234 - A Nightmare on Elm Street 5 (1989) & Under The Shadow (2016) →

CW: Rape, Abortion, Addiction, Eating Disorders

It’s Mother's Day on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey learn about the perils of motherhood and all the demons that come with it.
Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)
"The pregnant Alice finds Freddy Krueger striking through the sleeping mind of her unborn child, hoping to be reborn into the real world” (IMDb.com). It's happened. Nightmare on Elm Street is bad now. But don't worry—it gets worse.

The Modern Film: Under the Shadow (2016)
"As a mother and daughter struggle to cope with the terrors of the post-revolution, war-torn Tehran of the 1980s, a mysterious evil begins to haunt their home” (IMDb.com). More Persian mythology as metaphor made by Persians, please.

Audio Sources:
"Lawnmower Dog" (Rick & Morty S01E02) produced by Harmonius Claptrap, et al.
"Let's Go" written by Ric Ocasek and performed by The Cars
"Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy" produced by Panic Productions & 1428 Films
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"Under the Shadow" produced by Wigwam Films, et al.

184 - A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) & Before I Wake (2016) →

CW: Death of a child

It’s a Dream Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey get a cool gearing-up montage and cool new dream powers!

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)
"Freddy Krueger returns once again to terrorize the dreams of the remaining Dream Warriors, as well as those of a young woman who may be able to defeat him for good” (IMDb.com). The Nightmare franchise starts to take a turn for the worse in this installment, but it's still not bad yet... surprisingly.

The Modern Film: Before I Wake (2016)
"A couple adopt an orphaned child whose dreams - and nightmares - manifest physically as he sleeps” (IMDb.com). Since this is a Mike Flanagan joint, you know that there is at least a minimum threshold of quality here, but the squandered potential, muddled metaphors, and theme that's about as subtle as a slap in the face make this easily the worst of his outings we've seen so far.

Audio Sources:
"Are You Ready for Freddy?" written by Patrick Klein, et al., & performed by The Fat Boys
"Before I Wake (2016)" produced by Intrepid Pictures, et al.
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"I Want Your (Hands On Me)" written by Sinéad O'Connor, et al., & performed by Sinéad O'Connor
"Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy" produced by 1428 Films & Panic Productions
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

133 - A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) & Dead Awake (2017) →

CW: Suicide, Self-Harm, Drug Addiction, Ableism

Worst of 2020 - #9 Dead Awake

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

It’s another Nightmare Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey have a love/hate relationship with these night terrors (they love one and hate the other...)!

The Classic Film: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
"A psychiatrist familiar with knife-wielding dream demon Freddy Krueger helps teens at a mental hospital battle the killer who is invading their dreams” (IMDb.com). This movie is beautiful... and BAD (the good kind)!

The Modern Film: Dead Awake (2016)
"A young woman must save herself and her friends from an ancient evil that stalks its victims through the real-life phenomenon of sleep paralysis” (IMDb.com). Listen to Chris and Kelsey hate-discuss this movie, one that rushes through it's best parts, copies others from other movies wholesale, and features one of the most unlikeable heroines we've encountered yet!

Audio Sources:
"Dead Awake" produced by Gama Entertainment Partners, et al.
"Dream Warriors" written by George Lynch & Jeff Pilson and performed by Dokken
"Lawnmower Dog" (Rick and Morty S01E02) produced by Starburns Industries, et al.
"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

084 - A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985) & The Nightmare (2015) →

CW: Rape, Suicide, Homophobia, Sleep Paralysis

It's Nightmare Week on Pod Sematary! Kelsey & Chris dip back into the Freddy Krueger well with the second film in the classic series along with a Netflix documentary about the most nightmarish scenario anyone could dream up!

The Classic Film: A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 - Freddy's Revenge (1985)
"A teenage boy is haunted in his dreams by deceased child murderer Freddy Krueger, who is out to possess him in order to continue his reign of terror in the real world" (IMDb.com). This second installment in the Freddy Franchise is more than just one big camp reference to queer youth, even if they struggle to pin down exactly what makes Freddy "Freddy".

The Modern Film: The Nightmare (2015)
"A look at a frightening condition that plagues thousands: sleep paralysis" (IMDb.com). This horrifying documentary acts out the stories of eight sleep paralysis sufferers, but it doesn't go quite as deep as we would have liked.

Plus: Kelsey & Chris talk about what happens after you die!

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1127683549698519040

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Bring it On" produced by Beacon Communications, et al.
"Clueless" produced by Paramount Pictures
"Family Affair" written by Mary J. Blige, et al and performed by Mary J. Blige
"The Fifth Element" produced by Gaumont
"A Nightmare on Elm Street Soundtrack: Prologue/Main Title" composed by Charles Bernstein
"Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy" produced by 1428 Films & Panic Productions
"The Nightmare" produced by Zipper Bros Films, et al.
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"A Nightmare on My Street" written by Will Smith, Jeff Townes, and Clarence Holmes & performed by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Pool Party" written & performed by The Aquabats
"The Shining" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Touch Me (All Night Long)" produced and arranged by Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael & performed by Wish featuring Fonda Rae

053 - Candyman (1992) & Urban Legend (1998) →

It's Creepy Pasta Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey review two films focused on modern folklore!

First up is Clive Barker's Candyman from 1992, a movie both Chris & Kelsey had seen before and didn't expect to enjoy so much this time around! Who can mix Freddy Kruger's fear-sourced strength, Hellraiser's eloquent and hypnotic antagonists, and the People Under the Stairs' social themes? The Candyman can!

Then it's on to Urban Legend from 1998, a movie Chris was so excited about that he managed to talk about just about everything else but it! This Scream-wannabe lacks much of the charm of its predecessor, but does its nostalgia factor hold it up?

Audio Sources:
"Burns' Heir" (The Simpsons S05E18) produced by Gracie Films & 20th Century Fox Television
"Candyman" produced by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, et al.
"Christine" produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Sleepless in Seattle" produced by TriStar Pictures
"Urban Legend" produced by Phoenix Pictures, et al.
"Wicker Man" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" produced by Wolper Pictures Ltd.

051 - Wishmaster (1997) & Wish Upon (2017) →

It's Wish Week on Pod Sematary! Chris and Kelsey take on a couple of movies that teach you to be careful what you wish for!

First is the 1997 campy classic, Wishmaster, produced by horror icon Wes Craven! Don't expect another Scream (which came out right before this), but how this hasn't become a bigger late-night staple, we'll never know.

Then it's the much-maligned, modern take on the monkey paw fable, 2017's Wish Upon! We struggle to find the words, but it's as uninspired as you've been told. It's the anti-Wishmaster.

Thanks to listener Will for the recommendations!

Get more at podsematary.com!

Audio Sources:
"Be Careful What You Wish For" performed by Wayfarers
"The Beginning: Making Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. 
"Mallrats" produced by View Askew Productions, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"The Picard Song" produced by DarkMateria
"The Simpsons Already Did It" (South Park S06E07) produced by Braniff
"Wish Upon" produced by Broad Green Pictures & Busted Shark Productions
"Wishmaster" produced by Image Organization & Pierre David

045 - Double Feature - A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984 & 2010) →

CW: Child Molestation, Sexual Assault

Best of 2017/18 - #9 (Tied) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

This week on Pod Sematary, Chris & Kelsey are excited to discuss their favorite slasher villain! The Quipping Killer! The Dream Demon! The Springwood Slasher! The Bastard Son of One Hundred Maniacs! The Orangutan Goblin himself: Freddy Krueger! It's a Double Feature of A Nightmare on Elm Street!

First up is the 1984 classic! It has the best cop-out of all time because everything happens in dreams. They can do anything! This low-budget flick almost didn't happen but writer/director Wes Craven and producer Bob Shaye wouldn't stop until it was made and the world is all the better for it! Plus, will someone please analyze Kelsey's recurring nightmare?

Then it's the 2010 disappointment... Perhaps surprisingly, we'd really like to see a good Nightmare reboot, but boy did we not get one here. Unlike the Thing premakequel, which we decided was simply unnecessary, this remake is a wasted opportunity to reinvigorate the beloved franchise. But we try to find the good in it anyway... is there any?

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1028774860959281152

Audio Sources:
"Celebrities Read Mean Tweets #4" via Jimmy Kimmel Live @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrjp6e04dZ8
"Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy" produced by 1428 Films and Panic Productions
"Never Sleep Again: The Making of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'" produced by Automat Pictures (featurettes included in home release)
"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (2010) produced by New Line Cinema and Platinum Dunes
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Nightmare on My Street" written by Will Smith, Jeff Townes, & Pete Harris and performed by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (featuring "Theme from A Nightmare on Elm Street" by Charles Bernstein)
"Science Fiction/Double Feature" written by Richard O'Brien & Richard Hartley and performed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

031 - Dance Macabre (1992) & Split (2016)

CW: Mental Disorder, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Potential Self Harm

Dissociative Identity Disorder is the order of the day on this week’s Pod Sematary. Chris & Kelsey talk for way too long about these surprisingly fascinating movies. 1992’s Dance Macabre asks, “What if the phantom was Freddy Kruger and the opera was a Russian ballet school?” This would be interesting enough, but then it adds, "Oh, and go ahead and throw in multiple personalities while you’re at it.” It’s an angle that adds something to the story, but is that something a good twist? 2016’s (M. Night Shyamalan’s) Split, on the other hand, astonishingly ditches the plot twist and instead explores the possibility that DID patients are the key to unlocking human potential.

Get more at www.podsematary.com!

Audio Sources:
"Carry On Wayward Son" written by Kerry Livgren and performed by Kansas
“Dance Macabre” produced by 21st Century Film Corporation, et al
"Jesse's Song" (Saved by the Bell S02E09) produced by Peter Engel Productions & NBC Productions
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
“Split” produced by Blinding Edge Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, et al
"Through the Wire” written by Kanye West, David Foster, Tom Keane, & Cynthia Weil and performed by Kanye West
"Weird Satanist Guy" via BowserVids @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErFwJX0HKE