Monday, July 6, 2015
Episode 52 - The Saw Franchise
We want to play a game. For too long you've taken for granted our shows we put together for you. Now you......nevermind, just kidding! We know you appreciate the shows! Sit in with us and our returning guest co-host Ryan "RyBones" Williams as we play our way through the entire Saw series!
Episode 51 - The Monster Mash IX Afterthoughts
Ideally the perfect scenario for a monster mash is three
varied films for me. Not always 3 films juxtaposed but rather three that do not
need a common thread to be discussed on the show. Films that are a single
offering or a part of something we may not tackle otherwise. This mash (#9) was
a perfect example I think as we had an early 80s cult horror comedy classic
(feels more 70’s than 80s), a modern release thriller with enough genre stars
to peak interest, and an 80’s cult classic. The end results were those of what
a mash episode should commonly yield for me. 
Now I could gush over how much I already loved Motel Hell or
focus on my excitement over The Stuff living up to what I expected it to be,
but I don’t really want to. I want to focus rather on the third, Devil May Call
(2013). Movies like this frustrate me because for one, I do not enjoy disliking
a film. I have minimal experience with varied types of production and I know that
it is not easy. It is time consuming and very taxing on a person as they
navigate putting together a piece to be viewed. By putting out negative words
on a film, I always remember that somewhere there are people who tried with
this movie, and really hard at that. But that does not change the fact that
viewers are consumers and let’s face it, we love discussing movies. That’s why
we podcast, but I make no mistake in the reality that what I am putting down,
someone worked incredibly hard on. With that said…
Devil May Call was a frustrating disappointment that to me
symbolizes so much of what the movie industry is shoveling out to us. This film
had three names that the horror/cult cinema community would take note of in
English, Mane, and Lords. The movie moved slowly, felt uninspired, and
completely unoriginal. So pedestrian that it makes the viewer wonder why bother
making it? Now, maybe the money ran out and changed the film up dramatically,
but as Adam Green points out frequently, that is not the viewer’s problem to make
excuses for. We are spending our money and time to watch a film, and when you
slap three names on there to entice us, have a movie that delivers somewhat.
Instead, the state of Hollywood
reeks of lowered budgets (because the suits aren’t letting their wallets get
lighter) and uninspired cash grabs that were green-lit for that same reason, to
grab our cash.
It becomes frustrating as a viewer to sit through these films
because you know that the stars are not being used in a way that they should be
and also that this is going to become the more and more common thing in genre
cinema with any kind of distribution. Occasionally a film like The Babadook or
It Follows comes along and defies the odds of indie horror and gets big.
But for the most part genre-fanatics are seeking out their own movies from the
likes of guys like Ti West or Adam Green, not what’s being offered at AMC each
weekend. So, sure don’t give up on trying out movies on the rental shelf, but
just remember the reality of the state of horror today. Many of these cases
will possess a movie that lacks any passion or intention of fulfilling your
money spent. Honestly, I am being a little unfair to pin such a large topic on
one movie watched this episode, which is not directly my intention. It is just
systemically becoming more and more cancerous. I wish nothing but the best to
all involved with Devil May Call. It’s just timing. Until next time…
Beware the moon
The Professor
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Episode 51 - The Monster Mash IX
We have returned with the next installment of the mash! This go-around we discuss one recent film with three 3 genre-stars along with two 80's cult classics.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Episode 50 - The Psycho Franchise Afterthoughts
A notable occasion like our 50th episode called
for a big-time topic like the Psycho franchise and all of its legacy and clout.
Well the first installment that is. But in reality the franchise by and large
is a fairly strong one throughout. Most likely, fans have will continue to
summarily dismiss the idea of sequels to a classic like Psycho. The sequel to
The Birds certainly didn’t help the cause in years after for people potentially
interested in exploring the idea.
HOWEVER, as we discussed on the episode, these should not be skipped.
No, they certainly are not great films, but for what the task at hand was they exceeded most expectations. They explore a richer story before and after what we know in the classic original. They handle it with kid gloves for the most part in all 3 of the original sequels. With a stylized approach and interest in really furthering the story and its characters; these sequels deliver in a very fulfilling way. On the show we disagreed on favorites and their strength in comparison to others, but that’s ultimately semantics. All three are worth watching and if even just one of you listeners watches them now because of the vote of confidence then I will consider our show a success!
Fifty episodes adds up to be quite a few to look back on and
I can only hope we continue on just as far, or farther. I have the best time
watching some of these flicks and talking about them to share with you. It is a
fun regimented way to blossom my hobby and lifelong love affair with horror
cinema. To the many of you who have joined us on our experience thus far, we
thank you. Your support in varying fashion means so much to us. Heres to fifty
more! Until next time…
Beware the moon
The Professor
(Am I tenured at 50?)
Episode 50 - The Psycho Franchise
We've survived all the way up to 50 episodes! We are excited to mark this small milestone by discussing the wildly popular and seminal original film Psycho, along with it's legacy and the franchise that it spawned. We hope you enjoy the show and remember that if some of our thoughts make you lose your mind, its okay....
we all go a little mad sometimes..
we all go a little mad sometimes..
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Episode 49 - The Monster Mash VIII Afterthoughts
As we approach our 50th episode it has been unbelievably refreshing to have three interesting and more importantly, new
films to talk about. Horror has been through some real ups and downs so far in
this young century. In this author’s humble opinion its been far more lows than
highs thus far. In an age of rehashed new visions of classics (a fancy way of
saying remake), regurgitated American versions of stand out foreign horror
films, and mindless “torture porn”; it is a rare occasion where we have the
chance to look at three new interesting films. 
Now to say that these are truly
original ideas would be foolish, but as we are getting into a hundred years of
motion pictures, you can only create a new plot so often. Whether you view
these as rip-offs or just fresh, they are still worth talking about. The Babadook is
the winner of the three because it managed to accomplish a rare feat in the
horror genre by finding depth and poignancy while scaring you. It is a
richly made film full of meaning and stylization. Wolfcop has been made before
in a sense with Teen Wolf and it has its influences but it does its job well.
The same can be said for Starry Eyes (although I was mainly the only supporter
of this film) as it Rosemary’s Baby thrown on its head in
They are modern horror.
Films that caught their own wildfire without
huge releases as the industry and fans continue to adapt to the film-going
experience in 2015. I hope that this is the sign of the future. With films like
It Follows recently coming out and some that are on the horizon, horror seems to
be headed in a good direction again.
Well for the moment at least… Until next
time
Beware the moon
The Professor
Monday, June 1, 2015
Episode 49 - The Monster Mash VIII
Lend us your ears as we explore three films that caused a stir last year along the festival circuit and within the genre community. Wolfcop, Starry Eyes, and The Babadook all bring different elements worth seeing and ultimately for us, discussing. These films have recently been available on Netflix so check em out before you listen! We hope you enjoy friends!
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