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Today Matt & Todd saddle up with (not Wolverine) Logan for a retrospective on one of cinema’s most iconic, sharp‑eyed but little-discussed legends: Lee Van Cleef. Few actors have ever done more with a squint, a silhouette, or the simple act of entering a room. Lee Van Cleef embodied a whole cinematic archetype. From Westerns to war films to Italian genre oddities to 80s action pulp, his career is a treasure full of gems any actor would be proud of. This episode explores the major stops along that trail, to name a few that we mention: High Noon (1952) Van Cleef’s film debut, silent but unforgettable. Even without dialogue, he stands out—those cheekbones and that stare do half the acting for him. A small role, but the beginning of legend. For a Few Dollars More (1965) The real turning point. As Colonel Douglas Mortimer, Van Cleef becomes a full‑fledged Leone gunslinger. He was cool, lethal, and unexpectedly soulful. He matches Eastwood beat for beat, proving he wasn’t just a villain, but a presence. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966) Angel Eyes. One of the greatest villains in film history. Van Cleef’s performance is all precision: calm, polite, and terrifying. The Big Gundown (1966) A masterpiece of the Spaghetti Western era. Van Cleef’s Jonathan Corbett is a bounty hunter with a conscience, and the film gives him room to be complex, conflicted, and commanding. This is peak Van Cleef—charismatic, dangerous, and magnetic. The Big Showdown (1967) A looser, more playful follow‑up to Gundown, showing Van Cleef’s ability to shift gears without losing his edge. He’s still the coolest man in the room, but now with a wink. Barquero (1970) A criminally underrated American Western and one of Van Cleef’s best roles. As Travis, the ferry‑man who becomes the last line of defense against a gang of killers, Van Cleef is gruff, stubborn, and absolutely riveting. This is the movie that proves he wasn’t just a European Western icon—he could carry a gritty American frontier story with equal force. If you watch only one deep‑cut Van Cleef film, make it Barquero which features a tremendous cast with stellar performances including the always great Warren Oates and Forrest Tucker. Escape from New York (1981) Snake Plissken may be the star, but Van Cleef’s Hauk is the heavy with a steel core. Older, grayer, but still radiating authority. Code Name: Wild Geese (1984) Pure 80s Euro‑action pulp. Van Cleef brings gravitas to a movie that desperately needs it, elevating the mercenary‑mayhem with that trademark “I’ve seen everything and survived it” energy. One of the most action-packed endings you'll see with a lifetime of pyrotechnics in one scene. The Master (1984, TV Series) Van Cleef as a ninja master. On television. In the 80s. Is it absurd? Yes. Is it terrible? Actually, no. Its really just fine 80s cheese. He brings sincerity to a role that could’ve been pure camp, and the result is a cult oddity that’s impossible not to enjoy. Plus: Ride Lonesome, Sabata, The Magnificent Seven Ride, The Octagon Lee Van Cleef never phoned it in, even in the wildest genre films. He could be heroic, villainous, or something intriguingly in‑between. He had a face that told stories before he spoke a word. He elevated everything he touched—from masterpieces to B‑movies to TV curiosities. If you know, you know. If you don't, find out via some of the best western and action films you missed Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠

Apologies for the strange 'chop' underlying the audio in parts... Today Matt & Todd dive into the 1996 African‑adventure / animal‑horror thriller The Ghost and the Darkness. Arriving in theaters with a fair amount of mid‑90s buzz, the film has since become a bit forgotten—despite starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas, boasting a tight script by William Goldman, striking visuals, and Oscar‑winning sound design. Reviews at the time were mixed‑to‑positive, and the movie turned a modest profit, but it never quite broke through the way its pedigree suggested it might. We enjoyed the film’s supernatural-ish tone even if it was an element that landed badly to insufferably for some viewers. It can be hard to root for the “heroes,” even the movie versions as dynamic as Douglas is, or as charming as Kilmer, once you understand the historical context. But taken as a cinematic experience, what we think it’s really about is a beautifully shot, atmospheric thriller that embraces its setting, its legend, and the eerie campfire‑story energy at the heart of the tale. It’s a compelling fireside tale brought to life by a strong cast, including: Michael Douglas as Charles RemingtonVal Kilmer as Colonel John Henry PattersonJohn Kani as SamuelBernard Hill as David HawthorneWhit Bissell Award Winner Tom Wilkinson as Sir Robert BeaumontEmily Mortimer as Helena PattersonOm Puri as AbdullahHenry Cele as MahinaBrian McCardie as Angus Starling A little mythical (perhaps), a little messy, but still one of the more unique “man‑eater” films out there, The Ghost and the Darkness remains an entertaining slice of 90s adventure‑horror filmmaking. Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠⁠

Today Matt & Todd discuss the 1934 comedy-mystery movie: The Thin Man. A wildly successful film, spawning several sequels over 92 years ago, it still sparkles with as much charm as it did on release. Based on a Novel by Dashiell Hammett (of Sam Spade fame), the incredible cast is anchored by William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles in a fairly middling mystery that is carried by two of the most engaging characters you might ever see. The mystery itself is not one of the best, but you should expect to see an effortless and timeless performance. An infectious cast, leads a great film, wrapped around an OK mystery in: The Thin Man. Directed by: Woodbridge Strong "W.S." Van Dyke Starring: William Powell as Nick Charles Myrna Loy as Nora Charles Maureeon O'Sullivan as Dorothy Wynant Nat Pendleton as Lt John Guild Minna Gombell as Mimi Wynant-Jorgenson Porter Hall as Herbert MacCaulay Whit Bissell Winner William Henry as Gilver Wynant Cesar Romero as Chris Jorgenson Edward Ellis as Clyde Wynant (the titular "Thin Man") Ethanol and Skippy as Asta the Charles' terrier. Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠

It’s Friday the 13th (or close enough), so Matt and Todd return to horror with a classic franchise. Today we invite you into the unholy terror of: Return of the Blind Dead (or if you prefer) Attack of the Blind Dead (or if you prefer) Attack of the Evil Dead ...or honestly, pick a title and it might be right. Ostensibly the second entry in the Blind Dead series, Return/Attack of the Blind/Evil Dead is better described as a reboot, remake, or re‑imagining. It brings back the iconic death‑knights on horseback, but trades the slow‑burn moodiness of the first film for a more energetic, chaotic, and action‑forward tone. Matt argues that Return of the Blind Dead is to Tombs of the Blind Dead what Dawn of the Dead is to Night of the Living Dead: a bigger, louder, more exciting evolution. It’s cheaper and it shows at times, sure, but it gets to the carnage faster and delivers some genuine chaos and horror that still hits hard 50+ years later. Directed once again by Armando de Ossorio, this Spanish horror sequel is further proof that 1970s Europe was very much alive… with the dead. It stars: Tony Kendall as Jack Marlowe Whit Bissell Award Winner Fernando Sancho as Mayor Duncan Esperanza Roy as Vivian Lone Fleming as Amalia Frank Braña as Howard José Canalejas as Murdo This one is weirder, campier, and more chaotic than the original. If you didn’t like the first one because it was too slow, this might be the Halloween II to your Halloween? Something a bit stranger but faster, bloodier and willing to take a couple new risks. Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠⁠

Today Matt & Todd take on one of Alan Smithee's finest: 1986’s Let’s Get Harry. Starring: Michael Schoeffling Thomas F. Wilson Glenn Frey Rick Rossovich Ben Johnson Mark Harmon Whit Bissell Award Winner Gary Busey and Robert Duvall The premise is simple: Earnest regular guys hire a mercenary (Duvall) to find proof of a friend brother's kidnapping. A foundation of solid action, a great performance by Gary Busey and further elevation by Robert Duvall couldn't help this movie become a hit. There's fun to be had here if you're a fan of 80's action even if it isn't near the top of our list. If you love the era, the vibe, or the “ordinary men on an impossible mission” check it out. Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠

Today Matt & Todd ride into town with the 1981 Western‑adventure The Legend of the Lone Ranger, directed by William A. Fraker. This movie famously flopped at the box office; partly because of its flaws, but just as much because of the deeply questionable studio decisions surrounding its production. Among them: They alienated one of the original Lone Ranger actors. They cast someone who simply “looked good in the mask.” They then dubbed him entirely. They tinkered with the character’s legacy. They gave a such a silly explanation for the Ranger’s iconic silver bullets. Add all that up and you’d expect a disaster……but what you actually get is a pretty fun Western adventure. Not perfect: there’s some cheese, some studio weirdness, and some choices that don't quite work; but what’s on screen is still a rollicking, pulpy good time in the spirit of The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. or The Mummy (1999). There’s some out‑of‑place balladeering, it takes a while for the masked man to actually mask up, and it’s definitely not the definitive telling of the Lone Ranger mythos. But taken on its own terms, it’s a lively, earnest, slightly goofy Western that probably got hit harder by critics than it deserved. Probably fair to say that even in its best life it didn't live up to the hype meant to surround it. It was a bust for sure. Is it “good” though? We think so, but that’s for you to decide. The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) stars: Klinton Spilsbury (James Keach, voice) as John Reid / The Lone Ranger Michael Horse as Tonto Christopher Lloyd as Maj. Bartholomew “Butch” Cavendish Whit Bissell Award Winner: Matt Clark as Sheriff Wiatt Juanin Clay as Amy Striker Whit Bissell Award Winner: Jason Robards as Ulysses S. Grant John Bennett Perry as Ranger Captain Dan Reid Merle Haggard as the Balladeer Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠

Today Matt & Todd are invaded by the 1986 sci‑fi‑horror‑comedy Critters, directed by Stephen Herek. Pint‑sized, ravenous, space-hedgehog critters escape space-prison and head to earth for a feast, crash landing on a quiet Kansas farm. Hot on their trail are two morphing alien bounty hunters who are armed, dangerous, and able to change their faces (with varying success). If you’re expecting something in the vein of Gremlins, be warned: Critters is its own wonderfully weird beast. The tone leans far more into 1950s creature‑feature energy. It is closer to The Blob (1958) than Poltergeist (1982). This one keeps its own “offbeat meets surreal” personality and impressive practical effects. If you’re a fan of retro sci‑fi and drive‑in monster mayhem, this one sits comfortably alongside: Night of the Creeps Return of the Living Dead The Blob (1958) The Fly (1958) Critters features: Dee Wallace StoneTerrence MannM. Emmet WalshBilly Green BushScott GrimesWhit Bissell Award Winner Nadine van der VeldeWhit Bissell Award Winner Don Keith OpperLyn ShayeBilly Zane A cult classic with teeth: Critters is a chaotic, charming slice of ’80s creature cinema that still hits the spot. Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠

Today Matt & Todd dive into one of the great under‑sung gems of 1970s cinema: the 1973 ensemble whodunnit mystery‑thriller The Last of Sheila, directed by Herbert Ross. Featuring a stacked cast of Hollywood heavy hitters: Richard Benjamin Dyan Cannon James Coburn Joan Hackett James Mason Ian McShane Raquel Welch Movie producer Clinton Greene invites a group of industry friends aboard his luxury yacht, the Sheila, for what’s supposed to be a pleasure cruise. When they arrive he reveals that he has also spun up an elaborate parlor game: a mystery scavenger hunt where each guest is assigned a “secret” the others must uncover. As the game unfolds it is clear that there is more to this group that meets the eye. With a screenplay co‑written by Anthony Perkins and Stephen Sondheim, this film is filled with sharp dialogue and Hollywood satire. It is a great twisty murder mystery, a classic of the genre that still feels as clever as the first time we saw it. This episode contains full spoilers, including the ending, so make sure you watch The Last of Sheila before listening. Trust us—you’ll want to experience the reveals for yourself.

Today Matt and Todd venture into Gymkata: “The skill of gymnastics… the KILL of karate!” Starring champion gymnast Kurt Thomas as champion gymnast Jonathan Cabot, the film follows his training to compete in The Game: a cross‑country gauntlet of traps, assassins, and inexplicable pommel horses placed in the wild. The prize for surviving? One wish from the Khan of Parmistan. The U.S. government’s wish? Permission to install a satellite base for Reagan’s “Star Wars” program. The movie flopped on release, but time has been kind to this fever dream. It's unusual blend of Cold War paranoia, martial‑arts enthusiasm, and “why not?” energy makes it a flawed but undeniably entertaining ride. If you’re tolerant of cheesy cinema, or actively seek it out, Gymkata delivers a very fun time. It’s infamous, fairly so, but what else are you watching this weekend anyway? Decide for yourself whether it’s at least “so bad it’s good.” Directed by: Robert Clouse Starring: Kurt Thomas as Jonathan CabotTetchie Agbayani as Princess RubaliRichard Norton as Commander ZamirEdward Bell as PaleyBob Schott as ThorgWhit Bissell Award Winner Buck Kartalian as The KhanWhit Bissell Award Winner for sound by Cutter’s Inc. Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠⁠

Today Matt & Todd are joined by Logan again to step into the arena for a film we love: 1988’s Bloodsport. The words are few, but you came here for the Bloodsport, and you get it. A mix of martial arts styles, excellent fight scenes, and a dash of slapstick make this the cinematic equivalent of your older brother’s Karate Kid. For aspiring combat‑sport athletes, it might even be their Rocky. If you’re not familiar: Bloodsport tells the inspired by true events story of veteran, martial-artist, and pirate-liason Frank Dux’s legendary performance at an underground, full‑contact tournament known as the Kumite. Bloodsport is directed by Newt Arnold and stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme as Frank DuxDonald Gibb as Ray Jackson a fellow western Kumite fighter.Leah Ayres as Janice Kent an investigative journalistNorman Burton and Forest Whitaker as CID Agents tracking the AWOL DuxWhit Bissell award winner Bolo Yeung as Chong Li (Dux's massive opponent)Whit Bissell award winner Ken Siu as Victor Lin (Dux' manager)Impressive fight choreography by Frank Dux himself with David Worth (who would later direct Kickboxer ) as cinematographer Join us as we celebrate the punches, the splits, the slow‑motion faces of agony, and the pure Cannon‑era charm of a movie that knows exactly what it is and absolutely commits to it. Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and copasetic impending yearly calendar renewals. Today Matt & Todd are joined by 00‑fanboy Mike to discuss yet another holiday classic (Hello Lifetime, get on this): 1995’s GoldenEye. Directed by: Martin Campbell (also director of Casino Royale (2006)) Starring: Pierce Brosnan as “Agent 007” Bond, James Bond Whit Bissell Award Winner: Sean Bean as Alec Trevelyan Izabella Scorupco as Natalya Simonova (Retroactive Whit Bissell Winner:) Famke Janssen as Xenia Onatopp Joe Don Baker as Jake Wade Judi Dench as M Whit Bissell Award Winner: Alan Cumming as Boris Grishenko Whit Bissell Award Winner: Robbie Coltrane as Zhukovsky Whit Bissell Award Winner: Minnie Driver as the woman singing "Stand by your Man" in Robbie Coltrane's scene GoldenEye is an explosive spy thriller and widely regarded as one of the strongest Bond films; especially among those not starring Sean Connery or Roger Moore. The action kicks off immediately with a thrilling opening sequence, barrels through an all‑timer tank chase, and ends in a cataclysmic finale that keeps you locked in from start to finish. This Bond is a bit more dialed‑back than the 60s‑era madness you might associate with the Austin Powers parodies, but what it lacks in “traditional Bond‑ness” it makes up for with a sharp, modern spy thriller sensibility that is still sprinkled with just enough Bond‑flavored absurdity. That includes the usual questionable physics and, of course, whatever murder‑sex‑wrestling hybrid defines Xenia Onatopp’s particular combat style. She’d make an interesting kumite participant. (Todd here: In retrospect, I should have given Famke Janssen the Whit Bissell Award for the same reasons Alan Cumming earned his. She’s playing a strange, thankless, borderline cartoon character. Onattop is more caricature than role you can “live in”—but she delivers a perfectly unhinged performance and goes all-in on some objectively strange stuff (even for a Bond film) worth recognition. So, with the power vested in me, I’m giving her co‑credit.) While GoldenEye may not top many lists of “Christmas movies,” we think this is the perfect time of year to revisit it.

Today Matt & Todd bring you a holiday‑spirited review of the 1981 made‑for‑TV horror telefilm Dark Night of the Scarecrow. Directed by Frank De Felitta (also known as a novelist behind Aubrey Rose and The Entity) Teleplay by J.D. Feigelson & Butler Handcock Starring: Charles Durning Robert F. Lyons Lane Smith Tonya Crowe (Whit Bissell Award Winner) Larry Drake Jocelyn Brando Cinematography by Vincent A. Martinelli Originally airing on CBS October 24, 1981, Dark Night of the Scarecrow is a prime example of late ’70s and early ’80s creepy nighttime television. Over the years, it has become a holiday staple, remembered fondly for its atmosphere, moody lighting, and the eerie void of cornfields at night. Charles Durning commands the screen as Otis, the town’s belligerent, but the film’s strength lies in its ensemble cast and the chilling mood that permeates every frame. While not the most gruesome horror you’ll encounter, it remains a standout thriller of its time—one that continues to hold high regard 44 years later released against Dark Night of the Scarecrow is the perfect seasonal watch. If you’re exploring classic thrillers, this one deserves a place on your list.

In 1997, James Cameron released 'Titanic', it broke box office records entertaining and inspiring millions to this day, while breathing new life into exploration of the historic wreck that sank on April 15, 1912. Remember that night, because today Matt and Todd are joined by "CollinsportGirl" Katherine, to discuss the 1958 British Made: A Night to Remember. We're thrilled to be joined again by Katherine who helped us explore a little more of the 'East Wing' at 'The Great House on the Hill' in our 'Return to Collinsport' while we discuss a disaster film now 67 years old and still as impactful as it ever was. Where Cameron's epic is a love story set amongst the backdrop of this world-changing disaster, A Night to Remember attempts to retell it as it was by giving us the closest retelling of the events this side of a modern documentary. What makes this variation of the tale stand out is the 'matter of fact' telling of the events through the eyes of the survivors. This is a well-researched movie, it does make a few errors, but tries to tell what is ultimately a story of mistakes, and most importantly unfathomable courage that leads to survival hundreds. 'A Night To Remember' was produced with an enormous ensemble cast, featuring: Whit Bissell Award Winner' : Tucker McGuire as Mrs Margaret ("The Unsinkable") "Molly" BrownWhit Bissell Award Winner': George Rose as Chief Baker Charles JoughinKenneth More as Second Officer Charles Lightoller]Michael Goodliffe as shipbuilder Thomas AndrewsLaurence Naismith as Captain Edward SmithKenneth Griffith as Wireless Operator Jack PhillipsDavid McCallum as Assistant Wireless Operator Harold BrideFrank Lawton as chairman and managing director of the White Star Line J. Bruce IsmayRichard Leech as First Officer William McMaster MurdochHonor Blackman as Mrs Liz LucasRobert Ayres as Arthur Godfrey Peuchen_____________ Matt has over 100+ lists formovie suggestions on ⁠Letterboxd⁠ You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him,even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠OnceUpon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠TheFade Out Podcast⁠⁠

In 1994, television gave us a criminally short-lived gem: The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.. Created by Carlton Cuse and Jeffrey Boam, the series ran for just one spectacular season—27 episodes of sci-fi‑tinged Western adventure that blended pulp thrills with tongue‑in‑cheek humor. The cast was stacked: Bruce Campbell as Brisco County Jr. Julius Carry as Lord Bowler Christian Clemenson as Socrates Poole Featuring Billy Drago as the sinister John Bly Kelly Rutherford as Dixie Cousins John Astin as Professor Wickwire And John Pyper-Ferguson (a dual Whit Bissell Award winner) as the unforgettable Pete Hutter The story follows Brisco, driven to hunt down the gang who murdered his father (played by R. Lee Ermey), but it’s far more than a revenge tale. With its mix of Western grit, sci-fi weirdness, and comedic charm, the show delivered equal parts fun, strangeness, and thrills. Billy Drago’s chilling turn as Bly remains a highlight—an absolutely sinister performance that elevated the series. Gone too soon, Brisco County Jr. remains one of the most fun, inventive shows of its era. If you missed it the first time around, it’s well worth rediscovering—you won’t be disappointed. ----------Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under the alias arcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠

Born July 5, 1928 in Depoy, Ky. Warren Mercer Oates came to our screens in 1953 and began a career as one of the finest actors you might never have heard of. From his debut through 1982, Oates delivered unforgettable performances in films such as: The Wild Bunch, In the Heat of the Night, Return of the Seven, and Two-Lane Blacktop. He became a frequent collaborator with two of the most influential filmmakers of his era—Sam Peckinpah and Monte Hellman—featuring in some of their most iconic works throughout the 60s and 70s. Oates passed away in 1982 at the age of 53, leaving behind a legacy of gritty, soulful, and often overlooked brilliance.One of the finest actors in front of a camera has an ecclectic list of some fantastic performances that ought to be recognized by film fans at large. This isn’t a comprehensive list, but it’s a passionate one. Listen with Matt, Todd and their guest Logan in as we celebrate the work of an industry legend who remains underseen by far too many audiences. ---------------Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠. Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