Obscure Obsessions: A Pop Culture Podcast

Kick off Chapter Six with Taylor & Nick as they obsess over the many campy and goofy joys of Congo (1995). Based on a novel by Michael Critchon, Congo tells the tale of an expedition into the heart of Africa in search of the Lost City of Zinj. The adventure includes a terrific cast of actors, including Laura Linney and Ernie Hudson. Oh, and there’s a monkey speaking sign language and a laser gun that shoots a satellite. And Tim Curry doing a Romanian accent. You don’t want to miss this one!  

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director...

To close out the 5th season of the show & the year 2025, Taylor and Nick look back at some of their favorite watches of the year as well as recount some of the best moments from the series’ history!

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Pour yourself a mug of eggnog and break out the sugar cookies. Taylor, Nick, and Anthony are gifting you three obscure Christmas movies: 

When a toy is misplaced, the son of Santa Claus races against the clock to deliver it to a young girl before she wakes on Christmas morning in Arthur Christmas (2011). Then in Klaus (2017), the spoiled son of a postmaster general befriends a mysterious toymaker on an island of feuding clans. Lastly, A Biltmore Christmas (2023). We have no pithy summary for this one because Taylor, who writes these descriptions, remains astounded that A...

You’ve eaten the turkey, devoured the stuffing, and scarfed down the mashed potatoes. Now you’ve gathered your family around the TV to watch a movie. But what do you put on? Taylor, Nick, and Anthony have some suggestions!

They’re recommending the perfect movies for you to enjoy with your family this Thanksgiving: Club Paradise (1986), The Straight Story (1999), and Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (1995). 

Listen in for more on these movies and several bonus recommendations! 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zacca...

The Holiday Trilogy returns!

Taylor & Nick are joined again by show correspondent (and middle cousin) Anthony for more holiday movie recommendations!

We start off with Shadow of the Vampire (2000), a unique blend of fact and fiction: a filmmaker obsessed with adapting Dracula hires a real vampire to play the infamous count.

Then a photographer searches for a vicious serial killer in this gory adaptation of Clive Barker’s short story, The Midnight Meat Train (2008).

Finally, we travel into the im...

Well listeners, it's taken 5 seasons, but finally Nick & Taylor can obsess over one of the greatest terrible movies ever conceived in the mind of Roland Emmerich. Follow your hosts as they hide in the subway systems, blow the crown off the Chrysler Building, and proudly proclaim: “that’s a lot of fish!”. Join in as we celebrate our 100th episode! It’s… Godzilla (1998)... starring… Matthew Broderick?

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

A novice fairy godmother (Martin Short) tries to grant a girl’s wish, but runs afoul of a witch and a giant rabbi. Taylor & Nick obsess over one of their favorite obscure movies: A Simple Wish (1997). Martin Short and Mara Wilson star.

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

There is really no way to properly summarize Howling III - The Marsupials (1987), a movie where werewolves with kangaroo-like pouches live in communes in the Outback. It’s both a unique deconstruction of the werewolf myth and an outrageously stomach-churning experience. Join us down under for the final film in our werewolf marathon. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Our werewolf marathon continues with An American Werewolf in Paris (1997). Here, Taylor & Nick encounter frat boys bungee jumping off the Eiffel Tower, music by Smash Mouth, and a tasty recipe for human-heart smoothies. Your hosts compare and contrast the film with the original, discuss the use of CGI vs. practical effects, and proclaim their love for That Thing You Do!, a much better movie starring the same lead actor, Tom Everett Scott. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

There’s a full moon for the next three episodes as your hosts undertake a marathon of werewolf movies. We begin with Stephen King’s Silver Bullet (1985). Brutal killings are putting a small town on edge. While the townspeople suspect a homicidal killer, a young boy (Corey Haim) believes a different kind of monster is on the loose! 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Two years after his death, Peter Sellers was “resurrected” via unused and recycled footage to return for the seventh installment in the Pink Panther franchise. This time Nick & Taylor discuss the history of the series, debate the morality of using an actor’s likeness without their consent, and obsess over one of Hollywood’s most bizarre products as they follow the Trail of the Pink Panther (1982).

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Taylor & Nick are joined by their long-lost researcher, Megan, to discuss one of their favorite Disney Channel Original Movies, Phantom of the Megaplex (2000). A series of strange occurrences plague the world premiere of “Midnight Mayhem” at a local megaplex. Is it coincidence or sabotage?! Your hosts obsess over the film, dive into the history of DCOMs, and compare moviegoing in the 90s/00s with today. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor 

Megan Zaccario…Researcher Emerita

Celebrate the release of James Gunn’s Superman with the wonderfully atrocious Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). When Superman decides to rid the world of nuclear weapons, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) engineers a super-powered beefcake called Nuclear Man to take down the Man of Steel. Stupendously camp, outrageously cheap, and unbelievably fun, Taylor & Nick have plenty to obsess over this week.

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Is there any better way to celebrate July 4th than watching a movie where an old lady is hunted down by swamp critters while catching butterflies? Of course not! At a birthday party down south, the local wildlife starts plucking off the guests. Is it nature or revenge??? Discover the truth as Taylor & Nick obsess over the 1971 “eco-thriller”, Frogs, starring a pre-mustache-wearing Sam Elliott. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor 

Nick & Taylor book themselves into Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous, the primary setting of Mel Brooks’ Hitchcockian spoof, High Anxiety (1977). Find out where your hosts rank this movie in the pantheon of Brooks’ career of cinematic hits and misses. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Bond fans are split on Moonraker (1979). With its outlandish plot and camp-laden humor, some consider the film a guilty pleasure. Other fans find little-to-no pleasure in this Star Wars knockoff. Listen and discover if Nick & Taylor want to blast off or shut off Moonraker.  

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer, Moon Unit Alpha 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor, Moon Unit Zappa

On this week’s episode, your hosts revisit The Cable Guy (1996). A socially awkward cable installer (Jim Carrey) becomes obsessed with one of his customers (Matthew Broderick). This dark comedy was not a big hit in its day; however, Taylor and Nick think it features one of Carrey’s best performances. Listen in to find out why! 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Your hosts wrap up their Stephen Sommers marathon with a trip to Transylvania in Van Helsing (2004): A secret society within the Vatican sends Gabriel Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) on a mission to stop Dracula from conquering the world with an army of vampire babies. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Full scream ahead!!! When a group of mercenaries try to hijack a cruise ship, they discover something else has already beaten them to it. Nick & Taylor dive even deeper into Stephen Sommers’ filmography with the cult monster-action-heist-contained thriller classic, Deep Rising (1998).

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Taylor & Nick are diving into three films directed by Stephen Sommers (The Mummy). First up, a movie from early in Sommers’ career, Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book (1994). This Indiana Jones/Tarzan-infused adaptation of the classic Kipling story stars Jason Scott Leigh, Carey Elwes, and a favorite of your hosts: Sam Neill.

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Just before the Earth explodes, three talking apes from the future travel back in time to 1971 Los Angeles and become celebrities. However, since this is a Planet of the Apes movie, things take a bizarre and shockingly dark turn. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) this week on Obscure Obsessions.

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Taylor, Nick, and Anthony book a trip to Europe with the Griswolds in the second (and arguably least funny) installment in the Vacation series: National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985).

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Anthony Graziani…Correspondent, EPCOT Historian 

When an evil warlock (with a great tan) threatens Wendy the Good Little Witch, she hides out in the Catskills, where she meets Casper the Friendly Ghost. Listen in as Nick & Taylor obsess over a very 90s movie: Casper Meets Wendy (1998)

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Another season of Obscure Obsessions, another Jaws rip-off. Only Mako: The Jaws of Death (1976) isn’t really a Jaws rip-off. Instead, it’s the story of a man and his psychic connection with sharks. When he discovers that a local aquarium is exploiting the sharks, he uses his psychic connection to enact his revenge. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Three dinosaurs are taken aboard a time-traveling flying ship, fed a cereal that makes them smart, and then dropped off in 1990s New York City. Though not a hit in its time, We’re Back: A Dinosaur’s Story (1993), has developed a passionate group of fans, including your hosts. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

After their most excellent adventure, Bill and Ted are killed by their robotic doppelgangers from the future. Trapped in Hell, the duo teams with Death to find a way back home. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Taylor & Nick are back for season 5!  

After a botanist (Batman’s Michael Gough) vanishes in the African jungle, he returns to London with a chimpanzee and a mysterious growth serum. Can you guess what happens next in Konga (1961)? 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor 

Megan joins in this week, recommending Max Keeble’s Big Move (2001). Then, Nick talks about The Adventures of Tintin (2011), an overlooked Spielberg movie. Finally, Taylor chooses one of his childhood favorites, Davy Crockett and the River Pirates (1956)  

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Megan Zaccario…Researcher

A tough Chicago detective (John Wayne) heads to London to apprehend a crime boss in Taylor's recommendation this week: Brannigan (1975). This Dirty Harry rip-off also stars Animal House’s John Vernon and Jurassic Park’s Sir Richard Attenborough. 

John Cusack, Ray Liotta, and other famous faces star in Nick’s choice this week: Identity (2003), directed by James Mangold. Ten strangers are stranded in a desolate Nevada motel. One by one… they start to die. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Two movies from two great directors. Nick recommends Guillermo del Toro’s Mimic (1997). In this science fiction horror film, a genetically engineered insect threatens humanity. Afterward, Taylor recommends Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut: Play Misty for Me (1971). An obsessed fan (Jessica Walter) stalks a radio DJ (Eastwood). 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Two movies your hosts DO NOT RECOMMEND. Taylor watched Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers (1984) and never EVER will again. Meanwhile, Nick has a painful time with College (2008). 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Nick talks about Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007), a parody of musical biopics. John C. Reilly and Jenna Fischer star. Then, Taylor chooses John Belushi’s final movie, a satiric and surreal comedy called Neighbors (1981). Dan Aykroyd and Cathy Moriarty co-star. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

This week, Taylor & Nick turn on their televisions to bring you two TV show recommendations. First, Taylor suggests you check out Silver Surfer (1998), an animated series about the Marvel superhero of the same name. Later, Nick recommends an Arnold Schwarzenegger-directed episode of Tales from the Crypt (1989-1996) called “The Switch”. 

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer 

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

As another season draws to a close, Taylor & Nick reminisce about all the obscure (and not-so obscure) movies they watched in 2024. 

We will return in… Mini Obsessions AND Obscure Obsessions 5!

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Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer

Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Megan Zaccario…Holiday Trilogy Announcer

Taylor, Anthony, and Nick wrap up their Holiday Trilogy with some perfect movies for Christmas (well, two actual Christmas movies and one that has a Christmas scene in it): 

First up, Nick recommends The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017), a fictionalized origin story of how Charles Dickens was inspired to write his classic story, A Christmas Carol. 

Then, Taylor recommends one of his favorite adaptations of that classic Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol (1999). This TV movie stars Patrick Stewart as Scrooge, Richard E. Grant as Bob Cratchit, and Joel Grey as...

Welcome to Part II! This week, Nick, Anthony, and Taylor recommend some American history-themed movies for Thanksgiving: 

We kick off the festivities with a trip to D.C. in Wag the Dog (1997). Robert De Niro plays a Washington spin doctor who enlists the help of an eccentric movie producer (Dustin Hoffman) to create a fictional war in order to distract Americans from a presidential scandal.

Then in 1971 students at Stanford University are selected to participate in a psychology study that goes terribly wrong. This true story is told in the independent film T...

This year, Taylor & Nick are joined by show correspondent (and their middle cousin) Anthony for some Halloween movie recommendations:

First up, The Changeling (1980): a grief-stricken composer moves into a dilapidated mansion. When he comes to believe that the mansion is haunted, he discovers the dark history of the family that once lived there. Then in Australia, a widowed mother and her son confront a spooky manifestation from a children’s book in The Babadook (2014). Finally in Haunt (2019), a group of friends spend Halloween in a haunted house attraction that holds real horrors within.

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To celebrate the Season 4 finale, Taylor & Nick travel to Aurora, Illinois to help Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar put on a concert in Wayne’s World 2 (1992) __________ Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Godzilla vs. Kong. Alien vs. Predator. Hercules vs. Aladdin? This week, hear all about “Hercules and the Arabian Night” (1999), the Aladdin crossover episode of Hercules: The Animated Series __________ Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor

Taylor, Nick, and Sigourney Weaver crash land on a prison planet, where they battle the xenomorph and the meddlesome studio executives who bedeviled the production of Alien 3 (1992). Remembered more for its troubled production than the movie itself, this third installment in the Alien franchise nearly derailed the burgeoning career of its young director, David Fincher.  __________ Taylor Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Writer  Nick Zaccario…Host, Director, Producer, Editor