241 - The Night Flier (1997) & Digging Up the Marrow (2014) →

CW: Rape

It’s Monster Investigations Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey don't blame the actors for this very ranty episode of listener recommendations (Thanks, Aaron & Will!).

Read our afterthoughts for this episode HERE!

The Classic Film: The Night Flier (1997)
"A reporter is on the trail of a vampiric murderer who travels by plane” (IMDb.com). Believe it or not, this Stephen King adaptation starring Miguel Ferrer WASN'T made for TV.

The Modern Film: Digging Up the Marrow (2014)|
"A documentary exploring genre-based monster art takes an odd turn when the filmmakers are contacted by a man who claims he can prove that monsters are indeed real” (IMDb.com). Surprisingly, Adam Green's acting isn't all that bad (neither is Ray Wise's), and almost all of the monster effects are really cool. Unfortunately, that's about where the praise for this mockumentary-cum-advertisement stops.

Audio Sources:
"Digging Up the Marrow" produced by ArieScope Pictures
"The Night Flier" produced by Night Flier Productions, et al.
"Thinner" produced by Paramount Pictures & Spelling Films
"Vampire's Kiss" produced by Hemdale & Magellan Pictures

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.

174 - Cut (2000) & Fear, Inc. (2016) →

The Worst of 2021 - #8 Cut

It’s Meta Comedy Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey hire a service to show these movies to us, but will we regret it in the end? It's also a recommendation week, so a big thank you to Chickapedia & Peter!

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: Cut (2000)
"A group of film students attempt to finish a horror movie that stopped production years earlier when the director was killed. [Aware] that every attempt to complete the pic coincided with the murders of those involved, the students return to the original location in an isolated part of the country. When filming begins, so do the killings” (IMDb.com). In the beginning, Cut feels like a tolerable if not terribly exciting indie horror, but we gradually became less and less enamored with its few charms.

The Modern Film: Fear, Inc. (2016)
"Fear, Inc. follows a company of degenerates who can be hired for a premium to bring your greatest fears to life. But when horror junkie Joe Foster's customized scare seemingly begins, he and his friends must decide if this company is there to scare them or make them pawns in their own sick game” (IMDb.com). Fear, Inc. is sharp and humorous but is the end result a death by a thousand cuts?

Audio Sources:
"American Idol" (Unknown Episode) produced by Fremantle, et al.
"Cobra" produced by Cannon Group, et al.
"Cut" (2000) produced by Mushroom Pictures, et al.
"Fear, Inc." produced by Lone Suspect, et al.
"Office Space" produced by Twentieth Century Fox, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"The Rains of Castamere" written by Ramin Djawadi & George R. R. Martin and performed by Sigur Rós

145 - Bad Ronald (1974) & The Evil Within (2017) →

CW: Ableism, Suicide

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

It’s Listener Recommendation Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey watch two very weird movies that are very weird for two very different reasons.

The Classic Film: Bad Ronald (1974)
"A perverted teenage boy who lives in the walls of a house finds the house sold to a family after his mother dies, and he falls for one of the new residents” (IMDb.com). Bad Ronald was a made-for-TV movie and it shows. If there’s one thing to learn from this movie, it’s to STOP MOVING DEAD BODIES!

The Modern Film: The Evil Within (2017)
"The sadistic tale of a lonely, mentally handicapped boy who befriends his reflection in an antique mirror. This demonic creature orders him to go on a murderous rampage to kill the people he loves most” (IMDb.com). The Evil Within was a 15-year passion project by a millionaire meth user who died before it was finished and it shows. But not in a bad way?

Audio Sources:
“Bad Ronald” produced by Lorimar Productions
"Carrie" produced by Red Bank Films
“The Evil Within” produced by Supernova LLC & The Writers Studio
"Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" produced by View Askew Productions, et al.
"Oh Mom..." written by Adam Sandler and performed by Adam Sandler, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

126 w/ Jessie - Man Bites Dog (1992) & The Houses October Built (2014) →

CW: Rape, Suicide, Infanticide

Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1236774557500964864

It’s Fake Documentary Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey invite friend-of-the-sematary Jessie over to dish about one of the better sub-sub-genres of horror, the fake documentary! Plus, getting punched in the face at Knott's Scary Farm! Thanks for the recommendations, Harry and Anthony!

The Classic Film: Man Bites Dog [C'est arrivé près de chez vous] (1992)
"A film crew follows a ruthless thief and heartless killer as he goes about his daily routine. But complications set in when the film crew lose their objectivity and begin lending a hand” (IMDb.com). Early 90s hipster filmmakers loved making provocative, black and white, dark comedies on a shoestring budget and the Belgians were no different, apparently!

The Modern Film: The Houses October Built (2014)
"Looking to find an authentic, blood-curdling good fright for Halloween, five friends set off on a road trip in an RV to track down these underground Haunts. Just when their search seems to reach a dead end, strange and disturbing things start happening and it becomes clear that the Haunt has come to them” (IMDb.com). A sort-of-remake of a fake documentary the same filmmakers already made, this movie is very effective at evoking anxiety through its realism, but only the first time around...

Audio Sources:
"Halloween Spooks" written and performed by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
"The Houses October Built" produced by Room 101 & Foreboding Films
"Last Exit to Springfield" (The Simpsons S04E17) produced by Gracie Films & 20th Century Fox Television
"Man Bites Dog" produced by Les Artistes Anonymes
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"S&M Present" (Robot Chicken S01E09) produced by Stoopid Monkey, et al. 
"This is Spinal Tap" produced by Spinal Tap Prod. & Goldcrest Films International

120 - The Exorcist (1973) & Ava's Possessions (2015) →

CW: Child Molestation, Rape, Genital Mutilation

Best of 2020 - #7 (Tied) The Exorcist

Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1219011754568499200

It’s Demonic Possession Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey feel compelled to discuss the supposed "Scariest movie of all time!" Thank you to @TheChickapedia for the recommendations!

The Classic Film: The Exorcist (1973)
"When a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her desperate mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter” (IMDb.com). A creepy movie that managed somehow to actually frighten millions, The Exorcist may not be that terrifying but it's certainly an incredible film.

The Modern Film: Ava's Possessions (2015)
"Ava Dobkins is recovering from demonic possession. With no memory of the past month, she is forced to attend a Spirit Possession Anonymous support group. As Ava struggles to reconnect with her friends, get her job back, and figure out where the huge bloodstain in her apartment came from, she's plagued by nightmarish visions - the demon is trying to come back” (Momentum Pictures). A great premise and promising tone aren't enough to save this predictable surprise from its own plot.

Audio Sources:
"Ava's Possessions" produced by 
“BLAME BEELZABUB” written by Sean Lennon and Jordan Galland & performed by Foley Stewart
"Episode #11.20" (You Bet Your Life, S11E20) produced by FilmCraft Productions
"The Exorcist" produced by Warner Bros. & Hoya Productions
"Max von Sydow" via Say It Like A Swede @  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG6TBfUD1_U
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" produced by Lucasfilm, et al.
"Tubular Bells" composed by Mike Oldfield

110 - Martin (1977) & May (2002) →

CW: Rape, suicide, cutting, violence involving animals

It’s Broken Romantics Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey relate to some very awkward weirdos in two films about introverts with murderous fetishes.

The Classic Film: Martin (1977)
"A young man, who believes himself to be a vampire, goes to live with his elderly and hostile cousin in a small Pennsylvania town where he tries to redeem his blood-craving urges” (IMDb.com). This under-remembered Romero classic throws out almost every vampire trope to show humanity's cursed desires in the hot light of day.

The Modern Film: May (2002)
"A socially awkward veterinary assistant with a lazy eye and obsession with perfection descends into depravity after developing a crush on a boy with perfect hands” (IMDb.com). A surprisingly fun, little-known horror flick (thanks for the recommendation, Benny!), May surprised us with its wahjah, relatable humor, and charming killer protagonist.

Audio Sources:
"Make It With You" written by David Gates and performed by Bread
“Martin” (Film) produced by Laurel Entertainment Inc.
"Martin" (Song) written by Marc Almond & Dave Ball and performed by Soft Cell
“May” produced by 2 Loop Films & A Loopy Production LLC
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

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.

106 - The Ninth Gate (1999) & The Ascent (2017) →

CW: Suicide, Rape

Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1181763562881994752

It’s Satanic Thriller Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey make a deal with the devil (Kelsey got a new puppy in exchange for Chris’ soul). Thanks for recommending The Ascent, Peter!

The Classic Film: The Ninth Gate (1999)
"A rare book dealer, while seeking out the last two copies of a demon text, gets drawn into a conspiracy with supernatural overtones” (IMDb.com). One of many satanic thrillers from the late 90s and early 00s, The Ninth Gate tries and mostly fails to pull off the tone of The Omen but with a modern edge, but is there something there to enjoy anyway?

The Modern Film: The Ascent (2017)
"Veteran LAPD detective Henry Cardenas faces off against his toughest murder suspect yet, Vince Marins, who claims to be something other than human. Over the course of 24 hours, truths, both new and long-buried, will be revealed” (IMDb.com). This amateur-feeling attempt at a cool concept feels like it would be better off as an intimate, one-act play instead of a micro-budget, feature-length movie that the filmmakers seem ill-equipped to pull off.

Audio Sources:
“The Ascent” produced by The Ascent Movie, LLC
“The Ninth Gate” produced by Artisan Entertainment, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Tom Segura: Completely Normal" produced by 3 Arts Entertainment & New Wave Entertainment Television

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.