GLASS. PET SEMATARY. ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE. It's a trio of killer trailers. Netflix and Mike Flanagan thrill genre fans with a top-notch horror TV series, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE - this week, we take a look at the first 5 episodes. The Grue-Crew review BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE, Drew (Cabin in the Woods) Goddard's exciting thriller featuring Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, and John Hamm. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 294 - The Haunting of Hill House - Bad Times at the El Royale
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Flashing between past and present, a fractured family confronts haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them from it.
Director: Mike Flanagan
Cast: Mckenna Grace, Carla Gugino, Michiel Huisman
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Seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, meet at Lake Tahoe's El Royale, a rundown hotel with a dark past. Over the course of one fateful night, everyone will have one last shot at redemption - before everything goes to hell.
Director: Drew Goddard
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson
Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song
Next Week on HNR: Halloween (2018)
James Wan chooses a director for THE CONJURING 3, Disney announces the name of the new Star Wars TV show, and Walking Dead fans bid farewell to actor Scott Wilson. The Grue-Crew, along with guest-host Michelle Iannantuono, review VENOM, the new Sony/Columbia Pictures Spider-man-less Spider-man universe film featuring Tom Hardy as everyone's favorite anti-hero. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 293 - Venom
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When Eddie Brock acquires the powers of a Symbiote, he will have to release his alter-ego "Venom" to save his life.
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
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Next Week on HNR: Bad Times at the El Royale
James Wan has a big week in horror news with the announcement that he will produce the U.S. version of TRAIN TO BUSAN, that THE NUN is the highest grossing Conjuring Universe film, and that ANNABELLE 3 has found its lead. The Grue-Crew review HELL FEST, the new slasher film that launches the Halloween season for 2018. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 292 – Hell Fest
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A masked serial killer turns a horror-themed amusement park into his own personal playground, terrorizing a group of friends while the rest of the patrons believe that it is all part of the show.
Director: Gregory Plotkin
Cast: Bex Taylor-Klaus, Reign Edwards, Amy Forsyth
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Next Week on HNR: Venom
“Feast your eyes--glut your soul on my accursed ugliness!” Remember the old if-a-tree-falls-in-the-woods question? If Lon Chaney has a line in a silent-film and no one hears it, is it still a quote? This episode’s Grue Crew says, “Yes! If it appears in quotes on an intertitle card!” Join this episode’s Grue Crew - Whitney Collazo, Chad Hunt, Joseph Perry, and Jeff Mohr - as they make their third trip to the land of silent screams and visit the Paris opera house as depicted in Universal’s The Phantom of the Opera (1925).
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 42 – The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
After the success of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), Universal Pictures’ Carl Laemmle needed another vehicle for the considerable talents of Lon Chaney and seized on the timeless story told in Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, Le Fantôme de l'Opéra. Directed, at least in part, by Rupert Julian, The Phantom of the Opera tells the tale of a man, disfigured in both appearance and character. He is infatuated with a beautiful woman and plots to gain her trust by mentoring her singing career and follows that with subterfuge, manipulation, and coercion in an insane attempt to win her hand.
The cast of The Phantom of the Opera features Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, and Norman Kerry. Of course, Chaney is the star of the film. Not only does he knock it out of the park with another groundbreaking effort in makeup artistry, but his performance as the Phantom/Erik is truly inspired. Universal’s Stage 28 set, designed by Ben Carré, deserves its own star billing as the grandeur of the Paris Opera House is recreated complete with stage, giant chandelier, opera boxes, cellars, and underground torture chambers.
The members of the Grue Crew are universally moved by Chaney’s artistry and dedication. Whitney recounts the joys of using collodion for makeup effects, the impact of seeing the film as a five-year-old, and her affection for the metal-band musical connections to The Phantom of the Opera. The multitude of different versions of the film, which one should you watch, and the true story of Mary Philbin’s lost love send Jeff down the rabbit hole again. Joseph agrees that the various versions and the multiple, creative hands in the pie are evident in the film. The pain experienced by Chaney as a result of the makeup appliances used for the Phantom make an impression on Chad, but he still manages to find yet another connection to the Batman TV series.
The Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Grue Crew plan to release a new episode every other week. The next episode in our very flexible schedule will be The Return of the Vampire (1943)! More Bela Lugosi!
Please let us know what you think of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era! We want to hear from you! After all, without you, we’re just four nutjobs talking about the films we love. Send us an email or leave us a message, a review, or a comment at GruesomeMagazine.com, iTunes, Stitcher, Google Podcast, or the Horror News Radio Facebook group.
To each of you from each of us, “Thank you so much for listening!”
