Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast

🌟 Our heroes check back into the Bates Motel with Psycho II, the daring 1983 sequel that defied all odds... and turned out to be far better than anyone expected 😱🏨🔪🪞 Greg proudly shares his love of Psycho II, reopening Norman Bates’s case 22 years later to explore how this unlikely sequel evolved into a beloved cult classic. Realizing the film is far from a cheap cash-in, Andrew finds himself genuinely impressed, digging into the film’s tone, tension, and surprisingly tender, sympathetic portrait of a killer trying to hold onto his sanity 😵‍💫🔪💔 Together, our heroes spotlight the film’s haunting performances, its moral gray areas, and how it transforms Hitchcock’s legacy into something deeply psychological, emotional, and tragic. Is Norman truly rehabilitated… or just haunted beyond repair? 💀🔪🩸 So grab your c-c-cutlery and get ready to light up the dark… one repurposed shower scene at a time 🚿🩸✨ Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we’ll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Pride & Prejudice.

🌟 Our heroes escape the bone-chilling maze of The Shining, Stanley Kubrick’s chilling masterpiece of isolation and madness 🪓❄️👁️ Our heroes ride their tricycles down the haunted halls of Kubrick’s labyrinthine vision, as Greg reveals it’s his favorite movie of all-time! Meanwhile, Andrew has thoughts... lots of thoughts, as he connects The Shining to another Kubrick masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey! Will Greg drink the Kool-Aid of Andrew’s theories? Find out, as our heroes reference Room 237 so often it could be a drinking game 🥃 Just, uh… keep Jack away from the booze 🩸🪓 So grab your typewriter and tell Tony you're ready to light up the dark… because you got a big surprise coming to you! Go check it out! Hahaha! Go check it out!🩸🪓✨ Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we’ll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Psycho II.

🌟 Our heroes outrun the boogeyman with Halloween, John Carpenter’s genre-defining slasher that birthed a thousand nightmares 🎃🔪👻 Andrew and Greg rewind to their first encounters with the film, and compare it to how this rewatch feels now 📽️😱 Greg schools Andrew on ’70s horror, highlighting Carpenter’s minimalist score, his pitch-perfect direction, and how he turns simplicity into terror. Andrew, meanwhile, wants to talk about sex, specifically the movie’s pulse of sex and death, and the genius of Michael Myers as “The Shape," a motive-less evil that seems to target teenage desire itself (yeah, Michael’s got issues with kids sneaking off to hook up). Greg spotlights how Jamie Lee Curtis’s Laurie Strode became the blueprint for the "Final Girl," dissecting fear, innocence, and the primal will to survive the night. Together, our heroes illuminate why Halloween still cuts deeper than its imitators and what keeps it enduring nearly half a century later. So lock your doors, check your closets, and get ready to light up the dark… one creepy William Shatner mask at a time 🔦🎬💀 Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: The Shining.

🌟 Our heroes are bitten by the forbidden love of Twilight, the 2008 cultural phenomenon where vampires shimmer and danger wears great hair 🌧️🌲🧛‍♂️💋 This week’s movie is a special pick chosen by Andrew’s wife, whose love for Twilight runs deeper than Edward Cullen’s stare. Greg has questions… many questions, while Andrew wrestles with a shocking revelation: is Twilight actually good? 🫢❤️ Together, our heroes sink their teeth into the art of cinematic yearning, and why they think this story captured the hearts of millions. They also explore the deeper metaphor beneath the melodrama: what is Twilight really trying to say about youth, desire, and the fear of becoming who you are truly meant to be 🌒🧛‍♂️💋 So grab an apple, sit down at the table using two fingers, and get ready to light up the dark… one spider monkey at a time 🍎✨🧛‍♀️ Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Halloween.

🌟 Our heroes try to remember the password of One Battle After Another, and fight a philosophical war unlike anything they've faced before 😬💣💥🔥 In their most divisive episode yet, Greg loves the film while Andrew struggles to survive the runtime 💀🎞️ The tension builds as our heroes clash over the film’s themes, pacing, and purpose, battling over meaning, intent, and what cinema owes its audience, pushing each other to the brink in their search for truth 🔦🎬🎭 So put on your bathrobe and sunglasses, hail St. Nick, and get ready to light up the dark… one Molotov cocktail at a time 🧨💥🔥 Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Twilight.

🌟 Our heroes master the art of theatricality and deception with Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan’s gritty reinvention of the Dark Knight that changed superhero cinema forever 🦇🔥 This episode marks Light Up the Dark history: it's our first guest! Smüth, who wrote and performed the show's theme song, joins Andrew and Greg to share a hilarious behind-the-scenes story about writing the track before returning to Gotham City for an in-depth discussion 🎤🎶✨ Together, our heroes spotlight Nolan’s bold tone, the ripple effect it had across Hollywood, and the powerhouse cast that brings Bruce Wayne’s story to life. From the electrifying opening flashback sequence, to Bruce’s childhood trauma, his many father figures, and his ultimate quest to heal from his parents’ death, our heroes illuminate how this blockbuster isn't just about a grown man who dresses like a giant bat, it's a deeply personal story about becoming an idea, leading to triumph and transformation 💔🦇✨ So grab your cape and cowl, face your fears, and get ready to light up the dark… one Batmobile pancaking cop cars on the evening news at a time 🦇🎬🔥 Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: One Battle After Another.

🌟 Our heroes rocket into the unknown with Forbidden Planet, the groundbreaking sci-fi classic that paved the way for everything from Star Trek to Star Wars 🚀👽✨ This isn’t just a favorite, it’s Greg’s dad’s all-time favorite movie. Together, our heroes explore the film’s massive influence on future sci-fi cinema. From the commanding Walter Pidgeon to a young, dashing Leslie Nielsen and the luminous Anne Francis, the cast shines just as brightly as the groundbreaking visual effects.🌟🎭✨ No discussion of Forbidden Planet would be complete without Robby the Robot 🤖 a true icon of the genre and a clear ancestor of HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Andrew and Greg also dive into the film’s unforgettable finale, where Freudian psychology takes center stage and the monstrous Id bursts to life. What does it mean to conquer the “monster” inside your own mind? 🧠👹💭 By the end, our heroes uncover why this isn’t just a landmark of sci-fi spectacle—it’s a timeless meditation on desire, repression, and the dangers within. 💫🔮⚡ So set your course for Altair IV, fire up the hyperdrive, and get ready to light up the dark… one monster from the depths of your subconscious at a time 🌌🪐💥 Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Batman Begins.

🌟 Our heroes argue their case for My Cousin Vinny, Jonathan Lynn’s razor-sharp courtroom comedy starring Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei ⚖️🍝 Andrew’s opening statement drops a metaphorical take that blows Greg’s mind, framing Vinny as a man trapped in his own personal hell who must fight his way out 🔥⚖️😱 From there, the case builds. Our heroes highlight what makes this film one of the most rewatchable comedies of the ’90s, spotlighting the unforgettable performances, from Pesci’s fast-talking fish-out-of-water Vinny to Marisa Tomei’s Oscar-winning turn as Mona Lisa Vito, and why every argument and courtroom meltdown plays like a masterclass in comedic timing. From Vinny’s cross-examinations to Lisa’s “dead-on balls accurate” testimony, our heroes explore why My Cousin Vinny’s humor and heart have stood the test of time, illuminating the film as more than just funny, it’s a celebration of street smarts, survival, and love 💍🎯 But what’s the verdict? Will Greg agree with Andrew’s fiery take, or does the jury remain hung? ⚖️🔨 Find out as we light up the dark… two yutes at a time 🎬⚖️✨ Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Forbidden Planet.

🌟 Our heroes journey beyond the infinite with 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick’s groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece that forever changed the language of cinema 🚀🌌🛰️ Our heroes revisit their first encounters with the film as young movie lovers, and reflect on how their perspectives have evolved with this most recent viewing. Once Andrew’s choice for the "greatest film ever made,” he now faces the question: Does it still hold up? Together, our heroes dive deep into HAL 9000 🤖🔴, Kubrick’s haunting vision of artificial intelligence, and the film’s transcendent Star Child ending 🌟👶 But at the heart of their discussion lies the ultimate question: What does it all mean? As they explore various interpretations, Andrew dares to contribute an entirely new theory, one he believes no one has ever said before. So cue the percussion section and prepare to be transported through the monolith, it’s time to light up the dark… one stunningly symmetrical shot at a time 🌌🚀✨ Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: My Cousin Vinny.

🌟 In PART 2, our heroes finally escape the house of death of Weekend at Bernie’s 🏖️🕶️💀 As Andrew and Greg illuminate the second half of this cult classic, Andrew’s theories spiral even further into madness, inspiring Greg to make one of the greatest speeches in Light Up the Dark history. Together, our heroes explore the film’s wild escalation, madcap boat chase sequence, and how, sometimes, friends just need each other in order to succeed 🪩🍹 And for the true fans who stay until the end, you'll hear Greg's infamous 20-minute long voicemail message he left on Andrew's phone about how he can't talk about Bernie and Godard in the same night because Weekend at Bernie's deserves our full attention and respect 🏖️⚓ So throw on your shades, tie up Bernie's shoelaces, and get ready to light up the dark… one crazy weekend at a time 🏝️🚤🥂 Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: 2001: A Space Odyssey.

🌟 Our heroes drag a corpse through the chaos of Weekend at Bernie’s, the cult comedy classic about one very lively dead guy 🏖️🕶️💀 Greg sheds some light onto why it's one of his Top 5 favorite movies of all time, while Andrew hasn't seen the film in decades, bringing fresh eyes (and some wild theories) to the party. Together, our heroes illuminate Richard and Larry and why this odd-couple partnership works, as well as describing the movie not as a horror-comedy, but a "comedy-horror," getting to the bottom of why Greg loves this movie so much... because of its surprising parallels to his all-time favorite movie, The Shining! 👻🥃 Along the way, our heroes illuminate the movie’s sly satire of the wealthy elite, and uncover its beating heart: that true love is the light that carries us through death, absurdity, and everything in between, a comedy about “creating life” in the shadow of mortality 💫❤️ So grab your sunglasses, hop on your speedboat, and get ready to light up the dark… one wild floating party at a time! 🏝️⚓🥂 Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: 2001: A Space Odyssey.

🌟 Our heroes ride into the blood-soaked desert of No Country for Old Men, the Coen brothers’ chilling meditation on fate, morality, and unstoppable violence 💀🤠🔫 Andrew kicks things off by sharing his experience screening his short film at the SModcastle Film Festival 🎬 and Greg finally meets the legend himself, Smüth, and the guys share a quick story about seeing Weapons together. Then the real standoff begins. For the first time in Light Up the Dark history, Andrew doesn’t love the movie… and Greg comes out guns blazing to defend it. Our heroes clash over the film’s relentless tone, its refusal to give the audience easy answers, and whether killing off your main character before the third act is a critical mistake or a stroke of genius ⚡🎯 And finally, our heroes read the poem that inspired the film’s title, unpacking its meaning and comparing it to the haunting existential questions the movie leaves behind. So grab your captive bolt pistol, flip a coin, and get ready to light up the dark… one fateful choice at a time 🔦🪙🌵 Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Weekend at Bernie’s.

🌟 In PART 2, it's the shocking conclusion as our heroes solve the case of The Fugitive 🏃‍♂️🚨 If you listen closely, you can actually hear the moment of discovery when Andrew and Greg crack the case wide open: The Fugitive as a religious allegory! 🙏✝️✨ From there, the chase takes on new layers as our heroes contrast the film with The Shawshank Redemption, exploring The Fugitive as a metaphor for life in a civilized society. Together, they answer the question of why the film resonates so deeply with Andrew’s dad (and dads everywhere) ❤️ and, by the end, re-evaluate the entire film, realizing The Fugitive is far more profound than people give it credit for ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ So grab your flashlight and get ready to light up the dark… one shocking revelation at a time 🔦🚨🍀✨ Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: No Country for Old Men.

🌟 Our heroes run for their lives with The Fugitive, Andrew Davis's pulse-pounding thriller starring Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble and Tommy Lee Jones as the relentless U.S. Marshal hot on his trail 🏃‍♂️🚨 In a movie so good it couldn’t be contained in one episode, Part 1 kicks off with Andrew sharing a special story about (sort of) meeting Kevin Smith at the SModcastle Film Festival. Then Greg reveals just how deep his love for The Fugitive runs by practically reciting the whole movie line-for-line. Along the way, Greg brings a wealth of behind-the-scenes insight into how the film was made and why it works so brilliantly, surprising Andrew with details he never knew 💥🚂 Our heroes then spotlight the film’s airtight construction, white-knuckle set pieces, and unforgettable performances. They debate whether Tommy Lee Jones’s Oscar-winning turn was truly the year’s best or if Ralph Fiennes should’ve walked away with the little gold man 🏆 And at the heart of it all, they illuminate the riveting dynamic between Kimble and Gerard, two men on opposite sides of the law who ultimately come to share a mutual respect… much like our heroes themselves ❤️ So get ready to leap off a dam, dodge the Marshals, and run for your life because it’s time to light up the dark… one warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse, and doghouse at a time 🏠🔦🚨 Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: No Country for Old Men.

