The Latecomers

Episode Notes This week we do a Recast-o-polooza retrospective on the first five seasons of the show. Season One: Twin Peaks – we manage 2 maybe 3 characters. Season Two: Lemuel takes on Midnight Cowboy while Amity tackles Pretty in Pink Season Three: Amity tweaks The Deer Hunter while Lemuel makes some adjustments to The Eyes of Laura Mars Season Four: We recast Battlestar Galactica for the 19th...

Episode Notes Rewatching the TNT modern classic, Lemuel and Amity watched The Shawshank Redemption in a new and novel way – with forethought from beginning to end. Sometimes Stephen King writes a damn fine drama and this is one of those times. Also helpful, nary a woman to be seen, so nary a female character to mess up. We discuss the pitfalls of marketing and what makes a cult classic. If you hav...

Episode Notes Leaving Castle Rock for the neighboring town of Haven, this week Lemuel and Amity had Tommyknockers knocking at the door. We discuss the origins of the story – both folklorically and plageristically. We tut tut the small choices of these small town people and we ask the important question: Huh? Recommendations: Quatermass and the Pit (that’s Five Million Years to Earth in the US) and...

Episode Notes Back in Castle Rock with Alan Pangborn, we delve into a far too short film with far too much crammed into it. I once believed there was no such thing as too much cheese, and then I ate a quesadilla that proved me wrong. This is that quesadilla and plot is the cheese – it’s too much! But everyone is doing some spectacular acting and, once you get past Stephen King’s apparent hatred of...

Episode Notes This week we look deep into Timothy Hutton’s blue, blue eyes and ask, what do the sparrows mean, though? The confusion runs deep as we watched the Dark Half and many questions are asked while none are really answered. Who is this doppelgänger – George Stark? Alexis Machine? Actual Twin? Are sparrows on earth as the devil’s eyeballs? Is it possible for makeup to get better as it gets...

Episode Notes We called an audible and watched the entire Golden Years series for this episode. A miniseries of awesome characters doing… well… not much. And time travel with about four minutes of thought put into it. We put much more thought into our time travel discussion, along with discussion of appropriate sleeping attire, surname etymology, old age makeup, the dangers of shower sex and so mu...

Episode Notes This week we tackle Sometimes They Come Back, a CBS television movie starring Time Mathieson and not Margot Kidder. We have you standard King street toughs with a standard King twist. The plot may be formulaic, but at least that kid is clearly making terrible choices! We try to discern time, location, and what is real. Do we have any luck? Listen to find out. Next up: The Golden Year...

Episode Notes We take on the backend of the original It miniseries from 1990. Amity gets more Jonathan Brandis and everyone is treated to John Ritter yelling the best ridiculousness. We shame jewelry and outerwear choices and morn the fallen. Next up: Sometimes They Come Back (1990) You can watch it on Youtube in HD – or rent it like we did on Amazon or VUDU. Email us at latecomers@gmail.com Twitt...

Episode Notes This week we eschew the theater for part 1 of the original miniseries of IT. We talk structure, casting, too many gone too soon, the magic of Mazur, the voice of a clown, whether the Simpsons has ruined culture and get into the nitty gritty of what we talk about when we talk about Stephen King. Recommended: Nothing – but you should fill your lives with all versions of It you can must...

Episode Notes We have our ONLY Oscar performance of the season as we watch the deeply disturbed Annie Wilkes, masterfully brought to life by the spectacular Kathy Bates in 1990’s Misery. Oh, James Caan is also there. We talk about the power of a two person cast and the possible pitfalls. Hot takes on Quentin Tarantino and thoughts on two Bruces to be found at the end. https://www.hollywoodreporter...

Episode Notes It’s time to get messy with a very moist monster. We watched Graveyard Shift and Amity has many thoughts on accents and Lemuel has many thoughts on midriffs. We agree that these people weren’t paid near enough – and that the minimum wage is a joke. What’s the worst job/pay ratio you’ve ever had? Let us know on twitter! Next up: Misery (1989) – Available on Vudu Email us at latecomers...

Episode Notes Amity and Lemuel check out the original adaptation of Pet Sematary. Fred Gwynne really delivers that Maine accent and the leading lady is reliably less than she could have been. Amity loses it over 30-50 feral hogs while Lemuel is left scratching his head. Recommendations will have you signing up to yet another streaming service – we are very sorry. Next up: Graveyard Shift (1989) –...

