Step into the yellow wallpaper... This week on Cocktails & Classics, we’re deep-diving into Kane Parsons’ feature debut, A24’s Backrooms (2026)! We explore the uncanny terror of liminal spaces, the wild monster twist, that terrifying Christmas room, and the mind-bending end-credits footage. Grab a cocktail and join us as we try to escape the infinite maze of horror!

Kane Parsons’ Masterful Debut: From viral YouTube creator to A24, we discuss how Kane manages to build such a detailed world as a first time director.

The Psychology of Liminal Spaces: Why the nostalgic yet uncanny wallpaper, humming buzz of fluorescent lights, and claustrophobic infinity strike such a visceral chord.

Plot Theories & Bizarre Choices: Unpacking the Clark/Mary body horror dinner scene and Dylan goes off the deepend with theories about the "End Apartheid" shirt discovery.

This week on Cocktails & Classics, we're unlocking deep 90s nostalgia with Joe Dante’s chaotic sci-fi action film, Small Soldiers (1998). Join us as we break down the terrifying smart-chip military technology given to the Commando Elite, the noble Gorgonites led by Archer, and the wild practical effects. Shake up a drink and dive into this wild toy-warfare classic with us!

Show Notes & Discussion Topics

• Commando Elite vs. Gorgonites: Breaking down the character dynamics, from Chip Hazard’s ruthless leadership to Archer’s peaceful quest for Gorgon.
• Iconic 90s Cast & Crew: Highlighting the performances of Kirsten Dunst, Gregory Smith, Denis Leary, and Phil Hartman in his final film role.
• Practical Effects & CGI Magic: Analyzing the campy blend of animatronics, stop-motion, and early CGI that brought the toys to life.
• Dark Nostalgia: Why this movie felt way scarier (and cooler) as a kid than standard family fare.

The toys are back in town! In probably our most personal episode yet, we took our kids on their first theater trip to see Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5. Join us as we break down the latest adventure where Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang face their greatest threat yet: a kid's tablet, Lilypad . We’re discussing the new characters, the emotional beats of this movie and the whole franchise, and whether this sequel truly hits the mark. Shake a drink and join us!

Toy Meets Tech: Discussing the film’s central conflict as traditional toys go head-to-head with modern gadgets like Lilypad.

The Iconic Voice Cast Returns: We reflect on Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack reprising their iconic roles and how some of the characters are starting to sound older.

A Host of New Faces: We discuss and praise some of the new additions of Greta Lee as Lilypad and Conan O'Brien as Smarty Pants.

Evolution of the Franchise and Pixar's Technical Prowess: How does this 2026 release compare to the rest of the Toy Story Saga, and we dive into how Pixar's animation style has changed for better or worse over the years.

The Human Elements of Toy Story: We discuss how the series hits your emotions differently as a kid vs an adult, the emotional aspects of Jessie's storyline within the film, and how tough it can be seeing your kids grow up.