At The Devils Ball

This week, we are joined by the unstoppable Jessica Scott to break down one of the most interesting and strange Dario Argento films, "Opera." With Ms. Scott, we discuss the act of watching, Macbeth references and the power of sound design. 

We begin a Dario Argento month with the oft-discussed "Suspiria!" Discussion begins with "what do we say that hasn't been said before," moves to "Movie Pretty," and then we discuss some fascism, both in film and out. 

This week, we have another in our informal series of creator spotlights, this time talking with J.R. Bookwalter of Tempe Video and MakeFlix.com and the Executive Producer of the 1997 film Bloodletting, which has recently been given a brand spanking new Blu-Ray restoration. We talk with Bookwalter about executive producing, keeping the peace on set, and about his efforts to conserve physical media.

We wrap up (?) our ethereal trip to the afterlife with the 1990 film "Jacob's Ladder!" We discuss the metaphorical and philosophical implications at the heart of the film, Danny Aiello, and how the Vietnam class action lawsuit slows the film down. Enjoy!

The philosophical conversations roll onward with Joel Schumacher's 1990 film "Flatliners," starring a who's who of Brat Pack warriors. Under 40 and don't know who the Brat Pack are? Don't worry, we got you covered! We also discuss the films heady pretentions, uses of color, and that the real star of the film is Kevin Bacon's Hair. Come back from the dead with us on AT THE DEVILS BALL!

The guys begin a new month of discussing more philosophical, supernatural tales of life and death and heaven and hell...beginning, of course, with the stunningly unsubtle "The Prophecy!" Discussion topics include the films really amazing cast of character actors, awkward editing and pacing, and, of course, The Devil. 

We wrap up our Superhero Horror month with the Nicolas Cage film "Ghost Rider," where we discuss the awkward, painfully ordinary adaptation of the titular character, and spend an inordinate amount of time discussing MTV in the 90s. Enjoy!

This week, the guys continue rolling along horror-related superhero films with Guillermo Del Toro's "Hellboy!" Along with special surprise (even to us) guest Jenn Rich-Hartle, we discuss the films ups and downs, the comic origins and mercilessly take down Agent Myers (one of the worst characters ever) and then swing off topic to discuss Lord of the Rings, representation, and the MCU effect on supe...

This week, the guys welcome two very special guests, returning guest Jamie Alvey and  first timer Emily Fabrizio, to discuss the very weird, occasionally controversial and undeniably very cool "Constantine." Topics include the films adherence to the source material, Catholic dogma and a fixation on comic book supporting character Kit Ryan. Don't miss it!

We begin a new theme for February talking about horror-based comic book characters, beginning with Wes Craven's odd little film "Swamp Thing." We follow the characters origins in the comics, how that relates to the film, and discuss the films odd choices and enthusiastic performances and generally enthuse over comics in general. 

This week we're finishing up Comics Sans Comics month with Sam Raimi's weird little superhero flick DARKMAN. We discuss the great performance by Liam Neeson, Larry Drake possibly playing a queer villain, and make more than one mistake that we're embarrassed by. Enjoy us fumbling through DARKMAN!

Just settle back and listen to the ol' Devils Ball express, this is Nathaniel and Sammaeal talking to whoever's listenin' on a dark and stormy night! This week, we discuss John Carpenter's oddball ahead-of-its-time Kung Fu Action Horror Satire Flick BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, with a focus on the films gonzo sensibilities, the extraordinary character of Jack Burton, and differing opinions on the...

This week, we continue our pseudo tradition of spotlighting low-budget filmmakers with the weird, violent, irreverent superhero parody "Hectic Knife" with the films co-creator, Greg DeLiso! With Greg, we discuss the films sense of humor, the guerrilla filmmaking tactics used, the emotional power of art, and how the film is NOT influenced by 90s indie comics as Nathaniel assumed! Enjoy!

We begin the new year with a weird late 80's quasi-superhero film entitled "The Wraith," allegedly starring Charlie Sheen. We discuss the movies bizarre, anachronistic choices, a legitimately interesting action movie villain, and other fun topics. Join us as we delve into "kinda-but-not-really horror-superhero movies!"

The guys marvel at their own magnificence as they realize they actually accomplished their New Years goals in 2021! But more importantly, they attempt to break down Ghostbusters 2, discussing the troubled production, praising the great character work of Peter MacNicol, and remark on how unbelievably hot Annie Potts is in the film. Happy New Year from At The Devils Ball!

In a Holiday tradition, the guys have their (much) better halves on the show to help them discuss the seminal holiday family/musical/horror mash-up "The Nightmare Before Christmas!" Under the watchful eyes of Jenn and Laurie, the guys attempt to break down the weird, macabre piece, with focus on the wonderful animation, nebulous themes, and how this movie was really the work of people not named Ti...

Rolling on with Holiday related films, the guys tackle one of the all-time great Christmas Horror films (and one of the best Christmas films, for that matter), 1974's "Black Christmas." Along with their returning guest, the incomparable Jamie Alvey, they discuss the fantastic cast, the wonderful sense of humor, and the (possibly unintentional) themes of feminism and agency contained within the rat...

In a very special episode, the guys get to talk to their heroes from MST3K and The Mads are Back: Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff, and joined by Chris Gersbeck of Dumb Industries! Under the pretense of talking about Batman Returns, discussion turns to superhero films, movie riffing and, of course, Batman. Not much on Returns, though.

The guys are joined by Ryan of "Reels of Justice" and "The Coolness Chronicles" to discuss Exorcist 2:The Heretic. Everyone involved attempts to discuss the movie but finds themselves mostly focused on Richard Burton's odd performance, why Ryan probably should have been on for Exorcist 3, and discuss anything but Exorcist 2.

We roll on with The Perils of Pazuzu with "Exorcist 3:Legion," a wonderful little film. We discuss various endings, excellent performances, and how it measures up to the original film (the original is, of course, the superior film). Check it out. It's NOT! In the File!

The guys attempt to deal with the weird, unprecedented double whammy of the two versions of prequels to The Exorcist! The conversation is as weird and disjointed as the two films themselves, but your intrepid heroes discuss the controversy behind the two films, the philosophical ideas behind them, and express sympathy for the cast and crew. Nathaniel drinks whiskey, Sammaeal mangles names...it's a...

This month, the guys tackle the polarizing and wildly varying in quality horror franchise THE EXORCIST! Starting with the original, the guys discuss "religious propaganda," break down the devastating character arcs, and deliver an appreciation of what is probably Nathaniel's favorite horror film. So eat some pea soup and get your crucifix ready...it's time for The Exorcist!

We continue our discussion on Gateway Horror with guests Mike and Amy of Happy Cloud Media, Scott Davis, Addison Binek, Henrique Couto, and our old pal Paul Tiberius Steadman!

It's our favorite time of year here at At The Devils Ball, and we're celebrating with a two part special episode on "Gateway Horror!" Starting with guests Sarah Sinn, Jessica Scott, Micah Brown and Ryan Rodriguez, we discuss horror media made for young people, parenting and horror films, and other fun conversation!

While not a Halloween movie, Sammaeal asserts it's a Fall movie and therefore it counts! The guys break down the cult film "Behind The Mask:The Rise of Leslie Vernon," discussing the film's deconstruction of the slasher subgenre, compare it to "Scream," and Nathaniel gushes about the film being a love story. Enjoy!