Cinema Obscura

An icon stars as an icon, as screen legend James Cagney plays horror forefather Lon Chaney. KYW Newsradio's Frank Traynor joins independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) to discuss the 1957 biopic "Man of a Thousand Faces."

An elite squad of super cops has a shocking secret--they're werewolves! KYW Newsradio's Frank Traynor and special guest  Joey V. of B-Movie TV's "Joey V. Presents" (@actionsmacked) join independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) to talk about the 1993 horror-action flick "Full Eclipse."

Legendary director William Castle left the gimmicks behind for his final movie, but he tried something different by casting famous mime Marcel Marceau in his first leading film role. The result was disturbing in the best...and worst ways! KYW Newsradio's Frank Traynor joins independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) to discuss the 1974 horror fantasy "Shanks!"

A magnificent castle, a brooding lord, and a dark secret. The spooky stretch begins as KYW Newsradio's Frank Traynor joins independent filmmaker Andre Bennett to discuss Gene Tierney and Vincent Price in the 1946 Gothic romance "Dragonwyck."

In episode 40 of Cinema Obscura KYW Newsradio's Frank Traynor and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett welcome Cinepocalypse Genre Film Festival founder/programmer Josh Goldbloom to talk about his favorite documentary, the cult classic "American Movie," and what it can teach filmmakers of all backgrounds.

Goodness, gracious! In episode 39 of Cinema Obscura KYW Newsradio's Frank Traynor and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett dive into the 1989 Jerry Lee Lewis biopic "Great Balls of Fire!"

Thirty years ago, "Weird Al" Yankovic made a run at big screen stardom, but the result was far weirder than even he anticipated! In episode 38 of Cinema Obscura KYW Newsradio's Frank Traynor joins independent filmmaker Andre Bennett, along with a pair of special guests--cartoonist Kelly Phillips and "Words With Nerds" co-host Joey O.--to discuss the strange, surprising legacy of the 1989 comedy "UHF."

"Star Wars" spawned a legion of imitators in the late '70s, but none more surreal and sincere than this 1978 space adventure from Japan! In episode 37 of Cinema Obscura KYW Newsradio's Frank Traynor joins independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (AndreBennettGO) to discuss "Message from Space!"

Standing together from birth to last breaths, it's the story of "The Fighting Sullivans!" In episode 36 of Cinema Obscura KYW Newsradio's Frank Traynor joins independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) to discuss this World War II biopic.

A mysterious island. Desperate castaways. This isn't "Gilligan's Island," it's the 1963 Japanese horror movie "Matango: Attack of the Mushroom People." KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) explore this dark, dense drama.

KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) discuss director Elaine May's bruising tale of a pair of Philadelphia gangsters on the run.

It's Cinema Obscura's 50th movie, and to mark the occasion, KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) welcome comedian Marissa Edelman for an extra-sized episode to talk about the extra-outrageous martial arts action-splatter-comedy "Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky!"

What if the creators of Puppet Master made the "Doctor Strange" movie? Well, wonder no more, because they did...just without any references to Marvel! KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) talk about the 1992 superhero adventure "Doctor Mordrid."

A toxic waste accident transforms a meek, scrawny janitor into a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength! KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir ) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) welcome a special guest, filmmaker Mark Mackner, to discuss the 1984 superhero splatter spoof "The Toxic Avenger!" Plus, Mark and Andre share their own experiences working with writer-director Lloyd Kaufman.

Evil children, secret societies, killer birds and aliens in casual wear abound as KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) take on the 1979 sci-fi horror romp "The Visitor."   

The late, great director Stanley Donen is responsible for classics like "Singin' in the Rain," "Royal Wedding" and "Charade." This is not one of those movies. KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) explore the strange 1980 science fiction thriller "Saturn 3."

What happens when a Philadelphia garbageman becomes an unlikely football hero? Find out as KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) take on the 1998 Disney comedy "The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon."

At long last, KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) tackle a request from the winner of their 31 Days of Halloween contest: 1972's holiday horror "Silent Night, Bloody Night."  

