Video Monsters

In-depth movie analysis podcast with hosts Nathan, Eric, and Dan where we take movies seriously, but we don't take ourselves seriously. Sponsored by Chattanooga Film Festival, and Central Cinema (Knoxville, TN)

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466 episodes
Updated June 20
Explicit

Episodes466

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Feb 3, 2022 · 1 hr 14 min
ep326: Final Girl by Van Ryder Games
It’s Final February on Video Monsters! We’re piggy-backing off of last month’s SCREAM series by expanding into a series of broader discussions on Final Girl tropes in slasher films. First up is a very special presentation of CARDBOARD MONSTERS, our occasional series where we review board games from a movie-lover’s perspective. This time Nathan and Eric discuss the single-player slasher strategy game FINAL GIRL, published by Van Ryder Games. Players assume the role of – you guessed it – the final girl as she fights her way through various horror-movie scenarios that ultimately culminate in a life-or-death confrontation with a homicidal maniac. The game offers a number of movie-inspired “Feature Film” add-ons with additional gameplay modifications, final girls, locations, and killers that can be mixed and matched for a practically unlimited variety of different scenarios. And since we’re primarily a film podcast, we will not only talk about our enjoyment of the game itself but also how much the gameplay and thematic presentation successfully evokes the feeling of playing out the tropes of your favorite slasher flicks. So clear off the table, grab your chonky dice, and hit play quickly before you run out of time to listen to our CARDBOARD MONSTERS presentation of FINAL GIRL! Back the Final Girl Series 2 Kickstarter at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vanrydergames/final-girl-series-2 For more information about Final Girl, as well as other Van Ryder Games projects, visit their website at: https://www.vanrydergames.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Feb 2, 2022 · 2 hr 36 min
ep325: Scre4m (2011)
We’re sticking a knife in our SCREAM series (for now) and ending on a high note with the first franchise legacyquel (or, if you're Nathan, legasequel), SCRE4M (2011)! The fourth film brought back creator Kevin Williamson as screenwriter and feels like a redemption of sorts after the disappointing end to the original trilogy. It’s also, sadly, Wes Craven’s final film. But, the three of us at Video Monsters are all in agreement that it’s a fitting swan song for the legendary horror filmmaker because SCRE4M is a complete return to 4orm for the series and easily our favorite of the sequels. The discussion runs the gamut from how much we love the way it uses the STAB franchise diegetically to go more meta than ever and reckon with the SCREAM legacy, to the running commentary of aughts horror tropes, to the clever way it twists the final girl trope, and the prophetic incorporation of social media and online streaming into the motive behind the killings. So grab some lemon squares, step out of darkness, and meet us at Cinema Club because it’s time to talk about SCRE4M! Purchase the Ghostface Busters shirt by Travis Knight that Nathan describes at: https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/27127243-ghostface-busters?store_id=426381 If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Jan 29, 2022 · 2 hr 19 min
ep324: Scream 3 (2000)
Scooby-Doo shenanigans meets systemic sex abuse in the unfortunate final chapter of the original Scream trilogy: SCREAM CREE…. *Ahem*.... Excuse me. I mean, SCREAM 3 (2000)! The final part of the original SCREAM trilogy was seen as something of a disappointment upon its initial release at the dawn of the new millennium. Fast forward to 2022 and it seems the film has enjoyed a bit of a critical re-evaluation in light of recent events involving one of the film’s producers. But does its commentary on real-life horror mean that it actually works as a film? Almost! Nathan, Dan, and Eric will dig into the discourse, as well as the tonal tug-of-war between the film’s two big plotlines and how they each undercut the strengths of the other. We’ll also ponder alternate versions of SCREAM 3 in a final “What If” segment that was so much fun it allllllmost makes up for the earworm that we deeply regret putting into your ear. So dry yourself off, fax your rewrites to us, and jump into our arms, and get ready for your cameo because Ghostface is going to Hollywood in our review of SCREAM 3! If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Jan 29, 2022 · 2 hr 18 min
ep323: Scream 2 (1997)
