes:

• 02.14.2019

  Episode 78 - Knowing

  It's the end of the world (and the pod) as we know it, and we feel fine! AJ and Mike finish their run on the wheel of The Hamster Factor by talking about a movie with equal parts disaster, sci-fi,...

  
• 01.31.2019

  Episode 77 - Bugsy Malone

  AJ and Mike splurge on a trip back to the 70s, which in turns takes them back to the 20s. There's no kidding around as they discuss the youth musical gangster comedy "Bugsy Malone." In addition, the guys make an...

  
• 01.16.2019

  Episode 76 - Bully (2001)

  AJ and Mike escape from the winter cold to the heat of Florida, and the boiling blood that leads to the preposterous true story of a murder depicted in 2001's "Bully." Next Film: Bugsy Malone (1976) FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music:...

  
• 01.04.2019

  Episode 75 - The January Man

  AJ and Mike are dispatched to solve a grisly cinematic case. It involves a movie that had everything going for it, including an extremely talented cast and Oscar-winning writer, only to find it losing air and collapsed in a heap...

  
• 12.19.2018

  Episode 74 - Christmas at Pee-Wee's Playhouse & Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

  In honor of the season of giving, AJ and Mike give you their first-ever double feature podcast, as they discuss all things childish in the Christmas specials "Christmas at Pee-Wee's Playhouse" and "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street." Next Film: The January Man...

  
• 12.07.2018

  Episode 73 - The Daytrippers

  Though AJ and Mike both woke up this morning with the head of a dog, they persevere to talk through 1996's indie darling and family drama "The Daytrippers." Next Film: Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (1978) & Christmas at Pee Wee's...

  
• 11.16.2018

  Episode 72 - Happiness (1998)

  AJ and Mike discuss Todd Solondz's polarizing film "Happiness," a work equal parts ennui and ejaculate. Next Film: The Daytrippers (1996)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of Purple Planet music (http://purple-planet.com)

  
• 10.31.2018

  Episode 71 - The Cabin in the Woods

  AJ and Mike close out their meta-horror trilogy with a film that took a saw to torture porn and a bear trap to the state of the franchise: 2012's "The Cabin in the Woods." Next Film: Happiness (1998)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music:...

  
• 10.10.2018

  Episode 69 - New Nightmare

  One, two, here's a podcast for you! AJ and Mike have been craving some Craven, so they take their first dive into the horror guru's rebirth of his monumental franchise: 1994's "New Nightmare." Next Film: Scream (1996)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling...

  
• 09.19.2018

  Episode 68 - Sixteen Candles

  AJ and Mike step out of the bathroom stall to present their audience with this, a podcast discussing the first writer/director outing for John Hughes, 1984's "Sixteen Candles." Next Film: New Nightmare (1994)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of Purple...

  
• 09.05.2018

  Episode 67 - In the Mouth of Madness

  AJ and Mike find themselves revisiting the ominous town that is the works of John Carpenter, as they investigate the final chapter in his de facto Apocalypse Trilogy, 1994's "In the Mouth of Madness." Next Film: Sixteen Candles (1984)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro...

  
• 08.22.2018

  Episode 66 - Wildcats

  With the NFL entering its fourth quarter of preseason, AJ and Mike hold their own podcast scrimmage as they discuss 1986's "Wildcats," an underdog story that features the beacon of Goldie Hawn and marks the first play for rookies Woody...

  
• 08.08.2018

  Episode 65 - Man Bites Dog

  Thanks to the help of their third string sound man, AJ and Mike are now set up to discuss the darkly comic murder mockumentary that is equal parts Belgian and brutal: 1992's "Man Bites Dog." Next Film: Wildcats (1986)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro...

  
• 07.26.2018

  Episode 64 - Melvin Goes to Dinner

  It's time to settle in for a long, revealing meal as AJ and Mike dig into 2003's "Melvin Goes a Dinner," a film adaptation of a play stuffed to the gills with twists, turns, and Tranice. Next Film: Man Bites Dog (1992)   FOLLOW US...

  
• 07.12.2018

  Episode 63 - F/X

  It's officially the season of blockbuster CGI franchise. In celebration, AJ and Mike go back to a time when practical effects were the latest obsession, as they talk through 1986's action/thriller/insider film "F/X." Next Film: Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003)   FOLLOW US ON...

  
• 06.20.2018

  Episode 62 - Kingdom of the Spiders

  Insect Overlord Month continues as AJ and Mike check out the story of a town over run by spiders, only to be deterred by William Shatner's quivering cheeks in 1977's "Kingdom of the Spiders." Next Film: F/X (1986)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music:...

  
• 06.06.2018

  Episode 61 - Empire of the Ants

  AJ and Mike try not to drone on too long as they discuss the 1977 film "Empire of the Ants," starring Joan Collins, several disaster movie tropes, and a series of off-brand ant puppets. Next Film: Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)   FOLLOW US...

  
• 05.18.2018

  Episode 60 - Paradox (2016)

  It's time to dip into the Wild West of Netflix movies, as AJ and Mike explore 2016's "Paradox," the only sci-fi/action film to date to exclusively highlight stunt performers. Next Film: Empire of the Ants (1977)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man"...

  
• 05.04.2018

  Episode 59 - Pi

  AJ and Mike drill into Darren Aronofsky's debut mathematical thriller "Pi," a black and white movie that is anything but. Next Film: Paradox (2016)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of Purple Planet music (http://purple-planet.com)

  
• 04.13.2018

  Episode 58 - Brazil

  Forms not be required to listen to AJ and Mike do anything but take their lumps (even if they did order them on the menu) by discussing Terry Gilliam's 1985 cult classic "Brazil." Next Film: Pi (1998)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling...

  
• 03.29.2018

  Episode 57 - Catfish

  AJ and Mike, or at least we think it's them, log on to chat at length about the game-changing and term-creating documentary "Catfish." Next Film: Brazil (1985)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of Purple Planet music (http://purple-planet.com)

  
• 03.16.2018

  Episode 56 - The Making of '...And God Spoke'

  AJ and Mike turn to Psalm 56 to testify about the behind-the-scenes mockumentary "The Making of '...And God Spoke,'" discussing how the film has similarities to both "Spinal Tap" and "The Room" and the "writing" of a two-time screenwriter turned...

  
• 03.02.2018

  Episode 55 - The Limey

  Fresh from their roles as extras on the hit show "Big Fat Guy," AJ and Mike dive into the choppily-edited waters of Steven Soderbergh's 1999 action-noir-arthouse hybrid "The Limey." Next Film: The Making of '...And God Spoke' (1993)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music:...

  
• 02.14.2018

  Episode 54 - The Cutting Edge

  AJ and Mike take their partner routine to the rink of destruction to see if they have an axel to grind against the 1992 figure skating romantic comedy "The Cutting Edge." Next Film: The Limey (1999)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy...

  
• 01.24.2018

  Episode 53 - Can't Hardly Wait

  Stranded in a locked bathroom, AJ and Mike decide to pass the time by talking about a literal party of a film, 1998's teen comedy "Can't Hardly Wait." Next Film: The Cutting Edge (1992)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of...

  
• 01.10.2018

  Episode 52 - Apollo 18

  Houston (and other cities), we have a podcast! AJ and Mike touch down on the mysterious planet that is 2018 to talk through Apollo 18, a 2011 found footage film that contains material much more familiar than alien. Next Film: Can't Hardly...

  
• 12.22.2017

  Episode 51 - To Die For

  It's officially winter, meaning the holiday lights are bright, the Icecapades are in season, and the lakes are solidly frozen over. In honor of the occasion, AJ and Mike talk about the aptly chilling "To Die For," a 1995 pseudo-mockumentary...

  
• 12.06.2017

  Episode 50 - Club Dread

  In honor of their 50th podcast, AJ and Mike treat themselves to an island vacation of a podcast as they discuss Broken Lizard's 2004 slasher film "Club Dread", pontificate on the more-than-meets-the-eye aspect of the dialogue and cinematography, and fixate...

  
• 11.15.2017

  Episode 49 - The Ten

  AJ and Mike take a break from juicing their pecs, swaying nude to Roberta Flack, and giving tours of nuclear power plants to talk through "The Ten," a 2007 Biblical-based anthology movie written and directed by modern comedy luminary David...

  
• 11.02.2017

  Episode 48 - The Babadook

  Pod Cast! Cast! Cast! As a post-Halloween treat, AJ has a trick for Mike as he gets him through another horror movie, this time 2014's "The Babadook." Despite a film filled with jump scares, screaming children, and ill-fated pets, Mike...

  
• 10.18.2017

  Episode 47 - Shallow Grave

  AJ and Mike climb down from the attic as they wield their kitchen knives to pin down what they enjoy about Danny Boyle's directorial debut in 1994's "Shallow Grave." Next Film: The Babadook (2014)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of...

  
• 10.08.2017

  Episode 46 - The Sure Thing

  It may have been a while since you last heard AJ and Mike on the podcast, but it's hopefully a sure thing that you'll enjoy their pizza-less love letter to the Rob Reiner travel-heavy rom-com "The Sure Thing"! Next Film: Shallow Grave (1994)   FOLLOW...

  
• 09.15.2017

  Episode 45 - Gotcha!

  It's time to tuck into some strudel and suspect French beverages as AJ and Mike get genre whiplash akin to a wayward cab driver from the campus game turned international spy thriller "Gotcha!" Next Film: The Sure Thing (1985)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro...

  
• 09.01.2017

  Episode 44 - Tag: The Assassination Game

  It's time to dust off your dart guns and your Michael Winslow autographs, as AJ and Mike talk about 1982's "Tag: The Assassination Game." This vehicle for Robert Carradine and a young Linda Hamilton is two parts horror/thriller, one part...

  
• 08.16.2017

  Episode 43 - Children of Men

  The guys talk through Alfonso Cuarón's tense dystopian thriller "Children of Men," all in one take! Well, they technically had a scrapped version where all they did is talk in the third person like Syd. Next Film: Tag: The Assassination Game (1982) FOLLOW US...

  
• 08.09.2017

  Episode 42 - Night of the Living Dead

  AJ and Mike properly gas up their car as they drive through the ominous rural rouds of George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead," which served as the birth of many films about death. Next Film: Children of Men (2006) FOLLOW US ON...

  
• 07.19.2017

  Episode 41 - Night of the Comet

  The guys talk the groundbreaking 1984 cult film "Night of the Comet," as AJ theorizes on which pieces of pop culture it inspired, and Mike unceremoniously tells the film to eat his own dust. Next Film: Night of the Living Dead...

  
• 07.06.2017

  Episode 40 - The Fisher King

  AJ and Mike gush over Jeff Bridges' reactions and Michael Jeter cameos, respectively, as they dig into Terry Gilliam's 1991 film "The Fisher King," a film as delicious as a slippery dumpling. NEXT FILM: Night of the Comet (1984) FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music:...

  
• 06.21.2017

  Episode 39 - Student Bodies

  AJ and Mike put a bookend (and not of the horsehead variety) on their crime trilogy as they take out the trashy horror parody film "Student Bodies." NEXT FILM: The Fisher King (1991) FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy...

  
• 06.08.2017

  Episode 38 - Murder by Death

  AJ and Mike are anything but (Benson)mum as they crack itno the mysterious case of the 1976 parody film "Murder by Death." NEXT FILM: Student Bodies (1981) FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of Purple Planet music (http://purple-planet.com)

  
• 05.24.2017

  Episode 37 - Witness for the Prosecution

  AJ and Mike dust off their powdered wigs and remove the cigars from their canes as they crack into the 1957 surprise-filled legal drama "Witness for the Prosecution." NEXT FILM: Murder by Death (1976) FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling...

  
• 05.05.2017

  Episode 36 - Strictly Ballroom

  AJ and Mike try to get their footing down to learn whatever the heck the Bogo Pogo is as they take a look at Baz Luhrmann's 1992 debut "Strictly Ballroom." NEXT FILM: Witness for the Prosecution (1957)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro...

  
• 04.14.2017

  Episode 35 - REC

  Mike is bloodthirty after AJ shocked him with another horror film in the form of the 2007 Spanish found footage "zombie" thriller "REC." NEXT FILM: Strictly Ballroom (1992)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of Purple Planet music...

  
• 03.31.2017

  Episode 34 - Time Bandits

  AJ and Mike take a break from slaying minotaurs, turning beans into peas, and trying to identify 43 species of (dead) parrots to discuss Terry Gilliam's "Time Bandits." NEXT FILM: [REC] (2007)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy...

  
• 03.17.2017

  Episode 33 - Nine Dead

  AJ and Mike break out the colored chalk to write out everything that went wrong in the Melissa Joan Hart-starring thriller "Nine Dead." NEXT FILM: Time Bandits (1981)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of Purple Planet music...

  
• 03.01.2017

  Episode 32 - Fermat's Room

  Get some popcorn from your patented plastic duck popper and listen to AJ and Mike go wall-to-wall in their coverage of the 2007 Spanish film "Fermat's Room." NEXT FILM: Nine Dead (2010)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy...

  
• 02.15.2017

  Episode 31 - Hackers

  Hang up your fur coat and skateboard and dial into this episode of The Hamster Factor, where AJ and Mike talk through the 1995 cult classic "Hackers." NEXT FILM: Fermat's Room (2007)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy...

  
• 02.01.2017

  Episode 30 - Young Sherlock Holmes

  AJ Holmes and Dr. Bloomson join forces to solve their toughest mystery yet: The Case of Why "Young Sherlock Holmes" Bombed at the Box Office! NEXT FILM: Hackers (1995)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of Purple Planet...

  
• 01.19.2017

  Episode 29 - The Butterfly Effect

  AJ and Mike give a farewell to arms and digest possibly the darkest movie alternate ending ever as they unpack the Ashton Kutcher-led time travel thriller "The Butterfly Effect." NEXT FILM: Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music:...

  
• 01.04.2017

  Episode 28 - "41"

  AJ and Mike take a break from hacksawing handcuffs and hitting golfballs, respectively, to talk about the direct-to-YouTube time travel film "41." NEXT FILM: The Butterfly Effect (2004)   FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! AJ: @AJMass Mike: @AMikeBloomType   Intro/Outro Music: "Traveling Man" courtesy of Purple Planet music...