The Pod and the Pendulum (Mike Snoonian)

This week Jerry and Mike are joined by Chris LaMartina, co-writer and director of the cult classic WNUF Halloween Special. Chris talks about creating the aesthetic of a local UHF station in the 80s, the DIY spirit that fueled the creative process and guerilla marketing of the film and what he has in store for a sequel. This was without a doubt some of the most fun we've had talking to a filmmaker about his work, and we think you're gonna love this show. 

This week the crew talks about the last movie in Don Mancini's Child's Play franchise Cult of Chucky. We talk about Nica as the most tormented character in horror history, Mancini's original vision for putting Chucky on a train, how multiple Chuckys opened up whole new avenues for the series and how Seed feels like the middle chapter in a longer sage (now playing out on the series Chucky.)

Read Rachel's interview with Cult of Chucky composer Joseph LoDuca here 

This week we're joined by Terry Mesnard (Gayley Dreadful, Scarred for Life podcast, We Are Horror 'zine) and Kelly Gredner (Spinsters of Horror) for the first of our two shows on Dream Master. Freddy's back and this time he has a whole new gang of kids to terrorize in this fan favorite from the late 80s. Since we had so many people want to guest on this discussion, we've set aside two shows for this one. 

This week we have a very special bonus episode for our listeners. Given that we're all trapped in our homes with the shelter in place orders in full effect, we're missing socializing and seeing our friends lovely faces. We had the idea of doing Skype table reads of classic horror movies, but that idea was one-upped by Mike Vanderbilt and Nat Brehmer by settling on reading some of the great unmade horror movie scripts. For our first time out, Jerry brought MAXIMUM KING to the table. It the kinda true, kinda exaggerated, you had to be there story about Stephen King's disastrous attempt at directing Maximum Overdrive. It has everything: cocaine, killer trucks, boozy binges, heavy metal, steamy sex, cocaine, people losing eyeballs on set due to gross negligence, cocaine, Cujo, cute kids, a heart warming reunion and cocaine. 

If you like what you heard, and have a couple bucks to spare, please donate to the Rock Island Public House go fund me, where our stage director Mike Vanderbilt tends bar. As we all know, this pandemic has affected hundreds of thousands of servers, waitstaff, kitchen help and bartenders that rely on our patronage to keep them afloat. Any help would be appreciated.  

Many thanks to our cast: 

Nat Brehmer: Stephen King

Izzy Lee: Tabitha King, Joe Hill

Jerry Smith: Emilio Estevez

Mike Vanderbilt: stage director

Jacob Davidson: Dino Delaurentis

Johnny Donalson: Armando Nannuzzi

Veronica Maitland: Laura Harrington

Grace Sobieralski: Demi Moore, Annie Wilkes, Naomi King, Carrie & Margaret White

Brian Keiper: Dan Jenson, Angus Young, Camerman, Executives + various

Mike Snoonian: Jack Torrance, Brian Johnson & various

Is this going to be one of our most controversial episodes? Possibly. The Michael Bay produced remake is one of the most talked about horror movies of the past twenty years, and it's responsible for the deluge of remakes and reboots that followed over the course of the next decade. For some horror fans,  "Platinum Dunes" were fighting words, like someone insulted their mother. Does this movie get lumped in with the less than stellar efforts that followed it? Does it manage to stay consistent and honor the spirit of Tobe Hooper's classic original film while offering up its own unique take? That's what Mike, Nicole, Brian and Rachel are here to talk about tonight. 

This is the bonus show Mike has wanted to record for a long time. This week, Jessica Scott comes on to talk about her love for 1999's dark comedy and cult classic Jawbreaker, a movie about some real mean girls that aren't above covering up a murder or two. After that Mike talks about the might Jawbreaker-the three piece punk/emo stalwarts from the East Bay. It's Mike's all time favorite band and while it might not be an in depth critical examination of their music, it certainly gets him right in the feels. 

After a seven year hiatus Jigsaw made a return to theaters with, um, "Jigsaw." This week Mike, Ari, and Nichole discuss whether the Spierig's attempt at going back to basics and eschewing the more over the top gore and torture elements of the franchise worked in drawing new and returning fans back to the series. We also discuss the nature of John's early game, whether these traps were simpler and more winnable, and if John being in an early stage of his cancer made this so. We talk about the series introducing yet another disciple, where horror was at in the by this point in the decade and whether Saw was still relevant. It's a big episode as always, hope you enjoy. 

This week we're joined once again by Nat Brehmer (@NatBrehmer) for a super fun commentary on Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. We answer the important questions: What if they kept the bandaged look for Michael, when did the Shape morph into Jason and why are there so many damn photos of Abe Lincoln in the garage? 

Plus, stick around after the credits for a brief excerpt of our patreon exclusive IT FOLLOWS with guest Chris Dudley of Under Oath. 

For fans of Nat's commentary and writing, he recently published a series of essays that covers the entirety of the franchise. If you want some essential reading on Halloween, here's a link to his FREE chap book, Reading the Boogeyman, Essays on Halloween.

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

Coming at the tail end of the teen slasher revival, Joy Ride knows exactly what it is. A fun, popcorn movie that’s part car chase, part noire-thriller and part road trip movie. Released October 2001, this feels like one of the final films of a specific era of horror, where genre wasn’t afraid to mix a lot of fun and lightheartedness into the scares. 911 changed that, and it wouldn't be long before this style would give way to the over the top gore and misery porn we’d see when films like Hostel, Saw and House of a 1000 Corpses started to take over the big screen. Coming out before the Fast and Furious franchise took off and made Paul Walker a star and when studios were trying to do the same for Steve Zahn,  Joy Ride proves itself to be the kind of effortless B movie that was a stroke of Sunday afternoon cable TV.

Guests: Mike Vanderbilt (@MikeVanderbilt) and filmmaker Alex Secker (@AlexSecker)

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

Mike is joined by Zena Dixon (@realqueenof horror) and Molly Henery (@bloggingbanshee) to talk about their love for the 1998 suspense slasher URBAN LEGEND. 

Mike and Jessica are joined by Andrew Fabry of The Dead Letter Movie podcast to talk Leatherface, the third entry in the Chainsaw series and the first of two movies with that title. As the 80s closed and the box office fortunes of Freddy and Jason began to taper off, New Line Cinema needed a new hit franchise. Picking the bones of Cannon films, they thought they'd have a name brand icon that they could release a string of hit horror movies on. Were they right? Well, sort of since they keep making these things. This time out we talk how studio interference and an out flor blood MPAA cut this one out at the knees before it could even get up and running. 

Mike & Devaughn have a brief talk about what's been on their plate lately. We talk Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, Kevin Can F Himself, Yellowjackets, what the best entry  of the Big Four is, and more. Mike comes off like an old man yelling at clouds when he talks about music. 

This week we're getting down to the street level when we look at The Purge: Anarchy. Mike and Jessica talk about how this film expands on the premise and the promise of the first movie while asking big picture questions about classism and what it would mean to be poor during a purge event. It's not all gloom and academia though as we talk about the B-movie roots and action / horror hijinks that goes down in this fun little thriller that gifted the world an all-timer performance from Frank Grillo. So once again, sharpen the machete, grab a few extra clips of ammo and put on your creepiest Halloween mask because its time to go purging. 

