185 - Psycho II (1983) & Grace (2009) →

CW: Suicide, Pregnancy, Stillbirth

It’s Mother's Day on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey are trying to move on from their disturbing past but just can't get away from mother dearest.

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: Psycho II (1983)
"After twenty-two years of psychiatric care, Norman Bates attempts to return to a life of solitude, but the specters of his crimes - and his mother - continue to haunt him” (IMDb.com). Psycho II proves that nostalgia-bait sequels released decades after the original are nothing new. What's remarkable is that it's actually a pretty great follow-up to the Hitchcock classic with a core that complements and a twisting plot that thrills.

The Modern Film: Grace (2009)
"Madeline Matheson is eight months pregnant and determined to deliver her unborn child, Grace, naturally. When an accident leaves Grace dead inside her, Madeline insists on carrying the baby's corpse to term. Weeks later, when Madeline delivers, the baby miraculously returns to life... with an appetite” (IMDb.com). Grace is an uneven tale that isn't exactly bad but isn't exactly novel either.

Audio Sources:
"All That She Wants" written by Jonas Berggren & Ulf Ekberg and performed by Ace of Base
"Death Proof" produced by Troublemaker Studios, et al.
"Grace" produced by ArieScope Pictures, et al.
"Liar Liar" produced by Universal Pictures & Imagine Entertainment
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Psycho" produced by Shamley Productions
"Psycho II" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Psycho II: Still Crazy After All These Years" produced by Universal Studios Home Video
"S&M Present" (Robot Chicken S01E09) produced by Stoopid Monkey, et al.

102 - Double Feature - Child's Play (1988 & 2019)

CW: Rape, Child Abuse, Suicide

Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1171632981816922112

It’s "Give Kelsey Nightmares Week" on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey get trashed so Chucky doesn't ruin Kelsey's nerves forever!

The Original: Child’s Play (1988)
"A single mother gives her son a much sought-after doll for his birthday, only to discover that it is possessed by the soul of a serial killer” (IMDb.com). The beginning of a franchise that, let's say, goes places... this 1988 original is the series at its absolutely most terrifying. With a villain that could be up on the Mount Rushmore of horror, there's a reason Kelsey suffers from Chuckiphobia.

The Remake: Child’s Play (2019)
"After moving to a new city, young Andy Barclay receives a special present from his mother -- a seemingly innocent Buddi doll that becomes his best friend. When the doll suddenly takes on a life of its own, Andy unites with other neighborhood children to stop the sinister toy from wreaking bloody havoc” (IMDb.com). This sacrilegious remake dared deign to reboot a beloved (but arguably floundering) franchise. While it does some pretty stupid stuff, for sure, it also does some pretty great stuff even better than the original. If you can give a shot to serial killer souls inhabiting dolls via voodoo, you can give this one a chance, too.

Audio Sources:
“Child’s Play” (1988) produced by United Artists
“Child’s Play” (2019) produced by Orion Pictures, et al.
"The Langoliers" produced by Laurel Entertainment Inc., et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Plastic Buffet" (Robot Chicken S01E04) produced by ShadowMachine
"Rosemary's Baby" produced by William Castle Productions
"Seed of Chucky" produced by Rogue Pictures, et al.
"Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" produced by Paramount Pictures & Industrial Light & Magic

021 - Double Feature - Fright Night (1985 & 2011) →

This week's episode was suggested by listener Brian S. He recommended we do a double feature on Fright Night and we were happy to oblige since the 1985 original is one of our favorites! But is the 2011 3D remake too much like Twilight? Listen and find out!

Write us at podsematary@gmail.com if you'd like to suggest a movie, too!