Be Kind, Please Rewind!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's the Mole-Men!In Superman and the Mole-Men (1951), we join George Reeves' Superman as he confronts a small town that is not playing nice with their underground neighbors. Is it really a big deal that everything the little people touch glows in the dark? Or that they carry a mean looking vacuum cleaner?In the first Superman theatrical film (not including the serials), we are first exposed to the Superman we would later come to love in the Adventures of Superman (television series, 1952-58).

Concluding our series on early video game IPs adapted to film, we review Street Fighter Alpha: The Animation, also known as Street Fighter Zero: The Movie. This OVA is based on the Street Fighter Alpha 2 video game, and the English dub was released on the 10th anniversary (or birthday?) of the Street Fighter II: The World Warrior video game.In this animated adventure, Ryu (alongside his buddy, KEN) struggles with the "Dark Hadou". He then discovers he may have a long-lost brother, Shun. Add an underground street fighting tournament, and you would think this movie would be great!

Produced in 1993-94, this Mega Man OVA didn't see release until 2002! Why? Probably because it wasn't very good...Well, we watched it so you wouldn't have to. Join us as we discuss this three-episode OVA!

We've uncovered another videogame movie largely lost to history (this time due to Sega's lackluster archival department). Come listen as we discuss the original video animation of Sonic the Hedgehog!Eggman has hatched another scheme, this one involving Hyper Metal Terminator Sonic. But don't worry, Sonic isn't alone! Joining him in his adventure is Old Man Owl, the Australian Knuckles, and his young ward, Tails!Can they rescue the cat/monkey girl and stop Eggman???

Come join us as we discuss the first fully animated film in the Street Fighter franchise! A complicated film with multiple versions and releases, we get into the nitty gritty details, discussing the multiple soundtracks, English dubbings, forgotten plot points, and ... other stuff.The only thing missing is Jean-Claude Van Damme and Raul Julia!

An OVA (original video animation) sequel to the popular NES games (Ninja Gaiden I and II), it is probably best that this film was never released in the United States.In this movie, we join our ninja protagonist, Ryu, as he helps manage a curio shop with his non-girlfriend, Irene. The action revolves around a villain named Ned, who claims to have cured cancer, but who really has grown creature ninjas for Dr. Bucky-wise.For those who haven't seen it, your gain is our pain. Join us as we discuss the highs and many lows of this movie!

What in the world is this? A Super Mario anime from 1986? Less known than the Lost Levels, come join us as we review Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! (1986). Never released in America!Mario and Luigi, owners of the local Dollar General store, are pulled into a crazy adventure after an overly caffeinated Mario, who is staying up too late playing his Famicom, is caught in the middle of Bowser's plot to kidnap and marry the Princess!The source code for a significant amount of future Super Mario game staples, come see the introduction of cloud riding, air ships, ghost houses, killer clams, and more!

Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Following the smash hit, Mortal Kombat (1995), its sequel was so terrible it effectually killed the franchise for 20 years.Mortal Kombat Annihilation picks up right where the first film left off (with a few adjustments, such as new actors for nearly everyone). Other minor adjustments include a massive downgrade in dialogue, charisma, and acting ability.So come join us as we discuss one of the truly terrible movies of the 1990s! [Deep Voice] "Mortal Kombat!!!!"

"There can be only one!" Sorry, wrong Christopher Lambert movie...Considered by most historians to be the best pre-2000 video game movie, Mortal Kombat (1995) proved you really could make a not-bad live action movie based off a game.As Gene Siskel said: "You had a better time, admit it, than you thought you were going to have at this picture." Roger Ebert responded: "Well, since I thought I was gonna have a very BAD time, that would be true almost no matter what I thought!"While we are no Siskel and Ebert, get over here as we engage with Mortal Kombat!

Come celebrate our 50th episode with us as we review what is likely the worst video game movie of all-time, Double Dragon (1994)! If it isn't the worst of all-time, it is definitely the worst that no one has seen...The cast (featuring Alyssa Milano and Robert Patrick) makes the most out of what they are given, which isn't much. Special effects? They looked better on the NES. Plot? Easier to understand on the NES.At least it is fun to make laugh at bad movies!

Starring Jean-Claude Van Damme (Guile) and Raul Julia (M. Bison), this 1994 cult classic was not received fondly upon initial release. Based on the Street Fighter II video games, this G. I. Joe-inspired take on the franchise removes the pesky street fighting and special powers from the characters.The movie is not all bad, however! JCVD and Julia provide excellent performances (considering the material they are given), and the film has lots of memorable dialogue. If only they hadn't completely dropped the ball with Ryu and Ken...

The original bad video game movie, Super Mario Bros. (1993) follows Mario and Luigi as they seek to rescue Daisy from President Koopa in Dinohattan.Unfaithful to most Mario lore, this film is based off the premise that a meteor shattered the universe into two dimensions: the dinosaur (lizard) dimension and the mammal dimension. It's complicated...Anyways, no Princess Toadstool/Peach, no squishy Goombas, no jumping, no real Koopa, and no power-ups. But there is an animatronic Yoshi!

The movie that everyone has heard about but few have actually seen. . . The Wizard (1989) stars Fred Savage as he helps his younger brother travel from Utah to California to deal with some serious PTSD!But the real story is that his younger brother is a video game genius, so what better way to earn money than by scamming people out of their hard-earned cash to fund the road trip?Throw in a young lady named Haley, a bounty hunter with no first name, and a bunch of Nintendo and Universal advertising, and you got yourself a bona fide movie bound to make a tad bit of profit before taxes. . . .

The final appearances of Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno in the roles of David Banner and the Hulk,The Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990) marks the conclusion of the trilogy of made-for-television movies which resurrected the beloved series (which ran from 1977-1982).We also have the original love story between Banner and the Black Widow, which Joss Whedon would later rip off in Avengers: Age of Ultron (no, we can't prove it!).

Will a good Fantastic Four movie ever be released? Debatably, the best F4 movie may be the unreleased film from 1994. One of the most controversial and mysterious films of the modern era, the cast put their heart and soul into this movie. Unfortunately, behind the scenes, this film was doomed to fail (pun intended). So grab some popcorn (and possibly a stiff drink) as we discuss the most infamous B-movie of all time! It's clobbering time!

Yet another Marvel movie from the 1990s that ALMOST made it to theaters in the United States, see strong man Steve Rogers (with a limp) become Captain America and fight the child prodigy pianist, the Italian Red Skull! Captain America also gets to fight alongside the President of the United States, who solved a great mystery with the help of his childhood friend's decoder ring. Finally, Captain America's attire gets a major protection upgrade since we last saw him in the 1979 made-for-tv movies: full latex and rubber ears!

Before Benedict Cumberbatch won over our hearts, Peter Hooten was the original Dr. Strange! In this made-for-TV movie released in 1978, Dr. Strange (Hooten) becomes the new Sorcerer Supreme while fighting against a wannabe ancient girlfriend, Morgan le Fay (Jessica Walter) . . . all while starring in his own General Hospital soap opera. Oh yeah, he also "tutors" a young lady, Clea, who can't resist his stylish mustache and psychiatric machismo! Unfortunately, this "pilot" failed to launch a weekly series! Come join us and hear why!

The final theatrical release revolving around Ernest P. Worrell, Ernest Rides Again (1993) sees Jim Varney's character go out with a whimper. In this film, Ernest rides around town on a loose cannon as he works with his uncharismatic friend to find the Crown Jewels! While the movie was a resounding failure following the successful themes of Camp, Christmas, Jail, and Halloween, this wouldn't be the end of Ernest, as he would have many more direct-to-video releases!

