KnockBack: The Retro and Nostalgia Podcast

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#249 | The Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd album) Nov 21, 2022

Show notes

1973's Pink Floyd record The Dark Side of the Moon is easily one of the most famous albums of all-time, toting what is perhaps the most recognizable cover art ever concocted. Its 10 tracks (or 9, if you're old-school) tell a deeply human tale, celebrating the ups and downs of life with some of the most vivid and emotional rock lyrics ever constructed, all within a progressive rock framework that sounds like it was written and recorded yesterday. Of course, it wasn't. It's a nearly 50 year old work of art, now. That's what makes it so special, and why we're so eager to gush about the wonderful work of Gilmour, Waters, Mason, and Wright. So hit play.

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#248 | Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Beatles album) Nov 14, 2022

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In the history of rock, there are seminal records... and then there are the true cream of the crop. The Beatles' 1967 classic Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is very much in the latter camp, a record so mind-bending and fresh that, 55 years later, it remains one of the most-revered albums ever recorded. And when we say recorded, we mean it in the old-fashion way: Using tape reels and decks without a semblance of computer assistance, which wouldn't have even been possible ast the time. From musicianship to lyrical work to production, Sgt. Pepper's may be unrivaled even in the Beatles' very own discography of genre titans. So let's delve in, go through some of these amazing songs, and discuss the neverending legacy of what some would argue is the strongest LP ever set to vinyl, one that shook the world it entered into, and continues to morph it to this day.

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#247 | The Cabin in the Woods Nov 07, 2022

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Truth be told, we (The Brothers Moriarty) went into The Cabin in the Woods totally blind. Unlike our other romps through horror fare this October, we've both never seen this film... at least until preparing to record this episode. While controversial in nature -- it is, after all, a Joss Whedon joint -- The Cabin in the Woods happens to be a well-respected horror film for one specific reason: It's really good. Turning the genre on its head, poking fun at its archetypes and tropes, and even laying a greater groundwork for the actual meaning behind horror itself, Cabin in the Woods is a clever and thought-provoking flick, and we're thrilled to give it its due here on KnockBack. So listen, before we bind you with ancient logics.

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#246 | The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Oct 31, 2022

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1974's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the prototype for the teen-and-20-something slasher films that would fill up theater marquees and video store shelves for the next 40 years. All the hallmarks are there: A set of bold and clueless antagonists, a mysterious, abandoned, and rural locale, a series of situational justifications, a mask-wearing killer, and an iconic weapon. With a brisk runtime, an air of surrealism and camp, and some incredibly strong performances (particularly in the film's second half), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a must-see for anyone interested in the genetic makeup of the horror genre as we know it, and we're thrilled to talk about it here on KnockBack.

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#245 | The Omen Oct 24, 2022

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Beginning in the 1960s, a string of psychological-driven horror movies were released to great fanfare. A seminal film that perfectly fits the mold is none other than 1976's The Omen, starring the beloved Gregory Peck. The Omen is unique, even amongst psychological thriller and horror fare, in that it's also political. Not deeply so; it's certainly not partisan in nature. Rather, it focuses on how the supernatural can interface with the levers of power, and the disastrous potential consequences that could follow. If anything, our biggest complaints about The Omen are shared by many: It's brisk in its runtime, and it can be a little melodramatic, too. But that aside, it's chock-full of great performances, a promising narrative, and a truly spooky synopsis that asks whether the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost can be countered by the Devil, the Anti-Christ, and the False Prophet. Book of Revelation fans, get ready! It's your time to shine.

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#244 | The Exorcist (film) Oct 17, 2022

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There's something about the time The Exorcist came to theaters, in that it almost certainly made the experience a hell of a lot more frightening than it would be today. When this film launched in December of 1973, one can imagine going to see it, being completely horrified, and then sitting at home. No internet, no cable TV, no phone to keep you busy. Just whatever's over the air and your landline, and hopefully no intrusive thoughts. Based on a novel released a couple of years prior, The Exorcist is a world-class example of Catholic horror told through the eyes of a tortured family that seems to have it all and a troubled priest who knows more than he should. What makes it so scary is that, like so many works of religious-themed horror, it feels like it could happen, at least in some sense. And, well, our recent viewing has left us with much to say on the matter.

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#243 | The Shining (film) Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

While 1977's Stephen King novel The Shining preempts (and obviously inspired) the film that would come three years later in 1980, it's the movie and not the book that's most well-regarded. That's primarily due to auteur Stanley Kubrick, who delivered a film adaptation of King's horror story for the ages, one readily celebrated and obsessed over to this day. Drawing from a unique, one-of-a-kind aesthetic, rich use of color, sound, and symbolism, and exacting expectations from cast and crew, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is a tentpole in the long history of cinema, the realization of something both profound and unsettling, not only on-screen, but entering real life, too. That's what makes art art, though, and what makes it so easy to celebrate The Shining as the true expression of brilliance it is, even if it's uncomfortable and, at times, outright frightening.

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#242 | The Jobs of Our Teen Years Oct 03, 2022

Show notes

Learning the value of a dollar is a fundamental lesson for all fully-functioning young people. While some parents choose the allowance route (with chores mandatory or not), many teens are eager to score a part-time gig as soon as they're legally allowed (and often before they're not). Today's episode of KnockBack is dedicated to our earliest forays into the world of gainful employment. Dagan worked as a produce guy, at a skateshop, and even at a bagel store. Colin cleaned stables, made egg sandwiches, and landscaped in the hot sun. Naturally, there are stories to tell and memories to re-experience. And, perhaps most importantly, this gives us a great opportunity to remember some of the characters we've worked with along the way, too.

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#241 | Lethal Weapon 2 Sep 26, 2022

Show notes

1989's Lethal Weapon 2 is one of the most beloved buddy-cop (and action) movies of all-time, and for good reason. A trio of excellent performances from the likes of Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, and Joe Pesci set the stage for two hours well-spent, another ride through 1980s Los Angeles full of crime, violence, and of course a never-ending stream of jokes. From straightjackets to nailguns, from tow truck chase scenes and Apartheid-era racists, Lethal Weapon 2 is a wild ride, and we're excited to talk about it in detail.

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#240 | Lost (Season 2) Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

Hey yourself. The reality on the other side of 'The Hatch' has finally been revealed, but really, such an answer only multiplied the mystery. Lost's second season, which first aired on ABC in 2005 and 2006, is widely considered the strongest run of episodes in its six season arc. In all actuality, it's hard to even explain much more without spoiling the show, what with its riddles upon riddles and all. So we'll keep it short. The Others, the Numbers, the Tail, the Dharma Initiative. It's all here. And we're eager to discuss it all with you.

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