Episode 165 - Double Down (2005)

Cooper and Nolan are getting a taste of the good life this week, when they talk SOCIETY! This late 80s horror/comedy delivers a scathing commentary on the upper class, as well as some of the most mind- (and body-) bending practical effects you'll ever see.  If you're thinking that that sounds like something that would be right up the guys' alley, you're right - especially when you factor in some fairly gratuitous sexual content. So whether you're part of the social elite or just a common man, you'll want to hear all about it; this episode (featuring a beer from the All My Friends Beer Co.) is serving up entertainment on a silver platter!

Cooper and Nolan are caught between two titans this week, when they try to survive KING KONG VS. GODZILLA! This meeting of legendary movie monsters won our Season Premiere poll in a landslide, handily dispatching Dino De Laurentiis' 1976 Kong remake. And after witnessing the hilariously low-budget practical effects, questionable American edit, and VERY regrettable casting, it's easy to see why. That's before we even get to the King Kong suit, which might be the single worst piece of costuming in any movie featured on this podcast. Still, with plenty of laughs to be had there's no need to run for cover; this episode (featuring a beer from our Season 7 sponsor Aquanova Brewing) is one battle where nobody loses!

Cooper and Nolan are answering nature's call this week when they come face to face with FROGS! This early '70s horror movie asks the question: What happens when nature strikes back? The answer, apparently, is NOT MUCH. Still, with incredibly low-budget special effects, laughably overdone family drama, and surprisingly relevant social commentary, it's easy for the guys to hop around from one topic to another. So come on down to the pond; this very special BONUS EPISODE (featuring a beer from the 100 Acre Brewing Co.) is one you'll be happy to wade into!

Cooper and Nolan are getting back in the cage this week when they take a trip to WILLY'S WONDERLAND! This hybrid horror/comedy saw its chance for a theatrical release thwarted by COVID, leaving Nicolas Cage fans to wonder what might have been. But that's just one of the many unanswered questions about this movie, and the guys spend an hour basically playing whack-a-mole trying to figure them all out. Why doesn't Nic Cage's character talk? How come the murderous animatronics seem to go on break whenever he does? And how did the filmmakers possibly avoid getting sued by the guys who made Five Nights at Freddy's? Finding out could be fun for the whole family, so get ready to cash in your tickets; this very special SEASON FINALE episode (featuring a beer from the Moersleutel Craft Brewery) is one prize you'll be happy to claim!

Cooper and Nolan are crossing one off of their bad movie bucket list this week when they take a gamble on DOUBLE DOWN! The guys have been waiting YEARS to cover a movie by infamous indie filmmaker Neil Breen, and with only one more episode to go until the Season 6 finale they're finally doing it. Will it live up to the (reverse) hype? Is the Neil Breen drinking game a recipe for trouble? And how much stock footage can a movie possibly have? Place your bets before you press play; what happens in this episode (featuring our second beer of the season from the Burdock Brewery) stays in this episode.

Cooper and Nolan are getting glittered up this week when they cut into THE APPLE! This enormous early 80s flop asks the question: what if the Cannon Films guys made a glam rock musical about Adam and Eve set in the futuristic 1990s? Somehow the answer is something stranger than you could possibly expect, and the guys have got themselves over a barrel trying to figure it out. The end result is a juicy conversation that's definitely worth tasting; this episode (featuring a beer from the Bad Apple Brewing Company) is one you'll want to sink your teeth into!

Cooper and Nolan are letting it all hang out this week when they cover CLIFFHANGER! This notable 90s entry from Sylvester Stallone was one of the last big movies of the bodybuilder action boom, and it pretty much follows the exact formula you'd expect. Still, between the hit-or-miss one-liners, extremely emotional closeups, and some VERY questionable casting, there's plenty for the guys to discuss - plus they're finally settling the chug bet they made back in February! So get ready to gear up for a good time; this episode (featuring a beer from the Blue Mountain Brewing Co.) definitely won't leave you out in the cold.

Cooper and Nolan are back with the pack this week, when they discuss HOWLING II: YOUR SISTER IS A WEREWOLF! After covering the original back in Season 3 (which Nolan completely forgot), the guys were thrilled to take a look at what is widely considered one of the silliest sequels ever made. Is this just a vampire movie that got re-purposed? How much did horror icon Christopher Lee get paid to show up? And is there such a thing as too much nudity? You won't have to wait for the next full moon to find out; this episode (featuring a beer from Bellwoods Brewery) is full of surprises for the whole family.

Cooper and Nolan are coming face-to-face with a legend this week when they finally cover SAMURAI COP! This gloriously awful piece of low-budget 90s action can be found on pretty much any list of the best bad movies of all time, and one watch is all it takes to realize why.  Between the terribly choreographed fight scenes, atrocious dialogue, and VERY questionable hat and wig choices, there's plenty to laugh at - and that's before you even mention the acting. No wonder it was BY FAR the most requested movie the podcast has ever had; this episode (featuring a total cop-out of a beer) is a straight-to-video disaster that might go straight to your heart.

Cooper and Nolan are going ape this week when they cover 1995's CONGO by special request! After the wild, unbridled success of Jurassic Park, studios were practically tripping over themselves to adapt more Michael Crichton novels. But whatever hopes Paramount Pictures might have had for this one went up in a cloud of talking gorillas, diamond-powered lasers, and VERY questionable European accents.  Are there enough action scenes and old-timey adventure elements to keep this thing interesting, or at least as interesting as Nolan found it as a 13-year-old? Or is this all just a shameless cash grab/theme park ride masquerading as a blockbuster movie? Much like the list city of Zinj, the answer may be hard to find, but either way this episode (featuring a beer from the Aquanova Brewing Company) is an expedition that's worth taking.