Tv/Movie Rewind

Today Matt & Todd saddle up with (not Wolverine) Logan for a retrospective on one of cinema’s most iconic, sharp‑eyed but little-discussed legends: Lee Van Cleef.Few actors have ever done more with a squint, a silhouette, or the simple act of entering a room. Lee Van Cleef embodied a whole cinematic archetype. From Westerns to war films to Italian genre oddities to 80s action pulp, his career is a treasure full of gems any actor would be proud of.This episode explores the major stops along that trail, to name a few that we mention:High Noon (1952)Van Cleef’s film debut, silent but unforgettable. Even without dialogue, he stands out—those cheekbones and that stare do half the acting for him. A small role, but the beginning of legend.For a Few Dollars More (1965)The real turning point. As Colonel Douglas Mortimer, Van Cleef becomes a full‑fledged Leone gunslinger. He was cool, lethal, and unexpectedly soulful. He matches Eastwood beat for beat, proving he wasn’t just a villain, but a presence.The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)Angel Eyes. One of the greatest villains in film history. Van Cleef’s performance is all precision: calm, polite, and terrifying. The Big Gundown (1966)A masterpiece of the Spaghetti Western era. Van Cleef’s Jonathan Corbett is a bounty hunter with a conscience, and the film gives him room to be complex, conflicted, and commanding. This is peak Van Cleef—charismatic, dangerous, and magnetic.The Big Showdown (1967)A looser, more playful follow‑up to Gundown, showing Van Cleef’s ability to shift gears without losing his edge. He’s still the coolest man in the room, but now with a wink.Barquero (1970) A criminally underrated American Western and one of Van Cleef’s best roles. As Travis, the ferry‑man who becomes the last line of defense against a gang of killers, Van Cleef is gruff, stubborn, and absolutely riveting.This is the movie that proves he wasn’t just a European Western icon—he could carry a gritty American frontier story with equal force.If you watch only one deep‑cut Van Cleef film, make it Barquero which features a tremendous cast with stellar performances including the always great Warren Oates and Forrest Tucker.Escape from New York (1981)Snake Plissken may be the star, but Van Cleef’s Hauk is the heavy with a steel core. Older, grayer, but still radiating authority. Code Name: Wild Geese (1984)Pure 80s Euro‑action pulp. Van Cleef brings gravitas to a movie that desperately needs it, elevating the mercenary‑mayhem with that trademark “I’ve seen everything and survived it” energy. One of the most action-packed endings you'll see with a lifetime of pyrotechnics in one scene.The Master (1984, TV Series)Van Cleef as a ninja master. On television. In the 80s.Is it absurd? Yes.Is it terrible? Actually, no. Its really just fine 80s cheese.He brings sincerity to a role that could’ve been pure camp, and the result is a cult oddity that’s impossible not to enjoy.Plus:Ride Lonesome, Sabata, The Magnificent Seven Ride, The OctagonLee Van Cleef never phoned it in, even in the wildest genre films.He could be heroic, villainous, or something intriguingly in‑between.He had a face that told stories before he spoke a word.He elevated everything he touched—from masterpieces to B‑movies to TV curiosities.If you know, you know. If you don't, find out via some of the best western and action films you missedMatt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠

Today Matt & Todd are invaded by the 1986 sci‑fi‑horror‑comedy Critters, directed by Stephen Herek.Pint‑sized, ravenous, space-hedgehog critters escape space-prison and head to earth for a feast, crash landing on a quiet Kansas farm. Hot on their trail are two morphing alien bounty hunters who are armed, dangerous, and able to change their faces (with varying success).If you’re expecting something in the vein of Gremlins, be warned: Critters is its own wonderfully weird beast. The tone leans far more into 1950s creature‑feature energy. It is closer to The Blob (1958) than Poltergeist (1982). This one keeps its own “offbeat meets surreal” personality and impressive practical effects.If you’re a fan of retro sci‑fi and drive‑in monster mayhem, this one sits comfortably alongside: Night of the Creeps Return of the Living Dead The Blob (1958) The Fly (1958)Critters features:Dee Wallace StoneTerrence MannM. Emmet WalshBilly Green BushScott GrimesWhit Bissell Award Winner Nadine van der VeldeWhit Bissell Award Winner Don Keith OpperLyn ShayeBilly ZaneA cult classic with teeth: Critters is a chaotic, charming slice of ’80s creature cinema that still hits the spot.Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠

In 1994, television gave us a criminally short-lived gem: The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.. Created by Carlton Cuse and Jeffrey Boam, the series ran for just one spectacular season—27 episodes of sci-fi‑tinged Western adventure that blended pulp thrills with tongue‑in‑cheek humor.The cast was stacked:Bruce Campbell as Brisco County Jr.Julius Carry as Lord BowlerChristian Clemenson as Socrates PooleFeaturing Billy Drago as the sinister John BlyKelly Rutherford as Dixie CousinsJohn Astin as Professor WickwireAnd John Pyper-Ferguson (a dual Whit Bissell Award winner) as the unforgettable Pete HutterThe story follows Brisco, driven to hunt down the gang who murdered his father (played by R. Lee Ermey), but it’s far more than a revenge tale. With its mix of Western grit, sci-fi weirdness, and comedic charm, the show delivered equal parts fun, strangeness, and thrills. Billy Drago’s chilling turn as Bly remains a highlight—an absolutely sinister performance that elevated the series.Gone too soon, Brisco County Jr. remains one of the most fun, inventive shows of its era. If you missed it the first time around, it’s well worth rediscovering—you won’t be disappointed.----------Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under the alias arcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠

Today Matt and Todd welcome frequent collaborator Mike to discuss another childhood horror classic.In 1979 we were treated to a Universal remake of their 1931 classic: Dracula, directed by the great John Badham and starring: Frank Langella as Dracula Lawrence Olivier as Abraham Van Helsing Kate Nelligan as Lucy Seward, Donald Pleasance as Jack Seward Whit Bissell Award Winners Janine Druvitski as asylum patient Annie, Jan Francis as Lucy and Tony Haygarth as Renfield.This retelling of Bram Stoker's gothic classic makes some changes to the story we remember, but you get what you came for, including a tremendous score by legend John Williams. A worthy successor to the 1931 classic, even if not our favorite, it offers its own haunting scenes and terrific performances that keep us rewatching.Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠

Three O’Clock High is a 1987 teen comedy directed by Phil Joanou, starring:Casey Siemaszko as JerryAnne Ryan as FrannyRichard Tyson as Buddy RevellWhit Bissell Award winners Stacey Glick as Brei (Jerry’s sister), and co-winners Scott Tiler & Guy Massey as Bruce and Scott, amateur documentary filmmakers.Written by Richard Christian Matheson and Thomas Szollosi.Released in 1987, a critical moment for teen comedies. Just two years prior, we got Weird Science (twice!), Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This one didn’t quite land the same way. It underperformed at the box office and didn’t win over critics for the most part.So… what happened?We don’t really know. But we're talking about why we liked it!Today, we’re talking about this overlooked gem of the genre. Loosely riffing on the 1952 western High Noon, Three O’Clock High gives us a surreal, anxiety-laced day in the life of Jerry Mitchell. He’s just a regular student who accidentally crosses paths with Buddy Revell—a hulking new kid with a violent reputation. The showdown is set: 3 o’clock, after school, in the parking lot. No escape.Unlike its teen comedy peers, this one leans darker. It’s not Bad Boys, but there’s definitely more blood and missing teeth than the movies above.Instead of cliques and awkward prom moments, we get likable characters squaring off against a clear villain. It’s a refreshing twist—less detention hall, more clumsy sheriff-vs-bandit showdown.Also we get a killer soundtrack by Tangerine Dream!----Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky:@MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠

Today, Matt & Todd are joined by guest Gabe Crate to explore the original Planet of the Apes saga one last time (sorta, the movies, anyway).Released in 1973, Battle for the Planet of the Apes is the fifth and final film in the series, directed by J. Lee Thompson (who also helmed Conquest) and starring:Roddy McDowall as CaesarClaude Akins as AldoNatalie Trundy as LisaAustin Stoker as (Bruce) MacDonaldWhit Bissell Award winners Paul Williams (as Virgil) and Lew Ayres (as Mandemus)Arguably the weakest entry in the franchise, with the least new ground to cover—but also, maybe, the most approachable. On one hand, it feels like an extended TV episode designed to tie up loose ends for the franchise faithful. On the other, it’s a well-directed, well-acted film with solid set pieces and the most hopeful ending of the series.Sure, the ideas and budget may have been running low, but the performances pull you in and keep you there—right up to the confusing finale. Maybe it deserved better. But this is what we got, and honestly? It’s an awful lot of fun.The fifth and final end to the story. Once and for all. No bombs. No bullets. Good night, nurse.That is… except for the TV series. And the animated series.So maybe don’t lose your tack and saddle just yet.Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky:@MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠

Today on the TV/Movie Rewind Podcast, Matt & Todd get reanimated and rearmed with Universal Soldier—Roland Emmerich’s 1992 sci-fi action flick that boldly blends high-octane combat with Frankenstein, war crimes, and plenty of roundhouse kicks. Starring: • Jean-Claude Van Damme as “LUC, SAD!” Luc Deveraux, a memory-wiped near-automaton as confused about what he is as he is about who he is. • Dolph Lundgren as “ANDREW, MAD!” Sgt. Andrew Scott, a completely unhinged maniac with a necklace made of ears and probably loves Casualties of War for all the wrong reasons. • Ally Walker as Veronica Roberts, a journalist just trying to do her job and not get murdered by government cyborgs. • Whit Bissell Award winners Jerry Orbach (as Dr. Gregor) and Robert Trebor (as the motel owner), plus genre favorites Ed O’Ross and Leon Rippy. This is great early-90s action: • Government conspiracies • Secret military programs • And a plot that could be described as RoboCop meets First Blood with a dash of Short Circuit if Johnny 5 had been developed by Cyberdyne Systems. • Van Damme kicks people. Lundgren screams about betrayal. There’s a diner fight, a farm showdown, and a final battle that ends with a hay baler and some light existential horror.Despite 5 sequels, this one is often forgotten in the larger pool of muscley-action films. For one, Van Damme’s box-office draw was waning, and it could be said that this kind of action film a dying genre in 1992, especially with Die Hard a few years earlier establishing a new action archetype.Lastly, at least in America alone, 1992 would be dominated by other classics such as:Disney’s Aladdin, Academy Award Winning Unforgiven, Basic Instinct, Reservoir Dogs, A Few Good Men, Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Batman Returns, and The Bodyguard, to name a few. This one had an up-hill battle for your memory, so we’re giving it another look. You should too!Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ lists on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois On Facebook terrible movies often find him even under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠

Gene Hackman's incredible life included time as United States Marine, an avid Cyclist, designing award-winning homes, restoring homes, and even in SCCA racing competitions.He also had a legendary 5-decade acting career on stage and screen accumulating 2 Oscars (5 nominations), 2 BAFTA, 4 Golden Globe and a SAG awards along the way.He's a star with an asteroid named after him. (wikipedia)Today our northern collaborator Logan share's his thoughts with us on some of our favorite films starring or featuring the man himself.Rest in Peace Mr. and Ms. Hackman.Matt reviews and ranks more movies including newer ones at ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can find out what he's following on Bluesky @MovieMattSirois.bsky.socialCheck out favorites of what we follow, at: ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠ As Marcus he reviews all sorts of films but unlike here, they often they range from bad, worse, or terrible at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠MovieAsylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠.