Optimism Vaccine The Optimism Vaccine Network

THIS WEEK: The Aftermath (1982) and Empire of the Dark (1990)
In the late 1970s a man named Steve Barkett with nothing but a mustache and a dream set out to make a post-apocalyptic sci-fi action epic without a budget, studio, or feature filmmaking experience. The result was not just one, but TWO films and the lifelong respect and friendship of B-movie royalty like Fred Olen Ray and Jim Wynorski. Sometimes in the world of amateur egosploitation, you can write/star/produce/direct and defy the odds by making something that doesn't suck!
Or maybe it's still just shit if you ask one of the other guys on this episode. Oh well.
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THIS WEEK: Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe (1990), No Exit (1995), The Viking Sagas (1995)
Hunk Month, AKA the quest to explore every muscleman-turned-actor in Arnold Schwarzenegger's orbit, continues with a look at some of the major roles played by bodybuilder/powerlifter/natural villain/danish dynamo, Sven-Ole Thorsen. That also means you get TWO Damnia Lee films, a Eurovision star, and all the Jesse Ventura fake Terminator action you can handle.
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THIS WEEK: Beretta's Island (1991), Danger in Paradise A.K.A. Taken Alive (1994), Doublecross on Costa's Island (1997), Ancient Warriors (2003)
Oh, you thought Arnold Schwarzenegger was the only big Hollywood star to come out of Pumping Iron? Maybe you've forgotten all about the illustrious career of Arnie's best friend: Former bodybuilder turned writer/director/producer/action star, Franco Columbu. He's 5'5", jacked to the gills and ready to kill (or at least hack your film to pieces and re-edit it himself).
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THIS WEEK: Pumping Iron (1977), Pumping Iron II: The Women (1985)
We don't agree on much at Optimism Vaccine, but one universal truth around here is our mutual admiration for hunky beefcakes. And when it comes to beefcakes, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bev Francis stand head and shoulders above the competition.
Join us as we take a magnifying glass to two of George Butler and Charles Gaines' most influential documentaries. We'll answer all of your pressing questions like "Is Arnie the most likable psycho ever?" and "Did George Butler accidentally make an invaluable contribution to the queer film canon?"
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THIS WEEK: Road House (1989), Road House 2: Last Call (2006), Road House (2024), Road House (1948)
How do you follow up the Rowdy Herrington helmed, Patrick Swayze starring, down-and-dirty shit-kicker fest that is the original Road House? You don't. You just don't touch it. And if you do touch it, don't cast Jake Busey like you're making an extended episode of Shasta McNasty. While you're at it, don't try to remake it 35 years later and hire Conor McGregor either.
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THIS WEEK: Santo vs. Infernal Men (1961), Santo vs. the Evil Brain (1961), Santo and Blue Demon vs. the Monsters (1970), Santo vs. Doctor Death (1973)
With a lucha libre wrestling career spanning 50 years and 50+ films under his belt, El Santo achieved god-like status in Mexico without ever taking his mask off in public. Join us as we survey his storied career and see if his star power can elevate low-budget genre films into something sublime.


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