222 w/ Bob - The Lost Boys (1987) & Bloodsucking Bastards (2015) →

It’s Vampire Week on Pod Sematary! Chris, Kelsey, and special guest Bob fill some squirt guns with holy water and take in a Tim Cappello concert on the beach.

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: The Lost Boys (1987)
"After moving to a new town, two brothers discover that the area is a haven for vampires” (IMDb.com). We absolutely adore this movie and for good reason. It just so perfectly exemplifies a specific style from a specific time that makes Kelsey say, "They were right in the 80s."

The Modern Film: Bloodsucking Bastards (2015)
"A down-on-his-luck cubicle worker and his slacker best friend discover their new boss is a vampire who is turning their coworkers into the undead.” (IMDb.com). Bloodsucking Bastards is a terrific comedy trapped in the shell of a fairly okay movie. It's certainly not what you might call a great movie, but the moments where it approaches perfection make it worth your time.

Audio Sources:
"Are Traps Gay?" via ContraPoints @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbBzhqJK3bg
"Bloodsucking Bastards" produced by Fortress Features & MTY Productions
"Gingerdead Man vs Evil Bong" produced by Full Moon Features
"The Lost Boys" produced by Warner Bros.
"No Pain, No Gain" (Go-Big Show S02E04) produced by Propagate Content & Matador Content
"The Overmining" (Brooklyn Nine-Nine S04E09) produced by Fremulon, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Reservoir Dogs" produced by Live Entertainment & Dog Eat Dog Productions Inc.
"Surf Nazis Must Die" produced by Troma Entertainment

177 - Interview with the Vampire (1994) & What We Do in the Shadows (2014) →

CW: Suicide, Pedophilia

The Best of 2021 - #3 Interview with the Vampire; #6 What We Do in the Shadows

It’s Interviews with Some Vampires Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey say goodbye to sunrises and generally just mope around for a few dozen centuries.

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
"A vampire tells his epic life story: love, betrayal, loneliness, and hunger” (IMDb.com). If you ask director Neil Jordan, Interview with the Vampire is a movie about the saddest vampires you'll ever see. It's also now an archetypical representation of vampires on film. So just watch these emo bloodsuckers if you haven't already, okay?

The Modern Film: What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
"Viago, Deacon and Vladislav are vampires who are finding that modern life has them struggling with the mundane - like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming flatmate conflicts” (IMDb.com). Taking inspiration from classic cinematic vampire stories such as Nosferatu, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Twilight, The Lost Boys, and yes, Interview with the Vampire, What We Do in the Shadows is one of the funniest mockumentaries of any genre, let alone horror.

Audio Sources:
"Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" produced by Geffen Pictures
"Little Caesar" (1931) produced by First National Pictures
"Noises Off..." (1992) produced by Touchstone Pictures, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"What We Do in the Shadows" (2014) produced by Defender Films, et al.

173 - Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) & Crimson Peak (2015) →

CW: Sexual Assault

It’s Valentine's Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey get all sappy and romantic with two archetypical gothic horror giants!

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
"[Dracula's] lonely soul is determined to reunite with his lost love, Mina. In Britain, [he] begins a reign of terror and seduction draining the life from her closest friend, Lucy. Together they try and drive Dracula away.” (RottenTomatoes.com). Francis Ford Coppola creates a stunning visual masterpiece using almost nothing but the cinematic techniques available at the turn of the 20th century. It's certainly quite something, but is it too bizarre for fans of the popular ur-vampire?

The Modern Film: Crimson Peak (2015)
"In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds - and remembers” (IMDb.com). You'll see a lot of familiar content here, even what are becoming Guillermo del Toro's own cliches, and the scares are a little weak, but as always, del Toro produces a feast for the eyes and the soul.

Audio Sources:
"Blood Lines: Dracula - The Man. The Myth. The Movies." produced by Columbia Pictures
"Bram Stoker's Dracula" produced by American Zoetrope, et al.
"The Costumes Are the Sets: The Design of Eiko Ishioka" produced by Zoetrope Aubry Productions
"Crimson Peak" produced by Double Dare You (DDY) & Legendary Entertainment
"It's My Party" written by Walter Gold, et al., and performed by Lesley Gore
"Jurassic Park" produced by Universal Pictures & Amblin Entertainment
"Love Song for a Vampire" written and performed by Annie Lennox
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Pineapple Express" produced by Apatow Productions, et al.
"Scream 4" produced by Dimension Films, et al.
"She's Not There" written by Rod Argent and performed by The Zombies

171 w/ Jessie J - Night Of The Devils (1972) & Hagazussa (2017) →

CW: Rape, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, Infanticide

It’s a Guest Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey bring on Jessie (a different one) and get all navel-gazey over two foreign horror films that are more show than tell!

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: The Night of the Devils (1972)
"The patriarch of a wealthy family fears that he will show up one day in vampire form. Should this happen, he warns his family not to let him back in his house, no matter how much he begs them” (IMDb.com). Night of the Devils isn't our favorite Italian horror film (not by a long shot), but despite its slow first act and incomprehensible lore, it also had a campiness and a slow-boiling charm that were hard to dislike.

The Modern Film: Hagazussa (2017)
"In the 15th century, a young goatherd living alone in a mountain hut feels a dark presence in the woods” (RottenTomatoes.com). Hagazussa is a German arthouse horror that tests Chris' infamous patience and causes Kelsey to doubt its horror credentials, but Jessie stands by her recommendation of this shocking film's haunting beauty and creeping dread.

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Hagazussa" produced by Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB) & Retina Fabrik
"The Night of the Devils" produced by Filmes Cinematografica, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Split" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.

160 - The Night Stalker (1972) & Afflicted (2013) →

CW: Suicide, Harm to Animals

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

It’s Vampire Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey track down creatures of the night and make a charming travelogue about it!

The Classic Film: The Night Stalker (1972)
"An abrasive Las Vegas newspaper reporter investigates a series of murders committed by a vampire” (IMDb.com). The predecessor to Kolchak: The Night Stalker, the TV series that heavily inspired The X-Files, this popular made-for-TV movie from the 70s is a damn sight better than you might expect.

The Modern Film: Afflicted (2013)
"Two best friends see their trip of a lifetime take a dark turn when one of them is struck by a mysterious affliction. Now, in a foreign land, they race to uncover the source before it consumes him completely” (IMDb.com). An indie film made on a shoestring budget, Afflicted promises very little but delivers on all of it.

Audio Sources:
"Afflicted" produced by Automatik Entertainment, et al.
"Insidious" produced by Stage 6 Films, et al.
"The Night Stalker" produced by ABC Circle Films & Dan Curtis Productions
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

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

099 - The Hunger (1983) & Jennifer's Body (2009) →

CW: Sexual Assault, Suicide

It’s Sexy Vampire(ish) Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey watch a lot of beautiful people do really violent things! Thanks to listener The Chickapedia for the recommendations!

The Classic Film: The Hunger (1983)
"A love triangle develops between a beautiful yet dangerous vampire, her cellist companion, and a gerontologist” (IMDb.com). We know that description sounds odd, but it’s a strangely accurate description of what amounts to one big montage of a film. The twist on the vampire trope is fascinating, but is it more style than substance?

The Modern Film: Jennifer’s Body (2009)
"A newly possessed high school cheerleader turns into a succubus who specializes in killing her male classmates. Can her best friend put an end to the horror?” (IMDb.com). This fantasy story about realistic young women was written by the same screenwriter that did Juno, but don’t let that dissuade you from catching this kick-ass story if you passed it up a decade ago.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1165405739638317061

Audio Sources:
"Bela Lugosi's Dead" written by Peter Murphy, et al., and performed by Bauhaus
"Dream Sentinel" (The Hunger S02E03) produced by Telescene Film Group Productions
"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" produced by Paramount Pictures
"Funtime" written by Iggy Pop and David Bowie & performed by Iggy Pop featuring David Bowie
"The Graduate" produced by Lawrence Turman
"The Hunger" produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer & Peerford Ltd.
"I Wanna Fuck You" written and performed by Akon featuring Snoop Dogg
"I'm So Sick" written by Sameer Bhattacharya, et al., and performed by Flyleaf
"Jennifer's Body" produced by Fox Atomic & Dune Entertainment
"Jennifer's Body" (song) written by Courtney Love and Eric Erlandson & performed by Hole
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Through the Trees" written by Ryan Levine and Andrew Ampaya and performed by Ryan Levine/Wildling (as Low Shoulder)

095 - Vampire's Kiss (1988) & The Voices (2014) →

CW: Rape, Sexual Assault, Mental Disorders, Suicide

It’s Homicidal Delusions Week on Pod Sematary! Chris begins to suspect that Kelsey may just be in his head as they watch two films about men who are a little confused about reality and make the women in their lives suffer for it.

The Classic Film: Vampire's Kiss (1988)
“After an encounter with a neck-biter, a publishing executive thinks that he's turning into a vampire" (IMDb.com). Nicolas Cage is at his cagiest in this flick that stumbles in the middle with its severe treatment of Maria Conchita Alonso but manages to make up for it with it’s fantastic meme-ness… for some...

The Modern Film: The Voices (2014)
“A likable guy pursues his office crush with the help of his... talking pets, but things turn sinister when she stands him up for a date” (Lionsgate). Ryan Reynolds gives the performance of his career (i.e., he doesn’t just play a sarcastic version of himself) and manages to be both likable and terrifying… at least more terrifying than in the Amityville Horror remake.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1155614828154650624

Audio Sources:
"Alien's Guide to VAMPIRE'S KISS (Nicolas Cage) [NEW!]" via Alien's Guide @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znUZ-s6tPHk
"Bram Stoker's Dracula" produced by American Zoetrope, et al.
"Fight Club" produced by Fox 2000 Pictures, et al.
"Nicolas Cage On His Five Best Movies" via Total Film @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RRvDarJsHA&t=58s
"Peggy Sue Got Married" produced by TriStar Pictures, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Psycho" produced by Shamley Productions
"Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II" produced by Stoopid Monkey, et al.
"Stay (I Missed You)" written and performed by Lisa Loeb
"Vampire's Kiss" (with commentary by Robert Beirman and Nicolas Cage) produced by Magellan Pictures
"The Voices" produced by 1984 Private Defense Contractors, et al.
"Weird Satanist Guy" via BowserVids @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErFwJX0HKE

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!