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. 

Video - Speed Buggy Music plus Comic Books!

I don't remember ever buying or reading a single Speed Buggy comic book in my youth but the show's incredibly catchy theme music is embedded in my memory to this day. Looking over these comic covers instantly put that glorious, energetic sound back in my head. If you've never heard this music or if you just need a reminder the above video has both the opening theme and closing music back to back for our earworm joy!

Forbidden Worlds Comic Book Cover Gallery

 

Ghostly Tales Comic Book Cover Gallery

 

Wild, Wild Podcast - LAST PLATOON (1988)

Adrian and I are heading back into the jungle for one last mission - to make a podcast about a film most regular people haven't heard of. It's possible that neither will make it out alive. And even if they do, can Donald Pleasence get the rescue chopper to them in time?

This season is dedicated to that great quiet man of British cinema, Donald Pleasence, who spent a great deal of time in the 1980s in Italy. We would love to hear from you about your favorite Donald Pleasence films from this period, or if you have ever got your foot caught on a bamboo spike.

You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our LINKTREE.

Poster Art for Jess Franco's EXORCISM (1974)

An ongoing series.