Episode 121 - C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.

Cooper and Nolan are back for another season and trying not to blow it when they cover the winner of this year's audience poll - NINJA IN THE CLAWS OF THE CIA! In this seldom-seen early 80s disasterpiece, legendary martial artist John Liu takes on not one but TWO starring roles in a movie that he also wrote and directed, which according to the guys is about 3 jobs too many.  And as if being hilariously overdubbed, frantically edited, and featuring random scenes that are entirely in Spanish wasn't ridiculous enough, there's also a subplot where the main character has to avoid seduction that launches this movie into truly unbelievable territory.  So don't try to hold out any longer; this very special SEASON PREMIERE episode (featuring a beer from Muskoka Brewery) is loaded up and ready to burst!

Cooper and Nolan are getting trashed this week when they cover THE GARBAGE PAIL KIDS MOVIE! Despite the tagline promising a live action heap of fun, when the guys lifted the lid on this stinker that is NOT what they found. Luckily there's lots to talk about, from the truly haunting Garbage Pail Kids' head effects to 80s parenting techniques to who is and isn't allowed to wear a dashiki. There's a lot more to be found as well, so get ready to sift through the mess; this episode (featuring a beer from All My Friends Beer Co.) is one you won't want to throw away!

Cooper and Nolan are wrapping up their 4th season with a prime episode this week when they cover TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN! The second installment in Michael Bay's Transformers franchise takes a lot of flak, and rightly so. But while the guys were fully prepared for the overblown CGI and cringey dialogue in this movie, they were NOT ready for the surprising emotional reactions they both had while watching it, or the even more surprising amount of sexuality. Throw in some racist Autobots, a robot version of TMZ, and Megan Fox's toe thumbs, and you've got the makings of a truly ridiculous time. So dust off the old Camaro; this very special SEASON FINALE episode (featuring a beer from Kings County Brewers Collective) is more than meets the eye!

Cooper and Nolan are going back to biology class this week when they dissect C.H.U.D. II: BUD THE C.H.U.D.! This nonsensical sequel leans HARD into comedy, and inexplicably has nothing to do with the original C.H.U.D. Which is bad news for C.H.U.D. superfans (like a special guest who joins the podcast this week), but great news for anyone who enjoys speculating on topics like the fastest way to open a trunk, whether or not Robert Vaughn was drunk during filming, and if it's true what they say about men with big feet. With all of that plus what might be the most obscure Canadian reference ever, this episode (featuring a certain controversial macrobrew) has got plenty of meat on the bone.

Cooper and Nolan are tasting the water of life this week when they cover the original DUNE! This notorious Dino De Laurentiis production was plagued with studio interference, visual effects problems, and Kyle MacLachlan's terrible acting, all of which forced director David Lynch to have to cram a whole book series' worth of story into a two hour movie. The result was a confusing, plot heavy mess that for some reason features a VERY sweaty Sting. But is that bizarre piece of casting (along with the curiosity of watching a legendary bomb for the first time) enough to make this enjoyable for the guys? According to an ancient prophecy, this episode (featuring a beer from Dune Hopper Brewing Co.) contains the answer!

Cooper and Nolan are going off the rails this week when they board the TERROR TRAIN by special request! This canuxploitation slasher stars Jamie Lee Curtis in another enjoyable scream queen performance, but it's a cameo by legendary 80s magician David Copperfield that REALLY captures the guys' imaginations. His potential role in getting this movie made is just one of many theories shared in this episode, along with Charles Bronson's underwear preferences, nursing home romance, and what makes an effective fraternity prank - not to mention the superior sequel to this movie that COULD have been made. The train is absolutely packed and it's leaving the station, so make sure you're on time; this episode (featuring a beer from Railway City Brewing) is one you don't want to miss!

Cooper and Nolan are taking a trip to the Hamptons this week when they spend a WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S! This raucous 80s comedy was a video store staple when the guys were younger, but that doesn't mean it'll hold up today. Still, with phallic buildings, antiquated technology, and rigor mortis all entering the chat, there's definitely going to be stuff to laugh at.  So whether you're more of a Richard or a Larry, there's one thing we can practically guarantee: this episode (featuring a beer from Rogue Ales) is more fun than a day at the beach!

Cooper and Nolan are living up to their two star reviews this week when they unleash a big gooey helping of THE STUFF! The fact that the planetary threat in this movie is a white, viscous ooze definitely causes the guys to give in to their worst impulses. But despite getting swept away in a seemingly endless stream of juvenile humor, they still manage to weigh in on Cold War era paranoia, the addictive nature of social media, and the type of acting roles that were available to women in the 80s.  If you like satire (or marshmallows), then open wide; this episode (featuring a beer collaboration from the Mortalis and 450 North Brewing Companies) is one you'll definitely want to taste.

Cooper and Nolan are revving up for intense 90s action this week when they cover STONE COLD! What happens when former NFL linebacker Brian "The Boz" Bosworth goes undercover to bring down a notorious biker gang known as The Brotherhood? The answer involves fist fights, motorcycle chases, and a LOT of explosions. Like a ridiculous amount, and the guys are running through all of it. They'll also decide once and for all where The Boz ranks on the all-time list of football players turned actors, so come along for the ride; this episode (featuring a beer from El Segundo Brewing) definitely won't leave you cold.

It's franchise crossover Friday this week, when Cooper and Nolan get caught in the middle of Alien vs. Predator! Between the poorly developed characters, paint by numbers plot, and early 2000s CGI, it's easy to see why fans of the Alien AND Predator franchises were massively disappointed when this came out. But now, with almost 20 years of distance, the guys are looking at this movie with fresh eyes. Is it possible it isn't actually as bad as they remember? Or are they ignoring more warning signs than the crew of Charles Bishop Weyland's doomed expedition? Either way, this thing is a battle of two evils and humanity just might hang in the balance. Luckily for all of us, this episode (featuring not one but TWO beers from Dominion City Brewing Co.) is a winner no matter which side you're on.