The Video Verdict

A man-made contagion eradicates humanity and leaves survivors fleeing from a zombie-like infection that turns people into vicious, inhuman madmen. That is the simple but highly effective premise of Danny Boyle’s eerie 2002 shocker 28 Days Later, which gave the zombie subgenre a boost in the arm by not only delivering a critically praised film but also a truly scary experience. Whether you’re a fan of fast zombies, or you prefer the old school Romeroesque slow walking dead, you can’t deny the impact 28 Days Later had on future apocalyptic horror movies.  

Based on Ira Levin’s bestseller, this 1975 film took the term “Stepford wife” into the pop culture lexicon and created a modern take on the women’s lib movement. Originally just an afterthought, The Stepford Wives has built a fanbase over the years and transformed into a cult classic, spawning several made-for-TV sequels and an ill-conceived remake in 2004. 

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.

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?

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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?