235 - Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) & Scream (2022) →

It’s Friday the 13th on Pod Sematary! Time for the fifth entry in both the Friday and Scream franchises! This week, Chris & Kelsey hallucinate famous killers and, by the end, become the killers themselves.

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)
"Still haunted by his past, Tommy Jarvis, who, as a child, killed Jason Voorhees, is sent to a secluded halfway house in the countryside, where the killing of a young man triggers a brutal series of murders in the area” (IMDb.com). The franchise has abandoned even Jason Voorhees in favor of a new killer and a plethora of f-bombs and tits, but we'll be damned if it's not still a little entertaining.

The Modern Film: Scream (2022)
"25 years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past” (IMDb.com). The self-referential style of Scream has now folded in on itself and even the meta is meta. The fifth installment hasn't brought the franchise to ruin without Wes Craven—in fact, there's a lot to like here—but the execution leaves much to be desired. 

Audio Sources:
"The Babadook" produced by Screen Australia, et al.
"A Claymation Christmas Celebration" produced by Will Vinton Studios
"Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th" produced by 1428 Films, et al.
"Friday the 13th: A New Beginning" produced by Paramount Pictures, et al.
"Juicy" written and performed by Christopher Wallace/The Notorious B.I.G.
"Justice League" (2017) produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Let's Nab Oprah" (The Boondocks S01E11) produced by Adelaide Productions, et al.
"M. Night Shaym-Aliens!" (Rick and Morty S01E04) produced by Harmonius Claptrap, et al.
"Scream" (2022) produced by Paramount Pictures, et al.
"Skytanic" (Archer S01E07) produced by FX Network
"Tune Up #1" (from Rent -- Original Broadway Cast Recording) written by Jonathan Larson and performed by Anthony Rapp & Adam Pascal

170 - Scream 3 (2000) & Scream 4 (2011) →

CW: Sexual Assault

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

It’s a Scream Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey finish the last half of the Scream franchise all in one go and also talk too much about Josie & the Pussycats.

The Classic Film: Scream 3 (2000)
"While Sidney and her friends visit the Hollywood set of Stab 3, the third film based on the Woodsboro murders, another Ghostface killer rises to terrorize them” (IMDb.com). Scream 3 isn't as bad as we remembered, but that doesn't mean it's very good. Despite the fact that there are some very lovable characters and moments, it's obvious that no one's heart was in this one.

The Modern Film: Scream 4 (2011)
"Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer” (IMDb.com). Scream managed to get to four entries without having a terrible one, but we still haven't captured the magic of the first again, despite how hard this movie tries.

Audio Sources:
"Is This The End" written by Mark T. Tremonti & Scott A. Stapp and performed by Creed
"Music of the Heart" produced by Craven-Maddalena Films & Miramax
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Scream 3" produced by Craven-Maddalena Films, et al.
"Scream 4" produced by Dimension Films, et al.
"Tune Up #1" (from Rent -- Original Broadway Cast Recording) written by Jonathan Larson and performed by Anthony Rapp & Adam Pascal
"What If" written by Mark T. Tremonti & Scott A. Stapp and performed by Creed

074 - Scream 2 (1997) & Don't Hang Up (2016) →

It's Prank Call Killers Week on Pod Sematary, I guess? Chris and Kelsey tackle two films with killers who antagonize their victims over the phone!

The Classic Film: Scream 2 (1997)
Two years after the first series of murders, as Sydney acclimates to college life, someone donning the Ghostface costume begins a new string of killings. Does this sequel elevate this meta series or is it just more of the same?

The Modern Film: Don't Hang Up (2016)
An evening of some drunken prank calls becomes a nightmare for a pair of teenagers when a mysterious stranger turns their own game against them...with deadly consequences. Don’t watch this one expecting any twists and you may just enjoy it.

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1102382382403985408

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Dine & Dash" (Kroll Show, S01E06) produced by Comedy Central
"Episode #2.6" (Chappelle's Show, S02E06) produced by Marobru Inc.
"Homer and Apu" (The Simpsons, S05E13) produced by Gracie Films & 20th Century Fox Television
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"The Price is Right" produced by Price Productions, et al.
"Red Right Hand" written by Mick Harvey, Nick Cave, and Thomas Wydler and performed by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
"Scary Movie" produced by Dimension Films, et al.
"Scream" produced by Dimension Films & Woods Entertainment
"Scream 2" produced by Dimension Films, et al.
"Scream 3" produced by Dimension Films, et al.

054 - Scream (1996) & The Cabin In The Woods (2012) →

Best of 2017/18 - #4 (Tied) The Cabin in the Woods

It's Horror Tropes Week on Pod Sematary! Chris and Kelsey get meta talking about some of the best examples of self-aware horror films that exist! (To be sure, there are more...)

First up is one we've been talking about since our first episode: 1996's Scream! Wes Craven got a bit meta with 1994's New Nightmare, but that movie only covered the one franchise: Freddy. Then along came Kevin Williamson and the two really got rolling with a film the transformed the whole genre for Generation X (for good or ill). Is this clever classic worth all of the not-so-great imposters?

Then it's on to the film that doesn't just want to observe the tropes but tear the whole genre down and start over: 2012's The Cabin in the Woods! Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard bring their experience and wit to address the big questions. Why do characters act like idiots in horror movies? Why only use that great weapon once? And what happens when the audience doesn't get what they expect?

Plus:
--a trip to Knott's Scary Farm!
--the new Pet Sematary trailer!

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1051648875990118400

Audio Sources:
"The Cabin in the Woods" produced by Lionsgate, et al.
"Ice" (The X-Files S01E08) produced by Ten Thirteen Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
"Jamie Kennedy Ruins E3 - Activision Press Conference 2007" via gamesradararchive @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IifE-EAuSAI
"Like Father, Like Son" produced by Partnership for a Drug-Free America
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Pet Sematary" (2019) produced by Alphaville Films & Paramount Pictures
"Red Dawn" produced by United Artists & Valkyrie Films
"Red Right Hand" written by Mick Harvey, Nick Cave, and Thomas Wydler and performed by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
"Roll with the Changes" written by Kevin Cronin and performed by REO Speedwagon
"Scream" produced by Dimension Films & Woods Entertainment