Cinemantics Nick Melton & Co-Hosts

Co-host G. Warlock Vance and I discuss Nobuhiko Obayashi's House, an explosion of trippy weirdness from 1977. I explain our lengthy hiatus before Warlock analyzes the film's themes and how it fits into the J-Horror tradition. We also geek out over the technical accomplishments of the film and gleefully recount its stunningly bizarre death sequences. House is calling to you, so come back home and get married.

Our month honoring the collaborations of director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell draws to a close as co-hosts Jeffery Heatherly and Ryan Houser join me in a discussion of Escape From L.A. (1996). Whereas Escape From New York was slow and serious, this is a fast-paced, campy thrill ride . . . and we love it. Topics of conversation include theories about how the script was written, ridiculous action sequences, special effects of varying quality and what would happen if Randy Newman made a cameo. Whether you're on a surf board or a hang glider, it's an episode you're bound to enjoy!

Our month-long tribute to the collaborations of director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell continues as co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I discuss Big Trouble In Little China (1986). While we enjoy it more than Escape From New York, we find this one a bit too convoluted to be a classic. Our typically tangential conversation touches on, among other things, Asian character actors, cheesy theme songs, anticlimactic villain deaths and the TV series Goosebumps. Join us, won't you?

Our month-long tribute to the collaborations of director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell continues as co-host G. Warlock Vance and I discuss the sci-fi horror classic The Thing (1982). Topics of conversation include nihilism in the film, the need for communication, Rob Bottin's amazing visual effects and the weather in Antarctica. It's a perfect episode for anyone who goes there.

This month beloved actor Kurt Russell turns 60. To celebrate, Cinemantics is devoting the month to his collaborations with legendary director John Carpenter. In our first installment, co-hosts Jeffery Heatherly and Ryan Houser join me in a discussion of Escape From New York (1981). Our reception is decidedly lukewarm. We praise Russell and the look of the film but criticize its slow pace and droning soundtrack. We also unearth some nepotism in the film's casting. It's an episode that's truly A#1.

Co-host Jeffery Heatherly and I bid farewell to the holiday season with a discussion of Nicholas Webster's Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964). Frequently labeled as one of the worst movies ever made, Jeff and I actually found its '60s kitsch to be quite charming. We discuss, among other things, a perpetually drug-addled Santa, the archetypal science-fiction robot, a supremely cheesy soundtrack and the fakest polar bear in history. From everyone at Cinemantics, happy holidays and hooray for Santa Claus!