Jo sits down with Yung Hee — yes, that Yung Hee, all grown up and off the Mystery Team — to break down Hold the Fort (2025), William Bagley's horror comedy about a young couple who move to the suburbs and discover their HOA fights the literal hordes of hell once a year. One of them thinks neighbors are a gift. The other one is Jo. Spoiler-free, mostly.

Key Moments:

 * The one-year embargo on a movie that's been out for a year
 * Jo's real HOA story: the "gardener" who paid half the rent
 * The premise — gates of hell open yearly, dues are monthly
 * Bruce Campbell rules: horror comedies need real stakes
 * Three Stooges violence... with death
 * Would we watch it with the neighbors? One of us would.
 * Verdicts: two yeses, zero clubhouse parties

Jo's take: Tight 74 minutes, impeccable pacing, comedic violence with an actual body count. I'd watch it again — alone, on my couch, no neighbors.
Yung Hee's take: A celebration of community. Everyone knew their role. Great teaming. I'd move in.

Hold the Fort [https://amzn.to/4v7pay9]is now on VOD (Apple TV, Prime Video, Fandango at Home).

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S5 E16 | Hold the Fort (2025) | The HOA vs. the Hordes of Hell (with Yung Hee)

Jo brings Box back to talk Lesbian Space Princess, the Australian adult-animated quest about the galaxy's most boring royal rescuing the ex who dumped her in public. They agree the animation and songs are award-worthy. They agree the writing is not. They also agree the best-developed character is the spaceship. Spoiler-light, content very R-rated.

The setup — Saira, the most boring royal in a galaxy where everyone's queer, gets publicly dumped by bounty-hunter girlfriend Kiki at her own birthday party and decides the fix is a perilous quest to win her back. Nobody's sure she should.

Anxiety as a personality — Crippling anxiety, imposter syndrome, two impossibly cool moms. Box finds her relatable; Jo clocks her as Meg-meets-Lisa-Simpson with the volume up.

Willow, robbed — The non-binary singer-songwriter is the funniest, most fully-formed character in the thing — pineapple on the pillow — and the script forgets she exists. Both of us mad about it.

The ship has the arc — The actual best-developed character is the talking spaceship (Richard Roxburgh, Dracula in Van Helsing). That's a writing problem and a running joke.

The straight white maleans — Aunty Donna's man-cave villains look exactly like the Mooninites and land the sharpest jokes — when those jokes don't meander or lean too hard on "women game too."

Craft vs. script — Gorgeous animation, great color, terrific voices, genuinely good songs. The writing runs on hack and potty jokes, the Safety Bubble bit dies on arrival, and the ending is forced and unresolved — plot-driven where it needed to be character-driven.

The verdict — A low-stakes popcorn movie that flies by and is more fun than it has any right to be. Better than Bros. Worth a cinema seat with friends — just not with your parents.

Find Box — Instagram @jmbrannyk, new writing project on the way. Jelly Beans the cat supervised throughout.

Lesbian Space Princess - Streamin' Demons review special guest JM Brannyk

In a SPOILER FILLED Episode, Jo drags in Charlotte Noon — who has watched Clone Wars twice on purpose — to talk The Mandalorian and Grogu, a movie Jo refuses to call anything but the Baby Yoda show. They agree it's beautifully made. They agree they have no idea what the plot was. Both things are true at once. That's the episode.

The G-word — Jo sets the rule early: it's the Baby Yoda show, the PR team can get bent, the other word is never getting said.

Charlotte's credentials — A New Hope taped off the telly until the tape snapped, Jedi in the cinema, all of Rebels, Bad Batch four times, Clone Wars twice. Jo gets schooled on who Zeb is in real time.

The verdict — Ridiculously well made, don't look at the writing. Plays like a full TV season crammed into a movie, resetting the act every time Mando gets captured — which is constantly. Net character change by the end: about zero.

Practical effects win — Phil Tippett (yes, that one, also Mad God) does the creature work in stop-motion instead of CGI, and both agree it's the better film for it. Strings over gloss.

The recasting shuffle — Sigourney Weaver steps into a role rewritten around an absent actor, Gina Carano's character gets quietly swapped out, and the seams show if you're looking.

Where it lands — Andor's still the high-water mark. This sits around Ahsoka/Solo, below Rogue One and Andor, above Book of Boba Fett and the Acolyte.

Watch it where — Made-for-IMAX marketing aside, it's fine on the couch. Save the big screen for something that earns it.

Next time — Box returns for lesbian space princesses, then the crew takes on Obsession — a theater movie purely for the sound

The Mandalorian and Grogu - Streamin' Demons Star Wars Nerd Special

This week on Streamin' Demons, Jo and Emile take on Sinners — Ryan Coogler's vampire-blues-period-piece starring Michael B. Jordan as both twins. The performances are genuinely great, the characters feel real, and Jordan pulling off two distinct people in the same frame is a real feat. The setting, costuming, and makeup are all top-tier. The problem is everything around them: the film welds a musician arc to a creature-feature and commits to neither, running 2h17 that feels like a Hobbit movie with two-and-a-half endings. A decent B-movie carried by a great cast — and an Oscar that's at least 40% gimmick.

Find more episodes and links here: https://linktr.ee/EmptyhellWe are Amazon Affiliates. If you use an Amazon link we share and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission.

Key Moments

 * The glazing first – Credit where it's due: Jordan plays both twins in the same frame, nobody acts badly, and you actually care about the brothers.
 * Two movies in a trenchcoat – Emile's main beef: a musician movie with horror bolted on, committing to neither. Jo's verdict — 'Dusk Till Dawn as a musical.'
 * The runtime that lies – Both clock it as way longer than 2h17 — a natural ending, then another, then another. Emile paused halfway and finished the next day.
 * The Klan-fire history – Jo ties the non-vampire plot to real history and It: Welcome to Derry — plus a genuine "how did the fire start?" debate (listeners, 'call in').
 * Racial tension done right – Layered overtones: white landowners, Black characters, and the Irish as a separate rung entirely. The non-horror story could've stood alone.
 * How it should've ended – Both wanted it to close on the first ending; Jo runs through Inception, Shutter Island, and 12 Monkeys as the ambiguous-ending school this one chickened out of.
 * The Oscar gimmick – Emile: the win is maybe 40% the twin trick. Great performance, not a Best Picture.
 * Score vs. the guitar – The background music's so good neither remembers it; the 12-minute guitar solo is the Yngwie Malmsteen problem.
 * Where it lands – Not bad, just too long. A solid B-movie tiered low-B/high-C, and one neither needed to see in a theater.
 * Final verdict – Worth a watch for the cast and craft, but it's two movies fighting over one runtime. No plugs this week — just the usual "good day, y'all."

Sinners (2025) Breakdown: Vampire Blues, Michael B. Jordan ×2 & That Runtime | Streamin' Demons

This week on Streamin' Demons, Jo and Sofia G dig into Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (2025) — and no, not Benicio. It's del Toro telling the story he's wanted to make since he read the novel at eleven: gorgeous, deeply personal, with costuming and set design doing half the storytelling and a creature that ends up being the most human thing on screen. Both of them cried. More than once. It's a horror movie, but it's really poetry on film.

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We are Amazon Affiliates. If you use an Amazon link we share and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission.

Key Moments

 * Why this Frankenstein – Sofia on what sets del Toro's version apart from the Universal monsters; Jo on origin-story fatigue, and why this one made him sit up.
 * Del Toro's own story – How he mapped his own childhood onto Victor — the stern father, the favored brother — and how both hosts relate as firstborns.
 * The color red – Sofia's read: red follows Victor everywhere as a symbol of his dead mother. Jo clocked the blood but missed the throughline.
 * Mia Goth playing double – Mother and Elizabeth, same actress, same Freudian parallel — plus a Patrick Stewart / Tennant Hamlet connection.
 * Costumes as story – Elizabeth as the one vibrant figure in a gray world, and the corpse-jacket detail that wrecks Sofia.
 * The creature as art – Del Toro's insistence that Victor's an artist, not a scientist, and the creature a work of art.
 * The blind man arc – The sweetest, saddest stretch of the film, plus a dire-wolf detour that beats a certain Game of Thrones reunion.
 * The wedding dress – The centerpiece costume tying Elizabeth to the creature — and Jo pushing Sofia, a real dressmaker, to chase costume design.
 * Immortality – The creature's ask for a companion, and whether either host would actually want to live forever (Jo: hard no).
 * Final verdict – Beautiful, layered, devastating. Watch it, bless your eyeballs, bring tissues. 

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Frankenstein (2025) Breakdown: del Toro's Masterpiece, Mia Goth & That Wedding Dress | Streamin' Demons

This week on Streamin’ Demons, Jo and Amelie dig into Bonekeeper, the cave horror film from writer-director Howard J. Ford. A group heads into a remote cave system looking for a missing woman and quickly ends up in full creature-feature territory.

The cave setting works, the claustrophobia lands, and the movie gets a big boost from John Rhys-Davies showing up and giving the whole thing some real weight. Jo and Amelie also get into the messier side of it, especially the weak group setup, the questionable “these people are friends” claim, and all the dumb cave decisions that would get people killed even without a monster involved.

It’s flawed, patchy in places, and the creature work could have been stronger, but the pacing moves, the atmosphere works, and both Jo and Amelie agree it’s still a solid, entertaining horror watch.

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Key Moments

Opening chaos – Jo and Amelie introduce Bonekeeper and immediately start side-eyeing IMDb’s description of the group as “six young friends.”

Character confusion – The hosts try to figure out who these people actually are, how they know each other, and why they’re the ones investigating a missing person.

John Rhys-Davies surprise – Jo realizes the professor is John Rhys-Davies and spends a good chunk of the movie delighted that he’s actually in it for more than a throwaway cameo.

Cave logic breakdown – Jo and Amelie tear into the group’s survival decisions, from splitting up to leaving people behind in a pitch-black cave.

Creature effect debate – The monster works better as an idea than as a visual, and Jo argues practical effects would have helped a lot.

Final verdict – Bonekeeper is messy but entertaining, with strong atmosphere, solid pacing, and enough cave horror tension to make it worth watching.

Bonekeeper Breakdown: Cave Horror, John Rhys-Davies & Plot

Dead Lover gets the Streamin’ Demons treatment. Jo and guest Charlotte unpack the film’s bizarre romance, stage-play style visuals, and that wild scratch-and-sniff screening gimmick. From resurrecting a lover with a grown finger to theatrical sets and low-budget creativity, this review dives into why the film is weird, quirky, and unexpectedly fun.

Find more from Streamin’ Demons here:
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KEY MOMENTS

 * Opening chaos – Jo introduces Charlotte as the “London correspondent” who attended the press screening.
 * Scratch-and-sniff cinema – The wild theatre gimmick where audiences smelled scenes during the movie.
 * The play-style filmmaking – Charlotte explains how the movie feels like a stage play adapted to film with minimal sets and four actors.
 * The weird love story – A grieving gravedigger tries to resurrect her drowned lover through bizarre experiments… including growing a finger.
 * Jo’s big take – If your “weirdo-meter” likes films like Fried Barry, this one might be your jam.
 * The theatre question – Charlotte debates whether the film works better as a cinema experience or a quirky late-night TV watch.
 * Theme kicker – A low-budget, eccentric indie that proves creativity can carry a film even when the resources are tiny.

Dead Lover will be available in UK Cinemas (in glorious STINK-O-VISION!) from 20th March

A lonely gravedigger who stinks of corpses finally meets her dream man, but their whirlwind affair is cut short when he tragically drowns at sea. Grief-stricken, she goes to morbid lengths to resurrect him through madcap experiments.

Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxoY-3mu04g

Dead Lover Breakdown: Weird Romance, Scratch-n-Sniff & Theatre Horror | Streamin’ Demons

This week on Streamin’ Demons, Jo and Amelie take a look at the 2022 indie horror film Anacoreta. The movie follows a group of filmmakers heading out to a remote cabin in the woods to shoot an experimental horror project, but as the cameras keep rolling the situation slowly starts to unravel.

The acting is surprisingly strong, especially considering the cast is often playing actors inside the film itself. Jo and Amelie talk about how that works in the movie’s favor early on, along with the solid atmosphere and setup. But once the story hits the third act, the logic starts to slip and the tension that was building begins to fall apart.

Along the way the hosts also get into a debate about how people react to danger in the woods. Amelie’s instinct is to call out to a stranger and figure out who they are. Jo’s instinct is much simpler: get in the truck and leave.

Is Anacoreta worth checking out? Jo and Amelie break down what works, what doesn’t, and why the film ends up being a mix of solid ideas and frustrating decisions.

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We are Amazon Affiliates. If you use an Amazon link we share and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission.

KEY MOMENTS

Opening riff – Jo kicks things off joking about reviewing a “new” movie from 2022 that they couldn’t talk about until now.

The premise – A group of filmmakers head to a remote cabin to shoot an experimental horror movie… and things slowly start unraveling.

Acting inside acting – The cast pulls off the tricky job of playing actors making a movie, shifting between intentionally bad acting and real performances.

Jo’s take – The first two acts work well, but once the movie hits Act 3 the internal logic falls apart and the tension drops.

Cultural clash moment – Jo and Amelie debate what they’d actually do if they saw a stranger who was stalking them in the dark in the woods. Amelie would call out and talk. Jo’s response: get in the truck and leave.

Location oddity – The “abandoned” cabin somehow has perfectly maintained flowers, which becomes one of the episode’s running jokes.

Final verdict – There’s real talent here from the filmmakers, but the third act keeps the movie from landing as well as it could.



Anacoreta Breakdown: Found Footage Horror & Act 3 landings

Dolly (2025) is NOT about Dolly Parton — and Jo is still recovering from that realization. This Shudder-backed horror throws you straight into the blood-soaked chaos within five minutes, no slow burn, no filler.

