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Episode 128: Cryptids (From the Last Decade)

August 5, 2026

The Hallow (2015), The Ritual (2017), and Antlers (2021)

Cryptids occupy a couple of different categories in modern life. One of them is fun, if a bit kitschy and silly: think concrete bigfoot statues sitting in whimsical gardens or funny little Mothman plaques hanging on the wall. But another is truly terrifying, buried down deep below the surface of our culture and our geography, a place where most people refuse to even touch the soil, much less dig. On this episode, we are going to dig deeply into those terrifying cryptid myths and uncover some wonderful horror films. Because in the last decade or so, a handful of filmmakers have chosen to put spade to soil and go deeply into that taboo territory and yielded some wonderfully horrific results.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Episode 127: Shock Theater

July 22, 2026

Believe it or not, there was a time when instant access to hundreds of horror movies didn’t exist. Scary thought, huh? Before in the ’50s, unless you caught a movie in the theater, you probably weren’t going to see it, especially when you’re talking about the classic monster films, like Dracula and Frankenstein. But then in October of 1957, Universal had sold 52 of their titles, many of them being the classic monsters, were released to TV in what was called the Shock Theater package. And to help promote these, it was suggested for TV stations to have a “horror host” that would introduce the features. Simply put, it exploded. And help give birth to the Monster Kid generation.

Add in that Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine started the following year, there really was no turning back. Now you could see these monsters in the safety of your own home. A long way away from being able to hop on your computer or streaming TV service and find thousands of titles at your fingertips. But this was starting of real horror fandom, where you could get your weekly fix of monsters, as well as be reading Famous Monsters, buying your very own Aurora Monster model kits… life was great.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of this event and how it really was a game changer for horror movie fans.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Episode 126: Twice Told Tales – Toolbox Murders

July 8, 2026

The Toolbox Murders (1978) and Toolbox Murders (2004)

In this Twice Told Tales segment, we take a look at a film and its “remake”, which can be about as far apart as you can get. Some might say a remake in name only. But nonetheless, two films that while are different, do have some similarities, even if it might be behind-the-scenes information. But what you do have is one very uncomfortable exploitation film and a more modern tale with a supernatural slight to it. Or does it? Both of these films are products of their time, in what they are showing us, what they are trying to tell us, and what they feel the need to show us.

The one thing they do have in common is the way of people are killed. Novelty or highly creative, that is up for you to decide. As to what you think of the original and if the second one is an actual remake, or just a cash grab. But if they are both entertaining, does it matter?

Films mentioned in this episode:

Episode 125 – Modern Supernatural Horror

June 24, 2026

Rigor Mortis (2013), When Evil Lurks (2023), and Vicious (2025)

Pretty much from the very beginning of horror cinema—or cinema in general—supernatural horror has been part of the storytelling tradition. Granted, many of those early films were adaptations of famous works of literature dealing with ghosts, vampires, and other unworldly creatures, but more than a century later, the supernatural remains a huge gateway for creative filmmakers to walk through in order to create something interesting, and sometimes something genuinely new.

Many modern supernatural horror films deal with grief and how we cope with it. Some might call it cathartic, while in other films, it’s just downright mean! In the three movies we discuss in this episode, you’ll get a taste of all of that—and more. A couple of these films hit especially hard and will leave an impact on you days after the credits roll. You’ll either be running to tell your closest friends that they absolutely need to watch them, or you won’t say a word for fear that someone might ask, “Is everything okay at home?” But we think that films that can hit that hard deserve to be applauded. So, if you’re game, take that next step- and hit play.

Movies mentioned in this episode:

Episode 124 – The Fly Trilogy

June 10, 2026

The Fly (1958), Return of the Fly (1959), and Curse of the Fly (1965)

With all the films out there were deviant mad scientists end up paying for their meddling in things that man shouldn’t, in 1958, you have a film where the scientist really was trying to create something for the betterment of mankind. Unfortunately, something unforeseen happens and tragedy soon ensues. And while it turns into a monster film, there is so much more than just a simple ’50s creature feature. And of course, when the movie does well at the box office, we have to have a sequel. Or two, even if that takes 6 years to bring to the screen. But the exploits of the Delambre family continue on, as well as their mistakes, and once again, at the cost of life and sanity.

While these films sometimes divide fans on which one is great and not-so-great, or even to which one is best, we decided to take the time to dive into this trilogy and maybe give you more to think about the next time you watch them. If you hear any buzzing around when you’re listening to the show, I’m sure it’s nothing.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Episode 123 – Jean Rollin

May 27, 2026

The Shiver of the Vampire (1972), Lips of Blood (1975), and The Living Dead Girl (1982)

The films created by director Jean Rollin are unlike anything else in the history of cinema. If you make your way into his incredible filmic world, you will be entranced by its beauty, cinematic landscapes, and unique horrors. And the more you venture down this path, the more you’ll start to pick up on repeating themes and motifs. Like Rollin, liminality, memory and nostalgia, families, surrealism and expressionism, might become your obsessions- they were certainly his.

If it is carefully constructed plots, realistic storylines, and deeply developed characters that you are searching for, then Rollin probably isn’t for you. But if you want the unique, the obsessive, the utterly gorgeous? Then you must dive into Rollin’s work if you’ve never stepped into that sea. And if you’ve been here before? Well, then there is no time like the present to walk slowly through the surf, exploring the past and finding landmarks jutting up just past the beach like forlorn teeth in a skull being beaten by the waves of memory.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010), Un chien andalou (1929), Demoniacs (1974), Fascination (1979), The Grapes of Death (1978), Lips of Blood (1975), The Living Dead Girl (1982), Mandy (2018), The Night of the Hunted (1980), The Nude Vampire (1970), The Rape of the Vampire (1968), Requiem for a Vampire (1972), The Shiver of the Vampires (1971), Zombie Lake (1981)

Episode 122 – Dario Argento’s Three Mothers Trilogy

May 13, 2026

Suspiria (1977), Inferno (1980), and Mother of Tears (2007)

There are very few horror fans out there that do not know about Dario Argento’s work, and maybe mainly for the giallo-style films he’s known for. He never wandered into supernatural horror too often in his filmography, but when he did, like all of his films, he made it his own. After helping define what a giallo is with Deep Red (1975), he switched gears and gave us Suspiria, showing us violence through a blinding use of color and surrounded by an intense soundtrack that is pounding through the speakers. It looked like no film we’d really seen before. Then he continued this storyline of the dreaded Three Mothers with his film Inferno three years later, which gave us even more info on these wicked witches. We’d have to wait another 27 years before we got the final entry, Mother of Tears. Say what you will about any or all of these features, but they are all Dario Argento.

In this episode, we’re going to take a look at each of the three films, and Three Mothers, as well as the differences between the three films. We all have our favorite of the trilogy, but hopefully you’ll be able to see something in all three that maybe you missed out in previous viewings. So, join us in our little study group, as we learn more about Mater Suspiriorum, Mater Tenebrarum, and Mater Lachrymarum. But a word of caution… they don’t like people knowing about them, so be warned.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Episode 121 – Made-for-TV Horror Part 5: Dan Curtis

April 29, 2026

As a horror fan growing up watching TV in the early ’70s, you may not know or remember the name Dan Curtis, but you know his work. From his early gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, where one of the main characters just happened to be a vampire, to the countless adaptations of classic novels, such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and Jekyll and Hyde, to even more throughout the ’70s. Curtis continued to give TV viewing audiences plenty of nightmares during that time, always using a blend of classic monsters, as well as bringing new and unique ones to the small screen, all with the same results.

While some of his work might be lost on modern day audiences, his influence has never gone away, and his body of work is still one that is more than worth revisiting to, or if you’ve never experienced it yet, then now is the perfect time to start down that journey.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Episode 120 – Michele Soavi

April 15, 2026

StageFright (1987), The Church (1989), and Dellamorte Dellamore (1994)

Most horror fans know of the Italian horror genre, if not being huge fans of it in general. From Bava, Fulci, Argento, D’Amato, and the rest, they have helped the Italian horror genre be one of the biggest output of classic films for over three decades. And then in the mid ’90s, it bottomed out. But thankfully for us fans, at the end at that “era of terror”, we got four horror films from a young director named Michele Soavi. From starting his career as an actor, helping him getting on set and moving his way up to assistant director to finally calling “action” himself. He’s worked under the tutelage of directors like Joe D’Amato, Lucio Fulci, Lamberto Bava, and Dario Argento, all working to form his own identity as a director.

In this episode, we’re covering 3 out of the 4 of his titles, which should give you reason to seek them out if you’ve never seen them before or maybe bust them out once again for a revisit. Because sometimes we can forget just how damn good they are.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Episode 119 – Carlos Enrique Taboada

April 1, 2026

Even the Wind is Afraid (1968), Darker Than Night (1975), and Poison for the Fairies (1986)

Director Carlos Enrique Taboada is a Mexican director that is not a name too well known in the horror genre. While his films might not be 5-star classics, his work is worthy of your time. Which is why we decided to tackle 3 of his films in this episode. They are all modern stories but wrapped in a gothic blanket.

When on your path of Discovering the Horror, you might stumble across a new name or film that you’ve never heard of. And even though the films might not be amazing and a 5-star rating, usually there is something in there worthy of your attention. That is the fun part on that journey, to always be seeking out new things. Because you never know, that next one just might be one that changes your life!

But join us as we discuss 3 titles that we feel are worth your attention, not to mention seeing some films from a different country, typically not known for their horror pictures from the ’70s and ’80s.

Films mentioned in this episode: