DePalma December: Sisters (1972)

 

Today is the last episode in our series of films directed by Brian DePalma and it has been a really fun journey. I urge everyone (if you haven't already) to go back and listen to the past episodes because there were lots of great guests and tons of fun too.

On this episode The Vern was joined by Matt and Ashley of the podcast Mashley at the Movies to discuss the thriller Sisters starring Jennifer Salt and Margot Kidder. This was a really hard flick to explain but they do a great job at deciphering it for you.

DePalma December: The Untouchables (1987)

 

We are getting towards the end of DePalma December with one more episode left to go after this one. Today the Vern's guest is Justin Ballard of Parents' Night In and he chose the blockbuster feature, The Untouchables. Starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert DeNiro and more. With a script by David Mamet and directed by Brian DePalma. This crime story about Elliot Ness and his team's search for Al Capone was a huge hit but how does it hold up today. Listen now to find out.

DePalma December: Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

 

There is no easy way to describe the plot to the fantasy musical  comedy, Phantom of The Paradise but The Vern and guests  from Shocked and Applaud podcast do their best to describe it.  This is a rock musical that came before The Rocky Horror Picture Show but for some reason did not get the cult status that one achieved.    Listen now to see if it deserves any love or if the disfigured face the lead character gets is good enough.

The Vern's Top 5 Favorite Christmas Songs of All Time

 

Merry Merry Christmas Everyone. OK I know it isn't just yet, But I don't care. Merry Christmas everyone. 2020 was a shit year and I'm so glad it's over.

This whole month of December have been focused solely on one director and today I wanted to change things up a bit. So for the next twenty minutes, I'm going to give you my top five favorite Christmas jams of all time. These are songs I will never get sick of.

DePalma December: Carrie (1976)

 

If you thought your High School was hell.  Wait til you see it through the eyes of Carrie White.   Based on the very 1st novel by Stephen King.  Brian DePalma's adaptation of Carrie set a high standard of horror movies  and while there have been other versions.  Nothing will best the original.  Listen to The Vern and guest Melissa of The Good Evening Kiddies Podcast discuss the movie and some of the wonderful cast members including Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Nancy Allen, Amy Irving and John Travolta.

Giant From The Unknown 1958 (Written Review)

 

Giant From The Unknown

Cast:  Ed Kemmer, Sally Frasser, Morris Ankrum

Writers: Frank Hart Taussig, Ralph Brook

Director:  Richard E Cunha

Giant from the Unknown is a very schlocky B horror movie made with love and devotion that I can’t really get mad about the outcome of it, despite its flaws.  The premise of a Spanish warrior whose body gets revived and now seeks revenge thanks to an Indian tribal curse is something we have seen before.  It was used as plot points in the horror classics Poltergeist, The Shining and many more.  What I appreciate most about this movie is that at the time of release.  Westerns were still a big thing and a lot of those shows had the Native Americans focused as the bad guys.  So to have this movie say to American audiences at that time that these are consequences for stealing the land of people who were here first is a kind of a bold move.

DePalma December: Dressed to Kill (1980)

 

Joining The Vern to discuss this thriller is Jeanette Miller Mickenham and they hold nothing back when talking about this movie. Have you seen Dressed to Kill and what rating would you give this movie ?    

DePalma December: Body Double (1984)

 

We begin the month of December by covering the films of director Brian DePalma.  He has been compared to Alfred Hitchcock  but many of his films are a lot more mature in content.  Not only does he direct thrillers, but he has worked in horror, action, dramas, and musicals too.

On this episode, Ryan of Coolness Chronicles and Reels of Justice returns to discuss  DePalma's homage to Hitchcock's Rear Window and Vertigo with Body Double.  Listen to him and The Vern go over moments of this intricate thriller.

Yes there will be spoilers.

Bonus Episode: Thank You and Shout outs

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. 

On this very short episode,  I The Vern give thanks to  all the wonderful people who have helped support the show.  I cannot thank you enough for listening and sharing episodes.  It is truly a wonderful thing and I am very grateful.  2021 is going to be amazing because we are at the start of a brand new era and I can not wait for you to experience it with me .   Listen to the episode below for all of the shout outs to some of the most amazing people I know.  Thank you Thank You

Cult Cinema Classics: Grease 2(1982)

 

On this fun packed episode, Marc Armstead of French Toast Sunday podcast joins The Vern to discuss the 1982 musical comedy Grease 2 .  Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Maxwell Caulfield, Adrien Zmed, Christopher McDonald, Pamela Adion, Lorna Luft and more.  This sequel to the 1978 original was met with backlash when it was 1st released but after some time has passed it has now been met with some praise.    Listen now to find out why Marc and Vern think Grease 2 is superior to the original in many ways.

