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PODCAST

Optimism Vaccine

The Optimism Vaccine Network

Optimism Vaccine’s panel of experts and idiots explore the dingy crevices between pop culture and forgotten trash in a never-ending quest to celebrate your guilty pleasures in the world of cinema and beyond.

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

01:29:17

Quoth the Furlong, Nevermore (The Crow Sequels)

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/09/05

THIS WEEK: The Crow: City of Angels (1996), The Crow: Salvation (2000), The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005)What's that? There's a brand new reboot of the Alex Proyas/Brandon Lee film, The Crow, and it stars the guy who played Pennywise in the IT remake? While the cowards make their way out of the local Hot Topic and into the AMC theater on the other side of the mall, only ONE podcast is daring to ignore both the beloved original and the maligned remake. That's right. It's the only Crow-cast with only

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01:49:18

Fascists, Friedbergs and Seltzers (300th Episode...

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/08/29

THIS WEEK: 300 (2006), 300: Rise of an Empire (2014), Meet The Spartans (2008)Some things are so difficult to comprehend they boggle the mind to the point of madness. Who knew Zack Snyder would create the cinematic playbook for stylized dumb guy action and modern reactionary right wing fascism? Who could have ever dreamed a wildly successful non-Snyder sequel to 300 would be released eight years later, only to be wiped clean from our collective memory? Who could have predicted parody film slop

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01:55:58

KC Oater Mode feat. Aaron Casias (Kevin Costner...

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/08/22

THIS WEEK: Dances With Wolves (1990), Open Range (2003), Horizon: An American Story - Chapter 1 (2024)We're joined by Aaron from Hit Factory to discuss the standard bearer for the modern American western, Kevin Costner, and why sometimes you need to lose your wife of 18 years so you can make a four-part epic about the 19th-century American frontier. Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

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01:08:54

Kevin Williamson's American Giallo (I Know What You...

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/08/15

THIS WEEK: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998), I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)In the late 90s, Kevin Williamson was the hottest name in horror after penning Scream for Wes Craven. Just a year later, he capitalized on his newfound fame with a script about small town teens getting their comeuppance after (maybe) committing a lil bit of manslaughter and covering it up. The resulting film is a fun giallo-inspired teen slasher featuring

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01:22:04

Oops! All Anime (Adam Miros vs Japan)

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/08/09

THIS WEEK: Golgo 13: The Professional (1983), Ninja Scroll (1993), Perfect Blue (1997) and Kite (1998)Steve and Jack are both out this week so there's never been a better time to subject Adam "Hentai Hater" Miros to some of the best anime produced in 80s and 90s. And also Kite.Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

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01:18:09

Wish.com Freddy Krueger (Wishmaster)

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/08/01

THIS WEEK: Wishmaster (1997), Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies (1999), Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell (2001) and Wishmaster 4: The Prophecy FulfilledIn the horror desert of the late 90s, a group of practical effects legends and genre has-beens came together to crown Andrew Divoff as heir to the horror icons of yesteryear. We all wish that this had heralded in a new golden age of Karo syrup, squibs and latex, but if this franchise has taught us anything... wishing is for fools and suckers. So

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01:16:57

The Battle Box (Dystopian Murder Sports Extravaganza)

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/07/25

THIS WEEK: Death Race 2000 (1975), Rollerball (1975), The Running Man (1987)Recently, President Joe Biden tried to salvage his legacy after a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump by going on national television and reassuring the American people he was fit to be the commander-in-chief. Unfortunately, he committed the ultimate gaff and revealed that in America, things aren't settled by voting -- We handle it all at THE BATTLE BOX.What do we really know about the ongoing American

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01:39:04

The Crazy Frog Quadrilogy (Beverly Hills Cop)

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/07/18

THIS WEEK: Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)The biggest surprise of 2024 might be that there's one person John Landis can't kill despite his best efforts: Axel Foley. Join us as we dig into the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, crown Eddie Murphy the king of on-screen improv, unpack what makes part three so bad, and figure out if Eddie has still got it 30 years later.Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid Support Optimism

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01:19:13

Jesus Christ Exploitation Star (The Films of Ron...

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/07/11

THIS WEEK: If Footmen Tire You What Will Horses Do? (1971), The Burning Hell (1974), The Believer's Heaven (1977)Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Ron Ormond and his family made a name for themselves peddling trashy drive-in flicks across the country. After a near-fatal plane crash, the Ormonds gave up their wicked ways and dedicated their lives to God. So how does an exploitation filmmaker convert from sinner to saint? Well, in the case of Ron Ormond, that meant partnering with the Reverend Estus

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01:05:43

Reb Brown: The First Avenger (Captain America ‘79)

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/07/04

THIS WEEK: Captain America (1979) and Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979)Can you believe we were blessed with not one but TWO made for tv Captain America movies in 1979?Nothing says FREEDOM on the 4th of July like watching Reb Brown in red, white and blue spandex popping a sick wheelie on his lil motorcycle.Celebrate America’s birthday like a true PATRIOT and salute the only Marvel movies that matter with usDonate to Palestinian Medical Aid Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

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01:45:29

Every Country Has an Elm Street (Nightmare on Elm...

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/06/28

THIS WEEK: Dreamaniac (1986), Batas Impian Ranjang Setan AKA Satan's Bed (1986), Night Killer (1990), and Mahakaal AKA The Monster (1994)Knockoff month has been a dream, but sometimes you eat a supreme pizza just before bed -- and the dream curdles into nightmare. A nightmare not unlike what transpires when Wes Craven's masterpiece is entrusted to schlock-peddlers around the globe -- and David DeCoteau.Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

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01:06:58

Rambu: First Blud (Rambo Knockoffs)

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/06/20

THIS WEEK: Slash (1984), The Intruder AKA Pembalasan Rambu (1985), Strike Commando (1987)Knockoff month marches on with a visit to Indonesia and the Philippines where we trade in Stallone’s Rambo for a Rambu, a Ransom, and a guy named Slash with a DIY rocket launcher. One of these movies was filmed in the exact same location as Apocalypse Now, but is it as good? Tune in to find out.Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

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01:05:35

In Space, No One Can Hear Your Copyright Infringement...

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/06/13

THIS WEEK: Creature (1985), Creepozoids (1987), Shocking Dark AKA Terminator II (1987)Knockoff Month has jumped from fake Terminators to a scene-for-scene ripoff of Aliens (1986) inexplicably marketed as a Terminator sequel in Italy. Speaking of beloved knockoff auteurs, David DeCoteau once again makes his mark on the pod with the only Alien ripoff where Linnea Quigley takes a lengthy shower during an apocalyptic drought. Finally, we cover William Malone's Creature (1985) because we figured at least

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01:07:53

Legally Distinct Murder Robots (Terminator Knockoffs)

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/06/06

THIS WEEK: Assassin (1986), Lady Terminator (1989), Solo (1996)WELCOME TO KNOCKOFF MONTHWhether it's a TV movie of the week, a bizarre transmission from the shores of Indonesia, or just a pile of Mario Van Peebles trash, you can't go wrong with a classic Terminator knockoff. Or maybe these are Robocop knockoffs? Or Universal Soldier knockoffs? Well, regardless, they've got robots with guns and no one with a fraction of Arnold Schwarzenegger's charisma. What more could you ask for?Donate to

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01:03:44

Axe Murders and Troglodytes (The Final Films of Joan...

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/05/30

THIS WEEK: Straight-Jacket (1964), Berserk (1967), Trog (1970)After a career resurgence with the hagsploitation classic, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Joan Crawford spent the final decade of her career in kitschy William Castle films, a Circus whodunit, and a murderous monkey man pseudo-horror flick. Sure, it ain't Mildred Pierce, but how do Mommie Dearest's final films stack up to the exploitation fair of the era? And, more importantly, can the first "Queen of the Movies" from Hollywood's golden

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01:19:53

Eulogy For The King of Cult (The Films of Roger Corman)

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/05/23

THIS WEEK: The Intruder, aka I Hate Your Guts (1962), X: The Man With The X-Ray Eyes (1963), Frankenstein Unbound (1990)The god of independent filmmaking. The mentor who helped jumpstart the careers of Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, Peter Bogdanovich, Joe Dante, and Francis Ford Coppola. The cheap asshole who claims he never lost a dime making movies.Roger Corman was a titan who left an indelible mark on cinema.Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

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01:15:56

Mom of the Year (A Very Special Mother's Day Episode)

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/05/16

THIS WEEK: Mother's Day (1980), Mommie Dearest (1981), Grand Jeté (2022)Some cowards only celebrate moms once a year. Here, we're dedicated to eschewing that silly Hallmark holiday and respecting mothers a week later when no one is expecting it. We're absolutely not late on this one I promise. So why not celebrate moms the best way we know how: With three of the finest and most upstanding mothers in cinematic history. No Wire hangers this week. Just a juicy slab of hicksploitation, a notorious

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01:08:14

Wisconsin Beaver Fever (Hundreds of Beavers + Lake...

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/05/09

THIS WEEK: Lake Michigan Monster (2018) and Hundreds of Beavers (2022)From the Milwaukee shoreline to the snowbanks of the Wisconsin north woods, Mike Cheslik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews have risen to 'Sconnie cinema royalty status alongside other greats like Bill Rebane and Mark Borchardt. Join us as we dig into their unique brand of indie filmmaking and catch the beaver fever, baby! Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

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01:06:26

The Man, The Myth, The Mustache (The Films of Steve...

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/05/02

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

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01:11:33

Abraxas, The Danish Arnold (The Cinema of Sven-Ole...

Optimism Vaccine ·

2024/04/25

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.Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid Support Optimism

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388 results

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