Let’s Talk Monsters

In our second Halloween Spooktacular episode, Mike, Allison, and Lyzze talk about everything related to haunted houses. From Disney's Haunted Mansion to cheap carnival rides, old creepy record albums, and their favorite haunted house movies and TV shows, this episode celebrates Halloween in a true haunted house fashion.

In this episode, Mike welcomes his old friend, David Dopko, to talk about all things monster toys. David is the host of his own monthly show, "Collect All Monsters" where he shows off his vast knowledge of Godzilla and Japanese toys. Mike and David start the conversation off by reminiscing about the old Aurora model kits of the 60s, eventually digressing their way to more modern toys, like the Neca PVC figures.  

In this episode, Mike, Allison, and Lyzze discuss the Rankin/Bass Halloween TV special, Mad Monster Party from the mid 1960s. They reminisce about seeing it for the first time, talk about the puppets, and comment on the rather "adult nature" of the plot, despite it being intended for children.  

In this episode, Mike, Allison and Lyzze discuss the 2025 film, Bring Her Back, commenting on whether the directors (The Philippou brothers) successfully created a story in which all the characters garner empathy and/or sympathy.

In this episode, Mike and Lyzze discuss the 2018 film, Hereditary, commenting on how the director (Ari Aster) chose to delay the supernatural elements in it. They also compare it to Rosemary's Baby, as well as other similar possession films.

In this episode, what do WWI, segregation, prohibition, R&B, and vampires have in common? Mike and Allison discuss the 2025 film, Sinners, commenting on its historicity, music, and of course, vampirism. 

In this episode, Mike and Allison discuss the 2021 film, The Black Phone, commenting on its historicity, as well as its level of graphic intensity. Mike also says a few things about Generation X.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1e1-the-official-story/id1534934131?i=1000495548526

In this episode, Mike and Allison discuss the "B-17 bomber" scene from the 1981 animated film Heavy Metal and how it compares to the (2025) homage episode of Love, Death & Robots called "How Zeke Got Religion".

In this episode, Mike and Allison discuss the 2024 film, Longlegs and comment on its marketing, as well as whether it resonates as either entertainment or art.

In this episode, Mike and Allison compare the 2024 remake of Nosferatu with F.W. Murnau's 1922 original and Werner Herzog's 1979 masterpiece.

In this episode, Mike and Allison return with their "10 Days Of Halloween" series. The subject of day 01 is the 2024 feature film, Late Night With The Devil.

In this episode, Mike and Allison continue their series on deranged families with their second part of the Rob Zombie trilogy, discussing the semiotics of The Devil's Rejects.  

In this episode, Mike and Allison talk about Rob Zombie's filmmaking style and his nod to 1970s horror.  

In this special Halloween episode, Mike and Allison talk about one of their favorite DVDs, Monsters Crash The Pajama Party Spook Show Spectacular. Then they play a movie guessing game, all in the spirit of Halloween! 

Minisode #24 The Tenant (1976) posted on 10-30-23

Question #24 How does Polanski use the previous two films in his trilogy to convince the audience that the character of Trelkovski, played by Polanski himself, is experiencing some sort of dimensional shift or time loop?

Minisode #23 Rosemary's Baby (1968) posted on 10-29-23

Question #23 How does Polanski convince the audience that Mia Farrow's character, Rosemary, is NOT going insane, despite what the people around her are saying?

Minisode #22 Repulsion (1965) posted on 10-28-23

Question #22 How does Polanski convince the audience that Cathrine Deneuve's character, Carol, is going insane?

Minisode #21 The Fall Of The House Of Usher (2023) posted on 10-27-23

Question #21 In what was does this new miniseries qualify as an anthology? 

Minisode #20 Creepshow (1982) posted on 10-26-23

Question #20 What awards would you give each of the 5 stories in this film?