Halloween may be over now already, but the Headless Horseman rides whenever he wants! Mark welcomes horror filmmaker and podcaster Christopher Wesley Moore to the podcast to gallop out of the city and into Sleepy Hollow. They celebrate not one but two beloved adaptations of the Washington Irving story: the 1949 Disney anthology film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad for its 75th anniversary and the 1999 Tim Burton version for its 25th anniversary. They share memories of discovering the short animated Bing Crosby musical on the Disney Channel, and rave about the production design, twist reveal, and death scenes in the live action Johnny Depp thriller. Plus, Mark has a Sleepy Hollow-inspired tattoo! Check out Chris' latest horror feature When The Trash Man Knocks on Tubi and his podcast Homos on Haunted Hill! Follow him on social @somepeopleaintme
How you doin'? It's "must see TV" time as Mark welcomes longtime friend and Friends expert Melissa Ward back to the podcast to discuss the classic sitcom for its 30th anniversary. The Fall of '94 gave us premieres of memorable TV series and Friends became the biggest of them all. Mark and Mel discuss the most talked about episodes through the ten seasons, from the one where it all began to the last one, blushing over the sexual innuendos and wondering who would be considered to be the lead. Plus, The WB's Popular gets a shout-out for its 25th anniversary! Pivot yourselves over to YouTube for the second part of this discussion where Mark asks Mel rapid-fire trivia questions to test her impressive knowledge: https://www.youtube.com/@releasedaterewind/videos
Students, take note: This episode is going to teach you some things about working behind the scenes in Hollywood! But don't worry, our teacher isn't nearly as harsh as Mrs. Tingle. He's the amazing Albert Bianchini, producer of films, TV, podcasts, and more! Mark and Albert go way back when they worked on the talk show Live with Regis and Kelly, but Albert is primarily here to tell us stories from even further back, when he flew from NY to LA in the late '90s and found himself working for the great Kevin Williamson and his company Outerbanks Entertainment on the 25-year-old movie Teaching Mrs. Tingle and on the hit series Dawson's Creek. Plus, Albert talks about working in development with director Todd Phillips and about slate of projects with partners Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos at Milojo Productions. You do not want to miss this ride through an exciting career in entertainment!
I see... alive podcasters! Spooky season is here so it's time to get creepy with the horror-loving hosts of the How I Met Your Monster podcast, Danny, Zach, and Casey! Mark is surrounded by not one, not two, but three ghostly guests in this episode ("they're everywhere!") to celebrate the twisty 1999 thriller The Sixth Sense for its 25th anniversary. From the movie's memorable reveals to the stellar acting from the whole cast (Donnie Wahlberg still haunts us) to the ending that launched M. Night Shyamalan's career, there's a lot to love and analyze. Speaking of Shyamalan's career, the group gives their thumbs up or down for each of his following films, ending with Mark's take on this summer's Trap, in a fun short bonus episode on YouTube!
Let's take a ride on Falcor and fly back to 1984! Mark welcomes fellow podcasters and movie lovers Josh and Joe from Video Dropbox to reopen The Neverending Story and celebrate the memorable Wolfgang Petersen movie's 40th anniversary. They follow little bullied Bastian and model tween Atreyu into the world of Fantasia, where there are Swamps of Sadness, sexy Sphinxes, and lots of amazing '80s practical effects. They discuss the trilogy of films, rave about the Limahl theme song, and wonder what even is Moon Child?
"Pop quiz, hot shot!" Get ready for trivia and bring on the explosions ("You're fired!") because it's another action double feature episode! Mark welcomes movie lover and James Cameron expert Katie Bruno back for a wild bus ride and an even wilder exploration of a marriage as they celebrate the 30th anniversaries of 1994 blockbusters Speed and True Lies. Save us, Keanu and Arnold! From Dennis Hopper's maniacal performance to Jamie Lee's breathtaking striptease, there's a lot to celebrate, so check out Part 2 of this discussion on YouTube. Plus, the 1994 legal thriller The Client gets a shout-out!
