Movie In-Jokes: Dark Star

One of the fun games when watching movies is to spot references, secret messages and gags that filmmakers, film crews and actors can slip into movies to pay tribute to films they love, have a bit of fun with their previous work, or give the cinematic equivalent of a shout-out. Here's a spotter's guide to these inside jokes.

This time out, we're taking a peek at a bit of nearly subliminal weirdness and a nod from one USC alumnus to another in John Carpenter's directorial debut, Dark Star.

Movie Art Gallery: Darkman

The art of motion pictures isn't limited to what's on the screen. Even the materials used to sell and promote a movie can be amazing works of art in their own right. This is particularly true of movie posters, which can become iconic not only for their aesthetic qualities but in how they represent a movie's story, mood, and themes. So, let's get the one-sheet out of the movie theater lobby and put it on display where it belongs... in our cinematic art gallery.

For this inaugural entry, we'll examine the poster for Sam Raimi's dark superhero flick Darkman, as painted by John Alvin.

Episode 13: Nightbreed

Everything is true: God's an astronaut, Oz is over the rainbow, and CinemaSpection's where the podcasts live. Corinne, Ellie, and Tim endure the bite that mocks death and venture beneath the necropolis to discuss the director's cut of Clive Barker's Nightbreed. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and graphic descriptions of pastry mutilation.



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Have any horror stories regarding your therapist's treatment strategy? Think The Law is unjust when it comes to meat consumption? Is there another face beneath yours that you feel the need to reveal? Leave a comment below and keep the discussion going.

Movie In-Jokes: Night of the Creeps

One of the fun games when watching movies is to spot references, secret messages and gags that filmmakers, film crews and actors can slip into movies to pay tribute to films they love, have a bit of fun with their previous work, or give the cinematic equivalent of a shout-out. Here's a spotter's guide to these inside jokes.

This time writer/director Fred Dekker gives us a good reason to take bathroom vandalism seriously in a moment from Night of the Creeps that will leave you screaming like banshees.

Episode 12: Krull

This it was given us to know: that Corinne, a girl of not-so-ancient-name, and Tim, the not-quite-old one, would choose a movie to podcast about. It's each to their fate as we delve into the cheesy majesty of Krull from 1983. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and speculative interpretation of ambiguous prophecies.



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Do you think Princess Lyssa should have chosen you as her king or queen? Got tips for glaive-handling without slicing off your fingers? Annoyed that Liam Neeson didn't get to exercise his particular set of skills? Leave a comment below and keep the discussion going.

Episode 11: Villains

For a change of pace, it's time to bring out the bad guys and gals as Ellie and Tim discuss what makes a great antagonist and run down the list of their favorite movie villains. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and sympathy for the devils.



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Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Feel like we passed over some prime example of movie reprobate? Upset that we didn't discuss your favorite heel and feel angry enough to slaughter younglings? Leave a comment below and keep the discussion going.