Episode 67 - Vampires - Afterthoughts

I think there is an argument to be made for Salem's Lot being the greatest horror novel ever written. However, let's save that hefty debate for another time.

Vampires are a beloved sub-genre of horror films as well as the center of multiple best-selling novel franchises, and just like their folklore- seem to never die off. Eternally pouncing on those who let their eyes gaze onto them we always seem to enjoy your blood-sucking performances. Yet, for many horror fans (myself included) they don't initially come to mind in conversation or when picking out a movie to watch. It is a question that I want to propose that we didn't go deeply into on the show. Hence the "afterthoughts" post after each episode airs.

 

Why do vampires never run at the front of the horror genre? They have been around forever and have spawned some truly beloved works. From Bram Stoker to Stephenie Meyer, Lugosi to Trueblood and back, we as fans constantly find ourselves loving vampires. However, when asked what our favorite horror films and sub-genres are- nowhere to be found. Obviously there are exceptions and I am not speaking for everyone; but the math simply does not add up, which creates this curiosity. For the money and fandom it generates, proportionally it does not match up with the sweeping general sentiment for our "favorites". Maybe the mass acceptance of Twilight, Trueblood, Anne Rice, etc. turns some of the horror fanbase off or maybe it is the romantic angle and high-drama? Only you can share how you feel on an individual basis when it comes to sinking into this question. Hopefully you will share how YOU feel about vampire films with us here or on social media! Until next time...

Beware the moon'

The Professor

 

Episode 67 - Vampires

Struggling with personal reflection? Let us take care of the reflecting, as we discuss our thoughts on vampires in cinema. Grab your garlic-seasoned stakes and join us for a round-table discussion on vampire movies!

Episode 66 - The Monster Mash 15 Afterthoughts

Sometimes horror movies for an avid fan of the genre, are just simply meh. We watch copious amounts year-round and are left flat with much of it. They cannot all be seminal, engaging, or terrifying. It doesn’t mean a large portion of them are bad films, not even close to that. However, our experience each time the credits role is watered down a little because of the frequency of our experiences. Sometimes I question that if I didn’t find myself enthralled with a particular film, was it because I've watched so many of them? Possibly, but that really is not the viewer's problem. We consume these films often and our own experiences blend with the creators vision to form these end results. So it is not solely on the viewer to get excited, but rather equally on the creator to create the spark.

The three films we watched for this episode (Howl, Deadly Blessing, and Deathgasm) are all perfect examples of this experience for me. If I have not watched many horror films, maybe these affect me differently and more profoundly. Maybe the ideas seem fresh and scary but I cannot rewind time to verify this. Only speculation.

All three films are just somewhere in the middle for me. Enough reason to watch and not enough reason to return to except for themed viewings. Sure Deadly Blessing has some nice moments in it, as well as some interesting trademarks of Wes Craven. But if Craven had not directed this, would people be as forgiving? I like the movie but I watch it more for the theme of Craven's work, not the individual film.

Howl has some nice suspense and decent atmosphere. If this is a young person’s first werewolf movie, they are probably having a good time with it. However, the werewolves look kind of goofy at times and again bring it somewhere to the middle. Deathgasm, achieves the beloved tropes of buddy comedies but goes into some fairly hateful actions between the characters. Immediately brings the fun down for me.  If I am a metalhead with not many movies under my belt, I am probably in love with this movie.

 

These movies are not worth dismissing by any means, nor recommending to everyone. They have their merits and faults almost equally for me. The “meh” lands in all of us when we watch a lot. 

Until next time…

Beware the moon

The Professor

Episode 66 - The Monster Mash 15

This go-around we cover Deadly Blessing, Howl and Deathgasm. Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy the show!

Episode 65 - Modern Horror Afterthoughts

I puked a notable amount the morning that followed this episode. No lie. Was it because of the beverages I consumed or the movies that we discussed the night before? 

I will never be certain.

I kid 

but not really.


It has been a few weeks since we recorded this episode and I just cannot bring myself to force anything deeper than we covered. I enjoy drinking myself silly once a year or so on an episode and it usually is with movies that I dread talking about. This was no exception and hopefully the show was still enjoyable for you. Actually watching and covering the movies that we did left the April Fools joke most definitely on us. But hey we had fun!

Thanks (as always) for stopping in and giving us your ears. Until next time...

Beware the moon,
The Professor