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Post by kingstownted on Mar 3, 2011 14:28:00 GMT -5
If this one doesn't scare you...you are already dead. So went the tagline to what many consider to be one of the great iconic films of 1970s independent cinema. Phantasm has been the most requested movie title by listeners of the show to be covered in the podcast so here then is an episode dedicated entirely to the 1979 classic (or 1977 if you want to get technical). Rather than spew trivia bits and production factoids, the approach here is to simply take you on a trip through the meandering corridors of Don Coscarelli's warped nightmare vision - so please be warned of potential spoilers. The advantage to opening the floor on Phantasm though is that knowledge of plot points has very little impact on the overall point of the movie. Sure we have a menacing (and enigmatic) Tall Man, deadly flying spheres, gnarly vicious dwarf creatures, inter-dimensional gateways, and a weird ice-cream guy hairdo...the point is more about the unsettling atmosphere, inspired camera angles, old-school low budget special effects, and an original soundtrack with distinctive themes. So it's the original film and not the franchise featured in the show but for those who have been waiting for it...sit back and enjoy: The Funeral Is About To Begin! As always we welcome your comments: horroretc@gmail.comVoicemail (206) 337-5324 |
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Post by Scary Gary on Mar 3, 2011 17:19:13 GMT -5
I love this movie. Can't wait to listen to the episode.  |
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Post by bmoviegeek on Mar 3, 2011 20:20:20 GMT -5
Haven't had a chance to listen yet, but YAY! I've been anticipating a Phantasm episode for some time now. Thanks a lot for this one!
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panic
Cellar Dweller
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Post by panic on Mar 3, 2011 23:09:21 GMT -5
This episode is a great example of what I love about your show. You put so much thought into the dissection that I now have a better appreciation for the movie as a piece or art, though it still baffles me why so many people love it.
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Post by jpollard on Mar 4, 2011 14:19:17 GMT -5
AWESOME! I've been hoping for this one. I'm half-way through it now. Great work so far. The Italian connection never dawned on me, but it's so true. Will comment more later, but first, Does anyone know where I can find a copy of Roger Avery's unproduced script for Phantasm 5 I know it's out there I'm just having a heck of a time finding a copy, and without it, Phantasm 4 is sort of pointless.
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Post by jlaw1719 on Mar 4, 2011 20:30:20 GMT -5
Hell yes, thank you! I'm still downloading it at the moment, but there's no question you'll do this justice. Besides a slasher themed episode, this was my most anticipated possible episode you guys could do. I have no problem with only the first being covered. I think the four films make for a remarkably strong set of films, at least compared to other horror franchises, but the first is really my true love. I only saw it for the first time in its entirety a few years back with that beautiful Anchor Bay release with the poster art, but it has really skyrocketed up my list of favorites, possibly #10 at this point.
By jpollard's comment about the Italian connection, I'm guessing the overall feel of the film was discussed and I couldn't agree more. It screams Argento in some scenes, particularly with the Lady in Lavender.
All your episodes are brilliant, even stuff I don't care for like Firefly/Serenity, but this is my most eagerly anticipated listen since the Psycho episode.
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Tom
Creeping Corpse
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Post by Tom on Mar 5, 2011 8:28:11 GMT -5
Good job Ted, an enjoyable dissection of Phantasm. I do hope you get a chance to look at the other films down the line. I personally wouldn't call any of them masterpieces in their own right, but as a whole series they put forward an idea of the Phantasm universe that's probably bigger than the sum of it's parts. I'm probably in the minority on this, but I think the fourth one is probably my favorite of the sequels. While it suffers most noticeably with the budget contraints, I think Coscarelli kind of settles on a tone for the whole thing in that one that really works. The second movie is great fun, it is to Phantasm what Evil Dead 2 is to The Evil Dead; a bit more humorourous and action packed. I found myself tiring of that humour a little in the third movie though, but Coscarelli gets the mix just right in the fourth. Does anyone know where I can find a copy of Roger Avery's unproduced script for Phantasm 5 [/b] I know it's out there I'm just having a heck of a time finding a copy, and without it, Phantasm 4 is sort of pointless.[/quote] Much as I've always hoped that Coscarelli would get to go back to the universe, I think if he never does, part four finishes things quite nicely. I have an idea in my head about what happened overall that I won't go into here for those who haven't seen it. I do think there's a definite end there though, I personally don't feel it to be pointless. |
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hitfan
Cellar Dweller
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Post by hitfan on Mar 5, 2011 8:53:16 GMT -5
I listened to this episode while I was shopping for groceries yesterday on Friday morning after work (I work at night). When it comes to podcasts, I listen to specific podcasts when I'm performing regular rituals such as mowing the lawn, vacuuming, making fries and steaks. You guys are my "grocery shopping" podcast.
I've never heard of or seen Phantasm, but I will definitely check it out now. I don't mind that I heard the spoilers, I mostly watch horror movies for the atmosphere and the journey towards the twist anyway.
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Post by jpollard on Mar 5, 2011 15:05:49 GMT -5
Does anyone know where I can find a copy of Roger Avery's unproduced script for Phantasm 5 [/b] I know it's out there I'm just having a heck of a time finding a copy, and without it, Phantasm 4 is sort of pointless.[/quote] Much as I've always hoped that Coscarelli would get to go back to the universe, I think if he never does, part four finishes things quite nicely. I have an idea in my head about what happened overall that I won't go into here for those who haven't seen it. I do think there's a definite end there though, I personally don't feel it to be pointless.[/quote] Very interested in this. Start a thread and point me to it, I'd love to hear your thoughts! |
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Post by mundays on Mar 8, 2011 13:53:58 GMT -5
I might have to watch these again now, thanks a lot! I always thought they were wanky vaccuous shit. But never let it be said I can't have my mind changed. I'll give them another roll of the die.
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Post by voodoo79 on Mar 8, 2011 21:07:47 GMT -5
i like 2 way more then the first one
the ball is back
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cgenro
Cellar Dweller
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Post by cgenro on Mar 10, 2011 15:38:19 GMT -5
I really love this film! I discovered the series about 5 years ago and really enjoy the down to earth characters and the crazy situations they find themselves in.
I happen to have a lot of respect for Don Coscarelli and what he has been able to produce with very limited resources. He has always been a film maker that has never conformed to the Hollywood system and has made films that he is passionate about.
So it pains me to hear when Ted downplays Don Coscarelli`s abilities as a film maker and what he has chosen to produce with his filmography. The Phantasm films are a passion project for him and have been made with basically no money and a lot of hard work. He sees very little profit from the creation of these films but it`s a story he wants to tell and not because he has nothing else better to do with his time.
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Post by kingstownted on Mar 10, 2011 19:29:04 GMT -5
it pains me to hear when Ted downplays Don Coscarelli`s abilities as a film maker Gotta call this out....if I remember correctly, I made several comments on the impressive moments he achieved with no resources to work with. oh...and I happen to love Bubba Ho-Tep. |
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cgenro
Cellar Dweller
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Post by cgenro on Mar 10, 2011 20:43:50 GMT -5
Ted let me make myself clear. I was just making the point that Coscarelli chooses to make the films that he does because he wants to not because he has nothing better to do.
I just felt like in some of the comments you made you made about his filmography as well in regards to Bubba Ho-tep in particular that you didn`t really think of him being that great of a film maker.
If you don`t feel this way then I have made a mistake and I apologize.
Bubba Ho-Tep is a great film not because of Bruce Campbell who in my opinion is not a very good actor but if given the right material can be entertaining but because of the dialogue and direction he`s given. The film is written (adapted from a novel), produced and directed by Coscarelli and without him this film is just another straight to video film starring Bruce Campbell.
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Post by kingstownted on Mar 10, 2011 22:01:23 GMT -5
Ted let me make myself clear. I was just making the point that Coscarelli chooses to make the films that he does because he wants to not because he has nothing better to do. I just felt like in some of the comments you made you made about his filmography as well in regards to Bubba Ho-tep in particular that you didn`t really think of him being that great of a film maker. If you don`t feel this way then I have made a mistake and I apologize. Bubba Ho-Tep is a great film not because of Bruce Campbell who in my opinion is not a very good actor but if given the right material can be entertaining but because of the dialogue and direction he`s given. The film is written (adapted from a novel), produced and directed by Coscarelli and without him this film is just another straight to video film starring Bruce Campbell. There is a cool special feature on the Bubba Ho Tep DVD where the opening narration is repeated from the film overlaid on still animation and synced to the source novel to show how the director and Bruce really brought the page alive. |
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