CinemaHounds - A Lorehounds Podcast

David and Stewart (Doove71) mark forty years of James Cameron’s Aliens, a foundational text for Eagle Eyes, with a spoiler free briefing followed by a full spoiler deep dive into the film that turned a monster movie into a war movie. David traces the making of Ripley through the forms of power at work in the film, arguing that she is the ultimate badass because her strength makes the people around her more capable. Stewart brings his own military experience to rank, competence and mission command, from Gorman freezing to Hicks stepping up. They also weigh the theatrical cut against the special edition, run the film through the Lorehounds frameworks and score it on the Rounds on Target scale before wrapping up with community feedback.Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected], send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

David, Lisa, and Bryan complete their Catherine O’Hara cycle with a deep dive into Best in Show, the community’s overwhelming choice in the listener poll. Christopher Guest’s 2000 mockumentary about competitors at the fictional Mayflower Kennel Club dog show was built from just a 15-page outline, with nearly all the dialogue improvised by a repertoire company that had been working together since the SCTV years.The hosts break down each couple and their canine counterparts, from Cookie and Jerry Fleck’s endlessly resurfacing romantic history to the Swans’ therapy sessions with their Weimaraner, the easy warmth of Stefan and Scott with their Shih Tzu, and the competitive edge of Christy Cummings and Sherry Ann Cabot with their championship poodle. Special attention goes to Fred Willard’s legendarily obtuse color commentary alongside Jim Piddock’s unflappable straight man, and to how the film quietly normalized gay relationships years before marriage equality.David watches the film for the first time and discovers a comedy classic hiding just inside his cringe tolerance, while Lisa and Bryan reflect on how this ensemble of improvisational geniuses shaped the landscape of modern comedy from SCTV through Schitt’s Creek and beyond.Contact UsQuestions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected] to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateshttps://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

David is joined again by Nathan Ledbetter, Instructor of Asian History in the Department of Humanities at Rider University and Lorehounds Community Co-Host, for the second part of our three part series ahead of Godzilla Minus Zero. This installment is a full spoiler discussion of the 1954 original and Godzilla Minus One (2023), with some commentary on the 1956 American version, Godzilla King of the Monsters. Please note that the conversation also covers trailer observations and speculation for Minus Zero near the end, so skip the last section if you want to go in completely fresh.They begin with the postwar context behind the 1954 film, including the American occupation, Article 9 of Japan’s constitution, the Lucky Dragon No. 5 incident, and the creative team of Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya. From there they walk through the story and its themes of scientific hubris and self sacrifice, along with the changes made for American audiences in 1956. The conversation also includes clips from Yuki Miyamoto, professor of religious studies at DePaul University and an ethicist whose work focuses on nuclear discourse, featured on the Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever podcast. She offers insight on Lucky Dragon No. 5 and on the themes of Godzilla Minus One.The second half turns to Godzilla Minus One and what it does differently. David and Nathan explore survivor’s guilt, forgiveness, collective action, and the contrast between sacrifice in 1954 and the message of survival in 2023, along with the film’s historical backdrop and the plot choices that did and did not work for them. Part 1 covered the history and context of Godzilla and the morphology of his body, and Part 3 will be a regular movie review of Godzilla Minus Zero once the film is in wide release.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeLinks Mentioned in This EpisodeGodzilla Minus Zero (2026) - Part 1 of 3 - The History and Context of GodzillaEvery Single Sci-Fi Film Ever: Godzilla in 1954: Japan’s Nuclear Nightmare and Sci-Fi LegacyThe Semiotics of Godzilla: How to Read a Monster’s Body (David’s blog post)Contact UsQuestions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected], send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateshttps://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

This year’s Elevenses film club Spooktober special goes deep into the first horror film ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture: The Exorcist (1973). Elysia, David, and John bring their range of experiences – from lifelong aficionado to first-time watcher – into a discussion delving into the special collaboration between book author / screenwriter William Blatty and director William Friedkin, and how this movie helped to define their already exceptional careers. Along the way, they discuss the franchise as a whole, the alleged “curse” behind the production, behind-the-scenes stories, and what’s coming next in The Exorcist universe.The Exorcist franchise:The original trilogy: The Exorcist (1973), Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), Exorcist III (1990)William Blatty’s Trilogy of Faith books: The Exorcist (1971), The Ninth Configuration (1978) [1980 film adaptation], Legion (1983, adapted into Exorcist III)The dueling prequels: Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) vs. Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)Alternative sequels: The Exorcist TV series: (2016-2017, 2 seasons, 10 eps ea.) vs. The Exorcist: Believer (2023)The Mike Flanagan “reboot” (partial sequel to Exorcist III): The Exorcist: Martyrs (2027) [trailer]Other key links discussed:SNL parody: The Exorcist 2 (feat. Richard Pryor)Documentaries about the original film: The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist (1998) and Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist (2019)The Exorcist II documentary: Boorman and the Devil (2026) [trailer]Contact UsQuestions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected] to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateslinktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

David is joined by Nathan Ledbetter, Instructor of Asian History, Department of Humanities, Rider University, and new Lorehounds Community Co-Host, to begin a three part series ahead of Godzilla Minus Zero.This first installment explores the history and context of Godzilla, from the 1954 original and the nuclear anxieties that shaped it to the legacy that followed, before turning to the morphology of the monster’s body and what its physical design communicates. The conversation is completely spoiler free for Godzilla Minus Zero and for any other movies discussed, so it is safe listening whether or not you have seen the films.In Part 2, David and Nathan will take a full spoiler discussion of the 1954 film, with some commentary on the 1956 version, and compare it with the 2023 film Godzilla Minus One. Part 3 will be a regular movie review of Godzilla Minus Zero once the film is in wide release.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeEvery Single Sci-Fi Film Ever* PodcastGodzilla in 1954: Japan’s Nuclear Nightmare and Sci-Fi LegacyLorehounds Blog PostThe Semiotics of Godzilla: How to Read a Monster’s BodyNathan Ledbetter’s Academic Pagehttps://princeton.academia.edu/NathanLedbetterContact UsQuestions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected], send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateshttps://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Lorehounds Host David and Lorehounds Community Co-host Stewart (Doove71) are joined by special guest Marilyn R. Pukkila for the first publicly available Eagle Eyes episode, a deep dive into the 2026 film Pressure. The conversation covers the film’s remarkable portrait of the 72 hours before D-Day, centered on Scottish meteorologist Group Captain James Stagg’s pivotal and contested weather forecast to Supreme Allied Commander Eisenhower, exploring how the production distills a vast, complex military operation into an intimate and claustrophobic character piece. The trio bring their combined perspectives to the film’s historical accuracy, its origins as a 2014 stage play, the transatlantic tensions mirrored at every level of command, and the quietly essential role of Kay Summersby in navigating the enormous egos in the room.Further ReadingThe General’s Women by Susan Wittig Alberthttps://susanalbert.com/the-generals-women/Contact UsQuestions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected], send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateshttps://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Elysia is celebrating Filipino-American History Month with the help of Paulo from The Oscars Death Race Podcast, with a deep dive into Dreamworks' new animated adventure Forgotten Island. The first half of the episode is dedicated to a spoiler-free intro to Filipino culture and mythology and discussion of the movie production, setting the stage for the film and discussing who this is for and why listeners might want to watch. And then, after the spoiler warning, they discuss how Filipino culture and mythology is woven into the plot of this '90s-tinged magical tale of friendship that transcends time and distance.Special links:• The Forgotten Island trailer• The Oscar's Death Race Podcast (Paulo)Filipino media recommendations:• Series: Trese – Netflix animated supernatural detective, 6 eps• Movie: ZsaZsa Zaturnnah (2026) – Animated gender-bent superhero• Movie: 10s Across the Borders (2025) – Asian ballroom• Movie: Moonglow (2026) – Filipino Noir• Movie: Lingua Franca (2019) – Trans immigrant drama• Movie: Filipiñana (2026) – This year's Oscar submission from the Philippines• Movie: First Light (2026) – Australian submission this year, first in Tagalog• Graphic Novel: Maharlika• Docuseries: BINI and SB19 (Netflix) • Letterboxd list: Recent Filipino / Diaspora Films• Letterboxd list: Older list of specifically Filipino cinemaContact [email protected], send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateshttps://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

David, Lisa, and Bryan celebrate the life and career of Catherine O'Hara, who passed away in January 2026. The trio traces her path from waitressing at Toronto's Second City at 19, where she understudied for Gilda Radner, through her Emmy-winning years on SCTV alongside future comedy giants John Candy, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, and Rick Moranis. The conversation moves through her collaborations with Tim Burton on Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas, her breakout to household fame in Home Alone, her celebrated improv work in Christopher Guest's mockumentary films, and the career renaissance of Schitt's Creek, where decades of character work culminated in the unforgettable Moira Rose. The hosts reflect on how O'Hara elevated everything she touched, from dramatic turns in The Last of Us and The Studio to her fearless willingness to let the awkward moment sit for one extra beat, before selecting three films for the community vote.Catherine O'Hara Community Movie Poll Vote for the film we'll cover in our deep dive episode! Best in Show (2000) | For Your Consideration (2006) | ACOD (2013) Vote here: https://strawpoll.com/e6Z2Axlw6gN Poll closes Saturday, October 4, 2026 at 11:59pm EDTContact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected] to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

David, Lisa, and Bryan light a candle for two icons lost just 48 hours apart. The first half celebrates Dolly Parton, from her childhood in Appalachian poverty through her breakout on the Porter Wagoner Show and into a career that stretched far beyond country music. The hosts trace her film roles in 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Steel Magnolias, her production company's surprising connection to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and a philanthropic legacy that includes the Imagination Library, COVID vaccine research funding, and wraparound services that cut her hometown's school dropout rate in half.After the break, the trio turns to Tim Curry, whose fearless portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show became a cultural landmark for self-expression and nonconformity. The hosts explore his eclectic range from Legend and IT to Clue, Muppet Treasure Island, and three Tony-nominated Broadway roles, and reflect on how Rocky Horror created space for generations of nonconformists to gather, play, and express themselves freely. Community voices from the Lorehounds Discord share their own memories throughout, including the inevitable question: which Tim Curry role was your awakening?Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected] to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Jean and Elysia dive into the characters, action, and moments that triggered tears in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the start of a new MCU Spider-Man trilogy that's currently setting box office records. (Comic-book comparisons, of course, included.)Stick around under after the credits for our reactions to the just-released X-Men casting and other Marvel news from D23!Marvel at D23: X-Men casting & VisionQuest / Doomsday trailersContact UsQuestions or comments? Send emails to: [email protected] to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateslinktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.