MARCH MADMEN

“The Return of Michael Myers” goes under our microscope as the Danielle Harris era begins in Haddonfield. This wide-ranging discussion is one of our best! Not only do we delve into the deepest layers of this film, we take a big picture look at Michael vs. Jason.

Special guest Emily Rua joins the gents to study the weirdly wonderful Season of the Witch, a Halloween sequel that’s doing just fine without Michael Myers, thank you  very much. Gather round the television, boys and girls!

The boys are back to finish their thorough post mortem on the first Halloween sequel, right down to the HR standards at this third-rate hospital.

This filmic autopsy is a little less loving than the last one, but the gents do give Rick Rosenthal’s “Halloween in a hospital” a thorough clinical assessment. We split this show in two, so more Myers is on the way!

We conclude our coroner’s report on the film that spawned the slasher craze of the 1980s, filling out Laurie’s Final Girl scorecard and grading Michael Myers’ uncanny impression of P.J. Soles’ bespectacled boyfriend.

The fellas kick off their franchise autopsy with a (very) thorough examination of John Carpenter’s classic, finding meaning in every moment of The Night He Came Home.

The guys travel to 17th century New England to wrestle with Black Phillip, sign their names in the Devil’s book and discuss the witch’s brew of ideas that make this movie an instant classic.

The boys enter THE VOID… This Lovecraft-tinged acid trip is set in one hellish hospital, provoking a passionate discussion of the film’s macabre vision.

In Part 2 of an exhaustive investigation of what makes this movie tick, the guys go deep into a problematic third act, wonder how Jay really feels about Paul, and offer answers to the mythology's many haunting questions.

In this impromptu pod, the guys reminisce about Romero — with a particular emphasis on Night of the Living Dead — on the sad occasion of his passing. Career highlights, personal impact and even the misfires (cough, Diary) are covered.

Perhaps the most haunting horror film of the decade thus far, "It Follows" provides the boys much to sink their teeth into. From VD metaphors to mama-humping, this mythology leaves a mark. Our two-parter begins with the big picture and one BADLY broken leg.

This is your Darkest Hour, the podcast that gives horror films a thorough autopsy. In Episode 1, the boys explore the Tombs of the Blind Dead, where wacky morgue attendants, nattily dressed detectives and simian skeletons rub shoulders with one another. Topics include slo-mo gallops, a neutered American version and one odd love triangle.

The trio takes on Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s entry in the Alien franchise. Ripley is back in black and blasting out Joss Whedon quips. But is this xenomorph meshugas without merit, or strangely satisfying? The boys render a split decision on that one…

David Fincher’s divisive sequel has its hidden charms, but is it TRULY underrated? Topics include Ripley’s new relationship with the xenos, themes of redemption and previous drafts of the script.

It’s Predator Deuce! King Willie reveals his cryptic secrets to the Guys, who also consider Danny Glover’s billowy '90s wardrobe, Bill Paxton’s one-liners and Gary Busey’s top-secret folder.

You may not got time to bleed, but you got time to listen to this study of the 1987 classic Predator, which guides you deep into the jungles of “Val Verde.”

We give ALIENS the frame-by-frame treatment, covering everything from Burke’s parallels to Ash and who screwed over who when Ripley met the Queen. Also, slash fiction gold.

Our combat drop to LV-426 begins with the genesis of the James Cameron classic, the nitty-gritty of xenomorphs and a certain cowardly Colonial Marine.

The Franchise Guys start a new season with a study of the sci-fi classic ALIEN! Primordial dread, cast clashes, biomechanical lube, Dallas' porn collection and much more go under the microscope.

Ambush Bug (Mark L. Miller) of Ain't It Cool News helps us put a capper on this season of the show! Topics include growing up with these movies, our favorite F13 moments, Jason's evolution, what's next for the franchise, and much more.

Our cinematic journey concludes on the Platinum Dunes, where the F13 franchise was revived under the watchful eye of Michael Bay. This one divides the guys as opinions on Jason and the other characters vary. We agree that it looks good, at least, and is a welcome return to the "Core Four" feel.

We call it Jason vs. Freddy around here! Let's size up the opponents in this franchise mash-up and enjoy the brutal exposition along with the kills. One of our wilder shows yet, and that's saying something with this series. Ultimately, Jason wins, but so do we all.

In our lead-up to "Freddy vs. Jason," the guys take a detour to Springwood for one restless night. Examining the film that launched Fred Krueger's franchise, we compare him to the Joker, delve into dream logic and wonder if Johnny Depp could ever don the razor-tipped glove.

We wrap up our discussion of Jason X and its many absurdities (going deep into the "holodeck sequence," of course). Why wasn't there a TV spinoff about Demon, Creighton Duke and Brodski driving around in a sweet van, fighting evil? And so on.

Jason X or, "Jason Goes to Space," divides our panel (two enjoyed the film, one hated it) but definitely breaks new ground for the masked madman. This Canadian co-production also makes us wonder if Wolverine is Jason's regenerating cousin. Part 1 of 2 Pods!