Go Doc Yourself

In episode 144, the Erins magic dance for "Inside the Labyrinth," available on Tubi. This doc chronicles the making of the 1986 film, Labyrinth. What makes this almost 40-year-old move so memorable? Perhaps it's the combined vision of Jim Henson and George Lucas bringing puppets and people together on screen. Perhaps it's the endearing characters and the amazing soundtrack. Either way, David Bowie...

In episode 143, the Erins horrify you with, "It's Florida, Man" S1E1. The inaugural episode "Toes" makes you glad you have sound decision making skills. Never have you wanted to attend a concert this badly! You know turning a quick buck on Craigslist never ends well.

In episode 142, the Erins finally find, "1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture," available on Prime Video. Christians reference biblical 'clobber' passages as a God sanctioned reason to hate on the LGBTQIA+ community. Turns out the good book got a mid-century tweak, which added 'homosexual' for the first time. While the scholars debated this mistranslation, the error was replicated and gai...

This week the Erins consider "The Mark of the Bell Witch," available on Prime Video. Small Town Monsters is back on the pod for spooky season number 3 with this look at the famous Midwestern folktale. The Bell Witch is a well-known and relatively well documented haunting of a family in Adams, Tennessee. The tale escalates from mischievous knocking to the death of the family patriarch. Many in the...

This week, the Erins leave you haunted by "The Unbinding," available on Tubi. Paranormal experts Greg and Dana Newkirk take on a cursed object. They don't expect to be so unsettled by their latest acquisition. After all, they have a formidable collection of spooky items for their paranormal museum! They go to great lengths finding peace for themselves and this restless spirit.

This week the Erins reminisce with "The Crypt Keeper Presents: A Spine-Tingling Look at Tales from the Crypt," available on YouTube. Among the best horror series ever made, Tale from the Crypt made the jump from comic to screen on HBO in the 90's. All the biggest names of the day flocked to kill, or be killed, often gruesomely. AND the Crypt Keeper kept it rolling with terrible puns and a hideous...

This week the Erins discuss "Wicker Kittens," available on Tubi. Competitive jigsaw puzzling may be the hobby you've been looking for! Join teams at the St. Paul Winter Carnival to see who are the fastest assemblers. Just make sure you have confirmation of entry. Oh, and snacks will only slow you down!

This week the Erins discuss "Patty vs Patty," available on YouTube. In 1985, the Canadian government made a misstep when enforcing an obscure rule about the beef patty. The People were having none of it and encouraged the rebellion of a beloved patty institution. Which patty prevails?

This week the Erins discuss "The Claudia Kishi Club," available on Netflix. The book series, The Babysitter's Club, captured the attention of many young readers in the 80's and 90's. Was it because a group of middle school girls built a business or dealt with some real-life struggles? Yes! We also learn that character Claudi Kishi broke stereotypes to inspire Asian American readers to embrace thei...

This week the Erins cackle over "The Witches of Hollywood," available on Prime and others. The witch on film has had many faces since she first appeared in the 1930's. You're likely familiar with the old hag with her warty nose and pointy hat. From film we learn the witch can also be alluring and entrap you with her feminine wiles. This doc points out that movies and TV love to show us how society...

This week the Erins fawn over "What Would Sophia Loren Do?" available on Netflix. A name synonymous with Hollywood royalty, Sophia Loren is a legend. Her influence reaches all the way to Italian-American grandmother and film buff, Nancy Kulik. Sophia's powerful roles give Nancy inspiration to deal with situations in her own life, spawning her catch phrase, "What Would Sophia Loren Do?" These women...

This week the Erins bring you the briefest of docs with "Mister Sunshine," available on Vimeo. Larry Woods had it all and then changed his whole outlook on life. Now, he just wants to brighten the days of those around him!

This week the Erins devour "Yuck: A 4 th Graders Short Documentary About School Lunch," available on Vimeo. The observant Zach Maxwell has some questions about the food served by his New York elementary school. He embarks on a mission to secretly film his lunches over 6 months. Zach wonders how often what's on his plate matches the fantastical menu advertised online. Check out this budding journal...

This week, the Erins play back "Weird Al: Never Off Beat," available on Prime Video. Alfred Yankovic has been spoofing the biggest songs in music since the 80's. His efforts made him a pop icon and household name. A Weird Al parody was considered a right of passage by music's biggest start. Turns out he's also a delightful human being to boot!

This week the Erins get curious about "The Dogman Triangle: Werewolves in the Lonestar State," available on Amazon Prime. The dogman is a new variant of the well-loved werewolf. Cryptic lore evolves as people settle in new areas and bring stories from home. Texas is a great example of blended people and stories coming together to explain strange sightings. The Small Town Monsters crew does it agai...

This week the Erins roll you with "How to Rob a Bank," available on Netflix. The 'Hollywood' bank robber swindled Seattle savings and loans at an unprecedented rate in the 1990's. The authorities struggled to catch the masterful thief who incorporated facial prosthetics into his heists. Luck eventually runs out for the wily bandit, much to the relief of local tellers!

This week the Erins live vicariously through bendy kids in "Breakin' on the One," available on Hulu. Cultural revolution sparks in the devastated boroughs of NYC in the late '70s. Rap, Hip Hop, and Break Dancing emerge as the youths find new ways to express themselves. The 1981 breakin' battle between the Dynamic Rockers and the Rock Steady Crew at Lincoln Center creates a massive public appetite...

This week the Erins ponder 'The Speedway Murders,' available to rent on Amazon Prime. The town of Speedway, Indiana has been seeking answers for the Burger Chef murders of 4 teenagers since 1978. This doc features the leading theories according to law enforcement and witnesses. Turns out the late 70's brought lots of intrigue to this small town!

This week the Erins express sorrow for "The Day Don Died," available on YouTube. This short doc runs us through the apartment complex rumor mill as news of Don's untimely departure spreads. Turns out that some details matter a great deal!

This week the Erins discuss "Brats," available on Hulu. Andrew McCarthy directs and stars in this ode to his 80's glory days. A single unflattering article alludes to Andrew and Peers being Hollywood's Brat Pack. The moniker is initially unwelcome, but the true impact takes 30 years to unfold.

This week the Erins converse on "Cosplay Culture," available on Tubi. Cosplay has grown from a deep love of compelling characters and people's need to escape their everyday lives. If you have the ability to sew, you may be able to capitalize on the huge demand for high quality costumes. Some designers travel the world to show off their skills and appear on stage. There may be titles and prize moni...

This week the Erins examine "A Hole in the Head," available on Amazon Prime. Trepanation is the practice of drilling a hole in the skull to heighten consciousness. We have archeological evidence that humans have practiced cutting holes in skulls for thousands of years. We have little evidence to support the continued practice in modern times. Just why?!

This week the Erins talk about the rebooted horror genre in "Copycat," available online here: https://vimeo.com/143734982 The slasher film had to get a bit more sophisticated int he 90's to keep an audience. Enter Rolfe and his self aware teenage horror flick. Unfortunately, it died right along with his characters as the interest in horror movies declined. Several years later, a little move called...

This week the Erins race to bring you "Carts of Darkness," available on Tubi. Everyone needs a hobby. If you are a homeless man in North Vancouver, you might try riding a shopping cart down steep ass roads. Please choose your carts wisely, as they are clocked at speeds around 40mph!

This week the Erins tantalize with "Scandalous: The Untold Story of The National Enquirer," available on Prime Video. The Enquirer has a reputation for grabbing attention with crazy headlines like, "Dr Phil: Raging Monster!" or "Hilary Adopts Alien Baby!" While most stories are shamelessly embellished, this rag gets some credit for great investigative work. No one was safe from this tabloid!