Ep. 116: The ‘Burbs

For our Gap Year T. Hanksgiving, Nate and Ryan watch The ‘Burbs, the 1989 Tom Hanks cult classic directed by Joe Dante. Featuring a stacked cast, including Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, and Corey Feldman, in addition to the man himself, The ‘Burbs is a horror/comedy that kind of befuddled audiences and critics in the late ’80s, but has developed a growing reputation as a prescient criticism of the corrosive power of a humdrum suburban existence. The ‘Burbs showcases the burgeoning realist side of Hanks, but gives plenty of opportunity for over-the-top crazy Hanks to shine through.

Let us know your thoughts on The ‘Burbs!

Links

Roger Ebert’s review of The ‘Burbs

The ‘Burbs at 30: how the cult comedy horror skewered suburbia by Charles Bramesco

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Ep. 115: Hereditary

‘Tis the season for our 10th annual Holiday Spooktacular, and as part of our Gap Year, we’re watching Hereditary, Ari Aster’s 2018 hit horror film starring Toni Collette. Hereditary took audiences by storm and continued studio A24’s rise to prominence in the current film conversation. It’s a career-making first feature for Ari Aster, and an electric performance by Toni Collette that seemed to impress everyone. As per Holiday Spooktacular tradition, Nate and Ryan had scared themselves out of watching it until now, seeing as Hereditary’s place as a must-see horror movie seems more or less cemented.

What did you think of Hereditary? Let us know!

Read Hereditary’s Ari Aster Answers Our Burning Questions About His “Upsetting” Horror Film by Jordan Crucchiola (Vulture).

Ep. 107: Get Out

Nate and Ryan celebrate their 9th Holiday Spooktacular by watching Get Out, Jordan Peele’s 2017 Oscar-winning horror contemporary classic. We’re continuing our Back to School series with another movie that Ryan teaches in his high school class. Listen in as we discuss the philosophical and social implications in Peele’s razor-sharp writing in his directorial debut.

Where does Get Out rank in the pantheon of horror movies? Let us know!

 

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Ep. 97: The Silence of the Lambs

It’s our 8th annual Holiday Spooktacular and this year, Nate and Ryan are talking about a true horror classic: The Silence of the Lambs, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. One of the rare horror movies to be nominated for Best Picture, The Silence of the Lambs is in even rarer company as one of only three movies to win “the big 5” of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay (adapted).

Listen in as Nate and Ryan talk about Anthony Hopkins’ and Jodie Foster’s iconic performances and Jonathan Demme’s often underappreciated direction. Not to mention the fact that it’s a genuinely scary movie.

Where does The Silence of the Lambs rank for you among scary movies? How are you and yours celebrating the Holiday Spooktacular?

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Ep 86: The Babadook

Nate and Ryan celebrate the most wonderful fright of the year by re-watching The Babadook, written and directed by Jennifer Kent. We wish you and yours a very merry (and scary) 7th annual Holiday Spooktacular! As usual, we’re celebrating by watching a horror movie, and this year’s choice might be a little bit too on-the-nose for 2020 and the time of quarantine. The fear is in full effect this year, though the fears might be more familial than top-hatted-monster based.

So don you now your spookiest Holiday cheer, join in the fun of another Holiday Spooktacular, and make sure you don’t let him in!

 

The Babadook Is a Frightening, Fabulous New Gay Icon by Eren Orbey – The New Yorker (2017)