The Searchers

A very Merry Christmas to you all! We’ve reached the big day before the new year, and what better choice of a film to cover than Clive Donner’s A Christmas Carol from 1984? For this one, Kevin’s bringing on an old friend of his, Alan, to join us for the show. Through such subtlety in performance, cinematography, and the natural cadence of the screen translation of Charles Dickens’ beloved novella, we take you through the delivery of this single iteration out of a very many and tell you why it truly might be the cream of the crop. A miser’s journey to resurgence and renewal that’s only so fitting for the reason for the season. So without further ado, join us, everyone, for a joyous occasion. Don’t you dare say, “Bah! Humbug!” Or else from under your feet, we’re pulling the rug! Remember to send us your mailbags at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

Alrighty, folks! Following our first John Candy feature, Only the Lonely — which we covered back in 2024 — The Searchers set off on a journey across the North American plains (well, Toronto) and into the warm, lasting memories of the beloved comedian and actor. This time, we’re diving into a heartfelt documentary about the cherished Canadian, directed by Colin Hanks. From fan-favorite roles like Del Griffith to the iconic Uncle Buck, Candy is explored through a more intimate, reflective lens in this new film. What exactly made the John Candy an actor and comedian of such a distinct caliber? How did he manage to connect with us so deeply, even from the other side of a screen? And what does it mean to revisit the work of a performer from a bygone era? Tune in to find out! Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Folks… did you think spooky season was over? It ain’t truly finished yet! Reaching into November now, the autumnal season has brought us to a little mash-up of Horror Adjacent™️ and Veterans Day graces. We’re covering our second South Korean film of the show. In the jungles of Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, a Korean squad, led by Lieutenant Choi, heads into the mist and fog of a mysterious island to rescue a missing platoon. Will they get out alive? Somehow connecting the horror genre with the horrors of war itself, director Kong Su-chang brings us an interesting combination of artful and subtle scares with the injured psyches of soldiers aching to return home. Join Chris and Kevin as they delve into the mysterious jungles of warfare, silhouettes, and ghosts. Hear us out as we make our point for R-point!

Following Chris’s pick starring gentle giant Dolph Lundgren, we follow up with Kevin’s pick — a South Korean dark comedy and erotic horror film with Song Kang-ho as a priest who makes a radical decision out of selflessness. With plunges into Catholic humility and lustful sins, it’s a haphazard and treacherous road to find redemption, and really you’d think those concepts would float our boats, wouldn’t it? But as with the ways of the world, it’s not that simple. Join the three of us gabbing about this year’s second Horror Adjacent™️episode on the grand ol’ stagecoach, as its travails bring us over some challenging roads and into a holy man’s transformation into a vampire. A man of love for moral purity has become a vampire’s lust for blood. Be sure your soul hasn’t been corrupted, friends. We won’t be responsible! Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Apologies for the delay, it's been a hectic month. Here is a recording from a couple months ago... Chris and Ben review 1997's Kull the Conqueror starring Kevin Sorbo. We'll be back with some Searcher's Horror-Adjacent™ content very soon. Thanks for listening. Thanks to Nostalgic Covers for letting us use this kickass cover of the Joel Goldsmith score. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcmsil7uvk8 Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

The Searchers celebrate their centennial episode with honorary fourth Searcher Nick Langdon. The movie focuses on Hiroki, a young man plagued by loneliness and unrequited love. When a strange girl appears out of nowhere, he is torn between believing she’s real or a creation of his own psyche. Miss Lonely is one of Chris' favorite movies from director Nobuhiko Obayashi; however, to keep with tradition and the pod's mission, we picked this film since Kevin and Nick had both not seen it. In addition to a review of the film, we look back on other various episodes and give shout out to some past guests. If you have been with us since the beginning, you are a real one. And to all of those who have found us in the interim, thanks for joining... What took you so long? From all of us at The Searchers, sincerely thank you! Here's to another hundred. Coming up: we have two more September releases before we get to October! Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

The Searchers close out this arc on Jean-Paul Belmondo actioners with The Outsider from 1983, not to be confused with the Francis Ford Coppola film. Is this the famous Frenchman's Dirty Harry clone? Was he too old to do all his own stunts? Come listen to the latest episode and find out! On the next episode, Chris and Ben cover another film from the great Obayashi. Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Hey all, we're back! All three Searchers return to Jean-Paul Belmondo action films this time reviewing Claude Zidi's Animal from 1977. JPB stars alongside American superstar Raquel Welch hence the American release title, "Stuntwoman." We discuss the film, more about Jean-Paul Belmondo's career, and many tangents on random things like Peter O'Toole's Oscar nominations. Check Animal (1977) out on Tubi, HERE! Up next, Kevin and Chris cover Ghost Rider 2 with a special guest. Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/