The Pod and the Pendulum

This week Mike and Devaughn are joined by guest Matt Konopka (Killer Horror Critic) for a boys night on the town. Along with our fun-loving, wish-granting Djinn, we're hitting our two favorite hotspots the casino, and jail! Join us for a spirited discussion on how this straight to video sequel might be responsible for the downfall of American democracy, why the Djinn should just follow every good grandma's plan of "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar," and how Mike discovered that goth/punk art thieves that are deadly with a pistol are the kind of lady that leave him weak in the knees.

This week we're making dreams come true with 1997's throwback creature feature WISHMASTER. Featuring a who's who of horror both in front and behind the camera, the birth of the Djinn makes for a fun romp in the vein of not only 80s splatter horror, but also the classic Universal Monsters of yore. With FX from KNB and appearances from Robert Englund, Tony Todd, Kane Hodder, Reggie Bannister, Ted Raimi, the voice of Angus Scrimm along with an executive production credit by Wes Craven, this is a Dream Team of creatives for a B-movie. Mike, Brian and Devaughn are joined by guest John Seavey of the Half Priced Horror podcast but be careful what you wish for, because dreams can turn to nightmares pretty quick. Also, what's with all the smoking?

In this bonus episode, Ariel interviews author Payton McCarty-Simas about their upcoming book, That Very Witch: Fear, Feminism, and the American Witch Film. The two of them discuss how witch films follow the cycles of feminism and other political movements in the US, why history matters in horror, and why Heather in The Blair Witch Project did nothing wrong. Preorder "That Very Witch: Fear, Feminism, and the American Witch Film" here.Follow Payton on Instagram @paytplace .Add The Devonsville Terror to your watch list.

Let's do what all shows love to do: rank things! Mike, Ari, and Devaughn have counted the votes and we're here to put the Wrong Turn series in proper order.

Mike and Devaughn are joined by returning guest Kat Hughes to talk about the way better than it has any right to be reimagining of Wrong Turn. Mike would also recommend you check out Mathew Modine's other masterpiece, Vision Quest, the only movie about high school wrestling you need to see.

Mike and Ari are happy to report that Wrong Turn 6 is one of the most unabashedly horniest movies we've ever covered on the show. Eschewing the traditional hot couples hooking up, this one has more of flair for kink, sadomasochism, and voyeurism. At least, it certainly does compared to most slasher movies, let alone the sixth entry in a long running, straight to video franchise. Is it a great movie? No, but it's a hell of a fun watch marked with some truly cheeky humor, a number of spectacular kill sequences and a standout performance from Sadie Katz as the villainous Sally, it just might be our favorite of the whole series

A movie so bad it made Mike question whether he actually liked horror movies. Luckily he's joined by Ariel, Devaughn, and special guest Kinell to talk this one through.

This week we go back to the beginning with Wrong Turn 4:Bloody Beginnings, Returning guest and queen of the B-movie and culinary horrorSarah Stubbs ((Final Girls Feast) is on Mike's side championing the merits ofthis blizzard-set, asylum located slasher. Meanwhile Devaughn has recruited firsttime guest Sean Abley (creator and co-editor of Queer Horror: A Film Guide)  to talk about why returning director Declan O'Brienjust doesn't have the juice to make this anything more than standard direct to-videofare. With a tongue planted firmly in cheek, some forward thinking queerrepresentation, practical effects, real snow, a pretty spooky on-set location,and a show stopping human fondue gory as hell kill, at the very least BloodyBeginnings marks a solid rebound over the dreadful (in Mike's eyes) thirdentry. 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 and Ariel reach the nadir of the Wrong Turn franchise, with the third entry, Left For Dead. It's the film that dares to as who one would root for in this situation: a murderous Cartel warlord, a white supremacist, or the cops? Filled with poorly rendered CGI, dodgy acting from a cast that looks like generic versions of much better performers and an overstuffed plot, this one is a tough hang. However, we made the best of it, and talked about the important issues like Stone Cold Steve Austin's filmography, and how John Cena's heel turn is going.

Mike and Devaughn are on hand to talk a straight to video follow-up that just might improve on the original. Director Joe Lynch shot right out of the gate with a nasty, gory, funny splatter film that has the feel of an over-the-top 80s sequel while still being grounded in its own moment in time. Henry Rollins leads a rag-tag crew of wanna be stars into the woods for a survivalist reality TV series, only for the cast and crew to be hunted down by Three Fingers and more of his hillbilly mutant family members. Featuring fantastic practical gore, over 300 gallons of fake blood and some terrific set pieces, Wrong Turn 2 may be the fan favorite of the bunch.

This week, Mike, Ariel and Nichole have loaded up the jeep with our camping gear, a cooler full of beer, some beef jerky and a way out of date paper map as we're about to break down WRONG TURN as we kick off our latest franchise. This nasty hillbilly horror bridges the gap between the second wave of slashers and the more extreme “torture porn” that SAW would usher in only a year later. Featuring one of the most attractive casts of the period, anchored by Eliza Dushku (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse) Wrong Turn serves as a tribute to the no frills, grimy exploitation and survivalist horror of the 1970s, and was enough of a success at the boxoffice to usher in five straight to DVD sequels and a reboot. We talk the history of the film, our own road trip disasters, and whether or not it's rude to go through a stranger's refrigerator if you're only curious about what they have for snacks and don't actually take anything. 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, Rachel, Nichole and Devaughn are all on hand to talk about the best movies that features exorcisms (of a sort) that aren't The Exorcist. It's a wide ranging list and as we're prone to do, we get fast and loose with some definitions. This is what Mike loves to call the "notepad" style of episode, because we think listeners will want to jot down a handful of titles they maybe haven't seen or even heard of yet. 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.

Mike Stephen, and Ariel are back to wrap up another franchise with 2023's Exorcist: Believer. This one isn't divisive as audiences and critics alike hated this one seemingly from the moment David Gordon Green announced it would be his next project after Halloween Ends. What was planed to be a legacy sequel that would launch a trilogy wound up scrapped after the first film failed to recoup anything close to the $400 million (ouch) Universal shelled out for the rights alone. Between lazy callbacks, and an insulting use of the returning Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil, it certainly gave the haters plenty of cannon fodder. 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 back to talk about ANOTHER prequel to The Exorcist (afilm so nice they had to tell the origin twice), but fortunately, this week Mike and Stephen are here to talk about the good one. Yes indeed, this week we're here to talk about the most expensive DVD feature of all time, the completedvision of Paul Schrader's Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist. It's the Gallant to Harlin's Goofy, and as one might expect from a Schrader jam, it's a contemplative rumination on man's fallibility and culpability with regards toevil. It's certainly not the rock ‘em sock ‘em straight forward horror movie Morgan Creek anticipated, leading to it being shelved for The Beginning. Perhaps a horror crowd that's been raised on the sort of character studies A24has delivered over the past decade would be more receptive to the quiet character drama and standout performance from its lead Stellan Skarsgard delivered as a conflicted Father Merrin. If you like what you're listening to make sure to subscribewherever you get your podcast feeds. Please take a moment to rate and review us on the ApplePodcast app, or rate us on the Spotify app. Reviews and five star ratings helpnew listeners find us every day, and we greatly appreciate the feedback andsupport. Check out our website for easy access to our full catalog ofshows, 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 checkit 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 talking about Renny Harlin's The Exorcist: The Beginning because we're contractually obligated to due to the format of the show. Mike and Stephen are here to talk about hot moms, the 1995 coming of age movie Angus, (featuring not one but TWO Oscar winners), the Angus soundtrack, what makes up the weakest entry in the Back to the Future series, whether or not Paul Schrader directed Clifford the Big Red Dog, the latest addition to our soundboard and so much more. All right, we talk about the movie a little bit, and ask the question whether it is better to be a serviceable, feels like it's made for television feature, or a wild swing and massive miss like The Heretic? Plus, we ask the question: Has there ever been a successful exorcism in any of The Exorcist movies? Ultimately, The Beginning is “The Goofus” to Dominion's “Gallant”: a big, dumb, spectacle of a movie with poorly rendered, early aughts CGI that passes a couple hours but has all the lasting power of a stick of Juicy Fruit gum. 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.

After what Mike called the low point of the show in terms ofmovie we've covered, this week we've rebounded with a minor classic, WilliamPeter Blatty's The Exorcist 3. Or is it Legion? Or is it The Exorcist 3:Legion? Or is it The Exorcist 1990? As you can see already, this one had a long, winding, andoften confusing path to the screen. From creative differences that led toBlatty ultimately taking the helm, to forced reshoots, and a wedged in exorcismin the third act, to recasting three of the principal characters, it's a hellof a tale. Brad Douriff alone would replace Jason Miller, only to be replacedby Miller after test screenings, only to replace / team up with Miller to playthe same character after replacing him didn't work. It's stunning a coherentfilm even emerged, let alone one that's as smart, scary and thoughtful asExorcist 3. Featuring one last powerful turn from a late in his career George CScott, Brad Douriff at his scariest (coming off Child's Play no less) and oneof the best jump scares in movie history, this one packs a wallop.

This week we're talking about a movie so awful it made Mike question the whole format of the show. Do we really want to cover every franchise if it means films likeThe Exorcist II: The Hereticare forced on our eyeballs? Widely regarded as one of the worst films of all time, it had the unenviable task of following up one of the most successful horror films in history. Directed by a filmmaker that had nothing but loathing for the first film, and viewed by Warner Brothers as a way to cash in quickly and cheaply on the name and box office of the original, this one seemed doomed from the start. Plagued by near death illnesses, a script rewritten to the point it was unrecognizable, cast and creators that couldn't distant themselves from it fast enough, 70s mambo jumbo psychobabble and not enough Ned Beatty, this one is a trainwreck from start to finish. While Devaughn (rightly) argues for its aesthetics and ethereal sci-fi  vibe, this one is a tough watch. That said, sometimes the biggest disasters are the most fun to discuss. Within this episode:What will happen to your liver if you made a drinking game out of how many times they say "Pazuzzu"?Maybe we shouldn't leave Richard Burton around young kids?What was that hot nonsense with the headbands?What if William Peter Blatty sold the toy and action figure rights to The Exorcist?All this and more!

After last week's episode on the background of the movie, Brian and Mike are back to dive into The Exorcist proper. We discuss where it fits in the canon of the great 70s, auteur driven works, how Friedken's insistence on reality lifted this above genre conventions and gave birth to the modern horror movie, and how making the Church the heroes in this narrative hasn't aged so well for modern times.

What a wonderful day to talk about The Exorcist. This week Mike, Brian, and Stephen start our discussion on one of the foundational films in modern horror, 1973's The Exorcist. For the first half of our two parts on this title, your hosts share their initial reactions to this masterwork, as well as how our thoughts on the film have evolved as we've grown older. From there we take a deep dive into the history of the film, including a look at its architects, director William Friedken and writer William Peter Blatty. We explore the exorcism case that inspired Blatty to write his novel, and the challenges in adapting the film without “creating a commercial for the Catholic Church” in Friedken's view. We discuss the brilliant cast, Dick Smith's astonishing makeup and the standout locations. From there we talk about the “curse” of The Exorcist as well as the unconventional and unsafe methods Friedken often employed that put his performers in harm's way. Finally, we explore the cultural impact of The Exorcist on its release as well as its place in horror's pantheon more than fifty years later. It's one of our largest, most in-depth episodes to date, and its only the beginning.

This week we're unlocking our patron vaults and giving everyone a taste of what you get when you become a subscriber. Mike, Brian, and Stephen joined forces to break down the Oz Perkins smash hit, and one of the most commercially and critically successful genre offerings of 2024. With Nic Cage as the titular serial killer, audiences could expect a wild ride, but what really surprised our crew was just how much of a homage this was to the psychological thrillers of the early 90s, and how at its core, just how much this is story about how far a mother will go to protect their daughter. If you like what you've heard this week, and want to unlock another 60 hours of bonus content (including Ariel's incredible and exclusive coverage of the I Spit on Your Grave franchise, Brian's upcoming series on the Nosferatu films, and later this year our look back at the Back to the Future trilogy) you can unlock bonus episodes by become a patron here: www.patreon.com/podandthependulum

Before we go out with the old and in with the new, your fearless crew is taking one last look back at 2024. Mike, Devaughn, Steven, Brian, and Ariel are all on hand to unveil their top ten genre films of the past year. While there was near unanimous consensus on our number one movie of the year, each of lists represent just how wide a net horror covers. From horror comedies, to noirish thrillers, slashers, the supernatural, serial killers, body horror, teen angst, coming out horror and classic monster pictures, we cover just about every major subgenre in our five lists. Plus, near fisticuffs break out over Nosferatu. Strap in for pure chaos deal listeners as we have all this, plus a visit from our dear friend Admiral Ackbar.

