088 - Double Feature - The Stepfather (1987 & 2009) →

CW: Rape, Domestic Abuse

It's Father's Day on Pod Sematary... AND it's a Double Feature! Chris & Kelsey discuss a creepy classic about an overly strict stepfather along with its teen-thriller remake. Listen along with YOUR stepfather!

The Classic Film: The Stepfather (1987)
"After murdering his entire family, a man remarries a widow with a teenage daughter in another town and prepares to do it all over again" (IMDb.com). This cult classic turned out to be much better than we were expecting. Plus, you get to see Terry O'Quinn's stepfatherly dong.

The Modern Film: The Stepfather (2009)
"Michael returns home from military school to find his mother happily in love and living with her new boyfriend. As the two men get to know each other, he becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there with a helpful hand" (Sony Pictures). We posit that this remake wouldn't have seemed so bad if it wasn't being held up against a far superior version, but we still wouldn't take it over the original.

Get more at podsematary.com!

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Fast & Furious 6" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Fast Five" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Hellraiser" produced by Cinemarque Entertainment BV, et al.
"No More I Love Yous" written by David Freeman & Joseph Hughes and performed by Annie Lennox
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Science Fiction/Double Feature" written by Richard O'Brien & Richard Hartley and performed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
"The Stepfather" (1987) produced by Incorporated Television Company (ITC) Productions
"The Stepfather" (2009) produced by Screen Gems, et al.
"The Yada Yada" (Seinfeld S08E19) produced by Shapiro/West Productions & Castle Rock Entertainment

087 - Thesis (1996) & Kill Me Please (2015) →

CW: Suicide, Torture, Graphic Discussion of Rape and Murder

It’s the end of another school year on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey are getting intellectual with two horror movies about school that you have to read!

The Classic Film: Thesis [Tesis] (1996)
"While doing a thesis about violence, Ángela finds a snuff video where a girl is tortured [to] death. Soon she discovers that the girl was a former student in her [college]" (IMDb.com). This 90s foreign classic comes to us from Spain and asks the important question: "Should filmmakers strive to give audiences what they want when what they want is violence?"

The Modern Film: Kill Me Please [Mate-me Por Favor] (2015)
"Barra da Tijuca, West Side Zone of Rio de Janeiro. A wave of murders plague the area. What starts off as a morbid curiosity for the local youth slowly begins to spoil away at their lives. Among them is Bia, a fifteen-year-old girl. After an encounter with death, she will do anything to make sure she's alive" (IMDb.com). This Brazilian/Argentine festival darling has a lot to say about growing up as a young woman in the modern day. But is its dreamlike beauty and emotional metaphor enough to make up for a lack of… anything else?

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our Afterthoughts at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1134946933733068802

Audio Sources:
"Kill Me Please [Mate-me Por Favor]" produced by Bananeira Filmes, et al.
"A League of Their Own" produced by Columbia Pictures & Parkway Productions
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"The Princess Bride" produced by Act III Communications, et al.
"Split" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Thesis [Tesis]" produced by Las Producciones del Escorpión & Sogepaq
"Tom Hanks/Lady Gaga" (Saturday Night Live S42E04) produced by Broadway Video & SNL Studios

086 - Night Of The Creeps (1986) & Tragedy Girls (2017) →

CW: Suicide, Mass Violence at a School

It's that time of year where you see teenagers dressed in formal wear in the middle of the afternoon, so it's Prom Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey are discussing two horror films where death comes with a corsage!

The Classic Film: Night of the Creeps (1986)
"In 1959, an alien experiment crashes to earth and infects a fraternity member. They freeze the body, but in the modern day, two geeks pledging a fraternity accidentally thaw the corpse, which proceeds to infect the campus with parasites that transform their hosts into killer zombies" (IMDb.com). We can't believe we've never seen this instant favorite 80s comedy horror pastiche.