SCREAM 2 (1997) hit theaters just under a year after the first film and is often regarded as one of the best slasher sequels of all time, and 2 out of 3 Video Monsters agree…. that maybe the film isn’t as strong as its reputation suggests, leaving Eric to fight a losing battle for the soul of SCREAM 2. Along the way we’ll discuss how the film doubles down on the meta elements of the first film, the way it addresses the debate over the effect violence in film has on people, whether or not the movie works as a true whodunit, and how bringing back the original characters really sets this series apart from other slasher franchises. So queue up the BROKEN ARROW score, protect those precious earholes, and stay fate’s hand from thee because we have some oozing to do with our review of SCREAM 2! If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Jan 29, 2022 · 2 hr 30 min
ep322: Scream (1996)
Ah, 2022. We began this year so full of hope and ambition but, of course, it was folly to assume things would work out the way we hoped. The plan was to SCREAM IN THE NEW YEAR and cover the entire SCREAM franchise over the course of the month. Instead we spent most of January SCREAM…ing in frustration due to all the setbacks that delayed the release of these episodes. So instead we’ll be SCREAMING OUT JANUARY and dropping all four episodes back-to-back at the end of the month like dead bodies in a slasher movie! So, with that disclaimer out of the way, let’s get into it! Look… it’s SCREAM (1996). Everyone knows it. So instead of burying the lede with some lengthy preamble about what an iconic, game-changing slasher movie this is, we’re just going to come right and say it: Nathan has historically not been a fan of this movie. Which means that Eric and Dan are on a mission to heap so much praise on this perfect film during our discussion that Nathan has no choice but to succumb to the peer pressure (he’s far too sensitive) and accept his love for SCREAM by the end of the episode. Will Eric and Dan succeed in their mission? There’s only one way to find out! So grab your cellular, hold onto your guts, and put on your best GhOstface because it’s time to go a little mad deconstructing Wes Craven’s SCREAM! If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Jan 17, 2022 · 2 hr 13 min
ep321: Merry Gen-Xmas - History of Cinema (1990s) Christmas Spectadequate, part 3
It’s become something of an annual tradition now for the Video Monsters to try something really ambitious for our Christmas coverage and put so much extra work on ourselves that we end up releasing our Christmas episodes at some point in the new year, well after Santa Claus has come and gone. That tradition continues this year with our MERRY GEN-XMAS: HISTORY OF CINEMA CHRISTMAS SPECTADEQUATE - 90S EDITION series! This epic(?) trilogy of episodes is all about, you guessed it, 90s cinema! Particularly films that we feel have a distinctly Gen-X flavor to them. And the best part is it has almost nothing to do with Christmas (we just really like the pun)! In hindsight, the benefit of doing a Christmas series where almost none of the movies are about Christmas is that you can release the episodes AFTER Christmas and it still works. Right? Right?! Part 3 concludes our Gen X trilogy with ART VS THE MAN. The inevitable byproduct of the independent film movement is that you start to see a lot more films that are about artistic expression, individuality, and the creative process; how human desires are often suppressed by capitalism and the people in power. You’re seeing more movies about the crushing tedium of your typical 9-5 job, the high cost of living, and the desire to rebel against the excess of the 80s conventions that hold people back from being their true selves. Nathan, Dan, and Eric have each come up with four double features as a jumping off point to look at how filmmakers used their art to contend with what may be the most prevalent theme of the decade. If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Jan 17, 2022 · 2 hr 20 min
ep320: Merry Gen-Xmas - History of Cinema (1990s) Christmas Spectadequate, part 2
It’s become something of an annual tradition now for the Video Monsters to try something really ambitious for our Christmas coverage and put so much extra work on ourselves that we end up releasing our Christmas episodes at some point in the new year, well after Santa Claus has come and gone. That tradition continues this year with our MERRY GEN-XMAS: HISTORY OF CINEMA CHRISTMAS SPECTADEQUATE - 90S EDITION series! This epic(?) trilogy of episodes is all about, you guessed it, 90s cinema! Particularly films that we feel have a distinctly Gen-X flavor to them. And the best part is it has almost nothing to do with Christmas (we just really like the pun)! In hindsight, the benefit of doing a Christmas series where almost none of the movies are about Christmas is that you can release the episodes AFTER Christmas and it still works. Right? Right?! In Part 2 of our Gen X trilogy, the Video Monsters will be examining some of