This May Hurt a Bit

Pull on your best cut off short shorts and let's head to camp! Angela and Ricky are sent to summer camp by Aunt Martha and kids start dropping like flies. Who's the killer? Will Mel be able to keep it all quiet? And did you see that famous ending coming? 

We made it. 11 Hellraiser movies. 5-ish months. Do we sound tired? Maybe a little beaten down? We talk through the series as a whole, our favorite kills, the best Cenobite designs and what happens when you watch this many in a truncated period of time, in all its Pleasure and Pain. 

David Bruckner reinvents the franchise after years and years... and years of attempts to retain the rights. Jamie Clayton gives a new interpretation of Pinhead and we get about 6 more Cenobites! Does it work? Is it exactly what we wanted?? Let's talk about the final (as of this recording) Hellraiser movie. 

Newly minted "Bloodlines" of all sorts expert, Michael Holloway joins us to chat about the latest installment of the Final Destination series! If you are new to the show, you can hear us discuss the rest of the series back in September of 2022. 

Gary Tunnicliffe, the Keeper of the Hellraiser Lore, finally gets his chance to write and direct a Hellraiser film. Every dollar is on the screen (and then some) with this one. Not as bad as it could be, though. And we will always celebrate the Passion. Unfortunately Gary pays a price- and that is his long friendship with Doug Bradley. 

We finally made it... to THIS one. Had more fun talking about it than watching it but at least it *feels* like a Hellraiser movie. Shot in 11 days for $300K, this was another attempt to retain those rights at the last minute. 

Evil Goes Online. For about 15 minutes.. and then we're just at a house party. Henry Cavill! Lance Henricksen! Pinhead decapitations! Well, they did what they could with a week's prep time.. sorta. 

Finally. We got to "Deader". And uh.. hey if you're grading on a recent curve, kinda worth checking out. Let's all go to Romania, cuz Amsterdam is so 90s. Are you still with us on this journey? 

We start the Bota triptych and seek some Hell- of our own making! And it seems like Hell is... just sorta annoying. Most importantly, its the return of Kirsty, our final girl from the original two films. Also, spot the Double Bradley! 

"Sinister" and "Doctor Strange" filmmaker, Scott Derrickson's first feature film shows us what happens when you go the "Hell of your Own Making" route. This movie thinks it is *very* clever and doesn't quite hit the spot for us with all of its shoehorned ideas. 

We welcome back special guest, Michael Holloway! Ok, part 4 runs through about 300+ years and that IS ambitious. Does Alan Smithee pull it off? Is the Workcut better? Is Angelique a lover of Pinhead or an adversary??

Is there enough to discuss in this movie to make a 90 minute show? We think so. This is where Hellraiser veers off into true franchise territory, hitting that sweet slasher time in the early 90s. Pinhead goes freelance, tries his luck without Leviathan to create a Hell on Earth. Who's your favorite psuedo-Cenobite? Do they stack up to Butterball, Chatterer and Female Cenobite? Hellraiser- Motorhead video

What's your Pleasure? Scalpel self mutilation? Messages from the beyond delivered by Skinless Men? A Labyrinth of personal hells overseen by a Leviathan? If you're like us, you'll enjoy the second Hellraiser film!

We discuss Clive Barker's seminal first film! Not a slasher of the 80s as it is often lumped in with, this much more adult  love story tackles themes of longing, complacency... and intradimensional kink demons. There's 11 of these... and we're hitting all of them. Join us! Coil's Unreleased Hellraiser soundtrack

We wrap up 2, count 'em 2 Gremlins films. Favorite Gremlin? Favorite Kill? What else could you really do with this franchise after pushing the boundaries with "The New Batch"?

Joe Dante finally returns with an idea for a sequel that is so great- the franchise went no further! Co-host of The Flophouse, Dan McCoy joins us to discuss a deeply held favorite of his and ours.  The Flophouse PodcastKey and Peele- Gremlins 2

The only way to complete talking about rasclin' is to talk about the one that did it best, "Gremlins". Do we like the  darker version of the script or the family friendly version? Who's your favorite bar Gremlin? 

