The final episode of the Halloween season is here! Looking for a spooky cinematic recommendation? Cole takes us through the end of his list, with everything from Bong Joon Ho to Marvel, and Alfred Hitchcock to Steven Spielberg.
We’ve got all of Cole’s recommendations from the month in our show notes, so be sure you check out any of his 2025 recommendations this month.
If you’re a fan of Cole and his watchlist, follow him on Letterboxd or X/Twitter, where you’ll find more of his hot takes, staunchly defended classics, and inspirations.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode, be sure to share it with any fans of horror, Halloween, or spooky movies, and we’ll be back every Friday this month with more from Cole.
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Cole’s 31 Movies of Halloween – 2025:
- Oct. 1: Saw II (2005) – Stream on Hulu or VOD.
- Oct. 2: Eraserhead (1977) – Stream on HBO Max or VOD.
- Oct. 3: Sinners (2025) – Stream on HBO Max or VOD.
- Oct. 4: Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) – Rent on VOD.
- Oct. 5: The Craft (1996) – Stream on Prime Video or VOD.
- Oct. 6: Werewolves Within (2021) – Stream on Hulu, Shudder, Show more...
We’re back with another podcast in our 31 Days of Halloween Movie series. Cole goes international with his spooky selections this week, from Japanese horror to Italian, and from Barcelona streets to Spanish language time-traveling slashers.
There are some great recommendations this week, so after listening to today’s episode, be sure you head down to the show notes where we’ve linked every movie we discussed thus far.
If you’re a fan of Cole and his watchlist, follow him on Letterboxd or X/Twitter, where you’ll find more of his hot takes, staunchly defended classics, and inspirations.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode, be sure to share it with any fans of horror, Halloween, or spooky movies, and we’ll be back every Friday this month with more from Cole.
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Cole’s 31 Movies of Halloween – 2025:
- Oct. 1: Saw II (2005) – Stream on Hulu or VOD.
- Oct. 2: Eraserhead (1977) – Stream on HBO Max or VOD.
- Oct. 3: Sinners (2025) – Stream on HBO Max or VOD.
- Oct. 4: Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) – Rent on VOD.
- Oct. 5: The Craft (1996) – Stream on Prime Video or VOD.
- Oct. 6: Werewolves Within (2021) – Stream on Hulu, Shudder, Show more...
We’re back with our Sacred Texts series, and this week we’re discussing the hotly debated and oft misunderstood Sean Penn film, Into the Wild (2007). The story of Chris McCandless, first told by John Krakaur in his novel of the same name, is one of Tristan’s favorite Sacred Texts, and not for the reasons you might expect. If this is a movie you’ve written off or put off, today’s episode is for you!
Sacred Texts can be art in any medium that you internalize, reflect upon, and find worth or inspiration through beyond the original presentation. These movies or shows could impact you in a number of ways, and they could be Sacred because they are family touchstones, or because of their impact at a certain time in your life, or indicative of a change in your outlook, or for any number of reasons.
We hope you enjoy our episode today, give the film a watch (linked below), and then keep an eye out for our next Sacred Text entry next month.
Enjoy!
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Watch the Sacred Text we discussed today:
- Into the Wild (2007) — Watch on Philo, FuboTV, MGM+, or rent on VOD.
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About Into the Wild (2007):
“Chris McCandless is an A-grade student and athlete who looks set to rise to the top of society. But this gifted young man decides to leave everything behind and travel to the wildernesses of Alaska. He joins others along the way who teach him what he needs to learn in order to survive and live in the wild.” – JustWatch.com
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
We’re back with another podcast in our 31 Days of Halloween Movie series. We get into terrible product placement, cringeworthy 00’s remakes, a Universal Monster picture worth revisiting, an indie punching above its weight, and more.
There are some great recommendations this week, so after listening to today’s episode, be sure you head down to the show notes where we’ve linked every movie we discussed thus far.
If you’re a fan of Cole and his watchlist, follow him on Letterboxd or X/Twitter, where you’ll find more of his hot takes, staunchly defended classics, and inspirations.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode, be sure to share it with any fans of horror, Halloween, or spooky movies, and we’ll be back every Friday this month with more from Cole.
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Cole’s 31 Movies of Halloween – 2025:
- Oct. 1: Saw II (2005) – Stream on Hulu or VOD.
- Oct. 2: Eraserhead (1977) – Stream on HBO Max or VOD.
- Oct. 3: Sinners (2025) – Stream on HBO Max or VOD.
- Oct. 4: Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) – Rent on VOD.
- Oct. 5: The Craft (1996) – Stream on Prime Video or VOD.
- Oct. 6: Werewolves Within (2021) – Stream on Hulu, Shudder, Show more...
We’re back this week with another 31 Days of Halloween Movies, discussing punishing Santas, Linklater-esque witch drama, animated spooky vacations, and a BBC mockumentary so realistic, it got taken to court.
There are some great recommendations this week, so after listening to today’s episode, be sure you head down to the show notes where we’ve linked every movie we discussed thus far.
If you’re a fan of Cole and his watchlist, follow him on Letterboxd or X/Twitter, where you’ll find more of his hot takes, staunchly defended classics, and inspirations.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode, be sure to share it with any fans of horror, Halloween, or spooky movies, and we’ll be back every Friday this month with more from Cole.
—
Cole’s 31 Movies of Halloween – 2025:
- Oct. 1: Saw II (2005) – Stream on Hulu or your favorite VOD sites.
- Oct. 2: Eraserhead (1977) – Stream on HBO Max or your favorite VOD sites.
- Oct. 3: Sinners (2025) – Stream on HBO Max or your favorite VOD sites.
- Oct. 4: Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) – Rent on VOD.
- Oct. 5: The Craft (1996) – Stream on Prime Video or your favorite VOD sites.
- Oct. 6: Werewolves Within (2021) – Stream on Hulu, Shudder, Show more...
A new year, a new October, and another 31 Days of Halloween Movies with our longtime friend of the pod and magazine, Cole Wissinger. We start with a little David Lynch on a train, discuss Cole’s love of the Saw franchise and its second entry, and cover Ryan Coogler’s 2025 ‘surprise hit,’ if an award-winning and box-office-smashing director can still have one of those.
Check out our show notes where we’ve linked each movie, and where to stream it.
If you’re a fan of Cole and his watchlist, follow him on Letterboxd or X/Twitter, where you’ll find more of his hot takes, staunchly defended classics, and inspirations.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode, be sure to share it with any fans of horror, Halloween, or spooky movies, and we’ll be back every Friday this month with more from Cole.
—
Cole’s 31 Movies of Halloween – 2025:
- Oct. 1: Saw II (2005) – Stream on Hulu or your favorite VOD sites.
- Oct. 2: Eraserhead (1977) – Stream on HBO Max or your favorite VOD sites.
- Oct. 3: Sinners (2025) – Stream on HBO Max or your favorite VOD sites.
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Check out Cole's lists from years past on our website:
- Cole's Halloween Movie Marathon: 2018
- Cole's Halloween Movie Marathon: 2019
- Cole's Halloween Movie Marathon: 2020
- Cole's Halloween Movie Marathon: 2021
- Cole's Halloween Movie Marathon: 2023
- Cole’s Halloween Movie Marathon: 2024 (Podcast)
If you want something less scary, check out our article on less spooky movies for the spooky season.
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Are you starting a podcast of your own? Make life easier and podcasts sound better with Descript. We use Descript to edit the content of our episodes, level volume, cut dead air, and bring audiences the best episode we can deliver.
Try it today with our partner code here.
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Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
—
Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
“One by one, the free lands of Middle-Earth fell to the power of the Ring, but there were some who resisted…”We’re back with our Sacred Texts series, and this week we’re covering a cinematic masterpiece, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001). From its take on political power, pastoral themes, heroism and courage, and manliness, there’s a lot to unpack in Madison’s Sacred Text.
Sacred Texts can be art in any medium that you internalize, reflect upon, and find worth or inspiration through beyond the original presentation. These movies or shows could impact you in a number of ways, and they could be Sacred because they are family touchstones, or because of their impact at a certain time in your life, or indicative of a change in your outlook, or for any number of reasons.
In times like this, we pray Galadriel’s prophecy could come to be, and that “...the time will soon come when hobbits will shape the fortunes of all.” May we each find our hobbit spirit, and may we each hold true to the sacred texts that have shaped us.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode, and you’ll find links to the film below, as well as the songs referenced early on. We’ll be back with another Sacred Text entry next month, and another episode next week.
Enjoy!
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Watch the Sacred Text we discussed today:
- Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001) — Watch on HBO Max.
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Listen to the Tracks we teased today:
- “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin – On Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music
- “Misty Mountain Hop” by Led Zeppelin – On Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music
- “The Wizard” by Black Sabbath – On Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music
- “Rivendell” by Rush – On Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music
- “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins” by Leonard Nimoy – On Spotify, YouTube (music video!), or Apple Music
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How to Split up LOTR as a Miniseries: Quora Guide
The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition: 228 minutes)
- Part 1: The Shire and Rivendell (0:00 - 1:15:00)
- Covers the introduction of the Shire, the fellowship's formation, and the journey to Rivendell.
- Part 2: The Journey Begins (1:15:00 - 2:30:00)
- From leaving Rivendell to encountering the Mines of Moria, including the battle with the Balrog.
- Part 3: The Breaking of the Fellowship (2:30:00 - 3:48:00)
- Covers the events in Lothlórien and the breaking of the fellowship at Amon Hen.
