Dawn Of The Dead

Our month-long tribute to George A. Romero continues as co-host G. Warlock Vance and I discuss Dawn Of The Dead (1978), considered by many the best film of the original Dead Trilogy. The conversation takes some surprisingly intellectual turns as we discuss the inability of mankind to band together, a possible reason for our culture's current obsession with zombies and a realistic imagining of a zombie outbreak. Less philosophical topics include bad horror soundtracks, how Tom Savini created the impressive gore effects and the history of the zombie film.

Night Of The Living Dead

Today celebrated filmmaker George A. Romero, the "Grandfather of the Zombie," turns 70. To celebrate, Cinemantics is bringing you a full month of episodes devoted to his work. We start things off with the film that put Romero on the map, Night Of The Living Dead (1968). Co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I discuss its unrelenting bleakness, shocking (for the time period) violence and how it singlehandedly created the classic cultural perception of zombies. Even after all these years, they're still coming to get you, Barbra!

Bubba Ho-Tep

Co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I discuss Don Coscarelli's Bubba Ho-Tep (2002), in which Elvis Presley and J.F.K. team up to battle an ancient Egyptian mummy. It turns out Elvis isn't really dead, J.F.K. is black, and the mummy is terrorizing the east Texas rest home in which both reside. It's a wacky film with a surprising amount of soul. Hail to the King, baby!

Mad Max

Co-host Ryan Houser and I discuss George Miller's 1979 classic of motorbikes and leather men, Mad Max. Boasting a pre-stardom Mel Gibson, totally insane villains, subtle homoeroticism and all the car chases you could ever want, this movie gives us our heroes back.

Cheerleader Ninjas

Co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I try to piece our souls back together after enduring the pure destructive force that is Kevin Campbell's Cheerleader Ninjas (2002). Along the way we discuss a no-name cast, a plot that makes no sense, disgusting frat guy humor and the greatest question of all: Is this a John Waters homage or just softcore porn? Listen if you dare and decide for yourself.

My Name Is Bruce

Co-host Ryan Houser and I discuss Bruce Campbell's self-deprecating 2007 tribute to B movies and bean curd, My Name Is Bruce.