On this episode we talk about the 2017 prison thriller Brawl In Cell Block 99. S. Craig Zahler (Bone Tomahawk, Dragged Across Concrete) directs this brutal movie featuring one of Vince Vaughn’s best role, a man forced into assassinate an inmate located in the depths of a nightmare prison cell. We talk about Zahler’s career as a novelist and filmmaker who does what he wants, and how his films are unlike anything else we get today. Other topics include the rest of Zahler’s influence on film, vi...

On this episode we cover the 2005 horror remake House of Wax. Made in the height of the remake era, this one leans in hard to the tropes of the decade, complete with nu metal, torture porn vibes, and Paris Hilton. We’ll see where this lands in the decade of horror, and also talk the original films that led up to it, including Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) and House of Wax (1953). Light a candle, and prey, slay, display. Other topics include the very 2000s cast and how Elisha Cuthbert was t...

On this episode we talk about the 90s indie film Habit. Directed by indie legend Larry Fessenden, Habit tells the story of Sam, a 30-ish alcoholic living in New York grieving after the loss of his father. Sam falls into a seductive relationship with Anna, a mysterious woman who may be a vampire. As his obsession with Anna continues, and his alcoholism, grief, and loneliness get worse, Sam’s reality blurs as he descends into sickness. A pivotal movie of low-budget, indie 90s filmmaking, Habit ...

On this episode of Remainders we talk about 1987’s Near Dark as part of our Degenerate Vampire double-feature. A blend of horror and western genres, one of Kathryn Bigelow’s first movies has gained appreciation in the years since it’s release. With a haunting score by Tangerine Dream and a collection of James Cameron character actor staples, Near Dark remains one of the dirtiest vampire movies ever to come out of the late 80s boom. Other topics include Cameron connections, the influence of Dr...

On this episode we talk the Travolta and Cage masterpiece Face/Off. A pivotal movie in maximalist and bonkers cinema, John Woo’s crowning achievement still remains getting the two most charismatic actors of a generation to go all out playing each other. A ballet of bullets, an influence on John Wick, and two defining performances from Travolta and Cage all have worked in its favor as an undeniable 90s classic. Other topics include Travolta and Cage’s careers, Robert Duvall, Criterion collecti...

On this episode of Remainders we watch the 1996 film Trees Lounge. Steve Buscemi’s directorial debut, Trees follows Tommy, an alcoholic who spends his days at a mostly empty bar with mostly empty relationships. As he grasps harder to a better life, he just continues to sink lower. Cementing Buscemi as an indie film staple in the 90s, we also discuss the pivotal role this film had influencing The Sopranos. Other topics include Buscemi’s career, the stacked cast including Anthony LaPaglia, Chlo...

On this episode of Remainders we watch the 1993 Brian De Palma film Carlito’s Way. Viewed as a late stage masterpiece by De Palma, it’s a first time watch on the podcast for this crime thriller reuniting Pacino with De Palma 10 years after Scarface. Pacino plays a retired criminal attempting to lead a normal life, but can’t quite shake the demons from his past, which includes an all-time great performance by Sean Penn as his sleazy lawyer. We check out where this lands in De Palma’s filmograp...

On this episode of Remainders we begin our French New Wave double feature with Richard Linklater’s film Nouvelle Vague. A love letter to the new wave movement, Linklater shows us the importance of the film era while also expressing how it influenced his own art and his unique style of realism and hangout vibes. Featuring both an endless supply of cigarettes and quotes on the importance of art in life, Nouvelle lets you live the French New Wave. Other topics include a James Bond Maratho...

On this episode of Remainders we finish our Kong Marathon with Peter Jackson’s 2005 King Kong. Released immediately after the Lord of the Rings trilogy, we check out how much of an influence that trilogy had on Peter Jackson’s love for the original movie. We offer our rankings for the marathon and see where this blockbuster holds up in Hollywood history. Other topics include Peter Jackson’s horror roots, iconic Jack Black roles, Andy Serkis, Lord of the Rings, Christmas time movie watching, t...

On this episode of Remainders we watch the 1976 King Kong. Part 2 of our King Kong marathon, the ’76 Kong is a beautifully oversized slice of disaster film madness, with plenty of spectacle and oily innuendo. With lots of camp and sincerity, we see where this stands in the marathon so far of the Hollywood icon. Other topics include the 70s film movement, Tarantino hot takes, the shifting culture of physical media and streaming, Simpsons nostalgia, and Loz Feliz and Punk Rock & Paintbrushe...