This week Joseph Perry chimes in from across the globe, South Korea to be exact. Mr. Perry is excited to share his thoughts with the HNR Extra listeners on a number of films he caught at the recent Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. This week is dives into the highly regarded Polish dybbuk film DEMON from director Marcin Wrona. Get the behind the scenes info on BiFan along with Joseph's review of this terrific film.
Interviewed this week are Clint Carney and Kelton Jones from DRY BLOOD. The film recently has its East Coast premiere at the GenreBlast Film Festival in Culpeper, Va and the duo were on hand to promote their feature film. Doc sits down with Clint and Kelton to discuss what it took to make this incredible look into the fragile mind of Brian Barnes, a recovering drug addict with a fractured mind.
Horror News Radio Extra
Episode 004 – Demon (BiFan 2016) – Interview Clint Carney and Kelton Jones from Dry Blood
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In Demon, a bridegroom struggles with a powerful spirit called a dybbuk trying to take over his mind and body. Of course this all occurs during the wedding ceremony itself. The powerful and well-received film is reviewed by Horror News Radio foreign correspondent Joseph Perry who caught the film at the 2016 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.
The writing/directing team of Clint Carney and Kelton Jones sit down with Doc Rotten to discuss their feature film debut Dry Blood. They discuss their roles in the film, both onscreen and behind the camera. The dive into some of the special effects, sound design and cast. Carney and Jones reveal some of the challenges and rewards of writing, producing, directing and starring in their first horror feature film and what it takes to get the film completed and on the road. It's an interview worthy of fans and film makers alike.
The Grue-crew board the horror express known as Train to Busan. The South Korean horror film is an incredible new entry into the zombie sub-genre that gets the HNR gang very excited to discuss how successful it is on this episode. If only Joseph Perry were here. Ha! Also, this episode, Thomas settles in to recap and review the animated extravaganza Kubo and the Two Strings. It's Asian zombies in one film and a Japanese samuri beetle, a Moon King and a wooden monkey on the other. Bizarre!
Dave launches into the Horror News of the Week discussing a variety of news about a Lost Boys TV series on the CW, the reveal of the new Pennywise from Stephen King's It and the announcement of a new Godzilla anime adventure. Not only are the Grue-crew going to Dragon*Con this year, Doc and Gruesome Magazine writer Paul Cardullo are heading to GenreBlast Film Festival in Culpeper, Virginia this August 19 - 21, 2016 and to Wreak Havoc Film Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina this late September/early October.
Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani, the voice of reason, are back again this week to give you the best in horror as they recap, review and obliterate all that is horror this week! Oh, and don't forget - Stump the Saint! (Brought to you by Gruesome Magazine)
Horror News Radio
Episode 177 – Train to Busan (2016)
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The trailer for Train to Busan looked to promise an exciting Asian look at zombies as a group of heroes look to escape the apocalypse aboard a bullet train from Seoul to Busan. The film delivers with exciting zombie action with roots in Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later and World War Z but something far more unique. As the Black Saint points out, Train to Busan follows the structure of a classic disaster film. Think Poseidon Adventure or Earthquake. On top of that, the film has a heart with its core characters battling emotional and moral dilemmas as well. The film ranks high with the grue-crew.
Thomas Mariani steps in with his review of the animated highlight of the Summer Kubo and the Two Strings. While the film struggles to attract an audience in the theaters over its opening weekend, the reviews are strong for this film from Laika, the animation house behind such films like Coraline, ParaNorman and Boxtrolls. The voice cast includes Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara and George Takei.
"Carburetors man! That's what life is all about." - The opening lyrics of the song Upholstery from the rock opera Phantom of the Paradise sum it all up nicely. Music is the creative juice of life and sometimes to succeed in the music business you have to deal with shady characters. In the Brian De Palma classic, Winslow (William FInley) strikes a bargain with record label exec Swan (Paul Williams). The film mixes Faust, Phantom of the Opera and The Portrait of Dorian Gray into a lively, horror-tinged manic musical. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 40 – Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
The film we've been talking about for 39 episodes and two years finally makes it to the editing room as Doc and The Black Saint discuss Brian De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise. Joining the crew this week are Thomas Mariani, Horror News Radio co-host, and Christopher G. Moore, award winning director. Surprisingly, not everyone loves this often overlooked film. Shot between Sisters and Carrie, Brian De Palma hones his craft with music, murder and mayhem, never missing the opportunity to pay homage to a classic influence be it Alfred HItchcock or Orson Welles. The cast includes William Finley, Paul Williams, Jessica Harper and Garrit Graham with Williams supplying all the original songs.
Resting in the shadows of the cult phenomenon Rocky Horror Picture Show, De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise offers a craftier, more cinematic alternative to Time Warps and Sweet Transvestites from Transylvania. Paul Williams pulls double duty starring as the film's antagonist Swan and penning a dozen new tunes. All the entries are fantastic from "Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye" from the Juicy Fruits to "Old Souls" performed by star Jessica Harper to Williams' own - and Black Saint fave - "The Hell of It". If the songs aren't your thing, then there's the acting, action and amazing set design. Just check out Swan's record shaped desk as he auditions new talent. Of course, the star of the film is the Phantom himself, a talented but tragic figure played by Finley. Too tame? Then check out Graham's Beef for silly satiric fun. Listen now to catch the crew's take on the musical event of 1974, Phantom of the Paradise.
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 theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
Each year the Fantasia International Film Festival descends upon Montreal, Quebec, Canada, providing genre fans with a copious amount of films, feature length and short films alike. This year Gruesome Magazine will be covering a number of the films being presented at the 2016 festival. Tonight, Thomas Mariani joins Doc Rotten to discuss one of those films, the body horror gore-fest from writer/director Danny Perez, ANTIBIRTH.
Interviewed this week is Derek Tatum, the director of Dragon*Con Horror Track. Taking place in Atlanta, Georgia over the holiday weekend of September 2 - 5, 2016, Dragon*Con is one of the largest and longest running conventions on the east coast. The convention which attracts attendance numbers in tens of thousands, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Derek is championing horror at the fantasy and sci-fi heavy convention by leading the horror track more towards film and TV. He joins Doc and Thomas to share what the convention has planned to thrill horror fans this year.
Horror News Radio
Episode 004 – AntiBirth (2016) – Interview Derek Tatum, Dragon*Con Horror Track
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Look out The Brood. Step aside It's Alive. Brundlefly has nothing on Natasha Lyonne as Lou in Danny Perez' phenomenal AntiBirth. The film is seedy, gritty, taking a dark, humorous, gory look into the life of an addict who gets into more trouble than she can handle. She is slipped an experimental drug which affects her in horrific, frightening ways. The ending contains scenes that are difficult to forget. Doc and Thomas dive into a unique offering from this years Fantasia International Film Festival.
Doc and Thomas sit down with Derek Tatum to discuss the upcoming Dragon*Con Horror Track. Derek provides the skinny on the convention and the history of how the horror track finally grew out of a variety of other tracks, eventually bringing in horror movies to accent the literary tone the convention has promoted for 30 years. Derek is striving to elevate the track by bringing in horror film discussions from modern films to influential films from the past decades of horror.
Director Joe (Almost Human) Begos returns with an independent horror opus and love letter to all things David Cronenberg. The film is called The Mind's Eye and the influence of Scanners, Firestarter and their ilk is readily apparent. The Grue-crew dive into their thoughts about the film and their appreciation for the practical special effects. Thomas steps in with a surprise What Have You Been Watching segment topic, Pete's Dragon. A childhood Disney favorite gets a modern upgrade, providing Thomas a rare opportunity to praise a remake.
Dave launches into the Horror News of the Week discussing a variety of news about Brad Pitt and David Fincher dream team on World War Z 2, Darth Vader returns in the latest Rogue One trailer and the loss of Kenny Baker, R2D2 from Star Wars. Not only are the Grue-crew going to Dragon*Con this year, Doc and Gruesome Magazine writer Paul Cardullo are heading to GenreBlast Film Festival in Culpeper, Virginia this August 19 - 21, 2016 and to Wreak Havoc Film Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina this late September/early October.
Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani, the voice of reason, are back again this week to give you the best in horror as they recap, review and obliterate all that is horror this week! Oh, and don't forget - Stump the Saint! (Brought to you by Gruesome Magazine)
Horror News Radio
Episode 176 – The Mind's Eye (2016)
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Set in the Nineties, influenced by films from the Eighties the 2016 film The Mind's Eye revisits a familiar premise where psychokinetic powers cause anything from intense nose bleeds to explosive head splatter. The quote on the poster from Film School Rejects says it all, "The best Scanners sequel we never got." The film is passionately directed by Joe Bego and features Graham (Almost Human, Beyond the Gates) Skipper, Lauren Ashley (Jug Face) Carter, John (Darling) Speredakos, Larry Fessenden, Noah (Dead Girl, Some Kind of Hate) Segan and Matt (Contracted) Mercer.
What's this? A Disney film? Yup. Thomas drops in with a review of Pete's Dragon, a remake of the 1977 live-action/animated fondly remembered film. It is not often Thomas has positive things to share about a remake of any sort, but here his is praising much of what is to be found in the David Lowery directed family film. And he also praises Wes Bentley - it may be the sign of the apocalypse.
Each year the Fantasia International Film Festival descends upon Montreal, Quebec, Canada, providing genre fans with a copious amount of films, feature length and short films alike. This year Gruesome Magazine will be covering a number of the films being presented at the 2016 festival. Tonight, Paul Cardullo joins Doc Rotten to discuss one of those films, the Canadian horror masterpiece from director Jeff Maher, BED OF THE DEAD.
Interviewed this week is Nathan Ludwig, the festival director of GenreBlast Film Festival. The festival is held in Culpeper, Virginia from August 19 - 21, 2016. This is the festival's first year. Nathan discusses the birth of the festival, the type of films it attracts and the audience they are looking to support. And he gives a preview of some of the films that will play. Horror News Radio and Gruesome Magazine will be attending the festival to catch the offerings and meet the film makers behind the genre films playing that weekend.
Horror News Radio
Episode 003 – Bed of the Dead (2016) – Interview Nathan Ludwig
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Director Jeff Maher, along with co-writer Cody Calahan, has created a fun, gruesome horror film centering around a killer bed. That's right, a killer bed. Their film, BED OF THE DEAD, is much more than just its gimmick however. The film also weaves in a morality play and teases out its story with a dash of paradoxical time travel. Colin Price plays a copy investigating the deaths of five persons who were killed in a fire within a "sex club." Alysa King, Gwenlyn Cumyn, Dennis Andres and George Krissa play four of the victims of the tragic event. The film reveals their stories, the motivations behind the bed and contains a collection of gory deaths sure to satisfy most horror fans. Doc and Paul recap and review the film viewed in connection with the Fantasia International Film Festival.
Doc sits down with Nathan Ludwig to discuss the first year of the GenreBlast Film Festival. Ludwig and his team are bringing a large collection ( 19 features and 80+ shorts) to the town of Culpeper, Va on August 19 -21, 2016. Nathan discusses their approach to giving their festival a unique tone and atmosphere as they look to present the best genre based films from independent film makers across the globe. The films include many horror films, fantasy adventures and sci-fi marvels. But it also includes comedy, action and animated features as well. The films showing that weekend include (but are not limited to) All Through the House, Capsule, Frankenstein Created Bikers, Mania, Night of Something Strange, Peelers and...Yeti: A Love Story 2 - Life on the Streets. Look for more reviews and interview from the festival as Doc Rotten and Paul Cardullo attend the festival to report back here on HNR Extra and Gruesome Magazine.
"I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure." - Hicks (Michael Biehn) agrees with Ripley (Signourney Weaver) in Aliens as they surviving marines search for the best plan in dealing with the swarming, unstoppable xenomorphs. James Cameron delivers a kick-ass sequel to Ridley Scott's highly successful Alien (1979) in a rare case of where the franchise gets even better the second time around. Thomas Mariani, Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore tackle another gruesome horror film from the 1980s. To make sure this episode is a super special event, Chris Rotten "Son of Rotten" is joining as a guest host.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 88 – Aliens (1986)
Following the success of Terminator, director James Cameron heads to outer space, pitting a unit of marines against an army of xenomorphs from Alien (1979). His sequel to the Ridley Scott classic is a critical and financial success propelling the director into the spotlight as one of Hollywood's top directors. Back for another face to face with the alien monster is Sigourney Weaver reprising her role as Ellen Ripley, the lone survivor of the Nostromo. Paul Reiser is on board as Carter J. Burke, a representative of the Wayland-Yutani Corporation. Lance Henriksen portrays Bishop an android far different than the "glitchy" Ash (played by Ian Home in Alien). Carrie Henn makes a strong impression as the young "Newt" who has survived the alien attacks on LV-426 for 14 days. The marines consist of Michael Biehn (Hicks), Bill Paxton (Hudson), William Hope (Lt. Gorman), Ricco Ross (Frost), Al Matthews (Apone), Jenette Goldstein (Vasquez), Mark Rolston (Drake) and more.
The cast is incredible with great lines. Who can forget "Get away from her, you bitch!" and "That's it, man. Game over, man. Game over!" But the film also has impressive special effects. Not only are the aliens themselves better portrayed in Aliens but the film also introduces the Alien Queen. The sheer size and stature of the creature is overwhelming and visual treat. The fight between the queen and Ripley (within an exosuit cargo-loader) is one of the most memorable battles in 80's cinema. Thomas Mariani, Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore relive and review the film in all its glory with special guest host Chris Rotten.
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 thomasmariani@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com. We also want to be sure to thank Neon Devils for their killer track "Bone Chillin'" which we use for the intro and outro of this show.
This week on HNR, the Grue-crew fan through Amanda Waller's files on "the worst of the worst" with their review of David Ayer's Suicide Squad. The DC Extended Universe delivers its third film which follows the events in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice where many of DC's villains are gathered together to defeat a new threat out to destroy the Earth. Will Smith as Deadshot and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn lead the cast while Jared Leto's version of The Joker dances around the edges. Award winning director Christopher G. Moore joins the crew to determine why "Gozer" is involved in the film - dwerp!
Doc launches into the Horror News of the Week discussing a variety of news where Breck Eisner may guide Jason's return, Peter Block is reviving Pumpkinhead and Willem Dafoe joins Adam Wingard's Death Note. Not only are the Grue-crew going to Dragon*Con this year, Doc and Gruesome Magazine writer Paul Cardullo are heading to GenreBlast Film Festival in Culpeper, Virginia this August 19 - 21, 2016 and to Wreak Havoc Film Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina this late September/early October.
Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani, the voice of reason, are back again this week to give you the best in horror as they recap, review and obliterate all that is horror this week! Oh, and don't forget - Stump the Saint! (Brought to you by Gruesome Magazine)
Horror News Radio
Episode 175 – Suicide Squad (2016)
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DC returns to the big screen with Suicide Squad in another desperate attempt to match Marvel's success with its cinematic universe. The results are decidedly mixed as the film breaks box office records for August (beating Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy) and the cast make up for a super-flawed script. Margot Robbie and Will Smith succeed in making Harley Quinn and Deadshot fun characters to watch while Viola Davis is ice-cold as Amanda Waller, proving her character is the true villain of the film. Jared Leto's controversial interpretation of The Joker, while unique and electric, divides fan opinion of his version of the Crown Prince of Crime. Jai Courtney has fun as Captain Cold while Jay Hernandez nearly steals the film as El Diablo. Oh, and yes, Batman is in the film capturing Deadshot and chasing Joker & Harley during the introduction scenes. Fun, frustrating and flawed, Suicide Squad proves to be a heated discussion for the Grue-crew.
"Nine killed you. Nine shall die. Nine times, nine! Nine killed you! Nine shall die! Nine eternities in DOOM!" - the exposition from Vincent Price in The Abominable Dr. Phibes sets up the revenge plot of the film with usual Price flourish and delivery. Billed as Price's 100th film (it isn't, by the way), Phibes provides Price with another opportunity to create a lasting and frighteningly campy character to be cherished by horror fans for decades. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 39 – The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
Vincent Price is one of those iconic actors who helps define the horror genre. His presence, talent and spirit elevate any film in which he appears from House of Wax & The Fly (1957) to the Corman Poe films to Edward Scissorhands. But with The Abominable Dr. Phibes, from director Robert Fuest, he became synonymous with a new (in 1971) horror character, Dr. Anton Phibes. Prices scarred and delusional character is hellbent on revenge on the nine doctors he holds responsible for the death of his beautiful wife, Victoria (Caroline Munro). After his own untimely accident which leaves him deformed - and thought dead by the world - Phibes hatches an elaborate plan to dispatch his targets using the 10 Plagues of Egypt as his M.O. Gruesome, gory and full of high camp, The Abominable Dr. Phibes is a highlight of Price's later career and a milestone horror film. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten, joined once again by Bill Mulligan, dive into the A.I.P. classic.
The Grue-crew explore the film, its impact and some trivia surrounding its production. The discuss how Vincent Price would tease Joseph Cotton by intentionally making funny faces so the actor, uncomfortable in his role, would break up laughing. They reminisce on what the film would be like if Peter Cushing, who was originally offered the Cotton role of Vesalius, would have been like with the two actors facing off. The crew marvel at the Art-deco design and the production work throughout. If you gather that the crew love The Abominable Dr. Phibes from this description, you're not far off. The podcast is an affectionate look back at one of Seventies most iconic early films.
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 theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
Blumhouse returns to haunt the Black Saint's nightmares again this week with Viral. The Grue-crew dive into this apocalyptic virus-driven horror-fest from Herny Joost andAriel Schulman. A;sp this week, the Grue-crew has two "What Have You Been Watching" segments for your listening pleasure. Ha! First up is a recap and review of the first season of AMC's Preacher. Next up is a review of DC's animated adaptation of Batman: The Killing Joke.
Dave Dreher launches into the Horror News of the Week discussing a variety of news John Carpenter winning a plagiarism lawsuit against Luc Besson, M. Night Shayamalan's new trailer for Split and the passing of the legendary artist Jack Davis. Not only are the Grue-crew going to Dragon*Con this year, Doc and Gruesome Magazine writer Paul Cardullo are heading to GenreBlast Film Festival in Culpepper Virginia this August 19 - 21, 2016 and to Wreak Havoc Film Festival in late September/early October.
Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani, the voice of reason, are back again this week to give you the best in horror as they recap, review and obliterate all that is horror this week! Oh, and don't forget - Stump the Saint! (Brought to you by Gruesome Magazine)
Horror News Radio
Episode 174 – Viral (2016) – Preacher Season 1 – Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
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Blumhouse strikes again with another teen-centric horror tale this time featuring Sofia Black-D-Elia and Analiegh Tipton in the lead roles. Viral is written by Paranormal Activity's Christopher Landon and Barbara Marshal and directed by Herny Joost & Ariel Schulman. The tale follows two sisters fighting to survive when a virus outbreak threatens to end all of humanity. Think more along the lines of 28 Days Later than Dawn of the Dead.
Now that the tenth and final episode of Preacher Season 1 has aired, the Grue-crew take a look back at how successful and divergent the film is compared to the popular and influential graphic novels that inspired the AMC series. Dominic Cooper, Joseph Gilgun as Ruth Negga lead the cast as a small town Preacher with the violent and rocky history faces the implications of being handed the "voice of God" known as Genesis. Of course, his sidekick is a vampire, so he has an ace or two up his sleeve.
One of the more prominent Batman stories throughout his entire history and catalog is Alan Moore & Brian Bolland's Batman: The Killing Joke. Bruce Timm and Brian Azzarello team up with director Sam Liu to bring the controversial dark tale to life with the animated adaptation. But the Grue-crew are surprised to discover a considerable amount of new material thrown in to the mix. And the results do not make them happy...Uh, oh. Look for Kevin Conroy to voice Batman, Mark Hammill to voice The Joker and Tara Strong to voice Batgirl.
Each year the Fantasia International Film Festival descends upon Montreal, Quebec, Canada, providing genre fans with a copious amount of films, feature length and short films alike. This year Gruesome Magazine will be covering a number of the films being presented at the 2016 festival. Tonight, Paul Cardullo joins Doc Rotten to discuss one of those films, the South Korean horror masterpiece from director Na Hong-jin, THE WAILING.
Interviewed this week is up-and-coming horror actor Sammie Cassell also known as Sammie The Comic Book Man. Sammie is the topic of a documentary from director Dan Sellers about how Mr. Cassell uses his love for comics to teach school kids about the wonders of reading and imagination. Sammie is also beginning to appear in horror films shot across North Carolina and is part of the forthcoming second year of the Wreak Havoc Horror Film Festival in Greensboro.
Horror News Radio
Episode 002 – The Wailing (2016) – Interview Sammie Cassell
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Hailing from South Korea, The Wailing from director Na Hong-jin is a genre blending masterpiece of suspense and horror. Doc and Paul review the film which is being shown as part of the Fantasia International Film Festival. The film stars Kwak Do-Won, Hwang Jung-Min and Chun Woo-Hee. The film begins as a police thriller before evolving into a mix between a ghost tale, an exorcism and, for good measure, a zombie yarn. Even at 156 minutes, the film keeps its audience guessing right up to the very end.
Doc sits down with Sammiee Cassell to discuss his adventures in the film world. They discuss how a chance extra role in a zombie film has led to further roles and a growing acting career. They discuss how his love for comic books and teaching kids about reading has lead to a documentary about his approach to education called the Comic Book Man. He also is part of the Wreak Havoc Film Buffs Podcast and is helping launch the Wreak Havoc Horror Film Festival in North Carolina.