the social justice issues that were prevalent in the 90s, and how those issues were reflected in the films of the time. Racial justice, LGBTQIA+ representation, the War on Drugs, feminism, abortion, environmental activism, workplace harassment, poverty, income inequality, teen suicide, political corruption, and war in the Middle East are just a handful of the many different themes that cropped up in the films of this decade, and it’s fascinating to view these from a modern lens to see both the progress that’s been made and how much work is left to be done. Once again, Nathan, Dan, and Eric have each selected four films as a starting point to dig into some of these themes. The holiday twist for this one is Nathan’s catastrophic spin on “Oh, Holy Night” that I can promise you do NOT want to miss. If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Jan 17, 2022 · 2 hr 37 min
ep319: Merry Gen-Xmas - History of Cinema (1990s) Christmas Spectadequate, part 1
It’s become something of an annual tradition now for the Video Monsters to try something really ambitious for our Christmas coverage and put so much extra work on ourselves that we end up releasing our Christmas episodes at some point in the new year, well after Santa Claus has come and gone. That tradition continues this year with our MERRY GEN-XMAS: HISTORY OF CINEMA CHRISTMAS SPECTADEQUATE - 90S EDITION series! This epic(?) trilogy of episodes is all about, you guessed it, 90s cinema! Particularly films that we feel have a distinctly Gen-X flavor to them. And the best part is it has almost nothing to do with Christmas (we just really like the pun)! In hindsight, the benefit of doing a Christmas series where almost none of the movies are about Christmas is that you can release the episodes AFTER Christmas and it still works. Right? Right?! Anyway… Part 1 is all about Gen X romance and relationships. We kick off the series by discussing how we decided on this theme and what criteria we used to define Gen X movies. Nathan, Dan, and Eric have each chosen four films to discuss that we feel exemplify romance in the 90s. And to shoehorn in some holiday fun, we count down these films with our own little spin on the “12 Days of Christmas.” So pull the tree out of the garage, light a fire in the chimney, and warm up some hot cocoa because Christmas isn’t over until the Video Monsters wish you a Merry Gen-Xmas! If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Dec 10, 2021 · 1 hr 54 min
ep318: Adams Family Interview - Hellbender (2021)
Nathan, Dan, and Eric are thrilled to be joined by filmmakers John Adams, Toby Poser, and Zelda Adams to discuss their latest film, HELLBENDER (2021)! Known professionally as the Adams family, John and Toby are the parents of Zelda and together the trio have crafted some of the most exciting, creative, and technically accomplished independent films of the past few years. An especially impressive feat considering they also take on almost every single role both in front of and behind the camera as well. From acting to writing to music to cinematography to costuming to sound design and almost everything in between, this family does it all and they do it pretty damn well. So, naturally, we just had to have them on the podcast to talk us through their creative processes, how they embrace the unique family dynamic (you could even call it, their Adams Family values...) that they bring to their work, and really dig deep into the fascinating mythology and affecting family horror-drama they’ve conjured up for HELLBENDER. But be warned… there will be spoilers in this episode so tread carefully. The film is currently making the rounds on the festival circuit and is due to hit Shudder in early 2022. We highly recommend checking it out as soon as you can (and also scrolling back to our last episode for our in-depth review!) Then be sure to come back for this lively, incredibly fun chat with the absolutely awesome Adams family! Stay up to date with all Adams Family news at https://wonderwheelproductions.com If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Dec 7, 2021 · 1 hr 59 min
ep317: Hellbender (2021)
Now that the table has been cleared from HANKSgiving but before we dive into the rest of our holiday fare, we are taking a break from festivities to highlight one of our favorite movies of 2021! Winner of the Knoxville Horror Film Festival’s “Palme D’Gore” (as well as Best Direction, Screenplay, and the Audience Award), HELLBENDER is the story of a mother and daughter living in seclusion in the Catskill mountains as the mother attempts to protect her daughter from the truth of their witchy heritage. This micro-budget indie film puts a unique, visually-arresting, and deeply emotional coming-of-age spin on your typical witchcraft lore by centering it around a parent-child relationship (and some kickass music!), and was written/directed/starring/practically everything else-ed by real-life family Toby Poser, Zelda Adams, and John Adams (https://wonderwheelproductions.com). We highly recommend checking out HELLBENDER on the festival circuit, if you get it a chance, or when it hits Shudder in early 2022. If you enjoy this review then stay tuned because we're very excited to announce that we’ll be interviewing the Adams family on our next episode! So wrap up that bass solo, finish your grubs, and be careful where you trespass because it’s time to dust off our review of HELLBENDER! If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Dec 6, 2021 · 2 hr 15 min
