098 - The Craft (1996) & The Witch (2015) →

CW: Rape, Suicide, Cutting, Racism, Mental Illness

It’s Witchy Woman Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey join the weirdos and live deliciously in an episode that's worth selling your soul!

The Classic Film: The Craft (1996)
“A newcomer to a Catholic prep high school falls in with a trio of outcast teenage girls who practice witchcraft, and they all soon conjure up various spells and curses against those who anger them.” (IMDb.com). The Craft was pretty iconic back when our hosts were in school, but how has this goth classic aged over the years?

The Modern Film: The Witch (2015)
“A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic, and possession” (IMDb.com). Is this critical-darling-cum-popular-dud more than just "what if The Crucible but spoopy?"

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1162863020357275648

Audio Sources:
"Batman Forever" produced by Warner Bros. & PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
"Carrie" produced by Red Bank Films
"The Craft" produced by Columbia Pictures & Red Wagon Entertainment
"How Soon is Now" written by Johnny Marr and Morrissey & performed by Love Spit Love
"Office Space" produced by Twentieth Century Fox, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Tomorrow Never Knows" written by Lennon–McCartney and performed by Our Lady Peace
"The Witch" produced by Parts and Labor, et al.
"Witchy Woman" written by Bernie Leadon & Don Henley and performed by The Eagles

097 - The Return of the Living Dead (1985) & Shaun of the Dead (2004) →

CW: Brief references to rape, child abuse, and filicide

Best of 2019 - #9 Shaun of the Dead

It’s Zed-Word Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey tackle two comedy zombie flicks (combies? zomedies?) with varying results!

The Classic Film: The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
“When two bumbling employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a deadly gas into the air, the vapors cause the dead to rise again as zombies” (IMDb.com). If you ever thought Chris and Kelsey were broken on the inside, their opinions on this cult classic that’s seemingly beloved by everyone probably won’t help.

The Modern Film: Shaun of the Dead (2004)
“A man's uneventful life is disrupted by the zombie apocalypse.” (IMDb.com). Do you ever think about what the Edgar Wright Ant-Man would have been like? Chris does. Kind of a lot.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1160383764960337920

Audio Sources:
"Adventures in Babysitting" produced by Touchstone Pictures & Silver Screen Partners III
"Battles" (Spaced S01E04) produced by London Weekend Television & Paramount Comedy Channel
"Clue" produced by Paramount Pictures, et al
"Coming to America" produced by Paramount Pictures & Eddie Murphy Productions
"Don't Stop Me Now" written by Freddie Mercury and performed by Queen
"Figment" written and composed by Simon Park
"Ghost Town" written by Jerry Dammers and performed by The Specials
"The Gonk" written and composed by Herbert Chappell
"Jurassic Park" produced by Universal Pictures & Amblin Entertainment
"Men in Black" produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.
"Night of the Living Dead" produced by Image Ten
"Overture" written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and performed by the Original London Phantom of the Opera Orchestra
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"The Return of the Living Dead" produced by Hemdale & Fox Films
"Reservoir Dogs" produced by Dog Eat Dog Productions Inc. and Live Entertainment
"Rules of Attraction" produced by Kingsgate Films & Roger Avary Filmproduktion GmbH
"Shaun of the Dead" produced by Rogue Pictures, et al.
"Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" produced by Lucasfilm
"Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" produced by Lucasfilm, et al.
"This is the End" produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.

096 - Double Feature - Ringu (1998) & The Ring (2002) →

CW: Suicide, Filicide, Distressing Sequences involving Animals (Horses)

It’s a Double Feature Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey only have seven days left since they watched two films with ticking death clocks! Thanks for the recommendation, Lou!

The Original: Ringu (1998)
“A reporter and her ex-husband investigate a cursed video tape that is rumored to kill the viewer seven days after watching it” (IMDb.com). With much more subtle storytelling than it's famous gaijin remake (if you discount all of the psychic stuff), this incredible original might have you wondering why they bothered remaking it in the first place.

The Remake: The Ring (2002)
“A journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape which seems to cause the death of anyone one week to the day after they view it” (IMDb.com). This very Americanized remake cuts the fat but adds on more mystery and visual flair. Is it more your cup of tea?

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1158569361973448704

Audio Sources:
"Bitch" (Key and Peele S01E01) produced by Monkeypaw Productions, et al.
"Feels Like 'Heaven'" written and performed by HIIH
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail" produced by Python (Monty) Pictures, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Pete's Dragon" produced by Walt Disney Productions
“The Ring” produced by Dreamworks, et al.
“Ringu” produced by Basara Pictures, et al.
"Science Fiction/Double Feature" written by Richard O'Brien & Richard Hartley and performed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
"Split" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Tune Up #1" written by Jonathan Larson and performed by Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal
"Tune Up #2" written by Jonathan Larson and performed by Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal
"Urban Legend" produced by Phoenix Pictures, et al.
"Weird Satanist Guy" via BowserVids @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErFwJX0HKE
"Why So Serious?" composed by Hans W. Zimmer

095 - Vampire's Kiss (1988) & The Voices (2014) →

CW: Rape, Sexual Assault, Mental Disorders, Suicide

It’s Homicidal Delusions Week on Pod Sematary! Chris begins to suspect that Kelsey may just be in his head as they watch two films about men who are a little confused about reality and make the women in their lives suffer for it.

The Classic Film: Vampire's Kiss (1988)
“After an encounter with a neck-biter, a publishing executive thinks that he's turning into a vampire" (IMDb.com). Nicolas Cage is at his cagiest in this flick that stumbles in the middle with its severe treatment of Maria Conchita Alonso but manages to make up for it with it’s fantastic meme-ness… for some...

The Modern Film: The Voices (2014)
“A likable guy pursues his office crush with the help of his... talking pets, but things turn sinister when she stands him up for a date” (Lionsgate). Ryan Reynolds gives the performance of his career (i.e., he doesn’t just play a sarcastic version of himself) and manages to be both likable and terrifying… at least more terrifying than in the Amityville Horror remake.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1155614828154650624

Audio Sources:
"Alien's Guide to VAMPIRE'S KISS (Nicolas Cage) [NEW!]" via Alien's Guide @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znUZ-s6tPHk
"Bram Stoker's Dracula" produced by American Zoetrope, et al.
"Fight Club" produced by Fox 2000 Pictures, et al.
"Nicolas Cage On His Five Best Movies" via Total Film @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RRvDarJsHA&t=58s
"Peggy Sue Got Married" produced by TriStar Pictures, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Psycho" produced by Shamley Productions
"Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II" produced by Stoopid Monkey, et al.
"Stay (I Missed You)" written and performed by Lisa Loeb
"Vampire's Kiss" (with commentary by Robert Beirman and Nicolas Cage) produced by Magellan Pictures
"The Voices" produced by 1984 Private Defense Contractors, et al.
"Weird Satanist Guy" via BowserVids @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErFwJX0HKE

094 - Double Feature - When a Stranger Calls (1979 & 2006) →

Worst of 2019 - #6 When a Stranger Calls (2006)

It’s a Double Feature Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey decide whether or not to check the children in this urban-legend-turned-feature-film combo recommended by listener Alex!

The Original: When a Stranger Calls (1979)
“A psychopathic killer terrorizes a babysitter, then returns seven years later to menace her again" (IMDb.com). It’s everyone’s favorite UL: The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs! Plus, we talk way too much about gender dynamics and dating.

The Remake: When a Stranger Calls (2006)
“During a babysitting gig, a high-school student is harassed by an increasingly threatening prank caller" (IMDb.com). In 1979, Fred Walton added about 70 or so minutes of content to a 20-minute concept to make a pretty awesome film; in 2006, Simon West tried to get about the same length without adding ANYTHING. It goes about as well as you could expect.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1153434017313640448

Audio Sources:
"Black Christmas" (1974) produced by Film Funding Ltd. of Canada, et al.
"Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer" written by Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe, & Andrew Lloyd Webber and performed by Michael Crawford, Mary Millar, Steve Barton, and the Original London Cast
"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" produced by Universal Pictures & Apatow Productions
“Grandma’s Boy” produced by Happy Madison Productions, et al.
"New in Town" written and performed by John Mulaney
"Old Town Road" written and performed by Lil Nas X
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"The Princess Bride" produced by The Princess Bride Ltd., et al.
"S&M Present" (Robot Chicken S01E09) produced by Stoopid Monkey, et al.
"Scrooged" produced by Paramount Pictures & Mirage Productions
"Split" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
“The Three Caballeros” produced by Walt Disney Pictures & Walt Disney Productions
"Urban Legend" produced by Phoenix Pictures, et al.
"Weird Satanist Guy" via BowserVids @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErFwJX0HKE
"When a Stranger Calls" (1979) produced by Melvin Simon Productions
"When a Stranger Calls" (2006) produced by Screen Gems & Davis Entertainment
"zendaya is meechee" via Gabriel Gundacker @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx5YqFKjTCY

093 - Parents (1989) & Raw (2016) →

CW: Rape, Child Abuse, Eating Disorders

It’s Cannibal Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey check out two films about familial cannibalism, including one from listener James! Thanks, James!

The Classic Film: Title (Year)
"A young boy living in 1950s suburbia suspects his parents are cannibalistic murderers" (IMDb.com). This quirky gem scared the bejeezus out of Kelsey when she was probably too young to be watching it. Will it live up to her childhood memory?

The Modern Film: Title (Year)
"An innocent teenager, studying to be a vet, develops a craving for human flesh" (IMDb.com). Raw got a lot of buzz a few years ago on the indie circuit, but is that praise unwarranted?

Get more at podsematary.com! Ironically, there are no Afterthoughts this week, but be sure to follow us on Twitter at @PodSematary to get them live in the future!

Audio Sources:
"The 40-Year-Old Virgin" produced by Universal Pictures & Apatow Productions
"Addicted to Love" written and performed by Robert Palmer
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Blood!" performed by Bobby Ramos (@DinoWinwood)
"Flying Purple People Eater" written and performed by Sheb Wooley
"Parents" produced by Great American Films Limited Partnership & Vestron Pictures
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Raw" produced by Petit Film, Rouge International (co-production), Frakas Productions (co-production), Wild Bunch (in association with), Canal+ (participation), Ciné+ (participation), Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC) (participation), Le Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral de Belgique (participation), Casa Kafka Pictures Movie Tax Shelter Empowered by Belfius (participation), La Wallonie (participation), Bruxelles Capitale (participation), Centre du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (participation), Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF) (co-production), VOO (co-production), BE TV (co-production), Arte / Cofinova 12 (participation), Torino Film Lab (participation) (as Torinofilmlab), MEDIA Programme of the European Union (support), Angoa-Agicoa (support), Ciclic - Région Centre (developed with the support of), Ezekiel Film Production & Rouge International
"Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II" produced by Stoopid Monkey, et al.
"SLC Punk!" produced by Beyond Films, et al.

092 - The Gate (1987) & The Guest (2014) →

CW: Homophobia, Ableism, PTSD

It’s Listener Recommendation Week on Pod Sematary! This week, listener tron1686 recommended two films about disastrous visitors that take nutso turns! Thanks, tron!

The Classic Film: The Gate (1987)
“Kids, left home alone, accidentally unleash a horde of malevolent demons from a mysterious hole in their suburban backyard” (IMDb.com). Stephen Dorff is a beacon of love and light in this "kids' horror" flick from the 80s. So why hadn't we seen it yet!?

The Modern Film: The Guest (2014)
"A soldier introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence" (IMDb.com). This overlooked gem is basically a vehicle for delivering Dan Stevens' dreamy eyes directly into your heart.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1147679518749945856

Audio Sources:
"Army of Darkness" produced by Dino De Laurentiis Company, et al.
"Blade" produced by Amen Ra Films, et al.
"Chapter 7" (Legion S01E07) produced by FX Productions, et al.
"First Blood" produced by Anabasis N.V. & Elcajo Productions
"The Gate" produced by New Century Entertainment, et al.
"The Gate - re:View" via RedLetterMedia @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lEpSofvkdo
"The Guest" produced by HanWay Films & Snoot Entertainment
"The Guest - re:View" via RedLetterMedia @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAQe1NEeXBc
"Haunted When the Minutes Drag" performed by Love and Rockets
"Omniverse" performed by Survive
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"PUT IT IN REVERSE TERRY!" via blasianFMA @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugNn_ELV_xs
"Saving Private Ryan" produced by Amblin Entertainment, et al.
"se7en" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"Zoolander" produced by Paramount Pictures, et al.

091 - Jaws (1975) & The Shallows (2016) →

Best of 2019 - #3 (Tied) Jaws

It’s Shark Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey celebrate their nation’s Independence Day by trekking to the beach to become shark food instead of doing the sensible thing and staying indoors at all times! But it’s okay: they’re fighters!

The Classic Film: Jaws (1975)
"When a [great white] shark unleashes chaos on a beach community, it's up to the local [police chief], a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.” (IMDb.com). I mean… it’s Jaws. This is one of Chris’ favorite movies of all time, so watch it for him, won’t you?

The Modern Film: The Shallows (2016)
“A mere 200 yards from shore, surfer Nancy is attacked by a great white shark, with her short journey to safety becoming the ultimate contest of wills” (Sony Pictures Entertainment). The Shallows is more survival-thriller than the adventure-drama of Jaws, so it avoids becoming just another Spielberg wannabe. Come to this one for the beautiful landscapes and the badass silliness of the scenarios instead of quality storytelling and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1145078763446652928

Audio Sources:
"Blow" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"Clerks" produced by View Askew Productions & Miramax
"Finding Nemo" produced by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures
"Jaws" produced by Universal Pictures & Zanuck Brown Productions
"Jaws: The Inside Story" produced by A+E Television Networks
"Josie and the Pussycats" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Kevin Spacey/Beck" (Saturday Night Live S22E10) produced by NBC Studios and Broadway Video
"The Land Before Time" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Live Free or Die Hard" produced by Twentieth Century Fox, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"se7en" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"The Shallows" produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.

090 - I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) & Club Dread (2004) →

It’s Summer Vacation Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey party in the sun and make mistakes that will literally haunt them a year from now!

The Classic Film: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
“Four young friends bound by a tragic accident are reunited when they find themselves being stalked by a hook-wielding maniac in their small seaside town” (IMDb.com). Acting as a sort of bridge between Scream and the generation of teen slashers that followed, I Know What You Did Last Summer is an incredibly cheesy but still endearing classic of horror's timeline.

The Modern Film: Club Dread (2004)
"When a serial killer interrupts the fun at the swanky Coconut Pete's Coconut Beach Resort--a hedonistic island paradise for swingers--it's up to the club's staff to stop the violence...or at least hide it" (IMDb.com). A highly underrated entry in the comedy/horror sub-genre, Club Dread is a future cult classic that you shouldn't let cruise by.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1142896168742993920

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Club Dread" produced by Broken Lizard Industries, et al.
"I Know What You Did Last Summer" produced by Mandalay Entertainment & Summer Knowledge LLC
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Summertime" written and performed by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
"Way of the Gun" produced by Artisan Entertainment & Aqaba Productions
"Who Killed Kaitlyn?" (Unsolved Mysteries S05E15) produced by Cosgrove/Meurer Productions

089 - Wait Until Dark (1967) & Hush (2016)

CW: Ableism, Sexual Assault

It’s another Home Invasion Week on Pod Sematary! This time both films Chris & Kelsey are watching star “champion" heroines with disabilities!

The Classic Film: Wait Until Dark (1967)
"A recently blinded woman is terrorized by a trio of thugs while they search for a heroin-stuffed doll they believe is in her apartment" (IMDb.com). Audrey Hepburn cranks up the melodrama opposite a very creepy, young Alan Arkin in this influential classic, and what seems like a simple heist drama quickly turns to horror when a convoluted plan gets out of hand.

The Modern Film: Hush (2016)
"A deaf and mute writer who retreated into the woods to live a solitary life must fight for her life in silence when a masked killer appears at her window" (Netflix). Horror super-couple Mike Flanagan (writer/director) and Kate Siegel (writer/actress) are at it again with a pretty fantastic bottle-movie that manages to reinvigorate what has lately been a tired subgenre.

Plus!
—The first trailer for Doctor Sleep, a movie that somehow manages to be a sequel to both the Shining film AND book!?
—A re-remake of Black Christmas announced via poster?

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1140485220052791296

Audio Sources
"Argo" produced by Warner Bros, et al.
"Club Dread" produced by Broken Lizard Industries, et al.
"Edward Scissorhands" produced by Twentieth Century Fox
"Homie the Clown" (The Simpsons S06E15) produced by Gracie Films & 20th Century Fox Television
"Hush" (film) produced by Intrepid Pictures & Blumhouse Productions
"Hush" (song) written by Joe South and performed by Deep Purple
"I Know What You Did Last Summer" produced by Mandalay Entertainment & Summer Knowledge LLC
"Knock Three Times" written by L. Russell Brown & Irwin Levine and performed by Dawn
"Neverending Story" produced by Constantin Film, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Rush Rush" written by Peter Lord and performed by Paul Abdul
"Wait Until Dark" produced by Warner Bros.
"The Yada Yada" (Seinfeld S08E19) produced by Shapiro/West Productions & Castle Rock Entertainment