"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti." Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) says the iconic line that launched a thousand parodies. 25 year - nearly to the day - after sweeping the Academy Awards, Silence of the Lambs has become a cultural touchstone that people still recognize to this day. The interplay between Dr. Lecter and Agent Claire Starling (Jodie Foster) live on in the annals of horror history. Then again, is this groundbreaking piece of cinema a horror film? A thriller? A romantic comedy? It'll take a reunion of some experts from the Hannibal Fan Podcast to make that kind of call.
Decades of Horror 1990s
Episode 11 – Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Silence of the Lambs is only the third and so far last film to sweep the five big Oscar categories: Best Actor, Actress, Screenplay, Director & Picture. An amazing feat, but one that still remains earned. Following a young FBI agent at the end of her training, Clarice Starling is out to find the shadowy serial killer known as Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). While on the hunt, she visits the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane to interview psychiatrist/disturbed cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter as to Bill's actions. The back and forth between the two quickly becomes a mind game, one that's brilliantly written by Ted Tally (based on Thomas Harris' novel) and directed with delicate control by Jonathan Demme. One intelligent study of the insane vs. the sane that spawned multiple sequels and copycats alike.
To suss out all of this, Thomas gets the band back together from the Hannibal Fan Podcast for a reunion! Doc Rotten speaks to the intimate close ups Demme uses to get us into the characters. Dave Dreher denotes the lingering horror of the tension filled finale. Christopher G. Moore gushes about every frame of his second favorite film of all time. While denoting some datedness, Thomas can't help but marvel at the cohesively constructed Silence of the Lambs. This band of Hannibal fans discuss the iconic performances, legendary characters and masterful horror on display. Plus, there's a bit of fan casting for Bryan Fuller if he ever returns to the world of Thomas Harris. Bryan: call 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.
Decades of Horror the 1990s needs your help! We need to find a topic for episode #13 and we're asking YOU to vote on it! In the below link, vote for how excited you'd be for each individual option from Golden (super excited) to Dead (not excited at all). The one with the greatest average will be chosen. Deadline to vote is April 1st! You can vote here.
Perfect Blue (1998)
Legendary continues their MonsterVerse with the release of Kong: Skull Island, following up the American version of Godzilla (2014). With director Jordan Vogt-Roberts at the helm, the film is a B-movie picture with an A-movie cast and budget, including increasing Kong's size to become over 100 feet tall. It may be the best big dumb monster movie ever. The Grue-crew hunker down in the podcast jungle to share their thoughts on the furry Kaiju beast and his battles with helicopters, a giant octopus, some deadly "skull crawlers", and one mean looking Samuel L. Jackson. While the film is a gas, it may be the stinger that has the crew all giddy.
Dave is back with another edition of Horror News of the Week with talk of Behind the Mask getting a comic book, another Friday the 13th game trailer, and Netflix picking up the Godzilla anime feature. HNR and Gruesome Magazine are heading to a number of horror conventions and film festival in the coming months with Joey Fittos covering Monster-Mania this past weekend and Doc Rotten and John Black heading to Mad Monster Party Carolina, March 24-26, 2017.
Co-hosts Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani 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 206 – Kong: Skull Island (2017)
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Check out this killer A movie cast: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John C. Reilly, John Goodman, Corey Hawkins, John Ortiz, Tian Jing, Toby Kebbell, Jason Mitchell, Shea Wingham, Thomas Mann, Eugene Cordero, and Richard Jenkins. Too bad most of them are nothing more than fodder for Kong and his monster mates on Skull Island to stomp, eat, and squish in glorious monster movie mayhem. Kong is truly King! He is amazing in the film, wonderfully rendered and perfectly integrated in the world of Kong. The film also sets up the eventual Godzilla vs Kong MonsterVerse confrontation due in 2020 with a fun little stinger at the very end of the credits. With a simple Godzilla roar, imaginations soar. But, first, what do the Grue-Crew thing of Kong: Skull Island.
The Belko Experiment
Gruesome Magazine Spring 2017 is coming! That's right, the very first issue of an all-new horror magazine from the Grue-Crew behind Horror News Radio and Gruesome Magazine website will land late February 2017. The tag line "Horror Festival Hits - Independent Films - The Future of Horror" reflects the focus of the magazine on the up'n'coming horror film makers and their films in Horror Film Festivals across the globe. Check out the GM page for more details.
"Oh no, it wasn't the airplanes. It was beauty killed the beast." REALLY!? Join the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era’s Grue-Crew - Chad Hunt, Erin Miskell, Jeff Mohr, and Joseph Perry - as we discuss just exactly what was the cause of Kong’s demise. The newest Kong film, Kong: Skull Island released on March 10, 2017, has already grossed $148M worldwide as of March 15, 2017, proving the iconic Kong is still alive and well. Listen as we “wrestle” with the original King Kong, the 1933 classic that started it all!
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 4 –King Kong (1933)
As is the case with many films of The Classic Era, our Grue-Crew experienced this film through the electromagic wonders of television, and we were shocked, SHOCKED we tell you, when we eventually learned it had been cut by the scoundrels administering the Hays Code. Yes, many of the most violent, people chewing scenes or most salacious and sensual scenes (Fay Wray’s dunk in the river) had been removed.
We were also in awe of Merion C. Cooper and Ernest B. Shoedsack as these adventurers cum filmmakers brought their vision to fruition in one of the most highly thought of films in history. King Kong was truly a groundbreaking film in nearly all aspects of the technology of filmmaking, from special effects to sound design to musical score. We spotlight Willis O’Brien’s stop motion animation which inspired Ray Harryhausen, as well as Curtis Delgado’s models, Harry Cunningham’s model armatures, Mario Larrinaga's matte paintings, Murray Spivack’s sound design (Exactly how do you create the roar of a mythical creature?), and Max Steiner’s score.
And what of the acting? Cooper bragged at getting double duty from leads Robert Armstrong and Fay Wray while simultaneously filming The Most Dangerous Game (1932) on some of the same sets, but the overtime doesn’t show in their performances.
So many questions arise when discussing an 84-year-old classic. Who was Noble Johnson and what role did he play in film history? What was the relationship of Ruth Rose, one of the screenwriters, to Cooper and Shoedsack? What do the Nias Islands have to do with the film and who would ever want to go there? How do the characters hold up against current cultural norms? What themes and tropes backdrop the film? How many films did Fay Wray act in that year? What's the connection between King Kong and Gone with the Wind?
And which of us made these memorable comments:
We plan to release a new episode every other week. Our upcoming schedule includes The Tingler (1959), It! (aka Curse of the Golem, 1967), The Thing from Another World (1951) and Freaks (1932)
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 movies 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.
