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Esoterica Cinema

Esoterica Cinema

by Jason Peters & Ryan Seybold

Season 4

Psycho - First Watch with Ryan

#psycho #hitchcock #classichorror #classicfilm Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho was released in 1960 and became a sensation, playing both into and against many tropes of the American studio system. Starring Janet Leigh, the film took many audacious turns with regard to it's story, and as a result, audiences turned out in droves. Now, you may think that any film critic worth their salt has already seen this movie but as it turns out, Ryan Seybold never has! Does Psycho still hold up as a first-time viewing experience in 2024? Find out right now on this episode of Esoterica Cinema.

From Beyond (Deep-Dive Review)

#frombeyond #stuartgordon #jeffreycombs #barbaracrampton #brianyuzna #cultmovies #cultclassic #cultmoviereview #bodyhorror In 1986, Stuart Gordon, Brian Yuzna, Jeffrey Combs, and Barbara Crampton all reunited for their follow-up to their unexpected hit Re-Animator. While Yuzna was keen to do a direct sequel to Re-Animator (which he would later direct himself), Gordon and the rest of the team wanted to do an original story, piggy-backing off what they had previously learned and delivering something fresh and new. Unfortunately, despite a sizeable investment from producer Charles Band, the film failed to recoup it's $4.5M budget, largely due to the fact that in addition to tepid market, the film failed to receive an R rating from the MPAA, who insisted on labeling it NC-17 and thus drastically lowering its distribution potential. Thankfully, the film became notorious on the VHS Video Nasties circuit, and later in 2013, the film received it's much needed restoration, restoring it to it's full run-time by adding every available scene that had been cut (sadly, there are still some sequences that were lost to the annals of time). Join Jason Peters and Ryan Seybold as they analyze what makes this movie such a fun, slimy, gory classic of mid-80's body horror filmmaking, right here on Esoterica Cinema.

The Road to Greenlight - The Fly

Join Jason Peters from Esoterica Cinema as he guides you through the weird, wild road to greenlight for David Cronenberg's 1986 masterpiece The Fly.

The Fly Deep-Dive Review

The Fly was released in 1986 and quickly became director David Cronenberg's most successful film, lending itself to a far more mainstream narrative in spite of some serious body horror elements, especially along the back half of the film. Jeff Goldblum was still on the rise and was by no means a bankable leading man, so it was something of a risk when producer Stuart Cornfeld hired him to carry the film. To boot, David Cronenberg had been tapped to direct Total Recall for Dino de Laurentiis and was unable to take The Fly when producer Mel Brook called (yes, that Mel Brooks), and it was only through a series of both interesting and unfortunate circumstances that the stars aligned and Cronenberg was later brought on to direct. Geena Davis plays the lead supporting role, and was, in fact, Jeff Goldblum's real-life girlfriend at the time, which helps to explain the immediate and intense chemistry the two share throughout the movie. While heavy on the gore in the second half of the film, The Fly is still a superbly-rich narrative filled with empathy for the main character's unfortunate degradation. The tone is simultaneously somber and thrilling, and Jeff Goldblum's intensely physical performance is one for the ages. Quite simply, The Fly is David Cronenberg's masterpiece. Find out why in this episode of Esoterica Cinema with Jason Peters and Ryan Seybold.

Will You Like Kinds of Kindness? (No-Spoiler Short Review)

Jason Peters takes a no-spoiler look at Yorgos Lanthimos' most recent film, Kinds of Kindness with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons

Possession - Deep Dive Review

Jason & Ryan analyze the harrowing depiction of an utterly broken relationship that is Possession.

Society - Deep Dive Review

Brian Yuzna's film Society took a long time to find distribution in the US, and disappeared from theaters just as quickly as it arrived. Thankfully, with the advent of VHS, the film was able to find its eventual audience in the 90's and 00's. Featuring solid direction from Brain Yuzna, solid 80's acting from Billy Warlock, and some of the best practical effects ever committed to celluloid thanks to fx maestro Screaming Mad George and his talented team, Society may not be a film for everyone, but it's one you won't soon forget. #cultmovies #cultclassic #moviereview #society #brianyuzna #screamingmadgeorge

Poor Things - Deep Dive Review

#poorthings #emmastone #filmcritic #yorgoslanthimos Yorgos Lanthimos has been making films for 15 years, now. And just when you think you've got him figured out, he finds new and creative ways to surprise you. Poor Things is easily his most successful film of all time - certainly financially and arguably creatively - and Emma Stone delivers an incredible, physical performance every bit worthy of her Oscar win. Where do you fall on this admittedly bizarre film? Feel free to reach out to esotericacinema@gmail.com and let us know what you think, and enjoy this episode of Esoterica Cinema!

Atomic Blonde (5 Minute Review)

Join Ryan as he reviews Atomic Blonde starring Charlize Theron

Speed Racer (2008) Deep-Dive Review

The Wachowski's Speed Racer was released in 2008 to horrible reviews and an even worse box office performance. But as time has progressed, a small but vocal contingent has gone on to reappraise the film, claiming that it was misunderstood at the time of its release. On this episode "Speed Racer (2008)", you get both sides of the argument as Jason found it a groan-inducing, cheesy bore while Ryan could get enough of the flashy visuals and eye candy. Where do you fall on this debate? Feel free to send in a comment and let us know what you think, and enjoy this feisty episode of Esoterica Cinema!

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