“Feast your eyes--glut your soul on my accursed ugliness!” Remember the old if-a-tree-falls-in-the-woods question? If Lon Chaney has a line in a silent-film and no one hears it, is it still a quote? This episode’s Grue Crew says, “Yes! If it appears in quotes on an intertitle card!” Join this episode’s Grue Crew - Whitney Collazo, Chad Hunt, Joseph Perry, and Jeff Mohr - as they make their third trip to the land of silent screams and visit the Paris opera house as depicted in Universal’s The Phantom of the Opera (1925).
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 42 – The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
After the success of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), Universal Pictures’ Carl Laemmle needed another vehicle for the considerable talents of Lon Chaney and seized on the timeless story told in Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, Le Fantôme de l'Opéra. Directed, at least in part, by Rupert Julian, The Phantom of the Opera tells the tale of a man, disfigured in both appearance and character. He is infatuated with a beautiful woman and plots to gain her trust by mentoring her singing career and follows that with subterfuge, manipulation, and coercion in an insane attempt to win her hand.
The cast of The Phantom of the Opera features Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, and Norman Kerry. Of course, Chaney is the star of the film. Not only does he knock it out of the park with another groundbreaking effort in makeup artistry, but his performance as the Phantom/Erik is truly inspired. Universal’s Stage 28 set, designed by Ben Carré, deserves its own star billing as the grandeur of the Paris Opera House is recreated complete with stage, giant chandelier, opera boxes, cellars, and underground torture chambers.
The members of the Grue Crew are universally moved by Chaney’s artistry and dedication. Whitney recounts the joys of using collodion for makeup effects, the impact of seeing the film as a five-year-old, and her affection for the metal-band musical connections to The Phantom of the Opera. The multitude of different versions of the film, which one should you watch, and the true story of Mary Philbin’s lost love send Jeff down the rabbit hole again. Joseph agrees that the various versions and the multiple, creative hands in the pie are evident in the film. The pain experienced by Chaney as a result of the makeup appliances used for the Phantom make an impression on Chad, but he still manages to find yet another connection to the Batman TV series.
The Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Grue Crew plan to release a new episode every other week. The next episode in our very flexible schedule will be The Return of the Vampire (1943)! More Bela Lugosi!
Please let us know what you think of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era! We want to hear from you! After all, without you, we’re just four nutjobs talking about the films we love. Send us an email or leave us a message, a review, or a comment at GruesomeMagazine.com, iTunes, Stitcher, Google Podcast, or the Horror News Radio Facebook group.
To each of you from each of us, “Thank you so much for listening!”
"What Evil Lives In The... Mausoleum" the tagline for Mausoleum sets us up for a bizarre, zany, gory, and often super-silly overlooked horror classic from 1983! The film features Bobbie Bresee in - and out - of full monster make-up complete with... monster boobs. Practical effects for the win! Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore are joined by Lunchmeat VHS madman Josh Schafer.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 139 – Mausoleum (1983)
One of the few, if not only, films from director Michael Dugan and writers Robert Barich, Robert Maderon, and Katherine Rosenwink, Mausoleum represents a group of filmmakers desperately crafting their epic horror film. The movie is an often overlook early VHS horror classic with Bobbie Bresee in the lead staring opposite Marjoe Gortner. Norman Burton, Maurice Sherbanee, and LeWanda Page round out the cast. Given this film's history tied more to its VHS release than its lukewarm DVD release, the Grue-Crew have invited Josh Schafer to return to the podcast. Josh is the man behind Lunchmeat VHS and set up Video Vortex at the Alamo Draft House in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Josh shares how Mausoleum was a VHS staple for him growing up, watching the film over and over from the local video store. Doc shares that he caught the film first at a drive-in double feature paired with Lucio Fulci's The Gates of Hell. The film is perhaps best remembered for its better than expected, if not spectacular, monster designs and effects. If nothing else, the demon monster in Mausoleum is a memorable creation with its glowing green eyes, snarling mouth, and... yeah... monster-faced boobs. What else can you say? Sigh.
What's this? A new TV trailer reveals Jack Black will return as R.L. Stein in Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween. The Grue-Crew review the "other" Jack Black family-friendly horror film A House with a Clock in Its Walls from director...Eli Roth. And, look for the "Worth Watching" segment about the horror comedy Slice. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 291 – The House with a Clock in Its Walls - Slice
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A young orphan named Lewis Barnavelt aids his magical uncle in locating a clock with the power to bring about the end of the world.
Director: Eli Roth (w/ Eric Kripke)
Cast: Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen Vaccaro, Kyle MacLachlan
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When a pizza delivery driver is murdered on the job, the city searches for someone to blame: ghosts? drug dealers? a disgraced werewolf?
