MARCH ON MARS: John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars (2001)

john carpenter's ghost of mars

As we continue Mars-ch on Alcohollywood, returning guest Craig (with a little help from new guest Alicia) joins us to talk John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars! An entertainingly cheesy change from the astronaut-based disaster movies that make up most Mars movies, Ghosts of Mars is late-career Carpenter at his most gonzo. Featuring a group of Mars cops (led by Natasha Henstridge and Jason Statham) and a band of criminals (led by professional lip-biter Ice Cube) fending off a group of possessed Martian ghosts who make themselves up like Marilyn Manson, Ghosts of Mars has all the grunge-rock, lesbian subplots and awkward cross-fades you might expect from the master of terror – or not. Check it out along with our custom cocktail and drinking rules!

(Thanks to our sponsor Field Notes as part of the Chicago Podcast Coop!)

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THIS EPISODE’S DRINK: Jack Ready and Double Tough

In honor of the faux-tough guy Ice Cube and crew give in this movie, as well as the dirty Martian-Western setting, we’ve got a spiced-rum drink with lambic and framboise to turn it nice and red. Also, we serve it with a giant ice cube because, well, you know. 

1 large ice cube (use Tevolo ice sphere or cube molds)
2 parts spiced rum
1 part lambic
3 parts cranberry juice
dash, orange bitters
splash, framboise

Combine ingredients in a shaker and mix well. Pour straight over ice cube in a rocks glass. Serve. 

DRINKING RULES FOR JOHN CARPENTER’S GHOSTS OF MARS:

  1. Every time we shift in and out of a different flashback
  2. Any time Carpenter cuts using a weird fade or wipe
  3. Whenever Jason Statham makes a gross comment toward Natasha Henstridge

FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN:

Ice Cube says to Natasha Henstridge, “Time to stay alive.”

Join us next week as we continue our March on Mars with Disney’s financial flop John Carter!

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The film staff of the film website/podcast Alcohollywood.

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