Sofa Dogs Podcast

Subject: The Fog (1980) Observers: John Pavlich, Jimmy Brown Record Date: October 21, 2014, 02:25 PM Plot Summary: Hidden within a mysterious fog, the ghosts of a leper colony seek vengeance against the descendants of those who murdered them and stole their gold. Note: Continuing the podcast's month-long tribute to Horror films, Jimmy returns to revisit John Carpenter's classic ghost story. We talk about atmosphere, suspense through misdirection, our disdain for the 2005 remake and the absence of the lighthouse as a setting in modern Horror. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: The Fog (1980) on Blu-ray at Amazon.com! Buy: Pop Art from John's Etsy Store!

Subject: Evil Dead (2013) Observers: John Pavlich, Tysto Record Date: October 17, 2014, 01:16 PM Plot Summary: A drug addict is brought to a secluded cabin by her Brother and friends, in an attempt to get her clean. Unfortunately, they discover a mysterious, ancient book and unknowingly bring about demonic possession and bodily dismemberment. Note: Continuing the podcast's month-long tribute to Halloween and Horror films, Tysto returns to revel in the surprisingly great remake of an American Horror classic. We discuss the Evil Dead franchise, finding the value in remakes, injecting purpose and thematic resonance into the narrative, character arcs and fighting physical demons as a metaphor for personal ones. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: Evil Dead (2013) on Blu-ray at Amazon.com! Buy: Pop Art from John's Etsy Store!

Subject: From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) Observers: John Pavlich, Susie Rodarme Record Date: October 08, 2014, 02:52 PM Plot Summary: During a crime spree through Texas, two Brothers head to Mexico, attempting to hide out from the law but inadvertently, find themselves trapped in a bar with unholy, bloodsucking monsters. Note: Continuing the podcast's month-long tribute to Halloween and Horror films, Susie returns to revisit Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's original Grindhouse collaboration. We discuss mixing genres, career trajectory, anti-heroes and repurposing a culture that isn't inherently your own. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) on Blu-ray and DVD at Amazon.com! Buy: Pop Art from John's Etsy Store!

Subject: Poltergeist (1982) Observers: John Pavlich, Eric Diaz Record Date: October 07, 2014, 12:51 AM Plot Summary: A suburban family discover their house is haunted and the ghosts abduct their little girl through the television set. Note: Kicking off the podcast's month-long tribute to Halloween and Horror films, Eric returns to revisit one of Steven Spielberg's classic productions from the 1980s'. We discuss the exhilaration of being scared, the Poltergeist "curse", Horror remakes and the PG rating. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: Poltergeist on Blu-ray at Amazon.com! Buy: Pop Art from John's Etsy Store!

Subject: Hot Fuzz (2007) Observers: John Pavlich, Jimmy Brown Record Date: September 02, 2014, 02:16 PM Plot Summary: An over-achieving police officer is exiled by his employers to a seemingly crime-free village, but soon suspects a vast conspiracy of violent elitism beneath the surface. Note: Jimmy returns to discuss this sometimes-awkward but highly entertaining send-up of the action and slasher genres. We talk about the misuse of a red herring, themes of arrested development throughout Edgar Wright's work and overshadowing a narrative with excessive foreshadowing. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: The Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!

Subject: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) Observers: John Pavlich, Tysto Record Date: August 15, 2014, 08:07 PM Plot Summary: The untold story of the 16th president of the United States, as an axe-wielding dispatcher of blood-drinking immortals. Note: Tysto returns to take a look at this wildly creative bent of supernatural, revisionist history. We talk about the theme of slavery, the legacy of Lincoln, making Vampires scary again and injecting monsters into stuffy, classic literature. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!

Subject: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) Observers: John Pavlich, Witney Seibold Record Date: August 06, 2014, 11:44 AM Plot Summary: A quartet of adolescent turtles use their martial arts skills to fight crime in New York City. Note: The heroes in a half-shell are back on the big screen this Summer, so Witney (co-host of The B-Movies Podcast and film critic for Nerdist Industries) joins me to revisit the original, theatrical outing of the green foursome. We discuss the history of the franchise, animatronics versus CGI, the political backlash against violent entertainment aimed at children during the 1990s' and the cultural climate change between moviegoers, then and now. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Supplemental Material: Check out Witney's web comic for children, Milo Multigrain! Buy: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!

Subject: Buffy - Band Candy (3x06) Observers: John Pavlich, Will Ritchie Record Date: July 15, 2014, 02:52 PM Plot Summary: Ethan Rayne returns to Sunnydale, using special chocolate that causes all the adults to behave like rowdy, immature Teenagers. Note: Technical difficulties and outside interference abounds as Will returns to the podcast to talk the sixth episode from Buffy's third season. We discuss Jane Espenson, genre tropes and helpful background characters. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: Buffy on DVD at Amazon.com!

Subject: Gremlins (1984) Observers: John Pavlich, Jimmy Brown Record Date: July 16, 2014, 02:44 PM Plot Summary: A boy receives an exotic pet as a Christmas present which when exposed to water, produces a litter of duplicates that eventually grow into destructive monsters. Note: Celebrating the film's 30th anniversary, Jimmy returns to discuss this beloved, creature classic. We talk about practical effects and puppeteering, the film's broken internal logic, the science of mixing Horror and Comedy, the works of Joe Dante and school on Christmas Eve. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Supplemental Material: Read Empire Online's 10 Maddest Excerpts from the Gremlins Novelization. Buy: Gremlins on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!

Subject: Batman (1989) Observers: John Pavlich, Witney Seibold Record Date: June 26, 2014, 12:30 PM Plot Summary: A masked vigilante known as Batman, must save Gotham City from a disfigured, demented crime boss known as The Joker. Note: Celebrating the film's 25th Anniversary, Witney (co-host of The B-Movies Podcast and film critic for Nerdist Industries) returns to fondly recollect on Tim Burton's dark and atmospheric interpretation of the caped crusader. We talk about superhero psychology, the nature of comic book movies then and now, Tim Burton's visual style and The Summer of Batman. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: Batman (1989) on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!  

Subject: Friday the 13th (1980) Observers: John Pavlich, Witney Seibold Record Date: June 13, 2014, 02:39 PM Plot Summary: A group of Teenagers are being stalked and murdered by a mysterious figure, as they attempt to reopen an old Summer Camp with a tragic history. Note: Surprise! On a whim to celebrate the infamous date of "bad luck", Witney (co-host of The B-Movies Podcast and film critic for Nerdist Industries) returns to examine the first film in the Slasher series that helped popularize the "Dead Teenager" genre. We discuss the film's legacy, the amazing practical effects and how this franchise has shaped the Horror genre, then and now. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Supplemental Material: Read Witney's The Series Project: Freddy & Jason! Buy: Friday The 13th: The Complete Collection on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!  

Subject: Prometheus (2012) Observers: John Pavlich, Tysto, Martin "Faldor" Lejeune Record Date: March 17, 2014, 01:53 PM Plot Summary: A team of scientists travel to a distant planet, in search of an ancient, alien species believed to have ties to the human race. Note: Tysto returns, bringing with him Faldor (from the Extended Edition podcast), attempting to make sense of Ridley Scott's pseudo-prequel to Alien. We compare and contrast both versions of the leaked screenplay, examine the conflicts between science and religion and basically, try to determine just what went wrong with this mediocre mess of a film. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: Prometheus on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!  

Subject: Dark City - Director's Cut (1998) Observers: John Pavlich, Tysto, Michael "Dorkman" Scott Record Date: April 19, 2014, 03:12 PM Plot Summary: An amnesiac searches for his identity while being pursued by pale, floating figures that can manipulate people and buildings with their minds, in a city with no sunlight. Note: Celebrating the podcast's eight year anniversary, Michael Scott and Tysto join forces with me to revisit the Director's Cut of Dark City. We compare and contrast both versions of the film, examine the story's origins and shed some light on the myriad of other film noir and science fiction references and inspirations. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Supplemental Material: Watch Part 1 and Part 2 of a Dark City analysis by SF Debris. Buy: Dark City on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!

  Subject: Sunshine (2007) Observers: John Pavlich, Tomahawk Ellingsen Record Date: January 22, 2014, 4:10 PM Plot Summary: A team of Scientists are sent into space with a bomb, in an effort to ignite Earth's dying sun. Note: Residing in Norway, Tom (from the Extended Edition podcast) joins the show to discuss Danny Boyle's controversial, science fiction-horror film. We talk about diversity casting, shooting digitally and defending the third act. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: Sunshine on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!

Subject: Lost Highway (1997) Observers: John Pavlich, Witney Seibold Record Date: January 14, 2014, 01:46 PM Plot Summary: A man is accused of murdering his wife but while in jail, he disappears and is replaced by a completely different person. Note: Witney (co-host of The B-Movies Podcast and film critic for Nerdist Industries) returns to help make sense of David Lynch's existential, cinematic nightmare, Lost Highway. We discuss style over substance, past and present receptions of the film and the nature of movie soundtracks during the late 1990s'. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: Lost Highway on DVD at Amazon.com!

                    Subject: Batman - Mask Of The Phantasm (1993) Observeers: John Pavlich, Jason "Jimbo" Ritter Record Date: September 21, 2013, 11:36 PM Plot Summary: Batman tries to put the cape and cowl away when he falls in love but a deadly vigilante, known as "The Phantasm" and a visit from an old enemy threatens to destroy his happiness. Note: Jason Ritter (not the Actor) returns, bringing with him a love of all things Batman. We revisit the Dark Knight's animated iteration from the 90s' television series, as the character makes hiss leap to theater screens. We talk about Bruce Timm's animation style, the stellar voice cast and how "The Phantasm" operates as a credible villain. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm on DVD at Amazon.com!

                    In the first episode of Focal Point, I'll be examining Veronica Mars, as a character and whether or not she's a good person. Buy: Veronica Mars on DVD at Amazon.com! Buy: Veronica Mars - Television Soundtrack at Amazon.com!  

Subject: Sucker Punch (2011) Observers: John Pavlich, Gabrielle Cohen, Tammy Ginader Record Date: September 12, 2013, 11:49 PM Plot Summary: An institutionalized girl retreats into her imagination, to escape the men who seek to control and objectify her. Note: Gabby returns, bringing her friend, Tammy along for the ride. These Women help me peel back the surface of this surreal, action extravaganza to see what substance resides underneath, if any. Between our fits of giggles and guffaws, we try to figure out if the film is a misunderstood, feminist masterpiece or a mindless, excessive exercise in cinematic masturbation. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Supplemental Material: Watch Adam Quigley's fascinating, favorable dissection of Sucker Punch on YouTube. Buy: Sucker Punch on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!

Subject: Halloween III - Season of the Witch (1982) Observers: John Pavlich, Michael Johnson Record Date: October 05, 2013, 10:28 PM Plot Summary: A modern-day Warlock combines computer-technology with witchcraft, in an effort to commit national genocide against the children of America. Note: Finishing up the podcast's annual, month-long tribute to Horror films and the Halloween Holiday, Novelist and Filmmaker, Michael Johnson joins me to examine this insane, entertaining and often misunderstood film. We talk about the charisma of Tom Atkins, make comparisons to Invasion of the Body Snatchers and explain the origins of Halloween. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown befor starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: Halloween III: Season of the Witch - Collector's Edition on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!

Subject: The Frighteners (1996) Observers: John Pavlich, Witney Seibold Record Date: October 28, 2013, 01:00 PM Plot Summary: A con man uses his abilities to communicate with ghosts as a way of making money, until an evil spirit starts killing past and potential clients. Note: Continuing the podcast's annual, month-long tribute to Horror films and the Halloween Holiday, Witney (co-host of The B-Movies Podcast) returns to provide a reassuring hug for Peter Jackson's odd, but endearing Hollywood debut. We talk about the Summer movie landscape of 1996, CGI and the importance of balancing tone. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD, and please support the podcast by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of the homepage. Buy: The Frighteners on Blu-ray at Amazon.com!