The Pod and the Pendulum: A Horror Movie Podcast

Crites in Space! Question for the listening audience: has adding "in space" to any long running movie franchise ever made that entry better? We're thinking a hard no on our end, because despite a baller cast that includes Angela Bassett and Brad Douriff, Critters 4 is a hot mess of a movie. Maybe it's the cheap set design, maybe it's the attempt to recreate Alien on a next-to-nothing budget, or maybe its the fact that the titular characters turn up for about 4 minutes in the first hour, but this one is tough. That said, Jerry and Mike are here to break down the movie, and give our spin on what does and does not work. Plus, your fearless cohosts discuss how they're faring with the start of self-imposed social isolation and what they're watching to get through these rough few weeks.

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He’s won Oscars. He’s dated supermodels. He’s worked with Marty and Quentin and Cameron and Spielberg. But before he was a legend and an icon; before he was considered one of the top actors of his generation, Leonardo DiCaprio battled the Crites. This week the action moves out of Grover’s Bend and into the big city. Maybe we should say the action moves to one particular apartment building in the big city in the kid-friendly, horror comedy Critters 3. Jerry and Mike are joined once again by Nat Brehmer to break down all the action in this early 90s straight-to-video sequel. However, unlike some of the DTV fare we’ve covered, we argue Critters 3 has a lot going on for it, due in no small part to the writing of splatter-punk author David J. Schow (The Crow, Leatherface) and a commitment to keeping in continuity of the first two films.

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We want the Crites! Our coverage of the man-eating, space traveling furballs continues with 1988’s Critters 2: The Main Course. Jerry, Mike and their special guest talk about their love for this Mick Garris feature, as well as give an overview of Garris and why he’s such an important figure in modern horror. We have a lot of fun this one, and risk going off the rails a few times where we come up with our alternate history of the film as well as a number of fun facts that may or may not score you some bucks if there’s ever a Critters category on Jeopardy. Plus, Mike divulges some terrible facts about his childhood involving light bulbs and being left behind in his baby car seat. 

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Nat Brehmar joins the coveted three time cohost club this week to bring us his love and knowledge bombs for the sci-fi infused horror comedy of CRITTERS. While tiny monster movies are decidedly not Mike's jam (the man has only seen one Puppet Master for God's sake!) he found himself absolutely smitten during his first time watch of this 80s cult-classic. Meanwhile Jerry and Nat dive deep into why this little title about a small town overrun by furry alien hedgehogs with endless rows of teeth and enough of an appetite to match Homer Simpson in a donut eating contest. Plus, if you thought we couldn't make a Critters/Coen Brothers comparison well you good sir or madame are wrong!

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We wrap up our coverage of Poltergeist with a look back at the 2015 remake. You would be forgiven if you had already forgotten this movie's existence. Trust us, it's just kind of there. That doesn't stop us from having a lively discussion of the film, including Mike being far too inappropriate when discussing his irrational hatred for one of the characters in the movie. Plus, in our continued efforts to support Women in Horror Month, Mike chats with YA author Ivana Sanders about her upcoming debut novel The Beckwith Brothers.

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This week's show includes a fun look back at Poltergeist 3, the bastard step-child of the series, where Carol Ann is kicked to the curb by her parents and sent to live with her aunt and uncle. Discussion includes speculation on how much cocaine people consumed in the 80s, whether or not your liver would up and quit if you took a shot every time someone says "Carol Ann" (don't believe us? Listen to the post-credits), Jerry living in Breaking Bad country, whether or not some of the special effects consisted of delicious bread bowls, Zelda Rubenstein doing her best He Man & the Master of the Universe impression & so much more.

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This week we take a deep dive into Poltergeist 2, a film that's responsible for a lot of childhood terror for Brian. Plus, to celebrate Women in Horror month, Mike has a chat with Kelly and Jess of Spinsters of Horror fame.

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We're Heeeeeeereeeee with a new franchise to cover. this week we kick off with the classic 1982 film that has traumatized kids for generations- Poltergeist. Brian, Mike, Jerry and Veronica ask why this film still resonates for kids and adults generations later, how it points a finger at the hippie/boomer generation and why it remains a great gateway to horror for many. And yes, we tackle the whole "Who really directed the movie?" question but that's not the main focus.

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This week, we watch The Tribe, so that you don't have to. Imagine a vape bar and Axe body spray in movie form and you have a pretty good idea of what you're in store for. The direct-to-video Lost Boys sequel focuses on a group of surfing vampires, despite feature a total of zero surfing scenes or even insert shots in the movie. Good times.

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