This week we talk Frozen Empire, the 2024 semi-return to form for the series, along with the landmark Supreme Court case, Grooberson vs. The State of New York, which determined whether the proton packs fall under the protection of the second amendment.

This week we deliver our annual Christmas episode in your holiday stocking. This year we're covering the heartwarming story of a young boy and his family as they learn the lesson of love,  togetherness and what the holidays are really all about When poor young Kevin is left “home alone.” Along the way Kevin (a brilliant, young Mccauley Caulkin) gets into zany hijinks and has to overcome his fear of the basement, old man Marley, and the dreaded Wet Bandits (Joe Pesci & Daniel Stern) Another way to view the film is as the story of a family that escapes their son's reign of terror by locking him in the attic and then fleeing the country only to have him break free from his prison and take out his sadistic urges on a pair of bubbling men that stumble into his home on Christmas Eve? Mike & Ariel tackle both sides of this one as we talk about one of the biggest and most beloved Christmas classics of the past 35 years.

For the folks that asked, "What if Ghostbusters, but with none of the jokes?" we present "Afterlife." In 2021 Jason Reitman heled a sequel to his dad's two entries from the 80s, ignoring the existence of the 2016 movie altogether. The result is a good looking, well acted, well directed, two hour slog of a film filled with Easter Eggs and nostalgia bait meant to pull at the heart strings of every guy that said the previous film "killed their childhood." Mike, Brian, and Ariel are here to talk about this one, and boy do we try not to.

This week Mike and Brian look back at the 201 reboot of Ghostbusters. Featuring a cast of four of the most gifted female comedians, the movie seemed doomed from the start as fandom reared its ugly head. We look back at the online backlash, the trolls, and the litany of abusive, racist and sexist comments the cast had to endure. We ask what kind of moron thinks a movie can "ruin their childhood." We do our best to evaluate the movie on its own merits, both its strengths and flaws.

This week we're back to talk about one of the most (unfairly)maligned sequels of the 80s. Facing strong headwinds on the road to getting made, Ghostbusters 2 was criticized as a carbon copy of the first, and it struggled to capture even half of the box office of the 1984 classic as Batman fever swept the nation, and sequels from Back to the Future and Indiana Jones took up moviegoers attention. Credited for "killing the franchise" for decades, Ghostbusters 2 is a solid example of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" filmmaking, and this week Mike, Devaughn and Jessica are on hand to weigh its pros and cons. 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. 

In space no one can hear you scream, but can they hear you podcast? This week Mike and Stephen are joined by guest Katy Terry (Fangs for the Memories podcast) to talk about Fede Alvarez entry into the Alien canon, Alien Romulus. WE discuss where the film goes right, with its adherence to practical effects and sets, fantastic set pieces that make the Xenomorph scary again, and a cracker jack cast that has a new riff on the working class and bodily autonomy themes the original did so well. When Romulus does its own thing, it shines.  We also cover the warts. From an overreliance on fan service to the ghoulish and head scratching decision to include a CGI Ian Holm, we wonder why the Alvarez  felt such a need to cling to the past rather than forge a new path forward for the franchise. 

This week we're back with the latest from long running found footage horror anthology series V/H/S. Two out of three cohosts agree this is one of the stronger entries into the franchise, with the shift to sci-fi horror being a welcome change. However, is there enough variety between our segments and wraparound or does it rely too heavily on the familiar alien invasion tropes?  WE explore all the segments, from a Terminator-esque Bollywood musical (??) to an alien hunting police squad, to a skydiving trip gone wrong, a UFO enthusiast that should have been careful for what they wished for to the first possible entry in the Tusk Cinematic Universe.  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. 

