Episode 24 - The Sleepaway Camp franchise - Afterthoughts

If you have seen the first Sleepaway Camp, you haven’t forgotten it and more than likely you are not quite the same. It is one of the most bizarre, bad but fun films available and when you ask people if they have seen it, most outside the horror aficionados will not have even heard of it. But not us, we the horror community praise and love this film (a large percentage at least) for its lovable faults and unforgettable weirdness.

This will be one of my shorter posts. This franchise doesn’t really have an icon or a long storied string of successful entries. Most of what I can say has already been stated in the show and honestly, if you haven’t seen these films then just watch them. My words cannot recreate what you will experience good and bad. It is a one time deal with a strange blend of a perfect storm in 80’s cinema. Most slashers were not this fun, most 80’s youth films were not this weird, etc. It

cannot be lumped with anything and that is why it so loved. If you listened to the show, then you already know that I bought the box set on a weekend whim in college. Merely looking for slasher fun, I got more than what I bargained for. I revisit camp, like most fans, at least once a year in front of my television. So, if you haven’t watched these films yet, quit reading and go get them! If you choose to skip over them, I leave you with Billy’s words: “Eat shit, and live Bill”

Here is Mad Chann with the lovely Felissa Rose.

Until next time…

Beware of the moon

The Professor

 

Episode 24 - The Sleepaway Camp franchise

Join us fellow campers as we run our way through the Sleepaway Camp franchise!

Episode 24 - The Sleepaway Camp Franchise by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 23 - The Scream Franchise - Afterthoughts

Do you like scary movies??????

As a horror fan, could there be much more of a mouth-watering catch phrase for a flick to have thrown at you? If so, there are not many to choose from that can compete. When Scream hit theaters, the horror genre was in a lull that it historically had not been through very often. Throughout the history of film, horror while not critically praised, filled theater seats and remained successful over the years. When Wes Craven gave viewers this film they were starving for something well done and original, and that hunger was fed. Did Scream save horror for the fans? I will leave that up to time (or you) to decide.

What I find compelling about this franchise is the direct relationship it holds with the world of horror fandom. It is one of the most successful horror franchises in recent memory, yet it really does not have that many true horror elements in it. If you take out the obsessions of the original killers with cinema, it really is much more of a thriller. I do not think this is a bad thing in the slightest. Actually, I think it was great because it brought in viewers who would have not went to a traditional slasher film. I have no quarrels with a lack of gore, sex, B-talent, or any of the tropes we know within that world of films. No matter how lowbrow or how seminal the work is does not matter to me, just as long as it is entertaining. Scream is definitely just that, entertaining.

But I do wonder why it is so widely accepted by so many different types of viewers. A person who loves Fulci films can share a fan filled conversation with someone who typically watches J-Lo moves because they both enjoy the Scream films. I feel as if that is a rare (and awesome) occurrence with movies. Why would someone who loves intense gore, passionate special effects, and superfluous sex enjoy a thriller with limited gore, almost no special effects, and tastefully handled films? I guess at the end of the day people just enjoy something well done. A laundry list of preconceived notions of who the target audience is not needing to be met here. When you make films that you believe in and are excited to make, it falls of the screen and into the viewers lap. So, thank you Scream for ending that awful drought in the nineties. Sadly you could not prevent the CGI and endless remake generation soon to follow, but you cannot save everyone.

Until next time,

Beware of the moon

The Professor

Episode 23 - The Scream Franchise

Do you like scarrrrrrry mooooovies? Then join in the fun as we take a look at all 4 entries in the Scream Franchise!

Episode 23 - The Scream Franchise by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 22 - The Films of John Carpenter - Afterthoughts

When it comes to contributions to the horror genre there is no Director above John Carpenter. He is the total package, the real deal, the whole enchilada. His body of work is consistently varied, full of masterful suspense, layered storytelling (often with a message), fantastic imagination and timely comedy. His films are not just another scary flick to watch, they are to be experienced. I do not underestimate the greatness of a Wes Craven or a George Romero but in my eyes there is no one that can compare to what Carpenter has given us over the years.

We discussed on the show when the greatness exited his career, leaving his work rather pedestrian and that is a very true observation. However, that does not diminish the work from before, which to me trumps anyone else’s. The Fog, Halloween, Christine, The Thing and They Live are enough for greatness and while it is not an undisputed fact, these can be argued as a better five than any other that a genre director has offered.

It is also important to note that this is one of the older episodes we recorded. When this show airs, it will be 4 days before the one year anniversary of recording it. We were still finding our comfort and processes with recording these episodes. We learned from this episode that 3 shows in one night was too much, especially if they are all topics of a larger variety. Before recording this show we had just finished our Romero AND King episode. Why we thought we should cover all three in one night still leaves us scratching our heads a year later.

Anyways, we left this on the back burner because we thought it was lacking. The length of the show demonstrates our initial stance on this because it is our shortest show to date. However, after mixing it to air for you, I found that it was perfectly fine and more of a neurotic opinion we took than the actual reality of it. We hope you feel the same way!

After listening to the show and reading this, please take a moment to let us know what your favorite horror director of all time is and why. I sincerely want to know who you think is better than John Carpenter and why that is! As always, thank you for your ongoing support and interaction, it is making this a truly fun experience for us. Until next time….

Beware of the moon

The Professor

Post Script – I hope Grizz and Mad Chann come around on Prince of Darkness someday and thank you to our friend Todd for joining us that night. This is the last of the shows he did with us and maybe he will join us again down the line!

Episode 22 - The Films of John Carpenter

Listen in as we discuss the films of the wonderful John Carpenter with our good friend Todd!

Episode 22 - The Films of John Carpenter by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 21 - The Child's Play Franchise - Afterthoughts

What scares people about an attacker that is the size of a small child? Undoubtedly, I will never understand what it is. Child’s Play came out in 1988 just a few weeks before I turned 7 and even then I didn’t find the idea of a small foul mouthed doll scary in the slightest. After watching the entire franchise in preparation for this episode I have to say…..

I still feel the same way.

The later films are what truly surprised me during the preparation process. They were actually funny at times and I was a slightly taken aback by that. I expected them to be fairly empty and uninspired but at times they were actually amusing because they did not take themselves that seriously.

My complaint is with the cinematic execution of this iconic character. I find the idea of a serial killer’s spirit transferring over to a host that is an insanely popular child’s doll to be very intriguing. Tom Holland’s mind has always been able to create fun horror that resembles campfire tales but with an adult twist usually within. Child’s Play had all the potential, if done right, to be a very scary or very funny film. If only the direction would steer away from exploiting the doll and let suspense build, it could be great. Instead of Chucky going on endless profane tirades and attacking with vivid imagery, just have him run in the background. Instead of showing plastic hands in a close up on a door knob, show him from down the hallway creeping into a room. If only……

Unfortunately this was not the approach and for many, the interest was lost pretty early into the second act of the first film and the franchise forever. Speaking personally, if a more subtle approach were doctored with this plot I would have been hooked from the get-go. I just cannot find much humor, terror, or common interest in a doll that talks like a drunken angry woman at the local bowling alley. For me to enjoy a horror movie about a doll I need to use my imagination some with the film. When the writing/imagery are spelled out for the dumbest of viewers it removes the possibility for many others to let the film get in their head.

Now, don’t assume that I am being too harsh for an 80’s horror film. When I watch a tongue-in-cheek horror film I do not hold it to the same standard set by Halloween. However, Tom Holland demonstrated that he could tell a story with Psycho 2 or Fright Night. I just see Child’s Play as a film that could’ve been much more with the production value it had and the talent behind it. Instead a film was made (and a franchise) of low-brow humor, insipid plots, with a whole lot of boredom in between.

This is one franchise I do not find much redemption in, no matter how many times I watch it or how many ways I try to approach it. Some movies we are just not meant to enjoy that much. I find nostalgia in the first and very limited enjoyment from there on. If you love Chucky and all the films, tell us why! I would love to hear a different angle from you on why you enjoy them. Maybe you can change my mind!

Thanks for checking in. The social media interaction has continued to be a treat and don’t forget to subscribe to us on iTunes! Until Next time….

Beware of the moon,

The Professor