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Now displaying: October, 2017
Oct 31, 2017

Things get rough for our brave reviewer, Paul Cardullo, as he settles in to watch...and review...the grindhouse horror wannabe, Halloween Pussy Trap Kill Kill (2017). He is so distraught after seeing this mess of a film he even hangs the good Doc out to dry for handing him the film to review in the first place. Oh, noes. The disappointment continues as the film's title suggests a kindred spirit to Russ Meyer's classic Faster Pussycat! Kill Kill (1965). Sadly, it is not. Ah, but director Jared Cohn (Atlantic Rim, 12/12/12, The Domicile) gives it a solid try. Find out how close he gets with Paul's review below. Oh, yeah, and score one for including Richard Grieco...

Oct 31, 2017

The selection at the 2017 edition of the New York City Horror Film Festival was spectacular. Opening the Halloween weekend event is the psychological horror thriller 3 (2017) from director Lou Simon. Rafe Telsch steps in to provide his take on this little gem praising the film as a model of what other independent filmmakers should follow and give high marks for actor Mike Stanley. And, yes, Rafe does explain the meaning of the film's simple one-word title, 3. Check out his review below.

Oct 30, 2017

Throughout October, Netflix has been providing genre fans with an ample amount of horror content from Stranger Things Season 2 to The Babysitter and so much more. Jeff Mohr is here to give his review of yet another Stephen King adaptation, the haunting film 1922 (2017) from director Zak Hilditch. The film features Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid, and Neal McDonough. While not at graphic as It or some other King films, it is no less harrowing and gripping. 1922 owes much of its success to the terrific performance from its lead Thomas Jane who, much like Carla Gugino in Gerald's Game, gives the performance of his career calling back to the quality of his role in The Mist. Jeff even suggests that this may be even better than the critically praised Gerald's Game which premiered on Netflix just a few short weeks prior. Halloween 2017 has been a good month for horror.

Oct 30, 2017

 

“You are now in my domain gentlemen, and you shall not leave.” Doc Rotten is still on hiatus, diligently working on the next issue of the Gruesome Magazine quarterly print and electronic editions, but Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr are back, along with guest-host Joey Fittos, to take that familiar journey from Transylvania to England, this time as told by producer/director Dan Curtis in 1974’s Dracula.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 61 – Dracula (1974)

Originally released as Bram Stoker’s Dracula until the rights to that name were acquired for Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 version, the film is now sometimes referred to as Dan Curtis’ Dracula. This TV movie was scheduled to premiere in October 1973 but was preempted by news coverage of an unfolding historical event and rescheduled for February 1974.

This episode’s Grue Crew discuss Emmy winner Curtis’ start as the creator and executive producer of the daytime, horror/soap opera Dark Shadows (1966-71). He then went on to direct and produce a number of horror-related movies in the 1970s: The Night Stalker (1972) and The Night Strangler (1973), several TV-movie adaptations of well-known horror novels, and the theatrically released Burnt Offerings (1976).

Though your hosts find the script lacking in places, they do give props to frequent Curtis collaborator and horror icon Richard Matheson, who penned the screenplay for this version of Dracula. Despite this script’s faults, Curtis and Matheson do use a plot device lifted from Dark Shadows that doesn’t appear in Bram Stoker’s novel or any previous film versions but is used again by Coppola in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Academy Award winner Jack Palance tackles the title role. Curtis and he had worked together before on another TV movie, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1968). Chad, Bill, and especially Jeff, appreciate the feral quality of Palance’s performance, but Joey says, “He’s not my Dracula.” The rest of the cast - Nigel Davenport (Van Helsing), Murray Brown (Jonathan Harker), Fiona Lewis (Lucy), Penelope Horner (Mina), and Simon Ward (Arthur) - don’t have much to work with, possibly leading to their seemingly lackluster performances. The crew also point out that many of our listeners may recognize Sarah Douglas, one of Dracula’s brides, who later played Ursa in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980).

When all's said and done, Mr. Fittos gives Dracula (1974) thumbs down. Though Chad and Jeff admit it doesn’t hold up to impressions from their first viewings, the other hosts think it is worth the watch for Palance’s performance.