Happy Halloween listeners! Coming off our Terrifier series we still have clowns on the brain so Stephen and Mike are counting down the top ten scariest clowns in horror history as voted on by your band of grease paint and squirting flower fearing podcasters.    Plus, Mike and Ariel sat down during the last day of the Telluride Horror Show to talk about some of their favorite films from Fantastic Fest and Telluride Horror. 

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.

This week concludes our supersized review of TERRIFIER 2. We dig into the movie and explore the moments that made this an indie horror sensation. Brian, Mike, Nichole and Ariel talk not just why Art the Clown is such an icon, but also how Laura LaVera has quickly entered the pantheon of best final girls as Sienna Shaw. Plus all the kills, chills, laughs, and stomach turning gore is explored.  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 talk about the indie horror sensation TERRIFIER 2. What was supposed to be a one-night theatrical event went on to become one of the most successful independent horror movies of all time as audiences could not get enough of Art the Clown's return. This time our master of mayhem in greasepaint isn't alone as he's joined by a demonic sidekick in The Pale Girl, while also getting a worthy adversary in Sienna Shaw, played wonderfully by Laura LaVera. Damien Leone upped the ante in not only the gore, but also added more lore, mythology, and backstory to Art this time around. The end result is an audacious slasher that pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable for cinemas with a multitude of some of the sickest deaths committed on screen, including one that is still talked about two years later as one of the nastiest yet most crowd pleasing kills in horror history. For the first part of our two part episode, Mike is joined by Nichole Goble, Ari Hellraiser, and Brian Keiper an we talk about why we loved this movie in all its bloody, gloopy, sticky glory. So head on down to the Clown Cafe, pour yourself a bowl of Art Crispies and enjoy this in depth discussion of Terrifier 2.  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 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 wrap up another franchise with 1989's sci-fi monster movie THE FLY II, starring Eric Stoltz. While it doesn't reach the creative heights or thematic depths of Cronenberg's earlier remake, there's still a  lot of fun to be had with this oozy, oddball straight up monster movie. Mike and Devaughn are joined by guest Jay Krieger to talk its charms and where it falls a bit flat. We do have to warn folks, this can be a tough watch for all of us who love dogs.  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 back with the second half of our massive episode on David Cronenberg's THE FLY. If you haven't already make sure you go back and listen to our previous episode on the background and elements of this movie. This time around Mike, Brian, Devaughn, and guest J Blake Fichera dive into the movie proper. We examine the romance between Seth and Ronnie that makes the horror all the more unbearable. We argue over the various themes and implications Cronenberg explored over what it means to be human along with the disease and aging metaphors that are front and center with Brundle's own horrific transformation. We discuss how The Fly ends up as Cronenberg's ultimate dissertation on biological horror after a decade of mining the body for material in his work. All this and more on this week's show.  If you can, we encourage listeners to head over to Blakes  Scored to Death merchandise page for exclusive items that will help him fund his upcoming documentary. Follow the link 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 brings us the first half of our two-parter on David Cronenberg's remake THE FLY. Mike, Brian, and Devaughn are joined by Scored to Death author J Blake Fischera to talk about one of the true masterpieces of 80s horror.  Featuring star making turns from Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, THE FLY remains David Cronenberg's most successful commercial work of his storied career, and his ultimate statement on body horror, the mutation of the flesh, and how pushing past the limits of our minds and bodies can lead to tragedy. This episode we look at how this movie came to be, explore the trajectory of Cronenberg's career, discuss what made Goldblum and Davis so perfect for these roles, marvel at the groundbreaking, Oscar winning special effects from Chris Walas and more.  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 marks the release of Ariel's long awaited book Millennial Nasties: Analyzing a Decade of Brutal Horror. We chat about how the book came to be, why these films still stick with us twenty years later, and why horror became more brutal and often bleak at the turn of the century.  If you want your own copy of the book order it today from all major retailers, or directly from publisher Encyclopocalypse Publications: Print version  and the e-book version   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.

