Show Notes
Even though we’d somehow missed it for years, we were genuinely impressed by how competent it is—strong cinematography, effective editing, solid performances, and practical effects that often land, plus a captivating campfire-story opening that sets the tone and lore of “Madman Marz.” The plot is basically a classic paint-by-numbers chain of counselors wandering into the woods and getting picked off, but the kills are creative and the filmmaking elevates the whole experience. We also shout out the sound work, the memorable songs, and Galyn Ross as Betsy, then wrap up by playing a listener call.
More from 2 Guys And A Chainsaw - A Horror Movie Review Podcast
We dig into how convincingly it recreates the era—VHS degradation, nonstop regional commercials, and corny local-news Halloween coverage—and why it works best as nostalgic “party atmosphere” rather than a sit-down scare. We break down the funniest bits in the opening news segments, the repetitive ad structure that undercuts tension, and the ultimately chaotic haunted-house special involving a rude host, paranormal investigators (and their psychic cat), an exorcist, and a cult-driven finale.
We talk about why the movie feels so different from Carpenter’s first two films—more jump scares, more comedy, and a less-mystical Michael Myers—while still appreciating Jamie Lee Curtis’s return as a traumatized, alcoholic Laurie Strode living under an assumed name. We break down the opening with Loomis’s nurse, the tense rest-stop sequence, the teen cast (Josh Hartnett, Michelle Williams), the Janet Leigh cameos and Psycho nods, and the finale Laurie vs. Michael, including the controversial “definitive” ending and how the next sequel undermines it.
We talk about how the movie’s “so bad it’s good” charm comes from its community-theater-level acting, baffling plot turns, random musical dream sequence, and over-the-top grandpa cult leader performance, while still delivering serviceable gore and nonstop seasonal vibes perfect for background viewing at a Halloween party. We break down the major story beats—Tommy’s cult grooming, inexplicable killings, a chaotic party climax, and a twist ending—then share why this scrappy DIY mess feels like classic late-night cable Halloween viewing and a fun way to start our month of Halloween picks, plus details on upcoming episodes and Patreon extras.
We talk about Bannister’s unique career and background and how Reggie evolves here into a more action-hero figure. We break down how Universal’s higher budget and studio demands changed the sequel’s tone—more linear, more action-driven, recasting Mike, and adding love interests—while losing some of the original’s dreamlike surreal horror. We discuss the road-trip structure, psychic subplot, mixed lore elements, standout practical effects, memorable set pieces, and the ending’s reset, plus where the series goes next and why we might revisit later entries like Ravager.
With that out of the way, we dig into 2025’s Good Boy, a low-budget haunted-house horror told largely from a dog’s perspective, and talk about why it’s basically 75 minutes of being up close with Indie (and why that’s either a feature or a bug). We cover the film’s SXSW buzz, long shoot with an untrained dog, and surprising box office success, then unpack what worked for us: the eerie atmosphere, subtle shadowy scares, dream/vision sequences, and the ambiguity around whether the cabin is haunted, the family is cursed, or we’re just watching death creep in as the owner grows sicker and more unstable. We also discuss pacing, the fox trap subplot, the muddy “reaper” finale, and why the dog-centered viewpoint makes the story uniquely unsettling—plus, yes, the dog doesn’t die.