Regular or Menthol

About Regular or Menthol

Regular or Menthol is a weekly movie podcast where hosts Chris and Mike dig into the subtleties of "kino" — the films, scenes, and performances they think are worth obsessing over. Each episode picks apart a single movie, ranging from heavy hitters like Apocalypse Now and American Psycho to cult oddities like Gleaming the Cube and Face/Off. The vibe is loose, funny, and irreverent — full of tangents about absurd plot mechanics and the kind of rewatch-energy commentary that feels like hanging out with two movie-obsessed friends.

Publisher

regularormenthol

Category

tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

28 Apr 2025

Latest episode

26 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

79 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Oct 2026

   The Crow (1994)

   “What happens when love is stronger than death?” This week, we descend into the rain-soaked streets of Detroit with The Crow (1994) — Alex Proyas’ dark, gothic superhero film that blends revenge, romance, horror, action, and tragedy into one of the most distinctive cult movies of the 1990s. Equal parts supernatural revenge story, gothic love story, and comic book adaptation, The Crow remains a haunting and visually unforgettable film whose influence can still be felt across movies, music, fashion, and pop culture more than three decades later. Directed by Alex Proyas and based on James O’Barr’s acclaimed comic book series, the film follows Eric Draven (Brandon Lee), a musician who is brutally murdered alongside his fiancée, Shelly Webster (Sofia Shinas), on the night before their wedding. One year later, Eric is mysteriously resurrected and guided by a crow back to the city, where he begins hunting the criminals responsible for their deaths. As Eric moves through a decaying urban landscape ruled by violence and corruption, his quest for revenge becomes something deeper — a story about grief, memory, justice, love, and the possibility of finding peace after unimaginable loss. Featuring memorable performances from Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, Rochelle Davis, Bai Ling, and Tony Todd, The Crow became a defining cult classic and an enduring part of 1990s alternative culture. In this episode, we break down the film’s incredible gothic atmosphere, stylized cinematography, production design, action sequences, practical effects, and legendary soundtrack. We discuss Alex Proyas’ direction, Brandon Lee’s charismatic and deeply emotional performance as Eric Draven, and how the film helped redefine what a comic book movie could look and feel like years before the modern superhero boom. We also explore the movie’s themes of love, death, grief, revenge, justice, trauma, memory, redemption, and letting go — and why Eric and Shelly’s tragic relationship remains the emotional heart of the story. We also discuss the tragic death of Brandon Lee during the production of The Crow and the complicated legacy it created around the film. How do you separate the tragedy behind the camera from the story unfolding on screen? How did the filmmakers ultimately complete the movie? And how has Lee’s final performance contributed to the film’s lasting emotional power and mythology? Why has The Crow remained such a beloved cult classic since its release? How did Alex Proyas create a comic book world that feels simultaneously surreal, romantic, violent, and painfully human? Why did the film’s soundtrack become almost as iconic as the movie itself? And why does Brandon Lee’s Eric Draven continue to resonate with audiences more than 30 years later? We dive into all of it. Whether you're a fan of The Crow, Brandon Lee movies, Alex Proyas films, James O’Barr comics, gothic movies, 1990s cult classics, supernatural revenge films, comic book movies, dark superhero films, alternative rock, movie soundtracks, horror, action movies, tragic romances, movie analysis, film reviews, cult cinema, or gothic storytelling — this episode is for you. Topics covered: The Crow (1994) | Brandon Lee | Eric Draven | Alex Proyas | James O’Barr | The Crow comic | Shelly Webster | Ernie Hudson | Michael Wincott | Tony Todd | 1990s movies | cult classic movies | gothic films | comic book movies | superhero movies | supernatural revenge | revenge films | gothic romance | Brandon Lee’s final film | The Crow soundtrack | 1990s alternative rock | practical effects Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review — and tell us: if you were given one night to return from the dead, would you choose revenge… or would you choose to say goodbye? YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@RegularorMenthol (http://www.youtube.com/@RegularorMenthol) Contact us: Regularormenthol@gmail.com (mailto:Regularormenthol@gmail.com) Website: www.regularormenthol.com (http://www.regularormenthol.com/)

2. 

   19 Oct 2026

   The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

   What if the horror movie you thought you were watching was never the real story? This week, we dive into The Cabin in the Woods (2011) — Drew Goddard’s inventive horror film starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, and Richard Jenkins. Blending slasher conventions, supernatural horror, dark comedy, and sharp meta-commentary, the film takes a familiar horror setup and transforms it into something far stranger, smarter, and more unsettling than it first appears. Co-written by Joss Whedon, The Cabin in the Woods follows five college students who head to a remote cabin for a weekend getaway. Dana, Jules, Curt, Holden, and Marty seem destined to become familiar slasher movie archetypes, but strange events soon reveal that something much bigger is happening behind the scenes. What begins as a classic cabin-in-the-woods horror story becomes a twisted mystery involving secret organizations, monstrous creatures, ancient rituals, and a disturbing explanation for why horror movies follow such familiar patterns. In this episode, we break down Drew Goddard’s direction, Joss Whedon’s screenplay, the film’s unpredictable storytelling, and its balance of genuine scares and dark comedy. We explore how the movie deconstructs horror conventions while delivering the suspense, gore, and outrageous twists fans expect. We also discuss its memorable creature designs, the significance of the control room, and how the film uses its characters to challenge the stereotypes audiences have come to expect from slasher movies. We also discuss the film’s major themes, including free will, fate, manipulation, ritual sacrifice, audience expectations, and the relationship between entertainment and violence. Is The Cabin in the Woods simply poking fun at horror clichés, or does it offer a deeper commentary on the genre and the audiences who love it? We look at how the film draws inspiration from classic horror traditions while turning familiar formulas upside down. From the isolated setting and mysterious basement to the increasingly chaotic monster-filled finale, every detail contributes to a story that rewards longtime horror fans. Its willingness to embrace absurdity while maintaining genuine tension makes it a standout example of modern meta-horror. Why does The Cabin in the Woods remain one of the most inventive horror movies of the 2010s? How does it subvert slasher tropes while celebrating horror cinema? What does its shocking finale reveal about the stories we consume? And is the film a love letter to horror, a criticism of its audience, or both? We dive into all of it. Whether you're a fan of horror movies, slasher films, supernatural horror, monster movies, horror comedies, Drew Goddard, Joss Whedon, Chris Hemsworth, film analysis, or movie reviews — this episode is for you. Topics covered: The Cabin in the Woods (2011) | Drew Goddard | Joss Whedon | Kristen Connolly | Chris Hemsworth | Fran Kranz | Richard Jenkins | horror movie tropes | slasher films | meta-horror | supernatural horror | monster movies | final girl trope | ritual sacrifice | free will and fate | creature design | horror comedy | 2010s horror cinema | film analysis Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review — and tell us: does The Cabin in the Woods make you love horror movies even more, or change the way you watch them forever? YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@RegularorMenthol (http://www.youtube.com/@RegularorMenthol) Contact us: Regularormenthol@gmail.com (mailto:Regularormenthol@gmail.com) Website: www.regularormenthol.com (http://www.regularormenthol.com/)

3. 

   12 Oct 2026

   Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

   “What if the greatest love of your life was also the most terrifying curse in history?” This week, we descend into the darkness with Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) — Francis Ford Coppola’s lavish gothic horror film that reimagines one of literature’s most iconic monsters through a haunting blend of supernatural terror, tragic romance, Victorian gothic atmosphere, and unforgettable visual storytelling. Equal parts vampire horror, period drama, and doomed love story, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a bold and atmospheric adaptation that transforms the legendary vampire myth into a tale of obsession, seduction, immortality, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic 1897 novel, the film follows the ancient Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) as he travels from Transylvania to Victorian London in search of Mina Murray (Winona Ryder), a young woman he believes is the reincarnation of his long-lost love. After the English solicitor Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves) becomes trapped in Dracula’s eerie castle, the vampire’s dark influence begins spreading across London, threatening Mina and her circle of friends. As Professor Abraham Van Helsing (Anthony Hopkins) uncovers the truth behind the mysterious evil, he leads a desperate fight to stop Dracula before his supernatural power and insatiable hunger consume everyone in his path. Featuring memorable performances from Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins, and Sadie Frost, Bram Stoker’s Dracula remains one of the most visually distinctive and ambitious vampire movies of the 1990s. In this episode, we sink our teeth into the film’s striking gothic imagery, elaborate costumes, practical effects, and unconventional cinematography. We explore Francis Ford Coppola’s approach to adapting Bram Stoker’s legendary horror novel, Gary Oldman’s transformative performance as Count Dracula, and the movie’s unusual blend of frightening supernatural imagery and tragic romantic melodrama. We also discuss the film’s use of shadows, color, theatrical effects, and in-camera techniques to create a dreamlike atmosphere that feels both timeless and unsettling. From Dracula’s monstrous transformations to the haunting beauty of its Victorian settings, we examine what makes this adaptation stand apart from other Dracula films and vampire horror movies. Is Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula a faithful adaptation of the original novel, or does its emphasis on eternal love reshape the legend into something entirely different? How did Gary Oldman create one of cinema’s most memorable portrayals of the infamous vampire? And why does the film’s extravagant visual style continue to fascinate horror fans more than three decades after its release? We explore all of it, from the movie’s gothic horror roots and romantic themes to its Academy Award-winning costume design, makeup, and sound editing. Whether you're a fan of gothic horror, vampire movies, classic horror literature, supernatural thrillers, gothic romance, Francis Ford Coppola films, Gary Oldman performances, Winona Ryder movies, Keanu Reeves films, Anthony Hopkins, Victorian-era stories, practical special effects, horror movie analysis, film reviews, movie history, or cult cinema — this episode is for you. Topics covered: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) | Francis Ford Coppola | Gary Oldman | Winona Ryder | Keanu Reeves | Anthony Hopkins | Sadie Frost | Bram Stoker | Dracula | gothic horror movies | vampire films | 1990s horror movies | classic horror adaptations | gothic romance | Victorian Gothic | supernatural horror | vampire mythology | Count Dracula | Abraham Van Helsing Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review — and tell us: is Count Dracula a monster driven by an insatiable thirst for blood, a tragic figure consumed by lost love, or something far more terrifying? YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@RegularorMenthol (http://www.youtube.com/@RegularorMenthol) Contact us: Regularormenthol@gmail.com (mailto:Regularormenthol@gmail.com) Website: www.regularormenthol.com (http://www.regularormenthol.com/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

80,969

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

62

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

32

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