Episode 4: Piranha (1978) & Party Hard Die Young (2018)

This week, Chris and Nick see if they can keep the summertime vibes going just a little bit longer with a couple of Shudder offerings suitable for the season. First up is our vintage pick, Joe Dante's Piranha -- a knockoff of the king of summer blockbusters, Jaws, that manages to be a highly distinctive comedy/horror outing in its own right. We've got a lot to discuss in reviewing this razor-toothed cult classic, from a discussion of its legendary producer, Roger Corman, to the endearingly ridiculous sound design and the on-screen return of Shuddering favorite Barbara Steele. Dante, of course, went on to become a genre legend, but is this early effort an indicator of the mad genius that would emerge in classics like Gremlins and The 'Burbs? And, how does this Carter-era film stack up against the 2010 remake that memorably splattered the screen with all manner of gruesome aquatic carnage in eye-popping 3D? We touch on all of that in this episode, and then it's on to 2018's Party Hard Die Young, a modern spin on classic slasher-flick tropes set to a pulsing EDM soundtrack. It made both of your hosts feel a bit old, to be honest, but we also thought it would be a perfect film with which to wind down our summer horror-movie viewing. Check it out, and check in with us at shudderingpod@gmail.com with comments, recommendations, or whatever else you'd like to share. And then, we'll see you in September... or, as we like to call it, Halloween Pre-Game Month!