The Hold-Up with Stephen Stull

Sergio returns to examine Jacob's Ladder (1990), and the conversation takes a slight detour... or two.

This time around, my friend Sergio Pinheiro and I are talking about politics, video games, AI art, and all things uncanny -- including 1990's Jacob's Ladder. Listen, and then go jump into one of the AI art playgrounds to start making your own weirdness.

Right out of the gate, Francisco apologizes to me for making me watch Xtro II: The Second Encounter (1982), so you know early on what we think of this movie. Still a fun chat, though! During our talk, I mention having first watched Shocking Dark on Rob Schrab's Found Crap. Well, it was actually on Rob Schrab's Cyberpunk Megazone, so... my bad. Either way, they both stream live on Sundays at https://schrabhomevideo.com/. Follow @schrabhomevideo on Instagram to know when. 

I'm talking again with my friend Francisco Lacerda about Xtro II: The Second Encounter (1991), which, despite the name, is not a movie you have to do any homework for. Quick programming note, the podcast is going semiweekly. (That means once every two weeks; don't @ me, you troglodytes.) If I have a video, it'll post a week after the audio, but otherwise, the episodes will be coming every other week. I know this breaks your heart, but we all have to learn how to cope with disappointment. It doesn't mean I don't love you. (You thinking "biweekly" means every two weeks is why I don't love you.)

Jeremy Herbert returns for our wrap-up on Runaway (1984), and I call Cynthia Rhodes "Cheryl" literally every single time I say her name. Sorry, Cher-- Cynthia!

This week, Jeremy Herbert and I are going to the past's future with Runaway (1984), starring Tom Selleck and his least-whimsical haircut of the 20th century.    If you're listening to this the day it comes out, please go check out Worst Laid Plans, a feature-length anthology film of vacation-themed horror movies. WLP is already shot, but they could use a little help with finishing funds. Their Indiegogo campaign runs for two more weeks. You can help out and snag your preorder at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/worst-laid-plans-finishing-funds-pre-order/x/11978545#/   Also, if you're a fan of cyberpunk, satire, media, or just TV, do yourself a huge favor and find forty minutes in your day to watch this deep dive into the history and symbolism of Max Headroom: https://youtu.be/GsDrXc94NGU   The Hold-Up with Stephen Stull is a member of the Without Your Head podcast network. You can find us on any of the big podcast apps. You can also subscribe, rate, and review on those apps, and I hear all the cool kids are doing that these days. 

Jimmy returns, and he and I squawk like a couple of old fuddy-duddies about the state of Hollywood today. But hey, we loved Sneakers (1992). Note for the spoiler-wary: we both recommend this movie, and yes, we spoil the crap out of it, so if this kind of thing is important to you, maybe give it a watch before listening. 

My buddy Jimmy Newlin — Doctor Jimmy Newlin — returns to the podcast to talk about Sneakers (1992) and school my ass in the genius of Randy Newman. He also delivers an impressive reading list, so I hope you have a pencil handy.

My podcast frenemies Bob and Jeff are back -- and we actually talk about the movie this time! Of course, it takes us about an hour to get there, so I hope you're comfy. Enjoy our visitation of Ed and His Dead Mother (1993), and then go check out Bob and Jeff's competing podcasts, which are nowhere near as cool as this one and feature basically no me at all.

Today I'm chatting with two good friends (and avoiding all cheap jokes about threesomes): Bob Rose and Jeff Frumess. We planned to talk about 1993's Ed and His Dead Mother, but in the three hours we hung out, it really didn't come up much. I'm sure we'll get around to it in Part 2.   Technical note: The audio sounds a little weird because I recorded over Zoom, and I must have screwed something up in my settings, because all three of our channels came out in one mixed file. Sorry about that. I'll try to fix it before the second half.

Jen and I wrap up our revisitation of Anastasia (1997), a movie featuring quite possibly the most baffling treatment of Rasputin in all of human fiction. 

My wife and captive podcast guest Jennifer Keating tries to remember the sure-to-be totally historically accurate Anastasia (1997), and I swear, we honestly did not intend to do this movie on the same day Russia invaded Ukraine

Tadd returns to talk a little about the romantic appeal of dog men, but a lot about theme parks. Listen, and then check out the Snake Alley Festival of Film!

My friend Tadd Good reaches way back to try to remember the details of Walk like a Man (1987), and I continue to lament the fact that Hollywood has given up on curly-haired white dudes as romantic leads. Bee tee dubs, Tadd's Snake Alley Festival of Film is accepting submissions right now! Get on that, ya goofs. 

Kylie and I finish our chat about 1995's Prehysteria! 3 and really dive deep into everything it gets wrong about haggis.

Today I'm chatting with my friend Kylie Marklin about Prehysteria 3! (1995), a movie full of tiny golf and tinier dinosaurs. In addition, I make a hilariously futile attempt to make those years I spent playing adult vampire dress-up sound cool. Enjoy!

Tom returns to wrap up Cameron Crowe's Singles (1992), a mostly harmless movie with one profoundly uncomfortable plot decision. 

My friend Tom Keeling returns to the podcast to talk about Singles (1992), except neither of us remembers the movie, so we mostly just talk about sitcoms. Prepare to hear my thoughts on The Office yet again!

Jennifer is back, and we're wrapping up our chat about John Boorman's Excalibur (1981). Fun fact: the actress who played Igrayne, she of the sexy dance that drives Uther Pendragon mad with lust, was Katrine Boorman, daughter of director John Boorman. So... yeah. Not weird at all. Enjoy!

We're back, baby — the podcast and the terrible Photoshopping! This week, I'm making my legally wedded partner (GASP!) Jennifer Keating watch John Boorman's Excalibur (1981), a movie I watched literally more than a dozen times in my youth. Probably.

Jennifer returns to walk through my revisitation (and her visitation, I guess) of Throw Momma from the Train (1987), and — SPOILER ALERT — I don't hate it! 

Reverse Hold-Up! Jennifer Keating interviews me about Throw Momma from the Train (1987), a movie that came out the same year as Robocop. I feel like that's an important thing to note.

Ashley is back to talk a little bit of PCU (1994), and she suspiciously denies having plans to assassinate the president. 

My good friend Ashley comes back to the podcast to relive her glory days with PCU (1994). And for real, if you're one of those people who dips pickles in mayo, please message me; I have so many questions. 

Sergio returns to discuss the emotional roller coaster of Memories of Murder (2003), and we both gush about how much fun flying jump kicks must be. 

My friend Sergio Pinheiro returns to the Hold-Up to talk about Bong Joon Ho's serial-killer thriller Memories of Murder (2003). We also talk about writing and creating stuff and the differences between technical and taste failures, like actual grown-up artists. I don't think either one of us made a single fart joke the whole time. 

Kat Whitacre returns to finish up our discussion of Space Jam (1996), and we find a reason to bring up the fact that Matthew Broderick killed two women in Ireland in 1987. I told you, Broderick — The Hold-Up remembers.   Along with Joshua Martin and Lorraine Sovern, Kat runs Uncomfortable Brunch, a film series in Orlando featuring delicious breakfast foods served alongside disquieting cinema. It's a hoot! If you missed Spike Lee's Bamboozled yesterday, you can still enjoy upcoming screenings of Charlie Kaufman's Synecdoche, NY and Lars Von Trier's Antichrist (the perfect date movie!). Get all the details at the Enzian Theater's website.    And while we‘re talking about Orlando things, our alt weekly down here (appropriately called Orlando Weekly) is taking votes for their yearly Best of Orlando poll. Both Uncomfortable Brunch and the Sick 'n' Wrong Film Festival are up for Best Film Fest or Series. Obviously, you should vote for Sick 'n' Wrong, but if you vote for Uncomfortable Brunch, I guess I won‘t be mad at you. Vote now at vote.orlandoweekly.com. Thanks! 

