Cultish: A Movie Podcast

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! To celebrate, we're bringing you this holiday special, in which we talk about Michael Dougherty's 2015 cult classic, Krampus.

We conclude our Planet of the Apes series by delving into the recent prequel trilogy, which reboots the franchise with state of the art effects and a killer central performance from the brilliant Andy Serkis. But are these movies any good?

Continuing our journey through the Planet of the Apes franchise, we take a delve into Tim Burton's 2001 reboot, starring Mark Whalberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Paul Giamatti, and Michael Clarke Duncan. Despite becoming a box office success, the film was poorly received by critics and has since been largely forgotten, but does it deserve another look?

We're continuing our journey through the Planet of the Apes this week by taking a look back at the 1974 live-action television series, Planet of the Apes, starring Roddy McDowell, and the 1975 Saturday morning animation, Return to the Planet of the Apes. While both only lasted a single season, they have become cult favorites. Why?

This week we're continuing our journey through the Planet of the Apes franchise by discussing 1972's brutal Conquest Of, and 1973's disappointing Battle For the Planet of the Apes.

It's Halloween, and so we're taking a break from our regular series to bring you this special, chosen by the listeners, in which we discuss all things 2000's spooktacular Final Destination.

This week we're continuing out Planet of the Apes series by taking a look at 1970's Beneath the Planet of the Apes and 1971's Escape from the Planet of the Apes, both of which see the series take a strange turn into the more fantastical and sci-fi realms.

This week we begin our Planet of the Apes series by diving headfirst into the 1968 classic starring Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowell. An absolute classic of the genre, the film spawned four direct sequels, two television series, a remake, and a prequel trilogy - not to mention a slew of merchandise beyond - but why?

This week we're breaking from our usual movie output to take a look at the cult comedy sitcom Spaced. Written by Jessica Stevenson and Simon Pegg, and directed by Edgar Wright, Spaced is most notable for its pop-culture references and for featuring the team behind the Cornetto Trilogy in an early role. But why has it gained such a cult following?

This week we're taking a look at Leigh Whannell's excellent underseen sci-fi thriller UPGRADE, from 2018. Starring Logan Marshel-Green and telling the story of a technophobe who, after an accident, is paralyzed and implanted with an experimental computer chip called STEM that enables him to walk.

This week we're wrapping up our Peter Jackson series by taking a look back at what we've learned over the last few episodes, and discussing some of the films he has worked on outside of his role as a director.

In the penultimate episode of our Peter Jackson series, we take a look at the underwhelming Hobbit Trilogy and discuss just why we think this didn't work after the success of Lord of the Rings.

We're continuing our Peter Jackson series with 2009's The Lovely Bones, an adaptation of the novel of the same name, starring Mark Whalberg, Rachel Weiss, Saorise Ronan, Susan Sarandon, and Stanley Tucci.

We're leaving Middle Earth, for now, and heading to Skull Island with Peter Jackson's 2005 remake of the iconic 1933 classic, King Kong. Starring Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrian Brody, and Andy Serkis in the title role, King Kong is an odd movie, but does Jackson bring any of his cult sensibilities to it?

And so we reach the end of our first delve into the world of Middle Earth with Peter Jackson's trilogy closer, The Return of the King. It's bold, mainstream, iconic filmmaking, so just how does a cult director like Jackson bring his splatter-movie sensibilities to this critically acclaimed, award-winning epic?

And so we continue to delve into Middle Earth, and into the work of cult director Peter Jackson, who brings his splatter-fest sensibilities to the operatic and sweeping world of J R R Tolkein. The Two Towers, released exactly one year after The Fellowship of the Ring, continues to story of Fodo, Sam, and the fellowship, while expanding the universe.

This week we're taking our first step into Middle Earth as we continue our Peter Jackson series. Despite being labelled unfilmable, Peter Jackson adapted J R R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings into one of the most successful movie trilogies of all time. But just how did the cult director behind gross-out splatters wind up producing this epic trilogy?

Continuing with our Peter Jackson series, this week we're talking all things Jackson's 1996 horror comedy, The Frighteners. Starring Michael J Fox as Frank Bannister, a man who can see ghosts and uses this ability to con unsuspecting townsfolk into paying him to perform exorcisms, The Frighteners was a box office disappointment, but has since gained a cult following. Why?

We're continuing our look at Peter Jackson this week by talking all things 1994's Heavenly Creatures. Based on the true story of two young friends who find their grip of reality increasingly uncertain, Heavenly Creatures introduced the world to Kate Winslet, and was a critical success upon release, even winning awards. Since then it has gained a small cult following. But, why?

We're continuing a Peter Jackson series this week with 1992's horror comedy Braindead! When his mother is bitten by an infected rat monkey, awkward and bumbling Lionel must prevent her from turning his hometown in zombies. A flop on release, the film has since become a cult favourite. But why?

This week we're beginning our Peter Jackson series by taking at look at his first two movies. 1987's Bad Taste was Jackson's debut as director, and has earned a cult following for its gross out effects and unique humour, while 1989's Meet the Feebles is a satire of the entertainment world with some Muppet-esque creations. But why do these films remain cult favourites?

We're headed to the skies this week as we take a look at the father of the modern spoof, Zucker/Abrams/Zucker's Airplane!, from 1980, and its sequel, Airplane II, from 1982. Spoofing airport disaster movies of the time, Airplane! introduced the world to countless gags, and even gave us the first Leslie Neilson comedic role! But what is it about these films that earned them their following?

Since we're all stuck inside staying safe and doing our bit we thought we'd recommend some shows and movies you can watch on various streaming platforms. Hope you're all doing well, and enjoy!

A Special Announcement from Alex Secker.

This week we're delving, for the first time, into the world of television. In 2004 Garth Marenghi's Darkplace was aired on a late night slot on channel 4. Although it received poor viewing figures, its blend of knowing homage and spoofing of low-budget 80s TV saw it gain a strong and loyal cult following. But why?

This week we conclude our Psycho Series by taking a look at the legacy of the franchise and the other key parts of it. From Anthony Perkins' last appearance as the iconic Norman Bates in Psycho IV: The Beginning, to the near shot-for-shot remake starring Vince Vaughn and the prequel/re-imagining of TV show Bates Motel, the Psycho franchise remains as popular as ever. But why?

Continuing our Psycho series, this episode we're talking all things 1986's Psycho III. Directed by Anthony Perkins, who also reprises his role as the infamous Norman Bates, Psycho III leans closer to slasher territory than the previous movies, and was something of a flop on release. Despite this, it maintains a cult following. Why?

Continuing our Psycho series, this episode we're taking a look at all things Psycho II. Directed by Richard Franklin and written by Tom Holland (of Fright Night and Child's Play fame), Psycho II sees Anthony Perkins and Vera Miles reprise their roles from the original, as Norman Bates is released 22 years after the Hitchcock original. A critical flop upon release, the film has since earned a cult following. But why?

This week we're beginning our Psycho series by taking a look back at Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic. A critical and commercial success upon release, Psycho has since become recognised as one of the most iconic films of all time, casting a long shadow over Hollywood cinema, and horror cinema in particular. But what is it about this film that earned it such a strong and loyal cult following?

A special announcement from Alex Secker about the show moving forward.

Still not ready to leave Christmas behind? Well, neither are we, so this week we're talking all things Joe Dante's Gremlins. Written by Chris Columbus and produced by Steven Spielberg, Gremlins tells the story of a small American town at Christmas, overrun by mischievous and deadly creatures. A critical and commercial success, Gremlins has become a Christmas staple and has a strong, loyal cult following. But, why?

Merry Christmas, this week we're taking a look at all things Chris Peckover's 2016 holiday horror Better Watch Out. A critical success upon release, Better Watch Out tells the story of a young babysitter who, during the Christmas period, comes under threat from a home invasion. Flying under the radar, it none the less has a small and loyal cult following. But why?

This week we're heading into a post-apocalyptic wasteland to talk all things Richard Stanley's Hardware. When she uses a salvaged kill-bot in her artwork, an artist finds herself trapped in her flat with the deadly machine after it reactivates and goes on a rampage. Since its release Hardware, and Stanley himself, have gained a loyal cult following. But why?

We want you to get up, go over to your device and listen to Cultish Movies as we talk all things Paddy Chyefsky's Network. Starring William Holden, Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Robert Duvall, Network was directed by Sidney Lumet and received massive critical and commercial success on release. Since then it has gone on to become a cult film, but why?

Here we go again, and this week we're talking all things 2008's musical comedy smash, Mamma Mia! Starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried, Mamma Mia is a jukebox musical of ABBA classics, based on the stage show of the same name. A critical flop, the movie was the highest grossing film in the UK on release, and has since gained a strong cult following... but, why?

We're feeling spooky this week, and to celebrate All Hallow's Eve we're taking a look back at the original sequel to John Carpenter's Halloween, Halloween II. Seeing both Jaimie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance return to the franchise, Halloween II picks up mere seconds after the original left off to complete the night HE came home. Since its somewhat lacklustre release it has developed a cult following, but why?

We're delving deep into Joe Dante's 1981 breakout horror/comedy The Howling this week, to begin our October spookfest for Halloween. Released the same year as John Landis' An American Wereworlf in London, The Howling received critical acclaim on release but was overshadowed by Landis' monster, and has since gone on to become a cult film. Why?

What's in the box!? That's right, this week we're talking all things David Fincher's Se7en. Starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, Se7en tells the story of two Detectives on the hunt for a serial killer who kills his victims based on the seven deadly sins. A critical and commercial success on release, Se7en has since gone on to earn a cult following, but why?

It's party time! P-A-R-T-Why? Because this week we're talking all things 1994's The Mask. Starring Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz, The Mask was a box office smash on release, and catapulted its stars to international fame. Since then it's become something of a cult movie, with a small, but loyal. cult following. Why?

This week we're strapped to a bed and fearing for our ankles as we talk all things Rob Riener's 1990 Stephen King adaptation, Misery. Starrying James Caan and Kathy Bates, Misery tells the story of Paul Sheldon, a famed novelist who, after crashing his car during a blizzard, finds himself at the mercy of a crazed fan. A critical and commercial success upon release, Misery now has a cult following. But, why...?

We're gonna need a bigger podcast, since this week we're talking all things Stephen Spielberg's shark thriller Jaws. Often cited as the first summer blockbuster, Jaws tells the story of a small island community plagued by a man-eating Great White Shark, and the town sheriff, who must protect the citizens. Since it's release it has grown a strong and loyal following, but why?

Will you take the red pill or the blue pill? This week we're following the white rabbit to see how deep the rabbit hole goes, with the Watchowski's 1999's sci-fi action blockbuster The Matrix. Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie Anne Moss, The Matrix was a critical and commercial smash on release, and has since gone on to form a strong a loyal cult following... but, why?

This week we find ourselves trapped in the spooky town of Silent Hill, Christophe Gans' big screen adaptation of the iconic video game of the same name. Starring Rhadha Mitchell, Laurie Holden, Deborah Kara Unger and Sean Bean, Silent Hill was a critical flop but a commercial success upon release, and has since gone on to become a cult classic. But why?

What's in the box!? No, we're not talking Se7en, this week we're delving deep into the mind of Joel and Ethan Coen and their ode to writer's block, Barton Fink. A bizarre and surreal tale of the creative process, starring Johns Tuturo and Goodman. A flop upon release, Barton Fink has gone on to become one of the Coen's most culty of films, but why?

We're hungry this week, and we need feeding! We're talking all things Audrey II and Frank Oz's 1988 musical-horror-comedy Little Shop of Horrors. Starring Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, Ellen Greene and Levi Stubbs, Little Shop of Horrors was a critical success upon release but didn't do well at the box office. Since then it has gained a loyal cult following, but why?

We don't feel anything this week, because we're busy talking all things Kurt Wimmer's 2002 action/sci-fi/dystopian movie Equilibrium. Starring Christian Bale, Taye Diggs, Emily Watson and Sean Bean, Equilibrium received negative review on release and did poorly at the box office. Despite this it has since gained a small but loyal cult following... why?

This week we're talking all things Robert Zemeckis' underappreciated horror comedy Death Becomes Her. Starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and a career-best performance from Bruce Willis, Death Becomes Her received mixed reviews upon release but has since gone on to develop a cult following. Why?

We're back after our 100 episode extravaganza to take a dive into the weird and surreal dreamworld of David Lynch's masterpiece Mulholland Drive. Starring Noami Watts and confusing the hell out of audiences since 2001, Mulholland Drive had an interesting journey to the big screen but has since become a cult classic. Why?

We're celebrating 100 episodes with this special mini-episode in which we pit our Best Of... So Far winners against each other to see who will be crowned our very first Most Cultish Movie. Enjoy!

To celebrate 100 episodes we're taking a look back at the last 20 movies we've reviewed and picking our favorite. Each 20 episodes we will pick a winner until episode 100, when all the winners will battle it out to win the Cultishest Cult Movie of Cult Movies. What movie will win, and what movies will loose? And who even cares?

100 episodes!!! To celebrate we're heading back to the future with Lt. Ellen Ripley and talking all things Alien3. A critical and commercial failure on release, Alien3 had a troubled production and nearly caused its director, one David Fincher, to never return to film. Since then it has gone on to be recognized as a cult classic. But why?