405. KICKSTART 6/30/2025

Hey, all. It’s 2024’s bloom. It’s January. But unlike last year’s January Dumping Ground theme, we have what some would call the Queen of the 90s. Demi Moore. All month long. It’s Moore Moore Moore! Movie #1, in what maybe one of boldest film choices after blowing up with Ghost the year before, we have Mortal Thoughts. Along with Demi, Glenne Headley, Bruce Willis, John Pankow, with Harvey Keitel as Detective John Woods. From IMDB: Two detectives interrogate a hairdresser on two homicides she may or may not have been involved in. ENJOY! YES. SAG-AFTRA HAVE FINALLY JOINED THE WGA, AND HAS COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE AMPTP. IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG AND UPHILL BATTLE FOR NOT JUST THE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES OF BOTH UNIONS, IT HAS ALSO CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF HARDSHIP FOR THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY'S PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BUT ALL ISN'T BACK TO NORMAL AND WON'T BE FOR SOME TIME. THESE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING WHILE THE INDUSTRY STARTS REMEMBERING HOW TO WORK. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD DOESN'T END WHEN THE DEALS ARE MADE OR EVEN RATIFIED. THE INDUSTRY'S USUAL HIATUS/SHUTDOWN THIS MONTH IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO EXTEND ANY KIND OF BREAK FROM "NORMALCY" IN THE FREQUENCY OF WORK. IT COULD EVEN BE MONTHS INTO 2024 BEFORE PRODUCTIONS GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN. BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK THROUGH THAT USUAL "HOLIDAY HIATUS", FOR MANY FAMILIES THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED ASSISTANCE, EVEN IF THEY RETURN TO WORK. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP. IF YOU HAVE A FEW DOLLARS TO SPARE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND. THE FUND HELPS ALL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, NOT JUST ACTORS AND WRITERS. Entertainment Community Fund https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work ------------------ As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America: United States  https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988. Canada https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1 1 (833) 456-4566 Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you. Be mindful of your surroundings. Karate in the Garage Linkages

5 Jan 202433min

2024 starts today. So we're gonna' chat about our 2023 and what we enjoyed doing, as well as Freddy's updates on what's hitting Vidiots this month! ENJOY! YES. SAG-AFTRA HAVE FINALLY JOINED THE WGA, AND HAS COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE AMPTP. IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG AND UPHILL BATTLE FOR NOT JUST THE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES OF BOTH UNIONS, IT HAS ALSO CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF HARDSHIP FOR THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY'S PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BUT ALL ISN'T BACK TO NORMAL AND WON'T BE FOR SOME TIME. THESE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING WHILE THE INDUSTRY STARTS REMEMBERING HOW TO WORK. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD DOESN'T END WHEN THE DEALS ARE MADE OR EVEN RATIFIED. THE INDUSTRY'S USUAL HIATUS/SHUTDOWN THIS MONTH IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO EXTEND ANY KIND OF BREAK FROM "NORMALCY" IN THE FREQUENCY OF WORK. IT COULD EVEN BE MONTHS INTO 2024 BEFORE PRODUCTIONS GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN. BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK THROUGH THAT USUAL "HOLIDAY HIATUS", FOR MANY FAMILIES THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED ASSISTANCE, EVEN IF THEY RETURN TO WORK. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP. IF YOU HAVE A FEW DOLLARS TO SPARE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND. THE FUND HELPS ALL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, NOT JUST ACTORS AND WRITERS. Entertainment Community Fund https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work ------------------ As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America: United States  https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988. Canada https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1 1 (833) 456-4566 Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you. Be mindful of your surroundings. Karate in the Garage Linkages

1 Jan 202448min

We're closing out Failed Franchises for 2023 with the movie that shook the tree and told Freddy "this would make a great theme", and, boy, has it ever! We have Stephen Sommer's 2004 return to the Universal Monsters after dropping two hits in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, Van Helsing. Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale are the fearless vampire hunters, but bring along a great cast in the hunting that aren't just human... From IMDB: The famed monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula, who is using Dr. Frankenstein's research and a werewolf for nefarious purposes. ENJOY! YES. SAG-AFTRA HAVE FINALLY JOINED THE WGA, AND HAS COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE AMPTP. IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG AND UPHILL BATTLE FOR NOT JUST THE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES OF BOTH UNIONS, IT HAS ALSO CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF HARDSHIP FOR THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY'S PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BUT ALL ISN'T BACK TO NORMAL AND WON'T BE FOR SOME TIME. THESE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING WHILE THE INDUSTRY STARTS REMEMBERING HOW TO WORK. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD DOESN'T END WHEN THE DEALS ARE MADE OR EVEN RATIFIED. THE INDUSTRY'S USUAL HIATUS/SHUTDOWN THIS MONTH IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO EXTEND ANY KIND OF BREAK FROM "NORMALCY" IN THE FREQUENCY OF WORK. IT COULD EVEN BE MONTHS INTO 2024 BEFORE PRODUCTIONS GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN. BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK THROUGH THAT USUAL "HOLIDAY HIATUS", FOR MANY FAMILIES THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED ASSISTANCE, EVEN IF THEY RETURN TO WORK. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP. IF YOU HAVE A FEW DOLLARS TO SPARE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND. THE FUND HELPS ALL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, NOT JUST ACTORS AND WRITERS. Entertainment Community Fund https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work ------------------ As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America: United States  https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988. Canada https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1 1 (833) 456-4566 Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you. Be mindful of your surroundings. Karate in the Garage Linkages

22 Dec 202350min

2023 is drawing to a close. We have one more movie episode coming for Failed Franchises. It will drop for Patreon on Wednesday, and rhe general public on Friday. This will also be our last movie ep for the year, but we will have an extra large Kickstart for Christmas morning. ENJOY! WHILE IT'S TRUE THE WGA STRIKE IS OVER, AND EVEN IF SAG GETS THEIR'S TOGETHER, WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING FOR A WHILE. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD DOESN'T END THE INSTANT THE DEALS ARE RATIFIED. IT COULD BE MONTHS BEFORE PRODUCTIONS GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN. THAT LEADS RIGHT INTO THE INDUSTRY'S USUAL WINTER/HOLIDAY HIATUS. WILL THAT BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR? WHO KNOWS. BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK THROUGH THAT USUAL BREAK, MANY FAMILIES ARE GOING TO NEED ASSISTANCE. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP. IF YOU HAVE A FEW DOLLARS TO SPARE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND. THE FUND HELPS ALL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, NOT JUST ACTORS AND WRITERS. Entertainment Community Fund https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work ------------------ As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America: United States  https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988. Canada https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1 1 (833) 456-4566 Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you. Be mindful of your surroundings. Karate in the Garage Linkages

18 Dec 202332min

Today, we have the 3rd Failed Franchise movie, and this one was supposed to do what Iron Man did for Marvel. But, it didn't quite get DC and Warner Brothers to the promised land.  It's Green Lantern with Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, and Tim Robbins. FROM IMDB: Reckless test pilot Hal Jordan is granted an alien ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers that inducts him into an intergalactic police force, the Green Lantern Corps. ENJOY! YES. SAG-AFTRA HAVE FINALLY JOINED THE WGA, AND HAS COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE AMPTP. IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG AND UPHILL BATTLE FOR NOT JUST THE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES OF BOTH UNIONS, IT HAS ALSO CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF HARDSHIP FOR THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY'S PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BUT ALL ISN'T BACK TO NORMAL AND WON'T BE FOR SOME TIME. THESE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING WHILE THE INDUSTRY STARTS REMEMBERING HOW TO WORK. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD DOESN'T END WHEN THE DEALS ARE MADE OR EVEN RATIFIED. THE INDUSTRY'S USUAL HIATUS/SHUTDOWN THIS MONTH IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO EXTEND ANY KIND OF BREAK FROM "NORMALCY" IN THE FREQUENCY OF WORK. IT COULD EVEN BE MONTHS INTO 2024 BEFORE PRODUCTIONS GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN. BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK THROUGH THAT USUAL "HOLIDAY HIATUS", FOR MANY FAMILIES THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED ASSISTANCE, EVEN IF THEY RETURN TO WORK. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP. IF YOU HAVE A FEW DOLLARS TO SPARE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND. THE FUND HELPS ALL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, NOT JUST ACTORS AND WRITERS. Entertainment Community Fund https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work ------------------ As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America: United States  https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988. Canada https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1 1 (833) 456-4566 Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you. Be mindful of your surroundings. Karate in the Garage Linkages

15 Dec 202339min

Annnnnnd we're baaccccck... Kickstart #2 for December 2023. Failed Franchise Month continues. Dredd last week. Movie #3 drops this Wednesday for Patreon and Friday for the general public. VIDIOTS THIS WEEK!  ENJOY! WHILE IT'S TRUE THE WGA STRIKE IS OVER, AND EVEN IF SAG GETS THEIR'S TOGETHER, WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING FOR A WHILE. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD DOESN'T END THE INSTANT THE DEALS ARE RATIFIED. IT COULD BE MONTHS BEFORE PRODUCTIONS GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN. THAT LEADS RIGHT INTO THE INDUSTRY'S USUAL WINTER/HOLIDAY HIATUS. WILL THAT BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR? WHO KNOWS. BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK THROUGH THAT USUAL BREAK, MANY FAMILIES ARE GOING TO NEED ASSISTANCE. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP. IF YOU HAVE A FEW DOLLARS TO SPARE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND. THE FUND HELPS ALL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, NOT JUST ACTORS AND WRITERS. Entertainment Community Fund https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work ------------------ As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America: United States  https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988. Canada https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1 1 (833) 456-4566 Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you. Be mindful of your surroundings. Karate in the Garage Linkages

11 Dec 202339min

Movie #2 for Failed Franchise Month, and we're 2 for 2: DREDD. IS. THE. LAW. In 2012, Judge Dredd returned to the big screen in the form of Karl Ubran as Dredd. But this time, it's done RIGHT. Incredibly loyal to the source material by filmmakers that grew up with the comics. And the love they give to it is PERFECT. Along with Urban, Olivia Thirlby and Lena Headley complete the main cast bringing to life these characters from an Alex Garland script. From IMDB: In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO. ENJOY! YES. SAG-AFTRA HAVE FINALLY JOINED THE WGA, AND HAS COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE AMPTP. IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG AND UPHILL BATTLE FOR NOT JUST THE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES OF BOTH UNIONS, IT HAS ALSO CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF HARDSHIP FOR THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY'S PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BUT ALL ISN'T BACK TO NORMAL AND WON'T BE FOR SOME TIME. THESE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING WHILE THE INDUSTRY STARTS REMEMBERING HOW TO WORK. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD DOESN'T END WHEN THE DEALS ARE MADE OR EVEN RATIFIED. THE INDUSTRY'S USUAL HIATUS/SHUTDOWN IN DECEMBER IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO EXTEND ANY KIND OF BREAK FROM "NORMALCY" IN THE FREQUENCY OF WORK. IT COULD EVEN BE MONTHS INTO 2024 BEFORE PRODUCTIONS GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN. BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK THROUGH THAT USUAL "HOLIDAY HIATUS", FOR MANY FAMILIES THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED ASSISTANCE, EVEN IF THEY RETURN TO WORK. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP. IF YOU HAVE A FEW DOLLARS TO SPARE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND. THE FUND HELPS ALL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, NOT JUST ACTORS AND WRITERS. Entertainment Community Fund https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work ------------------ As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America: United States  https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988. Canada https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1 1 (833) 456-4566 Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you. Be mindful of your surroundings. Karate in the Garage Linkages

8 Dec 202346min

NEW MONTH. NEW THEME. OLD DESCRIPTOR. Last Wednesday, we dropped the first of our Failed Franchise movie episodes for December Jonah Hex for your fine Patreon folks. (Per usual, the gen pub got their mits on it Friday.) That was a fun one and a GREAT leader into a month we both think will become a theme we do annually. TOMMY'S FAMOUS!!! SILVER BULLET on 4K!!! POINT BREAK on 4K!!! YOUNG GUNS on 4K!!!  INDIANA JONES and the DIAL of DESTINY ON 4K!!! BLAST of SILENCE from CRITERION!!! TOKYO POP from KINO LORBER!!! THE MONSTER SQUAD on 4K from KINO!!! FACE/OFF in 4K from KINO!!! THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE from KINO!!! DON'T TELL HER IT'S ME from KINO!!! STORY AVE on BLURAY from KINO!!! ENJOY! WHILE IT'S TRUE THE WGA STRIKE IS OVER, AND EVEN IF SAG GETS THEIR'S TOGETHER, WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING FOR A WHILE. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD DOESN'T END THE INSTANT THE DEALS ARE RATIFIED. IT COULD BE MONTHS BEFORE PRODUCTIONS GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN. THAT LEADS RIGHT INTO THE INDUSTRY'S USUAL WINTER/HOLIDAY HIATUS. WILL THAT BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR? WHO KNOWS. BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK THROUGH THAT USUAL BREAK, MANY FAMILIES ARE GOING TO NEED ASSISTANCE. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP. IF YOU HAVE A FEW DOLLARS TO SPARE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND. THE FUND HELPS ALL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, NOT JUST ACTORS AND WRITERS. Entertainment Community Fund https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work ------------------ As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America: United States  https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988. Canada https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1 1 (833) 456-4566 Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you. Be mindful of your surroundings. Karate in the Garage Linkages

4 Dec 202335min