My friend Kat Whitacre comes over to chat — and sing — about Space Jam (1996) and throw some serious shade at Martin Starr. I'd still date you, Martin.   Kat is one of the doomer geniuses behind Uncomfortable Brunch, a film series here in Orlando where you eat a delicious brunch while you watch an upsetting movie. It's a hoot! This coming Sunday, July 11, UB is showing Spike Lee's Bamboozled (2000) at noon at the Enzian Theater. You should come! The chicken and waffles will almost ease the pain of all the racism. Except not really.   Also, I guess you should vote for either Uncomfortable Brunch or the Sick 'n' Wrong Film Festival in this year's Orlando Weekly Best of Orlando Reader's Poll. We're both competing for the title of Best Film Fest or Series, but Kat basically admits that UB shouldn't be in there, so vote for SnW instead. PLEASE?!  

Sophia Cacciola returns to finish our chat about Darren Aronofsky's Pi (1998), and I just cannot let go of how bad the math is.    Sophia is one of the filmmakers behind Fat Fleshy Fingers, a feature-length anthology directed entirely by alumni filmmakers of the Sick 'n' Wrong Film Festival. We're raising money for the movie on Kickstarter, and we're very close to our funding goal! If you're listening to this the day it comes out, please visit our campaign page and help us bring this weird thing to life: bit.ly/fatfleshyfingers

I'm joined this week by Sophia Cacciola to discuss Darren Aronofsky's Pi (1998), an artsy-fartsy black-and-white movie about math that was definitely up Young Stephen's alley. I'm sure this time around, it won't be embarrassing to rewatch at all! Sophia is another filmmaker working with me on FAT FLESHY FINGERS, a feature-length anthology film directed entirely by alumni of the Sick 'n' Wrong Film Festival. If a 90-minute movie about interweaving stories of a monstrous sexually transmitted parasite sounds like it might float your boat, please help us out! As I type this, our Kickstarter campaign has hit 2/3 of its funding goal, and we would love you to join us for the home stretch. Check out the campaign at bit.ly/fatfleshyfingers 

Michael J. Epstein returns to discuss open my eyes to some pretty obvious religious allegory in Conan the Barbarian (1982), and I gush about how the 13-year-old Dungeons & Dragons nerd in me still loves Conan the Destroyer (1984), and neither one of us makes any new friends among Kevin Sorbo fans. Michael is one of the filmmakers who will be joining me to create FAT FLESHY FINGERS, a feature-length anthology film directed entirely by alumni filmmakers of the Sick 'n' Wrong Film Festival. If you're a lover of weird movies, please check out the Kickstarter campaign at bit.ly/fatfleshyfingers and help us to create something unforgettable. Money is great (obviously!), but helping us spread the word can be just as valuable. Thank you!

Lifelong barbarian fan Michael J. Epstein joins me to talk about Conan the Barbarian (1982) and Conan the Destroyer (1984), and the two of us pine for the simplicity of a life where you can just hack the head off all your problems.   Michael is one of the filmmakers who will be joining me to create FAT FLESHY FINGERS, a feature-length anthology film directed entirely by alumni filmmakers of the Sick 'n' Wrong Film Festival. If you're a lover of weird movies, please check out the Kickstarter campaign at bit.ly/fatfleshyfingers and help us to create something unforgettable. Money is great (obviously!), but helping us spread the word can be just as valuable. Thank you!

We're changing everything up today! It's a one-off with my partner Jennifer Keating in which we watch — for the first time — John Waters's notorious Pink Flamingos (1972), a movie I've referred to a million times when trying to describe the vibe of the Sick 'n' Wrong Film Festival. Find out whether I regret ever mentioning it! Speaking of Sick 'n' Wrong, on Tuesday, June 1 (tomorrow!), I'm launching a Kickstarter campaign for a feature-length anthology film directed entirely by Sick 'n' Wrong alumni filmmakers! If you're interested in supporting the campaign, please consider making a pledge as soon as possible; early pledges have the most impact on promotion, and anyway, you won't be charged until the campaign ends in July. Find out all the details here: https://bit.ly/fatfleshyfingers NOTE: That link won't work until Tuesday at noon.

Jojo returns to talk about Munchies (1987), and we manage to cover everything from arguing with racists online to burgeoning upskirt fetishes. Also, Jojo was wrong about the Cheez Whiz line, but only a little. 

My friend Jojo Carlman joins the podcast to talk about Munchies (1987), a movie that features a bold and challenging double performance by the late, great Harvey Korman and is definitely totally not a cheap Gremlins ripoff.

Rob White returns to finish our chat about Dead Man on Campus (1998) and tell the tale of how he badgered the director into blocking him on Facebook. Also, I talk way too long about cutoff t-shirts. Eventually, we mention the movie. 

Rob White, known corduroy hater and creative force behind Art on Fire, joins the podcast this week to talk about Dead Man on Campus (1998) and do a deep dive into my shameful history of LARPing. It's totally fun and not at all humiliating!

My friend Stephen Bannister borrows his daughter's microphone to return to the podcast so we can finish our discussion about Election (1999). Of course, I had to make him sit through an hour of me shaking my fist at these kids today (specifically, Instagram drummers) first.

My good friend Stephen Bannister returns to the podcast to discuss Election (1999), and I bring up that time Matthew Broderick killed somebody. #theholdupremembers

Jeremy Herbert returns to finish up our revisitation of Modern Problems (1981), a zany comedy about a man who uses his newfound godlike powers to cause his ex-girlfriend's date to hemorrhage blood from his face. Such hijinks!  Jeremy and some other very fine filmmakers are in the final moments of their crowdfunding campaign for a feature-length anthology of vacation-themed horror movies called Worst Laid Plans, and if you're inclined to help talented people making cool things, please check the project out at https://igg.me/at/worstlaidplans/x#/ 

I'm joined by scholar of comedy and SNL historian Jeremy Herbert to discuss the Chevy Chase starring vehicle Modern Problems (1981) as well as the contrasting career arcs of Chase and rival John Belushi. Oh, and if you're interested in the deep dive into Poppy that I mention, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/h-UZpM3C-T4 (and thanks to past guest Kat Whitacre for pointing me at that video).  Right now (assuming you listen to these on time), Jeremy and some other very talented filmmakers are raising money for a feature-length anthology of vacation-themed horror movies called Worst Laid Plans. You can get all the details and pitch in here: https://igg.me/at/worstlaidplans/x#/ 

Jennifer Keating “returns” (we've actually been spending 24 hours a day together for about a year now

My life and shelter partner Jennifer Keating returns to talk about The Little Mermaid (1989), and we discuss the inescapable influence of Disney on our lives as well as the possible presence of naughty bits in the movies. If you want to examine Disney's “knee” theory for yourself, you can find a comparison of the VHS and digital versions of The Little Mermaid here: https://youtu.be/Vc7X5up0GrE  And if you think I'm crazy when I mention the genie's arm scene in Aladdin, feast your eyes on this: BOOM.

Jay returns to finish our revisitation of Dead Again (1991), and it turns out, I didn't ruin the movie for him! Of course, he may never be able to look at another pair of scissors again... ✂️✂️✂️

Today I'm talking to the strange man in a film land, Jay Kay, host of Horror Happens Radio and all-around busy dude. We're talking a little bit about Kenneth Brannagh's Dead Again (1991) and a lotta bit about that festival life. We commiserate about our retail woes and share advice for burgeoning filmmakers, and I offer up a ton of clumsy-ass conversation segues over the course of our 2.5-hour conversation. Get comfy! Speaking of filmmaking advice, Jay has partnered with Montclair Film to bring you an incredible opportunity for an intimate virtual Q&A with the folks behind five smash horror movies, including Stephen King's 1922 and the best movie I saw in 2016, The Blackcoat's Daughter. The event is called Digging into the Darkness, and you can sign up at https://montclairfilm.org/education/adult-classes/ 

Sean Temple is back to finish our revisitation of Requiem for a Dream (2000), and I find just so many excuses to out myself as a terrible filmmaker.  I'm releasing this special midweek episode so you can have a chance to watch Thorns, a short film created by Sean and his partner Sarah Wisner. You can watch Thorns through Valentine's Day at the Reel Love Film Fest: https://watch.eventive.org/.../play/60062874757f9b009f10423e   And if you want to see documentary video of me in postproduction, check out this clip from Home Movies: https://youtu.be/pHYjmxPPIxg 

Filmmaker Sean Temple returns to the podcast to talk about Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream (2000), which played a pretty formative role for both of us. This first half of our chat was recorded way back in the bygone year of 2020, before even the US presidential election, so if you kind of get the feel that I'm a dejected soul devoid of hope, well... that's why. I'm releasing this special midweek episode so you can have a chance to watch Thorns, a short film created by Sean and his partner Sarah Wisner. You can watch Thorns through Valentine's Day at the Reel Love Film Festival: https://watch.eventive.org/reellovefest/play/60062874757f9b009f10423e 

My friend Scott Philip Goergens returns for our post mortem on Caché (2005), and we just embrace not knowing how to say “Haneke.” I find time to whine about being old and not understanding technology, and I also dole out heaps of parenting advice despite never having been (nor ever planning to be) responsible for another human's care. Scott and I talk a bit about what makes a spoilable movie, and while I still hope you'll watch Caché before listening to the talk, I think we manage to leave enough mystery that you'll still enjoy the movie if you watch afterward. Scott's feature directorial debut 29 Needles is now available for preorder on Blu-Ray from Unearthed Films! Preorders are vitally important to independent artists, so if the movie looks like something that might be up your alley, please, please place your preorder — before February 19! https://www.unearthedfilms.com/catalog/tefm/29needles.php  And just to prove that the US does not have a complete monopoly on unspeakable violence against protestors, immigrants, and people of color, you can read about the Paris massacre of 1961, during which as many as 300 peaceful Algerian protestors were killed by the French National Police: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_massacre_of_1961 

Today, I'm talking with my friend and multitalented artist Scott Philip Goergens about Michael Hankeke's Caché (2005). Of course, I hadn't seen the movie, so mostly we talk about what kind of movies affect us and how just delightful it is trying to make a living as an artist in a society that can't even agree that art has any value to it.  Speaking of art, Scott's feature directorial debut 29 Needles is now available for preorder on Blu-Ray from Unearthed Films! Preorders are vitally important to independent artists, so if the movie looks like something that might be up your alley, please, please place that preorder here: https://www.unearthedfilms.com/catalog/tefm/29needles.php  During this conversation, I mention two articles that are worth reading if you happen to live in this weird future that 50s sci-fi never fathomed. One is 5 Reasons the Future Will Be Ruled by BS by Jason Pargin (https://www.cracked.com/article_18817_5-reasons-future-will-be-ruled-by-b.s..html) and the other is Ad Tech Could Be the Next Internet Bubble by Gilad Edelman (https://www.wired.com/story/ad-tech-could-be-the-next-internet-bubble/). 

My pal Tom Keeling returns to chat about 1995's Empire Records, and as usual, I find an excuse to go off on a shrill, raving diatribe against the institution of higher education. Other topics covered include my failing body, The Office, and the breadth of musical styles explored by AC/DC.  Tom runs an internet radio station called Signal to Noise, and you can listen to it totally free most nights of the week. Check it out at https://stnradio.com/ 

This week, I'm talking to a buddy from the way-way-way back, my friend Tom Keeling. We're chatting about Empire Records (1995), as well as Scotch eggs, the vodka aisle at Ralph's, and everyone's seemingly total inability to just wear their damn masks properly! We also both give our best Pee Wee Herman in Buffy the Vampire Slayer impressions, and I do quite a lot of fist shaking at these kids with there music.  Tom runs an internet radio station called Signal to Noise that you can listen to most nights of the week for free! Check it out at https://stnradio.com/ and make sure to request some Jerky Boys.