ep316: Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) - HANKSgiving
Sadly, with today’s episode we have reached the terminal point in our journey through the underappreciated works of the one and only Tom Hanks. Though the sun must set on our HANKSgiving series, REJOICE, because the moon rises with this final film! A film that we believe just might be the keystone text that binds together everything that Hanks has ever been in. It’s JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO (1990)! Nathan, Eric, and Dan break down this existential fairy tale to discuss its four wildly different acts and what each step in Joe’s journey may represent emotionally for both its protagonist and the viewers along for the ride. We’ll also discuss the polarized reactions to the film and how its unique stylings make it a fascinating litmus test for an audience. Is it a life-affirming film about appreciating what little time you have on earth? A satirical take on white privilege? A cynical dark comedy about the crushing inescapability of capitalistic exploitation of the working class? All of the above? All this plus remarkable production design, an exceptional supporting cast, a wickedly strange sense of humor, endless quotability, and three(!) bravura Meg Ryan performances?! What more could you want out of a movie? So max out those Gold cards, pack up your comically oversized trunks, watch out for rogue Hammerheads, and crack open a nice cold can of Jump Soda because it’s time to step into the ring of fire with JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO! If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Dec 1, 2021 · 1 hr 5 min
ep315: Back to the Future: Back in Time - Cardboard Monsters
Video Monsters presents our inaugural episode of a very special occasional series that we’re calling CARDBOARD MONSTERS! In these episodes we’ll be reviewing board games from a movie lover’s perspective. First up, Nathan and Eric are joined by Adam Collins and Jon Meek (Cardboard of the Rings) to talk about BACK TO THE FUTURE: BACK IN TIME, a cooperative strategy game from Funko Games based on a movie that surely needs no introduction. The idea is to discuss the game in relation to the film, so we start the conversation by discussing our prior history with BACK TO THE FUTURE before digging into the game itself to answer questions like: How good is the presentation? Are the components of high quality? How difficult is it to play? Do the gameplay mechanics effectively capture the feeling of playing through the movie? And, most importantly, is it actually any fun to play? So flux that capacitor, gather some friends around the Town Square, make like a tree to get out of Biff’s way, and feel the Power of Love with our special CARDBOARD MONSTERS presentation of BACK TO THE FUTURE: BACK IN TIME! If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! And be sure to check out Cardboard of the Rings at cardboardoftherings.com and join their discord at https://discord.gg/m8NT2Dy Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Nov 26, 2021 · 2 hr 5 min
ep314: Blood Rage
We’re pushing our HANKSgiving plate aside today for a special Thanksgiving bonus episode. Three years ago — in the early days when we were still the Gargyle Podcast — Nathan and Eric reviewed what is objectively the greatest Thanksgiving horror movie of all time, and we felt like it was finally time to pull that plate out of the back of the fridge, rip off the tin foil, and heat up some of BLOOD RAGE (1987) leftovers! This time Dan joins us to give us his impressions after watching the movie for the first time. We also talk about how much we love the score by Richard Einhorn, Ed French’s outstanding makeup, why we think Louise Lasser’s performance is actually great, why the shock ending is genuinely devastating, and how the movie just seems to get better and better the more you watch it. So finish up your game of touch football, pop open a can of Old Style beer, and take a seat in front of the refrigerator because you know you can’t wait another second to dig into our BLOOD RAGE leftovers! If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Nov 23, 2021 · 2 hr 22 min
