Category Archives: Pod 366: A Weird Movies Podcast

Our weekly podcast of new and upcoming weird movie releases

POD 366, EP. 47: RICHARD BAILEY’S BACK, BACK AGAIN; BAILEY’S BACK—TELL A FRIEND

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Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

The Dark Sisters (2023): Richard Bailey interview begins. Two sisters reconnect at a woodland retreat; a dark secret from the past resurfaces. Dreamlike drama/mystery (with brief animated scenes) from , now available on VOD. The Dark Sisters official FaceBook page.

Astrakan (2022): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. This bleak and ultra-realistic French childhood drama with a surrealistic coda has been available on VOD, but arrives this week in a Blu-ray edition (with no special features advertised). Buy Astrakan.

Barbarella (1968): Discussion begins. Read the Canonically Weird entry! Arrow releases the grooviest, sexiest space opera of the 60s on 4K UHD. Be aware there are two options for purchase: a 2-disc Blu-ray set (movie + extras) or a a set with the film on 4K UHD and the same Blu-ray of extra features. Buy Barbarella (1968).

Bloodsucking Freaks (1976): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. When you think of classic movies that need to be restored and memorialized in lavish 4K UHD special editions, Bloodsucking Freaks naturally tops the list. Buy Bloodsucking Freaks.

Godmonster of Indian Flats (1973): Discussion begins. Read the Canonically Weird entry! American Film Genre Archives restores and re-releases this bizarre Western monster movie on Blu-ray. The Legend of Bigfoot (1975) is included as a bonus feature, along with three shorts from the Something Weird archives. Buy Godmonster of Indian Flats.

Happer’s Comet (2022): Discussion begins. Read Giles Edwards’ festival capsule. The contemplative non-narrative experimental feature, ‘s followup to his strange narrative feature Ham on Rye, turns up on Blu-ray this week. Buy Happer’s Comet.

“WandaVision: the Complete Series”: Discussion begins. Read Shane Wilson’s review. Marvel’s sitcom take on superheros is likely to be the closest thing to “weird” that the studio ever attempts. Buy “WandaVision: the Complete Series”.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

Director Andrew Rakich and producer Veronika Payton, of the upcoming period folk horror The Sudbury Devil, will be the guests on next week’s Pod 366. The following week we’ll have some guests on from video collective , before taking a Christmas break and coming back Dec. 28 with our 2023 wrap-up pod.

In written reviews, Shane Wilson endures another that Came from the Reader-Suggested Queue with the 2001 experimental Spanish art film A Dog Called Pain; Giles Edwards will write up his thoughts on this week’s Pod subject, The Dark Sisters (2023); and Gregory J. Smalley, back from his secret mission, plans to cover Deaf Crocodile’s latest crazed cartoon unearthed from behind the Iron Curtain, Visitors from the Arkana Galaxy (1981). Onward and weirdward!

WEIRD HORIZON FOR THE WEEK OF 11/24/2023

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Since Pod 366 replaced our deprecated Weird Horizon column, it’s been a while since we’ve posted one of these. But with no Pod this Thanksgiving week, it’s back! Although there’s not much to report on in an off week for weird movies…

IN THEATERS (LIMITED RELEASE):

The Boy and the Heron (2023): ‘s surprise final film involves a boy traveling to a world between the living and the dead, meeting strange animals with character designs said to rival Spirited Away. Opens in NYC and LA this week, at select IMAX theaters Dec. 4, and reaches its widest US release two weeks from today. In the meantime, we have a trailer!  The Boy and the Heron US distributor site.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

Returning guest will appear on next week’s Pod 366 to discuss his upcoming feature, The Dark Sisters. In December, we’ll have someone from video collective on, and possibly some guest(s) to be named later.

In next week’s written reviews, Rafael Moreira brings our attention to António de Macedo’s rare The Twelve Hours of Maria (1977), a film about a blind girl raped by her stepfather which was condemned by the Catholic Church for blasphemy; Shane Wilson takes on another one that Came from the Reader-Suggested Queue with 1986’s absurd post-apocalyptic Roller Blade; and Giles Edwards gives the ‘s gonzo Identikit (1974) the full-length treatment ( previously reviewed it as part of the “House of Psychotic Women” box set). Meanwhile, Gregory J. Smalley works quietly behind the scenes on a not-ready-to-officially-announce if not-completely-secret project. Onward and weirdward!

