The Searchers finish out October with Sammo Hung's inventive genre piece Encounter of a Spooky Kind. Nick Langdon joins the gang and helps discuss the ins and outs of this fantastic Horror Adjacent™ piece. Of course there are tangents into Hong Kong cinema, Jackie Chan, Michael Mann, and other random topics; however, we focus mainly on Sammo Hung yet again  in NOT our last Sammo movie of 2025. Happy Spooky season to all the listeners! Cheers, mates.   Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com.  Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Following Chris’s pick starring gentle giant Dolph Lundgren, we follow up with Kevin’s pick — a South Korean dark comedy and erotic horror film with Song Kang-ho as a priest who makes a radical decision out of selflessness. With plunges into Catholic humility and lustful sins, it’s a haphazard and treacherous road to find redemption, and really you’d think those concepts would float our boats, wouldn’t it? But as with the ways of the world, it’s not that simple. Join the three of us gabbing about this year’s second Horror Adjacent™️episode on the grand ol’ stagecoach, as its travails bring us over some challenging roads and into a holy man’s transformation into a vampire. A man of love for moral purity has become a vampire’s lust for blood. Be sure your soul hasn’t been corrupted, friends. We won’t be responsible! Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com.  Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Is it Halloween, or is it Christmas? Maybe some it's both! Join Kevin and Chris discussing the show's first Dolph Lundgren film. Does he match the undeniable power of Arnie? Are his one-liner's just as good? Tune in and find out on The Searchers' first Horror Adjacent™ episode of 2025... thanks for listening! Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com.  Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/  

Apologies for the delay, it's been a hectic month. Here is a recording from a couple months ago... Chris and Ben review 1997's Kull the Conqueror starring Kevin Sorbo. We'll be back with some Searcher's Horror-Adjacent™ content very soon. Thanks for listening.  Thanks to Nostalgic Covers for letting us use this kickass cover of the Joel Goldsmith score. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcmsil7uvk8 Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com.  Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/  

Alright, everyone! Chris and Kevin are back, this time driving The Searchers' stagecoach from wondrous sepia tones and into the graces of beautiful black and white. A sweet film from 2023, bearing a subdued essence and yet proving itself to be such a permeating spear that’ll strike the hearts of those who see and hear. Veteran and iconic director John Huston’s very own grandson, Jack, has taken the reins behind the camera to present his directorial debut, Day of the Fight. Reminiscent of cinematic sports fare such as Stallone’s Rocky and Marty’s Raging Bull, this boxing drama expresses a unique insight into love, faith, romance, and redemption. Trust us… this isn’t the same ol’ thing all over again. So please join us and tune in for this absolutely special film that needs more recognition and more admiration! The underdog fighter vs. the heavy burden that is life. Pick yourselves back up and move forward with us, folks! Whatever you’re going through, never give up. We are rooting for you!

The Searchers celebrate their centennial episode with honorary fourth Searcher Nick Langdon. The movie focuses on Hiroki, a young man plagued by loneliness and unrequited love. When a strange girl appears out of nowhere, he is torn between believing she’s real or a creation of his own psyche. Miss Lonely is one of Chris' favorite movies from director Nobuhiko Obayashi; however, to keep with tradition and the pod's mission, we picked this film since Kevin and Nick had both not seen it.  In addition to a review of the film, we look back on other various episodes and give shout out to some past guests. If you have been with us since the beginning, you are a real one. And to all of those who have found us in the interim, thanks for joining... What took you so long? From all of us at The Searchers, sincerely thank you! Here's to another hundred.  Coming up: we have two more September releases before we get to October!  Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com.  Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

In this episode, Ben and Chris dive deep into Nobuhiko Obayashi’s poignant 1991 drama Chizuko’s Younger Sister — a lesser-known gem that blends grief, coming-of-age, and the supernatural with the director’s signature dreamlike touch. We explore how the film captures the emotional aftermath of loss through the eyes of high schooler Mika, visited by the ghost of her older sister Chizuko. How does Obayashi navigate memory and identity? What sets this apart from other Japanese dramas of the era? And why does this film still resonate over three decades later? Join The Searchers as they unpack the film’s themes, its haunting visuals, and its place in Obayashi’s unique filmography. For episode 100, we will be covering another Obayashi film with a returning guest. Who and what could they be?! Stay tuned for its release in mid September. As always, thanks for listening! Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com.  Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

The Searchers close out this arc on Jean-Paul Belmondo actioners with The Outsider from 1983, not to be confused with the Francis Ford Coppola film. Is this the famous Frenchman's Dirty Harry clone? Was he too old to do all his own stunts? Come listen to the latest episode and find out! On the next episode, Chris and Ben cover another film from the great Obayashi.  Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com.  Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Folks, Chris and Kevin are once more at it again. The stagecoach on this wild cinematic trail takes listeners on a third detour back onto the “Non-Algorithmic Superhero Film” route, and this time it’s rather red like the last one, but a bit more fiery. The Searchers review Neveldine and Taylor’s Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance from 2011, with the one and only Nic Cage, sporting the leather jacket and riding a flaming motorcycle once again. Not only that, but we’ve got a returning guest, Joe Wilson, joining us! So folks, for one last (for now!) endeavor to introduce to you non-algorithmic comic book films, please watch your step and board the trusty stagecoach! Ride with us into sheer pandemonium and some gothic Catholicism. Heavenly glory awaits those who reject evil’s wiles! Find Joe on Letterboxd, HERE.  Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com.  Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Hey all, we're back! All three Searchers return to Jean-Paul Belmondo action films this time reviewing Claude Zidi's Animal from 1977. JPB stars alongside American superstar Raquel Welch hence the American release title, "Stuntwoman." We discuss the film, more about Jean-Paul Belmondo's career, and many tangents on random things like Peter O'Toole's Oscar nominations. Check Animal (1977) out on Tubi, HERE! Up next, Kevin and Chris cover Ghost Rider 2 with a special guest.  Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com.  Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Chris and Kevin take a look at Daredevil (2003), specifically the Director’s Cut, directed by Mark Steven Johnson and starring Ben Affleck as the blind vigilante from Hell’s Kitchen. This episode explores a film often dismissed, but one that reveals more on a closer look — a story about pain, guilt, and perseverance. So hop on the Searcher's stage — we’re digging into the forgotten corner of early 2000s superhero cinema. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched and/or reviewed. Ben, Chris, & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Ben and Chris come back around to Japanese cinema with a review of Nobuhiko Obayashi's 1989 film, Beijing Watermelon. While made considering Japan's and China's complicated history and produced coincidentally with the events of Tiananmen Square in 1989, Obayashi bends the rules of cinema once again to make a beautiful and non-political film about community, personal responsibility, and balance. With apparent influence from the likes of both Capra and Ozu, The Searchers discuss the vital nature of the in-between moments and the meaning of "home," a word that may describe Obayashi's oeuvre to a T. Vinegar Syndrome's partner label Kani released Beijing Watermelon in 2024, and it can be found on Blu-ray HERE.  If you like what you heard, please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. We'll read both on air. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched and/or reviewed. Ben, Chris, & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Kevin and Ben are joined by Letterboxd reviewer extraordinaire and friend of the pod Tyler to discuss the new Tom Cruise movie in an effort to save cinema once again. In addition to reviewing MI 8: The Final Reckoning, we discuss the Mission Impossible series as a whole, storytelling with mythology, artificial intelligence as of 2025, the future of cinema, and more. Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to sit back, mow the grass, commute to your workplace, or whatever it is that you do when you listen to a new edition of The Searchers Film Podcast. Thanks for listening, as always. Find Tyler on LB, HERE.  Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched and/or reviewed. Ben, Chris, & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

In this episode, Chris and Kevin review Ang Lee’s Hulk, a bold and visually experimental take on the superhero genre. They explore the film’s unique split-screen techniques and its psychological focus on Bruce Banner’s inner conflict. Was this ambitious, art-house approach a stroke of genius, or did it miss the mark with comic book fans? Tune in as we unpack the film’s legacy, its flaws, and the moments of brilliance that continue to spark debate among comic book fans.   Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched and/or reviewed. Ben, Chris, & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/  

In this episode, The Searchers dive into the 1964 French classic That Man from Rio, a film that blends action, comedy, and romance in the most improbable ways. Join us as we unpack Jean-Paul Belmondo’s irresistible charm as he embarks on a wild adventure through the streets of Rio de Janeiro. From stolen artifacts to high-flying stunts, this film has it all—and then some! But does its quirky blend of slapstick and suspense still hold up today? Tune in for a review that’s as fast-paced as Belmondo’s character himself, filled with surprises, laughs, and a little bit of nostalgia for the golden age of French action cinema. This is the 1st of three episodes we'll be releasing focused on Jean-Paul Belmondo action films. If you like what you heard, please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. We'll read both on air. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched and/or reviewed. Ben, Chris, & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Chris and Kevin take a detour this week into the icy grip of a Buffalo winter with Buffalo '66. Written, directed by, and starring Vincent Gallo, the film also features standout performances from Christina Ricci, Anjelica Huston, and Ben Gazzara. Gallo’s background as a painter, musician, and songwriter lends the film a unique, outsider sensibility—raw, personal, and unmistakably his. We’ll be back soon with a new episode. Thanks for listening.  If you like what you heard, please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. We'll read both on air. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched and/or reviewed. Ben, Chris, & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

Kevin, Chris, and Ben finish off the "philosophical hitman" series with Wim Wenders' The American Friend (1977).  The Searchers will return to you next time with an episode on a Vincent Gallo film before diving into their next 3 episode arc. Thanks for listening, and we'll catch you in May!  If you like what you heard, please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. We'll read both on air. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched and/or reviewed. Ben, Chris, & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

The Searchers discuss the 2nd film in their philosophical hitman series, Crying Freeman starring Mark Dacascos. We discuss our thoughts on the film, the origins of the source material, and a few tangents are made. We'll be back soon with the 3rd and final entry, The American Friend. Enjoy!

For the first "Cinema Crusades" episode in two years, Chris and Ben discuss the recent deaths of Val Kilmer and Richard Norton. Of course, more movies are discussed as the pair pick apart their recent watches. As promised, Crying Freeman will be discussed on episode 88. Thanks for listening.  If you like what you heard, please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. We'll read both on air. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched and/or reviewed. Ben, Chris, & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/

The Searchers are back with another episode, this one starting off the next arc: "the philosophical hitman." Chris picked Looper starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis, directed by the now-infamous Rian Johnson. Does this movie hold up, or not? Listen and find out! Next up will be a new Cinema Crusade episode followed by a review on Crying Freeman.  If you like what you heard, please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. We'll read both on air. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched and/or reviewed. Ben, Chris, & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/