The Bloody Pulpit

     This week Anna, who has been away far too long for anyone's liking, returns for a pair of films about men who are not what they appear too be while hiding in plain sight.

     Christine Faber's husband is dead. He is dead and buried. So why is she hearing his voice call to her across the beach? Dashing out into the night the investigate, Christine runs into Alexis. Alexis claims to be a real psychic medium and able to help her put her ghosts to rest. Fearing she is being taken advantage of Christine's fiancé, Paul, and her sister, Janet, decide to uncover her new friend as a fraud. Will they be able to expose a charlatan preying on a still grieving widow? Can Alexis deliver on his promise of respite from the ghost haunting her? Will this web of deceit and psychological torture be untangled before Christine meets a ghastly ghoulish ending? A classic noir from a blacklisted director with one of the genre's favorite femme fatales, The Amazing Mr. X (aka The Spiritualist).
     After being left by her lover, Jenny makes the mistake of going to see her old friend turned Catholic priest Bernard at his church. Tragically, the ear hearing her confession of jilted romance and coerced abortion is not that of her old friend but elderly Father Meldrum. Meldrum, a fervent believer in the concept of divine justice, decides to nurture and guide Jenny in a way he has done many times before. How far can Meldrum push before anyone will help Jenny? Who do you turn to when no one will believe your desperate pleas for help? An overlooked shocker from one of England's most beloved cult filmmakers, Pete Walker, is a cold-blooded film about how those in power can use their position to harm with impunity- House of Mortal Sin.
All that and Dave unburdens himself to a terrifying degree (off mic), Kevin has flashbacks to his days harassing vicars in the Highlands, and Anna wonders why they agreed to be dragged back into this mess. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 382- The Bloody Pulpit

That's an Odd Kiss

     This week we kick off October and Horror Season with something old from a legendary studio and something new from a go-to service for fright fiends.

     Gerald and Marianne honeymooning through Bavaria in 1910 run out of gas and learn they are miles off course and days away from any fuel delivery. Taking refuge at the local inn, they catch the eye of Dr. Ravna and his children who invite them to a ball at their home. Separated during the festivities Gerald soon discovers that under all the frivolity lies a vampiric cult. Can Gerald save his bride? Will anyone lend him aid besides the drunk professor? Could Marianne really prefer the life of a bloodsucker? Don Sharp's first film for Hammer, Kiss of the Vampire.
     Alone one night, while renovating her new home, Dani is brutally murdered. A former patient of her psychiatrist husband, Ted, is quickly convicted of the crime and sent back into Ted's care. Justice being quickly served, Ted begins his life anew and takes up with Yana, a pharmaceutical rep. Just when Ted thinks he can move on with his life, his deceased wife's blind twin sister shows up at his door with an unusual gift. Was the right person convicted? Will Ted ever find peace to leave his tragedy in the past? Could the mysterious gift be the key to supernatural justice? The second feature from Damian McCarthy, shot in the same converted barn as his first, Oddity.
     All that and Dave probably missed something, Tyler spelunks the depth of exploitation nastiness, Kevin mourns the loss of another regiment in the squirrel army, and special guest Christianne (who can be found blogging as Vulnavia Morbius at krelllabs.blogspot.com) returns just in time to learn some very disturbing history. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 381- That's an Odd Kiss

A Dollop of Ortega

     This week- a clump of movies starring Jenna Ortega.

     After a school shooting, Vada Cavell has to navigate her trauma and depression. Isolating herself from her family and closest friend. As Vada struggles to find ways to cope with her trauma, she bonds with those who sheltered with her during the shooting. A powerful debut feature from writer-director Megan Park with incredible performances, The Fallout.
     In an effort to bolster his conservative base, Governor Harper Finn signs an executive order to immediately round up all illegal immigrants and their US-born children. The kids are given a choice, be deported or spend a few months working in a program assisting the elderly. A horror comedy from the Hallivis Brothers about issues facing Hispanic and Latino Americans, American Carnage.
     Charlie has just graduated from college and decides to take a summer job with his older half-brother, Tom, on a scallop fishing boat. Corporate negligence and a string of bad luck lose the brothers two boats, put them in trouble with Canadian authorities, and force them into a desperate situation. A crime thriller with an incredibly talented cast from veteran writer-director Brian Helgeland, Finestkind.
     Jonathon Miller is a failed writer teaching in a small Tennessee town. Cairo Sweet is an 18-year old senior living alone in a large mansion with generational wealth. Cairo is smart, highly literate, and flatters Miller's vanity by having read his terrible book. Miller unsuspectingly finds himself drawn into a plot to give Cairo something to write about for her Yale application essay. The debut from writer-director Jade Halley Bartlett, Miller's Girl.
     All that and we prep for Halloween. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 380- A Dollop of Ortega

Wassup Tony?

     This week- a group of plucky skater punks get into shenanigans in LA and a plucky mob widow tries to start again but neither the Feds or Family will let her.

     A septet of Latin American boys go against the hip hop trends and norms of their South Los Angeles neighborhood and embrace skateboards and punk rock in very tight pants. One day the boys decide to go skate at a school in the affluent Beverly Hills. Little do they suspect this would kick off an odyssey through a creepily camp satirical nightmare of affluence and classism. Only an auteur like Larry Clark would stop to ask this question burning at the forefront of global consciousness... Wassup Rockers.
     Angela is married to a Long Island mafia rising star but the luster of their life has long since been rubbed off for her. When the boss finds out her husband is also having an affair with the same girl, hubby is not long for this world. Angela takes the opportunity to move out of their home of ill gotten gains and start again. Unfortunately for her both the boss and the FBI are desperately trying to get her in their respective beds. Jonathon Demme's broadly wacky comedy loudly swirls around a complex heroine struggling for freedom and a future where she is no longer Married to the Mob.
     All that and Dave takes an uneventful hike, Tyler's backpack has jets, and Kevin begins his nefarious plot to rebuild the squirrel army and take over the local Little Waitrose. Join us, won't you?

    Episode 379- Wassup Tony?

Lethal Tales

     This week- two movies about bromances and violence in remote places.

     Genta has become disillusioned with the samurai life and has left it to be a wondering yakuza. Hanji could no longer tolerate his powerless existence and sold his farm to become a samurai. They find themselves on opposing sides after the assassination of the local chancellor. A darkly satirical look at the late stages of the samurai, Kill! (1968).

     Michael is a graphic designer, living in the city, with his first child on the way. Chris is an addict, erratic and delusional, squatting in an abandoned building on reservation land. When Michael receives a video of Chris', he takes it as a final cry for help. Taking extreme actions the two men soon find themselves caught up in something beyond their comprehension and desperate for a satisfying Resolution (2012).
All that and Tyler confesses his love, Dave schemes, and Kevin dances... dirtily. Join us, won't you?

    Episode 378- Lethal Tales

Dat Florida-Midland Flow

     This week- two films about types of masculinity and finding your way.

     Tyler Williams is a popular senior on the wrestling team. Learning he has a severe SLAP tear that requires surgery as soon as possible to repair, Tyler decides to hide it from everyone, especially his domineering father. When his injury is revealed, Tyler spirals to tragic results. The aftermath of which will test the Williams family and those around them. The third film from critically acclaimed writer-director Trey Edward Shults, Waves.
     Romeo and Gavin have been best friends and neighbors as long as either can remember. When Romeo gets beaten up for defending Gavin from bullies, he is assisted by the slightly strange and aggressive Morrell. Morrell tries to romance Romeo's sister and drives a wedge between the boys, leading to a violent confrontation. The third film from beloved UK cult filmmaker Shane Meadows, as well as the screen debuts of both Paddy Considine and Vicky McClure, A Room for Romeo Brass.
     All that and Dave gets REALLY ranty, Tyler rolls around his happy place, and Kevin might have forgotten something but it probably isn't important. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 377- Dat Florida-Midland Flow
 

Dreaming The Crow Like Dream

      In the doorway of glory he finds Death who puts his hands in hers and whispers to him, :Now... come home, now."

     "Soon", he says.

                                   The Crow, James O'Barr

     This week- four tales of vengeance for souls brought back to put the wrong things right. 
Detroit, a decrepit and crime ravaged city on Devil's Night, when gangs roam the streets leaving only burning buildings in their wake. One year ago, Shelly Webster was raped and mortally wounded as her fiancé, Eric Draven, was shot and thrown out of their loft apartment window. Tonight, Eric returns with the names of those who killed them ringing in his head. The first film entry in the franchise based on James O'Barr's cult masterpiece comic series, The Crow.
     In Salt Lake City, three years ago, Alex Craven is framed for the murder of his girlfriend, Lauren. Tonight, Alex will be put to death for this crime and come back as the next Crow. With his lawyer and Erin, Lauren's sister, to help him, can Alex solve his own case and unravel the conspiracy that killed Lauren and set him up? Can anything bring The Crow: Salvation.
     Jimmy Cuervo has been paroled after serving time for killing a rapist in a fight. He returns home to Lake Ravasu, a town that is divided between a corporate mining town and a Raven Aztec reservation, to be outcast by both sides. Except for his girlfriend, who he was protecting at the time of his crime, Lily Ignites the Dawn. Unfortunately, Lily has eyes which can see prophecies, which puts them in the sights of the local world ending Satanist cult. Jimmy comes back to hunt down the cult. Loosely based on the novel of the same name by Norman Patridge, The Crow: Wicked Prayer.
     In Vancouver, on the night before Halloween, Eric Draven and his fiancée, Shelly, are killed in their loft apartment. One year later, Eric returns guided by a mystical bird and now having supernatural powers. He sets out to not just get revenge but also to find his own redemption. The syndicated tv adaption that was cancelled due to the studio being sold before they could begin the final arc, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven. 
     All that and Dave and Tyler have very different experiences with yet another avian avenger and Kevin gets his feathers plucked. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 376- Dreaming The Crow Like Dream