Ghosts, Gremlins, and Gizmo, oh my! Mark welcomes old friend and paranormal enthusiast Solana Sorrento back on the show to rewind to a big day in summer blockbuster history: June 8, 1984. That's when something strange happened in the neighborhood and two fun sci-fi horror comedies took over the movie theater, creating memorable franchises. Ghostbusters from Ivan Reitman and Gremlins from Joe Dante were unleashed in theaters 40 years ago, giving kids like us a great "gateway horror" double feature. From supporting players Annie Potts and Rick Moranis to Polly Holliday and Frances Lee McCain, all the talent in front of and behind the camera get a round of applause!
It's a double feature action adventure so hold onto your potatoes! Mark welcomes Jackie Renne back to the show to re-open the book of the dead and unleash some dark forces that are oh so fun. We fly back to the '80s and '90s to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and the 25th anniversary of The Mummy. These iconic movies have everything you want: rugged leading men, fashionable leading ladies, stunts, comedy, suspense, some horror, and lots of bugs. And how perfect that stars from each film, Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan, recently won Oscars together. Plus, Tom and Huck gets a shout-out!
It's an angsty teen double feature about girls on a mission to get what they want! Mark welcomes Valerie Cherish expert Devin Lotfi from the I Don't Want to Hear That! podcast on a journey back to high school in the '80s and '90s to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sixteen Candles and the 25th anniversary of Election. And what a perfect combo since both feature strong women who scare men, plus this is an election year, and Mark and Devin are both only 16 years old (ha!). From the movie debuts of studs Michael Schoeffling and Chris Klein, to the problematic John Hughes dialogue that hasn't aged well, to that bee sting on Matthew Broderick's eyelid, you need to Pick Flick and press play. Plus, Drop Dead Gorgeous gets a shout-out!
Get in, loser, because this episode is the fetchest of them all! Mark sits with the grool kids and fellow Mean Girls fans Jason A. Coombs from the Survival Jobs podcast and Madison Eastman from MaddCrafty to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the teen comedy that became an instant classic. The limit does not exist with this trio! They rave about the perfect Tina Fey script where every line hits, salute the SNL cast members who rounded out a stellar group of actors, and compare this frequently quoted film with the new movie musical (spoilers!). Plus, that soundtrack slays (Missy, Kelis, and Samantha Ronson before she dated Lindsay!). No buttered muffins needed!
Are those pussy willows? Mark welcomes two Maryland boys and John Waters fans on the show to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the cult classic comedy Serial Mom! Graphic designer Brandon Ingraham from Zombae Brando Designs (in his first podcast episode!) and Jesse Krempel from the Cult Circle Cinema podcast agree that Kathleen Turner playing the iconic Beverly Sutphin is cinematic perfection. With a solid cast, fun death scenes, hilarious dialogue, obscene phone calls that would make Ghostface blush, and morals everyone can root for, this 1994 movie is a "twisted Normal Rockwell" and "a feel-good movie that probably shouldn't be." RIP Suzanne Somers! Plus, we give All That a shout-out for its 30th anniversary as well, and of course touch on the popular docuseries that's been making waves, Quiet On Set.Follow the guests on social: @zombae_brando_art_design & @cultcinemacircle
This is an episode you won't forget! Mark welcomes podcaster and film scholar Antonio Palacios of the Cultworthy Studios podcasts for a mind-bending chat about Michel Gondry's award-winning film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind for its 20th anniversary. They share their own memories of love and heartbreak in 2004 when this groundbreaking movie was released, plus they discuss this stellar cast, Kate Winslet's changing hair colors, and how time heals wounds. Who was originally considered to play Clementine and which actors filmed scenes but were ultimately cut from the movie? Listen! Check out Antonio's shows at thecultworthy.com.
Join the secret society and take a ride around NYC in a sexy Jaguar convertible, because it's time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the delicious movie Cruel Intentions! Mark welcomes friends and fellow Sarah Michelle Gellar stans Kit Sheehan and Jason Kashiwagi back on the show to discuss the beloved "Muppet Babies version" of Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Kit's the only one who knows French) that grabbed our attention in March 1999 and never let go. From Ryan Phillippe's beautiful butt to that lesbian kiss in Central Park to Christine Baranski stealing the spotlight, there's a lot to love. Gossip Girl, you wish you were this steamy! Also, Mark shares his thoughts on the TV sequel pilot that never went to series, and there's a bonus episode on the YouTube channel with even more thoughts and opinions from this trio.
