Tv/Movie Rewind

Today, Matt & Todd explore the world of organized crime through 1973’s The Friends of Eddie Coyle, directed by Peter Yates and based on the novel by George V. Higgins.Starring:Robert MitchumRichard JordanSteven KeatsPeter BoyleThe Friends of Eddie Coyle is a standout in crime cinema: character-driven, understated, and calmly realistic in its portrayal of Boston’s underworld in the early ’70s. No car chases. No slow motion. No glitz. No orchestral swells or streets of blood. This is just a gritty, day-in-the-life look at hardened veteran criminals who are too far in, with few ways out.The film opens with Eddie (Mitchum) staring down a 3–5 year sentence in New Hampshire for hijacking a whiskey truck. Desperate to avoid prison, he starts looking for help with the law, crossing paths with some of the most dangerous people in town.What follows is a gripping tale of crime and consequence.This one’s a masterpiece, plain and simple—and Matt’s favorite crime movie of all time.FollowMatt:Matt has over 100+ on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky:@MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him,even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠

Today, Matt and Todd get into the 1958 sci-fi horror classic: The Blob. Directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth and starring:Steve McQueen as Steve AndrewsAneta Corsaut as Jane MartinEarl Rowe as Lt. Dave BartonWhit Bissell Award winners Stephan Chase as Dr. Halen and Olin Howlin as BarneySpecial mention to “Steve’s” friends, the Teenagers:Robert Fields as TonyJames Bonett as “Mooch”Anthony Franke as AlThe Blob is a sci-fi horror masterpiece from the heyday of the genre. When I (Todd) first saw it, I expected to riff on 1950s quaintness and clunky special effects. What we got instead was a fantastically charming movie—where the best parts might not even involve the titular, indescribable alien mass of destruction.Steve McQueen is a treat to watch as a nearly 30-year-old “teenager,” joined by his similarly aged pals as they battle adult cynicism and a gelatinous lifeform that dissolves everything in its path.The Blob could be accused of being far better than it had any right to be. Charming performances and real impending dread combine into an 86-minute joyride—a true gem of 1950s sci-fi with unexpectedly strong acting and a surprisingly grounded emotional core.Steve McQueen, a legend taken from us too soon, shines here in one of his earliest and still most memorable roles—as a vulnerable, scared, but determined teen hero.Oh, and we also get an all-time banger of a theme song from songwriting super-legend Burt Bacharach and Mack David.------------Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠TheFade Out Podcast⁠

Three O’Clock High is a 1987 teen comedy directed by Phil Joanou, starring:Casey Siemaszko as JerryAnne Ryan as FrannyRichard Tyson as Buddy RevellWhit Bissell Award winners Stacey Glick as Brei (Jerry’s sister), and co-winners Scott Tiler & Guy Massey as Bruce and Scott, amateur documentary filmmakers.Written by Richard Christian Matheson and Thomas Szollosi.Released in 1987, a critical moment for teen comedies. Just two years prior, we got Weird Science (twice!), Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This one didn’t quite land the same way. It underperformed at the box office and didn’t win over critics for the most part.So… what happened?We don’t really know. But we're talking about why we liked it!Today, we’re talking about this overlooked gem of the genre. Loosely riffing on the 1952 western High Noon, Three O’Clock High gives us a surreal, anxiety-laced day in the life of Jerry Mitchell. He’s just a regular student who accidentally crosses paths with Buddy Revell—a hulking new kid with a violent reputation. The showdown is set: 3 o’clock, after school, in the parking lot. No escape.Unlike its teen comedy peers, this one leans darker. It’s not Bad Boys, but there’s definitely more blood and missing teeth than the movies above.Instead of cliques and awkward prom moments, we get likable characters squaring off against a clear villain. It’s a refreshing twist—less detention hall, more clumsy sheriff-vs-bandit showdown.Also we get a killer soundtrack by Tangerine Dream!----Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky:@MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠

Pitch Black is 2000 a sci-fi/action horror film directed by David Twohy.Starring:Vin Diesel as Richard B. RiddickRadha Mitchell as FryeWhit Bissell Award winner Cole Hauser as JohnsKeith David as Abu "Imam" al-WalidRhiana Griffith as JackWhit Bissell Award winner Lewis Fitz-Gerald as ParisPitch Black was an instant classic for us when it dropped back in 2000. The film that launched Vin Diesel’s career features a fantastic cast, striking imagery, and a vibe that’s equal parts eerie and cool.It performed well as it more than doubling its modest budget and spawned two (soon to be three) sequels, animated shorts, and a surprisingly excellent video game.Critically, the reception was mixed. The cries of “derivative!” aren’t entirely off-base and are pretty easy things to say regarding genre films. That's not what we're about though. We're about consuming sci-fi coolness. And Pitch Black absolutely delivers every course.Yes, it leans into familiar tropes and trappings, but if we're being honest, that’s kind of what we came for.And we’d argue that passing it as just derivative misses the point. For fans who want this kind of story, Pitch Black offers something special: great performances, a very human core, and inspired creature effects and camera work that reward you if you’re paying attention. We love it.---------Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠

Today, Matt & Todd are joined by guest Gabe Crate to explore the original Planet of the Apes saga one last time (sorta, the movies, anyway).Released in 1973, Battle for the Planet of the Apes is the fifth and final film in the series, directed by J. Lee Thompson (who also helmed Conquest) and starring:Roddy McDowall as CaesarClaude Akins as AldoNatalie Trundy as LisaAustin Stoker as (Bruce) MacDonaldWhit Bissell Award winners Paul Williams (as Virgil) and Lew Ayres (as Mandemus)Arguably the weakest entry in the franchise, with the least new ground to cover—but also, maybe, the most approachable. On one hand, it feels like an extended TV episode designed to tie up loose ends for the franchise faithful. On the other, it’s a well-directed, well-acted film with solid set pieces and the most hopeful ending of the series.Sure, the ideas and budget may have been running low, but the performances pull you in and keep you there—right up to the confusing finale. Maybe it deserved better. But this is what we got, and honestly? It’s an awful lot of fun.The fifth and final end to the story. Once and for all. No bombs. No bullets. Good night, nurse.That is… except for the TV series. And the animated series.So maybe don’t lose your tack and saddle just yet.Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky:@MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠

Our name is The TV/Movie Rewind Podcast. As a grim evening falls once again in the thick woods of historic olde New England, two men—Matt & Todd—are joined by a new arrival in town: Katherine, for part two of their discussion on the gothic horror classic Dark Shadows (1966–1971).That’s right—we came back. There’s just too much to say.This time, we dig into some of our favorite characters, motivations, scenes, flubs, and how the show continues to serve as a source of creative inspiration. We’re joined in our dive today by long-time Dark Shadows fan Katherine Gonzales.Among other talents, Katherine is a content creator who shares her love for DS and Dark Shadows-inspired music on YouTube, along with her own experiences with the paranormal. She’s a veteran of many DS conventions, with an encyclopedic knowledge of the show and a genuine enthusiasm that made exploring Collinwood one more time with her an absolute joy.You can find Katherine's DS-inspired creations on:YouTube: like DS deep dives Here, and today's outtro:This week we have an extra treat at the end featuring Discount Artificial Sweetener's song: 'Styrofoam Tombstones', fans should really like this one, Matt & I think its great.Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.-----------Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky:@MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him,even under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠

Today on the TV/Movie Rewind Podcast, Matt & Todd get reanimated and rearmed with Universal Soldier—Roland Emmerich’s 1992 sci-fi action flick that boldly blends high-octane combat with Frankenstein, war crimes, and plenty of roundhouse kicks. Starring: • Jean-Claude Van Damme as “LUC, SAD!” Luc Deveraux, a memory-wiped near-automaton as confused about what he is as he is about who he is. • Dolph Lundgren as “ANDREW, MAD!” Sgt. Andrew Scott, a completely unhinged maniac with a necklace made of ears and probably loves Casualties of War for all the wrong reasons. • Ally Walker as Veronica Roberts, a journalist just trying to do her job and not get murdered by government cyborgs. • Whit Bissell Award winners Jerry Orbach (as Dr. Gregor) and Robert Trebor (as the motel owner), plus genre favorites Ed O’Ross and Leon Rippy. This is great early-90s action: • Government conspiracies • Secret military programs • And a plot that could be described as RoboCop meets First Blood with a dash of Short Circuit if Johnny 5 had been developed by Cyberdyne Systems. • Van Damme kicks people. Lundgren screams about betrayal. There’s a diner fight, a farm showdown, and a final battle that ends with a hay baler and some light existential horror.Despite 5 sequels, this one is often forgotten in the larger pool of muscley-action films. For one, Van Damme’s box-office draw was waning, and it could be said that this kind of action film a dying genre in 1992, especially with Die Hard a few years earlier establishing a new action archetype.Lastly, at least in America alone, 1992 would be dominated by other classics such as:Disney’s Aladdin, Academy Award Winning Unforgiven, Basic Instinct, Reservoir Dogs, A Few Good Men, Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Batman Returns, and The Bodyguard, to name a few. This one had an up-hill battle for your memory, so we’re giving it another look. You should too!Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ lists on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois On Facebook terrible movies often find him even under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠

Today on the TV/Movie Rewind Podcast, Matt & Todd ride out with The Seven Magnificent Gladiators—Bruno Mattei’s 1983 sword-and-sandals spectacle courtesy of Cannon Films.If you're Matt and Todd, you had us at either "Bruno Mattei" or "Cannon Films." But both?? We’ll chip in for the 4K restoration ourselves.If you're not familiar with that glorious pairing, it’s hard to explain just how much these movies mean to us. They're not trying to win awards—they're trying to inject pure entertainment into your bloodstream, like they've got a vendetta against subtlety and the solution involves kilotons of TNT strapped to a Chevy Caprice.What you're watching is the source code of entertainment. Just go along for the ride, and you will have a good time.The Seven Magnificent Gladiators is wild, it’s fun, it’s dubbed... and it’s working on a budget. An inspired remix of Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (by way of The Magnificent Seven), this version asks: “What if we did that in ancient Rome… on a Cannon budget… using actors who were already wearing swords-and-sandals for another production?” Starring (and our choice as their Magnificent Seven counterpart):Lou Ferrigno as "Han"—yes, Han. That’s what the "H" on his belt stands for. Definitely not Hercules, who Lou was coincidentally played at the same time. (Yul Brynner)Sybil Danning as Julia the most mercenary of the group (Brad Dexter).Brad Harris as Scipio, Han’s right Han-d (Steve McQueen).Emilio Messina as Goliath the gentle giant (Charles Bronson).Giovanni Cianfriglia as Festo (We'll go with Robert Vaughn I guess?).Sal Borgese as Glafiro (I swear he throws a knife or something in this, so he'll be James Coburn).Rubert Mura as Vendrix (Horst Buchholz).Carla Ferrigno as Pandora.Yahudi Efroni, earning our coveted 'Whit Bissell' Award as The Emperor.Dan Vadis as Nicerote—the most fashion-forward warlord this side of Humungous or Raven Shaddock.It’s Cannon. It’s Mattei. It’s awesome.Find and reach out to Matt on: Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialFacebook:  The Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and WonderfulFollow who we follow: Once Upon a Geek and Fade Out Podcast

Deep Blue Sea is a 1999 sci-fi monster movie directed by Renny Harlin, starring Saffron Burrows, Thomas Jane, LL Cool J, and Samuel L. Jackson.This film may have been the first American big-budget shark movie to hit theaters since Jaws: The Revenge. Deep Blue Sea however decided to splice science-fiction into something that as much resembles Alien, or Thing from Another World.The science is vague enough to hold together with confident lines that try real hard... and OK some of the plot could be tighter. This is a 1950s B-movie plot, no doubt, but we think they do an admirable job of giving you enough MovieScience™ to work with, some very entertaining characters, great scenes and plenty of blood as a reward for going along.Find and reach out to Matt on:Letterboxd @MovieMattSiroisBluesky @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialFacebook ⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠TheFade Out Podcast⁠

Today, Matt and Todd tackle the fourth entry in the original Planet of the Apes saga: Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), directed by J. Lee Thompson. Starring:Roddy McDowall as CaesarDon Murray as BreckRicardo Montalbán as ArmandoNatalie Trundy as LisaHari Rhodes as MacDonaldSevern Darden as KolpThe first film said it all—right? The second one blew it all up—done and done. The third swept away anyone left from the second—this has to be the end...Except it’s not.Conquest brings the action roaring back (see Beneath), but with a chaotic crescendo that might just be the most memorable ending of the entire series. Seriously.You might think it has nowhere left to go.What more is there to explore in this ape-human dynamic? This film knows that you already know the stakes. What you get here is a raw, streamlined rebellion tale with serious sci-fi edge and a cathartic payoff.It’s arguably the most approachable film in the franchise. Accessible even if you haven’t seen the others... though you really should.We hope you enjoy the uprising as much as we did.Matt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠ As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠.

Today, Matt and Todd take aim at a film that needs no introduction... but we're giving it one anyway.The Wild Bunch (1969) is a brutal, operatic action-western from the legendary Sam Peckinpah, featuring a powerhouse cast led by William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Jaime Sánchez, Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, and Robert Ryan.The Old West is dying, and Pike Bishop (Holden), a hardened outlaw, rallies his gang for one last big score: robbing a railway gold shipment. When the plan goes south, they're relentlessly pursued by former comrade-turned-bounty hunter Deke Thornton (Ryan). What follows is a violent, visceral masterpiece that grapples with fading codes of honor among men with a bent understanding of it.If you’ve never seen this film, it earns our highest and easiest recommendation. Whether you’re a long-time fan of “horse operas” or just discovering the grit and grandeur of classic Westerns, The Wild Bunch is essential viewing. We think it would appeal to any action fan of all ages.Matt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠ As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠.

Gene Hackman's incredible life included time as United States Marine, an avid Cyclist, designing award-winning homes, restoring homes, and even in SCCA racing competitions.He also had a legendary 5-decade acting career on stage and screen accumulating 2 Oscars (5 nominations), 2 BAFTA, 4 Golden Globe and a SAG awards along the way.He's a star with an asteroid named after him. (wikipedia)Today our northern collaborator Logan share's his thoughts with us on some of our favorite films starring or featuring the man himself.Rest in Peace Mr. and Ms. Hackman.Matt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠ As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠.

Matt and Todd saddle up once more for another ride with Emilio Estevez as Billy "The Kid" and his posse:Lou Diamond Phillips as Chavez y Chavez and Kiefer Sutherland as Josiah "Doc" Scurlock, in Young Guns II, the 1990 sequel to the 1988 classic.Directed by Geoff Murphy.Does this follow-up stand the test of time? Let's find out.Matt has spent over three decades dismissing it, while Todd mostly overlooked it. Now, they set aside old frustrations for a fresh viewing.Plagued by production challenges and lukewarm reviews upon release, Young Guns II was written off by many. But was that judgment too harsh? Could there be a genuinely great Western hidden beneath the criticism?Matt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠ As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠.

Today, Matt and Todd take on the 1997 disaster epic Volcano, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche, Keith David, and Don Cheadle; directed by Mick Jackson. Volcano is a classic '90s disaster flick, packed with dialogue that'll have you rolling your eyes; though they'll come right back around to some great effects and pure chaos.Rotten Tomatoes almost has it right, with an average score of 5.10/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Volcano's prodigious pyrotechnics and Tommy Lee Jones' crotchety sneers at lava aren't quite enough to save this routine disaster film."Well, in this episode, Matt and I challenge that take with our own firmly grounded "Nuh-uh!" Okay, maybe not entirely. But our main takeaway? Volcano's prodigious pyrotechnics and Tommy Lee Jones' crotchety sneers ARE just enough to save this routine disaster film.So there!Volcano is a throwback spectacle. Volcano is completely 90s with cringeworthy dialogue, some truly gruesome moments that could stick with you, and enough chaotic fun to make that spare popcorn disappear. Tommy Lee Jones in peak '90s anger mode, plus a scale block getting torn up, blown up, melted, burned—pure chaos. You’ll learn nothing, but you'll have a blast watching it go down.Matt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠ As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠.

Today, Matt and Todd dive into the original classic Clash of the Titans (1981), directed by Desmond Davis and starring: Harry Hamlin, Laurence Olivier, Judi Bowker, Maggie Smith, and Burgess Meredith.One of the most epic adventure films of its time, Clash of the Titans premiered in the summer of 1981, bringing the legendary Laurence Olivier to the screen as Zeus, whose command for the destruction of Argos sets off a thrilling chain of events.The film is best remembered for its groundbreaking special effects, crafted by the master of stop-motion animation, Ray Harryhausen. His work, including the unforgettable Medusa and Kraken sequences, remains influential in fantasy filmmaking.While Clash of the Titans takes heavy liberties with legendary accuracy, it delivers a thoroughly entertaining and timeless experience—a Greek legend reimagined through the lens of English playwrights and Hollywood sensibilities.We hope you love this fantasy classic as much as we do!Matt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠ As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠.

Today, Matt & Todd get into the third entry in the classic Planet of the Apes franchise: Escape from the Planet of the Apes.Directed by: Don Taylor Starring: Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Natalie Trundy (Returning cast members.) as well asBradford Dillman, and Eric Braeden. The original Planet of the Apes delivered a gripping, self-contained story. The sequel expanded the lore—and then promptly obliterated the planet. So, how exactly do we get a third film out of this?Money, obviously.But while financial motives are inevitable, what Escape delivers is far more than just a cash grab. The film flips the narrative, bringing the story to Earth. What unfolds isn’t a grand adventure as such but rather a tense exploration of fear, power, and survival—culminating in perhaps the franchise’s most haunting conclusion yet.And yes, there are still two more of these…Matt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠ As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠.

Today, Matt & Todd dive into the 1984 action-horror film Mutant (also known as Night Shadows), directed by John 'Bud' Cardos. Joining us is special guest Chris Kruize, co-writer of the film’s original story!Originally conceived by John C. Kruize (our guest today) and Michael Jones, Mutant underwent screenplay revisions by Peter Z. Orton, evolving into the cult classic we know today.Join us as we explore the history behind Mutant and why it remains so much fun for us.While Mutant is often mistaken for a zombie movie, these are generally favorable comparisons in our opinion. Mutant is a small-budget Genre film that rises above some of its sillier elements with strong execution in key areas.This film is pure entertainment, succeeding by respecting its audience with committed performances, striking cinematography, and sharp direction. And let’s not forget Richard Band’s outstanding soundtrack, which elevates the experience even further.Reach out to Chris on Bluesky @jckruize.bsky.socialMatt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠ As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠.Apologies to the original poster creator for my butchery in order to fit it within Spotify's image size constraints...

Apologies to some of the issues we had with Shawn's audio and some colorful language...Thank you everyone for joining us on this our 200th episode!Today Matt & Todd are joined by Shawn to discuss:Red Dawn, a 1984 action-war film directed by John Milius, starring Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell, Thompson and Jennifer Grey.Red Dawn probably doesn't need an introduction but if you haven't seen this in a long time we recommend a rewatch.If you've only heard of it by reputation, it may not be quite what you expected.Thank you for coming with us on #200 and hopefully many more!Matt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at LetterboxdYou can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSiroisCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.

Today, Matt & Todd are joined again by Mike, who is here to discuss the 1970 sci-fi classic Beneath the Planet of the Apes.This is of course the sequel to Planet, which we discussed a few episodes ago, and it happens to be the favorite of the five films for Matt and Mike.*Directed by Ted PostStarring: James Fransiscus, James Gregory as Ursus and a returning cast including Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, Charlton Heston, and Linda HarrisonIf this is your first foray into the franchise —like Todd— you might be wondering how they could possibly make a sequel.Planet of the Apes felt like a complete, self-contained film, wrapping its sci-fi themes in a desperate message about humanity’s past and future with an emphatic final statement.So, where do you go from here?Like many sequels, this one initially feels like one of those 'same-name' movies that might be a remake. But no—it’s actually a direct continuation.The film follows a familiar path until we finally descend beneath the planet (though technically, inside the planet, but that wouldn't make for as great a title). Here, it takes on its own identity and leaves its own lasting impression.Putting comparisons aside, Beneath the Planet of the Apes expands on the planet’s lore and another look at the 'Ape' caste system. Further we get strong performances, welcome cast returns, and still impressive costume work that still holds up under the scrutiny of high definition more than 50 years later, despite a lower budget.For those who haven't seen the movie, we'll let YOU decide if the end of BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES is sequel-baiting or not.Check this one out especially if you were looking for a bit more 'bang' in your Sci-Fi compared to the last film.Matt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at LetterboxdYou can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSiroisCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.

Today, Matt & Todd discuss Willow—a fantasy epic directed by Ron Howard, starring Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, and Joanne Whalley.Released in 1987 with massive marketing and high expectations, Willow had the powerhouse backing of George Lucas and cutting-edge visual effects from Industrial Light & Magic. While the film found moderate success both critically and commercially, it never quite soared to the legendary heights of Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark. Perhaps its biggest limitation? Familiarity.Let’s be honest—Willow follows a well-worn path in the fantasy genre: an ancient prophecy, dark sorcery, thrilling wagon chases, sword fights, dragons—you name it. But to its credit, it doesn’t shy away from those tropes; rather, it embraces them wholeheartedly. The creators understood the genre and let the cast revel in its magic, making Willow an adventure worth revisiting.Matt reigns as the wise and benevolent ruler of more than 100 meticulously curated lists on Letterboxd—follow the wings of his ravens on Bluesky [@MovieMattSirois].Prophecy speaks of Marcus, his cunning twin, who haunts Facebook’s  ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful tearing through the desolate wasteland of low-budget, underdeveloped Z-action films—shrouding the land in eldritch snark.Join in wonder at the tales of lore of ⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