Pass, Pirate, Pay with Ken Franco

Send us Fan Mail We dive into three very different slices of the Stephen King cinematic universe — the prison epic The Shawshank Redemption , the haunted sequel Doctor Sleep , and the meditative mind-bender The Life of Chuck . From hope and horror to heartache and hallucinations, we’re breaking down which of these adaptations are worth your time… and which ones should’ve stayed buried in Derry. Wi...

Send us Fan Mail 🎃 This week on Pass, Pirate, Pay , Ken and Andy creep down the haunted hallway of horror cinema—where the floorboards creak with trauma and the wallpaper is peeling in dread. First up is 1985's House , the gonzo ghost-fest where Vietnam flashbacks share a two-bedroom with flying garden tools. Then we check into His House , a bone-chilling blend of immigration drama and super...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Pass, Pirate, Pay dives deep into the neon-lit VHS vault for Forgotten '80s Favorites ! This week, Ken and Andy are joined by longtime pal and pop culture savant Danny Jackson to revisit three offbeat gems that deserve a rewind. We’ve got Lucas (1986), the tender teen heartbreaker that made us all protective of Corey Haim and suspicious of jocks. Then it’s Cloak & Dagg...

Send us Fan Mail  Saddle up and keep your trigger fingers loose—Ken and Andy are riding back into the wild, weird West! This week on Pass, Pirate, Pay , the fellas tackle the dusty trail of The Cowboys (1972), where John Wayne herds up some preteen ranch hands; the grisly horror-western Bone Tomahawk , where things get downright cannibalistic; and the brand-new frontier slow-burn Rust (2025), a fi...

Send us Fan Mail 🦇🕺💉 This week on Pass, Pirate, Pay , we’re throwin' on our capes and creepin’ through the crypt of Black vampire cinema ! First up, the OG fang daddy himself in Blackula 🧛🏿—smooth, spooky, and rocking a velvet collar. Then we hit the streets with Vampire in Brooklyn 🕷️, where Eddie Murphy does everything (including the wigs). And finally, we dig into the indie cult madne...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Ken and Andy reach deep into the cinematic grab bag and pull out three wildly different flicks for your reviewing pleasure in an episode we’re calling… Mixed Bag . 🌀 Twisted (2004) – Ashley Judd, Samuel L. Jackson, and Andy Garcia star in this forgotten thriller that gets our full “Better Than Gigli ?” treatment. Spoiler: the bar is low, but the laughs are high. 🕵️‍♂️...

Send us Fan Mail Batter up! This week, Ken and Andy are sliding headfirst into the world of baseball movies , covering three films that span decades of dugouts, dreams, and devilish deals. ⚾ The Bad News Bears (1976) – The original misfit little leaguers with beer, cursing, and just enough heart to win you over. 🧢 Damn Yankees (1958) – A musical take on America’s pastime, where one man literally...

Send us Fan Mail Grab a pint and cue the fiddle—it's our St. Patrick's Day Special! Ken and Andy are diving into three Irish-themed films that span magic, music, and immigration, as we celebrate the Emerald Isle on screen. 🍀 Darby O'Gill and the Little People – Disney's mischievous leprechaun classic, complete with banshees and baby-faced Sean Connery. 🇮🇪 In America – A heartf...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Ken and Andy salute one of cinema’s greatest and most versatile actors—the legendary Gene Hackman . From tough-as-nails detectives to drifters and naval officers, Hackman brought grit, depth, and undeniable presence to every role. We’re diving into three of his most iconic performances:  🚓 The French Connection – The gritty cop thriller that won him an Oscar. 🎭 Scarec...

Send us Fan Mail Hollywood’s biggest night is upon us, and Ken and Andy are here to break it all down! In this special episode, we’re diving into the 2024 Academy Award nominees —who will take home gold, who got snubbed, and which films had us cheering or snoozing. Plus, we’re giving out our own awards as Ken and Andy reveal their Top Movies of 2024 —some Oscar-worthy, some… maybe not, but all wor...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode, Ken and Andy dive deep into the future of love, lust, and artificial intelligence as they review three films about robotic romance gone awry: Cherry 2000 (1987), Subservience (2024), and Companion (2024). From Melanie Griffith battling wasteland warlords to Megan Fox playing the ultimate dream (or nightmare) companion, we break down the sci-fi, satire, and...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to feel all the feels on this week's episode of Pass, Pirate, Pay ! Ken and Andy take a deep dive into emotionally devastating films— Steel Magnolias , Nowhere Special , and Ghost Light . Join them as they navigate heart-wrenching tales of love, loss, and life's bittersweet moments, weighing whether these tearjerkers earn a Pass, a Pirate, or a Pay. Bring your...

Send us Fan Mail  Get ready for some classic chills and modern thrills on this episode of Pass, Pirate, Pay ! Ken and Andy dive into Universal's iconic monster lore, reviewing the eerie elegance of Creature from the Black Lagoon , the horror-comedy hijinks of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein , and the fresh bite of 2025's Wolf Man . From gill-men to howling mayhem, they tackle wheth...

Send us Fan Mail  Brace yourself for a haunting episode of Pass, Pirate, Pay as Ken and Andy venture into the darkest corners of cinema. This week, they review A Serbian Film , Megan Is Missing , and Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom —three deeply disturbing films notorious for their controversial and unsettling content. 🎥 Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of extreme violence, abuse...

Send us Fan Mail  In this delicious episode, Ken and Andy indulge in the world of food-centric cinema, savoring three mouthwatering films that celebrate the art of cooking. First up is Babette’s Feast , a sumptuous story of gratitude, sacrifice, and a meal that transforms a small Danish village. Next, they serve up Big Night , where two Italian brothers put everything on the line for one unforgett...

Send us Fan Mail  On this chilling episode, Ken and Andy sink their teeth into three vampire films, each offering a fresh twist on the undead legend. First, they explore the moody, immortal romance of Only Lovers Left Alive , where ancient bloodsuckers find beauty in a decaying world. Next, they delve into the darkly quirky Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person , blending existential...

Send us Fan Mail  "On this musical episode of Pass, Pirate, Pay , Ken and Andy jam out with reviews of movies and shows about musicians! From the riotous rock antics of We Are Lady Parts to the gritty Irish hip-hop vibes of Kneecap , and the enigmatic Dylan-inspired A Complete Unknown , they break down the beats, the feels, and the cinematic vibes. Will these stories of sound and soul get a P...

Send us Fan Mail  This week on Pass, Pirate, Pay , it’s Christmas special: Part 2! We’re diving into the holiday spirit with reviews of Joyeux Noel , the wild ride that is Rare Exports , and the new Farrelly Brothers, Jack Black movie  Dear Santa . Grab some cocoa, settle in, and let’s unwrap some festive film gems! 🎄🎥  Check us out at www.passpiratepay.com

Send us Fan Mail  This week on Pass, Pirate, Pay , it's a holly jolly Christmas special! We’re back with another round of Better Than Gigli , taking aim at The Rock's new holiday flick, Red One . Then, Ken and Andy unwrap their top 3 Christmas movies of all time. Grab some eggnog and tune in for some festive film fun! 🎄🎬  Check us out at www.passpiratepay.com

Send us Fan Mail  On this magical episode, Ken and Andy set off down the Yellow Brick Road in search of the Wizard of Cinema, exploring three enchanting tales inspired by the land of Oz. First, they encounter Lynch/Oz , a documentary that unravels David Lynch’s deep, mysterious connection to the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz . Next, they dance their way into the vibrant world of The Wiz , where Di...

Send us Fan Mail  And lo, Ken and Andy did venture into the land of cinematic zealotry, where the faithful and the fanatical dwelled. And they spake of Red State , the tale of a cultish church led astray, and of Saint Maud , the story of a maiden consumed by her fervent piety. Yea, they also proclaimed the coming of Heretic , the newest revelation starring Hugh Grant, now showing in the temples of...

Send us Fan Mail On this steamy episode of Pass, Pirate, Pay, we’re turning up the heat with three films that dive into the world’s oldest profession. First, we swoon over the ultimate 90s fairytale Pretty Woman, where Julia Roberts redefines “shop till you drop.” Then it’s time to two-step back to the 80s for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, a musical romp that’s as spicy as Southern barbecue...

Send us Fan Mail  Get ready to go East! This episode has an Asian twist, kicking off with a fresh, hilarious segment in a new 100-part series, 'Better Than Gigli !' where Ken dives into Rotten Tomatoes' infamous list of the 100 worst movies. First up: M. Night Shyamalan’s epic misfire, The Last Airbender (brace yourselves). Then, it’s back to our regular program as we unpack the daz...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode ken and Andy explore the wild wild west as they review two films and one mini series of the western genre.  The first is 1971's McCabe and Mrs. Miller starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie and directed by Robert Altman.  Next is the 1989 Miniseries Lonesome Dove Starring Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones.  And the last is the 2024 Peter Dinklage shoot em u...

Send us Fan Mail  In this bone-chilling Halloween special, we’re diving into the terrifying trilogy that haunts clown phobias everywhere— Terrifier Parts 1, 2, and the brand-new Part 3! Brace yourselves as Ken shares his killer takes on Art the Clown’s blood-soaked escapades. Beware: these reviews are not for the faint of heart. Expect laughs, gasps, and spine-tingling gore galore in our spookiest...