Podcast — Season 7 — The Black Case Diaries

It's the Great Case Scared Stupid, Charlie Brown!

Well, we’re finally here: the season 7 finale of The Black Case Diaries. We’d like to thank every person that joined us over the last few months! We could not and would not do this without you. So, to give you an extra special treat this Halloween, we’ve decided to cover not one, but TWO Halloween classics in one episode! That’s right, it’s the first-ever BCD Double Feature!
We reached into our trick-or-treat bag and pulled out two very, very different movies. One was released in theaters, while the other was made for TV. One has a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, while the other sits at a dismal 17%. One of these films is live-action and the other is a classically animated masterpiece. However, these two pieces of spooky media hold a special place in our hearts. They are: It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie, Brown! And Ernest Scared Stupid.

Another (Brief) Case Around the Campfire (Again)

Welcome ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and whoever else has stumbled upon our show! This is our annual (Brief) Case Around the Campfire! Come laugh (and shiver) with us as we tell some spooky tales about our home state of Ohio.

Podcast, Spooky, Campfire StoriesBlack C. DiariesOctober 24, 2022campfire, Spooky Season, Spooky Stories

The Case of The Haunted Mansion (2003)

We’ve seen movies based on books, comic books, fairy tales, myths, and even songs. But this week, we’re looking into another Disney film that was based on a theme park ride! Last year, we did an episode on The Hollywood Tower of Terror, a 1997 made-for-TV film based on an iconic ride at Walt Disney World (the one at Walt Disney Land is no more.) Since Tower of Terror made its debut, Disney has produced several films based on some of its most popular theme park attractions, the most successful being Pirates of the Caribbean. In the Fall of 2003, Disney released a live-action film based on its spookiest ride: The Haunted Mansion.

The Many Cases of Sleepy Hollow

The summer light is fading, and the cool air of Autumn is in our midst. Stores are placing swimsuits on clearance racks, Spirit Halloween has already set up shop in empty retail spaces, and the evening air smells like wood smoke. So, as we prepare ourselves for the spookiest time of the year, let’s take a look at one of America’s first ghost stories: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

So, this week we are taking a look at this staple in American literature, and all the ways that the story has been adapted over the years! So, turn out the lights and gather close by the fireplace, it’s time to hear about the Legend(s) of Sleepy Hollow!

A Case of Practical Magic (1998)

Based on the novel by Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic is an endearing story about love and sisterhood, with a dash of homicide and a pinch of demonic possession. With striking 90s fashion and two irresistible leading ladies, it’s everything you could possibly want from a film about small-town witchcraft.

So, gather some ingredients and light some candles, it’s time to cast some spells with The Owens Sisters in Practical Magic.

The (Historical) Addams Family Case

Summer is winding down which can only mean one thing…It’s almost time for FALL. We love getting spooky here at the BCD, so we’ve decided to get a jumpstart on the season with an episode about the creepiest, cookiest family around: The Addams Family!

Whether it was in a sitcom, cartoon series, movie, or comic strip, chances are you have seen The Addams Family. This strange and loving group of weirdos has managed to remain in mainstream pop culture for well over a half-century appearing in several adaptations. This week, we’re learning where this fascinating family came from and why we’re still talking about them today.

So grab your most hideous clothes and let’s get positively ghoulish with The Addams Family.

Snow White and the Seven Cases (1937)

They knew that if Walt thought it was possible, then they better find a way to make it happen.

The result was, of course, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; the film that launched countless others. Snow White is not only one of the most important animated films ever made, it’s one of the most important films in cinema history. It made an indelible mark on cinema, and set a standard for animation to which films today still aspire. So, as we continue on in August, get ready to sing, dance, and fall in love with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The Case of Our Studio Ghibli Top 10 (Part 2)

Well, last week we outlined the first half of our Top 10 Studio Ghibli movies! This week, AniMAY continues with the second half, as we count down our top five choices for our favorite Studio G movies. So, let’s just jump right into it with number five!

The Case of Our Studio Ghibli Top 10 (Part 1)

Well, Animation April is over, but that doesn’t mean that we have to stop talking about animation! This year, we decided to extend our animation discussion into the next month and celebrate aniMAY!

The Case of Blue Sky

Every year during Animation April, we like to highlight the work of a different animation studio. Last year, we talked about the short-lived Amblimation, Steven Spielberg’s defunct animation studio that pre-dated Dreamworks. This year, we’re covering another defunct studio that was responsible for several animation classics over the course of 20 years.

The Case of Motion Capture Animation

So far this month we’ve talked about the classical animation of Don Bluth, and the computer-generated animation from Blue Sky Studios. But today, we’re covering one of the most interesting and (and possibly creepiest) animation types out there: Motion Capture!

The Secret Case of NIMH (1982)

It's April once again, which means it's time to talk about animation. We're thrilled to say that our season premiere is actually in response to a fan request! Yvette Morales suggested that we cover this film, so THANK YOU, Yvette!