Podcast appearances and mentions of zack handlen

They're all gonna laugh at you. TOTAL MASSACRE starts its foray into the teen girl high school social satire canon with CARRIE, a film that may not be satire, but it's very concerned with many of the same things, as Rowan argues, and is a tremendous influential film and story overall, as special guest Zack Handlen argues. Does first-time viewer Christy Admiraal agree? What is the difference between comedy and horror in the end? Why are CARRIE adaptations so keen to make Carrie so skinny? How awful is Nancy Allen, and how not-threatening is John Travolta? And why is Rowan so attracted to Piper Laurie in this anyway???

Zombie month continues with RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, a nihilist zombie horror-comedy that's both as authentically punk and fake Hollywood punk as you can get. Either way, the energy is good, the special effects are good, the characters are good, and Rowan, Kev, and guest Zack Handlen are all here having a great time. 

It's Alien month here, and we're having a nice calm episode of TOTAL MASSACRE as we do a leisurely scientific expedition of 2012's PROMETHEUS, where nobody has strong opinions, nobody has an agenda, and definitely nobody dies horribly from excessive arrogance, and DEFINITELY nobody has to have a horrific alien abortion that also removes all subtext from the body! Carli, Kev, and Rowan are joined by resident Alien-liker Zack Handlen to talk about bad androids played well by bad people, characters announcing their motivations, extremely shiny toys, and the hubris of making the film, the hubris of the characters in the film, and the hubris of us trying to discuss the film.

TOTAL MASSACRE is back! In science fiction form! We've rebranded to a science fiction podcast, promoted Carli and Kev to co-host/regular panelist/organizers, gotten a new intro and art, and decided to explore a derelict spaceship in order to make sure we get our shares! What could possibly go wrong? Joining us on this expedition is freelance writer and jury-rigged flamethrower expert Zack Handlen. We talk Hawaiian work shirts, proper first contact protocol, the worst-fitting underwear of all time, casting a creepy android, and what it's liking "knowing" ALIEN through pop-culture osmosis without having actually seen ALIEN!

Author and critic Zack Handlen made the mistake of offering to return for Pandorum, 2009's "what if we stuck a bunch of grimy Jell-O to some warehouse walls and filmed a live-action 'Space Madness' meets Event Horizon" sci-fi. The movie starts out well -- good atmospherics; good partner chemistry between Quaid and Ben Foster -- but as Zack notes, most of the interesting stuff happened before the movie started. And after we find out the enemy isn't a giant snacky space arachnid, well, it's a tough sit. (How tough? We measured its length in, variously, feet of blanket knitted, Lego kits assembled, and online games of Risk played.) Surrounded by the detritus of the other, better properties Pandorum tried to rip off, we talked about confusing ship layouts, Virtuosity, which member of Roxette wrote Nadia's dialogue, Quaid's search for emotional truth, and why hypersleep pods in the future come with tooth-whitening strips. Oh, also what the hell "pandorum" actually is. It's the QIF season finale, so tell Scotty the PA to douse your cleavage in melted licorice and join us! Overall score: 2.83 QQQ score: 6.17 Days since a lost Kuffs accident: 454 Don't Say A Word counter: 2 SHOW NOTES Follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/quaidinfullpod) Get EVEN MORE Qontent (...sorry) at our Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/quaidinfull) Follow Zack Handlen on Twitter (https://twitter.com/zhandlen) Read more from Zack at Episodic Medium (https://episodicmedium.substack.com/s/star-trek-strange-new-worlds) Xan Brooks's Pandorum review at The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/oct/01/pandorum-review) Annalee Newitz's at io9 (https://gizmodo.com/pandorum-delivers-zombie-mutant-banality-in-space-5368633) Nathan Rabin's at AV Club (https://www.avclub.com/pandorum-1798207023) Special Guest: Zack Handlen.

Extra Hot Great's Dave Cole is back to help us list the many complaints prompted by 2009's dreadful and boring live-action take on G.I. Joe, including attempts to elevate an already-fine cartoon, suboptimal explosions and fight scenes, pointless origin stories, creepy side views of Quaid holograms, and the movie putting SDB in the position of defending Transformers 2. G.I. Joe lifts scenes almost wholesale from Star Wars, Apollo 13, and others, and it still sucks -- but is DQ perfectly cast, and not the third or fourth choice for once? Did Channing Tatum's character learn about marriage proposals from Galaxy Quest's historical documents? And could we identify the exact moment, in the middle of a line of dialogue, when Joseph Gordon-Levitt gave up and went full Vincent Price on The Brady Bunch? So many questions (and Winston Lights-infused line deliveries)...but knowing is half the battle in the latest Quaid In Full. Overall score: 2 QQQ score: 6.5 Days since a lost Kuffs accident: 447 Don't Say A Word counter: 2 SHOW NOTES Follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/quaidinfullpod) Get EVEN MORE Qontent (...sorry) at our Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/quaidinfull) The Extra Hot Great podcast (https://extrahotgreat.com) Dave's previous QIF guest shot, S05E01: DragonHeart (https://quaidinfull.fireside.fm/37) Ebert's review of GIJ:TROC (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/gi-joe-the-rise-of-cobra-2009) Rolling Stone's (https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/g-i-joe-255858/) Zack Handlen's at AV Club (https://www.avclub.com/g-i-joe-the-rise-of-cobra-1798218734) Cobra Commander video at Something Awful (https://archive.org/details/SomethingAwfulTV_Archive/CobraCommander04-0r_pvfyyyiu.mp4) Special Guest: David T. Cole.

Tonight's title is Retief & The Pan-Galactic Pageant of Pulchritude by Keith Laumer. Submitted from the library of AlienRosie (http://twitter/com/alienrosie), via Declan McCarthy. Tonight's guest is Zack Handlen. https://www.patreon.com/zhandlen https://twitter.com/zhandlen Our theme music is Kwartet Japonski II (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Maciej_onowski/Kwartet_Japonski_I__II/PMLP226115-Japan-Quartet_2) by Maciej Żołnowski. Your hosts: Ben Blattberg http://twitter.com/InCatastrophe Vin LaBate http://twitter.com/MrReciprocity http://thechimera.space http://MrReciprocity.itch.io Retief PGPP cover https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/0/07b497f0-7a04-4567-997d-7bbc13fad013/cwYkNVr1.jpg Retief PGPP page https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/0/07b497f0-7a04-4567-997d-7bbc13fad013/Q4H8ykGF.jpg Retief cover b https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/0/07b497f0-7a04-4567-997d-7bbc13fad013/mtZzUh8l.jpg Retief cover c https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/0/07b497f0-7a04-4567-997d-7bbc13fad013/F1bfwjIC.jpg Special Guest: Zack Handlen.

It *might* be vampires, sort of...? After a black man is found dead with his skin turned white by what the CDC believes is an unknown pathogen, Scully is asked to look into it. Mulder joins Scully and begins to think there's no disease at all, but rather a monster from African folklore sucking the melanin out of its victims. Originally recorded on 06 March 2022. Originally released on 25 March 2022. References: Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The Complete X-Files: Revised and Updated Edition by Matt Hurwitz & Chris Knowles wanting to believe: a critical guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen by Robert Shearman Music: “Dark Science” by David Hilowitz “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians You can find links for our Patreon, our merch, our socials, where to listen, and basically everything I Want To Rewatch related here: I Want To Rewatch | Linktree

The X-Files: "Bad Blood" Merrilee O'Neil joins to talk about Mulder and Scully's Rashomon-style retelling of their absurd vampire investigation. Find Merrilee on Twitter: @papillonvoleur Contact Gimmicks: Email: gimmickspodcast@gmail.com | Twitter: @gimmickspod | Instagram: @gimmickspod | Derek on Twitter: @DerekBGayle Theme song: "Swift Electric" by Cyberbear | Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Sources Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen and Emily Vanderwerff | Monsters of the Week: The Complete Cartoon X-Files

Home is where the heart is, and maybe a few other things... After an infant corpse is found buried in a field, Mulder and Scully are called in by the local sheriff to determine what's going on. The infant's body is deformed but human, and the trail seems to lead to the farmhouse of a local, reclusive family. Originally recorded on 27 February 2022. Originally released on 18 March 2022. References: Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The Complete X-Files: Revised and Updated Edition by Matt Hurwitz & Chris Knowles Music: “Dark Science” by David Hilowitz “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians You can find links for our Patreon, our merch, our socials, where to listen, and basically everything I Want To Rewatch related here: I Want To Rewatch | Linktree

This week on Deep Space Nine, while hosting her first Trill initiate Dax discovers a tiny, expanding protouniverse that threatens to destroy the Bajoran system. Elyse quotes Zack Handlen's May 2012 review in this episode. https://www.avclub.com/star-trek-deep-space-nine-playing-god-profit-and-l-1798172992 Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram: @podwraiths We wanna hear from you! Email us at podwraiths@gmail.com Please remember to rate and review the show! thank you to dj empirical for our theme

Zack Handlen joins us for 2000's Soderbergh Oscar magnet Traffic, which at least one of your co-hosts forgot Dennis Quaid was even in, much less that he played a sleazy Mob-fixer lawyer whose wardrobe erodes really weirdly over the 2.5-hour runtime. Is Quaid miscast? Is this the last time we'll contend with Topher Grace on this podcast? Which plotline is the weakest here, and does Traffic suffer from breaking ground we've seen covered a thousand times since thanks TO Traffic? All these questions, plus '50s-pulp scaremongering, 17-year-old dickheads who read too much, who "invented" Mexico As Yellow, and making our peace with the word "propulsive." Crank us up to jam the bug: it's an all-new Quaid In Full. Overall score: 8.5 QQQ score: 5 Days since a lost Kuffs accident: 91 SHOW NOTES Follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/quaidinfullpod) Get EVEN MORE Qontent (...sorry) at our Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/quaidinfull) Can YOU get past the first 27 seconds of The Dennissance? (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dennissance/id1503394153) Zack Handlen at The AV Club (https://www.avclub.com/author/zackhandlen) Zack on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/zhandlen) Zack's book with Emily St. James, Monsters of the Week (https://www.google.com/books/edition/Monsters_of_the_Week/xoFnDwAAQBAJ?hl=en) Roger Ebert's Traffic review (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/traffic-2001) Scott Tobias's for AV Club (https://www.avclub.com/traffic-1798192572) Special Guest: Zack Handlen.

If you want to know an artist, you have to look at their art... Mulder and Scully are assigned to help with a serial killer case because after the suspect is arrested, there's another death. Scully suspects a copycat, but Mulder believes the suspect, who he says he was possessed by a monster when he committed the murders. To find the truth, Mulder will try to get inside the head of the monster... if it doesn't get inside his head first. ...and if you want to catch a monster, you have to become one. Originally recorded on 07 November 2021. Originally released on 10 December 2021. References: Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to The X-Files by Brian Lowry Trust No One: The Official Third Season Guide to the X-Files by Brian Lowry wanting to believe: a critical guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen by Robert Shearman Music: “Dark Science” by David Hilowitz “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians You can find links for everything I Want To Rewatch related here! https://linktr.ee/iwtrw

ZACK HANDLEN of the AV Club (and more) joins us, AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT (2021), to learn:  This is our job, and we're doing our job ... THEME: "Fuck You If You Don't Like Christmas," from Crudbump, by Drew Fairweather PART ONE  The Irish BS starts early ... All foreign accents are the same ... Lavish Zack intro ... Defending "Pusher" ... Trusting reviewers ... Angry Walking Dead fans ... Needing an urgency vibe with nuance-disregard chaser ... Hallmark bona fides: mom vibes ... Tenzing Norgay takes you behind the process ... Aiming for fine! ... Horse Whisperer callback ... Leap Year echoes, Travel Channel vibes ... Clare Neiderpruem, bard of the natural world ...  Break: Original music by Chris Collingwood  PART TWO   Cast Rundown ... Niall Buggy ... The Expositional Challenge ... Plot mop-up: Australians, distillery business plan, forced diffidence ... Soulful-mopey male lead vs. Good sulky ... Niall Buggy ... Clip: A great deal of adulthood ... Avoiding poor choices, but not seeking great ones ... Spot the Angel: Adalia the Inkeeper ... St. Kevin, you are such a disease ...          Break: "Sayonara," by The Pogues PART THREE  Eat Your Heart Out: Mostly decently normal food ... Glum Irish desserts ... Violently incompetent carrot slicing ... Kathleen Turner overdrive ... Zero whiskey face ... Fruity whiskey ... BREAD ALERT, Loaf Mode ... Scree pizza ... Remaindered Tesco pizza ... Coffee'd and carbed out the yang ... NYC eating normalcy ... Sushi of Gary ... Egyptian food truck, second encore! ... Artifacts and shawarma ... Extremely instant-ass stew ... Those have flavors, sir ...   Break: "Screamager," by Therapy?  PART FOUR  The Hallmark Expanded Universe: Love on Iceland/Love on Ireland; just one letter, just one string; Hallmark should make more travel movies; Minting Balkan princes at industrial rates; The Tom Cruise Mummy "Dark" Universe; The Sickbed of Fitzpatrick ... Finnegan's Wake Crossover ... Overdetermined: The Claddagh ring blending of two worlds (not vasculitis); proposal "fakeout"; Grant, the Mulch Oaf; a Grinchy idea to join the matchmaking festival ... The hazed-by-locals business stratagem ... Local Hero vibes ... Writing to checklist, not to motivations ... You don't need explanations for inevitable moments ... Brennan is a bread dick ... Utensil negging ... Crossover: Midsommar ... Rethinking The Wicker Man ... No bees in the Hallmark universe ... Lacey Chabert's The Quiet Man ... The Matchmaker ... No idea how matchmaking works ... Break: "The Wild Cats of Kilkenny," by The Pogues  PART FIVE The Hallmark Bechdel Test: A well-tempered yes ... The Hallmark Voight-Kampff Test: Professional elopers; time-wasting Hallmark boss ... Who's the Real Villain?: Sister Crispin; the progress of time; capital homogeneity (O'brien's Pub and Beef's); superpredator meet-cute ... Title/Sequel: Forgetting the title; Love of the Irish; 2Lucky; As Luck Would Have Us ... Fast ... Marriage Troubles! ... Rating: 3.5 ... Travel to another Vancouver ... Break: "Big Sad Eyes," by The Immediate PART SIX The Leftovers: A new opportunity: Ireland! ... Eternal hold music ... Problematic UK preservationism ... The world's oldest Bennigan's ... Cute sunnies ... Real pit BBQ ... The human Chamber of Commerce ... Why are strangers being nice? ... Mrs. Nick Swisher ... An exhausting character on the Giambi A's ... Hashtag hashtag hashtag ... The real Howth Castle ... Mormon influencer on a week's athletic vacation ... Otherwise nice clothes! ... The top 30 orthodontists in Ireland ... IMDB Dive: Christina Conradt and a very busy year in one teen's life ... Bildungsroman, epistolary ... Timorous partner role reversal ... Geriatric volunteer, Irish goldbrickers ... Chief Miles O'Brien's mind palace ... Plugs! ... Merry Christmas!   All other music by Chris Collingwood of Look Park and Fountains of Wayne, except: "Orchestral Sports Theme" by Chris Collingwood and Rick Murnane and "Sister Christian (Loop)," by Night Ranger and "It's Over, Goodbye," by The Miami Showband. Follow Zack on Twitter: @Zhandlen Check out Zack's Patreon here. Buy Zack's dang X-Files book here.

So many “y”s... After several teen boys die mysteriously, Mulder and Scully arrive in a small town to investigate. The official ruling is suicide but rumors of a Satanic cult fill the small town, and people are demanding answers. Mulder consults with an astrologist who tells him a unique planetary alignment may be wreaking havoc on the town… Satanic astrologists maybe? Originally recorded on 06 November 2021. Originally released on 03 December 2021. References: Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf Trust No One: The Official Third Season Guide to the X-Files by Brian Lowry wanting to believe: a critical guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen by Robert Shearman Music: “Dark Science” by David Hilowitz “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians You can find links for everything I Want To Rewatch related here! https://linktr.ee/iwtrw

This week's House episode uses the Socratic Method to ask the question: "what if a woman seemed like she had schizophrenia but then it turned out she didn't?" We're joined by Zack Handlen, who covered the late (read: bad) episodes of House for the AV Club to evaluate this early but also maybe not so great episode of House. While we get some tender House and a great prank on some fuddy duddy surgeon, this might not be the best example of the series. However, this is a great House of House episode, so you should listen to it right now! It's got laughs, drama, and you can hear a cat meow at one point.

Secrets were uncovered... ... then they were exploded! With Mulder presumed dead and Scully put on suspension for insubordination, Scully tries to get Skinner to help her get the men responsible for Mulder's disappearance and possible death. Skinner claims his hands are tied, but might be working behind the scenes. Meanwhile, Scully learns she has a strange metal implant in her neck and then learns that there is a hit out on her, and the assassin may be someone she knows… Could it be an alien assassin?! (Originally recorded: 29 August 2021) (Originally released: 10 September 2021) Happy First Anniversary to the podcast! Happy 28th Anniversary to The X-Files! Tori's cake was from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Nic's cake was from Screen Door Restaurant. References: X Marks the Spot: On Location with The X-Files by Louisa Gradnitzer & Todd Pittson Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The Complete X-Files: Revised and Updated Edition by Matt Hurwitz & Chris Knowles The X-Files “The Blessing Way” – IMDb The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to The X-Files by Brian Lowry wanting to believe: a critical guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen by Robert Shearman Star 69 – Wikipedia Music: “Dark Science” by David Hilowitz “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians In Memoriam: Ed Asner (November 15, 1929 – August 29, 2021) Freakazoid! "honey" audio edited from the Season 1, Episode 2 segment “Candle Jack”. You can find links to all our episodes, ways to subscribe, social media, and more here! https://linktr.ee/iwtrw

Other lighting options are available... One of Scully's former students has just made detective and calls her and Mulder in to unofficially consult on a strange series of missing persons cases where all that's left behind at the scenes is a black scorch mark. Mulder suspects spontaneous combustion, but it might be something even stranger... Like an obsession with Tony Shaloub? (Originally recorded: 11 July 2021) (Originally released: 06 August 2021) References: Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The Complete X-Files: Revised and Updated Edition by Matt Hurwitz & Chris Knowles The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to The X-Files by Brian Lowry Music: “Dark Science” by David Hilowitz “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians You can find links to all our episodes, ways to subscribe, social media, and more here! https://linktr.ee/iwtrw --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Sadly, Killer Croc, he was not. After “The Alligator Man” in a sideshow is murdered, Mulder thinks his death is one in a long line of serial killings. He and Scully head to a small town in Florida inhabited by sideshow performers to see if they can find the killer. But when they arrive, Mulder's prime suspect turns out to be the Fiji Mermaid, a hoax creature that never existed. Unless… Bah… Humbug! (Episode originally recorded: 19 June 2021) References: Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The Complete X-Files: Revised and Updated Edition by Matt Hurwitz & Chris Knowles The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to The X-Files by Brian Lowry wanting to believe: a critical guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen by Robert Shearman Music: “Dark Science” by David Hilowitz “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians You can find links to all our episodes, ways to subscribe, social media, and more here! https://linktr.ee/iwtrw --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Apparently the elephant isn't in the room anymore. A construction worker is killed by what seems to be a rogue elephant except the witnesses didn't see anything. But an elephant is found dead not far away. Mulder and Scully go to the local zoo that the elephant escaped from to try and piece together what's happening: is it animal activists releasing the animals and causing mayhem or is something extraterrestrial going on? Aliens upgrading from cows? They're gonna need a bigger ship. References: Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The Complete X-Files: Revised and Updated Edition by Matt Hurwitz & Chris Knowles The X-Files Declassified by Frank Lovece The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to The X-Files by Brian Lowry Music: “Dark Science” by David Hilowitz “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians You can find links to all our episodes, ways to subscribe, social media, and more here! https://linktr.ee/iwtrw --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Rowan is rejoined by Abby Olcese and Zack Handlen to discuss Kathryn Bigelow's homage to/examination of masculinity Point Break for the first flick of Keanu May. We try to figure out how smart this movie is, how good Swayze is, Reeves' career trajectory and pretty face, and Lori Petty getting kinda screwed over here.

Rowan Kaiser is joined by Dylan Reiff and Zack Handlen to talk about Jackie Chan's American breakthrough, the 1995 hit, Rumble in the Bronx. We hit on empathy for Jackie, ridiculous movie gangs, and a warehouse full of fridges.

aka "Duane Barry, Part 2”, sort of... After Scully is kidnapped by Duane Barry, Mulder is desperate to find where she’s been taken before it’s too late. But his partner, Alex Krycek, might not actually be helping his cause. Spoiler: It *might* (not) be aliens…? References: The Unofficial X-Files Companion by N.E. Genge Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The X-Files Declassified by Frank Lovece The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files by Brian Lowry Music: "Dark Science" by David Hilowitz "The Truth Is What We Make of It" by The Agrarians You can find links to all our episodes, ways to subscribe, social media, and more here! https://linktr.ee/iwtrw --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Zack Handlen joins us to talk about the standout episode of season one of the Venture Bros., where Rusty holds an ill-advised yard sale attended by every unhinged villain and super-scientist who shouldn't have a death ray. Meanwhile, the Monarch's relationship with Dr. Girlfriend begins to deteriorate, while Hank makes his first foray into entrepreneurialism. Special thanks to Joshua Jarett (http://jjarrett.work) for our cover art, Gwen May (https://soundcloud.com/deepwhale) for our theme song, and Brayton Cameron (https://twitter.com/braytonjc) for being our announcer.

Parfaits or onions? Choose your layers, because this one has plenty. After a truck driver has a close encounter, Mulder and Scully try to interview him but find themselves getting locked out of the investigation. And worse, they’re being bugged. Deep Throat gives Mulder a clue but it’s unclear if he’s trying to help or hinder Mulder’s search for the truth. *whispers* “...or both?” References: X Marks the Spot: On Location with The X-Files by Lousia Gradnitzer & Todd Pittson Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files by Brian Lowry Music: "Dark Science" by David Hilowitz “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians iwanttorewatch.com @iwanttorewatch on Instagram @RewatchXFiles on Twitter iwanttorewatch.tumblr.com iwanttorewatch@gmail.com voicemail @ anchor.fm/iwanttorewatch/message merch @ teespring.com/stores/iwanttorewatch --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

No “cocoons” or old people in swimming pools here! A note is left for Fox Mulder at a crime scene in the same style as notes left by a previous suspect Mulder had a hand in arresting. Only that man died in prison in 1989. Or did he? Mulder is convinced the suspect is alive and well, despite a death certificate on file. Scully thinks it might be a copycat or someone hired to do his bidding. Or maybe it’s just aliens… Or both…? Will we ever get the option of both…? References: Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The X-Files Declassified by Frank Lovece The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files by Brian Lowry wanting to believe: a critical guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen by Robert Shearman (if only because he is also a fan of flirty Agent Henderson and thinks she should be a recurring character) Music: "Dark Science" by David Hilowitz “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians iwanttorewatch.com @iwanttorewatch on Instagram @RewatchXFiles on Twitter iwanttorewatch.tumblr.com iwanttorewatch@gmail.com voicemail @ anchor.fm/iwanttorewatch/message merch @ teespring.com/stores/iwanttorewatch --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The white whale... After the death of Scully’s father, Mulder has a case where the best hope of finding two kidnapped teens relies on the supposed psychic abilities of a serial killer. For once, Mulder is highly skeptical but when the killer calls Scully by the nickname her dad called her and starts singing the song that played at his funeral, she’s unsure what to believe. And the clock is ticking to rescue the teens before they’re killed. And Nic thought shoehorning aliens into “Fire” was going to be rough... References: The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files by Brian Lowry Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf X Marks the Spot: On Location with The X-Files by Lousia Gradnitzer & Todd Pittson The X-Files Declassified by Frank Lovece Music: "Dark Science" by David Hilowitz and “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians. iwanttorewatch.com @iwanttorewatch on Instagram @RewatchXFiles on Twitter iwanttorewatch.tumblr.com iwanttorewatch@gmail.com voicemail @ anchor.fm/iwanttorewatch/message merch @ teespring.com/stores/iwanttorewatch --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

NOTE: This episode of The X-Files (and so also this episode of I Want To Rewatch) includes discussion of suicide. After a young woman’s boss dies by suicide, other deaths and strange phenomena seem to follow her. Mulder and Scully are brought in by another agency to look at corpses exhibiting strange behavior. They appear to have been strangled without anyone touching their necks. Mulder posits it's the work of telekinesis. Scully is not convinced. Because she thinks it’s aliens! (Not really.) References: Shadows | X-Files Wiki | Fandom ( x-files.fandom.com/wiki/Shadows ) The X-Files Declassified by Frank Lovece wanting to believe: a critical guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen by Robert Shearman Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files by Zack Handlen & Emily Todd Vanderwerf The Truth is Out There: The Official Guide to the X-Files by Brian Lowry The Unofficial X-Files Companion by N.E. Genge Music: "Dark Science" by David Hilowitz and “The Truth Is What We Make of It” by The Agrarians. iwanttorewatch.com @iwanttorewatch on Instagram @RewatchXFiles on Twitter iwanttorewatch.tumblr.com iwanttorewatch@gmail.com voicemail @ anchor.fm/iwanttorewatch/message merch @ teespring.com/stores/iwanttorewatch --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

What Mad Universe?!? brings season one to a close with this extra-special episode about Richard Bachman, the pen name of the slightly more famous Stephen King. Strange to think of this horror maestro as having an even darker side, but it's on full display in these early stories, collectively known as the Bachman Books, in which placid suburbanites turn violent and the citizens of future dystopia take part in brutal competitions. This episode features special guest Zack Handlen, and we say goodbye to 2019. See you in a few months!Support us on Patreon and listen to the show a week early! Adam's Patreon Phil's PatreonWhat Mad Universe?!? on Twitter Adam's Twitter Phil's TwitterWhat Mad Universe on Facebook What Mad Universe on Instagram What Mad Universe RSS FeedEngineer/Producer: Alex RossTheme song by Jack Feerick

In the 70s, high-rise buildings were old hat in the US but still a novelty in the UK. As the urban landscape changed, British, and global, society changed with it. But into what? Could architecture, born out of the human mind, influence that mind in turn? Could a building...haunt us? J. G. Ballard asked that question in his seminal novel High-Rise, and on this episode we're joined by our friend Zack Handlen to gaze into his abyss...conveniently located on the 10th floor, near the food court!Zack's PatreonSupport us on Patreon and listen to the show a week early! Phil's Patreon Adam's PatreonAdam's Twitter Phil's TwitterWhat Mad Universe on Facebook What Mad Universe on Instagram What Mad Universe RSS FeedEngineer/Producer: Alex RossTheme song by Jack Feerick

Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files In an exclusive conversation, Darren Mooney talks to authors Zack Handlen & Todd Van Der Werff about their new book all about The X-Files...   Host   Darren Mooney   Guests   Todd Van Der Werff & Zack Handlen Production Darren Mooney (Editor/Producer), Tony Black (Executive Producer), Kurt North (Patron), Michelle Milbauer (Patron), Jenn Ferguson (Patron), Astrid Klosterkoetter (Patron), Naomi Miller (Patron), Michael John Petty (Patron), Cathy Glinski (Patron), Marlene Stemme (Patron), Deana Ferreri (Patron), Katie Doe (Patron), Donna Pirkle (Patron), Michael Little (Patron), Katja Hillebrandt (Patron), Isabelle Dubois (Patron), Andrew Brooker (Patron), Andrew Blaker (Patron), Cortlan Waters Bartley (Patron), Malcolm Crang (Patron), Martha Payne (Patron), Delta 51 (Patron), Clarissa de Becker (Patron), Maura Funchion Jaeger (Patron), Sarah Devicomte (Patron), Jeremy Daniels (Patron), Caredwen Foley (Patron), Daniela Marlitsis (Patron), Justin Bernstein (Patron), Calla Dreams (Patron), Wanda Vincent (Patron), Stephen Lovins (Patron), Maria Payan-Perkowski (Patron), Valerie Kelly (Patron), Karen McKenna (Patron), Stephanie Carey (Patron), Michael Gehrmann (Patron), Russell Hugo (Patron), Kelsey L Mayer (Patron), Bethany Good (Patron), Ana Afloarei (Patron) Find us online on... FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ITUNES The X-Cast on PATREON BUY MONSTERS OF THE WEEK Next time... Tony Black is joined by Darren Mooney to discuss episode 3x23, 'Wetwired'...

Monsters of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files In an exclusive conversation, Darren Mooney talks to authors Zack Handlen & Todd Van Der Werff about their new book all about The X-Files...   Host   Darren Mooney   Guests   Todd Van Der Werff & Zack Handlen Production Darren Mooney (Editor/Producer), Tony Black (Executive Producer), Kurt North (Patron), Michelle Milbauer (Patron), Jenn Ferguson (Patron), Astrid Klosterkoetter (Patron), Naomi Miller (Patron), Michael John Petty (Patron), Cathy Glinski (Patron), Marlene Stemme (Patron), Deana Ferreri (Patron), Katie Doe (Patron), Donna Pirkle (Patron), Michael Little (Patron), Katja Hillebrandt (Patron), Isabelle Dubois (Patron), Andrew Brooker (Patron), Andrew Blaker (Patron), Cortlan Waters Bartley (Patron), Malcolm Crang (Patron), Martha Payne (Patron), Delta 51 (Patron), Clarissa de Becker (Patron), Maura Funchion Jaeger (Patron), Sarah Devicomte (Patron), Jeremy Daniels (Patron), Caredwen Foley (Patron), Daniela Marlitsis (Patron), Justin Bernstein (Patron), Calla Dreams (Patron), Wanda Vincent (Patron), Stephen Lovins (Patron), Maria Payan-Perkowski (Patron), Valerie Kelly (Patron), Karen McKenna (Patron), Stephanie Carey (Patron), Michael Gehrmann (Patron), Russell Hugo (Patron), Kelsey L Mayer (Patron), Bethany Good (Patron), Ana Afloarei (Patron) Find us online on... FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ITUNES The X-Cast on PATREON BUY MONSTERS OF THE WEEK Next time... Tony Black is joined by Darren Mooney to discuss episode 3x23, 'Wetwired'...

Books Discussed This Episode: Monsters Of The Week by Zack Handlen and Todd VanDerWerff The Dream-Quest Of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnson Deep Roots by Ruthanna Emrys (Innsmouth Legacy #2) A Night In Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny The Company Man by Robert Jackson Bennett

It's the holiday season!  (Okay, we're a little early...) We're bringing you two Christmas horror classics in the hottest month of the year! The Bob Clark classic Black Christmas and controversial slasher Silent Night, Deadly Night are sure to make you wish for snow, twinkling Christmas lights, and ... deranged Santas! Sources: "Black Christmas: The Groundbreaking 1974 Slasher Film That Paved the Way for Halloween" by Bart Bealmear, Dangerous Minds "Black Christmas is Way More than Just a Slasher" by Cheryl Eddy, iO9 "Black Christmas Reminds Us that Nothing is Sacred" by Zack Handlen, AV Club   "Silent Night Deadly Night is the Most Feel-Bad Christmas Movie Ever" by Kyle Anderson, Nerdist "Slasher Santa: When Milwaukee Came Out to Protest" by Chris Foran, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (documentary)

Fall premieres and returns continue this week, giving us plenty to discuss on the podcast. First, we dive in with the comedies, including the premieres of Bob’s Burgers, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Ghosted, black-ish, Fresh Off the Boat, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, and The Mayor, as well as another delightful DuckTales and a table-setting The Good Place. Next, we look at the genre and drama offerings, including the premieres of Marvel’s Inhumans, The Exorcist, The Gifted, and Queen Sugar, Outlander, and another moving Halt and Catch Fire. Afterward, writer and The A.V. Club contributor Zack Handlen returns to the podcast to help Kate break down Rick and Morty season three. We look at the show’s structure and morality, how it fits into the show’s overall progression, and what the season three finale means for season four. Season Spotlight: Rick and Morty Season 3 with Zack Handlen (1:24:48)Our Week in ComedyBob’s Burgers premiere (11:15)Curb Your Enthusiasm premiere (15:58)Ghosted premiere (20:11)black-ish premiere (23:24)Fresh Off the Boat premiere (30:13)Kevin (Probably) Saves the World premiere (34:43)The Mayor premiere (38:24)DuckTales (41:02)The Good Place (43:29)Our Week in Genre and DramaMarvel’s Inhumans premiere (50:06)The Exorcist premiere (55:30)The Gifted premiere (1:00:49)Queen Sugar midseason premiere (1:05:33)Outlander (1:10:59)Halt and Catch Fire (1:14:21)Music Featured: “We Built That,” sung by the cast of black-ish in the season premiere; “Baby Mine” by Bette Midler; Rick and Morty Theme song

After losing his wife in the Borg attack at Wolf 359, Ben Sisko accepts the command of Deep Space 9. A former Cardassian mining station in orbit around Bajor, DS9 is seen as a vital part of allowing Bajor to join the Federation. With son Jake in tow, Sisko arrives to find a station in ruins and his subordinates at each others throats. Does Sisko have what it takes to bring his house in order, or will he decide to leave Starfleet for civilian life? Clay and Zack Handlen join me to break down the pilot episode for DS9, "Emissary"! We discuss the acting choices of Avery Brooks, orbs in the shape of a peanut, and using baseball as a metaphor for life! Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast! Thanks for listening. Stay connected: • https://thepenskyfile.com/links/ • e-mail: thepenskyfilevideo(at)gmail.com

Hey, friends! It's time to fly the unfriendly skies with a new episode of Mousterpiece Cinema, as Scott and Josh strap in to talk about another of the mid-1990s Jerry Bruckheimer productions from the Walt Disney Company, Con Air. This Die Hard-esque action film starring Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, and John Malkovich is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and has gotten some pretty strong praise around the Internet as of late, but is it as good as its recent reputation? Zack Handlen of the A.V. Club returns to the show to help talk about the film, the racial politics on display, the Trisha Yearwood song, and of course, all things Cage. Check out the show now!

DVD Shelf: Black Books with Zack Handlen (2:15:54) /// Our Week in Comedy: Better Things finale (38:04) // You’re the Worst (49:19) // People of Earth (56:02) // black-ish (1:01:03) // Superstore (1:10:29) // Jane the Virgin (1:16:23) // Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (1:24:35) /// Our Week in Drama and Genre: The Crown Season 1 (1:42:56) // Lethal Weapon (1:50:21) // Rectify and Queen Sugar (1:54:33) // Supergirl (1:57:53)

We finally have a bit of a lull this week, with spring series starting to wind down and summer series yet to begin. So rather than take it easy (what is easy?), we introduce a new recurring segment this week on the podcast, Sean’s Network Report Card. First we kick things off with a little ... The post The Televerse #144- Invader Zim with Zack Handlen appeared first on PopOptiq.

Warning: the conversation gets heated this week, as Kate and Rick are once again divided with their thoughts on episode four of season two titled “Infected”. Luckily for them, they have special guest Zack Handlen of The AV Club to chime in with his views. Playlist: Frank Sinatra – “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” ... The post Walking Dead Podcast Episode 41: “Infected” appeared first on PopOptiq.

It's that time of year again, as Gabe and Josh go back into the Studio Ghibli coffers to take a look at one of their Disney-distributed animated movies. This time, they tackle one of the most beloved films from director Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbor Totoro, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. To join them in discussing this story of the imaginative spirit of childhood, Gabe and Josh brought back self-described "super-hipster" Zack Handlen of The AV Club. They discuss the difference between the film's English and Japanese-language dubs, the film's very unique connection to Troma Films (yes, really), and there's maybe a bit of singing in between. So grab your Totoro doll, hop on the catbus, and get ready for a wild ride of a show!

The premieres and finales continue this week, giving us plenty of TV to discuss on the podcast. First we look at the comedies, then break down the genre offerings, then Kate looks at the Voice for our reality segment, and then we look at the prestige dramas before spotlighting the latest episode of Hannibal, “Sorbet”. ... The post The Televerse #89- The Prisoner with Zack Handlen/Spotlight on Hannibal appeared first on PopOptiq.

call it serendipity: just as we invite The AV Club’s Zack Handlen to our Walking Dead podcast, the show airs its most celebrated outing in a very long time. “Clear” isolates Rick, Carl and Michonne in a dark, harrowing episode that reintroduces a character long thought lost. But are Ricky, Kate, Simon and Zack as impressed as ... The post Walking Dead Podcast Episode 35: “Clear” with special guest Zack Handlen appeared first on PopOptiq.

We’re pleased to be joined by Zack Handlen, who writes weekly Trek reviews for The Onion’s AV Club. He’s nice enough to answer some questions about his writing, and then sticks around to discuss “A Piece of the Action” and “The Immunity Syndrome” with us. Plus! Richard wants a zoot suit. iTunes Google Play RSS

By the pricking of my thumbs...oh, how does that line end? I'm sure the answer couldn't be found in the title of this week's movie on Mousterpiece Cinema, the 1983 horror movie Something Wicked This Way Comes starring Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce. (Forgive me, William Shakespeare's vengeful ghost. FORGIVE ME.) Yes, it's true, Walt Disney Pictures did make a few forays into the world of horror back in the 1980s, and this week, Josh, Mike and special guest Zack Handlen from The AV Club take a backwards ride on a magical carousel to the past to analyze this film. Were Robards and Pryce awesome enough to disguise the movie's flaws? What truly makes a Disney movie? And how much are Josh and Mike dreading discussing, of all things, The Haunted Mansion? Listen to the new show to find out!

Dead of Night (Torchwood) reprinted From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia with thanks and respect 34 – "Dead of Night" episode Cast Starring – – – – – – Oswald Danes Others – Jilly Kitzinger – Vera Juarez - Briam Friedkin - Brad - Congressman Morganthall Tasha Ames - Carla - Local Reporter Richard Augustine - George Sayer Daryl Crittenden - Young Man Mitchell Edmonds -Senior TV Anchor Matt Eyde - Atlanta Cop Mary Garripoli - Woman Tourist Ted Mattison - Phi-Corp Rep Jason Medwin - Sunroof Screamer - Preacher Brian Treitler - Dr. Murphy Randa Walker - Candice Perlmutter - Cop Michelle Wong - Nurse David Youse - Dr. Rosenbloom Production Writer Director Billy Gierhart Producer Executive producer(s) Doris Egan (co-executive) (co-executive) Production code 4.3 Length 54 mins Originally broadcast 22 July 2011 Chronology ← Preceded by Followed by → "" "" "Dead of Night" is the third episode of the of British series , and was broadcast in the United States on on 22 July 2011, in Canada on on 23 July 2011, and will be broadcast in the United Kingdom on on 28 July 2011. Contents [] [] Plot summary Rex (Phifer) and Esther (Havins) have joined Torchwood out of necessity. The team successfully acquire the phone from CIA director Friedkin (), through which Friedkin received mysterious orders to exterminate Torchwood. The team follow leads and uncover a stockpile of painkillers at the pharmaceutical corporation PhiCorp, indicating they knew the Miracle was going to happen. At a loose end, Jack (Barrowman) takes the night off and picks up a man in a bar, and Rex seeks solace in his surgeon, Vera Juarez (). Juarez tells Rex that PhiCorp representative Jilly Kitzinger () has invited her along to an important meeting tomorrow; Rex recruits Juarez to listen in for Torchwood, while Gwen goes on mission with the special and steals information from Kitzinger's computer. The meeting turns out to be a seminar, where Congressman Morganthall announces plans to make painkillers legal to purchase without prescription. At Torchwood HQ, Rex and Esther receive a mysterious phonecall from Friedkin's anonymous superiors and figuring their base has been compromised, realise that Torchwood must now leave D.C. Released murderer Oswald Danes () struggles to fit in the real world, and after being assaulted by police officers accepts Kitzinger's earlier offer of representation. He attends a select board meeting at PhiCorp. PhiCorp award him personal security on the condition he promotes their new painkiller legislation on national television to his growing following. Suspicious of Danes, Jack confronts him at the TV station. Jack gets Danes to admit that he does not feel forgiveness, but also that he enjoyed the rape and murder of his 12-year-old victim; Jack realises from this speech that Danes has a deathwish that is being denied him. Danes' security assaults Jack and releases him onto the streets just as Danes tells the world about the need for PhiCorp's painkiller legislation. [] Sex scene censorship controversy "Dead of Night" features a concurrent gay and straight sex scenes; the straight sex scene features Rex and Vera (Mekhi Phifer and Arlene Tur), and the gay scene features John Barrowman and guest actor , playing bartender Brad. Gay mens' website enthusiastically reported on Casey's casting in March; the casting side for Brad, released in December 2010, had assuaged fears that Jack would be "de-gayed" by American network Starz. Barrowman later told reporters that the gay sex scene the series would feature would be more explicit than previous shots of its kind in Torchwood, because Starz as a US premium cable network allowed the show to "push the envelope a little bit more". For airings in the UK, the BBC (a public broadcast network) edited the scene because it was deemed inappropriate for the primetime slot. However, a BBC spokesperson stated that the edit would not affect the story in any way. Barrowman however, responded by saying that sex scenes in the show were not gratuitous did form a part of the plot. This section requires . [] Reception 's Zack Handlen awarded "Dead of Night" a B- rating. He felt that the episode did not have any truly tense scenes compared to previous episode "Rendition". While he celebrated that the "two-fer sex scene" was unusual for mainstream science fiction, Handlen felt it "didn't make for gripping television", and felt Jack's hook-up was at least more believable than the prospect of a Rex/Vera romance. Though he gave the episode a relatively high rating, and was optimistic for Miracle Day as a series, Handlen's concluding paragraph stated "an episode like this isn't a good sign". reviewer Todd VanDerWerff wrote "With every week it's on the air, Torchwood: Miracle Day continues to expand its scope"; his reviewer was largely positive but marked with criticisms. He felt "the episode's mid-section was where it was flabiest", referring to Gwen's contact with Rhys and the lovemaking scenes. Like Handlen, he remarked on the believability of the Rex/Vera pairing, saying "It made sense for later in the episode that Rex and Vera had hooked up (since it gave her stronger motivation to work with Torchwood), but in the moment, it seemed ludicrously convenient." Like Handlen, VanDerWerff didn't find the American public's reaction to Danes believable either. However, his summary said "All in all, this was a "putting the pieces in place" kind of episode, and though some of the pieces were moved quite inelegantly -– again, the Rex and Vera hook-up -– much of whether this episode stands out as the start of a decline or a brief hiccup will be determined by where the pieces go from here." This section requires . [] References Jensen, Michael (5 March 2011). . AfterElton.com. Retrieved 23 July 2011. Jensen, Michael (12 December 2010). . AfterElton.com. Logo Online. Retrieved 23 July 2011. 8 April 2011, Morgan. . . Retrieved 23 July 2011. Wrightman, Catriona (19 July 2011). . Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 July 2011. Wrightman, Catriona (20 July 2011). . Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 July 2011. Handlen, Zack (22 July 2011). . A.V. Club New York. . Retrieved 23 July 2011. VanDerWerff, Todd (23 July 2011). . . Retrieved 23 July 2011.