Episode 027: The Beast of War (1988)

Explicit content warning

02/16/22 • 101 min

In this episode, we put away the black gloves and cool down from our #GialloJanuary insanity with a listener suggested episode. From the dark streets of the world of Giallo, we carry on to the field of war to check out Kevin Reynolds' The Beast of War (aka The Beast) from 1988. This is an incredibly special film that was criminally buried during its release. We dig in not only on the film itself but also the crazy story of its production and unfortunate fall to obscurity that is an interesting tale in its own right. Special thanks to Nick for suggesting we check this one out and giving up some links to set us off on our research. And so much more!

Got a movie you champion? A hidden gem you think needs more love? Just want to see more discussion on a particular film? We want to check out the movies you suggest to us. Write in at [email protected] or contact us on your favorite form of social media and shoot us a movie recommendation.

Part of the Prescribed Films Podcast Network (www.thepfpn.com)

What We've Been Watching:
-Jason: Mill of the Stone Women (1960)
-Dustin: The Boxer from Shantung (1972)
-Michael: Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)

Show Notes:
-The Beast of War Trailer
-Stream The Beast of War on Amazon Prime
-Go check out Bigfoot for Breakfast
-Related Topic: Soviet-Afghan War
-Related Poem: The Young British Soldier
-Related Film: Apocalypse Now
-Related Film: Deer Hunter
-Related Film: Crimson Tide
-Related Film: Salem's Lot
-Related Film: Encino Man
-Related Film: Stargate
-Related Film: The Mummy
-Related Film: Lawrence of Arabia
-Related Topic: William Mastrosimone's Experience in Afghanistan
-Related Topic: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar
-Related Topic: Interview with Kevin Reynolds
-Related Film: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
-Related Film: Water World
-Related Film: Rambo III
-Related Film: The Beast (1975)
-Related Film: Lone Wolf and Cub
-Related Film: Matrix Resurrection

Next Time:
Silverado (1985)

Part of the Prescribed Films Podcast Network (www.thepfpn.com)

What We've Been Watching:
-Jason: Mill of the Stone Women (1960)
-Dustin: The Boxer from Shantung (1972)
-Michael: Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)

Next Time:
Silverado (1985)

Previous Episode

Episode 026: Knife+Heart (2018)

In this episode, our #GialloJanuary celebration kicks into overtime as we spill into February to wrap everything up. We've checked out gialli in its heyday of the early 70s and followed it up with a look at its waning days in the late 80s. Circling our discussions has been this idea about modern interpretations of the genre and the concept of the neo-giallo. We finally bring that center stage by checking out Yann Gonzalez's Knife+Heart from 2018. Jason charts a lot of the loving influences the movie pays homage to. Dustin champions the story's weirder more surrealist elements. Michael dares to dub the film and its emotionally charged plot elevated giallo. But before all that, Dustin hops on the soapbox and delivers some blazing hot takes about the new Scream and the era of the rebootquel. And so much more!

Part of the Prescribed Films Podcast Network (www.thepfpn.com)

What We've Been Watching:
-Jason: No Time to Die (2021)
-Michael: Big Brother (2018)
-Dustin: Scream (2022)

Show Notes:
-Knife+Heart Trailer
-Stream Knife+Heart on Shudder
-Go check out Bret & Tony with Ash & Abe
-Related Topic: The Works of Anne-Marie Tensi
-Related Film: Cruising
-Related Film: The Editor
-Related Film: Censor
-Related Film: The Fifth Cord
-Related Film: Delirium
-Related Show: The Deuce
-Related Film: Debbie Does Dallas
-Related Film: Deep Red
-Related Film: Polyester
-Related Film: The Nightingale
-Related Film: The Beyond
-Related Film: At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul
-Related Film: Blow Out
-Related Film: The Bird with the Crystal Plumage
-Go check out Altered Innocence
-Related Film: Malignant
-Related Film: Last Night in Soho
-Related Film: Inferno
-Related Film: Suspiria
-Related Film: Death Walks on High Heels

Next Time:
The Beast of War (1988)

Next Episode

Episode 028: Silverado (1985)

In this episode, we kick off our next block focusing on Westerns by checking out Lawrence Kasdan's love letter to the wild west flicks of the past: Silverado from 1985. Jason celebrates the film's careful use of foreshadowing. Dustin finds himself put off by the movie's tone which leads to him realizing just what a range the genre can cover from film to film. Michael loses the plot on his own pick leading to discussions about the film's ponderous length. But before all that, we give a whirlwind breakdown and overview of Westerns as a genre to orient our exploration across the next few episodes. And so much more!

Part of the Prescribed Films Podcast Network (www.thepfpn.com)

What We've Been Watching:
-Jason: The Rental (2020)
-Dustin: Kamen Rider Zero-One (2019-2020)
-Michael: Injustice (2021)