Kicking and Screaming Podcast
by Vanessa Gritton
Hosts Vanessa Gritton and Elijah Taylor bring the midnight movie experience home each week by challenging each other to program the perfect horror/martial arts movie double-feature. Each week, one host picks a movie of either genre and the other must pair it with a complementary film from the other genre to create the perfect double-feature. Sometimes the match up works and sometimes it's a reach but it's always as fun as loitering at a video store.
Episodes
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Baby Assassins & Tragedy Girls
In this adolescent episode, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect horror pairing to Baby Assassins, which is unfortunately not set in the Boss Baby cinematic universe. After revealing a little too much about how she "played" with Barbies as a child, Vanessa counters with another top-notch...
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Basket Case & Double Impact
In an episode that was surgically removed from its larger twin, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing to the body horror masterpiece Basket Case. After explaining why Belial is his brother, Elijah counters with the twin Van Damme-sterpiece that is Double Impact. But...
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Fist Of Legend & La Llorona (2019)
In an episode passed on through generations by word of mouth, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect horror pairing for one of the greats of martial arts cinema, Fist Of Legend. After being utterly derailed by a cat, Vanessa counters with Jayro Bustamante's La Llorona (2019). But what does…
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Censor & Harakiri
In this flashback-heavy episode, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for recent horror favorite Censor. After Vanessa recovers some previously-censored memories of her own, Elijah counters with one of the greatest samurai films of all time: Harakiri. But what does…
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The Red Wolf and Deep Rising
In this seafaring episode, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect horror pairing for Yuen Woo Ping's Red Wolf. After firmly establishing that xylophones are not villainous, Vanessa counters with another tale of death on the high seas: Deep Rising. But besides their nautical settings, how...
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My Bloody Valentine 3D & True Legend
In an episode best listened to while wearing 3D glasses, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing to the, we’ll say it, underrated slasher My Bloody Valentine 3D. After offering to accept any and all challenges to a pickaxe fight, Elijah counters with a film he...
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Furie & Friday the 13th
In an episode with strong maternal instincts, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect horror pairing for Vietnamese actioner Furie. After establishing that Vanessa has finally entered the “annoying” stage in her journey as a fan of martial arts movies, Vanessa counters with the slasher…
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Black Dynamite and The Editor
In an episode that also serves as a loving parody of previous episodes of this podcast, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect horror pairing for one of his most-quoted films of all time: Black Dynamite. After talking for longer than you’d expect about boomerangs, Elijah counters with...
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Avengement and Green Room
In this landmark episode, Vanessa and Elijah cover their first ever listener-submitted double-feature. First up is the fantastically-titled Scott Adkins actioner Avengement. After cursing our reality for being one in which Scott Adkins is not the most successful actor alive, Vanessa and Elijah…
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The Wolf of Snow Hollow & Brotherhood of the Wolf
In this howlin' good episode, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for what is almost definitely the best werewolf New Year's movie, The Wolf Of Snow Hollow. After firmly establishing that Officer John Marshall is not a great guy, Elijah counters with another tale of…
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The Sword Of Doom and The Ritual
In an episode that serves primarily as a character study of its two hosts, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect horror pairing for grim samurai masterpiece The Sword Of Doom. After comparing the protagonist to Pinhead, Vanessa pulls a wildcard and pairs it not with Hellraiser, but with…
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The Thing & New Dragon Gate Inn
In an episode that may not be what it seems, Vanessa gives Elijah the unenviable challenge of finding the perfect martial arts movie to pair with John Carpenter's The Thing. After talking about what a hunk MacReady is, Elijah counters with New Dragon Gate Inn. But what does a wuxia film about a...
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Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell & Let the Right One In
In this seasonally affected episode, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect martial arts pairing for the final entry in a classic samurai series, Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell. Vanessa counters with one of the best vampire films of the 2000s, Let the Right One In. But what do...
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Malignant and The One
In an episode that is absolutely down with the sickness, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for one of the most Kicking and Screaming movies of 2021, Malignant. After saying the words “backwards parkour” more times than you might expect, Elijah counters with the...
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Throw Down and Opera
In an episode with all the trimmings, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect horror pairing for that Thanksgiving judo classic, Throw Down. After discussing the three Fs of Kicksgiving (Family, Food, and Fighting), Vanessa counters with the giallo masterpiece Opera. But what does this tale...
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Pin and 18 Bronzemen
In this shockingly lifelike episode, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for the underseen direct-to-video gem Pin. After realizing a microphone wasn’t plugged in and losing half an hour of material, Elijah counters with a masterpiece of martial arts mannequins: 18...
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Drunken Master II and The Shining
In this sobering episode, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect horror pairing for the wine-soaked martial arts masterpiece that is Drunken Master 2. After some frank talks about addiction (Sorry, Grandma!), Vanessa counters with another all-time cinematic classic of violence and spirits,...
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Dude Bro Party Massacre III and Kung Fu Killer
In an episode that is chock full of references to previous episodes of this podcast, Vanessa challenges to find the perfect martial arts pairing for what is easily the best third entry in a nonexistent trilogy, Dude Bro Party Massacre III. After reminiscing on their recent trip to Portland (and...
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Dreadnaught and Halloween (1978)
In this seasonal episode, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find a horror pairing for the martial arts slasher Dreadnaught. After rebranding the podcast to a musical parody show, Vanessa counters with the blueprint, Halloween (1978). How much do White Tiger and Michael Myers have in common? Why do...
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The Mutilator (aka Fall Break) & Dragon (aka Wu Xia)
In this fatherly episode, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find a martial arts pairing for a film that may have the catchiest theme song in slasher flick history, The Mutilator (aka Fall Break). After singing the chorus a few too many times, Elijah counters with Donnie Yen actioner Dragon (aka Wu…
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Executioners From Shaolin and Halloween (2018) w/ William Bibbiani
In an episode that spans multiple generations (of runtime), special guest William Bibbiani challenges Vanessa and Elijah to find the perfect horror pairing for Shaw Brothers staple Executioners From Shaolin. After getting downright giddy that someone besides Elijah picked this movie, Vanessa and...
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The City Of Violence and Valentine
In this mysterious double-feature, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find a horror pairing for the South Korean martial arts noir film The City Of Violence. After lowkey trying to start a fight club, Vanessa counters with the early aughts slasher Valentine. But what does a holiday-themed slasher have…
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The Beyond and Zatoichi Meets The One-Armed Swordsman
In this eye-catching episode, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for the Italian gore classic The Beyond. After talking a bit too long about the part where a tarantula eats a guy’s tongue, Elijah decides to uphold the podcast’s long standing tradition of discussing...
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The Street Fighter and American Psycho
Surprise! It's our 50th episode! And because we didn't realize it, we did nothing to acknowledge or celebrate that fact at the time of recording (No one was more surprised than us). So here is our standard, non-celebratory episode description: In this manly episode, Elijah challenges Vanessa to...
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Slumber Party Massacre and Righting Wrongs w/ Alex Steed
In this twisted episode (Get it? Twisted? Like a drill), special guest Alex Steed challenges Vanessa and Elijah to come up with the perfect martial arts pairing to subversive slasher classic Slumber Party Massacre. After finally unpacking some SUPER SUBTLE symbolism with the drill, Vanessa and...
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Bloodsport and From Dusk Til Dawn
In an episode that we hope will someday serve as a father figure to a hapless latchkey kid, Vanessa flips the script by challenging Elijah to find a horror pairing for the movie that made his father (Jean Claude Van Dad) a star, Bloodsport. After finally admitting that he only competed as a...
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The Magnificent Butcher and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
In this meaty episode, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find a horror pairing for Sammo Hung starring kung fu classic The Magnificent Butcher. After determining that The Magnificent Butcher is actually also a horror film, Vanessa counters with one of the greatest films of all-time, horror or…
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Waxwork and Gallants
In an episode that's actually a loving homage to our Scream/Kung Fu Hustle episode, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for one of her all-time favorites, Waxwork. After dropping an absolute bombshell on Vanessa, Elijah counters with the underrated kung fu throwback...
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Slugs and Buddha's Palm w/ John-Michael Bond
In this viscous episode, special guest John-Michael Bond challenges Vanessa and Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for the shockingly rad creature feature Slugs. After confirming that you should absolutely not watch Slugs while eating a salad, Vanessa and Elijah counter with the...
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Urban Legend and John Wick
In an episode that your cousin’s boyfriend swears can totally hear someone being murdered in the background of, Vanessa (sort of) challenges Elijah to find a martial arts pairing to the slasher gem Urban Legend. After reminiscing on a simpler time when we all found Jared Leto more palatable…
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Hydra and Blood Diner
In an episode that never closes, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find a horror pairing to his favorite movie of the year, Hydra. After spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about Waffle House hash browns, Vanessa counters with the slapstick splatter classic Blood Feast. But can the…
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A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and Sleeping Fist
In this dreamy episode, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find a martial arts pairing to the all-time great slasher A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. After establishing that Vanessa is a real piece of work, Elijah counters with the sleep-fighting extravaganza Sleeping Fist. But does it pair...
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The Avenging Eagle and Shaun of the Dead
In an episode with a strong character arc, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect horror pairing for the Shaw Brothers classic Avenging Eagle. After determining that any movie with a group of themed assassins slaps, Vanessa counters with the buddy horror zomcom classic, Shaun of the Dead.…
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Lake Mungo and Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning
In an episode that absolutely demolishes the previous podcast record for “most on-air crying,” Vanessa challenges Elijah to find a pairing for the mockumentary masterpiece of dread that is Lake Mungo. After determining that it’s worse to cry in an M&M store than a White Castle, Elijah counters…
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The Raid 2 and Kill List w/ Brea Grant
In this testosterone-laden episode, special guest Brea Grant challenges Vanessa and Elijah to find a pairing for the epic action opus that is The Raid 2. After Elijah declares that it is quite possibly the greatest action movie of all time, Vanessa and Elijah counter with the slow-burn…
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Chocolate and Orphan
In an episode that we hope will age well, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find a pairing for the rough and tumble Muay Thai actioner Chocolate (2008). After talking a bit about problematic handlings of characters on the autism spectrum in media (yes, we’re once again looking at you, Cube), Vanessa...
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Cobra Vs. Ninja and Leprechaun 3 w/ Joe Starr
In an episode made primarily of audio stolen from other podcasts, special guest Joe Starr challenges Vanessa and Elijah to find the perfect horror pairing for the Godfrey Ho z-movie classic Cobra Vs. Ninja. After struggling to summarize the plot, Vanessa and Elijah retaliate with another sleazy...
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Re-Animator and Versus
In an episode that refuses to die, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find a pairing for the immortal masterpiece that is Re-Animator. After getting a little more schmaltzy and romantic about Re-Animator than you might expect, Elijah counters with the pinnacle of stylishness, Versus. But what does an...
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Bushido Man and The Stuff
In this appetizing episode, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find a pairing for the criminally underrated epic of arts both martial and gastronomical, Bushido Man. After some heated nunchuk debate, Vanessa counters with an equally filling flick: The Stuff. But can a movie so viciously unappetizing...
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Drive (1997) and The Hitcher
In an episode best listened to in your car, the Kicking and Screaming format is broken for the first time when neither host challenges the other to find a double-feature pairing. Instead, both films were mutually agreed upon during a roadtrip: Drive (1997) and The Hitcher (1986). Vanessa and…
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The Exorcist and Ninja 3: The Domination w/ Sapphire Sandalo
In an episode we’re extremely possessive of, special guest Sapphire Sandalo challenges Vanessa and Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for all-time classic The Exorcist. After waxing about their relationships with religion and faith, Vanessa and Elijah counter with another classic…
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Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3 and Human Lanterns
In this skinny double-feature, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for one of his childhood favorites, Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3. After lusting after Viggo Mortensen (and his jeans), Elijah counters with a film from the very short list of martial arts...
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Evil Dead (2013) and Broken Path (AKA Broken Fist, AKA Attack Of The Yakuza) w/ DeVaughn Taylor
In this gritty reboot of an episode you loved growing up, special guest DeVaughn Taylor challenges Vanessa and Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for one of the best horror reboots of the decade, Evil Dead (2013). After lamenting the extended Necronomicon-verse that could have been,...
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The Protector (2005) and The Long Weekend (1978)
In this animal-loving episode, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect horror pairing for what is easily the best martial arts movie about a man trying to find an elephant, The Protector. After finally determining her favorite animal at a truly unfortunate time, Vanessa counters with…
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3 Ninjas and The Witches w/ BJ Colangelo
In this still-probably-not-kid-friendly episode, special guest BJ Colangelo challenges Vanessa and Elijah to find the perfect horror pairing for possibly the most 90s movie ever made: 3 Ninjas. After obsessing over a deeply inappropriate sound-effect, Vanessa and Elijah counter with a classic of...
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Pumpkinhead and The New Legend Of Shaolin w/Andrew Bowser
In this vengeful episode, special guest Andrew Bowser challenges Vanessa and Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for one of the greatest creature features of all time: Pumpkinhead. After getting to the heart of what makes Pumpkinhead so effective, Vanessa and Elijah counter with the...
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House (1977) and Shaolin Drunkard w/ Emma Cogan
In this surreal episode, special guest Emma Cogan challenges Vanessa and Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for the Japanese psychedelic odyssey that is House (1977). After fawning over Blanche the evil cat, Vanessa and Elijah counter with the absurdist oddity Shaolin Drunkard. But…
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People Under the Stairs and Iron Monkey
In this episode that was stolen from a wealthier podcast, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for The People Under The Stairs, a classic horror story about the scariest thing of all: The obscenely wealthy. After crying for the first time on the podcast, Elijah...
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Wheels On Meals and Blood And Black Lace
In this mysterious episode, Elijah challenges Vanessa to find the perfect horror pairing for his favorite Jackie Chan film, the frustratingly titled Wheels On Meals. After talking about Elijah’s time as a boy detective, Vanessa counters with the unparalleled vibes of the giallo classic Blood And...
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Bride of Chucky and Heroes of the East
In this dearly beloved episode, Vanessa challenges Elijah to find the perfect martial arts pairing for the self-aware slasher masterpiece, Bride of Chucky. After reminiscing on why he didn’t get invited to many sleepovers as a kid, Elijah counters with another tale of newly wedded mayhem, Heroes…
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About this show
Hosts Vanessa Gritton and Elijah Taylor bring the midnight movie experience home each week by challenging each other to program the perfect horror/martial arts movie double-feature. Each week, one host picks a movie of either genre and the other must pair it with a complementary film from the other genre to create the perfect double-feature. Sometimes the match up works and sometimes it's a reach but it's always as fun as loitering at a video store.
Hosted by
Vanessa Gritton