Where the Long Tail Ends

Still Watching the Skies: 2020 Christmas Bonus Episode

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by returning guests Angela Fabbrini and Jim Laczkowski of as we throw our sixth annual Secret Santa party. Who gave what to whom is the mystery of the episode as we take turns discussing five movies especially chosen for their recipients by their Secret Santa. This year's films include THE BLACK CAT (1934), THE HOT ROCK (1972), THE LAST OF SHEILA (1973), BREAKING NEWS (2004), and PRIMER (2004). Time Tracks: THE BLACK CAT (1934): 0:00 to 27:28 THE HOT ROCK (19...

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 76 "Outland"

OUTLAND is Robert, Nat, and Cody's opportunity to discuss the career and legacy of Sean Connery and discuss one of his few films clearly in the science fiction genre. If that's not enough, we start a countdown of our 50 favorite films of all time. Time Tracks: OUTLAND: 0:00 to 45:13 TOP 50 LISTS, 50 to 41: 45:13 to 1:54:35 NEXT FILM : 1:54:35 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 75 "Southland Tales"

SOUTHLAND TALES arrives to confound and intrigue Cody, Robert, Nat, and special guest Patrick Ripoll from Tracks of the Damned. So, buckle yourself in as we tackle Richard Kelly's followup to DONNIE DARKO. Time Tracks: SOUTHLAND TALES: 0:00 to 1:28:21 NEXT FILM : 1:28:21 to End

Still Watching the Skies: 2020 Halloween Bonus Episode

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by Angela Fabbrini of to discuss three films, separated by less than a decade, on the subject of witchcraft with"The Witches of Eastwick, The Witches (1990), and The Craft". The power of females takes many forms and we look both at how witchcraft movies empower and horrify us. Time Tracks: THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK Discussion: 0:00 to 32:48 THE WITCHES (1990) Discussion: 32:48 to 1:00:31 THE CRAFT Discussion: 1:00:31 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 74 "Doctor X"

Nat, Cody, and Robert take a wild ride to Pre-Code Hollywood with Michael Curtiz's DOCTOR X. It's a tale filled with cannibalism, a serial killer, mad scientists, a fast talking reporter, lie detectors, and synthetic flesh. And more wild tangents. Time Tracks: DOCTOR X: 0:00 to 51:01 NEXT FILM AND ASSORTED MUSINGS: 51:01 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 73 "Human Highway"

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by Jim Laczkowski of the for a trip down Neil Young's HUMAN HIGHWAY. As a bonus, we discuss TENET. Time Tracks: HUMAN HIGHWAY Discussion: 0:00 to 41:51 TENET Discussion: 41:51to 52:25 Next Film and Outro:52:25 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 72 "Color Out of Space"

Cody, Robert, and Nat are joined by as we visit the blasted heath and the dark woods west of Arkham for Richard Stanley's Lovecraft adaptation COLOR OUT OF SPACE. Time Tracks: Intro and the State of Theaters Discussion: 0:00 to 13:41 COLOR OUT OF SPACE Discussion: 13:41 to 1:12:33 Next Film and Outro: 1:12:33 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 71 "Silent Running"

Nat, Cody, and Robert take a trip to the rings of Saturn and the ecologically minded 1970s with Douglas Trumbull's SILENT RUNNING. It's a trip filled with good intentions, loneliness, and both hope and regret. Plus a surprise guest. Time Tracks: SILENT RUNNING Discussion: 0:00 to 50:48 Next Film and Outro: 50:48 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 70 "Frankenstein & Bride of Frankenstein"

Robert, Nat, and Cody revisit James Whale's iconic films for Universal, FRANKENSTEIN and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Here's to a new world of gods and monsters! Time Tracks: FRANKENSTEIN Discussion: 0:00 to 46:27 BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN Discussion: 46:27 to 1:33:17 Next Film and Outro: 1:33:17 to End 

Still Watching the Skies: Bonus "2020 Pulp Heroes Spectacular"

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by returning guest Sean Gerber of as we take a trip back to the 1990s and three films that almost duplicated the success of Tim Burton's BATMAN in DICK TRACY, DARKMAN, and THE MASK OF ZORRO. Time Tracks: 0:00 to 45:24 Intro & DICK TRACY 45:24 to 1:15:53 DARKMAN 1:15:53 to End, THE MASK OF ZORRO and various thoughts.

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 69 "Time Bandits"

Cody, Robert, and Nat take a romp through time and space, history and fantasy, and witness ultimate evil vs. the supreme being courtesy of Terry Gilliam's TIME BANDITS. Time tracks: TIME BANDITS Discussion: 0:00 to 46:16 Next Film and Outro: 46:16 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 68 "This Trollenberg Terror"

Nat, Cody, and Robert sit down to discuss THE TROLLENBERG TERROR aka THE CRAWLING EYE. A tale full of decapitations, telepathy, fog shrouded killings, aliens, and a fiery siege. As a bonus, we open the mail bag and read some more lists of favorite films of the decade. Time Tracks: THE TROLLENBERG TERROR Discussion: 0:00 to 49:28 Mail Bag (More Top Ten Lists): 49:28 to 58:48 Next Film and Outro: 58:48 to End  

Still Watching the Skies:Bonus Episode "Best of the 2010s"

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by returning guest Jim Laczkowski of and as we take a look at the our personal favorite films and best of the 2010s. There are unexpected overlaps, the usual suspects, and at least one jaw dropper of a selection. Sprinkled throughout are some of our favorite musical moments from film from the last decade too. We know you have time. Give us a play or Download the episode. Also, feel free to let us know your top 10 best of the 2010s by at skiespocast@gmai...

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 67 "The Curse of Frankenstein & The Revenge of Frankenstein"

Robert, Nat, and Cody take in the rise of Hammer Films and color horror with THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN. And we had a bloody good time. Time Tracks: THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN Discussion: 0:00 to 38:06 THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN Discussion: 38:06 to 1:21:55 Next Film and Outro: 1:21:55 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 66 "The Wandering Earth"

Cody, Robert, and Nat journey all the way back to 2019 to look at a huge blockbuster that barely made a dent in the American consciousness with China's THE WANDERING EARTH. As a bonus, we discuss our least favorite films of the 2010s and some general trends. Time tracks: THE WANDERING EARTH Discussion: 0:00 to 44:20 The 2010s - Least Favorites & General Trends: 44:20 to 1:19:22 Next Film and Outro: 1:19:22 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 65 "Planet of the Vampires"

Nat, Cody, and Robert start the new year with a look back at Mario Bava's . As a bonus, we also discuss our top ten films of 2019. Plus a surprise guest. Time tracks: PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES Discussion: 0:00 to 0:40:49 Top 10 of 2019: 0:40:49 to 2:01:12 Next Film and Outro: 2:01:12 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Secret Santa V

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by returning guests Angela Fabbrini and Jim Laczkowski of as we throw our fifth annual Secret Santa party. Who gave what to whom is the mystery of the episode as we take turns discussing five movies especially chosen for their recipients by their secret Santas. We're extra tricky this year in hiding who the Secret Santas were. And extra eclectic with the films including EXPERIMENT IN TERROR, THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE, LET THE BULLETS FLY, THE LO...

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 64 "Masters of the Universe"

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by Sean Gerber and John Bierly of to discuss the one and only MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE. A lot of fond memories are revisited. Time tracks: MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Discussion: 0:00 to 1:06:25 Next Film and Outro: 1:06:25 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 63 "Slipstream"

Cody, Robert, and Nat journey back to 1989 to look at a film with a lot of ambition that misfired along the way in SLIPSTREAM. As a bonus, we talk Bong Joon-ho's latest, PARASITE. Time tracks: SLIPSTREAM Discussion: 0:00 to 31:03 PARASITE Discussion: 31:03 to 49:37 Next Film and Outro: 49:37 to End  

Still Watching the Skies: 2019 Halloween Bonus "The Innocents & The Skeleton Key"

Robert and Nat are joined by Angela Fabbrini of for two examples of Gothic films. The English Gothic exemplified by THE INNOCENTS and the Southern Gothic by way of THE SKELETON KEY. Time tracks: 0:00 to 0:37:47 THE INNOCENTS 0:37:47 TO 1:09:03 - THE SKELETON KEY 1:09:03 to End THOUGHTS ON GOTHIC CINEMA

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 62 "Sphere"

Nat, Cody, and Robert revisit podcast favorite Michael Crichton with a look at 1998's SPHERE. We previously visited Crichton on episodes devoted to and . So, it the third time the charm?

WTLTE: 2019 Milwaukee Film Festival Preview

The 2019 Milwaukee Film Festival is just around the corner. Robert Reineke and John Bierly talk all about this upcoming cultural event. The impressive program book, the background, and the films. Lots of films. In fact we have picks for every day of the film festival.

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 61 "Donovan's Brain & The Man With Two Brains"

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by Jim Laczkowski of the for a look at one of the hoariest tropes in science fiction, the disembodied brain. We look at two extremes of the genre with 1953's DONOVAN'S BRAIN and 1983's THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS. Time Tracks: DONOVAN'S BRAIN Discussion: 0:00 to 39:18 THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS Discussion: 39:18 to 1:17:34 Next Film and Outro:1:17:34 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 60 "Timecop"

Cody, Robert, and Nat take in the glory that is 1990s Jean Claude Van Damme with 1994's TIMECOP. Based a comic feature in the anthology Dark Horse Presents by Mike Richardson, Mark Verheiden, and Ron Randall, it's a comic book movie that you might not have know was a comic book movie. Plus we take a look back at year five of the podcast.   Time tracks: TIMECOP Discussion: 0:00 to 1:04:06 Year Five Look Back: 1:04:06 to 1:24:55 Next Film and Outro:1:24:55 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 59 "This Island Earth"

Nat, Cody, and Robert take in "the supreme excitement of our time" with 1955's THIS ISLAND EARTH. 2 1/2 years in the making in vivid Technicolor, THIS ISLAND EARTH was inspirational to a generation of kids, including future director Joe Dante. Also, we open the mailbag and discuss feedback to our bonus episode on Tim Burton's BATMAN. Time Tracks: THIS ISLAND EARTH Discussion: 0:00 to 41:15, Mail Discussion: 44:15 to 53:46, Next Film and Outro:53:46 to End  

Still Watching the Skies Bonus Episode: "For All Mankind"

50 years ago, man set foot on the moon. Robert and Cody mark the occasion by discussing Al Reinert's documentary FOR ALL MANKIND. Filmed on location with the astronauts who participated in the Apollo program speaking for themselves.

High & Low Brow

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 58 "Aelita: Queen of Mars"

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by Angela Fabbrini of as we take a look at 1924's AELITA: QUEEN OF MARS. A film emblematic of the hopes and dreams of the fledgling Soviet Union. As a bonus, we also talk about HBO's current CHERNOBYL mini-series which is emblematic of the dashed dreams of the Soviet Union near the end. AELITA: QUEEN OF MARS Discussion: 0:00 to 48:56 CHERNOBYL Discussion: 48:56 to 1:03:04 Next Film and Outro: 1:03:04 to End

Still Watching the Skies: 2019 Summer Special "Batman"

Robert, Nat, and Cody follow up our look at 1990s movies featuring pulp heroes with an episode on the film that started the trend, 1989's BATMAN on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 57 "The Lawnmower Man"

Cody, Robert, and Nat take a trip into virtual reality with 1992's THE LAWNMOWER MAN. A film so good, Stephen King filed two lawsuits to remove his name from the credits.   Time tracks: THE LAWNMOWER MAN Discussion: 0:00 to 1:00:15 Next Film and Outro: 1:00:15 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 56 "The Andromeda Strain"

Nat, Cody, and Robert experience Michael Crichton's first techno-thriller with Robert Wise's 1971 film THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN. Time tracks: The Andromeda Strain Discussion: 0:00 to 50:49 Sci-Fi Spectacular Discussion: 50:49 to 58:22 Next Film and Outro: 58:22 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 55 "Stalker"

Robert, Nat, and Cody take an immersive journey into the Zone with Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 film STALKER.   Time tracks - Intro and News: 0:00 to 3:12, Stalker Discussion: 3:12 to 1:11:50, Next Film and Outro: 1:11:50 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 54 "Saturn 3"

Cody, Robert, and Nat take a star studded trip to ALIEN cash-ins with 1980's SATURN 3.   Time tracks: SATURN 3: 0:00 to 48:24, Next Film and Outro: 48:24 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 53 "The Boys From Brazil"

Nat, Cody, and Robert take a Nazi hunting trip to 1978 with THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL. Based on a potboiler by Ira Levin, THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL was a star studded, conspiracy thriller that hoped to capture the box office magic of films like THE OMEN and MARATHON MAN. Following that, there's a short discussion of 2018 in film.   Time Tracks: THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL: 0:00 to 54:10 Discussion of 2018 in Film: 54:10 to 1:00:41 Next Film and Outro: 1:00:41 to End

Still Watching the Skies: 2018 Christmas Special "Secret Santa IV"

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by returning guests Angela Fabbrini and Jim Laczkowski of as we throw our fourth annual Secret Santa party. Who gave what to whom is the mystery of the episode as we take turns discussing five movies especially chosen for their recipients by their secret Santas.   We took a dark turn this year, but hopefully an interesting one. We lead off with THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER, go further down the dark rabbit hole with John Frankenheimer's SECONDS, take a repriev...

High and Low Brow - Two Star Wars Stories

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 52 "The Day the Earth Caught Fire"

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by Matt Gamble to discuss 1961's THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE. Operator error resulted in some subpar audio but we hope you'll bear with it for an interesting discussion. Following that discussion, we turn our attention to Netflix's adaptation of THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE. Matt and Angela have promised to cover the show for CABIN IN THE WOODS and this serves as a preview. Time tracks: THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE: 0:00 to 38:06, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE (...

Cabin in the Woods - Suspiria

And we're back! As a special Black Friday gift to our faithful listeners, Angela and I decided to sit down and record a new episode of the Cabin in the Woods Film Festival Podcast. As if that isn't gift enough, we invite everyone's favorite Downton Abbey super fan, James Gilham, to join us to discuss the remake of one of his favorite Dario Argento films, . It is the rare gore filled horror film that even Angela will agree to watch, mainly because it involves witches. And jazz hands. Also Tild...

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 51 "Tetsuo II: Body Hammer"

Cody, Robert, and Nat return with 1997's Japanese body horror film TETSUO II: BODY HAMMER. In addition, we have a bonus discussion on Orson Welles's new film THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND. It's a podcast decades in the making. Time tracks:TETSUO II: BODY HAMMER: 0:00 to 24:09; THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND: 24:09 to 1:11:13; Next Film and Outro: 1:11:13 to End.

Still Watching the Skies: 2018 Halloween Bonus Episode "A Bergman Halloween"

Rotting Robert Reineke, Nasty Nat Almirall, and Howling Mad Cody Lang take the time to mark the occasion of Ingmar Bergman's 100th birthday and Halloween to take a look at two tales of terror, 1960s THE VIRGIN SPRING and 1968's THE HOUR OF THE WOLF. Two dark films featuring Max Von Sydow and probing the darkness of man. Needless to say, a long conversation ensues. What better way to mark Bergman's birthday? Time tracks: 0:00 to 0:39:52 THE VIRGIN SPRING, 0:39:52 to End THE HOUR OF THE WOLF

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 50 "Heavy Metal & Heavy Metal 2000"

This episode, Nat, Cody, and Robert celebrate our 50th episode with a look at the movies HEAVY METAL and HEAVY METAL 2000. Based on the long running magazine, inspired by the French magazine Metal Hurlant, it's the rare science fiction anthology. Possibly aimed at adults? Regardless, we have a lot to discuss and have a bonus look back at the first 50 episodes at the end. Time tracks - HEAVY METAL: 0:00 to 58:36, HEAVY METAL 2000: 58:36 to 1:20:38, 50th Episode Celebration: 1:20:38 to 1:50:48,...

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 49 "Dreamscape & The Hidden"

This episode, Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by Jim Laczkowski of the and to discuss two 1980s science fiction franchise starters that didn't quite make the cut at the box office but still have strong cult audiences with DREAMSCAPE and THE HIDDEN. Time tracks: DREAMSCAPE: 0:00 to 40:20, THE HIDDEN: 40:20 to 1:15:53, Next Film and Outro: 1:15:53 to End

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 48 "X: The Man With the X-Ray Eyes"

"And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out..." This episode, Cody, Robert, and Nat enter the wild world of Roger Corman with X: THE MAN WITH THE X-RAY EYES. X: THE MAN WITH THE X-RAY EYES is a mix of hubris, psychedelic visuals, Ray Milland, Don Rickles, and a surprising amount of thoughtfulness. We also take a look back at year four of the podcast. Time tracks: X: THE MAN WITH THE X-RAY EYES: 0:00 to 45:15, Year Four Recap: 45:15 to 1:06:24, Next Films and Outro: 1:06:24 to End.

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 47 "Slaughterhouse-Five"

Forty six years ago, SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE, George Roy Hill's adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's famous novel, won a prize at Cannes. It also won a Hugo award. And then it seemingly vanished from all discussion. So it goes. This episode, Nat, Cody, and Robert revisit the journey of Billy Pilgrim, unstuck in time and a visitor to the planet Tralfamadore.

Still Watching the Skies: 2018 Pulp Heroes Spectacular

Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by returning guest John Bierly as we take a trip back to the 1990s and three films, THE ROCKETEER, THE SHADOW, and THE PHANTOM, that tried to catch onto the superhero boom created by Tim Burton's BATMAN but which missed for various reasons as part of our Pulp Heroes Spectacular bonus episode.  Time tracks: 0:00 to 33:00 Intro & THE ROCKETEER, 33:00 to 1:04:16 THE SHADOW, 1:04:16 to End, THE PHANTOM and various other films.

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 46 "Fahrenheit 451"

Robert, Nat, and Cody take a trip this episode into the dystopian future of Ray Bradbury's FAHRENHEIT 451 courtesy of Francois Truffaut's 1966 adaptation.

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 45 "Flash Gordon / Flesh Gordon"

Cody, Robert, & Nat have done pairings before, but this may be our high and low simultaneously. This month we present for your entertainment, FLASH GORDON and FLESH GORDON. We also take a look at the first chapter of the 1936 serial. For more information visit us at

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 44 "Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze"

Nat, Cody, and Robert have no fear, because Doc Savage is here. Once again the Still Watching the Skies crew shows their bravery, intelligence, and superior upbringing by grappling with films that lesser podcasts wouldn't touch. That's right, this month we're on an adventurous undertaking with 1975's DOC SAVAGE: THE MAN OF BRONZE.

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 43 "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"

Robert, Nat, and Cody take a deep dive with 1954's 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA courtesy of Walt Disney and company. We're joined on this journey by Andy DiGenova of . 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA was the first live action film shot by the Walt Disney company in America. Shot for the princely sum of $5 million, every cent spent on 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA shows on the big screen. There have been few bigger productions of Jules Verne's novels and the 19th century science fiction look has u...

Still Watching the Skies: Episode 42 "Innerspace"

Cody, Robert, and Nat take a trip to the innermost regions of a man with 1987's INNERSPACE. It's a film from Joe Dante near the apex of his career with Steven Spielberg as a producing partner and several stars in the cast. If that's not enough, we discuss our top 10 films of the year. And, because it's inevitable, we break into a talk about STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. Time tracks: Intro and INNERSPACE Discussion 0:00 to 43:20, Top 10 Films of 2017 Discussion 43:20 to 1:10:54, STAR WARS: THE LAS...