It's the catchiest thing to come from monkeys since 'I'm a believer': It's 28 Days Later. Danny Boyle's 2002 classic is as influential as any 'zombie' film before or since. A massively impactful, bleak and visually astounding movie which takes you on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. We talk about the survival limitations of a high population density; the difficult of catching an outbound flight from a train station; and how a taxi driver came to own police riot gear (or a riot of...
Dec 02, 2015•47 min
It's Episode 15 of How to Survive, and we're off to the shops! This week's focus is on Dawn of the Dead (1978), George A. Romero's classic zombie movie where the action goes down in an American shopping mall. The movie is perhaps more satirical than terrifying - especially by modern standards, but it still holds up as a classic movie, and a massively influential horror. We talk about the benefits of focusing all of your waking thoughts on one thing at all times; the importance of never expressin...
Nov 25, 2015•49 min
Episode 14 of How to Survive is out of this world! We're talking about survival tactics for Matt Damon in The Martian (2015). The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney, a Mars astronaut who is left behind on the planet after an accident. He must spend the next few years surviving against the brutal Martian elements while his pals at NASA think of a way to get him home. We talk about how believable each character's portrayal is, how to exploit real-world scientific phenomena to survive in the mo...
Nov 18, 2015•44 min
It's episode 13 of How to Survive, and we're giving survival advice to the most enduring British film character ever: James Bond. In Spectre, Bond takes on someone from his past - the notorious Franz Oberhauser! In a movie which at times feels like a remake of the entire Bond saga at the same time, and never seems to be 5 minutes away from gut-churning action, the risks are high, and survival is surely difficult, but that's where we come in... We talk about how a lack of socks can make someone s...
Nov 11, 2015•1 hr 3 min
Episode 12 of How to Survive sees us talking about John Carpenter's Halloween (1978). This is our annual Halloween Special! The movie is absolutely iconic for its key elements - many of which have now become horror movie tropes. Certainly a product of its time, but a fantastic film to discuss - especially when considering how to survive about the original horror movie slasher: Michael Myers. We talk about all the nonsensical actions of a criminal psychologist; what would constitute an 'appropria...
Nov 04, 2015•1 hr
In the eleventh episode of How to Survive, Chris and Joe return to the Friday the 13th saga, with Friday the 13th Part II. The film is a facsimile of the first film in terms of: characters, themes, writing, expectations. However, it is nonetheless a great film to discuss - particularly when considering how to survive. We talk about all the equal opportunities Jason affords people of all physical abilities; Jason's missed career as an engineer; and the inherent give-and-take of safety in delibera...
Oct 28, 2015•48 min
This week, Chris and Joe are talking about Titanic (1997), and how they would survive if they found themselves aboard the doomed voyage. Titanic is a part love-story, part disaster movie, part horror, part survival movie, part historical drama and part documentary. An emotional roller coaster which secured its place as the biggest blockbuster in history (...until Avatar came and blue it all up). We talk about the complete lack of sensible decisions made by Rose; how smelling ice could be benefic...
Oct 21, 2015•1 hr 9 min
This week, Chris and Joe are talking about Everest (2015). The high-action retelling of the '1996 Mount Everest Disaster'. In a break from usual form, this episode was deemed inappropriate for analysis of 'how to survive'. The film tells the story of real people who were qualified professionals in climbing. It would be an insult to their expertise - and their memories if we (non-climbing experts) pointed out where they went wrong. Instead, we discuss the merits of one of the year's most exciting...
Oct 14, 2015•40 min
This week, Chris and Joe are talking about The Hills Have Eyes (1977), and how they would survive if they found themselves lost in the desert, hunted by a family of mutant cannibals! In memorial of master of modern horror, Wes Craven, we're digging into one of his most famous movies - and tearing it to shreds. The Hills Have Eyes is shocker-horror at its finest (and simultaneously at its worst). Featuring gender politics that would make Michael Bay blush; an exploitative use of a genetic disorde...
Oct 07, 2015•41 min
This week, Chris and Joe are talking about A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and how they would survive if they found their dreams invaded by the demonic child murderer, Freddy Krueger! In memorial of master of modern horror, Wes Craven, we're digging into the movie which is undoubtedly his most lasting legacy - and tearing it to shreds. A Nightmare on Elm Street is one of the classics of modern horror. Bringing us one of the most iconic pop cultural figures of the 80's, kickstarting Johnny Depp...
Sep 30, 2015•45 min
This week, Chris and Joe are talking about The Loved Ones (2009), and how they would survive if they were strapped to a chair and tortured with power tools! Don't be mistaken - The Loved Ones isn't full on torture-porn (though it does stray into that territory). This is a story of shocks, survival, and unsettling surprises. If you haven't seen the film, watch it now. It's a hysterical thriller which doesn't let up. We talk about Lola, one of the hidden gems of modern horror; myriad escape opport...
Sep 23, 2015•48 min
This week, Chris and Joe are taking on an obsessive fan - it's 1990's classic horror, Misery! Misery is adapted from a Stephen King novel of the same name, and tells the story of Paul Sheldon (James Caan), a writer who is kidnapped by his number one fan - Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates in an Oscar winning performance). As this thriller progresses, the question turns from survival to escape, making it a natural choice for us to discuss. We talk about one of the finest vocabularies of any movie charact...
Sep 16, 2015•41 min
This week, Chris and Joe are talking about Jurassic World (2015), and how they would survive if they came up against the Indominus Rex! Jurassic World is part sequel, part re-boot, part trip down memory lane. A fun thrill-ride which ticks all the boxes of a summer blockbuster - including absolutely ludicrous decisions made by characters in their attempts to survive. We talk about the complete lack of corporate resposibilty shown by every member of a multi-billion dollar corporation; the difficul...
Sep 09, 2015•44 min
This week, Chris and Joe review Alien (1979), and discuss how they would survive if they were passengers on-board The USCSS Nostromo. Alien is the ultimate story of survival in a tight space. The movie is widely held in the top horror movies of all-time, features some of the most iconic scenes in modern cinema, and spawned a multi-million dollar franchise. We talk about the complete lack of initiative shown by a galactic starship captain; the benefits of a solid medical checklist procedure; and ...
Sep 02, 2015•38 min
In this episode of How to Survive, Chris and Joe review the recent horror movie It Follows, and discuss how they would survive the events of the film. We've all had a romantic encounter which we went on to regret - but what if your romantic encounter left you cursed to be stalked by a demonic, murderous wraith for the rest of your life? That's the premise of It Follows, and naturally it leads to some very interesting discusssion. You'll hear all the ups and downs of this contemporary classic, in...
Aug 26, 2015•56 min
In the first episode of How to Survive, Chris and Joe review the original Friday the 13th, then discuss how they would survive the events at Camp Crystal Lake. Despite having a questionable script, two-dimensional characters, and a plot which is both predictable and incoherent, Friday the 13th remains the quintessential horror movie - and the original slasher film. We talk about all the highs and lows of this classic movie, including the incredible feats of strength employed by an old lady; a sl...
Aug 15, 2015•48 min