🌟 Our heroes drive it like they stole it with Sing Street, John Carney’s heartfelt coming-of-age tale of music, love, and finding your voice 🎤🎸🚗💨 Greg shares his reaction to seeing the film for the first time, while Andrew revisits a sentimental favorite that once left him in tears in the theater. Together, our heroes explore the power of first love, the profound bond of brotherhood, and what the film reveals about an artist’s spirit and how that passion can ignite the spark in those around them 🔥✨ And just when you think the conversation’s over, Andrew pulls out a surprise for Greg... a long-lost 2016 recording of Emo Andrew sharing his first, raw thoughts on this very film, Sing Street! 🎧😂 So press play, follow the rhythm, and get ready to light up the dark… one dream worth chasing at a time 💫 Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: The Fugitive.

🌟 Our heroes follow the signs of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Steven Spielberg’s transcendent tale of obsession, contact, and cosmic wonder ✨🛸 Andrew and Greg spotlight the different versions of the film and how each cut shapes the story in unique ways. They analyze Spielberg’s deeply personal screenplay, an alien story rooted in family trauma. Is Roy a dreamer… or a man abandoning his family? Then, as the mothership descends, our heroes illuminate that awe-inspiring finale and explore what it means to trust your inner compass and follow the signs in your own life. So pass the mashed potatoes, look to the skies, and get ready to light up the dark… one cosmic signal at a time 🛸🎬✨ Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Sing Street.

🌟 In PART 2, our heroes aren't even supposed to be here today for more Clerks, diving into Clerks II and III, the heartfelt, hilarious, and unexpectedly profound final chapters of Kevin Smith’s working-class hero trilogy 🎬🛒💔 Greg shares his love for the entire saga as he and Andrew explore how Clerks II wrestles with fatherhood, and how Clerks III becomes a meditation on mortality shaped by Kevin's real-life heart attack. Together, our heroes illuminate how the trilogy forms a raw, personal portrait of life, aging, and staying true to your voice. And before it’s all over, our heroes share a moment of love for each other worthy of Dante and Randal themselves ❤️🤝 So grab your Mooby’s apron and get ready to light up the dark… one donkey show at a time 🍔✨ Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

🌟 Our heroes assure you they're open for Clerks, Kevin Smith’s scrappy indie debut that changed the game for DIY filmmakers and inspired a generation of slackers with something to say 🎥 Andrew shares a personal story about his connection to Kevin Smith, and together he and Greg reflect on what Clerks has meant to them as independent filmmakers. From there, our heroes dive deep into the film’s themes, spotlighting its existential portrait of working a dead-end job, and its surprising parallels to Dante’s Inferno. Is Clerks just a stoner comedy or a working-class odyssey with life lessons for the ages? Find out as we open up the Quick Stop and light up the dark… one snoochie boochie at a time 🎬🛒 Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

🌟 Our heroes walk on the water of Being There, Hal Ashby’s quietly radical political satire starring Peter Sellers as Chance the Gardener, a man whose childlike simplicity just might be profound genius 🪴📺🎩 Andrew and Greg spotlight the enigmatic character of Chance. Is he an empty fool, a divine vessel, or a mirror for America itself? They explore the film’s unexpected connections to the work of Stanley Kubrick—from Dr. Strangelove to 2001: A Space Odyssey to The Shining—and ultimately discuss that iconic ending, the line “Life is a state of mind,” and what it all means. So put on your best suit, straighten your tie, and get ready to light up the dark… one TV remote at a time. 🎬🌱📺✨ Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Clerks.

🌟 Our heroes escape the pocket dimension of James Gunn's new Superman! 🦸‍♂️🪐 Andrew and Greg share their immediate reactions to the film, and spotlight how it introduces us to a new Superman for a modern age. From there, things get mythic, as our heroes illuminate the story through the lens of Greek mythology and, by the end, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t your dad’s Superman… it’s punk rock Superman! 🎸🦸‍♂️🔥 So grab your new cape, crank up The Mighty Crabjoys, and get ready to light up the dark… one reboot at a time 🎬✨ Email us at LightUpTheDarkPodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments and we'll respond on the show! 📩 Light Up the Dark — A Movie Podcast will return next week with: Being There.