Wachowski Watch

Awooo! What's that? It's only the sound of the horrifying The Wolf Man (1941), being discussed today in the fifth episode of Monster Mash. Listen as we praise his furry feet and criticize his treatment of women, which is actually a lot worse than the whole wolf thing. At least there's a beautiful spooky forest set to get lost in. Fog machines at full blast! Please enjoy, and if you've been bitten by a werewolf and don't want to kill people, maybe just have a relaxing night inside with the doors locked. Hope you enjoy!

Good end of November to you all. A winter chill has descended upon us, and wait...who's that outlined in the fog? Why, it's the Invisible Man from The Invisible Man (1933)! Come, listen as we discuss his exploits in the fourth episode of Monster Mash. He may not have super strength or the ability to turn into a bat, but he has something far more valuable, an insatiable love for murder! What a scamp. Stay safe out there, and if you want to be invisible, please don't take the drugs that make you evil. Hope you enjoy!

It's about time for another episode of Monster Mash, this time focused on that most terrifying of spooky creatures, The Mummy (1932)! What are his powers exactly? What do mummies actually do? Why does he wait 10 years to execute his plans for no reason? Hey, stop asking logistical questions, and focus on the reason we're all here: the sizzling chemistry between Ms. Grosvenor and one Ardeth Bey. Although Mr. Bey is displaying some suspiciously mummy-like qualities... Listen to the episode to hear us dig deeper into all these mysteries, and please refrain from reading aloud from any books of the dead in your own time. Hope you enjoy!

And we’re back with the the latest Monster Mash episode, hanging out with the one, and only Count in Dracula (1931). Listen to us chat all about why if the vibes are spooky you shouldn’t dismiss the locals’ warnings, question how the hell multiple suitors can only have one brain cell between them, discuss the severe lack of cowboys and BAMF / all around MVP in a crisis —aka, Van Helsing, and of course, the OG King of Vamps (and camp), the icon, Bela Lugosi! Hope you enjoy!

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Monster Mash -- our latest "Misc. Mini-cast" series that ties nicely in with our Del Toro Discourse (if we do say so ourselves). We'll be covering iconic / classic horror Universal Monster movies, and first up is Frank in Frankenstein (1931). Listen to us discuss the horrors of high-cheekboned mad scientist  *Henry* Frankenstein, his pyromaniac-and-slippery-brain-jar-fingers of a lab assistant Fritz, his third wheeling best friend *Victor* and way-too-good-for him fiancé, Elizabeth as he creates life! Aka, the one, the only, the icon Boris Karloff as...."?" Remember friends, steal your own brains and stay away from windmills. Hope you enjoy!

It's a momentous day! Episode 12 of Del Toro Discourse has gone live, and it's the final installment (for now). For this last episode, we're talking Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022), directed by Guillermo del Toro. And Mark Gustafson. Pinocchio is a new interpretation of that beloved old story of an immortal demon child who terrorizes half of fascist Italy with his yodeling and general disobedience. That's how the Disney version went, right? Guillermo's version doubles down on some of his favorite themes, like grief, difficult fathers, and beating the hell out of innocent crickets.  Please enjoy the end of our Del Toro discussions, and rest assured, the podcast will be starting up again after a short break.

It's time for episode 11 of Del Toro Discourse, where we'll be taking a little trip down Nightmare Alley (2021). It's a dark place full of sumptuous sets and noir lighting, with nary a happy ending to be found. There are many new faces to be appreciated, like Willem Dafoe and Cate Blanchett. And also old familiar faces, like Ron Perlman, who is definitely in this movie no matter what anybody else has told you. Please enjoy spiraling down into the darkness with us.

Del Toro Discourse has reached the double digits! It's all about The Shape of Water (2017), almost certainly the finest fishman romance of the 21st century. It's the only Best Picture winner to feature key lime pies, Soviet spies, and amphibian thighs. All this awards fuss has caused many to ask: is The Shape of Water really that good? Believe it, son.

Ever felt the lure of red clay or a dashing, mysterious and totally not incestuous dark-haired Englishman offering to whisk you away? Then we've got the perfect Del Toro Discourse episode for you! We'll be chatting all about the Gothic Horror / Romance, Crimson Peak (2015), starring some non-creepy siblings, a dog that just won't quit, and maybe our turn-of-the-century version of Sarah Connor? Don't forget our Del Toro MVP, Doug Jones! Hope you enjoy!

If you love robots punching monsters, then have we got the Del Toro Discourse episode for you! This week's episode, we're chatting all about Pacific Rim (2013)--a film with outrageous action, accents, and Charlies (of the Hunnam and Day variety). Also Mako Mori, our queen. Hope you enjoy!

In this week's episode of Del Toro Discourse we'll be covering the rare sequel follow-up, Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). Listen to us rave over the Troll Market, and chat all tooth fairies, elementals and evil elves, oh my! But of course, it's all about Ron Perlman still kicking ass and taking names as our favorite horned hero. But mainly the Troll Market. Did we mention the Troll Market? Troll Market. Hope you enjoy!

For this week's episode of Del Toro Discourse, we'll be covering the masterpiece that is Pan's Labyrinth (2006). Listen to an extra-long, extra special discussion as we dive into the film's exploration of fairytales, fauns, fascism and rave over (yet again) Doug Jones' dedication to his dual role (which successfully scared the crap out of us). Hope you enjoy!  

For this week's episode of Del Toro Discourse we're covering another unconventional-yet-awesome superhero film, Hellboy (2004). Listen to us frantically try to remember what B.P.R.D stands for as we chat all about fabulous sets and practical effects, the first fishman of our hearts, Abe Sapien, and fire-proof clothing for absolute badass Liz Sherman. But really, it's all about our recurring Del Toro MVP, Ron Perlman as the titular character—a role that he was born to play. Hope you enjoy!

They call him The Daywalker! That’s right, for this week’s episode of Del Toro Discourse, we’ll be discussing the filmmaker’s first superhero film, Blade II (2002). Listen to us briefly discuss the OG Marvel superhero and his debut film, how every superhero sequel should have a “forget what you know” opening recap, the return of Del Toro MVP Ron Perlman, Kris Kristofferson’s glorious hair, and of course: the one, the only, the iconic Wesley Snipes. Hope you enjoy!

Welcome back Loyal Listeners to another installment of Del Toro Discourse, where we'll be covering The Devil's Backbone (2001)! Listen to us discuss how to break it to an orphan that they're now an orphan, sublime ghostly designs, horrific armpit injuries, and the return of Del Toro MVP, Federico Luppi. Did we mention the horrific armpit injury? Hope you enjoy! 

Welcome back to the latest installment of Del Toro Discourse! In today’s episode, we’re discussing the filmmaker’s second film (and first / almost last American film) Mimic (1997). Listen to us chat about Bug Mama / entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler’s lack of glove etiquette, untapped monster storylines, casual child murder in the sewers, the genuine horror of working with the Weinsteins, and the debut of the one and only Doug Jones in Del Toro’s filmography! Hope you enjoy!

Welcome to the first official episode of our Del Toro Discourse podcast! We’re kicking it off with a bang, covering Guillermo Del Toro’s debut film, Cronos (1992)— which coincidentally is also the debut of his collaboration with Ron Perlman (who we already suspect is going to become the MVP of this podcast). Listen to us discuss how the film twists vampire mythology, introduce The G.I.C (Guillermo Injury Count), as well as chat about the hilarious morbid (or morbidly hilarious) Tito, and our imagined off-screen ballroom dancing storyline for Mercedes. Hope you enjoy!

Wait, what’s this? We’re back? That’s right! We have revived the Wachowski Watch podcast for one last episode a la Lana Wachowski reviving Neo and Trinity for one last adventure in The Matrix Resurrections. We are delighted to return to chat about the fourth (and likely final) installment in the franchise with a Wachowski at the helm. Listen to us discuss the meta evolution of the sequels, the Sense8 reunion, and what it means to bring back icons like Keanu & Carrie-Anne. But mainly Cybebe.

Welcome to our final episode for this mini-podcast series, Pirate Parley! And unless Disney has other ideas, it’s also our final discussion on the final Pirates of the Caribbean installment —Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales! Audio and technical difficulties aside, listen to us chat about alternative subtitles (Pirates of the Caribbean: Legacies. Generations. Pirate Babies. Scrum’s Revenge), Faramir as our discount Norrington, Javier Bardem/Orlando Bloom/Keira Knightley all lookin’ rull good, and canon conflicts with curses and compasses. Oh, also, random spoiler alert for Blade Runner 2049, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. Sorry about that. Hope you enjoy! 

We’ve returned back to the Pirates of the Caribbean universe with the fourth installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011). Listen to us discuss this oddball installment as we talk about the back to basics mantra, Barbossa with his fancy sliced apples not giving a fuck, the mermaid and the missionary aka the breeding pair with a Splash ending, and Jack’s passion for immortality over the Pearl. Hope you enjoy!