Rogues Gallery

Case File 121: Halloween H20 Oct 15, 2025

It’s the season finale of Rogues Gallery, and our final investigation of the year leads us into the eerily empty halls of Hillcrest Academy for a look back at Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. What began as a modest direct-to-video sequel was reborn as a prestige anniversary event, bringing Jamie Lee Curtis back for one last confrontation with the Shape... or so we thought. We dig into how a late-stage rewrite and a scrapped subplot shaped this sleek, surprisingly brisk entry, and whether the glossy, post-Scream style enhances or undermines what made the early films so haunting. Along the way, we also unpack the chaotic saga of the four different Michael Myers masks, the eleventh-hour overhaul of its controversial score, and whether or not it truly delivers the cathartic ending it intended. Finally, we debate where H20 ranks among the Halloween films we’ve covered thus far, and Kristen makes her predictions for the next entry. Our next season begins in February 2026.

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Case File 120: Total Recall Oct 01, 2025

It's Fall Verhoeven on Rogues Gallery! Our retrospective of Paul Verhoeven's work is winding down, and we're capping it off with a trip to Mars in his 1990 action/sci-fi fever dream Total Recall. Join us as we dig into the chaotic production history, break down the wild practical effects, and debate whether or not this is all real or just an implanted fantasy. Get ready for some open-your-mind weirdness because we’ve got a lot of thoughts about this one.

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Case File 119: Paranormal Activity Sep 17, 2025

A young couple sets out to capture proof of the strange disturbances in their suburban home, but what begins as an experiment in home video quickly spirals into a relentless descent into fear. With its no-frills found-footage style and chillingly simple premise, Paranormal Activity turned a $15,000 indie project into a box office phenomenon and reignited a wave of supernatural horror. On this episode, we dig into the indie sensation that terrified audiences, examine how it reshaped the horror landscape of the 2000s, and debate whether or not the scares hold up when viewed outside the hype.

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Case File 118: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011) Sep 03, 2025

Lisbeth Salander had already become an international icon before David Fincher brought her to Hollywood with his visceral and uncompromising retelling of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but is this the definitive interpretation of this character and story?

That's what we're digging into this week. So join us as we discuss Fincher's exacting craft, Rooney Mara’s transformation, the major differences between this and the previous adaptation, the sequels that never materialized, the enduring pop culture legacy of everyone’s favorite hacker vigilante, and much more!

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Case File 117: Killer Klowns From Outer Space Aug 20, 2025

This week, we're diving into one of the weirdest invasions ever committed to celluloid: Killer Klowns from Outer Space. When a group of extraterrestrial circus clowns land in a small town, they don’t come in peace... unless “peace” involves cotton candy cocoons, shadow puppet executions, and balloon animal bloodhounds.

Topics include: how the Chiodo Brothers’ low-budget labor of love turned into a cult phenomenon, why the clown aesthetic is so effective (and so unsettling), and how this movie manages to be both a parody of ’50s B-movies and an earnest entry in the horror-comedy canon. Along the way, we talk creature effects, missed sequel opportunities, and more!

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Case File 116: Saw Aug 06, 2025

We want to play a game. That's right, it's time to investigate 2004's Saw - the low-budget sleeper hit that became a phenomenon and kicked off one of the most lucrative horror franchises of the last two decades. But this original entry has some key differences from the majority of its sequels, so join us as we unpack the film we remember this being vs. what it actually is. Topics include: the short film that was sent out with copies of the script, the unusual course of events that led to Danny Glover accepting one of the important supporting roles, some of the major inconsistencies with Jigsaw's methodology, how the abbreviated shooting schedule prevented director James Wan from getting all of the footage he needed, the creative solutions that were employed to patch those holes, why the opening fifteen minutes is still our favorite part of the movie, what we think of the sequels, where the franchise goes from here, and much more!

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Case File 115: Deep Blue Sea Jul 23, 2025

"Deepest. Bluest. My hat is like a shark's fin." - Henry David Thoreau This week, we're visiting the Aquatica Research Facility and submerging ourselves in the 1999 sci-fi/action/thriller Deep Blue Sea. Originally conceived as Jurassic Park meets Jaws, the filmmakers ultimately decided to take a page from Alien's playbook instead. Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of that approach, compare the finished film with earlier iterations of the script, go over our favorite characters and set pieces, dissect the lyrics of LL Cool J's tie-in song, try to make sense of the two straight-to-video sequels, and contemplate DBS's place in the pantheon of non-Jaws shark movies.

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Case File 114: I Saw The TV Glow Jul 09, 2025

"Sometimes The Pink Opaque feels more real than real life." On this episode, we're traversing The Midnight Realm and opening up a case file on Mr. Melancholy from I Saw The TV Glow. Topics include: writer/director Jane Schoenbrun's inspiration for the story, our own personal connections to the media that this is influenced by, how authentically this captures the miasma of 1990s suburbia, the way our feelings about the movie evolved after subsequent viewings, interpretations of the ending, the incredible soundtrack, and much more!

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Case File 113: Arachnophobia Jun 25, 2025

This week, we're headed to the quiet town of Canaima, where a deadly infestation is crawling just beneath the surface. We're breaking down Arachnophobia, the Spielberg-produced “thrill-omedy” that gave audiences a reason to check their shoes before putting them on. Topics include: the more straightforward tone of the original script, how the finished film aims to balance those genuine scares with campy charm, our favorite characters and moments, the complex logistics behind wrangling hundreds of real spiders on set, the comic book, the video game, the abandoned remake, and more!

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Case File 112: Jurassic World Jun 11, 2025

This week, we're strapping into our Gyrospheres and heading back to Isla Nublar to unlock the secrets of 2015’s Jurassic World. After spending over a decade exploring (and ultimately rejecting) various story ideas, Steven Spielberg finally hit upon a concept for the long-awaited fourth film in his blockbuster franchise...

Open the park.

But even with those guardrails in place, this installment went through a wild ride to get to the big screen. On this episode, we're digging into all the behind-the-scenes info and trying to figure out how we feel about this one ten years later. Topics include: the absolutely bonkers version of Jurassic Park IV they came very close to making in the early aughts, why it took so long to shift gears, the big differences between the original draft of this script and director Colin Trevorrow's rewrite, the creation of the Indominus Rex and why the meta aspect they're going for winds up falling flat, the best and worst moments, some mixed feelings about one of the movie's standout sequences, our rankings of these films, thoughts on the upcoming Jurassic World: Rebirth, and much more!

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Case File 111 - Friday the 13th: A New Beginning May 14, 2025

This week, we're revisiting the infamous fifth installment of the Friday the 13th franchise: A New Beginning! The film that dared to continue Jason Voorhees' legacy without the man himself. Set five years after the events of The Final Chapter, this entry follows a troubled Tommy Jarvis as he grapples with trauma and a new wave of murders at a halfway house for troubled teens.

While the hockey mask returns, the man behind it is not who you'd expect, leading to one of the series' most controversial twists. Join us as we dissect the film's bold choices, its place in the slasher genre, and whether A New Beginning deserves its notorious reputation.

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Case File 110: Anaconda Apr 30, 2025

This week, we're venturing deep into the Amazon to confront one of cinema's most infamous serpents: the titular terror of 1997's Anaconda. When a documentary crew sets out to capture the elusive Shirishamas tribe on film, they instead find themselves ensnared in the coils of a maniacal hunter's obsession... and the literal coils of a giant, man-eating snake.

Topics include: the filmmakers' original intention to make something similar in tone to Jaws, Jon Voight's campy yet compelling performance, the practical and CGI effects that brought the monstrous anaconda to life, how the movie slithered its way into cult classic status, and much more!

So grab your gear and prepare for a wild ride through the jungle--just watch out for the ssssnakes!

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Case File 109: GoldenEye Apr 16, 2025

GoldenEye marked the beginning of a new era for the James Bond franchise, introducing Pierce Brosnan as 007 in a post-Cold War world grappling with shifting geopolitics and evolving cultural expectations. And instead of running from those inescapable truths, the producers decided to confront them head-on. The result? One of the most beloved entries in the entire saga.

Join us as we discuss the original plans for Timothy Dalton's third outing, other contenders for the lead role before Brosnan was cast, how the marketing spoiled the film's big reveal, what makes Alec Trevelyan such a standout villain, the way the film puts a fresh spin on established tropes, the incredible supporting cast, deleted scenes, the controversial score, some thoughts about the proposed Old Man Bond film starring Brosnan that seems to be gaining momentum, and of course... the Nintento 64 game.

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Case File 108: It Follows Apr 02, 2025

This week, we're investigating The Entity from It Follows and discussing what makes this atmospheric horror/mystery so effective.

Topics include: the recurring nightmare that inspired the film, the anachronistic production design and how it adds to the overall dreamlike feel, the incredible score by Diasterpeace, a few differences between the script and the final cut, all the different interpretations of what this is actually about, the divisive ending, the upcoming sequel, and much more!

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Case File 107: M3GAN Mar 19, 2025

In this episode, we delve into the 2022 sci-fi horror film M3GAN, directed by Gerard Johnstone. The story centers on Gemma, a robotics engineer who becomes the guardian of her orphaned niece, Cady. To help Cady cope with her loss, Gemma introduces her to M3GAN (Model 3 Generative Android), an AI-driven doll designed to be the perfect companion. However, M3GAN's advanced learning capabilities lead her to develop self-awareness, resulting in unexpected and deadly consequences.

We'll explore the film's surprisingly wry tone, its themes of artificial intelligence, the ethical boundaries of technological advancement, and the human need for connection. Additionally, we'll discuss how M3GAN fits into the lineage of killer doll narratives, drawing comparisons to iconic figures like Chucky and Annabelle.

Join us as we analyze the film's commentary on the potential dangers of AI, its reflection on modern parenting in the digital age, and its place within the horror genre's exploration of technology run amok.

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Case File 106: No Country for Old Men Mar 05, 2025

Since this podcast's inception, Anton Chigurh has been one of our most requested rogues. This week, we're playing a game of chance with this formidable foe as we finally dive deep into No Country for Old Men. Topics include: the origins of Cormac McCarthy's novel, the Coens process of adapting it, key differences between Chigurh's portrayal in the book vs the movie, reactions to the subversive final act, what the movie leaves out, the ways in which it might actually one-up the source material, and much more!

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Case File 105: Unbreakable Feb 12, 2025

We're back! Rogues Gallery is kicking off a brand new season with a deep dive into M. Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable.

It's hard to imagine a time when an Oscar-nominated filmmaker endeavoring to make a grounded and gritty superhero film would have been regarded as a risky proposition. But back in 2000, that's exactly the situation Shyamalan found himself in.

These days, you can't throw a rock without hitting half a dozen comic book movies with a similar tone, but Unbreakable was pretty ahead of the curve. In fact, the studio was so worried about its premise that none of the marketing could even hint at what this film was actually about.

That may be one reason it initially received a somewhat mixed reception - especially in comparison to Shyamalan's breakout hit The Sixth Sense. But in the years since, Unbreakable has been reevaluated and reclaimed. So join us as we investigate the landscape of comic book movies this was released into, break down all the reasons this was such a risky proposition, and find out how well it holds up twenty-five years later.

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Case File 104: Ghostbusters Nov 13, 2024

"We're headed for a disaster of biblical proportions... Old Testament, real wrath of God-type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes, the dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!"

Whoa whoa whoa, RELAX. It's only our season finale. ROGUES GALLERY WILL RETURN WITH NEW EPISODES ON FEBRUARY 12th.But in the meantime, let's strap on our proton packs and go out with a bang.

Topics include: the original intergalactic version of the story that took place in the future, the process of reworking it into the film we know and love, why this one still feels so unique compared to a lot of other Ghostbusters media, alternate casting choices, the cartoon, the toys, the sequels, where we'd like to see this franchise go next, and much more!

Case File 103 - Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers Oct 30, 2024

The sequel so nice they filmed it twice!

The Halloween franchise is no stranger to troubled productions, but part six takes the cake... then decides it doesn't like the flavor of that cake and tries to bake an all-new one on top of it. Meanwhile, some of the producers are wondering why it has to be a cake at all and so they decide to turn it into a casserole instead.

So yeah. It's a mess. But it's a wild story and we had a blast recording this one. Happy Halloween, friends!

Case File 102: Godzilla (2014) Oct 16, 2024

Let them fight... about the 2014 reboot of Godzilla! Nah, not really. We're all pretty positive about this inaugural entry in the Monsterverse franchise. We discuss the unusual origins of the project and its decade-long journey to the big screen, director Gareth Edwards' less is more approach to the material, some of the most common complaints fans have about it, how it compares to subsequent entries, and much more!

Case File 101: Fright Night Aug 07, 2024

You’re so cool, Brewster. We can’t stand it! Join us as we investigate one of the most impressive and underrated horror films of the 80s. This week, it’s Fright Night… for real! Topics include: how each of us was introduced to this film, getting old enough to realize just how horny every single scene is, whether or not we agree with its classification as a horror/comedy, the tight-knit cast and how close they remain to this day, practical effects that rival the other heavy-hitters from this era, the sequel, the remake, some interesting what-ifs, and much more!

Case File 100: The Exorcist Jul 24, 2024

It's our 100th episode! We knew we needed a truly head-spinning rogue to mark the occasion, so we decided to investigate what many consider to be the scariest movie ever made: The Exorcist.

Topics include: the real-life case that inspired the novel, how a last-minute appearance on a late-night talk show changed the book's fate, the long road to finding the right director for the film adaptation, the controversial tactics that were used to get more authentic performances from these actors, why so many cast and crew members felt the production was cursed, our thoughts on the extended cut, which sequels are worth your time, and much more!

Case File 099: A Quiet Place Jul 10, 2024

It may be imperative for the characters in this movie to stay silent, but we sure have a lot to say about A Quiet Place. Topics include: the incredible first trailer, the substantially different original script, the alterations and contributions John Krasinski made after signing on to direct, some of the most pervasive nitpicks with the premise and these creatures, various interpretations of what the film symbolizes, its expansion into a wider franchise, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 098: Evil Dead 2 Jun 26, 2024

It's been a long time coming and now we're finally taking on the Deadites from the Evil Dead franchise and exploring the series' most significant entry - Evil Dead 2!

Topics include: the initial plans for Army of Darkness to be the first sequel, why it was scaled back into more of a remix of the original film instead, the massive shift in tone, our favorite sequences, how they pulled off some of the most memorable effects, where this one ranks for us amongst the other entries, and much more!

Case File 097: The Rocky Horror Picture Show Jun 12, 2024

They came from Denton High! Join us as we seek refuge inside that spooky castle back down the road and investigate the cult phenomenon The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Case File 096: Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare May 29, 2024

Well, here it is. The film many consider to be the nadir of the Elm Street franchise, Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare. It's definitely bizarre, but is this much-maligned entry really the worst one? Let's find out! Topics include: why the studio decided to kill their golden goose, the alternate universe where Peter Jackson directed a pretty interesting version of this movie, the inspirations for the controversial shift in tone, the lack of connection with previous films, its box office success but critical thrashing, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 095: Aliens May 15, 2024

"Pod away from her you cast!"

Okay, well that doesn't really work. But this movie sure does! 45 years later and James Cameron's Aliens is still very high on the list of greatest sequels ever made. Join us as we strap in for an express elevator ride to hell and discuss why it's anything but Game Over for this action/horror classic.

Topics include: why it took seven years for this follow-up to materialize, key differences between Cameron's original treatment and the shooting script, the additional scenes included in the Special Edition and which version we prefer, how these incredible effects were achieved on a fairly modest budget, our favorite characters, the mystery of Kenner's "Aliens" toy line from the early 90s, alternate timeline sequels, and much more!

Case File 094: Tron May 01, 2024

Greetings, programs! We're digitizing ourselves and entering ENCOM's mainframe to revisit the seminal sci-fi/action film Tron.

Although the film pioneered some truly incredible visual effects technology, it wasn't the overwhelming box office success Disney had been hoping for. Still, Tron developed a cult following and became an enormous influence on the next generation of forward-looking artists, musicians, and filmmakers. Topics include: why the original screenwriter feels the finished product is weaker than earlier iterations of the story, how the character of Flynn was reimagined after Jeff Bridges was cast, a few issues with the first act that ripple across the entire movie, some of the surprisingly low-tech techniques that were used to create the innovative effects, our thoughts on Tron: Legacy, and much more!

Case File 093: Sleeping With The Enemy Apr 17, 2024

We can't live without you... and we won't let you live without us! This week, we're revisiting Sleeping With The Enemy starring Julia Roberts and Patrick Bergin. It may not be as well-remembered as some of Roberts' other films from this era, but back in 1991, this modestly budgeted thriller about a young woman on the run from the ultimate husband-from-hell scored big at the box office. Like, really really big. Ten times its budget big. It deserves a lot of credit for attempting to approach subject matter like this in a more realistic way, but like many first steps, the results are a little awkward. Just a heads up - it probably goes without saying if you're familiar with the film, but please be aware that some sensitive topics are broached here concerning abusive relationships. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 092: Mr. Freeze (Batman: The Animated Series) Apr 03, 2024

Heart of Ice has become the signature episode of Batman: The Animated Series, but it's just the tip of the iceberg (see what we did there?) We're using this bold reinvention of Mr. Freeze as a jumping-off point to talk about the history of this seminal show and why it remains our favorite adaptation of the Caped Crusader and his rogues. Topics include: Freeze's Silver Age origins (where he was known as Mr. Zero), his handful of appearances on the 60s Batman show, the perception of him prior to Batman: The Animated Series, the story behind this dramatically revamped iteration of the character, the surprisingly nuanced approach the creators took with so many of the villains, the incredible voice cast, how B:TAS successfully synthesized fifty years worth of Batman into something that felt new and familiar at the same time, Freeze's evolution across his subsequent appearances, how this depiction was eventually introduced into the comic books, why this remains the high watermark for so many of these characters, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 091: The Hitcher Mar 20, 2024

The Hitcher wasn't particularly well-received when it was released in 1986, but it has developed a dedicated following in the intervening years. And a big part of that is unquestionably due to Rutger Hauer's standout performance as the title character. It's as menacing, beguiling, and unusual as the film itself. So join us as we hitch a ride with this cult classic and open up a case file on the mysterious John Ryder. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 090: Beauty and the Beast Mar 06, 2024

Be our guest as we dive into the enchanting world of Beauty and the Beast. In this episode, we explore the origins of the original fairy tale, Disney's prior attempts to bring it to the big screen, why the character of Gaston was instrumental in finally making this all work, how the film helped set the stage for the era known as the "Disney Renaissance", its direct-to-video follow-ups, the live-action remake from 2017, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 089: The Crow Feb 21, 2024

The legacy of The Crow is inextricably intertwined with tragedy. A devastating loss inspired the creation of the original comic book and then another would cast a shadow over its feature film adaptation. But this blistering tale of love, revenge, and catharsis struck a chord with a legion of fans... and for one of your hosts, this was a story that found them at exactly the right time. In this episode, we're doing a deep dive into all of it: the comic, the film, the accident, the aftermath, and so much more. Fire it up! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Article About James O'Barr & The Crow

Case File 088: Fargo Feb 07, 2024

Fargo, eh? You're darn tootin'! After the disappointing reception to their previous film, the Coen brothers decided to retreat into something much smaller in scope. And although they expected Fargo to have somewhat limited appeal, it would go on to become one of their biggest hits. Topics include: the nebulous nature of the movie's claim that this is based on a true story, the lengths William H. Macy went to in order to secure his role, how Roger Deakins' cinematography reinforces the major themes of the story, the origins of the film's unusual but iconic score, pushback on the idea that this is in any way punching down at Minnesotans, the movie's unexpected success, the first attempt to turn it into a television series back in 1997, the more successful incarnation that began in 2013, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 087: Rosemary's Baby Jan 24, 2024

This is no dream. This is really happening! Join us as we move into the Bramford building and get to know the new neighbors. In this episode, we're investigating the history and impact of Rosemary's Baby. Topics include: the state of the horror genre when this movie was released, why there was initially some resistance to the idea of hiring Roman Polanski to direct this, their atypical choices for the two lead roles and the more conventional names that were considered, how the decision to make the supernatural elements more ambiguous created multiple ways to interpret the film, the less successful follow-ups, the degree to which Polanski's controversial legacy hangs over all of this, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 086: The Silence of the Lambs Jan 10, 2024

It's a brand new season of Rogues Gallery and we're kicking things off with what's become our most requested title... The Silence of the Lambs! Topics include: Hannibal Lecter's first on-screen appearance in the film Manhunter, why director Jonathan Demme was an unlikely choice to helm this, alternate casting choices for the lead roles, how hard Jodie Foster campaigned for Clarice and the reason this project meant so much to her, Anthony Hopkins' transformative (and star-making) performance, whether or not Ted Levine's turn as Buffalo Bill has been overshadowed by the complicated and controversial aspects of that character, the unexpected critical and commercial success the movie received, all of the various attempts to cash in on that success (sequels, prequels, and TV shows), why certain iterations of Lecter are more effective than others, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 085: The Haunted Mansion (The Ride) Oct 18, 2023

Welcome foolish mortals... to the season finale of Rogues Gallery! To celebrate Halloween, we're investigating the history, development, and lasting legacy of the world's most famous haunted house attraction: Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.

Topics include: earlier iterations of the ride's plot, why the opening was delayed for so long, key differences between the Disneyland and Disney World versions, the surprisingly low-tech approach to many of the incredible effects, how the ride has evolved over the years, the reasoning behind some of the big changes made to the attraction for international parks, the two live-action movies, the Muppet special, unproduced screenplays, and much more!

Rogues Gallery will return with new episodes on January 10th! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 084 - Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers Oct 04, 2023

This one's probably not taking the top spot in anyone's ranking of the Halloween movies, but The Revenge of Michael Myers has a pretty interesting behind-the-scenes story brimming with fascinating what-ifs, missed opportunities, and cautionary tales. Topics include: how earlier drafts tackled Part 4's cliffhanger ending, Rachel's early exit and her controversial replacement, mixed feelings about the inclusion of more overtly supernatural elements, the underdeveloped subplot about Jamie and Michael's connection, the awkward addition of The Man in Black, your answers to Ultimate Match Up, Kristen's predictions for Halloween 6, and more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 083: Starship Troopers Sep 20, 2023

The leaves are changing color and the air is feeling a little crisper. Fall is here and you know what that means...

It's time for Fall Verhoeven!

It's our annual retrospective of the films of Paul Verhoeven and this year we're enlisting for a tour of duty with the brave citizens of Starship Troopers. Although it's loosely based on Robert Heinlein's seminal (and controversial) novel, the movie is less an adaptation and more of a satirical takedown of its source text. A fact that went over the heads of most critics and audiences back in 1997. Since then, Starship Troopers has undergone a fairly dramatic reappraisal and is now a beloved entry in Verhoeven's filmography for many of the same reasons it was initially panned.

Topics include: the film's development as "Bug Hunt At Outpost Nine" and the makeover it received once the studio acquired the rights to Heinlein's novel, how a scathing indictment of fascism and militarism wound up being accused of championing those ideals, some of the major cuts and alterations that had to be made in order to bring this in on budget, the many factors that contributed to its dismal box office performance, all the straight to video sequels, rumors of a more faithful adaptation, and much more!

Case File 082: Pacific Rim Sep 06, 2023

We're canceling the apocalypse and opening up a case file on Guillermo del Toro's kaiju vs. mech slugfest Pacific Rim.

Topics include: how the film reignited del Toro's passion for filmmaking after a handful of other projects fell apart, the deliberate decision to avoid any gratuitous references to its key influences, whether or not the incredibly detailed lore is offset by occasionally thin characterization, the underwhelming sequel, some surprisingly strong comic book and animated tie-ins, a few theories on why this wasn't a bigger hit, and much more!

Case File 081: The Fugitive Aug 23, 2023

In honor of its 30th anniversary, we’re opening up a case file on The Fugitive! Although the film wound up being a critical and commercial hit, it first had to survive a surprisingly arduous development process and an even more chaotic production. It’s actually kind of a miracle that it turned out this good. So join us as we investigate The Fugitive’s long journey from development hell to bona fide classic.

Topics include: the 1960s TV series and the real-life case that inspired it, how drastically different earlier iterations of the film’s plot were, alternate casting choices for Kimble and Gerard, why they had to start shooting without a finished script, subplots that were cut, the new ending that was added, how the story was further transformed in editing, the forgotten sequel, other adaptations, and more!

Case File 080: Oldboy (2003) Aug 09, 2023

Park Chan-wook’s action/thriller Oldboy was a watershed moment for South Korean cinema. Here in the West, the film’s success led to a slew of “extreme” movies that emphasized over-the-top gore and violence. And while Oldboy certainly doesn’t skimp on bloodshed, its most disturbing aspects emanate from the taboo subject matter and dark themes it’s exploring. Topics include: the original manga that the film is loosely based on, how Park Chan-wook’s attitude towards the depiction of sex and violence in his movies has changed over the years, the clever subversion of certain antihero tropes, different interpretations of the ending, the 2013 American remake, and more!

Case File 079: Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child) Jul 26, 2023

It’s time to re-open our case film on the Springwood Slasher and investigate the chaotic production of A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child. We’re entering a particularly rough patch of this franchise and by all accounts, everyone involved with this entry realized pretty quickly that the deck had been stacked against them.

Topics include: the producers settling on a title and a poster before there was a script, their desire to return the series to its darker roots, how successfully this deals with the complicated issues its tackling, the continued muddling of an already confusing mythology, standout sequences, the lackluster reception, and much more!

Case File 078: World War Z Jul 12, 2023

The plot of World War Z is pretty straightforward, but the film's journey to the big screen was anything but. In this episode, we investigate why the filmmakers deviated so substantially from the novel and how this became one of the most troubled productions in recent memory.

Topics include: why they rejected an initial script that was much closer to the source material, how almost everyone involved was in over their head, the disastrous first cut, the extensive reshoots, bizarre remnants of that original version, whether or not the movie succeeds on its own terms, how it became a bigger-than-expected box office hit, the frustrating reason a very promising sequel never came together, and much more!

Case File 077: The Talented Mr. Ripley Jun 28, 2023

There have been several adaptations of Patricia Highsmith's Ripley novels, but 1999's The Talented Mr. Ripley remains the definitive cinematic interpretation of the cunning con artist. And that's despite the fact that it makes some pretty substantial changes to the source text and the title character. In this episode, we compare and contrast the book and the film, discuss Highsmith's complicated reputation and how her own personal demons infused her work, discover just how many new elements writer/director Anthony Minghella added to the story, and touch on some of the other Ripley adaptations and the upcoming TV series. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 076: Prey (2022) Jun 14, 2023

For many fans of the Predator franchise, Prey was simultaneously a welcome return to form and a refreshing expansion of the mythology. In this episode, we track the film's top-secret development, detail its grueling production, and speculate where the series might go from here. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 075: The Mist May 31, 2023

The Mist is a largely faithful adaptation of Stephen King's original novella with one major exception. It's a decision that viewers have been debating since the film was released in the fall of 2007. In this episode, we compare and contrast both versions of the story, the film's long road to the big screen, how its box office success was hobbled by its marketing and release date, where it ranks in the pantheon of King adaptations, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 074: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom May 19, 2023

When Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was released in 1984, many audiences and critics felt it was too dark and too weird in comparison to its predecessor. But for a whole other subset of the fandom, those elements were precisely what made this one so special. In this episode, we investigate the behind the scenes circumstances that led to an Indy sequel that zigged instead of zagged and see how the most divisive entry in the franchise holds up nearly forty years later. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 073: The Devil Wears Prada May 03, 2023

Gird your loins! The Devil Wears Prada gave Meryl Streep an opportunity to sink her teeth into a deliciously villainous character, but you might be surprised to discover how different the film is from the bestselling novel it's based on. In this episode, we investigate the real-life inspiration for the character of Miranda, how that bolstered and hindered the development of the movie, a major subplot from the book the filmmakers decided to excise, why so many fans dislike Andy's boyfriend, how the film became a surprise hit, why the novel's two sequels were never adapted, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 072: The Joker (The Dark Knight) Apr 19, 2023

When it was announced that Heath Ledger would be playing the Joker, a firestorm of controversy erupted. But when The Dark Knight hit theaters in the summer of 2008, naysayers found themselves with a whole heaping plate of crow to eat. This isn't just the best villain in a Batman movie, it's one of the great movie villains PERIOD.

In this episode, we're investigating the way Christopher Nolan and his team radically reinterpreted this iconic character and forever changed the perception of what comic book movies could be.

"And here. We. Go."

Case File 071: The Wicked Witch (The Wizard of Oz) Apr 05, 2023

Although it's one of the most beloved movies of all time, The Wizard of Oz was also nightmare fuel for a lot of us when we were kids. But while The Wicked Witch and her flying monkeys terrorized Dorothy and her friends on screen, it turns out the real nightmares were taking place behind the scenes. Join us as we investigate the troubled production of one of Hollywood's most iconic films, the tragic life of its leading lady, and the enduring legacy of a magical land that exists somewhere over the rainbow. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 070: Leprechaun Mar 22, 2023

Try as they will and try as they might, whoever steals his gold won't live through the night! Join us for a (slightly belated) St. Patrick's Day celebration as we revisit the 1993 horror/comedy Leprechaun. We discuss the reasons behind the bizarre tonal shifts in the film, the vaguely defined powers of the title character, how Jennifer Aniston really feels about her big-screen debut, the savage reviews, its box office success, the wild ride the sequels take viewers on, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 069: Beetlejuice Mar 08, 2023

We're back! And on this episode, we're putting together a case file on the ghost with the most - Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice! Our investigation digs into the original (and much darker) version of this script, the pivotal point Tim Burton's career was at, the unusual first choice for the title role, our favorite sequences, other media Beetlejuice has appeared in, whether or not the proposed sequel could still work, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 068: Gremlins 2 / Volcano / Alien 3 Nov 23, 2022

This week we've got a Thanksgiving Turkey Triple Play! Each of us has chosen a movie that was critically maligned upon its original release and we're going to debate whether or not they've earned a reappraisal. On the chopping block we've got Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Volcano, and Alien 3!

The RG gang is going to be taking a brief break for the holidays, but follow us on social media using the links below to stay up to date with the show and our other endeavors.

Case File 067: King Kong (1933) Nov 09, 2022

We're going all the way back to 1933 to investigate one of the most influential films of all-time: the original King Kong. The technical innovations employed here catapulted the entire industry forward by leaps and bounds, but Kong also set the template for the structure and pacing of modern action/adventure films. We explore the cinematic landscape it was released in, some interesting alternate versions of the script, the special effects wizardry that brought Kong to life, their revolutionary approach to sound design and music, how the various remakes and sequels have reinterpreted or recontextualized the material, why this one still works so well 90 years later, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 066 - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Oct 24, 2022

As part of our ongoing retrospective of the Halloween franchise, we're heading back to Haddonfield for 1988's Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. After the lackluster box office performance of the Myers-less Halloween III, the mandate for this installment was simple: back to basics.

Too basic? Maybe. But at the time, Return's adherence to a tried-and-true formula was what fans were looking for and the film's success helped get the series back on track... temporarily, at least.

Topics include: John Carpenter & Debra Hill's early involvement and their original concept for resurrecting Michael, another early draft that had a much different character arc for Jamie, the story behind the new mask and the issues it created, trading in the creeping dread of the previous movies for a more action-oriented approach, the shocking ending and whether or not they ever intended to follow through on what it sets up, Halloween 4's legacy within the franchise, and much more!

Case File 065: Showgirls Oct 05, 2022

It's Fall Verhoeven on Rogues Gallery! This is the magical time of year where we revisit the films of Paul Verhoeven. And WOW is this one a doozy. Showgirls was a critical and commercial failure when it was released in the fall of 1995, but the film found new life as a midnight movie and went on to become a cult favorite. So what's going on here? Is this so bad it's good? A misunderstood masterpiece? Or is it just as terrible as everyone seemed to think at the time? Let's find out. Topics include: how the success of Basic Instinct allowed Verhoeven and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas to run wild with this project, the controversy over the NC-17 rating, the two opposing character arcs the script seems like it's trying to give its main character, the way Elizabeth Berkley's performance was singled out by critics and why none of that is really her fault, how certain audiences have reclaimed the film, the straight-to-video sequel, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 064: The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Sep 21, 2022

Domestic thrillers were all the rage after the success of Fatal Attraction in 1987, but it was the early 90s that marked the zenith of the subgenre’s popularity. Which made 1992’s The Hand That Rocks The Cradle a perfect choice for revisiting this particular trend and unpacking all of its conventions.

Case File 063: Snakes on a Plane Aug 31, 2022

The title alone made Snakes on a Plane an internet sensation, but by the time it finally hit theaters the whole thing had become more meme than movie. And by that point, the joke was pretty played out. So instead of the blockbuster the studio had been anticipating, Snakes became a cautionary tale about online hype not always translating to actual ticket sales. On this episode, we're investigating the origins of this absurd premise, how the internet took hold of it, the last minute attempt to transform the movie into something more aligned with audience expectations, and what happens when Hollywood mistakes ironic enthusiasm for genuine interest. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Chris's Substack Newsletter: Chris Fights Demons

Case File 062: The Cable Guy Aug 17, 2022

After an unbelievable two-year hot streak where every Jim Carrey movie was doing bang-up business at the box office, The Cable Guy became a sobering reminder that nothing lasts forever. The film was not a bomb by any means, but when compared to the performance of his previous hits, it was unquestionably a major disappointment. And there's no shortage of theories as to why - it was too dark, the marketing campaign was misleading, there was cynicism about Carrey's $20 million payday, etc. So the film has a very interesting reputation and it also represents a key moment in Carrey's career. We wanted to dig into all of that, see how it plays nearly three decades later, and offer up some alternative explanations for the icy reception it initially received. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 061: A Clockwork Orange Jul 27, 2022

Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of A Clockwork Orange is now regarded as an incredibly accomplished and influential film, but it was a lot more divisive upon its original release in 1971. And one of its biggest detractors wound up being the original novella's author, Anthony Burgess. Burgess wasn't just critical of the movie, he had very complicated feelings about his own book. This wasn't like Stephen King's misgivings over The Shining, though. Burgess's relationship with A Clockwork Orange was something that eroded over time due to a variety of factors. So we wanted to dig into exactly what happened there, parse out our own reactions to the material and how they've changed over the years, and examine the lasting impact and legacy of Alex DeLarge and his gang of droogs. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 060: The Mummy (1999) Jul 13, 2022

Throughout the 80s and 90s, a lot of top-tier genre filmmakers took a crack at developing a modern update of The Mummy. In the end, it was writer/director Stephen Sommers who landed the gig by reimagining the story as a family-friendly Indiana Jones-esque adventure as opposed to a more straightforward horror film. In this episode, we examine the earlier iterations that were considered, why Universal Pictures ultimately went with this version, the franchise that it spawned, and how we feel about the film two decades later. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 059 - AVP: Alien Vs Predator Jun 29, 2022

Whoever wins... we lose. That's what the poster for AVP: Alien Vs Predator proclaimed and that's certainly how most audiences probably felt walking out of the theater. That was almost two decades ago though and now that we've sat through some of the subsequent entries in both of these franchises... is this one really that bad? We decided to investigate. Topics include: the original Dark Horse Comics mini-series, why it took over ten years to bring this concept to the big screen, how AvP disrupted plans for an Alien 5 written by James Cameron and directed by Ridley Scott, the internet's reaction to Paul W.S. Anderson being hired to helm this, the PG-13 rating and other studio mandates that seemed to immediately handicap the film, controversial changes to the look of the Predators, how the first act of this is legitimately pretty solid (and surprisingly similar to Prometheus), the future of both franchises and whether or not there's room for more AvP crossovers, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 058: Nightmare Alley Jun 15, 2022

On this episode, we're investigating Stanton Carlisle's rise and fall in all three versions of Nightmare Alley: the original novel, the 1947 movie, and Guillermo del Toro's 2021 adaptation. Topics include: the eerie way in which William Lindsay Gresham's book almost foreshadowed his own demise, the incident in del Toro's past that made him connect so deeply with the source material, notable differences between each iteration, some pushback on the criticism that the most recent version favors style over substance, why the entire point is that you were supposed to see the ending coming from a mile away, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 057: Coraline Jun 02, 2022

When you consider all of the obstacles it was up against, it's sort of a miracle that Coraline even exists. Stop-motion animation was considered a dead art form, the director's previous film was a notorious critical & commercial failure, and there were concerns that the subject matter was too dark for kids and too tame for adults. And yet...

Like the Neil Gaiman novella it's based on, Coraline was embraced by audiences of all ages (and often precisely for the reasons that the studio was initially wary of it). As faithful as the film is, it also makes several notable changes and additions to the source material. So we wanted to dig deeper into the origins of both versions and see how they compare. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 056: American Psycho May 18, 2022

When describing the reaction to Bret Easton Ellis's 1991 novel American Psycho, the word "controversial" seems hilariously inadequate. The backlash to this transgressive tale of a Wall Street stockbroker who moonlights as a sadistic serial killer was intense. So when the film adaptation hit theaters in 2000, it was anticipated with a great deal of trepidation and skepticism. As it turns out, director Mary Harron brought the satirical elements of the book front and center in a way that not only recontextualized the source material for many people, it arguably improved upon it in many ways. Two decades later, the character of Patrick Bateman maintains a stranglehold on pop culture and we wanted to investigate why. Topics include: the arduous road to getting the film made and some truly shocking prior iterations that almost made it to the screen, Christian Bale's "method-adjacent" approach to his performance and the effect that had on his co-stars, why the themes of the story are maybe even more relevant now, the in-name-only sequel, Bateman's appearances in other media, whether or not audiences have spent 20 years asking the wrong question about the film's ending, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 055: Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter) May 04, 2022

Well, we did it. We made it to the very last Friday the 13th movie ever! Kudos to everyone involved for going out on a high note instead of overstaying their welcome with a conveyor belt of sequels.

Jokes aside, the fact of the matter is that The Final Chapter is still a pretty significant entry in the franchise. In fact, a lot of fans would argue it’s the best one (including one of your hosts). Is it deserving of that title? And did they really intend for this to be the big finale or was it just a savvy marketing gimmick? Join us as we dig deep into those questions and so much more!

Case File 054: Mean Girls Apr 20, 2022

Get in losers, we're going podcasting! We've been to Elm Street, Crystal Lake, and Haddonfield, but this week we're visiting the most terrifying location of all... high school. No one's more surprised by the success of Mean Girls or the scope of its pop culture imprint than the people who made it. So we wanted to go back to the beginning and investigate how a modest teen comedy based on a self-help book became a perennial favorite and one of the most quotable films of all-time. Topics include: the unconventional source of inspiration, some of the differences between the original R-rated version of the script and the finished film, how Mean Girls transcends its genre and taps into something a lot more universal, the musical chairs aspect of the casting process, the original ending, plans for a sequel, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 053: Darkman Apr 06, 2022

The marketing campaign for Sam Raimi's 1990 action/horror movie tantalized moviegoers with the question: "Who is Darkman?" But from the studio's point of view, the bigger mystery was probably what is Darkman? From pre-production all the way to release, there was quite a bit of confusion over the tone Raimi was aiming for. As a result, the film found itself in a tug-of-war between a director who was trying to deliver something more transgressive and executives who were attempting to turn this into a more straightforward superhero story. The end result might not completely represent Raimi's original vision, but Darkman retains enough of his signature style for us to declare it a very underrated entry on his filmography. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 052: Stuntman Mike (Death Proof) Mar 23, 2022

Back in the early aughts, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez were enjoying an overwhelming level of success. They decided to use their clout to launch an ambitious cinematic experiment - each of them would direct one half of a double feature designed to pay homage to the exploitation flicks they grew up watching. The result was 2007's Grindhouse and the response to it was... largely apathetic. It fizzled out at the box office and Tarantino's entry in particular seemed to divide even his most stalwart supporters. We decided to give Death Proof another look by opening up a case file on its central antagonist: Stuntman Mike. Do our original evaluations still stand or is there more going on under the hood with this one than we initially gave it credit for? Let's find out!

Case File 051: Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master) Mar 09, 2022

The Dream Master is sort of the dividing line between the first six films in the Elm Street franchise, but the question is: which side does it fall on? Is this the last good entry or the first bad one? Let’s find out! Topics include: Wes Craven’s original pitch for the film, how a writer’s strike forced them to make a lot of this up as they went along, director Renny Harlin’s incredible persistence when it came to landing this gig and the methods he employed to separate this one from past installments, the apex of Freddy Krueger’s popularity and his expansion into other media, and much more!

Case File 050: Taxi Driver Dec 16, 2021

As controversial as it was influential, Taxi Driver remains an unflinchingly uncomfortable portrait of how one man's self-imposed loneliness spirals out into explosive violence. On this episode, we're taking a closer look at Rober DeNiro's iconic performance as Travis Bickle and investigating how he became one of cinema's defining antiheroes. Topics include: the low point in screenwriter Paul Schrader's own life that laid the foundation for this story, why Martin Scorsese responded so strongly to the script and his dogged determination to get the film made, the ingenuity they used to overcome their lack of resources, aspects of Travis's character that had to be downplayed in the final version, how a popular interpretation of the ending ignores some of the darker aspects of the intended message, the film's unfortunate connection to a real life tragedy, the sequel that never materialized, and much more! Quick note - there were some issues with Mike’s audio in this one. We apologize and we’re working on it. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 049: Disturbing Behavior Nov 24, 2021

On this episode, we're heading to the idyllic town of Cradle Bay to investigate their mysterious Blue Ribbon program. Although its participants initially showed promising results, a few of them have recently been exhibiting some... Disturbing Behavior. But the more sinister story here might be what happened to this film in post-production. The director delivered a psychological thriller in the vein of The X-Files, but the studio decided they wanted something more along the lines of Scream. As a result, numerous alterations were made and at the end of that process, the original 115 minute cut had been whittled down to an anemic 84 minute version. So what's in that 30 minutes of additional footage? What was the thought process behind removing it? And how different would the critical and commercial response to Disturbing Behavior have been if they'd left it in? Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 048: Holiday (Batman: The Long Halloween) Nov 10, 2021

We're not quite ready to put Halloween behind us, so we decided to take a look at a story about one that seemingly never ends. On this episode, we're opening up a case file on The Holiday Killer from Batman: The Long Halloween and investigating the origins of this seminal comic book and the recent animated adaptation. Topics include: the previous collaborations between writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale that set the stage for The Long Halloween, why getting into comic books can sometimes feel impenetrable for prospective new readers, setting the appropriate level of stakes for a Batman story, the two different eras and styles they're attempting to bridge here, complicated feelings about the ending, the aspects the animated version streamlines or changes, the various sequels and spin-offs, The Long Halloween's impact and influence on other Batman media, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 047: Halloween III: Season of the Witch Oct 27, 2021

The final moments of Halloween II had been intended to kill off Michael Myers for good, but the film's box office success all but guaranteed another sequel. The only way creators John Carpenter and Debra Hill could be lured back for another entry was with the promise that they could come up with an entirely new story that had no ties whatsoever to the previous films. Unfortunately, their attempt to transition into an anthology format didn't sit well with audiences and Halloween III: Season of the Witch was a critical and commercial disappointment. In the decades since its original release, this black sheep transformed into a dark horse and became one of the more beloved installments. On this episode, we're examining all of the initial miscalculations the filmmakers made about audience expectations, charting the movie's ascent to cult status, and seeing how it holds up when evaluated on its own terms.

Case File 046: The Omen (1976) Oct 06, 2021

The popularity of occult horror had been on the rise since the late 60s, but it was the success of The Exorcist in 1973 that led to a slew of other films attempting to cash in on that craze. One of the more notable efforts was Richard Donner's debut feature The Omen. On this episode, we're investigating how Donner took a slightly garish horror script that no studio was interested in making and transformed it into a more grounded mystery/thriller that attracted A-list talent and became a pop culture phenomenon.

Case File 045: Clarence Boddicker (RoboCop) Sep 22, 2021

In some ways, this entire podcast is built around the idea that a hero is only as good as their villain. Looking at the original RoboCop through that lens, it's easy to understand why it's still held in such high esteem. There's A LOT to gush over in this film (and we do), but Kurtwood Smith's performance as Clarence Boddicker is unquestionably one of its highlights. Topics include: our introductions to the film and the jarring mismatch between its ridiculous title and the actual content, how so many of its themes have become even more relevant in the last thirty years, why director Paul Verhoeven's outsider perspective on American culture gives the satirical elements extra bite, the way they push the violence to both humorous and horrifying effect, what makes Boddicker stand apart from other 80s action movie bad guys, the various sequels/spin-offs/cartoons/toys/etc., your answers to Ultimate Match Up, and much more!

Case File 044: 28 Days Later Sep 08, 2021

“The Infected” from Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later aren’t technically zombies, but the movie is definitely operating within the confines of that sub-genre. In fact, its popularity helped lead to such a strong resurgence of interest in zombie-related media that we’re still seeing the effects of it two decades later.

Topics include: tracing the film’s origins back to a screenwriter that was playing too many video games, remembering a point in time where zombies weren’t as prevalent in pop culture, the pros and cons of the decision to shoot this on a prosumer mini-DV camera, the fiilm’s “show don’t tell” approach to character development, the somewhat divisive third act, alternate endings, its impact and influence, and much more!

Case File 043: Basic Instinct Aug 25, 2021

Basic Instinct was a box office hit in the spring of 1992, but its success was matched by the level of controversy it generated. At the center of it all was a star-making performance by Sharon Stone, who gave us one of cinema’s most iconic femme fatales and one of the most famous scenes in movie history. On this episode, we’re opening up a case file on Catherine Tramell and investigating the heyday of the erotic thriller. Topics include: why Michael Douglas originally wanted them to cast someone more famous as Catherine, the long list of actresses who passed on the role, the bizarre push and pull the movie has between the sensibilities of its screenwriter vs its director, key differences between the theatrical and unrated versions and how those change shift our perception of Nick, the protests that disrupted shooting and the film’s opening weekend, the long delayed sequel, the death of the erotic thriller, and more!

Case File 042: Jaws Aug 11, 2021

Steven Spielberg's 1975 adaptation of Jaws is arguably one of the greatest films ever made. That feat is even more impressive when you take into consideration the multitude of problems this production was plagued with. On this episode, we're investigating the legendary story of an up-and-coming director who began shooting a movie with no script, no cast, and no shark... and wound up with a bona fide classic that helped give birth to the blockbuster. Topics include: Peter Benchley's novel and the elements that were excised for the screenplay, how Spielberg shot around a mechanical shark that rarely worked, the unique way Jaws was released and marketed and how that set the stage for modern studio tentpole movies, real life tension between cast members that echoed their on-screen character dynamics, our wildly different experiences with the ride at Universal Studios, the diminishing quality of the sequels, whether or not a new entry in this franchise could even work, and much more!

Case File 041: House on Haunted Hill (1999) Jul 28, 2021

The horror genre was experiencing an interesting transition in the late 90s/early aughts. The resurgence of teen slashers that had been kicked off by Scream was fizzling out and in its place were films that placed more of an emphasis on supernatural scares. It was during this time that the production company Dark Castle Entertainment was formed with the goal of producing glossier remakes of classic William Castle horror movies from the 50s and 60s. For their inaugural outing, they chose House on Haunted Hill. On this episode, we're accepting an invitation to spend the night in this cavernous asylum so that we can determine if its dark forces still pack the same punch they did two decades ago. Topics include: the original 1959 version of House on Haunted Hill and William Castle's legacy, how this movie compares to the other Dark Castle films from this era, whether or not they reveal the ghosts too early, the wasted potential of Dr. Vannacutt as a villain, concept vs execution of the big finale, the straight-to-video sequel, and more!

Case File 040: Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th Part 3) Jul 14, 2021

It just wouldn't be summer without a trip to Crystal Lake to see what our old pal Jason's been up to. On this episode, we're continuing our investigation into the Friday the 13th franchise and taking a look at one if its most seminal entries. Topics include: the much different premise they almost went with and how it might have set this series off down a very different path, why the decision to shoot this one in 3D resulted in an extremely complicated production, conflicting stories about who deserves credit for giving Jason his signature look, the key ways in which Part 3 deviates from its predecessors, the studio's love/hate relationship with the success of this franchise, and more!

Case File 039: The Babadook Jun 30, 2021

When The Babadook was released back in 2014, there was a lot of hype about how terrifying it was. Heading into it with those expectations may have colored our initial impressions of it. Now that some time has passed, we're going back to see if we can give this one a more objective analysis. Topics include: Jennifer Kent's unlikely path to becoming a director, how her short film Monster set the stage for all of this, the incredible performances she gets out of her two lead actors, using genre to make taboo subjects more palatable, the aspects of grief and mental illness that the movie gets exactly right, The Babadook's evolution into a queer icon, and much more!