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.

 

Oct 30, 2017

"You are weird. Thank God you're weird. The last one was so normal, it was disgusting." Elizabeth Solley (Jamie Lee Curtis) loves herself some weirdos. Including the weirdest man of all: Tom Atkins without a mustache! Halloween is getting pretty foggy for Decades of Horror 1980s as they one of the first horror films of the decade: John Carpenter's The Fog. Hopefully, our intrepid hosts can avoid being sucked in the misty moors of Antonio Bay in time for the 100th-anniversary celebration. Or, the very least, with enough time to catch Stevie Wayne's (Adrienne Barbeau) late-night broadcast. Join us as the Halloween Haunts season ends!

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 122 – The Fog (1980)

The Fog is pretty interesting on a career path level for Carpenter. Post the major success of Halloween, but before he would rule the 1980s with a varying amount of genre work. The Fog sticks out a bit more. A ghost story without much gore, inst of ad using atmosphere to build up the tension rather than excessive violence that would color the slasher craze later that very year. It's an ethereal spooky example of how to build up the environment of Antonio Bay, allowing for silhouettes of the monsters to play horrific tricks on our eyes and creep us out just when it's too late.

To discuss everything The Fog, Christopher G. Moore, Doc Rotten and Thomas Mariani discuss everything in the misty moors that remain unseen. They debate the effectiveness of some of these characters, how much this is a Carpenter movie and ask where the ghost of Atkins' moustache really is. Plus, they wonder just how American Christopher Lee could possibly be. It's a spooky Halloween edition you won't want to miss! Stay in and tune the radio from Stevie Wayne's channel to hear it all!

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!

Also, don't forget our Patreon Poll where people who contribute as low as $1 a month can pick the second episode of Decades of Horror 1980s! Voting ends November 5th.

Next Episode

The Beyond (1981)

Oct 29, 2017

John Kramer returns - as does the Saw series - with Jigsaw (2017) from the Spierig Brothers (Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig), the directors behind Undead, Daybreakers, Predestination, and the upcoming Winchester: The House That Ghosts Builts. Tobin Bell returns in the title role while his costars Matt Passmore, Callum Keith Rennie, Hannah Emily Anderson, Cle Bennet, Laura Vandervoort, and Paul Braunstein attempt to survive the night. Rafe Telsch steps up to tackle the latest theatrical release and shares his thoughts on the film and how is sizes up the previous seven films in the franchise that once owned Halloween. Check out the review below.

Oct 29, 2017

Paul Cardullo returns with another edition of Groovy Gory Gruesome Gold with a killer Blu-ray release from Arrow Film, the iconic and legendary splatterfest Blood Feast (1963) from the Godfather of Gore, Herschell Gordon Lewis. Paul shares his love for this film and this edition. The film holds up surprisingly well...for what it is and the special features are well worth the Blu-ray, which includes a second 1963 feature from the maverick director, Scum of the Earth. Check out Paul's review below.

Oct 27, 2017

Close Calls (2017) from writer-director Richard Stringham lands on the Gruesome Magazine desk via the New York City Horror Film Festival. The movie is part of the festival's opening night, October 27, 2017. Doc Rotten joins Paul Cardullo with a review of the film, citing its heavy Eighties feel and approach as one of the film's stronger qualities. The film has fun with its gore and story, planting its tongue firmly in its cheek but steering clear of outright parody. The film succeeds in this approach. But, what it is more notable in is the potential star-making turn with its lead actress Jordan Phipps. Check out the review to hear more.

Oct 26, 2017

Halloween comes in hot and cold for The Grue Crew. On one side of the pillow is the cool horrendousness of The Snowman, the latest thriller from Tomas Alfredson (Let The Right One In) that has everyone talking... for the wrong reasons. On the other side is Leatherface, the latest prequel for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise from the directors of Inside. The scariest surprise of all is that it may just be the better movie of the double feature but by how much? Dave Dreher brings home the Horror News of the Week with the passing of Italian filmmaker Umberto Lenzi, an Amazon zombie comedy series and the Hannibal death scene that was too gory for TV. Or was it just too expensive? Listen to Horror News Radio to find out!

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 | Thomas Mariani. Also, like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.

Horror News Radio
Episode 238 – The Snowman ( 2017) – Leatherface (2017)
Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

SHOW NOTES

INTRO [00:00:39]

HORROR NEWS OF THE WEEK [00:03:12]

FEATURE REVIEW: THE SNOWMAN [00:22:11]

  • The Snowman (2017)
  • director: Tomas Alfredson
  • cast: Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, J.K. Simmons, Toby Jones, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Val Kilmer

CONTEST: GIVEAWAYS! [00:53:32]

  • The Barn Blu Ray Giveaway
    • Favorite 80s MOVIE MONSTER
    • Submit to media(AT)gruesomemagazine(DOT)com with the subject line “The Barn”
    • Open to U.S. residents only
  • The Snowman Giveaway
    • Favorite WINTER themed horror film
    • Submit to media(AT)gruesomemagazine(DOT)com with the subject line “The Snowman”
    • Open to U.S. and Canada residents only
  • Comet TV Giveaway
    • Favorite line from the ROBOCOP Trilogy
    • Submit to media(AT)gruesomemagazine(DOT)com with the subject line “Comet TV”
    • Open to U.S. residents only

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING: LEATHERFACE (2017) [00:59:10]

  • Leatherface (2017)
  • director: Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury
  • cast: Stephen Dorff, Lili Taylor, Sam Strike, Vanessa Grasse, Finn Jones

FEEDBACK [01:29:30]

  • 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

SUPPORT HNR

Oct 26, 2017

The Snowman (2017) has all the right ingredients to make a riveting, mind-blowing thriller. It has a solid director with Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In) and a popular source material from author Jo Nesbo. The film, produced by none other than Martin Scorsese, features a stellar cast including Michael Fassbender, Rebeccas Furguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, J.K. Simmons, Toby Jones, James D'Arcy, and Val Kilmer. Yet, somehow, The Snowman manages to spiral out of control becoming one of the very worst films of 2017. The Snowman is simply...abominable. Doc Rotten shares his review of the feature film that tanked at the box office this past weekend and provides a preview of what you will hear on Horror News Radio episode 238. Check out the review below.

Oct 26, 2017

"It's so strange. I'm actually rooting for this girl. She's got so much heart and you think of all the pain and the... TEQUILA IS MY LADY! MY LADY! TEQUILA! FROM DARKNESS, THERE IS LIGHT!" Steve (Bradley Whitford) avoids guilt with alcohol. Just like every responsible adult! Cabin in the Woods is easily one of the best horror films of this decade. Hard to believe it was shelved for a year or so before being released. Playing on all the tropes of horror while celebrating what draws people to them, Cabin really is the ultimate horror film. Both in the awe inspiring awesomeness sense and in the way that it feels like the final word on the genre. Make sure to sit back in your console chair and wait for the best horror climax of all time to unravel before your eyes... or ears.

Decades of Horror 1990s And Beyond
Episode 28 - The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Cabin in the Woods came out at an interesting crossroads for the careers of many involved. It was shot before star Chris Hemsworth became known as Thor, put into theaters right before co-writer Joss Whedon's The Avengers became one of the most successful films of all time and right before Drew Goddard became the Academy Award nominated screenwriter behind The Martian. All of them came together in this one moment to make the perfect modern meta horror. Cabin one upped the Scream style self aware slashers into a new galaxy all its own. Now every horror film feels like it's being controlled by the likes of Steve and Gary (Richard Jenkins) pulling strings behind the scenes. If they can keep up with all the cubes underneath their office.

To contextualize everything about Cabin, Thomas brings aboard Shakyl Lambert, Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore to explore the offices below. Discussions are had about the impeccable cast, the meta commentary on the horror genre and the massively entertaining yet nihilistic ending. The trio can barely contain their love for all the creative monsters, hilarious character moments and nudges to the rib cage Cabin goes through over its run time. Plus we ask the truly important question; what is the line between Witches and Sexy Witches? Listen to find out!

