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Costa Dillon, co-creator of the cult classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, joins The Cinema Psychos Show to discuss the 50-year legacy of the franchise, shooting on 35mm negative film on a shoestring budget, accidentally crashing a real helicopter with actors on board, and releasing the new sequel Organic Intelligence. Check out the new film and the Halloween contest at: https://killertomatoes.com CHAPTERS We crashed a helicopter [00:00] What makes a cult film stick? [00:53] How Attack of the Killer Tomatoes began [01:58] Getting started in filmmaking before digital video [06:51] Why shooting on film made the movie look professional [09:41] Turning a helicopter crash into a scene [12:18] Spoofing sequel culture [15:09] Recognizing the franchise's breakthrough [16:50] Expanding the franchise into a cartoon [18:03] Why the cartoon changed the tomato characters [21:00] How home video rescued the film from obscurity [22:57] Building a professional soundtrack on a tiny budget [24:53] Finding cast and crew who understood the joke [29:34] Returning to the franchise after decades away [32:55] Bringing the franchise back after reclaiming the rights [35:38] How Attack of the Killer Tomatoes became a cult phenomenon [36:21] Honoring the original with practical effects [40:14] The lasting legacy of a movie made with friends [43:57] Why making any movie takes a certain level of lunacy [49:03] Preserving cult films for future audiences [50:51] Where to watch the new film [53:17]   Follow The Cinema Psychos Show for more horror movie reviews, cult classics, B-movie insanity, and deep dives into the weirdest corners of cinema. FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📺 More movie breakdowns every week — hit subscribe + the bell 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76

In this exhaustive filmmaker retrospective, The Cinema Psychos dive deep into the dark, beautiful, and terrifying world of Guillermo del Toro. We analyze how the modern master of monsters humanizes traditional creatures, turning them into sympathetic allegories for the 'other' while showing that humanity is often the true villain. From his indie roots with Cronos and studio struggles on Mimic to beloved blockbusters like Blade II and Hellboy, and masterpieces like Pan's Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, we break down his entire career, thematic obsessions, and world-building genius. CHAPTERS: Introduction [00:00] Guillermo del Toro, the modern master of monsters [02:19] Humanizing monsters and making humanity the villain [04:04] The influences behind del Toro's monsters [08:13] Cronos and the tragedy of becoming a vampire [18:13] Mimic and the struggle to make films in Hollywood [22:10] Blade II turns vampires into monstrous comic-book creatures [26:24] Hellboy builds a world around a working-class demon [31:13] Pan's Labyrinth merges fascist horror with dark fantasy [39:39] Hellboy II expands del Toro's fantastical world [43:34] Pacific Rim makes giant robots versus kaiju fun [44:54] Crimson Peak as del Toro's most personal gothic film [52:22] The Shape of Water redefines the monster [58:32] Nightmare Alley turns its protagonist into a monster [01:04:31] Frankenstein brings del Toro's lifelong obsession full circle [01:14:19] Del Toro's legacy as a master of monsters [01:25:05] Follow The Cinema Psychos Show for more horror movie reviews, cult classics, B-movie insanity, and deep dives into the weirdest corners of cinema. FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📺 More movie breakdowns every week — hit subscribe + the bell 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76

Brain Damage (1988) might legitimately be one of the greatest anti-drug movies ever made — it just happens to deliver that message through a talking, brain-eating parasite pumping psychedelic blue juice directly into a guy's brain. This week on The Cinema Psychos Show, we're revisiting Frank Henenlotter's wonderfully deranged 1988 cult horror movie Brain Damage. Brian thinks he's found the ultimate escape when a mysterious creature named Aylmer gives him euphoric hallucinations — but there's a catch: Aylmer needs human brains, and Brian quickly discovers just how ugly addiction and withdrawal can get. We dig into the movie's surprisingly effective drug-addiction metaphor, its grimy 1980s New York setting, outrageous practical effects, dark comedy, and the wonderfully polite voice behind Aylmer. We also get into where Brain Damage fits alongside Henenlotter's other cult classics like Basket Case and Frankenhooker. Is this profound social commentary disguised as exploitation horror…or is it simply 84 minutes of glorious B-movie insanity? Either way: drugs are bad, kids. 🎬 In this episode: Why Brain Damage works surprisingly well as an addiction allegory Frank Henenlotter's unique brand of horror, comedy, and sleaze Aylmer, blue juice, withdrawal, and brain eating The movie's practical effects and psychedelic imagery The grimy New York atmosphere that defines Henenlotter's films Some truly unhinged Letterboxd reviews Where newcomers should start with Henenlotter's filmography What's your take on Brain Damage? Is it brilliant cult horror, complete trash, or somehow both? CHAPTERS:  Introduction [00:00] Brain Damage: an 80s cult classic [02:11] A Cinema Wasteland screening turns into chaos [03:36] Frank Henenlotter's bizarre cult-film legacy [07:19] The greatest anti-drug movie ever made? [10:33] Meet Elmer, the brainstem parasite [11:59] New York's grimy streets set the stage [15:31] The blue juice turns Brian into an addict [19:33] Brian's first trip unleashes the gore [23:12] Bath time with a talking brain parasite [28:38] A punk-rock night ends in a brain feast [31:38] Withdrawal gets wonderfully disgusting [38:43] The Aylmer sings through Brian's breakdown [43:00] A public shower becomes the next hunting ground [45:25] Brian's addiction destroys his relationship [47:53] The blue juice reaches its explosive finale [52:48] Why this strange little film works [58:05] Fans weigh in on Elmer's bizarre appeal [01:00:17] Final verdict: embrace the good-bad movie [01:07:45] Where to find the hosts and follow the show [01:10:16] Frankenhooker Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cinema-psychos-movie-reviews/id1099474123?i=1000385887086 Follow The Cinema Psychos Show for more horror movie reviews, cult classics, B-movie insanity, and deep dives into the weirdest corners of cinema. FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📺 More movie breakdowns every week — hit subscribe + the bell 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76

Charlie Kaufman was hired to adapt a nonfiction book about orchids. Instead, he wrote himself into the script — twice — and made one of the strangest, most self-aware movies ever released by a major studio. Brian and John rewatch Adaptation (2002) and break down Nicolas Cage's dual performance as neurotic screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and his fictional twin brother Donald, Meryl Streep's Susan Orlean and her obsession with "The Orchid Thief," and Brian Cox's scene-stealing turn as real-life screenwriting guru Robert McKee. We also get into a genuinely compelling theory: what if Donald doesn't actually exist? 🎬 WHAT WE COVER • How Charlie Kaufman wrote himself into his own screenplay after struggling to adapt Susan Orlean's "The Orchid Thief" • Nicolas Cage's dual performance as neurotic screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and his fictional twin brother, Donald Kaufman • Meryl Streep as journalist Susan Orlean and her spiraling obsession with orchid poacher John Laroche • Brian Cox as real-life screenwriting guru Robert McKee, and the film's commentary on Hollywood formula • A theory that Donald Kaufman may not be a real character at all • Why the film's chaotic, McKee-mocking third act still works as a genuine ending CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Why Adaptation feels impossible to cover 04:37 A movie that turns Hollywood inside out 06:42 When adapting a book means adapting yourself 11:12 The artist versus the commercial machine 16:57 Donald Kaufman, Charlie's unleashed alter ego 21:01 The Orchid Thief and Florida's strangest obsession 27:50 Writer's block spirals into stalking 36:51 The moment the real movie finally begins 37:41 An ending engineered for total insanity 43:54 What Donald's disappearance reveals 45:15 Can you love a movie this weird? 49:35 The audience weighs in 50:08 1. Two brothers, one Nicholas Cage 51:20 2. A big brain and an even bigger shrug 52:34 3. Brilliant ideas, frustrating distance 55:40 The glorious chaos of Vampire's Kiss 58:04 Final thoughts on Kaufman's strangest journey 01:01:13 Adaptation as a cinematic palate cleanser FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📺 More movie breakdowns every week — hit subscribe + the bell 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76

Is Hellbound: Hellraiser II the best sequel in horror history? With Hellraiser back in the cultural spotlight this year — Halloween Horror Nights' 2026 and the long-awaited Hellraiser Revival game both dropping this fall — we figured it was the perfect time to revisit the film many fans consider the series' high point. Film critic Robert Brian Taylor (Collider) joins The Cinema Psychos Show to make the case for Hellbound, arguing it does exactly what a horror sequel should: expand Clive Barker's world without breaking its rules. We break down how Hellraiser 2 deepens Julia's transformation into one of horror's most compelling villains, sends Kirsty Cotton into the Leviathan's labyrinth, and expands the mythology around Pinhead and the Cenobites first introduced in the original 1987 Hellraiser. 🩸 WHAT WE COVER • Why Hellbound expands on Clive Barker's world instead of repeating it • Julia's rise as the series' central villain • Kirsty's journey through the Leviathan's labyrinth • Doug Bradley's Pinhead and the Cenobites' expanded role • Ranking Hellbound against the rest of the Hellraiser franchise CHAPTERS: Introduction [00:00] A birthday descent into Hellbound [01:23] Why the Hellraiser franchise keeps losing its way [03:10] The sterile pleasures of the Hulu reboot [06:45] How Hellbound became a horror obsession [11:09] The sequel that blows open Clive Barker's world [18:22] A perfect recap and Pinhead's human beginning [21:55] Welcome to Channard's nightmare hospital [31:40] Julia rises from the mattress [47:43] Every road leads back to Hell [54:00] Julia claims her place as Hellbound's true queen [57:27] The labyrinth and the many faces of Hell [01:04:07] The Cenobites remember who they were [01:20:50] What Hellraiser lost after Hellbound [01:29:42] Why Hellbound remains a perfect horror sequel [01:33:49] Where to find Robert Brian Taylor [01:37:20] 🎙️ ABOUT OUR GUEST Robert Brian Taylor is a film critic and editor at Collider. Read his writing at https://rbtwrites.com/ FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76 MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"  AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI) WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887  musicbakery.com

Sports Month closes out with the quintessential non-sports sports movie: Rocky (1976). Brian and John are joined by Dustin and Nate from The Silver Linings Playlist Podcast  to break down Stallone's underdog script (allegedly written in three days), the real Chuck Wepner vs. Muhammad Ali fight that inspired it, Carl Weathers' criminally underrated Apollo Creed, and a running theory that Rocky himself reads as autistic-coded — "his special interest is punching." Plus: how this movie beat Taxi Driver, Network, and All the President's Men for Best Picture, whether the Rocky/Adrian romance holds up in 2026, and a Letterboxd reviews segment that gets weird fast. 🎙️ ABOUT OUR GUESTS Dustin & Nate host Silver Linings Playlist — new episodes weekly, plus a Patreon with bonus commentary tracks (their Austin Powers mini-series drops this September). CHAPTERS: Introduction [00:00] Rocky closes out sports month [01:39] A small-time boxer gets his impossible shot [05:46] The chaotic story behind Rocky [07:25] The myth of the three-and-a-half-day script [09:04] From soft-core scandal to the Italian Stallion [12:47] How Rocky escaped television and found a studio [14:09] Why America needed an underdog in 1976 [16:30] The racial tensions hiding beneath the Americana [20:12] Inside Rocky's grimy Philadelphia world [23:20] A button man drifting through a bleak life [28:56] Adrian and Rocky's deeply uncomfortable romance [34:11] When a date becomes a masterclass in red flags [40:46] Reading Rocky and Adrian through a modern lens [45:45] Why Apollo's gamble changes Rocky's life [47:34] Boxing as spectacle, ego, and empty promotion [48:51] Mickey, mentorship, and an unforgettable breakdown [52:45] The training montage that invented a formula [01:01:04] How Rocky helped revolutionize camera movement [01:03:01] The distance matters more than the victory [01:07:01] A brutal final fight that still feels real [01:10:42] Rocky loses the decision and wins everything else [01:15:37] Letterboxd enters the ring [01:17:22] 1. Raw eggs and the limits of training advice [01:18:35] 2. The romance that makes viewers recoil [01:20:10] 3. Rocky beats his meat [01:26:14] 4. The classic montage cannot save the movie [01:26:40] Loving Rocky while wrestling with Stallone [01:31:20] More movies, more madness, and shameless plugs [01:34:14] Share the episode and keep the spirit alive [01:41:55] FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76 GUEST: Dustin & Nate- The Silver Linings Playlist Podcast  — https://tslppodcast.com/ MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"  AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI) WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887  musicbakery.com

Tonya Harding loved skating. The skating world never loved her back — and I, Tonya (2017) is the mockumentary-style biopic that dares to ask: who's actually the villain here? Brian sits down with KT Baldassaro (MovieRunTime & What If I Don't Like It) to break down Margot Robbie's snubbed performance, Allison Janney's Oscar-winning turn as the worst mom in cinema, Sean Eckhardt's delusional hitman fantasy, and why the Academy has a track record of punishing dark comedy. CHAPTERS: Introduction [00:00] Why I, Tonya makes a surprisingly fun rewatch [02:17] A biopic that refuses to play by the rules [03:52] When every narrator tells their own truth [05:54] The uncomfortable comedy of Tonya's abuse [07:16] How the media rewrote the Nancy Kerrigan attack [09:49] The skating world's perfect underdog villain [12:59] Lavonna Harding and the making of a monster [15:20] The performances that turn cruelty into character [18:56] Jeff's obsession fuels the entire nightmare [21:18] Why leaving an abuser is never simple [23:53] Talent, trauma, and the coach who stays [28:00] When talent loses to image and corruption [30:45] Sean is the movie's most gloriously delusional creation [31:40] How the media turned a young woman into spectacle [36:56] Learning to recognize when the media is selling b******t [39:00] The manufactured rivalry that ruined Tonya's life [42:47] We all helped make Tonya the punchline [44:30] Why dark comedy can lose the awards race [48:01] 1. Margot Robbie's unforgettable transformation [55:22] 2. The makeup scene where madness takes over [57:32] 3. Breaking the fourth wall with devastating precision [59:25] Sean's confidence is built entirely on delusion [01:02:04] The hidden craft behind I, Tonya's skating effects [01:03:47] What's coming next on Movie Runtime [01:07:43] Where to find the show and keep the conversation going [01:14:50] FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter to vote on upcoming movies: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76 GUEST: KT Baldassaro (MovieRunTime) — Host of "What If I Don't Like It?" https://open.spotify.com/show/2iyYtsB5zeuoCJZ3D3fKJt MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"  AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI) WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887  musicbakery.com

A League of Their Own (1992) is the rare baseball movie that isn't really about baseball — it's a sibling rivalry story, a look at 1940s sexism, and (we'd argue) one of the best examples of age-accurate casting in film history. Brian and John break down Penny Marshall's classic: Tom Hanks' pivot from comedy to the dramatic roles that led to Cast Away and Forrest Gump, the Kit/Dottie rivalry that drives the whole plot, what the film gets right (and skips) on race and sexism in the 1940s, and the ending debate that still splits fans. A movie reaction and deep-dive discussion for baseball fans and non-sports fans alike. 00:00 Introduction — A League of Their Own (1992) Review 03:53 A League of Their Own's Real Story: Sibling Rivalry Between Kit & Dottie 14:54 The Least "Baseball" Baseball Movie Ever Made 17:31 A League of Their Own and 1940s Sexism, Explained 25:05 Tom Hanks: Comedy vs. Drama in A League of Their Own 34:01 Did Dottie Drop the Ball on Purpose? (Ending Debate) 44:12 What A League of Their Own Gets Wrong on Race & Queer Representation 50:19 Every Character's Arc in A League of Their Own 54:52 The Best Age-Accurate Casting in Movie History 58:12 A League of Their Own: Listener Reviews 01:06:10 Final Thoughts on A League of Their Own (1992) FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Follow on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychoshow.com/follow 🚨 Subscribe to our newsletter!- https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76 MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert"  AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI) WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887  musicbakery.com

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a beautiful mess — and it might be the best MCU Spider-Man movie yet. Both hosts land on 8/10. We weren't planning to cover this one. Then we saw it, and we had to record an emergency bonus episode. Brian and John break down why Destin Daniel Cretton's Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the most grounded, consequence-driven Spidey film Marvel has made — and why it owes more to Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2 than to anything in the Home trilogy. Jon Bernthal's Punisher steals the movie. Florence Pugh's "small potatoes" bathhouse scene is already a meme. Sadie Sink shows up as a telepath Marvel is still being coy about. Mark Ruffalo's Hulk is… there. And Peter's new organic webbing sets up the single funniest unintentional metaphor in the MCU. What you'll get out of this episode: Why this Spider-Man finally takes itself seriously — and how it escapes the quip-undercuts-everything problem The specific Spider-Man 2 (2004) DNA running through the whole film Where the Punisher lands after One Last Kill, and whether the chili speech works The six-armed Spider-Man that almost happened, and who killed it What the post-credits scene sets up heading into Avengers: Doomsday Whether Marvel's endless X-Men teasing is finally going somewhere ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro: why this emergency bonus episode exists 1:58 – Taking our kids to see it (and the No Way Home nostalgia) 3:08 – Sadie Sink, Jean Grey rumors, and Marvel's endless X-Men problem 4:41 – Why Brand New Day finally takes Spider-Man seriously 6:08 – Jon Bernthal's Punisher is back, and he's incredible 6:29 – Florence Pugh's "small potatoes" scene (already a meme) 8:32 – How much this borrows from Raimi's Spider-Man 2 10:58 – What does Mark Ruffalo's Hulk actually do in this movie? 12:52 – The Punisher's chili speech (light spoilers start here) 15:02 – The six-armed Spider-Man that almost happened 15:22 – Organic webbing and growing into the powers 19:03 – The post-credits scene and what it teases 19:25 – Final scores: we both land on 8/10 20:24 – Wrap-up & where to find us FOLLOW THE SHOW 🎧 https://cinemapsychoshow.com/follow 🚨 Newsletter: https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76   ❓ SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY — QUICK ANSWERS Does Spider-Man: Brand New Day have a post-credits scene? Yes — one, and no mid-credits scene. It plays at the very end, after the studio logos, so it looks like there isn't one. Stay put. It teases what's coming in Avengers: Doomsday. Is Spider-Man: Brand New Day good? Both of us gave it 8/10. It's the first MCU Spider-Man movie that takes itself seriously, with real consequences for Peter and a tone closer to Raimi's Spider-Man 2 than the Home trilogy. The plot logic doesn't survive close inspection. The character work does. Who directed Spider-Man: Brand New Day? Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). It's the first Tom Holland Spider-Man not directed by Jon Watts. Written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Who does Sadie Sink play in Spider-Man: Brand New Day? A powerful telepath Marvel kept under wraps until release, widely connected to Jean Grey. The film stays deliberately vague about the X-Men link — we get into why that's maddening at 3:08. Is Spider-Man: Brand New Day on streaming? Not as of September 2026 — theaters only. Sony hasn't announced a digital date. Based on past Sony windows, digital purchase/rental is expected late October 2026, with 4K/Blu-ray/DVD listed for November 17, 2026. Netflix holds first streaming rights, likely early 2027. Is the Punisher in this movie? Yes. Jon Bernthal is back as Frank Castle after Punisher: One Last Kill, and he's a mentor figure to Peter this time. Weird pivot for a guy who wiped out a whole neighborhood. It works. Does this episode have spoilers? Light ones, starting at 12:52. We cover the Punisher subplot, the organic webbing, and that a post-credits scene exists. We don't touch the ending or the villain's identity.

Eric Idle and Lorne Michaels teamed up in 1978 to make the greatest Beatles parody you've probably never seen — and it worked so well that Paul McCartney sent back a real letter saying he didn't find it funny, while John Lennon loved it so much he never returned his copy. This week on Cinema Psycho Show, Brian and John dig into The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash, the SNL-adjacent mockumentary packed with John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Mick Jagger, and even George Harrison himself. We break down the Beatles history it's spoofing, argue about whether you need to be a Beatles fan to get the jokes, compare it to Spinal Tap and Young Frankenstein, and read your listener reviews. CHAPTERS: Introduction [00:00] The Rutles: A mockumentary history of the Beatles [01:10] The BBC mockumentary behind The Rutles [02:40] The Rutles blends Beatles history with Monty Python humor [03:59] Early SNL stars and the film's celebrity cameos [04:34] Discovering The Rutles as a child and revisiting it as a Beatles fan [07:29] Why The Rutles did not connect with every viewer [10:04] The Beatles' Hamburg years and the importance of context [14:24] The Rutles follows the Beatles' history through parody [17:21] Sight gags, archival footage, and the film's comic style [22:54] The surprisingly strong music of The Rutles [23:30] The Rutles corporation satirizes 1960s idealism [27:42] Why mockumentaries need a recognizable subject [29:04] How The Rutles compares with other mockumentaries [34:10] The Rutles' broadcast history and American reception [37:22] The sequel revisits The Rutles through celebrity commentary [39:08] Listener reviews of The Rutles [41:10] A collection of sketches with a thin plot [41:57] Chastity and the film's most outrageous joke [45:50] The music is excellent, but the parody stays close to the Beatles [51:21] Birthday wishes and final thoughts on The Rutles [56:56] Share the episode and tell us what you think [59:17] FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychoshow.com/follow 🚨 Subscribe to our newsletter!- https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76   CO-HOST: John's Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@JDUBSVIDEONASTIES

This is a spoiler-filled review and discussion of Super (2010), directed by James Gunn and starring Rainn Wilson and Elliot Page, covering the film's violence, its most divisive scene, and what it means that its director now runs DC Studios. Before James Gunn was directing Superman, he wrote and directed Super (2010) — and it's way darker than you remember. Brian and John are joined by Josh Axelrod, Director of Media & Press Relations at the Lindsay Theater, to break down Super (2010) — and this time, our guest actually came in ready to fight us on it.   Super (2010) Quick Facts: Director/Writer: James Gunn — before Guardians of the Galaxy and his current role as co-CEO of DC Studios Starring: Rainn Wilson, Elliot Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon Budget: $2.5 million | Box Office: ~$593,000 Genre: Dark Comedy / Superhero | Runtime: 96 min | Rating: R In this Super (2010) review, we cover James Gunn's unfiltered Troma origins and how they bleed into this movie, whether Frank Darbo is a hero or just a fundamentally broken person the film never makes answer for, the uncomfortable racial coding in who Frank targets, the sexual assault scene that still divides horror and superhero fans alike, and how this $2.5 million flop somehow became the blueprint for the guy now running DC Studios. Plus: our listener and critic reviews segment. No spoiler-free zone here — full spoilers ahead, so watch the movie first if you're avoiding them. Super (2010) | Director: James Gunn | Starring: Rainn Wilson, Elliot Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon | Genre: Dark Comedy / Superhero | Runtime: 96 min | Rating: R   CHAPTERS: 0:00 – Cold Open: "The Movie You're Defending, Brian" 0:15 – Welcome + Super (2010) Episode Setup 6:55 – Super Synopsis (Spoiler-Free) 5:32 – James Gunn's Unfiltered Troma Origins 14:51 – The Budget vs. The Box Office Flop 19:07 – What Is Super Actually Saying About Vigilantism? 25:35 – The Racial Coding Debate 39:43 – Trigger Warning: The Sexual Assault Scene, Examined 56:50 – Is Frank a Hero or a Fundamentally Broken Person? 1:05:13 – From Troma to DC Studios: Gunn's Full Trajectory 1:08:38 – Listener & Critic Reviews 1:18:34 – Does the Movie Let Frank Off the Hook? 1:23:12 – Josh Talks the Lindsay Theater & Pittsburgh's Film Scene 1:31:39 – Follow the Show + Sign Off   FAQ Is Super (2010) based on a true story? No — it's an original story written and directed by James Gunn about an amateur vigilante. Who plays Frank in Super (2010)? Rainn Wilson. Who plays Boltie in Super (2010)? Elliot Page. Is Super (2010) hard to watch? Yes — we break down its most divisive scene, including a trigger warning, starting at 39:43. What is James Gunn's connection to DC Studios? He's currently co-CEO of DC Studios and directed Superman (2025) — we trace how Super (2010) fits into that path starting at 1:05:13.   FOLLOW THE SHOW: 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://cinemapsychoshow.com/follow   GUEST: Josh Axelrod — Director of Media & Press Relations, Lindsay Theater (Sewickley, PA) | https://www.instagram.com/jaxel22/   CO-HOST: John's Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@JDUBSVIDEONASTIES   Rainn Wilson's performance walks a wild line in this movie — and we still can't agree on whether Frank is a hero or just a guy who got lucky. Drop your reaction below — hero, menace, or both? 😳

Fargo (1996) turns 30 this year. On this episode of The Cinema Psycho Show, hosts Brian and John are joined by Katie and Nat from The VHS Club podcast to revisit the Coen brothers' Minnesota crime classic — including why detective Marge Gunderson spent most of the investigation with almost nothing to go on but a single vague description of her "funny looking" suspect. In this episode: Why Fargo's dialogue rewards a rewatch more than almost any crime film of the '90s Marge Gunderson's investigation, and how one bystander's description of a "funny looking" suspect drives the entire back half of the movie The real production story behind the movie's snow (there wasn't enough of it) A live read-through of listener and Letterboxd reviews of Fargo, 30 years later Final ratings and verdict from Brian, John, Katie, and Nat Quick answers: Is Fargo based on a true story? No. Despite the film's opening title card, Fargo is a work of fiction — a detail the Coens have confirmed for decades, and one the hosts dig into on this episode. Where does Fargo take place? Mostly in Brainerd, Minnesota — not the city of Fargo, North Dakota, despite the title. Who stars in Fargo? Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson, William H. Macy as Jerry Lundegaard, Steve Buscemi as Carl Showalter, and Peter Stormare as Gaear Grimsrud. Who directed Fargo? Joel and Ethan Coen (the Coen brothers), released in 1996. CHAPTERS: Introduction [00:00] Diverting from horror to the frozen tundra [01:17] Welcome back the VHS club [02:12] Why Fargo is a summer movie [02:46] The setting is the main character [05:30] A synopsis from IMDb [07:42] The truth about the 'true story' [09:57] Meet Jerry Lundegaard and the goons [11:20] The genius of Coen brothers dialogue [13:13] The opening scene foreshadows everything [15:06] Jerry's terrible plan and why he needs money [17:05] Jerry forgets he has a son [19:22] The worst executive salesman ever [21:29] The goons head to Brainerd [22:52] Peter Stormare's character and his weird gear [25:41] The quiet violence turns dark [26:32] Enter the greatest detective in cinema [28:27] Marge: Super pregnant, super capable [30:30] Norm and Marge's relationship goals [32:09] Why the dark humor works in Minnesota [32:53] The kidnapping scene is both ridiculous and believable [35:08] The wood chipper scene and Coen brothers' sorcery [37:54] Marge puts the pieces together [39:40] The infamous TruCoat scene [40:42] Wade's stubbornness leads to disaster [42:00] Jerry's parking lot scheme and the $750,000 lie [44:40] The strange Mike Yanagita subplot [48:56] Everyone gets what they deserve [54:55] Jerry's guttural scream and final capture [58:50] The perfect, innocuous ending [01:01:50] Review time: The audience weighs in [01:04:47] Review 1: Ned Flanders origin story [01:06:25] Review 2: She never got to see how funny looking he was [01:07:38] Review 3: A negative review and oldflation [01:08:45] Review 4: Identifying with Steve Buscemi [01:12:49] What's happening at the VHS club? [01:15:17] Where to find everyone and sign off [01:19:53] 🚨 Subscribe to our newsletter!- https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76 🎬 More from Katie & Nat: The VHS Club podcast — https://www.thevhsclubpod.com/ 🔔 New Cinema Psychos Show episodes weekly — https://cinemapsychosshow.com/

This is a spoiler-filled review and discussion of Obsession (2026), directed by Curry Barker and starring Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston, covering the film's themes, performances, and ending. Obsession is finally on digital — and Inde Navarrette's performance as Nikki is going to haunt you. Brian and John are joined by returning guest Jordan the Grey Witch to break down Curry Barker's indie horror hit that's outgrossing studio tentpoles on a fraction of the budget — including why Bear might have the most punchable face in horror this year. We cover why this "nice guy" is actually the real monster of the movie, the wish-stick logic and how it compares to Monkey's Paw-style horror, our favorite "holy sh*t" scenes, how Obsession stacks up against Twilight Zone's "The Chaser" and Tales from the Crypt, and why original horror is quietly beating the box office right now. Plus: our Letterboxd reviews segment — including a trivia-night warning you need to hear. No spoiler-free zone here — full spoilers ahead once we get past the setup, so watch or listen to the movie first if you're avoiding them. Obsession (2026) | Director: Curry Barker | Starring: Inde Navarrette, Michael Johnston, Cooper Tomlinson | Genre: Horror | Runtime: 110 min | Rating: R Chapters: 0:00 - Cold Open: "Bear Has a Punchable Face" 0:15 - Welcome + Obsession Hits Digital 2:46 - Why Indie Horror Is Beating Studio Blockbusters 5:20 - Episode Setup 5:54 - Obsession Synopsis (Spoiler-Free) 7:22 - Behind the Scenes: The Art Director Pay Controversy 13:17 - The Real Villain: Bear's Nice-Guy Entitlement 25:42 - The Wish Stick: MacGuffin Logic and Rules 28:17 - What Would You Wish For? 32:53 - Holy Sh*t Moments: Our Favorite Scenes 47:19 - The Ending Explained 51:26 - Obsession vs. Tales from the Crypt and Twilight Zone 55:35 - Nikki vs. Pearl: Comparing Horror's Best Unhinged Performances 1:00:24 - Letterboxd Reviews (Do NOT Do Trivia) 1:07:32 - What's New With the Hosts 1:09:48 - Where to Find Everyone 1:10:57 - Sign Off 🚨 Subscribe to our newsletter!- https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76 FAQ Is Obsession based on a true story? No — it's an original story inspired by "be careful what you wish for" horror like The Monkey's Paw. Who plays Nikki in Obsession? Inde Navarrette. Who plays Bear in Obsession? Michael Johnston. Is Obsession scary? Yes — we break down why in this episode, including Navarrette's performance and the film's most unsettling scenes. What does the ending of Obsession mean? We explain it in detail starting at 47:19. Guest: Jordan the Grey Witch — find her on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @JordanTheGreyWitch https://www.tiktok.com/@jordanthegreywitch  https://bsky.app/profile/jordanthegreywitch.bsky.social  https://www.instagram.com/jordandwayne/ Inde Navarrette's performance in this movie is unreal. And can we talk about Bear having the most punchable face in horror? Let us know what you thought of Curry Barker's Obsession. Enjoyed this episode? The best way to support the show is by leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it genuinely helps other horror fans find us.

Happy 4th of July — we're doing it differently this year! Brian and John are joined by returning guest Henry O'Brien (Film Obsessive / Stuff I Watched Substack) to review Oliver Stone's BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY (1989) — and make the case that this is not just Tom Cruise's best performance, but one of the most underseen masterworks of American cinema. In this episode: • Why Stone's 5-act structure is a deliberate rejection of war film conventions • Tom Cruise vs. Eyes Wide Shut — where does Ron Kovic rank? • Willem Dafoe in Mexico: Robert Eggers crazy vs. balls-to-the-wall crazy • Stone & Sorkin as two sides of the same American myth coin 📬 Follow Henry O'Brien: • Film Obsessive: filmobsessive.com • Substack: Stuff I Watched • Twitter/X: @realHenryOBrien • Letterboxd: @HenryOBrien23   ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open — is this Cruise's best? 01:54 Celebrating the 4th of July with Controversy 03:06 1. BBQ on the 4th of July 05:21 2. War Movies on the 4th of July 05:44 Discussing Born on the Fourth of July 18:39 Synopsis of Born on the Fourth of July 20:01 The Film's Portrayal of Propaganda and PTSD 25:21 The Use of Music in the Film 28:28 Comparing Born on the Fourth of July to Apocalypse Now 51:05 Audience's Favorite July 4th Movies 51:23 1. Jaws 53:34 2. Independence Day 2 55:48 3. Yankee Doodle Dandy and Hamilton 58:53 Hosts' Social Media and Upcoming Content 🚨 Subscribe to our newsletter!- https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76   Find The Cinema Psychos Show on Youtube - 🔴 * SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE and SMASH THAT BELL TO OBLIVION!  — https://www.youtube.com/@cinemapsychospod?Sub_Confirmation=1 * Watch more episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmrw92zmCK5VBHWrF0807eeUEypGRd9bW * J Dub's Video Nasties (John's awesome movie channel)  - https://www.youtube.com/@JDUBSVIDEONASTIES/   Follow The Cinema Psychos Show on Socials ❤️‍🔥: * Discord: https://discord.gg/mXBaS5bTKg * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinemapsychosshow * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemapsychospod * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemapsychospod * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cinemapsychospod   Listen to The Cinema Psychos Show on: * Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/0v6eeno * Apple: https://rebrand.ly/j5nrkp7 * Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/5x5hzng * Goodpods: https://rebrand.ly/picstv6 OR LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP! https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow   MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert" AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI) WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887 musicbakery.com

Masters of The Universe (1987) is the ultimate 80s movie debate. Is it a sci-fi epic, or is it a glorious, awesomely bad disaster? Let's find out. When Mattel teamed up with Cannon Films—a studio legendary for running on sheer sweat, blood, and wild choices—to bring He-Man to the big screen, the results were unforgettable. In this episode, the Cinema Psychos are joined by Justin from Epic Film Guys to dissect a film that completely chose its own path We break down how a $22 million budget led the filmmakers to abandon Eternia for Earth, why Dolph Lundgren's live-action debut remains iconic, and how Frank Langella's legendary, scene-stealing performance as Skeletor single-handedly carried the movie. From Star Wars influences to Gwildor's strange obsession with Earthly fried chicken, we leave no stone unturned in this retro movie deep dive.   🕒 CHAPTERS: 0:00 The Glorious Chaos of Cannon Films & Mattel 3:15 Falling in Love with Skeletor 6:20 80s Kids Debate: He-Man vs. TMNT 12:14 Behind the Scenes: The $22 Million Budget 21:08 Leaving Eternia: Why He-Man Landed on Earth 28:16 Is it Star Wars? Lasers, Swords, and Light Whips 42:46 Gwildor's Obsession with Fried Chicken & Ribs 52:00 Reading the Wildest Fan Reviews 1:02:40 The Final Verdict: Epic or Awesomely Bad?   🎙️ Find Justin and Epic Film Guys!: https://epicfilmguys.com 🚨 Subscribe to our newsletter!- https://the-cinema-psychos-show.kit.com/9e9a267e76   Find The Cinema Psychos Show on Youtube - 🔴 * SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE and SMASH THAT BELL TO OBLIVION!  — https://www.youtube.com/@cinemapsychospod?Sub_Confirmation=1 * Watch more episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmrw92zmCK5VBHWrF0807eeUEypGRd9bW * J Dub's Video Nasties (John's awesome movie channel)  - https://www.youtube.com/@JDUBSVIDEONASTIES/   Follow The Cinema Psychos Show on Socials ❤️‍🔥: * Discord: https://discord.gg/mXBaS5bTKg * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinemapsychosshow * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemapsychospod * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemapsychospod * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cinemapsychospod   Listen to The Cinema Psychos Show on: * Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/0v6eeno * Apple: https://rebrand.ly/j5nrkp7 * Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/5x5hzng * Goodpods: https://rebrand.ly/picstv6 OR LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP! https://cinemapsychosshow.com/follow   MAIN TITLE: "Red Alert" AUTHOR: Jack Waldenmaier PUBLISHER: Music Bakery Publishing (BMI) WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE MUSIC CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. All copyrights, licensing, duplication and distribution rights are held exclusively by Music Bakery Publishing (BMI). 214-636-5887 musicbakery.com