119 - The Best of 2019 →

Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1212539244993867776

While Kelsey and Chris are off on their honeymoon, start the new year off right with a look back at the best movies they covered on the podcast in 2019! Listen to Chris and Kelsey tell you that, yes, of course, you should watch these movies! 

Plus! 

• Personal best lists!

• The biggest differences between our scores and the critics!

• Several mentions of tension and patience!

• Rationalization of 100-point scores!

To listen to these episodes and check out their individual source credits, click the links below:

10: http://bit.ly/2MQ8J70
9: http://bit.ly/2QA6Dt2
8: http://bit.ly/37uH9UR
7: http://bit.ly/35nDE0V
6: http://bit.ly/2QLfvw2
5: http://bit.ly/2ufWZVd
3 (Tied): http://bit.ly/36n6G2m
3 (Tied): http://bit.ly/37vLvLp
1 (Tied): http://bit.ly/2ufWZVd
1 (Tied): http://bit.ly/37ArlQn

Additional Audio Sources:
"Disney's Halloween Treat" produced by Walt Disney Productions
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

116 - Jack Frost (1997) & Rare Exports (2010) →

CW: Rape

Best of 2019 - #10 Rare Exports

Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1208895433818423297

It’s the second week of Christmas on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey give you the gift of some actually pretty good (and one pretty great) Christmas horror movies!

The Classic Film: Jack Frost (1997)
"After an accident [leaves] murderer Jack Frost dead in genetic material, the vengeful killer returns as a murderous snowman to exact his revenge on the man who sent him to be executed” (IMDb.com). Chris & Kelsey went into this one with expectations that matched the low budget of this tongue-in-cheek snowman slasher and were pleasantly surprised to find a level of cleverness peaking just above all of the garbage to make it worth watching. Send the children to bed; this isn’t the Michael Keaton family "classic."

The Modern Film: Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
"In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 meters deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus” (rareexportsmovie.com). A well-shot, -acted, and -written Santa film from the land of the midnight sun, Rare Exports was a pleasant surprise in more than just the plot twists. Consider watching the movie before checking out the shorts it was based on.

Audio Sources:
"Die Hard" produced by Twentieth Century Fox, et al.
"Finland" written and performed by Michael Palin
"Jack Frost" (1997) produced by Frost Bite Films Ltd., et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale" produced by Cinet, et al.
"The World is Not Enough" produced by Eon Productions, et al.

113 - Alien (1979) & Prometheus (2012) →

CW: Rape, Pregnancy

Best of 2019 - #3 (Tied) Alien

Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1200989603081023489

It’s Alien Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey intercept a distress signal and then never make a good decision ever again.

The Classic Film: Alien (1979)
"After a space merchant vessel perceives an unknown transmission as a distress call, its landing on the source moon finds one of the crew attacked by a mysterious lifeform, and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun” (IMDb.com). Like… it’s Alien, dawg. What are you even doing?

The Modern Film: Prometheus (2012)
"Following clues to the origin of mankind, a team finds a structure on a distant moon, but they soon realize they are not alone” (IMDb.com). So maybe it has a “Mystery Box” problem. Maybe the plot is only propelled by characters making the absolute worst decisions at every turn. But there’s a lot there to enjoy and it’s certainly not as bad as everyone made it out to be.

Audio Sources:
"Alien" produced by Brandywine Productions & Twentieth Century-Fox Productions
"The Beginning: Making Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" produced by Lucasfilm Ltd.
"How to pronounce Charlize Theron & Emily Blunt Interview THE HUNTSMAN & THE ICE QUEEN" via CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS Parviz Khosrawi @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMWeu8Bqj8w
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Prometheus" produced by Twentieth Century Fox, et al.
"Thank You for Smoking" produced by Room 9 Entertainment, et al.

109 - The Terminator (1984) & Morgan (2016) →

Best of 2019 - #7 The Terminator

Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1191101921525940224

It’s Manufactured Assassin Week on Pod Sematary! Chris gets pedantic about robot terminology (what else is new?) and Kelsey sings Burnin' in the Third Degree! Thanks to listener Harry for the recommendation!

The Classic Film: The Terminator (1984)
"A seemingly indestructible robot is sent from 2029 to 1984 to assassinate a young waitress, whose unborn son will lead humanity in a war against sentient machines, while a human soldier from the same war is sent to protect her at all costs” (IMDb.com). The first film in the Terminator franchise is probably the closest the series ever gets to straight-up slasher-horror. Don’t worry; we don’t bicker about the logic of time travel.

The Modern Film: Morgan (2016)
"A corporate risk-management consultant must decide whether or not to terminate an artificially created humanoid being.” (IMDb.com). Chris & Kelsey saw this movie when it came out and subsequently forgot everything about it beyond the premise. After they watch it again, this entirely passable flick (that doesn’t seem at all concerned with being anything beyond superficial) reinforces precisely why it doesn’t stick in your brain.

