The LAMBcast

It's spooky season on the Lambcast, Halloween is coming and horror films are everywhere. We got a request a few weeks ago for a show that focuses on earlier horror films so it seemed like the right time for another draft episode.  This week we have some incredibly strange creatures who stopped living and became mixed up movie bloggers. There are a few reasons that we limited the entries to this time period. First, that was the suggestion from a listener that prompted the episode to begin with. A second reason is that I am looking for films that don’t always get covered during the season. Let's try to broaden our tastes. Another reason is that 1973 marked a transition in horror films with “The Exorcist” breaking out of the horror ghetto and becoming a mainstream success. And finally, this limitation means that I don’t have to engage one more time in an argument over whether or not “Jaws” is a Horror film. Aaron Neuwirth, Howard Casner, David Brook, Dave Anderson, and Todd Liebenow enjoy a "spirited" competition over their favorite older horror movies. Frankly, it is horrifying when the film you want is chosen right before your turn, listen to Howard scream repeatedly if you want proof. 

The October MOTM is a horror film, in recognition of Halloween and this year we have a truly frightening film, but still with a lot of humor. It comes from director Sam Rami, so that mixture will be no surprise to the deadites out there, but this film does not feature Bruce Campbell. Instead, we get Alison Lohman, being physically and mentally abused as a curse threatens to take her to hell via a violent lamia. Matthew Simpson of the Awesome Friday Podcast was the movie's champion, and he takes over the hosting duties. Damien Riley of "But I Digress" spends a lot of time admiring Miss Lohman in the film, and we talk about out favorite horror film directors as well. Plenty of spoilers, but with a film titled "Drag Me to Hell" you have a pretty good idea of what is coming. 

The polarizing dram project from Francis Ford Coppola has arrived in cinemas and thew Lambcast i9s there to talk about it. This week's episode is filled with a range of opinions, some of the guests found the movie abysmal, while others heaped high praise on it's artistry. One of the group gets yelled at for praising the film while not giving it a recommendation. We had no shortage of options. Daniel Lackey, Howard Casner, James Wilson and Aaron Neuwirth share their ideas, opinions and feelings, and isn't that what we all come here for? It is certainly not to check out any boners.  

The September Movie of the Month was chosen by James Wilson of "Blogging by Cinema Light". His choice of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" comes after three previous attempts with narrow losses. This week was no competition and James hosts the show. He is joined by Damien Riley of "Riley on Film" and also by Matthew Simpson from "The Awesome Friday Podcast".  Mr. Smith is one of the ten nominees for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, from 1939, a year that is considered the greatest in American Film History. Two of the people on this week's episode are veterans of the film, but the other two saw it for the first time this week. Come listen to us talk about this Classic film and why it is timeless and essential. 

Say it three times in a row quickly, and it will appear. Lambcast, Lambcast, Lambcast!
This week on the show we summon the legacy sequel to the 1988 Tim Burton film, "Beetlejuice". Burton comes out of directing sabbatical to reteam with his muse Michael Keaton. They are joined by returning cast members Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara for a journey to the next world. The film is already a big hit, but does it deserve to be? Emily Slade, Rachel Wagner and The Vern huddle up to discuss the merits and faults of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice". WE also discuss some film makers with distinctive styles and pick out our favorite Tim Burton films. 

This week is a do it yourself show. The five Lambs have assembled individual lists of movie related subjects and we share them in a Top Five Round Robin. Thomas Stoneham Judge is TIFF bound so his list features Audience favorites over the years. Howard Casner answers the question Tubi or not Tubi. Tony Coogan is not satisfied with a movie, he wants to see it on stage as well. Todd Liebenow is stuck in the 80s, but at least he has the Mall to hang out in. Finally, Richard is trying to score some tickets to the latest concert by a whole set of acts, but is having trouble finding their tour schedules. 

It is the 50th Anniversary of "The Towering Inferno", and enough members of the community thought that was a justification to vote for it in this month's poll. It turns out, we did this as a MOTM back in 2016, and for the moment, that is a lost episode. This episode is not lost and Dave Anderson from "Free Kittens Movie Guide" hosts the discussion. James Wilson and Matthew Simpson join the cast for this explosive disaster film from 1974. 

The Alien Franchise has been around for forty-five years now, and there have been ups and downs along the way. Fede Alverez, the director of the "Evil Dead" re-boot and "Don't Breathe" has been given the reins and our cast this week is ready to chime in on his work. We go spoiler free for the first half hour, but if you have seen the original film, there is nothing here that will surprise you. Heather Baxendale-Walsh, Lisa Leaheey and Damien Riley are all horror mavens, so Alvarez starts with a loaded deck, come find out how well we thought he played his hand. 

Six Lambs enter, One Lamb Leaves, at least if the community votes. This is a draft show with six slates of films, competing for your approval. Damien Riley, Aaron Neuwirth, Todd Liebenow, The Vern, Howard Casner and Richard Kirkham, struggle to choose from all the 1984 films available, to come up with a winning team. Do they choose films they love, or will they choose films they think you will love? Listen and find out if your favorites are selected and if so by who. Be sure to go to the LAMB site and vote on the poll for the winner. Voting will remain open through the end of August. 

No doubt this will be one of the big films of the Summer for 2024. Whether or not it deserves to be is the subject of our conversation on the Lambcast this week. Jeffrey Lyles from Lyles Movie Files, Bubba Wheat from Flights, Tights and Movie Nights and Pop Art's Howard Casner, join the show to mouth off about the two mouthiest superheroes in comic book films. The show is PG-13 but the movie is definitely an R. The spoiler wall comes down early (about 15 minutes in) and then you will hear plot talk, cameo appearances, and assorted other secrets of this hybrid Disney/Fox MCU film.