Jo & Amelie break down the film’s relentless pacing, jaw-dropping practical effects, and the surprisingly layered performance behind the monstrous Dolly. From grindhouse energy reminiscent of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Evil Dead to moments of unexpected sympathy for the killer, this one flies by at 83 minutes and leaves a mark.

They debate the “paralysis” character moments, scream at the screen, and agree this is a rare horror that’s brutal, funny, and wildly entertaining without relying on cheap jump scares.

If you love retro horror vibes, backwoods terror, practical gore, and smart writing that respects its audience — this is your movie.

In U.S. theaters and on Shudder March 6.

KEY MOMENTS

Opening chaos – Within five minutes: blood, abduction, and no time to breathe.
Monster reveal – Dolly’s design and practical effects hit hard and feel authentically retro.
Jo’s big take – The “death by paralysis” moments that sparked debate about character realism.
Amelie’s reflection – This is horror you can scream through, laugh through, and survive together.
WTF moment – The shovel scene. No spoilers. Just pain.

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Dolly (2025) Breakdown: Brutal Gore & Retro Horror | Streamin’ Demon

The Morrigan (2025) is a new Irish folk horror film blending pagan mythology, supernatural possession, and classic B-horror energy — and Jo & Amelie are breaking it all down in this spoiler-free Streamin’ Demons review.

Is this indie horror movie worth seeing in theaters? Or is it the perfect Friday-night streaming watch?

We dive into:

 * Irish folklore and the Morrigan war goddess mythology
 * B-movie horror elements and low-budget CGI debate
 * Strong performances that elevate familiar possession tropes
 * Gorgeous rain-soaked coastal cinematography
 * Why this 90-minute horror thriller never drags

Jo argues the cinematic landscape shots deserve the big screen, while Amelie calls it a cozy horror experience — perfect for popcorn, M&Ms, and guessing what happens next.

If you’re into folk horror movies, supernatural thrillers, indie horror films, or possession stories with strong acting and tight pacing, The Morrigan (2025) might be your next watch.

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KEY MOMENTS

Opening chaos – Fresh screener energy, red shirts, and immediate spoiler-free reactions.

Main plot or twist – Tomb, curse, and possession elements unpacked without spoilers, plus discussion on the film’s efficient flashback technique.

Character study – Strong performances elevate a familiar horror setup and keep the tension engaging throughout.

Jo’s big take – The cinematography and immersive landscape shots make a compelling case for seeing it on the big screen.

Amelie’s reflection – A perfect Friday-night B-horror: snacks, guessing what happens next, and pure cozy chaos fun.

WTF moment – The unexpected showdown of carrots vs. M&Ms becomes the real horror debate of the episode.

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The Morrigan (2025): Folk Horror & Cozy Chaos | Streamin’ Demons

Jo (@jim_phoenix) · Zencastr

Jo (@jim_phoenix)

Streamin' Demons is your bi-weekly dig through everything streaming — no genre safe, nothing off the table. Each episode, host Jo Szewczyk and guests take one title — a blockbuster, an indie oddity, a fresh drop, or a gem the algorithm buried — and break it all the way down: unfiltered reviews, honest reactions, zero corporate fluff. 30–45 minutes to decide whether it's worth your night. Subscribe and join the haunt.



Streamin' Demons

Join bestselling author Jo Szewczyk in What’s Kraken?, Empty Hell’s signature interview series where raw, unfiltered conversations cut through the noise. In just 20 minutes, Jo—known for his dark narrative hit Surviving Gen X—dives deep with creators, artists, and the voices shaping culture, politics, and entertainment today.

From filmmakers to musicians, writers to activists, comedians to elected officials—What’s Kraken? brings you the stories, struggles, and process behind the people changing the world around us. No scripts. No pretense. Just real talk with real people.

Subscribe now and join our growing community of entertainment enthusiasts. New episodes drop regularly on our YouTube channel and everywhere you get your podcasts!

What's Kraken with Jo Szewczyk

Surviving Gen X

Welcome to The Paranormal Prism, where strange stories, real paranormal experiences, UFOs, UAPs, ghosts, unexplained mysteries, and the supernatural all come together.  

Join our host Lee, who explores the world's most fascinating mysteries through thoughtful conversations, eyewitness accounts, expert interviews, and evidence-based discussion. From haunted locations and cryptid encounters to alien encounters, government secrecy, and the unexplained, no subject is off limits.  

Having an open mind, healthy skepticism, and a passion for exploring, see what lies beyond conventional thinking, we take listeners into the places where the most intriguing questions begin.  

Whether you're a lifelong believer, a curious skeptic, or simply fascinated by the unexplained, The Paranormal Prism invites you to question, explore, and discover what may lie beyond our current understanding.  

Originally S.I.P.A. Paranormal Chronicles - Rebranded 2026-07-17