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Now displaying: August, 2017
Aug 10, 2017

"Don't fuck with me cock-knocker." George Stark (Timothy Hutton) has a way with words. Much like his doppleganger Thad Beaumont (also Hutton). It's a game of duality in The Dark Half, a film about a pseudonym brought to life. As well as addiction, paranoia and fame. Did we mention this is based on a Stephen King book? Bet you never would have guessed. There are plenty of allusions to King's work and time as an alcoholic writer adapted from the book. However, the question really is how the late George A. Romero adapted the material. Is it on the lighter half of that spectrum... or the darker one?

Decades of Horror 1990s
Episode 21 - The Dark Half (1993)

Dark Half is clearly very autobiographical for author Stephen King. A man known for his horror writing. Even under a pseudonym of Richard Bachmann, the man was legendary. But evidently, there's a dark side with riding under such a name. One that rears it's ugly head with Thad Beaumont and his alter ego George Stark clash over. Thad just wants to write to support his family without interruption. While George is a crazed lunatic out to use the killings to raise up his name. It's a battle of wills and madness as people show up dead and Thad is a suspect because... he's blackmailed by someone trying to reveal his pseudonym? What kind of stupid premise is this?

A premise the 90s crew are ready to go over. Joining Thomas for The Dark Half are Adam Thomas, Dave Dreher and for the first time Joey Fittos! The three discuss everything to do with The Dark Half as well as half a dozen other movies we trail off about. Adam praises George A. Romero for his competent direction. Dave and Adam have issues with how this adapts aspects of the book. Joey realizes that this isn't a TV movie. Thomas just praises it for not being Bruiser. It's a rather flighty discussion that at least reveals one thing: the truth of Theodor Geisel's secret blackmail scandal!

Contact Us

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 1990s podcast hosts at thomasmariani@decadesofhorror.com or tweet Thomas @NotTheWhosTommy. Also, make sure to give us some love via iTunes reviews and ratings. Helps us get more notice along the way.

The intro and outro is “Suck City” by Black Math. Look for more of their music via Free Music Archive.

Next Episode

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

Aug 9, 2017

JJ Fitt reviews the gruesome gorefest Cut Shoot Kill from director Michael Walker. The film features Alexandra Socha, Alex Hurt, Phil Burke, Henry Zebrowski, and Rebecca Faulkenberry. Look for the film to be released digital on-demand on August 8, 2017. Listen to JJ's review and let us know what you think!

Cut Shoot Kill [usr 3] on the Thug Meter

On Digital On-Demand Nationwide August 8th!

Serena Brooks, an ambitious young actress, signs on as the star of a horror film with a crew of backwoods filmmakers that have worked together for years.  When the cast starts disappearing, Serena has to become her character if she wants to survive!

Cut Shoot Kill stars Alexandra Socha (Red Oaks), Alex Hurt, Phil Burke (Hell on Wheels), Henry Zebrowski (Heroes Reborn), and Rebecca Faulkenberry. it is written and directed by Michael Walker (Chasing Sleep).
 
CUT SHOOT KILL lands on Digital On-Demand on August 8th!
Aug 9, 2017

Christopher G. Moore reviews the film The Transfiguration from Strand Releasing and director Michael O'Shea. The film features Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine, and Jelly Bean in a story explores fantasy and reality and vampire lore. Check out the review below and let us know what you think!

The Transfiguration 5 out of 5

Strand Releasing is very proud to release the critically acclaimed horror-drama THE TRANSFIGURATION on VOD nationwide August 8th!

An official selection at the Cannes Film Festival, writer/director Michael O’Shea’s debut feature THE TRANSFIGURATION follows troubled teen Milo who hides behind his fascination with vampire lore. When he meets the equally alienated Sophie, the two form a bond that begins to challenge Milo’s dark obsession, blurring his fantasy into reality. A chilling portrait of violence, THE TRANSFIGURATION is a stunning atmospheric thriller set against the grit of New York City.

Color

English Language
97 minutes
Not Rated
Aug 7, 2017

How'd you like to wake up with pieces of cat in your stomach?" Eww! So says one of the dubious, but fearless, vampire hunters in this episode’s featured film, Count Yorga, Vampire (1970). Doc Rotten is still on hiatus, diligently working on the next issues of the Gruesome Magazine quarterly print edition (You have yours, right?). In the interim, your regular hosts, The Black Saint and Jeff Mohr, are joined by the capable and knowledgeable Bill Mulligan, film director and bon vivant, and Chad Hunt, comic book artist/writer and host of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era podcast. Journey with this episode's Grue Crew as they don their crushed velvet smoking jackets and channel the Count.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 56 – Count Yorga, Vampire (1970)

In Count Yorga, Vampire, Count Yorga (Robert Quarry) gives pseudo-séances while scouting women to victimize with the aid of his ghastly assistant Brudah (Edward Walsh). Paul (Michael Murphy) and Mike (Michael Macready) attempt to rescue the Count’s most recent victims, Donna (Donna Anders) and Erica (Judy Lang), with the help of Dr. James Hayes (Roger Perry).

The brainchild of writer/director Bob Kelljan and producer/actor Michael Macready, Count Yorga, Vampire was made on a skintight budget of $64,000 while having the look of a film with a much bigger investment. Robert Quarry gives an excellent performance as the Count and creates a vampire unlike any other in cinema. At one time, Quarry was thought to be a successor to Vincent Price, but events did not unfold as planned. Viewers will almost certainly recognize Roger Perry and Michael Murphy as accomplished, capable actors who plied their trade in film and television throughout several decades.

Count Yorga, Vampire has several iconic scenes that still haunt The Black Saint years after he first viewed the film as a seven-year-old. In fact, he places it in his top ten horror films of the 1970s. Bill Mulligan questions the filmmakers’ explanation of the kitten scene and thinks something a little more horrific might be closer to the truth - with the help of Brudah, of course. Jeff Mohr loves the film but questions whether an overdubbed, long walk through the city was an effective way for Paul and Mike to devise a rescue plan. In fact, Chad Hunt thinks they are the stupidest vampire hunters in the history of vampire films. The rest of the crew couldn’t disagree. Though there might be some holes in the plot, the hosts all highly recommend Count Yorga, Vampire for its production values, horrific and memorable scenes, and stylized vision of vampires.

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.

Aug 4, 2017

The Grue-Crew suffer through Kuso (2017) so you don't have to - oh, dear god, the horror. On the brighter side of horror, Thomas reviews A Ghost Story (2017) for some intellectual scares. To spice things up a bit, Thomas and Doc take a look at the theatrical release Atomic Blonde (2017) - John Wick meets James Bond with some gender bender action. Dave launches into the Horror News of the Week with a stunning new It trailer, Eli Roth documenting The History of Horror, and Kirk Hammet releasing a new book about classic horror movie posters, It's Alive.  Closing out the show Thomas and Santos participate in a battle of wits with this week's Stump the Saint!

As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you, the listeners, the fans. You can always reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com or find us on Twitter: Doc Rotten | Dave Dreher | The Black Saint | Thomas Mariani. Also, like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.

Horror News Radio
Episode 226 – Kuso (2017) – A Ghost Story (2017) – Atomic Blonde (2017)
Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

 

SHOW NOTES

INTRO [00:00:42]

CONTEST [00:02:55]

HORROR NEWS OF THE WEEK [00:04:22]

  1. AMC and Eli Roth teaming up to discuss 'The History of Horror'
  2. IT Trailer 2
  3. Little Shop of Horrors Musical Remake Sets Sights on big names
  4. What Happened to Monday Trailer
  5. Metallica's Kirk Hammett gets an exhibit and a new book - 'It's Alive'. Classic horror movie poster collection

SUPPORT HNR [00:28:33]

FEATURE REVIEW [00:30:43]

  • Kuso (2017)
  • director: Flying Lotus w/ David Firth
  • cast: Hannibal Buress, George Clinton, David Firth

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING [00:52:56]

  • A Ghost Story (2017)
  • director: David Lowery
  • cast: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, McColm Cephas Jr.

ANNOUNCEMENTS [01:05:03]

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING [01:06:55]

  • Atomic Blonde (2017)
  • director: David Leitch w/ Kurt Johnstad
  • cast: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Eddie Marsan, Toby Jones, James Faulkner, Sofia Boutella, and Bill Skarsgard

STUMP THE SAINT [01:24:55]

FEEDBACK [01:34:00]

  • Thanks to Tear Out the Heart and Victory Records for use of the song Undead Anthem for the intro and outro of the HNR podcast

NEXT WEEK

  • The Dark Tower

 

Aug 3, 2017

“Sometimes I have wondered whether life wouldn't be much more amusing if we were all devils, no nonsense about angels and being good.” The Decades of Horror: The Classic Era crew – Chad Hunt, Jeff Mohr and Erin Miskell – are missing their fourth member, Joseph Perry, this week. Filling in for him is fellow Horror News Radio (and Decades of Horror: the 1980s and Decades of Horror: the 1990s) host Thomas Mariani, as we discuss the 1935 gem Bride of Frankenstein.

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 14 – Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

After a mob attack upon himself and his creation, Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) is approached by former mentor Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) to create a mate (Elsa Lanchester) for his Monster (Boris Karloff). The Monster, meanwhile, continues to elude angry townsfolk who want to destroy him before they get to know him.

A classic of the early horror era, Bride of Frankenstein features iconic performances by both Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester. Director James Whale – the same director that brought us Universal’s 1931 hit Frankenstein – returns to offer a continuation of a story of acceptance, loneliness, and creation.

Join our intrepid hosts and guest as we discuss our thoughts on Whale – the man, the myth and the legend – and the direction he decided to go with the sequel to his hit film. We also tackle the censorship issues encountered during the making of Bride of Frankenstein, as well as favorite characters and themes of loneliness, companionship, and morality. This episode’s Grue Crew also expresses their admiration for the score (Franz Waxman), photography (John J.Mescall), makeup (Jack P. Pierce), fantastic supporting cast (Una O’Connor, E.E. Clive, Dwight Frye, O.P. Heggie) and soon-to-be-famous bit players (Walter Brennan, John Carradine).

We plan to release a new episode every other week. Our upcoming and very flexible schedule includes Night of the Living Dead (1968), Jû jin yuki otoko (the original 1955 Japanese version, aka Half Human), and House on Haunted Hill (1959).

Please let us know what you think of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era and what films you’d like to hear us cover! 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  (chadhunt@gruesomemagazine.com, erinmiskell@gruesomemagazine.com, jeffmohr@gruesomemagazine.com, or josephperry@gruesomemagazine.com) or leave us a message, a review, or a comment at GruesomeMagazine.com, iTunes, the Horror News Radio App, or the Horror News Radio Facebook group.

To each of you from each of us, “Thank you for listening!

 
Aug 2, 2017

"Uh oh, Brian. Now you're REALLY losing your mind." The mysterious creature Alymer (John Zacherle) is giving Brian (Rick Hearst) a pretty hard time. Acting like a real parasite on the back, you could say. Thus, the premise of Brain Damage comes to life. Just your average 80s "Say No To Drugs" special. You got it all; the young relatable protagonist, a drug pushing worm monster, and hallucinations that combine every drug imaginable. Frank Henenlotter's anti-drug masterpiece has gone underappreciated for nearly 30 years. But on Decades of Horror, we don't forget. We never forget.

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 113 - Brain Damage (1988)

Brain Damage is one weird movie. Then again, a low budget flick from Frank Henenlotter (Frankenhooker, Basket Case) is bound t. The story of a young man getting addicted to drugs via a brain sucking parasite is pretty messed up. Especially when you become a vehicle to murder. Brain Damage has everything. Brains being sucked out of heads. Bizarro acting. An oral sex scene that turns into A Nightmare on Elm Street. It's a startling combination of Little Shop of Horrors and Reefer Madness that has to be seen to be believed.

Here to see and believe are Thomas Mariani and his guests Santos Ellin Jr and... his own pride and joy Mariana?! Yes, The Black Saint has brought his spawn to talk Brain Damage. Both go over their family bonding over a brain sucking slug. Thomas, on the other hand, is new to this one. He has plenty to say about the Reagan era drug film subversions and Zacherle's underrated voice acting. They're all so excited, they just need a drop of Almyer's juice. Just one to tide us over, man!

Contact Us

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.

Special thanks to Neon Devils for their awesome song Bone Chillin!

Next Episode

Day of the Dead (1985)

 

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