Cult Cinema Classics: Xanadu(1980)

 

Grab your roller-skates  because we  are talking about the musical fantasy, Xanadu.  This critical and box office bomb has become a major cult classic and The Vern is joined by Ryan Rodriguez of Coolness Chronicles and Reels of Justice to discuss why this movie deserves, no demands to be more appreciated and loved than before.

Four's A Crowd: An All New Audio Sitcom Series

 

Hello gang.

I The Vern am very happy and proud to announce that I am the editor of an all new audio sitcom series called Four's a Crowd.  This situational comedy was created by Ryan L Terry who has been a multiple guest on this podcast ( Silence of the Lambs, Valley of the Dolls/ Beyond The Valley of the Dolls and Showgirls). 

Coming Soon: DePalma December.

 

The Films of Brian DePalma will be our main focus in December.

Five Feel Good Films. Vol 1

 

***   Note This episode was officially posted yesterday Nov 3rd but I didn't post it on the webpage til today Nov 4th******

Bonus episode where The Vern briefly discusses five comedies that he never gets sick of.

Listen Now

A Clockwork Orange(1971) via ScreenTrax podcast

 

Viddy well, my little droogies.  On this episode I am releasing an older episode of ScreenTrax with my friend Jordan aka Vivian The Kid to talk about the 1971 Oscar nominated feature, A Clockwork Orange.  Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Malcolm McDowell.  This movie was met with both praise and disdain when it was first released and still does to this day.  Listen and be sure to stay to the end for shoutouts and news about upcoming episodes.

Possessor(2020)

 

On today's show, The Vern is joined once again by film critic and composer, David Rosen of Piecing It Together to talk about Brandon Cronenberg's sophomore effort, Possessor.  They each review this mind bending Sci Fi feature and than discuss some of the most iconic moments in it.

Cinema Recall has just joined the Let's Chat Affiliates program

 

Hello Everyone

 I , The Vern and Cinema Recall have just joined the Let's Chat Affiliates program of Let's Chat with Chris Revill and I am very happy and excited to be featured on this amazing and wonderful site.  Big thanks to Bri Benjamin for all her hard work in designing this page and I love that it has all the ways you can listen to the show and contact me.  I also love that it does highlight some of our most popular episodes as well as some of the audio dramas I put out.  She also helped design the cool new logo for our Facebook and Twitter page, so big props to her on that. For less than $5 a month, I'm getting tons of great advertising and support that would have cost me way more if I did this myself, so thais was a great deal.   Huge thanks goes out to Mr. Revill for getting me in contact with Bri and for all his support with my podcasting career throughout the years.  

Go check out my page and let me know what you think.  Right now Let's Chat have some really good rates if you would like to become an affiliate with them

https://letschatpodcast.net/lets-chat-affiliates/cinema-recall/

Review of Slashening: The Final Beginning.

 

Slashening: The Final Beginning.

Cast: Addie Weyrich, Patrick Foy, Rasheda Crockett

Writer and Director: Brandon Brassham.

*** out of Five

In 2015, Well maybe not that late because I'm pretty sure I saw this film  later than that.  Wait. Let me take a look.  Holy shit balls, it was 2015.  That doesn't feel that long ago, damn.  Anyways as I was saying.

In 2015, I got sent a link for a new horror comedy called The Slashening and it was a very fun movie that explored a lot of the usual tropes found in slasher classics.  It was about a group of girls having a party, that gets interrupted by a psycho wearing a mask.   Yes, I know that it sounds like every other movie and I agree with that.  However, It belongs on the same list for other great meta horror movies like Cabin in The Woods, Scream and Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.  You can read my thoughts on that flick by visiting my old site below.

