Dark Discussions Podcast

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. Infectious diseases are in the news today and horror and thriller films have been using them as a plot device for years. One of the most popular was THE THING (1982). Since then there has been a lot of movies that have copied it quite nicely including ALIEN RAIDERS (2008) and THE THAW (2009). Now in 2020, the internationally produced film SEA FEVER has arrived and it is getting positive reviews. Siobhán, a young marine biologist, joins an Irish fishing boat with a crew of six to study the traveling patterns of their latest catch. While aboard, they discover a strange molluscan like cedphalopoda that attaches itself to the port side of their boat. When a deserted Portuguese schooner brings with it a deadly secret, the seven crew members must make a decision that will determine their fate. The film stars an international cast including Connie Nielsen, Dougray Scott, and Hermione Corfield. Irish television director, Neasa Hardiman, wrote and directed the film. Getting fair to good reviews by most critics, Dark Discussions takes their own look at the movie and gives their take. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. Plants in horror have been few and far between. There has been THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1960), THE RUINS (2008), while many others included alien invasions such as INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956) and THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951). Now genetics and the changing of the DNA of plants has entered the horror world with the British film LITTLE JOE (2020). Scientist Alice Woodard (Emily Beecham) works for a commercial genetics company that works in making plants better for garden and home. Her groups new idea is the plant called Little Joe (named after her son). Red and beautiful, the plant has been genetically changed to let out a beautiful smell that should make its owner feel more relaxed and happy. Yet Bella (Kelly Fox), a competing scientist, feels something isn’t right with the Little Joes and begins to believe people are being negatively influenced by the plant. Austrian director Jessica Hausner works with longtime collaborator, French screenwriter Géraldine Bajard, on a film that received praise at Cannes Film Festival. The film has received generally good reviews even if some felt it was a slow burn. Dark Discussions takes a look at this interesting picture and gives their thoughts. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome to Fishnets and Phantoms: The Podcast. Part of the Dark Discussions Network. News of the weird, celebrity in Memoriam, Spooky holidays and 5 bite size movie reviews The lighthouse, Invisible Man, Underwater, the Lodge, Beach House, and Shirley as a special mention. We would love your emails to darkdiscussions@aol.com and visit us at www.darkdiscussions.com WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. Though very prolific and considered one of the best, H.P. Lovecraft’s works have rarely been adapted to film, and if so, very loosely. Director Richard Stanley, a very talented director who was derailed earlier in his career by producers, is back with the new film COLOR OUT OF SPACE (2020) based off the story by Lovecraft entitled THE COLOUR OUT OF SPACE. The Gardner family move to a rural farm that has been in the family for years. One day a meteor crash lands into the backyard near an old well. Soon it dissolves and some alien being moves into the down its chute. As the days go by, plants and trees begin to grow strangely, and the family starts to act erratically. The Gardners begin to wonder if something evil has taken over their homestead. The film stars two well known character actors as the parents, Nicolas Cage and Joely Richardson. New comer Madeleine Arthur plays the pivotal role of the daughter who may have a connection to what is going on. Receiving very good reviews, the movie has been considered a cult gem by many who have found it. Dark Discussions takes a look at the movie and give their thoughts. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome to Anthony T's Horror Show. Anthony T is back and this time he is joined with Dark Discussion Podcast host Philip Perron as we talk about our love for Vinegar Syndrome and tell you our five favorite horror releases from that label. Anthony T then talks about a recent Vinegar Syndrome release that would have made his top 5 if it was released at time of recording. Dark Discussions Podcast Network

Welcome to Cinema A La Carte: The Podcast. Part of the Dark Discussions Network. With one of the worst titles in movie history, BABY DRIVER (2017) was released world wide. With such a title many folks thought it was a comedy or a family film and as a result the target audience may have ignored it during its theatrical release (including one of your podcast co-hosts). The film, directed by Edgar Wright, received positive reviews and still was able to make a large profit at the box office on top of its meager film budget. Baby (Ansel Elgort) has been forced to work for a local crime boss since he was sixteen to pay back for doing a car jacking. Now he is a driver for various robberies. When he meets Debora (Lily James) at a local diner, his life seems to finally be moving to a new phase of respectability. Unfortunately for him, the crime boss may not let him out of his debt. Besides the nominal leads of Ansel Elgort and Lily James, the film has a cast of big names including Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm, Jon Bernthal, and Eiza González. Somewhat a cult classic after it was able to be viewed at home, your co-hosts take a look at this very interesting and pulpy film. We would love your emails to darkdiscussions@aol.com and visit us at www.darkdiscussions.com WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. Dabbling in science fiction, some of H.P. Lovecraft’s horror tales transcends genres in a sense. Some include THE COLOUR OUT OF SPACE and AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS. One of his most important (and famous) is THE WHISPERER IN DARKNESS. It’s another one of his epic length novellas that touches such emotions as paranoia and fear. When Massachusetts native Albert Wilmarth, a college professor of folklore, reads about strange things floating in the great floods in Vermont, he enters the fray to try to calm the fears of the locals. Soon a well-educated well-to-do farmer named Henry Akeley sends Albert a private letter showing that there may be more to the stories than he thinks. Albert is suddenly intrigued about this mystery. Now involved, unbeknownst to him, he may be a target of a wicked evil. THE WHISPERER IN DARKNESS originally appeared in the magazine Weird Tales in August 1931. Years later, the story, even with its novel length is included in most collections of the author’s best stories. With its blend of rural horror, alien invaders, and well paced mystery, the story has remained one of his most popular. Dark Discussions takes a look at this tale in their latest book episode. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. June is LGBTQ pride month, and for the second time, Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews heads to the arthouse to deliver part two of our June episodes that focus on LGBTQ cinema. This second episode is on the film AWOL (2016), a movie that debuted at Tribeca Film Festival before playing a limited run at arthouse theaters. This piece of cinema stars Lola Kirke (GEMINI) in her breakout role as well as a powerful performance by costar Breeda Wool (MR. MERCEDES). Joey (Lola Kirke) is a recent high school graduate living in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Poor and not sure of her future, her mother suggests the U.S. Army. While working at a country fair, she meets Rayna (Breeda Wool), a free spirit wild child who catches her eye. Soon they begin a passionate affair. With an age difference of fifteen years and Rayna married with two children, Joey wonders whether the love and passion between them will last. The film was co-written and directed by Deb Shoval from a short she made six years prior. She fought to keep Breeda Wool in the movie who would reprise her role from the short. During a casting process, she found Lola Kirke who she felt would be pivotal to play the complex Joey. First time cinematographer, Gal Deren, shot the film. Your co-hosts take a look at this quiet yet heartrending film and give their thoughts. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. Art house horror, or science fiction, is not that uncommon. Some recent examples are THE LIGHTHOUSE (2019) or MIDSOMMAR (2019). Spain has had their share including ERREMENTARI (2017). Now in 2020, THE PLATFORM has come also from Spain. More fable than horror or science fiction, the movie has drawn notice being available “free” on Netflix. A man named Goreng volunteers to enter a “prison” allowing folks to gain awards such as college degrees, and various other incentives. However, it being a prison, actual criminals are there as well. When he arrives, he discovers that there are 333 levels and a platform containing food travels down to each level to feed the jailed. Unfortunately the lower you are, the less food is left leaving many desperate and fraught. The movie is the directorial debut of Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia. Many critics call it a masterpiece and some movie viewers call it a potential cult classic. This very odd and eccentric movie has left a polarized viewing audience though little have said it is a bad movie. Dark Discussions takes a look at this very interesting movie and gives their thoughts. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome to Anthony T's Horror Show. Anthony T is feeling All Elite this episode. In this edition, he interviews director Paul Ragsdale and Producer Angelica De Alba as they talk about their upcoming film "Slasherette Party" which is currently in production. Then, Anthony T goes All Elite as he reviews the latest release from Shudder "Scare Package" starring AEW wrestler Dustin Rhodes. Dark Discussions Podcast Network

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. June is LGBTQ pride month, and once again Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews heads to the arthouse to deliver the first of two June episodes that focus on LGBTQ cinema. This first episode is entitled MY SUMMER OF LOVE (2005), a British film showcasing award winning director Pawel Pawlikowski in one of his early movies. Also on display is the cinematography of Ryszard Lenczewski. However, most importantly is the feature film debut of Emily Blunt that would lead to her international acclaim as one of today’s most beloved actresses. Mona (Natalie Press) lives with her ex-con brother Phil (Paddy Considine) in a rural town outside of Manchester, England. During the summer, she meets a wealthy and beautiful boarding school girl, Tamsin (Emily Blunt). With her free spirit attitude, Tamsin entrances Mona and the two become best of friends that may lead to even more. But as the summer winds down, Mona’s blinded expectations clashes with the bourgeois worldly life of Tamsin. MY SUMMER OF LOVE is a highly regarded arthouse film that has many themes drenching its fabric. Besides the obvious LGBTQ aspect of the movie, the differences between the classes, the coming of age, and the inevitable indirection of many of the characters is apparent. Nominated for numerous awards, your co-hosts take a look at this “cult classic” and give their thoughts. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. What would you do if you had wishes? Money? Sex? Fame? But what happens if it goes dire and things turn out badly? Such famous horror stories like “The Monkey’s Paw” show this. And many movies. But the new horror film THE ROOM (2020) shows a different spin on an old tale. Young couple Kate (Olga Kuylenko) and Matt (Kevin Janssens) move into a fixer-upper estate out in the rural sections of their county. As they begin to renovate, they discover that the electric power grid is archaic and that a hidden room exists in the master upstairs hall. When something odd occurs, they begin to discover a strange unexplained power within coming from the room. Relatively unknown French director Christian Volckman takes the reign in the adaptation of French screenwriter Eric Forestier’s script. Starring Ukrainian actress Olga Kuylenko and Flemish actor Kevin Janssens, the film is an English language movie taking place in the United States. Dark Discussions takes a look at this Shudder exclusive and gives their thoughts. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. A darling on the festival circuit, THE LODGE (2020), was highly anticipated before arriving on disc and VOD. With the term “elevated horror”, THE LODGE began to receive buzz as plot points were released and the trailer was shown. Austrian directors, Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, had already made the critically acclaimed horror film GOODNIGHT MOMMY (2014) and this was their first English language production. After the tragic death of their mother, two young children come to live with their father, an investigative reporter known for writing books on cults. When the father plans to marry Grace (Riley Keough), his children aren’t happy. So to get everyone on the same page, they head to their remote second home in Massachusetts during the Christmas holiday to try to work out their differences. Unfortunately something sinister happens that may ruin all their lives. Riley Keough (IT COMES AT NIGHT) is the lead in a performance many think is a star-making role. The movie is receiving excellent reviews and has been compared to other positively received genre films over the last few years. Dark Discussions takes a look at this very dark drama and gives their thoughts. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. The zombie TV show, Z NATION, was almost a midnight movie take on the zombie genre. With its crazy over the top episodic storytelling, it was a curiosity. Now, in 2019, the creators of the show have created a new series, loosely connected to their original series. BLACK SUMMER (2019) appeared on Netflix with a very different tone. It had its genre elements, but any dark humor or over the top scenes disappeared and were replaced with more horrific elements. After parts of the world have become uninhabitable, people are reassigned to neighborhoods that are clear of the pandemic. When an outbreak occurs in a newly established community, a group of survivors that miss the scheduled evacuation buses must fight to break out and escape from the infected while trying to prove they themselves are not infected. The show stars actress/model Jamie King along with an ensemble cast of actors. After its first season, a second season was announced. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has made the release and production of season two pending. Dark Discussions looks at this eight episode season of the series and gives their thoughts. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. Cults have been portrayed many times in horror films as the final antagonist. These movies include the comedic SATANIC PANIC (2019) or darker films such as 1BR (2020) or THE INVITATION (2015). And many do follow similar themes and plot developments. Some change it up a bit such as THE SACREMENT (2013) using found footage, and the new horror film WE SUMMON THE DARKNESS (2020) actually even changes up the protagonists. It’s 1988, and three girls head to a heavy metal concert. When they arrive in the parking lot, they meet up with three boys who seem to want to “party” with them after the show. Unfortunately, a string of kidnappings by Satanists have occurred around the area. Heading back to one of their houses, what was supposed to be a fun extended evening turns out to be a horrific nightmare. Director Marc Meyers is known for the docu-drama MY FRIEND DAHMER (2017). WE SUMMON THE DARKNESS, his latest, stars Alexandra Daddario, Logan Miller, and even the great Taylor Swift’s brother, Austin Swift. In a star making performance, Maddie Hasson steals the film. Dark Discussions takes a look at this well received horror movie and gives their thoughts. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM