On today's episode, we're cutting off our hair and going on the run, but standing for justice, damn it, as we revisit the underseen and IMO underrated 80s classic that is The Legend of Billie Jean (1985).

Intro/Outro Music: "Phantom Fun" by Jonathan Boyle

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On today's episode, we're heading out to the desert and fighting for our lives against a family of bloodthirsty cannibals as we dive into The Hills Have Eyes (1977). This movie was written and directed by the one and only Mr. Wes Craven.

Intro/Outro Music: "Phantom Fun" by Jonathan Boyle

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In this episode, we dive into the body-swapping chaos of Freaky Friday (2003), the Disney teen comedy that gave us peak Lindsay Lohan, a guitar-shredding garage band, and Jamie Lee Curtis in one of her most unexpectedly hilarious roles. We unpack the film’s themes of mother-daughter tension, identity, and empathy—plus, why this version of Freaky Friday still resonates over two decades later. From fortune cookies to Freaky Friday’s punk rock attitude, join us as we revisit the movie that turned a family feud into a full-blown identity crisis… with killer soundtrack vibes.

Intro/Outro Music: "Phantom Fun" by Jonathan Boyle

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On today's bonus episode, I talk about the films that I watched in June 2025.

Intro/Outro Music: "Phantom Fun" by Jonathan Boyle

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In this episode, we dive deep into Todd Haynes’ underground cult classic Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story—a haunting, avant-garde retelling of Karen Carpenter’s life told entirely through Barbie dolls. Banned shortly after its release due to music rights issues, this 1987 short film remains a powerful and controversial portrait of fame, control, and self-destruction.

We’ll unpack the film’s bold aesthetic choices, its unflinching depiction of eating disorders, and how it reimagines the biopic format through subversive storytelling and emotional minimalism. We also discuss the legacy of Karen Carpenter’s voice, the role of media in shaping celebrity identity, and why this film continues to resonate despite its legal exile.

Tune in as we explore what makes Superstar both a daring piece of unauthorized art and an unforgettable elegy to a voice silenced too soon.

Intro/Outro Music: "Phantom Fun" by Jonathan Boyle

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Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com

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Welcome to this week’s wild ride as me and my returning guest, Elizabeth Teets dive headfirst into the psychedelic madness of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls—Russ Meyer and Roger Ebert’s infamous 1970 cult classic that defies categorization and good taste in equal measure.

From its candy-colored visuals to its unhinged plot twists, this film isn’t a sequel but a surreal spiritual cousin to the original Valley of the Dolls. We unpack the film’s gleeful chaos, its satirical stab at Hollywood dreams, and how it juggles sex, violence, and groovy rock with a wink and a smirk.

So crank up the Strawberry Alarm Clock, pour a martini, and prepare to say, “This is my happening and it freaks me out!”

Intro/Outro Music: "Phantom Fun" by Jonathan Boyle

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Buy Isn't She Great: Writers on Women Led Comedies from 9 to 5 to Booksmart

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In this episode, me and my homegirl, Donovan Marcotte, pop the cork — and the "dolls" — on one of Hollywood’s most infamous cult classics: Valley of the Dolls (1967). From its glamorous rise to its tragic falls, we explore how this adaptation of Jacqueline Susann's bestselling novel became both a time capsule of 1960s stardom and a cautionary tale about the price of fame. Join us as we dissect the film’s melodrama, its unforgettable performances (yes, we’re talking about Patty Duke’s iconic breakdown), and the real-life scandals that paralleled the on-screen drama. Is it camp? Is it critique? Or is it something in between? Grab your Seconals and settle in — the dolls are calling.

Be Kind Rewind Videos:

Casting The Women of Valley of the Dolls

The Making of Valley of the Dolls | Part 2

You Must Remember Manson

CLICK HERE

Intro/Outro Music: "Phantom Fun" by Jonathan Boyle

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Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com

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On this episode, we're holding a very important meeting of the Special People Club, and inviting our much older crush to dine on some Hostess snacks, while we cover the pitch black comedy from 1995, Welcome to the Dollhouse. This movie was written and directed by Todd Solondz.

We explore how this movie was a huge part of the indie movie boom in the mid-90s, and how this launched the careers of both its director (Todd Solondz), and its star (Heather Matarazzo). We also try to dissect some of the themes that this movie tackles, and why it's been such a beloved classic for the marginalized and the misfits.

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Article Referenced:

"How we made Welcome to the Dollhouse", The Guardian, Phil Hoad, Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016

Click Here

Intro/Outro Music: "Phantom Fun" by Jonathan Boyle

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Show E-Mail: cultcinemacircle@gmail.com

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