245 - Gremlins 2 (1990) & The Final Girls (2015) →

CW: Suicide, Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Homophobia

It’s Meta Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey are self-referential and silly. Don't think too hard about it.

Read our afterthoughts for this episode HERE!

The Classic Film: Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
"The Gremlins are back, and this time, they've taken control of a New York City media mogul's high-tech skyscraper” (IMDb.com). Gremlins 2 was a too-late sequel to a pop culture phenomenon that didn't feel like the original at all. But if you can get over that, it sure is a lot of stupid fun.

The Modern Film: The Final Girls (2015)
"A young woman grieving the loss of her mother, a famous scream queen from the 1980s, finds herself pulled into the world of her mom's most famous movie. Reunited, the women must fight off the film's maniacal killer” (IMDb.com). The Final Girls is a love letter to—not a takedown of—slasher films from the 80s. The logic may not work, but who cares, really?

Audio Sources:
"Bette Davis Eyes" written by Donna Weiss & Jackie DeShannon and performed by Kim Carnes
"Cherry Pie" written by Jani Lane and performed by Warrant
"The Final Girls" (2015) produced by Groundswell Productions
"Gremlins" produced by Warner Bros. & Amblin Entertainment
"Gremlins 2: The New Batch" produced by Warner Bros. & Amblin Entertainment
"Hollywood Sequel Doctor" (Key and Peele S05E08) produced by Monkeypaw Productions, et al.
"Joker" (2019) produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Looper" (2012) produced by TriStar Pictures, et al.
"My Name is Bruce" produced by Dark Horse Entertainment & Image Entertainment
"Spaceballs" produced by Brooksfilms & Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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

070 - Dreamscape (1984) & The Cell (2000) →

CW: Rape, severe mental and physical abuse of a child

It's Dream Week on Pod Sematary as Chris & Kelsey discuss two films about entering the dream world to save a life! Thank god we invented the... you know... whatever... device!

The Classic Film: Dreamscape (1984)
A young psychic on the run from himself is recruited by a government agency experimenting with the use of the dream-sharing technology. It's remarkable for a movie to "steal" so much from films that came out the very same year. Oh, and there's one other thing...

The Modern Film: The Cell (2000)
An F.B.I. Agent persuades a social worker, who is adept with a new experimental technology, to enter the mind of a comatose serial killer in order to learn where he has hidden his latest kidnap victim. This Tarsem movie is the Tarsemest Tarsem movie that ever Tarsemed. Don't watch this film for the trite script or the mediocre acting - watch it for the stunning visuals and imagination!

Plus!
-We talk about recurring nightmares from our childhood
-We address why we're skipping Picnic at Hanging Rock
-We celebrate Dick Miller

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/i/moments/1091934337778384897

Audio Sources:
"The Birds" produced by Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions
"The Cell" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"Dreamscape" produced by Zupnik-Curtis Enterprises, et al.
"Full Metal Jacket" produced by Stanley Kubrick Productions, et al.
"Men in Black" produced by Amblin Entertainment, et al.
"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (2010) produced by New Line Cinema & Platinum Dunes
"The One with the Hypnosis Tape" (Friends S03E18) produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions & Warner Bros. Television
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Snow Job" ("Cheers" S02E18) produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions & Paramount Television
"Split" produced by Blumhouse Productions, et al.
"Thank You for Smoking" produced by Room 9 Entertainment, et al.
"The Warriors" produced by Paramount Pictures
"Weird Satanist Guy" via BowserVids @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErFwJX0HKE

069 - The 'Burbs (1989) & Slither (2006) →

It's Small Town Horror Week on Pod Sematary when Chris and Kelsey discuss two movies that might be more comedy than horror!

The Classic Film: The 'Burbs (1989)
An over-stressed suburbanite and his fellow neighbors are convinced that the new family on the block are part of a murderous Satanic cult. What is it about this critical and commercial flop from Joe Dante that made it charm on home video and TV? Probably Tom Hanks... and the rest of the killer cast.

The Modern Film: Slither (2006)
A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters. This one may not be quite as charming as The 'Burbs, but James Gunn's Slither is certainly faster, bigger, and nastier.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1089679815467249664

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG), et al.
"The 'Burbs" produced by Imagine Entertainment
"Children of the Corn" produced by Hal Roach Studios, et al.
"Familyland" (American Dad! S09E10) produced by Underdog Productions, et al.
"Four Creepy Hidden Truths Behind Popular Scary Stories | After Hours" via Cracked @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAR1fp1tbds
"Magnolia" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"More Napalm & Silly Putty" written and performed by George Carlin
"Patton March" composed by Jerry Goldsmith from the film "Patton"
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Slither" produced by Gold Circle Films, et al.
"Split" produced by Blumhouse Productions, et al.

068 - The Howling (1981) & Ginger Snaps (2000) →

CW: Rape, Suicide, Pedophilia

It's another Werewolf Week on Pod Sematary! Recommended by listener TheChikapedia, these two movies have some to say about the nature of both humans in general and women in particular, respectively.

The Classic Film: The Howling (1981)
After a bizarre and near-deadly encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem. When man's animal instincts struggle against their better nature, can they find a balance?

The Modern Film: Ginger Snaps (2000)
Two death-obsessed sisters, outcasts in their suburban neighborhood, must deal with the tragic consequences when one of them is bitten by a werewolf. The curse of the moon takes a double meaning in this flick focused on becoming a woman.

Get more at podsematary.com!

Audio Sources:
"Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"Blazing Saddles" produced by Crossbow Productions & Warner Bros.
"Ginger Snaps" produced by Lions Gate Films, et al.
"The Howling" produced by Embassy Pictures, et al.
"New Year's Evil" produced by Golan-Globus Productions
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

064 - Gremlins (1984) & Krampus (2015) →

CW: Suicide, Misgendering

The holiday season continues on Pod Sematary, as Chris and Kelsey tackle one of the biggest Christmas horror movies of all time and another that has the potential to become a classic!

First up is the legendary Gremlins from 1984! This franchise scared Kelsey for years as a child, but she's grown to love it since. Is it the mix of true terror and nonsensical silliness that has given this horror movie the staying power of other Christmas staples?

Then it's on to 2015's Krampus! The silliness of this one seems more at odds with its otherwise self-serious tone than in Gremlins. But will you agree with Chris that its incredible practical effects and character design from Weta Workshop go a long way to making up for any of its shortcomings?

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1077074050000646149

Audio Sources:
"Beetlejuice" produced by The Geffen Company
"Billy Madison" produced by Universal Pictures & Robert Simonds Productions
"Gremlins" produced by Warner Bros. & Amblin Entertainment
“Krampus” produced by Legendary Entertainment & Universal Pictures
"The Making of Gremlins" produced by Nice Guy Productions
"Spaceballs" produced by Brooksfilms & MGM