Director: Austin Vesely
Cast: Zazie Beetz, Joe Keery, Hannibal Buress
Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song
Next Week on HNR: Hell Fest
"I met this... six-year-old child with this blank, pale, emotionless face, and... the blackest eyes - the Devil's eyes." There’s absolutely no doubt you know who says that and who he is talking about. Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they prepare for 2018’s neo-sequel by taking a nostalgic, but fear-filled trip back to Haddonfield and the first time he came back. Yup, it’s the big one. They’re talking Halloween (1978).
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 82 – Halloween (1978)
Whether or not you knew about John Carpenter before the release of Halloween, you certainly knew about him after its release. There have been a total of 10 Halloween films, 9 of which include the fellow with the “blank, pale, emotionless face, and … the blackest eyes - the Devil’s eyes,” but the first one is by far the best.
Carpenter’s and Debra Hill’s script takes its time developing a place in time and space and with people that feel familiar and even comfortable, making the presence of The Shape all the more menacing. Establishing the characters and relationships of the three girls - Jamie Lee Curtis, P.J. Soles, and Nancy Kyes - adds to the familiarity and comfortableness of the world the filmmakers have created. Donald Pleasence’s performance as Dr. Loomis exponentially ramps up the feelings of dread and Nick Castle’s performance as The Shape reinforces the idea of the presence of pure evil. Combine the script and the acting with Carpenter’s direction, his landmark, chill-inducing score, and Dean Cundey’s cinematography, and Halloween becomes one of the top horror films of the 1970s.
Of course, the members of the Decades of Horror 1970s Grue Crew shout their praises for Halloween. Chad is impressed by Jamie Lee Curtis’ portrayal of Laurie Strode as the somewhat shy, good-hearted girl without a boyfriend who obviously isn’t very experienced at smoking pot, but is a formidable opponent for The Shape. Jeff points out the time the filmmakers take to create suspense and dread, for example, Laurie’s 90-second walk across the street to come to her girlfriends’ aid. Cundey’s and Carpenter’s shot construction and camera movement earn Bill’s admiration. For Doc, it’s also about the time taken for each kill, building tension to the breaking point.
Yes, the lot of them slobbered and drooled their appreciation and love all over Halloween throughout the podcast. What did you expect? Frankly, this classic deserves a few more viewings in preparation for its new sequel, Halloween (2018).
We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
Netflix delivers killers trailers for the original film THE APOSTLE and THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE 10 episode series. Shudder is delivering a horror film each week this Halloween season. Christopher, Dave, and Doc review THE PREDATOR. And, DIG TWO GRAVES director Hunter Adams joins Christopher, Doc, and Vanessa to discuss the mind-bending masterpiece MANDY. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 289 – The Nun
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CONTESTS
When a young boy accidentally triggers the universe's most lethal hunters' return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.
Director: Shane Black (w/ Fred Dekker)
Cast: Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, Augusto Aguilera, Jake Busey, Yvonne Strahovski
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Mandy is set in the primal wilderness of 1983 where Red Miller, a broken and haunted man hunts an unhinged religious sect who slaughtered the love of his life.
Director: Panos Cosmatos & Chris 'Casper' Kelly
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Andrea Riseborough, Linus Roache
Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song
Next Week on HNR: THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS
“Whiskey and soda mix, not whiskey and science.” This statement is heard early in the cult classic, The Hideous Sun Demon, and this episode’s Grue Crew doesn’t buy it for a second. Join Chad Hunt, Joseph Perry, and Jeff Mohr as they study the statement’s validity and have a ball along the way with The Hideous Sun Demon (1958).
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 41 – The Hideous Sun Demon (1958)
Dr. Gilbert McKenna has “an accident” when he is handling highly radioactive material while suffering from a hangover. Gil seems to quickly recover, but when exposed to direct sunlight, he rapidly transforms into the hideous sun demon. Gil’s doctor prescribes avoiding the sun’s rays, but for a guy like Gil, that’s not as easy as it sounds. When the sun is down, Gil restlessly cavorts about town and encounters the beautiful Trudy (Nan Peterson) who is singing and playing air-piano at a rundown nightspot. Unfortunately, he also runs into her thuggish boyfriend George (Peter Similuk), who proves to be a problem. While all this is happening, Gil’s coworkers, Ann (Patricia Manning) and Dr. Buckell (Patrick Whyte), work to find a cure for Gil’s newly acquired condition.
A low budget creature feature inspired by the financial success of The Astounding She-Monster (1957), The Hideous Sun Demon is the brainchild of Robert Clarke who produces, directs, co-writes, and plays the lead in the film. Primary writers of the screenplay are E. S. Seeley Jr. and Doane R. Hoag.
Your Grue Crew wasn’t sure what to expect with The Hideous Sun Demon, but it turned out to be a barrel of fun, despite its low-budget related flaws. Jeff points out Clarke’s extensive use of family members in bit parts on the film. Chad feels it was like watching two different movies; one a fairly standard, radiation-created creature feature and the other, a noirish story complete with brutish thugs and a femme fatale. Joseph agrees that at times, it seems like Nan Peterson was channeling Marilyn Monroe with the lilt of her voice and the way she played a scene. At any rate, The Hideous Sun Demon was fun throughout and the Grue Crew gives it a big low budget, cult classic thumbs up!
The Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Grue Crew plan to release a new episode every other week. The next episode in our very flexible schedule will be the silent scream, The Phantom of the Opera (1925)! They can’t wait to discuss the brilliance of the legendary Lon Chaney!
Please let us know what you think of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era! We want to hear from you! After all, without you, we’re just four nutjobs talking about the films we love. Send us an email or leave us a message, a review, or a comment at GruesomeMagazine.com, iTunes, Stitcher, Google Podcast, or the Horror News Radio Facebook group.
To each of you from each of us, “Thank you for listening!”
The Halloween 2018 second trailer is here and it impresses - as does its premiere at TIFF. October looks fantastic! Rest in peace Burt Reynolds - thank you for Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, Cannonball Run, and so much more. Guest host Jeff Mohr joins Christopher, Vanessa, and Doc to review The Nun! Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 289 – The Nun
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CONTESTS
A priest with a haunted past and a novice on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate the death of a young nun in Romania and confront a malevolent force in the form of a demonic nun.
Director: Corin Hardy
Cast: Demian Bichir, Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Bonnie Aarons
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Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song
Next Week on HNR: The Predator
"Action...Excitement...Spectacle beyond your wildest dreams!" Action? Check. Excitement? Check. Spectacle beyond your wildest dreams? Check! Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr (much to his chagrin, Bill Mulligan was unable to join us for this one) - as they discover a film that actually lives up to its tagline, and of course, it’s a Shaw Brothers film! Yes, they are talking about The Mighty Peking Man.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 81 – The Mighty Peking Man (1977)
Initially released August 1977 in Hong Kong. The MIghty Peking Man didn’t see a U.S. release until March 1980. Directed by Meng Hua Ho and written by Kuang Ni, this film is the Shaw Brothers effort to cash in on the hoopla surrounding the Dino De Laurentiis production, King Kong (1976).
An expedition, led by an amoral and unscrupulous businessman (Feng Ku) and an altruistic and heartbroken hero (Danny Lee) plucked from a bar, sets out to capture the legendary, titular beast depicted in The Mighty Peking Man. In their search for the giant ape, the expedition also encounters Samantha (Evelyne Kraft), a female version of the Tarzan legend, who has devloped a deep bound with the beast. Eventually, the Mighty Peking Man is captured and transported to civilization where he is shackled and put on public display in a stadium. Not surprisingly, the beast breaks free of its chains, creating panic and chaos. Even less surprisingly, the story works its way to an epic battle atop a skyscraper. Does this sound familiar?
Despite the story’s similarities with past big ape movies, The Mighty Peking Man has one key plot difference that Chad, Doc, and Jeff greatly appreciated. Samantha has been living in the jungle ever since she was a child when the Mighty Peking Man rescued her from a plane crash, solidifying an explanation for their long term bond.
Despite its low budget and relatively high cheese factor, this film has it all, including a boatload of fun! Chad has always loved the opening scene as the giant ape emerges from its lost world after an earthquake, wreaking havoc on the nearby village. Doc is particularly enamored with the sequence in which Samantha, adorned as usual in her 2-piece animal skin, climbs a light pole to escape a crowd. The Grue Crew is in agreement on the hilarity of some of the dialogue, admitting something might have been lost in translation.
The Mighty Peking Man gets an emphatic recommendation from the Grue Crew! In fact, after covering The Oily Maniac (1976) on Episode 70 and now The Mighty Peking Man, the Grue Crew vows to cover Infra-Man (1975), another Shaw Brothers masterpiece starring Danny Lee, in the not too distant future.
We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
“You, too, can feel the joy and happiness of hating.” Hmmm, words like joy and happiness used to describe hate? Sounds enticing, right? Join Chad Hunt, Whitney Collazo, and Jeff Mohr, along with guest host Bill Mulligan, as they they celebrate the early product of Mario Bava’s genius known as Black Sunday (1960).
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 40 – Black Sunday (1960)
“Viy,” a short story by Russian writer Nikolai Gogol, provides a loose foundation for the film’s screenplay, written by Ennio De Concini and Mario Serandrei. Mario Bava is the director and cinematographer of Black Sunday and a beautifully shot film it is. Even though Black Sunday is Bava’s first official credit as the director of a feature film, he has dozens of credits as cinematographer as well as a few uncredited turns as director.
Released in the U.S. by American International Pictures, Black Sunday tells the story of a brother and sister burned at the stake as vampires. Or is it witches? Just before having spiked iron masks slammed home on their face with a gigantic mallet, they curse all future generations of the family. Flash forward 200 years when an incredibly inept doctor breaks the seals on Princess Asa’s crypt and then her coffin, initiates her resurrection by dripping blood on her (The Doctor That Dripped Blood?) so she can seek vengeance on the current incarnation of her family. Her plan includes raising her brother Igor from the dead and swapping bodies with her beautiful lookalike descendent, Katia. Barbara Steele is brilliant as Princess Asa/Katia and Arturo Dominici plays her evil accomplice, Igor. Other key players include Katia’s father (Ivo Garrani) and the two doctors (John Richardson and Andrea Checchi).
Whitney is impressed by Barbara Steele’s ability to play two such dichotomous roles: the consummately evil Asa and the innocent Katia. It is the spiked, iron masks and how they are pounded in place in the opening scene that leaves an impression on Chad. Bill, an avowed Bava fan, extols the virtues of the black and white cinematography, the set design, and the shot construction. Wholeheartedly agreeing with Bill, Jeff adds how impressed he is with the camera movement within those sets. You’re probably not surprised the the Grue Crew thinks Black Sunday is a genuinely great film and is a sign of future promise Bava so expertly fulfilled.
We plan to release a new episode every other week. On the next episode in our very flexible schedule, we‘ll be covering the cult classic The Hideous Sun Demon (1958).
Please let us know what you think of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era! We want to hear from you! After all, without you, we’re just four nutjobs talking about the films we love. Send us an email or leave us a message, a review, or a comment at GruesomeMagazine.com, iTunes, Stitcher, Google Podcast, or the Horror News Radio Facebook group.
To each of you from each of us, “Thank you for listening!”
"If it bleeds, we can kill it!" One of the many famous lines in Predator (1987) spoken by the film's iconic star Arnold Schwarzenegger. The design of the alien hunter from FX maestro Stan Winston is one of the most recognizable creatures in cinematic history! Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore revisit the classic sci-fi/action/horror fils from director John McTiernan, the genius behind Die Hard.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 138 – Predator (1987)
Released in 1987, Predator introduced horror fans to a brand new alien threat. No E.T. friendly, extraterrestrial love here, folks. This alien is out to hunt and kill its prey: humans. A gigantic hit when released due to its star-studded macho cast, the film registered with audiences and solidified Schwarzenegger's rising star power status. Alongside Schwarzenegger, the film cast Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham, Richard Chaves, and Shane Black as a group of mercenaries on a mission in Central America when they encounter a creature bigger and more powerful than they are. The Predator is played by Kevin Peter Hall who also played Bigfoot in Harry and the Hendersons and the alien in Without Warning.
Christopher G. Moore and Doc Rotten revisit Predator in time for the upcoming blockbuster film The Predator (2018) directed by Shane Black, who is featured in the 1987 original. The Grue-Crew find the film holding up remarkably well due to Schwarzenegger (and his co-stars) and the fantastic creature design by Stan Winston. Winston, interestingly, came into the feature late after the first designs didn't live up -- those designs were to be worn by Jean-Claude Van Damme who quit the film after only two days. "Get to the chopper!"
A team of special force ops, led by a tough but fair soldier, Major "Dutch" Schaefer, are ordered to assist CIA man, Colonel Al Dillon, on a rescue mission for potential survivors of a Helicopter downed over remote South American jungle. Not long after they land, Dutch and his team discover that they have been sent in under false pretenses. This deception turns out to be the least of their worries though, when they find themselves being methodically hunted by something not of this world.
We want to hear from you – the coolest, most gruesome fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at christopher@gruesomemagazine.comor dave@gruesomemagazine.com or docrotten@gruesomemagazine.com .
Special thanks to Neon Devils for their awesome song Bone Chillin!
Mike Flanagan returns to Netflix with THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, coming this October. Dwayne Johnson elaborates on his plans to reboot BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA. Michael Jackson's THRILLER is heading to IMAX in 3-D...for one week. And, Dave, Christopher, Vanessa, and Doc review the Puppet Master reboot, BLOOD FEST. Dave shares his visit to Horror Hound. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 288 – Blood Fest
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Fans flock to a festival celebrating the most iconic horror movies, only to discover that the charismatic showman behind the event has a diabolical agenda. As festival attendees start dying off, three teenagers - more schooled in horror-film cliches than practical knowledge about neutralizing psycho killers - must band together and battle through various madmen and monstrosities to survive.
