The Nextlander Watchcast

By The Nextlander WatchcastTV & Film

The Nextlander Watchcast episodes

November 27, 2023 68: New York Ninja (2021)
Turkey month is in full effect, and this week we're sifting through the detritus of Vinegar Syndrome's New York Ninja, a movie so bad the people who originally filmed it couldn't even be bothered to finish it! But we did! We watched the whole thing, and we also made you do that, probably, if you're listening to this episode. Sorry?

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 68: New York Ninja (2021)
(00:00:22) - Intro.
(00:02:43) - We've gotta set this one up, because there's a lot going on in this production.
(00:10:56) - You have to respect the effort. You don't have to respect the actual movie.
(00:16:39) - The cast(s).
(00:20:45) - Talking about John Liu.
(00:25:00) - Trying to piece together what is actually happening in this movie.
(00:28:52) - Becoming the New York Ninja.
(00:33:42) - The Plutonium Killer and his benefactor.
(00:37:41) - Break!
(00:38:04) - We're back, and it's time to stop crime. With rollerskates.
(00:46:37) - If nothing else, this is some great footage of '80s New York.
(00:47:49) - Getting horny for plutonium, or whatever that guy is doing.
(00:55:12) - Cataloging the nonsense that makes up the majority of the middle of the movie.
(01:02:32) - We mustn't forget Plutonium Man's most baffling scene.
(01:04:13) - Brad's favorite moment of the movie.
(01:06:37) - Would you believe it? More kidnappings!
(01:09:31) - The Staten Island warehouse raid, and the worst fight Alex has ever seen on film.
(01:15:41) - The most ridiculous bad guys in a move chock full of them.
(01:17:44) - Brad's OTHER favorite moment of the movie.
(01:20:47) - Time for the Plutonium Killer to "face" the music.
(01:25:19) - New York Ninja is for the children.
(01:28:28) - Speaking in favor of preservation at all costs. ALL COSTS.
(01:34:52) - Final thoughts.
(01:37:37) - Outro.

1 hr 41 min
November 21, 2023 67: Ninja Terminator (1986)
Our first ever Turkey Month kicks off the only way it possibly could: with a z-grade ninjasploitation movie Frankensteined together out of two different movies. We are of course talking about the "great" Godfrey Ho's Ninja Terminator!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 67: Ninja Terminator (1986)
(00:01:16) - Intro.
(00:03:59) - Dealing with any pertinent questions up top, and discussion of the '80s ninja boom.
(00:08:15) - A brief history of Godfrey Ho, a scam king.
(00:16:38) - Poor Richard Harrison.
(00:18:34) - Talking about the various ways to watch this movie (and how they're all broken in
different ways).
(00:20:09) - The rampant use of stolen music.
(00:22:30) - Alex tries to John Moschitta his way through a LOT of ninja movie titles.
(00:25:50) - The set-up for the movie (such as it is).
(00:30:56) - We've established our ninja movie, now let's introduce a completely different movie.
(00:33:29) - Break!
(00:33:46) - We're back, and we're trying to figure out who is being mourned here.
(00:37:23) - Who is working for who and who the hell is sending robots.
(00:42:42) - We may have broken Brad.
(00:47:46) - Trying to pick apart how exactly Jaguar escapes.
(00:52:03) - Some of these fights aren't bad. They aren't the ones they shot for this actual movie.
(00:55:08) - Bopping around various memorable moments.
(01:04:32) - Brad is very disappointed in the filmmakers. And trying to figure out what Jaguar's
movie was originally about.
(01:11:27) - Here's your ninja slop, pigs.
(01:17:53) - Final thoughts.
(01:23:03) - Outro.