This episode we all hail to the king and sing the praises of Army of Darkness. The conclusion to the Evil Dead saga trilogy trades horror for high adventure and humor, and it does it with incredible flair. 

This week we're joined by Stephen Foxworthy, cohost of the Disenfranchised podcast, and Cat Scully, author of the YA illustrated novel Jennifer Strange (available here) to talk one liners, slapstick and boomsticks, and the joy of practical effects and puppetry. This is the one where Bruce Campbell solidifies himself as a genre legend with his wiseacre performance of Ash. 

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

After the success of Gremlins, a sequel seemed inevitable. Yet despite the massive box office success and pop culture impact of the first movie, it seemed like no one aside from the accounting department at Warner Brothers wanted to make the new thing. It took a lot of coaching, a massive upgrade in pay and the promise to let him do anything he wanted as long as Gizmo and gremlins were involved to get Joe Dante behind the camera for another go-round. 

The result? Perhaps the best middle finger to corporate movie making we’ve ever been blessed with. The New Batch takes everything we loved about the first movie, cranked the dial to eleven and added in heaping servings of critiques on consumerism and mass media. That the film was a minor disappointment at the box office doesn’t matter. In fact, Dante seemed to relish in the movie underperforming at the box office, as it proved his point there was no great need for more of these films. 

Over the years The New Batch has received a revaluation, with critics and fans lauding Dante’s subversive and cynical sense of humor. Gremlins 2 is the closest marriage of the classic Bugs Bunny cartoons with the gross-out terror of EC Comics. Adding Rick Baker to create the gremlin creatures for the second go-round allowed for a more diverse cast of critters imbued with their own personalities and idiosyncrasies that managed to improve on an already near-flawless movie monster. It’s a classic that just gets better with every viewing.

This week we’re joined by Kay Lynch. Kay is the director of the Salem Horror Festival, which just wrapped it’s fifth season with massive in-person and virtual programs. Also joining us is Rachel Reeves, co-host of The Losers’ Club podcast and writer whose bylines have appeared on Rue Morgue, Consequence of Sound, and Dread Central among others. 

Mike and Devaughn talk about another strong entry in the back half of the VHS franchise. '99 brings a punk energy to the film and forgoes the wraparound framing device or something that feels like an old mix tape buried in the stack of video cassettes in the console. The end result is the most consistent and entertaining entry of the series to date. 

We have a bit of a twofer for listeners this week. Jerry and Mike break down a film John Carpenter called "a documentary" with a special one-off look at THEY LIVE. We examine how the film challenged 8 years of Reaganism, what made Roddy Piper such a charismatic performer and how the film still resonates today. 

As an added bonus, after our deep dive into the film, Mike sat down with a pair of WWE Hall of famers: Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page. They talk about their roles in the new indie horror film PENANCE LANE, what the transition was like moving out of the wrestling ring, and trade some stories about life on the road. 

We bring you the second half of our dive into 2022's SCREAM. This week we look at how the legacy characters fare, why this is Dewey's movie, explore the nature of fandom, talk about what we want next, and ask what the hell a requel is anyways?

This week we are back with a not so final chapter of Saw 3D. We are here to find out how the story of John Kramer, Amanda, and John's large adult son Detective Hoffman wraps up once and for all. We enter the 3rd Dimension to do so and we get even more of cops being stupid the movie, more gore, and the first public display of Jigsaw's talents with one of the most ludicrous and over the top traps the franchise has ever gifted us. We also discuss the Intriguing premise of John punishing someone for lying about being in one of his traps while lamenting with the fact that this great idea wasn't presented all that well. all this in so much more with perhaps the most over the top in goofiest entry of the franchise to date with special guest Sarah Stubbs from Final Girls Feast and Geeks Who Eat.

Minor spoilers for SAW X between 1:40:30 & 1:43:39 where Mike asks a question that literally breaks Ari’s brain in real time. 

Check out Ariel’s article “The Hypocrisy of Jigsaw” here

This week we're joined by Jenny Leigh of the Austin Asian American Film Festival and Brian Keiper of Bloody Disgusting to break down Final Destination 2, the wise known as the movie that freaks everyone out about giant logs. We talk liquified goo, ignoble deaths in horror, Batman, hair dye considerations and so much more this time around. 

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

This week we’re joined by Sarah Stubbs (@geekswhoeat) and filmmaker Josh Stifter (@joshstifter) to talk about Ridley Scott’s followup to the divisive 2012 Prometheus. Pressed by studio and fan reaction that rebelled against the purer sci-fi and philosophical tone of the Alien prequel, Scott delivered a more straightforward Gothic horror movie in line with the tone of his 1979 classic. This still managed to run a lot of people the wrong way, leaving Scott’s plans to continue the story through the beginning of Alien, and the future of the franchise as a whole, up in the air. 

We talk about the directions Covenant goes in by choosing to ignore the ending of the previous film. The result is a dark, nihilistic vision of humanity.  

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

The second half of our discussion gets to the good stuff. We talk about the most iconic introduction of a horror villain ever committed to the big screen, the insanity of the dinner party, have it out over Franklin, discuss the social, economic, and political factors that influenced the making of this movie and examine its legacy. With guests Brian Keiper, Devaughn Taylor and Nichole Goble. If you haven't already, go back and check out part one. 

This week we're joined by Terry Mesnard (Gaily Dreadful, Scarred For Life podcast) to discuss Creepshow 2. The general consensus is without King and Romero steering the ship, this is a step down, but still fun followup. We explore what works and where it comes up short. Does Chief Wooden Head still hold up, or does it feel like we watch a town die in real time after being stuck in the general store for so long? What do we love and cringe about while rewatching The Raft. Plus, there's an animated discussion over the ethics of charging on a per orgasm basis and then jacking up the rate once sexy time has ended when we discuss The Hitchhiker. 

This week Mike, Devaughn & Steven are back to talk about BLADE II and the return of everyone's favorite vampire killer. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, it might be the perfect mix of horror and comic book heroics and offered the Spanish auteur his first bonafide hit in the United States. Our trio of hosts break down the troubled path the future Oscar winner traveled to land the movie, and how his encyclopedic knowledge of comic book lore and monsters helped elevate the second Blade during a time when X-Men and Spider-Man movies began raising expectations for what comic book movies could be. We talk about A LOT here, including what might be the worst piece of film criticism ever to enter the public sphere via Ain't It Cool News, why Blade is the asexual hero for our times, the continued bromance between Blade and Whistler, just how early 00s this movie is (if you know, you know) and marvel (no pun intended) at the massive step up in the action set pieces. So strap in, grab a stake, load up on some garlic and settle down for another supersized episode. 

Horror fans are a forgiving bunch, and its rare that a movie's reputation is so bad that it sours viewers forever, and effectively kills the franchise. Jaws The Revenge is that special exception-the critical and commercial bomb that serves as the death knell for the Jaws series. This week Mike and Devaughn are joined by Shawn Murphy (Men Who Like Men Who Like Movies) have a lively debate on this one, and we think it's far more entertaining than watching the movie itself. From the logistics of sharks that not only roar, but understand travel schedules and the concept of personal vendettas, we have you covered. We talk the kernel of a good idea that's here with a story about a grieving widow finding new love in the arms of a scoundrel...but with sharks, to the troubled history of the movie, we break it all down. 

