This week we're back to talk about one of the most (unfairly)maligned sequels of the 80s. Facing strong headwinds on the road to getting made, Ghostbusters 2 was criticized as a carbon copy of the first, and it struggled to capture even half of the box office of the 1984 classic as Batman fever swept the nation, and sequels from Back to the Future and Indiana Jones took up moviegoers attention. Credited for "killing the franchise" for decades, Ghostbusters 2 is a solid example of "if it ain't br...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 43 min•Season 1Ep. 266
In our biggest episode to date, Mike, Brian, and Stephen strap on the proton backs and try not to cross the streams as we take on the mother of all 80s comedies: GHOSTBUSTERS. Something this funny, this quitable and this memorable could only come from a group that defined comedy in the 70s and 80s, and there's nothing like watching Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Dan Akroyd just hang out and do there thing. We talk about the trials and tribulations it took to bring this film to life, as nothing l...
Nov 25, 2024•3 hr 36 min
In space no one can hear you scream, but can they hear you podcast? This week Mike and Stephen are joined by guest Katy Terry (Fangs for the Memories podcast) to talk about Fede Alvarez entry into the Alien canon, Alien Romulus. WE discuss where the film goes right, with its adherence to practical effects and sets, fantastic set pieces that make the Xenomorph scary again, and a cracker jack cast that has a new riff on the working class and bodily autonomy themes the original did so well. When Ro...
Nov 18, 2024•2 hr 21 min
This week we're back with the latest from long running found footage horror anthology series V/H/S. Two out of three cohosts agree this is one of the stronger entries into the franchise, with the shift to sci-fi horror being a welcome change. However, is there enough variety between our segments and wraparound or does it rely too heavily on the familiar alien invasion tropes? WE explore all the segments, from a Terminator-esque Bollywood musical (??) to an alien hunting police squad, to a skydiv...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 35 min
Happy Halloween listeners! Coming off our Terrifier series we still have clowns on the brain so Stephen and Mike are counting down the top ten scariest clowns in horror history as voted on by your band of grease paint and squirting flower fearing podcasters. Plus, Mike and Ariel sat down during the last day of the Telluride Horror Show to talk about some of their favorite films from Fantastic Fest and Telluride Horror.
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 42 min
This week we wrap up another franchise with a giant discussion on what is now the highest grossing unrated movie of all time: TERRIFIER 3. Mike and Ari are joined by guest Jacob Harper (Talking Terror podcast, 1428 Elm Street) to talk about the Christmas horror of it all, the live action "Itchy & Scratchy" antics of Art the Clown, the welcome reintroduction of Victoria, and discuss why this entry has been so successful. Plus we ask what does Damien Leone have against true crime. Also, while ...
Oct 28, 2024•2 hr 9 min
This week concludes our supersized review of TERRIFIER 2. We dig into the movie and explore the moments that made this an indie horror sensation. Brian, Mike, Nichole and Ariel talk not just why Art the Clown is such an icon, but also how Laura LaVera has quickly entered the pantheon of best final girls as Sienna Shaw. Plus all the kills, chills, laughs, and stomach turning gore is explored. If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. Please t...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 50 min
This week we finally get to talk about the indie horror sensation TERRIFIER 2. What was supposed to be a one-night theatrical event went on to become one of the most successful independent horror movies of all time as audiences could not get enough of Art the Clown’s return. This time our master of mayhem in greasepaint isn’t alone as he’s joined by a demonic sidekick in The Pale Girl, while also getting a worthy adversary in Sienna Shaw, played wonderfully by Laura LaVera. Damien Leone upped th...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 37 min
This week we kick off our coverage of the TERRIFIER franchise with the 2016, over the top infamous slasher film. While Art the Clown got his start in a pair of short films that became the anthology All Hallows' Eve, its really this one where he started down his path to iconic status. Mike and Ariel are joined by author Josh Millican (Teleportasm) to do what we do best: dive into the back story of how this came to be, from its humble beginnings as the short The Ninth Circle, to the feature films ...
Oct 14, 2024•2 hr
This week we wrap up another franchise with 1989's sci-fi monster movie THE FLY II, starring Eric Stoltz. While it doesn't reach the creative heights or thematic depths of Cronenberg's earlier remake, there's still a lot of fun to be had with this oozy, oddball straight up monster movie. Mike and Devaughn are joined by guest Jay Krieger to talk its charms and where it falls a bit flat. We do have to warn folks, this can be a tough watch for all of us who love dogs. If you like what you’re listen...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 42 min
We're back with the second half of our massive episode on David Cronenberg's THE FLY. If you haven't already make sure you go back and listen to our previous episode on the background and elements of this movie. This time around Mike, Brian, Devaughn, and guest J Blake Fichera dive into the movie proper. We examine the romance between Seth and Ronnie that makes the horror all the more unbearable. We argue over the various themes and implications Cronenberg explored over what it means to be human...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 41 min
This week brings us the first half of our two-parter on David Cronenberg's remake THE FLY. Mike, Brian, and Devaughn are joined by Scored to Death author J Blake Fichera to talk about one of the true masterpieces of 80s horror. Featuring star making turns from Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, THE FLY remains David Cronenberg's most successful commercial work of his storied career, and his ultimate statement on body horror, the mutation of the flesh, and how pushing past the limits of our minds and...
Sep 23, 2024•2 hr 1 min
This week marks the release of Ariel's long awaited book Millennial Nasties: Analyzing a Decade of Brutal Horror. We chat about how the book came to be, why these films still stick with us twenty years later, and why horror became more brutal and often bleak at the turn of the century. If you want your own copy of the book order it today from all major retailers, or directly from publisher Encyclopocalypse Publications: Print version and the e-book version If you like what you’re listening to ma...
Sep 16, 2024•44 min
Mike and Brian talk about the last installment of the original FLY series. This one throws continuity out the window, and i a truly low budget affair. Still, while the lack of funds limit the sets and the performances, it offers a lot to chew on and tackles some fairly high concept ideas, even if it can't take them all that far. It's also the only FLY movie to date that seems to have a complete lack of its titular creature. If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 23 min
This week, the buzz is back! Brian and Mike tackle one of the great, underappreciated B-movies of the 1950s, with Return of the Fly. Vincent Price is the only cast member to return from the original cast and crew, this time getting top billing and lending his charm and winking good time of a performance style in order to deliver a mash up of a classic monster movie with more than a few nods to film noir. The end result is a movie that-for the first hour at least-truly slaps. From a great mustach...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 39 min
This week we're all "abuzz" to start on a new franchise. We're dipping our toes back into classic horror with 1958's science fiction / horror tale of experimentation gone amuck with THE FLY. This is the film that made Vincent Price a horror icon (even though he's in a supporting role) and contains marvelous special effects, a fantastic creature reveal, and one of the most disturbing finales ever in a horror movie. This week Mike, Brian, and Nicole are joined by Shawn Murphy from the Men Who Like...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 53 min
Our last batch of film coverage from Fantasia, plus an interview with Adams family directing team on their new feature Hell Hole. premiering on Shudder August 23rd.
Aug 17, 2024•55 min
If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. Here's the second part of of Fantasia coverage. We've got an eclectic line up of films from across the globe. From the UK we have the werewolf cum domestic drama starring Game of Thro...
Aug 14, 2024•35 min
The 2024 Fantasia Film Festival is in the books and Mike has the first part of his coverage up. Celebrating its 28th year, Fantasia delivers on horror, suspense, fantasy and science fiction from around the globe For the first episode Mike breaks down his thoughts on the new holiday slash from trans filmmaker Alison Maio Mackay (CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS), a documentary on the zealotry of gun culture comprised entirely of social media clips (FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS), and a wild horror-comedy-musical ...
Aug 12, 2024•32 min
As we put another series to bed, Mike, Devaughn and Ariel decided to break away from the typical "ranking" formula and go for something a little outside the box. With almost 40 segments to choose from, we out together our own V/H/S mixtapes, choosing anthology segments to fit our own twisted themes like "Bigfoot and Other Monsters," "The Gods Must Be Crazy," "Betrayal," and more. We had some fun with talking about a smorgasbord of our favorites. If you want to hear one of our crew talk definitiv...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 7 min
This week we’re diving into the horrific and darkly comedic world of *V/H/S 85*. Join us as we explore this anthology film’s unique blend of humor and gore. Getting back to their roots of providing a sandbox for up and coming genre filmmakers ‘85 had first time droppings from Mike P Nelson, Gigi Saul Gurrero and Natasha Kermani showcasing their wares. Longtime favorite David Brickner returns with his little buddy in the wraparound, and Scott Derrickson (The Black Phone) swings by for something t...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 25 min
Mike and Devaughn talk about another strong entry in the back half of the VHS franchise. '99 brings a punk energy to the film and forgoes the wraparound framing device or something that feels like an old mix tape buried in the stack of video cassettes in the console. The end result is the most consistent and entertaining entry of the series to date.
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 50 min
ALL HAIL RAATMA! This week Mike and Rachel talk about the return of the V/H/S series after more than a half a decade absence with V/H/S '94. Conceived and created during the COVID restrictions, the entry features the first two segments directed by women and breathes some new life and ideas into the found footage anthology series after the disappointment of Viral. Fans seemed to think so, as it set streaming records on its new home of Shudder during it's release in 2021. Which segments hold up, a...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 28 min
This week Mike and Ariel are on hand to take a look at the third installment of the found footage, anthology series V/H/S VIRAL. Considered by most fans to be the worst of the series, your co-hosts are hard to disagree at the jumbled, ugly-looking mess that is Viral. While we can offer kudos at the attempt at delivering a theme (the shorts are all concerned with their protagonists achieving internet fame and glory) only three films in and the series seems far removed from its intentions of repli...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 24 min
This week we're talking more found footage anthology goodness with V/H/S 2. Like any anthology series, there are ups and downs, but this one has what might be the fan favorite of the series with Safe Haven. Plus, Mike and Ariel nearly trade blows over The Undertaker's place in wrestling history.
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr 37 min
This week we start a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of a franchise where found footage and anthologies are smashed together into one horrific format. Mike, Rachel, Stephen and special guest Tucker (Disenfranchised podcast) talk about of of the grimiest series we've covered to date as we tackle V/H/S/. Now six entries (and two spinoffs) deep, this started out as a showcase for some of horror's up-and-coming directors to show their stuff in short form. The first entry alone features Ti West (X, Pearl, ...
Jun 24, 2024•1 hr 56 min
We close out the Blade series with a wild one. Mike and Devaughn talk about a movie that has more going on behind the scenes than in front of the camera. We take our time to discuss and maybe even debunk the stories of improper behavior of series star Wesley Snipes on the set of Trinity, his animosity towards writer/director David S Goyer and costars Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel, how Patton Oswalt's off the cuff remarks became accepted truth, and Snipes legitimate frustrations as both an execu...
Jun 17, 2024•2 hr 5 min
This week Mike, Devaughn & Steven are back to talk about BLADE II and the return of everyone's favorite vampire killer. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, it might be the perfect mix of horror and comic book heroics and offered the Spanish auteur his first bonafide hit in the United States. Our trio of hosts break down the troubled path the future Oscar winner traveled to land the movie, and how his encyclopedic knowledge of comic book lore and monsters helped elevate the second Blade during a ...
Jun 10, 2024•2 hr 27 min
We're back with the second half of our talk about 1998's BLADE. Jay Kreiger from the Genre Haze podcast is back with Mike and Devaughn to talk all things Daywalker. We talk about why Wesley Snipes was such an inspired choice to play the character and how he made it his own. On the other hand, the hero is only as good as the villain they go up against, and Stephen Dorff absolutely eats as Blade's adversary Deacon Frost. Wouldn't it have been great to keep Deacon around for a some sequels and buck...
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 44 min
It's bedtime for suckheads in the first part of our double episode on 1998's horror and superhero hybrid, BLADE. Wesley Snipes steps into a role he seemed born to play as the vampire killing "Daywalker" in an R-rated romp that owed just as much to martial arts and gun-fu films as it did comics. The end result was a smart, violent, over the top bloody thrill ride that was world's ahead of the campy histrionics that marked so much of the superhero fare that made its way into theaters at the time. ...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 34 min