What are you looking forward to? If you have any weird movie leads that we have overlooked, feel free to leave them in the COMMENTS section.

POD 366, EPISODE 46: 1 SCOTT BATEMAN

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Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

5000 Space Aliens (2021): Scott Bateman interview begins. Read Giles Edwards’ review. 5000 one-second animated portraits (the “aliens”), scored to a relentless thumping beat. Arriving on VOD on Nov. 21. 5000 Space Aliens official homepage.

Black God, White Devil (1964): Discussion begins. Class struggle, evil preachers, infanticide, and mystical visions populate this little-seen Brazilian classic which is something like an art-house proto-Spaghetti Western. Restored and rereleased by Janus, which means its a good bet for a Criterion Collection release in 2024; screening in New York City this week, L.A. the following week, and elsewhere… maybe. Black God, White Devil from Janus Films.

Color out of Space (2019): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. One of a brace of gonzo features coming out in 4K UHD Steelbook editions from Image Entertainment this week. Buy Color out of Space.

Computer Chess (2013): Discussion begins. Read Ryan Aarset’s review. This 10th anniversary release marks the surreal comedy on the timely topic of artificial intelligence’s first time on Blu-ray; lots of intriguing special features, including a an A.I.-generated trailer for a (presumably fake) sequel and a commentary track “by an enthusiastic stoner.” Buy Computer Chess.

“Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection”: Discussion begins. 100 Blu-ray set from Disney containing almost every movie (no Song of the South, naturally, but movies of interest to us like Fantasia, Fantasia 2000, Alice in Wonderland, and The Nightmare Before Christmas) plus tchotchkes like a crystal Mickey Mouse hat. Supposedly available at Walmart for around $1500, but the last we looked the pre-order link had been removed, so who knows? Full list of titles at Variety.

Do Not Disturb (2023): Discussion begins. A married couple go through a difficult period in their relationship, as they eat peyote buttons and experiment with cannibalism. In limited release this week; on VOD next week, when we’ll have a review for you. Director John Ainslie’s blog has more.

Dr. Caligari (1989): Discussion begins. Read the Canonically Weird entry! In 2019 we feared this erotic camp sci-fi New Wave cult film would never get a decent DVD release; four years later it’s coming out on 4K UHD!  Buy Dr. Caligari.

“Scott Pilgrim Takes Off”: Discussion begins. Netflix’s highly anticipated anime-style adaptation of the Canonically weird movie (well, of the underlying graphic novel) drops this Friday. Most (all?) of the movie’s cast came back to voice their original characters. “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off” on Netflix.

Spirited Away: Live on Stage (2022): Discussion begins. Two filmed performances of the Tokyo stage play version of ‘s canonically weird fantasy, with two different leads. It was broadcast to theaters early this year, now it’s on two Blu-rays. Buy Spirited Away: Live on Stage.

Sympathy for the Devil (2023): Discussion begins. Read Giles Edwards review. This two-hander thriller, with Cage as a demented red-haired kidnapper, is the second half of Image’s Cage 4KUHD Steelbook pair. Buy Sympathy for the Devil.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

Next week is Thanksgiving, so we will take our first ever vacation from Pod 366. We’ll be back the following week with to talk about his upcoming feature, The Dark Sisters. In written reviews, Gregory J. Smalley handles Screwdriver (2023), Giles Edwards feasts on Do Not Disturb (see above), and Shane Wilson gets into the Thanksgiving spirit with coverage of ‘s Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006). Onward and weirdward!

POD 366: AMERICAN ASTRONAUT CORY MCABEE AND THE ROMANTIC SCIENCES

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(Skip to the Cory McAbee interview here)

links:

Red Planet Planning Commission – Central location for all McAbee projects

Deep Astronomy and the Romantic Sciences (2022): A man must justify humanity to a female robot in this performance art collage with lectures, animation, and musical numbers. Will be available for free starting Dec. 5. Deep Astronomy and the Romantic Sciences official site.

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

“The Curse”: Discussion begins. Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder star as a couple who deal with a curse while fronting a house-flipping TV show in New Mexico. Put that way, the premise doesn’t sound too unusual, yet consider these quotes: “the weirdest, most unforgettable show of 2023” (Entertainment Weekly) and “a masterclass in incredibly strange TV” (The Daily Beast). On Showtime, with Season 1 releasing on Nov. 10 and a second season already greenlit. “The Curse” official site.

Dream Scenario: Discussion begins. stars as a nondescript professor who shows up in strangers’ dreams. We’re guessing it will be weird, in a highly mainstream way. Dream Scenario official site.

Duck Soup (1933): Discussion begins. Read Alfred Eaker’s review. The ‘ anarchist classic reissued on Blu-ray. Buy Duck Soup.

Perfume of the Lady in Black (1974): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. This reissued Blu-ray looks identical to previous editions, but you no longer have to search for an expensive used copy. Buy Perfume of the Lady in Black.

Screwdriver (2023): Discussion begins. A newly-divorced women goes stay with an old high school friend who manipulates her with mind games (perhaps involving hypnotism?) Low-budget psychological thriller makes its way to VOD this week. Rent Screwdriver.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

Next week’s Pod 366 guest will be (5000 Space Aliens).

In written reviews, Shane Wilson takes on the trippy Chappaqua (1966), while Gregory J. Smalley checks out the sexy shapeshifting in Piaffe (2022). Onward and weirdward!

POD 366: Giles Mysteriously Disappears in the Middle of Our Halloween Episode

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Audio only link (Soundcloud download)

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

Deadgirl (2008): Discussion begins. Read Pamela De Graf’s review. A 15th Anniversary special edition of the pseudo-necromaniac film, with new interviews from cast and crew and recycled audio commentary. Buy Deadgirl.

Fascination (1979): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. Indicator continues its re-release of ‘s catalog with this non-vampire film that may be his most polished effort. Among the special features are two deleted sex scenes (now that’s a sales pitch!) Buy Fascination.

Lips of Blood (1975): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. Another new Indicator/Rollin rollout, this time with vampires (and the Castel twins). Buy Lips of Blood.

Messiah of Evil (1973): Discussion begins. Read Shane Wilson’s Apocrypha Candidate review. From an outfit called Radiance comes this nice-looking release of the spooky/weird 70s horror, in a limited edition. We think this is the first time it’s appeared on Blu-ray. Buy Messiah of Evil.

Teenage Tupelo screening: Discussion begins. Read the official Apocrypha entry! After many years of unavailability, takes his imaginary rockabilly exploitation biography on a mini-tour. Unfortunately, we’re a week late posting this and the only one left you can possibly catch is in St. Louis tonight. If more dates are added, we’ll try to be more responsible! Teenage Tupelo at Arkadin Cinema, St. Louis.

“The Toxic Avenger Collection”: Discussion begins. A box set of ‘s pride and joy, containing all four Avenger movies, which start out mean-spirited and silly but just grow sillier with each installment. Released now in upgraded 4K versions to capitalize on the TA reboot with . Buy “The Toxic Avenger Collection.”

Waikiki (2023): Discussion begins. A struggling Hawaiian hulu dancer meets a mysterious homeless man. Described by its publicist as “ian,” but also a serious look at the dark side of paradise—native Hawaiians struggling to make ends meet amidst the wealthy tourists. Waikiki official site.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

We have a tentatively scheduled guest for next week’s Pod 366: of Blood Tea and Red String (2006), who will hopefully have some updates on the progress of her upcoming stop-motion project, Seed in the Sand. In written reviews, Shane Wilson gets in the Halloween spirit with a real rarity that Came from the Reader-Suggested Queue: ‘s stop-motion version of Hansel and Gretel (1983), which only aired once; Giles Edwards tries to contain himself over‘s experimental Container (2006); and Gregory J. Smalley goes to Waikiki (see above). Onward and weirdward!