DIABOLICAL: Evil Schemes Done Better

“Juicy action in the future”The panel of peril do what no other man has done before them and hoverboard over a small body of water, thereby proving themselves Best At Hoverboarding. To celebrate, they watch a film which fails to portray such a successful act, Back To The Future Part II (Robert Zemeckis, 1989) with this week’s guest Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast. Happy Christmas!Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) has been dragged back to the far flung future of 2015 by wild-haired oldster Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) to unintentionally cause chaos in the past! Whilst trying to prevent his own teenage son from making a bad deal, old enemy Biff Tannen (Tom Wilson) scarpers back to 1955 with a certain book that will make life misery for the McFlys.Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdENmefJRpw********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********That’s right, old man Biff has taken a Sports Alamanac, with 50 years of big-time sports results, and given it to young Biff back in the 50s. Swiftly accruing a fortune from successful wagers, Biff dominates Hill Valley with his lurid casino and band of ne’er-do-wells destroying both the town and the lives of the McFly family. Can this chaos be unravelled and the timeline restored?Did the panel enjoy this week’s televisual/cinematic serving? Could they find a way to improve the Biff’s villainous plan? And who will be named this week’s most diabolical (person/podcast((er)))?See you sometime in 2025, Peril Pals!https://bsky.app/profile/diabolicalpod.bsky.socialhttps://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Silly old sod* (*General Zod)”The panel of peril emerge from their fortress of solitude (the toilet), wherein they have lost quite a lot of their own power (…). With their last ounce of strength, they pop themselves onto a comfy chair to watch this week’s film Superman II (Richard Lester, 1980).Superman/Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) has settled into life in Metropolis in fine style maintaining his dual identity of clumsy reporter and messiah figure with aplomb. But when he chucks a bomb into space and releases his father’s arch enemies, led by General Zod (Terence Stamp), his life is about to become an absolute disaster area!Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxD8RlGnP64********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********As (bad) luck would have it, Kal-El has forsaken his powers in a grand gesture of love towards the ever-spunk ace reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Needless to say, that makes planet Earth easy pickings for Zod and the gang, who are joined by snitch extraordinaire Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) as he guides Kryptonian crims towards revenge for their imprisonment! Is the Earth doomed, or can the Man of Steel return to save the day?What did the heck panel think of this week’s movie? How in all that is holy can they improve upon the villain’s masterplan? And which evil schemer will be christened this week’s most diabolical?https://bsky.app/profile/diabolicalpod.bsky.socialhttps://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I remember feet”The panel of peril very calmly walk into a room, just a normal room mind you, to watch this week’s film Panic Room (David Fincher, 2002).Recent divorcee Meg Altman (Jodie Foster) and her daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart) are house hunting in the affluent brownstones of New York City. Deciding upon a grand, old building – complete with an old service lift, and state of the art panic room – the ladies settle in for the first night in a new home with wine and take out. Little do they know that three armed robbers (Jared Leto, Forest Whitaker and Dwight Yoakam) have designs on something valuable left behind by the previous owners…Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp2kKzrCm44********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********Turns out there’s a safe inside the panic room that they want to get to. The panic room that Meg and Sarah are hiding in. Inside the safe? A cool 22 mil in bonds; split three ways, that’s mucho moolah for our intrepid ne’er do wells. Can the diabolical trio clear the women out of the safe room, claim the booty, and get away scott free? Or is Meg more resourceful than they bargained for?What did the heck panel think of this week’s movie? How in all that is holy can they improve upon the villains’ scheme? And which evil schemer will be christened this week’s most diabolical?https://bsky.app/profile/diabolicalpod.bsky.socialhttps://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Just don't go anywhere, that's the best thing”The panel of peril walk home because, save for the off chance of a piano falling from a great height onto your head, it