Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2016

Another fun-filled weekend spent with the wonderful DOTD family has ended for the Midwest Monsters. While we already have our sights set on Louisville in just a little over two months, we do want to take a moment to not only get some pictures up but also to thank everyone. All of the DOTD fans, old and new, for being such a great presence. All of the hard working and caring volunteers who make the engine go. All of the warm celebrity guests who energize everyone's weekend. And most certainly those at the front of the DOTD machine, who not only work their asses off to make it fun for everyone, but who also allow us to do our own thing there. We enjoy it all so very much. THANK YOU EVERYONE.

**Click on pictures to enlarge**

Episode 70 - Afterthoughts

Episode 70 - The Monster Mash 17

Three randomly selected films from each of us, discussed for your listening pleasure (hopefully). In this episode we discuss a slasher predecessor in Alice Sweet Alice, Wes Craven's ambitious The Serpent and the Rainbow and Stuart Gordon's underrated Dolls. We hope you enjoy the show!

Episode 69 - It Could Happen to You Afterthoughts

These movies are taxing with reminders of the grim reality all around us everyday. There is nothing fantastic or supernatural about a gang-rape or home-invasion. These things happen anywhere and everywhere in this world and they are horribly upsetting. Additionally, in many ways they serve as the exact opposite reason of why we watch movies. Films for most people are a form of escapism. Something to take us away from our reality for a few hours. 

Not with these films!

These films on the flip side, I find interesting because they force us to recognize what bothers us. Things that we quietly worry about at times in our everyday life. The fear of a group of men walking your way on a sidewalk or the fear that you will turn around to switch the lights off and an anonymous person will be standing there. These fears, while realistic, make us feel silly for worrying when they do not come to fruition. These movies remind us that these fears are not irrational and we are simply lucky to avoid these things.

I feel that we went pretty deep on this episode so I will avoid talking about much of it again here. I am curious what pushes your buttons? Let us know on social media! Until next time..

Beware the moon,
The Professor

Episode 69 - It Could Happen to You

Back again and this time with a little reality thrown in the film chatter. We discuss movies that, at times have sobering realism and much of the cruel nature of the real world in them. We look at why these films are possible in everyday life and the cinematic potential within these scenarios. We hope you enjoy! 

Episode 68 - The Monster Mash 16 Afterthoughts

Without effort our mashes seem to bring together common themes with films from different eras and sub-genres. Maybe this can be done with any 3 films if you reach far enough? Not sure- but either way my common thought boils down to this: does the following of a film sway a viewer’s experience? I think it does.

The reason for this opinion is that it is applicable to hundreds, if not thousands of horror films that are deserving of equal celebration that their similar counterpart receive. There is absolutely no logic applied to the reactions of films at times, and I believe the reputation the film has plays a large part of that. I think this is the wrong way to watch movies, but so many of us do. I am guilty of this at times, but I also identify this fault and try to weigh it in my opinions. In the end, none of it can be right or wrong, as our ideas of a good movie are subjective. It is impossible for one fan to tell another fan that their opinion is wrong.

Tourist Trap is similar to Motel Hell in most ways, yet Motel Hell has a notably larger following. Brainscan tapped into the times with not only video games/virtual reality but they did it with the kid from T2. Body Bags is just as entertaining as any anthology- yet most people don’t know it, let alone that Carpenter directed it and acted in it! These films warrant just as much of a cult following as their counterparts but ultimately it just boils down to the unpredictable nature of consumers and what gains traction. The same thought can be applied to online video content today. You cannot create a viral video but rather you can only create the video. The viral phenomenon is birthed by the public only. Time, money, and happenstance; they all dictate what films leave behind for us. Ultimately it is up to us create the “cult-followings”. I guess in some form, that is what we are doing by airing this episode. Maybe you will join us in the process of inadvertently bringing others to these films ? We sure hope so! Until next time…

Beware the moon,

The Professor

Episode 68 - The Monster Mash 16

We return with this mid-month's offering of another mash! On this episode we discuss Brainscan, Tourist Trap, and Body Bags. Thanks for listening!