In our 100th episode, we wrap up all five Critters movies with special guest Stuart Wellington! Before we get into Critters, we talk, "FRANKIE FREAKO" by Steven Kostanski, which is partially inspired by "little guys rasclin' around" type movies. Speaking of- most rewatchable sequel? Best kill? Best scene of Rasclin'?Listen to more Stuart on The Flophouse podcast and look for Frankie Freako on VOD!

The 5th and final entry in the Critters saga, some 27 years after the previous. Does "Aunt Dee" rise to the ranks of a Lori Strode of Sally Hardesty for one last ride? Does the late entry of a Mogwai like creature help? These answers are "no" of course, but still fun to talk about. 

We make it to space in four movies! This actually makes sense for this series since that's where we started. Holy moly, look at this cast though. Angela Bassett, Brad Dourif... Eric DaRe!

We welcome John Bolds from the "Open Pike Night" podcast to discuss the Leonardo DiCaprio vehicle, "Critters 3". These Critters sure are huge and Charlie gets a solid arch - but what happened in between Part 2 and 3? 

Bonus Episode! We talk about the Darkhorse Comics release,  "Loving, OH" with writer Matt Erman! He talks about working with artist Sam Beck, growing up in Ohio, his cult upbringing which is the inspiration for the book, and how it all ties in with “It Follows!”https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3009-202/Loving-Ohio-TPB

We are joined once again by Michael Holloway to discuss the horror movies (non franchise) that we have been watching for the Halloween season!• In a Voilent Nature• The Tingler• The Substance• Terrifier 3• The Spider Labyrinth• Hush• Oddity• Abigail • Misery• Don't Look Now• Dr. Giggles• Pieces• Blood Lake• Cyclops• Rabid• Night Screams• Graduation Day• Frankenstein• I Saw the TV Glow • Angst • Night of the Creeps• The Alien Factor 

Our favorite little rascals are back and have certainly upped the ante in the realm of Rasclin'. More comedy this time around, more cartoon-ish, and a bit of a lighter tone. This should be in your regular Easter Horror movie rotation each year. Also thanks to Variety for our little blurb in Best of October:https://variety.com/lists/horror-movies-to-watch-october-2024/And make sure to see "Terrifier 3" in theaters and see the work of friend of the show, Jolene Marie in the wardrobe department!

We dive into a new franchise with "Critters"! Little tiny creatures from outer space, rasclin' around a small farm in Kansas. But wait, there area also intergalactic bounty hunters and Neelix! 

It's been a long hot summer. We conclude our series on TCM by wrapping up the whole franchise. Favorite Kill? Favorite final girl? Favorite Leatherface? 

Rounding out this franchise with the straight to Netflix, 9th film in the franchise. Sally returns to help out some gentrifying teens in a small Texas town. We find a few positives, but this is a rough one. 

We can't make heads nor tails of the continuity and references in this one and it turns into a pretty wild and wholly conversation about (another) origin of Leatherface. 

Special Guest Rob Campbell, the Titan of 3D Entertainment, returns to discuss this 3D sequel. Let's all appreciate for a moment that Rob went out and bought a used 3D home television with glasses AND- a 3D DVD to bring you his analysis. https://www.shirtnerdery.com/

Let's travel back to the beginning of this particular timeline with a really mean and nasty origin story for Leatherface and the family. Tommy gets a Saw!

We are joined by Kelly Woessner to discuss this 2003 remake! How does anyone capture the magic of the original? Well... they don't- they do their own thing, for better or for worse. Do you like this kind of Polished Grit? Did you see this before the original? 

On this episode, we discuss...! Well, the next one. The Next Generation. But this time, with Dan McCoy of The Flop House Podcast! This is the one with Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger and boy oh boy do we go off the rails!Check out Dan's show, The Flop House, below!https://www.flophousepodcast.com/

We are firmly into franchise territory as we see the first New Line Chainsaw film. Gone is the darkness of the first and the odd comedy of the second and now we're with a new family in the woods. Can Viggo save this one? Jeff Burr does what he can. 

We are joined by special guest, Michael Holloway! We discuss is new album, "Night Shifting" as well as ... chili recipes. You want Itallo Funk Disco Horror? You should honestly check out this album. https://hauntedhospital.bandcamp.com/album/night-shifting

Let's dive into what could be the greatest horror film of all time. Any first time watchers out there? 

We conclude our series on Maniac Cop! With just three, how did it change? Atkins vs Davi? Who would be the right fit for a reboot? Which was your favorite?

Our friend who joined us for Silent Night, Deadly Night 5 makes good on his request to come back for Maniac Cop 3! It's not nearly as bad as people think. 

Cordell returns with bigger action, bigger set pieces and more kills! What do you think of him hanging out with another killer? Do you like the bigger version of it all? Would you like to have a Cop-E-Cat?And please do click through to hear Jay Chattaway's "Maniac Cop" rap.

We discuss William Lustig's 1988 film, "Maniac Cop" with guests Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum! We also talk about their latest comic series from Dark Horse Comics, "Minor Threats". What grindhouse filmmaker would best adapt this comic? What is it like working in an already established franchise vs creator owned comics? And why is Tom Atkins the sexiest man alive?Pick up your Minor Threats books at Dark Horse Comics!Movies DiscussedThe Honeymoon Killers (1970)The Lineup (1958)The Warriors (1979)Combat Shock (1984)Life is Hot in Cracktown (2009)Lawman (1971)Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)The Prowler (1951)On Dangerous Ground (1951)I Wake Up Screaming (1941)Ghoulies (1984)The Terminator (1984)Martin (1977)God Told Me To (1976)RatPfink and Boo Boo (1966)Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)The Fog (1980)Night of the Creeps (1986)Any Which Way You Can (1980)GETEVEN (1993)House 2: The Second Story (1987)Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors (1987)New Nightmare (1994)Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street(2019)Christmas Evil (1980)Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

Is the legacy of Basket Case more wacky than grimy? Favorite kill? Where to go from here? Stay tuned here to find out which franchise we tackle next!

Can we get goofier than part 2? Yes. Yes, I think we can. 

John's co-host of "John and Alexx Hate Stuff", Alexx Bollen joins us to discuss "Basket Case 2". You gotta admire Hennelotter for just going Silly for the sequel.  Alexx's writingDead When I Found Her

We go from classy to grimey in Frank Henenlotter's "Basket Case". We love this one in all of its early 80s grindhouse New York glory. Who doesn't love that little guy, Belial. Well, ok... I understand if not. 

We wrap up the Omen franchise! Best Damien, Order we'd watch again and of course, revealing that Kill Count for all five movies. So now... what's next?

We discuss the pilot of Twin Peaks, published on this, February 24th- Twin Peaks Day. Let us know what you think and if you'd like to hear more from the show! It's a favorite of ours and we may do the whole series, perhaps as a Patreon. 

We discuss (and find the good) in this completely unnecessary remake.  The only movie we can think of that was created solely for a fun release date on the calendar- 6.6.06.

Not a ton to talk about in this one but still managed to talk almost as long as the movie- and boy our inner 10 year old boys came out in this one. And who is that special cameo??

Can an early Sam Neil performance save this Omen sequel? Who trained these monks? And who let the boy scouts into the army of Satan? Lots of laughs in this one which should come as no surprise on an episode where we are joined once again by Becky Darke!Be sure to follow her for links to her writing as well as her appearances on The Evolution of Horror and her own show, Don't Point that Horror at Me!

We welcome special guest, costume designer and fashion historian, Jolene Richardson to discuss this 1978 sequel! She brings her crack knowledge to our usual nonsense. You can listen to her podcast "Hanging by a Thread" and find her writing in Fangoria!

The 70s had a great run of Satanic horror and we focus on one of the best examples this week. And what could make that better? David Warner. 

We discuss the franchise as a whole! How does the lore shift? Who's your favorite Judd? What tone works best for this series and where to go from here? And of course- who was closest in the Kill Count Estimate!