Oct 25, 2017

“Flies? Flies? Poor puny things! Who wants to eat flies?... Not when I can get nice, fat spiders!” Join the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Grue Crew for this episode – Erin Miskell, Chad Hunt, Jeff Mohr, and special guest Dave Dreher – as we take a trip to Transylvania and ride aboard the schooner Vesta, only to end up in the Seward Sanitarium and rundown Carfax Abbey in search of Dracula (1931).

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 20 – Dracula (1931)

Director Tod Browning and cinematographer Karl Freund collaborated during the production of Dracula to create some of the most lasting icons in horror film history. Bela Lugosi (Dracula), Dwight Frye (Renfield), and Edward Van Sloan (Dr. Van Helsing) are still the portrayals to which all later incarnations are compared. Though Lugosi is the star, your Classic Era Grue Crew all agree that Dracula is Dwight Frye’s movie as he changes from a serious and dignified professional to an unpredictable, maniacal, and downright disturbing lunatic.

Unfortunately, the characters of Lucy (Frances Dade) and Mina (Helen Chandler) are barely more than props to be victimized by Dracula and saved by Van Helsing and John Harker (David Manners). On the other hand, Renfield’s attendant Martin (Charles K. Gerrard) provides the very definition of comic relief. One of our Grue Crew also proclaims their love for Lupita Tovar, who plays Eva, the Spanish language version of Mina.

You’ll also find the answers to these questions:

  • How does the Tod Browning version of Dracula compare to the Spanish language production?
  • What could the Looney Tunes bad-behaved version of Little Red Riding Hood possibly have to do with Dracula?
  • How many degrees of separation are there between the Spanish language version of Dracula and the Star Wars film, Rogue One (2016)?

If you’re paying attention, you’ll find out which of this episode’s Grue Crew made each of these statements during our podcast on Dracula:

  • “Someone just kind of handed him (Dwight Frye) this steak of a role and he just sunk all of his teeth into it and chewed it for all it was worth.”
  • “Was I the only one, when you would see Martin on the screen, that was thinking of Eric Idle from Monty Python?”
  • “The woman had many, many issues. She surpassed issue and went straight to subscriptions.”
  • “Who decided an armadillo was scary?”

We plan to release a new episode every other week. In timing with Halloween, our next episode in our very flexible schedule is Nosferatu (1922), hosted by Erin Miskell.

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, Stitcher, the Horror News Radio App, or the Horror News Radio Facebook group.

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

Oct 24, 2017

The directors of Inside, Alexandra Bustillo and Julien Maury, take a stab at putting their footprints on the history of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with the prequel, Leatherface (2017). The film follows a group of young patients escaping from a mental hospital and on the run. One of the madmen is a young Leatherface - ah, but which one. Lilly Taylor is the matriarch of the family while Stephen Dorff is out to destroy them. Vanessa Grasse is a nurse too green to know better mixed up in the middle of it all. And, for some reason, Finn (Iron Fist) Jones is included in the mix. Doc Rotten steps in to review the film finding it a deceptively entertaining film...as long as you forget that it is intended to be a Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. Hurray for gore and grue, the film is plenty bloody for the gore-hounds. Check out the review below.

Oct 23, 2017

"Science is neat, but I'm afraid it's not very forgiving." Mr. Clarke (Randall P. Havens) explains how harsh a mistress science can be to our young heroes. Luckily, our young boys can take on pretty much everything, including a horrific nightmare creature from a parallel dimension. All of it is up for grabs as we conclude our look at Stranger Things Season 1. Time to grab your Eggo waffles and settle in for a dark and stormy October night!

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 121 – Stranger Things Season 1 Part 2 (2016)

When we last left our young heroes, Stranger Things were really starting to build. Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Lucas (Cale McLaughlin) try to find the gate where their friend Will (Noah Schnapp) was taken into. Yet, their friendship is already being strained by the presence of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), both for her supernatural powers and her closeness to Mike. Meanwhile, Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Will's brother Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) are on the hunt for the Demogorgon. Parallel to this, Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Sheriff Hopper (David Harbour) are on investigating the Hawkins National Laboratory and their shady operation. It'll all come to ahead as the reasoning behind these Stranger Things collide.

To discuss these Stranger Things, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore and Thomas Mariani are traveling into The Upside Down. There's a bit of descent as to whether or not this is as strong as the first half of the season. Yet, there's unanimous agreement about many things. The kids are all still enjoyable and endearing. Our look into The Upside Down is still creepy and atmospheric. Matthew Modine goes out like a punk. There's also the question of what the upcoming new season will hold and where we could go from here. All this and more are going to stuff your earholes to the point where you may get a nosebleed. Get this cotton balls ready!

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

The Fog (1980)... Next Week!

 

Oct 19, 2017

The Grue Crew are joined by our very special guest Paul Cardullo as we discuss films that give us a bit of deja vu. First up is the surprise hit of the recent Friday the 13th weekend Happy Death Day. Our second feature is the gory romp The Babysitter which you can now stream on Netflix to keep yourself satiated before Stranger Things Season 2 arrives. Thomas also gives us a report from his trip to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida. Let's not forget that Dave steps in with Horror News of the Week featuring the X-Men going spooky for The New Mutantsa news update about the upcoming Halloween film and a Friday the 13th fan film which may just be the best excuse for a sequel we'll be getting for awhile. Spooktacular times are here again!

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 | Thomas Mariani. Also, like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.

Horror News Radio
Episode 237 – Happy Death Day ( 2017) – The Babysitter (2017)
Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

SHOW NOTES

INTRO [00:00:39 ]

HORROR NEWS OF THE WEEK [00:03:12]

CONTEST: THE SNOWMAN GIVEAWAY! [00:32:50]

  • What is your favorite WINTER themed horror film?
  • Submit to media(AT)gruesomemagazine(DOT)com with the subject line "The Snowman"
  • You must submit the link to your post by October 23 to participate. Winners addresses must be submitted by October 31.
  • Open to U.S. and Canada residents only
  • Click here to read more

FEATURE REVIEW: HAPPY DEATH DAY [00:37:05]

  • Happy Death Day (2017)
  • director: Christopher Landon
  • cast: Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Ruby Modine

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING: HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS 2017 [01:04:06]

  • Thomas shares his recent visit to the annual Halloween haunt in Orlando, Florida

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING: THE BABYSITTER (2017) [01:15:46]

  • The Babysitter (2017)
  • director: McG
  • cast: Samara Weaving, Bella Thorne, Leslie Bibb, Judah Lewis

FEEDBACK [01:47:27]

  • 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

SUPPORT HNR

Oct 19, 2017

"Let the game begin." Jigsaw aka John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is the master of ceremonies of his morality inspired death traps. Given it was the franchise that started the torture porn movement, Saw is often maligned as a lesser example of mainstream horror. The fetishistic emphasis on death and soap opera antics only go so far, especially for a franchise with seven installments. Yet, there's somehow a new entry coming to theaters. So what better way to celebrate than by looking back at the first seven entries? Listen or not, make your choice. But seriously... please listen.

Decades of Horror 1990s And Beyond
Episode 27 – Saw Retrospective (2004 - 2010)

Saw is an indie marvel. Made for a mere $1 million, the film grossed over 100 times that much. It tapped into an uncertain zeitgeist of troubling times. America was just starting the Iraq War. Torture was a common thread in news. Our world was still in the throes of confusion and distrust from 9/11. A world that sought escape in the form of a madman designing traps to test people's moral gumption. Saw continued this trend throughout the 2000s, each installment introducing new bits of continuity and trying to top one another with gory traps. The franchise started off the careers of modern horror masters like James Wan, Leigh Whannell, Darren Lynn Bousman and Marcus Dunstan. Saw was really the only mainstream horror franchise in theaters for half a decade... until it wasn't.

To dissect where everything went wrong, Thomas Mariani brings in a few familiar voices. Adam Thomas, Shakyl Lambert and Ryan Corderman are in for the long haul as all four hosts discuss all seven Saw films in this extended episode. The quartet examines each film in gruesome detail, praising consistent qualities like Tobin Bell while damning the soap opera continuity that gets tedious. There's praise thrown around for a few of the earlier entries and even a bit of love that trickles down into the latter parts of the series. But there's plenty of baffling elements of Saw for our heroes to question. How did Jigsaw get more elaborate traps put together? Why did we need to know more through endless flashbacks? Who thought Costas Mandylor was a good idea? All this and more tear the group apart as they try to understand what made people see Saw time and time again.

Oct 18, 2017

"Long Live The New Flesh!" Max Renn (James Woods) makes his declaration of rebellion against Videodrome, the very thing he's become so attached to. But is he really rebelling against the system or merely another cog in the machine? It's a question people often ask themselves every day with no easy answers. Luckily, those answers can come from the most unlikely of places. One such place is Decades of Horror 1980s! Hop into your connected device and hear just how depressing the world we live in really is. Hooray!

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 120 - Videodrome (1983)

Videodrome didn't make much of a blip for Canadian writer/director David Cronenberg's career. Fresh off the heals of the cult success of The Brood and Scanners yet just before the mainstream explosion of The Dead Zone and The FlyVideodrome quietly came in and out of theaters in 1983. The heavy horror sci-fi concept of a TV smut peddler hallucinating technology nightmares didn't seem to attract audiences at the time. Yet with time, this audacious subversion of narrative, time and culture became a cult hit that resonates even more in the ages long since Betamax was a viable platform.

Well, at least for some. This episode features a pretty clear divide for who can stand Cronenberg's Videodrome. But who could be the dissenter in the crowd? Did Doc Rotten appreciate the cynical bitter pills which needed swallowing? Can Christopher G. Moore tolerate the gross-out body horror on display? Will Thomas Mariani have issues with Debbie Harry not being her iconic Blondie self? Listen and find out for yourselves!

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

Stranger Things Season 1 Part 2 (2016)… Next Week!

Oct 16, 2017

“Something unspeakable has come home.” Not only is it unspeakable, but it has already died once. Doc Rotten is still on hiatus, diligently working on the next issues of the Gruesome Magazine quarterly print and electronic editions. In the interim, your regular host, Jeff Mohr, is joined by the capable and knowledgeable Bill Mulligan, film director, and Chad Hunt, comic book artist/writer and co-host of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era podcast. Join them as they follow the members of a family wracked by the effects of the Vietnam War in Deathdream.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 60 – Deathdream (1974)

The second of director Bob Clark’s three horror films, Deathdream (aka Dead of Night) is sandwiched neatly between Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (Decades of Horror 1970s - Episode 12) and Black Christmas (Decades of Horror 1970s - Episode 34). Written by Alan Ormsby, the film tells the story of Andy (Richard Backus), a Vietnam War veteran who is killed-in-action and yet returns home the same day his family gets the news of his death. Though the death notice is not a mistake,  Andy’s parents (John Marley and Lynn Carlin) and sister (Anya Ormsby) assume it is, and celebrate his homecoming. As his physical condition deteriorates and his behavior gets more and more bizarre, Andy’s father brings the local doctor (Henderson Forsythe) home to take a look at his son. As the film progresses, Andy’s decay increases and the body count rises.

The foundation of Deathdream’s story is planted firmly in W. W. Jacobs’ 1902 short story, “The Monkey’s Paw.” In other words, be careful what you wish for! The story might also be seen as an allegory delving into the additional trauma experienced by returning Vietnam War veterans, stigmatized by society and struggling with PTSD, and the effect that trauma has on their family and friends.

Tom Savini partners with Alan Ormsby to provide the film’s effective, low budget makeup effects. Andy’s progressive decay is successfully depicted as he moves from seemingly normal to a rapidly decaying corpse. Deathdream is not a fun watch.This episode’s Grue Crew give the film a unanimous thumbs up with the following caveat: The filmmakers successfully tell a very depressing story. Deathdream is not a fun watch.

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.

Oct 15, 2017

October always brings out the best in horror with Halloween festivities fueling parties, decorations, candy, trick-r-treating, and horror movie screenings. Jeff Mohr, the able host of Decades of Horror The Classic Era steps in to review The Tinger (1959) which he caught as part of the Cinemark Fall Classic Series on the big screen. There is no better way to experience the William Castle classic starring the one-and-only Vincent Price. Jeff shares his thoughts on the film and the experience itself. Ah, if only we could have "Percepto" as well - all would be right in the world.

Oct 14, 2017

Special guest Sammie Cassell joins the Grue-Crew this week to review a pair of horror film playing on Netflix this October. The first of the two is the latest film in the Child's Play series, The Cult of Chucky (2017). The second film is from director Mike Flanagan and legendary author Stephen King, Gerald's Game (2017). Netflix is killing this season with a gaggle of genre films lining up as the channel gears up for the release of Stranger Things Season 2. Can they knock it out of the park? Dave steps in with a handful of horror news with two new trailers (Castle Rock, Pacific Rim Uprising), details about the third season of Ash vs The Evil Dead, and Joe Lynch tossing aside an R-Rated version of Mayhem for a full-uncut release.

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 236 – The Cult of Chucky ( 2017) - Gerald's Game (2017)
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SHOW NOTES

INTRO [00:00:40]

HORROR NEWS OF THE WEEK [00:03:35]

  1. Trailer for Castle Rock introduces us to the Stephen King Universe
  2. Bride of Frankenstein Shuts Down, Gal Gadot replaces Jolie?
  3. Pacific Rim Uprising trailer brings the Jaeger goodness
  4. Ash Vs. Evil Dead S3 details emerge from NYCCC
  5. Joe Lynch tells the MPAA to stick their rating and brings MAYHEM unrated

FEATURE REVIEW [00:35:12]

  • The Cult of Chucky (2017)
  • director: Don Mancini
  • cast:  Fiona Dourif, Brad Dourif, Alex Vincent, Michael Therriault, Jennifer Tilly

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING [01:17:05]

  • Gerald's Game (2017)
  • director: Mike Flanagan
  • cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas, Carel Stuycken, Chiara Aurelia, Kate Siegel

FEEDBACK [02:03:44]

  • 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

SUPPORT HNR

NEXT WEEK

  • Happy Death Day / The Babysitter

 

 

 

 

Oct 13, 2017

“The day I died, I swore I would get my revenge!” Join the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era crew for this episode – Erin Miskell, Chad Hunt, Joseph Perry, Jeff Mohr, and special guest Mike Imboden – as we wrestle with Santo and Blue Demon Against the Monsters in honor of El Santo’s 100th birthday on September 23, 2017.

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 19 – Santo and Blue Demon Against the Monsters (1969-70)

Directed by Gilberto Martínez Solares and written by  Rafael García Travesi, Santo and Blue Demon Against the Monsters tells an age-old tale. An evil doctor rises from the dead and directs the efforts of as many monsters as he can resurrect to combat the heroes. More specifically, Dr. Bruno Halder (Carlos Ancira), who hates Santo, his brother Otto Halder (Ivan J. Rado), and his niece Gloria (Hedi Blue), is resurrected from the dead by his diminutive hunchback assistant Waldo (Santanón). With the aid of his zombie henchmen in green greasepaint, Bruno gathers together some of the world’s most famous monsters and plans to murder his foes . . . and worse. He even makes a duplicate Blue Demon do his evil bidding. Thankfully Santo is here to protect his fiancee, her father, and the world!

Exactly what does the, “Against the Monsters” of Santo and Blue Demon Against the Monsters refer to? The complete cast of resurrected monstruos includes El Vampiro, La Mujer Vampiro, Franquestein, La Momia, El Hombre Lobo, El Ciclope, and the creature Joseph Perry refers to as “Tiki-brain Guy.” That’s surely enough to take care of Santo and Blue Demon, right? Not on your life! Not if you know the full legend of El Santo!

If you’re paying attention, you’ll find out which of this episode’s Grue Crew made each of these statements:

  • “... I got to actually touch our fellow co-ghost.” … “Let me show you on the doll where exactly it happened.”
  • “It’s cheesy. It’s just a big piece of chunky, stinky Limburger cheese, but I love it.”
  • “This thing is a thing of beauty. Just shut up and take my money.”
  • “Even during the makeout sessions, everybody leaves the masks on!”
  • “I’m wearing my Luchador mask right now, actually.”
  • “Let me cheer things up with my favorite monster who I call the Tiki-brain Guy.”