ep313: Cloud Atlas (2012) - HANKSgiving
Last week, the podcast was headed in one direction. This week, it is headed in another. When we initially came up with HANKSgiving as our theme for November, I don’t think any of us ever expected CLOUD ATLAS (2012) to be one of the films covered in our series on underappreciated Tom Hanks films. But the hand of fate has pushed us into the path of what is arguably the most ambitious and polarizing film Hanks has ever been a part of. Nathan, Eric, and Dan yibber about how we ended up covering this film, the brilliant approach it takes to adapting the novel, how well it blends together so many different genres and tones, and the controversial decision to have the cast play multiple characters of varying age/race/gender. We’ll also highlight some of the themes that resonated with us: fate vs free will, how personal prejudice stems from systemic oppression, the power that art/storytelling has over us, and so much more. So button up your vest, grab your journal, take a big swig of soap, and ear up close because today the Video Monsters are going to yarn you about the time we met eye to eye with CLOUD ATLAS. If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Nov 20, 2021 · 1 hr 58 min
ep312: Punchline (1988) - HANKSgiving
When does a joke become a dad joke? When the punchline becomes apparent. But that begs the question... When does a punchline become apparent? When the Video Monsters review the movie PUNCHLINE, of course! Apparently, PUNCHLINE (1988) is a film starring Tom Hanks and Sally Field as two as two stand up comedians working the nightclub circuit in New York City. We’re discussing this film today as part of our HANKSGIVING series, where we express our everlasting gratitude for the one and only Tom Hanks by highlighting the Hanks films that we feel are underseen or underappreciated. And we dare say that there are few films in his filmography overlooked as often as this one. Nathan, Eric, and Dan will ponder why most movies about stand up comedians tend to be more dramatic than funny, if the film successfully navigates those tonal shifts within its dual narrative structure, why Hanks’s and Field’s performances hold up so well even if the stand up routines do not, and how the movie explores the idea of comedy as a coping mechanism. So hold on to your poop shoot, do the Sabre Dance, and…. Get ready…. Wait for it….. Here comes the PUNCHLINE. If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Nov 15, 2021 · 1 hr 46 min
ep311: The 'Burbs (1989) - HANKSgiving
Halloween is over. The days are growing colder as the nights grow longer. The leaves change and fall and it feels like the winter season is upon before they even hit the ground. The holidays approach and suddenly we’re spending more time at home, bundled up with our loved ones, taking time to reflect on what really matters to us: friendship, charity, art, a pair of cozy socks, a warm cup of coffee. All the little pleasures in life that keep us going. We all have different things we’re grateful for, but there’s one thing in particular that every single human being on this planet can agree matters most of all. It’s a thing that transcends all of our differences, overcomes all cultural barriers, and bridges all political divides. That thing we cherish above all else is, of course…. Thomas Jeffrey Hanks. November is the month of HANKSGIVING on the Video Monsters Podcast! A joyous occasion in which we celebrate and take comfort in the works of our beloved dad, Tom Hanks. We decided that the best way to give ‘Hanks this season is by highlighting some films in his oeuvre that we feel are underappreciated, underseen, or overshadowed by the canonical classics we all already know and love. Up first, we’re hanging with Hanks in Joe Dante’s THE ‘BURBS (1989). Nathan, Eric, and Dan discuss Tom Hanks’s prowess as a physical comedian, how this film may be a secret sequel to BIG, why the “heroes” of this story might actually be the villains, and how the illusion of safety in the suburbs makes them a perfect front to hide true horrors. So crush those empty beer cans, throw the garbage out in the street, call up the pizza dude, and guard your femur because you never know what kind of lunatics might be lurking in THE ‘BURBS! If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Nov 2, 2021 · 1 hr 27 min
ep310: Knoxville Horror Film Festival 2021
