Great Scott! Christopher Lloyd gets the omniverse treatment. Plus, Box Office Gold and Box Office Poison! Aaaaugh! Sorry about the audio quality in this one. Core Connections: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1989, Dir. Robert Zemeckis) Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead (1995, Dir. Gary Fleder) Nobody (2021, Dir. Ilya Naishuller) Connective Cameos: Batman…
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#108: Strahdcast Ch.79: Teamwork — A Coward’s Choice
This is it, ghosts ‘n’ goblins: The Assault on Castle Ravenloft begins here, featuring the return of the swordwraiths and a fearless foray into the guano crypts.
Read More045 – Livin’ DeVito Loca
His hairless pate has been a touchstone in Hollywood cinema for as long as Scott and Marty can recall. It’s time to walk a mile in the shoes of Danny DeVito. Core Connections: Lady Liberty aka La Mortadella (1972, Dir. Mario Monicelli) Ruthless People (1986, Dir. Abrahams, Zucker, and Zucker) The Comedian (2016, Dir. Taylor…
Read More#107: Strahdcast Ch.78: Gainful Exercise
As we move ever closer to the Ravenloft showdown, we learn the grim, legal truth about Strahd von Zarovich’s original descent into darkness!
Read More044 – Let’s Face the Music and Lance
Scott and Marty get acquainted with “that guy from that thing,” aka Lance Henriksen. You know who we’re talking about! Core Connections: Network (1976, Dir. Sidney Lumet) Aliens (1985, Dir. James Cameron) Modigliani (2004, Dir. Mick Davis) Connective Cameos: The Terminator Near Dark The Visitor, aka Stridulum The Right Stuff Dr. Strangelove, or How I…
Read More#106: Strahdcast Ch.77: All the Crits
After fixing David’s “sexy android” problems, Ralston and Andrej trounce howlers in the Gloaming, and Dragomir gets persuasive.
Read More043 – Always Be Clausing
Get into the Christmas (and Hanukkah!) spirit with Scott and Marty! Core Connections: Santa Claus (1898, Dir. George Albert Smith) Miracle on 34th Street (1947, Dir. George Seaton) Ernest Saves Christmas (1988, Dir. John R. Cherry III) The Hebrew Hammer (2003, Dir. Jonathan Kesselman) Connective Cameos: Car Wash Plan 9 From Outer Space Scarface Blazing…
Read More#105: Strahdcast Ch.76: “I Walk With Them”
Not gonna lie: this ep is mostly wrangling about where to go next, punctuated with (baseless!) complaints that the DM never lets the party get a long rest.
Read More042 – We’ll Always Have Paris
Scott loves Paris, so Marty agrees to follow him to the City of Lights, where it turns out several decades’ worth of weirdoes lie in wait. Core Connections: L’Atalante (1934, Dir. Jean Vigo) Band of Outsiders (1964, Dir. Jean-Luc Godard) Holy Motors (2012, Dir. Leos Carax) Connective Cameos: The Lavender Hill Mob 12 Angry Men…
Read More#104: Strahdcast Ch.75: Liches Be Crazy, Pt. II
Azalin roams free! Andrej invents the elevator! Ralston experiences the Bad Touch, and Dragomir helps Saffron pull off the heist from Hell.
Read More041 – Three Pints of Guinness
Madness. MADNESS! Join Scott and Marty on a rollicking ride through Ealing, up the river, and into the Castle with the Old (Jedi) Knight himself, Sir Alec. Core Connections: The Lavender Hill Mob (1951, Dir. Charles Crichton) Bridge on the River Kwai (1957, Dir. David Lean) Kafka (1991, Dir. Steven Soderbergh) Connective Cameos: Star Wars…
Read More#103: Postcast: Scott <3 Raw Pathfinder
Call of Cthulhu? Pendragon? Vampire: The Masquerade? Yes, the boys (sans Jason) talk about all these RPGs, and more!
Read More#102: Strahdcast Ch.77: Liches Be Crazy, Pt. I
Andrej contemplates cracks. Dragomir and Saffron take the plunge. And Ralston seals a deal with Azalin, and learns you can’t trust an old son-of-a-lich.
Read More040 – Catch Me If You Kahn
Scott and Marty skip a groove again, but end up landing comfortably on Madeline Kahn, the Teutonic Tit-willow. Core Connections: Paper Moon (1973, Dir. Peter Bogdanovich)Blazing Saddles (1974, Dir. Mel Brooks)The Muppet Movie (1979, Dir. James Frawley) Connective Cameos:ClueNixonJudy BerlinMidnight RunSilver StreakThe Darjeeling Ltd.Leon: The ProfessionalRain ManThe Last Picture ShowNational Lampoon’s VacationThe GriftersDr. Strangelove, or…
Read More#101: Postcast: Laird <3 the Three Main F**kfaces of Ravenloft
The players respond to this week’s shocking name-drop. Scott enumerates Buddhas and says “Yeahh!” to Gary Oldman. David vivisects “Picard.”
Read More#100: Strahdcast Ch.76: I Got My Degree in Lichology
A desecrated underground temple! A bottomless pit! And the unexpected appearance of a legendary Ravenloft villain (NOT Strahd?!?).
Read More039 – Give My Regards to Broadbent
Scott and Marty use a wide lens to capture a Broad bent in three of Sir Jim’s finest film outings. (NOTE: In 2002, Jim Broadbent actually declined a knighthood. But he’ll always be “Sir” in our hearts!) Core Connections: Bullets Over Broadway (1994, Dir. Woody Allen) Brooklyn (2015, Dir. John Crowley) Brazil (1985, Dir. Terry…
Read More#099: Strahdcast Ch.72: Dark Hole Destinies
In a harrowing mountaintop search for the Well of Souls – er, the Heartless Well – the heroes risk losing everything – er, well, at least all their treasure.
