Episode 43 - STAR WARS EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI

For more than a year, we've been winding our way through the Star Wars saga from Qui-Gon and Jar Jar to Nien Nunb and Mon Mothma, and everything in between. Now, with the debut of The Force Awakens just weeks away, our ongoing series culminates with Return of the Jedi.

Both sublime and silly, Jedi is a stellar send-off for George Lucas' massively influential space opera. Special guest Brian Rudloff joins us to discuss this greatest hits compilation of all things Star Wars as we eagerly await the next chapter. May the force be with you!

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Directed by Richard Marquand
Produced by Howard Kazanjian
Written by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas
Starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, James Earl Jones, and Ian McDiarmid

Check out the rest of our series on the Star Wars saga:
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Episode IV: A New Hope
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

Solo: A Star Wars Story
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Star Wars: Clone Wars
Star Wars Holiday Special
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure

Episode 40 - MICHAEL JACKSON'S THRILLER and MICHAEL JACKSON'S GHOSTS

Just in time for Mischief Night, it's a bonus double feature episode starring the celebrity who best embodies the season's brew of impish glee and creeping anxiety: Michael Jackson.

The King of Pop's iconic Thriller set a new standard for the music video, taking a serious approach to its scary subject matter with a noted horror director (John Landis) and a legendary makeup artist (Rick Baker).  Years later, Jackson tried to capture that magic again with the lavish, bombastic Ghosts, this time invoking the personal boogeymen who criticized his eccentric lifestyle.

Do we think MJ's Halloween offerings are tricks or treats?  Find out in our 2015 Halloween Special!

Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983)

Directed by John Landis

Written by John Landis and Michael Jackson

Starring Michael Jackson, Ola Ray, and Vincent Price

Michael Jackson's Ghosts (1996)

Directed by Stan Winston

Screenplay by Stan Winston and Mick Garris

Concept by Michael Jackson and Stephen King

Starring Michael Jackson

Episode 13 - HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS and MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL

What’s Christmas without some stocking stuffers?

We’re so full of the holiday spirit that we created a bonus episode revisiting two our of favorite Yuletide perennials: the 1966 animated TV special Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the 1983 Disney short film Mickey’s Christmas Carol.

And as an extra-special Christmas treat, our good friend Daren Sprawls - the man behind our incredibly catchy podcast theme song - recorded his own acoustic cover of the holiday standard "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Directed by Chuck Jones
Produced by Chuck Jones and Theodore Geisel
Starring Boris Karloff, June Foray, and Thurl Ravenscroft

Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Directed and produced by Burny Mattinson
Starring Alan Young, Wayne Allwine, Hal Smith, Eddie Carroll, Patricia Parris, and Clarence Nash