CinemaSpection

It's that time again; in our first episode of 2020 we take a look back at the past year to point out our favorite films of 2019. Along the way we discuss movies so devastatingly effective we'll think twice before seeing them again, box office disappointments of 2019 that deserved a bigger audience, and the sophomore efforts of several impressive horror auteurs. Which films will make the cut? Find...

Polly returns to the podcast to discuss another yuletide classic as we watch that holiday favorite,  A Christmas Story . Listen as we praise author Jean Shepherd's skill at capturing childhood nostalgia, reminisce about favorite presents from childhood, and discuss our misadventures sticking our tongues on things. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a major award.   Our theme song i...

Welcome to Japan, Mr. Bond, and welcome back Bob Chipman for our annual assignment with 007 as we dive into an active volcano of racism and cultural malfeasance with the fifth James Bond adventure,  You Only Live Twice . Listen as we discuss the series' forays into science fiction, the worst spy disguise ever put to film, and the viability of a James Bond theme park. Warning: Contains explicit lan...

The debates around James Cameron's debut film had waged for decades, but the ultimate discussion would not be conducted in the future. It would be held here, in this episode... tonight. Kyle returns to the show as we take aim at the original 1984 classic, The Terminator.  Listen as we ponder the circular logic of time travel paradoxes, consider how modern abuses of artificial intelligence may lead...

Do you enjoy Universal Horror movies? They are our only weakness and we're indulging in it with a discussion about one of the greatest monster movies (and best sequels) ever made,  Bride of Frankenstein  from 1935. Listen as we discuss the moral transformation of Boris Karloff's creature, Elsa Lanchester's iconic performance as the title character, and how the movie influenced our wedding plans. W...

Having trouble coming up with something new and different to watch in the lead-up to Halloween? We can help! Bob Chipman joins us once again as we offer up 30 suggestions for lesser-known and lesser-appreciated horror flicks to enhance your October viewing, featuring movies from a variety of countries, time periods, and subgenres. Whether you're looking for killer babies, killer snowmen, demented...

We're stepping back behind the counter to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kevin Smith's debut film with an episode on  Clerks.  We discuss Smith's resourceful methods of low-budget filmmaking, the production's no-frills visual style, and the symbolic value of finding the perfect dozen eggs. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and annoying customers. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV"...

We welcome Noel Thingvall to the show as we excavate our first Hammer film , Quatermass and the Pit  (a.k.a.  Five Million Years to Earth ), featuring that most British of sci-fi heroes, Bernard Quatermass. Listen as we discuss the brilliant career of Quatermass creator Nigel Kneale, examine the social, religious, and political themes buried beneath the film's surface, and speculate on who might p...

Bust out the quarters because we're aiming to break some high scores with our discussion of  The Last Starfighter  from the summer of 1984. Listen as we reminisce about our video game-infused childhoods, point out the unmistakable influence of  Star Wars  on this arcade-era space opera, and comment on the film's groundbreaking computer effects. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and he...

Break out the coffee and grab those energy drinks because we've got to stay awake to watch Philip Kaufman's unnerving 1978 remake of  Invasion of the Body Snatchers . We discuss how the pod people serve as an adaptable metaphor for different social fears, soak in the atmosphere of paranoia created by Kaufman and his collaborators, and freak out over some inappropriate banjo music. Warning: Contain...

In the latest installment of  Cinemaspection: First Run , we attend the coronation of  Godzilla: King of the Monsters , party like crazy with  Ma , and witness the second coming of the most famous X-Men story with  Dark Phoenix . Warning: Contains explicit language and mild spoilers. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

Dynamic violence! Savage action! Spectacular thrills! This episode has it all as Kyle joins us again to pay homage to the mighty monarch of movie monsters, the original  Gojira ( a.k.a. Godzilla)  from 1954. We'll examine the film's themes of nuclear devastation and scientific responsibility, point out the changes made for the American version,  Godzilla: King of the Monsters , and speculate on th...