is statistically the safest form of travel. That fact is born out by this week’s film, Duel (Steven Spielberg, 1971).David Mann (Dennis Weaver) is a middle-aged salesman driving across the Mojave desert for an important meeting. It’s a long drive, very hot, his wife (Jacqueline Scott) is none too happy with him at the moment, and to compound all of that he has raised the ire of a mysterious truck driver…Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SutDTIhbQ2g********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********Following a perfectly reasonable overtaking manoeuvre, Mann is relentlessly pursued by the 18-wheeler, in a deadly game of one upmanship. Though the trucker’s identity is obscured his intentions are quite clear: the vehicular homicide of our friendly neighbourhood salesman!Did the panel enjoy this week’s televisual/cinematic serving? Could they find a way to improve the mystery man’s villainous plan? And who will be named this week’s most diabolical (person/podcast((er)))?https://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I'll be downstairs, asleep, without my head on”The panel of peril tie their hair in a couple of lovely plaits and don some fetching red slip-ons to watch this week’s film Return To Oz (Walter Murch, 1985).Dorothy (Fairuza Balk) is plagued by memories of the wonderful land of Oz, and as such is completely unable to sleep. Shipped off to a suspiciously creepy ‘clinic’ by her well-meaning Aunt Em (Piper Laurie), Dorothy soon embarks on a magical journey back to the titular fantasy land. But our plucky heroine is shocked to find that things have taken a turn for the terrifying in her short absence.Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7DWx9xL23Y********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********The Emerald City lies in ruins, its citizens – including the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man – turned to stone. The perpetrator is the new ruler of Oz, The Nome King (Nicol Williamson). He rules the land with a massive stony fist, ably assisted by the witch Mombi (Jean Marsh) who has a nasty habit of collecting her enemies’ heads. Can Dorothy and her pals, Billina the chicken, Jack Pumpkinhead, and Tik-Tok the clockwork robot – fend off the ghastly Wheelers on their way to dethroning the gruesome twosome?What did the heck panel think of this week’s movie? How in all that is holy can they improve upon the villain’s masterplan? And which evil schemer will be christened this week’s most diabolical?https://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Why would you pre-make pancake batter?”The panel of peril take a large glug from a strong bottle of something hidden within a brown bag as they trudge downtown. They’re on their way home to watch this week’s film, Little Shop Of Horrors (Frank Oz, 1986).Seymour (Rick Moranis) and Audrey (Ellen Greene) are two unlucky-in-love florists assistants hoping for a better future, away from their dead-end jobs and Skid Row digs. Their luck appears to be in when Seymour brings a wonderful new species of plant – dubbed Audrey II (Levi Stubbs) into the store and it proves a smash hit, bringing in custom beyond their wildest dreams. But at what cost?Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqFZuR6UzjA********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********The cost be that the wondrous new fauna is capable of both speech and devouring human flesh. So, quite a big cost as it turns out. Sure it might pay dividends when trying to get rid of Audrey’s abusive boyfriend (Steve Martin), but Audrey II’s plan to enter every home in America will surely result in mankind’s annihilation, and therefore is probably a net negative. Can Seymour and Audrey stop the lyrical dragon before time runs out?Just what did the panel think of this week’s movie, pray tell? How can they improve upon Audrey II’s plan? And who will be christened this week’s most diabolical?https://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“No one smells what space smells like when you scream… in space”A theremin plays that one thing that it can do in the background as the panel of peril walk through a small graveyard filled with (five or six) wobbly tombstones. They are searching for the screening room for this week’s film Plan 9 From Outer Space (Ed Wood, 1957).In what some have dubbed the ‘worst film ever made’, SEE! zombies rise from the grave (Bela Lugosi, Vampira, Tor Johnson)! WATCH! in horror as they slowly shamble about killing the living and that! VIEW! the alien spacecraft that hovers ominously and perhaps controls the nefarious creatures! Will humanity prevail???Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiZp2sXkVUg********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********Yes, dear listener, the glistening chrome spaceship from beyond the stars holds the power to control the undead! But not for pure malice, friends. No. They mean to prevent a man-made apocalypse of the entire universe, thanks to the human discovery of solaronite: the very real, the very dangerous substance that explodes sunlight particles that fill both human and inhuman air! Can the humans prevent this diabolical plan to save the universe, or shall we become death the destroyer of worlds?Just what did the panel think of this week’s movie, pray tell? How can they improve upon the aliens’s plan (9)? And who will be christened this week’s most diabolical?https://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Stay in your lane, Heston”The panel of peril feed their cats (cat food). They next feed their dogs. Finally… finally… they are ready to watch this week’s film Cats & Dogs (Lawrence Guterman, 2001). They are joined by Harley Mumford from Fandomentals podcast, who has also just fed his dog.A look at the top-secret, high-tech espionage war going on between cats and dogs, of which their human owners are blissfully unaware, Cats & Dogs features a talented voice cast including Tobey Maguire, Alec Baldwin, Sean Hayes and Joe Pantoliano. Which species shall win this particular war? Whoever wins, we lose. Or not.Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ5RCk1iCY8********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********Those dastardly cats plan to take over the world in one fell swoop by releasing a pathogen which will render every human being allergic to our canine friends. Truly diabolical, I’m sure you’ll agree. Will they succeed, or will those silly doggos remain our best collective best friend?Did the panel enjoy this week’s cinematic soupcon? Could they find a way to improve the feline’s villainous plan? And who will be named this week’s most diabolical (person/podcast((er)))?https://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“At least one of them is a luge chase, so wind your neck in”The Panel of Peril resign their posts in disgust at being told they aren’t allowed to do whatever the heck they please. Fortunately, their secretary has swapped out their resignation letter for a letter requesting time off to watch many, many films. They shall begin with this week’s film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Peter R. Hunt, 1969).James Bond (George Lazenby) is a man obsessed. Obsessed with locating, and capturing, his arch nemesis Blofeld (Telly Savalas) after several prior close calls (with the other fella). Eventually tracking him down to a secret base atop the Swiss Alps, Bond assumes the mantle of genealogist Hillary Bray to investigate the big baldy’s claim to the title of Count de Bleuchamp. What is he up to?Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOLq5Rg9N-c********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********He actually wants the title to claim immunity for alllllll of his prior crimes, and threatens to sterilise the worlds’ crops and what have you if he doesn’t get his own way. That’s a spicy meat-a-ball-a, and Bond faces a ticking clock to stop the erstwhile Count’s evil scheme. Add Diana Rigg’s feisty Tracy into the mix to steal Bond’s heart, and you’ve got yourself a stunning new rendition of 007, sure to continue for many films to come…Just what did the panel think of this week’s movie, pray tell? How can they improve upon Blofeld’s sustenance-obliterating plan? And who will be christened this week’s most diabolical?https://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“This was supposed to be our prestige episode”The panel of peril go to the bathroom and lock themselves in a stall and check how sweaty their pits are. Very. They’re very, very sweaty. No wonder, as they face a goliath in this week’s film: Michael Clayton (Tony Gilroy, 2007).Michael (George Clooney) is a self-described janitor who cleans up messes on behalf of clients for a prestigious New York law firm. A law firm currently in the midst of defending against a $3bn lawsuit against pesticide manufacturers U-North. All is not well, however, as the cases’s lead, Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson), has stopped taking his medication and spirals into a series of manic episodes partly due to the knowledge that U-North had full knowledge of their product being lethal to humans. What lengths will U-North’s general counsel, Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton), go to keep their dirty secret?Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kJRYBhG43Q********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********She’ll go as far as murder, actually. Setting two goons after both Michael and Arthur, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues as our lawyers with consciences try to stay one step ahead of U-North, reveal the truth, and make it out of the tense situation alive. This is a true powerhouse of a film, peril pals, and you can be sure we treat it with the sobriety it deserves ;)Just what did the panel think of this week’s movie? How can they improve upon U-North’s evil plot? And who will be christened this week’s most diabolical?https://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I’ll be the Danny Ocean of stealing from children”The panel of peril don their blazer, matching shorts, and matching caps and pretend to be children whilst watching this week’s film Clifford (Paul Flaherty, 1994). They are joined by their new friend: Seth Vargas from Movie Friends Podcast!Clifford (Martin Short) is precocious little so and so. He’s fond of annoying his parents into an early grave, splitting up ostensibly happy couples, and, of course, show tunes! But when the young tyke is fobbed off on his Uncle Martin (Charles Grodin), Clifford spies an opportunity to fulfil his dream of visiting Dinosaur World – his dream theme park – and Martin spies an opportunity to impress the love of his life Sarah (Mary Steenburgen) with his parenting skills! What could go wrong?Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0o9SkZUTNA********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********Luckily Martin is the very person who designed the Larry the Scary Rex ride at that very park! That’s everything wrapped up in a neat little package-uh! But wait, there’s more. Uncle Martin reneges on his promise to the young/old fella, due to work demands mind you, and from thereon it be war! Will the boy destroy the man or vice versa? There’s only one way to find out: fiiiiiiiiiight!Just what did the panel think of this week’s movie, pray tell? How can they improve upon whichever character they have determined is the bad guy’s plan? And who will be christened this week’s most diabolical?https://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Live fast, die young, leave a terrible-looking Smurf-corpse”The panel of peril pull up at their local Netto, shove as much tinned goods, AKs, ammo, and Bolinger into their shopping trolley/wheelbarrow as they can, before holing up to watch this week’s film Dawn Of The Dead (George A. Romero, 1978).The (zombie) apocalypse is here! Ken Foree, David Emgee, Gaylen Ross and Scott H. Reiniger play a quartet determined to not only survive, but thrive in this new world filled with shambling, hungry, animated corpses. Taking refuge in a shopping mall, they live a life of surprising comfort, if not outright decadence, their every need catered for by the fine establishments within. But for how long will their consumerist utopia remain a safe-haven?Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_EviQj5tvA********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********Are they safe… in a word, ‘no’. In two words, ‘no, no’. Eventually falling foul of a large, invading biker gang (spearheaded by the legendary Tom Savini), our heroes have two choices – fight or flight. Will they stand their ground and take on the bikers and zombies simultaneously, or will they literally take flight in their snazzy TV station ‘copter?But just what did the panel think of this week’s movie, pray tell? How can they improve upon a bunch of smelly, nerd, bikers’ plan? And who will be christened this week’s most diabolical?https://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“De Palma knows, the old saying goes”Our name is Possible, Mission: Impossible, license to watch the film Mission: Impossible directed by cinematic genius Brian De Palma (1996). And that my friends is our impossible mission (impossible). And we did it.An elite IMF team led by Jim Phelps (Jon Voight) has come a serious cropper trying to secure a non-official cover (NOC) list, which could potentially reveal the entire Impossible Mission Force’s workforce, locations, and names. The team are double-crossed in Prague eliminating Sarah (Kristin Scott Thomas), Jack (Emilio Estevez) et al leaving just Ethan (Tom Cruise) and Claire (Emmanuelle Beart) standing. Disavowed and on the run, can they swipe the real NOC list and discover the mole?Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohws8y572KE********PLOT SPOILER ALERT********It’s Phelps and his femme fatale wife Claire, darn it all! A cat and mouse game ensues, spanning from the CIA’s headquarters in Langley, to the Channel Tunnel rail line that runs beneath the English Channel. Time is not on Ethan’s side as the IMF, led by Kittridge (Henry Czerny), hunt Hunt down as he engages in a potentially deadly game of brinkmanship in attempting to forge the sale of the NOC list to arms dealer Max (Vanessa Redgrave) in order to draw out the Lando of the team. Yes, it is quite complicated to keep track of it all!Just what did the panel think of this week’s movie? How can they improve upon Phelps’s evil plot? And who will be christened this week’s most diabolical?https://twitter.com/diabolicalpodhttps://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpodEmail diabolicalpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.