Grab your heels and your popsicles because Mark welcomes writer, director, and producer Darren Stein for a very special episode! The Jawbreaker filmmaker takes a trip down memory lane to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his dark campy comedy that captured lightning in a bottle during a fast shoot with a low budget. They discuss the entertainment that influenced and inspired Stein, how he made films with recognizable faces when he was only in his 20s, plus the stars who auditioned for roles in Jawbreaker! And the big news: a movie musical is now in development! Who does Stein want in the cast? Oh, Kim Petras, Mary J. Blige, and more. You're gonna die (ha!) with all this trivia and insider knowledge of how a cult classic was created and how it continues to gag us.
Make way for Satan in heels, but don't be petrified! Mark welcomes horror artist and movie lover Clark Felix (@clarkmakesart87) to chat about the cruel politics of high school and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the dark comedy Jawbreaker. The twisted and campy Darren Stein film was Heathers on a sugar high and Mean Girls before Mean Girls, with a perfect cast, colorful costumes, nods to classic movies, and dialogue that slays. Clark wonders if they would join the Flawless Four if Rose McGowan offered them the chance, and Mark wonders how many licks does a jawbreaker that big even take? Also, the 1998 guilty pleasure Devil in the Flesh gets a shout-out!
It's a very special 3-part episode: a Jim Carrey triple feature! Mark wraps up the 30th anniversary celebration of three hit 1994 comedies starring Jim Carrey with old friend and movie lover Katie Bruno. Jim became a breakout movie star with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber all in theaters during an 11 month span! In this third and final part, they celebrate the so-dumb-it's-brilliant Dumb and Dumber, the story of everlasting friendship written and directed by the Farrellys. Katie can relate to eating very hot and spicy food that she thought would kill her, and they both can relate to that explosive toilet scene. Plus, did you know they filmed the movie at the infamously haunted Stanley Hotel in Colorado?
It's a very special 3-part episode: a Jim Carrey triple feature! Mark continues the 30th anniversary celebration of three hit comedies starring Jim Carrey with old friend and movie lover Katie Bruno. 1994 gave us Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber all within 11 months of each other! In this second part, they focus on The Mask, directed by horror filmmaker Chuck Russell and co-starring Cameron Diaz in her film debut (Smokin'!). It's an Oscar-nominated kid-friendly comic book movie, but a couple of those moments weren't for kids! And speaking of comic books, did you know the source material is much darker and more violent? Stay tuned for Part 3 coming soon.
It's a very special 3-part episode: a Jim Carrey triple feature! Mark welcomes old friend and movie lover Katie Bruno back on the show to celebrate three hit comedies starring Jim Carrey that were released 30 years ago, solidifying his movie star status. 1994 gave us Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber all within 11 months of each other! In this first part, they discuss Ace Ventura, directed by Tom Shadyac, which is technically a football movie even though we don't see much pigskin (laces out!) and is problematic for sure from a 2024 perspective. Excellent tuck though! Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 coming soon.
It's a Paul Walker double feature! The public voted in a recent Instagram poll and the January 1999 teen movies Varsity Blues and She's All That won by a landslide. Mark welcomes real friends and California dudes Gaius Bolling, from the Back to the Blockbuster podcast, and David Parke, from Jimmy Eat Pod, to celebrate the 25th anniversaries of these two #1 films. First up is Varsity Blues, then She's All That begins about an hour in. None of them played sports in high school, or had a school DJ like Usher, or a teacher who was also a stripper, but they do all love the spoof Not Another Teen Movie. Special shout-out to The Sopranos for its 25th anniversary as well!
What an excellent day for an exorcism... and for a new episode! Lots to discuss with returning guests and horror movie lovers Solana Sorrento and Jeff Bugajski as they join Mark to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the still shocking William Friedkin classic The Exorcist. Both Jeff and Solana went to Catholic school, so the power of Christ compelled them to not only watch this movie at young ages but to also join this special discussion about pea soup, shaking beds, bloody crucifixes, head spins, and a dayplayer who ended up being a murderer (Paul Bateson). Plus, their moms share their thoughts on the movie as well! 'Tis the season for family celebrations after all. And there's a special appearance by the one and only Regan MacNeil, so grab your holy water.