Episode 22: Ace in the Hole

“I’ve met a lot of hard-boiled eggs, but you? You’re twenty minutes.”It’s officially Noirvember, so Josh and Jesse are getting into the spirit by watching Billy Wilder’s Ace in the Hole. They discuss how the movie does and doesn’t align with the noir genre, its spot-on satirization of media, and how it influenced one of the most talked-about movies of this year, Primetime. Plus, they react to the number of different releases Michael Mann’s Manhunter is getting, and share new releases from Vinegar Syndrome, Antenna Releasing, and more that they’re excited about!AND: our friend Philip from The Substance podcast is in the running to win the Top Host competition! Vote for him daily by visiting this link: https://tophost.org/2026/philip-marinelloWant to ask us a question or send us your comments to be read on air? Email us at [email protected]!Follow Josh and Jesse on Letterboxd!Discussed During “Coming Soon to Own”Manhunter: The Theatrical Cuthttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/manhunterManhunter: The Final Cuthttps://www.orbitdvd.com/products/manhunter-the-final-cut-4k-uhd-uk-collectors-edition-region-free-bSleepaway Camphttps://www.instagram.com/p/DfFflUhDZno/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&xtok=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Blood Feasthttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/blood-feast-1?variant=44981193310250Third Saturday in October Part Vhttps://www.antennareleasing.com/shop/products/third-saturday-in-octoberBeavis & Butthead Do Americahttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/beavis-and-butt-head-do-america?variant=44997660803114 By Designhttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/by-design?variant=44994091450410Y tu mamá tambiénhttps://deadline.com/2026/10/y-tu-mama-tambien-25th-anniversary-4k-janus-films-1237172839/Chapters:00:00 Intro01:49 What Jesse's Been Watching13:45 What Josh Has Been Watching22:17 The Manhunter Problem32:19 Coming Soon to Own46:41 Feature Presentation: Ace in the Hole56:50 Noir Elements and Media Satire01:16:36 Tragic Moments and Tatum's Comeuppance01:28:49 Favorite Lines, Extraneous Bits, and Final Thoughts01:36:35 New Blind Buys Website, Plus Jesse's Pick for Next Episode!

The house… it doesn’t want people.Dale_a from Bat & Spider joins us for a very special surprise Halloween episode, where we discuss his blind buy pick, The Changeling! Before diving into this fantastically spooky haunted house thriller, Dale tells us about his physical media collection, what labels he’s watching, and some upcoming releases he’s excited about. NEXT WEEK: We return to our regularly scheduled programming with Josh’s pick, Ace in the Hole.AND: our friend Philip from The Substance podcast is in the running to win the Top Host competition! Vote for him daily by visiting this link: https://tophost.org/2026/philip-marinelloWant to ask us a question or send us your comments to be read on air? Email us at [email protected]!Follow Josh and Jesse on Letterboxd!Discussed during “Coming Soon to Own”Godzilla Minus One Steelbookhttps://shop.terracottadistribution.com/products/godzilla-minus-one-4k-uhd-blu-ray-steelbook-1?variant=56402141249915&currency=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Shopify%20US%20GMC%20feed&utm_content=Godzilla%20Minus%20One%20(4K%20UHD%20%2B%20Blu-ray)%20Steelbook&srsltid=AYCX9vJcoz0D0e9xbPVx3F6qNr9L_50ofZpYMsi2lw6TIup_bAoF2NrgKx0Gator Bait and Gator Bait 2: Cajun Justicehttps://www.terror-vision.com/store/p/gator-bait-gator-bait-2-cajun-justice-19731988-4-disc-2uhd2bd-deluxe-edition-pre-orderNudist Colony of the Deadhttps://www.terror-vision.com/store/p/nudist-colony-of-the-dead-1991-blu-ray-cellar-dwellerCybernatorhttps://www.terror-vision.com/store/p/cybernator-1991-blu-ray-cellar-dwellerZombie Toxinhttps://www.terror-vision.com/store/p/zombie-toxin-1996-blu-ray-cellar-dwellerJacques Tati Collectionhttps://www.orbitdvd.com/collections/4k/products/tati-collection-4k-uhd-studiocanal-uk-region-free-bChapters:00:00 Intro02:00 Discussing Bat and Spider12:53 Dale's Physical Media Collecting Journey22:54 Exploring Labels and Releases24:50 Coming Soon to Own37:17 Feature Presentation: The Changeling47:06 How The Changeling Explodes Haunted House Tropes and Creates a Cozy Atmosphere54:02 The Movie's Most Effective Moments01:07:32 Extraneous Bits and Final Thoughts

