What I Watched in August 2026

THE END OF OAK STREET (2026) is a well-crafted and surprisingly moving film. In its DNA it is easy to see several 1980s influences with most people pointing to the suburban Spielbergian essence but I think it borrows nearly as much from Joe Dante’s bag of tricks. It balances an intimate, character-driven story with good atmosphere, creating something that feels both thoughtfully plotted and emotionally resonant. It is our attachment to the central family characters that defines the effectiveness of the film as the story unspools. Things become increasingly harrowing and, at times, downright violently grotesque in ways that the early JURASSIC PARK films steered clear of for fear of the dreaded R rating. Not so here where the horror of humans no longer being at the top of the food chain is made clear in gory fashion. Luckily, the performances give the characters real depth while the pacing allows the story’s quieter moments to land without feeling forced. I was especially impressed with the moment when the teenaged daughter slips out to the garage to listen to a beloved song. That scene’s vision of a young person finding a way to cope with fear was touching and helped define her state of mind and personality. 

This is only one of several instants in which the film shows warmth and attention to detail. It finds meaning in ordinary moments with realistically drawn characters and gradually builds them into something genuinely affecting. By the end, THE END OF OAK STREET almost feels like a story you experienced alongside its characters instead of just as an observer. It’s a sincere and engaging film that deserves to be seen regardless of its lackluster box office numbers.

 

Oh! And all this while I also spent the first 20 minutes of the film being hopelessly distracted by Anne Hathaway’s legs! Seriously, those things are works of art. Plus, she gives a brilliant performance as well with most of the film turning on how good she is in her complicated role. 

The List

SURVEILLANCE (2008) – 7 (Jennifer Lynch's absorbing crime tale)

I WANT YOUR SEX (2026) – 7 (funny look at sex and the eternal confusion it creates)

INITIATION (1987) – 5 (self-centered teen douches his way into the Australian Outback)

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY (2026) – 9

AT THE EARTH’S CORE (1976) – 5 (rewatch on Blu)

ANGEL OF H.A.R.M (1983) – 4 (soft-core espionage comedy)

THE LAST PLATOON (1988) – 7 (Richard Hatch in Vietnam)

AAA MASSEUSE, GOOD LOOKING, OFFERS HER SERVICES (1972) – 7 (giallo)

ICE CREAM MAN (2026) – 4 (boring series of OTT gore scenes – the young cast is solid though)

THE LONE RUNNER (1986) – 4 (Deodato post-apocalyptic sort-of western) 

THE MUMMY’S CURSE (1944) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

UNDERTONE (2026) – 7 (solid slow-burn chiller)

THE TROLLENBERG TERROR (1658) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

THE END OF OAK STREET (2026) – 7

X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE VRACH FRANKENSHTEYN (2026) – 7 (recut version is pretty good)

BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES (1970) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH IN CAMP MIASMA (2026) – 8

SEARCH AND DESTROY (1979) – 6 (Vietnam vets stalked by a killer)

THE RIP (2026) – 8 (excellent Miami-set crime tale)

THE DOG STARS (2026) – 8 (excellent post-apocalyptic drama)

THE GLOVE (1979) – 4 (weak PI/skip tracer tale that wastes its cast)

The Bloody Pit #236 - BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES (1970)

Author Mark Clark returns to start a discussion of the sequels to one of the greatest science fiction movies of all time. It is difficult to convey just how popular the Planet of the Apes series of films was in the early 1970s if you weren’t around to experience the phenomenon. The first film had been a massive hit both commercially and critically while its iconic final scene became part of the zeitgeist inspiring everything from standup comics to television advertisements to most kid’s playtime fantasies of gorillas punching disrespectful humans. The choice to make a sequel to such a well-known and well-regarded film seems like a natural thought in the 21st century but in the late 1960s it was not. And just getting everyone on board for the project was only the first problem the production encountered. We will elaborate. Somewhat.

 

BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES (1970) is generally considered one of the lesser entries in the POTA film series and both Mark and I feel this is a ridiculous common opinion. As we relate, even some of the cast and crew were less than thrilled with the final form the story took with both director Ted Post and lead actor James Fransicous trying to shift and alter things until nearly the last few minutes before cameras rolled. While flawed, the film is incredibly compelling and sports some of the best cinematic imagery of a post-apocalyptic Earth of any pre-CGI science fiction. And for those wanting to be intellectually engaged, the film seems intent on slinging idea after idea at the audience in an attempt to craft a similar effect of wide-eyed wonder the first film built. The entire affair is once again locked in place by a cast of fantastic actors giving us brilliant performances often through the award-winning ape makeup appliances. We spend a little time marveling at the villainous James Gregory as General Ursus and remain glad that he got the role instead of Orson Wells.

 

Needless to say, we discuss the film’s downbeat ending in detail so full spoiler warnings are in place! After all – no one was going to want to do another one of these things! Right?

 

If you have questions or comments thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. Mark and I will return soon with the next POTA sequel and stir some real controversy then. Thanks for listening. 

The Bloody Pit #233 - ROBOT JOX (1990)

Our series following the films directed by Stuart Gordon continues with ROBOT JOX (1990)! After three horror films in a row this was certainly a left turn for the man best known at the time for inventive, darkly humorous gore. The intended audience for this one is very different as the film aims for a broader appeal without quite so much blood and dismemberment. Instead, we get giant robots fighting for territory in a post-apocalyptic world. You know – family friendly! Other than the drinking and brief nudity. And we should issue a spoiler alert as we talk about everything up to the end credits.

John Hudson and I gather around his dinner table with Troy Guinn joining us in a brand-new way. Next time we may have to use a Quija board! We discuss the production of the film and the hardships encountered in crafting the special effects. The cast and their backgrounds are part of the conversation with Gordon regulars getting shout outs for their welcomed return. We talk a little about screenwriter Joe Haldeman and recommend a few of his excellent science fiction novels. The obvious similarities to PACIFIC RIM (2013) are discussed along with another key comparison to director Guillermo Del Toro’s career. So join us for dubious Russian accents, stop-motion animation and men beating each other to death for the joy of the soon to be squished crowd. Oh – and a very suggestive chainsaw! Whew.

 

If you have any comments about the films of Stuart Gordon or anything else we’ve covered on the show thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. Thank you for listening and we’ll be back soon!

CAT WOMEN OF THE MOON (1953) Poster Art

I'm not claiming this is a good film but it does have......not much, I'll admit. It's pretty bad, really. 

 

QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE (1958) Poster Art

I don't claim it's good but I will admit that I've watched it more than once!

 

Patreon - DISCLOSURE DAY (2026)

My viewing of Steven Spielberg's newest science fiction film leaves me overall disappointed with a few caveats. My suspension of disbelief was not often engaged. I discuss the question of it being partially my own fault for having seen too many Spielberg movies.

Poster Art for THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI ACROSS THE 8TH DIMENSION (1984)

 

Poster Art and Lobby Cards for DESTINATION MOON (1950)

 

Poster Art Inspired By THEY LIVE (1988)

 

Poster art for THE FABULOUS WORLD OF JULES VERNE (1961)

 

If you've never seen this fantastic film you really should seek it out! Made by Czech animator-turned-director Karel Zeman as a loving tribute to the novels of Jules Verne with the title of Invention for Destruction, it was released in 1958. In 1961 the film was belatedly released in the United States under this more famous title and by that time it had won numerous awards around the world. It is incredibly entertaining and unlike nearly anything you've ever seen before.