Episode 46 - Golden Decade Afterthoughts

I frequently question my adoration for horror movies from ’78 to ’88 as being legitimate or simply clouded by my age. When you talk to many people they will refer to how music and film are not great like it was when they were younger. Most of the time, with each different generation, it is not the actual art from that time but rather where these people were in life. Music or movies at that formative age are much more important in the experiences than they are in your later years.

HOWEVER…..

Horror movies really were in fact better during these times as the three of us were born and grew up in. Sure, it began a few years before I was born and it was towards the end of this period when I actually began consuming much of it, but my fascination began long before that. Before I was even in grade school I was spending time sneaking in viewings from horror encyclopedias, Fangoria magazine, Stephen King cover art, and so on.

It was a special time for the Horror genre that most likely will never be duplicated. Innovation in the film industry, the punk attitude of the youth, the freedom of what was permitted on the screen, the political climate, the advent of the home video; it was just the perfect cocktail for a horror boom. It may be rivaled again someday but it is terribly difficult to see how. It was a lucky time for my generation and we had it EVERYWHERE. I will forever be stuck in these years of horror and maybe it is because of my age.  But I will point out that at conventions I do not see many young fans wearing shirts of The Ring or Grave Encounters. I see the movies from my childhood.

 

For this period of film I am not only thankful as it is a large part of why I love horror so much but furthermore is also why I most likely am here podcasting.  In many ways this is directly because of this discussed period. I am curious of your age and relation to this period? Do you romanticize these films also?

Write in and let us know on any of our platforms! Until next time….

Beware of the moon

The Professor

Episode 46 - Horror's Golden Decade '78-'88

Sit in with us as we cover a period of horror that is unparalleled and infinitely adored by us, as well as so many horror fans today! Spoiler alert: we do not cover every single film from this period. We hope you enjoy the show!

Episode 46 - Horror's Golden Decade '78-'88 by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 45 - The Monster Mash VI Afterthoughts

Near Dark was a good movie and I sincerely enjoyed it with this first viewing. However, I want to take a moment to quickly revisit a topic mentioned in this episode but not really explored. Conversationally it would have most likely been flat but it is an idea I do want to emphasize. Which is a mean spirited slasher along side a campy fun one. This is not to actually put them against each other but rather just looking at the monumental difference in viewer experience.

Slashers have never cashed in much on the basic horror cinema tropes but one that could have been (and should have been more frequenly) was sensory suspense. The Prowler does dive into this tactic which is why I particularly love it. It takes a two fold attack of suspense and gore which historically has been a rarity. Typically a slasher is littered with the frivolity of care-free youth and crude laughs followed by a kill shot leaving no responsibility to the viewer to actually be engaged. Additionally this leaves no room for any actual fear or discomfort. Now, that’s fine as entertainment if that’s what fans are looking for as they have the right to just have fun if that is what they want. However, I applaud a movie like The Prowler because it takes the mean spirited approach. There is no crutch being leaned on for lame one-liners and pranks. There is a dark well paced stalk and attack film here. This is one of the few times where a slasher film lets you get your stress rising AND your imagination running. Your mind is expecting the worst possible outcomes and then, like a fist to the face, the film actually delivers that. The kills are startling brutal, but when one occurs we don’t get back to the boy stealing the girl’s clothes at the lake, we get back to silence. We get back to a prowling killer. It is relentless and at times a little tough to stick with because you aren’t given that moment of the laughing exhale.

The Prowler is certainly not for everyone (talk to my co-host Grizz) and I totally get why. This is not to diminish Terror Train in any way either because at the end of the day I enjoy both a lot for very different reasons. But I just think its fun to examine the very different attitudes that slashers can embolden.

Have you seen either? If so, weigh in! We would love for our social media to grow but we need you to help with that! Until next time…

Beware of the moon

The Professor

Episode 45 - The Monster Mash VI

Sit in with us for the 6th installment of the Monster Mash as we each bring our own selection to the table! 

Episode 45 - The Monster Mash VI by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 44 - The Omen Franchise Afterthoughts

The Omen films are a perfect example of how ambition is not always rewarded by time. Watching these films we all found ourselves a little surprised at how serious they were taken by their financiers. It is quite clear they wanted these to be respectable and effective films. I think to some degree they succeeded at this but in the end time doesn’t really hold on to that angle or viewers.

We watch a Friday part 6 or a Leprechaun 4 because they are easy. That isn’t a knock against those films or their viewers but it is the truth. When I watch a horror sequel from this era it is for effortless entertainment not an in-depth large sequel grim sequel. This is where the Omen films have started to drift off the horror map. The first film was too big for the franchise to be completely forgotten and if nothing else the sequels will love on because of the first one and the interest in drums up in the thirsty horror fanatics. However, the casual conversation of who watched what last night is not going include The Omen III very often because a fun Friday night of frights comes to a screeching halt with the story of Damien progressions of political power to gain earthly control. Doesn’t Sleepaway Camp or a werewolf movie sound much more fun? Yeah, agreed.

With that said, do not skip these movies just know about them first. They merit watching and in many ways enrich the first one. This is yet another example of why I absolutely love doing this podcast because I would have most likely not found the time to watch these films over other options. Maybe you will do the same now? Let us know what you think of these! Until next time….

 

Beware of the moon

The Professor

Episode 44 - The Omen Franchise

It's all for you listeners!  

Join us as we navigate this franchise and you just might be surprised as we were with some of our reactions to these movies. 

Episode 44 - The Omen Franchise by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 43 - The Collector/The Collection Afterthoughts

 Like many of you, I have seen a ton of bad films and franchises. The Collector/The Collection are not the worst when deciding the appropriate entries in the pantheon of all time cinematic garbage. They certainly have their merits and are not worth  completely avoiding. However, to me they represent what is wrong with modern horror. The heart is missing from the genre (pun unintended) and it has grown exhausting for fans.

These days an occurrence like the Hatchet or Laid to Rest films shakes everything up because horror fans are not getting what they need and deserve very often. It has become virtually impossible for horror films to get the money or exposure that they once used to. No longer are the days of the golden decade (which we will be discussing in a later episode) where they were just putting these things out left and right. If you wanted camp, laughs, thrills, gore, nudity, iconic characters you need not look far as it was seemingly coming out every week. NOW it happens once every few years it seems. Which is really rather goofy, considering the passionate fans this genre has and all the money they will spend on what they love. Somewhere along the way these studios lost sight of that. Now I could go through the long litany of causes to blame but let’s not do that. Sure CGI and the dvd boom may have changed some of that. But honestly my point here is to at least be fair to these two films.

After mixing this show I realized we were pretty rough on these two movies and while most of it is deserved I do not think it as at the hands of the talent. I blame the culture and the shifts in the industry that have brought us here. When did horror become void of fun? With the exception of a few movies in the last 15 years it has been primarily stuffy, mean spirited, or torture porn. We have some guys fighting the good fight certainly. The Adam Greens, the Eli Roths, the Ti Wests and company are still trying to keep it fresh, fun, and inventive. Obviously our community profoundly adores and appreciates them.

So I just wanted to clarify that these movies, to me, are not bad because of who made them or was in them. They are bad because the genre is bad. Regurgitated plots from a year ago, remakes, butchered foreign remakes, its just all beat to death. I wish the studios would feel the pulse of this fan-base. Come to one of these conventions and see how many SAW t-shirts or cosplays for The Grudge you see. Films from 30 years ago are still making all of the extra money.

Sometimes I wonder if we will ever return to a more fun place for this genre? I sure hope so. For now we have 80 plus years of the fun stuff to revisit as much as we need to until then.

Until next time

Beware of the moon,

The Professor