Read More038 – The Mark of Caine
You don’t have to be an expert sleuth to find three excellent films featuring Sir Michael Caine. Even Scott and Marty could do it! Core Connections:Sleuth (1972, Dir. Joseph P. Mankewicz)Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988, Dir. Frank Oz)Youth (2015, Dir. Paolo Sorrentino) Connective Cameos:Austin Powers in GoldmemberAlfieEvil Under the SunThe GodfatherPsychoGet CarterA Hard Day’s NightRuthless PeopleMy…
Read More#098: Strahdcast Ch.71: Escheresque
Trapped in a dimension of madness! Ralston is out of spells, and he’s not afraid to mention it!
Read More037 – Viva Tiffany’s: A Breakfast of Terrors
Guest star and Hep-Cat Danielle Paradis leads feckless call-boys Marty and Scott on a romp through the beloved 60s (dark?) comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s and… two other… things. Core Connections: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, Dir. Blake Edwards)Viva Zapata! (1952, Dir. Elia Kazan)A Comedy of Terrors (1963, Dir. Jacques Tourneur) Connective Cameos: Rogue One: A Star…
Read More#097: Strahdcast Ch.70: Nothing Should Smell Like Nothing
A brutal battle with a floral foe leaves our heroes disoriented. Without Saffron’s guidance through the Gloaming, Dragomir follows his nose!
Read More036 – Trilogy of 1,000 Spider Baby Corpses
BOO! Or rather, CHEER for Cinematic Omniverse’s Hallowe’en special! SCREAM with joy along with Marty, Scott, and special GHOST – er, guest – Abbey Schwartz! Core Connections:House of 1,000 Corpses (2003, Dir. Rob Zombie)Spider Baby (1967, Dir. Jack Hill)Trilogy of Terror (1975, Dir. Dan Curtis) Connective Cameos:A Clockwork OrangeBeetlejuicePoltergeistThe Texas Chainsaw MassacreThe RingFriday the 13th The…
Read More#096: Fastcast: Happy Birthday to Me
It’s DM Scott’s most self-indulgent podcast yet! Join him on a brisk saunter down D&D Memory Lane.
Read More#095: Strahdcast Ch.69: Sucked Into Penumbra
Our heroes venture back into the Gloaming, only to find that the demiplane is overrun with shadow demons and skele-plants. There goes the neighbourhood!
Read More035 – Dunst Stop Believin’
Kirsten Dunst: Permanently prepubescent bloodsucker, or time-hopping beauty queen?Also in this ep: Scott and Marty deliver their Box Office Gold and Box Office Poison pitches! Core Connections: Interview with the Vampire (1994, Dir. Neil Jordan)Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999, Dir. Michael Patrick Jann)The Power of the Dog (2021, Dir. Jane Campion) Connective Cameos: Bram Stoker’s DraculaNosferatuDraculaWhat…
Read More#094: CaperCon 2022: The Shape of the Table
Eavesdrop on DM Scott’s live panel discussion at this year’s CaperCon!
Read More#093: Strahdcast Ch.68: That Went T*ts-up in a Hurry
Ralston has a girlfriend! The Gloaming is long on real estate, but short on jobs. A brazen plan elicits a snigger from the Morninglord. The road to Hell is paved with pillow talk.
Read More034 – A Robert Ryan Runs Through It
Film frontiersmen Scott & Marty can spot the most character-istic of character actors — and even in a room full of Roberts, it’s Ryan every time. Core Connections: Crossfire (1974, Dir. Edward Dmytryk) Bad Day at Black Rock (1955, Dir. John Sturges) The Iceman Cometh (1973, Dir. John Frankenheimer) Connective Cameos: Act of Violence Rashomon…
Read More033 – Night of the Holly Hunter
Is it possible to be a successful career woman AND a single mom? What about…?
Read More032 – A Tobolowsky Trifecta
Movie mavens Scott and Marty enter the (Radio)head of Stephen Tobolowsky, a character actor you’ll never forget… unless you have anterograde amnesia, that is. Have we already had this conversation? Core Connections: Mississippi Burning (1988, Dir. Alan Parker) The Grifters (1990, Dir. Stephen Frears) Memento (2000, Dir. Christopher Nolan) Connective Cameos: The Patsy Bad Lieutenant:…
Read More#092: Strahdcast Ch.67: Head Will Roll
It’s a colossal season finale as the heroes, harried by Strahd’s far-reaching powers, fight desperately against the very trees, rocks, and evil skeleton babies of Krezk!
Read More031 – Looking for Snub (In all the Wrong Places)
In their most audacious act of interconnectedness yet, Marty and Scott travel from the Silent Age to the cusp of New Hollywood, on the trail of the moustachioed “Snub” Pollard. Core Connections: By the Sea (1915, Dir. Charlie Chaplin) Billy Blaze, Esq. (1919, Dir. Hal Roach) It’s a Gift (1923, Dir. Hugh Fay) Singin’ in…
Read More#091: Strahdcast Ch.66: Ill Wind by Candlelight
Dragomir’s dybbuk sparks trouble during a stormy night in Krezk. Featuring our first PC vs PC combat (except for that time Andrej sucker-punched Ralston, I guess).
Read More030 – Django the Big Red Unchained Heat River
Marty and Scott are doing the Lord’s work – and by “the Lord” they mean Franco Nero, aka Django Jesus. Join the crusade! Core Connections: Red River (1948, Dir. Howard Hawks) The Big Heat (1953, Dir. Fritz Lang) Django Unchained (2012, Dir. Quentin Tarantino) Connective Cameos: Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid The Visitor aka Stridulum…
Read More#090: Strahdcast Ch.65: Jump Off the Tower Like a Man
Even as Ralston strives to remove Nadja’s medusa curse, Dragomir succumbs to a different darkness.
Read More029 – She Don’t Done Wear Notorious Plaid Dead Men Wrong
From the Gay Nineties to the Noir Eighties, gumshoes Scott and Marty unravel the threads of cinema’s greatest seamstress, Edith Head. Core Connections: She Done Him Wrong (1933, Dir. Lowell Sherman) Notorious (1946, Dir. Alfred Hitchcock) Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982, Dir. Carl Reiner) Connective Cameos: Casablanca The General Intolerance Dracula The Patsy Without…
Read More#089: Strahdcast Ch.64: Shot in the Heart
Reunions abound!
