Dark Discussions Podcast

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. Before TALES FROM THE CRYPT and MASTERS OF HORROR, George Romero and Stephen King teamed up in the early 1980’s and put together CREEPSHOW. The film, written by King, using both original and new tales, and directed by Romero, some say is the high point of the horror anthology film. Whether that’s true or not, the hype around it made it a film any horror fan would want to see. Its legacy was huge since it did spawn various copycats including a sequel and the aforementioned television shows. Still holding a solid rating on Rottentomatoes, the film is receiving a special edition blu-ray release by Scream Factory this year. With its eclectic mix of stories and gore effects by Tom Savini, the movie is a beloved film for most horror fans. Dark Discussions reaches its 350th episode. After running a poll of ten possible films to discuss for this special occasion, our Facebook members chose this classic treat overwhelmingly. All five co-hosts take a look at this iconic genre movie and even talk a bit about the last 349 episodes, Creepshow 2, and a whole bunch more. 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. It seems it has been awhile, but Slenderman indeed is almost a decade old. Created originally as a doctored photograph for a contest looking for creepy images, the “monster” has become an internet phenomenon. Entire web series, fan fiction, independent films, and “fake” sightings have all been produced over the years just adding to its “legend.” Now, Hollywood has taken a stab at making a film on the Slenderman. It arrived late summer to theaters everywhere. In a small New England town, a group of four high school girls between drinking, smoking, and watching adult films decide to watch a sensational clip on the internet of the Slenderman. Days later when one goes missing, the other girls begin seeing a mysterious thin faceless man in a suit wherever they go. Have they summoned the Slenderman from the beyond and are their lives in danger? The movie was originally to be a tentpole horror film for Sony Pictures, but with some backlash from folks related to a real crime that used the Slenderman in its act, the movie was first cut down, then shopped to other studios, and finally released early with little fan fair. Though reviews have been negative, the film earned back its money quickly from diehard Slenderman fans. What once was thought to be the next IT instead was a moderate success. Dark Discussions gives their take on the film. 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. In this edition of Anthony T's Horror Show, he talks about his time at the H.P Lovecraft Film Festival and liked one film so much that he gives it his film recommendation. Afterwards, he talks to director Troy Escamilla about his two upcoming films "Party Night" and "Mrs Claus" which will be released by Wild Eye Releasing. 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. After his little scene directorial debut back in 2013 entitled 616: PARANORMAL INCIDENT, David Chirchirillo made a name for himself when he co-wrote the horror/thriller CHEAP THRILLS (2013). After what seemed like a few year hiatus, he’s rebooted his directorial career with the 2017 movie BAD MATCH, a highly rated dark thriller that seemed to get little buzz late that year. Harris (Jack Cutmore-Scott), a marketing employee, goes out after work to meet his latest match from Tinder, the dating app. Unlike some, his only intentions are focused on just one night stands. When his latest match, Riley (Lili Simmons), wants more of him, Harris begins to worry whether he’s being stalked. After his computer accounts are hacked and a very sick practical joke is played upon him, his life begins to spiral out of control. With everything bad happening to him, he makes a decision to confront Riley, only to find out that it was a very unwise move. With fantastic reviews from such publications as Variety, Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Report, among others, some have considered the movie a hidden gem. Co-host Philip honored the film as one of his favorite horror movies of 2017. Along with the other Dark Discussions cohosts, in our latest episode the group takes a look at this little seen film. 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. In the debut episode of Anthony T's Horror Show, he gives his thoughts about Dread Central Presents then talks to author/podcaster Philip Perron as they talk about Dark Discussion and Philip's story "The Deuce" from "Chud Lives! A Tribute Anthology" plus he gives a film recommendation to wrap up the show. 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. Festival circuit films may likely be low budget, but a good many of them turn out to be hidden gems. To gain film rights, some even cause bidding wars between movie companies. One such film, UNFRIENDED, appeared at Fantasia Fest back in 2014 to positive reviews. The movie was picked up by Univerasal/Blumhouse and shown again at SXSW before receiving a general release in 2015. In 2018, a follow up film, UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB, was released to fairly like-minded reviews. Unlike the first, however, this one removed the supernatural twist and went “real world.” The original made huge money for its smaller budget, yet the second oddly didn’t do as well, probably because of Blumhouse’s new release model. This rollout includes showing smaller productions on less screens as well as giving them a minor marketing campaign. The film however did make a profit. Both movies, with their interesting computer screen presentation, made each more than just a found-footage film. It also gave them an interesting gimmick that mirrored real world social media. Dark Discussions takes a look at this franchise and give their thoughts on the movies. 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. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead are an interesting pair of filmmakers. Back in 2012 they made a movie that played at the Tribeca Film Festival entitled RESOLUTION. It was a bit surreal and could be considered art house horror. With its rave reviews, folks were excited for 2014 where they released the sci-fi horror film SPRING and had a segment in the horror anthology V/H/S: VIRAL. Again, praise was heaped upon them. Now, their new film THE ENDLESS has been released to possibly their greatest acclaim. Some time ago two brothers, Justin and Aaron, escaped a UFO death cult. Now years later, neither are able to get their lives together. When a mysterious VHS tape arrives with a message from someone from the cult, the two return to the commune to try to get closure with their years before. When they arrive, Aaron discovers that the cult wasn’t exactly what Justin had told him, and soon a mystery about their future begins to unfold. With its metaphysical characteristics, and its interesting connection to their very first movie, THE ENDLESS has been getting much attention by genre fans. As the supernatural becomes the ordinary, the lead characters try to decipher what’s happening so they can move on with their lives. Dark Discussions takes a look at this very peculiar movie and attempts to decipher its message. 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. Alien contact, invasion and abduction films have been around for years. From such classics as CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND to the television film THE UFO INCIDENT, creatures such as the Grays have spooked us out. Though not as common as vampire or zombie films, there has been a few such as SIGNS that made an immediate impact. The new film DEVIL’S GATE is a welcome addition to underused monster. When a mother and child disappear in the small town of Devil’s Gate, North Dakota, FBI agent Daria Francis (Amanda Schull) heads there to investigate. With Deputy Conrad Salter (Shawn Ashmore) as her guide, the two head to the remote home of Jackson Pritchard (Milo Ventimiglia), the husband and father of the missing pair. When he appears unstable, the man is arrested but soon strange things occur that make Agent Francis worry that something more is amiss. The film is directed by first time director Clay Staub who has worked on such films as a second unit director to Dawn of the Dead (2004) and co-written by video game writer Peter Aperlo. Though a low profile film, the movie did get write ups by such places as Hollywood Reporter and the Los Angeles Times. Dark Discussions takes a look at this new film and gives their opinion. 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. Welcome to the latest edition of Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews – a podcast that reviews and critiques films released by boutique labels that have taken old and sometimes forgotten midnight movies and re-releases them in special editions where the quality of the picture is fully remastered, usually from onetime lost or privately owned negatives or prints. This month is a bit different. This volume rather than doing an episode on midnight movies, I instead have focused on a subject. With June being LGBTQ Pride Month, I have searched about and found seven films specific to a lesbian theme. But unlike the typical exploitation films released by boutique companies, I’ve focused exclusively with arthouse films of the serious type. The seven movies reviewed are of various quality, with a few being outstanding, and a handful being wonderful surprises. The films include alphabetically AWOL (2016), BARE (2015), BELOW HER MOUTH (2016), BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR (2013), DUCK BUTTER (2018), ROOM IN ROME (2010), and SUMMERTIME (2015). Sorry for the long delay between episodes, but I am now back. 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. Zombie films have been around for awhile. Heck, it’s the 50th anniversary of the release of Night of the Living Dead, George Romero’s classic. After an oversaturation of the subgenre, with TV shows like The Walking Dead seeming to lose its shine, the zombie has fallen out of vogue a bit. But each year there seems to be a gem or two that shows up. Earlier in 2018, Cargo out of Australia got some notice, and now, after a long festival run, The Cured from Ireland just was released to VOD. The Maze Virus caused havoc all over the world. People turned into “zombies” and either killed or infected more. Now, sometime later, a cure was found that turned 75% of the infected back to normal. With worries that relapses could be possible, the “cured” have to check in weekly with government officials. Senan is reunited with his sister-in-law who has been widowed after his tragic death during the original outbreak. As Senan tries to reintegrate into society, his friend Conor, also a “cured,” may know a dark secret about his friend that could ruin any semblance of normalcy that Senan has earned. Ellen Page stars as Abbie, the American wife and now widow of Senan’s brother. The cast also includes Sam Keeley as Senan as well as Tom Vaughan-Lawlor in a screen stealing performance as Conor. With its interesting take on civil rights and a government that is there to protect, the movie does a flip in the second act where there is much more grey in this world than what was first presented. Dark Discussions takes a look at this highly anticipated movie 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. Experimental films are always polarizing. Usually they are surreal or filled with symbolism. And all of them, at least it seems to be, are considered arthouse films. One such director, Jim Jarmusch, has dabbled within different genres during his take on the experimental film. For horror fans, his most well known movie is probably Only Lovers Left Alive from 2013. But back in 1995 he did a western film called Dead Man starring Johnny Depp. When accountant William Blake heads west from Cleveland to Machine, Arizona, a job he applied for and accepted awaits him. But after his arrival, he finds no job. Now he is stranded in a frontier town that is very unfamiliar to him. When a murder occurs, he is shot. The bullet is lodged deep within his body, and it is unable to be removed. On the run, medically in danger, he is now a dead man walking. Shot entirely in black and white and including numerous cameo appearances by many folks of prominence, the film received mixed reviews. Some critics felt it was plain awful while others said it was one of the best films of the 1990’s. How can such a wide polarizing range of thoughts be felt by so many different people. Dark Discussions takes a look at this patreon chosen 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. With 2015’s Jurassic World, it showed that dinosaurs were still hip. Not only a big box office draw but also a critical success. Colin Trevorrow, the original director, along with his longtime screenwriting partner Derek Connolly, co-wrote the script for the new 2018 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Spaniard director J.A. Bayona takes the reins bringing back leads Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in what has turned out to be another box office success. Three years later, after the original park has been abandoned, a volcanic eruption happens upon the Costa Rican island that the dinosaurs inhabit. Claire Dearing, with the help of Owen Grady and the Lockwood Corporation, decide to try to save the dinosaurs and transport them to another island for safety. But nefarious forces are at works where they not only want to take the dinosaurs for their own corporate reasons, but also plan to murder anyone who is in their way. This new movie, though receiving much harsher reviews, has become an international box office sensation. Many critics feel it is silly and a bit of a retread to the prior films, but audiences are lapping it up with enthusiasm. Dark Discussions takes a look at this new entrée in the Jurassic franchise and give their thoughts on whether the film lives up to the dinosaur mayhem of the prior film. 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. Hype of a film. When it does the festival circuit, you hear a lot about it and how it is the “scariest film since The Exorcist.” That may be a whole lot of hyperbole. The hype it gets may be silly since it may not be any better than dozens of other films that have received great reviews that had less buzz. The latest is Hereditary, the debut feature length horror film by Ari Aster. Ellen, the elderly matriarch of Annie’s family, dies leaving Annie with mixed emotions. Domineering, her death leaves Annie with issues that seem to eat away at her. While at a help-group meeting for the grieving, she meets Joan who tells Annie that one can do a séance to speak with the dearly departed. Soon strange things begin to occur that may tear apart her family. Starring Toni Collette as Annie and including a supporting cast which includes Gabriel Byrne and Ann Dowd, the movie has received fantastic reviews from critics while negative views by audiences. Yet with the mixed reaction, the movie has already earned six times its budget. Dark Discussions takes a look at this 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 A Westworld Podcast: Bullets, Brothels, and Bots. This is the sister podcast to Dark Discussions Podcast. This is a podcast to discuss the new HBO television series, Westworld. 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. Are you a fan of Leigh Whannell? You probably are and may not even know it. He’s the co-creator of both the Saw and Insidious franchises where he wrote the screenplays, acted, and directed films in both franchises. Both are horror, but most certainly different subgenres. Now in 2018, his latest film, Upgrade, has been called horror but also techno-thriller, science fiction, action, and even body horror. In the not too distant future, Grey and Asha Trace live a very happy upper middle class life. While his wife is an executive in a robotics firm, Grey is a mechanic and specializes in antique vehicles. When he and Asha return the latest refurbished vehicle to high-tech CEO Eron Keen, hitmen attack them on their way home. Leaving Grey a quadriplegic and his wife deceased, he begins to live a reclusive life. Soon however Eron offers him a chance to be whole again. When a new special computer chip, STEM, is surgically implanted in him, he not only is able to walk again but he is now able to get revenge. With Upgrade, a new Blumhouse release, Leigh Whannell may just have entered the ranks as one of the hottest directors in Hollywood. Getting rave reviews, merging different genres, and filling the void for techno-thriller fans, the movie got off to a limited release of 1,700 screens yet immediately making its money back in one week. Dark Discussions takes a look at this very unique film and gives their opinion whether or not it is worthy of the praise that it is receiving. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM