Subversive Cinema

About Subversive Cinema

There are a lot of films out there, so it's only natural that a decent amount of strange content exists. These are the films we examine. Each week, I sit down with a guest and we take a look a one of these weird, whacky, or downright wrong cinematic entries. Each of them has something about it that makes it special — I call it the "Subversive Sauce" — and that is recipe we try to break down. Is it scientific? Absolutely not. Will you learn things you didn't know? Maybe. Might you hear about films worth checking out? Most definitely. Tune in and see what the subversion is all about!

Publisher

Art Hall

Category

arts · tv & film · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

10 Jun 2021

Latest episode

30 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

65 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Mar 2026

   Spaced Invaders (1990)

   A story about rubber suits, one cute robot, one mean robot, and a lot of silliness. Listen in as me and frequent guest, Ben, take a trip back that magical time of the late 80s/early 90s. A time when film put thought, passion, and intent into presenting the viewer with stories that mattered and special effects that boggled the mind. Or not... Directed by Patrick Read Johnson (Angus, Baby's Day Out) and written by Johnson (DragonHeart, When Good Ghouls Go Bad) and Scott Lawrence Alexander (Spaced Invaders), TV Guide Magazine called the film "...quite entertaining," while Roger Ebert said "movies like [this] are a waste of time". And, goddamn it, they are BOTH right. It tells the story of Sam (Douglas Barr), a single father and the new sheriff in town, and his daughter Kathy (Ariana Richards), as they adjust to life in the small town of Big Bean, Illinois. It's Halloween, 1988, and the local radio station is replaying Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds". While Kathy is trying to fit in with the locals and Sheriff Dad attempts to mediate a farm foreclosure, a small battalion of moronic Martians pick up on the vintage radio play. Being utterly stupid, they believe the message as an actual invasion and zoom to Earth to join their brethren in the destruction. When they arrive, they search through the hamlet for the war because they are too dumb to realize what's happening. Bad one-liners and some legitimately hysterical hijinks ensue. The film is currently available on Amazon for purchase. As of this release, it is also on YouTube for free.

2. 

   24 Feb 2025

   Problem Child 2 (1991)

   A story about divorcées, a 24 year old sixth grader, terrible haircuts, and a lot of vomit. Listen in as me and returning guest Ben look back on a film that has proven to be a core memory experience for the both of us. Directed by Brian Levant (A Christmas Story 2, Snow Dogs) and written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (Dolemite Is My Name, Agent Cody Banks), The Washington Post called the film "one bratty movie, that's nearly impossible to tolerate, much less like," while the Los Angeles Times said it was "louder and dumber, more preposterous, unfunny and pointless." I guess Ben and I are alone in our nostalgic admiration of this film... It tells the continuing story of hell-spawn Junior (Michael Oliver) and his adoptive, and endlessly tolerant, father Ben (John Ritter) as they leave the town of Cold River behind them and head to the "divorcée capital" Mortville. There they meet new neighbors, old "friends", and a litany of horny amateur bakers. Immature humor and cartoonish violence reign supreme in this Death-Wish-for-Kids like story. Just make sure you bring your poncho to the carnival... The film is currently available on Amazon for rent or purchase, Blu-Ray, and DVD.

3. 

   4 Mar 2024

   Cool World (1992) & Little Monsters (1989)

   One is a story about doodles, 'noids, sex, and utter insanity... The other, a story about a boy, his monster friend, his unhappy parents, and some pretty horrific stuff for a kids movie. Listen in as me and returning guest Ben, step in to the mad worlds of doodles and monsters in this special bonus episode. I'm clawing my way back to the show and I hope you enjoy this double feature.

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

11 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100

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

Quality

68

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.