Mike and Brian talk about the last installment of the original FLY series. This one throws continuity out the window, and i a truly low budget affair. Still, while the lack of funds limit the sets and the performances, it offers a lot to chew on and tackles some fairly high concept ideas, even if it can't take them all that far. It's also the only FLY movie to date that seems to have a complete lack of its titular creature.  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, the buzz is back! Brian and Mike tackle one of the great, underappreciated B-movies of the 1950s, with Return of the Fly. Vincent Price is the only cast member to return from the original cast and crew, this time getting top billing and lending his charm and winking good time of a performance style in order to deliver a mash up of a classic monster movie with more than a few nods to film noir. The end result is a movie that-for the first hour at least-truly slaps. From a great mustache twirling villain in Alan, to a plot that borrows from the Son of Frankenstein “I must redeem my father's work” to some gorgeous black and white cinematography that hides the fact that this had half the budget of The Fly, we argue that “Return” more than deserves another look.   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 all "abuzz" to start on a new franchise. We're dipping our toes back into classic horror with 1958's science fiction / horror tale of experimentation gone amuck with THE FLY. This is the film that made Vincent Price a horror icon (even though he's in a supporting role) and contains marvelous special effects, a fantastic creature reveal, and one of the most disturbing finales ever in a horror movie. This week Mike, Brian, and Nicole are joined by Shawn Murphy from the Men Who Like Men Who Like Movies podcast to talk B-movies, the ethical dilemmas in science research The Fly raises, how the film reflects the status of disabled persons during this time and why those last five minutes still pack a nightmarish wallop.  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. 

Our last batch of film coverage from Fantasia, plus an interview with Adams family directing team on their new feature Hell Hole. premiering on Shudder August 23rd.  

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.  Here's the second part of of Fantasia coverage. We've got an eclectic line up of films from across the globe. From the UK we have the werewolf cum domestic drama starring Game of Thrones Kit Harrington, THE BEAST WITHIN. Returning from Japan we have everybody's favorite teen contract killers back for their third adventure in BABY ASSASSINS NICE DAYS Finally, from Mexico there's the post apocalyptic tale of three brothers trying to survive monsters that are human and other-worldly in nature in PARVULOS.    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.

The 2024 Fantasia Film Festival is in the books and Mike has the first part of his coverage up. Celebrating its 28th year, Fantasia delivers on horror, suspense, fantasy and science fiction from around the globe For the first episode Mike breaks down his thoughts on the new holiday slash from trans filmmaker Alison Maio Mackay (CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS), a documentary on the zealotry of gun culture comprised entirely of social media clips (FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS), and a wild horror-comedy-musical CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING.  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.  

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 we're diving into the horrific and darkly comedic world of *V/H/S 85*. Join us as we explore this anthology film's unique blend of humor and gore. Getting back to their roots of providing a sandbox for up and coming genre filmmakers ‘85 had first time droppings from Mike P Nelson, Gigi Saul Gurrero and Natasha Kermani showcasing their wares. Longtime favorite David Brickner returns with his little buddy in the wraparound, and Scott Derrickson (The Black Phone) swings by for something that mixes Hill Street Blues meets Sinister.  Make sure to rate, review and subscribe to *The Pod and the Pendulum* to stay updated on our latest episodes, and join our Patreon for exclusive content and early access.

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. 

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 Mike and Ariel are on hand to take a look at the third installment of the found footage, anthology series V/H/S VIRAL. Considered by most fans to be the worst of the series, your co-hosts are hard to disagree at the jumbled, ugly-looking mess that is Viral. While we can offer kudos at the attempt at delivering a theme (the shorts are all concerned with their protagonists achieving internet fame and glory) only three films in and the series seems far removed from its intentions of replicating the glory days of analog rights captured on video cassette. It doesn't help that the segments themselves are pretty tepid, nonsensical and just plain ugly to look at. 

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. 

This week we start a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of a franchise where found footage and anthologies are smashed together into one horrific format. Mike, Rachel, Stephen and special guest Tucker (Disenfranchised podcast) talk about of of the grimiest series we've covered to date as we tackle  V/H/S/. Now six entries (and two spinoffs) deep, this started out as a showcase for some of horror's up-and-coming directors to show their stuff in short form. The first entry alone features Ti West (X, Pearl, Maxxxine), Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs Kong), David Bruckner (Hellraiser), and Radio Silence (Scream VI, Abigail). The results can be uneven, but when they work V/H/S can be a hell of a lot of fun. Also, is this the most dirtbag of all the franchises? We discuss.