The Video Verdict

#31 Friday the 13th Parts 1 and 2

Halloween might have brought the slasher movie into the mainstream, but it was 1980’s Friday the 13th that created a cottage industry of cinematic masked maniacs on the hunt for nubile victims. The Video Verdict heads to Crystal Lake for a special double feature episode as Frank and Matt talk everything Friday the 13th and its classic sequel, Friday the 13th Part 2.

#30 Cat People

After reuniting with her long-lost brother, a woman discovers her true nature: she comes from a race of cat people—and unless she becomes her sibling’s mate, she'll transform into a bloodthirsty panther every time she has sex. Paul Schraeder’s lusty, effects-filled remake of Val Lewton’s 1942 thriller features a strong performance by Nastassja Kinski, a hypnotic score by Giorgio Moroder, and an iconic theme song by David Bowie—but does it hold a candle to the original film?

#29 Beyond the Poseidon Adventure

Bad sequels are a dime a dozen. The Sting II. The Exorcist II. The Howling II. Sure, every once in a while audiences are gifted good sequels, but for every The Godfather Part II there’s ten Beyond the Poseidon Adventures. The Irwin Allen-directed follow-up to the classic 1972 The Poseidon Adventure lacked everything that made the original so well-received. What happened? In this episode Frank and Matt take a deep dive into what makes Beyond the Poseidon Adventure a bad sequel.

#28 Invasion of the Body Snatchers

A planetary invasion begins when small-town citizens are being duplicated and replaced, one by one. A handful of people become aware of the threat, but when they realize the switch happens when you fall asleep, it might be too late to stop the takeover. Don Siegel’s classic adaptation of Jack Finney’s novel has become an iconic sci-fi thriller, spawning several remakes and many imitators. This week, we examine the 1956 version and discuss how, despite its flaws, it remains a cut above the rest. 

#27 The Omen

Richard Donner’s iconic 1976 horror film, The Omen, shook audiences with its gruesome creative deaths and sinister performance by Harvey Stephens as young Damien, the son of the Devil. Nearly 50 years later The Omen is still considered a genre classic, and with the arrival of a new prequel (The First Omen) The Video Verdict discusses why this movie remains a favorite among horrorphiles.

#26 Ghostbusters

The iconic 1984 comedy, Ghostbusters, is beloved by generations of fans around the world. It spawned toys, sequels, and even a popular Saturday morning cartoon. But there are a handful of people who dismiss the film as overrated fluff. In this episode Frank and Matt butt heads over whether Ghostbusters is a modern masterpiece, or a forgettable bit of 80s nostalgia.

#25 Hereditary

A dysfunctional family, already on the brink, is torn asunder by a tragedy beyond their comprehension, unaware that dark, supernatural forces have been manipulating them toward an even more horrific destiny. This week, we discuss Ari Aster’s 2018 full-length directorial debut, a unique vision–but one with roots deeply embedded in classic horror. 

#24 The Initiation of Sarah

Sarah, an awkward girl with psychokinetic powers, is tormented by a popular college sorority when its Mean Girl leader makes her life a never-ending Hell Week—but her creepy housemother has a sinister agenda of her own. This episode breaks down the 1978 made-for-TV cult classic, one of several films inspired by Stephen King’s Carrie. Does it still hold up after 46 years?

#23 The Cabin in the Woods

A play on the type of 80s horror movie first made popular by The Evil Dead, The Cabin in the Woods takes the teens-in-the-woods scenario and flips it on its head by delivering a wink-wink roller coaster ride of twists and turns.  

#22 The Innocents

A possibly haunted mansion. Two possibly possessed children. And a governess who’s possibly insane. The first film adaptation of Henry James’ influential novella The Turn of the Screw is a rich tale of ghosts and madness. Co-written by Truman Capote and expertly directed by Jack Clayton, the intentional ambiguity of The Innocents has resulted in decades of debate and conversation.