Ep. 04-22: Pontypool (2008)

When disc jockey Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie) reports to his basement radio station in the Canadian town of Pontypool, he thinks it’s just another day. But when he hears reports of a virus that turns people into zombies, Mazzy barricades himself in the radio booth and tries to figure out a way to warn his listeners about the virus and its unlikely mode of transmission… the English language.

Pontypool

Pontypool (2008) is not your average zombie fare. It’s an ambitious, albeit unsuccessful, attempt at bringing a new spin to the well-trod path of the rapidly spreading infection-apocalypse subgenre of horror. Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of this relatively unknown Canadian import. Listen as Johnny has the Keys travels to the north country where on a snowy night something disturbing is happening in the small town of Pontypool.

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Ep. 04-09: Train to Busan (2016)

A father (Gong-Yoo), and his daughter (Soo-An Kim), are boarding the KTX, a high-speed train, that will take them from Seoul to Busan. During their journey, the apocalypse begins, and most of the earth’s population becomes flesh-craving zombies. While the KTX is shooting towards Busan, the passengers fight for their families and lives against the zombies… and each other.

Episode 9 Train to Busan

Welcome to another foreign-film edition of Johnny Has the Keys and our return to the ever-growing popular sub-genre of the zombie apocalypse. Train to Busan (2016) delivers exactly what you’d expect—a fast-paced thrill ride filled with exciting, and often inventive, zombie horror. Join us as we discuss its origins, and the fantastic cast, script, and director. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys boards an express railway to hell, where every car holds a new surprise, and zombies may not be your only enemy.

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Ep. 04-03: Return of the Living Dead (1985)

When foreman, Frank (James Karen), shows new employee, Freddy (Thom Mathews), a secret military experiment in their supply warehouse, the two accidentally release a gas that reanimates corpses into brain-eating zombies. As the pandemic spreads to a neighboring cemetery, the creatures begin to satisfy their hunger in creative and intelligent ways. Frank and Freddy fight to survive the onslaught with the help of their boss (Clu Gulager) a mysterious mortician (Don Calfa), and Freddy’s punk rock friends.

Return of the Living Dead (1985) is one of those rare movies that probably shouldn’t work but it does in every way. It’s an unofficial sequel to Night of the Living Dead (1968) from John Russo, George Romero’s former collaborator. It’s comedic, has a punk rock soundtrack, and it changes the rules set up in the original 60s classic. However, with a talented cast, clever script, and gruesome effects, this production delivers the goods, giving us a film that has not only spawned sequels but is rightly heralded as an 80s classic. Join us as we discuss the history of this film and its somewhat unusual evolution. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys barricades the doors and windows, defending ourselves from zombies that not only talk but whose sole purpose is to EAT OUR BRAINS!

04-03 Return of the Living Dead

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Ep. 03-38: Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a 30-something loser with a lackluster existence, with little motivation for anything. When he’s not working at the electronics store, he lives with his slovenly best friend, Ed (Nick Frost), in a small flat on the outskirts of London playing video games. The only unpredictable element in his life is his girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield), who wishes desperately for Shaun to grow up and be a man. When the town is overrun with zombies, Shaun must rise to the occasion and protect his friends and family, thus proving his worthiness. (Penelope Wilton).

Episode 38 Shaun Of The Dead

Welcome to the sixth and final of our genre-hybrid episodes (comedy-horror), and what would definitely qualify as Tim’s favorite! Shaun of the Dead (2004) is part comedic genius (the team of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright) and part loving homage to the zombie movies of the master, George A. Romero. Join us as we discuss why this movie is held in such high esteem (especially in the UK), and how, similarly to Galaxy Quest (1999), filmmakers can honor a giant in the biz with such profound adoration. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys has a pint down at The Winchester, ignoring the scrapes and groans at the windows while celebrating the surprise arrival of the apocalypse.