Episode Notes This week, Amity and Lemuel watched the Bachman book The Running Man starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the implausibly named Ben Richards. It’s a vast departure from the book and we discuss that along with the disappointment in directorial choices, the madness of deadly American Gladiators, the similarly implausible name of Amber, elemental gimmicks and the dangers of a flamethrower....

Episode Notes Lemuel and Amity watched the first sequel of the season with Creepshow 2 and instantly regretted it. We breakdown a problematic Native American story, a problematic sexual assault story, and a problematic (why did he have to call him a negro? Who him? Stephen King! His actual self!) hit and run. It’s a lot, y’all and we are sorry, we’ll try to do better next week. Next up: The Runnin...

Episode Notes Lemuel and Amity watched the Rob Reiner helmed coming of age tale Stand By Me and contrast childhoods of the 60s, the 80s and today. We break down the power in the performances, the problematic features, and issues with seeing child stars all grown up and vice versa. Next up: Creepshow 2 (1987) available streaming on Amazon Prime and Shudder. CW sexual assault Email us at latecomers@...

Episode Notes Lemuel and Amity watched Maximum Overdrive without ingesting any cocaine, and boy does it show. Though we’re grateful for the editing out of many a head bladder, this was a rough go but we came out the other end stronger for it. Listen along as we separate the professionals from the people that were there for the blow. Next up: Stand By Me (1986) available streaming on Dish Email us...

Episode Notes This week we visit a werewolf in (SPOILER)’s clothing – listen to find out who. We talk sad Coreys, drunk Garys and under utilized Everetts, oh my, while marveling at the lack of protective gear children were saddled with in the 80s – it’s a wonder we survived. Next up: Maximum Overdrive (1986) available streaming on Dish or on Starz Email us at latecomers@gmail.com Twitter: @latecom...

Episode Notes This holiday week we talk about a trilogy of humor with Cat’s Eye – with one problematic tale, one retread, and one surprisingly good romp. And then we get into it about movies about animals. Listen and rant along. Next up: Silver Bullet (1985) (available for rent on Amazon) Email us at latecomers@gmail.com Twitter: @latecomerspod Find Amity @ www.amityarmstrong.com and @AmityArmstro...

Episode Notes This week Lemuel and Amity watched a movie that’s barely a movie: Firestarter starring a misused cast of stars and the most problematic character we have seen so far. In a world where a movie must be made about people who have to think hard to make things happen, how do you show that? It’s a great question that no one has figured out – and that includes the director of this film. Lis...

Episode Notes Amity thought Christopher Reeves was in this and that’s only disappointment one of this franchise builder. What’s in the corn? Why’s it so mad? Who are these extra children and why haven’t they aged in three years. And most importantly, who hurt Linda Hamilton to the point of putting up with this loser? We get into it all this week. Next up: Firestarter (1984) available for rent on A...

Episode Notes In the last film of 1983, we visit Arnie Cunningham and his lady loves – the car and the girl. Only one can have his heart. We discuss parental influence, why it’s hard to make a teen fighting with his parents not sound childish and the origins of this haunting and its possible whitewashing. Next up: Children of the Corn (1984) available on Hulu Email us at latecomers@gmail.com Twitt...

Episode Notes Lemuel and Amity watched the Dead Zone and marvel at a pre “Christopher Walken” Christopher Walken and the passion with which he can say “Sarah.” We also manage to completely forget to have any conversation about the title and what it means – which makes the title so meta (Psst – it’s the part of the future he can’t see – the part that can change). Next up: Christine (1983) available...

Episode Notes Lemuel and Amity watched Cujo this week and animal lovers beware - you’re gonna hate this dog. Critical consensus was massively split on this one, which we don’t quite get. Amity only found three problems: the portrayal of advertising, aspects of property value and why two minor characters were both named Roger. But she was scared, and isn’t that the point? Next up: The Dead Zone (19...

Episode Notes We delve into Stephen King pulp this week as we watch Creepshow from 1982. The practical effects as well as the scene-chewing performances elevate these campy tales. Are they scary? Barely. Is everyone doing their very best? Absolutely. Next up: Cujo (1983) available on Amazon Email us at latecomers@gmail.com Twitter: @latecomerspod Find Amity @ www.amityarmstrong.com and @AmityArmst...

Episode Notes Lemuel and Amity tackle the 1980 classic horror film The Shining and talk casting, directorial abuse, Stephen King and black people, and how a movie can be a great film while failing to have any type of character arc. Lemuel discusses the music of Krzysztof Penderecki and Amity talks about the merits of a croquet mallet over an ax. Next up: Creepshow (1982) available on Amazon Email...