The Vern goes to a party and reviews The Slashening

Cult Cinema Classics: Hocus Pocus(1993)

 

On today's episode The Vern is joined by guests Nessa and Bri of the Shooting the Shit Podcast to talk about their favorite moments of Disney's Hocus Pocus and some fun trivia too.  Find out who was originally cast for certain roles and the connection between this movie and Halloween III.  It's all right here so grab your vacuum cleaner and join us

Movies That Changed My Life: Black Swan (2010)

 

It's October so that means it's a good time to look at some horror movies.  Now right away I can hear you screaming that this is a drama and in no way a horror flick.  I assure you it has all the tropes associated with the genre and belongs with all the classics.   Starring Natalie Portman as a ballerina who looses her mind in her obsession to be perfect. Black Swan had a lot of critical praise including Portman who took home the Oscar for best actress in 2010.   Yet there is so much to love about this movie and in my opinion it's one of director Darren Aaronofsky's best films he has ever made.  Listen to Vern explain that even after 10 years, the movie still holds up

Sidaris September: Picasso Trigger(1988)

 

Well it has finally happened, my friends..  We reached the end of our Sidaris September retrospect on the films of Andy Sidaris  and his L.E.T.H.A.L. ladies of action and sex appeal.     

Joining me for the last feature is Jeanette Miller Mickenham formerly of Squeaky Speaks Her Mind.  We talk in great detail about the plot of Picasso Trigger and it is one you don't want to miss.

The Vern's review of I'll Be Around.

 

I’ll  Be Around.

 Director, Editor, Producer, Composer: Mike Cuenca

Writers: Dan Rojan, Mike Cuenca

Cinematographer: Jessica Gallant

 

 

If there ever was a movie that shows what my social life with friends was like, It’s this one.  Watching the characters in this feature reminds me of friends I have, stories from people I know and even myself at times.  I have played in bands before and there were a few similarities in this that were quite funny and bitter sweet when looking back. Although I am reminded highly of Richard Linklater’s debut Slacker as I watched it.  Mike Cuenca’s I’ll  Be Around doesn’t have quite the same structure.  Instead of going from one character’s interactions with another to a totally new situation with all new people.  Mike Cuenca gives you multiple stories and character archs in this epic that sort of plays like a punk rock version of Magnolia by Paul Thomas Anderson.

Sidaris September: Hard Hunted & Fit to Kill (1993)

 

It's a double dosage of babes bullets, and exotic locations on this episode.  The Vern is joined by returning guest Damien Riley of Riley on Film ( https://www.rileyonfilm.com/) to talk about Hard Hunted and Fit to Kill for our Sidaris September.

Live Music at Vern's Garage. The Mountweazles, ED, and Scale of None(Remastered Edition)

On Sept 19th 2020, the unthinkable happened.  In the middle of a global virus that have forced many venues that had live music to close their doors to local bands and musicians.  A bunch of artists and myself decided to put together a little event in my garage and have bands perform.   On stage performing is The Mountweasles, ED, and Scale of None.  I, The Vern play drums  and sing vocals for the first and last bands. Huge thanks to Eric Mitchell of ED(2nd band) who helped out so much with the sound and lights for the show.  Shoutouts go to Matt Sudduth who helped out big time with mixing the audio for this  video as well.  Amazing work by both 

0:00 to 22:07 The Mountweasles

22:19 to 1:08:12  ED

1:08:21 to End  Scale of None  (click link to visit our YouTube page)

Stay to the end because there are bonus tracks by The Mountweasels not in the original live video

http://Trygrasshopper.com/cinemarecal

l

Sidaris September: Savage Beach(1989)

 

It's time for yet another installment of Sidaris September.  Those wonderful action movies from the late 80's through the 90's that had beautiful women in great locations shooting large guns.  On today's show, Rob from Fat Drunk and Stupid Podcast(https://linktr.ee/fdspodcast7) joins me to discuss his thoughts on Savage Beach which continues the somewhat cinematic universe of  the L.E.T.H.A.L. Ladies

The Vern's Quick Reviews of Bill and Ted Face The Music & I'm Thinking of Ending Things.

 

Hello Everyone

You may not know this, but Cinema Recall does have a YouTube Channel where I do post videos occasionally on there.  I'm not in any way a professional at this, and most of  the ones posted were edited by my roommate and friend.  I'm going to start publishing 1 to 2 minute reviews of newer movies because unless you are doing a deep dive analysis.  Reviews don't need to be really long and with that in mind.  Here are my short thoughts of Bill and Ted Face The Music & I'm Thinking of Ending Things .

Help us reach 50 members on our Patreon page and get an all new audio drama of Clue.

 

Hello Everyone.

I got something big I want to announce to our fans.  

 I had such a good time with our Night of the Living Dead and Plan 9 from Outer Space audio dramas that I would like to do another one asap.    If we reach 50 members or more on our Patreon page by November 9th 2020. I will give you an exclusive all new audio drama of the classic comedy Clue in time for Christmas. The full show wont post to the public until March of 2021.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to our Patreon page and take advantage of our great rewards so far.

Sidaris September: Hard Ticket to Hawaii(1987)

 

Jean Luc Goddard once wrote that all you need to make a movie is a girl and a gun.  Director Andy Sidaris has several women with many guns in his features and this month we want to honor some of them.

Joining The Vern for the very 1st movie in our Sidaris September series is podcaster and voice actor Jason Soto from Whatever With Jason Soto(https://www.patreon.com/whateverwithjasonsoto) .  They talk about what is considered the best in his filmography, Hard Ticket to Hawaii.

The Vern guests on Riley on Film podcast to review Mermaid Down and The Lure

 

Host Damien Riley is a film critic, podcaster, and musician.  He loves all kinds of movies but he specializes in the horror genre.  I was lucky enough to be a guest a few times on the show and my latest  guest spot was a lot of fun .  On this episode, Damien and I talk about two mermaid horror movies.  The Lure and Mermaid Down.   Check it out  below and be sure to visit his website to check out more content.

The Vern makes an appearance on Cage's Kiss Podcast to talk about Mom and Dad(2017)

 

Did you know that there is a podcast dedicated to covering all the movies by one actor, Nicholas Cage.  Did you want to know?  Well damn it you should because Cage's Kiss is a good show.  Hosts, Linda, Donnie, and Adrian have really great chemistry with each other and I was lucky to be a guest on their latest episode talking about the dark comedy Mom and Dad.  Starring Nicholas Cage  and Selma Blair as parents infected by a disease that makes them want to kill their kids 

Listen Now below and check out more great content on their website.

Random Thoughts of a Movie Insomniac: Mixed Bag

 

We have a brand new bonus episode for you

 The Vern talks about the passing of Chadwick Boseman, a cool new trivia game show he was on, watching movies in theaters again , and some cool new watch parties to check out.

We have a new updated Patreon page.

 

Hello everybody

The Vern here with some news for you.   I have finally created a patreon page and I hope very much you will help support the show in anyway you can.  We got some great rewards in store for you including early access to episodes, bonus shows not available anywhere else and special shout outs to subscribers as well.  So check out our page and thanks for your support

Become a Patron!

Random Thoughts of a Movie Insomniac Spider-Man

 

Hello fellow web shooters.

On today's episode.  The Vern is joined once again by guest and podcaster Chris Revill of Let's Chat with Chris Revill(https://letschatpodcast.net/) to discuss everyone's favorite neighborhood Spider-Man.  They will discuss the history of the character from Peter Parker to Miles Morales and talk about all the theatrical movies from Sam Rami's fun introduction to the character as well as the grounbreaking animated feature, Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse.

Cult Cinema Classics: Scott Pilgrim Vs The World(2010)

 

The Vern is joined by actress and comedian Rebecca Kaplan (https://www.youtube.com/rebeccakaplancomedy) to discuss the cult comedy Scott Pilgrim Vs The World which celebrates it's 10 year anniversary.  They each talk about their favorite moments, some differences between the graphic novel and film and other uses of the L word for this movie.  Also stay tuned to the very end of the episode to hear some special shout outs by The Vern.

Cult Cinema Classics: Weird Science(1985)

 

The Vern is joined by guests Kevin and Kevin of Gutting the Sacred Cow(https://guttingthesacredcow.com/) for today's episode.  They are going back to the year 1985 to see how well the sci- fi comedy Weird Science has held up.  Is it a comedy classic or just a relic of  the time.

Macabre Medicine: Movie Review

 

Macabre Medicine

Cast

Ben Bostraph

Josh Lynch

Adam Clifton

Writer and Director

Will Devokees

*** out of Five

One thing was very clear while watching Macabre Medicine, the feature from director Will Devokees.   From the first frame to the last, you could see that this guy and all those involved are lovers of horror and grind house cinema.  The movie begins with a series of fake trailers including a reboot to Friday the 13^th that looked better than the 2009 remake  These sections at the start really made me feel like I was in a rundown theater in the early 80’s while I was watching it and I enjoyed my time  very much.

Cult Cinema Classics: Frankenhooker(1990)

 

The Vern and guest Curtis of  2 Guys & Some Horror (https://anchor.fm/two-guys-and-some-horror) talk about their favorite moments from Frankenhooker.  A romantic story of a guy who will do anything to win back the love of his life.  Listen now and feel free to give us a rating and a review as well too.

Night of the Living Dead:Audio Drama: Part Two

Hello fellow deadites.

It is here, the thrilling conclusion to our all new audio presentation of George A Romero's Night of the Living Dead.   Ben and Barbara find other survivors as the dead continue to gain in numbers and surround the house. Grab a good pair of headphones so you wont miss all the thrilling suspense.

Ghost: Ex Con Redemption. Movie Review

Ghost: Ex Con Redemption

Cast: Anthony Mark Streeter, Nathan Hamilton, Russell Barnett

Writer and Director:  Anthony Z James

 

**NOTE** 

This review does contain some small spoilers.

Some of us have done things in our past that we are not proud of.  Everyone is bound to make mistakes at some point in our lives.  It’s how we learn from those experiences that help as grow as human beings.  I believe that a lot of people can be forgiving for the things they’ve done.   For ex con Tony(Anthony Mark Streeter) his 2^nd chance at a new life comes when he is released from prison. 

Homewrecker(2020) Review

Homewrecker

Cast: Alex Essoe, Precious Chong

Writers: Alex Essoe, Precious Chong, Zach Gayne

Director: Zach Gayne

 

 

There have been many movies that have dealt with obsession involving women.  Titles like Single White Female, Inside, and  Ingrid Goes West are ones that come to mind.   Homewrecker wants to be a darkly comic tale with elements of horror among those same films.  While it has a good cast and the story has merits  It ends up just being OK.

Night of The Living Dead Audio Drama: Part One

Today's episode is a very special one because it is the premiere of an all new audio drama of the horror classic, Night of The Living Dead(written by George A Romero and John Russo). Be sure to have a good pair of headphones so that you can hear all the great spooky fun.

Part one involves Barbara and her brother Johnny as they come across the horrific discovery that the dead have come to life and are eating the living. With the help of a truck driver named Ben. Will anyone escape the sheer terror of the night?
You can listen to the show by clicking link below or you can find us on your favorite podcast app too.

All Time Classics: Clue(1985)

Today's episode might be a repeat for others and a brand new one for the rest of you.  The Vern was joined by Sean Homrig of 1001 Movies Podcast(https://1001moviespodcast.libsyn.com/) to talk about the 80's murder mystery comedy, Clue.  We had a lot of fun talking about our favorite moments from this movie and The Vern learned a lot about the many different versions of the board game from guest Sean as well.

Film Criticism and the problems associated with it .

I should start off this by saying that this article was fueled by at least 2 bloody Mary's,  a strong mixture of cheap whiskey and Root Beer, and maybe one joint.  There most likely will be some typos and a few grammar issues as well.  Hell even if I wasn’t consuming the things I mentioned.  There will still be problems with this article.  These are just more random thoughts of a movie insomniac. 

I got this idea for this article as I was watching Ghostbusters.  Not the 1984 original, on which is a classic and I don’t need to explain why it is so loved by many people.  I’m referring to the 2016 reboot with an all female cast.  Many people and critics trashed on this movie before even seeing it.  When they did watch it, the one from 84 was so in graved in their minds that they couldn’t get past that the only connection between both movies Is that both sets of characters catch ghosts.  I don’t think the 2016 version is perfect but I did enjoy very much the story it told.  I found it kind of odd that in the original one, when The Ghostbusters started their business; everyone believed that ghosts were real.  There was only one skeptic in Walter Peck(the guy who wanted to shut down the storage containment center) and he was painted as the villain.  In the reboot, only the four women believe they saw a ghost and it’s everyone else that does not.  I found this to be a much more plausible plot and I loved that the gadgets they used were flawed and not perfect. 

Movies That Changed My Life: Do The Right Thing (1989)

Today's pick is a movie that was so ahead of it's time. It was robbed of any Oscar love in 1989 when it was released. It predicted not one but two racial motivated riots, and yet many people don't understand the message it's trying to say. Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing is both a warning, and a message of love and understanding. It is a really good and probably the best representation of different cultures and races ever put on film today. 

So much of what is happening today can be seen in this picture, and I think that it is still one of the most important movies ever made.

Listen as The Vern talks about this movie and why it's important on link below

Random Thoughts of a Movie Insomniac : May 2020 Edition

Hello Everyone.    Back on my old site (The Vern's Video Vortex).  I used to write up these short reviews of movies I have seen called, Random Thoughts of a Movie Insomniac.  There are even some episodes on the podcast page too. 

Well now here is one for our YouTube site.  I, The Vern give short movie reviews to these four flicks. 
Terminator Genisys
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Salo or 120 Days of Sodom
John Carpenter's Village of the Damned