Movies and Chaos
This is a podcast looking at the impact and legacy of cult films. It’s hosted by Mark Palermo (former critic, screenwriter of Detention) and Serena Whitney (former critic, programmer of The Revue Cinema in Toronto). Why do these movies endure? Is some stuff too much for modern audiences? Theme music: "Hypernormalization" by Rich Aucoin, Artwork: Ryan Wilson
Episodes
85 episodes
Ambition vs. Talent
On this banger ep, we review the Barney Gone Berserk horror film BUDDY and Ridley Scott's post-apocalyptic THE DOG STARS. Plus, why being ambitious isn't the same thing as being talented, thoughts on the legacy of TERMINATOR 2, and why distribu...
The End of Teenage Sex and Death (On Oak Street)
We have two new Summer releases here. One is the Amblin throwback THE END OF OAK STREET. The other is the meta take on meta slasher movies TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA. Both movies sound like they're about people dying, but are the movi...
Web and Flow
We discuss the record breaking SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY. Is it that good or are people just saying things again? Plus, screening notes, showgirls, movie talkers and more.
Evil Dead Burned
We talk about all the Evil Dead movies, the series' importance to us, how it's changed over time, and how we feel about all that. Hopefully, we won't feel burned by the new one and no movie gets roasted, but who's to say? We also review the Oli...
Surrounded by Bots
A24 partners with AI and Elon retweets Uwe Boll's anti-migrant movie to his 240-million followers. How do you keep it real in phoney times? In comparatively lighter fare we talk about SUPERGIRL, Mark catches up on DISCLOSURE DAY, Serena catches...
Woke 2.0
In this banger episode, Mark considers social justice discourse in the new era, Serena discloses her views on Spielberg's DISCLOSURE DAY, and we talk about the success of OBSESSION and pay disputes when an indie film becomes a blockbuster. Plus...
Metro Hope (w. Andrew Neville and Jen Yamato)
THE RETROSCOPE is a Halifax-based newsletter run by critic Jen Yamato, designer Andrew Neville and Mark Palermo about all the indie and rep screenings popping up like wildfire in Nova Scotia. Serena takes the hosting reigns as Jen and Andrew jo...
Project Hokum Mary: Faces of Def
Part of the Internet is mad about THE ODYSSEY casting, the R-word has an unfortunate resurgence, and movies are after your 2006 nostalgia. We also discuss PROJECT HAIL MARY, HOKUM and the new FACES OF DEATH. Just a little something for everybod...
Glove Actually
We look at the new MJ bioflick MICHAEL and talk all things the Gloved One. Are we forever nostalgic, and does that speak to pop culture always recycling itself or something more uncomfortable about aging? Also, Mark hesitantly agrees to watch E...
Is it a Spoiler if it's the Premise? (w. Kevin Hartford)
We're thrilled to bring filmmaker Kevin Hartford on the pod for some drama about the new Zendaya and Robert Pattinson joint THE DRAMA. Suffice it to say, we don't all see eye-to-eye on this one, but that's what makes this country great. Warning...
You Can't Hide
We're back for an important meeting of the minds, talking about a couple abrupt endings in the Buffyverse, why Chuck Norris movies are a blindspot for Mark, and looking at the new sequel READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME and the question of whether t...
The Academy Awards Awards (w. Kris Langford and Scott Veiga)
It's Oscar Time! And instead of the usual "here's our predictions" nonsense, we're joined by the How'd You Like That Movie? podcast (Kris Langford and Scott Veiga) to vote on the best and worst Best Picture nominee of the 21st Century. All dete...
Nirvanna the BAFTAs the 28 Years the Poltergeist
We look at the new documentary SHE WAS HERE about Heather O'Rourke, the child star of the POLTERGEIST movies, Serena catches up with the 28 YEARS LATER films, untangling the madness that happened at the BAFTAs, and is NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW...
Blood/Cells
America eats its young. With the world on edge, we turn to movies, taking a look at Luc Besson's Dracula, revisiting Tarsem's The Cell, uncovering new Scream 7 controversies, and the hassle of having to take bathroom breaks at IMAX movies. Plus...
Beauty Standards, Body Horrors, Bold Visions
With the world in chaos, we try to make sense of movies. We catch up on some of the Oscar nominees (HAMNET, THE UGLY STEPSISTER, THE VOICE OF RIND HAJAB), discuss the new ANACONDA, and consider celebrity beauty standards and how they affect a 6...
The Strangest Things
New year. New Season.We're back, talking about our favourite movies of 2025, whether people are overreacting to the Stranger Things finale, writing well in the age of AI, and studios being too selective with their advertising money.
T-U-R-T-L-E POWER (w. Gillian Wallace Horvat and Dave Baxter)
With the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES TRILOGY (1990-'93) new on Arrow Video 4K and Blu-ray, we're joined by two people who participated in this mammoth collection, special features producer and filmmaker Gillian Wallace Horvat and comic book ex...
Warner Bidders
Above our heads, deals are negotiated for the future of entertainment culture. We look at the possible implications of either Netflix or Paramount buying Warner Brothers - how it could impact cinemas, physical media and what you see. Are all mo...
Post-Pandemic Cinema
We look at how the 2020 pandemic caused a disruption in film culture, and reflect on the movies lost between the cracks of the COVID era. Also, why do movies look like that now? - examining claims of a popular YouTube film essay. And programmin...
Break Up Flex
In this lively discussion we talk what types of movies can end relationships and what ones have coloured our ideals of them. Plus, reviews of GOOD FORTUNE, Del Toro's FRANKENSTEIN, BLACK PHONE 2 and BUGONIA, all the movie sequel news, and Mark'...
Horror Hot Takes 2: Requiem
You sent us more of your Horror Hot Takes, so we argue about them. The Exorcist, The Shining, Art the Clown, Near Dark, New Nightmare... it's all here. Plus, class and moral struggle in the movie industry.
Horror Hot Takes
We asked for your horror movie hot takes, and now we debate 'em! Michael Myers, Jason, Freddy, m'f'in Caspar, Argento vs. Fulci, it's all here.
CHAOS!
With America on edge, Mark and Serena discuss cancellations, censorship (and how it could affect future movies), and whether it's ok to express political views as a film programmer. Also, the weekly rereleases of old movies and the threat of Ne...
