The Seat Struck Movie Podcast

“Preacher? That motherfucker got God and technology ass/backwards! He’ll kill anybody for money just to keep his body full of implants!” J-BoneCurtis, John, and Simon team up for 1995's JOHNNY MNEMONIC, the pre-MATRIX cyberpunk adaptation of William Gibson's short story starring Keanu Reeves, Dina Meyer, Henry Rollins, Ice T, Dolph Lundgren, and Takeshi Kitano. The boys discuss what they watched this week before diving into the film discussion. Hot topics include Gibson's source material, the B&W version, CYBERPUNK 2077, THE MATRIX, Keanu Reeves's acting, and the film's cyberpunk elements.Tune in next time as John and Curtis kickstart a new David Lynch watch series with ERASERHEAD (1977)!NEWS OF THE WEEKNew releases: Primate; Is This Thing On?; Greenland 2: MigrationWHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEKCurtis: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince; Manchester by the SeaJohn: The Sting; The Amusement Park; Ghostly Revenge; Rise of the Animals; PVC-1; All Monsters AttackSimon: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePantsTIME STAMPS(00:00:00) Introduction(00:01:11) News of the Week/What We Watched This Week(00:24:11) JOHNNY MNEMONIC Discussion(01:00:57) Our Scores for JOHNNY MNEMONIC(01:06:18) Coming Up Next!CREDITS AND PLUGSIntro: "Memory Johnny" by Black Rain (JOHNNY MNEMONIC OST)Outro: Excerpt from JOHNNY MNEMONICFollow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'https://curtisrunstedler.ca/Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedlerCurtis's forthcoming publication here:https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-dis-trusting-the-digital-world-in-imaginative-literature.html

Frights, camera, action! For the final outing of spooky season, Curtis and John take on Zach Cregger's WEAPONS (2025), starring Julia Garner, Amy Madigan, and Josh Brolin, alongside special guests Magill and Dr Thomas Britt. The boys discussed what they watched this week before diving into the film discussion. Hot topics include the "comedic" aspects of the film, parasitism, the multiple narratives and perspectives, consumption, police corruption and complacency, Gladys, the meaning of "weapons," and so much more. Have a spooktacular season!Tune in next time for the final Sofia Coppola canon entry: PRISCILLA (2023)!NEWS OF THE WEEKShoutouts:The kind folks I met in Toronto at various stores, cinemas, etc. Charlottetown Film FestivalNew releases: Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere; Chainsaw Man: The MovieWHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEKCurtis: Brute 1976; Frankenstein (2025)John: Twin Peaks: The Return (Ep 7-9); Versus (2000); Ogroff; Kidnapped (2010); The American Scream (2010); The Long WalkMagill: Microbudget movies Pater Noster and the Mission of Light and They Call Her Death, Nirvanna the Band the Show the MovieTommy: Tron: Ares; RoofmanTIME STAMPS00:00:00 Introduction00:01:10 News of the Week/What We Watched This Week00:49:49 WEAPONS Discussion01:37:12 Our Scores for WEAPONS01:41:44 Coming Up Next!CREDITS AND PLUGSIntro: "Beware of Darkness" by George HarrisonOutro: "Locked" by Ryan Holladay, Hays Holladay, and Zach Cregger (WEAPONS OST)Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91For a list of films covered at Genre Gems: https://letterboxd.com/johnnycakes91/list/genre-gems-2025-festival-lineup/ Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'https://curtisrunstedler.ca/Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedlerCheck out Magill's games here:https://taigainteractive.itch.ioTommy and Curtis's forthcoming publications here:https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-dis-trusting-the-digital-world-in-imaginative-literature.htmlNew Tommy Britt publication here:https://discovery.researcher.life/article/sleeping-through-the-big-lebowski-sleep-dreams-and-rest-in-the-coen-brothers-films-and-jeff-bridges-music/491e641b97c735e585ac3d652e42704e

"Are you freebasing or what?"Curtis and John celebrate years of AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000) with their deep dive into the film on this week's episode. They discuss queerness and homoeroticism in the film, Reaganism and '80s yuppie culture, serial killer fascination, Bret Easton Ellis's book, the female direction, and more. Before they talk about the film, they talk about new releases, shoutouts, and what they watched this week.Tune in next week for the next Sofia Coppola watch series entry: THE BEGUILED (2017), starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning.TIME STAMPS00:00:00 Introduction00:02:11 Shoutouts / New Releases/What We Watched This Week00:41:55 AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000) Discussion01:16:33 Our Ratings for AMERICAN PSYCHO01:22:25 Coming Up Next!SHOUTOUTSCoyote vs AcmeOzzy Osbourne (The Osbournes, Little Nicky) and Hulk Hogan passed away (Rocky III, Suburban Commando, Mr. Nanny, many cameos)WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEKCURTIS: The Phoenician Scheme; Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone (BBC Documentary); RoboCop (1987); RoboCop 2 (1990); RoboCop: Rogue City (Video Game)JOHN: Superman (2025); Eddington; VHYes; Knives Out; SpreeCREDITS AND PLUGSIntro: Excerpt from AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000), "Hip to Be Square" by Huey Lewis and the NewsOutro: "Sussudio" by Phil CollinsFollow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'https://curtisrunstedler.ca/Check out Curtis's new book reviews series on YouTube here:https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler

"Buddy, you're in the wrong place at the wrong time."Curtis and John team up again with special guest Dr John Bruni for William Friedkin's neo-noir classic TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A., starring William Petersen, John Pankow, Willem Dafoe, and John Turturro. The boys talk about what they recently watched and their shoutouts before doing a deep dive into the film. Hot topics include Wang Chung, gender and queerness, counterfeiting, and comparisons with Miami Vice, and more.Tune in next time as the Valley brothers (John and Billy) take on STAR WARS EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!TIME STAMPS00:00:00 Introduction00:10:55 Shoutouts/What We Watched This Week00:45:31 TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. (1985) Discussion01:58:00 Our Ratings for TO LIVE DIE IN L.A.02:06:30 Coming Up Next!SHOUTOUTSJOHN VALLEY: Sinners - Ryan Coogler film breakdown on Kodak’s YT channel : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Ru62uFM0sNew releases: Sinners; The ShroudsWHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEKJOHN VALLEY: The White Lotus (Season 3); Severance (Season 1 & 2); Local Legends; Luz; One Crazy Summer; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always ; Butcher, Baker, Nightmare MakerCURTIS: Adolescence (Netflix Miniseries); Keoma; Take Out; Becoming Led Zeppelin; When Evil LurksJOHN BRUNI: The Righteous Gemstones (TV Series); Thank You Very Much (2023); Five Easy Pieces; Hickey & Boggs; BustingCREDITS AND PLUGSIntro: "Dance Hall Days" by Wang ChungOutro: "Wait" by Wang Chung (TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. OST)Check out Dr John Bruni's NEW article on TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.:https://www.mediamagpies.com/counterfeit-city-part-2-to-live-and-die-in-l-a/Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

Curtis, John, Simon, and special guest Ivana try to maintain the balance with THE SUBSTANCE (2024), starring Margaret Qualley, Demi Moore, and Dennis Quaid. The Fantastic Four talk about what they watched, shoutouts of the week, and new releases before doing a deep dive into the film. Hot topics of discussion include feminist angles and male gaze of the film, its satirical elements and critique of ageism and sexist beauty standards, the "monstrousness" of ageing, and the mystery of THE SUBSTANCE itself. Lots of butts and guts for all! Stay tuned for the next Sofia Coppola watch series in February: MARIE ANTOINETTE! TIME STAMPS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:55 News of the Week/Shoutouts/What We Watched This Week 00:17:40 THE SUBSTANCE (2024) Discussion 00:57:37 Our Ratings for THE SUBSTANCE 01:02:10 Coming Up Next! NEWS OF THE WEEK Shoutouts; John: Cathode Cinema—check out their Linktree for resources for donations to families and individuals affected by the Los Angeles’ fires: https://linktr.ee/cathodetv New Releases: Den of Thieves 2: Pantera; Better Man; Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK JOHN: Wobble Palace; Ghost Town Anthology; Virus (1980); Inside CURTIS: You’ll Never Find Me; North of North (TV Series) IVANA: Woman of the Hour; A Complete Unknown SIMON: Squid Game (Season 2); Beast Games CREDITS AND PLUGS Intro: Excerpt from THE SUBSTANCE (2024) Outro: "The Substance" by Raffertie (THE SUBSTANCE OST) Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91 Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

John and Curtis kick off their NEW Sofia Coppola watch series with 1999's THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, starring Kirsten Dunst and based on Jeffrey Eugenides' bestselling novel. The boys talk their shoutouts, what they watched this week, and new releases, before diving into the film discussion. They chat about the Coppola as a filmmaker, the book, the film's ambiguity, the suicides, how the town collectively remembers the girls, and more. The Sofia Coppola watch series continues next week with 2003's LOST IN TRANSLATION, starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson! TIME STAMPS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:08:20 News of the Week/Shoutouts/What We Watched This Week 00:43:36 THE VIRGIN SUICIDES (1999) Discussion 01:24:28 Our Ratings for THE VIRGIN SUICIDES 01:36:54 Coming Up Next! NEWS OF THE WEEK Shoutouts; John: John Waters struggles to get funding for LIARMOUTH. Curtis: FORREST GUMP 2 announced with Timothee Chalamet set to star as Forrest’s son (satire) MIDSOMMAR Christmas tree topper ornament now available to order from A24’s shop Ridley Scott is interested in making GLADIATOR 3 (in the vein of THE GODFATHER III) New releases: Small Things Like These; Heretic, Here, Red One, Emilia Perez WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK CURTIS: The Handmaid’s Tale (Season 2); Heretic (2024); The Outrun JOHN: Screamplay; The Killer Shrews; Charlie Victor Romeo; Intrepidos Punks; Justice Ninja Style CREDITS AND PLUGS Intro: "Strange Magic" by Electric Light Orchestra Outro: "Dead Bodies" by Air (THE VIRGIN SUICIDES OST) Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91 Quinn: @seatstruckreviews Also check out Quinn's NEW YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

Once upon a time, in the same galaxy, John, Curtis, and Billy discussed STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE for its 25th anniversary. They talk about what they watched this week and HOGWARTS LEGACY before diving into the topic. Hot topics include Natalie Portman, the epic score, Jar Jar Binks, podracing, and reassessing an often maligned sequel and its legacy. This episode is dedicated to Curtis' brother Ryan on his 33rd birthday! TIME STAMPS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:03 News of the Week/What We Watched This Week 00:30:42 STAR WARS I: THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999) Discussion (hot takes, tasty bits) 01:31:54 Our Ratings for STAR WARS EPISODE I 01:42:13 Coming Up Next! NEWS OF THE WEEK RIP James Earl Jones TIFF 2024: Big premieres: Rumours (Madden); The Shrouds (Cronenberg); North America premiere of big Cannes releases Midnight Madness: Dead Talents Society; Ick (Joseph Kahn); The Substance (Coralie Fargeat) New releases: : Beetlejuice Beetlejuice; Rebel Ridge; Speak No Evil (2024) WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK JOHN: Cameraperson; Lizzie; Thunder Bay (series); Return of Daimajin; Super Mario Bros. BILLY: Murder By Death CURTIS: Marie Antoinette; Straight Outta Compton; Hogwarts Legacy (Video Game) CREDITS AND PLUGS Intro: "The Flag Parade" by John Williams (STAR WARS I: THE PHANTOM MENACE OST) Outro: "Manaan (Ahto City)" by Jeremy Soule (STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC OST) Quinn: @seatstruckreviews Also check out Quinn's NEW YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month' Check out Curtis' forthcoming Theology and Vampires publication here: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781978716896/Theology-and-Vampires Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis, John, and returning special guest (and John Cassavetes film scholar) Dr John Bruni take on Elaine Mays (one of the first female directors) debut film A NEW LEAF (1971). They chat about what they watched this week and the latest news of the week before diving into our topic. TIME STAMPS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:42 News of the Week/What We Watched This Week 00:42:45 A NEW LEAF (1971) Discussion (hot takes, tasty bits) 01:40:40 Our Ratings for A NEW LEAF 01:47:17 Coming Up Next! NEWS OF THE WEEK Bong Hits, Burgers, and Neil Patrick Harris: An Oral History of ‘Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle’ https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/harold-and-kumar-go-to-white-castle-oral-history-kal-penn-john-cho-1235070051/ New trailer for Kevin Smith’s “The 4:30 Movie” Lots of Marvel news: announced new Russo-led pictures, Avengers: Secret War and Avengers: Doomsday And, RDJ returning to the franchise to play Dr. Doom David Lynch releases new album with Chrystabell New releases: Deadpool vs. Wolverine; A Quiet Place: Day One; Rebel Moon; Trap WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK CURTIS: Baby Reindeer (Netflix Miniseries); Longlegs; Lisa Frankenstein; Saltburn; Starve Acre JOHN VALLEY: Dream Demon; Godzilla vs. Biollante; Talk to Me; The Sadness; Peppermint Candy JOHN BRUNI: The Sporting Club; Twin Peaks (Season 3) CREDITS AND PLUGS Intro: Excerpt from A NEW LEAF (1971) Trailer Outro: Excerpt from A NEW LEAF Quinn: @seatstruckreviews Also check out Quinn's NEW YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'