243 - Uncle Sam (1996) & Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) →

CW: Spousal Abuse, Rape

It’s American Independence Day on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey celebrate the 4th respectfully and neither kick the tires nor light the fires.

Read our afterthoughts for this episode HERE!

The Classic Film: Uncle Sam (1996)
"Desert Storm vet who was killed in combat rises from the grave on July Fourth, to kill the unpatriotic citizens of his hometown, after some teens burn an American flag over his burial site” (IMDb.com). It's better than we ever could have expected, but that can't hide its most egregious sin: Uncle Sam is mostly a boring movie.

The Modern Film: Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
"Two decades after the first Independence Day invasion, Earth is faced with a new extra-Solar threat. But will mankind's new space defenses be enough?” (IMDb.com). The original is by no means a masterpiece, but it made up for it in charisma. This sequel is just catastrophically bad and there's no amount of well-that-was-kinda-neat-I-guess that can make up for it.

Audio Sources:
"Firestarter" written by Liam Howlett, et al., and performed by The Prodigy
"Independence Day" produced by Twentieth Century Fox & Centropolis Entertainment
"Independence Day: Resurgence" produced by Twentieth Century Fox, et al.
"Science Fiction/Double Feature" written by Richard O'Brien & Richard Hartley and performed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
"South Park" produced by Braniff, et al.
"Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" produced by Lucasfilm
"Thank You for Being a Friend" written by Andrew Gold and Performed by Cynthia Fee
"That's My Bush!" produced by Comedy Central, et al.
"Theme from Shaft" composed and performed by Isaac Hayes
"Uncle Sam" produced by A-Pix Entertainment, et al.

206 - Lake Placid (1999) & Host (2020) →

It’s a Recommendation Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey have their croc-killing cake and eat it too and then they summon a demon for a conference call. Thanks to David for the recommendations!

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: Lake Placid (1999)
"Three people attempt to stop a gigantic crocodile, who is terrorizing residents in Black Lake, Maine” (IMDb.com). Lake Placid is just a bundle of clichés in a Jaws suit, but we can see why it may be some people's comfort flick.

The Modern Film: Host (2020)
"Six friends hire a medium to hold a séance via Zoom during lockdown, but they get far more than they bargained for as things quickly go wrong” (IMDb.com). Host, a byproduct of quarantine life and socializing via Zoom, won't blow your skirt up or anything, but it's pretty impressive for its low budget, short production turnaround, and relatively non-existent time commitment.

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"The Heart Wants What it Wants" written by Selena Gomez, et al., and performed by Selena Gomez
"Host" (2020) produced by Shadowhouse Films
"I Think I Love You" written by Tony Romeo and performed by The Partridge Family
"I Think I Love You" written by Tony Romeo and performed by Less Than Jake
"It's Not Unusual" written by Les Reed & Gordon Mills and performed by Tom Jones
"Lake Placid" produced by Fox 2000 Pictures, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Truth Hurts" written by Melissa Jefferson, et al., and performed by Lizzo
"Zero Effect" produced by Castle Rock Entertainment, et al.

192 - Independence Day (1996) & I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006) →

CW: Suicide

The Worst of 2021 - #2 I’ll Always Know What Your Did Last Summer

It’s the 4th of July on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey kick the tires and light the fires because today is our independence day!

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: Independence Day (1996)
"The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive” (IMDb.com). Okay, we may be pushing the definition of horror with this one, but it still counts! How can we NOT cover the quintessential 4th of July movie?

The Modern Film: I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)
"A group of teenagers in Colorado find themselves being stalked and killed one by one by a mysterious figure with a hook, exactly one year after they covered up a friend's accidental death” (IMDb.com). In a very surprising turn from the first two entries in the trilogy, a normally okay franchise decided to end everything with one of the worst horror movies we've seen on the show. Just appallingly bad.

Audio Sources:
"Disturbia" written by Brian Kennedy, et al., and performed by Rihanna
"I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer" produced by Destination Films, et al.
"Independence Day" (1996) produced by Twentieth Century Fox & Centropolis Entertainment
"It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" written by Michael Stipe, et al., and performed by R.E.M.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Reunited" written by Dino Fekaris & Freddie Perren and performed by Peaches & Herb