The Modern Film: Tragedy Girls (2017)
"A twist on the slasher genre, following two death-obsessed teenage girls who use their online show about real-life tragedies to send their small mid-western town into a frenzy, and cement their legacy as modern horror legends" (IMDb.com). Perhaps the biggest tragedy here is the squandered promise of an interesting premise and compelling actresses.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our Afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1132373794335494144

Audio Sources:
"Army of Darkness" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"It" produced by Warner Bros. Television, et al.
"Night of the Creeps" produced by TriStar Pictures and Delphi V Productions
"A Goofy Movie" produced by Walt Disney Pictures, et al.
"Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" produced by Warner Bros. and Silver Pictures
"The Monster Squad" produced by Home Box Office, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"The Picard Video" via CoJux @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6oUz1v17Uo
"Put Your Head on My Shoulder" written and performed by Paul Anka
"The Silence of the Lambs" produced by Orion Pictures and Strong Heart/Demme Productions
"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" written by Jerome Kern and performed by The Platters
"Split" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Superbad" produced by Apatow Productions and Columbia Pictures
"Total Recall" produced by Carolco Pictures
"Tragedy Girls" produced by New Artist Pictures, et al.
"Valley Girl" produced by Valley 9000 Productions

085 - Rawhead Rex (1986) & Constantine (2005) →

CW: Suicide, Mental Illness

It’s Man vs. Demon Week on Pod Sematary as Chris and Kelsey discuss two films about regular ol’ human dudes taking on the un-killable spawn of hell! But be sure not to underestimate the ladies in these stories, as they may be more powerful than they’re given credit for!

The Classic Film: Rawhead Rex (1986)
"Ireland will never be the same after Rawhead Rex, a particularly nasty demon, is released from his underground prison by an unwitting farmer” (IMDb.com). Clive Barker famously dislikes this production of one of his many screenplays, and for good reason, but maybe… just maybe… it wasn’t that great a concept to begin with?

The Modern Film: Constantine (2005)
"Supernatural detective John Constantine helps a policewoman prove her sister's death was not a suicide, but something more” (IMDb.com). An underrated comic book movie to be sure, Constantine is basically John Wick in tone, concept, and lead actor, but with demons thrown in for good measure.

Plus! Kelsey questions the origins of the Christian faith and Chris talks too much about comic books!

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1130270216070488065

Audio Sources:
"Argo" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Batman" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Bram Stoker's Dracula" produced by American Zoetrope, et al.
"Catch Me If You Can" produced by DreamWorks, et al.
"Constantine" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Guardians of the Galaxy" produced by Marvel Studios, et al.
"Inward Singing" written and performed by Tenacious D (Jack Black & Kyle Gass)
"John Mulaney: New in Town" produced by 3 Arts Entertainment & Irwin Entertainment
"Rawhead Rex" produced by Alpine Pictures, et al.
"'Shia LaBeouf' Live - Rob Cantor" via robcantor @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0u4M6vppCI
"Split" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"The Yada Yada" (Seinfeld S08E19) produced by Shapiro/West Productions & Castle Rock Entertainment

084 - A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985) & The Nightmare (2015) →

CW: Rape, Suicide, Homophobia, Sleep Paralysis

It's Nightmare Week on Pod Sematary! Kelsey & Chris dip back into the Freddy Krueger well with the second film in the classic series along with a Netflix documentary about the most nightmarish scenario anyone could dream up!

The Classic Film: A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 - Freddy's Revenge (1985)
"A teenage boy is haunted in his dreams by deceased child murderer Freddy Krueger, who is out to possess him in order to continue his reign of terror in the real world" (IMDb.com). This second installment in the Freddy Franchise is more than just one big camp reference to queer youth, even if they struggle to pin down exactly what makes Freddy "Freddy".

The Modern Film: The Nightmare (2015)
"A look at a frightening condition that plagues thousands: sleep paralysis" (IMDb.com). This horrifying documentary acts out the stories of eight sleep paralysis sufferers, but it doesn't go quite as deep as we would have liked.

Plus: Kelsey & Chris talk about what happens after you die!

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1127683549698519040

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Bring it On" produced by Beacon Communications, et al.
"Clueless" produced by Paramount Pictures
"Family Affair" written by Mary J. Blige, et al and performed by Mary J. Blige
"The Fifth Element" produced by Gaumont
"A Nightmare on Elm Street Soundtrack: Prologue/Main Title" composed by Charles Bernstein
"Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy" produced by 1428 Films & Panic Productions
"The Nightmare" produced by Zipper Bros Films, et al.
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"A Nightmare on My Street" written by Will Smith, Jeff Townes, and Clarence Holmes & performed by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Pool Party" written & performed by The Aquabats
"The Shining" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Touch Me (All Night Long)" produced and arranged by Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael & performed by Wish featuring Fonda Rae

083 - Double Feature - Psycho (1960 & 1998) →

Best of 2019 - #1 (Tied) Psycho (1960)

It's a Mother's Day Double Feature on Pod Sematary as Chris and Kelsey watch one of the greatest horror films of all time! ...and it's entirely superfluous remake...

The Classic Film: Psycho (1960)
"A Phoenix secretary embezzles forty thousand dollars from her employer's client, goes on the run, and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother" (IMDb.com). Alfred Hitchcock's horror masterpiece not only helped define his legacy but also the legacy of horror films as quality cinema.

The Modern Film: Psycho (1998)
"A young female embezzler arrives at the Bates Motel, which has terrible secrets of its own" (IMDb.com). Gus Van Sant's remake may tell you a lot about the unreplicable je ne sais quoi of great filmmaking, but it's a bad look for the director himself.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1124780950875824128

Audio Sources:
"Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" produced by Dreamworks, et al.
"Bernard Herrmann - Psycho Suite - BBC Proms 2011 (HD)" via BeachMonstr @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQwzJ6VvUD0
"Episode #2.6" (Chappelle's Show, S02E06) produced by Marobru Inc.
"Get Low" written by Deongelo Holmes, Vinay Rao, Eric Jackson, and Jonathan Smith & performed by Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz featuring Ying Yang Twins
"Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" produced by Dimension Films & View Askew Productions
"The Making of 'Psycho'" produced by Universal Studios Home Video
"Norman" written by John D. Loudermilk and performed by Sue Thompson
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Psycho" (1960) produced by Shamley Productions
"Psycho" (1998) produced by Universal Pictures & Imagine Entertainment
"Science Fiction/Double Feature" written by Richard O'Brien & Richard Hartley and performed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
"Scream" produced by Dimension Films & Woods Entertainment
"SLC Punk" produced by Beyond Films, et al.

082 - Re-Animator (1985) & Beyond Re-Animator (2003) →

CW: Sexual Assault, Rape, Drug Addiction/Overdose

It's Re-Animator Week on Pod Sematary as Chris and Kelsey watch the first and THIRD(!?) installments in the cult series! Shout out to listener Anthony for the recommendation!

The Classic Film: Re-Animator (1985)
"After an odd new medical student arrives on campus, a dedicated local and his girlfriend become involved in bizarre experiments centering around the re-animation of dead tissue" (IMDb.com). This cult favorite based on a tale by celebrated (and awful!) author H.P. Lovecraft is full of awkward dialog and obvious effects work... and it's delightful!

The Modern Film: Beyond Re-Animator (2003)
When mad scientist Herbert West gets arrested for taking his re-animation experiments too far, young Dr. Howie Phillips demands a transfer to West's prison with the secret agenda of continuing his experiments! Is this a sequel in name only or does this third installment manage to honor the original in more ways than just casting its star?

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1121601270421147650

Audio Sources:
"The Beginning: Making Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" produced by Lucasfilm Ltd.
"Beyond Re-Animator" produced by Castelao Producciones, et al.
"Die Hard" produced by Twentieth Century Fox, et al.
"An Evening with Kevin Smith" produced by Destination Films, et al.
"John Mulaney: New in Town" produced by 3 Arts Entertainment & Irwin Entertainment
"Mirrormask" produced by Destination Films & The Jim Henson Company
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Psycho (Theme)" written by Bernard Herrmann
"Re-Animator" produced by Empire Pictures & Re-Animator Productions
"Titanic" produced by Twentieth Century Fox, et al.

081 - House (1985) & Stir Of Echoes (1999) →

CW: Sexual Assault, Suicide, Ableism

It's Kevin Bacon wee--I mean It's another Haunted House week on Pod Sematary! This time, Chris and Kelsey are talking about two movies where a man is driven to madness by the spirits in his home, including a recommendation from listener Aaron!

The Classic Film: House (1985)
"A troubled writer moves into a haunted house after inheriting it from his aunt" (IMDb.com). Would you have guessed by this description that the movie was a comedy? We certainly didn't.

The Modern Film: Stir of Echoes (1999)
"After being hypnotized by his sister-in-law, a man begins seeing haunting visions of a girl's ghost and a mystery begins to unfold around him" (IMDb.com). Even though Kathryn Erbe's Maggie drives Chris up a wall, Kevin Bacon's great performance more than makes up for it.

Plus, another Supernatural Check-in!

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1120499524546572291

Audio Sources:
"Carry On Wayward Son" written by Kerry Livgren and performed by Kansas
"Cheers" produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions & Paramount Television
"G.I. Joe (Theme Song)" written by Johnny Douglas and performed by Jonathan Kimmel
"House" produced by New World Pictures & Sean S. Cunningham Films
"The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show" (The Simpsons S08E14) produced by Gracie Films & 20th Century Fox Television
"Kevin Bacon Superfan" commercial produced for the Logitech Revue with GoogleTV @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx0D3zag0gc
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Poltergeist" produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, et al.
"The Shining" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Stir of Echoes" produced by Artisan Entertainment
"Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)" written by Mike Post and Stephen Geyer and performed by Joey Scarbury

080 - Night Of The Lepus (1972) & Beaster Day (2014)

CW: Animal Cruelty

Worst of 2019 - #4 Night of the Lepus

It's Easter on Pod Sematary and that means Chris & Kelsey are talkin' all about killer bunnies! (Oh, and the Pet Sematary remake...)

The Classic Film: Night of the Lepus (1972)
"Giant mutant rabbits terrorize the south-west" (IMDb.com). Thrill as regular-sized bunnies hop around miniature sets and old people act tired!

The Modern Film: Beaster Day: Here Comes Peter Cottonhell (2014)
"A giant bloodthirsty Easter bunny starts viciously killing the local townsfolk. When the Mayor refuses to act and the attacks grow more gruesome, the town finds its very survival in the hands of a wannabe actress and a crazy dog-catcher" (IMDb.com). From the nonexistent siblings that brought such classics as Girl Explores Girl: The Alien Encounter and Lust in Space: The Erotic Witch Project IV comes another movie.

Plus! Our spoiler-free thoughts on the Pet Sematary remake!

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1116506992485363713

Audio Sources:
"Beaster Day: Here Comes Peter Cottonhell" produced by Purgatory Blues LLC
"Boyz N the Hood" produced by Columbia Pictures
"The Fifth Element" produced by Gaumont
"A League of Their Own" produced by Columbia Pictures & Parkway Productions
"Meet the Feebles" produced by WingNut Films
"Night of the Lepus" produced by A.C. Lyles Productions
"Pet Sematary" (1989) produced by Paramount Pictures & Laurel Productions
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by Starcrawler
"Shaun of the Dead" produced by StudioCanal, et al.
"Theme From the Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)" written and performed by Mike Post & Stephen Geyer

079 - Evil Dead II (1987) & My Name Is Bruce (2007) →

CW: Orientalism, Transphobia, Homophobia, Sexual Assault

It's Bruce Campbell Week on Pod Sematary! We're following up our award-winning* episode on the original Evil Dead (1981) with its first sequel along with a fan-bait vanity project directed Bruce himself!

The Classic Film: Evil Dead 2 (1987)
"The lone survivor of an onslaught of flesh-possessing spirits holes up in a cabin with a group of strangers while the demons continue their attack" (IMDb.com). Acting as a do-over of sorts for Raimi and Campbell, this sequel is much flashier and funnier than the original, but is that a good thing?

The Modern Film: My Name is Bruce (2007)
"Mistaken (sic) for his character Ash from the 'Evil Dead' trilogy, Bruce Campbell is forced to fight a real monster in a small Oregon town" (IMDb.com). Are a couple good jokes and the presence of The Man himself enough to save this Three Amigos rip-off with a shiny, fan-service coat? I'll give you three guesses.

Plus!
--What is rotoscoping?
--Our favorite Evil Dead installments
--Non-spoiler thoughts on Jordan Peele's Us

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1114685850615312391

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Evil Dead II" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG) & Renaissance Pictures
"Fast Times at Ridgemont High" produced by Universal Pictures & Refugee Films
"Fright Night" produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.
"Insidious" produced by Alliance Films, et al.
"My Name is Bruce" produced by Dark Horse Entertainment & Image Entertainment
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Spider-Man" (2002) produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.
"Spider-Man 2" (2004) produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.
"Spider-Man 3" (2007) produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.
"Swallowed Souls: The Making of Evil Dead II" produced by StudioCanal & Lions Gate FIlms
"Wayne's World" produced by Paramount Pictures

*2018's Cutest Podcast presented by Chris' Mom