The Psychotronic Video Guide (w/ Patton Oswalt)

In this three-part episode of the Pure Cinema Podcast, hosts Brian Sauer and Elrod Kane welcome comedian Patton Oswalt for an expansive and passionate exploration of the psychotronic film genre through the lens of the Psychotronic Video Guide, a follow-up to Michael Weldon’s seminal work. The conversation traverses a kaleidoscopic array of forgotten and bizarre films, from Bob Clark’s haunting 1974 horror *Death Dream* and the cult oddity *A-Bar: The First Black Superman*—which inspired a key character in HBO’s *Watchmen*—to the overlooked sci-fi gem *Android* (1982) and the VHS-only slasher *Terror on Tour* (1980). The hosts and Oswalt celebrate the genre’s raw authenticity, celebrating films like *Dynamite Chicken* (1971) and *Race for the Yankees Zephyr* (1981) for their chaotic energy, cultural foresight, and unexpected influence. The discussion deepens in the second half with spotlight on HBO’s underappreciated made-for-TV movies like *Citizen X* and *Nails*, as well as the stylistic brilliance of *Nightmare in the Sun* (1965) and Morgan Freeman’s transformative performance in *Street Smart* (1987). The episode culminates in a heartfelt reflection on the emotional and communal power of cult cinema, with the hosts announcing a live screening event at Richmond’s Braindead theater featuring a mysterious 1985 film that blends art-house sensibilities with dubbed sci-fi absurdity—initially mistaken for a *Kindred* sequel. The episode closes with gratitude for listeners who’ve called the podcast a personal sanctuary, likening it to a 'chapel' and 'liquor store'—a place of comfort, discovery, and shared joy in the world of lost films.