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Episode 39 : Candyman

CANDYMAN (1992) is not your standard slasher film. While it evokes terror and a haunting feeling, it is also loaded with social commentary that goes beyond normal horror movies tropes. The admiration for film goes hand-in-hand with the emotionally-charged, enlightened story, and leaves us never forgetting the undying legend of CANDYMAN. We’ll be goin’ all Clive Barker for this episode!

▶️Synopsis: While researching urban legends for her graduate thesis, Helen (Virginia Madsen) becomes captivated by a story about a boogeyman named Candyman (Tony Todd). Dispelling rumors of his actual existence to terrified locals, Candyman surfaces to frame Helen for murders and slowly swallows her into his everlasting myth.

⏩⏩Discussions include: A brief history on Chicago’s Cabrini-Green, the setting for CANDYMAN and why the original Clive Barker story was adapted; the real-life intensity shooting on location, combined with atypical special effects and acting techniques used to develop on-screen realness; why it was necessary to have the most profound connection between actors; cultural fears, prejudice and how CANDYMAN relates to reality. **Starring Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Kasi Lemmons, Xander Berkeley. Directed by Bernard Rose.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Justin’s Pick: LORD OF ILLUSIONS (1995): When a fanatic magical cult reincarnates their ruthless leader, a private investigator is sought out to protect a famous magician and his wife from certain evils headed their way. **Starring Scott Bakula, Famke Janssen, Kevin J. O’Connor, Daniel von Bargen. Directed by Clive Barker.**

—Lindsay’s Pick: NIGHTBREED (1990): A troubled man seeks out Midian, a mythical world haunting his dreams, and inhabited by demon social outcasts known as the Nightbreed. Simultaneously, his serial killing psychiatrist seeks to set him up for murders and destroy all the Nightbreed. **Starring Craig Sheffer, David Cronenberg, Anne Bobby. Directed by Clive Barker.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: After reaching a low moment in life, Billy is pulled from the brink upon seeing an inspirational painting.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS:  Philip Glass’ uniquely atmospheric score and the immense appreciation for CANDYMAN’S final scenes. And please check out HORROR NOIRE: A HISTORY OF BLACK HORROR, which includes a section on CANDYMAN — Available now on Shudder!

▶️NEXT UP: THE BLOB (1988)!

Episode 38 : The Burbs

As the 30th anniversary of THE ‘BURBS (1989) descends upon us, it’s astonishing how the film still feels so fresh. By intelligently poking fun at suburban life and the paranoia that can result from boredom, this underseen Joe Dante film continues to be charming and gain an increasingly large cult following.

 

▶️Synopsis: While having a stay-at-home vacation, one uptight suburbanite and his paranoid neighbors become convinced the new family in their quiet community are Satanic murderers.
⏩⏩Discussions include: How a solid, witty script and stylish look create a relatable world where the comedy never wears out. On top of the expertly-curated ensemble cast, we’ll discuss what the actors bring to the film and how ad-libbing came in handy during a Hollywood writer’s strike. We’ll dig into the themes of THE ‘BURBS, go behind the scenes of filming and director Joe Dante’s career and passion for moviemaking. **Starring Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, Rick Ducommun, Wendy Schaal, Corey Feldman. Directed by Joe Dante.**

 

▶️SCENE BREAKDOWN:
Realism becomes another form of artificial style in THE ‘BURBS. Justin Hayward discusses how Joe Dante is able to create very calculated comedic moments within dramatic situations.

 

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick: THE MAN WITH ONE RED SHOE (1985): In this silly spy thriller, a clueless musician gets caught up in a game of espionage, while also falling for a woman who is spying on him. **Starring Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Jim Belushi, Lori Singer, Dabney Coleman. Directed by Stan Dragoti.**

 

—Justin’s Pick: MATINEE (1993): Harnessing the terror over impending nuclear war, a crafty filmmaker utilizes public fear to churn up excitement for the premiere of his newest, low-budget film, “Mant!” **Starring John Goodman, Cathy Moriarty, Kellie Martin. Directed by Joe Dante.**

 

▶️MURRAYMOMENT:
Diving into Billy’s Carl Spackler character in CADDYSHACK, and why he’d fit in perfectly with neighborhood boys in THE ‘BURBS.

 

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS:
A brief career retrospective of THE ‘BURBS co-star, Darla the Dog.

 

▶️NEXT UP: CANDYMAN (1992)!

Episode 37 : Eraserhead

ERASERHEAD (1977) may be the most well-made student film ever produced. As a brilliant piece of film history, it is forever cemented in as the ultimate cult film and perfect midnight movie. David Lynch was able to create a deeply personal and mesmerizingly quirky film which was the first of its kind. Strikingly bold visuals, an unnerving soundscape and oddball characters help create a grim, surrealist story wherein the viewer is submerged in a bizarre, yet mysteriously familiar world.

▶️Synopsis: Set in an industrial, dismal environment, Henry is confronted with meeting his girlfriend Mary’s off-kilter family, then discovering he is the father to a premature newborn, which appears to be inhuman. This is a richly nightmarish reality which feeds common anxieties concerning relationships, parenthood, regret, life and death.

⏩⏩Discussions include: Lynch’s relationship with The American Film Institute (AFI), the community effort which made ERASERHEAD possible and how Lynch’s underlying personal narrative flowed into the plot and themes. In addition, we’ll discuss how a direct story is told through surrealist, subconscious visions and very intentional sound design, leading to why the film is open for interpretation. We’ll further explain our favorite moments in the film, give a ton of behind-the-scenes information and how ERASERHEAD is connected to other subsequent Lynch projects. **Starring Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Allen Joseph, Jeanne Bates. Directed by David Lynch.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

Lindsay's Pick — BLUE VELVET (1986): This neo-noir mystery follows an innocently curious man discovering a disembodied ear, leading to a possible romance, but also a criminal underworld of drugs, violence and sexual trauma. An unreal, yet familiar world where voyeurism becomes addicting. **Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, Dean Stockwell. Directed by David Lynch.** AVAILABLE ON TUBI NOW!

Justin’s Pick — THE STRAIGHT STORY (1999): An elderly man embarks on a 240 mile journey to visit his ailing, estranged brother. Having no other way to travel, he uses his riding lawnmower to complete his quest. An unusual road trip film, which is also based on a true story. **Starring Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton. Directed by David Lynch.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: With all this talk concerning parenthood in ERASERHEAD, we’ll scrape the surface of Billy’s upbringing and his eventual turn into becoming a father of six boys.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: We need to talk about the newborn in ERASERHEAD...

▶️NEXT UP: THE ‘BURBS (1989)!