1 hr 27 min
November 07, 2023 66: Train to Busan (2016)
For our final film of our spooky October, we're traveling to South Korea, where a zombie outbreak has caused a number of train delays (and violent deaths) in Train to Busan!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 66: Train to Busan (2016)
(00:00:27) - Intro.
(00:03:02) - Our film for this week: Train to Busan! Leading off with our histories and general feelings on zombie movies.
(00:13:49) - Speaking highly of the zombie train concept, and the expedient collapse.
(00:18:42) - Little bit of production history and cast talk.
(00:23:08) - The general lack of sentimentality in this movie and the Korean movies Alex has seen.
(00:25:30) - The movie's (non-zombie) villain, and the set-up for the plot.
(00:29:53) - The limited backstory of the outbreak.
(00:35:18) - The zambies.
(00:41:58) - Break!
(00:42:19) - We're back, and let's talk about our survivors.
(00:47:09) - The rules of the dead.
(00:51:48) - What's happening outside the train.
(00:54:31) - The first attempt at disembarking.
(01:02:20) - Marveling at these spacious train bathrooms. And a dark contrivance.
(01:08:04) - Mr. Business makes his heel turn (and a brief aside on The Mist).
(01:16:40) - The younger sister takes revenge.
(01:20:54) - Mr. Business is not done messing things up.
(01:29:21) - Why's this zombie movie gotta make me feel Real Emotions?
(01:35:53) - Do they make it to Busan?
(01:41:45) - Final thoughts.
(01:45:35) - Outro.

1 hr 52 min
October 30, 2023 65: House (1977)
We're trading terror for bafflement on this week's Watchcast, as we move to Japan and one of the most genuinely off-the-wall movies ever made in 1977's House!
CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 65: House (1977)
(00:01:20) - Intro.
(00:03:36) - Our film this week: House! The Japanese one. Not the US one.
(00:06:40) - What did we know about this movie going in.
(00:14:50) - How the hell did this get made?
(00:26:27) - Getting into what the film is, and introducing our crew of high school girls.
(00:31:12) - What's up with Mr. Togo?
(00:33:38) - Let's all go to Auntie's super cool house.
(00:39:25) - Break!
(00:39:44) - We're back, and here's the Melon Man.
(00:41:23) - Arriving at the titular house.
(00:49:52) - Mac gets got.
(00:55:38) - Auntie's genuinely bizarre montage.
(00:59:48) - Eating Sweet before bed.
(01:05:47) - Goodbye sweet Melody.
(01:09:24) - Togo, noodles, and a bear that may or may not really be there.
(01:10:48) - Marathoning through the remaining deaths.
(01:17:59) - Gorgeous is back! Oh no.
(01:23:38) - Final thoughts, such as they are.
(01:31:06) - Outro.
1 hr 35 min
October 23, 2023 64: Suspiria (1977)
Our journey through international horror takes us out of English-speaking territory and into English-dubbed territory, as we cross the border into Italy for Dario Argento's supernatural classic, Suspiria!
CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 64: Suspiria (1977)
(00:00:32) - Intro.
(00:03:45) - Initial impressions of our film this week: Suspiria! And discussion of what makes a giallo film (and if this is even one of them).
(00:08:00) - A little Q&A at the top.
(00:14:19) - More production notes.
(00:21:54) - Argento's Three Mothers trilogy and some additional notes about Italian films of the time.
(00:26:45) - Opening the movie with a bang.
(00:35:10) - Break!
(00:35:50) - We're back, and it's time to go to school.
(00:39:25) - A few plot threads that don't seem to go anywhere.
(00:42:43) - Our incredibly peculiar staff.
(00:48:07) - Say goodbye to the piano man.
(00:52:18) - The inexplicable maggots. And oh, hi Mark.
(00:54:35) - Using every red gel in Italy, and here comes The Directress.
(00:58:51) - It's going to take two whole professors to explain this one.
(01:04:06) - Sara's incredible death.
(01:10:43) - Getting to the endgame (and a SPOILER for the Suspiria remake).
(01:13:16) - END OF SPOILERS. We're on to the subject of toilet fish and rubber bats.
(01:16:27) - All occult tunnels lead to pissed off old witches.
(01:22:47) - And that's a wrap! Final thoughts, and favorite rooms.
(01:24:52) - Some additional potential SPOILERS for the remake.
(01:27:35) - END OF REMAKE DISCUSSION.
(01:29:01) - Outro.
1 hr 33 min
October 16, 2023 63: The Babadook (2014)
We continue our venture into international horror waters this week with an Australian entry in Jennifer Kent's The Babadook! Join us as we discuss frazzled mothers, bad vibes kids, and what the real monster is: grief, or, uh, a literal monster.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 63: The Babadook (2014)
(00:00:34) - Intro.
(00:02:33) - The Babadook, and the subgenre of "elevated" horror.
(00:04:40) - Initial thoughts.
(00:08:56) - Getting into the production of the film.
(00:13:23) - On the subject of our child star and raising bad vibes kids.
(00:20:35) - The concept and design of the monster.
(00:26:32) - Starting our trek through the movie.
(00:34:23) - The few people (and one dog) who try their best to help.
(00:37:44) - Break!
(00:38:05) - We're back, and here comes the Babadook!
(00:39:55) - Mom and Sam's isolation, and the movie's willingness to never definitively say what's in their head vs. real.
(00:46:39) - The book.
(00:51:31) - Some discussion of how good the central performances are.
(00:55:50) - The book comes back, and mom gets mean.
(01:01:05) - Sleep at all costs.
(01:05:47) - The possession.
(01:09:38) - Mom is officially over the edge.
(01:18:17) - The dead husband visions.
(01:19:46) - Sam goes full Home Alone.
(01:24:17) - Mom barfs some Babadook, but it ain't over yet.
(01:27:08) - The epilogue.
(01:35:33) - The Babadook's role as an LGBTQ icon.
(01:38:37) - Final thoughts.
(01:44:34) - Outro.

1 hr 49 min
October 09, 2023 62: Ghostwatch (1992)
The greatest month of the year has arrived, and to celebrate the spooks we've got a lineup of international horror films set to terrify you within an inch of your life! First up is the once HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL early found footage film Ghostwatch, in which some of your favorite '90s BBC presenters get tormented and possessed LIVE on Halloween!
CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:35) - Intro.
(00:02:48) - Our film for this week: The BBC's Ghostwatch!
(00:06:28) - Talking a bit up front about the controversy that came following its broadcast.
(00:12:52) - More discussion of the production and cast.
(00:18:54) - Recounting the sightings of the ghost. (00:20:50) - The aftermath, and the glory hole.
(00:25:17) - Our personal experiences with the found footage subgenre.
(00:30:46) - Break!
(00:31:10) - We're back, and it's time to actually get into the movie.
(00:35:13) - How this production lines up with the modern ghost show, and a little on the haunting the story is based on.
(00:43:30) - The slow-burn pacing, and subtle ghost insertions.
(00:47:12) - The in-show "hoax".
(00:52:26) - Why isn't this better known?
(00:55:34) - A very Brad side question.
(00:56:20) - From the wet spot to the glory hole. And our ghost: Pipes.
(01:00:49) - Sarah's ghost story.
(01:05:34) - Everything pops off.
(01:15:21) - The final breakdown of everything.
(01:21:40) - Final thoughts.
(01:29:20) - Outro.
1 hr 34 min
October 02, 2023 61: Hard Boiled (1992)
We're closing out September with the mother of all Hong Kong action flicks in John Woo's Hard Boiled!

CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:19) - Intro.
(00:01:34) - Our film for this week: HARD BOILED!
(00:02:35) - What did our cast know about the movie going in, and early impressions.
(00:14:10) - Talking about the production of the movie.
(00:26:12) - Time to get into the film (and a brief discussion of jazz and its coolness).
(00:34:18) - John Woo's jazz club.
(00:36:08) - Tony Leung's eagerness to do undercover murders.
(00:38:13) - La Li Lu Le Lo.
(00:43:48) - The old school and new school of HK triads have different philosophies.
(00:50:31) - Break!
(00:50:55) - We're back, let's blow this warehouse to smithereens.
(00:59:40) - How did all this manage to happen less than halfway through the movie?!?
(01:04:01) - Barreling toward the hospital.
(01:07:18) - All hospital from here on out.
(01:12:52) - Let's just shoot guns and blow stuff up and fight Philip Kwok forever.
(01:22:14) - The final showdown with Mad Dog, and the exit from the hospital.
(01:26:37) - Johnny's humiliation fetish routine.
(01:31:49) - Final thoughts.
(01:36:01) - Outro.
1 hr 41 min
September 25, 2023 60: Righting Wrongs (1986)
For the second half of September we're checking out a pair of top flight Hong Kong action flicks, kicking off with our second Cynthia Rothrock classic, Righting Wrongs!
CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:32) - Intro.
(00:02:22) - Our film for this week: Righting Wrongs!
(00:09:43) - Some background on the film's production.
(00:17:54) - On the subject of multiple endings.
(00:21:19) - Launching into the movie proper.
(00:25:26) - Meanwhile, in Hong Kong: let's blow up some kids.
(00:31:27) - Yuen Biao becomes Batman, and Cynthia Rothrock arrives.
(00:35:35) - Hello Stink Egg.
(00:45:09) - Staring at computer terminals for a while.
(00:47:04) - Break!
(00:47:23) - We're back, here's this criminal kid. He's going to die.
(00:49:13) - The parking garage scene.
(00:53:45) - Torturing a train metaphor to death.
(00:56:22) - This child is an idiot, and the reveal of the Big Bad.
(01:02:23) - If you're suspected of murder, why is court the first place you'd think to go?
(01:05:17) - Melvin Wong is going to obliterate this kid. But first he's going to obliterate his grandpa.
(01:14:05) - The assassin returns, now with high-waisted jeans.
(01:17:11) - More child assassination? More child assassination!
(01:22:03) - Another innocent dead. To the airplane hangar!
(01:27:40) - The final confrontation.
(01:33:59) - Final thoughts.
(01:35:56) - Outro.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 hr 39 min
September 11, 2023 59: Porco Rosso (1992)
Our patrons voted and they wanted to see us check out Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's airborne adventure Porco Rosso! Join us as we take to the skies with a lovably grumpy pig man as he bests his rivals and rediscovers his humanity.
CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:19) - Intro.
(00:02:55) - Our individual experiences with the works of Studio Ghibli.
(00:08:35) - Getting into the history of Porco Rosso's production.
(00:10:27) - Talking about the different casts and dubs.
(00:15:16) - Some chat about Miyazaki as a figure in animation.
(00:19:08) - Porco's more adult, real world themes.
(00:22:58) - Setting up the premise.
(00:25:51) - These are maybe not the most talented sky pirates.
(00:32:21) - Gina and Porco's relationship.
(00:35:24) - This movie's love of planes.
(00:37:31) - Curtis joins the pirates, and Porco's plane gets wrecked.
(00:40:51) - Break!
(00:41:12) - Milan and the cadre of women workers.
(00:48:33) - The air force comes calling.
(00:51:26) - Time to get the heck out of Italy.
(00:57:35) - The pirates have a plan...of sorts.
(01:01:48) - Curtis wants to duel to the death.
(01:05:32) - Porco revealed.
(01:08:55) - A mad dash to a madcap showdown.
(01:15:20) - Talking about the end and epilogue.
(01:22:48) - Final thoughts.
(01:29:50) - Outro.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 hr 35 min

About The Nextlander Watchcast

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The Nextlander crew branches out into media that doesn't require a controller to enjoy! Join Alex, Brad, and Vinny as they watch the movies, shows, and anime they've either missed out on up to this…