Fitting that our 25th episode is a special one.
When we started this podcast, one of the ideas that I looked
forward to the most was the exploration of films and franchises that I hadn’t
looked at before. Almost like a college course but one where we democratically
pick the films. Films that, by and large, would never command the respect of a
film professor like the works of a Truffaut or Kazan. Hopefully, in some way it
is a course for you as well. One thing I love about the horror community is that
it does not have a constant façade of bullshit superiority. Horror fans have no
problem uttering “no I haven’t seen that one” or “no, what is that?” when
needed. So I hope, in good confidence, that you are learning some along with
us.
The longwinded start to this leads me to our topic we
covered this week: the Phantasm Franchise. It is by far the most fun I have had
learning since we started this show. Yes, I have learned things about films
that I already knew well and loved, but this is the first instance where I have
been turned on to a franchise that I was not previously interested in. I had
seen the first Phantasm a few years back and while it had it’s merits in my
eyes, it went along quietly with the horror movies I watched that year.
The storytelling, the labor of love and craft of Coscarelli,
the unique blending and bending of many genres, the special effects, the chance
to view a cast over 3 decades of film (soon to be five?). These are all reasons
to watch the Phantasm films. You will leave them not being sure of many things
but you will have fun. Phantasm is not for everyone but if it is for you then
you are in store for a lot of fun.
Our Phantasm episode (that hopefully you have listened to)
is our longest to date and is so for a multitude of reasons. I think the
Phantasm films are special and gave us plenty to talk about. I think our guest
Ryan was fantastic on the show and I am sure you agree. He was informed,
articulate, and gracious. We hope he will come back and join us in the future.
Bottom line is that I am very proud of this episode and I hope you enjoy it.
Until next time
Beware of the moon
The Professor