Before we get dragged kicking and screaming into 2024, Mike, Brian, Nichole and Rachel take a look back at what has been a solid year yet again or horror. From the creation of "meme horror" we loved in M3GAN and Talk To Me, to a continuation of "Fuck 'dem Kids" nastiness in Where Evil Lurks, Evil Dead Rise and others to classic monsters getting reimagined and reborn in Godzilla Minus One it was a strong year all around. We each give our top ten picks, and want to hear from you-what did you love about horror in 2023 and what are you looking forward to in the coming year? 

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum.

We're taking one last trip out to that cabin in the woods. This time we're not here for a getaway, a long weekend or a vacation. This time we've got to purge all the bad stuff out of our system. We've got to get back on the straight and narrow. This time we're here to talk about Fede Alvarez' over-the-top gore fest and extreme take on the deadites with EVIL DEAD. We're joined by Certified Forgotten's MATT DONATO to talk about why this might be the cream of the crop when it comes to the films remade* in the 2000s. 

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

*Is it a remake? A sequel? A reimagining? A continuation? All of the above? 

Hey listeners. We hope you enjoy this mini episode that highlights what we're offering our patrons. Right now, we've set a goal of $150 a month. Once we hit that goal, we'll be adding reviews of the most current fare hitting theaters, VOD & streaming services. We're about two-thirds of the way to that goal as we hit publish, and could use your help getting over the hump. 

All of our patrons receive access to a full length bonus show every month. To that end, here's an extended excerpt from our latest show, where we cover the bonkers Nic Cage / Selma Blair "parents out to murder their kids" jam, MOM & DAD. We're joined by Petras, host of the all things Nic Cage podcast, CAGED IN. 

To become a patron, head over to patreon.com/podandthependulum and sign up today. 

Well, we put this one off for as long as we possibly could, but this week Mike & Jerry return to talk about thi sequel in name only to Romero & King's horror anthology masterpiece, Creepshow. The third time id decidedly not the charm here, as this one is a chore to get through. While a pair of the five segments show some promise with their script ("The Radio" & "The Professor's Wife" show kernels of good ideas) the execution is lacking. Still, we try to point out the week bit of good with a lot of the bad. On a brighter note, we take a brief side trip to talk about FX mastermind Greg Nicotero's relaunch of Creepshow as a television series on the Shudder network. The first season had a few bumps, but by and large, it captured the tone and spirit that made the first film such a classic. We wanted to take a few minutes to spotlight our favorite entries from the first season. 

Next week, we're back with a one off John Carpenter film that you the listeners can vote on, before we tackle the granddaddy of science fiction horror: the ALIEN franchise. 

This week we kick off our coverage of the TERRIFIER franchise with the 2016, over the top infamous slasher film. While Art the Clown got his start in a pair of short films that became the anthology All Hallows' Eve, its really this one where he started down his path to iconic status. Mike and Ariel are joined by author Josh Millican (Teleportasm) to do what we do best: dive into the back story of how this came to be, from its humble beginnings as the short The Ninth Circle, to the feature films debut at Telluride Horror, to the litany of people that told writer/director Damien Leone that the film was too bloody, too gory, too offensive, and just too damn much. Whatever your opinion on the first film (and its one where your hosts' opinions vary to a degree) Terrifier is a story about an artist betting on himself, and that' something we'll always respect. 

This week we welcome the the cohost of the long running horror podcast Kill By Kill, Patrick Hamilton to the show. We're in the home stretch of our Conjuring covering with a hell of a fun entry into the "teens trapped in a warped haunted house" subgenre of movie. This one tries to tie the spinoffs more directly to the main movies, and it does a pretty swell job of it. Does it feel like they're sometimes trying to throw too many potential spin off characters on screen at times? Sure. Does it mostly work? Hell yes. 

After the action / horror direction Phantasm 2 veered towards, "Lord of the Dead" feels like a return to the nightmarish atmosphere of the first one. This one reunites the original performers as well, as Michael Baldwin and Bill Thornberry return to the Phantasm fold. We discuss their return along with the addition of fan favorites Rocky and Tim. We're joined by Ari Hellraiser of Ghouls magazine for Phantasm III. 

As we put another series to bed, Mike, Devaughn and Ariel decided to break away from the typical "ranking" formula and go for something a little outside the box. With almost 40 segments to choose from, we out together our own V/H/S mixtapes, choosing anthology segments to fit our own twisted themes like "Bigfoot and Other Monsters," "The Gods Must Be Crazy," "Betrayal," and more. We had some fun with talking about a smorgasbord of our favorites. If you want to hear one of our crew talk definitive rankings, Devaughn's "Spectre Cinema Club ranked all the segments and you can check those out here....

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum.

This week Mike is joined by Nat Brehmer (Dread Central, Wicked Horror, Bloody Disgusting) and Terry Mesnard (Gayly Dreadful, Scarred for Life pod) to talk about David Fincher's Alien 3. This is the first of two episodes, as it breaks down the many attempts to bring the film to live as well as the behind the scenes turbulence and studio interference that led to Fincher disowning the film and almost quitting Hollywood altogether. 

Mike and Ariel actually got to meet in person at this past weekend's Telluride Horror Show, and to celebrate we snagged some coffee and breakfast burritos while taking in the mountain air and discussed what we loved at the festival. We keep it spoiler free while discussing Suitable Flesh, Hell House LLC 4 Origins: The Carmichael Manor; Sleep; I Will Never Leave You Alone, You'll Never Find Me, Late Night With the Devil, Vincent Must Die, Frogman, and more. We also pause the show to admire a very cool looking bird. 

This week's show includes a fun look back at Poltergeist 3, the bastard step-child of the series, where Carol Ann is kicked to the curb by her parents and sent to live with her aunt and uncle. Discussion includes speculation on how much cocaine people consumed in the 80s, whether or not your liver would up and quit if you took a shot every time someone says "Carol Ann" (don't believe us? Listen to the post-credits), Jerry living in Breaking Bad country, whether or not some of the special effects consisted of delicious bread bowls, Zelda Rubenstein doing her best He Man & the Master of the Universe impression & so much more. 

In this clip from our latest patreon exclusive episode, Mike and Rachel talk the origins of the Charles Bronson classic Hollywood exploitation film Death Wish. To unlock this nearly two hour episode along with dozens of more hours of content, go to patreon.com/podandthependulum and become a supporter today. 

Do you want to play?  This week we kick off a brand new franchise with a look back at the 1988 slasher film Child's Play. Chucky might be small in stature, but this pint sized horror was no joke-at least not in this first installment which plays the horror straight. Mike is joined by Rachel Reeves, Jessica Scott and Devaughn Taylor to talk about what makes this such a classic 80s horror and why it still continues on today. 

One thing that helps, having the series and character spearheaded by one person since its inception. We talk about Don Mancini's original idea for the character, what changed and how he adapted to make it work. We discuss Tom Holland's Hitchcockian flair from the director's seat, as well as Kevin Yager's MVP status in creating a true marvel in animatronics. 

It wouldn't be like us if we didn't get sidetracked so tune in for discussions on how "hobo horror" had a real moment in the 80s, traumatizing children's toys, and so much more. 

Nat Brehmar joins the coveted three time cohost club this week to bring us his love and knowledge bombs for the sci-fi infused horror comedy of CRITTERS. While tiny monster movies are decidedly not Mike's jam (the man has only seen one Puppet Master for God's sake!) he found himself absolutely smitten during his first time watch of this 80s cult-classic. Meanwhile Jerry and Nat dive deep into why this little title about a small town overrun by furry alien hedgehogs with endless rows of teeth and enough of an appetite to match Homer Simpson in a donut eating contest. Plus, if you thought we couldn't make a Critters/Coen Brothers comparison well you good sir or madame are wrong! 

EVIL DIES TONIGHT! We return to Haddonfield to start wrapping up our episodes on Halloween. This week we look back at a movie that sharply divided fans, Halloween Kills. Is it an over the top slasher that delivers some of the goriest entries in the entire series? Absolutely. Does it dip its toes into social commentary regarding mob rule, cancel culture and our inability as a society to think rationally in heightened situations in the most ham-fisted and convoluted ways imaginable? Yes it does. We look at these topics, the mixed messages on how this one defines The Shape as more than a man, and whether the lesser reputation of Kills retroactively damaged fans' feelings about the 2018 entry Mike is joined by Brian Keiper and Michele Eggen of the Movies For Life podcast for a spirited discussion.  

This week we're joined by Horror Queers' host Joe Lipsett to talk The Final Destination. Mike's going to be real here for a moment. While he's on the record saying there's "not a bad movie in the series," watching this one back to back to back in preparation for the show really tests that theory. This one has become semi-affectionately known as the "one with the 'fuck your feelings' cast." Still, this episode is more proof that great talks can spring from not so great movies.

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

The Monster is loose! We’re back with the second half of Universal’s FRANKENSTEIN. This week we talk about the masterful innovations director James Whale brought to the screen. We discuss how Frankenstein is an example of a horror movie with no true villain, and how Boris Karlof gives one of the most sympathetic performances in genre history. We talk about the tropes this movie started ( the hunchback side kick in Dwight Frye’s Fritz, the rampaging villagers armed with torches and pitchforks) and movies core themes such as parental abandonment, and the dangers of progress without accepting responsibility can have dangerous outcomes. We touch on the queer and darkly humorous aspects of the movie and talk about the shocking aspects such as the murder of young kids. It’s one of our best discussions to date, and if you haven’t already, make sure you go back to listen to the first half of our episode with Mike, Brian, Devaughn and guest Garrett McDowell. 

Please read Brian's "Faces of Frankenstein: The Innovation and Influence of James Whale's Frankenstein" or more information on this seminal film.  

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum.

It's time to put another series to bed. This week we talk 2016's PHANTASM: RAVAGER, a movie that had a wild, near two decade gap from its previous installment. We dive into the winding travels it took to get this made: from its origins as a comic book, to a near reboot via New Line Cinema, to the almost webseries Reggie's Rales to its eventual debut at Fantastic Fest. Mike is joined by Rachel Reeves and Ari Powers Schaub to talk the Tall Man's final outing, why this feels more like a fan film than Phantasm film, some confusing timeline issues, whether folks continue to work with Don Coscarelli because he's a great guy or secretly gives of cult leader vibes and has a stack of boy scouts buried in his basement, and where we'd like to from here (hint: give the people "Flantasm" you cowards. 

It's time kids. Gather around the television. It's officially Halloween week which means our horror movie viewing habits are kicking into overdrive. If you're like us, sometimes it's easy to suffer from choice paralysis when there are so many great things to choose from this season. Mike and Lindsay unveil a handful of their go-to picks as the 31st draws closer. PLUS: What do you do when there is so much content to pick from across so many streaming platforms? Sometimes the greatest nightmare of all is all the doom-scrolling for hours on end but never actually choosing something to watch. Mike takes some time to break down what the most popular streaming services are offering across their Halloween Hubs. Mike breaks down the best offerings from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Shudder, HBO Max, and Peacock when you need something to watch and watch right now. 

We wrap up our coverage of Poltergeist with a look back at the 2015 remake. You would be forgiven if you had already forgotten this movie's existence. Trust us, it's just kind of there. That doesn't stop us from having a lively discussion of the film, including Mike being far too inappropriate when discussing his irrational hatred for one of the characters in the movie. Plus, in our continued efforts to support Women in Horror Month, Mike chats with YA author Ivana Sanders about her upcoming debut novel The Beckwith Brothers. 

Just when we’re thinking it's safe to go back in the waters, there’s another monster episode ready to swallow us whole. Mike, Rachel and Brian are joined by Trace Thurman of the Horror Queers podcast for a deep dive into what might be the second greatest shark movie of all time. We talk about the troubled history behind getting this movie off the ground, fist fights between directors and leading men, the slasher elements that rear their head throughout the movie and the shift of focus onto the teens and the “sailboat cruising” culture of Amity. We also discuss the myriad of rip offs that came out in the wake of Jaws’ success and how this one transcends the reputation the Jaws sequels have been anchored with.

Become a patron today and get access to exclusive bonus shows and content: https://www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Mike and Devaughn are here to debate the final chapter in the Hell House LLC trilogy. Like Russell Winn and Andrew Tully, your hosts find themselves on opposing ideological lines as we break down the strengths and the flaws of this found footage picture. 

It’s the episode no one thought would ever happen. For our fiftieth show, Mike gives in to talk about the movie he swore on his mother’s future grave he would never talk about, the 2018 action-horror jam MANDY. While most of the horror community and Film Twitter have embraced this one with open arms, Mike has bashed this movie at every opportunity, likening it to the day his dad passed away in terms of the negative emotions it stirs up. Thankfully we have Jerry on hand to keep things on an even keel and to extol the virtues of Panos Cosmatos’ art house horror flick starring Nic Cage doing Nic Cage things. We also check in with one another to see how we’re holding up during the pandemic, what we’re watching and what we’re doing to try and keep ourselves sane. 

For those who want to jump to the commentary, it begins at the 29:11 mark. We are watching via Shudder, who coincidentally are offering a 30 day free trial if you use the code SHUDDERSHUTIN 

This week we are joined by the "Wardrobe Mistress" Taffeta V to talk about the 1980 thriller /proto-slasher Fade to Black. Mike had an absolute blast talking to the Mistress about her longtime love for this cult classic, why Eric Binford is so misunderstood, and how the fashion and old school Hollywood charm helped this movie develop such a rabid following. 

Mike also had the opportunity to talk with Nicole McControversy and Kevin Monahan about the upcoming Nightstream online film fest. This is the Avengers of genre film fests, with the folks behind the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, Boston Underground Film Fest, Overlook Film Fest, North Bend Film Fest & Popcorn Frights joining forces for a spectacular virtual event from October 8-11 (buy your passes or check out the schedule of films and events here)

This week we make our first foray into the 2000s genre of "Torture Porn" with our look back at 2009's The Collector. Starting as a potential SAW prequel, this one combines the heist genre with Rube Goldberg inspired traps and torture devices for a bloody good time. We look at the film's conflicted anti-hero and silent but deadly villain, explore the history of the torture porn subgenre and look at where horror was when this made its debut. Plus, we ask what differentiates torture porn from its forbearer, the slasher movie? 

Mike & Jerry are joined by Nat Brehmer, Izzy Lee, Veronica, Brian, Johnny, Jacob, Erin, Diana Porter, & Mike Vanderbilt as Freddy himself, for a roundtable Skype reading that involved an early draft of ANOES5 and a lot of alcohol. We hope our listeners dig this bonus episode, and would love for you to tell us what script we need to do next. 

It's the end of the world as we know it, and we feel fine. This week we're talking the Christmas-set 2021 British horror comedy Silent Night.  When the Earth spits up a toxic gas that promises to wipe out humanity, a posh family and their closest friends and loved one gather at the family manor for one last holiday party before taking their suicide pills. Hijinks are sure to ensue, right? We were mixed on whether the comedy landed, but had a spirited discussion on the themes of class, privilege, and trust in institutions and institutional expertise that director Camille Griffin raises. Filmed just before the pandemic lockdowns went into effect, and released just as the world started to emerge into a weary "new normal" it's impossible to not view this one through the lens of COVID, and that comes up here as well. 

This week Mike is joined by old podcasting pal Jennferatu (The Losers Club, Girls On the Boys, Psychoanalysis, Dread Central, Bloody Disgusting) to talk about the twin headed beast that is slaying all at the box-office right now: Bsrbie and Oppenheimer. Along with speculating why these two movies are more connected than they appear on the surface, and why they're resonating with audiences at the moment, we talk about the themes of masculinity and patriarchy as portrayed in each movie. We discuss the search for identity in both movies and the moral crises addressed in Oppenheimer. We also wonder why Christopher Nolan, for all his genius, (still) struggles to write women. It was great sitting down to talk to Jenn about movies for the first time in a long time, and we hope you enjoy this discussion.

(If you dug Oppenheimer and want to dig further into the story, or want to hear more from the perspectives of the victims of the atomic bombing, Mike suggests the following: BOOKS AMERICAN PROMETHEUS, FALLOUT: THE HIROSHIMA COVER-UP & THE REPORTER WHO REVEALED IT TO THE WORLD, FIVE DAYS IN AUGUST: HOW WORLD WAR II BECAME A NUCLEAR WAR FILM THE DAY AFTER TRINITY, BLACK RAIN, HIROSHIMA, HIROSHIMA NAGASAKI AUGUST 1945)

This month we're celebrating the Master of Horror as we talk about three of his most iconic films. Up first, the 1981 post-apocalyptic science fiction, action, thriller Escape From New York. Mike, Stephen, Devaughn and Rachel talk all things Snake Plissken and why Carpenter's troupe still holds up today. Coming of the success of Halloween, Escape sits in the middle of an unprecedented run of genre masterpieces, and it gave Kurt Russell the chance to get out from under Disney's thumb and become one of the coolest motherfuckers in movie history. 

Folks, we don’t even know how to keep track of everything going on with this series anymore. This week we’re talking about the second prequel of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series, which is also the second entry titled Leatherface. Alexander Bustillo and Julien Muary bring some of that French extremity vibe and a lot of style to a story that tries to answer questions no one really asked. Mike is joined by Rachel Reeves and guest Clayton from the Men Who Like Men Who Like Movies podcast. Not only do we deliver on all the Chainsaw analysis you know and love, we also ask “Which Eastern European countries are you supposed to avoid if you don’t want to get murdered and left in a dirty alley?” and “did Jessica Fletcher do butt stuff with a debonair Leslie Neilson during the third season of Murder She Wrote?” THESE are the questions you should be asking listeners.

This week we welcome special guest Mishna Wolff to talk about her new indie horror comedy, IFC's Werewolves Within) along with the second movie in the Conjuring-verse, 2016's THE CONJURING 2. This time Ed and Lorraine Warren hop over the pond to check on a pair of cheeky moppets who claim their house is being terrorized by a belligerent old man ghost. Are their more jump scare and spooky spookies to be had? This may be the height of the series, and we dive into exactly what makes this one work so well. 

This week were joined by Jessica Parant form Spinsters of Horror to breakdown James Cameron's sci-fi action packed sequel to Alien. 

Cue heavy metal high pitched warbling because we are back with a MEGA episode about series fan favorite Dream Warriors. Jerry had to duck out of this episode lest he feel the wrath of our panel for him sharing his belief that this is "meh" at best but we're joined by Brian Keiper (Dread Central, Bloody Disgusting) and author Cynthia Pelayo (Poems of my Night, The Missing). We also have a pair of bonus guests including Patrick Hamilton from the Kill By Kill podcast as well as the return of Mike's daughter Ada to give her thoughts on her favorite Elm Street to date. 

Sample some of Cythia's short stories and poetry at her site www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

This week our SAW VI episode talks about the turn towards social issues, and how this could be subtitled “Occupy Jigsaw” as predatory lenders and insurance companies get put to the test. The discussion gets emotional as we share our own personal experiences within the hellscape that is the American healthcare system. We also talk about the ways that Hoffman is like 1980s Ric Flair, dive into the sibling rivalry between Amanda and Hoffman as they vie for the position of John's favorite acolyte, and things get awkward when Mike talks about which cohosts he would save and which would not make the cut if we were all placed in the carousel shotgun trap. We talk franchise fatigue and how even the most ardent fans may have found themselves distracted by the shiny newness of the first Paranormal Activity film in the fall of 2009. Mike, Ari, DeVaughn, and Stephen are joined by longtime listener Lucy for one of our this can’t miss episode.

This week we're back to tackle 2000's Urban Legends: Final Cut, a movie Mike had no idea existed until he started this podcast. This first time viewing was a delight, as the series finds a way to weave in new urban legends with a new cast and whole new killer. Does talking about late 90s / early 00s horror mean we have to talk about Scream? Why yes it does, as Mike and cohost Lindsay Traves talk how this series stacks up with Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson's masterpiece. Speaking of masterpieces, your hosts take another left hand turn to wax rhapsodic over their love for all things Martin Scorsese. Folks, it's a hell of a fun episode. 

Please subscribe, rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts. 

This week we wrap up another franchise with a giant discussion on what is now the highest grossing unrated movie of all time: TERRIFIER 3.

Mike and Ari are joined by guest Jacob Harper (Talking Terror podcast, 1428 Elm Street) to talk about the Christmas horror of it all, the live action "Itchy & Scratchy" antics of Art the Clown, the welcome reintroduction of Victoria, and discuss why this entry has been so successful. Plus we ask what does Damien Leone have against true crime. Also, while we love the over the top gore and kills scenes that border on straight up comedy. Mike critiques the areas where this film drags a it whenever Art is on screen, despite another excellent performance from Laura LaVera as final girl Sienna Shaw. While Mike doesn't love the writing, and we all feel there's connective tissue that's been left out, Ariel has a bone to pick with a few horror fans. 

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum.

In our biggest episode to date, Mike, Brian, and Stephen strap on the proton backs and try not to cross the streams as we take on the mother of all 80s comedies: GHOSTBUSTERS. Something this funny, this quitable and this memorable could only come from a group that defined comedy in the 70s and 80s, and there's nothing like watching Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Dan Akroyd just hang out and do there thing. We talk about the trials and tribulations it took to bring this film to life, as nothing like it had existed before. We discuss its place in the pantheon of 80s movies and wonder where this kind of family friendly movie went. We talk about the gags and ghosts, from Stay-Puft, to Rick Moranis' loveable loser Louis, to a theme song you just couldn't get out of your head, and everything in between. 

Most of all, we answer the age old question, "Does bustin' make you feel good?"

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum. 

This week we wrap our Frankenstein coverage with the movie that gave birth to the horror comedy. In just over a decade and a half, we're far from the serious, often somber tones of the original Frankenstein, and the most famous trio of Universal Monsters become punchlines to the madcap antics of the famous comedy duo. Still, this movie treats the Monsters with reverence, and contains a lot of laughs to this day. Mike, Brian, & Stephen talk about the careers of Bud Abbott & Lou Costello, how this one came together, why it works as a blend of spooky scares and farcical comedy, and ponder why this seemingly light little movie features a character that's a Nazi war criminal who serves as the love interest for Lou Costello. Oh yes, we also deal with Lou Costello, heart throb, and marvel at Bud Abbott's skill at playing it straight.  

This week we kick off our coverage on arguably the greatest franchise in horror film history: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. Born from the childhood nightmares of Wes Craven, Freddy Kreuger transformed from a horror villain to a pop culture icon that appeared on MTV, awards shows, lunch boxes, comic books, action figures, posters and anything else you could print his likeness on. That's quite a feat for a burned up, child-killing dream demon. As portrayed by Robert Englund, Freddy was a monster with personality. 

For our first episode we're joined by writer/producer Thommy Hutson (Never Sleep Again, Crystal Lake Memories, Scream: The Inside Story, author of Y/A thriller Jinxed) to breakdown why this movie resonates 36 years later. From Freddy's development as a villain, to the tenaciousness that separates Nancy from other horror heroines, to Craven's own psychological demons that informed his work-especially the way the sins of parents come back to traumatize the children-we are just scratching the surface on what will be a two part episode of the debut film. 

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

Heading into the weekend, we have a special bonus episode with filmmaker Charles de Lauzirika as he discusses his history with the Alien franchise as the director of the incredible behind the scenes documentary included on the Quadrology box set. 

It's bedtime for suckheads in the first part of our double episode on 1998's horror and superhero hybrid, BLADE. Wesley Snipes steps into a role he seemed born to play as the vampire killing "Daywalker" in an R-rated romp that owed just as much to martial arts and gun-fu films as it did comics. The end result was a smart, violent, over the top bloody thrill ride that was world's ahead of the campy histrionics that marked so much of the superhero fare that made its way into theaters at the time. The global success of BLADE made it possible to bring the X-Men to the silver screen just two years later and Sam Raimi's genre defining Spider-Man two years after that. 

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum.

This episode Mike, Devaughn and guest Jay Krieger (from the Genre Haze podcast) breakdown the publication history of Marvel's premier vampire slayer, and discuss the vastly different state superhero films were in during the late 90s compared to the present day. Plus, we talk the early days of Marvel Studios and their attempts to crawl out of bankruptcy and get their comic book heroes off the funny book pages and onto the big screen. 

Enjoy this clip from our December bonus episode on KRAMPUS. In this brief segment, Mike and Lindsay discuss whether declaring the goal to make a "classic" movie immediately sabotages the effort, how the humor of Krampus draws folks in with a false sense of comfort before going super dark, and finally, Mike tells a heartwarming story of threatening to punch out shoppers while visited by the ghosts of Black Fridays past. 

The complete episode is available to ALL our pateron supporters, no matter if you subscribe at the $2, $5 or $10 level. Each month we bring  a bonus show, so to hear this and our past efforts subscribe now by heading to: https://www.patreon.com/podandthependulum?fan_landing=true

This week we kick off a new franchise and dig into one of the most divisive yet successful series of the past 20 years. We kick off our SAW coverage with James Wan and Leigh Whanell’s debut effort and we discuss the merits of this movie and  why it gets harshly judged on what it wrought in the aftermath of its success. We talk about the struggle it took to bring this low budget thriller to the big screen, and how it almost wound u on the dustbin of the direct to DVD pipeline before being rescued by a strong series of test screenings. We examine its influence in horror, and how it served as a reaction to the tamer fare of the late 90s and early 00s, while also reflecting the culture and politics of its day. From Jigsaw’s dicey motivations and tactics that are routed in harsh Catholic doctrine, to the use of traps, predicting the surveillance state, whether its fair to classify as torture porn at all, and the sometimes dicey acting choices (was Danny Glover in fact too old for this shit?) Mike, Brian, and Ariel have you covered.

This week we're talking more found footage anthology goodness with V/H/S 2. Like any anthology series, there are ups and downs, but this one has what might be the fan favorite of the series with  Safe Haven. Plus, Mike and Ariel nearly trade blows over The Undertaker's place in wrestling history. 

The Ball is Back and so are with this week's episode on the action/horror romp PHANTASM 2. We talk about this over the top follow up to the 1979 fever dream that goes big. Featuring Reggie Bannister as the everyman action star that is every bit as smooth with the ladies as he is deadly with a flamethrower, this one encapsulates late 80's horror to perfection. Featuring another sinister turn from Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man, it's laden with fantastic special effects, monster design and gore, and it features not one but three deadly orbs this time around. Mike and Rachel are joined by Andrew Fabry from the Dead Letter Movie Podcast for a spirited discussion that is definitely not a dream. 

You better watch out...he's made his list and he knows who is naughty and who is nice.

This week we wrap up our holiday horror series with a classic killer Santa movie: CHRISTMAS EVIL. No less a luminary than John Waters calls this his favorite Christmas movie and its easy to understand why. With a gritty, 70s feel that recalls Taxi Driver, black humor, and truly remarkable performance that alternates between humanistic and unhinged rom Brandon Maggert as a man who only wants to be Santa. This one hits at the loneliness of the holiday, how the magic of Xmas can get snatched away, and why Santa can be a terrifying figure. Mike, Nichole and Brian had a blast talking about this one. 

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum. 

This week we FINALLY get to sit down and talk about one of our favorite movies of the year, the fifth installment of the SCREAM series. It's a massive talk so we broke it into two pieces. This week Mike, Rachel and Stephen are joined by shoe designer and pop culture writer Andrew LaSane. Part one delves into the making of the movie, how the new crop of characters stack up and the elevated violence and gore in this entry. 

This week we kick off a new franchise with the closes thing to the Marvel-verse horror has offered since the Universal films of the 30s and 40s. We're exploring THE CONJURING, James Wan's supernatural chiller based on the "true" case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren. We explore what actually constitutes truth and how much it's okay to bend it to tell a great story. We're joined by DeVaughn Taylor of The Bloody Blunts Cinema Club podcast to discuss a film we all mostly enjoy. From creepy dolls like Annabelle to crafting a well-timed jump scare, Wan gets more right than wrong, even if he lionizes a pair of hucksters and charlatans. 

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

ALL HAIL RAATMA! This week Mike and Rachel talk about the return of the V/H/S series after more than a half a decade absence with V/H/S '94. Conceived and created during the COVID restrictions, the entry features the first two segments directed by women and breathes some new life and ideas into the found footage anthology series after the disappointment of Viral. Fans seemed to think so, as it set streaming records on its new home of Shudder during it's release in 2021. Which segments hold up, and which ones feel maybe like relics from the previous era? We're here to talk about all that and more as  rat gods, zombies, VHS death cults, killer cyborg abominations, and wannabe nazis are all on the table this time.  around. 

