Episode 60 -Days of the Dead Chicago 2015 Convention Coverage Special- November 20-22

Another weekend spent with Days of the Dead has come and went. The only disappointing element of it all is that we have to wait till June to resume this party. If you have followed us for awhile you know we have great love for this particular show. The blend and balance that this crew finds between big-time attractions while retaining an intimate communal environment is incredibly unique. No where else will you find a reoccurring convention that grows and brings in big time guests, yet manages to never exploit the fan's experience to line their wallet. Seriously folks, this is a special group and if you aren't coming out to join the party, you are missing out.

Listen in as we discuss our weekend and be sure to check out pictures below (click on them to enlarge), and we hope to see you all next time! 

Episode 60 - DOTD Chicago 2015 Convention Coverage Special by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

   
~Professor

Episode 59 - Monster Mash 12 Afterthoughts

This mash brought about 3 random movies, as per usual, for us to discuss. Since we recorded this one, I have come back to one thing that is relevant to this episode. Relevant in a way that is applicable to all experience of consuming any type of art. However, in our neck of the woods, the horror/cult/B film world, one cannot take a movie too seriously.

For me this is a vital part of how you discuss and absorb a film. The reason I mention it now, is because within this particular episode, the forgiveness to the films are not distributed equally. I find myself ready to not fault The Tingler for dated cheap visuals at times or the utter campy nonsense sporadically through Society. Yet, I am quick to shred Lords of Salem for its ending that makes no attempt at any real coherent conclusion. The reason why, I think is important to focus on, because commonly people argue about film and never clarify this reason. 

The filmmaker’s intent.

Rob Zombie was striving to make a big time film to be taken seriously. He wanted to be judged on an accelerated level beyond run-of-the-mill schlock. There is certainly nothing wrong with that but it is a reality. Brian Yuzna and William Castle were trying to get asses in the seats and for people to have a good time. Again, there is nothing wrong with that approach in the slightest. Certainly both directions hold strong merit but on a podcast or in an editorial review, or even a circle of friends, this must be remembered. Why rip apart a film like The Tingler based on the same scale used for The Exorcist? Lords of Salem wanted surrealism and a lingering gloom left with the viewer more than it wanted traditional satisfaction from its viewers. Oppositely, The Tingler wanted to make you have a good time and over 60 years later it still is. Until next time….

Beware the moon

The Professor

Episode 59 - The Monster Mash XII

Continue on with your Halloween season fun and listen as we discuss The Tingler, Society, and Lords of Salem!

Episode 59 - Monster Mash 12 by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 58 - Ti West Afterthoughts

Ti West is a challenging artist to discuss at times because his films do not shy away from taking their time and being stylized. Not quite art-house horror seems to turn some people off and it is a shame because there is some wonderful cinema in there to take in. Lacking dependency on traditional film-making, as a viewer, opens the door to so many wonderful films.

A perfect example is 2009’s House of the Devil. A film rich in suspense, throwback subject matter and visual presentation, understated acting, and excellent cinematography are just a few of the reasons I love this film. HOWEVER, when this movie is mentioned the frequent dismissive review is: “it’s a slow burn”. Which is my main point of this post as opposed to waxing West’s car some more (listen to the episode, there is plenty of praise).

The term “slow burn” is synonymous with “I get bored easily” or “I cannot focus on a film”. Since when, did we as fans or critics punish a filmmaker for making an intelligent movie? Yes, House of the Devil does not hit you over the head with gratuitous sex, nudity, violence, and partying; but it does deliver steadily throughout and I think that’s what has become frustrating with the opinions held by many of today’s movie-goers. I find great storytelling in movies (like this) where my own intelligence is assumed to be present for much of the storyline so that we can focus on the artistic needs of the film. I can deduce the elements of the plot that are being put out there without an explanation through dialogue, move along.

I was enamored with this film the first time I watched it and quite frankly still am. So I get a little exhausted defending against the sentiment of it being slow. Maybe the films aren’t always slow, maybe the viewers are. Put down your phone, leave your laptop in the other room, and get into the movie or just don’t bother “watching” it at all. Until next time…..

Beware the moon

The Professor  

Episode 58 - Ti West

Kick off Halloween season with us as we focus on modern director Ti West! His unconventional approach to film-making has provided some very beautiful and terrifying imagery. Listen in as we discuss his filmography, for better and for worse, thus-far. We hope you will enjoy! 

Episode 58 - Ti West by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 57 - Monster Mash XI Afterthoughts

Another mash episode has come and gone and I know that we have stressed how much we enjoy it. The feedback from those who have listened also has been favorable. All of that positive feedback is awesome and we appreciate it. But I must add that we love this format for the opportunistic juxtaposition and the chance to cover movies that we wouldn’t squeeze into a franchise or theme. This episode was no exception to this description as we covered an 80’s slasher, a more recent cult  sequel/remake, and a thriller rooted in deeper psychological and philosophical subject matter.

Now I do not want to spend any time on The Burning here. I think it is a pretty straight-forward selection and those who like slasher films from that era, particularly the work of Savini, like it. What I would like to mention quickly is the perception of films through popular opinion. First things first on this, I do not think that 2001 Maniacs is a better film than American Psycho so just calm down internet film police. But that idea is not too far off from being truthful. What I think is interesting, and always have, is how popular opinion sways common opinion so frequently. Here, we have two films that are at opposite ends in many different areas: budget, tone, execution, etc. American Psycho has many great things going for it, but it ends in a sloppy ineffective gasp and loses much of what it had built up to at that point unfortunately. Yet, it is considered a hip and wonderful film and you will be hard-pressed to find someone who will answer honestly that the ending was a poor segment of film-making and a disgrace to the book. One must wonder if a movie that rich in controversial symbolism is truly understood or acknowledged by many of those championing it. I would not blame many for failing to dig deeper into the film’s inadequacies when you can simply focus on the axe-wielding Huey Lewis fan and his Scorsese-like soliloquies.

On the flipside, you have a campy tongue-in-cheek sequel to an early campy gore-fest from 50 years before. It is low-budget, silly, and fun. It did it's job that it set out to do for the viewer, unlike American Psycho. But if you lined up a hundred horror fans and asked them about these two films, only American Psycho would be commonly known. 2001 Maniacs executes its purpose in spades but as time moves on, it fades away.

In closing, I want to reemphasize that I like both films and I recognize that American Psycho has much deeper efforts happening. However, I thought it was worth exploring the ideas of what constitutes a good film weighted with what the public turns its nose up at. Both should be watched by horror fans at the end of the day. Again, thank you as always for listening and we hope you enjoyed! Until next time…….

Beware the moon

The Professor 

Episode 57 - The Monster Mash XI

Another mash for your listening pleasure! Sit in with us as we discuss three films selected by each of us. This episode we cover American Psycho, The Burning, and 2001 Maniacs!

Episode 57 - The Monster Mash 11 by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 56 - Wine-day the 13th Afterthoughts

There really isn’t much left to add to with this episode. It is a movie we have covered before in our Friday franchise episode and this is a commentary. So, let me be sure to link you to the website for Adrienne’s wine below. Additionally are a few pictures from our recording of this episode. We hope you have enjoyed it and please throw us some feedback and/or ideas for commentaries. Thank you!

http://adrienneking.com/CLW_1.html