Director: Owen Egerton
Cast: Zachary Levi, Robbie Kay, Seychelle Gabriel
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Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song
Next Week on HNR: The Nun
J.J. Abrams and HULU join forces to build upon the themes and characters created by Stephen King in the 10 episode TV series CASTLE ROCK. For this episode of HNR, the Grue-Crew take a look at the next two hours of the show, "The Queen" and "Past Perfect," continuing "an epic saga of darkness and light" in the small town of Castle Rock, Maine. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss the next episodes of HULU'S CASTLE ROCK created by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 286 – Castle Rock S01E07 and S01E08
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Memories haunt Ruth Deaver.
Newcomers set up shop in Castle Rock, Henry follows a clue.
"That's what's wrong with the present day horror films. There's no realism. Not like the old ones, the great ones. Frankenstein. Phantom of the Opera. Dracula - the one with Bela Lugosi of course, not this new fellow." Could the speaker be referring to Christopher Lee, one of the stars of this episode’s topic? Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they investigate the case of The House That Dripped Blood. Their first question? Where’s all the blood!
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 80 – The House That Dripped Blood (1971)
The House That Dripped Blood is the fourth Amicus Productions horror anthology your Grue Crew has covered on Decades of Horror 1970s. Directed by Peter Duffell and adapted by the legendary Robert Bloch from four of his stories, the four segments are tied together by a police detective investigating a disappearance from a peculiar house with a series of occupants who have all experienced decidedly sinister fates. The stories include “Method for Murder” - a writer’s thuggish, literary creation seems to have come to life; “Waxworks” - a forlorn man sees his lost love in a wax museum; “Sweets to the Sweet” - a stern father doesn’t want his daughter reading the wrong books or playing with dolls; and “The Cloak” - an over-the-hill actor in horror films purchases a cloak that unbeknownst to him, has mysterious powers.
The film’s all-star cast includes fan favorites Ingrid Pitt, Peter Cushing, and Christopher Lee. Additional standout performances in The House That Dripped Blood are given by Jon Pertwee, Denholm Elliott, Tom Adams, Joanna Dunham, Joss Ackland, the enigmatic Geoffrey Bayldon, Nyree Dawn Porter, and Chloe Franks.
The 70s Grue Crew is not bothered by the lack of blood (not a single drop, mind you) in The House That Dripped Blood. Bill goes on at length on how much he thinks of Ingrid Pitt, ,,, and he likes her performance in the film as well. Or maybe it is Chad who says that. Come to think of it, they are all a bit infatuated with Ms. Pitt. They all also remarked as to how disturbing Chloe Franks is as Christopher Lee’s innocent-looking daughter with the devilish smile. Jeff brings up Bloch’s tendency to build stories around ironic twists or jokes and how that tendency is in evidence in the segments of this film. Chad expresses his love for anthology films, and almost in unison, they all marvel at Geoffrey Bayldon’s quirky portrayal and just as quirky makeup as the proprietor of the shop in which the cloak is purchased. Rest assured that your Gure-Crew think The House That Dripped Blood is well worth a repeated watch and that they will definitely be covering more anthology films in the future.
We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
The trailer for the SUSPIRIA remake is here. Does it change our minds about the film? SLICE is a rollicking horror romp, check out the trailer. Christopher is all about the MAN OF MEDAN choose your adventure horror game, find out why. And, Dave, Christopher, Vanessa, and Doc review the Puppet Master reboot, PUPPET MASTER THE LITTLEST REICH. Then, the Grue-Crew follow that up with another puppet monstrosity, THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
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Episode 286 – Puppet Master The Littlest Reich - The Happytime Murders
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Recently divorced and reeling, Edgar returns to his childhood home to regroup his life. When Edgar finds a nefarious looking puppet in his deceased brother's room, he decides to sell the doll for some quick cash. Girl-next-door Ashley and comic book pal Markowitz join Edgar for a doomed road trip to an auction at a convention celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the infamous Toulon Murders. All hell breaks loose when a strange force animates the puppets at the convention, setting them on a bloody killing spree that's motivated by an evil as old as time.
Director: Sonny Laguna, Tommy Wiklund
Writer: S. Craig Zahler
Cast: Thomas Lennon, Michael Paré, Charlyne Yi
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A murder mystery set in a world where humans and puppets co-exist, but puppets are viewed as second-class citizens. When the puppet cast of an '80s children's TV show begins to get murdered one by one, a former cop, who has since become a private eye, takes on the case.