Thanks for listening, from each of us to each of you!
"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum." Nada (Rowdy Roddy Piper) comes out of his consumer coma and is ready to blow some aliens away. The satirical sci-fi actioner from horror master John Carpenter is a schlocky example of 80s cheese... with an actual brain behind it?
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 103 – They Live (1988)
They Live is a bit of a departure for Decades of Horror, given the bigger emphasis on sci-fi and action. Yet, what's more horrifying than realizing you live in a dystopian world ruled by cruel uncaring overlords that trick you in a commercialized sense of ignorance? Well... actually living in that world on a daily basis. Yes, Carpenter's jab at Reagan-era politics still permeates our culture. After all, how many celebrities have been turned into a They Live-style alien to indicate the media obsessed world we live in is all consuming? Unfortunately, we don't have a Rowdy Roddy Piper to suplex the corporate overlords into submission. But hopefully this and many generations to come can be inspired by Piper's lack of hesitation in taking out those that stand in the way of American progress. Or at the very least admire the stamina it takes for him to kick the crap out of Fred Armitage (Keith David) in order to see the truth via his sunglasses.
Luckily, three people here are in awe of Roddy's prowess. Thomas and Christopher G. Moore return to gush about this 1988 John Carpenter film, but are unfortunately short a Doc Rotten to help them out. Luckily, a nomadic drifter has decided to take his place around the fiery trashcan. That is Gruesome Magazine's own Adam Thomas, a man who knows his wrestling as much as he knows his horror and genre filmmaking. Together, these three gush about the infamous fight scene between David & Piper, spotlight the vulnerability under Piper's performance and marvel with disturbed regret at They Live's lasting political relevance. It's a damn good time that's pretty contemplative when you look past the brute force and one liners.
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.
"See A*P*E ... defy the jaws of a giant shark ... destroy a teeming city ... demolish an ocean liner ... vanquish a monster reptile" - the tag line for A*P*E (1976) promises as much as the incredible poster for this race- to-the-theater King Kong rip-off from director Paul Leder. Yes, Yes! This is the film where the giant gorilla flips off the army ... in 3D, no less. Let the fun begin! The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s. Joining the grue-crew is Gruesome Magazine contributor Jeff Mohr and NC effects artist and film maker Bill Mulligan.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 48 – A*P*E (1976)
With a massive budget of $24,000, the team behind A*P*E created a King Kong rip-off film that has to be seen to be believed. Insanely goofy, horribly made, dreadfully written, hilariously inept, the film originally known as Super Kong is a disaster ... and bloody brilliant because of it. It is a true so-bad-it-is-good treasure ... and in 3-D to boot. It is getting a terrific 3D Bluray release from Kino Lorber Video and for those who love schlocky, horrible films that desperately want to be called guilty pleasure, then A*P*E is the film for you. Oh, the joy, the pure stupid joy! The Black Saint and Doc Rotten are joined by Jeff Mohr and Bill Mulligan to recap and review this bizarre entry into 1970s solid gold. Enjoy!
A*P*E features one of the worst gorilla costumes committed to film, ever. The seems are evident and the stitches come loose in the opening scene when APE fights a giant shark, revealing the undershirt underneath. Amazing! The film feels padded at 80 minutes long and features scene after scene of random locals running from the 36 foot gorilla, many of which can be seen smiling and laughing as they run. Rich! The army shows up late in the film so they can point their guns into the camera in "stunning" 3D effects. Marvelous! The gorilla shimmies, shakes, and dances his way across the South Korean landscape scaring villages, stepping over fake cows, wrestling live snakes, and tearing down buildings with glorious glee. Ah! There's nothing else left to say... watch the film if you dare. Regardless, listen to the Grue-Crew discuss A*P*E.
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.
The X-Men franchise go raw once again with the R-Rated Logan from director James Mangold. Last year we were treated to Deadpool, this years brings Wolverine as we've longed to see him since debuting seventeen years ago. Hugh Jackman reprises the role of James Howlett one last time with Patrick Stewart in tow as Professor X. The Grue-crew champion the film's gritty, violent tone and praise the performances. Give Stewart a Supporting Oscar, now, please.
Co-hosts Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani 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 205 – Logan (2017)
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X-Men fans are treated to the most mature super hero film to reach theaters in some time. Deadpool was more raunchy and the DC films are missing the mark, James Mangold's Logan nails the delivery. The story is gripping, the conflicts are dire, and the stakes are more personable. The film doesn't skimp on gory action - plenty crimson enough to satisfy horror fans with decapitations and dismemberment galore. Jackman and Stewart give their best performances as Logan and Xavier while Dafne Keen makes an impressive debut as Laura Kinney, X-23. Oddly enough, the best super hero film is one that plays less like a super hero film than all the rest. Go figure.
Kong: Skull Island
Gruesome Magazine Spring 2017 is coming! That's right, the very first issue of an all-new horror magazine from the Grue-Crew behind Horror News Radio and Gruesome Magazine website will land late February 2017. The tag line "Horror Festival Hits - Independent Films - The Future of Horror" reflects the focus of the magazine on the up'n'coming horror film makers and their films in Horror Film Festivals across the globe. Check out the GM page for more details.
"I kick ass for the Lord!" Father McGruder (Stuart Devenie) kicks some zombie ass in the defining example of 'divine intervention.' Peter Jackson's cult classic Dead Alive (or Braindead for international audiences) has been a mainstay of the zombie genre for 25 years. The zany horror/comedy takes the example of Sam Raimi and builds layer upon layer of creative creature effects & gallons upon gallons of gore. His early splatstick style might not have gotten him Academy level prestige, but it made Jackson a key figure in the evolution of zombie cinema. Now, armed with a lawnmower and a tarp, Thomas and his co-hosts are out to get to the meat of what makes Dead Alive endure for as long as it has.
Decades of Horror 1990s
Episode 10 – Dead Alive (1992)
Set in 1957 New Zealand, Lionel Cosgrove (Timothy Balme) is a momma's boy, under the strict thumb of his mother Vera (Elizabeth Moody). He looks after her enormous house and does her every whim, without a single bit of time for himself. Even when Lionel tries to take the lovely local market girl Pequita (Diana Peñalver) out on a date to the local zoo, she has to tag along. Unfortunately, this zoo trip turns dire as a rabid Sumatran Rat Monkey from the monkey exhibit bites Vera and catch a zombie virus that slowly degenerates her condition. Lionel tries to keep her upright, only for her to crave human flesh. Even after her funeral, Vera's lust for carnage ravages this small New Zealand town, which Lionel tries to keep contained in his house as he keeps a nurse, a greaser punk and a preacher who have been bitten and transformed by his mother in the basement. This comedy of errors escalates further as Lionel's misogynistic idiot Uncle Les (Ian Watkin) blackmails him into his mother's inheritance and celebrates with a party at the house. What could possibly go wrong?
Thomas is joined by returning guests Sam Brutuxan and Christopher G. Moore to discuss this early example of Peter Jackson's extensive ambition. The variety of zombie creatures, endlessly creative camera tricks and stunning displays of gore mastery still impress to this day, showing off the extensive world building and incredibly detailed madness that would be needed to bring Middle Earth to the big screen less than a decade later. The trio praise Dead Alive for its ability to be an homage to everything from King Kong to Evil Dead, while at the same time carving a new path towards cult fame. They revel in all their favorite zombie character, from the zombie baby Lionel throttles with to Void the greaser's personified gastrointestinal tract. It's a love fest all around, with Christopher clamoring it as his favorite zombie film of all time.
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.
"There's a girl out there who might be running for her life from some gigantic turned-on ape." - the line for King Kong (1976) illustrates the odd tone to the high-profile, big-budget creature feature remake. Dino De Laurentiis' monstrous epic provides fans with a U.S. man-in-suit Kaiju turn at the furry beast with a young Rick Baker in the ape suit. Let the fun begin! The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s. Joining the grue-crew is Gruesome Magazine contributor Jeff Mohr.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 47 – King Kong (1976)
Joining Santos, Doc, and Jeff is the host of Decades of Horror 1980s and co-host of Horror News Radio Thomas Mariani who immediate jumps into how Dino De Laurentiis presents Kong himself. The giant gorilla is seen ogling Dwan played by Jessica Lange in a questionable manner that deserves the description in the show's opener "some gigantic turned-on ape." While there's always been a connection between Kong and Anne Darrow (from the '33 picture), the way they treat his attraction to Dwan is far less appealing than intended, for certain. Kong's motivation is all over the place as the Grue-Crew struggle to find good things to say about the 1976 rendition of this classic monster from the movies. The film was highly promoted upon its release in December of 1976 as Doc, Jeff, and Santos all remember, but the film failed to live up to the hype. While Doc and Jeff admit liking the film now more than prior, the film still disappoints in a huge Hollywood blockbuster-gone-wrong way.
John Guillermin (from The Towering Inferno) directs the film which stars Charles Grodin, Jeff Bridges, and Jessica Lange in lead roles. Rick Baker's Kong is superimposed into many shots with noticeable matte outlines giving the high production and low-grade sheen. While the ape costume itself is noteworthy, the integration of the effects into the film often fail their efforts. The huge mechanical King, which was all the rage in the promos and press at the time, is barely seen in the film, perhaps for the better. The film's tone dances between serious and satire - or, at least, feels like satire, regardless of original intention. According to Thomas, Grodin acts with his teeth in an amazing fashion while Bridges likely filled the large pit to capture Kong with smoke all on his own. Yeah, man. Prepare for Kong: Skull Island with this look back to a classic - or not so classic - King Kong adventure from 1976.
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.
Emmy Award winning comedic actor and first time writer/director Jordan Peele gets his first bite at feature filmmaking with Get Out, a racially charged horror/comedy about a young man (Daniel Kaluuya) taking a trip with his girlfriend (Allison Williams) to meet her parents, only for horror to be lurking in their secluded house. The Grue Crew has a spirited conversation about the topic, all without the help of their fearless leader. Yes, for the first time in over 200 episodes, Doc Rotten is out sick and the children will come out and play... or kill each other. Whatever comes first.
The remaining crew also dive into the female driven horror anthology XX. Five segments from five different female directors, all centered around women dealing with a variety of horror. Children who won't eat. A secret that could ruin their child's birthday. Camping with the opposite sex. A son with an absent father who has far darker ties than she has let on. Plus, it's all wrapped in a package of spooky stop-motion! What's not to love?
Dave guides the Crew through Horror News of the Week, lead off with the remembering the dearly departed Bill Paxton. HNR continues its trek through film festivals and conventions, the next stop being Mad Monster Party in Rock Hill, SC March 24th - 26, 2017!
Co-hosts Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani 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 204 – Get Out (2017)
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Meeting your girlfriend's family is tough for anyone. It's even worse when they're a bunch of crazy white people. The Grue Crew may be short one Doc, but award winning filmmaker Christopher G. Moore is there to spread all sort of love for Jordan Peele's Get Out. The crew commends the clear displays of love for horror, the daring racial themes and masterful balance of horror with humor to both alleviate and strengthen the tension. Yet, there's still plenty of discourse here, mainly over the extensive praise that's been lauded on the film and the concept of hype backlash. Santos and Thomas go head to head... even though they both really enjoyed the movie. Must be an HNR episode!
XX isn't just the correct chromosome pattern for the directors of this horror anthology. It's harbinger of the many deaths that take place over this horror anthology. Directors Karyn Kusama, Roxanne Benjamin, Sofia Carrillo, Jovanka Vuckovic and Annie Clark (or St. Vincent, for indie rock music fans) have crafted five segments all themed around women and horror. Santos and Thomas discuss the foibles and charms of this horror anthology, arguing over which ones work and which ones don't. There's an unevenness like most horror anthologies, but the nuggets of pure gold are worth searching for!
Logan
Gruesome Magazine Spring 2017 is coming! That's right, the very first issue of an all-new horror magazine from the Grue-Crew behind Horror News Radio and Gruesome Magazine website will land late February 2017. The tag line "Horror Festival Hits - Independent Films - The Future of Horror" reflects the focus of the magazine on the up'n'coming horror film makers and their films in Horror Film Festivals across the globe. Check out the GM page for more details.
“We didn’t come here to fight monsters! We’re not equipped for it!" Join the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era’s Grue-Crew - Chad Hunt, Erin Miskell, Jeff Mohr, and Joseph Perry - as we take a deep dive (and we do mean DEEP!) into the legendary Black Lagoon and talk of all things Creature. Chad Hunt picked this one - it’s one of his “favorite movies of all-time” - so listen as he leads us on our expedition into the Amazonian jungle in search of the Creature from the Black Lagoon. The erudite Erin Miskell was under the weather for this one, but we sallied forth aboard the Rita and motored into dangerous waters without her, foolhardy as that may seem.
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 3 – Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
All three of us first experienced Creature from the Black Lagoon on television via our local creature features and fell in love at first sight, but that didn’t stop us from being surprised at what we learned about it.
The film is co-written by Harry Essex and Arthur A. Ross and is directed by Jack Arnold. Do you know which one of them had a hand in Gilligan’s Island (1964-66) and Rawhide (1959-64)? How about The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) and Octaman (1972)? Or even Satan’s School for Girls (1973)?
The film features the Gill-Man, the last of the Universal Studios Classic Monsters, as played by Ricou Browning and Ben Chapman. Why do they need two actors to play the Gill-Man? And is the Creature designed and built by Bud Westmore with assistance from Millicent Patrick or is it the other way around?
The quintessential cast for a 1950s science fiction / horror film - Julie Adams, Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, Whit Bissell, and Antonio Moreno - plays a team of scientists in search of the source of a fossilized, clawed hand they found up river. They travel aboard the Rita, whose captain is played by the inimitable Nestor Paiva with over 300 acting credits to his name. wonders why anyone would want to fish for rocks.
So many questions and so little time. Share 70 minutes of your time with us and find out:
We plan to release a new episode every other week. Our upcoming schedule includes King Kong (1933), The Tingler (1959), and It! (1967).
Please let us know what you think and what films you’d like to hear us cover! We want to hear from you! 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.
Doc Rotten, Thomas Mariani, and Christopher G. Moore gather to discuss the most anticipated genre films of 2017, taking a look at Sci-fi, Action, and Fantasy films coming out in theaters over the next twelve months. Based on list generated by HNR & DOH hosts, Gruesome Magazine contributors, Patreon supporters, and fans & listeners of Horror News Radio, the list comprises of films we're all dying to see. The list contains a number of Marvel films from Logan to Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2. DC is represented as well with their high profile entry Wonder Woman. Sci-Fi looks back at a genre classic with Blade Runner 2049 and looks toward the future with Luc Besson's Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. And then there's a little ditty known as Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi. Tons to discuss, let the fun begin.
Horror News Radio Extra
Episode 10 – The Most Anticipated Genre Films of 2017
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Voted on by HNR Patreon members, the Grue-Crew, and fans hanging out at the HNR Facebook Group, the following list represents the top 10 films that made the final cut. Note: the dates displayed may change before the film makes it to the theater.
After being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.
Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.
Time-traveling agent Valerian is sent to investigate a galactic empire, along with his partner Laureline.
When an attack on the Kingsman headquarters takes place and a new villain rises, Eggsy and Merlin are forced to work together with the American agency Statesman to save the world.
An Amazon princess leaves her island home to explore the world and, in doing so, becomes one of the world's greatest heroes.
Having taken her first steps into a larger world in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Rey continues her epic journey with Finn, Poe and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the saga.
Thor must face the Hulk in a gladiator match and save his people from the ruthless Hela.
In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan's attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.
Following the events of Captain America: Civil War (2016), Peter Parker attempts to balance his life in high school with his career as the web-slinging superhero Spider-Man.
Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' continues the team's adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill's true parentage.
"This is it, Jennifer: your big break in TV. Welcome to prime time, bitch!" Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) literally breaks Jennifer (Penelope Sudrow) through the fourth wall. Signaling Kruger's break away hit into pop culture icon status. What better way to celebrate its 30th anniversary than with a whole Decades of Horror 1980s episode dedicated to it?
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 102 – A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
After his much celebrated introduction and decried detour of a second chapter, Freddy Krueger returned to terrify teens and adults alike with a bit more comedic flair in Dream Warriors. After young Kristen Parker (Patricia Arquette) has a near suicidal panic during a nightmarish visit from Freddy, her mother sends her off to an institution to work out her waking torment. Under the care of Dr. Neil Gordon (Craig Wasson), Kristen meets several other teens with similar sleeping disorders. Among them, the drug addled Taryn White (Jennifer Rubin); the aggressive shit talker Roland Kincaid (Ken Sagoes); and paralyzed nerd Will Stanton (Ira Heiden). They all share visions of Freddy Krueger and need help getting him out of their dreams. But Dr. Gordon doesn't seem to believe their shared boogeyman... until a mysterious new intern Nancy Thompson (Heather Lagenkamp) reveals her own past with a sweater wearing demon of her nightmares.
While 1984's A Nightmare on Elm Street gave us our introduction to Freddy, Dream Warriors gave us the Freddy we all ended up loving for so many years. The jokes, the elaborate dream sequences and the formula for each teen's descent into the nightmare world all came to light with this third entry. Doc Rotten, Thomas and Christopher G. Moore talk all about it here. The murders, the dream sequences and the... character investment? That's right, our trio dives deep into what separates this from the repetitive sequels that followed and tried very hard to recapture the same energy Dream Warriors pulls off so effortlessly. It helps that people like Wes Craven, Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont were all there to flesh out the Freddy universe without dragging out the details. Or putting too much emphasis on the jokes and cameos, as later entries would do. It's a mutual admiration society meeting for this underrated "meat in the Nightmare on Elm Street sandwich." What the hell does that mean? Listen to find out!
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.
Visionary director Gore Verbinksi returns to the genre with A Cure For Wellness, a trippy, psychological horror tale about a Wall Street stockbroker (Dane DeHaan) who is sent to retrieve his company's CEO Roland Pembroke from a wellness center tucked away in the Swiss Alps. The Grue-Crew eagerly dive into the world of cinematographer Bojan Bazelli but fight the boredom of the repetitive, meandering story from screenwriter Justin Haythe.
From the Swiss Alps to the Great Wall of China, the Grue-Crew continue circling the globe with Zhang Yimou's The Great Wall. Taking place during the Song dynasty and the reign of the Renzong Emperor, a pair of European mercenaries (Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal) team up with a group of Chinese soldiers known as the Nameless Order to defeat an attacking army of monsters. The Chinese-US co-production is a huge hit in China, but how with the film fare with the Grue-Crew?
Dave guides the Horror News of the Week with the surprise announcement that Hulu, Stephen King, and J.J. Abrams are teaming up to bring horror fans tales from Castle Rock. As the year begins, HNR sets its eyes on a number of horror film festivals to attend throughout the year. Up first is Nevermore Horror Film Festival in Durham, NC on February 24 - 26, 2017.
Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani 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 203 – A Cure For Wellness (2017) – The Great Wall (2017)
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Gore Verbinski's return to horror -- since his j-horror remake The Ring (2002) -- is a promising concept, but one meet with reservation. While Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Rango are favorites of the Grue-Crew (as is MouseHunt, to some), The Weather Man and The Lone Ranger are not so much. The trailers for A Cure For Wellness look amazing with interesting visuals and an intriguing plot. However, the film itself is a bit of a bore even with its Stanley Kubrick and Ken Russell influences and captivating visual flourishes. The Grue-Crew discuss the film's high points and troubles for their review of this week's theatrical opening.
Touted as the most expensive film made in China, The Great Wall finally makes its way to U.S. shores after making over $200 million overseas. The Chinese-US co-production features Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal in the leads with Jing Tian, Andly Lau, Zhang Hanyu, Eddie Peng, Lu Han, Lin Gengxin, Chen Xuedong, and Huang Xuan leading the Chinese army station atop the Great Wall of China. The film features a massive mystical (or, perhaps, alien) army of creatures attacking the wall in an effort to get to the densely populated cities on the other side. While a great deal of fun, the film is a bit drab and Damon is horribly miscast. The Grue-Crew review the film a bit more favorably than Verbinski's snooze-fest.
Get Out!
Gruesome Magazine Spring 2017 is coming! That's right, the very first issue of an all-new horror magazine from the Grue-Crew behind Horror News Radio and Gruesome Magazine website will land late February 2017. The tag line "Horror Festival Hits - Independent Films - The Future of Horror" reflects the focus of the magazine on the up'n'coming horror film makers and their films in Horror Film Festivals across the globe. Check out the GM page for more details.
"They're us. We're them and they're us." Barbara (Patricia Tallman) tries to make sense of the madness in Night of the Living Dead, a 90s remake of an icon entry in the horror genre. It's a tough task to remake a film that changed the face of horror cinema. Who could be up to that task? Only the man who helped to evolve the zombie concept following the original. Yes, Mr. Tom Savini was the man behind recontextualizing for a new generation and he's here to talk all about it!
Decades of Horror 1990s
Episode 09 – Night of the Living Dead (1990)
Taking the basic plot of the original, Night of the Living Dead constantly subverts expectations. Just when you think something from the original band is gonna happen, WHAM! A surprising zombie or character moment pops in to mix things up. The most noteworthy examples is definitely the new version of Barabara. Formerly a weak willed scream queen, this newer version develops from a scared girl into a defiant woman that carries along her fellow characters. Helped along by Ben (an early role for Tony Todd) and constantly pulled back by Harry Cooper (Tom Towles), this group feels more authentic. The shouting matches against each other are often just as brutal as the zombie kills themselves. It's an underappreciated gem of a remake in a decade where many classics were horribly mutilated beyond recognition by far lesser filmmakers.
Along the ride with Thomas Mariani are Horror News Radio correspondent Dave Dreher, Decades of Horror: The Classic Era co-host Chad Hunt and goremaster special effects maestro himself Tom Savini! Despite some technical difficulties, Savini lays out many of the behind the scene turmoils that plagued him during production on Night of the Living Dead. A nasty divorce, production setbacks and backstabbing crew members all gave Tom Savini a massive headache on his first stab as a feature film director. He describes some of the massive sequences he storyboarded that couldn't get shot, the lingering friendships he's made with the cast and his eventual appreciation for the film so many years later. It's an out-of-formula episode that's not to be missed! You can find out more about Tom Savini's upcoming projects and special effects school on his official website.
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.
Katee Sackhoff and Lucy Boynton go up against Javier Botet in Caradog W. James' Don't Knock Twice, a film that cements the trend of witch films hitting theaters and VOD over the past year. It provides an interesting series of scares and a healthy dose of atmosphere along with great performances from its leads for a satisfying and creepy tale worth seeking out. The Grue-Crew review the film and reveal their favorite scenes as they struggle with some of the film's missteps along the way.
Keanu Reeves doesn't get enough love. His films, while some are iconic, often get dumped upon mightily. However, John Wick (2014) surprised most everyone with an exceptional action film. This week, the Grue-Crew creep outside the horror box to take a look at the extraordinarily violent - and often gory - sequel John Wick Chapter 2. Reeves cements John Wick as a character that rivals Neo and Johnny Utah as one of his best onscreen characters. And the rest of the film lives up to his lead. Awesome!
Dave guides the Horror News of the Week with the announcement that David Gordon Green and Danny McBride will handle the next Halloween movie - with John Carpenter's blessing - and B-movie nonsense has never been as bizarre as Zombie Cats from Mars. Oh, my! As the year begins, HNR sets its eyes on a number of horror film festivals to attend throughout the year. Up first is Nevermore Horror Film Festival in Durham, NC on February 24 - 26, 2017.
Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani 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 202 – Don't Knock Twice (2017) – John Wick Chapter 2 (2017)
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Witches: cant' live with 'em; can't live without 'em. Or, well, maybe you can, but the horror genre is, as of late, far better with them in its cinematic arsenal. Don't Knock Twice is another film in that sub-genre and another film that deserves a far better release than straight to VOD. While not entirely successful (for most of the HNR Grue-Crew), the film does provide terrific atmospher and thrilling chills and scares. To the film's credit, it ends on a terrific shocker that elevates the film above many of the films of similar tone and story. Full of surprises, great performances, and creepy tone, Don't Knock Twice is a solid entry for 2017.
"Somebody, please, get this man...a gun!" Laurence Fishburne as the Bowery King decides to aid Keanu Reeve's John Wick as he faces every hit-man in New York. The action is incredible, the violence is poetic, and the film is never shy to splatter blood about, liberally. While not technically a horror film in any sense of the word, John Wick Chapter 2 certainly appeals to horror film aficionado's sense of cinematic joy. This film delivers straight up action and mayhem and should not be missed.
A Cure for Wellness - The Great Wall
Gruesome Magazine Spring 2017 is coming! That's right, the very first issue of an all-new horror magazine from the Grue-Crew behind Horror News Radio and Gruesome Magazine website will land late February 2017. The tag line "Horror Festival Hits - Independent Films - The Future of Horror" reflects the focus of the magazine on the up'n'coming horror film makers and their films in Horror Film Festivals across the globe. Check out the GM page for more details.
"Promise me, my baby. . . Take me with you, sweetheart! Take my blood! Oh, my blood!" Join the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era’s Grue-Crew - Chad Hunt, Erin Miskell, Jeff Mohr, and Joseph Perry - as we get lost in the wondrously bad, yet somehow memorably disturbing, Maneater of Hydra, aka Island of the Doomed, aka La Isla de la Muerte, aka Bloodsuckers. Come along on the island tour (don’t forget your baggage and lab equipment) with Joseph as our guide, while he explains his love for this eclectic film and the impact it had on him as a horror fan. Trust us; it explains a lot. Follow our journey as Joseph, much to our surprise, manages to register the rest of the Classic Era Grue-Crew as card-carrying members of the Maneater of Hydra fan club.
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 2 – Maneater of Hydra (1967)
Maneater of Hydra is a foreign film “probably” written and directed by Mel Welles, who adds another killer plant film to his credits. You may remember him as Gravis Mushnick in Roger Corman’s The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) or maybe from his appearances in Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy (1955), Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957), Chopping Mall (1986) or even the Spectreman TV series (1971). He is joined by the immediately recognizable Cameron Mitchell, whose over 200 credits include The High Chaparral (1967-1971), Blood and Black Lace (1964) and The Toolbox Murders (1978). Mitchell plays Baron von Weser who has genetically engineered some uniquely flavored vegetables.
Part of the films quirky appeal is the dubbing as the actors recited the lines in English through syllabic memorization and are then dubbed. The intent is for the audio to more closely match the actors lip movements, but in the case of Maneater of Hydra, the result is as we already said, … quirky. Anne Meara provides the uncredited, hilarious dubbing of Myrtle, the tour’s unofficial photographer. We all went slack-jawed at the vampire tree’s sexually implicit, or rather explicit, killing organ. The final scene will haunt your nightmares for years, just ask Joseph.
Listen and learn which one of us says:
We plan to release a new episode every other week. Our upcoming schedule includes Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), King Kong (1933), and The Tingler (1959).
Please let us know what you think and what films you’d like to hear us cover! We want to hear from you! 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.
"Roses are red, violets are blue, one is dead, and so are you." - The killer from My Bloody Valentine leaves a colorful limerick for Mabel - before throwing her into a dryer set on extra-dead. The Grue-Crew revisit the Canadian slasher film from 1981. Let the fun begin! Thomas Mariani, Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore tackle another gruesome horror film from the 1980s.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 101 – My Bloody Valentine (1981)
During the height of the slasher craze, Canadian film makers dropped a few slasher classics into horror fans laps. One of the better ones is My Bloody Valentine (1981) - director Quentin Tarantino lists the movie as his all-time favorite slasher film. George Mihalka directs the film from a script by John Beaird and a story by Stephen A. Miller. The plot revolves around a small mining town where years ago miners were trapped in the mine while the town celebrated Valentine's Day. The next year, the lone survivor, Harry Warden, went on a murderous rampage killing those who left him and his friends to die. Years later, the town is revisited once again by a killer dressed up in miner garb killing townsfolk leaving their hearts in a valentine's box. It's gruesome, gory gold!
Just in time for the holiday, Thomas, Christopher, and Doc share the love by taking a look at the classic slasher with Christopher and Doc seeing for the first time since 1981 while Thomas is seeing for the first time ever. The Grue-crew review both the original - heavily cut - theatrical version and the restored uncensored version with much of the 9 minutes put back into place. The film holds up tremendously well with some fun characters, great gory gags, and a surprising sense of humor. The uncut version holds a number of gruesome surprises.
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.
"It's not of this world. It's Sadako's fury. And she's put a curse on us." Nothing seemed more tantalizing than a blank VHS tape back in the 90s. What secrets could be held on it? A rerun? A sex tape? A demonic entity with a reaping time of one week? Ringu took our obsession with technology, ejected it out of the VCR and into our faces. J-Horror became a booming industry both in native Japan and the United States at the dawn of the new millennium. So naturally, Thomas Mariani had to cover this tape eventually, seven day death curse be damned!
Decades of Horror 1990s
Episode 08 – Ringu (1998)
Based on the novel by Kôji Suzuki, Ringu is perhaps the most iconic example of J-Horror. The young girl with hair covering her face. An elaborate mythology that roots itself deeply in Japanese folklore. Some half explained references to supernatural powers held within its main characters. All the major tropes started with Ringu and became pretty ubiquitous. Samara is obviously one of the more modern examples of a recognizable horror icon, having been the subject of many parodies and YouTube pranks in the near-twenty years since Ringu was released. The visage of her coming out of a television is one of the lasting horror images of the late 20th/early 21st century, keeping those with a love of the idiot box on their toes when their groove tube suddenly turns on without warning. But there's more to Ringu than Samara herself, given the extensive research our intrepid leads Reiko (Nanako Matsushima) and Ryūji (Hiroyuki Sanada) find to stop this curse dead in its tracks.
To help decipher all the rich Japanese folklore, Thomas has brought on another new voice Caitlin Turner. A confessed Otaku in general, Caitlin has much to say on what gives Ringu such a sting to those in the know of Japanese culture and what makes it one of her favorite horror films of all time. Thomas will certainly need that. Especially considering this is first time ever seeing it! Together, these two offer a few comparisons to the acclaimed American remake, talk about the killer curiosity of an unmarked VHS tape and postulate the potential of a future Ring installment with today's technology. It's a high spirited discussion that's even a bit educational. Plus, it's probably more entertaining than putting down any cash to see Rings in a theater.
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.
“We all go a little mad sometimes.” So says Norman Bates in the Alfred Hitchcock classic, Psycho (1960). In this episode, the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era’s Grue-Crew - Chad Hunt, Erin Miskell, Jeff Mohr, and Joseph Perry - proclaim their love for and take a deep dive into Hitchcock’s masterpiece and the mind of Norman Bates. Yes, you read it correctly. We love Norman’s mind and take a deep dive into it. After all, he’s such a nice boy.
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 1 – Psycho (1960)
At the films original release, Hitchcock resorted to a multitude of marketing gimmicks to help promote his new, fairly low budget, black and white film. The crowds responded in droves, piling up box office receipts more than 32 times the cost of making the film. Erin hosts this episode as we all try to get inside Hitchcock’s mind and end up feeling like Norman Bates could be our special friend (especially Erin!), if it just wasn’t for that whole murdering people thing. Is Norman Bates a nice boy suffering from mental illness or an iconic horror villain?
The story of Psycho unfolds as if it were two separate movies. First is the one telling the story of Marion Crane’s embezzlement from her employer, subsequent flight from the law, and change of heart after meeting Norman Bates. The second story begins with Marion’s murder and its afermath as we learn more about Norman’s relationship with his mother. After all, he’s such a NICE boy.
The Classic Era Grue-Crew is blown away with Psycho by everything from the leads (Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles) to the supporting cast (Martin Balsam, John McIntire, John Anderson, Simon Oakland, Mort Mills, Pat Hitchcock); from Hitchcock’s direction to Saul Bass’ titles and Bernard Herrmann’s score; from Robert Bloch's source material to Joseph Stefano's script.
Listen and learn which one of us says:
We plan to release a new episode every other week. Our upcoming schedule includes Maneater of Hydra (aka Island of the Doomed, 1967), King Kong (1933) in conjunction with the March 10, 2017 release of Kong: Skull Island, Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), and The Tingler (1959).
Please let us know what you think and what films you’d like to hear us cover! We want to hear from you! 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.
J-Horror returns this week with RINGS (2017) heading to theaters, the third film in The Ring franchise, the U.S. version of Ringu. While the film did challenge Split for the top spot at the box office, Rings horribly under performed and scored poorly at Rotten Tomatoes. Thomas and The Black Saint chime in with there thoughts...and disgust for this boring entry into 2017 horror fare. The Black Saints gives it props for its lead and begrudgingly agrees the beginning is fun. Thomas is just unimpressed with the entire thing. Oh, noes.
Continuing the J-Horror vibe, the Grue-Crew also review the Japanese entry SADAKO VS KAYAKO currently playing on Shudder. The film, which was inspired by an April Fool's joke, pits Sadako from the Ringu franchise against Kayako from the the Ju-On (or Grudge in the US) franchise. Move over Freddy vs Jason, step aside King Kong vs Godzilla, out of the way Frankenstein meets the Wolfman, Sadako vs Kayako sets up the fight of the century. Or, does it? The Grue-Crew are here to let you know.
Thoam guides the Horror News of the Week with a rundown of the kick-ass trailer that debuted during Super Bowl 51. As the year begins, HNR sets its eyes on a number of horror film festivals to attend throughout the year. Up first is Nevermore Horror Film Festival in Durham, NC on February 24 - 26, 2017.
Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani 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 201 – Rings (2017) – Sadako vs Kayako (2016)
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Gore Verbinksi surprised everyone introducing US audiences to J-Horror with The Ring (2002). The Ring Two followed three years later. Now, 12 years after the first sequel, F. Javier Gutiérrez directs the third in the franchise with Rings. The Grue-Crew are not impressed with the results of such a long wait. It is the film no one want and no body went to see. For The Black Saint and Thomas Mariani, it is an early contender for worst of the year.
Meanwhile, over at Shudder, the Japanese entry fares far better with the Grue-Crew. Sadako vs Kayako turns out to be a fun, campy romp worth watching on the Shudder streaming service, providing a few chills, tons of thrills, and more laughs - of the intentional kind - than expected. Sadako curses one group of teens while Kayako sets her eye on a third, enter a professor, a mystic, and his sidekick to save the girls from certain doom. Their idea - pit the curses against each other, it's Ringu vs Ju-On -- to the death.
Don't Knock Twice - John Wick Chapter 2
Gruesome Magazine Spring 2017 is coming! That's right, the very first issue of an all-new horror magazine from the Grue-Crew behind Horror News Radio and Gruesome Magazine website will land late February 2017. The tag line "Horror Festival Hits - Independent Films - The Future of Horror" reflects the focus of the magazine on the up'n'coming horror film makers and their films in Horror Film Festivals across the globe. Check out the GM page for more details.
"They Look Like Rocks...Possess A High Intelligence...Have No Eyes...And Eat Ashes...They Travel In Your Car Exhaust...They Make Fire...They Kill." - the tag line for Bug (1975) sets up horror expectations while producer William Castle (The House on Haunted Hill, The Tingler, Rosemary's Baby) works hard to deliver the goods - and succeeds. Let the fun begin! The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s. Joining the grue-crew is Gruesome Magazine contributor Jeff Mohr.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 46 – Bug (1975)
For those who purchased Famous Monster of Filmland back in the day, the image of a fiery bug burning his way through a phone to get to his prey - a screaming female - is one that makes an impression. The film that it promotes is Bug, from director Jeannot Szwarc (Jaws 2) and produced by the legendary showman William Castle. Bradford Dillman stars as James Parmiter, a biology teacher who discovers a new breed of insect. The bugs escaped out of a deep crevasse created by an earthquake. They spark fires and eat the ashes, creating havoc as they search for food. Parmiter takes their evolution a step further giving birth to the second generation of bug that eats meat and thinks for itself. The third generation is even worse.
Jeff Mohr joins the crew as Doc and The Black Saint dive into the film and manic, inspired performance by Bradford Dillman. While the film may feel like two films - the first half concentrating on a family where the hole opened up and the latter half focusing entirely on Mr. Dillman - the film is a monster movie that thrills, chills, and entertains every step of the way. The bug effects are often spectacular and the fire gags impressive. Bug is the last film that William Castle would work on and it carries his signature throughout. He even considered employing another cinematic gimmick to heighten the experience where a wire would wiggle around the audience's feet and legs at key moments. Ah! The world needs more imaginative showmen like William Castle.
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.
It's zombie vs zombie this week with the theatrical release first in the hot seat. Milla Jovovich returns as Alice for another entry into the Resident Evil franchise, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. After five years since the last entry, director Paul. W.S. Anderson double downs on the apocalypse giving Alice three days to stop the Umbrella Corporation or all of humanity dies. Or some nonsense like that. The Grue-crew bury the film but praise the scene chewing performance from Game of Thrones star Iain Glen.
The What Have You Been Watching contains the far superior zombie film with Colm McCarthy and Mike Carey's The Girl with All the Gifts. Gemma Arterton, Glenn Close, and Paddy Considine all have different reasons to harbinger or exterminate young Melanie. Some think she's humankind's last hope, others view her as a threat to their very existence, while her teacher only sees her as a young girl facing unthinkable adversity in a world gone mad. This is a zombie film done right.
Dave guides the Horror News of the Week with the sad news of the passing of John Hurt, the character actor who gave birth to Alien (1979), sold Harry his wand in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and became the War Doctor in Doctor Who - and so much more. As the year begins, HNR sets its eyes on a number of horror film festivals to attend throughout the year. Up first is Nevermore Horror Film Festival in Durham, NC on February 24 - 26, 2017.
Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani 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 200 – Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017) – The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)
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After a pair of inferior but entertaining schlock filled entries into the Resident Evil series (Afterlife and Retribution), Paul W.S. Anderson steers Alice, Clair, Wesker, and the cast into the abyss. Or is that "the abysmal" - woof. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter is excruciating, too dark, and terribly edited. The only thing the Grue-crew can pluck out of the mud as a positive for this film is Iain Glen as Dr. Isaacs who plays the role with infectious relish. If only the subtitle "The Final Chapter" actually meant just that.
Making its way onto VOD and digital download, The Girl with All the Gifts is a refreshing and fascinating approach to zombie films. Based on a novel by Mike Carey, director Colm McCarthy crafts an exception film that promises to make a few top ten lists come next December. And, c'mon, seriously, how awesome is it that Glenn Close is fighting zombies...and kicking ass? Great characters, impressive twists on the zombie genre, and a top-notch directorial effort make The Girl with All the Gifts the first must-see film of the year.
Rings - Sadako vs Kayako
Gruesome Magazine Spring 2017 is coming! That's right, the very first issue of an all-new horror magazine from the Grue-Crew behind Horror News Radio and Gruesome Magazine website will land late February 2017. The tag line "Horror Festival Hits - Independent Films - The Future of Horror" reflects the focus of the magazine on the up'n'coming horror film makers and their films in Horror Film Festivals across the globe. Check out the GM page for more details.
"A woman died, Tommy." - Dennis Quaid scolds David Patrick Kelly midway through Dreamscape (1984) who replies with dry wit, "Everybody dies..." Dude, that's cold. The Grue-Crew dive into one of three films in just over a year to explore the horrors surrounding entering peoples dreams...and nightmares. Let the fun begin! Thomas Mariani, Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore tackle another gruesome horror film from the 1980s.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 100 – Dreamscape (1984)
The cast alone is worth giving Dreamscape a chance. Dennis Quaid (as Alex Gardner) stars opposite Kate Capshaw as his love interest, Jane DeVries, and David Patrick Kelly as his adversary in exploring the dreamscape, Tommy Ray Glatman. The supporting cast is even more nuts. Max von Sydow may be on Alex's side as Dr. Paul Novotny. Christopher Plummer is duplious as ever as the villainous government official Bob Blair. Eddie Albert suffers from nightmares that only Alex can save him from as The President. And, George Wendt warns Alex of the conspiracies abound as Charlie Prince, a horror author who has stumbled onto the truth behind Dreamscape. Charlie Prince, Stephen King, uh...see what they did there?
Doc and Christopher revisit Dreamscape, not having seen the film in a few decades while Thomas catches the film for the first time. Does the film hold up after three plus decades? How about the special effects and the make-up? The film is directed by Joseph Ruben and the effects are provided by Greg Cannom and David B. Miller among others. The film features a number of green screen effects that hinder the overall tone of the film while the make-up effects for the Nightmare Snake remain thrilling and creepy, especially when in mid-transformation. Look closely and you may catch some stop motion effects too. Regardless of all the debate, one thing stands out and that is fan-favorite David Patrick Kelly between his role in The Warriors and those in Twin Peaks and The Crow - always a winner.
"A woman died, Tommy." - Dennis Quaid scolds David Patrick Kelly midway through Dreamscape (1984) who replies with dry wit, "Everybody dies..." Dude, that's cold. The Grue-Crew dive into one of three films in just over a year to explore the horrors surrounding entering peoples dreams...and nightmares. Let the fun begin! Thomas Mariani, Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore tackle another gruesome horror film from the 1980s.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 100 – Dreamscape (1984)
The cast alone is worth giving Dreamscape a chance. Dennis Quaid (as Alex Gardner) stars opposite Kate Capshaw as his love interest, Jane DeVries, and David Patrick Kelly as his adversary in exploring the dreamscape, Tommy Ray Glatman. The supporting cast is even more nuts. Max von Sydow may be on Alex's side as Dr. Paul Novotny. Christopher Plummer is duplious as ever as the villainous government official Bob Blair. Eddie Albert suffers from nightmares that only Alex can save him from as The President. And, George Wendt warns Alex of the conspiracies abound as Charlie Prince, a horror author who has stumbled onto the truth behind Dreamscape. Charlie Prince, Stephen King, uh...see what they did there?
Doc and Christopher revisit Dreamscape, not having seen the film in a few decades while Thomas catches the film for the first time. Does the film hold up after three plus decades? How about the special effects and the make-up? The film is directed by Joseph Ruben and the effects are provided by Greg Cannom and David B. Miller among others. The film features a number of green screen effects that hinder the overall tone of the film while the make-up effects for the Nightmare Snake remain thrilling and creepy, especially when in mid-transformation. Look closely and you may catch some stop motion effects too. Regardless of all the debate, one thing stands out and that is fan-favorite David Patrick Kelly between his role in The Warriors and those in Twin Peaks and The Crow - always a winner.
“I have the heart of a small boy. I keep it in a jar on my desk…” – is the answer Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, frequently gave when asked where he got his ideas. Mr. Bloch’s answer gave us an idea on how to kick off our new podcast. We asked each of our co-hosts where they got their love for horror. Then we asked each of them to choose their favorite films of each decade from the 1920s through the 1960s, or as we call it, The Classic Era. Please allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Erin Miskell, Chad Hunt, Joseph Perry, and Jeff Mohr, the co-hosts of the new podcast, Decades of Horror: The Classic Era.
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode Zero – Introductions and Favorite Films by Decade
As the Grue Crew for this podcast, we come from several different generations and backgrounds, so our reasons for becoming, or maybe being born, horror nerds are as varied as you might expect. From unsuccessfully strict parents to “wicked” uncles; from reading Clive Barker at a young age (Yikes!) to pixie sticks addictions, from local “creature features” to monsters, monsters, monsters and keiju, liberally sprinkled with comic books.
We also go through our favorites from each decade, having particular difficulty narrowing down the horror rich 1930s and 1950s. In some cases, like minds think alike and in other cases, vive la différence. In the 20s we chose films from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and Nosferatu (1922) to The Fall of the House of the Usher (1928) and The Cat and the Canary (1927). In the 30s, our favorites range from Dracula (1931) and Freaks (1932) to Murders in the Zoo (1933) and Mad Love (1935). For the 1940s we talk about films from The Wolf Man (1941) and Cat People (1942) to Dead of Night (1945) and The Spiral Staircase (1946). In the 1950s, it’s everything from The Thing from Another World (1951) and The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) to A Bucket of Blood (1959) and Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959). Finally, in the 1960s, our picks focus on films from Psycho (1960) and Night of the Living Dead (1968) to The Green Slime (1968) and Doctor Blood’s Coffin (1961).
Listen and figure out which of one of us says each of the following quotes:
We plan to record a new episode every other week and henceforth, we’ll focus on specific films. In upcoming episodes, we’ll cover films such as Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), The Tingler (1959), Maneater of Hydra (aka Island of the Doomed, 1967), Psycho (1960), and King Kong (1933), in conjunction with the March 10, 2017 release of Kong: Skull Island.
Please let us know what you think and what films you’d like to see covered! We want to hear from you! Leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror The Classic Era hosts at jeffmohr@gruesomemagazine.com, chadhunt@gruesomemagazine.com, josephperry@gruesomemagazine.com, erinmiskell@gruesomemagazine.com.