We plan to release a new episode every other week. In timing with Halloween, our next episode in our very flexible schedule, in honor of Halloween, is Dracula (1931), hosted by Jeff.

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, Stitcher, the Horror News Radio App, or the Horror News Radio Facebook group.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Oct 13, 2017

Blumhouse returns with another horror film for the 2017 haunt season with Happy Death Day (2017). As the trailers promise, the film from director Christopher (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse) Landon channels a strong Groundhog Day vibe with a comedic horror spin to the rinse-and-repeat reliving of this horrific day. Doc Rotten steps in - as the resident Blumhouse fan - to review the film which is written by comic book writer Scott Lobdell. The film features Jessica Rothe in the lead role with a winning performance presenting her as a potential scream queen extraordinaire. The film has fun within its PG-13 envelope playing to the tween crowd while mixing the comedy and horror into a gruesome cocktail that many horror fans will grin and smile along.

Oct 13, 2017

Thanks to the aggressive marketing from Warner Brothers, it is no secret that Harrison Ford returns as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner 2049 (2017) from director Denis Velleneuve (Arrival). In the sequel three decades in the making, Ryan Gosling stars as K, the next generation of Blade Runner. Thomas Mariani steps in to review the latest theatrical sci-fi epic with an enthusiastic and insightful extra-length look at the film, the cinematography, the story, and the best excuse for "Gosling's wooden performances" ever. Yeah, only as Thomas Mariani can. Check out the review below.

Oct 12, 2017

Rafe returns to review another indie horror film haunting your VOD and DVD outlets. Arriving from Uncork'd Entertainment and director Justin Price is the supernatural offering The 13th Friday (2017). Struggling to decipher the true intention of the film's narrative, Rafe points out some technical issues with the film while appreciating the effort and intentions of the filmmakers, especially pointing out a call out with the final credits. Yet, the film fails to impress Rafe with its ghosts and scares which never match the promise of the trailer. Check out his review below. The film is out on VOD October 10, 2017.

Oct 12, 2017

"I felt it. Perfect. It was perfect." Nina (Natalie Portman) realizes her full potential as she performs Swan Lake. But at what cost? The sacrifice of an artist can often be horrific. A true nightmare to need to live up to your craft. Yet, it's something true artists do on a regular basis. Even if it means losing their sanity, their friends and their own sense of identity. All things Nina is slowly lost in Black Swan. Can Thomas and his own troupe of podcasts keep themselves together? Or will they sink into madness along with Nina? Find out as Decades of Horror 1990s and Beyond steps further into the modern age for the October haunts season!

Decades of Horror 1990s And Beyond
Episode 26 - Black Swan (2010)

Black Swan was released in December of 2010 to massive critical raves. Fresh off a triumphant critical sweep with The Wrestler, Darren Aronofsky took his first full step into the horror genre and got plenty of Oscar buzz for it. Rare for the genre, but not out of bounds for Aronofsky. Afterall, how horrific is the drug themed drama of Requiem for a Dream? Yet, Black Swan is much more firmly planted in the genre, even it it's within a more grounded prism. After all, Nina is losing her sense of identity and seeing herself as a mutation of beauty. An artist sacrificing her humanity to become the swan she was born to be. Whether it be at the hands of her mother (Barbara Hershey), her teacher (Vincent Cassel) or her competition (Mila Kunis), Nina is losing what it means to be a "little princess." Will she end up a has been like Beth (Winona Ryder) or will she transform into a fierce formidable foe that swims along the lake for another night?

To answer all of those questions, Thomas has returning guests Adam Thomas and Yonathan Habtemichael to help out. Some praise Aronofsky's craft. Others love the performances. But not everyone is on the Black Swan train. There's so much to unravel. Does Black Swan fit into the genre? Was the Academy love warranted? Does Nina survive the ending? So many interpretations, but only one way to find out! Give us a listen. Don't fall into the orchestra pit to never be seen again!

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 And Beyond 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.

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