Don’t Push Pause

Episode 126 : The Blair Witch Project

In 1999, three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland... or at least that's what audiences were led to believe.

We’re venturing into the Black Hills Forest to revisit The Blair Witch Project—the independent horror film that changed the genre forever. We’ll explore the origins of the film, unconventional production, the importance of the cast, the groundbreaking marketing campaign that convinced many viewers the story was real & the lasting impact the film had on horror, found footage & internet culture.

From stick figures hanging in the trees to one of the most unforgettable endings in horror history, we're discussing what made The Blair Witch Project a phenomenon & whether its scares still hold up more than 25 years later.

Grab your map, don't kick it into the creek & try not to get lost. 

Episode 125 : Friday

We’re kickin’ back on the porch & spending a full day in South Central with FRIDAY — the laid-back comedy that became a cultural cornerstone.

Released in 1995, starring Ice Cube & Chris Tucker, FRIDAY wasn’t expected to be a blockbuster. It didn’t have explosions, car chases or a massive budget—but what it did have was a voice, authenticity & a rhythm all its own. 

We go deep into the making of FRIDAY: how Ice Cube teamed up with director F. Gary Gray to tell a story that felt real, specific & hilariously universal. We talk about the film’s shoestring budget, its lightning-in-a-bottle casting & how so much of the dialogue/humor came straight from lived experience.

We also unpack the legacy of FRIDAY, the film’s importance amongst other hood films, its influence on a generation of filmmakers & the endlessly quotable moments that still live rent-free in pop culture. Somehow FRIDAY still feels as fresh now as it did 30 years ago.

So whether you’ve seen FRIDAY a hundred times or you’re just pulling up for the first time… grab a seat, don’t get caught slippin’ & press play.

 

Episode 124: Ranked! Friday The 13th (Franchise)

With Friday the 13th creeping up again, it felt like the perfect time to head back to Camp Crystal Lake.

In this episode, Lindsay & Justin take on the entire FRIDAY THE 13TH franchise — from the original summer camp shocker to telekinetic showdowns, red herrings, Manhattan field trips, outer space upgrades & beyond.

But before these evocative debates, we rewind to the beginning & revisit the 1980 original — the scrappy little slasher that proved a good title, a creepy camp setting, & a lot of creative kills could launch one of horror’s most unstoppable sequel machines.

The ranking of all 12 films will be revealed, favorites will be defended & sanity will be questioned throughout countless machete slayings.

The rankings are in. Friendships may not survive, but Jason Voorhees will never die.