Director: Brian Henson
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph
Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song
Next Week on HNR: BLOOD FEST
J.J. Abrams and HULU join forces to build upon the themes and characters created by Stephen King in the 10 episode TV series CASTLE ROCK. For this episode of HNR, the Grue-Crew take a look at the second two hours of the show, "Harvest" and "Filter," continuing "an epic saga of darkness and light" in the small town of Castle Rock, Maine. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss the next episodes of HULU'S CASTLE ROCK created by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 284 – Castle Rock S01E05 and S01E06
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A stranger comes to town; Castle Rock honors Sheriff Pangborn.
Henry's son visits from Boston; a funeral stirs up unsettling memories.
“Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.” Of course, that poem is in reference to the Universal Classic Monster film, The Wolf Man! Join Chad Hunt, Whitney Collazo, and Jeff Mohr, along with guest host Jacob Allen, as they take a midnight stroll with Larry Talbot through the fog-shrouded woods on a moonlit night. Be sure to bring your walking cane, the one with the silver wolf’s head! You will most certainly need it.
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 39 – The Wolf Man (1941)
This episode’s Grue Crew loves The Wolf Man so much, they recorded this podcast twice! Whether beset by electromagic gremlins or cursed directly from film by Maleva, the first recording didn’t take, so they all went back for seconds. And you thought they’d been goofing off.
The Wolf Man might embody Universal’s most original monster. Based on an original screenplay by Curt Siodmak and directed by George Waggner, the film started much of the werewolf mythology still used in film today. The solid cast, sporting seven Oscar nominations among them, is led by Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot, and includes Claude Rains as his father, Evelyn Ankers as the female lead Gwen, Ralph Bellamy as Colonel Montford, Patric Knowles as Gwen’s boyfriend, Warren William as Dr. Boyd, and Fay Helm as Gwen’s friend. To top it off, the cast is blessed with Maria Ouspenskaya as Maleva and the inimitable Bela Lugosi as her son, Bela. The supernatural elements of the story or rendered entirely believable by the work of Jack Pierce, makeup artist extraordinaire.
Your Grue Crew marvels at the many facets through which Larry Talbot’s affliction can be viewed. Siodmak was surely thinking of the persecution he fled in Nazi Germany, but the story can be seen as a metaphor for a multitude of other conflicts common to most individuals’ lives, thereby explaining the film’s resonance with so many viewers.
Whitney proudly admits to being inspired by Jack Pierce’s makeup art. Claude Rains is only 17 years older than Lon Chaney Jr., who plays his son, and Jeff wonders how old Daddy Talbot must have been when his oldest son was born. Jacob is awed by the direction and organization it must have taken to complete the film in a short amount of time especially while working around the lengthy makeup process. When it comes to The Wolf Man, Chad is all about the mythic stature of Maria Ouspenskaya. As you may have guessed, their recommendation, assuming you’ve already seen this film, is see it again and again! Now!
We plan to release a new episode every other week. On the next episode in our very flexible schedule, we‘ll be covering Mario Bava’s Black Sunday (1960).
Please let us know what you think of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era! We want to hear from you! After all, without you, we’re just four nutjobs talking about the films we love. Send us an email or leave us a message, a review, or a comment at GruesomeMagazine.com, iTunes, Stitcher, Google Podcast, or the Horror News Radio Facebook group.
To each of you from each of us, “Thank you for listening!”
"Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It's fun to be a vampire." The tag-line for The Lost Boys (1987) captures the "Peter Pan" spirit of this classic Eighties vampire tale, romanticizing the creatures in an approachable and thrilling young adult spin without sacrificing the horror and the thrills. No sparkles here, folks! Josh Schafer joins Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore to revisit the film that solidified Joel Schumacher as a directing talent...well, at least until bat-nipples did him in.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 137 – The Lost Boys (1987)
Released in 1987, The Lost Boys introduced horror fans to a variety of iconic horror flash and style rarely matched in this day-and-age. This is the first film to provide fans with the "Two-Coreys" teaming Corey Haim and Corey Feldman together - even though Feldman has Jamison Newlander and Frog Brothers wingman. Keifer Sutherland makes a striking impression as David, the blonde leader of the gothic punk vampires and Jason Patric (son of Exorcist star Jason Miller) emo-acts his way into every young girl's heart. And, above all, we have shirtless, oiled Timmy Cappello belting out "I Still Beleive" - what else do you need.
Christopher G. Moore, Doc Rotten, and guest-host Josh Schafer from Lunchmeat VHS gather to take a look at The Lost Boys perhaps one of the best and most influential vampire movies of the Eighties. The Grue-Crew debate the merit of director Joel Schumacher and whether Grampa was a werewolf in an alternate "Mandela Effect" universe. It's all about the style, the clothes, the stars, and the songs; The Lost Boys holds up well after 30+ years and the Grue-Crew reflect on it all. "One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach; all the damn vampires."
A mother and her two sons move to a small coast town in California. The town is plagued by bikers and some mysterious deaths. The younger boy makes friends with two other boys who claim to be vampire hunters while the older boy is drawn into the gang of bikers by a beautiful girl. The older boy starts sleeping days and staying out all night while the younger boy starts getting into trouble because of his friends' obsession.
We want to hear from you – the coolest, most gruesome fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at christopher@gruesomemagazine.com or dave@gruesomemagazine.com or docrotten@gruesomemagazine.com.
Special thanks to Neon Devils for their awesome song Bone Chillin!
Predator
Bruce Campbell returns as Ash for an upcoming EVIL DEAD game. THE NUN gets pulled from youtube. CASTLE ROCK gets renewed for a second season. And, Christopher, Vanessa, and Doc review the YA gothic horror entry DOWN A DARK HALL. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 285 – Down a Dark Hall
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Kit Gordy, a new student at the exclusive Blackwood Boarding School, confronts the institution's supernatural occurrences and dark powers of its headmistress.
Director: Rodrigo Cortés
Cast: AnnaSophia Robb, Uma Thurman, Isabelle Fuhrman
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EXIT
Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song
Next Week on HNR: Puppet Master The Littlest Reich
While The Meg gobbled up an ocean of horror related theatrical news this past week, SLENDER MAN was also released to theaters. With little fanfare and not much positive hype, the film manages to land at number 4 with an $11M haul. The regular Grue-Crew wisely choose not to partake in this particular cinematic disaster. However, guest hosts Joey Fittos and Chad Lab join Doc Rotten to gleefully tear the film apart...while managing to find a...few...things to spotlight. Join us for a special review-only episode about SLENDER MAN.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 283 – Slender Man
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"Well, I can't stand a thing about you, and that includes your hair!" How would you feel if your cousin came to stay and took over everything you own, including your family? Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Jeff Mohr, Bill Mulligan, and Chad Hunt - as they take a short staycation with just such a family during Wes Craven’s Summer of Fear!
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 79 – Summer of Fear (1978)
This subject of this episode is the result of the podcast’s latest Patreon poll and as such, has been foisted on, … er, rather, carefully selected for the Grue Crew by the loyal listeners of Decades of Horror 1970s. Adapted from the novel Summer of Fear by Lois Duncan, a renowned writer of young-adult novels, the film was originally released as a TV-movie under the title Stranger in our House. Directed by horror icon Wes Craven, Summer of Fear is his first direct-to-television effort and premiered over a year after The Hills Have Eyes (1977). Summer of Fear tells the story of a family whose fairy tale existence is shattered when a cousin/niece comes to live with them after her parents are killed in an automobile accident. However, there is one big problem. Their guest is a witch, not a relative, and she is after everything they own.
The key figure in the story is the witch, as played by Lee Purcell, but the film’s starpower comes from Linda Blair as the family’s daughter. Her parents are played by Carol Lawrence and Jeremy Slate with Jeff East as her brother. Rounding out the cast in supporting roles are Macdonald Carey as an occult expert and early-career Fran Drescher as the daughter’s friend.
Amazingly, none of the Grue Crew had seen this film prior to preparing for the podcast. Neither Wes Craven nor Linda Blair nor even Fran Drescher had garnered their interest. Bill couldn’t figure out why the witch couldn’t be seen in photographs, wondering when that became part of the witch canon. Jeff recalls Jeremy Slate from his earlier days in biker movies and westerns and gets a kick out of his portrayal as the bewitched father. Doc likes the film the most and enjoys seeing that much of Linda Blair, but, oh, the hair! Chad was not impressed with the witch’s here-again-gone-again Southern accent but still thought she was the most interesting character i the film. The Grue Crew universally agreed even though Summer of Fear is one of Craven’s lesser works, it’s worth a watch viewed as a picture on the world of the cast and crew at that point in their careers.
We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost tease us with Slaughterhouse Rulez. American Horror Story: Apocalypse continues to ramp up its cast. Universal Halloween Horror Nights add Poltergeist to its mazes. And, Christopher, Vanessa, and Doc discuss the giant shark summer schlockfest The Meg. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.
As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.
Horror News Radio
Episode 282 – The Meg
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After escaping an attack by what he claims was a 70-foot shark, Jonas Taylor must confront his fears to save those trapped in a sunken submersible.
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: Jason Statham, Bingbing Li, Rainn Wilson
Doc Rotten, Vanessa Thompson, and Christopher G. Moore discuss their adventures at the Scares That Care Weekend just last week.
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