Read More028 – The Mighty Ball of Man Who Fell to Earth, Wind, and Fire
Scott and Marty pay an oblique and pointless tribute to the world’s greatest soul-funk supergroup as they continue their deep dive into cinema’s secret continuity. Core Connections: The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976, Dir. Nicolas Roeg) A Mighty Wind (2003, Dir. Christopher Guest) Ball of Fire (1941, Dir. Howard Hawks) Connective Cameos: Fast Times…
Read More#088: Strahdcast Ch.63: Declare the Pennies on Your Eyes
The squatters in the magic tower can sense danger drawing near, but none of them realize… the (wolf) call is coming from inside the house!
Read More027 – High Times Three: Fast Twelve at Ridgemont O’Clock
How high can Scott and Marty get, as they consider the concept of time in the omniverse? Core Connections: Twelve O’Clock High (1949, Dir. Henry King) Three O’Clock High (1987, Dir. Phil Joanou) Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982, Dir. Amy Heckerling) Connective Cameos: Die Hard Dangerous Minds Lean on Me Star Wars Episode IV:…
Read More#087: Strahdcast Ch.62: The Invisible Tiger
The heroes play a deadly game of Bejewelled, which despite being a visual puzzle is still totally dramatic in podcast form… NOTE: Merci beaucoup to Julien Ribiollet aka DM Faction, who provided the puzzle via “Van Richten’s Tower Door Puzzle Alternative” (available to buy at dmsguild.com)
Read More026 – Dr. Strangebrew, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Third the Man
Marty, Scott, and guest John Hudson spend a super-sized episode discussing merkins, zithers, and precious bodily fluids. Core Connections: Dr. Strangelove, or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Bomb The Third Man Strange Brew Connective Cameos: The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans Barbarella Easy Rider The Magic Christian Barry Lyndon…
Read More#086: Strahdcast Ch.61: The Horses are Unimpressed
Catch-up with Ireena! A round of Tarokka! A visit from the Sandman Squiggleface! All this, plus a fight to the death with a many-(MANY-)limbed demon!
Read More025 – The M Casa Patsy Blanca
Glavin! In a classic-crammed episode, Marty and Scott trace the weird career of career weirdo, Peter Lorre. Core Connections: M (1931, Dir. Fritz Lang) Casablanca (1942, Dir. Michael Curtiz) The Patsy (1964, Dir. Jerry Lewis) Connective Cameos: Batman Returns The Grand Illusion O Z Q Citizen Kane Star Wars Jaws Birth of a Nation The…
Read More#085: Strahdcast Ch.60: Not Your Average Weak-Bladdered Guards
The running fight in Wachterhaus goes underground; an underdog named Norris has his fifteen minutes of fame; and Ralston’s saintly boner strikes its final blow against evil. But who cares about any of that? LUNA RETURNS! (and yes, Ireena too)
Read More024 – Big Bad Panic in the Easy Lieutenant Streets: Port of Call New Orleans
In this episode, itinerant cinephiles Marty and Scott invite you to join them on a triptych of trips to New Orleans! Core Connections: Panic in the Streets (1950, Dir. Elia Kazan) The Big Easy The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans Connective Cameos: The General A Streetcar Named Desire The Bad Sleep Well Spaceballs…
Read More#084: Strahdcast Ch.59: Sphere Fear
At Wachterhaus, our heroes try their luck against an escape room containing a Sphere of Annihilation.
Read More023 – The Stunt Computer Man Wore Space Tennis Balls
Marty and Scott scrutinize the career of Dick Warlock, Hollywood’s coolest (and coolest named) stunt double. Core Connections: The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969, Dir. Robert Butler) The Stunt Man (1980, Dir. Richard Rush) Spaceballs (1986, Dir. Mel Brooks) Connective Cameos: Terminator 2: Judgement Day Escape From New York The Absent-Minded Professor North by Northwest…
Read More#083: Strahdcast Ch.58: All Guards Are Bastards
An old enemy turns up, wearing a new uniform and possessed of new, diabolical powers.
Read More022 – A Serious Man (1917-1984)
Scott and Marty turn their red, unfocused eyes towards Roger Deakins, one of the greatest living cinematographers. Directors of photography? Whatever. Core Connections: 1984 (1984, Dir. Michael Radford) A Serious Man (2009, Dir. Joel and Ethan Coen) 1917 (2019, Dir. Sam Mendes) Connective Cameos: Citizen Kane The Big Lebowski Brazil Pink Floyd’s The Wall Snowpiercer…
Read More#082: Strahdcast Ch.57: Like Eagles, When They’re F**king
After a harrowing escape from Castle Ravenloft, some divine guidance gets the heroes back on track: squatting, sponge baths, and haberdashery.
Read More021 – Snow Mama From the General TrainPiercer
After noticing the prevalence of train films in the omniverse, Marty and Scott go full steam ahead on three loco-motion pictures. Core Connections: The General (1926, Dir. Clyde Bruckman) Throw Momma From the Train (1987, Dir. Danny DeVito) SnowPiercer (2013, Dir. Bong Joon Ho) Connective Cameos: Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat It’s a…
Read More#081: Fastcast: Creating and Running Hazlik
Scott the DM shares his inspirations and role-playing strategies for Hazlik, the creepy-crawly NPC with all the juiciest secrets!
Read More#080: Strahdcast Ch.56: The Only Way Out is Down
Seeking to escape the trap-filled cellars of Castle Ravenloft, the heroes strike a wary bargain with Hazlik, the Darklord’s vermiculous vassal.
Read More020 – Dark BroadKiss of the Spider City News
Scott and Marty hopscotch through the variegated career of American actor William Hurt (1950-2022). Core Connections: The Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985, Dir. Hector Babenco) Broadcast News (1987, Dir. James L. Brooks) Dark City (1998, Dir. Alex Proyas) Connective Cameos: Body Heat The Big Chill The Panic in Needle Park Addams Family Values Austin…
Read More#079: Strahdcast Ch.55: Vilkomen Ill Omen
The heroes have found their way into the Larders of Ill Omen under Castle Ravenloft. Here in the Darklord’s domicile, the shadows spring to life and gravity does whatever if feels like. How long can the heroes endure?
