The Goods: A Film Podcast

Z-O-M-B-I-E-S (2018) - Green hair and Z words

To round out Spooktober, Dan and Brian watch and discuss the Disney Channel Original Movie musical Z-O-M-B-I-E-S -- plus its monster sequel, because why not? Join as they ponder the logical limits of paranormal romance, the movie's aggressive color palette and choreography, its heavy-handed themes, and "hacking your Z-band." Meanwhile, they consider the sequel's knock-off Twilight vibes with cheesy werewolves and "Uncle Zom" politics.
Music credits:
RetroFuture Clean by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4277-retrofuture-cleanLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Spontaneous (2020) - You will believe people can pop

Spooktober continues with a quasi-horror-comedy from the pandemic era about teens popping like fleshy balloons. Dan and Brian discuss the bloodiest movies they've seen, the teen cast, the different ways of interpreting the bizarre premise, their personal histories with school shootings, and the effectiveness of the "carpe diem" conclusion. One thing they agree on, to quote Brian: "you will believe people can pop."
Music credits:
RetroFuture Clean by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4277-retrofuture-cleanLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Amazing World of Ghosts (1978) - As I was moving ahead occasionally I saw creatures from the realm of nightmares

For our next Spooktober pick, Brian brings out a deep cut: A bizarre, panoramic documentary of supposed supernatural evidence. Dan and Brian try to parse how sincere this is, compare-and-contrast to other documentaries, attempt to digest the bizarre footage and narration, and once again find themselves disagreeing on the film's value.
Music credits:
RetroFuture Clean by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4277-retrofuture-cleanLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Scream (1996) - Slashers 101

Dan and Brian, despite their love of movies, haven't seen too many slashers. So they reached out to Alternate Ending host Brennan Klein for some advice on where to start -- and he pointed them to Scream, the seminal '90s meta-slasher. Join as Dan and Brian parse through the beats and characters of Scream, as well as its three (soon to be four) sequels. Is David Arquette a positive to the series? Do any sequels improve upon the originals? Does the series do "meta" right? These questions, and more, debated during The Goods' discussion of Stab... er, Scream.
Music credits:
RetroFuture Clean by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4277-retrofuture-cleanLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sleepy Hollow (1999) - A Headless Horseman extravaganza

Happy Spooktober! To celebrate the haunted season, Dan and Brian dive deep into adaptations of one of America's iconic horror stories: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving. In addition to the centerpiece Tim Burton adaptation, Brian and Dan discuss the 1949 Disney animated film that's a part of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, the Wishbone episode, and -- as a bonus -- the 1999 Hallmark movie.
Join as Dan and Brian debate the story's merit, ambiguity, and tonal shifts, rate a "Brometer" on each adaptation, find joy in the autumn cheer of the horror story, and answer "Is It Good?" for each version.
Music credits:
RetroFuture Clean by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4277-retrofuture-cleanLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty (2000) - Masterpiece of nothing

Dan shares with Brian the 5-hour homemade avant garde documentary created by Jonas Mekas: As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty. The film inspires spicier reactions than normal. Join as they break down the film's heady vibe and fractured form... or is it just incompetent navel-gazing with a wheezy old man? So, my frienddsssh, Is It Good? Dan and Brian share their extreme reactions.
Music credits:
RetroFuture Clean by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4277-retrofuture-cleanLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Max Magician and the Legend of the Rings (2002) - Who the F is Mr. Tim?

It's renaissance faire season, and Brian has a relevant seasonal pick, a cheap fantasy knock-off filmed at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Join as he and Dan break down the film's many technical shortcomings and ponder what offbeat charms it might contain nonetheless. Brian loses patience with Tom Tit Tot, while Dan calls out some of the weirder acting moments. Both have some bones to pick with the film's story, but also call out some campy highlights and fun production details.
It's local and low budget. But Is It Good?
Music credits:
RetroFuture Clean by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4277-retrofuture-cleanLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Brick (2005) - Lunch behind the portables

Is it a high school movie? A neo-noir? Yes!
Join as Dan and Brian discuss Rian Johnson's filmography (and the merits of the Star Wars sequels), Joseph Gordon-Levitt's career arc, and the film's twisted teen noir universe. Dan shares his love of high school movies and the film's wacky invented argot, while Brian praises the film's Twin Peaks and Breaking Bad vibes.
Music credits:
RetroFuture Clean by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4277-retrofuture-cleanLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/