207 - Of Unknown Origin & More... (with Matthew David Wilder)
Digest
This podcast episode reviews three distinct films. The main focus is on *Cosmodesis of Unknown Origin*, a Canadian horror film blending horror and black comedy, exploring themes of fragile masculinity, urban alienation, and the pressures of yuppie culture. The panelists discuss the film's ambiguous ending, the protagonist's mental state, and the symbolic meaning of the rat, drawing comparisons to *American Psycho* and *Rosemary's Baby*. The episode also briefly touches upon a third-world hitman film, noting its directing style and political undertones, and a connexploitation sex comedy featuring sorority girls and a hockey team, highlighting its unique premise and comedic elements. The discussion incorporates the panelists' personal experiences and perspectives, leading to diverse interpretations of the films' symbolism and themes. The setting of *Cosmodesis of Unknown Origin* in an affluent neighborhood subtly touches upon themes of gentrification.
Outlines
Cult Film Deep Dive: *Cosmodesis of Unknown Origin* and Beyond
A detailed analysis of *Cosmodesis of Unknown Origin*, a Canadian horror-comedy, exploring its unique blend of genres, ambiguous ending, and thematic elements such as fragile masculinity and urban alienation. Also includes brief overviews of a third-world hitman film and a connexploitation sex comedy.
Keywords
Cosmodesis of Unknown Origin
A 1980s Canadian horror film blending horror, black comedy, and psychological thriller elements. Explores themes of urban alienation and fragile masculinity.
Connexploitation
A subgenre of exploitation films combining various genres, often including sex, violence, and social commentary.
Fragile Masculinity
A concept exploring anxieties and vulnerabilities in men, often manifested through aggression and a need for validation.
Gentrification
The process of renovating a district to attract wealthier people, often displacing poorer residents.
Satire
The use of humor, irony, or ridicule to expose and criticize folly or vice.
Third-World Hitman Film
A subgenre of action films often exploring political themes and social commentary within a specific geographical context.
Horror Comedy
A film genre blending horror and comedic elements.
Psychological Thriller
A genre focusing on the mental state and motivations of characters, often involving suspense and twists.
Q&A
What are the main themes explored in *Cosmodesis of Unknown Origin*?
Fragile masculinity, urban alienation, the pressures of yuppie culture, and the blurring lines between reality and paranoia.
How does the film's setting contribute to its overall meaning?
The affluent setting highlights the contrast between the protagonist's successful life and internal struggles, subtly touching upon gentrification and displacement.
What makes *Cosmodesis of Unknown Origin* unique within the horror genre?
Its unique blend of horror and black comedy, its ambiguous ending, and its focus on the protagonist's psychological state.
How do the panelists' personal experiences shape their interpretations?
Their backgrounds and film knowledge influence their analyses, leading to diverse interpretations of symbolism and themes.
Show Notes
Writer and Video Archives Cinema Club regular, Matthew David Wilder, joins Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary as they rip apart the house in George P. Cosmatos' Of Unknown Origin. A hard working businessman recently finally finished his townhouse renovations only to find that he's not the only one who moved in. What starts as a simple game of cat and mouse turns into obsession. Quentin, Roger, and Matthew discuss how their opinions on the film have changed over the years, the connections to other films like Shock to the System and American Psycho, and the theories on just who the invader truly is.
Then, over on Patreon, the guys continue the conversation. Second on today's billing — we've got a third world hitman gone berserk! Quentin, Roger, and Matthew pull the apartheid-sploitation Funeral for An Assassin off the shelves. Starring Vic Morrow, the guys discuss how they discovered this film from trailers on another tape, the muscularity of the directing, and which side this movie is really on. And, to bring it all together, we've got a Canucksploitation sex comedy that will have you begging for special treatment.
PATREON
MERCH
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.
Table of contents
United States
