Binge Movies: Rankings and Reviews

Sometimes the end is quiet. Sometimes it’s already happened. Jason and film critic Robert Yaniz Jr. map the emotional terrain of the apocalypse, industrial decay, isolation, brutality, and the strange drift of a world that keeps going. The Dark Movie Overlords have sent their final five films: The Quiet Earth, Hardware, Until the End of the World, The Rover, and The Survivalist. And just when all seems lost, a hardcore legend emerges from the wasteland… Mick Foley! Special thanks to Pat (RIP), Combat Jones, the OG Binge Elite, and all of our guests. Credits Host: Jason Produced by: Binge Movies Franchisees: Heather, Dan, Jason, Matt, Pete Support: patreon.com/bingemovies

INSTANT REACTION Fresh out of the theater, Jason delivers an instant reaction to the long-awaited sci-fi adaptation that’s been building serious buzz. Spoiler-free raw, immediate thoughts on the tone, performances, spectacle, and all of the FEELS. Is this the next great sci-fi crowd-pleaser? Hit play before you buy your ticket. Credits Host: Jason Produced by: Binge Movies Franchisees: Heather, Dan, Jason, Matt, Pete Support: patreon.com/bingemovies

Straight out of the theater, spoiler-free instant reaction to Scream 7! The latest chapter in the most self-aware horror franchise of all time. And yes, Sidney Prescott returns. But is this legacy revival earned? Is it a nostalgia trap? A course correction? Or something disastrous? No spoilers. No plot breakdown. Just raw, immediate reaction from someone who lives and breathes this genre.

High concept ideas don’t need studio money, just nerve, invention, and a willingness to get weird. This week on Binge Movies, Jason is joined by Paul from The Slashers and The Countdown to rank and eliminate a lineup of high-concept, low-budget films that swing big with limited resources. These are movies built on bold premises, scrappy execution, and the kind of creative problem-solving that only comes from constraint. Some stretch their ideas to the breaking point. Others prove that a great hook can outweigh a thin wallet. All of them raise the same question: when money is scarce, what really matters? El Mariachi (1992) Cube (1997) Primer (2004) The Man from Earth (2007) Coherence (2013) Coming to you from the last video store in the universe...this is Binge Movies.Credits Host: Jason Produced by: Binge Movies Franchisees: Heather, Dan, Jason, Matt, Pete Support: patreon.com/bingemovies

After years of service under a binding billion-year contract, the former caretaker of the Last Video Store in the Universe now resides somewhere quiet, clean, and unsettlingly expensive. Far away from the Last Video Store in the Universe. But... The store is still open. The aisles are intact. The lights are on. Please begin making your way back to Akron.

Film critic and author Alonso Duralde joins Jason for a holiday special packed with classic cinema, sharp takes, and seasonal martinis. They dive into Christmas movie traditions, give a festive review of The Thin Man (1934), and talk about the newly expanded edition of Alonso’s essential guide, Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas. If you like your holiday cheer classy and movie-obsessed, this one’s for you! Alonso Duralde online: • Podcast: Linoleum Knife • Writing: Breakfast All Day

Warner Bros. will be sold to the highest evil bidder, and a loss of major physical media may be around the corner. Explore the Top 25 Classic Warner Bros. Films every movie fan needs, complete with one-sentence synopses and current 4K, Blu-ray, and Warner Archive availability. From Casablanca to Barry Lyndon, Robin Hood to The Wild Bunch, we break down the essential WB classics from 1930–1990 you must own before streaming erases film history. Perfect for cinephiles, physical media fans, and anyone building a definitive collection.

Coming to you from the last video store in the universe, we step back into the ring to determine which Rocky film goes the distance and which ones hit the mat. We break down the legacy of Sylvester Stallone, the evolution of Rocky Balboa, and how the series reinvented itself with Michael B. Jordan in Creed and Creed II. Films Ranked in This Episode: Rocky (1976) Rocky II (1979) Rocky III (1982) Rocky IV (1985) Rocky V (1990) Rocky Balboa (2006) Creed (2015) Creed II (2018) We analyze the training montages, villains, emotional arcs, franchise highs and lows, behind-the-scenes details, and why this series still dominates pop culture 50 years later. If you love Rocky, rankings, Stallone, deep dives, Creed, franchise analysis, this is the episode to lace up for. Subscribe for more film rankings, eliminations, and cult cinema deep cuts from Binge Movies. Credits Host: Jason Produced by: Binge Movies Franchisees: Heather, Dan, Jason, Matt, Pete Support: patreon.com/bingemovies

From the last video store in the universe, we’re diving headfirst into the fleshscape. This is the episode where skin melts, bones twist, metal fuses, and the human form becomes… negotiable. We’re ranking five of the most nightmarish entries the genre has ever produced: 1. Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989): Industrial noise. Screaming metal. The body as weapon. 2. Society (1989): The shunting heard ’round the world. 3. Body Melt (1993): Wellness culture taken to its liquifying extreme. 4. Thanatomorphose (2012): Slow, rotting decay as an art-film endurance test. 5. Possessor (2020): Cronenbergian mind/body invasion for the digital age. We break down the gore, the metaphors, the transgressions, and the sheer cinematic audacity of filmmakers who dared to ask, “What if humanity was just… obsolete?” Press play and prepare for mutation. Only one of these atrocities will survive the ranking. Credits Host: Jason Produced by: Binge Movies Franchisees: Heather, Dan, Jason, Matt, Pete Support: patreon.com/bingemovies

INSTANT REACTION: Edgar Wright returns with another flop at the box office, while Glen Powell does his best (?) with another "retread."

INSTANT REACTION: Coming to you from the last video store in the universe, it's Binge Movies. Jason dives into Predator: Badlands, the latest chapter in the Predator saga. Is this return to the hunt a bold new evolution of the franchise or another casualty of nostalgia overload? Expect instant reactions, unfiltered opinions, and deep-cut franchise context—from Predator (1987) to Prey (2022). New Slashers Season: Slashers Season 2 Shop the Show: Limited Run Merch Credits Host: Jason Produced by: Binge Movies Franchisees: Heather, Dan, Jason, Matt, Pete Support: patreon.com/bingemovies

EPISODE 204: First-Time Filmmakers. Some directors arrive fully formed, kicking down the door with a debut that rewrites the rules. In this episode, we rank the first films from some of cinema’s boldest voices: Charles Laughton’s haunting The Night of the Hunter (1955), Peter Bogdanovich’s Targets (1968), Paul Schrader’s blue-collar nightmare Blue Collar (1978), The Coen Brothers’ breakout Blood Simple (1984), and Philip Ridley’s surreal The Reflecting Skin (1990). Five debuts. Five filmmakers announcing themselves to the world. Which one deserves to be preserved for all time? New Season: Slashers Season 2 Shop the Show: Limited Run Merch Credits Host: Jason Produced by: Binge Movies Franchisees: Heather, Dan, Jason, Matt, Pete Support: patreon.com/bingemovies

SHOCK HORROR: “The Return of the Living Dead Special” (1985–2005) (Color, 2 hrs.) Broadcasting after hours from the last video store in the universe, host Jason rises from Spooktacular retirement to kick off Shock Horror with a full-on graveyard party. Joined by Paul (The Slashers, The Countdown), the boys dig up the entire Return of the Living Dead franchise, from punk rock brain-eaters and doomed romance to the cheap sequels that won’t stay buried. Expect fog machines, local commercials, and more bad decisions than a midnight rental binge. Also Seen On: Slashers Season 2 Shop the Show: Limited Run Merch Previously On: Police Academy Special Credits Host: Jason Produced by: Binge Movies Franchisees: Heather, Dan, Jason, Matt, Pete Support: patreon.com/bingemovies

Slashers: 1984 (Rebroadcast) Jason from Binge Movies (the B-movie sadist with a VCR full of pain), Megan from Spoilerpiece Theatre (the ever-resilient critic), and Paul from The Countdown (the man barely hanging on) reunite for one of the biggest turning points in horror history — 1984, the year Freddy Krueger was born and the slasher genre reached its fever pitch. This episode’s Blood Pool: Rocktober Blood — Jan 1, 1984 Fatal Games — Jan 1, 1984 Splatter University — Jul 13, 1984 Day of the Reaper — Oct 31, 1984 A Nightmare on Elm Street — Nov 9, 1984 The Initiation — Dec 7, 1984 From this Pool, the hosts fight to the death (or at least to the end of the tape) for: Best Poster/Box Art Best Cult Classic Best Final “Girl” Best Kill Best Overall Film Join the conversation on Letterboxd: slasherspodcast Email: slasherspodcast@gmail.com Series theme: “Shattered” by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Originally aired as part of The Slashers limited series — now revived from the grave for the Binge Movies faithful. And remember… DON’T let them catch you.

Instant Reaction: The Black Phone 2 (2025) — Spoiler-Free Review The phone rings again, and Jason from Binge Movies answers with a spoiler-free reaction to The Black Phone 2. Does Scott Derrickson and Blumhouse deliver another chilling hit, or is this sequel just dead air? Quick thoughts on performances, scares, story, and how it deviates from the original. Credits Host: Jason Produced by: Binge Movies Franchisees: Heather, Dan, Jason, Matt, Pete Support: patreon.com/bingemovies

Jason from Binge Movies (our sadistic programmer), Megan from Spoilerpiece Theatre (the beautifully balanced critic pushed to the brink by this week’s picks), and Paul from The Countdown (convinced Jason’s true purpose is torment) take on the entire slasher year of 1983 in one massive episode. This episode’s Blood Pool: Ogroff (Mad Mutilator) — Jan 1, 1983 Angst — Jan 1, 1983 Deadly Lessons — Mar 7, 1983 Sweet Sixteen — Mar 18, 1983 The Final Terror — May 1, 1983 Sledgehammer — Jul 12, 1983 Sleepaway Camp — Nov 18, 1983 From this Pool, the hosts crown winners for: Best Poster/Box Art Best Cult Classic Best Final “Girl” Best Kill Best Overall Film Join the conversation on Letterboxd: slasherspodcast Email: slasherspodcast@gmail.com Series theme: “Shattered” by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio This episode originally aired as part of The Slashers limited series and is rebroadcast here for the Binge Movies faithful. And remember… DON’T let them catch you.

Jason from Binge Movies (the B-movie appreciator), Megan from Spoilerpiece Theatre (the beautifully balanced critic), and Paul from The Countdown (the show’s own Scrooge) return to close out one of the bloodiest years in horror history — 1981. The Blood Pool for this round includes: The Burning (May 8, 1981) – Campfire tales come to life in this legendary summer-camp massacre featuring early work from Harvey Weinstein’s Miramax and makeup FX master Tom Savini. Happy Birthday to Me (May 15, 1981) – A prep-school mystery packed with bizarre deaths, psychological twists, and one unforgettable birthday party. The Prowler (Nov 6, 1981) – A WWII-themed slasher where vengeance and Savini’s most brutal gore collide. Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (Nov 20, 1981) – A disturbing mix of domestic madness and queer-coded psychological horror that defies the slasher label entirely. From this Pool, the hosts pick their winners for: Best Poster/Box Art Best Cult Classic Best Final “Girl” Best Kill Best Overall Film Continue the conversation on Letterboxd: @slasherspodcast Email: slasherspodcast@gmail.com Series theme: Shattered by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio This episode originally aired as part of The Slashers limited series — now resurrected for the true believers. And remember… DON’T let them catch you.

INSTANT REACTION: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (2025) Many critics are calling Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another (2025) a “blockbuster.” But is that really what it is? In this spoiler-free instant reaction, Jason digs into the hype and interrogates whether Anderson has truly delivered his first large-scale crowd-pleaser...or something more complicated. The $175 million action thriller, inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland and released by Warner Bros. Pictures, stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. It follows an ex-revolutionary forced to rescue his daughter from a corrupt military official, set against a backdrop of revolution, betrayal, and power. Credits Host: Jason Produced by: Binge Movies Franchisees: Heather, Dan, Jason, Matt, Pete Support: patreon.com/bingemovies

Jason, Megan from Spoilerpiece Theatre (the balanced critic), and Paul from The Countdown (the curmudgeon) reunite to continue their descent into the golden age of slashers. This round, they tackle the first wave of 1981’s massive blood-soaked slate. The Blood Pool includes: Home Sweet Home (Jan 1, 1981) – a killer Thanksgiving turkey of a movie to kick off the year. Night School (Jan 7, 1981) – Boston goes giallo with a motorcycle-helmeted killer. My Bloody Valentine (Feb 11, 1981) – Canadian miners dig up one of the genre’s defining entries. The Funhouse (Mar 13, 1981) – Tobe Hooper’s creepy carnival ride from Universal Studios. Keep the conversation going on Letterboxd: slasherspodcast Drop us a line: slasherspodcast@gmail.com Series theme: Shattered by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio This episode first aired as part of The Slashers limited series — now back in circulation for the true believers. And remember… DON’T let them catch you.

The Slashers: 1980 (Season 1 Rebroadcast) Coming to you from the last video store in the universe, this is The Slashers. Season 1 was originally recorded in 2023, and we’re re-airing it now on this new feed to get you ready for Season 2! Hosted by Jason from Binge Movies, Megan Kerns from Spoilerpiece Theatre, and Paul from The Countdown, The Slashers takes you year by year through the golden era of the slasher film. Each episode, we assemble that year’s Blood Pool — a lineup of slasher movies — and at the end, we hand out awards for: Best Artwork Best Kill Best Cult Classic Best Final Girl Best Overall Flick 1980 Blood Pool Don’t Answer the Phone! (Feb 29, 1980) Friday the 13th (May 9, 1980) Prom Night (July 18, 1980) Motel Hell (Aug 14, 1980) Schizoid (Sept 1, 1980) Fade to Black (Oct 14, 1980) Maniac (Dec 26, 1980) Some became icons, some became obscurities, but all sharpened the blade for the slasher boom to come. Subscribe to The Slashers feed so you don’t miss Season 2, coming very soon.