Audio Sources:
"Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton Respond to IGN Comments" via IGN @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1d_CtQOh54
"Arnold Schwarzenegger Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ" via GQ @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srksXVEkfAs
"Beverly Hills Cop" produced by Paramount Pictures, et al.
“Morgan” produced by Scott Free Productions, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
“The Terminator” produced by Hemdale, et al.
"Terminator 2: Judgement Day" produced by Carolco Pictures, et al.
"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" (Deleted Scene & Arnold Schwarzenegger Commentary) produced by C-2 Pictures, et al.

105 - The Secret Of NIMH (1982) & Spirited Away (2001) →

CW: Depression, Suicide

Best of 2019 - #1 (Tied) Spirited Away; #5 The Secret of NIMH

Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1179130908894318593

It’s a change of pace on this episode of Pod Sematary with Horrifying Family Animation Week! Chris & Kelsey talk about two animated masterpieces that, while not explicitly horror films, still manage to unsettle or terrify children and adults alike. Please accept the thin pretense for a nice feel-good break from the norm. Thanks to listener Jeffrey for recommending The Secret of NIMH!

The Classic Film: The Secret of NIMH (1982)
"To save her ill son, a field mouse must seek the aid of a colony of rats, with whom she has a deeper link than she ever suspected” (IMDb.com). Chris's favorite animated film marks maybe the last time Disney's dominance of the cartoon market was called into question. Don Bluth's first(!) feature after leaving what he considered to be a floundering Disney in the 80s, The Secret of NIMH doesn't shy away from plunging audiences into the depths of darkness and despair to help them appreciate the light.

The Modern Film: Spirited Away (2001)
"During her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts” (IMDb.com). Calling Hayao Miyazaki "the Walt Disney of Japan" doesn't give the animation auteur enough credit for the unique wonder and majesty he brings the world with his films. With Spirited Away, perhaps his best ever (although Kelsey prefers Totoro), Miyazaki thrusts the audience into a frighteningly mystical world of spirits and demons that never ceases to amaze.

Audio Sources:
"The NeverEnding Story" produced by Constantin Film, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
“The Secret of NIMH” produced by Don Bluth Productions, et al.
"The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue" produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Animation, et al.
"Secrets Behind the Secret" produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
"Shut Up and Talk: Don Bluth and Gary Goldman" produced by Channel Awesome
"Spirited Away” produced by Studio Ghibli, et al.

100 - Double Feature - The Shining (1980 & 1997) →

CW: Alcoholism, Child Abuse, Spousal Abuse, Filicide, Suicide

Best of 2019 - #8 The Shining (1980)

It’s our 100th episode on Pod Sematary! And a Double Feature! Chris & Kelsey watch one of the greatest horror movies of all time based on one of the greatest books written by one of the greatest horror authors of all time! And then we see the 4 1/2 hour miniseries adaptation that the King likes better!

The "Original": The Shining (1980)
"A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from both past and future” (IMDb.com). Stanley Kubrick made what is, in Chris' opinion, his best film with The Shining, but how many points does it lose for being a notoriously bad adaptation?

The "Remake": Stephen King's The Shining (1997)
"A recovering alcoholic must wrestle with demons within and without when he and his family move into a haunted hotel as caretakers” (IMDb.com). ABC's miniseries is much more faithful to the book, having been written by the man himself, but does its accuracy hurt its potential as good television?

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1163273002781331456

Audio Sources:
"Anaconda" produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.
"Batman" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Clue" produced by Paramount Pictures, et al.
"Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)" written by John Lennon and performed by Lennon/Ono with the Plastic Ono Band
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Sharon Stone/Pearl Jam" (Saturday Night Live S17E17, "Wayne's World: Oscar Best and Worst") produced by Broadway Video & NBC Productions
"The Shining" (1980) produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"The Shining" (1997, including commentary) produced by Lakeside Productions & Warner Bros. Television
"Treehouse of Horror V" (The Simpsons S06E06, "The Shinning") produced by Gracie Films & 20th Century Fox Television

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.

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.

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.

072 - Double Feature - Poltergeist (1982 & 2015) →

CW: Severe Domestic Abuse & Homicide, Flashing Lights/Photosensitive Seizures

Best of 2019 - #6 Poltergeist (1982)

Worst of 2019 - #1 (Tied) Poltergeist (2015)

It's a Double Feature! This week on Pod Sematary, Chris & Kelsey watch one of Kelsey's favorite horror movies ever! And... its shiny, soulless remake!

The Classic Film: Poltergeist (1982)
All IMDB has to say about the plot of this Spielberg/Hooper horror is: "A family's home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts." Somehow, hidden in this straightforward plot is an honest portrayal of a family in turmoil.

The Modern Film: Poltergeist (2015)
A family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces must come together to rescue their youngest daughter after the apparitions take her captive. See? Even the plot summary feels like it has to be flashier than the original.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1097330715866198016

Audio Sources: 
"Galaxy Quest" produced by DreamWorks & Gran Via Productions
"Lisa's First Word" (The Simpsons, S04E10) produced by Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox Television
"Miskel Spillman/Elvis Costello" (Saturday Night Live, S03E08) produced by NBC Productions
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Poltergeist" (1982) produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), et al.
"Poltergeist" (2015) produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), et al.
"Science Fiction/Double Feature" written by Richard O'Brien & Richard Hartley and performed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts