Burn After Watching

Today, we dive headfirst into James Cameron’s latest bioluminescent fever dream: Avatar: Fire and Ash. From Zoe Saldaña’s terrifying archery skills as Neytiri to Sigourney Weaver’s ongoing role as the teenaged Kiri.

In this episode Dan and Alex explore two classic horror films to close the Spooktober month! First, we’ll step into the quiet suburban streets of Haddonfield, Illinois, in John Carpenter’s Halloween, where a silent, masked killer returns to destroy the innocence of a teenage babysitter and her friends. Then we’ll move into the cramped and ornate New York apartment building of Rosemary’s Baby (1968), where Mia Farrow’s Rosemary slowly realises that the people she trusts—and the space she inhabits—are conspiring to betray her, to take control of her body and her baby.

In this episode, we explore two very different but intimately related visions of haunted homes: the suburban nightmare of Poltergeist, and the bizarre, labyrinthine nightmare of Thir13en Ghosts. We begin with the now-classic 1982 film Poltergeist, directed by Tobe Hooper (with heavy involvement by Steven Spielberg), where the typical American family’s home becomes the nexus of malevolent, other-worldly activity. We’ll unpack the mythic wife, mother, daughter, and the youngest child Carol Anne who is drawn into a spectral portal—and how the film taps into suburban anxieties, grief, and the invasion of domestic space.Then we shift to the 2001 remake/modern re-imagining Thir13en Ghosts, directed by Steve Beck, where a widower and his children inherit an eccentric uncle’s mansion—only to discover it’s a glass-paneled machine, a trap filled with twelve (actually thirteen) vengeful spirits. We’ll examine how the film transforms the haunted house into a literal machine of horror, how it uses spectacle, design, and mythic structure of ghosts.

In this episode, we cover the classic supernatural horror of The Conjuring (2013) and the visceral occult dread of Bring Her Back (2025). James Wan builds dread through restraint, how the real-life framing of the Perron family story shapes the narrative, and why this film has become a cornerstone of the modern haunted-house canon. Then we shift to Bring Her Back, the potent new horror film by Danny and Michael Philippou, exploring its audacious moments, psychological ruptures, and how it plays with expectations of possession, grief, and motherhood.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Andy Muschietti’s two-part adaptation of Stephen King’s It, exploring both the chilling 2017 installment and its sprawling 2019 sequel. From Pennywise’s unsettling smile to the emotional bonds of the Losers’ Club, we break down how these films capture (and sometimes struggle to capture) King’s massive novel.We begin with It (2017), a story rooted in childhood fears, nostalgia, and the vulnerability of youth. The hosts explore how the film re-imagines Derry in the late ’80s, the chemistry of the young cast, and how Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise became an instant horror icon. We also reflect on how the movie blends coming-of-age drama with supernatural terror, creating one of the most commercially successful horror films ever.Moving to It Chapter Two (2019), the conversation shifts to how the same characters—now adults—struggle to face old traumas while reconnecting with their forgotten pasts. The hosts discuss the casting choices (James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, and others), the challenges of juggling timelines, and how comedy, horror, and drama often collide—sometimes beautifully, sometimes awkwardly. The ambitious runtime and heavy use of CGI are debated, alongside standout performances like Bill Hader’s Richie and the film’s haunting exploration of memory, friendship, and fear.

Join Borderlnd and Mary as they dive deep into Ari Aster’s hotly debated 2025 film Eddington, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, and Amélie Hoeferle. Directed and written by Ari Aster, this socio‑political modern Western unfolds in fictional Eddington, New Mexico during the early weeks of May 2020, against the backdrop of Covid‑19, Black Lives Matter protests, and online conspiracy culture...

This week, we cover 3 of the year’s biggest and most talked-about cinematic events: James Gunn’s Superman (2025), the high-octane thriller F1 from Joseph Kosinski and Brad Pitt, and the long-awaited return to Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic universe in 28 Years Later.

Alex and Dan break down the new Karate Kid (2025) starring Ben Wang and Jackie Chan, directed by Jonathan Entwistle, and revisit the entire franchise—from Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita to Jaden Smith and Hilary Swank. A nostalgic, roundhouse-kick journey through every crane kick and comeback.

This week we discuss Alex Garland's Warfare, following up Civil War from 2024, with a young upcoming group of actors in this technical marvel + We talked about Ryan Coogler's Sinners starring Michael B. Jordan in an Culture Soaked Horror Thriller. Bonus story time at the end of the Ep, about me scarring some kids in the cinema.

We watched A Minecraft Movie by Jared Hess staring Jack Black so you dont have to suffer through it. The film is one of the worst of the year (but Tiktok made it worst for everyone)

We return to the pod in 2025 with Bong Joon-ho, the visionary director behind Parasite and Snowpiercer, is back with Mickey 17, a high-concept sci-fi thriller starring Robert Pattinson.

This week we discuss the Best and the Worst of 2024, Honorables Mentions, Top5, Worst Movies and Head scratchers! Join Borderlnd, Mary and Dan for retro on 2024.

This week on the podcast, we dive deep into Nosferatu (2025), Robert Eggers' haunting remake of the iconic 1922 vampire film, starring Lily-Rose Depp as the mysterious and alluring Countess. We also explore A Complete Unknown (2025), a character-driven drama from director James Mangold, starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Bod Dylan and Edward Norton. Finally, we discuss Babygirl (2025), a provocative sexual thriller from Bodies, Bodies, Bodies director Halina Reijn, featuring Nicole Kidman in a role that pushes boundaries in a story about power, desire, and manipulation.

In this episode, we dive deep into Queer (2024), the groundbreaking film from Lucas Guadagnino starring Daniel Craig and Jason Schwartzman. we also discuss Red One starring The Rock, the new Wicked musical and We Live in Time.

This week we discuss Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2, starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington. the Legacy sequel is the 4th film in 4 years for Ridley Scott, can he recapture the magic after 25 years?

This week we discuss the Palmes D'or winner, Anora from director Sean Baker, Heretic starring Hugh Grant, Here from Robert Zemeckis and The Penguing Finale.

This week, Dan and I discuss Conclave by Edward Berger starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini. The Religious / Political drama just released and is set to shake up the Oscars race. (this is a Spoiler discussion)

This week we watch and review Hollywood horror classics, The Exorcist and The Ring. Me and Dan will watch both movies for the very first time! We also talk the Substance, Kneecap and the Remarkable life of Ibelin. Join us for the last episode of this horror month special!

This week we review Joker 2, from Todd Phillips starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. The sequel, a musical, has already collected quite a reputation and a disastrous first box office weekend. Mary and I will are split on the first Joker film, She loves it and I hated it. Join us to hear our thoughts!

Horror Month - Week 1 This week Dan and I confront our fear and despise of horror films and watch 2 of the most famous found footage horror, Paranormal Activity and Blair Witch Project.

This episode we chatted about the first full length feature of director Sean Wang, Dìdi (弟弟). We also chat about the 2023 documentary short, Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó.

This week, we discuss Coleman Domingo's Sing Sing, which delivers a multitude of amazing performances and a tight and focused script.

This week, Dan and I continue the Carnaval of Garbage with a M. Night Shyamalan special. We checkout Trap (2024), the new Thriller starring Josh Harnett, the infamous Old (2021) and the 2023 Apocaliptic mystery, Knock at the Cabin starring Dave Bautista. Join us in our suffering

This week we chat about the insanely hyped, Horror Thriller, Longlegs from Neon. Directed by Osgood Perkins, Starring Nicholas Cage and Maika Monroe. This is a spoilers episode!

This week, we review and chat about the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, including the new Netflix's Alex F sequel. We also review the 2024 year so far, the best and the worst, the surprising and disapointing...

We are coming in hot (1 week late) with the new Yorgos Lanthimos film,Starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Margaret Qualley, Hunter Schafer, Willem Dafoe and Hong Chau. Kinds of Kindness is an anthology composed of 3 short stories, and its a wild ride!

This week we are painfully going thru the 2023/2024 slops Sydney Sweeney has been appearing in. Starting with the RomCom starring Glen Powell Anyone but you, the Horror film Immaculate and the Notorious Madame Web with Dakota Johnson barely acting. Join us and lets suffer together.

This week, we discuss the George Miller's Mad Max Saga, starting with Fury Road and then Furiosa starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth.

This week, we discuss David Leitch's The Fall Guy and his 2017's film, Atomic Blonde. Starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt coming off the success of Barbie and Oppenheimer. Is the Blockbuster summer season off to a good start?

This week we discuss the new Alex Garland film, Civil War. The biggest production from the A24 studio, starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura and Cailee Spaeny. We are also going back to 2018 Annihilation, with Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac.

This week, we discuss the new Rose Glass film, Love Lies Bleeding starring Kristen Stewart and Katy M. O'Brian. We also revisit Rose Glass first feature, the Horror Thriller, Saint Maud.

This week we talk Dune! David Lynch's Dune from 1984, Dune Part 1 and Dune Part 2 by Denis Villeneuve and Jodorowsky's attempt at adapting the Dune Novels.

Today we Discuss 3 Best International Feature Nominees. The Zone of Interest by Jonathan Glazer with Sandra Hüller, the Teachers Lounge by Ilker Çatak and Society of the Snow by J. A. Bayona!

Today, we are sharing our Picks and Predictions for the 2024 Oscars! Best Actress, Actors, Supporting, Sound, Cinematography, Directors, International, Costumes, Hair and Makeup and more!

This week, we are catching up on big Oscars contender, the American Fiction. We also chat about Thelma & Louise, Ida, you Hurt my Feelings, Spotlight, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, Everything Everywhere all at Once, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Nomadland, Her, the Tragedy of Macbeth and Goodbye Dragon Inn.

This week we reveal our Top 5 Movies of 2023, Honorables Mentions and the Worst Films of the Year!

This week we discuss Poor things by Yorgos Lanthimos and also, the Batman, the Town, the Lego Movie, Godzilla Minus One, Persona (1966), Maestro, the Killing of a Sacred Deer, the Favourite and more!

Today we discuss Hirokazu Kore-eda's Monster, winner of the Best screenplay at Cannes, The Green Knight, Saltburn, Dream Scenario, May December, Home Alone and the Nightmare Before Christmas and Shoplifters!

This week we discuss Napoleon, Gladiator, the Killer, the Big Lebowski, A League of Their Own, About Time and more!

This episode we discuss the new Alexander Paynes's film, The Holdovers. We also rewatched the first collaboration between Him and Paul Giamatti, Sideways. We also chat about everything we watched in the last 2 weeks!