Read More019 – The Late Bad Spring Ran Well
Cinephile conspiracy fabulists Marty and Scott take a cross-Pacific holiday to inaugurate three classic Japanese films into the omniverse. Core Connections: The Bad Sleep Well (1960, Dir. Akira Kurosawa) Ran (1985, Dir. Akira Kurosawa) Late Spring (1949, Dir. Yasujirô Ozu)
Read MoreStrahdcast Ch.53: Baba Lysaga Babble n’ Saga
An unusual episode. We follow our heroes deeper into the Gloaming, and even catch a glimpse of Baba Lysaga. But then… Scott loses some audio and has to improvise.
Read More018 – Give My Life to How I Won the Magic Brian Christian War on Broad Street
Cinephiles Scott and Marty welcome fellow Fab Four fanatic A.J. Richardson for a super-sized tour through the Beatles’ solo film careers. Core Connections: How I Won the War (1967, Dir. Richard Lester) The Magic Christian (1969, Dir. Joseph McGrath) Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979, Dir. Terry Jones) Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984,…
Read More#077: Strahdcast Ch. 52: Life’s a Beach
The heroes enter the phantasmagoric, fey-haunted world of the Gloaming, and swiftly find themselves in too deep. Join the Slack and Slash Discord server and let us know what you think of our saga!
Read More017 – The Last Evil Under a Hard Sun’s Night in Soho
Enter a vertiginous labyrinth of interconnected films, as Scott and Marty pay tribute to Dame Maggie Smith and Margaret Nolan in a devilishly fun fashion. Core Connections: Evil Under the Sun (1982, Dir. Guy Hamilton) Last Night in Soho (2021, Dir. Edgar Wright) A Hard Day’s Night (1963, Dir. Richard Lester) Connective Cameos: North by…
Read More#076: Strahdcast Ch. 51: What Does “Eviscerate” Mean?
Andrej has a stoner moment; Ralston explains abominations to the kiddies; and Dragomir provides a pep talk that characteristically employs a bird analogy.
Read More016 – The North Darjeeling Crimes and Northwest Misdemeanors Ltd.
Join Marty and Scott in a wacky universe of symmetry and kitsch, where all the movies tell one story, and that story is… elaborate. Core Connections: The Darjeeling Limited (2007, Dir. Wes Anderson) Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989, Dir. Woody Allen) North by Northwest (1959, Dir. Alfred Hitchcock) Connective Cameos: Scott Pilgrim vs The World The…
Read More015 – Mean Scott PilGirls vs. the Waydowntown
Join Marty Schwartz (a great examination of a collapsing psyche) and Scott Sharplin (his milkshake brings all the boys to the yard) as they upend cinema history… Canadian style! Core Connections: Mean Girls (2004, Dir. Mark Waters) Waydowntown (2000, Dir. Gary Burns) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010, Dir. Edgar Wright) Connective Cameos: Run Lola…
Read More014 – At Midnight, Run Across 110th Street to the Lemon Grove
Follow cinephiles Marty and Scott as they scamper irreligiously through 125 years of movie history.
Read More013 – Catch the Grand Greedy Illusion-22
Join Scott and Marty as they careen quixotically through more than a century of cinema!
Read More012 – Austin Logan’s Power Run Comedians
Scott & Marty welcome retro-futurist fashionista Christine Sokaymoh Frederick to discuss a seminal sci-fi classic, plus its secret prequels & sequels! This Podcast Begins Where Imagination Ends!
Read More011 – Without Love, It’s a Nash Nash Nash Nash Ville
Join Marty Schwartz (“He Was a Bashful Bride!”) and Scott Sharplin (“He Walks in his sleep!”) as they presumptuously pioneer new ways of looking at cinema.
Read More#075: Strahdcast Ch.50: Vampires Are in Charge Here
Holy hemoglobin! It’s a supersized season finale featuring the heroes’ long-deferred dinner with Strahd von Zarovich!
Read More#074: Postcast: Scott <3 Rainbow Poddies
Back by absolutely no demand whatsoever, it’s the drunken conversation that follows the game! We initially chat about Canadian politics, briefly dump upon Walt Disney and Florida, and then settle in for an extended chinwag about Star Trek and vampire flicks. We get back to D&D talk around the 50-minute mark.
Read More010 – Idle Addams Silver Family Hand Streak Values
Marty Schwartz and Scott Sharplin: Who are they? What are they? Who moved the rock?!? Core Connections: Addams Family Values (1993, Dir. Barry Sonnenfeld) Idle Hands (1999, Dir. Rodman Flender) Silver Streak (1976, Dir. Arthur Hiller) Connective Cameos: Intolerance (1916, Dir. D.W. Griffith) The Panic in Needle Park (1970, Dir. Jerry Schatzberg) The Addams Family…
Read More#073: Strahdcast Ch.49: Pack Tactics, Pt. II
Clan Hemlock is on the defensive, but one of the Belladonna werewolves has a bone to pick with Andrej. He’s got ninety-nine problems… will lycanthropy be one? JOIN OUR DISCORD SERVER at https://discord.gg/WFdP7ReS
Read More009 – The Spanish Panic in Good Prison Fellas Park
Join Marty Schwartz (classic MacGuffin) and Scott Sharplin (overcooked drug cliché) as they ponder the interconnectivity of all movies great and small. Core Connections: The Spanish Prisoner (1997, Dir. David Mamet) Goodfellas (1990, Dir. Martin Scorsese) The Panic in Needle Park (1971, Dir. Jerry Schatzburg) Connective Cameos: Anatomy of a Murder (1959, Dir. Otto Premnger)…
Read More#072: Strahdcast Ch.48: Pack Tactics, Pt. I
The gin flows at the table and the blood flows in the story as the heroes clear out the werewolf- lousy caves of Clan Hemlock.
