Film Junk Podcast

Okay, here's your motivation. You're lost, you're angry in the woods and no one is here to help you. The Blair Witch Project was a pretty big deal when it arrived in theatres back in 1999 but it was (and still is) a somewhat divisive film. There is no debating the influence it had in terms of found footage horror but somehow the scares remain very subjective. Is this movie still an intense and immersive experience or is it just boring? Are the performances realistic and convincing or is there a little too much riffing going on? Was the marketing for...

Hot on the heels of a Halloween candy high, November looks a lot like Jizzmas, thanks to a selection of films that span a cavernous genre divide. From political comedies to whatever else we picked that I can't remember. I guess you'll just have to watch / listen to find out!

Note: You Can See Everything was intended to be part of our November line-up but we decided to release the episode early due to all of the discussion surrounding the film. "Why would I deceive you? There's no reason for me to do that." This week we get caught in the Elizabeth Holmes distortion field as we review You Can See Everything, the new documentary by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. It's a movie with so many different layers that it almost seems to be about the nature of reality itself. Was Elizabeth Holmes knowingly defrauding investors or was she...

"We've always said, if there's no risk, what's the point?" On this week's episode of Film Junk, we gear up and dive back into the darkness as we return to Neil Marshall's acclaimed 2005 horror film The Descent. But not everyone on the podcast has seen it before... let's find out if still holds up or if it is actually a little bit "shite". Did The Descent kickstart the trend of "elevated horror" or is it kind of the opposite? Are the creatures just humans who got lost in the caves or are they something else entirely? Which ending is better...

I summon the vampires! I summon the werewolves! I summon Viy! On this week's episode of Film Junk we are unearthing Viy, a spooky hidden gem from 1967 that is billed as the Soviet Union's first horror film. It's a wild ride that delivers some laughs, some thrills and a lot of impressive visual effects. So why isn't this movie more widely known? How is the Russian take on vampires, witches and demons different from the mythology we know today? Does vodka cure everything? Is there a connection between Viy and the Dogma poop monster? Drop blood tear and download the...

This week on the Film Junk Podcast, let's do the time warp again as we revisit one of the biggest cult classics of all time. The Rocky Horror Picture Show remains an influential and utterly unique musical that seems like an ideal choice to kick off the month of October. But what is it about this movie that has allowed it to endure? Is Tim Curry's performance revered yet still somehow underrated? Is seeing it with a live audience the best way to experience this movie? What is the deeper psychological meaning behind Frank killing Eddie? Damnit Janet... don't dream...

"Could you turn it off? This is important. This is not art, this is life!" This week on Film Junk we are revisiting another film that was way ahead of its time. There was nothing like Ross McElwee's documentary Sherman's March back when it came out in 1985 but now we live in a world where everyone is capturing their life on video. Was this movie an influence on the work of people like Nathan Fielder and John Wilson? What do General Sherman, nuclear war, Burt Reynolds and the search for love all have in common? Is Charleen one of the...

Six little pumpkins sitting on a gate. The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late!" The second one said, "There are witches in the air!" The third one said, "But we don't care!" The fourth one said, "Let's run, let's run!" The fifth one said, "Isn't Halloween fun?" And the sixth one said, "I'M GONNA FUCKIN' CUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM"

Look out that window... Eden isn't burning, it's burnt. This week on the Film Junk Podcast we are jumping out of planes during magic hour as we dig hard, dig deep and look back on another post-apocalyptic world. This time Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey are leading humans in a last stand against dragons in the 2002 cult classic Reign of Fire. Should this movie have been a bigger hit than it was? How do the special effects hold up over 20 years later? Does the fictional biology of dragons make any scientific sense? Can we improvise a better screenplay for this...

Sick of sloughing through shit from the Netflix doc-slop trough? FEAR NOT! It's time to crack open the Tickle Trunk and dig out your formal attire, because we've got two beautifully crafted entrees that will wipe that "premium doc" format aftertaste out of your stupid mouth: John Wilson’s The History of Concrete and Ross McElwee’s Remake.

Jesus Christ! They've done it... They've done it! After previously covering one of the most joyful movies of all time, this week we are tackling what could very well be the bleakest. Threads is a British docudrama that goes into brutal detail on the effects of nuclear war on the general population. But is this movie scientifically accurate? How would future generations learn to survive and rebuild society? Would Threads have been better if it starred Steve Guttenberg? Which members of the Film Junk crew would actually survive the apocalypse? Take shelter and soil yourself in fear while listening to...

In honour of Star Trek Day, we are taking an episode of Treknobabble out of the Patreon vault! On this one, Reed Farrington joins us to discuss season 5 episode 18, Cause & Effect (aka The Time Loop Episode). Must be deja vu... or is it vuja dej?

Come Rain, come shine, come snow, come sleet, the show must go on! We are dancing our way through an all-time classic this week on Film Junk with the 1952 Gene Kelly musical Singin' in the Rain. The genre and era are a bit of a blind spot for us so we also brought in an "expert" to help us with our analysis. Does any of the humour still work for modern audiences? Which of the song and dance numbers are the most impressive? Is Donald O'Connor an unsung hero or is he just creepy? Is the movie truly a masterpiece...

"What are you gonna do, tough guy? You gonna make a citizen's arrest?" This week on Film Junk, we are ending the summer season off with a fun '90s thriller starring Kurt Russell, Ray Liotta and Madeleine Stowe. Unlawful Entry is not necessarily a masterpiece but it is watchable in the best way possible. Does this movie have a deeper social commentary or is it just a shallow genre exercise? Is Ray Liotta's performance deserving of more praise than an MTV Movie Award nomination? What would you do if you got the chance to beat up the man who...

"COME SEPTEMBER, YOU CAN SUCKING ON MY BIG FAT MEMBER" - Dolly Parton, RIP. Listen, this month gets dark in a few spots, but honestly, it's about time you WAKE UP and consider the atomic sword of Damocles hanging over ALL of our heads EVERY SINGLE DAY. When those missiles strike, it's not as simple as popping an umbrella and tip-tapping carefree and gay as can be in a REIGN OF FIRE. Unless that umbrella is made from some SERIOUS fire retarded material, that umbrella ain't DOIN' SHIT. All that and a documentary.

"I am not a vigilante. I am just trying to get home to my little girl's birthday party and if everyone will just stay out of my way, nobody will get hurt." This week we revisit Joel Schumacher's 1993 dark comedy / thriller Falling Down and find out whether it has gotten more or less controversial over the years. Is D-Fens a relatable anti-hero or just an entitled asshole? Is Prendergast's character arc satisfying or weirdly regressive? Does this movie feel out of place in Joel Schumacher's filmography? Should fast food restaurants just serve breakfast all day long? Go past the point...

Hey Bobby, now do you care? Just a little bit? This week we are stepping up to the plate to revisit an underrated Tony Scott thriller that was definitely not a hit on initial release. His batting average as a director is pretty solid but everyone goes through the occasional slump. Is it a forgotten classic or is it like a bad freeway accident with everyone slowing down to watch? Does any part of this movie feel realistic or does it even matter? Is the prominent use of Nine Inch Nails on the soundtrack a plus or a minus? Are...

Note: This episode is dedicated to longtime listener and beloved Film Junk community member Charbel Beaini, aka Chuck B, who sadly passed last week. His positive presence will be greatly missed, and our hearts go out to his family and friends. All the little devils are proud of hell. This week on the Film Junk Podcast, we travel to The Yabba and experience the extreme heat and aggressive hospitality of the Australian outback in Wake in Fright. This cult classic plays like a horror movie but has a unique vibe that we won’t soon forget. Is everyone in this mo...

Where's my dinner? This week on the Film Junk Podcast we step inside the world of a 1950s black and white sitcom with the 1998 high concept dramedy Pleasantville. The movie was fairly well-received at the time but let's find out how it holds up almost 30 years later. Is the social commentary on point or does it miss the mark? Do the digital desaturation effects still dazzle? Is this movie better or worse than The Truman Show? What was Don Knotts' mysterious TV repairman trying to accomplish anyway? It's time to separate out the things that are pleasant from the things...

Where's my dinner? This week on the Film Junk Podcast we step inside the world of a 1950s black and white sitcom with the 1998 high concept dramedy Pleasantville. The movie was fairly well-received at the time but let's find out how it holds up almost 30 years later. Is the social commentary on point or does it miss the mark? Do the digital desaturation effects still dazzle? Is this movie better or worse than The Truman Show? What was Don Knotts' mysterious TV repairman trying to accomplish anyway? It's time to separate out the things that are pleasant from the things...

You have to make the right choice. As long as you don't choose, everything remains possible. For some reason we chose to go back in time to re-review Mr. Nobody as this month's mystery movie, revisiting a conversation that holds special significance in Film Junk history. Do we still hate it or have we learned to embrace the chaos of life? Does the movie do a good job of explaining quantum physics, entropy and The Big Crunch? Are the visuals beautiful and unique or just ripped off from other movies? Is this one of Jared Leto's best performances? Life is...

"Come August, we like to celebrate: Saint Suck My Big Fat Fucking Sausage!" August's lineup is here, and Magnolia is NOT on the schedule! BUT... customer service is on trial in this collection of films that interrogate the concept of TOXIC POLITENESS and the challenging of societal norms, whether it be the right to use ANY colour you'd like for your NUDIE MURAL, or the right to order fast food breakfast ANY TIME OF THE DAY. What are you looking forward to? What are you DREADING? What are you ON? FUCK YOU DUDE. Just joking. RELAX.

"What you have to understand is, four days ago he was only my brother in name and this morning we had pancakes." It's time for another Frankie favourite here on Film Junk: the 1988 road trip dramedy Rain Man! This one was a huge blockbuster at the time and went on to win four Oscars including Best Picture. But has it been forgotten and a little underappreciated over the years? Was Dustin Hoffman right to question his own performance? Was Tom Cruise snubbed by the Academy that year? Did Hans Zimmer's score break new ground or was it just following '80...

"Why cover the same ground again? It goes against my grain to repeat a tale told once, and told so clearly." Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has finally arrived but it may not be the hero's journey you were expecting. Join us as we wax poetic on this epic in the grand oral traditions of old. Can this classic story connect with a modern audience? Is Nolan's preference for practical effects his greatest strength or an achilles heel? Are the American accents a bold choice or just plain bad? Follow Zeus' law and pull up a chair while we regale you...

Damn! We're in a tight spot! This week we are seeking treasure with Ulysses Everett McGill and his two companions, Pete and Delmar, in the 2000 Coen Brothers musical comedy O Brother, Where Art Thou? Based loosely upon The Odyssey, this movie was a big hit for The Coens at the time and the soundtrack was massive. But did anyone actually listen to it or was it all just awards hype? Does the early digital colour correction hold up or is it now a bit of an eyesore? Where does this movie rank in the Coen Brothers' filmography? Is it George...

"Hercules! Hercules! Hercules!" - Mama Klump. Join us as we crack open Pandora's Jug and chug about an hour-and-change worth of podcast protein puree; thick and white and full of all the nutrients needed to build out those pectoral muscles to the point of total nipple inversion. Lou (Luigi) Ferrigno's clearly been jug chugging that protein pablum in preparation for Luigi Cozzi's celestial peplum. His nipples are completely inverted. NOTE: There are no crystals in this motion picture.

Professional assassination is the highest form of public service. Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins was sadly both the beginning and the end of a movie franchise that wanted to be the "red, white and blue collar" version of James Bond. But is it better than its reputation lets on or are we desperately trying to force feed a dud? Why does reconstructive facial surgery look like someone just shaved off their moustache? Is the stunt work in this movie objectively spectacular? How did a white actor get a Golden Globe nomination for playing a Korean man? Does your nightingale sing...

0:00 - Intro
18:35 - Scream 7
48:00 - Busboys
52:55 - Innerspace
54:40 - Apex
59:06 - The Devil Wears Prada
1:07:50 - Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man
1:11:23 - Love on the Spectrum Season 4
1:13:10 - Bullet Train Explosion
1:17:35 - The Pitt Season 2
1:25:22 - Beef Season 2

Hello Junkers, we're trying something new here to coincide with the announcement of our upcoming episodes for July. Moving forward, we will be "juicing" these announcements by releasing a short reveal episode every month where we announce our picks and attempt to justify them to each other. The plan is to release these short episodes publicly in both audio and video format so that everyone can complain about our choices together! The official calendar and order of the episodes will be released shortly afterward. So what's coming in July? Any guesses?? You'll have to watch or listen to find out!

O my God, I trust in thee. Let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me. With Steven Spielberg's latest film Disclosure Day hitting theatres this month, we decided to revisit one of his most successful movies of all time and one that we have not discussed in great detail before. 1998's Saving Private Ryan was a hugely influential film that redefined action movies for decades to come, but does it hold up in 2026 or is it FUBAR? Is Spielberg always ahead of the curve with his casting choices? Is this an anti-war movie and is such a th...

Are you an experiencer? With Disclosure Day, Steven Spielberg returns to the idea of extra-terrestrials and brings with him a bold message for humanity. But is this a triumphant return to form for the Scarf or a major disappointment? Are we true believers or whistleblowers? Let's dive into the mystery and suspense, not to mention the convenient plot points and questionable CG animals. People have a right to know the truth. Listen... to the latest episode of the Film Junk Podcast.

Back in the early 90s, fear of aliens was at an all-time high with the release of The X-Files and Fire in the Sky. One of those was a lot more successful than the other, but Fire in the Sky still left a lasting impression / trauma on many who saw it. What is the true story behind Travis Walton’s disappearance? How and why is it different from the movie? Do any of us believe in visitors from another world? Why don’t we hear reports of alien abductions anymore? Was M.T. Motors the inspiration for Welland restaurant M.T. B...

Back in the early 90s, fear of aliens was at an all-time high with the release of The X-Files and Fire in the Sky. One of those was a lot more successful than the other, but Fire in the Sky still left a lasting impression / trauma on many who saw it. What is the true story behind Travis Walton’s disappearance? How and why is it different from the movie? Do any of us believe in visitors from another world? Why don’t we hear reports of alien abductions anymore? Was M.T. Motors the inspiration for Welland restaurant M.T. B...

Counselor... come out come out wherever you are! With the new Apple TV series about to launch, we thought it might be the perfect time to revisit Martin Scorsese's 1991 thriller Cape Fear. Some say it is an overlooked and underrated entry in Scorsese's filmography while others see it as nothing more than Marty cashing a paycheck. Is it a remake done right or is it too violent and too pulpy? Who is sexier: Robert DeNiro or Nick Nolte? Is there a hidden meaning behind the Problem Child theatre scene? What is the minimum time required for sexual intercourse and maximum...

Every time someone farts, a demon gets his wings, and this week there are a lot of flying demons after we revisited the notorious 1997 stinker Spawn. At least one member of the Film Junk crew was very excited to see this movie on initial release. Was the force feed successful back then and does it hold up any better now? Listen as we reminisce about the Toddfather's comics and toy empire, the electronica / nu-metal soundtrack, vomit-inducing early CG, PG-13 movies for edgelords and the state of comic book movies back in the '90s. You have been violated little girly...

We're back with another current release review as Star Wars returns to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu! Joining us for the ride is special guest Mr. Dax Gordine as we dive deep into whether Mando and his lovable green sidekick truly have what it takes to command the galaxy's biggest stage. So grab your brand new Rotta the Hutt plushie, strap in, and join us for a discussion on the next chapter of Star Wars. This is the way.

Live fast, fight well and have a beautiful ending. On this week's episode, we are journeying to a minor planet in a third rate galaxy for Battle Beyond the Stars, a Roger Corman production that is arguably one of the better Star Wars knockoffs from the early 80s. The movie is also a loose remake of The Magnificent Seven / Seven Samurai with a character named Space Cowboy... I think you get the idea. Is the story behind the making of the movie more interesting than the movie itself? Did James Cameron's VFX work and James Horner's score do most of...

It's a strange life. Cybernetics, genetics, lasers and all those things... I guess I'll never understand any of that stuff. This week on Film Junk we're looking back at the directorial debut of one Mr. George Lucas, a dystopian sci-fi thriller that feels like it should have a much bigger cult following than it does. THX 1138 was ahead of its time in many ways and still looks visually stunning today. Was this movie simply too bleak for the masses? Does it feel like it was directed by the same guy who made Star Wars? Are the Special Edition changes a...

"I've seen people as they are, without pretense. I've seen their beauty and their ugliness with my own eyes." At long last, Film Junk is finally showing legendary director Akira Kurosawa a little love with a review of his 1958 epic adventure film The Hidden Fortress. Is it one of his all-time masterpieces? Many would argue not. But it is a pretty fun watch that served as a loose inspiration for Star Wars, which was our excuse for digging into it. Is Toshiro Mifune one of the manliest actors who ever lived? How do you hide gold inside wood? Should older...

May the Schwartz be with you! To kick off Star Wars month here on Film Junk, we are revisiting a beloved parody film from Mel Brooks, which also happened to have been a very formative experience for a certain budding Prince of Comedy. Spaceballs may not be Brooks' most acclaimed or successful movie but it very well could be his most ludicrous. What makes a great comedy that stands the test of time? Was Spaceballs the first movie in cinema history to use an extended shot for comedic purposes? Why is there no Luke Skywalker equivalent in this movie? Do...