Podcast Summary: "How Did This Get Made?" – VelociPastor (HDTGM Matinee)

Release Date: February 18, 2025

Introduction to VelociPastor

In this special matinee episode, hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas dive into the bewildering world of "VelociPastor," a 2019 B-movie that has garnered attention for its unique blend of religious themes and dinosaur action. The episode begins with the trio setting the stage for their analysis, humorously referencing personal anecdotes before transitioning into the film discussion.

Plot Overview and Initial Impressions

"VelociPastor" tells the story of Doug Stewart, a young priest who witnesses the violent death of his parents. Struggling with his faith and seeking vengeance against urban crime, Doug discovers that he can transform into a velociraptor. This newfound power turns him into a vigilante, delivering justice with a primitive twist. Jason Mantzoukas humorously notes, “It's like part Incredible Hulk, part Jurassic Park. 100% Sharknado” (00:56).

Acting and Character Analysis

The hosts commend the cast's dedication despite the film's low budget. Paul Scheer praises the protagonist's physique and commitment, stating, “The priest… is straight jacked. The guy is... ready for a fight” (25:55). June Diane Raphael highlights the performance of the antagonist Carol, describing her as “a beautiful woman with a heart of gold” (25:25). They also laud the portrayal of Father Stewart, the old priest, with Scheer remarking, “Father Stewart was pitch perfect. If he's acting for real, God bless him” (57:35).

Special Effects and Production Quality

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the film's special effects, or the lack thereof. The velociraptor, dubbed VelociPastor, is critiqued for its unconvincing appearance. Jason Mantzoukas compares it to an inflatable dinosaur, humorously stating, “This looks like a paper mache Barney running around, wobbling around” (34:17). The hosts agree that the limited budget of $35,000 is evident in the rudimentary VFX, leading to moments that are unintentionally humorous.

Writing and Direction: Intentional vs. Accidental Badness

The dialogue and script of "VelociPastor" are dissected for their quality and intent. Paul Scheer questions whether the poor writing is a deliberate comedic choice or a result of inexperience, asking, “Are these lines purposefully bad or like... bad writing that's fun?” (15:36). Jason Mantzoukas adds, “Are you trying to be clever? And then I was mad at it” (16:22), highlighting the film's inconsistent tone between parody and earnestness.

Humor and Comedic Elements

Despite its flaws, "VelociPastor" provides ample comedic material. The hosts find humor in the film’s over-the-top action scenes and absurd plot points. Scheer chuckles about the protagonist's excessive blood scenes, noting, “He’s just covered in red. And it's like old school, like 1960s red blood” (73:17). The unintentional comedy derived from the film’s stilted acting and illogical narrative decisions keeps the discussion lively and entertaining.

Comparisons to Other Bad Films

"VelociPastor" is compared to cult classics like "Sharknado" and "Birdemic," with the hosts debating its place within the bad movie genre. Jason Mantzoukas observes, “If you're going to make a comedy version of it, you have to... you have to... and I think here, what they did was allow themselves just to imitate” (56:00). Paul Scheer appreciates the film's intentional embrace of bad movie tropes, likening it to works that "are in on the joke" (72:23).

Tangents: Sauna Beds and TikTok Insights

Interwoven with their critique of "VelociPastor," the hosts engage in lighthearted tangents about personal interests and contemporary topics. June Diane Raphael shares experiences with sauna beds, humorously detailing attempts to watch the movie while sweating profusely. The conversation shifts to TikTok, where June discusses following educational content on endometriosis, enlightening the hosts and listeners about the platform's diverse content beyond dance and lip-sync videos.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Concluding their analysis, the hosts acknowledge that while "VelociPastor" is undeniably a mess in many aspects, it possesses a certain charm that can be enjoyable if approached with the right mindset. Paul Scheer summarizes, “I laughed a bunch there. There’s smart people making this. It’s terrible, but in a way that I found enjoyable” (72:44). Jason Mantzoukas encourages listeners to watch the film on Amazon Prime, emphasizing its entertainment value despite—or perhaps because of—its shortcomings.

Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with important reminders about voting and upcoming projects, maintaining the podcast's signature blend of humor, camaraderie, and community engagement. The hosts extend gratitude to their production team and tease future content, leaving listeners both informed and entertained.

Notable Quotes:

• “It's like part Incredible Hulk, part Jurassic Park. 100% Sharknado” – Jason Mantzoukas (00:56)

• “The priest… is straight jacked. The guy is... ready for a fight” – Paul Scheer (25:55)

• “This looks like a paper mache Barney running around, wobbling around” – Jason Mantzoukas (34:17)

• “Are these lines purposefully bad or like... bad writing that's fun?” – Paul Scheer (15:36)

• “He’s just covered in red. And it's like old school, like 1960s red blood” – Paul Scheer (73:17)

• “I laughed a bunch there. There’s smart people making this. It’s terrible, but in a way that I found enjoyable” – Paul Scheer (72:44)

Conclusion

This episode of "How Did This Get Made?" offers a comprehensive and humorous breakdown of "VelociPastor," blending critical analysis with personal anecdotes and broader cultural observations. For fans of bad movies and sharp-witted comedy, this episode delivers insightful commentary wrapped in the hosts' signature entertaining style.