Case File 038: The Conjuring Jun 16, 2021

For a lot of us, The Conjuring almost seemed to come out of nowhere in the summer of 2013. It stood out amidst the usual slew of sequels & remakes and its success not only cemented James Wan as a modern master or horror, it also helped breathe new life into the genre. Of course, The Conjuring is now a major franchise itself with numerous sequels and spin-offs in its orbit. In some ways, those have diluted our impressions of the series as a whole. So we wanted to go back to the source and investigate what made this original film so impactful. Topics include: the complicated and controversial back story of the real life Ed & Lorraine Warren, the latitude we give films that are sold as being “based on a true story”, the decision to create parallel storylines that eventually converge instead of focusing squarely on the Perron family’s POV, how Ed’s three step lecture about demons addresses a lot of the big problems with most haunted house movies, key differences between this film and its sequels, and much more!

Case File 037: Troll 2 Jun 02, 2021

It's time for a summer vacation, so we're packing up the RV and heading to the town of Nilbog for an investigation into the best worst movie ever made - Troll 2! Topics include: how each of us discovered this film, its devoted cult following and how that led to the documentary Best Worst Movie, the language barrier between the actors and the filmmakers, why sincerity is an essential ingredient for any "good" bad movie, the real reason there are no trolls in Troll 2, your answers to Ultimate Match Up, and so much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 036: Mysterio (Spider-Man: Far From Home) May 19, 2021

Nothing is quite what it seems in Spider-Man: Far From Home, including Peter Parker's enigmatic new ally Mysterio. On this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on his heroic facade and examining this film's dual identity as both an epilogue to the dour events of Avengers: Endgame and a more lighthearted high school romp. Topics include: Mysterio's comic book origins and how he was updated for his live-action debut, Jake Gyllenhaal's previous connection to the Spider-Man franchise, why the movie's meta-commentary on superhero movies is amusing but doesn't quite land, the pros and cons of taking your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and putting him at the center of a much larger story, why Tom Holland is our favorite cinematic Peter Parker, your answers to Ultimate Match Up, and more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 035: Boba Fett May 05, 2021

The level of fandom surrounding Boba Fett always seemed a little disproportionate to what he actually does on screen. The costume certainly makes an impression, but the way The Empire Strikes Back seemed to be building him up made his unceremonious sendoff in Return of the Jedi feel so perplexing and anticlimactic. For decades, the only place to turn for more substantial Boba Fett stories was the Star Wars Expanded Universe - a series of novels, comics, and other tie-in merchandise that helped flesh out some of the unexplored corners of this galaxy. When Disney acquired Lucasfilm, however, it was decided that the EU was no longer canon. One of the consequences of that was Boba Fett's fate post-Return of the Jedi. Did he even survive the Sarlac Pit? Fortunately, season two of The Mandalorian would eventually provide fans with an answer. For the first time in live-action, they'd get a version of the character that attempted to live up to the legend. Topics include: how the Lucasfilm design team retooled a concept for "Super Stormtroopers" to create our favorite intergalactic bounty hunter, Boba Fett's actual first appearance, the much more ambitious plans George Lucas had for Fett in the original trilogy and why those were scaled back, Disney's controversial decision to wipe the Expanded Universe from canon, notable projects featuring Fett that never came to fruition, our thoughts on his inclusion in season two of The Mandalorian, how we feel about the upcoming Book of Boba Fett series, and more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 034: Carrie Apr 21, 2021

There was probably no one more surprised by the success of Stephen King's novel Carrie than King himself. He'd only made it a few pages into his original manuscript before throwing it into the trash. Even after his wife dug it out and urged him to push forward, he was convinced he was writing something that there was no audience for. But Carrie was a breakout hit and one of its fans was director Brian DePalma. His 1976 film adaptation is now regarded as a classic in the horror genre (and one of the best interpretations of King's work), but even with the popularity of the novel, there was once again some initial skepticism about the story's commercial viability. And once again, Carrie proved to be a much bigger hit than anyone was expecting. Topics include: the real life events that inspired the plot and the title character, key differences between the book and the movie, why those changes don't feel as egregious as the deviations made in some of the other cinematic adaptations of King's novels, the epistolary structure of the novel and how surprising it is that none of the remakes have drawn more heavily from that, what DePalma thought of those more recent versions, and more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 033: The Winter Soldier Apr 07, 2021

In the early aughts, writer Ed Brubaker introduced Captain America readers to a formidable new adversary: - The Winter Soldier. The revelation that this twisted mirror image of Cap was actually his former kid sidekick Bucky Barnes dropped jaws and shook the foundations of the Marvel Universe. On this episode, we're exploring how the MCU adapted this storyline for the big screen in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and how those events rippled out into Captain America: Civil War. Other topics include: the kid sidekick trope and why Marvel comics eventually steered away from that, the seeds that Captain America: The First Avenger was already planting in regards to Bucky’s fate, why Civil War’s climax is such a great inversion of the traditional third act set piece, all the ways in which The Winter Soldier represents Cap's worst fears, your answers for Ultimate Match Up, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 032: Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors) Mar 24, 2021

We're re-opening our case file on the Springwood Slasher to investigate what might be the fan favorite entry in this franchise - A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Although the second film had been poorly received by fans and critics, its box office earnings proved that there was still enough interest in this property to warrant another installment. And who better to provide the necessary course correction the studio was looking for than the man who had created all of this in the first place? After sitting out the first sequel, Wes Craven returned with a bold new vision for where to take the series. A little too bold it turns out. The initial script he co-wrote with Bruce Wagner contained all of the foundational elements that wound up in the finished product, but with a MUCH darker tone. We explore Craven's original take on the Dream Warriors concept, why New Line Cinema didn't go for it, and how his departure from the project ultimately set the stage for this to transform into the movie we all know and love today. Other topics include: how Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont reworked the Craven/Wagner script in just eleven days, the fine line they manage to walk with the film's tone, New Line's initial concerns that the filmmakers might be going too far with the more humorous elements, how Dream Warriors set the template for subsequent sequels, what our dream powers would be, our favorite sequences in the movie, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris's Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Floating Cities by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3765-floating-cities License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Case File 031: Macavity (Cats) Mar 10, 2021

Andrew Lloyd Weber's Cats was the first blockbuster musical and although critics were dismissive of its emphasis on spectacle over story, audiences lapped it up. The same cannot be said for the 2019 feature film adaptation. The movie took the internet by storm and led to a treasure trove of tweets and memes, but dodgy CGI aside - what exactly went wrong here? How did something so reliably successful in one medium utterly crash and burn in another? When dealing with source material that was so notoriously light on plot, it's understandable that the filmmakers would want to give this a slightly more traditional structure. Was expanding the role of the villainous Macavity the right move to achieve this? Let's get to work on our case file and find out. Topics include, the book of poems that inspired the musical, the financial risk it took to stage the original production, the record breaking runs on Broadway and the West End, the animated adaptation that never came to fruition, Tom Hooper's unorthodox approach to Les Misérables and how well those same methods worked on Cats, Macavity's plan to take out the competition, the rushed post-production schedule, the visual effects nightmare, and much more!

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Peppers Theme by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4998-peppers-theme License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Case File 030: The Invisible Man (2020) Feb 24, 2021

Kristen, Mike, and Chris open a case file on Adrian Griffin and investigate Blumhouse's remake of The Invisible Man. Topics include: the collapse of Universal's "Dark Universe" and how the failure of The Mummy paved the way for this reimagining of the classic H.G. Wells story, the "simpler=better" approach to the special effects, the decision to shift the focus from the title character to one of his victims, how effectively the opening scene essentially teaches you to watch the rest of the movie, your answers to Ultimate Match Up, our thoughts on the proposed sequel, and more!

Case File 029: The Grand High Witch (The Witches) Feb 10, 2021

The 1990 film adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches remains a cult classic for those of us that grew up with it and a big part of that is definitely Angelica Huston's terrifying performance as The Grand High Witch. The film doesn't just traumatize its young viewers, though - it also empowers them. It's a world where even the most evil of forces can be conquered by the smallest of creatures. Not everyone was a fan, however, and Dahl himself wound up being one of its biggest detractors. He was so disappointed by the changes they made to his source text that it reportedly brought him to tears. That being the case, we can't help but wonder how he would have felt about the more recent adaptation that hit HBO Max late last year. Topics include: the banning of the original book, other actresses considered for The Grand High Witch, makeup vs cgi in the design of the title characters, the effect Angelica Huston had on 90s audiences, the setting of the 2020 version and the impact that had on the film's themes, the "limb controversy" sparked by the 2020 version, the post-production problems that delayed the release of the 1990 version, and much more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify Chris' Instagram & Twitter | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler

Case File 028: Sadako/Samara (Ringu/The Ring) Jan 27, 2021

In 2002, Gore Verbinski's The Ring had American audiences terrified of their VHS tapes - but Japanese audiences had been relishing in this terror since the original 1998 release of Ringu. While both films featured a psychokinetic girl climbing out of a well and into our living rooms, they each took a different approach to exploring that premise.

Topics include: the reluctant horror novelist that spawned the series, Sadako and Samara's abuse at the hands of their parents, the remake's viral marketing campaign and its featured character we never met, how chain letters and memes inspired Gore Verbinski, the role parenthood plays in both films, Hans Zimmer's soundtrack, the resulting resurgence of J-Horror, and much more!

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Case File 027: Max Cady (Cape Fear) Jan 13, 2021

Gregory Peck headlined the 1962 film Cape Fear, but it was Robert Mitchum's portrayal of serial rapist Max Cady that scandalized audiences. In 1991, director Martin Scorsese's remake would push those boundaries even further thanks to Robert De Niro's more violent, more explicit, and more carnal interpretation of Cady.

Topics include: the novel that inspired the story, Cady's relationship to Bowden prior to the film, alternate casting choices, the Spielberg version of the remake that we'll never get to see, what sets Nick Nolte's version of Bowden apart, why the original film received an X rating, the Simpsons parody, and much more!

Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler String Impromptu Number 1 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4425-string-impromptu-number-1 License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Case File 026: The Grinch (How The Grinch Stole Christmas) Dec 16, 2020

On this episode, we're investigating two very different interpretations of Dr. Seuss' ultimate holiday meanie - The Grinch. Join us as we compare and contrast the classic 1966 TV special How The Grinch Stole Christmas with the 2000 live-action feature film adaptation. Topics include: Seuss' original inspiration for the character, his reluctance to sign off on screen adaptations, why the Grinch is green, how two different directors stretched this short children's tale to the required length, the different approaches to Cindy Lou Who, how the beloved dog Max came to be under the Grinch's care, Jim Carrey's hellish experience with his costume and his extreme coping mechanisms, the 2018 Illumination version, what makes us Grinchy, and more!

Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler Deck the Halls A by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3630-deck-the-halls-a License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Case File 025: The Gremlin (The Twilight Zone) Dec 02, 2020

On this episode, we're investigating three different versions of one of The Twilight Zone's most famous stories - Nightmare at 20,000 Feet. We take a closer look at the classic episode from the original series, the concluding segment of 1983's Twilight Zone: The Movie, and the unique spin the 2019 revival puts on the premise with Nightmare at 30,000 Feet.

Topics include: the short story by Richard Matheson that the original episode was based on, why its most obvious shortcoming might be because of how closely it interprets that source material, the reason it's still the most successful version in terms of pacing, the manic energy of the 1983 adaptation, the pros and cons of the most recent version's reinvention, our favorite version of The Gremlin, why every revival of The Twilight Zone seems to struggle to recapture its spirit, and more!

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Case File 024: Leatherface (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre) Nov 18, 2020

With Thanksgiving right around the corner for those of us here in the States, it felt like the right time to revisit one of the most famous family dinners in cinematic history. Pull up a chair and dig in as we open up a case file on Leatherface from 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

Topics include: the unimaginable circumstances this low-budget film was assembled under, the controversy it caused upon its release, how it’s able to trick you into thinking you saw something so much more graphic than what’s actually on screen, the aspects of this that none of the other entries in this franchise have been able to capture, where the series goes from here, and more!

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Case File 023: Furiosa (Mad Max: Fury Road) Nov 04, 2020

Oh what a day! What a lovely day! We’re taking a look at Mad Max: Fury Road and opening a case file on one of our favorite modern antiheroes: Imperator Furiosa. Topics include: the setbacks previous iterations of this film faced during its two decade journey to the big screen, why the finished version may have benefited from those delays, behind the scenes tension between cast and crew, what the film can teach us about world building and visual storytelling, how it compares to previous Mad Max films, whether or not there’s any merit to the argument that Furiosa overshadows our title character, how we feel about the recently announced spin-off, what we’d like to see in further sequels, and much more!

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Unnatural Situation by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4567-unnatural-situation License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Case File 022: Michael Myers (Halloween II) Oct 21, 2020

It's that time of year again. We're returning to Haddonfield and picking up right where the original Halloween left off to continue our investigation into Michael Myers. By the filmmakers own admission, Halloween II is a movie that was made for financial reasons, not creative ones. John Carpenter had such a difficult time coming up with a suitable story, that he resorted to chugging a six-pack of beer every night as he banged out the script. His lack of investment resulted in a somewhat plodding follow-up... and a bizarre twist ending that would wind up defining this franchise for the next three decades. Of course at the time, Carpenter thought he was putting a definitive end to the Michael Myers saga. Topics include: the lucrative deal that lured Carpenter and Debra Hill to return, the original plans to set the sequel five years after the original instead of on the same night, the pros and cons of director Rick Rosenthal's slavish recreation of Carpenter's style, why a bed-ridden Laurie doesn't make for much of a protagonist, the three nights of reshoots that Carpenter took over after watching a rough cut, how giving Michael a motive shaped every subsequent sequel until the 2018 retcon, and more!

Case File 021: John Doe (Se7en) Oct 07, 2020

We're back for a new round of investigations and to kick things off, we're opening up a case file on John Doe from Se7en. The premise of a serial killer whose crimes are patterned after the seven deadly sins is so simple and so good that it's a little surprising it didn't already exist before 1995, but that wasn't the only trail director David Fincher blazed with this incendiary thriller. Se7en's grimy, neo-noir aesthetic inspired a slew of knock-offs, but most of those imitators focused exclusively on the more superficial elements and completely missed what makes this film so effective. Even 25 years later, it remains an intensely visceral experience. Topics include: how Fincher's experience making Alien 3 helped transform him into the auteur he's regarded as today, the numerous battles over Se7en's controversial ending, a refutation of the suggestion that this was a precursor to "torture porn", the largely forgotten Anthony Hopkins movie that was almost a sequel to this, the comic book prequel that delves further into Doe's origin, your answers for Ultimate Match Up, and more!

Case File 020: Ava (Ex Machina) Jul 01, 2020

Alex Garland's debut thriller Ex Machina may be slight in budget, but its ambition is massive. Although we're centering our investigation around the character of Ava, it's just a jumping off point to sort through the film's complicated web of relationships and the themes Garland is exploring. Topics include: the numerous examples of "show don't tell" storytelling, how they transform this simple premise into such an effective pressure cooker, the way all three main characters are manipulating one another, why movies like this continue to fizzle at the box office, how our opinions on the ending have changed over the years, other films and TV shows this pairs well with, and much more!

Case File 019: Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge) Jun 17, 2020

Despite the success of the first A Nightmare on Elm Street, New Line Cinema didn't walk away with a very big piece of the proverbial pie. They did, however, hold sole ownership over something that was potentially a lot more valuable - a franchisable character. They rushed A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge into production and decided to jettison the original writer/director, lead actress, and established rules of the previous film. And somehow, that's only scratching the surface of what makes this the most controversial Elm Street movie. Topics include: the quick turnaround time and slapdash production schedule, Robert Englund's temporary replacement, the decision to have a male "final girl", the screenwriter's intentional (or not) homoerotic subtext and how he handled the backlash, the lead actor's experience on and off set, why Freddy's abilities differ so wildly from the other films, Part 2's place in the larger franchise, the new Scream Queen documentary, and much more!

Case File 018: Sil (Species) Jun 03, 2020

When the filmmakers behind Species needed a creature that had to be as sexy as it was scary, H.R. Giger's name understandably shot to the top of their list. His Academy Award-winning work on Alien was exactly the aesthetic they were chasing. As the project evolved, however, Giger realized that there was perhaps too much reverence for (and adherence to) his previous efforts. Species is a mixed bag of largely unrealized potential, but it's not without its merits. On this episode, we investigate the real life program they used for the backstory, examine why the human characters don't totally serve the plot or themes they set up, and try to imagine how this might have turned out if the movie realized that Sil was more sympathetic than any of the actual protagonists.

We also discuss the impression films like this made on us during our formative years, the diminishing creative and financial returns of its sequels, what a more modern spin on this material might look like, and more!

Case File 017: Red Skull (Captain America: The First Avenger) May 20, 2020

For all of its accomplishments, Phase I of the MCU was somewhat marred by what numerous critics referred to as "The Marvel Villain Problem" - and depending on who you ask, Red Skull was either the answer to that complaint or the epitome of it. So we're opening up a case file on one of Captain America's greatest foes to see if this character can help us understand whether or not The First Avenger ultimately succeeds because of its pulpy charm and throwback approach to serialized storytelling... or if this is proof positive that Cap is a more compelling hero when he's forced to confront problems that aren't so black & white. Topics include: the early days of the MCU and how Marvel Studios transformed a stable of leftover C-list characters into pop culture juggernauts, the original plan to have Red Skull team up with Loki in The Avengers, why Hugo Weaving didn't reprise the role for Infinity War and Endgame, the reason the first half of this movie works so much better than the second, the straight-to-video Captain America movie from the early 90s, the potential to give Red Skull a larger role in the next phase of the MCU, and more!

Case File 016: Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors) Apr 22, 2020

The evolution of Little Shop of Horrors is not dissimilar from that of the killer plant at the center of it. It began life as a strange, little oddity - a quick, low-budget film that was shot in a couple of days by legendary B-movie producer Roger Corman. From those inauspicious beginnings, it transformed into a bigger and bolder off-Broadway musical. The success of that show paved the way for this more lavish feature film production, which firmly entrenched these characters (and songs) into popular culture. Although this adaptation is fairly faithful to the stage play, there are several important changes - including a major overhaul of the final act. What effect do those deviations have on the overall story? Is it possible the real problem wasn't actually the original ending? And what does all of that tell us about the direction the upcoming remake might take? We dig into all of those questions and more as we open up a case file on the mean green mother from outer space - Audrey II.

Case File 015: Cloverfield Apr 08, 2020

Godzilla meets The Blair Witch Project. That high-concept premise for Cloverfield was pretty straightforward, but the execution of it was anything but. These days, it's probably remembered as much for the elaborate and immersive ARG campaign as the film itself.

It arguably stands as one of the most effective examples of J.J. Abrams' infamous "mystery box" marketing, but it might also represent the point where a backlash to that approach started to emerge. From its top secret development to the unlikely franchise that it spawned, we're opening a case file on Cloverfield and adding the first kaiju to our rogues gallery! Topics include: our memories of the ARG campaign and the marketing of the film, first reactions to the movie, some of the most common criticisms and a few easy fixes, our favorite sequences, how 10 Cloverfield Lane effectively transformed this into an anthology series, the disappointing way The Cloverfield Paradox then attempted to tie it all together, where the franchise goes from here, and much more!

Mailbag #1 Mar 25, 2020

Like many of you, we're all practicing self-isolation for a couple of weeks and that made recording a regular episode a bit of a challenge. So instead, we're making the best of a less than ideal situation and doing our first mailbag episode instead. We asked our listeners to submit their questions via social media and they provided us with some amazing topics to cover. So we go over the story of how the podcast came to be, some of our favorite antiheroes, which horror franchise we'd reboot and how we'd approach it, subjects we're hesitant to devote an episode to, Chris' favorite Batman villains and some of the overlooked writers and artists, Kristen's go-to vampire movies, how Mike would battle our current pandemic, and so much more!

Case File 014: Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th Part 2) Mar 11, 2020

We didn't expect to be heading back to Crystal Lake so soon, but we took a look at the calendar and couldn't resist. Plus, watching Part 2 in such close proximity to the original wound up being really beneficial when it came to comparing and contrasting them. The evolution of the Friday the 13th series is a fascinating one and although this represents an important step in its development, this entry still stands apart from subsequent sequels in several key ways. Topics include: the original creative team's desire to turn this into an anthology series, why Paramount was more interested in a direct sequel, all the questions raised by Jason's return, the more human approach to his character vs the mindless zombie he'd eventually become, why Ginny is probably the best final girl in the franchise, the awkward prologue, the even more baffling ending, how Chris learned to let go of the hockey mask and embrace sack head Jason, and much more!

Case File 013: Blade Feb 26, 2020

We're back! And to celebrate our return, we're shaking things up with an investigation into our first antihero - Blade. It's a deep dive on the Daywalker's comic book origins, how he was updated for the first film, the highs and lows of the sequels, other paths not taken, and where it all goes from here now that Marvel has reacquired the rights to the character. Other topics include: the state of comic book movies when the first film hit theaters in 1998, alternate casting choices for the title role and other notable directors who circled the project, the small changes Blade II makes to the character that have a huge overall impact, the turmoil behind the scenes of Blade: Trinity and how that effected their plans moving forward, a long list of potential spinoffs and crossovers that never materialized, speculation about Blade's upcoming introduction into the MCU, and much more!

Case File 012: Pamela Voorhees (Friday the 13th) Dec 18, 2019

No hockey mask. No machete. No Jason (at least not the way we're used to seeing him). Despite the fact that it kicked off one of the most popular horror franchises of all-time, the most notable thing about the original Friday the 13th is how little it has in common with the glut of sequels that followed it. The filmmakers have never been shy about the fact that this was quickly cobbled together to capitalize on the success of Halloween - and it certainly did. Considering what this series evolved into and all of the other films it influenced, it's fascinating to go back to the source and examine what an outlier this entry truly is. Topics include: the difference between capitalizing on a trend vs simply exploiting it, Betsy Palmer's reaction to the finished film and her iconic character, the appeal of slasher films and the assumptions people make about audiences who enjoy them, how the original crew felt about where the franchise went after this, some ways they might be able to bring Pamela back into the series, and much more!

Case File 011: The Overlook Hotel (The Shining & Doctor Sleep) Dec 04, 2019

On this episode, we're checking into The Overlook Hotel and investigating all of the different interpretations of The Shining and its sequel, Doctor Sleep.

We cover all of it - Stephen King's original novel, Stanley Kubrick's wildly divergent film adaptation, the more faithful (and somewhat maligned) 1997 miniseries, and the incredible hat trick that Doctor Sleep director Mike Flanagan pulled off by crafting a new movie that somehow honors all of these disparate iterations. Topics include: our first introductions to King's book and Kubrick's film, the key differences between them and how they each play to the strengths of their format, whether or not Nicholson's version of Jack really is crazy from the jump, the surprisingly poor box office performance of Doctor Sleep, the possibility for other stories to be told in this universe, a round of Ultimate Match-Up, and so much more!

Case File 010: Annie Wilkes (Misery) Nov 20, 2019

With Annie's arrival on the second season of Castle Rock, it wound up being a great time to revisit Stephen King's novel Misery and Rob Reiner's 1990 film adaptation. Topics include: the real life rogue who may have indirectly influenced King's book, how that came back to haunt him many years later, key differences between the novel and the movie, what creators actually owe their fans, and much more!

Case File 009: Lex Luthor (Superman: The Movie) Nov 06, 2019

This week we're opening a case file on one of the greatest criminal minds of our time. But... is he? Gene Hackman's take on Lex Luthor in Superman: The Movie is markedly different from the way he'd been depicted in the comics up to that point, but also a far cry from how the character would continue to evolve.

Topics include: this iteration's inferiority complex and how Hackman's refusal to shave his head wound up playing into that, why Christopher Reeve's pitch-perfect portrayal of the man of steel contrasts so well with what this version of Lex is after, Hollywood's transition from the auteur-driven era of filmmaking into blockbuster spectacles and where Superman fits into that, some comparing and contrasting to other depictions of these characters, and much more!

Case File 008: Michael Myers (Halloween 1978) Oct 23, 2019

The Shape. The Bogeyman. Michael Myers. Whatever you want to call him, he's the reason for the season and on this episode we're investigating John Carpenter's 1978 classic Halloween. From the production's inauspicious beginnings to the film's now-legendary status, we track the incredible journey of a ragtag group of filmmakers who set out to make a low budget horror flick and wound up changing the modern movie landscape. Topics include: Carpenter's somewhat contentious relationship with the label "master of horror", the unlikely list of filmmakers he was drawing inspiration from, why every attempt to explain what makes Michael evil falls flat on its face, the choose-your-own-adventure continuity of this franchise, how the more cynical knock-offs misread what made this so successful, and much more!

Case File 007: Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street) Oct 09, 2019

Slasher movies were certainly de rigueur in the early 80s, but when writer/director Wes Craven created A Nightmare on Elm Street, he had more on his mind than simply churning out another Halloween ripoff. This wasn't just a paradigm shift in the established formula for this sub-genre, it also birthed one of the most iconic horror villains of all-time. On this episode, we're focusing exclusively on the first entry in the franchise and investigating how Craven, Robert Englund, and the rest of the cast & crew helped create an indelible modern myth with the character of Freddy Krueger. Topics include: the real life incidents that inspired Craven's screenplay, the original actor they hired to play Freddy, how Englund's casting fundamentally changed certain aspects of the character, how tension between Craven and the head of the studio effected the finished film, our favorite behind-the-scenes stories, another round of Ultimate Match Up, our plans for covering the rest of this series, and much more!

Case File 006: Biff Tannen (The Back to the Future Trilogy) Sep 25, 2019

When you're dealing with a franchise as beloved as Back to the Future, there aren't many unexplored avenues left to cover. There is, however, an unsung hero of this series who often gets overshadowed. So on this episode, we're shining a much-deserved spotlight on actor Thomas F. Wilson and putting together a case file on his most iconic role... Biff Tannen. Join us as we investigate the deceptively simple exterior of Biff and all the clues that hint at a much more layered character, why Wilson is the actor that this trilogy demands the most from and how he rises to the occasion, the additions to his backstory made by expanded media like the cartoon and video games, why there's never been a Back to the Future IV, where the franchise could go from here if they absolutely had to extend it, and much more!

Case File 005: Khan Noonien Singh (Star Trek) Sep 11, 2019

On this episode, we're comparing and contrasting three very different iterations of one of Star Trek's most iconic villains - Khaaaaan! Although Space Seed is certainly a beloved episode of the original series, it was really the feature film The Wrath of Khan that established this character as one of the franchise's most formidable (and memorable) foes. Since then, there have been numerous attempts to recapture that same lightning in a bottle with other Trek adversaries and the results have been... mixed. Join us as we investigate what makes The Wrath of Khan the high water mark of this series and why so many of its imitators have fallen short.

Case File 004: Candyman Aug 28, 2019

Candyman was one of the first rogues on our list when we started this podcast and with the reboot hitting theaters next year, this seemed like an ideal time to go back to where it all began. We delve into the character's first appearance in Clive Barker's short story The Forbidden, how Bernard Rose expanded upon that mythology for his feature film adaptation, the reason some of those changes were controversial, and why Candyman comes across like more of a straightforward boogeyman in the sequels. We also discuss what it was like growing up here in Chicago and hearing stories about Cabrini Green, how keeping the franchise focused on the way folklore evolves and changes could have helped sustain it, what we're hoping to see in the new Candyman, and much more!

Case File 003: Raoul Silva (Skyfall) Aug 14, 2019

After Quantum of Solace took some of the wind out of the newly rebooted Bond franchise's sails, the pressure was on for Skyfall to deliver a return-to-form just in time for the series' 50th anniversary. To say the film was a success would be a massive understatement. Skyfall remains the highest grossing James Bond movie to date and many critics heralded it as one of the top-tier installments. A lot of that praise was directed at Javier Bardem's portrayal of Raoul Silva - a villain carefully constructed to stand apart from most of 007's previous foes. On this episode, we examine those differences and why a certain segment of Bond fandom was resistant to them. We also discuss the franchise at large, the Bond/M relationship, how the next film undermined so much of what worked here, and where we'd like to see the series go once Daniel Craig vacates the role.

Case File 002: Amy Dunne (Gone Girl) Jul 31, 2019

Gillian Flynn's novel Gone Girl grabbed the zeitgeist by the throat and David Fincher's film adaptation proved to be just as popular... and controversial. On this episode, we're opening a case file on one of the most provocative new rogues in contemporary fiction - Amy Dunne. Join us we discuss our initial reactions to the material and all of its twists and turns, examine some of the key differences between the novel and the film and how those changes effect how we feel about Amy as a character, certain elements the film actually goes further with, Flynn's response to the story being "anti-feminist", a brand new segment called Ultimate Match Up, and much more!

Case File 001: Ghostface (Scream 1-4) Jul 17, 2019

Welcome to Rogues Gallery! Kristen, Mike, and Chris are investigating pop culture’s most memorable villains, antiheroes, and misunderstood monsters to find out how they make being bad look so good. On this debut episode, we’re opening a case file on all four iterations of the masked killer from the Scream franchise - Ghostface.

Join us as we explore each killer’s motive, compare and contrast the opening set pieces, dig into alternate versions of Scream 2, explain how outside forces influenced the change in approach to Scream 3, try to read between the lines of what really took place during the production of Scream 4, and much more.

Introducing ROGUES GALLERY Jun 30, 2019

Kristen and Mike from The Sunnydale Stacks have teamed up with Chris from Hey, Do You Remember...? for a brand new podcast from 27th Letter Productions! On each episode of Rogues Gallery, we'll investigate a different villain, antihero, or misunderstood monster from pop-culture to find out how they make being bad look so good.

Subscribe now and then join us here on Wednesday, July 17th as we crack open our first case file.

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