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening.
Today, rapper and longtime friend of the pod Cody McCracken sits down to talk with Kevin Bessey, a Las Vegas-based musician and the artist behind the upcoming album, Attack of the Flows.
Together, they discuss the ideas, inspirations, and the story of this album, and get into a little about the Las Vegas music scene and the artists Kevin chose to collaborate with.
We’ll give you a taste of each song off the album as Cody and Kevin discuss it, but be sure to listen to the full album linked in our show notes.
If you haven’t yet, listen to the rest of Kevin’s episodes here, check out the album wherever you listen to music, and share today’s episodes with fans of music, Las Vegas artists, and podcasts.
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Listen to Attack of the FLOWS (2025):
- Spotify
- YouTube
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Connect with Kevin Bessey:
- YouTube
- Bandcamp
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
The summer box office faced a superhero showdown of epic proportions—and implications. Did James Gunn’s theatrical swing land? Did Marvel right its course with this reboot? We’re talking Fantastic Four and Superman as we look at the superhero landscape before the leaves change.
Which did you like more? Or did you skip both? Let us know in the comments on Instagram, in our DMs, or on Spotify.
Enjoy!
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Are you starting a podcast of your own? Make life easier and podcasts sound better with Descript. We use Descript to edit the content of our episodes, level volume, cut dead air, and bring audiences the best episode we can deliver. Try it today with our partner code here.
Don’t wait, start today!
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Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Today we’re talking with Lola Baqui, a Las Vegas-based singer featured on Kevin Bessey’s upcoming album, Attack of the Flows.
Be sure you listen to the new tracks as they drop on Spotify or Apple Music, and if you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend.
Keep an eye out for new episodes each Wednesday.
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Lola Bacqui’s Links:
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
Summer is almost over! As you beat the last of the heat, check out some of our favorite summer movies you need to catch before the leaves change.
If you’re in need of a recommendation this weekend, look no further than our favorite Summer flicks.
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Watch our favorite End of Summer Movies:
- The Sandlot - Watch on Hulu, Disney+, or rent on VOD.
- Jurassic Park - Watch on Netflix or rent on VOD.
- Twisters - Watch on Prime Video, or rent on VOD.
- Weekend at Bernie’s - Watch on Hulu, rent on VOD.
- Top Gun: Maverick - Watch on Paramount+, or rent on VOD.
- Call Me By Your Name - Watch on Paramount+, or Show more...
Today we’ve got an extra special episode with Roi Lorange, a Las Vegas-based rapper featured on Kevin Bessey’s upcoming album, Attack of the Flows. Also known as Rex from Vegas, he also works as a DJ, film producer, and sport announcer, and he’s here to talk about how he stays hungry, stays busy, and continues creating opportunities for expression day in and day out.
Be sure you listen to the new tracks as they drop on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music each week. If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend or musician who needs to hear it!
Keep an eye out for new episodes each Wednesday.
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Rex from Vegas — Key Links:
- @FirstFridayMovie on Instagram
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
We’re back with our Sacred Texts series, and we’re discussing a cult-classic animated staple, The Land Before Time (1988). That means dinosaurs, Diana Ross, and Don Bluth, plus Spielberg, George Lucas, James Horner, and a c*nty T. Rex who just don’t quit.
Sacred Texts can be art in any medium that you internalize, reflect upon, and find worth or inspiration through beyond the original presentation. These movies or shows could impact you in a number of ways, and they could be Sacred because they are family touchstones, or because of their impact at a certain time in your life, or indicative of a change in your outlook, or for any number of reasons.
We hope you enjoy our episode today, give the film a watch (linked in our show notes), and then keep an eye out for our next Sacred Text entry next month.
Enjoy!
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Watch the Sacred Text we discussed today:
- The Land Before Time (1988) — Rent on your favorite VOD service, or visit your local library to rent it on DVD.
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About The Land Before Time:
“An orphaned brontosaurus named Littlefoot sets off in search of the legendary Great Valley. A land of lush vegetation where the dinosaurs can thrive and live in peace. Along the way he meets four other young dinosaurs, each one a different species, and they encounter several obstacles as they learn to work together in order to survive.” – JustWatch
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
Today we’re talking with Kevin Vasquez, a Las Vegas-based singer, songwriter, and clarinetist who is featured on Kevin Bessey’s upcoming album, Attack of the Flows.
Be sure you listen to the new tracks as they drop on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music each week. If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend or musician who needs to hear it!
Keep an eye out for new episodes each Wednesday.
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Listen to “The Bigger Picture” feat. Kevin the Jackalope on YouTube, out now
Learn more about the making of “The Bigger Picture” on YouTube
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About Kevin the Jackalope:
“Kevin Vasquez was born in Brownsville, Texas; the southernmost city that sits on the Mexican border and the Gulf of Mexico. Texan and Mexican pride informs his life and art.”
Follow Kevin on Instagram (@kevin_kevout527)
Learn more on Kevin’s website
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
Today we’re talking with Truth, a Las Vegas-based rapper who is featured on Kevin Bessey’s upcoming album, Attack of the Flows.
Be sure you listen to the new tracks as they drop on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music each week. If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend or musician who needs to hear it!
Keep an eye out for new episodes each Wednesday.
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Listen to the newest track, “Liars (Featuring Truth)” on YouTube today, and other collabs on Spotify, like “Nice to Meet You.”
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About Truth:
“Hip Hop/Rap/Pop Artist from Denver, Colorado now living and performing in Las Vegas, NV. With almost two decades in the game, Truth has developed his skills and a style all his own yet is still growing and developing as an artist and a man. Blending genres and always willing to experiment with new sounds, no two Truth projects sounds the same. Some might see that as a flaw, others a strength, but it always Truth. You will always get the real emotion and real thoughts on whatever topic is being examined. Life is what you make it so I choose to make it beautiful." — Truth
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
If you’ve ever wondered how someone in Hong Kong, Thailand, or Japan knows about the infamous Walter White, the many undead adventures of The Walking Dead, or about the steamy nature of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, you might have Sarah Brennan to thank.
Sarah works as a Sales Manager over the Asia Pacific region for AMC Networks, which includes AMC’s many subsidiaries like HiDive, WeTV, AMC+. BBC America, IFC, and much more. Her job involves meeting with, understanding the needs of, and selling series and movies to networks and distributors across the greater Asia Pacific region.
We discuss Sarah’s interest in film and television, her previous roles, and the nature of TV and distribution in the age of streaming.
Tune in to our initial episode today, and then keep an eye out for another episode on Wednesday with Kevin and one of the collaborators on his upcoming album, Attack of the FLOWS.
Enjoy!
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Get in touch with Sarah Brennan on LinkedIn.
- Learn about the American Film Market
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Sarah Brennan is based in Los Angeles, CA, and is currently a Sales Manager, focused on the Asia Pacific, at AMC Networks. Previously, Sarah worked distribution and sales strategy at Lionsgate, sales and marketing at Variety Insight, research at Independent Film & TV Alliance, and as a content director at 90.7 FM. Sarah holds a BA in Global and International Studies, as well as French Language and Literature, from the University of Kansas.
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
Today we’re talking with Richard Mathews, a Las Vegas-based singer and songwriter featured on Kevin Bessey’s upcoming album, Attack of the Flows. Richard’s main project is Silent Movie Cinema, a hard rock band.
Be sure you listen to the new tracks as they drop on Spotify or Apple Music, and if you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend.
Keep an eye out for new episodes each Wednesday.
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Listen to “Out Too Late” by Kevin Bessey, featuring Richard Matthews, on YouTube today.
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
This week, Kevin Bessey sits down with his long lost twin, Big Kev. Big Kev is a Las Vegas-based rapper who is featured on Kevin Bessey’s upcoming album, Attack of the Flows.
Be sure you listen to the new tracks as they drop on Spotify or Apple Music, and if you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend.
Keep an eye out for new episodes each Wednesday.
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Listen to “Don’t Wait” from Kevin Bessey and Big Kev on YouTube today.
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Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
We’re back with our Sacred Texts series, and we’re discussing Spirited Away (2001). Miyazaki’s animated hit was the highest-grossing film in Japanese history until 2020’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, which is in and of itself a massive accomplishment. But today, we’re getting personal. Madison tells us why this movie has stuck with him over the years, and solidified itself as a proper Sacred Text.
Sacred Texts can be art in any medium that you internalize, reflect upon, and find worth or inspiration through beyond the original presentation. These movies or shows could impact you in a number of ways, and they could be Sacred because they are family touchstones, or because of their impact at a certain time in your life, or indicative of a change in your outlook, or for any number of reasons.
We hope you enjoy our episode today, give the film a watch (linked below), and then keep an eye out for our next Sacred Text entry next month.
Enjoy!
—
Watch the Sacred Text we discussed today:
- Spirited Away (2001) — Watch on HBO Max, Prime or Hulu with Max, or Rent/Buy on VOD.
—
Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!
Today we’re talking with Melo, a Las Vegas-based rapper who is featured on Kevin Bessey’s upcoming album, Attack of the Flows.
Be sure you listen to the new tracks as they drop on Spotify or Apple Music, and if you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend.
Keep an eye out for new episodes from this series dropping each Wednesday!
—
Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here.
Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
Visit TheIndieMagazine.com for all our reviews, interviews, lists, and coverage throughout the years.
Thanks again for listening!