Read More008 – The AnatoTree of Being Life Murdervich
Join prurient puppeteer Marty Schwartz and merciful dinosaur Scott Sharplin as they BS their way through 500,000 interconnected films. Core Connections: The Tree of Life (2011, Dir. Terence Malick) Being John Malkovich (1999, Dir. Spike Jonze) Anatomy of a Murder (1959, Dir. Otto Premnger) Connective Cameos: Super Mario Bros (1993, Dir. Annabel Jankel and Rocky…
Read More#071: Strahdcast Ch. 47: Maybe You Should Hang Back
The heroes repair to the Wizard of Wines to plan a raid on the local werewolf den. Andrej finally calls Ralston a “little b*tch.”
Read More007 – Go, Super Story Bros of West Mankind!
Join Marty “Nursed on a Witch’s Venom” Schwartz and Scott “Twisted by Endless Orgies” Sharplin as they brazenly pioneer new ways of looking at cinema. Core Connections: Go West (1940, dir. Edward Buzzell) The Story of Mankind (1957, dir. Irwin Allen) Super Mario Brothers (1993, dir. Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton) Connective Cameos: Intolerance (1916,…
Read More#070: Strahdcast Ch. 46: Non-Stop Spoor
The aftermath of Yester Hill finds the partly split, and meandering horseless through the (vampiric) mists. Plus: the werewolves of Barovia are preening for a throwdown!
Read More006 – The Night of Visitor Hunter Intolerance, aka Stridulum
Join Marty Schwartz, interstellar mew-tant, and Scott Sharplin, a Sun-Play for the Ages, as they BS their way through 125 years of cinema history. Core Connections: The Visitor AKA Stridulum (1979, dir. Michael J. Paradise) The Night of the Hunter (1955, dir. Charles Laughton) Intolerance (1916, dir. D.W. Griffith) Connective Cameos: Edison Kinetoscopic Record of…
Read More#069: Fastcast: Prepping and Running Yester Hill
Scott the DM offers a post-mortem of the Strahd-tastic encounters at Yester Hill, providing fellow Dungeon Masters with tips for maximizing the environment’s potential for role-playing, combat, and story.
Read More#068: Strahdcast Ch. 45: Captain Bitey-Necky-Hole is Watching
Nadja is missing! Ez is in the Darklord’s thrall! Dragomir is on fire! And Ralston is so, so tired.
Read More005 – The Good Winter, the Bad Shaft, and the Ugly Kills in Africa
In this special episode, Marty & Scott are joined by Jorden Dupe, spaghetti Maritimer and professional musketeer, to integrate a bona fide film masterpiece into the omniverse. Core Connections: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966, Dir. Sergio Leone) Winter Kills (1979, Dir. William Richert) Shaft in Africa (1973, Dir. John Guillermin)
Read More#067: Strahdcast Ch. 44: Druid Teeth Soup
As lightning blasts the ring of stones, a battle rages against a cult of druids and their berserker zealots. And the Darklord himself has a front-row saddle!
Read More004 – Big Air Wakeplane Troublefield!
Join jive-lingual translator Marty Schwartz and raccoon truther Scott Sharplin as they BS their way through 500,000 interconnected films. Core Connections: Wakefield (2016, dir. Robin Swicord) Big Trouble (1986, dir. John Cassavetes) Airplane! (1980, dir. Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker) Connective Cameos: American Beauty (1999, dir. Sam Mendes) Rear Window (1954, dir. Alfred Hitchcock) Falling Down…
Read More#066: Strahdcast Ch.43: Choose a Hill to Die On
The heroes ride to Yester Hill. Nadja ad Ezmerelda make for two increasingly unreliable sidekicks. Promises of druidicide are frustrated when the cult declares Andrej their “Big Bear,” and things get awkward fast.
Read More003 – Lost RePork Chop HillWay Man
Join Marty Schwartz, “Black Don’t Crack” proselytizer, and Scott Sharplin, unconfirmed Billthazar, as they BS their way through 500,000 interconnected films. Core Connections: Lost Highway (1997, Dir. David Lynch) Pork Chop Hill (1959, Dir. Lewis Milestone) Repo Man (1984, Dir. Alex Cox) Connective Cameos: Brewster’s Millions (1985, Dir. Walter Hill) Mannequin (1987, Dir. Michael Gottlieb)…
Read More002 – Bat-Lady Re-Sings Over the Cuckoo’s Blues
Join Marty Schwartz, human organ grinder/gatling gun, and Scott Sharplin, Scatman phat stan, as they BS their way through 500,000 interconnected films. Core Connections: Batman Returns (1992, Dir. Tim Burton) One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975, Dir. Milos Forman) Lady Sings the Blues (1972, Dir. Sidney J. Furie) Connective Cameos: The Dark Knight (2008,…
Read More001 – Dracula 9 From Outer Scarface
Join sagacious cinema meshugganah Marty Schwartz and uber-groovy movie goober Scott Sharplin as they BS their way through 500,000 interconnected films. Core Connections: Dracula (1931, Dir. Todd Browning) Plan 9 From Outer Space (1957, Dir. Edward J. Wood, Jr.) Scarface (1983, Dir. Brian De Palma) Connective Cameos: Frankenstein (1931, Dir. James Whale) The Mummy (1932,…
Read More#065: Strahdcast Ch.42: How Do You Solve a Problem Like the Darklord?
Come in! Sit down! Have a cup of wine with the wereravens and listen in as the heroes form a plan to defeat Strahd von Zarovich. The drunker they get, the more awesome their plan becomes!
Read More#064: Fastcast: Cinematic Omniverse Sneak Preview
Film fans rejoice! Enjoy this sneak preview of Slack and Slash Production’s new movie-centric podcast, officially launching December 25 at slackandslashpod.com!
Read More#063: Strahdcast Ch. 41: Thirteen Empty Barrels
A full-flavoured victory at the winery, with some notes of mystery and an aftertaste of menace. That’s wine talk!
Read More#062: Strahdcast Ch. 40: For all the Wine in Barovia
The heroes assist a family of were-raven vintners with their druid infestation. Why? Because it might be their only chance to get completely s**t-faced!
Read More#061: Strahdcast Ch. 39: Abbey Normal, Pt. VI
The lowest level of the Abbey yields new insights, powerful artifacts, and an inevitable confrontation with the abomination that wears Tatyana’s face.
Read More#060: Strahdcast Ch.38: Abbey Normal Pt. V
A donnybrook with Ezmerelda keeps things hopping while the party awaits the Abbot’s return. Also, were-ravens!
Read More#059: Fastcast: Role-Playing the Abbot and Vasilka
For DMs’ ears only! Scott offers suggestions for punching up two of Curse of Strahd’s most challenging NPCs.
Read More#058: Strahdcast Ch.37: Abbey Normal, Pt. IV
The morally ambiguous Abbot flies off to rescue Nadja from the Gloaming. Left in charge of the abbey, our heroes open a prison cell and get hit square in the face with the force of nature that is Ezmerelda D’Avenir!
Read More#057: Strahdcast Ch.36: Abbey Normal, Pt. III
Our heroes’ favourite NPC has been forcibly conveyed into the Abbot’s dubious care. Will Nadja get Dr. Moreau-ed? Or will Snakeflame befall a far more shocking fate?
Read More#056: Strahdcast Ch.35: Abbey Normal, Pt. II
The Abbot offers our heroes some monkey’s paw-sounding boons if they agree to carry out a madman’s errand. Also: research montage!
Read More#055: Fastcast: Krezk Pre-Post-Mortem
Spoilers! Scott the DM takes you on a tour through the hamlet of Krezk, pointing out dungeon mastering challenges, suggesting modifications, and reporting on what worked best for his party.
Read More#054: Strahdcast Ch.34: Abbey Normal, Pt. I
It’s time for our heroes to meet the monks and monkettes of St. Markovia. They hope to find sanctuary, and maybe information that will help them confront the Darklord. They weren’t expecting it to be so… Dr. Moreau-y.
Read More#053: Strahdcast Ch.33: Greedyguts and Lonelybones
Creatures from an odious children’s rhyme stalk Krezk. David responds by rolling four natural ones in a row. There’s only a 6.25e to the -6 chance of that!
Read More#052: Strahdcast Ch.32: Have You the Brain Worms?
The heroes arrive at the remote town of Krezk, but Ralston still languishes in a magical fever, and a scary, wormy, masked mage is haunting his dreams.
Read More#051: Strahdcast Ch.31: The Ride Down Mt. Ghakis
We’re back! Curse of Strahd’s Season 2 premiere brings new terrors, including a living nightmare named Greedyguts and a psychic inquisitor with a thing for creepy-crawlies.
Read More#050: Strahdcast Ch.30: My Dinner is Andrej
In a double-length season finale, the heroes finally reach Argynvostholt, where they learn the truth about the spell that brought them into Strahd’s terror-filled Barovia… and where they come face to face with the most dreadful terrors yet!
Read More#049: Strahdcast Ch.29: The Nature of Roads
The heroes bid farewell to their Vistani friends (and lovers!) and ride up Mt. Ghakis to find the legendary… Silverhold. Silver Dragonhold? Silver Dragon Tower? The Tower of Silver? The Dragon Temple of Vost-Gosh-Vosh-Hold??? Whatever. On the road again!
Read More#048: Fastcast: Escape From Vallaki Breakdown
Scott the DM describes the planning, prep, and execution of the D&D session that resulted in Strahdcast Ch. 28: Escape From Vallaki.
Read More#047: Strahdcast Ch.28: Escape From Vallaki
All EpisodesDeleteEdit #047: Strahdcast Ch.28: Escape From Vallaki August 25, 2021 Scott Sharplin Season: 1 Episode: 47 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1655731/9087741-047-strahdcast-ch-28-escape-from-vallaki?client_source=admin&iframe=true Description Immediately following their battle against Izek Strazni, the Baron’s right-hand man, our heroes and their Vistani allies race to escape from Vallaki before the gates are shut. It’s a non-stop thrill ride featuring mounted combat, vampire…
Read More#046: Strahdcast Ch.27: Pt X
It’s the claw-biting climax of the Vallaki storyline! After the heroes split up (always a smart move) for shopping trips, a bribe goes awry and the Baron’s lieutenant throws down the gauntlet. Which of our heroes will claim the title of Most Aggressive Bleeder? NOTE: Due to cloud gremlins and pandemic fatigue, this episode’s audio…
Read More#045: Strahdcast Ch.26: Vallaki Nights Pt IX
The six-vampire pileup at the coffinmaker’s shop continues. Ireena pops in to help; Dragomir struggles to interpret a dream message from his wolf mama; and the vamps find reason to question the wisdom of choosing a hideout surrounded by piles of sharp, broken wood.
Read More#044: Strahdcast Ch.25: Vallaki Nights Pt VIII
A routine search for some saint’s missing bones goes horribly, horribly wrong as the heroes pick the wrong door at Henrik van der Voort’s coffin shop.
Read More#043: Strahdcast Ch.24: Vallaki Nights Pt VII
LUNA: Mistress left with three-legged man! DRAGOMIR: Someone with a cane, presumably. ANDREJ: Or maybe a really blessed man? Come for the dick jokes, stay for the… sabretooth tiger?!?
Read More#042: Postcast: Laird <3 That Monk he Played one Time
Things get hairy and boozy as Scott, David, and Laird reel from the stunning revelation that ended Episode 040. Then they reel through several glasses of gin, rant about bags of (chicken) holding, and pluralize “medusa.” Then things REALLY go off the rails.
Read More#041: Strahdcast Ch.23: Vallaki Nights Pt VI
We’re back at last, with the fallout from our heroes’ disastrous night at the Vistani carnival. Burning wagons! Vanishing vampires! An escape artist escapade! Don’t miss this action-packed installment! Exclamation point!
Read More#040: Strahdcast Ch.22: Vallaki Nights Pt V
It may be our drunkest episode yet! Rictavio (the archaeopteryx?) spins a yarn over dinner; Ralston breaks up with the Vistani (and gets deeply offended!); the second time is not the charm for the party’s foray into acting; and Andrei’s audience with Ringmaster Blink leads to a jaw-dropping double reveal!
Read More#039: Fastcast: Colonialism and Indigeneity
No Strahdcast this week. Instead, in recognition of the recent discoveries at former Canadian residential schools, Scott talks about colonialism, cultural genocide, and the pitfalls of indigenous stereotypes – both within the game of D&D and in real life.
Read More#038: Fastcast: Vallaki Pre-Post-Mortem
Scott the DM does a run-down of the busy town of Vallaki, pointing out design flaws and making suggestions so that other Dungeon Masters can make the most of the chapter in their own Curse of Strahd campaigns. WARNING: Spoilers abound!
Read More#037: Strahdcast Ch.21: Vallaki Nights Pt.IV
It’s the kind of fun you can only have in town: exchanging coins, hunting down holy bones, and bumping into random creepy aristocrats. “Do I notice any puncture wounds in his necky-holes?” Asks Ralston, and the answer may shock you!
Read More#036: Strahdcast Ch.20: Vallaki Nights Pt.III
In which Andrej, Dragomir, and Ralston experience the most heart-stopping, blood-curdling terror yet in the horror-fraught realm of Barovia: stage fright.
Read More#035: Postcast: Scott <3 Beer Blurbs
In a break between games, the lads sip “naughty and spiced” beer, and their diatribes grow accordingly naughty and spicy. It’s our shortest, most pointless episode yet!
Read More#034: Strahdcast Ch.19: Vallaki Nights, Pt.II
“Everything is cursed!” Ralston, Dragomir, and Andrej meet some of the colourful characters who inhabit Vallaki, and learn that by far the most frequent colours are blood red and pitch black.
Read More#033: Strahdcast Ch.18: Vallaki Nights Pt. I
The heroes and their Vistani friends ride into Vallaki, the largest town in the Darklord’s cursed domain. “It’s worse than Barovia. How can it be worse than Barovia?” Hey, at least the wolf steak is fresh. This episode features some of Scott’s worst accents, a lot of gratuitous flavour text, and a group of gamers…
Read More#032: Strahdcast Ch.17: Old Bonegrinder
RALSTON: So, you wanna go to the bone-grinding windmill, and… smell the air? DRAGOMIR: Yes. RALSTON: I’m pretty confident I got a good idea of what you’re gonna smell. It’s not gonna be awesome. The heroes of Barovia make it through the mountain pass, but before they reach the Town of Vallaki, an accident on…
Read More#031: Strahdcast Ch.16: Faster Friends, Fuller Foes
It’s an action-packed, hair-wraithing episode of suspense and stabbing, as the Vistani camp is besieged by phantom warriors whose hearts are all aglow with murder.
Read More#030: Strahdcast Ch.15: Corpseholes of Barovia
Ralston and Dragomir help the Vistani lay a companion to rest in a clammy catacomb. They soon find themselves in a pinch. Will Andrej arrive in time to save them from a primordial crustacean menace? Chuul never guess!
Read More#029: Postcast: Scott + Jason <3 the Team Story
Exhaustion battles nostalgia as brothers-from-other-mothers Scott & Jason go back in time to that golden moment when they first discovered D&D. And Scott is shattered to learn that Jason’s “first time” happened long before they met. But he gets over it pretty quickly.
Read More#028: Strahdcast Ch.14: All in Tents and Purposes
A new journey – and story arc! – begins! On the road up to the mist-choked mountain pass, Ralston and Andrej whip up a circus act to secure their place amongst the Vistani, casting Dragomir as the whipping boy. When it appears the Vistani might be taking them down the river, the heroes must decide…
Read More#027: Strahdcast Ch.13: The Thin Salt Line
Things get a bit bitey, as our heroes face off against Ingrid the vampiress and a pair of elephantine wolves inside the Vistani’s circle of salt. Expect a quantity of near-death experiences, garnished with horrifying transformations, and topped off with a hand-delivered missive from someone very Dark and Lordly…
Read More#026: Fastcast: Expanding the Gothic with Sam Hirst
DM Scott welcomes a guest expert on all things Gothic: Dr. Sam Hirst, of Manchester Metropolitan University. Scott and Sam chat about the tangled origins of Gothic fiction; some of Sam’s favourite Gothic tropes and subversions; and how Gothic is Ravenloft, anyway?? Dr. Hirst is on Twitter as @RomGothSam, and runs the Gothic resource hub,…
Read More#025: Strahdcast Ch.12: Bled and Circuses
The Darklord’s gaze has fallen upon the heroes, which means it’s time to make tracks! But since their best chance to hide from Strahd involves joining a cabal of sinister circus freaks, is the cure worse than the disease?
Read More#024: Fastcast: The Vistani
The sinister Vistani have appeared in every iteration of Ravenloft since the beginning… but are they an essential staple of Gothic fiction, or a culturally offensive stereotype? Scott and Gayle discuss the problematic legacy of the Vistani, and Scott describes how he has adapted them to suit his campaign.
Read More#023: Strahdcast Ch.11: Rubbing Shoulders
A new story arc begins! The heroes agree it’s time to get out of town, so they introduce themselves to the Vistani, a band of traveling performers who can either help to protect them on the road… or pose a whole new set of threats!
Read More#022: Strahdcast Ch.10: The Wolf You Feed
“Well, let’s just roll for initiative, shall we?” The Burgomaster’s mansion is under siege! As the unholy servants of Strahd seek to draw our heroes out, like lambs to the slaughter, Dragomir proves that he has the spirit of the wolf within him. Also in this episode: the mystery of the heroes’ centuries-long sleep is…
Read More#021: Fastcast: Campaign Changes Thus Far
In a tête-à-tête with any dungeon masters who might be listening, Scott the DM explains what changes he made to The Curse of Strahd campaign prior to its debut, plus what narrative details he has tweaked over the course of the first 10 episodes or so. SPOILER ALERT: Gamers beware! This episode contains spoilers for…
Read More#020: Strahdcast Ch.9: The Broken One
After much deliberation on who gets to sleep in which spooky bedroom, the heroes of Barovia snuggle down at the Burgomaster’s house for a much-needed long rest. But it’s hard to sleep when you’re surrounded by murmuring phantoms, zealous avengers, and hysterical priests. Also: what’s that rule about vampires in your house? “Always invite them…
Read More#019: Postcast: David <3 Barbarians
Join the gang for a relaxed (read: inebriated) comparison between 5th Ed D&D and previous editions. Laird expresses his desire to come back as a lich; Scott applauds the ethics of Hades; and David takes a nostalgic rampage down Barbarian Lane.
Read More#017: Fastcast: DM Tips: Role-Playing Fear
DM Scott grabs the mic to expound upon one of tabletop RPGS’ perennial challenges: how can your game transcend from a collection of stats and experience points into a spine-chilling terror-fest? Scott shares tips for generating both in-character fear and meta-fear, while Gayle pauses to ask, “Why make anyone scared in the first place?”
Read More#018: Strahdcast Ch.8: Why It’s Called Death House, Part III
Our heroes have found a secret staircase leading to the catacombs beneath Death House, but nobody wants to go first for some reason. In the climactic chapter of the Death House saga, Andrej gets angrier than ever, Ralston faces his greatest fear, and Dragomir learns all about saves vs. death. NOTE: This episode incorporates material…
Read More#015: Postcast: House Rules & Craft Brews
A quick aside about 5th Edition’s Channel Divinity feature, featuring a quick aside-within-an-aside about how IPAs are garbage.
Read More#016: Strahdcast Ch.7: Why It’s Called Death House, Part II
Replete with dread secrets, Death House seems to possess a deadly hunger, and the heroes are its next meal! Andrej fights face-to-knob with a killer door; Dragomir finds new uses for his spear; and Ralston foolishly reveals his deepest fear. Also… a letter from the Darklord himself? NOTE: This episode incorporates material from “Fleshing Out…
Read More#014: Strahdcast Ch.6: Why It’s Called Death House, Part I
It’s our title with the most numbers yet!!! The trail of their recently pilfered silver leads Ralston, Andrej,and Dragomir to an abandoned, indestructable, and very haunted house on the edge of town. Tempers flare and teeth are bared as the house begins its sinister work upon the heroes. The first of a three-part story arc,…
Read More#013: Postcast: Scott + David <3 Genre
Out of character, David and Scott champion genre role-playing; Scott vows to mansplain Gothic horror at a later date; David distinguishes chocolate from fantasy (or something); both guys sound extra-white whilst raving about Lovecraft Country; and other ineffable, uncanny topics of discourse.
Read More#012: Strahdcast Ch.5: The Ghost
Returning to the Burgomaster’s mansion, the heroes pursue sooty thieves and portentous phantoms, with limited success in both. Ireena performs a reading with her Tarokka deck to reveal the heroes’ path through the dark land. Also, this episode introduces Ireena’s familiar and the Slack & Slash mascot, Luna, into the campaign!
Read More#011: Fastcast: Talking Tarokka
This week’s Strahdcast includes a Tarokka reading. What the huh? Gayle and Scott explore the Curse of Strahd’s very own fortune-telling deck. We review the current 5th Edition deck and its function in the game; we expose some of the flaws in Ravenloft’s aleatory design; and Scott reveals his own plans to use the deck…
Read More#010: Strahdcast Ch.4: Church Service
Claws and fangs abound as the heroes square off against an undead son-of-a-priest and a (were)wolf at the door.
Read More#009: Fastcast: Curse of Strahd Special Editions: Fancy & Fancier
Scott and Gayle review the two special editions of Curse of Strahd, drooling over handouts, finger puppets, and sooooo many maps.
Read More#008: Postcast: Scott + David <3 Buddycasts
While catching up after a long time living in separate cities, David and Scott swap podcast favourites, daydream about perfect liveplay narratives, and chew the fat about the Golden Ages of Radio and Video Rental Outlets.
Read More#007: Strahdcast Ch.3: Maimed Rites
As the heroes adjust to the nightmare to which they have awakened, they get to know the son of Barovia’s late Burgomaster, Ismark the Lesser, as well as his sister Ireena, who bears an uncanny resemblance to a familiar face from long ago. An attempt to bury the Burgomaster goes poorly.
Read More#006: Fastcast: A Personal History of Barovia
In this bonus episode, Scott offers Gayle some context for the Ravenloft experience. The conversation starts with the classic “I6” module from 1st edition, wanders through the 2nd Ed. Demiplane of Dread, and steers clear of the dark times of 4th Edition before arriving at the present campaign.
Read More#005: Strahdcast Ch.2: The Mists
The heroes cautiously explore the world into which they’ve awoken: a warped, cursed version of their beloved Barovia, bristling with zombies; barkeeps who act like zombies; and a Burgomaster who died trying to protect his children from — you guessed it — zombies. And worse!
Read More#004: Postcast: Scott + Laird <3 Strahd
After the dice have been put away, Laird and Scott drink Belgian beer and reminisce about early D&D modules and the vampires they’ve loved (and hated). Bonus features include a (very) brief detour into Star Wars fandom, a definition of “epistolary,” and a deep dive into the roots of Gothic horror.
Read More#003: Strahdcast Ch.1: The Cursed Queen
THE SAGA BEGINS! Royal visitors come to the peaceful town of Barovia; Ralston the Novice takes charge of a crisis; Andrej gets outshined by Prince Sergei; and Dragomir sniffs out a hoard that comes with a catch. NOTE: This episode makes a fine jumping-on point, but if you’d like to peek behind the D&D screen…
Read More#002 FastCast: Origin Stories
Meet the story’s three heroes — Ralston the Novice, Andrej the Bear, and Dragomir the Wolfboy — in this short, introductory episode. NOTE: This episode isn’t strictly necessary to get into the story, but it helps.
Read More#001: Strahdcast: Pre-Game Prologue: Rolling Up
Old gaming buddies reunite, share their earliest memories of Dungeons & Dragons, and sink their teeth into 5th Edition by rolling up characters. NOTE: You can skip this episode with no risk of narrative discombobulation. Besides, the audio’s not perfect.
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