Ep. 06-24: The Thing (1982) REDUX ~ 200th EPISODE!

THE THING (1982) In Antarctica, a U.S. research team is thrust into a horrible situation when a helicopter targets a sled dog. Adopted by the scientists, the dog, a shape-shifting alien, transforms, savagely attacking humans and canines, revealing its ability to mimic victims. Helicopter pilot Macready (Kurt Russell), and the camp doctor (Richard Dysart) spearhead a desperate, gory fight for survival as the creature systematically picks off the team. Trust crumbles, alliances fracture, and the unforgiving Antarctic terrain becomes a grisly battlefield for their struggle against an adversary that morphs into the very faces they once knew.

Welcome to our 200th episode and a redux of our first movie topic way back when—The Thing (1982). Join us as we discuss the perfect storm that came together to make this once panned but now critically lauded film. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys travels to the South Pole, reuniting with a group of old friends who may have changed just a bit.

SHOW LINKS:

Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

Do you like our show? Want more cool stuff? Help us continue…

Reach out to us…

Ep. 06-23: Burnt Offerings (1976)

BURNT OFFERINGS (1976)—Ben (Oliver Reed) and Marian Rolf (Karen Black) can’t believe how cheap the rent is at their giant Victorian summer home. However, they soon sense that there’s something peculiar about the place. Marian is strangely obsessed with keeping house. Ben finds himself prone to unusual bursts of anger. Vivacious aunt Elizabeth (Bette Davis) suddenly becomes withdrawn and dies. Could the house be responsible?

Burnt Offerings (1976) is a flawed if not memorable movie (and novel) mainly due to its influence as a pillar in haunted house mythology. Join us as we journey nostalgically, discussing the pros and cons of the film including its director, TV horror giant Dan Curtis, its stellar cast (Oliver Reed, Karen Black, Bette Davis, and Burgess Meredith), and its influence (particularly on Stephen King). Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys lucks into a magnificent summer house rental, where inhabitants are sustenance for its rejuvenation.

SHOW LINKS:

Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

Do you like our show? Want more cool stuff? Help us continue…

Reach out to us…

Ep. 06-22: Fahrenheit 451 (1966) & 1984 (1984)

FAHRENHEIT 451 (1966)—In a future dystopian society, books have been banned. Enforced by the fire department—whose role it is to burn them—the result is an emotionless and egalitarian society. Guy Montag, senior fireman, is much respected by his superiors and is in line for a promotion. He doesn’t question what he does or why he does it until he meets Clarisse. As his doubts grow, he begins to steal some of the books he is meant to burn.

1984 (1984)—Based on George Orwell’s classic novel, Winston Smith (John Hurt) is a government employee whose job involves the rewriting of history in a manner that casts his fictional country’s leaders in a charitable light. His trysts with Julia (Suzanna Hamilton) provide his only measure of enjoyment, but lawmakers frown on the relationship—and in this closely monitored society, there is no escape from Big Brother.

Welcome back to the dreary future worlds of dystopia. In this double feature, we discuss two of dystopian literature’s all-time classics, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and 1984 by George Orwell. Join us as we discuss these adaptions and whether they achieve the daunting task of translating to the silver screen. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys travels into the not-so-distant future, where society is repressed and individualism shunned.

SHOW LINKS:

Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

Do you like our show? Want more cool stuff? Help us continue…

Reach out to us…

Ep. 06-21: The Stuff (1985)

When a mysterious, white, and gooey but delicious substance begins oozing from the Earth’s surface, it makes a great new dessert product. But this new dessert has a sinister origin: it’s an entity that takes over its victims’ minds while making them crave more of it.

Welcome to our 2nd listener/viewer request episode AND our first venture into the guerilla filmmaking world of prolific writer/director Larry Cohen. Thanks to Andrew Marler for recommending this classic 1980s schlock! Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of the film, including its director, cast, and themes. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys fights greedy corporate misers poisoning the minds of people with a delicious and ominous dessert product.

SHOW LINKS: