Streaming Daylight Vampires & "The Return of Godzilla" (Godzilla 1985)

Ninety For Chill: The #Podcast with @CatBusRuss

Episode 189: Streaming Daylight Vampires: Dracula Untold & V for Vengeance

CatBusRuss⁠ was unable to secure a guest this week, but thankfully has some leads on some experts of spookiness. This left our host relying on his streaming services to warrant tax write offs for ⁠I DiG CRAZY FLiCKS⁠. Here he discovered that after the "Twilight Saga", studios are making some wild choices when it comes to vampires on the big screen (43 inches and up).

Netflix had the official dawning of Universal's Dark Universe with "⁠Dracula Untold⁠". ⁠Russ⁠'s suspicions are soon met when it comes to PG-13 vampires as Luke Evans portrays Bram Stoker's titular character. This feature looks like it wants to show, "What if Sauron from Peter Jackson's Trilogy was on our side?" Laughingly, it is lots of bodies flying without viscera or proper lighting.

Paramount+ was only promoting two vampire movies, and the CatBus has already spoke of "⁠From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money⁠'s" excellence. So he watched the weirdly titled "⁠V for Vengeance⁠". To the producers' credit, in the age of mock busters, the nomenclature will bring eyes to it. Hopefully, those pupils will not be too miffed about getting the lightweight "⁠D.E.B.S.⁠" of vampiric action instead of a dystopian England with Guy Faux masks.

This double feature is for those who are into schlock since Stephenie Meyer took more time establishing vampiric lore. Too bad the only thing these creatives took from her franchise is that the sun is no longer a curse. It is a major flaw because darkness, can hide poor fight choreography and only implies the gore your effects cannot deliver.

Episode 191: "The Return of Godzilla (aka 1985) with Eva & ThePoeticCritic

The King of Monsters demands his spot in spooky month. ⁠ThePoeticCritic⁠ returns to ⁠Ninety For Chill⁠ to discuss what is truly scary about kaiju. International politics and Western adaptations.

⁠CatBusRuss⁠⁠ gets to learn the history of "The Return of Godzilla⁠", a legacy sequel/reboot of the Toho franchise. The two discuss whether or not the giant monsters are only scary to kids, the under appreciated influence the big guy had on America filmmaking, the necessity of practical effects, and where the hell the money that Yankee producers are throwing at movies is going. 

"Godzilla Minus One" only cost $15 million to make and featured Oscar-winning special effects. Why did "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" cost 10 times that? We suppose the "X" does represent multiplication (Thanks Jessica Ritchey⁠.).

 

Follow me on Twitter @catbusruss. If you want to be on the show, contact me on Twitter or send an email to russthebus07@gmail.com. All we need is a theme, movie, director, or actor and a focus on sub 100-minute material. As long as the credits start before the 1:39:59 mark on the runtime bar, the movie qualifies.

Action Movies, Tax Write offs, and Ice Cube

Ninety For Chill: The #Podcast with @CatBusRuss

Episode 185: Write Off Marathon: Axel Foley v. Darkman v. The Rock v. Sons of Steel

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)⁠, ⁠Darkman⁠, ⁠The Rundown⁠, and ⁠Sons of Steel (1989)⁠. Aside from action and outrageous spectacle, what do these films have in common?

⁠CatBusRuss⁠ is tempted to do some research to determine if he has ever had a guest for a Labor Day Weekend episode of "⁠Ninety For Chill: The Podcast⁠", but why dwell on the past? Let's experience some flicks that are new to him, and help warrant writing them off when I Dig Crazy Flicks, LLC. files their taxes.

Our host believes that he came up with a fun four film marathon based on films from the subscription services that he pays for (Netflix & Paramount+), his recent iTunes purchases, and a film that he was tempted to purchase during ⁠Vinegar Syndrome⁠'s Labor Day Sale, but thanks to ⁠JustWatch⁠, found that it was free on Tubi. We are sure that we will address the Blu-Rays that he did buy on a later episode.

Episode 187: At the Late-Night, Double-Feature, Ice Cube Show

It is only appropriate that for episode 187, the podcast will be about films from a gangster rap founding father, ⁠Ice Cube⁠. He is a man so hard, that you never see him get killed on screen. ⁠CatBusRuss⁠ verified this on the ⁠Cinemorgue Wiki⁠.

This all stems around our host finding "⁠Trespass⁠" from 1992 on iTunes for $4.99. It is a movie that has Cube as fourth billed behind Bill Paxton, Ice Tea, and William Sadler. Not a bad place to be when the film is written by ⁠Robert Zemeckis⁠ & ⁠Bob Gale⁠ and directed by the man who gave us "Streets of Fire" & "48 Hours", ⁠Walter Hill ⁠.

But O'Shea Jackson can lead a film, or at least share top billing with The Chick from "⁠Species⁠", ⁠Natasha Henstridge⁠. With The Horror Master, ⁠John Carpenter⁠, at the helm, surely you will be entertained by "Ghosts of Mars". If that is not enough this to sell this feature to you, "The Beekeeper" Jason Statham further stacks the cast.

Follow me on Twitter @catbusruss. If you want to be on the show, contact me on Twitter or send an email to russthebus07@gmail.com. All we need is a theme, movie, director, or actor and a focus on sub 100-minute material. As long as the credits start before the 1:39:59 mark on the runtime bar, the movie qualifies.

CatBusRuss at Fan Expo Chicago 2024

Ninety For Chill: The #Podcast with @CatBusRuss

Bonus 5: #FanExpoChicago 2024 #Bonus: #MarkHamill & Underrated Gems (Like "National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1")

The first day on any Chicago Comic Con is dedicated to getting your bearings to determine where and when you need to be. This has always been a bit rough on ⁠CatBusRuss⁠. He knew that he had to be 1 hour and 40 minutes early for the ⁠Mark Hamill⁠ panel (and find a way to seamlessly insert a review for "⁠Loaded Weapon 1⁠" into this episode), but what does he need to know to host a panel at the Creators' Stage (Sunday, August 18, 2 pm) and sell "I Dig Crazy Flicks" buttons and stickers?

Checking out a podcast recording about cosplay and an underrated gems panel with no microphones for fan input is leaving him worried, but perhaps ⁠CatBus⁠ can just get money by feigning naivety. It works for some of those in the Artist Alley.

Episode 183: #FanExpoChicago 2024 *Powerbombs* Cubpool

2024 may have been ⁠CatBusRuss⁠'s most productive ⁠Fan Expo Chicago⁠, but it came at a cost. He had a great time learning how to host a panel when he presented "⁠Ninety For Chill: The Podcast with CatBusRuss⁠" live. Too bad the obsolete Fender PA system failed to record it. Or, the blame may fall upon the flash drive he bought from a dodgy phone repair kiosk at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago. But it was all about education, so sweating out a six-hour hangover after Fan Expo's Cosmic Celebration was a battle worth fighting.

Should ⁠Russ⁠ have drank half-a-fifth of ⁠Deep Eddy's Cranberry Vodka⁠? He thinks he earned it after successfully debuting his first masked cosplay, Cubpool. This allowed him to impress his fellow nerds with photo ops and, with the mask being so confining, left him quite blind. Which means, it is difficult to shop when you cannot see. Money was saved. The owner of I Dig Crazy Flicks, LLC. cannot write off every toy he wants to buy.

The Deadpool mask's eye holes were so small, it felt like his eyes would soon be dried out. Thankfully for CatBus, the stars were out for day two of the convention. Sitting in the darkened main hall to hear tales from ⁠Alan Tudyk⁠, the voice actors of "⁠Hazbin Hotel⁠", and the shared casts of the first two "⁠Terminator⁠" films allowed him to remove the hood and properly hydrate.

It was a fun three-days, but it did leave Russ feeling like he had been dropped seven feet by ⁠Sid Vicious⁠. This means it felt appropriate to splice in his review of the 2020, no-budget, Cleveland-based, indie-wrestling feature, "⁠Powerbomb⁠" into this podcast episode.

Follow me on Twitter @catbusruss. If you want to be on the show, contact me on Twitter or send an email to russthebus07@gmail.com. All we need is a theme, movie, director, or actor and a focus on sub 100-minute material. As long as the credits start before the 1:39:59 mark on the runtime bar, the movie qualifies.

#FanService #Summer: "MaXXXine" and "Deadpool & Wolverine"

Ninety For Chill: The #Podcast with @CatBusRuss

Episode 181: MaXXXine: A Ti West Fincher Flick

Ti West⁠ has shown with his the "X" Duology from 2022 that he can be an excellent and innovative horror filmmaker. He created an insane pair of gory masterpieces with "⁠X⁠", an ode to the birth of slasher movies, and "Pearl", a fun bastardization of the burgeoning dance and fantasy worlds that sound and color provided us with. But, modern cinema works upon the "rule of threes". All features should be a part of a trilogy. Since audiences tend to only remember the final act, his third collaboration with ⁠Mia Goth⁠, "⁠MaXXXine⁠", is placed in a tough spot.

Episode 182: #MarvelMonday: #Deadpool & #Wolverine & CouchmanBakes

2016's "Deadpool" qualified for "Ninety For Chill: The Podcast with CatBusRuss", so it is only fitting that the biggest movie of the 2024's summer should be addressed. Andrew "CouchmanBakes" Tiede was the guest whom CatBusRuss discussed the first film of the trilogy with. When our host was told by his frequent guest that he was going to skip a trivia night to see the third entry in the franchise, Russ knew he better be prepared to discuss that feature for the sake of content.

Couchman and CatBus had a ball discussing "Deadpool & Wolverine", but it is clear that the two appreciate the latest addition to the franchise in different ways. Neither of the talking heads claim this to be the best picture of the franchise, so it is a discussion of whether "Deadpool 2" or the threequel is superior. CatBusRuss maybe in the minority after a listening to the "In Love with Movies" podcast. "Deadpool & Wolverine" is undeniably great spectacle that should be seen, but CatBus is a plot driven guy.

"Dunkirk" is a theatrical spectacle. Does two comic book guys punching and cutting each other demand the price of admission? Couchman thinks that after $50 in soda cups, it is.

Follow me on Twitter @catbusruss. If you want to be on the show, contact me on Twitter or send an email to russthebus07@gmail.com. All we need is a theme, movie, director, or actor and a focus on sub 100-minute material. As long as the credits start before the 1:39:59 mark on the runtime bar, the movie qualifies.

Stallone 6-Pack & Feels & Unspooling $200 Million Art/Gambles

Ninety For Chill: The #Podcast with @CatBusRuss

Episode 179: Stallone 6-Pack: The 90-Minute Traumas & Feels

The king of action movies that run between 70-100 minutes is ⁠Sylvester Stallone⁠. If the feature was focused on action over drama in the 80s, they were brief affairs. Some were good, some were bad, but they all benefit from their sleek runtimes.

⁠CatBusRuss⁠ has tackled four* of Sly's features before, but did not have any representation from the current decade. So, he decided to bring back his reviews of "beloved" features like "⁠Nighthawks⁠", "⁠Cobra⁠", "⁠Over the Top⁠" and "⁠Judge Dredd⁠", and sandwich them between a two-picture binge. Our host takes 2022's superhero feature "⁠Samaritan⁠" and the 2021 re-edit of his favorite "Rocky" feature, "⁠Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago - The Ultimate Director's Cut⁠".

Russ goes through the entire range of emotions though out this episode. He pities the fans of Stallone's attempts to connect with kids, tears up for the relatable heroes, loves all of the outrageous moments, and experiences PTSD with the director's latest decisions. This podcast may be the emotional roller coaster that the icon has tried to deliver since the original "Rocky".

Episode 180: Unspooling $200 Million Art/Gambles with ThePoeticCritic

After “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’s” failure to succeed financially at the box office, CatBusRuss wonders “Why did it get made?” ThePoeticCritc states that it is IP and is happy that the funds were not put towards a super hero movie. Amy Nicholson from the “Unspooled” surprised Paul Scheer with how George Miller’s previous installment in his series lost $40 million for Warner Bros. The two still admired Miller’s 2015 film (as did the Academy and our host) and emphasized how great an artist he is. BUT, how can anyone justify spending nine figures on something that DaVinci only needed a literal canvas and paint for? ThePoeticCritic tries to explain the math.

Follow me on Twitter @catbusruss. If you want to be on the show, contact me on Twitter or send an email to russthebus07@gmail.com. All we need is a theme, movie, director, or actor and a focus on sub 100-minute material. As long as the credits start before the 1:39:59 mark on the runtime bar, the movie qualifies.

Criminal - Work and the Disgruntled's Real World Champions

*This blog post was started on July 25, 2024.

I am hoping to have some positive change finally occur in my life. This is kind of scary since the ball seems to be in my hand. The past throuple of times that I have been in that position, it all blows up in my face leaving me in a further state of desperation.

Things were looking good. I have the parental approval in starting my own business. My preferred job has once again offered me a better position.

I am currently awaiting some feedback in regards to the filing of my LLC. Who knows if the folks have changed their mind?

There was a slip on in my performance at the job once we had agreed to terms in principle. Tonight is my night off for Whaddayouknow? Free Pub Trivia, so I get to stew in the anxiety of what the news will be when I return to work.

And of course, the latest girl I have been trying to win over finds herself ill every weekend. Fucking Bloomington.

And of course the costs that insurance does not cover means therapy is not exactly affordable. Hell, the first chance I get to remove my insurance withdrawals from my current full-time job, there will not be any for who knows how long.

Beyond this, there has not been that much stress in my life. I think a part of me wants it around. It would at least justify the constant anxiety. Things may have been made easier at least in the short run. The details of which are not going to get the approval from anyone. At least it is not selling drugs.

Crime. That is something that I am currently dealing with. Not in a literal sense, but after all of my Twitter accounts were suspended for breaking "X Rules", all I need is a good defense.

If only Elon Musk fascist fucks would allow for it. They refuse to tell me what rules I broke to result in suspensions of all of my account. I know they are not the ones that promote hate or violence. Not all of my accounts have my phone number associated with them. At least one of them should be free from their claims. Are they just banning Russ Stevens from the platform for telling Christians to "Fuck their imaginary friend!" when telling the tale of some cunt from Farmer City calling me weak for wearing a face covering?

Needless to say, X will be receiving my complaints from the BBB and the FTC. You cannot make empty threats. Even if they were made to a fucking bot.

Watching all the cool shows on my days off (I'm catching up on the G1 Climax in my peripheral.) is something I can feel accomplished by. Life better pick up. It is tough to take pride in being a mark.

Especially when life is about being a mark for themselves.

The Disgruntled's Real World Champions of Pro-Wrestling:

Title Histories from June 9, 2024 to July 25, 2024.

The 105th and Current Disgruntled's Real World Champion:
AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland.

His reign began when he defeated DRCW Real World Champion/AEW World Champion Samoa Joe on April 21.

The 49th and Current Modern Poser Champion:
WWE Undisputed Universal Champion: Cody Rhodes

His reign began when he defeated Roman Reigns on April 7.

The 53rd and Current Disgruntled's Real Women's World Champion:
AEW Women's World Champion: "Timeless" Toni Storm (2)

Her reign began when Rhea Ripley vacated the WWE Women's World Championship on April 15.

The 159th and Current Disgruntled's Real World Tag Team Champions:
AEW World Tag Team Champions: Nicholas & Matthew Jackson: The Young Bucks (4)

Their reign began when the Awesome Truth were defeated for the World Tag Team Championship on June 24.

I don't like that the AEW titles were claimed after Sting & Darby Allin vacated them, but you cannot support the Judgement Day B-Team as the best tag team in the world. Perchance, they will be the men's duos champions.

If only DIY could have beaten A-Town Down before JD Mc "Don't Google Me" and the former Prince Devitt won their titles.

The 175th and Current Disgruntled's Unified Gnarly Men's Doubles Champions:
World Tag Team Champions (WWE): JD McDonagh & Finn Balor (3)

Their reign began when The System lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship on July 20.

ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) have established themselves as the new Beer Money of TNA. They are too strong to be a Duo.

The 161st and Current OCHO: The Disgruntled's Secondary Champion:
(Intercontinental, United States, Global, Television, TNT, North American, X-Division, National Champion)
WWE Intercontinental Champion: Sami Zayn (2)

His reign began when he defeated Gunther for the championship on April 6.

So only two title changes since I last blogged. We need promoters who believe in Tag Team Wrestling.

Who has a fun title for ninth** title being added to the OCHO lineage? AEW's International Championship is looking like a secondary title.

I suppose when I comeback to this blog to report on my success or lack there of, I have to finally investigate the tertiary championship. Maybe I can determine the secondary championship in Western Women's Wrestling. A chance to further bury the WWE, how can I resist.

**The OCHO is comprised of the:

• WWF/WWE Intercontinental Championship (1)
• WCW/WWE United States Championship (2)
• ECW World Television Championship (3)
• TNA/Impact X-Division Championship (4)
• ROH World Television Championship
• IWGP United States/Global Championship (5)
• NXT North American Championship (6)
• NWA National Championship (7)
• AEW TNT Championship (8)