The Searchers podcast is the passion of three cinephiles who seek to guide you across the potentially overwhelming and untraversed regions of cinema. After a long day toiling through the grassy knolls, dry deserts, and rocky slabs, you deserve a break. Come on down and warm yourself by the fire, crack open a beer, and join us. New episodes every other week.
We here at The Searchers Podcast have taken you, dear listeners, over rough terrain, sprawling seas, steaming asphalt, and about 30,000 feet in the sky… but have we not yet taken you back in time?? Or even into the future?? Join Chris and Kevin as they embark on a rather intriguing journey, traveling through time. The Searchers are covering Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes by filmmaker Junta Yamaguchi in his directorial debut! Hop on the stagecoach with us as we retrofit it with a time traveling device to take you two minutes into the future! Wait a minute… now wait another! You knew you’d still be reading this! Hah! Don’t change the future! Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com . Thank you. Please rate us a 5/5, and review us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched. Ben , Chris , & Kevin
Folks, it’s flabbergasting that we haven’t covered an historical epic until now! So in light of the release of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, we choose to either prep your palette for that new cinematic adaptation of Homer’s epic poem or provide you with a possibly better rendition of screen poetry with a previous Homeric adaptation of Iliad. One that made its debut over twenty years ago in bright form with a classic ensemble cast. It’s 2004’s Troy! Covering the Director’s Cut of the film, come join the gang as they ride off into Ancient Greece to discover souls older than they are and with some arguably better drip! Should you listeners choose to return to an era of bright epics such as this one or join the zeitgeist of praise for Nolan’s new feature? We review, you decide! This is going to be great, peeps! Also, if you saw The Odyssey in theaters, what’d all of you think?? Worthy of your time, or might an older cinematic epic be more delectable? Email us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com.
Following John Candy: I Like Me and I Am Patrick Swayze, we’re on our third coverage of a documentary, peeps! This time an exploration of the life of not an actor, but an artist. An artist of sportsmanship, former NBA star, Jeremy Lin. It’s been over a decade since the film was released, but where has this hometown hero of Kevin’s been? It’s about time he takes a little journey with Chris and explore why his fellow Southern Californian and Torrance-born son left the NBA, the trials he’s faced to make it to one of the most lauded leagues in North America, and leading up to his status during the 2012-2014 era of playing for the Houston Rockets. So if you love sports, especially the NBA, and underdog tales, Chris and Kevin have a lil’ treat for y’all! Also, who’d all of you root for during the NBA Finals?? Are you Knicks fans? Spurs? There’s no hate here, we welcome you fellow hoop fans, so don’t you worry! Email us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com. PS-Send us some jerseys! Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com . Thank you. Please rate us a 5/5, and review us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched. Ben , Chris , & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
THE SEARCHERS PODCAST! Having journeyed through 124 episodes of questions, conversations, rabbit holes, revelations, and the occasional detour into the absurd, Ben and Chris continue onward. Ever since they first set out, they have traveled the highways and byways of cinema—collecting stories, challenging assumptions, and learning about life to the fullest. Striding ahead into Episode 125, microphones at the ready, they continue forth, seeking kino wherever it may be found. And who knows!? Perhaps they're destined to uncover a long forgotten OVA that changes everything. Or... maybe not. Either way, the search continues! Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com . Thank you. Please rate us a 5/5, and review us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched. Ben , Chris , & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
Long time listeners know that there are two Schitt’s Creek fans on this show and no, Kevin ain’t one of them, and apparently that needs to be fixed. It’s Ben and Chris! Yet, Kevin’s pick for this episode is a little charmer that stars Schitt’s Creek’s two leads, Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara! In an entry that is sort of a spiritual successor to our episodes reviewing John Candy: I Like Me and Only the Lonely, Chris and Kevin dive into this lesser known mockumentary, imbued with the spirit and talent of two other Second City Television stars and set in a humble city of small-town America where ambition, innocence, and silliness are all wrapped up in one package. Join us because this is a fun one!
In this episode, The Searchers hop aboard the Swayze Train as Chris and Ben dive into the 2019 documentary I Am Patrick Swayze and revisit the life, career, and legacy of one of Hollywood’s most magnetic stars. From Road House to Dirty Dancing and Ghost (and more), the guys reflect on the movies that made Swayze an icon and why his performances still resonate decades later. Along the way, they unpack the documentary’s most emotional moments, including stories from family, friends, and co-stars that reveal the driven, complicated, and deeply human man behind the fame. The conversation blends nostalgia, humor, and genuine appreciation for an actor who gave everything he had both on and off screen. Whether you’ve been a Swayze fan for years or are just discovering his work, this episode is a celebration of a larger-than-life talent whose impact still lingers in pop culture today. Please rate The Searchers a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. It helps us! Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
Ben surprised both Kevin and Chris with his recent review decision: Arthur (1981). Let’s take a trip to when Christopher Cross’ hit, “Arthur’s Theme”, made its way through movie theatre speakers nationwide. This sweet comedy-drama set in the Big Apple’s confines, pitting the silly lampooned wiles of upper-class hollowness with the brash honesty of the blue-collar, just comes to depict a man-child’s growth to become a true man. An individual with wisdom and fortitude, as he’s now found someone to love, his heart caught between the moon and New York City. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com . Thank you. Please rate us a 5/5, and review us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched. Ben , Chris , & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
Ben is once again joined by John Grace from the Midnight Movie Cowboys to review Shogun's Shadow (1989), starring Ken Ogata and Sonny Chiba. The Searchers love to dig into foreign cinema, especially Japan's, so it was a no brainer. So what started as a listener request turned into another collab on obscure (ish) cinema, which is what we do here as you already know. We touch upon the film's 2022 Blu-ray release thanks to Shout Factory (now on GRUV), who were generous enough to post a free copy on their YouTube page: Here , for which we are most grateful. In addition, we discuss Toei's reputation for selling rights to films in the west, Sonny Chiba's career, Hong Kong action films, Corey Yuen, Hideo Gosha, Bruce Lee, and a whole lot more tangential topics. Does this Sonny Chiba film hold up? Did a horse explode during the production of this movie? Will Ben's mic ever truly work properly? Well.. Listen and find out! Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com . Thank you. Please rate us a 5/5, and review us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us. Follow us on Letterboxd.com if you'd like to see what we've recently watched. Ben , Chris , & Kevin Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/ MMC's website John's Letterboxd
We’ve covered our fair share of recent releases over the past few years, but 2025 has been selective—only Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and John Candy: I Like Me have made the cut so far. So today, we return to another standout from last year. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis in his long-awaited return after seven years away from the screen, and directed by his son Ronan Day-Lewis in his debut, Anemone is a meditative exploration of prayer, pain, silence, and reconciliation. At its core, the film traces a fractured father-son relationship shaped by internal suffering, yet still reaching—however distantly—toward hope. Joined by returning guest Tyler, we dive deep into the film’s layered influences and ideas: echoes of The Searchers, threads of Greek and Egyptian tragedy, shades of Andrei Tarkovsky, and the meta-text of a real-life father-son duo bringing this story to life. We also explore themes of paternal and fraternal order, the weight of legacy, and the quiet epiphany of fading archetypes. And yes… we ask the important question: does he drink our milkshake (again)?
The Searchers are again joined by Mr. Nick Langdon to discuss a Around the World in 80 Days starring Jackie Chan. This entry in the ‘Misunderstood’ mini-arc was of course chosen by Mr. Kevin Chan. In this Searchers episode, the group revisits this 2004 globe-trotting adventure to unpack its blend of steampunk (CGI) spectacle, Chan's Western style slapstick comedy, and Steve Cooganisms, and it is no surprise also martial arts flair. Is this loose adaptation of the classic story unfairly dismissed, or does it struggle to find its identity amid tonal chaos and star-powered cameos? Along the way, we dig into Chan’s Hollywood era, the film’s ambitious production, and whether its playful energy outweighs its narrative detours. Join us as we race against the clock, circle the world (literally with our 3 spread-out time zones), and decide if this often-overlooked blockbuster deserves a second look. Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. We luv yew baybee, as Jackie would say. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
Alrighty, loyal listeners! After the high-seas chaos of Cabin Boy, we’re trading waves for wheels and hitting the scorching asphalt. This week, Ben, Chris, and Kevin dive into a high-octane F1 racing drama starring Sylvester Stallone as part of our new “Misunderstood” film series. Directed by Renny Harlin and co-written by Stallone himself, this episode shifts into gear with conversations about race car culture, Stallone’s career highs and lows, and the cloud of negativity that’s followed this film since its release. But is that criticism justified—or has this movie been unfairly left in the dust? Is it a misfire, or an underrated gem worth revisiting? Buckle up and tune in to find out! Next up is a similar type of film starring a pod favorite, and it's with a guest from down undahh! Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