The Infinity Saga comes to a spectacular end and the Marvel Cinematic Universe reaches a turning point as we assemble to discuss  Avengers: Endgame . Listen as we ruminate on the fates of Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, and the rest of Earth's mightiest heroes, check the accuracy of our post- Infinity War  predictions, and further speculate on the future of the MCU. Warning: Contains...

For our latest installment of  Cinemaspection: First Run , we say the magic word and fly with  Shazam! , witness the resurrection of one Stephen King's creepiest stories,  Pet Sematary , and tilt at windmills with Terry Gilliam's long-awaited  The Man Who Killed Don Quixote . Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

We're introducing a new segment,  Cinemaspection: First Run , in which we take a look at films currently playing in a theater near you!! For our first installment, we meet the enemy and it is  Us , the newest horror movie from Oscar-winner Jordan Peele. Then we struggle to maintain our grip on reality as we dance through Gaspar Noe's descent into drug-fueled madness,  Climax . Finally, we take one...

Every February, sci-fi fans from across New England converge on Somerville, Massacusetts for the annual Boston Science Fiction Film Festival, culminating in the Sci-Fi Marathon, a 24-hour endurance test for film fans featuring a wide variety of movies displaying, the best, worst, and weirdest of the genre. While we couldn't attend in person for this, the 44th year of the event, we decided to play...

It's that time again as we take a look back at our favorite cinema experiences of 2018. Which films from last year will take the top spots on our lists? What filmmakers should you keep an eye on in the future? Who's going to end up sleeping on the couch because they left out a particular movie? Find out here. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and a shortage of quality Cheddar Gob...

Are you ready for the truth? If so, listen as Kyle joins us to break down M. Night Shyamalan's superpowered thriller  Unbreakable . We discuss the twists and turns of Shyamalan's filmography, examine the movie's place in the superhero subgenre, and try to predict what strange surprises may await us in Shyamalan's upcoming follow-up film  Glass . Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers (for t...

It's the holidays again and we're joined by Shana to talk about one of the most iconic films of the 1980s, Joe Dante's yuletide creature feature  Gremlins . Listen in as we discuss the film's controversial mix of humor and horror, speculate on the origins of the mogwai, and comment on criticism regarding the movie's racial politics. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and three rules yo...

We're back on assignment with Bob Chipman as we plunge into the murky waters of the fourth James Bond adventure, Thunderball . Listen as we detail the latest crimes of 007, wade into the legal entanglements concerning the story's origins, and and critique wetsuit couture. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and way too much scuba combat. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonath...

We're squaring off for a discussion of the best fight scenes in movie history. Listen as we grapple over the most important elements to a great fight, give credit to the fight coordinators responsible for some of cinema's most immortal brawls, and list our top ten favorite silver screen slugfests. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and stunt doubles. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by...

Here it is, our first live show, recorded at the Peabody Essex Museum as part of Salem Horror Fest. To mark the 50th anniversary of the release of Night of the Living Dead, we discuss George Romero's Living Dead film series. Listen as we discuss how Romero used zombies as metaphors for social issues, chart how Romero's zombies developed from flesh-eating monsters into the heroes of the series, and...

We're trying to keep our rage under control as we discuss Danny Boyle's chilling 2002 infection thriller  28 Days Later . Listen in as we debate whether it qualifies as a zombie movie, explore how the film taps into real world anxieties, and comment on the various works that influenced the story. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and post-apocalyptic shopping lists. Our theme song is...

Step right up... step right up and listen to our latest episode!! You won't believe your ears as you hear Corinne, Polly, and Tim discuss Tod Browning's infamous big-top horror show  Freaks  from 1932. We'll discuss how the film's both exploits and compassionately portrays its cast of actual sideshow performers, detail the various cuts made to the film before its wide release, and cringe at the ho...

So are we actually talking about  Glengarry Glen Ross , David Mamet's searing drama of capitalism, corruption, and closers, or are we just speaking about it? Listen as we examine how the Pulitzer prize-winning play was translated to film, discuss the atmosphere of toxic masculinity in the Premiere Properties office, and find a new mantra to live by... Always Be Caffeinated! Warning: Contains expli...