The Good, The Bad, and The Sequel

Next week, we are discussing Psycho IV: The Beginning, and this week we’re talking with the film’s director, horror legend Mick Garris.
Before we break down Norman Bates’ origin story, we sit down with the man behind the camera to explore one of the most fascinating careers in genre filmmaking. From Amblin to Stephen King adaptations, from Star Wars to Spielberg, Mick’s Hollywood journey is packed with stories you truly can’t make up.
We get into everything, including:
🎬 His incredible journey from journalist to filmmaker and how persistence opened doors in Hollywood
🏢 Working at Amblin and the moment he impressed Steven Spielberg
🌌 His time working around the Star Wars universe — and operating R2-D2 on the Oscars red carpet
🕺 Appearing in Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video and being part of a cultural phenomenon
🧙 The surprising origins of Hocus Pocus and how the idea first came to life
🐱 Mark Hamill’s unforgettable cameo in Sleepwalkers
🔥 The realities of directing in Hollywood — studio pressures, creative battles, and protecting story
🔪 Directing Psycho IV and honoring one of horror’s most legendary legacies
🎥 One-line looks at the films that shaped his career: Sleepwalkers, The Stand, Critters 2, The Shining (miniseries), and more
Mick brings humor, humility, and decades of firsthand Hollywood experience, making this a must-listen for horror fans, film lovers, and anyone fascinated by how movies actually get made.
🎥 Watch the full, unedited interview:
sequelsonly.com/mickgarris
🎬 Your Homework:
Rewatch Psycho IV: The Beginning — pay attention to how it reframes Norman’s story and adds psychological depth to one of cinema’s most iconic characters.
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🌐 Visit the site: sequelsonly.com
💬 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with friends, enemies, neighbors, exes… and anyone who still hears violins every time they step into the shower.

This week, The Good, The Bad, and The Sequel dives headfirst into the glossy, twist-obsessed world of Wild Things 2 — the direct-to-video sequel that tries very hard to out-sleaze, out-twist, and out-confuse the original.
From soap-opera logic to sudden betrayals, Wild Things 2 is the kind of movie that makes you question everything… including whether the script was written in chronological order.
We break down all the madness, including:
🕵️‍♂️ The insurance agent who acts like he’s James Bond (and absolutely believes it)
🔀 The nonstop twists — double-crosses, triple-crosses, and “wait, what?” reveals
🤯 Scenes that completely fall apart once you know the ending
💄 The early-2000s vibes, glossy aesthetics, and straight-to-DVD energy
🐍 The impossible task of living up to the original Wild Things
🎭 Performances that range from surprisingly solid to gloriously unhinged
💰 Money, manipulation, and motivations that make less sense the longer you think about them
✨ And plenty more ridiculous sequel chaos that only the Wild Things franchise could deliver
Whether you love trashy thrillers or just enjoy watching movies that confidently make zero sense, this one is a blast to unpack.
🎥 Watch the full, unedited review:
sequelsonly.com/WildThings2
🎭 Next Up: Psycho IV 🔪🧠
And for it, we’re talking with legendary writer and director Mick Garris — the mind behind some of the most iconic horror and genre projects of the last few decades.
We’ll be diving into Psycho IV, exploring Norman Bates’ legacy, Hitchcock’s shadow, and how this sequel/prequel tried to reinvent a horror classic.
📲 Follow us everywhere: @sequelsonly
🌐 Visit the site: sequelsonly.com
💬 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with friends, enemies, neighbors, exes… and anyone who still thinks they can predict a Wild Things ending.

This week, we’re diving into the steamy, twist-filled sequel Wild Things 2 (now streaming on Tubi) — and for it, we’re joined by casting director Michael Testa, the man behind the scenes helping shape countless careers and characters in Hollywood.
Casting directors rarely get the spotlight, but Michael’s stories prove just how much power, chaos, and instinct go into choosing the right actor for the right role.
We get into everything, including:
🎥 How Michael landed his very first gig thanks to an unexpected connection — his uncle, the Chief of Police
📺 His early casting credits, from small projects to bigger opportunities like Roswell and A Deadly Adoption
🌟 Casting Jennifer Lawrence on Cold Case before she became a global superstar
🔥 Fighting to get James Franco cast early in his career — before Hollywood fully caught on
🎭 What casting really looks like behind the scenes: pressure, politics, instincts, and gut feelings

Michael brings honesty, humor, and a rare insider perspective on Hollywood that you almost never hear - making this episode a must-listen for film fans, aspiring actors, and anyone obsessed with behind-the-scenes stories.

🎥 Michael's IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0856443/

🎬 Your Homework:
Watch Wild Things 2 on Tubi — it’s packed with twists, ridiculous drama, and peak direct-to-video sequel energy. After hearing Michael’s stories, you’ll never look at casting the same way again.
📲 Follow us everywhere: @sequelsonly
🌐 Visit the site: sequelsonly.com
💬 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with friends, enemies, neighbors, exes… and anyone who thinks casting directors “just pick actors.”

This week, The Good, The Bad, and The Sequel takes on one of the greatest sequels ever made — Bride of Frankenstein — and we’re joined by a very special guest, Antonia Carlotta, whose family history is deeply connected to Universal and the classic monster era itself.
Bride of Frankenstein isn’t just a sequel — it’s a landmark in film history. Bigger, stranger, funnier, and more emotional than the original, it helped define what sequels could be while cementing Universal Monsters as true pop culture icons.
We dig into it all, including:
⚡ Why Bride of Frankenstein is often considered superior to the original
🧟‍♂️ The bold tonal shift — gothic horror mixed with humor, heart, and operatic drama
🎭 Ernest Thesiger’s scene-stealing Dr. Pretorius and the movie’s razor-sharp wit
🎥 James Whale’s fearless direction and how personal expression shaped the film
🕯️ Stunning production design, iconic imagery, and moments that still hit nearly 90 years later
📜 Antonia’s family legacy and personal connection to Universal Studios and classic Hollywood
💬 How Bride helped define sequel storytelling, monster mythology, and cinematic ambition
Antonia brings incredible insight, passion, and historical perspective, making this a must-listen episode for classic horror fans, Universal Monster lovers, and anyone who appreciates cinema history done right.
Antonia Carlotta Links:
🌐 Website: https://antoniacarlotta.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antoniacarlotta
🐦 X / Twitter: https://x.com/AntoniaCarlotta
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntoniaCarlotta
🎬 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/antoniacarlotta
The next sequel we are covering is "Wild Things 2".. Somehow things get wilder... for it, we are chatting with Casting Director Michael Testa, who is a Jersey guy! Michael is a respected casting director known for his sharp eye for talent and his ability to assemble unforgettable ensembles across film and television. With a career built on connecting the right actors to the right roles, Testa has played a key behind-the-scenes role in bringing memorable characters to life, often helping launch or elevate performances that stick with audiences long after the credits roll. His credits include Roswell, Cold Case Files, Will Ferrell's "A Deadly Adoption", and more. Michael is also an accomplished writer with his latest film, "A Royal Montana Christmas." Great chat.
Michael's IMDb : https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0856443/
📲 Follow us everywhere: @sequelsonly
🌐 Visit the site: sequelsonly.com
💬 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with friends, enemies, neighbors, exes… and anyone who believes sequels can’t be better than the original.

We’re kicking off the New Year with a BIG one — actor Keith Coogan joins The Good, The Bad, and The Sequel to start the year off right. And if that’s not enough, next week we’re covering one of the greatest sequels of all time… Bride of Frankenstein. 🧟‍♂️⚡
Keith is one of those actors whose work is burned into pop culture memory. From ‘80s classics to cult favorites, his career spans decades, genres, and some truly unforgettable performances.
In this episode, we dive into:
🎬 Growing up in Hollywood and navigating child stardom
👶 His early career and legendary family lineage in entertainment
🏠 Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead and becoming part of an all-time cult classic
🛹 Adventures in Babysitting, Disney films, and working during the golden era of family movies
🎭 The transition from child actor to adult roles and staying creative in the industry
🧠 Reflections on longevity, fandom, conventions, and embracing legacy roles
✨ Stories, laughs, and insights you won’t hear anywhere else
Keith brings honesty, humor, and a deep love for the craft, making this a perfect way to kick off the year with a conversation that’s equal parts nostalgic and inspiring.
🎥 Watch the full, unedited interviewreview:sequelsonly.com/KeithCoogan
🔗 Keith’s Website:
https://keithcooganonline.com/
🎬 Your Homework:
Revisit Adventures in Babysitting or Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead — they absolutely still hold up, and they hit even harder after hearing Keith’s stories.
🎭 Next Up: Bride of Frankenstein ⚡🧟‍♀️
One of the greatest sequels ever made. Universal monsters, gothic horror, and cinema history — we’re breaking it all down next week.
📲 Follow us everywhere: @sequelsonly
🌐 Visit the site: sequelsonly.com
💬 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with your friends, enemies, neighbors, exes… and anyone who still says “I’m right on top of that, Rose.”