After being the hero of Camp and saving Christmas, Ernest finds out the hard way that "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain." In this week's episode, we look at Ernest Goes to Jail (1990). In this movie, Ernest gets palette swapped with his evil doppelganger and must pretend to be a criminal in jail!

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday break! Joe and Adam are back and ready to go to summer camp! Not really, but they are ready to discuss the "classic" movie, Ernest Goes to Camp (1987)! Jim Varney's first true Ernest P. Worrell film, this movie has a little bit of everything: snapping turtles, cultural appropriation (Iron Eyes Cody!), a mean businessman, and Jim Varney boxing a kangaroo! Okay, the last one doesn't really happen, but apparently A.I. can produce it...

As Jim Varney once said, "This movie is weird!" Dr. Otto, a mysterious villain with a hand attached to the top of his head, uses his "gloom beam" to attack financial institutions all across the world! His arch nemesis, Lance Sterling, hopes to thwart his plan by solving the riddle! Along the way, Lance and his partner, Doris, must overcome Rudd Hardtack (leader of a child militia), Jack O'Cockney (pirate), Auntie Nelda (evil old woman), and Guy Dandy (wealthy playboy). Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1985) stars Jim Varney, who portrays all of the evil characters in this movie!

Heat Miser and Snow Miser are back, baby! Originally introduced in the 1974 Rankin/Bass classic, The Year Without a Santa Claus, the boys are back in town and fighting with each other once again over seasonal superiority. But when a conspiracy surrounding the attempted murder of Santa enters the picture, can the brothers settle their differences and save Christmas? Come find out as we discuss this homage to Rankin/Bass Christmas specials, A Miser Brothers' Christmas!

Rudolph's back for the holidays! No longer just a Christmas icon, our favorite reindeer is sticking around for the biggest New Year's party of 1976. But there can be no party without the New Year's baby, who is destined to grow up to be Father Time (for a year) but is tired of being made fun of by all the mean people in the world. Can Rudolph bring about world peace? Let's find out together as we watch Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976)!

Before he wrestled with trolls and sponsored Miak, Ernest saved Christmas! Santa has landed in Orlando, and he needs Ernest's help in convincing a former children's show host to take up the reins. If he fails, all hope will be lost and Christmas will be slain!

Santa is run down and not taking care of himself, and this year it catches up with him! Following doctor elf orders, Santa decides to take the year off. Mrs. Claus won't have any of that nonsense, and her meddling gets two forgettable elves and Vixen (the reindeer!) into a world of trouble. We also get introduced to the Miser Brothers, Heat and Snow! Come join us as we endure The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)!

Grab a cocoa and pull up a chair as we revisit the Christmas classic of all Christmas classics, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (originally 1964, but good luck finding that version!). Can an elf become a legal dentist? Do Bumbles eat reindeer? Are all reindeer mean? Find out the answer to all these questions and more!

A lesser-known Rankin/Bass Christmas classic, The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold (1981) showcases the sailor with no interpersonal skills, Dinty Doyle, and his adventure with the little leprechaun who harbors a grudge, Blarney Kilakalarney. Together, they face the infamous banshee, Mag the Hag! So grab a pint, sit back and relax, and enjoy a story within a story within a story within a story....

Double trouble! Pull up a chair, sip on your pumpkin spice latte, and enjoy the fun! Today, Adam and Joe examine two Rankin/Bass not-so-classics, Jack O'Lantern and Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters (both 1972). Jack O'Lantern is the unlikely tale of a leprechaun cosplaying as a pumpkin. Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters is an animated soft-reboot using the IP from Mad Monster Party?, which was a stop-motion film released and forgotten about several years prior (and reviewed 2 episodes ago!).

Joe and Adam discuss the greatest non-18+ Halloween movie of all time, Ernest Scared Stupid (1991). The fourth Ernest film to reach the box office, this cult classic and modest hit features Ernest (Jim Varney) and his dog, Rimshot, teaming up with some children to put the proverbial genie back in the bottle, or in this case, the troll back in the tree. For you see, Ernest has unwittingly unleashed Trantor the troll onto a small Missouri town. The troll is laser-focused on turning the children into little wooden dolls. Now, Ernest must engage in strategery with Old Lady Hackmore (Eartha Kitt) to figure out how to undo his grave mistake!

Lucky you! You're invited to the baddest party ever, the Mad Monster Party?! Boris Frankenstein has invited all the monsters in the great Monster Syndicate to announce his newest WMD (the de-mattering formula) and also his retirement. Fortunately for us, a great dispute takes place regarding his chosen successor, Felix Flanken (the pill popping pharmacist). Join Frankenstein, the Monster and his Bride, Dracula, Wolf-Man, Felix, Francesca, King Kong, and many others as we enjoy this Rankin/Bass stop-motion Halloween classic!

In The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, David Banner (Hulk!) is awaiting trial for a murder he didn't commit. In his corner is attorney Matt Murdoch (Daredevil!), who is trying to bring down the local mob boss, Wilson Fisk (unnamed Kingpin!). While the movie didn't spawn the Daredevil TV series it was hoping for, the movie did give us a ponytailed Kingpin and Daredevil's black suit!

The most popular Incredible Hulk of all time (played by the combo of Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno) returns in this made-for-television movie broadcast in 1988. In The Incredible Hulk Returns, we find David Bruce Banner working at a research facility. He has recently finished a machine that will cure his curse, but just as he is about to perform the experiment...his old problem-child student breaks in and turns the machine off. Cap the chaos off with Thor the Viking and some mean Cajuns, and get ready for a 90-minute thrill ride! You just need popcorn and a soda!

Before Thomas Jane, Ray Stevenson, and Jon Bernthal, we had the original Punisher, Dolph Lundgren! Due to the financial woes of its studio, The Punisher (1989) was a direct-to-video release in the United States while the rest of the world was blessed to see it on the big screen. A solid film, this movie has garnered a cult following despite being out-of-print and hard to stream (legally). The biggest crime against this movie is the lack of the iconic skull, but Dolph is Frank Castle.

The most inappropriate Captain America of all-time is back, baby! In this forgotten classic, Steve Rogers (Reb Brown) takes on an international kingpin who has unlocked the secret to rapid aging! This tyrant is General Miguel, played by the iconic Christopher Lee. The General may not be kidnapping and eating the townspeople's pets, but he is making sure that they are exposed to nasty chemicals! Along with the children! Hurry, Captain! You can't do this all day, because time is running short, and you must work quickly in order to save...Portland, Oregon!

Join us as we celebrate the made-for-television movie, Captain America (1979), starring Reb Brown as our titular hero. Taking a unique spin on Steve Rogers, this version of the character is a carefree, former Marine who enjoys sketching children on the beach. Originally presented as a hopeful television pilot for an ongoing series, this movie failed to capture audiences for various reasons...

Season 4 is here! Examining pre-bankruptcy Marvel movies, Joe and Adam start with the...Howard the Duck! While audiences failed to flock to theaters to watch Beverly's Duckie, the movie quickly became a cult classic and is generally beloved by audiences today.

Joe and Adam wrap up Season 3 with The Horror of Frankenstein (1970). This film is a black comedy remake of The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and sees Peter Cushing replaced as the title character by Ralph Bates. This would mark the only time that Hammer Films did not have Peter Cushing portraying Baron Frankenstein.

In what could be considered the Ernest Scared Stupid variant of the Franken-multiverse, Adam and Joe revisit Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974). In this "classic" tale, Peter Cushing's Frankenstein doesn't actually create anything, but he sure does have fun running an asylum with zany characters! Come join us as we enjoy the final appearance of Peter Cushing as Baron Frankenstein!

