What We're Carving Up:

• Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023)

Things We Discussed:

• Why Christopher Robin abandoning his woodland friends turns them into rage-fueled killers (relatable)
• The beauty of democracy: bastardizing beloved characters the second copyright expires
• Where's Tigger? (Answer: safe in copyright jail until the sequel)
• That surprisingly decent animated opening vs. everything that follows
• 80s slasher vibes meet sexist trash aesthetics
• Why elevated horror fatigue is real and trash cinema has its place
• Other recent disappointments: Keeper, Shelby Oaks
• Looking forward to: Nosferatu, Silent Night Deadly Night

The Verdict: Tasty trash or tasteless trash? You decide. Either way, bring friends who can handle knowing you watched this.

Caleb's podcast: The Natural State of Wine

Film Discussed: Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), directed by Dan Gilroy

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, John Malkovich, Toni Collette, Zawe Ashton, Tom Sturridge

Wines Featured:

• Lovehammer Cabernet 2020, Pine Mountain, Slow Jam's Vineyard
• Dominique Renard Rosé Champagne
• Jordan Chardonnay 2022

Key Discussion Topics:

• The pretension and exploitation in the contemporary art world
• Authenticity vs. hype in wine, art, and culture
• Haunted/cursed art as a horror subgenre (references to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Pickman's Model)
• Why visual art gets more latitude for bullshit than other art forms
• The film's morality play about respecting an artist's final wishes
• Memorable deaths: the sphere, Hobo Man, paintings that literally kill

References: HP Lovecraft's "Pickman's Model," The Devil's Candy, Candyman (2021), Nightcrawler, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Ongo Gablogian

The Return

• Back from a 6-month break (Levi's "summer slumber")
• Spooky season timing couldn't be better
• Beer of choice: Maharaja IPA from Avery Brewing ("battery acid in a can")

Phantoms (1998)

• Directed by Joe Chappelle (Halloween: Curse of Michael Myers)
• Written by Dean Koontz, adapting his own novel
• Starring baby-faced Ben Affleck as a sheriff/ex-FBI agent
• Features Peter O'Toole bringing gravitas to exposition dumps
• Rose McGowan and Joanna Going in peak Miramax era roles

Plot Discussion

• Small Colorado town mysteriously empty (before it was cool)
• Ancient enemy that's basically primordial ooze meets ChatGPT
• Lovecraftian influences mixed with The Thing vibes
• Pacing issues: "It's a four-act movie pretending to be three"
• CGI that aged like milk left in the sun

Peter O'Toole Appreciation Corner

• From Lawrence of Arabia to... this
• Survived pancreatic cancer in the '70s (absolute legend)
• Professional drinker, occasional actor
• Died in 2012 at 80

October Horror Plans

• Pumpkinhead (Kentucky hillbillies and monsters)
• Witchfinder General (Vincent Price at his cruelest)
• Discussion of recent releases: Sinners, Weapons, The Long Walk

Random Tangents

• SSRIs and their gill-growing properties
• The bridge troll health guru phenomenon
• Why cigarettes are actually good for you (they're not)
• Ben Affleck's chin as a character unto itself

Rating: Mixed bag - great concept, questionable execution, worth it for Liev Schreiber's creepy giggle alone

We also reflect on Levi's viewing of "Nosferatu," examining its stylistic choices and societal themes. As we rank our favorite horror films from the past year, we highlight the connections between storytelling and audience reactions. We wrap up with our exciting plans for future projects and genre explorations in podcasting.

The episode opens on an emotional note for Jonathan as he acknowledges the bittersweet moment of watching his mentee, Levi, select a film that he deems one of the worst ever made. The duo can't help but dive into the absurdity, as they reminisce about the film's gratuitous nudity, poor acting, and the unforgettable presence of Clint Howard - whose performance, while dubious, is not to be dismissed too lightly. 

Special guest Lindsey joins Levi & Johnathon for a look at Needful Things, an underrated adaption of Stephen King's novel by the same name.

Do you idolatry?

We idolatry.

They're eating the dogs and they're eating the cats. But it's cool, because there are 12 sequels in the Friday the 13th franchise alone.

It's Lovecraft's birthday month, and the boys have words. Join us as we track his influence from The House by the Cemetery to Alien Romulus.