PhantasmaCast

The Abyss Stares Back

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

"When you stare into the abyss, does it also stare back?"

This week, Jake and Derek are obsessing over the "Auteur Procedural." We are pairing Bong Joon Ho’s 2003 masterpiece Memories of Murder with David Fincher’s 2007 magnum opus Zodiac. Both films are meticulously researched, deeply atmospheric, and focused on the cost of the chase rather than the identity of the killer.

We are looking at the nature of obsession through the lens of these intense investigations. These films mirror the fixations of their protagonists in the very way they were made, with David Fincher and Bong Joon Ho displaying an almost clinical level of research and technical precision. It is a look at how a search for the truth can consume everyone involved, from the detectives on the ground to the directors behind the camera.

0:00 Introduction

1:38 2 Certified Questions...

4:37 Content Warning: Films we discuss feature SA and true crimes

10:15 Memories of Murder (2003)

43:22 Zodiac (2007)

1:11:46 Wrap up/Final Thoughts

Join the Conversation:

Which of these films leaves you feeling more unsettled? Have you picked up the 4K restorations yet? Let us know in the comments!

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#PhantasmaCast #2CertifiedBangers #ZodiacMovie #MemoriesOfMurder #BongJoonHo #DavidFincher #PhysicalMedia #TrueCrimeCinema ☝️

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Glass Story Parts 1 & 2

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT

This week, we’re diving headfirst through multiple panes of glass with a pair of Certified Bangers: Police Story (1985) and Police Story 2 (1988).

We’re tracing Jackie Chan’s rise from stuntman to global action icon, and breaking down how he didn’t just star in these films, he built them from the ground up. Part director, part stuntman, but ALL star, Jackie crafts a completely unique auteur style rooted in precision choreography, bone-crunching physical comedy, and a drive to always stay ahead of the curve.

From gravity-defying mall showdowns to explosive set pieces that feel one missed step away from disaster, we’re talking about what makes these films tick... and why nobody else has ever quite done it like Jackie.

🎬 Movies Discussed

Police Story (1985, Dir. Jackie Chan)

Police Story 2 (1988, Dir. Jackie Chan)

🕰️ Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Certified Banger Check

00:00 – Jackie Chan: From Stuntman to Superstar

00:00 – Police Story breakdown

00:00 – Police Story 2 breakdown

00:00 – Stuntwork as authorship

00:00 – Final thoughts & pairing verdict

📀 Physical Media Shoutouts

Criterion

🎥 Watch With Us

If you haven’t seen these yet—fix that immediately. Then come back and let’s compare notes.

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💬 Join the Conversation

Which Police Story hits harder for you? And what’s your favorite Jackie Chan stunt? Let us know in the comments.

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Darkness Down Under

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we're unearthing the dark side of Aussie cinema. We tackle the terrifying Alison's Birthday (1981), a film fueled by the era's satanic panic anxieties. Then, get ready for the masterful slow-burn of Next of Kin (1982), a stunning blend of Giallo suspense and classic haunted house tropes where a nursing home hides deadly secrets.

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Love Hurts

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we're watching Andrzej Zulawski's Possession (1981) and William Friedkin's Bug (2006), two movies that test the limits of love and madness. These films take the 'will they/won't they' trope to new heights by asking not whether our two leads will finally hook up, but rather: Will these two people kill each other by the time the credits roll?

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Schlock Value

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we're plunging headfirst into the glorious trash bin of '80s independent horror with a double dose of cinematic absurdity: Troma's cult classic The Toxic Avenger (1984) and the wild, cannibalistic horror comedy Blood Diner (1987).

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Mind Crimes

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Get ready for a double feature that will really mess with your head! This week, we're watching two films that are so good at challenging reality: Christopher Nolan's 2010 masterpiece Inception and Brandon Cronenberg's shocking 2020 body-swap thriller Possessor. We're talking dream heists and visceral sci-fi/horror—you won't want to miss it!

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Filthy and Fabulous

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we're twisting and shouting our way back to the Eisenhower years to explore how two iconic greaser musicals—Grease and Cry-Baby—tackle the "Teen Problem" head-on. Get ready for a rock 'n' rolling look into a world of leather jackets, fast cars, and teenage rebellion.

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Invoking Love

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we attempt to unravel the knot of love and infidelity with two films that couldn't be more different in their approach: Ingmar Bergman's playful classic, Smiles of a Summer Night (1955) and Mike Nichols' modern, biting drama, Closer (2004). We'll see how these two wildly different takes on intimacy and humiliation reveal the uncomfortable truths about what it means to love someone deeply - and to completely mess it up.

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Peak Satire

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:00:00 GMT

This week, we're watching two mockumentaries that offer unsparing takes on Americana: Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) and Best in Show (2000). Discover how these films cleverly expose the dark (and often hilarious) truths behind the competitive subcultures of beauty pageants and dog shows, revealing broader insights into the quirks and aspirations that define us.

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Vice Vice Baby

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we’re watching Sergio Martino’s Torso (1973) and Dario Argento’s Tenebrae (1982), two standouts of the Italian Giallo, and how they laid the bloody groundwork for the slashers and erotic thrillers of the 80s and 90s.

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Big Giallo Energy

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we re-examine two Brian De Palma classics: the sexy slasher Dressed to Kill (1980) and the gripping Blow Out (1981). We'll uncover how De Palma masterfully draws from Giallo's dark heart and stylistic flair to craft dazzling displays of danger, dripping with suspense and oh so much style.

#BrianDePalma #DressedToKill #BlowOut #Giallo #FilmAnalysis #MoviePodcast #HorrorMovies #ThrillerFilm #Cinephile #80sMovies #CultClassics #FilmMaking #Suspense #PodcastLife #NeoNoir

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The Female Gays

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we're keeping the erotic thriller conversation going with two intense queer entries to the genre! First up is the Wachowskis' directorial debut, Bound, a stylish and suspenseful tale of star-crossed lovers looking to rip off the mob. Then, we dive into Rose Glass' sophomore film, Love Lies Bleeding, a steroid-fueled case of dangerous love that ratchets up the tension and the stakes!

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Thriller? I Hardly Know Her

Wed, 28 May 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we're watching a pair of films that truly pushed the boundaries of the erotic thriller. First up is Brian De Palma's voyeuristic Body Double (1984), followed by John McNaughton's pulpy capstone to the genre, Wild Things (1998). Both films deliver their stories through a predominant male gaze, proving to be as controversial as they are horny.

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Shit Happened One Night

Thu, 15 May 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we're staying up all night with two high-stakes odysseys through New York City's underbelly. First up, we're taking a look at Scorsese's underrated gem, After Hours, where one man's SoHo adventure spirals into a bizarre nightmare. Next, the Safdie Brothers' Good Time delivers a masterclass in anxiety as we follow a brother's desperate and disastrous descent into his own worst impulses.

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Modern Love

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 15:55:28 GMT

This week, we're diving into Desperately Seeking Susan and You've Got Mail, two classic rom-coms whose love stories, driven by the communication tech of their time, hilariously prove that sometimes love is spelled "F-O-X".

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The Prequel Business

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:45:00 GMT

This week, we're watching prequels that don't suck! We're diving into the gritty brilliance of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the high-octane madness of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, exploring how these films expand their legendary universes and deliver serious cinematic punch. Forget tired tropes, these prequels rule!

#moviepodcast #starwars #madmax #rogueoneastarwarsstory #rogueone #furiosaamadmaxsaga #furiosa #andor #andorseason2 #disneyplus #disney #roadwarrior #prequel #garethedwards #georgemiller #behindthescene

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The Definitive Ultimate Director's Final Cut

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:25:21 GMT

**CONTENT WARNING**

One of the films in this week's episode includes literal pornography, graphic violence, and depictions that may be offensive to some viewers, including portrayals of self-harm and sexual assault. We will discuss these elements, but not show them. Consider this your official "proceed with caution" notice.

This week, we're diving into the chaotic worlds of 1979's Caligula and 1982's Blade Runner, dissecting the wildly different cuts of each film. From the unsimulated debauchery shoehorned into Caligula to the existential Replicant debate sparked by Blade Runner's various editions, we're exploring how differing perspectives of authorship shaped (or warped) these iconic, and undeniably unconventional, cinematic experiences.

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Psycho Thriller

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:00:00 GMT

From the sun-drenched guilt of "Insomnia" to the brutal, relentless vengeance of "I Saw the Devil," we dissect two films that dare to ask: what is the true cost of justice? We explore the moral compromises made by deeply flawed characters, and the cultural nuances that shape their actions. Join us as we examine how these genre-subverting thrillers expose the darkness within us all.

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Evil is Good

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Ep. 14 - Evil is Good

Dive into the seductive shadows with our double feature spotlighting "Fright Night" and "Vampire in Brooklyn"! We're sinking our teeth into how these '80s and '90s gems championed the alluring vampire long before the current genre craze. Prepare for a deep dive into the magnetic performances of Chris Sarandon, Roddy McDowall, Eddie Murphy, Angela Bassett, and a stellar supporting cast. Get ready for an episode of fangs, laughs, and a whole lot of charisma.

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The Mechanism for Our Confusion

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Ever wonder about that strange period when Tom Cruise, action hero extraordinaire, dabbled in art-house cinema? We’re diving deep into two films that define this era: Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut and Vanilla Sky. Both feature Cruise as a man trapped in a dream-turned-nightmare, but what do these films say about him, about filmmaking, and maybe even about us? Join us as we explore the surreal worlds of these cinematic puzzles.

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Middle American

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

We're talking "The 'Burbs" and "Big" this week! Two classic Hanks flicks about growing up (or trying to avoid it). From creepy neighbors to giant keyboards, we're breaking down these 80s gems. Hit play and join the fun!

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We Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This week, we explore two films that reflect the cultural and political landscape of the 1970s. As entertaining as they are thought-provoking, these movies offer distinct perspectives on the narratives we're presented with and the stories we tell ourselves.

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Shadow of the Vampire

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 01:20:45 GMT

This week, we watch our favorite, fart-filled Robert Eggers film and the movie he just remade!

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Counter Culture

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 22:10:34 GMT

This week, we watch two movies featuring our favorite retail rebels.

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A Tale of Two Toms

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 01:07:34 GMT

This week, we watch two movies written by cool dudes named Tom... and changed their respective franchises forever.

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Uncle Charlie

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:15:37 GMT

Shadow of a Doubt & Stoker. This week, we watch two movies featuring our favorite Uncle Charlie!

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The Dude Who Knew Not Enough

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 03:28:48 GMT

The Big Lebowski & Under the Silver Lake. This week, we try to figure out what the hell is going on in our stoner noir flicks.

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Thrill Me

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:50:50 GMT

Night of the Creeps & Halloween III: Season of the Witch. This week, we watch two extremely underrated horror films starring cool cat Tom Atkins.

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Divine Comedies

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 13:00:24 GMT

Hairspray & Polyester. This week, we watch the films that launched filth mongers John Waters, Divine, and the Dreamlanders into the mainstream.

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Devil in a Blu-Ray Pt. 2

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:32:50 GMT

One False Move & Devil in a Blue Dress. This week, we discover the poetic genius of neo-noir director Carl Franklin. We finish up the episode in Part 2 with a deep dive into the commentary tracks for these fantastic films.

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Devil in a Blu-Ray Pt. 1

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 23:29:11 GMT

One False Move & Devil in a Blue Dress. This week, we discover the poetic genius of neo-noir director Carl Franklin.

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Electric Boogaloo

Tue, 21 May 2024 13:00:20 GMT

Halloween II & Friday the 13th Part 2: Electric Boogaloo! This week, we watch a pair of part twos that launched a couple of indie slashers into multi-billion dollar franchises spanning over three decades.

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The Cundey Connection

Tue, 07 May 2024 05:39:31 GMT

The Fog & Death Becomes Her. This week, we're watching two of our favorites from the Dean of Darkness, cinematographer Dean Cundey!

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Who the Hell Are We?

Tue, 07 May 2024 05:33:05 GMT

We give you, dear listener, a quick glimpse into the bromance and mutual love for movies that fuels this podcast.

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