This week the gang is infiltrated by the Illuminati to tell you there's nothing to see here except perhaps one of the most understood slasher sequels of all time. Is this maligned, underseen, box-office bomb starring pre-stardom Rene Zellweger and Matthew Mcconaughey secretly brilliant? Listen now and find out 

This week Mike and Devaughn wrap up their coverage of The Purge movies with the entry that asks, "What happens when purgers decide one night of murder is no longer enough?" We explore the socio-political themes that permeate the movie, as well as the very real world policies this one takes square aim at. Fear not, we're not here to lecture as we talk about the continued action / horror dynamics and exploitation roots of the last, for now, Purge films. 

Sorry Jack. Chucky's back. This week we cover Child’s Play 2. This week we take a fond look back at the sequel to the hit 1988 slash movie and we ask why isn't this one as fondly remembered as other beloved sequels like Friday the 13th two or Halloween two? This 1990 slasher takes all the things we love about the original movie and builds on them including with a massive finale set in a toy factory that is full of gloopy special effects. We take a look at what it would be like to be a foster kid after such a traumatic event and extol the virtues of Brad Dourif's continued excellence as he grows in the role of everyone’s favorite killer doll. We also give a lot of love to Kyle who belongs right up there on the pantheon of beloved final girls as she is plucky and smart and an absolute badass.

We're joined by a very special guest from the Movies For Life podcast Michele Eggen as well as regular contributors Stephen Foxworthy (Disenfranchised podcast) and Devaughn Taylor (Bloody Blunts Cinema Club).  

This week Jessica steps into the hosting chair and is joined by Brian, Rachel and a COVID-riddled Mike to talk about their top ten horror movies of the year. It's a massive episode as each host has a list that reflects their own varied and personal tastes, as seen by the 29 movies discussed over 40 slots. 2022 has been a banner year both creatively and commercial for horror, as it continues to prove to be one of the only genres outside superhero movies that puts asses in seats at the theaters time and time again. We also saw huge swings and outside the box movies this year, while personal and collective traumas continue to be mined for scares. What say you listener? Has this been a fantastic year for horror? Are there any movies we overlooked? What does your personal top ten of the year look like? 

We're back to play another game. This week Mike, Devaughn and Ariel are joined by Kat Hughes (Ghouls Magazine) to talk about the return of Billy the Puppet. Coming just one year after the surprising success of SAW, its sequel up the traps, ups the carnage, ups the victims, ups the gore, and ups what we learn about ya boi Jigsaw. All these are good things! Unfortunately it also ups the Wahlberg, giving us a former New Kid on the Block in the "corrupt cop/pissed off divorced dad" in its central role. We were hangin' tough though, and delivered a hell of an episode. 

We're back this week to wrap up our discussion of Joe Dante's GREMLINS. As we get deeper into the movie we talk how it nails seasonal depression and just how hard the holidays can be for some people. We also talk some of the complicated racial stereotypes that are played for laughs in this movie, how Randall Peltzer embodies the mediocre white dude, and the unbridled chaotic energy of the bar  and Snow White scenes. Brian Keiper of Movies for Life and Stephen Foxworthy of the Disenfranchised pod are back as guests. 

This movie is so massive we had to break our talk about it into two shows. Mike is joined by longtime friends of the pod Brian Keiper (Movies for Life podcast, Dread Central) and Stephen Foxworthy (Disenfranchised podcast) to talk about the 1984 horror comedy classic that thrilled and scarred children for life. We’re talking Gremlins.

For the first part of our discussion, we talk about how this movie got made, where 1984 ranks in terms of best years ever for a movie and why the children’s movies from this era still resonate nearly four decades later.  We break down whether Joe Dante is Martin Scorsese for the B-movie crowd and how Spielberg lent his magic touch to this one. We discuss the rules around the Mogwai and why that kitchen scene still scares the bejesus out of us today.

After a couple months tackling the extreme and often dank and depressing world of French horror, we needed a bit of a reprieve. We need a little bit of rest and relaxation. We need to get away from all the hustle and the bustle and the grind of the everyday world. So we’ve packed up a weekend travel kit, gotten behind the wheel of our old jalopy and are taking the back roads to a little cabin in the middle of the woods. What could possibly go wrong as we set out to break down the Evil Dead franchise?

The original 1981 remains a groundbreaking work of independent cinema that launched the careers of three childhood friends: Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell & Rob Tapert. Join us as we break down the behind the scenes struggles that it took to launch this video nasty into the world. Learn about the real life curse on the cabin it was filmed and why the filmmakers owe a debt of gratitude to Stephen King.

This week we're joined by J Blake Fichera, author of Scored to Dead & Scored to Death 2: Conversations with some of Horrors Greatest composers. 

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

Happy holidays everyone. For our second annual non-horror Christmas movie deep dive, we're covering the greatest adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic. What do you get when you cross a miserly, penny hoarding, vindictive Scrooge with the loveable Muppets? You get the absolute holiday classic The Muppet Christmas Carol.  Featuring Michael Caine in the starring role, it was the first Muppet motion picture after the tragic passing of Jim Henson in 1990. By playing Dickens' material mostly straight, Brian Henson manages to capture the ghostly, and often downright scary elements of the story, and hammering home the timeless message of charity, goodwill and community. Featuring a secret weapon in the form of music from a rejuvenated Paul Williams, the picture bangs out incredible songs such as "It Feels Like Christmas" "Marley and Marley" and "Thankful Heart." The Muppets themselves, from Kermit as the put upon Bob Cratchit, Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, and Gonzo the Great as our author and narrator Charles Dickens are perfectly utilized as well.  

Mike and Stephen are joined by first time guest Rachel Schwebach  (@indysmutpeddler) to discuss the above, our own love for Henson's creations, the sadness Christmas can sometimes bring, whether or not Michael Caine was tripping balls the whole time he was filming and interacting with the Muppets like they were real and as a special bonus you can hear about Mike's real life beefs with Kerry Von Erich and Fugazi's Ian Macaye. 

Hey, if you enjoyed Rachel on this episode, you should check out her shibari and BDSM photography by becoming a patron of hers here: https://www.patreon.com/rachelschwebach

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum.

This week we kick off our retrospective of French horror with one of the most nihilistic, brutal and unpleasant movies we've ever covered: Pascale Laugier's Martyrs. This unrelenting film features a final act that puts the audience front and center for one of the most horrific torture scenes in movie history. Despite all of the horror, is there a glimmer of hope in the film's ultimate message? We ask Mary Beth McAndrews (Scarred for Life) for her thoughts on extreme horror,  trauma and victimhood, nihilism, and Mademoiselle's eyebrow game. If there ever was a show where we wanted to leave our listeners a sobbing puddle of existential goo, this one is it. 

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

This week we have TWO shows wrapped up in one. First, Mike and Rachel break down the two seasons of The Purge TV show, which ran on the USA Network in 2018 and 2019. The series offers a fascinating deeper view into Purge events, especially the standout second season which mostly shows the build up in between Purges, and serves as a great lead in for Election Year. After that, Mike, Nichole and Ari deliver the crews series rankings. Which entry will come out on top, and which ones will be left sputtering and purged? 

With just over half of 2023 in the books, Mike, Ariel and Rachel take a look at the year so far. We talk about the reemergence of fun horror, our hopes that trauma horror takes a breather, the indies that have surprised us, & what we look forward to in the second half of the year. We also discuss whether it's been another banner year or the genre, or a bit of a let down given the highs of 2022. 

This week guest Matt Donato (Certified Forgotten, Bloody Disgusting) joins  Mike, Stephen and Jessica to talk about the high point of the Child's Play series. The only thing better than one killer doll is two, especially when one is brought to life by the stunning Ms. Jennifer Tilly. This week we talk bad romance, queer horror and puppet sex and so much more. 

We continue our trek through the Conjuring-verse with its first spinoff, and the first in a trilogy around that creepy-ass doll Annabelle. We're joined by Bodies of Horror host Nichole Goble to talk just why dolls are so freaky, what works in this so-so film, and what the scariest toys we ever had in childhood were. The scariest thing about this movie is just how good it is at churning out those box-office dollars, so someone out there finds her terrifying. 

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

The Abaddon hotel...you can check in but you can never leave. We're back with a new franchise, kicking things off with one of the best found footage movies of the past decade: HELL HOUSE LLC. Mike and Nichole are joined by the fantastic Mary Beth McAndrews (Dread Central editor in chief, Scarred For Life podcast cohost) who just might love found footage movies more than anyone on the planet. We talk about what sets a good pseudo-documentary from the poor, have a lively discussion on the fuck boy of the film Paul, ask how many scary clowns are too many and discuss whether this becoming a franchise diluted the pure terror of this first entry. 

Here's a link to Mary Beth's Certified Forgotten article on Hell House LLC. 

This week we're back to discuss what some have called the greatest horror movie of all time, and what might be the birth of queer cinema: THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. In the years following Frankenstein's success, James Whale would go on to put his campy, humorous touch on horror classics The Old Dark House and The Invisible Man before returning to create his masterpiece. Meanwhile Boris Karloff elevated from a struggling bit player to receiving top-of-the-bill status in a string of successes. Of course, no discussion would be complete without discussing the immeasurable impact Elsa Lanchester made with mere minutes of screen time as the titular Bride. With her lightning bolt updo, and a hiss inspired by protective swans, Lanchester delivered one of the most memorable monsters i Universal cannon. The sequel adds humor to the gothic horror, and goes bigger in every way: there's a larger body count, a larger cast, more elaborate sets, and even more fantastical special effects. We're joined by guest Ygraine (What a Scream Podcast) for the first half of our two-parter on Bride. 

Please read Brian's "Faces of Frankenstein: The Innovation and Influence of James Whale's Frankenstein" or more information on this seminal film.  

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum.

This week Nat Brehmer (Dread Central, Bloody Disgusting) and Terry Mesnard (Gayly Dreadful, Scarred For Life podcast) are back for part two of our look at Alien 3. Last week we explored the troubled behind the scenes production. This week we dive into the movie itself. While following up two revered classics like Alien and Alien is a daunting task, David Fincher did his best (in his directorial debut to boot) despite studio hamstringing. Alien 3 provides an emotionally draining but fitting end to a trilogy of films that explore our existence and what lays at the end of it.

This week we wrap up our latest franchise with one of the most controversial movies we've ever covered. The Child's Play remake had longtime fans of the series up in arms as the movie and characters were ripped from series creator Don Mancini in an attempt by United Artists to cash in on the Child's Play IP. This seemed to doom the reboot from the start, as horror fans wanted little to do with s Chucky that didn't feature Mancini in a creative role, or Brad Douriff as Chucky's voice. Even casting Luke Skywalker himself as the voice of the killer doll did little to appease fans. 

Controversy aside, how does the movie fare on its own merits? What do we think of Chucky as an Alexa gone bad versus the product of a voodoo spell? What do we think of the over the top gore and kills? Would this movie have its stans if it was just about a killer robot that only wanted to be loved? Mike can't handle these questions on his own, so this week we have our first crossover episode with our friends Stephen and Brett from the DISENFRANCHISED podcast to talk about all this and more. 

Rate, subscribe and review Disenfranchised over on Apple Podcasts: link

This week we've packed up and are heading back out to that cabin in the middle of the woods for Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn. We're joined by filmmaker Brad McHargue to tackle whether this is a sequel or remake, how the passage of time and experience allowed this to be a bigger and bolder experience and the role that Stephen King played yet again in helping Sam Raimi's young career. This is the movie where it feels like Bruce Campbell becomes the  knuckleheaded Ash we've come to know and love all these years later.  Plus, and this is very important, we get into an in-depth discussion on the difference between school lunches in America vs Canada. Riveting stuff as always. 

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group

Groovy. 

NOTE: Mike uploaded the incorrect file yesterday so all apologies. We'll leave the 2020 patron episode up as a thanks, but here our actual episode for the week)

He's making a list. He's checking it twice. He's going to find out who's naughty and should be stuffed in a sack then beaten with a switch before being fed to murderous elves. It's Krampus! From Mike Dougherty (Trick 'r Treat) comes another contemporary holiday horror classic. Rachel and Stephen break this one down. They talk about how Dougherty uses the folklore and myth behind the creature. They also chat about how the holidays can bring out the worst in everybody: from being short-tempered to feeling overwhelmingly lonely. There's talk of the gorgeous creature designs and how there's still plenty of holiday cheer and dark humor to go along with some truly horrific moments (kids getting swallowed whole, headfirst for instance. It's a fun chat, sure to keep you warm as you stoke the fire to keep those naughty elves out of your house.

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum.

We're Heeeeeeereeeee with a new franchise to cover. this week we kick off with the classic 1982 film that has traumatized kids for generations- Poltergeist. Brian, Mike, Jerry and Veronica ask why this film still resonates for kids and adults generations later, how it points a finger at the hippie/boomer generation and why it remains a great gateway to horror for many. And yes, we tackle the whole "Who really directed the movie?" question but that's not the main focus. 

This week we're joined by Daily Grindhouse's ROB DEAN (@neuroticmonkey) to break down the 1997 sci-fi horror romp, Alien Resurrection, a movie that could only exist between 1992-1999 for all the good and bad that entails. 

This week we're going back in time with what Mike calls the "Dream Warriors" of the Paranormal Franchise with its third installment. Rather than continue the cliffhanger ending of its sneak prequel, directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman travel back to the 80s to show audiences just how Katie and Kristi got mixed up with Tobi the demon to begin with (spoiler alert: it's those damned witches). The end result might be the most entertaining entry of the series, with scares coming from start to finish, and great additions like an oscillating fan ratcheting up the tension even further. Plus, we get Dennis, the first positive male role model in the franchise to date, as he does his best to get to the bottom of the mystery and protect his two step children. This week we're joined once again by Mary Beth McAndrews to talk about a movie she says "had to walk so Hereditary could run"

If you like what you’re listening to make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds. 

Please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings help new listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and support. 

Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog of shows, with hundreds of hours of free content. You can search the catalog, leave a review and even leave us feedback all from the site. Go to www.podandthependulum.com to check it out. 

If you have the means, consider becoming a patron today and support the show. Patreon members get exclusive full length episodes, audio fan commentaries, exclusive mini-sodes and more. Join today at patreon.com/podandthependulum. 

This week, we're joined by the co-host of the Horror Queers Trace Thurman to talk about the final FINAL DESTINATION movie (for now). Talk about going out on a high note. This one is a return to form with a stunning opening set piece and a jaw dropper of an ending that turns the film upside down as a sneaky prequel pic. 

Support our Patreon: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podandpendulum

Join our Facebook Group: Pod & the Pendulum Facebook Group