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.

088 - Double Feature - The Stepfather (1987 & 2009) →

CW: Rape, Domestic Abuse

It's Father's Day on Pod Sematary... AND it's a Double Feature! Chris & Kelsey discuss a creepy classic about an overly strict stepfather along with its teen-thriller remake. Listen along with YOUR stepfather!

The Classic Film: The Stepfather (1987)
"After murdering his entire family, a man remarries a widow with a teenage daughter in another town and prepares to do it all over again" (IMDb.com). This cult classic turned out to be much better than we were expecting. Plus, you get to see Terry O'Quinn's stepfatherly dong.

The Modern Film: The Stepfather (2009)
"Michael returns home from military school to find his mother happily in love and living with her new boyfriend. As the two men get to know each other, he becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there with a helpful hand" (Sony Pictures). We posit that this remake wouldn't have seemed so bad if it wasn't being held up against a far superior version, but we still wouldn't take it over the original.

Get more at podsematary.com!

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Fast & Furious 6" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Fast Five" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Hellraiser" produced by Cinemarque Entertainment BV, et al.
"No More I Love Yous" written by David Freeman & Joseph Hughes and performed by Annie Lennox
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Science Fiction/Double Feature" written by Richard O'Brien & Richard Hartley and performed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
"The Stepfather" (1987) produced by Incorporated Television Company (ITC) Productions
"The Stepfather" (2009) produced by Screen Gems, et al.
"The Yada Yada" (Seinfeld S08E19) produced by Shapiro/West Productions & Castle Rock Entertainment