Are we getting THROUGH TO YOU??This week, Josh and Jesse take a bite out of the 1988 dark comedy classic, Vampire’s Kiss. They break down Nicolas Cage’s iconic performance, analyze the movie’s playful subversion of vampire tropes, and discuss its juxtaposition of broad comedy and horrific violence. At the top of the hour, they share what they’ve been watching for spooky season, and Jesse gives a report about Video Store Day at Scarecrow Video. Plus, they talk about new releases from Criterion, Celluloid Dreams, MUBI, and more!AND: our friend Philip from The Substance podcast is in the running to win the Top Host competition! Vote for him daily by visiting this link: https://tophost.org/2026/philip-marinelloWant to ask us a question or send us your comments to be read on air? Email us at [email protected]!Follow Josh and Jesse on Letterboxd!Discussed during “Coming Soon to Own”La La Land 10th Anniversary Collector’s Editionhttps://lionsgatelimited.com/products/la-la-land-10th-anniversary-collectors-edition?srsltid=AU7gw4UaWj28FMcIqnEmKAeBmYdPah4Kob6ZmcMxsgWQKg6sSd3oBuYMTeenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasmahttps://www.orbitdvd.com/products/teenage-sex-and-death-at-camp-miasma-4k-uhd-le-steelbook-mubi-uk-region-freeThe Black Belly of the Tarantulahttps://www.celluloid-dreams.netCareer Girlshttps://www.criterion.com/films/28856-career-girls?srsltid=AYCX9vLPgcUsy9qjzIswWPyUPzxaZzmmlR28503SQHCDlQPqSQcMQFklThe River Wildhttps://kinolorber.com/product/the-river-wild?srsltid=AYCX9vJHSWzsNtDnvZJsFZB_UdNHZLSlGybeDcYKVeis6MsoGrwwUdMpInside Manhttps://kinolorber.com/product/inside-man?srsltid=AYCX9vJh2bCvbKdcDOQZ_mBRupARP-pToN0ecgzIwfcMCx5UasOJA6CgChapters:00:00 Intro00:53 What Josh Has Been Watching11:00 What Jesse Has Been Watching, Plus Video Store Day!22:48 Coming Soon to Own37:05 Feature Presentation: Vampire's Kiss49:53 Nicolas Cage's Performance and The Movie's Approach to Vampire Tropes01:09:13 Extraneous Bits and Final Thoughts01:20:17 Josh's Pick for Next Episode

The time of reckoning is upon us all!This week, Josh and Jesse discuss Maurice Devereaux’s 2007 horror-thriller film, End of the Line. Plus, they share their thoughts on Tom Cruise’s latest film, Digger, as well as the upcoming International Independent Video Store Day. And the new releases never stop, as they highlight some intriguing announcements from Severin, Flicker Alley, and more!Want to ask us a question or send us your comments to be read on air? Email us at [email protected]!Follow Josh and Jesse on Letterboxd!Discussed during “Coming Soon to Own”Miracle Milehttps://diabolikdvd.com/product/miracle-mile-uk-radiance-films-transmission-le-4k-uhd-all-region-blu-ray-region-b-preorder/Ogroffhttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/ogroff?variant=44894186602538The Music Man/Doctor Zhivagohttps://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=39135Morbid Pleasures: A Compendium Of Grand Guignol & The Grand Guignolesquehttps://severinfilms.com/products/morbid-pleasures-a-compendium-of-grand-guignol-the-grand-guignolesque-le-12-disc-blu-ray-box-set?srsltid=AU7gw4Uvugxk4UhjSA62KKUlo-8uE4Hdyo5Fwe5b2Rv20LNBoiO_Z3PjSunrisehttps://www.instagram.com/p/Dd4MZ1Vh6Rq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Highway Hypnosishttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/highway-hypnosisChapters:00:00 Intro01:21 What Josh Has Been Watching - Vegas Edition12:12 What Jesse's Been Watching20:50 Getting Ready for Video Store Day24:12 Coming Soon to Own: Severin Box Set, Flicker Alley Announcement, and More40:05 Feature Presentation: End of the Line48:50 Karen as the Main Character and Questions about the Cult01:00:19 Narrative Structure and Themes of Religious Extremism01:08:51 Final Thoughts01:13:31 Jesse's Pick for Next Episode

It’s an episode filled with communications lasers, smoking gorillas, pro wrestlers, and chicken guys as Josh and Jesse are joined by Kev and Anna Ghoul, co-hosts of Laurie Strode Trap House! At the top of the show Kev and Anna talk about their history of collecting physical media and what could cause them to blind buy a title. Then, we get into their two picks: Congo and Masked Mutilator. Plus, we discuss new release announcements from Criterion, Severin, and more.Want to ask us a question or send us your comments to be read on air? Email us at [email protected]!Follow Josh and Jesse on Letterboxd!Discussed during “Coming Soon to Own”Nashvillehttps://www.criterion.com/films/28427-nashville?srsltid=AU7gw4XaCA7vXg4ef2mGxa8iihnLey-F2kx4bjL0_N7QIhbnFuNkOUmrMaster of the Flying Guillotinehttps://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=39003The Blair Witch Projecthttps://lionsgatelimited.com/products/the-blair-witch-project-definitive-collectors-edition?srsltid=AU7gw4WBme1gu7TLrv1MT4AaxtE4QVgoEWxBBZ1BSzwy7orLAbGJEHQz&variant=53908905197679Grizzly Man - Criterionhttps://www.criterion.com/films/34209-grizzly-manChapters:00:00 Intro and Welcoming the Co-Hosts of Laurie Strode Trap House!02:01 Kev and Anna's History with Physical Media Collecting23:49 Coming Soon to Own34:59 Feature Presentation #1: Congo01:06:36 Feature Presentation #2: Masked Mutilator01:40:33 Josh's Pick for Next Episode

Don’t stop smiling!Josh and Jesse are back to discuss the hilarious Smile, a no-holds-barred satire of beauty pageant traditions and all-American values. Plus, they talk new releases from Eureka Entertainment, Utopia, Warner Archive, and more!NEXT TIME: Kev and Anna Ghoul, co-hosts of Laurie Strode Trap House, are joining the show for a special double-feature episode. You won’t want to miss it!Want to ask us a question or send us your comments to be read on air? Email us at [email protected]!Follow Josh and Jesse on Letterboxd!Discussed during “Coming Soon to Own”Megadochttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/megadocRaining in the Mountainhttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/raining-in-the-mountain?_pos=1&_sid=984174875&_ss=rAcross 110th Streethttps://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Across-110th-Street-4K-Blu-ray/420702/The Long Goodbyehttps://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Long-Goodbye-4K-Blu-ray/420034/ Horror of Draculahttps://hammerfilms.com/products/dracula-limited-collectors-editionStockholm After Dark: Swedish Noirhttps://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/stockholm-after-dark/The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Seasons 1 and 2https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=38989Chapters:00:00 Intro00:58 What Josh Has Been Watching09:58 Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma... Finally!15:17 What Jesse's Been Watching22:42 Coming Soon to Own42:41 Feature Presentation: Smile (1975)56:03 Outsized Characters and Sharp Satire01:06:03 Smile's Multiple Subplots and Narrative Flow01:15:58 Empathy for the Contestants and Final Thoughts01:27:37 Next Episode: Double Feature with Kev & Anna from Laurie Strode Trap House

Never shame the hero’s sword.We’re doing things a little differently this time around. The first half of this episode is dedicated to remembering the lives and legacies of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, who passed away this week. Josh and Jesse share their favorite movie moments from these two icons and reflect on the formative experiences that made them lifelong fans.Then, back to regularly scheduled programming: a discussion on new releases (from Umbrella, Shout Factory, Third Window Films, and more) followed by the Feature Presentation–Aleksandr Ptushko’s epic Soviet fantasy film, Ilya Muromets. Want to ask us a question or send us your comments to be read on air? Email us at [email protected]!Follow Josh and Jesse on Letterboxd!Discussed during “Coming Soon to Own”:Ms. Doubtfire and Dead Poets Societyhttps://whatsondisneyplus.com/mrs-doubtfire-dead-poets-society-to-be-released-on-4k-digital-4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray/Hacks: The Complete Serieshttps://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=38921Mysterious Skinhttps://shop.umbrellaent.com.au/products/mysterious-skin-2004-collectors-edition?srsltid=AfmBOorhob9XQhY6zlgTWU2kp2ckZ4o5-u3M4UYQa4-Ka7O3n3jfaMxbWomen in Prison 5-Film Collectionhttps://www.instagram.com/p/DchHc0dAnSc/Survive Style 5+https://shop.thirdwindowfilms.com/products/survive-style-5-uhd-limited-editionRumored National Treasure 4KChapters:00:00 Intro00:52 Remembering Dolly Parton and Tim Curry43:54 Coming Soon to Own56:02 Feature Presentation: Ilya Muromets01:07:04 Russian Folk Tale Archetypes and Soviet Political Narratives01:12:55 Visual Techniques, Creature Effects, and Standout Performances01:28:26 Extraneous Bits and Final Thoughts01:34:22 Jesse's Pick for Next Week

Favors on the street are never repaid in one lifetime.This week, Josh and Jesse fall head over heels for Jesse’s pick, the neon-washed Hong Kong action-drama, A Moment of Romance. They discuss the film’s unique blend of genres, striking imagery, and incredible denim outfits before reacting to the film’s ending and exploring its place in Hong Kong cinema history. Plus, before the Feature Presentation, they talk VHS collecting, airplane censorship, and new releases from Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow, Lionsgate Limited, and more!Want to ask us a question or send us your comments to be read on air? Email us at [email protected]!Follow Josh and Jesse on Letterboxd! Discussed during “Coming Soon to Own”:Ice Cream Manhttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/frontpage/products/ice-cream-man-2026Of Unknown Originhttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/frontpage/products/of-unknown-originThe Blair Witch Projecthttps://lionsgatelimited.com/products/the-blair-witch-project-definitive-collectors-edition?variant=53908905197679Enter the Video Store: Video Vengeancehttps://www.arrowvideo.com/p/enter-the-video-store-video-vengeance-limited-edition-blu-ray/17977977/Not Quite Hollywoodhttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/frontpage-partner-labels/products/not-quite-hollywood Chapters:00:21 Intro00:56 What Josh's Been Watching, Plus a New Video Store!12:37 What Jesse's Been Watching18:47 Coming Soon to Own33:00 Feature Presentation: A Moment of Romance37:33 Using Action to Tell a Romantic Story42:29 Creating an Atmosphere of Danger47:29 Characters and Themes Surrounding the Central Romance55:45 Violence and the Heroic Bloodshed Genre01:01:28 Reacting to the Film's Final Moments01:06:20 Extraneous Bits01:16:30 Final Thoughts and Discussing Radiance's Packaging01:18:45 Josh's Pick for Next Week

Money is the real drug!This week, Josh and Jesse discuss Josh’s pick, The Wolf of Wall Street! They dive deep into Jordan Belfort’s descent into a world of sex, drugs, and cash, and explore the wealth (pun intended) of character actors in the film. Before that, they share their thoughts about The Odyssey, plus upcoming releases from Umbrella, Criterion, and more!Want to ask us a question or send us your comments to be read on air? Email us at [email protected]!Follow Josh and Jesse on Letterboxd! Discussed during “Coming Soon to Own”:Guillermo del Toro’s Frankensteinhttps://www.criterion.com/films/35825-frankenstein?srsltid=AfmBOoq1OMvRyYsrPS1NeX85N5qbt5mmxRql-U9By0mjMu5bHh-V-NztBy Hook or By Crookhttps://diabolikdvd.com/product/by-hook-or-by-crook-altered-innocence-blu-ray-all-region-preorder/Interview with the Vampirehttps://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=38771Sexy Beasthttps://secondsightfilms.co.uk/products/sexy-beast-limited-edition-4k-uhd-blu-ray-pre-order-available-28th-septemberAlejandro Jodorowsky Box Sethttps://shop.umbrellaent.com.au/products/alejandro-jodorowsky-collector-s-edition?srsltid=AfmBOoo89Ys6dENvu-verD2JpTI9T17WbWemIpxPZXRwtpbzJkhQOlv3The Shouthttps://www.criterion.com/films/27993-the-shout?srsltid=AfmBOoqf60t7ZxobJaIeVV4z_pHvihGJ5nujooCTn-jRjC7NQaL1FQY3Species I+IIhttps://www.orbitdvd.com/products/species-i-ii-4k-uhd-imprint-limited-edition-mutation-hardbox-region-free?srsltid=AfmBOoqlPrvYOYZCd-eWoHDIWFPUI3phNmZc1epSNecRLsqrTi8RxkDK Chapters:00:00 Intro02:01 Our Thoughts on Nolan's The Odyssey13:56 What We've Been Watching24:16 Coming Soon to Own: Jesse's Picks32:31 Coming Soon to Own: Josh's Picks39:52 Feature Presentation: The Wolf of Wall Street48:44 Scorsese's Stylistic and Narrative Choices56:59 A Stacked Cast of Heavy Hitters01:00:55 Jordan's Character Transformation01:07:26 FBI Pursuit and Consequences01:15:15 Thoughts on the Movie's Final Stretch01:24:52 Extraneous Bits01:32:51 Jesse's Pick for Next Episode

“The mark of Satan is upon them!”This week, Josh and Jesse discuss Jesse’s blind buy pick, Witchfinder General! They debate whether it is actually a folk horror film, share what they liked and disliked, and discuss what familiars they would choose if they were witches. Before the Feature Presentation, they chat about recent watches plus upcoming releases from Warner Archive, Radiance, and more!Want to ask us a question or send us your comments to be read on air? Email us at [email protected]!Follow Josh and Jesse on Letterboxd! Discussed during “Coming Soon to Own”:Hunt for the Wilderpeople 10th Anniversary Editionhttps://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=38658Who Can Kill a Child?https://www.radiancefilms.co.uk/products/who-can-kill-a-child-uhd-bd-lePennies from Heavenhttps://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Pennies-from-Heaven-Blu-ray/101907/Out of the Pasthttps://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=38663Fantastique: The Dreams and Nightmares of French Cinemahttps://www.radiancefilms.co.uk/products/fantastique-the-dreams-and-nightmares-of-french-cinema-leTeenage Riot Video Partyhttps://vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/agfa/products/teenage-riot-video-partyChapters:00:20 Introduction01:35 What We've Been Watching17:55 Remembering Sam Neill20:28 Coming Soon to Own - Josh's Picks24:49 Coming Soon to Own - Jesse's Picks30:35 Feature Presentation: Witchfinder General41:10 Is Witchfinder General Folk Horror?48:36 Witchcraft Accusation Sequences and Comparisons to Other Films54:18 Matthew Hopkins as the Villain57:00 Extraneous Bits and Choosing Our Familiars01:05:12 Letters from Friends: Dream Director Box Sets01:14:11 Josh's Pick for Next Episode