The Cinedicate: Film & TV Podcast

• #189 - Suburban Sasquatch Commentary Track

  Welcome back to The Cinedicate. On today’s episode, we’re taking a wild trip through the world of ultra-low-budget cinema with a commentary experience on the infamous cult classic, Suburban Sasquatch.Joining me are Katie and Brit from the Grindhouse Girls podcast, as we brave this $500 masterpiece. From questionable costumes and DIY special effects to baffling storylines and even a surprising debate about Bigfoot’s true nature, we’ll laugh, cringe, and (barely) survive the chaos together.So whether you love digging deep into the best bad movies or just can’t resist a cryptid rampaging through suburbia, grab your popcorn and prepare to witness “cinematic history” as we break down everything you didn’t ask for about Suburban Sasquatch, here on The Cinedicate.Start the commentary track as soon as you hit play on the movie.What to expect from the episode:A hilarious, unsparing group commentary on Suburban Sasquatch, exploring its low-budget production, questionable costume choices, and unintentionally comedic momentsCandid discussions about cultural representation, filmmaking competence, and the blurred lines between passion projects and vanity in indie cinemaLighthearted banter among the hosts about cryptids, genre tropes, and their own tolerance (or lack thereof) for “so-bad-it’s-good” movies, with frequent pop culture references and personal anecdotes----------Listen to Brit and Katie on their podcast, The Grindhouse Girls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #188 - Alien: Earth - Franchise Retreads, Corporate Greed, and AI Nightmare Fuel

  Welcome back to The Cinedicate. On today's episode, we're crash-landing into Alien: Earth, the first-ever Alien TV series. We break down the hybrid identity of Wendy, the corporate wars brewing between Weyland Yutani and Prodigy, and ask the big questions: What will humanity become when evolution and technology collide? Was Alien Earth a worthy addition to the Alien legacy, or just another xenomorph cash grab?So whether you're a lifelong Alien fan, love a good sci-fi debate, or just wonder what happens when memory itself becomes a weapon, join us as we dig through the wreckage and chart the future of the franchise—right here on The Cinedicate.What to expect from the episode:First impressions, debates, and generational perspectives on the new Alien: Earth TV series, including discussion on its connections to the classic films, franchise fatigue, and whether it brings anything new to the Alien universe.Deep dive into the show’s major themes: AI consciousness, biotech, corporate power, and the ethics of uploading human minds into synthetic bodies, with comparisons to real-world technology and other sci-fi stories like Blade Runner and Altered Carbon.Spirited discussion on the show’s structure, pacing, and narrative choices, including debates over fan service vs. originality, unresolved storylines, the impact of streaming models, and recommendations about whether Alien: Earth is a must-watch for Alien fans (or if you should just go watch Romulus or Blade Runner instead).Episode Chapters 00:00:00 - Introduction to Alien: Earth & Central Themes 00:01:47 - Personal Entry Points to Alien Franchise 00:08:29 - First Impressions - Alien: Earth00:11:31 - Series' Retro Aesthetic00:13:48 - Narrative Structure and Release Strategy 00:17:52 - Alien: Earth vs. Alien Romulus / Retreading Franchise Territory 00:20:40 - Hybrid Identity, Biotech, and AI in Alien: Earth00:30:33 - AI Sentience, Deception, and Control—Parallels to Reality 00:36:59 - Xenomorphs’ Role: Gore, Threat, and Audience Expectations 00:39:50 - Timeline and Canon Questions00:43:17 - Other Alien Species: Significance, Motivation, and Unanswered Mysteries 00:46:35 - Desire for Narrative Closure: Open-Ended Finale Critique 00:49:13 - Themes of Power Transfer 00:50:43 - AVP/Potential Crossovers & Franchise-Building Speculation 00:55:53 - The Formula and Essence of an Alien Movie 01:02:42 - Ethical Debate: Should Humanity Weaponize Alien Life or Technology? 01:14:18 - Government vs. Corporation: Who Should Contain Biohazards? 01:17:43 - Alien: Earth in the Context of other Alien Media 01:27:20 - Final Judgment 01:29:49 - Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #187 - Clue - Murder, Misdirection, and Madcap Comedy

  Ready for a killer good time? Join Armand and Alex as they unravel the zany, rapid-fire murder mystery of Clue—from cult classic status to its razor-sharp comedy, legendary cast, and the infamous multiple endings. Whether you’re a longtime board game buff or just discovering the film’s madcap magic, this episode dives deep into how Clue turned whodunnit logic into pure cinematic chaos, why Tim Curry steals the show, and whether the movie is the ultimate Halloween pick. Plus: off-the-rails tangents, pop culture connections, and what makes this gleeful satire truly timeless. Stop scrolling and get clued in!What to expect from the episode:A lively exploration of why Clue (1985) is a cult classic, from its rapid-fire comedic delivery and ensemble cast performances to its clever satirical take on the whodunnit genre.Behind-the-scenes insights into the film’s production history, alternate endings, casting choices (including the indispensable Tim Curry), and its surprising parallels to contemporary mysteries like Knives Out.A spirited discussion on the film’s legacy, why it remains atmospherically perfect for Halloween, and debate around whether a modern remake could ever recapture its unique charm.Episode Chapters00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:16 - Personal Connection & Pop Culture Impact00:03:32 - Comedic Tone & Performances00:06:41 - Plot Summary00:11:11 - Casting Choices00:12:18 - Ending Analysis & Spoiler Discussion00:15:48 - Satire Reception & Background Humor00:19:36 - Character Motives & Moral Ambiguity00:27:30 - Plot Twists & Parallels to Knives Out00:29:42 - Cult Status & Direction00:33:36 - Adaptations, Remakes & Modern Cinema00:35:10 - Ensemble Cast vs. Modern Filmmaking00:37:59 - Franchise Planning & Characterization00:42:34 - Director’s Intent & Style Speculation00:44:44 - Remake Feasibility & Contemporary Comedy00:53:11 - Tim Curry's Importance00:56:41 - Clue as a Halloween Movie00:58:48 - Closing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• SWAPCAST - Phantom of the Paradise - Fame, Flamboyancy, & Faustian Bargains

  Dive into the twisted rock 'n' roll nightmare of Brian De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise this Spooptober, where fame devours the soul and every contract's signed in blood. The Grindhouse Girls, Katie and Brit, are joined by the host of The Cinedicate, Armand Haddad, for a wild ride through Faustian bargains, flamboyant beefcakes, and cult classic chaos. Tune in for laughs, lore, and a healthy dose of '70s horror glam—because nothing says Halloween like a phantom who just wants his music back.What to expect from the episode:Hosts unpack Brian De Palma's elevator epiphany that birthed Phantom of the Paradise, blending Beatles rage with Faustian pacts, Edgar Allan Poe nods, and '70s satire.Deep dives into standout characters like Jessica Harper's ethereal Phoenix and the effervescent Beef (a Little Richard-inspired beefcake channeling Dennis Reynolds vibes).Explorations of the film's enduring ripples on Daft Punk, manga aesthetics, Rocky Horror echoes, and its box-office bomb status turning into underground legend.Episode Chapters:00:00 - Spooptober Intro00:54 - Elevator Rage to Rock Opera: De Palma's Wild Inspiration03:07 - From Secondhand DVDs to Daft Punk Dreams: How We Found This Gem05:35 - Box Office Bomb to Cult Icon06:33 - Chaos Behind the Mask08:09 - Faust, Frankenstein, and Gothic Roots10:36 - Rocky Horror Riffs13:18 - De Palma's Fury19:01 - Beef's Glittery Grind22:43 - Pop Culture Nods38:33 - Ratings, Raves, and Grindhouse Grades41:31 - Plugs, Previews, and Next Haunts48:12 - Stephen King Gripes, Adaptations, and Derry Dreams54:35 - Outro and Stay Spoopy----------Listen to Brit and Katie on their podcast, The Grindhouse Girls.----------The Cinedicate on InstagramThe Cinedicate's Discord Community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #186 - Weapons - Using Horror to Explore Grief and Community Decay

  Seventeen children vanish without a trace, a small town turns on itself, and a mysterious force called Gladys starts to haunt the shadows—this week on The Cinedicate, Armand, Pete, and Fresh unravel the chilling layers of Zach Cregger's horror film Weapons.From Pied Piper legends and haunting dream sequences to coded tributes and razor-sharp social commentary, the trio digs into the film’s eerie atmosphere, unforgettable performances, and the real-world grief that inspired it. Is the true monster the witch, or the trauma we carry?What to expect from the episode:An in-depth exploration of Zach Cregger’s Weapons, focusing on its blend of supernatural horror, allegory, and commentary on grief, loss, and community decaySpirited discussion about the film’s narrative structure, multidimensional characters, and the symbolism behind key elements (such as the number 2:17, Gladys as a modern witch, and the importance of subtle political themes)Honest reactions to the movie’s originality, debate over the need for sequels, and reflections on the future of cinema and attention spans in the age of streaming and rapid media consumptionEpisode Chapters00:00:00 - Introduction and Weapons Overview00:02:03 - Why Weapons00:04:08 - First Impressions, Marketing, and Expectations00:07:06 - Zach Cregger's Background and Comedy Roots00:09:06 - Cast, Genre, and Film Comparisons00:11:05 - Plot Summary and Nonlinear Structure00:13:41 - Viewing Experience, Audience, and Theatrical Release00:15:28 - Tonal Expectations, Symbolism, and Personal Theories00:21:47 - Symbolism of 2:1700:23:01 - Institutions, Community Breakdown, and Parental Roles00:32:22 - Grief and Character Archetypes00:36:11 - Gladys’s Nature: Witchcraft, Evil, and Trauma00:48:56 - James the Tweaker: Comic Relief and Truth Teller00:51:19 - Climax, Breaking the Cycle, and Lingering Grief00:56:43 - Comparative Filmmaking and Industry Context00:58:43 - Subtlety vs. Overt Politics in Horror01:03:25 - Franchise Potential & Creative Restraint01:11:20 - The Future of Cinema: Audiences, Streaming, and Generations01:19:18 - Closing Thoughts and Appreciation01:20:09 - Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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