Episode 28: Ghost Stories

Ghost stories have been around since the very beginning of the art of storytelling itself. When done well, it can be simple and still send chills up your spine. When it comes to ghost stories in film, we can still keep it simple, have an effective story, and still give the audience the creeps enough to make them wonder what that noise you just heard. And here we have three perfect examples in this episode: The Changeling (1980), The Woman in Black (1989), and Fragile (2005).

These kinds of films are especially perfect for the Halloween season, sitting down with some friends and/or family to enjoy this time of year. So if you’re looking for particular one, look no further.

Movies mentioned in this episode:

The Changeling (1980), Fragile (2005), Hereditary (2018), Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973), Poltergeist (1982), Witchfinder General (1968), The Woman in Black (1989)

Episode 27 – Pete Walker

When you’re talking about British horror films of the ’70s, while Hammer was on their way out as they were slowly losing their audiences to more modern-day horrors, along comes Pete Walker. While he didn’t make a ton of horror films, the ones he did, really make an impact. If you’re not familiar with Mr. Walker and his movies, now is your chance to wet your whistle to (hopefully) make you seek out these films, and his others.

In this episode, we discuss House of Whipcord (1974), Frightmare (1974), and House of Mortal Sin aka The Confessional (1976).

And if you need any other reason to check out his films, then it would be because of Sheila Keith, who appears in all three of these films we discuss. She is a real gem in the horror genre!

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Episode 26 – Conventions: The Fans!

Horror movie conventions are one of the best places to be at if you are a die-hard fan. There’s plenty to see, buy, and people to meet, both new and old friends, as well as celebrities. Horror conventions were a very important part of a lot of us horror fans “growing up” as we learned more and more about the genre, building our collections, or just meeting new people that have become lifelong friends, or even a wife!

This is our first part in a series of episodes on conventions, so we’re going to start out at the beginning for us, such as how they all started for us, and which ones did we go to, to the current shows that we still attend.

These are the different conventions that we mention during this episode:

Chiller Theatre, Cinema Wasteland, Cinevent, Crypticon, Famous Monsters, Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors, Fanex, Flashback Weekend, HorrorHound Weekend, Mid-Summer Scream, Monster Bash, Monsterpalooza, 25th Anniversary Night of the Living Dead Convention, Scarefest, Texas Frightmare

Episode 25: Freaky Frankensteins!

Lady Frankenstein (1971), Erotic Rites of Frankenstsein (1973), Flesh for Frankenstein (1973).

While Frankenstein is one of the oldest monsters in the genre and has been adapted multiple times by a variety of creators, some closer to the original source than others, there are other filmmakers that go far enough away from the original novel that they’re not even in same library! But it is always interesting to see where these creative filmmakers take that story, giving it their own twist, and putting it out there for the world to see!

Join us as we delve into 3 different variations on the Frankenstein theme, all that deal with sex, nudity, gore, and some of the strangest in Euro-Horror!

Titles mention in this episode:

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Episode 24: Posters

The importance of the movie poster is almost lost in this day and age. With the internet flooding social media with trailers, photos, and all sorts of advertisements, the poster art might get lost in the shuffle. But decades ago, it was the first thing used to promote an upcoming feature film. It had to reach out and grab hold of your eyes, telling your brain you need to see this film. Shortly after that, the poster collecting started.

Why do we collect posters? What kinds are there? What is it about it that still holds a spell over movie goers? Join us and our special guest, Alan Tromp, as we try to answer all of those questions and more, as we discuss our own obsessions with movie posters, from one-sheets to British Quads to the French Grande size!

Movie titles mentioned in this episode:

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Episode 23: Val Lewton

While we all love monsters, there is something about films that can still be creepy in what they don’t show us instead. Producer Val Lewton was a genius at that. In this episode, we delved into the light within the darkness, deep into the shadows, where atmosphere is king. We cover three titles from the talented producer, but Lewton was so much more than just that. While he only produced a handful of films, the ones he did in the early ’40s remain not only classics but set the standard for what a low budget horror film could look like when you had the talent behind it.

Sit back, turn the light down low, and get ready to learn about how you can show very little onscreen, but still make some well-acted, smart, and scary little films.

The films mentioned in this episode are:

The Body Snatcher (1945), The Cat People (1942), Cat People (1982), The Curse of the Cat People (1944), Curse of the Demon (1957), The Haunting (1963), House of Frankenstein (1944), Isle of the Dead (1945), I Walked with a Zombie (1943), King of the Zombies (1941), The Last Patrol (1934), Revenge of the Zombies (1943), Revolt of the Zombies (1936), The Tale of Two Cities (1935), White Zombie (1932), Zombie (1979)

Episode 22: Sequels!

When a film is popular in the horror genre, most likely it will have a sequel. Or two. Or nine. When quality goes out the window to make a quick buck. Or is that completely true? Are there sequels out there that maybe not be as good as the original, but are still entertaining? Or, is there a sequel that actually surpasses the original? Before scoff, put some thought into that question. Or, listen to this episode first, then give it some thought.

Either way, come listen to us rant and ramble on some of the sequels that we think are pretty fun, well made, or just a complete waste of time!

Titles we discuss in this episode:

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Episode 21: Paul Naschy as Waldemar Daninsky

Night of the Howling Beast (1975), Night of the Werewolf (1981), and The Beast and the Magic Sword (1983). In the annals of the Spanish horror genre, you can’t go far without running into the name Paul Naschy, especially the werewolf films that he made, numbering over a dozen! In his 40+ year career, Naschy made over 100 films, many in the horror genre, even directing almost two dozen of them, and writing over fifty of them!

In this episode, we cover 3 of Naschy’s werewolf film, where he always re-invented the character of Waldemar Daninsky character, who always seems to be cursed to turn into a snarling beast. Tune in and take notes!

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Episode 20 – Remakes and Re-Imaginings

A single word that will bring a look of hatred, disgust, or simply end the conversation: remakes. When brought up, many fans will immediately say “they suck” and move on. But do they all suck? Sure, we can all point out an example or two that we think of as abominations, but you can’t lump all of them together. Because when you start to think about it, there are plenty of good remakes… and a few that we think are amazing! In this episode, we delve into this perennially controversial subject. We’ll cover some of our favorites as well as ones that we feel missed the mark, and even try to figure out what makes a remake successful or… well, not so successful.

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Episode 19: Cronenberg

The Brood (1979), Videodrome (1983), The Fly (1986). These are the three favorites of one of the most unique directors working today. If he didn’t create the term “body horror”, he sure did redefine it. Especially in those earlier films in his career, there was always something dwelling deep within the flesh, working its way out, through the blood and plus. Tune in and hear our thoughts on our three Cronenberg favorites and such fun topics like fly politics, literal handguns, and redefining what a messy divorce looks like.

Films mention in this episode:

Atrium (2018), Black Christmas (1974), The Brood (1979), Cigarette Burns (2005), Curtains (1983), The Dead are Alive! (1972), The Dead Zone (1983), The Exterminator (1980), The Fly (1986), Ghostbusters (1984), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Nightbreed (1990) Rabid (1977), Scanners (1981), Shivers (1975), Stripes (1982), The Thing (1982), Videodrome (1983), The Void (2016)