At The Devils Ball

This month, At The Devil's Ball is down for whatever! Or we had to ask our friends to pick stuff for us because we're too lazy. Either way, we begin with 2020's moody fairy tale GRETEL AND HANSEL with our friend Micah! We talk various themes, unpack the mildly opaque story and generally marvel at the film's gorgeous cinematography and composition.

Halloween season comes to an end with a conversation on Rob Zombie's Halloween II, a film that is somehow more polarizing than Rob Zombie's Halloween 1. With special guest Corey Reilly of The Full Moon Fanatics Facebook group, the guys discuss changes to Dr. Loomis, media cynicism, and the seedy undercurrents of the film, all while seeking the positive and constructive. Happy Halloween fro...

After a slight mental health delay (CW: depression, etc, at the beginning), the guys are back in the saddle to continue Halloween month with Rob Zombie's divisive remake of the original classic. Along with special guest Scott Davis, they talk the ups and downs of the occasionally effective but baffling reimagining.

Happy Halloween from At The Devil's Ball! The guys begin their annual spooky season coverage with a conversation on a conventional classic: John Carpenter's highly influential Halloween. Tired minds and internet issues do rear their ugly heads, but the guys discuss the films endurance, and call special attention to the influence of Jamie Lee Curtis and producer/co-writer Debra Hill.

Guest choice month draws to a close with first time guest and all-around cool person Shelly Haynes and her choice, the insane horror-comedy BLOOD DINER! We talk over-the-top comedy, gender theory in late-80s films, and generally have a good time with the wacky, irreverent film.

Guest choice month continues with author and screenwriter Eric Miller and his choice: Tremors, the 1990 Monster Movie comedy! Mr. Miller is also incredibly patient with a legion of internet issues, resulting in a choppy and sometimes unintelligible episode. I am very sorry about that last part. But most of the conversation is good, and Miller is very cool and Sammaeal does great work.

Guest choice month rolls on with special guest filmmaker Mi Chelle Nessk and the film LITTLE MONSTERS (not to be confused with the 80's movie with Fred Savage that traumatized a very young Nathaniel)! With Nessk, the guys discuss allegories for very real socio-political issues, such as violence in schools and under-paid and underappreciated educators, and the subversion of the usually grim zom...

Guest choice month begins on At The Devil's Ball, starting with filmmakers Amy Lynn Best and Mike Watt's film of choice: Frankenhooker, the weird schlock horror comedy! The guys chat with Best and Watt over the film's quirky comedy, the crossover of schlock and art, and generally enjoy the weird little film. So grab your cash and your super crack and buy a date with us and Frankenhooke...

Deadite Anniversary comes to a close with 2023's EVIL DEAD RISE, the latest entry into the franchise. The guys talk 5 years of podcasting, discuss the film's place in the franchise and what it means for its future, and generally gush over Alyssa Sutherland's incredible performance. Thanks for being with us for five whole years!

Deadite month continues with Evil Dead 2013, a film of many hats and a unique combination of strengths and weaknesses, and we continue our anniversary! Joined by special guest Maggie of Insane Troll Logic, we all talk gender issues, harsh language and the films position in the venerable franchise.

Our Deadite Anniversary rolls on with Army Of Darkness, the fantasy/horror/comedy mashup to end all fantasy/horror/comedy mashups! With special guest Jen Hartle and Mi Chelle Nessk, we talk the evolution of Ash, fan-canon, the rise of Sam Raimi and much more. Grab your boomsticks and come get some.

Our Deadite month (also our anniversary month) rolls on with the groovy Evil Dead 2! Along with very very special guest Michelle Nessk, we talk alternate timelines, Raimi's approach to women and fan canons as we enjoy the wacky movie.

The guys begin their 5th(!) anniversary this month with a conversation on the Evil Dead franchise, beginning with the high-energy splatterfest that is the original film. We talk camera work, fearless filmmaking, and the infamous Tree-Assault scene (content warning: please listen responsibly), as well as talk a little on the anniversary and such. JOIN US.

Punk's (Not) Dead month ends as it began, with a guest appearance by our pal Mark returning to discuss another punk rock horror/thriller/cult movie outing: 2015's GREEN ROOM. We talk anti-fascism, realism vs the fantastic, and talk about Desert Island Movies and Fave Punk Bands.

Punk's (Not) Dead month rolls on with the existentialist, offbeat REPO MAN. The guys talk Emilio Estevez, philosophical and sociopolitical themes and ideas, and the overall weirdness of the low budget cult favorite.

Punk's (Not) Dead rolls on with Dead End Drive-In, an offbeat Australian film about 30-year-old teens trapped in a dystopian drive-in theater, and somehow it isn't nearly as weird as it sounds. The guys talk awkward third act plot points, low budget technical wizardry, and fascism (we're against it).

Punk's Not Dead month begins with a visit from our pal and punk rocker Mark Olszewski of the band NMA and a conversation on the polarizing SUBURBIA. We talk about shock moments, social and economic unrest and, of course, punk rock.

Carn-EVIL month wraps up with 2021's NIGHTMARE ALLEY, a movie that contains a strange moral center and a whole lot of mood. The guys discuss those very topics, along with thoughts on Bradley Cooper and the film's seeming lack of overall audience, and do their best to make thematic connections with the month as a whole.

Carn-Evil month continues as the guys being joined by guest Sarah Sinn to discuss the 1983 Ray Bradbury adaptation of SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. Sarah brings her psychology background to the conversation, with the guys enthuse about the powerhouse performance of Jonathan Pryce.

Carn-Evil month continues with the surreal, uncompromising SANTA SANGRE. With special guest Scott Davis, the guys grapple with heavy issues like spiritualism, violence and stunning, upsetting visuals.

Gooble, Gobble, everyone! Carn-Evil month begins with 1932's FREAKS! The guys discuss "other-ness," difference, and generally enjoy the melodrama of the film.

This week, a special episode as the guys celebrate another random Friday the 13th with...a random Friday the 13th. We talk broad swings, canon-welding, and other topics on our way through arguably the most polarizing entry into the long running series.

The guys wrap up their coverage of the PHANTASM series with the final DIY installment RAVAGER. With special guest Jenn Rich-Hartle, they discuss their admiration for the spirited low-budget production, the tenacity of Angus Scrimm, and say a thank you to Reggie Bannister.

This week, the guys continue running through PHANTASM with part 4. Along with special guest Eric Kent, we discuss the film's use of archival footage, artsy cinematography and sheer pluck to make it a satisfying and interesting inclusion into the series.

The guys continue going through the PHANTASM series with 1994's part 3. We talk expectations vs reality, comedy in the Phantasm series, and riff on pop culture references, while marveling at the continued weight of The Tall Man.