Episode 26: "A Bucket of Blood" KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) remember the late cult icon Dick Miller in one of his signature films, the 1959 horror comedy "A Bucket of Blood."

It's the superhero epic Marvel didn't want you to see! KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnThe Air) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) take on 1994's original unreleased "Fantastic Four" movie! Why was it never shown? And is it any good? All your questions will be answered in our 25th episode, true believers!    

It's a special Halloween episode as KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) welcome directors Tony Trov and Johnny Zito, and star Falon Joslyn, of the new horror movie "American Exorcist," shot entirely in Philadelphia. They discuss the tribulations and triumphs of bringing hometown horror to the masses. Plus, the winner of our 31 Days of Halloween contest is revealed!

Young women are turning up dead. Is the killer a savage leopard on the loose, or something else? KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy(@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) discuss the gripping 1943 horror feature "The Leopard Man."

On the spooky stretch to Halloween, KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) tackle the horror-action romp "Versus" and discuss the merits of gun-toting Yakuza zombies.    

Before he became a superstar, hometown hero Bradley Cooper starred in a horror "hangover" from the creator of "Hellraiser." KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) take a look at 2008's "The Midnight Meat Train."    

KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) remember the late movie icon Burt Reynolds with a look at his strange 1970 sci-fi adventure "Skullduggery."

KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) welcome special guest Joey V. from B-Movie TV's "Action Smacked" to tackle the action thriller "Road to Revenge!"

KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) are back with a pair of twisty '80s horror flicks: 1988's "Grotesque," starring Linda Blair and the late Tab Hunter, and an infamous clash of classes in 1989's "Society."  

Avast! KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) take to the waves to discuss 1995's would-be nautical blockbusters, "Cutthroat Island" and "Waterworld." Did they sink or swim?

KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) take on a pair of thrillers with a political bent: the (listener-suggested) 1979 conspiracy satire "Winter Kills" and the 1983 Stephen King adaptation "The Dead Zone."

KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) spotlight a pair of underrated gems: the 2002 horror fantasy "Bubba Ho-Tep" and the 2008 action adventure "Speed Racer."

It's the 25th anniversary of the "Super Mario Bros." movie. Is it better or worse than its reputation suggests? To find out, KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) welcome a special guest, KYW Newsradio's Dan Wing!

KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) dive into danger with the 2004 comedy adventure "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" and 1980's British crime drama "The Long Good Friday."

In the wake of "Black Panther's" runaway success, KYW Newsradio's Steve Nikazy(@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGo) take a look at two of its forerunners: 1977's "Abar, the First Black Superman" and 1993's "The Meteor Man."  

KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGO) discuss the 1978 space opera "Starcrash" and the 1957 supernatural thriller "Night of the Demon."

KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGo) discuss two visions of the apocalypse--the 1980 international disaster epic "Virus" and the 1982 action thriller "Turkey Shoot"--with one common thread.

KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGo) discuss the 2008 Japanese splatter opus "The Machine Girl" and the 1966 sci-fi classic "Fantastic Voyage."

KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGo) return with a pair of groaners: the 1934 horror movie "Maniac," and 1968's all-star counterculture comedy "Skidoo."

KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGo) get into the spirit with a pair of St. Nick flicks! It's 1964's holiday "classic," "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians," and the 2010 dark fantasy "Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale."

This week, KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGo) tackle a pair of action-comedies: "Drive" from 1997 and 1984's "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension!" 

KYW's Steve Nikazy(@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGo) weigh in on at 1962's Mexican creature feature "The Brainiac." But not even the terrors of the brain-sucking Baron Vitelius can prepare them for the mind-shattering magnum opus from Tommy Wiseau. What happens when you see "The Room" for the first time? Find out here!

This week, KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent filmmaker Andre Bennett (@AndreBennettGo) dive into a pair of horror movies about the scariest subject of all! It's the mother of all zombie comedies, 1992's "Dead Alive," and the nightmare ride of 1979's "Phantasm."

KYW's Steve Nikazy (@SteveOnTheAir) and independent Philly filmmaker Andre Bennett  (@AndreBennettGo) discuss the 2006 horror comedy "Severance," and the 2000 superhero comedy "The Specials."