Horror Movie Weekly Ep. 180: Black Mountain Side (2014)

Attention listeners, Che of the Dead here. Happy New Year. I'm so sorry about the long hiatus that we've been on from Horror Movie Weekly, but welcome back and we are happy to aim to resume. faithful weekly releases once again. So that is our New Year's resolution for 2026. And just a little note in the beginning of this episode that you're about to hear.

I actually say something like, now that it's 2025, well, I did not mean to say 2026. I was correct in saying 2025 because this was actually recorded way back in March. 2025. Enjoy. And welcome to Horror Movie Weekly, one badass horror podcast. This is episode 180, and on Horror Movie Weekly, we have two hosts who review one horror movie every Sunday.

And now that it's 2025 and we have another horror podcast where we review new horror movies, we have decided on this show we're going to change things a little bit. We're going to be reviewing horror movies that released any time from 2005 to 2015. Very exciting. This happens to be a sentimental... era of ours and so we are your didactic duo of dread two late night horror hosts and i'm jay of the dead podcasting from pleasant grove utah and with me is my loyal friend and co-host

He is the polar bear expert himself. Karaoke king. He's broadcasting from Washington State. I want to welcome the pinnacle, Mr. Watson.

It's all true, folks. Everything Jay says is true. I'm happy to be here, my friend, for this. First episode with our new film selection format. This episode is about a few weeks in the making at this point. So, buddy, I'm excited to talk about these movies that I think I might remember. Yeah, same. I know. We're so funny. You know, we're just rolling. We're cruising. We're having a good time. This is really fun. And I feel like this is the way that you avoid burnout.

You become the burnout yourself. Do you know those people in high school that were burnouts, but they were all still kind of cool, too, because you're like, you know, that dude is so laid back. He probably doesn't have many brain cells surviving, but he's laid back and cool, and I like being around him. Those kind of people.

That's how I feel tonight. I did know a few of those, yes. I think one of them even taught me how to play my first power chord in ninth grade when I was 14. So rock and roll. Oh, yeah. Power chords. I love it.

All right, brother. Well, let's jump into our micro horror movie reviews. What do you got for us on this? Okay. Well, my micro horror movie review is of a film that... I have purposely avoided for a very long time because I absolutely hate the title of it. I have mentioned this very fact on the show before, but I felt it was time to give this movie a chance. And I am glad that I did. Folks, I'm talking about.

Butcher Baker Nightmare Maker 1981. I can't stress enough how unbelievably stupid of a title that is. I even mentioned to Monkeybone something about it. I sent him a – there's kind of an uncouth scene.

at one point. And so I got a little recording of it and sent it to monkey bone to see what he'd think. And he's like, what's this movie called? And I told him and he was like, that title man i don't know about that i was like yeah me neither and such that i don't even plan on saying it again in this review i'm not going to say it twice okay so uh it rhymes i guess yeah you know it's like when it's like when i hear dad jokes and i'm always like

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's funny because the one word sounds like the other word. Okay, yeah. That's funny. Yeah, I'm laughing. No, on the inside, I'm laughing. But no, this movie does have an alternate title called Night Warning. And while that is a vast improvement, it doesn't really make sense. So it sucks too. Jay, have you seen this movie? No, I have not.

OK, well, then I – obviously in the horror micro-review, we don't spoil. But listen, I realize that my roasting of these awful titles and of dad jokes is getting us off to a negatively framed start here. But that ends right now because this is a pretty damn good flick, everyone. Directed by William Asher. Never heard of the guy, but I'm looking him up. And his massive credits include directing 131 episodes of Bewitched.

And 102 episodes of I Love Lucy. Oh, wow. So, yeah, he's got a lot of TV gidgets and just a bunch of things. I'm like just like reading these titles going, wow, like all these old shows. Wow. How about this? And starring Jimmy McNichol, Susan Tyrell, and in a brief appearance as a school bully, the wonderful Bill Paxton.

We have – he was an unknown at this point, everybody, like truly unknown. In fact, he did a really good audition for the lead in this movie, but they wanted a known actor, and so he didn't get the part. Poor Bill Paxton. Huge fan. We have the story here of an orphaned teenager who finds himself being dominated by his aunt who's hellbent on keeping him with her at all costs.

Over the years, I've heard that this movie was part of that infamous 1981 slasher craze and – While it definitely is a slasher, it's also something of a murder mystery police procedural coming of age story that does a rather fascinating job at playing around with murder, bigotry and even incest.

A lot of taboos going on here. And that's what makes this film go round. It really is a twisted tale that revels in the fact that it is dealing with some rather uncomfortable topics. And in that way. It stands tall as a slasher with some real substance to it. Just even thinking when I consider the main murder around which much of the film revolves and what's going on there. Who did it and why?

Who the victim is, the investigation is more and more details come out and just where it all goes from there. It speaks to the idea of that. Particular brand of unseen suburban rot that lies underneath the veneer of polite small town life. You never really know.

what's going on inside another person's home. You can make assumptions, but even then there may be more to the story and that may well be where some truly dark things lie in wait. And this movie – taps into that and uh in some very interesting ways and uh yeah i was actually pretty impressed with this one i'm gonna give this a 7.5 out of 10.

I don't know when, if ever, I'll rewatch it. But if you did what I did and you judged this movie harshly because of that terrible title, then I'll tell you here and now that you're in for a real treat when you do finally give this one a watch. And you can watch it.

for free with your shutter subscription. And if you don't have shutter, it's on to be, get yourself some ad blockers and enjoy it commercial free. Like I would have, I watched it on shutter, but if I had to be, you know, now Eric Webster just yelled F to be. Yeah, right. Fair enough, my friend. But he's a smart guy. Get ad blockers, homie. Anyways, that's Night Warning.

1981, aka dumb title that rhymes. So Jay, I got to recommend this one to you. I think when you're in the mood for your sort of next early 80s venture, I think you'll want to give this one a go because these characters are something else and you're – You're looking at the motivations for this and who this character is and just what's going on with just the events of this movie. And it's like this is some pretty damn good writing. It's not just something run of the mill. It really is.

Storybook good. Yeah, yeah. Now, 7.5 is a really high rating for you, I think. But you said you didn't know when you'd ever get around to it again. Is there a reason for that? It's really just me as I am just at all. Like I was thinking about something. It's like my favorite movie of all time is Ghostbusters 1984. And I haven't watched it in a couple years. And I was thinking.

I will probably watch it again in like two years. I was just randomly thinking that and I was having a Star Wars conversation with somebody who's a big Star Wars fan. I'm a huge Star Wars normie. And I was thinking if Hitler himself – because it has to be Hitler – puts a gun to my head and goes – tells me that I can't watch the Star Wars. I'd be like, OK. Yeah. All right. I'm fine. Never watching Star Wars again in my life. I don't need it.

It's good. Some of it's good. Some of it's bad. I don't really care. I'm kind of just a normie there. And I was just kind of – we were just kind of talking with a friend in a group chat sort of about just movies that sort of rewatch value. And so really it's just that I don't do a lot of rewatching.

I know we have a lot of people in the community who really get in. I had some buddies, Dave Z will know who we're talking about here, friends of ours over back in the Horophilia podcast network days, the Woodsboro Bros. They were two real brothers, and these guys rocked. I always loved doing shows with them. They were the most controversial –

podcasters ever because their opinions didn't line up with anybody. They were younger than everybody else. And so they had this different view. Yeah. And I loved listening to them. And anytime I was on their show, I was on there a few times. I loved mixing it up with these guys because they just didn't care. stood with their opinions strong, and I love anybody who lets their yes be yes and their no be no. You are ever the example of that, Jay of the Dead. Thank you.

Yes, and they would do – well, you're very welcome. And they would say these things and I would just be like, wow, you guys, I love it. Just please never change. And the reason I bring them up, the Woodsboro Bros up is – It was rewatch, right? Rewatches because they would rewatch movies. Unlike anybody I've ever met, even like, you know, I think, I think Greg and Mortis and Pearl, they do a lot of rewatching. Greg and Mortis. Yeah. Greg and Mortis rewatches up.

Bunch, bunch. Buddy, these guys, Austin and Andrew, the Woodsboro bros, they're not even kidding when they said, oh, I watched Halloween H20 10 times last week, and he's not kidding. Yeah. Wow. So that's so me. It's like, oh, I will in whatever my remaining years are on the planet. I probably have X amount of watches. on my favorite movies and it's going to be a low number, let alone something like this, which I really liked. Yeah.

Will I watch it again? Maybe I should have even mentioned that, but I'm glad you honed in on that because it sort of did tie into some conversations I was having just about other things and rewatches and joking about Star Wars and all these things and just being normies. I don't know. Just a bunch of talk when you're on your phone on lunch break. No, I love that you talked about this just now because it's actually something I've been thinking about a lot lately as well because over on...

Jay of the Dead's new horror movies. It seems like especially the past six months. We've been talking a bunch with Dave Z, of course, because one of his tenants that he promotes all the time is the second watch. And that's great. I definitely have seen the value in that. And I get it. I mean, I totally get it, Watson. But my thing, the farther I go, for me, this is something I've been coming to terms with.

I'm actually like you because we have a finite number of films in our future before we die. You only see a certain number of films in your lifetime. Yep. And I'm coming up on the. 5.0 in a couple years really you know which is pretty wild and so you know I'm just trying to get in new stuff I mean I love I love

For example, I love Jurassic Park. And I bet I've seen like legit. I bet I've watched Jurassic Park. I don't know. Somewhere between 50 to 70 times a lot. Me too. Yeah. And I want to. I actually have been craving. to watch it again, but I haven't just had much time to do that. But yeah, I mean, will I revisit Jurassic Park a few more times? Sure. But one thing that's really kind of opened my eyes... and upset me a little bit is that a lot of times, and I mean a lot of times,

The first time through a film, I have a really fun time. I review it on a podcast or whatever, and I'm like, hey, this is my firsthand, first-time experience with this film, encountering it. This is what happened when I saw it the first time. And then when I go back... my rating is like probably a couple points lower. And it's just because the novelty of it or the surprise of it is kind of worn off. And it's not as fun the second time through.

Now, yeah, I think if we're doing some hardcore in-depth critical analysis. Thank you. I was getting to this. I was hoping you would address what you're about to say. Please go on. Yes. If we watch like if we're going to. Hey, if we're going to sit down and we're going to discuss Citizen Kane. Like the substance, for instance. Or the substance, or the shining, or something of genuine merit where it's like, okay, this has levels, this has depth, we can actually...

dive deep and mine this, then yeah, I think multiple viewings for in-depth analysis, I think that's appropriate. But for me, it's like, if I see something that's very... just entertainment, late night, movie night, popcorn fare that's not really swinging for any fences, then I think a one-time watch for me is going to be good enough just because, and I only say this because...

My impression that I'm giving, my review that I'm giving to the audience is presumably also going to be their first time seeing it. So if I'm saying, hey, this is the experience I had with this movie the first time I encountered it. So you might have a similar experience. You might not. So it's not really based on in-depth analysis of a film as much as it. hey, this film struck me this way and might strike you the same way. What do you think about that?

Well, it depends what you're solving for, really, because in my joke with the substance was you didn't get through that second viewing. So that was my that was all that was a little jab at you. Oh, I know. But no, it was good. I was you were right on the money, though, too. I didn't realize you were joking. Sorry. No, I was totally. But no, but then you named these other movies. And well, and like I said, it depends what you're solving for, because if you are trying to understand a movie fully.

And it is worthy of that type of scrutiny, something like hereditary. You are not meant to get that the first time. It's so cleverly crafted that if you do watch it the one time. And yes, you can communicate that feeling of...

That little light going out in your soul when the final scene dips to black and we're now there with the credits. Sure, you can communicate that emotional experience. But if somebody is coming to you for that, then you've done your job. But if somebody is coming to you for – Or, well, tell me what this movie is and what's really going on, and you don't watch it at least three times, then you don't really have a leg to stand on as a reviewer if you're solving for –

That type of review. Yeah. And so it is really going to depend on what it is you're doing with – like for instance, Black Mountain Side here. I watched it. You know, like about three, four weeks ago, because, you know, we had a lot of problems, everybody kind of getting, you know, nights to work and everything. And so but even then, I didn't feel a need to watch it again. Yeah.

It was fine for what it was and I can communicate that experience and my questions and these things. But then there are some of those other ones where it's like, OK, I know I'm going to benefit from. a second watch or a third or whatever it's going to be to understand it for review. Yes. But, you know.

Like you said, sometimes those diminishing returns do hit. There was the movie It Comes at Night. First time I watched it, buddy, I was like, oh, right. I'm high on this. I watched it again and read interviews with the director, and I'll – Kind of hate that movie now. Oh, yeah. Wow. The power of it. But that also is demonstrative of the power of the Dave Z second view, is it not? It's not always greener pastures and scores going up, man. So –

Well, it depends when you want to employ the Dave Z second viewing. I don't think it applies to everything. And Dave Z may say differently. It is his thing that he has coined in the way his brain works with the intricacies that is the. the mind of david zendano but uh you know as as i work and i think you know i think you can agree is that there are times where the one watch is fine yeah well actually it come your um it comes at night experience because of what you have said

I have never revisited that a second time because I loved it initially too. And after you said that, I'm like, well, I don't want to ruin it now. I don't want to go. I don't want to see it again. Sure. And I love that director, too. But anyways, so thanks for talking to me about that. I think that's really kind of fascinating to think about. But yeah, so.

That is Mr. Watson's review of Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy. Yes, something like that. Yes, exactly. That's a very good Jay of the Dead. And you know, this last thing I'll say is Dave Z. Oh, yeah, would probably wag his finger mainly at me. But no, you you are worthy of this this finger wagging as well, because I know you were going to go like he would be like, Watson, why are you even watching bad CGI gator? What are you doing? Yes.

And I would go, Dave Z, I know you don't understand that, but he doesn't need to. Right. And he's fine not needing to trudge those depths. But he would look at you and go. Buddy, you're going to see this new Jurassic World movie. Why? Give that rewatch to something else. Give that viewing to something else that deserves it because you're not going to like it.

He knows you're not. I know you're not. You know you're not. But you have this thing inside that needs to go see that, that needs to go scratch that itch. And Dave Z would wag his finger and go, buddy, resist the scratch. I know. Resist the itch. Yes, he does. And let's celebrate our friend that way because that is something – maybe that's how this all works out mathematically, Watson. Yes, I think so. Because he does not – even though he will do the second –

second watch, or maybe even third watch, he doesn't waste his time on movies that he's pretty certain. He has pretty good evidence that aren't going to be worth his time because he also has a finite... amount of time to watch movies and he realizes this. So that's funny the way that we cope and deal with this. in our movie watching lifestyle. I love this. This is really funny. I feel like you've shed some really neat light on this.

What a great chat. Yeah, right. The numbers are in place. It's just about how you spread them out and where you apply them. And yeah, it's very interesting because we all do it similarly in some ways and very differently in other ways. And I know we got viewers out there. Who just they're kind of a little more like like.

Probably closer to us, like a lot of trudging for my eyes on the future for that next high, that next high, that next high. And then, of course, we got the people who were like, why would I do that when I got the tried and true? And it's like, I don't have an argument against that. I know.

I know. Have a blast. Have a blast. And in fact, there's something about like when I hear because I've been listening to Greg Amortis for years and years on podcast. And there's something about when I hear him talk about. putting on madman madman yeah we said to say that was the one i was gonna say when he's putting on madman again and he's watching it again because just because he just because just because he loves it

And I'm like, man, I love that. It makes me long for something where it's like, I need to restructure my life in such a way that I can just pop on my favorite movies and watch them. All the time. Now, I know Greg's very busy. I'm not saying he's not busy. But it's like we all have the same amount of time. We all have 24 hours in a day. It's just like, how are what are we doing with our time? How do we prioritize our time? So, yes, part of me thinks sometimes I'm like.

Maybe I'm not doing it right if I'm not able to watch Jurassic Park again tonight. Dang it. Anyways, really cool. I love it, Jay. Thanks for getting us into this. I love these types of topics and how we do what we do when we're on the couch and the TV is glowing. What are we doing? I love it. That's right. So this was Watson's micro horror movie review of Butcher Baker Nightmare Maker from 1981. He gives it a 7.5 out of 10. It's on Shudder and also...

Tubi. Great work, brother. You are always bringing it. Okay, well, and then there's me, so...

What do you got for us, man? Okay, here's what I got. I wanted to bring you guys something special. I mean, I really did, and I really tried. And this is one of those things where not only did I invest time. But I invested a tiny bit of money because for whatever reason, I think I was having trouble tracking this down. But there is this film that I've kind of come across over the years. It's from 2011. And if the listeners will permit.

One more bit of minutia here, especially since, Watson, we are now covering films from 2005 to 2015. This is, I'm going to call out myself. This is like, I'm doing the... I'm doing the, what's his name? Slim Shady. Eminem. Okay, yeah, the Eminem eight mile where I'm like revealing all my stuff up front so nobody else has anything to rip on me about.

No, but this is totally, I admit up front, this is a little bit hypocritical. But Watson and I both, we have this thing where we have our own system for determining year of release. when a movie is released. Now, the reason I personally, I can just speak for myself here, the reason I'm so intense about the way I do this, and it happens to be the way Watson does it,

is because of top 10 lists, end of the year list, and blah, blah, blah. So when we're citing year of release for new movies, like within the last year or two, then yes. I am very meticulous, Watson, about finding the first... date that it releases becomes widely available to viewers in the US. That's how I usually do it. And that's how we do it too. But having said that, Watson.

When it's older, meaning like three years or more, basically, I just go with the IMDb year for the most part. Jay, you dog! Isn't that terrible? And this is a perfect example right here. This film is called Hell. On IMDb, it's 2011. And it's like, yeah, I mean, we're not doing a 2011 top 10 list right this minute.

And it's like to be able to find it, it's going to be easiest to type in IMDb because a lot of films have hell in the title. If you want to find this on IMDb listeners, you type in hell 2011 and then it comes up. So that's one reason I do it that way, Watson. Also, it's like the way I explain. But anyways, so forgive me like tonight when Black Mountain side, our feature, I just put 2014.

I know it's really hypocritical. It's stupid, isn't it? I know. But seriously, because we've been saying The Shining is 1980 for how long? For all our podcasting lives. But I've never looked to see exactly. I forget exactly when that released. But what if it was technically, you know, you know what I mean? What if it ends up being 81 or whatever? Like, it's the same thing with, oh, you know.

Anyways, blah, blah, blah. I won't go into it anymore. That's enough of that. But I know the listeners are like, oh, this is really interesting. So anyways, the film is called Hell. This is a post-apocalyptic dystopian sci-fi. It's like survival thriller, I guess. I think it's really generous if you want to call it horror. This is a German-Swiss joint. And though this is technically a foreign film...

The DVD I own, because I ended up ordering it, I found the DVD for a low price, and so I just ordered it. The DVD has pretty bad overdubs, meaning the people... The actors that they had record the English script, the English voice is over, are like not great performances. Oh, man. I don't know about you, Watson, but does that make you dislike the characters? And it's not even their fault.

Yeah, it does affect the viewing experience for sure. Like I remember when Jackie Chan – like when I was a kid, when Jackie Chan really began making his – you know uh just a wave over here and when he would uh eventually when i heard his voice for the first time instead of like rumble in the bronx where it's like that's not jackie chan it was one of those things when i finally heard him i went

OK, that makes sense. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah. If you are divorced from that reality of looking at the character and going, OK. That right there is dialogue coming from that person right now at this time as I'm seeing him or her. You don't have to worry about that just to get to square one to enjoy the movie. Right.

That's right. Because, yeah, I think what's happening in a lot of times when this is off-putting, this is my theory, at least in this film, it's like the voice you're hearing... doesn't match the look of that person. You're like, that voice is not coming out of that person. Yeah. So there's some, anyways, so just be, be advised of that. But this was co-written and directed by Tim Felbaum.

And the reason it's called hell is because in this dystopian future world, something has happened, atmospheric, whatever has caused this apocalyptic hellscape that people are living in. I don't know if it's no ozone layer or what it is, but like the. We got to get rid of that. Yeah, that's right. Little Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yes. From a review we did on the other show, but. Great. So, yeah.

Gunn is out of control in this movie, right? Yeah. I've seen it, but I've read like the back of this DVD case before. Right. And honestly, goodness, they don't really address it that much. It's just sort of, it's just sort of setting. It's just setting up the world, basically. But it comes out when they're outside, when they show the outdoors. It's like this overexposed desert hellscape. And it reminds me a lot, like...

The sun, it's extremely bright outside in the film pitch black with Vin Diesel. Have you seen that one? Oh, yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. You know how that went. When I first saw that, I really hated that, but it was because, like, there were, like, two suns in the sky there. Anyways, it reminds me a little bit of that, but that doesn't really come into play that much. Like, they got to keep their skin covered.

and their eyes covered. And when they're driving, they like put newspapers up on the windows and they just have a little slit to see out. But long story short, you guys, I've already spent Way more time on this. It's seriously just this typical survival story where... You got a couple people banding together. They're just going around looking for supplies. They encounter other humans who are, you know, evil and they want to do terrible things. And so I love...

dystopian post-apocalyptic narratives and stuff. And I think I would have loved this too if it weren't so deliberately paced. I mean, all of the dialogue and stuff. I'm sure I'm exaggerating, but it just feels like there's pauses between all of the dialogue. And it's like, hey, director, if your characters are just talking about...

just everyday menial things. They don't need profound pregnant pauses in between everything they're saying because it's boring. Anyways, Watson, this was a little underwhelming. But I still give it a 5 out of 10. And I'd call it a low priority rental if you're somebody who likes these kinds of movies. May I ask you a question about this movie? Yeah. Now, I'm looking at the cover of it and I'm looking at the text at the very top of the cover art. And it's – is this – is that text the reason?

That you decided to watch this. That name. Because Roland Emmerich presents. Is that why you did this? Well. Jay, be honest. Yeah, that is why I was tempted to order this. Because I'm like, hey. This is a post-apocalyptic, you know, like all the elements I like and Roland Emmerich was behind it somewhat. Yes. And yes, I know he's, I can't help it. I like Roland Emmerich movies somewhat.

And I do love Independence Day. Everybody knows that. But anyways, but yeah, this doesn't feel like Roland Emmerich at all, unfortunately. But great question. All right, Mr. Watson. Well, that's our micro horror movie reviews.

And now we're ready to go into this week's feature review. Watson was so nice. He gave me the honor to do the first feature review that was picked between 2005 and 2015. And so what I chose, I wanted to look up something because remember I had the three criteria for the kinds of movies I'll be picking. And for this week's pick, I wanted to try to find, I wanted to try to dig up.

some sort of a gem somewhere. I was hoping, you know, a film I had never even heard of that I just somehow overlooked. And that's what it came down to. So there's this film. I saw the cover. I saw it's from 2014. It's called Black Mountainside. And ostensibly, it appears to take place in the snow. And I'm like, let's do this. So here is...

Our feature review for Black Mountain Side from 2014. Someone was sneaking around the outpost last night. I don't know, maybe it was an animal. That was no animal. When was the last time you slept? I'm not sure. You're hallucinating. He's here now, listening, watching. He's watching me. Even though these films are a little bit older, we still... Don't give major plot spoilers on this podcast unless we give you a warning first. And we just do that.

Just for courtesy of the list, there's a case you would like to check out the film and take the ride for yourselves. So, Black Mountain side, as I said, Watson, and I knew Watson shamed me a little bit, which is fine because I deserved it.

was uh 2014 according to imdb i didn't even look up the other stuff i know and this was um written and directed by who i bet this guy's from Poland, maybe? That's as Polish as a Polish ever polled. Yeah, I don't even think I can pronounce his last name. Nick Staszkiewicz. It's just consonant after consonant, my friends. It's like 21 letters. It's amazing, actually. It's like, can I buy a vowel? Can I buy you a vowel, please?

Good Lord. It's like, I don't have enough money for vowels or consonants in this. Anyways, yeah, so Nick did this. Nick S. Do you remember in school, in grade school, Watson, did they do... first name and then the first initial of your last name you know that does ring a bell wow i haven't thought of that in decades but yeah yeah i think so it's so weird it's a grade school thing that they do and then

Nowhere else in your life ever is that done that way. And so every once in a while at work, to be funny, I write my name like that on things at work. I just write Jason P. Just to be weird and see if anybody else picks up on it. But no, I'm only amusing myself, Watson. It's just me. That's okay. That's okay. But that's, you know, I'm an only child and that's how I do things. I just amuse myself. Anyways.

This thing, let me see where we are. This has a runtime of one hour, 39 minutes. It is not rated, but this would be rated R. I can tell you that much. In terms of the stars, I don't think you'd know any of these folks. And here, Watson's like, man, Jay, you are a pro tonight. And so what we have here is at the northernmost outpost.

and Canada, right? Now, Watson, I have to pause here for a ridiculous tangent. Oh, man. Okay, please, please. You're a polar bear guy, and this really doesn't have anything directly to polar bears, but... As long as I can get you in that neighborhood, I feel like you'll go along. When I was a missionary for my church, one night I was ill and I couldn't sleep and I woke up.

And I was standing out in our living room. And for whatever reason, we had this huge map of North America on the wall. And it's like 3 a.m. and I'm staring at this map. And I'm looking up at Canada. And way, way up in Canada, way up north, like in the central...

I don't know if that's Saskatchewan. Shani Dreadful would be very disappointed in me for not knowing my Canadian geography. Yeah, I'm going to text her right now. She's going to be ticked right now. Let me see. I'm going to try to bring this up. Okay. Okay, I feel bad. I feel like the Canadians are going to be like, oh, Jay doesn't care about us. Okay, I think it is in Manitoba. It's either Manitoba or Saskatchewan. The polar bear capital of Canada, you mean? Oh, is that what it's called?

Well, yeah, Manitoba, Canada, that's an important place to go to get your – Polar bear tours and – yeah, buddy. There was even a show, a short-lived two-season show called Polar Bear Town that revolves around the goings-on of the polar bear industry in Manitoba. Oh, OK. Well, that's cool. All right. Well, I'll tell you what. So I looked up where I'm headed with this anyway. And this is technically in Manitoba, but it appears to be...

Right on the border, very close to Saskatchewan. So no wonder I was confused. So all y'all Canadians, I'll say, first of all, sorry about that. And number two, you can understand. Anyway, I'm looking up at this map. And way, way, all the hell the way up north, all by itself, is this little city called Flinflon. Have I told this story before, Watson? I'm getting old and I do that now where I tell things over and over. I think this is ringing a bell. Okay. I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry, you guys. Probably everybody's like, oh, Jay tells us every 10 episodes. Anyway, up there in Flin Flon, I'm like, what is Flin Flon? I just can't even imagine what that would be, right? Long story short. I came up with this little semi-creepy narrative, a little creepy comedy song called Flying to Flin Flon.

And I'll tell you what I'll do, Watson, just for the listeners. I'm going to put it at the end of this episode. I recorded it and everything. This is an old school Jay of the Dead comedy song. And basically... It's about this dude. I'm going to spoil the plot of the song so when you're listening to it, you'll know what it's about and you can laugh the first time through. Basically, it's about this crazy guy, me essentially, who...

Kidnaps a pilot at gunpoint. Has this pilot fly him up to Flin Flon, Canada, in order to try to kidnap a moose? He wants to catch a moose. and bring a moose back down to the United States. Now, P.S., there are moose in the northern United States and places, but... I didn't know this at the time. I thought they were just mainly in Canada. So anyway, that's why I wanted to go up there to get one flint flint. And the plan was to go get this moose. This is all fictitious, everybody. But when...

When we get to Flin Flon in the song, we do encounter a moose and it attacks viciously and gores and kills. And you can hear it in the song. Kills this pilot that I've kidnapped. And now I'm stranded in Flin Flon with no pilot. Anyway, that's the song.

In my obsession with this stupid city, no, it's not stupid. I'm sorry. All the flin-flon listeners, I'm not calling your city stupid. No, it's great. It's great. The dude who settled that, supposedly, I don't know if this is a joke, but what I read, his name was... Flintabetty Flauniton, right? And I'm like, what? Anyways, you know, Canadians, Watson, Canadians. So anyway, that was his name. And they shortened it to Flynn Flaun for obvious reasons. But...

The thing is, I had not heard about that. I thought I was the only person that knew about that city because I wrote the song about it and everything. Well, just the other night, during the hockey game, there was a big hockey game. For some championship. I don't know. The US played Canada. Did you guys? Okay. In order to, in order to view that here, I had to like sign up for some channel. I did a free trial in order to see it. Cause I was just curious. It seemed like.

Fun. It was not fun. And Canada won, U.S. lost, which was a bummer. So, Canadians strike again. But anyways, what happened was, Watson, when I pulled up this sports network. They had a channel called something like Flin Flon Hockey or something like that. They had a whole channel. With sporting events set in Flin Flon, I could not believe it.

What? Yes. No joke. Anyways, that was a long way to the well for not much payoff. But at the end of this episode, you guys can hear the song if you haven't turned this off already. So anyway.

Where was I? Okay, so that's that. This is great. Watson's like, this is great. I'm so glad that I've used my Monday night for this. I am glad I did. I am absolutely ecstatic about this because I'm like right now as you're talking about flim flom and flim flon and I'm just looking at the map of Canada and, you know, Churchill, Manitoba is that the place where all that polar bear stuff goes on. And, you know, Shannon. Dreadful lives a bit southwest of...

of Flynn flan. And I'm just going to look in here and just kind of just considering where this movie takes place, uh, or where it's said to take place versus where it actually does. And we'll get into that later. Yeah. I will say this. It seems Flin Flon is a 23 hour and 59 minute drive from my current location. Oh, so you're saying that if I come visit you.

We could drive for two days straight and make it to Flin Flon. For one day straight, bro. I'm not taking any breaks. Watson, that would be the most epic thing ever. Watch me like doing fence and cocaine off the steering wheel and just staying awake the whole time. I don't recommend doing that, everybody. That is so funny. I can't even imagine what it would be like.

Anyway, I did look up pictures of the city, and it doesn't look overly exciting, as you might imagine. A lot of trees? Well, yeah, lots of trees. Oh, okay. Lots of tundra and wilderness. Yeah, there'd be trees about at that area of the world. But yeah, OK. Yeah, well, we'll get into this later. Yeah, yeah. OK, so this is this is set in northern Canada, way up there and way up in this area.

It says, according to the film, Population 100, which I strongly doubt from the feel of the film. It doesn't feel that way. But anyway, these dudes, they're like scientists. They're a group of scientists. And they are stationed up here for some archaeological research. Now, Watson, it must be said, just right up front. Obviously, I feel like and I bet you immediately felt like this has a lot of inspiration from the thing. Sure. Yeah. I mean, I think that there.

probably isn't a single review of this movie in existence that doesn't mention something, something, the thing, something, something Lovecraft. And if you're clever, you may even invoke The Shining.

Yes, that's right. That's right. But anyway, but since we're on that topic, and I'm sorry to just talk so much, but I will just say, for those who are going to check this out, because when I talk to Macula about this at work... Because he loves the thing, and as do I, as do we all. 10 out of 10, baby. Yeah, and I'm like, Mac, this film to me, and I'll just start out with this one comment and then kick it to you. This film to me is like...

If these people who created this loved the thing and they wanted to take that, you've got these group of dudes and this very, very remote location. And then there's a lot of... among them. There's a lot of like, you know, angst and mistrust and so forth. So it's kind of like a... Poor man's, not poor man's, that sounds so negative. It's almost like an indie lower budget version of the thing minus the fantastic practical effects.

And if they went a little simpler on the monster, the monstrosity of this, that's kind of what this feels like. And so I feel like because of the way it's set up, they explore those other aspects of the thing. And they don't spend quite as much time on the monster. But that was my first impressions overall. But Watson, what did you think of Black Mountain Side?

Thank you, Jay. Well, I do agree that foundationally speaking, this has superficial similarities to the thing. And that's unavoidable, and it's most likely by design. Definitely homage, inspiration, and then these movies diverge with regards to where they go story-wise. I like this movie more than I don't. At least, Jay, I think that I do. Well, let me explain here. The slow pacing, first of all, didn't bother me. I willingly – I was thinking of you.

But I willingly went on the ride on which this film wants to take the viewer. But after having sat with this movie for three, four weeks now, I just have a few key questions. that are going to determine where I ultimately fall on this movie. I'm teetering on the brink, as it were, Jay of the Dead, and I'm hoping this conversation will help me land one way or the other. Now, one big positive aspect of...

Black Mountain side here is this snowy wintertime setting. I am a big sucker for horror in the snow. Yes. And by that metric alone, this movie succeeds. Jay the Dead, you are a fan of horror in the snow. Am I correct? Big time. Love it. Yeah. Yes, and you know, you have for a long time now recommended that I watch the –

Stephen King miniseries, freaking – Storm of the Century. Storm of the Century. I need to make time for that. It's something that just – anytime it gets a little wintry, I'm like, all right, it's time. But we don't get a whole lot of – here you don't not in Washington in western Washington we don't and so it's like I haven't had more than a few hours to even like I think the amount of time the snow has stuck

This year, I could watch Storm of the Century and then it'd be melted. But here's where I'm going to come off as a little bit of a buzzkill.

When it comes to the setting. Okay. Which, first off, I like that plot point. Yes. It's where things begin. Like this idea that this team has found this very improbable, nay impossible.

discovery. There's no way this would be here. It would only be very south of here, this discovery they've made. But we're meant to believe that this site... is you know the northern most outpost of its kind placed somewhere in the canadian arctic but as a lover of all things arctic mainly them polar bears but also the climate and the geography itself and As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, it was immediately clear to me.

That this movie takes place maybe only a few hours north of where I live. And sure enough, yes. Black Mountainside was filmed about seven and a half hours north of me in southern British Columbia. Very far from the Arctic, my friends. Like if you want to get to sub-Arctic location. locations, you would need a 30 hour drive North. That's 30 hours. You're not in the Arctic yet proper. You're in the sub Arctic. And so I'm just saying, yeah, like, uh, what tip me off.

if I'm not being clear here, is that Arctic locations don't have trees. The farther north you go, the fewer trees there are. It's just a nitpick. It doesn't do much to affect my opinion of the movie. Just a little something I noticed and had to check up on. I'm seeing they're going, oh, it gets 50 below out here. And then you see the snow thawing.

all throughout, dripping off the buildings. I'm like, that's not how 50 Below works. But fine. I imagine actually making a movie in these truly polar climates is incredibly difficult and expensive. And the truth is you're not going to find a cool location. like this that looks like this with all these neat cabins amongst the trees and the mountains. That's not happening.

in an arctic location so if you're a filmmaker you know you got to save some money fudge these small details but uh no biggie but let me just say as far as dream vacation destinations go my number one place i would love to take my son is the city of Longyearbyen in Svalbard, Norway, the northernmost city in the world. I follow a blogger who lives there named Cecilia Blomdahl, and it is a breathtaking place, not a single tree.

in like the whole country um and so yes but so you are getting so back to it if you are getting into the canadian arctic you know even if you're you know barrow alaska or i think it's called like the akvik now There's not a tree for miles. So that was kind of a little nitpick, but just something that did kind of –

Put me – not take me out really, just something I wanted to put out there in case anybody is like, wow, the Arctic sure is – looks really cool. I'm like, ah, it doesn't look like this. Sorry. Sorry, everybody. That's the Pacific Northwest. Okay, that's good to know. Good, good. No, I love details like that. So thank you for teaching us. Well, sure, sure. But, you know, so tell me about the...

The story here, Jay, what were you thinking? Well, first off, I guess I got to ask, did you have issues with the pacing? Okay. Because I deliberately clock watched pretending I was you. Not that I needed to, by the way. I was being – I was embodying my inner Jay of the dead. And it isn't until about the 40-something minute mark where we get our first bit of violence. That's true. That's true. It doesn't –

Yeah, we don't see any sort of horror for about 40-some minutes. That's right. Watson, 100%. Yeah, and I can't... How do you feel about that? I can't explain why once in a blue moon, sometimes I'm like more patient than other times. But I think, number one, I really like, I loved... the snow. I love the setting. The performances aren't always tremendous, but the actors were good enough. And I felt like the dialogue, because of their purpose and being there...

There's something that is very, what's the word? Not just convincing, but it really maintains the spell. It captures me within its spell, within its web, when a horror movie premise... has characters who are believably going about their lives, trying to do something when the horror befalls them. And here, it doesn't just seem like, because sometimes in horror movies, it's like...

Oh, we got stuck on a ski lift. It's like, I love that movie, Frozen. I was going to say, hey, hold on. I love that movie. I love that movie. But if we're being honest, it's very unlikely.

for that to happen. And I know, I know Adam Green. I know, I know. He tried to make it seem like it could happen. But with this, these dudes are so... committed in the writing, I think Watson, I mean, I'm not much of an archaeologist or a scientist for that matter, but I think that the writing is convincing enough that I was sort of engaged in what they're talking about.

And so I went along with the first 40 minutes and it's almost like I set aside the fact that I was waiting on a horror movie to happen and I was just watching this. arctic story almost as if it's a documentary so so i was um uncharacteristically patient for this for some reason good yeah good because i think that the the movie is asking that of the viewer

And if you can give that, then you will have the optimal viewing experience because I was right there with you on that. Although, I mean, come on, everybody. You know I would be. But no, because I don't do nearly as much clock watching. And this didn't feel – Slow in that way precisely – and you worded it very well and it's exactly that, this idea that you are under the spell and I like this region. I like pretending, OK, despite all the trees and these very clearly –

long-established cabins. That's not what an archaeology site would look like. But it's a cool location nonetheless. Screw it, right? I like what's happening. I like this all-male cast. The fact that there's not... any music in this entire movie nothing right and this this just it really is sort of this working man's situation That starts getting worse and worse, and it is a perishable predicament in certain ways.

And the snowy setting, I'm in. The spell was working. And just a little thing about – so I didn't notice any bad performances. I would see this sometimes in –

In reviews, rather, where they would mention that there were performances that were subpar. I don't think I noticed that, but I will tell you this. There is an actor in there named Michael Dixon. He was my favorite character. He was the professor who shows up.

In the helicopter. Absolutely. Yes. It's kind of funny. So there's a little bit of trivia about the cabin in the woods that I find very funny where in the beginning of the cabin in the woods, you know, all our sexy youngsters are swimming in the lake except. for our stoner guy played by Fran Kranz. And that's because at the time, you know, he's supposed to be some like, you know, loser stoner guy, except at the time he was actually buffer than Chris Hemsworth. And you kind of can't have that.

No, no. Pre-Thor. Chris Hemsworth, by the way. But, you know, he's still in great shape. But the stoner guy is just even more ripped. And you can't have that. So there's just this thing I noticed when I was looking up all the actors and Michael Dixon, who plays our professor, who brings some light to the situation, my favorite character in the movie. You know, he's got the long hair and just looks really cool.

I'm looking at this guy and this dude is a beefcake and a half. Wow. There's a reason they had him layered up in the sweaters and the coats because I don't think they – you would buy that – wait. So you're telling me this professor is like ripped as hell?

More than these working dudes like who are probably – are living off manual labor and probably are at least in great shape if not slim and maybe your liver is a little and the lungs are a little affected by the smoking and drinking. But yeah, this dude is like – yeah good lord like go click his photos on imd imdb.com if you're curious uh because i was like i'll just stick around here for a little bit because man what a what a handsome fella oh wow

He was my favorite character in the movie, this professor who shows up to clarify this mystery and the dialogue between him and this resident. There's like the kind of the archaeology experts and this doctor and you sort of do – get a sense of who everybody is and what their role is in the story and at this site. And that was really cool because it differentiated everybody, you know, their jobs, you know, what they're there to do.

Also, I like having a sense of that type of space with regards to the characters and with regards to the actual setting itself because it is this location and that's a real location. You know where each cabin is in relationship to one another. The geography is clear, and I like it when – The filmmakers can capture that where I get a sense of this place and its people. Yeah. And you said so many good things there, Watson. But one I will focus in on is like, I feel like the professor was our.

He was our audience surrogate. He was our way into this world. Because as he is taken around and introduced, the exposition is done well there. As he is learning who everyone is, we are learning who everyone is. And he is very even keeled. He has a pretty, you know, relaxed nature. And he's kind of approaching this the way, the neutral way that a viewer might. Whereas the guys up here are kind of sassy. Like, I love there's one scene.

There's one scene where it's like the designated leader has to deal with an issue where someone accuses another worker of killing the... another, I'm saying this terribly. So you've got worker, worker A, who's the leader. Worker B comes in and says, hey, worker C, Killed worker D's cat. So he calls worker C. Worker A calls worker A calls worker C and says, hey, did you kill worker D's cat?

And he's just, it wasn't like, no, why would I do that? He's just like, no, no, nope. Sorry. Anyway. Yeah. Okay. And it was, and that was like the end of it. It's like the investigation was like, wow. Anyways, it was just hilarious. Problem solved. It's like, nope. Well, he said he saw you do it. Nope. Okay, well, that's that. So anyway, I love that about these freaking guys because they were all kind of characters. And so that was cool. And then you had the professor guy.

who was the intellectual and he's also like our audience surrogate. So yes, we had a way into this world and I feel like they do a great job of bringing us in.

I agree completely. And this is why I said at the start that I like this movie more than I don't know. Here's where I got to get into the nitty gritty here because no, everybody, my score is not going to even be dinged by that location. stuff I was talking about. I'm fine with this not being the Arctic, even though it's the Arctic, right? I'm fine. The Arctic via the Pacific Northwest, I'm fine with it. But Jay, my main issue with this movie...

And maybe you can help me out with this because it has to do with where the story takes us and how it gets there. Even after these few weeks of pondering this. Thinking about the notes and making bullet points. I don't believe I understand how precisely this story comes together in the end. And I'll word it like this. We are introduced to a few different story beats.

that present our characters with a mystery, if you will. And I'm not even talking the archaeological mystery. Well, that may well be part of it, but this is when the violence starts happening and things start getting weird. As things begin to spiral out of control, it is not at all clear to me how these elements of the story intersect or relate to one another. For instance, I think there's another movie.

that we could throw in the mix here and that may influence things. It's not a spoiler, but I would say there are echoes of session nine, Brad Anderson's session nine in this. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I'll just – Leave it there. Now, Jay, did you feel like this script came together neatly for you? Or if not, were you able to put the pieces together because I find myself unable to do this? Now, I'm not going to say any specifics, but...

There are times where the movie says, hey, here's what we're doing. And then this movie kind of goes this other direction. And these are loose ends that I don't comprehend them. I don't get anything about them. and how they go from one to the other and then we get this cool ending you even texted me like whoa and i'm like right there with you because that ending is like love it love it

But, yo, absolutely, right there with you. But I'm trying to retrace my steps back from that final scene and how we get there based on a couple things. I'm like, well, we had this for a little while. And then that just goes away and now we have this. What are we doing here? I didn't understand it. And so were you –

This is where you can maybe help me with it or maybe this is the part where we go – we start getting hard on the movie and roasting it a little bit. But I'm wondering where you fell there and how you felt this came together. Well –

I'm not trying to be self-deprecating, but I think I can just admit right up front, and the listeners know this by now, a lot of times Watson sees films on a much... deeper and more insightful level than I do. I don't think so. I do. I do. And that's fine. I'm fine. I can live with that and I can accept it. I've learned to live with my inferiority complex on this show. But I'll tell you this.

I think you're underestimating one thing, Watson. You're underestimating how much I feel this film, and I don't want to say borrows from, I want to say celebrates and embraces John Carpenter's The Thing. And so because that was in my head the whole time. I basically followed the thing's tracks in the snow, so to speak. I followed those tracks right through this movie. And in fact, I'm going to say some heresy here.

There are a couple of aspects that this film does that I like even better than John Carpenter's The Thing. Wow. For example, and this is, I promise I'll come back to your question, but just to throw this in here as a little aside. When we were talking about the purpose of the dudes being there. I've seen John Carpenter's The Thing I don't know how many times. A lot. You know, probably 12 to 20, I'm guessing. And I still couldn't tell you right off the top of my head.

What the hell those dudes were doing there? I don't know why they were up there. I don't remember. It's not clear to me. They're just, you know, Antarctic. First off, that's Ant. arctica no polar bears down there they have penguins which are fine but um you know they're just there because there are pole you know the polar the the south pole stations they're just there

They collect ice and they do things. So it's just one of those things that's just kind of there. See what I'm saying? This has purpose. They're just there. Right. And I'm not dissing that the thing is a 10, but I'm just saying these dudes are here and it's like, oh, OK, I understand why they're here. It's cool why they're here. I'm interested in why they're here. So that's one thing. The other thing is the ending of the. is cool, but I actually love this ending more.

than the thing. And I know a lot of listeners are going to watch this and be like, Jay, shut up. Just no, no. I bet a lot of people will disagree with that. So anyways, but I feel like maybe to your question.

Let's say it like this, Watson. We're going to, and I'm sorry, listeners, we're going to be a little bit vague here to avoid spoilers. In terms of... the monstrosity that is afoot here in this film. There are kind of two aspects. And I'm just going to use maybe talking about the thing a little bit in order to kind of draw some... parallels. But I'm not revealing things about this film because it does things differently. I hate how many times I've said thing right there. So we have something...

you know, a la the thing. We have some sort of organism or something that is causing behaviors, right? So, we have that that's happening in this movie. So much like in the thing, we get this alien, right? In the thing, we have an alien that is duplicating and making itself. I mean, it's absorbing and making itself imitate the appearance. And that is not what happens in this film. No. But the evil, so to speak, affects people in this film and also leads them to be...

less trustworthy. You know, because I've already, I know Watson, you're probably thinking, oh boy, we're skating awfully close, Jay, to spoilers. But because I've said... I think this is so much like The Thing. I think anybody who's seen The Thing will kind of have a sense. Now, there's another aspect to this that's kind of a...

Let's call it a higher evil. Sure. That's where I was getting into my session nine esque territory, but not completely because session nine is doing something different. I'm just talking about the way the evil. It presents itself in session nine, not visually, but I guess you could say vocally in audio fashion reminds me.

It just echoes of that here. Yes. Is what I was saying. It's not the same thing, but it's like other thing. It's not it's not that. Yeah. And this also isn't session nine. It is doing something different. But these are just the the pieces I'm able to put together. But yes, so you are talking about.

higher evil yeah go on yeah and by the way i'll just i'll just throw that out here the the way the evil sounds the vocally here is genuinely scary to me i found that to be i was wondering if you were gonna think that was funny No, no, I found it. I was going to roast you, dude, if you were going to sit there and go, you know, like, dude, I was hoping you weren't going to say the following. Watson, when I saw this visual.

I just started laughing. What's good? I would have been like, Jay, no, no, I was going to defend it. No, I don't. It looks like I don't have to do that. No, no, no, no. And I can see why you would suspect that. Because I know you. Well, right. But here's the thing about that. And I'm very serious. And I love that you asked this question. You know, we do get a visual. And there was one.

fraction of me, maybe 8% of me that was like, is that funny, Jason? You know, like I was asking myself, is that striking me? Is that tickling my funny bone right now a little bit? And I'm like, no, I'm scared. That's exactly how I felt. Well done. Because I feel like you can be, I almost wanted to use the word uncharitable, but you could tap into that.

eight percent that you're referencing and i don't feel you would be unfair right in drawing the conclusion that there is something unintentionally funny going on here but i side with the 92 percent of of you know of you that went no this is unsettling so yes yes and and i'll tell you this i want to show this the spawn of the dead now he's in he's a little impatient like me because especially because he's a young viewer but

But I think that that visual is going to freak him out. I have a feeling about this. I like that. But I think that the visual is strengthened by the audio. That we get as well. And that helps a lot. It does. And there's some very fascinating dialogue going on there. And especially between our professor and. This voice, if you will. Yes. This audio. Yes. Now.

I'm glad that you liked these elements of the story. And I did too. The problem that I'm having here, Jay, and maybe I'm, I just, I'm not seeing the missing link here. And so I'm going to put it like this as though. You don't already know what I'm asking because I think you've answered it well that basically to the effect that you didn't seem to have a problem, the problem I'm having. And it's just that I can't get from – OK, everybody, there is a –

Very graphic amputation scene that happens. And that's a minor spoiler, but it's also something I want to throw at you to sell you in case any of you are going, all right, I'm 45 minutes into this and nothing is happening. Folks. Give it another few and you're going to get some goods. And so there's this scene. And good Lord, is that wild what's happening? So this scene happens. And a little bit later. There's discussion of this scene and why this amputation needed to happen and what's going on.

Now, put that in your mind, Jay, that explanation we're given. There's a word that said – I don't want to exactly – I don't want to say it. But there's an explanation given. And then that's gone. All that's like – Okay, we're not doing that anymore. Let's go with this. Yes. And this is where I went, wait, you didn't build. For me, there was no bridge built to get me from where we just were. And I'm seeing this. I'm going, all right.

That sounds to me like we have something going on here. And it's almost like the movie went, hold on. We're working. This is draft one here. We don't know. Maybe we're going to go with this. And I'm going like, all right, this is cool too. If you find a way to link these things. Please do, and I see nothing. I see nothing, Jay, of the dead that links them. You're right. That's a very fair critique, and I agree. No, did you?

I agree with something. No, no, I didn't. I didn't. But I think what I did with that, though. Sure. Please tell me. Yeah. So. So. And I'm not permanently setting aside what you're saying, but let's take that, that amputation related thing that you're talking about. Let's take that and just table it for one second. Sure. And let's refer to the higher evil and then let's say the lower evil, right?

I think that the higher evil has a way of inflicting primarily the lower evil, but also the amputation related.

So you would say that the actions or the nature of the lower evil is sort of a modus operandi or like basically the higher evil is responsible for that? Like this thing we're referencing here, everybody. And, uh, and I know you're probably guys, you're probably like, what kind of spoilers are you giving us here? No, you kind of got to see it. And then you'll go, Oh, okay. Well, I don't know. You know, we're not giving you.

As much as it probably sounds like we're giving you. But are you saying that this is how the higher evil does what it does? Yeah, I think that the higher evil, so there have been, let's just say, boundaries crossed. There have been offenses given. And so the higher evil is engaged in afflicting. And then I think the lower evil, we see its affliction, but the initial, the amputation affliction...

Which I believe, and by the way, you're exactly right. They don't write any of this out for us. This is just what I ended up concluding and deciding that I believe. So there's no evidence for this, Watson. Sure. I think the lower evil with time develops into the affliction that we see with the amputation if it's given enough time.

No, no, no. I'm tracking with you. I'm trying to process this in real time because I don't think you're wrong. I like this. I like if we were in the writer's room, this is where. you like we're all at the table like you and me are at the table with the right you know the writer we're in the writer's room making this movie yeah and you say that i'm gonna go everybody listen to him now how are we going to show this yeah

Because they don't. Right. They don't. Because I like what you're saying, but just so everybody knows what Jay said. And I know this is mainly for you who have seen this and maybe have the same question I have. I think Jay, Jay, what I think you've done here. Is you've given us the fix. Oh, good. Good. You've given us the way to get there. But this movie is like, well, we didn't do that. The dead just did.

But the writers did. Yes, there is. Now, I can buy it. I'm not going to sit here and go and argue your point against you and say, well, the movie should have done that. Ergo, you're wrong, Jay. No, I think that you what you're saying. can make sense with just a little bit of dialogue, with just a little bit of the script having the back of what you just said. Like, okay.

Like, all right, Jay, you made the suggestion. Now we're going to write some scenes to have the back of that suggestion to bring it together. And the script doesn't do that. And I'm – But, yeah, okay. I'm going to figure this out in real time. Like, everybody, you're hearing me struggle with this. And I love that you're putting in the work to do it because that's so – because we're – the listeners should know.

I think, Watson, we're both being really generous in helping this film along because we appreciate it. We're being very generous, everybody. It's like our review of Bear. It's like there's a lot to love there. But if you want to be – and I'll use this word again – uncharitable, that movie begs you to be uncharitable. Yes.

And I don't think this one begs you to be. No. But if you are a Ron Martin type or even the way when Dave Z goes dark Dave Z, where what about this? What about this? What about this? It's like you're not going to come off as a jerk for asking these questions. No, no. And I think this movie does lend itself to those questions. Now, the thing is I just like what you said because I think if I were writing the script –

That may be where I'd go with it. That's I think like what – it's like how much I loved when we reviewed over on Jay the Dead's new horror movies when we did What You Wish For. It's like that script was like if I had written it myself and this one isn't. But if I wrote an explanation.

It would not be far off from what you just said, except I would have brought it together. This movie doesn't. So I like where your head is. Indeed. We're like – our heads are together right now on this. But again, if you're being – if you are being critical and you're going –

well, then why didn't they just bridge the gap? It's like, yeah, I don't know. I wasn't in the writers room, but I wish they did. I don't know why they didn't. And what I think happened, Watson, now, and this is speculation purely, but I think really what happened was, I think that...

The way you described it initially is perfect because that is what happens. It's like, okay, we did this one thing and then, okay, we're not doing it like that anymore. We're going a different direction. And I think maybe it ended up being a budget thing. Well, that was expensive. Or that took a lot of time. We don't have the budget or the time to continue shooting the affliction this way. We got to do this differently. And that's probably, I'm guessing.

What may have happened. I don't think you're wrong. I think you're right.

Anyways, you're so nice. Thanks for being nice to me. Okay. Anyways, I freaking – I think I'm ready for final thoughts of ratings if you are Watson because I know we're going kind of long, but this has been – so much fun. I've been having a blast tonight. I told Watson when we started everybody, I had just awakened. So I was still kind of groggy and waking up. And then this has been a very pleasant awakening.

Oh, I got the weirdest, most random tie-in that nobody else is going to care about, but I have to tell it because we're on Horror Movie Weekly. Okay. You still there, Watson? Hello? Yeah. I am going through two simultaneous Charlie horses right now. Oh, that just hit. So I am listening. I'm sort of jogging in place right now because brother.

My life is. That hurts. I want somebody to shoot me. Remember when I said earlier that Hitler had a gun to my head? Yes. I wish he had it right now. Listen. You talk. I'm going to be rocking and rolling with silence. If you can put your foot on cold ground.

Like if you have linoleum that's cold, if it's in your leg, for example, put your foot flat footed on there and stand up straight and it'll go away almost immediately. Right. This is there. This happened in upper thighs, baby. This never happened in my life. This is crazy. Yeah. This is what being 40 is like. All right. I could tell something. I was getting worried. I'm like, what's wrong? I hear because I could hear you breathing. And I'm like, he sounds a little distraught.

No, we're good. We're good. Okay, we sailed through this. Let's rock and roll. You're so tough. Keep it rolling, my peeps. No, this is amazing. Were you digging up some kind of archaeological sacred objects? I need a couple amputations right now. Martin. I can't even do it. Anyways. All right, we're back. We're back. We're back. Okay. Very funny, real-time hilarity. That was freaking awesome. You were on a roll. Keep it going. Okay, I'm glad you're okay.

I broke a sweat like you can't believe. And it's pretty cold out right now. I can't believe you had two at the same time. Was it in both legs? Both upper thighs, my homie. Dang. Oh man, that's rough. Never happened before. I'm just sitting here, dude. I'm just sitting here chilling. But you're all right now, right? Oh man. Yeah. I feel like I just ran a mile. Okay. Oh my gosh. Okay. Yeah. Let's, let's go. Let's go. Let me, let me follow.

Jay the dead's golden, golden pipes, uh, into, into, into, uh, the bright light. He had a grand mall seizure right there on there. Okay. So.

So anyways, the random stupid thing I was going to tell you while you were suffering, that would have been double jeopardy there. But I got to tell the story because it is Horror Movie Weekly. In this film, they talk about Station 9. And there's a thing where they say they're on the radio. They're on like a CB thing. And they're like, Station 9 over Station 9.

Oh, yes. I forgot about this story beat. Yeah. So the weird – and this is so random and weird, but it shows the cosmic nature of the universe to me at least. So the theme music to Horror Movie Weekly, that chord progression and everything, I wrote the theme music to this podcast, but... I wrote that music many years ago and coming full circle here, Watson. It was right after my mission that I spoke of earlier. So this is written about the same time as Flying to Flin Flon.

And I wrote this weird little science fiction comedy song called What Is It These Stars Are Made Of? And it's basically about this astronaut who gets out into deep space. And he's coming upon these stars and they're made of some worrisome material. And he keeps trying to radio back to find out what they're made of. And he doesn't find out in time before his demise.

Wow, I really like that, man. Yeah, it's kind of a cool little song, actually, if I do say so myself. And it's just a comedy song. It's kind of supposed to be stupid, but... That doesn't sound like comedy or that sounds existentially terrible. Yeah, it's just weird. It's this weird little thing. So I always loved that chord progression. And when I wanted to write...

the horror theme music to Horror Movie Weekly. I was thinking about that song and I went back to it. And the lyrics in that song, there's like... I need to look it up again. I don't have it here in front of me. Dang it. I wish I would have done this ahead of time. But I'm talking to... Oh, dang it. He keeps radioing back to...

It might be Station 9 or something like that. If I'm wrong, I will correct it in a post-production note. I'll look it up later. But basically, I say, Station 9, can you hear me over? And that keeps happening in that song whose theme music, whose chord progression is used for the theme music for this podcast where we're reviewing the film Black Mountain Side that has Station Nine over in it. It was just really weird.

cosmic and I know it's stupid and but anyway I had to tell you that I just had to I appreciate that and that does no I really do buddy and and well the thing is that brings me to my next question what

do you believe happened to that other station or why? Because what, what happens here in the first couple acts, you know, we established that this Northern most station has, uh, You know, a place it calls for supplies and, you know, and these things and kind of contact with the outside world since they're so isolated way up north like this.

And eventually all contact – this is not really a spoiler. This happens pretty quickly. Contact goes dark. And does that – do you feel like that relates to the – goings on here at this camp and if so how and like you know i that was a piece so it's like well is it affecting the radio waves like i don't know if i Yeah, it's a loose end. They definitely didn't flesh out. But I think if they had fleshed it out, I think what we are supposed to understand is that what has been unleashed...

is now afflicting across the land. Because we had those people, we have some people who take a journey and they go the wrong direction, for example. And so, we have something afflicting. that seems to be widespread i you know what okay again i wish the script uh yeah

Back to that. Right. It doesn't. It doesn't. But I'm with you again. That's not up. That's it. That's like the explanation I would think in my head to justify it. So, OK, well done. And, you know, do you think those the people who went. even farther north do you think they did it on purpose in sort of a well guess we're

We're not doing too good. I guess we should go to purposely die. Yeah. Sort of respectfully. What is that? What is that season of? Dang it. It was just on. Jodie Foster was in it. Oh, the true detective. Yeah. True detective season four or whatever. I love that. Yes. Yes. I like that. This idea that, you know, these people knew something was wrong. Canary in the coal mine sort of situation. And.

did a very fascinating thing that doesn't seem to make sense, but it does. Now, I feel the script gives us that. I wish they – Because you have to think about that a little and sort of deduce for yourself. No one comes right out and says anything, but it's one of those cool things where you can ponder it as you have a conversation about the film with anybody like we are now. And that is an example. of a good way to keep the mystery a little in the dark, but also keep the bridge...

You know, intact and actually, you know, give you give the viewer a way to get from point A to point B. And that's my biggest complaint about this movie, despite the fact that I. don't disagree with your conclusions. Um, I just wish they had done a better job at helping us get there. So you don't have to do the work, but

Yeah. OK, that's that's very interesting. I like the idea that the contact goes dark because, you know, maybe this evil is bigger than we think. I like that. I like that. I'm down.

Okay. Question answered. Question answered. Cool. No brother. I'm so happy. Yeah. I mean, this film won me over just to go into final thoughts or rating. I'll kick it off. It did. It won me over. And as you could tell, we've, we've made a lot of. We've helped it along a lot, but there was just so much about it I appreciated. And man, I would hate.

to be in the situation of this film. This is a horror movie to me for sure. There's no question. And it's freaky. It really does freak me out. I appreciate this movie. And honestly, my rating... I would be in the 8, 8.5 range if it weren't for some of the connections that it doesn't make. If the writing were a little, you know...

Because you've pointed out some great little missing links there, Watts, in which they should have done. But I'm coming in as 7.5 out of 10 on Black Mountain side. I would call this a rental. And yeah, if I can... Honestly, I'm a collector of films that people know, and if I can find this for a reasonable price on DVD, I'm going to buy it. So it's a buy for J, rental for most. What say you, Watson?

I'm only a half point behind you, buddy. Seven out of ten. And, yeah, it's for the exact same reasons you said because this should be an 8.85. But, you know, yeah, those missing pieces really do affect. uh you know my viewing of it but again like your answers are like the same answers i would make and would wish the script made themselves it's not the biggest leap to even make those uh those answers

come to pass or rather to be integrated better in the scheme of the script. Now, I do want to say the final sort of image or the final... Thing that just happens is one of those where now yeah, okay? There was a little bit of unrealism there because you know There's this we'll just say there somebody tells somebody tell somebody else

You can make this distance in this amount of time, and you can't. No. Not in those conditions. If you had a nice paved sidewalk, maybe. Yeah. But, you know, we're... We're in the snow and in the mountains and all these things. And so that was a little bit, even I was like, no, I even did some map questing. Right. Google mapping. No, not happening. I love it. Yeah, you're exactly right. Even when he said it, I'm like, mm-mm, no. Yeah, right, it's not believable, but it's sort of that.

little complaint gets undone because you know this trip and the way it goes and you know there's a little bit of uh you know what would you call uh Oh, my gosh. My brain is a little fried today because it's been a very long day at work and everything like that. I'm almost saying Schrodinger, but I'm not talking about Schrodingers. Cat, I am talking about the gun on the table that must go off. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

talking about um yeah yeah um um check off check off check off look at me failing film 101 everybody my brain is fried uh but yeah just from yeah crazy work day today crazy stuff but yes um Chekhov's... Gun. Gun. Yes. Goes off at the end and it's like... Oh, yeah. Oh, man. Loved it. Love it so bad. Yeah. And it's not a literal gun, listeners, just so you know. No, it's not a literal gun, everybody. But it is Chekhov. Yes. Boy, then just the fact when you realize.

Wait, there's no music in the credits. And then it hit me, Jay, that I'm like, I don't think there was a note of music in this entire movie. And there isn't. Yes. And I went back and even clicked. places and kind of watched whole scenes again and i was like there's no music in this entire thing everything is diegetic sound everything is the the environment itself and the the the things that are driving these men crazy you know forces from within

in and without. Good stuff, folks. I would say if you can, definitely rent this one. I think it's a rental, 7 out of 10 rental. And, you know, enjoy. Hold on. Let me go to the IMDb again. Michael Dixon being a beefcake. Yes. And Black Mountain Side from 2014. All right, that's our review. Thank you, Watson. That was really fun, and I appreciate you taking the extra time. Sorry I was so verbose tonight.

guys went on and on about things but that was i had a lot of fun so as we start to wrap up make sure you stick around to hear what mr watson's gonna pick from between 2005 and Before you get there, remember you can leave a comment in the show notes at horrormovieweekly.com. We're on X at horror underscore weekly. And Mr. Watson, where can listeners find more of your work?

Thank you, my friend. I'm talking Watsi Party Whore Show. I'm talking Jay of the Dead's New Horror Movies and NewHorrorMovies.com. Listen, here's what I do. I go on podcasts and I talk with the best of the best. And it's just how I do. So check me out on those shows. You are the best, brother. Okay, and we're also on, yes, Day of the Dead's New Horror Movies, as Watson said, considering the cinema.

Which, by the way, in a Considering the Cinema weekly watch list episode, we discussed Chekhov's gun, which is interesting. And then Movie Podcast Weekly as well. Okay, Mr. Watson, what are we talking about for episode 181? All right, my pick is, you know, we're going back to this idea of revisiting this period in time, and I've never even heard of this movie. Yes. But...

Several months ago, one of the members of the podcast community posted about this movie saying it was an underrated gem. And I screen capped this. I mean, shoot. I mean, months and months back. Had it in the waiting.

Kind of like, hmm, you know, maybe I'll watch this. Well, now we can. And it is called Sublime 2007. And here is the synopsis I've got from Google. After incorrectly... undergoing a medical procedure intended for another patient by the same name, a man's mental and physical condition begins to deteriorate rapidly as he makes troubling discoveries about the hospital. Is this directed by Tony Krantz? Let me see. I bet it is. Yes, Tony Krantz, writer, Eric.

Genderson. Okay. Okay, great. Yeah, I'm excited. All right. This is... Oh, man. I'm happy. I love... Not to pat ourselves on the back, but I love that we're doing this 2005 to 2015. This is going to be such a blast. So, okay. That's what we're doing, everybody. If you want to watch along with us. Sublime 2007. Because, yeah, as you could probably hear tonight, if you're new to this show, if you watch along, you know, then when we speak in beggaries.

then you can kind of be in on the conversation in a sense. So that'd be fun. All right. Well, I want to thank Mr. Watson for talking horror with me. I want to thank the listeners for checking out our show and for helping us. Spread the word about this one. And on behalf of my co-host, Mr. Watson, I'm your late night horror host, Jay of the Dead. And you've been listening to Horror Movie Weekly, the midnight bowling of horror podcasts.

I've made it there in the past Despite the pitch black night Watching the swirling light bruised by some trees As I approached its hangar Oh, I've just got to go Now where are its keys? I saw this midget pilot in Maine Scraping off something Smelly cake on the underbelly, you'll do I guess. I had a gun in my hand, stuck it to his goggled head, agreed with all I said. That could work. Sounds like a good idea. Whatever you say, buddy. Now we're soaring north way.

Mr. Louie is in Disney for flying. Let's go on. His antlers might just be. And a crate of cannimals, moose stuffed animals Some smarties and nips There's not much here, I must admit But we're on to some moose tracks Just then one attack for Louise Rick. I ran and hid behind a tree and watched that monster's wrath. Thought up an epitaph. With a chilling scene Red Baron in the frosty snow Well, it's time to go

What is it these stars are made of? CIA spaceman reporting to base. I'm going to nuke those killer clowns from outer space. They're planets on the Tuscan solar belt. What's this? My rocket ship is starting to melt. Galaxy 9, can you hear me? Over. Systems are failing and my asteroid rover. I need to know now, what is it? these stars are made of must hold together i cannot fail else all will be lost and their madness will prevail these galactic rocks have a cucumber glow

Substance untold, and I really must know. Galaxy 9, can you hear me? Over. Systems are failing in my asteroid rover. I need to know now, what is it? These stars are made of. Wicked Queen got her way. Clowns destroyed my ploy to overtake. Galaxy 9, can you see me fading? All of my life force dissipating. CIA spaceman signing off now. But first, I'd just like to say thanks for telling me. what it was these stars were made of.