BONUS EPISODE! Joe and Adam give their thoughts on the new Deadpool & Wolverine movie! This action-packed episode includes their thoughts on the opening sequence, how this film is really a love letter to Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and the Fox's MCU, the future of Dogpool, and all the cameos. Also, a Reb Brown reference is made which the audience will not understand. He played Steve Rogers in two made for television movies in 1979 (Captain America and Captain America 2: Dead Too Soon). Reviews for those movies are coming soon!

In the next installment of the Frankenstein saga starring Peter Cushing, the controversial Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969) features a unique take on the Monster. Come join the hosts as they lament the hazards of deer, crime, and the pace of this film.

Things are getting weird in the Franken-verse! Contrary to promotional material which seems to promise a different type of scandalous, Baron Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) uses his odd technology to suck the soul out of his young servant and place it into the young man's girlfriend! Come enjoy Frankenstein Created Woman (1967)!

The hammer falls in round 3 of our examination of Frankenstein films (by Hammer Films, of course). In The Evil of Frankenstein (1964), we find Dr. Frankenstein and his personality-devoid sidekick, Hans, on the run in a new town. As luck would have it, however, they find the original (Universal?) monster with the help of a young lady. Throw a Hypnotist and a Burgermeister into the mix, and we end up with a big cluster of a movie!

After a 4th of July holiday break, Joe and Adam review The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), starring Peter Cushing. This is the 2nd Frankenstein movie brought to us by Hammer Films. They also reflect on what could have been if Hammer imitated The Incredible Hulk television series with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, with Cushing playing the role of the walking man...

It's Hammer Time! Season 3 kicks off with an in-depth look at Hammer Films' The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) with Peter Cushing as Frankenstein and Christopher Lee as the Monster. We also get to watch an odd love triangle between Victor Frankenstein, Professor "Krispy Kreme" Krempe, and love interest Elizabeth! Ultimately, this flick is an all-time classic horror film that has somewhat been lost to history. Let's rediscover it together!

In a stunning conclusion to Season 2, Joe and Adam revisit the epic (forgotten) classic, King Kong Escapes (1967). Loosely based off the nearly lost Kong cartoon series, The King Kong Show (Rankin/Bass), this movie is like all the best parts of Saturday morning cartoons. In this film, you have it all: Kong, Mechani-kong, the evil Dr. Who, Madame Piranha, and more! Also, Season 3 starts next week as we examine the Frankenstein series of films by Hammer Films, most of which star your favorite Star Wars character, Peter Cushing.

We've been lied to our entire lives. King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) is not a bad movie. At least if you watch the Japanese version of the film. It is actually just the Universal-distributed Americanized version that is so very bad. Having uncovered this gem of a film, Joe and Adam discuss the differences between the movies and lament having lived their entire lives not realizing the truth.

The third film in RKO's unofficial trilogy, Mighty Joe Young was a film ahead of its time. In this episode, Joe (the podcaster, not the actor from this film) and Adam discuss the underrated Mighty Joe Young and the spectacular special effects from Ray Harryhausen.

Overshadowing Cody Rhodes at Wrestlemania, Joe and Adam discuss Carl Denham finishing his King Kong story once-and-for-all. At 69 minutes, this rushed sequel picks up the story of Carl Denham dealing with the aftermath of King Kong's destruction.

Season Two begins! Joe and Adam go old school with an all-time classic, King Kong (1933). Did Beauty kill the Beast? Or was it really Carl Denham?

BONUS EPISODE...Joe discusses Five Nights at Freddy's with a special guest host, Logan Gould. They discuss the impressive practical effects, how the movie fits into FNAF lore, and the scary moments through (or lack thereof).

Season One concludes with Godzilla: Final Wars, the final film in the Godzilla Millenium series! Oh, how fun this movie could have been.... Due to possibly the worst writing and directing combination in the Godzilla franchise, this was, by far, the longest running Godzilla film at the time of its release. This movie has it all (almost literally): aliens, lots of X, mutants, Don Frye, 15+ kaiju, and even a little bit of Godzilla.