Not every movie is a masterpiece, and not every comedy plays by the rules—but can a film be gleefully stupid and strangely brilliant at the same time? Join the gang as we dive into the wild fantasy comedy Cabin Boy (1994), the polarizing oddball from Disney’s now-defunct Touchstone Pictures banner (with a little Tim Burton magic in the producer’s chair). Chris mistook it as conventional when picking this review—prepare for groans, laughs, debates, and plenty of gabbing about this bizarre misadventure. Arrogance gets a reality check, a pampered “fancy lad” gets humbled the hard way, and perhaps we all hopped aboard the wrong ship (stagecoach?) This may be a bumpy ride, so don't get seasick! Oh fancy boy, indeed… Next up is a similar type of film starring Sly. Stay tuned. Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
Kevin, Ben, and Chris return to the fun topic of Billy Biao Biao to discuss 1989's The Iceman Cometh and 1991's A Kid from Tibet. These are two vastly different films compared to most of Yuen Biao's filmography, figuratively and actually a departure from the Three Dragons' bread and butter. The Iceman Cometh is a pseudo-Highlander action film with time traveling warriors, and A Kid from Tibet is Yuen Biao's only directorial effort. Does Yuen Biao measure up to his brothers: international phenom Jackie Chan and Hong Kong legend Sammo Hung? Listen and find out! Chanuary walked so Fe-Biao-ary could run. And don’t worry, when autumn hits, Hungtober awaits. Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
This is it... the moment some of you Hong Kong cinema fans have all been manifesting. Welcome to "Fe-Biao-ary," now officially locked into your cinematic calendars. This episode is a double bill — or as we like to joke, a “Biao Biao” (we had to brush up on our Cantonese for that heavy hitting joke). In episode 115, The Searchers are pairing Rosa with On the Run, two tonally opposite films united by one constant: Yuen Biao and his effortlessly compelling chemistry with his leading ladies. Rosa leans into lighter, more relaxed comedy territory with Biao's co-lead singer songwriter and actor Lowell Lo. On the Run swerves sharply into brooding, arthouse intensity — the 1988 cult classic from Alfred Cheung that absolutely refuses to pull its punches. Check both out on home video at 88films. Chanuary walked so FeBiaoary could run. And don’t worry, when autumn hits Hungtober awaits. Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/ Note: Biao is pronounced "bew"
Folks, we've returned to the great genre that inspired the show. Mitch Capps joins the three cinema cowboys on the trail in their journey to find the best films past and present. Enjoy as we wax poetic on all our favorite westerns. Next month is "Fe-Biao-ary." Join us during our discussions of Little Brother Yuen Biao and why he's the most overlooked of the Three Dragons. We're covering four of his films in two back to back episodes. The first episode will cover Rosa and On The Run , both available on home video from 88films. Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
We are back with another entry in The Searchers catalog. Get ready for an episode that isn’t only oh so brand new, but covers a film that’s oh so rare! (It is literally our most obscure review ever.) One of our frequent guests, Odie Arbuckle, joins us again with quite the pick — a Filipino action film from 1997. Full of melodrama as is usual for Filipino cinema and action that breathes the essence of Hong Kong nitrocellulose. Hear us gab a lil’ about this film, a lil’ about Filipino cinema in general, and a lil’ about other films as we continue broadening our horizons! Join us! We don’t want to leave you alone as we bask in the sands of this new frontier! Youtube link to the movie, HERE . Remember to send us your mailbags at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com! Hope y’all enjoy this episode! Next episode is back to our bread and butter--full western mode. We are excited for this one so stay tuned. Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
The Searchers cover the series finale of Strangers Things, discuss general thoughts on the entire season, and touch upon the entire series as a whole. Chris and Ben both were watching the show with their wives, so they said what the heck. Here's something we wouldn't typically do. Enjoy! Please rate us a 5/5 on Apple, Spotify, or Podbean, and review us on Apple. Submit your mailbags to us at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com . Our episode catalogue: https://searchersfilmpodcast.podbean.com/
A very Merry Christmas to you all! We’ve reached the big day before the new year, and what better choice of a film to cover than Clive Donner’s A Christmas Carol from 1984? For this one, Kevin’s bringing on an old friend of his, Alan, to join us for the show. Through such subtlety in performance, cinematography, and the natural cadence of the screen translation of Charles Dickens’ beloved novella, we take you through the delivery of this single iteration out of a very many and tell you why it truly might be the cream of the crop. A miser’s journey to resurgence and renewal that’s only so fitting for the reason for the season. So without further ado, join us, everyone, for a joyous occasion. Don’t you dare say, “Bah! Humbug!” Or else from under your feet, we’re pulling the rug! Remember to send us your mailbags at thesearcherspodcast@gmail.com! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
This week, Eastern Condors takes us back into familiar territory with an artist we never tire of revisiting: Sammo Hung. After covering Mr. Nice Guy and Encounters of the Spooky Kind earlier in 2025, we arrive at our fourth Sammo film on the show—but this time the laughs are traded for gunfire, jungle sweat, and brutal combat. A stark departure from kung fu comedy and supernatural hijinks, Eastern Condors finds the magnetic Hong Kong giant tackling a grim war-action epic, showcasing yet another facet of his remarkable versatility as both performer and filmmaker. Dirty, dangerous, and unrelentingly physical, this is Sammo operating in full men-on-a-mission mode. Joining us for the discussion is again Nick Langdon, helping us break down the film’s intensity, themes, and place within Sammo’s ever-expanding legacy. Is this the last time Sammo Hung marches onto the show? Not a chance. And stick around—next episode, we’re ringing in the season with A Christmas Carol starring George C Scott. Thanks, as always, for listening—and locking in.