The Video Monsters share their thoughts on the 13th annual Knoxville Horror Film Festival, which was hosted Oct. 21st - 24th at the Parkway Drive-In and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Sadly, only one-third of our Monster triumvirate were able to make it down for a day of the festival. But, Nathan is happy to report that his return to the cinema -- after an almost two-year absence -- was even more glorious than he anticipated. Tears may have been shed. Nathan shares his thoughts on the short films THE LAKE PARASITE and VERIFIED and features: KING KNIGHT, MAD GOD, and HELLBENDER. Meanwhile, since we all couldn’t make it to the festival in person, we had a little KHFF-at-home experience and discuss our recent watches of some of the classic films that screened this year, including POPCORN (1991), TRICK OR TREAT (1986), and POSSESSION (1981). So grab your vaccine card, hit the concession stand, snag some Central Cinema merch, and prepare yourself for juvenile jokes about Sam Neill’s ass because that’s how we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at the Knoxville Horror Film Festival! If you enjoyed this episode, come join the Video Monsters crew on Discord!! Hangout episodes are live (and unedited!) every Tuesday night starting around 9:00pm EST. Listen and chat along with us in the Discord chat and we’ll even give you a shoutout on the episode! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Nov 2, 2021 · 1 hr 41 min
ep309: ALL THE SPOILERS - live ep 10/19/21
Hangout episode with Nathan, Eric, and Dan. Recorded live on the Video Monsters Discord server, 10/19/2021. On this episode, the Video Monsters are talking ALL THE SPOILERS!!! Nathan ponders the question “Can a movie really be spoiled?” Eric and Dan answer with an unequivocal “Yes” before digging into what it actually means for something to be “spoiled” and how that affects the way we experience a movie. The bulk of the discussion centers around recent releases like MALIGNANT, HALLOWEEN KILLS, and MIDNIGHT MASS so consider this your official SPOILER ALERT if you haven’t seen those yet. Then, we close out the show with our TRANSPORTATIONSPLOITATION pick of the week: DEEP RISING (1998). If you enjoyed this episode then come join us on Discord! Chat with us throughout the week, let us know what you’re watching, what you think we should cover, and come out for our live virtual hangout episodes Tuesday nights starting around 9:00pm EST. Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Oct 29, 2021 · 1 hr 14 min
ep308: Train to Busan (2016) - special guest David Lawson Jr
Film producer -and Mayor of Video Monsters- David Lawson Jr (SHE DIES TOMORROW, SYNCHRONIC, AFTER MIDNIGHT) boards the Video Monsters express to discuss his pick for our Transportationsploitation series, TRAIN TO BUSAN (2016). This South Korean horror film from director Sang-ho Yeon is widely regarded as one of the best zombie movies of the past decade; no small feat considering how much the undead have proliferated in pop culture during that time period. TRAIN TO BUSAN sets itself apart with a claustrophobic setting, inventive action set pieces, and a uniquely visceral depiction of zombies that makes them feel all the more terrifying. But the bulk of Nathan and Eric’s conversation with Dave will focus on how the political subtext and simple emotional hook of a dad just trying to protect his daughter are what truly make this a standout zombie picture. Well, that and daddy Ma Dong-seok’s massive arms, which are perfect for both f**king up zombies and wrapping you up in a warm bear hug. Speaking of wrapping up… let’s do that. So grab your favorite scarf, meet us where the flowers bloom and, for the love of God, don’t forget to close the door behind you as we board the TRAIN TO BUSAN. Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons
Oct 26, 2021 · 1 hr 42 min
ep307: Roadgames (1981) - special guest Bill Fulkerson
Bill Fulkerson (co-writer/co-director of SURVIVAL OF THE FILM FREAKS and host of the OUTSIDE THE CINEMA podcast), joins the Video Monsters to discuss his TRANSPORTATIONSPLOITATION pick, Richard Franklin’s ROADGAMES (1981). This early Ozploitation flick is a pitch-perfect Hitchcock pastiche about a charming truck driver (Stacy Keach) who unintentionally gets swept up in the hunt for a serial killer. It’s essentially REAR WINDOW on the road. Despite its premise and the implied sleaziness of its poster, ROADGAMES is surprisingly just as much a laid back hangout movie as it is a cat-and-mouse road thriller. Nathan, Eric, Dan, and Bill discuss the wonderful performances of Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis, the screenplay that’s deceptively well structured despite how loose and fun the movie feels, the way Franklin remixes Hitchcock tropes to constantly keep the audience on edge, and so much more. And, of course, there’s no way one could cover this movie without getting into an extensive side conversation on the film career of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson! Right?! So hitch up your trailer, hide your dingo, keep those guitar strings handy, and watch out for rogue rabbits because it’s time to play some ROADGAMES! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com. Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons